Vol 7 No. 2 (November 2016)

BLUEPRINTS GRANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL • GRANVILLE, OHIO • NOV/DEC 2016 • VOL. 7 ISSUE 2

Jim Reding: Best Educator of the Year 15 questions with Granville’s very own awardwinning environmental teacher

Inside:

Helping for the Holidays Can basketball fans be as rowdy as football fans?

Students should be careful everywhere Europe through the eyes of an American Christmas like a man blueprintsonline.org

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Letter from the Editor

BLUEPRINTS STAFF

editor in chief Anna Minton

management editor Morgan Prachar

news editor Hannah Dear

sports editor Justin Thompson

opinion editor Carsten Savage

entertainment editor Emma Naille

features editor Daniel Brnjic

social media editor

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o you hear those sleigh bells ringing? Do you feel Jack Frost nipping at your nose? Well, the BluePrints staff is ready for all the holiday excitement that this time of year brings.

Enclosed you will find tons of fun articles that will ensure to make you merry and bright.

With all the academic deadlines, winter sport events, holiday concerts and a full range of seasonal activities, it’s no wonder students are ready to pack up their bags and head home for some well-deserved time off.

In this issue you will learn how students are responding to the upcoming exams schedule. You’ll be fascinated to discover details on this year’s winter sport’s season.

Additionally, you’ll uncover what it means to be safe in such a small town and how to prepare yourself for the unexpected.

Our highlight in this publication is on one of GHS’s amazing teachers, Mr. Jim Reding. This beloved educator is the winner of the Outstanding Educator in the Field of Formal Environmental Science Award from the Environmental Education Council of Ohio. We are confident that you will be intrigued as you unearth insights about Mr. Reding and all he has done to help the community.

Last but certainly not least, read our profiles on different groups that take time

2 November/December 2016

(BluePrints Photo/Morgan Prachar)

to serve the community. A reflection on those who practice selflessness and generosity is sure to put you in a positive spirit.

Take a closer look at all the people in the community who choose to volunteer over the holidays, and how their acts of kindness help those in need and the community at large.

So this holiday season, all of us on the BluePrints staff invite you to join us in making merry this winter break- not just in our own lives, but in the hearts of those around us. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

As always, we would love to hear any thoughts or recommendations for improvement. Please drop us an email at ghsblueprints@gmail.com, and be sure to follow us on Instagram, @granvilleblueprints; Facebook at GHS Blueprints ; and on twitter, @GHSBluePrints.

So this holiday season, all of us on the BluePrints staff invite you to join us in making merry this winter break- not just in our own lives, but in the hearts of those around us. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

Megan Coffey

photography editor Dustin Braden

staff

Sydney Bednarski Ashlyn Brockway Mackenzie Chesrown Sam Dunham Mackenna Finley Jordan Gummere Karissa Harris Ava Kunar Lexi Marelli Hannah Musick Jake Purdy Elijah Smith Chris Volzke Riley Vradenburg Cortez Yannie

adviser Mrs. Amy Tolbert

online

blueprintsonline.org

follow us GHS BluePrints GHSBluePrints

Anna Minton Editor-in-Chief

@granvilleblueprints @ghsblueprints

CONTENTS BLUEPRINTS • NOV/DEC 2016

OPINION

4 All students should take Environmental Science 4 Students should be careful everywhere 5 Should second quarter end before winter break?

6 Americans have spoken against media bias 7 Reader Opinion

NEWS 8 15 questions with Jim Reading 10 Helping for the holidays 12 Semester one ending before Christmas Break 12 AP Environmental takes action

SPORTS

13 Winter sports quiz 14 Cowboys Rookie Duo takes the league by storm 14 Can basketball fans be as rowdy as football fans?

15 Wrestling season arrives 15 Competition cheerleaders secure at spot at nationals 15 Although not a school sport, Generals make hockey cool 16 NFL experiencing plummeting popularity

FEATURES

17 Students stress about semester exams 18 Self-defense and safety are explored after recent events at Denison University 18 Europe through the eyes of an American ON OUR COVER Helping for the Holidays 10 Can basketball fans be as rowdy as football fans? 14 Students should be careful everywhere 4 Europe through the eyes of an American 18 Christmas like a man 20

BLUEPRINTS GRANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL • GRANVILLE, OHIO • NOV/DEC 2015 • VOL. 7 ISSUE 2

Jim Reding: Best Educator of the Year 15 questions with Granville’s very own award winning environmental teacher

Inside:

Helping for the Holidays Can basketball fans be as rowdy as football fans?

Students should be careful everywhere Europe through the eyes of an American Chrsitmas like a man

ENTERTAINMENT

19 Ten new sequels coming to theaters in 2017 20 10 fun things to do on a snow day 20 Christmas like a man blueprintsonline.org

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Opinion

All students should take Environmental Science STAFF EDITORIAL ature is such a beautiful aspect of our Earth, yet we continue to destroy it. The students who are eligible to take Mr. Reding’s Environmental science classes are mostly seniors. Most students do not get the amazing opportunities that Reding’s classes provide when it comes to a more active way of learning. His classes are able to take trips to the land lab at the GIS and explore the nature and wildlife. There are wetlands and prairies and so many different creatures to see from spiders to snakes, or butterflies to grasshoppers. There are several trails to guide you through the beautiful nature of the land lab.

I am one of the many seniors that takes Reding’s AP Environmental Science class and I only wish I could have taken it sooner. His class always has me very intrigued into whatever we are learning about. In taking it sooner, it may have helped me earlier in what I wanted to do with my future. Reding’s class has encouraged me to look into environmental science areas of study for college.

We do things such as going outside and into the land lab instead of just staying in a classroom. Reding teaches us in a project based learning environment with our Take Action project that we could do in one quarter or the entire year. The Take Action project is something we want to accomplish that can be carried on through generations that positively impacts the community and the environment.

We have learned about predator and prey relationships and the

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importance of predators in an ecosystem such as when the wolves were exterminated from Yellowstone national park in the 1920’s.

This change caused a collapse of the ecosystem. However, in 1995, the wolves were reintroduced back into Yellowstone. The change in the ecosystem was so amazing because just one species has such an impact on ecosystems.

We have discussed in great detail about resources and how we can be sustainable, and so much more that we should all learn about. Being able to learn about our environment and how it survives really opens my eyes. Reding’s class shows us how we can help fix our environment and what we are doing. In the long run it is all about sustainability! If we do not preserve and try to improve how we use our resources, then future generations will not have a nature to even look at.

Environmental Science should be a required class and should be available for all high schoolers in multiple grades. His class is what we need to teach our generations in order to contain a sustainable Earth. As of right now we are losing one species every hour, and we are in the sixth major extinction since the extinction of the dinosaurs. We are not the rider on a bike, but one of the many spikes that makes up the bike wheel. If we allow one spoke (species) to disappear, then eventually the wheel will collapse.

We should be able to learn about these important facts. We should teach each generation on how to prevent this collapse and keep the earth in sustainable shape for future generations.

Students should be careful everywhere

BY CORTEZ YANNIE (‘17) STAFF MEMBER very day we read stories about members of society getting stolen and sold, shot and killed, verbally attacked, or injured by accidents. With all these incidents that can happen to you any time of the week, we might wonder how we could make the world a safer place for us.

For the people who question if any of these could happen to them, then they could look at an incident that occurred only a few weeks ago at Denison University. Two girls were going for a run through the “safe-haven” of Granville and continued on their route through Denison. As they were running, an adult male exposed himself to the girls. Many of us were shocked that some-

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thing like that could happen in Granville, but clearly, even in the bubble we call Granville, weird incidents like these can happen.

In today’s world if we venture out into the world alone, bad things may happen to us just because one would seem more vulnerable. This incident is a good reminder that it is better to travel in pairs whether you’re going for a run, walking into town or even going camping. The benefits of traveling in pairs include having an extra pair of eyes to catch any odd situations; you have backup if someone was to be taken, and it makes most incidents more difficult especially if you have more people you are traveling with.

The world is a dark and scary place, but with proper safety we will be able to brighten the world and be safe.

Do you feel safe in our district after a man exposed himself to students?

“Yeah, I do feel safe in Granville. Granville is a safe place.”

Spencer Kruse-Melfi (‘17) Compiled by Jordan Gummere (‘17)

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“Yes. In most areas I feel safe.”

Ava Hamstead (‘18) (Jordan Gummere/BluePrints Photo)

“I mean it’s scary that something like that could happen. But I trust our community to keep us safe.”

Jason Reding (‘19)

Should second quarter end before Winter Break?

BY RILEY VRADENBURG STAFF MEMBER very student by now has heard about the new ending date of the second quarter this school year, and students should be excited about the change. Although second quarter has ended after winter break for as long as I can remember, I, along with many others, am looking forward to it ending on the day before we are dismissed for break.

Yes, the end of second quarter is a very stressful time of year for a lot of students in the high school.

Many believe end of semester exams are stressful enough, but adding the end of a crucial quarter the same week might push some students over the edge.

It is better for this stress to come to an end before we check out of school for a couple weeks.

A large majority of students would rather finish before break so when students come back from break, they can take the phrase, “New year, new me,” quite literally with a clean slate of A’s.

If the quarter ends after break, many students, like myself, think about their grades and check PIV every day over break to stay updated. Students like this should be able to peacefully know that their grades are finalized for second quarter. Worrying about grades, projects and other school related things does not help students enjoy their break.

With the end of the second quarter coming before winter break this year, students can go home and enjoy spending time with their family and friends.

No student should have to stress about bringing grades up when they get back from the relaxing, well-deserved time off of school.

Spending time with family and friends is a necessary component to complete your winter break. In years past, students have worried about schoolwork and what they have to complete before school is in session again.

This year is an experiment. Can students step up to ending the quarter before break?

The new ending date might create chaos in many students’ minds; however, this is a perfect opportunity to exercise new time management skills.

Students need to figure out what works best for their success.

This week is going to prepare us for future schooling and life.

While many students mentally check out of school before break, this is the opposite of what needs to happen this year. Complaining about the new ending date will not make any impact. The school board has made a decision, and students need to accept that and focus on their grades rather than this minor detail.

It is never too early to begin bringing your grades up for the end of the quarter, or better yet, maintaining good grades throughout the quarter.

Students can begin studying for exams as early as they wish. In the past, exams were a bigger deal than they need to be because students wait until the last minute to begin the studying process.

No one is going to stop the students from preparing for success during the end of semester exams early. Students need to begin preparing earlier than usual for the end of the quarter to ensure success in the second quarter and on exams.

BY LEXI MARELLI STAFF MEMBER or years the second quarter of the school year has ended two weeks after students return from holiday break. It was a comforting thought for students to know they still have two weeks after the holidays to bump up grades or do last minute extra credit. Students no longer have this option, which may be detrimental to their grades.

Before holiday break is one of the most stressful, busy and chaotic times of the year. There are so many things to do before the holidays like decorate, shop and gather with family. Not to mention the school holiday festivities like the annual music concert, which causes a lot of stress at school during that time, and creates one of the busiest and most hectic days of the year.

Along with the holidays being all consuming, there are also the infamous semester exams. Everybody knows that students stress and cram for exams for most of the month of December. Exams are an important and very large portion of the class grade, so most students take them seriously and want to place a great amount of time and focus on them, which would be even harder with that week being the end of the second quarter. Why put even more stress on students by making the end of the quarter so soon? Why not give them two whole weeks to boost their grades after returning from break?

Not to mention, after the holidays are over, it is a very boring and uneventful time, so kids would be able and more likely to spend time focusing on their grades to end with a strong second quarter grade.

Let’s be honest, if you aren’t actually checking out of Granville to travel for the holidays, you’re mentally checked out of school and ready for winter break. It is a chaotic time, and the expectations of having tests be taken, papers be written, and deadlines be met all before winter break and exams is just outrageous.

Some things students can do now to take action and start preparing for the abrupt end of second quarter is studying for tests now, turning papers in early and being on top of extra credit. This should be a wakeup call for students to start working hard now so their grades will reflect that before holiday break. It is also never too early to start studying for exams. This will help, but it will not make up for the two weeks after break that students have always been able to rely on. After all, having the quarter end two weeks after winter break has always worked in the past, so why change to something so different and chaotic now, especially when it is less than favorable by most students.

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Yes.

No.

EDITORIAL POLICY BluePrints, Granville High School’s newsmagazine, is published by students in Journalism. As a forum of student expression, the goal of BluePrints is to provide the high school students’ perspective on relevant issues concerning the school, the community and the world. Editorial decisions are based on timeliness, relevance and appropriateness. Opinions expressed in the newspaper are not necessarily that of the entire staff, student body or school.

Letters to the editor will be published as space allows. BluePrints does accept advertisements; however, the staff reserves the right to withdraw ads. blueprintsonline.org

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Opinion

Americans have spoken against media bias

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illions of Americans expected that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 election in a landslide. Ever since the primaries ended, Hillary THE SAVAGE’S maintained an JUDGMENT almost-constant lead over Trump in major, well-respected polls, and the general sentiment was that Trump’s remarks about Hispanics and women-- two essential demographics-- would make his getting to 270 impossible. In addition, the media had been drilling pro-Clinton bias into many of their articles, attempting to subtly convince Americans to vote for the predicted winner. With this support, how could Clinton have possibly lost the election?

She lost because many Americans wanted to rebel against the media itself.

Americans discovered the inherent bias within the professional media. We expect networks such as CNN-- which is neither a self-proclaimed Democratic nor Republican station-- to remain politically neutral.

In news articles, we expect coverage to be relatively unbiased and purely informative, while in pieces about debate performances, we want to read opinions from people of both Democrat and Republican ideologies.

Yet, the media has failed to provide unbiased campaign coverage. In CNN’s third presidential debate reflection, for example, there was not a single contributor who expressed a favorable opinion of Trump’s performance. They said that Clinton was “the only fit candidate on the stage,” that Trump was a “sad, sore loser” and that “Donald Trump is a frightening man.” No one bothered to give Trump any real praise for his performance. And during NBC’s election coverage, none of the guests spoke favorably of Trump; while the hosts were wonderfully neutral, one of the guests became aggressive and began arguing with the hosts, claiming that he “met with Russian hackers” who told him that Russia is meddling with the United States’ election. Liberalism in the media was truly widespread as well; while news websites like The Huffington Post fought against Donald Trump as if he were

6 November/December 2016

Carsten S avage the devil himself, pressuring its readers to vote for Clinton in order to stop the end of the world, almost all other news stationswhether Republican or Democrat- refused to take a chance and support Trump in the months leading up to the election.

Trump’s success proves that we don’t want our media telling us how to vote.

We want to become informed about the candidates’ issues, successes and failures during their campaigns, and we want the information presented in an unbiased manner so that we can make our own decisions. Journalists should express their opinions in editorials, columns and during televised discussions, but they should not force their opinions into everything they do. While the election was evidently not rigged against Trump, the media definitely was biased against him, prompting Trump supporters to send the media a message with the hugely-unexpected election.

Post-election turmoil has also highlighted the extent of fake news targeting Hillary Clinton, the most outrageous of which being the “Pizzagate” incident about a Clinton and Podesta-run pizzeria sex ring. While many people have the capacity to recognize that articles like this one are false, some do not. There is extensive media bias against Trump, but “fake news” articles about Hillary Clinton are even worse, damaging her reputation with malicious, false claims and inciting real-world violence.

Democrats and Republicans must work together to keep the media truthful and

fair. With Donald Trump in office and a Republican Congress working with him, the Republican party should feel obligated to use their power to help halt the spread of fake news; threats against Clinton threaten us all. Likewise, the media should cover Republican politics more fairly, giving conservative politicians the respect they deserve instead of vilifying them as enemies of the American people. Republicans have won the House and Senate through a democratic election, and Hillary Clinton has won the popular vote and has not been convicted of crimes, so why pretend that either party is villainous? The American people support both Republicans and Democrats, and the media should acknowledge it.

Americans want editorials favoring the Democratic candidate and editorials favoring the Republican one. We expect news articles to inform us about what has happened without trying to subtly persuade us to vote a certain way, and we want to see equal ideological representation in election discussions and presidential debate reflections. When Americans feel that the media is against them, they decide to cofound them and change the world in ways that the media never imagined. And now that Trump has won, it’s time to see just how large of a role the media played in the fearmongering surrounding Donald Trump, and how quickly both parties discover that Trump and Clinton are not the “devils” that the legitimate and fake media told us they were.

“Granville is lucky to have him!”

Photos: Masters and mug, Dustin Braden; Range Rover, reader submission; graduation caps, file photo

Cindy Dorchester on Ashlyn Brockway’s “Alumnus Cody Masters returns as a counselor.”

“I think Zies’ Pieces and Cole’s live tweets are due for a return.”

Cole Jaquith (‘16)

“It’s Hayden Christensen in the Range Rover.

I love this movie already.”

49%

Percentage of readers who said that their favorite Christmas treat was hot chocolate.

Barbara on Megan Coffey’s “Parts of ‘First Kill’ to be filmed at the high school.”

What do readers think about the new “Brick Oven Donatos” coming to downtown?

60%

Percentage of readers who do not believe that the new Donatos belongs.

34%

Percentage of readers who are excited for the new Donatos.

6%

“The schools day has a ton of time that is not learning time .. time between classes, time to settle a class, time to deal with catching students up, breaks, etc. So what could students offer up in this cause? It might look more like a typical sports practice or music practice … more focus, higher expectations, more engagement, more commitment. As a parent, I’m on your side. Let’s find a way to start an hour later. Well done!”

Steve Krak on Elijah Smith’s “School days should start later.”

Percentage of readers who do not have an opinion about the future Donatos.

“I agree very much with what you’re saying, I pray you get this opportunity.”

Charles Simmons on Hannah Dear’s “Homeschoolers should walk at graduation.”

blueprintsonline.org

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15 QUESTIONS

with Jim Reding

BY HANNAH DEAR (‘17) AND JORDAN GUMMERE (‘17) PHOTOS BY DUSTIN BRADEN

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nvironmental science and ecology teacher Jim Reding is well-known in the community as an advocate for the environment. For all of his efforts, Reding’s former students nominated him for the K-12 Best Educator of the Year by the North American Association for Environmental Education. At the association’s national conference in Madison, WI in October, Reding was the receptient of this award.

“The K–12 Educator of the Year Award is presented to an individual recognized for their exemplary efforts in promoting environmental education in K–12 classroom settings, as well as engaging community organizations to create a more sustainable future,” the NAAEE website said. Reding has been embodying these ideals for years and will continue to do so for many more.

1. You have won a very prestigious award. What was your initial reaction to winning?

I didn’t know I was being nominated. It was quite a surprise when I got the call.

I was very honored by it. The fact that a lot of my peers and students wrote letters to nominate me was more heart-warming than winning the actual award.

2. What is the most important aspect of teaching environmental science in your opinion?

I think the most important aspect would be to think about and discuss the different issues and to be able to articulate those issues.

3. What is your favorite part of teaching the class?

Just being around the ideas, just being around the passion, just being around the ability to look at things positively is fantastic.

4. What is the most important idea you want your students to always remember from your class?

Think differently, use less and diversity means stability. Those are three things that fit well with most issues in life.

5. Tell us about the Take Action proj-

8 November/December 2016

ects involved with the environmental class.

Take Action projects started ten to fifteen years ago. The idea was, as students looked at these issues, it wasn’t until you actually engaged in them they actually do them. The whole Take Action program empowers students so that they not only understand the change, but they are part of the change.

elections and vote with your dollar. Your generation has the unique opportunity because you represent a portion of the market system. If you want a change, vote for that change, and by that I mean vote with your dollar.

messing with systems we don’t completely understand yet.

9. In what ways can you promote environmental activism outside of the classroom?

I think it drives it. I’m a firm believer that this is the most important class you’ll take in high school. This drives a lot of what you do and the thinking you should have.

It’s going to set you up for dealing with issues, solutions and problems.

Just get involved. Talk in the senior lounge and talk at the dinner table. Share ideas and share opinions. It gets the ball rolling if we’re having those conversations. Most of what you learn in high school will not be learned in the classroom.

Connect in another way outside of the classroom.

10. In your opinion, what is the biggest environmental issue facing the human race today?

The one I’m most concerned about is the lack of biodiversity. It impacts the ecological system that drives 6. Any advice for students taking part everything. Once the biodiversity in the projects? falls, it is “The K–12 Educator of the Year the mechanism by Follow your passion. Don’t just Award is presented to an individu- which everything do them; do the al recognized for their exemplary else runs.

things you care efforts in promoting environmen- 11. How can about. Take the time to figure out tal education in K–12 classroom students of this generation help what you really settings.” with a solution to want to do. The this issue? result is much better if it is something you are passionate Little things aren’t working anymore. We about. need to work faster than that. Becoming actively involved, not only in the issues, 7. What do you believe is the imporbut also in the politics. What I like kids to tance of real world experience in studydo is to find their cove. Pick the one thing ing environmental science? that you’re passionate about and fix that.

If everybody does that then we end up Essential. We’re preparing you for life impacting a lot. after college. The more opportunities we can give you to connect with real world situations and network with real professionals in the field is only doing a better job of getting you ready for what comes after college.

8. How can the average person have a positive effect on the environment?

Communicate, talk, discuss, vote. Vote in

12. If this issue were to be ignored, what would be the consequences?

13. What do you believe is the relationship between positive societal change and environmental science?

14. What does a sustainable future look like to you?

There’s going to be sacrifices. We can’t expect to live on a finite planet in a constantly growing way. There will have to be limits to what we can do. It’s a matter of going to back and looking at what’s important and what’s not important. Does having more and more things that make us happier? There’s no perfect solution. It’s going to take a lot of different solutions coming at it from all different angles. We can’t just focus on the quick fix.

15. What is the role of research in environmental science?

We’re dealing with unprecedented problems. We’re coming up with whole new things. If you’re not continuing to research, not continuing to learn we don’t have the information to solve any of these problems. We don’t know what’s going to happen with climate change. We can’t say we’re going to wait till we have all of the information to solve these problems. It will never happen. We need to do something now. We need to move forward with any solutions we have that are most appropriate for this time and reinvent those solutions as new information becomes available.

With biodiversity we don’t even know yet.

This could spiral out of control. The very systems we rely on daily such as clean water and air are at risk when biodiversity is lost. We’re blueprintsonline.org

9

Helping for the Holidays How students are turning their days off into days on

BY ANNA MINTON (’17) AND HANNAH DEAR (’17) ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SYDNEY BEDNARSKI (‘18) AND ASHLYN BROCKWAY (‘17)

Granville home-schooled students prepare gift bags for Children’s Hospital patients over the holidays. (Photo courtesy of Donna Dear.)

10 November/December 2016

The holidays are always known as a time for happiness and cheer. A time to let go of our animosity towards others, and help spread the holiday spirit to whoever you can. Some in Granville, however, are taking this challenge to a whole new level.

Instead of baking Christmas cookies or caroling down the streets, many in Granville choose to spend their time during the holidays helping others. Throughout the community, you’ll see volunteers holding Red Bucket donations for the Salvation Army, school clubs collecting coats for Goodwill, and many other service activities.

One way that the Granville community has gotten involved in volunteering is through homeschool teacher Donna Dear. This year, Dear decided to try something new with her high school and middle school art classes.

“I was thinking of trying something different for our group to do at Christmas instead of making another Christmas project” said Dear. “I chose to seek out service projects for us to do either for our community or around the world.”

In the past, Dear’s art classes have collected old jeans and recycled them into shoe parts for an organization called Sole Hope that benefits children in Uganda. According to Dear, her classes were able to send 150 sets of shoe pieces to the organization.

This year, Dear has decided to choose a cause that is close to her home, and her family: Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“This year because of our youngest daughter’s surgery and lengthy recovery, I chose a project close to my heart,” Dear said.

“Our daughters have been patients of Children’s Hospital for many years, and we were not aware of the impact the hospital would have on our lives until we adopted our youngest daughter who has multiple special needs.”

Due to their daughters’ health battles, the Dear family knows how hard it can be to stay in the hospital for such a long time.

“We have had multiple stays in the day clinic and hospital,” Dear said, “and some days little gifts provided by different groups have made the stay a little better. (Nationwide) Children’s relies on community support to help make your child’s stay less scary and most of all to be happy despite what they may be going through.”

And Dear plans to do just that: she plans on having her students make activity bags for the patients that are not able to leave the hospital during the holidays.

The activity bags are filled with craft activities, and other fun things to do, such as “stickers, sticker pages, safety scissors, tape, cut and paste activity sheets, coloring sheets, word search puzzles, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, craft sticks, watercolor paints, and bead kits with instructions,” according to Dear. “In addition to this I am asking each of my students to bring a game a teen would like.”

Dear is happy that her students are not only willing, but enthusiastic about supporting patients during the holiday time.

“My students are excited to be making these bags,” said Dear.

“We have opened it up to our entire homeschool group, and they are all willing and excited to help. I am also going to be asking some local stores to see if they can help donate items we can add to our bags.”

Dear states that these kits are being given to Nationwide Children’s Hospital on December 1 after they are made.

“I know these will be greatly received,” said Dear. “I was telling a nurse who works there what we were doing, and she said those are so great to have to be able to give to patients who need

a little cheer.”

But Donna is not the only one to help others during the holiday time. Another example of this are the members of the start-up committee for the Feed the Dream Food drive.

For the past 6 years, the 7 founding members and their families work throughout the holidays to prepare for a one-day food drive on Martin Luther King Day, a day often thought of as a day off of work and school. This local organization is striving to make it a day on.

“On Martin Luther King Jr Day each year we ask Granville to make this a special day of service to others by participating in effort to support the work of the Food Pantry Network of Licking County,” according to the Feed the Dream website.

Licking County is full of people who are struggling to feed their families.

“The need in Licking County has continued to grow over the years,” CEO of the Food Pantry Network Chuck Moore said. “As these types of fundraisers increase we are able to purchase more food to ensure that there is adequate food for those who need it.”

The Food Pantry Network receives all food and money donations so that they are able to help families in Licking County.

“Our organization is the leading organization in Licking County that feeds hungry families,” Moore said.

Poverty is a growing problem, and many children are on reduced or free lunch plans in schools. This increases the need for food drives such as Feed the Dream.

“Feed the Dream to me means that a kid goes to school without being hungry and goes to bed with food in their stomach,” Moore said.

Feed the Dream is a great outlet for many people in Granville who want to get involved in their community.

“I find it very rewarding,” Feed the Dream graphics designer Rob Cathcart said.

The reason behind the food drive being on Martin Luther King Day is because of King’s dedication to service.

“He believed that there’s nothing better we can do than to serve someone else,” Cathcart said.

People are typically focused on the larger holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah. Holidays such as Labor Day, Veterans Day, and Presidents Day are not really thought of as holidays anymore but as an excuse to get out of school or hit the sales at stores.

“Martin Luther King Day is one of those days. People take it as a day off instead of doing something relative to his beliefs of service,” Cathcart said.

The annual goal of Feed the Dream is to collect two tons of food and $7,500 in donations. This goal has been surpassed repeatedly. Last year the combined volume of donated food and food purchasing power (8 cents per pound) was 70.81 tons of food.

“Granville is a small community with giving people,” Moore said. “The folks around this community embrace Feed the Dream and really support it.”

Feed the Dream is always looking for more volunteers to aid in this cause. Many school clubs, businesses, and organizations in the surrounding areas lend their support in the twelve hours of collecting at Ross’ Granville Market.

“If you want to get involved you can sign up for one of the time slots throughout the day to come out and help,” Cathcart said.

Want to Volunteer?

Try these locations:

• National Honors Society at Kendall Assisted Living Center, volunteering for technology help sessions • Market Street Pantry in Newark, open Wednesdays and Saturdays, volunteering to donate or serve food • St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter, volunteer to serve meals • Feed the Dream Food Drive in the IGA parking lot, volunteering to donate or package food

National Honors Society members bring joy to students during midterm week by decorating the courtyard. (BluePrints Photo/Anna Minton)

Martin Luther King Day is not the only day to get involved in the community.

“Before Martin Luther King day you can run your own food drive in your neighborhood or class,” Cathcart said.

This organization hopes to inspire the community with one of Dr. King’s most famous quotes about service: “Everybody can be great because everyone can serve.”

These two groups aren’t all there is. Many businesses put up and angel tree in their stores. These trees have lists of kids who aren’t fortunate enough to receive presents on Christmas Day, so that people can buy them gifts. According to local volunteer Scott Brockway, people can go to the IGA that is located in downtown Granville to pick out someone who is in the nursing home who doesn’t have family around and go out and get them presents to open on Christmas day. There is also an Angel Tree located in Indian mound mall for people to visit. On the trees, there will be a list of items that say what the children wish they would get for Christmas. The items on this list aren’t usually expensive, as many children ask for simple toys.

“I believe it’s a great thing to do for the parents who can’t afford to give their children gifts this year,” said Brockway. “This is something that doesn’t take much money to supply, but can make a huge difference in the children’s and parents lives”.

Granville is a village full of philanthropy, and many throughout the holiday time have a passion for service. This all demonstrates what a tightly knit community we have, and goes to show you how a community that gives together, stays together.

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News

Students adjust to first semester ending before winter break

BY ASHLYN BROCKWAY (17’) STAFF MEMBER any students have been wondering why semester one ends before winter break this year.

While some students haven’t realized that first semester ends before winter break, others are finding it challenging because of their vacation schedules.

School started on Aug 7 this year, which is earlier than previous years. There was no final agreement or decision that made semester one end before winter break.

Principal Matthew Durst said it’s just the way it worked out this year for when exams fell.

“This is the first time in 13 years that semester one has ended before Christmas break,” said Durst.

First semester ending before winter breaks helps the teachers as well because the students are done with all their work and allows the teachers to grade the exams over break along with semester two work.

While some students don’t mind the change in when semester one ends, others do.

Senior Grace Butler, who was planning on going on a vacation a few days before winter break, decided it would be too much of a hassle because she would miss the last Friday and a day of exams.

“I don’t care for the most part when the semester ends, except for the fact that I don’t get the two weeks after Christmas break to try to fix my grades before the semester ends,” senior Travis Wollenburg said.

Wollenburg is not the only student who is hesitant about when the semester ends.

“I think that’s neat, but at the same time we are losing time to get all work done,” junior Tanner Mull said.

There are many other students who are running into this exact problem as well, but nothing can be changed now. Semester one ends before winter break simply because that’s how it all worked out. The students will learn to love this new change and adapt to the new schedule.

AP Environmental takes action

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Spider PhotoL Dustin Braden

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AP Environmental students prepare for their Take Action projects. (BluePrints Photo/ Hannah Dear)

BY KENZIE CHESROWN (’18) them,” Kozlowski said.

STAFF MEMBER Along with creating this program, these P Enviro students have the opstudents plan on making a sustainable portunity to affect the community habitat for the turtles. this school year.

All the groups in AP Environmental Students are tackling the assignment of have different problems that require a solving an environmental based problem. unique solution.

These problems can range from any subOne group faces the issue of the deject and each group must create a real life creasing population of bees. solution.

“The bee take action project is a great Jim Reding is in charge of this course. way to give bees a chance to live through AP Environmental Science is an acwinter while being able to reproduce in tion-based, challenging class that requires the spring,” senior Emily Massey said. students to try their best. Take Action “We will keep the bees in the land lab if projects are no different. our take action gets approved. The overall “Each group picked a subject based on goal for this project is to help the bee what we are passionate about and what we population” want to change or fix around the school or Another prjoect involves the Elementary in the community,” senior Grace Havens school. said. “Or even in the world too.”

“We plan to clean up the courtyard for Faced with solving the issue of turtle GES. We want to make it a more eduoverpopulation, seniors Kassie Kozlowski cational place that students can enjoy,” and Grace Steele decided to make a turtle senior Karissa Harris said. sanctuary.

Each group is tasked with the attempt at There people will be able to donate and solving a real life issue. or adopt these animals.

If approved, students hope their plan “There’s a big of action can have a positive affect on the overpopcommunity. ulation “Each problem is important and that in problem itself is what makes this project so benefiwith the cial to us,” Havens said. “It is interesting turtles to learn about some of the issues out there because and hopefully cause some change.” people will buy This project allows high school students them small and to become problem solvers and have an when they get big impact on the community. they don’t want them and release

Sports

Winter Sports Quiz

BY JUSTIN THOMPSON (‘17)

QUESTION 1

Question 9

What height is senior pole vaulter Noah Green trying to reach this year?

Who is the new assistant varsity basketball coach? a) Michael Bait: The beloved physics teacher is busting out the clipboard this season. b.) Derrick Fisher: His wealth of basketball knowledge will be put to good use this year. c) Matt Engler: The middle school teacher with a 6’9 frame d) Senora Mosquera: A highly competitive coach with an intense love for basketball.

c)14 feet: The height of two Shaquille O’ Neals

QUESTION 3

Who is an All-Ohioan on the boys indoor track team?

d)15 feet: The height of a full grown giraffe

a) Jack McGonagle: A graceful runner who makes running look easy.

QUESTION 2

b) Jonny Lukins: A tall and lanky distance runner who is also a talented sprinter.

Who is the tallest player on the girls’ c) Thomas Patton: His hard work in basketball team? the offseason pays off on the track. a) Maggie Michael: Maggie attacks the d) Jack Saigh: A hoop with vigor multi-talented disand outrebounds tance runner who her opponents. runs with ferocity. b) Natalie Houser: A deceptively quick player who QUESTION 4 is tall enough to be a presence in the How many people paint. tried out for the c) Jennifer Rush: A bowling team this tall sophomore who year, setting a new excels in outjumpschool record? ing her opponents. b) 30 c) 75 d) 55

Which swimmer qualified for the prestigous Ned Reeb Invitational?

QUESTION 6

Who is the heaviest returning state qualifier on the wrestling team?

a) Rowan Moore: Senior swimmer with an excess of experience.

a) Alex Eckels: He’s a bulky fighter who packs a lot of muscle onto his frame.

b) Aaron Sargent: Long and agile competitor who has been in the program for years.

b) Luke Mendicino: Has a lanky sort of muscle that works to his advantage while wrestling.

c) Bryson Hauenstein: Freshman swimmer who burst onto the scene this season.

c) Mathieu Holt: He’s very tall so it isn’t easy to tell that he is the heaviest returning state qualifier.

QUESTION 7

Which competition cheerleader has a standing full? a)

Ava Kunar: Junior cheerleader has accomplished this impressive feat.

Which set of senior twins compete on the swim team? a) Petersons: Jack and Jake finish up football season and immediately jump in the pool. b) Krocks: Maddie and Tom have been swimming for years and love to compete competitively.

c) Koesters: Madison and Mackenzie b) Riley Davis: love to swim and Senior captain who are exceptionalhas recently mastered the standing ly good at major meets. full. c) Rachael Shoemaker: Athletic senior who is known for her jumping abilities.

d) Kauchaks: Brooke and Emily have swam at Denison for years and are more than d) Melissa Murphy: comfortable in the Junior cheerleader who is a master of pool. advanced jumps.

QUESTION 10

Who has the most penalty minutes on the Newark Generals? a) Joe Rapp: A fiery junior with an attitude to match. He isn’t afriad to defend himself and his teammates on the ice. b) Nathan Chaykowski: A stone cold fighter and an enforcer on the ice.

Referres love to give him penalties due to his aggressiveness. c) Luke Stewart: He might seem mild mannered in the hallways, but he’s a monster on the ice. He is a lanky senior who makes up for his trim frame with unequaled explosiveness. d) Tyler Schroeder: A heavy hitter who enjoys mixing it up with his opponents. Schroeder gets involved in numerous scuffles nearly every game.

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Photo Credits: Justin Thompson and Dustin Braden

d) Chloe Mulford: Athletic sophomore who has the height to match up with the other teams tallest player.

a) 25

QUESTION 5

QUESTION 8

Answers: 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-D, 5-C, 6-A, 7-C, 8-D, 9-C, 10-A

a)12 feet: The height of two refrigirators stacked on top of each other b)13 feet: The height of an adult elephant

How well do you know these winter athletes?

Sports

Cowboy’s rook- Can basketball fans be as ie duo takes the rowdy as football fans? (‘17)

BY KARISSA HARRIS (‘17) league by storm BY JAKEurPURDY school has a strong history he football student section got

BY ELIJAH SMITH (18’)

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he Dallas Cowboys are 11-1, winning 11 straight games. For Cowboys fans, this season seems to be a dream. Afterall, it is rare to see a SMITTY’S rookie quarterback and SPORTS running back take over the team from day one.

Dak Prescott, the fourth round pick from Mississippi State became the starting QB after Tony Romo injured his back in the preseason. He has been phenomenal, playing like he is a 10-year veteran. After 11 games, Prescott has thrown for 2,974 yards with 19 touchdowns. Maybe the most impressive stat from Dak is his 86 QBR rating, that’s the best out of all NFL QBs. (For those who don’t know what QBR means, it stands for Total Quarterback Rating. It was created by ESPN in 2011 and is used to measure how well a quarterback is playing). Basically Dak Prescott is one of the best QBs in the NFL and has the stats to prove it.

The Cowboys running game is on fire, led by former Buckeye Ezekiel Elliott.

Many fans remember Zeke in the scarlet and grey; now he’s running for America’s Team. All NFL football fans know about Ezekiel Elliott. Simply, he has been sensational, running for 1285 yards and 12 touchdowns. He is the league leader in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns. Many are saying Zeke should be the MVP this season, and his numbers prove it. He is the reason why the Cowboys have won 10 straight games; hopefully, he can continue to produce.

The Cowboys have the NFL’s best record, and only have four games left.

Only few more teams stand in the way of their nearly perfect season. The rookie duo seems to be magic, but can they keep it up? In a tough NFC division, few teams have been able to slow down the rookie combination. At this point, it seems nobody will.

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of large, enthusiastic student sections at both football and basketball games. At every home game you will find 50-100 students dressed up in whatever the theme is such as zombie, Christmas, White Out, Safari, superheroes and many more.

“The student section for hoops season has undeniable potential, with crowd surfing, chants and great themes being led by senior football and soccer guys,” senior basketball player Will Sharp said.

Students look forward to the student section because it gives them something to do that is fun and lets them be with their classmates. Often you will find the seniors as the students that try the hardest dressing up in the best costumes for each theme and going crazy with various chants some directed at the other team and some directed to encourage the Aces.

“The student section is a fun atmosphere to be in to root on your fellow students,” senior Jack Peterson said.

This year with strong senior leadership provided mostly by senior football and soccer players the student section has a chance to be at the best it has ever been after coming off of such a success in the football season student section.

“The basketball players took the lead of the football student section during the fall so now it is our time to take charge and return the favor for them,” senior Nick Kurek said.

The themes of the Basketball student section have been posted around the school for a month now with the expectation building to that first game. Beechcroft should watch out, there are going to be zombies in Teeters Arena on Jan. 6.

recognition across Licking County for being loud and spirited, often called obnoxious and uncontrolled.

Every game, home or away, students from every grade would fill the bleachers to the top, cramming in as many students as possible.

Chants were performed and music was played to encourage students to cheer.

Whether the Aces were winning or losing, the student section cheered them on no matter what.

Personally, I think that the student section has some potential to be good, but basketball is not normally as celebrated in Granville as football is.

The boys play on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, but in previous years you would not catch a student in the student section, but Fridays a decent amount would show up.

Football Friday nights were an anticipated event in Granville, kids just could not wait to go to the games on Fridays.

Being an athlete has exposed me to many sporting events and overall, Granville does not have as much school spirit as we think. Other schools have dozens of students at every sport from volleyball to wrestling.

With there being a basketball game about every other night, it is hard for busy students to find the time to come up with a costume and go to the games. When they do perhaps find the time, and show up, they realize there are only about 10 to 15 students in the student section and often leave before half time because they are not normally fun.

With the overwhelming support at the football games, the student section was able to continue to thrive, but for basketball, as soon as a few people stop going after the first few games, the student section will dwindle down to nothing.

Competition cheerleaders Wrestling team poised for secure a spot at nationals another successful season

BY KENZIE CHESROWN (‘18) his year the competition cheerleading team has achieved the honor of attending nationals.

The team only attends nationals once every few years because of the expenses.

“We had a car wash in town and helped out at the IGA with bagging groceries,” sophomore cheerleader Brooke Fuller said.

Rachael Shomaker has experienced nationals once before during her freshmen year.

“It was a great experience and I am so excited to have the honor of competing again,” Shomaker said.

The team practices on the off days of basketball cheer, most of the members successfully juggling two sports at once.

“I am really excited for nationals,” junior Melissa Murphy said, “When we were competing for a spot, the whole team was really jittery. By the time we finished I think everyone was confident in our performance.”

The competition season is just starting and there will be many more opportunities to show what the team has to offer. One will no doubt be in Florida.

“I am excited to bond with my team and to see all the talent from around the country,” junior Grace Petryk said.

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BY AVA KUNAR (‘18) ith three returning state qualifiers, including one state placer, the wrestling team is poised to do quite well this year.

The team is in a good position to win some tournaments this year, according to senior Mathieu Holt.

“Although the team is small this year, everyone is experienced and should perform well,” said Holt.

Holt also said that the wrestlers have the goal of getting two more athletes to the state tournament this year and having three place at states.

Sophomore wrestler Keegan Vanmeter conveyed a similar attitude of excitement for the upcoming season.

“We’re all excited to start the season, It should be a very successful year,” he said.

The team’s excitement could be due to the fact that there will be three senior captains this year helping the new head coach, Kyle Bergeron, and assistant coach Steve Mendicino who are taking over after Marvin Bright, who retired from coaching at the end of last season..

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Despite being a club sport, Generals attract a large fan base

BY JAKE PURDY (‘17) he Newark Generals is arguably Granville’s favorite non-school supported sports team, as a club team, there are kids from different schools around the county, but Granville is well-represented with 14 of the 22 varsity players.

The last two seasons have ended in heartbreak with a loss in the state championship.

The “Gens” as they are affectionately known, play in Lou and Gib Reece Ice Arena on Thursday nights where you can often find a student section full of Granville students behind the glass of the away team’s goal.

“Granville always show up for the Gens game, making a big impact on the way we play, our fans are loud and crazy and it gives us energy and confidence,” junior Patrick Chaykowski said.

The Generals got off to a rough start this season. With two ties one loss and two wins, they are in 4th place in the league out of seven teams and sit 12 points behind 1st place.

Strong upperclassmen leadership will give the Gens the edge this season in the playoffs. Seniors Luke Stewart and Will Dickson followed by juniors Joe Rapp, Patrick Chaykowski and Tyler Schroeder have 14 combined varsity years of experience under their belts. “ With so many players with experience we know how it feels to lose the big game, This year we are better prepared for the playoffs” Said Senior Luke Stewart.

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The Generals, although based in Newark, are well represnted with Granville talent. They won the state championship in 2012 and have been close in the years since. (Photo courtesy of Ben Dennis)

It is obvious that there are more Granville students than from any other school and often more than all the other schools combined.

Hockey is a different kind of sport than the others offered by the school. The hard-hitting, fast-paced game is what draws most players and fans to the rink every week.

“It is fun to support the boys from Granville play some puck, you really get to go crazy banging on the glass is actually encouraged” said Senior David Parkinson. blueprintsonline.org

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Sports

Why aren’t NFL experiencing plummeting popularity fans tuning in

BY SAM DUNHAM (‘17) to football, a more civilized and only o the casual observer, the closing slightly more violent competition than the months of 2016 may herald more one between Donald and Hillary. of the same in the world of sports.

In addition, the league itself is beginFootball is in full swing, baseball wraps ning to show its flaws. Long ago in some up and basketball begins again. Like every bygone era, there was once a time where year, the NFL seems to dominate the airfootball games were on one day and one time and continues to be America’s most day only: Sunday. Decades ago, Monday popular sport. However, a few changes Night Football began. Then, only a few have occurred in the past year that may years ago, Thursday night football was change this. introduced, a televised event more boring For starters, the weekly TV ratings began and pointless than a Star Wars prequel. to decline week by week, quicker and The games themselves have also become steeper than years previously. Why the less interesting. The NFL has always sudden loss of popularity? Is this the end prided itself in its parity amongst teams. of the NFL as king of AmerThe teams are, for the most ican sports? Will 2017 be the “Aside from a part, evenly-matched which sparing few, makes predicting a champion year of soccer? Baseball? there are no impossible. While it can be reQuidditch? Sadly no, but this exuberant issue is still worthy of our freshing to see different teams attention as this could signal a personalities in the Super Bowl each year, huge shift in modern entertain- as players be- this inconsistency may begin to come more backfire. ment. suppressed Perhaps the biggest thing Simply put, there is no drato happen during a song at an and faceless.” ma in the NFL. NFL game since Left Shark’s Because of this beloved parincredible performance at the 2015 Super ity in the league, there are no “storylines.”

Bowl was Colin Kaepernick sitting during There are no heroes or villains. Aside the National Anthem of a preseason game. from a sparing few, there are no exuberant This simple act of protest sparked similar personalities as players become more supacts across the league, even extending to pressed and faceless. There may be rivalry NBA and high school teams. Although this games, but they all play each other mulmovement was to protest the pressing civil tiple times each season anyway and these rights issues of the nation, it divided the games ultimately devolve into low-scoring nation on yet another issue. When the NFL defensive battles with more unnecessary issued an anonymous poll to ask viewroughness calls than points. There aren’t ers why they chose not to watch games, nearly enough explosive plays anymore the top reason was these very protests. as both coaches and players become more However, this answer seems more like an conservative. The NFL is at risk of simply opportunity to vent frustration on a conbecoming too boring and unexciting. troversial topic. The true answer lies more Where the league goes from here within the sport itself. And, of course, remains to be see. While it seems unlikeDonald Trump. ly that the throne of America’s top sport It was no mere coincidence that as soon will have a new king anytime soon, these as the 2016 election was over, TV ratings events unfolding beg some questions. As for the NFL increased dramatically (the leagues like the MLS and NBA continue highest since week 2). The election was to rise in popularity, the NFL must strive certainly a notable distraction from all to be more innovative and vigilant if they other television material, especially conwant to stay atop in a constantly evolving sidering who was running. But now that world.

America has chosen, the focus will return

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16 November/December 2016

to watch the NFL?

BY JUSTIN THOMPSON (‘17) SPORTS EDITOR

It’s easier to watch the highlights of all the games at a later time than to watch the whole game.

-Wyatt Caravana (‘17)

People are sick of watching the same teams, especially the Patriots, win year after year. The league has no drama anymore.

-Luke Grace (‘17) All the big stars are involved in scandals. No one wants to support players with questionable values.

-Maddie Bremer (‘17) People are sick of weekday games.

People are too busy to watch football on weeknights.

-Emily Kauchak (‘17)

Features

Students stress about semester exams

BY AVA KUNAR ‘18 hough the winter season brings about holidays, vacations, cookies, presents and more, one awful thing is inevitable: exams. During all of December, exams is a hot topic among students. Students have at every grade level feel stress about the controversial and draining topic of exams.

Freshmen Though freshmen have yet to undergo their first exams experience, they have many preconceived notions of what these lengthy tests will be like.

“It’s going to be super stressful,” freshman Anna Mialky said.

The overall aura of what the freshmen expect for exams is that it is going to be un-enjoyable. Some noted that they thought it would be “not fun,” “lengthy,” “hard” and that they anticipated “a lot of crying.”

Madelyn Vradenburg has low expectations for what these winter tests will encompass. She expressed her feelings quite simply.

“I’m expecting exams to suck and not be fun,” she said.

Sarah Law, who took high school classes as an eighth grader has a more positive view of exams.

“They’re not fun, but it’s nice to know what each grade thinks about exams to have to do stuff all day,” she said.

Paisley Arthur and Morgan Roof explained that they plan to start studying as soon as they can. They said that once their teachers introduce exams to them, they will study a little bit every night before exams. Some freshmen even went as far as to say that they plan on studying seven or more hours for exams. This, however, is not unpopular among students considering that 31% say that they usually study seven or more hours for exams according to a recent Twitter poll.

Sophomores Sophomores said mostly the same as the freshmen.

Almost unanimously, they said that the best word to describe exams is “stress-

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ful.” Considering that exams make up 20% of each student’s semester grades, it is understandable why they feel so stressed about them.

In fact, in the worst case scenario, a student’s exams could take them from a 100% to an 80% in a class, dropping his or her grade from an A+ to a B-. Now, this is extreme, but is still something that students consider when studying.

Some sophomores claimed that they plan on studying for 10 or more hours; however, others claimed that they only study for 30 minutes. It really depends on the student and how they feel on exams and school in general.

Of students, 26% of students who study for 1-3 hours or the 14% of students that study for 4-6 hours for exams.

Juniors When asked to describe exams, juniors said that they were “scary,” “terrifying,” “everything you hate,” “stressful” and “torture.” Though juniors had some choice words for how they feel about exams, their study patterns do not always depict their worry. While a few juniors said they studied 7 or more hours for exams, most said they study less than that. In fact, Andrew Schoepf explained that he studies for exactly 3 hours and 26 minutes.

Joe Rapp had some basic, blunt and helpful exam advice for freshmen: “Don’t procrastinate.”

Owen Fowler had some more specific advice for freshmen that is just as helpful.

“Start

Websites to help you study

https://www.studyblue.com/ https://quizlet.com/ https://www.quia.com/ https://kahoot.it/#/ and https://getkahoot.com/ and of course: https://schoology.granvilleschools.org studying earlier than you think you have to,” he said.

Riley Bruck explained exams with one simple phrase. “Please help,” she said.

She also had some advice for freshmen.

“Go to study sessions because it gives you insight to what is on the exam,” Bruck said.

Seniors Seniors expressed many of the same feelings about exams as the other grades did. They explained that exams were stressful and awful, just as the rest of the grades expressed, but they also seemed jaded.

Jackson Terry did not hold back when asked to describe his feelings about exams.

“They’re bull crap and a waste of my time,” he said.

Though Grace Hartshorn said that she studies for probably 10 hours total, most of the seniors interviewed said that they did not study nearly that much. The other seniors could have made up the percentage of students that said they study 0 hours for exams. This group of people made up 29% of Granville’s student body.

Some seniors, though, have some helpful advice for freshmen.

Grace Steels words for freshmen could definitely prove to be useful to this year’s freshmen class during their exam experience as a whole.

“Actually study because [exams] affect how well you do in your final grade,” she said. “If you do well, they can really set you up for your academic future.”

Most students take all their books home to prepare for exams. (BluePrints Photo/Dustin Braden) blueprintsonline.org

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Features

Teacher advocates self-defense after recent events at Denison

BY HANNAH DEAR (‘17) NEWS EDITOR n older man exposed himself to two high school students at Denison University on Nov. 3 at 3:37pm. The high school students ran back to the high school and reported the incident. The incident at Denison has raised a question about whether students are safe enough and whether self-defense training would be a good decision.

Emergency poles are helpful in an emergency, but teacher “As [students] become Jeremy Hopping argues that self-defense training is vital. young adults they will be in a (BluePrints Photo/Dustin Braden) less sheltering environment,” assistant principal Scott Car“We recommend that everyone, young penter said. women in particular, is aware of their The school is a relatively safe place. surroundings,” Hopping said. “ You should Students take part in lock down drills avoid risky situations. Doing things like to help ensure safety in case of threats. jogging in pairs can help someone avoid However, personal safety being a target.” “[Self-defense] remains a concern.

Another important part “Learning about of makes you think dif- general safety is acting personal responsibility positively. ferently about situa- “We emphasize acting is something we definitely need to address as tions and makes you positively because people students become young more aware of your who are looking for adults,” Carpenter said. victims are looking for surrondings.”

Social studies teacher people who look weak,” Jeremy Hopping believes Hopping said. self-defense training is vital for all young “If you’re demonstrating confidence and people. look like you can handle yourself you are “The main reasons for taking self-deless likely to be made a target.” fense are, number one, so you can defend If someone is attacked, self-defense yourself if you need to defend yourself becomes even more important. and, number two, the fact that it makes “If you are attacked you need help, but you think differently about situations and we don’t teach people to yell help. We tell makes you more aware of your surroundpeople to yell “fire” because studies have ings,” Hopping said. shown that people will respond to that Hopping is a martial arts instructor and yell,” Hopping said. “If you yell ‘help’ believes that self-defense training is necpeople get nervous and they want to avoid essary, especially for young women. that situation.”

“I have always advocated the idea that Students may or may not feel safe while we should have something in place, for in school. However, Hopping believes especially the young ladies going on to there is never any harm in learning more college knowing what we know about inabout self-defense. cidences of sexual assault and other things “When you’re talking about self-deon college campuses,” Hopping said. fense you’re not necessarily talking Regardless of whether students take about learning how to fight; you’re self-defense classes, Hopping insists that learning how to free yourself and get students have knowledge of some simple away from a situation,” Hopping said. defense tactics.

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18 November/December 2016

First Person: Europe changed my world view

BY JAKE PURDY (‘17) very time I turn on the news all I hear about is Trump. For more than a year now, news channels have been eating up everything he says.

When I traveled over 4,600 miles to Rome, Italy, I thought I would get a break from all the Trump talk, but actually it was the opposite.

Since I was there in mid-November in the lowest tourist point of the year, my mom and I were the only Americans we saw most of the people we would meet were from other European countries like Norway, England or Germany. So as nonEuropeans, my mom and I stuck out like a sore thumb and to our surprise when we would get in a taxi or be at a restaurant, people would always ask us how we felt about our new President-elect Trump.

Most people would have things to say about how he says ridiculous things or how he is such a successful businessman or how it is strange that we elected a non-politician.

My mom and I were on a bus that would drive us around the city and stop at historical sites and the guide like most of the other natives in Rome wanted to talk American politics. I began asking him questions to see if he understood the Electoral College and he understood the basic principle, which a lot of Americans don’t even understand. He then listed all of the presidents that served during his lifetime, which I thought it was incredible because the average American cannot name the President of another country.

With all of these people knowing about our politics, I really got the sense that the President is indeed the most powerful man in the world because America has such an effect on the rest of the world, politically, economically and socially. In a foreign country half way across the world, I would not expect people to tell me that they knew Ohio voted Republican when I tell them where I am from.

My visit to Rome changed my view of America’s role in the world.

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BluePrints welcomes “First Person” submissions from all readers. Send your writings to ghsblueprints@gmail.com

Entertainment

Ten new sequels coming

BY KARISSA HARRIS (’17) 017 is only a couple months away and the sequels being released are going to be epic. From fast cars to pirates to aliens to Minions to autobots, there will not be a shortage of action in 2017.

1. “Fast and the Furious 8” (Apr. 14) “Fast and the Furious 8” will be the first of the series that will not include the duo of Toretto and O’Connor after the passing of Paul Walker in 2013. Although it will be weird for the gang to get back together without O’Connor, a viewer can expect that there will stolen cars, foreign countries and always a bad guy taken down by the crew. Charlize Theron as Cipher has been named as the new villain of the Fast and Furious series. Although most of the movie is set in New York City, this will be the first American film allowed to be shot in Cuba. Scenes were also shot in Cleveland and Iceland, with more street racing and fancy, new cars.

2. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” (May 5) All that is for sure about the sequel is that Star-Lord will be searching for his true father and the team will be helping him as they travel the universe, with old foes turning into friends. New threats including Ayesha and the Ravagers will pose obstacles to the gang as they try to save the universe against evil.

3. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” (May 26) Once again, Jack Sparrow is out on the open seas working against Captain Salazar and his ghostly pirates who are on a rampage to kill all pirates they come into contact with. Sparrow and his men hope to find the Trident of Poseidon, an artifact that gives its beholder complete power over the sea.

4. “World War Z 2” (Jun. 9) Although the plot of the movie has not been released yet, those anticipating the movie can assure that it will be action-packed and full of Brad Pitt saving the world once again. As the first movie came to an end, Pitt made sure that viewers knew that even with the temporary vaccine to hide the humans from the zombies, the fight to take back the planet is far from over. Of all the movies on this list, the least amount of information has been released for this movie; therefore, it

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should by far be the most anticipated, especially for those who were so amused by the first film.

5. “Transformers: The Last Knight” (Jun. 23) The rumors of the new movie are something new, unlike the previous Transformer movies.

Nevertheless, you can expect the movie to star Optimus Prime saving the world against evil. Rumors have circled that Optimus Prime and the Autobots will be going back in time as a sneak peek of the set depicts a medieval Arthurian kingdom with knights and kings and all.

6. “Despicable Me 3” (Jun. 30) The plot has not yet been released, but it is assured that the movie will follow Gru, Lucy, the Minions and the girls, Margo, Edith and Agnus on a new adventure, with Gru’s long-lost The sequel to “Guardians of the Galaxy” comes out on May 5, 2017. (Source: Marvel). brother Drew coming to town.

The brotherly rivalry will be teams up with a new ally Diana Prince to captured on screen, as Gru is threatened put together a team of superheroes-The

by Drew and all that he can do. As in the Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg-to fight a first two movies, and the spin off movie greater evil, Steppenwolf, and save the “Minions,” there will be no shortage of planet from being destroyed. The Amaevil from a new villain in town, Balthazar zons, and the Atlanteans play a large role Brett. in the movie, including scenes in Atlantis 7. “War for the Planet of the Apes” and the island where Diana Prince lived, (July 14) Themyscira. The characters included in In the next movie, movie viewers will “Justice League” will have their own movwatch Caesar and his apes fight Coloies as a continuation of the series: Wonder nel and an army of humans in a deadly Woman on Jun. 2, 2017; The Flash on battle that will determine the fate of both Mar. 16, 2018; Aquaman on Jul. 27, 2018; species. This movie will test Caesar in Justice League 2 on Jun. 14, 2019; Cyborg new ways, dealing with a new war on the on Apr. 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps horizon as well as a failing ape society that on Jul. 24, 2020. is experiencing dark times.

10. “Pitch Perfect 3” (Dec. 22) 8. “Thor: Ragnarok” (Nov. 3) After delay after delay, the Bellas will With the last “Thor” movie ending with come back to theaters in a third movie.

Loki disguising himself as Odin, an audiWithout a trailer it is hard to tell what the ence was left wondering why once again movie will bring, especially with the main he turned his back on Thor,. In this movie Bella graduating from Barden in the last he will be forced to deal with Hulk once movie. The speculations for the third movagain. Ragnarok is prophesized to be the ie include the next generation taking over end of the world which means once again the Bellas, the Bellas going pro, the girl Thor will be forced to save the universe. tackling post-grad life or even a surprise The movie is set to be less on Earth and wedding. more in the cosmos, with other Marvel Yes, 2016 brought many great movies characters protecting Earth while Thor to theaters but with the upcoming sequels protects the universe as a whole. being released in 2017, a trip to the movie 9. “Justice League” (Nov. 17) theater will not disappoint.

Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, blueprintsonline.org

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Entertainment

Christmas Like a Ten fun things to do on a snow day

BY AVA KUNAR (’18) Miss in a cup of water and stick it in the Man ith the winter days apmicrowave. Hot chocolate is a perfect way

BY CHRIS VOLZKE (‘17) hristmas: the most magical time of the year. A time of gift giving and celebrating with friends and family. A TIME TO BE A time where deciMAN sions can be made that determine one’s character and how much of a man one really is.

What kind of Christmas tree are you getting this year? A real man would say without hesitation a real Christmas tree, not one of the cheap plastic ones. These trees are for the weak willed, those who are too lazy to embrace the cold and cut down a tree. The best way to get a tree is to visit the local tree farm, grab a handsaw, and cut down the perfect, thick tree. When you bring it home, put it up in your living room and your house will smell of sweet pine for weeks to come.

Christmas is not a time for a man to be unprepared. The winter cold can be harsh on a weak man, but those who toughen up just might make it through the winter.

The first step to surviving the cold is to grow a beard, easy for a real man and the cheapest way to keep warm for the winter.

Make sure you also stalk up on some nice flannels and beanies. Manly dress wear is a must for the Christmas season.

Defining a man comes down even to the way you celebrate Christmas. A real man is not going to spend his whole Christmas INSIDE watching movies like “A Boyfriend For Christmas” or “Love Actually,” but instead will spend his time either in the snow or with his family by a warm hearth. Maybe he will enjoy some actual Christmas movies like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” or “The Grinch” while sipping some hot chocolate.

The holidays is a time for celebration with family and friends, building snowmen, having snowball fights or making some snow angels. Plus, nothing looks cooler than a bit of snow in a beard.

Amateur beard month (No Shave November) is over and many decide to leave their luscious face bushes untouched and all-natural. Christmas is the manliest time of the year.

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proaching, snow days are inevitable. Being stuck at home all day can be boring, so here are some ideas to keep your snow day fun and action-packed.

to warm up on a chilly and snowy day.

5. Build a snowman As Anna from “Frozen” would testify, building a snowman is one of the best activities to do during a snow day. There is no better way to decorate your house than to have a friendly snowman in front of it.

6. Have an Xbox party Getting friends together and playing Xbox all day is a popular and fun way to spend a snow day.

With “Call of Duty Infinite Warfare” and “Battlefield 1” coming out soon, Xbox parties may be more popular than ever.

7. Build a gingerbread house The frist snow day is always fun, but then they can get boring if you do Nothing screams not find new ways to have fun. (Photo courtesy of Lori Naille) snow day like some 1. Go sledding graham cracker and icing construction. To Some fun places to go sledding in Gran- make it even more fun, invite your friends ville are behind the Bryn Du Mansion, over to have a gingerbread house making Alligator Mound, the high school practice party. fields, the Timberland View hill and the 8. Make a fort out of blankets phase five hill in Park Trails and the ErinSometimes the best way to spend a wood hill. Make sure to be safe, though, snow day is to return to childish roots and and watch for trees and cars. build a fort out of blankets and furniture.

2. Watch movies Being stuck inside possibly all day allows If you’re looking for a calmer, more for people’s creativity to prevail creating cozy snow day activity grab some blankets some of the best blanket forts ever. and some popcorn and watch your favorite 9. Take a bubble bath Christmas movie! Some of our favorites If you’re looking for a relaxing snow are “Elf” and “Home Alone.” We highly day activity, run a hot bath, throw in a bath recommended. bomb and turn on some calming music or 3. Go to Snow Trails your favorite Netflix show! These make If the weather permits driving, take the the perfect concoction for relaxing and two hour trip to Snow Trails to go snowrefueling on a snow day. boarding, skiing or snow tubing! This is 10. Go hot tubbing quite fun if you’re not up for the immense When you’re missing summer, throw effort of walking up hills that sledding on a bathing suit and jump in a hot tub! always requires.

The warm feeling of the water mixed with 4. Make hot chocolate the snow falling down creates one of the Whether you call it hot chocolate or best snow day experiences ever. To make hot cocoa, this winter drink is never a bad this activity even more fun, get a group of idea on a snow day. Whether you take it friends together and have a hot tub party! all natural with milk, or throw some Swiss If you or your friends can’t find a hot tub to raid then you can always visit Cherry Valley Lodge/Coco Key!