Wadsworth High School
Newspaper II/III
November 2006
The
BRUIN
1870 - 2006 Wadsworth City Schools: “Celebrating 136 years of Excellence in Education”
Volume XXXII No. 2
$1.00
625 Broad Street Wadsworth, Ohio 44281
New issues to affect students
Shopping plazas open in Wadsworth
BY AARON KRUMHEUER
BY MICHELLE MCCUNE
Citizens across the nation voted in the General Election on Tuesday, November 7, to decide on a number of issues that could affect high school students. Issue 2 was passed, effectively raising minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour. This means those students with after school jobs will receive up to one dollar and seventy cents more per hour. The issue also has the ability to alter minimum wage with changing standards of living in the future. “Before, I was making $5.15, and now I’m making $6.90. So I’m all for it,” said junior Rick Rudlinger. Opponents of the issue claim it may cause layoffs in lower paying jobs with employers who cannot afford the wage increase; they are also afraid that the issue will force inflation. Others worry that it may be a breach of privacy, as it allows the disclosure of personal information to employers. With the defeat of Issue 3, an issue that would allow a limited amount of gambling in Ohio, students do not have the opportunity to earn scholarship money from the proposed thirty percent of casino profit gained in the state. However, many argued that gambling would bring in other unwanted problems, such as higher crime rates. Others feel casinos would find a way to pay less than agreed upon. “Gambling brings out bad qualities in people and can negatively affect an area,” said senior Chris Jones, who voted for the first time in this year’s election. State Issue 5 was passed, banning smoking in most public places along with places of employment. Beginning January 1, smoking sections in restaurants will be a thing of the past. “I can finally go to restaurants without coming home and having my clothes smell like smoke,” said junior Chris Keller. Issue 4, which was defeated, would have allowed a limited amount of smoking in areas such as bars and bowling alleys and would have overridden Issue 5, as it was written as a state constitutional amendment.
A little over two years ago Wadsworth’s construction boom began with the opening of its first major retailer, Wal-Mart. Since that time, many rumors have circulated concerning what other stores would open in the spaces neighboring Kohl’s, Lowe’s, and the Home Depot. Carol Milton, the Planning Director and Administrative Assistant of the Building and Planning Commission, gave the list of stores as of November for who is actually moving in and who is just the result of hearsay. The two retail areas have similar names: Wadsworth Commons and Wadsworth Crossings. Wadsworth Commons is the plaza where Wal-Mart and the Home Depot are located, while Wadsworth Crossings is the area around Kohl’s and Lowe’s. Wadsworth Commons is well on its way to being completed. Stores include Fashion Bug, Dollar Tree, Alltel, Sally Beauty Supply, Advance America, Radio Shack and Famous Hair Salon. Among these stores are four empty addresses to be filled by other retailers. Many of these stores are already open; the rest are expected to open soon. Unlike Wadsworth Commons, Wadsworth Crossings has yet to
Dollar Tree, Alltel, and other retailers line the edge of the nearly completed Wadsworth Commons.
PHOTO BY MICHELLE MCCUNE
16,000 square foot multi-tenant building, two retail tenants totaling 4,800 square feet, and 8,400 square feet for a hair salon and other unspecified tenants. Milton is also “fairly certain” that among these will be an Office Max and a Shoe Carnival. However, there is much anticipation about what the new restaurant will be. Milton stated that there is the
possibility of more than one restaurant opening, citing the area around Route 94 and Weatherstone as a possible location. Wadsworth’s Building and Planning Commission will have more information available as businesses finalize their plans. Until then, except for information released by the city, the businesses to come are still up in the air.
“We are just trying to spice throughout the lunchroom and things up a bit,” said senior Jake students were encouraged to dress Thompson, a member of the com- accordingly for game day. In admittee. The group, concerned dition, the committee suggested with the happiness of the stu- that there be a meal served comdents, made suggestions with aim plete with eggnog and hot chocoat making everyone’s fifth period late before holiday break. It is lunch break that much more fun. anticipated that students come In keeping with Thompson’s dressed in their best holiday gear. idea of spicing it up a bit, the For the next six months, there cafeteria will begin to theme one will be a themed lunch. The cafmeal per eteria is open to “We are just trying to spice suggestions, and if month. This will a student’s theme things up a bit.” include is chosen, he will -Jake Thompson, 12 receive a free meal. that the lunch being served keep in tune Students can submit ideas to The with the appointed theme. For Bruin, and the staff will deliver example, November 17 was this them to the lunchroom. Keep in month’s themed lunch. The caf- mind that proposed themes must eteria hosted a tailgating party in have all details, including what preparation for the big Ohio State food should be served, an approversus Michigan game. Along priate title to the day, suggested with the meal, music was played outfits and other ideas.
One appreciated change this year is the variety of menu items. In example, the lunch choices on November 15 included a BuildA-Burger Bar, a brand new feature to the lunch menu. The committee told Knapp that students may enjoy a food line with higher quality. The proposed line, with a suggested name of “Grizzly Grille,” could feature hamburgers more appealing to the students’ taste buds. “We talked about a salad bar, too,” said junior Lisa Budinscak. Additionally, the A La Carte line may soon feature combos of certain foods to promote savings of fifty cents or more. Larger menu signs may also be displayed in order to speed up the decision and line processes. With evident efforts, Knapp is working on ways to make great changes.
construct most of the buildings to house future businesses. Around the area, the signs of the construction to come are clear. Mounds of dirt and stacks of lumber mark the spots soon to be filled with stores and pavement. While the names of most businesses have not yet been released, it is certain that there will be a Bed Bath & Beyond, a 7,000 square foot restaurant, a
Cafeteria to make appetizing changes BY ABIGAIL LEDMAN
The school year has rung itself in with several changes. Perhaps the most attention has been given to the cafeteria. From the Point of Sale system to new menu items, students have noticed an abrupt change of direction. As a consequence of the commotion caused, the usefulness of these changes has been questioned. Recently, Jennifer Knapp, the new director of food services, asked for volunteers to join the Student Advisory Committee, a panel dedicated to delivering a general input on the workings of the cafeteria on behalf of the whole student body. The group met for the first time on November 8 to discuss ideas, and plans to meet once a month throughout the rest of the school year.
News, 3
Opinion, 2
Pictures, 8-9
Read about new policies concerning immigration from Mexico.
Read Conley’s opinion on the recent adoption controversy.
Take a look at pictures of Senior Volunteer Day and the Veterans Day Assembly.
Entertainment, 13
Learn about the upcoming movie Rocky VI VI.