GHS Paw Print Issue 2

FEDERAL LEAGUE: PINCHIN' EVERY PENNY

Students pay $6 for sporting event tickets, and then $1.52 for the processing fee. These are the same prices for the parents, Green residents, and visitors despite none of them going to Green High School. We already pay $80 in fees and $40 for parking- not to mention pay to play, club fees, and lunch fees- per year to attend the school, and then they expect us to pay the same as visitors to attend football, basketball, volleyball, soccer games, etc.

People might be quick to attack Green Bulldog Athletics; however, these prices are not controlled by Athletic Director, Erich Muzi, and his department. The Federal League handles pricing for sporting events across all seven local schools: Green, Jackson, Hoover, Perry, McKinley, Glenoak, and Lake.

Pre-Covid, Green and surrounding high schools had student prices, which were usually a couple dollars less than regular general admission prices. However, once the 2020 football season hit, and there weren’t allowed to be student sections, the Federal League decided on one standard price for all general admission tickets. Since the covid season, the league has yet to bring student prices back to the schools despite having nearly two full- completely packed- football seasons. However, the distribution of profit goes back to the school and the athletic department. None of these profits are to go back to the All Sports Boosters Club at Green.

“When you’re speaking of gate receipts, for instance when a spectator buys a ticket to an event, that money goes right into the Athletic Department, and they're used to cover a variety of costs that we incur from officials, tournament fees, game workers, and then additional money left over is used for all of our teams like equipment and other things they might need throughout the year,” Muzi said.

Despite not being able to make ticket prices, Green Athletics are able to rack in the large majority of the profits from ticket sales. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the school has no control of the ticket options. The school has the ability to create passes and student prices. The school has only a single option when it comes to passes however. The pass is $75 dollars immediately upon purchase, but allows for automatic admission for any sporting event for the entire school year. This includes all sports, and any season. However, these passes allow for entry into home games only. This is because schools make their profit off of home game ticket sales.

The school has plans to add more passes in the coming future. There are plans to add options such as a family pass, a ten game, or five game pass. These would be cheaper options up front than the $75 pass, but wouldn’t include admission to all home games, making it more restrictive. There could be the possibility of more options than those listed.

We could have the option to work passes into student fees, which would allow automatic entry for all high school students. We could have the potential to pressure the Federal League into bringing back student prices. The school could work on student prices with the reworking of other ticket prices, which would include raising the price on general admission for adults, reserved seating, or the visitor tickets. We could have the ability to bring back paper tickets that students can buy during the school day, which would get rid of the processing fee that the online domain forces spectators to pay for.

Although students shouldn't have to pay the same amount for sporting events as parents, spectators, and visitors, we can’t criticize the school for student pricing. The Federal League needs to bring back the option for student pricing instead of depending on the schools to provide passes. Green should, however, provide more cheaper options for students if the league continues to opt out of student prices.

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.

IN CHIEF:

PHOTOGRAPHY: LAUREN STEPHAN

EDITOR:

SUMPTION

MANAGER:

SOPHIA LOGSDON

STAFF:

ERIC WOLFORD

DAVIS STANLEY

VICTORIA SCHLUE

MARKO KULINA

HOPE HOFFMAN

NINA SUMMERS

VIENNA HORVATH

ZACHARY JACOBS

NINA MCANNALLY

AIDEN MORGAN

AMBER BETZ

CATHERINE SMITH

CHASE BORLAND

DANIELLA POTTS

ISABELLA PANDER

IZZY SCOTT

JENNA VENEY

JULES BEYES

KAYLIE DUSKEY

KODY HUNTER

LAUREN LEEMASTER

LAUREN STEPHAN

LAYLA NICKOLAS

LILLIAN BAER

LINDSEY REY

MALLORY GEARHART

NATE CARR

OLIVIA PENNINGTON

PAYTON MACESICH

RHIANA BRUCE

RYAN MUELLER

SELENA SABBAGH

SKYLAR JOHNSON

SOPHIA BALDINGER

TAYLOR MCCARTY

check out the events and activities that took place at GREEN'S ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL Twisted Wilderfest

By Jenna Veney

On October 1, 2022, the fourth annual Twisted Wilderfest was held in collaboration with the Green Arts Council, Twisted Olive Restaurant, and WKDD, located at Southgate Park. This pop-up festival had activities from arts and crafts to music and food that were fun for the entire family.

In Our Town Newsletter, Valerie Wax Carr, Director of Public Service for the City of Green, says, "We’re celebrating nature and makers at this family-friendly community event."

The event featured food vendors including Chick-fil-A, D & M Grille, John’s Gyro King, LeMacaron French Pastries, OG Street Eatz, Southern Thangs, and True Roots BBG. The arts and crafts vendors sold everything from ceramics, jewelry, lotions, and soaps to specialty foods, photography, and clothing, alongside numerous unique crafts. A lot of the activities were very kid-friendly. Carr mentioned the entertainment at the festival was geared toward children. They had performers like Story Time by Miss Brandie and kids’ activities sponsored by KinderCare, a local kids' daycare.

"This year, we’re happy to announce that the very popular hayride is back at Wilderfest," Carr said.

Visitors boarded the hayride to admire the pumpkin patch where the city has grown over 1,000 pumpkins, and they were welcome to purchase one to take home. A Jack-O-Lantern hike was also part of the Wilderfest. The pumpkins that the children had decorated were lit up and lined down the path as a way to show off the kids' creations.

At the festival, people also observed the city's history. Families were welcome to tour the Lichtenwalter Historic School House, a one-room schoolhouse constructed in 1885 that was rebuilt to its specifications following a devastating fire in 2016. It is now fully restored and ready for visitors. Make sure to plan a visit to the Twisted Wilderfest for the next year if you were unable to this year, not to mention that it's a terrific way to welcome in the fall season and honor the city of Green!

Food Vendors

A Moveable Feast

Coffee

fil A John's Gyro

Street

Thangs

TRICKS, TREATS, AND TRAILS

City of Green to host annual Trick or Treat Trail at Central Park

By Lillian Baer

On Saturday, October 15, the city of Green will host its annual Trick-or-Treat Trail at Central Park. The Trick or Treat trail is held around the park where vendors will set up a table. Kids will walk around the park from table to table collecting candy. The event will open to trick-ortreaters around 3 pm. 600 to 800 kids are expected to show up and trick-or-treat. The admission for this event is a personal care item or a non-perishable food item. Local businesses and organizations can send out a representative to put up a treat table and pass out candy.

By attending the Trick or Treat trail, organizations can spread the word about their business and bring in new customers. A costume contest will also be held at this event for various age groups. Starting at 2:15 pm and ending at 2:45 pm, there will be contests held for ages 8 to 12, 4 to 7, and 0 to 3. With the contest, you can show off your costume and win prizes.

Also, new this year is a sensory friendly trail. From 5 pm to 6 pm the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will be hosting this part of the event. The trail will have a quieter

and less crowded environment. This will be a better fit for kids with sensory issues, so they can still enjoy trick-or-treating.

This event is also a great way for students to get involved with the community. Many clubs from GHS will participate in the trick-or-treat trail. Clubs such as Key Club, National Honors Society, and Girls of Green will attend and have a treat table set up. One of the advisors for the National Honors Society, Math Teacher Christine Tierney, said, "It's a good way for the people to get service hours and to be a part of the community."

PHOTO: Chocolates by Erin booth BY: Catherine Smith

PHOTO: Wilted Rose BY: Catherine Smith

PHOTO: So Pheel Mind & Body LLC. BY: Catherine Smith

PHOTO: Flower for sale BY: Catherine Smith

MIDTERM MELECTIONS IDTERM ELECTIONS

Izzy Scott

As November nears, along with it comes election season. This Nov. 8, the 2022 midterm elections will take place across the nation, determining new office holders and policies.

Midterm elections occur every two years, around the halfway point of a president’s four-year term. In contrast to presidential elections, midterm elections focus on both houses of Congress and the political party that controls each one. During midterm elections, all House of Representative seats are up for election, as well as a third of the Senate seats. Currently, the House and Senate are both controlled by the Democratic party; however, this November, according to The Economist, Democrats are expecting an upset in the House with a loss of control and another potential loss in the Senate. The significance of party control within Congress coincides with a president’s political agenda, which consists of what the president hopes to accomplish during his or her time in office, in terms of legislation proposed and passed. It is often very difficult for a president of one party to have a successful term full of approved legislation when the opposing party controls Congress, especially in today's political climate of drastic polarization within our government.

In the United States, voter turnout is typically on the lower side, in regard to the size of this country. In comparison to presidential elections, midterm elections are less popular, less cared about, and less voted in. According to RocktheVote, voter turnout for midterm elections is especially low among young adults, which is concerning. Concerned about low voter turnout in Green, community member Shareen Awadallah helped to plan a registration event.

“I wanted to make sure I was doing my part to get my peers involved in government on a local and national level,” Awadallah said when asked why she wanted to organize this event.

Midterm elections determine new office holders that will make important decisions about the United States' future: a future in which will be lived by the younger generation that tends to neglect the democratic practice of voting.

At Green High School, Social Studies Department Chair Mark Tomecko works to help students get registered to vote. This is important to him, not only as a Government teacher but as a United States citizen, because “what many students (and adults) fail to realize is that Congress, not the President, makes the laws. Therefore, it really does matter who is in Congress'', said Tomecko.

Small turnout results in small groups of citizens, those who do not represent the country’s diversity, making decisions about nationwide issues. This further adds to the issue of lack of representation for minority groups in the United States. In addition, typical election issues relate to minimum wage, education, and housing, which affects young adults more than any other age group in this country. A small number of students at Green High School can vote due to their age; however, those that can are ready to participate in the democratic process, such as student Juliana Barker. “I’m excited because my opinion finally matters,” Barker said, as this will be her first time voting. This is why it’s important to increase awareness and knowledge of midterm elections among high school students and young adults.

In Summit County, Ohio, the ballot consists of many offices that will be voted on. This list includes some, but not all.

Treasurer of State: Scott Schertzer (D) and Robert Sprague (R)

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice: Jennifer Brunner (D) and Sharon L. Kennedy (R)

Justice of Ohio Supreme Court: 1. Terri Jamison (D) and Pat Fischer (R)

2. Marilyn Zayas (D) and Pat DeWine (R)

U.S. Senator: Tim Ryan (D) and JD Vance (R) Write ins: John Cheng, Matthew R. Esh, Stephen Faris, Shane Hoffman

Representative to Congress (13th district): Madison Gesiotto Gilbert (R) and Emilia Sykes (D)

State Senator (27th district): Patricia Geotz (D) and Kristina D. Roegner (R)

Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Nan Whaley, Cheryl Stephens (D) and Mike Dewine, Jon Husted (R)

Attorney General: Jeff Crossman (D) and Dave Yost (R)

State Representative (32nd District): Matt Shaughnessy (D) and Bob Young (R)

ISSUES

Although midterm elections can be centered around nationwide issues, each state focuses on issues specific to their state. Here, in Ohio, there will be two issues on the 2022 ballot. The first issue proposes that courts are required to consider factors, such as public safety, when setting a bail amount. The second issue proposes to prohibit the local governments of Ohio to allow non–electors to vote. This means those who are not eligible to vote in state elections can not vote in local elections either. Both issues need a majority yes vote to pass. If passed, both of these issues would be effective immediately.

ARTISTS COMING TO AOHIO RTISTS COMING TO OHIO

by Rhiana Bruce

There are many concerts coming to Ohio over the next few months. Artists like DaBaby, Anne-Marie, Paramore, and more have Ohio on their tour schedule. While there are many notable performances in the upcoming months, only some of the most prominent artists will be spotlighted. The first show will take place on Nov. 1, rapper DaBaby. He has had a lot of successful songs in the past, and has 14 Billboard Hot 100’s. DaBaby’s number one song “Rockstar” featuring Roddy Rich hit number one on the UK charts. This concert will take place at Bogart’s Music Venue in Cincinnati, Ohio, and will begin at 6:30 pm.

The next concert being performed is Mary J. Blige featuring Ella Mai and Queen Naija Mary J. Blige released an album called “No More Drama”, which debuted her only number-one hit song on the Billboards Top 100, “Family Affair”. The concert will be hosted at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Center, on Oct. 19 at 7:30 pm.

Paramore, the next upcoming concert creating rock hits since 2004, and 2015 grammy winner for “the best rock song”, will give enough time to prepare for and get tickets because it is not until November 11th, and is being hosted at The Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio at 7:30 pm.

Another concert to see is Anne-Marie, famous for her number one hit song “Friends” featuring Marshmello on the UK Singles Chart. Her concert will be hosted at the Newport Musical Hall in Columbus, Ohio and starts at 7:00 pm. Finally, Carrie Underwood performing with Jimmie Allen. Carrie Underwood released her song “Before He Cheats”, which became the first country song ever to sell over two million digital copies, and was the best-selling country song of all time. They’ll be performing at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 4, 2023, at 7:30 pm. All of these artists are coming to Ohio to perform their top hits and entertain the people interested.

CONCERT CALENDAR

Oct. 19

Mary J. Blige with Ella Mai, and Queen Naija Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Center @7:30pm

Nov. 11 Paramore

The Andrew J Brady Music Center @7:30pm

Dec.03 Anne-Marie Newport Musical Hall @7pm

Mar.04

Carrie Underwood with Jimmie Allen Nationwide Arena @7:30

NEW NMUSIC EW MUSIC IN IOCTOBER N OCTOBER

by Layla Nickolas

October will be bringing some new music albums to start off the fall season. Oct. 14 and Oct. 21 will be some notable days for six mainstream artists such as Lil Baby, Nessa Barrett, Ashe Rae, Meghan Trainor, Arctic Monkeys, and Taylor Swift.

The popular American rapper known for one of his big hits "Drip Too Hard", Lil Baby will be releasing "It’s Only Me", his third studio record. The album is about Lil Baby today and four other stages of his life. In addition, Nessa Barrett’s new album "Young Forever" featuring "Die First", which has been trending on social media, will be her second album release. It is about her personal struggles with mental health and dealing with relationships. It will have 13 tracks. Ashe Rae will also be releasing "Rae", her second album record with Mom + Pop Music, an independent record label in New York City. The album will be about feminine liberation, celebration, and confidence. These three albums will be released on Oct. 14.

Meghan Trainor will be taking the spotlight back with her new album "Takin’ it Back". It will be about her journey of being a mother and learning how to feel confident about her body due to all of the scarring and physical changes that came with the pregnancy. Additionally, the Arctic Monkeys are releasing their seventh studio album. It will be called "The Car" and have 10 tracks. The indie rock band started in 2002 but still remains popular today. They are known for their song "505" which was released in 2007.

Lastly Taylor Swift will be releasing her new album "Midnights", which she announced at the MTV Video Music Awards after winning the Video of the Year award for her "All Too Well" short film. The album will have 13 tracks about 13 sleepless nights throughout her life. These last three albums will be released on Oct. 21.

Ashe Rae - Rae

Meghan Trainor - Takin it Back

PHOTO: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio By: Forbes

NEWS IN BRIEF

by Lindsey Rey

LOCAL

The City of Green has recently joined Power A Clean Future Ohio. On September 13, 2022, council members at the Green City Council meeting unanimously voted to come up with a way to better our environment. Power A Clean Future Ohio is a coalition and campaign designed to work with communities on making clean energy solutions. This benefits the prosperity of the residents, the environment, and the economy. Terry Hogan, Living Green Task Force chair says, “Local governments have a unique opportunity to promote and provide awareness around clean energy.” Power A Clean Future Ohio, also known as PCFO, is working with leaders of our community and the Living Green Task Force by implementing the best practices possible in buildings and facilities, land use and transportation planning, and economic and community development in the City of Green. Councilperson Jeff Noble, who serves as Council Liaison to the Living Green Task Force, publicly states: “Becoming a Power a Clean Future Ohio community connects us with other communities that are doing similar work, giving us the ability to create a network and communicate about best practices.” Celebrating its 10th year, the Living Green Task Force has already put into effect many initiatives to support positive energy practices.

STATE

In Columbus, Ohio, Akron Children’s Hospital is facing backlash online for providing transgender youth health care. The hospital provides hormone blockers and counseling services to transgender youth. However, Akron Children’s Hospital temporarily removed the gender-affirming component from its website after receiving complaints. According to a spokesperson for Akron Children’s Hospital, citizens retaliated against the hospital in the form of “harassment, intimidation and the intentional spread of misinformation.” The harassment began when a popular Twitter account posted a news story about the hospital providing these specific services. Chaya Raichik, the owner of the Twitter account, told the Washington Post that her team “100% condemns any acts/threats of violence.” On the other hand, Akron Children’s Hospital’s security team is aware of the negativity and publicly stated, “We proudly stand behind the work of our program and providers.” The hospital will continue to provide transgender healthcare but will closely observe situations regarding so.

NATIONAL

Hurricane Fiona has left families completely devastated in Puerto Rico, with forecasters warning the massive hurricane will be a “historic storm for eastern Canada” next. Neighborhoods have been left underwater, main roads and bridges are in shambles, and peoples’ homes are in ruins. Southern Puerto Rico has received 12-20 inches of rain, while the north was hit with 4-12 inches. Several more inches of rain fell days after the storm, and the flooding is becoming worse every day. More than 900,000 citizens have no access to power, and hundreds of thousands are unable to find a source of clean water. Experts fear that once they are able to discover how much damage is actually done, they believe the economy is going to be hit with a multibillion-dollar catastrophe. On a more positive note, the Puerto Rico National Guard has saved many lives and is continuing to do so. As of September 19, 2022, 80 citizens have been rescued from unsafe living conditions. Also, President Joe Biden stated on Sept. 22 that he has approved “100%” federal funding to cover the island’s storm response over the next month. Puerto Rico communities are heavily affected by all of the damage done but are trying to stay positive during this hard time.

Heard in the Halls

“I think my mom just followed me on tik tok.”

“This isn’t real life like am I real?”

“You kind of look like Steve from Minecraft.”

“My old school had litter boxes in their bathrooms ”

“Narcolepsy makes soup your biggest enemy. ”

“My dad is a hoarder.”

“I thought you put your dog down weeks ago ”

IMPORTANCE OF SELF ICARE MPORTANCE OF SELF CARE

see how self care can affect your mental and physical health

by Sophia Logsdon & Amber Betz

From running at six in the morning to relaxing with a good book, there are multiple ways to indulge in self care. Self care has been proved to be beneficial for mental health. The stigma against mental health has decreased over the years and the use of self care as a form of therapy has drastically increased. According to Mental Health First Aid, having a steady self care routine has been clinically proven to help anxiety and depression. Self care helps to create healthy habits that lead to a better mental health. In America, self care has been shown to improve self confidence, productivity, and overall happiness. Mental illness has tripled since Covid-19.

Self care can also lead to better physical health. Physical activity promotes brain activity, which helps the brain cope with stressful situations. Staying active allows the body to adapt to stressful situations. Physical Activity also helps to build a better immune system. Physical wellness goes hand in hand with mental wellness. Doctors and therapists often recommend physical activity for those who struggle with mental illness.

For Junior Isabella Conrow, who is a strong advocate for mental health, self care is a main part of her life. ¨I think of 3 main things for myself. One physical self care, which for me is going to the gym, weight lifting is something I enjoy doing alone and relieves stress and anxiety from the day. Also yoga. Which brings me to my next thing, spirituality, when I do yoga I feel connected to my Self. Lastly, mentally self care.¨

It's important to set boundaries when doing self care activities. Taking the time to yourself and setting a schedule to do self care activities is beneficial to creating healthy habits. Burnout, or a form

SELF CARE TIPS:

Emotional:

Find what you like doing best and make time for yourself to do it, take time for yourself regularly, practice positive affirmations, and writing in a journal about your feelings or thoughts.

Physical:

Join local gyms, find at home workouts on youtube or in magazines, track your fitness on fitness apps to watch your progress.

Intellectual:

Doing puzzles or other mind trick games to make you think hard, join a school club, reading books or an online article you are interested in, or talk to someone new.

of extreme mental and physical exhaustion, is common when stress and anxiety are prevalent; therefore, ensuring there is a certain time every week, or even day can prevent burnout.

According to Mental Health Consultant for GHS, Jessica Kraus, self care isn´t always easy but it is very helpful. ¨Sometimes selfcare is learning to say no to the things that don’t give us joy. We sometimes get in the habit of doing activities, sports, or classes because that’s what we’ve always done. We can also get trapped in to saying yes thinking we are being helpful to others. Saying yes to often can then add undue stress. It is so important to have a healthy balance in your life...Self care Starts with you evaluating and putting your self first¨

Not only does self care better oneself, but it also helps us to better understand others’ struggles and how to help them. Understanding how to help people with mental illness can make people feel more included. Life is stressful and there will always be situations that cause us to be distressed. As we are expected to work with many groups of people, stress can increase and there may be a need to recharge. Life is stressful and there will always be situations that cause us to be distressed.

Mental health issues have been increasing as the years go on. Self care is not an end all be all, especially with mental illness is rapidly growing. There are people everywhere struggling. If you are struggling, you are not alone. Preventing mental illness can be hard and sometimes impossible but engaging in self care helps to care for those unwanted thoughts. If you or someone you know needs help, reach out.

Call or Text the Suicide Hotline: 988

Spiritual:

Learn about other religions to be open-minded and more understanding, use your beliefs in your everyday life, and find events and groups to join that fit best for your beliefs.

Financial:

Ask your bank about good account options for you, find out if your bank has tools to help track your money, find programs to help you plan for the future.

Social:

Look for clubs to make friends, keep an open mind with meeting new people, keep track of when you need to keep up with a friend or family member, and make a calendar and schedule times to be with others.

Environmental:

Find outdoor activities that make you happy, make a schedule to clean up around your house/room, look online or in stores for ideas to create a comfortable environment for yourself, and look for clean up volunteer events.

Occupational:

Research careers/occupations that would suit you and you would enjoy, make sure your schedule lets you have time to do activities you enjoy, and when you aren't happy with something at work make sure you bring it up so it can be fixed.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF FASHION WITHIN A FAST-PACED WORLD

By Lauren Leemaster

The foundation of the fast fashion industry relies on three main components: cheap textiles, affordable labor, and steadfast demand.

The most common textiles used in fast fashion include cotton and polyester. While polyester is derived from oil, cotton requires copious amounts of water and pesticides. The environmental predicament lies within the makeup of each textile. Both options, when disposed of, contain toxic chemicals and microplastics that leach into the soil. “Once these microplastics enter the soil, they are ingested by animals and bioaccumulate, working their way back up the food chain”, says science teacher and Environmental club advisor Carrie Wagar. These carcinogenic substances put both human and animal health at risk with high chances of ingesting toxic metals. Likewise, when microplastics are discharged into marine biomes, they not only compromise the health of the ecosystem but also deplete viable drinking water.

After textiles have been cultivated, they are transported to a textile and garment factory. These factories are typically unregulated, with workers earning low wages and operating under dangerous conditions. Those working in a garment factory are at high risk for lung disease, cancer, and endocrine damage due to the extended to chemicals. During

Likewise, many clothing manufacturers fall short when it comes to being transparent during this step of the production process. As a result, disasters such as the Rana Factory collapse in Bangladesh occur, which killed 1134 Bangladeshi workers in 2013.

However, the rapid production of clothing would not be warranted without a proper motive. With the rise of social media and industrialization, the fast fashion industry has a fixed audience with limitless demands and ideas for new clothing items. In the fashion world, there are approximately 52 microtrends a year. Each week brings a new concept, new colors, and, most importantly, requires new garments to be made. Within the past 30 years, garment production has increased by 400%, deeming it the second largest contributor to pollution. Society fuels the fire that we refer to as fast fashion. As a result, clothing is being perceived as disposable. The average American disposes of 80 pounds of clothing annually, equating to 3.8 billion pounds nationally. Comparatively, 80 billion new garments are purchased each passing year on a global scale. The “disposable” perspective elicits the need to continue to produce clothing despite the fact that the item was not damaged and still wearable.

Fast fashion products make up the majority of what surrounds us at stores. Only purchasing sustainably sourced goods is fictitious, for ethical fashion comes with a price tag that is not always attainable. However, it is not hopeless. Promoting environmental justice when it comes to fast fashion does not require a drastic lifestyle change. Simply buying higher quality items that will last longer can leave a lasting impact on the environment. Thrifting and shopping second-hand are creative eco-friendly options. “I like going to Village Discount and Goodwill.”, says Juliana Garza, a senior at GHS. Mending old clothing also allows consumers to stretch out a garment's lifespan. Simple changes such as slowing consumption habits can make a difference as well.

According to GHS senior Benjamin Pine, he only purchases a new clothing item about “once every two months.”

The next time you find yourself at the store, try taking a minute to slow down in our fast paced world.

The Lifecycle of a Cotton T-Shirt

Cotton seeds are planted, grown, and harvested by machinery The growing process for cotton requires a large amount of water and pesticides In fact, cotton surpasses pesticide and insecticide use in comparison to any other crop Likewise, while organic cotton exists, it only accounts for 1% of the 22.7 million metric tons of cotton harvested annually (1 metric ton = 2204 62lbs)

Cotton puffs get treated

After being harvested, the cotton puffs get compressed into 225kg bales that are transported to the textile mill There, the bails get spun, dyed, and doused in chemical treatments for longevity.

Textiles become garments

The textiles then get sent to a factory where thousands of laborers sew, mend, and manipulate the fabric into a t shirt. In its entirety, the average t shirt requires 2700 liters of water during the production process; that’s the equivalent to 2 5 years of drinking water

To Donate to Slow Factory's efforts to restore balance for humans and nature through systematic regenerative design, open education, and narrative change.

EXAMINING ETHE XAMINING THE TRENDS TRENDS OF OF

Kaylie Duskey and Ryan Mueller provide their opinions of

As we are now in the heart of the fall season, there are tons of trends and traditions that help us get into the fall spirit. There are some that are definitely in this season, and there are some that are just not in at all. Here is my personal opinion of what I think is in and out this season.

Pilsbury Pumpkin Print Sugar Cookies I don’t know about everyone else, but I just discovered these cookies last Halloween season on Tiktok and I have never been more excited for something to come back into season. They are definitely in this year. Their itty bitty size and happy pumpkin print makes these cookies a delectable treat in the fall. You can eat these raw or cooked, making them the easiest spooky snack.

Dog Costumes Cute dogs are already in and always will be, but imagine them all dressed up in a costume. From mailmen to princesses, dog costumes have been growing in popularity these past few years and I am here for it. People are now dressing up with their dog making it an even cuter collab.

Shackets - Sherpa Jackets, Shackets, are the new fall essential in a woman's wardrobe. The jacket doesn’t provide enough warmth and isn’t all that cute. A sherpa is a large piece of clothing to wear and you can only really wear it in more extreme conditions, not the fall. Which is why the shacket is the perfect compromise, while still being adorable.

Tootsie Rolls - I have not met one person that gets excited when they see a tootsie roll in their trick-or-treat bag. They are just not good. They are sticky and sometimes half opened or deformed. The majority of society would agree that the chocolate taffy is just mid at its finest. Tootsie rolls are out this year.

Devil/Angel Costume - Basic. Basic. Basic. That is the only word that describes this overused duo costume. Have some creativity. Every year, someone always does the devil or angel costume and we are stuck looking at the same devil horn headband and angel wing backpack.

Bumpy/Wartlike Pumpkins - I personally never want to touch these. Speaking for myself, even though I know they don’t have a disease I am convinced they have a disease. They just look gross. You can’t carve them. Some of the bumps are even green and white like literal bacteria. Not my favorite type of pumpkin to say the least.

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

THE TUPCOMING HE UPCOMING HALLOWEEN HALLOWEEN what is trendy and what is overrated this Halloween season

We’re now in the full swing of Fall and Halloween is right around the corner. Some might consider many aspects of the Fall aesthetic to be overused, bland, and cringe worthy. I believe those people to be correct to a certain extent. I’m here to tell you what I would consider in or out for the Fall season.

RYAN'S IN'S

Apple picking Going to an apple orchard in the fall is the pinnacle of Autumn excitement. Getting to pick your own apples and buy fresh apple cider is hands down one of the best ways you could spend a day in Fall. Consider all of the great things you could make with your freshly picked apples, like baking an apple pie, or making an apple crisp dessert.

Caramel Apple Suckers - These are great, and they will continue to be a staple for the Fall season. They have a certain type of vibe to them. When one thinks of candy in the fall, they think of your average trick or treat candy and candy corn. These suckers are almost in their own category, I’d take one over an actual caramel apple simply because they’re more practical to eat.

The Dahmer series - With Halloween coming up, Netflix has released a TV series on notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. This series is perfect for the upcoming spooky season. The unsettling documentary instills a creepy feeling amongst viewers as the leaves begin to change. As of now, IMDb critics give this show an 8.4/10 rating, making it a must-watch for fans of the horror genre.

RYAN'S OUT'S

Pumpkin spice lattes If you pay more than $6 for a daily cup of coffee to begin with, make better choices. If you pay even more for a fake processed pumpkin flavored coffee, you should seek help. Pumpkin spice is great in baked goods, they add some nice fall, savory flavors to otherwise sweet dishes. I draw the line at adding it to my coffee. The already bitter flavor of coffee doesn’t need more dark and nutty flavors. These reasons are why I would recommend adding a nice apple flavor to your coffee this Fall.

Candy Corn - This stuff is simply disgusting. A flavor profile of pure sugar with hints of wax. While they may fill in some space and add some nice color to a kitchen with some Fall decor, you’ll notice at the end of the season that the bowl is still full after almost two months. No right-minded individual over the age of nine can look me seriously in the eyes and tell me these stale tasting cavity creators are actually good.

by Michael Jackson - This song is great, no doubt about it. However, I don’t want to see it at the top of your “spooky season” playlist.

song is just simply overused come Autumn. It's a nice Halloween song, but I don’t want to hear it anytime I walk into a store or restaurant from the end of September until mid November.

“Say

NEW KIDS ON THE NBLOCK EW KIDS ON THE NBLOCK EW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

new students at GHS recount their interesting experiences

by Daniella Potts

Transitioning to a new school, experiencing culture shock, and adjusting to the lifestyle of Green High School teenagers can be intimidating. This is what three new senior girls have gone through this past year, with the memories of their unique pasts in the back of their mind. These are the stories of their lives and the change that they’ve undergone.

SAVANNAH DEEL

Sitting at home from 8 am to 12 pm for eight years, she experienced what everyone else did during the Covid-19 lockdown magnified. Senior Savannah Deel switched to online school in 3rd grade and stayed there until this year, her senior year. “I didn’t want to miss out on the high school experience… the cliche stuff like dances and making friends and having them pick you up after school,” she said. Her only knowledge about high school was from movie favorites, like “Mean Girls” and “Clueless”. “It was mostly things that didn’t happen that was surprising… seeing kids not being shoved into lockers I guess,” she said. When Deel was homeschooled, she lived in an online world. Her hobbies mostly included the internet because it’s what she knew. “Being homeschooled, they don’t offer the same things that public schools do like the clubs or sports… I mostly spend my time online, so my hobbies include playing games with friends or social media,” she said. For her future goals, Deel wants to be independent and in control after being stuck inside for her entire life. Most people can understand and relate to what she means after experiencing what it’s like to be online during Covid.

EMMA SCHOPPMANN

The decision to become a foreign exchange student may seem daunting to some, but the senior German student Emma Schoppmann pounced on the opportunity. “My dad told me about a girl who did it… and I was like woah, I really want to do that. I really wanted to experience the school spirit and American way of life,” Schoppman said. Her excitement towards school spirit worked well with her musical abilities, as she joined the marching band to bring both of her favorite things together. Emma is currently a saxophone player in the marching band, chanting the chants and playing stand tunes every Friday night. “I started music when I was a little child because my siblings and mother do music, my whole family does it. I basically grew up doing music,” she said. When she lived in Germany, she would hang out with her friends after school, listen to music, and sometimes even make music with them. However, her future aspirations are about another passion. “I really want to live on the run for a while and just travel, and I will do anything to make that possible,” she said. This explains why she was so eager to do the exchange program!

MAGGIE LIU

After living in China, South Dakota, and Ohio, Maggie Liu has experienced many different ways of life. Up until 3rd grade, she went to elementary school in China, then transferred to a school in South Dakota, and moved to Green as a senior. Her memories of each place still linger. “When I was really small, my friends and I would catch tadpoles in water bottles to keep them as pets,” she said. She also talked about the fountain parks in China, where she would go with her friends and play in the water. However, Liu’s memories of South Dakota are very different. “There were a lot of truck pits, people did course races, and a lot of people would ride their motorcycles to the circus rallys,” she said. Her time in both places was spent mostly working in her parents' restaurant though. Liu’s future goal is to major in Forensics and build a better future for herself. However, she doesn’t dislike working in a restaurant. “In the restaurant, you’ll build a relationship with the people who come in.” she said. Once she earns her degree, Liu plans on moving somewhere close to many cities because she enjoys spending her time in the supermarkets and shops.

Comic Sans Georgia Chelsea Sans

Times New Roman

by Payton Macesich

Covered by your Grace Creepster

One of the first things we do when we open a blank document is change the font. It’s such a simple yet satisfying touch that can complete the writing. Google Docs has quite a few options to choose from, to suit various topics and styles. This makes your font decision a personal one. Believe it or not, the font you choose to use can say quite a bit about you. The fonts add a personality to the typed characters that can resemble your own.

Calibri

Clearly, you don’t have much initiative. I mean, no one really likes Arial, it's just the default font. It’s even worse if you keep it at 11 pt size. You’re a pretty dry person with not much to offer.

A classic font for a classic individual. You think you’re sophisticated, refined, better than the rest, but to be honest you’re actually pretty basic. It’s a nice choice, a classy font, but it’s the MLA font. Just because the English department likes it, doesn’t make it the intelligent choice.

There’s a lot that a person could say about anyone who would choose this font… A complete lack of taste is what first comes to mind. Unless it’s the welcome sign to your kindergarten classroom, this font just shouldn’t be used. Comic Sans is disgraceful.

Bree Serif

If you use Bree Serif, you are a concise, opinionated person. It’s a very clear, legible font with a boldness to it that you have within yourself. You know what you believe in and you aren’t afraid to let everyone know what you’re thinking. This font is reserved for only the most confident, outspoken individuals. It’s spooky season… and you’re into it.

You’re an upbeat go-getter, ready to take on anything that comes your way. People like to be around you because of your positivity, but they are also a tad intimidated by your ambition. You also may have a bad habit of using big words to sound smarter, but you don’t really know what they mean or even what you’re talking about for that matter.

The name of this font is a bit deceptive because it is not used by the average person. You are most likely creative but also a bit of a perfectionist, so you want your writing to appear very even and blatant. Average’s lettering is also a bit smaller and thinner, hinting that you may be a touch of an introvert. You like Times New Roman, but you see the conceived lack of originality that comes along with it, so you went a different route because you yourself aren’t quite like the rest.

You’re duller than dull. You might as well have stuck with Arial because at least you’d have an excuse for why you used such a bland font, but in choosing Calibri, you actually went out of your way to choose its slightly more compact, but just as boring, cousin.

You’re the responsible one of the group. You like to have fun, but you also keep in mind deadlines, practicality, and maintaining order. You aren’t necessarily a buzzkill; you’re just not the life of the party.

Cool, calm and collected: you are a chill, level-headed person with just an overall good vibe about you. You don’t bother anyone, and no one bothers you. You’re living worry free.

You have an elegant, but mysterious way about you. You probably sit quietly in the back of a class drawing flowers and woodland creatures in your notebook instead of taking notes. You come off as standoffish, but once people get to know you, you are actually quite personable.

Shadows Into Light

You’re a bit uptight; try switching to Verdana.

You are very kind and moral, but not very sensible. You had good intentions when choosing this font, trying to make the words look pretty and dainty, but it just isn’t easy to look at, and honestly just seems like you’re trying too hard. A for effort, though!

MR. GEOFFREY MTHACKER R. GEOFFREY MTHACKER R. GEOFFREY THACKER

staff spotlight

by Nina Mcannally

This year marks History Teacher Geoffrey Thacker eighteenth year working at Green High school. He teaches American History, Ap Psychology, Psychology, and Sociology. Mr. Th degree in Education from the University of Akron.

National A License in Soccer and has been professionally issue’s staff spotlight because of his engaging teaching style and his humorous personality.

Q. If you could be in any other profession, what would it be?

A. I probably would have gone into Psychology was when I was growing up just because you can do anything with that. But I also think Public Speaking would be fun. There w wanted to be a professional clown.

Q. Do you have a favorite class you teach?

A. Ap Psych is probably my favorite just because it’s newer after you teach the same thing for 10 years it gets boring.

Q. Do you have an embarrassing teaching moment you could share?

A. Probably the most embarrassing is doing the Soulja Boy at one of the pep assemblies once.

Q. What are some of your hobbies outside of school?

A. I love being a dad and I love playing with my kids, other than that reading, I like to travel, and I like extreme sports. I really wanna go bungee jumping but my wife told me I’m not allowed.

Q. What aspect of teaching raises the most difficulties for you?

A. Since I’ve been doing this longer, now I think it’s harder to meet kids where they are. And I think that’s because I finally feel like an adult. I have trouble identifying with kids and that just started last year.

Q. Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

A My mentor. My highschool government teacher. He was also my soccer coach. He was the one who really motivated me to do it. But my mother was a teacher as well.

Q. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve experienced?

A. I think just different conversations I’ve had with random people. You know I mean like going to other countries you can’t beat that because it’s just something that you’ve never seen and then talking to those people like at a human level. But you can find that here as well because there's different people that live different ways here. So overall, just different people and how no matter how different they are we’re all the same. People have crazy stories if you are willing to listen.

Q. What was your high school experience like?

A. I liked being my own person. I used to go to thrift stores to buy a bunch of clothes that I’d rip apart and put back together, make my own clothes. I had my lip pierced and I had four earrings. If people made fun of me, it wasn’t like I cared. It was attention and any attention is good attention in a way.

Q. What do you think is the key to success?

A. Appreciating everything in something or something in everything.

SPEED ROUND

Q. What is your favorite band?

A. Today it’s Milky Chance.

Q. If you could rewatch a movie for the first time, what movie would it be?

A. The Goonies

Q. Are you more of a coffee or tea person?

A. Coffee

Q. Do you have a favorite book?

A. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Q. Describe yourself in two words.

A. Happy and strange.

FRIDAY NIGHT FSTARS RIDAY NIGHT STARS

meet some of your very own Green Bulldogs

by Olivia Pennington

Current junior, Zach Baglia, makes headway as one of the Bulldogs' starting wide receivers. Baglia holds himself to a certain standard, after commenting, “Since starting football my mental state has changed and I've started paying attention to more things in depth." Baglia’s favorite part of football is scoring touchdowns, and also the buildup to the game. Baglia has experience running track and competes in the 4 x 100meter and 4 x 200-meter relay races. Devante Adams, Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver, is Baglia's inspiration. Baglia mentions, “I wear #13 because it’s Odell Beckham Jr´s number, and because I just think it’s a cool number.” After high school, Baglia’s dream is to attend The Ohio State University to continue his football career.

Michael Schaal, a sophomore at GHS, makes strides in his football career as he continues in the 2022 season for the Bulldogs. Schaal says, “My biggest accomplishment was beating Massillon in the regional finals last year.” He continues working hard to maintain the reputation of the successful 2021 team. Schaal stays busy working out and staying in shape to not only help himself but his teammates as well. Schaal's teammate and good friend, Wyatt Knowlton, said, “He plays at a fast pace and plays hard. He plays FOOTBALL, he brings the energy.” Schaal states, “My biggest inspiration would probably be Jacob Reed, he was a dawg all throughout the year, even with the injury.”

Robby Klockner is a first year student at Green High School; however, this season will mark his 11th year playing football. Klockner said, "To prepare for games I watch film on my own, and we watch it as a team. I also watch Tom Brady highlights." Klockner has experience playing baseball, volleyball, and CYO basketball. His teammates would describe him as a leader and very trustworthy. Klockner wears #19 because it was his dad and grandfather’s football number in college. After high school, Klockner wants to attend Walsh University and major in biology. His end goal is to become a dermatologist.

Representing number 23 is kicker Eli Noirot. He started his kicking career at the beginning of his junior year. Noriot mentions that his greatest athletic accomplishments are playing as Green's starting kicker and his memorable kick that secured Green their monumental win over Massillon during the 2021 playoffs. Noirot also plays soccer and runs track. Noirot mentions, “My hardest struggle is balancing football and soccer and trying to find time for both.” Noirot noted, “My biggest inspiration is my father, but if I had to pick someone that's not my family, it would be Justin Tucker." Fellow teammate, Haden Miller, described Eli as "loyal, reliable, and trustworthy." Eli wears #23 because it was his dad’s college football number. His goals for the future are to kick at the collegiate level and major in business.

ON FRIDAYS HE WEARS PINK

by Taylor McCarty

As many know, Mr Brooke is always wearing a neon pink shirt on Friday nights while coaching on the sidelines. Many wonder, why this color? Why is it so repetitive? Does he wear the same pink shirt back to back Friday nights? Why do coaches Bostic and Peatrick wear green and orange? To answer the questions all are asking, Mr Brooke has confirmed that, “A few of us on the coaching staff wear neon shirts and we wear them so the players are able to get the signal.” To expand on that, he says,”We run a no huddle offense, so we function without huddling, and we move pretty quick, and wearing that bright shirt allows the players to find me quicker and get the call.”

Without much knowledge of football, one can understand this is created for our athletes to be able to see Coach Brooke quicker, rather than wasting time in a huddle. Students asked Coach Brooke, “Why are you wearing pink? Everyone else is wearing black or white.” Coach Brooke enjoys wearing the pink color, and believes it stands out compared to the other colors. Some students thought he was wearing this for breast cancer awareness.

Coach Peatrick wears orange because a former coach that was at GHS last year wore this color, Coach Mashburn. Coach Mashburn was the offensive line signal caller. Coach Peatrick kept this up, since our players were familiar with it.

RUNNING TOWARDS THE RTITLE UNNING TOWARDS THE TITLE

by Mallory Gearhart

As September comes to an end, the boys cross country team continues to sprint at full speed. The boys have placed top three in a majority of their meets with stand out runners who have placed almost every time. An example of a GHS star runner is senior Theo Papas. Papas is determined to finish strong this season and beat his PR of 15:40. Theo’s goals include breaking 15:00 for a 5k and placing top three in a state meet. Spiro, Theo’s twin brother, also shares the same goals. The Papas brothers are continuously fighting for the best runner title at GHS, both making it to states during the 2021 season. Theo and Spiro are both thankful for all of their coaches and past upperclassmen who shaped them to who they are today. The twins believe hard work and determination, in anything, is key to success.

“I just work hard and things will eventually fall

into place,” Theo Papas said.

In the 2021 season, the boys finished fifth out of seven teams in the federal league. One of the teams who placed higher than the Bulldogs in the league were the Jackson Polar Bears, who were the league champions. Last year's crew included Spiro Papas, Theo Papas, Josh Henry, Edgar San Jose, Jordan Rinehardt, Ben Pine, Michael Elsass, and Brady Rychlick.

“With the loss of only one senior, we hope to run away with success in the Federal League of the 2022 season.” Edgar San Jose said.

The team has attended two invitationals so far, receiving first at East Canton and third at Wooster. The Varsity runners consist of Eric Dando, Josh Henry, Edgar San Jose, Michael Elsass, Connor McAvinue, and Spiro & Theo Papas. The Bulldogs are on a strong start to becoming more successful than last year.

“Those bears are ours this year!” Edgar San Jose said.

Junior Edgar San Jose varsity runner, is looking forward to trying his hardest to improve his skills in the 2022 season.

“Practices are harder than last year, but I am willing to push myself as long as it makes me a better runner overall.” San Jose said.

San Jose has been a runner since second grade, and really fell in love with the sport at age eleven.

Edgar is a top runner at Green High school, and is a 3 letter winner for the Green Bulldogs cross country team. Some of his goals include making it to the state meet, reaching 16:30 individually, and getting top 5 under 16:40 as a team.

“I know my goals are high, but with hard work, my team and I are able to conquer anything,” San Jose said.

Mr. Brooke at the Green vs. Louisville game.

PHOTO BY: Michelle Herdlick

BOYS SOCCER OVERVIEW

by Kody Hunter

The Green Bulldogs Boys Varsity Soccer team, led by Coach Jason Nelson, currently has an overall record of 8-6-1 and a Federal League record of 4-1, which puts them in 3rd place in the league standings. After a 1-3 start to the season, the Bulldogs won 7 of their last 10 games and are drawing attention from the rest of the Federal League as they head into the playoffs.

Last year, the Bulldogs finished their season with an overall record of 7-10-1 and finished in 4th place in the Federal League standings with a record of 2-3-1. They then lost in the 1st round of the playoffs, so they hope to turn things around this year, which they already have a better record this season.

This year the Bulldogs have been met with some more difficult opponents than years past such as Olentangy Berlin, CVCA, and Hudson, which have a combined record of 40-9-4. They’ve been challenged this year, and it has only made them better as a team and has prepared them for the playoffs. After speaking to Coach Nelson, he is pleased with how the team has turned things around after the slow start and looks forward to what these boys will accomplish throughout the rest of the season and in the playoffs. Nelson stated, “We did get off to a slow start this fall. We came out of a very challenging pre-season. We felt ready to compete but just couldn’t get out of our own way Mistakes and slow starts were the major issues we were facing. After being down by a couple goals to state ranked CVCA, we made some changes. We made changes to our lineup, both with personnel and positions. One huge move was moving senior Marko Kulina from an attacking role and adding him into our defense. He has shown leadership and put the team first by making this move. Playing alongside his center back partner Isaiah Weirich, the two have formed one of the best center back partnerships in the Greater Akron area.”

Men’s varsity soccer team

after scoring a

PHOTO BY: Michelle Herdlick

After asking Coach Nelson what makes this team different from last years and what it will take to make a run in the playoffs and he stated, “This year's team has similarities to last year's group but it also is extremely different. Every GHS boys soccer team is required to be hard working, physical and play a brand of soccer that is good to watch from the stands. This group fits that mold without a doubt. However, what is different is the comradery in the team. We have guys hanging out together outside of the field. We have young men building friendships beyond soccer. This team spirit off the pitch helps on the pitch. These guys want to fight for each other, they are willing to work, bleed, and sacrifice for each other. We have the character and the players to win the federal league. Our leadership is strong. Jackson Schenk is a captain that leads by example and is our driving force in midfield. With leadership, togetherness, and the quality we have in our team we are determined to win a district championship.”

The Bulldogs had a chance to take first place in the Federal League this season with a win over state ranked Hoover, but unfortunately, the Bulldogs fell short losing 5-1.

GIRLS SOCCER OVERVIEW

by Nate Carr

As November approaches, the Green Girls Soccer team is coming to a close on their regular season. The Lady Bulldogs, with a record of 9-3-4, earned themselves the fifth seed in the district playoffs. The team has weathered a very difficult schedule this season, with two out of three of their losses coming from top-ranked teams in the state, Copley and Hoban. Currently, the Lady Bulldogs have a 4-0-1 record in the Federal League, and as of now are in contention for a league title.

Also in the team’s busy final weeks was their Senior Night, in which the team honored their eight seniors on the team. Led by Junior Captain Jamie Duskey’s three goals, the Lady Bulldogs won 4-1 in an emotional game for the team.

“Our senior class has made a great impact on our team. All of them are very kind to everyone and set great examples. We all will miss them greatly going into our next season” said Duskey.

Michelle Herdlick

The senior class will have the chance to leave a lasting mark as the Lady Bulldogs play Jackson on Wednesday, October 12 for what Junior Alaina Chiofolo described as “One of our most important games of the year.” The Lady Polar Bears come into the game looking for their title in a row, currently holding a record of 5-0 in the league. The Lady Bulldogs closely follow the Polar Bears, as a 0-0 tie to Hoover last week puts the team in second place. A tie or a Bulldog loss would mean yet another league title for Jackson, while a win would give the Lady Bulldogs their first ever league title.

Men’s varsity soccer team before game

PHOTO BY: Michelle Herdlick

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

Vienna Horvath recounts her travel experiences

By Vienna Horvath

I've been traveling since I was a wide eyed child. My travels have brought me to many countries around the world and allowed me to witness cultures that opened my eyes to things that left me breathless and filled with wonder. My very first trip out of the country was to Hungary, a country in eastern Europe. I visited there with my grandparents when I was only 4 years old, and although I do not remember every detail, I remember the feeling of amazement after getting off the 12 hour flight and seeing the most beautiful architecture I have seen to this day. This trip had special meaning to me because my father and aunt were born in Budapest, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Visiting there so young, I truly felt as though I was a princess living in the most beautiful city. I also got to explore the village of Badacsonytomaj, the city of Keszthely, Tihany, and one of the oldest areas in Hungary, Veszprem. My time spent in these villages, towns, and cities captured my heart and inspired my love of travel. I hope to return back to the place where my family lived the majority of their life. In the meantime, my love of travel grew as I traveled to the Caribbean to destinations such as Turks and Caicos, Cancun, Tulum, and Jamaica. When I visited all of these places, I fell in love with the bright blue waters and white sandy beaches but what impacted me the most was the ‘island culture’ as they say. It opened my eyes and my heart to another way of life. This was a simpler life: where you worry less and enjoy more. If only we could all approach life this way. Many of my encounters with the local people were at the resorts that we stayed at during our visit. “Worry Less and Enjoy More,” was evident in every interaction with the locals. The salutations were frequently “Hello Mon,” and “No Worries Mon.”. From the locals, the wait staff, all the way to the drivers, the island culture was evident. It was a breath of fresh air for me as it taught me the valuable life lesson to appreciate what I have in life. This trip to Jamaica overall was surreal; I felt like I could truly understand the culture and way of life there.

From Jamaica, we traveled to Turks and Caicos where we were able to not only enjoy the pristine beaches and shoreline, but we were also able to personally interact with the island residents. Understanding culture and getting to know the local people is one of my favorite parts of traveling. I am very grateful to have spoken to people in other parts of the world and learned about their culture. These types of interactions gave me another perspective of life that I feel most of us don’t understand or know about. I observed that the people of Turks and Caicos live a lifestyle that values the importance of living life in the most simple form. While I originally thought the people there constantly were burdened with struggles of daily life because most live in poverty, I learned that is not the case at all. I observed that although the residents did live in what we consider to be less than suitable housing and conditions, they still had a positive outlook and attitude towards everyone they encountered. This gave way to understanding the importance of different perspectives of the people of Turks and Caicos: simplify life.

Many travelers love to see different landscapes, shop at fancy stores, or see the ancient and remarkable architecture. I think all of those points are valid, but I found that travel is good for the soul. Whether it’s traveling with family to their home country of Hungary or island hopping in the Caribbean, I discovered culture, perspective and simplicity. My travels taught me more about how to live a simple life that is filled with less worry and more happiness. As the famous Jamaican singer Bob Marley famously sang, “Don’t worry, Be Happy.”

Budapest, Hungary

Cancun, Mexico

"The most beautiful city in the world "

"A Caribbean destination." Jamaica "Worry Less and Enjoy More."

TRAVEL is... discovering culture, perspective, and simplicity

GOING THROUGH CHANGES

see how Zach changed the way he saw himself and how others saw him

by Zach Jacobs

Weight loss isn't as hard as it seems as long as you are dedicated to succeed. During my 8th grade school year, I gained a massive amount of weight over the summer: almost 30 pounds . Going to school was never a great experience, but 8th grade and freshman year were especially challenging. I would like to say my struggles in those two years were because of how I was treated because of my weight. Whether it was my friends calling me names and making fun of the way I looked, or it was the person I saw in the mirror when I got home every day, something needed to change. What was my goal? Where am I going? Why are they so mean? These were questions I would ask myself everyday until eventually I did something about it.

At the start of my weight loss journey, I was just barely under 200 pounds. Now, just about a year and a half later, I'm just about 145 on a good day. Was it hard? Yes, everything worth working for is gonna have its obstacles, but i'm trying to show you it doesn't take as much effort as you think. My three keys to losing weight were dedication, determination, and a goal. Most people think it's all about running, but that's just not the case Unless you are running miles at a time, the only weight you're burning is the glass of water you had for dinner. What really made me see results was when I took the step to change my diet. This is where your dedication comes in. You have to be willing to change your habits to improve. Your diet doesn't have to be anything crazy. For me, there were of course foods I cut out to help the process but that isn't necessary. Recently, I have slowed down my weight loss, but it hasn't stopped because i continue to focus my diet. Now, I eat whatever foods I want, just in limited and controlled portions.

Although weight loss is possible strictly through diet, it is not the most efficient. Personally, weight lifting was my method of weight loss. I started out going to the gym twice a day, almost everyday, except on weekends. But, not everyone has that kind of time, and with my grandpa on my back about getting a job, I had to switch it up. After I started my first job, I only went to the gym after school for about an hour. So, for an hour a day after school, I would walk to the YMCA, get in a quick workout with one of my friends, and follow it up with basketball or some kind of cardio. But, the benefit that weightlifting has is that your muscles are still burning calories after. Not only that, but you can see the results in muscle growth, along with weight loss. I could see myself getting stronger, and I could feel my attitude improving every week.

Finally, what i'm trying to tell everyone is that you can lose that weight. You just need dedication by staying consistent in your diet and exercise. You have to be determined to change what you want to change and you have to know why you're doing it. Whether it be just because you want to lose a certain amount of weight, or if you want to impress somebody, as long as you're willing to put in the time and effort you will get results. What was my goal for weight loss?

Well, honestly I just wanted a girlfriend. One thing I learned from my weight loss that will stick with me for the rest of my life is: if you believe that you can change and you set your mind to something, you could do anything you wanted. I am thankful for my weight loss, and I think I have become a better person as a result.

ZACH’S TIPS

1. Find good substitutes unhealthier food you calorie foods such as if you like chips get some rice cakes.

2.

Don't stuff your self you should never eat until you feel sick. Don't under eat either if you undereat you will wind up with no energy to do anything let alone get in a workout.

3.

Get yourself in a routine at the gym this will help getting used to the gym.

4.

Don't check your weight everyday unless you just wanna disappoint yourselves eating healthy and going to the gym once isn't gonna help with anything, it is a process.

"Yes, everything worth working for is gonna have its obstacles, but I'm trying to show you it doesn't take as much effort as you think."

pick4

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE CLASH

by Catherine Smith & Skylar Johnson

Overhyped and overall just mediocre is the best way to describe Crumbl Cookie’s classic chocolate chip cookie. Crumbl Cookies has recently been on the receiving end of a lot of social media publicity. Through their personally created Instagram Reels and their fans' Tik Tok reviews, Crumbl has been climbing in the must-visit restaurant chains. Despite everyone’s obsession about trying the new weekly exotic flavors, they still have yet to perfect their simple milk chocolate chip cookie. Considering their climbing fame, you would think they have perfected the classic chocolate chip; however, the cookie is still quite plain and frankly, not that great. 3/5

Crumbl

2 dollars and 89 cents of warm melted chocolate inside a sweet cookie. Panera chocolate chip cookies are phenomenal and hit almost every time. The “almost” is what takes 0.5 stars off the rating. If the cookies aren’t warm, then they aren’t as good. The warm cookie you receive with your meal, for just over two dollars, is what makes this chocolate chip cookie take such a high ranking. Panera is known for their delectable pastry selection, and they nailed it on their taste and flavors. Human error is what declines this chocolate chip sookie of a perfect five star review. If the customer waits too long to eat the cookie to the point where it is no longer warm, it is their fault. Therefore, eat your Panera chocolate chip cookie as soon as you receive it to ensure a perfect dessert experience. 4.5/5

Hence the name, Insomnia Cookies are ones to stay up for. Insomnia Cookies is open until 12:30 at night, being one of the latest spots to get your sweet midnight snack. You're greeted at the door with a nice worker and the smell of fresh cookies. Insomnia Cookies have plenty of options to choose from and you can even get ice cream and sandwich cookies with frosting in the middle. Insomnia has a 4.3 star review on Yelp. The sheer smell of the place when you walk in is enough to make you want to order everything on the menu. It is definitely worth trying out if you are near one of their locations.

Panera Insomnia

When buying Giant Eagle chocolate chunk cookies, you really do get what you pay for. There are 12 cookies for $10.99. Eating these cookies could help a sweet tooth; however, these cookies would definitely not be my first choice. I could imagine them being better warm, and for the price, you do get a decent amount of cookies. If you need your sweet fix and don't feel like making cookies at home, I recommend going to Giant Eagle and getting some cookies. Although, I can definitely tell you these are not grandma's homemade cookies. 3/5

Giant Eagle

HOCUS POCUS

Jules Beyes provides her opinion on the Hocus Pocus sequel

by Jules Beyes

After 29 years of peace and quiet, the Sanderson Sisters have returned to Salem, Massachusetts with plans of getting revenge on the entire town. Hocus Pocus 2, the sequel to Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, was released on September 30, 2022. While the original cast is brought back to play Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler), Sarah Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy), a fresh set of teenagers takes on the role of saving Salem from these power seeking witches. Unlike the original movie, we are finally given a chance to learn about the upbringing of the Sanderson Sisters and what led them to become evil. In the beginning of the movie, we learn how and why the witches obtained their powers. Much like the original movie, the sisters have to adapt to the advancements in society that they have missed while being in their slumber from 1993 to 2022. The classic comedy shared by the sisters when they encounter obstacles like Amazon’s Alexa and self cleaning Roombas will put a smile on any Hocus Pocus fan’s face once again.

Now for the question everyone has been waiting for: “is Hocus Pocus 2 a hit or a miss?” After watching the movie all the way through, I would consider it to be a “spooky season” hit. Before watching the movie, I was nervous that it would be too much of a repeat from the first movie, but they managed to bring a lot of new elements into the movie while keeping the traditional story line. The incorporation of scenes from the witch’s past was how they managed to achieve this success. Not only do I think they did a good job on the story line, but I also enjoyed the amount of parallels from the first movie to the second one. For example, in one scene Mary Sanderson peers into a man’s window to see him watching Hocus Pocus on his own TV; I thought this was a very clever move by the directors. As the movie went on, the compassion of the Sanderson Sisters grew, which led to its touching ending. I think the final scene ended not only the movie perfectly, but also the series as a whole. Overall, I would give Hocus Pocus 2 a solid 9/10, but nothing beats its original Halloween classic.

FALL COMFORT TV SHOWS

Television shows to watch this fall when you're sick of watching The Office for the 50th time

by Selena Sabbagh & Sophia Baldinger

Fall is the perfect time to grab a blanket, some apple cider and start re-watching your favorite comfort show. Comfort shows can be any show that provides an escape for stressful times while also invoking nostalgia. With the sense of community and it taking less effort than watching a whole new show, comfort shows provide many benefits to the viewer. These series are extremely relatable, like Lorelai's addiction to coffee. They can also be highly entertaining to watch, like Ross and Rachel's on and off relationship. In addition to "Gilmore Girls" and "Friends", other fall comfort shows include "Friday Night Lights" and "Vampire Diaries".

Gilmore Girls Vampire Diaries

"Gilmore Girls" is a seven season series that includes both aspects of drama and romance. This show portrays a single mother, Lorelai Gilmore, raising her daughter Rory, (who she had when she was only 16 years old). While watching all their ups and downs and their chaotic day-to-day life, we see Lorelai dealing with and going through the hardships of being a single mother for the first time, as well as Rory growing up to be a young woman facing academic challenges and romantic obstacles. It is perfect to watch in the fall as that season is part of the opening setting of the show. The first scene is set in a diner and you can see all the fall leaves in the background.

Friends

"Friends" has 10 seasons, each season having 24 episodes, making it the perfect show to binge watch. This series revolves

"Vampire Diaries" includes romance, horror and mystery which makes it the perfect show to watch in time for Halloween. It follows Elena Gilbert, a 17 year old girl that falls in love with Stefan Salvatore, a 162 year old Vampire. Not only that, but she also happens to look exactly like Stefan’s ex lover, Katherine. Stefan has an older brother named Damon, which means that if you watch this show, you too can be included in the ongoing argument of Stefan vs Damon. Get ready to binge and transform your couch into Mystic Falls, where the story takes place, because this show will leave you wanting more.

Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights is quintessential for Fall. Based off the popular novel "Friday Night Lights", this five season saga follows Permian High School, where winning the state football championship comes before anything else. The head coach, Eric Taylor, is responsible for getting his team through pressure-filled seasons as well as while also dealing with problems of his own aside from the team. By addressing many of the issues facing small-town America, we see this town evolve and rely on each other when they need to the most.

"I like stranger things because a little spooky and makes m think of Halloween" Math Teacher Taylor Gazdac

"Gilmore girls is my favorite comfort TV show because I v Rory Gilmore as the perfec person She is smart, funny, a aspire to be just like her." Carmina Ciccarelli Aloisi '2

"Friends is my favorite fall comfort show because it is funny and festive" Spencer Scott