May 20, 2011
Walnut Hills High School
Vol. CV, No. 1
From the Editors
May 20, 2011
The Chatterbox
The Chatterbox Editoral Staff
Shiwani Kamath, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Marshalla Eves, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Mia Manavalan, Senior Managing Editor
Mac Calvert, Photo Editor Serena Dugan, View Points Editor Simon Lazarus, Copy Editor JP Schmitz, Cartoon Editor Adam Wolf, Sports Editor Letter from the Editors
Dear Readers, As I sit here and write my final submission for The Chatterbox, I can’t help but be overcome with waves of nostalgia. I started as a contributor four years ago, and now I leave as co-Editor-in-Chief. Admittedly, my view of these years is fogged up by the “Graduation Goggles” (nicely explained on “How I Met Your Mother”). Whenever someone asks me about my favorite parts of working for The Chatterbox, I immediately spout off accomplishments, like going online, re-formatting into a news magazine, adding color, and making our pages more interactive. As I clean out my desks and email, I am reminded of the downfalls. I cringe whenever I see a published copy filled with red editing marks or a picture of an interviewee with a squashed head. I am absolutely thankful that I can certainly think of more positive notes than bad ones (self-serving bias, anyone?) Nevertheless, no EIC can produce a paper alone, and I am indebted to our fine staff, Editorial board, and Advisors for creating a worthy set of issues this year. From our production team and business staff to our writers, columnists and photographers, I have never seen such collaboration in this or1
Clayton Castle, Fine Arts Editor Emily Friedman, Style & Culture Editor Jonah Roth, News & Features Editor Riley Theurer, Visual Editor Tanner Walters, Gleam Editor
ganization and I am grateful for such commitment. I must also give a special thanks to our Advisors, Mrs.Wolfe & Mrs. Gerwe-Perkins, who work tirelessly on our behalf. We could not be successful in what we do without your help. I am very grateful to Mrs.Heldman and the rest at the Alumni Office; your support in continuing this paper is truly appreciated. Thanks must be given to administration and the teachers who continuously spare a few minutes to give us words of support. Thank you, Mrs.Wathen, for always giving us the opportunity to browse through past volumes; your patience and assistance is duly noted. Lastly, thank you, readers. Thank you for your encouraging words and valued critiques. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.” This year at The Chatterbox has been amazing though. I’ve seen significant changes in the quality of the paper and the staff members. Everyone has grown so much and knowing what I’ve seen this year, I know next year will be even better. I leave the newspaper in good, capable hands. Until then, I hope you enjoy my final issue, the SENIOR edition. Let’s reminisce through the pages and continue counting-down till May 26. Sincerely, Shiwani Kamath, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Walnut Hills High School
The Chatterbox Policy Statement The Chatterbox has been guaranteed the right of freedom of the press through the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The administration of Walnut Hills High School is thus bound to support and protect The Chatterbox’s inalienable rights as a free press. As an integral part of the Walnut Hills High School community, The Chatterbox has the responsibility to report in the most comprehensive and objective manner possible. Students, parents, faculty, and administrators are encouraged to use this publication as a forum to express any ideas or concerns, whether they be personal or of local, national, or international scope. Journalists are required to work under established guidelines. Invasion of privacy as a means of news gathering is prohibited. Articles found to be discriminatory, libelous, or unnecessarily obscene (as determined by the editors or the advisor) will not be published. Finally, journalists are granted the right to keep private the name of a source from whom they received information with the understanding that the source was to remain anonymous. The role of the newspaper advisor will be to provide counsel and criticism pertaining to the newspaper’s content and production. Although both the advisor and the administration hold certain powers regarding The Chatterbox, both must respect the paper’s autonomy. No student shall be prevented from joining the staff on the basis of sex, race, creed, or national origin. Vol. CV, No. 6
Senior Staff
The Chatterbox
May 20, 2011
SHIWANI KAMATH 9th Grade: Reporter 10th Grade:Page Editor 11th Grade: Page Editor 12th Grade: Co- Editor-in-Chief
MARSHALLA EVES 12th Grade: Co- Editor- inChief
RILEY THEURER 10th Grade: Page Editor 11th Grade: Page Editor 12th Grade: Visual Editor
MAC CALVERT 9th Grade: Photographer 10th Grade: Photographer 11th Grade: Photographer 12th Grade: Photo Editor
SIMON LAZARUS 12th Grade: Copy Editor
ADAM WOLF 11th Grade: Reporter 12th Grade: Page Editor
SERENA DUGAN 11th Grade: Columnist 12th Grade: Page Editor
CLAYTON CASTLE 11th Grade: Reporter 12th Grade: Page Editor
RACHEL CHUNG 12th Grade: Columnist
Vol. CV, No. 6
Walnut Hills High School
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View Points
The Chatterbox
Serena Says: The Art of Graceful Derision
worthlessness and regret. Why willingly surrender to inferiority? Square off, confront your opponent, and carpe Serena Dugan, ‘11 every last shred of self-dignity you can View Points Editor muster out of each diem. This is all about establishing an internal locus It is a pitiful but true fact that insulting one’s peers is an art form of control. Once you manipulate your words, you can manipulate your world. sadly lacking in modern culture. So throw decorum and propriety out Insult, while having many gradathe metaphorical window of selftions in usage and meaning, is, inflicted obstacle, and get vocal about in its simplest form, the pointed manifestation of our anger or frus- some things. The next issue at hand is perhaps tration toward societal incompemore serious than the first. Even havtence. This propensity for slander ing embraced derision, one can accomis universal; it is a cross-cultural plish nothing of wit without the proper bridge of our fundamental humandrive. And thus we delve into the probity. Whether someone is cut off by lematic realm of indolence. People are a discourteous driver in Kentucky lazy. Instead of generating a thoughtor Hong Kong, the subsequent provoking, insightful, and delightinvectives of the aggrieved will fully convoluted snub, the majority of ring with the same sonority. And our populous relapses into worn and despite the moral ramifications of launching oneself into a vindictive tired invectives. Cursing surely has its place in society, but a well-crafted diatribe, nothing is quite so satinsult will trump foul language in 9 isfying as regressing to a childish state of mockery and name-calling. out of 10 confrontational situations. The best way to flex your muscle for Immaturity is unparalleled bliss. wit is to practice making sarcastic However, while the instinct to remarks about societal annoyances: insult remains anchored in our inadequacies in the government, the ranks, the grace with which we stupidity of morning radio talk show attempt to accomplish this end is sorely wanting. This laxness in re- hosts, faults in the education system… whatever has you particularly peeved finement of rant we can attribute mainly to ill-conceived attempts at at the moment. But whenever you attempt to deride, do so with passion, propriety, laziness, and a growwith precision, and most imperatively, ing deficiency in the facility of with élan. language. But all hope is not lost. By addressing these impediments, A Field Guide to Mythical perhaps we can reinstate the skill Creatures of elegant disdain into society’s Rachel Chung, ‘11 invective arsenal. Chatterbox Staff Writer The first hurdle to witty slander is the growing impetus toShe came through fire. She came wards non-confrontation. This, through water. She rose, hatched from in my opinion, is a serious social an egg, to captivate millions of viewproblem and also a viable health ers young and old. What many would concern. Internalizing one’s call the Madonna of this generation, anger can exacerbate numerous Lady Gaga emerged on the popular health conditions, not to mention music scene some number of years its psychological ramifications. ago. However, Lady Gaga runs in a Observing humility for the sake of different vein than your average pop propriety only leads to feelings of star. In addition to her catchy music 3
Walnut Hills High School
May 20, 2011
(complete with four-note choruses and driving, computer-generated beats), Lady Gaga has earned a reputation as more of a performance artist than a musician. Overall, her performances consist of approximately 30% music, 30% expensive effects, and 40% something else. This “something else” might be anything from arriving in an egg to wearing dangerous objects as a dress. These distinctly Gaga behaviors have both shocked and enthralled our nation. Perhaps you ask, “Why are you writing about Lady Gaga, Rachel?” It is true; Lady Gaga is not in the same genus as the Loch Ness Monster or Edward Cullen. Some would say that Lady Gaga has invented an entirely new breed of performer. (However, some discredit Gaga, accusing her of emulating Madonna. In addition, performance art has existed as a genre for almost half a century.) Regardless of your artistic perspective, Lady Gaga is a mythical creature in her own right. Audiences are obsessed with her bizarre antics, rabid to know her true name, and engrossed by her personal life. Lady Gaga is a mythical creature because she has shamelessly and completely reinvented herself to become an entity not entirely human. Perhaps she aims to be something closer to a deity, and many would argue that she has very nearly become one. Like any mythical creature, Lady Gaga’s mystical image lends her music the allure absent from the music of other pop stars today. However, the popularity of Gaga’s music may also be attributed to innate musical talent. As someone distinctly pop-music challenged, I have often suddenly found myself listening to a song of Lady Gaga’s. Free of bias, I often appreciate her music more than that of other pop artists. Like the results of a blind taste test, the results of my accidental experimentation are clear: Lady Gaga is a musical deity. I am gaga for Gaga. (Just kidding...) Vol. CV, No. 6
Sports
The Chatterbox
about the track team. “Track is fun. The meetings are interesting. Our coaches are entertaining, training us better while having fun. Me and my teammates have watched track teams While football and basketball and since this is out last year, we are may reign at Walnut, track and working hard to achieve what has to field is gradually becoming the be achieved.” This high school track most successful sport in the school. team is working hard to make it to the Under the guidance of Coach state 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams, Valenzano and Coach Turner, the and they believe the eagles are capavarsity team -especially class of ble of anything they set their minds to. ‘11 SENIORS, are making a name for themselves and WHHS above SENIOR Captains Interview all throughout the city. This VarAdam Wolf, ‘11 sity team includes great SENIOR Sports Editor track athletes, such as Phillip Akanbi, Emily Akin, Keita Arthur, This month I sat down with Keith Benjamin, Ferris Harvey, SENIORS Brooke Smith and Jake Tiffany Caldwell, Cush King, Jae- Holden to talk to them about their lynne and Trafawn Johnson, JR highschool softball and baseball Roley, Karen McCormick, Allison teams. Nurre, Lovieree Simmons, Brianna Woods and Dez Stewart, who in Q: How long have you played for Walfact most of them has worked with nut? Coach Valenzano for three years. Brooke Smith: I’ve been a Varsity When Coach Valenzano was starter all 4 years, thank you very asked how he feels about his SEmuch. But I’ve played softball since NIORS, he replied saying, “I have 5th grade. some great SENIOR runners in Jake Holden: I’ve been playing for my team. They all have great poWalnut since I was a freshman. tential. They are very easy to work with and they were the 2009 Boys Q: Are you going to continue playing Lead Champions.” So far, this is in college? their best year and the season is B: No, this is my first year not being going great for the Eagle runners. on a summer-travel team, and then As long as they keep doing what I’m not playing in college so this is my they’re doing, they will have no last season ever. problem competing for the state J: No. Its tough to get on the UC team. championship into their hands. Coach Valenzano continues to Q: What’s your role on the team? rave about his team, saying that, B: I’m a SENIOR captain with Liz “Walnut Hills has a good tradition Arthur and Kiara Hampton, and I of track and field. It’s one of the play every position except for pitcher most successful sports in school and catcher. I like to play 3rd base the and we’ll keep on getting better most. and better. We have great athJ: My role is to be the SENIOR capletes that both achieve greatly in tain and play in the outfield and pitch academics and sport. That’s what the ball. makes Walnut great.” SENIOR runner Dez Stewart Q: What’s your favorite part about also has only good things to say playing your sport? SENIOR Track and Field Runners Kibret Alem, ‘15 Chatterbox Staff Writer
Vol. CV, No. 6
Walnut Hills High School
May 20, 2011
B: Lauren Boulding and Ashley Larkins. Def totes towntest people alive. J: My favorite thing to do is win baseball games, but that doesn’t seem to happen very often this year. Q: What is your schedule like? B: We have games everyday, and if we have a game we have practice, everyday, for a month and a half. That’s 50-plus days. J: We have ten games the next eight days. ‘Nuff said. Q: What are your practices like? B: We run, and then we do a dynamic warm-up, and then we toss, and we do an infield, and then we hit, and then we to listen to the coaches prepare us for the next game. J: We basically practice plays the whole time. Of course, we run and hit, but mainly its practicing working as a team. Q: What are you going to miss most about playing ball? B: I’m really going to miss playing. It’s a fun past-time. It was definitely my favorite part of high school. J: I’m gonna miss being able to go outside and play everyday. I won’t have an excuse to do that anymore.
SENIORS Brooke Smith and Jake Holden are this year’s captains for the softball and baseball teams. Photo by: Adam Wolf, ‘11
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Style & Culture and Fine Arts
Kara Kroeger: Best Dressed 2011 Clayton Castle, ‘11 Fine Arts Page Editor
The Chatterbox ways be dressed like a fashion model. She’s the person most girls see in the hallway and wish they dressed the same. Kara’s future is no doubt bright in field of fashion.
May 20, 2011
rounding it, and the next year I got the amazing opportunity to be a part of Walnut’s production. It’s a great story with some meaty roles and witty, intelligent dialogue.
Q: Any last words for the aspiring actor? J: If you’re not currently in a show or Clayton Castle, ‘11 taking an acting class, take advanFine Arts Page Editor tage of the opportunities Cincinnati, a great theatre town, has to offer. The award-winning Walnut Hills Walnut gives students in every grade theater department has been the oriat least two opportunities to be in gin of many acting careers. SENIOR shows, along with acting courses, and Jacob Kraus is a product of the depart- there are many programs and theaters ment. Though he does not plan on around town that have classes and majoring in Drama, he will continue sometimes offer roles to teens. If you acting in community and regional the- are working on a show, and want to aters. Next year, Kraus will be attend- grow as an actor/actress and ensemble ing Macalister College in Minnesota. member, work diligently, stay focused in rehearsal, and have a positive, open Q: When did you first start acting? attitude. Jacob Kraus: The first show I was ever in was a fourth grade production Read the other Fine Arts and Style of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. That and Culture articles online: is when the ‘acting bug’ first bit me.
Backstage with Clayton: Jacob Kraus
SENIOR Kara Kroeger poses in a sweater and romper. Photo by: Clayton Castle ‘11
Best dressed. The winners of this superlative always stand out from the rest. As one of the most sought-out SENIOR superlatives, Kara Kroeger, who plans on majoring in Fashion Design at Kent State next year, is a clear winner for the Class of 2011. Unlike most fashion-crazy dressers, Kara says she doesn’t have a specific “inspiration.” “I love taking designer ads and finding my own way to make them wearable. I just love fashion in general so most of it comes from my head.” Kara loves thrift stores and Akira in Chicago. “Unfortunately, I don’t live in Chicago so a lot of it comes from Nordstrom where I work.” Nordstrom also sells shoes, which Kara has a large amount of (though not necessarily from Nordstrom). “I probably have enough shoes for the entire SENIOR class,” says Kroeger. As for the number of different outfits she adds, “I have no idea. Way too many!” But whether it’s a new dress or vintage shoes, Kara seems to al5
Q: What has been your favorite moment as an actor, onstage or off? J: It is difficult to pick one, but a moment that will always stick in my mind occurred during a Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Groundlings production of Hamlet. They ended the play a little early, with Horatio’s the line, “And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” However, rather than Horatio saying the word “rest,” Ophelia returned to the stage, Hamlet revived, and they shared a last embrace. It was unconventional, but adorable and memorable.
AP Studio Art: What makes this AP different and how the artists prepare for the exam. Ghapi: A new fabric and fashion line created by Jene`a Nicole, a fashion designer.
Q: What has been your favorite play and/or musical and why? J: I’m extremely partial to classical drama, especially Shakespeare, but The new fashion line Ghapi can be worn one of my absolute favorites is James while excersing. Photo by: Jene`a Nicole Goldman’s The Lion In Winter. I was first exposed to the show in Mr. Peters’ Advanced Drama class, where we read it and researched the history sur-
Walnut Hills High School
Vol. CV, No. 6
News
Walnut 24 Hour Walkathon: A Huge Success Mia Manavalan, ‘12 Managing Editor
The First Annual Walnut24 Walkathon took place on April 9th and 10th and was a huge success, raising $57,000. Students raced to the football field early on Saturday morning, only to find that the field was soaked. After a few hours of dismay while being held in the school gym, Mr. Brokamp finally let the students head back to the field once the storm and the rain had passed. By that time, the party was rolling. The Walkathon consisted of music, dancing, face painting, food, and even a moon bounce. Student bands performed, including Amanda & the Amoebas, Eunoia, Flaccid Logic, and DJ Shoe. Junior Alex Shoemaker (aka DJ Shoe) says, “It was a stellar night and it’s good to know that Walnut kids know how to boogie.” Students excitedly danced along to their music or relaxed on the field while rooting on their fellow Walnut peers. Students also participated in frisbee, Quidditch, Tug of War, and Twister. Many students also formed teams to raise money for their particular club or sport. The track team surely got in the spirit of the Walkathon, wearing their own t-shirts and putting up a huge tent. “Walking on a team was awesome because it gave me a motive to stay there, friends to hang out with, and best of all, sweet matching t-shirts to wear. When a walkathon is held next year, I plan to get a team together again!” says Junior Josh Mansfield. Even those who weren’t on a specific team bonded with others. Junior Jessica Fan says, “I made some new friends when I Vol. CV, No. 6
The Chatterbox hung out with the track team kids. It was definitely a fun environment for meeting people since you had a whole bunch of people ranging from all the grades there for the same reasons: to walk, have fun and eat bananas!” The Walkathon was headed up by Doug Newberry to raise money for the 81 competitive sports teams, 60 clubs, the marching band and the theater program. The goal of the Walkathon was to raise $110,000. Many students were extremely energetic about fundraising, including Junior Erin Heiser, who raised $1000, and won herself a brand new iPAD. Despite the outstanding work of the students, only about 50% of that goal was met. The goal of this fundraiser was to have each student raise $50. However, out of 2100 WHHS students, approximately 1/3 of them participated. About 1400 students and families still have not made donations. “Gleam [Walnut’s literary magazine] is definitely suffering from the budget cuts. Walnut needs funding to keep clubs like Gleam, which has been around for over a hundred years, up and running,” says Gleam’s Senior Editor Tanner Walters. Failure to reach the fundraising goal means that many programs will raise their fees or may even be cut. This is common in other school districts, but the adminstration and parents of WHHS are trying their best to avoid that. Cassanda Clement, mother of Junior Sophia Melnyk, says, “It was such a great time and the need continues for funds... so the administration and parents met and we will do it all again on October 15 and 16, 2011 to raise money for the 2011-12 school year student activities.”
The Renovation: A Senior’s Perspective Cody Tolbert, ‘11 Chatterbox Contributor
The class of 2011’s senior year is rapidly coming to a close, with less
Walnut Hills High School
May 20, 2011
than six days left. And with that, there comes both the joy and excitement of a new adventure and the nostalgia of letting go of our present one. But one new aspect of Walnut that we aren’t going to miss is the renovation. Although we look forward to the unveiling of a beautiful new Walnut, the addition of “Eagle Village,” “Mod City,” or whatever you may choose to call it has really changed the feel and flow of the school day. Even with the new amenities the mods come equipped with, I can confidently say we miss our old classrooms. Whether it’s the sound of a saw cutting in the background, a hammer pounding along, or a large piece equipment starting up and clamoring around, the idea of the school becoming an active construction site is taking some getting used to. One of the other changes for SENIORS this year that came along with the renovation was the doling out of individual parking spaces, including teachers being assigned spaces in the SENIOR Parking Lot, once an enclave for the seniors. However, this is not to say things all things are bad. The air conditioning and new bathrooms have been a great improvement over what was left behind, and I am sure just by looking over the plans of the renovation that once it is all done, the pain will be well worth it. But for the six days left for the class of 2011, the current condition of the school will just be a small glimpse of our six years of memories before we will be setting out for a college campus. There we will look back and won’t remember the inconvenience of the renovation, but merely the people, the relationships, and the both trying and amazing times we had here at Walnut Hills High School. This is the final article in this series for the school year. However, as always, questions and comments can be emailed to whhsrenovation@gmail. com.
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Gleam
May 20, 2011
The Chatterbox
Veritas
Deviation
Twilight (Pantoum)
In all the shadows ‘cross the world Skies unpainted waves unfurled Thoughts and tears And questions hurled Through this deep blue spinning pearl Every boy and every girl Searches for the truth
It’s called the madhouse dance, the insanity shuffle, the off-the-deep-end Charleston.
One night we waited on the swing set. Our arms strained in tandem, As we pulled our feet from the dirt And let the night spill over us.
Emily Luken, ‘11 Gleam Senior Editor
Beaten back by sands of time Cloaked by mystery, cloaked by grime Overturning every mind Fingers feeling out reason’s rhyme Hoping with heart and soul in kind To find, to catch the truth Yet I am falling into darkness Searching for a gleam But all I see are contradictions Sometimes sobs and always wonder And nothing set in stone So if you follow the yellow brick road The wizard will smile but won’t tell What the good witch already knows If it’s the truth you wish to capture With open heart and wide-eyed rapture Wherever you wander your questions to soothe It’s in yourself that you’ll find the truth
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Jessica Ly, ‘11 Gleam Contributor
Do they dance only to the music? NO! They dance to the dust spray in the light and to the smell of antiseptic antipsychotic antigone. Don’t look away just because we’ve meandered from Conformity Parkway. Can you feel the PINCH from those glass slippers, Cinderella? We can remember; those shoes didn’t fit and our toes wanted to breathe. Blisters, peeled stickers, nit pickers, zit poppers, fat coppers, hip hoppers, redwhiteandbluegreenyellow STOP. We will choose to parade through that road less traveled. Let that string unravel behind us towards our exodus to Purgatory. Found down our path paved with bad intentions, often glass will shatter to our pitterpatter while we collect neon 3AM dreams in the red light district drunk from honeyed smoke.
Madison Koenig, ‘11 Gleam Editor-in-Chief
Our arms strained in tandem— Two friends and I, Letting the night spill over us, Watching the stars wake from their days Two friends and I: No longer children, yet still young, Watching the stars wake from their days We kicked at the sky a final time, No longer children. Yet still young Darkness was settling into the trees As we kicked at the sky a final time And dropped to the ground. Darkness was settling into the trees, So we halted our flight And dropped to the ground To sit together in the twilight. The cool wind caressed our faces As we pulled our feet from the ground And left the empty swings behind. One night we waited on the swing set. All editions of Gleam are available in Dr. Bard’s room for $5. All newcomers and submissions are welcome
YOU may “allow” yourself to groove to that psychosis jive only once a month, (twice during a blue moon) but always feel free to follow that string and let your feet breathe.
Walnut Hills High School
Vol. CV, No. 6
The Wally Hill
The Chatterbox
Wally Hill Revealed: Rachel Chung
those that displayed a flagrant and usually controversial opinion. After my first few articles, I came Rachel Chung, ‘11 to learn that regardless of my method, Chatterbox Staff Writer my espousals were always received badly by someone. Upon publishing By this time, I suppose you my first article and witnessing the know it’s me. My guess is that onslaught of criticism thrown at my you are one of three demeanors work, I was affronted. I felt assaulted regarding my identity: not at all surprised, completely apathetic, or and hurt. However, the longer I let my outraged. Regardless of your reaction, I should explain a few things wounds fester, the more I came to realize that this was exactly what I while I have your attention. had wanted. As a tradition, Wally Hill First, I should apologize to all is meant to serve as an incognito, and the people I lied to when asked if therefore safe, champion of the unI was Wally Hill. Subsequently, I should thank my editors and advi- heard voices of Walnut Hills. Perhaps too ambitiously, I wanted Wally Hill sors for their patience with me. Now that the formalities are over, to be more than just a mysterious social critic. I wanted Wally Hill to be I can dig into the grit of my time an undercover artist, one that could as Wally Hill. The truth is that be criticized or praised by my readers many of my articles were not the without reservation. And I was. truth. I’m a fairly talkative perOnce I became accustomed to the son. My opinions are distinctive and pronounced. As a result, many idea, I enjoyed nothing more than hearing, and sometimes participating of the opinions explored in my articles were not representative of in, conversations about Wally’s latest article. Wally’s toughest critics were my own. almost always in my circle of friends, For example, I expounded many of whom are on the Chatterbox upon the idea that “brand name” staff. As a result, I almost always schools are becoming less distinreceived the most accurate and most guished among post-secondary institutions. On the contrary, I do polarized criticism of Wally Hill. I observed the spectrum of human reacnot believe that at all. I actually believe that highly ranked schools tion: from moderate disapproval to blind hatred. This occurred most are ranked so for a reason. Hownotably when my first article made ever, to share this opinion would somewhat of a splash. I later learned reveal my identity to my close that some of the people who criticized friends, who are acutely aware my work had not even read the article. of my opinions regarding college. But it made no difference to me. None Therefore, I attempted to provide of these “episodes” were personal; had neutral observations or cover the everyone known I was the writer of many sides of each topic. Behind this mask of impartial- these articles, I doubt that any of what ity, it was difficult to give my work was said would have ever been menthe bite and wit that makes Wally tioned. I must say that this whole experiHill readable. The unfortunate ence, like many in the past few years result was often a combination of my life at Walnut Hills, has been of public disapproval and boring unique and eye opening. I have seen articles. Upon reviewing my collection of writings from this year, I first-hand the power and the danger noticed that my best articles were of anonymity. However, I can’t help Vol. CV, No. 6
Walnut Hills High School
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but be relieved to drop my charade (I told an outright lie approximately four times, and only one unauthorized person found out about my secret identity. It was not my fault.) I am more than happy to return to my usual habit of writing with unbridled transparency. I have learned that writing without the support of one’s innermost beliefs is more difficult than I thought, and I intend to continue my writings with an appropriate combination of wit and truth. I also observed the frequency with which people speak before thinking, fueled by the safety of attacking an anonymous subject. Moreover, I have noticed similar hasty philippics posted on the Internet, tirades that would never be spoken out loud. I propose that we all step out from behind our technological masks and fight our cognitive bias to act quickly and assume the extremes. I plan on making a conscious effort for the rest of my life to build a solid foundation for all of my opinions; I think I’ll begin by reading a newspaper.
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Timeline
The Chatterbox
7th Grade 2005 - 2006 Construction begins on the new Robert S. Marx Stadium. Walnut Hills’ football team goes 0-10, aiding Amelia in breaking its 2 1/2- year losing streak. More than 100 students walk out at 7th bell, yelling anti- war chants and cheers, all receiving Friday Schools. The class of ‘06 doesn’t quite live up to the previous year, leaving the Commons painted pink and killing some of the trees as a SENIOR prank. The Cincinnati Bengals make the NFL playoffs for first time since the 1990 season. Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and causing heartbreaks and hardships. Brian Ehrsam and Austin Barth duke it out at lunch. Spectacles fly. 8th Grade 2006 - 2007 The Class of ‘07 leaves a giant cougar in the Blair Circle. Students don’t know how to react. “Bewildered” is the common description. Class of ‘10 SENIORS are the last class to have the FROSH dance outside of school. Marvin Koenig, the longest tenured principal in the school’s history, announces his retirement, bringing about mixed feelings among students and staff. Robert S. Marx Stadium is completed. Athletes are excited about getting to compete in a state of the art facility. For the first time in REM yearbook history, the SENIOR superlative “Cutest Couple” is won by a same-sex couple. The annual Homecoming pep rally is cancelled. SENIORS are furious. Dr. Thurman leaves Walnut, for now... 9th Grade 2007-2008 Jeff Brokamp takes the reins as new principal: The majority of students and faculty are pleased with the decision. The Class of ‘08 leads a giant food fight during 3rd lunch. The administration, led by Brokamp, is more than disappointed. The Democratic presidential primary rages between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The first African Drum Ensemble performs. The annual Homecoming pep rally is back, featuring a crazy Eagle and many cheers, showing that school spirit is on the rise. FROSH is held inside the Forum for the first time ever. 10th Grade 2008-2009 All sophomores excluding Cody Tolbert campaign for Obama. Sorry Cody. Barack Obama defeats John McCain in the presidential election. Many students celebrate the historic moment of the first black president. Walnut Hills Varsity Football team defeats Purcell Marian to break a 36- game losing streak. Fans storm the field. The remnants of Hurricane Ike sweep in from the South, leaving three unprecedented wind days and a cracked Walnut dome in its wake.
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May 20, 2011
10th Grade 2008-2009 continued In October, Mr. Mersch finally retires after years of talk. Walnut Hills becomes the first high school to perform a student-led rendition of RENT. Original RENT broadway cast member, Anthony Rapp, joined the Drama Department as they put on their final performance of the show. Class of ‘09 SENIOR pranks include balloons in Mr. Brokamp’s office, hacking the annoucements to play the radio, cooking oil on the floor, and egged walls. Massive drug bust causes several students to face repurcussions for possession. 11th Grade 2009-2010 Beloved Dr. Houghton retires after a long and successful career at Walnut Hills The football team goes 5-5, the first year it hasn’t had a losing season since 2000. Construction begins on new teacher parking lot. Girls Varsity Basketball makes it to the Sweet 16 in the FAVC Conference. DJ Ruck Ruck reproduces. Ms. Shank works her 30th and final year at Walnut, while leaving students disappointed at St. Baldricks. The girls’ cross- country team has one of its best seasons ever, winning the FAVC Division. Walnut Hills’ marching band travels to England to perform in London’s New Years Day Parade. Jesse Kleinhenz earns himself the nickname of Big Chief Brown-Bottom. President Obama sings the national health care reform bill into law, expanding health are coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans.
SENIOR Year 2010 - 2011 Dr. Thurman returns for the class of ‘11s final year. Renovations finally begin. The north wing of the Old Building is moved to the modulars after Spring Break. Commons disappear. Mods appear. Complaints begin. The Chatterbox makes a switch from newspaper style to magazine style. The Football team ends the year with an even record of 5-5. The first ever 24- Hour Walkathon takes place to raise money for Walnut’s sports and clubs, earning more than $55,000. Students are ecstatic about the idea of spending the night on the football field. For the first time, students are given assigned parking spots. They don’t last long in the gravel lot. Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble perform at Carnegie Hall. Benson Brown, Miles Crawley, Emily Aiken, Alex Mcglothlin and Chelsea Rose receive scholarships to participate in collegiate athletics
Walnut Hills High School
Vol. CV, No. 6
College Map
Armed Forces Marco Orso, Paige Reid Manipal University(Kasturba Medical College), India Shiwani Kamath Angel Academy of Art, Italy Savannah Cuff Auburn University, Alabama Daniel Bordicks, Kiara Hampton Wesleyan University, Connecticut Julia Kelley-Swift, Benjamin Record Yale University, Connecticut Carter Michael Florida International University Corbin Noschang Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Tiara Rice University of Georgia, Georgia Layla Franke, Braden Mossbarger Hawaii Pacific University Marisa Castagna DePaul University, Illinois Marissa French Loyola University, Illinois Julia Esposito, Avery Waklatsi Northwestern University, Illinois Emily Windle University of Chicago, Illinois Simon Lazarus Indiana University, Indiana David Gordon-Johnson Purdue University, Indiana Jacob Findley, Karen McCormick Wabash College, Indiana Thomas Witkowski Centre College, Kentucky Emily Akin Eastern Kentucky University Allison Gibson Kentucky State University Jalen Thomas Northern Kentucky University Keita Arthur, Sarah Blume, Clayton Castle, Jasmin Chapman, Samantha Chesser, Alan Fon, Samuel Heldman, Jackson Kosztala, Alexander McGlothin, Samantha Nelson, Robert Rankin, Nicholas Robertson, Kayla White Sullivan University, Kentucky Allen Jones II University of Kentucky Kenan Daniels, Autumn Hansen Bellarmine University, Kentucky Brooke Smith Bowling Green State University, Kentucky Jonathan Simmons University of Kentucky Shamia Payne University of Louisville, Kentucky Kermit Smith III Tulane University, Louisiana Nicole Fisher, Matthew Hagerty Maryland Institute College of Art Madeline Becker Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sarah Brennan Michigan State University Joseph Nutter University of Michigan Somalia Jones Macalester College, Minnesota Jacob Kraus University of Missouri-Columbia Elizabeth Bosken Washington University-St. Louis, Missouri Emily Luken, Dana Roth
Vol. CV, No. 6
The Chatterbox University of New Hampshire Gabriela Aguilera Columbia University, New York Rachel Chung Cornell College, New York Vashti Blackmon Skidmore College, New York Ian Privitera, Kasmir St. John Fausz Davidson College, North Carolina Lindsey Lassiter Elon University, North Carolina Anna Kuertz North Carolina State University Benson Browne Antonelli College, Ohio Alese Packer Art Institute, Ohio Page Davis Bluffton University, Ohio Gymii Roley Bowling Green State University, Ohio Grant Hackett, Bria Neil Capital University, Ohio Shaquisha Harris-Hayes, Ciara Williams Central State University, Ohio Skylar Lewis Cincinnati Christian University, Ohio Elizabeth Arthur Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Ohio Philip Hamilton, Markisa Harris, Terrence Padgett, Anthony Sena Cleveland Institute of Music, Ohio Jacqueline Kitzmiller College of Wooster, Ohio George Harrison Denison University, Ohio Jessica Donaldson, Alyxandra Ingram Heidelberg University, Ohio Mackenzie Gable Kent State University, Ohio Kara Kroeger, Devin Landers, Jaron Warmack Kenyon College, Ohio Alisa Rethy Miami University, Ohio Elizabeth Fricke, Amber Gray, Emily Neely, Alison Nurre, Lucien Turner, Shelley McKinley Notre Dame College, Ohio Miles Crawley Oberlin College, Ohio Jenna Bange Ohio Dominican University DezMeawn Stewart Ohio University Matthew Guffey, Carly Irvine, Harry Kran-Annexstein, Riley Theurer, Destini White, Makiah Sebastian Raymond Walters College, Ohio Stephen Bishop, Crista Brown, Ebony Clarke-Evans, Marshalla Eves, Alexandra Kelley, Brian Konermann, Thomas McMillan, Marie Menzies, Sophen Mil, Alex Miller, Henry Risemberg, Bunrith Seng, Courtenay Summers The College of Mount St. Joseph, Ohio Jacquilyn Gardner The Ohio State University Kori Asante, Roman Campolo, Lianna Costantini, Monique Donald, Samuel Dubin, Isaac Durst, Brian Ehrsam, Isaac Folzenlogen, Michelle Glazer, Charlotte Hines, Gabrielle Junker, Molly Koenig, Samuel Lustig, Rebecca Risch, Jessica Siemer, Ruby Wilz, Eric Krohn, Phillip McDonald The University of Akron, Ohio Tiffany Caldwell The University of Toledo, Ohio Jorden Davis
Walnut Hills High School
May 20, 2011
University of Cincinnati, Ohio Temiloluwa Adeniyi, Rachelle Ancona, Terrence Aufermann, James Avant IV, Simone Bates-Smith, Bridget Battle, Zachary Beckner, Eden Belay, Keith Benjamin, Elizabeth Berliant, Kishan Bhakta, Alexander Bill, Crosley Brammer, Peter Burrell, Cayla Burton, Emily Butterbaugh, Thomas Caley, Hollis Carlton-Ford, Nicholas Defilippo, Laura Dent, Victoria Eby, Theresa Evans, Sonja Faul, Janusia Figueiredo, Caleb Fleischer, Tasia-Iman Franklin, Jaisha Garnett, Benym Gebremeskel, Brittany Goodin, Kiyana Gordon, Jeleah Griffin, Monzer Haj Hamed, Caleb Herrick, Megan Hoard, Jacob Holden, Rachel Hopkins, Derek Jackson, Jaelynne Johnson, Jesse Kleinhenz, Aysia Lathan, Olivia Lucas, Jessica Ly, Michelle Martinez, Aviance McBride, Kelsey Medley, Jasmine Mitchell, Michael Peelman II, Johnathan Peterson, Lydia Prophett, Gabriel Puente-Lay, Jason Schmidt, Ahana Sen, Ellen Sorkin, Amber Stokes, P. J. Thompkins, Cahla Thorman, Cody Tolbert, Matthew Verbryke, Albwin Wagner-Schmitzer, Barrett Weckel, Eric Wessling, Adam Wolf, Gabrielle Wray University of Cincinnati-DAAP, Ohio Chloe Watkins, Latrice Williams University of Dayton, Ohio Emily Back, Chelsea Rose, Julie Shaw University of Toledo, Ohio Olivia McKinney, Morgan Mosier, Summer Robinson, Brent Bruner Ursuline College, Ohio Tyler Gassett, Brianna Woods Wright State University, Ohio Asia Mays, Lovette Mike, Jameeka Miller Xavier University, Ohio Savannah Caldwell, Stephanie Fiorelli, Katelyn Price, Madisynn Beckett, Mose’ Demasi Lewis & Clark College, Oregon Benjamin Klein Oregon College of Art & Craft Sean Wood Pacific Northwest College of Art, Oregon Celine Carey University of Pennsylvania Abraham Moller Tennessee State University Brittany Hodge, Sterling Hubbard, Moriah Israel, Trafawn Johnson, Briana Shaw, Jasmine Stuckey Vanderbilt University, Tennessee Serena Dugan Hampton University, Virginia Tierra Dennis Howard University,Washington D.C. Nia Furr, Ferris Harvey, Chelsea Ralls Beloit College, Wisconsin McCall Calvert Undecided Philip Akanbi, Bethany Bartmess, Sarah Berman, , Duvall Davis, Austin Ferrari, Shante George, Bridget Hamilton, Molly Johnson, Jay Jung, Melani Kekulawala, Cush King, Madison Koenig, Jeremy McConnell, Adrienne Miller, Donneshia Mitchell, Kalilah Montgomery, Corey Morin, Claire Randall, Lovieree Simmons, Hugh Smith, Alexandra Spitz, Raven Walker, Nicole Womack, Hannah Yunger This information was obtained from the Senior Future Plans forms submitted to the couseling office and was as accurate as possible at time of printing.
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Where will the WHHS class of 2011 be next year? For a detailed list see the back of this page.
WIN AN INTUNES CARD!!! The first students to correctly name all 50 states win! Turn in a numbered list of states to Mrs. Wolfe or Mrs. GerwePerkins to win.