Chronicle 17.6

Freshman Shyla Aggarwal helped lead the Comets to a third state title. (Photo by Riley Johansen)

2 News February 21, 2020

Fears of coronavirus disrupt local Chinese cultural events

Ann Vettikkal | Staff Writer figured out, that’s when it really became a problem. I Photo by Shravani Page
7,453 miles from the source of the sickness, the get it -- they’re trying to protect their kids.” After the controversial cancellation of the Chinese National
Honor Society’s annual Chinese New Year festival, a smaller
2019 coronavirus has had more success creating con- For the Chinese community, this celebration is a celebration was put on during Connect Time.
cern than spreading infection here at Mason High cultural keystone. Junior Olivia Rui considered it a
School. “Chinese version of Christmas” that results in tives, who live near Beijing, are on lockdown, mean-
families getting together with time off and celebrat- ing they cannot leave their residence without getting
Coronavirus is actually an umbrella term that ing with traditions such as lion dancing and paper checked by patrols and they must wear a mask.
houses many viruses. The most recent one is the 2019 cutting.
coronavirus that can lead to severe respiratory ill- “The sentiment from the government is very posi-
nesses or in some cases, death. In December 2019, the According to Principal Bobby Dodd, it was not the tive, almost diminishing the gravity of the situation”
coronavirus started to spread from Wuhan, China. administration’s choice to cancel the event. Rather, Hu said. “[My relatives] are so unconcerned. The Chi-
But the spread of its infection is not nearly as fast as a culmination of factors that lead to the Schoology nese government might not be reporting the right
the rumors about it. message sent out the morning of the celebration. numbers. I don’t want them to let down their guard
and have something bad happen.”
Vice President of the Chinese National Honor Soci- “Each year, some people from Miami University
ety Kayla Baah broke down the chain of events that come to the event and there had been some reports Unless something drastic occurs, it is unlikely
cancelled the Chinese New Year celebration at Mason that they had quarantined a couple people in Miami. that the streets of Mason will go on lockdown. It
High School which was scheduled for January 31st. Mrs. Nian contacted the administration and told us was a shame that the event could not occur, accord-
she’d received some emails from parents who were ing to Baah. For her, Chinese New Year is a special
“It was kind of sad because it started off as a joke,” concerned for their kids [in Mandarin] that had to time guided by long standing traditions like the red,
Baah said. “People were jokingly saying, ‘what if the attend the event. She told me she didn’t feel comfort- money-filled envelopes, or hóng bao, given to friends
coronavirus got spread around?’ Then people were able after receiving more emails from parents and and family, a symbol of good luck.
saying that some of their New Year parties got can- she didn’t think she’d have enough students to hold
celled because of the virus. Our [AP Mandarin] class the event.” “This was the biggest way that CNHS got out to
sent an email to Mr. Dodd and [the administration] the public,” Baah said. “We’re able to share a lot of
responded that for safety reasons, if people don’t Dodd said the short explanation in the initial Scho- Chinese culture every year. We carried out traditions
want to go they don’t have to show up.” ology message that announced the cancellation was like firecrackers and hóng bao. It was really sad that
so that “Mrs. Nian or Miami didn’t look bad or were it was cancelled this year. You never had to pay and it
There was not one specific person or group that put in a negative light.” was a cool way for the community to interact.”
held total responsibility for the cancellation. Baah
said that what started out as a precautionary measure “I realized that my original [message] needed more
turned into a legitimate from parents that voiced detail,” Dodd said. “But I didn’t want to cancel the
their concerns. event at all. I don’t think Mrs. Nian did either. But
if students are going to help with the event and the
“The rumor just kept spreading,” Baah said. “It students aren’t going to be there, then it’s best for us
made it harder for me as the organizer of the party to [cancel] the event.”
to keep things together. There was never any mali-
cious intent but it just snowballed and got worse and The celebration at MHS was not the only one to get
worse. It’s not something that should’ve been joked cancelled. Senior Claire Hu, who is part of a Chinese
about. Once the parents dance company, Bing Yang Chinese Performing Arts
Center, said that her dance performances for the
Graphic by Aadrija Biswas Chinese New Year were also called off, for many of
the same reasons.

“There was a lot of fear from everyone that some-
thing could happen,” Hu said. “A lot of people from
China and international students come together for
these performances. At first, I thought it was really
lame. We’re almost 10,000 miles away [from China].
But I kind of get it. Statistically, your chances of get-
ting it are bigger -- but still negligible.”

The fears over coronavirus have done more than
just cancel the event. The infection’s reach and death
toll that continue to rise in China have become omni-
present headlines in the U.S. news cycles, leading to
targeted jokes, according to Baah.

“It’s very traditional for families to go home to
China or for people from China to come here on
New Year,” Baah
said. “So there was
a legitimate fear.
But I don’t think
it excuses the fact
that people were
joking about it,
saying, ‘oh, there’s
a Chinese person in
my class. They’re
going to give me
coronavirus.’ That’s
not acceptable.”

For those in
China, the situa-
tion is much more
dire. In the face of
the coronavirus,
Hu talked about
how the Chinese
government has
been handling the
situation. Her rela-

February 21, 2020 News 3

“Idea Team” to implement student plans for school change

Graphic by Henri RobbinsHenri Robbins | Online Editor As StuGo becomes involved with the team, the to help students have a voice in shaping the culture
advisors of the group, teachers Betsy Carras and An- of the school.”
Ignite Your Vision was the ignition point for Ma- drew Goetz, are working to find students who want to
son’s newest vision. be involved and who have the time to commit. Carras While some examples may be more fantastic than
said she is glad to see the group created, since it will others, a commonly requested idea that will most
After Mason High School’s “Ignite Your Vision” allow students to create positive change in the school. likely not be coming into effect is the opening of the
campaign in 2019, which allowed students a one-time pod doors. While they have heard the request many
platform to enact ideas to improve the school, the “What I love about it is it’s thinking outside the times, Mukherjee said, the security risk posed by
school is creating an initiative to allow students to box, it’s not doing the same old same old,” Carras opening so many doors is too great.
create year-round change. To do this, they’re found- said. “We’re asking ‘okay, how can we change?’ with
ing an “Idea Team,” led by a group of students and what’s going on, we’re asking ‘how can we make “When we talk about ideas, they need to follow
staff members. school regulations,” Mukherjee said. “For example,
things better?’ and that’s an idea that has been coming up and that we plan
The team is meant to take in submitted ideas and what we need to do to give more information on, is that many students
process them, giving feedback on the feasibility always. We want the pod doors to be open because it’s a lot easier
and potentially working with other groups can’t going through A pod, B pod, or C pod than it is the
in the school to put them into effect. front entrance, but we can’t have that happen because
The team is headed by students just always do what we did just because we did it that
like Ishika Mukherjee, mem- way.” of safety reasons.”
bers of Student Govern- StuGo is involved in the team
ment (StuGo) who serve While the team is accepting any ideas from submis- because they have represen-
as representatives sions, only some of them will be realistic or possible. tatives from every grade.
from each grade As the group sorts through ideas, they plan to re- Rompies said that although
level, and is meant spond to students so they can better understand why many groups within the
to allow members an idea might not be realistic. As the team gets more school have leadership
of the school to and more ideas, Goetz said, they are anticipating hav- capabilities, most are
help create a ing to turn some down, but they still expect to be able usually limited to
more positive to work with a large amount of them. upperclassmen
learning en- and as such,
vironment. “For example, if somebody says ‘I would like heli- many under-
copter rides,’ that’s probably gonna be a no bueno,” classmen
“We got Goetz said. “But if it’s something like getting benches might
inspired by back in the hallways, that’s a doable idea. The idea is have
what was trouble
being done proposing
nationally, an idea
which was a if they do
one time thing, not know any
and we wanted to students to
make a platform bring it to.
that could stay “We want
constant for years something that
to come, where really is reflec-
students could input tive of the whole
ideas throughout the student body,
year instead of just once a because we want an
year,” Mukherjee said. “Those ideas environment where any
wouldn’t just be the winning idea, it student can have an idea,”
would be for everybody to have a voice and
for the idea team to be a platform where they Rompies said. “It doesn’t matter
could communicate with and cooperate with them grade level or anything. A fresh-
to make those ideas come to fruition.” man has a great idea, and they just
got here; sometimes those are where
The team is the brainchild of Vice Principal Bran- the best ideas come from because they don’t have a
don Rompies, who drew inspiration from similar preconceived idea of what the norm is.”
initiatives that tech companies have. He said the While the group is just beginning, Mukherjee said
teams are able to create positive, progressive change that she is hopeful for where it can go in the future.
in those environments, and he hopes they can do the She looks forward to the impact it will be able to have
same within the school. on the school in coming years.
“As of right now, the idea team is an initial step,
“A lot of corporations and businesses, especially and it’s probably not going to be huge this year, but
in the tech world, have idea teams or something like it’s a step for the long run,” Mukherjee said. “The
that, where as companies have a process where any- goal of the idea team is to be a constant in this school
one can submit ideas,” Rompies said. “Google even where all grades, all generations, can input their
takes it a step further; they allow a certain percentage ideas to make their school better. We are in the begin-
of the work calendar to be a person developing the ning steps, but we hope to make it so much bigger
idea. It stems from there, but it also meshed perfectly than it is right now.”
with what was already taking place with Ignite.”

4 Feature February 21, 2020

Traditional Chinese dancers connect with culture

Anusha Vadlamani | Staff Writer community.
Jessica Wang | Staff Writer “One of the things that we have

When it comes to Chinese New Photo contributed by the Cincinnati Chinese School in lion dancing is a plate,” Sun said.
Year traditions, lion dancing is the Lion dancers, including senior Matthew Gong, perform at a Chinese cultural event. Gong said that the dancing “Part of our routine is to grab candy
mane event. has helped him grow closer to both his culture and his fellow dancers. from it and throw it out into the
crowd but one time after we finished
Lion dancing, a traditional Chinese symbolizing the crossing of paths. the routine to be successful.” a routine, someone believed that it
form of dance, is said to have origi- After this, the drums ‘wake up’ the li- Despite the strenuous work needed was a plate to leave tips on, and soon
nated during the Tang Dynasty after ons and the lions move in synchroni- we were left with 300 or 400 dollars.
an emperor dreamed he was rescued zation. As the dance progresses, even for every performance, Mason senior I decided to donate mine back to the
by a lion. Since then, lion dancing when the lions are not together, their Eric Sun said that lion dancing has church.”
has often been a staple of Chinese moves typically match each other. allowed people to find a renewed
New Year, as lions have become a The music represents the journey sense of purpose for the new year. For Yen, what makes the hard-
symbol of good luck and fortune the two lions go through and we’re For Sun, it has become a medium to work behind lion dancing is much
and are believed to drive away evil simply the ones acting it out.” not only support his community, but deeper than monetary gains. Instead,
spirits. to also spread his culture. it is a priceless connection to his
For Yen, lion dancing has been heritage.
Lion dancing, traditionally, is an about finding the balance between “The original purpose of our group
extension of Chinese martial arts. energetically performing for a crowd was to fundraise for the Taiwanese- “The act of dancing itself helps
The choreography is designed to cap- and ensuring his own safety. Chinese school,” Sun said. “But since me connect to my Chinese culture,”
ture the movement and character of we’ve become dancers, we’ve looked Yen said “This is a rare thing to do as
actual lions, and according to Mason “When you get into a routine, it’s beyond that, and have strived to I was born and raised in the U.S. so
senior JingYi Yen, this is no easy feat. easy to over exert yourself and push spread traditional Chinese culture in I’m a bit disconnected from my Chi-
yourself too far during the perfor- the Greater Cincinnati area.” nese heritage. I also do Lion Dance
“Each lion is controlled by two mance,” Yen said. “Inside the suits, as it’s fun to go to events with my
people: one in the head, the other it gets hot and you can’t really see While spreading Chinese culture friends and interact with the Chinese
as the back,” Yen said. “However, your surroundings, which is an issue through his performances, Sun has community.”
halfway through a routine the head because you need to know where the encountered unexpected moments
and back switch roles, which usually other lion is during the routine for of kindness, which in turn, have al- In fact, growing up in the midst of
happens when the other lion has the lowed him to give back to his own Ohio’s soybean and corn farms, keep-
attention of the audience so that the ing their culture alive has become
switch is masked. So for the routine, a mission that Gong and the rest of
each member is responsible for the lion dancing team has champi-
knowing their individual halves of oned.
the routine when they are the head,
and following the other member “It’s really important for me,
when they are the back.” because it brings me and my friends
closer together,” Gong said. “Me,
While the movement of the lions is JingYi, and Eric have really bonded,
crucial to the performance, accord- especially just driving up to differ-
ing to Mason senior Matthew Gong, ent events, dancing together, and
the music is just as important. working on being better perform-
ers. It’s also brought me closer to
“When the music starts, the lions my parents and my siblings. We all
start their lives -- but then separate,” have something to bond over, which
Gong said. “After a little bit, the lions is why it’s really important that this
crash into each other and fall asleep group and its legacy live on.”

February 21, 2020 Feature 5

Ceramics teacher finds YouTube success

00:00 / 20:20

Photo by Scott Reckers

Karan Witham-Walsh, a ceramics teacher, started her now-popular YouTube channel as a tool to instruct her students.

5,624,274 total views 473.7k total watch hours 51k total likes 141 total videos 41.6k subscribers

Scott Reckers am-Walsh said. “I also do some photography, I have SUBSCRIBE
Staff Writer a side photography business, and the thumbnails
on YouTube is what needs to grab people. At first I because she is passionate about them. Witham-
Karan Witham-Walsh is known by most of her didn’t care much for a good looking thumbnail but Walsh said she hopes to keep making videos even
students as a ceramics teacher, but to her 41,000 now I am taking pictures and editing them.” after she stops teaching.
subscribers, she is a YouTuber.
Witham-Walsh has used other methods to get her “When I retire from teaching, I will definitely
Witham-Walsh started her channel, Karan’s Pots passion for ceramics out on the internet. Though keep making videos,” Witham-Walsh said. “I am
and Glass, in 2013 to teach her ceramics students. she prefers YouTube,Witham-Walsh also has an about 6 years away from retirement, and I am
She said she believes the videos to be an efficient Etsy shop where she sells pieces she makes in her definitely setting things up to keep making videos
way to teach, especially for ceramics, as she doesn’t own time. when I retire. Having the channel, I’m noticing
have to set up a demonstration for each bell. that I am being able to go to conventions to be a
“My Etsy shop is not even close to as success- guest, like a speaker. I am hoping to be a presenter
“[My channel] helped shorten the demos, and ful as the YouTube channel,” Witham-Walsh said. at an upcoming National Convention in Cincinnati,
if a student was absent they could just watch the “I love making pieces but it takes so much work I just have to get approval from the district to go.”
video,” Witham-Walsh said. “With ceramics, every to make them and to maintain the Etsy. I have a
time I demo, I have to actually make a new piece, line of National Park mugs that are on the shop About a year after she made it, Witham-Walsh’s
which is a waste of time and materials. I thought if because those are my specialty. But I like making videos started gaining attention outside of the
I just made videos I could shorten [the lesson] and videos more because once I make it, it doesn’t go classroom. Witham-Walsh said her students are
[my students] could still learn.” away and it still will generate revenue, but once I shocked by Karan’s Pots and Glass’ subscriber
sell a pot it’s done.” count.
Witham-Walsh noticed her channel was gaining
popularity and her production skills were improv- Through YouTube, Witham-Walsh said she has “My student’s reaction to my channel at first is
ing. As Witham-Walsh made more videos, she used found a new both a new teaching method and really funny,” Witham-Walsh said. “They say, ‘I
skills she gained from teaching a variety of classes hobby. She started out making videos because it thought this was just my ceramics teacher. What?!
at the high school. She said her videos were im- was convenient, but now she said she makes them She has over 40,000 subscribers?!’ I never dreamed
proving in quality thanks to these skills. that people other than my students would watch
my videos.”
“I used to teach Digital Image design and that
background really helps with editing videos,” With-

6 Feature February 21, 2020

Therapy embraced as method to improve mental health

Andrea Hefferan | Managing Editor at first because they felt like they “I really wish I had another teen- Illustration by Riley Johansen
did something wrong,” Thiyag said. ager who was open about what they
Sticks and stones may break your “They felt like they couldn’t raise me were going through and I could see More on
bones, but words can heal your mind. properly. But they realized that it was that I’m normal, that this is okay,” therapy
only for my well-being, so they really Rossey said. “So if I can do that for
Therapy has become a common appreciated that I was open enough someone else, it would mean the Therapy is defined
resource used by students at Mason to to tell them I needed something like world to just be like, ‘Hey, feelings as “a treatment that
better their mental health. that.” are okay, and you’re not crazy for helps someone feel
feeling this way.’” better, grow stronger, etc.” by
One of these students is senior Rhein’s parents both work in the Cambridge Dictionary.
Vince Albers, who has seen a thera- mental health. They gave her access When Rhein tells others about Therapy is a different
pist for over a year. For him, sharing to the same strategies and resources therapy, she said the responses are experience for everyone.
everything with his therapist was a patient would have. Despite this, usually supportive. Rhein said she
daunting at the beginning. However, Rhein said she sought therapy to find found that many of her classmates It can be online
he said the more he went to therapy, someone unbiased who would listen also have therapists, forming a con- or in-person, and
the easier it became. to her. nection between her and her peers. therapists use a variety
of methods. While
“[The first time I went to therapy,] “I get therapy at home all the time “[When I talk about therapy], peo- the cost of therapy
I was shaking,” Albers said. “I was just by accident,” Rhein said. “But I ple will be like, ‘That’s awesome’, or ranges from around
like, ‘I don’t want to tell this random know the value of talking to someone ‘I have [a therapist] too,’” Rhein said. $100-200 per session,
person all my secrets.’ It’s tough to who’s bipartisan and has some knowl- “That’s good because when you meet most insurance
open up to somebody you’ve never edge. Talking through things and someone that also goes to therapy or plans have some
met up until that point. But once you working things out has been helpful.” has been in the past, it’s very nice to sort of coverage for
get used to it and see [the therapist] have that bond.” it, according to the
as someone to help you, it becomes a While Rhein knows her friends will organization Good
lot easier.” always listen to her problems, she Thiyag said he is not uncomfort- Therapy. KFF.org
goes to her therapist for professional able discussing his therapy with those
Senior Grace Rhein is also comfort- advice. Rhein said her therapist gives around him. For Thiyag, display- published that
able discussing her personal life with her insights she does not get from her ing his vulnerability allows others 9.3% of children ages 3-17
her therapist. However, the process friends. to see that he struggles too, despite
itself is emotionally draining for her. often coming across as positive and in the United States
“The biggest difference is that carefree. see a therapist.
“This is something that I honestly from my friends I get validation,”
didn’t know going in, but [therapy] Rhein said “From my therapist, I get “I don’t hide from the fact that I
is hard work,” Rhein said. “You have validation, yes, but then also the why need a therapist because I shouldn’t
to sit there and talk about the things [behind my problems]. For me, that be ashamed of needing help,” Thiyag
that make you the most nervous or can be really frustrating and heart- said. “I guess [my peers] never pegged
bring up sad moments, and things breaking to watch or to be there for me for the kind of person who would
that are hard to talk about. I wish because there are underlying things have a therapist because I’m always
I could say that going to therapy that I hadn’t even realized affected so optimistic on the outside, but I
fixes everything, but it’s just a pretty me, and that can be really jarring.” think it’s really nice to open up about
strong skill that you learn, which is that. It really shows people that I’m
how to analyze and think differently.” Unlike Rhein, sophomore Kaya human, I have emotions, and I need
Rossey has been seeing the same per- help.”
After going through multiple son during her four years of therapy.
therapists, Rhein said she finally Because of that, Rossey said she Rhein is an advocate for therapy
found one who gave her the coping started to hide her struggles so her and said she believes it can help any-
skills she wanted. Rhein said her therapist would think she was doing one, not just those with a diagnosed
therapist helps her separate emotion well. mental illness. For her, having that
from logic. place where she can break down her
“I’m an extreme people pleaser, problems is an invaluable resource
“What my current therapist does so once I started to see her for a few she said everyone should be open to
is that we get everything out on the years, I was like, ‘Okay, this is like trying.
table,” Rhein said. “Whatever I’m a big person in my life, this person
feeling, we just walk through it as if needs to think I’m doing great,’” “I would just like to drive home
it’s somebody else. That’s been our Rossey said. “I had to reconsider her the fact that like therapy is honestly
biggest coping skill that we’ve worked purpose: she is here for me and she a helpful thing, and it’s really not
on because it makes it much easier is ready for any challenges that come a weakness,” Rhein said “You’re not
when you can almost pull yourself my way, and she’s not going to judge accepting defeat by noticing that you
out of it.” me.” need a little bit of backup. I think
there’s a lot of people that could
When sophomore Aditya Thiyag It was difficult for Rossey to find benefit from it that are shying away,
decided he needed therapy, he said people her age who were vocal about just because there is stigma, unfortu-
his parents did not take it well at first. what they were going through. Be- nately, but I promise you that what
Over time, they became more recep- cause of this, Rossey said she decided you will gain from therapy is so much
tive to it when they saw how it helped to speak openly about her experiences better than any stigma ever could be.”
him. so others wouldn’t feel the same way.

“[My parents] were really upset

February 21, 2020 Feature 7

Illustration by Riley Johansen

8 Feature February 21, 2020

Subscription boxes personalize online shopping

Evelina Gaivoronskaia | that with new products coming much rather get stuff I want instead she sometimes receives
every month she is more likely to of getting a box of random stuff I products that do not
Staff Writer try new products and find the ones won't use.” match her skin.
she would like.
Monthly subscription boxes Schmidt said that he realized “Some negatives are that
provide out-of-the-box ways to “I usually get samples in my that a lot of the merchandise he even though the subscrip-
explore new products. subscription boxes, and then if I received through the subscription tion box quiz makes you put
With the rise of the Internet, like the products I can buy the boxes wasn’t useful for him, so he in your skin tone and the things
more and more people have used big bottles of the brand's website,” decided to cancel the subscription that you would like to receive,
online shopping platforms, such as Zellner said. “Sometimes I will get box. While he isn’t subscribed to they sometimes give you things
subscription boxes. Sophomore Alli- a full-sized product. I would like to any new ones at the current mo- that don’t match your skin tone
son Fries has been using Birchbox, a try other boxes and see what I will ment, he said he would try one if it at all,” Walton said. “I’ve gotten
subscription that provides a couple get in them.” was more useful. things that were too light or too
of samples of various beauty prod- dark and they wouldn’t match
ucts every month, since December. Although some people enjoy get- “I wouldn't order subscription me.”
She said that she got a year-long ting different items every month, boxes unless I knew what I was
subscription for Christmas. Junior Nate Schmidt, realized that getting into,” Schmidt said. “I would Despite the inconsistencies
“I asked for a subscription subscription boxes are not for him. say don't get subscription boxes, un- that are sometimes found in the
box because it's something that Schmidt was subscribed to Loot less you're interested in the product boxes, Walton said that she en-
intrigued me,” Fries said. “I like Crate, a themed box that provides that they are providing, because you joys being able to receive new
beauty and there are a lot of different merchandise from a will be getting it every month. It products and expanding her
things that I would want to try, chosen franchise. After a year and will be just a waste of money, your makeup collection.
so I thought it would be fun to a half of being subscribed, Schmidt time, and their product.”
try out a box.” decided to cancel his subscription “I will get excited because
to the box. Sophomore Abby Walton also I know that my Ipsy bag is
Freshman Izzy Zellner got said she was disappointed with her coming soon,” Walton said.
her Birchbox subscription as “I stopped using it because I current subscription box service “It's exciting because you
a gift for her birthday. She didn't care about most of the stuff -- Ipsy, which provides a makeup never know what you are go-
that I got,” Schmidt said. “I had no box subscription. Before subscrib- ing to get. I like makeup and
said that she enjoys the box clue what half of the stuff that I re- ing, Ipsy provides its users with a I find it fun to do, so when I
because it allows her to try a ceived was. All of it was just sitting quiz for them to check their skin get a new product it makes
small sample of the product in my house and I had no idea what tone and what products they are me happy.“
it was, so I realized that I would interested in. Yet Walton said that
before she buys it. She said

Photo by Evelina Gaivoronskaia

Sophomore Allison Fries enjoys the wide variety of makeup she receives from her monthly Birchbox subscription.

February 21, 2020 Art & Entertainment 9

Alex Lisa | Staff Writer years old, and they’ve been in the hos- to be helpful, and she said why don’t go deliver babies in the home if people
Though quite a distance away from pital a lot of their lives,” Colburn said. we come over to tea. But this was right couldn’t afford to go to the hospital,"
Mason High School students, old age “So I wanted to make sure they knew after the war, and despite everyone’s Colburn said. "I knew some other doc-
comes to us all, and along with it a that even with hardships that happen at hospitality, not everyone had food, so tors there, male doctors, whom I went
number of challenges. That does not such a young age, you can still have a we were worried it would be a lot of to dinner with, and I said ‘tell me about
mean, however, that no one can put up a wealthy and full life -- I myself lost my trouble. That family wouldn’t hear of Susan Kennedy,’ and they said ‘she’s
fight and, with a bit of creativity, turn it father to illness at age five, and that was it, so we stayed. We sat with them and the most skilled surgeon you’ll find,
into something to be appreciated. a lot to deal with. We don’t get to see we listened to Wagner on the radio, but she’s an idiot, because she goes out
The National Arts Honors Society has each other and I can’t talk to them and the whole family rode with us on and does things for free, in the home.’ I
been volunteering at the Christian Vil- think they were the idiots.”
lage to do art projects with the elderly “
for several years. It is through this Compared to what was available to
volunteering that Senior Taylor Kling Even with hardships that happen at such a young her in her time, Colburn said she is
became friends with 90-year-old Lois age, you can still have a wealthy and full life. excited for where young people today
Colburn, who uses every opportunity can go, and wishes she had those same
to express herself. As the two became -Lois Colburn burn chances growing up.
closer, Kling began helping Colburn
with one especially unique form of “ “I love speaking with young people,
expression: writing an autobiography. about this as much as I would like to, their bicycles down the road, and we it invigorates me and helps to keep me
Colburn said there are a number of so that’s actually why I started thinking stopped and shook hands and they thinking clearly, and I think about my
things which contributed to the start about writing this.” went back home and we went on... grandchildren and want them to know
of this project, including the desire to We came to a pub eventually and we about the opportunity in front of them,”
preserve her memories even after they The autobiography itself recounts met yodlers there, and they had us feel Colburn said. “I think youngsters have
have begun to leave her. a number of experiences Colburn has their throats while they yodeled and it so much more opportunity. I think it is
“There are a lot of people my age who had, including stories about her trips to was so bizarre and loud and good fun. a very hard time for young people and
don’t have the memory I have,” Colburn Europe and reflections on the people We biked through all of Europe, getting also a very exciting time.”
said. “I am 90 years old, and I hope to she has met. to know people and we have so many
have as clear a mind as I do now for a stories that are just heartwarming like A message Colburn wants to extend
much longer time, but I also want to “My husband and I went to Europe that.” both in her autobiography and in person
make use of my memory while I still in 1953,” Colburn said. “We rented bikes is the need for persistence because every
have it and get it down onto paper. Or from England because that’s how you Beyond those she met in Europe, Col- hard moment in life becomes some-
a computer, actually, which I am not got around back then. In Germany, we burn said a woman who made a huge thing different down the road.
computer-literate. That’s why I need met a young woman who came over to impact on her life was the doctor who
young people like Taylor who’s been so borrow our bicycle pump for her bike, helped her with medical issues when “When my father passed away, my
kind and helped me.” but her German bike was large and she attended the University of Michigan. mother said ‘we’re going to rear four
Another important reason that Col- our pump didn’t work. We wanted to children,’” Colburn said. “She said that
burn wants to write her autobiography is make sure she understood, we wanted “She was so good to people, she would to me, a five-year-old, and the way she
to get a lasting message out to her two spoke and carried on, she never let me
grandchildren. think we couldn’t succeed in anything.
“I have grandchildren who are four All you really need is brute determina-
tion; you never know the incredible
people you will meet in your life until
you have the chance to look back on it.
Many things that weren’t remarkable in
the moment became special over time.
Really, time just changes everything.”

10 Feature February 21, 2020

making discoveries

Student researchers explore science and career in college labs

Jessica Wang | Staff Writer other researchers take an orthogonal a day at the lab under the guidance them.”
approach. of an undergraduate student. Despite the uncertainty, these high
Chemical reactions are not the
only things being catalyzed in labs “The question is what is the role “I was with a biochemistry under- school seniors willingly probe the
-- curiosity is as well. of the protein,” Bandaru said. “But in grad,” Parthasarathi said. “The pro- unknown -- even though their efforts
the lab, you have to focus on one will not necessarily result in a tan-
Many colleges offer the opportu- aspect. So for me, I’m focusing fessor’s lab focuses on this gible end product.
nity for high school students to con- on whether the protein aids in protein transport chain
duct research under the guidance of plasma stability.” in chloroplast for “In this kind of research, I don’t
a professor or college student. Senior think there will necessarily be
Priya Bandaru said she saw this as an Similarly, senior Sruthi plants. So what the undergrad real-world applications,” Bandaru
opportunity to expand her academic was trying to do was create a large said. “But it’s always nice to be able
horizons, taking her learnings from Photos by Henri Robbins sample of the protein they were to have a specific procedure and
AP Bio and Honors Anatomy far be- Senior Neha Patil helped develop studying so they could study it more. develop that procedure so that other
yond the vacuum of the classroom. Her job was to get the gene sequence people can use it to figure out how
a gel to preserve hemoglobin at for that protein, create it in some to investigate whether this protein
“I started emailing a bunch of room temperature at the University of bacteria, and harvest it from that.” does this function.”
professors at UC,” Bandaru said.
“It was kind of random because I Kentucky. Senior Neha Patil also has an Patil, however, was able to see the
didn’t know those professors and I interest in biochemical research. fruits of her labor. Manipulating
just emailed them to try it. Out of Parthasarathi took on a challeng- For her, this journey within scien- variables such as pH and tempera-
about six or eight emails, I got two ing research endeavor her junior tific research began at a hospital in ture, Patil contributed to making
responses. One was about doing year summer. Parthasarathi, how- Kentucky. an important discovery for better
research with bugs, and I didn’t want ever, was not just seeking to gain preserving hemoglobin.
to do that. But the other one was knowledge -- she was also testing the “I was in Louisville for a neuro-
about microbiology, which was inter- waters for a potential career. science shadowing event at Norton “I researched the stability of
esting to me.” Children’s Hospital,” Patil said. “The hemoglobin,” Patil said. “We tried
“I was really interested in being a person that I shadowed told me there to find a way to preserve it at room
During the summer of her junior professor,” Parthasarathi said. “But I was a lot of research that I could do temperature without the use of
year, Bandaru began researching knew that they did a lot of research at the University of Louisville. So, harmful chemicals for the body. We
with Professor Grogan, a professor on the side and I didn’t know if I I contacted some of the professors developed this silica-based gel that
in the biology department at the wanted to spend that time in the lab. there and they let me research with allows you to store hemoglobin at
University of Cincinnati. Assisting So I emailed a few professors from room temperature without having to
him, Bandaru was able to delve into UC, Miami, and other nearby col- put it in a refrigerator or something.
cutting-edge research, working first- leges to ask if I could intern in their It helped preserve hemoglobin over
hand with a novel microorganism. lab over the summer.” a longer period of time, which is im-
portant because hemoglobin is really
“Professor Grogan was investi- After getting into contact with hard to get and really expensive.”
gating the microorganism called Professor Carol Dabney-Smith from
Sulfolobus Acidocaldarius,” Bandaru Miami University, Parthasarathi im- Working amongst professors,
said. “It’s part of the domain Archaea mersed herself completely into the graduates, and undergraduates,
and largely unknown to the scien- research, spending six to eight hours Bandaru, Parthasarathi, and Patil
tific community. These organisms quickly learned new lab techniques
have been discovered pretty recently and grasped challenging concepts.
compared to prokaryotes and eu- However, for Parthasarthi, the most
karyotes, so he’s figuring out what unexpected part of her experience
the functions of proteins are in that was not the difficulty of learning
microorganism.” new things.

Understanding protein functions “The biggest surprise was kind
is a challenge that has fueled the of how unstructured it was,” Par-
scientific community for years. In thasarathi said. “Unlike school, you
order to tackle such a broad and don’t really know how to get there
complex problem, Bandaru and because no one’s found the answer
before.”

February 21, 2020 Feature 11

Photo by Henri Robbins
Junior Kara Flynn (second from right) joined Young Life to feel more connected to her faith. She said that the organization has helped her have hope for her future, and connect her with her God.

Young Life members feel renewed sense of faith and community

Kaelyn Rodrigues | Staff Writer not practice Christianity. Junior Dhar- the club aspect of Young Life, which is aligns with Christian beliefs, but they
High school is a time of finding ma Patel, who was raised by Hindu primarily social, it is not the only expe- also share the importance of being con-
parents and identifies as non-religious, rience the organization offers. Senior nected in a church and trying to pursue
identity amidst constant change. For first started attending Young Life Carson Suer, who joined when he was religion outside of just Young Life.”
members of Young Life, one constant meetings after being introduced to the a freshman, said that most people who
they look to is their faith and the com- organization by a friend. Patel said that look down upon Young Life don’t know According to Flynn, Young Life has
munity that comes along with it. although she is not Christian, she felt about campaigners, which is the Bible personally affected her by reigniting
comfortable being herself and enjoyed study that occurs prior to club meet- her interest in Christianity and inspir-
Young Life is an organization which building relationships with new people. ings. ing her to further engage in her faith.
currently has over 700 youth ministries
that aim to help students strengthen “Everyone there was super welcom- “I think what a lot of people see is “It gets people hopeful,” Flynn said.
their faith. The Mason chapter meets ing,” Patel said. “They never pushed me just the club,” Suer said. “[It’s] mostly “At least for me, having trust that I
each Wednesday at one of its’ members to become a Christian, which was nice people hanging out, and then 10 min- have a bright future ahead of me is
homes to participate in a variety of because [there wasn’t] any pressure. It utes of talking about God at the end. something that Young Life, and my re-
activities centered around Christianity. was just a safe place where I could talk But [there’s also] campaigners. Before ligion in general, has taught me. Young
and be friends with some good people.” club, we read some scripture and talk Life is what made me decide to start a
Junior Kara Flynn joined the min- about it. It starts out with a prayer and relationship with God.”
istry’s Mason chapter after her older Another benefit of Young Life, then the question, ‘[How have] you seen
sister acquainted her with the organiza- Patel said, is that it allows students to God this week?’ After that, whoever is Similarly, joining Young Life has led
tion. Flynn said that growing up, she develop relationships not only with leading will give a lesson on how that Suer to pursue religion more. However,
wasn’t as connected to her faith until their peers but with Young Life leaders a specific Bible passage points to God he said that it acts more as a way for
she started going to Young Life meet- as well. and possible ways to apply that to life.” God to reach him rather than an actual
ings. source of his faith.
“There are Young Life leaders who Flynn said that while the structure
“I grew up in a Catholic family, so I are in college, so I was able to make does not differ very greatly from the “I think Young Life has affected
would go to Mass every week,” Flynn relationships with people [who can] foundations of the religion, many of my faith by just being an instru-
said. “I always hated church. I had to give advice to me and help me through the criticisms regarding Young Life ment that God has moved through
go to Sunday school every week, and high school,” Patel said. “At the end of deal with the organization’s non de- to help me grow in my faith,” Suer
I was always the one who had to leave the club, one of the leaders talks about nominational take on Christianity. said. “After hearing the gospel at a
sleepovers early to go to Sunday school. one of their life experiences and how Young Life event my freshman year,
I just kind of dreaded going to church God impacted them. They do a good “Young Life is one of the only I started actively following God and
-- that's how I grew up until high school job of helping people follow their faith, ministries that isn't affiliated with a trying to model my life after him. It’s
when my sister started going to Young but they don't push it to where you feel church, so that's why some people [something] I grow more in my faith
Life and Crossroads Church.” uncomfortable if you're not a Chris- have a big problem with it,” Flynn said. through, but it’s important to know
tian.” “But they're teaching everything from that it really isn’t what grows my faith;
Although Young Life is a Christian the Bible. Everything they’re teaching it is simply something God moves
organization, several of its members do While many people are familiar with through.”

12 Feature February 21, 2020

Teachers utilize online resources to enhance education

Della Johnson | Staff Writer

Listening to lectures and taking notes aren’t the Photo by Evelina Gaivoronskaia
only ways to learn anymore. Sophomore Somali Dasari uses apps such as Photomath to help her figure out how to solve problems she is confused on.

In recent years, numerous online tools have inte- math, and Chegg to solve problems quickly and “Practicing on Khan Academy
grated themselves with the traditional, paper-pencil efficiently. Dasari said she does not see any problem
oriented approach. Websites such as Khan Academy, with using these apps to assist learning. helps me, but I wouldn’t say
Desmos, and Mathbits have become the right hand that learning [the material] on
men of teachers throughout Mason High School. “There’s an app where you can take a picture of Khan Academy helps. I need
the problem and it’ll tell you the answer,” Dasari it taught out, rather than just
Teachers like Heather Verstreate, an Honors said. “I feel like some people use that to get an an-
Geometry teacher, have sunk deeper into the world swer, but they also use it to learn the steps. I think doing problems.
of learning on WiFi. After many years of using that’s okay, instead of just getting an answer and
Khan Academy, Verstreate said she became a Khan putting it down.” Sonali Dasari, sophomore
Academy ambassador, taking part in meetings and
advertisements for the site. With the use of internet resources also comes “
unexpected difficulties. Verstreate said she tries to
“I started using Khan Academy probably about 15 be lenient with her assignments and also still relies
years ago, and they started the ambassador program on traditional mediums.
three years ago,” Verstreate said. “Ms. Forsythe, an-
other geometry teacher, was an ambassador the first “We all know the internet here is not always reli-
year. She actually recommended that I apply since able,” Verstreate said. “And I know that happens
we use Khan Academy a lot.” at home as well. So, that could cause a little bit of
stress for students, but I try to be as flexible as pos-
Verstreate said that the ambassador program sible when it comes to due dates. Also, we still [use]
has given many different jobs to her than that of traditional paper and pencil because, especially in
a regular teacher using the educational platform. geometry, we need those diagrams. We’ve got to be
An important task is speaking at presentations and able to mark on them.”
conventions.
Honors Algebra II teacher Erin Rankin’s class has
“I have been trained and have access to training been recently working on independent learning at
materials so that I can go out and, as we jokingly home. She said apps can help in moderation, but
say, ‘share the Khan love,’” Verstreate said. “I’ve reliance on them can be counterproductive.
gone to Little Miami and trained teachers this year
before school started. There’s a workshop that all “I think [solving apps] can help,” Rankin said.
teachers in the Cincinnati area are involved are “They can be detrimental in the fact that if there’s
invited to. We used to host it; it’s called High Aims. I too much done for [the students], then they’re not
presented at that as well. We’ve held morning meet- really discovering it on their own. I think it can
ings for teachers here at the high school.” definitely help them get started, but sometimes
they’re not really understanding. It depends on how
The website provides more than videos and ex- they use it.”
amples. A majority of the way Verstreate uses Khan
Academy involves assignments and mastery. She
said the homework she gives has been completely
adjusted and put onto the site.

“It’s impacted my homework more than any-
thing,” Verstreate said. “Although not all students
prefer it, I like Khan Academy for homework
because there is access to videos and hints. I under-
stand that maybe students [ think] it doesn’t help,
but I like the fact that you’ve got the chance.”

Freshman Sonali Dasari takes Honors Geometry
and uses Khan Academy almost daily in the class.
She said it is not her favorite way to learn, but she is
fine with simply practicing on the site.

“Practicing on Khan Academy helps me, but I
wouldn’t say that learning [the material] on Khan
Academy helps,” Dasari said. “I need it taught out,
rather than just doing problems. We use it pretty
often because we use it to either practice or learn
the topics. We use it to review Algebra One, one set
per semester.”

Apps and websites have become more than simply
classroom helpers. When it comes to homework,
students often utilize apps such as Socratic, Photo-

February 21, 2020 Entertainment 13

MOVIE

Harley Quinn RATING: 5/10

birds of prey
DIRECTOR: Cathy yan
REVIEW BY: henri robbins

REVIEW: As much as they came up with a unique plot, that’s all it was: Unique. Not great, no,
not even good. Just unique. There’s a reason nobody did it before. But this is a Harley
You ever hear the phrase “set your expectations low, and they’ll always be exceeded?” Quinn movie, so are you really here for any of that? No, not at all. You’re watching it
That’s what I did for this movie, and even with that, it was just okay. In what was meant to for absolute chaos. You want to see something unbelievably unrealistic, unabashedly
be a challenge or, as they put it, an “emancipation” of the typical Harley Quinn character, tacky, and unapologetically ridiculous. You want bonkers storylines, witty one-liners,
DC cleverly turned some tropes of the genre on their head, but shamelessly - if unknow- and over-the-top action scenes. You want ditzy storytelling and a funny narrative. So,
ingly - fell into others completely. For every positive here, there was a parallel negative. does it have all that? Yes. Absolutely. That’s exactly what this movie is. It’s not meant
While they did create a strong, likeable protagonist, they would often forget that “strong in- to be all that deep, nor is it meant to be all that serious. It’s just meant to be entertain-
dependent woman” doesn’t just mean “woman with a gun,” and even though they created ing, and it certainly does that, as long as you're not expecting anything like Joaquin
compelling antagonists, they were often coded in a way that made them feel contrived Phoenix's performance from Margot Robbie.
and, in some moments, even astoundingly insensitive to the current political climate.

Up and coming

usic mxmtoon a quiet place:
Part ii
M REVIEW BY della johnson
REVIEW BY meghan dincler
With soft bedroom pop beats and power- movie
ful lyrics, 19 year old musician mxmtoon has The first A Quiet Place movie wrapped up
been taking the world by a bit of a storm. most of the major storylines nicely, which
Her popularity began with her breakout prompts fans to question the need for a
song, Falling for U, and continued strongly sequel. However, after watching the trailer it
with hits like prom dress and cliché. As she seems that there will be some elements that
has grown, she has utilized social platform A Quiet Place: Part 2 will introduce which
Tik Tok to spread her music and garner were never touched on in the first movie.
streams. Most recently, she has released Most notably, the trailer features some
her song fever dream and announced a scenes that give the impression that they’re
tour of the United States and Canada. If going to show what life for The Abbott’s was
you’re looking for softer music with soothing like before or during the apocalypse that
vocals, be sure to check her out. we saw the aftermath of in the first movie. A
Quiet Place: Part 2 is set to come out March
album review 20th, 2020.
Funeral

REVIEW BY indranshu das RATING: 8/10

When Lil Wayne released his first album, Lil Baby was literally a Lil Baby. 20 years later, Wayne and Baby
are making a case for song of the year. Two years removed from The Carter V, Lil Wayne’s Funeral shows
signs of a strong recovery in his rapping career. His career skyrocketed following the release of Carter I, and
he--along with Jay-Z--were considered as the best of the 2000s. However, by the start of the new decade,
Wayne was incarcerated for 8 months which lost him a good amount of his fans. This album showed signs of
vintage Lil Wayne, a mixtape style album, with only one downfall--too many songs--making it redundant. “Lil
Tunechi” paid a tribute to the tragic death of Kobe Bryant in the 8th track of the album “Bing James” with 24
seconds of silence in the song. His song with Adam Levine was a classic, mixing the popstar with his rapping
as the supporting cast. All in all, Wayne still has clear vision and awareness of his place in the hip-hop world.
Had he cut his album in half, this could’ve been a strong contender for album of the year.

14 Feat

High school girls look to birth control f

Kaelyn Rodrigues | Staff Writer using hormonal birth control due to began taking birth control pill
menstrual pain so intense that in some enduring years of painful men
From controlling irregular menstrua- instances, she could not go to school or cramps.
tion to alleviating chronic pain, birth work.
control is not just used as a contracep- “Starting [my] sophomore ye
tive -- for some, it’s a necessity. “I was having extremely painful peri- really bad period cramps, to th
ods,” Savage said. “I would not be able where I’ve passed out on my b
Senior Nikita Morjaria takes birth con- to go to school some days and I would floor,” Penmetsa said. “I’ve alm
trol to reduce her anemia, a condition be doubled over and could not function. out in school, and it’s been so
caused by a deficit of red blood cells. It was insanely painful. I can remember [that] it’s hindered me from go
She chooses to take non-hormonal birth times where I was in tears because it school because the pain [was] u
control, which tends to have fewer side hurt so bad. They were also really ir- able.”
effects than its hormonal counterpart. regular. It just became super stressful,
Although it lessened her pain at first, irregular, and painful, so I started birth After taking birth control pil
Morjaria said it has recently become less control.” just a week, Penmetsa said she
effective for her. noticed a substantial reduction
Savage said not only has birth control menstrual pain.
“I think at first [non-hormonal birth greatly reduced her pain, but it has mini-
control] was pretty effective, but after a mized many other symptoms of menstru- “Usually the first day when I
while it stopped working because now I ation as well. period is horrendous, that’s us
have the same problems again,” Morja- I have to skip school in the mo
ria said. “[Initially] I didn’t want to take “It’s been super effective,” Savage said. I have to suck it up and take e
hormonal [birth control] because it has “I take medicine every night anyways, so ibuprofen,” Penmetsa said.
really bad side effects, but now I have to it’s a really small thing, but it’s affected
go back to the doctor and see if we can me a lot -- my cramping pretty much “But then I started taking it
get hormonal [version].” doesn’t exist anymore. I’m not cranky for pain has definitely been dulled
like three weeks on end, I’m not having two days I had a few cramps, b
Birth control can also be used to make really bad cravings or feeling really sick, change was tremendous.”
menstruation more regular and less and it helped my acne.”
painful. Junior Mackenzie Savage began Morjaria said people should
Similarly, senior Shriya Penmetsa judged for taking birth contro
ly because there are a variety

ture 15

for medical relief

ls after toms and conditions that it alleviates.
nstrual “I don’t think there should be a stigma

ear, I got because I think [birth control] is impor-
he point tant for health; it’s a health care option,”
bathroom Morjaria said. “It’s not something that
most passed you use strictly for contraception, but
awful you can use it for so many other pur-
oing to poses, so I don’t think that it should be
unbear- something that’s stigmatized.”

lls for Likewise, Savage said that although
e already there is a stigma around taking birth
n in her control, the decision to take it is ulti-
mately up to the individual and should
I get my not be influenced by others.
sually when
orning, or “Everyone assumes if you’re taking
excessive birth control that you’re sexually active,
but people take it for so many different
and the reasons -- it doesn’t always have to [pre-
d. The first vent] pregnancy,” Savage said. “Even if
but the it is for that reason, that’s none of your
business. It makes people feel ashamed
not be of something that they shouldn’t be
ol, especial- ashamed of. I mean, it’s medicine, it’s
helping you, and if you feel like you
of symp- need that, no one should be able to tell
you that that you [shouldn’t].”

Design by Riley Johansen

16 February 21, 2020

February 21, 2020 Sports 17

For the Love of the Game

Photo by Riley Johansen
Senior Ayden Crowley (left) broadcasts a basketball game with Sophomore Evan Amazon (right). Crowley has been involved with the program all four years at Mason.

Crowley finds passion, lifelong goal through broadcasting, sports radio program

Abby Miller | Staff Writer him towards broadcasting and the little things and then slowly gain the underclassmen to grow and expand
sports radio team. Crowley said fresh- older guys trust, get more games, work their knowledge in the sports broadcast-
Just because you don’t play a sport, man year, when he became a part of my way up and prove myself. All of that ing world.
doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the Mason Sports Radio, he knew he wasn’t experience allowed me to be where I
game. going to play a sport, but that didn’t am now as a team leader.” “For example, maybe we have guys
stop him from pursuing the game. who might not have made certain
Senior Ayden Crowley has grown Crowley said he is beyond grateful teams at the high school but still want
up with a passion for all things sports. “I’ve always been a really big sports for what this program has done for to be involved somehow,” Crowley said.
Like most kids, he participated in little guy so I’ve always tried to find my him. Crowley has had valuable experi- “We find those people and just try and
league baseball, played basketball, niche of how to work in sports into my ences through this program that have work them into the program and watch
football, and all his favorite sports at a everyday life,” Crowley said. “Especially prepared him for his future - and some them grow from there.”
young age, dreaming of playing profes- freshman year, because I was short and really memorable moments too, that he
sionally. wasn’t skilled enough to play them but hopes others get to experience. Not only did the program help Crow-
I still loved them and still wanted to be ley find his passion, but he said it also
But now, instead of playing them, a part of them so I tried to find that bal- “It allowed me to talk to people I helped fuel a dream for his career path.
Crowley has found a love for announc- ance with sports radio.” wouldn’t normally talk to, and meet With plans to pursue sports broadcast-
ing and broadcasting sports. Through new people, like I got to meet NFL ing and journalism, the sports radio pro-
the Mason Sports Radio program at It’s been a process of hard work for running back Joe Mixon and spend a gram introduced Crowley to something
Mason High School, Crowley has gotten Crowley since freshman year, when he quarter on air with him,” Crowley said. he loved, that he knows he wants to do
the opportunity to broadcast dozens of began his time in sports radio. Crowley “I just think it’s awesome to maintain for the rest of his life.
games of all different sports, maintain said that he began as someone who that level of growth and exposure so
his passion for athletics, and inspire oth- helped out when needed and filled in that maybe guys down the line can get “The reason why I love this program
ers to do the same -- and Crowley has no when someone was sick. But now, as a those similar opportunities that I got.” so much is because it helped me find
plan of stopping in the future. senior, he’s the go to guy. what I love to do and what I want to
Crowley has stepped into an impor- pursue later on in my life,” Crowley
Crowley knows he is very knowledge- “Freshman year, I was filling in when tant leadership position in the Mason said. “In a perfect world, I would work
able about sports and could probably people needed me to or if someone Sports Radio program as well. Crowley for ESPN in some capacity, whether it’s
answer just about any question you needed a twitter graphic or something said that he has recruited students into a debate show or doing live broadcasts.”
have regarding athletics, which drew like that,” Crowley said. “I would do the the program, and leads and mentors

18 Sports February 21, 2020

BEAST MODE... Reese Lugbill

2ND IN 100 YARD BREASTROKE AT DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

2:09.22 TIME TO WIN GMC 200 YARD IM

PART OF DISTRICT WINNING 400 YARD FREESTYLE RELAY

HELPED LEAD COMETS TO 3RD STRAIGHT GMC TITLE

GAME COMING UP: 02/22 GMC Wrestling Championships @Oak Hills

DIGITS PRE-GAME PLAYLIST

.833 win percentage by the boys basketball
team in 2020

13 straight GMC championships by the girls
swim team

4 boys wrestlers with the best record in their
weight classes in the GMC

Stats and ranks as of February 17, 2020

On The Rise

Alec Dardis Sam Libby Emma Dalton
STATS - STATS - STATS -

48 Three Point % 15-4 record :58.79 in 100 backstroke
Second in the GMC 2nd in 113 lbs. Second in the GMC

February 21, 2020 Sports 19

Senior wrestlers will leave a mark

Nadjusak, Ditullio serve as leaders and role models for the program

Cody Allgor | Staff Writer Photo by Mia Sweitzer
When senior wrestlers Pacey Nadjusak (Left to right): Head Coach Nicholas Maffey, Senior Pacey Nadjusak, Senior Dante Ditullio, and Assitant Bo Touris pose on senior night
and Dante Ditullio leave the Mason
program after this season, they want have the ability to let them know what I did when I was a freshman. It’s also their teammates accountable,’’ Maffey
their impact to be felt not just on the direction we’re heading so they can improved my confidence, being able to said. ‘‘That has been pushed down to
mat, but on the team culture. communicate that with the team.” go out there without having butterflies.’’ some of our younger guys like Sam
Performance wise, these two have Libby and Tyler Brock; we’re pushing
been nothing short of standouts for Najdusak has averaged about 30 Najdusak and DiTullio have both them to be the next guys who step up
the team. Najdusak has amassed over wins per year through his high school witnessed, and became great leaders in even though they’re freshmen.’’
125 wins in his career, and DiTullio career even with the multiple coaching the past four years, allowing them to
has compiled over 100 himself. Both changes, which has consistently put him learn from the people above them, and Junior Dominic DiTullio, brother of
wrestlers have competed on the varsity at the top of the GMC. Najdusak said pass that knowledge down. DiTullio said Dante DiTullio, will have to be one of
team all of their high school careers, that sticking to what he knows is a big that he hopes he has taken what he has the wrestlers to step into leadership
continually being near the top of their piece of being able to win often, and learned from others and help influence position next year along with juniors
respective weight classes. preparation is vital for that knowledge. his teammates, which will shape the Noah Lippet and Owen Amburgy, with
Najdusak and DiTullio have not only team culture for years to come. the departure of Najdusak and DiTullio.
been dominant on the mat, but they ‘‘The thing that has stayed consistent
have also been able to communicate for myself is wrestling like I know how ‘‘I’ve had a lot of good team captains Next year Najdusak will be continuing
and lead on behalf of the team. First to wrestle, and the coaching changes over the years, and I’ve hopefully taken his wrestling career at Cumberland
year Head Coach Nicholas Maffey said haven’t done anything to change that,’’ their good aspects and helped use those University, and he said that he is
that when he got the job, both Najdusak Najdusak said. ‘‘It’s just me knowing to help the team improve, not only as excited to get to know a new team and
and DiTullio outlined what they wanted that I’m going to battle in every wrestlers but as people,’’ DiTullio said. advance his already successful career.
to happen during the 2019-2020 season, position, every match.’’
and familiarize themselves with him. This year a couple of freshmen have ‘‘I’m looking forward to my new
‘‘The first person that called me after DiTullio, who has earned at least stepped up to the varsity level, and they team,’’ Najdusak said. ‘‘They’re all also
I got the job was Pacey just to find out ten pins in every season, said that will be counted on to win for years to very young. When I took my visit back
a little bit about me,’’ Maffey said. ‘‘We the biggest thing that has improved come. Maffey said that the leadership in April, all the people that were there
talked on the phone for a good hour to in his game the last four years is his of Najdusak and DiTullio have helped are still there. I really look forward
find out goals for this year and the goals mentality, and that has helped improve develop those freshmen to be the next to making the bond with them and
for the team, his goals for me, so us his confidence. men up. continue my career. I got a supportive
having a lot of communication is really head coach that wants to take me
good. I talked to Dante as the matches ‘‘I think I have improved with my ‘‘They are phenomenal leaders in everywhere and has a plan for me, and
started to happen, and they were just mental aspect,’’ DiTullio said. ‘‘I work the sense that they not only hold I’m really excited about that.’’
hyper-focused kids who knew exactly a lot harder. I care more about it than themselves accountable, but they hold
what they wanted to do this season.’’
In the last four years, the Comets
have had three different coaches, so
the current seniors have seen a lot of
changes in the program. Najdusak said
that he understood the hesitation of
taking the job, and one of the reasons
he wanted to talk to Maffey was to help
stop that pattern.
‘‘The whole team was out in Florida,
and we were all competing out there,’’
Najdusak said. ‘‘So, being the captain
of the team, I thought it was my
responsibility to welcome him in as the
new head coach, specifically because he
is our third one since I’ve been here, we
are trying to make culture change here,
so the head coaching changes don’t
keep going on and on.’’
Najdusak and DiTullio said that they
had been wrestling for multiple years
and already had built relationships
with their teammates before Maffey
entered the scene. Maffey said that
Najdusak and DiTullio having those
open communication lines with their
team helps to not only stay organized,
but develop relationships.
‘‘Walking into a team that already
has established leaders helps out a
lot because those guys, they have
communications with their team and
they’re organized,’’ Maffey said. ‘‘I

20 February 21, 2020

February 21, 2020 21

22 Sports February 21, 2020

Photo by Hannah Libby
Senior Rajan Singh (left), Junior Brendan Pitcher (middle), and Senior Abhishek Jakkula (right) train ahead of the spring season. Mason has won the league for the past 12 years.

Coaching, system changes have Comets chasing 13th straight GMC title

Hannah Libby| Staff Writer “But it’ll be a fun challenge for me and uniforms, logistics, eccetera”. the rest of the sprinters. Jakkula said
This year’s boys’ track team is already I’m happy to pass on what I know to the Pitcher said that although there have that the expertise and experience that
off to a running start. boys”. Mapati brings to the sprinters is easy to
Every year, the team participates in been a lot of staffing changes for the learn from, and evens out the distance
winter training and indoor competi- With Pitcher as head coach, he has Mason Boys Track Team in the past heavy feel of many other coaches.
tions, but this year the focus during the begun winter training by implementing couple of years, the team culture is one
off season has been pretty intense as the a system of more coaches specifically thing he hopes doesn’t waver. Pitcher “On the sprinter side we are actually a
Comets prepare to reload for another allocated to certain aspects of the team, said that even with more individualized lot more closely connected because it’s
run at a Greater Miami Conference title. like sprints or distance. Pitcher said that coaching, the team has done a lot to so easy to connect with Coach Mapati,”
Not only is the team looking to apart from organizational skills, he feels bring themselves together and maintain Jakkula said. “It’s a nice balance, we
replace some outstanding athletes who his biggest strength is motivating the the camaraderie. may have a distance heavy coach but we
graduated, but they head into the season staff to work to their strengths. definitely still get the individual guid-
with a new coach after long time coach “I feel like it’s usually the distance ance we need”.
Chip Dobson decided to retire from “I’m fairly good with logistics, that runners and the sprinters and field
coaching track. A familiar face has kind of stuff,” Pitcher said. “I also feel events as three different groups,” Sagraves knows the team doesn’t
stepped into the head coaching role, one I’m very into empowering my coaches, Pitcher said. “We are trying to do more want to bank on just making a meet
of Dobson’s former assistant distance I don’t know much about sprinting, so to bring them together this season, we or winning them, rather he believes
coaches Tim Pitcher has stepped up into I encourage them to do what they do even started doing a frequent combined success starts within the athletes not the
the head coaching role. best.” workout to try to bridge that”. coaches. Sargaves said that although he
Pitcher knows what it’s like to com- has the same goals of winning the GMC
pete at an elite level. He was a high With the early changes underway, a Senior Abhishek Jakkula, who is set to and going far this outdoor season he
school All American, a standout run- few coaches have stepped into different lead the sprinter team in the 400m run, also thinks the present is just as valu-
ner at the University of Tennessee, and roles. Lucas Sagraves, a former Mason and the 4 x 400m relay, said that due able, and winning will come as a result
competed for a spot on the United States runner and collegiate athlete, has been to a lot of gaps left open by graduating of proper training and attitude, not chas-
Olympic team in 1996. But even with solely focused on handling the distance seniors, change has come about in who ing trophies.
these credentials, Pitcher said that he side of the team as a coach. Sagraves runs which type of event.
wasn’t expecting an offer for the posi- said that with the focus on distance, his “For where we are in the season right
tion of head coach. job doesn’t change too much, but he “A lot of distance kids are running now, we need to focus on where our
“I’m excited for the opportunity but hopes the team will reap rewards from sprint events which shows a new added feet are and making the most of the
yeah no, I wasn’t really expecting the more individualized coaching. variety to the team,” Jakkula said. “It’s progress today,” Sagraves said. “Our
chance for a job like this” Pitcher said. not just all sprinters in some of the goal right now is to take care of today,
“My job has been similar, but now usual events, which is fine, but it’s defi- because that’s the best thing we can do
I’m primarily coaching the 1600m and nitely changed a bit”. to maximize our success when we want
3200m guys,” Sagraves said. “I have to perform in the championship season”.
done a little more in other areas such Jakkula said that the coaching of
as helping out with lineups, scoring, another former Mason athlete, Junior
Mapati is very beneficial for him and

February 21, 2020 Sports 23

Season ending injuries hit harder for senior athletes

Ayers, Stone, Beinke among athletes hurt during final year

Photo by Archie Barton Archie Barton | Staff Writer said. “My coaches wanted me to try
Senior Goalie Logan Ayers sends the ball downfield after making a save in an early For any athlete, a season can be and do physical therapy first. I also
season game. Later in the year, Ayers would officially go down with a knee injury that over in a matter of minutes. But for
put him out for the season. seniors, it can be an entire career. couldn’t do any of the fall tourna-
Senior year marks the end of high ments or try outs for anything in late
“ school careers for student athletes. August.”
The promise of walking out on senior
When a senior leader goes down, it really sucks. I felt like night having had a successful season, Despite facing a delayed return
I let everybody else down, and took a lot of the guilt. and leaving a legacy for those who and the possibility that she may not
follow serves as motivation for these be able to play at all her senior year,
Logan Ayers, Senior Goalkeeper athletes. While an injury during any Stone said her motivation to continue
time can hurt during an athletic ca- training hasn’t wavered. Stone said
” reer, for seniors who have dedicated that even the possibility of playing in
all four years to a sport they love, her last high school year has kept her
it can be much more painful both driven to work her hardest.
physically and mentally.
Senior Logan Ayers, the goalkeeper “I’m doing everything that I can
for the Boys Varsity team, pushed do to cut that time down” Stone said.
past his initial injury of a hamstring “I am focused on controlling the
strain to continue his dedication to controllables and trying not to pay
his team and the successful start he attention to what I can’t control. I’ve
had to the season this year. Ayers said been doing a lot of physical therapy
that after choosing to continue play- trying to give myself enough healing
ing, he re-injured his knee and was time but at the same time, it pushed
out for the rest of the season. me to get back.”
“The doctors said I needed surgery,
I could either play and wait for it to While recovering from injuries,
completely tear, or try to fix it and athletes can come into new roles in
come back by the end,” Ayers said. “I their team as leaders from the side-
knew I couldn’t risk missing a large line, especially in their last season.
portion of my senior season. After Senior Soccer player Sara Beinke said
diving again repeatedly I partially that tearing her labrum during soccer
tore my meniscus, it was popping and practice of her senior year gave her
then one day, I was just shuffling and an opportunity to coach her younger
heard three different pops, my knee teammates and give them guidance
completely gave out.” on how to improve for the future.
Occurring just two days before
the highly anticipated playoff game, “I was able to encourage my team-
Ayers said that the injury devastated mates in a different way,” Beinke said.
both himself and the rest of his team. “I told them what they were doing
After a successful start to his senior wrong and right to help them in the
season and an opportunity for a state game, since I saw it from the bench. I
run in the playoffs, Ayers said that think that’s one of the things that my
the thought of losing all possible teammates really appreciated.”
progress really hurt, especially since
he doesn’t have next year to come Ayers said that his words of encour-
back. agement focused on ensuring that
“I had more strain mentally on his team wouldn’t suffer as a result
myself than I did physically,” Ayers of his injury. Ayers said that while
said. “Being a goalie, you’re such a his last season may have come to an
leader and when you lose a senior end, he refused to accept the end of
leader it can be hard. I felt like I let his team’s run that they had worked
everybody else down, taking guilt on towards for so long.
something I really had no control of.
It sucks to say the least.” “I said to the guys this might
Senior Softball player Kayla Stone, have happened but it doesn’t mean
who had a MPFL reconstruction in anything,” Ayers said. “I told them I
both knees (a surgery to prevent was dealing with this for months and
further damage), was unable to par- I put my blood sweat and tears out
ticipate in many tournaments due to there for them and this school. I told
an injury she suffered in the summer them I hope they could do the same.”
preceding her senior season. After
her left knee subluxed and dislo- With Softball tryouts taking place
cated, Stone said that being unable to the last week of February, Stone said
run without her right knee dislocat- that she hopes she will be ready to
ing meant two surgeries were needed. play her final season for the Comets
“In my summer season, I couldn’t and see out her high school career
play the last few tournaments,” Stone without any interruptions. Stone said
that she is willing to do whatever it
takes to return from her injury and
give everything she has going into
tryouts.

“I would hate to not play my
senior year”, Stone said. “I feel like
that would be hard to come to terms
with but I know I couldn’t go down
without trying.”

24 Feature February 21, 2020

Teachers abstain from sharing political views in classroom

Shravani Page | Staff Writer sonal opinion through classroom-led disagree with you. I think the biggest “My goal is for [my students] to
While students are taught about discussions. She said it can lead to the one is creating a classroom where kids use evidence to support their own
isolation of students who don’t share feel like even though they might be opinions,” Prescott said. “They have
their First Amendment rights in similar views. Post said she wants her the minority in their opinion, they evidence to support their opinion, and
government class, teachers often hold students to feel confident in their opin- still can feel like they can track what's without diverse opinions, we would not
back on expressing their opinions in ions and express them in a safe way. important.” be the great country we are without
the classroom. having various opinions. I think play-
“ ing devil's advocate is a good thing,
Government teacher Susie Wilcox I don't feel like that's my job, to use [my posi- and when a minority might have a
said she chooses not to express her position, a teacher would also express
personal opinions during political dis- tion] as a soapbox to tell kids what I think. that to balance with other positions
cussions held in class. For Wilcox, that that might be more popular mean
isn’t her responsibility, and students Susie Wilcox, Government teacher above your head.”
should get to hear about views from
both sides. “There are many risks that come “ Government teacher Steve Prescott Prescott said establishing a clear line
with [sharing my opinions],” Post said. said he wants every student to be between work and personal life is chal-
“It’s my individual decision,” Wilcox “ One of the biggest ones is probably included during classroom discussions lenging. Because of that, he said people
said. “Personally, I don’t feel like that’s alienating students to feel like they and does this by exploring all sides of try to avoid expressing their political
my job. I don't feel like it's my opportu- can't share their own. Regardless of an issue. He said he encourages his input by showing a lack of concern
nity to use [my position] as a soapbox wherever you teach or wherever you students to learn from those who have instead. Getting rid of this mindset and
to tell kids what I think and feel and go to school, people will agree and different opinions than them. taking in the information is healthier
believe.” for both teachers and students, accord-
ing to Prescott.
Wilcox said she believes her main
goal is to teach her students and create “We have to be open to these con-
an environment where students can versations,” Prescott said. “If we don’t,
learn from each other and still feel I think that we've lost something be-
comfortable discussing their personal cause we're just apathetic, and apathy
opinions. She said she wants students is not going to lead to a strong democ-
to learn about different perspectives racy. Apathy is not the same thing as
and be comfortable making their own balancing many opinions.”
decisions.
Photo by Shravani Page
“I think that it's my job to help [my Government teacher Susie Wilcox said she makes the personal decision to not share her own beliefs with her students. She said she believes it's
students],” Wilcox said. “To have those more important that she creates an environment that encourages debate and openness to different perspectives.
discussions, facilitate them for them,
and help them learn. That's really what
my end goal is: to give students skills
to be able to go outside of the four
walls of Mason High School and to
carry that [learning] with them into
their adulthood, and to be able to make
those decisions.”

However, Wilcox said discussing po-
litical opinions in the classroom is ac-
ceptable as long as the circumstances
are relevant. She said she also believes
the school itself hasn’t restricted her
from sharing her opinions.

“I don't feel like the school has ever
told me that I can't share my political
opinion,” Wilcox said. “We're human
beings: we have thoughts, we have
feelings, we have emotions. So we have
opinions, and I think as long as you
share them in an appropriate way that
you're absolutely welcome to do that.”

Government teacher Katie Post
said she prefers to express her per-
sonal opinions outside of school to
the people close to her. She chooses
to establish boundaries between her
teaching and personal life.

“I vent out a lot to family and
friends,” Post said. “ I always have that
awareness of school versus personal
[life]. Same goes for me as a teacher
versus me as a person. They obviously
overlap, but at the same time, it af-
fords me the opportunity to keep them
separate.”

Post said she believes that there are
many risks to expressing her per-

February 21, 2020 Opinion 25

For Kobe Staff Editorial
Bryant

Indranshu Das | Our political problems are not new problems
Staff Writer
The worst president ever. But even putting aside the blind patriotism that
January 26, 2020, the world came together to The most shameful thing to ever happen in our obscures our view of history, we still only get a
mourn the death of an icon. Not just one of the country. very broad view of history. It’s easy to forget that
greatest to ever step on to the court, but one of the Humiliated on an international stage like never we are living history -- and how will our grand-
most influential people in the world. before. children read about this era in their textbooks?
We hear phrases like this get tossed around
No one could see this coming. Kobe Bryant dead? a lot to describe our current political situation. We get a very up-close-and-personal view of
To make matters worse, his daughter Gianna, who People on either side of the aisle can barely all the bad things that happen, but they’ll get a
was on course to change the game in her own right, agree with each other on much, but we can all sentence or two. The removal from tragic (or just
dead as well? Most of the world was in shock and agree that this time -- this one, specific era in our embarrassing) political events can make them
truly did not know how to react. country’s history -- is the worst ever. The time seem much less important, and can make it easier
when our politics are the most rotten, the most to downplay the significance they may have had
The “Black Mamba” lived off the simple philoso- corrupt, the most partisan and short-sighted and on everyday people, like us.
phy of hard work. Don’t get me wrong, Kobe was a self-serving.
very talented player, but what made him so great Well, you know what they say about history We can cherry pick certain things that are
was his passion for and dedication to the game. He repeating itself. And if you look at the history of happening right now that have no precedent, or
would become famous for quotes like “You can think our government, you can find examples of just certain precedents that are being broken. And it’s
you’re stronger, better, or faster than me, but there about every dirty tactic in the book. It is filled to true, those things are happening. A lot of them
will never be a moment where you can work harder the brim with incidents ranging from unimpres- are terrible, and we can’t pretend that they aren’t.
than me.” His passion for basketball resonated in his sive to embarrassing to revolting. But that’s always been happening -- there are
philanthropic work, such as his fundraiser to help We’ve never had a worse president? Well, we always a million little things that are happening
the youth who need a home and his work to fight had one that forced thousands of Native Ameri- that shouldn’t be happening. Pointing to one of
against pediatric cancer. cans on a deadly trek halfway across the country, those little things and saying “see? Everything is
just because they were in our way. Dozens pushed going terribly” is simply not accurate.
He would say that Gigi, his second oldest daughter off dealing with the issue of slavery. Even many
out of 4, was a better basketball player her age than of the “good” ones owned slaves themselves. This isn’t all to say that things aren’t bad now
him. Unfortunately, we will never see the day that Elections today are dirtier than they’ve ever -- because they kind of are. Politicians are putting
his daughter lives up to the high praise. been? Political machines at the turn of the 20th party above country left and right, and corruption
century used to give people food and housing, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But at the
Personally, what really opened my eyes was the not because it was the right thing to do, but to same time, we should acknowledge that this kind
number of people who paid tribute to Kobe. Whether buy their votes. Lyndon B. Johnson bugged his of thing has been going on since long before our
it be Lionel Messi or even Virat Kohli, all sports leg- opponent’s headquarters eight years before the Constitution was even a thought. It’s all a part of
ends and current stars came together to mourn the Watergate scandal. John Adams spread a rumor human nature, not a part of the 21st century.
loss of an icon. that Thomas Jefferson was dead when they ran
against each other (after all, what’s the point in So, what do we do? After all, if this kind of
Besides athletes, even actors and celebrities wasting a vote on a dead guy). thing has been going on for centuries, then why
showed their love for Kobe and talked about the Our nation has never been more divided? We bother trying to stop it? Well, just because it’s
crucial impact he made on his or her lives. It wasn’t fought a Civil War. always been going on (and always will) doesn’t
the 81 point game he had which got him the respect, Maybe one of the reasons we never think about mean that we can’t try to stop it from happening
it was the will to keep working regardless of circum- how bad things were centuries ago is because we now. Now may not be the worst time -- but that
stance. Hard work works. He didn’t care what was get a sugarcoated version of history. Which makes doesn’t mean it’s the best either. And even if it
going on in the world, he only had one goal -- the sense -- to a point. After all, no one wants to feel was the best, there would still be bad things hap-
Larry O’Brien trophy. bad about their country, so telling a little white pening.
lie here, omitting a couple tiny facts there, can
Greatness wasn’t worth anything if you couldn’t feel okay in the end. Of course, it’s not. So if you want to change something, do it. Vote.
share it. That was one of the things he said to LA Attend a protest. Sign a petition. Whatever you
Times reporter Bill Plaschke, after winning one of need to do to get the things you want done, do it.
the five rings he earned as a Los Angeles Laker. LA Because we aren’t living in the End of Days. But
worshipped him like no other, and when he passed that doesn’t mean that we can’t still make life a
away, the whole city just stopped. He simply couldn’t lot better for a lot of people by taking action.
die so soon, not with a whole future of father time
waiting for him.

We only got to witness the first half of his game,
and missed out on the second. This was a tremen-
dous tragedy, and for me, it taught me a lesson to
treat every day like it’s my last. You never know
when your time is up, and no one is safe from fate --
not even Kobe Bryant.

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 February 21, 2020

Valentine’s Editorial Cartoon
Day is not the
solution Star Wars cent of westerns - with some even calling the film a
has changed Space Western. Star Wars mixed two cultures in a way
Hannah Libby | that created something entirely new.
Staff Writer Henri Robbins |
Online Editor And Disney had to go and throw it all away.
I was a sophomore. Half of the costumes in the sequel trilogy would
I remember waking up on Valentine’s Day morn- I am not a movie person at all. But there are a few look perfectly normal if I saw them at a mall or on In-
ing. It was a brisk overcast day but I was naively movies I appreciate, usually smaller, independent stagram, and almost every one of them looks like you
hopeful, allowing my young heart to yet again ones, and there was one franchise that I loved: Star took a character from the original and prequel trilogy
defeat my head in the matter of love, yet again. Wars. and shifted it ever so slightly.
I was hoping for the works: maybe a bouquet of Every single aspect of it is different for no other rea-
flowers, dinner on the town, a handwritten note If you told me in 2010 that there were going to be son than having differences, and the differences serve
-- I wanted it all. But maybe the weather should’ve five more Star Wars movies and three TV series in no purpose but to show that this isn’t George Lucas
been an omen. the next decade, I would have been ecstatic. I’d loved anymore -- it’s Disney.
I had been dating the same guy for quite a while the movies, all of them, and had seen each of them More than that, the story feels completely direc-
at that point, and things were looking bleak. Like half a dozen times. For years I didn’t miss a single tionless. One minute, they’re slowly pacing their way
most relationships, things started off blissfully ro- Friday-night premiere of The Clone Wars. I had action through the remains of a fallen Star Destroyer, the
mantic and joyful but it was only a matter of time figures, Lego sets, comic books, everything. I loved it next they’re trekking through a million-dollar mess of
before the situation started to drastically decline. just as much as every other kid in my grade. CGI. Is it a copy of Hoth, but the dirt is red for some
He became increasingly controlling about who reason? Or instead, is it a massive space station?
I hung out with, what I wore, what I liked to do. Even at twelve, I knew that Disney had a reputa- Instead of creating a coherent world, what Disney
His hateful words were so penetrating that my tion to upkeep, and that because of that, they’d have puts first is the amazing story, one that had to be
heart echoed soreness after every tattered part of to play it safe. But I tried to stay optimistic. If nothing thrown away and rewritten dozens of times as direc-
me was repeatedly attacked. And his attack on my else, it might at least have some cool designs. But any- tors came, left, and came back again, slowly abandon-
vulnerabilities only widened the gaping wounds one who’s seen the newest, what, five movies? They ing all sense of coherence and meaning.
from his verbiage. know that none of that happened. Of course, all of my complaints could be similarly
My days began to feel like a tug of war battle. placed for the prequels -- but really, what this comes
One second he was berating me to nothing -- the Instead, Disney took the worst route possible. down to is Disney. In case you haven’t noticed, they’ve
next he loved me like I was the only one that mat- You look at the movies and there’s nothing new at been buying up entertainment franchises like it’s
tered. Every day I woke up and attempted to numb all. It’s all the same expected Hollywood crap that Black Friday.
myself for whatever fight might occur. the original Star Wars subverted. You look at George As entertainment slowly and steadily paces towards
You may be asking yourself, why would you stay Lucas’s original designs, you see something far from monopolization, every piece of media we consume
with someone who treated you like this? American culture: Darth Vader was based on the will become more refined, more crafted, and more
All I can say is that manipulation in abusive armor of a samurai, and Darth Maul was rooted in the manipulated to create the greatest profit possible. It
relationships is so incredibly complicated. design of the Oni, the stories and shots took inspira- won’t be about any meaning anymore -- and that’s
I had never been in a relationship and certainly tion from Akira Kurosawa, the Jedi were a clear refer- only if you think the average movie today is meant
never seen a healthy one modeled to me. All I had ence to the Samurai, both in form and in creed. to have any meaning anyway. Instead, it will be about
ever known of love was my parents impending Han Solo was very clearly a typical cowboy-type profits and nothing else.
divorce and a marriage built on its own grotesque character, and a large part of the story was reminis-
ruins.
I believed that was how love worked. I thought
my heart was meant to be at war with my head.
I thought he would ruin me if I even tried to get
out. I felt trapped in this dark room full of whip-
lash with so many exits -- each full of their untold
horrors -- and each pulling me in different direc-
tions.
So that morning I wanted to be surprised, I
wanted to be embraced, I wanted to be swept off
my feet by the boy that I thought was my forever.
And I was.
That whole day was like a fairy tale romance.
And I thought maybe this was the start of my
happy story.
But on February 15th, it all went away. My fairy
tale fix was gone. I suddenly realized as I sat on
the cold tile floor of my shower, whimpering alone
in the water that had long turned cold, how bizarre
it was to have a holiday about love -- about dating,
cards, gifts, romance, and saying thank you. And
how bizarre it was to do a total 180 the next day.
I don’t hate Valentine’s Day, really I don’t. I just
want people (single or taken) to realize that you
are worthy of that amount of love and kindness ev-
ery day. I want people to know if you ever feel like
you’re trapped, there are so many ways to get help.
And to recognize that if it’s a healthy situation --
maybe Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be so important.
Because if February 15th makes you feel empty,
maybe you should pick yourself for Valentine’s
Day this year.

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