Paw Print Issue 10

Issue#10 | Vol.35 | APRIL 14, 2023 Issue#10 | Vol.35 | APRIL 14, 2023

WHY DO WE LOVE

Taking a closer look at the true cases behind the genre's most popular TV shows, podcasts, and books.

TRUE CRIME?

read more on pages 8-9

6

VOICES FOR CHANGE

11

SUNK COST FALLACY

14

WEEKEND EXCURSIONS WITH BUNGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS OpEd 03

Let's Stop Standardized Scores

MONTH IN PHOTOS

News 04

New Yoga Bar & Cafe Opens in Green

05

Donald Trump Charged

06

Voices for Change

Features 07

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

08-09

Our Dark Obsession

10

Dorm Room Dilemma

11

Sunk Cost Fallacy

Sports 12

It's Baseball Season

13

Sports Superstitions

Opinion

TOP: The Varsity Softball team celebrates after defeating Perry 9-0.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: Michelle Herdlick

LEFT: Girls of Green celebrates their last meeting with a potluck.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: Catherine Smith

COMING UP SOON

14 Weekend Excursions with Bungy 15 Adapting to Adoption

Caboose 16

April 16

April 19 - 25

Band Formal

State Testing & Late Start Days

The Great Veggietales Brawl

May 12

AP Independent Study Day

RIGHT: The Varsity Girls Lacrosse Team preps to play Lakewood.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: Michelle Herdlick

3 | editorial

LET'S STOP STANDARDIZED SCORES

A high GPA, a variety of extracurricular leadership positions, involvement in local government and community events, volunteer hours with local charities, and a part-time job are all contribute to students’ high school careers. A "good" student embodies all of these elements. However, far too often colleges and universities prioritize standardized test performance above all else. Many accomplished students do not meet the rigorous testing qualifications. Standardized tests possess extreme drawbacks and should be reconsidered as acceptance measures. In fact, in recent years, many universities began to implement test-optional or test-blind application policies, which should become a nationwide practice. Additionally, exams designed like the ACT and SAT exude principles of racism and classism. As a result, students of color and students that live in low-income areas tend to score very low. Standardized tests also do not serve as accurate indicators of success and sometimes cause extreme anxiety and stress for children. Colleges should not require applicants to submit ACT and SAT scores. Instead, they should consider testing optional policies.

Uprooting systematic racism is something many modern institutions commit to confronting head on.

Yet, many of the most liberal establishments in the world, American colleges, continue to mandate standardized tests for entry to their prestigious programs.

Preparing for tests like the ACT and SAT is a keen part of the exam process. However, only some parents are willing to spend money on additional educational sources. Not only are some parents not willing, some parents have no choice because test prep classes are too expensive for their family to afford. Without the proper preparation, how will a student succeed? In sports, in order for a child to compete in an activity like lacrosse, they need cleats, a stick, and pads. Without the necessary equipment, they can’t play. Without the necessary testing equipment, students can’t score well. This argument extends far beyond additional testing resources though. Students that live in impoverished areas and attend public school statistically receive a below average education. A recent study shows that while in middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children. Therefore, students lack resources in their own homes to create a strong academic foundation. The odds are stacked against low-income students and children of color who statistically live in impoverished neighborhoods, according to the National Equity Atlas.

Standardized testing results in increased levels of anxiety and stress in students. Exams with high stake measures usually start in third grade and don’t end until graduation. During testing times, I personally remember teachers pushing incentives on students to perform well. Whether this was through extra recess or an electronic day, teachers tried to entice their students to improve. Also, teachers would sometimes provide the class with some snacks or treats to spur brain productivity. It was obvious that testing periods caused stress to the students. But, snacks and rewards weren’t going to cure that anxiety. These symptoms of anxiety and stress did not stop after elementary years.

Standardized tests that determine college eligibility like the SAT and ACT make the stakes much higher for children as they feel their future hangs in the balance.

Are students with perfect ACT and SAT scores smarter than students that score significantly lower?

Will they be more successful in life? It’s hard to say because everyone has a different interpretation of success. But, statistically, it is clear that standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT promote racism, classism, and stress-induced anxiety. Certain children are significantly disadvantaged due to limitations out of their control such as household income, race, resource availability, and test anxiety. For these reasons alone, colleges should adopt test-optional and test-blind policies. Requiring the submission of standardized test scores must be ended entirely.

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EDITORIAL POLICY

The newspaper staff will make every reasonable effort to verify quotations in final approved copy with the individual(s) quoted, in interest of accuracy. Copy in the newspaper will bear bylines when, in the opinion of the adviser with the editor’s approval, the writer has earned recognition and running the byline is acceptable journalistically. If a newspaper editorial does not bear a byline, it reflects the opinion of the entire staff. A bylined editorial reflects only the opinion of the writer.

Viewpoints expressed in newspaper editorials are not necessarily shared by any members of the faculty (including the adviser), the administration, or the board of education.

All letters to the editor of the newspaper must be signed for verification purposes, but the staff may withhold names upon request. Because of space limitations letters of 300 words or less will receive preference, and longer letters may be subject to condensation with the cooperation of the writer. The final decision of whether to print a letter rests solely with the staff.

CONTACT US tannehillnatalie@green localschools.org @ghspawprint

@thepawprintghs

Published By EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: JACKSON HALL

COPY EDITOR: AMY LIN

DESIGN EDITOR: MCKENZIE COLLINSWORTH

PHOTOGRAPHY: LAUREN STEPHAN ALYSSA DAVIS

MANAGING EDITOR: ADVISOR: RILEY SUMPTION NATALIE TANNEHILL MEDIA MANAGER: SOPHIA LOGSDON

THE PAW PRINT

SECTION EDITORS: CATHERINE SMITH SOPHIA SALEY NINA SUMMERS IZZY SCOTT JULES BEYES MALLORY GEARHART DAVIS STANLEY HOPE HOFFMAN VICTORIA SCHLUE PAYTON MACESICH

STAFF:

KAYLIE DUSKEY OLIVIA PENNINGTON AIDEN MORGAN KODY HUNTER RHIANA BRUCE AMBER BETS LAUREN LEEMASTER RYAN MUELLER CHASE BORLAND LILLIAN BAER SELENA SABBAGH ZACHARY JACOBS LINDSEY REY SKYLAR JOHNSON DANIELLA POTTS NATE CARR TAYLOR MCCARTY ISABELLA PANDER ERIC WOLFORD NINA MCANNALLY JENNA VENEY MARKO KULINA VIENNA HORVATH

4 | news

NEW YOGA BAR AND CAFE OPENS IN GREEN

by Davis Stanley

One of the new additions to the Green community is the Yoga Bar and Cafe of Green. Located just five minutes south of Massillon Road from Green High, it is adjacent to the Green Drive-Thru located on the corner of Massillon Road and Greensburg Road.

The Yoga Bar provides various coffee and drink options paired with relaxing yoga classes customers can sign up for. Yoga classes range from: Basic Flow, Power Vinyasa, Movement Flow, Peak Flow, Slow Flow & Meditation, and Vinyasa to Yin. Co-Owner Jessica Bailey says that each yoga class is different from the others.

“For people looking for a movement-based class, it would be a basic flow class. Workouts are more Power Vinyasa. People that want to expand on poses, balances, and inversion should take Peak Flow.

Movement Flow specializes in active flexibility, coordination, and strength. If someone wants to move at a slower pace and is interested in guided meditation they should take the Slow Flow class. For increased flexibility is Vinyasa to Yin,” Jessica Bailey said.

Other than offering a variety of classes, the Yoga Bar and Cafe offers merchandise to all visitors. T-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, and water bottles are among the top sellers to customers. The daughter of Jessica Bailey, Mira Bailey, designs all of the merch for the business and says she enjoys doing it although it is very timeconsuming.

“Well it takes about two hours just to be satisfied with one piece of merch,” Mira Bailey said. “I want to make sure it's something people can wear anytime rather than just seeing it as a piece of merchandise.”

She also talked about the future of expanding the YBC brand

using stickers and other materials.

“I’m really excited about designing stickers because I’ve been getting a lot of requests for them recently and it's new to me.YBC Hats and Zip-ups are also on the way too and I think everyone's going to love them,” she said.

In addition to classes, the Yoga Bar and Cafe will offer a cafe-style menu for patrons. Dave Bailey, the husband of Jessica Bailey, is excited for the coffee cafe to get started after months of working on the project.

“We have an appointment with Summit County Health and then we should have coffee and the cafe up and running. We should be able to have it by May 1 but make sure to follow us on social media for updates,” Dave Bailey said.

As drink options expand, Jessica hopes that students will visit frequently.

“It’s a place for the community to come and either grab a coffee on the run, do work, or catch up with friends. The Yoga Bar & Cafe can especially be utilized by students. Whether it's coming by to study and drink coffee in the lobby or practice yoga, it's a great place for students to unwind,” Jessica Bailey explained.

Dave Bailey believes one of the optimal features that make the cafe unique is that the space offers garage doors and outdoor seating.

“With the weather being unpredictable, it's nice to have the option of indoor or outdoor seating for our guests. The garage doors make it very unique and appealing to customers,” Dave Bailey said. Visit the new spot at 2255 Greensburg Road or sign up for classes on the Yoga Bar and Cafe of Green website.

TIKTOK U.S. authorities threaten to ban the social media app ON TRIAL over data concerns.

by Payton Macesich

In recent weeks, CEO of popular social media platform TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, has been on trial with the United States House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Concerns over the app’s parent company, ByteDance, and their connection to the Chinese government have led U.S. representatives to move in favor of banning the app in the U.S. TikTok has recently accumulated over 150 million users worldwide and is constantly growing in usership. It has an incredible influence with Gen Z in particular, having facilitated most current trends into prevalence. But, the intentions behind the app’s parent company comes into question in terms of the users’ private information and data. U.S. representatives

are worried that American citizens’ personal data that is associated with the app will be handed over to Chinese government authorities. Along with this, they are also uneasy about a Chinese app having such vast influence and reach in American society.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash, chair of the committee, is very firm on her stance saying: “TikTok has repeatedly chosen a path for more control, more surveillance and more manipulation. Your platform should be banned.”

Uniquely to many recent issues, it seems that most Democrats and Republicans are on the same page for this issue. Both sides have been uncomfortable by the idea of China’s possible encroachment on

Americans’ privacy.

“You say you’re benign, you want to do good things for the public, so let me ask you. What about a commitment that says you won’t sell the data that you collect.

Would you commit to that? Not selling the data you collect?” asked the ranking member of the committee, Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., to which Chew replied that the company does not sell their information to data brokers.

With so far inconclusive results, it is unclear what the future holds for Americans' usage of TikTok, but many can agree that there will be quite the social uproar if the app is removed from American availability.

5 | news FIRST DAY OF HEARING Former President Donald Trump sits in on the first day of his trial.

TOP: Demonstrators of both sides separated by a line of police.

PHOTO: Ahmed Gaber BOTTOM: Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg gives a press conference post-arraignment PHOTO: Kena Betancur

DONALD TRUMP CHARGED

by Chase Borland

TOP: Trump supporters await his arrival in Florida.

PHOTO: Rebecca Blackwell MIDDLE: Man holds up NYT newspaper of indictment in front of Trump Tower.

PHOTO: Anthony Behar BOTTOM: Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene surrounded by media for her own NYC protest.

PHOTO: Michael Nigro

On March 30, former President Donald J. Trump was indicted on 34 counts related to business fraud by a Manhattan grand jury. This marks the first time a former president has ever been charged for a criminal offense.

These charges are related to hush money- used to silence an affair in the early 2000s- sent to an adult illicit film star.

“I think that it is important for people to be held accountable for their crimes especially when people who are supposed to serve as role models (such as athletes, actors, and the President) are looked up to and watched so closely. They set a precedent for acceptable behaviors and actions, and President Trump’s actions would not be tolerated if committed by a regular individual,” GHS history and current events teacher Brandi Keplinger said.

Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, used a shell company to pay off Stormy Daniels, and then was later reimbursed for “legal expenses.”

According to federal prosecutors, the Trump Organization dosed up their payment to Cohen for “tax purposes.” Cohen has since pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws.

Leaders within the GOP have gone to Trump’s defense, calling this a political scheme ahead of his 2024 presidential bid. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy took to Twitter to attack Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney of the Trump case. He was backed by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. They claim that the Democrats have weaponized the legal judicial system for their own political gain.

“The American people will not tolerate this injustice, and the House of Representatives will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account,” McCarthy said.

Trump arrived in New York City Monday night, March 3, in preparation for his arraignment in a Manhattan criminal court. With the arrival of Trump, came the arrival of thousands of protesters on both sides arguing with each other for and against the former president.

“New York City is our home, not a place for your misplaced anger.

While you’re in town, be on your best behavior,” NYC Mayor Eric Adams said about the protesters needing to “control themselves.”

The charges come from the $130,000 sent to Daniels from Cohen to keep their affair underwraps during the 2016 election. However, the fraud took place once Trump had already entered into office. Of the 34 counts of fraud: 11 are related to false checks, 11 are regarding monthly invoices, and 12 link back to submitted entries into Trump’s general ledger. Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts.

“Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market,” Bragg said in a press release. “We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct.”

These felonies are not the only legal battles that Trump has to face in the coming months. He is currently being investigated for interfering with the election in Fulton County Georgia, the U.S. Justice Department is investigating his involvement in January 6th and the overturning of the 2020 election, an investigation conducted on classified documents found at Mar-aLago, and a number of lawsuits along the way. All of these however did not stop Trump from heading back to Florida after his arraignment to speak to all his supporters and his opponents. He went on to talk about how Biden should be investigated and not him, how the case should be moved to near-by Staten Island for a more fair trial, and the amount of money that could be possibly spent on a trial like this and how it’s wasting tax dollars.

"So our movement, and our party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump said to in a speech to supporters.

Justice Juan Merchan set out a timeline for the trial to come. New York prosecutors asked for the trial to start around January 2024, but Trump’s legal team has advocated for a spring date of 2024. Nothing has been decided yet.

6 | news

FOR CHANGE

TOP PHOTO.

Students protest within the Tennessee state legislature building.

LEFT PHOTO. The three House Democrats: Rep. Gloria Johnson, Rep. Justin Jones, and Rep. Justin Pearson

RIGHT PHOTO Approximately 10,000 young people protested for gun reform in Tennessee after the Nashville school shooting.

TENNESSEE EXPELS HOUSE DEMOCRATS

by Riley Sumption On April 6, Tennessee’s State House of Representatives had a vote to expel three democrat representatives from the House. After three rounds of voting, Rep. Justin Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson were both expelled by the republican supermajority. This has turned the nation’s eyes on Tennessee and its politics.

Earlier in the week on April 3, thousands of Nashville students and parents protested at the Tennessee State Capitol. This was a demonstration against gun violence caused by the Covenant school shooting on March 27, 2023. The students were mobilized by the youth group March for Our Lives, and students brought posters, signs, and megaphones to voice their concerns and fear.

“We all want to live through high school, and that’s why we’re here today,” said 17-year-old Amy Goetzinger, one of the earliest students to arrive at the rally.

In response to the rally at the capitol, law enforcement were dispatched in the building to maintain order and protect lawmakers from potential violence. Despite these measures, students continued their protest of the legislature.

In a tweet calling for Monday’s walkout, the group noted Tennessee’s legislature has passed laws in recent years banning or restricting many things — but not assault weapons.

In a tweet from March for Our Lives, the group said, “It’s not drag queens, it’s not books, it’s not Black history, it’s not trans rights — GUNS are KILLING KIDS,” Rep. Gloria Johnson was the only representative out of the three that escaped expulsion from the House. Representing 70,000 people in Knoxville, Johnson joined the other two representatives in rallying with the protesters, and she later conceded that she didn’t follow decorum on the House floor, sometimes speaking without being formally recognized.

over gun laws

However, when she was questioned as to why her outcome was different from the other two representatives, Johnson said, “I’ll answer your question. It might have to do with the color of our skin.”

The Tennessee legislature introduced a bill later that week that would permit teachers to possess firearms on school grounds; however, this received widespread public backlash. Despite collective disapproval, the bill advanced through the Education Administration Committee in a 12 to 6 vote. Consequently, this means the bill will be introduced to the House floor for voting at a later time.

“If you’re from a rural district where resources are limited, you don’t have the ability to provide enough SROs (School Resource Officers) for your community or an SRO at all, this would give you an opportunity to find a different pathway with training, fingerprints, mental evaluation,” said Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville), a supporter of the bill.

In a recent development, the Nashville Metropolitan Council held a vote to reappoint Rep. Justin Jones to office on Monday. In a unanimous vote, the council reinstated Jones to the House; however he will be in the Interim, meaning he'll need to wait for reelection to officially retake his office in the House. Moments after the decision, he began marching towards the capital.

Additionally, the Shelby County Commission will prepare to vote to reappoint Rep. Justin Pearson on Wednesday, April 12.

The situation in Tennessee is ever changing, but public sentiment remains unchanged. People are protesting for stricter gun control and safer schools, and both republicans and democrats have different ideas on legislation reform.

“I believe that our actions were wholly justified in that even though we broke a rule of decorum, we stood up and we spoke for people who needed us to speak for them,” Pearson said.

7 | features

TAYLOR SWIFT

THE ERAS TOUR

by Nina Mcannally

On March 17 and March 18, Taylor Swift kicked off her Eras Tour in Glendale, Arizona. The tour has multiple stops in the U.S. and fans await international dates. The last date of the tour is August 9. Swift officially broke the record for the highest-attended concert for a female artist in the U.S. with over 69,000 people in attendance at her concert in Glendale.

The first important piece of information that is needed to know is that the concert in total, with the openers, is about 5 hours. Swift’s actual performance is 3 hours and 15 minutes long as she performs over 44 songs. The setlist is split between all of her “eras.” As of right now, the setlist includes multiple different songs from Lover, Fearless, Evermore, Reputation, (this is the odd one out with only one song) Speak Now, Red, Folklore, 1989, and Midnights.

One of our own GHS students, Isabella Conrow, stated, "I am looking forward to listening to Taylor’s first ever albums!”

She also has two surprise acoustic songs. These surprise songs are different at every concert. So far, Swift has played “Mirrorball,” “Tim Mcgraw,” “This is me trying,” and "State of Grace.” The first of those songs are acoustically on guitar while the second is on piano. An important thing to know for the actual concert is that most Swifties have chants for songs played. Before going to the concert, do some research on the chants for “Delicate,” “Bad Blood,” “You Belong with Me,” and “Anti-Hero.”

Eras Tour merch is being sold online at TaylorSwift.com as well as in person at the actual concerts. The merch line features different t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, posters, bracelets, and even an Eras Tour tote bag. T-shirts start at $45 and sweatshirts begin at $75.

Everything concert goers need to know about this groundbreaking tour

There are many more different items offered on the website as well.

Depending on what you decide to buy, prices begin at $10. If you’re on a budget, the clothing items aren’t majorly overpriced, so you should be able to find something. If you aren’t on a budget, you can go crazy with the number of options available. The most essential information is about the venue, timing, and outfits for the concert if you’re going.

Most stadiums have their policy on what types of bags you can bring, so it will be super important to check your stadium's policy before going. However, you can never go wrong with just getting a clear bag to take as most stadiums prefer them anyways. As for when you should show up, it might be best to get to your venue two to three hours before the start of the concert.

It is also best to get there early because you might have to wait in multiple lines, so giving yourself time will be helpful. Also, depending on your venue, the doors might open at different times. It would be helpful to check what time the doors for your venue are open. As for outfits, if you’re a new Swifty it’s important to dress up.

Most Swifties know it's important to wear lots of sparkles, sequins, and themed outfits.

Leah Dubravetz, GHS Junior, gave us some insight on her outfit saying, “It’s a sparkly purple dress that's flowy and a little sparkly.”

It’s important to think of comfortability as you will be standing for 3 hours or 5, depending on if you stand during the openers. Think about wearing comfortable shoes that you know you could stand in for longer periods.

Most importantly, don’t forget to put a 13 on your hand.

Swiftie Sound Off Alex Lapenes '23 shares experience at Taylor's Las Vegas show Q. What was your favorite thing she did on the Eras Tour that was different from the previous tours you’ve been to?

A. She was performing for around an hour more than her previous tours which was amazing. I also love that she has been switching up her set list and singing different songs on different nights. Also she does a really amazing job recreating her past looks and vibes from each album.

Q. How was the atmosphere in the stadium with the other concert goers?

A. Great! Almost everyone I was around was standing the entire 3 hours and knew every song. A lot of swifties were trading friendship bracelets that were Taylor Swift themes.

Q. Is there any advice you think is necessary for those also attending a concert date to know?

A. I would say to make sure to look for parking online before going to the actual concert and be prepared for bad traffic after the concert is over. Also don’t go to the merch truck outside of the venue.

There are many other places to get merch once you get into the stadium, and just be respectful of other people there. You don’t have to get there super early because the gates to get into the stadium don't open until closer to when the concert starts. We got there a couple hours early and ended up being the first one in our entrance and didn’t wait a long time in the merch line.

8 | center spread

OUR

DARK

OBSES

True crime is a genre of non-fiction literature, film, and television that focuses on real-life criminal cases. These cases often involve heinous crimes, such as murder, kidnapping, and robbery, and the investigation, prosecution, and sometimes the exoneration of the accused. With the rise in popularity of podcasts, documentaries, and streaming services, the true crime genre has seen a surge in popularity, with millions of people tuning in to hear the grisly details of the latest headline-making case.

by Olivia Pennington

THE CLEVELAND ABDUCTION

IDAHO MURDERS

Between 2002 and 2004, Ariel Castro abducted three women, Michelle Knight (21), Amanda Berry (16), and Gina DeJesus (14), and imprisoned them in his basement.

In August of 2002, Knight was walking to the local courthouse in an attempt to gain back the custody of her son when Castro noticed her.

Castro offered her a ride and Knight took the offer, but she never made it to the courthouse. Castro took her back to his house where he sexually assaulted and tortured her numerous times.

Castro continued deceiving these girls, offering fake car rides. His victims all trusted him, because he was the dad of their friend, Arlene, which is how he knew he could coax them into getting into his car.

On May 6, 2013, Castro left his house but didn’t notice the crack in the front door. Berry saw the opening and started screaming through it.

Neighbors Angel Cordero and Charles Ramsey heard her and approached the house. They kicked the door down and called the police. Once the police arrived at 2207 Seymour Ave, they saw Berry with her young daughter and found Knight and DeJesus in the attic.

Castro was arrested and on September 3, 2013. He killed himself in jail.

On November 13, 2022, four students belonging to the University of Idaho were brutally murdered. At first, police had multiple suspects but on January 5, 2023, court documents showed how they zeroed in on their main suspect, Bryan Kohberger.

At the crime scene, there was an open knife sheath left, with matching DNA to the Kohberger family’s trash in Pocono Mountain, Pennsylvania. On December 30, 2022, Kohberger was arrested and charged with four counts of murder and one count of felony burglary. His trial won’t begin until the next hearing date on June 26, 2023, but as of now, Kohberger is an inmate at Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho, awaiting his sentence. His sentencing is unknown, but if convicted, the options are either life in prison without possibility of parole or the death penalty. If the death penalty is chosen, lethal injection is the primary source of execution in Idaho; however, a bill recently passed by the Idaho state legislature and signed into law by the governor now allows Kohberger to be executed by firing squad.

ask an expert

ELA teacher and true crime lover Mr. Cory Potter shares his favorites.

What's your favorite case?

What's your favorite show?

Potter: I love unsolved cases. I like ones that have a bunch of conspiracy theories. I love the JFK assassination and the JonBenét Ramsey case. Those are my two favorite.

Potter: “I forget what network it’s on but it’s a show about Madeline McCann. She went missing in Europe and they believe she was stolen because there’s no proof that she’s dead yet.”

SION 9 | center spread

ZODIAC KILLER

The Zodiac Killer was an unidentified male serial killer. He was believed to have murdered at last five people in northern California between 1968 and 1969. In 1968, a teenage couple was shot to death near their car in a remote area north of San Francisco. One year later, another couple was attacked but the male survived. After the second attack, the killer called police and confessed to committing the murders in 1968. Later that year, the Zodiac attacked a third couple, and again, the male survived.

In October 1969, the last known victim was a taxi driver who was shot in his car. These murders started becoming more and more well known because of the killer's taunting letters and phone calls to the newspaper and police. The letters, sent from 1969 to 1974, always started with, “This is the Zodiac speaking.” and were signed with a symbol resembling the crosshairs of a gunsight.

Included among the letters were four ciphers and cryptograms, the first of which was sent in three parts to three Bay Area newspapers in July of 1969. His “408 cipher” was decoded by citizens and read, “I like killing people because it is so much fun.”

The Zodiac Killer remained active throughout the '80s and is said to have murdered over a dozen more people. During the '90s, multiple investigators claimed to have identified the Zodiac. The most common suspect was Arthur Leigh Allen, a schoolteacher who had been institutionalized in 1975 for child molestation. Even though police thought they had found the criminal, the serial killer is still unknown today.

What is your favorite type of true crime?

Potter: I love cults. I think cults are so fascinating because if a leader is charismatic enough a person can take normal people and turn them into somebody who they never imagined they could have been.

KILLER SHOWS rating top true crime docs

by Sophia Logsdon

Documentaries and true crime have become increasingly popular in this day and age. I would rather watch a documentary over a movie. I have watched over 40 documentaries over the past several years and listen to true crime podcasts on the regular. Most people like to rate movies they just watched, but I like to rate documentaries. The following is a list of some documentaries all found on Netflix and their following ratings.

American Murder: The Family Next Door 7/10

This documentary was very popular a couple years ago. It focuses on the Shannon Watts case and the tragic death of her and her daughters. The case shows footage and goes into a lot of detail about her murder. I give it a 7/10 because it focuses a lot on Shannon and how she wasn’t the best mother, rather than her tragic murder. I am not a fan of victim shaming.

Our Father

8/10

I’ve watched this one recently. Different from the documentaries that I normally watch, which was nice. This isn’t a documentary about murder or a missing person, but it’s about a corrupt doctor.

This documentary fascinated me and made me feel a little queasy. It really opens your eyes to how easily people can be manipulated.

The 13th

10/10

This is my all time favorite documentary. I rarely cry during movies, shows, plays, etc. but I teared up during this documentary.

It is so moving. If you enjoy civil rights or just a good documentary that gets you thinking, then this is the one for you. This documentary is formatted so well and keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you are a sensitive person… I would take a break during this one.

The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez

9/10

This one is a heartbreaker. Once again, this one is very popular and has been watched by many. It shocks the minds of watchers, because how could someone possibly kill their own child? The lack of justice for this poor child is truly astonishing. People don’t realize how often situations like this happen, but they are so common. Don’t watch this if you don’t like seeing graphic images and abuse.

Keep Sweet Pray and Obey

8/10

I’m a sucker for a documentary on the FLDS church. This one is heartbreaking and sickening. The documentary focus on the FLDS and the rise of Warren Jeffs. Cults have always fascinated me and it’s interesting to think about why people stay in them. This one does talk about young girls falling victim to Warren Jeffs. I’m not a huge fan of multiple part documentaires, but this one is done well.

10 | features

DORM ROOM DILEMMA weighing the different methods of finding roommates for college

by Kaylie Duskey

"I found three people to room with and we are getting a quad.

It was honestly really easy and I am excited to meet them all" Marissa Redford 23'

ONLINE DATING Finding someone via social media In today’s technology-driven society, the saying goes “there’s an app for everything”. This saying is confirmed even more with the roommate choosing process when going to college. After confirming enrollment into the college of choice, they will ask the future freshman to sign up for the college’s personal match app. On the app, there is a questionnaire at the beginning of some routine and niche information about routines and preferences. There is then a section to put together a little “all-about me” post that includes a picture, social media platforms, and a short biography. After submitting the profile, the algorithm takes everything into consideration and puts the other freshman in order of compatibility, 100 percent down to 0 percent. From this point on, it is comparable to a dating app. Judging people based on their picture and short biography, it is now time to look for a future roomie. This is a great place to not only find a roommate, but also find some new friends.

"I am excited. These guys have been my friends for all of high school and now we get to go to college and be with each other for another four" Ryan Harrigle 23'

HIGH SCHOOL BUDS

Living with high school friends Choosing a room with a person from high school will be one of the biggest regrets of many’s lives. This single decision ruins so many good friendships because it pushes a boundary that no one thinks of. Friends can stay friends for so long because they get time apart from each other; time apart allows the heart to grow. When high school friends start to room, they start to find out who their friend really is. It can be as simple as a little habit that irritates one another, but it becomes the most prominent thing in their lives and all of a sudden they both now can’t stand one another. There are many more people out in the world that are just as good as the high school pal, so go find them and don’t play the safe route.

"It's a little stressful, but I don't have to do any work so it's kinda nice. I'm a little nervous, but it'll be fine."

Julia Foringer '23

PLAYING THE LOTTO University housing pairs roommates based on compatability

This method is now considered the “old school” method. Going into college and asking for a random is a risky chance. There is the possibility that the random person is a great match and they become a great friend; however, the other possibility is that they are the worst person alive and there is nothing in common at all. Most of the time, though, the worst person alive scenario doesn’t happen. This is the game almost every college student played up until the late 2010s. All of those college graduates turned out just fine and still earned their degrees, even if they hated their freshman roommate.

Another pro to this method is the fact that this is most similar to real life.

College is all about meeting new people and this is a fast way to meet and get to know someone completely different.

11 | features 10 | features

SUNK COST

FALLACY

by Amy Lin

“The sunk cost fallacy: the phenomenon whereby a person is reluctant to abandon a strategy or course of action because they have invested heavily in it, even when it is clear that abandonment would be more beneficial” (Oxford Language).

In simpler terms, the sunk cost fallacy is when someone would rather follow through with something because they have invested so much time, money, or energy - non recoverable resources - into it than to start over with something new, even if the current costs exceed the benefits.

People are not always rational decision-makers and can be influenced by their emotions. Researchers have found a few psychological factors involved in the sunk cost fallacy: Commitment Bias - The tendency to remain committed to past behaviors, especially those that were publicly declared, even if they don’t have desirable or optimal outcomes. This may stem from the need to prove to others and oneself that they are a rational decision maker and do so by showing they are consistent with a certain action or task to show their credibility. Or, it could even come from the need to not let people down, so they remain committed to something because others expect it from them.

Loss Aversion - The tendency to avoid losses because the idea or impact of losing something feels much worse than the impact of gaining something; therefore, people tend to feel safer or better avoiding a clear loss than seeking out an unassured gain.

The Framing Effect - People react differently or make certain choices based on whether something is framed in a negative or positive way. This applies to the sunk cost fallacy because people typically associate following through with something with success. If someone realizes they have been wasting their time and resources on something, they may be hesitant to admit their failures and continue on, even if it may be more beneficial to just stop and move on.

Unrealistic Optimism - Unlike realistic optimists who believe in their own powers to make good things happen, even in challenging times, unrealistic optimists usually think good things will happen on their own without having to put in the work themselves. They tend to think more favorable outcomes will occur for them than others in a similar situation, leading to overestimating the chances of success and underestimating the chances of losing. Someone may continue on with a personal investment because they believe it will be more beneficial for them in the future, even if it would be more plausible to give up due to current circumstances.

Guilt Over Being Wasteful - Some people refuse to give up on something because they feel bad for wasting resources, like time or money, on something that isn’t working out for them, so they continue to stick it out anyway rather than admitting they’ve used up those resources for nothing. They may also not want to appear wasteful to others.

A Sense of Personal Responsibility - If someone has started something, they feel more inclined to finish it; it is difficult to give up on something that they personally decided to invest in and they may feel like they are letting themselves down if they give up. They continue on for the validation that their investment was worth it instead of admitting defeat.

RISKY BUSINESS:

Definition:

The sunk cost fallacy typically clouds an individual's judgment, making them act against their best interests, and can lead to a never ending cycle of poor decision making and wasting resources since they are unable to see if what they are doing will be worth it along with the current alternatives to their situation. It can cause feelings of major guilt and overall unhappiness.

How to Avoid the Sunk Cost Fallacy Be Aware By understanding what the sunk cost fallacy is, individuals can better avoid making irrational decisions, check for cognitive biases, and focus on concrete actions rather than negative feelings.

List Pros/Cons This will help in evaluating whether or not an investment or project is worth continuing.

Think through each action being considered and forget about the resources you have already used as they are not recoverable.

Instead, think of potential gains and losses moving forward.

Set Goals Before starting something new, set goals and track key performance indicators to measure how things are going. Regularly check progress by using a management tool or create a timeline.

Walk Away Walk Away-- Know when to walk away and overcome the fear of letting go or being wasteful. Evaluate any poor outcomes, effects on mental health, opportunity costs, and compromised confidence.

12 | sports

spring time marks the starts of the baseball season both locally and nationally

GREEN VARSITY BASEBALL

NEW MLB RULES

by Davis Stanley

by Nate Carr

As winter gives way to spring, it’s officially time for Green Varsity Baseball. The boys have been on a shaky start to the season, losing their first three away games, but have earned a home opener comeback victory in their first game. In their home opener against McKinley, the boys trailed their opponent by as much as five runs.

Later in the game, left-handed pitcher Nate Carr entered the game for relief. Carr was able to pitch 5.2 innings of relief and hold off McKinley from scoring any runs. Green rallied back and defeated McKinley by one run. Carr said being a lefty pitcher has its advantages.

“The movement is just different. My fastball runs out and my curveball runs into the batters’ hands so it makes it easier to get a lot of groundballs,” Carr said.

Last year, the Bulldogs earned 13 wins and nine losses with the season ending shorter than desired due to a playoff loss to Painesville Riverside. After the three dismal away games this season, the Bulldogs have seemed to reclaim their true form.

The Bulldogs recently defeated the West Geauga Wolverines by seven runs at home and also pulled off an 8-3 victory over Riverside. Senior centerfielder and pitcher Luke Ickes said the team is always adjusting and will continue through the remainder of the season.

“You know those first few away games were just tough. At the beginning of the season, it’s all about establishing a groove and mindset. We’re making the temporary adjustments necessary to succeed and I look forward to the rest of the season,” Ickes said.

The Bulldogs have yet to face the rest of their federal league opponents except for their earlier scheduled McKinley games in which they split. Varsity head coach Jon Wallace expressed his thoughts on the strength of the Federal League.

“The Federal League is very balanced this year. Many of the teams that have struggled in recent years have improved significantly. If we are going to be successful, we will have to bring our "A" game mentally and physically on a nightly basis,” Wallace said.

Third baseman Ryan Harrigle said that the team has changed a lot from last season to this season.

“I am definitely confident and have faith in the team. With the loss of seven seniors, there were many gaps that had to be filled but I am positive we have the players and talent to be just as or better than previous years. The season has not started off ideally, but once we develop and grow as a team I believe we can turn things around and go into the playoffs with confidence,” Harrigle said.

The Bulldogs take on the Marlington Dukes on Friday, April 14 at Green Memorial Field at 5 p.m. Those who can’t make the home game(s) can read the Green Varsity Baseball Briefs located on the Paw Print website or by scanning the QR code below.

GHS BASEBALL SENIOR NIGHT May 6 @ Home vs.

Scan for Green Ellet Varsity Baseball Briefs

Over the offseason, the MLB owners and the Player’s Association agreed to multiple significant rule changes for the 2023 season and beyond. In recent years, the average viewership for regular season games has dropped a staggering amount.

Even in the World Series, baseball’s biggest stage, viewership has dropped a staggering 50 percent from 2016 to 2022, causing league executives to look for ways to engage with new audiences.

“We've conducted thorough and ongoing research with our fans, and certain things are really clear.

Number 1, fans want games with better pace. Two, fans want more action, more balls in play,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

With these changes to the rulebook, it’s clear that the MLB has one goal in mind: to make the game more exciting.

The first rule change for the 2023 season is the addition of the pitch clock, which sets a limit on the time between each pitch. The pitch clock allows the pitcher 15 seconds between pitches and forces the batter to be “alert” to the pitcher with at least eight seconds left on the clock. Violating the pitch clock results in an automatic ball or strike. The rule has already been implemented in Spring Training games, and has shortened the games by almost half an hour on average. Although the pitch clock has been controversial, the reception from players has been largely positive.

“I like it," said Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. "I think you can kind of play around with it a little bit. I think it definitely speeds up the game. Anything that kind of keeps the pitcher moving and on the go, and hopefully keep him out of breath, I'm looking forward to it."

Second, is the banning of defensive shifts. With the rise of analytics in today’s game, the defensive shift has been used more and more in the past decade to better position defenders for each batter. As a result, team batting average and many other offensive statistics across the league were at record low numbers. The new rule requires defenses to have two infielders on each side of the field and all four infielders to have both feet in the infield.

With Opening Day drawing nearer, it remains to be seen whether or not baseball’s new rules will mean a return to form for America’s pastime.

13 | sports

GHS ATHLETES SHARE THEIR

by Kaylie Duskey

SPORTS SUPERSTITIONS From things as simple as the same hairstyle for every game to a complete pregame ritual, many athletes in today’s world have something they need to do to be successful.

These are called superstitions. It is when a person completes a practice or action that they believe is the causation of another action or event that they want to happen. If the practice is not performed, the event that is desired will not happen, according to their beliefs.

Normally in sports, superstitions are ways players can channel some of their nerves by relying on something to be constant. This allows the athlete to calm down and get in the right mindset before their game or match. Here’s a look at some of the wild superstitions GHS’ star athletes do before their big games.

Starting with the first athlete, Senior Makenna Jurkowski is a competitive cheerleader for GHS’ competition cheer team. She has been cheering since the third grade when she picked up her superstition which is to jump before each routine. “I jump up and down three times before the routine starts in order for us to do a good job,” Jurkowski explained. “I don’t even

know why I started it, but I have been doing it for as long as I can remember.” This superstition of hers must be working because she and her team had a recordbreaking year, earning second in the state and seventh in the nation.

Next up on the superstition spectrum, senior Carter Hane is one of GHS’ notable soccer players. He has a rather interesting superstition that has to do with staying hydrated. “I have to drink ten sips of water before warmups and then right before the game I need to drink another ten sips of water,” Hane says. Hane has been playing soccer his whole life, but his superstition didn’t start until high school. Many would think that this would cause a stomach ache, especially with all of that running soccer players do; however, he assures that it really does work. At least his superstition will keep him hydrated for those long games.

The next athlete to have an interesting pregame is senior Jessie McCausland. She is a track superstar who throws for the discus team. Her superstition contains some underlying aspects of OCD where she claims, “I must throw in the order of one

rubber discus, then two metal discs, and then another rubber discus.” She believes if she doesn’t warm up in this order then she will perform poorly in that meet. This ritual dates all the way back to the start of her career in middle school and she still is continuing to do it until her last throw this spring.

The final GHS athlete that puts success in their rituals is junior Luke Janson. He has played baseball for 11 years now and pitches for the high school team. “The one thing I do is when I am pitching and pitching well, no one is allowed to talk to me and I am not allowed to talk to anyone. This is my way of staying focused and locked in on pitching good” Janson described. If anyone talks to him, it is a distraction and he can’t fully focus and continue to pitch well. This is a good mental tactic and if it works, it works.

Now, it’s easy to get caught up in the thought of these little superstitions and rely on them greatly for success. These athletes would be just as talented if they didn’t do these things before their respective match, game, or meet; however, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

LAX TO THE MAX

LEFT: Paige Miller '23

Senior Paige Miller drives at the goal during the Lakewood game. GHS won 15-1.

TOP: Scoring Goals

Miller scored 4 goals and had 3 assists against Lakewood.

BOTTOM: Team Celebration The team celebrates together.

14 | opinion

check out some of the best spots to spend the weekend

RYAN MUELLER

Life- What is it? Why are we here? Do we even have a purpose? Am I going to answer these questions in this article? No, that’s a little too deep for my taste. Aside from an education, we’re here to have fun, but a lot of kids forget that. Students often find themselves stuck in a cycle of school, work, and sports. If you don’t decompress properly on the weekends, life feels like a boring, nonstop loop playing over and over again.

Now just what can you do on the weekends to cure your boredom? I’ve found that city trips with my friends are the most memorable and entertaining. My friends and I have made simple day trips to Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus. As a self-appointed professional in weekend excursions, I’m going to rate these voyages and hopefully spark some ideas for you and your friends on an open weekend.

City trips sound complex and expensive, but in reality, it’s easy and relatively cheap if you can execute correctly. As far as planning goes, you don’t need much. I’ve only planned one city trip more than 24 hours in advance, the city. Did we have plans as to what we were doing? Nope, we just pieced that together on the car ride over.

Pittsburgh was my favorite trip by far. We went to the Carnegie Science Center for a

couple hours; tickets weren't too expensive, and neither was parking. The highlight of the trip was the decision to rent electric scooters.

The beauty of Pittsburgh is that there are hundreds of electric scooters on the streets ready to rent at the push of a button for only $0.23 a minute. Within two hours, one can go around the whole city for less than $30. The only thing you need to look out for are cops, as they aren’t too fond of teens riding past them while they’re trying to arrest a crackhead on the street (I’m speaking from experience here). Also, there’s an IKEA in Pittsburgh, which is great if you and your friends are feeling like being rambunctious in a home goods store or something. Overall, Pittsburgh is a great city to visit, with great entertainment and restaurants. My only complaint is that driving through the city is kind of like driving through Rainbow Road in Mario Kart, so make sure that one of your friend group’s best drivers is behind the wheel. I’d rate my overall experience as a 9/10.

The next city on my list is Cleveland.

Cleveland is great due to its proximity to Green, as it’s only a 45 minute drive. I’ve made quite a few trips to Cleveland with my friends, so I’ll give you some highlights.

My favorite stop in Cleveland is shockingly the art museum, but not for the reason you might be thinking. If you and your friends go to the Cleveland Art Museum later on in the evening, it’s pretty empty, and with the size of the building, it’s the perfect spot for hide and seek. As long as you don’t break anything, the guards don’t care, and you don’t need tickets to get into the museum, leaving $10 parking as the only expense. The Cavs games are great, too; however, with the playoffs starting, it might be a little too expensive for the average

student’s budget, so I’d suggest getting tickets to a Guardians game, as tickets to a day game can be less than $60. If sports aren’t your thing, check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as it offers musical memorabilia for all music lovers to appreciate. As far as food goes, I’d recommend getting food on East 4th street due to its proximity to the stadiums and the wide selection of restaurants. If you’re closer to East Cleveland, I’d first recommend getting out of there as soon as possible for your own safety, but Little Italy is close to the East area, and it’s got some bomb food. I’ve been to Topgolf in Cleveland plenty of times as well, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Topgolf is fun and all; however, with Big Shots now in Akron, there’s no point in going all the way to Cleveland, especially since Big Shots is cheaper. Overall Cleveland gets a 7.5/10.

Last on my list is Columbus. My friends and I went to Columbus for a Future concert over spring break. Tickets weren’t too expensive at $75, but the concert in itself was pretty disappointing. My friends and I stayed in a hotel after the concert, which was pretty cool. Hotel parking wasn’t too bad, being about $20 overnight. Food was decent, but not much was open after the concert except for fast food and a place called Mikey’s Late Night Slice, so we ended up there. The pizza was pretty good, but $6 a slice was a little much. The next day we went to Easton Shopping Center for a few hours, but there wasn’t a whole lot to do there. Overall I’d rate my Columbus experience as a 6.5/10, as it was still fun but not as great as the other cities.

All in all, these trips are memorable, and with your friends it’s kinda difficult to have a bad time.

15 | opinion

ADAPTING TO ADOPTION how my life changed forever

SKYLAR JOHNSON Yeah, I’m adopted and it is both more interesting, and less interesting than people might think. When I was 2 years old, I got officially adopted in a small town in Southern Kentucky.

Before I was adopted, I was in foster care. I don't remember much from this time period. For two of the years in foster care, I was with my now family that adopted me. I am the only adopted person in my family.

I am extremely thankful for my adoptive journey, but I wouldn't be being completely transparent if I said I didn't have my struggles. Growing up, I had a lot of unanswered questions.

“Will any of my biological family ever come back?”

“Did I do something wrong?” “Do my parents love me less because I'm not a biological child?” These are questions I still ask myself sometimes, but these are all questions with no answer. Being adopted is such a weird feeling - you grow up with a lot of unknowns that can feel very heavy. I always joke with my friends that thinking about it too much makes my brain melt. It was always just too much to process. Everyone's always telling me how lucky I am to have found a family that loves me, but I still feel the loss for the family that didn't. When I turned 8, my parents sat me down to have the “you're adopted” talk. I have always known I was adopted, but my parents still had to sit down to tell me as if it was any shock. None of my adoptive family members looked like me, giving me my first biggest clue.

Being adopted is lonely, not because I dont have great people surrounding me, but because no one else knows what it feels like. The pure fear of abandonment is way more common in adoptees than one might think. This fear does follow me around. Trying to explain the feeling to others alway ends up confusing, so I just try to refrain.

When I was younger, I was embarrassed about being adopted; I thought it would make people see me differently. I would tell my mother this, and she had an amazing way of making me feel better about it. She never made me feel different; instead, she made me feel special. As I grew older, I came more to terms with my adoption and did not try to hide it anymore.

Adoption has its pros though, like Gotcha Day. Gotcha Day is basically a second birthday that adoptees celebrate on the day they were adopted. I look forward to this day every year. It feels like a celebration of all the hard truths from the past.

People always ask questions. Most of the time I don’t even know the answer, making the conversation awkward. The question I get asked the most is if I ever wonder about my real parents or if given the chance, would I meet them.

My response is of course I'm curious, but it is nothing I would ever try to act on. I love my adoptive family, blood or not, and seeking that part of myself was never a huge worry for me. I think something people fail to realize is that my parents are my real parents. Humans

always tend to associate child birth with parent relationships, so I can understand the curiosity.

Adoption has shaped my path in life tremendously. I was given a second chance with a good life and family, and hope to pay this forward later on in life.

Although I have felt lonely through this journey, being adopted has made me realize that everyone is dealing with their own situations that they feel lonely in.

16 | caboose

T A E R G THE

GREEN

BRA WL Bob t he

r

o mata o T

Ji

Gourd my m

Larry the Cu cu m be

WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN VEGGIES GO HEAD-TO-HEAD?

by Eric Wolford Veggie Tales has continued to dominate the cinematic industry since its creation in the ‘90s. The show has led the development of children in many ways since its release, and it has pioneered a new way of creating children's tv shows.

Since the show is rather old, many of the children that grew up watching it have gone away to college, started their careers, and more. With this, these people have matured enough to analyze the show at a more interesting level: who would win in a brawl? While this question may be hypothetical and seem useless, it is important to note the intense arguments that have been created because of it. Due to the popularity of the question, I have decided to provide my ideas on the battle royale.

Since Veggie Tales has many characters in it, I will only discuss the top 3 that are in contention for winning the battle royale: Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and Jimmy Gourd. These selections have the most meat on their bones as well as the physical ability to outplay their opponents. These contenders are agreed upon by most, but the winner of this group

is highly disputed.

To begin, Bob the Tomato can be a popular choice in the debate due to his mentality. Bob backs down to almost nobody on the show, leading many people to think he has what it takes.

Senior Ryan “Bungyboi” Mueller has Bob as his undisputed pick.

“Bob? He’s gonna feast on the other vegetables like he’s vegan or something,” Mueller added. Bob is a very valid choice to make, but I believe Bob has a tragic flaw that will prevent him from winning in combat: tomatoes are squishy. Tomatoes are easy to crush, and in combat, that is not the ideal characteristic. There is a reason tomatoes have a strong history of being thrown at people: they splash on impact.

Next, Jimmy Gourd is a safe pick to make for his overarching size on his opponents. This size will allow him to dominate the battlefield and manipulate his opponents in many ways. This size is a great advantage; however, Jimmy Gourd, in my eyes, would not use it to his advantage. Jimmy has a soft personality similar to the one of Fozzie Bear. This

would make him far too frightened to hurt a soul, and dare I say, eliminate him by the first day of battle.

Finally, Larry the Cucumber is a great pick to make, regardless of the popularity. Larry, in his normal state, does not seem like he would do very well; Larry, in his superhero costume, on the other hand, would dominate the gladiator battle. Larry is the indisputable choice when he has his superhero costume on, and for the sake of the argument, he does.

Larry may seem like a fragile vegetable from the surface, but when he enters his alter ego of superheroism, he will destroy.

Veggie Tales has made a great name for itself over the years, and this debate continues the popularity of the show into the next decade. Larry may take the cake in my opinion, but all opinions are valid in this hot topic. While people may not agree who will win in a battle royale, it is safe to say that all sides of the debate can agree that Veggietales has promoted enlightened thinking.