The Courier Online - March 2018

Volume 1

the courier onlineIssue4

the education conversation

Olentangy Orange High School 2840 East Orange Road Lewis Center, Ohio 43045

Editorial | March 2018

Issue-based politics a
potential solution to current
political polarization

THE EDITORIAL BOARD made, when in reality, there are positive stand more left of center on social issues, or
Celebrities and politicians shouldn’t be and negative consequences on both sides aren’t completely supportive of the Second
one and the same. of the issue. Amendment, they become outcasts. Most
As a result of the 24-hour news cycle, Americans identify as centrist, but our
America’s political process has quickly Opinions are based exclusively on the political climate doesn’t reflect that.
become sensationalized. Our focus has personality of the president and those
rapidly shifted to the characters involved around him, instead of the actions they We need to get back to the roots of
in politics, instead of the issues they speak areactually taking, and those who aren’t what democracy is supposed to be: looking
for, giving some politicians a ‘celebrity’ to the extreme right or left get crucified by at the issues and not the people in front
status. This has no benefit to the common others for being morally weak. of them. Yet we seem to be drifting even
man, so we should be calling for a shift further away. In their attempts to combat
towards issue-based politics instead of the Instead of this focus on the people who the seemingly unstoppable Donald Trump,
discussion about personality we are facing are running, we should be talking more Democrats are touting Oprah as a potential
now. about what they stand for. Discussions about candidate. Though she is approachable,
During the 2016 election, most of the policies have seeped into the controversy she has no political experience, and her
focus was on the personalities of Donald around the people, but the issues that are political beliefs are vaguely existent at best.
Trump and Hillary Clinton instead of their brought up are on the more dynamic side. Instead of simply trying to create a more
policy points. While they were obviously Trump’s wall, for example, was a major topic outrageous candidate than Trump, the
very polarizing figures, that consumed during his campaign, exclusively because of Democrats should truly look at the issues
their campaigns to a fault. The discussion the absurdity of it. This has resulted in our that matter to the American people, instead
remained around who was more hated, politicians becoming caricatures of their of the celebrities that matter most to them.
instead of who would benefit the American parties and themselves, which can only
people more, and it is still that way today. result in harm, because it won’t truly reflect In this age of divisive politics, more
In the dialogue surrounding the Trump America. than ever, America needs to unify. The only
presidency, people are consistently either way we can dothis is by acknowledging
completely for or against every action Whether you love or hate these leaders, the flaws in our system, and pushing for
they will often have beliefs that are more change. Instead of touting our politicians as
accessible to the common man; yet, when a characters, we should humble them. Present
Democrat mentions that Trump’s changing them as real people, with complex beliefs,
of the tax plan may have some benefits to and they will appeal to America. Maybe
American business, they are branded as a then, we will begin to come together.
traitors to their party. When Republicans

Editorial Statement: ONLINE Staff:
The Courier is an official student-produced medium of news and information published by the Advanced
Newspaper Journalism students of Olentangy Orange High School. The Courier has been established as a Web Editors: Writers:
designated public forum for student journalists to inform, educate and entertain readers as well as for the
discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials, Writing Editor-in-Chief: Walt Campbell
adults or sources prior to publication. Lindsay Lenhart Jacob Fulton
Design Editor-in-Chief: Erin Jerig
The content of The Courier is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school Maeve O’Boyle Bethany Jones
officials or the school itself. The Publication will not publish any material, determined by the staff or adviser, that Design Editor: Brooke Savannah Larsen
is libelous, obscene or disruptive to the school day. Little Hannah McDavid
Website Editors: Erin Jessa Nelson
The adviser is Kari Phillips. Readers may respond to The Courier through Letters to the Editor. Letters may be Jerig, Hannah McDavid
mailed, e-mailed to [email protected] or dropped off to room 2223. The staff asks that submissions be Web Copy Editor: Jacob Cole Robb
300 words or less and contain the author’s name and signature. Editors reserve the right to edit or withhold publi-
cation of letters. Designers:

The Courier strives to uphold the Canons of Professional Journalism, which includes accuracy, impartiality, etc. Fulton Jacob Fulton
Therefore, major errors will be corrected in the next issue. Distinction will be marked between news and opinion Zaida Jenkins
stories. Victoria Perl

Page 2 | Victoria Perl ‘19

March 2018 | EDITORIAL

talking about “the talk”

Opening up discussions about sexuality is
essential to creating communicative relationships

COPY EDITOR | HANNAH MCDAVID ‘19 children are more likely to be open with Traditionally, women are supposed to
ONLINE EDITOR | ERIN JERIG ‘19 them about their experiences. Furthermore, be proper and quiet about their own
they will feel more comfortable coming experiences, according to Time Magazine.
The first and last time we discussed to their parents if they have experienced However, to enable healthy unifying
sex in school was fifth grade. The teachers abuse while in a relationship. conversations, it needs to be recognized as
gathered all the girls and we watched a a normal biological happening that extends
graphic cartoon and talked about periods. According to loveisrespect.org, “Violent equally among genders. To facilitate this,
The gym teacher collected the boys and behavior typically begins between the the stigma in general surrounding sex
talked about body odor. This brief lesson ages of 12 and 18.” Additionally, one needs to be either completely eliminated or
was the last thorough conversation we have in every 10 high school students have lessened.
had with adults about sex. From then on, been intentionally hurt physically by a
any mention of sex was met with shutting boyfriend or girlfriend. Dating abuse exists While women are often the most
our eyes, covering our ears and saying “la at an alarmingly large rate for high school affected by this prejudice, everyone is
la la la.” students, and students who have endured impacted. If we can’t be candid about
abuse should have somebody that they feel sex, then healthy relationships, sexual
Unfortunately, keeping the minds comfortable enough to confide in. If parents health and safety are all neglected. Being
of our youth innocent is held above create a relationship with their children that open about one’s sexuality facilitates a
educating them about important biological encourages openness, then they can be new level of openness between whoever
happenings. While this assumption is valid, that person. is talking, whether it be between parents
it is also problematic because it calls sex and children, friends, or significant others.
inappropriate and something that shouldn’t The stigma surrounding sex extends In addition, one is more likely to seek
be discussed. The decision is ultimately left unfairly more to women than to men. Men advice surrounding sex if they are familiar
up to the parents, but children deserve to are considered “conquerors” and each with the subject, which will decrease STDs
know about reproduction and that their “conquest” is an achievement. To them, (sexually transmitted diseases), unexpected
parents are completely open being promiscuous and openly sexual is pregnancy or other dangerous outcomes.
with them at some point. accepted. For men, there is basically no
stigma when it comes to sex. If anything, it
If parents are open is celebrated.
with their children
about sex, then their In contrast, women are often shamed
for having the same openness as men.

unhinged with hannah
and erin
Victoria Perl ‘19 | PAGE 3

News | march 2018

Columbus community rallies around the
families of fallen Westerville police officers

WRITER | BETHANY JONES ‘19 community has come together to cried a little bit. I was pretty upset. I
didn’t really know them, but one of
On Saturday, Feb. 10, two police support the families and friends of both them was an SRO, and we have a state
officers, Eric Joering and Anthony SRO conference in the summertime,
Morelli, were shot and killed after officers. Even President Donald Trump so I spoke to those guys because they
responding to a 911 hang up call were from Westerville. It was a situation
possibly related to a domestic abuse mentioned the incident on Twitter, that happened in my town, it wasn’t in
situation. my backyard; it was in my front yard.
offering his condolences. It’s like a part of me went and died with
Officers Joering and Morelli them. That could have been me, just as
were part of the police force for 16 “Having worked in Westerville easily, just like that. It could have been
and 29 years, respectively, making any of my brothers in blue. I took it
them familiar faces to the Westerville for 11 years, I know that when things pretty hard. It just wasn’t supposed to
community. Principal Trond Smith was happen like that,” Martin said.
a friend of Morelli, having worked in like this happen, that community pulls
Westerville for over 10 years. According to Martin, it takes a
together and supports each other. special kind of person to become a
“Officer Morelli was as good police officer. They have to be very
a cop as you would find. He loved his It was amazing to see the support committed to helping others, and to
job, loved being part of the Westerville protect the people who can’t do so
community and took the time to from surrounding communities and for themselves. Law enforcement also
establish relationships and build trust has “a lot of really intelligent, educated
with those he worked to serve and throughout the entire country,” Smith people.”
protect. And as good a cop as Tony
was, he was a better person. He and said. “A good police officer is
Officer Joering will be missed terribly,” courageous, compassionate, and
Smith said. Across the state, houses can be committed to protecting their
communities. They are fair-minded,
Officer Joering had a wife and four seen adorned with blue lights as tribute
daughters, and Officer Morelli patient, and willing to
had a wife and to these officers. Many students of the take the time
two children, to invest in
according to Olentangy school district wore blue building
the New productive
York Times. to school as an indication of support. relationships
Since the in the areas
shooting, Strangers have donated thousands of they serve,”
the Smith said.
Westerville dollars in order to support the families.

On Friday, Feb. 16, thousands of people,

police officers and normal citizens alike,

came to pay their respects to the two

men before their burials.

“At the end of the day, the support

for Westerville was unbelievable. I have

never seen anything like it, I thought

it was great. It made me proud to

keep being an officer,” School

Resource Officer, Deputy

Robert Martin said.

With police being very

present in Westerville

and the surrounding

communities, an incident

such as this one struck

citizens as extremely

shocking and

upsetting.

“I

#WESTERVILLESTRONG
Staff photos of officers Morelli and Joering.
Photos from the Westerville Police Department.

Page 4 | jacob fulton ‘19

march 2018 | sports

Baigtrbaodlidnghesaldalminedufnoknt?

Cleveland Cavaliers acquire high levels of

new, young talent for 2018-2019 season

WRITER | COLE ROBB ‘19 came out on top in the sense that they the players they acquired (Jordan
traded the most players. Clarkson from Lakers, Larry Nance Jr.
With the NBA trading from Lakers, and Rodney Hood from
deadline day having In the duration of the trading block, the Jazz) are 25 years old resulting in
ended Feb. 8, many teams the Cavaliers traded away six players the new average age of the team 28.2
came out with new to other teams and got four back in years. It was speculated before these
acquisitions. However, trades that the old age of the lineup
it was clear that the return. The trades involved three would hinder the Cavaliers play and it
Cavaliers teams other than the Cavaliers. did.
Mike Rini, who lives in Cleveland,
Having four wins and two losses
is a big fan of the team and gave since the trades, the new faces have
his opinion on the trades. definitely put the Cavaliers in the win
“I think the trades column more often so far.
benefited the team a lot.
We have a lot younger “I see the team as re-energized. But
of a team now and I think everyone in Cleveland including
possibly gave Lebron me still want a big rim protector,” Rini
James a good reason said.
to stay after his
contract ends this Statistically, the trades are proven
season,” Rini said. to have supplemented the team’s new
Before the success as well.
trade block, the
Cavaliers had Since the trade, the Cavaliers have
an average age had a record shooting percentage at
of 30.3 years 48.9% and have been averaging over
as a team, 110 points per game, according to
according ESPN. Junior Grant Weisheimer is a
to ESPN. big fan of the Cavaliers and gave his
Three side of the argument on the “new look
of Cavaliers”.

LeBron James prepares to shoot a layup. “I’ve watched every game since the
Photo from Jason Miller. trades happened, and I think it looks
promising. They seem to have found a

new strategy for beating teams and
may have a good shot at the finals,”
Weisheimer said.

Statistics and a few wins may
matter, but in the end, the goal of
any NBA team is to take home a
finals win.
The concern before the trades
were made was that the Cavaliers
would not be able to compete in the
playoffs and wouldn’t be able to get
past even the first couple rounds.
“I think before the trade, they would
have maybe made it past the second
round. Now, they are definitely the top
team in the East and I think they can
put up a good fight in the finals if they
were to make it,” Weisheimer said.

Jacob fulton ‘19 | PAGE 5

Cover story | march 2018

the education conversation
Schools, students debate best way to teach sex education
WRITER | WALT CAMPBELL ‘19
WRITER | SAVANNAH LARSEN ‘19 that comprehensive programs, “Do not 229,715 babies were born to women
WRITER | VICTORIA PERL ‘19 encourage teens to start having sexual aged 15–19 years.” While this statistic
intercourse. Evaluations of publicly may still seem outrageous, it is a step

While many teenagers are taught the funded abstinence-only programs in the right direction. Back in 2007,
basics of sex education by their parents over 400,000 babies were born in that
or other sources such as friends, have repeatedly shown no positive same age range. Why this changed is
relatives, TV and the internet, others still unclear, but arguments range from
rely on school as their main reference changes in sexual behaviors over time.” teens restraining from having sex to the
for education on sex safety and hazards. use of effective birth control methods.
According to the Sexuality Information However, abstinence is taught at most Sex ed/Pregnancy
and Education Council of the United While some people may feel that
State’s website, “Sexuality education schools and is widely known as the teaching abstinence is the right way
is a lifelong process of acquiring to go in education, it is possible that
information and forming attitudes, “morally correct” option. abstinence is less successful than
beliefs and values. It encompasses comprehensive sex ed. According
sexual development, sexual and Pro-abstinence based programs argue to the Sexuality Information and
reproductive health, interpersonal Education Council of The United States,
relationships, affection, intimacy, body that sex at such a young age causes comprehensive sex ed is more effective
image and gender roles.” in preventing pregnancies and STDs in
Options in teaching: problems like unplanned pregnancy, adolescents as opposed to abstinence.
There are many different types of “Honestly, sex is a part of life. So it’s
sex ed, the two most common being sexually-transmitted diseases and the almost inevitable to happen,” a 2017
abstinence and comprehensive-based graduate and future teen mom said.
education. large costs of having a child. According The graduate prefered to remain
Abstinence is a curriculum that teaches anonymous to protect her privacy.
teens about the dangers of having sex at to the National Conference of State No matter what the teaching ideal is,
a young age. It gives statistical evidence the goal of sex ed remains the same:
about STDs and unintended pregnancy Legislatures (NCSL), pregnant teens are to prevent pregnancies and STDs in
experiences. Comprehensive sex ed teens and young adults aged 13-24,
teaches that sex is a way of life and more likely to not finish high school and according to Youth Wellness Manager
that it is natural to want to do at a high of the Columbus Health Department
school age. It promotes the idea of to live in poverty. The child that they Chelsea Varnum. This is done with
using condoms and teaches students formal education in the classroom. The
how to safely have sex. bear is more likely to run into the same idea is that by engaging the students
Organizations like Advocates for Youth and educating them properly it will
promote comprehensive education, challenges as the mother: poor health, hopefully help prevent problems later
rather than abstinence. They claim down the road.
developmental problems, high-school

dropout and may become a teen parent

themself. The NCSL also mentions,

“Adolescents are disproportionately

affected by sexually transmitted

infections (STIs). Young people ages

15 to 24 represent 25 percent of the

sexually-active population, but acquire

half of all new STIs, which amounts to

9.8 million new cases a year.”

While aspects of abstinence and

comprehensive-based education

oppose each other, they both agree

that reducing teen pregnancies is

one of their priorities. According to

the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), “In 2015, a total of

Page 6 | Jacob fulton ‘19 Statistics from the Guttmacher Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Infographics by Jacob Fulton.

march 2018 | cover story

“We have had great success in serious lesson. reproduction. We teach from where
connecting with students. We have Some argue that early high schoolers
many who repeat programming aren’t mature enough to handle such fertilization occurs.”
because they like the sense of a topic, while others argue that they
community it builds. We also have should be taught this topic earlier in Junior Taylor Staab also felt
students who have repeated testing as their school life.
needed with our counselors because The school has an abstinence-based disappointed with her experience with
they liked the open approach,” Varnum curriculum. Health teacher Ginger Frye
said. said her lessons are strictly science. “We sex ed. She argued that there should
While some feel that the current sex do not teach sex education. We teach
ed program is successful based on the human reproduction. We talk about the be more time spent on the real-life
community that surrounds it, others anatomy, hormones and the different
feel sex ed could be improved in Ohio stages of labor,” Frye said. logistics of sex, rather than the textbook
to make students more informed,
according to Varnum. Catherine Wood, founder of definition.
“Sexual education honestly could be “Relationships Under Construction,”
better in school. They might spend a an abstinence-based program used “I never actually learned
day or two on sexual education and all here, said her core mission is “teaching
that’s shown are pictures. I feel like they youth the blueprint for building strong anything about sex, and I had to ask
could go into depth a bit more on the families.”
different sexually-transmitted diseases, This presentation is “very my mom multiple questions about it,”
pregnancy and all the money it costs. informative, and students typically
Also, other alternatives instead of birth have positive feedback,” Lattig said. Staab said.
control and condoms,” the future mom Unlike Lattig, junior Kaitlyn
said. Brown said she was underwhelmed Like many other students, Brown and
Finally, although there is no statistical with her sex education experience. “It
way to prove sex ed is successful as a really only covered STDs and didn’t Staab both agreed that they were
preventing factor in teen pregnancies, go into much of anything else,” Brown
one thing was conclusive no matter the said. unprepared going into sex education.
success rate: it’s important to educate Major topics like birth control
students on these matters. and abortion are left out of the Many parents avoid giving “the talk”
“Young people have a right to curriculum here.
knowledge about their bodies and how “If a student asks about birth to their children, and wait for them to
to keep their bodies safe and healthy control or abortions, I will answer their
regardless of behavior,” Varnum said. questions. However, neither are the learn about sex in health class.
Sex ed at Orange focus of any lesson,” Frye said.
Every year, the freshman class gathers Among the many topics left “I think it would be beneficial
for one of the most anticipated lessons out is all inclusive sex education.
of the year. While some may giggle and When referring to sex education for if more people knew about sex, so that
find it awkward, sex education is a very LGBTQ students, Lattig said, “We
don’t teach sexuality; we teach human when they decide to do it, they know

all of the true facts before they risk

anything,” Staab said.

While most students

disapprove of the teaching method,

Wood believes that abstinence is the

“most effective” form of education,

according to her published curriculum.

Wood believes that all students

should stay abstinent until marriage in

order to stay wholesome, and prevent

physical and psychological damage

later on.

According to Wood, marriage is “a safe

place to raise children and the best

practice for our children. Marriage with

no sexual activity outside of marriage

is taught by the five major religions of

the world. There must be reasons these

diverse religions agree on this topic.”

jacob fulton ‘19 | Page 7

march 2018 | Lifestyle

RELIEVING THE TENSION

Students utilize massages to decrease daily stress

WRITER | JESSA NELSON ‘19 someone may not be able to tell. clearer complexion or smoother hands and
“Massages can relieve both physical feet!”
With spring comes state testing, ACTs,
SATs, finals and graduation. For most and mental stress in various ways. It relaxes Massages are meant to target and
seniors, this is the final few months of high tense muscles and speeds up the healing relieve any aches, pains, tightness and
school and they’re finishing out college for process by encouraging circulation,” discomfort in the human body. The
the fall. For the rest of the student body, the Blankenship said. “Blood brings oxygen Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of
final few months of the school year are a and nutrients to the tissues while lactic acid massage is exactly, “manipulation of tissues
hard time to get those grades up and finish and toxins drain through the lymphatic (as by rubbing, kneading, or tapping) with
out the year strong. All of the school work, system. It also causes the body to release the hand or an instrument for relaxation
extracurriculars and part-time jobs can pile endorphins, which are natural pain killers.” or therapeutic purposes,” and junior
up. Haley Thornborough agrees that such
Relaxation in a stressful, busy life relaxation techniques are so important to
There are many ways to relieve stress, can help relieve any symptoms of an overwhelmed high schoolers, especially.
including yoga, bubble baths and candles, overworked mind and body from a simple
Netflix and, of course, massages. Whether headache to severe migraines and other “Massages seem to give you a moment
it is a massage from a friend while eating extreme pains. to relax and a chance to breathe. It gives
pizza and binge watching “The Office,” or you time and thought away from school
a professional massage with a masseuse, “We live very busy, stress filled lives. and all the stress that can pile up in just one
massages are effective in relaxing one’s Creating space to honor ourselves is so day of classes,” Thornborough said.
body, muscles and mind. Replenish Spa important; yet often the last thing on our to-
Director for the downtown Columbus and do list. When we make time to slow down Like stated in the definition, massages
Clintonville locations Kristi Blankenship and just be in the moment, we are able are used for therapy reasons, as well as other
said that massages have many benefits to to focus on what’s important right now,” physical health treatments. Junior Brooke
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Blankenship said. “Massage is restoration- Benjamin goes to a weekly chiropractor to
our breathing slows, our minds clear, then get readjusted in her neck, shoulders and
“Massages relieve mental stress by we are able to be more productive and head to relieve the chronic headaches she
triggering the release of the hormones accomplish more.” has had very frequently throughout her life.
serotonin and dopamine, which calm
the mind and improve your mood, while At Replenish Spa, Blankenship “Now that I get massages, I’ve gone
decreasing the stress hormone cortisol,” mentions the most popular massages that from having headaches almost everyday to
Blankenship said. are requested are Swedish massages and having them every few weeks,” Benjamin
Deep Tissue restorations. said.
Massages are known
to release stress, but “If you’re trying to choose an experience As a part of the therapeutic process, the
they also affect to help you relax, getting a facial, manicure room is typically set in a relaxing tone with
one’s body or pedicure all include massage and can also calming music and occasionally burning
in various incenses.
ways that be relaxing,” Blankenship said. “Plus, you
get the added “It’s very soothing and it helps you
benefit focus on the massage instead of your mind
of a wandering off to other things,” Benjamin
said.

Page 8 | JACOB FULTON ‘19

MARCH 2018 | FEATURE

SPARKING A LIFELONG CONVERSATION

Understanding other cultures at a young age is essential to growth

WRITER | ZAIDA JENKINS ‘19 classroom setting, but an open conversation. a student raised her hand and asked a
Four first-generation immigrants question that many would never dare to
Columbus, Ohio has evolved into an articulate, “What’s that thing on your head?”
epicenter for cultural growth. Not only has volunteeredtopresenttothechildren:Juniors The other students did not seem too startled
this cultural awareness shown up in the city, RickyMamidala,MiaLaPointe,MelatEskender by a question that adults avoid at all costs.
but the surrounding suburban areas as well. and Yusra Shegow. They represented India,
Haiti, Ethiopia and Somalia, respectively. After initially being startled, Shegow
The district is involved in Global Scholars, looked to the student and smiled. She
a relatively new program from which some “I got the opportunity to teach other was excited to be able to share something
students in the 2019 class will be the first students about diversity and culture, that had been close to her for years.
to graduate with the extra diploma. The and how these impact their daily lives.
program is run by the Columbus Council It was something I enjoyed speaking “I tried my best to explain to her that
on World Affairs in order to provide an on, to an audience of people who were women in other countries cover their hair
alternate learning experience for students genuinely interested in learning, which I as Muslims because it’s a command from
interested in international careers. feel like is rare sometimes” Shegow said. the Holy Book, and person who wear hijab
aren’t usually forced to do so. I wanted to
I have been a member of the “I wanted to try try and normalize it for them, and hopefully
program since 2015. Four to five times make them see that people who do wear
a year, our group loads up on school and normalize it for hijab are still just like them” Shegow said.
busses, and treks to Franklin University in
Columbus for the school day. In order to them, and hopefully The fifth-grader seemed pleased
complete the program, we have to take with the answer, and her classmates
what we have learned and implement make them see that nodded in agreement. More questions
it in a community project of our own. about the goat incident followed.
people who do wear
Through an after-school conversation After the session ended, the student’s
with my sister, I came to realize how hijab are still just teacher approached the front of the
little the district educates the younger room. She apologized profusely for her
grades about diversity and culture. It like them” student’s question about Shegow’s hijab.
was then that my project was born. I was
going to mirror the cultural exchange This group of individuals gave the “I actually thought it was very sweet of
that Global Scholars had provided to me. day meaning. Fifth graders from different the teacher to apologize, although I found
backgrounds felt like they had someone it unnecessary. I told her I would rather have
I decided to form a presentation for rooting for them, a role model to follow. them ask those questions now at their age,
the fifth graders. My goal was to provide than assume things about other people
the students with a learning experience Although all of the presenters were based only on stereotypes” Shegow said.
different from a typical classroom. It took fantastic, Shegow’s presentation still
approximately three months to plan, echoes through my mind. She had many Her reaction exemplifies why this district
and some skepticism from my sister’s stories to share, including one about a goat needstoexpanditsculturalawareness.Fartoo
friends, but on March 26, it was showtime. walking directly in to a friend’s house in the often we are taught that everyone is the same,
middle of the night. She is very intelligent, and that there is not a difference between us.
I began the day with an introduction and passionate about her heritage. Our differences must be celebrated, as we
to culture, and how there are many However, one thing does set her apart cannot keep pretending that we are the same.
different levels. Like an iceberg, one from the other presenters; she wears hijab.
may not be able to see below the This way of thinking does not lead to
surface level of information, yet that is Nearing the end of her presentation, growth and acceptance. One cannot accept
where the majority of importance lies. if they do not first understand. By starting
this thought process at a young age, the
The kids were very excited to participate, future Pioneers will not only be more
as I explained this was not a normal tolerant of others, but understanding as well.

Olentangy Demographics

Caucasian: 16,107 (75.0%)
Asian: 2,719 (12.7%)
Multiracial: 959 (4.5%)
Black: 883 (4.1%)
Hispanic: 730 (3.4%)
American Indian: 58 (0.3%)

Statistics from Olentangy Local School District
Infographic by Jacob Fulton

ZAIDA JENKINS ‘19 | page 9

opinion | february 2018

The age of technology

Parents face the debate about acceptable amount

of technology usage for young children

ONLINE EDITOR | ERIN JERIG ‘19 texting capabilities are similar to those adolescents and teens have been
in regular cell phones. The problem involved in cyberbullying, according
“Don’t forget your lunch!” Timmy’s lies within the use of the internet and to bullyingstatistics.org. Oftentimes,
mom called. “I’ll see you after school.” social media, and how they impact a people who engage in cyberbullying
Timmy had already slung his Superman child’s day-to-day interactions. do not feel that it is a real interaction
backpack over his shoulders and was that is taking place, or that they are
halfway out the door, but he turned Social media often contains really hurting the other person. If this
around upon hearing his mother’s content that children have no need to action becomes normalized for children
words. “Thanks, mom,” he mumbled as be exposed to at such a young age. online, it will become easier for them
he took his lunchbox from the kitchen For example, Twitter has become a to apathetically bully their classmates
table. “You’re welcome, Timothy123,” political platform. When I was 7, the in real life.
Siri replied. That’s right, Timmy is being 2008 election was taking place, and
raised by an iPad. I didn’t have a smartphone to keep It is important for children to learn
me updated on the progress of the how to interact with people through
Although children are not physically election. It wasn’t important in my day- actual face to face contact. Many
cared for by their electronic devices, to-day life at that time, and it probably layers of meaning do not exist in online
they still spend so much time using isn’t to any 7 year olds now. conversations, such as tone, emphasis
them that one could argue that they and social cues. Without being taught
have more interaction with people However, it is the way that people these things, the children would grow to
online than they do off. According to use social media that seems most be very socially awkward, and possibly
Influence Central, the average age that inappropriate for a young child. unable to navigate simple situations.
children receive their first smartphone Children with smartphones have the
is 10, which is two years younger than ability to meet new people on social Smartphones are great tools that
it was in 2012. Additionally, children as media, which is dangerous, but they children can use and appreciate at the
young as 7 have been reported to have also have the ability to tear apart their appropriate age. If given a smartphone
received smartphones. relationships. too early, they may not have a use for
all of its capabilities, have unsavory
The phones themselves aren’t Smartphones provide an outlet interactions with others online or have
the immediate issue—the calling and through which children can easily less real life interactions.
bully their peers. Over half of

Page 10 | jacob fulton ‘19 Statistics from Common Sense Media
Infographic by Jacob Fulton

MARCH 2018 | brushing up

ADVANCED JEWELRY STUDENTS USE UNIQUE

MEDIUMS TO CREATE DIVERSE PIECES

WEB COPY EDITOR | JACOB FULTON ‘19 the techniques you learned and run Echelberry’s
with them,” Jewelry teacher Allison instruction has
Students in advanced jewelry Echelberry said. changed this year; the students are
classes are finding that they’re cut out working more with enamel and sheet
for intense metal work. Jewelry programs are not frequently metal than before.
seen in high schools - they feature an
In past years, advanced students art medium that is typically included in “The students love the freedoms
have worked mainly with wire and other classes, if it is included at all. that come with working in the class,
precious metal clay (PMC), but this as well as the mediums as well. We’ve
year, the class is expanding to work “We’re very fortunate here in been seeing a lot of students working
with sheet metal. Students cut the Olentangy to offer a jewelry class - I with the sheet metal; they have to saw
metal into shapes and stack them to know many high schools don’t even out the intricate designs, and it’s very
create sculptural works. have the program, so it’s always challenging, and it’s almost become
awesome to get to show students a sort of competition between them
“In the advanced levels, you get some mediums they may not have to see who can do the most intricate
a lot more freedom to be creative. gotten a chance to explore elsewhere,” designs,” Echelberry said.
In the introductory course, you’re Echelberry said. “We do a lot of
really getting a feel for the material metalworking, and usually we try to do
and how to work with it, so you have more functional pieces to wear, but this
some boundaries, but once you get to semester, we’ve been trying out some
the higher levels, you can sort of take more sculptural things too.”

“I really enjoyed getting the chance
to work with a Disney scene, and I
loved the challenge of pushing my-
self by working with sheet metal.”

- Abigail Rowland, junior

“I worked with PMC, and it’s really hard to
work with because it dries up so fast. I liked
this piece because it pushed me, and gave
me a chance to show my personality, like all

the other works I make in this class.”

- Brenna O’Reilly, junior

jacob fulton ‘19 | Page 11