11th Period Journalism Final Project

POWERFUL YB
Theme

May 2021

12

Next Year in Yearbook!

Final Project
Isabella Scales

TABLE OF CONTENT

P A G E 2... Personailty Profile
P A G E 3...Interview Article/News Article
P A G E 4...Equal Playing Time
P A G E 5... Thank You Custodians
P A G E 6...Covid In The Beginning
P A G E 7&8...Yearbook Theme
P A G E 9...End Page

On water-May 2021 Page 2

Personailty Profile Elise will do on her kick. Most of the time Elise gives a great
assist in hope that her team will win. Anita also told me that
“My biggest goal in life is to work so hard I get a “Elises comes home from soccer everyday talking about
scholarship for soccer.” Elise Sipes expressed to how all they did at pratice was take corner kicks.” Normally
me. Soccer has always been a huge part of her Elise enjoys taking the corner kick but tends to become sick
life, due to her whole family loving the sport. She started of praticing them.
praticing when she was only three years old, and loved it
right from the start. Just about everyone in Elise’s family has According to Elise her proudest moment was “scoring
played soccer in their life, which is a really big inspiration a double hat trick in my indoor game.” She told me that a
for her. She really enjoys playing outside mid and works double hat trick is making six goals in one game. As one
hard at it everyday. Although the pratices can get hard and double hat trick is only making three. This is pretty im-
she may get frustrated alot, she will keep going. pressive considering in a soccer game, most of the time the
whole team doesnt even make that many! This was a very
“Soccer comes with alot of challenges but with a good happy day for Elise because her grandparents also drove
defense and pratice you will get there.” Elise told me as all the way from Indiana to watch her play. Elise was very
she expressed how defense is what she strives to be best at. proud of herself that day, along with the rest of her team
She told me that a team will get nowhere if they can’t work and family.
together to stop the offense on the other team. She enjoys
going into the backyard with her brother or dad and trying Soccer is something that makes Elise happy and
to stop them from scoring or she will attempt to score on helps her escape reality. Elise said to me “I am the happiest
them. version of myself when I am either playing soccer or at a
Columbus Crew Game”. Elise explained to me how Colum-
Elises most embarrassing moment was last year when bus Crew is an MLS soccer team in Columbus, Ohio. Ever
she spent the entire game trying to impress the varsity head since she moved to Ohio she has gone to a countless num-
coach, until she was called offsides. She seemed to have ber of matches and even got to meet some of the players.
been convinced that she was not offsides so in a moment of “Columbus Crew is my favorite soccer team and I love to
anger, she used the word “booted” the ball across the field, watch them play, it is very inspiring and makes me work
causing the ref to give her a yellow card, and managed to get harder”, Elise said to me. After learning more about Elise’s
herself taken out of the game. life, I have noticed how motivated she is to get better at the
sport she loves, Soccer. Although sometimes it is hard for
After talking with Elises mom, Anita Sipes, she told her to keep pushing, and she often loses confidence, she
me that Elise is an amazing soccer player. She absolutely keeps working harder.
loves going to her games and watching her play. “My favor-
ite thing to watch her do is take a corner kick.” Anita told
me, she said that she sits there anxiously waiting to see how

Elise sipes class 23”

“InIterview Articlelove making a difference ingrowing up and the job was back in School. Not only is Ryan the head
someone’s life and helping his hometown so it was perfect for baseball coach of the varsity team at
them out,” said Mr. Ryan him. Olentangy High School, but he also
Lucas. Of course, all jobs have their enjoys playing golf.
Making a difference in someone’s likes and dislikes, and Mr. Lucas
life is the main reason why Mr. found his favorite part of teach- Overall Mr.Lucas is a kind
Lucas decided he wanted to be a ing to watch the kids grow and be teacher. He is always there for all of
teacher. Not just a regular teacher successful. He loves all the posi- his students, ready to fight for them
who teaches one subject, but he sits tive relationships he has with his on their behalf. Ryan wants to see
down with students from all grade students. all of his students succeed and work
levels and they can come to him According to Ryan his least favorite to the best of their ability. He con-
with any subject and he is there to part about teaching is, “paperwork tinues to love his students and work
help however he can. and filling out accommodation re- with them to help however much
Growing up Ryan went to Hillard quests for ACT and College Board he can. All of his students hope that
Darby, he found a passion for base- for students.” he stays at Olentangy as to many of
ball and grew up always knowing I then asked him what his favor- them he is their favorite teacher!
he wanted to be a coach. In school, ite subject to teach is. Ryan replied
Mr.Lucas liked history the best and with Picture of Ryan Lucas
thought maybe to teach history
because he was good at it.
Mr.Lucas got his first job where ”I enjoy being an advocate for
taught in Cincinnati for three years. all of my kids on my caseload
In Cincinnati, Lucas taught in a and helping students out with life
middle school as an intervention issues.”
specialist. While working there the Outside of school Mr.Lucas
job to be an intervention specialist enjoys being around his family and
and head baseball coach opened up friends. Ryan has a wife of nine
at Olentangy High School. He al- years and a seven-year-old son
ways wanted to be a baseball coach who goes to Heritage Elementary

ONews Articlen December there are no students still go the opposite Covid-19 pictures
31, 2019 the walking towards oth- direction.” On Water-May 2021 Isabella scales page 3
first ever ers to spread the virus
case of Covid 19 was if it is airborne.” Says Students are still
reported, changing principle Rob Griffiths able meet up with
how schooling would their friends and seem
work. After Olen- After the district to make it work for the
tangy underwent a went through many most part. The district
two month period of possible solutions feels that the students
no school they have to make schooling for the most part it’s
decided to go back safer, they decided almost normal now
hybrid style with one that making a one for the students to just
way halls and many way hallway policy go one way.
more other covid would be much more
procedures. effiecent. Students will The one way
have one way up or halls are meant to
While many down stairs, and will bring safety for all
students believe the only be allowed to who come through
one way hall policy is walk one way in the the building and keep
pointless many teach- halls. individuals from being
ers feel that it is very ontop of eachother
helpful in keeping our After talking with and spreading germs.
schools safe. sophomore Emilia
Kekalainen, she says
“Students are that “the one way halls
walking one way so are almost pointless,
they are not breathing all the students are still
on each other. So the going to be packed in
effect should be that the halls and many

On Water-May 2021 Page 4

Equal playing time determined by skill alone. “The letter also
states that if they are interested in getting
Many people believe that High school the most playing time-or equal playing
sports should be fair and equal, time”
but can you be fair and equal if you are Athletes should go into the game know-
trying to win? It’s an undeniable fact that ing that without hardwork and dedication
sports teams will not win a majority of to the team they will not be playing a
their game if they are constantly trying majority of the game like the rest of the
to create equal playing time while still players who are working hard to deserve
trying to figure out how to win with the their postion.
not so good players in. Playing time is not
equal and may destory a team if the coach
allows it.

Throughout the sports idustry
athletes and coaches have struggled with
getting fair playing time for athletes. Play-
ing time is earned and not just given. If a
player is not working to their full poten-
tial why should they get the same amount
of playing time as the kids who are work-
ing their hardest at not only games but in
pratice. Although it is true that a player’s
skill may not be clear while they are
young, Kyle Elmendorf, an experienced
high school Basketball coach argues the
other side- “...I explain that playing time
will not be equal among players’’ (Elmen-
dorf). Before each season, he writes a
letter to each one of the parents explain-
ing that their child’s playing time will be

On Water-May 2021 page 5

Thank You Custodians

When looking at a schooling classrooms after school, and always The custodians may not get to
system a majority of people only taking out the staff ’s trash after sit in class with the students and
notice the teachers, students, and hours. see them as much as the teachers
principles. Not many people notice The year 2020-2021 has brought but they still find a way to connect
the hard work that is put into keep- on even more to our custodians. with the students. They are always
ing the bathrooms and cafeterias Having to work through a global working with a smile, and always
constantly clean and restocked. The pandemic is hard enough, but con- stopping to talk with the students.
custodians do such a big job at our stantly having to disinfect every- Constantly they are always finding
school that most people tend to thing that the student touch adds a way to make us laugh and make
look past. a whole lot more. Not only are the us feel special.
Many people only see the custo- custodians keeping our school As a school, we need to realize that
dians as the people who take out clean they are also keeping us safe. each staff member puts in their
the trash or clean up things when Throughout the entire day, we see time to make this school a better
dirty. What most people don’t see them walking through the hallways place. Although you might not see
is the countless hours before and stopping at each door disinfecting a custodian every day, that does
after school that the custodians put the handle and the door, cleaning not mean they aren’t doing their
in. They are constantly walking up the lunchroom after each lunch job. Many students do not always
and down the halls picking up after period, or simply just wiping down take into consideration the time
the students and staff, cleaning the the halls. and effort that custodians put in.

custodian Martin Crosbie Custodian Kurt Edgecombe

On Water-May 2021-Page 6

Covid In The Beginning

Today I read an article about kids going back to school in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. This article
expressed the fear that kids would have going back to school. It told me that through all precautions that school
was taking kids still had a high risk of what we call Coronavirus. A girl named Kennedy Heim went to her first
day of high school on a Thursday,and by the weekend school doors were already closed,due to a teacher catching
a case of covid 19.Kennedy’s mother received a phone call from a contact tracer informing her that Kennedy may
have been exposed to the Coronavirus. Kennedy then went to the testing site and ended up testing positive for
the case.She explained that it just felt like a little cold at the beginning,but after a couple of hours of being quar-
antined and mother bringing her meals to her door with gloves and a mask on,she said that she could no longer
taste the purple powerade that her mother had brought her.Kennedy had officially lost her sense of taste, a classic
virus symptom. After this occurrence her school had gone remote and went to online school. Many American
schools have yet to open and if so had the ideal option to either go into school or stay online if students choose
to. Many kids wanted to feel a sense of normalcy and choose the option going into school knowing what they
would be facing. Kids were forced to have their temperature taken before school started and were forced to wear
a face mask throughout the entire day.

This article was timely and newsworthy due to the fact that it expresses the extreme fear that kids have
going back to school in the middle of a pandemic. This pandemic was declared on March 11th,and since then
cases have only been raising.This pandemic was declared a “national emergency” forcing people to stay inside
of their houses avoiding the public as much as they can.It has completely changed how society works in modern
day. People are now forced to wear a mask when going into public and now need to stand at least six feet away
from people at all costs. Many restaurants will not open their dining rooms due to the fear of people getting too
close together.

An article like this relates to me in many ways. I go into school two/three days a week never knowing what
people I could potentially be exposed to.All the kids in my school are always being socially distanced and forced
to wear a mask throughout the entire day. I also work in the food business and am forced to wear gloves and a
mask throughout my shift. This pandemic has given my entire family a scare because I live in a family of eight
and if one of us catches it there is a good possibility that we all could. We all try to be as careful as we can when
in public,washing our hands whenever we can and putting on sanitizer when we have the chance. Masks are all
over the house and used all the time. This pandemic has not only affected my family but the entire world.





THE END
OLENTANGY ON WATER

MAY 2021
ISABELLA SCALES

olentangy high school

Jaelyn Peterson
May 2021
Period 11

Permission to priny by wallpaper access.com

table of contents

dear mrs roads... page 2
we can’t ignore reality... page 3
senioritis takes a toll... page 4

mcknight helps all... page 5
olentangy introduces new hybrid sched-

ule... page 6
samuel myers: the filmmaker... page 7

kneeling for the flag... page 8
bella having a lazy day... page 9-10

growing up brave... page 11-12

Page 1 May 2021

Dear mrs. Roads, be the ability to listen to others spread their opinion and hear what they
are passionate about. Although some may disagree, I felt that it was
journalism has taught me so much. It taught me how to be a sophisti- highly respectable and education thing to listen to what others have to
cated writer with balance, resiliance and has tuaght me the ability to say about the world and it’s current events.
find my own voice. I have learned to become creative and see the views
from all angles. Journalism has opened my eyes to things i never would I have learned to become a sophisticated and experienced
have looked at if I wasn’t in journlism. writer.. Although I had written MANY opinionated stories, I had also
opened the eyes of many classmates in respectful and justifiable ways. I
One of the thungs I will miss the most about this class will will definitely miss this class.

Thank you, Mrs. Roads.

May 2021 Page 2

Editorial

we can’t ignore reality

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22

To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take shot and killed by a police officer in Columbus, Ohio on
the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” -Rosa Dec. 4, 2020. His death was never addressed in classes nor
Parks. in announcements. On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor
Olentangy High School is a highly diverse high school. was fatally shot and killed by police officers. After going to
court on murder charges, neither men were charged with
Ranging in ethnicities, races, genders/sex- the murder of Taylor, and we had never
es and more. However, how many times is announced nor talked about this event
inequality ever addressed? How long do we in school. We barely mention the move-
spend learning about the history of ho- ment of Stop Asian Hate or the Black
mophobia, racism, transphobia or any type of Lives Matter considering all the lives we
discrimination that doesn’t have any thing to have lost recently.
do with Jim Crow laws or slavery? How often Some may say these topics may
do we address the current events of violence not be appropriate for high school
against someone due to their race, sexual students to talk about or hear. But
orientation, political view or sex/gender? in reality, this is reality. Avoiding the
On the morning of Jan. 6, Americans truth, doesn’t mean the truth isn’t there.
had a riot in the capitol building, due to their We cannot not talk about something
anger with how the Presidential election had solely due to it being an “uncomfortable
gone. Windows were broken, people were topic.”
harmed and some officers were even killed, Let’s be real, WE NEVER AD-
but “Blue Lives Matter,” right? The following DRESS HARSH TOPICS.
day, there were some students who had to If we want our students to
attend school. There were some teachers who had Permission to print by Etsy become leaders, we have to show them what a

recommended one of the faculty members make an good leader does. A good leader takes charge,
announcement about the riot and the effects it had on our we address the uncomfortable topics, we address what’s
country. However, no announcements were made. hurting our society as a whole and what we can do to help
A young man by the name Casey Goodson was better the world. We cannot ignore what scares us and ex-

Page 3 May 2021

Feature Story

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22 senioritis takes a toll

Football games, homecoming, prom, college applica- “In the beginning it was really easygoing, and
tions and just the overall creating your last memo- later I became loaded with work,” said senior Brynn
ries of high school. These are the highlights of most Kibler. “Once you get accepted into college, you have no
senior years, however, for the class of 2021, things have motivation after.”
changed. Plastic dividers, masks that make others un-
recognizable, social distancing and separated days from “I plan on going to Columbus State then transfer
your friends. These are only some of the many changes to Ohio State University and get a degree. (Not sure what
made to the school due to the drastic hit of COVID-19. for yet.),” senior Olivia Davidson said.
Even with school being different, now school sanctions
that are held every year, have changed. Stuller believes that it will be harder for students
to transfer into college after this year.
“The most upsetting would have to be losing the
most important things like prom, homecoming and not “It will be interesting to see what the set-up is for
seeing the future of graduation,” Kibler said. Facts show colleges and job environments next year. It’s a challenging
that many students who had lost prom last year, had felt and exciting transition from highschool to college. I think
their high school experience was incomplete. it will be especially hard for seniors this year because the
Teachers have also mentioned that they have noticed a demands are much more emotional than academic, and
change in the work ethic of all students, not just seniors. that may be very different this year,” Stuller said.

“Students have definitely gotten worse. I have “My grades have remained the same, but my
many students that have stayed consistent and kept up sleep schedule is nonexistent. I get like 4-5 hours of sleep
with their work very well. But there is a subset of students a night on school nights,” Davidson said. Many sources
that started great and seem to check out on virtual days. state that the lack of a sleep schedule affects mental health
That’s a problem in my class because virtual days are how tremendously.
the grades are generated,” said science teacher Kathleen
Stuller. As for the future of seniors, Stuller finds a bit more Though this year has been hard for most, seniors
difficulty with college. One of the hardest parts (according have to spend their last year with only half of their senior
to seniors) is the motivation to do work in their classes. class in school and no normal prom.

Permission to print by Ny DailyNews

May 2021 Page 4

Permission to print by common-
sense media

Interview Article mcknight helps all

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22

Selena McKnight is a counselor here at Olentangy to help people and this really helped identify what she
High School. She attended Orange High School. wanted to do for a career: A youth guidance counselor.
“No, not Olentangy Orange High School,”
McKnight then went to The Ohio State Uni-
McKnight said. versity for graduate school and sought
OHS is located on the outside out to be a counselor. She first worked for
of Cleveland. She played volleyball, two years in New Albany High School.
basketball and track from first through However, budget cuts were made, and she
eighth grade. Although she enjoyed was let go. But, the principal at NAHS
having played all of these sports, she knew the principal at OHS at the time.
enjoyed basketball the most. McK- Job interviews were set up, and she went
night continued to play basketball for to the interview.
all four years of her high school career. “I didn’t think I’d actually want to
After high school, McKnight work here because I had never heard of
knew she wanted to go to college. She OHS,” McKnight said.
applied to college in hopes of becom- After this, McKnight has now worked
ing a pediatrician. However, McK- at OHS for six years and counting.
night attended an in-person pediatrician Picture of McKnight for During her time at OHS, McKnight has also
Yearbook
job-shadow and quickly discovered she Permission to print by Olen- applied (for a side job) as a hand model!
did not like the hospital setting. tangy High School “I actually had two offers!” McKNight

She was accepted into the Uni- said. “If I’m always telling my students to go
versity of Virginia. She went into college to work with after their dreams, I have to walk that walk.”
kids. In fact, she ran a youth league during her years at Both job offers were located in California.
college. She began with just their basketball program McKnight was set out to attend one photo shoot, but
and ended up with a program containing the sports of they had cancelled the shoot last minute and the other
tennis, swim, soccer, basketball and gymnastics. She job opportunity would only hire her if she lived in Cali-
enjoyed this so much. McKnight said college was the fornia.
best part of her life. “I’m proud of myself for trying though,” McK-
“I still go on vacation with a group of friends night said.
from college,” McKnight said. If McKnight had to choose another career, she would
Eventually, McKnight graduated from UV and didn’t become an Entertainment and Sports Programming
know where she had planned on going from there. She Network (ESPN).
then moved back to Cleveland in hopes of discovery of “I love football and basketball!” McKnight said,
what she wanted to do for a future career. “And if I had to choose between the National Football
McKnight worked for Cleveland Scholarships League or college football, I would choose college foot-
Programs and helped expose middle school students ball.”
to college, and here she realized what she wanted to An aspiration McKnight has is to start a nonprofit orga-
do for her career. The kids she had worked with in this nization that’s targeted towards helping the youth.
program would come to her about personal issues, and “I want it to be a one-stop-shop to help with P

she was happy she had built trust with them. She liked their physical and mental well-being,” Mcknight said.

Page 5 May 2021

Permission to print by the official Disney fanclub

Olentangy Introduces New hybrid schedule News Article

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22

Olentangy produces a new hybrid schedule due to the There are some students who do find the schedule
COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. This hybrid sched- affects them in a different way.
ule has students going to schools in two groups on
certain days of the week. This helps minimize the spread of “It’s been both good and bad. At first it was hard to
COVID-19. get on a schedule but now I like it and it is easier for me to
learn than in school all the time,” freshman Gabriella Ross
Due to the new schedule, there are varying opinions on how said.
students and teachers feel about the new learning schedules.
There are also students who haven’t been able to
“Hybrid has been hard because experience a full high school experience.
I feel like I’m not learning anything and “Hybrid has been Students are upset they’re unable to experience

I’m falling behind in my schoolwork.” hard because I feel things like homecoming but are happy they’re
Sophomore Breanna Ball said. like I’m not learning a freshman rather than a senior because they’re
“not missing out on too much,” Ross said.
There are teachers who also find anything and I’m Although students have days off during the week,
it a bit difficult to help students learn falling behind in my teachers have to attend school everyday.
during the virtual days for students and schoolwork.” Soph-

difficulty in their students finishing the omore Breanna Ball A huge improvement would be to have
work during home days. no school on Wednesday. Rather than having
students switch, this could help teachers use this
“Most students are great about virtual work but not at all.
But, I’m not sure if that would be any different with home- day to better their lesson plans. Stuller said.

work assignments if we were full time,” Science teacher
Katie Stuller said.

Permission to print by cornel1801.com

Permission to print by inside the magic

May 2021 Page 6

Personality Profile Samuel Myers: The lmmaker

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22

Samuel L. Myers was born on May 11, 2006. Born and raised in Lewis said.
Center, Ohio and a freshman at Olentangy High School. In 5-10 Sometimes, he may create a story using past experiences and sit-
years, 14-year-old Myers sees himself in California, living inde-
uations. Other times, he uses creativity and creates a new story, with some
pendently in an apartment, with his dream job. true occurrences. He may just include a different setting, characters, and
Myers aspires to be a filmmaker. He envisions going to college in outcomes. Or he may just use his imagination to come up with something
Ohio to pursue this dream. He’s very interested in unique.
movies and shows, specifically drama and action. Although they are his films, sometimes he may not mak
During the pandemic, he had spent most of his himself a main character. Sometimes his character may be
time watching and studying movies. He enjoys someone you can relate to or maybe a person whom you
writing screenplays although he mainly keeps understand what they’re going through.
those scripts private. Or maybe he’s a side character that is there and may be
Myers’ favorite movie would be Spi- more of a symbolic thing or someone who helps the main
der-Man: Into the Spider-verse. He enjoys this character through a dilemma .
movie because, Myers also is a very introverted person, however he is a
he “feels as if he can relate,” Myers said. Not the great friend to those around him.
part about having superpowers or being bit by a “Sam is a really good friend and has a good sense of
spider, but because of growing up as a young teen- humor. He is very unique in a good way and he is the kind
age boy. The stressors you get, the amount of new of person that can help reset your mind during a stressful
things coming and going through your life and day at school. He’s a good guy and a great friend to have,”
learning to adapt to life and it’s situations thrown Permission to print by Sam Myers’ best friend, Cole said.

at you. Myers’ uses filmmaking to elaborate on his personality.
The reasoning behind Myers’ love for filmmaking is not only the Although most may not read too much into the average movie, Myers’
story, but sometimes the hidden meaning. For his screenplays, he uses real does. He wants to help people with movies. He wants to use flims to get
life experiences. He uses his knowledge from the past and creates stories
out of his life and occurrences. Staying true to himself however, he doesn’t these stories of his out there in a different voice.

change the plot. He makes minor changes to save the identities of others.
“Films get his story out there without being too direct.” Myers

Page 7 May 2021

Permission to print by OhMyDisney

Kneeling for the flag Sports Column

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22

e Indivisible and Justice for all.” Of to pledge allegiance to someone who to the suffering of their ancestors who,
course, these famous words stem from has frequently shown how divisible we surprise surprise, suffered at the hands
the one and only American pledge. are, hence the election of 2020. And, has of Americans. In fact, the Star Spangled
However, how factual is this claim, is shown how there is no “Justice for all,” Banner was written on Sept. 14, 1814 and
America really indivisible, is there really there’s only justice for those who fit the the Pledge of Allegiance was introduced
ke justice for all? Or is this just a claim to mold and keep their mouths shut. on Sept. 9, 1892. However, slavery was
e keep the oh so wonderful image that is
America. “But you’re disrespecting those not banished until Jan. 31, 1865. Jim
who have died in the war.” They say. Ac- Crow laws began as early as 1865 and
How old were you when you tually, you’re not. The pledge of allegiance were not legally abolished until 1964. If
learned the pledge? First, second grade? nor the Star Spangled Banner references you do the math correctly, Jim Crow laws
n Maybe kindergarten? Think about that, any veterans whatsoever. It only states were still around when the Pledge and

and then think about how old you were things the country has accomplished the Star Spangled Banner were intro-
when you learned what you were saying. as a “whole” and actually doesn’t credit duced. Check your facts.
You are pledging yourself to a flag, a veterans at all. Respecting veterans is one Instead of criticizing and
country, where it is “Indivisible and there thing, but pledging allegiance to a coun- bashing people for not wanting to stand
d is Justice for all.” Wrong. try and a flag that hasn’t shown justice or for something that doesn’t even apply to
“I don’t even know why we say invisibility is a whole other. them, understand where the kneelers are
the pledge,” the AP Literature and Com- “We focus more on the past, rather than coming from. We can no longer expect
position teacher Erin Centa said. the future. It doesn’t say anything about everyone to do the exact same thing and
“What does it even mean to ‘let’s work towards this’,” junior Madison to believe in the exact same thing because
pledge allegiance? It’s more significant Koons said. in reality, not everyone is given the same
than anything besides the end of the In fact, some countries don’t circumstances. Therefore, instead of
battle,” Centa said even pledge allegiance. making people shut their mouths and
The definition of Allegiance is According to, https://black- make them stand for something that is
“loyalty or commitment of a subordinate sciencefictionsociety.com/page/afri- repeatedly bashing down minorities, you
to a superior or of an individual to a can-pledge should think again.
group or cause.” Honestly, it’s quite odd the African country pledges reference

Permission to print by D23

May 2021 Page 8

Photo Essay

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22

Page 9 May 2021

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22 Photo Essay

May 2021 Page 10

Yearbook By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22

Page 11

By: Jaelyn Peterson ‘22 Yearbook

Page 12



Hold On

Tight

May 2021
By: Olivia Heskett

Table Of Contents

3- Self Reflection Letter
4- Editoral
5- Sports Column
6 & 7- Photo Essay
8- Interview Article & Feature
Story
9- Personality Profile
10 & 11- Yearbook

Permission to print by: Abby McLaughlin, KatieHold On Tight
MacDowell, and Ellie Murphy
Self Reflection Letter

Olivia Heskett ‘23

Starting this year off in Hybrid, it was strange to say the
least. We got split into group A and group B so I was only
with half my classmates and did not have any super close
friends in my original class. Looking back now, I have gotten
to know and love all my classmates. Once, we combinded with
group B the class became a lot more fun and intresting to go to.
Having Mrs. Roads back to back calsses second semester, (11th
period Jornalism and 12th period Etymology), I think it is safe to
say there is no other teacher I would raher have for almost two
hours straight. I have loved Mrs. Roads since day 1 of school.
With this crazy year, she has been very understanding about
everything. Espeically about me being in my double boots. I am
so exicted to go into Broadcast next year, since my sister will be
a freshman next year, I can not wait to embarrass her when she
sees me on Tangy Today. Since I signed up for broadcast with
one of my bestfriends, Tatem, I know it will be such a good start
to my school day everymorning. This year of Journalism has
truly been an unforgetbale year, I have loved every project we
have done and strongly feel like I have grown as a person, writer,
and student. I can not wait to see what the future has in store for
me, I know great things are coming my Junior and Senior year.
Once those times come, I can always come back to read this self
relection letter as a reminder of a simpler time. My best advice
to my future self is just to do what I have done in Journalism all
year, be yourslef, control what you can control, over thinking
gets you no where, and most imporantly have fun and continue My Journalism Friends & I at the end of Sophmore Year
to enjoy the process.

Page 2 : Self Reflection : May 2021

Hold On Tight

High School And Lockers Are Not
The Right Combination

Olivia Heskett timental attachment to using their
lockers. Middle school is where it
RLewis Center, Ohio needs to end, let the last of your locker
emember in 4th and 5th grade experience be good memories. Today,
when we would race our it is obvious that we have no interest
friends to our lockers to see in claiming a thin metal box.
who could open it faster. Since then, it This does not just occur at Olentangy,
has not been as shown in the movies according to The Washington Post,
where students decorate and socialize “At Rock Ridge High… Home to
at their lockers. Instead, it has become 21,000 students, principal John Du-
an inconvenience to stop before class, ellman estimates that 90 percent of
it has become a safety issue where sophomores, juniors and seniors do
students can hide drugs and weapons not use their lockers”
and it has become unneeded due to Freshmen are more likely to hold
the fact that most school work is done onto their middle school habits but
online. entering highschool comes with many
Here at THE Olentangy High School, changes, no more lockers should be
we are proud to be the Main Cam- added to that list.
pus but it is no surprise that our Overall, Lockers are outdated. The
school is outdated compared to other space they take up could be put to
Olentangy schools in the district. It much better use, the safety factor is
has been a long 68 years since our going to just keep becoming more and
school first opened. With the con- more of an issue, and the time man-
stant growth that our district is going agement is too demanding. Technolo-
through, interventions are needed gy is taking over the world and lockers
here. are not in the future.
How many more elementary schools
are going to be built before Olentangy Kenna Mast and Olivia Heskett In 7th grade celebrating 13!
gets recognition?
Considering that there are almost
1,500 students here at tangy, and that
number just keeps expanding- We
need more space. Taking into consid-
eration that lockers are useless at our
age, it makes the most sense to take
them out and use the space to expand
the classrooms.
It is a valid point that lockers give
“the highschool experience” but our
experiences are constantly evolving.
The nature of school changing.
People like having their belongings
with them at all times. For most
students, the issue is time and con-
venience. Schools are huge, lockers
are being left in the dust, and this just
calls for more unnecessary work for
our custodians and cleaning staff.
Decorating lockers for birthdays was
something popular in middle school.
High school students have no sen-

Permission to print by: Kenna Mast

Page 4 : Editoral : May 2021

Hold On Tight

Team Chemistry Is Key

Olivia Heskett
Lewis Center, Ohio

How many tears are shed on senior Team chemistry is equivalent to cooper- “The team atmosphere was the best I have
night? That solely depends on ation, no matter how talented the players ever been around”.
how close a specific team is with are, if they don’t work well together, they It is no secret that team chemistry does
their Seniors. For the 2020-2021 Olen- will not accomplish much. Of course there not just form overnight. Everyday, players
tangy Girls Soccer Team the whole season are very talented players on the soccer need to show up and commit to each
is emotional to look back on. From being team, but not to the point where it made other. That is why it is important to invest
ranked 8th in the division to coming time and effort. Everyone in a team
2nd in the state, it is safe to say that should be loyal to each other and work-
this has been a year for the girls soc- ing towards the same goal. Having selfish
cer program to remember. So what players will get a team nowhere.
does it take to make school history? “It is a team sport, we couldn’t have done
Through the whispers of “not being it without each other and I strongly be-
good enough” and all of the talk lieve everyone on our team had the same
about being “underdogs”, the girls thought process when it comes to that,”
silenced it out, played the sport they Macdowell said.
love, and most importantly played it In the following seasons, the Braves
together. Team work does make the Soccer team will never be the same. Se-
dream work after all. niors are moving on to the next chapters
It is said that teams with good chem- in their life and a new coaching staff
istry are more productive because has been added. However, change is
they understand what each member brings Lady Braves 2020-21 Soccer Team not always a bad thing, just because one
to the team. Therefore, strengths can be amazing season is over does not mean that
Permission to print by: @Olentangywsoc21
Twitter
maximized and weaknesses can be mini- them carry a big ego. Throughout the en- what was done in the past can not be done
mized. tire season, the Braves stayed humble and again. Team chemistry is key. Youth sports
As Babe Ruth reportedly once said, “You worked for everything they earned. When are when some of your lifelong friends are
may have the greatest bunch of individual a team has good chemistry, it shows. made, make sure childhood memories are
stars in the world, but if they don’t play Kaite Macdowell first hand experienced a positive experience. The “impossible”
together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” the remarkable season, can be done with the right team .

Permission to print by: @Olentangywsoc21
Twitter

Permission to print by: @ Permission to print by: @
Olentangywsoc21 Twitter Olentangywsoc21 Twitter

Page 5 : Sports Column : May 2021

Hold On Tight

Page 6 : Photo Essay : May 2021

Hold On Tight

Page 7 : Photo Essay : May 2021

Hold On Tight

Olivia Heskett ‘23 Hecker’s Inside Scoop
Lewis Center, Ohio
lentangys own Miss Hecker, Permission to print by: OHS Beacon“I like making you guys think… I have her former Gov teacher and
who goes by Rachel unpro- been told my classes are very difficult” “Lived {her} studies first”.
Hecker is very close with her whole Hecker advertised in commercials,
Ofessionally, teaches Honors10, family. In fact, when asked about her role worked for a non profit organization
models she quickly replies, and worked in a marketing firm before
AP Seminar, and AP Research here at “Obviously my parents, the best teachers becoming Mrs. Ross’s long term substitute
OHS. This is technically Heckers second I’ve ever had” teacher at Shanahan Middle School. Ever
year here at Olentangy, her first year was She then continues to elaborate on how Since, she has stayed within the Olentangy
during the 2017-18 school year then she often her parents taught her what it means district.
got transferred to Olentangy Orange and to have character. Rachel Hecker When she is not in school, Hecker enjoys
spent two years there. Growing up, Hecker was always an excep- pretty much all outdoor activities,
“It is so cool to see the kids I had as fresh- tional student, she attended Bishop Harley “Rock climbing and Paddle boarding”
men as seniors now” high school and was mostly in AP classes. were just two of the examples she named.
Hecker says after explaining her love for Her favorite classes however were AP Not to mention she loves to cook in her
Tangy, Government and AP Psychology. After free time. Hecker shared an interesting
“When I left Tangy I did not want to graduating, she took after the shadows of story,
leave, I was forced to transfer.” “One of my part time jobs in college was
This year we are happy to welcome Hecker being a nanny”
back home. From that, she has learned to cook Thai
However, no matter where she is located, Cuisine and especially loves cooking East
Hecker always knew she wanted to be a Asain style foods. Another fun fact about
teacher. Even though Hecker is one of six Hecker is that she once sang backup on
kids, she would take charge, give her sis- stage with Katy Perry in 2010.
ters lessons and play pretend school with Overall, Hecker is an amazing teacher and
them throughout her childhood. Hecker an even more amazing person. She goes
precedes to share, over the top to make sure she excels at her
“The best teachers I had, had very good job and what she does because as she says,
critical thinking skills’’ “There is no Traffic Jam on the
And Hecker reflects that back on to her extra mile”.
own teaching-

Olivia Heskett ‘23 “Phobias can be learned through observational/social learning.
For example, if your parents are afraid of heights, you may wit-
No More Fearing FearLewis Center, Ohio ness or observe their fear and in return develop a fear of heights
yourself.”
he fears we don’t face become our limits” - Robin There are different levels of fear and phobia, at all stages it is good
Sharma to talk about. People who struggle with a strong phobia are rec-
ommended to attend exposure therapy. Everyone is human and
“TThe impact of fear on the human brain is very power- has worries, but doubts should not be a set back in this precious
life.
ful, it completely changes the process of information. Being afraid
is a beyond normal experience that everyone faces, but that only
lasts to an extent. The difference between fear and a phobia lies in
the normality of fear, versus the abnormal features of a phobia.
According to verywellmind.com, an estimated 9.1% of Americans
(over 19 million people) have a specific phobia. The word phobia
is very general as there are more than 400 recognized phobias out “Your largest fear carries
there. Two of the most popular are Arachnophobia, fear of spi-
ders and Acrophobia, fear of heights. Sophomore, Molly Hartzel your greatest growth”
describes her less common phobia, Ostraconophobia (Fear of
shrimp) -Unknown

“I have never liked the look of shrimp, they always make me kind Premission to print by: Journal of
of queasy when I look at them and I used to have weird night- Bioequivalence & Bioavailability
mares about them.”
Hartzel gives advice to people who struggle with a phobia too,
“Slowly build your tolerance to your fear by exposing yourself
little by little” Insight therapists believe that the way out of fear is
to go through it. If fear is faced, then it will soon begin to subside.
Confronting fear brings a sense of accomplishment and empow-
erment, every time one fear is overcome, anxiety loses strength.
Oftentimes people evolve phobias off of things they have never
experienced. Taylor Thines, Olentangys AP Psychology teacher
explains,

Page 8 : Interview Article & Feature Story : May 2021

Hold On Tight

Kassidy And Her Adventures

Olivia Heskett ‘23
Lewis Center, Ohio

WtfHshHdsCntfCfoaaohthiaoohammeaufeesstfnnoerewteidigtfadanrllhyyryyaadteaaeeoee,,onsnnah.awLsucottbdrLhwhewtennspoieJtsaitklrl’hrotsotuyaa.anhelocpHdltpd,HtseihhhosiidCr.onewvsheoelifeWieodnodrwieajiMnistelrsgiisuhbiaJycnytbsiiutwtusmhtocsohhochnaathturhuheteefbeiuitsholeirroegkuihlron.ndotsoramnasetpTwfotonlJirsaobCherMrneoehakmw.aaaosiymdevMictlinamislwecyesowtlw,d.heyshlamloiKdieipSletasenmtverhaatnhogeaheggaehsdrsarteohecroataseinvzo.aahaesintsiedttnEnrleapOoisadsymdvonloHtiHphentadHnoolreeer.oSilyeO’ttrsndOOviabnyytgelehLHnnhoheiorgsiroevdaaioeu,dstoevernoiivtsSe’tmsns’twfahtwstrthoiaecarseihalrehgmratadoveeiytvhatwnsineerietvtfogarav1daalmnkosmyevt5nwehebnet.reteryeiilfooheeSitrafdeonlwwhadtaheaasltgrylervalht.issaihoettnnratrrttlaevde“dTHmqttHbtU“AoohluuiehIneafoieutcagvef’ennsfrueswkrieioenprsrtlantegr,oraeiantatttaaeKnsv.auhrtrllN.ertiiieosino.nnsaauaaeafutaniesoncwiltinni,asdhresasdbsdlnlZtasAy!Hiaui!oukdnientusHfeepaitucmtsveleeaahatnarirrlvanaeeassawdelysuondslgstiipadosiv.aldinyopene.Alohfgrvertbctenetocsoe.nasuhsreaodSumtsjsernhftuppyqegtahefoeg.leeuomuauetgbriatitrtsslntsiahulceeldittcgayoert…omhekyeloptswiesosplobfttykleraiitpaemtnoeorithhnclneymaabsaaeedgtecsnvuwi!aaeesoecto”st,eoso”onettHsHarhulHetatklooreeteehdbunte’amgsaellercweetesfhxttaehs!aaelitc!en.evtioamlhrdhSSioassmet.hhdipratrhmrieehrntaasteeieveelcsawnrasle.tlaugfmssualan.ionhnarosieoirttvmkqseyweseru.aorpelts

sometimes. Emphasis on the JR.
He’s sister, Hannah who describes her as
“Witty and never fails to make anyone laugh’’
Hannah then explains a little bit about the most memorable
vacation with He,
“The most recent one was Cancun! It was pretty memorable
because Kass and I like to explore locally alot, I know peo-
ple like to stay on their report the entire time but Kass and I
would go around asking locals where to go and what to do,”
Hannah said.
She describes the Island, Isla Mujeres and how the only way

Kassidy He enjoys her drink while on vacation
Permission to print by: Kassidy He

Kassidy He posing by flowers before a day of
Permission to print by: Kassidy He
exploring

Page 9 : Personality Profile : May 2021

Hold On Tight

Page 10 : Year Book : May 2021

Hold On Tight

Page 11 : Year Book : May 2021

We’re Growing up

Serving up Success

man - may 2021By: Annabelle Cush

Serve’s Up magazine

permission to print from google images

Serve’s Up Table of Contents

Editorial - “Hilarious? More Like Painful” Page 3

Photo Essay - “Volleyball Team Crushes It at Tournament” Page 4/5

Sports Column - “Spandex Shouldn’t be Mandatory” Page 6

Letter to the Editor - “Dear Mrs. Roads” Page 7

Yearbook Theme - “Covid Turns Olentangy Inside Out” Page 8/9

News Story - “Olentangy Redesigns Their Brand” Page 10

Review - “Sustainable Christmas Gift Ideas” Page 10

Personality Profile - “Polina Hock: Competitive Figure Page 11
Skater”

Feature - “Humane Society Thrives During Pandemic” Page 12

Personality Profile - “Angel Fuels Curiousity Through Page 13
Learning”

permission to print from google images

Winners are not people who never

FAIL

but people who never

QUIT

Page 2 | May 2021

Hilarious? More like Painful Serve’s Up
By: Annabelle Cushman ‘24
wo girls whisper in the back of the class. They are
talking about how they think the boy two seats in high school,” adults often say. Teasing, isolating certain
students, and repetitively making jokes at another’s ex-
Tfront of them is a teacher’s pet. Near the windows, pense are considered natural parts of growing up. Plus,
a tall boy reaches over to scribble a crude joke on some- it is a valuable lesson to help toughen kids up, right?
one else’s paper when they are not paying attention. The While this mentality is certainly common, it is det-
teacher is going over the partner activity with a group in rimental and leads victims to avoid seeking help or speaking
the front, completely oblivious to the student behind her up. It is important to understand that bullying is not confined
struggling alone because her partner is discussing last to the school day. It bleeds into every aspect of a person’s life.
night’s game with his buddy. Two girls come back from Maybe the girl will think about this incident for
the bathroom, having just heard one of the basketball the next week. Maybe the high-pitched voice will keep
players tried to steal his best-friend’s boyfriend. This may her awake at night. None one but her will know how she
sound like some silly sit-com about high school on Netflix, will be permanently scarred by their words and actions.
but it is happening in Olentangy’s classrooms everyday. There are long-lasting effects of bullying that
According to the National Bullying Preven- people who have not experienced it tend to forget about.
tion Center one in five kids is bullied at school. Many “Students who experience bullying are at increased risk
people do not realize it, but spreading rumors, mock- for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower aca-
ing others and making sexual jokes can all be forms of demic achievement, and dropping out of school,” said
bullying. Even if it is funny, it often causes acute pain for the Center for Disease Control. Additionally, a scientif-
the victim. The basic definition for bullying is an aggres- ic research paper by Gianluca Gini said students who are
sive behavior “that involves a real or perceived pow- bullied are “2.6 times more likely to attempt sui-
er imbalance” and is repetitive, said StopBullying.gov. cide than students not facing victimization.”
When we are having fun with our friends, it is What happened to the two basketball players
easy to forget the impact our words have. Nevertheless, fighting over a boy? Was that story even true? How did the
it is important to take into consideration others’ feelings. girl react to the sexual joke written on her paper? What
Turning back to the scene in the classroom, a short about the boy who was called a teacher’s pet? Did he cry,
girl is having an animated conversation with the teacher or did he not care at all? If the people in this story had
about their cats. As the bell rings, a boy sitting near her been considerate of those around them in the first place,
speaks in falsetto. He mocks the girl word for word while we would not have to ask these questions at all. Whether
she is still in earshot as the girls around him giggle. Her done thoughtlessly or in jest or perhaps even intentional-
hands shake as she tries to quickly shove her supplies into ly, people ended up hurt. Not everyone wears their emo-
her bag. Perhaps this was a “harmless” joke or maybe they tions on their sleeves, but bullying wounds everyone in-
think she deserves it for “kissing up to the teacher.” Either volved. Recognize your effect on others and choose kind.
way, the girl was probably hurt by what she overheard.
Still, much of society disregards bullying as
something students should just deal with. “It’s a part of

permission to print from google images Page 2 | Editorial | May 2021

Serve’s Up

Page 4 | Photo Essay | May 2021

Serve’s Up

Page 5 | Photo Essay | May 2021

SpandexServe’sUp Should not Be Mandatory
P By: Annabelle Cushman ‘24
eople often associate two high school sports with in high school. Boys are often allowed to wear basket-
“slutty” girls. Cheerleading and volleyball. Why? ball shorts. At Olentangy, however, the required shorts
Their uniforms expose skin, lots of skin. Once are a few inches shorter than basketball shorts nor-
called “bun huggers,” spandex ariae the most common mally are. Players say this makes them uncomfortable.
shorts required for school volleyball. Cheerleading uni- It is not just the girls that
forms usually include a skirt cut as short as possible. have a problem with their uniform.
It is not these athletes’ Admittedly, after six or sev-
fault schools force them to wear en years of volleyball, spandex do
revealing clothing to participate in not faze most older players. Some
a sport they love. While you might players enjoy wearing them out-
not have a problem with high side of school. This does not mean,
schoolers wearing spandex, it is however, they appreciated wearing
important to remember most play- spandex in elementary school. Yes,
ers were introduced to volleyball at spandex do not reveal a player’s
ages eight or nine, and leagues and privates when they dive or roll, but
clubs encourage girls to wear span- neither does leggings, longer shorts
dex from the start. Should eight- or track shorts with spandex under-
year-olds really be running around neath. There are plenty of options.
with their booties hanging out? Furthermore, spandex do
According to one high not adhere to most schools’ dress
school coach, her school forced codes. Players can not wear them
her to make the switch from to school, but the school forc-
basketball shorts to spandex es them to play with spandex?
when she was in high school. Other athletes wear their
She says she was uncomfortable Uniform Example jerseys and uniforms to school. Sports like lacrosse

with “having all that leg exposed.” Imagine how she allow players to wear long sleeves under the tank-top
would feel if she had grown up in the current volley- jersey. The rule books of other sports do not eject play-
ball era, where spandex is required from day one. ers from the game if their uniform is not exactly like
C oach- everyone else’s. In
es claim spandex “It is not these athletes’ fault schools force volleyball, if some-
improves flexibil- them to wear revealing clothing to participate one’s spandex is the
ity and range of wrong color or the
motion. Coach- in a sport they love.” wrong brand the

es claim the switch was not made for “sexual appeal” referees may disqualify them.
or to increase the spectator count. Coaches claim Adults constantly criticize teenage girls for
longer shorts irritate girls when they are playing. wearing “inappropriate” clothing. School adminis-
What about trators rage over too
the uniform rules for short shorts and ex-
college? The Nation- posed shoulders.
al Collegiate Athletic How can girls know
Association allows any better when
players to wear leg- sports force them
gings during matches, to don skimpy uni-
so the length of the forms at young ages?
garment must not be Clothing that
crucial to a player’s sexualizes girls and
ability to compete. promotes “slutty”
The boys outfit choices needs
uniform is also dif- to stop immedi-
ferent from the girls ately. Loosen up

permission to print from google images Uniform Example

Page 6 | Sports Column | May 2021

Dear Mrs. Roads Serve’s Up
By: Annabelle Cushman ‘24

Dear Mrs. Roads,

I adored Intro to Journalism this year. I’ve learned so
much and my writing skills definitely improved. Switching
from passive voice to active voice enhanced my writing in
all genres. In addition, the mandatory interviews forced
me to become more comfortable in difficult social interac-
tions. My conversational skills are much improved!
I find the discussions we have in class thought provoking.
You are talented at facilitating discussions with political
topics while keeping them civilized. I’m glad we talked
about current events every week in your class. I wouldn’t
know about anything that is happening otherwise.
My favorite part of the class, though, is working with In-
design. In the past I’ve experimented with graphic design
both in school and at home, but this is way more in depth.
It feels like my presentation creating skills have vast-
ly improved. Figuring out different ways to make spreads
interesting is incredibly entertaining. It’s a way to use my
creativity that doesn’t lead to burn out.
The photo essay project showed me the power of images. I
want to get better at photography. A career in wildlife pho-
tography is now something I’m considering because of this
project. I read a book once about a photojournalist. The
book made it seem difficult, but my photo essay proved I
could be a photojournalist.
Although I took this class because my mom was in the
school newspaper, (and so I could be more Rory Gilmore),
now I want to stay because I actually like journalism. Next
year I’ll take Yearbook. I’m excited to try Beacon at some
point, too.
Speaking of classes to take next year, Ava has me con-
vinced Etymology is the best thing to ever grace this Earth.
I might be changing my schedule around.
Basically, I loved everything about Intro to Journalism. I
would cry for future students if they stopped offering it.

Thank you for helping me fall in love with writing again,
Annabelle

permission to print from noun project Page 7 | Letter to the Editor | May 2021

Serve’s Up

Page 8 | Yearbook Theme | May 2021

Serve’s Up permission to print from google images

Page 9 | Yearbook Theme | May 2021

Serve’s Up

Olentangy Redesigns Their Brand
By: Annabelle Cushman ‘24

Since the beginning of 2019, our schools have The block ‘O’ used by
been working on a district-wide rebranding Olentangy is recognizable
project. The district’s logo has been revealed and simple, but is also
and all the elementary schools have new mascots. trademarked by The Ohio
The middle schools’ revealed theirs last night. State University. The other
Soon it will be Olentangy High School’s turn. high schools in the district,
(excluding Berlin), also
These changes will not be huge use trademarked symbols.
though, according to Krista Davis, who is “It’s important
head of communications at the district’s main that we remove any marks that
office. She is in charge of the rebranding effort. are also used by other entities,” Davis said.
Olentangy students have
“Olentangy will still be the Braves,” mixed feelings about the new identity.
Davis said. “School colors will remain the same.” “I think it is a better idea to change the
mascot,” freshman Lauren Meyer said, “but I’m
For the athletic department, just going along [with the administration’s] idea.”
this means new uniforms and equipment Mia Custodio, a member of the
displaying the new logo. The rebranding basketball team, said she thought it was
is nearing completion, although replacing the right thing to do but “there’s also a lot
the equipment may take some time. of history with the mascot we have now.”

According to Davis, “the high school
brand project teams began meeting in late
2020,” and the logos are expected to be revealed
in April 2020. She went on to say the new
mascot is “currently under development.”

permission to print from olsd

SUstainable Christmas gift Ideas

By: Annabelle Cushman ‘24

Page 10 | News/Feature | May 2021

Hock Skates to represent Serve’s Up
heritage

By: Annabelle Cushman ‘24

Modern history has painted Russia as Elbert also said
a barbaric sort of country. The place Hock puts a lot of hard
where large men with big beards work into her passion.
drink vodka and tough it out in the cold. She wakes up early to
It is easy to forget Russia is modern just like go to practice, and she
the US and full of artists. Russia has produced great has just moved into a by: yulia hock
musicians, artists and dancers, and Polina Hock is an harder level. Like many
exampleofthis.Hockisacompetitivefigureskater.Figure other athletes, Hock
skating is a combination of sport and performance, was forced to work at
becoming quite competitive in the recent decades. home during the global
Hock recalls her parents taking her to the rink pandemic. She has
when she was young. After moving to the U.S. when been doing Zoom calls
she was six, she found a rink near her and decided to with her coaches and
try skating at a competitive level. Hock is now 14 years keeps up her workouts. Hock skates at the Chiller ice rink.
old and has been entering more intense competitions
after years of practice. But for Hock, figure skating From the trips to Her performance was a part of an
the ice rink in Russia to the annual holdiay showcase.
isn’t just about competitions
winning, she in Ohio, Hock has come a long way
said she loves because of her passion for skating.
the feeling of Through skating she connects to her
freedom she childhood as well as her heritage as half-
gets when by: yulia hock Russian. Everyone should find a passion
she skates. that makes them feel as free as Hock
She forgets does when she’s flying across the ice.
everything and Figure skating is the oldest winter
just focuses sport in the Olympics, and thus
on skating to has a long history. Polina Hock is
the best of her an aspiring athlete competing in a
abilities. Figure demanding sport, doing her best to
skating is a At a rink in Cleveland, Hock competes uphold the legacy of the skaters before her.
sport that is about with a holiday themed routine. This
beating yourself, competition was in November of 2018.
not other skaters.
Although she is on a team, competitions
are much more individualized. Each skater has
a program they follow with dancing bits and
complicated jumps and spins. Anyone who has
watched figure skating knows jumps can be dangerous,
but Hock said jumping is definitely her favorite by: yulia hock
part even though she’s usually scared of falling.
“You kind of get used to it,” she said.
Kelsey Elbert, a dancer who is close friends
with Hock, gave insight into the dance elements of
figure skating as well as the hard work Hock puts
into her sport. Elbert said while traditional dance
is meant to look effortless, ice skating should show
off your skill. Although there is music and the
origin of figure skating is the practice of waltzing
on ice, the jumps and turns are most important. Hock performs at the Chiller again, as a fresh-

man. This event was after months away from the

rink because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Page 11 | Feature | May 2021

Serve’s Up Humane Society Thrives
During Pandemic
C By: Annabelle Cushman ‘24
ars flash by as from home’ kind of position.”
you hurry down If you are not sure you are prepared for a big
the highway. You commitment like a new pet, you should consider
glance at the clock, ten fostering. Fostering is when you take care of an
minutes until you should animal for a short period of time because there is
by: annabelle cushaman be at your office. Sirens no room for it at the shelter. HSDC allows people
blare in the distance, you to foster all sorts of animals, including guinea pigs.
just passed a wreck on Pee and her family recently adopted a
the other side. You focus guinea pig after fostering her for a few months.
on the skyscrapers slowly “We really enjoyed being able to sort
coming into view. And of try to learn what a guinea pig was like to
that’s when you see it. care for before committing to it,” says Pee.
A kitten huddles According to the HSDC’s website,
against the all you have to do is fill out an application
Butterscotch spends most of her day look- concrete border, and they will notify you
ing out the window. Filling up her food bowl eyes wide, pawing about foster opportunities.
was the only thing that could distract her. at the ground. Kitten season is

You have two approaching fast and will
choices: keep going and make it to work on last through the beginning of by: annabelle cushaman
time, or you can stop and help this poor kitten. summer. There are two rooms
Situations like this happen more often dedicated solely to kittens
than one would expect. But what if you don’t duringthistimebecausetheyare
have room for a pet at home? That’s where the the most popular at the shelter.
hero of this story comes in: the Humane Society! Riley Hedderman,
Even during a global pandemic and a freshman at Liberty High
quarantine, the Humane Society of Delaware School, rescued two ferrets
County or HSDC (located on Route 37, just over quarantine. She says she
minutes away from downtown Delaware) has had wanted Grayson meows loudly everytime someone
been able to stay open thanks to its dedicated ferrets “for a comes into the lobby. The Maine Coon was
volunteers and staff. While they have had to really long time.” adopted two days after the photo was taken.
close open browsing of their animals, people They
interested in adopting can make appointments. did not come from HSDC, but they have had
This can make it harder because “you ferrets there in the past. If you are looking for
kind of have to know what animal you want something more unique, a ferret or guinea
to visit and so that limits your pig may be perfect for you.
options,” says Evelyn Pee, mother “We felt like she was really
of freshman Zoe Karavaev. sweet,” says Pee about her
As people are stuck guinea pig, “she loves to cuddle.”
working at home, they turn to a Whether you want to adopt or
new furry (or scaly) companion to by: zoe karavaev not, the least you can do to help is
keep them company. This has been save the poor kitten you see on the
great for HSDC, but Pee reminds highway and take it to the Humane
us “you really need to be aware Society of Delaware County where
that this is a long commitment you know it’ll be well cared for.
and not just a kind of spur of the
moment home ‘oh I’m working Karavaev’s guinea pig, Pua, snacks on some

romaine lettuce. Pua’s cage was near the kitchen,

so she gets lots of treats.

Page 12 | Feature | May 2021