The Courier Online - September 2019

the courier onlinevolume2
issue 1

KICKING HER WAY INTO COLEGE
olentangy orange high school 2840 east orange road lewis center, ohio 43045

september 2019| table of contents

table of contents

designer athena heckman

3 staff editorial
4
5 the real cost of college
6-7
8 news
9
10 burning through oxygen
11
news

tragedy close to home

cover story

kicking her way into college

feature

the forgotten cancer

feature

homecoming

opinion

mistakes in scheduling

opinion

mental health days

web staff:

editorial board: staff:

courier writing editor-in-chief: Carissa Long
Raymie Shields Samantha Amonette

courier design editor-in-chief: Molly Schomock
Athena Heckman Tyler Reed

digital editor-in-chief: Olivia Lehmann
Tatum Bardash Morgan Kubetin
Caroline Schattschneider
2 | the courier online

editorial | september 2019

STAFF EDITORIAL:
the real cost of college
writer tatum bardash
designer morgan kubetin private colleges and $10,000 for in state government.
colleges, according to The College Board. By creating more deficit of funds
College. To many, it is a daunting thing For students, this difference in price can
to think about: moving away, starting over often persuade them to choose an in-state within the government, this would only
and paying immense amounts of tuition. college over an out of state college or lead to an increase in tax dollars that
Only a handful of the many students private institution. citizens would owe. Therefore, the entire
applying to college are lucky enough to country would be paying for the new
receive full ride academic and/or athletic If college were more affordable, this generation to attend college, which would
scholarships that can make their decision problem could be avoided and students ultimately cause people to still pay for
and commitment easier. would have more options as to where they tuition through their tax dollars.
would like to attend school. Many families
According to The College Board, “two- may tell their child that they need to stay On the other hand, many other
thirds of full-time students paid for college in state or attend a community college to countries such as France, Greece and
with the help of financial aid in the form of prevent the excessive loans that college is Germany have systems currently in place
grants and scholarships.” With an average known to cause. where they are able to pay for full, or
of 67 percent of students receiving money almost full, tuition for students attending
from others to pay for their education, the With the majority of prospective college. Some American students look
question becomes why are colleges able college students looking for a way to to international schools in countries that
to charge so much for tuition? find scholarships and loans, colleges offer free tuition as an outlet to reduce the
could consider that with lower prices, debt caused by college.
The average cost of tuition for the more students would be able to afford to
2018-19 school year was about $26,000 attend their institution. However, colleges Oftentimes, the expense and
for out of state colleges, $35,000 at continue to raise their tuition prices as a inconvenience of moving to a different
way to increase revenue, causing students country are enough for students to stay in
to be more and more in debt. their own country. In the United States,
more people come into the country than
Some of the candidates for the 2020 out of the country for college.
election are trying to provide free college
for American citizens. In general, mostly Overall, the extensive costs of college
democrats are behind the idea of debt could be potentially reduced by debt-free
free college. programs that pay for tuition, but it would
only raise taxes for tax payers. This would
These candidates want to lower the lead to conflicts because many would be
price of college because the cost of tuition against paying for current students’ college
including housing, meal plans and other tuition when they are still in-debt from
amenities is much more than just the their own tuition that they are obligated
cost of tuition itself. However, by making to pay.
college debt-free with grants through the
government would just cause debt for the

editorial statement:
The Courier is an official student-produced medium of news and information published by the Advanced Newspaper Journalism
students of Olentangy Orange High School. The 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 officials, adults or sources prior to publication.

The content of The Courier is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school
itself. The Publication will not publish any material, determined by the staff or adviser, that is libelous, obscene or disruptive to the
school day.

The adviser is Kari Phillips. Readers may respond to The Courier through Letters to the Editor. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed
to [email protected] or dropped off to room 2223. The staff 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.

The Courier strives to uphold the Canons of Professional Journalism, which includes accuracy, impartiality, etc. Therefore, major
errors will be corrected in the next issue. Distinction will be marked between news and opinion stories.

the courier online | 3

BURNINGseptember 2019 | news THROUGH OXYGEN

colossal damages to the amazon rainforest

writer olivia lehmann illustration olivia lehmann
designer olivia lehmann source statista charts

The abundance of beautiful the amount of attention as the burning of warming speeding up. Many do consider
trees, the calming sound of the Notre Dame or global warming? When the Amazon as the cooling system for
running water, the unique the Notre Dame tragedy occurred many not only South America, but for our
animals roaming around all over and the government and world leaders sent their entire planet. With a large amount of the
different cultures of people throughout: condolences according to News.com. rainforest burning, such effects as how
The Amazon Rainforest is the world’s They also stated that the entire world was well air energy is able to move freely and
largest tropical rainforest, with fascinating in disbelief, and many platforms of social well through the planet and how drastic
scenery. But all of that is being torn away media also showed their sympathy for this our climate could change.
with the recent devastating fires.fi fi incident.
According to Express News the fires “The rainforest has many species
were blamed to have started because of “People need to spread the word that can’t live anywhere else due to the
major deforestation. It was also said that about the issue and realize that this specialized climate present there. Many
farmers would use a method of fifires to could really hurt our world someday,” parts of the climate will not be able to
clear specific pieces of land, which was sophomore Isabella Williams said. recover from a fifire, so we are looking
also another potential cause. Weeks went at the complete loss of several unique
by before the fire got the appropriate In an article by CNN News it states that microbiomes,” Wagner said.
attention it needed, and it seemed many the Brazilian government denied millions
didn’t care to act to stop this tragedy. No of dollars that would have been able to Now that the fifires are coming to an
one knows exactly when the fifire started, help aid in the recovery of the rainforest. end and the exact size and scale will never
and sadly it was still ablaze after weeks. But soon after the offer was denied, be known, it’s less about what people
Why wasn’t this incident able to have Chile’s President, Sebastian Pinera, didn’t do to help this time around and
as much publicity as it deserved? Our announced a new two-step process. Many more about what they are going to do the
most valuable source of oxygen, a habitat other countries still continued to try and next time something this terrible happens
for wildlife, and a home to many different aid with money. again.
cultures isn’t getting the attention needed
to stop it and help it. “Since we live in Ohio, there was An attempt was made to interview AP
“People would’ve taken it to the probably nothing we could have done Environmental teacher Jessica Timmons,
extreme, making it seem like it was the aside from sending money,” science but unfortunately it was declined. Physical
end of the world, even though it is a big teacher Stuart Wagner said. Science and Chemistry teacher Stuart
deal,” junior Will Snyder said. Wagner was then interviewed and he gave
Why wouldn’t such a tragic event get The hot topic of thought is definitely us very detailed and specific responses,
what long-term effects are going to be making this story complete.
involved because of these outrageous
fires. In an article by NPR News, the only
major effect to be worried about global

Record Number of Wildfires in the Amazon

80,626

76,185

62,691 57,545 57,870
39,584 45,086

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

4 | the courier online

news | september 2019

TRAGEDY CLOSE TO HOME

27 injured and 9 dead in dayton

writer tyler reed illustration tyler reed been so many mass shootings it has gotten
designer tyler reed source usa today out of hand.

It is scary to think people who have “I heard about the shooting on the “There should be stricter laws on guns
died from shootings were supposed news and radio. I heard that it happened for sure. It affected their family and friends
to come home that night. Their family at a bar and that a man killed and injured because they will live on the edge knowing
was waiting at home for them to walk in many,” Chicago native and sophomore someone they loved died because of a
the door, or their friends were waiting for Santana Berhalter said. shooting. If gun laws were stricter, it would
a text back. Unfortunately for some of the decrease the amount of deaths by a lot,”
people who were at The Oregon District’s People living in Dayton were obviously Berhalter said.
Dublin Pub in downtown Dayton on Aug. more affected than people living in other
9, they never had the opportunity to see states. They heard about it sooner and BBC News said in 2017 alone there
their friends and family again. it made such a big impact on so many were almost 11,000 deaths that were
The mass shooting in Dayton lasted peoples friends and family. because of murder or manslaughter
only 32 seconds and left nine dead and involving a firearm. Many people have
27 injured, according to Time Magazine. “I heard about the shooting watching opinions on how they think gun laws
Even though 32 seconds seems like the news the next day. The shooting was should be stricter because of all of the
nothing, those few moments will impact about 25 minutes away from my house mass shootings in America.
people’s lives forever. and it was a very scary and sad thing to
According to Alejandro De La Garza hear about,“ Dayton native and freshman “I think it’s possible for people to get
and Michael Zennie from Time Magazine, Caroline Hinshaw said. away with things like this because there
people were wrapping up their night and aren’t strict gun laws from the government,
standing outside of The Oregon District’s Situations like this happen all the time so it gives opportunities for people to do
Pub waiting to leave. The shooter was in different states and countries all over something terrible like this. There are so
wearing a black mask and ballistic armor the world. It’s scary to think anyone is able many deaths from guns because almost
while carrying a black rifle. The shooter to do what Connor Betts, the shooter in anyone can own a gun,” Hinshaw said.
came running towards them, but many Dayton, did that night.
people at the pub were unable to leave
the scene in time. “Things like this happen in the South
It didn’t just affect the people at the bar of Chicago mostly but also all over Chicago
that night; it also affected the community considering it is a huge city so there is
and many others. News spread quickly to always crime,” Berhalter said.
areas like Chicago, Illinois and the several
other states surrounding Ohio. It’s a normal thing nowadays for these
situations to happen, according to Business
Insider, after the Parkland shooting not too
long ago, calls immediately erupted for
Congress and Trump to do something to
prevent the next deadly attack. There has

: The Dayton Shooting Occured on Dayton’s East Fifth Street ,
known as “little Bourbon Street. “ The red line is the path he
took when he was armed and the yellow spots are video footage
he was found on. The bar in this picture is in the top right corner.

the courier online | 5

september 2019|cover story

KICKING HER WA
amanda poorbaugh and her comm

writer raymie shields and molly shomock
designer athena heckman
illustration athena heckman

Many students play a sport for their For Poorbaugh, soccer is more doing, but she also keeps doing until she
high school. For some athletes, that’s as than just playing the sport itself; it’s also perfects it which is what makes her stand
far as they will go in their sport. They put a destresser. “To be honest, I don’t really out from other players.”
on the orange and blue for a couple years know what it is exactly about the sport that
and then never wear new colors. But one I love the most,” Poorbaugh said. “When Playing soccer in Amsterdam was
student in particular has found her new I play, I can forget about anything stressful a very different experience for Poorbaugh
colors: white and blue. going on in my life, just let go and have but overall helped her grow. She played
fun.” for, at the time, the largest girls soccer
Over the course of her life, club in Europe, SC Buitenveldert. In the
junior Amanda Poorbaugh has played for Currently, Amanda plays for Netherlands, girls soccer isn’t nearly as
multiple different soccer leagues in and Ohio Premier, which competes in the Elite popular as it is in the United States, so
out of the country. From Columbus to Clubs National League, which is currently they played in a league of all boys teams.
Amsterdam and back to the LC, soccer has one of the top two girls soccer leagues At the time, I was still a field player, so I
always been a constant in her life. What in the country currently. In the past two think playing against stronger and faster
once started as a recreational sport as a years, the team has competed at nationals boys helped me to improve my foot
child quickly turned into something much which were held in Seattle, Washington skills immensely,” Poorbaugh said. “This
more. and San Diego, Californnia. is an aspect of my life I am very grateful
for having because for a goalkeeper, at
Poorbaugh first encountered Poorbaugh not only plays for the college level, one of the most highly
soccer when she was 4 years old, and Ohio Premier and for our school, but she sought-after attributes is the ability to play
her parents put her in every sport that is also a part of the Columbus Goalkeeper with your feet.”
they could in order to see what she really Academy. From working so hard with so
enjoyed. As she got older, she narrowed it many different teams and clubs, it’s no Not only is Poorbaugh grateful
down to two sports, swimming and soccer. surprise that Amanda has grown both on for her acquired soccer skills while in
In the sixth grade, she decided to only and off the field. “I have seen Amanda Europe, she is also very appreciative of
pursue soccer as the load of two sports grow technically a lot,” Amanda’s club her experience and maturity that she
with back-to-back seasons became too and goalkeeper coach Chad Prickett said. gained there. “I got to experience living
much. “She does a great job at listening and then in a different culture and had access to

2007 2010 2013 2014

She started playing oyaa She started playing for She started playing for She decided to quit the
soccer at age 7 along Classics Eagles and played SC buitenveldert in the other sports she played
with 7 other sports. and focus on just soccer.
for them for 3 years. Netherlands.

6 | the courier online

cover story|september 2019

AY INTO COLLEGE
mitment to penn state university

many different cultures through travel,” grounded by always sharing her insight “At Penn State, she will get to train with
Poorbaugh said. “Seeing this made me on what’s going on during the game and some of the best women’s soccer players
realize just how much more was out there, after,” Heald said. in the country and also play for a great
other than the ‘Lewis Center Bubble’ and head coach,” Amanda’s mom, Gretchen
made me appreciate just how lucky I was Heald went on to say more that Poorbaugh, said.
to get to experience the things that I did.” Amanda is also a great friend and sister,
“She is Amanda will be the fourth person in
Amanda has worked incredibly her family to attend Penn State. Things
hard both on and off the field. She always there when you need someone like growing
constantly strives to be the best player she to talk to and willing to drop whatever
can be and also the best person she can she’s doing to help up with a strong family influence
be. “She puts in so much time and effort towards the school and knowing that
into being the best. She never settles for out,” Heald said. along with the soccer
average and pushes herself in every aspect There were times when she
of her life. Amanda is always going the questioned if she was making the right there would be good academic
extra mile by doing extra trainings and decisions, whether it be sticking with programs made a big impact on her
workouts,” junior soccer player Hannah soccer itself, choosing the right club and decision.
Heald said. even choosing the right position. “I tried
out for the first time, in June of eighth Sure, soccer can be tedious some
She is seen as a leader in the team grade, for Ohio Premier and made the days, but Poorbaugh can’t picture her life
with a good attitude, and she knows how ECNL team after only switching back to without it. “There are days when I’d rather
to keep the goalkeeping position for a few months. stay home than go to practice because I
Making that team helped to reassure me know the level of play that is expected
everything under control when things that my choice to play goalkeeper full time of me. But, I always go, and when I start
seem a little chaotic on the field. “Within was the right one,” Poorbaugh said. playing, even in the hardest practices, I
our team, Amanda is a great leader to In July of this year, Poorbaugh remember why I love the sport so much.
everyone on the field and always positive had the honor of committing to one of Soccer is such a huge part of my life and I
and uplifting, even when things aren’t the top 10 best women’s soccer programs honestly don’t know who I’d be or where
going her way. She keeps everyone in the nation: Penn State University. I would be without it,“ Poorbaugh said.

2015 2016 2017 2019

She began playing for She played for Classics She decided to become a She commited to playing
Ohio Premiere on the Eagles for now her
second time. full time goalkeeper. soccer at Penn State
ENCL team.
University.

the courier online | 7

september 2019 |feature

THE FORGOTTEN CANCER

jenni kovach’s story of her diagnosis

writer caroline schattschneider
designer athena heckman
illustration athena heckman

Jenni Kovach was diagnosed with raises money, which can be difficult since
Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma on a lot of people don’t even know what
December 2017 at Riverside Hospital. EHE is.
Almost immediately, she was put on a “Asking for money is hard, but I know
trial chemotherapy drug and later got that money drives research,” Kovach said.
a liver transplant that increased her life The EHE foundation works with
expectancy. Kovach is the director of many patients, families and friends
development for the EHE Foundation, a on providing support. Their website
nonprofit organization working to raise provides a lot of helpful information on
money to help find a cure and support what to do after diagnosis, and a way to
Jenni Kovach, her husband Chuck the patients diagnosed with EHE. feel included in their small but powerful
and her daughter Anna wearing “I believe that anything is possible community.
if you put your mind to it. I knew that I “The EHE Community is stronger
shirts to support EHE.

could help move EHE research forward together and includes patients, their
and someday be a part of families and
finding a treatment and a “I believe that friends and the
cure.”Kovach said. many working
Epithelioid anything is possible tirelessly to find

if you put your mindHemangioendothelioma, treatments and
a cure,” The EHE
or EHE, is a rare cancer
in a group of cancers Foundations
About 600 people are currently states on their
diagnosed with EHE in the U.S. to it. I knew that Icalled sarcomas. It starts website.
could help move EHEin cells lining the inside Raising
$100,000 of blood vessels. The money helps
chance of getting this research for ward and the EHE
The EHE foundation raises an tumor is less than one in foundation
average of about $100,000 a year a million. someday be a part of

through patients. finding a treatment“There is a huge lack fund research.
Donating any
of awareness and even
a basic understanding of amount of
11 12 1 11 12 1 11 12 1 11 12 1 11 12 1 money can
10 2 10 2 10 2 10 2 10 2 and a cure.”Kovachthe science of EHE not help. On
93 93 93 93 93 said.only with patients but also
84 84 84 84 84 many medical providers their website
have never seen it! It completely opened they offer instructions on how one can
765 765 765 765 765

After being diagnosed with EHE my eyes to the critical challenges EHE donate and they show their upcoming
the average life expectancy is patients face; some cannot even find a fundraising events.
about 5 years. doctor close by for treatment,” Executive “We do many grassroot fundraising

director of The EHE Foundation, Medha events to raise funds through patients,
Deoras-Sutliff said. families and friends,” Kovach said.
Being diagnosed with EHE can be In the United States, 20 people are
a difficult thing, with limited research diagnosed with EHE every year. The
and lack of treatments. It’s easy to feel EHE foundation creates a group to help
discouraged and helpless. support the patients. Although it’s a
Kovach said, “I spend as much time rare cancer it’s important to learn about
as possible with my daughter and my and donate to help fnd a cure for the
husband. I look at life differently.” forgotten cancer.
You can donate and view upcoming As the director of development, Kovach
fundraisers at https://fightehe.org

8 | the courier online

feature| september 2019

HOMECOMING

where to find the best thing to wear

designer morgan kubetin

red slip dress from saks black sparkly one shoulder
fifth avenue dress.
cost : 200 cost : 100

black tight dress from maroon flowy dress
lulus from macys
cost : 45 cost : 60

the courier online | 9

september 2019 | opinion

MISTAKES IN SCHEDULING
hybrid in the middle of the day

writer carissa long According to College Raptor, some hand. This to me is annoying because i’m
designer carissa long benefits of hybrid classes is that face- not able to leave and go get some food or
to-face time is spent more effectively, work at home. The reason for me taking
illustration carissa long multiple learning styles can be effective, this class was so I would be able to wake
more flexibility than traditional classes up later or go home early but that wasn’t
Emily signs up for Hybrid hoping she’ll and they make great stepping stones to possible for me. Although, it gives me and
be able to either wake up late and get college level classes. Students take these extra study hall so if I need help with the
food before school or leave early and courses because they enjoy having a class work I can just ask instead of waiting until
go home to nap before she goes to work that better fits their lives and benefit their the next day.
until she finds out she got second period better thinking skills.
hybrid with a class before. Now she can’t The assistant principal Garry Young
leave, come to school late or leave early. Hybrid is also more convenient was in charge of scheduling this year and
Why even take Hybrid? because this allows students to be he put hybrid the way he did because
responsible and maximize their time there was such a high amount of students
The master schedule is driven by wisely. This is also convenient because trying to take this class but the teachers
the number of students who select each they don’t have class some days which can have other classes in the designated time
class during scheduling each February. give them a mental break. frame/period.
Therefore, with the increased number
of students enrolled, class sizes and This year hybrid was scheduled into It is also hard to schedule around
placements of classes throughout the day the middle of the day. In this case the students who go to DACC, STEM or
have evolved this year. point of hybrid is basically useless. If the College Credit Plus because they miss half
point of the class is to go home instead of a day of school so the classes they need
For students, it’s one thing to get all of sitting in a classroom then why are they and don’t get at their trade school.
the classes they originally preferenced but not first or last period? The students also
an added bonus to get the Hybrid classes aren’t allowed to leave during the day The school is looking at ways for next
to align with an early release or late arrival. unless you have a late arrival or early year to get the “bookend” of teachers days
Not all schedules will have everything the release but some students don’t have that cleared so they can put use to Hybrid. It
student wants or when they want it. so they can’t leave during hybrid on the may also help to hire more teachers that
off days. can teach hybrid along with other classes.
The best example comes with Hybrid
English. This year for hybrid, I got placed
in second period but I have a class before
Hybrid is an English course that allows
students to go home on certain days of the
week so they can work at home. Working
at home gives the students the availability
to use their time wisely while in the
comfort of their own room or house.

Online vs. In-person Use of online Learning

53% of 42% felt 3% of American % of % of
students felt they learned students felt corporations companies employers
they learned less online they learned using online that at least that used
more online delivered
the same than in- as in-person learning 1 training online
online as person learning
in-person 77% session courses
via online
80%
5lea1rn%ing
shiftelearning.com
degreequery.com

10 | the courier online

opinion | september 2019

MENTAL HEALTH DAYS
states approve excuses absences
writer sam amonette
designer sam amonette related anxiety. The bill was inspired by the politically
illustration sam amonette According to attendanceworks.org, active students in Parkland, Florida. The
legislators who purposed the bill believe
As school starts, students have to these were the five leading causes for it’s a model for other states to follow
adjust to the habit of starting their day absences in teens: I wasn’t feeling well and is a step in the right direction for the
earlier than they did in the summer. The (79 percent), I had obligations with my countries state of mental health.
transition for some kids is rough, and family (40 percent), I didn’t feel like it (21
they ease into it slower rather than other percent), I didn’t do my homework/study The bill was put in place to combat
students. For others, the stress from the for a test (17 percent) and I didn’t have a the rising rates of children suicide in the
sudden pile on of homework or the AP/ ride (10 percent). United States and to shine a light on the
honor classes workload can lead to a conversation of mental health in schools.
decline in mental health. Olentangy Local Schools allows 38 or The suicide rate has increased in the two
more hours in one month or 65 or more states that introduced the laws compared
With the stress, schools are hours in one school year for absences and to the national average, which has seen
implementing mental health days, which I tardies according to the student handbook. an increase by 25.4 percent from 1999-
believe could decrease the amount of stress For some people with disabilities, illnesses 2016. The rate has increased 28.2 percent
for students and could leave to improved and surgeries, it’s easy to rack up those in Oregon and 46.5 percent in Utah.
health for our nation’s teenagers. absences. The leading cause for these deaths is
undetected mental illnesses, according to
Mental health days all for students to Some school districts excuse absences cdc.gov.
refresh and reset themselves, putting them for mental health days. On July 1, a law
in a better mood to learn. It can also be a in Oregon passed that gives students five The factors that contribute to missing
time to heal as some kids get bullied and mental health days every three months, school, we should find a way to give
need a break for a day. The mental health according to house bill 2191. students more time to be absent. Last year I
day gives students an opportunity to speak missed over the limit because I was always
up about their needs and break the stigma In Utah, they changed the definition sick. The limit I feel should be increased to
around the topic as most students believe of a valid excuse to miss a day of school 50 hours in one month because the kids
people are going to judge them and not to include physical and mental illness, wouldnt feel as much as a stress to ration
believe their suffering. according to house bill 234. The usage out there absences and g go to school
of mental paper is to refresh and refocus even when mentally or physically sick.
In the United States, 6.5 million kids and reduce stress. The reason for mental
miss around 10 percent of school a school health health days that range from if your
year, according to healthychildren.org. having a bad day or you have a type of
Three out of the four reasons for why therapy appointment
students miss school is due to mental
health related problems such a school

Mental health day policies

States with mental
health day absences

States purposing
mental health days

the courier online | 11