Volume THE BULLETIN 5 Issue 1 “The Bear Necessities”
4 -7 news 8-9 photo spread 10-13 sports 14-23 student life 24-25 performing arts 26 berlin culture The Bulletin| PAGE 2 table of contents table of contents THE BULLETIN STAFF written and designed by emmy bush ‘23 Senior Editor: Emmy Bush ‘23 Design Senior Editor: Ashley Mallon ‘23 Design Junior Editor: Iva Horman ‘24 Online Editors: Teresa Barger ‘24 Reese Manley ‘24 Audrey Tartaglia ‘24 News Editor: Sal Gerich ‘24 Sports Editor: Nina Krupar ‘24 Photo Editor: Brooke Henrey ‘24 Business Manager: Rachel Bjorkman ‘24 Social Media Manager: Phoebe Durst ‘23 Contributors: Avery Callison ‘23 Phoebe Durst ‘23 Jocelyn Franz ‘23 Taylor Frecka ‘23 Caitlin Hill ‘23 Elizabeth Koeppen ‘23 Nina Krupar ‘23 Ashley Mallon ‘23 Katie Reinard ‘23 Ava Vaught ‘23 Alyssa Zuesi ‘23 Teresa Barger ‘24 Rachel Bjorkman ‘24 Alex Downing ‘24 Kyler Foreman ‘24 Megan Friece ‘24 Sallie Gerich ‘24 Brooke Henrey ‘24 Marin Himes ‘24 Iva Horman ‘24 Emily Koehrsen ‘24 Jocelyn Lawson ‘24 Reese Manley ‘24 Hannah Marsh ‘24 Mackenzy Shoemaker ‘24 Audrey Tartaglia ‘24 J.D. Low ‘25 Adviser: Erin Bush
Welcome to Double Blue Country! As classes started and the halls of Olentangy Berlin High School flled with their familiar bustle, the Bears began yet another year of unmatched pride. Students and staff returned not only to OBHS, but to the recently awarded Most Spirited High School in the Country - and the Bears are anything but quiet about it. From football Friday nights to new clubs, Homecoming to the fall play, the Berlin community is representing the Double Blue in ways that have never been done before. Students, new and old, are fnding ways to get involved and maintain the school’s newest accolade. As Editor of The Bulletin, I am ecstatic to help document all of the events, activities, games, and meetings that take place at 3140 Berlin Station Rd. The Bulletin staff could not be more passionate about covering the spirited happenings here at Berlin, both in print and on our website 3140news.com. No matter what you are involved in, no matter how you show your spirit; The Bulletin is ready to write, photograph, and share with our community whatever it is that makes this school so special. Throughout this frst quarter, frst spirit week, frst homecoming of your 2022-2023 school year, I encourage you to embrace all of the opportunities OBHS boasts. We are the Most Spirited High School in the nation - and that is because of the pride our student body takes in everything we do. Welcome to Double Blue Country, Bears, now let’s show the world what we’ve got. Sincerely, letter from the editor The Bulletin| PAGE 3 letter from the editor written and designed by emmy bush ‘23 Policy Statement: The Berlin Bulletin is an independent news magazine, created by the Advanced Newspaper Journalism students, as well as other student contributors at Olentangy Berlin High School. The views expressed in this publication are solely the students’ and not those of school offcials. The adviser discusses content with the students and aids them through the writing process. The Berlin Bulletin may be purchased seven times a year, for $1 per issue. It may also be purchased by subscription for $15. Advertisements may be purchased by emailing the staff at [email protected] Additionally, letters to the editor may be emailed to the staff. All letters must be signed. Opinion pieces refecting the view of a student staff member will be clearly marked as such. All opinions will contain bylines. The Berlin Bulletin is a member of the Journalism Education Association, Ohio Capital Conference Academic League and Ohio Scholastic Media Association. The journalism adviser is Erin Bush. Photo Credit: Colleen Torlone Emmy Bush
The Bulletin| PAGE 4 news Queen Elizabeth Dead at 96 Written by Caitlin Hill ‘23 and Sal Gerich ‘24 Designed by Iva Horman ‘24 Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Sept. 8, at Balmoral Castle surrounded by her loved ones. She was 96 years old. Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926 to Queen Elizabeth and King George VI. In 1947, she married her third cousin, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh who passed away in April 2021. Together they had four children which include the new monarch of England, King Charles III. She was crowned Queen of England on June 2, 1953 after her father’s death and proceeded to lead the country for 70 years. Her death makes her the monarch with the longest reign in Britain. Throughout her reign, she ruled 32 sovereign states and at the time of her death, she ruled 15. The Queen worked with 15 prime ministers throughout her time on the throne, such as Liz Truss who became prime minister just two days before the Queen’s death. According to Bazaar, her casket laid in a stale state at Westminster Hall from Sept. 14-18 so people could pay their respects. Her funeral was held on Sept. 19 and took place at Westminster Abbey and the Archbishop of Canterbury led the service. The Queen was buried inside King Geroge VI’s Memorial Chapel. After her death, there was a 10 day mourning period and “Operation London Bridge” took effect immediately. According to The Washington Post, Operation London Bridge began with D-Day, also known as the day of the death. In the period directly after the Queen’s death, her son, Prince Charles immediately took over and became the new monarch of England. He is now known as King Charles III. “It’s the moment I’ve been dreading, as I know a lot of people have,” said King Charles as he referred to his mother’s passing in an article from CBS News. King Charles III, is now the oldest person to assume the throne at the age of 73 and was the heir to serve the longest apparent in British history, according to PBS. His reign will be named “The Carolean Age” and his offcial coronation will take place sometime in 2023, according to CBS. Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96. She was the frst female member of the royal family to serve in the military. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay
news The Bulletin| PAGE 5 Berlin wins America’s Most Spirited High School The Olentangy Berlin Bears developed a culture that flled the halls of the high school with pride. Open since 2018, Berlin cultivated spirit in a way that caught the nation’s eye. At the start of Feb. 2022, Varsity Brands, a company that provides high schools throughout America with a source of academic apparel, sports equipment and sports photos through their association with Herff Jones, opened a contest to fnd “America’s Most Spirited High School.” The winner of this contest would win a total of $25,000 to give back to their school. “The America’s Most Spirited High School award honors one high school that demonstrates unparalleled school spirit and community,” a representative from Varsity Brands said. The application process required a spirit story, a letter of recommendation, and two photographs. A panel of judges scored each school out of 100 points until four fnal schools remained. Each fnalist submitted a 90 second video that was put to a nationwide vote. Olentangy Berlin’s Will DeBlock ‘22 compiled a video that displayed the school’s spirit through pep rallies, football Friday nights, and everyday activities. The video left an impression on America, as Olentangy Berlin High School was awarded the winner of the contest. The money was presented to Berlin’s principal Todd Spinner and allowed the school an opportunity to invest in themselves. On Aug. 19, at the beginning of the school year, Berlin held a pep rally that encompassed spirit as Spinner accepted the grand prize on behalf of the school. The school celebrated in typical Berlin fashion with indoor freworks, confetti cannons, and cheers. Spinner plans to use the money to better the school and continue to uphold its new title. “I laid out the blueprint, but everybody from our athletic director, John Betz, to all of the teachers and students, they’re doing it. So I am going to take that money, and I’m going to give it directly to our student and staff leaders and allow them to spend it. It’s about them, they’ve built it,” Spinner said. Written by Taylor Frecka ‘23 Designed by Iva Horman ‘24 As sparks fy in the gym, the Bears respond to Spinner’s call of “Berlin pride” with “It’s forever.” Students and staff released confetti to commemorate the achievement of “America’s Most Spirited High School.” Hand to his ear, principal Todd Spinner listens for the loudest class. With the help of Obie, Spinner decided that the senior class out-cheered the other grades. Photo Courtesy: Ashley Mallon ‘23 Photo Courtesy: Ashley Mallon ‘23
news $3,000-$4,000 into each academic department $3,000-$4,000 into the Cave, Bears Den and Claw Team $3,000-$4,000 into the athletic department, 018 funds, and principal’s fund how will mr.spinner use the $25,000 from the award? Mr. Spinner takes on “america’s Most spirited high school” written by marin himes ‘24 designed by ashley mallon ‘23 The start of the school year was one that was highly anticipated. A huge chunk of this excitement had to do with the award of “America’s Most Spirited High School.” Over the past four years, Todd Spinner has worked day and night to make Berlin a student-run school. Although he is in charge of the school, Spinner believes that the students won the award. “It was really fantastic because it was not that we needed validation, but it just solidifed the fact that we have discipline, inclusivity, positive culture and climate, and everything else takes care of itself,” Spinner said. Not only did Berlin receive validation, Berlin also received $25,000 from Varsity Brands to put back into the school. About $3,000-4,000 is going into every academic department. The same amount of funds will go into The Cave, The Bears Den, Claw Team, the athletic department, and an O18 (a principal’s fund). Every department will choose how to use their funds and the O18 funds will be put towards t-shirts, bracelets, and other gifts for students. “Everything we do is for the students. This award is no secret to that. All of the money will go back into the student body in one way,” Spinner said. The award of “America’s Most Spirited High School” has given students many opportunities to showcase the school they want to be in. The Cave is packed and ready for a vigorous school year. The Bulletin| PAGE 6 written by jocelyn lawson ‘24 designed by ashley mallon ‘23
sports news The Bulletin| PAGE 7 Berlin Cheer boasts A #Historic Addition I n early August, former gymnast, senior Christian Pomeroy became Berlin’s frst male cheerleader. After a pursuit in gymnastics at a highly competitive level for 15 years, Pomeroy experienced burnout and desired a new adventure. He had grown sick of the harsh gym environment and packed schedule; however, after he quit gymnastics, he missed his passion of tumbling. “I am a tumbler. It has always been one of my strongest areas,” Pomeroy said. Cheerleading was an option for college that he had considered, so he decided to look into the high school team as well. Now teammate, senior Ocean Henthorn, connected Pomeroy with Berlin Cheer Coach Jamal Niles when he shared his thoughts with her. After he heard of Pomeroy’s cheerleading interests and gymnastic talents, Coach Niles placed Pomeroy onto the varsity team. “All it takes is one person to start the change. Christian’s brave action [of joining the team] will leave a lasting impression on the program and future male cheerleaders to come,” Henthorn said. Pomeroy found community in Berlin cheer. A very apparent difference to Pomeroy was that gymnastics was a more individualized sport, while cheer emphasized teamwork. He loves this difference. He found all of the Lady Bear cheerleaders to welcome and accept him. “Instantly we all became friends. Everyone has been so awesome and I’ve been having so much fun,” Pomeroy said. In addition to Pomeroy’s teammates’ warm welcomes, Principal Todd Spinner expressed his pride for Pomeroy’s historic addition to the team. “He really is a leader among leaders in my opinion. I think he does a really great job,” Spinner said. Pomeroy found that high school cheer helped him balance his schedule. It requires less of a time commitment than competitive gymnastics but provides a structure and enjoyment to his previous freetime. Along with the perfect time balance, Pomeroy also enjoyed cheer tumble passes. They are longer and can involve more skills compared to gymnastics tumble passes. Pomeroy treasured this because that has been his favorite part of both sports. It hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Pomeroy struggled in the beginning with the memorization of all the team’s different cheers. He felt that he has accomplished this task now though, and currently works to perfect his execution of the cheers. Pomeroy’s only regret is that he didn’t join the team sooner. He has loved football cheer so far and looks forward to basketball cheer, as well as possibly college cheer. “I absolutely would love to cheer in college. I’ve been going to different college clinics to help learn how to stunt. I have been in contact with different coaches,” Pomeroy said. written by alyssa zuesi ‘23 designed by ashley mallon ‘23 Photo Credit: Alyssa Zuesi ‘23 At his frst game as a cheerleader, Pomeroy ‘23 awaits his tumble pass across the football feld. “It was defnitely a great idea to join the team,” Pomeroy said.
Photo Spread The Bulletin| PAGE 8
Photo spread The Bulletin| PAGE 9 friday features photos curated by Jocelyn franz ‘23 and brooke henrey ‘24 designed by iva horman ‘24 Photo Courtesy: Tryphon Barnhart ‘23, Ashley Mallon ‘23, and Alyssa Zuesi ‘23
The Bulletin| PAGE 10 sports fall sports update written by nina krupar ‘23 designed by emmy bush ‘23 girls varsity volleyball This season, the girls varsity volleyball team has powered through a steady few matches and started to gain traction. At the end of August, they took on a rivalry against Olentangy Orange. The girls rallied together to perfect their play on the court but, unfortunately, fell short and lost 3-2 to Orange. On Aug. 20, the Bears traveled to take on Gahanna Lincoln. Throughout the game, Rozalyn Zielinski ‘23 led with a total of 15 kills and fve blocks. The team battled in fve sets against Gahanna, and ended up with a win of 3-2 against the Lions. In another sweep game, the girls took on Lancaster on Sept. 1. The team came together with an incredible passion and controlled the game to win, 3-0. On Sept. 6, the team took on the conference opener against Olentangy. The girls used all their might but fell, with a loss of 0-3. The girls volleyball team will take on Delaware Hayes on Sept. 28 at home, so pack the stands and cheer on the team. girls varsity golf The girls varsity golf season has swung into full play. Towards the end of August, the team teed off to take on several tough matches which showed their patience and persistent game. At the start of the season, the Lady Bears crushed a season record when they scored 353 for 18 holes. The top two players, Reagan Clifton ‘23 and Mia Raines ‘24, have kept the team triumphant with excellent scores. Raines has consistently shot around a 70 for 18 holes throughout the season thus far, while Clifton trails closely behind. The team continues to battle through OCC games and consistently wins second and third place. On Sept. 1, the team took on Olentangy Orange and Olentangy. In a battle the team took second just under Olentangy Orange with a score of 175. On Sept. 26, the girls varsity team will head to take on Lancaster at Valley View Golf Course. girls varsity cross country This year, the girls varsity cross country team has sprinted into a steady tempo on and off the course. The team has pulled together to form an incredible bond that drives them to perform at their highest. The frst meet of the season was on Aug. 27, at Pickerington North, where the team tackled the race with vigor. The team placed eleventh out of 27 teams with the help of their top seven runners which include Grace Heitkamp ‘25, Ellie McKibben ‘25, Gracie Dahlke ‘23, Megan Friece ‘24, Katie Reinard ‘23, Ava Vaught ‘23, and Bella Yandura ‘24. The team continued with much stamina on Sept. 3, when they raced at Hilliard Davidson. Several individuals on the team placed well at the meet, but as a whole, the team placed last. The Bears cross country team continues to kick things off at practice to get prepared for their home race, the Bear Den Dash, on Oct. 1. girls varsity soccer This season so far the girls varsity soccer team has come out of the Cave with extreme agility. In their frst game of the season, the team rallied together to take down Carroll in a wipeout game of 4-0. At the end of August, the team brought their passion on the feld in one fnal game for the month when they took on Groveport Madison and stole the game with a win of 10-0. The team has always performed to their best on and off of the feld due to the chemistry that has grown among the girls. On Sept. 6, the Lady Bears Soccer team brought the heat on the feld against Dublin Coffman. Cameryn Susey ‘23, Reese Hinkle ‘23, and Addison Lambert ‘24 all came together to steal three goals, which secured the win of 3-0. The team will gear up and head on the road on Sept. 27 to take on a rivalry against Olentangy Liberty.
sports The Bulletin| PAGE 11 Senior leaders attack the season As the fall season begins, sports seasons are in full swing and with new challenges come a need for leadership. Look below to read about some of your senior leaders for the fall. written by kyler foreman ‘24 designed by emmy bush ‘23 lincoln ulrich - boys soccer Q: What is something that you will miss about playing soccer for Berlin? A: “I’ll just miss being with the boys everyday. All the laughs, cries, conditionings, wins, losses, championships, pregames, dinners; all of it will be missed,” Ulrich said. marin curry - cheer Q: What is something that you will miss about cheering for Berlin? A: “Cheering under Friday Night Lights is something you can’t recreate. Seeing your whole community and student section in the stands supporting you and your team gives a feeling you can’t really get anywhere else,” Curry said. tapie smith - tennis Q: How do you predict the remainder of your season will go? A: “I predict that the remainder of the season will go well for us, we’ve had multiple single sweeps, and frst and second dubs have been playing well,” Smith said. preston perkins - cross country Q: What are some big invitationals coming up and what are your goals as a team this year? A: “We have an invitational nearly every weekend ... and on Oct. 15, postseason starts. Our team goals are to make regionals for the third year in a row and be able to send multiple runners to the state meet,” Perkins said. dylan helmers - boys golf Q:What impact does missing school for matches have on your class load? A: “Since the golf season is at the beginning of the school year, it isn’t too hard to catch up on missing work. Especially since COVID, most teachers have videos for kids to catch them up,” Helmers said.
The Bulletin| PAGE 12 sports young studs take on berlin As the 2023 Berlin sports season continues to roll on, many underclassman varsity athletes have been important to their team’s success. In young studs, we will highlight a few of those accomplished underclassman athletes. written by jd low ‘25 designed by emmy bush ‘23 A spotlight on underclassman varsity athletes kadee goolsby ‘26 Freshman and longtime volleyball player Kadee Goolsby is in her frst season of high school volleyball at Berlin, which also happens to be her frst season of varsity volleyball. “It has meant a lot to me…It was a dream of mine that I never thought would be possible,” Goolsby said. When Goolsby doesn’t take her talents onto the Berlin courts, she plays for Elite Volleyball Training Center’s national team, and she looks forward to her frst season with the Bears. “I’m really looking forward to playing diffcult teams and pushing myself…I really want to keep getting better and show that when you work for something, you will eventually achieve it,” Goolsby said. Lauren Lambert ‘25 Sophomore Lauren Lambert has only played golf for a little over a year and is already on Berlin’s varsity team. Lambert began to play recreational golf last summer before she decided to join the school team. “It has meant so much to me, I feel so blessed to have gotten the chance to play with some of the best golfers at Berlin,” Lambert said. Lambert continues to enjoy her frst season as a varsity golf player and all that the sport has to offer. “My favorite part is creating new friends and feeling included…I’m looking forward to playing in my frst OCC,” Lambert said. Roman Elizaga ‘25 Berlin sophomore and soccer player, Roman Elizaga, has loved to play under the lights in his frst varsity season. An outside/center back, Elizaga is also in his frst season of Berlin soccer, after he only played club soccer his freshman year. “It feels great. It’s really fun and it’s different from all my other soccer experiences,” Elizaga said. With just a third of his frst Berlin soccer season completed, Elizaga has many more positive experiences to look forward to. “I’m looking forward to playing more with the boys and beating Olentangy,” Elizaga said. Eli Baxter ‘25 Sophomore Eli Baxter is in his second varsity season of cross country. “It was an expectation to run for the varsity team this year, since I did last year…It gave me a good confdence boost, but I have tried to not let it get to my head,” Baxter said. Baxter has been successful throughout the course of his two seasons at OBHS, in which he ran a personal best 16:40 5k. Even with the success however, Baxter still continues to look for more out of himself. “It is a goal of mine to set a personal record and try and break the school record,” Baxter said.
sports The Bulletin| PAGE 13 watson fumbles before browns debut On Aug. 18, the National Football League formally extended Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson to an 11-regular season game suspension, and a $5 million fne as he faces multiple civil lawsuits for lewd behavior and sexual midconduct allegations while in massage therapy sessions. Watson’s suspension began on Aug. 30, and he will miss games through the end of November. The Browns announced a trade-deal back in March with the Houston Texans, which landed them with Watson. After multiple sexual misconduct accusations were made against Watson back in 2021, he remained inactive with the Texans throughout the season. A police investigation was launched in April 2021, but it was ultimately decided that Watson would not be criminally charged for the allegations, and therefore prompted civil pursuit. Watson settled 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits against him on June 21, and the initial six-game suspension was proposed on Aug. 1. The suspension was appealed two days later by the NFL, in an effort to review the charges and possibly lengthen Watson’s suspension. The fnal suspension was settled, and in addition to the 11 games and $5 million fne, it was also announced that Watson would be required to undergo professional evaluation by behavioral experts. Many Cleveland fans are disappointed with Watson’s behavior, especially since it has cost the team their starting quarterback for the season’s frst 11 games. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell even referred to Watson’s behavior as “egregious” and “predatory.” “I think he’s a superstar quarterback, but a poor decision maker,” Braeden Bornino ‘23 said. Watson’s fve years in the NFL have been nothing short of impressive. The Clemson alumni led his team to a victory in the national championship, and was the Texans’ frstround draft pick in 2017. Despite the hype around Watson, his rookie season was cut short due to an ACL injury in a practice. However, he still managed to break several NFL and Texans records once he was healthy. Watson’s arrival in Cleveland raised fans’ expectations for the future of the franchise, but some of that has been tainted by his controversy in the news. It is unclear how the frst 11 games will play out with the stand-in quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was traded from the Miami Dolphins in March. written by emily cain ‘23 designed by emmy bush ‘23 Photo Courtesy: Flickr In a chilly game, Deshaun Watson glances back at his teammates. Watson played with the Texans for four seasons before his trade to the Browns.
The Bulletin| PAGE 14 lifestyle be loud or go sit with your mom, seriously The start of school means a few things to the Bear family. New classes, new teachers, and of course, a new class of freshmen. The energy of the frst Double Blue Friday of the year compared to no other. Only hours after the last bell at 2:35, Bears came together and flled the Cave to kick off the frst football Friday night. But there are a few things to remember to be a part of the student section as a Berlin Bear. Every Friday night of a home game, the student section leaders of the Cave host a tailgate at 5:15. Bears can come to play spikeball, cornhole, and try and hold their own in some backyard style football. “Bears should come out to the tailgate on Friday nights because it’s a great way to get hyped for the game and get prepared,” student section leader Emmy Bush ‘23 said. “Get some good burgers cooked up by Chef Cea and just be ready for the amazing game that’s to come!” A new tradition that the Bears have created for this year’s student section is to enter the sports events as a unit. To walk together as a Bear family is expected not only by the student section leaders, but by the whole student body as well. “As Mr. Spinner says all the time, we do everything shoulder to shoulder, so we do that as we walk in as a student section and as a family,” student section leader Aidan Ackermann ‘23 said. As most student sections are organized with freshmen at the top, sophomores and juniors in the middle and the newest senior class lined up at the rails, Berlin is no different. One key thing for all Berlin Cave members to remember is that cheering is not only encouraged, but is an unspoken rule. To buy into what the Berlin student section has created over the past fve years is what creates the excitement every Friday night. It is also important to remember that at all times as a student in the Cave, you represent what it is to be a Berlin Bear. Just like being loud, respect is a must. Always. The student section is a part of high school that all new Bears look forward to and is one of many memories that alumni look back on fondly. To be a part of it at the Most Spirited High School in America is even more of a privilege. So always carry the spirit into the Cave with you. If not, your mom is around somewhere. written by phoebe durst ‘23 designed by ashley mallon ‘23 Photo Courtesy: Alyssa Zuesi ‘23 In the Cave a student section leader holds a sign. “Be loud or go sit with your mom” has become a motto in the Berlin student section. Photo Courtesy: Ashley Mallon ‘23 Students in the Berlin student section boast a claws up for the end of the Alma mater. The school’s song is sung after every game shoulder-toshoulder, and is a tradition of the Cave.
student life The Bulletin| PAGE 15 obie: unmasked Berlin’s very own Obie, brought to life by Alison O’Hanian ‘23, unmasked herself and gave The Bulletin an exclusive interview. Here’s what she has to say on all things Obie and Berlin: Why did you try out for the role of Obie? I tried out to be Obie because it seemed like a lot of fun, and I wanted to be a part of the school more. I love being involved. What does Berlin Pride mean to you? Berlin Pride means to show school spirit, as well as love your school and participate in Berlin activities. Most of all, it’s that you’re proud to be a Bear. How does being Obie during the year of getting awarded Most Spirited High School in America enrich your mascot experience? Because the standards are high now after winning the Most Spirited High School in America, the crowd is super loud and interactive, which means I have to match their level of excitement. What is the best part about being Obie? And what’s the worst? The best part about being Obie is everyone getting hyped up when they see you, as well as little kids giving you endless hugs, high fves, and taking pictures. The worst part is the opposing team’s students, the diffculty of walking, and how hot it gets. We are all curious … How bad does the suit smell? It actually doesn’t smell much at all. The only time it does is at the end of the night after the game; it just smells like sweat. A comparison could be your workout clothes after a long workout. written by alyssa zuesi ‘23 designed by ashley mallon ‘23 Have you had any mishaps as Obie? I haven’t had any huge mishaps, but I did trip over one of the sandbags on the sidelines. What do you think of while playing the Obie role on the sideline or at pep rallies? I just ask myself a bunch of questions when I’m at the games or pep rallies because I’m always confused on what to do. I also look around to make sure I’m not overlooking anyone, especially little kids. Would you recommend being Obie to a friend? Why or why not? It depends on the person, if they are outgoing and fun, then I would defnitely recommend it! Photo Courtesy: Alyssa Zuesi ‘23 As double blue blood courses through her veins, Alison O’Hanian ‘23 walks as Obie with pride at the frst football Friday night of the year. This was O’Hanian’s frst year in the suit, and she’s enjoyed the Obie life.
The Bulletin| PAGE 16 student life bears share their rants and raves The Bears were asked to share their rants and raves on anything Berlin. Students of all backgrounds shared their opinions on these topics. written by ava vaught ‘23 and katie reinard ‘23 designed by emmy bush ‘23 “Paper towels, we need them back!!!” “Don’t stop in the middle of the hallway when people are walking behind you!” “When parents park in the student lot instead of dropping their kids off at the drop off.” “Why can’t seniors paint our parking spots?” “When parents park in the senior section and block off spots for students.” “Why doesn’t the vending machine work until like 12:30…It takes half of my money and not the rest, and then it won’t return what it did take.” “Athletic entrance: it makes it hard for me as an athlete to put my things in the locker room when I have late arrival, I have to come to school early to make sure I have time to walk from the main entrance to the locker room and back again.” “When the girls locker rooms are locked in the morning after frst period.” raves “FFN. Specifcally drumline!” “I love General Tso’s in the cafeteria.” “Triple early release.¨ “I love sitting in the library so much I could stay there forever.” “I love that the frst week of school isn’t all academic and we just get to know our great teachers.” “I really liked the big pep rally we had at the beginning of school.” “I thought that it was really cool when we were presented with the award of Most Spirited High School because it shows what a cool place we are fortunate to go to school at.” “I love double blue Fridays because it shows how much we love our school.” “I enjoy being able to come to school after the sun rises because of my late arrival.” rants
student life The Bulletin| PAGE 17 berlin showcases pride in spirit week Here at the Most Spirited High School in the country, it is safe to say that we do not slack when it comes to spirit week. No matter what the theme, students are confdent to go all out because they know that their classmates will be just as committed as they are: in typical shoulder-to-shoulder fashion. Read below to hear from some of the best examples of how to dress for spirit week here at 3140. written and designed by emmy bush ‘23 “You don’t get spirit weeks after high school! We have to take advantage of the time that we are in a school which is so accepting of being involved,” senior Marin Curry said. “Bears should definitely dress up for spirit week! It shows school spirit and getting involved is always a fun time. Everyone should invest in the school’s culture because it makes high school so much more enjoyable,” senior Mike Lapid said. “Getting involved in spirit week seems trivial but it really does make a big difference in the atmosphere as a whole at Berlin. We have to be at school anyway, and events like spirit week make the learning environment more fun and less stressful,” junior Kylie Hedrick said. “My favorite part about spirit week would have to be just seeing everyone participating in a theme. it gives everyone a chance to bring out their creativity like adam sandler day and despicable me day,” junior spencer conrad said.
Homecoming returns to written by audrey tartaglia ‘24 and Alexandra Downing ‘24 designed by ashley mallon‘23 The Bulletin| PAGE 18 student life Once Upon A Time Bears, get ready for this year’s Homecoming on Oct. 1 from 8-11 p.m. in the commons. Bring only yourself, a small purse, and a guest. - Fairy tale - Beauty and the Bears - “We thought a bunch of fairy lights would be really cool,” Cindy Cai ‘25 said. Theme - The dance is planned by the Sophomore Class Cabinet and the advisers, Mrs. Shulack and Mrs. Moore. - The date is determined years in advance. - The advisers book the DJ and production in the summer. - Sophomore Class Cabinet plays a large role in how the dance is planned. - They picked this year’s theme, planned the decorations, color schemes, and more. Planning - Homecoming is on Oct. 1 from 8-11p.m. at the school. - The dance will be held in the commons this year. - Tickets can be purchased through PowerSchool and will be on sale from Sept. 14 - Sept. 28. Tickets will cost $20. - Each student is allowed to bring one guest from another school. Guests are required to be accompanied by a Berlin student. - Students are allowed to bring small purses but no other items. - Students will park as if it is a normal school day. - Students must bring their ticket and student ID to enter the dance. details
student life The Bulletin| PAGE 19 Homecoming football game - The Homecoming football game is on Sept. 30 at Berlin vs. the Hilliard Darby Panthers. - The theme is neon. Valet - Freshman class cabinet will hold a valet for shoes, jackets, purses, or any other items you no longer want to carry at the dance. - The valet will cost $1. - All of the funds raised from the valet will be used for next year’s Homecoming. Advice - “Try to go to a picture spot that is not as crowded so you don’t have people in the background,” Aliyah Panagiotopoulos ‘25 said. - “I think it is more fun if you go with a big group,” Carly Adkins ‘25 said. - “Go with a group, not a date,” Olivia Jordan ‘24 said. - “When you actually get to the dance because you get to see everyone and all the groups and just listen to music all night,” Aliyah Panagiotopoulos ‘25 said. - “Dress shopping,” Marin Wieclaw ‘24 said. What are you most excited for?
humans of berlin Written by Teresa Barger ‘24 Designed by Ashley Mallon ‘23 The Bulletin| PAGE 20 student life berlin welcomes new teachers What have the students at Berlin taught you? “!ey appreciate the value of honesty and humility,” Mr. Colburn said. “!ere are things that I’m learning along the way, and students have taught me that they want a teacher that is okay with learning and adjusting, rather than just being right all the time.” “So far, the students at Berlin have taught me spirit,” Mr. Pace said. “It just seems that every student here loves to be here and loves their double blue – almost as much as Spinner.” What is something about you that no one at Berlin knows yet? “I married my high school girlfriend. We’ve been married for 18 years and we’ve lived together since we were 16,” Mr. Seed said. “My parents run a nonpro"t to help a small town in Haiti,” Profe Huber said. “!ey have helped bring clean drinking water to this community, and have assisted in building a better school for the children.” Photo Credit: Teresa Barger ‘24
HEARD IN THE HALLS - People of all ages can play with bubbles, they are for everyone. - I totally goofed all over you yesterday at Goofyball practice. - Red Lobster fans when the Blue Lobster fans walk in. - Brown donkeys are way better than Blobsters! You’re gonna get CRUSHED. - I made a roly poly eat Cheetos. - I don’t know he just gives me the ick. - I have a lot of friends. They live in my head. - I can’t wait to go to the doctor and have him tell me I need a back brace. - I had my crocs un sport mode cause I was running late. - “Guten Morgen!” “What?” “Guten Morgen!” “What.” “GOOD MORNING.” student life The Bulletin| PAGE 21 Upon first impression, what about Berlin stood out to you? “How welcoming everyone is,” Profe Finnearty said. “Within my "rst week here, I had so many teachers across di#erent departments introduce themselves to me, ask if I needed help "nding things in the building, and was given at least "ve di#erent double blue shirts.” “Mr. Spinner and I were together at Scioto, and so I knew what to expect, and the spirit and culture at Berlin is outstanding,” Mr. Callaghan said. Written by Emily koehrsen ‘24 Designed by Ashley Mallon ‘23 Scan here to see more of their answers on 3140news.com
The Bulletin| PAGE 22 Student life club spotlight: The Public Relations Club sets out to help Berlin clubs and organizations improve their image. Emmy Bush ‘23 and Emily Cain ‘23, the co-founders of PR club, wanted to share their passion towards public relations with other Berlin students. “We also hope to make it as professional and realistic as we possibly can, so we can encourage people who are interested and looking into going into a career in that feld like we are,” Bush said. Cain plans to impress organizations and businesses with high school students’ readiness to be in the workforce. “Even though they are students or high schoolers, they are prepared to take on real jobs on that trajectory,” Cain said. Meetings will consist of brainstorm sessions and time to work on group projects, which include personal PR projects that students may attain. Students interested in PR Club can sign up for the Remind and attend meetings in room 2005 (the J-lab) every other Tuesday at 6:45 a.m. Remind: @obhsprc written by Reese manley ‘24, Rachel bjorkman ‘24, and megan friece ‘24 designed by ashley mallon ‘23 and iva horman ‘24 PR Club Investment Club members kicked off their frst full year of meetings as they plan to teach students how to invest properly. According to founder Gunin Lamba ‘23, the knowledge that is required to invest in stocks, which shocks many students, is extremely benefcial for the future. “We’re not afraid of failure because failure is a part of stocks and investing. We try to create a safe environment, which is what Berlin is all about,” Lamba said. The members are able to grasp both failure and success as the club sets up a school wide investment account in which each member is able to give input in a stock and analyze it throughout the year. They plan to meet either monthly or weekly. The decision will be based on the member’s schedules as they expand from the twenty members from last year. The meetings will take place in Mr. Fraley’s room (1127) after school. investment club Club founders, Emmy Bush ‘23 and Emily Cain ‘23 share their plans to promote the football team. The team was one of the frst clients for PR Club. Photo Courtesy: Reese Manley ‘24 Jude Elkins ‘23, Cyprian Okoroafor ‘23, Gunin Lamba ‘23, Saharsh Sriram ‘23, and Vaahin Chennamsetty ‘23 pose as they hold up pictures of dollar signs. They were members of the club last year and leaders within the club. Photo Courtesy: Rachel Bjorkman ‘24 Take a peek into Berlin’s unique clubs
student life The Bulletin| PAGE 23 German Club plans to meet about once a month and will participate in numerous activities, which may include German board games, the decoration of cookies and eggs, German flm marathons, and more. Join German Club to enrich your knowledge of the German language and culture. “We try to do different cultural activities,” adviser Frau Simpson said. “So it’s not so much like ‘Hey, let’s learn the language,’ because you know we do that in class, but outside and with the club, I try every month once or twice; we do something cultural.” In addition to this, German Club will have a GermanAmerican spirit week in November and will participate in activities to add some German spirit into Berlin. german club The founder of the American Sign Language club, Ava Lago-Jones ‘25 has a mission to teach students basic sign language and make Berlin a more inclusive environment for deaf students. “My goal is to have people know some basic communication. So that if they were to encounter a deaf person they would know how to communicate,” Lago-Jones said. Communication through American Sign Language brought joy to Lago-Jones. She wants to share that joy with students. “I work at Kroger, and whenever I see a deaf person come up, I sign to them and their faces light up,” Lago-Jones said. She uses review games and other fun activities to help people grasp the language. The club meets every Tuesday after school in Mrs. Cromleigh’s room, 1123. asl Club Newly added to the Berlin clubs, Film Club was started by Elizabeth Sprecher ‘24 and Stephen Howell ‘24 and is advised by Mr. Meadows. They aim to produce short productions throughout the year in order to build skills related to the flm industry. Unlike the Berlin News Network, the club allows more freedom and expression of creativity as the students create and decide the genre of the flms. Throughout the frst semester, the club plans to focus on workshops that will include guest speakers, the art of cinematography, how to edit a movie, and screenwrite. Later in the year, the club will host screenwriting competitions and will choose two to three flms to produce and eventually send them to flm festivals. For more information, contact Mr. Meadows or Elizabeth Sprecher and Stephen Howell. Social: berlinflmclub @instagram film club Photo Courtesy: Reese Manley ‘24 Photo Courtesy: Marin Himes ‘24 Ava Lago-Jones ‘25, the founder of ASL club. She hoped to make this a fun and inclusive club. The offcial logo of the Berlin Film club will be attached to all future productions. The frst planned flm that will include this logo will be an October murder mystery. Diksha Lal ‘25 paints easter eggs at the April German Club meeting. They participated in other cultural activities like trivia throughout the year. Photo Courtesy: Elizabeth Sprecher ‘24
The Bulletin| PAGE 24 performing arts Thespians conquer Pandemonium The theatre department has been hard at work in preparation for their fall play, Pandemonium, a murder mystery that follows the Greek gods’ life in NYC after the ominous death of Zeus. The cast and crew has a quick turn-around for this production, with only about a month between casting and opening night. “Once the cast is set, getting it all put together and orchestrating all of the pieces with a quick turnaround [is the biggest challenge]. But it’s a challenge that we’re excited to take on,” director Erin Gibbons said. Every year, theatre students anxiously await for their director to announce the show list for the season. This year, Gibbons put in a tremendous amount of time to choose a play that would bring out the best in her students, but she also made it a priority to challenge them. “A lot of students are playing roles that are different than they have done in the past, so it’s pushing them even more to continue to grow the positive culture we’ve worked so hard for,” Gibbons said. Junior Hannah Kent will play Minerva, the famed goddess of wisdom. This will be Kent’s frst time as a lead, and only her second show ever with Berlin. “I was in Mamma Mia last year, and I absolutely loved it. I decided to stick with theatre, and I’m so glad I did,” Kent said. Kent will share the stage with a plethora of talented actors, but she’ll also be responsible for the greatest amount of lines. “I have a little under 300 lines to memorize, so that’s somewhat overwhelming at the start, but I enjoy practicing lines, so I’m mainly just excited!” Kent said. In addition, crew will be accountable for the coordination of set design, construction, costumes, and special effects, among several other tasks. Student technical director Drew Stuiber ‘23 oversees the logistics of the performances, as well as crew as a whole. “The most challenging part of being a student technical director is teaching each aspect of tech to everyone in many ways so everyone understands and is always on the same page,” Stuiber said. Pandemonium delightfully balances a gruesome mystery with witty characters and a plot that is laden with twists and turns at every moment. Audience members can expect some surprise cameos and an ending they never could have imagined. Bears can look forward to performances Oct. 6 and Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be on sale for $5 for students and $10 for adults. Written by Elizabeth Koeppen ‘23 Designed by Iva Horman ‘24 At rehearsal, Courtney Handshug ‘23 and Jadyn Cash ‘23 break from the action to smile for the camera. Handshug was cast as Alpha, a criminal, and Cash was cast as Kid Mercury, the messenger god. Photo Courtesy: Mackenzy Shoemaker ‘24 Photo Courtesy: Mackenzy Shoemaker ‘24 At the frst blocking rehearsal, Emma Holloway ‘26, Grayson Irwin ‘26, Hannah Kent ‘24, and Jillian Miller ‘25 listen intently to director Gibbons’s instruction. All cast members were excited to begin production on the frst play of the season. buy tickets here!
performing arts The Bulletin| PAGE 25 Pride of the Bears take the throne The Pride of the Bears worked hard throughout the school year and summer to bring their “Kings and Queens” theme to life. This year’s theme is based on some of the most prominent kings and queens of music, such as fan favorites, Elvis and Queen, or songs that can make any listener feel like they are the king or queen. “I really like the theme this year. ‘Kings and Queens’ just sounds awesome, and we back it up with awesome songs from well-known artists, making it fun for the audience. Every song is powerful, and we make sure to incorporate the energy into the dances and movements. I can tell this season is going to be remembered by many!” alto saxophone player Sequora Price ’26 said. The band plays at every football game, along with various shows and contests throughout the year. Their graceful performances and fuent motions make others underestimate the hard work it takes to be in band and how important it is to work together. “The hardest part of being in band is working with everyone else. Without teamwork, we wouldn’t be able to do anything,” band member Jane Spelman ’23 said. Throughout the year, the band spends a substantial amount of time together. While it may seem hard to maintain good relationships throughout the season, the band spends most of their time together which allows friendships and bonds to be made. “I enjoy the community we have in band. We all are working together at the same thing, so it’s easy to form a bond with each other. We can make almost every situation positive and fun, which always keeps me motivated to work hard,” Price said. Throughout the years Berlin has been open, the Pride of the Bears has grown substantially in size. The class of ‘26 has begun to fnd their groove, although it can be hard for them to manage the commitments of band and school. “I’ve been wanting to be in marching band since ffth grade, so now I’m just following that dream. It’s defnitely somewhat of a challenge to juggle school work with after-school practices, but it pays off during performances,” Price said You can catch the band during football games and their upcoming shows, all of which truly showcase their theme this year. Written by Mackenzy Shoemaker ’24 Designed by Iva Horman ‘24 Jack Parillo ‘23 marches through the hallways as the band plays for the upcoming football game. The band marched the hallways every Friday of the football season, which has become a tradition through the years. Photo Courtesy: Mackenzy Shoemaker ‘24 Members of the drumline, Andrew Inamdar ‘23 and Dylan Hagerman ‘23 pump students up for the football game later that night. Bears were excited to take on Olentangy Orange, a rivalry that riled up students at both schools for years. Photo Courtesy: Mackenzy Shoemaker ‘24
The Bulletin| PAGE 26 berlin culture bereal at berlin compiled and designed by emmy bush’23 The new social media platform that encourages candid posts, BeReal, has taken 3140 by storm. As we normally do, students and staff here at Berlin have embraced the app and have found ways to make it as double blue as possible. Check out BeReal posts from Bulletin staffers and other Bears since the start of the school year below. brooke henrey ‘24 jules suozzi ‘23 emily koehrsen ‘24 iva horman ‘24 ava freund ‘23 Jack bush ‘25 caden collins ‘23 katie reinard ‘23
community sponsors The Bulletin| PAGE 27 BUY YOUR 2022-2023 YEARBOOK NOW! GO TO 3140NEWS.COM AND CLICK ON THE river yearbook tab Want more of The Bulletin? Visit 3140.com and: -Read more content! -Watch BNN episodes - Check out a daily calendar of all Berlin events - See daily sport score updates -Order your ‘23 yearbook - Sign up for senior portraits - and much more!
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