Chronicle 21.4

Volume 21 Issue 4 | William Mason High School | 6100 Mason Montgomery Rd., Mason, OH | 12.14.23 “Building a Business” See page 2

Aybika Kamil | The Chronicle Mason High School (MHS) sophomore Imran Akbar navigates the dimensions included in forging his own 3D printing business. Akbar began this journey in 2021 after he saved up for a few years and bought an Ender 3 V2 printer. Learning how to operate it, he printed and sold products such as combination locks, flexible toy lizards and other custom orders requested by his buyers. “I was excited,” Akbar said. “But at the time, I hadn’t thought about the full possibilities of [the printer] because I was 12.” With this curiosity, Akbar said that he learned how to manage a self-made business and explored aspects of it by doing research online. “I watched a lot of videos and found out some of the things that [businesses] did, some of the different strategies and then the different things that sold well,” Akbar said. Akbar started off designing on a beginner-friendly application called Tinkercad when he first began 3D printing. However, as he ventured into the more complicated realm of design from producing products for his business, Akbar needed a program that would be able to handle complex projects. “I moved to Fusion 360 which definitely [has] a learning curve to it,” Akbar said. “Again, a lot of YouTube videos helped but it’s a bit more complicated to use. But [I had] a lot more freedom designing stuff with that.” Although his business had been running smoothly, Akbar ran into drawbacks with his printer. It had quality issues when it printed and he had to fix it often. Akbar attempted to upgrade and refine the machine but eventually decided to buy a new 3D printer with the profit he had earned from his business. “With this new printer, it’s been pretty great,” Akbar said. “Over the last summer, [3D printing] grew on me a lot, it became a more significant portion of my life.” Akbar has a generally wide variety of customers which mainly includes students from school. Recently, he designed a fitted and custom Mandalorian helmet as a part of a costume for someone. Being able to access complex design programs and a better printer, Akbar has printed hyperrealistic projects. “Even my extended family, I made some things for them,” Akbar said. “My grandparents had a cat that passed away. So I made the 3D model of the cat and they were really happy about that.” This new printer had a multitude of functions that his old printer didn’t have, allowing Akbar more creative freedom. He was able to work with different materials and also print multicolored objects. Akbar unlocked projects he would not have been able to take on before by utilizing these new features. With the carbon fiber filament, Akbar has made a custom exhaust for his father’s 911 Porsche Carrera. “I enjoy the creativity that you can have,” Akbar said. “I only use the models I designed to sell [so] I got into modeling more complex things.” Starting a 3D printing business opened many doors of opportunity for Akbar. His uncle helped him network and get in communication with leading corporate pioneers in 3D printing. Akbar said he hopes to continue expanding his business and exploring where it could go in the future. He intends to bring his 3D printer with him to college, if possible, to reach a wider demographic. Akbar said he views his business as a supplement to his goals. “It’s definitely a great side thing,” Akbar said. “It’s kind of similar to having an internship or a side job.” By managing his 3D printing business, Akbar has been able to take on leadership roles. Akbar said that this has aided him in refining his character. “Managing my finances and everything is another part of it that I hope is going to be helpful in the future,” Akbar said. “It’s made me more responsible. I also [feel] inclined to go into business as a career.” Sophomore finds passion in 3D printing business Photo contributed by Imran Akbar Sophomore Imran Akbar creates a project on Fusion 360 for his 3D printing business. 2 December 14, 2023 Photo by Becca Hunter Sophomore Imran Akbar showcases a vase that he 3D printed.

December 14, 2023 3 Students find valuable opportunity through dog bones Taylor Murray | The Chronicle The smell of peanut butter cookies wafting from a nearby classroom may instead be a batch of dog bones. Brewhaus Bakery Co., based in Cincinnati, Ohio and founded by Lisa Graham, is a non-profit organization that takes spent grains from breweries in the area and uses them to make dog treats. Along with their bakery in Mount Washington, Brewhaus also offers a vocational training model where they send the ingredients to school districts in the area. The purpose of the vocational model is to provide students with disabilities that attend those schools the option to participate. Graham started the organization when she visited San Diego and saw a business making products such as dog treats from spent grains. She has a daughter with a disability, and she said she was very excited to find a place of work where young adults with disabilities can be a part of the entire production process, from preparing the ingredients to selling the bagged treats. She was eager to share the program with schools in the Greater Cincinnati area, and there are currently 17 districts actively participating. “It’s great to be able to have a supportive work environment, to be able to work with so many wonderful school programs and figure out a fun pathway to build jobs and job opportunities and job skills,” Graham said. Mason High School (MHS) work study and transition coordinator Keri Thompson leads Brewhaus’ vocational training model during Connect Time every month for her students. She said the program provides a multitude of opportunities for the students and has helped them grow and strengthen their workplace skills. “Our program is designed to help young adults practice a variety of vocational and employability skills,” Thompson said. “It’s for students whose plan after high school is to go into the world of work. We’re just trying to maximize their independence and their ability to be able to work and live as independently as possible.” Through the Brewhaus program, the participating students are able to see a good being produced from start to finish. During the Connect Times, the kids measure and mix the ingredients to make the batter and then pour them into the bone-shaped rubber molds. From there, they bag and seal the treats, labeling each package with a Brewhaus sticker and a stamp identifying the brewery that contributed to that batch. On November 15, 2023, MHS students personally sold the peanut-butter flavored dog treats at the Mason Community Center hosted Shop Local event. “It’s a neat activity for our students to be a part of because they can see a product all the way from the ingredients to the finished product, and then they get an opportunity to sell these twice a year,” Thompson said. Graham said that being able to provide these opportunities for students with disabilities like her daughter is very rewarding. She has a master’s degree in social work, and she said she loves getting to meet all of the students and their parents and being able to make a change in their lives. “My goal has always been to do something that helps make the world a better place,” Graham said. “The fact that this has all worked, even though it’s a lot of work [makes me] feel fantastic. That’s what motivates me to keep going - to help people learn job skills or have a good experience working as an adult.” Mason alumni who works for Brewhaus Bakery Co. Claudia Hawke and MHS students Aleena Ghohestani, Sharvani Rao and Morgan Massa selling the dog bones. Photo contributed by Keri Thompson

4 December 14, 2023 Teachers address concerns of cheating in classrooms Elina Bishoyi | The Chronicle Rising concerns in academic dishonesty has Mason High School (MHS) teachers taking new initiatives to curve this cheating issue. Incident referrals of academic dishonesty to administration have remained similar to years past, but some teachers at MHS have noticed an increased underlying current of cheating. Students have been caught using preloaded calculators, taking pictures of tests or using online platforms such as Photomath and Artificial Intelligence (AI). MHS National Honor Society (NHS) advisor and former Chemistry teacher Barbara Shuba said that academic dishonesty has evolved to become more collaborative in recent years. “I’ve seen a change that has a strong ripple effect,” Shuba said. “It’s gone from asking about the test generally to now very specific efforts to get pictures or even screenshots of questions.” AP (Advanced Placement) Biology teacher Elizabeth Coleman said that she has seen this issue in her own classes, resulting in requiring the entire class to retake tests. Coleman said that she believes in forgiveness, but also wants students to recognize the consequences of their actions and the effects cheating can have on a classroom. “If a student comes to you after the cheating incident has occurred, we can work to move past it,” Coleman said. Shuba said that cheating can have effects beyond academics. Members of NHS who commit acts of academic dishonesty are removed from the organization. “[Integrity] is a pillar that you commit to,” Shuba said. “It is a hard conversation with [the student] and for them to say they made a mistake and own it, but that’s part of being in NHS.” AP Statistics teacher Steve Mays said that increasing demands placed on students contributes to the rise in acts of academic dishonesty. “The amount of work and pressure that [students] have is so high,” Mays said. “Peer pressure, the pressure from mom and dad, scholarships, GPAs and thoughts of college – all of those pressures together are basically telling students in their minds, ‘I have to get an A in this class, by any means necessary.’” Mays said that he recognizes the challenges students face and tries to prevent students from cheating in the first place through meaningful conversations. “There’s a part of me that would love to be able to teach a class that could assess my students’ knowledge in different ways,” Mays said. “So, if they get stuck, instead of feeling the temptation to cheat in order to get the right answer, I could give my students the opportunity to problem solve and go to their resources and learn. I would rather set up a system for my students to be encouraged more than just, ‘I got the right answer.’” Junior Rina Nazir says she has seen the pressures students face firsthand in her own classes. “Many [students] that want to get into a good college overload themselves with honorsandAP classes because they genuinely believe they have to,” Nazir said. “Even if those APs have nothing to do with what they plan to major in, they’re still rigorous courses that colleges like to see on a transcript.” Honors Anatomy teacher and Science National Honor Society (SNHS) advisor Maggie Long said that cheating can have severe consequences past high school. “Maybe [a student] wants to be a nurse or a doctor one day, how are [they] going to cheat through med school?” Long said. “[They would] lose the trust of [their] patients. Cheating may get [them] ahead in the moment but what [they] take with [them] long-term is [their] integrity.” MHS teachers use a number of methods to reduce cheating in their classrooms, including keeping phones in secure places and separating students during testing. Mays said that he has created different forms of tests and given each student different questions in the past, but it has not addressed the root of the problem. “As a teacher, I could spend a lot of time and effort trying to figure out ways to overcome the cheating, but that doesn’t fix integrity,” Mays said. Long said that she wishes more students will come forward about incidents of cheating. “We all make bad choices,” Long said. “The problem that I see is that there’s not always the ownership piece of it where a student says, ‘I made the mistake but I’m gonna move forward and I’m gonna do better. ” Mays said that the time that students invest in cheating would be more effectively spent on genuinely learning the content. Moving forward, Mays said he hopes for a societal change. “It’s not unusual for students to cheat,” Mays said. “[Currently] it’s unusual if you are a student who doesn’t cheat. As a culture, we need to change things.” Graphics by Alisha Verma in the moment but what [they] take with

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“What’s Poppin” presents best friends creative outlet Drew Hoffmaster | The Chronicle Two best friends blow up their business using colorful balloons. In 2022, seniors and lifelong friends Hope Johnson and Sydney Vargo started What’s Poppin, a business creating balloon arches and designs for graduation parties, bridal showers and other events. While Johnson handles the business’s finances and Vargo handles the social media, they both work on the balloon structures together. The business started as a side hustle to help their friends and family but has now expanded to doing projects for clients and companies. The idea for What’s Poppin was inspired by a TikTok video Johnson and Vargo viewed as “cute.” With encouragement from Vargo’s mother, Vargo said she and Johnson decided it would be a good way to make a little extra money. “At first, we were kind of hesitant,” Vargo said. “The more we learned about [balloon arches and designs] and the more we got better at it, we started finding it actually kind of fun.” Johnson and Vargo faced some challenges when learning how to string together balloon structures. Vargo said they did not expect to struggle so much, with projects taking three hours or more. Eventually, both of them learned to trust the process and wait until the final product to judge the results. “You’re like, ‘This looks kinda janky,’” Vargo said. “You don’t know if it’ll work out, and you begin to get nervous. But every single time we get to the end, we are both stunned and think [the structures] are beautiful.” While Johnson and Vargo run What’s Poppin in their spare time, they have found times when managing the business conflicts with their schedule at times. Vargo said sometimes one of them has to take a step back from the business, and the other one fills in. “The fact it isn’t a full-time job is really nice,” Vargo said. “With it being a little side thing, it presents us both so much flexibility because if we both can’t do it then we can just say no.” Johnson and Vargo have been best friends since they were little. Vargo said the best part of the business is working with her best friend and getting to create balloon structures with Johnson. “I’ve had times where I’m stressing about timing and thinking, ‘What if they get here and we are not done” Vargo said. “But Hope reminds me we’re going to get it done and that we have to keep going, which helps so much.” To Johnson, one of the best parts of the business is getting to see the reaction of customers. She said customers are often blown away by the difference between the beginning of a project and the end results. “We did a [project] for a little girl’s Bat Mitzvah,” Johnson said. “It was so cool to see her come in and see the joy on her face and just say, ‘Wow that is beautiful.’” The pair have also done projects for Mason City Schools, Amazon and the Hilinski’s Hope Foundation, which advocates for the mental health of student-athletes. Johnson said she loved the opportunities to do projects for big organizations. “We made a balloon arch for a Hilinski’s Hope event,” Johnson said. “It was so fun to be able to contribute to an event raising awareness about an athlete that died.” Johnson said that What’s Poppin has expanded by word of mouth and social media. Neither of the girls has plans to invest in other ways to advertise because Johnson said they want to keep the business casual. “[What’s Poppin] is just something we do for fun,” Johnson said. “It is one of those small passion projects that we just get so much joy out of.” Currently, Johnson and Vargo do not plan to continue the What’s Poppin in college because they are unsure if they will end up at the same university. Johnson said that they have plans to continue the business over the summer and are excited about that. “I definitely see us when we come back in the summer picking [the business] right back up,” Johnson said. “It is just so fun to create these structures together. Even if they do not continue the business in the future, Johnson and Vargo said their friendship will remain strong, and that their passion project has been a way to try new things and grow together. “Our friendship makes [What’s Poppin] a new adventure we are experiencing together,” Johnson said “We are experiencing, learning and growing together while trying out new things. I can’t imagine our lives being any other way.” Photo contributed by Angie Vargo Hope Johnson and Sydney Vargo pose with their balloon arch for Hope Squad. 6 December 14, 2023 Photos contributed by Angie Vargo Hope Johnson shows off her balloon arch for Bengals watch party. Scan to see more of What’s Poppin’s Creations! Sydney Vargo working hard to inflate balloons for event.

December 14, 2023 7 Chess wins eighth consecutive GMC championship Shrija Shandilya | The Chronicle On November 28, Mason High School’s (MHS) chess team continued their dominant reign over the their Greater Miami Conference (GMC) with an eighth straight championship. Mason won its 10th GMC trophy in 11 years in dramatic fashion, defeating runner-up and rival Sycamore 13-0-1 to 12- 1-1. In the first round of competition, both teams were 8-0-1 with a tie against each other, and won over the rest of the conference. In round two, the Comets narrowly defeated the Aviators 3-2, enough to seal the conference title. The team also finished in 11th at the US Chess Federation 2023 National High School Championship. Senior Jason Wang won the conference Player of the Year award for a third straight season due to his efforts at the conference championship. He said that the team’s dedication and consistent practice helped prepare them to compete. “It’s a lot of practicing and analyzing games,” Wang said. “There’s a bountiful amount of possibilities, it just goes infinitely on and there’s so many lanes and alleys to go down.” Three Comets, junior Pranav Pendurti, sophomore Abhinav Pullabhotla, and Wang were named first-team All-GMC. Sophomore Sanvi Jha earned second-team honors. Wang attributes the recent success of the team to an increased dedication to education and talent on the team. “We just had a lot of talented players come in and get a lot better recently and I was particularly happy when one of our boards used something we talked about in lectures,” Wang said. Over the past few years, chess has globally skyrocketed in popularity. Wang said this is due to the rise of online platforms and the hit show “Queen Gambit.” However, he said the success and increase in talent on the Mason team comes from the culture around academic sports and the resources they are given in Mason. The interest in chess draws in players that join the team. “Chess used to be some sort of obscure sport,” Wang said, “I think the community has made chess into something that’s a lot bigger than it used to be with people in the middle school playing enthusiastically and transitioning to high school.” Wang said although chess is played individually, it is still a team sport and team chemistry is very critical. “We talk outside of class all the time and we’re just good friends,” Wang said. “It makes it easier and allows us to help each other in a more cohesive manner.” Jha earned second-team All-GMC honors for the second consecutive year. She said the team offers her an outlet to do an activity she enjoys competitively. “It’s been a good way for me to step back and take my mind off school,” Jha said. “Even outside of the competitive aspect, I do just enjoy playing chess.” While enjoyment of the game is a constant for all members of it, there is still a competitive aspect to chess. To combat this, Jha said she grounds herself and takes a step back. “The competitive pressure can be a lot but we have to just play the game of chess,” Jha said. “It’s just a simple game and sometimes we get in our heads but we just step back and look at the board in a clearer way.” To further the camaraderie of the team, teammates will often watch and analyze each other’s matches, she said. “It helps to have somebody else there if you need advice,” Jha said. “After games we all come together and see what we can do to improve for the next work.” Jha said she continues to play chess because of how the game is always evolving. “There’s always so much you can learn from every game and each one is different,” Jha said. “You always want to go back and try not to make the same mistake and keep trying new things.” Pullabhotla also said that there’s a good friendship between the team and it’s something that’s helped the success of the team over the past eight years. “We’re all good friends and talking about our games helps out a lot,” Pullabhotla said. “After our games we check up on other people and it helps us improve each other and improve together.” Pullabhotla said that while playing with stronger players, it is important to remember that everyone can make mistakes and it’s important to stay focused. He said this mentality has also contributed to the team’s continued success in tournaments. “Every single player can make a blunder and lose regardless of their rating,” Pullabhotla said. “I go into it with a mentality that if you play your best chess you will win and if you get scared you’re only going to lose.” Jha said the team’s collective passion for chess is what has allowed them to each be motivated to perform well. She said this creates a lot of improvement and is an aspect of teamwork that has been essential to Mason chess. “Everyone is willing to prepare for the tournament because everyone is passionate about it,” Jha said. “We all work well together to help each other improve so we can win.” Wang caps Mason chess career with third GMC Player of the Year honor Shrija Shandilya | The Chronicle Senior Jason Wang was named the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Player of the Year for a third consecutive season after a dominant performance at the GMC championship. Wang competed as Mason’s first board player, and went undefeated during the tournament, helping lead the Comets to a conference championship. Wang finishes his Mason chess career as a four-time first-team all-conference honoree, and a 40-0 record in varsity matches. Wang also competes in national and international competitions, and is considered an International Master. Although his scholastic career is coming to an end, Wang will continue competing in individual tournaments. Wang reflected on his career as enjoyable and said that the skills he has learned from the game and being part of a team will stick with him throughout the rest of his life. “It’s a fun game and it’s really relaxing for me,” Wang said. “[I’ve developed] a lot of the skills life like management, planning, logical, critical, and abstract thinking.” Photo contributed by Jason Wang Jason Wang won three GMC Player of the Year awards during his Comet career. Photo contributed by Mason Yearbook 2023 Greater Miami Conference chess champion Mason Comets, coached by Keith Brackenridge.

8 December 14, 2023 An Elegant Holiday Akshay Vadlamani | The Chronicle Photos by Akshay Vadlamani Layout by Alisha Verma As a Senior, this concert is very special. It’s great to be able to share the stage and sing some fun holiday songs with your friends for one of the last times! “Since Elegant Holiday is the biggest concert of the year, it provides an opportunity to showcase my music for everyone. Seeing everyone’s reaction to my beatboxing is the reason why I train so hard in the first place.” Senior Alexa Doll Senior Tyler Ahlers December 9 marked this year’s 25th annual An Elegant Holiday concert, the annual choir fundraiser performance put on by all Mason choir groups to support the Mason High School Choral Department. Students across multiple choirs close the night singing “Hallelujah Chorus.” Mason Men’s Choir perform chorerography to “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Senior Michael Guo plays accompaniment to “Fruitcake.” Sophomore Mia Krugman performs a solo during the Womens’ Concert Choir performance. Acapella group Siren don Holiday sweaters as they perform “Hallelujah.” Students Perform in Annual Choir Concert Fundraiser

December 14, 2023 9 Mason Science Olympiad hosts first in-person invite Srinidhi Valathappan | The Chronicle A shared love for science brought together Science Olympiad students from around the state for a day filled with competition. In a tremendous display of teamwork and dedication, the Mason High School (MHS) Science Olympiad team hosted its inaugural in-person invitational on November 11, 2023. The event, which came after months of meticulous planning and collaboration, brought together 15 teams from across Ohio and approximately 225 competitors for a day filled with unique events, friendly competition and scientific exploration. The invitational showcased not only the academic strengths of the participants but also the leadership and collaborative spirit of the Mason team, led by senior captains Grace Chi, Shriya Parthasarathi, Raymond Wang and junior Nikhil Jain. This in-person invitational came after two years of hosting online tournaments and required extensive planning. The Science Olympiad team broke up the process into five committees—Concessions, Tournament Logistics, Event Logistics, Sponsorships and Marketing—each led by upperclassmen, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable event. Junior Annie Wang, head of Tournament Logistics, said that the in-person option was primarily driven by a need to make invitationals more fun for competitors. “The traveling, having fun with your friends [and] the whole atmosphere can’t be replicated with just online invites,” Wang said. Parthasarathi said the team decided to focus on local connections within the Southwest Ohio region for their first tournament, which is early in the season for many other teams. “Rather than starting off with a nationwide experience, we wanted to work our way up, making sure we’re supporting everyone at the local level,” Parthasarathi said. “Some teams can only go to one or two tournaments a year, so we wanted to make this experience as accessible as possible.” As one of the top-ranked teams in the nation, the Mason Science Olympiad team felt it was crucial to give back and offer resources to other schools within their community. Chi said that the support from other Ohio teams was especially appreciated during a debut invite. “It was very touching to have the confidence and support of other top teams attending,” Chi said. “It just really made it a great experience.” Freshmen Mackhoi Hoang and Cody Tang volunteered at the invitational, and are previous Mason Middle School Science Olympiad members as well. Tang said that the difference in the high school team is an inspiring one that motivates students to keep improving. “The high school experience is one that’s a lot more engaged, and the team as a whole is a lot more inclusive,” Tang said. Hoang said that observing and being part of the teamwork involved in making the invitational a reality also strengthened team relationships. “All [the planning and organizing] definitely brought us closer together,” Hoang said. “The team is really just one big family, and they’re willing to put in the work together for this shared goal.” The event saw a significant turnout, with teams coming from as far as four hours away and over 200 competitors participating in 23 events, including two trials: Taylor Trivia (a trivia game around pop artist Taylor Swift) and Bot (a robot-acting competition). The tournament also awarded top rankings in each category with unusual prizes, like stuffed animals and funny children’s books, to add to their usual medals. Wang said the diverse range of competitions, whether it be from astronomy to anatomy, or forestry to forensics, demonstrated the multifaceted talents and interests of the participants. “We worked really hard to make this fun beyond just the science, and I think it was a success,” Wang said. The team’s head coach, Steven Seiler, is a former Science Olympiad participant himself and acknowledges the valuable life skills gained from taking part in the competition. Seiler said that the teamwork, critical thinking, creativity and optimization he learned are all skills he applies daily. “Science Olympiad is a great experience for future scientists and engineers,” Seiler said. “Not just [because of] what they learn in their events but the tools it provides them for their careers.” As the team looks towards the future, Tang said that the growth of both the team and the tournament are a priority. “We’re hoping that in these next few years, we can really grow this tournament to support even more teams and encourage even more people to participate,” Tang said. Wang said the event not only provided a platform for intense scientific competition, but also served as a catalyst for building connections within the Ohio Science Olympiad community, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and shared passion for science. “I’m glad so many teams came,” Wang said. “It gives us a chance to connect with other Ohio competitors and share the Science Olympiad experience.” Photo contributed by Mason Science Olympiad The Mason Science Olympiad team sets up materials for the invite. Photo contributed by Mason Science Olympiad Science Olympiad students gather for the invitational awards ceremony.

10 December 14, 2023 Teacher shares her art through business ventures Allie Keim | The Chronicle Through prints, paints and perspective, Mason High School (MHS) teacher takes her art out of the classroom. MHS visual arts teacher Hannah Zimmerman created her own art business two years ago, selling her prints and greeting cards. Zimmerman has expanded her business throughout the years to share her deep passion for art. Creating prints of her original art also allows Zimmerman to share her work with a wider range of people. Zimmerman said that she appreciates reaching new audiences by selling her art at both exhibits and her maker markets. “With my business, what’s been really fun is the ability to directly connect with customers and be able to share my work,” Zimmerman said. “I have a way to build a community through the artwork that I’m creating to people who can relate to it.” Zimmerman sells her art online as well as at markets and exhibits. This December, Zimmerman plans to travel to Chicago to sell art at the Renegade Craft Fair. However, Zimmerman said the schedule of being a teacher, artist and entrepreneur is quite time-consuming, especially when traveling around to attend different opportunities. “It’s been a learning curve in terms of figuring out how to prioritize my time and how to manage my schedule so that I can maintain both,” Zimmerman said. “As a teacher you have to give a lot of yourself throughout the course of the day. And so most days, I don’t have the energy to continue creating creative work.” Along with in person pop-ups, Zimmerman promotes her art through social media. She started her public art Instagram account in 2017 as a way to post her creative work, share her upcoming schedule and creative process. “[Social media] ends up being a really fun way for me to give a behind-the-scenes look into my work,” Zimmerman said. “Marketing and continuing to promote the actual commercial side of my business and my studio practice is something that I have a goal of continuing to work towards. “ Zimmerman’s work revolves heavily around her perspective as a woman. Zimmerman said she enjoys having a feminist presence in her art and often pulls inspiration from her female family members. “[My art style] is largely based on my personal identity,” Zimmerman said. “I work through an introspection of domesticity, femininity and identity and how those things come together.” Zimmerman said she does not display her own art for her students because she wishes for them to be independent in their artistic style. However, she instead enjoys sharing acquired knowledge on the functions of running a business with her students. Zimmerman said she hopes they can learn from her experiences as she also learns from her students. “I feel the biggest thing my students have taught me is the sense of openness,” Zimmerman said. “They are in the early stages of figuring out their artistic voices and so they are hungry for new ideas, topics, artists and new ways of both working and thinking.” Zimmerman said art overall allows her to contextualize the world around her. While teaching is her full-time job, she is passionate about her own art and the business side of it. Zimmerman said she hopes that through the sharing of her experiences, all students will recognize the lives teachers have beyond the classroom and how it shapes who they are. “I keep my teaching practice and my studio practice fairly separate,” Zimmerman said. “My studio practice is an opportunity for me to really connect with my own identity and who I am as an individual, and so I’m able to focus on my own memories, my own goals, my own expectations of myself my own understanding of reality and contemporary social issues.” Photo contributed by Hannah Zimmerman A few of Hannah Zimmerman’s canvases on display at her art studio. Photo contributed by Hannah Zimmerman Hannah Zimmerman promotes her business and sells her art prints at a maker market.

December 14, 2023 11 2024 Seniors LITTLE RASCALS/513-573-3510

12 December 14, 2023 Holiday CLOTHING MUSIC TECH SPORTS Staff writer Kendall Davis asked Mason High School (MHS) students what they think will be the most popular gifts this year. Junior Ayesha Ahmad Ugg Tasman Slipper Lululemon logo “The brands White Fox, Lululemon and Cider have been trending a lot recently,” Ahmad said. “Year 2000 (Y2K) and the Pinterest clean girl style have been very popular. People always want something simple, some basics to wear to school.” “Everyone’s been wearing the Ugg Tasmans recently,” Ahmad said. “I also feel like everyone’s been liking the Brandy [Melville] cargo pants lately.” “I think it’s gonna be really popular for people to get the new Taylor Swift [albums] that came out,” MacFarland said. “Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts,’ Lana Del Rey’s ‘Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?’ and Doja Cat, if she comes out with CDs or vinyl.” Freshman Sean MacFarland “For sports fans, you could get them tickets to a game,” Sherman said. “Maybe if they play a sport you could get them equipment, or merchandise for a team they like.” Junior Sammy Sherman Taylor Swift Lana Del Rey “I think a lot of people want Bluetooth earbuds or AirPods,” Aronoff said. “Those are always popular, and I think people want wireless speakers.” Apple AirPods Pro Junior Sam Aronoff JBL Portable Speaker

Wish List December 14, 2023 13 Photos by Kendall Davis. Illustrations by Alisha Verma and Becca Hunter. Page design by Aimee Liu. GAMES JEWELRY FUN ART “A PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a really big thing,” Scott said. “Another one is a new Mario game coming out, ‘Super Mario Wonder’.” “I hope there’s a resurgence in gigantic slime kits,” Hughes said. “Slime was pretty cool.” “Earlier in the year, the new Legend of Zelda game, ‘Tears of the Kingdom,’ came out,” Scott said. “I think that’ll be a big one if people haven’t already gotten it. I have it myself and I really do love that game.” Sophomore Nick Hughes Junior Mary Scott “Kendra Scott necklaces are definitely a big gift every year,” Jegol said. Senior Ethiopia Jegol “On TikTok, I’ve seen this jewelry brand called EVRY JEWELS,” Jegol said. “I think that’s gonna be a big thing in stocking stuffers.” Kendra Scott Elisa Gold Pendant Necklace EVRY JEWELS necklaces Legends of Zelda ‘Tears of the Kingdom’ PlayStation 5 Console Senior Ellen Zhang Senior Kavya Chintakayala “For bullet journaling, which is trendy in recent years, [you could get] washi tape, calligraphy pens and ink pens,” Zhang said. “It’s always fun to have a hobby that you can foster even if you’re not going into it professionally or seriously.” “You can give people you’re close to a picture collage,” Zhang said. “It doesn’t even have to be that artistic, but if you put together some pictures for a teacher you’re thankful for, or for your mom or dad, they would love to see that.” “As an artist myself, I think it’s very cool to get stuff that you aren’t used to trying,” Chintakayala said. “I’ve gotten markers and colored pencils a lot, but I got gouache [paint] once and I was like, ‘I can try a new and different material.’” Bullet journaling materials A gouache paint set

14 entertainment: best of 2023 best album best song best game best artist best concert best movie best tv show With its refined beat and meaningful lyrics, “8am in Charlotte” features genuine reflections on the rapper’s life that remind listeners of his older music. Big Thief lead singer and songwriter Adrienne Lenker’s visceral lyrics paint an intimate portrait of a tumultuous relationship, raw emotion conveyed in every breath. Tears of the Kingdom marries one of the most thematic, open worlds ever created in a video game with an ethereal and enigmatic plot. Starting in March, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was a major highlight of the year. It has proved to be more than just a show as fans worldwide join in through live streams and video chats just to see Swift perform their favorite song. The Eras Tour created not just entertainment, but a community for Swifties everywhere. As 2023 winds down, here are the Chronicle staff’s picks for the best releases of the year. Page design by Alisha Verma Travis Scott’s genre-defining “UTOPIA” is a testament to his versatility and originality as an artist, solidifying his spot as one of the biggest figures in contemporary hip hop. An artful mix of edgy grunge and soothing ballads, Olivia Rodrigo’s newest album is a spot-on representation of the teenage experience and a lyrical encapsulation of all the words we wish we could say out loud. Sony embraced the unique creative art style they pioneered in the first movie while excellently carrying on the franchise’s ambitious storyline while having a vibrant and memorable soundtrack. The final season of the hit HBO series offered harrowing drama and wry humor supplemented by careerdefining performances from its lead actors. The creative hive at Sony Pictures broke the mold of what video game movies are, presenting relatable characters and a fast-paced retelling of a true story enjoyable for all. With the release of his extended album Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), alternative folk artist Noah Kahan has gained swarms of attention all over social media. While Stick Season is Kahan’s third studio album, It is the first that has gained worldwide attention and rankings on streaming services. Noah Kahan has a bright future ahead of him in the music industry, and we can only hope to see more of him as we move into 2024. Keoghan’s visceral performance embellished this thriller with a perfect blend of comedy and tragedy. Director: Neil Blomkamp By Drew Hoffmaster and Akshay Vadlamani By Megan Lee Artist: Drake Artist: Big Thief Artist: Travis Scott Artist: Olivia Rodrigo Movie: Saltburn Director: Hidemaro Fujibayashi Artist: Taylor Swift By Hudson Pitcock By Shrija Shandilya By Elina Bishoyi By Akshay Vadlamani By Megan Lee By Alisha Verma Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers & Justin K. Thompson Creator: Jesse Armstrong By Alisha Verma By Shrija Shandilya Gran Turismo Noah Kahan “8am in Charlotte” “Vampire Empire” UTOPIA GUTS The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom The Eras Tour Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Succession Barry Keoghan best performance December 14, 2023

December 14, 2023 15 entertainment director: Francis Lawrence The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Scott Pilgrim Takes Off THINK LATER movie review tv review album review by Kendall Davis by Megan Lee creators: Bryan Lee O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinski by Tate McRae by Drew Hoffmaster Page design by Alisha Verma 3/5 3/5 4/5 Originally released as a box office flop, Edgar Wright’s film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has cemented its status as a cult classic. Now, it has been turned into an anime on Netflix. Originally adapted from a comic, the series follows the 23-year-old slacker Scott Pilgrim as he has to defeat the seven evil exes of Ramona Flowers, the girl he loves. The animated series changes one event in the first episode to tell a completely different story, making it not a oneto-one adaptation. The change expands the storyline from the comics, fleshing out each evil ex. The change also makes Ramona the main character, making her a more three-dimensional person. The medium of animation allows the show to mimic the comics video game charm and film while also giving the animators the ability to make visually impressive fight scenes. The vibrant animation makes evil ex Gideon Graves’s sword skills seem real and the fights feel more exciting. Sadly, the story feels rushed at times and is only understandable to someone who knows the story of the original Scott Pilgrim. The first episode twist makes it essential for watchers to already know who Scott and the seven evil exes are before starting the show, making it less accessible to newer fans. Even though those who are unfamiliar with the Scott Pilgrim franchise may feel confused by the show, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is still an entertaining and engaging show and makes me excited to see what is to come next with comic book adaptations! Elliott Smith’s Roman Candle is a warm collection of acoustic number featuring Smith’s signature hsuhed vocals and intricate lyrics. Beginning in the music industry at age 14, Tate McRae has released multiple EPs and an excellent debut album. Now, six years into her music career, her new album THINK LATER has proven to be one of her best works yet. Though McRae is only 20 years old, she has already developed her own unique sound informed by both pop and hip-hop. With her background in dance, McRae knows the importance of rhythm, an understanding prominent in songs like “greedy” and “cut my hair”. Being so young, McRae has also made it a point to use her lyrics to connect back with her teenage audience. In her song “we’re not alike”, McRae flawlessly addresses topics like female solidarity and the negative expectations set on female friendships in today’s society. Overall, THINK LATER is an upbeat, poppy, and fun sophomore album. We can only hope to see how she will continue to grow as an artist as she continues to release more music. retro recommendation By Alisha Verma Roman Candle (1994) by Elliott Smith The Hun ger Games series has revolutionized the young adult genre since its first book in 2008. 11 years after the first movie’s release, based on the prequel book of the same name, The Ballad of the Songbirds and Snakes has been released. It details the backstory of the series’ main villain, President Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) as his life intertwines with that of the tribute he is mentoring for the tenth Hunger Games, the vivacious Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). Blyth’s dynamic acting perfectly encompassed the multifaceted character of Snow. Blyth believably portrayed chemistry with his co-star Rachel Zegler, creating moments of romance the original Hunger Games trilogy is so well known for. On the other hand, Blyth skillfully captured Snow’s descent into madness in the movie’s climax. To contrast the character of Snow, Zegler’s performance as Lucy Gray carried the majority of the movie, as scenes not featuring Zegler often dragged or felt lacking in personality. Also notable was Zegler’s Appalachian accent and singing style which successfully rooted District 12 in Appalachian culture. The movie’s visualization of the districts before the events of the main trilogy was an electrifying blend of historical and dystopian aesthetics, making for a visually astounding film overall. Without the spectacle created by the Capitol, The Ballad of the Songbirds and Snakes’ atmosphere felt much darker than that of the original movies. Providing interesting context to the original trilogy, the ominous undertones truly cemented the solemnity of the games. Despite all this, the feat of translating such a detailed book into a movie is a difficult one. The book’s whopping 747 pages guarantee that details will be left out, but the sheer amount of differences leaves audience members who are unfamiliar with the book feeling confused at times. The length of the book also contributed to some pacing difficulties. The three segments of the movie felt unbalanced and very rapid in some points, but dull in others. Regardless of any errors, The Ballad of the Songbirds and Snakes was a triumphant return to a beloved franchise. The film has opened the door to potential future Hunger Games movies, but for now, it serves as an engrossing invitation to delve back into the series.

16 December 14, 2023 teacher feature club shoutout why? transportation station holiday traditions 62.5% 37.5% this or that? chron catalog whole block can be a photo Q A scan to ask a question for next month! scan to answer a “this or that?” for next month! “Will we get another [facility] animal like maybe a chameleon?” AP Psychology Teacher Alex Beurket - “Mason High School (MHS) will defi nitely have another facility dog at some point in the future,” Beurket said. “One thing I’ve considered but haven’t approached yet is all the other schools in Mason are two grade levels at a time and have one dog. We’re four grades and we have one dog. I’ve considered talking to administrators about getting a second dog so we have the same ratio of students to dogs. I think it’d be awesome if Hibbs had a friend in the next couple of years.” “Teslas are pretty lit. They allow me to drive without touching the wheel, and I don’t have to expend gas like my old car. It feels like I’m driving a spaceship.” Prescott with his hot chocolate station "It's a music service club where we bring people together to perform at retirement homes every month," Chi said. "I really like interacting with the senior residents, they have a lot of good stories. Our last performance, there was this one really nice lady who told us about being part of Mason's orchestra in 1965 and how different it was back then. I think it's really interesting to be able to pay them company." Chords for Community Student Leader senior Grace Chi Asked by senior Joe Peyton Results taken from Google Form poll with a sample of 24 responses... Junior Rithin Karra and his Tesla Model X “I do offer hot chocolate in the cold months. It’s just a nice thing for some students to have a little bit of warm goodness in their throats. I thought I could use it as a teaching moment to talk about fi xed cost and variable cost and can incorporate that with just having something available for students. For a quarter, you get hot water, a packet of hot chocolate, you get a cup, you get a stir and not promised, but on most days mini marshmallows to enhance your experience.” Expenses chart made by Prescott’s former student AP Economics and History teacher Steve Prescott “During Hanukkah, I enjoy lighting the menorah and making latkes with my family.” - Freshman Hannah Kaufman - Junior Emma Zellner “Driving around to see all of the holiday lights.” BOSCO CHEESE STICKS BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH holiday traditions “Watching Veggie Tales holiday DVDs.” - Senior Angela Chan “Driving around & looking @ Xmas lights!” - Senior Anna Matu Photo contributed by Rithin Karra Photo contributed by Lydia Lysko

2023 fall sports wrapped December 14, 2023 17 Camden Paeltz | The Chronicle We are halfway through the 2023-2024 school year, and the fall sports season has wrapped up. Our Chronicle sports staff decided to celebrate the holiday season by acknowledging some of the many great achievements of our fall sports athletes and teams Mason had four teams win in the Greater Miami Conference (GMC). The girl’s volleyball team, Boys and Girls Cross country team, and the girl’s tennis team. Girls tennis went on to win the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association state title for the seventh consecutive year.

18 December 14, 2023 Swimming helps Cole connect after move from Zambia Mitchell McMillen | The Chronicle Freshman Mulenga Cole is diving into new waters, continuing his swimming career after traveling across the pond from Zambia to Mason. Cole’s family moved from Zambia, a country in southern Africa, to Mason this summer to be closer to family and for Mulenga to attend an American high school. Zambia is nearly 8,000 miles from Mason and has a population of roughly 6% of the United States (U.S.) population. The move is an adjustment for a high school freshman, but Cole’s swimming is helping make the transition easier. Cole competes for the Mason Manta Rays club team and the Mason High School (MHS) swimming and diving team. In Zambia, scholastic swimming teams are not present, and club teams have less access to pools and long travel distances for competitions. Cole said that swimming in America allows him to train and compete at a higher level. “The competition [in Zambia] wasn’t at a high level,” Cole said. “The facilities weren’t at a high level as well. Clubs didn’t have their own pool. We’d use school pools and mostly just private international schools.” Cole also has noticed a different style of training that he has experienced since coming to the U.S. In Zambia, Cole’s coaches used an “old” style of training that incorporated hard sets with little rest in between. Cole said the training was very repetitive and caused injuries. Training in the U.S., Cole has noticed a higher emphasis on recovery. He feels better rested and more able to train at a high level. He also hasn’t experienced any setbacks due to injuries so far in his training. “I think here there’s more recovery time to actually let your rejuvenate and be able to go back into practice and swim at a high level,” Cole said. “Here, I haven’t felt any injuries. I’m healthy all the time. I feel rested when I go into practice.” With the change in training style and more time for recovery, Cole said his swimming abilities have improved since his move to the U.S. Cole hopes to continue to improve to reach his goals. He has aspirations to get as far as the Olympics representing Zambia on an international level but is currently focused on contributing to the MHS swim team. “There’s some big goals, especially next year,” Cole said. “I’m trying to make it to Worlds next year in February and then hopefully the Olympics. [I have] goals for high school like going to state and swimming for my high school. In Zambia, there wasn’t anything like that.” Cole’s first competition with MHS is the Canton City Schools Christmas Invitational on December 15-16 at C.T. Branin Natatorium, the site of the annual Ohio High School Athletic Association state championship meet. Competing for a school team is a completely new experience for Cole. He said the energy he feels competing for Mason is on a different level than what he was used to in Zambia. “The environment, the people, the energy that there is at a high school meet is crazy compared to a club or high school in Zambia,” Cole said. The change in school structure is something Cole has had to adjust to as well. Cole said that Mason, the largest high school in Ohio, is a drastic change from the school environment he was used to. Throughout the move, Cole has felt support from Mason helping him transition into his new stage of life. He feels that if he works and trains hard he will achieve the goals he set out to achieve. “Everything is right there and all you need to do is work for it,” Cole said. “There’s a support that Mason gives you.” Cole has also spent time living in Tanzania. Since moving to the U.S., Cole has found it difficult to keep in touch with his friends from Zambia and Tanzania due to the seven hour time difference. The swim team has given Cole an easy outlet to meet new people and build friendships. He said that having a community that relates to his experiences as an athlete has eased his transition to the US. “[Swimming] is where most of my good friends are,” Cole said. “[It’s helpful] Being able to move to a new country and have people who know what you do and do the same as you.” Photo by Camden Paeltz Freshman Mulenga Cole dives off start block at practice for Mason High School’s swimming and diving team. Cole’s fi rst meet with Mason High School is December 15-16 in Canton. DIVING IN Graphic by Andrew Little Zambia, located in southern Africa, is nearly an entire day’s fl ight away from the United States.

December 14, 2023 19 1-800-GO-GUARD nationalguard.com About Us The Ohio Army National Guard is made up of more than 11,500 Soldiers from all across the state. Guard members come from every walk of life, ready to put on the uniform at a moment’s notice to protect their families, neighbors, and community. Unlike any other branch of service, the Army National Guard focuses on the Citizen-Soldier, which emphasizes that dedication to service begins at home. Guard members train so that they will be ready if their community or their nation needs them. Ohio National Guard Scholaship Program The Ohio National Guard pays for up to 100% tuition at public Ohio colleges for up to four years. Those attending private insitutions are also eligible for funding at the average cost of state colleges. Guard members are eligible for the ONG scholarship as soon as they enlist, as long as they remain in good standing. For more information on the Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program, including application, deadline, eligibility and more, please visit: www.ong.ohio.gov/scholarship_index.html Contact Us SGT Andrew A. Noland (513)-330-3849 What is ONGSP? The Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program (ONGSP) is a state-funded scholarship program for individuals who enlist, extend, or re-enlist into the Ohio National Guard. This educational program is only offered by the Ohio National Guard. No other branch of service offers this program. This program exists through Ohio Revised Code 5919.34, which means it is statefunded and not subject to changing federal budgets. Let’s Talk Money The ONGSP pays up to 100% of the total instruction and general fee charges of Ohio public colleges and universities in pursuit of an undergraduate degree. The ONGSP will also pay the average cost of Ohio public college tuition and general fees towards approved private or proprietary degree-granting institutions of higher education. Let’s Talk Eligbility Each participant with a six-year enlistment is eligible for four years of scholarship as a full-time student. Participants with a threeyear enlistment are eligible for two years of scholarship as a full-time student. Members are eligible for benefits upon enlistment. Participants must remain enrolled for a minimum of three credit hours per term in a degree-granting program. Talk to a Recruiter to learn how part-time students use ONGSP. *Certain eligibility requirements may be subject to change Eligible universities include but not limited to:

20 December 14, 2023 Matula to retire after 18 seasons at helm Andrew Little | Editor-in-Chief After three state final-four appearances, seven Greater Miami Conference championships, and countless lives impacted, girls’ basketball coach Rob Matula’s legendary coaching career is approaching its conclusion. On November 30, 2023, Matula announced his intent to retire at the end of the 2023-24 season, concluding his 18-year tenure as the head coach of the Comets. Matula started his teaching and coaching career at Mason in 1988, and has lived in the city with his family ever since. Matula taught for 33 years, retiring in 2021. His coaching career included stints as an assistant for Mason’s boys team, head coach of Talawanda (1999-2001) and Sycamore’s (2001- 2005) boys teams, and the last 18 years leading Mason’s girls program. Matula said that coaching at Mason, where he has spent the majority of his professional life and raised his family, has made his career more meaningful and memorable. “This is home,” Matula said. “This is where I first came out of college for my teaching/coaching job so for me, the biggest meaning or feeling is pride. I’m very proud of how our program has represented the city of Mason and our school. There are other great feelings I have about leading this program but pride is the greatest of those. After retiring from Mason as a teacher in 2021, Matula was not ready to stop coaching, citing his connections to his players. Now that he is several years removed from the classroom, Matula said the timing was right to close the book on his coaching career. “Since I’ve been retired [from teaching] for several years, I don’t have that same connection outside of basketball and to me, that is why I’ve decided to step down,” Matula said. “I love the kids I have right now but there is something lost with me not being in the building. I told my players, [my decision to retire] isn’t really about them, it’s totally about me.” Matula decided with his wife and family and then informed his staff and administration. Before his formal announcement, he sat down with the team after practice to let them know he was retiring. Parrish said the players had mixed emotions when they heard the news, as they were happy for their coach but also sad to know his career was coming to an end. “I honestly started tearing up when he told us [he was retiring],” Parrish said. “We all just want the best for him. We were all pretty understanding.” Junior Madie Parrish has played for Coach Matula for three years, starting on varsity as a freshman. Parrish said that Matula has impacted her in many different aspects, including acclimating to the team her freshman year, being a resource in her college recruiting process, and mentoring her to become a more confident person and leader. “He’s meant a lot to me,” Parrish said. “It’s been a long journey with how he’s been able to help me grow as a player and on and off the court as a person too. I’m just really grateful for him.” Matula’s career is closing on triumphant run, as the Comets are coming off of three consecutive GMC championships with a 72-6 record in that span. Parrish described the players’ approach to this season as “ending on a make” to send off Matula on a high note with the best possible season. “If I’m a motivation for them to work hard that’s okay with me,” Matula said. “What’s most important to me is that the team play for each other, their community, and their school. If I’m a distant 4th, I’m good with it. It has always been about my players and their successes.” The Comets are off to a 4-1 start to the 2023-24 season, with a 3-0 conference record so far and a 52-51 loss to Beavercreek in their season opener. Matula said his retirement has not impacted the way he approaches his final season, as his job to coach his players to the best of his abilities remains the same as it has throughout his career. “I’m going to be me up until that last second ticks off the clock,” Matula said. “My goal this season, as it has been with all the seasons I’ve coached, will be to put a team on the floor that will play as hard as they can, give themselves a chance to win games, and represent [the Mason] community with class.” Photo by Lily Haller Rob Matula, the winningest coach in Mason girls basketball history, has led the team since 2005. Graphic by Andrew Little Photo by Lily Haller Rob Matula won 14 sectional titles and 10 district titles at Mason.

December 14, 2023 21 Hudson Pitcock | The Chronicle Brotherhood is not just a slogan, it is an on-court advantage. Last year, Adam Toohey took over as head coach of the Mason boys basketball team. After 27 years of success under Greg Richards, Toohey sought to continue his on-court legacy while leaving his own mark on the team’s culture. The Comets went 16-8 in his first year, but on-court results are not the only thing that the team is looking to build on. One new rule Toohey implemented was a no earbuds policy on game days. The move was not popular with all players, as many like to listen to music to relax and prepare to compete. Toohey said his goal is to bring the players closer together, and removing barriers allows for closer bonds on and off the court. “Basketball is best played as a group of connected individuals,” Toohey said. “I think that you grow more connected as individuals when you’re communicating with each other. You’re about to go out into an environment that is not friendly, that’s going to be loud, and we just want the guys to talk to each other and get connected as opposed to listening to their headphones.” Though the rule was originally met with some pushback, it evolved into a great bonding experience for the team. One exception to the rule is that athletes are allowed to be on their phones as long as they are still engaged with their teammates, such as playing a videogame game with each other. Sophomore Brycen Johnson said he ended up appreciating the guideline, as it led to a new relaxing pre-game tradition with his teammates. “I think it’s good team bonding,” Johnson said. “We like to play a lot of Among Us before the games. I feel like it relieves a lot of pressure to play with your teammates which helps us play better together on the court.” Recently, the team took a trip funded by the Mason basketball program. They stayed overnight in an Airbnb in Loveland and shared a meal at Texas Roadhouse. With no ball or hoop in sight, the expedition was solely intended to strengthen relationships. Every player was given a chance to share parts of their life stories out loud. This led to players opening up with each other through emotional conversations. Toohey said the team benefitted from an experience where they could connect with each other outside of the traditional pressures of the basketball court. “We feel like a different team after that,” Toohey said. “I think we are a little tighter, we got some guys to open up a little bit more and let their guard down. We talked about what are things you struggle with. When people know that, they can help support you.” Senior Matt Debrosse said he learned a lot about his teammates on a personal level which he believes will lead to Mason’s triumph in games. “Growing connections helps us out on the court,” Debrosse said. “I know I can trust not only the other starters with me, but I can trust everyone else on the bench to come in and do their job. I know when I’m pressuring somebody, they have my back. I know they are going to always be there for me when I’m having a bad game, and I’ll be there for them too. We’re all going to celebrate each other’s little victories.” Toohey also prioritizes the players holding each other accountable to high standards. Valuing student-led feedback, he believes player-to-player support builds chemistry and belief in each other. This is why after every game, win or loss, the locker room conversation has to include an end-of-game spotlight of something positive to build on. The basketball coaching staff teaches four core values to their athletes: compete, care, compassion and joy. Toohey is a big believer in is competing to steal inches, the small things that make the difference in a basketball game. Emphasizing that every single rebound and loose ball is what turns the tides of a game, the end-of-game spotlight is a time for the players to recognize and celebrate each other’s small victories. “Coming from the coach is one thing, but coming from your teammates is a whole other thing,” Debrosse said. “It boosts your confidence and helps you play better. You know that your teammates have you back, the coaches have your back, everybody in the Brotherhood has your back.” Debrosse said he misses listening to music on bus rides to games, but understands the rule’s purpose. The team does not have traditional captains, but Debrosse said he appreciates how Toohey has empowered players, particularly the seniors, to lead the team and find ways to build up the culture. Senior Abib Abib moved to Mason as a sophomore. He said Toohey’s approach has helped him gain confidence and grow closer to everyone in the program, whereas before, he didn’t cooperate on court as well. “I felt like I didn’t really know any of the kids on the team, like I was just the new kid,” Abib said. “Since Coach Toohey has arrived, I now know every single kid in the program.” Abib advocated for the need for well-developed relationships in a team. He said it was necessary to have a connected team in order to reach their goals. “Basketball is mainly a mental sport, needing strong bonds with teammates,” Abib said. “The bigger the bond, the stronger you are together as a team. I feel like everyone has come together as one tightly connected team.” Comet connections Basketball emphasizes building relationships beyond the court Photo by Lily Haller Matt Debrosse and Braylan Payton celebrate a key basket. Photos by Lily Haller Brycen Johnson leads offense to start possession in opener. Photo by Lily Haller Abib Abib posts up for a contested shot against St. Xavier. Adam Toohey is in his second season as Mason’s head boys basketball coach.

22 December 14, 2023 The Chronicle’s Policy Connect with the Chronicle: Education as a whole is currently under attack. Not only are we seeing record low levels of literacy across the nation, but we are noticing a troubling culture around academic dishonesty at Mason High School. Although the number of incident referrals to administration has remained fairly steady in recent years, many teachers and students are sensing a growing problem. Cheating is a shortcut that undermines the educational process and stunts the learning of students. This is especially true considering the cheating occurring in high-level classes directly impacts students’ future plans. Everyone experiences academic pressure and stress in a district that is as competitive as Mason, yet not every student is compelled to cheat. The difference is simply taking ownership of your learning. Too often we think of our grades as an attack, or some ranking of our worth, but your grade is really just a reflection of how much effort you put in. Entering finals, our learning for the entire semester is about to be put to the test. If a student cheated in that class, their learning and retention of information is being undercut. Going into college decision season, think about who you are as a student and what this means for your future. No matter what point you are at in high school, the next few years do not get much easier. How you deal with hardship is what makes or breaks you. The solution to cheating is taking responsibility for your learning and your grade. The importance of academic integrity extends beyond just yourself. Teachers put in an immense amount of effort to teach us and cheating undermines that entirely. It is a clear sign you have ignored their efforts to educate you, not to mention the distrust and disappointment cheating creates. We lose our sense of community and the student teacher relationship becomes strained. It’s hard to uphold Mason culture and our pillars when deception is rampant. In addition, students who do not cheat are punished as well, with some having to redo entire tests because of the actions of the minority. While cheating is an individual choice, it is important to address the factors that lead to cheating on such a mass scale. We are in an era of perfection where good is never good enough. We are expected to take every high-level class possible, do every club and get every internship. It is inherent that students are incredibly stressed out. While we need a shift in individual mentalities, we also need a shift in our community’s mentality. Students cheat partially due to a fear of failure and an expectation from peers, parents and colleges to never come short of perfection. Perhaps there is too great of an emphasis on highstakes testing and tests based in memory-spewing that is contributing to this stress. No matter the cause of academic dishonesty, it takes a toll on both students and teachers alike. We should encourage taking manageable courses, as well as take steps to reduce student stress, while also holding individuals responsible for their own academic actions. The importance of academic integrity Staff Editorial Everyone loves to hate abstract art. It is something we as a society can all seem to band together against. Splatters of paint on a canvas, all-white painting and shapes that look like they could have been drawn by a kindergartener hung up in some of the most famous museums around the world and sold for millions. It is easy to see art like this and make the bold claim “I could have made this.” I have heard it countless times from my peers, TikTok “art critiques” and even my own mother who majored in fine arts. It is always easier to say rather than to do, yet this perspective is held quite widely in the realm of art. Realism and complementary murals are awed by the masses, but when it comes to abstract art, suddenly everyone has an opinion. I too was a believer in the simplicity of abstract art, calling anyone who bought a white canvas for a million dollars absurd. It was not until I looked into the history and experiences behind the art that I could truly enjoy it. Abstract art is a style that came from the modern movement. It was a way for artists to express themselves and rebels to explore new ideas in a post-war society. Art was created as a means for people to express themselves, to break the boundaries of what we viewed as normal and to make comments on issues in society. Every abstract painting is a lens into the artist’s interpretation of the world around them. Remember the viral and controversial piece of art of a banana taped with gray duct tape to a wall? People all over the world were enraged and confused as to how that piece sold for $120,000. Again, everyone across the internet screamed that they could take a banana from their kitchen, tape it to the wall, and create the same “masterpiece.” But that was exactly the point. The artist was trying to make his own commentary about consumers and access to art. He attempted to challenge the notion of elitism in art by making it accessible to all. The piece was intended to comment on society’s commercialization of art, making it an indulgence only for the upper class. The nature of the art was to exemplify the rebellious nature abstract pieces can hold and the conversations they can spark. Whether it be a graffiti artist painting murals on the side of a subway station, or a sculptor taping a banana to a wall, the true meaning of art can extend far beyond what we initially perceive. First glances at a painting are never enough to comment on the worth of a piece. I truly believe there is no such thing as “bad art.” For people who believe that they can make better abstract art than masters, I challenge you to try, allow yourself to fail and make something that is a representation of how you perceive the world around you. There is more than what meets the eye in every single art piece; it is what you make out of it. So pick up your brush and throw some paint on a canvas, maybe you’ll become a millionaire while you are at it. Nishka Mishra | The Chronicle Appreciate abstract art @mhschronicle facebook.com/ mhschronicle @mhschronicle mhschronicle.com The Chronicle is the official student newspaper of William Mason High School. The Chronicle promises to report the truth and adhere to the journalistic code of ethics through online and print media, a, informing and engaging with Mason’s student body and the surrounding community. The Chronicle is produced by students enrolled in Journalism I, II and III. Editorials reflect the staff ’s opinion but do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the school administration or the Mason City School District. The Chronicle is published monthly. Call 398-5025 ext. 33103 for information regarding advertising in The Chronicle. The Chronicle reserves the right to refuse advertising it deems inappropriate for a high school publication. As an open forum for students, letters to the editor are welcome, but are subject to be edited for length, libel, obscenity, clarity and poor taste. Letters to the editor may be dropped off in room C103 and must be signed. The Chronicle is a member of The Columbia Scholastic Press Association, The National Scholastic Press Association, Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists and the Ohio Scholastic Media Association. Contact Information The Chronicle William Mason High School 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Mason, Ohio 45040 (513) 398-5025 The Chronicle Staff Editor-in-Chief Andrew Little Managing Editors Aimee Liu Alisha Soni Business Manager Nishka Mishra Business Intern Ali Sami Staff Designers Becca Hunter Alisha Verma Staff Writers Elina Bishoyi Kendall Davis Drew Hoffmaster Aybika Kamil Ruhi Kaneria Allie Keim Megan Lee Mitchell McMillen Taylor Murray Camden Paeltz Hudson Pitcock Shrija Shandilya Harper Stull Akshay Vadlamani Srinidhi Valathappan Advisor Dale Conner OPINION

December 14, 2023 23 Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Hauls and influencers. Consumerism has been rooted in our history for centuries. From the exotic items presented on the market in the 18th century to the boom of department stores in the early 19th century, humans have always been looking for the next best thing, whether it is new spices, shiny coins or the best gaming computer and jewelry brand. In the 21st century, social media has completely changed the face of consumerism. With influencers, hauls and brand deals, more people are enticed by new items every day. But as we face a new wave of advertising coming our way this winter season, from holiday jingles to super sales, I encourage others to think about the powerhouse of consumerism and how our propelling of it eventually will lead to a downward spiral. To preface, consumerism is unavoidable. It surrounds us everyday and it is so integral to our economy. But what we can avoid is our overspending and encouragement of massive consumption. Before adding an item to your online shopping cart, ask yourself: do you really need that water bottle? Or those new tennis shoes? By asking these reflective questions, we can truly curb consumption before we get too invested to say no. Another key reason to not be engulfed into consumerism is trends. Their lifespans tend to be short, which means that as you actually begin to follow one trend, another one is created. By attempting to fit into each trend, you will end up with a surplus of items that will be deemed unusable in a few months. A solution to these issues is to ask yourself if you are actually going to use the items you purchase. Think about the longevity of the item. Want a tip for picking what clothes to buy? Try the cost per wear method. Take the total price of an item, and divide it by the number of times you will wear it. The cheaper the cost of wear, the more sustainable your clothing will be. Overall, consumerism is hard to avoid, I get it. With appealing trends constantly popping up on my feed, and the overall societal pressure to dress the same way and have the same things as my peers, I feel like I sometimes fall into the trap of consumerism. With the help of reflective questions and curbing methods, I hope that both my peers and I can work to be more sustainable. Amidst the three long weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break, the countless hours of school work, studying and striving to stay motivated are starting to show. Now more than ever it takes strength to keep yourself in a position to stay motivated through the holiday season, especially doing the thing most dread during the holidays: schoolwork. It goes without saying that at Mason High School (MHS) we pride ourselves on our grades and achievements. However, students are sent into what we often believe to be drastically weighed, stressful tests just before the holidays. Just like any sort of pressure, finals consume the thoughts of students and we start to see grade calculations and GPA calculators all over the place. With final exams starting to return after Covid, it is easy to forget that as students, part of the work is being motivated to grow. With most final exams ranging from ten to fifteen percent of a student’s final grade, it is easy for mistakes or slip-ups to happen. Taking one rough final does not define you as a student. I am not saying that we shouldn’t have some sort of “final exam” but I do prefer the ones that are closer related to group projects or activities. Long, daunting tests, especially after a tough semester, can be difficult for students to manage. Regardless of the type of assignment, students must not use this final grade as a way to diminish the work they have previously done. Growth and passion are more important than a final test. We have become consumed with the idea that even if a student has received certain grades all year, they could eventually end with a lower one due to a bad exam score. At the end of the year, it can become overbearing to be obsessed with doing well on one specific test, even for students who have achieved consistent A’s all year. Especially in December, it is important to prioritize the need for support and encouragement for our actions. The weighted finals offered at MHS strive to ensure students have an equal chance to do well, we just have to protect the wellbeing of those who are struggling to stay motivated. Finals week is full of worry, preparation and at times, defeat. Working toward helping prepare those who are anxious and relaxing those who are overstressed, we can promote a healthy mindset toward finals that does not seem so demanding. One test, on one specific day, does not define who you are as a student or a person. Finals do not define you Megan Lee | The Chronicle Editorial Cartoon Christmas consumerism Ruhi Kaneria | The Chronicle OPINION

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