BluePrints Vol. 11 No. 1 (Nov. 2020)

DARK SIDE OF THE PANDEMIC

BLACK LIVES STILL MATTER

ZACH THISSEN

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT blueprintsonline.org

BluePrints GRANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL NOVEMBER 2020 VOL. 11 NO. 1 $2

BEHIND THE MASK VOL. 11 NO. 1 BLUEPRINTS

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Letter from the Editor

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This is our new normal.” For teens and adults, this statement is confusing and not the reality we want.

Of course, there are a few things that we need to get used to, but for now we will not accept this as our “normal.” At least not yet. We wanted to focus this issue of aspects of the pandemic, good or bad, helpful or informative.

Keeping your mental health in check is one of the most important struggles during this time. It’s hard to balance keeping yourself together while also allowing yourself to communicate. In our cover story “The Dark Side of the Pandemic,” we touch on how teens, like myself, are reacting to the struggle of a pandemic. As we ease into the winter, it is especially important to know how to keep yourself healthy.

Kennedy Ogden We have provided an intriguing checklist to see if you’re struggling. It’s a simple resource to see your mental health from another perspective.

It’s also important to us as a staff that we create something that the student body can connect to, which is why we have also created multiple reviews and opinion pieces. One of the most important issues that Generation Z faces is equality. We are an empathetic generation, and we express that through activism. In “Black Lives Still Matter,” Alysha Wallace poses an argument that the opposing side has used and then explains why it’s not that way, from personal experiences. Although Black Lives Matter is a sensitive topic for some, we see it as one of the most important issues of our generation.

Aside from touching on the importances of our nation, we wanted to spotlight some students. Over quarantine, many teens ended up exploring and finding themselves in a time of unknown. Some experienced this through the arts, fashion and sports. Abigail Tracey highlights multiple students that have explored themselves in a time of struggle. There is a fashion profile on Zach Thissen, who is arguably the most fashionable senior. Abigail also wrote a story on Esme Chin-Parker, a senior who makes acting a big part of her life. I do not want to give away too much, but she has been cast in over 25 plays/musicals.

My mission this year as editor-in-chief is to create a community with our magazine.

This issue is meant to bring people together in a time where being uncomfortable is common. I encourage you to share the messages we have discussed in this issue and hopefully use them to reflect on yourself. It is important to me, as well as the BluePrints staff, that journalism is a way to share the good of the world rather than force a personal agenda. If you end up loving the issue or want to become a part of the BluePrints community, reach out to us.

MISSION STATEMENT The award-winning staff of BluePrints aims to inform, entertain and inspire readers with stories about Granville High School and the surrounding community.

EDITORIAL OFFICE BluePrints Magazine Granville High School 248 New Burg St. Granville, OH 43023

ON THE COVER Falling under the stresses of COVID-19.

Designed by Kennedy Ogden.

FIND US ONLINE www.blueprintsonline.com

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SOCIAL MEDIA GHS BluePrints @GHSBluePrints @granvilleblueprints

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kennedy Ogden OPINION EDITOR Wyatt Rivers NEWS Alysha Wallace SPORTS EDITOR Whit Miller LIFESTYLE AND ENTERTAINMNENT EDITOR Amelia Havill WRITERS Bella Black Luke Dixon Max King Gabbie Sargent Abigail Tracy CONTRIBUTORS Ava Dirks Annabelle Ott Jasmine Robinson ADVISER Amy J. Tolbert

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.

IN THIS ISSUE p. 4 / STAFF EDITORIAL

School social worker fills much-needed role p. 5 / STAFF OPINION

5 things we're talking about p. 6 / READER OPINION p. 7 / OP-EDS

District must do more for mental health

Don't forget that black lives still matter

p. 8 / NEWS

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Hanby takes on administrative role District partners with OhioGuidestone Head of the Class

p. 10 / COVER STORY

Dark Side of the Pandemic

p. 12 / SPORTS NEWS

Fall athletes conquer COVID-19 p. 13 / STAR SPOTLIGHT

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QB1: Riner Niner

p. 14 / SPORTS OPINION

Athletes should fight to play sports

p. 15 / SPORTS FEATURE

Rec athletes stay fit, have fun

p. 16 / AT HOME WITH

Zoe Knobloch

p. 17 / PRODUCT REVIEW

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Face Masks

p. 18 / YOUR HEALTH

How to deal with stress

p. 19 / MY STYLE

Zach Thissen

p. 20 / REVIEWS p. 22 / ARTIST PROFILE

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A passion for acting

p. 24 / FLASHBACK The 80s VOL. 11 NO. 1 BLUEPRINTS

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What do you all think of the new social worker?

“I think it is a good idea.”

-Harper Annarino

“It’s fine. It’s not a bad idea. It can help out a lot.”

-Sawyer Benschoter

Editorial cartoon by Annabelle Ott

School social worker fills much-needed role

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STAFF EDITORIAL ast month, the district announced a new partnership with OhioGuidestone to provide mental health support for students.

For many years, the comunity has been asking for help with their mental health and we applaud the district for listening to our concerns. The partnership is an important step for our distict because many student suffer from mental health issues.

Anxiety, stress, and personal problems all take their toll on students every day.

Students are facing more stress than ever. Some are facing the difficulites of doing school remotely and others arestruggling with possible exposure.

This year is, by far, the best year for the partnership. The past eight months have

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made bariers for everyone. The step to better students mental health is a sign that the administration is pro-growth.

By providing students easier access to a social worker, mental health issues could decrease for students willing to talk about their problems and get help.

Although it took many years for the district to take real steps to offer help to students, praise is due for the district.

There have been student concerns about how the distric treats mental heath issues for many years but this step is showing the way to a new era for the administration.

Students are greatful for the resources that are coming to fruition this year.

This is a sign for the possblity of a more enjoyable time in school, if the distirct continues to progress in this manner.

“I think it is a great idea!

It can really help a lot!”

-Avery Golomb

“I think it is a good thing!

At least as a precaution.”

-Matthew Doty “I think it would be beneficial.

I know many people who struggle with their mental health.”

-Zoe Firchau Text and photos by Luke Dixon

5 Things We’re Talking About

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DRAMA CLUB

NEW SOCIAL WORKER

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The BluePrints staff recently interviewed Paul Williams, the district's new social worker, and we found him to be very personable. We were excited to learn that he is a younger man, which will allow him to relate to students much easier. It seems likely that he will be able to understand completely what it means for students to struggle during their years in high school. We are convinced Williams will be a valuable resource for all students.

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SPORTS IN A PANDEMIC This year has been anyything but normal. Our

student athletes have been given the opportunity to have a season this year as long as they follow saftey guidelines. They have been given different rules and regulations that they need to follow in order to ensure that they can continue to have their season. Most fall athletes have been doing remote learning in order to ensure that they will not get quarantined during their season. By doing this, it prevents the spread and lets them continue in their season.

The Drama Club has found a way to put on productions, with safety in mind. There will be a small audience and each student involved gets 4 tickets.

They also worked with the Film Club to film their first show.

Spectators who were not able to attend could buy tickets to watch the video. For the winter show Drama Club is going to livestream the play, so it will be completely virtual.

Hats off to these performers for making an effort to share their passion in a time of grief.

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ELLA WIGAL

Ella Wigal, sophomore, qualified for states with her outstanding performance during the golf season. She placed 4th overall in the OHSAA division.

Wigal is Granville’s first golfer to finish top 10 in the state tournament since 2008. Congratulations, Ella!

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NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MRS. HANBY

Starting this school year off with a new assistant principal, Mrs. Hanby. She has been a great addition to our school. Not only has she been an amazing staff member but she is also the first female assistant principal. She is caring, kind and hardworking. Hanby has also taken on the same role in the middle school, but that doesn’t stop her from forming relationships with the students. Welcome, Mrs. Hanby!

Photo credits clockwise from top left: BluePrints Staff, Kennedy Ogden, Michelle Raines, Whit Miller, Ava Dirks

OPINION BLUEPRINTS

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Reader Opinion

BY ALYSHA WALLACE

ON THE DISTRICT'S NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH OHIOGUIDESTONE “I definitely think that is a good idea, because it provides a way for kids to talk to a trained professional without needing to talk to their parents about it right away, because that can be really hard. It also provides students support and can be used to give them helpful resources.” ~ Sophia Mitton-Fry

ON PLAYING SPORTS DURING COVID-19 “We just have to wear a mask, try to stay apart, and check for symptoms before we come to practice or games. I think these rules make sense because we need to be super cautious in order for us to be able to play and actually have a season.” ~ Sydney Werner

Photo courtesy of Zoe Knobloch.

ON REMOTE LEARNING “I think since we had to be online in March that I got used to sitting down at my house for hours at a time and doing schoolwork, so this isn’t a huge change.

Other than having to be on Zoom, it’s the same thing as in March. Since I was in-person for part of this year and then switched, I got both sides of how this year is going. I think that online is a lot easier to manage. I get a lot of downtime and time to work on what I need to do, there are fewer distractions, and I’m able to listen to music or something whenever I want to. It’s a lot more relaxed doing online, but I still feel like I’m learning just as much.” ~ Natalie Simmons

Photo used with permission of Scott Olmstead.

BLACK LIVES MATTER “I think it’s great that people are really starting to work together to help gain more attention on the movement especially, through social media.” ~ Claire Garland

BluePrints Staff Photo

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ON WEARING A MASK “I don’t feel like it’s necessary to wear it all day because we don’t wear it during lunch with the plexiglass dividers which are nice breaks. I think if we don’t have to wear it with the dividers, we shouldn’t have to wear it in other classes when we sit with plexiglass dividers like English in the library or study hall in the cafeteria.” ~Wilson Foster

DEALING WITH STRESS “I think the biggest way to deal with stress would be to remember time won’t be stopping anytime and you get done as much as you can. Once something passes worrying is just useless and a waste of energy.” ~ Dilnoza Khuseynova

District must do more for mental health

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s a person who has been dealing with mental health for almost as long as I can remember, I feel very strongly that the district as a whole should be doing more to support its AMELIA HAVILL students.

Even starting at the elementary school level, the district can and should be instituting a curriculum regarding mental health, which can be as basic as a counselor spending a day with each class, doing activities as simple as having students turn to the person to their left and sharing something they like about that person, or talking about the importance of going to an adult when

they feel sad.

If the schools had been doing something like this when I was in elementary school, I know that I could have been saved from a lot of pain and suffering, and hope that, by instituting a similar policy, the district can prevent other students from going through what I went through.

At the middle school, students take a sex-ed course, and two courses about substance abuse. Yet there are no courses on mental health. If the school finds that middle schoolers are mature enough to discuss topics like sex and drugs, why shouldn’t they be taught about their own mental health? After all, mental health is something they will most likely experience long before they start having sexual intercourse.

In both the middle and high schools, students are encouraged to go talk to a counselor if they are experiencing symptoms of depression, but many find it embarrassing and don’t go. Even with the new social worker, which is a huge step forward, the lack of education regarding mental health leaves many students with the idea that having issues with their mental health is the result of something being "wrong" with them, when, in reality, it just proves them to be a person.

If the schools just started talking more openly about mental health, they could save many of the children from a lot of suffering, especially by starting at an early age.

doesn’t mean that black lives don’t matter anymore. We shouldn’t go silent, if anything, now is the time to speak up and demand a change. Now is the time to get loud about the matter. Everyone has gone silent, we should get loud.

People who tend to go against the BLM movement, often make erroneous arguments that I would like to address.

“All Lives Matter.” All lives can’t matter until there is justice for all lives. All lives still matter, but not all lives are facing adversity right now. If a house was on fire and the firefighters showed up to put it out, they aren’t going to spray every house in the neighborhood with water because “all houses matter,” they are only going to hose down the house that is on fire with water because that is the house that needs help at the moment.

Black people need help at the moment.

“Blue Lives Matter.” You can choose your occupation. You can’t choose the color of your skin. Cops decide that they want to be cops. Black people can’t decide that they want to be black. Cops signed up for their job and they are expected to do it right. If they don’t do it right, lives are lost and that is on them.

“They were a bad person anyways.”

Bad person or not, they didn’t deserve to die. Police shouldn’t kill people even if they are bad. They should just arrest them without using excessive force, their

lives still matter. Just because they have done wrong in the community doesn’t mean that they should be punished by death. No one deserves to die by the hands of the people who are supposed to protect us. We should feel safe to go to the cops even if we have done wrong.

They should help us not hurt us.

“I don’t see color.” We want to be seen and we want to be heard. Just because you don’t see color doesn’t mean that others don’t see color. It doesn’t mean that it is not there. We tend to embrace our race and culture, all we want is to feel safe while doing so.

Just because there is an increase in black on black crime rates, doesn’t mean that police can kill black people. That isn’t going to stop the crime rate and it isn’t solving anything. If anything, it is causing more problems.

No justice for black people should feel like an injustice to all people. No justice for black people IS an injustice to all people.

White people standing up for black people doesn’t make them weak, pathetic, hypocritical or racist. It makes them strong, courageous and brave. It shows that they are recognizing the injustice in our community and they are wanting to do something about it. They want to make a difference.

You should, too.

Don’t forget that black lives still matter

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attended a BLM protest where I walked around my community in Maryland and passed the courthouse and police station. It was very moving for me ALYSHA WALLACE because I could feel how serious everyone was about wanting change. I could feel how strong the emotions were. People were crying out for change to our police station. They were chanting demands for justice on behalf of all black people. The cool thing was that, not everyone there was black. There were white people, Asian people, Latinos and so many more.

People of all races came together for the sake of black people. For the sake of our society and community as a whole. For the sake of our future.

Students should be more involved in the BLM movement in the community to stop police brutality against black people by using their voice and taking a stand.

Being a police officer is a choice, but being a person of color is not a choice.

The movement is a great opportunity for people to stand up for what THEY believe in and NOT what society tells them they should believe in.

Just because BLM isn’t trending anymore

OPINION BLUEPRINTS

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Hanby takes on administrative role Durst describes new assistant principal as “hard working”

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BY AMELIA HAVILL ammy Hanby has been hired as the new assistant principal for both the middle and high schools, replacing Scott Carpenter, who is now principal at John Glenn High School.

Hanby previously worked in the Westerville City School District as assistant principal for Westerville South High School. She has also worked as a middle school teacher and school counselor.

Hanby, who lives in Granville, said she applied for the job of assistant principal as a way to give back to her community.

Hanby describes one of the most exciting aspects of her job as “building rapport and interacting with the teachers, students and the community."

Hanby works in the middle school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and in the high school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Her responsibilities include attendance, disciplining students, safety drills, lunch duty and teacher evaluations. She also handles parking passes at

the high school.

“Entering the school year in the middle of a pandemic, I have had to adapt quickly, collaborate daily GHS/GMS, and be resilient,” Hanby said.

In her free time, Hanby enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the great outdoors.

While the high school has had an assistant principal in previous years, this is the Photo provided by first time there Hanby. has been an assistant principal at the middle school. According to Lisa Ormond, middle school principal, the district lost a total of $1 million dollars in funding from the end of last school year and the beginning of this one. The mid-

dle school has had a Dean of Students in previous years, but the major loss of funding caused a need to maximize teaching positions.

“Administrative positions can perform responsibilities such as evaluations and student discipline that a teacher on special assignments or Dean cannot,” Ormond said.

Human Resources and Operations Director Tonya Sherburne was present for each step of the process used to select Hanby as the best person for the job out of 52 applicants. The interview process began with a screening of the candidates based on credentials and application materials, and was followed by three interviews with different groups of people.

"Her strong work ethic and attention to detail stood out during the interview process,” Sherburne said.

High school principal Matthew Durst has described Hanby as being friendly and easy going.

“She’s a smiling person,” Durst said.

District partners with OhioGuidestone Social worker will provide counseling services to students and teachers

BY BELLA BLACK & KENNEDY OGDEN ocial worker Paul Willams will provide mental health support to district students and staff, through the district's partnership with OhioGuidestone.

Over the past several years, the Board of Education has had many discussions and plans to address the health and well-being of our students and staff, according to Superintendent Jeff Brown.

School counselors, staff and parents identified a specific need for bridge services from a licensed social worker to be a liaison between the schools and outside providers Williams will provide a variety of services for students. These include diagnostic evaluation, psychological testing, counseling/psychotherapy, psycho-education support services, psychopharmacologic management services, other mental health and substance use

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disorder services.

His office will be located in middle school, but for now, he will provide online services.

“A lot of what I’m going to be doing is tela-mental health,” Williams said. “I’m everywhere at all times.”

The search for a social worker started last year before the COVID-19-19 breakout. The plan to hire a social worker happened when Governor DeWine “provided every district money to support the mental health and well-being of students through the Student Success and Well-being dollars,” Brown said.

With the guidance counselors that are already staffed and the new services of Williams, students have many resources to seek help.

“To help understand my role, it’s kind of understanding the difference between counseling and therapy,” said Williams.

The difference, explained by Williams, is

that counseling is the practice of advising students about surface struggles but therapy is getting into deeper subjects like childhood trauma and self-harm.

There has been widespread concern about the mental health of teens experiencing the effects of the pandemic.

Aside from the struggles of high school teens are enduring changes in the whole dynamic of their lives.

“I believe that everyone should go to therapy, and a social worker would make this easier for everyone,” senior Lulu Yearling.

Williams’ plan while talking with students is straightforward and effective. He plans to work with the student individually in a specific amount of time, addressing their issues and concerns.

Head of the class National Merit Organization recognizes a record number of Granville students

FREDDIE BELL SEMI-FINALIST

WILLIAM DECKER SEMI-FINALIST

JONATHAN DICKERMAN SEMI-FINALIST

LUCAS DICKSON COMMENDED

MICHAEL DONELAN SEMI-FINALIST

ADRIAN FULTNER-MASKIT SEMI-FINALIST

ABIGAIL KNOBELOCH COMMENDED

ZOE MOORE SEMI-FINALIST

HANNAH ROCKWELL SEMI-FINALIST

ADAM SPIELES COMMENDED

COLIN VOOHRIS SEMI-FINALIST

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BY LUKE DIXON he National Merit Scholarship Program recognized 11 Granville juniors, which is the highest number from any class in school history.

The National Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that is used for school students that take the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“There are three different designations-- commended scholar, semifinalist and finalist” high school counselor Cody Masters said. “While there are scholarships available for all three designations, the most robust scholarships are awarded to finalists. Many schools in the country offer full ride scholarships to students who have been awarded finalist status.”

Freddie Bell, William Decker, Jonathan Dickerman, Michael Donelan, Adrian Fultner-Maskit, Zoe Moore, Hannah Rockwell and Colin Voohris were recognized as semi-finalists. Lucas Dickson, Abigail Knobeloch, and Adam Spieles were commended students.

The eight semifinalists that are all expected to become finalists in February, according to Masters.

To earn a National Merit Scholarship, semifinalists must advance to a finalist level in the entire competiton by meeting all standards and requirements explained to each semifinalist.

Once students advance to the finalist level, then high school principals will be notified and provided with a certificate to present to each student.

Winners are selected based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments, without any regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Photos provided by students.

NEWS BLUEPRINTS

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BY KENNEDY OGDEN, BELLA BLACK AND GABBIE SARGENT ith COVID-19-19 numbers increasing, the truth about our reality is becoming more apparent, which has become a struggle for many. Seeing the whole dynamic of the world switch in just seven months has been daunting and has affected teens in ways that have caused an increase in mental health issues.

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Living in Fear COVID-19-19 has brought a whole new aspect to life that most people never imagined.

The virus strikes fear in some people because they do not know the outcome or impact it will have on their lives. According to the CDC, “fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children.”

Not knowing when the pandemic end may make some people feel trapped. Feeling trapped and having no way to get away from the thing that is imposing fear makes people depressed and helpless which ends up deteriorating their mental health.

“I fear that this will go on forever and this will become our new normal. But it’s more anger that I feel because COVID-19 has taken so much away from us as seniors,” senior Olivia Beckett said.

The CDC states, “Feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and other emotional or financial stresses are known to raise the risk of suicide. You may be more likely to experience these feelings during a crisis like a pandemic.”

When struggles like this happen and it feels as if there is no escape, some people turn towards suicide to end the fear and anxiety.

According to a CDC survey conducted in August on how

Dark Side of the Pandemic

Shielding from the stresses of COVID-19. Artwork by Kennedy Ogden.

the COVID-19-19 pandemic is affecting Americans’ mental health, 75% of respondents 18-24 reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom. Twenty-five percent of respondents in this age group seriously considered suicide in the 30 days be-

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fore completing the survey.”

The risk of a higher suicide rate has increased during the pandemic. With an increase in stressors, it has been hard for many to keep their mental health in check. Aside from the pandemic, teens have had an increased suicide rate in

the past few decades.

Living in Isolation With new precautions put in place due to COVID-19-19, people are forced to stay home and socially distant from others. This is becoming harmful for teens who are starting to feel isolated and alone.

According to the CDC, “Social distancing can make some people feel isolated and lonely.”

Senior Lulu Yearling, who is currently a remote student, said being online can be an isolating experience.

“It is hard to see other people at school socializing all day,” Yearling said.

College students, in particular, are challenged with feeling isolated while living away from home for the first time.

Granville alumna Maria Law is currently on campus at OSU, but almost all of her schooling is online. She has said that with social distancing rules she has felt somewhat lonely on campus, usually only seeing her roommate and teammates.

“We don’t spend much time out of our [dorms], so if we’re feeling anxious about school or lonely, it’s difficult to see friends,” Law said.

Missing out on Milestones COVID-19-19 has had a toll on high school students who have missed out on experiences that people used to take for granted, even experiences some never got to have. In the past seven months, high school students have missed a multitude of milestone events.

“I’m upset that we are not able to have normal senior celebrations like Homecoming, Prom and Graduation," Beckett said.

These milestones are, as district social work Paul

Williams likes to call it, being “thrown by the wayside.”

Williams said these events in a young adult’s life are important.” “They are a part of helping us understand where we are at,” Williams said.

Williams also brought up the importance of milestones related to holidays. “[We ] can’t just replace them and say okay [let’s] do an online version!” he said. “[People] really have to make the effort because we do need those moments to step away from the regular routine and acknowledge things that are important.”

As the world still continues to battle this pandemic no one knows what else people will have to miss out on. What is the most important in this time is to make the most of opportunities.

NEXT STEPS Students may need to get professional help. Williams, who is working with the district through a partnership with Ohio Guidestone, provides mental health services for students.

With increased amounts of stress, mental health can easily decline. Although Williams is always available to help students, he offered some advice for students who want to work on their mental health on their own.

Williams says the key to getting through the pandemic regarding social aspects is living in the moment.

“Stay in the moment. Find things to appreciate,” Williams said.

The importance of slowing down and being present is becoming prominent in the midst of a pandemic. For those at home, being present has become a difficult task.

This is also an issue for people that are more immersed in the world during school or work.

With varied personalities in a pandemic, Williams said there are “different challenges for different people.” The challenge that students and teachers are facing is different learning experiences. For some, this issue is affecting their mental health, but for others like Yearling, they are finding ways to cope.

“Different challenges for different people ” “I’ve found myself kind of regressing back into some of my middle school interests,” said Yearling.

Yearling has been immersing herself in reading and watching TV shows she is familiar with to feel less lonely.

Another way to stay connected with people and feel less lonely is to reach out.

According to the CDC, “You can be social, but do it from a distance, such as reaching out to friends by phone, text, video chat, and social media.”

The common connection between both sides of this issue is no one has experienced their life like this. Many people feel alone in the way that they are coping, feeling stressed, or feeling sad. The reality is that even if someone is struggling in a different way, they still want to talk.

Williams suggested, “Keep talking to people.”

Check YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

BY KENNEDY OGDEN

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How are feeling physically?

Mental illnesses can manifest in the way you feel physically, causing headaches, stomach issues, dizziness and tiredness.

2

How are your eating habits?

Low appetite can be a sign of depression or other mental health issues. If you feel your appetite has decreased, keep track of whether you are eating a full meal during meal time or not.

3

Are you sleeping?

Sleep helps a multitude of things, including brain function. If you are tired it makes tasks for the day harder to complete. When this happens it can leave you feeling stressed or helpless.

4

What is making your head feel cloudy?

It is important to know what you’re struggling with subconsciously. Avoiding stressors can cause your body to react in different ways, like headaches or lack of focus/ motivation.

5

What brought you excitement today?

Thinking about the small things like making your bed, picking out a good outfit, or even making a good breakfast can impact how you view yourself and make you feel less bleak.

If you have answered these questions and are experiencing some of the struggles of a mental health issue, reach out to a teacher, parent or friend. If you would like to talk about this anonymously, reach out to 1-800-720-9616, Ohio’s new hotline for emotional support in the pandemic.

COVER STORY BLUEPRINTS

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Ella Wigal

Blake Rine, Keshawn Bonner and Garrett Sharps hoist the Ivory Jug after the football team beat Johnstown. Photo used with permission of Scott Olmstead.

Fall athletes conquer COVID-19

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BY WHIT MILLER espite an unorthodox fall season, Granville athletics continues its success with winning teams.

Through threats of COVID-19 shutdowns, shortened seasons and uncertainty about how long seasons would even continue, athletes displayed their resiliency and came together as teams to continue their athletic successes.

CROSS COUNTRY The cross country teams continued on the trails of success by sweeping the LCL titles and the girls advancing to states where they finised in 6th place. The boys team, represented by senior Daniel Pappas, was represented in the state race.

FIELD HOCKEY The field hockey team accomplished another winning season as well. They went 8-6 in the regular season to earn a berth in the state tournament where they recently captured a narrow 1-0 victory over Olentangy Orange.

FOOTBALL The football team went 4-2 and advanced to the 3rd round of the state playoffs where they eventually fell to St. Francis DeSales. The team was led by senior Keshawn Bonner who dominated all three aspects of the game with 1069 total yards, 12 total touchdowns including 2 kick return touchdowns. Bonner also had 17 tackles and 2 interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.

GOLF The boys golf team secured another LCL championship.

The girls team was led by Ella Wigal who medaled at an LCL tournament and placed 4th in the state tournament.

SOCCER Both the boys as well as the girls soccer teams secured winning records and the #1 seeds in their respective tournaments. TThe boys went 9-1-5 and the girls went 14-0-2 and both won their respective LCL championship. The boys

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team was led by seniors Max King (20 goals, 7 assists) and Ian White (9 goals, 8 assists) while the girls team was led by seniors Kara Van Horn (35 goals) and Ella Rogers (25 goals). The boys won district finals, and the girls finished 2nd in the state.

Ella Rogers

Finn Dixon

TENNIS The girls tennis team got off to a rough start, but once they developed chemistry with their new coach, they finished strong. They closed the season with a 3-6 record.

VOLLEYBALL Volleyball also enjoyed a winning season as they earned an 14-9 record in addition to the #5 seed in the state playoffs.

Granville lost 3-0 to Bishop Hartley but was the District runner-ups after a great season.

All in all, the school had 3 state championship appearances, 2 regional championships, 3 district championships, 1 district runner-up and 4 LCL championships.

Ava Studer

Gabby Black

STAR SPOTLIGHT

QB1: Riner Niner Senior Blake Rine emerged as quarterback and as a leader for the Blue Aces football team this season. With 1026 passing yards and 14 TD, Rine, was 3-0 in games that he started and helped lead the team to a 4-2 record overall.

so many great memories with the guys on the team and coaches, and it has been fun getting to play with them.

Q: Have you always played the position of quarterback for Granville?

A: Yes I have always played quarterback for Granville. I have been playing quarterback since I was 4!

Q: How did you get your chemistry from your receivers?

A: Our chemistry with the receivers has just come from working together for so long and almost every day. Not only during the season but the offseason is also very important to work with the guys.

Q: What is the hardest part about football?

A: I think one of the hardest parts of football for most kids is the commitment. During the summer kids have to come in every day and mainly in the mornings, and most kids value their sleep a lot.

Q

BY LUKE DIXON

What kind of experience have you had as a quarterback in your senior year?

A: My experiences as the Granville quarterback are pretty awesome! I have had

Q: How have you been handling this unprecedented season?

A: This season has been interesting. We have only gotten to play six regular season games, but everyone does get a chance in the playoffs. Everyone having to wear masks is probably the weirdest part and most different.

Q: How does it feel to be leading the playoffs this season?

A: Getting a chance to play DeSales in the third round of playoffs is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It also is the

biggest game in Granville history. So getting to play with my teammates and coaches is awesome. I could not have done it without anyone and especially my linemen.

Q: Do you want to be a professional football player when you grow up?

A: I do actually want to be a professional player when I am older. It has been a dream of mine since I was 4.

Q: Does your football jersey number mean anything to you or is special to you?

A: Yes I have always worn my number with a purpose.

I used to wear 18 because Peyton Manning is my favorite player of all time. But that number was not available my freshman year, so I took 9. 9 is special to me because I have worn it for the past four years.

Plus, I think it looks good on me.

Q: How will it feel to be leaving Granville and the football team?

A: I will probably be a little sad but I think I’m ready for the next chapter in my life.

God has very many great things in store for me and I am very excited to see what they are.

Q: What is your favorite football memory?

A: I guess my favorite memory playing football is running 49 yards for a touchdown my sophomore year.

SPORTS BLUEPRINTS

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Athletes should fight to play sports

A

thletes and teams fight to keep their seasons alive amid COVID-19-19 fears at the high school.

Despite procedures and the following of COVID-19 regulations, WHIT MILLER sports are in danger of being cancelled for this season. Many believe they should stay as long as safety and guidelines are still in effect.

The threat of COVID-19-19 interrupting seasons looms large but that does not mean athletes, coaches, and schools should give up. Teams as well as the school should work to keep sports going as long as proper safety regulations and COVID-19 protocols are followed.

Sports are very important to our identity, and we should keep them going as long as possible, especially if the state and other schools continue to play. We have a very storied and successful athletic program and as long as we are allowed

to play sports, we must continue to play Some people believe that sports should not have even begun their seasons due to the risks and fears of competing during a pandemic. Now they want to simply cancel sports or games when a single threat of the virus comes.

For example, a volleyball game was canceled because one person had the virus in our school who wasn’t even related to the volleyball team. This plays into their argument that athletes and schools in general are not being careful enough and that the risk outweighs the reward especially if this is the case. As long as proper precautions are in place and people follow COVID-19 guidelines, sports and games are completely safe.

In the high school, we have had only a few confirmed positive tests, and the response by the school was swift. The differences in our school from social distancing to using wipes to clean desks, to wearing masks is consistent with the policies of the athletic program all in an effort to keep kids safe.

In efforts to remain safe and free of the

coronavirus, students have quarantined themselves and switched to remote learning if they are involved in a fall sport. Through this, they can ensure that they will not fall victim to contact tracing or even coronavirus as a result of being in school. Student-athletes successfully participated in online school while still being able to participate in sports which was very important to the continuation of fall sports. This strategy of remaining at home if you are on a team may hold the key to keeping sports in play all year while still remaining safe.

If students do there part and follow protocols, sports are safe and need to be played. If the student-athletes go online and further reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus, the prospect of playing sports becomes even safer.

Sports are an intricate and very important aspect of our identity as Blue Aces and because of that, we need to fight for them. As long as guidelines are followed and COVID-19 is kept at bay, sports need to go on.

Athlete Opinion: Why do you play high school sports?

“It’s a commitment that will pay off in memories.”

-Garrett Sharps, Football

“I play for the con“Running in high nections I get with school not only not only my teammeans being a teammates but girls from mate and an athlete. other schools as well, To me running in plus it truly feels like high school means a family away from being the best verhome. sion of myself.”

-Carly Mayer, -Daniel Pappas, Volleyball Cross Country

“I think playing sports is important throughout high school to stay fit and active, it also gives me a sense of unity and to understand what working as a team is all about.”

-Caroline Otter, Swimming

“Playing sports means more than the world, it means everything. It’s an unbelievable time and something I could never give up.”

-Gavin Wells, Football

Photos provided by athletes

14 BLUEPRINTS NOVEMBER 2020

Rec athletes play to stay fit, have fun

S

BY MAX KING ports programs at Granville are some of the best in Licking County. Many teams win league titles and district championships yearly. The girls soccer team competes in the state tournament almost every year. The track and field team has many athletes qualify for state meets each season. Because of the high level of time and energy that athletes must commit to be on one of the school’s sports teams, many students decide to compete in recreational leagues instead.

Recreational sports are sports that athletes participate in for the primary purpose of staying fit and having fun.

They also allow friends to be able to participate on the same sports team when on a high school or club team this may be infeasible. Recreational sports can have numerous benefits that most people don’t realize.

WHY ATHLETES PLAY REC SPORTS There are many locations in and around Licking County that offer leagues and drop-in games for many age groups and skill levels. Some of the most popular sports are basketball, indoor soccer and flag football.

College freshman Andy Hoben started playing rec basketball as a way to keep in shape after playing for the high school team through his sophomore year. He said he practiced on his own and as a team pretty frequently throughout the season.

“We had a handful of dedicated practices and scrimmages early on and played pickup basketball many times a week to keep in shape,” he said.

Senior Alex Carnes has been playing rec soccer with Wabam FC. He said his team practices about 1-3 times a week.

Some teams have tight schedules that need to be accommodated, while other teams look for more casual or less skilled teams to play against. With recreational league sports athletes can find a league that suits those needs.

“One of the great benefits of playing in a recreational league that some may not think about is having the ability to curate a team and choose a league that best suits your individual needs,” Carns said.

Andy Hoben's rec basketball team poses after a big win. Photo courtesy of Andy Hoben.

BENEFITS OF REC SPORTS For many rec athletes, the biggest draw is the camaraderie they develop with teammates.

“My favorite part of playing rec basketball was the team aspect of it,” Hoben said. We had a great group of guys that were all-in on just having fun and it was really cool to play basketball in front of fans again.”

Many rec teams are made up of friends who may not have ever participated in team sports.

“My favorite part is just being part of something competitive and being surrounded by my best friends at the same time,” Carns said.

In the end, rec sports is about having fun, according to Hoben.

“I would say one thing to know is that the reffing might not be perfect, the other team might play dirty, but all you can control is just going into each game trying to have fun, because that’s all it is,” he said. “Just a way to have fun with your friends.”

regular season game of the year and dozens of parents and friends came to watch,” Hoben said. “Towards the end of the game, I threw an off-the-backboard alley-oop to Caden Baker on a fast break and he came down and jammed it. Everyone went nuts.”

Alex Carnes describes a memory from playing rec indoor soccer that he will never forget.

“My best memory is when we won our first game, no other way to describe it other than poetry in motion. I think everyone should and will know that Wabam FC is going to be unstoppable,” he said Recreational Sports can give high school students a way to stay active both physically and mentally with their friends. Studies have shown that playing sports regularly can help to lower anxiety and depression, especially in people aged 16-25. Playing sports with friends can help strengthen the bonds and provide opportuniteis to create friendships with new people.

LONG-LASTING MEMORIES Playing a rec sport can create many long-lasting memories, Hoben says that his favorite memory is easy to choose.

“We had a senior night on our last SPORTS BLUEPRINTS

15

Sonya, one of Zoe's two cats, keeps her company while she takes classes from home. Photo courtesy of Zoe Knobeloch.

AT HOME WITH Zoe Knobeloch

Sophomore Zoe Knobeloch, who shares her thoughts about what it is like to be a remote student.

BY AMELIA HAVIL

WHERE DO YOU DO YOUR SCHOOLWORK?

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME EACH DAY?

ARE YOU PARTICIPATING IN ANY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES?

HAVE YOU STARTED ANY NEW HOBBIES?

WHY DID YOU ELECT TO LEARN FROM HOME THIS SEMESTER?

DO YOU PREFER IN-PERSON OR ONLINE SCHOOL?

16 BLUEPRINTS NOVEMBER 2020

PRODUCT REVIEW: FACE MASKS

In the new era of COVID-19, masks have become a staple of our everyday lives. Ultimately, this leaves us with many options ranging from different masks to plastic face shields.

MOST COMFORTABLE From a pure comfort standpoint, you just cannot go wrong with the Homage soft cotton mask.

TESTER NOTES: “Super soft and comfortable.” -Tyler Neidermyer THE LOWDOWN: The ultra-soft materials combined with smooth and comfortable ear loops that ergonomically fit onto your face, makes the Homage company a distinct favorite.

HOMAGE, CLOTH MASK, $9, HOMAGE.COM

SAFEST

MOST CONVENIENT

BEST DESIGN

DISPOSABLE masks effectively lower the spread of the coronavirus and are very easy to find. They also are very breathable as a result of the light material.

TESTER NOTES: “Easy access and breathability.” -Gavin Wells THE LOWDOWN: These are not as envoronmentally efficient as just buying a couple reusable masks, but they are more sanitary.

No matter what the sport is or who your favorite team is, chances are that Fanatics has several choices for one to choose from when selecting a particular mask.

TESTER NOTES: “ Some have cute patterns and they are better for the environment.” - Peebo Gillispie THE LOWDOWN: They are often very economical and many come in 3-packs to make owning multiple masks very affordable.

WECOLOR, DISPOSABLE 3-PLY EARLOOP FACE MASKS, $8.99 (50), AMAZON.COM

FANATICS, OHIO STATE BUCKEYES ADULT FACE COVERING, $29.99 (3), FANATICS.COM

WORST ALTERNATIVE

BEST ADD ON

Nothing is safer than the N-95 mask, there is nothing special about it other than the fact that it gives someone the best chance of not spreading potential diseases.

TESTER NOTES: "They are eaiser to breathe through as well as not being as hot as reusable ones.” -Zoe Firchau THE LOWDOWN: They have a unique airtight seal that helps protect from at least 95% of airborne pathogens.

Widely regarded as a very comfortable alternative to the traditional mask, is the wide tube-like GAITER. TESTER NOTES: “Extremely comfortable and easy to wear.” -Hunter Bennington THE LOWDOWN: Research from Duke University stated that the gaiter was less effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 as more respiratory droplets passed through the material.

For those who do not want to be “stuffed up” in a mask, a FACE SHIELD is a solid substitute. It is regarded by the CDC as just as effective as a regular mask.

TESTER NOTES: “Makes it easy to speak.” - Mrs. Salinas THE LOWDOWN: While they do tend to stick out and fog up over time, the face shield alternative is still very comfortable and allows more protection than just a mask.

EMERCATE, 5 LAYER PROTECTION BREATHABLE KN-95, $32.90 (20 PCS), AMAZON.COM

BUFF, FILTER TUBE STURE DENIM, $ 29.OO, BUFF. COM

OMK, 2 PCS REUSABLE FACE SHIELD, $7.63, AMAZON.COM

LIFESTYLE BLUEPRINTS

17

How to Deal with Stress

Learn simple new ways to manage your stress and achieve a sense of tranquility

1

Deep Breaths Whenever you find yourself in a stressful situation, it is always important to filter your oxygen flow towards a smooth flow.

“This allows your heart and brain to relax, numbing any negative thoughts,” Rivers said.

2

Listening to Music Listening to music is also a great form of relaxation, distracting you from anything that has you worried.

“Soothing music is best, but any other form of music that you enjoy can work too,” Rivers said.

3

Pets Spending time with your pets has always been known to bring joy and relaxation in any person’s life.

“When we pet animals, it has been known that the touch of their fur brings serenity and warmth, numbing any negative emotions,” Rivers said.

4

Comedy Any wise man will tell you that laughter is the best medicine, especially when it comes to stress. Laughter most definitely lightens up any mood, no matter the situation.

“If you ever find yourself frustrated, or even angered by an event, comedy will never fail to find your fun and natural emotion,” Rivers said.

5 Taking a walk outside is one way to combat stress. Artwork by Kennedy Ogden.

W

BY WYATT RIVERS ith the events going through a pandemic, learning the new protocols and rules for the schools, and the upcoming applications for colleges and universities that will be occurring for a good group of students, it will be no surprise that stress will play a big part in students' lives this year. When hit with stress it is very important to address it immediately as it can cause many physical and emotional downfalls further down the road.

Michelle Rivers, a licensed cosmetologist and massuese, shares six tips to help you relax, relieve yourself of stress and better your health. Follow them to come back stronger, and in all, become a better you!

18 BLUEPRINTS NOVEMBER 2020

Staying Away from Caffeine Caffeinated drinks such as sodas, coffee, or energy drinks, are known as stimulants for your nervous system.

This can negatively impact your levels of stress in many ways.

“Caffeine can raise your heart rate and make it much more difficult for you to relax. And we all know that if you can’t relax, then dealing with stress would be a real challenge,” Rivers said.

6

Exercise Exercise is hands down the best way of relieving stress.

“Not only does it circulate blood flow to the brain, but when you sweat you release toxins,” Rivers said.

This combination can allow for faster relaxation and bodily health, making you feel like a better you in all.

Casual Skater

my style SENIOR ZACH THISSEN SHARES A FEW OF HIS FAVORITE THINGS

BY ABIGAIL TRACY

Tops

Baggy shirts are a staple skater piece.

The centerpiece

“Chains specifically are an amazing piece just because you can pretty much know it will never go out of style”

Style Inspo Youtube plays a big influenece in Zach’s style along with rapper Tyler the Creator.

Jeans

Photo sources: Zales, Golf Want, Carhartt, Zumiez, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Converse

Nothing like a good pair of ripped skinny jeans to complete that skater look.

Carhartt Photo courtesy of Zach Thissen

“I can always keep their clothes circulating in my closet because they are all fairly priced and simple”

Go to shoe

Converse “It is a timeless shoe and has stayed in style forever unlike a lot of shoes”

Signature Scent

Classic Tommy Hilfiger

The origin

“I was definitely just wearing what all the other kids were wearing”

The change

“I started to stray away from that and do my own thing. I was never huge into sports so why would I wear the normal Nike stuff that everyone else wore?”

LIFESTYLE BLUEPRINTS

19

STAFF PICKS

A powerful novel by Angie Thomas that follows the journey of a teen battling the justice system.

Alysha Wallace

A comedy surrounding the officers of the 99th precinct, unlike any other cop show ever aired.

The album by Luke Combs is one of his more popular albums. It came out in November 2019.

“THE HATE U GIVE”

Gabbie Sargent

“What You See is What You Get”

Amelia Havill

“Brooklyn 99”

‘Enola Holmes’ leaves critics raving Sherlock Holmes' little sister solves mysteries in new movie exclusivly on Netflix based on the books by Nancy Springer

E

BY AMELIA HAVILL nola Holmes is a peculiar child. Growing up in the Victorian Era, she can beat a full-grown man in hand-tohand combat, yet she was never taught to embroider. An incredible detective and master of disguise, Enola’s genius is rivaled only by none other than Sherlock Holmes, her famous older brother.

Best known for her starring role as Eleven on the Netflix hit show “Stranger Things,” Millie Bobby Brown brings the character of Enola Holmes to life. Speaking directly to the audience, Enola frequently breaks the fourth wall, a suggestion made by Brown herself.

When Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) wakes up on the morning of her 16th birthday, her mother Eudoria Holmes (Helena Bonham Carter) has Directed by: disappeared without a trace. When Enola’s Harry brothers, Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Bradbeer Mycroft Holmes (Sam Claflin) return to Screenplay by: their childhood home to search for their Jack Thorne mother, oldest brother Mycroft attempts to send Enola to a finishing school. Refusing to believe that her beloved mother would abandon her, Enola sets out on the adventure of a lifetime along with her new friend, the young Lord Teweksbury (Louis Partridge), who is also on the run from his family.

As fate may have it, mystery follows the young detective everywhere, and Enola finds herself wrapped up in not one, but two, each full of their own twists and dangers. Will Enola be able to crack the case before time runs out?

PG-13

*SPOILERS START* As the search for Enola and Lord Teweksbury continues throughout London, the two unlikely partners-in-crime continue the search for Enola’s mother. When they are suddenly caught, Enola shoos Teweksbury out a window, letting herself

20 BLUEPRINTS NOVEMBER 2020

‘Enola Holmes’ was released September 23, 2020 exclusively on Netflix. Source: Netflix.

get caught and shipped off to a finishing school, which Teweksbury promptly breaks her out of. The pair returns to Teweksbury’s home in a search of whoever is trying to kill the young lord, and are confronted by Teweksbury’s grandmother, armed with a gun. After a violent and emotional fight, Teweksbury’s grandmother is disarmed and turned in to the authorities. *SPOILERS END* With an exceptionally well put-together cast, Nancy Springer’s “The Enola Holmes Mysteries” is brought to life on the big screen for fans all over the USA. Getting a 91% on Rotten Tomatos, "Enola Holmes" is a mustsee movie, exploring family, duty, and life as a young girl in griwing up in Victorian England.

If you are a fan of mystery, adventure, or Millie Bobby Brown, this is the movie for you. So what are you waiting for? Grab some popcorn and join in on the adventures of the incredible Holmes siblings.

A chilling and suspenseful, big budgeted take on scary stories written on the internet.

Abigail Tracy

“Stranger Things”

Wyatt Rivers

An inspiring and suspenseful Netflix original that leaves you thinking about your next move.

An exciting and interesting continuation of the extremely popular “Star Wars” franchise.

“Channel Zero”

Whit Miller

“The Mandolorian”

Kennedy Ogden

“The Queen’s Gambit”

Source: strfkr.com

A Netflix original sci-fi TV series set in the 1980s, nostalgic for adults and teens alike.

The huge cinnmon rolls have just enough icing. BluePrints photo by Alysha Wallace.

Top 3 ‘Rolls by the Pound’ items Best items on the menu of the family-owned coffee shop and bakery in Newark, Ohio

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BY ALYSHA WALLACE alking into Rolls By The Pound, you immediately feel welcomed. The cozy atmosphere makes you want to stay there all day. The employees are welcoming and always happy to offer their opinions on the best menu items.

The menu consists of coffees, teas, muffins, bagels, cookies, donuts, smoothies, whoopie pies, and, of course, rolls.

Cinnamon Rolls- Homemade and priced at $3.50, the huge cinnamon rolls are delicious, with just the right amount of icing. The filling doesn’t have too

much cinnamon. Each bite melts in your mouth.

Carmel Macchiato- Priced at $4.25 for 16 oz and $4.85 for 24 oz, they have just the right amount of coffee and caramel with neither overpowering the other. Also, it tastes great iced or hot.

Pecan Rolls- These good-sized rolls are just $4.25, and covered in pecans. Also homemade, the pecan rolls are even better warm.

Rolls By The Pound also supports local schools and businesses. Stop by Rolls

By The Pound to see what other yummy treats they have.

Top 3 milk substitutes

W Silk Almond Milk Source: Silk.com

BY BELLA BLACK ith the popularity of plant-based diets rising, regular cows milk is becoming less normal. However, many people have found more delicious and nutritious alternatives.

1. Silk’s Almond Milk has a smooth, creamy texture and an endless amount of flavor and is not only delicious but is chock-full of nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin D, having only 30 calories per cup.

2. Silk’s “Oat Yea” milk is fairly new but very popular and well priced. People have found it to be packed with flavor and nutrients at only 80 calories per cup.

3. Coconut Milk, also produced by Silk, is another delicious choice. It has been found to have the strongest flavor, but can

‘Being No One, Going Nowhere’ is not one to miss

O

BY JASMINE ROBINSON riginating in Portland, Oregon, STRFKR has redefined the boundaries of indie rock and pop, creating a genre of its own. Spacey, dancey, and hypnotic, STRFKR’s 2016 album “Being No One, Going Nowhere” is not one to miss.

The song “Maps” is one of my favorites.

With emphasis on the unknown, it carries the listener to a spacey, almost unreal setting. I imagine something going wrong with a spaceship. The crew members come to the realization that they will not survive, which is depicted in the song with a melodious, crashing, echoing church bell-like sequence.

“In The End,” with its fast-paced synthpop basis, is a quirky and fun addition to the album. Recently, a friend convinced me that it was a good idea to set it as my phone ringtone. The jubilant, synthy arpeggios, highlighted with light keyboard set “In The End” apart from the more serious songs on the album.

“Open Your Eyes” is the song that assures the listener that everything is going to be okay. The instrumentals of “Open Your Eyes” are incredible, with steady percussion and guitar patterns in the calmer parts leading seamlessly to the action-packed chorus. I love this song for the musicality, the vibes, and the message of hope that it conveys.

ENTERTAINMENT BLUEPRINTS

21

A look into the acting career of Esme Chin-Parker

Top 5 of 25

BY GABBIE SARGENT

Since she started acting in second grade, Chin-Parker has a appearred in over 30 roles in 25 different plays and musical. Here she shares her favorite roles.

1

WALK TWO MOONS Phoebe from "Walk Two Moons" ranked number one onChin-Parker’s list. “This character was so much fun to play! Especially since I got to act like a conspiracy theory obsessed child. And be insanely annoying to everyone else on stage,” Chin-Parker said.

22 BLUEPRINTS NOVEMBER 2020

2

LES MISERABLES Enjoiras from "Les Miserables" comes in second. Chin-Parker says that “this role started [her] less-than-healthy obsession with Victor Hugo, and also let [her] pretend to shoot fancy fake guns.”

"Walk Two Moons" photo used with permission of DiBlasio Photography; "Les Mis" photo used with permission of JAMS Photography, Diblasio; "Into the Woods" screenshot; all other photos courtesy of Chin-Parker.

A PASSION FOR ACTING

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BY ABIGAIL TRACY to her. “My favorite musical I’ve acted in is 'Les Miserables,'” sme Chin-Parker is a senior whose passion for acting she said. Chin-Parker played the role of Enjolras in her midis a big part of her life. She was cast in this year’s fall dle school years and since then, she is obsessed with the play “Last Day of School.” novel. “Like reading all 1000+ pages in a few months kind Chin-Parker has acted since second grade, making of obsessed,” she said. While her favorite production is Les this year her tenth year.

Miserables, her favorite role is Phoebe in "Walk Two Moons." “I “Embarrassingly enough, the only reason I started acting got overly into the role, and attempting to capture the manic was because my sister had done a theatre camp one summer, energy of a conspiracy-theory obsessed middle schooler, was and (being, like, seven) I wanted to be like her,” she said. “I can really fun,” Chin-Parker said. blame sibling jealousy on the initial jump into acting.”

“Since then, the role has been haunting me- I see my cosSince then, her passion for acting has evolved and led her to tume pieces from the show just floating around the school accomplish around thirty different roles and on an almost-daily basis. Not to mention a grand total of twenty five plays/musicals. the disturbing amount of times that I’ve Chin-Parker not only performs in plays and realized I now dress like a slightly edgy musicals at Granville, but she also performs version of her. Of course, it doesn’t exactly in productions at Weathervane Playhouse in help that I learned how much I like wearing Newark. headbands because of the show.”

“Thanks to COVID-19-19, I haven’t been In the fall play, Chin-Parker played Bethdoing much non-GHS acting recently,” any Peot, a girl who has been the school Chin-Parker said, but coronavirus is not announcer for three years. stopping her from being involved in Gran“She has an existential crisis and locks ville’s fall production where she is casted as herself in the A.V room, taking over the Bethany Peot. school’s speakers and forcing everyone to There are several opinions on plays and listen to Mr Roboto on repeat,” she exmusicals out there. Whether someone enjoys plained.

-ESME CHIN-PARKER both, or prefers one over the other. With the “I am excited to see it all come together!” amount of experience in acting and watching Chin-Parker said. Due to COVID-19, rehearsplays and musicals, Chin-Parker has developed her own opinals were limited to only a few actors at a time, so the whole cast ions on the two. was not able to see the whole play and everyone together until “I prefer watching musicals, but I prefer acting in plays,” she the week before the show. said. “The writing [in musicals] tends to be ignored in favor of “I’m more-than-excited to finally see everything put together flashy singing and dancing.” While she still loves acting in musi- in a cohesive show.” cals, according to Esme, the script can sometimes be described A word of advice to young aspiring actors from Chin-Parker: as “bare-bones.”

“Just jump into it! I know it may seem a little intimidating, but With as many plays, musicals, big roles and small roles, everyone in the program is here to support you. And don’t hold Chin-Parker has accomplished, she has developed favorites. back during auditions. The only real bad acting is when the acProductions and roles she finds most intriguing and special tor is too uncomfortable to really be themselves. So go all out!”

“The only bad acting is when the actor is too uncomfortable to really be themselves. ”

5

3

CATS Old Deuteronpmy from the performance "Cats" holdsChin-Parker's third favorite role she has received the chance to play. Chin-Parker tells that “this role was pretty cursed, especially since the 'Cats' movie came out last year. But [she] had a lot of fun! Being the Alpha Cat in a musical disaster will always be one of [her] most cherished roles.”

4

THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Last but not least is Bethany from "The Last Day of School," this year's Drama Club fall performance.. Chin-Parker has had “a great time working with this character.” Chin-Parker compares Debby Ryan from the popular movie Radio Rebel to Bethany. She also says that her role has “many, many paragraphs of uninterrupted text.”

INTO THE WOODS The Witch from "Into the Woods' was also a special role for Chin-Parker. Sadly this play was never brought to stage because of COVID-19.

Chin-Parker feels that “the Witch was such an interesting role to take on. [It was] super vocally demanding, with complicated acting that was tons of fun.”

ENTERTAINMENT BLUEPRINTS

23

FLASHBACK

These teachers had one thing in common in their teens: big hair. Top row: Keith Mullins with wife, Granville Elementary School teacher Amy Mullins; E.B. Smith; Amy Tolbert. Bottom row: Sally Gummere, Sara Sharp (right) and Brandi Cosgrove.

THE 80s

Style and music were ‘tubular’

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BY MAX KING he 80s were a decade filled with wild hair styles and radical new fashion trends. Giant puffy hair was all the rage for many women, and mullets were extreamly popular for men. Everyone who was anyone wanted a Walkman or a giant boombox to listen to Micheal Jackson and Madonna, and when things got a bit chilly, there were bright neon leg warmers and color-coordinated windbreaker jumpsuits to keep warm.

Baggy jeans and mullets may have seemed like a thing of the past, but take a look around and you may realize that these 80s fads may not be gone for good. Though Walkmans and giant boomboxes may not be making a return so many other 80s fads are. Jean jackets and jorts are making a comeback-- just ask senior Garrett Sharps about “Jorts Tuesdays”!

24 BLUEPRINTS NOVEMBER 2020

BluePrints 80s Playlist 1. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson 2. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police 3. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor 4. “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett & Blackhearts 5. “Jump” by Van Halen 6. “With or Without You” by U2 7. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses 8. “So Emotional” by Whitney Houston 9. “Centerfold” by J Geils Band 10. "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield