Chronicle 17.5

Senior,ShreyaGundavarpu
PhotobyHenriRobbins|DesignbyRileyJohansen

2 News January 24, 2020

Threat of war causes anxiety among potential recruits

Ann Vettikkal | Staff Writer

Given war and peace, America cur- Photo by Henri Robbins
rently exists somewhere between the Senior Trey Spencer next to a wall of military honors received by family members. Spencer plans to complete the ROTC program at Ohio University.
two.
personally, I had very different plans drafted into the military but it seems than fighting in the Middle East. I don’t
On January 2, 2020, President Trump for my life. So I was not excited. But I like something so small.” believe that’s defending my freedoms.”
issued a strike that killed major Iranian had a feeling of, if that’s what’s required
leader Qasem Soleimani. Beyond height- of me, I’ll do it.” Albers considers himself “anti-con- McKay also called into question the
ened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, flict.” Even though he knows that “it’s morality of war on a case by case basis;
this event sparked the fast spread of McKay also talked about the differ- not going to happen,” he is still uneasy what we see now should be treated inde-
related content at home on the Internet ences between now and then. To him, with the notion of a draft on principle. pendently of unrelated conflicts.
and social media, including jokes about social media was the largest factor of
a possible draft for World War III. change, while the rest stayed relatively “I guess [the draft] could be neces- “Tons of people have written novels
the same. sary,” Albers said. “But I don’t think it about whether war is just or not,” McK-
There hasn’t been a draft since the should ever happen. You’re drafting ay said. “Who’s making the decisions?
Vietnam War, more than 47 years ago. “Information spreads instantly,” McK- people who don’t believe in the same Do you agree with them? What are the
So when teenagers across the country ay said. “Whereas 20 years ago, people thing that the President does. If I’m go- circumstances? Vietnam was its own
received fraudulent text messages at least went to the news first. It doesn’t ing to be fighting for something, I want thing. 9/11 was its own thing. Now, this is
claiming that they were being drafted always mean it was right. But that kind it to be fighting for something that I its own thing. We have to be informed.”
into active service by the U.S. Army, of slowed things down a bit. But I think care about.”
the alarms went off. In fact, the Twit- the anxieties are going to be the same As of now, this nation’s fate is not
ter for U.S. Army Recruiting sent out a wherever you feel like you don’t have For Spencer, whose walls are lined sealed in a sanctioned war or presented
message clarifying that “the U.S. Army control of your life.” with the medals of his uncles and with any reason to conscript the youth.
is NOT contacting anyone regarding the grandfathers and has always had an But if it ever were to occur, Spencer
draft.” Any male that turns 18 and is a U.S interest in military history, his back- believes that there is always ambiguity
citizen must still sign up for Selec- ground shapes how he approaches this to the conflict, which is often hidden
Senior Trey Spencer who is on track tive Service. Senior Vince Albers, who subject. But he also talked about how under a veneer of patriotism.
to complete the ROTC program at Ohio doesn’t plan on choosing a military path his personal opinions fit in with the
University critiqued the internet’s face- any time soon, felt uncomfortable with nation he will choose to serve, voicing “I feel like we get too caught up in
tious response to the whole affair. this process. similar feelings for conflicts he believed national pride,” Spencer said. “In reality,
were unwelcomed. war is an awful thing. Not just for our
“The draft’s not going to happen -- not “When I was applying to college, soldiers going over there and coming
[a] war with Iran,” Spencer said. “Espe- FAFSA requires you to sign up for the “I feel devotion to my country,” back with PTSD -- or dead -- but for the
cially today, it’s really popular to make draft,” Albers said. “It was a five-minute Spencer said. “I have been given a people in those countries. It’s not all just
memes and stuff. And that’s all good online document that I had to fill out. very good hand in life. I never had any good guys and bad guys. There’s a big
fun, but I feel like then people take it The website itself was very simple. problems with money and I feel like I gray area. Our message is that yes, we
a little bit too seriously. I think that the That’s what I kind of dislike about it too owe it to my country. Now, that being mean business. But also we don’t end up
talk about World War III is kind of im- -- you’re signing up to potentially be said, defending my country is different killing people for no reason.”
mature.”

Digital Image Design teacher Dan
McKay noticed how this current sensa-
tionalism by the media has caused an
unnecessary frenzy. He has had several
friends involved in the military (chiefly
for the Iraq War) and even if he himself
has never served, he’s seen how these
conflicts have created an unhealthy
sphere of influence.

“It’s important to remove yourself
for a minute and not worry until you
can do some research,” McKay. “It’s
really difficult to not get sucked into a
media storm or hearsay. There’s often
been times when things looked dire. I
just try and keep a perspective of ‘let’s
give these things time and let’s see what
plays out.’”

Although the draft seems like a dis-
tant memory for many Americans, the
anxious whispers about one aren’t as far
away. For McKay, the current conversa-
tions feel all too familiar.

“I remember being with a bunch of
guys having the exact same conversa-
tion almost 20 years ago that we were
all going to get drafted,” McKay said, re-
calling his personal circumstances after
9/11 had occurred. “People were scared.
I think I was a senior in college and

January 24, 2020 News 3

Singers come together to form all-female a cappella group

Evelina Gaivoronskaia | Staff Writer am a little less than what I used to be in Photo by Evelina Gaivoronskaia
NoteOrious,” Tabor said. “They have a The members of Siren, Mason’s first all-female a cappella group, enjoy performing together and plan to sing at
Nine girls are changing the tune of lot more training, so they sound a little the school’s talent show.
Mason’s a cappella program. better, but for our first year, we’re really
good. Even if I have struggled with my into rehearsal and I know that I need a “We get to start something new here,
Siren, started this school year, is Ma- confidence, I love being in Siren. I love moment to cry, and they give me that something that Mason has never had
son High School’s (MHS) first all-female the people there and I love what we do.”
a cappella group. The group was started moment,” Roadway said. “We’re all very before,” Kraus said. “We get to expand
by Katie Hayward, who is the Assistant Tabor said that compared to NoteOri-
Choir Director at MHS, after seeing the ous, Siren lacks training and experience honest with each other and all of our the [music] program, which has been
number of female voices that wanted to in the a cappella field. However, Tabor
be involved in an a cappella group. Hay- emphasized that just like all other a dynamics work well with each other.” cool. We get to say that we’ve been an
ward previously worked at Kings High cappella groups, Siren is just a group of
School and oversaw their all-female a people with a passion for singing. Usually, a cappella ends after the original member of the Siren a cappella
cappella group, and she said she wanted
to use that experience to start one at “A lot of the girls in Siren are new to first semester, so it doesn’t conflict with group at Mason. It’s nice to know that
Mason. a cappella, so they don’t have a lot of
training,” Tabor said. “We’re not much the school musical, which many of the we’ve helped start this.”
“We had so many females audition for different than NoteOrius because it’s
a cappella and we had to turn so many just a normal a cappella group, made of singers participate in. However, Junior
good singers down,” Hayward said. “We people who love to sing.”
wondered if we could expand the pro- Melanie Kraus said the group decided to Hear
gram and have an opportunity where we Sophomore Ceileigh Rodway has been perform at the school talent show to be Siren in
could showcase our singers.” in choir since sixth grade and was in the able to sing together for more time. action!
Mason Middle School a cappella group
Senior Anna Gochoel is the lady bass Noteworthy. After being a part of Siren “We all wanted to spend more time
for Siren. She said she considered audi- for several months, she realized there together,” Kraus said. “We wanted to still
tioning for an a cappella group since her is a certain amount of pressure on the be able to make music together because
freshman year. After Siren’s organizers group to do well. However, Rodway said it was really important to us. We realized
reached out to Gochoel, searching for a that the pressure makes the group work that the talent show allowed us to keep
bass, she said she found the courage to harder and improve their singing.
audition. getting together.”
“At first, nobody really knew who we
“Being in Siren has boosted my were because we’re new,” Roadway said. Kraus said that even though starting
confidence a lot,” Gochoel said. “I never “We had the pressure of this year being
thought that I would be in an a cappella the first year for Siren. We felt like we can be hard, it was very rewarding to
group, singing my own part. But now I had to come in with a bang and let ev-
am, and we all lift each other up, and I eryone know who we are. That pressure know they started something new. She
love it so much.” is always there, but now I feel like people
are starting to notice us more.” said she hopes that Siren will continue
Senior Marli Tabor was in NoteOrious,
the school’s co-ed a cappella group, be- Roadway said she found that having at MHS and become part of the school’s
fore getting into Siren. This year, Tabor an all-female group improved the at-
was put in Siren as a leader because of mosphere during practices and brought extensive music program.
her experience with NoteOrious. She said them closer together. She said the other
the transition between an established group members are there for her, and
group like NoteOrious into a lesser- that trust makes the whole process of
known, a new group like Siren, was hard singing more enjoyable for her.
on her confidence.
“I love being in an all-female environ-
“I have struggled with feeling that I ment because sometimes I’ll just go

4 Feature January 24, 2020

Seniors prepared to join military after graduation

Anushka Mukherjee | Staff Writer

While Mason seniors are dressing up in their Photo by Anushka Mukherjee
caps and gowns, a few are gearing up for the mili-
tary. Senior Kimberly Kelly plans to go into the Air Force as soon as she graduates high school.

Senior Kimberly Kelly is one of the few stu- were pretty happy with my decision,” Moola said. (ROTC) as well because she still wants to pursue
dents who has her mind set on entering the ”I love the military lifestyle because of all the life higher education.
military field. Her mother served in the army for skills that I will have the opportunity to learn.
14 years, and Kelly said she hopes to follow in her The way it’s structured, the discipline. It’s all fas- “I’m applying to [military academies and pro-
footsteps. cinating, and I think it’s something for me.” grams] right now along with a few colleges,” Kel-
ly said. “However, it’s not my first choice because
“My whole family has been involved in the mili- Gerdes’ great grandfathers were in the United I want to go [into the military] right out of high
tary in some way,” Kelly said. “My mom served States Military during World War II, and he also school. Given the political climate right now, I’m
for 14 years. I remember her driving the big tanks has a couple of cousins in the Marine Corps and even more motivated to go in. Before it felt more
and trucks and I loved how happy that made her. the army. Given his family’s military history, like a dream, but now it’s real and I’m ready.”
She found a family outside of blood. You meet Gerdes said they were very supportive of his deci-
these people and instantly you form these bonds sion. Moola, too, said he has explored many insti-
for life, and I want the same unspoken compan- tutes such as the ROTC and the Naval Academy
ionship that she has.” “Yes, I have family members in the military; to get him started with the training process. He
however, they didn’t play a major role in influenc- said he wants to pursue a medical career along
Senior Ajay Moola is also considering the same ing him as much as scouts,” Gerdes said. “My dad with the military, so he has been finding ways to
career path but said his interest lies in the Naval is supportive of my decision. My mom is support- meld both his interests.
field. He said he values the military lifestyle and ive too, but you can understand that she doesn't
wants to work in a structured environment. want her kid to get hurt. I’ve also considered the “I’m applying to the United States Naval Acad-
Judge Advocate General’s Corps, the legal team emy (UNCA) for sure, but I’m still researching
“I’m interested in the Navy more compared to of each branch. It seems like a good option, as I’m the ROTC options,” Moola said. “In the case that
the other fields because I’m a swimmer and being going to the University of Cincinnati for criminal I don’t get into UNCA, I may go to college for a
in the water just brings me peace,” Moola said. justice.” year and then apply again. I want to pursue the
“And I get to help people in an environment that medical route, so I’m thinking about med school
I enjoy being in just makes it all the better.” Kelly is considering the United States Air Force, along the side. The longer I spend in med school,
specifically the Pararescue. She said she is also the more hours I have to serve once I get out.
Senior Spencer Gerdes is another student who interested in the medical field, and this branch of And afterward, I want to continue serving as an
has decided to pursue the United States Coast the military blends both her interests. army doctor.”
Guard. Growing up, Gerdes started in Scouts and
said that played a major role in his decision to “I want to go into the Pararescue route because With all that is going on in the country, Moola,
join the guard. He said it helped him recognize it’s more related to the Medfield, which I enjoy,” Kelly, and Gerdes said they recognize their duties
the importance of helping others and doing his Kelly said. “I’m an adrenaline junkie, so I like and are preparing to fulfill them. Moola said the
part for his country. the idea of jumping out of planes and traveling current political climate has motivated him to
everywhere. I love helping people and after serv- continue on the military path. He said he wants
“Through [Scouts] I've learned the importance ing, hopefully, I can be either a neurosurgeon or people to put aside the politics and focus on serv-
of service to others, and putting other people's a surgeon at the base.” ing the United States’ best interests.
needs before your own,” Gerdes said. “I feel like
that's a lot of what influenced me. Scouts have She said she has started some of the basic “I simply want to help people,” Moola said. “I
a National Scout Jamboree, and they had some training on her own with the help of her aunt, want to serve my country and become a better
Coast Guard exhibits along with the other branch- who has also been in the military field. Given person along the way. Honestly, with the state of
es on display. But the Coast Guard interested me the expenses of college, Kelly said she has our country now, my motivation and drive to join
more and I just felt like that's something I wanted considered military academies and programs have increased. It’s made me realize that I need to
to do.” such as the Reserve Officers' Training Corps be there to help my people.”

Kelly said her parents’ divorce pushed her to
take on more responsibilities at a younger age,
and because of that, she got into a more disci-
plined lifestyle. She said she thinks the military
will be a good environment for her to apply
herself and gain more life skills. When she told
her parents, she said they responded positively to
her decision of enlistment, even though they were
a bit afraid.

“When I told my parents, they were really hap-
py and proud,” Kelly said. “My mom was a little
hesitant at first because she knows the dangers of
the field, but she came around. My dad’s excited
but scared too because I’m his only daughter. I
have six brothers, and I’m the only one going in
the military.”

Like Kelly, Moola has family members who
have been part of the military. He said his family
influenced his decision immensely and supported
him.

“Some of my family members from my dad’s
side served in the Indian Army, so my parents

January 24, 2020 5

6 Feature January 24, 2020

International students struggle to find scholarships

Hannah Libby | Staff Writer

Going to college is one of the most Photo by Hannah Libby
expensive decisions a person will make Despite living in the United States for most of her life, senior Anwesa Basa will be paying international tuition to attend college next semester after
in their life -- and for international returning to India for fifteen months.
students, that decision can be even
more costly. which is based off of her dad’s L1 work- than the general talks about it,” Basa said. “We’ve
ing visa. admission my first year.” taken the hardest classes and worked
As scholarship season is heating so hard for twelve years only to miss
up at Mason High School, many of “I tried FAFSA, but you need a dif- Senior Anwesa Basa is all too famil- out on something because of where we
its students are stopped cold by their ferent visa than the one I have and we iar with the disheartening struggles come from.”
immigration status and ability to ap- are not yet there in the process,” Wagh of her peers during this process. Basa
ply. FAFSA, a government financial said. “It’s frustrating because every- had lived in the United States most of But even though the future process-
aid form, requires a social security thing has a fine print, there are so her life but recently returned to India es can often seem confronting to a lot
number that most immigrants in the many layers, one moment you feel like for fifteen months. She said this return of immigrant students there are ways
citizenship process don’t have. This you can get aid but then you can’t.” has impacted how she continues with to decrease the cost. Wagh has figured
detachment from traditional college her education. out a complex way to reduce the cost
resources leads many immigrant stu- Many immigrant students talks of her tuition based on what her cousin
dents to rely solely upon their parents about how impactful merit scholar- “I went to Mason from sixth to tenth did which may result in a transfer of
during their college days. ships are but some of them also grade and have lived in America since visas.
believe that they are much harder to kindergarten,” Basa said. “And if I had
Shweta Swain, a senior who has attain as an immigrant. Wagh said she not returned to India recently, I would “It’s technically illegal for me to
struggled with her immigration struggles especially with the discon- have gotten in-state tuition, which is work right now but my cousin who
status and financial aid plans, told her nect of international tuition and really kind of frustrating.” went to Indiana University was able to
struggles with the scholarship process. in-state tuition and the restrictions that work on campus to have a percent of
And how her route for paying for come with that forced decision. Basa has maintained a high GPA her tuition reduced,” Wagh said. “It’s
college may vary from what might be and she acknowledges her peers have nice that I might have a chance to earn
“normal.” Merit-based scholarships are “It’s like you have to prove yourself as well but she gets frustrated with the my own money and help my parents
open to most students regardless of to them,” Wagh said. “And because of lack of conversation and equality in out with tuition.”
their citizenship status but only the top the lack of scholarships and my status, the way scholarships are given out.
few receive these substantial aids. I have to end up paying even more
“It just seems unfair that no one
“I think it’s kind of hard for me to
grasp sometimes,” Swain said. “I have
to work harder in school to get merit
scholarships because I don’t have some
of the advantages of being born here.’’

Swain said she has had to stop and
think about the effects of how she
applies herself every step of the way
through the college application and
scholarship process. Not only is this
exhausting by itself but she also still
isn’t guaranteed citizenship.

“A lot of times the logistics of situa-
tions get challenging, especially trying
to focus on high school and college
at the same time,” Swain said. “And
we are kind of stuck in the middle of
the [immigration] process and we are
unsure if we can even become citizens
at all.”

Swain isn’t the only high school
senior in this position right now. Senior
Urvi Wagh is struggling with similar
issues due to the restrictions on the
visa she currently has, the L2 visa,

January 24, 2020 7

8 Feature January 24, 2020

Women scarce in MHS computer programming courses

Henri Robbins | Online Editor When considering a career in STEM, Courtney Graphic by Henri Robbins
agreed that the imbalance of gender could result in
As technology moves forward, a major part of the some conflicts and issues, but also that it could have Although there is a large generalized push for
population may be getting left behind. some positives. female students to become involved, Schnell said that
directly getting students to apply can be more difficult
With dozens of scholarships being awarded to “There’s positives and negatives to going into the due to the barriers between students and elective teach-
women who study STEM (Science, Technology, Engi- computer programming field,” Courtney said. “We’re a ers.
neering, and Math) and computer science, colleges are minority, so if we do really well then we’ll be hired and
making a large push for women to become involved, have a lot of opportunities, but then there’s the other “When I have conversations about scheduling, any
but there is still a large gap between men and women part. I feel like in the future, if we continue in this field, students who I think have a good mindset for engi-
in those careers. it’ll be a lot like computer programming classes, where neering, which is basically creative problem solving,
we feel singled-out since we are girls.” I try to say ‘hey, you should take this class as well,’”
According to studies by the National Center for Schnell said. “I’ve gotten a few female students to sign
Education Statistics, there were over four men for Even though biases are starting to fade, as Schell up because I basically said ‘hey, I think you would be
every woman graduating with a bachelor’s degree in said, they are still a reality for many students. Gun- really good at this,’ but I have to rely on counselors or
computer science in both 2016 and 2017, and two men davarpu said that in her CP 2 class she almost never other science teachers to propose or suggest taking the
for every woman graduating with a master’s degree interacted with other students because of the assump- course if they’re not already interested in engineering
in the same time period. Similarly, most computer tions they made about her abilities. in the future.”
programming classes in Mason have a large majority
of male students, which becomes more apparent in “Automatically, the second you walk into the class, Because of these limitations in recruitment, along
higher-level classes. everyone underestimates you,” Gundavarpu said. “Even with the issues with interactions in the classroom, Gun-
the kid next to me didn’t talk to me for the first three davarpu said there is often a loss of interest in female
When she first started taking computer program- weeks of class. He would be confused and he would be students when they take these classes.
ming (CP) classes in Mason, senior Shreya Gundavarpu afraid to ask me because I was a girl and he’d be like
said her interactions with classmates pushed her away ‘oh, you don’t really know.’ This one time, he was really “I feel like a lot of girls who start technology at
from the field. confused and he didn’t know what to do so he finally Mason end up losing interest in it,” Gundavarpu said.
asked me, and then he realized ‘oh, she knows what "I know people who just take classes at Mason think
“People will try to tell you ‘girls can do whatever she’s talking about.’” that this is what technology is and they think that they
they want,’ but then they’ll praise you for doing some- don’t want to go into that field because they see other
thing that’s considered normal,” Gundavarpu said. “For While many female students will face adversity in girls dropping out and they see that not a lot of girls
me just going into computer engineering, they’ll say the classroom, this is not always the case. Schnell said, want to do it, so they don’t really take an interest in it.”
‘oh, you’re going into computer engineering?’ and I’m even though some issues arise, students are usually
like ‘yeah, I’m a girl. Anyone can go into computer able to work together.
engineering, it’s not a big deal.’ But people at Mason
still have that mindset.” “I have never seen sexist behaviour or females not
working well with males,” Schnell said. “There’s a lot of
When Gundavarpu took CP 1, there were only seven group work in the class, and when there are males and
girls in her class. When she moved on to CP 2, she females working together, it seems to work out well.
was the only girl in her class. Similarly, senior Deeya The thing that I’ve noticed, though, is that the girls
Shah’s CP 1 class had four female students, two of who have a tendency to work together. Because they’re in
went on to take CP 2. Shah doesn’t believe the ratio of the minority, I think they feel more comfortable doing
students is the main issue, though. Instead, she thinks that.”
the issue is the way they are treated in the class.
To help students become more integrated, Gunda-
“I don’t think they’re intimidated because there varpu said that girls should start being involved in
are so many guys,” Shah said. “It’s more the fact that computer science earlier on, possibly even in middle
people encourage them to go into CP, but once they school.
get into the class they aren’t seen at the same level.”
“I feel like it’s just an issue of having more girls
While she was in the environment, senior Reagan there,” Gundavarpu said. “Encourage it in middle
Courtney said she would hear sexist comments from school, or start classes in middle school if they could,
time to time, but most students did not seem to support as a computer elective.”
it.
Many colleges today are pushing for more women to
“[When I heard sexist comments], I would turn be involved in STEM, but even that can feel alienating
around and other people would look around too,” to many, said Gundavarpu.
Courtney said. “Their eyes would get bigger, they’d
be like ‘what just happened?’ I think everyone’s body “When you go out into the real world, people are al-
language changed, especially mine. I spoke up in class ways encouraging girls to go into STEM,” Gundavarpu
a couple times, and they took it and said they were said. “They will always be like ‘we need more women
sorry, but it didn’t really stop them from doing it in the in STEM.’ Even the college visits will be like ‘we’re
future.” so proud of our, like, 30-70 female-to-male ratio, but
we need more females.’ A lot of people are trying to
In his engineering class, teacher Joseph Schnell get more women in STEM, which I think is good, but
sees these issues frequently. He said these issues come sometimes it can push women away because of how
from historical views of gender roles and create much much they push it onto them.”
greater difficulties for women to be recognized in the
field. Courtney shared the same sentiment, and said the
positive focus on women could be indicative of the
“I think there’s just the perception of the engineer- discrimination they would face in the future.
ing field being so male-dominated that there’s undue
struggle for females to get recognized for their work “[Our teacher] would look at us positively and say
and be seen on equal footing,” Schnell said. “There was ‘There’s not a lot of girls in this field, especially in
a perspective a long time ago that girls are good at art the future, so if you guys want to participate and
and English, and boys are good at math and science, you choose to step up, you’ll be able to go to confer-
so just trying to get over that historical perspective ences and represent that female minority,’” Courtney
is something that I think is improving, but is taking said. “He did bring it up a lot, and it felt like it was
time.” a thought that everyone had in the class, like it was
known that we were in the minority.”

January 24, 2020 Art & Entertainment 9

10 January 24, 2020

January 24, 2020 Feature 11

School a struggle after extended medical absence

Della Johnson | Staff Writer

Though the absences are excused, the work isn’t. Photo by Della Johnson
After missing time from school for medical reasons, Sophomore Rachel Kearney found it difficult to keep up with her schoolwork while recovering from her hip surgery.
students often find themselves struggling to keep up
with school’s quick pace. Sophomore Rachel Kearney nosed. I assumed everyone had pain like that. I told the strain of her absences. Though the majority of
has garnered numerous absences this year due to her my parents about it and they said that it was actually teachers have been lenient for her, Malloy said one of
visits to the hospital for screenings and surgery. For not normal. A big problem with stuff like this is that them snapped at her at a young age.
her, recovery was a very long process, with her hip you’ve only experienced your own experiences, so you
taking about three months in total to heal up. As she assume it’s normal. I didn’t consider the possibility “One time in sixth grade, my teacher told me that
healed, Kearney said she found it increasingly difficult until I was at the doctor’s office.” I had missed so much school that she didn’t know
to balance her recovery with her schoolwork, regard- how to teach me anymore,” Malloy said. “She told
less of lenient deadlines. Junior Rilee Malloy has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, my mom. I stayed on top of all my work, and I had a
“This year I’ve missed a week continuously, but I a soft tissue disorder, and Postural Orthostatic Tachy- better grade than most of the class. But she was like,
missed days periodically,” Kearney said. “Last year cardia Syndrome. Some symptoms she experienced ‘I just can’t handle her anymore.’ My mom almost
I missed over a week. This was for surgery; I had include over-flexible joints, easy injury, and muscle pulled me out and homeschooled me, but [she didn’t],
surgery this year on my hip. I got super behind and all pain. Malloy said she first started experiencing these and I’m stronger today for it.”
my classes just got insanely hard. [School] got harder issues at a young age.
and harder to keep up with. Teachers were lenient with Though missing school once in a while seems
due dates, but it was still difficult. At the same time, “I had 15 fractures in one year, and I got diagnosed exciting for others, Kearney admitted she would have
I was trying to recover from surgery, and then also I with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which weakens all your preferred to not have been away at all. However, she
had to do double the work to make up for everything.” collagen, which is why I hurt stuff so easily,” Malloy didn’t have much of a choice.
Senior Grace Marten suffers from arthritis in her said “I had to go to physical therapy, and I had to go to
hands and feet. When she is sick, she experiences pain management therapy. I had to see a neurologist “I didn’t choose to miss,” Kearney said. “If I had the
flares of severe pain that essentially disable the because of chronic headaches. All the doctor’s appoint- opportunity to not miss school, I wouldn’t have, but I
targeted areas for that time. She said that, in class, ments caused me and miss school. The chronic pain didn’t have any other option. My semester would have
it is difficult to explain her situation to her teachers caused me to miss school, too.” gone a lot differently if I hadn’t missed that much
without it sounding like she is lying. school.”
“Right now, I’m having a flare in my hands and feet, Malloy said that she was not the only one who felt
and I can’t write,” Marten said. “My computer was dead
yesterday, and I was just sitting in class and like, ‘I
guess I can’t take any notes or do anything,’ because I
can’t hold a pencil--I can’t do anything, really. It’s very
frustrating and it’s hard to explain to teachers because
I don’t want to be that kid. Saying ‘I can sit here in
class, but I just can’t write anything,’ sounds fake. That
sounds like I just don’t want to do work.”
Often, medical issues can come up without warning
and stay undetected for a while. This led Marten to be-
lieve her issues and struggles in school were normal.
Until she went to the doctor, Marten said she thought
her pain wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.
“If I hadn’t done cross country, I wouldn’t have gone
to the doctor for [my pain],” Marten said. “I probably
would have just ignored it and never gotten diag-

“I was trying to recover from surgery, then I had

to do double the work to make up for everything.

-Rachel Kearney, sophomore

“

12 Feature January 24, 2020

In the Public Eye

Content creators balance fame and safety on social media

@complimentaryicewater Alana Amaya | Staff Writer come unpredictable. One of the most common
S@ocopmhpolemmeonrtearyRiceewbaetecra Gomez de Leon is careful not to risks has to do with people trying to get their
share any personal information online. While social media fame brings many follow- personal data in order to approach them. Harp
ers, some of those followers can go too far. said he has experienced such privacy violations
Photo by Mia Sweitzer first-hand.
With the rise of social media platforms like
Tik Tok and Instagram, and the large follow- “People use my photos now for social [apps],
ing students can gather from them, there are for relationship apps, and they use it here in
many precautions minors may take in order Ohio so people use my photos and catfish me,”
to keep their mental health and safety secure. Harp said. “It comes into play with my safety
Senior Nathan Harp said that he has learned and my location and stuff because people think
to provide politically correct answers in some that they know me. Even on social media they
cases and dismiss altogether in some other see me and think, ‘oh that’s Nate, I know him,
cases. I can go talk to him’, but I have no idea who
they are and that’s the biggest problem.”
“In general there’s a lot of support, but I
don’t go down all the way [in the comments] Even those with a relatively smaller follow-
because there’s a lot of hate and criticism that ing, such as senior Josephine Sim, with 7,000
I choose not to look at,” Harp said. “On Ins- followers on Instagram, encounter a variety of
tagram, people really rag about how I look negative outcomes that they said minors have
or what I wear, or my relationship, or just to be careful of online.
something on a live that I said that they didn’t
agree on. I have had to delete some really bad “Despite being a smaller influencer, I’ve had
[comments].” everything. From someone using a fake num-
ber around this area to contact me [to] people
Harp said he has learned to navigate diffi- catfish[ing] as me for roleplay, or to get inap-
cult questions and situations on social media, propriate photos of other girls,” Sim said. “I’ve
having over 17,000 followers on Instagram and also had really weird instances of people bom-
400,000 followers on TikTok, and that he is fre- barding me online with really weird messages.”
quently sought after for his opinions. He said
he avoids giving his opinion on controversial When it comes to personal safety, Gomez de
issues at all. Leon said she follows similar common-sense
guidelines. Things like not sharing her full
“I always get really nervous about that, and name, her location, and personal information
although people ask for my opinion on it I are only some ways she tries to remain safe.
don’t really talk about really touchy stuff such
as gun control,” Harp said. “I usually have to “Staying safe on the internet is to me a mat-
say that’s none of your business to avoid issues, ter of common sense,” Gomez de Leon said. “If
and people still get mad about that.” you don’t put your location anywhere, unless
it’s someone’s like a big professional hacker,
Sophomore Rebeca Gomez de Leon, who has putting your location in places where they can
11,400 followers on TikTok, said she believes see it, that’s something that could potentially
some people on social media feel they have the lead to problems with your information and
right to judge and decide why someone fa- other things.”
mous. She said it is usually based on superflu-
ous things such as looks. Some people just have trouble with being
content with the success of others and are al-
“I think that it’s really easy to point fingers. ways looking for ways to bring them down. Sim
For example, saying ‘oh this person got famous has dealt with these situations and learned to
for being pretty’ or ‘this person got famous not let it have a negative influence on them.
from just doing dances,’” Gomez de Leon said.
“There’s this concept of who deserves fame, “Sometimes it’s really good to have a break
this attitude that people have of this person and to know that social media isn’t your life,”
deserves to be more famous or this person Sim said. “For a while, I didn’t feel like I had a
doesn’t deserve their fame.” good friend group or friends that I could trust
and talk to in person and I had to realize [that
Having such a large following comes with I’m] online [and] life isn’t going to take me
many risks that are usually associated with anywhere unless I take the time and develop
any public figure, but because of the massive my relationships.”
growth on social media, those risks can be-

January 24, 2020 Entertainment 13

MOVIE

ts tha rewarr si s e o f s k y w a l k e r RATING: 6/10

DIRECTORs: j.j. abrams

REVIEW BY: henri robbins

REVIEW: new characters and a bunch more unnecessary plot points. It takes the
same plot of “Palpatine is trying to take over the galaxy, [protagonist] needs
I’ve always loved the Star Wars movies, ever since my dad showed them to to stop him without succumbing to the Dark Side,” and just adds in a bit more
me in the first grade. They were intriguing, enthralling, captivating, a window to plot complexity which does nothing but muddy the waters and add some visual
a new world that I’d never seen before. They were unexpected, groundbreaking spectacle. The characters, while well-written and likeable, feel poorly used.
-- they were like nothing I’d ever seen. The movies, comics, books, and games Many of them are thrown away or just feel like meaningless plot-pushers. The
captured me for a large part of my youth. With that, the newest trilogy has felt like way that the plot progresses has countless holes, and while it tries to recreate
something of a betrayal of all of that. What started as a new, innovative series the twists of the original trilogy, they all feel fairly expected and contrived. All in
from an unknown director has become one of the largest corporate properties to all, the plot was exactly what you would expect, in the most disappointing way.
ever exist, and with that, any chance of something groundbreaking or challenging If you want to know how the story ends, I would recommend seeing it, but if
has gone out the window, much more after the failed attempt of The Last Jedi to you aren’t that invested then I don’t feel that it’s worth the time or money. Just
do so. I won’t get into that, but to put it simply, Episode 8 took good risks in a bad watch the original trilogy instead.
way, and made the new directors too scared to take their own risks. That’s where
Rise of Skywalker failed. For the most part, it felt like a complete rehash of Return
of the Jedi, simply with

album review

JACkboys

REVIEW BY Ann vettikkal

In JACKBOYS, where there are more contributors than tracks, it feels more like an impression of an album
than a full-fledged production. The entire project (created by a collective of American rappers, led by Travis
Scott) is a short, 7-track package, which includes 45 seconds of interlude and an embellished, gimmicky ver-
sion of “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM.” There are some highlights, like the narrative structure of “WHAT TO DO?”
which features Travis Scott and his superior, more emotionally autotuned counterpart, Don Toliver. The produc-
tion has cohesion but in a forgettable, repetitive way. Most of the songs on the album have been done before,
and better, even by Travis Scott and his entourage themselves. In retrospect, the best thing about the project
is that it only takes 21 minutes of your time. And it will probably leave your mind just as quickly as it entered.

RATING: 3/10

Up and coming: artist

grimes

REVIEW BY henri robbins

Grimes is an artist as subversive as she is skilled. With a series of singles released over late 2019 and early
2020, she’s created a diverse blend of ‘ethereal’ experimental tracks that both meld with her previous works and
depart from them massively, providing a commentary on both technological advancement and modern culture at
large. Similar to her works, which are unexpected in their own right, her relationship with tech mogul Elon Musk
has drawn both interest and controversy to her works and her own cryptic persona. With Violence and 4ÆM as
standouts, the second of which will be featured - along with her likeness - in upcoming CD ProjektRed game
Cyberpunk 2077,Grimes is establishing a technical, techno-inspired sound with an unexpected voice.

14 Feat

Coffee shop culture leads students
to analyze spending habits

Anna Kinasewitz | Staff Writer 20 bucks each week on coffee. But dents don’t stop there. Gorski says the
sometimes, I’ll just go and do home- reason coffee is generally at such a
The buzz around coffee shops isn’t work and not get a coffee because I high price for teens is because of what
just from the caffeine. can always get the work done since they tend to order.
and the environment is so nice.”
With 500 billion cups of coffee “A lot of teenagers usually get the
consumed worldwide each year, it is With the high-price of purchas- same things, like lattes, where older
no wonder that the ‘coffee shop’ has ing coffee at a shop multiple times a people usually get things like black
become a cultural phenomenon, es- week, the dollars can add up quickly coffee,” Gorski said. “We’ll have
pecially with teenagers. Junior Kara for high school students. Senior Me- people come in and it’ll take me 20
Flynn said she considers herself as a gan Karl said she finds it hard to jus- seconds to say their order back be-
coffee-shop addict and believes that tify spending so much on something cause they’ll ask for something like,
they go beyond just the bean. that can easily be made at home, espe- ‘sugar free with almond milk to this
cially when the environment at a shop temperature with whipped cream on
“Coffee shops are so popular because is distracting. top.’ [Teenagers] don’t really seem
they always have a good atmosphere,” surprised when I tell them how much
Flynn said. “I think it’s really inviting “Spending so much on coffee un- it costs.”
for good conversation. If you’re go- necessarily drains wallets,” Karl said.
ing to get coffee with a friend, it’s a “Little do most people know, you can Flynn can be lumped with the latte
lot easier to have a good conversation actually buy the exact same syrups crowd, but sees that as a big reason
over coffee than food. It’s so much dif- and milks that local coffee shops use for choosing to get coffee out.
ferent than somebody’s house.” to make your favorite drinks at home
for cheaper. It’s an excuse to drink an “I salute the people who can, but I
Flynn said she began regularly overpriced treat, but I usually just re- cannot drink black coffee,” Flynn said.
going to coffee shops her freshman gret it after I look at my expenses. ” “I always drink lattes, that’s my go to
year, after being introduced to the thing. My family just got an espresso
habit by seniors, and has since built Karl also said she believes that cof- machine but we have no idea how to
up her expertise. She believes she is a fee shops have capitalized on the at- work it. So I still find myself always
prime example of the success coffee traction to showing off a logo or name going somewhere where they know
shops have in reaching the customer brand products. what they’re doing and they know how
and growing the addiction of doing to make it well. I don’t want to spend
things, ‘over coffee.’ “Coffee fanatics simply enjoy car- the money on the stuff to make it if
rying around a cup because it has a it’s not going to taste good.”
“I think everything about it is at- logo,” Karl said. “Coffee companies
tractive to the customer,” Flynn said. use this to their advantage to hype up With talks of this environment be-
“People who don’t even drink cof- their actual products, especially dur- ing brought into Mason High School,
fee will go to coffee shops because ing the holidays.” Flynn said she believes that coffee
shops offer things that aren’t coffee shops have done for her having that
like frappuccinos. A lot of the coffee Kidd Coffee employee Colleen Gor- same positive impact on this campus
shops that I go to have really amaz- ski has noticed the pattern of students as they have on her.
ing food too. The whole, ‘[something] coming in right after school and has
over coffee’ shows how useful coffee seen the impact the environment has “The success of a school coffee
shops are in that aspect of bringing on them trying to get work done. shop would depend on the quality of
people together. It’s like a part of the coffee,” Flynn said. “I think if we
culture.” “I personally would not go to a cof- reasonably priced it, it could totally
fee shop to study because a lot of the feed into students’ addiction because
Flynn said that the hobby has cer- people that I see come in to work just it’d be so convenient. I think having a
tainly left a dent in her wallet, but end up talking,” Gorski said. “I’ll be space like that could take some of the
she chooses to go even just for the out cleaning the tables, and they’ll stress away from school. Everything
atmosphere itself. both have their Chromebooks open, good about coffee shops would be
but I can really just hear them gossip- brought into our halls. ”
“I go to a shop roughly five days a ing.
week,” Flynn said. “So I spend about
The patterns with high school stu-

ture 15

Design By RDwaign by Riley
Johansenyan D’souza
Photos by Mia Sweitzer | Design by Riley Johansen

16 January 24, 2020

January 24, 2020 Sports 17

Freshmen Frenzy

Young Comets not missing a beat following departure of one of all-time greats

Cody Allgor | Staff Writer Freshman forward Gabby
Razzano said that this year,
“Down year,” says who? they want to take thos ex-
Last year’s season pectations head-on, and the
marked the end of Sam- Comets aren’t holding back.
mie Puisis’s high school “Everyone expects certain
basketball career, one in teams to lose and everyone
which she scored a total of expects certain teams to
1,476 points, finished her win,” Razzano said. “And I
senior year as a McDon- would hate to be like, ‘Oh,
ald’s All-American, lead well, we don’t want that pres-
the Comets to multiple sure. So we just want every-
deep state tournament one to expect us to lose.’ We
runs, and ultimately want people to think that we
committed to powerhouse can win every game. So yes,
Florida State where she it’s pressure, but it’s the pres-
now plays. sure we want.”
On the other hand, the On most varsity teams,
end of last season also one of the biggest struggles
marked the beginning of is generally the under-
a new era for the Comets. classmen getting situated
This year, eight freshmen with the rest of the team.
take the court for the However, with over 60% of
girls’ varsity basketball the team being freshmen,
team. the Comets are in a unique
To say Mason is off situation. Razzano said that
to a hot start this year the benefit of most of the
would be an understate- Comets being the same age
ment. The Comets have is that they have played to-
matched last year’s start at gether throughout the years
9-4, are 8-1 in the Greater and knew each other well
Miami Conference, with before being on Varsity.
big early season wins over “All the freshmen have
Riverdale and Lakota East. been playing together for a
Head Coach Rob Matula while, so we’re used to play-
said that even though the ing with each other,” Raz-
Comets’ offensive system zano said. “And it’s good to
rarely changes, last year be playing together because
was more dependent we’ve been together for so
on Puisis, but Matula long. It’s a lot more comfort-
said that now they have able to be with people you
returned to the traditional Photo by Sammy Connors know.”

offense that he hopes will Freshman guard Margo Mattes goes up for a layup in a big win over Oak Hills. Underclassmen have been While there may be a
continue to make the instrumental to the Comets success so far this year. stigma that with more age

team more efficient. comes maturity and un-
“We don’t change a derstanding of the game,
whole lot from year to high school season and is the fourth ner is more than important. Matula said the Comets know that
year,” Matula said. “Last year we did leading scorer in the GMC. Mattes that the seniors are doing an incredible their level of talent and development
run a lot of our offensive sets through said that although people believed job being great role models and leaders disproves the idea that a team must be
Sammie and I don’t know if that was that there would be a drop off in the for all of the freshmen. ‘tenured’ to win. Mattes said that with
good or bad for our style. But this year, program with the loss of the previous “We have three seniors that are the game of basketball having little
we’ve kind of gotten back to where senior class, it didn’t stop her drive to tremendous in regards to being leaders change throughout the years, it helps
we’re spreading the ball a little bit be just as successful. and trying to exemplify what our pro- bridge the age-gap and let the team
more out and we are depending on all “After we lost a lot of bigger players gram is about and through their great focus on playing the game.
of our kids to score, which I think helps like Sammie, I think a lot of people leadership,” Matula said. “And our “You don’t have to worry about if
us be a little bit more dynamic.” thought there was going to be a drop- freshmen are latching on and saying, you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior
This class of freshmen has had to off,” Mattes said. “I was kind of expect- ‘Okay, this is the way it’s going to be or senior,” Mattes said. “It’s just about
step it up and they have. Margo Mattes ing that as well, especially since half done around here.’ And they’re listen- playing. I mean, the game is still the
leads the team in points through 13 the team is freshmen. But then we all ing, they’re their actions are speaking same from eighth grade to high school.
games with 15.8 points per game, Gabby knew that we had to step up to the plate for what our seniors have shown.” It’s not worrying about, ‘oh, this per-
Razzano is second on the team in and make up for what was lost.” In the past, the Mason Girls Basket- son’s in this grade and this person is in
rebounds, and Amanda Barned plays a With the Comets being so young, ball program has been very successful, this one’ it’s just doing what you can to
significant role off the bench. senior leadership from seniors Hannah and with that success comes expecta- help the team.”
Mattes has been dominant in her first Carlin, Alanna Carter, and Megan Wag- tions to consistently win every year.

18 Sports January 24, 2020

BEAST MODE... Adam Chaney

1:38.93 TIME FOR FIRST IN THE GMC 200 FREESTYLE
:51.24 TIME FOR FIRST IN THE GMC 100 BACKSTROKE
:20.59 TIME FOR FIRST IN THE GMC 5O FREESTYLE
COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

GAME COMING UP: 1/24 Boys Basketball vs Lakota East @ 7:30

DIGITS PRE-GAME PLAYLIST

76 points scored by the boys basketball
team in a 35 point win over Colerain

.900 win percentage by the girls basketball
team in the GMC

1:36.58 swim time by the girls swim team in the
200 yard freestyle

Stats and ranks as of January 21, 2020

On The Rise

Damien Sauer Kiara Anchrum Braden Osborn
STATS - STATS - STATS -

213.6 Pin Average :55.41 in 100 fly :21.16 in 50 freestyle
4th in the GMC First in the GMC Second in the GMC

January 24, 2020 Sports 19

Coming Up for Air

Photo by Henri Robbins
Senior Swimmer Ashka Shah practices the butterfly during practice. Shah deals with the repercussions of Asthma, but commits herself to swimming anyway.

Asthmatic athletes take extra precautions to avoid disasters

Jessica Wang | Staff Writer Despite these struggles, Shah has been exactly nice or sympathetic. So I Forgoing soccer, Bacchus decided to
Take a deep breath. able to have a swimming career during struggled because my teammates were take on track and field. With its short
For people with Asthma, this her entire high school experience. In really mean and unsympathetic towards distance running, this endeavor made it
seemingly simple action is not always fact, Shah said dealing with asthma was my asthma. With my last team, coaches easier for her to maintain her breathing.
possible. Asthma is a condition in which a significant factor when she chose this really only care for so long. It got to the Unlike her soccer days, Bacchus said
a person’s airways (bronchial tubes), sport, but stuck with it regardless. point where I was struggling so much she has experienced a much more
become swollen when triggered. As that I was getting worse and they got empathetic environment running track.
a result, the individual may wheeze, “Whenever I ran too much or ran for annoyed because we were losing.” Unfortunately, she said that she still
cough, and have difficulty breathing. long distances, I tended to wheeze a lot,” struggles with the mental challenges
And for many, this chronic disease fires Shah said. “Then, I couldn’t For Bacchus, however, asthma was not introduced by asthma, but is persevering
up due to physical activity, making just physically taxing; it was mentally to work past them.
sports a difficult passion to pursue. breathe because of my asthma. So, taxing as well. Bacchus said that
Senior Ashka Shah, a 4-year varsity in 7th grade I had to choose between knowing she would struggle with the “I don’t think I am as mentally strong
simmer, has had to deal with asthma soccer and swimming and one of the sport took a toll on her internal drive as physically strong,” Bacchus said.
her entire life. With practices 9 times a reasons why I chose swimming is to continue playing, especially since “So once I started struggling with my
week, Shah said that she has had to take because I didn’t have to run as much.” she didn’t want to risk making a bad breathing, it just kind of spiraled into
special precautions to ensure that she situation worse. everything. Like, ‘oh maybe I’m not that
is able to breath whenever she’s in the While asthma ended her soccer career, good of an athlete,’ and then self-doubt
pool. Shah remained focused and determined, “Sometimes, when we did conditioning and stress. But also high school Janae
“Sometimes, if I feel the air in the pool allowing her to ultimately become the at the beginning of the season when doesn’t sleep until 2am and she doesn’t
is not that great because of the chlorine, district-qualifying swimmer that she is I played soccer, it was really, really eat breakfast and she doesn’t drink
then I take my inhaler preemptively,” now. Similarly, Senior Janae Bacchus hot outside, and the whole thing with water. So there’s a lot of reasons why I
Shah said. “Sometimes, if I feel that I was forced to give up soccer due to her conditioning is it’s just a lot of distance struggled more than I should’ve with
can’t breath, then I have to get out of asthma. Bacchus said that it was not running.” Bacchus said. “And that was track, but then added with the asthma it
the pool and take my inhaler. On travel only the extensive running, but also a not my vibe because of asthma. So I was just a big mental block. Still, asthma
meets, if I sleep where it’s dusty, my lack of support from teammates and think there was a lot of teenage angst definitely made me a stronger person
asthma kicks up. Then, the next day at coaches that ultimately pushed her to and self-confidence. When I’d be so far and it has helped me persevere through
the meet I’m wheezing a lot.” stop playing. behind and it’s hot outside and that challenges in both athletics and life.”
makes my breathing worse and then I’d
“I quit soccer just because it got to be stress out.”
a lot of running and I would struggle a
lot,” Bacchus said. “And people weren’t

20 Sports January 24, 2020

Petersen takes head on plunge into the world of competitive diving

Freshman standout trains year-round in hopes of Olympics

Scott Reckers | Staff Writer Photo contributed by Langley Petersen
A young talent is climbing her way to both the top of the 10 meter Freshman diver Langley Petersen gets ready for a jump off of the 10m diving
diving board and profound success. board. Petersen trains in Columbus with a club weekly, and hopes to compete in
Freshmen Langley Petersen has achieved impressive feats in the future national and global competitions.
diving world. Petersen has been on the national stage 3 times, finish-
ing as high as 2nd place in the platform event in her age group. She
has trained with Olympic divers, and commonly works with one of
the top diving clubs in the nation.
Petersen said that she grew up around the pool. With siblings play-
ing sports, Petersen said she started off early with rec soccer, and
gymnastics. But later, with the help of some inspiration, Petersen
started her diving career.
“My older brother, Chad, dove for a little bit. He wasn’t high level
or anything but that’s what got me started,” Petersen said. “That was
when I was 7, but then I quit for about a year to go back to gymnas-
tics, but then came back to diving. I started with OSU with lessons
then gradually moved up through their program.”
Reaching elite levels in any sport requires year-round training,
but the High School’s diving team is only one season, winter. To
continue practicing regularly. Petersen said she dives for not only
the Comets, but also a club team. Her club practices at Ohio State
University, which is about an hour and a half a way.
“During the school week I generally leave school pretty early and
head over to my club practice.” Petersen said. “When practice is over
I usually get home at 9pm. Saturday is the only day in the week
when I’m not diving. I really don’t get much time at home.”
Due to this convoluted schedule of school and practice, combined
with the long drive to her practice facility, Petersen is generally not
able to attend the full school day. This may sound nice to most high
schoolers, but Petersen said she doesn’t get to go home early and
doesn’t have the option to take electives like many others.
“I only take 5 bells, the core classes and French,” Petersen said. “I
would like to take some fun classes. For example, I really want to
take photography in the future, but unfortunately it doesn’t look
like that can happen right now with my schedule.”
Although Petersen has grown accustomed to working through
this struggle, she doesn’t lose sight of the future. Petersen said she
hopes that all of her training is leading her down a bright path, and
perhaps even to representing the country on the international stage
one day in the future.
“On my club team the overall goal is to make it to the Olympics,”
Petersen said. “But the USA team also has a program called tier
3, it’s for the really good divers, it’s a privilege to be on. They get
extra training and accommodations, I almost made it one year, but I
haven’t yet.”
While the Olympics is Petersen’s long term goal, the near future
is also in her sights. Petersen said that she wants to dive at the next
level, which will open up many different opportunities regardless of
where she ends up.
“I definitely do want to dive at a collegiate level,” Petersen said.
“Diving is like my whole life now. I can’t imagine not doing it. Also
I could get some scholarships for it. Then after college I would see
where the road takes me. Olympics is possible but there is also pro-
fessional diving outside the Olympics.”
As Petersen progresses, and becomes even more of an elite athlete
she feels the hefty expectations more and more. But Petersen is built
to deal with the stress and is used to meeting expectations under
high stress meets.
“When I got to this level of diving I definitely feel the pressure at
different meets,” Petersen said. “I remember being super scared at
nationals and my coach expects me to perform. But I made it this
far so I am used to it. My parents also used to put a lot of pressure
on me but they saw how it was affecting me, now they’re working on
just being proud of me -- which they always have been.”

January 24, 2020 Sports 21

Matthew Smith | Staff Writer What if...

Every year, all kinds of sports consider rule changes that are intended to help create excitement, ensure safety, and help with competitive aspects of the game. There are
rules, such as targeting in football that helps create safer playing conditions; on the other hand in college basketball they moved back the three point line to make scoring
more challenging, and to open the lane area to help generate more movement for the players. Chronicle sportswriter Matthew Smith sat down with some Mason athletes to
see how they’d feel about rule changes, or disucss some of the rules they propose changing in their respective sports.

“Wider goals? I’d hate them. So much. As a “

goalie, my job would become much harder. I wish there was a mercy rule after the first inning
Also, it would make games way more high scor- in softball. If it’s like 10-0, the winning team should

ing, which isn’t as fun in general. be allowed to leave.

Bethany Moser, Senior Goalie Lani Hensley, Senior Pitcher

“ “

“ “It would be really interesting to make “

I would love to see all lines extended football pass-only. It would influence If players could pick up the ball and
to the doubles alley, because sometimes the defensive strategy a lot because of- throw it one time each hole, I’d be
I feel like there isn’t enough room back fenses wouldn’t have that extra dimen- pretty mad. I’m not the biggest guy, so
there for me. I wouldn’t like higher nets the other jacked dudes would have a
sion to keep them off balance.
though, as a smaller guy. huge advantage.
Collin Brown, Senior Quarterback
Vignesh Gogineni, Sophomore Tennis Player A.J. Wilhelm, Freshman Golfer
“
“ “

“

As a shooter, I would love a 4 point
line. It definitely would make de-
fense a little tougher, but it would

really help me on offense.

Caleb Pitcock, Junior Guard

“

22 January 24, 2020

January 24, 2020 Feature 23

Animal dissections clash with vegetarian ethics

Ann Vettikkal | Staff Writer

Dissections may be a high school rite of passage,

but the classic trope comes with some ethical bag-

gage.

The dissections at MHS occur in Honors Anatomy

& Physiology, Zoology, and Biomedical Sciences. They

range from sheep hearts to sharks, providing students

with hands-on experience with the class material.

Honors Anatomy and Zoology teacher Carol Lehman

explained how these animals are supplied.

“The fetal pigs that we buy are from slaughter-

houses -- the parents are being processed for food,”

Lehman said. “And [their offspring] are sold to biolog-

ical supply companies which in turn sell them off. A

lot of the fish are actually cultivated from fishermen.

And then there are some that are from laboratories

and grown for this.”

The main dilemma regarding dissections is spear-

headed by dietary restrictions which are sometimes

products of larger ideologies on animal treatment.

Senior Nick Flood, who had been a vegetarian for six

years, decided to make the full leap toward veganism

just last month. Photo contributed by Manju Karthikeyan
“I first became a vegetarian because of environmen- Junior Manju Karthikeyan (far right) dissected various animals as part of the curriculum of her Zoology and Biomedical Sciences
programs.
tal concerns and the ethics of factory farming,” Flood

said. “And then I became vegan because I was so close Flood said. “I was disgusted with the entire time. I was Based on her experience and the reception from her
to it -- I don’t use leather, I wasn’t eating eggs, I wasn’t like ‘I don’t want to touch it.’ I let my partner cut it. students, she believes there is no substitute for the
drinking milk -- and that was always my goal.” It kind of grossed me out. The second thing is that real thing.
I don’t feel like it’s necessary. I feel like it’s very old
But dietary restrictions for religious purposes are fashioned. There are other ways -- like digital dissec- “There’s no better lab experience about human
a different matter entirely. At least, for junior Manju tions.” body systems than using specimens -- actually hav-
Karthikeyan, it’s her practice as a Hindu that restricts ing that tactile experience,” Lehman said. “There are
her from certain meat consumption. great computer simulations and other substitutes but

“I feel like it's very old fashioned. There are in terms of actually having the organisms and doing
comparative anatomy, it’s really going to impact you
more when you do the dissection -- the proper way.”

Lehman emphasized the importance of treating the
matter professionally and with respect. She noted the
difference between a bona fide dissection and other
ways of treating the specimen.

other ways. “There has to be a clear point,” Lehman said. “Why
are you [dissecting]? It’s not just to cut up specimens

and take pictures for social media and whatever.

Nick Flood, senior That’s borderline horrifying. For a lot of people in-
terested in being doctors or going to medical profes-

sions, it’s an invaluable experience. There has to be a

“ methodology -- it has to be for science.”
Lehman recalled that only two students in her

entire teaching career had refused to dissect totally.
Regardless, as long as the dissector and what’s being
dissected are treated with respect, there seem to be

few grave issues at MHS. Flood can maintain his per-

“On specific holidays I can’t eat meat,” Karthikeyan But for Karthikeyan, given the rationale of her diet, sonal beliefs while remaining in the Honors Anatomy
said. “And since I’m Hindu I can never eat beef. In being vegetarian does not limit her participation in learning environment.
India, [Hindus] see the cow as a holy animals. Because both Biomedical Sciences and Zoology dissections.
of that, we don’t eat it.” “To get the grade for the [dissection] you have to
“At first, [dissections] were kind of gross,” participate,” Flood said. “ I just kind of stay back and
Veganism for ethical reasons proves difficult in a Karthikeyan said. “But I got used to it and they’re my if I’m needed, I’ll help. I have a nice partner who
subject that is solely focused on studying the body favorite parts of class because it’s educational and it’s is fine with it and my teacher, Mrs. Long, is really
on the micro-level. When Flood attends his Honors cool to see stuff hands-on. Even though some days respectful about it. She understands that it’s coming
Anatomy & Physiology class during dissection day, he I’m vegetarian I don’t see that as something that from an animal that was once living. It’s just to me,
chooses to assume a supporting role rather than wield should stop me from doing dissection. Because it’s for I don’t know why we’re still doing it -- there are new
the scalpel. science rather than religious purposes.” ways that we can learn about anatomy without using
animal parts. I prefer not to touch [the specimen] but
“The first [dissection] we did was a sheep heart,” Lehman has taught Honors Anatomy for 29 years. if I’m required to and I need to, I will.”

24 Feature January 24, 2020

Cleanses used to improve physical and mental health

Meghan Dincler | Staff Writer “
Junior Isabel Mattern said she was interested in im-
I normally feel
proving her health, and decided to try a juice cleanse more energized...
after seeing multiple videos and posts about their
many health benefits. Mattern said she wanted to try a and feel really
juice cleanse after enjoying some unhealthy food dur- good afterwards.
ing Thanksgiving.
Isabel Mattern, junior
“I was finding all these posts saying [a juice cleanse]
helps clean your body of all the toxins and helps with “
digestion, and I was intrigued,” Mattern said. “I found
the information mostly through Youtube and Pinter- Graphic by Aadrija Biswas
est. I looked it up and there was tons of stuff.”

The cleanse is usually about 4 days to a week. Over
the course of this time, Mattern doesn't eat or drink
anything but water and juice. Though she said she
gets a little hungry during the first few days, her body
adapts to it after a while. She testified that the detox,
which she does monthly at the most, has had a mul-
titude of beneficial effects on her health and on how
she feels.

“I normally feel more energized,” Mattern said. “I
can even see that my skin will clear up just because all
the gross food isn’t in my body anymore. You also lose
dead water weight and feel really good afterwards.”

Curt Bly, an English teacher at Mason High School,
has been participating in a version of the Advocare 24
Day Challenge annually for the past few years. He said
he enjoys the chance to be able to take some time to
focus on healthy eating, especially after the holidays.

“I do some version of [the 24 Day Challenger] every
year,” Bly said, “It’s good to just get off my coffee for
a while, reorganize my diet, and get myself feeling
better. It’s a cleanse, an opportunity to recalibrate my
diet a little bit.”

As someone who is typically health-conscious, doing
the cleanse for a few weeks at the start of a new year
helps Bly get back on track. It allows him the freedom
he wants to eat sweets and other foods that aren’t as
healthy, but he said it refines his diet and keeps him
feeling the way he wants to.

“I like having periods in the year where I just want
to clean out my system,” Bly said, “I enjoy sweets, but
having periods of time where you are more disciplined
allows me to stay feeling the way I want and stay
within the weight range I want to be in.”

These detoxes and cleanses are not made to be done
year-round, though. As a member of the color guard,
Mattern tries to make sure that she is prepared for
the physical activity they do at practices, and avoids
detoxing during time periods where she is working
out heavily.

“Since you’re only drinking juice, you really want
to do it at a time where you’re not doing much else
because you don’t want to work out with very little
calories,” Mattern said. “You’re not eating that many
calories, so I try to do it when I’m not doing color
guard so that way I’m not dying during workouts.”

Despite the challenges, both Mattern and Bly said
they believe in the benefits of cleanses like the ones
that they’ve done. Mattern said that it has made her
feel much better, and she encourages people to try it if
they’re interested in improving their health.

“I think juicing is definitely for the health nuts,”
Mattern said. “It’s just one of those things that are
unique and fun to do sometimes. It’s a lot of work, but
if you’re interested I think you should definitely try it.
It makes you feel good.”

January 24, 2020 Opinion 25

Ending the Staff Editorial
relationship

Anushka Mukherjee | Internet hyperbole makes reality less scary
Staff Writer
If you don’t know who Quasem Solimini is, you’re be distasteful rather than amusing. But by blowing
Manically she sticks to my chest, too attached to probably wrong. To put it another way, his death everything out of proportion, we can comfortably
let go. No matter how hard I tried, she wouldn’t leave sparked World War III and the reinstatement of the live in the fact that what we joke about will never
me; in fact, she threatened to rat me out. I never draft in America. actually happen.
quite liked her to begin with. We were forced into a
friendship at the tender age of 11, and since then she Well, just the talk about it. Living in a hyperbolized version of the real world
hasn’t left me. After President Trump ordered an airstrike that may be okay when the problems affect us person-
killed the Iranian leader, we responded the best ally, but for most of us, this joke is just another
It’s time to break up with my bra. way we know how: memes. Jokes about dodging the subject in the internet humor cycle.
It’s not a political decision, nor is it the awakening draft and messing around on the battlefield domi-
of an angry feminist within me. It is a decision I have nated the internet at the start of this decade. The truth is that thousands of troops have already
made based on the years of torture my body has en- This digital wildfire of trending tweets and Tik- been sent over to soothe the burns of our actions.
dured because of this product of perceived necessity. toks illustrated a common theme: no one wants (or The people that will suffer (or already have) will be
Our society is built on one solid foundation: feed knows how) to fight in a war. the innocent Iranians subject to any sort of inva-
on those who dare to do what makes them happy. It’s Of course, this doesn’t represent all of us. There sion or attack by the U.S. If there were to be a war
a simple philosophy really and has been followed is bias already present when you take your sample between Iran and the U.S., it would be messy and
for generations. People in our society get high off of of teenagers from those who enjoy the dark humor highly controversial and go far beyond the scope
ripping each other to shreds. As a teenager I feared of going to war. There are kids everywhere on the of the internet’s ability to manipulate humor and
their wrath; thus, I never decided to end my ties with spectrum of the morality or necessity of the U.S.- news.
her. Iran conflict. But as these things usually go, we only
In the last year or so, I have found ways to tacti- notice those that are the most outspoken or, in this Many have cited this trend of dark humor linked
cally separate her from myself without the word case, the funniest. to Generation Z as a coping mechanism for ob-
getting out. I needed to take baby steps for the sake In this way, the internet is convenient. We don’t stacles occurring in our personal lives, against the
of our sanity, so the first time I left her alone was even have to actively search for the information we landscape of the real world. Obviously, as a side ef-
when I went to my friend’s house. I was nervous the want. Life happens to us. Notifications pop up on fect, there were some very real concerns, particular-
whole time, practically drenched in sweat. I went to our phone, new posts on our feed. ly after teenagers received fake text messages about
the bathroom several times to make sure that no one We all know about the Iran situation by default, getting drafted. And with the sensationalism of the
could tell that I wasn’t wearing my protective armor. by means of the bridge from relevant news to the whole event, there is an anxious energy about the
I watched everyone’s gaze attentively, tracking their type of stuff we will find funny that day. But we immediate problem, and the idea of war in general.
eyes every second. only know what we’ve been given. All we need is But it’s also about something much deeper.
When I went home that day, I hugged her and the aesthetic of a situation, like the death of a for-
cried. I was overcome with a sense of separation eign leader, and we will take it from there. To digest that, we would have to look beyond
anxiety I didn’t even know I had, and frankly wasn’t It’s much easier to laugh about someone dancing what we’re being told, past the accepted narrative
expecting. I was appalled that society had pro- to the famous Tik Tok sound byte Renegade instead that our generation has conveniently chosen to fit
grammed me to value my relationship with her so of throwing grenades on the front line than to face the social media format. Sometimes, this specific
much. Women in the spotlight did it all the time, and what’s really happening, because it’s a lot more consumption of what’s going on isn’t just a coping
with much grace must I add. But when they do it it’s complex -- and a lot less entertaining. mechanism. It’s an excuse; an easy way out.
a fashion statement, when I do it it’s considered a We all know (hopefully) that there won’t be a
shameful, rebellious act. draft or that global warfare isn’t imminent. Other- Once the realities become too close for comfort,
Over the year I’ve gotten better at distancing wise, everything under the tag World War III would maybe we will react differently. But for now, we’ve
myself from her, and I don’t panic as much when I’m already seen what has happened. The jokes got old,
in the public eye. Yes, I still fear what will happen if something fresh came along, and even though the
someone does catch me without her. But it’s a deci- conflict has just begun, most of us have moved on.
sion I made on my own terms and I have no shame.
The things we wear hold a symbolic power that only
we give to them. We dictate what they represent.
My decision to end our relationship is one driven by
liberation, and I stand by it.

The Chronicle’s Policy Matthew Smith
Ann Vettikkal
The Chronicle is the official student Call 398-5025 ext. 33103 for infor- The National Scholastic Press Asso- The Chronicle Staff Online Editor Staff Writers Jessica Wang
newspaper of William Mason High mation regarding advertising in The ciation, Quill and Scroll International Editor-in-Chief Henri Robbins Cody Allgor Adviser
School. Chronicle. The Chronicle reserves the Honorary Society for High School Jour- Lily Geiser Business Manager Alana Amaya Dale Conner
right to refuse advertising it deems in- nalists and the Ohio Scholastic Media Managing Editor Anusha Vadlamani Archie Barton Connect with
The Chronicle promises to report the appropriate for a high school publica- Association. Andrea Hefferan Indranshu Das the Chronicle:
truth and adhere to the journalistic tion. Contact Information Sports Editor Staff Photographer Meghan Dincler
code of ethics through online and print The Chronicle Rahul Parikh Mia Sweitzer Evelina Gaivoronskaia @mhschronicle
mediums. As an open forum for students, let- William Mason High School Visual Design Editor Della Johnson
ters to the editor are welcome, but are 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Riley Johansen Staff Designer Anna Kinasewitz facebook.com/
The Chronicle is produced by students subject to be edited for length, libel, ob- Mason, Ohio 45040 Aadrija Biswas Hannah Libby mhschronicle
enrolled in Journalism I, II and III. scenity, clarity and poor taste. Letters to (513) 398-5025 Abby Miller
the editor may be dropped off in room Anushka Mukherjee @mhschronicle
Editorials reflect the staff ’s opinion C103 and must be signed. Shravani Page
but do not necessarily reflect the opin- Scott Reckers
ions of the school administration or the The Chronicle is a member of The Kaelyn Rodrigues
Mason City School District. Columbia Scholastic Press Association,

The Chronicle is published monthly.

26 Opinion January 24, 2020

Tom Brady isn’t Editorial Cartoon
who you think

Indranshu Das | Growing up omnipresent requisite to feel older. But those sorts of
Staff Writer is a process indicators were made to look back on.

When Robert Kraft and his New England Patriots Ann Vettikkal | Prospectively, our life won’t change every 365 days;
were on the clock in the 6th round of the 2000 draft, Staff Writer America didn’t force everyone to culturally shift on
they had already established that Drew Bledsoe, the Growing up is a fever dream. New Year’s Day, 1980. And yet, we think of the 70s
first overall pick in the 1993 draft, would be their To be more precise, growing up feels like I’ve and 80s as two distinct eras, home to the life and
franchise quarterback. entered the storyline of “Wacky Wednesday” by then respective death of disco. It’s okay just to be
Dr. Seuss. Looking back on the children’s classic, I older, and not always feel like it. The transformation
Little did they know that their selection, Tom realize how painfully relatable its main character is, we expect exists as white noise, like the television in
Brady, would be not only great, but one of the best to living in a sort of phantasm where I just want to turn the background that went from playing PBS Kids to
ever take the field. to the stranger next to me and ask, “are you seeing online streaming monopolies.
what I’m seeing?”
Brady has always had to seize the moment as a Contrary to shoes on the wall and tigers in stroll- If asked, however, I could rattle off clear differenc-
player. Back in his high school days at Junipero Serra, ers, the changes I’ve noticed throughout high school es between now and my entrance into adolescence,
he was the backup quarterback to a JV team which are subtle, but just as unsettling. or even into high school. Thanks to Honors Anato-
went 0-8 and couldn’t score a touchdown all year. I’ll drive down that long stretch on Western Row my & Physiology, I have learned that the frontal lobe
In his junior year, he managed to be the backup on Rd. on my way to school and suddenly register that is the last thing to develop in the brain. This holds
the varsity team and got his first big chance when I have agency over the car. The world looks differ- your ability to make decisions and handle emotions.
the starter got injured. Two years of varsity football ent behind the steering wheel. Mason is no longer a Neurologically speaking, change is literally at the
later, he landed a football offer from the University cluster of disconnected locations. Now I know how to forefront of our teenage years.
of Michigan. get from one side of town to the other, noting where
the main roads collide. So I was scientifically naive two years ago. Not to
Brady has never been one to run the fastest or My lens of the city has scaled up like a zoomed- say that this is no longer true -- but I now have the
throw the fastest, but his indomitable spirit resonates out Google Earth, clicking farther and farther away authority to critique my 14-year-old self.
through his teams, particularly in situations when from street view; the innocent days of leaving home,
they need their quarterback to come through in the falling asleep, and magically arriving at the destina- For the time being, all I can say is that it’s happen-
clutch. Brady’s first comeback as a starting quarter- tion are over. I have to know where I’m going -- and ing. There’s that shoe on the wall every day when I
back came in his Michigan days, when they played how to get back. wake up, and tigers in strollers when I go outside,
Penn State. Down 10 with 3:35 left in the game, Brady The thing about growing up is that there’s no and it doesn’t make sense. I’m meeting more people
rushed and threw for a touchdown to win 31-27. sign that says “Adulthood Ahead! Watch out for than I know by name, building a sizable, nostalgia-
Taxes and Elevator Small Talk!” As I creep closer to inducing past, and learning to have courage in my
The list of comebacks from Brady is endless: his seventeen and we enter a new decade, there’s this conviction (or to have convictions at all). And I’ve
game vs Penn State, his game at the Orange Bowl, come to accept that, as we all should, idling (or nose-
most recently the comeback against Atlanta, etc. It diving) together at this verge of departure into the
goes on and on. roaring 20s (part two).

At age 43, against all odds, he is still managing Then again, ask me in a year and a half, as I pack
to be a Super Bowl winning quarterback. He won a for college, and I’m sure I’ll have an entirely differ-
championship as a 41-year-old against a red hot Rams ent argument in store, and something else waiting
team that was surging uner rookie coach Sean McVay. for me when I wake up.
Sure, the score doesn’t represent how well the offense
has done, but when have Tom Brady’s numbers really
attracted people anyway?

Look at his combine stats, even Steve Maricucci
laughed at the performance he put on prior to the
2000 draft. The most important number in Brady’s
mind was the championships, and he has 6 of them.
Along with the jewelry, in 2007, he tied Roger Stau-
bach’s record by winning 76 games in the first 100
regular season starts and has an overall career record
of 219-64.

Winning was not just an expectation for Brady, it
was a mindset.

If anything, Brady is sending a message. A signal
to the world that athletes don’t have a limit as to
what age, or physical ability, they can play to their
fullest potential.

He preaches that with the right philosophy in
recovery and training, along with diet and routine,
anything is possible. Brady recently wrote a whole
book on how his diet and pliability exercises go a
long way in keeping him durable for a grueling 16
game season, and how he has not missed a prolonged
period of time since he tore his ACL back in 2008.

Looking toward the future, it’s clear that Tom
Brady isn’t going anywhere. He can’t go out without
winning, because that’s not who Brady is. His whole
career, he’s normalized the idea of a timeless talent,
and now he has to utilize it more than ever. From
where we stand, Brady has nothing left to prove; he’s
a champion, a fighter, a true winner.

But in Tom Brady’s eyes, he now has more to prove
than he ever did before -- and that is what makes him
the GOAT.

January 24, 2020 27

28 January 24, 2020