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Published by thecourierstaff, 2023-04-14 07:50:25

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THE COURIER Volume 15 Issue 4 2840 E Orange Rd, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035 Dating Through The Decades How the Culture of Dating has Evolved nick + emily makenna + liam kate + todd marvin + linda mr + mrs calland February 2023

ads 2 | february design | shreya arunkumar Buy your 2023 yearbook at yearbookforever.com Price increases to $70 on March 10. AND The deadline to buy SENIOR ADS is March 2 or until space is filled!

TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITORS IN CHIEF EDITORS STAFF ADVISER design - makenna shrager writing - aryan bommena & kendall cadegan writers: kari phillips darius agbotui rebekah richter adam welch ava valentik nathan staten justin blevins designers: nathan chow wyatt downey lincoln hake mackenna miller hiya patel sophie rogers audrey selsor business manager - shreya arunkumar & natalia favila inacua columnist - rachel lehman sports columnist - marshall medley copy editors - zion clifon, luna perez delgado, & molly sullivan design & photo editors - teresa christian & lily clark digital editor - rachel lehman feature editor - achintya perumal lifestyle editor - taylor goudie news editor - shreya arunkumar projects editor - taylor goudie sports & opinion editors - nick woolard & gabby raney TAKING ACT-ION....................................................p.6 DATING THROUGH THE DECADES..p.12 LOVE STATS................................................................p.18 CAPITALIZING ON CRIMINALS..............p.24 Check 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! TOC & COVER DESIGN MAKENNA SHRAGER FEBRUARY | 3

. talking about talking staff editorial | talking stages 4 | february writing the editorial board | design hiya patel staff editorial favorite color, how many siblings they have, favorite restaurant, and other things like that. But along with the simple things, it's also important to talk about some of the uncomfortable things, such as past relationships and what each person wants in the relationship now. Talking about these things now helps to gain trust between partners but also helps to prevent uncomfortable situations in the future about something that wasn’t talked about before. The talking stage is also essential to see if a relationship between two people would end up working out and staying strong. All the months of talking, building trust, learning about each other helps to answer an essential question; would we work out as a couple? Because the talking stage is practically dating, it allows for a sneak-peak of what dating would actually look like. If it ends up working out, it works out. But if it doesn’t, an awkward breakup has just been prevented. So, while it’s no question that a talking stage is necessary, one might be wondering, “how long should we spend in the talking stage before we can start dating?” Relationships can start in multitudes of different ways. For example, there can be a The Courier is the 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 Courier 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 2213. 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. Editorial Statement I t’s a casual day at the family reunion, when I run into the great-aunt I haven't seen in a year. “I just saw your instagram post! You and your girlfriend are so cute,” she said. “Well, she's not my girlfriend, she’s just my… well, she’s just… we’re just talking,” I say back. This is an experience almost every person currently in a relationship has gone through. That awkward phase in-between the first time talking, all the way up until the relationship actually starts. This new stage is often considered as the “talking stage”. According to Cosmopolitan, “the Gen Z-coined phrase is a vague descriptor for an early pseudo-relationship full of texting and talking—and maybe even full-blown dates and hookups—but no commitment.” Getting to know the other person in the talking-stage is very important; it’s practically what the talking stage is for. In recent times, every relationship has started to become practically the same; a few months in the taking stage, and then two people start dating. And, while every relationship is different and unique, it is essential that every couple takes the time to get to know each other in this talking-stage before they can start dating. For starters, jumping into a relationship without knowing the person well enough is going to have negative effects for the future. It’s simple things like couple who have known each other since they were in elementary school, but they just started dating in high school. On the other hand, there are couples who didn’t meet each other until two months before they started talking. With that being said, every couple will be different. The time needed for one couple in a talking stage will be different than another couple. Never feel pressured to rush into a relationship because other people are going quicker. When the time is right, the time is right, and it’ll be unique for everyone. Succumbing to societal pressures and norms can affect the relationship in the future. Take time, learn about each other, and ensure that the only people making decisions about the relationship are the two parties involved.

. the issue with valentine’s day One of the most controversial holidays of the year, Valentine’s Day, has seemingly always divided people. The New York Daily Tribune wrote all the way back in 1847, “There was a time when Valentine’s Day meant something. We hate this modern degeneracy, this miscellaneous and business fashion.” While single people tend to lament their distaste for the holiday every year, there are legitimate reasons behind these claims. Every year on Feb. 14 the Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia, believed to be the precursor to what we know now as Valentine’s Day. Roman men would sacrifice a goat and a dog and then proceed to use the hides of these animals to whip young Roman women—believing this would make them fertile. The name likely came sometime later, from one of two Saint Valentines both having been martyred on Feb. 14, according to NPR. Fortunately, our modern idea of Valentine’s Day is a lot less violent than that of the ancient Romans, but the holiday still has its own host of problems. In more recent times, Valentine’s Day has become increasingly commercialized. Spending a small fortune to buy jewelry, flowers, chocolates, and dinners at expensive restaurants has become the norm. According to the National Retail Federation, in 2022 Americans spent nearly $24 billion for the holiday. The minute the holiday season is over, malls and department stores shift their focus to the holiday. Purchasing gifts to show affection frankly defeats the whole purpose of Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday that should be used to spend time with one’s significant other, rather than another superficial way for corporations to profit off citizens once a year. The current state of Valentine’s Day focuses far too much on the material aspect and dilutes the meaning of love. Not to VALENTINE’S DAY | EDITORIAL FEBRUARY | 5 WRITING ARYAN BOMMENA | DESIGN WYATT DOWNEY CUPID’S CURSE mention, the consumerist culture around the holiday promotes being wasteful and has detrimental environmental impacts S.A.D or Singles Awareness Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on Feb. 15. Although S.A.D exists largely as a joke, Valentine’s Day can still have a profound effect on single people. Societal pressure to be in a relationship reaches all-time highs during the second week of February. Many single people who are not in a relationship for various reasons can feel left out and may even be ridiculed by some for spending the holiday alone. Not to mention the issue of having to deal with overzealous couples and crowded restaurants that you likely won’t even be able to find a table at. The holiday is a favorite among elementary schoolers—creating and decorating your box, giving valentines to the entire class, and having a party rather than class. As the years go by, the holiday’s presence in school decreases. At the high school, Valentine’s Day is up to the teacher’s discretion and is only celebrated in a handful of classes. Treating the holiday the way we did in elementary can be beneficial, focusing on our relationships with our peers and avoiding the problems associated with Valentine’s Day. Celebrating Galentine’s Day is a simple alternative to the original holiday. Spend the day in the company of friends, eating food or playing games. Celebrate your relationship with your significant other on a day that is more personal to you, such as your anniversary. The wasteful nature of the holiday, along with its commercialization and ostracization of solitary people, has led to more increasingly more problems around Valentine’s Day. Instead of continuing this vicious cycle, try something new. Cook dinner at home and put on a movie or even show your love on one of the other 364 days of the year. “IN 2022 Americans spent nearly $24 billion on Valentine’s Day,” According to the National Retail Federation.

. . ACT overview and study tips news | act 6 | february february | 7 february 2023 NEWS BRIEFS writing kendall cadegan | design natalia favila inacua | photo nick woolard news briefs | news writing gabby raney | design natalia favila inacua taking act-ion The annual Olentangy Model United Nations summit takes place on Feb. 18-19. It’s taking place at the high school this year, which differs from past summits in banquet halls. OMUN is a district-wide club where students receive a country to represent and research problems they have in order to come up with a possible solution. Then, these solutions are presented at the summit where students vote on them. “At each summit, we research and debate about problems around the world. We also have fun activities like trivia and cultural karaoke,” Vice President and senior Neil Hariths said. Over the years, new activities have been added to heighten the experience. These activities allow students to be creative and have fun with other students who aren’t in their country groups. “This year we have a brand new event. The exact rules of the event will be revealed at the summit, but it should be fun, exciting, and get everyone involved. People should look forward to meeting new friends, learning about the world, and having a ton of fun,” Hariths said. Students have been preparing for this weekend all year and the new growth of the club can be attributed to more people joining. School ambassadors help guide new students through the steps needed before the summit. “For my position, I just teach club members how to research and prepare for the summit,” Orange and Liberty High School Ambassador, and senior Aanya Tummalapalli said. “I also help coordinate meetings at the school and provide resources for students to use.” This allows for a smooth transition for everyone into the weekend of the summit. MODEL UN PERFORMING ARTS The orchestra, choir, and band programs have an eventful spring ahead. The school’s acapella choir, Above the Noise, has its quarterfinals for the International Championship of High School Acapella on March 4, at Hillard Bradley High School. “We have class every day, so we rehearse every day and a lot on weekends. We’ve been getting new music almost every week and plowing through it as fast as we can,” Above the Noise member and junior Janhavi Kavedia said. “We’ve also had to learn choreo and work on costumes.” Orchestra’s solo and ensemble contest was Jan. 28, and it had a “pre-contest” concert on Feb. 9. The actual full group contest on Feb. 17. “To prepare for solo and ensemble we take one day a week of class time to practice with our groups. I’m in a quintet, so I practice with four other people in the chamber orchestra,” senior Kaleb Durate said. “We’re strongly encouraged to practice outside of class so we’ve done a couple after school rehearsals as well.” Band’s upcoming performances consist of two concerts: one on March 1, at 7:30 p.m., and another on April 11. It also had solo and ensemble performances for those who participated on Jan.28 as well, but the whole group contest isn’t until later in March. “If we receive a high enough score, we will move onto the state competition which is on April 21 or 22. To prepare in class we are just rehearsing and running through our songs, as well as practicing scales and sightreading,” junior Maggie Peng said. UPCOMING EVENTS 2/17: no school (pd day) 2/20: no school (presidents day) 3/1: act (juniors) 3/1: no school (FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, SENIORS) 3/9: end of third quarter 3/13: start of fourth quarter 3/16-3/19: spring musical 3/24: multicultural fair F ollowing COVID-19, many colleges and universities have become test-optional. However, some institutions have opted to be permanently test optional. This has left many students wondering whether standardized test scores matter as much as they did previously. About 72 percent of colleges and universities have turned to a form of testoptional policy, and Janet Godwin, CEO of the American College Testing (ACT), said test optional policies will continue, at the very least, for the next few years, according to prepscholar.com. Many believe that more emphasis is being placed on the essays, extracurricular activities, and overall grades in comparison to one test to show the strength of an applicant. However, taking tests such as the ACT and getting a decent score won’t hurt applicants as an addition to other parts of their application. The ACT will be offered to juniors only on March 1 at the high school. english For this section, the things tested can be divided into two categories: usage and rhetoric. Usage skills, known as grammar rules, include things like punctuation and verb tenses, while the rhetorical based questions test skills like style, organization and writing logic. Junior Emily Whitehead took the ACT in the summer following her freshman year. One of the most helpful things is to review and learn the grammar rules. “Sometimes that content is not covered in English classes, but a lot of the questions become simpler when you understand these rules. The most helpful to know are those related to punctuation marks,” Whitehead said. For the English section, there are 45 minutes and 75 questions, averaging to about 30-60 seconds per question. Whitehead notes reading the passage is not necessary and will save time. reading After the English section of the ACT, students will move onto the reading section. Test takers have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions, a little over a minute per question, not taking into account reading time for passages. Junior Kamryn McKinnie scored a 35 on the reading section of the ACT. While McKinnie loves to read, in this section strategy is more important than the ability to read fast. “It can be helpful to eliminate the answers you know are wrong so you can focus on the two answers that seem most right,” McKinnie said. The ACT reading is very literal, test takers will be able to find answers to the questions in the passage according to prepmaven.com. McKinnie mentions that it’s OK to reread the passages to search for an answer. “Don’t just study the last week before you take the ACT because there’s not enough prep time. Use the prep they give you on SchoolLinks, it’s helpful and free,” McKinnie said. math The math section of the ACT mostly consists of algebra and geometry questions, and it may require students in more advanced math classes to relearn some basic skills. Senior Luke Border, who scored in the 99th percentile on both the math section and overall ACT, notes that although the questions may not be too difficult, the hard part is getting the answers quickly. A testaker has approximately 60 minutes to answer 60 math questions, or one minute per question; however, students should be spending less on easier questions in order to save time for more difficult questions. “To prepare for the ACT the best advice I can offer is taking practice tests, or taking the test a few times. Becoming as familiar as possible with the testing format and questions where you don’t know where to start, is very important,” Border said. science The last section on the ACT is the science section. Test takers have 35 minutes to answer 40 questions. There may be questions on basic biology or chemistry; but it is mostly analyzing graphs or utilizing scientific information given in a passage. Junior Evan House notes that while he thought the PSAT was easier, the format of the ACT is easy to learn and understand with practice. “The best way to prepare for the ACT is to just take as many practice tests as you feel necessary. I also think it’s important to somewhat replicate the actual testing settings as well; time yourself, don’t use outside resources, and try your best,” House said. For the science section, House mentions that getting used to different types of questions is useful. Often, they will provide charts, tables, graphs and passages in which test takers need to be able to decipher. Students at MODEL UN Summit . HELPFUL RESOURCES TUTORING: Contact Luke Border- [email protected] GRAMMAR HELP: SCAN QR

But even with a well-rounded team, it is important that the chemistry between players and coaches is great. And this year, the chemistry is better than it ever has been. “The team chemistry this year is like none I have ever experienced. This team hangs out outside of the court. Everyone protects each other and has each other’s backs because we aren’t just friends while playing basketball,” Butler said. The team’s last regular season game is on Feb. 17 against district rivals Liberty. After this, the team will push to make their tournament goals come true. school, but I believe that is not our limit,” senior Will Butler said. As well as this, Edwards said that the team can make a run all the way to the state championship. And while these goals are not easy to accomplish, they may not be too far out of reach. The team has taken big wins against teams in the conference, such as a 71-40 win against Hilliard Davidson on Jan. 20, and a 54-41 win against Upper Arlington on Dec. 16. The team’s only losses have come against Hilliard Bradley and Olentangy Liberty, both being conference matchups. . new addition to thursdays The new OOHS flex period will take place every Thursday and will allow students to have a built-in weekly study hall. This flex period will allow students and teachers to catch up on missing work, conduct group meetings, and get any needed academic help. This class period is aimed to help every student with anything that the they need. “When something like this goes in place, we tend to think it’s only for students who struggle with grades, but every student needs to have the opportunity to get some help through the year even the best students sometimes need extra assistance,” Principal Monica Asher said. While this new flex period is being advertised as a study hall, it’s not limited to academic use. “It’s not just academics. Maybe it’s time to meet with a counselor or with a club. We have so many students in so many extra curriculars that need time to meet,” Asher said. Unlike most classes at the high school, this new flex period will give students complete free range. “In this time period you get to choose how you use it. We rarely get to give students time to do what they want to do. The problem is we don’t give students practice to do what they want and need to do. It gives you the opportunity to learn how to make decisions based off your own priorities.” Asher said. The new flex period takes place every Thursday for 30 minutes following the second period. “The reason we are starting once a week is because we are starting small and then evaluating, we may get to the end of the school year and receive great feedback and extend it a day or vice versa. Starting with one NEWS | HOMEBASE 8 | FEBRUARY FEBRUARY | 9 The boys basketball team started off running, and it is still picking up speed. Led by Head Coach Anthony Calo, the boys are currently sitting at a 15-2 record, with a 6-2 record in the conference. The team is currently ranked first in the Columbus area, and fourth in the state as of Feb. 7, according to MaxPreps. The team has seen some changes that teams from past years have not had. Multiple players this year are going to continue their basketball career after the end of their high school season. “We have a few senior players who will be playing scholarship basketball next year. We have not had that in the past,” Calo said. These players have made an impact on how far the team is going this year. According to Calo, senior Elias Lewis has been averaging 18.2 p.p.g (points per game), and senior Jordan Edwards has been averaging 11.4 p.p.g. But one player, senior Mikey McCollum, was averaging 18 p.p.g, before sustaining an injury. “McCollum went out with a significant hip injury and was out for about six weeks. We had to adapt to our new lineup, but it was easy for us because we are so connected,” senior Nick Chapman said. McCollum being out ended up being one of the biggest challenges that the team faced this season. But even with him out, the team managed to push through and keep winning games. “One of the biggest challenges we have had this year is that Mikey McCollum has sat out a lot of the season, and he is one of our best players,” Edwards said. “At first, it was difficult to play without him because other guys had to step up, but they eventually did step up. We started to play good team basketball, which helped us win a lot of games.” With McCollum back from his injury, the team has finally returned to its full strength. With this team there are lots of hopes and goals for how far it wants to make it this year. “This team has the ability to make it further than anybody has ever seen Orange make it. That will be achieved after winning the first ever district championship for our hard work on the hardwood TRIPLE THREAT WRITING NICK WOOLARD | DESIGN NATHAN CHOW| PHOTOS NATHAN CHOW BOYS BASKETBALL | SPORTS WRITING NATHAN STATEN | DESIGN NATHAN CHOW FIGURING OUT THE FLEX . 7:10 7:15 7:20 - 8:01 8:06 - 8:52 8:57 - 9:24 9:29 - 10:10 10:15 - 10:45 10:15 - 10:56 10:50 - 11:31 11:01 - 11:31 11:01 - 11:42 11:36 - 12:17 11:47 - 12:17 11:47 - 12:28 12:22 - 1:03 12:33 - 1:03 1:08 - 1:49 1:54 - 2:35 Warning bell Warning Bell 1st PERIOD 2nd PERIOD HOMEBASE 3rd PERIOD 4th LUNCH 4/5 PERIOD 5/6 PERIOD 6th LUNCH 6/7 PERIOD 7/8 PERIOD 8th LUNCH 8/9 PERIOD 9/10 PERIOD 10th LUNCH 11th PERIOD 12th PERIOD day a week allows us to do this on a small scale. Based on how students use this time, we might extend or minimize the frequency of these flex periods,” Asher said. The new flex periods happen on a regular basis from now until the rest of the year, unlike the previous sporadically placed “homebase” periods. “We’re stepping away and rebranding from the old homebase. When I think about predictability with the schedule when the old homebase would happen occasionally it would be hard to remember your schedule. This time once a week allows people to get used it,” Asher said. The new flex period utilizes QR codes outside of every classroom to track data on where students are going during this time period. “QR codes track how students use it and where they are signing in. If I notice there are a lot of kids signing out to math, for example, then we probably need to figure out what we need to do to create room for math in the schedule,” Asher said. Many students, extra curricular clubs, and teachers have already started mapping out their future plans involving this period. “Pioneer ambassadors have already scheduled five times to meet with freshmen, something that hasn’t been able to happen in years past. I’ve also already had teachers sign up for things they want to do in that time whether it’s Science Olympiad class cabinet or National Honors Society,” Asher said. “I will be using the flex period to help me in classes in struggling and to ask my teachers for help when needed,” sophomore Carson Ensign said. HOMEBASE SCHEDULE Every Thursday Top: Team huddles at halftime Bottom: Senior Elias Lewis scores a buzzer beater at the end of the half against Liberty

. . the advantage of club sports S chool season represents an athlete’s student body. It labels a school as good, bad, or just OK. The ability to learn and grow over the off season is the key to development in skill level. Most people believe that major growth comes through playing club sports. During the off season of a school sport, many people play club sports in order to play the sport they love while simultaneously learning and developing as a player. Club season normally lasts for a lot longer than the school season and is used as a time for growth and development. “Club sports are how I have grown and learned the most about softball throughout my life,” Ohio All Americans club softball player Emily Rodenberg said. While club sports are used for a time of growth and development, not every athlete has the opportunity to play club sports. They take up multiple afternoons during the week, fill many weekends, and are very expensive. “For softball equipment alone, the cost is around $1450. Other fees for club sports are $1600 and whatever traveling costs,” Rodenberg said. Some people don’t have either the time or the money for these expensive club sports. There are other ways that athletes are able to learn and grow as athletes such as getting repetitions in by themselves. “I spent the majority of my time playing on my own, at the park, and just with friends or other kids who wanted to play. This is a good way to develop in the game and grow a love for it without playing in a club environment,” Director of Classic Eagles soccer club Tony Earp said. Learning to have love and respect for the sport an athlete plays will, while playing it with friends or even alone, will cause an athlete to grow as a player. Club sports are not always an option for every person. “I think doing all-star cheer would benefit my team because we would be learning all year long. We would have more reps and would be a stronger and more skilled team because of this,” cheerleader Kaylee Vance said. The area that a school is in and how much income that school has to put towards sports SPORTS | CLUB SPORTS 10 | FEBRUARY FEBRUARY | 11 With sports betting now legal in Ohio, many people are downloading apps and trying to win some extra money. Sports fans see this as an opportunity to win some money off of predictions and watching the sport they love while others wonder if it will breed addiction Sports betting can be very addictive, and people can lose lots and lots of money doing it. Betters believe they know they are going to win something, but in reality, anything can happen. Addiction can start so easily without people knowing. People keep placing bets, getting closer and closer to winning. People keep betting after losing a bet because they were close, and they learned from their last loss. The problem with gambling is that there really isn’t much learning from a loss. A loss is a loss, and betters can never know for sure what is going to happen. Even though fans may know everything about a player or a team, sports gambling is a game of luck. People love to watch sports because of the adrenaline rush, according to the mental health organization. They get nervous watching their player or team play, and it’s entertainment. But the adrenaline rush can cause people to make irrational decisions, continuing their betting after a loss. This adrenaline rush can turn this hobby into an addiction. Players continue to put down money after a loss and continue to lose. This is where the problem starts. Sports betting should not be something people do unless they can afford to lose what they gamble. The problem with sports betting starts when betters lose money that they can’t afford to lose. That’s when it becomes an addiction, and betters should start to seek help. Sports betting can also reduce good habits in one’s personal life. Kindbridge Health reports that an addiction to sports betting can result in reduced activity at work. They report that especially happens if the betting happens while in the workplace. That information proves that a sports betting addiction can take over someone’s ohio legalizes sports betting FROM THE SIDELINES WRITING MARSHALL MEDLEY | DESIGN LINCOLN HAKE | PHOTO KARI PHILLIPS SPORTS BETTING | SPORTS WRITING REBEKAH RICHTER | DESIGN LINCOLN HAKE THE PRICE OF PLAYING entire life. People can lose their job and that may not even be the worst part of the addiction. People with gambling addictions often end up ruining personal relationships. People with the worst of the addiction steal money from loved ones to gamble. Constant confrontations result from that and often a loss of relationships too. The Mayo Clinic also reports that another way to keep down addiction is to only bet on things that fans are particularly knowledgeable about. Sports are a hard thing to bet on, but it should only be done with expertise on the topic. It is irresponsible to bet on a sport that a person has no knowledge about. The odds of winning are already low and are even lower with a lack of knowledge on a subject. Something to always remember when sports betting is that what comes up always comes down. That phrase means whenever a person wins, they are bound to lose eventually. Fans should always keep that in mind when sports betting. Addiction is a hard thing to get through and a hard thing to even admit to. People should do something if they think they’ve become addicted. Staying quiet is the worst thing someone can do. It will just make the situation even worse. A solution to gambling on sports is calling the gambling hotline at 1-800-589-9966. Specialists will connect callers with treatment options in 24 hours within the area. With all of this information in mind, sports gambling should not be a problem if done responsibly. Watching a favorite team and making a little money at the same time is something that is enjoyable for many people. is seen as a deciding factor whether a school is good at sports or not. This is not always the case even if most of the athletes don’t play club sports. “Sometimes, some people who don’t play club have just as much natural talent as the people who do, but most of the time people who play club have more experience in competitive environments, therefore have a little bit better skill level,” Barca Academy Columbus club soccer player Caroline Debolt said. The training that athletes receive from playing a club sport is rigorous and very beneficial to their game. They are getting a lot of exposure to the sport and are continuously able to grow their knowledge of that said sport. “I have learned so many useful things from the different coaches that I’ve had over the years and learned many life lessons as well. I wish everyone could have that experience,” Debolt said. Athletes all have a unique relationship with the sports they play and their teammates. The amount of skill someone has could be hidden if a team does not work well together. “A team’s skill level is determined by how strong and united players are. Teamwork is most important,” Vance said. Club sports are majorly important for one thing— getting recruited for college. It doesn’t matter how well the school team works together because most recruitment occurs through clubs. They get athletes exposure to colleges. “Clubs work directly with college coaches and with the kids in the club in the recruitment process. Most players who play college soccer do so coming from club programs as it is where most colleges will focus their searches. It does not mean it is the only way to play college soccer,” Earp said. So if an athlete is interested in joining a club, some people to consider talking to are coaches, teammates, and parents. If a player doesn’t have that option, a strong devotion to a sport and practicing by oneself will help further an athlete’s athletic career. ABOUT THE COLUMNIST My name is Marshall Medley. I am an 11th grader. I enjoy watching and writing about sports. I am in my second year of Web journalism. In my free time, I like to spend time with my friends and play a variety of sports. SPORTS AVERAGE COST $ LEGAL STATES • Arizona • Arkansas • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Louisiana • Maryland • Michigan • Mississippi • Montana • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New York • Ohio • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Dakota • Tennessee • Virginia • Washington DC Washington • West Virginia Wyoming

how the culture of dating has evolved 12 | februray february | 13 valentines | cover dating through the decades writing gabby raney, nathan staten, darius agbotui | design lily clark cover | valentines I n the contemporary age of online dating, it’s easier for people to swipe right or left than for them to go out and introduce themselves to a potential significant other. Different generations interpret love in different ways, and nowadays Generation Z is turning to apps like Tinder, Bumble, or Snapchat to meet others. But perhaps, a true connection might be lost in cyberspace. In the olden days, times were simpler. Whether it be going out and meeting a love interest at a bookstore or just having the confidence to go up to someone, Generation Z has lost this sense of connection. According to a blog post by Kaspersky Daily, “Digital technology, especially smart devices, have transformed many aspects of our society, including how people meet each other and establish relationships — romantic or otherwise. How people conduct relationships is changing, and it’s clear that technology has a key part to play in this change. People are now not only turning to their devices to work, shop and play but to manage their personal lives and relationships too.” For the baby boomer generation, smartphones didn’t exist, so options were limited if they wanted to experiment with dating: in person or talking on the landline. “When I was 3, I met people through dance classes,” baby boomer Suzie Altier said. “In school, I met people there. Even on vacations, I would meet other kids, and we would write letters back and forth until we saw each other on vacation again. In our neighborhood, I would stand on my friends’ porch and call their names to see if they would come out to play.” New data from YouGov finds that for at least the first stages of dating, younger Americans are more comfortable in an online dating environment. One in 11 Americans say they’re currently using dating apps, and another 28 percent say they have done so in the past. Millennials (17 percent) are far more likely than Gen X’ers (nine percent) and Baby Boomers (three percent) to say they’re currently using dating apps and websites. Similarly, they’re also more likely to have used them in the past, even if they aren’t doing so currently. (39 percent of Millennials vs. 30 percent of Gen X’ers and 17 percent of Baby Boomers). However, reflecting on relationships in modern times, Altier said, “Relationships today are very different. Electronics changed the world. Some good, some not so good. So look at the person you are talking to. Communicate face-to-face. Be kind, and find something good about each person.” Although dating apps have their benefits – like convenience and the ability to converse before going on a date – many Americans would still prefer to meet someone offline. Close to half (47 percent) of Americans say that if they were single and dating, they would prefer to meet a romantic partner without using a dating app or website. Just 12 percent state a preference for meeting someone through a dating app, and 25 percent say they have no preference, according to YouGovAmerica. Not only did Baby Boomers meet each other differently, their relationships followed different trends than younger generations. “My parents modeled what a healthy, loving relationship should look like,” AP Government Teacher John Carmichael said. “They married when they were 21 years old and have been married for 60 years — so generationally, it’s very different. I was always so busy with everything, so I would just meet people. The big thing is you can’t be afraid to ask—you know ‘do you want to go do something?’” Youth dating culture changed significantly throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In the early postwar years, the previous system of dating many different people was replaced by the ideal of “going steady” with a single partner, according to encyclopedia. com, and Boomers saw marriage as a way to achieve mutual happiness and fulfillment rather than primarily child rearing, according to a 2010 Pew Survey. “Make sure you know someone well before you make a long term commitment,” Science Teacher Tammy Sensibaugh said. “Do not rush into marriage. Dating someone for a year before marriage should be the minimum to know if you want to spend the rest of your life with them.” The quest for happiness for the Boomer generation was impossible to maintain given they were outliving their parents, who generally stayed married, and many Boomers found their way to divorce. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 87 percent of Baby Boomers born in the years 1957-1964 married at least once by the time they reached age 46. Of those who married, 45 percent had experienced at least one divorce. And, in 1980, the majority (68 percent) of Baby Boomers aged 25-34 were married. This proportion decreased by 41 percent over the past few decades, with only two-fifths of Millennials currently married in 2015, according to research gathered at Bowling Green State University. “For the Boomer generation, breakups have traditionally been a fairly official matter—falling just short of a legal documentation of the event. Conversely, for the younger Millennial generation, the breakup paradigm has shifted into something much cloudier,” according to Redbook Magazine. (uh i think this was copy and pasted from somewhere idk) Generation X, people born between 1965 to 1985, and Millennials, people born between 1981 to 1996, are the “inbetweeners” stuck between the Baby Boomers and the young generation, Generation Z. Gen-Z is the generation currently in high school, and Gen-X and Millennials are often the parents of this generation. Times have greatly changed since 1965, and this includes dating. What dating was like in the late 80s and 90s is much different than what it is like now. Laura Carder, a Berlin High School social studies teacher whose daughter attends OOHS, elaborated on the differences between how dating used to be and how it is now. “What is different is social media. I feel like students can meet a ton more people from other schools through Snapchat. We knew some people from other schools but not a lot and only if we happened to meet them in person,” Carder said. This social media link is something that many experts agree upon that changed dating. According to psychalive.org, social media and dating apps offer convenience in finding potential partners as people have access to vast amounts of information with a few clicks. So, while Gen-X would go on blind dates or be paired together by friends, it is unlikely that today anyone would attend a blind date without having some idea, from social media or other sources, what their date is like. English Teacher Laura Calland agreed with this idea, saying that social media may add pressure or expectations to high school dating. Before social media, Calland elaborated that the pressure of posting or maintaining a social media image was nonexistent; people were able to enjoy each other’s company. Carder disagreed saying that this part of dating is similar to how it is now. “You would hang out together at each other’s house, friends’ houses, go out to eat, go to the movies,” Carder said. She said this aspect is still the same as today despite the difference of social media. Carder also explained that there is less pressure to date or find a date for Gen-Z than there was for Gen-X and Millennials. “We had regular dances throughout the school year, which were usually way more fun than homecoming. Everyone hated that pressure of trying to make sure you had a date by the time school started because homecoming was a month later,”

. cover | valentines 14 | february february| 15 valentines | cover Gen-X and Millennials may contribute to why the divorce rate is so high and the marriage rate so low for these two generations. According to statista.com, 53 percent of Gen-X and 44 percent of Millennials married between the ages of 23 and 38, around a 10 percent decrease from previous generations, such as the Boomers. “I would say that healthy and fulfilling relationships are possible. Don’t settle for someone who is not genuinely supportive and loving simply because of pressure or a desire to be ‘in a relationship’,” Calland said. Calland is on the border of Gen-X and Millennials and this advice reflects the outlook of many Millennials, according to bentley.edu. They say that women specifically are getting married later and are likely to have higher access to education. In comparison to the Baby Boomers, there was a change in gender roles, allowing women to pursue investment in their career rather than relationships. Thus, without the presence of social media, Gen-X and Millennials had a very different experience with dating in high school than Gen-Z, but have to adapt to the new advances in the current dating world. Smartphones and social media were both invented and popularized in the 2000s decade while a majority of Generation Z was growing up. As a result, Generation Z has a wide variety of new social norms that have an effect on romantic relationships. Smartphones are very commonly used by Generation Z teenagers and young adults. Smartphones didn’t exist while other generations were growing up and having young relationships; these devices changed how a lot of people communicate and interact. “Smart phones have affected my relationships because conversations can take place mostly through the phone, which can lead to fewer in-person conversations,” sophomore Keegan Knupp said. Smart phones and technology can lead to people meeting in different ways other than in person. “Technology would be the biggest difference, and from what I hear it’s just so hard to meet people. People just don’t meet people in-person as much as they used to, especially when they’re out of school,” School Guidance Counselor Sarah Hanna said. Meeting people online rather than in-person can be viewed in different ways because of its different effects. “A negative is that people could only be communicating through the phone, which could be hard to understand what a person is meaning to say,” Hanna said. Another factor that separates the Generation Z dating experience from previous generations is social media. Social media apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are very popular amongst Generation Z. “Social media plays a huge factor in relationships especially today. It has helped with communication, but it can also pose a threat to trust. However, if you can get by that, it really doesn’t intervene a whole lot,” sophomore Graham Burnett said. Social media can also be used in negative ways that negatively affect r o m a n t i c relationships. “As t e c h n o l o g y got more involved, things started to change; you never used to have to worry about Snapchat or Instagram messages. Things that could cause riffs in relationships,” Hanna said. Advances in technology have also allowed people to have a greater social outreach. “It allows us to meet people beyond our immediate circles, to keep in touch with people regularly from afar, and, in terms of dating, allows us to do the ‘early work’ of getting to know someone by giving us access to the virtual presentation of their lives,” Philosophy Professor at Boston College Kerry Cronin said. Dating apps have risen in popularity alongside social media and smartphones and have had a large impact on Gen Z dating. “The algorithms of dating apps do a lot of the curating of the experience of meeting people, so that we don’t have to vet people. It vets them for us. But then it also offers a chance to do all of the “getting to know you” work from the comfort of our place behind the screen. So, when people do finally meet, the intro conversations are unnecessary in some sense and that actually creates awkwardness,” Cronin said. Some believe that Gen Z relationships have been harmed by social media and dating apps. “I notice that Millenials and Gen Zers struggle mightily with transition and feel a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety connected with basic social interactions. Their use of technology to do the basic work of socializing and their habits of being behind screens ends up hobbling their social muscle-building,” Cronin said. One new social norm that has been popularized with Generation Z dating has been the “Talking-stage”. Many teens view the talking-stage as a phase of dating that happens before a couple becomes official. “The talking stage is when you’re not fully committed to dating someone and you’re seeing how they are as a person before you really commit,” Burnett said. The talking stage can be used to get to know the other person that someone is pursuing. “The talking stage can be really hard, but it builds your connection with the other person,” Knupp said. The talking stage can be perceived differently by different people which can cause confusion and tension within a relationship. “Some people would say if they’re talking to someone then they shouldn’t be talking to someone else while other people think it’s open which adds more confusion,” Hanna said. Generation Z is growing up in a more accepting and open world which can positively impact relationships. “But a positive thing of this generation is that Gen Z can be more open about their mental health and relationship goals,” Hanna said. Social and technological shifts have made dating more convenient but also more casual for many of Gen Z. “Gen Z dates in a much more casual way. Marriage and family are not on their horizon in dating before age 25. Thus, much of their dating tends to be non-committal and irregular,” Cronin said. Whilst dating transcends across generations, the cultural, societal, and technological changes will continue to impact how future generations date one another for years to come.

scene | one act plays 16 | February February | 17 one act plays | scene THE SCENE writing teresa christian | photo teresa christian During the Senior One Act Plays (SOAPS) on Jan. 20th, junior Eden Bronder directed the play “Home Invasion” performed by Junior Alessandro Durate and Freshman Connor Paap. The play was about two ghosts that staged an expensive house as an Airbnb, to lure robbers and mess with them. “The ghosts scare them the whole time and trap them in the house,” Bronder said.

. couples weigh in about love FEBRUARY | 19 behind the blue jackets BREAKING THE ICE WRITING ADAM WELCH | DESIGN AUDREY SELSOR | PHOTOS PERMISSION TO PRINT KARI PHILLIPS AND ALEC RIVERS DISCOVER COLUMBUS | FEATURE WRITING DARIUS AGBOTUI & ZION CLIFTON | DESIGN AUDREY SELSOR LOVE STATISTICS . The NHL season consists of 84 regular season games and four rounds of playoffs. With the Stanley Cup Finals ending in June and the preseason starting in September, players playing in the final only get about two and a half months off before preseason. With almost 300 days of playing with their team in the NHL, what do players do when they aren’t playing? This year the Columbus Blue Jackets took a trip to Finland to play against the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL global series. Although the Jackets lost 5-1 to the Avalanche, Jackets players still took time to enjoy what Finland had to offer while off the ice, according to NHL. com Goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo endorsed the local cuisine of Helsinki saying that he has eaten reindeer before and that “if you want to really enjoy yourself, get some reindeer.” However, Head Coach Brad Larsen turned down the offer of a nice plate of reindeer. Columbus, Ohio is certainly not a renowned city by any means as far as teams from The National Hockey League go, and former Blue Jackets player Max Domi has definitely made it known. “I’m pretty excited, actually. My whole family’s here. I was in Columbus for two years, so I didn’t get many visitors. All of a sudden, I’m in a nice city [Chicago], so my whole family wants to come. I don’t know if it’s me or the city,” Domi said, according to Mark Lazarus, Athletic writer for the Chicago Blackhawks. And while it’s true that Columbus doesn’t have Lake Michigan around its city borders or Skyscrapers towering the city, the players have grown tighter knit as a unit especially with the addition of Johnny Gaudreau this off-season. After asking Blue Jackets Team Reporter and NHL Reporter Jeff Svoboda about how he keeps fresh content on the Jackets while off the ice, he responded with a story about the connection between CBJ Forward Eric Robinson and Gaudreau. “Eric Robinson and Johnny were actually high school teammates growing up for a season, and even Johnny’s dad was Robinson’s first coach,” Svoboda said. It’s very clear there’s a true bond being built in Columbus, with Robinson even calling Johnny’s arrival an addition of a family atmosphere at Nationwide Arena. Guy Gudreau, Johnny’s father, also referred to Robinson almost as one of his own kids, since he was always at the house, according to nhl.com. This bond has definitely come off on the fans, including sophomore Vince Francisco. “They’re always entertaining. The atmosphere is always electric,” he said. While the Jackets currently sit at last in the NHL due to being plagued with injuries all season long with the likes of Werenski and Voráček, there is definitely a team bond being built in Columbus that fans can only hope will lead to the Stanley Cup coming to Columbus, Ohio in the coming years. TRENDING | LOVE STATS 18 | FEBRUARY Sophomores Zion Clifton and Adam Welch line up in the tunnel after The Blue Jackets Public Relations Day. Courier staff member sophomore Adam Welch asks a question while Greg Murray holding the microphone for him. High School students in the Columbus area attend a press conferene. As Valentine’s day is approaching, most students are looking forward to spending time with a significant other. Although every relationship varies, most students can all relate to some things. The staff conducted an unscientific survey of 23 couples in the highschool about their experience getting into relationships. 60.9% Have been dating their partner for one to five months, 27.1% dated their partner for less than a month, 21.7% have been dating for a year or more, and 17.4% have been dating for six to elleven months. 82.6% Of couples talked for 2-5 months before dating, 8.7% talked for 1 week, 6.9% talked for 6-11 months, and 6.9% had no talking stage 39.1% Of perople thought a talking stage should be one month, 17.4% thouht it should be 3 months, and 30 years, 15 years, 2 weeks, none, and it depents on the person each had 4.43% of the votes

. the unsung heros of civil rights CULTURE | BLACK HISTORY 20 | FEBURARY WRITING ZION CLIFTON | DESIGN WYATT DOWNEY | PERMISSION TO PRINT ASSOCIATED PRESS IMAGES BEHIND THE MOVEMENT Born December 23, 1867, as Sarah Breedlove, Madame C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire, would lead a lifetime of success as she went on to grow her hair care empire. With products like Madame C.J.’s Wonderful Hair Grower and the Hot Comb, Madam C.J. became the forefront of black hair care, according to womenshistory.org. Garret Morgan, a former sewing machine mechanic, is one of the most unknown and underappreciated inventors in American history. By the end of Morgan’s life, he ended up patenting not only the traffic light and gas mask but also a hair straightening product and an improved sewing machine, according to www.thoughtco.org. As a pioneer to the civil rights movement, Claudette Colvin inspired Rosa parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. At age fifteen, Colvin, (who was pregnant at the time) refused to give up her seat when told to do so for a white woman; she was later arrested. While Claudette played an important role in the coming civil rights movement, she was never recognized in the media due to her being a teen and having a darker complexion, aaregistry.org. J ane Bolin, an attorney and judge, was the first black woman to graduate from Yale. She has served as a role model to black women all over America due to her being a pioneer to women in law. She defended specifically women and children of color in her law pursuits at the New York City Family Court, and was also the first black women to join the New York Bar Association, according to nytimes.com and ignitenational.org. While all these people helped to influence modern day culture, their efforts aren’t recognized in the media, so one could say these are a few of the unsung heroes of today’s society. “I think its crazy that these people that created all these important things are really unknown,” junior Samyra Smith said.

. february | 21 I t’s 2008 and the first Courier has just been produced. The class is new here and there aren’t very many members. Fast forward 15 years, there are almost 100 Couriers produced, and a full staff of 25+ members. As the school enters 2023, it also enters the 15th year of the Courier publications class. This course has changed so much throughout the years with new technological advances, new award-winning stories, and new staff. From its early years, the Courier brought creative-minded people together to create a team. “I remember that it was always the best part of my day. It was very much like a family environment,” 2019 graduate and design editor-in-chief Brooke Little, who was in the class from 2017 to 2019 said. The Advanced Journalism class, better known as The Courier, is split into many categories. Some of these include writers and designers, editors and staff, along with editors-in-chief and story editors. “This was super fun, and the class 15 years of the courier CREATING THE COURIER writer ava valentik | design sophie rogers courier anniversary | feature whole class. “Every writer or designer worked on the Macs that were in the classroom. Some people used their personal computers as well. Designers designed using Adobe software like Photoshop and InDesign.” Larsen said. In the Introduction to Journalism class, students will learn how to design online and edit photos. They are also taught how to write in the correct journalism format and learn interview skills. Once someone is a member of The Courier, it’s hard to leave. The class is amazing and the students in it are very accepting and open to new ideas and people. “Since I graduated high school, I have kept tabs on it with people who are still in the class, and I checked out the website. I am very proud of the progress that everyone has made, especially since there are a lot of new people. It looks great!” Larsen said. The Courier is a class full of joy and excitement, and it has brought stories upon stories to the school. The last 15 years have been great, but the next 15 are going to be even better. was filled with very creative individuals who were fantastic at writing and designing. It was very organized and though I had no experience in a real news company, and I really felt like I was in one,” 2022 graduate and writing editor in chief Sorina Larsen, who was a part of the class for three years, said. The Courier class is set up just like any modern news company would be. There are days devoted to brainstorming, and pitching ideas, work days, and some days set aside for trips and advertising. “The writers since I was there have done a very good job coming up with innovative and different stories which were more interesting to read than when I was there,” Little said. Some different story categories are feature, sports, opinion, and culture. Coming up with new and interesting ideas for designs and stories is always fun, and the staff is always open to suggestions. “Courier taught me a lot about talking face to face with people; this was something I used to struggle with. But now, I have to interview people, get interviewed myself, and without Courier, I don’t think I would be able to do it as successfully as I do,” Larsen said. The Courier class teaches both writing skills and many other life skills too. With this class comes interview skills, better teamwork, and kind ways to give criticism. “The Courier taught me the value of teamwork and leadership. I also learned how to give constructive criticism and I still use all of those characteristics today,” Little said. Something that very few people know is that everything in The Courier is student produced. There are designers who make the page images and infographics, writers who write all stories, and editors who edit for the

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. february | 23 I n the world of fame and fortune, it is no secret that people use their connections to get to the top of stardom. With the rising discourse of nepotism babies, it is frustrating and crazy to see just how many nepotism babies are dominating the entertainment industry. When thinking of the celebrities that can be seen on the screen, radio, or red carpet, many don’t consider how they got to the level of fame. Being a child to famous parents, or a nepotism baby, is an attribute to fame that is highly considered right now. Some obvious examples of nepotism babies include Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith; and LilyRose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. Some not-so-obvious examples include Dakota Johnson, daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson; and Kate Hudson, daughter of Bill Hudson and Goldie Hawn. With already having famous parents, nepotism babies have connections to help them within the entertainment industry. This advantage above the average person is part of what makes nepotism babies so highly controversial. the advantages of being born into fame WEALTHY FROM THE WOMB writer taylor goudie | design sophie rogers NEPOTISM BABIES | OPINION c| $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ c $ | c| c| c| This unfair advantage that nepotism babies are born into isn’t necessarily a negative thing against them because they can’t help who their parents are, but they can help what they do with the fame they are born into and how they acknowledge their advantage. Not everyone can call their parents’ friends and land themselves a television role or modeling gig, hence the obvious upper hand nepotism babies get. Some nepotism babies have come to defend themselves, saying that they have to work harder than the average person to prove that they are deserving of their work—even though they have the connections of their famous parents. In particular, Gwenyth Paltrow, daughter of Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow, said that “Once your foot is in the door, which you unfairly got in, then you almost have to work twice as hard and be twice as good. Because people are ready to pull you down and say you don’t belong there or you’re only there because of your dad or your mom or whatever the case may be,” according to Forbes. This concept of having to work harder to prove themselves is shared by many nepotism babies and is yet another controversial idea to the general public. Even though there are surely people doubting the ability of nepotism babies in the jobs that they land and whether they are deserving of it or not, they already have a step up against a regular person trying to achieve the same job. Sure, nepotism babies might have to prove themselves worthy, but it’s debatable whether they really are working harder than others because they already have the connections to get ahead. The largest example of nepotism running through a whole family is the Kardashian and Jenner family. Despite the lack of talent amongst most of the family, they are still some of the most famous and recognized individuals in the media. An example of a nepotism baby that is often questioned in regard to their genuine talent is Brooklyn Beckham, son of Victoria and David Beckham, who posted photographs he had taken. One that stood out to the public was a photo of an elephant, which really wasn’t a good photo due to the dark shadow over the photo, making it hard to even see the elephant. Nepotism babies aren’t all necessarily “untalented” as some may say just because they have famous parents. For example, Miley Cyrus and Gracie Abrams are both talented nepotism babies. Additionally, there are many untalented people who are famous without being a nepotism baby at all. Nepotism babies are now poking fun at the title they are being called by the public and claiming ownership of it. Hailey Bieber, daughter of Kenya and Stephen Baldwin, was photographed in public wearing a shirt that read “Nepo Baby”, according to Vogue, adding to the discussion. Although her statement was intended to be powerful, it came across bland and lame. Nepotism babies need to stop whining about being called nepotism babies by the public because that is quite literally what they are; it’s not a statement for or against their talent. They need to understand the clear advantages they have to get opportunities and jobs that the average person simply does not have the same access to.

. . the problem with crime docs opinion | romantisizing murders 24 | february february | 25 how to get over someone it’s time to move on writing molly sullivan | design lilly wood breakups | opinion capitalizing on criminals writing luna perez | design lilly wood Though February is the season for love and romance, for many it’s also heartbreak season as relationships end and situationships fizzle out with the pressure of becoming serious. With broken hearts, comes impulsive texts and begging exes to get back together. Impulsive and irrational decisions like these can very easily turn into very messy situations. So, think twice before sending that text because it’ll probably make it harder to get over that person in the future. But how someone move on then? The answer varies between people and situations but the general way to get over someone is by letting oneself process the feelings and what was lost, letting go of those feelings, and recognizing yourself as an individual with unique hobbies, thoughts, and feelings. The first step to getting over someone, whether it was a crush, a situationship, or even an ex, is to wallow in the feelings and process them. Allowing oneself to feel all the feelings is the first step to get over someone according to choosingtherapy.com. If this person played a significant role in someone’s life, it’s common to struggle moving on from them afterwards. Significant time and effort was devoted to them, and all of that is just suddenly gone,It takes some time to get used to that. By processing their feelings, a person also learns to separate themselves from what they feel about the person, how they feel about things ending, and how hey felt during the relationship. This gives them a chance to slowly let go of all the feelings this person brought them, the second step of getting over someone. For people in situationships, this step of moving on can be trickier than people trying to move on from relationships. Because no part of the relationship was ever official with the person they’re trying to move on from, people in situationships often feel like their feelings aren’t valid and shouldn’t be mourning the person they lost since the person was never technically with them to begin with. It's especially important for these people to take a little longer to process their feelings and relationship with the person. They have to acknowledge that even if it wasn’t official, their feelings were real, and they have every right to feel whatever they’re feeling. Though for some people, letting go can be done by simply thinking through their feelings, for others some way of expressing these feelings is necessary. According to a sophomore girl, a good way to let go of one’s feelings is by saying them out loud to someone who is just willing to listen. Another important part of letting go is for a person to establish some distance between themselves and the person they’re attempting to get over. It’s hard to let go of all the feelings about them if that person is constantly showing up in their life and reminding you of those feelings. After letting go of the feelings, someone can go into to the third step of moving on, remembering and embracing who they are without this person. Lots of people forget that they were an independent person with their own hobbies, thoughts and feelings before this person came into their life and it’s important to remember that individuality. In the process of getting over someone you used to have feelings for, it’s also important to remember that progress is not linear; someone can often think they’re almost done moving on and then go back into those feelings of missing and mourning the person once again. This is completely alright and normal. As long as they’re trying, they will get over this person at some point. So, this Valentine’s Day, instead of moping around and missing the one who got away, try getting over them. Even if it’s a little bit at a time, the process of moving on has begun and that’s what matters. Over the past few years, the glorification of criminals and serial killers has become a problem due to the increase in popularity of true crime documentaries. According to Parrot Analytics, the highest ranked documentary sub-genre was true crime in 2020-21, gaining an almost 60 percent increase in popularity compared to the year before. Documentaries like true crime and those involving people who committed awful crimes should be made in different ways that encourage the viewer to respect the families of victims, rather than to understand the criminal’s background. The directors of these shows are obviously obsessed with these criminals, passing it on to the viewer. The documentary Dahmer, which came out in September, has become the fourth most watched TV show on Netflix with 856.5 million hours played according to cnet.com. In the show, Jeffery Dahmer was portrayed by Evan Peters, an already popular and accomplished actor. These facts pose concern since this documentary is a prime example of a show failing to encapsulate the true importance of these crimes. The victims are real people, with real families and lives that have been changed or ended, not just actors on a TV show. The purpose of this documentary was to give Dahmer a voice, according to Netflix, and included actors playing Dahmer’s victims as part of the story. This caused controversy due to Netflix failing to reach out to the families of these victims. Rita Isbell, a family member of one of Dahmer’s victims, spoke out about being portrayed in the show. Isbell states in an essay for Insider that the show felt greedy, harsh, and careless due to the fact that her family was not reached out to, however they were represented, and the actors in the documentary even used their statements from the killings word-for-word. “It’s retraumatizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/shows/ documentaries do we need?” Eric Perry, a cousin of one of Dahmer’s victims posted on Twitter. Many don’t realize the impact serial killer documentaries can have on victims and their families. Most of these people are still alive today, and popularity of these shows cause many issues. The popularity of the documentary had fans posting on social media about Dahmer in the show, even positive things about the character. Viewers claimed to begin to ‘understand’ Dahmer’s side of the story, resurfacing the traumatic experiences of the relatives of victims. This is not the first time a popular actor with a large fanbase has been used to act as a serial killer, the movie “Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile” (2019) starred Zac Efron as Ted Bundy, and Ross Lynch also played Jeffery Dahmer in the movie “My Friend Dahmer” (2017). These documentaries and movies give too much attention to people who have committed awful crimes. They put them in the spotlight, and by being portrayed by conventionally attractive actors, the viewer will begin to support the killer if it’s an actor they previously enjoyed in their other more light-hearted roles. The people who create true crime-like documentaries aren’t interested in honoring the victims or painting the criminal in a bad light, they’re interested in how the viewer enjoys it and how much money it brings in.

. . rating streaming services When television was first introduced, cable TV gained popularity immediately as it provided people with a source of entertainment. At the time, it was a major luxury to have television and cable. Fast forward to the mid 2000s, when the rise of streaming services began. Today, consumers have an infinite number of television shows and movies at their fingertips, giving them the freedom to choose what they want to watch at any given moment. However, with more choices, it becomes a responsibility to choose the best streaming service to subscribe to. Two of the most prominent streaming services are Netflix and Amazon Prime. Although Netflix was founded in 1997 and initially sold and rented DVDs by mail, the company introduced streaming media on demand in 2007, according to britannica.com. By 2013, Netflix had debuted as a production industry, too. I have a Netflix subscription and have had one for almost all my life. I have been watching shows from them from a young age so it has definitely been a constant streaming service in my life. Netflix has a wide range of movies OPINION | STREAMING SERVICES 26 | FEBRUARY FEBRUARY | 27 I ’m the type of person to keep every single card I have ever received. Birthdays, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Store bought, handmade, and sad excuses of a card that are just pieces of paper folded in half – most of them are kept away in my closet collecting dust, yet I don’t have the heart to get rid of them. My godmother always makes cards by hand. No, I’m not talking about the sad excuses of a card, more like layers of cardstock layered and precisely cut, glued, and hand stamped together. Knowing that she spent hours crafting a beautiful card to send to me from Connecticut, I felt that they had to have a better use than sitting in a very sad cardboard box. At the end of my freshman year as I was searching through old memoirs and scrapbooks she made, I had an “aha” moment. The cards I collected throughout the year could be compiled into my own scrapbook documenting my years throughout high school. I’m lucky enough to have the craftiest godmother ever who has so many supplies that she doesn’t know what to do with it, so she just sends it over, but as I tried to buy my own supplies, I realized it’s quite expensive. However, because I’m so awesome, I found a more cost-effective way to print pictures and get supplies. Most people, when getting any art supplies, go to local stores like Michael’s or Joann’s, but the task of buying paper, stickers, and whatever the heart desires add up quickly. All of a sudden, you already blew $100. Scrapbook.com has everything needed. They sell scrapbook and card making kits for a way to remember the years RADIANT RACHEL WRITING RACHEL LEHMAN | DESIGN MACKENNA MILLER SCRAPBOOKING | COLUMN WRITING SHREYA ARUNKUMAR | DESIGN MACKENNA MILLER THE PREFERRED PLATFORM any occasion for around $15. This is great if someone wants to start card making for holidays and birthdays and can have many uses which is such a steal for $15. Printing pictures can be really tedious because, depending on the size of the picture, it can be expensive and inconvenient to have to go and pick them up from the store. The Canon Ivy Mini is a bluetooth printer that can print pictures directly from a phone. What’s really cool about it is it doesn’t use any ink, so you don’t have to buy ink cartridges. Don’t ask me the science behind it. I have no idea. You just download the app, select the picture from the camera roll, and then in five seconds it’s printed. I’ve seen prices range from $79- $130, but in my opinion, it’s totally worth the investment. It’s good for everyone to have some sort of hobby or project that doesn’t involve any cognitive thinking and isn’t stressful. For me, scrapbooking and cardmaking is peaceful and looking back at my younger self not only makes me cringe, but also helps me remember special moments. and shows suitable for all ages, from cartoons for preschoolers to thrillers, horror movies, and romantic comedies for the older and more mature audience. The service also has a considerable amount of international films for viewers outside the United States. As a kid, I watched many shows from baking competitions to shows like Jessie and Good Luck Charlie as many Disney series were on Netflix at that time. Now, some of my favorites are Stranger Things, Outer Banks, and Shadow and Bone, which are all getting new seasons in the near future. However, Netflix has been taking off popular shows and adding more Netflix original productions to their feed. And although there are some good original additions, it is frustrating when a classic movie or show is taken off. In addition to the ability to download movies and shows, Netflix has added some helpful additions to their service, such as the watch together feature so that viewers can watch movies with friends without having to be together. This was extremely beneficial to the viewers during COVID when there were social distancing regulations. The price for a Netflix subscription varies, with a basic plan at $9.99 a month, standard at $15.49 a month, a premium at $19.99 a month, and a new basic with ads was introduced in 2022 for $6.99 a month. Overall, I rate Netflix a 3.8/5. Although the subscription has been increasing in price, I can always count on finding something to watch or re-watch. Similar to Netflix, Prime Video has a variety of movies and shows for kids and adults, as well as international films. I don’t watch Prime as often as Netflix, though, as I usually just browse through occasionally and find a random movie to watch. One of the cons about Prime, in my opinion, is that many of the movies and shows are originals. Usually, I haven’t heard about any of them so it can be hard to find something to watch. The current Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, but just the Prime Video membership is $8.99 per month. Unlike Netflix though, Prime does offer a student discount which decreases the price to $7.49 per month or $69 per year. But, one of my peeves about Prime is that even with the membership, many of the movies and shows are only available to rent or buy, which drastically reduces the options. For this reason, I rate Prime Video 3.4/5. Hi, my name is Rachel Lehman and I’ve been doing journalism since I was a freshman and I am a junior this year. Next year will be my third year writing for WEB and my first year writing for The Courier. My hobbies consist of scrapbooking, painting and doing fun makeup and nail art. ABOUT THE COLUMNIST

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