Mason in the Middle Class Newspaper

Planning, Preparation, Party:
What Goes on in a Bar/Bat
Mitzvah?

Maryam Elkady, Natasha Jha, Meredith Turner | Mason in the Middle Staff Writers

Photo by Michael Snyder

Seventh grader Emma Norris reads her portion of the Torah.

Sweet sixteen parties, fiestas de quinceañera, sacraments of confirmation. Teens of all
ethnicities celebrate coming of age in a variety of ways. For Jewish students, it’s a bar or
bat mitzvah that signals their transition into adulthood.
A bar or bat mitzvah is a celebration when a Jewish child turns thirteen and is ready to
take another step in their religion (becoming a Jewish adult). Bar Mitzvahs appeared in the
Middle Ages for boys, while the first bat mitzvah for girls, was held in 1922. ​By the 13th or
14th century, the custom of calling a boy up to the Torah (the Jewish holy book) was
established as the way of recognizing entry into manhood.
Bar or bat mitzvahs are usually celebrated in ways like a party, a lunch, and a religious
service. The service involves the bar or bat mitzvah, the boy or girl who is celebrating their
coming of age, saying their practiced speech with a rabbi, a jewish scholar or teacher.

Many things come into play when planning a bar or bat mitzvah, including, budget,
invitations, and catering.

Bar and bat mitzvah means, son and daughter of the commandment. Kids who celebrate
bar or bat Mitzvahs have a service in the beginning where they have to read a section of
the Torah that depends on the time of year and the child.

Seventh grade coding and robotics teacher Martin Fish has planned Bar Mitzvahs for his
children. He said that the Bar or Bat mitzvahs have different portions from the torah that
the the child has to read depending on the season and the temple.

“​It all depends on your temple or your synagogue and your Rabbi,” Fish said. “In addition,
each individual bar or bat mitzvah, the child being honored, has a specific reading from the
Torah, which is the first five books of the bible that they need to read. Their portion of the
Torah is different depending what time of year it is and the portion that they read after that
called the haftarah is also different because it changes every week.”

Preparing for a bar or bat mitzvah can take from months to years. The bar or bat mitzvah
needs to be fully prepared for the time of their lives. They start off in hebrew school and
learn about the basic prayers. By the time they are 13 or 14, the bar or bat mitzvah
becomes ready to say their speech and lead on his or her family tree.

Seventh grader Lauren Kobalka said that she had to practice for a while before actually
performing the rituals when having her bat mitzvah.

“I started preparing for my bat mitzvah four years ago,” Kobalka said.“In fourth grade I
started hebrew school which is when you start learning the prayers. (I spent) nine months
learning with the rabbi and learning my haftarah (plus) the stuff he needs to teach me and I
will know all that, come my bat mitzvah.”

Bar or bat mitzvah planning can start early for a child depending on the size of the
celebration. Most planning processes start a year in advance so the child can learn
Hebrew and memorize prayers.

After the service, a bar or bat mitzvah normally has a party to celebrate their achievement
in turning into an adult. The party usually has a theme that is chosen by the new adult and
parents. At the party, there are different things done that reflects on the bar or bat mitzvahs
childhood. Also, it shows new things that will come in the later years. The prices for the
party can range from about $2,500 to $30,000.

Kobalka compared her upcoming bat mitzvah to a wedding weekend complete with
planned events, family meals, and out of town guests.

“​I’m really excited. (It’s) kind of like a wedding weekend,” Kobalka said. “We have a lot of
out of town people. There's a Friday night dinner and the service in the morning. Saturday
night is the party (and) my theme is Lauren’s candy shop. (There will) be a green screen, a
DJ, and candy. All (of) my family is coming. And then Sunday morning there is a brunch for
out of town people and after the service there is a kiddush lunch for everyone.”

Seventh grader Emma Norris said there is a lot of planning and hard work put into a bar or
bat Mitzvah with many different factors

For the party you have to find a place, you have to get decorations and, you have to find a
D.J (if you want one). You also have to find someone who will provide food for the party.
(It) usually takes 8 months of training. Once a week, you’ll see someone who helps you
with your Hebrew, and they’ll teach you your Torah section. Some bat mitzvahs could be
more expensive, a normal one would be (about) 10,000 dollars.

Seventh grader Emma Norris said that the Horah was a very memorable moment for her.

“I will always remember the dance called the Horah,” Norris said. “It’s (where) you dance in
a circle and the person who is getting bar or bat mitzvahed is in the chair and people lift
them up and down. My favorite part was the whole (celebration).”

Inside & Outside People Tell All

Andrea Forero |Staff Writer
Ally Walton | Staff Writer

Photo taken by Ally Walton
Leila Denbow enjoys sitting inside on her phone while Ryanair enjoys being outside picking flowers.

For more visuals click h​ ere
Whether you’re outside playing basketball, or inside playing video games--it's all fun and games
depending on what you like and your personality.
Students at Mason Middle School are all different including their perspectives of being inside or
outside. Students are thinking on rather to be out or inside on their spare time throughout the year.
Seventh grade science teacher Renee McCord said that she is an outside person and you should
try to get outside whenever possible.
“I am an outdoors person,” McCord said. “I think that I just enjoy the sunshine and that kind of
serenity that nature provides and it’s peaceful. There's always something different outside.
Sometimes it's raining sometimes it's sunny and sometimes it's in between and it's better than
being stuck in between four walls all day. As long their allergies will allow them to get outside that's

the best. I currently enjoy running nothing competitive, just outside and to enjoy a little bit of fresh
air.”

Eighth grader Noah Erdman said that he would rather be indoors because he can get the
temperature how he wants it to

“I’m an indoors person because I do not like being outside,” Erdman said. “Inside you can have the
temperature perfectly to your liking so it's never too hot never, too cool. There's more stuff inside
than outside. A lot of time outdoors it depends on the weather. But inside you can play sports and
more activities you can do a lot of stuff inside. I wouldn’t say that i don't like being outside but a lot
of times again it's mostly weather. Too hot, too cold, too sunny, not enough sun. I really think that's
it's personal preference (being outside / inside) I think that different people like it better than
others.”

Seventh grader Leila Denbow said she loves being inside because of her hobbies.

I am an Indoors person. I like reading a lot, and I don't like being outside because I'm not good at
sports,” Denbow said. “My parents told me to do track, I didn't really have a choice. I am okay with
being inactive because I love reading books and just sitting around. It depends on what you like to
do. Like in my little sisters seven years of being an alive human being she has done soccer,
gymnastics, softball and tried volleyball. So it depends on what you want to do in your life. It's warm
inside all of the time if you want it to be. You can cozy up inside but when you are outside you are
expected to be active.

Seventh grade Riya Nair said that she likes being outside because you can do anything outside
other than inside.

“I am an indoor person but I play tennis and track,” Nair said. “I just like being outdoors because it's
more open. It is pretty outside so why not be outside. I can do anything out side so it's more fun
than inside. ”

Math teacher Chad Layton said that being outside is good for you and that it helps relieve stress.

“I am a outdoor person, I Like being active, exercising like that,” Layton said. “I coach the Boys
Basketball team and girls varsity golf and I like to coach. I would recommend for others to be active
because it helps with all the technology and all the homework that everyone has it's just a way to
relieve stress. Get out, go play with your friends and enjoy being outside. My kids are very active.
That's why I am outside most of the time because we are outside having an game of catch or
playing a family game of kickball or just riding bikes, things like that. I try to stress the importance
of being outside and outdoor activities and exercise with my kids as well.”

Lacrosse missing from many sports offered at Mason
Middle School

Caroline Bishop l Staff Writer
Betsy Areddy l Staff Writer

ReLAX, MMS. You may not have a lacrosse team, but the
Mason Lacrosse Club has you covered.

Lacrosse is a sport that’s growing in popularity right now,
especially for girls attending MMS. Many students want to
play lacrosse, but the school doesn’t offer a team to play
on. Options include trying out for a club team or finding a
recreational team, but for students trying lacrosse for the
first time, finding a team to play on can be a challenge. With
a school team, practices and games are held by the school
and the team takes the school name. In a club team, there
is no association with the school and there are almost
always tryouts. For example, Mason Lacrosse Club is a
team with tryouts, so inexperienced lacrosse players might

not make it in.

Athletic Director Stephanie Hyatt said that she would love to see possibilities open up for lacrosse
players, but it isn’t cheap to add a new sport to the mix.

“I’d like to have more opportunities for kids, so I’d love to be able to add more sports,” Hyatt said.
“Girl’s lacrosse is a really popular growing sport, but the reality of it is that that would take a lot of
money, and we don’t have the money to add anymore activities right now.”

Mason High School girls varsity lacrosse coach Jim Davis said that the Mason Lacrosse Club
(MLC) is a strong club for middle school students and elementary students in third through fifth
grade and therefore there is no need for a school team.

“If the sport of girls lacrosse in a particular location were not available, I would highly encourage
the local school to promote and organize the sport,” Davis said. “In the case of MMS, youth girls
currently have an opportunity to play lacrosse for the Mason Lacrosse Club (MLC). MLC is often
regarded as one of the top lacrosse organizations in Southern Ohio. In fact, many new clubs
attempt to duplicate the MLC model because it has been very successful over the years. Since
MMS girls have that opportunity to learn the lacrosse fundamentals in a well coached and
supervised environment and have competitive games to test their ability, I'm completely in favor of
the current set up. I would not want to see the sport of lacrosse at the junior high level come under
the umbrella of the MMS Athletic Department.”

Davis said that the MLC is a great opportunity for students because of the invested people working
to make the club and athletes outstanding.

“Mason Lacrosse Club in my opinion is successful because like-minded parents drive the club and
invest their time in such a way that promotes the sport of lacrosse and provides opportunity for
player growth and development,” Davis said. “Additionally, MLC is very much aware of the financial
impact that participating in extracurricular sports can impose on a family. The fiscally conservative
stance taken by the MLC board strives to keep costs low, enabling participation of many athletes.”

Hyatt said that the lack of resources and other teams are the main reasons for the absence of the
lacrosse team. She agrees with Davis in saying that there are better opportunities in MLC.

“We don’t have the money to pay coaches, we
don’t have the money to buy uniforms and
equipment, we don’t have fields for them to
practice on,” Hyatt said. “To be honest with
you, junior high school sponsored lacrosse
doesn’t exist in Southwest Ohio that I know of
so I don’t think that any schools in our league
have junior high lacrosse.”

Not having a team at school can also pose
difficulties for some players. For seventh
grader Elle Cimini, it’s more challenging to
play lacrosse outside of school and it tones
down the importance of lacrosse.

“It’s a bit inconvenient that lacrosse has to be in a club instead of
school because basketball or any other sport that’s in the school, you can always just go after
school to practice because that’s where it is,”
Cimini said. “But for lacrosse it’s a totally separate
thing you have to do, so it’s inconvenient and it
makes lacrosse feel less important.”

There are also plenty of good aspects that come
with playing on a club team. For eighth grade
lacrosse player Jenna Harris, it’s the excitement
and teamwork that makes her love lacrosse.

“I like the intensity (of lacrosse) and how physical
the game is,” Harris said. “I like being on a team
and how it's not an individual sport. I also like
being able to travel and meet a lot of new people
when you play on club teams or summer travel
teams.”

Cimini said that it even though there isn’t a school
team, lacrosse is still a great way to form strong bonds with other players.

“I just like the (lacrosse) community,” Cimini said. “They’re all really supportive, we have a really
good team and really good teammates, and it just makes it really fun.”

Movie Companies and Theaters Quickly
Changing Around Us

Zane Kenzik | Staff Writer
Nikhil Sherman | Staff Writer
Sai Sathishkumar | Staff Writer

Movies are usually changing. They could affect you. They are changing in all sorts of
ways--technology, luxury, how the movies are displayed, etc. Some movie companies are
moving up and down in the movie industry with popularity.

There aren’t that many movie companies that are amazing, so the ones that are good are
are competing bigtime. There is currently a huge competition between Regal Theater and
KOB Theater.

Seventh grader Tyler Smith said that movie theaters will change positively in technology,
such as the improvements in luxury.

“I think the same thing will happen as is right now,” Smith said. “There will definitely be
some technology changed, such as improvements in seating and comfort. But the types of
movies I don’t think will change.”

According to ​www.hollywoodreporter.com​ AMC spent 600 million dollars across the United
States to make their theater seats reclinable and wider so viewers have the most comfort
possible. They want to be more luxurious with the fact of they spent 600 million dollars on
the seats.

Eighth grader Anna Kinasewitz, a self-proclaimed movie fan, said futuristic movies are
going to become more popular amongst the people because of all of the technology
improvements that have been happening around the world.

“I think that movies that are about futuristic things are going to
become more famous because that’s kind of where the future’s
headed,” Kinasewitz said. “I think in a sense because of all the
technology and improvements.”

Seventh grade language arts teacher Joseph Carraher said that
movies will not change from flat screen to anything else because he
thinks that it already costs too much money.

“I think (movies) will (continue to project) on screen,” Carraher said.
“I guess there are some iMax situations. I think the cost of all that is

too great and it already costs a lot to go to a regular movie on a screen, so I think it will
stay the way it is. I don’t really go to movies, unfortunately, because I have four kids, and
babysitters, and going to movies is expensive, so we don’t. The last movie that I have
gone to see is Rogue One, with my kids, my older kids. I go to them just because they are
interesting to me.”
“MGM (is going to be really popular) because they have made so many very well known
cartoons, (such as) Tom and Jerry,” Alex Markov, 7th grader said. “They’ve made so many
good movies (in the past). People are wondering why they haven’t made movies in years.
People think it is part of a huge project they could be working on.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Building a Future for Mason Schools 

Natasha Jha, Meredith Turner, Andrea Forero | Mason in the Middle Staff Writers 
 

 

Principal Tonya McCall examines school blueprint for future renovations. 
 

 
Summer 2017 will kick off with a district remodel to help the growth and the 
education of Mason students and teachers to provide flexibility for the coming years. 
 
The remodel will begin with the district’s elementary schools during the summer of 
2017, then builders will begin working on Mason Middle School. Students will be 
moved to other district buildings while the project is being completed. Mason City 
Schools is working towards making the district a better place to learn by creating safe, 
technology-ready, innovative learning spaces and by fixing structural components 
such as the AC system, pipe works, and roofing. 
 
MCS took part in a district funding program which will help them fund the project. 
The funds came from the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission, which is funded by 
state tobacco settlement funds. MCS is required to begin using the money from the 
funds before this coming spring or else they will lose the state funding. 
 
Public Information Officer Tracey Carson said the building renovations have been 
part of a facility plan for many years and that the district is finally ready to move 
forward with the plan. 
 

“This was not new,” Carson said. “We had a facility plan since the early 2000s​. W​e 
were part of this program all along, but in 2012, we started having community 
discussions about what was the best plan about moving forward. The middle school 
will be a total renovation.​ ​Things like our HVAC system, which is the heating and air 
conditioning, need [to be] completely replaced.” 
 
Although the renovation will require temporarily moving to another building, 
Principal Tonya McCall embraces the opportunity to make improvements that will 
benefit students and staff.   
 
“I would love to figure out how we can enlarge the cafeteria, so that we can have three 
lunches instead of four lunches,” McCall said. “We know that it’s going to be 
inconvenient for folks, for hopefully one year, as we transition to something new. 
Now that we’re moving and have an actual timeline of when (the renovation) is going 
to take place, we’re even more excited about the possibilities.” 
 
Seventh grade science teacher Elizabeth Mills said she wants to add resourceful and 
renewable additions as part of the school rebuild. 
 
“Of course it would be amazing to have some type of solar panels or some type of 
renewable energy,” Mills said. “I know it is a huge undertaking and probably not 
going to happen in the next two years, but I do think it would be nice to start small, 
possibly using rain barrels in court yard areas then to water flower beds, garden 
spaces and our grass areas. As well as possibly using compost bins, maybe in the 
lunchroom. As a science teacher I feel that using reusable resources and green ideas 
are crucial at this time and age.” 
 
McCall said that these renovations will help the school do things that weren’t possible 
before, such as having spaces that allow students and teachers to collaborate and learn 
together. 
 
“Where are spaces that we can have larger numbers of students at one time so we can 
have some more flexible groupings?” McCall said. “If two teachers want to work on 
something together, they can take their kids to this space to be able to do it. It’s not 
just about having a nice looking classroom; it’s what will that new space allow us to do 
that we can’t currently do.” 
 
Carson said that the renovation will ensure a better future for the Mason City School 
District students. 
 
“(We) are going to ensure that we have great spaces, innovative spaces, for our 
students to go to school in the next fifty years,” Carson said. 
 
 

Nike and Adidas: What’s Trending?

Ayush Selar | Staff Writer
Sohum Suneja | Staff Writer
Krish Shah | Staff Writer

Nike was the biggest shoe industry, everybody needed a pair of the newest Nike shoe. But
then Adidas makes a comeback with their game changing Boost technology. Adidas and
Nike are at heavy competition, and it is unpredictable who will take over.

People who were strictly Nike fans a year ago, now wearing Adidas. Trends between the
popularity of Nike and Adidas apparel and sportswear are always changing in Mason
Middle School.

Recently, Adidas’ Boost technology has become very popular among students. Seventh
grader Blake Litherland said Boost is the dominating factor in the new Adidas shoes,
bringing up Adidas’ status.

“Adidas is starting to take over with their Boost (technology)
and there is high demand for Boost (technology),” Litherland
said.

Some people are basing their clothing on what others wear. If
most people are wearing Nike, it is likely that others will start
wearing Nike too, or vice versa for Adidas. Others buy and
wear clothing they believe is comfortable for them and do not
care what other people think.

Seventh grader Ammar Dawas said he
wears his clothing for both reasons.

“Some of my clothes I have bought because other people wear it and
some are for personal comfort,” Dawas said.

Some people strictly stick to their favorite brand such as eighth
grader Pranav Chati who believes Nike is more popular than Adidas
but Adidas is trending upward.

“I didn’t ever like Adidas and I have always stuck to Nike,” said Chati.
“As of right now, I think Nike is still more popular than Adidas but
Adidas becoming more and more popular.”

Chati also believes Nike is making a comeback with their newest shoe the Nike Air
VaporMax featuring Nike’s Air technology.

“I think Nike is bouncing back with Nike Air Vapor Max which is really comfortable,” said
Chati.

Chati says he thinks Nike and Adidas will rule the sports brand industry for many years to
come.

“I believe Nike and Adidas will take over the sports brand industry and they will have
game-changing technology for the future,” said Chati.

Sohum Suneja (right and left) wears Adidas clothing on the left and Nike clothing on the right. Photo by
Ayush Selar.

 

The Grade Debate: Are Girls or Boys
Smarter?

Averi Western | Staff Writer
Emily Hyden | Staff Writer
Mia Sweitzer | Staff Writer

Photo by Mia Sweitzer

Seventh graders Anthony Balsly and Audrey Glaser review their test scores.

“I got an A+ on the test. What did you get?”

This is the first question students ask when they get their scores. Today, at Mason Middle
School, students are pondering whether boys or girls are better academically. As
education changes, teachers are also wondering if there is a dissimilarity between girls
and boys.

Seventh grade math teacher Lindsey Nealis said that girls have less issues with focusing
on their work, but some boys that are unfocused, are some of her smartest students.

“​I do think girls have a tendency to pay attention closer and seem to have less issues with
focus than boys,” Nealis said. “But I have also found some of my most ‘unfocused’ boys
are my brightest!”

Eighth grader Cameron Doner said that girl and boys can be equal, but boys are just more
laid back than girls, but if boys have a good mindset, they can get grades like the girls.

“I do not believe that girls succeed more than boys, because I believe that all people can
be equal,” Doner said. “Yes, boys are a little more laid back. But if they put their minds to
it, study, and stay focused, they can achieve anything that comes their way.”

Seventh grader Audrey Glaser said that it doesn't matter what gender you are, just
because some adults say girls are ahead academically, doesn’t mean that all boys are
behind.

“Being a different gender doesn’t mean someone is better than you,” Glaser said. “It
depends how you want your life to go. But I think grades are more of a priority to girls.”

Seventh grader Tessa Zecchino referred to how boys are academically one year behind
girls, but that boys can still succeed if they work hard and put their minds to it.

“I believe that boys can succeed even if they are behind by a year by planning ahead,
getting their homework done, studying for test,” Zecchino said. “If they just goof around
and don’t do anything, like studying, and not doing or working on what they are supposed
to be doing, then I think that it will make them fall behind. So, it’s pretty much staying up to
date and getting everything done in class that can help them get to the same level as the
girls.”

 
 

Teachers and Students Use Art to
Combat Stress

Ravi Bandaru | Staff Writer 
Devansh Maladkar | Staff Writer 

 
 
Put away your spinners, stress balls and slime. Art is the new 
way to reduce stress. 
 
Students and teachers at Mason Middle School are facing 
more stress than ever before--whether from a five-page 
essay due tomorrow, family disunity at home, or a big stack 
of papers to grade. These problems are being battled by 
something unusual and creative. Art is increasingly becoming 
a better outlet of stress than other methods. 
 
Seventh grader Sankalp Agrawal uses art and draws simple 
pictures as a release for his stress whenever he has long 
school assignments due shortly. 
 
“Whenever I’m in stressful situations such as doing 
homework or a project that's due tomorrow, I can use art as 
sort of an escape from that stress,” Agrawal said. “Therefore 
it also improves what I do in those stressful situations, (when 
I do art)  I feel calm and I feel like I can really achieve things.” 
 
According to the Huffington Post, 45 minutes of creative 
activity significantly lessens stress in the body regardless of artistic experience or  
talent. Art works to help stress by reducing cortisol levels in the body.         ​Illustration by 
Devansh Maladkar                C​ ortisol is a stress hormone that controls metabolism and the immune 
 system. High cortisol level can be deadly, and stress is the number one cause of these high levels. 
 
Seventh grader Rebecca Hefferan, who uses art to reduce her stress at school believes that even without artistic 
skills, art is still helpful in relieving stress. 
 
“I usually feel calm because when I draw (at school and) I make up stories about the characters, it’s sort of peaceful 
and relaxing,” Hefferan said. “Art just lets your mind wander away from everything on earth.” 
 
Eighth-grader Nicholas O’ Brien  said he enjoys art at school and believes it is for everyone, even if they don’t like 
art. 
 
“I do enjoy art in class,” O’Brien said, “Even if I didn’t enjoy art, I still think it would relieve lots of stress because it is 
very peaceful and relaxing.” 
 
Another way to relieve stress is with adult coloring books. These coloring books involve more intricate patterns for 
people to color and relieve their stress. Art teacher John Benham thinks that while they can relieve stress, they can 
also cause it. 
 
“Adult coloring can help relieve stress,” Benham said. “ But some adult coloring books have very very small areas 
that you are supposed to color in with very sharp colored pencils. I think that could actually cause more stress if 
they are not a good artist.“ 
 
According to an instructor from Penn State University, ​ coloring books help people focus on coloring the image 
instead of their problems. Coloring involves the cerebral cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills. The 

relaxation that is caused by coloring books lowers the function of the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible in 
controlling emotion that is affected by stress. 
 
Art teacher Kim Roman said she doesn’t just use art to relieve stress. 
 
“I think that learning to do something new and slowly succeeding at it is very rewarding,” Roman said. “So if I didn't 
like (art), probably if I was just starting, I would enjoy learning about it.”