Edition 17.1

2 News September 20, 2019

Photo by Riley Johansen

Morton, Moser represent push for inclusion of female leaders in Black Hole

Hannah Libby | Staff Wrtier Even though Moser supports the section and said their frustration has pick some other people they thought
The Mason Black Hole Leaders, a current leaders’ variety of attendanc- grown as they have attempted to be- would be great leaders,’’ Damge
group known for its fiery representa- es so far, she believes that her peers come a catalyst for girls wanting to said. “It wasn’t us trying to exclude
tion of school spirit, has been leaving would be much more likely to attend be a part of this section in the future. anyone, we just picked the people we
a section of the Comets in the dark. a variety of events and get rowdy if thought would be hype.”
A few Mason senior girls have they felt like they were better repre- “There shouldn’t even be a conver-
made their voices heard following sented in the front row. sation about it,” Moser said. “That’s Senior Black Hole leader Max Bird
the selection of the 2019-2020 all- what upsets me the most, that we described his game plan for picking
male Black Hole leaders this past “It would make a lot more sense if have to approach this issue at all.” leaders next year and tried to em-
month. They believe there has been there was a girl that was represent- phasize the importance of reliability
a pattern of five male leaders pick- ing the [Black Hole] at the events the Assistant Principal Amy Hull with leaders. As an athlete himself,
ing only male replacements, this guys can’t make or feel uncomfort- believes a lot more can be accom- he knows what he likes to see in a
tradition, they say leaves no room for able going to,” Moser said. “Those plished if students speak up and has crowd.
female leaders to join. girls want people cheering in the shown her support in the past when
Senior Bethany Moser is one of the front row too.” the rejected girls made a twitter page “This year [we’re] just looking for
girls frustrated by the continued tra- dedicated to their pursuit of comet juniors that come to all the games
dition of the all-male spirit leaders. Senior Reagan Morton, another spirit. and are really involved in cheering,”
Moser says she’s a frequent attendee constant female presence at the Bird said.“[We’ll] pick people who are
at the Mason girls’ and guys’ athletic Comet’s sporting events, had a simi- “Even though they are not an really passionate about the games,
events, and she wishes that she could lar perspective but questioned the official club or activity,” Hull said, girl or guy.”
sit in the front row at all sporting value of her and Moser’s personal “I don’t disagree that it should and
events to cheer her heart out. impact on the future. could be looked at this time.” Hull has shown her support of
“A lot of the guys are uncomfort- guys and girls aspiring to be Mason
able with going to certain female “I feel like it’s been so hard for Hull also explained the tradition is Black Hole leaders in the future. She
sporting events,” Moser said. “For in- girls to infiltrate the leaders,” that the former leaders pick five se- hopes students will step up and make
stance, last year I went to every girl’s Morton said. “It shouldn’t have to nior replacements every year. Senior themselves heard if this is something
volleyball game, and not only did the be a burden. And it sucks but we’re Mason Black Hole leader Ben Damge they feel passionate about.
boys not attend often, but when they seniors and we’ll be gone in a year, clarified that to his knowledge there
did, they sat in the back.” so yeah it’s frustrating, but I feel wasn’t any gender bias guiding the “I support the [Black Hole] lead-
like there’s not much we can do as of decisions for this year’s leaders from ers and think they do a wonderful
right now.” the former leaders or the current job every year,” Hull said.“But if this
ones. is something students feel strongly
Moser and Morton both were about, I always encourage a student’s
interested in joining the leadership “The leaders last year picked Max voice and involvement.”
Bird and me and allowed him to

September 20, 2019 News 3

MHS learners benefitting from new peer tutoring room

Anushka Mukherjee | Staff Writer comfortable. One of the new aspects of Photo by Riley Johansen
this room are the three different learning Senior Paige Rudy instructs a student in the new tutoring room she helped design.
Tutoring just got an upgrade. environments – kinesthetic, auditory, and
In the past three years of the Peer visual. Photo by Anushka Mukherjee
Tutoring program, tutoring took place The Peer Tutoring room includes resources for students such as yoga balls, high chairs,
in the Learning Commons. This year the “For the visual and auditory learners, textbooks, and whiteboards.
program implemented a new room in we have monitors so that the tutors can
C303 funded by the Mason City Schools show them videos; there’s graph paper,
Foundation. The room is tailored to fit textbooks, and whiteboards,” Paxton said.
the various learning environments as re- “For the kinesthetic learners, there are
quested by the tutees, and there are many yoga balls and high chairs to make sure
supplies to help them succeed. that they are comfortable and focused.”
Independent study students researched
successful learning environments, Jere Clark, co-advisor of the Peer
benefits of blue fluorescent lights, and Tutoring program, said that in a standard
study resources in preparation for the classroom it is difficult for students to rec-
plan. Senior Paige Rudy, an intern in ognize their learning style and be taught
the program, was a part of the group of in that specific manner. Students often
independent study students who put forth don’t even know what their learning style
the proposal for the new room in 2018. is, and that can get in the way of their
She believes this new room will prove to learning process. But with the new room,
be quite valuable for the students. the tutors have the opportunity to get to
“It’s good to have a certain environ- know their tutees personally and teach
ment where you are surrounded by them, according to Clark.
people that are feeling the same way as
you,” Rudy said. “The tutees will walk in “If a tutor has a visual learner, for
knowing that there are people there to instance, then the tutee will be able to un-
specifically help them. And that will cer- derstand that the reason they learn better
tainly be beneficial for the tutees because when things are written down is because
they will have a safe space.” of their learning style,” Clark said. “Our
Students in Peer Tutoring say that it goal is to help students identify what
has helped them perform better in their learning style works for them so that they
classes. Freshman Ella Schlaeger, who is can apply it to the classroom. It’s a tool
currently being tutored in science, affirms they can use.”
the program is helping her improve her
performance in her class. The room is designed as a space to help
“I really like the Peer Tutoring room students learn. Clark said a lot of thought
because I get to work one on one with was put into planning the arrangement
my tutor,” Schlaeger said. “I like how it’s of the room to make sure that it was the
not a normal classroom setting because ideal environment for the tutees. The
it’s student-led. It’s a nice feeling to get room is meant to provide tutors with a
to work at my own pace and not have to safe place to help their tutees perform
worry about being behind in class.” better in their classrooms, she added.
The Peer Tutoring room was designed
to ensure the tutees felt welcomed and “We make it our job to make sure that
the students that are struggling or need
help, have somewhere to go,” Clark said.
“We want them to have an outlet where
they can feel safe and supported no mat-
ter what.”

4 News September 20, 2019

Students and teachers divided

Henri Robbins | Online Editor forward to interacting with those teach- Johnston said. “So, the biggest thing for Similarly, some students have had to
ers and now I don’t feel as motivated to AP Psychology is that I’ve had to adapt make changes to adapt to the schedule.
New year, new schedule -- Mason is come to school because I do not see a my pacing guide. I might have to do a Although she as apprehensive at first
starting off the year with a different specific teacher that I’ve connected to.” topic that I usually would do later in a due to the changes, senior Anna Mull-
look at the bell schedule. unit earlier to fit a time frame. That’s inger said that the extra time in the
Physics teacher Lora Sheppard, who been a bit of an adjustment, and some classroom has allowed her to put more
Since the school year started, Mason is teaching her first year at Mason, said kids are wondering why we’re doing effort into her assignments.
students and teachers have been adapt- that the schedule allows her students module 8 before module 7, and it’s
ing to a new system of block sched- more time outside of class to under- because we want to fit it into a certain “I was skeptical because it’s not what
uling that the school has begun to stand the information and let it sink in. time slot.” I had been doing for the past three
implement. years,” Mullinger said. “I wasn’t sure
“It’s not just about time,” Sheppard Even though many classes had to how it would work that I wouldn’t see
In previous years, students would said. “The fact that there is a gap be- be reorganized, Johnston said that it my classes every day, I thought that
sign up for six or seven classes, then go tween one class and when you see them hasn’t necessarily impacted the class in it was going to be confusing, I had
to each of them every day. With the new again gives students time to physically a negative way. While teachers had to generally negative opinions. Now that
block schedule, students only attend all practice and let the information sink take time to reorganize their class, the I’ve done it for a couple weeks, I like it
of their classes on Mondays and Fridays, in.” information is still learned at the same more just because I have more time to
going to only some of their classes each pace, and some classes might even see make better quality work. Being able to
day throughout the rest of the week. While many teachers are enthusiastic benefits from the restructuring. have more time with that is super help-
about the new schedule, that doesn’t ful, because then you don’t feel like you
The change to scheduling, in mean that they haven’t had to make “We’re lucky, in Psych, to have some have to rush to make progress, you can
conjunction with the later start times, changes. Advanced Placement Psy- flexibility with how we introduce dif- actually take your time and do stuff.”
has caught many students off guard. chology teacher Angie Johnston said ferent topics,” Johnston said. “It all
Senior Liz Mitan said that due to the that while she sees the new schedule connects, but it doesn’t have to be in Along with being able to work for
inconsistency of the schedule, she is beneficial, she has had to teach some this format of ‘this before this before longer periods of time, Mullinger also
having more trouble connecting with parts of her class out of order due to the this before this’. There are some units said that the longer bells allow her to
her teachers and feeling at home in the differing class lengths throughout the that need that, but there are others that become more focused on her work.
classroom. week. don’t, so we can switch the modules While previously she would have to
around a bit. I don’t think it’s taken prepare for multiple classes every day,
“As a student who develops a close “The biggest adjustment teaching- away from the curriculum and how it’s now she is able to dedicate more time to
relationship with her teachers, I’m dis- wise that I’ve had to make was trying to introduced.” a select few of them.
appointed that I don’t get to see certain figure out what certain topic I need to
teachers every day,” Mitan said. “I look cover with how long it’s going to take,” continued on page 5

September 20, 2019 News 5

on the new block scheduling

continued from page 4 she appreciates, there are also some
issues that can be worked out moving
“I feel like I’m more productive in forward.
class because I have enough time to in-
vest it into doing something,” Mullinger “On one hand it’s helpful if you have
said. “Since you don’t have to jump in a study hall because you can have 70
and out of it, it takes less time for you to minutes where you can do whatever you
get focused and get invested. Especially want,” Mullinger said, “but the whole
for art classes in general, like Studio Art, thing about not having a consistent
being able to paint for an hour and then schedule is annoying because I don’t
have the ten minutes on either side to have a specific time every day where I
clean up is super helpful. Just being can work on something. (...) Everyone
able to actually focus on stuff, especial- hates Wednesdays because none of us
ly for art classes, is sick.” get to get here late or leave early, and
on top of that there’s the traffic.”
The longer class times do not work
for every student, said Mitan. She has Sheppard said that, although there
noticed that because of them, many of have been some students having issues
her classmates have trouble focusing in with the schedule, she hopes students
more tedious subjects. are able to become accustomed to the
changes and look at them from a more
“I don’t feel as connected with the positive perspective.
kids in my class because I don’t see
them every day, but I also feel like I’m “We need more time for students to
in class for too long.” Mitan said. “It’s a start seeing benefits and start realizing
lot to do math for 70, 90 minutes. Even how much this is going to help their
in classes I like, such as art classes, I’m lifestyle,” Sheppard said. “I felt the same
ready to move on. Teenagers are known as them because I was coming into
for their short attention spans.” something new. I’m seeing less ‘I hate
this thing’ frustration and more ‘this is
With the impact of the longer class something new’ frustration. There will
times and different scheduling, many be a very big difference if you ask in
students have found both positives and December, and if you ask near the end
negatives in the change. Mullinger said of the year.”
that, although there are many changes

6 Feature September 20, 2019

Student trumpeter cashing in on his music

Scott Reckers | Staff Writer hours to perfect even short recordings. Photo by Scott Reckers
Senior Harmon Byerly isn’t trying to As time progressed, he said he has got- Senior Harmon Byerly has played the trumpet for seven years, and began recording commercially
ten more confident, and now it doesn’t late in his sophomore year. He plans to continue playing music in college and later as a career.
toot his own horn, but he is making a take him long at all.
bit of money off it.
“I’ve had one where it was a 10 second
Byerly is a trumpeter who is making commercial for a local car dealership,
money off his playing. He records his but I was so scared because it was my
playing and works with companies that first job,” Byerly said. “I spent a solid
are willing to pay him for his skills. He two hours just recording this 10-second
started recording late his sophomore little snippet and eventually went with
year, thanks to his private teacher, and one of the takes I got about 45 minutes
has been recording ever since. in. But nowadays, I had a job where I
was asked to do a 30-second commer-
“I started by doing some jobs that my cial and I took about 6 takes. That took
teacher helped me with,” Byerly said. about 20 minutes just to make sure that
“Then I did some other jobs with local the sound was right.”
musicals, like the Sycamore Summer
Symposium.” While Byerly does get paid for his re-
cordings, that is not the sole reason he
Byerly works with more than just does it. He plans to pursue a career in
musicals. Local businesses, such as music, and his recordings enable him to
Kings Island, reach out to him as well, spread his passion to a wider audience.
and he records parts for their commer-
cials. “I think it’s really interesting to en-
tertain a crowd by doing a good quality
“I’ve played a lot of those for record- show or by displaying your emotions to
ings because they want someone cheap a crowd by sharing what you love with
to play it, and obviously I'm not getting them,” Byerly said. “You’re hoping that
the same amount of money as most you’re showing them how much you
professionals,” Byerly said. “So I’ll be love music or make them love music
taking the 5th or 6th trumpet parts on with how much you are displaying your
those commercials.” passion.”

When he first started, it took Byerly

September 20, 2019 7

8 September 20, 2019

September 20, 2019 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 “ Compared to what was available to
for several years. It is through this
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 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 chances growing up.
closer, Kling began helping Colburn “I love speaking with young people,
with one especially unique form of age, you can still have a wealthy and full life. it invigorates me and helps to keep me
expression: writing an autobiography.
Colburn said there are a number of -Lois Colburn burn thinking clearly, and I think about my
things which contributed to the start grandchildren and want them to know
of this project, including the desire to about the opportunity in front of them,”
preserve her memories even after they “ Colburn said. “I think youngsters have
have begun to leave her. so much more opportunity. I think it is
“There are a lot of people my age who a very hard time for young people and
don’t have the memory I have,” Colburn also a very exciting time.”
said. “I am 90 years old, and I hope to A message Colburn wants to extend
have as clear a mind as I do now for a about this as much as I would like to, their bicycles down the road, and we both in her autobiography and in person
much longer time, but I also want to so that’s actually why I started thinking stopped and shook hands and they is the need for persistence because every
make use of my memory while I still about writing this.” "wWIefenthcteabrmea'cesketovheoarmapfueeebalinendvgetwnheatutwIacellanynt'aotnrned.a..lwlyetalk aboutht,haoirrndIgdmdoniof'mftegreeentn,ttoinrdIoldiwfoenn'btthewceaonrmot aaendsy.sboomdyee-lse
have it and get it down onto paper. Or The autobiography itself recounts “When my fathetor kpnaosswe,dI jauwstadyr,amw iyt."
a computer, actually, which I am not a number of experiences Colburn has met yodlers there, and they had us feel
computer-literate. That’s why I need had, including stories about her trips to their throats while they yodeled and it mother said ‘we’re going to rear four
young people like Taylor who’s been so Europe and reflections on the people wWJuaensibosiorkMebdiikzatahlrSrreotouaugnghdhtaloolnlupodofsaEtnsuddrioggipotaeol,dagnfeduttnhian. ngdmadectoahrimtlodenr,ebano,ft’hi”vChee-oyrlembauarir-nonIlndsas,tiaadng.rd“aSmthhaeensdwasaideyctoshhnadet-
kind and helped me.” she has met.
Another important reason that Col- “My husband and I went to Europe tsotaorkryineaorstwtahcpaceotouapnrltee, @jaunsmtdihkwaeelazrchtrwaevaateriomsnozin.mCgaolnmikyieng from sapnoakrteistainc dfamcailryr,isehdeosani,dsshhee bneegvaenrdlreatwmineg
burn wants to write her autobiography is in 1953,” Colburn said. “We rented bikes that.” in eighth grade, and uses it Attohlielnxykporwuesersechaoelrulsyledlnfnien’tewdsuaiycsscbsehreuedtceiannd'aetntienyrtwmhoiirnndgas..-
to get a lasting message out to her two from England because that’s how you
grandchildren. got around back then. In Germany, we Beyond those she met in Europe, Col- tion; you never know the incredible
“I have grandchildren who are four met a young woman who came over to burn said a woman who made a huge people you will meet in your life until
borrow our bicycle pump for her bike, impact on her life was the doctor who you have the chance to look back on it.
but her German bike was large and helped her with medical issues when Many things that weren’t remarkable in
our pump didn’t work. We wanted to she attended the University of Michigan. the moment became special over time.
make sure she understood, we wanted “She was so good to people, she would Really, time just changes everything.”

10 Feature September 20, 2019

Getting Thrifty...

Photo by Evelina Gaivoronskaia
Senior Sophia Palermo prefers thrifting as a way to get great
clothes and reduce the impact on the environment. amount of

Thrifters saving money and the environment one hoodie at a time

Evelina Gaivoronskaia | Staff Writer environment.” ers aren’t treated right and I really a minimum.
Senior Leia Bulger said she is also don’t like that. “ “After I learned about thrift stores
Senior Sophia Palermo likes to get
thrifty when it comes to buying new aware of the waste that throwing Palermo also said she recently saw I did research on the number of
clothes. She also likes to protect the clothes creates. She said thrift shop- thrifting getting more popular. She clothes we go through, and it just
environment. ping helps reduce waste and save the links it with people being more aware really bothered me,” Flood said.
materials that are otherwise wasted of the environment around them and “I didn’t want to be a part of that
Palermo admitted thrifting helps on making new clothes. more willing to change their lifestyle anymore. So I decided to try to stop
her avoid mass-produced cheap cloth- to make an impact. buying new clothes. And it’s actually
ing and she can do her part in not “I think thrifting is good for the really fun because you can find the
adding to overstuffed landfills. environment because the clothes that “When I started thrift shopping, weirdest things at the thrift store.”
people stopped wearing would prob- which wasn’t that long ago, not a ton
Most fast fashion companies aim to ably just be thrown away, but instead of people did it,” Palermo said. “But Flood said that he tries to be aware
produce clothing that keeps up with they are donated,” Bulger said. “If I now there is a lot more stuff about of his impact on the environment.
the ever-changing trends. When the buy that, there is no waste. It saves a the environment, like the save the After he started thrifting he realized
clothing is out of fashion, it is harder lot of materials.” turtles movement and the Amazon the number of new clothes he was
to sell and more likely to get thrown rainforest being on fire. I feel like a throwing away because they weren’t
out. Bulger said that on top of being lot of people want to do their part in in style anymore. He said he decided
wasteful, fast fashion companies can helping the environment.” to be more conscious about his pur-
“Fast fashion is a really big thing have unethical working conditions. chases.
right now,” Palermo said. “Places like Those companies also put out bad Senior Nick Flood uses thrift shop-
the American Eagle will put out new quality clothing that doesn’t justify ping as a way to help the environ- “It’s really important for me to
clothing very often. If they don’t sell supporting their way of treating ment. He said that he decided to have a low impact on the environ-
that clothing they send it to a ware- workers and the environment. try to buy as little new clothes as ment with the things that I do,” Flood
house and then it gets thrown away possible. Although he prefers to buy said. “I realized the number of clothes
or shipped overseas, where they try “I did a little research about fast some clothing items like underwear we go through and fast fashion, and
to sell it too, but if they don’t it gets fashion because I do shop at Forever and socks brand new, he tried to keep the number of clothes we throw out
burned, which is even worse for the 21 sometimes,” Bulger said. “But I his purchases of other new clothes to because we don’t like them anymore.”
know that some of their factory work-

September 20, 2019 Feature 11

Skill tests and competitions push skaters to reach full potential

Kaelyn Rodrigues | Staff Writer

There’s a fine line between art and sport, and some The official U.S. Figure skating tests offer junior Jessie Kong a way to accumulate new skills on the ice. Photo by Henri Robbins
choose to skate on it.
Senior Cora Scully also participates in moves in the you might feel the opposite at the moment.”
Freshman Ashley Udstuen was introduced to the field and freestyle testing to challenge her skating While some skaters practice recreationally, Scully
ice rink by her dad, who began playing hockey in his skills. One aspect of this in particular that Scully finds
youth. She played hockey for about a year before tran- difficult is being evaluated by official U.S. Figure Skat- said she does testing because she desires a more
sitioning to figure skating. ing judges. devoted approach. Testing allows her to perform in a
more professional atmosphere.
“My whole family has been into skating, so I started “You basically work on a group of skills that they
when I was really young, about eight years [ago,]” give you,” Scully said. “Then, you go to a pretty intimi- “Testing is just kind of an advancement on what you
Udstuen said. “Hockey is really important to my dad dating judge session where you’re the only person on can do with the sport in general,” Scully said. “Some
[because] growing up, [he] lived near a lake, and when ice and a panel of three to five judges watches you. people do skating just because they enjoy getting out
it would freeze over, they would play hockey on it. My They ultimately test if they think you can go on to the there and being on the ice. But for me, I feel like a
dad wanted to continue doing it and got my family next level or not.” challenge is always necessary if you’re going to com-
into it.” mit to something, and testing is one way that I chal-
While competitions can be stressful, Kong said lenge myself in my practice.”
Udsteun competes in three categories of figure testing brings her a new level of pressure, specifically
skating. Moves in the field consists of skills such as from the judging panel. Sometimes, her performance Although she has had to cut back the number of
spirals and hydroblading that demonstrate basic is affected by it. competitions she does due to her busy schedule, Scully
skills and control of the blade’s edges. Ice dance is a said she chooses to continue competing because she
choreographed dance routine performed on ice skates. “Tests are more nerve-wracking than competi- gets to interact with other skaters and study their abili-
She considers freestyle, which includes a program of tions because failing a test means coming back to the ties to improve her own.
jumps and spins performed to music, her favorite of rink the next day and having to work on the same
the three. skills that you’ve already worked so hard on,” Kong “I was on a synchronized skating team for around
said. “Sometimes I feel a little shaky or want to rush two years, and I traveled a lot with my team to do
“I have three coaches, all for different kinds of through the performance, but sometimes the nerves competitions with them,” Scully said. “I really like
skating: moves in the field, ice dance, and freestyle,” can help me perform better. The judges are intimidat- competing because you get the chance to not only
Udstuen said. “If I didn’t compete, I think freestyle ing-- they smile and act friendly, but we know they are meet other skaters, but you also get to learn new
would be a lot more boring because there would be very critical. It is stressful talking to them because you elements and see how you can improve by looking
less of a reason to do it; I wouldn’t have anything to have to act like you are super confident even though at how others skate and applying that to your own
work towards or strive for.” practice.”

Udstuen also pursues the sport through a 15-mem-
ber synchronized skating team, the Indian Hill Winter
Club Crystals. In addition to competing, the group
performs at halftime during Cincinnati Cyclones
hockey games.

“The first time we did it, [there was] definitely a
lot more stress, like, ‘Oh my god, there’s so many
people!’” Udstuen said. “I think it’s pretty fun. Even if
we do mess up, it’s not that big of a deal; we could do
literally anything and they would think, ‘Oh, that’s so
cool!’”

Junior Jessie Kong began ice skating when she was
four years old. While she no longer competes, Kong
improves her skills through official U.S. Figure Skat-
ing tests.

“There are different categories of skating tests,”
Kong said. “You just keep testing in those categories
until you pass all of them and go up through the
levels. I have one more moves in the field test to pass.
After you pass the last one, you become a U.S. gold
medalist.”

“

If I didn’t compete, I wouldn’t have
anything to strive for.

-Ashley Udsteun

“

12 Feature September 20, 2019

High school students take on adult responsibilities

Photo by Ann Vettikal
Junior Tyler Solimini works at Kroger to make enough money to pay his bills; managing his budget has become routine.

Ann Vettikal | Staff Writer money, I was kind of frivolous. Now, I feel like I’ll be Graphic by Aadrija Biswas
more responsible. I sectioned off a small percent, just
In American culture, turning 18 is a milestone: a for myself. The majority goes for fees and stuff that I
symbol of freedom as teenagers tackle the task of actually need to pay for – to live.”
growing up - and with it, finding a way to pay the bills.
Even those who haven’t moved toward self-reliance
But for some, these responsibilities come much yet are able to achieve this sense of responsibility
earlier. Junior Tyler Solimini said that having to pay through an alternate means. Junior Lucy Lu has priori-
his own bills as a high school student is as much an tized where the money she earns at Kings Island go.
initiative on his own part as it is a requirement from
his parents. “I just decided that my money goes into my parents’
bank account because they’ve been supporting me for
“My parents said that they had to do this (pay their my whole life,” Lu said. “It doesn’t feel right to earn
own bills) and it definitely taught them when they money and keep it separate from my parents because
started getting their own things,” Solimini said. “I feel we can all share everything - I don’t deserve to keep all
like I’m prepared for managing my money in the real the money that I earned.”
world, even though I’m only in high school. And my
parents didn’t make me get a job -- I got a job at 14 on Lu said that giving her money a purpose has started
my own. Because I just want to save a bunch of money.” to prepare her for what’s in store after high school. Be-
yond spending and saving, Lu commented on the core
Solimini is in the minority -- while many kids in Ma- of what it means to work hard and make smart choices
son have some sort of job, not many chip in to pay for with what you earn.
personal expenses such as phone bill or car insurance.
Paying for these necessities forces teens like Solimini “Even though my family doesn’t really need the
to look at budgeting in another lens. As he looks $2000 I’ve earned so far, it’s the effort,” Lu said. “It’s
toward the expenses of having his own car, Solimini more the idea that’s important to me. Even though we
said he has to take accountability for how he handles might not be using [my money] right away, it’s about
his money. contributing at all. Money used to be a big thing to
me. But now it’s going toward my family and I think it
“If I want something, I’m like, how will this affect can help me in the future organizing and dividing my
[me] right now?” Solimini said. “In the future, I’m money - and be more decisive with it.”
gonna ask - do I really want this? Can I take it out of
my budget? It’s good experience. You have a bit of a For those who do, or for those who have to, Solimini
safety net because you got your parents. But it’s good believes that paying your own bills is more than just a
to learn these things before you go to college and trivial task that eats away at spending money. He wor-
eventually get a job.” ries that too much dependence on parents can lead to
issues later on, noting the positives on how self-reliance
Senior Jonah Shin, who used the wages earned from has shaped his outlook toward life, beyond the high
lifeguarding to pay his high school athletic fee, shares school horizon.
the experience of having to manage his salary. Shin
said that even though paying for this fee was imposed “Mason is a pretty average high-income town,” Soli-
upon by his parents, it shaped him into a more consci- mini said. “You hear about everyone out there getting
entious spender. new cars. When they actually get into the real world,
they just don’t know how to manage their money. At
“It taught me a lot about how much money is really this age, when we’re so immature, it’s really just good
worth,” Shin said. “When I started out using my own to teach your kids responsibility.”

September 20, 2019 Entertainment 13

Music all lean to a more experimental style, taking in sound Ginger Brockhampton

Album Review: Ginger by Brockhampton signatures and motifs from across decades to formulate
Review by Henri Robbins
a standalone, yet referencial sound. It takes in layers of
Publicized as a “Summer album” for the months before
its release, Brockhampton’s Ginger fulfills that claim only in sound and emotion, built up over the last few years of their
the broadest of senses, yet still knocks it absolutely out of
the park. Opening with a somber guitar and the resound- work, and turns out a cohesive, strong, yet still emotion-
ing cry of “I don’t know where I’m going,” the project
immediately marks itself as a painfully open commentary ally vulnerable project. The boys explore the highs and
of morality, later covered by a guise of killer instrumentals
and well-versed wordplay, but still underpinned by the dark lows of their lives, honing in on their time in Brockhampton
themes of the album. Throughout the tracks, members
weave their way through topics of romance, religion, re- but looking at their entire lives, coming to terms with their
gret, and redemption, all underpinned by a common thread
of betrayal - presumably in regards to former member traumas and bringing it to a collection of heartbreaking
Ameer Vann. While some tracks, such as Boy Bye, take on
a more poppy, positive sound, they ballads, intimate sounds, and soul-tearing lyrics, hitting

Movie an emotional climax at the grippingly reflective Dearly

Departed and finding a mourning release with the clos-

ing Victor Roberts. All in all, the album serves as a both

a reflection of the group's past and a maturation 9/10
of their sounds and perspectives, signifying a shift
to a new era.

"When somebody that you know throws you in

the fire, how do you survive?" - Dome McLennon, Dearly

Departed

IT: Chapter 2

Review By Ann Vettikal

Director: Andy Muschetti

Review: 6/10

It: Chapter Two revealed potential not quite met, in spite of the massive 3 hour run time it had to do so. Set 27 My
years after the previous It movie, the Losers’ Club reunite in the seemingly sleepy town, Derry, Maine, to conquer Rating
the clown back for more, and with it, their deepest fears. The tone shifts many times throughout the movie, starting
on a sobering note with the gruesome reality of hate crimes and ending on an uplifting message about the unbreak-
able bond of friendship. The film relies on flashy effects and jumpscares to induce fright, but it airs a tad too heavily
on comedic relief for the audience to take the horror seriously. If you’re walking in expecting the scare of your life,
you’ll want to reconsider. But if you’re okay with watching a good storyline turned mediocre, witnessing Pennywise
and his posse of grotesque creatures ruin your appetite, and laughing more than you scream, then there is no doubt
that this movie will entertain you, if you can stay awake for that long.

Music Amidst the heavy rap beats and repetitive pop

UP NEXT choruses on the forefront of the music
charts, Surfaces’ upbeat, minimalistic
songs provide a breath of fresh air.

The music group, based out of Texas,

is made up by Colin Padalecki and singer Forrest

Frank. Their songs feature positive lyrics, and the

tropical instrumentals that back the vocals play on

nostalgia, utilizing classic techniques that reflect a

modern audience. In their hit song Sunday Best,

they focus more on the idea of feeling your best

rather than dressing like it. Though the songs are

SURFACES trending, they mostly carry the same message and
because of that, can get redundant to some

Review/Rating by Della Johnson listeners. Still, the happiness and keep-on-going
mindset has resulted in their rising popularity.
8.5/10

14 Feat

Kenzie Smith HOW

94.0 K followers TTHH

Della Johnson | Staff Writer Freshman Caden Davis has been
Making every second count has using the app for over a year. In
led everyday students to stardom. that time, he’s gained around 135
TikTok, previously called musical. thousand followers, and now has a
ly, is a video-sharing social app. Af- Post Office (PO) box for people to
ter the change in titles in mid-2018, send mail to him. He said he starts
the app had slow beginnings. Many producing content as soon as he gets
viewed it as “cringey,” or a meme. home from school.
However, it has recently been ex-
tremely popular. Currently, the app “After school, I get home and I’m
has around 500 million active users, like, ‘I need to make TikToks,’” Davis
and that amount of activity has re- said. “I spend two or three hours
sulted in certain accounts achieving looking for videos to try to find and
fame on the platform. make. If I end up not coming up
Senior Kenzie Smith has amassed with anything, then I have nothing
over 89 thousand followers, or to post.”
“fans,” as they’re called, in her past
year on Tik Tok. She said her jour- Not only can TikTok lead to large
ney on the app began as a joke. fanbases, it can actually provide in-
“It was around March of this year,” come. On the app, creators with over
Smith said. “One of my friends had a 1000 followers can “go live,” and
bunch of followers, and I thought it interact with their followers in real
was cool. So I was like, ‘Oh, I want to time. Users of the app can purchase
become famous,’ as a joke. And then “gifts” to send to their favorite Tik-
I gained a bunch of followers.” Tokers in exchange for a shoutout
There’s many different types of or duet, a sort of collaborative video.
content people can create on TikTok, These gifts are given to the creators
ranging from comedy skits and in real life in the form of actual
simple lip synching to art and un- money. Davis said TikTok is a source
usual talents. Smith said she views of income for him, similar to a job.
her own videos mostly as humor.
“Most people would call it com- “It’s kind of like a small part time
edy,” Smith said. “I just think it’s job,” Davis said. “I’m making money
stupid. I do it for fun, honestly. I usu- off of it. If you go live, people are
ally make a joke, an original sound, donating stuff. I used to go live
or I’ll just do a trend or something. I like every day back in the summer,
didn’t think I’d get that many follow- but now it’s maybe once every two
ers, but here we are.” weeks.”

Though some may use the
platform for profit, others don’t
necessarily see it as a favorable way
of making money. Smith said she

ture T

TO 15

HHEE Caden Davis

152.6 K Followers

doesn’t enjoy going live or asking Real people view the videos and can
for gifts from her followers that recognize creators in public settings.
often. Davis explained how he’s dealt with
these situations.
“(Going live) is a big thing,” Smith
said. “I sometimes like to trick “I’ll be at the mall or something,”
people that I make a lot of money. Davis said. “I’ll be like walking past
It’s really funny. But I don’t like to and I’ll hear somebody like whisper
go live. I know a lot of people will to their friend something like, ‘Oh
go on there and be like, ‘send me my God, he’s on TikTok.’ I just laugh
gifts.’ And they’ll shout you out for and walk away. People will ask me
so many gifts or follow you. I’m not for a picture, but it’s mostly a joke.
interested in that.” Sometimes they’re serious, and so I
take a picture.”
Sophomore Paige Goldberg has
earned over 150 thousand followers With such a large platform, mis-
on TikTok. She has made money takes can sometimes be amplified.
from using the live video feature Davis said he’s had a few misun-
on the app, but said she doesn’t feel derstandings with the intent of his
attached to the app. content.

“I’ve made about $200,” Gold- “I made like a couple of videos
berg said. “I feel like I can stop if I that I thought were funny but
wanted to. I think the app will fall weren’t really funny,” Davis said.
out of popularity one day or get re- “People took it the wrong way. So,
modeled, like it was from musical.ly. maybe I might [regret that], but just
I don’t know if it’ll affect me or not.” a simple explanation could probably
get me out of it.”
Much like most other social media
apps, TikTok also puts “like” counts With TikTok gaining new users
on videos, as well as comments. every day, more and more people are
Smith said she sometimes feels going from poking fun to spending
drawn to the app due to her personal hours on the app. Smith said people
increasing popularity. shouldn’t knock it unless they’ve
experienced it themselves.
“It’s kind of addicting,” Smith
said. “Once you realize and see the “Don’t hate on TikTok until you
followers you’re gaining, you can actually try it,” Smith said. “Appar-
get addicted to it. It makes you feel ently my whole grade makes fun of
good about yourself. That’s honestly, me for it, and people will make fun
why [I keep doing it].” of me for it to my face. I just think
it’s fun. I know people will download
Another byproduct of social me- it just to make fun of people, then
dia fame happens outside the phone. they realize how much fun it is.”

16 September 20, 2019

September 20, 2019 Feature 17

Athletes not the only ones committing to colleges

Anna Kinasewitz | Staff Writer

Seven percent. That's the percentage of high school Photo contributed by Mason Bands
athletes that go on to compete at the collegiate level.
Senior Priyasha Bose joined band in eighth grade and has continued since, aiming to play in college.
Tweets, Instagram posts, and celebrations are all made
when an athlete decides to take the leap and commit to a Photo contributed by Mason Bands
school to continue their sports career. Hours of practice Senior Carter Tull, a trombone player, is looking to play at either Purdue or The Ohio State University.
go into perfecting their skills and getting them to a
“committing” level. But there's another group putting in
long hours of practice who also have hopes of continu-
ing their careers at the college level. These dedicated
performers are the members of the marching band.

Tubas, trumpets, and trombones alike decide if they
want to continue their passion into their college career.
Senior marching band member Priyasha Bose has been
playing the flute for over seven years and joined the Ma-
son Band program when she moved to Mason in eighth
grade. Like any other athlete, her involvement in her
activity has become a lifestyle.

“Band is a huge part of my life,” Bose said. “Going into
college, I want to continue it since it’s a skill that I've
built up and dedicated my life to. I just have fun. I’ve
made all of my friends through band, I like playing, and
I’m looking forward to seeing how other schools do it.”

Two of the schools Bose hoped to attend are both
South Carolinian division one powerhouses. Clemson
University and The University of South Carolina ask spe-
cific questions to their general applicants about interest
in the marching band.

“My top two [schools] are both big, athletic schools
that have huge marching bands,” Bose said. “They go to
the football games and it’s a big deal considering it is the
SEC and the ACC.”

Senior trombone player Carter Tull is considering two
of America’s top college marching bands, The Ohio State
University and Purdue University. He realized that once
he moves on from high school, there will be some differ-
ences when it comes to the band techniques themselves.

“College marching bands do mostly halftime shows
but don’t really compete like our MHS band,” Tull said.
“I went to a couple of band camps this summer for Ohio
State’s marching band. It’s a little bit different technique-
wise. They did a chair-step march while we only do heel-
toe technique at the high school. It’s more traditional and
old-fashioned to get the look they’re aiming for.”

Deciding which college to attend proves difficult for
nearly every high school student. However, when going
on to commit, regardless of what the student committing
is for, special consideration must be given that is specific
to what the student is pursuing.

“When I was thinking about marching band and
college you have to look at things like, ‘do they have a
football team?’, because if they don’t have a football team
they don’t have a marching band,” Bose said. “You have
to look at things like their school of music and how big
of a part marching band is to their culture at the school.
You don’t want it to separate you and keep you isolated.”

At MHS, marching band is a big part of the school's
culture, with hundreds involved in the program. Tull
said he looks at marching band as a chance to get in-
volved with his future school, considering how his talents
keep him very involved with MHS now.

“I enjoy marching band in high school and I’d like to
do something exciting and meaningful wherever I go,”
Tull said. “People always talk about getting involved in
college and this is something I’m confident doing.”

18 Sports September 20, 2019

INFLUENTIAL
freshman

VARSITY GOLFERS A.J.
WILHELM (left) AND NATE
VONDERHAAR (right) HAVE
MADE AN IMMEDIATE
IMPACT ON THE VARSITY
GOLF TEAM. THEIR
COMPETITIVE FRIENDSHIP
HAS FUELED THEIR RIVALRY
AND PUSHED EACH GOLFER
TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

Golf team It didn’t take long for these two in, and one of them usually played Photo by Mia Sweitzer
gets infusion long time friends to turn heads well,” Golski said. “And that’s al-
of youth with when each carded a 78 at the chal- ways a good thing to have, espe- trash talking put to the extreme,
addition of lenging St. Xavier Invitational. cially when you have four other but it really makes us better”
talented upperclassmen on the team.”
freshman It didn’t matter that it was only Vonderhaar said that being on
their second varsity match as the A huge part of Wilhelm and Varsity now is good for the future
Cody Allgor | Staff Writer duo brought home medalist honors Vonderhaar’s success comes from because they will not be as sur-
& Chronicle Sports Staff to lead the Comet team. practice -- where things can get prised going into bigger tourna-
pretty competitive. ments, and they will have much
Freshman golfers AJ Wilhelm Team scoring leader, senior Mat- more control over their nerves.
and Nathan Vonderhaar may be a thew Scheid, believes these two Vonderhaar said that since his
little green, but that hasn’t pre- freshman have the talent to help golf game is so close to Wilhelm, “The experiences of these events
vented the two golfers from finding the team return to the Ohio High they push each other to be better and playing in the top five, the
the greens on the Mason Comets School Athletic Association state over the summer. experience helps,” Vonderhaar said.
varsity golf team. tournament not only this year, but “Next year, going into these events,
for several seasons to come. “Over the summer I played we won’t be as nervous as we’ll have
Despite lacking high school expe- against AJ, pretty much every day, the experience almost like a junior
rience these two talented freshman “The fact that we have freshmen at Heritage - our local club” Von- or sophomore.”
are no stranger to competitive golf, on Varsity A just proves how skillful derhaar said. “We’re so close that we
and their skills have both golfers they are, they don’t know how good both want to beat each other. I feel Scheid said that before they
off to a tremendous start to the they are, you really don’t see that even though I get mad, him beating become leaders, Vonderhaar and
season, averaging about 78 strokes often” Scheid said. “Those two are me pushes me to get better.” Wilhelm need to continue to devel-
per tournament. insane. They’re going to go some- oping their game as well as learn
where big with golf, they don’t get In golf, where there are all forms from the leadership of this year’s
it yet.” of unwritten rules and loads of upperclassmen.
etiquette, Wilhelm said these two
Lone junior Charlie Golski said still aren’t afraid to talk a little trash But for now, the team is just
that it is nice to rely on freshman when they’re out on the course. happy to have these spirited un-
when the upperclassmen do not derclassmen firing for the pin and
play well, which has helped the “On the course, it’s more of like recording low scores.
Comets so far this year. fun banters,” Wilhelm said. “Say you
hit like a shank, you just destroy “It’s great to have young guys on
“If someone didn’t play well, you them for a good two holes and then our team with this much talent,”
could always have Nate or AJ come you guys are back to friends, it’s Scheid said. “And it’s awsome that
they’re also so much fun and keep
us on our toes. “

September 20, 2019 Sports 19

GOING FOR THE
GOLD
Mason Swimmers prepare for historic Olympic Trials

Alana Amaya | Staff Writer work, dedication, and support “The harder the goals you Photos by Mia Sweitzer and Henri Robbins
There may be a future Olym- from one another, are the core set, the better you are going to
pic athlete sitting next to you in to this group of students who do something,” Bloebaum said. Senior Adam Chaney (top) Sophomore Carl Bloe-
class. spend a great deal of time every “That is what I have always tried baum (middle) and Junior Reese Lugbill (bottom)
Swimming has been a large day at the pool. Lugbill finds to do. It’s also really rewarding have qualified through the first round of Olympic trials
part of the sports culture at the individual competition to be when you see that you drop time and will compete in the Olympic trial semi- finals for a
Mason since the 1980’s, and it beneficial to both her and her and that you have a really good chance at the Paris Olympics in 2024
has become one of the premier teammates. swim.”
programs in the state. But now,
the results are bigger than ever. “We all see the hard work Chaney said it’s no secret
Sophomore Carl Bloebaum, everybody puts in so it’s exciting that self-motivation is the most
Junior Reese Lugbill, and Senior when their hard work pays off,” critical element of success if you
Adam Chaney are three students Lugbill said. “And it’s actually want to be able to compete at
at Mason High School that have fun to compete against your this level. Chaney said he always
made it through the first Olym- teammates because you do it tries to go the extra mile, no
pic trials and have earned them- every day in practice, it’s really matter how well or poorly they
selves a chance to get into the helped us in all aspects” performed that day.
Olympic Semi-Finals. Apart from
now Stanford swimmer Ashley Although being a part of the “If I feel like I’m not doing
Volpenhein, these 3 swimmers Olympics may be a dream for enough I ask myself for more,”
are the first bunch to accomplish many swimmers, it is the oppor- Chaney said. “Even if I feel like
the feat in school history. tunity to be a member of these I’ve done too much, I’ll still con-
Adam Chaney, who quali- elite teams and participating in tinue to ask myself for more.”
fied for the 50 freestyle and 300 all the different competitions
freestyle, described how difficult that make it feel like it’s not just A common trait of highly
it is to make it into the Olympic a vision. successful swimmers is that they
Trials. generally start very young, so by
“So you get a cut, where you Lugbill said when she realized the time they reach the potential
have to swim a specific time,” she made her first Olympic cut, to be an Olympic athlete, they
Chaney said. “Then you go to the team was more than support- have spent most of their lives
the Olympic trials, which is in ive and helped her feel proud of dedicated to the sport.
June, and it’s in Omaha, Nebras- her accomplishments.
ka. So I’ll go there. And then in Chaney said this is why it is
each event, it’ll be Prelims. [The] “So I turned around and I common to see that these ath-
top 16 swimmers of the event in looked at the scoreboard and for letes, himself included, decide to
Prelims will make it back. And a second I couldn’t believe it,” remain tied to the sport even af-
then we’ll do semi-finals, and Lugbill said. “I was like, ‘oh my ter they have completed college
top eight will make it back and gosh, I just did that.’ And then I or participated in international
you’ll go to finals and then who- got out of the water and all my events like the Olympics.
ever gets top two at the finals teammates were there giving me
will go to the Olympics.” hugs and congratulating me and “I will probably go to college
Lugbill, who qualified in the it was like a dream.” and then have the Olympic trials
200 breaststroke, said values like and then hopefully I can make
family and community involve- Carl Bloebaum, who quali- it to the Olympics,” Chaney said.
ment, as well as discipline, hard fied for the 200 meter butterfly, “It’s like the top two in each
said that aiming high is crucial event, which is pretty difficult.
to seeing a positive outcome. Hopefully, later in college, I
Bloebaum believes after lots of can get stronger and faster and
dedication and countless hours then hopefully I can compete in
put in, it is all worth it in the the 2024 spot. I just want to keep
end. swimming, I always have.”

20 Sports September 20, 2019

BEAST MODE... Maddie Ullom

SECOND BEST TIME IN GMC WITH 18:35.70
REIGNING GMC RUNNER OF THE YEAR
LED TEAM TO VICTORY AT MASON INVITE
COMMITTED TO PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

GAME COMING UP: 09/21 Girls Soccer @ Home vs. Notre Dame Ky.

DIGITS PRE-GAME PLAYLIST

2.80 goals per game by the girls soccer team
through 4 games

13 straight wins by the girls tennis team this
season, with no losses

.889 win percentage by the girls volleyball team
through 9 games

Stats and ranks as of September 13, 2019

On The Rise

Maddy Baird Brooklyn Darby Alex DeRoussel
STATS - STATS - STATS -

Fifth in the GMC Second in the GMC Third in the GMC
4 goals scored 116 Kills (4.30/game) 16:25.60 run time

September 20, 2019 Sports 21

Cooper returns to the gridiron

Basketball Indranshu Das | Staff Writer to play was the fact that I wanted no not miss out on his senior basketball
standout Excelling in high school sports is regrets senior year and also to enjoy season either, despite his clean history
decides to impressive in itself, but to play two the game with my friends.” on the field.
give football sports at the varsity level requires a
one last try truly special athlete. Head Football Coach Brian Castner ‘I’ve broken my nose, both ankles,
Recently, it’s become more and said that he loves adding multi-sport and have had high ankle sprains as
Photo by Mia Sweitzer more common for varsity basketball athletes on his team and encourages well,” Cooper said. “All this came
Wide Receiver Jack Cooper (#7) listens players to play football their senior more players to follow the footsteps from playing basketball. Sustaining
to the coaches during a post game year of high school. of Tanner Knue, David Roux, Jack such injuries has given me experi-
speech. Cooper, a stand-out on the Senior wide receiver Jack Cooper Franke, and Cooper, who all excelled ence to deal with setbacks, and I also
basketball court for the Comets decided is a prime example, as he was named on the court, while choosing to con- feel like it is worth it considering the
to play football during his senior year after 2nd team all (Greater Miami) Confer- tribute to the Comets Football team fact that I have never gotten hurt
not playing since he was a ninth grader. ence on the court this past year, and as well. playing football.”

is playing football for the first time in “Adding such players to team is not Staying as a one sport athlete
high school this season. as difficult as many believe because throughout highschool can lead to
typically these athletes have a strong potential regret in not taking the
Cooper said that a huge reason he background in terms of strength, chance to go outside one’s comfort
chose to play was his confidence in flexibility, and conditioning,” Castner zone.
his future, and the feeling of complet- said. ”I am a big proponent of multi-
ing the high school experience. sport athletes and to me it doesn’t Castner said taking such a gamble
matter if he is a basketball player, and potentially becoming an integral
“The main thing that motivated wrestler, baseball player, or even a member of the football team can not
me to play football my senior year trackstar.” only lead to countless memories for
was the fact that I am not pursuing his players, but also gives them expe-
college sports in the future,” Cooper Cooper said he is well aware of the rience in using talent in a completely
said. “Another thing that pushed me potential risks and injuries that come different sport.
with the sport, and is being careful to
“A couple of guys I’ve asked to
come play football for a year declined
the offer to do so as they were honed
in on becoming better in what they’ve
done for years,” Castner said. “I be-
lieve that young guys should take the
next step and broaden their horizons
and see how much they could pos-
sibly contribute to the team, to me it
is a win-win scenario.”

Joining a new team your senior
year can be very challenging, but
Cooper said it has been a seamless
transition with the aid of his friends
who happen to be senior captains on
the team.

“Alec Dardis and Jack Haglage
have been there for me since day one
of summer workouts,” Cooper said.
“Spending 8 hours everyday of the
week and more time on the weekends
has allowed me to create new rela-
tionships and get used to how it is to
be a varsity football player.”

Along with being inspired by his
friends and family, Cooper also looks
toward his future, and wants to dedi-
cate his time towards academics in
college. Cooper believes he’s prepared
to shoulder more responsibility as a
student.

“My decision to not play college
sports came around mid junior year,“
Cooper said. “From then on, I decided
to enjoy the time I have left in high
school and mentally start preparing
for the rigor in college as well as soak
in the true college experience that
many people never forget.”

22 September 20, 2019

#thatbloglifeSeptember20,2019 Feature 23

Photos by Meghan Dincler

Sophomore Madison Kopfler and juniors Evan Ponstingle and Ayesha Chaudry use their blogs and podcast to express themselves.

Digital media used to share personal perspectives with the world

Meghan Dincler | Staff Writer that leap of faith and do it.” behind the legend, and get a wide audi- Madison Kopfler
Mason students are letting their Another student who is authen- ence that reads that.” Creator of blog “Love, Madison”

ideas blossom online. tic online in the hopes of spreading He does thorough investigations Evan Ponstingle
Today, blogs and podcasts are more change is junior Ayesha Chaudry, the on these stories, including interview- Creator of blog “Kings Island & More”
creator of “Your Local Brown Girl” ing people involved and even pulling
popular than ever, and their popular- media, primarily a blog and podcast. records from the sheriff’s office. He has Ayesha Chaudry
ity is still rising. Some of Mason High By producing her blog and podcast she gotten upwards of 13,000 views on one Creator of blog and podcast “Your Local Brown Girl”
School’s close to 4000 students have wants to help other people and grow as of his stories, “The Truth Behind ‘Tower
contributed to this up-and-coming me- a person herself. Johnny.’” The story was about a high
dia style by creating their own. school boy who was killed in a freak ac-
“I started it to help myself and learn cident involving the Kings Island Eiffel
Sophomore Madison Kopfler is the from my own experiences,” Chaudry Tower. He published it in April of 2018,
creator of “Love, Madison”, a blog said. “And I think it’s amazing that and it is now the top of the Google
where she writes about her life and ordinary people could be touched by search list.
experiences in regards to her religion. that.”
She believes that the world can be “I have accomplished my goal to
changed with something simple: a Spreading diversity in the media is have the stories published in a public
smile. Her blog is based off this idea. very important to Chaudry, and she forum where a lot of people can see
uses it to share her ideas and be a voice them,” Ponstingle said. “That’s one of
“I blog because I love to write, and for people who don’t always get a lot of those urban legends that’s been going
I know that it impacts people around representation. on for so long, but I was able to dig
me,” Kopfler said. “Just choosing that up a ton of stuff, and nobody had ever
mindset of being positive and being “I believe that if you see a problem done that before. I was able to put the
kind--I feel like the world would be a in the world, and you’re not working to real story online.”
better place if everyone was kinder.” fix it, then you’re basically just accept-
ing that,” Chaudry said.“You can’t learn Whether their goal is to motivate,
With this philosophy, Kopfler said about other people unless you put spread representation, or inform oth-
she tries to inspire and make a change yourself out there.” ers on local history, each student has
in the world in whatever way she can. a purpose for the work that they do.
Using both her passion for writing and Junior Evan Ponstingle also has a Kopfler said she loves to inspire people
her love of helping others, she makes blog where he puts himself out there on her blog and hopes to help improve
her blog a place where she can be open by writing about things he’s very pas- student’s lives with her kindness.
and vulnerable. sionate about. He blogs about Kings
Island, with a focus on the ghost stories “I can’t tell you the number of peo-
“Writing is such a beautiful thing, and urban legends regarding the park. ple who have reached out to me and
being able to put words on paper, and Because he was constantly researching said that the words I’ve said and my
those words have truth behind them, and finding new stories, he wanted a vulnerability in my blog has impacted
and people want to hear them,” Kopfler place to share them with the world. the way that they live,” Kopfler said.
said. “There’s always going to be people “You just never know who you’re going
who talk behind your back and say that “There are so many urban legends to impact.”
it’s stupid, or that it’s lame-- just take about Kings Island,” Ponstingle said.
“It’s nice to put that online, the truth

24 Feature September 20, 2019

Organization connects students to culture and politics

Shravani Page | Staff Writer we support. larizing. But it’s important to be able to Access to direct information can lead
“There’s only so much school can do know where you stand on certain issues.” to new opportunities for students as
Members of William Mason High well. For example, Tang got the oppor-
School are poised to create a difference for you,” Gao said. “Once you actually The Ohio Chapter of APAPA has also tunity to intern for Ohio House Repre-
in the communities and encourage teen- see what you’re learning is applied in managed to bring in politicians such as sentative Sedrick Denson this summer
agers to become involved politically. the real world, that’s when you know former congressional candidate Aftab through APAPA.
you can come full circle and then every- Pureval and presidential candidate An-
William Mason High School has be- thing starts to make sense.” drew Yang. Gao believes that bringing in “Getting involved in organizations,
come a hub composed of differing ide- multiple perspectives is important along both in and out of school, helps you,”
ologies. From discussing controversies When it comes to high school student with hearing all sides of an issue. Tang said. “[APAPA] helps you meet
to conspiracies, politics have unsurpris- engagement in politics, senior Kevin different people, form bonds, and helps
ingly entered the mix which has led to Tang believes that while not necessarily “We bring in influential politicians with networking as well. I learned a lot
a recent influx of political organizations and got to work with some really cool
blooming in Mason. Photos by Shravani Page people, both up at the State House and
Seniors Andy Gao (left) and Kevin Tang (right) both believe in the important of political activism. down here in Cincinnati.”
APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander Ameri-
can Public Affairs) is a nonpartisan, required, it should be highly encour- from all over the spectrum,” Gao said. Moving forward, Tang and Gao both
nonprofit organization whose goal is to aged to be in the know. “For example, last year, we brought in agree that there are numerous opportu-
empower Asian Americans and Pacific Representative Steve Chabot. This gives nities outside of school when it comes to
Islanders. It offers opportunities for high “It’s never a bad thing to be informed an opportunity for people to say their becoming more involved.
school students to become involved about what’s going on in the world,” opinions on important issues. It’s really a
in their communities and encourages Tang said. “I know lots of times that way to keep the masses informed.” “[APAPA] is a really good starting
youth involvement in politics. Senior politics, especially today, can be very po- point when it comes to the political
Andy Gao looked outside of school to realm,” Gao said. “Attending events like
find opportunities to get involved in the town halls and city council meetings is
politics of his community. really a stepping stone when it comes to
getting involved.”
“I think culture is a big part of get-
ting involved,” Gao said. “ I think Asian Politics is something today that
parents, in general, aren’t really aware initially seems like a topic consumed
of the opportunities that are available to over and over by the media. Although
the kids, so kids don’t go seeking these the political realm may be seen as being
opportunities too often. Organizations further away from the town of Mason, it
like APAPA really allow Asian Ameri- is currently growing and thriving here
can children to get more involved and locally.
become more involved.”
“Politics is really more local than you
Gao puts emphasis on the idea that think,” Tang said. “Those people you
once we see what we have learned in admired and liked, even on the local
school is applied in the real world, it level, have the ability to make some of
becomes easier to determine which side the greatest impacts in your community
and in your life.”

Photo contributed by Andy Gao
Seniors Andy Gao (bottom, second from left) and Kevin Tang (bottom, third from left) at the APAPA Youth Intern graduation. The APAPA aims to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander youth to
take political action in their communities.

September 20, 2019 Opinion 25

Shootings Staff Editorial
becoming too
common We cannot afford to ignore vaping anymore

Henri Robbins | We all see it happening, we all know about it, some When one side falls, the other will rise, and the
Staff Writer of us have even been a part of it. But none of us say lengths that tobacco companies will go to when
anything -- Why? trying to stay relevant in an ever-changing environ-
Just the other day, I heard that a student at my old ment has been shown endlessly. When studies against
high school had been arrested for bringing a loaded “Because it’s not an issue.” “Because it’s not hurting smoking come out, they have a rebuttal. When there
handgun onto the campus. The story goes that he ran anyone.” “Because it’s easier not to.” have been movements to outlaw tobacco products,
away from home and decided to spend his nights in a they have done everything in their power to keep
mall, but felt so unsafe that he brought the gun with him Everyone’s made these excuses, and everyone’s that from happening. No matter what, they’ll try
for protection. stayed silent, but now we’re beginning to pay the to find a way to come out on top, and with recent
price. More and more young people are beginning to events, there’s going to be more effort than ever to
Of course, I don’t know how true this story is; there suffer the consequences of vaping, and this is after bring their product around. Like always, they’ll work
have been no solid police reports as of yet, and I’m over only a few years. From coughs and irritation to severe to breed a new generation of smokers, chained up
100 miles away from the school, so it’s not like I could respiratory disease, the ill effects of vaping are begin- in their perpetual get-rich-quick and get-dead-faster
find out easily, but the fact that this story is so believable ning to rear their heads much sooner than those of scheme.
in this day and age, that someone can be so fearful for smoking. While generally the ill effects of smoking
their life that they bring a gun with them everywhere, take years to come into play, some who vage are The answer isn’t that students are at fault. It’s not
is absolutely tragic. When I first heard the story, I didn’t beginning to experience symptoms after only a few that we’re predisposed to brush it away. Instead, it’s
question it at all. I took it all as fact, and I, along with years. what we’ve been told. We’ve heard that vaping is
everyone else being told, fully believed it. That wasn’t better than smoking, that it keeps people off of cigs,
without cause. The final year of middle school, well be- As of now, there are over 450 cases of vape-related and that it’s even safe enough to have indoors. We see
fore I moved to Mason, a student threatened to shoot up illness across the US. Four hundred and fifty. Along ads that promote it as a healthier alternative, that act
the school. This all felt normal. with that, five patients have died due to related is- like it’s a saviour to the nicotine-addicted masses, and
sues. This is only what’s being tracked and directly since grew up being told that nothing is worse than
There wasn’t anything absurd about it to me or connected. One of the most prominent cases is an smoking - not war, not starvation, not the plague - we
anyone else. When I had to testify in court, when they 18-year-old from Illinois, who had only been vaping believe that the choice to vape is a good one. Con-
tossed around talk of restraining orders, when I walked for two years. Barely able to breathe, he describes his sciously or not, we assume that the only alternative
around the school in fear for the next week, it all felt lungs as “like a 70-year-old’s.” to it is smoking. We forget that there’s an option to
normal. When half of Mason’s student body was gone do nothing at all.
after someone wrote threats on the bathroom stall, it So if this is all happening, then why is nobody
wasn’t anything new -- the same thing happened in grade saying anything? Why isn’t anyone taking a stance? And that option isn’t all that bad. Nicotine addic-
school, and it felt the same way. It was just routine, noth- Even in a benign situation, why isn’t anything being tion is serious - it’s debilitating. It costs thousands,
ing more. Every time there’s a story about a school shoot- done? all of which goes into the pockets of the already-rich,
ing, from the multiple last year to the most recent at a corrupt CEOs whose entire goal is to pawn off that
football game in Alabama, it had just become a way of It’s not that nobody sees the issue, people are stuff onto the unsuspecting masses.
life. It wasn’t breaking news, it wasn’t headlines, it wasn’t speaking out. Doctors have been vocal about their
the feature of the nightly news, it was just something else uncertainties for years, the FDA has made pushes The entire time, as we were taught to keep “dan-
to brush under the carpet. against vaping multiple times, even the CEO of Juul gerous toxins” out of our bodies, we only learned to
advised people, in a public apology, to not use the look out for one. From that, we decided that the other
And that’s not an outlier, it’s a consistent pattern. Some product. Even though the sincerity of his statements ones must be okay, if only because they’re keeping
angry kid finds a gun, shoots their classmates, and the can be brought into question easily, it was still a away a greater evil. What happened is that we forgot
cops apprehend him. His name gets out, it’s publicized, comment which he projected to a national audi- that the ‘greater evil’ was, for the most part, gone. We
and eventually some of them even come close to house- ence. Along with all of that, the president recently just see it as a constant, and assume that anything
hold names. Some students talk, try to make change, but announced that plans are being made to ban flavored we’re told can counteract it will do just that.
get stamped out by indifferent and negligent politicians, e-cigarettes, with any company producing them need-
backed by their swarms of rabid followers. It becomes a ing FDA approval. We’ve been told to view the world in one way, and
perpetual loop, a national case of cognitive dissonance,
fueled by willful ignorance and conceited corporate Of course, what has to be noted is that when Juul’s in the face of change, we’re paying the price.
desire. stock value decreased, tobacco companies’ increased.

It shouldn’t be, though. Students shouldn’t have to live
in fear. Life shouldn’t get to a point where these stories
are believable.

The Chronicle’s Policy Matthew Smith
Ann Vettikal
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 facebook.com/
ters to the editor are welcome, but are 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Riley Johansen Staff Designer Anna Kinasewitz mhschronicle
The Chronicle is produced by students subject to be edited for length, libel, ob- Mason, Ohio 45040 Aadrija Biswas Hannah Libby
enrolled in Journalism I, II and III. scenity, clarity and poor taste. Letters to (513) 398-5025 Abby Miller @mhschronicle
the editor may be dropped off in room Anushka Mukherjee
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 September 20, 2019

Feminism is Editorial Cartoon
about equal Mock Scheduling
rights
Affirmative a low-income area who goes to a school with an AP
Anusha Vadlamani | action more course list countable on one hand may be as smart as
Business Manager than we think the one who can afford SAT tutoring in a well-to-do
suburb. If we are just judging by test scores, then it
I am a feminist through and through. Ann Vettikal | seems like the latter has more ‘merit’ than the for-
I know some people might’ve stopped read- Staff Writer mer. But that’s clearly not true. This is where affirma-
ing by now, but it’s true. Feminism has been a tive action comes in. Reviewing applicants holistically
driving force in my life, influencing everything College is always on my mind. Right now, as a is just an elusive way of saying colleges seek a diverse
from my major in college to my political ideol- junior, the prospect of moving away from home is student body, which means they will pay attention
ogy to my Instagram feed. It is the reason that a blurry image; it feels like an event too far away to to underrepresented applicants, given that they are
I have the courage to speak my ideas, regard- picture clearly. But it’s apparent everywhere I look qualified. But qualifications are three dimensional;
less of who is willing to listen. And although in MHS that the idea of college motivates most high it’s more than the numbers that meet the eye.
we are riding the third wave of feminism, the schoolers to make certain choices.
ripples of change are only just beginning. I will be the first one to admit that college admis-
The goal of feminism is not about being College is the underlying cause, for better or worse, sions is far from perfect. And given that I’m Asian
on a constant quest to stop manspreading. It’s of many volunteer shifts, random extracurriculars, and my race is overrepresented, I should be arguing
not about curing the world through a couple and all-nighters accompanied by AP homework. This against this policy for personal benefit. But we can’t
measly “empower women” stickers on a Hydro is all in the hopes that these efforts will directly re- assess affirmative action in terms of ourselves be-
Flask. sult in something other than than the disheartening cause it’s never targeting any one individual but the
From the start, the mission statement of five words, “we regret to inform you,” right? larger picture. If I take myself out of the equation, I
feminism has always been equality-- equality would rather be in a campus full of people with dif-
for women and men. It is not about making Well, it’s more complicated than that -- but for a fering, insightful ideas and perspectives than purely
women superior to men. It is not about giving good reason. good test takers, wouldn’t you?
women the right to freely hate on men. It’s not
even about bringing men down to the level The recent outcry toward a policy called affirma- Decades ago, when John F. Kennedy issued this
that society has caged women in for so so long. tive action has been circulating around the current executive order, discrimination existed in a clear-cut
Feminism is about freeing women from the presidential administration, particularly about a fashion. And it helped redefine American voice and
chains of societal standards, empowering us to lawsuit filed against Harvard in 2015, claiming that culture to reflect the real United States that many
achieve our dreams without society’s stamp of affirmative action is discriminatory. But the notion refused to acknowledge. It may be difficult for us in
approval. that minorities with less merit are ‘stealing’ spots this particular place of privilege, attending a school
Feminism is about campaigning for equal from qualified kids is not the whole story -- and it’s like Mason, where an abundance of resources and
rights through furthering the movement of also a flawed one. qualified teachers exist, to see how much benefit we
women’s rights. For instance, the #MeToo receive from this environment.
movement of the recent decade has let old The first issue is that we have imprecisely simpli-
voices that were once silenced, yell their truth. fied what affirmative action really is and the way that Education is precious and scare. The stability of
We’ve made progress, but it’s nowhere near colleges usually abide by it. By definition, affirmative someone’s home life can be the difference between
enough. action is a policy that provides more educational op- a diploma and dropping out. Affirmative action may
I want to live in a world where I can work portunities to minority groups that historically have need altercations as we move through time but trash-
harder than a man and be recognized for doing been discriminated against. This means that students ing it completely is like sending a car to the junkyard
more work. Not for being competent enough to are not being swapped out and spots are being stolen because it needs an oil change.
do the same work as a man -- I’m not sure if I -- it simply means that pool of students to choose
can do that right now in this day and age. from is getting larger. So as many seniors undergo the daunting process
I’m not in the wrong for wanting equality. of applying to college, understand that this a policy
However, much of society is apprehensive to The second issue is that considering college admis- beyond you and I -- it’s about the high schooler down
support feminism because of the image of sions as purely a merit-based activity, in the sense the street, downtown, across the country. No matter
hardcore “feminists” that has been forced down of test scores or amount of extracurriculars, can how perfectly manicured our college applications
their throats: a woman with her hair flying, dishonor an applicant’s background. The kid from look, this will always be out of our control. Learn to
veins bulging, finger in someone’s face, yelling accept it before colleges decide whether or not to
about how they deserve more more more. accept you.
More.
It’s not wrong to need more to be equal, but
it is wrong to demand more to be superior.
But that hardcore picture of the feminist is
the very pixelated version of a much clearer
image-- an image of women who support each
other and, above all, those who need it more
than we do at times.
I am a feminist through and through. I will
support you even if you don’t support me.

September 20, 2019 27

28 September 20, 2019