Chronicle 18.1

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

2 Cover Story September 25, 2020

Norman receives national attention for efforts in youth activism
organized the Mason Black Lives Matter take action in my community. I could portunities that can make me a better
Della Johnson | Staff Writer protest, and more. see the things that were affecting the organizer and activist in general. ”
Being a minor hasn’t stopped senior nation on a global scale, but also have
Mariah Norman from pushing for Though her experience in activism an impact on people right here in a All of this attention from the media
major change. began years ago, Norman’s morals and small suburb. I felt like it was a gap that is anything but familiar to Norman,
Norman has been actively involved motivation behind her actions have needed to be bridged.” who began activism because of her
in politics for around three years. From evolved greatly. All of these experi- passion. She said that, though it may
attending various local and national ences, combined with encouragement Norman’s involvement has had no feel a little strange for her at times, she
protests to organizing her own, she has and strong role models, have allowed strict definition of projects--whether her mostly sees the new support as a way to
found her voice in activism and uses it Norman to gain more confidence in her impact was being made by fundrais- further her outreach.
to push for the issues she cares about. message and herself. ers or protests--and she doesn’t think
While students are under the legal anyone else’s involvement has to look “It’s been sort of surreal for me to be
voting age of 18, they may feel that they “Looking back on my freshman self, a certain way either. In fact, Norman recognized for my work and the things
have limited options for participating in I didn’t think that I would be who I am encourages diversity in approaches to that I do, since I just did it because it
the United States’ democracy. Norman today and where I am today,” Norman issues, which allows for a message to was important to me,” Norman said.
said she had always had an interest in said. “The person that I was was mostly span across a wider audience range with “Now it’s getting media recognition. It’s
current events, but she didn’t realize she focused on assimilating and fitting contrasting backgrounds. very uncomfortable for me. It’s weird
was capable of making an impact until in, not talking about things that are for me to talk about it, because
early in her high school career. controversial, not trying to seem like Along with the causes she supports, it feels like something that
“I started getting into activism my the ‘angry black woman’ [stereotype] she also advocates for everyone to have was always so natural for
freshman year,” Norman said. “(Before in class. It’s definitely jarring to think a voice, especially in a town like Mason. me. To get a bigger
then), I didn’t realize students could about what my younger self would She believes that, by simply holding platform to spread
have a say in what happened around have thought of me. She was definitely out and speaking up for what they care that message is
them. I was always passionate about a more meek version of myself, more about, anyone can be an activist. really an honor.
social issues. It’s always been something scared of what people thought.” Honestly.”
that I cared deeply for, but I didn’t “Activism can come in many forms,
realize that I have the capacity to take With her first experiences in activ- and you can be an activist in your Graphic by Lexi Brown
action for it.” ism, Norman looked to upperclassmen everyday life,” Norman said. “In the
For Norman, it wasn’t until the Stone- leaders at Mason to teach her valuable way that you carry yourself, in the way
man Douglas High School shooting lessons about involvement. She said the that you speak about issues. I’ve always
occurred that she discovered what she influence of those older students, as used my platform on social media and
had the potential to accomplish as a well as her leadership experiences, still in classes, discussing things, to raise
youth in America. Norman said she got impact the way she uses her voice today. awareness about issues that I feel may
involved with the 2017 walkout to the be overlooked, especially in a predomi-
Mason fieldhouse, which ignited a spark “[Upperclassmen] were a big influ- nantly white suburban society.”
in her. ence on me; they all knew about how
“(I learned about) what happened in American democracy and political With her leadership and strong
Parkland, with the school shooting that participation worked,” Norman said. “I voice on current issues, Norman has
happened there, and the big uprising took the lessons I learned from them intrigued the attention of media outlets
of student activism during that time,” into all the projects I’ve done since then. and organizations. Norman was recog-
Norman said. “I got involved with some When we planned the walkout, we col- nized by local and national media alike
people here at Mason and we planned laborated with so many different people for her efforts in activism, including
the walkout at the high school. Being and there were so many different ideas The Washington Post, CBS, The Cincin-
one of the lead organizers for that, just coming into it. It was a really pivotal nati Enquirer, and WCPO 9 News. She
a freshman when everyone else was moment for me in my activism career.” explained the opportunities that she
upperclassmen, was a big thrust into has been given by local and national
the whole world of activism. I was re- Recently, Norman’s inspiration to groups.
ally passionate about continuing that speak out has expanded to other young
action.” activists of color, encouraging her to “The Youth Activists club that I
In her three years of advocacy, Nor- bring the global movements to her lo- started is powered by the National
man has started the Mason Youth Activ- cal streets. Women’s March organization
ist’s Club, sold bracelets for the Aruna that does the annual march on
project, launched her own nonprofit “Most of the people that inspire me Washington,” Norman said. “It’s
titled the Mariah Michelle Foundation, are different young activists, especially actually a youth division of that
women of color, that are doing the organization. So, I’ve had a lot
work,” Norman said. “I really look up to of ties with them and The Wom-
them and everything that they’re doing, en’s March I’ve done a lot of different
just seeing it on social media, all these activism training programs, organizing
different movements that are happen- schools, and summer camps, just op-
ing. It really inspired me to be able to

September 25, 2020 News 3

Colleges implement test-optional policies in light of pandemic

Rilee Malloy | Staff Writer

Amidst ACT cancellations, many While many schools have aban-
colleges are following in each doned test score requirements for
other’s footsteps and becoming test- admissions, others still require a
optional. test score to be considered for schol-
arships. Choosing to not submit test
While schools such as The Ohio scores will not hurt in the admis-
State University have become test- sions portion of the application,
optional for only one application but a student may not get as many
cycle, others have different ways of opportunities for financial aid.
adapting to limited ACT resources.
Colleges such as Ohio University “You have a two-pronged thing
and The College of Wooster have happening, you have admissions
decided they will no longer require and you have financial aid which
ACT or SAT scores, permanently. might hinge on that score,” Affatato
said. “Schools are going to say that
Guidance Counselor Tony Affata- you don’t have to submit the test
to said that although many schools score for admissions, but you might
are moving to become permanently have to [give] a test score for their
test-optional, Mason High School scholarship pool. They still have a
will continue to offer the test to tiered system and you might have
students in February. to have the score to get that scholar-
ship that might be merit-based.”
“Across the country, [people]
have been concerned that students Students may lose out on the op-
don’t have access to take [the ACT] portunity for scholarships because
because of the cost factor,” Affatato they were unable to find anopen
said. “Our plan will always be to test center or get a spot at one. Mon-
give students access to the ACT be- roe was able to reach her goal score,
cause it is important that they have but there are many students who
the opportunity to take it.” were unable to do so. Students may
have been unable to improve their
While high schools plan to offer ACT score for a variety of reasons
the ACT, social distancing guide- and Monroe said just because they
lines made it hard for many stu- don’t submit a score doesn’t mean
dents to find open test centers, due they don’t deserve financial aid.
to the fact that seats are limited and
fill up quickly. Senior Jack Petro- “Colleges base scholarships on
celli was unable to take additional a set score range,” Monroe said.
ACT’s or get access to a tutor, which “Since it is now optional to submit
made it difficult for him to better your score, it’s not really fair to still
his score. evaluate solely on ACT since that
is no longer applicable to everyone.
“I had to [prepare] on my own,” Just because someone doesn’t sub-
Petrocelli said. “I was disappointed mit their score doesn’t mean they
because I knew I could get a better don’t deserve a scholarship.”
score [with help]. I wanted to get a
better score [for scholarships] but at Affatato said that he doesn’t want
the same time I got a good enough students to worry about the ACT
score [for admissions].” portion of their application. Instead,
he said to focus on pieces of their
Senior Ella Monroe was tutored application that are within their
before she took the ACT. Monroe jurisdiction, like their essays. Ad-
spent six hours a week tutoring missions offices may focus more on
beginning the summer before her essays and other aspects of students'
junior year. Since colleges are now applications as they are becoming
becoming test-optional, Monroe more sympathetic to the upcoming
said she feels like she won’t reap the graduating classes when it comes to
benefits of the energy she put into ACT requirements.
the ACT.
“The test-optional could help
“Because of the money we put students take the weight off their
into it, it was something we were shoulders,” Affatato said. “Schools
hoping to get back in scholarships realize it had an impact on [seniors]
with my score going up,” Monroe that was beyond their control. It will
said. “If I knew schools were going help students because it focuses on
to become test-optional before I did the things that [they] can control.”
tutoring then I wouldn’t [have done]
it.”

Graphics by Rachel Cai

4 News September 25, 2020

Mason Amnesty International Club prevents deportation of pastor

Abby Waechter | Staff Writer platforms. Morjaria said that the club did what- tions taken by members of the club
ever they could in order to gain ended up changing ICE’s decision on when
Amnesty International members are striving the attention of ICE and pressure them to re- Tendo should be deported.
to make a difference by advocating for human evaluate the situation.
rights. “People from Uganda who opposed his
“We were calling the governor’s office and beliefs had announced their intention to kill
Amnesty International is a chapter of the different government officials and signing vari- Pastor Steven upon his arrival there, so Am-
largest human rights organization in the world ous petitions to do whatever we could in order nesty International announced urgent action
that aims to fight against human rights abuses. to put a lot of public pressure on the govern- to all of its members to take immediately.” Rao
Co-president Maya Morjaria, a junior, said that ment to stop his deportation,” Morjaria said. said. “Eventually, his deportation was delayed
the new club has worked closely with other for a week after the first wave of action, and a
branches of Amnesty International in order Graphic by Rachel Cai few days later it was delayed again until after
to advocate for the re-evaluation of people he received a fair trial regarding his asylum
who are in need of safe havens because of “There’s power in numbers and our platform’s appeal.”
dangers they face by returning to their flow has continued to grow, so with everyone
home countries. helping, it was really helpful getting circula- Although the club is completely online
tion and attention.” oriented due to the pandemic, they
Pastor Steven Tendo is a human were able to make a difference and
rights activist from Uganda who On September 2, 2020, ICE released a state- recognize their potential to create
advocated for social justice. ment saying that Tendo would be deported change. Rao said that the actions
After being placed in many back to Uganda. If returned to Uganda, Tendo that the club members took
life-threatening situations could face persecution, torture, attack, or death. gave them insight into some
of governmental backlash Junior and Amnesty International co-president of the projects they can
from his activism, he fled Tulasi Rao said that the quick and crucial ac- achieve as students.
Uganda to seek asylum “[The opportunity] al-
in the United States. lowed our members to
Tendo was then de- preview an important
tained by Immigration unknown injustice and
and Customs Enforce- [learn] how to advocate
ment (ICE) for over a while completely online,”
year, sustaining health Rao said. “It shows how
problems while in cus- much of a difference a
tody due to insufficient group of passionate high
treatment for his Diabetes. school students can make in
During the same week he the world.”
was set to get a much needed Members of the new club con-
surgery, ICE planned to deport tinue to stress that students have
him back to Uganda. power in numbers and can make a
difference in the world by advocating
“Pastor Steven was trying to seek
asylum in America from Uganda be- for those who are in complicated situ-
cause he was very vocal about social rights ations where they are not able to exercise
issues and social justice,” Morjaria said. “Within basic human rights.
two days, Amnesty International and other Morjaria said that with the help and resourc-
clubs like ours were able to stop his deporta- es of the International Amenesty organization,
tion, and now he’s going to get a trial to deter- students Mason's chapter of the group are able
mine if he is allowed to stay or not.” to help others in need both locally and glob-
ally.
The club was able to quickly utilize their “It’s really easy for someone to say that they
resources in order to take action and get their want to help out the community or make a
opinion known to the leaders of important change in the world, but it’s a different thing to
organizations. Members of the club made calls actually be able to do it.” Morjaria said. “Since
to the ICE Phoenix Office, emailed ICE officials Amnesty International is already a global or-
directly, made calls to the Arizona governor’s ganization, we have the resources to make that
office, signed various petitions and expressed change.”
their concerns to ICE directly over social media

September 25, 2020 News 5

Graphic by Rachel Cai Proficiency based learning
approach introduced in
foreign language classes

Abby Waechter | Staff Writer

Foreign language teachers are have learned in a spontaneous,
taking a new proficiency based real world context. Smith said that
approach to teaching in order to oftentimes students can’t express
enhance students' learning. what they want when asked a
question because they are worried
A proficiency based approach about small mistakes, whereas
focuses on a student’s progress with a proficiency approach,
rather than a letter grade. By re- making these mistakes is more
placing letter grades with progress normalized.
reports, students are able to see
where they fall on the scale of “The hope is that students will
proficiency. obviously be proficient in the
language,” Smith said. “I’ve expe-
Compared to letter grades, rienced situations where students
proficiency based assessments help spend more time thinking about
both students and parents see ex- grammatical rules than they do ac-
actly what progress has been made tually saying the things they want
compared to the expected progress to say, the actual [words] that are
of a student at that level. on their minds.”

Before teachers ask students Since this approach doesn’t
to produce the language on their include teaching the dynamics of
own, they will provide students the language in a lecture context,
with a substantial amount of teachers will be using authentic
comprehensive input, or language resources such as videos or books
that students can understand but is produced by native speakers or
advanced for their current level. writers of that language. French
teacher Jamie Pritchard said that
With this new method, teach- the new approach is much differ-
ers create lesson plans based on ent from the traditional textbook
the way children learn their first approach.
languages. With comprehensive
input, students start to pick up the “I think the biggest difference
language and can then apply it to is that we’ve shifted from teach-
conversation. Rather than sitting ing the language to teaching the
in class being taught the dynam- culture and using the culture to
ics of the language, students will discuss the language,” Pritchard
learn through hearing and apply- said. “The resources allow us to
ing. discuss the culture of Francophone
areas in the world, so we can then
Spanish teacher Nicholas Smith talk about how the language fits
compared the proficiency based into those aspects of the culture.”
approach to the technique of mim-
icking -- gradually starting to pick By using this approach, students
up language, like a child listening will no longer have to memorize
to their family speak before they techniques or conjugations; in-
even understand the language. stead they will be utilizing the lan-
guage in different ways. Pritchard
“One of the biggest things said that the approach takes stress
about proficiency is not talking to off of her students which makes
someone about the language, it’s learning more enjoyable and over-
actually using the language in a all relaxes the classroom environ-
way that’s memorable for them, so ment.
it sticks,” Smith said. “You mimic
with proficiency, you mimic [in “[It is] just a more enjoyable
order to learn] your first language, approach for me and for the
so second language acquisition students,” Pritchard said. “It makes
should be the same.” class just really more relaxed,
which in turn, I think makes learn-
Teachers are shifting from ing easier. If you’re not nervous
assessing students based on the ac- and scared about being perfect,
curacy of their verb placement and then you’re more willing to try.”
spelling to assessing them on how
well they can use the skills they

6 News as September 25, 2020

District to expand use of of
SafeSchools tip-line
Graphic by Aadrija Biswas
Raghav Raj | Staff Writer

At Mason City Schools, administrators are transforming
the SafeSchools tip-line into more than just a way to report
textbook threats throughout the school.

For seven years, concerned Mason students have
been utilizing the line to alert the school admin-
istration on safety issues. But in a moment
where students are asking Mason’s admin-
istration to step up and take initiative in
hearing their complaints — some even
taking to anonymous social media “tea”
accounts to have their frustrations heard
— the administrative team is expanding the
scope of the tip-line in order to help support
their students and address their grievances.

A big part of this administrative team behind the
SafeSchools tip-line is Public Information Officer
Tracey Carson, who’s been heavily involved with
the tip-line for as long as it’s been in Mason.

“We have watched it really grow in use, and
I’d like to think it’s because we’ve been inten-
tional about it,” Carson said. “When we were first
using the tip-line, it was only used when people were
talking about a concern about drugs or a concern about
violence. Over the years, it’s become a bigger vision of what
safety really is.”

This vision, as Carson explains, includes addressing the
mental health concerns that feel especially pervasive in today’s youth. “What
we’ve seen in the last, I would say, five years is that about 50% of our tips are
often about students concerned about classmates at risk of self harm, suicide, or
suicidal ideation.” In characterizing the team’s response to these tips, Carson said
“if it is someone who needs help right away, we’re able to make sure that we’re of-
fering the support required, categorizing those reports to make sure that they get to
the right people.”

Another part of this vision consists of changing how the district responds to “acts
of bias,” as Carson calls it. The district is aiming to take a more hands-on approach
in tackling racism, sexism, homophobia, and other bigotry through the formation of
an anti-bias response team, one that’s dedicated to handling these incidents as they’re
reported on the SafeSchools tip-line.

Alongside Carson, other members of the anti-bias response team include Deputy Su-
perintendent Amy Brennan, as well as former MMS Principal and current Chief Talent
Officer for the MCS Human Resources department Tonya McCall.

While discussing Mason’s attempts to address incidents of bias in their schools,
Brennan explained the thought process behind creating the team over the sum-
mer as a way for Mason City Schools to go above and beyond in empowering stu-
dents while cracking down on discriminatory conduct.

“This initiative really emerged from hearing about how our students may experience
incidents of bias in schools, and either they don’t know where to share that, or they’ve
dealt with these patterns of bias for so long that they’re afraid they won’t get an appro-
priate response,” Brennan said. “We want to be able to have a more proactive response to
these incidents of bias, to put in place an important additional layer of support for these
students.”

According to McCall, the district went through many different options for offering this
support. They had even developed some other tools for students and families to utilize, but
they always seemed to circle back to retooling the SafeSchools tip-line’s infrastructure to
provide students with a resource they knew and could trust.

“We always came back to the SafeSchools tip-line because we know that it’s the tool people
are familiar with,” McCall said. “It allows us to keep that anonymity in place for students
who’d feel uncomfortable otherwise — even if it makes our jobs a lot harder — because at the
very least, we can still look for patterns and try to map out these incidents of bias and see how
we can tackle them effectively.”

McCall sees these additions to the tip-line as an essential way for Mason City Schools to build
trust between the district and the community behind it. As she said, “It’s just, to me, the next it-
eration of progress, of trying to make sure that we’re putting things in place in response to what
our communities, our kids, and our people want.”

It seems that Carson, who has treated the tip-line as a growing “passion project” for as long
it’s been at Mason, agrees with the sentiment. “We have always wanted this tip line to be a place
where we’re able to support whoever needs help,” said Carson. “This is how we foster that sense
community, that authentic inclusion that Mason strives for. This is how we care for each other.”

September 25, 2020 News 7

COVID unemployment impacts college plans

Scott Reckers | Staff Writer everybody that she works with will also scholarships add up, it may only be a stay afloat.
be keen to get back to work and in com- 500 dollar scholarship but think about “Right now I am looking at University
College has a lot to offer: higher bination with the new restrictions which how many hours you have to work to
education, social life and making new may have less staff on the clock, there make that much. You won’t know if you of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, and
connections and friends; unfortunately will be less hours to go around. get it unless you try. There is a lot of Miami University, really just local col-
it has an achilles heel, the cost. money out there you just have to go out leges,” Marshall said. “I was planning on
“We are limiting the amount of and find it.” having a job in college anyways but now
According to the U.S department of people in the theaters so I could get less I almost don’t have a choice, overall I
education the average tuition & fees for hours,” Marshall said. “They are only The National Association of Student don’t think I will impact me that much,
colleges in Ohio the academic year 2019- bringing back a few staff workers at a Financial Aid Admissions foresees the I might have to pick up some more
2020, is $7,588 for in-state and $17,131 time, and we aren’t having anybody at need for financial aid to go up by more hours but I’ll be fine.”
for out-of-state. High prices mixed with the usher position so there will definite- than 50% this year due to many others
the global pandemic putting countless ly be less hours to go around. I am go- in a similar situation to Marshall. Mar- Marshall models the rational deci-
students out of jobs does not mix well. ing to have to pick up a lot more hours shall says that she is doing everything sions that Donnelly promotes in her
Senior Kathryn Marshall has to pay for a once my sports seasons are over.” she can to stay on top of this crucial own class. Donnelly said that she knows
portion of her college education, a task source of capital that will help im- how stressful this time can be for upper-
that has come increasingly difficult due MHS teacher College 101 teacher mensely in her collegiate finances. classmen, but still works to help them
to her lack of hours this summer. Cindy Donnelly helps students prepare make their future plans reasonable.
for college through her course and said “I know I will be able to get what I Though she knows the idea of college is
“Not working this summer at all has that she believes one key aspect for stu- need to get done for college,” Marshall new and exciting, Donnelly said that she
been a little bit stressful,” Marshall said. dents in a similar situation is searching said. “I have already applied for scholar- is hopeful that students are aware of the
“Especially because college isn’t that and finding the money in scholarships. ships, I am aware of student aid and costs now so they don’t drown in debt
far away. I am thinking about getting a Donnelly said that she knows it can loans and I might be in debt at the end, later down the line.
second job once my sports seasons end be tedious, but if you put in the work, but I’ll get it paid off.”
because I don’t think school, sports, and results will show. “It’s okay to have college debt but
2 jobs is a good idea. But it definitely has Luckily, Marshall said that she did when students take out loans they don’t
been a bit stressful.” “When students are applying to col- not have her eyes on any out of state think about when the loans have to be
lege they need to look at the scholar- options, as they are far more expensive. paid back,” Donnelly said. “Even when
Marshall is not the only one to be ships offered by the university and the The U.S department of education states in college be aware of where and when
put out of work, The US Department need to make sure they apply early that the average out of state tuition and you spend your money. People always
of Labor reports 23.2% unemployment action so that they are considered for fees for the 2019-20 school year were say ‘I want to go to my dream school.’
for teens alone in June, 2020. Before the any of those scholarships,” Donnelly $17,131. While Marshall is still looking Your dream school should be one where
pandemic unemployment for teenagers said. “You may apply to 30 scholarships local, she said that she knows that it you can graduate debt free.”
was sitting at 12.5%. Marshall said that and only get one, but it’s still one. Small doesn’t mean she won’t have to hustle to

8 Feature September 25, 2020

Ventures in Quarantine

Students raid closets to cash in on COVID

Evelina Gaivoronskaia | Staff Writer have likely been sent to thrift stores

that either take donations or will

The tedium of quarantine has give people two to three dollars

led some students to cash in back for their clothes. Now, with

virtually while mandated to stay more people using the internet to

home. shop, students get a chance to

With the increased de- get more money back for their

mand for online shopping, clothes. Reeves said that her

combined with the prefer- prices average from five dollars

ence for more environmen- to $15.

tally friendly options, online “I decided to do it just as an-

thrift shopping has been other way to make money,”

gaining popularity. Some Reeves said, “It was just

Mason High School something easy to do.

students are taking And when you sell

advantage of this surge them, like Plato’s,

of buyers as they create you don’t really get as

social media profiles to much money.”

sell their clothes and Similarly to Reeves,

earn extra money. Brewer started selling

Junior Blake his clothing in July

Brewer has both an of 2020 in order to

Instagram page and Junior Blake Brewer buys clothing at wholesale values and then sets prices to make profit. Graphic by Rachel Cai earn extra income,

a page on a clothing sale website, but soon decided to
Mercari. These sites make it easier go more in depth into reselling by
for Brewer to find customers, set researching it through YouTube and
prices, provide shipping, and receive other public figures with platforms
reliable payments. He said his store similar to his.
sells a variety of clothes, ranging
from pieces out of his wardrobe to “I sell clothes because I like hav-
wholesale items. ing a little extra money in case I
need it, as well as interacting with
“I typically buy from thrift stores buyers and other sellers because
or I buy wholesale lots from other there is always more to learn.”
people and resell them to make Brewer said.
money,” Brewer said. “A lot of peo-
ple love vintage clothing and band One topical issue regarding resell-
t-shirts. I have bought shirts two ing is thrift store gentrification,
months ago that never sold, on the meaning the activity of buying for
reverse, I have bought band shirts cheap and then reselling for profit
for three dollars and sold them for might be harmful to the lower
30+ multiple times.” income population. Consistent and
popular , as wrestling takes away
Junior Katie Reeves decided to clothing from stores like Goodwill.
sell her clothes online after watch-
ing Youtubers talk about their own Brewer acknowledged the issue,
virtual businesses. She created a but said that he is leaving a plethora
separate Instagram page to sell of clothes behind for those who
clothing that she did not need any- might need it. He also suggested
more. that his online store may be helpful
for those who do not want to shop in
“People usually just comment or person during the pandemic.
direct message me if they’re inter-
ested in buying something,” Reeves “Reselling is a full time job for
said. “Sometimes they’ll try to many people in the world and it’s
negotiate a price. When they buy a how they make a living,” Brewer
piece, I just drop it off or they come said. “I also believe that during
pick it up.” these hard times, I’m helping many
people who don’t want to go out to
Previously, these clothes would the store to shop for clothes.”

September 25, 2020 Feature 9

The Return of the king

Onam celebrates culture and mythology for Malayalis in Mason

Ally Guo | Staff Writer “We use flowers to create Pookkalam,

which is using flowers to make decora-

During the festival of Onam, King tions [and] designs on the floor,” Nair
Mahabali returns to Kerala to visit his
people. said. “And we put candles and lamps

Onam is an annual harvest festival around it.”
celebrated in the Kerala state of India
during the month of Chingam of the More and more flowers are typi-
Malayalam calendar. Despite tech-
nically being a Hindu holiday, it cally added to Pookkalam designs over
is observed by Malayali com-
munities of many religions both the course of the festival, sometimes
in and out of Kerala. It typically
occurs in August and September, with only certain colors or flower variet-
falling on August 22 through Sep-
tember 2 this year. The ten-day ies each day, causing them to grow in
holiday is filled with feasting and
festivities as it commemorates an size. It is typically placed at the entrances
important Hindu legend.
of buildings to welcome Mahabali into
Senior Nandana Nair said Onam
celebrates the beloved King Ma- the home.
habali, who is said to have ruled Kerala
kindly and wisely in ancient times. Alongside performances and decora-

“The subjects in [Mahabali’s] kingdom tions, since agriculture is a major part of
loved him because the rich and poor
were treated the same --there was no Kerala, food is also an important com-
discrimination,” Nair said. “[However],
the Gods weren’t too happy about that ponent of Onam, especially the massive
because the king [was] getting all this
attention and fame [and] they wanted to vegetarian sadya (feast).
remain superior.”
“The most important day of Onam is
Because of their resentment, the Gods
sought out Vishnu, one of the main Gods “He decided the Thiruvonam,” Menon said. “On that
in Hinduism who acts as a preserver of Mahabali could return to his day, [we eat] a nine course meal, and
the world. Vishnu, who has ten avatars, kingdom every once a year to meet his costumes, there’s four to five dishes of vegetables.
took on the form of his fifth avatar, the people or look over his kingdom.” vibrant facial Some of the food items are rice, sambar,
unassuming dwarf monk Vamana, and Many festivities occur during Onam expressions and vivid rasam [and] avial. At the end of that,
approached Mahabali to ask for three to honor this return, including several hand gestures to en- [there’s] a sweet dessert called payasam.
steps of land, to which Mahabali agreed . traditional forms of dance. act mythological They’re all served on a banana leaf;
One such dance is Thiruvathira, legends. everything is on a banana leaf.”
“When the king agreed, Lord Vishnu which is performed by women Another im-
started growing,” Nair said. “He grew around lamps and candles. Another portant tradition is However, though many Onam festivi-
and grew [to] cosmic proportions. The is Kathakali, which uses elaborate Pookkalam, a floral ties have carried over into Malayali com-
first step he took covered the entirety of variation of the Indian munities outside of Kerala, Nair said the
the Earth, the second step he took cov- art form Rangoli. While scope of Onam celebrations in Kerala
ered the entirety of the sky, and the third Rangoli is practiced couldn’t be matched and she sometimes
step he would have taken would have throughout India dur- wishes she could have the full experi-
destroyed the entire Earth. So the king ing a variety of different ence.
[said], ‘Take the third step on my head.’ holidays and occasions,
[Vishnu] took the third step on the king’s Pookkalam is only “During Onam, the entirety of Kerala
head, and the king [got] pushed into the created is celebrating,” Nair said. “We have huge
netherworld.” during boats with 50, 60 people on there, and
Onam. we have boat races. There are elephants
According to junior Sneha Menon, that are decorated on the street, greeting
Vishnu was so impressed by this display every house. People are dancing. There’s
of selflessness and humility from so much singing. People are playing
Mahabali that he granted Mahabali a
reward. instruments. That’s how you celebrate it

“Vishnu was really sur- in Kerala, but the most I can do here is
prised over Mahaba-
li’s generosity,” have a cooked meal with my family.”
Menon said.
Despite this, Nair said she greatly

values the sense of community Onam

fosters, especially in how it can bridge

together people of so many different

backgrounds and beliefs.

“Like the myth said, the king is com-

ing to visit us,” Nair said. “That’s why

it’s such a big deal, and [everyone] kind

of put[s] religion aside and just come[s]

together as a family, as a community

Graphic by Aadrija to celebrate this big festival. That’s
what I really like to see because
Biswas a lot of religions celebrate

it. It’s not just Hindus

celebrating it, so

that’s what’s re-

ally special.”

10 September 25, 2020

September 25, 2020 Feature 11

Dinan’s second book explores
characters gone rogue

Ally Guo | Staff Writer the students around him. Howev- Photo by Ally Guo
When Boone McReedy is er, though he felt that teenagers
would be able to relate to both English teacher Kurt Dinan is publishing his second book after more than 4 years since his first one.
swindled out of $15,000, it’s up to Boone and Darby, the greatest
him and his ex-girlfriend Darby draw to his book was the humor. along where it’s like, I’m giving initial concept, Dinan also
West to earn back the money, one you information, but you don’t struggled with conveying emo-
scam at a time. “I don’t think there are fully understand what they’re do- tion and introspection in his
enough funny books out there,” ing until the end.” work.
Following the publication of his Dinan said. “I think Young Adult, Despite all the fun Dinan had “[I’m not] very good at express-
award-winning first book, MHS especially, is so issue-driven. while writing these cons, the book ing emotions,” Dinan said. “Even
English teacher Kurt Dinan’s That’s great; we do need books did not originally center knowing what those emotions
second novel, The Scam List, was that deal with heavy subjects, but around them. are, it usually takes me a couple
released in August 2020. The story I also think a big part of being a “The book started of days to figure out why I’m in a
follows the adventures of Boone teenager is just getting in trouble as a detective bad mood. So when I write those
McReedy, who is a skilled and and having dumb conversations novel,” Dinan said. “I scenes, I really struggle. To help
charming con man, despite not with your friends. That’s a big love detective novels, with that, I’ll listen to music to
wanting to end up like his im- part of growing up, so there so I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll hopefully get my head in the
prisoned father. However, write a teen detective right spot, but that is definitely
when he’s tricked out needs to be more of that novel.’ And I wrote it a couple one of the more difficult parts of
of the $15,000 that in writing. I think of times, but I didn’t have a good writing for me.”
his mother needs that’s what teen- enough mystery for the book But after overcoming those ob-
for her flea market, agers and all to exist. So then I changed it to stacles and releasing two novels,
he’s forced to team up with being con artists and the book Dinan said to students who aspire
his equally cunning ex-girlfriend readers have con- was much easier to write then. I to write a book or be published
to get the money back -- by con- nected with.” ended up with all of these other one day to start as soon as they
ning other people around town. Dinan said, however, scenes that I enjoyed can.
that when he started out writing, writing that worked “I didn’t start writ-
Dinan said that inspiration for he didn’t intend to focus so much really well.” ing until I was 30,
The Scam List first arose from his on humor; it simply came out as Not all of these and it took years
fascination with the concept of a part of his personality. scenes ended up to learn what I was
cons and conmen. “For years, I tried to write hor- in the final book doing,” Dinan said.
ror and fantasy, but it’s not me,” though, including one “I’m still learning.
“Usually when I write, I think Dinan said. “It doesn’t flow of Dinan’s favorites, where I couldn’t even imag-
of the things I like,” Dinan said. that easily, but writing hu- Darby threatens to set someone’s ine where I’d be if I had
“I like the idea of con artists -- mor, it just comes naturally. car on fire at a gas station. How- started -- if I had had the
someone who can persuade and I think you have to ever, as he is currently working passion and interest to write -- as
manipulate someone else into be who you are and on a sequel to The Scam List, that a teenager. But just starting now
believing them. I like that idea not try to force who moment could reappear in the and learning and writing terrible
you aren’t. The come- future. stuff, you’ll get to that level [of
in theory. In the real world, dic element is who I am, In addition to changes to the professionalism] so much faster.”
they’re terrible people, but in a so that flows right into my work.”
book, you can make them as lov- Alongside the humor, another
able and as justifiable as possible. key part of The Scam List is the
So I started with that idea, and cons the characters use. Dinan
the plot kind of said he needed to do a lot of re-
search to write them properly but
grew out of that.” thoroughly enjoyed the scenes
As for the setting of the story, that resulted from that research.
Dinan said he was drawn to the “The question everyone always
idea of a flea market due to the asks is, ‘How did you learn
location’s distinct- all of these cons?’” Dinan
ness and diversity. said. “I did a lot of research
“I needed [the on that. I would learn
characters] to be those cons and scams, and
conning people then
someplace,” Dinan I would have to tweak
said. “Using a flea them to fit
market like Traders the world of the characters.
World was just easy. That I liked writing those chapters
place, if you’ve never been, is so where they were being con artists
full of character and characters.” and kind of stringing the reader
While writing these characters,
Dinan said he was influenced by

12 N

Design by Aadrija Biswas

Families make split decisions about learni

Evan Ponstingle | Staff Writer lab-based. In the spring, it was easier because Their sister, Grace, a seventh grader, chose the
a lot of the topics were review, but I feel like online option instead. Her mother, Cheryl, said
September signals back to school all across learning new content remotely would be more that she supported her daughter’s decision due to
America. For some Mason families, however, it difficult especially when you don’t have those her daughters’ varying levels of comfort.
means having to make a split decision--back to hands-on lab experiences to help you learn the
school for some members of their family, and information.” “Since [the students] have been home in the
online school for some of their siblings. spring, I think she was more affected by going
Her sister, Kate, wanted a more material be- out in public with bigger groups as opposed to
The Hartley family is one such family. ginning to her freshman year. She said that the these two,” Cheryl said. “She was a little more
Meghan, a senior, and Kate, a freshman, have physical experience of paper, pencil, and a new nervous, I would say, about going back into the
both chosen the in-person option while their sis- school environment helped her to finalize the middle school building because of how crowded
ter, Grace, a seventh grader, has opted for online. decision to return to in-person learning. it is. She didn’t want to deal with it.”
Meghan said that a science-based course load
and the introduction of new learning content piv- “It’s my freshman year, and I like the class- Cheryl said that online learning provides a
oted her to the in-person option. room better than online,” said Kate. “I didn’t more relaxed work day for Grace with free time
really like staring at a computer and flexibility. Unlike the in-person option, most
“It was because I wanted to get back into the all day. I prefer to do stuff on paper and [I] like of the day does not follow a set-schedule.
classroom setting,” Meghan said. “I did fine with working with others, instead of trying to figure
the remote learning, but I would much prefer to everything out [myself]. You’re staring at a Zoom “She’s meeting with teachers from 8:00 to
be in a traditional classroom setting. I was taking call for a long time, or working on a document, 10:30,” Cheryl said. “And then from 10:30 to 2:30
three science courses this year and they all are instead of being able to ask questions whenever it’s all independent, doing homework. If she has
you need to.” questions, she can request to meet with teachers
but she doesn’t have any synchronous learning.

News 13

ng styles as back to school season begins

She’s pretty much independent from 8:00 from once a week or twice a week, or how many class the house....It’s not like I have young children...
10:30 to 2:30. If she has something else going on, periods we’re going to have in one week…[W]ith seventh through twelfth grade, they’re pretty self
like how we went for a walk the online you kind of just do the same thing. And sufficient.”
other day, and then she can get back on and fin- you kind of have something to look forward to,
ish her work after we get back or work later than like, you know what, what your next day is going Ultimately, Cheryl said that she understands
the 2:30 time. You could have some flexibility on to look like.” that as young women, her daughters are capable
when you do the work.” of defining their own levels of comfort. Though
While her three children are busy adapting their choices may differ, Cheryl said that she is
While one sibling is dealing with a new virtual to two different ways of schooling, Cheryl said ready to face the challenges and uncertainties
world, Meghan said that the other siblings are that she hasn’t had too much trouble adapting right alongside them.
grappling with a different challenge: the uncer- to the new lifestyle that comes with the different
tainty that comes along with the pandemic. routines of her children. In fact, she said that she “They’re three individual people,” Cheryl said.
tends to enjoy the company of having one of her “And I know these two from in the sprinwg were
“I feel like something more difficult about the children at home during the day. ready to go back in the spring. And [Grace] was a
in school option is that there’s a lot of unknowns little more skittish, a little more reserved about
and you don’t know what’s going to happen,” “I’ve been trying to keep my schedule the being in that setting with all the unknowns of
Meghan said. “Like at any point they could say, same. And it does like if she has computer is- the COVID and so, just to support her and doing
‘We’re going to move to blended learning,’ or, sues, I’ll have to stop what I’m doing to come what was best for her, was to be online so that’s
‘We’re going to go all remote,’ and I kind of like but I think that’ll work itself out as the week’s why I said, we’ll let them go in person, and I’ll
knowing what my schedule is in advance, and it’s go on. I always have a lunch buddy, as opposed let her stay home for the year, or the semester,
kind of hard for teachers to plan out if they don’t to being by myself! But it hasn’t been too differ- or the year, whatever it’s going to be. Hopefully I
know whether we’re going to be in class like ent, as opposed to just having another body in did the right thing.”

14 Feature September 25. 2020

Young investors turn passion for stock market into
way to help others build their own portfolio

Della Johnson | Staff Writer this one, or have a little bit of this one.’ It’s really fun. the course really informal and super simple to
I’d definitely say I’ve made some friends in the club.” understand.”
Wall Street hopefuls are taking a risk at striking
it rich. Also stemming from a passion to share his Continuing his efforts to make the class
knowledge in commerce, Junior Sanjay Swamy began straightforward, the subject matter that Swamy
As graduation nears on the horizon for many his own class recently, titled Investment 101, where covers stacks complexity onto the basics. He
students, worries often arise surrounding the he teaches high schoolers from all over the tri-state explained the specific topics he helps teach students
prospect of increasing their bank balances to start area about the benefits of investing early and how to so that they can build their confidence in investing
off adulthood on the right foot. Besides working a do it. The course, being online, is accessible to many. from the ground up.
part-time job, another option that is being explored
by those seeking extra money is investment-- Through the way it is organized, Swamy has done “As for content, I start off with basics, such as
through stocks, bonds, or other avenues. his best to ensure the information is catered towards ‘what is a stock, how do you buy one, how to place
a younger audience. He said he hopes to make it a buy-sell order,’ and more,” Swamy said. “Then,
Student extracurricular involvement is a prime very easy to understand so that more people will be I delve into how to find stocks to buy through
method of learning about ways to broaden one’s inclined to tackle financial exchanges. fundamental and technical analysis. I talk about this
finances at a young age. The investment club thing called options, which is a bit more complex and
at Mason High School is headed by senior Ryan “My class is pretty much this online course that it’s for people that are really interested in the stock
Griffith, who has been investing since the eighth acts like an enhanced Khan Academy module,” market. In the end, I teach everyone how to set up a
grade. Originally, he chose to begin buying Swamy said. “There’s different chapters and sections, brokerage account which allows you to trade from
and selling shares solely to pay off large future and each chapter has a few videos that explain about your phone.”
expenses. different concepts that are important to know in the
stock market. It’s mostly geared towards people my While most people choose to begin inspecting
“What gave me the passion to invest was when age, because nobody invests their money right now their financial opportunities after they are well into
I started looking at colleges, and looking at the and I’m actively trying to change that by making adulthood, Griffith disagrees with the idea. Instead,
price of those colleges,” Griffith said. “I realized he preaches starting young with one’s investing to
that there was definitely no way I was going to pay ensure maximum payback over the years, as well as
for tuition while working a minimum wage job. So, following a few guidelines.
I started looking at other ways where I could make
money, outside of work. I heard about investing “I recommend starting young and saving your
through one of my neighbors; he’s a wealth manager. money in the market rather than a savings account,”
I got to investing through him. Ever since then, I Griffith said. “When you invest, you learn how to take
have had a huge passion for it, and have just fallen in a loss, you learn different strategies. It’s important
love with it.” to have a certain amount in your cash. So that
way you’re not all on the market if there ever is a
Through the investment club, members participate recession. My advice is, diversify your portfolio. Don’t
in competitions that involve researching possible put all your money in one in one company.”
companies to invest in or making the most money
from a starting amount over a simulated period of Swamy feels that when taking into account the
time. While taking part in these, Griffith has grown economical climate today it only makes sense to
closer with his team and furthered his competitive educate young people about what seems like the
strategy, pushing past the perceived stoic nature of “secret” of investing, as it can lead to a big profit.
finance.
“I feel like there should be a lot more urgency
“(Competitions are) fun because you’re in your called to investing,” Swamy said. “Nowadays,
group and you’re pitching investing is easier than ever and nobody has
ideas,” Griffith said. commissions. You can legitimately do it from your
“Like, ‘We should phone.”
buy this one, sell

September 25, 2020 News 15

The quarantine playbook

Graphic by Aadrija Biswas

Athletes work around contact tracing conundrum to stay in the game

Ann Vettikkal | Managing Editor feeling symptoms on a Sunday, for number of quarantines, nearly quadru- team is prepared for a sudden loss of a
example, we have to contact trace [for] pling since the start of September. This player who has to be quarantined.
When it comes to avoiding COVID Friday. We look at the students' bell is not necessarily bad -- it simply means
quarantines, athletes are beginning to schedule, go to their classrooms, and that precaution and protocol are ensur- “Having a guy stay out -- it's never
strategize off the field in order to keep we work with the teacher to identify ing that a student who could unknow- good for us” said. McCormick. “But as
on playing on it. who would have been within six feet ingly be infected and actively spreading a team, we have that mentality of next
for longer than 15 minutes.” the virus is quarantined during their guy up. And that's why in practice,
A month into school and a sem- purported incubation period. everybody's always getting ready. You
blance of routine has formed - students After getting contact traced, a always have to be paying attention to
wear masks before stepping into the student is placed into quarantine for This also means that McCormick’s what is going on because you never
building, teachers sanitize around the 14 days, which starts since their last worries are not coming out of left field. know when a guy could ‘go down.’”
clock, and receiving notification that exposure with the positive case. For He claimed that teammates getting
you have been traced as someone that those who actually have the virus, the contact traced and removed from These two players are at the final
has been near a positive case is not number varies, and could actually be school has already happened despite frontier of their high school careers. A
unlikely. shorter. “The virus is a 14 day incuba- them “just sitting in class, mask up, senior season is commonly regarded
tion period,” said Rompies. “But the sanitizing, doing everything right.” as a time of celebration that reflects on
The specific numbers as to how thinking is -- guided by the Department Because even after following proto- years of training and hard work while
many and how often students are test- of Health -- if you're showing symp- col (with which “students are doing a athletes attempt to put one last notch
ing positive and getting quarantined toms, you might already be a couple of great job,” according to Rompies) it is in their belt and experience a cinematic
are provided by Mason City Schools, days into the virus.” physically impossible to truly main- finish to their season. The spirit and up-
whose weekly updates of new cases and tain 6 feet of distance in a three-floor, roar of the Black Hole or the poignant
quarantines offer relative transparency. For some students, the worry is not five-wing high school, which houses tradition of Senior Night may not feel
In the first three weeks of September, truly about getting COVID, but getting thousands of students for 7 hours a day. or look the same but the passion for
there have been an average of ~8 new contact traced in the way Rompies the sport itself has been key to staying
cases and ~111 new quarantines per described. Senior Nolan McCormick, And he’s not alone. Senior Catherine focused and disciplined.
week (including both staff and students a running back for the varsity football Zhang, a key player for the Girls Var-
across all schools.) team, discussed worries that he and his sity Golf Team, also plans to switch to Zhang called this her “big year”
teammates have about potentially miss- online with a fellow senior teammate. when multiple star players give them
These newsletters reveal the rate of ing two weeks of their season. With an important -- and final -- high an opportunity to be frontrunners on
the virus’ spread as well as Mason City school season, Zhang said she wanted the leaderboard and “stay on top.” And
Schools’ ability to reduce or slow this “Many of my teammates are plan- to focus on golf and ensure she could for McCormick, unsure of what the
rate. Guidelines put in place to lead this ning on switching to remote learning be there for her team. future holds, savoring what is left of
effort have largely been dictated by the for the rest of the first semester,” said his time as a football player at Mason
Warren County Department of Health, McCormick. “I think the biggest reason “We feel uncomfortable going to is critical.
meaning that if a student tests posi- we're doing that is just so we have the school knowing that we could be
tive for the virus, administration will opportunity to continue to play the quarantined at any time and then we “I am a senior so especially for me,
contact the Department for next steps. rest of our season. First of all -- just not won’t be able to play golf,” Zhang said. I really don't want to miss two weeks
Assistant Principal Brandon Rompies get COVID. And second of all, just so “If someone were to get quarantined, because of getting contact traced,”
detailed this procedure and discussed we take away the chance of us getting we have 10 really strong players that McCormick said. “We already have a
the specifics of contact tracing. contact traced from being in school can step up. But for a lot of us, it's our shortened season as it is. This could be
and sitting next to somebody who tests last season and it's something that my last couple games playing football
“We are given [the number of] days positive.” we've been working towards the past six -- who knows if I'll play at the next
that a student could have been exposed years.” level? I just want to do everything I can
here,” Rompies said. “It varies -- gener- Although the amount of new cases to play as many games as possible right
ally, it's 48 hours from the symptoms is not increasing drastically, there has McCormick voiced a similar senti- now and throughout my entire senior
or the [positive] test. So if a student is been an exponential increase in the ment, stating that during this time, his season.”

16 Feature September 25, 2020

MHS students utilize their platforms to speak out

GRACE BAGADIONG What do you hope to do through spread- OUR WHY
ing the word and informing others about
SENIOR For nearly two decades, as dictated by our
these topics? policy, The Chronicle has promised to report the
Tell us a bit about yourself! What kind truth and adhere to the journalistic code of
of things do you like to do, hobbies, fun My goal is to end stereotypes and to develop ethics. In 2020, although the mediums through
a stronger connection with all of the diverse which we do this and the content we report
facts, etc.? individuals. I hope to spread the message of em- have differed since the newspaper's concep-
bracing diversity and promoting humanity. tion, the mission is exactly the same. Mason has
My name is Grace Bagadiong and I’m a senior witnessed success in a hundred ways and chal-
here at MHS. Some of my favorite hobbies are How does your identity and the things you lenges in a hundred others, evolving into the
reading books and writing because they help me support play a role in the way you view statewide powerhouse that we see today.
learn how the world works and it teaches me the world?
new things everyday. I also participate in drama And in the microcosm of our high school,
club and have been in about eight shows with it Because I am half-Filipino and physically influenced by both the midwestern environs
so far. disabled, I may have been stereotyped before that root its origin and fresh perspectives that
and it did not make me feel comfortable. It’s diversify its student body, our job as journal-
What are you passionate about speaking out the main reason why my view of the world has ists is to actively investigate, research, and
on in the community? Are there any organiza- changed because I realized I wanted to embrace report on this dichotomy.
diversity and to not judge others based on what
tions or clubs that you're a part of that the society says. It became a major role for me In doing so, it would dishonor those whose
work to help spread the messages that you're to achieve so I can respect others and to promote identity exists in the mix -- those who have built
better humanity values. a relationship with this community but also
advocating for? grapple with or are trying to embrace their
Why are these topics so meaningful to identity and inherent differences -- to not give
I’m a huge activist for social issues because you? them their moment to speak.
I mainly speak out for disabilities, [minorities],
and so many other topics. I’m very passionate Those topics are meaningful to me as I be- Each month, we will feature one voice at MHS
about inclusiveness and I do not want to follow lieve every person has an unique story and no that is leading a movement, taking a stand, or is
the stereotypes that are presented in the society one can compare themselves to each other. It simply speaking with so much conviction that
because to me, not all of them are true. I don’t is important to represent all of the positive and they cannot be ignored.
participate in organizations that promote social negative things about everyone so that the world
justice, but I recently applied to be a member of can become more of an accepting place. In an increasingly polarized nation, with
Mason's Inclusive Excellence Leadership Team. problems and tensions that compound weekly,
It’s an advocacy group of students who stand up to What would you like to see change or it is crucial that we focus on the local scene. If
bias and discrimination and I have a feeling that it improve within the world we live in? everyone is talking but no one is really listening
will empower me to raise my voice. I also advocate That is, what do you want to change by on a macro scale, go small. Have a conversation
on social media and I created my very own blog advocating for the topics you're speaking with someone nearby and you may understand
called “Life Unafraid” where I post my personal an opinion that used to feel far away from your
stories, poetry, and voice. out on? own.

I’d like to see the world lead everyone to be More often than not, calls to action are clos-
kinder and more understanding. It simply needs er than expected -- and so are their answers. We
to work hard to become a better place where no urge you to hear these messages out.
one has to fear for their own sake. They do not
deserve to be mistreated because of how they - The 2020-21 Chronicle Editors
look so the communities need to improve their
respectful values. Every person has a powerful
voice and there should be fair equality among
all of us.

September 25, 2020 Entertainment 17

by Della Johnson and Raghav Raj

Breaking into the male dominated industry--or in this case, genre of music--has been a long
time coming for female rappers. Within the past year, these women have accomplished a lot
more within their style than ever before, with the help of four leading pioneers.

Nicki Minaj arrived as part of a new crop of To put it quite simply: Tenet is a mess. The latest feature film from director
Young Money Entertainment artists in 2009, and Christopher Nolan could border on self-parody if it didn’t take itself so seriously.
has been dropping hits ever since. She’s had It takes a bevy of Nolan trademarks — a rumbling score, purely expositional
multiple chart-topping songs, collaborations as dialogue, time-bending — and stretches them to extremes so preposterous that
well as solos, including “Super Bass,” “Starships,” you’re playing catch-up with a ridiculous, convoluted plot for the entire 2½ hour
“FEFE,” “Chun-Li,” and more. Over the course of run time.
her career, she has released four studio albums,
and doesn’t seem to be stopping yet. Her delivery This plot involves an unnamed narrator (played by John David Washington)
is sharp and syncopated, filling the monstrous who needs to subdue a Russian arms dealer named Sator (Kenneth Branagh) —
beats she raps over with alter-egos and a whole whose weapons apparently warp through time — by teaming up with Sator’s mis-
lot of personality. treated wife Kat (Elizabeth Debicki) and trusty sidekick Neil (Robert Pattinson) to
also somehow stop World War III. And that’s not even half of it.
Cardi B burst onto the scene in 2017 with
the smash hit “Bodak Yellow.” The tough-talking With so much focus on plot, the character writing feels devoid of emotional
single, which used the beat from Kodak Black’s nuance, and you come away feeling detached from the story.
“No Flockin’,” was a show-stopping introduction,
the second #1 hit on Billboard for a female rapper Even with the positives— the set-pieces, cinematography, fight choreography
(preceded only by Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop — this detachment is what you take away from Tenet. For all the tricks Nolan
(That Thing).”) Following the success of her 2018 throws at you, nothing really lands.
debut, Invasion of Privacy, she’s continued drop-
ping an assorted array of singles, from “Press,”
to “Money,” to a certain smash hit collaboration
with Meg Thee Stallion that we’re not allowed to
name.

Meg Thee Stallion has been inescapable This year has not been easy for anyone, including the band Glass Animals.
since late 2018. With the help of multiple dance With their drummer recovering from a near-fatal car collision, Dave Bayley
trends on the app TikTok, her songs “Sav- found himself seeking comfort in his childhood. Through this reflection, the
age,” “Captain Hook,” and “Hot Girl Summer,” band’s third album, Dreamland, was born.
featuring fellow rappers Nicki Minaj and Ty
Dolla $ign, charted on the Billboard Top 100. The album is chock full of 90s and 2000s references and is heavily influ-
Her delivery is outspoken and filled with bold enced by R&B and hip hop music movements.longside traditional songs you
wordplay, with rhymes that read like explicit would find in most albums, Dreamland includes several tracks titled Home
poetry. Her self-confidence shines through in Movie which are clips recorded by Bayley’s mother--a fragment of his authentic
her music, and it’s central to her style. childhood, frozen in time. This track combined with the album’s nostalgic refer-
ences and rhythms makeup it’s genuinely reflective tone. Bayley’s biographical
Flo Milli is a newer addition to this lyrics feel extremely real as they talk about both the fun and the scary events of
class of female rappers, and she’s staked his childhood.
her claim as one of the most promising
up-and-coming talents with a style that’s The album grows on you the more you listen. Although, the Home Movies
gleefully profane and radically in-your- do become a bit irritating as they do not have music in them, thus causing the
face. Her debut, H*, Why Is You Here, album to be more of a peek into Bayley’s childhood. With Dreamland, Glass
just released in July, features past viral Animals show vulnerability and let their fans connect to them more.
hits like “Beef FloMix” and “In The Party,”
as well as newer hits like “Weak” and
“Not Friendly.”

18 September 25, 2020

Running for his life: Cooper hits the ground running after
recovery from illness that sidelined him for entire summer

Braden Osborn | Staff Writer encing a lot of different things right now,” Photo by Lexi Brown
Cooper said.” They don’t want to push me
The boys cross country team almost lost too hard because there have been some Senior Austin Cooper runs through Pine Hill while practicing. Cooper made his season debut at
one of their own this summer. days that have been rough. The team is the Mason Invitational after recovering from a serious infection. Over the summer, Cooper had
amazing and has been there for support and a scare that kept him hospitalized and unable to run for months.
Senior varsity runner Austin Cooper I’m there to support them too.”
came home from cross country practice not
feeling well in late June with a fever. Little Mason Varsity head coach Tom Rapp was
did he know that his high temperature was glad to see Cooper back, along with the rest
much more than just a common cold. of the coaching staff. Rapp was very worried
if Cooper would ever make a return, and
“On June 22nd, I came home from prac- when he found out just how serious the
tice early with a fever.” Cooper said. “About situation was, it didn’t ease his concerns.
a week went by and I still had a fever. We Rapp said seeing Cooper finally running
were hopeful that it was possibly just CO- again was an incredible site to watch.
VID or the flu or something like that.”
“We were really concerned. We had seen
Despite the hope, on July 3rd Cooper was him struggling in practice for a day or two
rushed to the hospital after he was found by before it all happened, but to hear that it
his family unconscious on the floor of his was so serious that he was in the hospital
home. Doctors would later tell Cooper that was really upsetting,” Rapp said. “We were
they discovered he had strep bacteria. Also thrilled to see him back on the course and
known as Streptococcus, it is a common very proud of every step he took.”
bacterium often carried in the intestines
or lower genital tract, and Cooper said this Rapp also made the critical decision of al-
caused issues in his blood flow. lowing Cooper to return for a very competi-
tive meet: The Mason Invitational. Given
“At first they didn’t know what it was but everything Cooper had been through, Rapp
it ended up being strep bacteria that got in also had to keep in mind the restrictions
my bloodstream,” Cooper said. “Eventually that the doctors had given him. In the end,
it formed abscesses in my brain and lungs.” Rapp left the decision up to Cooper.

Unfortunately, this meant that Cooper “So far, the doctors say he is only restrict-
would have to take time off from cross ed by his energy level. Unfortunately, that
country to recover. Cooper ended up being is not very high right now. My plan is to
in and out of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital allow him to determine how much and how
for weeks, and he said it was difficult to do hard he runs each day,” Rapp said. “I asked
much of anything at the time. Austin what he wanted to do. Knowing that
it would not cause any further damage, I
“I had to get a lung biopsy and a brain bi- allowed him to do what he wanted to do. I
opsy, so I had to take time to recover from thought it appropriate that he be with the
those,” Cooper said. “Then I was on three or guys he’s gone to battle with for four years.”
four antibiotics for a couple of weeks, which
made it hard to run because of my lack of The coaches were not the only ones who
energy and nearly impossible to eat because were thrilled to see Cooper return this past
my digestive system was very messed up.” weekend. Rapp said Cooper’s teammates
were ecstatic to have him back on the
With all of this going on, it begged the course alongside them once again.
question if Cooper would be able to run his
senior year of high school or have to sup- “It gave [our team] a real boost to see
port his team from the sidelines. Eventually Austin out there. The guys were excited and
Cooper found out that he would be allowed motivated by his presence,” Rapp said. “The
to run with the team, but with restrictions. guys give him lots of encouragement. With
that said, they also treat him like one of the
“I was definitely not expecting to be able guys, which is what Austin wants.”
to run for a while,” Cooper said. “For not
even getting out of bed for probably three Rapp is hopeful that Cooper will make a
straight weeks, I was not expecting a crazy full recovery, but he also knows how cau-
return. It was a slow process once I did start tious Cooper has to be in regards to push-
and I couldn’t run much.” ing himself. Rapp has prioritized Cooper’s
health and said he doesn’t want to put too
With Cooper coming back to the team, much pressure on Cooper to regain form.
it seemed like he had never left, as his
coaches and teammates were there to “I believe in miracles, but I also don’t
support and help him every single step of want to put unrealistic expectations on Aus-
the way. Cooper felt like this displayed the tin. We will keep taking it day by day,” Rapp
closeness of the team. said. “Even though physically he is not able
to perform as well, he is still an inspiration
“The coaches and the team have both by the efforts he does put out.”
encouraged me. They understand what I’ve
gone through and how my body is experi-

DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A SPORTS STORY?

CONTACT THE CHRONICLE SPORTS EDITOR MATT SMITH >> [email protected]

September 25, 2020 Sports 19

Girls Golf team rides depth, varsity experience to GMC prominence

Cody Allgor | Sports Writer

To say the Mason Comets girls golf team has Photo by Rilee Malloy
some unfinished business to take care of this Senior Catherine Zhang places her ball before putting at the Greater Miami Conference Tournament. Zhang finished with the
year would be a bit of an understatement. top score at the tournament and won Conference Player of the Year.

After the team took fourth place at state a “Some of my teammates have invited me to the last couple of years.
year ago and finished second to Lakota East play with them and that makes me want to be “I have to honor our senior group of girls
in the Greater Miami Conference, the Comets better,” Love said. “I feel like when you do any
and their returning five top golfers are well on activity with anyone better than you, it makes that are with us right now,” Layton said.
their way to resolving some of that unfinished you want to push to be their level.” “They’re a big part of the reason we’ve been to
business this fall. the state tournament the last two years. Our se-
On September 16th, the Comets took home niors have set the bar high for everybody else
They’ve already accomplished one of those the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) cham- on the team. They lead by example with their
goals. A record breaking performance last pionship for the second time in the past three work ethic and dedication to the sport and also
week secured a GMC title, their ninth since years. The Comets now look ahead to the state to the team.”
joining the conference. The Comets’ perfor- tournament, which they haven’t won since 2010.
mance has been due in large part to the return Madden said that having the same starting five In the last two years, the Comets have had
of their top five golfers, a very rare sight in any from last year will play to their advantage. 7th and 4th place finishes in the state tourna-
varsity sport. Along with the return of the top ment. Harter said that the Comets have not
starters, the Comets also added a skilled group “Our ultimate goal is to win state this year,” performed to the best of their abilities for the
of underclassmen, building on the depth of the Madden said. “We think we have a really good last couple of years, and they are looking to
already strong team. Comets Head Coach Chad chance this season since a lot of the other avenge their previous losses.
Layton said that depth has allowed them to put teams lost a lot of their top players last year.
more players on the course that are competing We think that goal is achievable.” “Winning in my last year as a Comet is im-
at the varsity level. portant to me because since sophomore year,
The Comets may have a lot of underclass- we’ve had a strong team and we’ve just had
“This year, we have a lot more depth,” Layton men talent, but seniors Maddie Heister, Jenna bad rounds at state,” Harter said. “This year, it’s
said. “I’ve been able to field two full teams at Harter, and Catherine Zhang have all been on really important to win because as a team, we
three 18 hole invitationals up to this point. We varsity since their freshman year. Layton said know we’re good enough to and I also want to
have finished first and second at two of those that all of the seniors have been a big part of leave a good legacy behind when I leave.”
invitationals and first and fourth in the third. the success the Comets have experienced over
[Our top team] is pretty much the same team
that took us to state last year.”

With the increased talent on the team, the
competition level for a starting spot has con-
tinued to rise. Four-year varsity Senior Jenna
Harter said that the fight for one of the five
available spots to start on varsity has pushed
everyone to get better and embrace the compe-
tition.

“Having so much talent has challenged
everybody on the team to get as good as they
possibly can this year,” Harter said. “Everybody
wants a chance to play and with this year, not
knowing how our season is going to play out,
everybody is pushing themselves pretty hard to
try to get a spot on the top five.”

Despite everyone playing individually, a team
dynamic is just as important in golf because it
allows the more experienced players to mentor
their younger successors. Junior Ally Madden
said that when the underclassmen first joined
the team, the older players welcomed them
with open arms.

“When the incoming freshmen came in we
were all very welcoming,” Madden said. “We
wanted to help them because we knew that
we were going to have a really good team this
year. Having them come in with a ton of talent
has made me want to do a lot better.”

On the other side of the spectrum, the un-
derclassmen still have a lot to learn in order
to be the future leaders of the team. Varsity
freshman Abby Love said that playing with her
older teammates has motivated her to be at her
best.

20 Sports September 25, 2020

Water Polo pushes season back from fall to spring amidst COVID concerns

Photo by Braden Osborn Braden Osborn | Staff Writer us to compete closer to normal.”
Senior Kylie Dennison lines up for a shot on goal. Dennison believes that there are Dennison feels nervous yet optimistic in
many new oppurtunies presented for the team by moving the season to the spring. Mason’s Water Polo team is getting a
revamp. regards to the way the season will pan out
during the spring, hoping that it will be
Some serious change to the Water Polo relatively close to normal despite restric-
season is underwawy, as the fall sports sea- tions. For Dennison, the overall feeling is
son began without them. Many adjustments that the move was for the right call despite
were made to how the sports scene would the uncertainty.
look, and one of those adjustments was the
decision to move the water polo season from “I think the decision to postpone the sea-
fall to spring - nearly a six-month difference. son was smart because now we get a chance
at playing a full season as well as playing
Going into the year, players are faced with new teams,” Dennison said. “Also, more
a number of questions and concerns. Senior people might want to join [the team] with
Kylie Dennison is now heading into her the season being in the spring and not the
final polo season with many uncertainties. fall, where they might have other commit-
However, she said sees the potential for new ments.”
opportunities.
Dennison isn’t alone, as Defosses is feeling
“I’ve been playing Water Polo since the same mixture of nerves and enthusiasm
freshman year, I really hope that there will regarding the water polo season.
be tournaments in the spring,” Dennison
said. “If we do get (to play in) tournaments, “I am excited but nervous about this up-
spring is also when Indiana and Michigan’s coming season,” Defosses said. “With all the
Water Polo seasons are, and there is a chance uncertainty with everything going on right
that we could play new teams from there as now it makes it difficult to get your hopes
well.” up. I miss seeing my players now but spring
is not too far off.”
Mason Water Polo Head Coach Caity.
Defosses had a direct impact on the decision Water Polo is the first sport to make the
to move Water Polo to the spring. She said big decision to postpone their season until
it gives the team a chance to compete for a later this school year. Student Activity
whole season. Director Lori Allen is also hopeful about
the choice to move the season and sees the
“The Coaches Association voted about benefits of making this change.
whether to move the season to the spring or
keep it in the fall,” Defosses said. “We knew “I think this was a great decision. It was
the chances of being able to compete fully a much better option than canceling the
in the fall were very slim. Our hopes are that season altogether,” Allen said. “I am hopeful
moving [the season] to the spring will allow that by spring we might be a little more
removed from Covid.”

MODE Team Stats

0.833 Win Percentage by Girls
Soccer Team in GMC
First in GMC

Nolan McCormick 6 First Team All GMC Golfers
by Mason Girls Golf Team
382 Rushing Yards (4th in GMC)
95.5 Yards Per Game (5th in GMC) 7 Straight 5-0 Set Wins by
Girls Tennis Team
5 Rushing Touchdowns (2nd in GMC)
Leading Comets to 4-0 Record 5 Interceptions by Mason Football
Team

First in GMC

As of September 21, 2020

September 25, 2020 Sports 21

ALL
AMERICAN

Mason lacrosse Photo by Divyana Bose
players recognized Sophomore Peyton Flynn lines up next to her teammates for a drill in practice. Despite
Lacrosse being a spring sport, the team trains throughout the entire year.
with prestigous
national honor

Divyana Bose | Sports Writer worked in Stone’s favor as she domi- greatness is in their nature as they an All-American, and she hopes to
nates the field, challenging herself both stated and want the best for continue accomplishing bigger and
From unknown to national promi- whenever she can. Stone explained themselves and each other. better things. As only her sopho-
nence. how her skill and agility have con- more year starts, she knows that she
tinued to grow in the past few years Stone now hopes that her team- couldn’t have made it this far with-
In the midst of a pandemic, two by pushing her limits and building mates will feed off of her hunger out his expectations pushing her to
Mason Girls’ lacrosse players made off this All-American achievement. while striving for a common goal. be the best.
a name for themselves this summer, Stone wants to be a better role
being selected to Under Armour All- “I really tried to practice with model for the Comets, and push the “You have to be comfortable with
American teams. other division 1 players from Cincin- team to new heights. being uncomfortable. And if you
nati so that I can raise my level of can’t do that. It’s really hard to adapt
Junior Lauren Stone was chosen play,” Stone said. “I’m really looking “I learned to communicate and be to new situations,” Flynn said. “So he
to play “attack” in the highlight divi- forward to cotinuing to grow as a a leader on the field,to use my voice, pushes you in a way that he knows
sion, while Sophomore Peyton Flynn player, and putting Mason Lacrosse and really assert myself into the you can get there and it shows like
played midfielder in the common di- on the map.” higher,”Stone said. “I’m just wanting he puts a lot of trust in you again.”
vision. Both were victorious as they to improve the community, fam-
celebrate not only their win, but Despite the short amount of time ily aspect, and hopefully bring the “I hope that I can just push Mason
how far they have come as players. at the games, Flynn says everyone Comets to a big victory.” across to be one step better,” Stone
has a love for each other, just due said. “My goal is to put Mason Girls
Mason girls’ lacrosse team has to the same amount of passion for Many players have hopes and Lacrosse on the map and hopefully
come a long way as more continue lacrosse each person next to you has. dreams of accomplishing what we can win a state championship
to pursue their goals of becoming Stone and Flynn have done, but this year.”
D1 athletes such as Peyton Flynn “The love that everyone on the competition runs high all over the
who has not only gone the extra team has for the sport is almost country. Mason Head Coach Davis Stone now hopes that her team-
mile of her training, but has worked uncomfortable, and everyone has a said that coming out on top is just mates will feed off of her hunger
on her self awareness as well. goal to play at the top level,” Flynn having outright motivation from while striving for a common goal.
says. “No one can run the field if people who doubt your abilities. Stone wants to be a better role
“I lift and train like an athlete there’s no teamwork happening. model for the Comets, and push the
instead of focusing on one sport, When you are playing girls who are “If somebody says you can’t do it, team to new heights.
because they’re different things also trying to play at a D1 level, you find out why. Then go out and do it
and one is more speed, quickness, are competing to be the best.” right,” said Davis. “Don’t just don’t “I learned to communicate and
agility,” Flynn said.“Something I’m settle for second best:be an elite be a leader on the field, to use my
really working on is being a confi- Stone and Flynn both had similar player, be an elite person, and have voice, and really assert myself into
dent player and I think I’ve grown goals throughout the tournament fun doing it. Find a passion there.” the higher,” Stone said. “I’m just
a lot in that aspect,training like an and keep wanting more opportuni- wanting to improve the community,
All-American player does.” ties, as they are assets to the girls Coach Davis’ words of advice family aspect, and hopefully bring
Mason Lacrosse team. Striving for have guided Flynn throughout her the Comets to a big victory.”
Going above and beyond has journey of making it as far as being

22 Opinion September 25, 2020

How I used Staff Editorial
school as a
Coming of age in calamity: a rite of
suppressant passage and call for change

Shravani Page | Staff Writer The impact of the virus has put our healthcare fellow students and then talking to adults, there
system and economy under fire, the West Coast is seems to be a commom pattern: young people
While a 3-week break in March sounded fantastic at the literally on fire, and political and racial tensions feel like the world is at its wit’s end but older
time, quarantine sunk in quickly, at least for me. are more or less up in flames. generations, weathered by experience and their
own battles, continually assure us that we will get
I realized that school was somewhat a drug for me. No, If life sounds like a dystopia, that’s because it is. through this.
not the ones that make you feel a “rush” but instead a Science-fiction has never been about predicting a
sense of resistance or restrainment. future that exaggerates what is wrong with ours. It’s hard to say exactly what the future holds.
It’s been about fracturing reality and placing it But even though there are arrows on the floor,
According to good-old Google, a suppressant is defined under scrutiny in a way that warns us not of what dots directing us to stay 6 feet apart, and dividers
as “a drug or other substance which acts to suppress or could happen, but of what is already occurring. that create two person chambers in the cafete-
restrain something.” ria, school keeps on going. The world has been
This doesn’t necessarily mean that the world is flipped on its axis and yet we still go in or go
I used school to restrain myself from dealing with my ending though. Growing up on these seemingly online everyday and learn what we have to learn.
problems. School was my excuse. It took up so much of life-shattering events may feel unfair and bleak.
my life as I tried to involve myself as much as I could But we’re also getting older, becoming increas- In a strange way, perhaps the ceaselessness
under the idea of being the “perfect” student. ingly aware of the world’s complexities and the and regularity of school is a familiar relief in a
morally gray area that surrounds everything and time of great uncertainty. Or maybe not. Mason
That is not the perfect student. On top of that, I couldn’t everyone. So as things seem to regress by the has constantly pushed the mantra “adjust and
really blame anyone since I made my schedule that way. I second, our naiveté that used to cushion us from adapt” as a way to cope with these new obstacles
really screwed myself over in JUST my sophomore year. grim situations is slipping away, magnifying the but perhaps accepting a new normal isn’t the only
gravity of it all. way to approach hardship. If there is so much
My life centered around school as it provided me a that we see wrong, so much that we see needs to
sense of stability. But once school was taken away, I sud- In a way, getting older and experiencing calam- change, a better way to put it might be to “process
denly had to face my problems head-on. ity have become conflated, meaning things feel and rally” as so many generations before us have
especially hopeless. done.
Managing my mental health has been something I have
struggled with since 7th grade, but it never had taken such But history is recurring, not cyclical. The same This can only happen if we weigh all facets of
a gigantic toll on my life since the start of quarantine. exact events don’t keep on happening but senti- this moment: the problems of the past, its effect
COVID-19 hit at probably the worst point in time for me as ment and themes do repeat. Some occurrences on the present, and how we create solutions for
I was in-between stages of anxiety, depression, and grief. are unique to our time like climate change and the future. But this also means that we have to
environmental degradation, which has caused ir- live our individual lives, stress about schoolwork
Currently I’ve been late and absent to school a lot even reversible damage, killed off thousands of species, and tests, get involved with stuff that interests us,
though I opted to come in-person. The number of days and is currently staining California’s sky into a and give proper weight to struggles that affect us
of school I’ve missed over the past 4 years is equal to the horrifyingly smoky orange. But the pandemic is personally. The hope is that this offers normalcy
number of days I’ve missed within these first three weeks. a little less novel, if we look at the Spanish Flu of and optimism and ensures we don’t cope with the
1918. And the fight against racism has been a long devastating experiences we are all going through
To be honest, I really do love coming to school. I love one. Considering that the issue is unfortunately by becoming apathetic or dispirited.
to learn and I think it’d be awesome to know everything a reliable constant, we have seen change come
in the world even though I know it’s impossible. Plus, my in many forms, in both in energized waves and This may be the first step in fathoming how we
friends are literally some of the best people in the world. consistent organization. survive this mess. Or -- at the very least -- it’s the
But now, it’s become really hard for me because the un- first step in comprehending how millions did it
derlying problems I suppressed then now overpower my The storm of all of these things happening before us.
motivation and ability to show up to school and learn. at once is disheartening. But after talking with

For a long time I blamed myself, then the pandemic,
and then myself again. Whenever school started back up
this year I felt like I couldn’t communicate with people. In
a school with thousands of kids, I still felt displaced and
almost sought increased isolation, which is super weird if
you know me.

I recently realized that the focus should never have
been on the blaming or ‘who caused it.’ All I know now is
that it is up to me to fix. I decided to get help, reach out, so
hopefully, I can get myself together.

So maybe I am not ready to open up yet and give more
detail, but that’s definitely a goal for me. I learned that
school shouldn’t be a suppressant, but rather a piece of my
life that allows me to become the best version of myself.
But in order for that to happen, I need to change.

The Chronicle’s Policy Evelina Gaivoronskaia
Della Johnson
The Chronicle is the official student Call 398-5025 ext. 33103 for infor- The National Scholastic Press Asso- The Chronicle Staff Online Editor Rilee Malloy Connect with
newspaper of William Mason High mation regarding advertising in The ciation, Quill and Scroll International Editor-in-Chief Meghan Dincler Braden Osborn the Chronicle:
School. Chronicle. The Chronicle reserves the Honorary Society for High School Jour- Riley Johansen Business Manager Shravani Page
right to refuse advertising it deems in- nalists and the Ohio Scholastic Media Managing Editors Anna Kinasewitz Evan Ponstingle @mhschronicle
The Chronicle promises to report the appropriate for a high school publica- Association. Kaelyn Rodrigues Raghav Raj facebook.com/
truth and adhere to the journalistic tion. Contact Information Ann Vettikkal Staff Designers Scott Reckers mhschronicle
code of ethics through online and print The Chronicle Sports Editor Lexi Brown Abby Waechter @mhschronicle
mediums. As an open forum for students, let- William Mason High School Matthew Smith Rachel Cai Adviser
ters to the editor are welcome, but are 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Visual Design Editor Staff Writers Dale Conner
The Chronicle is produced by students subject to be edited for length, libel, ob- Mason, Ohio 45040 Aadrija Biswas Cody Allgor
enrolled in Journalism I, II and III. scenity, clarity and poor taste. Letters to (513) 398-5025 Alana Amaya
the editor may be dropped off in room Divyana Bose
Editorials reflect the staff ’s opinion C103 and must be signed.
but do not necessarily reflect the opin-
ions of the school administration or the The Chronicle is a member of The
Mason City School District. Columbia Scholastic Press Association,

The Chronicle is published monthly.

September 25, 2020 Opinion 23

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Editorial Cartoon
death shouldn’t
feel this dire

Ann Vettikkal | Managing Editor The Travis Scott hop and a food company was that one Honey
Donning a bejeweled, strik- Burger is tasteless Nut Cheerios ad campaign from 2013 that
marketing featured Nelly giving the anthropomorphic
ingly armor-like collar, when bee mascot a hip-hop makeover so he could
Ruth Bader Ginsburg dis- Raghav Raj | Staff Writer bust some sick rhymes about cereal. (And even
sented, she did it with grace, style, and conviction. then, Nelly was over a decade out from the
Wearing embellished jadots that differed The collaboration between rapper Travis peak of his career, whereas Travis Scott’s latest
depending on whether she ruled with the major- Scott and fast food giant McDonalds asks a single with Kid Cudi topped the Hot 100 just
ity or dissented was one of many practices that simple, terrifying question: what does a soul this May.)
bolstered Ginsburg’s stardom status. Her exis- taste like?
tence became a strange crossover of ensuring the But look past this overwhelming absurdity
tedious but essential gears of the judicial system As I found out when I visited the McDonalds and you find an exchange between artist and
worked while also managing an obsessed fanbase drive-through for the first time in maybe over conglomerate that feels deeply cynical. For the
that was The American Public. These two things a year, not very good. The burger that features entirety of Scott’s career in the mainstream,
rarely occur in tandem with each other but when Scott’s namesake — a quarter pounder with he’s attempted to offer up the idea of his
I watched the documentary that depicted her life cheese, bacon, lettuce, ketchup and mustard — distinct personal brand as an extension of his
and service, I understood why. felt limp and squishy, and I think I managed a art, whether he’s designing collaborations with
In fact, in true celebrity nature, that documen- good four bites before the sharp sting of regret hip-hop and designer fashion mainstays like
tary years ago made me fantasize of becoming a kicked in. The fries with barbecue sauce were BAPE & Saint Laurent, or orchestrating elabo-
Supreme Court Justice myself. Of course, it was the same old McDonalds fries I think every- rate virtual concerts to showcase his music like
mainly the enthusiasm of the moment. I watched one’s had at some point in their lifetime. those from the video game Fortnite.
RBG change the course of a nation over two
condensed hours, backed by a soundtrack which Yes, they became soggy almost instantly; yes, But with his McDonalds collaboration, there
included “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G. (the rapper I ate them all. is artlessness at play. To simply latch himself
responsible for her namesake) and I felt inspired. onto a commodity and throw his name on some
But there’s more to it, if you look beyond the After I washed them down with some Sprite bizarre, branded merch doesn’t feel natural,
perhaps excessive lionization that spiraled from (served “Straight Up!” with extra ice as the ad even for someone as gifted with self-promotion
sincere beginnings. campaign so hamfistedly phrases it), all I could as Scott.
The film detailed the monumental challenges feel was a crushing sense of emptiness. Yeah,
RBG faced, including raising a child during her maybe it’s because I was still hungry after eat- The marketing campaign comes off as
rigorous studies, caring for a husband ridden with ing half a burger and some fries. But I think exactly what it is: a way for Scott to boost his
early age cancer, and just fending off general most of that emptiness came from trying to ubiquity, and a way for McDonalds to use that
unabashed, cruelly routine sexism. process how soul-suckingly absurd this col- ubiquity in order to appeal to his fans and the
And yet, she made hard work look cool. She laboration between Scott and McDonalds really hip-hop scene at large.
made the good fight look promising. RBG had feels.
a way with words, not because she charmed or And honestly, the premise doesn’t feel that
manipulated people, but because she conveyed Because, taken at face value, the idea of a absurd anymore. Instead, it just feels bleak.
precisely what she wanted. She spoke in exact hip-hop star like Travis Scott teaming up with a
terms and thought with incredible, steadfast fac- company — a fast food company no less — as The Travis Scott burger, at heart, becomes
ulty. And because of her life term as a Justice, she widely saturated as McDonalds seems uniquely a perfect representation of the way our late-
did so basically until she died. ridiculous. capitalist society commodifies art and the artist
With this news, I feel immediate pain. She was a behind it.’
giant in the fight for gender equality and without The only precedent I could really find for
her on the Supreme Court, I am prepared for the such a large-scale collaboration between hip- It is a hollow, lifeless endeavor, and in more
worst. Bureaucratic chaos has already unfolded: ways than one, it leaves a profoundly bad taste
Republicans make ridiculously speedy and brazen in my mouth.
moves to nominate a new Justice just 38 days
from the election while Democrats call them out
on their hypocrisy for blocking Obama’s nominee
342 days before his own term finished. And this
eruption of “what are the rules” and “can they
technically do that?” signal a larger alarm about
the state of this nation’s democracy.
Frankly, it reveals a broken system. It’s discour-
aging to know that the weight of America’s future
was on her shoulders, as an 87 year old woman,
battling pancreatic cancer for more than a decade.
If the death of one person can jeopardize the lives
of millions, then something far more sinister is
going on. Her last wish was political, her absence
is being weaponized, and people are scared. But if
there’s anything to learn from her, from the fruits
of her entire life, it’s that putting up a fight is
consistently difficult and often a losing battle. But
ultimately, it is worth it.
To the Notorious RBG, while your death has
sounded off immediate panic and political vis-
cousness, your legacy will transcend lifetimes and
inspire generations. Thank you.

24 September 25, 2020