Paw Print Issue 8

THE

PAW PRINT ISSUE #8 | VOL.36 | February 23, 2024

A LOOK INSIDE:

6

COURTNEY & CATHERINE’S ICE CREAM ENDEAVORS

8-9

A SPOTLIGHT ON PLCC STUDENTS

16

BLACK HISTORY MONTH REQUIRED READING

THE PAW PRINT

02

design by Mckenzie Collinsworth

table of

CONTENTS

03 03

Oped

Basketball student section.

PHOTO BY: Michelle Herdlick

Going Digital: the Switch to Online Testing

04-05

News

04

Deciding the President

05

Restricting Social Media

06-11

Features

12-13 Sports 12

Bulldog Bowlers

13

A Look into Summers Sports

14-15 Opinion

06

Here’s the Scoop

07

A Schedule Fit for You

14

Screen Time Struggles

PLCC Spotlight

15

Growing up Greek

08-09

10

Dealing with Migraines

11

Dreams

Staff List EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: MCKENZIE COLLINSWORTH

16 Caboose 16

Books for BHM & Beyond

Editors: NEWS: SELENA SABBAGH

CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: CARTER SHARPNACK

MANAGING EDITOR: NINA SUMMERS

FEATURES: HADLEY BIALEK ELLA MAROCHINO

Staff Writers:

WEBSITE EDITOR: VICTORIA SCHLUE

CENTER SPREAD: MALLORY GEARHART

CHIEF COPY EDITOR: SOPHIA SALEY

SPORTS: AIDEN BRUECK

COPY EDITOR: PARKER GREEN

OPINION: NINA MCANNALLY

MEDIA MANAGER: MADDIE LUCEY

CABOOSE: SOPHIA WELLS

DESIGN EDITOR: CATHERINE SMITH

COURTNEY ADAM ELLIE COLE MORGAN DOAN RAE FEINMAN NOAH FISCHER AMAUNI GARY JASZLYN HAWKINS EMILY HESSE SHANNON HURD MAISY JOHNSON MADY KERLEY

ADVISOR: NATALIE TANNEHILL

NATALIE KETLER CA LEAH MOORER OLIVIA MUZI ADDYSON PADGETT JULIA PARRISH ROWAN PENNINGTON LYDIA ROBERTSON MAX SHEIBELHOFFER JILLIAN TAYLOR LOGAN TOOLEY NOELE ZUBER

THE PAW PRINT

design by Mckenzie Collinsworth

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GOING DIGITAL the switch to online testing

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n recent years, there has been a trend in moving away from paper testing to an online format. These digital tests offer a more convenient, personalized, and concise option compared to paper tests.

Digital tests, quite obviously, eliminate the need for paper in testing, which is both better for the environment and cheaper for the school. This elimination of paper also makes the test more convenient to take, and allows test results to be reported far quicker.

Companies that are making the switch to digital testing aren’t only changing the medium of the test, but also the overall format.

For example, the new digital SAT is an hour shorter than the paper SAT, while giving more time per question, and reducing the number of questions per reading passage. On top of this, students are allowed a calculator for the entire math section, and have access to bookmarking and answer elimination tools that they previously did not have access to.

Even though the use of digital devices has the potential to further economic divides in under served communities, there are steps that are being taken to address this possibility. The digital ACT is taken on a controlled device, eliminating the need for a personal device, and the digital SAT can be taken on either a personal device

THE GREEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER THE PAW PRINT

1474 Boettler Rd. Uniontown OH, 44685 (330) 896 - 7500

VISIT OUR WEBSITE ghspawprint.org FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @thepawprintghs @thepawprintghs

or school computer; however, if you don’t have a device, the College Board will provide you with one. Both of these options provide options for underserved individuals to test, decreasing the chance of furthering the digital divide.

These digital tests even provide a chance to elevate students out of poverty. The new format allows students to prepare even better with free online formats such as Khan Academy, which previously would not have matched the format of the test. This reduces the needs of students to get the expensive paper courses of the past to prepare for standardized tests, and allows these poverty stricken students to rise in socioeconomic status through hard work and education.

On top of this, many of these online tests use adaptive questions, which change difficulty based on how well a student is doing. These adaptive tests are less frustrating, and allow more accurate results in a shorter span of time. This greatly reduces the stress felt by students on the test, and improves overall performance.

The switch to digital tests not only presents an opportunity to equalize communities, but provides a less stressful, more effective way of measuring student performance.

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.

news

THE PAW PRINT

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design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Carter Sharpnack

D IN G T H E I C DE

PRESIDENT

E

discover how the presidential candidates are chosen

very four years in the United States, the people get to exercise their political rights through the electoral process in choosing the President of the United States. This election is, in its most basic form, split into two stages. The first stage is gaining the party nomination, and the second stage is winning the general election. So, what is the difference between these, and how is someone picked as the presidential candidate for a party?

About two years before the election, candidates of the two major parties begin their campaign trail. They organize teams and go on tour across the country in an attempt to gain the support of the people.

At this time, candidates typically choose to focus on key states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. At this point it is important to note that there are some requirements to be a presidential candidate, outlined by the Constitution.

In order to run, you must be a naturalborn citizen of the US, meaning you were a citizen of the United States at birth, at least 35, and have been a resident of the US for at least 14 years. If, at birth, either of your parents are a United States citizen, or you are born on United States soil, you are considered a natural born citizen.

The first formal step in the process of electing the President is the party primaries and caucuses. A primary is a direct election,

Want to Vote?

1

To register online you will need to provide the following:

*Ohio driver’s license or Ohio identification card number *Name *Date of Birth *Address *Last four digits of your Social *Security number

similar to the general election, in which people across the state vote for who should be the Presidential candidate for their party. Primaries are split into two types: open primaries and closed primaries. In a closed primary, such as in Ohio, you must be a declared member of the party in order to vote for their presidential candidate, but anyone (even members of the other party) can vote in an open primary. Some states, notably Iowa, use a caucus instead of a primary. In a caucus, party voters meet locally to debate issues and cast votes to a district convention, which then selects delegates to the state delegation, which in turn selects delegates for the national convention.

Even though primary and caucus ballots have the name of candidates, voters are instead voting for delegates of your state who will go to the national party convention over the summer, where they will vote for the candidate at the national level. At the National Convention, these delegates from each state select the candidate for the party, who will run against the other candidate in the general election.

President Biden has faced very little opposition in the Democratic primaries, so far winning 91 delegates, with no other candidate winning a single delegate in any state.

There is, however, some competition within the Republican party. The Iowa

2

You are qualified to register to vote in Ohio:

*You are a citizen of the United States. *You will be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the general election. *You will be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days before election.

Republican caucuses were held January 15th, where former President Donald Trump won 20 of the 40 available delegates, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis won 9 delegates, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley won 8 delegates, and Vivek Ramaswamy won 3 delegates. Of these candidates, DeSantis and Ramaswamy are no longer seeking the Republican nomination.

In New Hampshire, Trump won 13 delegates and Haley won 9 delegates. In Nevada, both caucuses and primaries are held. A caucus is held by the party and has delegates for the national convention at stake, while the primaries are mandated by state law, but have no effect on the nomination process for the Republicans.

Trump will be the only major candidate on the caucus ballot, guaranteeing him the delegates from Nevada, while Haley was the only major candidate in the Nevada state primaries - where she won 30.5% of the vote, losing to “none of these candidates,” at 63.2%. To this point, Trump has won 33 delegates, and Haley has won 17, but with primaries and caucuses running until early June, and the leading candidate, Trump, at 33 delegates, as of now 1182 delegates behind the 1215 needed for the candidacy, it is impossible to tell who will be the Republican candidate.

3

Upcoming register dates:

*May 13, 2024 for the June 11, 2024 Special Congressional General *July 8, 2024 for the August 6, 2024 Special Election *October 7, 2024 for the November 5, 2024 General Election

Source: olvr.ohiosos.gov

design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Mckenzie Collinsworth

THE PAW PRINT

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news

RESTRICTING social media for minors Ohio law stopped by judge for restricting minors’ fist amendment rights

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eb. 12, 2024, Ohio judge blocked the implementation of a state law requiring social media companies to obtain parental consent for any child under 16 to use their platforms. The law made an attempt to help with teen mental health and the overall dangers available online to children.

Originally, Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act was part of the state’s two year budget bill signed into law

by Governor Mike DeWine in July 2023.

Advocates for the act, including DeWine, viewed the act as a gateway in helping the youth mental health crisis which has been increasingly caused by the usage of social media. A 2018 British study tied social media involvement to decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep, which is associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performances.

“When I’m on my phone, I tend to only use social media the majority of the time and normally right before bed,” Jamie Duskey ‘24 said, “I sometimes see it affect my mental health but never to the degree in which I would need my parents’ intervention.”

The law outlines certain materials social media and gaming companies must develop for the parent and child. The platform must create a method in distinguishing

children under 16 in which they would then need to acquire parental consent before participating in the platform. The parents must receive the privacy guidelines so they know what will be censored or moderated on a child’s profile. If there is no consent given from a parent, the platform must deny usage to the user.

“I can see the benefits for young naive children who don’t necessarily know the dangers social media and technology could possess, but I see it more as a parent’s decision on how to regulate their child, not the government’s,” Duskey said.

The act was meant to go into effect Jan. 15, 2024, but U.S. District Court Judge Algenon J. Marbley issued a temporary restraining order to block the law from going into effect Jan. 9, 2024. NetChoice, a trade group representing social media companies, filed a lawsuit against the act earlier in January which led Judge Marbley to halt the implementation. NetChoice represents social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Meta, X, and other tech companies. The suit was filed against Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio argued the law violates minors’ First Amendment right to freedom of speech and that it’s overly broad and vague. Yost viewed the act as a valid measure aimed at

Federal Social Media Laws in the Works Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA): Introduced to the U.S. Senate in May 2023, passed by committee in Aug. 2023, and progressed to the entire Senate in Dec, 2023, but never brought up for a vote. If passed, the bill required site designs that prevent harm to minors which include reporting of harm/risks to minors and not advertising age-restricted products. The bill also gives parents tools to supervise minors’ use.

Protecting Kids on Social Media Act: This act goes further than KOSA and is considerably similar to the Ohio law. It was introduced to the Senate in Apr. 2023.

If passed, the act would require platforms to verify account holders’ age and limit access for children under 13 in which they would need parental consent.

protecting minors from damage to their mental health and sexual predators.

“Foreclosing minors under sixteen from accessing all content on websites that the Act purports to cover, absent affirmative parental consent, is a breathtakingly blunt instrument for reducing social media’s harm to children,” Yost said.

Judge Marbley agreed with NetChoice as the law was not narrowly tailored to the ends in which Yost had intended for.

The ruling put the law on hold indefinitely while the litigation continues. NetChoice last year won court rulings blocking a similar social media parental consent law in Arkansas and a children’s digital privacy law in California. It is challenging restrictions adopted in Utah as well.

DeWine called the ruling disappointing.

“Since the federal courts are interpreting federal constitutional law as preventing the state of Ohio from protecting Ohio’s children, then Congress needs to act to protect our country’s children,” DeWine said.

Even though the act has been denied as a violation of minors’ rights, federal and state governments are still working through bills on the topic of social media safety for minors.

features

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Here’s the

THE PAW PRINT

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Cat and Court’s ice cream endeavors

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design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Catherine Smith & Courtney Adam

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he City of Green is filled with a surplus of ice cream shops varying from big industry franchises to single store small businesses. One of the most popular ice cream shops in Green is Handel’s, a well known big business that students flock to after significant high school events. Whether it be a Winter choir concert or a big Friday night football game, you can always count on a line wrapped around the building. While Green is filled with many franchise food stores, you can still find the occasional hidden small business gem here and there. A small business ice cream shop that exists in Green is Waylon’s Handcrafted. Unlike Handel’s, Waylon’s is lesser known and isn’t the top thought when a late night sweet treat comes to mind. Because of the unbalance in the city between big and small businesses, many people lose focus on finding enjoyment in shops outside of the classic ones that exist in areas across the nation. Now back to the ice cream big/small business in Green, let’s talk about it.

Courtney & Handel’s

Working for Handel’s has had its many ups and downs over my two years of being there. While I’ve had some really fun shifts, other shifts still haunt me to this day. Some of my worst shifts were on days where it was insanely busy.

For instance, one time I didn’t clock out until 12:45 a.m. just because it was crazy busy from when I got there at 4 until 11. I have my many complaints, but working at Handel’s has given me great experiences. I like to think that having a job is preparing me for the real world and has shaped me as a person. While the experience is great, earning and learning about managing my own money has been just as nice.

There are many things I enjoy about the job. I love the availability and flexibility. I can set which days and times I want to work easily and it establishes a great relationship with the schedule. Besides this, it’s been great getting to know new people. Most people stay at Handel’s for a long time, so it allows for great relationships to form. Another advantage is that everyone starts as a scooper. After a while, anyone can move up to a shift supervisor or an ice cream maker to earn more money. It comes with more responsibilities, but I’ve enjoyed moving up the line.

Like any job, it still has its disadvantages. Handel’s is a chain, so every employee has the same outfit, and mostly every location has to follow the same rules. We all have to look the same and wear the same clothes. Many employees have advocated for shorts in the summer, but it will never happen.

The building can get so hot so its easy to overheat, especially in pants.

Because it’s a chain, every time I go somewhere, there’s a Handel’s nearby. One time I went to California to visit family and they had a Handel’s in their neighborhood. It haunts me everywhere I go.

Additionally, if the weather is anything but freezing, it can get so busy. The customers love Handel’s and they’ll do anything to get their favorite flavors. My biggest complaint of them all is the closing time. We close at 10 every night. On weekends in the summer, it gets moved back at 10:30.

While I understand this time in the summer and fall, the winter is a different story. When it’s cold and snowy, barely anyone comes past 7. Because of this, the hours after can get a little boring. One advantage is that it’s great for closing because it’s mostly uninterrupted work. Closing can take a while, so this is one of the many winter benefits.

Overall, having a job has its advantages and its disadvantages. Working for an ice cream shop has been great because I get unlimited ice cream and I think it’s on the easier side of high school jobs. I may be biased, but I think Handels has the best ice cream out of any shop around. I’m thankful for what it’s taught me and how I’ve grown as a person over these two years. It has definitely been a big part of my high school experience that I’ll never forget.

While I haven’t had a job throughout most of my time in high school, I can now safely say that I am getting the necessary experience before I head off to college in the fall. I started working at Waylon’s a few months ago, and right off the bat I was comparing every task I did to the ones I heard about in Handels. It started off as a simple contrast in the scoops we used on the daily, but it eventually blossomed into an even larger debate about big and small businesses, especially in Green.

Any job will have both its positives and negatives, but personally I believe that a small business job’s pros outweigh the cons. Starting off strong is the hours. Waylon’s is open from 12-8 on weekdays and 12-7 on Sunday’s. Because of the fewer hours, my shifts aren’t agonizingly long, and I still have time to go home and spend hours on my APUSH homework. Another positive in contrast to Handel’s is the ice cream scoop situation. At Waylon’s, we only use two typical ice cream scoops that get cleaned in between uses in a smaller washing well. This is great for scooping to smaller audiences because there’s less to clean at the end of the night and it gets the job done quickly. I’ve been told from multiple Handel’s employees to never take this factor of my job for granted because if not for the cleaning well, I would be cleaning close to 100 ice cream scoops a night. The last, and probably the greatest pro of my job, is the uniform (there isn’t even really one). I can go straight to work in whatever I was wearing at school for the day, and just throw on my apron and hat on top and call it a day. This isn’t even a positive for everyone in their job, but for me, as someone who loves fashion and styling clothes, this is a fantastic addition to my job.

On to the downsides of a small business job, which are definitely prevalent

through all of the advantages. The biggest negative of my job is the extremely narrow clientele that barely exists on colder days where no one even considers ice cream from a small business shop. While it seems great that not as many people come in for ice cream as they do in Handel’s, and I’m virtually doing less work, this can make the night seem even longer. My easy shift changes from a quick four hours into an agonizing 240 minutes that never seem to end. While I appreciate the lesser work for minimum wage, it’s still easy to get bored as you scoop one dish every hour. Not to mention the minimal tips that are made when only five people come in throughout the night. Another super obvious negative to a small business job is the absence of a corporate ladder to climb. Other than my position as an employee who’s only jobs are opening, scooping, and closing, I can’t advance to any higher up job that warrants higher wages. I know several high school Handel’s workers who have been given the opportunity to move from ice cream scooper to shift supervisor to eventually even making the ice cream that gets served to the customers. All of these positions are met with greater responsibility and greater pay, which is something I will never attain as the only higher up position is the owner, who runs the business entirely.

Through all of the benefits and hardships of working in a small business, I am grateful for the experience regardless. I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given to learn how to work with others and take responsibility in a manner that doesn’t pertain to myself specifically. And most importantly, I am proud to be making money of my own and learning financials at a younger age. Waylon’s > Handel’s hands down.

Catherine & Waylon’s

THE PAW PRINT

design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Mckenzie Collinsworth

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features

A SCHEDULE fit for you

follow the diagram to discover what english electives are perfect for your schedule

START! Do you learn better with visual representations?

No

Do you read for fun/ in your free time?

No

take: Study of Film

Yes

Are you social around new people?

Yes

No

Yes

No Do you play a sport?

Yes

take: Sports in Lit & Media

No Yes

Do you enjoy writing?

No

take: True Crime

Do you pay attention to the news?

take: Public Speaking

ELECTIVE #1:

Are you good at puzzels?

take: Shakespeare

take: Mindfulness

Yes

Yes take: Yearbook

Do you prefer fiction books?

Do you stress about school?

No

Are you a morning person?

No

Yes

No No

Yes

Yes Are you creative?

No

take: Creative Writing take: Intro to Journalism & Newspaper

ELECTIVE #2:

Yes

PL CC center spread 08

portage lakes career center

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design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Morgan Doan & Maddie Lucey

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he Portage Lakes Career Center (PLCC) is a place where high school juniors and seniors can go to further their education in specific programs. The PLCC has many different programs and trades where students from four local schools; Green, Coventry, Springfield and Manchester, can learn different skills for a wide range of high demand careers. The PLCC offers successful post high school options for many students. It allows students to have a head start in college or allow them to get a job right out of high school with no college education. Many students at GHS have grown to participate in the PLCC program at the start of their junior year. As college becomes more expensive and tedious for an average student to afford, the PLCC offers a head start to the already competitive college atmosphere. Students go from rigorous AP classes to a class of cooking or art in just a couple of hours. The diversity offered through the PLCC gives students a broader vision on what they want to pursue as their future career.

There is only so much you can learn in a standardized classroom which is why the PLCC is the perfect place to explore your future endeavors. There are numerous programs that students can pick from including:

TS MEDIC R O I

NE

The Sports Medicine program will teach students several different techniques and skills. First students will learn proper exercise techniques, but then they will also learn how to work with athletes and become strong at taping, bracing, and treating injuries. Along with this, students will be able to graduate with their AMCA Physical Therapy Aide Certification, CRP Certification, and they will be a Certified Personal Trainer. Samantha Flenner ‘25 is currently studying sports medicine at the PLCC. Flenner entered into this program to see if she would enjoy having a future career in sports medicine as well as use this program as an opportunity to try something new and meet new people. Flenner has enjoyed this program a lot and next year plans to continue in sports medicine, as well as try out the PLCC’s Phlebotomy class where she can learn how to draw blood.

“If you are interested in going into physical therapy or anything like that, sports medicine is a really good program. It teaches you a lot of new things and sets you up better for going into college,” Flenner said.

Since Flenner goes to the PLCC in the mornings, she only has to come to the high school for her essential classes which Flenner feels has provided her with so many different opportunities.

“PLCC is a great option for anyone, it’s a good school and they’re willing to help you reach your goals,” Flenner said.

The sports medicine program is so beneficial and helps students better understand human bodies and how to improve them.

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THE PAW PRINT

D IN G ELThe Welding

Wprogram is 10 months of classes taught by experienced welders and certified instructors.

The program is 100% hands-on where students will learn a multitude of different techniques such as: MIG, TIG, and Stick/Arc welding, how to understand and read blueprints, and improve their problem solving skills and observational skills. Randy Cunningham ‘24, has spent the past two years learning from the welding program. After touring the PLCC in 8th grade and then again sophomore year, he realized that welding looked like a lot of fun and had a lot of potential for a great career in the future.

“My favorite part of welding is how much the skill is to practice and perfect,” Cunningham said.

By attending the PLCC Cunningham can focus most of his time learning more about welding and only taking essential classes at the high school.

“I am able to work full time Monday through Thursday and not have to attend school any other day but Friday,” Cunningham said.

After high school, Cunningham is planning on attending the Hobart Institute of Welding technology in order to further his welding education.

Overall, this is a great program where students can get hands-on experience and practice that will perfectly set them up for a successful job in the future.

INARY ART L U The Culinary S CArts program at the PLCC is one of the best places to learn more about anything regarding food. This program helps students understand meal preparation, food service, and menu design by having the students practice and gain experience at the student run restaurant, The Neon Lime. Gwen Edwards ‘24 decided that she wanted to enter into a PLCC program that she was passionate about and that could benefit her in the future. Edwards is a very hands-on learner and the culinary arts program is the perfect place to get real life experiences.

“The best part about my program so far has been learning new culinary techniques that are beneficial.

Everything I have learned I can use in the future, and it’s exciting trying new foods and recipes,” Edwards said.

After graduating, Edwards plans on moving to Columbus, getting her real estate license, and then selling/ leasing apartments with her sister.

Even though Edwards is not furthering her career in the kitchen, she has enjoyed learning how to make and prepare numerous different dishes and she believes that this program has taught her many important life skills that no matter what she ends up doing in life, will be beneficial to her.

“I think the culinary arts is a great program to do. It teaches you good customer service because you work in The Neon Lime restaurant, it teaches you new recipes, and it’s a great skill to have as you become an adult,” Edwards said.

THE PAW PRINT

Culinary art student, Gwen Edwards ‘24, serves at the PLCC diner, The Neon Lime.

PROVIDED BY: Gwen Edwards ‘24

Welding student, Randy Cunningham ‘24, participates in a welding project at the PLCC. PROVIDED BY: Randy Cunningham ‘24

SMETOLOG O C The Cosmetology Y

LT PROGRAM U Contrary to D

A

students’ beliefs, the PLCC is not only for students to further their education, but it is also open for many adults to earn their degrees and learn necessary skills.

The PLCC offers numerous programs for adults to choose from that can be very beneficial. The cosmetology program is open to adults and here they will learn hair styling, hair coloring, skin care, nail techniques, and makeup applications.

Close to cosmetology, adults can also enroll into the Esthetician program where they can solely focus on the skin care and makeup application.

Next, there is a dental assisting program where adults can receive training and practice in order to land jobs in dental offices or other health facilities.

Next, the PLCC offers hands-on experiences working with HVAC in order to learn necessary skills to repair heating and ventilation systems.

Finally, adults can enroll themselves into practice nursing programs where the Ohio Board of Nursing teaches different skills in order to revive a successful job in a hospital.

There are so many more programs available and can be found online.

For adults, in order to enroll into the PLCC, they must apply to their desired program and get accepted.

Depending on the program, the tuition will vary. Adults can choose to go full time (Monday through Friday) or part time in order to make it convenient to their current schedules.

S

program is taught by certified and licensed cosmetologists. In this 10 month program, students will learn several different skills including but not limited to; hair styling, hair coloring, hair cutting, chemical treatments, makeup application, and manicures/ pedicures. Charlize Greenlee ‘25 decided to participate in the cosmetology program this year and plans to continue in order to receive her cosmetology license before she graduates in 2025.

“I want to do it next year because I get the opportunity to intern at any salon I choose during the summer so I can experience what working in a real salon will be like,” Greenlee said.

Greenlee’s favorite part about the cosmetology program is the fact that it doesn’t feel like actual school. The cosmetology program is a very handson work experience where students learn so many techniques and skills to help them become successful. This program also shortens your actual school day meaning you only have to go to the high school to take essential classes which Greenlee said makes her day feel like it goes a lot faster.

“My favorite part about cosmetology is that it doesn’t feel like school. We get to do partner days and practice all the things we learn with each other so it can be very fun. I’ve also met one of my favorite persons in cosmetology which makes class a lot more fun,” Greenlee said.

Overall, the cosmetology program provides an opportunity to get expertly trained on how to do many things that will help students in the growing beauty industry in the future.

09 center spread

Inside the cosmotology room at the PLCC where students practice their skills.

PROVIDED BY: The PLCC

GINEERIN N E The Engineering G Processes program allows students to learn the manufacturing, designing, and prototyping of products. The program gives the opportunity to continue professionally. During the student’s senior year, they are able to go from school to work job placement. The PLCC works with local businesses and places them into a job related to the program. Through this program, they are able to gain job experience and school credit. Cohen Lynch ‘25 is currently a part of the Engineering Processes program at the PLCC since he has always been interested in designing and building.

“Typically school subjects always seemed to bore me as I never saw the practicality in them, but PLCC appealed as a place to acquire legitimate workplace experience while furthering my education,” Lynch said.

Lynch, as well as being enrolled at the PLCC, takes several AP classes at the high school. Lynch said its easier than one may think since inbetween the PLCC and school there is a lot of flexes and time off to complete homework.

“It’s a great opportunity to gain workspace experience during school and can give a significant boost to your ability prior to entering the adult world,” Lynch said.

Overall, the Engineering Processes program at the PLCC allows students to obtain hands-on experiences that can push their minds and prepare them for the future.

features

10

THE PAW PRINT

design by Catherine Smith written by Mallory Gearhart

DEALING

WITH migraines what really is a migraine and how can one help it?

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y the age of 17, 8% of boys and 23% of girls have experienced at least one migraine. A migraine can come in several different forms, each having its own symptoms and side effects.

The most common type of migraine, as seen in its name, is the common migraine. The symptoms of the common migraine include headache pain on one side of the head that occurs without warning, nausea, confusion, blurred vision, mood changes, fatigue, and increased sensitivity to light, sound, or noise.

Common migraines can be caused by several different things including stress, emotion, skipped meals, loud noises, and much more.

Freshman Julia Nanna experiences common migraines at least one to two times per week.

“They are actually terrible. I can’t ever think and as soon as I get one I just need to lie down. They are so much worse than a headache,” Nanna ‘27 said.

Another common type of migraine for teenagers is an ocular migraine, more commonly known as a migraine with an aura.

These migraines include most of the same symptoms as the common migraine, except for the fact that it includes a change to overall vision. This change is different for everyone, but can include a loss of peripheral vision, a blind spot, a flashing black and white area, or a colorful section in vision. When experiencing an ocular migraine, one might get a change in vision, or aura, for 30 minutes, which will eventually lead to a headache that typically occurs on one side of the head. The headache can last for up to 72 hours, which can make daily life difficult. Sophomore Jackie Gearhart experiences chronic ocular migraines which makes it hard for them to function normally.

“I am not even exaggerating, I genuinely thought I was having a stroke the first time I experienced an ocular migraine. My arms went numb and I couldn’t see out of my left eye. I had to leave school because all I could do was sleep. When I woke up, I still had a pounding headache. It was awful,” Gearhart ‘26 said.

Because migraines can be caused by stress, they are most common for students ranging

from 13-18 years old because of the stress and anxiety caused by high school. If one is prone to migraines, just walking into school can trigger an attack. Whether it is the lights, sound, smell, or just overall atmosphere, the stress from school, and other social places, can bring on a migraine.

There is really no way to “cure” any type of migraine, but there are different ways to suppress the side effects of them. For example, sleeping is the best way to lessen the effects felt. The best thing one can do when getting any type of migraine is immediately lie down in a cool, dark room and let the migraine pass. A different way to loosen the tension in one’s head is to place their feet in hot water to move blood from the head to the feet, in turn decreasing the migraine attack. Drinking caffeine helps narrow blood vessels, leading less blood to the head, lowering the tension of the migraine. Everyone can experience migraines differently, but the best advice is to relax and let it pass.

MALLORY’S EXPERIENCE:

I have been dealing with migraines since the age of 13. I experienced my first one ever after getting off an airplane for vacation in Orlando, Florida. It was one of the scariest things that had ever happened to me because I couldn’t see out of my left eye and my whole left arm was numb.

I had always thought migraines were just a headache, so I had no idea what was happening to me.

I thought it was a one- time event until I got another one two weeks later when we got home from the same vacation. I went to the doctor and found out that I was prone to migraines. The doctor gave me medicine to try and prevent them, but I’ve never really noticed it helping. I get around 2-3 optical migraines a month and just learned that as soon as I see the aura I just need to lie down and let it pass. I usually get a pounding headache for the rest of the day, but I would rather have that than not be able to see. Migraines will always affect me and I hope to eventually find a medicine that truly works.

DREAMS design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Hadley Bialek

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reams aren’t for everyone. Some people never dream or only have the rare pleasure of experiencing a dream once in a millennium. Others dream every single night: a new adventure awaits, a different drama, tragedy or greatest fear. There are many different theories on why dreams occur and what purpose they serve.

Research collected by the Scientific American delves into the many theories of the scientific community. There is the activation-synthesis theory which states that dreams are simply a product of neural processes of the brain when asleep. Additionally, there is the Freudian view where dreams are the forbidden thoughts of the conscious mind.

For instance, a person’s greatest fear or a most important goal is one possible example of this. Another way of thinking is that dreams permit Although daydreaming is a waking form of dreaming, the American Psychology Association states daydreams are inspired by conscious thought. Most thoughts people have during the day are a result of daydreaming. This can range for the average highschooler thinking of what they will eat for lunch to then having a scenario play in their head where they’re eating a favorite food for lunch with the Queen of England.

“I would say I day dream at least twice every class period”, Lily Howdyshell ‘24 said.

DAY DREAMS:

Typically, if someone is experiencing a recurring dream, the same situation is presented in each dream. This can stem from the subconscious mind trying to work through a situation that feels unresolved. However, these dreams can occur with little to no relation to someone’s current life.

“I think my dream started after I watched The Wizard of Oz. I would wake up on acres of land with nothing around for miles. Then it suddenly goes dark and a huge tornado comes towards me. Once I get in the tornado I wake up and that’s it. I usually have this dream 2 or 3 times a year and it started about 5 years ago,” Maddie Lucey ‘24 said.

RECURRING DREAMS:

Experiencing a normal routine or an event that seems like everyday life, but only to wake up and realize it was actually a dream is what is known as a false-awakening dream. This occurs due to the mind transitioning out of REM sleep. Additionally, these can be caused by feelings of intense emotions while dreaming.

FALSE-AWAKENING DREAMS:

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humans the space to troubleshoot events and situations. Due to debate, there is yet to be a theory that all scientists or researchers agree on.

One main difference when it comes to sleep dreaming is the idea of Non-REM versus REM sleep.

According to WebMD, “REM stands for rapid eye movement. During REM sleep, your eyes move around rapidly in a range of directions, but don’t send any visual information to your brain. That doesn’t happen during non-REM sleep.”

This means, during a night’s sleep, there are only certain times when an individual is actually having a dream. The brain also fluctuates through REM and Non-REM sleep every night. Now, during REM sleep and Non-Rem sleep there are countless different types of dreams a person can experience.

Some may confuse the terms nightmare and night terror, so this will set the record straight.

Nightmares are normal and are healthy to experience every once in a while. These include more vivid dreams with enhanced plots which can leave the dreamer feeling scared or panicked. However, a distinct difference is that night terrors accompany intense episodes of screaming, thrashing and sometimes crying. Terrors are more common in children, but can be experienced by adults.

“When I was younger I used to have nightmares. I typically don’t remember my dreams but this one traumatized me. My family and I were being chased by two cartoon octopus, one was green and the other was purple with a little mustache. They had a big witches brew pit and put my parents in it and boiled them. Then they chased my sister and I around until I woke up. I thought about that nightmare for a long time and still haven’t forgotten it to this day.”, Julia Viola ‘24 said.

NIGHTMARES V. NIGHT TERRORS

Next is an outlier to the first few paragraphs of this article. Lucid dreaming is when a person is in between stages of sleep and can potentially control the plot line of whatever dream they’re in. If someone has a vivid imagination or wants to temporarily access a “new world”, Lucid definitely something they can train themselves to

LUCID DREAMS: dreaming do.

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design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Jillian Taylor & Mady Kerley

BULLDOG BOWLERS

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oaches Alex Snowberger and Nick Arleqeeuw have led the Girls Bowling team through a very strong 2023-24 season. With a record of 13-2 the team has succeeded in almost all of their matches.

“It just so happens Perry was having super lucky carry with their lines and we were leaving splits left and right” Elena Hughes ‘24 said.

While a strong opposing performance can get into a player’s head and mess with their mindset, Hughes added the team loves the competition and continues to do perform their best through the whole match.

“I am close friends with several girls on that team and their coach, and I know they love playing us and feeling the same competition we do, no matter the end score,” Hughes said.

Last Sunday, the girls varsity team competed at sectionals where they ended up taking home first place, along with having junior Madison Perrine placing first overall. The Bulldogs never dropped out of first place after game two, and were the only team to bowl over 900 in their team games. The team travels to Lorain for the district tournament on Feb. 26th.

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he Boys Bowling team’s regular season officially ended with a record of 7-8 for varsity, and the inverse (8-7) for junior varsity. The last official match for the boys was Feb. 14 against GlenOak. There were some rough spots during the match, with not only physical but mental struggles affecting the team’s performance.

“It really doesn’t seem like it when you’re learning about it but mentality plays a big part in bowling” Noah Grissom ‘24 said.

One match that was especially difficult for the boys was Perry, which not only has a good Varsity but also JV team.

“I went to a varsity tournament this season and Perry brought their JV and Varsity team and their JV team placed 3rd in the whole tournament,” Grissom 24’ said.

Postseason matches started last Saturday with sectionals where the team placed 6th overall which put them two places aways from advancing to Districts. Grissom said players were sad to see the season come to the end with some hoping to continue their bowling career into college.

CLUB V. HIGH SCHOOL

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exploring the contrasts between high school and club sports seasons

occer, Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, and many other athletic events have distinct differences between High School and Club seasons. For many high school athletes, each season comes with its individual timeline. Typically, the high school soccer season spans from August to October while club soccer operates on a year round basis, offering athletes the opportunity for continuous competition beyond the confines of an academic schedule.

Despite the difference in routine, Sophomore Liana Beading enjoys her high school team over her club team.

“I prefer high school soccer over club soccer because it is a more positive and fun environment and the team is so fun to be around and practice and play with,” Beadling said.

Club sports require a much longer time commitment than high school sports. For instance, sometimes club sports require athletes to travel for showcases or tournaments with some being out of state.

When it comes to recruiting most colleges and universities attend club events because it gives them the chance to see multiple athletes in one day. Also, the talent level is generally higher than what one would see in a highschool game.

Molly Rutherford ‘25 prefers her high school soccer team because the competition is stronger, but club soccer often gains the attention of college scouts.

“High school soccer can be more competitive because you’re trying to advance to the playoffs, but club soccer gives you the opportunity to strengthen skills outside of the regular season and travel to play different teams than you might face in the regular season,” Rutherford said.

Additionally, playing high school sports can give more learning

experience for student athletes, especially those who are looking to play at the collegegiate level. It can teach athletes valuable leadership skills they can utilize in the future. A benefit to playing high school sports is the cost to participate is significantly less than club sports. While there may be some costs in highschool sports, club sports require fees, expenses for traveling and meals. Another benefit of high school sports is it encourages student athletes to keep their grades up because you are not allowed to play high school sports if your GPA isn’t high enough.

A high school team is more like a family than a club team because players are with each other almost every day from preseason to the last game.

Junior Anuj Rao favors high school soccer teams to club organizations due to the overwhelming sense of community and friendship.

“High school soccer is more fun because you get to play with your friends that you grew up with,” Rao said. “The games in high school soccer are more meaningful than club soccer because there are more emotions connected to it; We only get four years of high school.”

Club sports offer athletes experiences they cannot get in high school, from high competition every weekend and traveling for events. There are many benefits associated with club sports which further an athletes’ athletic career. For example, it increases athletes’ exposure to the world of their sport outside of the bubble of their high school teams.

Sydney Shocklee ‘25 like many aspects of her Club Basketball team.

“The best part of AAU basketball is how fast pace the game is and the level of competition. Also, who wouldn’t want to travel every weekend with your best friends?”

Although there are both benefits and drawbacks to club sports and high school, the real preference comes from a player’s experience in either setting.

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design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Nina Summers

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a look into

SUMMERS SPORTS check-out the newest sports facility in town

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fter years of dreaming and planning, Summers Sports has finally opened in Akron, Ohio. Summers Sports is an all purpose sports training facility that can accommodate many athletes. The large building is equipped with five MLB sized batting cages, and a complete infield for all ages. Parents are offered many different seating areas to watch their child practice and catch a professional sports game on TV. The seating area includes comfy chairs and a stocked vending machine. Accompanying the facility, parents can also go grocery shopping, out to eat, or clothes shopping in Chapel Hill.

Along with the area, the building comes with any equipment needed to have a successful practice. In every hitting cage there is a cart of balls for baseball and softball for all ages, tees, pitching mats, tennis balls, weighted balls, and many other items. All equipment is available for anyone renting out the facility.

“All you need is a bat and a glove because they have everything you will need right there for you.” Owen Garee ‘24, Summers Sports employee, said.

For baseball and softball, the facility is equipped with high end pitching machines that can reach speeds of 100 mph for baseball and 70 mph for softball. Along with baseball/ softball equipment there are weighted

medicine balls, speed ladders, cones, and different hurdles for anyone focusing on speed or agility.

The facility also allows athletes to rent out a Rapsodo machine for pitching and catching. A Rapsodo machine is a camera that allows athletes to check stats in many different areas. Players can hit off of the tee or hit front toss while checking the ball’s exit velocity, bat path, and launch angle. The device records athletes swings and provides a simulation of where the ball would go if hit on an actual field. Besides hitting, the machine can also check how fast a player is pitching, the spin rate of the ball, and the ball’s launch angle. The Rapsodo machine can be useful for athletes trying to get recruited because prospects can include pitching and hitting stats when talking to coaches.

Summers Sports is not only used as a baseball training facility; it is also rented for speed and agility classes, football training/tryouts, track and field, and wrestling practices.

To utilize the building’s space, all nets can be pushed back which allows for a large open space to accommodate other sports.

Recently, travel track teams have used the space to practice their running abilities and football teams have held camps for running backs and tight ends. Summers Sports offers football training classes with ex-NFL players

Delone Carter (Indianapolis Colts) and Corey Brown (Carolina Panthers) to provide younger players with as much help as possible.

Many camps are offered for athletes in different sports. Summers Sports recently hosted Green Baseball Softball Foundation (GBSF) youth camps for young children to run through stations and learn different skills.

The facility also offers speed classes with Delone Carter every Saturday at 11 a.m. For softball players, former Ohio State softball player Meg Otte offers lessons every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for hitting and fielding.

Coming up, Summers Sports is offering a two day camp on March 2-3 with Lexi Handley, Ohio State Alumni: Justus Perry, Auburn Alumni; and Crystarlrae Slates, Spring Arbor Alumni. This softball camp will focus on pitching and catching skills for ages seven and up.

Many teams practice weekly at Summers Sports, including Green youth baseball, Slamforce travel softball, Wicked travel softball, Ellet baseball, USSSA Pride Blue travel softball and many more. Coupled with that, Summers Sports is home of the Akron Black Stockings Baseball Club and Class-A baseball.

MEET THE OWNER Jake Summers has a storied history in baseball and business. Summers grew up in Green Ohio, played baseball for Green High School, and then moved on to play MLB International for Croatia’s National baseball team. It has been a dream of Summers to open a sports facility for years, so it was very exciting when his dreams came true.

“I love baseball and softball. I want the kids in the area to have a place to train all year round.” Summers said.

Summers works very intentionally with all athletes GBSF youth camp at Summers Sports. that come into his facility by providing help to anyone PHOTO BY: Jake Summers that needs it. He also works very well with children and creates a personal experience with each of the kids.

Summers plays rock paper scissors with children to win candy, and throws footballs with siblings that are forced to wait with their parents. With a detailed history in sports, Jake Summers is a top-notch owner of Summers Jake Summers and his mom posing in front of Summers Sports.

Sports.

PHOTO BY: Karen Summers

WEBSITE

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www.summerssports.net

@summerssports

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Busy night at Summers Sports.

PHOTO BY: Jake Summers

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SCREEN TIME STRUGGLES

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rowing up I was more interested in playing outdoors than tapping and swiping on a screen. I lived over at my friends’ houses and they lived at mine; anytime the sun was out, so was I. From swimming in the summer to sledding in the winter, my involvement outdoors did not depend on the seasons. From playing in the sun to playing in the rain, this statement is true for the weather as well. However, I have noticed that as I grow older, I gradually prefer to be more occupied with my phone as opposed to soaking up the outdoors.

My first memories of a device were of the family iPad, which I was only allowed to use for a limited period of time during the day.

I never found much interest in the iPad as I would rather play with my mind. Then came the iPod which (much like the iPad) didn’t really have any impact on my interests. Its main purpose was to keep me entertained on long car rides to the beach amongst other things. All this to say, I wasn’t an iPad kid that had their device glued to both hands and eyes. I had access to electronic devices, but never cared much for them.

Once middle school hit, I started to become involved in more after school activities thus beginning my “need” for a phone. Originally, I only used it to communicate with my parents about my whereabouts and keep in touch with my friends, but that didn’t stay its only

purpose for long. Eventually the inevitable happened, and I started to download games.

These games had me using my phone more and being outside less. Then, around 8th grade I heard that everyone had social media as the main form of communication. Texting turned into snapping, sending silly photos turned into posting on Instagram, etc. It slowly but surely ended up having a big impact on most aspects of my life.

The main difference I have noticed is my time management skills continue to go downhill. I used to always get my assignments done way before they were due, but now I find myself completing them hours before they are due. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t turn my assignments in late by any means. My point is that I do not complete them the day I receive them anymore. More times than not I see myself completing only the assignments that need done that day. This turns into a cycle where I’m never on top of my work and only just skimming by. I believe the only reason this cycle came to be is because I find myself to only have the attention span for my necessary assignments so that I can be on my phone as soon as possible.

Not only does my phone affect when I am completing my assignments but also the time it takes me to complete them. Whether I turn on do not disturb, screen time, or put my phone in a totally different room when

I begin my assignments, it does not change the outcome. Instead of being on my phone, it just causes me to think about how long it will take me to complete my assignments so I can be on it sooner rather than just grinding out my schoolwork. Luckily, it (usually) does not affect the quality of my work, just the timely manner in which it takes me to get it done.

Aside from school and time management, my phone has also had impacts on my time spent outdoors. During the winter, it is very rare for me to be outside for long periods of time. Similarly, in the summer I am holed up on my phone rather than enjoying the sunshine to the full extent that I should be. I find myself, still, sitting down by the pool, but laying on a chair tapping through my phone as opposed to reading or swimming in the pool.

From school to summer, my screen time has impacted my life as opposed to when I was younger. Obviously, changes like these come with growing up, but there is no denying that social media and screen time has affected these differences. All of this to say, while the more recent introduction of electronics have changed the way I live my daily life to a certain extent, they have not modified the quality of my life.

design by Catherine Smith written by Sophia Wells

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GROWING UP GREEK

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n 1937, Antigone Koutsogianes, my great-grandmother, immigrated from Ikaria, Greece to the United States. With her, she brought a bag of clothes, legal documents, and her newborn baby, my yiayia (grandma). They set roots down in Akron, Ohio, where they joined the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. My yiayia was raised attending Annunciation and experienced the welcoming Greek community, which sure enough convinced her to do the same for my mother. It’s no shock that my mom made the decision to baptize all three of her kids in the same church, altering the course of my life for the better.

In the Greek community, the religion and the culture are essentially intertwined.

If someone has an ounce of Greek heritage in their blood, chances are they are Greek Orthodox. As a kid, I didn’t realize how special the Greek Orthodox religion was. Growing up surrounded by Byzantine hymns and ancient traditions was simply part of my day to day routine. It wasn’t until about seventh grade when I realized that not everyone gets to experience such a close connection to their culture like I did.

There are several customs and ways of life that I follow due to my Greek heritage. For instance, aside from attending elementary school, I also had to attend five years of Greek school. My mom felt this was important in order to better understand my culture, and so that she could speak to me in Greek in public without having to worry about people eavesdropping on us. These

customs also followed into the food that I ate. At least twice a week, I was having a form of a Greek dish, whether it was pastitsio, soutzoukakia, or avgolemono. My all time favorite dish was (and still is) loukoumades, which are essentially fried donuts covered in honey, cinnamon, and nuts. On top of that, my family also felt that it was important for me to learn a significant part of Greek culture: dancing.

I’ve been Greek dancing for as long as I can remember. Picking up new dances and styles came so naturally for me, and I was always teaching other family members what I had learned in the dance troupe. My favorite dance is the Ikariotikos (from the island of Ikaria), but the Kalamatianos and the Pentozali are both close seconds. My family and I would attend Greek dances and celebrations monthly while I was growing up, and it quickly became a large part of my social life. However, despite attending these events, I was encouraged by my community to step out of my comfort zone and interact with my culture on a more personal level.

At the age of twelve, I joined the Akron chapter of GOYA, which was created in the 1950’s. GOYA stands for Greek Orthodox Youth Association, and it includes grades seven through twelve. I can say, without a doubt, that joining GOYA drew me closer to the Greek community than I had ever been before. I participated in little activities and events for the first several years, but I didn’t fully immerse myself into everything that GOYA had to offer until my junior year of

high school.

The main events that take place through this organization are “tournament weekends.” For three weekends in JanuaryFebruary, all of the Greek Orthodox Churches in the region will travel to one parish for a basketball tournament. The games are super fun (I actually scored points), and it gives everyone the opportunity to connect with other parishes. There are games, dances, and just overall bonding with young adults in the Greek community.

Through this organization, I was also introduced to Camp Nazareth. Camp Naz is a week-long camp in the summer for Greek Orthodox youth. I was scared at first that it was going to be strictly religious and harsh, but rather it’s essentially a summer camp with a few religious topics. After attending this camp, I left with a massive amount of new friendships and a better understanding of my culture. I’m almost mad at myself for not seriously involving myself in GOYA at an earlier age, as I would have had more opportunities to grow these new relationships and experiences.

Being Greek will always have a serious impact on my life. The friendships I’ve created and memories I’ve made through my heritage are enough to last me a lifetime. I’m so grateful for the community and culture that I have been blessed with, and I hope that I can share it with my own family one day.

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books for

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design by Mckenzie Collinsworth written by Rae Fienman

BLACK HISTORY MONTH fine-tuned reads to celebrate Black History Month

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and beyond

any titles by Black authors, especially Black women authors and Black LGBTQ+ authors, find their works marginalized among writers of privileged backgrounds at modern booksellers. Similarly, the novels we all know and cherish, from the childhood series that shaped our taste, to the timeless classics we read in school, and the books promoted by the latest crop of influences, lack diversity (and sometimes literacy). They tell the same indistinguishable stories of people who have lived and loved in a world that not only systemically benefits them, but will stop at nothing to uphold their historical place of unjustifiable salience. Since the contemporary literary world has failed to highlight Black stories, here is a list of six fine-tuned books by Black authors that belong in the hands of every reader and at the heart of every bookshelf.

looking for:

A long-established American classic. Something that cannot help but spark erudite and pithy discussions everywhere you take it.

The book: The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison tells of a young man’s experience being African American during the early 20th century, and how the people he interacts with never see him.

From the book’s first lines, the unnamed narrator’s nimble yet forthright tone is nothing short of captivating, drawing readers into a world of desperation and deep thought with radical transparency. The novel encompasses nearly six hundred pages of visceral imagery, describing everything from mundane subway rides to resounding political rallies - and it is still not enough.

Yet, the thoughts, questions, and perspective this book gives readers on the subject matter are nothing short of eye-opening and priceless. There is a reason it is required reading for many college literature courses.

Notes: The Invisible Man is an absolute must-read, provided one has the time and energy.

looking for:

An anthology of quick-yet-impact poems. A book that is concise and thought-provoking, paired best with morning coffee or afternoon tea. Not too heavy, yet not so light it is forgettable.

The book: My House is one of Nikki Giovanni’s several collections of contemporary poems. At the forefront of the Black Arts Movement, Giovanni’s poems center around the Black familial love as well as gender and sexuality. Her contemporary, freeform verse perfectly balances warmhearted humor with uncompromising devotion with an unstoppable, page-turning force.

Absolutely not forgettable.

Notes: Nikki Giovanni grew up Cincinnati, Ohio, and has taught at Ohio State University.

elegant and uplifting biography. Something looking for: An educational but not pedantic.

The book: Civil Rights Queen by Tomiko Brown-Nagin is the first full-length biography of Constance Baker Motley, the first Black woman appointed as a federal judge. Brown-Nagin’s writing provides a polished and passionately-researched account of Motley’s struggles for racial and gender equality across the American legislative and legal landscapes. It is lavishly informative and far from condescending or tiresomely didactic. Each and every page is overflowing with elevating, inspiring facts.

Notes: Constance Baker Motley won nine civil rights victories before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Find out more about her extraordinary life and accomplishments in this thought-provoking account.