olga access only page 1

WILLIAM MASON HIGH SCHOOL
STYLE
Zach Brown and the
boy’s hoop squad
focused on third
straight league
title
Style addicts spill
on their obsessions
Story on page 23 > >
In SPORTS, page 16 > >
PLUS: A conversation
with freshman
heavyweight wrestler
Cody Brausch .
Volume 4 Issue 4
SWEET TOOTH
Tempest brings
Shakespeare-mania
Story on page 19 > >
JANUARY 31, 2007
WHAT’S
inside
State to raise requirements
in Math and Science
Story on page 6 > >
Chronicle study reveals length of time necessary to trek up MHS stairways See Page 22 > >
Do we
all get along?
RACE RELA TIONS A T MA SON HIGH SCHOO L
Students reveal
Invisible Children
Story on page 3 > >
center
SPREAD
A user friendly guide to
the proposed new
addition to MHS
story on page 12 > >
photo by Shea Davidson
The Chronicle
The official student newspaper of
William Mason High School
6100 S. Mason-Montgomery Road
Mason, Ohio 45040
Even after the Brown v. Board of Education decision, the debate over equality in school
rages on as inner-city schools claim they have fewer opportunities for minority children, and
as test scores reveal a large discrepancy between students of different races. The issue posed
is whether equality rules in Mason’s schools, and how it affects every facet of education;
from the teachers to the students, and from dating to friendships. The question is whether
we really do get along. Story on page 2 > >
check
IT OUT
32
The percentage of
students surveyed who
consider themselves
coffee addicts
Story on page 7 > >
In SPORTS: Boys and Girls Hoops close in on FAVC title
2
the
January 31, 2007
chroniclecoverstory
R a c e
By OLGA BORODULIN
Editor
R e l a t i o n s
a t
Do we see color...or do
we see shades of gray?
Freshman Sydnee Oglesby stood at the front
of the classroom, quiet and nervous. Her
teacher began showcasing to the class how
slaves were classified and lowered by certain
characteristics, pointing to certain parts of her
face. The students stared; quiet, with no
remarks or questions. Sydnee, however, was
waiting for the lecture's end.
This portrayal may have seemed to be nondiscriminatory to the students and teachers of the
classroom, but Sydnee attests that it was racist.
"I couldn't understand why the teacher couldn't use a white person as a model, or just a picture," Oglesby said. "Why take the only black
girl in the classroom and use her as a model? It
was embarrassing."
Oglesby also cites another instance of racism
as her teacher asking students if America was
ready for a Black president, and then continuing
on to give his response that America was not
yet ready.
But while Oglesby may view the teacher's
comments on U.S. presidency to be racist, others may view it as a personal opinion devoid of
racial prejudice. The school is composed of 83
percent Caucasian students, nine percent Asian,
three percent African-American, three percent
Hispanic, and two percent American Indian and
Alaskan students. This ratio questions the distinction between what is and isn't discriminatory in a classroom
setting, and is often a marker for understanding the level of
racism present. While some racism, including the use of derogatory terms, is more evident, other forms, including same-race
cliques, go unnoticed. These hard-to-detect forms question how
students, teachers and faculty members of different ethnicities
and races interact with each other.
Friendships based on race differ in
acknowledgement
Racism is termed by the 1966 International Convention on the
Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination as "any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race,
color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or
any other field of public life."
Senior Maureen Adaghebalu, however, feels that racism by
definition is limited at Mason High school.
"If people are discriminatory, they hide it, because it's public
opinion now for racism to be wrong," she said.
This, however, doesn't mean that Maureen has not encountered her own share of racist people.
"One of my friends thinks stores should be racist, and there
should be affirmative action, and that racism should be legal,"
Adaghebalu said. "It's hard to defend yourself from that."
But apart from her friends' personal opinions on racism,
Maureen attests that she has yet to encounter a real racist
moment in high school.
"I've been called the 'n-word' once in the third grade by one
boy," she said. "I'm sure he's a good kid now, but I'm always
going to remember that."
Maureen attests that the boy's ideas on racism must have been
rooted in family. The question remains, however, of whether or
not this racism is eradicated by high school diversity and experience, or if it is simply shielded. This idea becomes even more
prominent as colleges report acts of racism between peers.
Senior Becky Crabtree believes that the freedom of college life
often leads to a freer, less equal, environment.
"In college, people don't feel as though they have people
breathing down their backs to be politically correct so they do
what they want, say what they want, and act how they want,"
Crabtree said.
Despite the idea that students carry prejudices with them into
higher levels of education, senior Shalini Goyal, Yuange Yang,
Adaghebalu, and Oglesby all attest that MHS coincides with little to no racism in and out of the classroom setting.
"I personally have been lucky to never witness racism [in
MHS]," Goyal said. "There's a common acceptance at Mason."
Yang's experience at Mason has been similar, with no real
problem with racism.
"I don't really feel outnumbered because of my race," Yang
said. "Everybody's the same, regardless of race."
However, Yang does attest that students do change their attitude towards him when class begins because of his race.
"Most people look at me and assume I'm smart because I'm
Asian," Yang said. "Most people assume all we do is study, do
homework, and sit at home. Though it's not necessarily true, it
still drives people to want to work with me in classes."
Yang resents the stereotype applied to students of his race,
and is bothered by how friendships in school are affected by it.
"In classes, people are more prone to be your friends," Yang
said. "But outside of class, it's different. In turn, that affects the
way people view friendships. If someone sees two Asian guys
in the hallway, they assume they're friends. But if a white guy
M H S
saying that, but she had still said it."
Crabtree feels that teachers tend to stay away
from discussion of racial issues, although the
topic is met in a relaxed manner.
"We really don't go into the topic of racial
issues," Crabtree said. "But when talking about
minorities, it's easy-going. There's not a lot of
stressed and hesitant discussion."
Racist comments stem from
family, friends
The discussion of racial issues in the classroom is often feared to incur racial jokes. A
1989 Savard and Aragon study in the mostly
white, progressively liberal community of
Eugene, Oregon found that racism may be on
the increase, with reports on the frequency of
racial jokes, derogatory name-calling, and violent acts left unpunished by school officials.
Yang, too, has heard jokes on the topic of his
race, and although he said nothing at the time,
he still felt they were inappropriate.
"Most people make jokes about my race right
in front of me," Yang said. "That's how life
goes. You have to get used to it or you'll be
offended by almost every comment, and there's
going to be a lot of them."
Racist comments are often made for the
approval of fellow peers, and stem from family
beliefs, according to ERIC Clearinghouses' article on racism by Richard Beswick. The article
photo by Shea Davidson
states that "children from dysfunctional famiand an Asian guy are seen in the hallway, they're just
lies are particularly susceptible to peer pressure to
classmates."
adopt a racist posture." Also, "restrictions on minorities' opporAs opposed to Yang, who feels overwhelmed with the expectunity to succeed are often racially determined." The Savard and
tation to be intelligent, Oglesby feels isolated as one of the few
Aragon study also found that parents are the "earliest and most
Black students in her classes.
powerful source of racial attitudes (positive or negative), while
"I am usually the only Black girl," Oglesby said. "It's hard
peers run a close second. By early grades every child carries at
because I don't always feel like there's someone I can connect
least some stereotyping."
with. White people do overrule any other race. But I think this
Thus, Adaghebalu finds that racism due to little education on
both hurts and helps me."
equality is an acceptable excuse.
"Being racist is acceptable until the person is exposed to a
Studies show differences in test scores,
different perspective," Adaghebalu said. "If they're sheltered,
students prone to do schoolwork with
blaming their racism on their environment is understandable."
specific races
With stereotypes being placed on each race, and little diversity in classrooms, attitudes towards the intelligence of certain
racial groups may arise among students.
According to the 1999 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
(WAIS), IQs among Whites, Asians, Hispanics, and Blacks
range in a specific and prominent order: Asians hold the highest
average IQ, followed by Whites, then Hispanics, and ending
with Blacks. The 2001-2002 average GRE scores indicated that
in the U.S., 12th grade Black and Hispanic students achieved on
average as well as White and Asian students who were in the
8th grade.
These results, however, have often been attributed to many
reasons, among which include socioeconomic factors.
Researchers have often attributed a poor performance on standardized or aptitude testing on the environment in which the
student is most usually raised in, with a great regard towards the
level of education.
The results from the 1994 Herrnstein & Murray experiment
on the correlation between high school dropout rate, poverty,
race, and IQ proved the importance of home and school environment. The trend noticed was that when IQs rose in students
of all races, high school dropout rates and levels of poverty
decreased.
Despite such results, Yang finds that most students assemble
into groups based on friendships outside of class, rather than
prejudices on other students' level of intelligence.
"People usually get into groups with the people they hang out
with," Yang said. "No one really stops to think that someone is
dumber than someone else because of their race. If they think
someone isn't as smart, it's usually because of the person's performance, not their race."
Goyal also notices that teachers play a large role of control in
how groups assemble.
"Students don't really make as much of a choice on who they
group with," Goyal said. "Teachers usually assign groups."
However, according to Yang, Goyal, and Crabtree, regular
classes and accelerated-level and honors courses are different in
their approach towards grouping and interaction between students of different races.
"There is a distinction between honors and regular classes,"
Crabtree said. "One rarely sees an Asian student in a regular
course, and you tend to see them hanging around with other
smart kids [from their classes]."
Yang and Goyal both agree that honors courses usually contain more diversity, and are often less perceptive to different
races in the classroom.
"Separation by race isn't being fostered by classes," Goyal
said.
While students may not bring racism into classrooms, teachers might, according to freshman Patrice Brown.
"One of my teachers said the 'n-word' and then asked the class
if that was 'Black-talk,'" Brown said. "I felt offended. Not all
Black people talk like that. She finally apologized to me for
Clique effect between races prominent
at MHS
A 1988 Mock experiment by Kenneth Clarke found that by
the age of six, children identify with their own racial group and
form preference patterns on the basis of the prevailing attitude
within the group. This often leads to a clique-effect based on
race, something not uncommon at Mason according to Oglesby.
"Races definitely clique together," Oglesby said. "It seems
that principals just want to separate our clique though."
Yang, however, does not find the polarization of races into
groups as a negative part of high school.
"Cliques happen because it's easier to relate to people of the
same race," Yang said. "It's easier to bond with them. I normally
eat lunch with Asians. I've tried to break into different groups
with different races buts it's just easier to stick with my group."
Goyal agrees that students are able to relate better with those
of the same race, and are not choosing their race in order to
make a distinct stand.
"Kids identify with cultural norms they experience at home,"
Goyal said. "The people they associate with follow similar
guidelines based on culture."
While students of the same race tend to be friends, the opposite is also seen in the dating scene. Interracial dating is often
the subject of dispute nationally, but not so much on a local
level, Goyal, who is in an interracial relationship, feels that the
Mason community has never acknowledged her any differently
for her choice.
Adaghebalu, however, does feel that the community is hesitant around interracial relationships.
"I think when people see two different races dating, they look
at them funny," Adaghebalu said. "I guess you could stem that
to inherent racism. If a group of children had grown up together, and were nurtured into seeing no racial divisions, then they
wouldn't look at them differently."
Oglesby also believes the way dating is viewed depends on
sex.
"If it was a black boy with a white girl, it’s okay," Oglesby
said. "But a black girl with a white boy is considered wrong."
While students may look upon interracial couples differently,
no racist comments are made, according to Adaghebalu. This, in
accordance with classroom settings and peer relations, makes
MHS differ from inner-city schools, which report shootings,
death threats, and abuse on the basis of racism.
"Mason has a much better environment in terms of racism
that many areas," Adaghebalu said. "We do coincide fairly well.
Normally, the way students are judged depends more on the
way they dress, speak, and carry themselves than what race they
are. Teachers and staff try extra-hard to approach subjects related to race. They're always sensitive around me. I would like to
be treated with the same demeanor as everyone else, but at the
same time, I know that most people aren't ready for that. We're
not at the point…yet."
the
January 31, 2007
Information on
Sinclair C.C.
The new Sinclair Community
College will be built in September of
2007.
It is a dayton-based two-year
college.
It will be surrounded by Lindner
Family Tennis Center and Kings
Island Golf Course.
Average School enrollment is
expected around 3000 students.
Sinclair is currently offering classes
at the Warren Country Career
Center.
It will be 18,000 square feet, and will
include a bookstore, a few offices,
and 12 classrooms.
Seniors in high school will be
allowed to take courses on specific
topics while still staying in high
school.
chroniclenews
3
Sinclair community college to build in Mason
By TRICIA WOLFORD
Staff Writer
Kenneth Moore, Vice President of Sinclair Community College is prepared for the opening of the new Mason Campus in September of 07. It
is hoping provide college opportunities to Mason students in their own
backyard.
Sinclair recently decided to expand their campus to Mason, due to a
law change in July 2005. In July, the state legislature added Warren
County to Sinclair. Since Warren County is on a higher education level,
they wanted to fulfill the needs of students.
Sinclair Community College will be a Dayton-based two-year college,
with classes for juniors and seniors in high school, as well as provide
classes for seniors looking to attend college. The Lindner Family Tennis
Center and the Kings Island Golf Course will surround the new campus.
"We chose Mason because if you look 20 miles outside of Sinclair,
Mason is the population center," Moore said. "Plus, it's a nice central
place to accommodate the population," Moore said.
Moore commented that when Sinclair decided to expand, three goals
were in mind.
"We wanted something very visible." Moore said. "Interstate 71 would
give a high visibility area. And being able to be visible is very important.
Being accessible is also very important. Easy access is essential to the
students. Also, when you're building a college facility you have to have
ample parking. And in addition to that you might have some students
coming to class, and some leaving. So we need a lot of parking for flexibility. This particular location has actually satisfied all three of our
goals."
Sinclair's upcoming goals include the opening of the school.
"We typically start school in the fall," Moore said. "We start classes in
Dayton on September 4, 2007. We plan to have both colleges try and stay
on the same schedule."
Sinclair is currently co-operating with Tipton Development Co., and is
planning to start building the college February of this year. Moore
explains why they are in a hurry to open their new facility.
"Most seniors that are looking to go to college start preparing about
now," Moore said. "We want to be able to work with them and get them
into our college. If we're not available they'll pick other ones. It is important for us to try and be open."
Sinclair also has other reasons as to why they want to open as soon as
possible.
"Our target is to get a better understanding of what Warren County is
interested in, and you really don't know until you get going," Moore said.
"You adjust your programs to accommodate those needs. We want to
open to be able to discover those needs."
Sinclair will lease the building from Tipton Development Co. for 10 to
15 years, and this will not affect tuition. Sinclair has also considered long
term goals they would like to achieve sometime in the future.
"Our goal is to have about 3000 students within five years," Moore
said. "The average size of a community college is about 3500 to 4000.
We want to get to that size in about five years if possible. In ten years we
want around 5000 students."
Right now Sinclair's biggest goal is to focus on the Mason community.
"We would like to have a lot of students from Mason go to Sinclair,"
Moore said. "We want to tell them the advantages of attending our college."
Sinclair is currently offering classes at the Warren County Career
Center in Clearcreek Township and Springboro. Within the upcoming
year, Sinclair is looking to add classrooms and courses in Warren County.
The college, which will be 18,000 square feet, will consist of around 12
classrooms, a few offices, and a bookstore. It will be similar to Sinclair's
learning center at the Edgewood YMCA. Sinclair will pay the start-up
costs, and the fees and tuition will fund its operations.
Student plans after school
screening of Invisible Children
By SPENCER WEBB
Staff Writer
photo by Stephanie Visscher
Juliet Schuelke has given presentations to National Honor Society on the Invisible Children
screening on February 23, and items available for purchase, including t-shirts, DVDs, and
bracelets.
Mason senior Juliet Schuelke will be sponsoring a showing of the film Invisible
Children on February 23 to students, staff members, and the Mason community.
Invisible Children is a documentary filmed by three college students about child soldiers in Uganda, and children named Night Commuters. Night Commuters are forced
to sleep in hospitals, bus garages, schools and other locations where they are safe from
being taken from their families and forced to fight in a rebellion against Ugandan government by the Lord's Resistance Army.
In 1987 The Lord's Resistance Army was raised by a man named Joseph Kony. The
LRA waged a civil war trying to overthrow the government of Uganda for nearly 20
years. The LRA resorted to abducting children when they lost the support of the
Ugandan people. There has been a temporary peace declared between Kony and the
Ugandan government while they try to end the civil war.
Schuelke originally wanted to participate in the Global Nigh Commute last year
when she and a group of friends from her church heard about what is going on in
Africa. She did not get to participate in the Night Commute, but this year she decided
she wanted to raise more awareness about Invisible Children.
Representatives will be at the event, and will give a presentation giving more information on the children.
"Everyone should get involved, because when you look at these kids that have to make
the nights travels they're kids our age and they're kids just like us and I feel like if it
affects kids our age we need to do something," Schuelke said.
Students from Moeller High School will also speak to the audience about a school
they sponsor in Africa that provides a safe home for the children. In order to help raise
money for the school, they are sponsoring a lock-in at Moeller High School on the
night after the viewing.
In addition to the lock-in, Schuelke plans on selling items such as unisex t-shirts,
DVD packadges, and bracelets made in Africa. Each bracelet is coordinated to a certain
child, and his or her story. Those involved, including Schuelke, hope students chose to
participate in the effort, and donate time and money towards the cause.
"We just need to raise awareness and just get the government to do something, which
they are doing now because of us as a high school population," Schuelke said. "There
are really no limits when you get involved with this."
Ziegler hopes for student support on final ride
By STEPHANIE DENZEL
Staff Writer
In 2005, the entire student body sat in arena for the spring
pep rally and saw AP Calculus teacher Nancy Ziegler ride off
on her AIDS Angel Ride. This year, Ziegler will make the ride
again, for the final time.
Ziegler has decided that this ride will be her last bicycling
six hundred miles in North Carolina. This seven day ride has
taken much time to come to a decision. Ziegler says she could
not turn this opportunity down to raise awareness of AIDS.
"[The ride] kept getting drawn back to me," Ziegler said. "It's
supposed to be happening."
With her choice to ride, Ziegler turned to a person that is
close to her heart; taught her to bicycle tour and currently lives
in the Central African Republic, which happens to be one of
the ten poorest countries in the world. Ziegler then selected a
charity that would benefit children in this country- the SOS
Children's Village. This organization offers four basic principals- mother, brothers and sisters, house, and village.
"[The SOS Children's Village] has good values and hope for
the future," Ziegler said. "Over 55 years they have provided
care for children in this poor country."
Ziegler has turned to the students and staff members of MHS
to help her raise funds for the SOS Children's Village. Comet
Zone has decided to sell a t-shirt designed for the AIDS Angel
Ride. According to Junior Yibo Shao, National Honor Society
will be holding a campaign right before spring break.
"We're looking at a week-long campaign right before Spring
Break," Shao said. "Possibly tying into the pep rally on the last
day."
Comet Zone has decided to sell a t-shirt designed for the
AIDS Angel Ride. The funds that are raised from this shirt will
go to Ziegler and the SOS Children's Village.
With this being Ziegler's last and final ride, she dreams this
one to be the best one yet. Ziegler feels that we should
embrace each other and make this as big as possible.
"We all must come together," Ziegler said. "I have to do this.
We all have to do this."
The Comet Zone will be selling T-Shirts
that will benefit the AIDS Angel Ride.
4
the
chroniclenews
January 31, 2007
Diversity Committee Middletown Regional Hospital to build facility at stadium
hopes to make
Building will house lockerrooms, weight room, sports medicine center
By S
D
Mason more
Staff Writer
welcoming
The City of Mason continues to grow with housing communities, shopHEA
By BETH LIPTON
Staff Writer
As Mason's population continues to grow, the
diversity of the students at Mason High School
has increased. In reaction to the increasing
diversity, a committee has been formed to raise
diversity awareness.
The MHS Diversity Committee was established at the beginning of the school year and
currently has 15 members. The goal of the
committee is to educate and train about diversity. The committee is planning to raise diversity
awareness through many different events, one
of which is staff-education training.
The training will include the entire Mason
High School faculty, including the custodial
and lunch-room staff. The staff-education
process will be initiated by a staff needs survey. The survey will question the needs of the
staff in regard to diversity.
Committee member Ian Frank is one of the
members currently working on the survey.
"We are developing the survey right now to
go out in the spring," Frank said. "We are
looking for [the staff's] feedback and their suggestions."
The staff will then have continuous diversity
training, based on the survey, throughout the
year, making it an ongoing process.
"Staff education is to make sure they have the
tools they need to educate in a diverse environment," Frank said.
In addition to the diversity training, the
Diversity Committee will also hang flags from
different countries in the Commons.
Committee member Shahrazad Kablan is
working to put the flags up as soon as they can.
"We don't have a date set yet," Kablan said.
"We're aiming for March but we would like to
put them up before that."
The flags displayed will be those of the
native countries of the English as a Second
Language (ESL) students and will be hung
under the railing in the Commons.
"Only students in the ESL program will have
their country's flags be hung, as well as the
American flag," Kablan said.
In the main lobby, the Diversity Committee
plans to hang photographs of the ESL students.
The 10 by 12, black and white photographs
will have a caption of "welcome to Mason
High School" in the student's native language.
The photographs are scheduled to go up in the
beginning of March.
Sophomore Jian Su is an ESL student from
China and will have his picture hung in the
lobby.
"It is an honor to me to have my picture
hung," said Su.
Junior Tomohiro Yabe is an ESL student
from Japan and will also have his picture hung
in the main lobby.
"I feel kind of shy but I think it's good,"
Yabe said.
The Diversity Committee has also planned a
Diversity education week during OGT week
for freshman. The committee will train teachers for activities to be done during the week,
ending with a panel discussion with the entire
freshman class.
"Education week [is used] to discuss diversity," Frank said.
As a new group, the MHS Diversity
Committee is composed of teachers and parents
but would eventually like to include students.
"Our goal at the end of the year is to have students [in the committee]," Frank said.
"Preferably sophomores and juniors to be there
the following year."
Overall, the MHS Diversity Committee
wants to raise diversity awareness throughout
Mason High School, making it welcoming to
all students.
"I think my goal is for ESL students to see
themselves in the past and for other students at
Mason to realize that their ancestors were
immigrants and to respect students from different countries," Kablan said.
AVIDSON
ping centers, and school additions. A sports medical center will be arriving in the near future, one which will involve a partnership with
Middletown Regional Hospital and Mason City Schools.
The sports medical center will be located on the Middle School campus
according to Tracey Carson Mason's Public Information Officer.
"The sports medical center will be located on the north end of the stadium near the bleachers," Carson said.
The medical center will contain approximately 30,000 sq. feet and will
be three floors. Mason City Schools will operate the first two floors and
Middletown Regional Hospital with operate the third.
The first floor will be designated mostly towards facilities to be used
during special events.
"The first floor will include rest rooms, locker rooms, ticket booths,
and concessions to give us additional space during events, as well as a
covered entrance space by the bleachers in case of inclement weather,"
Carson said.
The second floor will include a large weight room to be used by high
school students.
"The weight room will be 10,000 sq. feet and can be used for large
photo by Shea Davidson
team workouts," Carson said. "The new weight room will also free up
The space on the north end of the bleachers to the left of the
space in the existing weight room for students not participating on a
soccer field will house the medical center. It will include locksports team."
er rooms, sports medicine, and physical therapy.
Middletown Regional Hospital will utilize the third floor as a medical
facility, specializing sports medicine, physical therapy, fitness and accelDouglas McNeill
erated training.
they are happy to be partnering in the building of the sports medical cenWhile parking has always been an issue on the school campuses new
ter with Mason City Schools.
parking will be added for the sports med"We're pleased to expand our relationship with
ical center.
"Students already intern at the
Mason
City Schools by supporting the develop"There will be 10-12 diagonal parking
Middletown Regional Hospital but ment of this new health and wellness center,"
spaces located in front of the medical cenMcNeill said. "The center will be an answer to
with [this building] students
ter," superintendent Kevin Bright said.
"There is also proposed parking by the
would have easy access to intern several community needs, and will bring comprehensive, caring, and high-quality rehabilitative
softball fields to be used for the medical
in a field of study they are
and health maintenance services to students, staff
center's faculty."
and residents of Mason."
interested
in
pursing,
in
a
facility
While the proposed cost of the sports
Not only will the center provide students with
medical center is five million dollars it
that is located on campus.”
excellent facilities, but opportunities to shadow
will not cost tax payers anything accordTracey Carson
and intern as well.
ing to Bright.
Mason City Schools Public Inf. Officer
"Students already intern at the Middletown
"[Because] the Ohio School Board
Regional
Hospital but with the building of the
Association pool has joined with Columbus Regional court authority, we
sports
medical
center,
students
would
have easy access to intern in a field
are able to borrow money over 22 years to build the center. Middletown
Regional will make payments to us on that loan to pay for the center over of study they are interested in pursing in a facility that is located on campus," Carson said.
a period of several years," Bright said. "In return, they are receiving
The sports medial center is expected to be open by June 2009 with connaming rights and an on school campus location. We are not taking tax
struction starting this spring.
payer or general fund money to build the center."
According to Middletown Regional System's President and CEO
YouTube features MHS students
By STEPHANIE VISSCHER
Associate Editor
First there was Xanga. Then there was MySpace, followed closely by
FaceBook as two popular social sites. Now meet the Godfather of all
social sites: YouTube. No longer restrained to mere text, people can now
interact by posting their own videos.
Founded in 2005, YouTube allows its users to post their own original
videos as well as view popular clips from television. The site now has
over 100 million videos and 60 percent of all videos viewed online are
viewed on YouTube, according to the website.
One particular video made news in Mason when video of a youth football coach allegedly abusing a player was posted by the player's parents.
The video has since had more than 50,000 views.
On the other hand, the site also holds a selection of several random
videos.
"I go there every once and a while, if I'm bored I'll search for interesting things," senior Matt Kraatz said. "There's definitely a lot of interesting things you can find there."
The wide variety of videos, some of which make headlines themselves,
inspired Time Magazine to name online broadcasters such as the members of YouTube as persons of the year. Kraatz is one such person.
Earlier this year he posted a documentary he had created for a class in
school.
"It started off as a project for advanced computer applications but then
I just had a good time with it," Kraatz said.
The documentary is about hard core dancing, which Kraatz describes
as "kind of like moshing, but more extreme."
Kraatz said he posted his video on YouTube because it was an easy
way to share it.
"It was just an easy way to show my friends about it instead of burning
a DVD, just have them go to YouTube," he said.
Senior Kyle Weldon's video could be considered more random.
"I took a video of some pranks we played on a kid in a hotel at an out
of town baseball tournament," he said.
Although this was his first time posting a video on the site, he said he
will "definitely" post more videos this summer.
"More pranks and just anything fun that we do," he said.
According to Kraatz, YouTube has given him an inspiration to make
another video.
"YouTube is kind of a reason to create things for me because once you
create it it's not just your own, it's the whole world's," he said.
What do you think of
YouTube?
YouTube is
amazing! I love
using it!
Jeff Bean
Junior
YouTube dominates! I always
check out new
movies!
Dan Minor
Junior
It’s pretty stellar.
Brandon Hoenicke
Junior
It’s the new
generation of
entertainment.
Matt Piezer
Junior
"It's a big waste of time
with a bunch of blogs and
people complaining. But it
does have some cool
videos."
Austin Simmons
January 31, 2007
the
chronicle 5
THE
Hubley Driving School
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Andrea Sohn
Class: Senior
In-School accomplishments:
GPA 5.02
National Merit Semifinalist
AP Scholar with Distinction
Kiwanis October Student of the Month
Science Olympiad co-captain for two
years, state qualifier for two years
NHS Vice President of Service
Out of school accomplishments:
Volunteer at Bethesda North Hospital
(100+hours)
Member of the Cincinnati Symphony
Youth Orchestra for three years
Tutor at Mason Intermediate
Personal Quote:
“It is easy in the world to live after
world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to
live after our own; but the great man is
he who in the midst of the crowd keeps
with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Favorite Classes:
AP Biology
AP British Literature
Future plans/Goal:
Attend medical school with a focus on
surgical pathology
Teacher Quote:
“She is the complete
package…undoubtedly bright, confident, a hard worker and just a kind,
spirited, all around pleasureable person to be around."
-Chemistry teacher Amy Hansen
5606 Tylersville Road
Mason, Ohio
754-8652
Hubley Driving School
5606 Tylersville Road
Mason, Ohio
754-8652
6
the
chronicle
January 31, 2007
New math standards may be hard to calculate for students
State requirements in Math and
Science will make graduating much
tougher in state of Ohio
By RACHEL SLEZAK
Staff Writer
If the thought of writing the equation of a parabola strikes
fear into your heart, and you struggle to remember your times
tables, you are not alone. According to the Ohio Board of
Regents, 33 percent of recent college graduates in Ohio took at
least one remedial math course their freshman year.
In response to these statistics, former Ohio Governor Bob
Taft set forth his new plan for improved high school education
at the end of his term in office in 2006.
photo by Olga Borodulin
John Grimmer, working on a Buffer lab in AP
Chemistry, is one student going beyond the expectations of OHIO Core.
"This Ohio Core legislation is the result of a tremendous
amount of hard work and discussion amongst all those committed to student success - educators, business and community
leaders, legislators and of course the families and students
themselves," Taft said at a bill signing in Columbus.
The plan requires all students to complete the Ohio Core curriculum before they can graduate, beginning with the class of
2011. The Ohio Core curriculum is more rigorous than the current requirements in Ohio, making all students complete three
years of lab-based science and four years of math, including
Algebra II.
Mason High School already requires students to take three
years of Science. Linda Sutphin, Secondary Science Curriculum
Leader, says that Mason's requirements are often tougher than
many other districts'.
"In my experience, Mason has always managed to be a step
ahead of many districts in terms of science requirements,"
Sutphin said.
Though these changes were inspired by
the initial publication of Ohio Core in
2002, the curriculum depends mostly on the
resources available to the district.
"We will constantly look at what elective
courses we are providing to keep us competitive in science," Sutphin said. "What we
offer, in the end, depends on amount of
staff, space, and funding."
Although students at Mason High School
are already required to take three years of
science, they are currently only required to
take three years of Math with or without
Algebra II. Ann Dinkheller, Secondary
Mathematics Curriculum Leader, says that
while 88 percent of the class of 2006 completed four years of mathematics, only 59
percent completed at least Algebra II.
Having to complete the Ohio Core will mean
photo by Spencer Webb
changes for these students.
Tyler Boland, Nadeem Shahvestani, Stephen Sargent, and Ashley Bruehl
"Some students who might have taken
work on a dry ice lab in Chemistry, which will soon be required class for
Math Skills for Life as their third and final all high school students.
math credit will now need to take Algebra II
ness related financial concepts which are critical to know as
as their third credit and Math Skills for Life or Statistics or Prethey move on to college or the business world," McCormick
calculus as their fourth credit," Dinkheller said.
said.
According to the Ohio Partnership for Continued Learning, it
Senior Barbara Napier is currently taking Math Skills for
is important for students to have the same "core academic
Life, which she says has taught her practical things she will be
skills" in both math and English weather they plan to go to colable to use. The same would not necessarily be true of Algebra
lege or into the workforce.
II.
To senior Priya Pitchai, this seems obvious.
"When you're driving down the street you don't need to know
"If you have to take four years of English, why shouldn't you
the slope of a line," Napier said.
have to take four years of math?" Pitchai said.
In addition to being less than useful in everyday life, Napier
Pitchai herself took Algebra II her sophomore year, and is
says that Algebra II would be a challenge for some students.
currently taking AP Calculus BC in preparation for a possible
"It would be good for people who like math, but those who
career in engineering. Pitchai views math positively.
don't like it would struggle a lot," Napier said.
"I like math because it's so logical. I like that one piece of
Napier, who plans to wait until college to take Algebra II, is
information can help you get to so much," Pitchai said.
glad that the requirements don't go into effect until after she
However, as much as Pitchai enjoys math, she can understand
graduates.
how some students might be intimidated by the thought of
"If I was going to be here, I would take it because it would be
higher mathematics. As beneficial as Algebra II could be, it is
required, but I wouldn't like it," Napier said.
not enough to make all students take the class.
Senior Matt D'Auria is completing a rigorous high school
"You can't make somebody want to learn," Pitchai said.
curriculum that until recently included AP Physics. D'Auria,
Pitchai says that it isn't a lack of capability preventing everywho plans to go into law, dropped the class because he felt it
one from taking Algebra II currently, but a lack of desire.
would not help him in the future.
"I'm sure that more than 59 percent can handle at least
"If you want to be a lawyer, physics and chemistry aren't
Algebra II, they just choose not to." Pitchai said.
going to help you," D'Auria said.
Mark McCormick teaches Math Skills for Life and finds that
But as clear as it is to him now, D'Auria says that he wouldn't
the majority of his students have not taken Algebra II. He says
have known how irrelevant physics was to him until he took the
that requiring them to take Algebra II would be beneficial if
class.
they plan to take more math classes in the future.
"Getting into the upper-level classes made me realize this
"Completing Algebra II provides a foundation for more
isn't really for me," D'Auria said.
advanced math classes such as statistics and calculus,"
But although he ended up not liking Physics, D'Auria suggests
McCormick said.
that students take different kinds of classes regardless of their
Algebra II would not only provide essential skills for addifuture areas of study.
tional mathematics classes, but also for other aspects of stu"It's a good idea to take a wide array of classes to get an idea
dents' lives.
of what areas interest you," D'Auria said.
"Students can further enhance their problem solving and colThis includes taking the math and science classes now
laboration skills which are both critical to their future success
required by Ohio Core, including Algebra II, which he considin college and the workforce," McCormick said.
ers essential.
But though Algebra II would be beneficial for students, Math
"It's good to learn the basic concepts in order to have knowlSkills for life is also beneficial.
edge to draw on," D'Auria said.
"[Students] are exposed to a wide range of personal and busi-
Current level of math education in Mason compared to State requirements
High School Curriculum
40%
Highest Level of Math Completed
4%
24%
complete core
minimum core
46%
At least Algebra II
37%
59%
no Algebra II
less than minimum core
one trimester of Algebra II
The Ohio Board of Rejents studied recent high school graduates
enrolling as college freshman in the fall of 2003. Of the 51,458 students
whose curriculum was known:
- 12,310 students completed the complete core curriculum (4 years of
math and 3 years of science)
- 23,887 students completed the minimum core curriculum (3 years of
math and 3 years of science)
- 15,261 students completed less than the minimum core curriculum
According to Ann Dinkheller, Secondary Mathematics
Curriculum Leader, of Mason High School’s 563 graduates of
2006:
- 330 completed at least Algebra II
- 25 complted Algebra II a
- 208 did not complete Algebra II
compiled by Rachel Slezak
January 31, 2007
the
chronicle
7
It may start as just a sip or two...
Students, staff spill the beans on coffee
income away from his business.
"It hasn't diminished our
income at all," Kidd said. "We
have a very loyal customer base
Walk into Mason High School on any
and our customers are almost
given morning and you most likely can
like family to us. Our service is
find at least one cup of coffee on the
built on relationships and qualidesk of a student. As the popularity of
ty products and that's what
specialty cafés such as Starbucks or
keeps bringing people in."
Caribou Coffee increases, so has the
In addition to students, math
appeal of drinking coffee drinks among
teacher Mark Meibers said he
teenagers.
drinks about two pots of coffee
Senior Elise Rudomski said she has to
each day.
have coffee in the morning or she has
"I love Caribou Coffee and
difficulty waking up.
when I go to Kroger's or a book
"I have a minimum of 16 ounces
before I come to school," Rudomski said. store I usually grab a cup at
Starbucks or whatever they
"I usually drink 20-60 ounces every day,
have there," Meibers said.
all day long."
photo by Stephanie Visscher
"Anymore I can't go shopping Senior Carly Wells prepares to make an espresfor groceries without getting a so while working at Awakenings Coffee and Tea
cup of coffee."
Company.
"I get migraines if I don't
Although Meibers often
morning.
have coffee. Yesterday I
drinks coffee he brews himself,
According to Linda Kollar, the clinical
brought two black cups to Rudomski said she usually goes out to
director for the Division of Adolescent
get her caffeine fix.
Medicine at Children's Hospital in
calculus because I was
"I frequently am in Starbucks,
Cincinnati, there is not a lot of informacraving it that much."
Caribous Coffee, or Kidd Coffee,"
tion on the long term effects of caffeine.
Rudomski said. She estimates she spends
Elise Rudomski
However it is known to be addicting with
approximately 40 dollars per week on
regular use.
Senior
coffee. "I rarely brew at home, [but]
Kollar said one to two cups of coffee
because of the cost I go to Folgers where
would be considered a moderate dose.
it's only a dollar a cup."
Senior Ashley Hester said she sees a
Drinking anymore coffee could have a
Carly Wells is even closer to temptalot of students at Starbucks on the weeknegative effect.
tion while working at Awakenings Coffee
ends, where she works.
and Tea Company inside Biggs. She said
"Tons of kids from school come here,"
“I love Caribou Coffee and
that on days she is working she drinks at
Hester said, giving two reasons for the
when I go to Kroger's or a
least two cups, and also visits Starbucks
popularity: "You look really cool carrying a Starbucks cup, and it's a great place and Kidd Coffee. According to Wells,
book store I usually grab a
caffeine is a big part of why customers
to talk with your friends."
cup at Starbucks or whatcome to awakenings.
Local pastor Victor Kidd took advanever they have there. I can't
"I hardly make decaffeinated drinks,"
tage of the popularity of specialty cafés
when he opened Kidd Coffee a little over Wells said. "A lot of people ask for a
go shopping for groceries
second shot of espresso."
six years ago. The café has now become
anymore
without getting a
Hester also said she does not make
a popular franchise in the area with six
cup of coffee.”
many decaffeinated drinks.
locations. According to Kidd, the arrival
"I think most of the time people get
of new cafés in the area has not taken
Math teacher
caffeine because they don't
Mr. Mark Meibers
think to ask for [decaf]
even if they want it," she
said.
"With low to moderate dosages there is
Too much caffeine, howincreased energy, concentration, motivaever, may have detrimental
tion, and socialization," Kollar said in an
effects on one's health, as
email. "At higher dosages the effects are
Rudomski has already dismore negative and include anxiety, jittercovered.
iness, and upset stomach."
"I have stomach pains
There also is the higher calorie and
daily and people have told
sugar count to take into consideration. A
me it's because of the
tall, or small, latté has 120 calories and
acidic effect [coffee] has,"
16 grams of sugar. The drinks people
said Rudomski, who said
tend to order, according to Wells and
referred to her attraction to
Hester, the ones that have more sugar.
coffee as an addiction. "I
"The sugary ones by far, [are the most
get migraines if I don't
popular]," Hester said. "They taste really
have coffee. Yesterday I
good and they're like a treat."
brought two black cups to
However, according to Wells, people
calculus because I was
seem to be growing used to the traditioncraving it that much."
al coffee flavor.
photo by Stephanie Visscher
Although Meibers said he
"I think more and more people are
Senior Carly Wells (right) delivers a beverage drinks coffee mostly for
enjoying the flavor because more and
enjoyment, he also said that more businesses are grabbing hold of
to a customer at Awakenings Coffee and
he will get a headache if he
Company.
what people want and adding caffeine,"
doesn't have coffee in the
Wells said.
By S TEPHANIE V ISSCHER
Associate Editor
Coffee History 101
A lot has happened for our favorite drink in
the past thousand years. Below are the
highlights.
1000- Coffee (the drink)
is invented.
16th century- Middle
Eastern coffeehouses
were a popular place for
men to assemble.
1615- Coffee is first brought to Italy.
1650- Oxford opens the first coffeehouse in
England.
1600- Catholics did not believe in drinking coffee because it came
from Muslim countries.
But Pope Clement like
coffee so much after
having his first cup he
baptized it to make it
officially “Christian.”
Seriously.
1727- Coffee seeds are brought to Brazil and
the country’s first coffee bean plantation is
established.
1773- After the Boston Tea Party Americans
switch from drinking tea to coffee.
1822- First espresso machine made in France
by Louis Bernard Rabaut
1901- Instant coffee invented in Chicago by
Satori Kato.
1903- Decaffeinated coffee invented by
German Ludwig Roselius
1907- President Teddy
Roosevelt proclaimed
that Maxwell House’s coffee was “good to the last
drop,” which becomes
their slogan.
1908- Melitta Blentz
invents the coffee filter in Germany.
1960’s- Members of the “beat” generation
become known for gathering in coffee houses.
1971- The first Starbucks opens in Seattle,
Washington.
2006 -Starbucks reports a fiscal year net earnings of $564 million, net revenues of $7.8 billion.
How healthy is your morning fix? The facts on some of your favorite popular coffee drinks
Name: Caramel Macchiato
Meaning: “Macchiato” is Italian for “marked.”
Traditionally a touch of foam would be put on top to
mark the drink as not having milk.
What’s in it: espresso, vanilla, caramel, and foamed
milk
Nutrition: 170 calories, 27g sugar, 1g fat,
11g protein.
Name: Mocha Frappucino
Meaning: Mocha is a port town in
Yemen that was once known for its coffee exports. Frappucino is a compination of “frappe” (Italian for to) and “cap-
puccino” created by Starbucks.
What’s in it: coffee, milk, chocolate, whipped cream,
ice.
Nutrition: 310 calories, 38g sugar,
12g fat
Name: Caramel Apple Cider
What’s in it: apple juice, cinnamon
syrup, caramel sauce.
Nutrition: 230 calories, 55g sugar, 0g
fat
Name: Cappuccino
Meaning: Named after the brown habits of the
Capuchin monks.
What’s in it: espresso, steamed milk, foamed milk
(less milk than latté).
Nutrition: 150 calories, 11g sugar, 8g fat, 8g protein.
Name: Latté
Meaning: Italian word for milk.
What’s in it: espresso, steamed milk.
Nutrition: 120 calories, 16g sugar, 0g
fat, 12g protein
8
the
chronicleeditorials
January 31, 2007
STAFF POLICY
The Chronicle is the official student
newspaper of William Mason High
School. The Chronicle is produced by
students enrolled in Journalism I, II, and
III.
Editorials reflect the staff’s opinion but
do not neccesarily reflect the opinions of
the school administration or the Mason
City School District.
The Chronicle is published monthly.
Call 398-5025 ext. 33110 for information
regarding advertising in The Chronicle.
The Chronicle reserves the right to
refuse advertising we deem inappropriate
for a high school publication.
As an open forum for students, letters
to the editor are welcome, but are subject to be edited for length, libel, obscentiy, clarity, and poor taste. Letters to the
editor may be dropped off in room C110
and must be signed.
The Chronicle is a member of The
Columbia Scholastic Press Association,
The National Scholastic Press
Association, Quill and Scroll International
Honorary Society for High School
Journalists, and the Journalism
Association for Ohio Schools.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Chronicle
William Mason High School
6100 S. Mason Montgomery Rd.
Mason, Ohio 45040
398-5025
THE CHRONICLE STAFF
Editor
Olga Borodulin
Associate Editor
Stephanie Visscher
Sports Editor
Morrison Tracy
Editorial Cartoonist
Peter Springsteen
Distribution/Circulation
Manager
Michelle Rotbart
Business Manager
Caroline Johnson
Staff Photographers
Michelle Rotbart
Shea Davidson
Technical and Graphic
Assistants
Peter Springsteen
Beth Lipton
Staff Writers
Drew Allen
Shea Davidson
Stephanie Denzel
Beth Lipton
Kirsten McCafferty
Amanda Miller
Caroline Johnson
Candice Philpot
Jeremy Powers
Coleman Sanders
Rachel Slezak
Peter Springsteen
Jeff Stephens
Sharon Stewart
Danielle Williams
Spencer Webb
Tricia Wolford
Adviser
Mr. Dale Conner
staff editorial
Warm fries is just one good reason to pass bond levy
We would like to list the top four things we dislike about being in an
(almost) overcrowded school:
1. Crowded hallways. It seems the only way to get to class on time is to
shove our way through an endless sea of faces. If the freshman want to
move at the pace roughly equivalent to that of a snail, that’s there issue.
We were taught that pushing isn’t nice in kindergarten, but neither is
being late because of human traffic in the A-wing.
2. D-wing Lockers: For seniors taking an easy schedule of gym, chorus,
and three different art classes, this location could be convenient. For
those taking a class in any other wing, not so much.
3. Crowded bathrooms: Using the restroom in between bells has become
quite a luxury, seeing as your lucky enough to make it through the halls
in under five minutes without making a pit stop in the ladies room. Even
if you make it to the appropriate wing with time to spare, the lines for the
bathroom rival those of The Beast at Kings Island. Unless you’re just
refreshing your lip gloss, you’re out of luck.
4. Crowded lunchrooms: We miss the days when one could grab an order
of fries and have them still be warm by the time we got out of the lunch
line. Or when we could actually maneuver over to the sandwich stand.
Well, at least the kids with D-wing lockers can get to the line fast enough
to actually have time to eat their lunch with in thirty minutes.
At the risk of making a generalization, we all can relate to the frustrations of the above situations. But we may not have to live with them for
long (well, except the seniors. You guys are out of luck). On January 16
plans were revealed for an addition to the high school that would allow
us to accommodate an extra 1,100 students. Imagine: A school with wide
open hallways, convenient locker locations, warm lunches and (gasp!)
bathroom breaks! Oh, and some extra room for gym and new chorus and
band rooms.
That all is possible if the new wing is approved on the ballot this May.
Hopefully we won’t see the community divide over this issue as it did the
school levies because debate as much as you want, any student can tell
you how much this addition is needed. By putting the issue on a ballot as
a bond, the school board is not asking for extra money. With the need of
a new addition crystal clear, there is no reason why the community
should not stand behind Mason High School and approve it’s construction.
letter to the editor
Students speak out in response to previous letters to the editor
How to be more
politically correct
In response to last issue’s story on being
politically correct
Or should I say...In response to last issue’s
story on PC-It's everywhere - in the media, in public, at
school, in the bathroom…
So how do we maintain our pride and dignity
in a world slandered by political incorrectness?
Simple.
For starters, erase the following words from
our vocabulary: retarded, alien, chairman, liberal, ultra-liberal, delinquents and Easter bunny.
Instead, replace with "physically disabled,
immigrant, chairperson, moderate, less moderate, persons-at-risk, and spring animal, respectively."
Purchase holiday cards by the bulk.
Be sure to cross out any "Joy to the World"
song lyrics and replace them with the Barney
version. Erase all religion-specific greetings
and replace with "Have a Happy
Chrismahhannahkwanzaakah." Add a disclaimer at the bottom to include religions not
covered, in very small print, just to be safe.
Be aware of class and racial relations.
Acknowledge that people of various ethnicities
are essentially all Americans. Native
Americans, Nonnative Americans, Asian
Americans, African Americans, German
Americans, Canadian Americans, Mexican
Americans.
The grading scale should be re-calibrated to
promote optimism in the "learning deficient."
An A now stands for "absolutely wonderful!"
B. Beastly. C. Cool. D. Delightful. And F? "Fun
for all."
"Lame" people do not exist. They are crippled. "Crippled" people do not exist. They are
Handicapped. "Handicapped" people do not
exist. They are disabled. And "Disabled' people
do not exist, for they are simply differentlyabled.
Ban the uses of "sir" and "ma'am" and only
use the gender-neutral term "hey, person."
Adopt "newspeak" as an elitist language.
Inform your friend, who's been indicted for
murder, that he has made some "ill-advised"
choices.
Write a letter to the mother of a soldier killed
by "friendly fire."
Annie Cai
Senior
Stop complaining
and have fun
For the past few months as I've read
Chronicle after Chronicle I've begun to see a
trend between the opinions of certain individuals towards students' behavior at certain school
dances. Apparently conservatives around our
school have all gotten together and decided that
bumping and grinding is highly immoral and
we as students should lead others to the "higher
ethical ground" of less provocative movements.
By having outstanding morals and strength
to oppose the evil heathens rubbing on each
other you place yourself on higher ethical
ground than everyone else. You have "broken
the mould" of "faceless members of a crowd
pursuing whatever feels good."
Well congratulations you have stumbled upon
the very reason we have dances: To pursue
what feels good. We as teenagers tend to do this
from time to time and I have no doubt in my
mind even our favorite teachers at our school
today did the exact same thing when they were
our age.
So what is next?
It is very clear dancing and STD's and pregnancy. I will guarantee the next time you walk
it out you will not contract HIV. We have to
acknowledge that at this point in our lives we
are very hormone-driven and it is not healthy to
suppress everything we feel. Not to mention
dance itself is an art form.
My friends on the dance team that might
resent being called immoral and unethical beucase they pursue what they love. It sounds to
me like there are some choice individuals in our
school who haven't experienced how much fun
a dance can be.
Maybe they need to spend less time contemplating the moral value and ethical platform of
the situation and more time enjoying an awesome time with friends and music dancing until
you're covered in sweat and red in the face.
In the spring when prom rolls around you
will find hundreds of our students dancing,
chatting, and loving life. Through dance we
release energy and satisfy our hormones while
NOT impregnating one another.
Dancing is not something to be ashamed of.
You owe it to your mentors, those you lead, and
yourself to enjoy your life and not be limited by
conservatives trying to ruin your good time.
The next dance is only a couple of months
away, enjoy yourselves.
Patrick Lipka
Sophomore
January 31, 2007
the
chronicleopinions
Do not let hatred and ignorance rule your friendships
Ignorance. This is a noun I loathe. Ignorance
of culture. Ignorance of customs. Ignorance of way of
life. Since I was little I had
a strong interest in learning about other cultures
as well as my own. I
made it a personal
ambition to educate
myself on the backgrounds of others.
By MICHELLE ROTBART However, in my
Staff Writer
attempt to learn, in
one instance, I myself
became intolerant because of my own bias.
When I was seven-years old my best friend
was Fiaza. Of course this does not sound like a
big issue but she is Muslim and I am Jewish.
As a child, religious differences did not matter
to me. I played at her house, knew all four of
her brothers and sisters and hugged her parents
every day; that she had darker skin, ate different food, and was a different religion than I did
not matter.
Third grade came and I moved to Mason,
Fiaza stayed in Lakota and over time we lost
touch. However, when I was a freshman we
found each other and met. She looked just as
she had before, except her nose was pierced.
Not for vanity reasons though, for cultural ones.
We reminisced about times of our childhood
and went shopping. I came to respect Fiaza, she
was smart, independent and cute.
However the other day I was browsing
through her Myspace and came upon something
that infuriated and enraged me. Fiaza had antiIsrael photos and propaganda in her profile. She
had graphic pictures depicting scenes in Beirut
of slain families and destroyed buildings. The
graphics accused the IDF (Israeli Defense
Force) of killing innocent Lebanese.
These pictures hurt me deeply because not
only am I proud of my Jewish heritage but I
was in Israel when the fighting started and
decided to stay. I fell in love with the country,
embraced my heritage even more, and met
many future IDF members. They were just like
me, young, passionate, and ambitious.
I wanted to call and scream at her. Scream at
her for believing lies, scream at her for supporting liars and scream at her for indirectly supporting Hezbollah, for promoting doubt in the
IDF and being bias and uninformed. For five
and a half minutes I loathed her.
And then I realized that I was biased too and
that I could not be outraged and disown my
friend whom I had come to know and respect
just because her political views were on the
opposite spectrum of mine. Though they do,
people should not hate one another because of
their beliefs. Gay or Straight, Jewish or
Muslim, Democrat or Republican etc.
Hate comes from ignorance and not being
able to comprehend the views of another. Most
people hate because they do not know. I realized that I could not hate because I did know, I
was informed. I realized I could not loath my
childhood friend because she supported her side
like I supported mine.
We can not hate, disown, and judge our
friend, our acquaintances, brothers and sisters
because their ideals are different.
According to German poet, Johann Wolfwang
von Goethe, "There is nothing more frightful
than ignorance in action." Please remember to
not forget your brother for your views.
A brave new world of single men, women is not far away
Barren women, soma-holidays, and Malthusian belts are
well underway, or so it may
seem. News organizations have
reported that for the first
time ever, the majority of
women in the U.S. are
single. While no news
organization has taken
a stance so liberal,
By OLGA BORODULIN they have acknowlEditor
edged that this trend
will soon shape social
and workplace policies. But the independence
of women is being cited as a sign of "flexibility." As director of public education for the
Council on Contemporary Families Stephanie
Coontz says, "This is yet another of the inexorable signs that there is no going back to a
world where we can assume that marriage is the
main institution that organizes people's lives."
A world where woman "delay remarriage,
sometimes “delighting in their newfound freedom." Sounds like a Brave New World to me.
Conditioned in my mindset, I began to fear
for what this may mean for my future and for
future women. Though I proclaim myself as
independent and self-sustaining, I always
planned on marriage as the next step after
establishing myself in my career. But then I
realized that my need to establish myself in my
occupation is a recent change in the order of
things of importance for women. Before, marriage came before the job, and supporting one's
children was of utter importance. Before that,
marrying based upon race and social class dominated. Before that, marriage was a perpetual
contract, devoid of romantic sentiments.
So…was this trend truly that bad considering
all the changes made in the ethics of marriage?
It is. Marriage is a union, a continuation of a
race, and an integral part of life. The very fact
that women (and men) are finding marriage losing importance is astonishing, and frightening.
Divorce rates are steadily increasing, for which
it seems we can't do much about. The same reasoning can be applied to this. But, in essence,
the lowering of this agreement is pushing forth
the idea that we don't need to procreate. We
don't need to have families, and we don't need
to depend on someone. Women, along with
men, are better off as free-thinking individuals.
And so, assuming that we are afforded some
sense of freedom when we are unmarried, we
also assume that we are a little happier in this
freedom. Unrestrained by jealousy, anger, and
fear. We live a life making our own decisionswithout the input of anyone who may be too
close to us. Who is to say that the encouragement of promiscuity is so far away?
Then there is also the argument over children.
In Children of Men, a newly-released film, a
society where women are barren and the eldest
child is around seventeen, one character hauntingly describes how unnatural a world without
children's voices is. In consequence, the agreement must be made that without the encouragement of promiscuity in lieu of lack of marriages, and without looking upon pregnant
unmarried women in the same light as those
who are married, we will find ourselves at the
end of human civilization. Does this mean that
we need to resort to science, as we have with
pollution, sickness and war?
At this point, I question if I'm taking this
topic too seriously. It is only 51 percent of
women who are single. This statistic may
change. Any number of things could bring
about marriage's increase. But while I do
believe marriage is important, its vitality is not
so great because of any religious connotation,
but because of what it means to our society.
Out of all the trends to be passed down
throughout history, this one has stuck. So, now
as its unraveling, is it wrong to question why
now we've chosen to value it a little less?
Perhaps we are simply finding marriage to be
too hard. Divorce offers a reprieve from a difficult situation. I've not been married-so I can't
speak on the level of commitment it requires.
From what I've gathered, no one is proud of
divorce and being unmarried is still not looked
upon as a cultural normality.
But there exist many people who say that the
decline in marriages is just a symbol of our
society's growth-our independence, our freedom, and our ability to survive by oneself.
They're right. We are growing to be more independent, and ever-more free. But is this what is
good and moral and just for our society? And is
do you feel that marriage isn't as vital because
you, as well, are falling into the trap of this
trend?
I am. I think marriage is important, and react
quite scared in the knowledge that I may not
have that "special someone" to spend the rest of
my life with. The Notebook tells me otherwise.
My friends tell me otherwise. Society tells me
otherwise. So how should I handle the knowledge that perhaps the world I am most happy in
may not be the world best suited for me? Brave
New World indeed.
No extracurricular activities should recieve high school credit
Swimmers waking up at 5
a.m. for arduous morning
practices. Drama club participants building sets and
blocking out scenes long
after the school day is
over. Show Choir
rehearsing and synchronizing dance steps
By SHEA DAVIDSON
and lyrics late into
Staff Writer
the night. While on
the outside it may appear as if the passion that
students show towards their particular extracurricular activity is solely due to the love of the
activity, this assumption is not completely accurate for each.
According to the school website, 70 percent
of all students at Mason High School are
involved in an after school activity. Because the
administration at Mason encourages such
involvement, we are blessed to have a wide
variety of sports, clubs, and academic activities
from which to choose. Unfortunately, not all
extra curricular activities are created equal.
While extracurricular activities are activities
which take place after school there are a few
activities such as Marching Band and Show
Choir that receive an added bonus for participation. The Course Description booklet states that
students participating in these activities receive
a school credit and grade (.5 credit for
Marching Band and 1.5 credit for Show Choir).
I'm not out to pick on the marching band or
the show choir, but my question to the administration is: Why do these extra curricular activities merit school credit and others don't?
I have been an active member of the Speech
and Debate team for the past two years. I would
honestly have to say that I spend around 15-20
hours a week doing something speech and
debate related. Whether it is attending after
school practice sessions, working independently
to write and cut my speeches, and traveling in
and out of state to compete in tournaments
almost every weekend from November to
March. It is safe to say that I, as well as many
of my teammates, spend at least as much time
on speech and debate each week as we do on
other classes.
There are several other academic teams
which require a lot of out of school time,
including Science Olympiad, Math Team,
Academic Team, and Mock Trial. Athletic
teams and other extracurricular activities, such
as the dance team, also require a lot of time and
a physical education credit or even an elective
credit could be granted.
I have trouble understanding how one
extracurricular activity can be deemed more
worthy than another, and how certain activities
are so superior to others that they can receive a
school credit and grade while others do not.
Who is to say that one is more significant and
requires more diligence and dedication than
another?
We're encouraged it get involved and participate in extracurricular activities, and we're
doing so. Students are putting in time and effort
into doing something that they love solely
because they want to. Unfortunately, we're
wrong in that assumption. Some students are
credited more than others. In my opinion, I see
no way in which this can be justified. Either
everyone should commit their time and effort
into their extracurricular activity without it
affecting their GPA, or everyone receives credit
for their activities. Participating in an extracurricular activity is about doing something you
enjoy knowing that it will not affect your GPA.
Last time I checked, high school credits are not
a form of measuring one activity's difficulty
over another.
9
feedback
What would you call the
new pod that is going to
be added onto the at
MHS?
"Buffalo
Wing."
Kathy Chu
Junior
“F-wing for
freshman
wing."
Allie
Fruchey
Sophomore
"I-Pod."
Lisa
Kingsolver
Freshman
"P-Pod.”
Flora Massah
Sophomore
"Bling Wing."
Duncan
Fischley
Sophomore
"Zero Wing."
Nick Burton
Senior
"Wonder
Wing."
Emily May
Freshman
"West Wing."
Niro
Wimalasena
Junior
compiled by Stephanie Denzel
10
the
chronicle
January 31, 2007
Tom’s gets you out of the cold
and behind the wheel
Matthew S. Hakes, D.C.
Doctor of Chiropractic
Tom’s Superior
Driving School
7368 Kingsgate Way •West Chester •779-1040
5250-B Courseview Drive
Mason, Ohio 45040
(513) 398-6300
FAX (513) 398-6363
www.DrHakes.com DrHakes@Cinci.rr.com
$5.00 Off
any $25 service
Expires: 2/22/07
Coupon not valid with other offers
$3.00 OF F
any $10 service
Expires: 2/22/07
Coupon not valid with other offers
Coupon not valid with other offers
FREE
French Tip
with the purchase
of a Full Set
Expires: 2/22/07
Coupon not valid with other offers
FREE
Toe Polish
with the purchase
of a Fill In
Expires: 2/22/07
Coupon not valid with other offers
5610 Tylersville Rd.
Mason
234-0680.
Anderson Beckett Ridge Colerain Fields Ertel
474-9985
860-3090
741-7892
697-1134
Florence
859-282-9800
January 31, 2007
the
chronicle
11
12
the
January 31, 2007
chroniclecenterspread
the
A User Friendly Guide to the New Addition
By SHEA DAVIDSON
Staff Writer
Multi-Purpose Room
The new multi-purpose space will serve as a second field
house in order to alleviate all of the crowding during physical education classes as well as after school in the arena.
"We will put a scoreboard and some bleachers in there,
and will allow that space to be used in the evenings as a
game ready space for freshman and sophomores, to take
some of the strain off our arena without duplicating that
facility," Allen said.
The multi-purpose space is really being stressed as an
area that will be used for many activities to go with the
theme of maximizing space.
"It really will be multi-purpose, used for wresting, basketball, softball, extra physical education space and then the
space can also be open for community use," Carson said.
According to Allen there will also be 637 new physical
education lockers will also be installed next to the multi-purpose space in order to meet growing
demands.
Having completed construction on what many have already referred to as a "college campus" of a school a mere five years ago, Mason High
School is ready to resurrect the construction equipment for the proposed expansion that officials hope to be the last.
Mason High School currently accommodates 2,700 students. With an increasing number of students enrolling in grades 3, 4, 5, and 6, the district decided it was time to build the additions to the high school.
According to Superintendent Dr. Kevin Bright building the new additions to the high school will not raise taxes. This is possible because the district is growing and increased property values from new construction generate more revenue for the schools.
According to Dr. Dave Allen, Mason high school principal, the new additions are crucial since the high school currently has a large number of
traveling teachers.
In order to get the proposed additions approved voters must pass the issue on Election Day, May 8, 2007.
Public information officer, Tracey Carson thinks that the building for the new additions should take place soon if voters pass the issue.
"If voters pass the issue construction would start in the spring of 07 and would finish fall of 09," Carson said.
Cafeteria
One of the many new additions to the high school will
be the second cafeteria which will be added onto the
back of the high school.
"The new cafeteria will accommodate 300 students
since it is important to keep three lunch periods," Bright
said. "The extra 900 spots will allow us to keep the three
lunch periods."
As of now the new cafeteria will be for students to use
on a first come first serve basis.
After school the new cafeteria will be used as a large
group meeting space and as a testing area.
"We have a great need for large space meeting rooms
for our large groups such as student government and
national honor society. This facility will also be used as a
testing area," Allen said.
The New Wing
Overall the new wing will look identical to the existing three, and will be built
to look like it was always there and wasn't added in later.
The wing will include 49 more classrooms, three of which will be additional
computer labs, and six will be science classrooms/labs.
However in order to maximize space there will be more classrooms in the
new wing than in the others.
"The new wing will give us another 11 classrooms than the existing wings
do," Bright said.
As of now the new wing will continue to be used by all grade levels and will
not be a designated freshman wing.
"The idea is that the new wing would be the way we do all the wings now
and I don't think having a designated freshman wing would make sense,"
Carson said.
Parking
While the building of a new wing will take up a portion of the parking lot in the
front of the high school part of the plans were to add more parking.
There will be four new sections of parking added around the high school and
community center. This will add 366 new parking spaces to make up for those
lost in the construction of the new wing. After construction the total number of
parking spaces for the high school
will 1,092 and 357 for the community
center.
While parking is viewed as important those planning the addition to
the high school also felt it was equally important to keep green space.
"We've worked with our architect to
maximize parking without making it
just one big parking lot," Bright said.
chroniclecenterspread 13
14
the
chronicle
January 31, 2007
W AKE U P !
It’s time to start thinking about what classes you’re going to take next year.
Do you want to be a part of the
award winning Chronicle staff?
If you do there are few things you have to do:
1. Fill out an application
2. Go through the interview process
3. Get approval from Journalism teacher
4. Upon approval from Journalism teacher, register for Journalism IA, IB, IC
Applications can be picked up in room C110.
Journalism is a full-year course that meets during 4th period.
You must gain teacher approval to register for the course. Only those who are students in Journalism can be a part of The Chronicle staff.
Scheduling meetings for the 2007-2008 school year will begin in February.
It’s never too soon to start thinking about next year.
The Chronicle is looking for
News and Sports Reporters
Graphic Designers
Photographers
Business and Advertising Staff
January 31, 2007
AT A GLANCE...
COACHING SEARCH CONTINUES
The MHS head football coaching position has attracted many of the area’s top
coaches as well as coaches from across
the United States. The position has
drawn resumes from coaching applicants
from Wisconsin, Pennsylvannia,
Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina,
Nevada, California, Virginia, Indiana,
Illinois, and Alabama.
Several current high school head
coaches and assistants have applied for
the position. Current Mason assistants
Brian Castner, Darren Little, and Randy
Hubbard have applied to replace Gary
Popovich.
The list of applicants is highlighted by
Elder coach Doug Ramsey who led Elder
to Division I state championships in 2002
and 2003. The school expects to name
a new head coach by the end of
February.
FORMER COMET WRESTLERS SHINE
Former MHS wrestler, Dan Mizener, a
2005 state placer at 145 pounds is currently a sophomore member of the John
Carroll Univeristy wrestling team.
Mizener has a 17-7 record. John Carroll
University is in Cleveland, Ohio and competes in the Ohio Athletic Conference. A
Division III school, John Carroll competes
in the OAC against Baldwin Wallace,
Capital University, Heidelberg, Marietta,
Mount Union, Muskingum, Ohio
Northern, Otterbein, and Wilmington
College.
Another former Comet wrestler, Dustin
Center, who qualified for state in 2002,
2003, and 2004, is a sophomore at the
University of the Cumberlands in
Williamsburg, Kentucky. The Patriots are
currently ranked third in the National
Association of Intercollege Athletics
(NAIA) national rankings. At the 149
pound weight class, Center has moved to
the second in the national polls after
beating All-American Chris Seta in a dual
last week.
UC competes in the Mid South
Conference which is comprised of
Belhaven College, Bethel College,
Campbellsville University, Cumberland
University (TN.,) Georgetown College,
Lambuth University, Lindsey Wilson
College, Pikeville College, Shorter
College, Union College, University of
Virginia College at Wise, and West
Virginia Tech.
ON THE COLLEGE HARDWOOD
Former two time FAVC player of the
year, Travis Brown is currently averaging 5.5 points per game for Fairmont
State University. The Falcons are 7-7.
Fairmont State, located in Fairmont,
West Virginia, competes in the West
Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic
Association with Alderson-Broaddus
College, Bluefield State College,
University of Charleston, Concord
University, Davis and Elkins College,
Glenville State College, Ohio Valley
University, University of Pittsburgh at
Johnstown, Salem International
University, Seton Hill University,
Shepherd University, West Liberty State
College, West Virginia State University,
West Virginia Wesleyan College, and
Wheeling Jesuit University.
FORMER COMETS AT MIAMI
Former Comet Carl Richburg returned
from an ankle injury to help the Miami
Redhawks knock off Ohio University on
Sunday, January 20 at Millet Hall.
Richburg was an early starter for Miami
at point guard until a nagging ankle injury
kept him on the sidelines for several
weeks.
Former Comet swimmer Mike
Whipkey is a stand-out as a freshman
on the Miami University swim team.
Whipkey swims the 200 IM and 100
breastroke.
- compiled by Chronicle staff reporters
the
chroniclesports 15
Mouthing off with the
click of mouse
Social networking sites
like Yappi offer students
a forum to criticize
fellow athletes behind the
safety of an anonymous
screen name
photo by Coleman Sanders
Senior football player Kevin Wehby is a regular Yappi user.
Wehby said. "It made really good motivational material before the
game. Too bad it didn't help us."
Because of the bulletin board factor and the negative representation
Misery loves company. Nowhere is this displayed more than on sites
that it can give to a school or team, some coaches, such as varsity
such as Myspace.com and Facebook.com. Many users publicly criticize
wrestling coach Vance Reid, have told their players to stay off of Yappi.
others on their per"From what I have seen or
sonal pages for the
heard, Yappi is an opportunity
sole purpose of
for people to make comments
Immature and selfish to come on here and
displaying their
without validity," Reid said.
hype yourself when you are not talented at all.
unhappiness.
Athletes agree that some of
Now, it turns out
the people who post just want
actual Yappi post
that these social
to make controversy.
networking sites
"It’s people running their
are not alone. Yappi.com, an online forum for sports fans across Ohio,
mouths that aren't even at the game," Conn said.
has recently had members of its site post scathing comments about topics
Senior Drew Williams, a frequent user of Yappi, feels that some
such as teammates, coaches, and officiating. This type of public critiposters don't think out their answers well.
cism has led many to question the benefit of sites such as Yappi and its
"A lot of people get on and just say stupid stuff. You should be
effect on high school athletics.
informed before you post," Williams said.
Founded in 2001, the number of members to the site has now reached
But not only are some using Yappi to talk down to opponents, some
27,157. Over 39 thousand posting topics, known as threads, are availare criticizing teammates and even coaches.
able for viewing and adding personal comments to. They can be team
JV Basketball and JV Baseball coach Curt Bly feel that public critiand sport specific or they can deal with topics such as quality of officiatcism has no place in high school athletics.
ing or upcoming big games between schools. Depending on the amount
"I visited the site after I heard kids talking about it," Bly said. "What I
of postings by a member, different user
levels are gained, from Junior Varsity all
If I was a St. X player I would not be proud of this win, I would
the way to All-Yappi status, which makes
almost be embarrassed that we won knowing that the only reason
posting on the site encouraged.
we won was because Mason couldn't make a free throw.
For people like senior Kevin Wehby, the
interactivity and discussion between curactual Yappi post
rent and former players, students, fans, and
even parents from different high schools across Ohio, is the sites biggest
found was disappointing. In the ESPN culture we live in, there's one
draw.
thing we like more than cheering athletes on, and that is watching them
"I like talking about sports with other athletes on Yappi," Wehby said.
fail."
"It's really interesting when you can talk to somebody from a team you
Bly feels that the purpose of amateur athletics is extremely different
play against."
from that of professional.
Senior Chase Conn also likes talking with sports fans outside of
"Public criticism is inconsistent with the spirit of high school athletics,
Mason.
which is the principle of team over indi"I like to see what people say
viduals," Bly said.
Statement from Yappi Administrator
about their teams and athletes
According to Bly, Yappi, and other
Unfortunately, a select few have chosen to attack individubecause we don't really have any
sites like it, put high school athletes
als on here for personal reasons. I cannot allow this forum
information about them," Conn
through situations that they shouldn't
to be used for that. I have taken posting privileges away
said.
have to go through.
from 6 posters today and will continue searching for other
This camaraderie between ath"In professional sports being in the
offenders.
letes doesn't prevent some of the
public eye and criticism is something
negative comments toward oththat comes with the territory. High
If this type of action continues in this forum, the boys socers that seem to go along with
school athletes shouldn't be there," Bly
cer forum will be shut down. For the responsible posters
being a social-working site.
said. "I'm worried about the effect that
on here that enjoy soccer, it's your obligation to report
While Yappi users must agree to
it has on the kids, on their self-confithese disgusting posts ASAP to get rid of these type of
terms when they register at
dence. They shouldn't be worried about
posters. Otherwise, this forum will not be here for you to
Yappi.com that they "will not
that kind of stuff when we're trying to
share information about your teams.
post any messages that are
prepare these young men and women for
obscene, vulgar, sexually-orientlife."
Rules For Posting
ed, hateful, threatening, or otherBut because of anonymity, effective
1.
No name calling
wise violative of any laws", sevpunishment by the school or coaches is
2.
No swearing
eral instances of harsh criticism
nearly impossible.
4.
Posting multiple times in a row
can be found. Wehby and the
Coach Reid hopes that the student ath5.
"Outing" an anonymous poster
Comet football team experienced
letes of today will learn to be more
6.
Multiple Usernames
it firsthand earlier this season.
responsible and mature.
7.
No Derogatory Usernames
"Before the Colerain game I
"The way I see it is if you have some8.
Stalking - “following another user through threads”
found some stuff their players
thing to say to me, be a man and say it
9.
Hijacking, “taking over a post”
posted on Yappi about how they
to my face," Reid said. "Don't be a
10.
Habitual Trash Talking
were going to destroy us,"
coward and hide behind a screen name."
By COLEMAN SANDERS
Staff Writer
[
]
[
]
16
the
chroniclesports
Conversation
A CONVERSATION
WITH...
Cody Brausch
Freshman
Wrestling
How is wrestling in 8th
grade different from wrestling in high
school?
Most of the guys are much bigger; I went from
8th grade year being at the top of my weight
class [235] to wrestling guys like Josh who
are at 285. Pretty much, I went from the top to
the bottom.
What was the hardest transition for you?
Practices are a lot harder and the coaches
are more intense.
What is it like coming up as a freshman
and wrestling varsity B?
Everything is more challenging, and wrestling
people like Josh is hard because he is bigger
and more experienced than me.
Is it embarrassing wearing a singlet?
No, not really anymore.
Do you have a ritual before each match?
Not really, I stretch and stuff but that's about
it.
What music gets you pumped up before
wrestling?
I don't really listen to music before wrestling.
Do you feel comfortable around the older
guys?
Yeah, the guys are nice and they pretty much
accept us.
What is your relationship with Josh and
some of the older wrestlers?
My brother and Josh have been friends since
freshman year, so it makes me feel a little
more comfortable. We have a little bit of a
buddy-buddy relationship because of it.
How are you doing in tournaments?
I have been in two varsity B tournaments, and
I've gone 9-2.
What are the Advantages and
Disadvantages of being a heavy weight?
Disadvantages
I am on the smaller end of the heavy weight
scale, so going up against guys that are 6'4
and HUGE. I'm only 5’11” and 235 pounds. To
them, I'm tiny. I'm also a freshman which
leaves me with less experience and technique.
Advantages
The advantages of being smaller are that I'm
faster. And I'm learning more things faster
from the older guys.
How did you get into wrestling?
I got into wrestling because my brother wrestled. He started as a sophomore in high
school and seemed to really enjoy it. I started
out in youth leagues when I was in fourth
grade.
Is there a main reason you wrestle?
I mainly wrestle to get ready for football. I
would really like to play in college some day.
January 31, 2007
Comets prepared for stretch run in FAVC
By JEREMY POWERS
Staff Writer
In what could be described as their Fort Ancient Valley
Conference farewell tour, the boys basketball team sits in a
familiar position. With six conference games behind them, the
Comets have an overall record of 12-2, and an unbeaten 6-0
mark in the FAVC.
The Comets currently sit in first place, holding a two game
lead over Winton Woods with a rematch looming this Friday. A
Comet victory over the Warriors would be a big step in wrapping up a third consecutive league title.
Mason's conference dominance has been aided by some tough
early season scheduling. The Comets followed up their championship in the Lebanon Tip-Off Tournament by advancing to the
finals of the fourth annual Mason Holiday Classic before
falling to Greater Catholic League powerhouse St. Xavier in
overtime.
Coach Greg Richards is confident that the tough non-league
schedule has the Comets ready for the stretch run.
"The good competition is going to prepare us for the league
down the road," Richards said.
The teams' steady performance this season will be tested as
they conclude their road schedule with two FAVC foes. The
Comets travel to Winton Woods on Friday and on February 9,
will have to contain Anderson's high scoring Julian Wilkison
who did not play in the Comets December 5th win over the
Redskins.
"We know that Julian is a really good player and their
offense flows a lot smoother when he is on the court." Senior
forward Derek Brown said. "Playing in that gym will be a very
hard task to overcome."
Early season success has been partly due to some newcomers
who have made the transition from junior varsity to varsity
quite smoothly. One of those making significant contributions
is six foot five junior Jordan Heatherly who has stepped in to
help give the Comets some size in the paint.
"Heatherly's play has sparked our play inside and benefited
the team," Richards said.
Heatherly's contribution on the boards has played a major
role in Comets' control of the game.
"Coach Richards expects me to go in and rebound,"
Heatherly said. "He expects me to be a presence in the paint."
Great shooting has always been a component of great teams
in Mason's past and that is exactly what senior guard Chase
Conn has provided this season.
"I feel I have shot the ball well," Conn said. "My shots have
not been forced shots to hurt the team but good shots that have
photo by Jeremy Powers
Coach Greg Richards fires up the team prior to taking the
floor against GMC foe Lakota East. The Comets knocked off
the Thunderhawks 56-52 in overtime.
benefited our play."
While Conn has shot approximately 35 % from three point
range this season, sophomore point guard Zach Brown has not
only managed the duties of running the Comet offense but also
leads the team in scoring averaging 11.1 points per game.
"Coach Richards gives us freedom to shoot if we are open,"
Zach Brown said.
As always the Comets rely on their stingy defense and no
player exemplifies the Comets' dedication to shutting down the
opposition more than senior forward Matt White, who often
draws the assignment of guarding the opponent's best player.
White leads the team in steals.
"Aggressive defense allows our team to play under control
on the offensive end," White said.
An added attraction to the Comets' defense has been the
emergence of Heatherly's shot blocking skills. Leading the
team with two blocks per game, which is good for second in
the FAVC.
"Blocks give us a spark of hope and excitement," Heatherly
said. "It adds some energy to the game."
The Comets final FAVC and regular season game is Friday,
February 16 at home against the Loveland Tigers.
Lady Comets in the thick of FAVC race
By MORRISON TRACY
Sports Editor
Varsity girls coach Rob Matula knew the
Lady Comets would be good but he had no
clue that they would be this good. After a 5346 victory at Colerain, the Lady Comets sit at
13-3 (6-1) [at press time] and on the brink of
their first Fort Ancient Valley Conference title
since the state championship season of 2000.
"We have been playing well so far and it
has translated into some quality wins," Matula
said. "When we execute, it's hard to beat us."
The Lady Comets only three defeats have
all been at the hands of the fourth, fifth, and
sixth ranked teams (Princeton, Winton Woods,
and St. Ursula) in the city according the
Cincinnati Enquirer Division I poll.
"In the games we lost this season, we simply lacked focus," Matula said. "We allow
point totals against us in the fifties and we
play lousy defense."
According to Matula, all the games the
Lady Comets won have been in relation to the
team handling pressure playing solid team
defense. Mason leads the league in defense,
holding opponents to 40 points per game.
"We fly to the ball and defend well in
games we win," Matula said. "We're not a
potent scoring team so we need to play solid
defense and stay out of a run-and-gun type
game."
Balanced scoring has been the teams calling
card all season. No player on Mason's varsity
roster is averaging in double figures in points
per game. Senior guard Kristen Lamotte leads
the team in scoring at 8.6 points per game.
"At the beginning of the year, we really
hammered the idea that we cannot rely on just
one girl to be our go to player," Matula said.
"We have so many people who can shoot and
that we can pass to with confidence of them
executing the play."
Senior forward Emma Miller feels the balanced scoring has helped them become one of
the toughest teams around to defend.
"When everyone has the ability to shoot, the
defense cannot key on just one player," Miller
said. "We make it hard for teams to shut us
down because at any given moment, anyone
can score."
"We all do our part and we have a lot of
girls who step up big in different times and
you never know who is going to have the big
game each night," Miller said. "It seems like
every time we take the floor, we have a new
player step up and have a huge night scoring.
Lamotte, [Danielle] Crotty, [Catherine] Earl,
and other players seem to just rotate who gets
to have the big game for that night."
After an early season loss to Winton Woods,
the Comets were a game behind the Warriors
in the standings but when winless Harrison
knocked off the league leaders, the Comets
found themselves deadlocked with a rematch
that could decide the league title slated for
Saturday, January 27.
"Us losing the first time in Winton Woods
really hurt us," Matula said. "We didn't even
show up in that game and the score reflected
that. That game was a lesson to never be
focused on anything else but the game you're
playing."
With the success the team is experiencing it
would be easy to look ahead but Matula is
determined to take one game at a time.
"We have the post season coming up but I
don't want to take our focus off of the regular
season just yet," Matula said. "We want to
stay focused on each game and run the table
for the rest of the season."
According to Miller, the teams main goal is
to advance past the first round of the state
tournament.
"When the tournament rolls around, we
want to go deep into the tournament," Miller
said. "Most importantly, we need to get past
the first round to go anywhere because over
the past couple of years we have struggled to
advance after our first game. That has to be
photo by Morrison Tracy
Coach Rob Matula says his team must
must stay focused down the stretch.
our focus when we prepare for the tournament."
Record aside, Matula believes the team has
much improvement before they enter post season play.
"We struggle with rebounding first and foremost and that has to be fixed if we want to
win big games," Matula said. "Also we need
to work on handling fast, aggressive defensive
pressure. We really struggle when teams fly at
us and make us go quicker than our offense
wants to."
The five seniors on the team have provided
an example and the younger talent has followed them to success. Matula contributes
most of the success this season to the seniors.
"Our senior leadership is unbelievable,"
Matula said. "Whenever we need an example
to be set, they go above and beyond what I
expect. I couldn't ask for a better group to
coach because over the years they have seen
what it takes to succeed."
January 31, 2007
the
chroniclesports 17
Girls, Boys Swimming on pace to win fourth consecutive FAVC title
By D REW A LLEN
Staff Writer
Over the past few seasons, the Mason varsity swim team has
experienced a level of success unprecedented by any in Mason
history. Both teams have claimed three straight Fort Ancient
Valley Conference titles, the boys claimed a sectional title and
their first state champion, and both teams have had multiple state
qualifiers and placers. With state qualifiers returning for both
teams, the Comets figure to expand on their success this season,
"We'd like to repeat in the FAVC," head coach Mark Sullivan
said. "Also, we'd like to see the boys repeat their championship
at sectionals and runner up finish at districts, and for the girls to
claim a sectional title. A top-10 placing at state for both is also
one of our goals."
As the postseason approaches quickly for the team, Sullivan
expects people to step up if their goals are to become a reality.
"Even though we have large numbers, depth, and competition,
there are still holes at some events," Sullivan said. "Some people
need to step up, they need to swim fast."
Several underclassmen have stepped up for the girl's team this
season. Freshman Danielle Jansen leads the FAVC in the 200
Yard I.M., 50 Yard Freestyle, 100 Yard Butterfly, 100 Yard
Freestyle, and is second in two other events. Sophomore Mary
Wunderle is second in the 100 Yard Backstroke and also placed
third in the 200 and fourth in the 100 backstroke at the
Southwest Ohio Coaches Classic, the largest swim meet in the
country.
"Four of our underclassmen girls have been doing all our scoring; Danielle, Mary, Haley Bull and Cari Caprio," Sullivan said.
Wunderle, a returning state qualifier, has high goals set for
herself as the state and district tournaments loom ahead.
"I want to place in the top eight at state this year [in the] 100
Backstroke," Wunderle said.
Returning state champion Spencer Hewes also has his sights
set on the state platform after a disappointing shoulder injury in
the summer.
"We have only six weeks left [until] state," Hewes said. "I
want to have a 58 time by then and place in the top three or
four."
Besides Hewes, other boys have been stepping up this season
to lead the Comets. Junior Brad Langford is first in the FAVC in
the 100 Yard Butterfly, 100 Yard Freestyle, 500 Yard Freestyle,
second in the 200 Yard Freestyle and third in the 200 Yard I.M.
Bandon Evans, a junior, is second in the 500 Yard Freestyle and
fourth in two other events.
"Some key contributors on our guys team have been Langford,
Hewes and Jared Bollman, a senior," Sullivan said. "Sophomore
Stephen Sargent has also done really well in diving."
Even with their success this season, the Comets must concentrate on their conditioning and mental preparation as the state
tournament draws near.
The Comet Culture Grid
How do
the
Comets
fit in?
JORDAN
HEATHERLY
Jr.,
Basketball
MELLISA
STOUT
Sr.,
KYLE DAVIS
Sr.,
Basketball
Seahawks
Colts
Bengals
Bengals
What food
do you
Chocolate
sneak late
at night?
Cereal
Peanut
butter
and jelly
Cookies
Favorite
Disney
character?
Hottest
professional
athlete?
Worst
sport to
watch on
TV?
Even if I
was given
tickets, I
wouldnt
go to....
"A lot of our kids got better in terms of conditioning by playing on our water polo club team," Sullivan said. "And the more
we get them in the water, the better shape they are in. [Being in
shape] has really helped us in the last couple of years."
Hewes believes the team must focus on their mental state as
they prepare to accomplish their postseason dreams.
"We're doing a lot better," Hewes said. "But we really need to
work on our mental preparation and getting centered on what we
Murnan feels wrestling team is
ready for strong post season run
February The Month of Champions."
Senior Bryan Hyland believes that
February is the pre-eminent part of his
season and has aspirations on making it to
With the loss of four first team all Fort
state.
Ancient Valley Conference wrestlers, the
"At practice, we're always preparing
Comets have not only rebuilt, but they
ourselves for state," Hyland said. "I
have reloaded in 2007 as they prepare for
would like to place at state
the postseason.
this year."
Mason has shown their
Senior Chad Kline, brother
maturity with team victories at
of Josh, also has hopes to
the 12th Annual Kevin
qualify for state this year.
Cleveland Invitational and
Kline has been off the mat
against Oak Hills in a dual
since last season due to two
meet. The Comets also
knee surgeries and two shouldemonstrated a strong perder surgeries. Like his brothformance in the James Horning
er, Chad Kline placed first at
Memorial Tournament with a
the James Horning Memorial
runner up finish to Lakota
Tournament in the 152 weight
West who is currently ranked
class.
fourth in the state polls.
"I have high goals for
Junior Josh Kline has helped
myself and I want to be a state
the comets to an 8-4 dual meet
champion," Kline said, "but it
record with solid individual
"We have
all depends on how my knee
performances. Kline finished
about
six
or
and shoulder hold up."
first in the James Horning
seven guys
State is the focus of many
Memorial Tournament, first in
the Mt. Vernon Tournament,
who have an wrestlers, but as a team, there
high expectations for the
and second at the Kevin
opportunity are
rest of this season.
Cleveland Invitational.
to make it to "We would like to win FAVC
"My goal is to place well at
as a team because it's our last
state this year," Kline said.
state.”
"I'm training hard to prepare
Craig Murnan year in the FAVC and it would
myself for it."
Head wrestling be a nice way to leave the
league," Hyland said.
Varsity coach Craig Murnan
coach
Murnan does several things
believes there are several
in practice to prepare his
wrestlers who have an excellent
wrestlers for the post season, including
chance to qualify for State in the 2007
match management, match strategy, and
season.
technique drills.
"We have about six or seven guys who
"We preach to our wrestlers to be
have an opportunity to make it to state,"
aggressive," Murnan said. "We have a
Murnan said.
young team, but we're gaining a lot of
The state tournament is on the weekend
experience as the season progresses."
of March 3. It’s precluded by the
With February looming ahead, Murnan
Sectional and District Tournaments.
has begun to see a young group of
According to Murnan, the road to state is
wrestlers evolve into an experienced team
the most important part of the season.
of wrestlers.
"Wrestlers have to overcome adversity
"We're learning that we can expect ourin this month and beat opponents they've
selves to win," Murnan said.
lost to or struggled against in the past,"
Murnan said. "That's why we call
By JEFF STEPHENS
Staff Writer
PAUL
EBERSOLE
Athletic
Trainer
Best NFL
uniform?
photo by Jeremy Powers
Comet swimmer Drew McKee practices for the upcoming Fort Ancient Valley Conference meet.
Genie
Hercules
Jenny
Finch
Gabrielle
Reese
WNBA
The
Beast
Simba
Colts
Ice cream Leftovers
Blue the
bear
Coach
Boone
Jenny
Finch
Girls
Soccer
basketball
Cheerleading
competitions
Bengals
DEREK
BROWN
Sr.,
Basketball
Mr.
Castner
Maria
would say Sharapova
Jenny
Andy
Finch
Roddick
Soccer
vs
Golf
Baseball
Figure
skating
CASEY
POPPLEWELL
Basketball
Cheerleading Coach
Kentucky
basketball
game
Steelers
game
Louisville Louisville
basketball Cardinals
game
games
With the Mason headed to the Greater
Miami Conference next year here’s a
quick look at how some of the Comet
winter sports teams have stacked up
against GMC opponents this winter.
Boys Basketball
Mason 51, Milford 35
Lakota West 48, Mason 36
Mason 56, Lakota East 52
Girls Basketball
Princeton 39, Mason 31
Mason 53, Colerain 46
Wrestling
Mason 42, Oak Hills 15
Lakota West 41, Mason 21
Finished second to Lakota West
in JVH Tournament
18
the
chronicle
January 31, 2007
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH
Danielle
Jansen
1st in For t Ancient
Valley Conference
*200 Yard I.M.
*50 Yard Freest yle
*100 Yard Butter fly
*100 Yard Freest yle
*500 Yard Freest yle
*100 Yard Breastroke
***************************ECRLOT**C-086
Aponte’s Pizzeria & Family Restaurant
“Where All Our Pizza Is Hand Tossed”
753 Reading Road
Mason, OH 45040
| || |||| | | |||| | ||||||| | | ||||| |||| | | ||||
US POSTAGE
PAID
MASON, OH
PERMIT 45040
Hours:
Monday-Saturday
11am-10pm
Sunday
12pm-9pm
Holds 6 Individual
Mason Swimming
Records
January 31, 2007
the
chroniclearts&entertainment
19
Reviews
When Shakespeare and High School blend...
Book
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
humanizes 9/11
By RACHEL SLEZAK
Staff Writer
photo by Shea Davidson
Robyn Novac (right) and Candice Philpot (bottom center) act out a main scene in The
Tempest. The play has been met with much enthusiasm.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran
Foer is an ambitious second novel from a promising young
writer. The book takes September 11, a topic that has already
been covered in every facet of the media, and turns it into
something personal and unique. Without ever politicizing the
event, Foer uses the terrorist attacks as the central incident
driving Oskar, the 9-year-old main character whose father died in the World Trade
Center.
The majority of the chapters are told from the perspective of Oskar, whose age limits his ability to comprehend some of the things happening around him. Some of the
characters Oskar encounters border on surrealism; he encounters a man who does not
speak, and a man hearing for the first time after several years. Some chapters are written in verse, and some are written in letters. Entire pages are filled with nothing but
numbers, a few pages contain only one phrase apiece, and several pages contain nothing but pictures. At times the book's eccentricities intentionally become overwhelming. In order to understand what it is like to be Oskar, the reader has to be immersed
in these aspects of his world. Though the characters are unique, the feelings they
experience are universal enough for this book to gain wide appeal.
Tempest conjures up Shakespearean
revival at MHS
Music
By AMANDA MILLER
Staff Writer
By SAM GOLDSMITH
Contributing Writer
For three years, the stage of William Mason High School has
been missing of a Shakespearian play. This year, the drama department is putting on The Tempest for their annual winter play.
Seniors, preparing to graduate, will have one last chance in high
school to perform a Shakespearian play.
"It's really cool, because I got to do a Shakespeare my freshman
year, and now I'm also getting to do one before I graduate," senior
Samantha Daily said, who is playing roles of a sailor and a spirit
in The Tempest.
It is not only the seniors that are excited to get to perform
Shakespeare. Sophomore Renee Rabenold, who plays the part of
Prospero, said that she is very excited to be performing The
Tempest.
"I love Shakespeare. His characters are always very defined, and
you can always find somebody in real life that you know like a
character in his plays," Rabenold said.
Theater director Allen Young has decided upon a Shakespeare
photo by Shea Davidson
for multiple reasons.
This scene depicts Miranda and her
"I try to pick a play that will tie into the curriculum, and right
future husband. The Tempest, which
now the seniors in Honors English are reading The Tempest, so it debuted last Friday, has brought on
seemed like a good choice," Young said.
Shakespeare-mania.
Young also said that there are many plays that have been written
that have good content, and it's good for the students to be able to have a variety.
The students in AP British Literature are also being given the opportunity to earn extra credit points for viewing the play.
With only having eight weeks to prepare, the cast of The Tempest has been hard at work Young says. Getting
into and understanding the language that the play is written in has been one of the most time-consuming tasks;
which took about two weeks. Young said that the students in the play have been hard at work, and have not
seemed to be scared away or intimidated by the fact that it is a Shakespeare play, which are confirmed by
Rabenold.
"Students get intimidated when they see Shakespeare, and think the language or content is too deep or impossible to understand. I think we've done a good job at taking that on and performing the play the way it was written," Rabenold said.
"The plays by Shakespeare are very well written, which is why they have endured all this time," Young said.
The Tempest is about Prospero the sorcerer, the rightful duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda, who have
been cast out to sea by the duke's brother and the King of Naples. The group lands on an island and meets
Caliban, a savage child who teaches them to live on the island; in return they teach Caliban religion and language. Twelve years later, a ship passes the island carrying all those who cast out Prospero, the duke, and
Miranda.
Prospero summons a tempest, which is a violent windstorm, to sink the passing ship and strand all those
aboard the ship on the island. Prospero does not tell them who he is, but instead leaves them to suffer. In the
end, Prospero bring them to him and forgives them all. With his magic, they are all taken back to Italy, where
they live.
As Prospero declares in the third act of the play, "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life
is rounded with a sleep."
5. Chasing Cars-Snow Patrol: Finally. The most pure and direct love song I've
heard in a long time. The sincerity of Gary Lightbody's lyrics and
voice give the song joy with a touch of longing pain to add
dimension. The guitar has a simple two-note phrase
that slowly builds until it reaches an angelic high.
4. MakeDamnSure-Taking Back Sunday: This
song will make you want to take your anger out on
everyone who did you wrong. The chorus' guitars
and call and answer vocals grab you by the throat and
throw you across a room, hard. This declaration of
pain is the prime example of hardcore emo without
being self-conscious or schizophrenic about it.
3. Crazy-Gnarls Barkley: Cee-Lo and DJ Danger
Mouse have composed a brilliantly soulful song about the
nature of insanity and paranoia. The jerkiness and eccentricity of the beat and bass
feel as though you transport to another enveloping universe. Oddly enough, the irony
of it all is that we relate to the song more than we like to think, making it one of the
most insinuatingly universal songs.
2. Snow ((Hey Oh))-Red Hot Chili Peppers: This song illustrates how you feel
when there seems like no way to escape your demons. The authenticity of the idea
comes from soul-damaging drug addictions (since conquered) of singer/lyricist
Anthony Kiedis and guitarist John Frusciante. The lyrics utilize the power of romanticism to add wholeness in the delivery. Adding to the splendor of the song, there is the
addition of a mellotron (a primitive synthesizer) creating a flute sound, such as the one
used by The Beatles for the opening of "Strawberry Fields Forever."
1. The Saints Are Coming-U2 & Green Day: Ordinarily a cover of a song by
Scottish punk band The Skids does not attract too much attention, but if you make it a
collaboration between two of the best bands of the past quarter century, then you take
notice. Recorded at Abbey Road (The Beatles studio of choice) with eclectic and prolific producer Rick Rubin, the two groups created a 3-minute righteous fury firestorm.
Beginning with an eerie verse from "House of the Rising Sun," the song keeps a
steady quiet until irate urgency sets in by the sound of tag teaming guitars, basses, and
drums. The song was used as a charity single for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina,
but the song reflects the underbelly of sadness and rage when the ones who are supposed to help let you down. Therefore, I declare, the best single of the year.
MBC planning to produce documentary
By STEPHANIE VISSCHER
Associate Editor
The last Wednesday of second trimester will mark a
milestone in MBC history. For the first time, the
Advanced Broadcast Journalism class will be producing a documentary to air in place of their monthly
broadcasts.
"For the past five or six years MBC has been the
broadcast," said senior Candice Philpot, executive
producer of the documentary. "Mr. Conner [journalism teacher] felt that it was time to change things and
this advanced class that he has now is capable of
going more in-depth."
The documentary, which is planned on being 30
minutes long, is still in preproduction. All students in
the current Advanced Broadcast Journalism I class are
involved in creating the documentary and will be
working on it for the remaining of the trimester. In
addition to working on the documentary, the class will
also put out its scheduled February broadcast.
Although it is unclear if there will be another documentary in the future, don't count on MBC's trademark broadcasts to go away.
"The MBC broadcasts have become a staple in our
school," Philpot said. "People expect to see them.
That's one of the reasons we wanted to branch out and
try something different.”
Greenday tops list of best songs of ‘06
Movie
Children of Men ending dissapoints
By BETH LIPTON
Staff Writer
Children of Men was anticipated for its theme--a world where women have become
barren, ultimately bringing about the demise of the world, uprooting the question
"could this really happen?"
Clive Owen plays Theo, is apathetic towards the situation the world is in. His past is
scarred by the death of his child, and his wife left him after his death. His wife returns
and introduces him to a woman named Kee, (Claire-Hope Ashitey) who is pregnant
with the first baby in 18 years. With the help of several characters of questionable
motives, Theo works to bring Kee to a safe experimental center.
Children of Men is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the viewer's interest from start to
finish with a fascinating plot that gradually builds throughout the movie. As a viewer,
this movie makes you wonder if this could become a reality and, if so, what would
really happen or how would you react.
The only downside to Children of Men is, as with many movies, the ending.
Throughout the film, the plot continues to build until it reaches the end where it just
stops. There is some feeling of an ending at the end of the movie, but it really did not
satisfy after such a good build of the plot. However, the overall film presents an amazing story, that brings a constant loss for words as to how we really would really react
in such a situation. Though the end may have made viewers angry, it was only because
of the excellence of the beginning scenes. But while the last sentence of a book often
attracts readers, allow this movie’s cover to draw you into it. It’s worth it.
20
the
chroniclepeople
January 31, 2007
Even in retirement WWII veteran
continues a lifetime of service
By OLGA BORODULIN
Editor
A 79-year-old man, who always sports a
green Mason City School logo embroidered
jacket, can be found giving tours, distributing
mail, and welcoming newcomers to Mason
High School on Wednesday afternoons. He,
however, is not new to the school or to working
with teachers and children. He's been volunteering at the new Mason High school building
since its opening in 2001, and as far as working
with children goes, he has six of his own.
"I'm proud to show Mason High School [to
newcomers] because of the students. The
school has dedicated teachers and motivated
students," he said.
Victor Carman has resided in Mason
Christian Village with his wife, Pat, for nine
years. As a retired high school counselor, he
can now afford time for himself, his family, and
the activities he enjoys most. His family, however, does take up a reasonable amount of time
considering he has six children, 23 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
"My wife and I usually have to plan out a
birthday card every month," he said.
After 56 years of marriage, Carman still
attests that he "would do it all again."
"I was lucky because I came from a generation where marriage is for a lifetime," he said.
"It's been a long and enjoyable experience."
However, such a long span of time has also
forced Carman to watch his friends deteriorate
in health.
"It's part of reality to see people who do age
physically and mentally," he said. "It will probably happen to me someday, but I believe that
God is guiding us."
While aging may be a sad process for some,
retirement, at least for Carman, is not. He fills
his days with activities he finds to make him
enjoy the comforts of old age.
"I usually say that I golf from April to
September, and bowl from September to April,"
Carman said.
But his list of weekly activities is not limited
to spending his retirement on a golf course. He
is an active member of the Mason Christian
Village Veterans Association, and has served as
a commander of this organization. Under this
group, he has been able to raise funds for
National Guard and Reserve Units from Ohio.
One such effort initiated by Carman was the
collection of pop cans to be sold for financial
support for the Kings Mills Reserve Unit. Such
funds normally go towards providing soldiers
with phone cards.
Working to help current soldiers stems from
Carman's WWII experiences in the navy. He
enlisted in 1944, as a seventeen-year-old, and
was shipped out in June 1945. Carman's experience in the navy includes enduring a typhoon
while aboard a ship, an experience he now
recalls with humor.
"Every time the ship tipped to the side, it felt
like we were standing on the walls," he said.
Carman's release from the navy allowed him
to pursue an education. While he initially began
courses at the Milwaukee School of
Engineering, he soon switched his major to
education at Lakeland College, a decision he is
glad he made.
"Some people look back and ask themselves
if they loved what they did," Carman said. "I
loved being a guidance counselor and teacher."
Carman's familiarity with the war and his
skill with students is put to work today as history teachers request that he speaks to their classes on his experiences in WWII.
"Mr. Carman has been a valuable speaker
because he's helped students put themselves in
the shoes of someone who has fought for our
country. He is also helpful in offering advice
for students who want to serve in the military,"
photo by Olga Borodulin
Victor Carman has volunteered at MHS for six years, and was the first to suggest
that the USS Mason Drawing be framed and hung in the front lobby.
World History teacher Steve Prescott said.
Carman continues his dedication to the armed
forces by serving as a service academy and
ROTC representative, and has interviewed several students with the application process. Of
these includes senior Teddy Yang, who has
recently been accepted to West Point, and who
was introduced to service academy logistics by
Carman in January.
"Mr. Carman was a huge help in getting me
into West Point," Yang said. "If I hadn't gotten
all the information for the application last year,
I probably would have no chance of getting in.
From application advice to nominations, to
important meetings and even physical advice, I
really got it all from him."
Carman has now been able to watch the success of Mason High School graduates in service
academies.
"I attended a ball held at the Manor house
and saw several Mason students being recognized including Jordan Willhelm, Brad Davis,
and Carolyn Broshew," he said. "It's thrilling to
see students [at the high school] go on to service academies and have distinguished themselves there."
Though Carman may not always be in MHS
hallways, his impact is felt through a drawing
hanging to the upper left of the fireplace in the
front lobby. A drawing that once lay on the
floor of the guidance office was posted in 2003
on the wall by Carman's initiative.
"Now people who come into the school can
see it," he said. "The important thing is that it's
not on the floor."
Carman hopes to continue helping students
with their interests in service academies
through interviews.
Student refuses to share clothes,
water bottles, for fear of germs
By AMANDA MILLER
Staff Writer
photo by Olga Borodulin
Senior Carrie Waide diagnoses herself as a mysophobe with a complete fear of
anything anyone else may have touched. Besides spraying her car down with lysol
after dropping friends off, she never eats or drinks from others, and is hasty to
share her personal belongings including chapstick.
Well known mysophobes
What do Howard Hughes, Donald Trump, Randy Moss,
Saddam Hussein, Howie Mendel, P. Diddy, Cameron
Diaz, and Drew Barrymore have in common? They are all
celebrities, and they are all well-known germaphobes.
Amusing phobias..What are you afraid of?
Acrophobia- Fear of heights
Aeroacrophobia- Fear of open high places
Allodoxaphobia- Fear of opinions
Amnesiphobia- Fear of amnesia
Anuptaphobia- Fear of staying single
Atychiphobia- Fear of failure
Blennophobia- Fear of slime
Bromidrophobia- Fear of body smells
Many high school girls can be found guilty of, at one point or another, borrowing clothing from
their friends or using their make-up. For senior Carrie Waide, who has classified herself as a mysophobe, these are some of the things she tries to avoid.
"I won't share my drinks or lip gloss or anything. I do dance, so [the girls on the team] all travel
to competitions together. Sometimes, if we're in a hurry, somebody will ask to borrow my mascara; and I have a hard time handing it over," Waide said.
It is not only the sharing of lip gloss and water bottles that bother Waide. When at a restaurant,
Waide will use only a knife and a fork, "because you can bite the food off and never touch the
utensil," but will not use a spoon because then her mouth would need to touch the utensil.
"I'll use plastic utensils too," Waide said, "as
long as they've been packaged."
It is not only the eating habits that are affected
"I drive people to dance
by Waide's severe fear of germs. When going
practice. What they might
shopping, Waide does not like to try the clothes
on. Instead, she will buy the item, take it home,
not know is that after they
and wash it before trying it on or wearing it.
get out of the car I have to
Waide says her fear of germs began in middle
spray the door handles."
school, because she became more conscious of
germs.
Carrie Waide
"It just started to gross me out," Waide said. "My
father is pretty particular about his hand washing
and keeping things clean too. When I was little,
and we would go to church and shake people's hands, my dad would always go to the restroom
right away to wash his hands. I think I probably got a lot of habits from him."
In the portion of the lunchroom known as the Snack Shop, to the left of the refrigerated shelves,
is a sink, complete with hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels. Many students are not aware of
this commodity-including Waide. When asked about it, her eyes almost seemed to light up, and
Waide said, "I might have to try that out."
Her germaphobic habits are the worst when Waide is tired or stressed out. "One time, my
boyfriend took a bite of my chicken sandwich, and I cried."
The avoidance of germs has never interfered with Waide's daily schedule, but it does add a few
more stops to the sink to wash her hands. Waide also carries hand sanitizer in her purse, and Lysol
in her car.
"I drive people to dance," Waide said. "What they might not know is that after they get out of
the car I have to spray the door handles."
Brontophobia- Fear of thunder and lightning
Bufonophobia- Fear of toads
Cacophobia- Fear of ugliness
Chionophobia- Fear of snow
Chiraptophobia- Fear of being touched
Chirophobia- Fear of hands
Decidophobia- Fear of making decisions
Ecclesiophobia- Fear of church
Ecophobia- Fear of home
Enochlophobia- Fear of crowds
Lyssophobia- Fear of rabies or of becoming mad
Papaphobia- Fear of the Pope
Samhainophobia: Fear of Halloween
Xenoglossophobia- Fear of foreign languages
Zelophobia- Fear of jealousy
For a complete list of phobias go to www.phobialist.com
the
January 31, 2007
chroniclepeople
21
s
t
o
h
s
p
a
n
S
Philpot
by Candice
“Wh
While m at are yo
o
many, in st consider mu u listenin
cluding
s
g to?”
senior C ic as a sole fo
rm
aitlin Mu
lkie, are of entertainme
nt,
ch
music a oosing to purs
ue
s
career. a professional
M
work in ulkie, who hop
e
m
vocal pe usical theater s to
or
rf
her iPod ormance, has
h
has bou for two years, ad
an
g
"My fav ht over 250 so d
ori
ng
probably te [songs] wou s.
ld
Wicked be anything fro
," Mulkie
m
Along w
s
ith bein aid.
g a mem
ber of H
o
Choir, M nors Concert
ulkie wa
cast of
s
in the
Se
Musical ussical the
la
plans to st year, and
audition
Bri
"I d
yea
I think th gadoon [to pre ownloaded so r's musical: Bri for this
me of th
pare],"
gadoon
ey're re
Mulkie s
e
ally fun."
aid. "I lik songs from .
e [the s
ongs], a
nd
Candice’s camera lense closes in on...
Many students have yet to decide what to pursue...there are doctors,
lawyers, writers...and perhaps, for the lucky and talented few...musicians
among us. Those who are confident enough in their talent and love for
music choose to major in it in college, and they include senior Caitlin
Mulkie, who divulged with me why she is planning on working in the musical
theater field, and what music pumps her up to do so. Another student who
cannot be deterred from her walk in life is senior Ali Rice, who unveiled her
artistic talents to me and her aspirations in UC’s DAAP program. . While
Rice gleams in her acceptance to a prestigous program, D-winger Brett
Valls spends his time running through chilling hallways. He has had his share
of sprints through cold wings, especially with the C-wing freezing temperatures and the cold outside causing even more arctic temperatures in his
pod. To hear more of the treacherous journey to his locker, check out DWingers.
Senior Portra
it
With only fiv
e months
remaining un
til she graduates, senior
Ali Rice
says she's "e
xcited to
leave high sc
hool"
because she's
re
the college ex ady for
perience.
While many
of her peers
are uncertain,
Rice has
decided to en
roll in the
Design, Arch
itecture, Art
and Planning
(DAAP)
College at th
e University
of
Cincinnati. "I'
ve always
wanted to go
to DAAP," Ri
ce said. "And
a student in
they're really
AP Art Studio
selective." Ri
class here at
together an ar
ce is
MHS, where
t portfolio for
the students
colleges. "[I
third trimeste
put
only have th
r," Rice said.
e class] first
"So I work on
ing my study
and
the pieces fo
hall this tri."
r my portfolio
Although her
also involved
durpassion falls
in athletics. "I'
in the arts, Ri
ve been pole
the past four
ce is
vaulting for tra
years," Rice
said. "I am go
ck and field fo
UC."
ing [to continu
r
e it] when I go
to
nd
alks a
g
long w
e
th
fi
ll ndin
to
are sti ts
tomed
s
g
u
in
c
c
D-w
ea
den
ho
in the
gers
se stu
becom
D-win D-wingers have s, many studednjutsst. One of thnioer Brett Vallesr", ,wbut
e
g
d
t
a
s
s
a
in
o
s
to
lo
e
-w
m
includ t only a "D locker.
it hard
heavy
While
is no
ottom
was
as a b
also h ose locker because
h
g
w
,
in
s
D-w
Vall
in the
Choir,
placed rs Concert y disado
n
n
a
of Ho
are m locker in
there
a
claims s to having e obvious.
ge
s th
vanta
gym
beside
-wing oors by the nd
D
e
th
d
a
le
re
b
fo
u
o
be
"The d ys locked
"And
a
said.
"
are alw ool," Valls
chool.
s
g
rin
ch
after s es even du ance, Valls
oy
tim
some ith this ann lves.
the
w
se
Along ckers them r] and into
e
tual lo e top lock '] papers."
c
a
e
with th back [of th er [students ents in the
blems
's
th
the
tud
en pro ll through will have o lems the s n issue. "It
v
e
re
fa
b
a
le
l
mo
ro
il
p
re
p
m
o
w
e
l
o
e
c
a
t
s
o
m
says th mes papers said. "So p se addition
e
ith the
lls
eti
"Som locker," Va aware of th satisfied w
is
t
bottom any are no alls is still d
m
V
While often face, y."
a
g
D-win ut of the w
o
totally
lls...
I heard it in thestudha
ents against carrying
warning
With announcements
dered:
Mackenzie Touby won
bookbags, sophomore
are being given
ts
den
stu
t
tha
rd
hea
Question: "I
or overbringing book bags
Saturday schools for
s."
clas
sized purses to
istant
Answer by MHS ass
: "The
principal Tim Keeton
no
rule is: no bookbags and
or a big
backpacks. If a purse
y
bag is big enough to carr
carrytextbooks and you are
a booking a textbook in it, it's
Security
bag. It is a Homeland
, so we
k bags and backpacks
recommendation; no boo
ation]."
end
omm
[rec
that
w
follo
Catching up
with... Ms. E
verett
Now in her eig
hth year of tea
day teaching
ching, Mrs. Co
AP and regular
lleen Everett
statistics to stu
at Mason High
spends her
dents here
School. Everett
, who has
spent four of
her eight year
s
at
says she has
Mason,
"enjoyed ever
ything [that
she's] taught"
and enjoys "b
uil
ding relationships with stu
dent; being a
mentor along
with a teacher.
" When she is
not at school
Everett enjoy
s physical fitn
ess and spen
time with her
ding
husband and
two sons. "W
like going outdo
e
ors; the park,
hanging out on
the beach an
d playing in the
sand and water
While Everett
is currently try
with the kids,"
ing to gain Na
Everett said.
teaching and
tional Board Ce
enjoys "the ch
rtification for
allenge", one
and her husb
of her aspirati
and "to do a
on
triathlon with
[their two] sons s in life is for her
."
22
the
January 31, 2007
chronicle
Huffing and puffing, you arrive in class with beads of sweat rolling down your forehead and a heartbeat so
loud you can barely hear the bell. We know how time is always against you, so Chronicle Staff Writers
Beth Lipton and Sharon Stewart took to the halls and measured the times of those leisurely strolls behind
the class hottie and the hostile scrambles behind the slow kids you contemplate kicking in the shins. All
variables considered, we found proof that there really is time to get to the most opposite classrooms in
the building with time to spare.
r
it's faste
"I think
ll
a
h
e
th
through n the
a
ways th
office."
hnson
Kevin Jo
Senior
Passing all the po
ds
along the first floor
’s main route,
it takes almost ex
actly the same
time as it does to
loop around the
office and get from
C1 to A1 even
though the main wa
y is more
crowded.
through
ter to go
s
fa
's
it
y."
"I think
e hallwa
the offic ami
Kana Min
Senior
Through the of
fice way, it
takes 2.024 min
utes to
get from C to A,
while
bypassing the
B pod
takes 2.123 min
utes.
E
C
A
R
To take th
e path fro
m
A1-C1 and
then go
straight u
p to C3, it
only
takes 2.59
3 minutes
.
THE CHRONICLE
is currently
accepting
applications for
next year’s staff.
You can stop by
room C101 to pick
up an application.
You must complete
and application
and be interviewed
in order to be
eligible for
admission into the
Journalism
program.
"Is there really
enough time to go
to our lockers?"
Lauren Dowry
Senior
A trip from A1 to a locker in
C3 and then down to C1 takes
4.4298 minutes, leaving you a
whopping 34 seconds to catch
your breath.
0
ly take 4
"I probab t my
a
seconds
locker."
nt
Jon Brya
r
Junio
THE
T
P
"C1 is the mos
t popular
pod in the mor
ning."
Andrew Tremblay
Senior
All f
lo
is th ors inc
eC
lude
p
min
utes od. In d, the m
the
than
to
mo ost cr
a 20 travel
from rning, i owded
seco
t ta
po
C
nd d
iffer 1 to C3 kes 1.4 d
, wit
ence
0
hm 5
than
ore
the
rest
.
e
g
a
r
e
v
a
n
kes o
ker.
ally ta
It actu nds at a loc
o
35 sec
TO
ht
straig en
k
l
a
w
th
t
"I jus om A to C ack
r
f
eb
s
acros stairs in th
."
e
s
up th f the pod
o
can
n
u
yD
Christ more
Sopho
"Is using the side stairs
quicker than going through
the pods?"
Patty Morbach
Senior
e from
h rout
"Whic A3 is the
C1 to st?"
faste
ld
Leopo
a
D vid
e
r
o
m
Sopho
3 using the
To go from A1-C
n A/B and
side stairs betwee
minutes.
B/C, it takes 3.019
Therefore,
even thoug
h the
side stairs
are less cro
wded,
they make
the route to
class
significantl
y longer.
the
January 31, 2007
chroniclestyle 23
Fashion Wire
Students admit to addiction to certain designer labels
By DANIELLE WILLIAMS
Staff Writer
Through history fashion designers have emerged and established themselves as
renowned artists. Designers such as Ralph Lauren to Guess to Lacoste, have undoubtedly influenced the ensembles of Mason High School.
Students adore certain designer's clothing, shoes, and accessories and some have even
hit the borderline between love and obsession.
Senior Brooke Antoine and Carlo Rebaza have boldly crossed the line and have no
hopes of stepping back.
"I would consider myself a designer addict because it has gotten to the point where I
can't go a day without wearing Kimora Lee Simmon's clothing line, Baby Phat," Antoine
said. "I wear at least one item from Baby Phat every day weather it be shoes or her fragrance, Goddess."
From clothing to sunglasses, the majority of Rebaza's wardrobe is labeled in designer
brands.
"Designer clothes have influenced my style in a way that sometimes I can't let myself
buy somthing that isn't designer," Rebaza said. "I love Abercrombie and Fitch. I consider myself preppy and their clothes have a preppy sense of style."
Designers are infamous for capturing personal style and can insinuate a person's character.
"I love standing out and I hate wearing what everyone else is wearing," Antoine said.
"I believe no one else wears Baby Phat as much as I do, so I'm able to stand out."
Obsessions usually have negative effects, but for these two addicts the quality and timing is worth the expensive price.
"I never buy everything at one time so I can have pieces from the different Baby Phat
collections," Antoine said. "Also, I always buy Baby Phat at full price. I like to get
things when they first come out so I can be the first to wear it."
Rebaza and Antoine are comfortable with their addictions and are confident in know- Rebaza and Antoine are enthusastist of designer
ing they will always be in style.
wear and attest that they have trouble buying
" I always have something different to wear from my designer and I’ll be fashionable anything else.
,” Rebaza said.
Express Yourself
Name: Mr. Aaron J. Roberts
Age: 27
Style Inspiration: I’ll see people on TV, and say, “That guy’s
really well dressed.” I also like the style of classy, pop-culture
idols like Don Cheadle.
Favorite Store: Express for Men and Gap. Aldo for shoes, too.
I’m not especially a thrift store shopper, but I do like to get the
best deals.
Wadrobe Spice: Colors. I love colors. I really like to have red
in the outfit, too. I’m known for my bright shirts and ties.
Best Creation: A year ago, I wanted a white belt and didn’t
want to buy a new one. I took a black one, sanded it,
took some white screen print and ironed it. It’s a cool,
vintage, worn-out looking belt.
That’s gotta go: “I think people with pictures
of themselves with popped collars
will look back in ten years and
regret popping. Same thing
with the really baggy
pants.”
Guys vs Girls Takes
His&Her Q&A
The media portrays that a cocky and
Alpha-male attitude is attractive and will
always get the girl. What's your take?
His
take
“Being cocky isn’t attractive,
however being confident in yourself is. It’s about not being shy
about what you do and who you
are!”
Freshman Matt Weldon
Her
take
“Cockiness would give me the impression that [a
guy] is disrespectful. I wouldn't want to be with
someone who thinks every girl is into him.”
Senior Sarah Avery
StyleStatistics
How many facial/skin care products do you
use when getting ready for school in the
morning?
None
1-2
3-4
5-More
3%
22%
33%
42%
Based on a poll of 100 randomly selected students
What’s up with
that?
Starbucks stylish among students
By MICHELLE ROTBART
Staff Writer
If you knew that a cup with a green logo was able to make you goodlooking, successful and smart then wouldn't you run to the nearest
Starbucks? Admit it, when you think of a put-together, triumphant person,
you think of sleek tailored suits, shiny shoes, a leather tote and a Starbucks
cup. Fashion Mogul Miranda Priestly of the movie The Devil Wears Prada
had assistant Andy Sachs running to Starbucks every morning. Drinking
roasted beans is now associated with achievement, independence, and maturity? What's up with that?
Lattes, Double Skinny Caramel Macchiatos, Java Chip Frappuccinos,
Chai Tea Lattes (a personal favorite) are all included on the
Starbuck's menu, along with Frank Sinatra and a few overstuffed
chairs that I like to consider mine. Overall there is a laid-back,
attractive, atmosphere in each café which is one reason
many people find Starbucks to be so attractive.
"People want to be able to hang out here; there is a nice
environment and consistency. Teenagers are more and
more in to it. It has become very trendy," Loma Louise
Maloy, manager of Starbucks, said.
Senior Jessica Homan, a big fan of Starbucks' products,
has her own opinions on why the brand has become a part
of being modern and stylish.
"Adults drink coffee so I think more teens think it makes
them look mature he image implies a late-night lifestyle.
[It's a:] 'I'm busy. I have important things to do' [look]."
Homan said.
Senior Amy Smith agrees with the maturity
aspect of drinking Starbucks brand.
"When I was younger I started drinking Starbucks
because I liked the taste of it as well as thinking the
cool names made me sound older."
In essence, according to Homan, Starbucks is less of a
drink, and more of a choice in daily apparel.
"It's not that it's the coffee. Starbucks is name-brand, like Gucci or Dior. In
the [coffee] world, Starbucks is a designer drink," Homan said.
Style giveaway
We know you love Starbucks just as much as we do! And now you
have the opportunity to have some right in your home. This month
The Chronicle is giving away a box of Tazo Tea Joy (Blended Black,
Green and Oolong Teas.) Share it with a friend or have it all for
yourself to relax you from your long day. You win if have a sticker
somewhere on this page! Come down to room C110 by the end of
the day to claim your prize and fill yourself witha little cup of Joy!
You Really Can Win!
Junior Christina D'Amico searches
through the many varieties and styles
of Michael Stars tops at Girl
Boutique to find her favorite color
and fit. D’Amico was the winner of
last month’s Chronicle giveaway.
Look around this page you may be
the next Chronicle winner.
PROM
A Special Invitation To
Area High School
Students To Preview
The Most Exciting
Prom Dresses In
We want you to experience the
fun of enjoying a day with
friends to see our extensive
collection of prom
gowns…sure to delight the eye
and cause raves as you plan
your special prom evening!
Chic, glamorous, sophisticated
and pure fun. Sparkle, glitter,
beading, shine…fabrics that
will make your special night an
event to remember!
Bring your friends and celebrate PROM
at Bella donna
1115 CONGRESS AVE. 772-33377
One mile south of the TriCounty Mall in Glendale
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-5
Thurs 10-8
CLOSED SUN & MON
BELLADONNACINCINNATI.COM