The Bruin - December 2022

On page 9, it is discussed that students plan on leaving Ohio after their schooling. It is a bad idea for too many people to leave Ohio. According to Spectrum News 1, “Ohio ranked ninth for states where more people left the state than moved in.” This is an issue because it not only affects the economy, jobs, and overall state pride, but it also affects how much representation Ohio gets. In fact, based on the current census, Ohio lost one of its 16 congressional seats. It is imperative that our state gets a say in national politics, and people moving out is detrimental to our national power. Ohio is a greatly historic state, and it is terribly important to maintain its prominence in American history. Instead of moving out of Ohio, students should consider looking for jobs in the area. Unemployment has been increasing, and consequently job opportunities are opening up. Thus, in turn, this would help the economy and decrease unemployment. Another important factor for Ohioan success is trade workers. There is a great need for people, even straight out of high school, to work for trades! Throughout history, Ohio has been completely instrumental in many unforgettable events, and that should not change just because of the newfound negative stigma surrounding Ohio.

BY LUKE HOUSER

The holiday spirit is in the air as this year’s Christmas approaches. One of the ways people can give is through the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP) at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wadsworth. “We help with food every Monday and Thursday night,” said Greg Pero, president of the Wadsworth SVDP society. “We provide money for utilities, rent, broken-down cars–just about anything that needs help.”

SVDP has been operating out of Sacred Heart Church for the past 30 or so years. They are open every Monday and Thursday night from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Any struggling resident of Wadsworth and its surrounding area can enter and get aid.

“You don’t have to be Catholic... You can be purple for all we care,” said Sheila, a volunteer at SVDP.

There are currently around 70 members of the organization in Wadsworth who consistently help out, and many of them are tasked with specific jobs relating to how they can help the most. SVDP offers opportunities for the youth who may be looking for volunteer work to come in and help with the pantry.

Pero lives in Norton but sent his children to Sacred Heart School. There, he and his wife discovered SVDP and began volunteering. They volunteered together for seven years before he became president.

“We helped with CYO [Catholic Youth Organization] and coached in Wadsworth; when [our] last [kid] didn’t need us anymore we started to give our time here, so my wife

and I volunteered,” Pero said. “We started out just helping with the pantry, then the financials, giving money away, interviewing clients, then one thing led to another and next thing you know I’m the president.”

Pero claims SVDP is one of the best-kept secrets in Wadsworth. In other words, he feels it is a testament to how helpful SVDP is but how few people know about it. Pero believes that if more people knew about the benefits of SVDP, the range of people they could help would increase significantly.

Only being closed on the holidays, SVDP constantly works throughout the year to support those who rely on them for food, financial matters, and more. Pero claims that they help around 3,500 people each year, which encompasses about 300 different families.

To help as many people as SVDP does, it costs them around $15,000 a month. Currently, SVDP is deficit spending, meaning they are spending about $10,000 more a month than they are bringing in, so they are always looking for more funds and people to help.

“We’re trying to give away as much money as we can,” Pero said. “My theory is that it’s not doing us any good in the bank. At one point during the summer, we had a limit of $1000 for rent and $500 for other bills, but

now we’ve cut back little on that, it’s a little lower now,” Pero said.

To spread the word, SVDP advertises their special events through the Wadsworth radio. Otherwise, most of their advertising comes from word of mouth.

Pero feels it is crucial that people know about SVDP in order to help out the most people, especially with food pantries.

“So what we do with our food pantry is we check [our clients] in, we give them a grocery list, and then we have our volunteers pack the groceries up,” Pero said. “It takes about 20 minutes tops. We help with housing as well. If someone comes in and doesn’t have a place to stay, we can put them up in temporary housing at one of the local hotels until they can find another connection and another place to go.”

“The best part is when we can help somebody get out from under a big bill, and you can just see the relief lifted from their shoulders, that’s really it,” Pero said. “Meeting the people when we give them food, that’s great too.”

Helping people in the food pantry and offering financial help is not all the SVPD does. They also help with a variety of other services, including volunteering at the Ozanam Center in West Akron and helping at the College Street Laundromat every month.

“We also do a coat drive,” Pero said. “We just gave 75 coats to a local school to kids who couldn’t afford coats. We touched the lives of so many different people.”

To have the funds to continue SVDP’s operations, the society organizes several

SVDP was founded in 1833 in France with the goal of helping impoverished families in Paris. It has since spread to an international level, with an estimated 800,000 members serving in 153 countries around the world.

courtesy of Fair Use.

ways to obtain the necessary funds. Firstly, they apply for several different grants, and they receive the food they give out from the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank.

“Our funds–it’s amazing,” Pero said. “We say God provides, but he works through people. We have one main fundraiser every year called the ‘Iron Chef’... Last year we got about 70,000 dollars to support us, which is great, but last year we spent 190,000. So we get [money] from parishioners [at Sacred Heart], we get money from the county–they’ve been helping us lately–and we get money from generous donors.”

Everything that SVDP receives is donated back to the people of the community. Its continued support, primarily through people donating their time through volunteering, will ensure that places like SVDP can keep helping those who need it the most.

WADSWORTH BUSINESSES TAKE PART IN THE MCEDC BUSINESS AWARDS

BY BRI PERKINS

Many Medina County businesses have recently been recognized for their success. 11 of these businesses were recognized on October 25 by the Medina County Economic Development Corporation at their 19th annual Medina County Business Awards with one business winning their category.

Many local businesses were nominated for this award such as Bellezza Avanti Spa/Salon, Luke Engineering & Anodizing Company, Revolution Trucking, Re/Max Oasis Dream Homes, Annette Cannone, Johanna Perrino, Jenny Young, SHE Did It Videography, Ann’s Pastry Shop, and Water Main Grille. The American Classic Snack Company was not only nominated for the award, but was the Business Growth Award Winner.

The American Classic Snack Company started in 2011 and is located at 322 Grandview Avenue in Wadsworth, Ohio. It is a small town local business that has worked to develop the “Finest Quality Popcorn on the Planet” according to their slogan. The company credits its growth over the years to its hardworking team and dedication to their business. One of the owners, Bob Walker, believes that in business, if you are not moving ahead, you are backing up. Walker was honored to receive the MCEDC

Business Award and found it humbling and unexpected.

“We consider the award to be confirmation that our formula of great people producing a high-quality product and servicing customers the way we want to be treated is both correct and sustainable,” Walker said.

According to Kathy Breitenbucher, an Interim Director of the Medina County Convention and Visitors Bureau, to get nominated companies, partners, non-profits, and their teams to submit nominations. Each nominee is interviewed so the judges can compare each nominee apples to apples. She is one of the representatives who help choose and interview the candidates for the awards.

“Nominees are submitted by companies, partners, non-profits, and our staff.”, Breitenbucher said, “They are reviewed by a panel of judges who select three candidates

in each category (Business Growth, Capital Investment, Community Advocate –Corporate, Community Advocate –Individual, and Entrepreneur of the Year). Then, a second panel of judges review and select the winners. The winners are not released until the event.”

Breitenbucher thinks the awards are said to be a way to recognize Medina businesses and bring the business community together. One of the nominated companies, Revolution Trucking, believes that their nomination reflects all the hard work they have put into their company. Kevin Bemiller, the Vice President of Revolution Trucking, believes in going above and beyond for his customers by being different from the industry standard and creating a communityoriented business to provide the best

service for any customer. For Bemiller, being nominated for the award impacted the drive behind his business.

“The award has allowed us to see the impact of bringing our business to Wadsworth, and it allows us to give back and acknowledge the work we try to do around the community,” Bemiller said.

Alongside Revolution Trucking, SHE Did It Videography was also nominated for an MCEDC Business Award. Jenny Young started SHE Did It Videography to create the job she wanted. She started her business to provide the freedom she needed in her career and do something she loves. Her goal is to provide small-town businesses with a quality videographer for all of their needs. Being nominated for an MCEDC Business Award was a big deal to Young as she started her business from the group up.

“I know that my hard work paid off and that the community supported me as the recipient,” said Young.

All of the nominees and winners around Wadsworth who were recognized at the MCEDC Business Awards are a part of the business community that is brought together by this ceremony.

“This is the premier business event in the county. We bring 250 business leaders together to celebrate the accomplishments of their peers. We love hosting this event to promote our businesses!” Breitenbucher said.

Bob Walker, owner of The American Snack Company, poses with his MCEDC Business Award. Walker started his business in 2011 as a small town company in his hometown, but it has grown to sell popcorn to stores around the US.

Photo courtesy of The American Snack Company.

Photo

“WE JUST GAVE 75 COATS TO A LOCAL SCHOOL TO KIDS WHO COULDN’T AFFORD COATS.”

- GREG PERO, PRESIDENT OF THE SVDP

WHS MARCHING BAND PARTICIPATES IN PEACH BOWL

Thousands of people will line the streets and fill the stadium of the Georgia Football Peach Bowl and Parade.

The Wadsworth High School Marching Band is playing and marching during the Chick-Fil-A sponsored event. This wonderful opportunity will allow the band to view many different sights that they might not have had a chance to see before, including watching the Ohio State football team play in the Peach Bowl for the first time. The team will play against Georgia in the massive game.

The first day is going to begin at five in the morning. The students will check in their luggage at the early time, and will leave for Georgia at 6:30. The bus ride down will be approximately 15 hours. At 9:30 PM, they should arrive at the Atlanta Airport Marriott hotel.

The Wadsworth Band will get to sight see the following day. They will travel to the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and even have fun at Medieval Times with dinner and a show. A food stop will be made along the way at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, which will allow the travelers a bit of downtime before continuing their exciting trip.

The next day, the band members will depart for the Mass Band rehearsal at 8:30 AM. “We’re going to be in the Georgia dome…the Mercedes-Benz stadium,” Mrs. Hire said. The 2009 stadium has a capacity of 93,000, and it has a retractable roof; therefore, no matter what the weather is, the marching band will be able to rehearse on Friday, December 30, and perform the following day.

When rehearsal gets finished around 1:00 in the afternoon, the band will travel to the Varsity for lunch and then prepare to head to the MLK National Historic Site. After honoring the memorial, they will begin preparing for a banquet that will be occurring that night.

of the Marching Band are preparing for. The parade steps off at 11:30 AM. The organizers of the event plan for the parade to be over an hour later.

At the OH vs GA game itself, the Wadsworth marching band will play a multitude of popular songs. Selections will include Katy Perry’s Firework, Happy by Pharrel Williams, Take On Me by A-Ha, and even Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars.

Next, the band will “relax” and eat dinner while having fun at the Stars and Strikes Event Center, allowing them to participate in both bowling and gaming, as they will receive a one hour game card. Since that is New Years Eve, the band plans to stay up all night and ring in the new year. This is subject to change, due to the fact that the Peach Bowl game might start at a later time than written.

his is the Peach Bowl packet the students Received. It has all of the information necessary for both the parents and the students, including the schedule to the most finite known detail

“The attire is semi-formal so maybe a nice dress,” Eleanor Kopfstein (12), the cymbal section leader, said when asked what she would wear for the evening.

The following day is the day the members

Ethan Kowalski, a former Wadsworth resident will “dot the i” for the second time, an extremely rare occurrence, during the Ohio State Marching Band’s signature “Script Ohio.” Ethan is excited to “dot the i” in front of the Wadsworth High School marching band, due to the fact that he will be performing for his hometown residents. He is performing this special tradition on the visitor side of the stadium, which will most likely be where the Wadsworth Band is sitting while the game is going on.

The next day will be the ride homeward. They will stop for food, drinks, and restroom breaks along the way. The band will arrive at the Wadsworth High School at 9:30 at night.

The Wadsworth High School Marching Band is practicing during the month of December to prepare for this big trip. Each hour and a half practice is spent marching and playing the music in order to march and play by memory.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience will be one nobody will forget.

TEA TIME BRINGS VARIETY TO WADSWORTH’S MENU

BY GRACE BARRETT

Wadsworth has finally revealed the long-awaited opening of the city’s first bubble tea shop. Tea Time, which is located in the Weatherstone Commons in Wadsworth, had its grand opening on December 1. Even within the first few hours of opening, Tea Time had a steady line of customers ready to order.

The shop has many different seating options for its customers to choose from, allowing them to use the space to socialize, do work, and enjoy their tea.

This new establishment was opened by Leon and Rita Chang, who also own the popular Japanese restaurant, Kasai. They have been business owners for over twenty years, with much experience in the food service industry.

Due to their previous success, the

Changs felt inspired to go beyond Kasai and began to think of new business ideas. According to Leon, the couple has been planning on opening up a bubble tea shop for around a year. When an opportunity arose in Wadsworth, they took the chance and started organizing plans for Tea Time. The Changs want to remain in Wadsworth with their single location.

Tea Time centers around making bubble tea, a trendy drink that customers can personalize. When ordering at Tea Time, a choice of traditional black or green tea is offered, as well as Thai and Taro milk tea.

Next, customers can pick a flavor for their drink such as mango or peach.

Customers can then add a “tea topping” to their drink, which includes the three choices of boba, lychee jelly, and coconut jelly. Tea Time also sells coffee drinks, Korean cheese corn dogs, and mochi bread.

“We might do some variations with the flavors,” Leon said in regards to their menu. “If Rita and I can come up with some new ideas, we’ll bring them in, so it will be a periodical thing.”

To the Changs, one of the most rewarding things about owning Tea Time is seeing the customers’ reactions when they try their tea.

“When they order the bubble tea, I can see their smile and enjoyment for the moment,” Leon said. “It’s interactive with all sorts of people.”

As well as this, Leon explained how he is excited to have more face-to-face interactions with his customers.

To celebrate the holidays and their opening, the Changs decorated the shop with elaborate Christmas decorations. They incorporated fun aspects for children, including a fully-dressed Santa Clause which welcomed them into the shop.

One thing that sets Tea Time apart from other bubble tea restaurants in the area is the fresh ingredients that they use in every menu item.

“We use high quality products, so eventually, people will come back and choose us,” Leon said.

Another unique feature of the shop is a large mural that depicts appealing designs of the tea and food that they sell.

Tea Time has greatly expanded Wadsworth’s food and drink industry, attracting the younger generation to the city and bringing the community new and greatly anticipated options.

Tea Time’s logo that is printed above the entrance to the building. The building is located in the Weatherstone Commons and has plenty of space for customers.

What is your go-to bubble tea order?

“I usually get green tea with peach flavoring, strawberry bubbles, and lychee.”

-Stephanie Novak

“I normally like to get regular coffee milk tea.”

-Mar Elis

“This is my first time getting boba, so I ordered the taro milk tea with boba.”

-Kenzie Pawlak

Photo by Grace Barrett.

Photo by Grace Barrett.

Decorations located in Tea Time’s lobby that feature the shop’s logo. There are many decorations like this throughout the store, adding to the comfortable environment.

T

Photo by Jade Wilcox.

Wadsworth High School marching band marches at football games, band shows, and special events, such as the Peach Bowl. The marching band has been planning this trip for two years, and are prepared to perform in front of many. Photo courtesy of Wadsworth City Schools.

WHS DRESS CODE NEEDS DRASTIC CHANGE

OPINION BY ANGEL JONES

There have been many changes in Wadsworth High School within the past few years. However, one thing has blatantly been swept under the rug; the WHS dress code.

“I don’t think we’re very strict, I think there are legal ramifications that can become involved when you are too strict,” said WHS principal Dr. Suber. “Tinker V Des Moines Iowa 1969, where kids can wear certain things... there are laws in use because of the Supreme Court.”

The Wadsworth High School student handbook directly states, “The Board of Education recognizes that each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance, except when their choices interfere with the educational program of the schools. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to establish a reasonable dress code in order to promote a safe and healthy school setting and enhance the educational environment. The dress code shall be incorporated into the Student Code of Conduct or Discipline Code.”

There are many problems with the dress code. Firstly, as a student, there is not a clear statement on what is in violation of the dress code. Secondly, each student and each staff member has their own ideas of what is “reasonable”, “safe”, and “healthy” for a students appearance at school.

Wadsworth needs to make sure that

every staff member and principal knows what the dress code is, so that everyone is on the same page. Then, further explain what is expected of the students to wear.

Students should directly know what is right to wear. Today, different students express themselves through the clothing that they wear. Since each student dresses differently, what one is wearing may be suitable in their eyes, but seem inappropriate to others.

Students should not be punished for violating the dress code because it is not currently being clearly explained.

The student handbook fails to specify which pieces of clothing negatively interfere with education. As well as this, it lacks a defined distinction between what is and is not appropriate.

When coming up with a dress code,

administration should look at what most students wear today. For example, crop tops are a “reasonable”, “safe and healthy” option for a student.

As for shorts, they should not be so short that they are showing inappropriate things, but a student should not have to follow the fingertip rule.

The fingertip rule explains that a person’s shorts have to be as long as their arms when they are relaxed next to their legs. This rule is difficult for students to follow because different students’ arms are different lengths, making it an unfair rule to those with different body types.

Students should be comfortable wearing shorter shorts as long as they follow a distinct guideline. The same principle should apply to skirts.

Pants with rips in them should be acceptable to wear to school as long as they do not have rips above a specific measurement. Another type of pants that should be considered “reasonable” are leggings, even if they fit a student differently or more tightly.

In other words, a good dress code would allow a student to express their style with very little restrictions.

However, there are a few things that should not be allowed to be worn since they may damage school property.

“If a student comes in wearing a big spiked bracelet or something spiked, that would be a no-go,” said Mrs. Hamsher.

Many student’s wear crop tops or tanktops, that expose their shoulder’s and middrifts. In many people’s view of the dress codes, this is considered innapropriate.

In Hamsher’s example of a spiked accessory, the spike could be rubbing on the desk and making scratch marks, causing property damage. It could also be

used dangerously, including as weapon, which is something not wanted at WHS.

Another potential issue could be someone having blocked vision.

“Sunglasses or things that cover eyes [are not allowed],” Hamsher said.

Sunglasses are dark and can block students vision as to what the teacher is teaching.

Students at WHS should be able to come to school confident that what they are wearing is appropriate and conforms to their individual style. With that being said, the WHS dress code needs to be altered.

WHS SHOULD STAGGER RELEASE STUDENTS

AT THE END OF THE DAY

OPINION BY LILY CHESBRO

With the parking lots between the student lot of the high school and the buses, that take both middle and high school students, there should be some sort of staggered release implemented. Once the buses get going they do not let any cars from the student lot go between them anyway so there are two options that could be potential alternatives, to end of day dismissal. The students who ride the bus from both the middle and high schools should be released first to get the buses out of the way or the students at the high school should get released by room number, similar to what the high school did during COVID-19.

As we near the winter months, having the traffic problem solved at the end of the day would result in a safer way to exit the parking lot for both students, parents, and buses.

Riley Wenger, junior at WHS, when interviewed was given different ideas

of possible solutions to address and potentially solve the problem.

Buses students get released before everyone between the middle and high school so they are out of the way when students and parents are trying to leave.

Buses are required to let students/ parents in between each bus.

The high school could bring back what we did during COVID, even rooms get released one week and odd rooms get released first the next week to help with some of the congestion.

“3- this way the buses can still get out relatively efficiently but students and parents don’t have to wait for a long period of time for all of the buses to exit. I just feel that this would be a

good compromise,” Wenger said.

Considering the high school has already

implemented this before, it would be an easy thing to help solve the traffic.

Another option of a potential solution would be to give the buses a separate exit.

Senior at WHS, Savannah Tucker, agrees that having a staggered release schedule would be beneficial to the end of day traffic that high school students and parents face.

“Students don’t let every other person go at stop signs. Buses take forever to go. People always cut me off and speed crazy fast,” Tucker said.

Students not following the rules of the traffic signs in the parking lot are just one part of the big problem but this will kind of always be an issue, there are always going to be drivers that do not follow the rules.

A staggered release option would be an efficient alternative, considering WHS has already had this implemented in the past.

“Have a staff member direct traffic at the stop signs at the two exits,”Tucker said.

As this would not solve all of our issues this could allow some students to make it out faster if the law of the stop sign were obeyed rather than treating it as a yield.

With the list of alternatives above Tucker thinks that option two would be one of the better options. The staggered release could still be implemented but the group that gets released second each week that may get caught up by the buses could potentially

benefit from the buses being required to let a certain number of cars go between them. Accidents, frustration, and effectiveness of the after school release could be helped by using these methods.

WHS BELL SCHEDULE WITH STAGGERED RELEASE

1st period 2nd period 3rd period 4th period 5th period 6th period 7th period 8th period

7:35- 8:20 8:24-9:09 9:13-9:58 10:02-10:47 10:51-12:07 12:11-12:56 1:00-1:45 1:49-2:30 FIRST RELEASE 1:49-2:34 SECOND RELEASE

The bell schedule with a staggered release could potentially look like this. Giving students who get release first each week four extra minutes to get out to their cars and make it easier for the students who get released second. Graphic by Lily Chesbro.

The student parking lot has two entrances that people come nnd go from. At the end of the day there is a lot of congestion within these roadways and having a staggered release to give students a head start on getting out could be helpful. Photo by Lily Chesbro.

Photo by Angel Jones.

Student’s often wear ripped jeans that expose skin. In the current dress code, there is no distinction on whether are not these could be deemed inappropriate by teachers and other staff members. Photo by Angel Jones.

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The Reedys,

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Chesbro, The Poling Family,

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and Mrs. Clyde Basinger, The Sieber Family, The Maxwell Family,

Knapp, Annette

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The Long Family, Kevin and Lisa Tinney, Mary Ellen Cunningham, The Keifling Family, Jaime Bowerman, The Kundmueller Family, Cara and Bill Nolan, Lara and Marvin Shipley, Mrs. Love, The Love Family, Lisa Smith, Kaufman Family Farm, The Hendershot Family, Steve & Brittany Basinger, The Houser Family, Grandma and Grandpa Koontz, Gramma and Grampa Houser, The Estep Family, The Basinger Family, Steve and Karen Blankenship, Carol, The Bernard Family, Bailey Family, Ball Family, Joe & Lisa Hanna, Hilary & Rod Bowerman, Coach Hutchinson and Family, Mr. and Mrs. Steven Smeltzer, Kristy Nichol, The Serger Family, Dave and Nancy Porter, Alaina Zigler, Ken, Amanda, and Max Allen, Matt, Teresa, and Vada Porter, Rick and Marguerite Blake, The Dente Family, Karen & Dan Gerschutz, The Riddle Family, Gilbert Family, Jon and Jessica Allen, The Gorbach Family, Steven and Ruby Mallory, The Williford Family, Carol Mallory, Granny and Pappy Baker, Bill and Diane Blake, Russ and Melissa Chesbro, Mrs. Snyder, Ferguson Family, Mrs. Sheehan, Amanda Hutcheson, Fr. Patrick Schultz, Tony Yorlano, Candy Young, Theresa Petkunas, Pam Voss, Ann Hartman, The Osborn Family, Dan and Laurel Houck, The Gerschutz Family, Amanda Hutcheson, Daugherty Family, Megan Crawford & Dustin Likens, Aaron and Sue Dupont, The Moore Family, Bill & Milann Daugherty

TWINS OF WHS

BY LILY LOVE AND MALLORY GERSCHUTZ

Walking through the halls of Wadsworth High School, many sets of twins can be seen. Several positives and negatives come along with being a twin.

Riley and Reagan Hunt, sophomores at Wadsworth High School, are mirror identical twins.

“It’s basically like looking in a mirror, so when we were little I would grow a tooth on the left side and Reagan would grow it on the right side and she’s right-handed and I’m lefthanded,” Riley said.

Reagan explained how she is more outgoing and finds it easier to make friends, while Riley’s personality tends to be more introverted. Although their personalities are very different, they believe that they balance each other out.

According to the Hunts, having a twin gives them a ‘built-in best friend’ with a bond that can only truly be understood by twins. They both agree that they would not take back being a twin for anything.

“It’s definitely a different relationship than you’ll ever have with anybody, different than any other sibling,” Riley said.

Olivia and Taylor Turner, juniors at WHS, are identical twins, meaning their physical features are perfectly matched. They agree that having a twin has a much different dynamic than relationships with other siblings or friends.

Naturally, twins have a close bond because they are raised in the same environment,

doing almost exactly the same things at the same time.

Collin and Brady O’Connor are sophomore fraternal twins at WHS, meaning they are not identical in looks. They do not agree that they are as close to each other as they are other siblings.

“A lot of other twins are really close and say they can’t go without each other,” Collin said. “We’re different people so obviously, we get on each other’s nerves.”

Always being together comes with many advantages, such as sharing almost everything, including clothes, rooms, and friends. Both the Turner’s and The O’Connor’s agree that one of the best advantage to having a twin is being able to share social circles.

However, being together so often can also have downsides. Twins still fight or have petty arguments just as much as any other siblings do.

“[Brady] gets on my nerves sometimes, but you always have a friend with you,” Collin said.

“It’s like a sibling that’s the same age as you,” Brady said.

Growing up, it was hard for the Hunt twins to become their own person, a common theme amongst all twins.

“We’ve always been known as ‘the twins’ or ‘the Hunt twins’ , never Riley or Reagan,” Riley said.

The Turner twins have also experienced this stereotype.

“People ask all the time why I drive separate from her to school, but its because I have a separate life from her,” Taylor said.

Commonly, siblings are often compared with one another in terms of intelligence, physical attributes, and character. However, this stereotype worsens regarding identical twins. The Hunt twins mentioned that they struggle with people comparing their appearances when genetically they are exactly the same.

-Taylor Turner, Junior Identical Twin

Since twins are always seen together they sometimes struggle with creating their own identity. Many people tend to view a set of twins as being the same person and expect them to act and look the same.

However, the O’Connors believe it is important for people to understand that twins are just like every other set of siblings, as they still have unique aspects of their personalities.

KNOW YOUR TYPES OF TWINS

Conjoined Mirror

Identical 25%

“I think it’s important for people to realize that we are our own people, we don’t like the same things, we don’t sound the same, we don’t always look the same, and one action isn’t the other person’s,” Riley said.

Being a twin is a unique relationship that has many positive and negative aspects. Being the same age as your sibling will always come with challenges, but it is a gift that few people are able to experience.

And just in case you were wondering if twin telepathy is real, all the twins interviewed said no.

All data has been pulled from the National Institute of Health, also known as the NIH.

Fraternal 33% 33%

Fraternal or dizygotic twins can be either the same or different genders, due to their DNA being different. Unlike identical twins, fraternal twins only share half of the same genomes. The probability of having fraternal twins increases if the mother is a fraternal twin. These twins are no more alike than siblings born at separate times.

Boy-girl twins are always fraternal, meaning they do not share the same DNA. They can be determined by either ultrasound or DNA testing.

Mirror twins are always identical, sharing the same genetic makeup. This means that their defining physical characteristics are matched as if they are looking in a mirror. They can not be determined as mirror twins until after birth

Identical twins, or monozygotic twins, occur when a single zygote splits into two. This zygote will split into two very early in development, resulting in two separate embryos. Identical twins do not run in the family. Most of the time you can only decipher between identical or fraternal with a DNA test. Conjoined twins are caused when two embryos join together, resulting in the twins being physically connected. Commonly by the abdomen, head, or chest. Conjoined twins are rare, and always identical.

1. Collin (left) and Brady (right) participating in Wadsworth youth football. Both Collin and Brady are involved in sports now, Brady is on the football team, and Collin is on the lacrosse team. Photo courtesy of Collin O’Connor.

2. Collin (left) and Brady (right) before WHS Homecoming 2022. They attended homecoming with a group of their friends. Photo courtesy of Collin O’Connor.

3. Taylor (left) and Olivia (right) seated for a toddler portrait. As they have grown up, they continue to look more alike. Photo courtesy of Olivia Turner.

4. Taylor (left) and Olivia (right) after a cheering for a home football game. They both cheer for football and basketball and participate in show choir. Photo courtesy of Olivia Turner.

5. Riley (left) and Reagan (right), at the Twinsburg Twins festival, in 2011. Reagan and Riley attend this festival yearly, and have won the festival’s twin contest 3 times. Photo courtesy of Riley Hunt.

6. Reagan (left) and Riley (right) pose for a photo to be on the cover of the Bruin. Riley and Reagan moved to Wadsworth at the beginning of their Freshman year.

Photo by Mallory Gerschutz.

“People ask all the time why I drive separate from her to school, but its because I have a separate life from her,”

WHS ALUMNI TAKE OFF AFTER GRADUATION

BY KATIE GRIFFIN & DREW BOWERMAN

Over the years, many former Wadsworth High School students have left Ohio post-gradation. Whether it is for college, a career, or simply for a new start, many former students have found themselves across the country after leaving the walls of WHS.

There are drastic differences in tuition costs, with the option of remaining in Ohio being substantially cheaper than out-of-state tuition.

According to College Tuition Compare, “For the academic year of 2021-2022, the average undergraduate tuition and fees for Ohio colleges is $7,991 for in-state and $17,689 for out-of-state.”

Even with the price difference, attending an out-of-state college after high school is desirable to students. Out of 67 WHS students surveyed, about 49 percent plan to stay in Ohio for various reasons. These statistics follow similar trends to previous years, where many WHS students left the state to pursue a college education.

Kade Miros, a WHS class of 2022 graduate who is currently attending Johnson University in Tennessee, feels that he had nothing to lose by leaving Ohio. He initially viewed outof-state education as a means for discovering more opportunities.

“Ultimately, it opens you up to a whole new world of opportunities, and if those don’t work, it’s fine because you know some [opportunities] in Ohio, and you have connections in Ohio, so you’re fine,” Miros said.

Of the 67 students surveyed, around 13 percent only plan to leave Ohio for college and return to their home state afterward. While Miros feels he gained a lot from leaving Ohio, he is not opposed to returning.

“I really don’t know [if I will come back to Ohio] because I’m an education major, music education, and I think I’m just going to see how that goes,” Miros said. “But I wouldn’t

mind returning to Ohio to intern for someone for a bit because I have to do that as part of my education.”

Cara Griffin, a graduate of Wadsworth High School’s class of 2021, also decided to pursue her future outside Ohio. Instead of remaining near home to continue her education, she ventured across state borders by attending Arizona State University for Business Management.

“I think since I was little, I always said I’d go out of state,” Griffin said. “It started from me wanting to go to Hawaii, then to one of the southern schools.”

Comparably, some WHS students desire colleges that exist in warmer climates due to the cold weather that permeates Ohio lifestyles. 37.3 percent of students do not want to return to Ohio after graduation, largely due to the weather variable.

For Griffin, leaving Ohio has brought various challenges into her life that have allowed her to extend her growth and freedom as an individual.

“Moving to Arizona, I knew absolutely no one here,” Griffin said. “My closest family is 4.5 hours away. It forced me to put myself out there and make new relationships. I was challenged and have experienced so much personal growth.”

Like the new relationships that Griffin was forced to develop, statistics even show that many students at WHS wish to gain these new peers by traveling out of state for college. Even though Arizona enforced initial hardships upon Griffin’s lifestyle, she feels that the benefits ultimately outweigh any of her original struggles.

“Although I could’ve stayed closer to home for a similar college experience, leaving was the best decision I made,” Griffin said. “I’ve truly had to learn how to live on my own and how to rely on myself for hospital visits, school problems, stress, and new situations.”

Similarly, many WHS students agree with this mindset, claiming that they do not want to miss out on beneficial

35.8% 13.4% 37.3% 13.4%

35.8% - I would like to stay in Ohio for college and leave after 13.4% - Yes, I plan to leave for college, but return after 37.3% - Yes, I would like to leave Ohio permanently 13.4% - No, I plan to stay in Ohio permanently

opportunities that the world has to offer.

With a considerable distance between Griffin’s home life at Wadsworth and her study at Arizona State, she has discovered that the most significant distinction from her previous lifestyle involves connections worldwide.

“The biggest difference I’ve noticed to life outside of Ohio is how yesterday doesn’t really matter and how much the world is connected,” Griffin said.

A portion of the student body at WHS also agrees with this new perspective, as many students have expressed their ambition to expand their worldview and discover new things.

Not only do most families in Wadsworth know each other, according to Griffin, but the students in classes together also quickly gain perspective on each other’s lifestyles. Many WHS students even expressed their discontent with this because they do not always cooperate with the people that make up their environment in Ohio. However, Griffin

explains that life in Arizona has completely changed her outlook on this concept.

“Once you step outside of that bubble, you realize that none of it defines who you are,” Griffin said. “The drama is completely forgotten, pushed away.”

Regardless, Griffin still claims that smallworld connections remain prevalent in her life.

“In my dorm, I became close with one of the girls on the floor below me,” Griffin said.

“After talking for a while, we found out that her cousins go to Wadsworth. It’s little moments like that that bring people and the world together and make it seem not so big.”

Griffin wishes to continue her future outside of Ohio after she completes her college education.

“I want to start my own event planning company through starting with small parties and then climbing the ladder to work with large corporations and plan events for Fortune 500 companies,” Griffin said. “As of right now, I don’t plan on returning to Ohio.”

Poll Results of 67 students surveyed about their plans after high school. 37.3 percent of those polled wish to leave Ohio permanently, while 35.8 percent plan to stay in Ohio for college and leave afterward.

Hannah Hoffman (11): “In-state because out-of-state tuition is too expensive for me to afford and there would be an excessive amount of debt post-graduation if I don’t stay in Ohio.”

Hailey Harris (11): “Out-of-state for a fresh start and to have new experiences. I wouldn’t mind staying in Ohio, but I think leaving would be a great opportunity to see what’s out there.”

Ryan Poling (10): “In-state because making new friends is hard if you can’t learn anything about others from peers who know the person who you’re trying to be friends with. Also, I wouldn’t know how to act without my friends there.”

A LOOK INTO WINTER SPORTS

BY LAUREN BALL & CARSON BERNARD

After an offseason of preparing for success in their respective sports, many Grizzlies are ready to take on the winter season. From basketball to bowling to swim, you will be sure to find these athletes taking on their seasons with determination as December commences.

SWIMMING

If one steps into the Grizzly Pool at the Wadsworth YMCA, chances are they will see the swim team hard at work. Their practice has set them up for a continuation of last year’s successful season. Building upon last season’s success is vital for many of the swimmers.

“Last year, we had some swimmers go to the state meet, and we had a really great district meet, so I think the goal for the team and coaches is to get as many kids to districts as possible,” said Annalisa Lobello, senior at WHS and member of the swim team.

To attain the success that the Grizzlies strive for, they have been relentlessly training via swimming and weightlifting to ensure that their stamina and physical fitness levels are at their peak when their season commences.

“A lot of our athletes have been lifting and swimming some laps leading up to the start of the season, which really helps ease that transition because some of us practice twice a day, and that can be a big adjustment,” Lobello said.

To see these athletes in action, be sure to catch their first home meet on December 21.

The bowling team is striking forward in the hopes of a strong season. Members of the team have put in work on their own to not only up their game, but help the overall chances of the team to have success.

“Individually, we practice,” said Bradley Triplett, senior on the WHS bowling team. “I practiced the entire offseason.”

Their practice seemed to translate to the bowling alley at their first tournament on November 18, where they finished third as a team. This is just a starting point for the team who looks to continue to improve and achieve their goals which they are continuing to develop.

“We don’t have any [goals] yet because our first practice was last week, so we haven’t been together that long,” Triplett said. “But a good goal is always just to be .500.”

The early season tournament finish is only the beginning, and no doubt the team will be striving - and striking - for success as the year goes on.

BOYS BOWLING GIRLS

BOWLING

Bowling season is underway for members of the girls’ bowling team at WHS. With a new season comes goals that these athletes hope to achieve and valuable team bonding time. Cecelia Craig, sophomore and member of the bowling team, touched on the training she and her teammates did before the start of their season.”

“For off-season training, most of us go bowling on our own at Kolony or Charger with a group of people to get some practice in while the coaches aren’t doing anything,” Craig said. “This helps prepare the team for the season and gets us back into bowling habits.” Once the team is back into the swing of things, in-season and post-season success is one of the top goals they are looking to achieve this season.

“Our goal for the season is to keep building experience and place top five in the Suburban League, along with advancing an individual - if not the whole team - past the sectional tournament,” Craig said. While winning is something that all athletes strive for, the camaraderie found on the bowling team is one that Craig said she and others are excited about.

“I’m looking forward to bonding with my girls and boys teammates this season and going to the Columbus tournaments,” Craig said. With a combination of team bonding and readiness to win, girls bowling is on track for a successful season.

CHEERLEADING

As the football cheerleading season ends, a new season of winter basketball cheering begins. Members of the cheerleading team will provide support and constant cheerleading for WHS’s varsity, JV, and freshman basketball teams.

Gianna Turano, a sophomore at WHS and varsity cheerleader, touched on the role cheerleaders play for a successful game day.

“The goal is [for the cheerleaders] to all look together and be very clean,” said Turano. “We just want to know our material and make sure we look good doing it.

Their cheering on the court helps create a fun and energized atmosphere for both the spectators and the athletes. “We help the boys by cheering them on,” said Turano. “We get the crowd going, which helps the boys get more excited. It’s always a super fun environment.”

Aside from the actual cheering aspect, the cheerleaders are responsible for getting snacks and candy for a player that they are assigned to as a way of wishing them good luck.

Some Grizzly swimmers are pictured at their “pink out” practice from 2021. Many of these swimmers hope to repeat their success from last season and advance far into the postseason. Photo courtesy of Trevor Hines.

Members of WHS’s boys bowling team circle up before a match. Photo courtesy of Bradley Triplett.

Coaches and players on the Grizzly bowling team converse during a bowling match. Photo courtesy of Bradley Triplett.

Team camaraderie is built between the swimmers not just in the pool, but also via events like this team breakfast. Photo courtesy of Trevor Hines.

Grizzly cheerleaders cheer during Wadsworth’s home basketball game against Brunswick on December 7. They kept the student section excited all throughout Wadsworth’s four overtime win. Photo by Lauren Ball.

Some of the cheerleaders such as Turano will flip and tumble across the court in front of the student section and fans Photo by Lauren Ball.

The 2021 Grizzly girls bowling team is pictured. With a new season comes goals including finishing in the upper half of the Suburban League. Photo courtesy of Cecelia Craig.

Bowlers in action during the team’s first official day of practice and tryouts. Photo courtesy of Wadsworth Athletics.

AT WADSWORTH HIGH

The Wadsworth Wrestling Team is more ready than ever to get a jump start on their season. The team is heading into their season ranked 27th in the nation. On top of that, the team has two reigning state champions in senior Christopher Earnest and junior Jaxon Joy.

The team has put a lot of time and effort into earning this ranking. During the preseason the team practices twice a week, and some athletes even competed over the summer in tournaments and various camps and matches.

“The team’s goals this year are to improve our national ranking…and to chase down a state title as a team,” Joy said.

On top of the team goals, Joy has a few in mind himself. After recently committing to Cornell University to wrestle for the school’s program, he looks forward to continuing his education and wrestling career. Joy also looks forward to the Wadsworth’s match against Brecksville as well as the state tournament.

WRESTLING GYMNASTICS

Wadsworth’s gymnastics team is set to start their season strong. The team has put a lot of time and effort during their offseason having three practices a week as well as lifting. The team has their mind set on some tough goals that will definitely be a challenge, however senior Addison Beck knows the team has put in the work, and their talent will show.

“The team’s goal would ultimately be to go undefeated as well as qualify to districts like we have in years past,” Beck said. “We lost a lot of skilled seniors last year and have a very young team so I am excited to see what these girls can do.”

Beck as well as her team are looking forward to coming together and making the best of whatever comes of the season and having a fun time overall.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Grizzlies boys basketball team is looking sharp heading into their upcoming season. A strong, experienced team with an overload of talent, the team is looking to bring home the gold and walk away with winning the Suburban League title. This has been a goal of the team for some time now, and that is where the team looks to be focusing their mind on. Senior Solomon Callaghan talked about the team working hard during the preseason, and all the work that the team put in,

“We did a lot of individual and 3/4 man workouts this summer, there were lots of guys eager to get on the court and work even though it wasn’t the actual season,” Callaghan said.

The team lifted 3-4 days a week on top of practicing. Callaghan says that this definitely helped the team build chemistry on the court as well as off the court as the team spent so much time together. After recently committing to Wright State, Callaghan knows that his team looks up to him as a strong leader.

“My goal this season is to try and lead my teammates in the best ways possible, and help as much as I can to push us towards that league championship,” Callaghan said.

Callaghan is looking forward to his senior season of his high school legacy. With a strong senior core consisting of seniors Luke McMillen, Caden Madigan, Alex Neville, and Elliot Simmons, Callaghan knows this will be the last dance for him and his fellow senior teammates.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Grizzlies are prepared to head straight into their season with their heads up high. The team held multiple open gyms before the season as well as team lifting sessions. As is custom to every pre-season, the team also scrimmaged against other schools in the area and neighboring districts. Ana Pinkerton, a sophomore at WHS and current varsity player, says the team has put in countless hours not only perfecting their game, but growing closer as a team,

“The goal is to obviously win and to get better and stronger and just grow as a team,” Pinkerton said.

On top of the team goals, Pinkerton hopes to perfect her skills on defense as well as improving her communication skills on the court. The team has its goals set, and the season is looking to be a promising one.

Solomon Callaghan (12) signing to Wright State on senior signing day at Wadsworth. Photo courtesy of Wadsworth Athletics.

The team coming together to run things over during a timeout. Photo courtesy of Mcguire Hiscock.

Seniors of the Wadsworth Wrestling team posing for their honorary senior photo. The team has a strong senior core, some of who have been wrestling with each other since middle school. Photo courtesy of Wadsworth Athletics.

From left to right, Chris Earnest (12) Coach Clay Wagner (middle) and Jaxon Joy (11) being recognized as state champions at the football game. Photo courtesy of Jaxon Joy.

With a smaller sized team, one of the focus points for the preseason was for the team to grow close to one another. Photo courtesy of Addie Beck

Some of the team practices outside of the team practice participating at outside clinics and private lessons. Photo courtesy of Addie Beck.

The Lady Grizzlies hope to grow to be a strong team in the conference and win the Suburban League. Photo courtesy of Macie Roberts.

Coach and team players running over a play during a break. Photo courtesy of Macie Roberts.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF WADSWORTH’S

BY KATIE ALLEN

The 2022-2023 school year marks ten years since Wadsworth’s superintendent, Dr. Andy Hill took the job. Superintendents bear various responsibilities as many members of the community have seen during these past years, but what exactly does a normal day as a superintendent look like?

Dr. Hill’s day typically starts around four in the morning when he wakes up. He then reads the news before starting his work day.

“I get up somewhere around four, I read, I look at papers. I look at headlines and read different stories and kind of see where there’s themes that may impact education here,” Dr. Hill said. “Then I usually get up and do some work, like this morning I got up and did some emails and did some minutes for our academic council meeting from a week ago.”

After working on what he can in the morning, Dr. Hill runs for a little bit before beginning his day. For Dr. Hill, that is the most consistent part of his morning. Then, depending on what he needs to do, his schedule differs for the rest of the day.

About an hour before the school day starts, Dr. Hill then makes his way to the high school or middle school. He often takes time to talk with teachers and administrators and helps with what he can. By 7:00 o’clock, Dr. Hill heads outside of either the high school or middle school and stands outside the main doors where students get dropped off. Greeting students with a “good morning,” he stands outside until the tardy bell rings at 7:35.

After greeting the students, he makes his way around the school, surveying the area for dangers. By the time he has reached the end of the high school’s main hall, during a particular instance, he spots a tear in the rug. He points out that something like that can be a trip hazard to students and sends a quick email to see about fixing it.

As he finishes his rounds around the school building, Dr. Hill then heads to the administration office. This point is where each day starts to differ for him. Because every day can be so busy and different from the last, Dr. Hill has to stay very organized with his work.

“I have a list of stuff that I do and organize myself with. I have things that I need to do, people that I need to talk to and catch up with, and then

people that I need to call,” Dr. Hill said. “I work from that list, and that list fluctuates and grows everyday.”

When 9:00 o’clock rolls around, Dr. Hill heads over to Overlook elementary school. He does the same thing he had done earlier in the day, greeting students and now, parents too, as they drop off their children.

By 10:00 o’clock, Dr. Hill returns to his office and joins a Zoom meeting. This specific meeting consisted of a large portion of superintendents in the state of Ohio, and some government officials.

Throughout the session, they discussed some laws that might bring changes to the policies within school buildings.

“I do a lot of our policy work, and I try to operate a lot of what we do with committees that work to get things done,” Dr. Hill said. “Polices basically tell us what we are allowed and not allowed to do based on certain topics, and they pretty much mirror what the state law is.”

Some of the policy work Dr. Hill works on also comes from programs that take place at Wadsworth.

Behind the scenes of school events like drama productions, lots of policy work takes place.

Later in his day, Dr. Hill takes on the next task on his list.

He makes a call to work on the terms of a drama production.

He reviews contracts, making changes to what is not within the school’s policies.

Going back and forth with the company

Dr. Hill sometimes has to get the district’s legal council involved to work with the opposing legal council. Once the terms fit the school’s policies, he can bring them to the Board of Education for them to approve.

“I also review contracts, so we have things that by law we are not allowed to agree to as a public school,” Dr. Hill said. “So when we have a program, and they want to purchase something, a lot of the time there’s a contract or terms of conditions or privacy policies, different things that go with it, and if there’s a cost associated with it, it has to go to the board.”

A unique part of Dr. Hill’s job, which many other superintendents do not do, comes from the Four Cities Compact.

This compact, which involves three other school districts, Barberton, Copley, and Norton, brings many different opportunities to students in the classes offered. Because this compact involves four school districts, another part of

Dr. Hill’s job involves working with the other districts’ superintendents and the director of the Four Cities Compact.

“We have a monthly meeting with Mr.

plan include surveys and enrollment projections which help to create the main goals. Some of these goals center on areas like finance, school and community relations, and technology.

Then, after all that research, the fiveyear plan is finished, and they bring it to the board to be approved.

Wright, the compact director, where he goes through things. The four of us are kind of like his board for what he’s hired to do. We collaborate pretty closely when we meet,” Dr. Hill said. “Outside of just for the compact, I see those guys at a lot of different meetings that I’m at. We collaborate a lot during the winter with snow days and decisions on that, and there’s a lot of texting and conversations that go on really early in the morning.”

A big aspect of Dr. Hill’s job as superintendent involves planning for the school district’s future. To do this, Dr. Hill works with a committee to formulate a five-year plan full of goals for the district.

“We put these together, and it’s a five-year plan which lays out the things we are going to look at, who’s going to be responsible, the timing of when we are going to do this, and then we work through it,” Dr. Hill said. “But to get here, we do community and staff surveys, and we even had some students submit them too. We try to take all of that stuff, and we put it together into these different areas, then we send out the draft and get some additional feedback on it.”

The research and work on the five-year

“This is probably a six-month to a year process to put the plan together, then it really becomes the road map for what we plan to do for the next five years,” Dr. Hill said. “There’s going to be things that happen that aren’t on the plan, but we always come back to it to make sure we are keeping on track with what’s needed.”

After various meetings with other administrators, parents and students, and others, Dr. Hill often attends school events in the evening to end his day. “I try to get to different stuff [events] in the evening, like the athletic events, drama productions, honors assemblies, all of those types of things,” Dr. Hill said. “I try to be part of and an active participant in community events.”

After a decade as Wadsworth’s superintendent, Dr. Hill feels very fortunate to work with such a supportive Board of Education, staff, and community.

“That’s one of the great things about our school district, in my opinion. Our people are very integrated and involved in the community, and our community is very supportive and involved in the schools,” Dr. Hill said. “Which is why we are able to offer so many things for students,

programming and classes and other stuff,

Dr. Hill seated in his office within the Administration offices. This is where he spends most of his work time when not visiting the schools. Photo by Katie Allen.

with

“THAT’S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IN MY OPINION, OUR PEOPLE ARE VERY INTEGRATED AND INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, AND OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOLS.”

-DR. HILL SUPERINTENDENT

CHOIR PREPARES FOR HOLIDAY TOUR

BY LEZLIE TINNEY

The Wadsworth High School Choirs will perform on December 14 and 15. The concert will be located in the PAC at WHS. The Show Choir Holiday

Rocking around the Christmas tree, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, It’s the most Wonderful Time of the Year, Silent Night, O’ Holy Night, and many more beloved classics.

The choirs are split into four different levels. The difficulty of what they perform is based on each different level. The first level is split between men and women, with the men’s chorus and the women’s chorus. This is mostly composed of freshmen, but people who did not make the audition groups are also a part of the chorus.

“However, if you show you are good enough at concerts, singing, dancing, you move up to Rhythm in Red.”

Rhythm in Red has the most complex dances and songs, and it is the group participating in the Show Choir Holiday Tour, where they will go to schools in Wadsworth and perform for the students and staff.

Rhythm in Red is the top show choir that a person can be in during their career at Wadsworth High School.

“I’m really excited for it, actually. I used to love it when they came to my elementary school,” said Joe Maag, a sophomore at WHS and a member of Rhythm in Red.

tour is spread throughout December 8, 12, and 16.

“Usually, the day after the concert, we run over what we did well on and what we can do better,” said James Welsh, a Sophomore at WHS and member of Rhythm in Red.

After that, the different choirs begin practicing their performances and songs.

The choirs will sing and dance to several well-known songs, such as: Feliz Navidad, Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer,

“[The men’s chorus] has the easiest songs. They usually only dance to one or two songs in a concert,” Welsh said.

New Edition has the role of being the meeting point for both men and women. They both work together to make songs, and it is the second highest level.

“They have a bit more complicated dances and more songs, and if they can prove themselves to Mrs. Davis, then they move up to New Edition,” Welsh said.

To prepare for their concerts, they go through the music and learn their different parts. After that, they have a choreographer who is commissioned to create and teach them a dance. The third part of preparing for their concerts includes finalizing solos and improving on everything taught to create the best possible show for their audience.

“To get a solo, you need to audition

in front of the class and Mrs. Davis,” Welsh said. “It is not based on grades or anything. We don’t do that. It is based on who can do the part the best. Everyone has a chance.”

To practice, they have their whole class period and can also practice during Academic Lab.

Performance length varies, but it is usually around an hour or an hour and a half.

Throughout December, the different choirs work hard to prepare themselves for their concerts, and they hope to have a fantastic performance for their winter concerts and holiday tour.

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE II IS HERE

BY BRENDEN BARLETT

Overall, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is both worth it and not worth it. For those short on time, that is all they need to know. But for those willing to listen, sit tight–if there is anything Modern Warfare II players agree on, it is how the game is very discussioninducing.

Prior to the game’s update on November 16, it felt very underdeveloped, with its biggest gripe being the lack of flexibility in what players could do and the minimal amount of maps the game possessed. However, the implementation of Warzone 2.0, DMZ (which is essentially Call of Duty’s take on Escape from Tarkov), the Battle Pass, and a few new maps have greatly improved Infinity Ward’s latest addition to the Call of Duty franchise.

“Besides the maps, it feels well developed.” Said Dylan Bushi, a senior at Wadsworth High School. “The core gameplay feels great, none of the guns are inherently bad, and marksman rifles are actually useful for the first time in who knows how long. I also like how they did cameos.”

Bushi’s critique of the game’s maps and favor towards its guns and general feel were nearly unanimous amongst those interviewed, as Tommy Arnold, a senior, agreed the maps were terrible and guns were enjoyable, while Alex Buchanan, another senior, went as far as to say the game’s guns and gameplay felt great.

“The maps kind of suck, but the game still feels developed,” Arnold said. “I think the problem with the maps could be fixed if they

But is it Worth the Steep Price Tag?

just added some of the classics back in like they did with Shoothouse. Put Terminal in; put Shipment in. Shoothouse is the most fun map in the game, and it’s the only thing I’m gonna play till it goes away.”

Bushi agreed Shoothouse was fun and that the classics were worth implementing but took a firm stance against the current state of Modern Warfare II’s maps.

“It does not matter that they’re not classics; it just matters that they are terrible,” Bushi said. “They are boring. They are very boring, and there are too many spots to camp, which doesn’t help when the way kids play the game is extremely annoying.”

While both Arnold and Bushi felt very strongly against the game’s maps, listing them as its weakest point, Buchanan admitted he liked them.

“The maps are pretty controversial, but I like them,” Buchanan said. “I really like Sariff Bay and Farm 18, and the visuals and lighting for the maps, but I can get where people are coming from for not liking most maps.”

Stepping away from the game’s maps and guns, Arnold, Buchanan, and Bushi all agreed the variety of game modes to play felt underwhelming at best, with Arnold going as far to say there was simply “a lack of game modes.”

“I think Free-For-All is very weak,” Bushi said, “and I think there is no point to DMZ… It just feels underdeveloped, but honestly, Prisoner Rescue is actually kind of fun which surprised me.”

Prisoner Rescue is one of the two new game

modes in Modern Warfare II, the other being Knockout, a game mode that neither of the three felt very passionate about. The idea of Prisoner Rescue is as it sounds–one team of six has hostages, and the other team of six has to rescue and escort them to safety.

At the end of the day, despite Modern Warfare II’s various strengths and

shortcomings, all three were confident they would continue to play as it develops over the coming months. They also all agreed it felt better than most of Call of Duty’s recent additions.

“It is better than the last few games.” Arnold said, “I definitely think it is enjoyable but aside from Cold War, I think the rest of the Black Ops games are definitely better than MWII.”

All three of them said the game is worth playing but felt its base price of 70 USD (around 75 when taxed) is too much. As for the Vault Edition, however, no one was able to justify spending 100 USD (not including tax) for the game.

“It (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II) is fun, but they are trying to gouge you,” Buchanan said. “You got to take into account whether you think it is really worth buying Vault edition or the upcoming DLC in the future, considering how expensive the base game already is.”

Breaking MWII Down:

Positives: The In-Betweens: Negatives:

-Guns feel great; -Playing with friends; -Nostalgia factor; -Looks great; - performance on pc and new gen consoles; -Warzone 2.0 and DMZ are free; -Visually and audibly appealing.

-You will die a lost; -You are gonna have a very rough k/d;

-The current strategy is very scummy; a lot of people camp, hide, window sit, etc; -cameos; -Battle pass;

Bang for Buck: most players can hit the 70-90 hour mark making the game viable for purchasing.

-Nearly 75 USD base price; -Nearly 105 USD for Vault Edition;

-Runs inconsistently on last-gen consoles; -Terrible game UI and interface

-No memorable maps; -Spawn points; -Weak playable skins so far.

Senior Erik Schnell auditions for a solo at one of the choir practices. Schnell is in Rhythm in Red and Mens Choir. Courtesy of James Welsh.

Senior Myles Fortner singing at one of the choir practices. Fortner is in Rhythm in Red and New Edition. Courtesy of James Welsh.

A player aiming in Team Death match. This is the Shoothouse game mode, where players can only play on the Shoothouse map. Courtesy of Fair Use. Gameplay Screenshot by Brenden Barlett.

“I REALLY ENJOY PREFORMING, BUT THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO CONCERTS CAN GET REALLY STRESSFUL.”

-SAID JOE MAAG A, SOPHOMORE AT WHS.

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UNCOVERING AMERICA’S OBSESSION WITH THE COUNTRY’S MOST HIGH PROFILE MURDERER

BY KATIE BASINGER

Dahmer”, Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix miniseries, has just become one of only three shows to exceed one billion hours viewed on the popular streaming service.

Just days after its release, scenes were being used to make online edits of Dahmer, people were bragging about their immunity to the gruesome elements presented, and the trend of dressing up as

Dahmer for Halloween skyrocketed. People believed that the show was beneficial because they were able to sympathize with the serial killer. Viewers began to see Dahmer as less of a horrifying killer and more of a fictionalized super villain.

With the uprise of inappropriate and insensitive reactions to the show, it proposed the nagging question-why are so many Americans fascinated by one of the world’s most notorious murderers?

John “Derf” Backderf, author

of “My Friend Dahmer,” was high school friends with Jeffrey Dahmer in the Revere School District, barely 20 minutes away from Wadsworth, Ohio. He spent his high school career associated with Dahmer.

Backderf, as well as his friends, let Dahmer hang out with them, all while Dahmer continuously inserted himself into the mix of people that Backderf referred to as the “Dahmer Fan Club.” This “Fan Club” was a group of Backderf’s closest peers through school. They were fascinated by, and even encouraged Dahmer’s odd behavior.

In an interview with the Bruin, Backderf expressed his confusion with the nation’s obsession. He mentioned how people like to play the “Six Degrees of Jeffrey Dahmer,” a “game” essentially inspired by the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” where players can see how close they can relate two actors together only based on the works they’ve done, but in this case it involves people from Ohio trying to explain how they are in some way personally connected to Dahmer.

“It’s like a documented phenomenon,” Backderf said. “Everybody has some connection to this guy in some way.”

The Bruin made a post on Wadsworth Neighbors, asking if anyone would be interested in commenting on their personal experiences. This led to almost 100 comments of people sharing how exactly they knew Dahmer or knew of someone in the same situation. Our own high school teachers were no exception to this. Many had met Lionel Dahmer, the father of Jeffrey Dahmer, who worked as a substitute teacher at Wadsworth High for many years.

Everyone’s attempt to be recognized by their story or anecdote

Backderf, is a local cartoonist and author from Bath, Ohio. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in journalism. His comic strip, The City, has appeared in over 140 different publications. He also has multiple graphic novels published, including “My Friend Dahmer”, “Punk Rock and Trailer Parks”, “Trashed”, and “Kent

amplifies the question at hand. Why do people so desperately wish to have their names associated with a notorious killer?

According to Coltan Scrivner, a research scientist specializing in behavioral science, another plausible explanation could be viewers’ interest in connecting to morbid curiosity.

Scrivner explained in an interview with the Bruin what morbid curiosity means in his field of study.

“I define it as an interest in learning information on things such as real threats, like what you see in the news, or sort of true crime,” Scrivner said. “But it could also be fictional threats like what you see in horror movies.”

The Bruin asked Scrivner about

State: Four Dead in Ohio.”

Photo courtesy of Derfcity.com.

Photo courtesy of Free Use.

Ryan Murphy’s new series holds the title of the second most streamed series after only 28 days of being released. The show stayed at the top of Netflix charts as the number one spot holder for 21 days post-release.

Photo courtesy of Fair Use.

John “Derf” Backderf

some of the connections between types of people and their interest in morbid curiosity.

“If you think about what anxiety is or what it causes you to do, it causes you to be more vigilant or observant,” Scrivner said. “[This] means you’re going to pay more attention to them and learn more about them. People who are more anxious tend to be a little more curious because it motivates them to seek out threats.”

Fear triggers adrenaline and that explains why people love horror movies and other fearsome media so much.

Scrivner said that it is typical and harmless to indulge in morbid curiosity in small doses. The anxiety behind it keeps one aware of their surroundings and helps one prepare for the future. However, it is very easy for it to turn pathological.

Backderf was asked if he had any theories behind the obsession of Dahmer’s crimes.

“The Dahmer series was a big mystery to me, I don’t know why they did that,” Backderf said. “I don’t understand why it became a hit. I thought it was completely off in tone and not accurate. They didn’t capture the spirit of the place or the spirit of the time. I don’t think they got Dahmer right.”

In 2017 Backderf worked to adapt his book into a movie. The “My Friend Dahmer” movie was released and had

a great response from audiences.

Backderf explained that he feels the adaptation of his book is the only accurate portrayal of Dahmer that has been produced.

Backderf described Dahmer as a quiet oddball that got darker and darker over the years, not the ticking bomb he was depicted as in the Netflix series.

“It’s my belief that he could have been saved or at least stopped. If just one adult stood up and said wait a minute there is something really wrong with this kid.”

“My Friend Dahmer” gives an inside look onto the behavior and escalation of Dahmer’s behavior and actions while he was still an adolescent.

Backderf believes that if an adult had reached out to Dahmer at some point in his life and offered support, then it could have prevented a number of tragedies.

“I didn’t see that progression [in the Netflix series],” Backderf said. “He was the same in the beginning of the episode that he was at the end. That’s not how it was. There was a progression [in real life], he kept getting worse and worse and worse.”

That leads people to question: if all these are flawed renditions of a terrible tragedy, then why does Hollywood continue to publish countless versions every couple years? Why after 40 years have passed, are people so obsessed with

the gruesome crimes?

Hollywood, but more specifically, big name streaming services like Netflix and Hulu continuously produce new true crime content which continues to sensationalize the disturbing crimes and leads to the romanization of malicious figures.

In 2019, Netflix came out with “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’’.

The film meets Ted Bundy just a short time prior to his first murders and then through his arrests, jail time, trial, and inevitably his execution.

Other than their drama style production, “Dahmer” as well as “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,” both star famous actors. Jeffrey Dahmer is portrayed by Evan Peters and Ted Bundy is played by Zac Efron.

Additionally, The 2002 production of “Dahmer’’ featured Jeremy Renner. “My Friend Dahmer” showcased Ross Lynch. Oliver Cooper has played David Berkowits, aka the Son of Sam. Mark Harmon has also played Bundy.

Backderf said that none of the renditions of the twisted tale are accurate to the story at all.

While directors and producers can expect a large profit and millions of views from attracting A-List stars to their true crime dramas, people begin to watch these films, no longer being fueled by morbid curiosity, but as a personal obsession with the actors.

Casting fan-favorite actors to play these celebrities can be perceived as harmful for two reasons. First, it becomes more and more difficult to separate the actor from the role. And secondly, it brings to fruition a position to glorify the heinous crimes. When “Dahmer’’ (2022) came out of Netflix, it was instantly a hit. However, many criticisms came to light because many people felt it was hurting the families of the victim’s. Members of the victim’s families came forward to speak out against Netflix and the fact that its new series was rehashing such a tragedy. Many were upset that Netflix was producing the TV

show at the expense of the grieving families. The families were not even told about the production, let alone financially compensated.

The constant revisions of the Dahmer crimes through television has not only set people’s sense of morals off, but has ultimately failed the seventeen, innocent victims and their grieving families.

While some people may not follow the crowd of internet users, jumping at the chance to romanticize the murder, they are not immune to the issue of not separating the actor from their role.

People see stars like Efron and Peters up on their flat-screen and are amazed by their professional acting skills, however the lines start to blur after the credits roll.

There continues to be new content, despite the protests of many. Backderf spoke about how incorrect these documentations of Dahmer were, however, the question remains as to whether the continuous revival of the story does more harm than good.

Scrivner is a research scientist, specializing in behavioral science. He holds a Ph.D. In Comparative Human Development, an M.S. in Forensic Science, and a B.A. in Anthropology. He currently works for the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark and is a UX researcher for Meta in California. Scrivner is in the process of writing his first book on morbid curiosity and the fascination of true crime.

Screenshot courtesy of Katie Basinger.

This is a page out Backderfs graphic novel, “My Friend Dahmer”. Backderf told the Bruin that he generally receives a lot of praise for his book. In his opinion, his critics are often people who glamorize Dahmer. Photo courtesy of Derf Backderf.

Coltan Scrivner

ONLY IN OHIO

TIK TOK TREND DISSES OHIO

BY OLIVIA BENNER AND ALEX BANKS

WHAT IS THE

TREND?

Ohio is known for the beautiful city of Cleveland, agriculture, and the widespread activities across the state. However, not everyone within the United States sees the true beauty of the state. One of the newest Tik Tok trends, “Only in Ohio”, makes fun of the state and the odd qualities of it. Typically, someone will post a weird video and one of the first comments to show up on Tik Tok will be someone saying “Only in Ohio”. This has been circulating around the app for a couple of months, and some are beginning to think it is overused.

CEDAR POINT This is an amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, by Lake Erie. It has around 70 rides and has been open since 1870. Some of its most popular roller coasters include Millennium Force and Valravn, but it also has things such as Snoopy Land for younger kids and families. It also has restaurants and hosts events for people who might not be into the rides. Cedar Point Shores Water Park is also near with water slides and pools.

“Giant Wheel”, the Ferris wheel at Cedar Point, is shown with “Wicked Twister”. The Ferris wheeler has been open since 1972 but “Wicked Twister’ was recently torn down.

OTHERWORLD Installed in Columbus, Ohio, Otherworld is an art exhibit that immerses the people visiting it. It has 32,000 square feet that visitors can explore and the art has a science fiction and fantasy theme. It has 47 rooms for people to see and 40+ artists have worked on it. In addition, a total of over 190,000 LEDS are used.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Located in Cleveland, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a staple of Ohio and the museum has been open to the public since 1995. This year, it has musical artists such as Eminem, Dolly Parton, and Duran Duran. To get the privilege of being inducted, the musical artist’s first recording must be at least 25 years old. Over the years, it has inducted people such as Louis Armstrong, David Bowie, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and ABBA.

WEIRD THINGS THAT REALLY ARE ONLY IN OHIO...

WORLD’S LARGEST BASKET

In Newark, Ohio, people are able to find the largest basket in the world. The landmark is 185,000 square feet. It stands around seven stories tall and was, at one point, the headquarters for Longaberger, a brand that made baskets.

CORN HENGE Field of Corn

of “Corn Henge” is an art insulation in Dublin, Ohio. It is a concrete field of corn where each is six feet tall. It contains 109 corn cobs, where an old corn field used to stand. The artist behind this was Malcolm Cochran.

FLAG Out of all fifty states, Ohio is the only one that has a flag that is not in the shape of a rectangle. The flag contains seventeen stars because in 1803, Ohio became the seventeenth state to join the union. The red and white stripes on the flag are meant to symbolize Ohio’s roads and waterways.

GABBY BAILEY

”I would say that I am proud of Ohio in some respects. Ohio has its ups and downs but overall, I am more proud of the people who surround me and the memories Wadsworth holds. I like the community. Ohio may have its rough area but the majority is extremely peaceful and people are really friendly here compared to other places I have been with my family.”

JAXON DORLAND

“I am proud, Ohio shows a lot of diversity in people, places, and activities.”

HUNTER COLE “No, [I’m not proud of living in Ohio] because recently on social media people think all bad things come from Ohio. Like people bash us for some schools and especially The Browns.”

Photo by Grace Barrett

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stands in Cleveland, Ohio in November. It was designed by the architect I. M. Pei, the designer of the Louvre in Paris.

Photo by Angel Jones

An exhibit from Otherworld is featured. It has been open since May of 2019.

Photo by Alex Banks