Edition 16.3

Vol. 16, Issue 3 | William Mason High School | 6100 Mason Montgomery Road Mason, OH | 11.16.18

CHRONICLE
TO BE PUNK

PG. 8

Photo by Tanner Pearson, Ryan D’Souza Photo by Tanner Pearson

2 News November 16, 2018

Diversity Council initiatives leave students in the dark

Henri Robbins | Staff Writer Photo by Henri Robbins
While the school is pushing to be Mason’s Diversity Council met in the high school on October 22 to discuss the promotion and integration of diversity initatiaves within the district.
more culturally inclusive, they haven’t
reached out to the demographic that Diversity Council, is hopeful for the one thing I hear is ‘I don’t see color,’ The student body is where the real
would be directly impacted -- students. future. Although there may be appre- but the truth is you should see color responsibilities lie, according to Hurks.
Superintendent Jonathan Cooper hension among older people, Orr said, and respect the color.” She feels that this upcoming genera-
recently relaunched Mason’s communi- there is a push from younger people to tion has the power and awareness to
ty-based Diversity Council at a meeting be more accepting and understanding. In light of recent events, both within make a change, and hopes to see a new
on the night of October 22. The council Mason and across the country, Postell culture form in Mason.
was created to promote diversity and “My son’s best friend, his parents are said she is glad to see change, but is not
understanding within the city. At this immigrants from China, they speak happy about what had to happen for “I guess, in the end, I just want more
particular meeting, diversity awareness, very little English, but they are best that change. people to be open-minded,” Hurks said.
initiatives, and teacher training were friends,” Orr said. “They are inten- “The world is changing, we’re having
discussed, and while teachers, admin- tional about cultivating a diverse set of “Since there’s a lot of negativity more women in power, we’re having
istrators, and community members at- friends, they are intentional about the within the media and politics, and with more people of color, we’re having
tended, no current high school students language they use when talking about what’s happened at our school with rac- Aftab Pureval running for Congress.
were invited to the meeting. not only their friends but the things ism and sexism, this is helping teachers I think that people have to get with
Many clubs, such as Mason Inclusion they see on TV, the conversations they understand that this needs to be dis- the program now. I just want people
Club (MIC), are based around involv- hear adults have. They have corrected cussed,” Postell said. “It’s kind of bad to to see other people’s experiences, and
ing students and creating understand- adults from saying those words that think that we needed a negative to start instead of rejecting them, try to learn
ing for people of different backgrounds hurt and harm. If they grow up and looking at the positives of everything, from them, and overall, we’ll become
and cultures. MIC board member this just becomes a part of who they are but that’s just my view of it. There’s go- a better student body when we can
Kennedy Hurks is glad to see adminis- and how they speak, then how much ing to be backlash with everything you understand someone who doesn’t look
tration working to improve the school further down the road will we be in this do, but there’s no downside to at least like us.”
environment, but said the school could conversation when they’re not even trying to make a difference.”
be doing more to involve students in thinking it?”
their initiatives, and has seen little Photo by Henri Robbins
actual change from them. Even with the changes that are hap- Teachers, administrators, and Mason community members collaborated to put together ideas
“Honestly, they talk a lot about it, but pening, many students in the school aimed at promoting diversity and cultural awarness across the district’s schools and community.
as far as doing things, they don’t have regularly face adversity. Junior Aadi
much right now,” Hurks said. “They Pallerla said he often is the butt of
say how they’re doing a lot of manda- jokes from his friends, and even though
tory teacher diversity training, so that’s he sees them in good humor, he would
something that’s happening, but as far like to see change.
as getting students in diversity, it’s my
club’s job to promote diversity, so they “It hasn’t been anything serious, just
leave it to us to promote it to other your usual Indian joke, stuff about
students.” curry,” Pallerla said. “It hasn’t been
Junior Torie Postell said she would anything where I felt like they’ve been
like to see more discourse between demeaning me about it. It’s just in a
teachers and the student body since joking sense among friends, it hasn’t
students will be the most affected by been anything that makes me feel bad
the changes that are made. as a person. It’s just a part of the culture
“I feel like talking to students and now. I’m hoping that with everything
getting their opinions on topics of di- that’s going on right now, people will
versity would help teachers more than become more accepting of others. The
having adults talk about it,” Postell
said. “You’re trying to impact the stu-
dent’s life. You can’t talk about students
and not involve them.”
The Diversity Council is primarily
focused on involving teachers and ad-
ministration through training and open
discussion. Tommie Lewis, a council
member and a primary speaker at the
meeting, said he has seen great change
already and that the people involved
are all enthusiastic about creating a
better environment.
“I see a deeper commitment to really
preparing our young people for tomor-
row,” Lewis said. “I’ve also seen where
there is some discomfort that change
is happening, and everyone is not open
to change, but that discomfort, in our
mind, is growth, and I so see that those
who are very accustomed to the Mason
of 20, 30, 40 years ago are having to
confront a new reality of growth with
the community.”
Ian Orr, a parent and member of the

November 16, 2018 News 3

Competitive leadership committee recruits student entrepreneurs

Sophia Johnson | Staff Writer

Mason High School visionaries, a local then
group of business leaders wants you. work since

A new group recently formed creating a Photo by Sophia Johnson
coalition of students with the Mason Deer- The MADE for Authentic Leadership Team recently met with new recruits with guidance from Experiential Learning Director Debbie Gentene.
field Chamber of Commerce. The group
branded as the MADE for Authentic Leader- with what you learned about leadership.” each one of us brings a different perspective it’s a huge transition everytime,” Sumit said.
ship group will be working with local busi- Representing all of Mason Deerfield, and makes all of our projects more detailed “Being part of this is such a good way for all
ness leaders in an attempt to help students and impactful because of our different of us to learn the change from a student in
develop their professionals skills. they are able to complete a yearly project interests and experiences.” high school to a person in college look-
to benefit the community. The project the ing for a new job, internship, or research
Mason Experiential Learning Director group organized last year was the Music The combination of students differ- opportunity. No matter what you go into,
Debbie Gentene hopes this parternship will in Mason series summer concerts held in ences is what Gentene said the MADE for networking helps you with everything.
help students develop their professional downtown Mason. Haller said the group Authentic Leadership group looks for when
workplace skills while they’re still in high also differs in its structure with every mem- considering who would be a good addition The definition of a leader has many
school. ber maintaining the same position. to the group. interpretations according to Haller. She said
students joining the group should focus
The leadership group is in the process of “When we worked for the city of Mason “We ask what unique characteristics more on the different ways to lead, and less
building their team for the 2018-19 school for the Music in Mason series, my role was can they bring to the group because you on what position you end up in.
year. Senior Sophia Haller said the students to contact the bands,” Haller said. We don’t don’t want a group that thinks the same,”
are highly involved in the application pro- really have set roles, it’s just trying to learn Gentene said. “You want everyone to bring “I feel a lot of people have this miscon-
cess, as it is another way for them to work as much about leadership as possible, and their own traits in. So there are a lot of ception that leadership only comes with the
on leadership skills together. then filling whatever role they need.” different things, depending on the year and title or the position, which is not true at all,”
what they are looking for to add value to Haller said. “There are a lot of ways to be
“We had a leadership symposium, where Senior member Fiona Xie said having that group.” a leader, whether it’s a CEO position, or it’s
we had business leaders in Mason come a team full of students with a variety of a student in their everyday life, and I think
into the auditorium,” Haller said. “We got to passions are what make their student-led Junior Tanvi Sumit, who has been recruit- that people forget about that. Focus on how
send them our own questions about leader- projects so impactful to them, which they ed as a new member for the coming school you can grow into that leadership position
ship and have them answer, having students hope is reflected into the community. year, said she’s looking forward to making and not worrying about if you have the title.
that go to generate more interest. After that, connections and exchanging knowledge in It doesn’t matter if you weren’t made the
we got in a number of new applications, and “Working with other students at Mason is the professional world. team leader, there are still ways you can
we made questions based off of all the quali- a great opportunity,” Xie said. “Even though lead.”
ties that we looked for. We are now meeting we are all interested in leadership, the way “I wanted to improve my networking
to decide who we think would be the best fit we apply it and our interests in general vary. skills through school, and to college, and
in our group.”

While most are familiar with what a
common interview consists of, Gentene
said the selection process is not done in a
typical manner. Students aren’t necessarily
picked for their experience, but their drive
to become a real leader.

“They’re (students) looking for people
who are truly interested in growing as a
leader, not necessarily the captain of the
team or the president of StuGo,” Gentene
said. “They may not already be leaders.
This is a different kind of interview and a
different kind of resume. We don’t want to
know what all you have already done with
leadership, but what are you going to do

4 Feature November 16, 2018

Short attention cause of Graphic by Ryan D’Souza
decreased interest in reading

Della Johnson | Staff Writer “The straight-up lecture and 15 min-
utes of information seven times a day
You may not have the attention span doesn’t work for most kids,” Schlaeger
to get through this article. In fact, most said. “Now, we have kids learn more
students don’t. while moving, while doing project-
based group work. I see that as a posi-
With the amount of reading be- tive change.”
ing assigned to students recently, a
minimized attention span is becoming Not everyone experiences a lack of
increasingly noticeable. The trend con- concentration. In fact, many students,
tinues through more than just home- such as junior and Books and Beyond
work, however. In class, students might club co-founder Lindsay Rogers, read
struggle to focus during lectures, group for fun quite often. Rogers said she
work, or peer presentations. has a specific method to make reading
more interesting.
School psychologist Michaela
Kramer said shorter attention spans af- “Reading is a very vivid way to relax,
fect life in and out of school. distress, and get into another world,”
Rogers said. “You can think of how the
“People are definitely recognizing characters look using your imagina-
or feel like their attention spans are tion.
lower, or not as good as they used to
be,” Kramer said. “They just have a very Within the past few years, the Learn-
hard time paying attention. Then that, ing Commons has replaced most paper
of course, interferes with all of these books with ebooks, keeping only a
other things within school, and in life.” few paper versions left on the shelves.
Rogers said the modernization of the
In general, it can be argued that soci- Learning Commons prevents students
ety has grown accustomed to constant from getting the full experience from
stimulation, and according to research a book.
by Microsoft, the average person now
has an attention span of eight seconds. “Most books have been transformed
School psychologist Jeff Schlaeger said into electronic additions that you can
this might stem from cartoons that download and swipe through,” Rogers
students watched as kids. said. “But, that’s not going to replace
the feeling of holding it in your hand,
“I remember reading studies about turning the pages, and seeing how far
kids who watch cartoons during the you’ve come and how far you’ve yet to
day,” Schlaeger said. “It said that when go. I honestly don’t like it at all.”
you watch a cartoon, have out a pen
and paper. Then, make a hash mark Not just attention spans can factor
every time the picture changes. It’s in into the amount of homework a student
about every eight to ten seconds in a does. Sophomore Ayesha Chaudhry
cartoon. Soon, a completely different said it has to do with copious amounts
picture is on the screen. So, kids are of work that unintentionally persuade
focusing for eight to ten seconds on students to take the easy way out.
one thing and then it changes. Now,
with everything in constant motion and “In general, teachers don’t keep
changing, that’s where our minds are.” account of the fact that all students
have seven bells,” Chaudhry said. “For
Not only kids’ television programs example, if I were reading a book in
are to blame. Modern technology is English, I may only have three chap-
also another commonly used explana- ters, but I also have three chapters for
tion for wandering minds, said Kramer. science and for history I have to read
She said it is proven by our tendency to a couple chapters. If there’s an option
reach for our phones when in uninter- for a student to SparkNotes something,
esting situations. they will.”

“Think about it -- when you first Recently, there has been a shift from
start to lose interest in what’s going the classic lectures in classes. Chaudhry
on around you, you just reach for your said students require different types of
phone,” Kramer said. “So many people teaching on order to pay attention.
do that. I feel like just because we
have so much access to things that are “All students are different,”
stimulating, like technology, that leads Chaudhry said. “They don’t have the
to an increased loss of attention.” time to get everything done with all
of the extracurriculars and everything.
Schlaeger also commented on the Unless teachers interact with the
different learning difficulties for stu- classroom in a way that is interesting
dents, and what the school is doing to to students or their peers, it’s just not
improve their learning experience. going to work out.”

November 16, 2018 Feature 5

Scheeler's memory sparks conversation about inclusion

Sophia Johnson | Staff Writer for Scheeler will be receiving them should ever let someone’s disability or have the same thoughts everyone else
has, same interests, and they actually
Junior Mary Scheeler continues to in November. Science teacher Mike difference stop them from making an live a normal life.”
inspire people to come together follow-
ing her passing in late September after a Planicka, one of Scheeler’s teachers, said effort to know others. Grateful for getting to witness Scheel-
bike accident. er’s unapologetic character, Planicka
continuing to remember Scheeler will “She was always that shining light said he wishes to see more students cre-
Scheeler showed love to all she came ate relationships with those they don’t
into contact with. Junior Austin Hance be a way to promote the importance of that everyone needed,” Bagadiong said. usually talk to.
said one of the many ways she demon-
strated this was in the hallways, using prioritizing positive and healthy living. “Being friends with people no matter “By making friends with her I think
the four minutes to get to class as an op- students really got a lot more out of the
portunity to interact with other students. “Students that knew Mary will always who they are is important in everyday relationship than Mary did,” Planicka
said. “Mary didn’t really necessarily need
“I met her in sixth grade. I saw her remember her and her shining smile,” life. You never know what these people people dancing with her, she was going
around the hallway and I started talk- to dance anyway, but I know the kids
ing to her all the time,” Hance said. Planicka said. “But the ones that don’t have in their background until you that did dance with her, they will forever
“The day that she passed away, it was “ remember her. So reach out to other
heartbreaking for people that knew I think Mary teaches us that everybody kids in your class, they could be the
her because her smile was all affec- should be friends with everybody thing that really affects your life. I think
tion. People cared about her and people Mary teaches us that everybody should
made friends with her because they saw Mike Planicka, Teacher be friends with everybody. I would like
such a positive kid walking around in to see kids do that a little bit more.”
the hallway.” can just be reminded when having a bad “ meet them. It’s a positive thing to do
day, or when thinking life is tough or when interacting with others, including Scheeler has taught people to connect
In October, a few students who were that your biology exam is going to be those who have a disability.” with others, regardless of who they are.
friends with Scheeler announced that hard, just look at that bracelet and take Bagadiong said she hopes to see this
they were going to sell bracelets in her a moment to let it pass. It’s saying ‘What Bagadiong said the lack of relation- inclusion continued by people interact-
honor. Junior Liberty Messer said she would Mary do in this situation? Would ships many have with disabled students ing with everyone, and not what they
intends for the bracelets to encour- she smile about things or would she is very apparent. By having differences, are labeled as.
age everyone to spread love the way get stressed out?’ and Mary was rarely she said people feel there is a reason to
Scheeler did. stressed out about things.” not communicate with them. “The change I will like to see is the
opportunity where typical people social-
“The bracelets say ‘a sweet friendship Sophomore Grace Bagadiong said “There is a separation between typi- ize easily with others, no matter who
refreshes the soul’,” Messer said. “That everyone would have benefited from cal people and disabled people-typical they are,” Bagadiong said. “Some people
was chosen for the reason that Mary’s knowing Scheeler and seeing how her people are not positive if they should be think I have a cognitive disability, but
friendship was sweet and joyous. It was down syndrome didn’t stop her from around those with disabilities,” Baga- I only have a physical disability. I can
one that took little effort because it was interacting with others. As someone who diong said. “They may see unfamiliar work educationally, do social activities,
so easy with her. Her friendship was has a disability, Bagadiong said nobody things, but the disabled people have and live a normal life. People have to
refreshing to the soul. So I hope that more than just their disabilities. They realize they need to accept disabled
everyone wearing them lives out her people because we are all equal. You
mission to love and bring others joy.” never know who people are until you
learn about their lives.”
Students who ordered the bracelets

Photo contributed by Amy Lillich
(Front row center) Mary Scheeler, (Row 2 left to right) Casey Kahl, Joey Kelsey, Ally Long, Kaitlyn Olsen, David Fleming, Ella Vasconcellos, Clay Woodruff, Kamryn Jones, (Row 3 left to right) Olivia
Curry, Evan Bastian, Thomas Trujillo, Ally Huber, Wynne Dupre, Ellen Hilbert, Claire Long, James Martin, Chris Courtney, Chris Barger, Jacob Reynolds, and Bella Jones interacted together daily in their
career educational opportunities class.

6 Feature November 16, 2018

Afraid to Sleep

Chronic sleep paralysis elicits fear of waking up

Evelina Gaivoronskaia | Staff Writer Hallucinations can be increased by sleep depriva- “I saw things that weren’t there,” Badertscher
tion, which senior Hannah McCollough said is the said. ”My sisters were up and I was just laying
Imagine not being able to move a muscle as your cause of her sleep paralysis. there and I couldn’t move. I said there’s something
worst nightmare inches closer to you. standing next to them. They saw nothing, so that
“I’ve had it three times in two weeks, because made me want to go see someone because I was
This can be a reality for students with sleep paraly- they’ve been so crazy,” McCollough said.” It happens scared and nervous because I didn’t know what
sis, a disorder in which the brain wakes up before the only when I have a very irregular schedule. I got it my was happening.”
body. The condition makes people unable to move junior year when my schedule became irregular. I was
or speak, and also can cause victims to experience sleeping during the day and not getting a lot of sleep Some people have no idea what sleep paralysis
hallucinations. at night.” is when they first experience it. Junior Cade Moon,
who had his first encounter with sleep paralysis
A couple years ago, freshman Riley Badertscher McCollough looked her symptoms up online to find in eighth grade, said he had to do research on the
said she had sleep paralysis for the first time. She said out what was happening to her. She realized it was topic because his family didn’t know what he was
she was unable to move while hallucinations moved sleep paralysis after reading people’s experiences with experiencing.
around her room, rendering her virtually paralyzed. it. She describes her usual episodes include her being
paralyzed and seeing dark figures. “The first time I was getting it I only had it like
“You can’t move, it’s like being tied down,” Bad- once a week,” Moon said.” This past year probably
ertscher said.” I see shadows moving, I feel things “I’ll wake up and I see my room but I can’t move I had it every night and since school started, now
touching me even though they’re not there. It lasts and I can’t blink,” McCollough said. “It’s like in a that I have a sleeping schedule I have it four times
from a few seconds to a few minutes, but it feels like dream when you want to pinch yourself, but you can’t a week. The first couple of days after I got it I was
an eternity.” move your limbs. Sometimes I’ll see that menacing paranoid about how I should sleep in order to
figure in my room or something that you’d imagine avoid it.”
According to lifescience.com, sleep paralysis occurs seeing in a nightmare. It is really scary while it’s hap-
during rapid eye movement (REM) when the brain pening.” Because there is no clear way to stop the visions,
some students find that the only way to escape the
is having vivid dreams. The body is unable to move Badertscher tried talking to doctors, but said she nightmares is to avoid sleeping. Badertscher said
in order to stop the person form moving and act- was never told anything helpful, and she continued to
have nights of terror. the most she can do is just wait it out, hop-
ing out the dreams with ing that the visions will go away.
their body. “It scares me to go to bed,” Badertscher
said. “When I first found out that I had
it, I would literally stay up for days

because I didn’t want to go to
bed and have it happen to me

again. It was very scary.
It’s like being in a
nightmare but in
reality.”

Illustration by Ryan D’Souza

November 16, 2018 7

8 Feature November 16, 2018

Being a little different never goes out of style

Self expression influenced by ‘Punk’ culture

Ryan D’Souza | Visual Design Editor Punk Timeline
Jake Sapp | Staff Writer
196Os -
Pink hair, torn jeans, and a “take it Photo by Ryan D’Souza
or leave it” attitude are all things that Senior Tabitha Parks sews patches onto personally crafted clothing that represents her punk style. Originated in Detroit,
come to mind when the word “punk” is mainly garage bands refer-
used to describe someone. thusiasm stems from a similar passion hallways because of things like her encing political music. Artists
for music, an interest that has aided her patch covered jeans and band apparel, such as Andy Warhol began
But certain students are willing to self expression and individuality. making her feel slightly alienated from to experiment with the punk
take the next level through outlandish her peers. Despite this, she chooses to sound.
projects, creating their own music, and “I’ve always been really into music ignore the negativity.
expressing themselves through what- that isn’t exactly normal,” Evans said. 197Os-
ever means necessary. “Pop music and stuff like that just isn’t “I think there’s definitely a gap
really my thing. I listen to everything between me and some people who Punk scene gravitated
Senior Tabitha Parks is one such from Green Day, to Ghost, and even lo- think my style is weird,” Parks said. “But toward New York; notable
individual, and is striving to stand out cal bands. Music has given me the abil- I don’t really care what other people bands such as the Ramones,
from the crowd by dressing in her own ity to express myself in a different way think. It’s what makes me happy and I the Talking Heads, and
self-made clothing in a campaign to than other people can understand.” love what I’m doing. The way I see it, if Blondie are formed. Inspired
become entirely reliant on nothing but people don’t want to associate with me many fashion choices such
herself and her wild tastes. With this passion for music, Evans because of how I dress, then I don’t have as torn jeans, leather jackets,
said she wants to start her own band to associate myself with them.” and studs.
“Punk is about doing your own and craft her inspirations into some-
thing,” Parks said. “Doing what you like, thing that she can add her own personal Prior to being introduced to the punk 198Os-
not caring about what other people flare to. lifestyle, Parks was very reserved. How-
think, and standing up for what you ever, her involvement and experimenta- Formation of “straight
believe. There’s a lot in punk for people “My friend and I have wanted to tion in the culture has broadened her edge” punk; band titled
to appreciate. It’s not just scary music make our own music since we were re- social life and her outward expression. Minor Threat promoted life-
and drugs.” ally little,” Evans said. “It’s always been style promoting abstinence
a passion for us and we’re really starting “Before I started getting into punk, I and resistence of drugs and
Parks says that she decided to take to get close to our goal. There’s just was super, super introverted and had a alcohol.
after major punk icons of the 20th something about music that affects me lot of self esteem issues,” Parks said. “I
century, and wants to incorporate their physically, it’s almost like I can just feel started going to all these punk shows 199Os-
style into her own self-expression. Even it inside me.” and talking to all these people then I
though she takes heavy inspiration just started opening up. It made me “Rise of “Pop Punk”; Bands
from the past, Parks said she still wants The sense of community is what drew realize that being happy is more impor- like Blink 182 and Green Day
to make her mark on everything she Gerdes to the punk movement, and tant is than caring what other people hit the mainstream, blending
creates. believes that having the ability to be think.” the angry, powerful sounds
around similar people to him has made of early punk with melodic
“My biggest inspiration was Ian life much easier to deal with. Even though he had previously faced notes and harmonies.
Mackaye, the lead singer for the band scrutiny for his counter-culture ap-
‘Minor Threat’,” Parks said. “They were “I love being able to hang out with proach, Gerdes said the way he presents 2OOOs-
the band that really pushed the whole people like me,” Gerdes said. “Everyone himself has given him a family and and
DIY Punk movement in the 80’s. It’s all is always super welcoming and the an outlook that he would not have had Pop Punk gains popular-
about putting your own spin on things, group is just great. Some people think otherwise. ity with bands such as All
which I think is really cool.” we’re strange, but I think of us as a re- American Rejects, Sum 41,
ally weird family.” “I honestly wouldn’t trade any of this and Fall Out Boy gain radio
Senior Christopher Gerdes is also an for the world,” Gerdes said. “I love what play. Punk music switches
active member of the punk commu- Even with the connections she has I do and it has really changed my life focus to its sound and lyrics
nity. While he experienced childhood made through her pastime, Parks for the better.” rather than the blunt punk of
ridicule, Gerdes said his introduction to says that she gets odd glances in the earlier decades.
the community invited him into a sense
of comfort and acceptance.

“I’ve always been a bit of a loner,”
Gerdes said. “I was bullied a lot in mid-
dle school because of the way I looked
and it wasn’t easy for me. Until my best
friend introduced me to rock, I didn’t
really have a way of connecting with
people. It’s really helped me to break
out of my shell in recent years.”

Despite the independent style associ-
ated with punk culture, Park said the
atmosphere present in punk concerts
adds to the interactive aesthetic of the
community.

“Everyone else at concerts is just as
weird as you,” Parks said. “When I’m in
Mason and I’m around all these people,
I act a lot different than when I do when
I’m at one of these concerts. Everyone
there is your friend, even if you don’t
know them, they’re your friend. It’s like
an unspoken bond.”

Junior Elissa Evans said her punk en-

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November 16, 2018 Feature 9

The humorous struggles of teaching
foreign parents American norms

Anusha Vadlamani | Staff Writer didn’t think it was funny. It was this Photo by Tanner Pearson
Being able to offer advice to their moment of disconnect, and I haven’t
shown them a meme since.” Junior Rachel Zhan demonstrates how she becomes the teacher at home.
kids is a staple in a parent’s life, but for
parents immigrating to America, the The differing perspectives between him about that,” Shah said. “It looks Zhan’s grandparents frequently collect
roles are reversed. Junior Ashka Shah, a first-generation better when he’s able to follow Ameri- soybeans from the field near her house
Indian-American, and her dad, an im- can traditions at work so I feel like I and, when they had a run-in with the
For these parents, their kids are the migrant from India, have sometimes should be the one to show him so that law, Zhan was the one to explain the
gateway to accessing the nuances of led to disagreements. Shah has tried to he knows.” situation.
American culture. A daily part of the explain to her dad why some of the ac-
lives of many Mason students is being tions he takes are not accepted in pub- Junior Rachel Zhan’s responsibili- “One time they were stopped by a
able to interpret the customs and tradi- lic but has found that he is not quite ties extend beyond just teaching her police officer who asked them what
tions of America in a way so that their ready to give up what he is used to. grandparents what is acceptable in they were doing and they don’t really
immigrant parents feel more at home public and what is not. She has also had know English so they just kept pushing
in the differing culture. For football “My dad sometimes points with his to act as a translator for her grand- the stroller,” Zhan said. “They weren’t
player senior Sunny Patel, an integral middle finger because he doesn’t know parents, who speak very little English. doing anything illegal so I kept egging
process of his football education was that it’s flipping someone off here,” them on, but I told them to avoid the
teaching his mom, who immigrated Shah said. “When I point it out to him, police next time.”
from India, how to correctly cheer dur- he’s like ‘a finger’s a finger! What do
ing a game. you have against the middle finger?’” Zhan’s grandparents aren’t the only
ones that Zhan has had to help with the
“My mom took a little getting used Shah, like many others, feels like she culture shock. Despite her mom living
to American culture - the foods, the has the responsibility of making sure in America for the past 19 years, Zhan
sports, the activities that we do,” Patel that her parents are able to blend into still continues to face difficulties help-
said. “The first time my mom came to American culture effortlessly without ing her mom assimilate into American
one of my football games, she didn’t sticking out. culture.
really understand when to cheer.
Whenever I watched football at home, “Sometimes the things he does may “It’s not like you can go up to some-
I would teach her ‘this is offense, this be considered offensive in American one and be like ‘oh here all the trends
is when you cheer.’ It was amazing that culture, so I feel like I have to teach that are happening in America,’” Zhan
she put the effort into learning all my said. “It’s only something you can pick
chants and cheers, but she needed to up on if you’re in the atmosphere con-
go out of her way to completely learn stantly, and my mom is not so it’s kind
them.” of difficult to teach her everything that
is happening.”
Patel said his mother’s effort to un-
derstand aspects of American culture Despite the cultural roadblocks,
throughout the years has paid off Zhan said the support her mom offers
because it has enabled him to relate to her is unwavering.
her more closely.
“Even though sometimes I get
“My mom slowly started to pick frustrated when she doesn’t understand
up on all of the little things I talked the things I’m trying to tell her, it’s still
about and started to understand,” Patel the little things she does,” Zhan said. “I
said. “At this point, I would say that come home and my bed is made, and
my mom is 85 percent caught up with there’s food on the table, and I have
American trends. She doesn’t have a home to come back to and that’s
an Instagram or a Snapchat, but she because of my mom. She’s always been
knows about trends. She stays up to like ‘you can do it’ no matter what.”
date with that type of stuff.”

Junior Leon Chang, however, said he
has gone out of his way to connect with
his immigrant Chinese parents who are
less aware of the latest trends.

“One time I tried to teach my par-
ents what a meme was, but that’s sort
of something you only understand
when you grow up in the U.S. or when
you grow up on the internet,” Chang
said. “They were really confused and

10 November 16, 2018

November 16, 2018 Culture 11

BITE OF Senior
CULTURE
Nolan Maine

Tostada “My mom is Mexican and
she grew up in a poorer
part of California; her family
didn’t have a lot of money,
but her mom found ways
to make food last longer,”
Maine said. “The main dish
my grandma made was
tostadas, and she was able
to buy just the right amount
of ingredients to save the
most money for the family.”

Compiled by Ryan D’Souza, Tanner Pearson, Luke Hutchinson
Common tostada toppings include refried beans, shredded cheese, salsa and avocado; Maine usually prepares his tostadas with shredded chicken.

12 Feat

“It is wh
ELLIE MINICK ON LIFE W

Photo on left by Riley Johansen, right contributed by Ellie Minick
Minick doesn’t let her medical issues stop her from fully pursing academics and other interests.

Despite heart defect, Minick dances on

Riley Johansen | Staff Writer said the health concerns caused by this went to the hospital. I got diagnosed working too hard, or is it because of
Sophomore Ellie Minick puts her procedure and DILV began to impact with protein losing enteropathy (PLE). something that’s greater? At dance
heart into everything she does, even it her life in middle school. It’s very complex and only about 13% practice they’re all so supportive of
it tries to prevent her from doing so. of the fontan patients actually get it, (my concerns) and the team is always
Since she was born, Minick has been Alongside DILV, Minick said that so it’s not new but it’s new enough to there for me.”
dealing with the heart defect of Double she has had to take into account other where they don’t know how to solve all
Inlet Left Ventricle (DILV), causing health concerns caused by it. Staying of the diseases and symptoms that kind Minick has had to deal with both
her heart to only have one working healthy for her means being able to of come with it.” inpatient and outpatient protein infu-
pumping chamber in the absence of notice the small things, which she sions through an IV, adding on to her
two others. She has gone through three began to realize something small in Minick said these small signs of the daily medication routine. Recently, she
open heart surgeries and continues to middle school caused by her Fontan effects of her procedures can be a bit has had two stents put into her arteries
have frequent p`rocedures to try and procedure she had at four years old, concerning or confusing to distinguish, to assist in blood flow. Minick said her
assist her in fixing the effects of this which placed a small tube known as especially in her dance life, as she is a health situations have challenged her
defect while balancing her academic, a conduit into her heart to act as an member of the MHS dance team, who ability to manage everything, which
social and athletic life. artery to assist her heart in pumping has supported her through it all. can be hard to explain to others.
At the age of four, Minick under- blood correctly.
went a Fontan procedure which placed “I want to stay involved, but there’s “One of the craziest weeks for me
a small tube known as a conduit into “I’ve had a really good quality of always that constant worry in the back was when I had dance tryouts, student
her heart to act as an artery, assisting life, good friends, there was nothing af- your head with everything that hap- government elections, and then at the
in pumping blood correctly. Minck fecting me too badly, I had an annual pens with my body,” Minick said. “It’s end of the weekend a liver biopsy,’
appointment with my cardiologist, but not just common concerns like ‘oh, Minick said. “I think doing stuff like
in 7th grade I noticed that my ankles I see bruises’, it’s, ‘oh my chest hurts that is so hard is that people are
were really swollen and I texted my a little bit.’ If my ankles are swollen unaware. They don’t really like know
mom,” Minick said. “The day after we after dance, is this just because I was what’s going on because I don’t really

ture 13

hat it is” Photo by Riley Johansen

WITH A HEART DEFECT

Photos contributed by Ellie Minick
Since birth, sophomore Ellie Minick has had a heart defect. Minick has endured three open heart surgeries.

n with support of friends and family

show it, but they’ll see all these bruises want people to treat me like I’m sick. they really care about me and not get- ing well, I feel better just because of
on my legs and they’re like, ‘oh wow I’ve been dealing with this since I was ting that one little essay done because their presence when they come to visit
you’re so clumsy.’ The thing that they just a baby, it has always been a thing that’s not that’s what’s really impor- me.”
don’t know is that I’m on blood thin- in my life and I’m so used to it. ” tant.”
ners and that I really am trying, and Minick lives her life with the goal
it’s kind of hard.” Minick said that the support she re- Throughout her experiences, Minick of staying positive and worry-free
ceives from others makes things a lot said her strength comes from her com- throughout the ups and downs of her
Minick said she commonly faces easier for her, especially with that as- munity and the healing she feels from medical complications. Overall, Minick
these issues of explaining herself to sistance is from her teachers, especially being around others. Although she said her motivation stems from the
others, especially when she doesn’t when her heart can make it difficult to may have these conditions throughout mentality to move on despite any fears
want it to affect they treat her. She said carry out her schoolwork. her whole life, her family and friends that have developed.
the most difficult part is that at times intend to be there every step of the
people fail to understand her condi- “I’m taking Honors English and way. “I know it’s going to get better,”
tion is a continuous battle, which will APUSH, which are pretty challenging Minick said. “My motto is ‘it is what it
eventually lead to a necessary heart with the work I have to catch up on, “The main thing that gets me is’, and even though it seems negative
transplant at some point in her life. and even the teachers are understand- through all of this is family and I don’t mean it that way, it really just is
ing,” Minick said. “This has been the friends,” Minick said. “Especially hav- what it is and I’ll get through it. I have
“It’s hard to describe to people what first year where they’ve come to me ing my brother and sister in the school, friends and family that constantly love
it’s like,” Minick said. “I’ll heal, but and tell me not to worry about it, and they’ll come up to me and ask how I’m me and check up on me. Even though
my bigger heart problems will still be that we’ll get through it. Most impor- feeling, sometimes they’ll carry my I know sometime I’ll have to get a
there. I’m still taking all this medicine, tantly, they will tell me I care about backpack for me, or help me out in heart transplant that we’re pushing
I still have this disease. The little prob- you, and I care about your health, school and get my papers. Even when off as long as possible, I know I will
lems are solved, but the big problem which is huge for me because when I miss things, they’ll always check in always have them with me.”
kind of remains. Obviously I don’t they say they care about my health, with me, and even when I’m not feel-

November 16, 2018 we ignorethe problemFeature 14

Photos by Tanner Pearson
Trash is left throughout lunch rooms leaving janitors to deal with the mess

Cleaning up not priority for MHS students

Andrea Hefferan | Staff Writer said the clutter is so bad she cannot person to get rid of their own trash, and bringing in money for children who are
Mason High School students clearly concentrate on doing her work. it is the job of the custodians to take in the hospital, and stuff like that.”
haven’t learned how to pick up after care of the rest.
themselves. “The trash makes me not want to do Giaquinto believes her fellow stu-
Every day the cafeteria and the my homework because it’s really gross “We try to clean up our area, but dents should not be constantly remind-
small commons are littered with trash and I don’t want to put my papers on we also want to eat so we don’t want ed to clean up after themselves, rather,
left over from the three lunch bells. dirty surfaces,” Giaquinto said. “When to spend our time picking up other it is a responsibility that they should be
When junior Ashley Florence heads to I’m at home and doing my homework, people’s trash,” Rao said. “We have used to having.
the commons for band practice at the my room has to be clean because custodians but they’re not really doing
end of the day, she is appalled by the otherwise I can’t focus and it’s the same anything to clean it up, so there’s just a “It’s the students’ job to clean,” Gia-
amount of junk she finds. effect in the cafeteria.” bunch of mess laying around.” quinto said. “It’s their trash and it’s their
“Students just need to become more responsibility and some of them are al-
responsible for their trash and if they The mess that takes the students in Student Body President Avi Parshioni- most graduating. They have to be adults
make a mess they need to clean it up,” each lunch period a mere 30 minutes kar said that while he and other student and part of being in that world is that
Florence said. “They can’t just leave to create takes the custodians around leaders have acknowledged the prob- you need to clean up after yourself.”
stuff on the table like this. And the two hours to clean. Custodian Sandy lem, enacting a solution is not a top pri-
custodians deserve so much more credit Howard is one of the people tasked to ority for them. Instead of focusing their In order to improve the school, How-
than they get and us leaving messes sanitize the lunchrooms and pick up attention on the facilities in their own ard asks for the students to show respect
doesn’t help at all. Whenever we have after the student body at the end of the school, they are putting the majority of to her and the rest of the custodians by
after school (band) rehearsal we have day. their efforts into community outreach. picking up their trash.
to move all the tables to the side, and
there is so much crap and food all over “We come down here every day to “We had talked about having some “I’d just like for us all to work togeth-
the floor. It’s disgusting and the custodi- pick up the commons, and we clean sort of project where Student Govern- er,” Howard said. “I know we don’t do
ans have to clean up all of it and I feel it after three lunches,” Howard said. ment members would make sure that this at home so I’m kind of just asking
so bad.” “And it’s a mess. It is a total, total mess. the cafeteria is cleaned up, or making everyone to be aware of their surround-
Junior Laura Giaquinto, who has Children are throwing food on the floor, sure that everyone is doing their part at ings in the commons. Take care of
study hall directly following C Lunch, they’re having food fights--it just makes lunch to keep it clean for the lunches yourself. If everybody would clean up
our job harder to have to come down after that,” Parshionikar said. “But we after themselves, there wouldn’t be that
here and clean up.” haven’t really started doing anything much for us to take care of at the end of
with that right now because we’ve been the day.”
According to freshman Tulasi Rao, really busy with things like Kids Count,
it is a personal responsibility for each

November 16, 2018 Opinion 15

The aftermath
Staff Photographer Tanner Pearson captures the
typical outcome of lunch at Mason High School

Photos by Tanner Pearson
Trash is left on the ground, tables and everywhere in between. Students eat in the large and small commons for an hour and a half during the school day.

OPINION: We can do better.

Henri Robbins | Staff Writer are far from any trash bins. You’ll see of planning that go into every day the fact that we don’t even think that
Mason is a mess. workers prying matted-down clumps of class and every practice. So many we owe respect to the very place that
Now, that’s not a jab at of who-knows-what from the floor with students in Mason have never had to enables that, the fact that we waltz
administration. It isn’t a screwdriver. You’ll see the sixth bell think about it, so they never do. We’ve around, making the school our own
meant to attack any lived in a school where everything is personal landfill, and the people who
teachers. It’s meant study hall carefully sitting to avoid handed to us, so we never questioned work here our caretakers, that makes it
for the students, getting their shoes in whatever the what brought the hands to us in the all lose meaning.
because the state of last bell left. first place.
our school, and the What we, the student body, do The things that people say about
state of our lunch- at lunch, affects other people. It With that, Mason is often seen as a Mason aren’t arbitrary, they aren’t born
rooms specifically, is makes their lives worse, and we bunch of spoiled, rich kids. We are seen from nothing. We prove them, not
a travesty. The lack of don’t care, just because it makes as the highest on the hill, but shouldn’t through our performance when eyes
respect that is shown to our lives a tiny bit easier to leave we be more than that? Shouldn’t we are on us, but by how we behave when
the staff, the people who clean our trash on the ground, because it show that we’re not just the perpetua- we think they are not.
up, is nothing less than disappointing. elicits a small laugh to throw some tion of years of stereotyping? Any ef-
Walk through the small commons of your lunch across the table. forts to that, any facades we might put The lack of cleanliness is something
after fifth bell, and you’ll be greeted on, are betrayed by that. Anything that that we have all become used to, and
with discarded trash, unidentifiable Entitlement is rampant in Mason we might do, really, is undermined by we could all hope that someone else
clumps that have been ground into because we don’t realize how much how we act in our own school. will take care of it, but why should that
the floor, and half-eaten meals that work goes into maintaining this school. be the case when action can be made
We don’t see the custodians who work Sure, we win state championships, for oneself? It’s everyone’s duty to care
tirelessly to clean every step we take and sure, we have some of the high- for the school, so don’t simply shove it
after we leave. We don’t see the hours est scoring students in the nation, but onto someone who’s not you.

16 Entertainment November 16, 2018

MOVIE REVIEWS MONTHLY

BOHEMIAN MUSIC
RHAPSODY
J AREKVEIESWABPYP

RELEASED NOVEMBER 2ND 6.8/10
DIRECTED BY RUBEN FLEISCHER
STARRING RAMI MALEK, MIKE MEYERS

Verdict TAKEOFF
ARTIST FEATURE
Bohemian Rhapsody is a high energy biopic that wants to explore ev-
ery single aspect of Queen without truly sinking its teeth into anything While the other members of “Migos” have
substantial. The film glazes over events with little sense of pacing and had their share of the spotlight, Takeoff,
provides an ambitious glimpse into the life of the famed Freddie Mer- the member that gets the least publicity
cury, but rarely sticks to any one subject long enough for it to leave finally has got his time to shine. Takeoff,
a lasting impact. By the end of the two hour endeavor, Queen feels real name Kirshnik Ball, released his first
more like a collection of cardboard cutouts than a tightly knit family of album “The Last Rocket” on November 6.
musicians. Even with its flaws, Bohemian Rhapsody is able to deliver The 12 track record proves Takeoff may be
on a few incredible moments of heart-pounding musical performanc- the most talented member of the ‘Migos’,
es that truly capture the feeling of being at a live concert. Although it and his solo career is just getting started.
tries to rock you, the movie bites the dust in the end.
ALBUMREVIEW
mid90s
NEON FUTURE III
Review by Tanner Pearson
BY STEVE AOKI
RELEASED OCTOBER 19 REVIEW BY RYAN D’SOUZA

DIRECTED BY JONAH HILL 8.5/10 7/10

STARRING SUNNY SULJIC, LUCAS HEDGES Steve Aoki’s “Neon Future III” is a cross-genre
experience featuring the likes of K-pop super-
Verdict group “BTS”, emo legends “blink-182, and TV
personality “Bill Nye”. Similar to the other two
In his directorial debut, actor Jonah Hill gives us a vivid snapshot of
what it was like to be a Los Angeles teen during the 90’s. The story “Neon Future” installations, Neon Future III
is from the perspective of Sunburn, a young kid trying to find his plays more like a playlist curated by Aoki than
place in the world. Some may say the film lacks a true story struc- an actual album. Jumping from mumble rap to
ture, but this is only because it is more of a period piece than a typi- folk, you’re treated to an unusual sound all tied
cal 3-act spectacle. Mid90’s is another brilliant coming of age story together with heavy 808s and electronic synths.
with interesting skateboarding adventures that make it unique. With Aoki combining his tight production with
popular features, keep an eye out for songs like
“Hoovela” to hit it big in the festival circuit. While
this album isn’t revolutionary, it’s perfect to put

on in a party and dance along with.

Page compiled by Jacob Brase

Sports17 November 16, 2018

That’s a Rapp Photo by Nathalie Schickendantz

Veteran head coach The Cross Country team placed third in the state.Pictured left to right, back row: Coach Tim Pitcher, Coach Lucas
Sagraves, Braedon Killion, Aiden Amshoff, Micah Champagne, Jagger Vetter, Coach Tom Rapp. Front row: Johan
leads Comets to Meyer, Austin Cooper, Brogan Doran, Isaiah Kelly, Alex DeRoussel, Coach Steve Prescott.
third place State
finish; GMC cross

country dominance

Team success built on culture of hardwork

Matthew Smith | Staff Writer gram such as Mason, it’s something that Kelly said he and the other seniors Photo by Nathalie Schickendantz
no team member worries about. try to make sure the underclassmen are
Domination. never overwhelmed. Junior cross country runner Johan Meyer
There’s nothing more to say. “Sometimes I do think there is some competes in the frigid temperatures at
The Mason boys cross country team pressure,” Kelly said. “But we take pride “It can be intimidating to be a young the Ohio High School Athletic Associa-
won their fourth straight GMC champi- in our success, and we go out and run runner for a prestigious program like tion State Cross Country Championship
onship and their eighth in the last nine the best we can by working really hard Mason,” Kelly said. “We try to take on Saturday, November 10 in Hebron,
years. in practice. We have the expectations to those younger guys under our wing Ohio. The Comets finished third in the
After edging out St. Xavier to capture do well, but we leave it all on the course.” and make sure they feel comfortable.” meet, Meyer finished 33rd with a time of
a regional title, Mason qualified for their
twelfth consecutive appearance at the Coming off a GMC championship and Setting up the young runners to have ship skills for the future is something
state meet, where they raced to a top state appearance in 2017, Coach Rapp success was something the team felt that the athletes are working on now.
three finish. felt he had produced another successful was vital to getting to this point in the
The team is lead by head coach Tom season. season. “We talk about leadership develop-
Rapp, who said his program’s success has ment,” Rapp said. “It’s always impor-
been attributed to developing a culture. As he looked towards this 2018 season, Meyer said he knew the underclass- tant for the future for our young guys
“It all starts with culture,” Rapp said. however, Rapp said he felt like it could men were a big part of the team’s suc- to watch how the seniors lead and carry
“We develop a culture of hardwork and be a very special season for the team. cess. themselves.”
being team oriented. That has just con-
tinued to be passed down from team to “I knew coming into this season we “We’ve had many freshman and soph-
team and lead to winning.” had a very special team,” Rapp said. “We omores really step up this year,” Meyer
Year after year, Rapp has continued to just had to keep these guys healthy, fo- said. “That’s really helped because we
build on his success. His coaching has cused, and always working hard. If we have even more depth now than we’ve
helped his team regularly be among the did that, we could have a great season.” had before.”
best in the state.
Junior runner Johan Meyer said his Although the team felt they had the Amassing several championships
continued success has everyone fully talent to be great this season, they knew and a top three finish at state, the run-
committed to his coaching style. that talent alone wouldn’t define their ners feel they have accomplished every-
“Coach Rapp has had a lot of experi- season. thing they sought after for this season.
ence; he’s been doing this a long time,” Meyer said next season, while it will be
Meyer said. “He has seen a lot of talent, Isaiah Kelly said leadership was a key tough to repeat the same success, it will
and has really good methods for train- part of the success Mason experienced still be possible.
ing. Everyone just trusts his system.” this season.
With Coach Rapp’s methods, he ex- “It’s definitely going to be hard to
pects to continue his success. Senior run- “Leadership is huge,” Kelly said. “The replace those seniors next year,” Meyer
ner Isaiah Kelly said even though there seniors play a huge role in the team’s said. “But we have young guys returning
is pressure running for a dominate pro- leadership. The younger guys look to us and eighth graders coming in that will
to be successful, but also to take on that really step it up.”
leadership one day as well. We really try
to set a positive culture.” In order to repeat their success, the re-
turning runners know leadership will be
The older runners on the team have an important aspect for the team again
become accustomed to the pressure next year.
they experience, but it’s all new for the
younger team members. Coach Rapp said developing leader-

18 Sports November 16, 2018

Stats and ranks as of November 10, 2018

BEAST MODE

Charley Sipe

14 OF 15 ON FIELD GOALS
23 OF 23 ON EXTRA POINTS
2 GAME-WINNING FIELD GOALS
50 TACKLES AT LINEBACKER

GMC PLAYER OF THE YEAR GMC COACH OF THE YEAR

Maggie King Ben Damge Tom Rapp
Boys Cross Country
Girls Volleyball Boys Soccer
Andy Schur
Girls Soccer

Ananya Agrawal Maddie Ullom Chad Layton
Girls Tennis Girls Golf
Girls Cross Country
Tiann Myer
THE DIGITS Girls Volleyball

1095 Rushing Yards by senior Running Back Mike Combs
Logan Dalton Boys Soccer

53 Saves by junior girls soccer goalie
Bethany Moser

15:36 Running Time by senior cross country
runner Isaiah Kelly

19 Sports November 16, 2018

STEPPING UP

VETERAN LEADERS, YOUNG TALENT TEAM UP TO LEAD COMETS TO ANOTHER WINNING SEASON

Sophomore running back Nolan McCormick burst onto the scene this year to give the Comets
depth in their running game and another reason to be optimistic for the 2019 season.

Photo by Tanner Pearson

Rahul Parikh | Sports Editor “We knew this season would be a chance.” something from our senior class, and
They weren’t supposed to be here. marathon, not a sprint, and that game In the Comet’s final regular season use it when they become leaders.”
The Mason football team finished wouldn’t define who we were this sea-
the regular season 8-2, tying their best son,” Dardis said. “We stayed confident game against Fairfield Sipe drilled a Throughout this season, the Comets
Division one finish in school history. because we still had eight games left in 42-yarder to send the game into over- had many obstacles to work through in
The Comets were 7-1 in GMC (Greater the season to keep winning.” time, and a 30-yarder in overtime to order to continue winning and over-
Miami Conference) play. After losing win the game. It was a huge victory for come the talent deficit they faced from
countless starters and talent from last Following the loss, the Comets rattled the Comets, securing a home playoff last year. A huge factor in maintaining
year’s senior class, the Comets were off four wins in a row, including a 30-27 game, and it was Sipe’s third game win- the same success with a less experi-
expected to treat this year as ‘rebuild- victory in an overtime thriller, against ner of the year, with the others coming enced group is the coaching. Dardis
ing,’ as expectations were lower than in the Sycamore Aviators, in the annual on another 42-yarder against Sycamore, said Head Coach Brian Castner and his
many years past. ‘Battle of the Skies.’ and a 39-yarder against Princeton. staff have given the team confidence
This season, the Comets succeeded that they could win every game.
with a combination of veteran senior Dardis said the win against Sycamore Watching his kick go through the
leadership and young, fresh talent. was a huge momentum boost for the uprights to beat Fairfield, Sipe said he “Obviously, we lost a talent last year,
Senior Running Back Logan Dalton, Comets, who would go on to win 5 of was overwhelmed by the shock of the but Coach Castner instilled the mindset
who eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in the their last 6 games. moment. early that we would be just as good
regular season, said the team was very this year as we were last year,” Dardis
motivated by the low expectations to “The Sycamore win was the turning “Everything went perfectly, and I said. “I feel like throughout this season,
start the season. point in our season; winning that game tried not to overthink and just knock we’ve proved that mindset right and
“We had so many people who didn’t and fighting it out through overtime the kick through,” Sipe said. “ I was so exceeded everyone’s expectations.”
believe in us,“ Dalton said. “ From was a huge victory to keep us going,” shocked with how crazy the situation
teachers, to students, to people in our Dardis said. was, I didn’t even know what to think Looking forward, players like Sopho-
own program, which really served as at first.” more Running Back Nolan McCormick,
motivation for us to believe in our abili- Senior Kicker and Linebacker Charley and Juniors Colin Brown and Alec
ties.” Sipe was essential to the Comets’ win- Following the loss of many seniors Dardis, hope to continue the success of
From the start of the season, the ning this year. Sipe converted on all 23 from last year’s team, the coaching the Comets this season, and keep the
Comets were playing with a chip on of his extra point attempts, and 14 out staff emphasized the importance of the same mentality.
their shoulder, fighting out a 10-6 win of his 15 field goal attempts, with a long current seniors to guide the younger
against Springboro in the opener, but of 48. players throughout the season. Dalton, Dardis said that the performance of
dropping their second game at Lasalle who played behind star Running Back McCormick throughout the year gener-
34-21. Junior Wide Receiver Alec Dardis Sipe said he was successful in kicking Matt Sora last season, found it impor- ates excitement for the coming years.
said the team maintained their confi- the ball this year because of the group tant to imprint values in the younger
dence and stayed positive for the weeks effort of the field goal unit and coach- players so they would be set up for the “We’re looking forward to the future;
after. ing. most success in their futures. Nolan McCormick and other under-
classmen are developing really well and
“We have a great new kicking coach “It was challenging at first, but I feel proved they belong this season,” Dardis
this year with coach Watts,” Sipe said. like we have instilled great mentalities said. “ I’m proud of our success this year
“The snaps and the holds have been in the young guys in order for them to and look forward to next year.”
tremendous as well, Nick Niehoff has be able to lead in the future,” Dalton
really been the foundation for always said. “Hopefully they are able to take
getting the ball ready and giving me a

Brandon breaksNovember 16, 2018 Feature 20
gender roles as
Comets lone male “One time, I went to the restroom and someone had written something
about me on the stall. It wasn’t nice and it hurt me, but that day, I went
“cheerleader in to that bathroom again with a Sharpie, and I erased over it and I wrote
something overtop of it. I proved to myself that this is something I really
wanted to do, because I could overlook all the people that were willing to be
mean to me” | KAHARI LAND BRANDON, MHS CHEERLEADER

Ria Parikh | Staff Writer

When Sophomore Kahari Land Brandon tumbles Photo by Tanner Pearson
on the field as a Comet Cheerleader, gender stereo- Sophomore cheerleader Kahari Land Brandon hopes to normalize male cheerleading through paticipation on the competitive and
types tumble with him. junior varsity teams.Brandon competes on the sideline and competition cheerleading teams.

Land Brandon is currently Mason’s only male normalized. Land Brandon said the normalization people to step outside their comfort zones. He hopes
cheerleader: he is on both the Junior Varsity and of male cheerleaders in college could be attributed that eventually, his experiences will translate to
Competition cheer teams. to the connotation of cheerleading as a sport in col- normalize men in cheer at the high school level.
lege.
Land Brandon said he started cheering when he “A lot of people that I didn’t know would reach
was in middle school, after realizing that while he “I just think that in high schools, cheerleading out to me and say things that maybe they were
enjoyed certain skills utilized in gymnastics, he isn’t considered a sport, especially football cheer too afraid to say in person,” Land Brandon said.
wanted to use them with dance. Prior to committing and basketball cheerleading,” Land Brandon said. “Maybe if they had my Instagram or my Snapchat
to cheer, Land Brandon said he feared losing friends, “They are sometimes viewed as (just something) to and they’ve never talked to me before, they’d reach
as they stereotyped him into someone he was not. get the crowd and the football players pumped up. out and tell me that it’s pretty cool how I cheer and
That’s why when you go to colleges and guys lift things like that. I think that seeing me, eventually,
“I feared people creating a version of me that is the girls and they’re doing all these types of things, one year or one time would come along where it’s
completely separate from the version that I am,” it’s viewed as a lot more athletic. So I think the main just normal for boys to cheer, and it’s just a normal
Land Brandon said. “That happened, and that hap- reason why it’s a lot more acceptable in college and thing that boys do.”
pens in life, but I think the best way that I’ve over- not in high school is that people think it’s really
come that fear and the way that I dealt with it was hard and doesn’t take any skill, but it really does.” With the opportunities that we have, Land Bran-
to show them they’re wrong. I definitely was scared, don said more people should take advantage of
and this happened to me -- I did lose a lot of friends Land Brandon said cheer is actually a lot more them and pursue any interest they have.
when I tried out for cheer. People are (now) starting grueling than it looks and has a larger purpose than
to realize, ‘that’s just who he is; he can be whoever what people generally perceive. “We’re so privileged, especially the school that we
he wants to be’.” go to, to have so many opportunities and so many
“Our whole purpose is to make the crowd more clubs and organizations,” Land Brandon said. “It’s
Early in his cheer career, Land Brandon said he involved in the game, especially at football games,” just kind of stupid to not try and pursue as much
faced discrimination through bullying and name- Land Brandon said. “On TV it is portrayed as just as you can while you’re here. I think if I keep go-
calling, but that the negativity fueled his strength to waving your hands around and you don’t have to do ing and keep showing people that it’s possible to
become a better cheerleader. much of anything. If you actually pay any atten- do, they’ll realize that they can do it too. So many
tion, I know sometimes it’s hard, but if you actually people forget that we never know what could hap-
“One time, I went to the restroom and someone watch what we’re doing, it’s actually quite difficult, pen the next day, and you don’t always have the
had written something about me on the stall,” Land and we just do it over and over again.” most time, so you want to spend it doing things you
Brandon said. “It wasn’t nice and it hurt me, but that actually enjoy.”
day, I went in to that bathroom again with a Sharpie, Land Brandon said with his story, he is inspiring
and I erased over it and I wrote something overtop
of it. I proved to myself that this is something I
really wanted to do, because I could overlook all
the people that were willing to be mean to me just
because.”

Even today, Land Brandon said he will encounter
people treating him differently because he cheers.
When that happens, he said he envisions his next
steps, such as cheering in college, to keep him mo-
tivated.

“There are times where I walk in the hallway and
there are people that I know that know me and they
know what I do, and choose not to interact with me,”
Land Brandon said. “That can get me down, but the
biggest way that I deal with it is that I’ve made a
shield for myself just knowing who I am, and who I
could be. When the people don’t talk to me or they
say something rude to me, or I feel like I just don’t
want to do it anymore, or drama, the biggest way I
deal with it is looking forward and thinking about
all the things I could do.”

Compared to a high school cheer squad, the
concept of male cheerleaders in college is more

November 16, 2018 Opinion 21

Technology Staff Editorial
empowers our
creative sides We need to take advantage of what
“Ignite Your Vision” has to offer
Ria Parikh |
Staff Writer Finally, they are listening. It’s a shame, only for few students to acknowledge it.
however, that students have nothing to say. Asking for change is good. It’s the first step
Recently, I went to a craft show at Lakota West. Con-
trary to popular belief, it was full. Recently, Mason High School started “Ignite for progress. It’s how problems are solved. But
Your Vision”, a program that allows students to it takes more than complaining to really make
With technology crowding every corner of our lives, generate ideas, pitch them to administration, a difference.
a common argument is that we have lost all apprecia- and get them approved to be implemented,
tion for little, more trivial things. It has surfaced almost possibly even with funding. The program was a Our problem is we complain about issues,
everywhere; when a technology conversation comes up, administration’s response when they heard the and when administration gives us an opportu-
it is usually joined by an assertion that we are turning claims that student opinions were not being nity to fix them, we do nothing. We complain
robotic ourselves. taken into consideration. about not having opportunities, then we get
them, and we turn the other cheek.
I disagree. Although we have definitely lost some The website “masonignite.com” was set up
patience with our constant goal of making life faster so that students could post their ideas anony- That’s not productive. That’s hypocritical.
and more efficient, I do not think all is gone. mously, a free platform for all other students Even the middle school renovations are a re-
to view them and build upon their own ideas. A sult of students and parents complaining about
I bring up craft fairs because they are perfect resem- disturbing number of them, however, are jokes. the building for years. Now that it is actually
blances of the little things for which we seem to have Suggestions like Fortnite Friday, or Male Hy- being acted upon, now that those complaints
lost appreciation: the gym and cafeteria at Lakota West giene Products, or even watching Bill Nye two are being recognized and addressed, all anyone
were filled with booths of people making homemade bells a day make it hard to take the collective wants to do is complain more about the fact
salsa, greeting cards, pepper jellies, Christmas orna- student voice seriously. that it is going to take a school year to com-
ments, journals, jewelry, pretty much anything imagin- plete.
able. Not only was there a wide variety of booths, but a Other proposals lack any creativity whatso- There is a long history of students proving
sea of people surrounding them. ever: half of them call for the opening of pod they do not care about making a difference.
doors in the morning or for more frequent They merely enjoy complaining.
The atmosphere was lively and excited as people prime times. Those are fine suggestions, but They enjoy pretending that no one is listen-
walked from floor to floor shopping. People were not they also only pertain to problems which arose ing, that their brilliant plans are going un-
only willing but eager to sacrifice their time and energy this semester, and they also require no funding, heard, that they are some kind of victim. But
for more creativity, innovation, and personality, despite funding that administration has offered gener- our behavior when we are given the chance to
the technology that would have made the process faster. ously to us. Students have wanted this opportu- speak is so immature that it almost warrants
nity for years; where are those years’ worth of silencing us prematurely.
I have been going to crafts fairs with my mother for brilliant ideas? “Ignite Your Vision” is a great idea. It allows
years and this story has never changed. But, obviously, students to provide input on ideas that teach-
it can be argued that craft fairs are well known to only Unfortunately, it is not surprising that the ers don’t often think about, because the entire
a subset of people. On HGTV, a show called Flea Market student body reacted this way. Time and again, reason our voices should be heard is because
Flip premiered in 2012 and is still going strong. The we pass up the chance to contribute to the we have perspectives on our situations that
show is a competition where two teams go to flea mar- district. adults do not.
kets and try to upcycle and sell whatever it is they buy. But making it into a joke and refusing to
Students complained that the administration take it seriously only proves that our voices
The show currently has a rating of 6.6/10 on IMDB didn’t listen to them. Jonathan Cooper offered mean nothing.
and has even won an Emmy. All this is to say that a Community Conversations, where any student We should, as a student body, want to knock
large population out there enjoys watching people work could have set up a time anywhere to hold a this out of the park. That was what even ad-
from the ground up, and plenty of people want to do it meeting with the superintendent. About any ministration expected. Instead, we are backing
since the show has been successful for almost six years. topic. And few, if any, students took that op- down; we are admitting that we have nothing
portunity. to say.
The popularity of craft fairs and Do it yourself (DIY) So if we really want change, let’s start acting
television shows stand to contradict the accepted no- Students complained that counselors were like it.
tion that technology has taken away our ability to both not making themselves available to students.
exhibit and appreciate creativity. In response, counselor corners were put in
place after school every primetime Wednesday,
Although technology might have, in some cases,
blinded us from our creative sides, it has not overtaken
us and turned us robotic. In some cases, such as with
upcycling and DIY, it has even inspired us to tap into
creative sides we didn’t know we had.

The Chronicle’s Policy
The Chronicle is the official student The Chronicle is published monthly. The Chronicle is a member of The
newspaper of William Mason High Call 398-5025 ext. 33103 for infor- Columbia Scholastic Press Association, The Chronicle Staff Staff Writers
School. mation regarding advertising in The The National Scholastic Press Asso- Editor-in-Chief Visual Design Editor Evelina Gaivoronskaia Adviser
Chronicle. The Chronicle reserves the ciation, Quill and Scroll International Luke Hutchinson Ryan D’Souza Lily Geiser Dale Conner
The Chronicle promises to report the right to refuse advertising it deems in- Honorary Society for High School Jour- Managing Editor Riley Johansen
truth and adhere to the journalistic appropriate for a high school publica- nalists and the Ohio Scholastic Media Lauren Serge Online Editor Della Johnson Connect with
code of ethics through online and print tion. Association. Executive Editor Andrea Hefferan Sophia Johnson the Chronicle:
mediums. Jacob Brase Alexandra Lisa
As an open forum for students, let- Contact Information Sports Editor Business Manager Ria Parikh @mhschronicle
The Chronicle is produced by students ters to the editor are welcome, but are The Chronicle Rahul Parikh Nathalie Schickendantz Henri Robbins facebook.com/
enrolled in Journalism I, II and III. subject to be edited for length, libel, ob- William Mason High School Kaelyn Rodrigues mhschronicle
scenity, clarity and poor taste. Letters to 6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd. Jake Sapp @mhschronicle
Editorials reflect the staff ’s opinion the editor may be dropped off in room Mason, Ohio 45040 Staff Photographer Matthew Smith
but do not necessarily reflect the opin- C103 and must be signed. (513) 398-5025 Tanner Pearson Anusha Vadlamani
ions of the school administration or the
Mason City School District.

22 Opinion November 16, 2018

College didn’t Editorial Cartoon
come first for
me A familial cycle Sometimes I get mad at them. It sucks when it feels like
of poor role they don’t want to see me as much as I want to see them -
Anusha Vadlamani | modelling they’re busy, but so am I, right? It sucks when it feels like
Staff Writer they still see me as a little kid, too. I’m not an adult yet, but
Lily Geiser | I can still have an adult conversation. It sucks when I have
My dream has never been college. Staff Writer to learn about their lives from second-hand information,
When my parents immigrated to the United whether that’s my mom or my grandma or my aunt. I wish
States in 2000, it wasn’t to build a better life for I have a lot of cousins. that we texted more. I wish that we told each other more. I
themselves -- it was to build a better life for me. Well, not a lot. Eight to be exact. Seven on my mom’s side wish that we saw each other more.
They wanted me to live life in a country where and one on my dad’s. And I’m lucky to be pretty close to all
I would be able to choose my own path. Where of them. We have family get-togethers, we text each other It’s easy to forget that I’m someone’s older cousin, too.
I would be able to follow my own dream. And I happy birthday, and with the holidays coming up, I’m pretty My cousin on my dad’s side is younger than me by nearly
have an immeasurable amount of gratitude for much guaranteed to see all of them over the next couple four years, but I barely pay attention to the age difference.
that. of months. Want to know my guilty secret? They give me a He’s awesome. He plays I-don’t-know-how-many instru-
My parents have given me the freedom to reason to be happy at funerals - one of the few events that ments, and he sells beats to rappers (for 99 cents, but hey,
determine my own future. But as far as they’re everybody goes to. it’s still technically a living).
concerned, that future has always and will always Lately though, I haven’t been seeing my cousins all too I don’t see him as much as I want to either -- he lives all
involve college. And in the back of my mind, I’ve much. The seven on my mom’s side? All in their twenties the way down in Atlanta, so he comes up maybe two or
always known that I am going to college. I’ve just -- old enough to have jobs and relationships, but young three times a year, if we’re lucky. But when I do see him,
never had the option to choose not to. enough to not be quite settled down enough for regular I don’t have to share with six other cousins - just with two
Once upon a time, way back in middle school, I visits or phone calls. Those family get-togethers have been siblings.
wanted to see the world. I wanted to explore every pretty empty -- maybe one or two of them showing up, but Maybe he looks up to me the same way I look up to my
inch of the earth, wanted to see every last thing leaving early to hang out with their friends or work or study. older cousins. But I’m not a role model - how could I be? I’m
that nature had to offer. My plan in middle school I really miss the times when they were all in high school, just some kid living her best life out here in the suburbs.
was to travel an exotic destination and just live when I was only eight. Whenever I visited one of them, I There’s nothing special here. I’m a regular person.
there for the rest of my life. Which of course, I visited all of them. Three of them even lived with me, each I guess that I could try to talk to him more. I didn’t even
now realize, is less than realistic. when they were fresh out of college and ready for a change have his number saved in my phone until he sent me a
But that’s what I wanted to do. My dashboard in scenery. happy birthday text a few weeks ago. I’m always so happy
was filled with bookmarked one-way tickets to They all moved out eventually though. when my cousins text me -- it means that they were thinking
Finland and Sweden, and every other destination I love my cousins. I look up to them. A lot. When I was about me.
imaginable. I spent hours poring over National young, they were like the cool older siblings I never had. But I know that he wouldn’t care as much as I do. Right?
Geographic magazines, dog-earing the pages with Except I only saw them four or five times a year, so they And the last time he visited, I barely saw him -- but I was too
the prettiest places. never got the chance to annoy me too much, despite their busy. He knew that I wanted to hang out with him. Right?
But then high school happened, and suddenly best efforts. He understood that I couldn’t just drop everything as
my one-way tickets were replaced with online Now that I’m older and the maturity gap between us soon as he came up to visit -- my life was still going on.
textbooks. has lessened, I look up to them for who they are and what Sure, I love hanging out with all of my cousins, but he
Slowly but surely, my parent’s dream for me they do. One is going back to get his degree -- I love that he would rather hang out with my brother and sister than me --
was morphing into a semblance of the dream didn’t give up on that, even if it’s going to be hard. Another they’re much closer to his age than I am. And I guess I don’t
that I once could call my own. Some part of me moved out to LA to be a photographer -- I would never be really tell him much about my life even when I do see him.
really does want to go to college, but an even that brave. I learn a lot from them just by seeing their lives But he doesn’t want to know about that. That’s not interest-
bigger part of me wants to live a life where I am play out, the good and the bad. ing. He’d rather play video games with my brother than
completely in control. So many of my friends and know that I aced my bio exam.
family have wasted their lives away to fulfill a Maybe. Maybe not. But maybe it’s worth finding out.
degree that they don’t have a use for.
The entire college experience has drained them
of their energy and motivation. But in the end,
they’re working high-paying, prestigious jobs.
So, for as long as I can remember, to me, college
meant success. It didn’t really mean happiness.
But here I am in high school, taking classes
that I hate because I think they’re going to guar-
antee me the best shot at college admissions. My
only motivation? My parents gave up so much
of their lives to make sure that I can live the
one that I want to. It’s only fair that I fulfill their
dreams for me. Right?
People say to always follow your heart, and my
parents will always hold the biggest place in my
heart. So I guess I’m going to college, and maybe
I’ll realize that it’s not for me, but at least I’ll have
tried.
At least my parents will see their dreams come
true. I will see the world one day, but for now, I’m
going to college.

November 16, 2018 23

24 November 16, 2018