The Bruin - October 2020

WADSWORTH HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME XLVI, ISSUE 1 OCTOBER 2020

THE NEW

NORMAL

THE PANDEMIC. THE ELECTION. OUR CHANGING TIMES.

EDITORIAL THE BRUIN

Coping with loss Processing a loss is something that each individual does in a different way and on a different timeline. Whether it be through expressing physical emotion or holding in that emotion, Wadsworth High School has been struggling with how to cope with the shock and grief of losing a well loved teacher.

Mrs. VanDyke has left such a significant imprint on this school, and students and staff will forever remember her kindness and chipper attitude. On behalf of the student body, The Bruin staff wishes her family and friends well as they recover from this devastating loss.

If you need assistance with how to process your grief, the Guidance Department is available to you.

It is okay and completely normal to be saddened by such a sudden loss. The emotions that you may be feeling are valid, as we as a community are grieving together.

There are so many changes that are occurring in the world right now. We are overwhelmed by a cluster of events that are anything but ideal. As Grizzlies, we must unite and process our emotions and stress together. This is the only way that we can move forward.

The biggest lesson that we can take away from this tragedy is to love each other. Listen to others, respect their feelings and do not take a single day for granted. Mrs. VanDyke was overflowing with love for her students and fellow staff members, so we must emulate her attitude by leaning on each other during this difficult time.

We must lean on each other and come together as a student body in order to overcome our grief.

She has left permanent footsteps on the hearts of countless students and staff members. Her melodious laugh will forever echo through the hallways of this school as we remember the woman who taught us how to be kind.

Bruin Staff

625 Broad Street Wadsworth, OH 44281 Editors-in-Chief Brianna Becerra Brian Coote

News Editor

Social Media Manager Natalie Maher and Videographer Micah Beck Art and Layout Editor Alex Miller

Features and In-depth Editor Emily Brandyberry

Staff Writers

Social Media Assistant Grace Pantalone

Adviser

Eric Heffinger

Ashley Allwood Julia Blake Laney Corell Elisabeth Gromofsky Dylan Heppert Michael Jira Janae Joachim Haylee Joy Arianna Kaser Jackson Kerley Kade Miros Chloe Porter Kayla Ross Hailey Smith Julia Swain

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 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. We reserve the right to edit or omit any portion of any letter because the staff accepts the responsibility for the contents of the paper. All letters must be signed, but the name will be withheld upon request.

WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 3

THE BRUIN NEWS

SENIORS PLAN FOR CHANGES DURING COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON

A

BY JULIA BLAKE STAFF WRITER

s college application season starts up, the class of 2021 faces new challenges as they begin to apply to colleges and FAFSA. Like most events, college visits and resources are now virtual. There are both benefits and drawbacks to resources being all online.

In efforts to relay as much information as possible to seniors, the Guidance Department has created a Google Classroom for the senior class. There, students can find links to resources such as CollegeNow, financial aid and teacher recommendations.

“There are currently 262 seniors joined in the Senior Planning Google Classroom,” noted high school counselor Mrs. Freund.

“Between the classroom and Naviance we are posting every resource we have to make sure seniors are getting the information they need.”

However, seniors are feeling the pressure of college application deadlines approaching. Allie Hibinger is a twelfth grader who has spent a lot of time on her own researching colleges.

“Honestly, I feel like I was forced to do more research on my own while I was at home,” said Hibinger. “I really was able to utilize online resources to find out more about what schools have to offer.”

Because not all students are able to visit perspective schools in person like in years past, colleges have been pushing out a lot of useful information via the internet for high school students to utilize.

“Because we had such a late start, students are still getting into the swing of getting of back to school,” Freund said. “We don’t want to push students with applications but at the same time, we’re less than 2 months until the first deadlines.”

Every year, college representatives from colleges all over the state and the surrounding areas come to the high school to highlight the school they are from and give out brochures and materials for the students who attend.

This is one resource that many students take advantage of.

Erin Morrison is a senior who took advantage of the virtual college representative visits the high school is providing. She signed up for the Allie Hibinger uses her study hall to finish filling out her Common Application. meeting with Kent PHOTO BY JULIA BLAKE State University.

During her meeting with the representative, she received good many times as they would like.

“Colleges have gone above and beyond information about her perspective school and are working harder then ever before,” and got a better understanding of everything said Mrs. Freund. “They’ve been pushing so Kent has to offer.

“During the Google Meet session, the many virtual events and information. The virtual tours they provide along with small admissions counselor focused on what’s group tours have been giving students more changed around campus this year,” said Morrison. “He also focused on the clubs and opportunities.”

For example, many schools developed virtual tours that highlight aspects of their campus for students to view.

During a virtual tour, the student has the option to look at any building they want in any particular order. Compared to an inperson campus tour, virtual campus tours can last anywhere from five minutes to fortyfive minutes. These tours have enabled perspective students to tour a campus as

activities Kent has to offer, and he had good answers to the questions I had.”

There were four other students who participated in the virtual visit, which is a smaller number of students compared to years past.

“I feel worried that seniors aren’t using all of the resources available because they don’t know where to find them,” said Freund.

Senior Hannah Ihrig has had a bit of a different experience regarding her college application. She applied early to Kent State University and was admitted to her first choice major. She was also invited to apply for the Honors College and was given her first scholarship.

“Now that I’ve been accepted into a school I’m less inclined to look at other colleges,” explained Ihrig. “Even though I plan on applying to a few other schools, I’m not as worried about acceptances because I know I have a place somewhere.”

Nevertheless, application season is escalating. Like most things in 2020, a majority of college planning has been moved to the computer. According to Freund, colleges have been over communicating to perspective students. Freund noted that Wadsworth seniors should take advantage of CollegeNow, a third party resource that is teaming up with the high school to give free assistance to students and parents who are filling out financial aid applications for the first time.

“There are so many opportunities in Naviance and we want students to take advantage of the support that’s being give in this different and challenging year,” Freund stressed.

College planning checklist

Complete the FASFA application

Apply to college

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ORDER CAP AND GOWN COMPLETE COMMON APPLICATION

SENIOR GOOGLE CLASSROOM

qa4bgwh RESEARCH COLLEGES APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

COMMITTING TO A COLLEGE 4 OCTOBER 2020

NEWS THE BRUIN

NATURAL DISASTERS ARE ONLY GETTING STRONGER

BY MICAH BECK & BRIANNA BECERRA

Climate change, mining and overproduction are strengthening and increasing disasters.

Experts say we’re running out of time to fix it.

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his year has certainly not been short of extraordinary events, with things like the pandemic, murder hornets, and the explosion in Beirut. On top of that, California’s fire season yet again started even earlier, 12.35 million acres of Australia were scorched, and this year was projected to be the worst Atlantic hurricane season in the last 170 years.

These expectation-exceeding events are becoming more and more commonplace, and the results are continuing to get more deadly and destructive.

Wildfires A combination of dry weather and climate change are key ingredients for an exceptional fire season, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment of the Climate Science Special Report. Climate change has only gotten worse over the past decade. And according to NASA, global temperatures are rising at dangerously high levels, and 19 of the 20 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001.

Dr. Cristina Santin, a Swansea University wildfires researcher, points out that when temperatures are warmer than average, evaporation rates will increase, causing moisture from plants to be drawn out. The drying of plants creates what are called “tinderbox conditions,” which means that even the slightest spark could have the potential to spread very quickly over large areas.

“The warming climate, which is predicted to result in more severe fire weather in many regions of the globe in this century,

will probably contribute further to both perceived and actual risks to lives, health and infrastructure,” says Santin in her paper on the coexistence of wildfires and humankind.

In 2020 alone, so far there have been 45,196 fires burning 7,928,100 acres of American land. These fires produce large amounts of carbon and pollute the atmosphere with smoke, which can get thick enough to warrant air quality alerts hundreds of miles away. The EPA’s Office of Air Quality and Radiation points out that even slight exposure to highly polluted air (that is, higher air quality indexes) can cause problematic health effects in even the healthiest people.

Not only are they harmful for air quality, but the fires themselves can devastate the habitats of living organisms.

After a fire rages through an area, it can take years for the ecosystem to return to its normal state. Secondary succession is the process by which an ecosystem recovers after a devastating event, but this does not occur quickly. Though ecosystems are capable of recovering, it does not guarantee that they actually will depending on the ferocity of the fire.

Though fires are natural, necessary parts of the ecosystem and can help spread nutrients and clean remnants of old decaying matter, recent wildfires have been recklessly man-made and fueled by climate change, therefore causing them to become more destructive and more difficult to extinguish.

“Research shows that since the 1970s,

The global temperature has increased by 2°F since 1880. Experts say this is strengthening wildfires and hurricanes.

fire season is about 75 days longer now than it was then,” said Christine McMorrow, Resource Management Communications Officer at California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in an interview with The Bruin. “Warming temperatures and the earlier onset of snow melt are the primary reasons why fire season has gotten longer.”

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are the costliest natural weather disaster, with average estimated damages reaching in the billions. August’s Hurricane Laura caused over $10 billion in damage, and tied with an 1856 hurricane as the strongest hurricane to hit Louisiana.

These statistics are only going to continue to rise, according to research that is beginning to show links between a warming climate and increased hurricane strengths and commonness.

Rising global temperatures, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn are caused by burning fossil fuels and usage of fertilizers are just some aspects of climate change. These rising temperatures warm up the surface of the ocean, which causes storm wind speeds to be greater. The excessive difference in air pressure gives a greater chance for a hurricane to form, and the higher than average water temperature is the last ingredient necessary for a catastrophically powerful storm.

Abnormally large hurricanes will continue to not only cause damage to man-made structures, but also to the environment,

as they disrupt important industries, such as food production. That, on top of global warming, is threatening the environments of many species, whether it be the warming Arctic or rising sea levels. For example, organisms that are adept to life in cold temperatures, such as polar bears, may not stand the test of time if it becomes too warm. Though it can be argued that natural selection and evolution can prevent wide extinctions due to changing environmental conditions, these adaptations take many generations before they are effective, and the Earth is warming at such a rate that these species will not be capable of adapting fast enough.

Running out of time The time to solve climate change before it begins causing irreversible damage to the planet is getting shorter and shorter. Just last year, United Nations General Assembly president María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés warned that we only have 11 years left.

However, this past September, the Climate Clock Project estimated it to now be at 7 years, publicizing this number on the side of the Metrodome in Manhattan. And the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that there must be a global effort in emissions reduction in hopes it will bring the global temperature down by 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“Climate change requires urgent responses and action,” said Garcés, in a UN press release. “Together, we must secure the world we envision for future generations.”

PICTURED: A large wildfire burns North of Beaumont, CA during the strong 2020 California Wildfire Season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRODY HESSIN (CREATIVE COMMONS)

WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 5

THE BRUIN NEWS

CLUBS AND DEPARTMENTS CHANGING DURING COVID TIMES

BY HAILEY SMITH STAFF WRITER With COVID-19, clubs and departments have had to decide what to cut back within their programs. Club leaders and members have struggled this year with what to continue. Many students are not able to participate in the normal club activities that they are used to. Worst case, the club is gone altogether.

Departments such as choir and drama are still running, but many new rules and regulations have taken action.

“Unfortunately we are not doing anything right now,” said Mrs. Parsons, head of the recycling club.

With the new rules across the school, clubs have not been able to do everything that they normally PHOTO BY would.

“We are trying to limit the number of students in and out of the classrooms and in the hallways,” Parsons exclaimed.

This fact takes a huge toll on the club because kids would normally be in and

out of classrooms emptying the recycling bins. With this being said, the club is not operating currently but it could change in the future depending on rules for COVID-19.

“There are some teachers and administrators that are collecting the recycling on their own, but that’s it,” said Mrs. Parsons.

Students are not working in the recycling club, however things are still being recycled by other staff members.

These new adaptations in the clubs are examples of how much COVID has changed s c h o o l activities.

A n o t h e r example of a club change this year would be HUDDLE. The HUDDLE program focuses on leadership skills. It HAILEY SMITH consists of juniors and seniors that are working to make a positive impact on others. The program will still be running this year but a lot of it will look different.

“HUDDLE will be making videos that address topics that will be shared with

students K-8 this year,” said the HUDDLE leader Sara Kopacko. “They will create videos and share them with the schools so that teachers may show them in their classrooms.”

There has been a delay with HUDDLE this year due to COVID-19, but they are working on sending out the videos. Mrs. Kopacko and HUDDLE members are working to get the videos created before winter break.

“Our HUDDLE leaders also impress me with what they are able to accomplish along with their creativity, enthusiasm and ideas,” said Kopacko.

Despite the setback in not being able to physically travel to classrooms, they are making the best of the situation by making it virtual. Along with clubs, departments have had setbacks due to COVID-19 as well. With the choir and drama departments, many things have changed.

“For choir we usually dance with partners but we had to adjust and had to spread everyone out more,” said Chloe Levitt, a member of choir as well as the drama department.

This is due to the social distancing rule.

The students in these departments also are required to wear masks and this is especially difficult for choir members.

“We sing and dance with masks on which can be very hard to do,” Leavitt stated.

This can cause heavy breathing and make choir much harder than it normally would be.

The Womens Chorus performs for a fall preview.

They maintain social distancing and moved their performances from the stage to the gym. PHOTO COURTESY OF WADSWORTH CHOIR DEPARTMENT

“Everyone in choir and in drama has such a great attitude about all that’s going on right now and we make the most of it,” says Leavitt, despite the changes with masks and social distancing. “Sure we won’t get to do some of the stuff we normally do for our productions, but our directors are really great about having a solution for whatever is thrown at them and they want to make the best out of the situation.”

The choir and drama departments have worked hard to keep their programs running with COVID. Overall, club members and leaders, as well as the drama and choir departments have been working hard to keep their programs as normal as possible.

WADSWORTH TEACHERS ADAPT TO NEW CHALLENGES

BY LANEY CORELL STAFF WRITER With many of the recent obstacles COVID-19 has posed in the classroom, both teachers and students have made significant adjustments this school year. Students face some apparent challenges, but the daily struggles and extra challenges teachers encounter are often overlooked. Many teachers at Wadsworth High School have to balance both an online classroom and an inperson classroom, which is very different from what many teachers have ever worked with before.

Teachers went to college to learn how to teach in a classroom, not to teach through a computer.

They are used to preparing lessons and materials for each day, but now they are asked to create another lesson that can be adapted for online students. Teachers are also asked to either live stream their classes or record videos and post them online for students to review.

“The adjustments I am constantly making in the classroom are to allow continuity of lessons I teach so that anyone needing to go online can stay in touch and be ‘in class’ with us as much as possible,” said Mrs. MacDowell, honors science and physics teacher. “I think most

6 OCTOBER 2020

teachers are posting all of our lessons online using Google Classroom, I am using the same materials in class and online.”

MacDowell also explained that she faced many classroom challenges when teaching her science lessons through all the regulations. She expressed that she has to recreate labs that allow for social distancing and involve the students learning at home. Also, she does need to allow for more time to clean materials in class.

“I cannot imagine teaching physics and physical science with no laboratory investigations, so the cleaning and social distancing measures need to be done,” said Mrs. MacDowell PHOTO BY LANEY CORELL Teachers have to take extra cleaning and distancing measures to ensure students safety while completing crucial labs.

“I am in the process of getting some interactive online lab activities that I can use for all chemistry students,” said AP and honors chemisty teacher Mr. Recupero. “They certainly don’t take the place of actually doing labs in class, but

they are the next best thing.”

He is utilizing these programs that allow students who are both online and in-person to have a hands-on experience while still social distancing and without sharing materials. Alongside labs, Mr. Recupero is working to keep the in classwork and online work the same, which helps when students are quarantined to keep everyone on the same page. These online labs are beneficial for students at home, so they are not falling behind when they return to class.

“The additional workload includes making sure that all of the material is scanned or copied to Google classroom and live streaming my classes. It gets a little more hectic when students have to quarantine due to COVID-19. I will live stream my classes so that they can watch via Google classroom and try to make sure that any material given in class is also on Google Classroom,” said Mr. Recupero.

Alongside posting and managing an online classroom, teachers have to keep track of students who are switching between online and in person classes.

Google Classroom has been useful as they can utilize these platforms to allow Wadsworth Wired students to learn the same material as they would in class, while also allowing flexibility to students who go into quarantine. Wadsworth teachers have been taking extra steps to ensure both

ADJUSTMENTS MADE THIS YEAR

Spraying/wiping down desks and lab materials Live streaming class for students online/quarantined Adjusting plans to eliminate group work and maintain social distance Managing and uploading to Google Classroom

in-person and online students are still receiving quality material while following all the guidelines put into place.

AD THE BRUIN

WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 7

SPORTS THE BRUIN

E U G A LE N A B R U B U S TO S E G N A H WADSWORTH MAKES C ANTHONY CIRINO, JUNIOR PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM SOMMERS

“WHEN WE LOOK BACK AT THIS THERE IS NOTHING WE SHOULD’VE DONE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE WE ARE STILL ABLE TO HAVE A SEASON.”

PHOTO BY EMILY BRANDYBERRY

EMILY GUENTHER, JUNIOR “I FELT UNPREPARED BECAUSE WE DIDN’T GET TO WARM UP BEFORE.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF GENE BELDEAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF DARREN HARTLEY

ALLY HAYDU, SENIOR

“[WE] AREN’T GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THESE CHANGES BECAUSE ALL WE REALLY WANTED WAS TO PLAY, BE COMPETITIVE, AND HAVE FUN TOGETHER.”

DARREN HARTLEY, JUNIOR “I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE IT KEEPS EVERYTHING CLEANER.”

PHOTO BY GRACE PANTALONE

MADDIE ROBERTS, JUNIOR “IT’S SO HARD TO SOCIAL DISTANCE WHILE WE’RE RUNNING.”

BY ASHLEY ALLWOOD AND CHLOE PORTER STAFF WRITERS

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his year there have been many changes in the Suburban League in order to continue high school seasons. Each sport has made their own adjustments to meet the Health Department’s guidelines. The season has continuously changed in order to meet new safety precautions. Now that the seasons are coming to an end, the teams are getting ready for their playoffs.

During this year’s tennis season the new rules for Suburban League left them feeling unprepared for their matches. Players could not warm up and hit with their team or stretch on the courts before their match. Guenther also explains how they were not allowed to touch other players or teammates’ tennis balls at the beginning of the season.

the COVID-19, to Due Suburban League looks a little different for the volleyball teams. Normally the teams switch sides in between sets, but that does not happen this year. Referees of the Suburban League have created a new rule that the balls have to be wiped down between each play. They also have color coded carts for the home team and the visiting team so there is no mix up with the balls.

WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 8

This year the football team is only playing four in-league games.

They are still able to participate in the playoffs, but each player is only allowed a certain amount of tickets for each game. The amount of tickets varies from game to game because each school can offer a different amount of tickets.

Although golf is an outdoor sport, there were some changes needed. Usually the team would trade their score cards to keep track of each other’s score in order to make sure there is no cheating, but this year they are not permitted to trade their cards.

The 2020 cross country season has had to make changes due to the new standards this year.

They are only allowed to have dual meets. They have had four home meets which Roberts feels has made the season a lot harder than last year, and they are not allowed to have as many team bonding outings.

THE BRUIN SPORTS

GIRLS TENNIS THRIVES IN COVID TAINTED SEASON

BY JULIA SWAIN STAFF WRITER

SCORE

W/L

8/28 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2

54-21 49-63 42-62 30-37 35-45

Win Lose Lose Lose Lose

North Royalton Nordonia Hudson Barberton Brecksville

Tie Lose Win Win Win Win Lose Win Lose Lose Tie Lose Win

Brunswick Hudson Nordonia Medina Stow Cuyahoga Highland North Royalton Hoover Twinsburg Louisville Roosevelt Brecksville Lake

Lose Win Lose Win Win

Hudson Nordonia Wooster Cuyahoga Falls North Royalton

8/29 9/5 9/12 9/19 9/26

8/14

8/19 8/24 8/25 8/31 9/1 9/8 9/11 9/14 9/17 9/22

5-2

46-17

15-47 28-28 23-28 19-44

170-188 164-199 162-182 169-210 161-179 159-187 168-186 179-192 163-178 185-178 169-173

Win Win Win Win Win Win Win Win Win Lost Win

Revere Copley Chippewa Cuyahoga Falls Nordonia Cuyahoga Falls St. Vincent Copley Chippewa Revere St. Vincent

TENNIS

0-0 1-2 4-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 2-0 1-2 0-1 2-3 3-3 1-2

CROSS COUNTRY

9/1 9/8 9/12 9/22 9/26 9/29 10/3 10/6 10/8 10/10 10/12 10/15

DATE

COMPETITOR

8/10 8/11 8/12 8/17 8/18 8/25 8/26 8/31 9/8 9/9 9/10 9/15 9/16 9/21 9/24

8/29

9/5 9/12 9/19 9/26

8/26 8/29

Volleyball

FOOTBALL

SOCCER

The coaches and players also had to deal with the fact that summer training was delayed into the later part of the summer, making it difficult to bond and practice as a team before the season got underway. However, when the players were finally able to meet as a team, they adjusted well to the new guidelines and were able to make the most of what little time they had.

“Our summer was delayed, but Coach Nichols did a great job writing up a plan that was approved so we could do summer workouts,” said Hutchinson.

“We had a difficult time modeling movements and techniques while maintaining social distancing. This is

DATE

8/25

CROSS COUNTRY

-John Hutchison Junior Varsity tennis coach

especially difficult with players who are new to the game.”

Despite this, as Hutchinson stated, the players were able to adjust well, making Hutchinson, along with Coach Kristy Nichols and Coach Austin Hanna very proud.

Freshmen have also had a difficult time adjusting due to the fact that this is their first tennis season. Sydney King, a freshman member of the Junior Varsity team, admitted that while it was difficult adjusting to the changes that COVID-19 brought to the season, she felt that she was in a good team environment that helped with the process.

“Being a freshman on the team was super difficult, but I felt super welcomed by the upperclassmen and the coaches,” said King. “I had never played on a real tennis team before, so I didn’t know what to expect nor did I have any expectations.”

Despite all of the challenges of the season, the players were still able to learn valuable lessons that they can take into next season.

“The biggest lesson I learned during tennis was 100% teamwork,” said King.

“When you play doubles you have to be able to rely on your partner and be able to work together in order to win games.”

Overall, the girls tennis season has certainly been like no other. The teams have adjusted well and thrived under the circumstances despite the difficulty that COVID-19 brought.

VARSITY FALL SEASON RECAP

BOYS

GOLF

“I am proud of my players because I feel they adapted well to the requirements that allowed us to play this season,”

GOLF

W

ith the COVID-19 pandemic comes the unknown, and the girls tennis season at Wadsworth High School was no exception. Despite the obstacles presented to the teams throughout the season, Varsity A, Varsity B and Junior Varsity, thrived as a whole.

The Varsity A team, despite a global pandemic and only having two seniors in Emily Brandyberry and Kristen Butcher on the team, succeeded under the pressure and finished with a 13-5 record, qualifying for a fourth place finish in the Suburban League.

Although it may seem that the season changed dramatically, member of the Varsity A team Hayden Hassinger, thought otherwise.

“It [the season] did not change drastically,” said Hassinger. “We played a full season and postseason. Really the only difference is we wore masks to and from games and practices.”

The Varsity B and Junior Varsity teams also had respectable seasons, finishing at 12-7 and 12-5 respectively.

All of the new guidelines and regulations are not only very difficult for the players, but also for the coaches.

Coach John Hutchinson, the coach of the Junior Varsity team, agreed with the fact that it was hard coaching while also having to maintain social distancing, but

he is very proud of his team and how they handled the difficult situation.

“I am proud of my players because I feel they adapted very well to the requirements that allowed us to play this season,” said Hutchinson. “It took a while to get used to it, but they did whatever was necessary to give us the opportunity to play a complete season.”

9/1 9/3 9/5 9/8 9/17 9/19 9/22 9/24 9/26 9/29 10/1 10/6 10/7 10/12 10/15 8/18 8/19 8/25 9/1 9/9 9/15 9/17 9/28

SCORE

PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYDEN HASSINGER Hayden Hassinger, junior and member of the Varsity A team, stays focused on the match ahead. Hassinger was a part of an impressive Varsity A team that finished with its best record in five years.

GIRLS

W/L

COMPETITOR

3-2 4-1 2-3 4-1 1-4 2-3 5-0 0-5 4-1 4-1 5-0 4-1 4-1 5-0 1-4

Win Win Win Win Lost Won Lost Win Win Win Lost Lost Win Lost Win

Brunswick Woodridge Medina Copley Green Norton Hudson Nordonia Lady of the Elms Cuyahoga Falls Revere Strongsville Twinsburg Brecksville Cloverleaf

34-24 17-44 19-43 15-50 15-48

Lose Win Win Win Win

Hudson Nordonia Wooster Cuyahoga Falls North Royalton

3-2 3-1 3-0 3-0 0-3 3-1 1-3 3-0 1-3 3-0 3-2 3-0 2-3 3-1 3-0 0-3 0-3

Win Win Win Win Lost Win Lost Win Lost Win Win Win Lost Win Win Lost Lost

199-207 196-196 180-195 186-189 190-215 187-189 180-190 188-188

Win Tie Win Win Win Win Win Win

Walsh Jesuit Steele Stow Cuyahoga Falls Tallmadge North Royalton Hudson Copley Nordonia Stow Glen Oak Cuyahoga Falls North Royalton Twinsburg Broadview Heights Hudson Nordonia

Cuyahoga Falls Copley Tallmadge Lake Cuyahoga Falls Wooster Tallmadge Wooster

8/24 8/26 9/2 9/9 9/12 9/21 9/23 9/26 9/30 10/3 10/5 10/7 10/14 10/18

SOCCER 2-1 1-4 1-3 0-0 5-0 0-0 1-1 0-3 3-3 0-9 0-5 0-4 0-3 0-2

Win Lose Lose Tie Win Lose Tie Lose Tie Lose Lose Lose Lose Lose

Competitors in order of appearance

Jackson Hudson Nordonia Stow Medina Copley North Royalton Buckeye Twinsburg Akron Walsh Jesuit Broadview Heights Highland Green

9 OCTOBER 2020

THE FOUR CITIES COMPACT FORGES ON

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BY DYLAN HEPPERT STAFF WRITER

he Four Cities Compact has had to make adjustments big and small to keep students safe while also preparing them for their future careers. However, these adjustments came with challenges. One of the biggest challenges when making changes to the system was accounting for two different counties. Barberton, Copley and Norton are all part of Summit County while Wadsworth is in Medina County. This means that when the compact made new regulations for their programs, they had to make protocols that agreed with both Summit and Medina counties.

However, the main challenge is allowing everybody to be able to use the machines and tools provided in each compact course. Compact classrooms are usually larger, as most classes are equipped with a classroom and a lab area. Maintaining social distancing is not as hard to do as properly cleaning all of the different equipment. As a result, the compact has tried replicating real word cleaning procedures for tools used on the job. The teachers were asked to research different ways tools or equipment are cleaned on job sites during the pandemic. For example, if construction workers clean a certain tool one way, the masonry students at Norton would clean it the same way.

2 “Our teachers are being very creative and our students are working hard and respecting all of the protocols” said Roger Wright, the head director of the Four Cities Compact.”The cool thing that you see is that a lot of students actually want to be in school.”

It is absolutely necessary for the compact classes to meet in person because last spring, virtual learning in compact classes proved difficult. Because they could not access necessary equipment and tools from home, compact students and teachers felt as though they could not get much done. Many compact classes relayed work through Google Classroom and met on Google Meet, yet compact teachers still needed to do more to instruct their students. Mr. Shipley, who teaches engineering and robotics at Wadsworth, had to work with a smaller design program that could be fit onto the Chromebooks provided by Wadsworth Schools.

“All of the software is tied to this room and this building,” said Shipley “We did have access to an LMS system (lending management system) but we couldn’t do much.”

Remote learning also required teachers to get creative. Mr. Schmeltzer, who teaches culinary arts at Copley filmed cooking demonstrations for his students, and had them replicate what he made.

“With the classroom and lab taken away, because of COVID, we all had to be creative in what we were doing to keep students engaged in what we were learning and trying to teach,” said Schmeltzer. “I would meet with my students and do live cooking demonstrations from my home kitchen. I had students plan meals for their families and write instructions on what they were making, ingredients used, photos of them cooking and preparing meals.

We set up internships with local businesses for students to work and learn the culinary and hospitality field.”

Unfortunately, many classes missed out on field trips or opportunities that the course offers and will most likely not be made up.

Though COVID-19 has presented many problems, it has also provided some new opportunities. Wright believes that doing a virtual tour of the different compact programs could give parents a chance to get involved and see what their sons or daughters can do in these programs.

“The advantage this year is that if we do video or virtual stuff the parents can be involved,” said Wright. “Usually it has just been the student that goes to the showcase, but hopefully this might be an opportunity to get mom and dad involved.”

Traditionally in November, sophomores take a trip to Barberton High School to take a tour and view all of the different compact programs. Here, they can view a presentation given by students from the course and ask them questions.

Although these new adjustments in the compact may not be ideal, they allow the compact to continue classes. That being said, as long as the four schools continue to go in-person, then students can expect to receive a near complete, compact experience.

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FEATURE THE BRUIN

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LAYOUT BY ALEX MILLER

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1: Wadsworth students Brennan Gray and Logan Shiara handle hot metals in the engineering and design technology course. The students must wear protective eye wear and gloves to protect themselves when working with dangerous materials. PHOTO BY KIP SHIPLEY

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2: Norton student Alexis Kemp demonstrates facial cutting on a Google Meet.

Online Compact students are limited for hands-on learning, so they often watch others through online meetings. PHOTO BY NICHOLE GERBERICH 3: Students in the Marketing Management course at Wadsworth, prepare to practice interviews with retired Wadsworth Teacher Mr. Kibler(far right). The students are taught to conduct interviews under COVID guidelines, this includes social distancing, wearing masks and refraining from typical greetings or shaking hands. PHOTO BY PETE ALEXANDER 4: Copley student Joe Nichols and Norton student Alexandra Bate practice cooking techniques while cutting potatoes. Practicing proper cooking techniques is imperative for safety in the Culinary arts program. PHOTO BY JOE SCHMELTZER 5: Copley student Kashe Farrow and Barberton student Kylie Berry perform a physical exam on a guinea pig named Khalo in the animal care and science course. The animal care and science course is a relatively new course being added to the compact course list last year. PHOTO BY RACHEL MCCLENAGHAN

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6: Wadsworth students Jorden Pasterchek, Laila Spaugy and Madison Roberts play with their patients as a part of a doggy daycare lab. Aside from the classroom, this course has a separate facility featuring a doggy daycare and a dog wash to experience students in working with multiple animals and serving.

PHOTO BY RACHEL MCCLENAGHAN 7: Wadsworth students Madison Roberts and Jorden Pasterchek bathe a dog named Jasper in the animal care and science course. Students in this course learn to bathe, examine and properly care for animals.

PHOTO BY RACHEL MCCLENAGHAN 8: Wadsworth students Brennan Gray, Logan Shiara and Nick Metzger work on metal casting in the engineering and design technology course. In this course students can work with specialized machines to cut, melt or manipulate different kinds of materials. PHOTO BY KIP SHIPLEY 9: Wadsworth Student Katie Bishop prepares a chicken alfredo dish in the culinary art program at Copley. Part of the culinary arts program includes cooking practical meals that can be replicated and enjoyed at home. PHOTO BY JOE SCHMELTZER 10: Copley student Miniya Lincoln and Barberton student Gabby Marcinik brush a chinchilla named Shadow. In the animal care and science program, students care for a wide range of animals including dogs, guinea pigs, chinchillas and hedgehogs.

PHOTO BY RACHEL MCCLENAGHAN

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11: Wadsworth Student Noah Goodwin pours a hot liquid into a mold in the Engineering and design technology course. The liquid will then form into a solid in the shape of designed mold. PHOTO BY KIP SHIPLEY 12: Norton student Carolyn Johnson trims the wig on a mannequin to practice for a state board exam. Students in the cosmetology program at Barberton can test for a cosmetology license towards the end of the course. PHOTO BY NICHOLE GERBERICH 13: Copley student Jorydan Baines practices cutting techniques on a mannequin in the cosmetology program. Due to COVID, students may no longer work with partners and must stay six feet apart. PHOTO BY NICHOLE GERBERICH 14: Wadsworth students Jonah Hall, Dan Kruzel and Instructor Richard Mehok examine the phone system and file storage for all of Barberton Schools in the network systems and cyber security course. In this course, students can gain IT knowledge, college credit and even earn certifications for networking careers. PHOTO BY ROGER WRIGHT. 15: Copley student Nick Ezzie has his blood pressure checked by Norton student Madyson Swafford in the fire safety/EMT course. EMS responders are the primary access to medical care for many individuals, especially during a pandemic. PHOTO BY BRANDON REEDY

“OUR TEACHERS ARE BEING VERY CREATIVE AND OUR STUDENTS ARE WORKING HARD AND RESPECTING ALL OF THE PROTOCOLS.�

-ROGER WRIGHT, DIRECTOR OF THE FOUR CITIES COMPACT

WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 11

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12 October 2020

POLLING NATIONAL POLL AVERAGE

42.2%

OHIO POLL AVERAGE

49.9%

POLLS COURTESY OF FIVETHIRTYEIGHT

MAJOR POLICIES PRIVATIZE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS DECREASE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS TIGHTER BORDERS NO CLIMATE REFORM IS NECESSARY

ELECTION 2020 Who has the support of the Wadsworth High School student body?

BY KAYLA ROSS AND ARI KASER STAFF WRITERS

T

o encourage eligible students to vote, the Bruin sent out a mock election form to all Wadsworth High School students, regardless of age or grade level.

More than 300 students participated in voting. For many reasons, this election year is unlike any other. Voters are concerned about many different polarizing issues.

Several factors are pivotal in each voter’s decision.

Jim Renacci, former congressman and chair of the Medina County Republican Party, shares his opinions about why a voter should select a candidate to support.

“The issues I do believe should determine voters’ support are the policies of both of the candidates, not the personalities,” said Renacci. “What policies are both individuals putting out? What policies, especially for high school age adults, are going to most help our economy grow and individuals live the American Dream?”

Students at Wadsworth High School are also concerned about personal issues, such as abortion. Angelo Pace, freshman, explains why he supports the reelection of President Trump.

“I believe that science has proven that life begins at conception and that abortion should be treated as murder,” said Pace.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Medina County Auditor and chair of the Medina County Democratic Party, Mike Kovack, describes his opinions on which issues should be corrected.

“COVID-19, competency and the economy[will determine voters’ support],”

said Kovack. “Unfortunately, Trump has failed in all three. I think the presidential debates did have an impact because it was the first time in a long time that the American people got to see President Trump unvarnished, up close and personal - and they didn’t like what they saw. He had manners we would not accept from our children, he was uninformed and he had no plan or policies for the country.”

Claire Kirven, senior, also supports Joe Biden.

“Environmental issues and womens’ reproductive rights are most important to me,” said Kirven. “Women should have bodily autonomy. The government should not have control in someone’s personal life.”

Overall, Donald Trump won the mock election with 52% of the student vote.

Biden lost, receiving only 42.2% of the vote.

Jorgensen received a significant amount of votes, accounting for 5.8% of the vote.

Donald Trump won the popular vote across every class, however, in the senior class, he only won with 4% more of the vote.

There was a direct correlation between female voters and votes cast for Biden.

Sixty percent of the votes cast for Biden were from female voters. There was also a direct correlation between male voters and votes cast for Trump. About seventy percent of the votes cast for Trump were from male voters.

These numbers may be representative of who will win the election in Ohio, which is historically a swing state. Although only 11.3% of the students who participated in the mock election will be eligible to vote, these demographics represent the views of our student body as a whole.

ELECTION THE BRUIN

POLLING NATIONAL POLL AVERAGE

52.1%

OHIO POLL AVERAGE

49.1%

POLLS COURTESY OF FIVETHIRTYEIGHT

MAJOR POLICIES AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE CONTINUE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS & MASK WEARING LGBTQIA+ ALLY SHORTEN IMMIGRATION PROCESS

WHS POLL RESULTS TRUMP

BIDEN JERGENSEN

6%

52% 42% WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 13

THE BRUIN OPINION

COVID-19 WILL CHANGE US FOREVER OPINION BY HAYLEE JOY STAFF WRITER

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A big question mark in society is whether or not everyday life will return to the way it was before the pandemic. Between sneezing in a store and having large gatherings, a lot of these things will never be normalized again.

Although fewer precautions are being taken than there were in March, that does not ensure that things will go back to the way they were before COVID-19.

Things such as streaming platforms, online shopping, virtual learning and working from home will become the new norm in our society.

Virtual Learning

As school systems adjust to virtual learning, some students find it easier or more convenient than going to school in person. Not having to leave the house to be educated is much easier than finding transportation to get to school. Having all assignments done and turned in online is more convenient for students and it saves a lot of paper.

Many adults have had to work from home as well. Families have rearranged their houses to create a home office. This will be more convenient because it will save gas and make people’s lives easier.

Snowdays

Home Office

More company employees will start to work from home as time goes on. They will either make an existing room in their home an office, or they will add to their home design in order to work from their house.

Lindsay McNamara, a manager in a customer logistics department at Smucker’s, had to switch from her office building to work at home. She first had to leave the building in March and will have to continue to work from home until further notice.

“Working from home is really convenient because there is no commute to and from so I save money on gas,” said McNamara.

She converted a room in her basement to a home office to have a space to work in every day. COVID will also forever change home designs. In the future, society will start to see more home offices in new house and apartment designs. This will be because more and more of the employed will be working from their homes and will need a qualified place to get their work done while remaining in their household.

Online Shopping

During quarantine, shoppers resorted to shopping more online. The curbside grocery business will also continue to expand. Businesses such as Doordash, Grubhub and Uber Eats will thrive in the near future.

Apart from food delivery, families have been and will continue to cook and eat from home more, as opposed to going out to a restaurant.

Food is not the only thing that is being purchased virtually. Online shopping is another way to preserve gas and stay home to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19. Browsing through a store online is generally more organized and less time consuming as opposed to instore.

Regan Simpson, a junior at Wadsworth High School, is a huge fan of shopping.

Simpson says that it is so much easier now since she can shop from her bed.

“I totally think more people will start shopping online especially if COVID doesn’t go away soon,” said Simpson.

“Also, with some stores going to no cash it’s just a lot easier and safer.”

Home Entertainment

Home Gyms Snow days may be a thing of the past as virtual learning continues to expand.

For the schools that will not be completely online, having the ability to plan lessons virtually will come in handy during these situations. If a storm is expected, teachers will prepare online lessons so that their students can learn from home on those days. Emily Rhoades, a junior at Wadsworth High School, shares her thoughts on the situation.

“I really hope snow days won’t be taken away from us, but I know the teachers are prepared to go online,” said Rhoades.

“There is definitely a possibility that we will still have to do work on days that we can’t come in due to the weather.”

As the trend of virtual learning keeps increasing, more and more students will be getting their education online. Because of this, there will no longer be a use for snowdays.

“Although it will prevent students and teachers from getting behind, it will be hard to not have those free days,” said Rhoades

14 OCTOBER 2020

Just like people made home offices, there have also been a lot of home gyms being created. This happens to be cheaper, safer, and more convenient than attending an in-person organization.

Home gym sales went through the roof during the months of quarantine.

Christina Ball, the owner of Hammer Girl Fitness, speaks about how the pandemic has affected her business.

She began adjusting as soon as she even heard there was a possibility of her gym being shut down. Ball immediately began online classes. She found space in her house, got a tripod, and worked with the equipment that she had.

“Luckily, when my kids were small, this is how I worked out,” said Ball. “The real challenge was thinking of pricing and how to go digital that made the most sense for everything. I needed to know how to stay connected and keep them motivated!”

She decided to use Facebook live videos, and she managed to keep things as routine as possible.

While staying at home trying to slow the spread of the virus, families started exposing themselves to many of these platforms. Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and plenty of other at-home entertainment providers will continue to show increases in their users.

Lilly Baron, another junior at Wadsworth High School, started using Disney Plus and Hulu during the early months of quarantine. She’s familiar with streaming platforms and she claims that they are more convenient than using cable.

“Because I obviously had plenty of time to kill, I began using more of these programs,” said Baron. “Hulu and Disney Plus are really easy to navigate through and I can get more out of them than I did with regular cable.”

These programs are thriving now and will be used more regularly in the future.

Because of the recent exposure to these online entertainment sources, fewer people will use cable and will utilize these services.

Relating to entertainment, movie theaters are closing and some may never open again. Regal Cinema is indefinitely shutting down its theaters nationwide.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine will be more regularly used, especially as technology grows.

Cheryl Sestito, one of McNamara’s coworkers, just recently had twins. One of them came home from the hospital with a diaper rash and after about two weeks it got to a severe state, so Sestito called her family physician.

“They offered a virtual appointment, which for a mom of twins was incredibly convenient,” said Sestito. “I sent pictures of the rash via MyChart and the doctor was able to review prior to our virtual appointment. The zoom meeting was quick and effective. It focused on treatment and what to do next. It saved me 40 minutes round trip in a car plus the time waiting in the office in addition to not exposing my newborn to germs.”

Technology like telemedicine provides safety and assurance to people who need healthcare. As these abilities continue to be utilized more, people will go into the doctor’s office less, that is of course for non-emergency situations.

As life continues to be altered, the way we do things will also be changed. Some of these things will never go back to the way they were before the Coronavirus outbreak.

FEATURES THE BRUIN

SELF-SUSTAINING JUREYS SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT

BY GRACE PANATLONE STAFF WRITER

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ason and Peri Jurey, science teachers for Wadsworth Middle and High School, live on six acres of the forty acre farm that Jason grew up on, continuing the tradition of living off of the land.

“We had never thought my parents would be into selling us some of their land and they had never thought we would want to buy any, but when we had our son we wanted him in the Wadsworth school district,” said Jason. “My parents said, ‘well, why don’t you guys just buy some of our property?’”

The two built their house in 2018 and have lived there with their son, Max, ever since. Being on the property allows his parents to always have people around to help.

“We can keep this tradition going because I know it means a lot to him,” said Peri.

Jason had grown up on the land doing things like making maple syrup and gardening. These traditions are very s t ha important to all of the tha the k e ac r, Jureys, and it shows in r sh sinc inte uga ound ery w d for s e o r v the way Jason and Peri teach Th en a 0s. E r wo ing be 190 athe mak their classes at Wadsworth. He p ly sg ear Jurey le syru . has always believed in “practice what n the e map seaso you preach”, and he incorporates this idea th in his teachings.

“I try very hard to bring the living world into the classroom,” said Jason. “It’s not just ‘let’s listen to a lecture and watch a video’, we try to go outside. No classroom experience can replace being out in nature and seeing it happening for real.”

Peri runs the courtyard clean up crew at the middle school and Jason likes to incorporate outdoor activities in his AP Environmental Science class. The family is not hesitant to share the fruits of their labor with their friends and family around them.

“I take laundry baskets of tomatoes to school this time of year, and I just put it in the staff room and say it’s free, take whatever you want,” said Peri. “And it’s gone by the end of the day. I like doing that. I love seeing them grow and knowing that people enjoy it.”

All of the produce that they collect throughout the growing season is used for many different things. Peri will can some of their produce, making it into salsas, sauces and pickles.

The Jureys have e v s ha rey’ n their a sugar shack from u J The xes o lp the o e the 1800’s on b h e t e be ty tha er. Th er o elt their property and t p h o s d r e d p

Jason and his father stock it with wood. The wood is being stocked in preparation for maple syrup season. This upcoming year, Jason plans to get involved in sausage making.

“I have all the processing for making sausage,” said Jason.

“So I’m going to make my own sausage. Over Christmas break, my intention is to make ten or twenty pounds of sausage.”

Jason took a class on Jurey nd Peri sausage making and is Jason a son, ir e th ith pose w ten looking forward to using his ir e d th Max, an hocolate new equipment. The couple c year old iesel, in likes to shop local for their r, D labrado use. their ho meat and help out local front of lived there ve businesses.

They ha t two years. pas for the For now, the family has dogs and a cat on the property. However, Peri is hoping to get chickens and bees in the near future.

“At one point in time we had rabbits, chickens, horses and there’s been talk about getting goats,” said Jason.

The hobby of leading a sustainable lifestyle has become a way of life for the family. The family respects the property that they live on and practice stewardship of it. The Jureys love to have people that have never experienced the things that rge he la ole they do, such om t r h f w e e d Asi at th Jurey as beekeeping or en th as, Peri her d r a g h y y b l i maple syrup making, fam rden Jurey r own ga . come to them and ask e e has h hous questions. The Jureys welcome anyone to reach out to them if interested.

“There’s no substitute for experience,” Jason adds.

The Jureys would love to see younger people get into activities such as these.

The Middle school courtyard, that is cleaned up by Peri, is open to the seniors if they need volunteer hours.

Chris and Jason Jurey pose for a father-son photo by their wood pile that Chris Jurey chopped for that day.

s s fin o ppo bee are su ficial t e s bee ery ben trees. be v ir fruit the

ALL PHOTOS BY GRACE PANTALONE

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16 OCTOBER 2020

FEATURES THE BRUIN

JUNIORS JOIN TOGETHER TO BETTER MEDINA COUNTY

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BY LIZ GROMOFSKY STAFF WRITER

unior Leadership Medina County is a program for high school students in 11th grade who live in Medina County.

The mission of the group is to help young leaders recognize their potential while making a difference in their schools and communities. Students gather once a month to engage in activities all over Medina County that teach them different aspects of what it is like to be a leader.

JLMC is run by Carrie Park. It was created in 2003 by the adult Medina County Leadership. This is JLMC’s 18th year and 74 students are a part of the program this year.

JLMC offers students many opportunities and interactive activities throughout the year. Each month, the group meets and either visits local businesses or nonprofits.

While there, the students ask how the employees got into their career, how the business ended up in Medina County and discuss philanthropy and philanthropic

projects.

This year the group will tour McJak Candy Factory, Root Candle, the Prairie at Medina County Water and Soil Conservation District, different parks, The Blair Center and more.

Everything is hands on learning and involves talking to people in the community.

“It is the only opportunity for high schoolers to get out in the county,” said Park.

JLMC’s main focus is learning about the county that students live in but also what the students have to offer to each other and their peers.

“It is a fun organization to be a part of to learn about what our county has to offer,” said Park. “You also do a lot of self searching and learn what you have to offer the world as well,” said Park.

Park discusses why she is so passionate about running the program and working with the students.

“It is so much fun,” said Park. “I really hope it opens up the eyes of juniors in high school to see that there is more than just the

Students stand next to a flower pot in the Medina Square that they decorated with a theme of healthcare heroes as a part of their venture. Ventures are a part of JLMC, where students participate in small groups giving back to the community. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE PARK

ordinary careers they think of like doctors, lawyers, and teachers.

There are so many different things out there to explore and look forward to; that is what makes me so passionate.”

Students not only benefit from the learning aspect, but also benefit from the Students pose with a one ton bag of sugar at the McJak Candy Factory in experiences they getMedina Ohio. This factory was one of the many places students visit and tour from participating. throughout the year in JLMC. PHOTO COURTESY CARRIE PARK This program stands out to employers because it are already suffering, it made it really hard shows that students went to high school, for us to maintain this program since we participated in a philanthropic project, and don’t have the funds we typically receive, toured the county to explore more. which has been challenging.”

Regan Simpson, a junior at Wadsworth Students are required to wear masks, and High School, is a participant in JLMC this the group of 74 is split up into two different year. classes. Half the students participate in “I like it because it’s a great opportunity to the class on Tuesday and the other half help the community and become a leader,” participate in the class on Thursday. said Simpson. “It’s helping me to learn what If students are interested in applying for a leader is and how to be a better one in JLMC, applications come out on February 1, Medina County. Also, it is fun and everyone 2021. is so nice.”

“It is a pretty intense application process.

Though JLMC has been in operation for There are essay questions, reference 18 years, this year does not look like what it letters, and more, but it is so worth it,” has in the past. COVID-19 has affected the said Park.

“This is only an opportunity you way this program runs and how students get your junior year and taking a day off of are involved.

“One thing that is really frustrating is we school once a month is not as terrible as it rely on donations from sponsors because sounds.” the cost of kids going through the program Applications are available online at is a lot,” said Park. leadershipmedinacounty.org.

Since the local businesses and grants

LOCAL SALVATION ARMY STRIVES TO SERVE

BY JANAE JOACHIM STAFF WRITER

T

he Salvation Army in Wadsworth is a nonprofit organization that offers groups and programs to help the community. All of its programs are run by volunteers and staff members.

The Salvation Army is similar to a real army in the way that their officers are organized into ranks based on training and years of experience. Examples of these ranks include Major, Captain, Officer and General, with the highest being General. Tara Harrison has achieved the rank of Major, and she works out of the Wadsworth location.

In addition to their ranks, they have organized groups that these volunteers and staff members can be a part of. These groups are highly involved in the Salvation Army’s activities. One such group is the Women’s Auxiliary. This is a group of 90 women ranging in age from mid-forties to eighties.

“A friend was developing the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary,” said Cindy Farver, president of the Women’s Auxiliary.

“She was initiating

Outside of the Wadsworth building, food sits in boxes for community members who may need.

Residents can come by and take what they need from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday if they call ahead for an appointment to do so. PHOTO BY JANAE JOACHIM

that and she asked me to join and I stayed ever since then.”

Farver highlighted how much she loves the fact that she is able to help the community through her work in the Women’s Auxiliary.

Not only is she their president, but she has been volunteering with the Salvation Army for fourteen years.

The programs that they run are able to operate off of donations from the public.

Money can be mailed to them or sent virtually via their website or Facebook account.

In previous years, the Salvation Army has partnered with local businesses to host events in order to gain revenue in different ways.

“In the spring we have a style show and Kohl’s partners with us with that and we raise money for the Salvation Army with that,” said Farver. “In the past we have raised as much as $12,000.”

Their website contains links to become both a volunteer and to donate. This offers an opportunity for those seniors who are in need of volunteer hours.

Another part of the Salvation Army is their church services. Sunday school is held at 9:15 a.m. and Sunday morning worship is held at 11:00 a.m.

“We are a church with a social service outreach,” said Harrison.

Due to COVID-19, only the staff members work inside of the building and they leave food for community members on the back step.

Despite this pandemic, they are planning on having their programs that provide help during the Christmas season, and most of their other groups have resumed as well.

“We are going to have Christmas applications online for our clients, so they’ll be able to click the link online and fill out an application,” said Harrison.

This means that those who need some

extra help during the Christmas season will still be able to receive it from the Salvation Army without their building even being open.

Their website can be found below for more information. h t t p s : / / n e o . s a l v a t i o n a r m y. o r g / northeastohio/wadsworth

The sun shines on the Salvation Army building located at 527 College St. Wadsworth, Ohio on a Monday morning in fall. This building has been there since the eighties, but the Salvation Army operated out of a different building before this for a total of 135 years in Wadsworth. PHOTO BY JANAE JOACHIM

WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 17

THE BRUIN AD

18 OCTOBER 2020

ENTERTAINMENT THE BRUIN

WHS OFF BROAD STREET PLAYERS PERFORM RAINBOW FISH

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BY MICHAEL JIRA STAFF WRITER

he Rainbow Fish will be performed at WHS on October 29 and 30 at 7:00pm, and 31 at 1:00pm. This will be the first play to be performed by the Wadsworth High School Drama Department, The Off Broad Street Players since November 2019.

Rainbow Fish is a children’s story about a very important fish in the ocean.

She is known for her beauty, and goes on a journey to learn the value of sharing.

Rainbow Fish is very self centered and makes everything about her. Rainbow Fish, which is the lead role, is played by senior Jessica Reber.

Little Fish, who is played by junior Emily Reese, looks up to Rainbow Fish and really wants one of her beautiful scales, but Rainbow Fish rejects her and the rest of the fish stop talking to Rainbow Fish. The Starfish then suggests Rainbow Fish to go talk to the Octopus.

The costumes for the Rainbow Fish, Sardine and Little Fish are puppets controlled and voiced by the cast. These were made and painted by the Drama Department. While other costumes are being made with common arts and crafts supplies to create things such as a coral reef and other smaller fish. They also made props to put on the stage for the different acts.

which includes 5 seniors, 1 junior, 2 sophomores and 5 freshmen.

“I am super excited to perform the play,” said Reber. “It’s going to be super interesting and different than shows we have done in the past because it’s going to be taking a different style due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

The biggest COVID-19 restriction is the limited members in the audience, so the cast members are allowed to bring 4 family members. However, the play is still available for general viewing at WADSWORTH.BOOKTIX.COM or this QR code. The tickets will cost $10.

Jessica Reber practices for the performance with the Rainbow Fish puppet. Most of the costumes were made or painted by the drama department. The Rainbow Fish has glow in the dark paint as well as regular paint, to make it stand out in the dark. PHOTO BY MICHAEL JIRA

The entire cast is very excited to perform the play and hopes that it is a great show for all of the audience. This is the first of two scheduled plays that the Off Broad Street players are perform.

With the next play being Monty Python’s Spamalot in early December.

The cast is made up of 13 girls,

AMONG US SURGES TO POPULARITY

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BY JACKSON KERLEY STAFF WRITER

mong us stormed onto the main stage with a massive surge in popularity this summer following a surge in Twitch streamers playing the game. This pushed it to the top category on the popular streaming site.

The game blew up due to a ton of massive streamers playing live to tens of thousands of live viewers.

“Pewdiepie is my favorite” said Alex Kinch, a junior at Wadsworth High School, while talking about watching twitch.

Pewdiepie, Ninja, and Jacksfilms are just some of the games biggest names when it comes to streaming the game.

The game’s massive sucess on the platform can also be credited to it’s ability to allow the viewers play along by trying to figure out who the imposters are.

The game puts ten people on different maps trying to figure out who the “impostor” is,

with the game’s goal being is to finish all the tasks before the impostor can eliminate the crewmates.

In a eight versus two situation the crewmates win most of the game played.

“Winning as an imposter,” said Josh Whapam, a junior at Wadsworth High School while talking about the best part of the game, “It’s more satisfying to win as [an imposter]”.

The crewmates win by finishing all of their tasks or by voting the imposters off.

“Knowing the people you’re playing against is what makes the game,” said Whapam.

In Among Us you can play online or you can host a private match with friends. It has lots of different options in the game to play with, from changing the amount of imposters to the total task a crewmate has. PHOTO BY MICHAEL JIRA

MANDALORIAN RETURNS ON OCTOBER 31ST

S it.

BY JACKSON KERLEY STAFF WRITER

eason two of the Mandalorian is being released on October 31 2020 with a lot of excitement built around

Season one ended with the season’s main villain Moff Gideon cutting his way out of a crashed tie fighter after a fight with Mando.

“I’m very excited to see what happens with Moff,” said Jackson Chrislip, a junior at Wadsworth High School. “It looked like he had a black lightsaber and I can’t wait to see if that’s true”.

Along with the start of season two returns a favorite character among the show’s audience, Baby Yoda.

The character burst into internet fame during the show’s first season.

When asked who his favorite character was chrislip responded “Baby Yoda by miles,” said Chrislip. “I don’t know what it

is about him, he’s just sick.”

Season two has a lot to live up to following the very well received season one getting a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The show was very popular with new and old Star Wars fans alike.

“I’m very excited” said Ben Merle, a sophomore at Wadsworth high school. “I think it’s going to be great season.”

IMAGE COURTESY OF FAIR USE

WADSWORTHBRUIN.COM 19

THE BRUIN WHAT’S TRENDING

FALL ACTIVITIES!

carve pumpk ins

BY KADE MIROS

!

PHOTO BY AVA KNIGHT

PHOTO BY ANNALISA LOBELLO

PHOTO BY MAGGIE LONG

Ava Knight and Jevin McQuate

Julia Fortner and Annalisa Lobello

Casey O’ Connor and Maggie Long

go to haunted houses!

PHOTO BY KARLEE ADAMS

PHOTO BY ADDIE BECK

au·tumn noun

bake app le pie!

when crops and fruits are gathered and leaves fall, in the northern hemisphere from September to November and in the southern hemisphere from March to May. Karlee Adams and Kayla Kutcel

PHOTO BY EMMA HITCH

PHOTO BY JONATHAN ZEITLER

Addie Beck

PHOTO BY CHYENNE KINSEHER

get a pumpkin spice latte Michael Kuziak and Emma Hitch

20 OCTOBER 2020

Jonathan Zeitler and Faith Zeitler

Chyenne Kinseher and Abby Hershberger