InstaTHE COURIERSOCIAL SCRUTINY2840 East Orange Rd, Lewis Center, OH 430354 | EDITOR ENTRYnew leadership18 | SWEET NEW SPOTcandy cloud reviewAPRIL/MAY VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 7the impact of pressure in school, relationships and extracurriculars
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TABLE OF CONTENTStable of contents | sta!cover designer carter shilling | table of contents designer taylor guzekEDITORIAL STATEMENT\"e Courier is the o#cial student-produced medium of news and information published by the Advanced Newspaper Journalism students of Olentangy Orange High School.\"e Courier has been established as a designated public forum for student journalists to inform, educate and entertain readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school o#cials, adults or sources prior to publication.\"e content of \"e Courier is determined by and re$ects only the views of the student sta! and not school o#cials or the school itself. \"e Courier will not publish any material, determined by the sta! or adviser, that is libelous, obscene or disruptive to the school day.\"e adviser is Kari Phillips. Readers may respond to \"e Courier through Letters to the Editor. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed to thecouriersta!@ gmail.com or dropped o! to room 2213. \"e sta! asks that submissions be 300 words or less and contain the author’s name and signature. Editors reserve the right to edit or withhold publication of letters. \"e Courier strives to uphold the Canons of Professional Journalism, which includes accuracy, impartiality, etc. \"erefore, major errors will be corrected in the next issue. Distinction will be marked between news and opinion stories.WRITING EDITORS IN CHIEFlyla biceaudrey del vecchioSECTION EDITORSSTAFFgri!n buckava mejiaeliana myhalgrant ruofDESIGN EDITORS IN CHIEFtaylor guzekcarter shillingkelsey beattyava pazakabbey simmonstenley walkercate woolardBUSINESS MANAGERSkelsey beattytenley walkerCOPY EDITORShayden croneava houstondelaney newellCOLUMNISTSkelsey beattyelijah smiesADVISER18 | OPINIONreview of candy cloud4 | EDITORIALnew editors step in15 | FEATUREgi% ideas for mother’s day5 | NEWSatlanta trip for deca18 137 14CHECK OUT THE COURIER’S ONLINE SITE! ALL YOUR FAVORITE WRITERS AND DESIGNERS GO DIGITAL. SCAN THE CODE WITH YOUR CAMERA TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY THERE!PROJECTSapril/may 3keira dicksonkari phillips5 1518 4
EDITOR ENTRYnew leadership writer lyla bice & audrey del vecchio | designer grant ruof | photo credit carter shilling, audrey del vecchio, & taylor guzekWe, as the Courier sta!, are o\"cially transitioning, and the current editors are saying goodbye. We are sad to see them go, but we are excited to bring a new perspective to the publication. We have loved working on #e Courier as writers and section editors, but now as co-editors in chief we eagerly await the opportunity to have more responsibility and help the class reach its full potential. I’m Audrey Del Vecchio, and I’m excited to say that I will be one of the editors in chief for the 2026-27 school year. I am looking forward to being able to get more involved with the newsmagazine, produce issues that I am proud of and create a fun environment for the whole class. Courier has been one of my favorite classes for the past two years, and I have loved getting to spend time with my friends while also getting opportunities to write about topics that I am passionate about. I have learned so much in this class already, and I can’t wait to continue to grow in my writing as well as a person. Some of my favorite memories of Courier so far have been going on the ad $eld trips with my friends, laughing daily in class, the early morning sell days and getting the opportunity this year to have a sports column, “In the Zone” with Cate. Outside of Courier, I am a part of National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Student Council, Interact Club and Orange United. I also am on varsity football and basketball cheer. I can’t wait to get to know the new members of Courier next year and continue to make new memories together. I know that the publication next year will be amazing with so many people working together. Hi, I’m Lyla Bice, and I will also be a writing editor in chief this year along with Audrey! Being a part of #e Courier has helped me to grow in so many ways, and I am really looking forward to serving in this position for my senior year. I am so grateful for the opportunity to help lead the publication and to continue producing #e Courier for our students, sta! and community. My favorite part of Courier is de$nitely the people. I have met and grown close with so many people through this class, and we have made so many memories that I cherish. Whether we are doing $eld trips, sell days, group bonding, food Fridays or just in class daily, we always have such an amazing time together.Another thing I love about the Courier is its versatility. I love being able to write about all di!erent kinds of subjects and being able to cover everything from news stories about big world events to culture stories about the Amish community. Exploring di!erent styles of writing and learning about all sorts of di!erent topics is so much fun and interesting, and I love being able to share what I $nd through the publication.Along with being a part of #e Courier, I also participate in National Honor Society, Science and Music National Honor Societies and Interact Club. I am in the OOHS Drumline, and I am also the social media manager for Olentangy Model UN. I am so excited for the publication next year, and I am even more thrilled to be leading with Audrey and our design editors, Taylor and Carter. I couldn’t ask for a better team to lead the class with next year. I’m Taylor Guzek, and I am going to be one of the design editors in chief next year. My favorite part of the class this past year has been getting to meet all the people that I wouldn’t have met without it. Outside of #e Courier, I am a rower at Olentangy Rowing Club, and I am a part of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Interact Club and Pioneer Ambassadors. I am very excited to be an editor next year and can’t wait to lead with the other editors.My name is Carter Shilling, I am currently a designer for Orange’s Courier but will take on the role of design editor in chief for next year’s issues. I am excited to get to work more in depth on each and every issue next year. For my extracurriculars, I run cross country for the school and play club rugby called the Blues for Olentangy. I also play the piano and have been involved in out of the country visits with the school, including the trip to Costa Rica last year with the AP Environmental teacher Mrs. Timmons where we studied Leatherback Sea Turtles o! the coast and so much more.We are so grateful and excited for this opportunity to lead the Courier and make it our own. We are sure that we will continue producing quality content that we are proud and eager to share.editorial4 april/maySophomore Carter Shilling stands infront of the Ohio State Marching Band before a game.Juniors Lyla Bice (right) and Audrey Del Vecchio (le%) stand in the hallway on Courier sell day.Junior Taylor Guzek stands in the lawn at an outdoor arena.
ICDC 2026deca’s trip to atlantawriter lyla bice | designer eliana myhal | permission to print izzy scholvin & issha jojodae Every year, students who are a part of the Distributive Education Clubs of America, better known as DECA, spend the school year preparing to travel to ICDC, a multi-day conference attended by over 25,000 students, advisers, business professionals and more, according to DECA. ICDC has been hosted all over the country, including Orlando, Florida and Anaheim, California. !is year, it was hosted in Atlanta, Georgia on April 25- 28.Students who quali\"ed for competing at ICDC were senior Suvir Reddy and juniors Jenna Frase, Aaria Gala, Logan Moorhead, Samarah Nazzal, Shresthi Senthil, Parth Shah and Roman Wagner. Additional students who attended the trip include seniors Dane Barcalow, Saran Diane, Kriyanshi Shukia and junior Lainey Paoletta to represent the program’s studentrun businesses (Fort Orange and Orange Apparel). Seniors Linden Marin and Olivia Rupp and juniors Nicolas Bruggeman and Pooja Shah attended the leadership Academy at ICDC. “ICDC stands for International Career Development Conference, and it’s also an academic competition because most students are competing in their event. !ere’s up to 60 di#erent competitive events they are competing in, and they have to qualify for those events through districts, states or another way,” Business Teacher newsapril/may 5Seniors Izzy Scholvin and Ellie Brombacker celebrate a$er placing in the top 10 \"nals at the state competition.Seniors Devyn Hanna and Tanya Swarup practice their presentation at the DECA state competition.Teresa Gellenbeck said, who runs the Orange DECA chapter and leads the trip.Preparation for the competition begins much earlier than even the district or state competitions. Students spend months preparing competition material speci\"c to their event, which can include organizing events, fundraising, researching and participating in mock presentations.“If a student is competing, it’s a yearlong process. Before and a$er competition, there’s prep work and studying. Some of the events have up to a 20-page paper, a 15-minute presentation or have a test and more of an interview,” Gellenbeck said.Events that students can research and compete for cover many aspects of the professional business world, including topics in marketing, business management and administration, \"nance and hospitality and tourism, according to DECA.“I competed for project management career development, which included a 20-page paper about events that we held. At ICDC, we presented our paper in a visual format. It was a 15-minute presentation, and we went through multiple rounds of that,” junior DECA member Shresthi Senthil said.Students who didn’t qualify for ICDC still had the opportunity to go with their DECA chapter and grow academically and professionally. “We had 12 students competing, and we brought a few on what’s called a campaign, where they attended a leadership academy. !e bulk of ICDC is a competition, but there are academies and conferences where students can gain valuable leadership skills that they can bring back to help improve our DECA chapter,” Gellenbeck said.!e students who participated in the program and went on the trip learned vital professional skills while still practicing them in a real world setting. !is is especially helpful and bene\"cial for students looking to go into a business \"eld, as early exposure to the business world helps to head start their future. “You build a lot of real world application skills like time management and communication. Going into DECA, I already knew I wanted to do something business related, but it’s de\"nitely reinforced that I want to go into that \"eld,” Senthil said.ICDC also o#ered a way for students to have fun and explore the area and what it had to o#er. “If one didn’t make it to \"nals, we just explored around Atlanta. Our whole DECA chapter went to Six Flags, as there’s a thing called DECA night where they reserved the park for only DECA students,” Senthil said.!e memories made at ICDC are sure to last the students a lifetime, and the skills they learn throughout the process continue to leave an impact on their futures. “For it to all come together, to see kids up on stage or taking them out of state for a trip just makes it all worth it in the end. All the time, all the stress, all the chaos, it makes it worth it,” Gellenbeck said.“ICDC stands for International Career Development Conference, and there’s up to 60 different competitive events they are competing in. They have to qualify for those events through districts, states or another way,” Business Teacher Teresa Gellenbeck said.
to thrive, dominate and match their success the following season. Miami is no exception. While the team is Division I, the school is not as well known for athletics as other colleges, leading one to wonder if the program can attract and attain new talent that can continue Miami’s success. “Miami has a great coaching sta! that has built a great culture in the program, and they also have some exciting new recruits that will join the team next season,” Shepherd said. “Going 31-0 again next year would be pretty unprecedented, but I would say the odds of them having another generally successful season come next winter are pretty high.”Regardless of how Miami’s future plays out, fans, students, players and coaches should be proud of the accomplishments the Redhawk basketball team attained this season. Perfect seasons are rare, and despite their short playo! run, this season was undoubtedly one for the Miami University history books.REDHAWK REVIVALmiami university’s undefeated regular seasonwriter ava pazak | designer griffin buckWhen someone thinks of college basketball in Ohio, the \"rst team that comes to mind is most likely none other than #e Ohio State. Being the largest and most well-known college in Ohio, it only makes sense that the Buckeyes are who one would think of.But a mere two hour drive away from the bustling campus of OSU is the quiet college town of Oxford, Ohio, home to the Miami Redhawks. #e brick streets and scholarly buildings covered in ivy paint a picture of academic excellence, but beyond that \"rst impression hides a stellar athletic program with a men’s basketball team who had a perfect record in the regular season.#e Miami Redhawks men’s basketball team completed their season with a $awless 31-0 record, being just the eighth team in NCAA Division I Basketball history to do so. Sydney #ompson is a senior at Miami and played for the women’s soccer team all four years of her college career. Additionally, #ompson assisted the sports program by helping at di!erent athletic events, especially men’s basketball games.“I de\"nitely thought they were going to have a good season, especially with how well they did my junior year by making it to the MAC Championship,” #ompson said. “But, I didn’t expect them to do this well.”#e Redhawks were led by standout guards senior Peter Suder and sophomore Brant Byers this season, with each player averaging 14.8 and 14.2 points per game, respectively. Senior Antwone Woolfolk stepped up defensively, totaling 25 blocks and 45 steals this season, according to ESPN. Sophomore Payton Shepherd is a basketball player at the school and followed the Redhawks this collegiate basketball season. “Miami was super compatible, connected and worked well under pressure, something that really worked to their advantage this season,” Shepherd said. “#eir defense was dominant as well, which is refreshing to see in an age of sports6 april/mayo!ense-focused teams in basketball.”#e Redhawks’ success proved to attract new attention to the team, with popular platforms such as ESPN and Bleacher Report covering the previously unrecognized school. #e team even received a message from superstar John Cena wishing them luck ahead of their historic entry into the March Madness tournament, according to the NCAA.But beyond the newly garnered attention from outsiders and national media, Miami’s success initiated a neverbefore-seen zeal among students for the team and athletics at the school as a whole.“My freshman year, people would hardly go to basketball games or even other athletic events in general because we aren’t considered a ‘sports’ school, and honestly that hurts a little bit as a retired athlete since I know how much hard work and dedication goes into representing your school,” #ompson said. “But seeing how much the student body has rallied behind our team and even sold out stadiums has been amazing. Going from working a game with hardly any people to having to come in three hours early because there is a sold out crowd is a crazy development. It gives me hope that our school and students will continue to support their athletic programs in the future.”#e age-old question of any accomplished team a%er a stellar season is whether the program can continue
into the next chaptersports columnist kelsey beatty | designer griffin buck | permission to print kelsey beattycommits, who I believe deserve all the recognition in the world, especially as signing day and graduation are upon us.!is has included star wide receiver MC Walker, going to Ohio University, o\"ensive lineman Remley Bowen, bound for Davidson College, standout golfer Adeline Ricker, committed to Xavier. And this is only a few of the spring signees.Among these, Ricker received nearly a full scholarship of $60,000 a year to attend Xavier, showing her high value as a recruit. And Walker’s commitment will give the high school’s former quarterback Levi Davis, who began at OU in the spring, the chance to reunite with one of his favorite high school passcatchers at the next level.More broadly, this has been an unrivaled year of senior sport commitments, with many signees being granted signi#cant scholarships to iconic universities.For instance, senior Justice Cullivan received a full ride for fencing at Notre Dame next fall, cheerleader Macy Medley will receive a generous scholarship when she committed to the University of Massachusetts and running back Lucas Fickel will attend the United States Military Academy (Army) free of charge.Seniors from the high school will also be going so far as to usher in a new era for collegiate sports, as the NCAA adds four new championships in women’s athletics.As incoming seniors Audrey Del Vecchio and Cate Woolard prepare to take on their new roles as co-editor in chief and section editor, they are passing their sports column to myself, current junior Kelsey Beatty.I, for my part, will focus on giving you the “scoop” on all the happenings in sports, from school sports, to collegiate teams, to national sports, to overall sports trends.I was practically raised on sports; my whole life, from September to January, football was on, either NFL (we’re 49ers fans) or college (OSU) and March Madness in the spring. My brother, and by extension my dad, has taken an interest in most sports, and I can think of (some more seriously than others), including lacrosse, football, soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, pickleball, mountain biking, track and each winter, skiing.Being a good sister, I’ve done all the backyard baseball and driveway basketball, learned to play pickleball, went mountain biking once or more a week for two years and started my skiing journey these past two years. A$er learning at Snow Trails, I went along to Holiday Valley this season, with more updates to come this winter.I also attended every game but one of this past football season, including the playo\"s, to support the team from the marching band. I even got the opportunity to see our team win the state championship for the #rst time in program history, participate in their awards ceremony and interview players and coaches vital to that victory.Beyond football, I have had the opportunity to go in-depth on the school’s golf program, dig into our hockey program, attend the varsity basketball team’s games and explore March Madness. Since joining the Courier, I have written almost entirely sports stories, putting me in touch with the sports scene at the high school.Speaking of which, these stories have also given me the opportunity to speak with many of this year’s senior sports Sports columnists Kelsey Beatty.april/may 7columnWomen’s wrestling will be one of these sports introduced across the country in the 2026-27 season, meaning that seniors Lacie Knick and Chloe Tompkins will have the opportunity to debut the women’s wrestling program at Kent State, where they have committed, and senior Lexie Riley will be a member of Washington and Je\"erson University’s #rst women’s wrestling team.Overall, this year will undeniably be record-breaking for the Pioneer Class of 2026 in athletics. But as they solidify their commitment to their future universities with the stroke of a pen, and thus set the stage for their next frontier, so too do I as I step into my role as the Courier’s 2026-2027 sports editor. SIDELINE SCOOP
SOCIAL SCRUTINYthe impact of pressure in school, relationships and extracurricularswriter keira dickson, ava pazak & tenley walker | designer taylor guzek | permission to print collegedata.comScroll. Tap. Like. Repeat. For today’s teenagers, comparison is no longer limited to the classroom or the neighborhood, it lives in their pockets.Comparison CultureExperts from !e Ohio State University say “comparison culture,” fueled largely by social media and competitive academic environments, is reshaping how young people measure success, self-worth and achievement.“In a socially mediated world, people are able to choose how they present themselves. In most cases, they choose t o only present their best, and o\"en filtered, moments. !is leads to false comparisons,” O S U Professor of Anthropology Anna Willows said.Unlike previous generations, who may have compared themselves to classmates or siblings, teens today are exposed to carefully curated highlight reels from peers, in#uencers a n d celebrities. !e result is a constant sense of falling behind.“When they see other students making rapid advancements, it is easy to feel like they are being le\" behind or simply not good enough,” Willows said.!at pressure extends beyond social life and into academics. Students o\"en believe they must excel in advanced coursework, sports and extracurricular activities to secure a spot at a top college. !e message many teens receive is clear: if someone does not stand out, that person will fall behind.“We live in a world where people feel compelled to compete with what they see on TV and other media. Instead of keeping up with the proverbial Joneses, people now feel like they need to compete with the Kardashians and so many other unrealistic lives,” Willows said.Young people now feel pressure to compete with the glamorous and o\"en unrealistic lives portrayed by in#uencers and celebrities, including $gures like the Kardashians, whose content dominates digital platforms.“Although in#uencers and celebrities may seem distant from everyday life, the standards they set o\"en trickle down into high schools and social circles,” senior Hadlee Hall said.!ough celebrity lifestyles may appear exaggerated or unattainable, are there for each other no matter what.“!e person I have my closest relationship with; we are able to tell each other how we are really feeling and thinking,” sophomore Julliete Timmons said.Now, this doesn’t always mean being nice to each other 24/7. Because in reality, this would eventually get too boring. Friends who mock each other are shown to have stronger friendships than those who don’t according to !e SWDL.“We are still kind to each other, but we can tease each other without getting o%ended or taking it personally,” Timmons said.Looking for a friend can be very hard, especially for students who are older. !eir brains have started to develop further, and they have a higher sense of judgment in what they want in a friend according to Psychology Today.“I look for someone I’m able to be comfortable being myself around without feeling as if I have to mirror the other person’s p e r s o n a l i t y ,” Timmons said.P e o p l e have di%erent expectations of what they want in a friend due to di%erent e m o t i o n a l needs, past e x p e r i e n c e s a n d p ers ona lit ies a c c o r d i n g to Hu%post. Some want a more serious relationship, while others want one where they can make a joke about almost anything.“I look for people who are easy to talk to and get my sense of humor,” Molnar said.So, what is a “real” relationship if all relationships look so di%erent?“You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or as if they are being constantly judged by whomever you are around,” Timmons said, “if it is a truly healthy relationship, it will feel mutual for both people in the relationship.”A big problem that comes with friendships is the judgment the ideals they promote o\"en shape the standards teens use to evaluate their own lives.“!is spans a wide range: there is social pressure to succeed in academics and sports, but there is also social pressure to be popular, to have the right body shape or to wear the right clothes. Sometimes the same people are burdened by all of these pressures. In other cases, students might feel pressure in some areas but not care about others,” Willows said.While comparison has always been part of adolescence, experts warn that its scale and intensity have changed. With social media providing a nonstop stream of curated success stories, teens may $nd it harder than ever to recognize that what they see online is o\"en incomplete and carefully edited.“As comparison culture continues to shape teenage life, educators and parents are being encouraged to shift the narrative. Rather than emphasizing competition alone, some advocate for conversations about personal growth, balance and rede$ning success beyond rankings and r é s u m é s , ” Willows said.In a world where achievement is constantly on display, the challenge for today’s teens may not be striving to succeed, but learning when to stop comparing and start de$ning success for themselves. Social Pressure Relationships are seen everywhere in many di%erent ways. !ere are romantic relationships, casual relationships, long distance relationships, deep friendship relationships, work formal relationships, and so many more.Friendships can look very di%erent, varying on the people in the friendship, type of friendship and the length of the friendship. “My best friends are my teammates and my school friends,” sophomore Ella Molnar said.!e de$nition of a best friend is “a person’s closest friend” according to the Oxford Dictionary. Best friends are the people who alongside it. O\"en, the fear of judgment shapes how friendships look, form and act according to Reachlink.“People are judged by who they choose to keep company and date because it is seen as a re#ection of that person,” Timmons said.It is o\"en said that people turn into the people they are around the most according to Riskology. Many $nd this harmful, however, this can be a good thing in some cases.“Typically you are similar to the people you hang around. When you surround yourself with positive people, it’s hard not to be one yourself,” Molnar said.To keep a friendship strong and cooperative, there are a few unwritten rules to follow to stay connected according to MSN.One rule is to “always respect each other and have a mutual understanding for each other,” Molnar said.Social media can be a very controversial thing when it comes to relationships. Many believe social media is a negative thing that tears people apart by ceasing physical connection according to Greater Good Magazine.“I feel as if it’s harder for some people to communicate face to face who spend more time online and on social media. Social media has also allowed people to hide behind their devices and act di%erently on social media than they may in person,” Timmons said.On the other hand, social media can be one of the best forms of communication for certain people according to the University of Canada West.“Social media can be better for long distance connection,” Molnar said.One big problem that young adults face today is “the chameleon e%ect” according to Psychology Today. !is is when people change who they are to $t in with the crowd. Obviously, this is a problem for many reasons.“If someone is always changing who they are around di%erent people in order to protect themselves, they will eventually lose who covercover8 april/may april/may 913 2“...if someone does not stand out, that person will fall behind.” Factors People Look for in a FriendSomeone you feel comfortable aroundSomeone with the same sense of humorSomeone with whom you share mutual respect
SOCIAL SCRUTINYthe impact of pressure in school, relationships and extracurricularswriter keira dickson, ava pazak & tenley walker | designer taylor guzek | permission to print collegedata.comScroll. Tap. Like. Repeat. For today’s teenagers, comparison is no longer limited to the classroom or the neighborhood, it lives in their pockets.Comparison CultureExperts from !e Ohio State University say “comparison culture,” fueled largely by social media and competitive academic environments, is reshaping how young people measure success, self-worth and achievement.“In a socially mediated world, people are able to choose how they present themselves. In most cases, they choose t o only present their best, and o\"en filtered, moments. !is leads to false comparisons,” O S U Professor of Anthropology Anna Willows said.Unlike previous generations, who may have compared themselves to classmates or siblings, teens today are exposed to carefully curated highlight reels from peers, in#uencers a n d celebrities. !e result is a constant sense of falling behind.“When they see other students making rapid advancements, it is easy to feel like they are being le\" behind or simply not good enough,” Willows said.!at pressure extends beyond social life and into academics. Students o\"en believe they must excel in advanced coursework, sports and extracurricular activities to secure a spot at a top college. !e message many teens receive is clear: if someone does not stand out, that person will fall behind.“We live in a world where people feel compelled to compete with what they see on TV and other media. Instead of keeping up with the proverbial Joneses, people now feel like they need to compete with the Kardashians and so many other unrealistic lives,” Willows said.Young people now feel pressure to compete with the glamorous and o\"en unrealistic lives portrayed by in#uencers and celebrities, including $gures like the Kardashians, whose content dominates digital platforms.“Although in#uencers and celebrities may seem distant from everyday life, the standards they set o\"en trickle down into high schools and social circles,” senior Hadlee Hall said.!ough celebrity lifestyles may appear exaggerated or unattainable, are there for each other no matter what.“!e person I have my closest relationship with; we are able to tell each other how we are really feeling and thinking,” sophomore Julliete Timmons said.Now, this doesn’t always mean being nice to each other 24/7. Because in reality, this would eventually get too boring. Friends who mock each other are shown to have stronger friendships than those who don’t according to !e SWDL.“We are still kind to each other, but we can tease each other without getting o%ended or taking it personally,” Timmons said.Looking for a friend can be very hard, especially for students who are older. !eir brains have started to develop further, and they have a higher sense of judgment in what they want in a friend according to Psychology Today.“I look for someone I’m able to be comfortable being myself around without feeling as if I have to mirror the other person’s p e r s o n a l i t y ,” Timmons said.P e o p l e have di%erent expectations of what they want in a friend due to di%erent e m o t i o n a l needs, past e x p e r i e n c e s a n d p ers ona lit ies a c c o r d i n g to Hu%post. Some want a more serious relationship, while others want one where they can make a joke about almost anything.“I look for people who are easy to talk to and get my sense of humor,” Molnar said.So, what is a “real” relationship if all relationships look so di%erent?“You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or as if they are being constantly judged by whomever you are around,” Timmons said, “if it is a truly healthy relationship, it will feel mutual for both people in the relationship.”A big problem that comes with friendships is the judgment the ideals they promote o\"en shape the standards teens use to evaluate their own lives.“!is spans a wide range: there is social pressure to succeed in academics and sports, but there is also social pressure to be popular, to have the right body shape or to wear the right clothes. Sometimes the same people are burdened by all of these pressures. In other cases, students might feel pressure in some areas but not care about others,” Willows said.While comparison has always been part of adolescence, experts warn that its scale and intensity have changed. With social media providing a nonstop stream of curated success stories, teens may $nd it harder than ever to recognize that what they see online is o\"en incomplete and carefully edited.“As comparison culture continues to shape teenage life, educators and parents are being encouraged to shift the narrative. Rather than emphasizing competition alone, some advocate for conversations about personal growth, balance and rede$ning success beyond rankings and r é s u m é s , ” Willows said.In a world where achievement is constantly on display, the challenge for today’s teens may not be striving to succeed, but learning when to stop comparing and start de$ning success for themselves. Social Pressure Relationships are seen everywhere in many di%erent ways. !ere are romantic relationships, casual relationships, long distance relationships, deep friendship relationships, work formal relationships, and so many more.Friendships can look very di%erent, varying on the people in the friendship, type of friendship and the length of the friendship. “My best friends are my teammates and my school friends,” sophomore Ella Molnar said.!e de$nition of a best friend is “a person’s closest friend” according to the Oxford Dictionary. Best friends are the people who alongside it. O\"en, the fear of judgment shapes how friendships look, form and act according to Reachlink.“People are judged by who they choose to keep company and date because it is seen as a re#ection of that person,” Timmons said.It is o\"en said that people turn into the people they are around the most according to Riskology. Many $nd this harmful, however, this can be a good thing in some cases.“Typically you are similar to the people you hang around. When you surround yourself with positive people, it’s hard not to be one yourself,” Molnar said.To keep a friendship strong and cooperative, there are a few unwritten rules to follow to stay connected according to MSN.One rule is to “always respect each other and have a mutual understanding for each other,” Molnar said.Social media can be a very controversial thing when it comes to relationships. Many believe social media is a negative thing that tears people apart by ceasing physical connection according to Greater Good Magazine.“I feel as if it’s harder for some people to communicate face to face who spend more time online and on social media. Social media has also allowed people to hide behind their devices and act di%erently on social media than they may in person,” Timmons said.On the other hand, social media can be one of the best forms of communication for certain people according to the University of Canada West.“Social media can be better for long distance connection,” Molnar said.One big problem that young adults face today is “the chameleon e%ect” according to Psychology Today. !is is when people change who they are to $t in with the crowd. Obviously, this is a problem for many reasons.“If someone is always changing who they are around di%erent people in order to protect themselves, they will eventually lose who covercover8 april/may april/may 913 2“...if someone does not stand out, that person will fall behind.” Factors People Look for in a FriendSomeone you feel comfortable aroundSomeone with the same sense of humorSomeone with whom you share mutual respect
they truly are,” Timmons said.However, using the chameleon e!ect to adjust tone or appearance can be bene\"cial in some situations.“I think it makes you adaptable, you wouldn’t talk to a co worker the same way you talk to your best friends,” Molnar said.Social pressure is another large issue when it comes to making and keeping friendships. Expectations are much higher for high school students as they begin to start their lives according to #omas B. Fordham Institute.“#ere’s pressure from other students or parents to take hard classes or join multiple clubs and extracurriculars or get a job,”Timmons said.Not only this but social pressure also a!ects a student’s ability to communicate e!ectively according to Manhattan Teen and Young Adult Psychology.“Kids our age are unable to adequately communicate with others about how they are feeling or what they need. So instead they isolate themselves,” Timmons said.Age is another large factor that in$uences how relationships are formed and made. It is much easier for younger children, such as elementary age, to make friends compared to high school age students according to TalkerResearch. “Middle aged adults and elderly individuals tend to struggle with connection more than kids our age because of lack of time due to work or they feel as if they do not have the opportunity to reach out and meet other people or even they feel stuck with the friends they have had for so long,” Timmons said.#e underdeveloped brain of young children can be very favorable when it comes to the task of making new friends. “When you’re little, you are kind of friends with anyone, but as you get older you learn what to look for in people and begin to develop real friendships,” Molnar said.Future PressureEvery year in the United States, each 17 to 18 year old is presented with the daunting task of deciding what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Sometime in-between soccer practice, English homework, and hanging out with friends, juniors and seniors planning classes and submitting their college applications feel the pressure to untangle the Southwestern City School district and witnessed how this rhetoric surrounding college has impacted students. “Many schools push a college-going atmosphere, but sometimes students are not ready to go to college. Columbus State is always a good starting point, but some look down upon this college since it is a ‘community college.’ It is a wonderful starting point - smaller classes, less expensive and many great p r o g r a m s ,” Hibbitt said. “We need to expose students to many di!erent c a r e e r pathways for students to look into. And they need to know that not all of these p a t h w a y s r e q u i r e a college degree.”It is also common for students to feel pressure from their parents and other adults in their lives to pursue s p e c i f i c d e g r e e s , colleges or career paths, adding on to the stress students feel for life a%er high school.“Parents need to understand the many options that are out there and the di!erent types of programs that colleges o!er. Parents also need to understand that sometimes a year of working may be what their child needs before they can make further future decisions,” Hibbitt said. “Also, it must be their child’s dream - not the parents’ dream. Some parents try to live vicariously through their children, but if it is not the child’s passion or dream, it is not a bene\"cial decision for their future.”web of possibilities for their future as quickly as possible.In the last 50 years, the number of s t u d e n t s who attend c o l l e g e a%er high s c h o o l h a s increased dramatically, and the changing landscape has led to a growing competition among high school students to get into speci\"c colleges or pursue certain careers that require certain majors.Senior Samira Kandhari has lived through the stresses that come with post highschool planning and has her own views on the topic.“For me, the pressure to have everything \"gured out largely comes from social media and my peers,” Kandhari said. “It can be daunting to open the TikTok for you page and immediately see a video of a young girl explaining how she’s in Forbes 30 under 30. It can make someone feel behind, even though every person’s path looks di!erent.”#ese thoughts of comparison are common among many high schoolers, leading students to feel “behind” or as if they aren’t achieving enough. As they see people their age reach impressive milestones, they set unrealistic expectations for themselves, even if the things they are seeing other kids do doesn’t correlate with their lives.Students can therefore feel a lot of anxiety s u r r o u n d i n g their future to go down the “right path” in order to attain such milestones, even if that path isn’t for them. Additionally, these mindsets have le% many students to forget that high-level college isn’t the only option they can consider. Erin Hibbitt is a high school guidance counselor at Westland High School in the Other stressors students have for their futures can go beyond the decisions regarding careers, college or majors but rather more social aspects.Many students worry that by leaving high school, they will lose many of their h o m e t o w n friends and struggle to meet new people and make new connections in the places they go next. #e prospect of leaving family behind can also be worrisome for students.“I worry about \"nding a good circle of friends and having a support s y s t e m , ” Kandhari said. “My parents, family and friends are my biggest s u p p o r t e r s , and it will be hard to be in a di!erent state without them.”At the end of the day, making decisions and c ons i d e r i ng one’s future a%er high school can be overwhelming for countless students in more ways than one.It is crucial that parents, teachers and counselors are understanding and patient during this time and o!er support in limiting the pressure students feel to have things “\"gured out” or reach certain accomplishments.“A lot of adults think they understand the pressures students faced because they were once students too. But the whole process of college admissions has totally changed since they were in high school, and they o%en don’t understand just how di&cult it is to get into college now, as the competition is harder,” Kandhari said. “I wish more adults just had empathy and o!ered grace to high schoolers.”covercover10 april/may april/may 11GET READY WITH MEwhile I explain how I started my own business at 17World’s Youngest Billionaire...How I Got Into Harvard...How I Got my Clear Skin...user_23487445user_3218947786 658 89542 421 51opening all 30 of my college acceptancesthank you for all the help you have given me on this journey! stay tuned to see where i choose to gothank you to everyone who gave me this opportunity of a lifetime! the support has meant everything to meWhat High School Seniors Are Most Stressed Out About52%21%12%11%3%1%Applying to CollegePaying for CollegeSchool/Life BalanceClass Workload/RigorLife After GraduationOtherAccording to collegedata.com
they truly are,” Timmons said.However, using the chameleon e!ect to adjust tone or appearance can be bene\"cial in some situations.“I think it makes you adaptable, you wouldn’t talk to a co worker the same way you talk to your best friends,” Molnar said.Social pressure is another large issue when it comes to making and keeping friendships. Expectations are much higher for high school students as they begin to start their lives according to #omas B. Fordham Institute.“#ere’s pressure from other students or parents to take hard classes or join multiple clubs and extracurriculars or get a job,”Timmons said.Not only this but social pressure also a!ects a student’s ability to communicate e!ectively according to Manhattan Teen and Young Adult Psychology.“Kids our age are unable to adequately communicate with others about how they are feeling or what they need. So instead they isolate themselves,” Timmons said.Age is another large factor that in$uences how relationships are formed and made. It is much easier for younger children, such as elementary age, to make friends compared to high school age students according to TalkerResearch. “Middle aged adults and elderly individuals tend to struggle with connection more than kids our age because of lack of time due to work or they feel as if they do not have the opportunity to reach out and meet other people or even they feel stuck with the friends they have had for so long,” Timmons said.#e underdeveloped brain of young children can be very favorable when it comes to the task of making new friends. “When you’re little, you are kind of friends with anyone, but as you get older you learn what to look for in people and begin to develop real friendships,” Molnar said.Future PressureEvery year in the United States, each 17 to 18 year old is presented with the daunting task of deciding what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Sometime in-between soccer practice, English homework, and hanging out with friends, juniors and seniors planning classes and submitting their college applications feel the pressure to untangle the Southwestern City School district and witnessed how this rhetoric surrounding college has impacted students. “Many schools push a college-going atmosphere, but sometimes students are not ready to go to college. Columbus State is always a good starting point, but some look down upon this college since it is a ‘community college.’ It is a wonderful starting point - smaller classes, less expensive and many great p r o g r a m s ,” Hibbitt said. “We need to expose students to many di!erent c a r e e r pathways for students to look into. And they need to know that not all of these p a t h w a y s r e q u i r e a college degree.”It is also common for students to feel pressure from their parents and other adults in their lives to pursue s p e c i f i c d e g r e e s , colleges or career paths, adding on to the stress students feel for life a%er high school.“Parents need to understand the many options that are out there and the di!erent types of programs that colleges o!er. Parents also need to understand that sometimes a year of working may be what their child needs before they can make further future decisions,” Hibbitt said. “Also, it must be their child’s dream - not the parents’ dream. Some parents try to live vicariously through their children, but if it is not the child’s passion or dream, it is not a bene\"cial decision for their future.”web of possibilities for their future as quickly as possible.In the last 50 years, the number of s t u d e n t s who attend c o l l e g e a%er high s c h o o l h a s increased dramatically, and the changing landscape has led to a growing competition among high school students to get into speci\"c colleges or pursue certain careers that require certain majors.Senior Samira Kandhari has lived through the stresses that come with post highschool planning and has her own views on the topic.“For me, the pressure to have everything \"gured out largely comes from social media and my peers,” Kandhari said. “It can be daunting to open the TikTok for you page and immediately see a video of a young girl explaining how she’s in Forbes 30 under 30. It can make someone feel behind, even though every person’s path looks di!erent.”#ese thoughts of comparison are common among many high schoolers, leading students to feel “behind” or as if they aren’t achieving enough. As they see people their age reach impressive milestones, they set unrealistic expectations for themselves, even if the things they are seeing other kids do doesn’t correlate with their lives.Students can therefore feel a lot of anxiety s u r r o u n d i n g their future to go down the “right path” in order to attain such milestones, even if that path isn’t for them. Additionally, these mindsets have le% many students to forget that high-level college isn’t the only option they can consider. Erin Hibbitt is a high school guidance counselor at Westland High School in the Other stressors students have for their futures can go beyond the decisions regarding careers, college or majors but rather more social aspects.Many students worry that by leaving high school, they will lose many of their h o m e t o w n friends and struggle to meet new people and make new connections in the places they go next. #e prospect of leaving family behind can also be worrisome for students.“I worry about \"nding a good circle of friends and having a support s y s t e m , ” Kandhari said. “My parents, family and friends are my biggest s u p p o r t e r s , and it will be hard to be in a di!erent state without them.”At the end of the day, making decisions and c ons i d e r i ng one’s future a%er high school can be overwhelming for countless students in more ways than one.It is crucial that parents, teachers and counselors are understanding and patient during this time and o!er support in limiting the pressure students feel to have things “\"gured out” or reach certain accomplishments.“A lot of adults think they understand the pressures students faced because they were once students too. But the whole process of college admissions has totally changed since they were in high school, and they o%en don’t understand just how di&cult it is to get into college now, as the competition is harder,” Kandhari said. “I wish more adults just had empathy and o!ered grace to high schoolers.”covercover10 april/may april/may 11GET READY WITH MEwhile I explain how I started my own business at 17World’s Youngest Billionaire...How I Got Into Harvard...How I Got my Clear Skin...user_23487445user_3218947786 658 89542 421 51opening all 30 of my college acceptancesthank you for all the help you have given me on this journey! stay tuned to see where i choose to gothank you to everyone who gave me this opportunity of a lifetime! the support has meant everything to meWhat High School Seniors Are Most Stressed Out About52%21%12%11%3%1%Applying to CollegePaying for CollegeSchool/Life BalanceClass Workload/RigorLife After GraduationOtherAccording to collegedata.com
FASHION FLASHBACK‘the devil wears prada 2’writer audrey del vecchio | designer grant ruof | source box office mojoOn May 2 an iconic sequel was released, nearly two decades a!er “\"e Devil Wears Prada” re#ned a generation’s views of fashion and power. \"is return has le! many wondering how its iconic legacy will align with a new cultural movement. \"e world that #rst embraced “\"e Devil Wears Prada” is not the one that will return to watch it. Today’s audiences have not experienced the workplace environment and lifestyle that the movie 20 years ago glamorized. “It both glamorized work culture and critiqued it because Maryl Streep was very critical of her employees and protective of her magazine. On the other hand, it was glamorized by being #lmed in NYC and dealing with fashion in general,” junior Isabel Francisco said. W h a t appeared to be a movie about clothing colors and fashion shows quickly revealed itself to have a stronger meaning. It focused on identity and what the price of belonging is in elite spaces with a power imbalance. “Americans love an underdog. \"e main character conquered all the parts of work culture, social class and their own limitations and overcame them,” English Teacher Alicia Edwards said.\"e movie’s take on the fashion industry le! a huge legacy behind and that now sets the stage for the franchise’s next chapter. Many fans are excited to see how the screen writers took the same beloved characters and changed the environment to resemble life today. \"ere has been a lot of anticipation for the #lm with actors such as Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep participating in many interviews and premieres showcasing their fashion. “I’m looking forward to seeing how closely it resembles the #rst movie. \"ey should focus on the social media, fashion bloggers, online shopping and in$uencers aspect of fashion because it wasn’t as relevant during the #rst movie,” Francisco said. Fashion is a major topic throughout the franchise, and the original #lm ultimately reveals that fashion is in$uence. It structures the #lm and becomes a visual story telling device that carries the character’s growth as the #lm progresses. “It sets the tone for a time period and cultural artifact. Sets up the view to immediately be given more information about the protagonist and antagonist,” Edwards said. When the original movie was #lmed, there was not the same technology and social media presence that there is today. Many people wonder how the #lm makers will take universal ideas relevant today and integrate them into the world of Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs. “ L o o k at ‘Scream 7’! ‘Stranger \"ings.’ Seems like people love sequels, e s p e c i a l l y comedies. Most people watch a sequel knowing ahead of time that it won’t be at the same caliber as the #rst,” Edwards said.Once a movie already has such a strong fan base and high e x p e c t a t i o n s like “\"e Devil Wears Prada,” it can be challenging to create another #lm within the same franchise. While the same actors are coming back to reprise their roles, many are interested to see if the #lm will leave the same lasting impact as the original. “Classic timeless themes like love, death and universal understandings, as well as a deep empathic connection with the audience. Also, rich aesthetically and accurate sets, authentic acting and editing that tells a great story,” Edwards said. Long a!er the runway fades, #gures like Miranda Priestly remain and remind audiences that power, much like fashion, is always evolving and is never an accident. From Anne Hathaway herself, go watch the new “Devil Wears Prada 2” in your cerulean blue if you haven’t already.culture12 april/mayThe Devil Wears Prada:Estimated Budget: $35 MillionWorldwide Gross: The Devil Wears Prada:Estimated Budget: $35 MillionWorldwide Gross: $326,551,094
PARTING PIONEERSjuniors graduating earlywriter cate woolard | designer grant ruofLess than three percent of students graduate early, according to ASU Prep Academy. While this path may be rare, it is not impossible, and Orange has eight juniors graduating early this year. !ere are many bene\"ts to graduating early, according to the American Academy, and some of these bene\"ts can include getting an earlier start to earning an income or going to college earlier.Jasmine Kaur is one of these students graduating early. Kaur is currently a member of the girls wrestling team. Next year Kaur plans to get her degree in Biomedical engineering at the University of Cincinnati, and Kaur is very eager to get a headstart on her college education.“I decided to graduate early because I wanted to get a head start on college, and I was also \"nished with most of my credits, so it wouldn’t take any extra e#ort to do so. I took my time with the decision and really weighed the pros and cons, and due to additional personal reasons I decided to go through with it,” Kaur said. “I will miss seeing my friends everyday and being on the girls wrestling team.”Kaur has always seen herself going to Cincinnati. Something that makes Cincinnati a good school is its co-op program, which according to the University of Cincinnati is ranked number four nationally. !e University of Cincinnati describes a co-op program as a program where students can switch between education and having full time positions in their chosen industry.“I chose Cincinnati because my sister used to go there, and I always imagined myself having my college experience there. !eir co-op program is also really good, and it’s a good school,” Kaur said. Alli Peterson also plans to graduate early. Peterson, though not committed anywhere, plans to attend art school next year. Peterson decided to graduate early because she already \"nished everything she needed, and wanted to move on to a higher education. Additionally Peterson felt that she had already completed everything that would bene\"t her in the future and at school.“I look forward to having freedom to travel, adventure and try new things alone while working in a creative environment and having the opportunity to make new friends and connections,” Peterson said.Gabby Hardcastle is another one of these students, Hardcastle is currently on the school’s color guard team. A$er graduation she plans to attend cosmetology school, according to Empire Beauty School, cosmetology is the study of beauty treatments to the skin, hair and nails.“I plan on going to C o s m e t o l o g y school and then moving to Arizona,” Hardcastle said.Bella Mitchell also plans to graduate early. Bella feels as if she is ready to experience the real world. However Mitchell also had many things she’s going to miss about high school when she leaves. For example, one thing she’s going to miss is Friday football games, which is enjoyed by many students.“I decided to graduate early because I had enough credits, and I’m ready to experience the world outside high school,” Mitchell said.Mitchell plans to attend Franklin University. She is already enrolled there and has actually already \"nished one year in her current major, communications. According to Franklin University, the school is based in Columbus and is primarily an online institution. “I’m actually enrolled in college (Franklin University) now, and I plan to stay there for one more year as I have a year completed already,” Mitchell said. As the juniors say goodbye to high school, they enter a world of new possibilities and experiences that will shape them for their future.cultureapril/may 138 Juniors Graduating Early
CELEBRATING CULTURE asian american awareness monthwriter keira dickson | designer ava mejiaIn the month of May, many people celebrate Asian culture and traditions in honor of Asian American Heritage Month. Asia is renowned for its religious culture and beautiful biodiversity, but there’s still many misconceptions and important truths that people may not know about.Asian American Heritage Month can be celebrated in many ways here in Columbus, including the Asian Festival in Franklin Park. !is festival is held May 25-26 and it features food vendors, cultural dancing and martial arts, making it a major event. People can also do this by simply supporting Asian markets and restaurants. “Asia is incredibly diverse, but some of the traditions that have made their way into American culture are yoga, Tai Chi, Asian martial arts and Buddhist meditation,” Ohio University Professor for the Department of Classics and Religious Philosophy Brian Collins said.People don’t recognize just how much Asian heritage and culture has shaped America and how it in\"uences people every day. For instance, yoga and meditation are incredibly popular in the United States. H o w e v e r , most people forget that these popular activities originate in Asia.“!e vast majority of people in the world practice a religion that originated in Asia. Islam, Judaism and Christianity come from West Asia; Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism come f r o m South Asia; and Confucianism and Taoism come from East Asia,” Collins said.According to Pew Research Center, nearly 73 percent of the world’s population live in countries in which their religious group makes up a majority of the population. !at is three-quarters of the world. !is means that Asian culture has majorly in\"uenced not only American culture but also many other countries as well.“Asia is sometimes thought of as ‘spiritual’ and ‘mystical.’ While religion is important there, it’s an exaggeration to think of it primarily as a place of meditation and mysticism,” Collins said. Even though Asia has in\"uenced religious practices in a great amount of ways, that’s not the only in\"uence they have, and it can be exaggerated. Asia is the most populated continent, making it have so much more in\"uence than just religion, but many people still form the stereotype that all of Asia is highly spiritual.“A common misconception about Vietnamese and Asian culture is that everyone is the same, but in reality it’s very diverse with di#erent traditions, foods and lifestyles. People also o$en only associate Vietnam with war or assume all families are strict,” senior Isabella Ha said.!ere are many stereotypes of Asian families, but every family is di#erent. People o$en get blinded by these assumptions and ignore the nuance of Asian culture and lifestyle.“A common misconception is that India is one single, uniform culture, when in reality it is incredibly diverse. Someone living in the South can have completely di#erent holidays from someone living in the North, and that’s really important to recognize,” junior Aashritha Saladi said.Stereotyping is also common in India’s diversity and culture. India has many di#erent traditions celebrated in di#erent parts of the country. !is goes for every country in Asia, there is an abundance of di#erent cultures, rather than it being uniform.“Today, Asia is growing faster than the West and is leading the world in developing technology,” Collins said.People o$en focus on culture and religion, but Asia’s technology advancements have helped America in many ways. According to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, China is demonstrating dominance in robotics, leading in battery supply and innovating public health by doubling clinical biotech trials.“!e tradition and holiday I celebrate as a Vietnamese Asian is Tết, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, which is an important holiday in Vietnamese culture. It celebrates the start of a new year and is all about family, renewal and good luck,” Ha said.!ere are an abundance of traditions in Asia, including Tết, and other traditions like Diwali and Chuseok. All celebrate di#erent things and come from di#erent people in Asia.“Asian culture has shaped us today through food, traditions, language and values that are part of everyday life. It has in\"uenced things like respect for family, hard work and community. Asian cuisines, holidays and art are also widely shared and celebrated around the world, helping make society more diverse and connected,” Ha said.feature14april/may!e Month of May was chosen as Asian American heritage month because the &rst Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States in May and the completion of the transcontinental railroad also took place in May according to the United States Census Bureau
MOM’S MUST-HAVES picking the perfect giftwriter tenley walker | designer ava mejia Students can all agree that mothers can be pretty picky and hard to shop for when it comes to gi! giving. But, it’s best to hear from the people who know what they want or need: moms.To start, they de\"nitely do not want anything last minute, which is pretty valid. What student would want a last minute box of chocolates for their birthday?“You can tell the di#erence between a last minute gi! and a thoughtful one if it’s something they just run to the store and pick up,” mother to two sons, Crystal Bronson said.$ey really want something that is speci\"c to them, something they can tell had a lot of thought put into it.“I love something that is speci\"c to ME. My daughter made me a charm bracelet with charms like the Green Health Center, a cat and a running shoe,” Ti#any Ames, mother of sophomore Sylvia and senior Jakob Ames said.$is doesn’t mean that classic gi!s are bad by any means, but maybe if a student is planning on getting their mom a gi! like chocolate or %owers, that student should make her a homemade card to go with it. “I like classic gi!s but prefer something that I can look at each day at home or work,” mother to a son and daughter, Hillary Humphrey said.Another struggle is trying to decide between an experience and a physical gi!.“I always love a good trip, spa day or %owers, but I don’t think Mother’s Day needs to be something that is expensive. Spend some time with your mom on Mother’s Day and maybe make her breakfast or take her out for lunch and make a card. She would appreciate that more,” Bronson said.Now, this all sounds pretty simple, but when it comes to walking into the mall and \"nding that perfect gi!, it gets pretty complex. Again, it’s easier said than done. So, Ames has a gi! guide tip that could help with this.“Take little notes so you remember what they say they like or want. Like ‘oh she said she needs a new hat. I’ll watch for sales’. A cheat sheet helps you pick things that your person likes or needs,” Ames said.So, to summarize, homemade is always better than store bought. A homemade card or letter will beat even the most expensive piece of jewelry.“I prefer receiving homemade gi!s,” Erin Fitzgerald, mother to sophomores Brooke and Brynn Fitzgerald said. $e mothers also want to make sure students remember to be nice to them this one day a year. “My kids having no attitude for the day is the best gi!,” Bronson said.So, a!er all this, it may sound like a lot to pick out the perfect Mother’s Day gi!. But, the best part is that mothers don’t care if it is perfect. It just needs to be thoughtful. “A handwritten note for sure. Also, a random act of kindness. Maybe breakfast for mom,” Fitzgerald said.Bronson agrees with the handmade idea as well while also just having time to slow down and take a break from her busy schedule.“$e best gi! this year would be a handmade card/something you made at school and just spend some time with her. As everyone is so busy all the time running around to sports, work, etc, just spend a nice relaxing time with her. Talk face to face and not through a device,” Bronson said.Not only do Bronson and Fitzgerald like the handmade gi!s, so does Ames.“Make her coupons! One coupon for a free dish washing, a car wash, a foot massage, a free night o# cooking, etc.,” Ames said.So, anything a student makes themselves is something a mom will love.“I love when my kids build lego %owers for me,” Humphrey said.Of course, mothers do still love their little bought gi!s if it was picked out from the heart.“Kendra Scott jewelry that the kids pick out are my favorite,” Humphrey said.So, no matter who your mother is she will always love a homemade gi!. Remember, it does not have to be expensive, it just has to be from the heart. Now, go get those gi!s and good luck \"nding (or making) the perfect gi! for your mom. featureapril/may1512341. Erin F with Brooke, Brynn and Brady F. 2. Hilary H with Eden and Grayson H.3. Crystal B with Gavin and Zachary B.4. Ti#any A with Sylvia and Jacob A.Photos permission to print Erin Fitzgerald, Hilary Humphery, Crystal Bronson and Ti#any Ames
PADDLE BATTLEthe cons of pickleballwriter delaney newell | designer sophia robinson | source usapickleball.org | writer ava pazakI’m living my best life on a hot, summer day. It’s around 80 degrees, and all I want to do is sit by the pool. !en, a close friend asks me to be her partner for this ‘fun’ new sport she’s picked up: pickleball. At \"rst, it seemed like an enjoyable time, hanging out with friends, dressing up in cute out\"ts, maybe even getting a fun drink. !at is exactly what I thought pickleball would be, but I was wrong. Initially, it was fun. I was on a team with my friend, and the game seemed easy. But then, I found out we were taught through the “Rules for Dummies” way. !ey went easy on us, and we almost won, so then we played against other friends. We barely made one point, and the real rules were much more di#cult to understand. None of the rules make sense. For example, when serving, the ball must go diagonally, and the only way to make points is during a team’s turn. Plus, the opposing team doesn’t get to serve until the serving player makes a fault, which is any rule or violation that stops a play according to UnderArmour.com. !en, once the \"rst fault occurs for the team’s turn, the other partner gets one, last chance to serve, creating fewer chances for the opposing team to make points. !at makes no sense. It would be easier and more fair to have each team have a set amount of serves, kind of like ping pong. Once I \"nally started understanding the rules and playing with more people, the game just got boring. Each round is the same; someone serves, the ball goes back and forth for a little, and then someone messes up. !e game goes up to 11 points, and according to Michigan State University, most people play best out of two, and the \"nal game goes up to \"ve points. !erefore, that is hours of the repetitive game, not to mention how hot it gets. Most pickleball courts are outside directly under the sun. Doing anything outside in the middle of summer with the sun blazing down on me, with no air conditioning is not fun to begin with, but then adding a boring game of pickleball makes it worse. Playing in the heat gets miserable fast, so then taking a break for water gets people watching others play, which might be worse than actually playing. I know a lot of people enjoy pickleball because whenever I do play, we can never \"nd a court available. We normally end up going to a court that has no lights making the game harder. I am not saying that people should stop playing completely, if a person enjoys it then that’s great, but to me this game is too di#cult to understand and simply not enjoyable.opinion16 april/mayWhen I am considering picking up a new hobby, I want my new venture to involve being outside in the sun, hanging out with friends and doing something active that keeps me busy. !ese requirements are not only suggestions but also imperative aspects of the new activity I want to take part in. When I \"rst heard of pickleball, I was wary of the sport due to looming stereotypes of it being for “old” people, tacky midwesterners or middle-aged moms - de\"nitely not something a teenager in high school, such as myself, would want to do.But a$er caving and buying some cheap pickleball paddles, I soon realized that pickleball is the perfect hobby or activity for absolutely anyone.Pickleball is a two to four person sport, meaning one can participate with friends and enjoy quality time with people they care about. Additionally, the sport could help someone meet new people and build a community with others who play, fostering new relationships and social connection. According to Stanford University, people who feel more connected to others have lower levels of anxiety and depression; therefore the relationships built through pickleball could assist someone struggling with mental health issues.Furthermore, pickleball is an amazing way to improve physical health. Pickleball o%ers a good cardio workout that is not incredibly intense. !is means that the sport is more accessible to older people as well as those with minor physical incapabilities who cannot handle the rigor of an activity such as tennis or running. Even if none of these descriptions apply to you, pickleball can still be a great form of exercise.!e game has relatively simple rules, and is easy and inexpensive for anyone to pick up. If you can \"nd some cheap but decent quality paddles and a couple of balls, you are good to go.Above all though, pickleball is just plain fun. For me, there is nothing like meeting up with my friends on a warm summer night at a pickleball court, playing as the sun sets with a speaker blaring, and laughing as we crack jokes together. Pickleball is an amazing pastime for people of all ages or athletic capabilities, and I will forever stand by the statement that pickleball is incredibly enjoyable.the pros of pickleballPickleball Growth-Over 2,300 new indoor locations in 2025.-14,155 new outdoor courts added in 2024.-USA Pickleball sanctioned 144 tournaments in 2025 -!e 2025 USA Pickleball National Championships featured wheelchair and hybrid pickleball as competitive divisions.
april/may | 17ads | designer rylee bokesch
SWEET NEW SPOTcandy cloud reviewwriter abbey simmons | designer grant ruof | permission to print abbey simmonsRight o! Ohio State’s campus, there are a ton of stores lining the streets. One of these stores is called Candy Cloud, and recently, it has become an internet sensation.One of many locations in the country, the Columbus location is one addition to the fast growing chain of stores. According to the main website of Candy Cloud, founders Alex and Paityn Edwards were struck by tragedy when their daughter Evelyn heartbreakingly passed away. Inspired by the \"owers le# for them following this horrible event, they decided to turn it into something positive. $ey started growing and selling \"owers from a renovated trailer at farmers markets. A#er seeing the excitement that followed food trucks, they decided to start selling food. $ey started creating cotton candy, and a#er the business grew in popularity, they added their iconic and social media famous canned drinks to the menu.In 2021, they moved the business into an empty boba shop, and in turn, created the phenomenon that now exists today. When I noticed the buzz around these stores and heard how much people love them, I knew I needed to try it. I drove about 20 minutes to Columbus to try these drinks and parked at the store, which is located not far from the highway at 1543 Lennox Town Lane. I went with my sisters and my mom, who also wanted to try it.I made it my mission to try a variety of drinks and food. $e menu has a lot of options, and the option to create a customized drink, so a#er lots of indecisiveness, I picked out what I wanted to try. I tried the donut bites and the birthday cake pop.$e donut bites were great. I tried them with the donut glaze, and it was de%nitely worth it. $e donuts had a cinnamon topping, which has the perfect touch. $ey came out warm, and the donuts were very so#. I would de%nitely try them again. I was a little skeptical about the birthday cake pop, because it was gluten free, and typically I don’t like gluten free foods. However, I couldn’t even tell it apart from a regular cake pop. $e cake wasn’t too dry and it tasted similar to the Starbucks cake pops people love.$en, I moved on to the drinks. I started o! with a lemonade. $ey have many di!erent kinds of lemonades to buy, and the ability to create your own. I tried the mangonade, which is a mango lemonade. I am a big fan of popping bubbles, so I chose to add mango popping bubbles. Immediately, when I tried it, I loved it. It de%nitely had a very strong mango \"avor. I would say that if you don’t LOVE mango, don’t try it.My sister ended up getting a smoothie, which was mango with a lemonade base and strawberry popping bubbles. $is option was much better for those who don’t want a strong taste of mango. I also thought the strawberry popping bubbles added a little variety, which made it taste very good.$e next drink I tried was a mocha cookie crumble frappe. It is di!erent than regular co!ee, as it is a blended frozen drink. I thought it tasted great. I felt it had enough of a co!ee taste and a good sweet taste. $e cookie crumbles added the perfect touch. However, I felt like it was rich as I drank it more. $is was the only downside of this drink to me, and I imagine it tastes sweeter than the other co!ee drinks. Finally, I tried the ice cream. $is was the most exciting to me, as the ice cream looked so good online. First, I tried a chocolate milkshake. It was very creamy and chocolatey, and it was de%nitely enjoyable. However, it was also rich and de%nitely could be hard to %nish the drink in one sitting. $en, I tried the so# serve ice cream. If looking for a less rich but still sweet enough ice cream, I would highly recommend the strawberry crunch so# serve. It tasted to me like a strawberry crunch ice cream bar. $e crunches, which are on the outside of those ice cream bars, were inside the so# serve, along with some type of strawberry puree. $e ice cream was thick and had a good consistency, and I loved this one. It was refreshing from the fruit, yet still sweet with the ice cream. $en, I tried what I was the most excited for, the birthday cake layer so#serve. It was de%nitely my favorite; I loved the sprinkles and cake bits that were in the ice cream. However, it was very sweet, but I enjoyed it.In regards to prices, it is de%nitely more expensive. I would say the prices are similar to places like Starbucks. For example, a regular Mangonade with mango popping bubbles is $6.38, which seems pricey to me. Overall, I would rate Candy Cloud four out of %ve stars. I loved the drinks, but some were a little too sweet and it’s more on the expensive side.Candy Cloud is de%nitely a great spot to try out. If you have the chance, you need to try it out!opinion18 april/mayDrinks sit on the table at Candy Cloud
A short while ago, I found myself sitting down, relaxing my brain a!er a long day and listening to my personal ‘old reliable’ playlist of the songs I had carefully selected over time and listened to for hours on end. However, this time, it just didn’t feel the same. I craved something more and something di\"erent, but I just didn’t know where to start.I know I’m not the only one to experience this, so my goal in writing this column is to broaden music taste by tackling a new genre every month and give my thoughts about it here, along with my favorites and recommendations from each.But before getting to that, it might be important to know a little about my personal favorites and taste, so here’s a little insight into what I like and what I want to listen to more.!\"#$%&'()*%'&+'+If I had to pick my one favorite artist of all time, it would be Twenty One Pilots, and I can say this con#dently with three concerts and being in the top 0.7 percent of listeners on Amazon Music (Yes, I know, Amazon Music, I’m working on changing that). A!er discovering Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun almost three years ago, I truly couldn’t stop listening to them. Something about their sound just hit so di\"erent; the way the music was just satisfying to listen to in any situation, and I think they’re by far the most uniquesounding band I’ve ever listened to. Some other artists I listen to include Linkin Park, an absolutely legendary rock band formed in 1996 with an incredible legacy, though I prefer their older songs with Chester Bennington to their newer music.I also really like Djo, or Joe Keery. Many people know him as Steve Harrington in Stranger $ings. His music has the simplicity to #t lots of di\"erent situations, and his experimental music style across his three albums. I’m really excited to see where he takes his sound with his recent success into the future. !\"#$%&'()*,-./+Keeping with the theme of Twenty One Pilots, I’m very torn as to what to call my favorite, but if I had to pick my two favorite albums, I would pick their recent 2025 addition “Breach” and their 2017 album “Trench”.“Breach” is some of their best work. To put it simply, their dedication to their fans was really shown in the songs, and the #rst song on the album, “City Walls”, has a music video with a $1 million budget and is a masterpiece of cinematography that I highly recommend everyone to watch. “Trench” is probably their most full-sounding and put-together album. $e change in tone to represent the story’s development is super impressive. It has everything listeners can ask for in a wellproduced and highly successful album. Popular song “Chlorine” is a song a lot of people have heard before from the album. In terms of other artists, I think I need to give Da! Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’ some love because if you like masterful production, this album delivers so impressively. Da! Punk made me like a genre I never thought I could like, which is actually part of the reason for the column that I’m writing.Da! Punk has a certain style to them that is so incredibly hard to put into words. $eir electronic sound is so unique, especially on “Random Access Memories”, that it makes listeners feel so many di\"erent emotions and di\"erent sounds of the music that really makes you appreciate the production quality put into the funky vibes of this album.So there it is. A little bit about my music taste that I’m looking forward to expanding throughout next year, so, see you all in September.april/may 19columnMUSIC MINUTES WITH ELIJAHdebut albumcolumnist elijah smies | designer grant ruofSophomore Elijah Smies poses for his homecoming picture.