NEWSPAPER II/III
1870-2017 Wadsworth City Schools: “Celebrating 146 years of Excellence in Education” VOLUME XLIII NO.1 VOLUME XLIII NO. 1
The
WADSWORTH HIGH SCHOOL
OCTOBER 2017
BRUIN
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625 BROAD STREET, WADSWORTH, OHIO 44281
Grizzlies shine under Friday night lights BY JACOB MCDERMITT
PHOTO BY BELLA THOMPSON
Joey Baughman, 12, looks to rush the ball down the field during the Wadsworth vs. Wooster game. Baughman currently has 573 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He also has thrown 18 touchdowns and has 1,450 passing yards on the season.
The 2017 Wadsworth Grizzlies football team has pushed each other to new heights and grown together as a family, leading them to start the 2017 season with six straight wins and 7th place in the Ohio state AP Poll. They have also received a first place vote in three of the first four weeks of the poll. This is a tremendous turnaround from a year ago as well as a good sign for a team with heightened expectations. In their second year under Head Coach Justin Todd, the Grizzlies look to improve their record after winning only half of their games last season. “Pretty much everyone on varsity has at least a year of experience under their belt, and a lot of them have two. It definitely helps with nerves and keeping the right mindset when we step on the field as a team every Friday night,” said starting linebacker Alec Miller, 11. The players did not gain that experience overnight. Long, hard workouts all offseason led the players to grow as both a team
and as a family. “I think that our culture leans kids towards excellence. We’re asking them every day to push themselves towards that. What we have instilled in the offseason -the way we asked our kids to workout, the way that we ask them to lift- it has all caused them to want to be a part of something that is bigger than just themselves. We talk about the greater whole of our football team. That leads to wanting to strive and wanting to achieve more for each other which ultimately pushes individuals,” said Coach Todd. A culture built on being a team and pushing each other was already in place, as the players define a family in every aspect of the word. “They are one of the most closely knit groups I have ever seen. They are truly a family. The same things that would take place in a family, arguments and things like that, happen within our football team. But, at the end of the day, it’s about each other,” said Todd. The culture extends to fan support from the community, which increases players
CIS Committee prepares to propose rebuilding BY KYLEE BARANEK
The beloved Central Intermediate School, which stands in the center of downtown Wadsworth, may just be rebuilt somewhere else in Wadsworth. CIS was built in 1907 and accommodates Wadsworth students in grades 5 and 6. The building may be aged but it is cared for by many, including the forty men and women working on the CIS Committee. The CIS Committee is working on a project entitled the Strategic Plan 2016-2020. This five year plan specifies many things the committee wants to accomplish in order to make Central Intermediate School the very best it can be. It includes two main goals; one, to create an inclusive curriculum that will help prepare the students for their life in the twenty-first century, and two, perfect the school so it will help better prepare the students. One of the committee’s underlying goals is to create a proposal they can present to the Board of Education. The current proposal will ask to rebuild the building rather then renovate it. This rebuilding would cost an estimate of 24 million dollars.
While the commitee has met to discuss this idea, nothing has been proposed to the Board of Education. The committee has made this decision of rebuilding based on many factors. One of first things the committee did was commission a company to complete a detailed study of the building. The results were submitting May 2017, and showed that it would be “more efficient to just build a new building rather than renovate,” said Dr. Hill. The renovation was estimated to cost 21.5 million dollars. “It always comes down to the facts, or what makes sense as we look at these facts,” said Dr. Hill. These facts include the growth of the district overall and fact that they state may help finance a rebuild, but not a renovation. Mrs. Joanne Gahan, the principal of Central Intermediate School, mentioned that the other recommendation the committee is looking at, but has not formally proposed to the board, is the idea of keeping fifth and sixth grades in the same school building no matter what occurs with the old building. This means that nothing will change in terms of where students go to school after
renovations or a rebuilding has occured. Both Mrs. Gahan and the committee felt it is important to keep the two grades in their own building. The final question that is currently being discussed within the committee is the question of what will be done with the existing building if the board approves the committee's proposal of rebuilding. After being questioned if the building would be rebuilt in the same spot, Mrs. Gahan said, “It’s not likely that it would be. No decision has been made. It is just in committee.” The commitee has not yet found a solution to this problem.
There are also many other factors to consider as well when discussing if a new building will be in the same spot after being rebuilt. The current building is not in the best location as of now. It is in downtown, with a large amount of traffic. This could lead to possible dangers during the mornings and afternoons. The commitee must take these factors into account. The main thing to remember is that no decisions have been officially made. The committee says they will insure that CIS will be a safe place and a wonderful learning environment for students today and in the years to come.
confidence and inspiration. “This year the student section, the band, and the community support has been unbelievable. Other coaches talk about how full our stands are and how loud our kids are, which is great,” continued Todd. The Grizzlies used that support to open the 2017 season with two straight home wins, over Firestone and Wooster. In their second game, the players debuted their new ‘USA’ jerseys. “We played a really spirited game the night we wore [the USA jerseys]. Our kids really took that to heart, having ‘USA’ across their chest,” said Todd. The spirit that the team already had for each other was put on display in the pride they took in wearing the alternate jerseys. It further solidified that this team’s focus is all about the greater whole, a culture that has led the team to push each other. “It was an honor to wear those jerseys for the veterans,” said starting safety Noah Alic, 11. Continued as “Football” on page 11.
inside the bruin: District Report Card -Page 2 “Hall of Fame” Class -Page 4 Athlete to Prestigous OSU -Page 11 Coach G recieves Highest Honor -Page 10 Meet the New Teachers -Page 14 Index
PHOTO BY KYLEE BARANEK Central Intermediate School has been located in the center of downtown since 1907. It is deeply rooted within the history of Wadsworth.
@WadsworthBruin wadsworthbruin.com Updated Weekly
Editorial......................2 News..........................3 Opinion.....................4,6 Ads......................5,7,12 Picture.....................8,9 Sports....................10,11 Entertainmen...............13 Features.....................14 Of the Month..............15 Speakout.....................16
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Competing Questions: 1. If animals could talk, which would be the most annoying? 2. Donuts or cream-sticks?
E ditorial
THE BRUIN Quentin
Nate
Ahmed
1) Dogs for sure. My dog Trooper barks constantly and I think if he had the ability to talk it would be unbearable.
1) Hummingbirds. They move so quickly so that’s how I imagine they would talk. It would drive everyone insane.
1) Snakes, because every word would end with the “ssss” sound.
2) Cream-sticks. Ever been to Ann’s Pastry? There is nothing more delicious than one of their creamsticks.
2) Neither. Donut holes are where it’s at; they’re the best bite sized treat around.
2) Cream-sticks. There is nothing on this green earth that is better then a cream stick. Anyone who says otherwise is insane.
3) I know it hasn’t happened yet, but I hate when the parking lot is unplowed in the winter. It’s just a mess out there when you can’t see the lines.
3) I want to change how rarely we have pep rallies. I feel as if we should have them for every home game to support our Grizzlies!
3) The parking lot. There is nothing more unnerving than getting to school at 9 and having no spots to park.
3. What is the thing you most want to change within the school after the first two months?
Staff Editorial
September 14th, a date circled on the calendars of teachers, administrators, and community members. A day of reckoning -- district report cards were issued by the Ohio Department of Education in viewpoint of the 2016-2017 school year. A few common emotions were apparent during those first few hours in Wadsworth. The collective sigh that was let out, due to the release of the grades, was followed by a few screams and more importantly, burning questions. Ultimately, it is important to remember just how new and foggy the standards are and what the testing reflects on our school should not be viewed as the “end-all be-all”. Wadsworth City Schools, a standard of excellence with honors such “Excellent with Distinction” for a 12 year streak, has not had much success under these new standards. What once would translate to “Straight A’s” dropped hard. Our scores plummeted under the new testing formats of PARCC and now AIR testing. The results, although helpful in some regards, should be taken with a grain of salt.
“Take these things as a piece of the whole,” stated Dr. Andrew Hill, Superintendent of Wadsworth City Schools. It is a flagship statement that can be heard not only in Wadsworth but, across the state. The leaders of the education system, in our state, seem to agree that the aforementioned AIR testing, although perceived to be fair and better suited to test students, were in fact off-base. Herein lies the issue; Wadsworth High School registered a lowly F, 4 C’s, and a single A in the most broad categories of Indicators Met, Achievement, Gap Closing, Progress, Prepared for Success, and Graduation Rate. These mean that, according to the state, that Wadsworth High School graduates are in no way better or more prepared for success than any other graduate of any other school in the state of Ohio. Done laughing? Same. To insinuate that Wadsworth High School does not prepare students for the world outside of it is preposterous. No other school offers the variety of programs that Wadsworth does,
Bruin Staff
as Mr. Recupero, a chemistry teacher, stated “No one does the things we do here.” Where else in the state can one go from an AP Calculus course to changing an engine in a 2002 Lancer Evo within a quarter-mile walk in the brand-new school? Wadsworth offers 12 Advanced Placement courses, countless Career Tech programs, and multiple programs and camps that are offered throughout the school year to better students. As students, we are exposed and trained to succeed in the worlds. The grades done by the state simply are not taking that into account. Travelling the high road, the administration is continually setting a good example for Wadsworth students. Although they may not agree with the grades, “We are accountable and want to continue to be so,” stated Dr. Hill. Although disappointed in the grades, The Bruin is excited to see the changes that the administration proposes to make Wadsworth be seen as it truly as: a place of wonderful learning, engagement, and preparation for the future.
Editor-in-Chief: Quentin Griffin Front Page: Page Editor: Ahmed Darwich, Jackie Toth Reporters: Jacob McDermitt, Kylee Baranek Editorial: Page Editor: Ahmed Darwich, Jackie Toth Reporter: Adam Darwich News: Page Editor: Ahmed Darwich, Jackie Toth Reporters: Jessica Hermann, Christian Szalay, Richie Dietrich Opinion 1: Page Editor: Ahmed Darwich, Jackie Toth Reporters: Adam Darwich, Kaitlyn Setera Opinion 2: Page Editor: Ahmed Darwich, Jackie Toth Reporters: Jake LoGuidice, Anna Bowling Picture Pages: Editors: Alyssa Laikos Reporters: Jacob Brown Sports 1: Page Editor: Josh Hagans Reporters: Joey Baughman, T.J. Lockwood Sports 2: Page Editor: Josh Hagans Reporters: Kai Wagner, Colin Wright Entertainment: Editor: Tori Baker Reporters: Olivia Porpora, Jonathan Ball Features: Page Editor: Tori Baker Reporters: Richie Dietrich Of The Month: Editor: Alyssa Laikos Reporters: Marraya Youngblood Speakout: Page Editor: Alyssa Laikos Online Editor: Nate Barnett Ads/Business Manager: Josh Hagans Adviser: Eric Heffinger
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. 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.
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Wadsworth joins sweepstakes for car BY JESSICA HERMANN
Recently, a new car was spotted in the senior parking lot of the high school. An explanation was provided on the morning announcements a few weeks ago by Mr. Moore. For the tenth consecutive year, Bill Doraty Kia is sponsoring the giveaway of a brand new 2017 Kia Forte Lx in a program titled the “Medina County Graduate Giveaway.” However, this opportunity has not always been available to Wadsworth High School students. Last year marked the first year that Wadsworth seniors were able to enter the drawing, although they had to meet the criteria set by the company. In order to win last year’s car, a Kia Forte, students had to be a senior, have a 3.0 gpa or higher, and be currently participating in a minimum of two extracurricular activities. These activities included, but were not limited to, work and church activities. Two students from Wadsworth joined other finalists from Medina County high schools, such as Cloverleaf and Highland. More drawings occurred, in which one of the two
finalists won a two-year lease and the other won a gift card. The lease winner had a chance to win the ownership of the car, although last year’s finalist did not succeed in the drawing to win the Kia Forte. The raffle is nearly identical this year. Students have to have no more than five absences, excused or unexcused, and field trips do not count as an absence. Seniors will be chosen as finalists before they proceed to the finals with other high schoolers in similar situations. In general, high school seniors are thrilled to have the chance to win a brand new car, in order to help with expenses related to their graduation. However, not all of this year’s 12th graders are excited about the drawing. “In my opinion, the drawing is not really fair because a lot of the senior class has jobs. Even though that counts as an activity, it’s still difficult to handle. In addition to that, it’s hard to maintain a constant 3.0 grade point average with all of the responsibilities placed on seniors. I also don’t like that the drawing held here at Wadsworth is only to become a finalist, which makes the drawing much harder to win,” said Faith Wadding, 12.
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A Word from our principal
PHOTO BY JESSICA HERMANN
The Bill Doraty Kia Forte LX that’s currently sitting on the grass in between hallways is currently available for a senior to win in a raffle. This car currently retails for $17,340 dollars.
Wadding has recently been having issues with her Chrysler Seabring, yet she still remains firm in her stance regarding the giveaway. In comparison to last year’s car, the 2016 Kia Forte, the 2017 Kia Forte LX is similar. Both cars include typical safety features such as anti-lock brakes, rear air bags, side mounted air bags, and traction control. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, both vehicles are rated five stars overall, which is the highest rating they could receive. Despite this, they were not rated five stars across the board. The categories that they were tested in were frontal crash, side crash, and rollover. Both the Forte and LX were rated four stars for safety
in the frontal crash and rollover sections. The Insurance Institute for Highway safety rated the LX “good” on moderate overlap front test results,side impact test results,rear crash protection results, and roof strength results. It was rated “marginal” on small overlap front test results. Despite these few shortcomings, the 2017 Kia Forte LX is excellent for any college bound senior. Despite the opinion of students like Wadding, the convenience of winning a new car with such high ratings is expected to have seniors anxious to enter the free raffle in hopes of succeeding and being the owner of the car for no cost. Even a lease would please most seniors.
Important news you will want to know Wadsworth School District report card BY CHIRSTIAN SZALAY
The Ohio Department of Education annually gives every school district in the state of Ohio a grade as a whole. Wadsworth has been given the award of Excellence with Distinction 12 years in a row until the 2014-2015 school year. The stellar past decade in the Wadsworth School District immediately dropped after the new testing change. A lot goes into the grade given to each school district. The aimed areas of a school district are Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation Rate, K-3 Literacy and Prepared for Success. Since 2015, Wadsworth has been given a C as an overall grade. The school has not necessarily lost the distinction standard, but the grading criteria has been changed. Other schools that dropped in grading include Rocky River, Twinsburg, Barberton, Highland, Norton and dozens more. To view all of the factors in grading a school, see the Ohio Education Website.
PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN SZALAY
Standard classroom at Wadsworth High School.
Las Vegas shooting: worst mass shooting in U.S. history
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS
BY RICHIE DIETRICH
As the horrific devastation in Las Vegas takes place, approximately 22,000 concert goers rush to safety.
On the night of October 2nd, the worst mass shooting in all of U.S. history took place in Las Vegas; in a crowd of 22,000, 59 were killed and more than 500 were injured. However, on a night of such devastation and horror, heroes were amongst the crowd. One of those heroes is Anthony Chavez. Known indefinitely by the dozen people he helped save, and throughout all of media as, “the man in the red hat,” Chavez is one of the
many individuals who helped those who had been shot or were unaware of how to react to such a situation. The massacre was committed by a man named Stephen Paddock. The 64-year-old United States resident brought a total of twenty-three firearms with him in thirteen different suitcases and unleashed destruction from his 32nd floor hotel room. In the weeks preceding the shooting, Paddock gambled much of his money throughout
casinos in Las Vegas. He put down a minimum of tenthousand dollars in nine different casinos, and transferred onehundred thousand dollars to his girlfriend, whom he gave a plane ticket to the Philippines to spend time with her family while Paddock was planning the shooting. Not much has been revealed to the public about what his girlfriend knows, if anything, and Paddock’s motives still remain a mystery; nothing was
found in his hotel room, his home, or any of his storage places. Paddock has no record of illegal charges, nor was anything found about an issue with his mental state. Friends and family of Paddock even that he wouldn’t be the type of person to do such a thing. “Watching the news after the shooting brings me to tears. It was another horrible tragedy to add to the already lengthy list we have; this is a list that we need to do something about,” says Hannah Sieber (12). Before the shooting, Paddock stayed at a nearby hotel, with a clear view over an even larger concert venue that was going to host a larger concert later in the month. As details flow in, much more is being pieced together inside of this horrific story, but many more questions are also being added. Investigators continue to question about Paddock’s motive, and if there wasn’t one, what happened.
Students, what a great start to the school year. I look forward to a great school year and find it hard to believe that the first nine weeks are almost over. Interim grades were updated a couple of weeks ago, and it is a good reminder to make sure that you are focused on your academics It is vitally important that you keep up with your assignments and work toward your academic goals for the year. Seniors, you are entering your final year and need to maintain your success and focus on the task of graduating at the end of the year. Juniors and sophomores, continue to focus on keeping your grades up as to not limit your choices after graduation. Freshmen, get off to a good start and find your way through the high school experience. If you are having difficulty in any of your classes make sure you communicate to your teachers and/or counselors to get the assistance you need. Our school environment has been very positive to start the school year. We are “ALL IN FOR THE WORTH,” and hopefully you have had a positive experience with it and are working towards your goals. We have had some fun and have also been focused on serious topics. I am excited about our “ALL IN” days in the future and remember GOOD THINGS happen on “ALL IN” days. Another exciting item that we have brought to the school is the “Win A Car” raffle. Seniors, if you meet the requirements, please participate. Please keep up to date on all the activities that are going on at Wadsworth High School. With athletics, band concerts, choir concerts and drama productions all in full swing or starting up you will have plenty of opportunities to support your classmates. The positive experience that comes with high school also comes with being at different events to show support. Finally, we have a couple of important academic dates coming up. Wednesday, October 11, students will take the PSAT and the ASVAB. The next day, Thursday, October 12 will be a delayed start day. Please plan accordingly. Homecoming will be that weekend. I implore you to remember your values and act with integrity. Also on Wednesday, October 18, National Honors Society will host a blood drive with the help of the Red Cross. Go Grizzlies – “ALL IN FOR THE WORTH” -Mr. Moore
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Social media is making us more narcissistic
OPINION BY KAITLYN SETERA
Social media is a new and continuously evolving outlet where teens and adults alike are able to interact with individuals that they had not previously been able to interact with. There has been a large advancement in communication within our society, and users are taking advantage of the opportunity social media has given them. The growth of social networking has birthed an entirely new generation of social behavior for those both young and old. This has influenced an epidemic of narcissists to arise and otherwise go against the intents creators had for their
websites. While the founders of many popular apps like Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram have found their media sharing to be a better way to communication, a large majority of those who use any media abuse the original purpose of the app. It is used as a sort of self-compass by
“I think we’re all narcissists in a way, but we can definitely do something about it.” -Haley Burrows, 11 many individuals and is both an attempt to gain popularity and for people to feel better about themselves. It is typical to see proof simply by scrolling through the feed of your average user, following their friends on any well-known apps. The typical mirror selfie or common rant in the caption of a photograph can
be found on the screen and it is more than likely posted with the intent of drawing attention to themselves. People no longer post to share what is new, but rather to promote themselves and be glorified in the eyes of the public. In a society like this, narcissism is built from the desire people have to be admired with a click of the thumb that can change the thoughts and opinions of those around them. The recent release and popularity of the app TBH Time perfectly demonstrates this desire that teenagers have to be admired and seen as practically perfect in the eyes of others. “I believe social media creates narcissists in a way that peoples’ egos are built from the need to be socially accepted,” says Sydney Killinger, 11. “But there is a difference between having selfconfidence and narcissism that needs to be established.” Although the unfortunate
PHOTO BY KAITLYN SETERA
Sophomores Leigh Hillegass and Amanda Lutz pose to take a selfie in the school hallway, a prime example of how social media can transform individuals into either more self-absorbed beings or narcissists.
population. If individuals choose to use social media, they should always use it carefully. It may be obvious, but when using popular sites, individuals should keep in mind of how attention seeking they are coming across to those that are viewing the content. “I think we’re all narcissists in a way,” says Haley Burrows, 11. “But we can definitely do something about it.”
characteristic of narcissism has developed over time, there is indeed a distinct difference between being a narcissist and having confidence in oneself. Social media can serve as an outlet for individuals to take pride in themselves in a humble manner. If used in that particular way, the exponential growth of narcissism that expands alongside the use of social media could decrease in today’s
Most Visited Social Networking Sites/Apps (as of September 2017) Facebook 2.3 Billion Monthly Visitors
YouTube 1.56 Billion Monthly Visitors
Instagram 712 Million Monthly Visitors
356 Million Monthly Visitors
276 Million Monthly Visitors Information via Dreamgrow.com
Class of 2018: Mount Rushmore worthy OPINION BY ADAM DARWICH
Each year, certain questions come up no matter which classes walk the halls of Wadsworth High. The question that is perhaps the most controversial, the one that has pitted many classes against each other, a battle of the ages; Who is the greatest class that Wadsworth has ever had? Though other classes may have some claim, the Class of 2018 is without a doubt one of the best to grace the halls of Wadsworth High School. Admittedly, this topic is one that is difficult to write without emotion and bias. The arguments made by some classes to be on the top of the mountain are passion-filled and interlaced with evidence, while some classes simply haven’t had the time to make their mark on our school, community, or area. These variables are taken into account and I encourage that if you have a different perspective or idea to write back to the paper following our editorial policy. Yet my point remains; the Class of ’18 has already done enough to be ranked as one of the top 5 that Wadsworth has ever had. Success in Wadsworth is made up of three main components – these three pillars of success are academia, athletics, and the arts, which allow students to compare
classes throughout the ages. Without a doubt, the Class of ’18 is one that excels in all three categories. To begin, let us look at academics. The Class of ’18 is kicking butt and taking names. Citing a previously published paper, Honors Analysis was voted and ranked the most difficult class at Wadsworth High. As with all great classes, what did the Class of ’18 do? Set record numbers in that course. “I have never seen that many juniors take Honors Analysis in the history of Wadsworth High… we had 91 last year, most ever,” said Ms. North, the Honors Analysis, AP Calculus, and AP Statistics teacher. Taking the hardest class in record numbers? Sounds like a top 5 class. The success in our Arts program is nothing to scoff at either. Katie Callow was nominated for “Best Supporting Actress” at the Dazzle Awards as a junior. The class of ’18 has continued what is an amazing tradition of selling-out our musicals and presenting worldclass dramas for not only the school but also the Wadsworth community. Our band, led by seniors, continually presents a wonderful show that has wowed many visiting fans. Students in the Class of ’18 have even awed crowds in art shows. Mr. Derrig said, “There are 3 or 4 that have really impressed and done well.” Success in academia and arts; why are we even debating this? Finally, perhaps the pillar
that gets the most spotlight: athletics. The seniors have not only impressed in their final year but also as younger high school students. Sophia Fortner, Lexi Lance, and Peyton Banks were sophomores when they helped lead the Lady Grizzlies to a state championship in early 2016. Joey Baughman and Jordan Earnest both placed in the top 4 of their respective weight classes to help push the Grizzly Wrestling team to a Top 4 team placement. The football team is currently 6-0 and ranked in the top 5 by cleveland.com. The basketball team is projected to do amazing after a year of experience last year with most of the team returning. While our class has been here, the boys track team has never lost a dual meet and, spearheaded by Gabe Szalay and Nick Miller, has become a state powerhouse behind an impressive streak of breaking school records. This is not even mentioning our top 10 ranked soccer team headlined by 13 seniors. Now, there are other great classes who have been, and are here at Wadsworth High. Yet, no class has consistently dominated across all levels and types of competition. The Class of 2018 is on Wadsworth’s ‘Mount Rushmore,’ if it hasn’t already passed that echelon. But why take my word for it when you could hear it from one of Wadsworth’s greatest. As said by Mr. Singleton, “Class of 2018 is fierce. You have the one two punch: you blend class with grit. Who wouldn’t want to work with such people?”
What do you think of the class of 2018?
“They’ve definitely made the transition better. Only seniors have been cool to us.” -Tyson Thomas, 9
“They’re athletic, smart, and loud.” -Taylor Leatherman, 10
“They are a Hall of Fame-esque class.” -Nathan Dietrich, 11
“We are the most athletically and academically gifted class this high school has ever had.” -Lindsay Carr, 12
Earned it ‘18. ALL PHOTOS BY ADAM DARWICH
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Overly restrictive web filters at WHS hall or at lunch? Blocking websites is not the answer to getting students to pay more attention in the classroom. All it is doing is punishing the students who want to visit the sites at appropriate times. “I do not Many students, for example, understand what OPINION BY JAKE LOGUIDICE enjoy going on Instagram or the goal is behind Snapchat in study hall and lunch, which are supposedly “green Technology has become blocking so many zones,” but they cannot do this such an important tool in the useful sites.” because the apps are blocked. classroom in the last decade. This -Maddie Wilson, 11 Why don’t students have the is especially true in high schools freedom to use their phone the around the country. Students use technology everyday to gather teachers do not want students to way they want to during their free time? Are they hurting anyone information. use it in their classroom. The Internet is a very useful It is acceptable to use a dreaded else’s learning environment? I do resource. Recently at WHS, a phone caddy or to implement a not think so. And if the goal is to stop lot of the websites that students red zone, but why must students use on a daily basis have been be punished if they are in study students from being on their phones, it is doing the opposite. Students tend to use their cellular data to surf the web instead of the WiFi. Cellular data does not work well in school and it takes students longer to receive the data they need. This results in students being on their phones longer in order to try and load everything. Maddie Wilson, 11, said “I do not understand what the goal is behind blocking so many useful sites. Students use them everyday to read news and communicate with friends.” PHOTO BY JAKE LOGUIDICE The fact that teachers expect A student wants to find important scientific discoveries from last year for a Chemistry Project, but cannot since the site is high school students to be blocked. However students are allowed to watch an explicit music video under the school WIFI. blocked by the school’s internet browser. This left many students without the ability to access applications they could before. Many students ask ‘what is the purpose behind blocking certain websites?’ I can understand blocking sites that depict inappropriate images, but why are Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and other tools of communication blocked? These sites are used everyday, be it for business or personal reasons. “It is ineffective because people use their data anyway,” says Joey Ekers, 11. Not only does the blocking of such social media applications anger students, but it also is ineffective. With the use of a
VPN, students are able to bypass the blocking. The app that enraged students the most is the vastly used Snapchat. It is a way of communication that students did not want to lose. Understandably,
responsible and mature is evident. Therefore, I believe that it makes sense to give students the liberty to use their device for personal reasons other than education. Just because students are in the school building does not mean they should not be allowed to have fun and enjoy the benefits of the BYOD policy. Sadly, students are unable to take advantage of it because the majority of the things we do on our phones such as using Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and playing games is forbidden. In my opinion, if we are supposedly allowed to use our phones, then we should be trusted and able to use them how we wish. Not with an ineffective and unnecessary filter on sites that are useful. The only problem with this is that not all students are responsible enough to be trusted with their phones, so problems could arise with the student doing things on his/her device that should not be done in school. While not every student is effected by this topic, I believe that many would like to see a change in our school and earn back our privilege of using our devices to our own liking in our free time during school.
School assessments test memory - not knowledge
OPINION BY ANNA BOWLING
During the month of May, kids are not only worrying about their summer break plans and the upcoming school year, but they are also forced to worry about the stress of finals and AP exams. These standardized tests cause dozens of students to freak out, stress out, and maybe even want to drop out. Simply put, the worry that is caused by these tests could be avoided. The majority of AP exam questions are vocabulary terms that teachers start cramming into students heads in August and do not stop until just before the test. These applications are only used to retain the information to get the grades. Half of this information kids never use again. “I feel like when it comes to tests, kids study so much and then just forget it,” says McKenna Brown, 11, “This system definitely applies to AP testing, because I forgot a ton of stuff from last year’s APUSH exam.” This system of teaching towards memorization has dominated the school’s teaching
policy in the past years, but more and more teachers and students are hoping to move away from that system. Even teachers whose job it is to teach the facts, believe that this system of cram and forget is something that schools need to put an end to. “I don’t think I ever teach towards memorization anymore. When I started out I did, but now I don’t, because that’s not what the kids need. They need to know how to think critically; they don’t need to know all the facts,” says history teacher Mr. Knapp. With teaching both the AP U.S. History and Modern World History, there are different standards that he must adhere to. Having different standards spread across the offered courses makes reviewing material extremely difficult. No one knows exactly how or what to study, and kids are just left to obsessively reread their notes, scrutinize quizlets and flashcards, and wonder if the problem they saw in the book would be anything like the problems on the final exam. For one, there needs to be more of a clarification between educators and students on what is going to be on an assessment. This can then help to determine whether or not the most effective way to study would be either to memorize the information, or just know the facts, formulas,
and baselines. “Kids do need to memorize some facts- you need to get that foundation,” Knapp continued, “But for the large part, you already have that foundation in K-8.” Mr. Knapp is completely right. Kids have been learning about George Washington and the Pilgrims since kindergarten. They are able to develop a baseline for any tests they ever take. At the end of the day, most of the kids in the school are going to end up in specialized careers, and the notes they take in freshman Geometry are never going to be relevant again. While some of these assessments do need to test what is memorized, the amount of exams that test memorization is way too high. We, as young, developing adults, need to be taught how to apply methods and rules to the everyday problems we face. I will not need to know the quadratic formula or who came up with the Plum Pudding Model later in life. I will need to know how to balance my checkbook or how to put in my two weeks notice. Teach me something that I can apply and use later on- it will make all the difference. It is no secret that many of the tests I take in high school assess how well I can memorize formulas and dates. It is something that we need
to work on changing within the building. We need to have more opportunities to show what we can do instead of what we crammed for. It would not be hard to change things around and give kids more time to study. We need to have more time to learn and understand the methods, and more time to apply them. Giving kids the proper tools to study and understand what is being taught can help to change how much we are memorizing, and most likely forgetting. Having more opportunities to show what someone knows could help raise a GPA or change a grade. If a student has trouble memorizing then it can be difficult for them to get good grades on memorization tests. Exams need to be something that show how
“They need to know how to think critically; they don’t need to know all the facts.” -Mr. Knapp many kids know the material. If kids are able to show the things they know in some other kind of way, that grade still shows that they know the material. School isn’t just about getting the best grade. It’s about learning how to make friends, how to deal with adult situations, and enjoying the ride. Having assessments that only test how much kids can cram into their heads isn’t a fair chance of teaching them how to succeed.
PHOTO BY ANNA BOWLING
State and school tests are some of the most challenging things to have to deal with. Students are sometimes unsure of what they should be studying for which subject. In order to do better on tests, kids need to understand the baselines better.
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A. Varsity cheerleaders rally the crowd for the football team during the home opener against Firestone. B. Melissa Corbett, 11, lines up for her serve while playing singles at sectionals. C. Junior Seth Beldean jumps up for the ball to advance the team towards a spirit-dampening draw against the Medina Bees. D. Emily Dennison, Senior, swings for the green as she watches her ball fly after her drive. E. Varsity Cross-Country runners, race out of the start to get points for their team as they compete for a victory. PHOTO BY JACOB BROWN
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F. Varsity B Doubles’ partners, Kate Messum and Haleigh Saylor, 10, set up to win their match and get a point for their team. G. Varsity football lines up to defend against Firestone’s offense, to complete the victory. H. Senior Varsity Golfer, Alana Knight prepares to drive the ball towards the green in hopes of beating her opponents. I. Sophomore Lauren Conley, 10, goes up for a block against her opponent from Hudson. J. Varsity girls’ soccer shows their respect to the nation as they link arms and watch the flag during the “National Anthem.”
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Coach “G” receives highest honor
BY JOEY BAUGHMAN
The man, the myth, and after October 21st, 2017, the legend. Coach John “G” Gramuglia is to be permanently enshrined in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on the 21st of October in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This is the highest honor that the wrestling community can award Gramuglia was hired by Wadsworth in 1984 to be the head wrestling coach as
well as the assistant coach to the Wadsworth football team. He has been here ever since. In a span of 33 years, Coach G has pumped out 314 district qualifiers, 133 state qualifiers, 85 state placers, 36 state finalists, and 15 state champions. His teams have won 16 Sectional Team Championships, 3 District Team Championships, 10 District Runner-up finishes, and a team State Championship in 2010. He boasts a dual meet record of 357-74-1 and has
won the Suburban League title 25 years in a row and counting. Gramuglia was inducted to the OHSCA Hall of Fame in 2010, and has also garnered many other Coach of the Year and Hall of Fame honors throughout the area, including OHSCA Division I Coach of the Year in 2001. Noah Baughman, a two time state champion under Coach G who is currently wrestling at Ivy-League wrestling powerhouse Cornell University, speaks very highly of his high
school wrestling coach. “Coach G has made an everlasting impact on my wrestling career and life! He has an amazing amount of love for wrestling and his athletes, making him a great coach, leader, and mentor. His passion, dedication, and commitment are unmatched among coaches everywhere” said Baughman. Baughman is just one of the hundreds of wrestlers and students Coach G has made a positive impact on. He is not just a wrestling coach, he is
PHOTO COURTESY OF WADSWORTH WRESTLING
Coach John Gramuglia, on left, will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He has been a coaching for Wadsworth since 1984.
also a life coach, leading his wrestlers in the right direction and setting them up for success in life as well as wrestling. “It’s such a humbling surprise. It’s far from a one persons award. It’s our entire wrestling family. If we didn’t have all levels of our program on the same page and all believing in the system, they would never have recognized us with this national honor,” says Gramuglia. Coach G wrestled at St. Ignatius High School then went on to attend John Carroll University, competing in wrestling with the team until his graduation in 1980. Following his wrestling career, G started his coaching career at Trinity High School as the assistant wrestling coach. He organized the Wadsworth Youth Wrestling Program in 1985, as well as the AllState All-American Wrestling Camp. Both of these are still active to this day. Gramuglia was the Vice President of the Greater Cleveland Coaches Association in 2001 and 2002 before becoming the President in 2003 and 2004. G will leave a everlasting legacy on Wadsworth’s wrestling program, school, and town, forever. Thank you, Coach.
Cleveland Indians cruise into Postseason BY T.J. LOCKWOOD
Amid the Major League Baseball playoffs, which started October 3rd, the Cleveland Indians wrapped up the season on fire. After the exciting 2016 season, in which the Indians fought all the way to the World Series but lost after giving up a 3-1 lead, the team this year looks very promising. The Indians who finished (102-60), won the American League, and won the central division by 17 games. They also now hold the second longest winning streak in MLB, and the longest in AL history with 22 wins. The success of the Indians has come from many parts of their game. The offense, led by Francisco Lindor, along with Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Ramirez has stunned many with their efficiency. Lindor is responsible for 99 runs and 33 home runs, and has come up big in many late game situations. Encarnacion is eighth in the league with 38 home runs and 101 runs batted in (RBI). Jose Ramirez is ninth in the league in batting average with an average of .318. The offense also improved significantly with the acquisition of power hitting right fielder, Jay Bruce, who has 36 home runs on the season.
The defense and pitching has been one of the best in the league with “Gold Glover”
success and accomplishments of the team has excited many fans about what the team can
PHOTO COURTESY OF STANLEY BINGHAM
The Cleveland Indians’ defense get ready while pitcher Corey Kluber sets up for the pitch.
Lindor and former Cy Young award winner, Corey Kluber. The 2016 World Series has also been a huge factor that fueled this historic 2017 regular season. Along with this fuel, the team has gotten back former all star Michael Brantley, coming off of an ankle injury. This could possibly add even more firepower to their already hot batting lineup. The
do this postseason. “I think they will win the World Series. Teams don’t just go on 20+ game win streaks. There’s something special going on in Cleveland,” said William Virgin, 11. Many people also believe one of the main components that could win the Indians the World Series is their management. Indians manager, Terry Francona, is currently in his fifth season with the Indians and his 17th in the MLB as a manager. His coaching career has included four seasons with the Phillies, and eight with the Red Sox. Although his stay with the Phillies was demanding and difficult, he experienced great success with the Red Sox, winning two World series titles and a winning record each season. Currently with the Indians, he has also had a winning record each season with an AL Pennant and a trip
to the World Series. The path to the World Series for Francona and the team this postseason also looks very promising. The most competition for the Indians coming from the American League looks to be the Astros, who finished (101-61), and have the second best record. If the Indians are able to make it through the AL and to the World Series, they are likely to see the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although the Dodgers finished with the best record in baseball, they ended the season on a poor note, winning just 11 of their last 28 games, which includes an 11 game losing streak. With the playoffs finally here and the success of the Indians, many fans are excited and ready to route for the team. “Along with being so fun to watch, I have never seen a team this prepared and built for a World Series title,” said Matt Moore,11.
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Boys soccer conquers the unthinkable
BY KAI WAGNER
The Wadsworth High School boys soccer team starts the season off in an expected leading position in Suburban League and earning the first state ranking in the past two centuries. The Wadsworth boys soccer program consisting of 13 returning seniors is starting the first half of the year undefeated with a record of 20-0-1. The 12 seniors of the varsity traveled to Indiana’s National Soccer Festival to take on a top ranked team from the state of Indiana. The boys knew at this point how great this year could be. They started off with a solid win of 3-1 against the Carroll Chargers of Indiana. Within the next few games, the Grizzlies beat another top team in the state of Ohio; Brunswick. The close game ran right up to the end whistle, ending in a 2-0 Grizzlies win. One of the teams captains, Josiah Sovine, 12, expressed his confidence towards his team’s chemistry. “The formation of this team way before high school has transformed us into a very hard team to beat. We have lots of talent in the front and the back. We are the full squad,
defensively and offensively,” said Sovine. Another very important figure of the dominating Grizzlies soccer team is Ben Arnold, 12. He has contributed the most goals of the team so far, with eight goals in eleven games. “Our success comes from the team as a whole. Not one person alone gives us our success but every person on the team,” said Ben Arnold, “Whether they are on the field or not.” The team took an unexpected turn when they lost to the North Royalton Bears. However, they bounced back quickly, with a tie against a talented and technical Medina team. The next game, the Wadsworth boys put themselves back into the running for the Suburban League with a good win against a tough Twinsburg, winning the game 2-0. Connor Mendel, 12, another captain of the team shows his worries on distractions. “We can’t get big heads, and we can’t let each other get into the way of our quality play.” The hopes and goals of the players and staff on this team are unanimous: they are both set on driving this team to the first State Tournament
appearance in nearly two decades. The will of the players really sets the tone of what this team can do. The intensity and determination of this team is as if it will be the last time they ever play. This gives the men high hopes for the near future. Ben Arnold and Josiah Sovine both agree that anything short of winning the Suburban League Title will be devastating. Sovine also states that a goal to keep in sight is to go the whole season without losing at least three games, with the effort and hard work of this team it should not be too hard. The Wadsworth boys will finish up their great season with a game at the Crew Stadium in
Columbus to prepare for the state playoffs. The boys soccer team is looking to win out the rest of the season and to win the league with a tremendous current record of 10-1-2, with three games left. The men of the Wadsworth Grizzlies soccer teams have put in countless hours to keep this season on a trajectory to the sky. The new-found potential of a state championship team has sent a spark of enthusiasm through the talented men. The dedication, combined with talent, should provide the results that the boys are looking for. With only belief left, breaking records and continuing to surprise should be easy.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GENE BELDEAN
The Wadsworth 2017 boys soccer team is starting to display unity and quality technique allowing them to become one of the greatest teams in Wadsworth soccer history.
Miller runs breakout season following injury, commits to Ohio State University BY COLIN WRIGHT
Senior Nick Miller ran at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium this past summer. He was competing in the 4x8 relay at the state track and field meet. In the back of his mind, he knew that there might be an issue with his hip. However, the focus was not on the potential injury on the day of the race. The week before the state track and field meet, Miller was at Amherst High School, competing in a regional meet. The 4x8 relay had begun, a race that Miller is highly experienced with. While running, he started to notice a slight pain in his hip, but brushed it off. “Two days after the 4x8 race, on the final day of the regional meet, the pain was still there, though it wasn’t too bad to where I couldn’t power through. I competed in the 1600 meter run and didn’t feel any pain until the finish, where I began to notice it again. After competing in the 800 meter run and 4x400 relay, my hip felt like it was on fire,” says Miller. The week following that meet, Miller spent time at the doctor’s office, where he underwent various forms of physical therapy. He
received massages along with cryotherapy, an unorthodox form of therapy. “Cryotherapy is where you are exposed to -170° Fahrenheit for about three minutes, using liquid nitrogen. It is supposedly easier on the body and leaves you with more energy than a regular ice bath,” Miller says. “It was quicker and surprisingly less painful than an ice bath. Afterwards, I felt really energized.” Following that week, Miller headed into the state meet
Miller was subsequently diagnosed with a minor tear in his hip flexor. For the next six weeks, he could not run or participate in any difficult physical activities. During those six long weeks, Miller refused to stay idle. He followed a strict schedule of physical therapy, attending sessions twice a week for a month. There, he was taught exercises to do at home to strengthen his hips and promote flexibility. Miller slowly returned to running.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GENE BELDEAN
Nick Miller, 12, runs at the 2017 New Balance Nationals Indoor Track Meet.
confident that his hip was healed. While warming up for the 4x800 meter relay, Miller did not notice any pain. Unfortunately, after starting the second lap of the race, Miller felt a “searing” pain right back in his hip. The next day, he ran in the 1600 meter run, but was unable to keep the pace he normally ran at.
“The thing that helped me the most was staying disciplined. I had to teach myself to get in a habit of stretching constantly through the day. It was especially important for me to remember to do extra stretches before and after running,” says Miller. As the official cross country
season began, Miller’s focus shifted towards getting healthy and staying healthy. Early on, it appeared that the season would go well for him. “I felt back to 100% at the Wooster Invitational when I broke 16:00 in the 5k for the first time this season. I was just three seconds off from my personal best and was already ahead of where I was last year,” says Miller. The Wooster Invitational was on week three of the season. On week four, Miller set the school record for the 5K race at 15:34. Even greater things were in store for Miller, who recently committed to run for the Ohio State University. “Nick has progressed really well after recovering from his injury. He’s a really hard worker, and he’s reaping the benefits of said hard work. I think he’s running in a much more relaxed manner after deciding where he’s going to college. Mentally, this has allowed him to focus in on running to the best of his ability,” says John Burton, boys’ cross country coach. Miller has left an impressive legacy at Wadsworth, a school that has seen a great number of talented runners. Moving forward, Miller is excited to start the next stage of his running career at OSU.
“Football” cont. from page 1.
The team showcased this refined toughness and togetherness by going on the road for a pair of consecutive blowouts over Medina and Nordonia. These were the first two weeks with AP Polls, and Wadsworth placed 14th and 19th, respectively, in the state. “Physically, we’re a completely different football team than we were last year. That comes with a great offseason. We’re more efficient in everything we do. The kids understand our system more, our terminology, our verbiage. All of that stuff was nice coming into year two. They understand exactly what is expected,” said Coach Todd. What followed was a statement win over the previously unbeaten Stow Bulldogs in the Cleveland Browns High School Game of the Week. In a high scoring game, the Grizzlies built as much as a three possession lead before coming out on top, 4128. This game catapulted the team into the top 10, placing them 8th in the ensuing week’s AP Poll. “Obviously, our best win was beating Stow. Seeing what we teach during the week executed on Friday night, that’s the most fun part of coaching,” said Coach Todd. After going on the road for another win, against Cuyahoga Falls, the Grizzlies reached 7th in the state AP Poll and were 3rd in their respective region. The team looks to stay focused and finish the season strong heading into the postseason. “Maintaining a certain level of intensity and excellence is probably our biggest challenge and will be from here on out. It’s one thing to get excited about a big game like Stow, but then can you maintain that level of enthusiasm and focus when you’re playing Cuyahoga, or when you’re playing a team that is not as highly rated? That’s going to be really important for us as we finish off the year, that we continue to practice the right way and play the right way,” said Todd. If they can keep their eyes on the prize, and take the season game by game, this team believes they can not only reach the high expectations they face, but exceed them. “At this point, we have not touched our ceiling, so we’ve got to continue through practice, through film study, through things like that, to improve because we’re not there yet. I think this group is capable of playing with anybody that’s put on the field with them, as long as we continue to improve,” said head coach, Justin Todd.
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13 Childhood classic takes Wadsworth’s stage E ntertainment
BY OLIVIA PORPORA
The Wadsworth High School drama department is filled with many dedicated individuals, and over the past two years they have won two Dazzle Awards for their work. The school productions are anticipated all year because of their performances in the past. Every year, the drama department puts on three different shows. For the children’s play this year, the department chose to do Charlotte’s Web. With seasoned cast members such as Ally Honnold, who plays Martha Arable, and Tia Walters Leone, who plays Charlotte, high hopes are held for the outcome of the play. The play is based on the classic children’s book and will have all of the main characters hard everyday after school. that you know and love from the story.
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There are new cast members making their first appearance, such as Sterling Looper who is playing Fern Arable. This is Looper’s first time having a major role in a school production “I am so excited for the
“I really hope that a lot of little kids come to the play because I love to see their reactions”
-Mary Beth Baxley
Since early September the cast members have been working
play. I have never had this big of a role before but I am ready to show everyone what I am made of,” says Sterling Looper, 11. The technology crew has added some new members along with some returning members as well. Alyssa Baxley , a four year tech member, says she is excited for her senior year on the crew. “I can’t wait until Charlotte’s Web comes out because I have never been to a high school play before and I think it will be very good,” Laney Corell, 9. Eric Heffinger and Mary Beth Baxley are co-directing Charlotte’s Web. This coming year will mark Heffinger’s fifth year with the program and Baxley’s tenth year. Opening night is on October 26 and will run through the 28. You can buy your tickets at the door
AP art is the highest art class that can be taken at WHS. It is the first chance many dedicated art students have at pursuing their own, unique ideas with little outside influence. Mr. Derrig is the art teacher in charge of the AP class. Derrig uses a very hands off approach with his AP kids, which is different from the guided path of earlier art classes in their schooling. Their ideas are the forefront, and Derrig will set subjects or themes only for the sake of a students’ growing portfolios. He also said that the students are often excited at the freedom, but they soon realize “Hey, I’ve gotta come up with all these ideas myself.” Derrig feels the early art classes do a great job of preparing students for the independence of the AP class. Last year, 4 of the 14 AP students were given 5s on their portfolios, 5 being the highest score a student can get on an AP exam. A career in art demands a robust portfolio, so this class is often invaluable to students looking for such a career. Their portfolios are comprised of 12 Breadth projects and 12 Concentration projects. Breadth is a display of the student’s ability to work with many subjects and many mediums. Concentration is a collection of works with a
theme running through them, and along with their portfolio students submit a paragraph explaining their concentration to the judges. AP Art is a defining point in an artist’s career, the first time when their creativity isn’t limited by anyone but themselves. The concentration section of the portfolio illustrates to the judges how the students can apply their talents to a specific field or matter, something artists often have to do in their work. The skills that begin with their AP portfolio will continue to be refined as they pursue art further. Keeping deadlines, setting consistent themes, displaying their talents, and many more are among the things students are taught in this class. According to Derrig, current AP students are right where they should be, with 3 projects completed by the end of the 1st grading period. Derrig has had serious problems with ‘senioritis’ before. “They put it on cruise control after winter break and take the second half of the year off,” he said. As the end of the year approaches, students care less and less about their portfolio being good or complete. Despite their talent, they put in less effort than they should. That is why Derrig appreciates committed and hardworking AP Art students all the
PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC HEFFINGER
This is a cast photo of Charlotte’s Web. All of the cast member are pictured here along with director Eric Heffinger.
and your money will go towards the drama department. Tickets are 8 dollars and the play should last no more than an hour and a half, plus a fifteen minute intermission. Henry MacLaren, 11, who plays Hommer Zuckerman, loves being in the school plays because it makes him feel like he has a family at school. “I really hope that a lot of little kids come to the play because I love to see their
reactions,” said Baxley, “and I love when all the barn animals come out. My favorite scenes are the ones with Charlotte.” According to the cast members they are all really excited to put on a great show and to have a great time. Aside from Charlotte’s Web, the drama department will be producing It’s a Wonderful Life and 42nd Street later on. The musical has not yet been determined.
more, and works as hard as he can to assist them with their vision. Derrig said that the most successful students put something unexpected in their portfolios. New ideas and innovative approaches are of the utmost importance to a successful portfolio, according to Derrig. He also advises freshmen interested in AP Art for the future to talk with their counselors, and ensure they can always take an art class. It is a large investment of time and work, but as Derrig put it, “It keeps people who are truly in AP art because they love doing artwork.”
Mariah VanEck, an AP student, recently finished this latest piece.
Derrig lifts young artists higher BY JONATHAN BALL
O ctober 2017
All-in-all, the children’s play, Charlotte’s Web is highly anticipated by the school, staff and all the spectators who plan on coming to support the school in yet another successful performance.
PHOTO BY RICHIE DIETRICH
What has AP Art done for you?
“The freedom of the class has lead to a lot more creativity, which has made me happier.” Severine Ford, 12
“It makes me want to go into art more, as a profession”
“Its made me more critical of my stuff, in a good way.”
Mariah VanEck, 12
Alexis Kirby, 12
F eatures THE BRUIN 14 O Meet the new teachers of Wadsworth High School CTOBER
2017
Mrs. Angel Kusmits BY RICHIE DIETRICH
Meet Angel Kusmits, a new teacher at WHS. After fifteen years of teaching, Mrs. Kusmits has opened her classroom to a new school in a new district. “Wadsworth has been an amazing change for me,” says Kusmits, “It has given me the opportunity to do more of the things that I want and love.” Kusmits has been a teacher for a few other districts than Wadsworth, including Louisville and Maple Heights. At Louisville, she taught physical science, inclusion science, biology (academic and honors), chemistry, and physics. Things for Mrs. Kusmits have been quite different since her transition to Wadsworth. However, she enjoys the new sense of community and the quaint, yet growing, size of the town too. She believes that the changing of districts was necessary for her, as Louisville was not an ideal location for her. Her commutes to work and school events took
a large chunk of time away from her family, and with four kids, changing districts was a compromise she does not regret. “My decision to come to Wadsworth after roughly fifteen years of teaching was a hard choice,” says Kusmits, “but it ended up being one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made for myself and my family.” Despite the fact that she’s only been here for a few months, Mrs. Kusmits claims that she would not go back to Louisville. She is able to spend more time with her family and be more involved within the community due to the ideal location of Wadsworth for her. “I love the family-friendly feel that Wadsworth gives out,” says Kusmits, “there is so much life inside of the community alone, and I feel so welcome wherever I go.” Besides for being involved heavily in the schooling system, Mrs. Kusmits is also an active participant in her church. Although she was not raised inside of a religious house, when she had her own family,
she decided that the most important thing for herself, her spouse, and her children was to raise them with religious values. “I wasn’t raised in the church, but I thought the opportunity to raise my family in the church would be more beneficial.” While Mrs. Kusmits enjoyed her time at Louisville, she truly thinks that the transition to
PHOTO BY RICHIE DIETRICH Pictured above, Mrs. Angel Kusmits, the new Honors Chemistry teacher at WHS.
Wadsworth was beneficial. “I put family first, and this change was for them,” says Kusmits. Although she spent most of her teaching career an entire county away, there was never a single time when she secondguessed what she thought would be best for her and her family.
Mr. Austin Hanna
BY RICHIE DIETRICH
Throughout his high school career, Mr. Hanna was inspired by multiple teachers to pursue his own interests in the educational system. He gives thanks to those teachers for pushing him the extra mile to land him where he is now, as their peer. Mr. Hanna is no stranger to Wadsworth. He grew up here with his family and graduated from Wadsworth High School in 2011. “Honestly, I’m very happy with where I’m at, but there is still so much that I’m able to improve on,” says Mr. Hanna. “If there was one thing I could do to strive for a better me, it would be to become as great of a teacher as those who inspired me, such as Mrs. North.” Before Wadsworth, Mr. Hanna taught at Highland. He taught freshman, juniors and a variety of classes such as Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II; at Wadsworth, he currently teaches Algebra I and Honors Algebra I. “Highland and Wadsworth are two vastly different
Ms. Susan Everhart Mrs. Maria Daull BY TORI BAKER
PHOTO BY TORI BAKER
Pictured above, Ms. Susan Everhart, the new Marketing and Sports Marketing teacher at WHS.
The new Marketing and Sports Marketing teacher at Wadsworth High School is Susan Everhart. This is Everhart’s 16th year of teaching, but her first at Wadsworth. Everhart attended Bowling Green State University for her undergraduate degree and continued her education at Ashland University to obtain
her master’s degree. Before Wadsworth, she taught for 15 years at RG Drage Career Center in Massillon. “I really love the energy and spirit of the students, administrators, staff and community of Wadsworth,” Everhart explained. The Marketing class at Wadsworth in the past always got involved with events, and Everhart plans to continue this involvement. She explains how she loves the interaction the Marketing Program has with students at WHS and alumni. “I am excited to continue the excellence for the Marketing Program and to become a Grizzly,” said Everhart. Everhart is excited to start the new year and uphold the name that the Marketing Program has established.
PHOTO BY TORI BAKER
Students work together on a group activity during a Sports Marketing class, taught by Mrs. Susan Everhart.
BY TORI BAKER
PHOTO BY TORI BAKER
Pictured above, Mrs. Maria Daull, the new teacher for the new Programs at WHS: Intro to Computer Science and AP Computer Science.
Maria Daull is a new teacher to Wadworth High. However, Daull is a friendly face at WHS as she has already taught some of her current students in elementary school at Lincoln Elementary. She is teaching newly implemented programs, AP Computer Science and
Intro to Computer Science. AP Computer Science is one of the many classes added to the Wadsworth High School curriculum. According to the AP Student Board, AP Computer Science involves learning to create and use computer programs that solve today’s relevant problems with society involving art, media and engineering. The class also focuses on applying the programming tools and to solve complex problems that occur today through “hands on experiences and examples”. “I really believe that computer science encompasses everything,” said Daull. Daull has always worked with technology in her past years of teaching and believes that using computer technology
PHOTO BY TORI BAKER
As Mr. Hanna teaches his Algebra I class. His students take detailed notes.
schools,” says Mr. Hanna, “from the type of students you teach, to the way academics and sports are viewed by the entire school. But, despite all the differences, Wadsworth’s spirit is the thing I’m happiest to return to.” Since Mr. Hanna just started his teaching career at Wadsworth, it will take time for him to teach higher level subjects, such as Pre-Calculus, which he says is his favorite class. “I want each and every one of my students to walk out of my classroom confident with themselves. I want them to leave my class, and eventually high school, with the ability to think critically and analyze the world around them,” says Mr. Hanna.
PHOTO BY RICHIE DIETRICH Pictured above, Mr. Austin Hanna, the new Algebra I/Honors Algebra I teacher at WHS.
everyday makes it a lot more efficient. Daull is no new face to Wadsworth; she has been teaching at Wadsworth City Schools since 2001. She taught Special Education for 12 years, 6 years at Lincoln and continued teaching here ever since. Moving from Special Education, she changed to teaching fourth grade for seven years and then three years of teaching third grade. Daull explained, “I’ve always wanted to teach at the high school, and I don’t have any intentions to return to elementary.” She plans to stay at WHS for many more years to come and is excited to teach AP Computer Science as the content of the class continue to grow and change throughout the years.
PHOTO BY TORI BAKER
Mrs. Kusmits teaches her Chemistry class, explaining the way to convert grams to moles.
O f T he M onth
THE BRUIN
September students of the month
O ctober 2017
15
art
Board Students Emily Dennison Clayton Egleston
Career Tech Mathias Sovine
Engineering
Severine Ford
Media Communications
PHOTOS BY MARRAYA YOUNGBLOOD
PHOTO BY MARRAYA YOUNGBLOOD
Colleen Hallas, 11
Pet of the Month
of the month
PHOTO COURTESY OF CASSIDY MCDOUGAL
Leah McNutt’s, 11, car, the Nutt Mobile, is a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The front bumper is held on by duct tape and the passenger mirror is shattered. She is the fourth member of her family to drive this vehicle. PHOTO BY MARRAYA YOUNGBLOOD
Junk of the Month
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMMIE BEDDOW
Ryan Salzgeber, 11, asked Sammie Beddow, 11, with a Tangled themed sign and decorations.
October Students of the Month
Song
Board Students Andrew Jariga
Katie Callow
Career Tech PHOTO BY MARRAYA YOUNGBLOOD
1-800-273-8255 By Logic, featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid
Homecoming Proposal
Meet Miley, The McDougal’s adorable Havanese puppy who enjoys biting ankles for attention and running around the yard.
Lauren Thompson Logan Rinehart
PHOTOS BY MARRAYA YOUNGBLOOD
16
S peakout
THE BRUIN
O ctober 2017
What is your hallway pet peeve?
“That someone is always blocking my locker.” Mara Budd, 9
“When Brock ignores me every time I say ‘Hi’” Ava Snowball, 9
“People that smell really bad.” Jake Peebles, 10
“People that stand in the middle of the hallway and block my path.” Amanda Banic, 12
“When people make out in the hallway everyday.” Mrs. Pernod “When people walk way too slow in front of me.” Brock Snowball, 11
“Freshman and soccer boys.” Mr. Austin “When people scuff the Gucci belt.” Connor Margo, 10 “When I get bodied by freshman that run in the hallway.” Anthony Gannon, 12 “When people block my locker because they are too busy making out.” Kenzie Gaume, 10