The Bruin- December 2012

Page 1

Wadsworth High School

Newspaper II/III

December 2012

BRUIN The

1870 - 2012 Wadsworth City Schools: “Celebrating 141 years of Excellence in Education”

Volume XXXIVIII No. 3

Christmas Break: Dec. 24 - Jan. 1

625 Broad Street Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

$1.00

Holiday expectations evolve in 1974 by a Hungarian sculptor, Ernő Rubik. It was also called the “Magic Cube.” There are 40,320 ways to arrange the corner cubes. There is only one correct answer and 43 quintillion wrong ones. The original price was six dollars. The next hot ticket toy took years before it became a sensation. The Super Soaker, the first of the mega water guns, took eight years before it hit the public shelves. The original name was the Power Drencher, for obvious reasons, and it was loved and sought after by kids of all ages; priced at fifteen dollars. The most popular gift for the year 2000 was the Kick Scooter, which is more commonly known as the Razor Scooter. The distribution of the scooter started in 1999 and immediately gained popularity in time for the 2000 Christmas season. Rosie Baxley, 12, said, “I was so excited, but the first time I rode it I slipped and fell on the ice!” The scooter’s appeal came from its target areas ranging from children, teens and athletic

BY MATT GREY HANNAH NEFF

All photos courtesy of MCT Campus

Over the years, the contents of Christmas wish lists have drastically changed. The demand for toys is continually on the rise. Along with this demand, the prices of the products grow exponentially every year. Looking back on the decades, the differences in complexity, and even the way the toys are played with, show the constant advances in technology and society. Barbie Dolls have been one of the most popular toys on little girls’ Christmas lists since the dolls were first created in the 60’s. The original price for a Barbie Doll was four dollars. Nerf products were created in the 1970’s, and they feature bright neon colors and soft textures. Nerf turned out to be the most sold item in the 70’s. Their slogan “Its Nerf or nothin” was created in the 90’s and is still used to this day. The original price for a Nerf ball was two dollars. The Rubik’s cube was invented

in the field trip was not required, an offended mother contacted the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers. The organization contemplated filing a lawsuit. The ASF believes the school “violate[d] the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution by exposing students to a play that contains Christian themes,” yet an ASF spokesperson argued “We are not waging a war, we are basically calling a foul against the separation of church and state.” Before the production was cancelled, the school’s decision to attend did not waiver, regardless of interference from a campaign launched to cancel the trip. Only when the church decided a public performance would best keep its cast out of harm did the school concede. Rosie Kane, 10, commented, “If it [the movie] has been around that long, why are things like lawsuits still being considered? It

is a classic Christmas movie!” Also causing conflict this December are public holiday displays. In Loudon County, Virginia, the local courthouse recently changed its requirements for the holiday displays on the courthouse lawn. In past years there was an allotted area for 10 displays, which were open to the first 10 people who chose to claim them. To avoid rising debate between atheist and religious displays, an application process is now required. Once the application has been approved, the stipulation of the display being attended at all times falls upon the display’s sponsoring group. The application process furthermore serves to regulate the displays, as past displays included “a mannequin of Luke Skywalker, a poster commemorating the ‘Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster’, and a skeleton dressed

60’s 70’s 80’s 90’s 2000’s now

adults. The reason it attracted so many people is because it could be folded easily, which made for storage and transportation much more convenient. The affordable price of twenty-five dollars also enabled sales to increase the item’s popularity. This year’s item comes as no surprise: the iPhone5. Ever since the first generation of the iPhone was released in 2007, every updated version has grabbed mass attention. “I am looking forward to being able to face-time with my grandma,” said Corey Palitto, 12. Even though the iPhone was released in early September, it is still the current most-wanted item during this Christmas season. The price tag on the iPhone5 depends on the number of gigabytes, amount of storage, the phone has. The 16 GB is $649, while the 32GB is $749, and the 64GB is $849. It is strange to see how prices for toys have gone up with every passing decade. What used to be a four dollar doll is now an $800 phone.

Christmas traditions cause controversy BY ReBECCA ADAMS

With Christmas less than a week away, greetings of “Merry Christmas” are being exchanged, jovial displays are being hung, and holiday festivities are occurring throughout the country. However, with the popularity of religions other than Christianity, questions of legality and the separation of church and state are arising over common Christmas traditions. An elementary school in Little Rock, Arkansas, planned on taking a field trip to a local church’s theatrical rendition of the 1965 Peanuts classic cartoon, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” until the production was forced to be canceled, due to a developing controversy. Although a letter was sent home to parents as a warning that the play “will expose your child to Christianity,” and involvement

Inside

the

Bruin:

Photo by Hannah Adams

The First Merit building in downtown Wadsworth is adorned with a large bow and a gift tag.

as Santa Claus hanging from a cross.” Regarding the mocking decorations, Amanda Sisler, 12, shared, “I do not want to sound against atheism, but atheists should be respectful to Christian people.” Stories arguing political correctness as well as stories arguing the reason of Christmas continue to develop this holiday season, even in Wadsworth.

Holiday A poll of 69 students showed 72% believe the economy was the deciding issue for Collection of Christmas themed activities, ideas the presidential race. Other was second with 14% and the war in Iraq followed with 10% of the votes. Foreign policy received 3% and health care was last with 1%.and pictures – page 8 Dear Santa Student body shares Christmas wishes

– page 9 Get to know your Bruin Staff Reporters answer questionnaire

– pages 10,11

Downtown Wadsworth and The Wadsworth Chamber of Commerce provided a banner in the form of a gift tag as decoration for the First Merit building on the square. The banner’s bright red letters wish all who pass by a “Merry Christmas.” With the diversification of religions, lawsuits and regulations persist. Attacks on all sides have existed for years, with new extremes regularly being reached.

index Page *Issue 4 withdrawn

Editorial.........................................................2 News.............................................................3 Opinion.........................................................4 Ads...................................................5,7,13,14 O-Bits............................................................6 Holiday..........................................................8 Dear Santa.....................................................9 Picture Pages..........................................10,11 Sports..........................................................12 Of the Month...............................................15 Speakout.....................................................16

Sept. 4, 2008

Visit the Bruin Online at: http://www.bruinonline.org

on


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
The Bruin- December 2012 by Wadsworth Bruin - Issuu