The Visor

THE

VISOR

Archbishop Hoban High School - Issue No. 7 - 11 March 2020

Memories of projects past

We need music page 2

Our favorite projects page 6-7

March brackets page 2

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editorial

Why Hoban should have a music program

VISOR

THE

“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” --Psalms 105:3-5

Ever since my first day freshman year, I’ve noticed something missing from the Hoban experience. The hallway, always filled with a cacophony of voices, never echoes with haunting harmony, robust rhythm and yes, mistakenly-missed notes. Pep rallies, always ringing with cheers and jubilant shouts, lack a melodic backbone to erase the silent spells. Even football games, despite the upbeat tempo of the cheer and dance teams’ backtrack, fail to deliver a spiritually-engaging, heart-racing, foot-tapping beat. And while the steel drum band does work to overcome some of this deafening silence, it never completely fills the void.

Yes, Hoban needs to bridge this of forgotten sound. Hoban needs a devoted music program.

Now, I realize that past attempts to integrate music education into the lives of students has occurred--steel drum and choir the most prominent examples. We even tried to put together a drum line (a fair shot but still falling short in the end). But these few examples only brush the surface of music education and some, like choir and drum line, were not offered to students this year, regardless of the state of COVID-19 pandemic. Other schools proceeded with their performing arts, why couldn’t Hoban do the same?

As a school rooted in the Christian faith, it is imperative to offer such a critical subject to students. The Bible chronicles the Psalms and Songs of Solomon, each of which were originally written to be songs praising the Lord. Our faith encourages us to join in verse and song; to feel the rhythm and constant beat; to experience music’s soothing and healing qualities. Without the prospect of music education, Hoban misses an excellent opportunity to fulfill its duty of fostering the hearts and minds of students, failing to engage them in an important part of the Christian tradition.

To further this dilemma, Hoban fails to capture the interest of prospective musically-inclined students, all but encouraging them to search for other schools that offer these programs. Upon enrolling at Hoban, I was shocked to learn we didn’t have a music program, let alone a concert band. As a budding musician, I was forced to choose academic rigor over symphonic immersion. The only option remained outside organizations.

However, this avenue does not appeal to many traditional band students, causing Hoban to lose students to Saint-Vincent-Saint-Mary’s and their public schools equivalents each year--solely due to our lack of musical offerings.

Obviously, the solution will not happen overnight. It may take years to fully realize the potential a music program would offer to Hoban students. However, it is of the utmost importance to lay the groundwork for such a curriculum if this school hopes to appeal to the future artists and high-minded students of the future.

Studies show students involved in the musical arts often outperform their classmates in other core-curricular classes. This correlation relates to a musician’s ability to tap into both sides of their brain and apply these critical thinking skills to real-life situations. These same students often score higher on standardized tests and find themselves able to handle an intense workload due to the complex nature of music studies.

A music program would not only attract these high-minded students but also engage those who, inept at other art forms like visual and theatrical, struggle in Hoban’s current fine arts classes. Without another option, these students may receive poor grades.

And while Steel Drum certainly takes a step in the right direction, it only brushes the surface of music education. Especially for those students already versed in vocals or other instruments; it seems like a half-hearted attempt at infusing music into our curriculum.

A designated music program would not only provide a traditional choir and concert band, but could open the door to music theory, history and contemporary studies, offering a plethora of opportunities to satisfy the state’s fine arts requirement. If Hoban chooses to offer numerous visual art-related courses, why can’t we make the same effort to branch into musical studies?

And looking beyond the academic benefits of a music program, it’s important to recognize the community-aspect these classes instill. Moving ballads, emotionally-charged lyrics, a slight, yet powerful dynamic shift all work to create a soulful, spiritually-engaging trance that unites people around shared experiences. Imagine the bellow of horns assuring our student section a force to be reckoned with, the eerie cadence of trained percussionists adding to our Mum Day celebrations, the resounding enthusiasm the woodwinds would spur before a big game. By limiting itself to steel drum, Hoban fails to acknowledge the spirited, motivating power a band and music program would have on its morale.

This work cannot be accomplished overnight. It is time for Hoban to step up and make the changes necessary to further integrate music into its curriculum. This process will take time as all good plans do, of course. However, it can no longer be put on the back burner. It must be built from the ground up, and a collective effort must be present amongst administration, alumni and students to implement this change.

Even the relatively small public school district I came from, was able to fill an entire stadium and outplay our larger competitors at band showcases with just 50 members.

This example serves to illustrate the power and ease at which music can motivate people to accomplish amazing feats. But if there’s a will, there’s a way. And eventually, our music program can fill the halls and hearts of students with the same force that leads a small group of 50 to move hundreds of people to their feet.

With love, care and a whole lot of patience, Hoban would finally be able to praise the Lord with the resounding melodies and echoing chords illustrated in Psalm 105. After all, it only takes a small cymbal crash to set a whole composition in motion.

Archbishop Hoban High School Mailing Address: One Holy Cross Blvd.

Akron, Ohio 44306 Website: hobanvisor.news Email: visor@hoban.org Awards CSPA gold medalist NSPA first class ASPA first place Quill and Scroll Int’l first place OSMA first place Signed letters for publication are welcome.

Our mailbox can be found in the main office. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus of the editorial board. Signed opinions represent the views of the writer only.

Staff Editor-In-Chiefs Sara Cassady Alex Dillon Josh Fenn Advisor T.K. Griffith Staff Reporters Dylan Feltovich Maia Ferry Mia Gallagher Victoria Jackson Luke Monteleone Gavin Morrison Alex Wong Grace Wyszynski Cover page photo via Alex Dillon

opinion

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Saying goodbye to the best part of high school

By Grace Wyszynski

“Take your mark.

Go!”

I’ve dove off the block to those words hundreds of times over the past eight years of my swimming career, some races more memorable than others. From the age of 10, swim practice has been a staple in my everyday routine. I rarely go more than a week without jumping in the pool. Now, I begin the painful process of saying goodbye to the sport that has been ingrained in my daily life for as long as I can remember.

Over the past three months, I have been trying to prepare myself for when the time came to swim that last race. Needless to say, I wasn’t quite ready when it finally happened.

Although this season’s ending wasn’t the one that my teammates and I expected nor deserved, I’m incredibly proud of us and grateful to be a part of something bigger than myself. I have forged incredible friendships and made memories that will last indefinitely. I will look back on this team fondly.

While I may have had a love-hate relationship with the sport itself, the people I’ve met have made it all worth it. Through the injuries, tears and physically demanding training, my teammates were there. This team motivated me and provided an incredible support system throughout my past four years.

To my relay members:

Izzy: I will forever be grateful for this sport because it gave me you. I have been lucky enough to have a best friend there for me through every awful morning practice and tearful bus ride. Thank you for sticking with me even when I was a moody mess. I love you more than you know.

Nat: Break that record. I’ll be disappointed if you don’t. I know that this season’s ending was rough, but you’ll bounce back. I’m so proud of the hard work you’ve put in so far and I can’t wait to see your growth next year.

Lil: You are undeniably the strongest link on the girls’ team. While this season’s ending was a bittersweet moment for us, I can’t explain the overwhelming pride I felt when you qualified for states on your own. You deserve everything you have accomplished thus far, and I am excited to watch you continue to succeed.

I have left my mark on this team, and that makes me happy. I hope that my individual records stay on that list for a long, long time, and I know that once Isabella and I graduate, our relay record will remain untouchable. It makes it slightly easier to say goodbye knowing that I will have a lasting impact on this program.

I’m proud of myself for finally making it to the end of this chapter of my life.

The scared little girl that used to bite her nails and had to listen to “Hall of Fame” by the Script behind the blocks before every race is gone.

In her place is a strong and accomplished athlete, a team captain and a loving teammate.

I owe everything to my teammates: the good memories, incredible friendships and athletic achievements.

It’s never easy to say goodbye, but I walk aw ay from this team with my head held high and an immense amount of love in my heart for the people I’ve met and the sport that has shaped me.

An ode to Foley Commons and the Hoban cafeteria

By Luke Monteleone

Tile floors, plastic chairs, folding tables, oh my!

The cafeteria has remained a constant of Hoban student life. Reflecting on my time at Hoban, it has been a place of joy and sorrow, friendship and drama, and the site of the hallowed mushy cookie (queue angelic music).

Named after the persistent and hardworking Br. Richard Foley, Foley Commons lives up to the work ethic of the man.

From early morning cram sessions to monotonous study halls, the cafeteria bears the brunt of day-to-day student life.

My first Hoban event as a student took place in Foley Commons. Seated at what has become a familiar table with Mr. Anderson, I scheduled my first classes prior to my freshman year. Little did I know at that time, Foley would become a staple of my day.

Similar to how I started my Hoban journey scheduling classes in Foley, I have since started nearly everyday there conversing with friends before school.

However, what most students know the cafeteria for is lunch.

Walking in after a strenuous class

or particularly rough test, Foley welcomes students with the warm embrace of a concerned friend. Unlike a typical stale dining hall, Foley feels like a family table: welcoming and nurturing. Blades of light cut through windows illuminating the daily happenings of lunch and the occasional brisk breeze in the winter makes students huddle a little closer (in non-COVID circumstances).

Yet, what makes the Hoban cafeteria truly special is the people. Aside from the typical lunchtime banter, I can truly say some of the funniest moments at school were at a Foley table.

Looking back I remember sitting with friends laughing so hard we forgot to eat or even the accidental “spit checks” when a joke is cracked while a peer is taking a large gulp of water.

Though the lunch line may at times seem daunting and never-ending, it also gives students time to reflect on what the school day has brought and have daily interactions with the cafeteria staff that make lunch possible.

Beyond Mrs. Considine’s work producing and posting a menu, my daily conversations with cafeteria staff are often a highlight.

From my frequent stumbles over my wrap order to the smile and laughs that ensue, the workers make students feel at home.

Now while there may not always be buffalo chicken left at the end of 3C lunch or the cafeteria may seem “well loved” at the end of the day, it still is home.

Reminiscent of past students and those still to come, the hundreds of hours I’ve spent in Foley highlight my school days at Hoban.

I challenge you all to think about Foley and the memories you’ve made there, and most importantly, say thank you to those who work to ensure we have lunch.

I can’t imagine it is the most glamorous job, but it is one we should all show our gratitude for.

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feature

The situation with Gamestop and NYC traders

By Gavin Morrison

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WandaVison review: Did Marvel succeed or flop?

By Mia Gallagher

have seized control. Unable to cope with the loss of both Vision and her Avenger confidants, Wanda mysteriously uses her powers to create a new false reality around Westview: the Hex. Its citizens, communication and borders—all of which Wanda now controls—act as the set and characters in her and Vision’s sitcom, offering them their picturesque ending.

However, like most false realities, it all seems too good to be true. Between outside interference from SWORD, super twins resistant to magic and other strange occurrences outside of her control, reality seems to be rewriting Wanda as opposed to Wanda rewriting reality.

As a long-time Marvel fan myself, I can safely say this show lived up to my expectations. Like many others, I found it refreshing to take a step back from the blockbuster films and flashy megafights, discovering this slow, yet enticing story-telling revitalized the MCU. Maybe it just comes down to superhero-burnout or a year-long lack of content. Who knows, who cares. Any show that compiles catchy theme songs, decade-inspired content and The Jimmy Woo is good in my book.

Looking to the future, this current Marvel-hype does not appear to be going away anytime soon. While “WandaVision”

may have left viewers with more questions than answers, it does open the door to many interesting and unique storylines both comic and movie fanatics can appreciate. And--in Marvel’s usual fashion--fans have their first true end credit cliffhanger to obsess over, once again waiting for content (“Loki” and “Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness”) to fill in the puzzle pieces “WandaVision” left.

If anything has been confirmed by “WandaVision,” it’s a renewed faith and path forward for the MCU, promising fans the same excitement and intrigue the original trilogy of phases provided. And with Marvel Studios releasing new content nearly every week in 2021, the previous year’s dry-spell will be remedied, rescuing us from our own harsh reality with double the action, adventure and anticipation.

priced, all the while being told that the stock would continue to rise to unimaginable levels.

So what happened next?

In an unbelievable series of events, brokerages like Robinhood restricted trading for volatile stocks, with the main casualties of this being GME, AMC and BB. Investors were no longer permitted to buy shares, with the button completely gone from view. In addition to the shocking restrictions, searches for these hot stocks would have no results.

In the blink of an eye, the retail frenzy had a huge wrench thrown in their plans. How could the stock price go up if there wasn’t even an option to buy? Believe it or not, this controversial decision resulted in huge outrage, with the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Dave Portnoy and Ted Cruz expressing their discontent with Robinhood on social media.

Citing volatility issues, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev became the punching bag of all the hate, going public on CNBC, Fox News and social media app Clubhouse to try and mitigate the damage. Unfortunately for Vlad, his attempts were in vain.

The entirety of the Gamestop drama centered around average people versus the hedge fund managers who had illegally shorted the stock into oblivion. When it came time to pay their massive debts, these funds

had run off to brokerages and threatened punishment if they refused to halt trading.

In Robinhood’s situation, Apex clearinghouse (the middle man between trades) asked for $3 billion to ensure there would be enough funds for trades to go through. Somehow, despite the urgency of this transaction, Robinhood ended up paying little over $1 billion - a far cry from Apex’s initial demand.

And with these simple commands, shareholders began to feel the burn. Prices came tumbling down according to the ageold rule of supply and demand. Without any demand (buyers) the price fell dramatically, and the fearful holders who had bought in at too steep of a valuation rushed to sell.

Not everyone was lucky enough to get out in time as the stock continued to plummet. Those who had bought into the hype were now sitting on -50% or more losses, unable to let go of their “investment.”

Just as always, those with the money and influence won out.

The entire situation is still relatively muddled, with not even the United States Congress able to coax answers out of the individuals in question. Robinhood CEO Tenev stated that “Robinhood answers to the millions of small investors,” but it’s clear their actions say otherwise.

DISCLAIMER: WandaVision Spoilers Through

Here are some problems with the parking lot

The Athletic exposes flaws in the Indians staff

I sat in my car laughing as I watched yet another casualty in the battle against icy Hoban stairs.

Well karma came swinging because the next day, I took the same nasty tumble and let me tell you, it hurt.

One minute I was walking down the stairs and the next I was sliding down them. My brother laughed. I sat there muddy, mortified and soaking wet.

Sheets of black ice have made falling in the parking lot almost inevitable. Although hilarious for spectators, falling can really put a damper on anyone’s day. If only there was a way to fix this problem. Oh wait, there is: salt.

Icy stairs are just one of the many grievances students have with the Hoban parking lots. Hoban students are required to pay $85 for a parking pass but all they get for this money is a half-painted, icy and decrepit parking lot; that’s if you can even find a spot in the oversold space.

As students begin arriving at school, rows of cars assemble. Are they actually parking in the painted spots? Who knows! It’s not like there are clear lines identifying them. The last

time the parking lot was painted was in 2018.

“As a general rule of thumb, parking lots should be restriped once every 18 to 24 months,” industry experts Enright Asphalt said. However, it is recommended that areas that experience heavier snowfall restripe parking lots once every year.

It has now been almost three years since the parking lots were repainted and it shows. At this point spots are barely visible.

Repainting spots and then designating them to students would solve so many issues. Seniors could get first pick and the rest can be divided out between juniors and seniors. Seniors could even paint their spots like practically every other senior in high school.

There would be no more fighting over spots or cars randomly parked around the parking lot. The numbers on parking passes would correlate with numbers painted on each spot giving a clear indicator as to where everyone should be parked. It would ensure every student has a designated spot they can park in each morning.

Also, this would encourage students to actually buy parking passes. Right now, the

majority of students flat out refuse to buy a pass.

Others give in about halfway through the year to avoid a detention. There are a few good students that buy them at the beginning of every year, but this is rare. Parking passes have become irritants for everyone, students and administrators, but students would be significantly less hesitant if they were actually getting something for their $85.

There are a little over 350 available parking spots for students, including around 60 spots in the gravel lot. Restriping the 300 paved parking spots would cost around $2550 and stenciled numbers would be an additional $700.

If Hoban sold 300 parking passes, one for each numbered spot, at its current rate of $85, they would receive $25,550, more than enough for repainting, adding numbers and investing in some salt.

There should even be enough money for sealcoating the parking lots every two years as suggested.

Currently it seems like none of this is happening so I just have one question: Where is our money going?

Last year, disturbing allegations about former Indians’ pitching coach, Mickey Callaway, came to light in an article from “The Athletic.”

Callaway allegedly sexually harassed female members of the organization in disgusting ways for years. Specific offenses include sending inappropriate videos to women and making countless unwanted advances. Several women have come out against Callaway and I expect more to speak up in the coming months.

When these claims were initially published, the Indians said that they were unaware of Callaway’s behavior and they detested his actions. However, “The Athletic” just wrote a second article contradicting this statement.

Using their sources within the organization and around the MLB, they claimed that the majority of the Indians’ team not only knew about Callaway’s behavior, but actually covered it up. In fact, when Callaway was in the process of being hired by the Mets, the top-ranking members of the Indians gave him the highest praise and said he was an amazing coach and person.

By Alex Dillon

episode five, read on at your own risk.

Ever since Marvel Studios released their blockbuster hits, “Avengers Infinity War” and “Endgame,” fans have patiently waited for their favorite heroes to return to the big screen. The heart-wrenching finale to the third phase of this franchise left viewers with two important questions: how will the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) bounce back after the departure of many staple characters, and how will Phase Four top anything done by the studio in the past?

After a year of idle anticipation due to COVID-19 production shutdowns, fans received their first taste of Phase Four with “WandaVision,” Marvel Studios first Disney+-exclusive tv show. For nine long weeks, viewers tuned in to see how Wanda’s story arc would progress, hoping to find the answers to the two pressing questions above.

Whether a die-hard fan or just hopping on the trend, everyone can appreciate the entertainment and mystery this show holds, overflowing with Marvel’s trademark suspense.

“WandaVision” chronologically takes place three weeks after the events of “Avengers: Endgame” in Westview, NJ, a small town in which Wanda Maximoff appears to

wphoto via Den of Geek

In late January, the share price of Gamestop skyrocketed, resulting in a frenzy of media attention. The stock market became synonymous with a Vegas slot machine. Stocks like Gamestop (GME), AMC Theatres (AMC), Blackberry (BB) and Nokia (NOK) all exploded around the hopes of a “short squeeze.”

For those unaware, a short squeeze results when the short sellers of a stock are forced to buy back shares, in theory driving the price to infinity. The verdict is not yet out on whether this already happened with Gamestop.

However, the stock price did rise significantly, making some individuals a lot of money.

Millions of average investors banded together to purchase Gamestop shares, no matter the amount of buying power available. For once, it seemed that the average joe was going to be able to overcome the system and beat the hedge funds.

Unfortunately for investors, this was not the case.

When the Gamestop hype started reaching euphoric levels, the share price was already on its way to $100, eventually topping out at well over $300 a share. People who had never given any attention to the market were being fed information that Gamestop was a one-way ticket to riches. Investors piled in, gobbling up shares that were heavily over-

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wWandaVison is full of exciting action sequences.

By Josh Fenn

Obviously, the Indians denied “The Athletic’s” report and claimed they did no wrong, but the evidence is stacked against them. “It was the worst kept secret in the organization,” said an anonymous employee, “everyone knew, from the top down.”

In light of these terrible allegations against Callaway and the entire Indians’ organization, I think it’s time for the team to clean house.

This starts at the very top with the owners, the Dolan family. They’ve already hurt the team for years by refusing to spend money and with these new claims, there should be no doubt that they should sell the team. They certainly knew about Callaway and they can control what the rest of the organization does, so they were probably the main cause of the cover-up scheme. If the MLB doesn’t force the Dolans to sell the team, they’ll spread the message that their actions can be repeated with no real repercussions.

However, it doesn‘t stop with the Dolans. The front office, namely president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, was also complicit in the cover up. While I love what

the front office has done for the Indians over the past decade, there’s little doubt that it’s time to move on. While having a great baseball team is nice, it pales in comparison to the actions of Callaway and the rest of the team.

Last, but certainly not least, Terry Francona was seemingly involved in this scandal as well. This news really hurt me, as I loved Francona and thought he was a great guy and an even better manager. However, it appears that isn’t the case. His son, Nick Francona, came out with an indicting statement against Francona, implying that he also knew about Callaway’s actions during his stint with the Tribe. Francona has been the face of the Indians for years now and it truly shows how badly the team messed up.

A man who was beloved by all of Cleveland seemingly allowed these terrible actions to continue for years, signifying that it’s time for the Indians to blow everything up.

Hopefully the Indians can return to their winning culture down the line, but what matters right now is correcting the mistakes of their past and realizing that some things are much bigger than sports.

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centerspread

centerspread

seven

The most popular projects assigned at Hoban

Whether it is for biology, English or chemistry class, over the years many Hoban projects evolved into a rite of passage for students.

Serving as a shared experience that unifies the Hoban journey, academic projects conjure a wide array of feelings from fond memories in the lab to painful ones from cramming a project in six hours before it is due. While not every one has become a fan favorite, here are some of the most unforgettable Hoban projects of all time.

Zoo project - biology Because biology is a required subject at Hoban, every student does this project at some point. From a trip to learn animals and how they are kept, to building an exhibit, this project has something for everyone.

“The obvious reason why this is a favorite is because everybody loves animals, but it also involves people who like research, building and design,” biology teacher Mrs. Bates said.

“There isn’t a content area that doesn’t play a part in the zoo project. Students

get to use a lot of stuff they know instead of just science.”

Baby project - biology

Another biology staple is the baby project students complete while learning about human genetics.

“Doing the genetics babies lab as a freshman was very dandy and interesting, as it helped me more fully understand how genetics work,” sophomore Frank Bradshaw said. “I would most definitely recommend it to any high school student trying to understand the basic fundamentals of how humans obtain the traits that they do.”

By designing a mock baby with a partner, the project is a fun way to help students understand the role of recessive and dominant traits in genetics.

Spongebob forensic lab - biology

The final favorite biology project is the Spongebob murder lab. It is a chance for everyone to become a crime scene investigator—every kid’s dream. Utilizing a real example of forensic science, students are put to the task of answering one pressing ques-

tion: Who killed Spongebob?

“I think [the students] like it because it’s kinda silly in the sense that we are investigating a cartoon character’s murder but, in reality, we are doing a real-world example of how to solve a crime using forensic science,” said biology teacher Mrs. Schock.

“It’s silly but super practical.”

Rocket launch physical science

In a lesson teaching velocity, groups of sophomores and juniors built rockets out of paper and plastic.

After completing their ideal rocket, students were able to send their faux-spaceship to the moon and track their data from the launch.

“The rocket launch project was super fun, my fuse actually didn’t work when we launched it so I had to replace the fuse on the spot,” junior Rachel Rice said . “It made the whole experience more adrenaline filled, because the rocket didn’t launch the first time.”

Egg drop - physical science The egg drop project is one of

the most challenging projects at Hoban. The task: to make sure an egg survives multiple falls. However, students are not able to use any materials to replicate a parachute.

“Even though we weren’t allowed to use a parachute, this was one of the best projects I’ve done,” said senior Alex Raita. “Not only did we have to use the knowledge that we learned in class, but we also had to use our creative ability to make sure our egg stayed secure.”

Thoreau project - H English 10

Channeling their inner Henry David Thoreau, this project is a chance for Honors English students to let their creative side run.

While analyzing ubiquitous themes from the twoact play “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail,” they connect these messages to aspects of their own lives through art, music, speeches and more.

“The Thoreau project was great. It really caused me to explore deeper themes that are prevalent throughout my daily life,” said junior Ben Dragmen.

S’mores lab-chemistry

Who’s idea was it to give a bunch of sixteen-yearolds fire? I don’t know, but the result is truly incredible.

Chemistry students are given a chance to see a chemical change in action by putting their marshmallow roasting skills to the test. Although some students struggle and completely obliterate their marshmallows, everyone seems to have a fun and educational experience.

“The experiment was fun and on top of it it tasted good,” senior Evan Chessey said.

The s’mores lab certainly made students want to come back for some more.

Bridge project H physics The bridge project combined teamwork, competition and basic engineering skills to create a truly memorable experience.

While it didn’t turn out well for some people, as it appears that it takes more than love to build a bridge, everyone had a great time. Students bond with fellow classmates and talk some trash in the

pursuit of making the perfect bridge.

“It was so fun testing it. It was a full blown competition, who’s bridge would hold the most weight,” said senior Jacob Juvan. “My bridge dominated.”

As someone in Jacob’s class, his bridge didn’t “dominate,” but it was still great nevertheless.

Stock Market project economics Memories of how much money they gained or lost in a two-week period from their economics project will forever scar seniors as they make financial decisions in the future. Students are given $100,000 to invest in four companies and track their results for two weeks.

“The stock market project gives students a chance to participate in the world of economics and see how people can earn or lose money while investing in stocks,” said economics “extraordinaire” Mr. Pecnik.

“It also teaches them about risk/reward and the most important of all lessons when it comes to any kind of investing: patience.”

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MBTI personalities tests are not that accurate

By Maia Ferry

Have you taken the 16 Personality types test?

Maybe it’s been introduced to you in psychology class, by the ubiquitous TK himself or even just through one of your friends.

For those who may not be familiar with the basic details of the test, allow me to briefly introduce the concept of the “16 personalities.”

You begin with an E or an I: E for extrovert, I for introvert. Extroverted types tend to gather energy from being around others and thrive in a social environment while introverted types tend to prefer alone time and can be drained by group interaction.

The second letter is between N and S: N is short for intuitive while S stands for sensing. Intuitive types tend to self-reflect and consider life from an idealistic point of view. On the other hand, sensing types live in the moment, focusing on the present.

The third letter is either an F or a T: F is assigned to feeling while T is the abbreviation for thinking. Feeling types tend to make decisions based on emotions and are good at looking at things from an inter-

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personal perspective. Meanwhile, thinking types tend to make decisions based on their personal log of “data” and are skilled at analyzing from an objective point of view.

Finally, the fourth letter is either a P or J: P indicates perceptiveness, while J belongs to the judgers. Perceiving types tend to play things by ear, thriving on flexibility and open schedules. On the other side of the spectrum, judging types tend to utilize schedules and love routine.

Collecting and comparing five letter codes with family and friends may be a fascinating experience, but what most may not know is how inaccurate this particular strain of test truly is.

If you’re a fan of the 16 Personalities test, you may have noticed that I didn’t mention turbulent or assertive types. This is because under the renowned Myers-Briggs theory, these types are simply irrelevant.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (the original basis for the 16P test) is based on the analysis of cognitive functions and how they relate to one another. However, the 16P test is not designed on the same principles.

Really, what I’m here to argue is that perhaps no multiple-choice online test can sum up your entire personality in four or five letters.

And although a similar MBTI test can be taken on a website called Sarkinova, which is actually highly praised for being perhaps the most accurate of this simple self-assessment test out there, personal bias is to be expected in any average test taker.

We tend to assess ourselves based on how we wish to be perceived rather than how we are truly perceived. Take for instance an introvert striving to get an “extroverted” result, or a thinker trying their hardest to get a “feeler” outcome.

Many “professional typers” tend to say that the only way you can truly ever find out your type is through a paid session.

But, depending on your trust in that whole

my freshman year with a spot on the varsity team, an opportunity which allowed me to gain experience that will come in handy for many years. I continued my success into my sophomore season, ending the year with the second-highest batting average behind Mason Tipton.

Even though my junior season was cut short, I was still able to play summer baseball-- an incredible opportunity for me to test my abilities. Traveling to Indiana and Cincinnati, we competed against the best in the Midwest. I struggled at the beginning of the season coming off the long quarantine, but once I had a few at-bats under my belt, I found my groove and ended the year on a positive note.

Once the season was over, I reached out to many coaches via email to see if they were interested in letting me play at their college. With the help of Coach Pecnik, I was able to visit multiple schools and received roster spots from a few colleges that responded.

Ultimately, I decided on John Carroll University. I am thankful for all the

opportunities that other colleges offered me, but nothing compared to John Carroll. The atmosphere right as I stepped on campus was like no other school. I plan on majoring in communications and journalism in college, and John Carroll’s CommArts program ranks one of the best in the state of Ohio. The icing on the cake: internship opportunities. Being 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland provides many options to find work right out of school.

Without the help from my parents, none of this would be possible. Whether it was driving me to practice or allowing me to play summer baseball, they were the supporting cast that has taken me to the next level. Mom and Dad, thank you for everything.

concept, these sessions can be very expensive.

At the end of the day, if you want to find your true type on your own, I’m 100% positive you can. But, a whole lot of bias and perhaps self-doubt must be put aside before you decide on the fate of your four letters.

My path to playing college baseball at John Carroll

My whole life, I’ve had a deep love for the game of baseball. I’ve always wanted to play the sport at the next level. On Jan 29, 2021, I took the next step toward this dream and committed to John Carroll University.

It all started with a game of catch, vague memories of Dad and I throwing the ball back-and-forth in the backyard of my old house. He taught me how to hit with a plastic bat and ball, telling me to “swing level” and “hit line drives.” These minute details served as a benchmark for my future in baseball.

Even though I was never the biggest or strongest player on the diamond, I had an excess of natural talent. In order to compete with the best, I pushed myself to new limits. With my sister being a collegiate athlete, she’s given me insight to the level of dedication necessary to achieve this lofty goal. Her work ethic inspired me and whenever she was working out, I felt an obligation to hone my craft.

When I arrived at Hoban, my intention was to have an immediate impact on the baseball program. I finished

wphoto via Dylan Feltovich

By Dylan Feltovich

wSeniors commit to college on National Signing Day

in Barry Gymnasium.

news

DeWine demands Akron Public Schools return

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By Victoria Jackson

On Feb. 12, Governor Mike Dewine scolded the Akron Public School District for their plan to open starting on March 15.

“We said to our school districts that we would take some of the precious vaccine allotted to Ohio and vaccinate teachers and other staff as long as they’d be back in school full-time or in a hybrid model no later than March 1,” stated Dewine in an unexpected news conference that evening.

However, despite this stern warning, the APS District intends to hold to their previous plan.

As stated in a letter addressed to Akron Public School families, the district “should have [every staff and faculty member] who has requested a vaccine accommodated by the end of the first week in March.”

The district intends to wait to begin the return process until March 15, “giving a week for protection to be established,” as Superintendent David James states.

Students in kindergarten, first and second grades and those with disabilities will start on March 15, their teachers having been the first to be vaccinated. Grades three through 12 will resume classes on March 22.

According to this plan, families can choose either fully remote or fully in-person learning. However, those who choose re-

mote learning will not have the same teachers as at the beginning of the year. As the APS website states, “the teachers assigned to the Remote Learning Program will be Akron Public School teachers, but they will be coming from schools all across the district.”

Attending and instructing classes with an entirely different sets of students and teachers remains a daunting task.

Yet, the school district ensures that regardless of the school, teachers are all covering similar content and will be able to resume instruction from where previous teachers left off.

From April 12 to April 14, students may shift from remote learning to in-person classes or vice versa. Because of the social distancing guidelines there is no guarantee that these students will be able to attend their current school.

Choosing to transfer from remote learning to in-person instruction could mean attending classes in an entirely different school, which no doubt weighs heavily in the decision-making process of Akron families. Those who shift from in-person to remote are not permitted to transfer back at anytime in order to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff.

As far as in-person learning is con-

cerned, students are required to wear masks and adhere to strict social distancing guidelines.

Students and staff participating in direct contact winter sports such as basketball and wrestling will receive Covid testing, but APS is unable to provide any additional testing for staff and students.

Students who are transported by bus must use hand sanitizer before entering and will have assigned seats as well. When at school, there will be floor markings indicating the proper direction of hallway traffic.

One specific change which students will surely enjoy is the waiver of uniforms for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Jeans, sweatpants and t-shirts will no doubt become part of regular student attire.

Choir, band, orchestra, dance and theater are all permitted activities as long as rehearsals last no longer than 30 minutes at a time.

Remote seniors will have the chance to participate in senior activities designated by the principal, however there is no ultimate decision events such as prom or graduation.

Overall, the new plan seems quite complex, but the district assures the community that they have been preparing for months in order to ensure the safety of all their students, staff and faculty.

The Cherokee Nation takes on car producer Jeep

By Sara Cassady

After a summer full of BLM protests and controversial social media posts, race has been a particularly contentious topic of conversation in American culture. Sports organizations such as the Clevland Indians and the former Washington Redskins have been accused of cultural appropriation, electing to change their team names rather than face the backlash of angry fans. However, athletic teams are not the only ones making adjustments.

For the first time, the Cherokee Nation has reached out to a company and asked them to modify the name of one of their products. The car manufacturer Jeep has been implored to remove the title of Grand Cherokee from one of their most popular vehicles.

“The use of Cherokee names and imagery for peddling products doesn’t deepen the country’s understanding of what it means to be Cherokee, and I think it diminishes it somewhat,” Chief Hoskin of the Cherokee Nation said.

The Cherokee group is the largest nationally recognized tribe of Native Amer-

icans with more than 385,000 members.

Stellantis, Jeep’s mother company, defended their use of the name.

“Our vehicle names have been carefully chosen and nurtured over the years to honor and celebrate Native American people for their nobility, prowess and pride,” the company said in a statement.

“We are, more than ever, committed to a respectful and open dialogue with Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.”

However, many argue that the name is not so respectful as they want you to think.

How exactly is it a tribute to Native Americans to use their name without permission?

“Of course it’s not an honor,” said Ms. Harjo, the director of the Morning Star Institute, a group which works to promote Native American causes.

Since Jeep first started producing the Cherokee in 1974, the Cherokee Nation has said nothing about the appropriation of something so dear to them. Numerous companies have used Native American

names and symbols as a means of advertising over the years. This request from the Cherokee Nation comes in the midst of a tumultuous time in American history, as many are becoming more socially aware.

“A generation ago, I don’t think it would’ve occurred to them,” Chief Hoskin said. “We’re living in a time where people are thinking a bit more about the impact of imagery and names.”

However, it makes sense why executives at Jeep are hesitant to drop the name.

Their vehicle has a recognizable and unique style. According to the New York Times, the car company sold more than 200,000 Cherokees last year—their top selling vehicle. Changing the name might be detrimental to the brand.

Yet, ignoring calls to replace the name could also lead to major difficulties for the company. Activists are quickly taking notice of the situation which may lead to boycotts of the Jeep name. Only time will tell how substantial this issue is to the future of the company.

ten

opinion

Standardized testing shouldn’t be a factor in admissions

By Grace Wyszynski

The ACT and SAT have become staples in every student’s college application ordeal. We are taught that a high score on these standardized tests is the pinnacle of success, the ultimate goal. Without a strong score, high caliber colleges are typically out of reach.

However, these tests should not be held in such high regard and should be indefinitely optional. They do not accurately measure a student’s whole academic capability, disregarding the most important factor for success: work ethic.

While standardized testing is considered a national benchmark to evaluate students, we are not all on an even playing field. There are so many factors that affect exam scores, like cramming, anxiety, physical health and luck—factors which we don’t want to measure.

The inherent unfairness and unpredictability of student performance on any given day shouldn’t be the deciding factor for college admissions.

Therefore, with so many outside factors that affect testing performance, it cannot be considered an even baseline with which to measure a student’s academic capabilities.

Personally, I know many people that have taken the ACT multiple times and received different scores without changing or increasing study habits. Their variance in scoring did not correlate with additional preparation.

I also know many people that are absolutely

brilliant, but cannot take a standardized test to save their life. They simply don’t have the ability to sit down and focus for four hours straight.

Ultimately, current classroom performance is what accurately demonstrates a student’s level of college readiness, not mindless studying and reviewing information that will be forgotten within a few hours. Standardized tests might measure how well students can cram before exams, but show absolutely nothing regarding long-term study habits and academic motivation.

In the real world, I will never be trapped in a room alone without resources and be required to solve problems or do a job. These tests may evaluate my memory of freshman year geometry class or the ability to read a bar graph, but they have no actual bearing on my future performance and success in my chosen field.

The National Center for Fair and Open Testing notes that the exam (SAT) is “designed to predict first-year college grades -- it is not validated to predict grades beyond the freshman year, graduation rates, pursuit of a graduate degree or for placement or advising purposes. However, according to research done by the tests’ manufacturers, class rank and/ or high school grades are still both better predictors of college performance than the SAT.”

Furthermore, on a national level, researchers have found evidence that standardized

test scores such as the SAT and ACT are worse predictors of a student’s success in college compared to alternative measures like high school GPA.

Eliminating mandatory test scores and moving towards grade-based evaluation does pose some challenges with the current education system, though.

Currently, there are a multitude of varying grading scales; nothing is consistent across the board. A 4.0 GPA at Hoban is not the same as a 4.0 at Akron Public Schools, or any other private school in the area. There is no consistency with the weighting of grades or what percentage constitutes a certain letter grade. To create an even benchmark with which to evaluate student performance and college readiness, we need a grading scale that is used at every school. This way, all students can be evaluated equally without external factors that may affect standardized testing.

Overall, standardized testing like the ACT and SAT is not a true representation of a student. Even as someone who greatly benefits from submitting test scores as a component of my college application, I recognize that this is a highly subjective evaluation. To accurately assess students on an even playing field, colleges should permanently move away from mandatory score submission as schools simultaneously adopt one common grading scale.

Campus tours are vital to the college selction process

By Sara Cassady

The college admissions process is long and exhausting. There’s the Common App to complete, scholarship essays to write and an endless supply of well-meaning but unhelpful advice.

Just looking at the FAFSA and the sheer amount of information required is overwhelming for the bravest of souls.

My anxiety spiked for years just thinking about university, even as a distant prospect. The solution for me? Research.

I googled every question I could possibly think of and logged onto so many seminars they were probably tired of seeing my name.

This information helped me gain a clearer picture of what I wanted. After making a spreadsheet with all the necessary information, I got to work applying.

A city was my number one priority, as I was tired of seeing cornfields from my living room. I wanted to major in public health on a pre-med track, which not every school offers. Easy access to internships and research opportunities was also a big factor for me.

Through a process of elimination, my list progressively shrunk. However, it was difficult to choose between

the top two options.

There were pros and cons to both, but how was I supposed to determine which school I should call home for the next four years?

The answer ended up being a campus tour. My cousin, a graduate student at my top choice after completing his undergrad there, would be an excellent person to show me around campus.

When he volunteered, I jumped at the chance. Because of COVID, there were no official tours, so the campus was quiet.

The current students milling around allowed me the first chance to picture myself in a few years, walking around campus with a clue where I was going and actual places I needed to be.

Seeing how close my potential dorm and the College of Public Health were felt a little bit like fate.

As the tour was unofficial, a majority of the focus was on restaurants, coffee shops and cute clothing stores. You know, the actual important information.

I took mental notes of the places we passed I would love to visit and the Target I will spend way too much money

at.

The bookstore I hope is hiring looked promising, as did the three Mexican restaurants within walking distance from the central campus.

College tours are a rite of passage for a reason.

The whole experience didn’t feel real until I stepped foot onto the grounds, when a sense of calm washed over me... reassuring me I was making the right decision.

I could actually imagine the path I would take to get to classes or the gym I would frequent, forcing me to come to terms with my reality five months from now.

If you have the chance to visit the school before August rolls around, do it.

Even a short walking tour without a guide will help you get a feel of campus life and the social scene. For those with anxiety, it will give you an idea of what to expect so you aren’t walking into a brand-new situation.

Most importantly, life often has a way of working things out.

Even if your first choice falls through, college will still give you the opportunity to make life-long friends and incredible memories. That’s the vital part anyway.

sports

eleven

Bowling Team:2020-2021 conference champions

Who the Browns should acquire to improve

By Josh Fenn

The Browns head into the 2021 offseason with limitless hope for the future.

Finally settled on a “franchise” quarterback and capable head coach, an array of great pieces make this team’s future look exciting.

Instead of rebuilding in the offseason, the Browns can finally look to improve on their current roster and make a run at the franchises’ first Super Bowl.

Here are some of the players the Browns should seriously consider in free agency and the draft.

Lavonte David, Linebacker

The Browns’ biggest weakness in 2020 was their linebacker room and there isn’t a better fix for it than Lavonte David.

Since entering the league in 2012, David has consistently been a top 15 linebacker and has peaked in the top five over the past few years.

He excels in pass coverage, where he’s graded in the top five for linebackers for the past four seasons. This will help the Browns cover tight ends in 2021– an area of immense struggle in 2020. While it’s not certain whether the Buccaneers will let him go, if he hits free agency expect the Browns to make a strong push to acquire him.

Melvin Ingram III, Edge Rusher

Myles Garrett creates plenty of havoc for opposing offenses, but the Browns need someone who can take pressure off of him.

Melvin Ingram would do more than just fill this role, he’d be another force to be reckoned with. While he’s on the downside of his career at 32-years-old and he isn’t the superstar he once was, he’s still a top 25 edge rusher. Pairing him with Myles for a year would terrify opposing teams and truly elevate the pass rush to another level.

Jadeveon Clowney, Edge Rusher

Another direction for the Browns to go at edge rusher would be Jadeveon Clowney. While the former first overall pick hasn’t been the superstar many expected him to be, he’s still a more-than-capable starter.

Clowney has cemented himself as an elite run defender and an above-average pass rusher who would immediately upgrade the defensive line. Whether it’s Clowney, Ingram, or someone else, expect the Browns to aggressively pursue a second edge rusher in free agency.

Greg Newsome II, Cornerback

As my personal preference for the Browns’ first-round pick, Newsome gives the team everything they need in the secondary.

He’s elite in both man and zone coverage and he has excellent speed and length for the position. Competing in the highest level in college, he only allowed 12 catches for 93 yards against Big Ten competition. Along with Denzel Ward, Newsome would give the Browns a top 10 corner duo for years to come.

Zaven Collins, Linebacker

If the Browns decide to fix their linebacker issues in the draft, Zaven Collins is the man to watch.

As the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player in college football, there’s no doubt he’ll instantly produce in the NFL. Collins truly does it all, from his elite pass-coverage ability to his impressive combination of strength, size and speed.

He could also play on the edge across from Myles Garrett, possessing the traits to be a high quality pass-rusher. If the Browns want a plug-and-play defender, Collins is their man.

twelve

March Gladness

March Sadness

graphic