Chronicle 18.6

An aerial view of Shadow Lake Mobile Home Village, the neighborhood Emerik Moser lives in.

Design by Aadrija Biswas

2 Cover Story February 19, 2021

KILLEN IT
Killens makes the most of senior year on the basketball court

Abby Waechter | Staff Writer The athlete who scored two varsity kind of left,” Killens said. “When I came three of those games the Comets were
points during his junior season returned back to Mason, I didn’t know if I would victorious.
Trey Killens has undergone a trans- as a varsity starter and would play get another shot to play.”
formation. nearly every minute of every game. Killens admitted he has an extreme-
Not only did Killens play, but he be- He went so far as to admit that his ly competitive side and a fire helps
From varsity benchwarmer a year came the league’s top scorer putting up motivating factor has been to gain rec- fuel him when he plays. He said
ago, Killiens is now the Greater Miami impressive offensive numbers. ognition from his dad and to match his this is one of the areas in which he has
Conference’s leading scorer and one of legacy. Killens carries himself humbly grown considerably because in the past
the most explosive offensive scorers in The key to it all: practice, determina- when it comes to his skills on the court that competitive fire could sometimes
Mason Comets’ basketball history. tion and a little bit of competition. even when he walks into class and cause him to get distracted but now he
finds his friends watching his replays; has learned to channel it to energize his
In middle school when the Mason While in lockdown, with workouts however, the remarks he receives from game.
High School coaches were watching and opportunities to play AAU basket- his dad after his games fill him with a
middle school games to get a look at ball games put on hold, Killens worked special type of pride that encourages “I can get a little mad at times,” Kil-
their potential high school prospects, out on his own for nearly three hours him to work harder. lens said. “I use that [anger] to control
Killens wasn’t on the court. His answer a day. The habits he made for himself how I play the game and it’s been really
to the question about his presences on during a time of uncertainty allowed Killens mentioned a post-game com- good for me lately.”
the court is a very short one. “I was cut,” for him to later showcase the potential ment earlier in the season from his dad
Killens said. that his coaches knew he had since the that was particularly special to him. A year ago he was a junior var-
beginning of his basketball career. When his dad quietly looked over at sity player. Currently he sits atop the
Three years ago Killens played spar- him with a proud grin on his face and conference in scoring at 22.7 points
ingly on the freshman team. Sopho- “He has put in the time and has said “good game,” the younger Killens per game, a lock to be a first team all
more year he played on the junior worked extremely hard at developing felt an incredible sense of pride and the conference performer, and a candidate
varsity “B” team. Junior year he was a into a nice player,” Richards said. “We affirmation that his dad was not only for the conference’s player of the year.
junior varsity player who periodically knew he had the talent -- we’ve seen it proud of his son but also impressed His scoring average has caught the
got to sit on the bench with the varsity since his freshman year.” with him made him even more confi- attention of Mason competitors and
team. dent and energized to work even harder now his play has gained the attention
At the start of quarantine, Killens’ on the court. It was a simple remark, yet of college coaches. Killens would like
During his junior year Killens played practices and conditioning came to a one that has had an incredible influence to continue playing at the collegiate
the majority of his minutes on the halt when the gyms he had relied on on his unforgettable senior season. level and college coaches have not been
junior varsity level and barely saw any shut down. To maintain his practice shy in displaying their interest in his
varsity action, scoring a grand total schedule, Killens went to Cincinnati Killens has worked his way up the potential to play for them and the hot
of two points. Mason head coach Greg so he could practice at his uncle’s gym chain of Mason basketball teams with shot scoring guard is willing and eager
Richards saw potential in Killens. Rich- where he had the opportunity to shoot his dedication to getting better. The for the opportunity to do so.
ards believed he had tremendous ability for two to three hours everyday. On the determination to prove his potential to
but in order to harness all the potential, days when he could not make the trip, his coaches and dad has paid off. As the Killens believes he can play college
Killens would need to become more he said that he simply “went outside top scorer in the league, Killens wants basketball and he knows that has to
focused. and shot.” to continue his offensive output but continue working on his overall game
also wants to make sure he does it while in order to prove he belongs on a col-
At the conclusion of the 2020 season, According to Killens, his dedication helping his team win games. Killens has lege roster. For now Killens said that
Killens received a few words of encour- to practice came from his father and scored over 30 points in four games -- in one goal of his remains constant.
agement from Richards who told him the desire to pave the way for his own
to channel his competitive nature into legacy. Trey’s father Terry Killens is a “Score.”
his work -- a gesture that sparked a former professional linebacker who
‘you can do this’ mentality which paved spent seven seasons playing in the Na-
the way for the success of his current tional Football League for the Tennes-
season. see Titans, San Francisco 49ers and the
Seattle Seahawks.
Richards saw Killens’ potential since
his freshman year and knew that his Junior year, Killens decided to follow
best games were just over the horizon in his father’s footsteps and attend the
but it was going to take some work and same high school as his father, Purcell
some maturing. Marian High School. A few months
into his first semester, Killens realized
“Trey has grown so much in his that it would be best for him to return
four years with us, both physically and to Mason, where he could pursue his
mentally,” Richards said. “What used to legacy out of the shadow of his accom-
frustrate him before, he takes on as a plished father. Since his return, Killens
challenge now.” has made every minute he has received
on the basketball court worthwhile -- he
Killens’ evolution raised the eyebrows knew that transferring back to Mason
of many as the COVID-19 quarantine made the likelihood of being able to
halted school, sports, practices, and participate in games slim.
social interactions. Those who returned
to their various sports when restrictions “I regret the way I left when I trans-
were lifted were rusty and below par; ferred because I didn’t tell anyone, I just
Killens returned better than before.

February 19, 2021 Feature 3

Guo receives MLK Humanitarian Award for Coronavirus Relief Project

Della Johnson | Staff Writer

Mason High School Senior Jihao Guo’s efforts in Photo contributed by Jiahao Guo
helping his community have not gone unnoticed. Senior Jiahao Guo (middle) received the MLK Humanitarian Award, presented to him by Tamara Lang (left), UC Health Direc-
tor of Community Relations, and Daniel Maxwell (right), UC Health Manager of Community Relations. Guo was recognized for
In early 2020, Guo gathered a few friends together- his work as founder of the Coronavirus Relief Project.
-all of them teenagers--to start the Coronavirus Relief
Project (CRP), a nonprofit organization that provides Dr. Amy Acton and Renee Mahaffey Harris, both people. I think that’s a huge takeaway from this.”
masks and other health-related items to places in adults and long-time veterans in the medical field. While he has received acknowledgement and
need, whether it be internationally or, as Guo has Being so young in contrast to other award recipients the UC Health MLK Humanitarian Award for his
been aiding in more recent months, locally. The sup- hasn’t affected Guo, however-- it has only reminded founding and work on the CRP, the reasoning behind
port he provides assists people who are struggling him of how this common cause can unite people. the beginning of the project was, according to Guo,
with the COVID-19 pandemic in having access to the purely out of concern for the people around him.
necessities they need to stay safe. “I don’t think there’s any special feeling in terms “When starting this [project], it wasn’t out of rec-
of being among these adults for this award,” Guo ognition purposes, it was entirely because COVID-19
The University of Cincinnati (UC) Health depart- said. “Ultimately, what we’re doing is we’re help- was decimating our community,” Guo said. “This is
ment and College of Medicine acknowledges yearly ing the community. There’s obviously many more something that’s not like other sorts of healthcare
outstanding contributors to the community with people here in Cincinnati and in Ohio who have also efforts, where it’s something that’s affecting only a
their Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. devoted a lot of time and effort in order to help the small group of people. COVID-19 is something that is
2021’s theme of the year is “Activism in Healthcare”, African American community, or the homeless com- in our community. The effects are entirely visible by
with the award being presented to people who took munity, or whoever needs it at this time. The other everybody. It’s not like we’re saving this community,
their interest in medicine and helping the people two [recipients] were doing direct aid with many but the impacts of this are humongous to the people
around them, on a path towards making a difference communities in Cincinnati. I think it’s just really an affected.”
for all of humanity. Guo, at just 18 years old, received honor to be able to help them in donating masks to Being a leader in this project for about a year now,
this award in January 2021 as the Founder and Execu- these organizations that are doing incredible work.” Guo has become accustomed to a life of volunteering
tive Director of his relief project. and charity. Once the pandemic is over, he hopes to
Helping the community goes beyond organiza- continue this kind of lifestyle, specifically if other or-
“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award,” Guo tions and groups for Guo. He was once contacted ganizations he were to get involved with were aiding
said. “The other two recipients are both leaders of by just an elderly couple-- two Mason residents who the people around him at just the same magnitude.
incredible organizations who have also been working were simply requesting four masks so they could “I participate in many other health care initiatives,
nonstop throughout this effort to serve this Cincin- go to a doctor’s appointment safely. He thought this helping to donate and helping to spread awareness,”
nati community. It’s truly an honor.” approach “was sort of surprising” as he had been Guo said. “But, for this specific type of project, like
expecting “only community organizations with those the Coronavirus Relief Project, if there’s an opportu-
The Coronavirus Relief Project began with Guo requests.” The CRP gave the couple around 10-20 nity to be had such as with COVID--being able to find
noticing the difficulty China faced during the early masks, and Guo said he learned a valuable lesson. masks in China to donate across the world. If there’s
stages of the soon-to-be global pandemic. He realized this kind of opportunity again, then I’ll definitely
that “there was a massive shortage of supplies” in the “It doesn’t matter the scale of the operation, it seize that, especially if it’s for helping the commu-
country, and the same situation soon became real- doesn’t matter the scale of the efforts,” Guo said. nity.”
ity in the United States. As China began to recover, “What matters is that, even though it may be small
they had a surplus of factory-made masks, while quantitatively, the impacts of any sort of effort, any
America’s supply of masks was running dry. The CRP sort of volunteerism, can be enormous for other
“began to fundraise and use that money to purchase
masks in China, to then ship over and donate to
[those masks] to groups in Cincinnati.”

The group has since raised over $10,000, and do-
nated over 15,000 masks to various hospitals, home-
less shelters, senior homes, and schools.

Although the project was a group effort, Guo
showed strong leadership in his founding position.
Constant reaching out for potential financial backing
and contact with groups that required aid proved to
be a large amount of work that Guo headed. Doing
all of this was a difficulty during a global pandemic
that led to devastation for many.

“I constantly had to be reaching out,” Guo said.
“Initially, I tried to find a sponsor to see if we could
see if we could get some company or some business
locally to fund this effort. But of course, COVID-19
isn’t exactly the most economically friendly thing.
Afterwards, it was a constant rush of reaching out to
donors, potential recipients, the media and all that to
get as many funds as possible to buy as many masks
as possible.”

Guo’s consistent effort towards bettering the world,
especially during such a troubling time, is part of the
reason why UC Health decided to award him with
the MLK Humanitarian Award. Other recipients were

4 News February 19, 2021

Mason staff, select students prioritized for COVID vaccine

Rilee Malloy | Staff Writer

Knowing when a COVID-19 vaccine Photo by Mikayla Poteet
would be readily available was a shot in Junior Gabby McCowan (left) received her second dose of the vaccine as a nursing home worker part of the first priority group
the dark for healthcare professionals last
March. said that staff were given the option to -- especially when educators were not a
choose. Out of 1300 total staff members, priority in many other states.
Now, almost a year later, Mason City 1158 said yes to getting the vaccine.
Schools (MCS) staff and some students Although only working at Mason
are in a priority group for the COVID-19 While Mason Christian Village offered Christian Village for four months, Mc-
vaccine. gift cards as incentives for their em- Cowan said that taking the vaccine was a
ployees to get the vaccine, Carson said way to give back to the people that had
As frontline workers in high-risk loca- that for most staff members, the vaccine impacted her in a short amount of time.
tions such as nursing homes, some Ma- alone was incentive enough.
son High School students were in a posi- “Working here and making relation-
tion to be one of the first to receive the Sixty healthcare workers from Pre- ships with these residents has changed
COVID-19 vaccine. MCS staff were soon miere Health came to assist school my life,” McCowan said. “I am so happy
to follow as the state of Ohio categorized nurses on the day of MCS vaccination. that by taking this vaccine I can keep
educators as frontline workers. Carson is grateful that MCS and other them all safer.”
school districts have become a priority
Junior Gabby McCowan has been for vaccination to the state of Ohio. Carson said that this year MCS staff
working at Mason Christian Village for has made the seemingly impossible pos-
four months. After finding out that her “Some states have not prioritized sible, and she hopes that as more people
place of employment would be one of educators in this frontline staff,” Carson become vaccinated, more students have
the first to be vaccinated in December, said. “We are really thankful that the access to the same opportunities Mason
she received her first dose of the Pfizier state has prioritized [educators].” students have had amidst learning in a
vaccine on January 18 2021 and her sec- pandemic.
ond dose on February 8 2021. Carson and McCowan are both thank-
ful they have been given the opportunity “Our staff has moved mountains,”
Although most employees and resi- to take the vaccine, but for different rea- Carson said. “Schools are so integral to
dents of Mason Christian Village have sons. McCowan said that she was happy the health of an entire community so we
been vaccinated, the retirement commu- she could protect the ones around her are very grateful that in Ohio our state
nity is still following social distancing whereas Carson expressed she was grate- recognized the critical role that these
guidelines and wearing masks to ensure ful to see that a staff that has done so really selfless people play in making
safety of their residents. McCowan said much for Mason students was prioritized things work.”
that she is grateful that as a frontline
worker she was one of the first to receive
the vaccine and that she was able to do
her part in keeping the residents, her
friends and family safer.

“The atmosphere at Mason Christian
Village is very welcoming and joyful,”
McCowan said. “The residents can feel
more safe knowing that the workers
coming in are more protected than they
were before and [the staff] have a lesser
chance of bringing the virus in.”

MCS staff received their first round
of the vaccine on February 16 2021. Pub-
lic Information Officer Tracey Carson

February 19, 2021 News 5

Mason allocates resources to tackle mental health issues

Alisha Soni | Staff Writer through different things. It could be mental illness space just to take a five to fifteen-minute mental
but can also just be mental wellness and proactivity. break where they can go in there, listen to music,
Through increased awareness surrounding Our goal is to reach all staff in hopes for continued relax, and sometimes be with our therapy dog
mental health, Mason administrators are aiming growth in our culture.” Hibbs.”
to break down the negative stigma once associated
with it. Therapy dogs are another support provided at the With all of the additional stressors students may
district. Students are welcome to access the therapy face due to the pandemic such as isolation, finan-
During a time when students are faced with dog, Hibbs, who is typically located in the guidance cial and health-related stress, “it's important to not
everyday environmental issues-- social, economic, department. With the impact the therapy animals feel like you're going through this alone,” Schmidt
academic, and health, among others-- Mason ad- hold on students and staff, Cooper said he can see said. She acknowledges that it is more critical than
ministrators have allocated more resources towards the schools acquiring other dogs in the future. ever that students reach out when they need help.
mental health and wellness.
Graphic by Lexi Brown “High school is stressful to begin with,” Schmidt
After a series of tragic suicides in the district, said. “This year has been different than every other
Mason City Schools (MCS) Superintendent “Animals are very
Jonathan Cooper and other MCS admin- comforting to our kids. We year, and there are so many additional stresses.
istrators met with students to discuss have wonderful therapy dogs, There's a lot of people going through
how to better support individu- especially Hibbs; he wears a bow these experiences and feeling over-
als struggling with mental tie,” Cooper said. “I mean that's a pretty whelmed, stressed, and maybe
health. Cooper realized impressive dog right there. When kids are having dealing with depression or iso-
that in addition to a hard time processing, they're hurt. Oftentimes, it lation anxiety. It's so impor-
the assistance doesn't come through words; especially in younger tant to not feel like you're
the district had grade levels, it comes through comfort. And that going through this alone,
already of- right there is worth every investment.” especially as a student
fered, more it might feel that way
needed to be Serving as another stress-easing resource, MCS sometimes.”
done. As a first Mental Wellness Coordinator Molly Schmidt Cooper views the
step, Mason describes the relaxation rooms MHS created for future with chances
“invested re- students’ use. The rooms, located in the guidance of "expanding the
sources, money, hallway, are designed to provide a calming state for mental well-
and time into students to decompress in. ness program-
implementing the ming" with hopes
Hope Squad, [the] “We have a big relaxation room,” Schmidt said. of reaching all
peer-to-peer suicide “It has couches, it has low lighting, it's quiet, there classrooms and
prevention program.” are coloring pages and things that might help becoming accessible
[students] relax during the school day if they're hav- to all students. Another
“We have a comprehensive ing a particularly hard time. A lot of our guidance priority lies in becoming
program to support students, counselors will talk to students about using that "more comprehensive with the
staff, and families; it was more of a proactive ap- partnership."
proach,” Cooper said. “We went from having very “I think awareness is an ongoing effort
little in place over the last three years to ramping
that program up.” that we need to make so everyone knows
what's available and how to access it,” Cooper
In addition to establishing the Hope Squad, Ma- said. “One thing in Mason that we're trying
son “hired a mental wellness coordinator for every to always do, I call it Mason momentum, is to
building” and “built relationships with Cincinnati move forward in what we're doing, especially if we
Children's Hospital and the Lindner Center of know it’s good for our community.”
HOPE” through mental health organizations such According to Schmidt, students tend to bottle up
as MindPeace and 1N5. Coupled with these resourc- their issues while stress builds up into something
es, the administration has allowed Mason staff the overwhelming. Schmidt’s role is to help as she
opportunity to undergo mental-health training. connects families and students to therapy or other
mental health services. No matter the situation, she
Cooper was able to lead the mental-health train- urges students to talk to someone they trust and get
ing program, Start the Conversation, with help connected with services if they are feeling stressed.
from the Lindner Center of HOPE. The optional “Everyone’s story is different, and part of our
training is aimed to remove any communication amazing culture is that your story matters and
barriers that may occur with mental health conver- everyone feels valued. I think all of those things are
sations between students and teachers. important-- to keep in mind that everyone's men-
tal illness matters. And so, if they feel like they're
“In the last couple of years we've dedicated our struggling in any way, even if they just need to talk,
full staff training to anti-bias and anti-racist work, we want them to reach out.”
but we want to make sure our whole staff is trauma-
informed,” Cooper said. “We want our staff to learn
how to support students and colleagues going

6 Feature February 19, 2021

Nutrition staff embraces differences to create community environment

Shravani Page | Staff Writer Rippa mentions “exchanging cul-
tural gifts every year” during their
In a world where differences are Photo by Janelle Brunswick annual Christmas get-togethers.
known to cause divides, the Mason
High School Nutrition Staff uses The Nutrition Staff wore yellow to commemorate the loss of one of their co-workers “We are a family,” Rippa said.
their differences to unify. “I feel so happy when I enter the
Sometimes there can be a com- of the ladies was showing me this kitchen and I love coming here.
Mason’s nutrition staff is a group munication barrier, especially for picture of a sari the other day. She Everybody’s working hard, and
of individuals Mason students those whose first language is not was showing me pictures from a they’re so positive and energetic.
see and interact with everyday. English. Burkhart shared that it’s wedding and I was just so fascinat- We all are working hard to give
Whether it’s greeting students with always “important to be mindful ed by how beautiful it was. I love our best for the kids.”
a simple “hi” or helping them with in how we communicate with our to take everything in and it helps
their lunch needs, the staff strives staff” so everyone can understand me learn a lot.” Seeing kids say “thank you” or
to make a positive difference. Out- each other. even just a smile are just some of
side of school, the staff is a close Shahnaz Rippa has been work- the positive moments Mason High
and tight-knit community -- even “There have been a couple times ing in Mason’s nutritional staff School’s nutrition staff strives for.
with differences in beliefs, culture, where I’ve asked a fellow staff for the past 14 years. Rippa moved The staff believes the core of their
and politics. memeber how to say something to Mason from Bangladesh with “positive mentality” stems from
in an easier way,” Burkhart said. kids who are now one of Mason’s their love for the kids. The staff
Mason High School’s Nutri- “thTtoahtewree’hvaevdeisbceuesnsesdevinerdalifpfehrreanstes alumni. Her initial experience makes cleaning, sanitizing, and
tion Manager Sarah Burkhart has languages so I encourage the with Mason was very “positive and nutrition a priority when preparing
been involved in Mason nutrition different use of language on the welcoming” as she has seen Mason meals as they all unite under one
for nearly eight years. Before her staff.” grow into an “accepting family- goal, helping bring positivity into
position here at Mason, she used like” community with cultural a kid’s day.
to be a part of the nutrition staff at Even outside of language, the events such as the Taste of Mason.
Little Miami high school. Burkhart staff encourages open discussion “We’re all moms here on the
said Little Miami wasn’t “as diverse on their differences. In a sense, “Coming onto the new staff staff,” Moorhead said. “We love to
as Mason.” When she first joined the staff chooses to “embrace and never felt like a major challenge,” make sure our children are feeling
Mason’s staff, she said she found celebrate” them. The staff uses this Rippa said. “I felt more welcomed good and we love looking out for
it encouraging to “walk into the idea of embracing and acknowl- and the other ladies were really ac- them. We look out for our students
kitchen and see so many different edging their differences when they cepting. I noticed their willingness in that same way. We all have
faces.” choose to talk about politics or and positive attitude right away. that goal and we work together to
current events. On a lighter note, From the day I first came here, make it all flow and all come out
1999 Mason Graduate and “life- the staff also uses this idea on their they treated me as one of their just right.”
long learner” Jen Moorhead has music playlists. Burkhart’s playlist own.”
seen Mason grow from what used consists of music from all cultures Mason High School’s nutrition
to be a “small, farm community” as it “exposes the staff to some- Through a welcoming commu- staff has supported each other
to a community of diversity and thing they’re not used to,” and can nity, Rippa has been able to form through many difficult times. The
opportunity. Moorhead was amazed even lead to some “kitchen dance “lasting and meaningful” bonds group has shrunk in size over the
as she came to work back into the parties.” with her fellow staff members past few years, but according to
Mason community three years ago. -- bonds that last even outside Burkhart, “the smaller our group
From seeing all the new faces to “Learning about different the kitchen. Prior to COVID, the is, the stronger our bond has be-
the flags lined up in the cafeteria, cultures is so interesting to me,” staff would engage in “potlucks come.”
Moorhead was “impressed with Moorhead said. “I remember one and exchanges” where they would
such a welcoming and positive exchange foods and native dishes. It is that bond that allowed the
environment.” staff to heal and grieve the recent
death of a nutrition staff member.
“The high school wasn’t very big Burkhart explained how they hon-
when I graduated and we didn’t ored the staff member and looked
have a lot of diversity,” Moorhead to each other for support and
said. “ I’ve worked other jobs strength -- revealing the ultimate
before and this community was strength of the community they
very inviting. Mason has changed had spent years nurturing.
dramatically from what I’ve seen
and it’s grown very large. I see all “We have all been through many
the difference as really positive challenges,” Burkhart said. “One of
changes for Mason.” the biggest challenges we’ve gone
through together as a group was
The nutritional staff shares just recently when we lost a former
many differences, from gen- staff member. We were all wearing
erational gaps to varying native yellow t-shirts on the day of her
languages to even taste in music. funeral [since] we couldn’t be there
for her -- but we united in that.”

February 19, 2021 News 7

Ethnic Studies course to be added to 21-22 course catalog

Raghav Raj | Staff Writer course proposal presented to the school Angeles
board in December. Unified
At their January 26 meeting, the Mason School District.
City Schools Board of Education unani- Smith said that the Ethnic Studies
mously approved the proposal for a new course primarily came to fruition off of While there is still
Ethnic Studies course at Mason High what the administration was hearing from lots of development for
School. The course, a single-semester So- students. Ethnic Studies to undergo
cial Studies elective available to all grades before the 2021 fall semes-
at the high school, is set to be included “A big part of our process, especially ter arrives — from finding
in the MHS 2021-22 Program of Studies, during our initial proposal of the course designated faculty to teach
meaning that students will be able to to the Student Achievement Committee the course, to gathering the
enroll in the course this upcoming school was focused on centering the students, needed non-copyrighted
year. listening to them and hearing what they educational resources — it
had to say so that we could determine is clear that both Jordan and
As the first course at Mason to primar- whether there was genuine interest in Smith see a lot of promise
ily focus on learning about marginalized this course,” Smith said. in what the course brings to
communities, the Ethnic Studies class sees Mason.
the district taking a step forward to address In order to get a reading of how stu-
and patch up gaps in the curriculum that dents felt about the course, Jordan — a “Especially at a time like this,
have cast the district’s recent efforts in co-writer of the course proposal along with we have to be listening to and learn-
promoting diversity and inclusion into Smith — mobilized Social Studies faculty ing from each other, and it’s the district’s
sharp relief. at the school to send out a survey to their responsibility to create these spaces where
students, which laid out a synopsis of the this communication can happen,” Jordan
The efforts — from revamping the Safe proposed Ethnic Studies course and asked said. “We want to be able to provide an en-
Schools tip-line for incidents of racism and the students if they would consider taking vironment that fosters this dialogue, where
bias, to the creation of a student-led peer- it if it were offered. our kids can leave their armor at the door
to-peer support team — have emerged and engage with each other.”
from the district as part of the “Inclusive The results, as Jordan said, “spoke for
Excellence” initiative, which was origi- themselves.” Approximately 300 students Smith said that she agrees, and is par-
nally introduced in late 2019 and has since said “yes,” they would be willing to take ticularly excited about the lasting impacts
grown into a central “rock,” or focus area, the course if it were offered, and over 500 of the course, and other efforts like it.
for the district to prioritize. The Ethnic students expressed interest, answering that
Studies course serves as an extension of they would “maybe” consider taking the “It’s truly, deeply encouraging to see
this initiative, as a means of bringing these course. our students have this
sorts of nuanced conversations about di- desire, this hun-
versity, equity, and inclusion directly into “There was clearly a desire to have ger in their
the classroom. an opportunity to learn about different heart, to learn
cultures, to be able to dive in deeper, and about other
A major contributor in developing the to have that learning actually count for people,”
Ethnic Studies course was former MECC credit,” Smith said. “Especially consider- Smith said.
teacher Soroya Smith, who currently ing that a lot of our students have already “In using this
serves as Mason City Schools’ Diversity, taken the initiative to do that learning and class and our
Equity, & Inclusion Learning Experience reading on their own, and especially con- DEI work to
Designer (DEI LED), a new leadership sidering that they’re connected enough to promote that learn-
position unveiled at the beginning of this hear about other schools nearby offering ing with our students,
school year to oversee and manage Inclu- these courses? We want to give them those we’re able to connect them
sive Excellence goals. Alongside MHS As- opportunities at Mason as well.” with experiences outside
sociate Principal Dr. Robyn Jordan, Smith themselves that open up their
played an instrumental role in laying From the example syllabus presented worldview. And especially consid-
out the alongside the course proposal in Decem- ering that they’re the society, that
ber, it is evident that the curriculums of- they’re the future, it’s wonderful that
fered in neighboring schools played a big we’re able to open them up to experi-
role in the development of Mason’s Ethnic ences that continue making all of us more
Studies course. empathetic as humans.”

While the base Graphic by Lexi Brown
standards set
by the state for
Ethnic Studies
have been set in
place, framing the
class around segments
focused on American
History, Modern World
History, American Govern-
ment, and Contemporary World
Issues, the fact that the course is
an elective allows for Mason to
pull from multiple areas. As such,
the proposed Ethnic Studies curricu-
lum takes an omnivorous approach,
drawing from the course curriculums at
Walnut Hills, Dublin, and even the Los

8 News February 19, 2021

New MHS eSports club allows gamers to compete with teams across the nation

Scott Reckers | Staff Writer School eSports League, or HSEL, is not held ing lacrosse since grade 5. Elfers Graphics by Rachel Cai
back by COVID worries either. The tourna- said that his hours on the lacrosse "blown out of the water”, but said that the
The Mason High School eSports club has ment hosts several games, all beginning in field trained him for that kind of
joined the game. group stages and later moving onto playoff sport, but eSports calls for a dif- only way to improve is to make mistakes, and
stages where finals will be livestreamed for ferent kind of conditioning. he and his team are dedicated to correcting
ESports, competitive video gaming, has viewers to watch. them in order to be a force to be reckoned
been around since the 1970s, but has gained a “Lacrosse is a lot more of a with in competition.
lot of traction in recent years due to the rising The freedom of eSports is convenient, but physical battle,” Elfers said. “You
popularity of video games and increasing the still requires planning and organization. Mark have to work through, perse- “There's always something you can improve
demand for competition. Players can compete Wyatt, teacher and eSports director for MHS, vere. That's conditioning, that’s on any sport,” Elfers said. “Our goal is to
in team games, like tactical shooter game does just that. Because of the many teams for stamina. But in eSports, it's all figure out those things as fast as possible so
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, as well as different games, it would be rather impos- mentality. All you have is a keyboard, mouse, that we can play better competition as fast as
individual games such as Nintendo’s crossover sible to manage all of them alone, so Wyatt and headset to listen, but that's about it. The possible.” Two games later, they did just that
fighting game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate appointed captains for each team, setting up tough part is you have to be mentally strong and claimed their maiden win.
(Smash). In addition, the MHS club has teams Discord channels for each as a means of com- in order to do well in eSports.”
for Rocket League, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: munications for large communities. Practice and competition can teach
Global Offensive, Fortnite, Valorant, and Call With experience on both sides of the table, competitors how to win and lose and over all
of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. While captains were selected more arbi- Elfers has respect for both sports and the skills become better competitors and people. Team-
trarily at first, Wyatt said that he is looking they require. Balancing school and lacrosse mates will be there for each other when they
Senior Ayush Verma, captain of the Smash forward to watching leaders develop and while competing for both Mason’s Rainbow lose a tough match and it is this new social
team, also helped found the now dissolved establish themselves in the teams later on in Six Siege and Rocket League eSports teams avenue that could prove to be a valuable asset
Smash club, which laid the framework for the their competitions. shows the flexible nature of eSports that to some members. Verma is a remote learner
eSports club. Verma is a fan of professional contrasts the traditional world of sports. While for the year and said talking to old and new
eSports and wanted to see that community in “I selected captains for each team, because Elfers sees the differences between the two, he friends alike has been refreshing, giving him
his school. each team has to have one to queue in the said that he still believes eSports has similari- something to continue to look forward to
matches,” Wyatt said. “I mostly selected kids ties to traditional sports at its core. throughout the year.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” Verma said. in my class just so I have a way to quickly
“I've been playing games my whole life, and communicate, but as teams have met there “eSports are still a battle,” Elfers said. “I've already seen this benefiting a decent
I watch a lot of eSports so I know how big of are definitely players more enthusiastic about “When you're sitting down and playing amount of people already,” Verma said. “It
a scene it is. I was expecting it to push into taking charge. As the season goes on I think it eSports, it's definitely more of a mentally chal- gives a common place where people who en-
highschool because over the past couple will be interesting to see how the team leader- lenging battle than you would think. There's joy games can come together. The interactions
years it's been growing mainly in the college ship shakes out.” so much you have to plan for and so much I see within group chats, I'm definitely seeing
scene. Now that it is in high school, where people being able to branch out and I’m sure
I can directly interact with it, it feels pretty Senior co-captain Drew Elfers leads the you have to strategize. It's way more than a I'll be seeing new friendships form from this
gratifying.” Rainbow Six Siege team along with Yousif casual game night.” group.”
Alshathir. Elfers is no stranger to the tradi-
Traditional sports have been more tional team environment, as he has been play- Like any muscle, the brain and its strength
difficult to pull off in the pandemic. As can be trained. Practice, although different
a result, eSports has been getting much from traditional sports practices, is essential
more attention. Verma said this was due to in eSports, especially for a team-based techni-
the fact that “it was a safe and easy form of cal game like Rainbow Six Siege. “We go
competitive entertainment” that one could into some ranked game modes and discuss
both participate and spectate from COVID- strategy,” Elfers said. “Our coaches help us
safe environments. When competitors can with strategy a lot. They analyze gameplay
be anywhere in the world, social distancing and then they tell us what we're doing wrong
and mask wearing is the least of concerns. and how we can fix it.”

The first competition MHS will compete Elfers and his team found a lot of points
in, the Winter Challenge hosted by the High to work on after their first game in the group
stages of the Winter Challenge. In their first
match of the group stages, Elfers said they got

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February 19, 2021 News 9

Teachers work to prepare online AP students for upcoming exams

Risha Chada | Staff Writer better focus on the task at hand. After at- me questions and they don’t have to feel home, can make it hard to focus at times.
tending some review sessions with Clark judged for asking too many questions.” “It’s not exactly frustrating, but it’s
With the upcoming Advanced Place- first semester, Li now uses Clark’s pacing
ment (AP) tests in May, online AP teach- guide to help plan her time so she has AP American History teacher Mindy kind of hard to be in calls where the
ers face the challenge of preparing their more free time available. Corradi is also working outside of her teachers start to speak, because every-
students virtually. scheduled hours to make sure her one’s muted and it makes you not want
“Mrs. Clark has pacing guides, which students feel prepared for the AP tests in to [participate],” Li said. “The fact that
Come May, students of a variety of are just google spreadsheets with the May. After teaching Honors World His- there isn’t a classroom environment
advanced subjects will face a grueling due dates and suggested pacing, but for tory in person for 12 years, Corradi is still makes it so different from learning last
test covering the information they have the most part we can work at our own navigating the online format and trying year.”
learned throughout the course of the [pace],” Li said. “This semester it’s more to gauge her students’ level of under-
entire year. The timed test consists of of a Monday to Friday format, which I standing through a computer screen. While there is frustration in the differ-
a multiple choice section and a free-re- find remarkable because that’s when my ent approach to learning, Clark said that
sponse section. Depending on the subject, in-person friends are off, so I get to hang “I always say that if I could have one this alternate method can be a benefit to
students will get four to five choices out with them [regularly].” superpower it’d be to read minds, because many AP students who struggle with the
on the multiple choice, and the free- then I would know where they were traditional school format.
response may be in the form of a written Clark said that students talking to their struggling,” Corradi said. “In the online
essay, finding the solution to a problem, neighbors in class, or relying on one an- world, it’s even more important that stu- “It’s been really cool because I’ve seen
or a spoken response. other to help solve problems, also helps dents communicate well with me. I need a lot of students who don’t really succeed
them prepare for the upcoming AP test. to know when they need help so I can that well in school, flourish [virtually],”
AP tests were notoriously challenging Clark has facilitated this communication reach out and communicate one-on-one said Clark. “They’re doing really well and
for many students even before the chal- by putting students in breakout groups with them.” they’re learning, because it’s at their pace
lenges of the pandemic, but with the new to review past material, and assigning and works with their schedule. They’re
virtual learning format, online learners them group assignments. One student who has taken advantage flourishing when, before, they might
must prepare without daily face-time of this additional one-on-one time is have been overlooked, or they might
with their teachers. Teachers who teach “That’s the other thing that’s missing, sophomore Sam Cao. With the online have been miserable.”
this material, must be prepared to use when you’re in class you get to turn to format, students get far less time with
new online tools and resources and still your neighbor and be like, ‘Did you get their teachers, which also means less Ultimately, Clark said that she believes
connect with students virtually. five for this question?’ or ‘How’d you time to directly ask questions and review that the online school format presents
get past this part?’,” Clark said. “Work- material. Cao, who had a tough schedule an updated way of learning that is more
AP Statistics, Calculus AB, and Cal- ing together and collaborating is how the first semester, attended extra review well suited to the modern student. In all
culus BC virtual teacher Jere Clark has you learn, but you don’t have that when sessions to gain a better understanding of of the uncertainty this school year has
worked on establishing routines with her you’re all by yourself.” the content. presented, she said she still sees it ben-
students throughout the first semester. eficial as a whole and wants to continue
Clark said that being prepared for the Clark has taken advantage of one-on- “I attended every possible one-on-one to see schools’ approach to learning
test in May starts with virtual students one online communication as well, so session because we had one essay per improve and adapt from this experience
holding themselves accountable for her students can ask questions and get week [first semester], but now it’s more so that they may continue to offer it even
their own understanding. more practice for the AP test. Since stu- manageable,” Cao said. “Mrs. Corradi after the pandemic.
dents only meet with their teachers twice reshaped the course and is getting more
“Establishing their own routines of a week, Clark utilizes time outside of her involved with the content. She’s writ- “The way of learning where you just
when they were going to do what was scheduled office hours and meets with ing and teaching us how to write a DBQ sit through the classes we tell you to sit
definitely a difficult adjustment,” Clark her students over Zoom. more thoroughly and is giving us more through, or doing something when we
said. “They have to make a decision and [feedback]. tell you to do it doesn’t work for every-
they have [to] stick to their own sched- “Everybody’s on a different schedule; one,” Clark said. “The structure we have
ule.” some people have in-person extracurricu- Despite the efforts of many virtual in the United States is old and outdated.
lars and others have jobs or other respon- teachers, some students still feel the It’s really cool seeing this other option
Junior Jessica Li, who has to balance sibilities,” Clark said. “If I set up a Zoom differences between online and in-person that we are providing for them, [espe-
five AP classes with her schedule, found meeting with them, it usually becomes methods of teaching. Li, for example, cially] when it works.”
that planning out her time allows her to kind of a weekly [routine]. They can ask said she finds the lack of interaction
between students, and studying from her Graphic by Rachel Cai

10 News February 19, 2021

Mason Elementary teachers help students cope with loss of classmate

Beck and Bishop continue to work on comforting their students through different activities and conversations in the classroom along with the help of counselors. Photos by Evelina Gaivoronskaia

Evelina Gaivorskaia | Staff Writer counselors and enable them to be there for felt like it was their duty to create a safe of the support, it would have been much
“any student to come and talk to [them]”. space for their grieving students, but they harder to do it on our own.”
Friday, January 8 was the last time were also prepared by the counselors to see
9-year-old JJ Day walked through his class- On Monday morning, after all plans them express their pain in different ways. Tipton knows that going through this
room doors at Mason Elementary School. had been developed, Beck and Bishop tragedy will change her and the way she
Three days later on Monday, January 11, his stood with their students as the counselors “We might see somebody just not saying does her job forever. In the future, she will
teachers had to carry the weight of inform- explained to them that their classmate anything,” Bishop said. “We might see tears. make sure that she is “responding in an ap-
ing his classmates that JJ would not be had passed away. They introduced differ- We might see somebody who's not tearful, propriate way; not overstepping, but being
walking through those same doors. ent strategies, like breathing and reading but they still feel so sad.” there when [she] needs to be there.” She
books about different emotions, that the “felt really honored that they would trust
On Sunday, January 10, third grade teachers could use to help the kids cope. Regardless of the reaction, the teachers [her] enough to come in and be a support
teachers Kris Beck and Janelle Bishop re- They also brought in therapy dogs, which and counselors were prepared to comfort system for the students.”
ceived a call from Mason Elementary prin- they said the kids really enjoyed. them in the best way possible. One of the
cipal Javaris Powell. Day had passed away activities they did with the kids included a Kranson was also changed by this
in his sleep of an unknown cause. Beck and Kranson admitted that the week she was coloring page where the kids could assign tragedy and said that this situation has
Bishop were shocked to hear the news and, with those kids was the hardest week in her emotions to colors. The coloring helped taught her “compassion, empathy, putting
as Bishop described, “at first [they] just felt whole career. She had to watch JJ’s close students express their emotions while al- yourself in somebody else's shoes and
this deep loss. It was quite a struggle.” friends face his passing at too young of an lowing teachers to see what their students asking what you can do for them to make
age. It was “really hard to watch them go were feeling. They could then send these them feel better.” Before everything else,
In shock and reeling from the news, through that.” pages home to parents to provide them a she hopes that she was able to explain the
Bishop's first thought was "how are we tool to generate further comfort and con- situation to the kids in a way that helped
going to take care of these kids?" She She had never interacted with JJ one-on- versation with their children. them understand it, but also offered them
understood how hard it would be for third one, but watching his friends and class- support.
graders to process the situation. Bishop mates talk about him “made [her] feel like While the students were the main focus,
knew she had to do everything in her [she] understood who JJ was and what an they were not alone in the need for sup- Even though they are still teaching their
power to help the children to understand amazing kid he was.” port. Losing a face in the classroom is just students the same material in the same
what had just happened and how the kids as difficult for the teachers as well. Krugh classrooms, Beck and Bishop’s lives will
could express their emotions. On paper chains, posters, and in words, JJ said that the Mason City Schools commu- never be the same. While it will continue
was described as kind, enthusiastic, gener- nity has always been a tightly-knit one and to take time to heal, they know that they
In order to aid them, Mason Elementary ous, thoughtful, and above all, happy. this situation was no exception. will become more empathetic and try to
(ME) counselors Sara Kranson and Shan- understand their students’ feelings better,
non Tipton were also on the line to ensure Tipton was grateful to help support the All throughout the day, the staff would putting their emotions before academics
that the teachers would not handle the students because she also observed the come by classrooms to check in on Beck and ‘loving like JJ’.
situation alone. The Mason District’s crisis caring the kids directed towards JJ and and Bishop. But their help didn't end when
team would be right alongside them, tak- his family. As the kids made posters and the last bell of the day rang. Krugh said “I've been taking more pictures in the
ing over students' activities so that Bishop paper chains with memories of JJ or just that “they made sure that [the teachers] had classroom just to see their smiles and just
and Beck could focus on supporting the kind words, Tipton noted that “hearing the meals, and made sure that they were okay to know that I have that in my phone now,”
students emotionally. students talk about their classmate this at night.” Everybody understood that this Bishop said. “I have that as a picture for-
way was actually a really beautiful thing” grief would be a long process and they will ever. I can print it off and I have that face
Mason Intermediate counselor Michelle that came out of all of the grief she had have to help along the way. smiling. We can't take our days for granted.
Krugh was in charge of developing the observed that week. We have to be the best we can be every day.
plan of actions for addressing the situation. Both Beck and Bishop said that they are
Her main goal was to work with the ME As the counselors handled the classroom immensely grateful for the support that We have to do that for our kids.”
activities, both Beck and Bishop felt a they received. Bishop said that “without all
responsibility to help their students. They

JJ's classmates honor him through kind words of remembrance on posters and hearts hung both around the classroom and surrounding wing. Photos by Evelina Gaivoronskaia

February 19, 2021 11

12 Fea

Spinning Back i

Record enthusiats love for vinyls reignited b

Photo by Avary Hutzelman Avary Hutzelman | Staff Writer “Over the past few years, a a different e
After years filling up boxes lot of things from the past said.
Record collection at Hey Suburbia, a new records have become more popu-
store in Mason. and collecting dust, vinyls are lar,” Wilson said. “Things Neill thin
making a comeback. like vinyls and cassettes are cess to purc
Photo by Avary Hutzelman kind of coming back with it. general gro
The rise in popularity of vi- Even though we have access as Target or
Philip Fridley, owner of the new record nyls, audio recordings pressed to really high-quality digital lowed more
store Hey Suburbia. into records, has sparked new recordings, people want to the revived
interest and hobbies among reconnect with a [physical] Having a st
many students. Sophomore representation of it.” selling just
Katie Wilson believes vinyls was relative
can be entertaining to any- Senior Jason Neill has been until recent
one, no matter what music collecting vinyl records for
they listen to. She finds joy in five years. He has collected Downtow
possessing physical copies of over 100 vinyls and is continu- home to a n
herfavorite music. ing to grow his collection. Hey Suburb
Landing a job at Everybody’s cated right
“The main reason I like hav- Records, a record store in from the hi
ing vinyls is having a tangible Pleasant Ridge, influenced Fridley, own
representation of the music him to begin collecting vi- bia, has bee
that I like to listen to,” Wilson nyls. “It’s physical media [and] he was a kid
said. “I still listen to Spo- being able to know that I record show
tify, but it’s different to have have it in my hands [is ap- to settle dow
something that [I] can hold pealing],” Neill said. “A file his own sto
and have a physical copy [of].” can go away, but a record
[can’t].” “It’s a per
Wilson started collecting Fridley said
vinyls after a family mem- Not only do vinyls offer a that this are
ber introduced them to her. unique listening experience build up, [th
“There [were] some artists compared to their digital to build it u
that I liked from the 70s, so streaming counterparts, but excited to b
she gave me her vinyls and some vinyls are sold with build of an
I bought a record player,” posters, stickers, or designs
Wilson said. The trends from on the vinyls themselves to Fridley sa
past decades coming back and enhance the purchasing expe- lot of young
influencing current trends rience. “Vinyls can come with the course o
among teens also has a part extras and you get to see the open. Stude
in the massive rise in vinyl cover of it and everything. It’s to shop for
use. making the
more perso

ature 13

n Style Graphics by Aadrija Biswas

by opening of Mason record store

experience,” Neill ny of other small businesses
nks that having ac- in the area. Fridley fell in love
chase vinyls from with the Downtown Mason
ocery stores such location immediately after
r Walmart has al- seeing it.
e teens to access
d form of music. “One day [I was] picking
tore dedicated to up some Two Cities pizza,”
Fridley said. “[I] saw this place
vinyls, however, available, [and] knew it would
ely rare in Mason be the perfect location for
tly. something like this.”
wn Mason is now
new record store, With the recent revival of
bia Records, lo- vinyls, Fridley opened up
down the street Hey Suburbia at seemingly
igh school. Philip the perfect time. “They’re
ner of Hey Subur- doing a lot of cool stuff
en collecting since with vinyls these days,”
d. After working at Fridley said. “As far as
ws, Fridley decided different colors and ex-
wn and open up tras that you wouldn’t get
ore. just from purchasing it off
rfect location,” iTunes, it’s more personal.”
d. “I just thought
ea we’re trying to Despite the immense
his store] is going amount of vinyls he has for
up even more. I’m sale, Fridley still has plans
be part of the re- to decorate, grow his store
old town.” and possibly branch out. “We
aid he’s “seen a still have plenty of room for
ger people” over growth,” Fridley said. “We
of the store being have a few other ideas, not
ents are now able related to records that we’re
vinyls locally, working on, not sure exactly
e experience even what’s going to come of that
onal in the compa- as of yet but hopefully we’ll
have some announcements in
the near future.”

14 Feature February 19, 2021

Photos contributed by Tiya Yempati
Yempati’s artistic process for her award-winning painting, April, pictured above. Yempati created April for her AP Studio Art Portfolio to reflect on her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mason senior receives Scholastic Gold Key, advances to American Visions contest

Ally Guo | Staff Writer Senior Tiya Yempati tum. She began using her CD player, telling herself
that “‘if I paint, then I’ll be able to listen to music.’”
Last April saw many students stuck at home, but details.” Yempati said that although she does like making art
senior Tiya Yempati used her lockdown experiences In particular, Yempati is proud of her detail work in and of itself, sometimes it’s “so hard to keep going
as inspiration for award-winning art. when you think a piece is not going well.”
on the rug and the books, the latter of which she
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the “threw in there [at the] last minute towards the end,” “It’s funny because everybody sees the end results
largest student art and writing competitions in the when she felt that the shelf looked too empty, to of your project, but they don’t know all the hours
country, receiving nearly 320,000 submissions across show how she was “keeping [herself] occupied during you spent on it and the frustration and how it looked
28 categories in 2020. Participants are initially judged quarantine.” [during] the first few days,” Yempati said. “For me, I
at the regional level, having the chance to win an can remember specifically which parts of the paint-
Honorable Mention, Silver Key, or Gold Key, with all However, April is equally memorable to her for ing are tied to whatever music I was listening to at
pieces awarded a Gold Key proceeding to national all the obstacles she faced while making it. Yempati the time -- little details like that regarding the paint-
judging. said she tried to use her time in AP Art Studio as a ing. That’s part of my process; looking back on it, I
chance to expand her skills and challenge herself. As can tell what emotion I was feeling where.”
Additionally, in each region, five Gold Key- a result, she created many of her pieces using acrylic
winning pieces for art and writing respectively are paint, a medium she is less familiar with. Although April is one of Yempati’s most highly
named American Visions & Voices Nominees, with Vi- recognized pieces, she has a long artistic history
sions corresponding with art and Voices with writing. “Going into AP Art, I was kind of intimidated by stemming back to early childhood. She said she
Of the five nominees, only one is selected to win the acrylic paint,” Yempati said. “So I was like, ‘You know, thinks she received most of her talent from her
American Visions & Voices Medal for each region. why not try it out?’ [Afterwards,] I was kind of like, father, who is a music and art-oriented person. Al-
‘Wow, I’m never using acrylic paints ever again,’ and though she was “inclined” toward art from a young
For the 2021 awards, Yempati earned an American then I continued to use it for my next four projects.” age, including winning a national-level Scholastic
Visions nomination for her painting April, an acrylic award in seventh grade, she often felt like a “fraud”
self-portrait of herself sitting at her desk during Part of the struggle Yempati faced with acrylic was or “poser” because she wasn’t as “into art as other
remote learning last year. A current Advanced Place- mixing paints, which she called the “bane of [her] ex- people [she knew].”
ment (AP) Art Studio student, Yempati’s concentra- istence.” She said she never managed to mix enough
tion, or portfolio theme, centers around herself “in of a certain color, so she had to spend a lot of time “This year I really started to grow,” Yempati said.
lockdown through the course of the summer, slowly mixing the right shade again whenever she ran out. “In AP Art, I had to think more creatively with my
losing [her] mind being stuck at home all day,” with works, and creating a whole portfolio really tested
the chair in her bedroom serving as recurring imag- Additionally, Yempati said she often struggled to my limits and helped me grow. Now, I feel much
ery in all of her pieces. find the motivation to finish the project, feeling like more confident in my abilities, and I don’t feel like a
she was “‘never gonna get [it] done.’” However, listen- poser anymore.”
“April was one of the earlier pieces in the time- ing to music helped her regain some of her momen-
line of the narrative,” Yempati said. “It’s me [doing] Currently, many of Yempati’s works are character-
online school [when] things [were] relatively easy and ized by vivid colors, and she likes to make portraits
simple, like the honeymoon phase [of lockdown].” and capture faces.

Although the intent of the painting never changed, Yempati said she hopes to continue nurturing
it underwent many adjustments from Yempati’s her love of art in the future. Although she plans to
initial idea over the course of the four to five weeks study business, she believes she’ll eventually have a
it took to complete. For example, Yempati’s earli- “side hustle” related to art, whether that be making
est sketches framed herself through a reflection in more traditional pieces or exploring her interests in
a full-length mirror to show a “different viewer’s custom shoes and fashion.
perspective.”
“When I see myself dabbling in art, it’s not con-
Despite these changes and originally feeling “in- tained to just drawing and painting,” Yempati said.
timidated” and “overwhelmed” by the level of detail “I’d be implementing that kind of creativity and
in the painting, Yempati said she was happy with how other areas, like fashion design or custom shoes --
April turned out and felt that it successfully captured things I’m interested in and then I implement that
her vision, calling it “one of the first acrylic paintings art aspect. [It’d] be cool to come up with new ideas for
where [she] really took [her] time and developed the that kind of stuff.”

February 19, 2021 Feature 15

MHS students utilize their platforms to speak out

Bethel jegol What do you hope to do through spread- think one of these reasons is because I
Sophomore ing the word and informing others about think a lot of people my age are afraid
to say the wrong thing or mess up an
Tell Us about yourself! What kinds these topics? interpretation of something, but in real-
of things do you like to do, Hobbies, Fun ity, we’re all learning and it’s okay to
I really hope to show others that make mistakes, I definitely do.
Facts, Etc? there are issues that much deeper than
the surface level stuff that you see on What would you like to see change or
Hey! My name is Bethel and I’m a social media. These topics are often improve within the world we live in?
sophomore. I like watching shows, what need to be addressed and many That is, what do you want to change by
listening to music, and reading when I people aren’t talking about them. Yes, advocating for the topics you're speaking
have the chance. I am actually current- it’s nice to spread awareness, but when
you reiterate the same things that we out on?
ly reading Angela Davis’, Women Race already know and understand, we can’t
& Class, which is a good read if you really get far in our deeper comprehen- I think when I think of “change” it’s
sion of these issues. Also, letting people often something that is out of many
want to start getting into leftist theory. I who are affected by a certain issue be people’s reach and not really something
am very passionate about speaking out the ones to talk about it first and mak- that could be solved by the regular per-
on issues that disproportionately affect ing sure other people aren’t speaking son. I think a change that I do hope to
people. over them. see is people holding people in power
accountable, since they are often the
What issues are you passionate about advocating How does your identity and the issues you ones who have the ability to make a
for? Are there any organizations or clubs you're support play a role in your outlook on bigger change, for example maybe a
a part of that work to help spread the messages the world? politician. Looking at issues that are in
close proximity to you would probably
that you're advocating for? Being a Black woman really has be the most realistic since the whole
shaped my perception of what I view world has many different issues. I just
A big issue I don’t see talked about in the bigger world. I don’t really like hope that my advocation for these top-
in our community is antiblackness and identity politics, considering it can be ics would inspire someone else to look
the ways it affects Black students at really harmful on a larger scale (like into things they care about.
Mason. Whether it be remarks or the the vice president and her influence),
inaccurate representation of slavery in but these identities, as well as others, If there's one thing you want people to
history class, it lingers everywhere. I have changed how I see society. I can take away from reading this, what would
think understanding that anti-blackness better understand and empathize with
is very much a global issue, as well as others who also feel the same as me it be?
a huge part of the root of the United and want to talk about deeper topics,
States, is important to digest. The club maybe like the effects of capitalism or I really hope that someone reading
that I’m in, Youth Activism Club, really intersectionality, and how everything is this will want to further look into topics
helps address these issues as well as connected somehow. You get the point. that are all around them. It’s honestly
many other important topics that are never too late to start learning and di-
relevant in our community as well as Why are these topics meaningful to you? gesting different material. I wish we all
the world. keep learning about the things we are
I think these topics are so meaningful passionate about. Anyway, stay safe and
to me because as a 16-year-old, I don’t stay home.
see many people my age in my commu-
nity willing to have these conversations Interview by Avary Hutzelman
and really want to genuinely learn. I Page Design by Aadrija Biswas

16 Entertainment February 19, 2021

ALBUM REVIEW: Flowers for vases/ Descansos MOVIE REVIEW: MALCOM & MARIE

Hayley Williams, of the alternative rock band Paramore, purveys a vulnerable and gentle The first thing you notice about Malcolm & Marie, the latest project from Sam Levinson
side to heartbreak in her album FLOWERS for VASES / descansos, surprise-released on (creator of the hit HBO show Euphoria), is how sumptuous it looks.
February 5. She longs for past lovers, opening up about her insecurity with the question,
“I wonder how you view me?” in the vocalization-riddled “HYD”, waxing poetic on her The 35-mm black-and-white film it’s shot on offers a certain grain to the visual imagery of
previous toxic relationships on piano ballad “Trigger (“...all I really want is somebody who its spacious beach house setting, playing up the contrasts that Levinson seeks to identify
wants me/...Let ‘em debase me while keeping my chin up”). Produced entirely in the quiet through his pair of central characters, a director and his lover returning from the premiere
isolation of self-quarantine, the album allows Williams to experiment with acoustic sounds, of his latest film. The camera glides through the house’s angular corners and doorways,
softly strumming guitars and harmonizations layering every devastating track. While the visually as smooth and sleek as the metal fixtures and granite countertops that Levinson
album seems to struggle with musical variety, the electric guitar on songs like “Over those often fixates upon.
Hills” and the extensive metaphorical meanings on “Asystole” and “My Limb” allow the
record to find these moments where the changes seem stylistic rather than redundant. Like those metal fixtures and these granite countertops, however, Malcolm & Marie is an
experience that feels utterly cold to the touch, wholly lifeless and painfully stiff.
TV SHOW REVIEW: WANDAVISION
Once the novelty of the visuals wears off, all that’s left is an experience so unbearably
WandaVision, directed by Matt Shakman, is the first Marvel Cinematic Universe show hollow and so stiflingly vapid that I can’t really imagine the prospect of anyone enjoying it.
on Disney+, and six episodes through, it’s a perplexing watch to say the least. Wanda This is a grating, utterly punishing movie without a single thing to say, taking an hour and
Maximoff, AKA Scarlet Witch (played by Elizabeth Olsen), and Vision (Paul Bettany) are a a half and stretching it into an eternity of repetitive, rage-drunk monologues and varied
couple of newlyweds and have just moved to a new town called Westview. Like the couple, histrionics.
both extremely powerful members of the Avengers extended universe, the town is anything
but ordinary. For the most part, I can’t really blame the acting here. John David Washington, as
Malcolm, really just sounds like he’s trying his best as he huffs and puffs through an
Everything in the New Jersey suburb is just a bit off. In the first two episodes, both set endless stream of furious ranting, as if he’s attempting to carry the film on his bombast
in the ‘50s, seem like a typical sitcom, remaining relatively tame. But make no mistake: alone. He’s matched by Zendaya, as Marie, turning in a decent performance even
there are some shocking moments (that I won’t reveal) that keep the experience utterly though her character’s subtleties are overtly magnified while her theatrical flair is far too
captivating. underdeveloped.

The show has a degree of unease to it, which only increases as the episodes go on. Mostly, the burden of the film’s failures are placed on the script, a whopping 92-page
Shakman leaves each episode on a new head-turning twist in the plot, which takes the behemoth that was written entirely by Levinson, and makes you painfully aware of that fact
MCU into a direction it hasn’t really gone before. Furthermore, he adds a decent amount with every word.
of complexity to the show with characters that we haven’t seen for years making a
ghastly return, memories traveling across the multiverse, and mass manipulation from an Besides the fact that Levinson just isn’t a good writer — he’s all too intent on circling
unforeseen source. back to the same argument over and over again, painfully unoriginal when he’s not
saying something immensely stupid — there are aspects of this script that feel genuinely
The sitcom-turned-thriller is definitely a strong statement for Marvel to make, puzzling unpleasant and absurdly childish, as if Levinson’s entire motivation behind this film was to
and fascinating at every turn. And if that wasn’t enough, WandaVision will definitely play a just be really really mad at film critics who don’t like his work.
role in the MCU, making the show an essential watch for all marvel fans.
He often uses Malcolm as a self-insert, which is odd enough as is, but even weirder
when considering how often Malcolm discusses being a Black filmmaker whose work is
presented to a white audience. Levinson, a white man, has absolutely no jurisdiction or
room for anything resembling insight here, and as a result, there is no nuance or profundity
in Malcolm’s dialogues about white critics discussing black art. Malcolm is effectively just a
Black mouthpiece for Levinson to hide behind, a way to make his petulant, seething rage
towards critics who don’t like his work feel justified as racial commentary.

It is the central conceit of Malcolm & Marie, and the reason that this film was doomed
from the start. To say that Malcolm & Marie is a “defense of black art,” as Levinson has
claimed before, is misguided and utterly incorrect. This film isn’t a defense, and it’s barely
even art. All it is, quite simply, is the stroking of a trust fund director’s fragile ego, an angry,
exhausting bore with nothing much to offer at all.

February 19, 2021 Entertainment 17

SOPHIE, who tragically passed away at the age of 34 on January 30 while climbing a rooftop in Athens, Greece
to get a better look at the moon, was not just simply one of the greatest musical innovators of the 21st century,
terraforming the landscape of pop music into something new. No, SOPHIE — who preferred not to use gendered or
nonbinary pronouns — was something more for a lot of people, an unapologetically queer figure bringing dance music
back to its unapologetically queer roots in a manner I can only really describe as revolutionary. In honor of SOPHIE, the
Chronicle celebrates a glorious life with some of the artist’s greatest songs, both as a producer and as a solo artist.

The main refrain of “Bipp,” SOPHIE’s breakout single, is unmistakably As the world becomes more cognisant of the severe
simple in how revelatory it feels: “I can make feel better, if you let me,” importance of mental health, it’s probably best that
chirped gleefully by a warping, helium-filled voice. The refrain is adorned by everyone issues a formal apology to Britney Spears.
an array off-kilter sounds, united in their remarkable precision. The synths Sprouting into massive fame at only age 17, Spears
spring back and forth, bouncing around as they chase after the pinging bass seemed to have all media attention set upon her. She
rhythms, bleeping and blooping like a futuristic spaceship control board. became a symbol of pop culture and current trends--and,
It always seems like the song is headed for some blissful release, but as a result of her spotlight, was hypersexualized, villainized,
SOPHIE is all too eager to withhold that satisfaction, offering only a slight and deprived of all privacy. As she accumulated this
snare snap here or a few bass drum kicks there. The song instead finds intrusive following, she also fell into a multitude of mental
euphoria in subversion, radiating joy as it reverberates in the empty spaces. health issues, anxiety being one of her major struggles.
This led to a breakdown in the year 2007--highlighted
If there was ever an artist to find a kindred spirit in SOPHIE’s sharply insensitively by media coverage of images of her shaving
distinct idiosyncrasies, it was Charli XCX, a frequent associate whose her head.
collaborations with SOPHIE found magic in the liminal space between pop
and experimental music. Nowhere was this magic more evident than in We haven’t known much of Britney Spears’ personal
“Vroom Vroom,” a feverish dance track with careening bass and swerving life over the course of her career, only what we’ve
synth work. Practically launching into hyperspace every time Charli said diminished her to: a young superstar teetering on the
“let’s ride,” the song is a marvelous example of SOPHIE’s pop instincts edge of a breakdown (real words from the infamous New
revealing themselves, with a song that’s unmistakably sleek and furiously York Daily News cover). Her life and and her mind have
propulsive all at once. been squashed to internet memes, to RedBubble stickers
claiming to “feel like Britney in 2007”. It was only recently
In many ways, it was easy to make the connection between SOPHIE’s that she garnered some sort of positive light, when the
signature sound — grimy, bass, tight percussion — and hip-hop music, New York Times published a documentary on the musician
eventually coming to fruition when the producer teamed up with Long Beach titled, “Framing Britney Spears”, diving deep into everything
rapper Vince Staples during sessions for his 2017 sophomore record, the we were unable to see at the time: harassment from
excellent Big Fish Theory. SOPHIE’s production on the album’s standout paparazzi, her personal struggles, and her court-ordered
track, “Yeah Right,” is — pardon the phrasing — downright filthy, anchoring conservatorship headed by her father, Jamie Spears.
the song to the Earth with quaking bass wheezes and clattering drum
programming. With Staples and Lamar trading bars as the beat rumbles Spears is almost 40 now, and she has almost no
onward, the collaboration makes for a headbanger of a song, another access to her own life: her money, her kids, her job.
poignant example of SOPHIE’s gift for musical alchemy. This documentary is giving her a voice that she’s been
prevented from producing. A voice of her own, one that
SOPHIE’s music, no matter how abrasive it could be, always found this won’t constantly reduce her to malevolence or insanity. And
deeply emotive power in vulnerability and being true to itself. Nowhere did it’s teaching everyone who has ever followed pop culture a
that ever feel more clear than when SOPHIE stood facing the camera for lesson as well: famous women
the music video of her 2017 song “It’s Okay To Cry,” finally unobscured, with emotions aren’t always
with glossy red lips, prominent cheekbones, and piercingly beautiful evil, despite what any news
eyes. The song, one of SOPHIE’s poppiest and most delectably sweet, source may be spewing.
is remarkable on its own, but it’s all the more powerful for how it served
as an arrival, a coming out party for an artist whose entire body of work It shouldn’t have taken an
felt unashamedly, joyously queer. Now, in the wake of SOPHIE’s passing, hour-long documentary for
it feels like a message from the heavens above, for all who are grieving, people to want to listen to
and for all who are celebrating her life. It is a reminder that it’s okay to be Britney Spears’ story.
vulnerable, that it’s okay to be yourself. It’s okay to cry. Celebrities, even with their
entire lives plastered across
the internet and magazines,
are human beings. If we
continue allowing headlines
to dictate our image of
these people, what does
that say about
our judgement?

Page Design by Rachel Cai

18 Feature February 19, 2021

SCIENTIFIC SUCCESS

Senior named finalist in Regeneron Science Talent Search Contest

Evan Ponstingle | Staff Writer my parents wouldn’t give it to me, so use that experience that I had and apply Photo contributed by Laalitya Acharya
I decided to create my own version,” it to this crisis,” Acharya said. “I decided
Mason High School is home to many Acharya said. “That just grew into being to use Artificial Intelligence processing to Archarya has also won Congressional Awards
talented individuals with unique talents. curious about the world and experimenta- process images, and it would take the mi- for the same research that led to her finalist status
Now, for the first time in school history, tion, which got me into learning about croscopic images, analyze them and then in the Regeneron competetion.
MHS is home to a finalist in one of Ameri- computer science and biology, which just determine if contamination is present.”
ca’s most prestigious science competitions. culminated in my research.” research and career opportunities down
Acharya initially started developing the road,” Acharya said. “Obviously, the
Senior Laalitya Acharya has been Acharya got her foothold into the the device in February 2019, intending to scholarship will help on the monetary side
named a Top 40 finalist in the Regeneron Regeneron contest in seventh grade, when enter it into the science fair circuit. As the of it as well.”
Science Talent Search (STS) contest, giv- she was involved in a program run by the Regeneron STS approached in November
ing her a $25,000 scholarship. The Regen- Society For Science, the same company 2020, Acharya decided to submit it as a Acharya has wise words for other
eron contest is one of the most esteemed that hosts the contest. “[The Regeneron part of the contest. In January 2020, Acha- people looking to enter this high-profile
high school science competitions in STS] was an incredible opportunity for rya was named a Top 40 Finalist competition: failure might seem like a
America. Being named a finalist, Acharya me to learn about scientific research and setback, but in reality, you can use it as a
is in prestigious company, alongside 13 engage with other peers who love science,” “They called us a day before they pub- step forward.
Nobel Prize winners and 21 MacArthur Acharya said. licly announced it,” Acharya said. “I knew
Foundation fellows. that the phone calls would be coming in “Don’t be afraid to fail,” Acharya said.
For her submission into the contest, that day, and I got a call from [Washing- “One thing that I always say is that science
Acharya has been exploring her passion Acharya created a neural network device ton] DC, so I picked it up and [was told] isn’t linear. A lot of times in school, we’re
for science since she was a young girl: “My that detects contamination in water at the that I was a finalist!” taught [the process is] hypothesis, ques-
first experiment was with Coca Cola-- I’m microbial level. She was inspired to create tion, data, results. In reality you might
a big fan of soda, and when I was younger this invention following a family trip to Being named a Finalist, following in the have to go back to the drawing board,
India, when her eyes were widened with footsteps of so many prestigious others, scrap everything, and try again. And you
Acharya’s the lack of access in the nation to clean has been the manifestation of a longtime will fail and that is okay, as long as you
Submission water. goal for Acharya-- one that dates back to just come back and keep on getting back
her middle school days. at it.”
Graphic by Rachel Cai “People [in India] lack access to clean
water and even with the [precautions] “I was in middle school and I read about
that my parents and I took like boiling the finalists then, and their projects were
water and not eating raw food, I still felt so inspiring to me,” Acharya said. “I always
sick from drinking contaminated water,” dreamed of being amongst the ranks of
Acharya said. “It’s a huge issue-- billions of them and to be a finalist is incredible and
people fall ill and millions die across the mind blowing. I still don’t think I fully
globe.” comprehend that.”

After learning of the lack of access to In March, the 40 finalists will be com-
clean water India, Acharya realized that peting for the top prize. But beyond the
she held the key to helping people who competition aspect, Acharya is looking
faced this problem by developing a new towards continuing her research and
and innovative creation. continuing to pursue her science goals
and career.
“I already had some previous experi-
ence in coding, so I wondered if I could “It is such an honor to be able to be a
finalist that I hope it’ll help me get more

HANDS-ON, PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE FROM DAY ONE

in the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University

• Journalism • Game Design • Music Production
• Public Relations • Video Production • Social Media
• Photojournalism • and many more!
DIVISION OF STU•DVEisNuaTl DAeFsFigAnIRS

ohio.edu/scripps-college

February 19, 2021 Feature 19

Knocking out norms

Female boxers enter male-dominated sport, crush stereotypes

Photos by Abby Waetcher

Junior Sidney Richards goes to TITLE Boxing Club to work on her skills and stay in shape during the swim off-season

Abby Waetcher | Staff Writer can be altered or designed for the boxer’s specific television. However, because boxing is tailored to
needs. Junior Isabella Diaz participates in a special every person differently, anyone despite their age,
Women are putting on boxing gloves and throw- type of boxing that involves the incorporation of size, and gender is capable of boxing. Richards said
ing themselves into the ring. an additional move: kicking. that she feels that people often characterize boxers
as aggressive people when in reality, this notion is
Sixty years ago, whenever boxing was men- Kickboxing uses the same movements as boxing a myth.
tioned, the vast majority of the public would think while incorporating kicking into the fold. Kick-
of Muhammad Ali and his triumphs over his hun- boxers will alternate between punches and kicks “People are always surprised to hear that I box
dreds of opponents. Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson to accomplish a full-body workout. Diaz said that because it’s always been thought of as an aggres-
was the most notable boxer. kickboxing allows her to work out in a way that al- sive sport,” Richards said. “I’m not an aggressive
lows her to work different parts of her body while person and would never punch a person, but
Now, when people hear the word boxing they also serving as a stress reliever. people always think that boxers are intimidating
tend to conjure an image of a heavy-set, fake- people and we’re not.”
tanned, muscular male figure. Over the years, “Kickboxing is a great physical workout for me
however, more and more women have entered the and it is also a way to make me feel good about Over time, women are crushing the assumption
high-intensity practice. myself,” Diaz said. “It’s also my way of letting that boxing gyms are typically packed with men
stressful things out in a controlled environment as more women fill the programs every week.
Boxing offers a workout that works in multiple where I can’t hurt anyone.” Hayward, Richards, and Diaz said that they have
different areas of the body. The ‘swinging motion’ seen more women experiment with boxing at their
of the arms moves the muscles within them as Although choir teacher Katie Hayward is 32 gyms; as a result, more and more women have
well as the shoulders and the muscles in the upper weeks pregnant and her boxing practices have been using boxing as their primary way to exer-
back, which increases upper-body strength. Box- been put on a temporary hold, she said that boxing cise.
ing is also an aerobic exercise that offers a high- helps her feel more confident in herself and helps
calorie-burning workout and ultimately increases her cope with stressful experiences. Hayward said that while her gym is primarily
stamina. It also increases hand-eye coordination made up of women, the community that they have
as well as challenges the balance. Junior Sydney “There are times when I go [to] boxing stressed built within their program encourages everyone
Richards said that boxing offered her an alterna- about school or something else, and I’ll always feel regardless of their skill to work as hard as they can
tive way to help strengthen her shoulders during better afterward,” Hayward said. “Part of that relief to get better at the sport they love.
her off-seasons. is just the general benefit of moving my body, and
some of the relief comes from the fact that I get to “Seventy-five percent of the boxers in my gym
“When I am not swimming, I need a way to help hit the mitts hard. There is just something inher- are women,” Hayward said. “The rest are kids:
strengthen my shoulders again,” Richards said. ently satisfying about that.” boys and girls who are typically younger around
“Boxing offers me a workout similar to the inten- ten to eighteen. All of us are super normal human
sity of swimming and a way to help strengthen my Most people are shocked when they find out that beings that don’t resemble bodybuilders at all, but
scapula again.” girls box because their presumed body types are we are all strong people working to become better
not often associated with the stereotypical hyper- athletes.”
There are many different types of boxing that masculine and domineering boxers often seen on

20 February 19, 2021

Gibson overcomes injuries to return to wrestling with a vengeance

Matthew Smith | Sports Editor deal with grew into determination. Photo by Bob Vermillion
Gibson said that observing from the Gibson has finally had a healthy season after suffering a labrum tear in back to back seasons.
Senior wrestler Brock Gibson is sideline the last two years only makes
back on the mat after being pinned his success that much more fulfilling. Photo by Bob Vermillion
down by injuries. Gibson competes against a Lakota West opponent in a January match.
“It means a lot to be such a big
Gibson has been a varsity wrestler contributor to the GMC title this year
since his freshman year, but due to because I have spent my last 2 years
injuries, this is the first season he has watching,” Gibson said. “I spent the
been able to be a key contributor to whole time telling myself ‘I should
the team. be out there winning for my people
and most importantly, making people
Going into his sophomore season, remember my name.’”
Gibson expected to be a big part for
Mason before tearing his labrum in While Gibson has had plenty of suc-
his shoulder. He was forced to miss cess in his return, it doesn’t change
the entire season, but despite the tear, his injury history. One struggle Gib-
Gibson opted to not get surgery and son experiences is trying to fully gain
only rehab. back his strength even in the midst
of the season. On top of the physical
Returning for his junior year after aspect, Gibson said he also deals with
extensive rehab, another devastat- the mental aspect of attempting to
ing shoulder injury forced Gibson trust his shoulder on the mat.
to miss the 2019-20 season. This time
around Gibson didn’t have much of a “There were and still are fears of
choice - he would need to get surgery repeating the injury,” Gibson said.
to repair the labrum. Right after the “This year I have made it my goal to
injury, Gibson said that there was a pin my opponent and get off the mat
time when he thought he may never as quickly as possible because my
return to the mat. shoulder gets tired so fast and that is
when it gets weak. My coaches make
“Sophomore year I tore my labrum me do shoulder therapy exercises
in my shoulder, and we chose not to every day as well before practice to
operate on it and rehab it back to full continue strengthening the shoulder.”
strength. When my junior year came
around, in my first match of the year, Knowing that at any second an
I dislocated [the shoulder] and tore injury could be looming around the
the labrum even more,” Gibson said. corner, Gibson has cherished every
“At this point, I thought my career second of his senior season. Not tak-
might be done for good. I ended up ing a single thing for granted, Maffey
getting surgery and continued more said that this mindset of Gibson’s is
therapy afterward.” evident at all times.

Although at first Gibson was un- “[Gibson] makes it known to the
sure if he would be back to varsity staff and team, almost daily, his grati-
wrestling, Gibson has shattered any tude for the opportunity to wrestle,”
doubts that he would be back. Finally Maffey said. “Whether a grueling
able to wrestle for an entire season, practice, tough match or the bus ride
Gibson finished first in the Greater with the boys, Brock has talked about
Miami Conference (GMC) in the taking every opportunity. There’s no
120 pound weight class with 18 wins. doubt he will exhaust his gas tank
Gibson also owns a weight class lead- each match.”
ing 10 pins. Head wrestling coach
Nicholas Maffey said he is proud of Gibson has chosen not to continue
how well Gibson has performed this his wrestling career in college, which
season. pushes him to finish out this season
with everything he has left. In the
“Brock Gibson is a student-athlete waning stages of the season, Gibson
who has had tough luck the last two said that despite the unfortunate inju-
seasons and is now maximizing his ries he has suffered, he’s thankful for
opportunity to compete,” Maffey said. the lessons they have taught him.
“Brock has been with the Mason Wres-
tling program from an early age and “My biggest take away from these
was a guy many were excited to see injuries is now knowing that you
him develop into what we are seeing need to go to the max and push
now.” yourself as much as possible,” Gibson
said. “If you want something, go get
During Gibson’s time away from it. Nobody said it would come easy,
wrestling, he itched to return to the it all just depends on how badly you
mat, and the adversity he has had to want it.”

February 19, 2021 Sports 21

Comets bring home six GMC titles in COVID complicated season

Divyana Bose | Staff Writer to watch yourself and teammates put “I’m very grateful to have our sea- their individual game.”
in so much work and succeed,” Lugbill son,” DiTullio said. “Especially since we
After claiming seven Greater Miami said. “The dedication everyone puts in didn’t get to finish out the season last STEMPLE COMMENDS
Conference (GMC) Championships in makes Mason’s team culture amazing.” year when sports were canceled the day EVERYONE INVOLVED
the fall sports season, the Mason Com- we were supposed to leave for state. The
ets are showing that in spite of a global Even with everything that has made GMC gave us the opportunity to prove The Mason Comets athletic teams
pandemic, they have the resilience to this season a struggle, Lugbill took everyone wrong.” have once again flexed their muscle
maintain that championship standard it upon herself to make the most of in the GMC. The athletes and coaches
winning six more conference titles dur- her senior season. Her outlook on the The wrestling team has also once brought home league championships,
ing the winter sports season. negatives turned into positives, and that again found themselves ranked top shattered records, and achieved state
drove her to keep a dedicated mindset. ten in the state. Head Coach Nicholas rankings. These accomplishments speak
The Comets brought home champi- Maffey said that every match was sa- to the dedication and commitments
onships in girls basketball, girls swim- “Everything is what you make of it,” vored and never taken for granted. made by the coaches and athletes.
ming, boys swimming, wrestling, boys Lugbill said. “I can’t even imagine not
bowling, and chess. While the winter having my senior season with my team “It goes back to the theme of the Mason High School Athletic Director
sports season has been filled with un- and I’m beyond thankful I got to have season -- make every moment matter,” Scott Stemple said it took a compre-
certainties the Comets blocked out the it.” Maffey said. “We learned to accept the hensive effort by everyone involved in
distractions to maintain their firm grasp uncontrollable things and reinvest our the athletic program in order for the
on GMC supremacy. OSBORN, BLOEBAUM LEAD energy into things we can control.” teams to play to such a high standard
BOYS TO CONFERENCE while having to follow strict protocols.
GIRLS BASKETBALL WINS CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS TEAM CHECKMATES Stemple believes everyone involved in
GMC TITLE CONFERENCE FOES FOR the successful performances deserve
Head Coach Mark Sullivan was to be commended for their dedication
Despite being hit with unexpected named conference coach of the year, LEAGUE TITLE to the student-athletes who represent
COVID-19 quarantines and a series of while West Virginia University com- Mason.
injuries, the girls basketball team was mit Braden Osborn earned swimmer The Mason chess team also checked
able to grind out an undefeated season of the year honors for the Comets who a GMC title off their list, capping off a “The athletes, coaches, and our Sports
and their first outright GMC title since claimed their fifth straight GMC Cham- 14-0 season. Their coach, Keith Brack- Medicine support team should be
2013. Senior Marilyn Popplewell said pionship. enridge, was also recognized as Coach highly commended for their efforts,”
that coming back from a team quaran- of the Year after guiding the team to Stemple said. “This year has been a
tine was difficult, however, having the Knowing their plan of action could an undefeated season. Team members true test beyond any past measures of
right mindset to play after the two-week change at any given moment, the team Ruthvik Ayyagari, Rithvik Kilaparthi, dedication, persistence, and commit-
period was a task that was essential to was forced to take this season one day and Jason Wang earned first-team all- ment for all of our students, coaches,
the team’s success. at a time. Junior Carl Bloebaum, who conference honors, while Neev Gupta athletic department staff, and respect-
won the 100-yard Butterfly, said that and Constantin Stanescu-Bellu were able families.”
“It’s hard to get back into game shape swimming for a program like Mason’s second-team recipients.
so quickly,” Popplewell said. “We had to is enough encouragement amidst un- Team photos courtesy of the Mason High School Sports
make up so many games in such a short certainties. BOYS BOWLERS EARN Information Director (Chess team photo not available).
amount of time, but these challenges SHARE OF THIRD
made winning the GMC that much “It’s a special pride to swim for a STRAIGHT TITLE
more gratifying.” team with a storied history like Mason,”
Bloebaum said. “We all know what it The Mason boys bowling team
The Comets had their fair share of takes and what we need to do in order captured a share of the GMC title with
hardships this season. Stand-out sopho- to keep swimming, so we simply just an overall record of 13-2 and 8-1 in the
more guard Margo Mattes had to deal deal with the guidelines that come league. The race went down to the
with an ankle injury and multiple quar- along with it.” final match of the season where they
antines and junior center Kyla Oldacare defeated Lakota West in order to get
has been sidelined since January 23 with WRESTLERS CONTINUE a share of their third straight GMC
a leg injury. Through all of this, Head GMC DOMINANCE title. The Comets share the title with
Coach Rob Matula has been impressed Middletown.
with his team’s ability to rise above the One of the most successful winter
COVID confusion. sports teams since Mason has joined Even though bowling requires play-
the GMC has been the Mason wrestling ers to bowl individually, Head Coach
“Winning is fun, but it comes with team. Once again they proved their Joe Riestenberg felt the team’s cohe-
sacrifice,” Matula said. “With all the conference dominance standing atop sion played a big role in not only their
distractions this year, especially COVID, the podium for the 11th time out of the final GMC match but throughout the
this team has continued to rise up to last 12 years. entirety of this unique season.
every challenge.”
Senior Dominic DiTullio continued “It is difficult to talk about teamwork
GIRLS SWIMMERS CLAIM his impressive Mason career going over when you have an individual sport, but
14th CONSECUTIVE the 150 win mark this season. After see- the camaraderie and the ability for each
CHAMPIONSHIP ing the promising 2020 season ended member to step up when needed has
during the Covid shutdown DiTullio been key,” Rieistenberg said. “The focus
Another championship banner will said he is thankful his team could show all year has been to win the GMC and
be raised for the girls swim team who how good they are, even if there were a they achieved that goal by ignoring any
won their fourteenth consecutive GMC couple of setbacks along the way. outside distractions and focusing on
Championship.

The University of Notre Dame com-
mit Reese Lugbill, a conference winner
in four events, was proud of the team’s
ability to focus on their season and all
the hard work it took for the team to
complete a championship season de-
spite all the uncertainties presented by
trying to compete during a pandemic.

“One of the best things is being able

22 Opinion February 19, 2021

Misogyny in the music scene: ditorial
stop the one-sided

S Ecriticism
taff

Meghan Dincler | Staff Writer Consuming celebrity culture costs us
5 Seconds of Summer. One
Direction. BTS. While the days of sensationalized celebrity gos- strange activity and yet its acceptable behavior that
Talented, famous boy bands, ridiculed for having sip coming from tabloid magazines circa 2006 are we keep tabs with the latest relationships of A-list
a fanbase of largely teenage girls. pretty much gone, a sleeker, faster information stars. This sort of behavior disconnects us from
Why is it that we, as a society, have such a disdain machine has taken its place. our own realities -- as if we are living vicariously
for content with a primarily young female audi- through the triumphs and downfalls of others
ence? But the accessibility and speed of the internet through the internet. And the speed of it all keeps
You hear all the time that this kind of music is are not upgrades in this case -- they are unethical us incredibly, excessively, and scarily engaged -- we
mindless; “bubblegum pop,” if you will. No matter and dangerous and promote a toxic culture of idol- could live our entire lives scrolling through other
the quality, in the media we can often see music go izing celebrities, wanting to know every detail of lives and not notice how much time has passed all
down in value because people immediately apply their personal lives, and then learning more than the while.
the close-minded idea that it’s bad (without even lis- we should when the internet was just giving us
tening to it) solely because it’s enjoyed by teenage what we thought we wanted. Then, when our increasing need to know more
girls. Girls are ridiculed for liking almost anything, and more details urges the media to give us what
and it’s starting to become a problem. In the 2000s anyone interested in Lindsay Lo- we want -- either by legitimate or illegal means
As a teenage girl, if I say that I enjoy anything han’s latest activities would have to wait days or -- we find ourselves looking at deeply private
with a male dominated audience, from Marvel to even a week to pick up a new US Weekly magazine. information that may not always paint a glorious
Metallica, I’m immediately prepared to have to Now, with the rise of social media becoming an picture. Either this makes the public more disen-
prove it. Like I’m not allowed to just like some- increasingly popular news source, sites like Twitter chanted with the celebrity in question or it fuels
thing, I have to know everything about it or I’m just have assumed the role of the tabloid, acting as an onslaught of critique and jokes at the celebrity’s
a “stupid girl, only in it for the hot men.” a news source with trending pages and frequent expense; either way, the gossip only stokes the
When you look at content strongly marketed updates. In reality, this is a flimsy disguise so that flames.
towards teenage boys, you very rarely see any kind they can really function as tell-alls for the most
of mockery or ridicule of that content by adults or popular figures and garner clicks the same way Essentially, the obsession we have with these
teenage girls. And yet, the minute that something magazine racks 10 years ago hoped would get at- figures is instantly gratifying. We can gossip about
is marketed towards a teenage girl, it loses intellec- tention from shoppers. their shortcomings and critique their behavior
tual value. from afar without any of the consequences landing
Not only can that create confidence issues for But what’s different is just how fast the word on us. Cancel culture has come as a direct result of
young women - it can cause girls to think they’re spreads. For instance, when Kobe Bryant, his this need to exploit sensationalism and the power
not smart because they’re told they can’t enjoy “in- daughter, and seven others tragically died in the of the public figure, not as a result from actually
tellectual” content, or have lower self worth because helicopter crash, TMZ was the first to the scene wanting to hold public figures accountable.
the things they find value and enjoyment in have and immediately posted the news. They were so
lower worth in society’s eyes - but it’s inherently fast, in fact, that they reported about the event If we want to stop this cycle then we need to stop
hypocritical, especially on the subject of music. even before the families were personally told that feeding into the culture that does more harm than
Because you know which artists had followings of their loved ones had passed. And just recently, good invading people’s private lives and exploiting
primarily teenage girls when they started? John Mulaney’s personal struggle with addiction their fallibility.
David Bowie. Peter Franptom. Poison. Bon Jovi. was revealed the very night he went into rehab.
Motley Crue. Frankly, caring less, minding our business, and
All these people, who are now part of every indie What is occurring is a vicious cycle of the tending to our own problems will go a long way
boy’s renowned vinyl collection, played for audi- public’s obsession with those in the spotlight and to fixing the issue we’ve collectively created. The
ences of screaming girls. pseudo-media companies and corporations rushing only reason the market for this sort of news is so
People seem to think that when a girl is a fan of to meet demand. This vortex not only hurts the saturated is because it a business at heart and re-
something, she goes into a crazed obsession, unable celebrities whose personal lives and scandalous ally just needs the views and the money.
to discern good from bad. This idea most likely secrets are caught in the crossfire but also for those
stems from the stereotype that women are “too that choose to engage with this content. Involv- Disinterest and indifference will let celebrities
emotional” and can’t think logically because of it. ing yourself with stranger’s lives seems like a very go on about their own lives. And in turn, it will let
This does nothing but hammer home the concept us finally go about our own.
that girls have no taste, and are just too obsessed
and overwhelmed with emotion to understand when
something is bad quality. Clearly, time has proven
that to be untrue, if men now take music that was
primarily supported by teen girls and put it up on a
pedestal of superiority! And yet it’s still a prevailing
problem.
There’s almost no popular media that teenage
girls can support without somehow being mocked
or ridiculed. Music is a major part of my life, and
the idea that I can’t like certain bands solely based
on my age or gender is not only harmful but just
downright ridiculous.
The idea that teenage girls can’t recognize good
quality entertainment is an inherently harmful
stereotype, one that’s only going to turn people
away from being able to enjoy the content they take
interest in.

The Chronicle’s Policy Risha Chada
Evelina Gaivoronskaia
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The Chronicle is published monthly.

February 19, 2021 Opinion 23

Choosing myself Editorial Cartoon
during the season

of love

Shravani Page | Staff Writer Trump’s acquittal But quite frankly, no matter how often it’s echoed, I don’t
I don’t hate Valentine’s Day. reflects lasting really think that sentiment rings true.
The hopeless romantic in myself effects of political
loves it. A day where you have the opportunity power I genuinely can’t bring myself to truly think that history
to express love toward someone. A day full will find Trump guilty, not when the grand tradition of
of chocolates, candlelight dinners, and heart- Raghav Raj | Staff Writer American politics is to greatly ignore the egregious, im-
shaped everything. mense wrongs of its leaders. I don’t think that Trump or the
My romanticization of this day has stuck On February 13, just over a month after violent right- hatred he and his wing of the GOP have fomented will —
with me for a while. wing insurrectionists stormed the Capitol building, the at least, for the time being — receive any sort of real, lasting
I was somewhat of a “social butterfly” my second impeachment of former President Donald J. consequence for the harm they’ve done and continue to do.
sophomore year of high school. Now, that Trump came to an unceremonious, all-too-predictable
label didn’t prevent me from being the quiet- end. Though a majority of the Senate — by a 57-43 vote — Mainly, as my evidence for this, I’ll present the case of
est person in school, but I was pretty social by voted for Trump’s conviction, there weren’t enough votes the closest analogue to Trump in modern American poli-
my standards. Everything seemed to be going to reach the supermajority needed to convict, acquitting tics: Richard Nixon, a man whose presidency was equally
great that year. The boy I liked and I were Trump of any responsibility for the events that unfolded on marked with gratuitous scandal and a disgraceful end.
close, my friends and I hung out all the time, January 6.
and most of all, I never felt lonely. In the case of Nixon, when Watergate occurred and
Being in a relationship rocked at the begin- Essentially, Trump departs from the Oval Office having proof of his role in the cover-up was revealed, the instinctive
ning. He was sweet, kind, and my best friend. wiped his hands clean of the genuine horror that unfolded reaction of the Republican Party was to excise the corrupt
But soon I began to realize that I began to rely on his command at the Capitol building that day. He, to the man in the White House forcefully and with purpose. Any
on him more and more to be happy. I couldn’t fullest extent of the law, has fully been absolved for any re- of the 10 Republicans who had originally voted against
find my bliss. It always had to be derived from sponsibility related to the unrest — five dead and over 140 impeachment on the House Judiciary Committee were
some source. injured — his militant, far-right horde caused when they immediately swayed by the evidence on the tapes, and all
As we began to drift, I wanted to hold onto barged into the Capitol building on his command. vowed to support impeachment. Eventually, when Nixon
this relationship. Onto this person who made realized the Senate was just as eager to remove him, he
it seem like nothing else mattered. I was on a For many, this sort of gross, blatant miscarriage of justice departed in shame, a black mark that the Republican Party
slippery slope as I struggled and faltered, until feels like a damning indictment all on its own, both for cast aside and forged ahead without.
I finally fell. Trump and for the Republican Party that all-too-eagerly
And I fell hard. defended him at every step, even when he put their lives That’s not the case with today’s Republican Party in
I thought I could make someone else happy, in direct danger. Some have labeled it a nail in the casket relation to Trump, however, a man the party continues to
even if I wasn’t happy with myself. I learned for the GOP, the endpoint where conservatism evolves into eagerly hitch their platform onto, no matter how deeply
the hard way that this statement is false. Trumpism (which, from the looks of it, have gradually harmful his rhetoric may be. By choosing not to level
Happiness comes from within. And al- become one and the same over these four years). In a New consequences on Trump, to not cast him aside the way
though that may be a cliche, it is true. I’ve Yorker op-ed released just after the Senate vote, columnist the party did with Nixon, the Republicans are making a
been on a path to create my happiness, to be David Remnick boldly proclaimed that “History Will Find statement in support of Trump, of his actions and his gross
my source of happiness, and I gotta say...this Trump Guilty,” a sentiment that I’ve increasingly seen ap- misdeeds. In ensuring that they stand by his side, they
feels kinda fire. pear on news site after news site. continue allowing space for his rhetoric to thrive, for his
I thought there was some “secret recipe” to wrongdoings to be ignored, for history to cast his mistakes
creating my own happiness. Like maybe a mix to the wayside.
of letting go of people and cutting out toxic
activity with a hint of self-hype. But I soon
learned that there is no secret recipe to self-
happiness(another lesson I learned the hard
way).
Learning to love me and rebuild myself is
one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
But it was one of the first major things I did
for myself. I quit trying to justify my faults
and I stopped guilting myself for the negativ-
ity I caused.
And throughout that process, I lost the re-
lationship. I lost all my hopes of all the things
he and I could’ve done after quarantine ended.
From making those cute couple TikToks to
driving around to celebrating the holidays
together. Heck, my inner hopeless romantic
couldn’t wait till Valentine’s Day.
But this year, I’m spending Valentine’s Day
baking a cake with a few friends and prob-
ably watching Crazy Rich Asians because lord
knows how much I love that movie.
It hit me this year that Valentine’s Day
doesn’t have to be about choosing someone
else. It doesn’t have to include someone
surprising me with a bouquet or a candlelight
dinner. It doesn’t have to be about someone
else.
This year, for the first time, I chose myself.

24 February 19, 2021