Wadsworth High School
Newspaper II/III
NOVEMBER 2014
The
1870 - 2014 Wadsworth City Schools: “Celebrating 143 years of Excellence in Education”
Volume XL No. 2
BRUIN
Thanksgiving Break Nov. 27-Dec. 1
625 Broad Street Wadsworth, Ohio 44281
$1.00
Reminiscing our fallen while honoring our current heroes
BY JOHN MERHAR AND JORDIN VIDMAR
PHOTOS BY JOHN MERHAR AND JORDIN VIDMAR
American Legion Post 170 Color Guards sit intently after the presenting of the colors.
PHOTOS BY JOHN MERHAR AND JORDIN VIDMAR
Mayor Robin Laubaugh recognizes veteran Clarence Ruch for his service.
PHOTOS BY JOHN MERHAR AND JORDIN VIDMAR
D u r i n g t h e Ve t e r a n s D a y A s s e m b l y, v e t e r a n s , s t u d e n t s a n d t e a c h e r s g a t h e r t o g e t h e r t o c e l e b r a t e t h i s s o l e m n d a y t o g e t h e r.
Woodrow Wilson once said, “To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” Wilson proclaimed Veterans Day on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Ever since the proclamation, Veterans Day has been a lasting tradition and holiday in America. Likewise, Veterans Day has been remembered through a special assembly at Wadsworth High School for the past 10 years. Wadsworth native Stephen Burns played a rendition of “Angus MacKinnon” on the bag pipes to lead local veterans into the gymnasium. Following the band’s performance of the National Anthem, Emily Brazier, 10, spoke about the origin of Veterans Day, while focusing on never forgetting the men and women who fought for our freedoms. One essay that humbled the crowd was delivered by Evan Goebel, 10. He began by stating what it means to be a veteran, then elaborated on how a veteran is simply a term symbolizing all the time and hard work spent ensuring our safety and well-being. Alyssa Davis, 10, read the emotional poem “The Man with the Scar” which had the veterans reflect on their years in service. Mayor Robin Laubaugh was
moved to tears during her speech recognizing veteran Clarence Ruch. Ruch was honored for his many years of service. He was commended for all of the hard work he has done for the city including organizing the Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades. After thanking the crowd, Ruch was given a standing ovation. Regarding the assembly, Bob Heller, a four year Navy service man, and Chuck Heller, a 33 year Army service man, both agreed that “the assembly was very moving, and it is also very appreciative of the veterans.” “I have been coming to the Wadsworth High School Veterans Day assembly since the very first one, and the school never fails to honor us,” said Chuck Heller. On what is possibly the last Veterans Day assembly she will attend as choir director, Mrs. Linda McNamara led the choir through two memorable renditions of “Together, Hand in Hand” and “The Voices of America.” “I hope all of the students
Inside
the
were moved by the assembly on Tuesday; I always am. By the notes and e-mails I receive, I know the Veterans appreciate the assembly,” said McNamara, who is set to retire this May. Band Director Steve Hadgis created a somber tone with the band’s melodious play of “The Star Spangled Banner,” “An American Fanfare” and “Salute to America’s Finest.” Associate principal Mr. Roger Wright, who was in charge of the assembly, felt proud of the entire team effort put forth by so many. “I think the impact of this assembly is that it causes us to reflect about the sacrifices that have been made by men and women in the armed forces,” he said. The annual assembly always leaves a lasting impression on all present. “Hopefully all are inspired by the thought of those Americans willing to sacrifice and possibly pay the ultimate price for the freedom of others,” concluded Wright.
Bruin:
NEW POPE CONTRADICTS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
–page 3
Pictures from Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 1 –page 8 New college football playoff creates debate –page 12
Fox 8 selects ‘Cool School’ BY JOHN MERHAR AND JORDIN VIDMAR
Fox 8 News has selected Wadsworth High School as its “Cool School” of the week. During the second week of November, Fox 8 held an online voting contest between Wadsworth, West Geauga and Columbia High Schools. Wadsworth won with a total of 1,014 votes or 44% of all votes. Principal Steve Moore was especially excited about this honor. “It is really neat to be nominated as a “Cool School”. What it means is that we are doing a lot of things right at WHS. Our students and staff are
having a successful school year because these types of awards only come when people are happy with what is happening,” said Mr. Moore. All students are encouraged to wear their Grizzly gear on Nov. 19 because Fox 8 reporter Maria Scali is coming to the high school. She will be at the school during lunch periods to interview five students. The students will be given the opportunity to show all viewers of Fox 8 News some of the vast and interesting aspects of our “Cool School”. In addition to all that is happening at the school, Fox 8 has invited two students to their studio on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Seniors Mason Egleston and Corey Riggenbach have been chosen to represent Wadsworth High School in their morning “Coffee Quiz”. The quiz is a trivia game the anchors of Fox 8 perform daily. Egleston and Riggenbach will be live Thursday morning at 7 a.m. Although the high school hallways may appear bleak and gray, this award brightens them a little more. Mr. Moore summed it up by stating, “I think we have a school that the people at WHS enjoy, the community supports and other communities want to be like us.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Wadsworth High School receives a special award for the hard work the school has done.
INDEX PAGE
Editorial.........................................................2 News.............................................................3 Opinion......................................................4,5 Ads .......................................................6,7,11 Picture Pages .............................................8,9 Features......................................................10 Sports.....................................................12,13 Health..........................................................14 Of the Month...............................................15 Speakout.....................................................16
Visit the Bruin Online at http://www.bruinonline.org
2
November 2014
Brewin’ Debate
The Spirit of Gratitude
Editorial
Hello friends. As you all know, I officially have my first Bruin issue under my belt as the Editor-in-chief of this fine newspaper. While it was quite the relief to finally reach that goal, I have not had much time to reflect on and enjoy my achievement. As a newspaper, it is of upmost importance to never take a day off. It is just the nature of the business that requires the uncanny attention to detail and consistent effort, day in and day out. However, it is not only myself that can attest to that. You can ask any of my fellow Bruin staffers about the daily grind of the publication industry. It is not a task that can be handled lightly, and for that reason I am very appreciative of all of their efforts and diligence. In fact, since the calendar is nearing the best holiday of the year, this would be an excellent time to say what I, Mason Egleston, am thankful for as the leader of this paper. As mentioned above, I am infinitely thankful for my wonderful
Bruin staff, writers and editors alone. My writers are always working towards perfection and creativity for their respective pages, and I cannot ask for anything more than that. My editors are pretty great as well; I mean do you really expect me to craft and critique such a perfect paper alone? They always have my back and are making my job and life easier. Next, I am thankful for all of the patrons and subscribers to the Bruin. You guys are what makes this paper happen. This year, we brought in a ridiculous amount of revenue, a number that has not been matched in years. Going along with this thank you is another shoutout to the men that handle the money itself- my business managers. You guys know who you are and how great you are-keep it up! Finally, I would like to say just how thankful I am for the man behind this operation himself: Coach G. You are always motivating me to bring the best out of myself and my peers, and I greatly appreciate that. I could not be successful as I am today without you. I hope you all have a safe and very Happy Thanksgiving! We are all in!
E ditorial
The Bruin
Should we get rid of Family First Night? YES
NO
By ALEX LAIKOS
by ADAM DENNSION
When will us students finally realize the harm Family First Night does to our schedules? The administration claims that it is a night for students to be with their families; we know this is not true. Very few people truly allocate time aside to be with their loved ones. Additionally, teachers have found “loop holes” to avoid missing a night of assignments. Many of them will assign packets a night before and tell the students it is not due until later in the week. However, the packet is five times the typical workload and you have no choice but to spend your Family First Night doing it anyway. Some teachers also give quizzes the next day. They claim, “It is not something you can study for anyway” or “The class voted to still have it that day.” We voted to have it that day because the only other option was to move the test up earlier in the week, when we were not prepared for it. All Family First Night does is jam up students’ schedules before and after while causing teachers to move around their lesson plans. Just get rid of it already; it causes more headaches than it does smiles.
Family First Night gives families a time to spend quality time with each other that they just simply do not get on normal nights. Through countless hours of homework and other tasks that kids are given on the daily, it gives them one night of freedom to spend with their families. One night without any homework should not cause problems with teachers’ lesson planning. Family should always come before everything you do, but with school and extracurricular activities, family can tend to get lost in the mix of everything students have on their plate. Kids need to, as the great Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, would say, “R E L A X.” Relax. Just this one night off might give someone the motivation they need to go through the rest of the year as strongly as possible. If anything, we should have more Family First Nights. One night like this a month could be what puts some students over the top. Students need to relax every once in a while, and this night gives these students the opportunity they desperately need. Keep it up, Wadsworth High.
Reactions to Veterans Day How many times a day do you think about those overseas, defending our country so we can live a normal life? We probably do not as often as we should. Veterans Day is a day dedicated to those that are brave enough to risk their own lives for us. The amount of courage it takes to give that much dedication to one’s country is unreal. Many of the veterans take this day very seriously, and we should, too. The program we held on Veterans Day is what many of the veterans look forward to. This is an emotional day for most of them, and we, as a school, showed so much respect. We came together by wearing red, white and blue. I think every day should be Veterans Day. As much as they do for us, they should not be limited to only one day a year of remembrance. Veterans deserve so much more. Lauren Rogers, 10
The assembly was very well done. Students and staff heard some uplifting speeches, beautiful singing and amazing music, causing the gymnasium to shed a few tears. Even Mayor Robin Laubaugh teared up as she presented an award to a deserving local Wadsworth veteran. I really enjoyed this year’s assembly because everyone was respectful to our veterans and their families, which has been a problem in years past. It was an amazing assembly for some of America’s most honorable men and women. Alyssa Hopkins, 11 I have not had many close relatives serve. I have had a few grandparents who have, but I have not heard much about their experiences. After today, I would like to hear all about it. It was so incredibly moving seeing all of
the veterans, and I am glad we had the chance to honor them. I saw so many of them tearing up, and it made me tear up, too. None of us can even imagine the things they saw and experienced. They have given up so much in their daily lives so that millions of Americans can live free. They left their homes, families and friends, not knowing if they would ever return. I know for a fact that I could never sacrifice that much, and they are so brave for doing so. Words cannot describe my appreciation for them. I hope that they enjoyed our assembly and feel proud and appreciated. Isabella Steiger, 10 The Veterans Day assembly was nice with our amazing band and choir. I wish they would have made it a little more upbeat. I thought that they were supposed to show videos of people
Bruin Staff Editor-in-chief: Mason Egleston Associate Editor: Maddie Capron Assistant Editor: Rachel Haas Managing Editors: Ben Bingham, Trent Cornacchione, Moira Priest, Maria Sansonetti Marketing Managers: Olivia Fortner, Moira Priest, Maria Sansonetti Front: Page Editor: Jordin Vidmar Reporter: John Merhar Editorial: Page Editor: Adam Dennison Reporter: Alex Laikos Speakout: Page Editor: Maggie Presson Opinion 1: Page Editor: Elizabeth Heckler Reporter: Jamie Oplinger Opinion 2: Page Editor: Brooke Leonard Reporter: Regan Szalay Features: Page Editor: Madison Quinn Reporter: Cameron Mendel Health: Page Editor: Charlotte Boland Reporter: Alex Lenc News: Page Editor: Haylee Kupiec Reporter: Tim Knipl Picture Pages: Editor: Noah Baughman Reporter: Olivia Fortner Sports 1: Page Editor: Robert Hahn Reporter: Gary Noe Sports 2: Page Editor: Chase Pegrim Reporter: Connor Gray Of The Month: Page Editor: Hannah Studenic Ads/Business Manager: Alex Laikos Assistant: Adam Dennison Adviser: John Gramuglia
currently in the service. Bringing the modern day soldiers into play would be relatable to everyone. I would have loved to be able to see the looks on the veterans’ faces when people across seas now say thank you and remind them they are still remembered and respected for their service. My grandpa served in the Navy, and I know he would have loved the appreciation from today’s soldiers. Just something to make it seem more fun and not so sad would have helped. Katy Gegick, 12 It was a great assembly. I am thankful for the men and women that have served for our country. I am thankful that they have sacrificed their time and their lives to protect our country. I wish I could personally thank everyone who has served for our country. I think it is great how
much time we spent to create a great assembly for our Veterans. I personally know people who have served for our country, and I am thankful for them. Matthew Blamble, 11 The Veterans Day assembly was touching to me. I have many veterans in my family that have served or are still serving today. I am in Student Council, and I had the privilege to welcome and talk with many of the veterans at their breakfast prior to the assembly. I have helped in recent years as well, and I love having conversations about their experiences. It usually never fails to please when I am interested in something they worked for, so they will tell you about it. One man, a General in the Marine Corps, even told me his inspiring journey. Cora Smrdel, 10
Editorial Policy The Bruin is a monthly publication produced by the Newspaper II and Newspaper III students at Wadsworth High School. The Newspaper I class produces the April/May issue. The staff will do its best to inform the student body and the community of intra-school, community or national events that affect the student body. This paper provides on-the-job training for the staff members. All decisions are made by the staff members with the advice and suggestions of the adviser. The school administration works closely with the staff to ensure accuracy. We, as the students of journalism, hold the same rights and the same responsibilities as professional journalists as we strive for professional standards. These rights include the right to print any material that is not libelous, obscene or excessively disruptive to the school process. The Bruin will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion, color, creed or sex. The staff members accept full responsibility for everything appearing in this publication. The staff strongly encourages students to express their opinions through the letters to the editor column, which is printed every month. The staff also encourages the members of the community to express their opinion as well. Space permitting, all letters will be printed. Because the staff accepts the responsibility for the contents of the paper, we must reserve the right to edit or omit any portion of any letter. All letters must be signed, but the name will be withheld upon request.
N ews
The Bruin
November 2014
New pope contradicts religious beliefs
BY HAYLEE KUPIEC AND TIM KNIPL
The controversial debate over evolution, religion and other topics has commenced once again. This time, it is none other than Pope Francis who has jumped into the shark pit. “We have to find a new balance; otherwise, even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards,” said the Pope, concerning his belief that the Church needs a change. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope Francis, was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Mar. 13, 2013. Lately, many conservative
Catholics have begun to question Francis’s policies. The new policies concerning gay marriage, divorce and evolution have some predicting a split within the Church. Traditionally, the Catholic Church opposes many things, such as gay marriage, abortion and other issues. However, these policies may be changing. Many people are happy with the Pope’s liberal stance. “I think Pope Francis has made great strides for the faith. I am happy that he says ‘Who am I to judge?’ It demonstrates humanity and kindness,” said Mrs. Trausch, who was raised Catholic.
Photo Courtesy of mct campus
This comic drawn by Jeff Darcy of the Northeast Ohio Media Group represents Pope Francis’s changing policies.
He has recently spoken out about evolution as well, saying that evolutionary theory does not contradict biblical teaching. Some students agree with Pope
said Ashley Knight, 11. Many conservative Catholics were surprised by his statement about God not being “a magician, with a magic wand.” When asked about the Pope’s policies, “When we read about some students had opinions. Creation in Genesis, we run strong “Everybody thinks the risk of imagining God Catholics are uptight was a magician, with a magic and judgemental, wand able to do everything. but they really are not. I am for gay But that is not so.” rights and equality,” -Pope Francis said Haley Banfield, 11. Despite what the Pope has Francis’s thinking. “The bottom supported, he has failed to alter line is that God created life, but any church doctrines thus far. life could evolve and improve,”
Photo Courtesy of Mct campus
Pope Francis has recently stirred controversy in the Roman Catholic Church concerning many different topics.
NEWS BRIEFS LOCAL Drama department makes impact on and off the stage A special thanks would like to be extended to Pam Csaky and the Drama Department for helping donate 1100 pounds of food items to the Salvation Army through the Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat Program. In other Drama Department news, Our Town will be performed on Dec. 4-6 at 7:30 in the WHS Performing Arts Center.
Wadsworth schools compete in Red Ribbon Photo Contest
Red Ribbon Week was Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. Three of our district’s schools decorated a portion of their building. Voting ended on Nov. 19, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 5. The winning school will win $1,000 which will go towards their Prevention Program. PHOTO COURTESY OF DRAMA DEPARTMENT
Students help to deliver many goods to the Salvation A r m y.
block scheduling coming soon
Block scheduling will be coming to Wadsworth in February/March and April/May due to the PARCC tests.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MRS. NEUMANN
Students pose in front of the brick wall containing positive activities they can do instead of doing drugs.
NATIONAL
WORLD
New York doctor is declared ebola free Craig Spencer, a New York doctor whose hospitalization for Ebola stirred fears that the disease might spread throughout Manhattan, was declared free of the virus Tuesday, Nov. 11 and released from the hospital.
European space craft lands on comet On Thursday, Nov. 13, the tiny lander Philae touched down on a comet known as 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The lander sent back photos from the comet’s surface. Mission scientist Jean-Pierre Bibring said the first photo from the surface was particularly exciting because it shows “both what man built, the lander, and what nature built, 6 billion years ago, preserved as it was at that time.”
Record-Breaking November Arctic Cold
Attacks in Jerusalem kills four rabbis
A push of bitterly cold air has blasted its way south and east, bringing extremely cold temperatures for millions of Americans who have already endured nearly a week of January-like chill. The chilly temperatures will continue to spread south and east and bring record breaking temperatures.
Four rabbis, three of them U.S.-born, were killed in an attack on a West Jerusalem synagogue Nov. 18 by two Palestinians wielding a gun, an ax and a meat cleaver. The incident was the latest violent event in the tense city where relations between Arabs and Jews have been deteriorating for months over a contested shrine holy to both Jews and Muslims.
3
A word from our
principal
Students, what a great month of November. We were quite busy, and our students showed why we have the greatest high school in the state of Ohio. Seniors, you, as always, led the way with an outstanding effort at our annual leaf raking day. We did over 220 yards in under six hours. It was an incredible day, and several of the senior citizens have sent cards and letters thanking us for a job well done. Veterans Day was an awesome assembly, and I was extremely proud of the behavior of our student body. That assembly is always number one in my heart for what it means to not only the veterans, but to the student body as well. The student speeches and performances were outstanding. Thank you to Mr. Roger Wright and Mr. Jason Knapp for organizing and to all who performed. Our volleyball team put on an extraordinary performance in their tournament games. The District Final match against Highland was outstanding, fun and a perfect example of never giving up. As great of a match as the Highland game was, the next tournament game was even better. Our Regional Semi-Final match against Hudson was inspiring. I have seen as many Wadsworth games in the last 13 years as any person, and that match might have been the single greatest performance by a Wadsworth team that I have ever witnessed. Our team played inspiring volleyball, refused to lose and played with an incredible passion that I will never forget. Thanks for a great season, girls. Finally, as I am writing this, our first snowfall of the year has hit Wadsworth. Now is time for a quick reminder to be safe in driving to school. Please take some extra time, and be careful when driving in the snow and ice. Each one of you are very special to me, and I want to make sure you are all safe at all times. UNTIL NEXT TIME – Mr. Moore
4
O pinion 1
THE BRUIN
November 2014
Top five reasons why our school year should not be extended
OPINION BY JAMIE
One of Ohio’s state senators, Eric H. Kearny, has proposed a bill to lengthen the school year by 38 days. He proposed this bill with the intention of it spreading throughout the country, in order to make the United States more competitive in the education department
“I disagree with the bill because it is not a secret that most students do not want to be at school longer.” -Connor 10
with the rest of the world. The proposed bill would extend the number of required days at school from 182 to 220. Listed below are the top five reasons why this potential extension of the school year should not happen: 5. No student wants to be at school any longer than they already are. Students start to lose their motivation in school work around April so imagine adding 38 more days to the school year. Kids would barely be trying in school for the last two months of the year, resulting in less than satisfactory grades. 4. School districts will have to come up with new contracts for teachers and will have to pay them all more money. School districts also might have to change all their curriculums. Not only will they have to pay teachers more money, but they also will have to pay more for keeping schools open longer and running buses more. School districts are already suffering from a shortage
in paper, and extending the school year would just create even more shortages in other areas. Having
Longer Same Shorter “Good thing I am a senior because extending the school year is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.”
-Austin 12
less money could result in teachers losing their jobs and classes becoming larger. Wadsworth cannot even afford paper year around, let alone pay teachers for 38 more days. 3. Longer school year means shorter summer for students. The focus of students would drop tremendously getting into the summer months. Kids want to be outside on the hot summer days, not trapped inside like they are for nine
months during the year. A big problem in the world these days is obesity. A longer year would take away from kids being able to run around outside and stay in shape by doing outdoor activities. 2. Let us be honest, does 38 days really make that big of a difference? 38 more days in school will not make a big enough adjustment for the U.S. to compete with the rest of the world. Plus, I would say the U.S. is in a lot better shape than most other countries in the world. 1. Taking away summer
break leaves no time for kids to have fun, and it would ruin kid’s childhoods. They would never have time to enjoy life. After their 12 years of continuous school, they would go straight to college then to getting a job. Their only real break from reality would be retirement. Extending the school year causes nothing but problems. The cons heavily outweigh the pros. The length of our school year now has resulted in huge amounts of success for our country. If it’s not broke, do not fix it.
Gender discrimination It happens often, but not only one gender is to blame
OPINION BY ELIZABETH
It is no secret that gender discrimination is fairly common in American society; it plays out every day in television shows, video games, music, advertisements and our own lives. While some people may believe that only men are the cause of gender discrimination, there are plenty of examples of women causing it, too. Do not get me wrong, I see men discriminating against women (and even other men) all the time. The ever-present “make me a sandwich” and “women belong in the kitchen” jokes are just one example. However, I think women deserve a lot of the blame as well. There are way too many women
who accept things the way they are, and there are quite a few who perpetuate the status quo. “Gender discrimination is caused by both genders,” said Emily Brazier, 10. Since Halloween was just last month, costumes are the first thing that comes to mind. Costume companies are at fault for slapping the “sexy” label on nearly every female costume, but nobody is forcing us to wear them. We are making that choice on our own. Even when we make our own costumes at home, they still resemble those seen at Party City and comparable costume shops. However, men add to the problem of gender discrimination, too. Recently, the nonprofit movement Hollaback partnered with Rob Bliss and actress Shoshana B. Roberts to create a video which quickly went viral. Roberts walked the streets of New York City for ten hours, with Bliss walking in front of her. A camera hidden in Bliss’s bag captured evidence of Roberts being harassed more than 100 times that
WHS Student Rates available w/ TANNING! Student Rate: $25 / Month | Tanning: Additional $15 / Month
153 Broad Street www.anytimefitness.com
day. Many critics of the video claim that the catcalls and other forms of harassment directed at Roberts were merely compliments, but I do not agree with them. Even in the small town of Wadsworth, I have experienced such catcalls many times when I am running. It is a frightening experience, as I often worry that the catcaller is going to turn his car or bike around and follow me. I know women have it better in America than they do in many other countries. That does not mean that we should ignore the problems here, though. Why stop trying to fix things before they are perfect? Feminists are trying to fix the problems related to gender discrimination. While it is a common misconception that the feminist movement is about making women supreme in society, and that all feminists hate men, the reality is that feminists want equality between the genders. I understand that men are also discriminated against if they are not “manly” enough or if they show emotion. I also know that there are some things that women just cannot do. For example, most women would not be able to load heavy boxes into a truck, but such a task is easily completed by many men. Gender discrimination is a serious problem within our society. The genders may be different, but we need to understand that they are equal in worth and should be treated as such.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Women’s Halloween costumes are highly sexualized, but men’s costumes are not.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
A still from Hollaback’s video shows one instance of harassment in New York
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
In our culture, a man is often considered “weak” if he shows any emotion.
5 Guide to surviving Black Friday O PINION 2
OPINION BY REGAN
“Shop till you drop” goes to a whole new extreme when it comes to the biggest shopping day of the year: Black Friday. Every year, masses of shoppers go out for an early start on Christmas shopping or to get the best deals around. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, people are already starting to prepare for their all day and/or all night sale hunt on Nov.
THE BRUIN
28. Keeping that in mind, here are a few tips on what to do and what not to do when going out for Black Friday shopping. DO go at the right time. There always seems to be a certain time where the stores are less chaotic. Most people go at midnight, which creates an abundance of people in one area. With many people going at midnight, there are actually less people that go during the day. Most of the time, you can still get the same good deals as you would have going at midnight as you would going during the day. The only difference is that there are less people because most everyone goes at night or in the early morning. DO bring a friend. Waiting in
Do you go Black Friday Shopping? Sometimes Goes 25%
Does Not Go 35%
Does Go 40%
Poll of random students
November 2014
What is your opinion on Black Friday shopping?
“Black Friday shopping is a good idea, but you end up spending more money on more purchases because you think you are saving a lot.” Michael, 11
“I like to go Black Friday shopping because it is crazy and fun! You can also get cute clothes for good prices.” Katelyn , 9
“I sometimes go Black Friday shopping, and every time I have gone I have seen some crazy people.” Abbie, 10 PHOTOS BY REGAN SZALAY
line for a long period of time can become boring. The best thing to do is rally up a friend or two to come along for the trip. Not only is it more entertaining with a companion, it is also much safer. If someone does decide to go out late at night, it is not the best idea to go alone. Black Friday shopping can get overwhelming and crazy fairly quick. DO NOT get caught up in huge crowds. Believe it or not, it can actually be dangerous. Most of these dangerous situations happen at some of the bigger stores including Target and Walmart. In 2008, a Walmart worker was trampled to death by a group of over 200 people rushing as the front doors were opened. Others
were injured. This shows how insane and unsafe Black Friday shopping can be if in the wrong place at the wrong time. DO NOT spend more than planned. On Black Friday, you can turn out to burn more money than expected. Since there are many deals going on, people do not realize how much they are actually spending in the long run. Though this may seem like a good thing, some of these purchases can be pointless items on sale that people buy just because of the low price. “Black Friday shopping is a good idea, but you end up spending more money on more purchases because you think you are saving a lot,” said Michael Farkas, 11.
DO NOT get too emotionally invested. Being early in the morning, some people tend to get too tired and irritable. This can cause verbal fights and arguments over places in line or the last item left in stock. To easily avoid this, you should not let the late night get the best of them. Save the tears and the drama. Drink some coffee, and have a good time shopping on the biggest shopping holiday of the year. Shopping on Black Friday can be awfully crazy if you does not know what to expect. Things to remember are to plan ahead, go with a friend, stay away from big crowds, have a budget and do not get emotional. But most of all, have fun and good luck!
How has the shift in vending machine food, from taste bud tantalizing, to down right depressing, affected your outlook on life? “I ate one of those whole grain poptarts, and it was the worst decision of my life. It legit tasted like cardboard.” -Becca Kuss, 12
“It upsets me because I feel that I have no choice in choosing my own junk food.” -Sean Adams, 12
“It is annoying, and there should be tacos in there and Spanish food.” -Juan de Rojas Cordero, 11
“The only thing I looked forward to about high school was the vending machine food, and now that happiness is gone.” -Julia Lee, 9
“At lunch, when I just want to enjoy a tasty snack, all I am left with is tears.” -Kyle Hibinger, 10
First Lady eliminates tasty snacks, drinks, happiness one year at a time
OPINION BY BROOKE
The first quarter of the school year is but a distant memory these days. However, the shock of going to the vending machines to grab a Hershey’s Air Delight bar, only to find it replaced with a whole grain poptart, remains. The difference in food choices is not unique to just our high school, however. Countrywide, there have been changes phased into lunch rooms and vending machines over the past few years.
“Who is to blame for this injustice?” one will surely ask. I blame Michelle Obama, not without warrant, though. If one has even pretended to be up-todate(ish) on current events, then one knows that Obama’s wife is literally the queen of promoting the force-feeding of broccoli and comprable greens. In 2010, Congress passed the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act,” which designated 4.5 billion dollars toward “improving the nutritional quality” of food in schools across the United States. Although that was four years ago, we are just now feeling the shocks of change. Sure, it makes sense to promote nutritional habits, but it should not be forced upon students. I am eighteen years old, yet if I desire to down some Coke during study hall, after an all-nighter due
to my heavy course load, my needs are not met. Should I be punished because one in three American children are obese? Legally I am not even a child, but regardless, my response is “no.” An even better question is “Are these new substitutes ACTUALLY more nutritious?” As the Business Insider reported, Purdue University scientist Susan Swithers found in a meta-analysis of 26 health and diet studies that in most cases, diet pop still yielded most of the same ailments that regular pop did. Not only that, she also concluded that diet pop increases the risk of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. This is due to the fact that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharine, can not be absorbed by the body in the way that natural sugar, found in fruit,
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
First Lady Michelle Obama worships the turnip as she pushes for the 2010 Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act to pass through the Senate. Now passed, this gives the USDA the ability to set food standards in schools across America, including WHS.
can be. This eventually leads to the body’s inability to break down actual sugar because the metabolic process ignores the sweet taste. Speaking of sweet taste, have you tried the strawberry whole grain pop tarts from WHS’s own vending machine?! Nothing says nutritious like some red dye 40 and some yellow dye 6, which according to the the Center for
Science in the Public Interest has proclaimed to be “contaminated with carcinogens.” So basically, there is still a plethora of unhealthy snacks and drinks in our vending machines. The difference is now, these unnutritious friends taste terrible. It is essentially the worst of both worlds. What “great” change will American schools adopt next?
6
November 2014
THE BRUIN
A DS
A DS
THE BRUIN
Patrons 2014-2015 Abby Elliot Adrianne Santiago Allen and Corina Bingham Andrew and Erin McPherson Anytime Fitness Arellano Family AvaLenc (“GrizzlyTeamWadsworth�) Betty Nalepa Bill and Alice Carter Bob and Carol Simmons Brad Musgrave Caitlin Douglas Carl and Chanin Tyler and Family Carly Cundiff Carole Egleston Carrie Szalay Cary Goodin Charlene Blevins Charles and Patricia Szalay Charles V. Kuss Cindy Laikos Dave and Chrissie Vidmar Dave and Toni Lack Dawn and Pat Landolph Dawn Wolf Debbie and Gary Lake Debbie Lingel Dom Carretta Don and Dolores Lenc Doug and Beth Snyder Doug Beeman Dr. Andrew & Dawn Hill Family Dwain Kibler Ernest L. Bergan Ervin Family Fernholz Family Gary and Kimberley Noe Greg and Debbie Pegrim Hannan Laikos Hendricks Family Dentistry Jack and Jone Cionni Jane and Jim Douglas Janet Bing Jeff and Kathie Priest Jenny Wise Jerrilyn Bryenton Jessica Gibson Jill and terry Young Jill Brown Joanne Isaac Joe and Cindy Hanlin Joe and Terry Carter Joe Leonard John and Jenny Griffin John and Kellee Trenta John Johnson
Joseph Cheff Joyce Pannunzio Karla and Kevin Smith Ken and Barb Hillegass Ken and Gio Brandes Ken and Mary Cornacchione Kevin and Dana Quinn Killian and Ann Mendel Klaws Family Kristin MacDowell Larry and JoLynn Kaufman Laurence and Nancy Jennings Lee and Judy Weinerman Leslie North Libby Egleston Lockwood Family Mark and Cheryl Gilbert Mark and Megan Postak Mark Schoonover and Family Mark Zimmer Marrin Family Matt and Mary Porter and Family Matthew and Jennifer Fuss Melissa Eaton Michael and Lori Fick Michelle Kocevar Mike and Nana Callow Mike and Tonya Fullbright Mike Schmeltzer Movsesian Family Mr and Mrs Robert A Hahn Mr. and Mrs. Jim Isaac Mr. and Mrs. Tim Odell and Family Mr. Bill Goddard Mr. Jurey Mr. Steve Moore and Family Mrs. North Pam and Larry Craig Paul and Kay Gilbert Rebecca Dills Rhonda Cossick Rich and Pat Studenic Rob and Julie Peters Rob Hahn Robb Karovic Robert Bingham Ron and Angie Mendel Ron and Steffany Kupiec Roger Havens Sandy Kurt Sarah Trausch Sharon and Tom Melody Sharon Genis Steve and Sarah McIlvaine Studenic Family Sujata Patel and Family
Tanya and Don Miksch The Baxley Family The Bowens The Butch & Linda Mueller Family The Capron family The Case Family The Cerino Family The Csaky Family The Dennison Family The Earnest Family The Eggleton Family The Erme Family The Gabe Tudor Family The Gabel Family The Gibson Family The Harwick Family The Heckler Family The Kellner Family The Knipl Family The LaMonica Family The Lenc Family The Merhar Family The Recupero Family The Singleton family The Szalay Family The Todd Baughman Family The VanDyke Family The Virgin Family The Wright Family Thomas and Lynn Bardar Tim Leonard Todd and Joni Grice Tom and Lisa Oplinger Tom and Maryann Postak Tom and Toni Knapp Trish and Dave Swanson
Wadsworth Sports Medicine, Dr. Crawford
Wendy and Kim Turocy Business Advertisers: A-1 Sports Sales Anytime Fitness Casa Del Rio Cornwell Quality Tools Company Glen Rutherford Photography Hilliard Rospert Event Center Maximum Potential Chiropractic Inc Orkin LLC Ritzman Pharmacy RK Beef Seibertkeck Insurance Tangerine Parlour Vintage Photography Wadsworth Pediatrics Wadsworth YMCA Zollinger Sand and Gravel
Thank You!
November 2014
7
8
November 2014
THE BRUIN
V eteran P rofiles
Zane Walker: U.S. Army Fort Knox Kentucky, Fort Still Oklahoma, 1957
Don Himmelright: U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam, 1967-1968
Jack Ollom: U.S. Signal Corps, Army Central Europe, 1943-1946
“The service made a man out of me. I learned to respect and honor my country. I was very proud to speak at my son Steve’s retirement party after his 29 years of service.”
“Although I have no favorite memories from my time in Vietnam, I learned a lot of discipline during my service. I have no regrets because it was a great experience.”
“My highest honors were receiving two bronze stars from service awards. I remember a lot of artillery and snipers from my time in the service.”
PHOTO BY JESSICA DOHERTY
Charles Biddle: U.S. Army Vietnam, 1967-1968 “I am happy that this school and community goes through the trouble to show respect for veterans. The school does a nice job with the assembly, and it is very nice.”
Tim Webster: U.S. National Guard, Navy, Army Eugene, Oregon
Ron Kupiec: U.S. Air Force Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, 1992-Present
“I am proud to have broken both of my knees and told I would be in a wheel chair by 2004, but I am still walking today. If you do not have a little fun in your life, it is your fault.”
“The Air Force has taught me that there are things and people more important than oneself. It has taught me to be tough mentally, physically and emotionally. It has taught me selflessness and the strive for a greater good. Most of all, it taught me how to appreciate the most important things in my life.”
P icture P age
THE BRUIN
November 2014
F A L L PHOTO OF courtesy SARAH ELFERS
Sarah, 11, and Haley 11, strike a pose together in their cute outfits. Sarah is wearing a floral dress with a black sweater, cute ankle boots and tights that tie the outfit together. Haley is wearing a fall patterned dress with tall brown boots.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA FORTNER
Ally, 10, shows off her fall trends with friend Meggie, 10. Ally is wearing a cute black skirt with a sweater, and to top it off, she adds a long necklace. Meggie wears combat boots with a trendy dress and a long sweater jacket.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA FORTNER
Nate 11, sports khakis with a baseball tee, finishing off the outfit with his gray Nike shoes. Joe Pavlak, 10, poses as he rocks his blue plaid shirt with his stylish jeans.
F A S H I O N T R E N D S
PHOTO COURTESY OF TYLER ABERLE
Tyler 12, and Corey, 12, show off their stylish side by wearing cardigans topped with a bow tie (Tyler) and a colorful tie (Corey).
PHOTO BY OLIVIA FORTNER
Luke, 9, and Collin, 9, prove that pulling off khakis is a true male fashion trend with the quarter zip and sweatshirts that they are wearing.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA FORTNER
Alexis, 12, shows off her fall fashion by wearing an oversized dark green sweater with a pink and white striped top. She tops off her outfit with cute tall brown boots and a fashionable necklace.
9
10
Features
THE BRUIN
November 2014
Is student parking lot safe enough?
Adding signs in the student parking lot may help with safety and security to drivers BY CAMERON MENDEL
Car accidents happen anywhere and are prone in places with no strict rules. City parking lots have stop signs or yield signs, but the Wadsworth student parking lot lacks these safety measures, resulting in chaos. Cars coming in and out of the student parking lot cause a lot of traffic. Leaving too late will make the cars have to wait for all the buses to pass which takes about five to ten minutes. Trucks and larger cars are harder to move around the parking lot. Matt Fix, 11, who was asked if driving a truck made it harder to maneuver through the parking lot, stated, “Yes, the spaces are not long or wide enough, and the turns are too tight.” When asked about what they thought while watching students leave the parking lot, some administrators stated their concerns. “A lot of kids are leaving at the same time and some are very aware and cautious while others not so much,” said associative principal, Mr. Wright. Attendance officer Mr. Kresowaty also answered the question and replied with, “The kids are leaving too fast and are in a hurry.” With the buses entering into the normal flow of traffic, students are looking to hurry out of the school. Many students need to be somewhere after school and if they get stuck behind the buses they will be delayed on what they
need to do. There are around 400 parking spaces in the parking lot with a decent amount that are not filled up. Brandon Fullbright, 11, was asked to recall an incident he had in the student lot. “The kid behind me was chit-chatting with his friends, looking out of his window and not paying any attention to what was going on in front of him. Once he looked up, he had realized he had a big gap between me and him, and he hit the gas to get closer. As he did, he still continued to look out the window. I watched him in my rear view mirror, realizing that he was going to hit me and, of course, he did,” said Fullbright. He also said, “Having more administration outside supervising the parking lot in the middle and towards the exits would help safety.” More exits would help students leave school quicker and arrive to school faster. This also helps relieve some of the traffic that is all over the school grounds. In a survey, 45 out of 50 students said yes when asked if there should be more exits added to the parking lot. If more exits were built, more administrators would have to come out into the parking lot to supervise. Three accidents have been reported this year, but many more have not been reported, which has Officer Innocenti concerned. “There is no specific reason
How would you make the parking lot more safe?
PHOTO BY CAMERON MENDEL
“I would add stop signs and traffic lights. Also I would have a traffic director at all times.” -Kyle,11
PHOTO BY CAMERON MENDEL
PHOTO BY CAMERON MENDEL
“Better snow plows.” “Two words: speed bumps.” - Sarah 12 -Gray, 11
to why accidents have spiked up lately, but the drivers need to slow down and pay more attention,” he states. Not only would it help the accident rates lower, but by adding a sign that shows a speed limit, more students will slow down and be more careful. At the end of the day, safety is the most important aspect of school life. When it comes to the school parking lot, you can never be too safe.
Five new staff members welcomed into high school N e w
S t a f f
Meagan Neumann
2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5 Laurie Freund
Nicholas Ranallo
Allison Pallija
Emily Steele
PHOTO BY MADISON QUINN
BY MADISON QUINN
As the new school year is well on its way, Wadsworth High School continues to welcome new staff members to the building. This 2014-2015 school year, Wadsworth has welcomed Meagan Neumann, Laurie Freund, Allison Pallija, Nicholas Ranallo and Emily Steele. Meagan Neumann is now the WHS prevention specialist and has taken over the HUDDLE organization, which was previously run by Lauren Ross. Neumann attended Kent State where she received her Bachelors in Psychology. She also attended Malone University where she received her Masters in School and Clinical Counseling. Neumann started out her career at a clinical agency called the Village Network where she helped residential clients. “I wanted to work in the schools where I could meet and help students” said Neumann when asked what led her to want to work as an intervention specialist. Laurie Freund has been introduced into guidance this year. Freund attended Kent State. She completed both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees there. Right
out of college, Freund found a job at Hoban High School in Akron as an English teacher. She taught English for seven years. “I have had a lifelong interest in counseling. I enjoy teaming up with other educators, administrators, and staff to help support students and their families,” said Freund when asked what led her to want to work with high school guidance. Allison Pallija, a former WHS graduate, is now an intervention specialist at the high school. Pallija attended Cleveland State University and has always wanted to go into education. Through experiences in college with working in the inner city Cleveland schools and juvenile detention centers, she noticed how much a solid environment at school can help and support students. “I enjoy WHS. I loved all of my teachers when I went to WHS and now a lot of them are my coworkers,” Pallija said when asked what she most enjoys about the high school and her job. Nicholas Ranallo was welcomed into both the Wadsworth High School and Middle School buildings as a Social Studies teacher. Ranallo
went to Baldwin Wallace college and started out his teaching career at Mountain View High School in Stafford, Virginia. He made two more stops before ending up teaching in Wadsworth. Ranallo had a teacher at his middle school that was the best he has ever had which led him to want to become a Social Studies teacher. His brother is one as well. “I like the student population, faculty and administration. I like how everyone works together,” said Ranallo. Emily Steele is a MD teacher for the high school. Steele attended The University of Akron right after high school. Although she did not have many doubts with what she wanted to do, she did doubt her self confidence and if she was ever going to be professional. Steele was asked what made her want to go into her career choice. She replied, “I have a family member with Autism and I knew ever since working with him I wanted to follow this career to help meet the needs and wants of any student.” Steele enjoys everyone at the high school and coming to work everyday to see her students.
A DS
THE BRUIN
November 2014
Hilliard Rospert Event Center Serving and Caring since 1902 For All Your Family Special Event Needs After funeral gatherings, wedding rehearsal dinners, wedding showers, receptions, retirements, birthday & anniversary parties Any special-occasions celebrations with friends and family
We offer full services
so you can relax and enjoy!
133 West Boyer Street, Wadsworth Website: www.HilliardRospert.com Email: HRFH@neo.rr.com Phone: (330) 334-1501 Fax: (330) 334-1503
Cornwell Tools 667 Seville Road Wadsworth, OH 44281-1077 Telephone: (800) 321-8356 or (330) 336-3506 Fax: (330) 336-3337
11
12
November 2014
S ports 1
THE BRUIN
New college football playoffs lack pizzazz
OPINION BY ROBERT
For many years, American life has been plagued by two irksome concerns: 1) The fact that obesity rates are rising and 2) there is no college football playoff. The latter issue has been
resolved, however, and early next year the nation’s top four college programs will play a single elimination tournament to determine the finest college football team. College football’s champion has been more beauty-pageant winner than undisputed warrior. There are far too many teams, playing far too few games to be able to rely on wins and losses alone as sole arbiters of worth. NFL teams make the playoffs through their records alone, but college football teams, marooned in various
conferences, play schedules of vastly differing quality. Any endeavor to pick a true national champion has to, by necessity, grapple with the balance between performance and strength of opposition. “The new college football playoff is a better option than the old BCS system; however, neither system is truly perfect,” Zach Porter, 11, noted. In an unlikely marriage, college football became an early adopter of numerically driven policy making in 1998, when it ratified the Bowl
What do you think about the new college football playoffs?
ALL PHOTOS BY ROBERT HAHN
“I think it is a good idea because it tells you who was the best team that year.” - Mitchell, 9
“I think it is a good idea because computers mess up and people make better decisions.” - James 10
“I like the new system, for people may decide what is good for the team.” - Drew, 10
Photo COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
This cartoon illustrates the old BCS system versus the new college playoff system.
Championship Series (BCS) to determine its consensus national champion. Billed as an enlightened merger between the old-guard media polls, thus preserving the sport’s strong sense of tradition, and the computer rankings that so easily proliferated in the tech-boom ‘90s, the BCS was supposed to use data to help usher in a new era of college football. Now, after years of grumbling and distaste from fans, the college football championship games have been reborn in a human-run system. Although there is not much distinction between the old BCS system and the new playoff system in terms of correctly defining the top four teams in the nation, the playoff system is designed to
eliminate the error created by faulty computer algorithms. The new playoff system‘s four team bracket is more likely to choose the most deserving winner of the championship. However, the system forces the top four teams to play an additional bowl game, which may lead to an elimination based upon bad luck. The debut of the college football playoff is being celebrated as progress because it returns to the simplicity of human debate. But data and formulae ultimately were not to blame for the BCS’s woes, and it is unlikely that its committee-based successor will reduce the number of college football controversies. Only an emotionless algorithm would have it any other way.
Thanksgiving dinner brings food, football
Opinion by Gary
Thanksgiving Day football is here once again. This year, the matches are proving to be better than previous years and will not be like watching paint dry. It will be a good day to enjoy some comfort food and football. This year’s first game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. as Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions take on Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears. Both teams do not have a problem moving the ball, each averaging over 300 yards per game so far this season. Defensively, the Lions average almost 100 yards given up less than the Bears at 283.4 yards. While Chicago averages more points a game at 21.6, they have averaged almost 31 points given up so far this year, whereas Detroit has only averaged 15.8 points. Detroit wins 25- 17. The next game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. as the Philadelphia Eagles travel to AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas to take on the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles will be led by former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, starting in place of injured quarterback Nick Foles. On the ground, Philadelphia rushes for 124.5 yards a game on average from LeSean McCoy and Darren
Sproles, whereas Dallas rushes for 153.2 yards a game, mainly by star running back DeMarco Murray. Through the air, both teams pass for over 200 yards a game, but Philadelphia’s “See-Coast Offense” as Chip Kelly called it in a press conference last November, will have a harder time reaching their average because Dallas’s defense only gives up 239.8 yards on average. “We run the See-Coast Offense. If we see something, like it and we think it fits, we will run it.” Coach Kelly said in a press conference last November. Dallas wins a close one 27-24 in overtime. The night’s final game at 8:30 p.m. is a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game between the Seahawks and the 49ers. This time Seattle does not have the “12th Man” as an advantage as they travel to the newly built Levi Stadium to take on Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers. This game should be the best game of the day. Both teams average about the same amount of yards gained and given up per game. It will come down to the team who makes the least mistakes. Running the ball, Seattle averages 170.9 yards behind Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson. The 49ers average 122.2 yards a game behind Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick. Seattle wins 24-21 on a late game field goal as time expires. This year’s games should be thrillers. It is time to slow down from the world and give thanks.
Thanksgiving Day Games
vs.
Chicago Bears
17-25
Detroit Lions
vs.
Philadelphia Eagles
24-27
Dallas Cowboys
vs.
San Francisco 49ers
21-24
Seattle Seahawks
S ports 2
THE BRUIN
November 2014
13
Grizzlies roar to back-to-back playoffs BY CHASE PEGRIM
The Grizzlies had yet another exciting season of football with several heart-stopping victories that led to a 7-4 record. They played a hard fought game in week 11 against the Austintown-Fitch Falcons at their stadium. However, the season was ended as the Grizzlies came up short to the Falcons 15-3. The game was not a total disappointment though as it was a historic game. It was only the second time in school history that the Grizzlies made the playoffs in two consecutive seasons. “The season was long and hard, but I enjoyed it.” said offensive guard Bryan Perebzak, 11. A very successful regular season was the reason for the playoff berth. The Grizzlies ended the regular season at 7-3 (4-3 in the Suburban League.) Wadsworth won all non-league games, beating Ashland, Wooster and Medina in the first three games of the season to start out 3-0. The team appeared to lose some confidence when entering league play though, losing their first two games to Tallmadge and Highland. The team was stuck with the
PHOTO COURTESY OF GLEN RUTHERFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
Runningback Daniel breaks for a big play against rival Medina. Weinerman totaled over 2000 total yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He played a key role in the Grizzly offense this season. Wadsworth won the game by a score of 47-37.
odds stacked against them. They never gave up though, as they won four consecutive games, including a win against rivals Revere and Copley, that clinched the team’s playoff berth. Along with great team success came great individual success. Daniel Weinerman, 11, led the offense with 2193 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns. Quarterback Adam Dennison, 12, threw for 1003 total passing yards behind an offensive line headed by center Kyle Green, 11, and right tackle Chris Kessler, 12. The Weinerman-led offense
finished the season with 4,736 total yards and 262 points during the season. Coach Karovic’s defense was headed by Kyle Kemppel, 12, who led the team with 65 solo tackles and four interceptions. The team also had an extraordinary amount of young talent. Starting positions were held by seven juniors and one sophomore. The season was a major success that will be sure to go down in school history. A bright future lies ahead for Wadsworth football.
BY CONNOR GRAY
The Lady Grizzlies open their season up on Nov. 28 against Avon Lake at home. Boys Basketball Just like the girls, the boys basketball team is pursuing a Suburban League title this year. After finishing second in the Suburban League last year, the boys are looking for revenge. They tip off their season Dec. 5 at home against Firestone High School. Girls Swimming The girls swim team begins their season on Dec. 3 at home in the YMCA pool against Firestone. Led by Haley Smith, 12, Carolyn Lee, 12, Haley Witschey, 11 and
PHOTO COURTESY OF GLEN RUTHERFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
Seniors Trent and Mason lead the team as they come out of the tunnel at the start of a game. It is a tradition to lock arms, sway and say a chant before every game.
Winter sports tip off season Athlete Spotlight Boys Basketball: Q: How do you
think your team will do this upcoming season?
A: “I think we will win
the Suburban League this year and not come in 2nd. That is a big goal for us.” -Cam Deemer, 11
Q:
Wrestling:
Describe the feeling of being a part of a team that has won so many league championships.
A new Wadsworth winter sports season is underway. From boys and girls basketball, boys and girls swimming, gymnastics and wrestling, each team has high expectations for this upcoming season. Girls Basketball After the girls basketball teams Elite 8 run last year ended against Toledo Notre Dame, they are poised to make another run this year. “We have a young team, but we play well together. We will have a great season, and everyone better be ready,” said Aubrey Virgin, 12.
A:
“It is a great feeling. I will always remember being part of an amazing program.” -Shane Mast, 12
Girls Swim:
Q: What are your team’s upcoming goals this season?
A: “ Some
of our team goals are to get everyone more involved and support each other more. Also, another goal is to get 2nd in the league.” -Amanda Toolis, 10 PHOTO COURTESY OF JOEL KIPFER
Joel, 12, will attempt to lead the boys basketball team to a Suburban League Title this year. The first game is on Dec. 5th at home.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GLEN RUTHERFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2014-2015 Wadsworth Wrestling team is poised for a state title run this year. Their first match is on Dec. 6 at Lexington.
Amanda Toolis, 10, the girls have been working hard to improve from last year and have a winning record this year. Boys Swimming The boys are ready for a great upcoming season too. After their Suburban League championship last year, their goal is to regain that title. “I have no doubt in my mind that we will win another Suburban League title this year,” said Mason Hicks, 12. The season kicks off on Dec. 3 against Firestone at home along with the girls. Gymnastics Returning state qualifiers Charlotte Bates, 12, and Callie Almes, 12, lead the gymnastics team this year, and they are primed for a great season. “Our main goal for this upcoming season is for our whole team to make it to districts, and to have more state qualifiers,” said Almes. The gymnasts’ first meet is on
Dec. 8.
Wrestling Wadsworth Wrestling will look to continue their rich tradition of winning by attempting to conquer their 23rd Suburban League Championship in a row. After finishing 11th last year at the State Individual Tournament, the Grizzlies main goal is to win a state title this year. They are currently ranked 2nd in the state according to borofanohio.net, and will work hard to try and accomplish all of their goals. The wrestlers start off their season on Dec. 6 at Lexington. Returning state champion Noah Baughman, 11, and fellow returning state placer, Tim Knipl, 12, will try to lead the Grizzlies to that desperately coveted state title. The winter sports athletes always provide excitement for their fellow students and they will continue to do so this year. Good luck to all winter athletes and teams.
14
November 2014
Artificial lung grown in lab BY CHARLOTTE BOLAND
For the first time in scientific history, scientists in Galveston, Texas have grown artificial lungs inside of a lab. The researchers in Galveston began their work with the lungs of two deceased children, who most likely died in a car accident. The lungs were too damaged to be used for a lung transplant, but there was still some healthy tissue left, which could be put to use in growing a new set of lungs. The process used to create the lungs is unique. The scientists and researchers stripped away nearly every part of the lung, leaving only the collagen and the elastin, which is the skeleton or scaffold of the organ. Collagen is the main structural protein found in human connective tissue, and elastin is a glycoprotein also found in connective tissue. Once they have stripped down the lung, they can then add the salvageable cells and tissue from the other lung. The new lungs are placed into a box with a liquid that contains nutrients that help the organ grow. Four weeks later, the team in Texas had a fully complete human lung. They were also able to successfully complete the procedure again and produce the same result. Rachel Tumbelson, 12, said,
“I think that the procedure is a positive thing in the science community that can help many people and create even more advancements in the future.” This news is not as helpful to us as it may seem. The fact of the matter is that these lungs will not be of use to anyone in the foreseeable future. It will most likely take a minimum of 12 years before the use of lab-generated lungs as human transplants becomes a reality. However, the growing of an artificial lung is still a scientific
H EALTH
THE BRUIN
miracle that, in the next decade or so, should begin to save lives. When asked how he felt about a lung being grown in a lab, Zach Ramsay, 9, said, “I think that it will be good in case you get cancer.” More than 1,600 people are on the waiting list to receive a lung transplant. Many die waiting to receive an organ. Having these artificially grown lungs will greatly reduce the time period in which people wait for a transplant. This advancement will hopefully save the lives of many people.
HEALTHY SNACK OF THE MONTH: FRUITY FUN SKEWERS Original recipe makes 5 servings Ingredients: 5 large strawberries, halved 1/4 cantaloupe, cut into balls or cubes
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Artificial lungs are shown being grown in the storage box while scientists wait for the results.
2 bananas, peeled and cut into chunks 1 apple, cut into chunks PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
20 skewers
The before and after pictures of the artificial lungs.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? “I like cheesy potatoes because you can not go wrong with cheesy potatoes.” Josh 12 “Caramel cheese cake because it has been in my family.” Lauren, 9 “Pecan pie because it is really good.” Riley, 11
“Apple pie because it is a family tradition.” Olivia, 10
“I like turkey because what is Thanksgiving without turkey?” Nick 11
GMOs hurt consumers
BY ALEX LENC
Many Americans do not know that more than 80% of the food they eat has been genetically modified for one reason or another. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism, and most of the crops grown in the U.S. are classified as genetically modified. Many other countries, such as South Africa and Australia, have a large amount of crops that have been tampered with. A common debate that has been arising over the past decade is if these crops are harmful to humans. Nobody knows the long term effects of these crops at the moment, but it is known that GMO producing companies are trying their best to ensure the public that they are safe. Despite their assurance, the public continues to question the safety of the products. Trey Talabac, 10, was asked if he thinks GMOs are safe. He
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
On the left, an organic tomato is pictured, while on the right, an unknown substance labeled “GMO” sits.
responded with, “No. If there is such a big controversy, why would it be safe?” Monsato, a leading producer in GMOs, would disagree. This big corporation was among the first to genetically modify a plant cell in 1987. Since then, they have gained popularity but also have been questioned greatly on the safety of their products. Over 80% of GMOs grown all over the world are engineered for herbicide tolerance. These
crops are also responsible for the emergence of “super bugs” that can only be killed with highly toxic poisons, like 2 4-D, a major component in Agent Orange. The real question for consumers all around the world is if they really want to be eating foods that have been sprayed with these chemicals. A huge problem for farmers around the world is that genetically modified crop seeds are being spread to other farms through the wind. This contaminates the crops on other farms that do not want to use GMOs. It is very unfortunate for the farmers, due to the fact that these organisms can not be returned to their previous state once they have been contaminated. Genetically modified organisms have a bad reputation in the food industry. Food products that are being sold by chemical companies lead Americans to believe that GMOs truly are harming the world at large.
O F THE MONTH
THE BRUIN App of the Month PhotoMath
Song of the Month Shake It Off
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
November 2014
Throwback of the Month
15
Freshmen Joey and Sophia take a quick picture after winning their football game.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
Athletes of the Month
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEXI KNAPP
As seventh graders, sophomores Lexi and Mariah pose for a picture with their soccer medals.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOEY BAUGHMAN
Career Tech Students of the Month Why Media Communications?
Dalton
“I was originally into photography, but I learned I really liked directing and editing videos.”
Thoughts on your teacher:
PHOTO COURTESY BY HANNAH STUDENIC
PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH STUDENIC
Jodi
Jon
What is your best memory from this season? “The bus rides were really fun. We blast music and sing, even though we are all terrible singers. Also, seeing Burton bob his head to our music.” What was it like to run at States? “It was different because I was not used to having so many people close to me in time.” Advice for underclassmen: “Go to pre-season training!”
What is your best memory from this volleyball season? “Our first Suburban League game against Highland. Winning the last set 15-13 to win the match, and seeing the students storm the court was amazing.” What life lessons has volleyball taught you? “It taught me to work hard, be committed and be responsible.” Favorite quote: “Sometimes in life, you gotta start slow.”
“Mr. Barnett is really supportive. He helps you through anything you need.”
Lauren
Why Carpentry?
“I have always had a passion for it. I just have always been very interested in learning more.”
Thoughts on your teacher:
“Mr. Kallai is a great guy. He is really outgoing and very willing to teach us.”
Twitter Names of the Month
Jenna
@dwarfprobs
Lauren
@reedin_rainbow
Freshman Feature
PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH STUDENIC
One thing you cannot live without: “My yellow Crocs because Crocs are life, just like Chipotle is my life.”
Victoria is the November Freshman Feature. Tori is a member of the varsity soccer team. She currently has a 3.8 GPA and is in honors classes. While maintaining excellent grades, she also is a member of a nationally ranked club soccer team, Cleveland Futbol Club. Hobbies: Watching Netflix, going to Chipotle and looking as natural as possible. Best friends: Julia Horner, Matthew Studenic and Emily Arellano. What were you afraid of coming into high school?: Upperclassmen picking on me. Also, getting thrown into a trash can.
Students of the Month
PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH STUDENIC
Sonia
N O V E M B E R
PHOTO COURTESY OF TWITTER
PHOTO COURTESY OF TWITTER
Junk of the Month BY HANNAH STUDENIC
Darrin Gilkerson, 11, is the owner of a 1983 Buick Oldsmobile. The problems begin with the ignition, which usually locks. The fuel pump is also bad, making it very rare for the car to start quickly. The back two tires barely hold air for more than a few days, and the back right shock is busted. Problems also continue inside with the tears in the seats. This car is clearly worthy of being November’s Junk of the Month.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH STUDENIC
Teachers of the Month PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH STUDENIC
Leo
What is your favorite Thanksgiving holiday memory?
Favorite subject:
Future Plans:
Future Plans:
Working with my family making dinner. I also love our family coloring contests.
I really like Calculus because I enjoy solving problems. Mrs. North makes it easy, also.
Attend college to become an English and Spanish teacher.
Attend The Ohio State University for engineering.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT HAHN
Mrs. Farr
PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH STUDENIC
Mr. Callaghan
16
N ovember 2014
S peakout
THE BRUIN
S T U D E N T S “Two years ago, my family and I took a nice visit to Amish country. I loved the smell.” -Laurel 11
“When it was Thanksgiving morning and a turkey was walking across my backyard.” -Nick, 10
“My most memorable Thanksgiving so far was last year because of the food.” -Jake, 9
“We make plays every year in my grandma’s basement.” -Megan, 12
What was your most memorable Thanksgiving? “One oldest year, my ot son did n r me fo come ho ng, , ksgivi n e a 4 h T 7 h t “19 g in s stead, he n i t n u e i b i y r iving in d pla ity Se ip y k s t d n an on C nsh 15 we .” Colorado e Akr ampio nt of in Ch in fro ople.” -Mrs. McIlva e e gam llion p owaty mi . Kres -Mr
“L
as “All m ty I w emor a s n ear, able. Famil m i y pre onth ne = Tha + turkey nk an gnan s -Mr. Sc sgiving.” E VE d I t hmeltz er, Sr. wa RYT ate , H -M s glo ING rs. rio . It Pa us rso !”
T eachers
ns