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Elina Bishoyi | The Chronicle Mason High School (MHS) students will have the opportunity to view a truly once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse this year, with the next one not occurring in Mason until 2099. The solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 will be the first total solar eclipse in Ohio since 1806. The rare phenomenon occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow called the eclipse. The path of totality occurs along the region where the Sun is completely covered by the Moon, resulting in only the outermost ring of the Sun to be visible. This year Mason will be right outside the path of totality. As a volunteer for the Cincinnati Observatory and a captain for the MHS Science Olympiad team, junior Nikhil Jain said he believes the event is important to view due to the uniqueness of the phenomenon. “I think it’s important that everybody just goes outside and sees it,” Jain said. “I wouldn’t take it for granted because you never know when you’re gonna get the opportunity to see something like this [for a long time].” Physics teacher Lora Sheppard said she will be visiting her family’s farm in Greenville, Ohio to view the total solar eclipse. Greenville will be located near the center of the path of totality, resulting in a longer total solar eclipse. “Eclipses happen all the time, all over the world, but most of the time they’re taking place in the middle of the ocean,” Sheppard said. “It only comes around once every 100 years or so for a total eclipse that people can witness.” Freshman Angela Tang said she is looking forward to viewing the event due to its rarity and accessibility, especially because much of astronomy is theoretical. “Since we’re talking about space, there’s not a lot of things you can witness in real life,” Tang said. “But being able to see the solar eclipse is amazing because you can really see it in person.” As a member of the Mason’s districtwide Solar Eclipse Planning Committee, Sheppard said she has seen students and the community actively preparing to be a part of the event. “A lot of [students] have questions about the difference between the partial eclipse that they saw in 2017 back in elementary school,” Sheppard said. “This one’s actually a much bigger deal and I’ve noticed the questions and the excitement leading up to it.” Sheppard said she thinks that the solar eclipse is important to view in-person, and suggests taking full advantage of the unique event. “The biggest thing I think people should do is be 100% present,” Sheppard said. “It’s not going to look like what it looks like in a picture and there’s plenty of cool professional photographs that are out there. Just watch and take in the moment.” A competitor on the MHS Science Bowl team in the Earth and Space event, sophomore Ana Gotike said that understanding the science behind a solar eclipse has made her more excited to view the event with her family. “I think that astronomical events, because of their rarity and because of their significance, are for everybody to enjoy,” Gotike said. “I have looked at lunar eclipses before because those occur a lot more. This [solar eclipse] will be my first one which is really cool. Gotike said that her familial connection to the solar eclipse will make the phenomenon memorable for her “I remember my dad telling me about the solar eclipse that he saw when he was in India,” Gotike said. “[This solar eclipse] I’m going to go with my little brother and try to get him more into astronomy.” Tang said she has already seen several people in the community come together to view the event, regardless of their background and personal interests. “[The eclipse] is making some people curious about the solar system and how stars and planets and moons work,” Tang said. “Astronomy fanatic or not, I think the eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone in Mason.” Visual by Becca Hunter The progression of the Moon’s phases as it moves across the Sun throughout a solar eclipse. 2 April 12, 2024 Near-total solar eclipse crosses Mason, last for 75 years
April 12, 2024 3 Fashion Show raises money for Daylight Prom Shrija Shandilya | The Chronicle Mason High School’s (MHS) recent Prom Fashion Show was not just an opportunity for students to model, but also a way for students to help others. Through the event on March 14, 2024, sponsored by the National Honor Society (NHS), students raised over $2,000 to fund this year’s Daylight Prom, a sensoryfriendly version of Prom for students with disabilities. NHS Vice President of Service, senior Jodie Topich, said that her personal connections to the event made her excited to raise funds for Daylight Prom. “I personally know people who go to Daylight Prom and it made me want to raise all the money we could,” Topich said. “It was a relief when I heard the total amount of money and to know we can support everyone that needs it.” Topich said that initiatives like the one to fund Daylight Prom are important in a large school like Mason, especially to ensure that all students feel included. “We should always have an opportunity to give everyone a chance to participate in something as big in high school as Prom,” Topich said. During the Prom Fashion Show, students attending Daylight Prom were able to model along with the students in the Club and Formal Round. Topich said doing this was important for representation. “Everyone should be represented and we tried to do that in the Prom Fashion Show,” Topich said. “We want someone from every single aspect of our school to be represented and in the past we’ve missed out on students in our specialized classrooms.” Topich also said she liked to see how many of the models from the Formal Round were eager to help students walking for Daylight Prom. “It was amazing to be able to work with them and get different people involved,” Topich said. “The formal models were so quick to step in and there was an immediate sense of friendship.” In addition to MHS students, students from surrounding schools will also be able to attend Daylight Prom which will be held at the Savannah Center on May 3. Work Study and Transition Coordinator Carrie Thompson said that this is one of the reasons why Daylight Prom was created. “Mason does a pretty good job at trying to be welcoming for all students but for a lot of other school districts that’s challenging,” Thompson said. Like Topich, Thompson said that Prom is an important part of high school and all students should have an opportunity to experience it. “High school includes a lot of rites of passage and it’s great that our student population is contributing to everyone being able to experience that,” Thompson said. In addition to students who are part of the specialized education program, student chaperones also attend Daylight Prom. Thompson said these students often enjoy it as well. “For several years we’ve had students go as peer escorts,” Thomspon said. “Oftentimes they say it was better than their prom and want to attend again.” MHS senior Adam Little said that he is grateful for the connections he has made with students who attend Daylight Prom and looks forward to attending Daylight Prom this year. “There’s just so much joy down in the Z pod classrooms that not everyone gets to experience,” Little said. “I’ve just been really blessed in my past two years to grow a relationship with these students.” Little, who is part of Students Involving and Befriending Students (SIBS), attends monthly field trips with students in MHS specialized classrooms and said that Daylight Prom provides a similar opportunity for these students to socialize and develop more friendships. “They are always excited to see a new group of friends for the day and a new group of people to interact with and that’s what Daylight Prom provides,” Little said. “It’s been really cool to see new friendships blossom and when I’m around them, they inspire me to have joy.” Little said that Daylight Prom is important as students with disabilities are often misrepresented and having school organizations like NHS and SIBS help fund inclusive events has a huge impact on all students. “An area of our school that often gets overlooked is our students in specialized classrooms,” Little said. “We’re trying to develop a relationship with students in those classes and providing an inclusive dance is part of the everyday efforts we try to put in.” Photo by Shrija Shandilya Junior Mary Surace poses on stage at the Prom Fashion Show.
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Spring Break Travels April 12, 2024 5 Allie Keim | The Chronicle Italy Canary Islands NashVille Costa Rica The Mason Girls Softball Team traveled to Nashville, Tennessee over spring break to play in the Warrior Classic tournament. Going line dancing and holding team dinners, the team’s annual tradition indulges in the country culture of Nashville. Sophomore Alyx Synan: “[This trip] is important for our team because while we see each other a lot at practices, we’re more focused on softball during that time. The trip gives us an easy way to be able to communicate and is just easy time where we can be real with one another and not have to worry about the sport that we’re playing.” Photo contributed by Alyx Synan Traveling to Costa Rica, junior Niki Rajaram enjoyed getting to explore a new country, whether spending time on the beach or ziplining through the tropical rainforest. Throughout her week-long trip, Rajaram hiked around the volcanic mountains surrounding her accommodations. Junior Niki Rajaram: “We are going hiking and ziplining. I am very excited to explore Costa Rica because my family does a lot of traveling, so this will be my about my twenty-third country that I’ve visited, and my goal is fifty.” Photo contributed by Niki Rajaram Junior Nadia Markich and her family traveled to Italy during spring break to immerse themselves in the rich culture. Throughout the trip she toured many churches such as St. Peters Bacillica in Rome and indulged in multiple walking tours to explore famous monuments. Photo contributed by Nadia Markich Junior Nadia Markich: “I loved going into the Vatican Museum and we saw lots of artwork from [artists] like Raphael and Michelangelo. Those were just super breathtaking to see because they were made so long ago and they’re super intricate.” Visiting a former exchange student living in Spain, senior Kavya Chintakayala traveled to the Canary Islands this spring break. Island hopping throughout the trip, her group of friends explored the different terrains of the Canary Islands and spent some time learning to surf. Senior Kavya Chintakayala: “It was really beautiful. One of the days we went to we went to Tenerife, an island where there is a very large volcano that we went to the top of, and in the same day, we went down to the beaches. There was such a large variety of things to do.” Photo contributed by Kavya Chintakayala
6 April 12, 2024 Students fast for Ramadan to support friends Aybika Kamil | The Chronicle Non-Muslim Mason High School (MHS) students give Ramadan a try. Considered to be the holiest month for Muslims, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk daily, abstaining from drinking water and eating food to satisfy one of the five pillars of Islam, Sawm. They fast to cleanse their souls, empathize with the needy and grow closer to Allah. MHS juniors Ava Plouffe and Sammy Sherman decided to fast in solidarity with their friend, junior Ayesha Ahmad, this month. While they are not fasting the whole month, Plouffe and Sherman plan to fast for a day with Ahmad. When it is Iftar, the time when fasts are broken, they hope to go out to eat and break their fasts together to celebrate. “We’ve been friends since freshman year, I think it’ll be good to have that bonding moment and reliability,” Sherman said. “Even though you can’t eat or drink or chew gum or do anything, still having that support there is really good to get through the day.” Sophomores Aasritha Adidamu and Anvita Budda have similar intentions for observing Ramadan with their friend, sophomore Rania Kabir. Adidamu said she and Budda wanted to be there for Kabir since they usually sit together at lunch and have numerous classes together. “It’s about getting closer to the culture, but it’s also getting closer to your friend because we now form a different bond, such a close and tight bond,” Adidamu said. “I think as much as we get to learn about the culture, it’s also developing a connection with your friend. While this was their first time fasting for Ramadan, Adidamu and Budda had previous experience with another type of fasting. In their Hindu culture, Budda said they abstain from eating but they are able to drink water. Plouffe and Sherman had fasted for a day the previous Ramadan as well, and Plouffe said they hope to continue this tradition. “Next year I’m 100% going to do it, probably with Ayesha again,” Plouffe said. “I could definitely see this becoming something I do like every year, not for the entirety of Ramadan but just for like a day or two because I feel like it’s a really beneficial experience, whether religious or not.” Adidamu and Budda’s experiences with fasting differed from what they had originally anticipated. Adidamu said she initially had concerns, thinking she would only be able to think about food and not be able to concentrate on work. “I thought I was gonna be starving the entire day, but honestly it wasn’t that bad,” Adidamu said. “I expected to feel really hungry and focus on food throughout the day. But I was able to focus on my work and I was able to do whatever I was supposed to without feeling tired.” Adidamu said being at school helped ease fasting and having friends around her to talk to aided in taking her mind off of food. “Being at school, you have a ton of distractions around you,” Adidamu said. “I feel like this would be especially hard if I were home and just over the weekend.” Budda recognized the difficulty that comes with fasting the whole month as opposed to fasting for a few days as she had. Budda said that the hunger builds up over time. “I feel like it’s because we only [fasted] for one day and I had good food the day before that I didn’t really have that much excitement for Iftar,” Budda said. “But if I did it for a long time, then I feel like I’d be just waiting for Iftar to come the whole day.” Similar to Budda, Plouffe said that her experience likely does not compare to fasting for an entire month and that she has gained respect for people who do. “Fasting for the entirety of Ramadan would be very difficult and a round of applause to whoever does that,” Plouffe said. “I struggled enough doing it for one day and I drank so much water the next day, that’s insanely impressive.” Through fasting for Ramadan, Plouffe said that she wanted to explore other cultures and respect traditions. With the widespread celebration of the holiday, Plouffe said she felt unity with others and gained respect for those fasting alongside her. “I just thought it was really cool to be a part of something so much bigger than myself,” Plouffe said. “I felt kind of connected to not just [Ahmad] but like everyone else who was [fasting]. I was doing the same thing as millions if not billions of people were doing worldwide.” Plouffe said that partaking in Ramadan was impactful to her own character. Regarding her personal development, Plouffe said fasting gave her a change in the perspective with which she viewed her life and the world. “It really helped me grow as a person,” Plouffe said. “Even though it is such a short time, it made me realize how much I take things for granted and helped me become more thankful for the things that I’m so used to.” In addition to the bond created with his friends, Sherman said his cultural awareness also grew from fasting for Ramadan. He said the experience helped him realize the variety in culture that exists, which is something he hopes to be able to appreciate more often. “Fasting helps me get closer to my friends and it helps me learn through my experience about what other people in the world do and the diversity we have,” Sherman said. “I hope it helps me become a better person because I’m learning about other customs, norms and traditions.” Visual by Alisha Verma From left to right: Ava Plouffe, Ayesha Ahmad and Sammy Sherman
April 12, 2024 7 Thrifting never goes out of style at MHS Hudson Pitcock | The Chronicle As the season of cold weather comes to a close and spring and summer approach, many students at MHS are ready to face the challenges of making sure their fashion style is always in season. Many students that pride themselves in everyday fits like sophomore Taurien Wiggins turn to thrifting. Wiggins said dressing in less layers forces him to work harder to stay stylish. “Dressing in the summer is so much harder than the winter,” Wiggins said. “You lose so much creative freedom having to wear only a T-shirt and shorts. I’m forced to search to find unique clothing options.” Wiggins combats this challenge by thrifting for his closest. Though he believes it can be hard to find a good store, he enjoys shopping for his own clothes, through the fun and money-saving practice of thrifting. Though the temperature increase does annoy some students, sophomore Andrew Ashpaw specifically enjoys shopping for cheap, graphic shirts. “I try to find shirts with the coolest images on them,” Ashpaw said. “Not only do they look good alone, I can also use them for outfits in the winter too. My favorite places to look are Plato’s Closet and St. Vincent de Paul.” Mason is surrounded by many thrifting options. Whether it be at Plato’s Closet or GoodWill, there are plenty of locations filled with opportunities to save money and look good. Sophomore Riddick Blakley appreciates the hunt for quality, discount thrifted items. “With so many choices I sometimes don’t see the point in shopping for full-priced clothes,” Blakley said. “If you give every store a chance you are guaranteed to find something you like.” Sophomore Andrew Ashpaw Sophomore Frankie Walker Senior Ethiopia Jegol Sophomore Grayson Adkins Senior Anna Matu Senior Eli Clayson shopping at a local GoodWill. Flexing Fashion Sophomore Riddick Blakely checking out at St. Vincent de Paul on Reading Road. Sophomore Taurien Wiggins looks around at nearby Plato’s Closet in West Chester. Photos by Hudson Pitcock
8 April 12, 2024 Food science cooks up collaboration Ruhi Kaneria | The Chronicle In the new Science Behind Our Food class, food and science are not the only things working together to create a full course menu. The class works to involve students in the special intervention classes in their ingredients purchasing process as a way for them to receive more real-world experience. Science Behind Our Food teacher, Charity Distel, facilitates the collaboration. Students in the Science Behind Our Food class find recipes and request ingredients under a $40 limit. Before this new partnership, Distel had to jump through hurdles in a time-consuming process to purchase ingredients for the class. Distel said the special intervention students have been a tremendous help to her class. “I was going to the grocery multiple times a week,” Distel said. “For me to use the [school fee] money, I would have to go to the Central Office, get the school’s credit card, go shopping, and return the credit card and the receipts every single time I go.” After talking with Intervention Specialist Jeff Bumiller, she learned that his students went to Kroger each Monday as part of their Career Exploration Opportunities (CEO) curriculum. The class’s need for ingredients fit seamlessly with the established routine in Bumiller’s classroom. Intervention Specialist Jeff Bumiller also recognizes these benefits for his students. As his students now shop for the Science Behind Our Food, he appreciates the real-life experience they are receiving. “The students really enjoy it,” Bumiller said. “It’s a chance to get out in the community and have those opportunities to shop and to be out in the community. They’re getting more social skills through the interactions with the employees at the store and out in the community.” Some of the CEO classes also cook weekly. Distel said she only discovered the crossover between what the students in her class and in Bumiller’s class learn by discussing with each other, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between different classroom styles. “It’s good to experience students that have other needs and to learn to be more thoughtful, understanding, and patient with each other,” Distel said. “ You also learn that just because they aren’t the same as you doesn’t mean that they can’t also do the same things.” Bumiller said that his students appreciate the opportunity to work with the Science Behind Food class, and he hopes the collaboration shows the power of inclusion. “It’s just a great opportunity for both sides to benefit; my kids get something out of it and the more typical students are going to get something out of those interactions too,” Bumiller said. “Be it perspective or a little bit of understanding, a little bit more patience, a little bit more joy because these kids are awesome. Sometimes we just don’t always get a chance to interact with them in the ways that show their true strengths.” Graphic by Alisha Verma
April 12, 2024 9 Creative arts students make Overture Awards history Drew Hoffmaster | The Chronicle On March 16, 2024, Mason High School (MHS) seniors Hailey Hartman, Christy Kim and Ellen Zhang became the first trio from a single school to each win an Overture Award. Through the Cincinnati Arts Association, the Overture Awards program recognizes and awards talented creative arts students from the Greater Cincinnati area. Recipients are honored with a $1000 scholarship for the 18 finalists and a $3000 scholarship for the six winners. The awards are divided into six different creative art categories, dance, creative writing, instrumental music, theater, visual arts, visual arts and vocal music, each selecting four finalists and one winner. To be considered for an Overture Award, students must submit a portfolio of work around early December. Then the finalists are selected and their work is returned to them with comments on where to improve. After revisions, the pieces were rejudged, and the winners were announced at the Arnoff Center. Three other MHS students, Grace Kim, Anna Matu and Alisha Verma, were chosen as finalists for the award. This was the first time MHS had six students as finalists, and it is extremely rare for a school to have six students as finalists. In addition, this was the first time any school has had three winners. This year was the second time Hartman submitted work to the competition. This year her portfolio included six pieces of poetry, a mix of previously submitted and new work, to the creative writing category that she had been working on for multiple years. Hartman’s inspiration for her pieces came from her aspects of her own life. She often would craft her poems from some phrase she heard or read that resonated with her. She said putting these words into poems was the next logical step for her. “I just really like words,” Hartman said. “I like the way they come together. I just want to know more words, so to me the next logical step was that I should put them together and prose them into poems.” To Hartman, the Overture Awards was her chance to submit her pieces to be judged and receive feedback. She said she realizes that writing is always very subjective, and she loves the idea of getting feedback on her pieces. “At the end of each round, you get feedback from professionals in that specific discipline,” Hartman said. “I was drawn to this specific fact because that’s not something you get often in creative writing.” Hoping to improve, Hartman plans to build upon the corrections and new ideas from the feedback she has received. She said even though she does not plan to go into the writing field, writing will play an important role in her life and whatever she does. “It’s the skill of writing and being able to command language in ways that are unorthodox,” Hartman said. “[To me], it’s important to be able to convey words while still being engaging and effective. Especially, with anything I do.” Zhang submitted work from her Advanced Placement 2-D Art and Design Portfolio to the visual arts category. She said she is happy and honored to have won the award but most glad about the opportunity to connect with other artistic students. “That day we had the award ceremony, I had to stand among three other contestants,” Zhang said. “You’re among the most talented, most skilled, other artists, so you have no clue if you will win in the moment.” To Zhang, art is a creative way for her to express herself. She said art lets her express the “spontanity and impulses” from her daily life that she can not find any other way to describe. “I’ve never been great with words,” Zhang said. “So I turned to art and visual forms of media with using color, value and other forms of other artistic techniques to show my messages.” Zhang said this competition is special because it lets students have the opportunity to grow from their work. She was glad her art teachers encouraged her to submit her work and take advantage of the opportunities presented to her. “There’s not enough opportunities within the school for [students] to express themselves and get the feedback they want and communicate with those not in the high school,” Zhang said. “There just not as many opportunities here, like they have for STEM students.” Kim submitted an excerpt from the Brahms Violin Concerto to the instrumental music category. She started playing the violin when she was about six years old and quickly fell in love with it. “My mom introduced me to her friend who was a violin teacher,” Kim said. “At first it was just for fun as a hobby. Soon I started realizing how serious I wanted to become with the violin.” This was the second time Kim was a finalist in the competition. Kim said she always tries to win an Overture Award because it is fun to her and allows her to meet people from different artistic disciplines and see new types of art. “The competition was fun,” Kim said. “You get to meet people all these amazing artists, some who dance and write. The diversity makes it amazing to get to talk and know these people.” Kim plans to continue with the violin in college, planning to major in music. She said these competitions have helped prepare her for the future, learning to put herself in the spotlight and get feedback. “[The Overture Award] challenged me to put myself out there for a stressful period of time,” Kim said. “But I know, challenging myself will help challenge me and improve my art for the better.” Photo contributed by Hailey Hartman Mason High School’s six Overture Award finalists (from left to right) Hailey Hartman, Anna Matu, Christy Kim, Grace Kim, Alisha Verma and Ellen Zhang together at the ceremony.
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As Mason grows over time, it continues to evolve as a hub of multiculturalism. This has led the Indian community to flourish alongside it, building a sense of home in a new country. In recent years, there has been an uptick in the Indian population of Mason. According to Mason City Schools, Asians make up the highest minority enrollment (30.3%) in the district. This can be attributed to many factors, whether it’s the major companies like Procter and Gamble (P&G) based in Mason, or the notable school district. But for many, reasons for coming to Mason stretch further than a job, adding to the complexities of the community as it continues to grow and establish itself as a local powerhouse. Incentive for Immigration One of the heads of the Sai Baba Temple of Greater Cincinnati and an elder member of the Desi community Prasad Lalgudi has lived in Mason for over two decades. Desi is a term those with South Asian ancestry use to refer to themselves, originally meaning ‘native’. Lalgudi said that the move to America for most immigrants is seen as a mark of success. “When you live in India, coming here is the American dream,” Lalgudi said. “The glamor in going to Hollywood is like the glamor for them in coming here.” Lalgudi said that part of that explosive growth in Masom was attributed to the companies’ desire for sustainable overseas hiring, leading them to put attention on India. Lalgudi himself moved after P&G brought him to their headquarters in Cincinnati, much like many other immigrants who sought job opportunities during that time. Lalgudi said that is what ultimately was the initial beginning of modern-day Indian migration. “When we first moved here with around 12 other families, that was our first support system,” said Lalgudi. “We didn’t have many Indian groceries, we didn’t have many Indian restaurants, but we had our community because of P&G.” Harini Radhakrishnan is an entrepreneur who moved to Mason in 2019 after her husband received a job offer at Fifth Third Bank. She is the co-founder of Showkalis Events, an organization dedicated to creating events for Desi members to bond. Coming from New Jersey which also boasts a large Indian population, Radhakrishnan emphasized the need to find that Indian community once again, this time in Mason. “When we were deciding to move to Cincinnati a few years ago, we asked people where exactly was the best place to live,” Radhakrishnan said. “They said Mason because there’s such a large Indian population already. So for me, having a community here was a big part of deciding to move to Mason.” Nithya Rajarathnam is an entrepreneur who owns a small Indian jewelry boutique called Yashni. Rajarathnam said that though she did not originally live in Mason, she found that the ease of access to Indian commodities and the familiar people were worth moving for. “I think many people who move to Mason move for the school, but for me, we moved [when] my kids are already in high school,” Rajarathnam said. “It’s because of the community sense. [Mason] is more convenient as we grow older. I wanted to be closer to my people.” Rakesh Nemaani and his wife Soumya are a newly married couple who moved to the US recently. Nemaani said that while he moved to the Cincinnati area for the convenience of being near his job, he found a lot of value in moving to the US, particularly Mason. “You can learn some new things [in the United States],” Nemaani said. “The United States is completely different in terms of culture. It helps you in not just personal development but also changes the mindset, so that’s another reason I wanted to explore this side of the world.” Rajarathnam said that when in the process of moving to America, people will help each other move within the Desi community. “There are Facebook groups and WhatsApp groups that are created [to help people find somewhere to live in America],” Rajarathnam said. “So if someone’s moving in, I’ve seen people that reach out and say, ‘Hey, I’m moving in from this area, in India, what’s a good place to live?’ Those communities have been really helpful in guiding them.” Culture and Traditions in America As the Indian population in Mason has grown, so have the cultural events and connections. Lalgudi said that being able to celebrate festivals and attend events together strengthens community bonds and keeps new generations involved in traditional culture. “The temple is like an anchor for all of us,” Lalgudi said. “As you come to a new place, the temple stays constant. It’s where you pray, but also where you meet people socially and understand what’s happening around you.” Another co-founder of Showkalis Events and a Mason resident since 2011 Agalya Subramanian said that there is an impact of community on intergenerational immigrant families who are displaced from the origin place of cultural traditions and rituals. “We used to celebrate Diwali, Pongal, all [the] holidays with our family back home,” Subramaniam said. “Now our kids here grow up with a slightly different experience but when we celebrate, community becomes family.” Another co-founder of Showkalis Events Niranjani Mantheeswaran moved to the US a couple of years ago. Mantheeswaran said that the need to find that sense of community is not just for themselves, but for their kids who grow up in a different time and place. “It’s really important for the kids to get that sense of community and a sense of how we grew up with our culture so they don’t forget their roots,” Mantheeswaran said. Radhakrishnan said that the temple has helped build intergenerational interest in traditional Indian culture, specifically with her daughter. “After seeing Holi celebrations in the temple last year, my daughter became curious about its origins and stories,” Radhakrishnan said. “Because of the temple, because of the festivals celebrated here together, it opens up opportunities to learn more and engage with our culture.” Subramaniam also said that there is a unique sense of upholding the Indian culture when practicing traditions in America. “Even in India, I don’t know if we’d be able to or if we would attend as many festivals and traditions,” Subramaniam said. “But now that we’re here, there’s a responsibility to preserve our culture.” Kendall Davis | The Chronicle Srinidhi Valathappan | The Chronicle Akshay Vadlamani | The Chronicle 11 April 12, 2024 Influence of the Indian community grows in Mason Photo by Alisha Verma The Greater Cincinnati Hindu Temple Photo by Srinidhi Valathappan A spread of laddoo, nuts and diya candles presented as an offering to Hindu Gods. 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12 April 12, 2024 Influence of the Indian Lalgudi said that the need to carry on those traditions passes on to future generations so that youth today in the US are more involved culturally and spiritually than those living in India. “A lot of Desis in their 30s and 40s are focused on making their kids follow the traditional culture, like spirituality, which I’m not sure if they would’ve been able to do back in India,” Lalgudi said. “Even in India now, that spiritual and cultural learning doesn’t happen that frequently in kids of the same age group.” Cultural Impact on Students Mason High School (MHS) senior Herambh Chakravarthy, secretary of the Hindu Student Association (HSA), said he and his peers formed the HSA after learning about world religions at school and feeling that Hinduism was misrepresented. This inspired them to start the HSA to make sure Hinduism was more properly represented and to connect with the diverse people of MHS. “I think HSA brings a greater awareness to the diversity that’s within Mason,” Chakravarthy said. “I think with HSA, I’m able to reach out to people that don’t know that much about us. We’re able to form that connection.” Freshman Hari Tadpatri said that there is an importance of these customs and traditions in maintaining that cultural connection. “Being a part of these cultural activities just continues to enrich the experience I already have at Mason,” Tadpatri said. “It serves as a way to reconnect with my heritage and my family.” Senior Neel Godbole said he believes having such a large Indian population is important, as it helps people feel more comfortable with openly expressing their culture. “[Living in an area with a large Indian population], it’s amazing. If I went to a school that was very limited in Indians, you can see the difference in even the way their house is set up,” Godbole said. “They might not have as many Indian gods [in their house] as someone in Mason does.” Misconceptions and Stereotypes However, several Mason residents report experiences of discrimination, whether that be based on the language barrier or their skin color. “We look different, talk differently, and that could be a reason for them to have treated us differently or for the natural feeling some may have had, like ‘Hey, that’s another competitor in the fight for a job,’” Lalgudi said. Rajarathnam said that bias is an everyday phenomenon, and occurs everywhere from the workplace to the grocery store. “[Discrimination] is all around you,” Rajarathnam said. “It’s unconscious bias, like they have already decided how to react to you.” Rajarathnam said that stereotypes and misconceptions of the Indian diaspora, such as believing they only immigrated here to escape the widespread poverty of India, can be harmful to the progress we make as a society. “I think a very common misconception is [that] everybody back home is terribly poor,” Rajarathnam said. “I think when they think of India, they still see the country as being a poor country and everybody in the country is so poor and that’s why they come here. I don’t think that’s the case.” Godbole and senior Vikrant Chachare, co-founders of the HSA at MHS said that they also saw these misconceptions taught in elementary and middle school textbooks. Godbole said a common misconception was “that Hinduism was part of the caste system rather than religion”. “As we listened, we realized, ‘Okay, some of these are correct’, but it’s not just all about Holi and Diwali,” Godbole said. “Talking to the Board of Education made us realize it’s only taught for one or two days out of the few weeks allocated to world religions.” Chachare said that in younger grades, minority students can feel isolated in terms of their food or their attire, something that can contribute to feelings of loneliness and segregation. However, Godbole said that opportunities to connect with students of similar heritage can help ease these feelings. “It creates a family outside of India, a safe space for us to talk and open up,” Godbole said. “But it’s also just games and fun and it’s like a ginormous family that shares one culture.” Rajarathnam said that as an immigrant, many struggles are faced when trying to accomplish the same things as other Americans. “There’s path A for white people, people who are born and raised here who are not of color,” Rajarathnam said. “Then we have paths B and C which have all of these hurdles that you have to pass through.” Godbole also said that there can be difficulties within the community, as competitiveness in academics and extracurriculars, while motivating, can be stressful. “[A competitive environment] has a negative impact on mental health,” Godbole said. “You’re constantly thinking about comparing yourself to other people”. However, Chachare said that the comparisons stem from a desire to see their kids succeed. “They made it out of the rat race in India by doing well enough to achieve a better life here,” Chachare said. “And so they drive us to do better, for them and for future generations.” co-founders of the HSA at MHS said that they also saw these misconceptions taught in elementary and middle school textbooks. Godbole said a common misconception was “that Hinduism was part of the caste system rather than religion”. “As we listened, we realized, ‘Okay, some of these are correct’, but it’s not just all about Holi and Diwali,” Godbole said. “Talking to the Board of Education made us realize it’s only taught for one or two days out of the few weeks allocated to world religions.” Chachare said that in younger grades, minority students can feel isolated in terms of their food or their attire, something that can contribute to feelings of loneliness and segregation. However, Godbole said that opportunities to connect with students of similar heritage can help ease these feelings. “It creates a family outside of India, to accomplish the same Godbole also said that there can be difficulties within the community, as competitiveness in academics and extracurriculars, while motivating, can be stressful. “[A competitive environment] has a negative impact on mental health,” Godbole said. “You’re constantly thinking about comparing yourself to other people”. However, Chachare said that the comparisons stem from a desire to see their kids succeed. “They made it out of the rat race in India by doing well enough to achieve a better life here,” Chachare said. “And so they drive us to do better, for them and for future generations.” Graphic by Alisha Verma Continued on page 13 Photo by Srinidhi Valathappan Musicians perform traditional parai drum music at the Hindu Temple parade.
April 12, 2024 13 community grows in Mason Lalgudi said that apart from discrimination, it is also an adjustment to get used to different cultural customs in a new country. “Fortunately, we didn’t feel many direct effects of racism that prevented us from opportunities, but we made sure to be aware and well informed of the changes we needed to adapt to,” Lalgudi said. “When you are here in a new country, you realize there are very different values and ways of living. We learn, we have to learn, over a period of time, how to assimilate [with sociocultural norms].” Lalgudi said that he thinks things will hopefully be better for future immigrants, as there is already an established Indian population in Mason. “For those coming now, I see a big advantage,” Lalgudi said. “They have a huge Desi population to support them.” Indian Businesses By, And For, The Community After moving to Mason, numerous residents felt the need to grow those cultural opportunities further – something many did through the spirit of entrepreneurship. From starting jewelry boutiques to arts nonprofits, they aspired to bring traditional goods and services to their new home in the US. As the owner of Yashni, Rajarathnam said she started her business because she wanted to be an independent entrepreneur and showcase her passion through selling Indian cultural items. “I’ve been doing [my business] for almost ten years now,” Rajarathnam said. “There are so many new places that have popped up since then, but when I started doing it, [it was] because there was a need.” Subramaniam, Radhakrishnan, and Mantheeswaran along with Induja Rajagopal, started Showkalis Events in April 2023, to organize cultural parties and events on a quarterly basis for the Indian women of Cincinnati. They said that there was an unmet need – available events were either family gatherings or very religiously based, and Showkalis wanted to create an avenue for these women to connect and enjoy a night off. “We were looking for events that were both cultural and fun, but we couldn’t find any like that,” Mantheeswaran said. “So we thought, ‘Why not just start it ourselves?’” Subramaniam said Showkalis Events helps people become more involved in the community. “People who don’t get other opportunities to meet new friends or other Desis get this event as a chance to do that, and build their own groups,” Subramaniam said. “It helps them feel like they’re back at home because it’s so easy to connect.” Mantheeswaran said Showkalis Events also works to connect with other Desiowned businesses in order to give back and support the Indian community. “We’re also trying to uplift entrepreneurs in the community by ordering food from home cooks over restaurants, and hosting their businesses in booths at our events,” Mantheeswaran said. ‘It’s our way of giving back to the community that has supported us.” Owner of Pushkar Silks, Vijaya Murali said she started selling sarees as she found it very difficult to get authentic silk sarees in the US herself, and wanted to help others with doing so. “My passion is to bring pure silk sarees to the community of everyone in the US,” Murali said. “That was my main goal. I really love doing this.” Prabha Nair, dance teacher and owner of Archana Arts, said that bringing the traditional arts helps connect the future generations to their past and engage them in their heritage. “The younger generation has not been exposed to Indian mythology and traditions because they were born here, so their lifestyle is very different,” Nair said. “Participating in traditions such as dance is definitely helping with that exposure.” Aashish Jha, owner of Rangmanch Cincy, a local Indian theater company, said his company’s debut performance last year was met with unexpected high praise, as he believes it was something that was missing in the community. “[People] appreciated the fact that we are coming together and bringing Indian culture over here in Mason,” Jha said. “People appreciated what we presented and how we are getting our culture in our community using the local talent.” Jha said that since India is such a rich and diverse country in terms of culture and tradition, his theater helps bring people together from many different backgrounds. “[In India] everything changes in a few kilometers; you drive a few kilometers and your clothing changes, your tradition changes, your language changes, the food changes,” Jha said. “Getting different cultures together and forming a team is the spirit of our organization.” Rajarathnam said that although India is her native country, it is still possible to weave Indian culture into American life, to carry on the traditions so the community can flourish. “[America] is a second home for sure, but whatever you do, you always have [your heritage] in the back of your mind,” Rajarathnam said. “You try to infuse that into your kids as much as possible so they learn what your roots are; what your culture is.” Photo contributed by Agalya Subramanian Showkalis Event attendees gather together and play a traditional carnival game. Photo by Alisha Verma Intricate designs of traditional Rangoli fl oor art. Photo contributed by Hindu Student Association (HSA) Seniors Neel Godbole and Vikrant Chachare with HSA members at their annual Diwali event.
14 April 12, 2024 April Foolishness Welcome to April Foolishness!! Scan the QR code to hear from Chronicle staff member Aybika Kamil about this page. The activities on this page are meant to help you relax and laugh - guess which staff member listens to Miley Cyrus on repeat? Match fun facts to your teachers, test your Mason High School knowledge and create a colorful goodbye for our principal. Enjoy! A. An avid Mily Cyrus listener B. Used to be a choreographer for musicals and show choirs C. Speaks French, Arabic and English D. Has had a student bring in roadkill for a presentation E. Plays a tiny violin for complaining students F. Freuently uses the phrase “That’s a JK” G. Has four artificial joints (two hips and two knees) H. Has had a bird fly into the classroom I. Would’ve been a tornado-chasing meteorologist J. Used to shoot the nightly Kings Island fireworks K. Performed a ritual to remove a spirit from their classroom L. Has only done three loads of laundry in their life M. Ran into Leonardo DiCaprio and Christopher Nolan in Paris N. Has been skydiving twice O. Was a flight attendant for two years mrs. verstreate: mr. barry: mrs. sheppard: mrs. boselovic: mrs. puma: mrs. lehman: mrs. bruewer: mr. king: mrs. hayward: mrs. kinross: mr. dodd: mr. mckee: mr. kreager: mr. beurket: mr. wilson: Across 2. Our school mascot 4. The name of the junior parking lot closest to the music wing 6. The event for which school was cancelled on April 8th 10. The name of the MHS store 13. The upperclassman event on April 27 15. The day that Bobby Dodd’s weekly MHS newsletter comes out 16. The Z3 teacher with a red carpet outside her classroom (Mrs. _________) Down 1. The current grade of the class that will graduate in 2026 3. The “C” in “ACT” stands for _________ 5. The name of this year’s spring musical 7. The name of the student group that performs tricks and shows with jump ropes: Comet ________ 8. The only science course with an End-Of-Course Exam 9. The first name of the current editor-in-chief of the Chronicle 11. The number of staircases in MHS 12. The name of Mason’s football field 14. The last name of our principal MHS Madness
April 12, 2024 15 Help Say Farewell to our Principal! Join us for Connect Time on April 17 to color this page! Register for Mr. Conner’s, Mrs. Blamer’s, Mrs. Leitsch’s, Mrs. Puma’s or Mr. Schur’s Connect Time Session in the small commons. Finished pages will be hung up outside Mr. Dodd’s office. Bring your crayons and colored pencils!
16 April 12, 2024 teacher feature club shoutout why? transportation station Suhoor and Iftar 59.1% 40.9% this or that? chron catalog Q A scan to ask a why? for next month! scan to answer a this or that? for next month! How did they pick this year’s school musical Mamma Mia? Mason High School Theater Director Allen Young - “A lot of factors go into it, and we try to pick [based on] students that we have and the community that we serve. We had actually decided to do Mamma Mia [during] the COVID year, and we were about three weeks away from performing it, but we never got a chance to do the show. So we brought it back because it was a good fi t for this group of students this year. The show is on April 18, 19, 20, 21. You can bring your mom, she’s going to embarrass you by dancing in the aisles at the end of the show, and it’s just a great family entertainment that you can enjoy with everybody.” “I really love how it’s a convertible and I feel so cool. But I also can’t do anything secretly, everyone will be like ‘oh my god, I saw your car.’” Senior Kate Tang and her Volkswagen beetle convertible “The state leadership conference this year was a huge success. Mason had 63 national qualifi ers, setting a school record and taking back the Ohio champion chapter trophy. Now we are eagerly doing last minute preparations for the national conference in Orlando. I am looking forward to seeing what FBLA will accomplish next year.” AP Government Teacher and President of the Mason Education Association (MEA) Maria Mueller MHS FBLA Co-President Angela Chan Photo contributed by Angela Chan During Ramadan, a month long Islamic holiday where Muslims fast, they start their fast at dawn (Suhoor) and break their fast at dusk (Iftar). Photo contributed by Kate Tang “MEA’s purpose is to support the educators by negotiating a working contract with the Mason City School Board. We negotiate our working conditions in addition to our pay and benefi ts. We encourage teachers to join from day one of being employed at Mason, so I have been a member since day one. I teach a half day and then the rest of my day is doing the (MEA President) job. I love teaching, but I also love supporting my colleagues and helping them make sure that they can be successful in teaching.” Sophomore Mariam Azam breaks fast with potato pakora Sophomore Omar Morsi breaks fast with a date and mango juice (Suhoor) and break their fast at dusk (Iftar). Sophomore Mariam Sophomore Aida Nabieva starts fast with pancakes with Nutella Sophomore Makhabbat Duisebay starts fast with dates and water
April 12, 2024 17 entertainment by Beyoncé COWBOY CARTER eternal sunshine Kung Fu Panda 4 After seven pop and R&B albums, Beyoncé has tackled the world of country. While It is common for artists to navigate through new genres throughout their career, Beyoncé has taken her music to a new and exciting place. Beyoncé’s newest album COWBOY CARTER contains a collection of tracks aimed to pay respect to minorities within country music. While nowhere near as poppy as her previous albums, COWBOY CARTER maintains the upbeat vibe of Beyoncé’s style. I admire Beyoncé’s ability to convey her own experiences while still connecting back to her listeners through heartwarming ballads like “16 CARRIAGES” and uplifting, danceable songs like “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.” The strength of Beyoncé’s voice also holds firm throughout the course of each song, especially that rasp in her voice she is known for. Beyoncé does an excellent job of taking traditional country music and putting her own spin on it. In her rendition of Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit “Jolene,” In it, Beyoncé adds her own lyrics that criticize gender stereotypes while still honoring Parton. I find it interesting that Beyoncé did not take a standard approach to the country style. Instead, she uses the genre to acknowledge the country artists that came before her and to relay the struggles she has faced as a woman of color in country music. However, classifying the entire album as country may have been a stretch, especially as most of the tracks have a pop feel with only hints of country elements. Songs like “BODYGUARD” and “LEVII’S JEANS” have a pop sound that does not match the overall country genre of the album. While I applaud Beyoncé for taking such a risk with her shift to country, I wish the album pushed the country side of her voice more. Beyoncé has done a great job producing a strong new album, one I am sure will win her a fair share of awards and praise. However, I hope to see her transition back into her R&B roots throughout the rest of her iconic career. album review album review movie review by Megan Lee by Drew Hoffmaster by Ariana Grande director: Mike Mitchell by Shrija Shandilya Page design by Alisha Verma 4.5/5 3/5 1/5 In the midst of media scrutiny regarding her controversial love life, Ariana Grande released her seventh studio album on March 8. Her first new album in four years, eternal sunshine is a diverse testament to her position as an icon in pop music. The first track, “intro (end of the world)” kicks off the album with a slow guitar strum and lyrics that introduce the theme of heartbreak and new relationships. This theme is continued on the next song “bye,” which is a bubbly, quintessentially pop track. With tracks like “we can’t be friends (wait for your love),” Grande combines emotional lyrics with upbeat production. The title track “eternal sunshine” tells the heart-wrenching story of her divorce with the impressive vocals she’s known for. Continuing her exploration into a wide array of genres, “yes, and?” is a house-inspired track. Although it is one of the more lackluster songs on the album, it shows her diversity and ability to branch out as an artist. “the boy is mine” is another example of her musical diversity with its 2000’s pop reminiscent production and synths. Grande’s genre exploration grows as she emulates early 2010’s R&B in “true story,” with its slow beat and haunting vocals. In eternal sunshine, Grande leans into the controversy of her present while delivering the emotional story of her past, all with her same excellent vocals and production styles fans have come to expect from the singer. Michel Khleifi’s harrowing documentnary uses poignant interviews and stark, bone-chilling imagery to shed a light on the struggles of the village of Ma’loul. In 2008, the first Kung Fu Panda movie opened to critical success. Since then, DreamWorks has put the utmost care into each of the franchise’s sequels. However, Kung Fu Panda 4 lacks the same love found in the previous films. This new installment in the franchise tries to take the story of the ambitious, yet laid-back kung fu master Po in a new direction. The film follows his journey to find the next Dragon Warrior as he attempts to prevent a villainous sorcerer from releasing all of his former foes into the Valley of Peace from the Spirit Realm. On his quest, Po receives help from a white fox named Zhen, who as a character feels too basic and one-note. A large amount of the screen time is also taken up by a side adventure that adds nothing to the plot. Though it does add some comedic relief, it ultimately felt like a waste of time and could have instead been used to make the rushed main plot or the characters more fleshed out. Despite the hype surrounding it, Kung Fu Panda 4 felt like a lazy attempt at a cash grab that left me unsatisfied. retro recommendation By Alisha Verma Ma’loul Celebrates Its Destruction (1984)
18 April 12, 2024 Comets lean on experience and unity as winning formula Mitchell McMillen | The Chronicle The Mason baseball team is swinging for the fences this season, ushered by a large and experienced senior class. The 29-man varsity roster boasts 17 seniors this year with high hopes for what they can accomplish together. Eight of the seniors were on the 2022 Comets’ team that made the state final four including four starters, providing vital experience of going deep in the postseason. Senior pitcher Bryce Brannon was on the state roster two years ago as a depth pitcher. He watched standout pitchers Brenden Garula, Noah Samol and Michael Murphy lead the team on a deep playoff run, pitching significant innings. Now as a senior, Brannon has ascended to an ace role just as those three had, and will be counted on as a starting pitcher. He said the experience gave him the knowledge of what it takes to go far in the playoffs. He hopes to be able to pass the lessons that his former teammates passed on to him to the current roster so they know what is necessary to achieve the team’s goals. “I think [the experience] will help me and those dudes lead the other guys in what it takes to get to that level,” Brannon said. “Obviously, we want to go past the Final Four, but knowing what it takes to reach that game will help everybody get on the same page to reach the goal together.” Being like-minded on a specific goal will be pivotal to the Comets’ success. The 17 seniors have been part of the program together for four years, creating a common camaraderie, culture and friendship. Senior Jake Hanley said he’s noticed the team’s close bond so far this year and hopes it will carry with the team throughout the whole season. Hanley led the GMC in batting average and wins last year while also receiving first-team AllGMC honors. Hanley said that the large senior class has contributed to a unified voice and identity on the team. “I think there won’t be any cliques on this team,” Hanley said. “This team is pretty cohesive [and] we’re all pretty good with team chemistry up to this point. Throughout the scrimmages, there’s been a lot of positives in terms of dugout banter to being active and staying up throughout the game.” Hanley said that he’s looking forward to stepping up as a leader. He said that in the past there wasn’t much of an opportunity to be an outspoken leader. He hopes to grow into that role and bring more energy to the team. “Up until now there wasn’t a role for a younger guy to step up and be a vocal leader,” Hanley said. “So I think this year being more energetic, not being so quiet, showing some passion for the game, and being more outspoken is something to work on and improve.” The Comets have held a share of the Greater Miami Conference title in the past five seasons, including consecutive sole championships. They will look to defend their title again this year. As of April 5th, the Comets are 3-0 in the GMC and 6-1 overall with their only loss coming against Hamilton Southeastern (Indiana) during a three game road trip in Tennessee. Brannon said he’s learned a lot about leadership throughout his baseball career at Mason. He said he’s learned it can come in a myriad of varieties, each important in its own way. Brannon said he’s now understanding how leadership also includes being a role model for others to follow. “I’ve learned [leadership] comes in many forms,” Brannon said. “When I think of a leader I think of somebody that’s in your face and loud and isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said. Obviously, all those things are good, but leadership also comes from setting an example.” Head Coach Curt Bly said he has high expectations for what the team can accomplish this year. He said he’s excited for the 17 seniors to be together on one team, working together with one mission in mind. Bly said that he would like to see the servant-style of leadership out of his seniors. He said he wants the seniors to recognize that just because they are the oldest, doesn’t mean they are entitled to authority in the dugout. Respect and leadership must be earned through actions. “We always talk about the concept that leaders eat last,” Bly said. “You’re not just a leader positionally, you’re a leader relationally. They have to be willing to serve. That’s always been our focus with our leadership group.” With the unusually large number of seniors on the roster this year, the team had nine seniors in 2023 and eight in 2022, competition for starting roles and playing time is more intense this year across the entire lineup. The improvement and development of underclassmen have always been a critical part of Mason’s success but will be especially important as the team prepares for significant roster turnover after the current senior class graduates. Bly said even with seniors making up a large portion of the roster, the commitment to improving the skillset of younger players is still an important part of the process. He said the team has made efforts including expanding the varsity roster to maintain its standard of development. “We’ve elevated the number of guys that are what called ‘touching the varsity roster’ from 24 or 25 to 29,” Bly said. “There are guys that will be maybe playing more on JV than varsity, but we’re building a varsity experience. Hopefully, that will help them hit the ground running next year.” Hanley said he hopes to contribute to the development of the younger guys on the team. Although the lineup heavily features seniors and juniors, the team does not want age to determine a player’s role on the field or in the dugout. He said one of the goals he placed on himself this year is to prepare the underclassmen for next year. “I think the guys that are up on the step to be seniors next year are learning from us,” Hanley said. “They’re asking a lot of questions, which is good, and we’re giving them insight. Our goal is to get them ready for next year and make them the best players they can be.” Photo by Owen Hurrle Coach Curt Bly meets with batters ahead of inning including senior Alex Koelling (#3). Photo by Owen Hurrle Senior Bryce Brannon, a 2023 GMC fi rst team pitcher, on the mound for the Comets.
April 12, 2024 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 April 12, 2024 Comets victorous in season opening meet Camden Paeltz | The Chronicle Photos by Camden Paeltz On March 23, the annual Buckeye Relays took place, the first outdoor meet of the year. This track meet, held at Mason and sponsored by Buckeye Running Company, consisted of seven teams, and only relays, distance and field events were held. The girls won the meet, scoring 135 points. They took the top three spots in the 1600 and the 3200. They took home titles in six relays, the 300 shuttle hurdles, 4x100, 4x200, 800 sprint medley, 4x400 and 4x800. In the field events, junior Kerrington Harper won the triple jump and long jump. Senior Savannah Libby added a win in shot put and finished second in discus. The boys also took home a team victory, scoring 133.99 points and winning seven events including the 4s200, 800 sprint medley, 4x400. In the 300 shuttle hur`dles, the equivalent of a hurdle relay, junior Mihir Mahajani finished first, closely followed by junior Joshua Ullom in second and the team finished with a time of 2:52.93. Junior Braxton Moore led the way in the field events, with wins in all three of the jumping events. Moore jumped 6’4 in the high jump, 21-03.25 in the long jump, and 41-11.5 in the triple jump. (From left to right) Abby Slife, Carlie Condit and Abby Slife all fi nished top three in the 1600m. Braxton Moore jumping 41-11.5 in the triple jump, the longest jump in ohio this year. Mihir Mahajani running the third leg in the 110 shuttle hurdles. Junior Brian Liao handing the baton off to Ahmeen Garnet at the 200 meter exchange zone.
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22 April 12, 2024 THE CHRONICLE’S POLICY Connect with the Chronicle: Gazing into the eclipse, students and families experienced a once-in-alifetime moment. Amidst the frenzy, the gravity of the anticipated event should not be passed over. For only a few minutes, we saw the wonders of science and nature. If you were lucky enough to make the short trip into the path of totality, nature temporarily shifted. Sunlight was blocked by the moon, nocturnal animals creeped out and shadows sharpened. There will not be another total solar eclipse in the United States until August 2044, and the next total eclipse visible in Ohio is in 2099. After seeing a partial eclipse in 2017, we were lucky as Ohioans to be so close to the path of totality. However, if you stayed in Mason for the 99% total eclipse, chances are things did not look very different than seven years ago. You likely missed out on more than one percent of the event. The full experience of a solar eclipse is only visible in the path of 100% totality. Nature only fully morphed in the belt that Mason narrowly missed out on. Frank Espenak, a retired astrophysicist at NASA, told NPR, “It’s 100% or nothing. There’s such a radical, dramatic difference between a 99% partial and a 100% total. There’s no comparison.” A partial solar eclipse covers most of the sun, dimming the sky, whereas a total eclipse creates a complete temporary change. The sun becomes a halo completely encircling the moon, which has perfectly placed itself in front of the traditional bright blaze of daylight. If you had the chance to seek out full totality, and braved the traffic, we hope you were rewarded with a unique experience. The moment, enjoyed by millions around the United States, serves as an excellent reminder for the way we live our lives. At a school as large as Mason, it can be easy to dip your toe in the water with many different activities and paths. But how often do we fully immerse ourselves in what we are doing? When you are in a difficult AP class preparing for your test, are you focused on the content, or is your mind wandering to the multiple events you have after school? When you are with your friends, are you engaged in the conversation, or are you distracted by your phone? Our school district emphasizes Mason Moments. Embracing a moment requires embracing the challenges and the rewards. A special experience is not just about the surrounding event, like a historic solar eclipse, it is about our attitude in that moment. As our school year winds to a close, remember to take the step towards 100%. And no, this does not mean fretting over one percentage on a test. The difference between 99% totality and 100% totality does not lie in numbers, it is measured by the changes around us. When we allow ourselves to be fully engaged, our thinking and behavior can completely shift. This could mean staying off your phone during class or when hanging out with friends. It could mean limiting the number of items on your busy spring schedule, and taking time to rest and soak in your high school experience. Make the most of the time you have left. When we shift our mindset to 100%, moments become memories, assignments turn into lifelong lessons and opportunities become fulfilling experiences. What we can learn from the eclipse STAFF EDITORIAL Much of my life has been defined by sports fandom. I always love watching March Madness and playoff basketball. Until recently, however, my attention to women’s basketball has been limited to Sportscenter highlights, filling out an annual March Madness bracket and watching the occasional final four game or WNBA draft broadcast. The past two seasons have opened my eyes to the amazing athletics that I have been missing out on. This year’s tournament had all the storylines and stakes that I look for in March, even a controversial finish in the UConn-Iowa Final Four game. This should not come as a surprise to me, as I have seen first hand the exciting nature of our incredible girls basketball program at Mason. In fact, my favorite memory of covering sports at Mason is when our basketball team made the state final four, finishing as state runners-up in 2022. For four years, I have seen our school and community build anticipation for the playoffs and rally around our athletes. Still, it took a generational collegiate player to open my eyes, and the eyes of fans all over the country, and get invested in next-level women’s basketball. The most recent Saturday Night Live episode, which premiered directly after reigning men’s champion UConn beat Alabama to advance to the finals against Purdue, opened with a segment satirizing this year’s basketball coverage. The panel, meant to discuss UConn’s win, instead treated it as an afterthought and spent the entire segment discussing key women’s tournament storylines like undefeaed national champion South Carolina and Iowa superstar Caitlyn Clark. It was a flip on traditional sports coverage, as women’s basketball has historically been treated as a second-class sports news. Women’s basketball has had tremendous talent pass through in the past decade, including four-time national champion Breanna Stewart at UConn and two-time Wooden Award winner Sabrina Ionescu at Oregon. Sports fans may remember those names from their college days, but may not know is that the two are now teammates on the 2023 WNBA runner-up New York Liberty. The WNBA has struggled to market its stars. This year, Iowa’s Caitlyn Clark is the biggest star in college basketball, far more recognizable than top men’s stars like consensus National Player of the Year Zach Edey and top-five NBA draft prospect Donovan Clingan, both of whom led the country’s top two teams to championship berths. Other women’s players like LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson, USC’s Juju Watkins, and UConn’s Paige Bueckers are now household names, appearning in commercials alongside NBA All Stars and Hall of Famers like Joel Embiid and Reggie Miller. The Indiana Fever, who are projected to draft Clark with the number one pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, have seen a monumental rise in ticket demand. In 2023, the team had the league’s second lowest attendance and tickets went for an average of $60. Average ticket prices this summer have more than doubled to $140, and away game ticket prices are soaring as well. Where Clark goes, money follows, as Iowa women’s basketball doubled attendance from 2020 to 2023 and saw a million dollar revenue increase. There financial incentive for schools to promote their women’s basketball teams just as much as the men is undeniable. Aided by Name Image and Likeness (NIL), athletes have never had a larger platform. Most NCAA women’s stars stay for three or four seasons, unlike the NBA draft trend of one-and-done, allowing players to build a brand before entering professional basketball. As collegiate players gain more notoriety, the WNBA will inherit established stars like Clark. The 2024 WNBA draft class has drawn comparisons to the historic 2003 NBA draft, which saw future All-Pros Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade drafted in the top five. In addition to presumptive number one pick Clark, Stanford’s Cameron Brink, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardosa, UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards and most notably LSU’s Angel Reese are potential top-five selections that carry over popularity from their collegiate careers. The WNBA is in position for its largest influx of star power ever, and the product of professional women’s basketball is about to face its biggest test yet. It’s had basketball fans’ curiosity for years, and now it officially has our attention. This summer, do not be surprised if Caitlin Clark Iowa and Indiana Fever jerseys become popular attire, especially for young girls. More jersey sales equate more revenue, and more importantly, marketing for the league. Women’s college basketball has set the blueprint for growth in all sports, not just women’s sports. Develop and market stars to build storylines and intrigue, ultimately improving the overall product. A rising tide raises all ships, and there’s room for men’s and women’s basketball to coexist on the national stage. That is a win for every sports fan. Andrew Little | Editor-in-Chief The Women’s Basketball surge should excite all sports fans @mhschronicle facebook.com/ mhschronicle @mhschronicle mhschronicle.com The Chronicle is the ofi cial 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 reff ect the staffl ’s opinion but do not necessarily reff ect 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 offl in room C103 and must be signed. The Chronicle is a member of ffi e Columbia Scholastic Press Association, ffi e 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 Stafi Editor-in-Chief Andrew Little Managing Editors Aimee Liu Alisha Soni Business Manager Nishka Mishra Business Intern Ali Sami Stafi Designers Becca Hunter Alisha Verma Stafi Writers Elina Bishoyi Kendall Davis Drew Hoffl master Aybika Kamil Ruhi Kaneria Allie Keim Megan Lee Mitchell McMillen Taylor Murray Camden Paeltz Hudson Pitcock Shrija Shandilya Akshay Vadlamani Srinidhi Valathappan Advisor Dale Conner OPINION
April 12, 2024 23 I am almost there. I have about one month left in the structure I have spent 13 years of my life in, school. When the bell rings for the final time in May, it will signify the finish line of the first and probably largest educational chapter of my life. To a lot of my classmates, this means the end of their education. However, the reality, which may be difficult for some to hear, is that our learning does not end here, or anywhere for that matter. April is a stressful time of decisions, particularly for seniors. The final batch of college decisions was released just a few weeks ago, accelerating the process for many students. Whether you got into your dream school, have been committed to a school for months, are attending a trade school, taking a gap year or entering the workforce, only some of these paths include a formal education, but not all of them do. Regardless of the path, learning never stops. Humans are always meant to learn. That is why as a species are able to adapt and persist through struggles. Your learning does not end when you leave Mason High School. Instead of emphasizing where your learning continues, focus on one specific area of learning. After high school, we are no longer on a singular educational track. What separates people in the future is the work they put forth in higher education or the workforce. To many, it’s not the degree they have or where their diploma comes from. A large amount of people also view entering the workforce full-time as a signal they do not need to learn anymore. I have noticed a common misconception that people need a school to take their education into their own hands and improve as a person. As a society, we believe that if a job requires a high school diploma or a college degree that is the minimum amount of learning needed to have the job. I believe this to not be true because as a person works the job they continue to learn new skills and qualities, presenting them more opportunities to acquire different jobs and complete new tasks This was true with my uncle. He entered the workforce right out of high school believing he would not need to continue learning at all. But quickly he discovered that at the warehouse he had to learn to operate the machines, properly organize paperwork, and carry heavy loads. Eventually with the knowledge, he was able to become a manager. If his mindset never changed, he would still be a minimum wage worker, hauling shipments around the warehouse. He is now a shining example that getting a diploma or degree is not truly the end. Now, what is defined as the end? That is a complicated question, but I believe that people never stop learning until they die. Everyday our brains are constantly taking in new information and analyzing it. Graduating high school truly is not the finish line, but a starting line for whatever path for learning we choose to embark on next. I have always loved a narrative. As I’ve grown up, I have become attentive to the emotional stories of my favorite music artists. As someone who was always more reserved, my younger years were filled with music, which is where I found my original love for storytelling. But no one ever warned me that as you become connected to a singer or a writer, you begin to see the real issues they are struggling with, especially politically. Starting as a freshman in high school, I had a strong connection to the work of Olivia Rodrigo, a twentyone-year-old pop singer in the music industry. Fans have watched Rodrigo grow up since her career began as a child actor on Disney Channel, which has proven to play a big role in Rodrigo’s career in her appeal to teens. I admire her unique voice, one that for me, helped me learn more about myself as a young woman. Her songs focus on the stereotypes of being a young woman, specifically surrounding a woman’s relationship with her friends, relationships, family and most importantly, her body. On April 22, 2024, I attended Rodrigo’s GUTS WORLD TOUR. A collection of shows promoting Rodrigo’s “FUND 4 GOOD” movement. Rodrigo’s website clarifies that Fund 4 Good is “a global initiative committed to building an equitable and just future for women and girls through direct support of community based non-profits that champion girls’ education, support reproductive rights and prevent gender-based violence.” Before each show, Rodrigo releases a list of programs in that city that will receive a portion of the ticket sales from that concert. Rodrigo has been extremely active on social media encouraging her fands to donate to “FUND 4 GOOD” during her tour. Controversy arose when some of those organizations began to attend the concerts, where they handed out contraceptives including Plan B pills. News outlets got involved and just a month before the show I attended in Columbus, Variety Fair released an article stating that “after widespread media attention, local abortion funds were told Thursday [March 14, 2024] that they were no longer allowed to hand out free emergency birth control pills.” Vanity Fair also relayed that the decision came from Rodrigo’s team. Having a target audience of young women ages fifteen to twenty-five, Rodrigo’s platform has a significant impact on the minds of her younger fans, especially those who may be eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election. What I respect about Rodrigo is that she has never abused the power of her following to create unnecessary controversy. Rodrigo has done an excellent job of attempting to teach her younger audience to educate themselves on political concerns that ultimately impact their bodies. Regardless of how you feel about abortion, the reality of a prominent, and female, artist using her platform to raise awareness over a topic that while controversial, clearly means a lot to her, is admirable. At the age of twenty-one years old, Rodrigo is at the peak of her career. It is inspiring to see Rodrigo has used a huge step in her career, GUTS: WORLD TOUR, to prepare her audience to create, and act on their own opinions. Olivia Rodrigo has rewritten her narrative. Engaging the youth of tomorrow on rising political topics is not an easy task, and Rodrigo has made strong progress in encouraging young women to take a stand. If freshman me could see what Rodrigo has developed her platform into, she would be proud to be a fan. And I am too. The Power of a Platform Megan Lee | The Chronicle EDITORIAL CARTOON High School is not the fi nish line for learning Drew Hoffmaster | The Chronicle OPINION
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