Volume CXI, Issue 12
The student news publication of Walnut Hills High School
Friday April 14, 2017
Ma k i ng st atements i n spri ng a rt show
Top left: Far From Home by Sophia Necco, ‘19. Bottom left: Twin by SENIOR Claire Greweling. Center: Middle East by Rithu Rajagopala, ‘19. Top right: When You Imagine God by Sophia Necco, ‘19. Bottom right: Sunlit by SENIOR Claire Greweling.
Picking up
the paintbrush
Isabel Nissley ‘20, Sofia Tollefson ‘21
Cool air blasts from vents hanging from the ceiling. Stools stand upon the barren tables. The echoey room allows words to bounce off the walls filled with art. Julia Johnson, ‘22, sits in the center of the room perfecting a masterpiece. Maps dot a piece of cardboard, covered with musical instruments and flowers. With light black and white brushstrokes, and a collage-like style, her artwork awes many, including art teacher Donald Stocker. “Julia could give most of the seniors in any art courses a run for their money,” Stocker said. “In second grade, I started going to Funke Fired Arts and I started doing art, then I got into the School for Creative and Performing Arts,” Johnson said when describing her artistic beginnings. She gathers her inspirations from other artists, and aspires to be as good as they are. She shared that she does not have a signature style yet. Although Johnson is just in the seventh grade, she is not afraid to look into the future, and sees herself continuing with her artwork.
Julia Johnson, ‘22, stands next to her most recent piece for the Spring Art Show.
Catch these artists before they Van Gogh away Delaney Owens ‘21 For SENIORS, the Spring Art Show is their last at WHHS; some of them have been in the fine arts program for six years. From learning basic art techniques to creating award-winning pieces, WHHS has been a place for these students to explore art and create their own style. Many SENIOR artists take AP Studio Art. “I was kind of shy about doing AP,” SENIOR Claire Greweling said. “I was like am I good enough? Would I be able to make it?” Greweling decided to try the class and has not regretted it. “I realized, especially in the years that I didn’t take art, that this is something I need to do, because it’s kind of what makes me, me,” Greweling said. AP Studio Art has allowed students to SENIOR Emily Jordan holds her painting titled Orange. “You can literally do whatever you want... there’s no rules, like if you have to paint or if you have to draw, you can just do your own thing,” explore a variety of styles so they can develop their own. Eventually they complete a Jordan said about AP Art. concentration, a collection of pieces with a similar theme. Greweling focused on classical paintings of teenage girls, some of which were on display at the art show. Creative freedom is a defining part of Studio Art. SENIOR Emily Jordan has experimented with different mediums and subjects, from portraits to scratchboards. As a sophomore, Jordan also took photography. “It was film photography so that was interesting to learn because it’s not something people do that much anymore. I think it’s good that we still teach it here,” Jordan said. WHHS has helped many graduating artists discover their passion and find their footing in the world of art. “I think I’ll miss the people. The people in this art class inspire me to be a better artist, I think you’re better at art when you’re SENIOR Claire Greweling shows her piece titled The Mountain. “They say writers write what they surrounded by other people doing art,” know. I think artists should also paint what they know… it really represents what I want to say rather Greweling said. than just making a still life,” Greweling said. ALL PHOTOS ON PAGE BY BRIANNA JONES/CHATTERBOX
NEWS
APRIL 14, 2017
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WHHSCBOX.COM
SECTION EDITOR: MATTHEW YOUKILIS
CINCINNATI, OHIO
The worst mass shooting in city history recently struck Cincinnati, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. During the early hours of March 26, a shootout occurred at Cameo nightclub in the East End of Cincinnati, resulting in two deaths and 15 injuries. The shooting brought attention to the rise in violent crime that Cincinnati has experienced so far in 2017.
CSI Cincinnati
Major events such as the Cameo nightclub shooting have contributed greatly to recent rise of violent crime. Additionally, many minor shootings and other violent crimes have also added to this statistic. Pavan Yaddanapudi, ‘17 Matthew Youkilis,‘19 In the wake of the Cameo nightclub mass shooting, one suspect, Cornell Beckley, has been charged. Another man, Deondre Davis, was believed to be involved, but died of injuries he sustained during the shooting. The city has united around the victims of the mass shooting. Over 500 people attended the funeral of O’Bryan “Lucky” Spikes, the only other victim to die from his wounds. However, the Cameo shooting has not been unique in relation to other recent violent events. Though Cameo was the worst mass shooting Cincinnati has seen, there has been a rise in gun violence and crime in the city for several years. The past three months have seen a total 112 deaths in Cincinnati related to gun violence alone. Data shows that deaths from gun violence are “40 percent higher than in the same period last year, and 35
percent higher than the 10-year average,” according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Several other violent events have occurred recently that exhibit the rise in gun-related deaths and injuries. On Feb. 28, five people were injured in a Northside drive-by shooting. The victims, ages 16 to 22, were at an apartment complex on Casey Drive when it happened. A shooting in the Walnut Hills neighborhood occurred on March 24, just days before the Cameo shooting. The incident began when James Urton, a man from Mason, struck a child by mistake while driving on Kenton Street. The father of the child, Jamall Killings, proceeded to shoot Urton to death after Urton went to check on the child. Another man, Deonte Baber, is being charged in connection with the shooting on charges of murder and felonious assault for assisting Killings.
While these larger incidents have dominated Cincinnati headlines in recent weeks, there have been many other violent and deadly crimes in 2017 that have contributed to the higher statistics for the past three months. “It’s really unfortunate that it happened, but I knew we would have something happen at some point just because of how common gun violence is becoming, which is really sad,” SENIOR Jasmine Riechmann said when discussing the Cameo shooting. These recent events highlight community safety questions that are arising as a result of gun violence. “Gunshots have claimed victims in 32 of the city’s 52 neighborhoods so far this year, from Mount Auburn to Roselawn to Westwood,” the Cincinnati Enquirer said. However, it is important to note that violence and crime rates in cities usually rise and fall at random times. Furthermore, crime statistics may vary
depending on the factors one is using when determining them. For example, crime statistics compiled from the dates of March 5 to April 1 by the Citywide STARS Report show that total violent crime has remained constant. The data is based on average crime rates for a 28 day period from the last three years. The report categorizes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault as forms of violent crime. Statistics for violent crime are subject to variation, meaning they may be high one year and extremely low another year. “Crime rates rise and fall for many reasons and, sometimes, for no apparent reason at all. Drugs, domestic disputes, easy access to guns, and even the weather all can play a part,” the Cincinnati Enquirer said. Though statistics may change significantly with different variables at work, in the end, an individual’s life is at stake. Each person in each statistic had a unique story behind them, and
Feb. 28: a shooter fires several rounds into an apartment complex on Casey Drive in Northside. Six people are injured in the shooting, but none of the victims die.
that is why community members have stepped up to try to address these issues. While they go about it in various ways, they all have the hope of decreasing the amount of crime and violence in Cincinnati. WHHS students see many potential ways to curb the increase in violent crime. “I think we need more education and should work to make gun violence even less acceptable. We should also work on improving [the discussion] about mental health,” Riechmann said. Many community members and students have tried finding solutions to improve the problem of gun violence in similar ways. Whether it be by consoling family members or by making attempts to find the root cause, people throughout the city are coming together to help end the upsurge in violence.
March 26: a shootout occurs at Cameo nightclub in the East End of Cincinnati. There are 15 injuries and two deaths in what has been considered the worst mass shooting in Cincinnati history.
March 24: James Urton is killed while driving on Kenton Street in Walnut Hills. After accidentally hitting a young boy, Urton is shot to death by the boy’s father. POLICE TAPE GRAPHIC BY NICHOLAI LEKSON/CHATTERBOX
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APRIL 14, 2017
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SECTION EDITORS: ALLISON MEIER
Spotting the signs of eating disorders in teenagers
SYMIA GRAYSON/CHATTERBOX
Although eating disorders are commonly known for manifesting in a person’s weight, they can also have a multitude of other physical effects. The signs shown here, and others, can also be indications of an issue.
Symia Grayson, ‘17 Remember the last bag of chips or can of soda you had? For some people, memories like those are not so casual. According to the Guil-
ford Press in New York, 50 percent of teenage girls and 30 percent of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and taking laxatives to
control their weight. These percentages include ages 10 to 19, all income backgrounds and all races. For those suffering from the most common eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia and eating disorders
not otherwise specified (EDNOS), government-sponsored treatment is rare. This means that, often times those that have an eating disorder rely on themselves, their friends and their family for treatment. Spotting an eating disorder can be difficult, and there’s no set-instone way to react to finding out a friend has one. But there are some general rules of thumb to follow: Don’t assume that if a person admits to an eating disorder that they are an attention seeker, as eating disorders are mental diseases. Also don’t try to force the person into eating because this can lead to even more disordered thoughts. But don’t let them struggle through the eating disorder on their own. If they haven’t already talked to an adult, try to have them talk to you. Comfort them, offer advice and see if they make improvements. If time passes and nothing is getting better go to an adult. SENIOR Chloe Coleman, who has, for the most part, recovered from her eating disorder, warns those who are starting to have disordered thoughts about food that it is not temporary. “Don’t start thinking that [they will] just be able to stop.” “Don’t worry about people believing you. The doctors will know if something is wrong and they’ll be the ones to help,” Coleman said about seeking treatment.
An interview with SENIOR Chloe Coleman What were your thoughts on eating disorders before you actually had one? No offense, but I thought it was a rich white girl problem and that it was about looking a certain way. Now I know you don’t have to be skinny to have a problem. When and how did your eating disorder emerge? [It started in the] summer of ninth grade. I remember just wanting to lose weight but it turned into eating basically just broccoli and corn. [I ate] pasta for cheating, but then I had to get rid of it. When did you realize this wasn’t just a diet anymore? It came to the point that I was purging in my room at night and at school. Anything I ate was too much. What helped your recovery and how is it going currently? My dad was really supportive. He helped me start talking to a therapist. My friends were really supportive too. They all wanted to help. No mental problem goes away completely. I’ve relapsed a couple times, but generally I’m good. Do you have any words of wisdom for people currently struggling with disordered food thought? Talk to someone before you act [or before it gets worse]. You don’t have to be the 30 pound girl in the hospital bed to need help.
Wally Hill: Trump falling through on election promises Wally Hill It has been several moons since Donald Trump officially began his tenure as the leader of the free world, and yet I suspect many of us are still in a state of disbelief. The idea that a real-estate mogul and reality TV star currently holds the highest position of executive power attainable in this country still baffles me to no end. For the past few months, the daily news has seemed further removed from reality than even the most outlandish piece of fiction—not due to the sinister machinations of the “fake news media,” or even the policies and decisions generated by Trump’s government. Instead, what has most captured my curiosity is the steadfast devotion from Trump’s flock.
You might not remember all of the numerous campaign promises made by Trump. Among other things, he promised to “drain the swamp” of Washington’s established political elite, repeal and replace Obamacare and not bomb Syria. So, let’s see how he’s been doing on these promises, shall we? His current cabinet is full of billionaires and his closest advisor, Jared Kushner, is also his son-in-law. Forgive me if I seem too skeptical, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the president might not be draining this swamp any time soon. The plan to replace Obamacare didn’t really pan out either. Nor, it seems, did that whole thing about not involving the US in another foreign conflict— the bombing of another sovereign country doesn’t
seem to align so squarely with Trump’s “America First” doctrine. And yet, there seems to be no piece of evidence strong enough to persuade Trump’s people that their current president isn’t the candidate they voted for. I would go so far as to say that the person so many people voted for, their flaxen-haired savior of American Greatness™, never existed in the first place. The promises and ideals that Trump campaigned for are so disparate from what he has thus far delivered that it would almost be easier to believe he hadn’t won in the first place— that an impostor has taken his place and done the exact opposite of everything he promised to do. But this, of course, is delusional thinking. All the same, there remains a legion
of those who accept Trump wholeheartedly as their “god-emperor.” Normally, such a display of unflinching loyalty would command my respect. In an interpersonal context, there may be no greater quality. However, it is my honest opinion that singular devotion to a particular person has no place in American politics— do we not demand loyalty to the Constitution, and the ideals it represents, over any individual executive? It is for this reason that I find the hyper-partisanship and idolization (on both sides of the aisle) to be so alarming. The cult of personality that currently surrounds Trump is concerning— our leaders are human, and humans do tend to have flaws. Ignoring the deficits of any particular ap-
proach in favor of rabid devotion works against any chance of discussion and eventual compromise. I can only think of one person who could possibly, reasonably demand your total respect. The only person you should ever entrust with the full measure of your confidence, trust and absolute adoration is me, Wally Hill! Everyone who tells you otherwise is a sad loser, and quite possibly a shill for… uh, bad hombres. Just remember this, and only this: I’m the greatest, and I have the best words. Wally Hill
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 administra-
tors 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.
Augusta Battoclette Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Munir Managing Editor of News and Features
Maham Usmani Managing Editor of Student Life
Ashwini Kamath Managing Editor of Opinions
Hannah Bundschuh Managing Editor of Visual Elements
Pavan Yaddanapudi Business Manager
Nick Robertson Online Content Manager
Samantha Gerwe-Perkins Adviser
Dawn Wolfe Adviser
APRIL 14, 2017
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STYLE & CULTURE
WHHSCBOX.COM
SECTION EDITOR: KEEGAN SULLIVAN
CINCINNATI, OHIO
The overcrowding conundrum Have you ever experienced anxiety regarding the traffic in the hallways?
Do you think that we need more time to get to classes?
JACK SAMUELS/CHATTERBOX
Students leaving the band and orchestra rooms struggle to get to their next class on time. Many students believe overcrowding is a problem in the hallways. Leah Cleveland ‘17 Your eyes are not deceiving you, overcrowding at WHHS is real. WHHS currently has 2,842 students and 10 different academics departments, according to the school’s website. 95.4 percent of the 410 students who responded to a survey conducted by The Chatterbox believe the hallways are overcrowded. Over half of the respondents also say this traffic in the hallway has made them experience anxiety. Students have suggested ideas to help de-
crease the stress in the halls. Some offered the idea of creating lanes and color coding doors for entrances and exits. Others suggested staggered release times to allow students to get to class on time without the chaos of the overcrowded hallways. However, three in four students believe the best solution would be increasing time between classes. 76 percent said hallway traffic is the reason they are tardy. “It’s hard to get by people holding hands, texting, walking side by side, [but could be improved by] people walking at a normal pace, not on their phones, [and if one per-
son walked] behind the other and not next to [them],” Cameron Mutters, ‘22, said. In the next year, if students are not allotted more time to get to class, these tips may help students get to class without the anxiety:
Do you believe the hallways are overcrowded?
1. Walk outside 2. Use the correct entrance and exit door 3. Be respectful, and don’t look at your phone while walking 4. Create a routine and find shortcuts that are beneficial to your schedule
Rio continues to crumble after 2016 summer Olympics
The Olympic park shown here has been abandoned. Seats have been reported missing and all venues have been raided for TVs and other valuable technology. Reggie Callender ‘18 During the first South American Olympics, Rio offered the world its best, at the expense of massive amounts of debt and a subsequent recession. Less than 50 days before the start of the Olympic Games, the state of Rio de Janeiro declared a “state of publicly calamity” due to severe financial difficulties. The historic Maracana Stadium, home to Rio’s opening and closing ceremonies, was vandalized while the state government and the Olympic organizers quarrelled over $1 million of unpaid electricity bills. Currently, Rio Olympic organizers still owe creditors about $40 million. The Brazilian stadium stands among other venues that have been left to decay; a new $20 million Olympic golf course has seen few visitors
recently, and, thus, has no one to care for its upkeep. Additionally, two arenas, a tennis center and a velodrome, all of which were built for the Games in the main Olympic Park, have not attracted private operators and were turned over to the federal government. Located in northwest Rio, Deodoro Olympic Park is home to the second-largest group of venues, hosting events ranging from equestrian to field hockey to rugby. The park is now closed and in need of a management company to take it over. Deodoro had been earmarked to become a park and a recreation area after the Olympic Games, but the contract fell through at the end of last year. The Olympic athletes’ village is open for sale, but few can afford the price of the homes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the accommodations
could be sold to the Brazilian navy or army. Rio saw a similar decline before hosting the 2014 World Cup Final, which costed about $13 million to organize. The 2016 games costed a total of $12 billion. The legacy is incredibly poor. “Everybody here is suffering right now -- of all incomes and all stripes and colours,” Theresa Williamson, executive director of Catalytic Communities, told AAP. Catalytic Communities is a Riobased non-government organization that provides support to Favela communities. “During the Olympics, the city was really trying hard to keep things together. But the minute the Olympics were over, the whole thing disintegrated,” Oliver Stuenkel, Brazilian Professor of International Relations, said. In Rio de Janeiro, authorities have been
PHOTO COURTESY OF NACHO DUCE
months late paying teachers, hospital workers and pensions. The state also reported record-breaking crime in 2016 in almost all categories, from homicides to robbery. In the state of Espirito Santo, on an eight day strike by police, more than 140 people were reported dead. Schools and businesses were closed and public transportation was not in service. Rio 2016 leaves a legacy of a city entrenched with marginalization and discrimination, with a deeply militarized public security approach and a record of human rights violations, where violence remains part of the game. “Unfortunately, the promised legacy of the Olympics of achieving a safe city for all people was not delivered, and instead a legacy of human rights violations endures,” Amnesty International said.
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FEATURES
CINCINNATI, OHIO
APRIL 14, 2017
PAGE 5
SECTION EDITOR: MATTHEW YOUKILIS
Students see the world on spring break Costa Rica Ibrahim Munir, ‘19 Over spring break, science teachers Kim VonBargen, Jayma George, and assistant principal Jerome Gray, took 22 students and four parent chaparones on a 10 day trip to Costa Rica. The trip was set up by the science department to study ecology and participate in humanitarian acts, among other things. Participants got the opportunity to zipline, snorkel, visit a chocolate farm, horse ride on a beach and help paint a school for kids. Lily Jones, ‘21, noticed some big social differences between Cincinnati and Costa Rica.
“Everyone seemed to know each other and everyone was much more involved in their community than we are,” Jones said. When asked what she had to say to any students thinking about going on this trip in the future, Vivian Holt, ‘21, said, “You really have to prepare yourself because I forgot a lot of stuff I didn’t think I was going to need. And you have to embrace it, you don’t know what’s going to happen. Just open yourself to having fun.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLYSON GARTH
Hawaii
Amanda Anderson, ‘19 Over spring break, science teachers Alexandra Mondini and Katie Sullivan, took 12 of their geology students on a nine day trip to the island of Hawaii to observe the geology, ecology and conservation of Hawaii. The purpose of the trip was to allow the geology students to get up close and personal with some of the subject matter from their class. Over the course of the trip the students hiked around Volcanoes National Park, met with a volcanologist at the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, learned about the vast changes happening to the Hawaiian landscape due
to cattle grazing, invasive sheep and planted 2,486 trees on the slopes of Mauna Kea to combat this damage. Mondini said her favorite part of the trip was seeing a group of humpback whales in the water next to their raft. “We were so close, we could hear them breathing! I almost cried I was so happy! Humpbacks were just taken off the endangered species list this year-- so it was pretty special to see a species that had almost been wiped off the earth by humans thriving again,” Mondini said.
New York City
Ibrahim Munir, ‘19 Kayla Murrell, ‘17
PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHY TASHJIAN
England Kayla Murrell, ‘17
Over spring break, English teachers Samantha Gerwe-Perkins and Dawn Wolfe ,took 16 students on a 10 day trip to England. The trip was open to both AP English classes, AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition. This is the first year WHHS has attempted to do a trip like this run by the English department. To begin the literature themed tour, the group started in Manchester. They traveled through England before ending in the capital city, London. “The basic pattern of the trip is that we would go to a new place, we’d get
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXANDRA MONDINI
Over spring break, choir teacher Anthony Nims and eight other chaperones took 44 musicians from Senior Ensemble and Chamber Choir on a four day trip to New York City. The trip is conducted every other year and is meant to “open the students’ eyes to what’s out there in the world,” Nims said. The group went sight-seeing at places such as Times Square, Little Italy and Chinatown, as well as performing at St. John the Divine Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the world. They also had a workshop with a well regarded choir director, James Jordan, who
worked with the students for about an hour and had his choir sing for WHHS’s. Although it was a short trip, most students felt they learned a lot and gained unforgettable experiences that opened their eyes, just as Nims intended. “Sure, absolutely, I think it’s a great trip, we do a lot of singing and also a lot of sightseeing,” Nims said when asked if he would do this trip again.
a really well-done guided tour by somebody who’s an expert in both the location and any literary connections there were and then we would have an hour or two of free time to explore each location,” Gerwe-Perkins said. When asked if she would take students on the trip again, Gerwe-Perkins answered with a definite yes. “Students learned so much, there were so many strong connections made between places and what students are reading; things came alive in a new way.” She is also hopeful that this trip continues on into future years, with the current plan to hold one every other year. Disclaimer: Samantha Gerwe-Perkins is the adviser for The Chatterbox.
London, Paris and Berlin:
PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUREN BERNSTEIN
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMANTHA GERWE-PERKINS
Krishyra Mitchell, ‘19 Over spring break, social studies teachers Lauren Bernstein and Brad Dillman, assistant principal Joe Stewart, science teacher Kathy Noland and modern language teacher Doreena Fox, took 33 students on a nine day trip to Europe. It was open to all eligible AP Art History, AP European History and AP Comparative Government students. The purpose of the trip was educational and used for AP review, as well as to give the students a fun, unforgettable experience. “It’s one thing to learn about this famous painting, but it’s another thing to look at it with your own eyes in the Louvre Museum or the Mu-
see D’orsay or see the Berlin wall or the tower of London,” Bernstein said. During the trip, students went to London, Berlin and Paris. In London they went on a river cruise on the Thames, visited Buckingham Palace and took a tour of Parliament. In Paris, they went to the Louvre Museum, traveled on the Champs Elysee, saw the Arc de Triomphe and went up the Eiffel Tower. In Berlin they went on a graffiti tour, the Holocaust Memorial and Potsdam. When asked if she would take students on this trip again, Bernstein exclaimed, “Abso-freaking-lutely. It was amazing.”
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WHHSCBOX.COM
PEANUTS
CINCINNATI, OHIO
APRIL 14, 2017
PAGE 7
SECTION EDITORS: CAROLINE HORVATH
The next case of junior high mock trial
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALARIC HARRIS
PHOTO COURTESY OF DENISE PFEIFFER
Claudia Quintaba and Lucy Phillips, ‘21, wait for the court to begin. Phillips is Quintaba’s co-council.
The WHHS blue and gold mock trial stand outside of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center. The blue team was named superior and the gold team named outstanding.
Caroline Horvath, ‘20
down the opposing team’s case. The WHHS eighth grade team acted as the defense for the court case based on the novel John ny Tremain by Esther Forbes.
The courtroom buzzes with pep talk from coaches while attorneys make their last minute revisions. As the judges walk into the room, the bailiff rises to introduce the case to court. This signals the beginning of the junior high mock trial team’s one and only showcase of the year. On March 24, 2017, WHHS ju nior high mock trial blue and gold teams demonstrated their argumen tative talents through a simulated trial at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center. They had been preparing for the showcase in Co lumbus for two to three months. Junior high mock trial cases are based on popular literature written by teams of teachers and lawyers. Students act as witnesses and attor neys to argue cases involving literary characters, according to the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education. “You have to think on your feet. You can’t just have things written down because there are a lot of obstacles that can stand in your way and you have to maneuver around them,” Claudia Quintaba, ‘21, said. She was introduced to the club in seventh grade by so
cial studies teacher Alaric Harris. “[Alaric] Harris talked about [mock trial] a lot and I decided that it would be a fun thing to do, so I went and tried [the club] out and I really liked it,” Quintaba said. Harris started the club last year so that middle school stu dents would have the op portunity to compete in court showcases, just as the high school students do. “In mock trial, each side, prosecution or defense, has two lawyers and three wit nesses. Each side can have either a bailiff or a timekeeper. One team is made up of a prosecution side and a defense side,” Lucy Phil lips, ‘21, said. Phillips was also introduced to mock trial by Har ris in seventh grade. She has been part of the team for two years. The role of the attorney is to ask the witnesses questions that strengthen their case and break
Sincerely,
Troubled
Trinit y
tack, blowing the situation out of previously enlarged proportion. Avoid engaging in your friends’ angry tirades about the other friend. They may expect you to take their side, but remember: you owe them no such sympathy. Let your apathy take away the oxygen that the flame of your friends’ hearts so devour. Many disputes arise from lack of communication, so gather your feuding frenemies to calmly address the issue in private. If they refuse to meet face to face, entice them with food. It’s not as effective to talk with them separately, because people interpret things differently based on the mouth it comes from. Pretend like it’s a presiden tial debate. No interrupting each other, no rants, remain unbiased and ask questions for clarifica tion. If at some point during the debate the tone of voice becomes too hostile for your taste, you may subdue your friends’ temper with soothing things such as cold fruit and sad saxophone music. Per haps buy them Subway footlongs. But understand that one cannot
force forgiveness; it must be grant ed. If one party wishes to perpetu ate the petty by refusing to apolo gize or accept apologies, so be it. Some people would rather hold grudges than let things go because they don’t know how simple for giveness can be. We can only hope that they grow out of being petty. High school is a short mo ment in the grand scheme of life. It’s best to spend this time living care- and drama-free. You don’t have to deal with people that stress you out 24/7, but you don’t have to completely cut them out either. The passion your friends have could go somewhere much more constructive, such as bringing smiles and happiness instead of an ger and fights.
Lucy Phillips, ‘21 “[Johnny Tremain] was accused of treason. When he worked at the sil versmith shop he got injured and had to go find work somewhere
CAMILLE WILLIAMS/CHATTERBOX
I’m tired of seeing so many people I know getting into physical fig hts at school. What is the point in being pett y and why do so many people do it?
help of their mock trial coach and the help of the volunteer attorneys. But Harris is not the only one helping the students succeed in the courtroom. Though the club is mostly student-created, several attorneys come in to advise the stu dents. Athena Stefanou is one of the returning attorneys helping out the middle school students at WHHS. “One of the things I love most about mock trial is that our attor ney volunteers are there to help and guide us. But at the end of the day, we produce all of the questions, we prep the witnesses, and we write the statements,” Phillips said. At the end of the showcase, WHHS’ junior high mock trial team had gained three more awards. Anna Schlosser, ‘22, Zoe Cummings, ‘22 and Quintaba all won the best at torney award this year. WHHS was named outstanding for their gold team (seventh grade) and superior for their blue team (eighth grade). Congratulations to the blue and gold junior high mock trial team and good luck in the years to follow. Court (and this article) adjourned.
“Mr. Harris has a contagiously positive attitude that really inspires us to do our best.”
Piper Peanut: Why so petty?
Dear Piper Peanut,
else. During that time, he worked at a newspaper run by Whigs and was accused of treason when he was gathering information for the newspaper,” Quintaba said. The novel is set prior to the American Revolution, when the tension between two politi cal parties, Whigs and Tories, was high. It includes topics such as courtship and human rights that tie in with the court case. At the end of the trial, students are awarded ei ther best attor ney or witness awards. Quin taba has won two awards for best at torney. Phillips won an outstanding witness award in the court case last year. “[Harris] tells us that we have all worked really hard and that we have put in a lot of effort to this and not to be nervous just give it our all,” Quintaba said. Quintaba and Phillips greatly appreciate the
Fights are definitely bad, and physical fights are downright dirty -- especially in a school en vironment, surrounded by faculty and the threat of one week sus pension, encircled by snickering children with iPhones waiting to recount the incident on Snap chat or their ‘Finstas’. Someone
should stop this public display of petty. That someone can be you. The trick is to let your friends know that whatever they are argu ing about is not worth the fight without saying that explicitly. Otherwise, they may take your honest observation as a direct at
Sincerely, Piper Peanut
ARCADE
APRIL 14, 2017
PAGE 8
SECTION EDITOR: SARAH HANSEN
WHHSCBOX.COM
CINCINNATI, OHIO
Shakespearean Scramble Briana Bishop, ‘18
Directions: Ask a friend to provide words that fit the description provided in the key for each number. Once a word has been provided for every number in the key, read the text aloud—substituting the blank spaces for the words suggested by your friend—for a more amusing read than the original Othello. It is the cause, it is the cause, my 1.______,— Let me not 2.___________ it to you, you chaste stars!— It is the cause. Yet I’ll not 3._________ her blood; Nor scar that whiter 4.___________ of hers than snow, And 5.___________ as monumental alabaster. Yet she must 6.__________, else she’ll betray more men. Put out the 7.___________, and then put out the 8.__________: If I 9.________ thee, thou flaming 10.________, I can again thy former light restore, Should I 11.________ me: but once put out thy
light, Thou cunning’st pattern of 12._________ nature, I know not where is that 13._________ heat That can thy light relume. When I have 14.__________ the rose, I cannot give it vital growth again. It must needs wither: I’ll 15.________ it on the tree. [Kissing her] Ah 16._________ breath, that dost almost persuade Justice to break her 17.__________! One more, one more. Be thus when thou art dead, and I will 18._________ thee, And love thee after. One more, and this the last: So 19.___________ was ne’er so fatal. I must weep, But they are cruel tears: this sorrow’s 20.____________; It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.
Key: 1. Noun 2. Verb 3. Verb 4. Noun 5. Adjective 6. Verb 7. Noun 8. Noun 9. Verb 10. Verb 11. Verb 12. Adjective 13. Adjective 14. Verb 15. Verb 16. Adjective 17. Noun 18. Verb 19. Adjective 20. Adverb
Sudoku Sarah Hansen, ‘17
Answers to all puzzles and games can be found online at <whhscbox.com>.