November 2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Opinion: Praying in Sports

When I Was 17: Dr. Koukis

$1.00

November 2015

2- Jump Off 3- 4- Mission Work 5-6- Opinion: Praying in School Sports 7-8- Feature Athlete 9-10- Feature Senior 11-12- Leader in the Arts 13- Opinion: Affirmative Consent 14- Columbus State 15-16- Star Wars 17-18- When I Was 17: Dr. Koukis

Gema Salgado Cruz.....Editor-In-Chief of Print Devon Stephen.....Editor-In-Chief of Media Emma Peerenboom.....Arts and Entertainment Editor Gunner Daniel.....Sports Editor Regan Yoakam.....Video Editor Kameron Young.....Sports Editor

With the holiday season right around the corner, I’ve been questioning several things. For example, why doesn’t anyone talk about the genocide of Native Americans on Thanksgiving? Why do some restaurants insist on being open on Thanksgiving? Why do people even choose to spend their Thanksgivings in restaurants? Also, why isn’t Thanksgiving a commercial success like Christmas and Valentine’s Day? Despite the endless questioning of the world, I’ve also been thinking about how truly grateful I am for some of the things in my life, which is especially refreshing in these times of college applications and stress. I mean, my family is great. My coworkers are hilarious.

My pets are adorable. My teachers are inspiring. The list of blessings goes on and on.

I’m aware it can be difficult to see the good that surrounds us because the world can be a dark, cruel place. Paris is in mourning because of a terrorist attack. France is bombing Syria.

Civilians are being massacred. How can we possibly live our day-to-day lives without feeling a constant sense of impending doom? I’m not sure if I have a concrete answer for that.

However, I do have some advice that I hope is helpful: be aware of the world without letting it consume you.

It’s comforting to know that despite all of tragedies humans experience, people will always truly care for each other.

Gema Salgado Cruz Editor-In-Chief of Print

According to the SidneyHerald, there are about 80,000 young people performing missions that last up to 18 months. These people are as young as the age of 15, and as old as the age of 19. Teenagers are reaching out to the world to help millions every day, and The Monarch Vibe is here today to tell you the story of one of these many helpful teens. His name is Isaac Parrett and he is a 15-year-old at MHS. “My first mission trip was last July to Honduras,” Parrett says, “I was excited and I didn’t know what to expect out of it. We made lots of life changes for those people.” As Isaac spoke about his passion for doing mission work, his eyes twinkled with happiness and he was eager to spill all about his second life in Honduras.

His mother, Amy Parrett, travels with him and they do this work with their church together. “I thought I was somewhat prepared just from having been in homeless ministry,” Amy states, “I know addicts and alcoholics, PTSD vets that live on the streets… But nothing prepared me for the family living conditions there.” Some houses were just sticks, metal sheeting, a tarp here and there pieced together. “It looks like what an 8-year-old would create for a club house if you sent him to a junkyard for scraps. And that’s what they call home.” Most of the homes lack plumbing, electricity, and even beds. The people sleep on the dirt floors.

Despite having houses like these, the Honduran people remain happy and content. “Life in Honduras is simple,” Isaac explains, “a lot of the problems we have here (such as dramatic teen life, a red Starbucks cup, Trump for President) don’t exist there. These people are focused on family and survival. We’re focused on the next thing we want to buy, or the next thing we need to get done, while they focus on their family. They are all about family. They care about their families more than we care for anybody in our lives it seems like.” According to the World Bank Indicators, there are over two million Hondurans who live in poverty and/or are homeless. The Parretts, along with other Christians who go to Rock City Church with them, build homes for these people. “We found out that $100 will feed a family well for a whole month,” Amy says, “If you have a car, you are considered rich. The people here usually get around by riding horses or donkeys, it’s

what we would call a culture-shock.”

In our everyday lives, we are blessed with technology, plumbing, electricity, plentiful amounts of food, family, and a place that we call home. In Honduras, all they have is family. “Since going on these mission trips, I have learned to simplify. Happiness is not attained through things, but by creating moments of life with those you love. I’ve gone back to Honduras two more times and each trip kind of unlocks a little more of my true identity. Not as the world wants to shape me, not even as a mother, a daughter, a wife, or sister… But who I am outside others’ expectations,” Amy says.

Isaac is currently a sophomore, but he will be graduating next year. Why is this? Isaac is graduating early so he can move to Honduras and continue to do mission work in Honduras for the rest of his life. “Mission work has become everything that I am and everything that I am for. It has made me realize not to sweat the little things. I’m ready for the move. It’s something that needs to happen for me. I know the process will take a while, but it is so worth it,” Isaac says smiling.

As time passes for the Parrett family, their love for Honduras and the people they help grows stronger. “I’ve known since Isaac was a toddler that he was called to do something great,” Amy says, “It’s actually gotten harder to see him here after seeing him thrive in Honduras. I can’t explain it, but Honduras is his true home. It’s where his heart is. Part of me wants him to stay because he’s my kid and I love him, but they wait for him to return each and every time he leaves. He’s meant to be there.”

Isaac will continue doing mission work throughout his high school career, and has even been invited to a private trip to Honduras with only 15 people that were asked to go. “It’s amazing I get to do this,” Isaac says with a smile, “This is my life. And I can’t wait to see what will happen in the future.”

Emma Peerenboom Arts and Entertainment Editor

Isaac and Amy Parrett in Honduras the summer of 2015.

All photos courtesy of Isaac and Amy

Football Coach Suspended for Prayer on Grounds of The Establishment Clause Opinion Pieces: Should Kennedy have been suspended?

YES

constitutional rights of students or others.” The federal constitutional right which the District is referring to in this statement is the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which separates church from state by precluding SEATTLE- After Bremerton High School’s Sept. 11 the government from making any law “respecting an esgame, the team met their opponents at the fifty-yardtablishment of religion” or favoring one religion over anline for prayer. Alongside the students stood their other. Now students, staff, other community members assistant varsity coach, Joe Kennedy who was not only and 47 members of Congress, according to The Seattle participating in, but leading the prayer according to Times, rally around Kennedy, supporting his decision to Kitsap Sun’s The Prep Beat. The following Saturday pray with his players.

Kennedy shared a Facebook post by Head Coach, Mike Kevin Brandfass, who has been coaching Marysville Turso explaining that he had received news that KenHigh School football for 22 years, says that coaches nedy “would be fired if he continued to pray with the praying with students is not an uncommon occurrence. kids after the football game” like he had been doing for “I’ve seen it at other schools numerous times,” Brandfass the past nine years. Kennedy abided by the District’s explains, “but there have instruction to stop praying also been some instances with students and/or facwhere I’ve read or watched ulty for over one month, in the news a coach who until Bremerton’s Oct. 16 is very faith-based rub homecoming game. After some people in the comthe game Kennedy walked munity wrong.” Brandfass proudly, and alone, to halfstates that depending on field, where he dropped to the community which his knees and began praythe school is in, prayer at ing. He opened his eyes school events can be danto find a crowd of supgerous for those involved. porters joining him- none At Marysville, prayer of which included the before or after football Bremerton School Board games does not seem to be officials who attended the an issue. “There are some game. coaches that may say their Kennedy was placed on Photo from ABC News showing Kennedy fist own [individual] prayer paid administrative leave before the game, but it is pretty bump with Bremerton football player shortly thereafter for engaging in clear that we are a team with kids overt religious activities while on that have a lot of different faiths and coaching duty, against directions from school officials. we by no means try to do anything to make a studentAccording to CNN, the Bremerton School District susathlete feel uncomfortable in their faith in our program,” pended Kennedy on Oct. 28, stating in an online letter says Brandfass.

“The times that I witness [prayer] it is that he will not be able to resume his position as Asstudent driven. ” Based on Brandfass’ comments, the sistant Coach until he vows to stop openly praying while difference between prayer at Marysville High School working. The District placed Kennedy on leave on the and Kennedy’s overt displays of religious acts is simple: grounds of the First Amendment to the Constitutioncoercion. the very same amendment which Kennedy believes By announcing his own religious beliefs, then offering gives him the right to pray however he wants before his players a chance to join him in prayer, Kennedy is and after games. CNN reported that part of the letter compelling the student-athletes to accompany him. For reads, “Kennedy’s conduct poses a genuine risk that the a student who does not share the same Christian beliefs District will be liable for violating the federal and state

as Kennedy, choosing not to “volunteer” to join him in prayer could result in judgement, isolation, or both from teammates. As an assistant coach at a taxpayer-funded public school, is it Kennedy’s obligation to abide by the law and protect the rights of each student on his team; when Kennedy initiates pre-game prayers in a cloistered locker room or leads a post-game prayer with his players on the field in front of an audience, he is not only ignoring his players’ rights, but infringing upon them. A student who looks up to his coach and is expected, on a daily basis, to follow his instructions may feel incapable of excluding himself, embarrassed to be the only player or one of a few players who chooses not to participate, or made to feel insecure about or question his religious beliefs.

Nick Bellomo, varsity football player for MHS, explains that his coaches may silently participate in the pre-game prayers, but they are always led by senior Kevin Hughes.

Bellomo states that the prayer differs from game to game, but is Christian-based and often ends in “Amen.”

Bellomo says he has no religion, but could be classified as Agnostic. “No one [who isn’t Christian] really comes to mind… I’ve never seen anybody go off to the side or anything,” he recalls. If at Marysville High School, where prayer before varsity football games is studentled, a player feels inclined to participate out of respect for his coaches and teammates, why might a student who does not identify as Christian participate in Kennedy’s coerced prayers?

While Kennedy’s supporters seem to feel as if the Bremerton School Board is taking away his First Amendment right to Freedom of Religion, that simply is not the case. Kennedy is allowed to pray, privately and alone, while he is coaching; however, it is illegal, and rightfully so, for Kennedy to lead prayers with his students. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a civil/human rights agency, any organized prayer in school or at a school sponsored event is unconstitutional. The organization’s website reads, “The only type of prayer that is constitutionally permissible is private, voluntary student prayer that does not interfere with the school’s educational mission.” By leading prayer among his players, Kennedy has made “voluntary” participation, perhaps unintentionally, something along the lines of obliged participation. I support the Bremerton School District’s decision to suspend Kennedy with pay, and I hope that he will find a way to continue celebrating his religion without involving his players so that he may keep his job as Assistant Football Coach at Bremerton High School, as his entire community seems to believe that is where he should be.

Devon Stephen Editor-in-Chief of Media

NO Coach Joe Kennedy of Bremerton High School, in Bremerton, Wash, was released of his duties with pay after he did not follow with a school order to stop publicly praying after football games he coached for in Bremerton.

Coach Kennedy began praying after games in 2008, when he became a football coach. In all of those years as a coach not a single time did Coach Kennedy ask or encourage any player or coach on his team or the opposing team to join him. Coach Kennedy not once in his coaching career encouraged his faith or discouraged another. He simply walked out on the field after the game was over and and gave a tribute to his faith. Once people began to notice his act, many would join in. Acts like this are common among sporting events of all levels.

Even at Marysville High School, after every home game most players go and pray beside the Michael Podovano statue in the corner of the end zone. Nathan Snyder, junior punter and quarterback, said, “I think that if you want to express your faith after a game, as long as you’re not making people do it with you, should be allowed...

We always pray by the Mikey statue.”

This is a tough case for Coach Kennedy to win as the United States government has passed the Establishment Clause, stating that there can’t be a specific religion in public schools. Although this is a violation of the Establishment Clause, I feel like coach Kennedy is in the right. He isn’t forcing people to pray with him, or even look at him while he does it. You could make the argument against Coach Kennedy if he pulled out a megaphone and announced to the entire crowd that he was about to begin prayer and he didn’t like you if you didn’t join with him.

It goes the same for any religion. If you wish to express your faith in a quiet environment, no matter what your religion is, you should be allowed to do so.

The suspension of Coach Kennedy by the Bremerton School District is a travesty to the United States. This country was built on the morals of religious freedoms, and being allowed to express your faith. This right was stripped from Joe Kennedy as an unnecessary precaution to a few complains from people in the state of Washington.

Gunner Daniel Sports Editor

Jevon Knox:

Featured Athlete

While senior Jevon Knox is ranked near the very top of the 2016 class in academics, his abilities can be better observed on the basketball court. Knox has been an athlete for most of his life, playing sports like soccer and golf, but when his dad introduced him to basketball he knew he’d found his calling. Knox is a point guard and a shooting guard for Marysville High School’s boys’ varsity basketball team and for AAU, a club he plays for during high school’s off-season. Knox’s top picks for college have coaches who have noticed what MHS students noticed long ago: he’s too quick for his opponents, he has exceptional ball control, and he makes making three-pointers look easy. His on-court talents are incredible, but what really makes Knox an example for aspiring studentathletes his “school first” mentality when he’s off the court, “People should always remember school comes before athletics,” he explains. Knox’s commitment to education and dedication to the sport he loves are what will make him successful in basketball, college, and life.

How long have you been playing sports?

Since I was like 4 so, if I do the math, that would be like 13 years. I played soccer, I played golf in high school for two years, and I play basketball.

I started basketball in like first grade; I was probably 7.

How long have you been playing with the high school?

I was JV my freshman year and I’ve been on varsity since my sophomore year. I also play with AAU, a club.

month after the season ended so it’s really all year.

Do you think you will be captain this year?

Probably. I am a team leader right now on and off the court and people look up to me. I work hard in practices and people see that and it motivates them to work hard too.

I keep people accountable for working hard.

How have your teammates and coaches helped you as a player?

They’ve pushed me. When other people work hard it makes you want to work hard.

In games when I’m not shootHow have you been training in ing well, my teammates just the off-season?

Knox holding a trophy he earned durWe have lifting four days a week and encourage me to keep shooting ing his AAU season and just play my game. we have shooting. It started about a What position do you play?

Point guard and shooting guard.

I like point guard best.

What qualities do you have that make you a successful student-athlete?

My work ethic and time-management. We are so busy during off-season it’s hard to keep up with homework. I stay up really late on game days. We get home at like 10:30 p.m.

What are you most excited for this year?

Definitely basketball season. We have a chance to be really good and do some stuff Marysville hasn’t done before. Last year we were 15 and 10; I predict this year we’ll have more wins than last year, like 17 or 18. We have a lot of guys back and like 10 seniors so we should be pretty good.

Why will you be successful as an athlete in college?

I put school work as a priority.

It’s important to me that I succeed in school first, and then on the basketball court.

What schools have been coming to watch you practice?

Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Cedarville. They are both Christian schools which is important to me, and they both have engineering [majors] and good basketball programs.

Why are the basketball programs at those two schools a good fit for you?

Both programs are young so I would get playing time right away, and both need guards which is why they are recruiting me.

Describe your overall experience playing high school basketball.

It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been kind of difficult because on every team I’ve played on I’ve been an underclassman except for this year. My freshman year I played JV so I was with the older guys, and sophomore and junior year I was on varsity with seniors. It’s been kind of difficult to be a leader on the team, but I’ve made some really great friendships.

Who has been your biggest supporter?

Probably my dad. He’s taught me just about everything I know about anything- especially basketball. My whole family is supportive though.

Who is your biggest influence in the sports world?

Probably LeBron. I’ve been a LeBron fan since I was like 5. He’s really good, but he’s good off the court too.

You don’t hear about him doing anything stupid and he makes good choices.

How has basketball shaped you into the person you are?

It’s helped me have a good work ethic and have relationships with coaches and other players. It’s given me an escape from life.

When I’m on the court everything else goes away, as cheesy as that sounds.

What advice do you have for student-athletes?

I think it takes a lot of people buying into the off-season and what the coach wants to do. The players should hold each other accountable. Instead of just the coach telling you to go to lifting, players should be like ‘hey man where were you?’ They should create a winning culture. And you have to work hard while you’re at school to get work done. There is always going to be time to get stuff done. it’s just how you use that time. And always remember school comes before athletics.

Devon Stephen Editor-in-Chief of Media

Catch King Three in action Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Westland in varsity’s first game of the season! #PTBM

Calli Welker: Featured Senior S

enior Calli Welker is a strong competitor on the softball pitch as well as in the classroom. Welker’s dedication to her work, determination to succeed and positive outlook on life make her an ideal role model for her peers and underclassmen. “She’s always making people smile,” says Deanna Dehoff, one of Welker’s good friends. “At first she’s really shy but when you get to know her she is very outgoing and encouraging.”

Welker’s cheerful personality combined with her diligence has made her successful academically and socially. “I’m friends with pretty much everybody,” says Welker, who ranks in the top 10 percent of the class.

If there is anything Welker’s peers and underclassmen can learn from her, it is that hard work and kindness pay off. The Vibe wishes this lifelong Buckeye good luck throughout the rest of her senior year, college, and beyond.

What is your best characteristic?

I’m a pretty happy and friendly person. I try to be nice to everybody and try to have a good attitude.

vice and I like to help people. I think NC4K has a really good message with helping the kids and everything.

How long have you been playing softball?

I only started in sixth grade, and I tried out for the seventh grade school team and made it so I’ve been playing since then.

You excel in math and science; will your college major have to do with these subjects?

I want to go into PreMed so I will probably do something science related. Maybe chemistry because that was my favorite class. I would potentially major in chemistry or biology. I am a math and science person, I have a very logical brain. Being a doctor has always been my dream; I really like helping people.

The reward of saving somebody’s life or just helping somebody is bigger than any monetary amount could be.

How much of your time is taken up by softball?

Usually we start in the summer and have optional practices and stuff or conditioning.

And we start actual conditioning the week after Thanksgiving so it’s pretty much an all year sport.

What activities or organizations are you involved in other than softball?

I am in NHS, Leo Club and NC4K. I’ve been in Leo Club and NC4K since sophomore year. I like them all because they all involve community ser-

Where will you be going to school next fall?

I don’t know for sure but I really want to go to Ohio State. I’ve always been a Buckeye and it’s a great school, and I just fell in love with it when I

went. Plus both of my parents went there.

What aspect of college life are you most looking forward to?

The new experience of living on my own; the independence and freedom that I’ve never really had before. I have freedoms now but it’ll be different.

I’ll have to learn a lot about myself.

Why will you be a successful college student?

I am a very hardworking person and I am kind of a perfectionist. Academics have been the one thing I’m really good at and work for so I think that will continue.

Will you play softball in college?

No, but maybe in intramurals.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I don’t know, I think I can see myself staying in Ohio, but I can also see myself going somewhere.

Nowhere too far away because I really like spending time with my family and I don’t want to be too far from them.

Who will you miss the most when you go away to school?

My mom. I will miss my dad too, but my mom is like my best friend and I will really miss her.

Hopefully I’m not too far away so she can come visit me.

Both of your parents are vets; why do you want to be a doctor for people instead of animals?

I actually get that a lot. I don’t know. It just seems more rewarding. I guess I am just not as much of an animal person as my mom. I like animals as pets, but I think helping people would be better.

Has senior year lived up to your expectations so far?

Yes, definitely. I’ve had a really good experience all throughout high school. I think this class is awesome and I am going to miss everybody so much.

Everything so far has been great.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

I am looking forward to the last of everything. The last football game was really fun; I love football

and I love being in The Pit so that was definitely sad because it’s over now. And I am excited to see where everyone goes.

Favorite senior year memory?

I had a really fun time at homecoming. It was probably the best school dance we’ve had so far.

I think it’s because everyone was fun and there wasn’t too much drama. I went in a really big group of friends and it was fun.

Best memory from all of high school?

I think a big part of my memory is being on the softball team. My teammates have been some of the best girls I’ve ever met. I will really miss them. Being on the team and experiencing that has been a really fun memory that I’ll always hold onto.

What’s the most challenging part of high school?

Honestly, just always having to go, go, go. I always have schoolwork and homework and I never get enough sleep. It’s not awful, I just wish I could sleep more.

Advice for upcoming seniors?

I think my biggest piece of advice is to be kind and be happy and have a good attitude. Don’t get involved in too much drama. If you have a good outlook on everything you’ll make some good friends and some good memories.

I don’t get involved in drama so I’m friends with pretty much everybody, whether we are good friends or just classmates, so it has made everything more enjoyable.

Something about yourself not many people know?

I can sing the whole periodic table. It’s one of my biggest accomplishments, I am so proud of it. I like learning little things like that. I can do the states and the presidents, too. And it actually helped me in AP Chemistry last year.

Devon Stephen Editor-in-Chief of Media

Leader in the Arts: Devon Burke

Senior Devon Burke has been through more than practically any high school student could imagine, but has managed to beat the odds and overcome every challenge thrown his way. According to Burke, one of the things that has helped him stay positive and focused on the right things is his ability to draw. “Drawing is just fun and it takes me to another world. Whenever I start a drawing I am just so excited to see the end result,” he explains. Burke has only taken one art class with the school, but his talent is innate. This hardworking senior has been drawing since he was able to walk, and is now beginning to experiment with new mediums and techniques. “He is really starting to find himself as an artist and it’s great for our family to see,” says Annie Johnson, Burke’s mother. Burke plans to become a nurse when he goes to college next fall, but has recently decided he wants to pursue art as well. Get ready Monarchs-- one day we might just see Burke’s drawings in art shows a bit bigger than the Houston House.

When did you start drawing?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing, even when I was little.

What kind of art do you excel in most?

I do mostly realistic drawings. I like realistic drawings and paintings more than abstract art. I like drawing live things instead of buildings or blocks.

What is your favorite medium?

I like to use graphite because it is easy to have the pencil as sharp as you want it so you can round it off and shade to give your art value.

And my fingers.

What makes a person artistic?

An artistic individual is someone who sees the world in a different perspective than the average person.

Why are you an artistic person?

I like to think out of the box.

Where do you like to draw?

Everywhere. It doesn’t even have to be quiet. I can draw in my living room with all my brothers jumping around me, or anywhere. It doesn’t really matter where I am.

How many art classes have you taken with the school?

I have only taken Art 1. My senior schedule is not as free as most seniors’. I have a lot of classes because I have to take all the classes I could not take my sophomore year. I can’t take any Art classes this year because I didn’t have any room in my schedule, otherwise I would.

Do you draw from looking at a picture or from your imagination?

I can do either. I usually just draw from my mind but if I am given a picture I can draw it. I am able to picture something realistic in my head and then put it on paper.

What is your favorite piece you have ever drawn?

A portrait of my childhood hero, Steve Irwin. AKA, The Crocodile Hunter. I did that in Art 1 and it is hanging in the hallway now.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in art?

My biggest accomplishment in art was when my Steve Irwin portrait was put into the Houston House Art show last year. My Steve Irwin was my first portrait.

What kind of art do you admire?

I enjoy realistic paintings and drawings, too. My favorite art to do is my favorite art to see. I also like pieces that are creative where you can tell the artist had a lot of talent and creativity and put in a lot of work to pull it off.

How do you feel when you are drawing?

I get excited because I like being able to put what is in my head on paper. When I am able to do that successfully I feel accomplished.

Do you think that everyone is artistic?

No I do not. Everyone is different and some people have a hard time thinking outside of the box. All artists have different perspectives and are able to give what is in their mind a physical form.

How has taking an art class at the school helped you?

Before I took Art 1 I was never watched videos before and did not realize how to draw things without hard lines. Before, I drew everything with harder lines and it didn’t look as realistic. Now I am able to get rid of those lines and turn it into shading to make a better piece.

Will you pursue art in college?

I want to major in nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner, which is basically a hybrid between a nurse and a doctor. If I can, I wouldn’t mind minoring in some form of art to enhance my skills.

Did your experience in the hospital influence your artwork or the way you think about art?

My time in the hospital gave me a lot of time to think and a lot of time to draw. It helped me with patience. I learned to be very patient in the hospiBurke’s Steve Irwin portrait which earned tal, and patience is important to recognition at the Houston House Art make good art.

Show

Do you have advice for people looking to enhance their artistic abilities?

My advice is to take your time. Be more patient because patience is key.

How has art shaped you as an individual?

Being an artist makes me think outside of the box more than I already do. I don’t always accept the first answer I hear. I like to think for myself and think differently than others.

Burke’s watercolor painting inspired by his grandDevon Stephen father’s property

What inspires you in art?

A lot of people are inspired by their daily experiences, but I am more inspired by the art that already exists in nature. What I see in nature helps me to draw. In my watercolor landscape, I got the idea from my grandfather’s forest. He has trees and creeks and I just think it is beautiful. I tried to create it on paper for my first watercolor painting.

Editor-in-Chief of Media

Everyone has read those controversial headlines about drunk girls being raped. Everyone has also heard remarks claiming the girls deserved it for getting so intoxicated in the first place, or that she didn’t say “no.” These remarks are prime examples of why conversations about consent are needed, not only to bring awareness but also to prevent future tragedies. With the amount of sexual assault cases on college campuses, the answer requires policies of affirmative consent, a conscious and verbal agreement to have sexual relations with another person. Many colleges are using similar definitions of consent. For examples, The Ohio State University’s Code of Student Conduct constitutes consent as voluntary, as well as being free from the influence of any drug or intoxicant.

Many of these affirmative consent policies are enforced by states such as California and New York, while states like Maryland, Michigan and Utah

Excerpt from The Ohio State University’s Code of Student Conduct

have all begun to consider similar legislatures for their colleges. Colleges are reconsidering their code of conducts in light of the amount of sexual assault cases on campuses across the nation. According to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, a rape occurs on college campuses every 21 hours in the United States. Despited these inititives, critics of affirmative consent policies claim the gray area of consent is too grand and subjective, and universities and state governments should not try to regulate people’s sex lives. However, an anonymous senior girl at MHS says, “I feel [it] is very realistic since I have had problems with consent in the past. To have sex when you do not want to is one of the worst feelings ever. It makes you feel vulnerable, used, and defeated. Just because I didn’t say ‘no’ didn’t mean I wanted to have sex in the first place, or that I’d enjoy it for that matter. If there was a law on affirmative consant, I feel people would feel much more safe and less people would feel as if they were raped or used.” Perhaps the gray area of consent is not as wide as some people believe.

A male senior at MHS, who also chose to remain anonymus, says, “Once the word ‘maybe’ comes out, that’s when you know they’re not in the right mindset, and you shouldn’t even think of going for it.”

Affirmative consent may seem like regulation of people’s sex lives, but according to The New York Times, New York officials say affirmative consant policies provide a path to approach sex with seriousness. There is a very clear problem with sexual assault on college campuses, and a change in state legislations is a great first step in educating and protecting students.

Gema Salgado Cruz Editor-In-Chief of Print

The Force Awakens Fandom In a galaxy far, far away 38 years ago, one of the greatest most well known films was made. Years later, Star Wars is still the one of the most prestigious films in history. It comes no shock that years after releasing Revenge of the Sith, the franchise was due for another box office hit. After selling LucasFilms in 2012, Disney acquired the production company along with Star Wars. Star Wars: the Force Awak-

ens will be based off the older episodes dating back 30 years after the Return of the Jedi and will feature mostly old characters with a few new ones as well.

After the announcement was made that Disney would be making another trilogy, the internet and Star Wars Fandom went in a tizzy.

Setting box office records with the “biggest-ever 24 hours for advance sales in numerous countries,� StarWars.com announced.

Step aside Kim Kardashian, this large fandom may have broken the internet

more completely than you did. Not only selling out tickets, but literally crashing down sites like Fandango and MovieTicket. The Force Awakens trailer racked up 128 million views in just 24 hours, surpassing 88 million views the teaser received.

With all the hype surrounding the release, MHS students are hard at work convincing their peers to join the dark side. “It started with a big group chat with a bunch of friends,” Hunter Harding, a senior at MHS and avid Star Wars fan explains, “We all thought it’d be cool to get together and watch the movies together. We realized how big our group was or could be so we thought by starting a club we could talk about a whole bunch of stuff. We got it approved by administration and we all named ourselves co founders.” What people don’t understand, is why there is so much hype surrounding the trilogies. Harding broke down the hype stating, “I think Star Wars has a huge impact on not only adults, but children as well. Adults get to relive their childhood, while children get to further their childhood.”

Harding has a point, there is so much to relive with the release of such a well known film. Many kids and adults were thrilled by the announcement of a follow up of the well known game “Star Wars: Battlefront.”

This game soon followed suit with its corresponding movie, breaking records before it was even released.

Electronic Arts (EA) released a beta of Battlefront allowing consumers to have a taste of what the game is going to be like and it was a hit. Receiving nine million downloads, EA released a statement saying, “This makes this the single largest beta in the history of EA.” With so much hype and anticipation of the film and game, it’s hard not to join the dark side. No matter what side you choose, the Battlefront release on Nov. 17 and the Force Awakens release on Dec. 18 is set to go down in history.

Regan Yoakam Video & Political Editor

17 In previous years, The Monarch Vibe frequently published a feature called “When I Was 17” in order to know our staff on a more personal level. We plan on doing a monthly feature, which readers will be able to find in printed issues as well as online. If there’s a teacher readers are interested in reading about, please contact at us at mhsvibe@gmail.com.

What year did you graduate from high school?

1972 How would others describe you at 17?

Very quiet, studious, and a hippy.

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as studious, shy, reader, dancer, pianist, and poet.

Where did you see yourself going when you were 17?

I thought I would be an elementary school teacher.

Who were some of your favorite authors?

I was reading anything by Kurt Vonnegut, Bernard Malamud, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T.H. White. I read a lot.

What TV shows and films did you enjoy?

There’s really nothing that stands out much, but I did really like the Carol Burnett Show.

What advice would you give to your 17-year-

old self?

I would tell myself to stop being nervous in public and stop living every day like it’s your last.

How have your views changed since you were 17?

My views are politically the same. I think I was pretty self-centered when I was 17, so I didn’t really have world views. Certainly, my views about the world have become broader.

Share an embarrassing story.

One thing that was embarrassing to me was that because I was really quiet and looked like a hippy, people would sometimes come up to me and ask, “Are you high? Are you doing drugs?” even though I never did. That was very embarrassing to me.

What was trending when you were 17, whether it be fashion, music, etc?

There was a combination of the hippie trend.

You know, bellbottoms and blue jeans with peace signs on them. Tie-dye, fringe, and

leather vests were also popular. When people weren’t being hippies, British fashion was really popular, like maxi dresses. It went from mini to maxi within a year.

What social group or clique were you a part of?

I was a part of many groups. I was a part of the nerdy, literary group. I was also a little part of the popular group because of my boyfriend at the time. I wasn’t a social butterfly, but I had a wide variety of friends.

Did you have a job? If so, what was it?

I did not have a job in high school. My parents said school was my job. I mean, I had some summer jobs, but I never worked during the school year. I did detasseling [of corn] one year to pay for a bike trip. I only did that once, and I also babysat a bit.

How did you spend your weekends?

I spent my Saturdays at dance. When I had a boyfriend who was a swimmer, I went to swim meets. Other than that, I was just at home or at an occasional sporting event. I never went to parties or anything like that. Oh, I also had a small group of friends; we would do things we had never done before. For example, we had a viking dinner where we cooked food that requires utensils and then we ate with our hands. We also had a get-dressed-upand-go-to-a-fancy-dinner night. One day we all dressed up in trench coats and spent the evening walking back and forth between restaurants to see people’s reactions.

Any advice for 17 year-olds?

Enjoy being seventeen. Don’t be all drama. Ignore the drama of high school.

Gema Salgado Cruz Editor-In-Chief of Print

Sydney Shapiro, junior “Parks and Recreation”

Brandon Randle, junior “Breaking Bad”

Sam Garner, sophomore “Sherlock” and “Doctor Who”