The Royal News, March 2022

MARCH 2022

THE R O YA L NEWS FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14 15 16 17 18-19 19 20 21 22 23 24-25 26-27

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

STUDENTS REACT TO UKRAINIAN-RUSSIAN WAR UNITING TO FIGHT CANCER AUTHOR AND VETERAN VISIT NRHS BASEBALL SEASON PREVIEW WHY ARE WE SO SMART? SCIENCE OLYMPIAD BUILDS SUCCESS STUDENTS DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH SCHEDULE STRESS COVID: LOOKING BACK NEW CLASS, BIG GAINS THE TEST IS OPTIONAL--NOW WHAT? SAT CHANGES TO KNOW A FRESH LOOK AT AN OLD PRINCE K-DRAMA WORTH WATCHING READ IT OR NOT? OPINION: APPOINTMENT MATTERS COVER PHOTO: NAZAR TKACHENKO INSIDE PHOTO: KIRA CHEREN

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS. THEY DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OR VIEWS OF THE ROYAL NEWS, ITS ADVISOR OR NORTH ROYALTON HIGH SCHOOL.

S TA F F

Writers

BRANDON BARRETT MICHAEL BODZENTA KIRA CHEREN CAMERON HOOVER GRACE KELLEY JULIA KINDEL EMMA KOLICK PRATHISHA KRISHNA ALLISON KRZYWICKI ANJALI PATEL KAYLIN PAULOZZI MOLLY PETRINA OLIVIA SAFRANEK

Staff Advisor MR. HEMERY

PHOTO BY KIRA CHEREN

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

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erspective. Though reality is believed to exist as an objective concept, the abundance of opposing worldviews we’ve witnessed throughout the duration of these past two turbulent years showcases the immense variability in viewpoints throughout our country. Though these perspectives often clash with one another, they simultaneously remain well-grounded in authentic personal experience, meaning that reality is simply an individual interpretation of life’s diversified moments.

Given the deepening polarization of humankind in recent years, willingness to alter perspectives and understand others’ realities has faltered significantly. We often enter into conversations with staunch and rigid beliefs, determined to vehemently impress our opinions onto others as opposed to listening to conflicting viewpoints that are rooted in equally valid experiences.

As this reluctance to change opinions after receiving new information intensifies, progress in solving major issues has come to an impasse. While empathy can offer insight into alternate worldviews, we often disregard the moral guidance this feeling can provide, and we continue to formulate our opinions through our limited personal experiences. As humans are only granted a singular point of view for the duration of their lives, our realities are created through our subjective viewpoints. Despite pervasive political affiliations or philosophies, no singular principle will provide justice to society.

With billions of alternative viewpoints that all hold undeniable, relative truth in people’s separate lives, how do populations reach an accurate consensus on how to navigate both reforming and bettering society? Through the power of the written word and journalism, the sharing of individual stories and perspectives allows humans to better understand points of

view that differ from their own. Creating an improved comprehension of certain thought processes, this blending of viewpoints can be utilized in changing society in a fundamental manner that is beneficial to all.

This crucial fusing of worldviews is precisely what North Royalton’s student journalists accomplished in this issue. As this publication includes pieces from both the renowned journalism class last semester and writings from the current Royal News club that comprises students from across the school, both returning and fresh writers united in penning articles that strive to showcase others’ perspectives in order to create diverse media that accurately reflects a myriad of differing worldviews – not simply their own. In the initial steps of the reporting process, as these writers gathered important information for their stories, they thoughtfully listened to students and staff members during interviews. Purging their minds of preconceived biases and opinions, they made genuine efforts to understand another human’s perspective.

Listening is too often a selective process, as we fixate on those whose opinion already best aligns with our values – yet, these journalists toiled away in their pursuit of uplifting many different voices and experiences that assist us in understanding those with conflicting perspectives. Ranging from contemplative political pieces to the latest sports news, this issue holds many engaging articles that undoubtedly help in expanding our worldview. Thank you, as always, for taking the time to read these students’ stories.

-Emma Kolick, March 2022 T HE ROYA L N EWS

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HOW PUTIN'S ACTIONS EXTEND TO NRHS By: Molly Petrina and Emma Kolick

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ith abhorrent Russian pro- of Ternopil were forced to take cover while paganda and contentious on the run in order to escape the Russian political relations culmi- forces. “They had to hide in those trenches nating in an unwarranted, because Russian planes were above them,” vicious invasion in the early hours of Feb- described Anastasia. ruary 24, sleeping citizens were awakened Similarly, another NRHS student who with the deafening sounds of missile attacks prefers to remain anonymous grew up in against the capital city of Kyiv. Surround- the beautiful village of Ternopil prior to ing the country on three sides as fleets of Russian military vehi- moving here at the age of twelve – living close to Haydash. Frecles swiftly entered into cities across Ukraine, eruptions of gray quently exploring charming storefronts and castles that characsmoke hovered in the night sky, indicating the mass ruination of terize this historically rich town, she experienced a picturesque rich and vibrant areas, as well as the appalling loss of human life. childhood marked by happiness and adventure. Despite mainGiven Russian President Vladimir Putin’s harsh deterrent in the taining constant communication with her international family international community aiding following her relocation to America, Ukraine, he has insinuated the usthe possibility of a Russian attack was age of deadly nuclear weapons that largely unmentioned in their converhold the ability to rapidly destroy sations, resulting in heartbreaking surcountries. prise as she learned of the aggressive, Currently, Ukraine is essentially surprise attacks in the midst of comstranded as it autonomously defends pleting her English homework. its comparatively small country “I was not expecting it to against the overwhelmingly large, happen at all,” she said. “It was a total aggressive Russian military. As the surprise and I was very shocked,” she advent of live television exponencontinued, later attempting to call her tially increases the rate at which the grandmother in order to ascertain her world receives information, those whereabouts and ensure her family with loved ones living in Ukraine are was safe. Eventually contacting her Rallies charge through the streets in left helplessly watching these horrors an effort to showcase their outrage for and hearing devastating cries of intense transpire as civilian areas endure ceasefear in the background, her grandmother afflicted Ukrainians. less rockets and missile attacks. With promised their temporary safety and short(photo credit: Nazar Tkachenko) nearby Ukrainian Village sitting in the ly ended the call, as she was unable to speak adjacent city of Parma, this endless through her tears. Yet, as she reached out intake of atrocious information with minimal outlets to aid their to her close friends from her youth, they responded from their loved ones has drastically impacted those with Ukrainian families, hiding space in the basement and detailed the armies that were particularly many Ukrainian students at NRHS. closely surrounding her childhood home – unsure of the village’s As a first-generation Ukrainian immigrant, NRHS student immediate future.

Anastasia Haydash mourns as cities that she has visited are atIn an effort to manage her anxieties in regards to her loved tacked and members of her family are evacuated and subsequent- ones’ safety in her war-torn village, she routinely speaks with her ly drafted into the military. Moving here at the age of nine from grandmother on the phone, saying, “We don’t talk much because the city of Ternopil, Anastasia fondly remembers Ukraine as a she’s just so scared. She cries every time, so it’s only five-minute beautiful and historical country as the setting for her childhood. conversations where she tells me the family is okay.” While the “It’s scary to think that everything I grew up knowing is going to briefness of their calls is harrowing, the reassurance of her family’s change and get destroyed right now by Russia,” says Anastasia. continued existence serves as an immense relief as she witnesses Anastasia now communicates with her Ukrainian family daily to constant missile attacks on cities across Ukraine on her television. ensure that they have continued to safely stay in their Western city Unfortunately, many students are not able to frequently contact that has avoided the brunt of the invasion. While a select few are their loved ones, living in a state of perpetual uncertainty and able to evacuate the country for neighboring territories, much of frustration. her family is left to cower in basements as bombs drop and tanks Russia’s invasion transpired just mere months after priroll across the countryside. Others who evacuated her native city or-NRHS student Dorian Hamartiy’s grandfather was finally 6

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able to return to his home in Ukraine after being quarantined in of this international conflict on the local level. Anastasia and her America by pandemic restrictions. Dorian’s father, who was born friends and family have also attended numerous local protests in in Ukraine and moved to America after marriage, is in the most an attempt to influence the American government to take an inemotional state his children have ever seen. While wifi comes creasingly active role in the preservation of Ukraine. “We try to in and out in Ukraine, creating unstable internal connections, pray for them a lot and we try to help out in every way we can,” Dorian and his community are able to share pictures online to says Anastasia. Further, she joins other Ukrainian families in prespread awareness, including photos of bombs that lie in his fam- paring to take in relatives that have escaped their native country ily members’ backyards. For Dorian, his church and Ukrainian and help them in their necessary attempts to gain citizenship and descent were a large part of his identity throughout most of his rebuild their lives in America. childhood. Even without ever visiting the country, he saw Ukraine As Ukrainian-Americans observe the implementation of as being the source for everything that he knew. “I always kind of American sanctions against Russia and NATO mobilization of viewed it as a monolithic ideal that I never troops to the borders of initiated countries, understood because I was never there. But I a feeling of abandonment enters into the understood that it was the source of my culgeneral psyche. “Ukraine has never lived ture, my language, my traditions, my songs, free. Ukraine has always lived in the shadand my food,” Dorian said. ow of Russia and in constant fear that they When the first images hit the media of would invade,” notes Dorian. He and other military advancement into Ukraine through Ukrainians feel that Russia’s controlling nathe supposedly separatist regions of Donetsk ture over Ukraine stretches back to the fall and Luhansk, there was little expectation of of the Soviet Union and that invasion was what was to come. Anastasia first saw evialways imminent. Anastasia recalls the redence of the invasion on Facebook, where cent signing of the Budapest Memorandum videos of early bombings spread faster than and blames the U.S. for breaking the agreeon professional media outlets. Immediately, ment by not providing enough military aid. her family began to pray and Anastasia cried.

Almost all Ukrainians agree on one thing: While this news was traumatizing for her, sanctions are not helpful. As Russia takes it was not entirely unexpected. Earlier, her control of increasingly more essential and family had warned their Ukrainian relatives dangerous sites such as Chernobyl, citizens about a possible attack with their knowledge of both countries have come to agree that of American global news. Similarly, Dorian’s citizens of neither country wanted this war. family also anticipated some sort of violent However, Ukrainians all over the world will Russian reaction, bringing their daughter continue to find inspiration in the civilians home from her three-month stay in the counthat have taken to the streets to defend their try in September of 2020 due to the threat of country in Ukraine. “I am incredibly proud St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orinvasion. “She had to get out of there because thodox Cathedral, located in of them. Seeing how the people of Ukraine it was not good. We were worried that Russia Parma, holds a prayer circle are binding together to fight when Russian was going to invade,” remembers Dorian. In for the numerous parishioners forces were not expecting pushback is inspirwho have family members the early hours of the morning, Dorian also ing,” says Dorian. living in Ukraine. witnessed some of the first horrific images Despite the tragicness of these varied from the internet and social media. His first (photo credit: Dorian Hamartiy) personal stories, these accounts reflect the immediate reaction was pure shock. myriad of similar experiences that permeate As the war becomes increasingly violent and antagonistic the North Royalton community. With a population that is comtowards the citizens of Ukraine, the international community posed of many Ukrainian backgrounds, students are frequently is providing aid and relief to displaced refugees. In North Roy- walking into classrooms as vivid images of bombings in their alton, the Ukrainian population attended multiple candlelight childhood villages linger in their brains. Emotionally distressed vigils at many of the mono-ethnic Ukrainian churches scattered and unable to concentrate on their unrelenting schoolwork that throughout the county. Special services ran at all hours of the day remains impartial and neutral to international war, an abundance and night as soon as the invasion began. In order to cope with of NRHS students are continuously dejected and heartbroken, as his heartbreaking situation, Dorian engaged in family discussion the constant stream of live reports in regards to missile attacks and volunteering. Additionally, his aunt and uncle immediately and invading army fleets lights up their cell phones. As relentless joined awareness campaigns that aim to spread awareness over Russian attacks capture the media’s brief attention span, the grief social media. An especially striking show of support came from and suffering of Ukrainian students will likely remain unchanged, the attendance of Senators Rob Portman and Marcie Gannon at left to attend hopeful candlelight vigils and fervent rallies as their a prayer rally in Parma on Sunday, showcasing the importance typical school and work responsibilities persist.

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STUDENTS UNITE TO FIGHT CANCER

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By: Emma Kolick

ith cancer serving as the second largest cause inated candidates from varying high of death within the United States, each new schools are participating in this fundcase generates devastating emotional and raising initiative and creating a personphysical consequences for those who endure alized campaign that bolsters awareness this heartbreaking diagnosis, as well as their beloved relatives for blood cancer and acquires donations who closely support their wearying and difficult journey. As that are subsequently sent to LLS. As nearly 2 million new cancer diagnoses are projected to tran- every dollar raised counts as one vote spire this year alone, this formidable disease imprints fear and toward their campaign, the candidates whose team earns the crippling afflictions on a myriad of people across the coun- most votes are awarded the acclaimed LLS “Student of the try. While the excruciating impacts of cancer are remarkably Year” title. Despite the incentive of earning this prestigious abhorrent, an exponential increase in both societal aware- award, the eventual conquering of cancer as a result of these ness and medicinal campaigns ensures advancements in every group is recent decades has deemed a winner. allowed for a subThough stantial decrease in coordinating this cancer death rates, group is a large leading to immense re sp ons ibi l it y, hope within the co-founder Fiona scientific commuParker says this nity that rates will serves as a rewardcontinue to decline ing experience in in this promising providing comdownwards trend. fort to those both In an effort to directly and indicontribute to this rectly impacted by enormous battle blood cancer. “I against cancer, speaccepted my nomcifically leukemia ination without and lymphoma, hesitation because Unite to Fight members foster support for their Student of the Year two North RoyCampaign as they speak to those attending the NRHS basketball game of my personal alton High School encounters with (L-R: Emma Kraynik, Fiona Parker, Ian Finnecy, Colin Finnecy.) students, juniors Fiocancer within my Photo credit: Fiona Parker na Parker and Alex family and my firstBottomley, have led a hand view on how motivated group of teens that hope to create a world that is terrible cancer’s impact truly is,” she said. “I said yes for my void of cancer and its accompanying, drastic impacts. With aunt, who is my role model and who has been battling canthe national Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) allocat- cer for a few years now, and is the strongest person I know,” ing a total of $1.3 billion to innovative approaches that suc- she continued. Given the pervasiveness of cancer within this cessfully tackle the most common form of childhood can- country, as approximately 40% of men and women within the cer, this organization has designed an altruistic competition U.S. will eventually be diagnosed with cancer, she volunteered entitled “The Student of the Year Campaign” to encourage to help organize this campaign in order to aid all those who high school students to raise funds for continued leukemia are currently suffering from this disease. research.

Similarly, co-founder Alex Bottomley holds personal exTranspiring across Northeast Ohio, a number of nom- perience in witnessing the harrowing effects of cancer, as her 8

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sister developed Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer at only seven Thankfully, the numerous responsibilities that accompayears old. Quickly and aggressively growing within the mus- ny the organization of this campaign are delegated to severcles that are attached to the bone, Alex witnessed her defeat al students that assist Parker and Bottomley in their efforts, cancer, as she now thrives as a successful and healthy 21-year- including NRHS juniors Emma Kraynik, Ian Finnecy, Isaold. belle Stannert, Colin Finnecy, and Rocky River junior Natalie “I want other cancer patients to beat their cancer and continue Swallow. growing to do amazing things like my sister,” Alex said, recogIn addition to weekly Zoom meetings with their personnizing the widespread impact of this disease. Understanding al LLS mentor who monitors their fundraising progress and the effects of cancer on both the patient and their loved ones, reviews upcoming opportunities to promote donations, they she hopes the funds they raise through Unite to Fight will as- also must brainstorm new fundraising ideas, boost awareness sist local families struggling with across the community to receive the financial and emotional imsupport for their campaign, as pact of this life-changing diagwell as attend many sporting nosis. events in order to set up their Through the generous suptable and speak to community port that has been directed tomembers about their cause. ward their campaign, entitled Given the incredible dedi“Unite to Fight” in order to emcation of the Unite to Fight team, phasize the benefits of collective their commitment to battling community support, this orgacancer and contributing to the nization has raised over $9,000 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society within the first three weeks of has already generated immense their fundraising initiative. Hopsupport and nearly $10,000 ing to eventually attain $20,000 in generous donations. Only by the end of their fundraiser three weeks into their roughin early March, this group has ly two-month-long campaign, worked extraordinarily hard in the remarkable students who ensuring their monetary goal lead this team inspire everyone Celebrating the first official Unite to Fight will be met, as the campaign is meeting, members discussed the long-term to contribute to the fight against goals for their campaign in successfully entirely student-led with minimal blood cancer through spreading battling leukemia through local community outside help. awareness to their surrounding support. Photo credit: Fiona Parker By maintaining numerous community and donating to social pages that promote their their campaign, which can be ambitious goals, assembling a decorative table just outside of found by clicking on the attached link. “Every donation is one populated high school sporting events to attract support from step closer to a world without cancer,” said Parker resolutely, the student body through donations, and working extensively encouraging others to be the generation that works to change with student council advisor Mr. Ciha to ensure the proceeds the world. from the recent Valentine’s Day Carnation Grams were directed toward their organization, Parker and Bottomley are https://events.lls.org/noh/nohsoy22/tnorthroya confident that Unite to Fight will exceed their $20,000 goal.

With these donations, LLS will allocate these funds to scientific advancements that have exponentially increased the survival rate for many blood cancers. As someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with blood cancer every three minutes, this prominent organization provides patient and community services, as well as targeted therapies and immunotherapies that save thousands of lives each day. Further, many LLS-supported therapies now extend beyond blood cancer and are utilized in treating rare forms of stomach and skin cancers.

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THE STUDENTS' CRUSADE: AN AUTHOR, VETERAN VISIT BY: MOLLY PETRINA

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n January 13, Mr. Hemery’s Science Fiction class gathered in the North Royalton High School English hub to hear author Tom Roston and Iraq war veteran Matt Mellina give their take on the classic anti-war novel Slaughterhouse Five and Kurt Vonnegut, the author who took twenty-three years to write it.

Tom Roston is a renowned writer whose work has covered food, culture, and a long list of interesting subjects including Ken Burns, Tom Cruise, Jose Andres, Judge Judy, Viggo Mortenson, Angelina Jolie, and Jane Goodall. Tom Roston worked directly with Kurt Vonnegut during his life when translating Khmer words into English for the author. In Roston’s book, The Writer’s Crusade, he uses numerous 10

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sources, including Iraq war veteran Matt Mellina, to explore the themes of trauma and PTSD as they relate to Slaughterhouse Five and Kurt Vonnegut himself. Mellina has also made an impressive name for himself as a writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times.

When conducting research for his book, Roston utilized multiple sources to gather information. He interviewed the friends and family of Kurt Vonnegut, visited his home, and read numerous drafts of Slaughterhouse Five. However, one story was so particularly interesting to Roston that he chose to begin his book with a fantastical rumor that Kurt Vonnegut murdered one of his sadistic prison guards from Dresden after the war

ended. The bizarre story came from none other than the relating their trauma to that of Kurt Vonnegut and son of Bernard V. O’Hare, Kurt Vonnegut’s best friend. Slaughterhouse Five.

This kernel of information sent Roston on a hunt for The subject and main character of Slaughterproof that was never found. He included it in the book house Five, Billy Pilgrim, shows how war affects anyways, saying, “My own story about trying to find the its soldiers for the rest of their lives. Many vetertruth of this crazy tale was enough to write about.” The ans and PTSD patients find it easy to relate to Bilbold opening to the book inly’s detached view of the troduces the reader to a very world around him due to different version of Vonnehis trauma. During the gut than the one that wrote class presentation, Mellina the beloved Slaughterhouse said that he believes war Five, making Roston’s book simply amplifies mental unique. illnesses or issues that are In contrast to his Napreviously undiagnosed zi-slayer persona, Roston or undiagnosable. In his also researched the life of experience, Billy’s characthe real anti-war Vonnegut, ter brings him peace and visiting his home and readallows him to realize that ing many early drafts of he is not as affected by his Slaughterhouse Five. RosTom Roston and Matt Mellina discuss trauma as he may believe. ton creates a clear image of Slaughterhouse Five, war, and PTSD with Mellina also theorizes that the restored home in Cape NRHS SciFi Class.

Billy may be a sort of maniCod that housed the profestation of Vonnegut’s own lific author. From the typewriter sitting well below troubles and mental health. Mellina states that Billy Vonnegut when he worked to the cigarettes that he is “what Vonnegut sees wrong with himself, coming chain-smoked (almost 90 per day), both the reader home and dealing with the trauma he has.” and author feel a connection with the deceased writVonnegut’s timeless classic also has the ability to er. These types of experiences characterize Roston’s evolve with time and present a new understanding of writing. He says, “Writing about an experience with the novel based on the reader. For Mellina, the book someone is more important than just writing about was just a science fiction story that sounded interthem.” Roston also manages to channel Vonnegut esting at age sixteen. After serving in the military, through his early drafts, which are currently stored in he realized that the book has no target audience and the Lilly Library in Bloomington, Indiana. The pages provides a different experience for everyone who are not ordered or dated. By examining the writing, reads it. He describes the novel as a masterpiece, Roston could discern eighteen different openings to with new layers of complexity that can be discovSlaughterhouse Five that Vonnegut eventually dis- ered after each reading. Roston also believed that carded. Roston says, “All of his writing that he pub- Billy is still important to a younger culture that oflished–you can see that he was trying things out that ten revolves around trauma. In a day and age where ended up being in Slaughterhouse Five.” many don’t feel connected to their own lives, Billy During his interview with the class, Roston de- Pilgrim becomes a symbol of mental illness to peoscribed how the research process ended and the ple that experience much of it. writing process began just as the COVID-19 panThe visit by Roston and Mellina was especially demic hit and unrest began to spread across the impactful for the science fiction students, who were country. He related the situation to Vonnegut’s orig- able to have their own Slaughterhouse Five quesinal point in Slaughterhouse Five, saying, “It’s all tions answered by a war veteran and a Vonnegut about how people are trying to deal with different enthusiast. Overall, the event served to further the types of trauma and upset.” As a New Yorker, Ros- student’s understanding of the effects of war on soton detailed how he took breaks in between writing ciety and on individuals through the lens of Roston to crash pots together out the window in solidar- and Vonnegut’s writing and Mellina’s personal expeity with the passing Black Lives Matter protesters, riences with Slaughterhouse Five as a veteran.

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BY MICHAEL BODZENTA

CONFERENCE CHAMPS CONQUEST TO REPEAT

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fter COVID-19 stole the 2020 season, the North Royalton Bears baseball team did not miss a beat in 2021. With not a single player having a varsity at-bat, the expectations were unclear. Yet, the one-year layoff and inexperience proved not to be an issue as the team won the Suburban Conference and went on to be District Champions.

Going into the 2022 season, the expectations are high and goals have been set for head coach Matt Stricker. “The first goal is obviously to defend our [Conference] title” said coach Stricker. “At the same time, we have to take it game by game and not look ahead.”

The players believe that the playoff run the team had last season will undoubtedly play a huge factor 12

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in helping the team this season. “I think the playoff run last year will help us with gaining experience and confidence,” said senior shortstop Vince Koprowski.

“We have been there before and those experiences have made this team better.”

Last season, the team was led by a strong pitching staff, anchored by Alabama-commit Gavin Jones.

The team's pitching staff posted an earned run average of 2.94 (ERA) to go along with 198 strikeouts and an opponent’s batting average of .247. Clearly, the Bears pitchers made it tough on opposing hitters every single game.

This year, almost all those arms will be returning, including right-handed pitchers sophomore Brady Sasse, juniors Jake Michalak and Chris Domke, and seniors Gavin Jones and Matt Abbott. “Our pitching

staff is definitely our strong suit,” said coach Stricker.

“We have almost every guy returning from last year, which means they all have some experience pitching at the varsity level.”

Along with a few underclassmen, the 2022 North Royalton Bears will feature a surplus of seniors this season. With returning players such as Andrew Kortan, Vince Koprowski, Gavin Jones, Frank Audino, Joe Schmidt, Jack Robinson, Matt Abbott, Ben Pacholski, and Michael Piazza, the core is all coming back. “What’s great about this group is they are all friends, and they love to have fun, but at the same time, they know when it is time to get serious,” said assistant coach Bielak. The chemistry of this team is unmatched and the confidence is through the roof.

When discussing North Royalton baseball, it is hard to talk about none other than Senior Gavin Jones. Last year, the flamethrowing righty posted an absurd 0.76 ERA in 64.1 innings of work. On top of that, Jones struck out 101 of 257 batters faced, giving him a strikeout percentage of 40%. All of this transpired within his first full season pitching at the varsity level.

Not only does Gavin produce at an impressive level on the field, but he is also a leader and an incredibly hard worker off the field. “Gavin never takes a day off,” said Stricker. “He takes care of the younger kids. Gavin took [Brady] Sasse, as a freshman, completely under his wing.” Gavin himself has even taken on this role and embraced it, as he said, “I feel my role this year may be more off the field than it is on the field. I can use what I have experienced to help and build up the younger players' baseball knowledge.”

To pair up with the elite pitching staff, Royalton’s offense is stellar, as well. Led by Koprowski, the team had a very respectable 0.294 batting average to go along with a 0.387 on-base percentage. This season though, the team may be faced with a challenge, as the whole starting outfield graduated last year. “Obviously, those guys who graduated were a big part of what we did last year,” said Gavin Jones. “But at the same time I know we have guys who can step in and contribute.”

Coming off a playoff run as successful as last year, players and coaches have started to hone in on their goals, and one main goal the Bears have their eyes on is the state championship. “Looking at the big picture, I’m here to win the state championship,” said Jones with confidence. Coach Stricker explained his

mentality as a “step by step, game by game process” and made sure to note that you can't jump goals. “You always start with your first goal, accomplish that, then go to the next.”

The Bears open their season on Wednesday, March 30 on the road against Lakewood High School at 4:30 pm and will have their home opener on Saturday, April 2 at noon vs Willoughby South High School. It is an exciting time in North Royalton as baseball season is right around the corner. “A lot of success in baseball comes from team chemistry, how well a team gels together,” said Coach Bielak. “Once the guys start playing for each other, playing for the name on the front, that is what is important and what leads to winning games.”

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IT'S ALL IN THE GENES: THE SCOOP ON STUDENT INTELLIGENCE B Y O L I V IA S A F R A N E K

t is no lie that high schoolers thrive on academic achievement. Students feel validated with every refresh of ProgressBook and opportunity to flaunt their test scores to classmates. It gives a student relief to know the long-endured hours of studying and tedious note-taking have been exchanged for an “A.” At some point in a student’s academic career, the question must be raised as to whether all students are participating in the same tireless behaviors.

Does every student force themself to sit in front of material for hours on end just to cram it in the night before a test? It is safe to say all students have unique academic abilities. Some students are better at memorizing information and some are just incredible test-takers. It can be difficult to make sense of academic success when students have vastly different intellectual skills. The variation between students leads one to wonder if intelligence is predicted by a person’s genes, or if it is achieved externally, based on the environment one lives in?

Every person has a unique genome, a complete collection of genetic information that codes for personal traits.

The human genes are assembled into the DNA of individual cells, which are composed of half of the genes from the mother, and the other half from the father. Heritability from parent to child, therefore, is a significant factor in predictability of a student’s academic outcomes. According to the article “Are you ready for the genetic revolution in education?” by Russell Warne, academic success is a value of 0.50 heritability or higher, where heritability scales from zero to one. Zero heritability means the environment is the only source of a person's difference in heritable trait, and one means the difference stems completely from the genetic makeup of a person. Because the heritability of academic achievement is more often closer to one, it is conceived that students differ from one another in their academic abilities simply because of their genetics and the traits inherited from their parents. The remaining percentage of heritability is based on the environmental factors specific to the student, such as a student’s home life, school circumstances, and academic opportunities available.

Genome-wide association studies, GWAS, use DNA from thousands of individuals for the purpose of determining which gene causes differences in the academic achievement trait. The wide variety of DNA available helps scientists recognize similarities in genetic variations of the trait to then specify which gene caused the variation. Warne also 14

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wrote that polygenic scores are numbers that represent the variation a person has of the trait to further understand his or her academic potential. Polygenic scores can be a useful tool for schools to sort students into gifted programs or programs for extra assistance. Because the score is derived from a person’s DNA, it is more reliable for making the correct decisions for a student's academic needs, rather than a standardized test which may not be an accurate representation of academic potential. With time, GWAS could become more precise in predicting polygenic scores and advance the education system.

Similar to inherited academic ability, studies on twins have solidified that intelligence is more influenced by heredity and less influenced by the environment. In 1990, Thomas Bouchard performed studies on more than 100 sets of twins to determine the differences in heritability of intelligence. In short, the twins were separated from each other five months after birth and were brought back together at the age of thirty. The results of the separation were measured by numerous IQ tests taken by the twins and questionnaires taken by the separate host families regarding the environment their twin grew up in. Travis Dixon reported in the article, “Key Study: The Minnesota Twin Study of Twins Reared Apart,” that the heritability value for IQ was 0.70, which means that genetics accounted for seventy percent of the IQ differences in the twins, and the other thirty percent was explained by their respective environmental conditions.

Overall, it can be rather meaningless for students to compare themselves to one other based on their academic outcomes. We all are genetically different from one another, and it is hard to control the genetic fate inherited from our parents. However, people can utilize the intelligence they already have to gain the intelligence they lack. According to NRHS student Mary Titterington, “People definitely can inherit natural intelligence and not spend significant time studying like others. On the other hand, a smart person can learn to study correctly and gain the intelligence they need.”

By having an open mind to their genes and taking advantage of opportunities to become more intelligent, students will become more confident in their academic abilities. For now and in the future, people should be proud of what they can achieve as high schoolers and continue to strive for success.

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SCIENCE OLYMPIAD: A COMPETITION OF OUR BRIGHTEST

BY BRAND ON BARRET T

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fter over a year of hiatus due to the panas Anatomy & Physiology. However, the second comdemic, North Royalton High School’s petition was very close on the heels of the first, so the Science Olympiad team has made its team doubled down to improve designs, add more to long-awaited return. This year alone, it has binders, and generally prepare for the next great chapalready been through two competitions, the first on ter of the season.

January 29 and the second on February 19, and so The second invitational arrived only a few far it has excelled. Though the team has not received weeks later, and not much changed. Tests were taken, word back of the scores and rankings for the latest of the two, builds were tested, and results will come back… eventually. The junior Varuni Chopra, one member of the team who placed period after this competition, however, is slightly more intense, third in Anatomy & Physiology with fellow junior Catherine as the next competition is no simple invitational - this next one, Popa back in January, feels confident about their most recent exactly two weeks after the last one, on March 5, is the regionperformance. al. Therefore, the team has returned to working hard on both “I feel like we tried our best and the results builds and binders for the best regional possible hopefully reflect that,” said Varuni in regards to - and a possible trip to state competitions. her most recent performance, expecting a solMany students on the team do not have Sciid score and ranking. Try their best this team ence Olympiad as their only extracurricular most certainly has - even in the earliest stages or even their only major after-school project of the season.

- most participate in numerous other equally The season started back in fall, when the time-consuming activities. Lance, for example, team first met up, pooling ideas over what to is a member of the NRHS band, and Varuni create and study for the many different topics runs a nonprofit and the high school Red Cross in invitationals. Senior Lance Fowler, the star Club. competitor, chose to compete in Detector So, why are they adding yet another time-conBuilding, It’s About Time, Gravity Vehicle, Trasuming and difficult activity to their schedules jectory, and Wifi Lab. Varuni, meanwhile, dedwhen they could be at home relaxing? Lance icated herself to the aforementioned Anatomy describes his reasoning as, “I enjoy working & Physiology and Experimental Design. Topon the engineering events, coming up with ics in Science Olympiad are divided into two solutions, and troubleshooting events,” while categories - building, in which a group must Varuni says that she likes “that we choose topconstruct some invention for the event, and ics that fit our interests and learn more about testing, in which they must study for an exam This antenna is sure to them.” These explanations reveal what truly over a given subject area. Lance’s topics, Wifi connects the team together - the desire to probmake a splash in the Lab and Detector Building, are both unique in lem solve and the ultimate joy and satisfaction Science Olympiad. that they require an aspect of both categories derived from it. With this trait, the competitors a built design that must be created and an exam that must be have done, are doing, and will continue to do many great things taken over relevant information. for both this school and the community.

The season then continued into early winter, where everySoon, the NRHS Science Olympiad team will compete in thing geared up, as competitions were soon to begin in January. the 2022 regionals. Among the team, there is a general feeling Designs were finished and construction began. Binders used of excitement towards these competitions, especially with how for studying started to be put together. The true grind began - well it has been doing so far. Lance is especially looking forward though the break that came with Christmas was a nice respite. to this event, saying, “The time leading up will give me the opA few more weeks passed, and January 29 arrived along portunity to make upgrades and improvements to my designs with the first invitational. A unique factor of this competition so we’ll do even better at regionals.” If the team does well at reseason resulted from the pandemic - namely, the competition gionals, they could – for the very first time – move on to states, being fully virtual. Tests were now over the computer and the beating out schools like St. Ed’s and Medina. With the enthusiconstruction of inventions needed to have their functions taped asm and passion of this team, this is a definite possibility. Suron video. Despite this added stress, the team did incredibly well, rounding areas could truly admire the great STEM program at with several events in which it placed within the top ten, such the high school. Let’s go Bears!

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WHAT TO DO ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

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B Y P R AT H I S HA K R I S H NA

nxiousness. Stress. Pressure.

The three things affecting every high school student, right now. Every day seems more challenging than the last; every step harder than the previous. Most high schoolers don’t understand this pressure and have a difficult time understanding their mental health. Collectively, the student body of NRHS should work hard to uplift other students and relieve their stressors.

According to the CDC, one in three students experience both sadness and this crushing pressure. Many factors contribute to this feeling: students are constantly worried about college, being accepted into universities and paying their tuition, as well as doing well in school, sports, and other activities. Many students don’t know if they are being seen or heard. Through all of these challenges, there are ways to counteract these issues, stop the stigma, and create the best environment for students.

“Taking a break and practicing my sport or hanging with friends during the weekends. It’s also good to realize when you’re doing much and to just stop and take a break when you need to,” said North Royalton junior Mary Titterington.

“There has to be a good balance.” These are the methods she used to combat stress. These methods can be extremely helpful in relieving the anxiety and pressure teenagers experience. Other techniques can also be used such as taking mental health days, understanding where these thoughts stem from, and trying to overcome each obstacle one at a time.

Some students also don’t believe that they are being heard or are unable to speak to others about the challenges they face. There has always been a stigma surrounding the topic of mental health because people are unable to understand what it truly is. To combat this stigma, the most important thing is to educate the population about it and be willing to speak about these prevalent issues. Having an open environment to speak about 16

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these issues will lead to more progress for students and create a better learning environment for them at school. This undoubtedly provides students with a better outlook on life and more energy for school.

“Despite all these pressures, I still find time to be excited about the future and look forward to it,” said junior Anjali Patel. This type of attitude showcases how although she might be stressed about life she still is optimistic and ready to embrace the future. Using various methods to de-stress can help others experience this same feeling and excitement for their future, even through all these challenges. Even if it is the smallest break from life, it can allow one to have a clearer mind and less pressure on their back.

STRESSING OVER STUDENT SCHEDULES

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chool is mandatory for children all that school doesn’t allow her to take time for over the world. It is a huge factor herself because she is always either studying, in students' lives, and it takes up a doing homework, or cheering. “I feel like I am majority of their young lives. School missing out on my life because of the amount can have its ups and downs, but overall, it of time I spend stressing about school and is a necessity in life. But now students are doing work for hours and days on end.” Abspending more time after school with jobs bey also said that she wished school wasn’t so and other activities. School can affect each stustressful because it is something we have to put up dent differently depending on their commitments with for such a long time and it takes up so much of and how they go about our lives. things, and NRHS is no Senior Aleesha Shamdifferent. blin also said that school Senior Carmella makes her stressed. She Grieder said, “School said, “School takes a makes me less happy huge chunk out of my because it is so time day and drains me so consuming and stressmuch to the point I don’t ful, but it also makes want to do anything afme happy because I can ter.” She said that she has see and talk to people no time to herself beI enjoy.” She said that cause she goes to school, school takes up a huge then right to cheer, goes chunk of her life, and home to cook dinner, she has a lot less time and then goes to bed. “A to do things she enjoys lot of my life is taken up doing. Carmella said, “I by cheer but it’s only for feel like I have no time a few months. Either way to myself because of a lot of my time is taken work and school comup by school,” said Aleebined, so I can’t clear sha. “I feel like I can’t my schedule for time enjoy being young right to myself.” She said that now because school homework, studying, makes everything in my and sports take up a gilife so hard.” gantic part of her life, Senior Patrick Buza Student feeling the stress of a busy schedule. and it causes her a lot of said that school affects his stress as a teenager. She said she feels as if she is mood depending on how the morning went leading missing out on life because of the stress school to the end of the day. “Marching band took up a lot brings her. She said she wishes school wasn’t such of my time but since it’s over now, some of my time a negative thing because it takes up so much of has been freed up so I can do more things I enjoy like her life, and it isn’t enjoyable when she feels she video games, hanging out with friends, or just being isn’t living life to its full potential because of it. at home,” he said. Patrick said school takes up about Junior Abbey Pfeil said, “School does affect my 70% of his life. He said he feels like stress plays a part happiness. It is a constant day-to-day thing that in not living life to the fullest, and he is currently in doesn’t bring me joy, and it's such a disappointment the middle with stress levels and feelings of missing on how awful it sometimes makes me feel.” She said out on life.

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ONE YEAR OF PROGRESSION: COVID-19 By: GRACE KELLEY

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hen looking back at the past year, people all around the world have made plenty of progress with COVID. With new discoveries, variants, and vaccines, scientists have been improving data outputs, formulating solutions, and therefore altering the recommendations and views that people go by today.

Within the North Royalton School District, a lot has changed in the past year in regards to COVID. In the winter of 2021, North Royalton was still using the hybrid approach to school. Last names A-K would attend school Tuesdays and Thursdays, while last names L through Z attended school on Wednesdays and Fridays. All students would remain at home on Mondays for virtual learning, which included assignments for students to complete. When one group of students was in the building, the other group was attending class on either Google Meets or Zoom. During school, students were required to wear masks unless they were socially distanced during their lunch period. Shields provided separation between desks in classrooms and social distancing was required. There was also an option for students to attend school completely online, saving them the risk of having extra exposure to COVID-19.

Yet, a year later, North Royalton now looks incredibly different. All students, no matter their last name, are in school five days a week. Across the schools, there are no longer mask requirements, although they are still suggested. Social distancing is no longer required and chairs in classrooms are excitingly filled.

Clearly, the North Royalton school district has come a long way in the past year.

Variants of COVID are still mutating and emerg18

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ing all throughout the world. At the beginning of 2021, the Delta variant of COVID-19 was beginning to transpire across the United States. Although it was not the first variant of the virus, the Delta variant was the first variant of concern according to the CDC. The Delta variant was first identified in India, and it quickly spread through Great Britain as well. Many countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, were quick to enter into lockdown as the new variation emerged. This variation of COVID-19 was categorized as twice as contagious as the variants that came before it by Yale Medicine.

Currently, the Omicron variant is the main variant of concern across the globe. In November 2021, the Omicron variant was first detected in Botswana and later in South Africa. The CDC has stated that “the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Delta variant.” Despite the Omicron variant spreading even faster than the opposing variants, the reaction was comparatively mild. The Netherlands was one of the few countries that proceeded to go into lockdown after the exposure of the Omicron variation. However, countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and Japan are eliminating COVID-19 measures and relaxing their border restrictions. Given that the virus has been spreading for a few years, scientists are gaining more knowledge, therefore making it easier to make decisions on how cautious people should be.

At the beginning of 2021, people throughout the world were recently granted permission to receive vaccines for the COVID-19. Healthcare workers and the elderly with a high risk of hospitalization were prioritized to get the vaccine first, and as there was an obvious shortage of primary-care workers in 2021, prioritizing their safety so they could maintain the health of others

was necessary. The prioritization of the elderly receiving the vaccine was vital to decreasing COVID-related deaths and keeping the intensive care units as available as possible. During this time, it was extremely difficult to receive the vaccine, and it was nearly impossible to receive the vaccine if one was not within the prioritization groupings provided by the CDC. Currently, the vaccine is available to nearly everyone ages six and up. People generally receive two rounds of the vaccine to maintain effectiveness and immunity. Further, most distribution centers of the vaccine require one

COVID vaccines were a game changer for schools to return to "normal." to schedule an appointment, but will only book their patients a few days out. Now, there is even a booster available. Those twelve and older are able to receive the booster if they have received the two-shot series prior.

However, if someone has received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, they must wait five months before receiving the booster, while those who have obtained the J&J vaccine only have to wait two months. Clearly, great progression has occurred following the release of the first COVID-19 vaccine.

Within the past year, many new developments and progressions have been made in regards to COVID. Between the changes in how a school day runs, the emergence of new variants, and the development of vaccines, there have been great amounts of headway made. Still, the situation is changing and new discoveries are being made as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

NEW CLASS, BIG GAINS

BY KIRA CHEREN

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hrases like “I’ll just go to the gym tomorrow” or “I don't have time to workout” are common thoughts among athletes with busy schedules. With many of them longing for a class that pushes them to test their physical strengths and limits, as well as allow for extra time to work out, North Royalton High School has just added a new class designed for scholar-athletes who are involved in other time-consuming activities.

Health teacher and former head varsity baseball coach at North Royalton High School, Mr. Klingbeil, described the target demographic as “kids who want to get their lifting and exercise in during the day.” This class allows coaches to focus on different aspects of their sports in practice instead of prioritizing conditioning, specifically weight lifting, during scheduled practice times. Further, Klingbeil says it gives scholars additional time after school that would previously be spent working out to prioritize other activities, such as “a chance to go to work, or do homework, or take a nap.”

This is truly groundbreaking because many athletes find themselves struggling to balance sports, academics, and leisure. Although this class is not mandatory, it is highly recommended by coaches, as well as Mr. Klingbeil and Mr. Lapsevich – both of whom plan to instruct next year’s class.

The first six weeks are dedicated solely to the form of lifting, specifically regarding the main power lifts, along with cleans. Emphasizing that form is better than “ego lifting,” the class is meant to teach that improper form leads to injuries, as well as much slower athletic progression. Certainly, growth will be more visible after several years, but Klingbeil asserts that athletes are still “going to make some gains” within this class.

Additionally, he believes this class will fit very well into the existing curriculum, saying, “[the class] adds to the culture of the school. You feel that exercise is important. Strength training is not as scary as people make it out to be. The whole point is to make it a lifelong process for you guys.” Fundamentally, this new class is going to positively challenge, inform, and educate athletes on the principles of strength training and creating long-term healthy habits.

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TEST-OPTIONAL: THE NEW NORM?

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By: ANJALI PATEL

vident to most high schoolers, colleges and universities have decided to go test-optional for the class of 2022 due to COVID. What does this mean for juniors as well as underclassmen? Well, they’re in luck because over 1,815 colleges have decided to remain test-optional for the class of 2023.

In January of 2021, Harvard had revealed their initiative to go test-optional through 2026, and later that year, they announced their test-optional policy will be carried through 2030, giving even current fourth graders the chance to eventually submit their applications test-optional. Harvard wrote in their announcement, “Because standardized test results are used for academic counseling, placement, and institutional research, enrolling students who applied without considerations of tests will be invited to, but not required to, submit test scores over the summer, prior to matriculating at Harvard.” With this announcement, many other colleges and universities started questioning their own testing policies. After all, Harvard is Harvard.

On top of this, Janet Godwin, the CEO of ACT says, “I’m not surprised by the test-optional movement. It’s the new normal. It’s here to stay.”

What does this mean for the application review process? Admissions officers at these test-optional schools claim that if a student decides to go through the application process without their test scores, it will not hinder their application at all. Instead, they will focus on a student’s GPA to gauge their academic standing in competition with other applicants. This also means that application pieces like extracurriculars, course rigor, and letters of recommendation will be much more important. While going test-optional will not negatively impact one’s application, admissions experts claim that including high test scores adds more value to one’s application and ultimately, will increase one’s chances.

Though there are many positives of going test-optional, many people focus on the drawbacks. One book, titled Measuring Success: Testing, Grades and the Future of Col20

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lege Admissions, John Hopkins University Press is aimed to criticize the new test-optional movement. This book points out that grade inflation, high school GPA, and class rank are becoming less and less reliable. Further, by allowing students to choose whether or not to submit their test scores, colleges are able to manipulate their true standing.

With only students who submit high test scores, the overall scores of the college will be higher. Kelly Ochs, an assistant education professor at Pennsylvania State University writes, “This all creates a perverse incentive for colleges to go test optional that has nothing to do with expanding access for students from low-income families." This means that by increasing the college's average test score, many low income students will choose not to apply. Conversely, many people state that going test-optional is simply a monetary scam. By

not submitting test scores, many students will start to believe they have a better chance, when in reality they do not. This ultimately will help colleges make money through the application fee.

Despite these many criticisms, a study done in 2014 shows there is “virtually no difference” between the academics of students who do submit test scores and those who do not. The results of the study showed “students with low high school grades but high test scores generally receive low college grades, while those with high grades in high school, but low test scores, generally receive high grades in college.”

William C. Hiss, who conducted this study and many other studies on this topic before, concluded that a student’s test score does not determine their academic success in college.

So, is the test-optional movement good or bad, and is it beneficial to students? It can be categorized as either of these options, but there is no denying that submitting one’s application test-optional does indeed benefit students.

T E S T A N I N D I C AT I O N O F C HA N G I N G T I M E S

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BY ALLISON KRZYWICKI

n a chilly February day, North Royalton High School juniors gathered together to fill out the forms for their upcoming SAT for one of the last times in the school’s history. This March, North Royalton juniors join students across the world in taking a three-hour, written test. Yet, in only two years, a fresh set of juniors will sit down for testing as well – but they won't be equipped with the standard #2 pencil. Instead, they will take the test electronically as a result of the recently announced SAT changes.

While the SAT has gone through many changes since its 1926 debut, the upcoming alterations are arguably the most dramatic changes since 2014 when the test relinquished both

the vocabulary section and their wrong answer penalization policy. Currently, CollegeBoard is removing the traditional paper and pencil approach, as well as a few other critical aspects of the test. The test itself will be continually changing as students progress, supplying harder questions once easier ones are answered correctly. Additionally, the math portion of this new online test will now allow for calculators – surely a relief for many students. The reading passages will be much shorter, and they will be accompanied by a singular question each, as opposed to the old format of lengthy passages with around a dozen corresponding questions. Ultimately, these changes will allow the test to lessen itself to two hours, resulting in a much quicker turnaround in regards to scoring.

Eighty percent of students favor these changes, according to CollegeBoard, and many students appreciate the switch to an online test. In the past, students have brought #2 pencils – a writing utensil that is increasingly finding itself replaced in

students' supply pouches. Now, they will complete the test on their own personal computer, one provided by their school, or one provided by CollegeBoard. This change was first suggested during the beginning of the pandemic, yet was not able to be implemented due to uncertainty surrounding wifi connections. The system planned to be utilized in 2024 includes an auto-saving feature, as well as an auto-pausing feature for the timer in the event of an unexpected wifi outage.

These changes come amid an overarching change in education as a whole. Remarkable universities such as Harvard are going test-optional, and if this trend persists, it could make standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT irrelevant. CollegeBoard has recognized these upcoming shifts in education, and thus shifting the SAT online allows the test to be more modern – giving it an edge over its biggest competitor, the paper ACT. Many students at NRHS are extremely supportive of the changes. As with all alterations, some are apathetic, others are critical, while many are joyous. These SAT changes align with testing trends around the high school, as more teachers have begun providing tests through an online format. Hopefully, these changes will be for the better of all North Royalton students and allow for less stress on their testing days in the future. While the results of these changes are unclear, the traditional paper format is still in place, so NRHS wishes great luck to those taking the upcoming ACT.

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A NEW FRESH PRINCE IN TOWN

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BY CAMERON HO OVER

onday, May 20, 1996, was the last time fans saw the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. When the show closed, Will was off to find the good life he came out to BelAir for. Carlton was going to Princeton just like his father. Ashley and Hillary would move in with each other in New York, and Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian were moving to the east coast to be closer to their children. The closing scene left fans with tears, as their beloved cast of four years parted ways.

In 2019, a fan who obviously did not get enough of the original series created a trailer that suggested a new approach to the instant classic. The trailer took place in Philadelphia, where Will was from, and showed the reasons behind why he really went to Bel-Air. The trailer had a very drama-orientated approach, different from the classic sitcom. Yet, fans were ecstatic. The comment section poured with cheer as their childhood favorite would be coming back. The only problem was that it was fan-created. It was not a real trailer, but a depiction of what the show would be like in this day and age.

While the fan-created trailer blew up, it was hard for the real Fresh Prince to not catch the word. In 2021, Will Smith was so impressed with the trailer that he met up with the executive director of the trailer, Morgan Cooper, and drew up a pilot. After that, they signed a two-season contract with Peacock. By 2022, advertisements flooded the Super Bowl and other social media outlets – the word was out. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was coming back.

Most of the cast for Bel-Air are new faces. The new Will is played by Jabari Banks, a kid who grew up watching the Fresh Prince and told reporters that this was the show he grew up to. Coco Jones, a familiar face, plays Hillary Banks, but instead of the flashy, designer Hillary Banks, it is more of the “social media is king” Hillary Banks. Adrian Holmes, a Bravo favorite, plays a strict, yet laid-back Uncle Phil. Carlton, being one of the nerdiest characters in television history, turns into a relaxed teenager with the part being played

by Olly Sholotan. The most accomplished actress in the series is also one of the youngest, stemming from her roles in Captain Marvel and This is Us, Akira Akbar plays Ashley and does a great job at highlighting the teenage tendencies 22

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in this day and age. Vivian Banks is played by Cassandra Freeman and creates a more inviting presence than the original Vivian did. Lastly, Geoffrey the butler is played by Jimmy Akingbola and has a deeper role in the show’s plot.

In the opening pilot, the show takes place in Philadelphia. Will is the star player on his basketball team and has scholarships. While Will and his friend Tre were in their neighborhood, they get pulled into a two-ontwo challenge by two gang members, where if Will and his friend win, they get $2000, but if they lose, they have to work for him. Will and Tre end up winning the game, and out of anger, one of the gang members throws the ball at Will. The ball misses Will and ends up hitting up the gang leader.

After this, a fight broke out, and just as Will was about to get away, he saw his best friend getting beat up in the circle.

Going into Tre’s bookbag and grabbing his gun, Will shoots it in the air to clear everyone out. Everyone runs, except the gang leader, Will, and Tre. The leader and Will get caught by the cops, and Will gets locked up. While Will gets out the same day from Uncle Phil, his mother breaks the news that he is moving to Bel-Air. Obviously, the news made him upset, but he was more worried about his friend at home and the danger that lurks for the both of them.

Once Will is in Bel-Air, he is met with the Banks family and learns how to maintain his Philly way, just in a new environment. The episodes following the pilot reimagine certain scenes, characters, and places from the original series, but have a new-age flavor that keeps the narrative fresh and modern. With how great these episodes have been, it will be very hard not to continue watching this reboot.

While having only four episodes out right now, as they are produced weekly, the show has done a great job in highlighting the reasons behind Will’s move. The show did a great job in keeping it fresh, as the characters and their personalities are familiar, which adds to the nostalgia of the reboot. Fans can certainly tell Will Smith was behind the camera and wanted certain scenes to have a different feel. While many enjoyed the original sitcom, fans are open to the new drama aspect that this show brings, and can not wait to see what they end up doing with this reboot.

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ALL OF US ARE DEAD: AWA I T I N G S E A S O N 2

BY JULIA KINDEL

any have heard or seen the Korean show Squid Game, which accumulated an astonishing 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first 28 days on Netflix.

However, Squid Game was only an indicator of the immense growth that Korean dramas, or K-dramas, were experiencing during the pandemic. In 2020, Korean content was the genre that grew the most in popularity, with the United States, Canada, Portugal, and Spain accumulating 2.5 times more viewing.

Ever since Netflix entered the South Korean market in 2016, it has created about 80 original Korean series and films. In 2022, the streaming service has plans to release an additional 25 pieces of Korean content, with All of Us Are Dead being released in January and holding its No. 1 spot on Netflix’s weekly spot for three weeks straight.

All of Us Are Dead is a thrilling and highly-addictive K-drama about a high school being overrun by a zombie outbreak. In the show, classmates are forced to work together in order to make it out of school alive whilst facing murderous bullies and the ever-growing horde of zombies.

The plot follows a group of students who join together during the chaos but whose composition regularly changes, usually due to death. Some of the characters who manage to stay in the main group the longest are Nam On-Jo, Lee Chong-San, Choi Nam-Ra, Lee Su-Hyeok, Yang Dae-Su, and Seo HyoRyung. The characters’ relationships are portrayed realistically throughout the show, which is refreshing given the situation they are going through.

K-dramas are successful in building up emotional connections to characters, and this show doesn’t disappoint. Every main character has at least a brief backstory explaining the motivations for their actions. Additionally, this show covers many genres, including a bit of comedy and romance to lighten the mood when it would otherwise be all gloomy

and melancholy.

The overarching theme throughout the show is to hold on to hope.

Even when the main group faces incredibly tough decisions in which the lives of their friends are in danger, they temporarily lose hope but quickly regain their will to survive and make it to safety. The show also addresses social issues like bullying and teen pregnancy, although the teen pregnancy storyline is mostly irrelevant to the plot. Also, All of Us Are Dead isn’t afraid to kill off characters, which increases the anticipation and gives a sense of realism.

Many are anticipating another season, but it hasn’t been announced yet.

Even if there isn’t a season 2, the show leaves just the right amount of mystery at the end to keep any viewer satisfied. This show is certainly one that will keep the audience glued to their screen, as all of the actors and actresses are extremely talented and allow viewers to form an emotional connection to the characters, whether positive or negative.

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TO PARADISE: LATEST BOOK RELEASE LACKS IMPACT

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By: Molly Petrina

anya Yanagihara’s newest creation, To Paradise, leaves behind the distinctive stylistic choices that make the author’s previous books successful in favor of a wildly different story structure and characters from different generations that parallel each other. However, experimental writing is nothing new to Yanagihara, who works as editor-in-chief at T (a style supplement to the New York Times) by day and writes her sprawling novels by night.

Her Hawaiian upbringing is reflected in her newest novel, with David and his father Wika engaging in a subplot through letters that details the difficult political climate of 1960s Hawaii.

Of Yanagihara’s previous two books, her work A Little Life has brought the most critical acclaim and carries many similarities in prose and tactic with To Paradise.

It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize as well as the National Book Award. The emotional turmoil that pervades every chapter of this book is what Yanagihara attempts to replicate here, albeit with more marketable results. Compared to this book, Yanagihara’s first writing, The People in the Trees, lacks her wellknown style but holds the most historical integrity.

This work explores colonialism with a supernatural twist in which an anthropologist discovers a forest tribe who have discovered the secret to eternal life and attempts to take their methods back to the States.

Structurally, To Paradise covers three different storylines in three different time periods that span 24

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over 200 years. Every storyline encompassed in the novel takes place in the same old house in Washington Square of New York City. The first explores a post-Civil War era in which the America has broken into factions and New York lives in a blissful, progressive state in which same-sex marriage and womens’ rights are already undisputed. However, racism is commonplace and so is arranged marriage, making the societal struggle with morality obvious from the beginning. The next section follows former Hawaiian royalty that moved to New York during the height of the AIDS epidemic, therefore eliminating the benefit of creating a world where same-sex relationships are destigmatized from the early nineteenth century. The only real background provided on the historical significance of Hawaii’s history in relation to the story is a collection of letters from David’s father. The final segment takes an absurd turn to a dystopian society called “Zone Eight,” in which pandemics have rampaged the Free States and by result, no one has access to the internet, books, or private conversation. Again, there is no real explanation as to how the world has denigrated into such a regime.

Throughout the three completely unrelated plotlines and time periods, every meaningful character in the story shares the names David, Edward, or Charles (Charlie for the singular girl) no matter what their circumstances. The names came to provide some framework for the reader to base their

opinions off of, as characters with the same name quickly come to share key characteristics. David is always the protagonist, Edward is the reckless partner, and Charles is the safe intellectual. Although the idea had promise, Yanagihara uses these names like shields throughout the unorganized story to prove her emotional point about relationships. It never seems to matter what the time period is or where these characters are originally from, they will always fall into one of Yanagihara’s self-imposed cliches.

However atypical To Paradise may seem based on style and structure, it makes up for it in the familiar prose and melancholy of Yanagihara’s signature style. The idea of beautiful suffering is what makes Yanagihara’s books seem lush and gripping at the same time. In To Paradise, someone is always suffering just like in real life. In the post Civil War Free States, it’s the victims of arranged marriage and discrimination. In the AIDS epidemic, it is the city’s gay population and the native people of Hawaii. By the end, everyone is suffering.

In one particularly Yanagihara-style scene, public health official Charles pities two small twin boys for the effects that a pandemic illness has wrought on them. In his opinion, these children would be better off not living at all rather than living as a shadow of their former selves. The same self-destructive themes are what made A Little Life so heart-wrenching and successful. Yanagihara has created an easily discernible formula: create a devastatingly beautiful protagonist and then allow them to suffer. It’s what makes her characters interesting.

To Paradise could easily be labeled a piece of politically volatile science fiction, from its reimagined historical settings to its dystopian fascism.

Portions of the book hit close to home, with pandemics reinventing the ways that human beings

communicate with one another. Other choices fall flat, such as the corrupted government sending flies to spy on civilian conversations in the futuristic part of the novel. In a work that examines such prominent and divisive social issues, taking a break in the commentary to detail the workings of robot bugs feels unnatural.

Regardless of the intricately chosen historical settings, the story mainly revolves around the personal relationships of the story’s main characters.

Because of this, the comprehensive historical analysis of each time period feels useless in the context of the story. As a whole, the book feels chaotic and unfocused in a way that makes the reader forget about important events directly after they are read.

Readers will find that the most interesting subplots that occur within historical context, like Waki attempting to raise his son off the land as a protest against American colonialism in Hawaii, have little to do with the continuous story. Overall, Yanagihara’s gorgeous writing style cannot redeem the structural and stylistic choices that make To Paradise so difficult to immerse yourself in.

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OPINION: EQUITY, REPRESENTATION IN COURT

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By: EMMA KOLICK

s the crowded 2020 Democratic presiden- its legitimacy. Devastating the Vottial primary race brimmed with an exciting- ing Rights Act, sanctioning partisan ly diverse group of candidates, ranging from gerrymandering across the country, long-standing senators to exuberant spiritual and allowing dark money to enter leaders, the struggling Biden campaign made a signifi- elections, its public approval is rapcant and crucial promise to appeal to undecided voters. idly declining. As many expect Roe Addressing an intimate audience in South Carolina as he v. Wade to be overturned in the imdominated the debate stage, he fervently pledged to con- mediate future, and states continue firm the first black woman to the Supreme Court if given to enact laws that focus on suppressing the voting rights the opportunity. With this historic commitment eliciting of African-Americans, the nomination and subsequent rapturous applause from viewers, he captured zealous confirmation of a black woman justice will not drastically support from a wide variety of demographics, as black alter the reality of these impending atrocities, nor will it women across the country eagerly envisioned a court modify the hyper-conservative majority present on the that finally represented their shared life experiences fol- court. However, this confirmation would undoubtedly allowing centuries of an unjust, white-dominated court. low for a Supreme Court that better represents the people Just over a year of this country, into Biden’s presiwhich has redency, his critical mained incredichance to diversify bly uniform for the highest judiciathe past several ry in the nation has centuries. emerged. Following Under more than two dethe preceding cades as a renowned Trump adminSupreme Court jusistration, 234 tice, the anticipated people were retirement of liberal confirmed to Justice Stephen Breythe federal er has generated an branch, with 84 Public opinion surrounding the Supreme Court has open seat, with Prespercent of these decreased rapidly over the past two decades, with ident Biden reasserting his officials being white and approval plummeting to a mere 40% last year. (Source: dedication to nominating a 76 percent being men. This Gallup) black woman to the court. conspicuous lack of diverAs recent press conferences sity serves as a detestable often point to Court of Appeals Judge Ketanji Brown continuation of this nation’s past wrongdoings in wrongJackson and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra ly underestimating women’s ability in public office, as the Kruger as his top choices, these names are exceedingly composition of this court has remained heavily skewed admired in legal circles across the country. toward white men throughout this country’s history.

While the fulfillment of this promise has resulted in Given the 115 Supreme Court justices that have offiimmense celebration and triumph for Democrats, out- cially been confirmed, only five have been women – with rage has begun to permeate the Republican party. Many only three being men of color. Entirely unjustifiable to claim this form of affirmative action prioritizes skin color the public, this absence of diverse representation greatly over qualifications, unfairly narrowing the list of viable erodes the validity of the court, as the general public’s excandidates, and Senator Ted Cruz has even categorized periences are not reflected in the opinions of the justices this move as an insult to black women. who decide on significant cases that impact all AmeriYet, the Supreme Court is quickly beginning to lose cans.

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Justices inevitably carry with them their personal perspective of life’s endeavors, and these viewpoints stem from remarkably less varied moments and opinions when the court is packed with identical demographics of affluent, white men. As justices currently sit to deliberate cases, the experiences of minorities, like black women, are not represented in the final verdict.

Although confirming a black woman to the court does not directly and immediately translate into climatic alterations in the Supreme Court’s ruling on issues of immense salience, it indeed ensures that decisions are accurately made with the input of a woman who intuitively understands the challenges people of color endure in this country as a result of systemic racism and injustice.

Despite the founding of America’s judiciary system on principles of democracy and impartiality, much of the perceived justice delivered by the Supreme Court has only served the majority population of the United States.

Attempting to interpret the true meaning of the Constitution and navigate through prior cases in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion on the fairest ruling, only two black justices have ever served on this court – in a nation where almost 15 percent of people are black. Further, the United States population is comprised of more women than men, yet the court has never had more than three women justices in a singular moment.

If the highest court in the U.S. is crowded with justices who hold both a limited and narrow perspective of the challenges that face a plethora of Americans, specifically minorities, then their rulings will continue to be misguided and incorrectly represent the vast majority of the nation. While the perspectives and experiences of white men who serve as Supreme Court justices are valid and authentic, this does not discount the equally legitimate experiences of differing demographics, and thus the distance between these varied viewpoints must be fused in order to create an accurate representation of public opinion.

Placing importance on the demographics of elected officials has become progressively common, as the Trump administration promised to confirm a woman to the Supreme Court following the tragic passing of eminent Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Though many conservatives consider Biden’s promise to mirror a perverted quota that disregards qualifications and gives unfair precedence to skin color, it rather furthers the government to a place of equitable democracy in which the Supreme Court is representative of America.

In order for the court to uphold its immense societal and governmental standing, its composition must ac-

curately reflect what this nation looks like. Given recent cultural and demographic changes, the country has slowly become less white and conservative, yet U.S. systems are abhorrently distorted and disconnected from these changing developments.

The historic supremacy of white men in government positions is the result of a deeply sexist, discriminatory system that ultimately must be deconstructed, and the selection of officials with a careful assessment of their societal characteristics is indicative of the extraordinary wrongdoings of the nation’s past. President Biden’s public promise to nominate a black woman to the Supreme Court is an affirmation of the need for justice and equality – that the government must rectify the imbalance of perspectives in prominent American institutions. As the Supreme Court has no enforcement mechanism, but rather relies on public trust, the court must be enriched with the talent that is held by women of color, specifically black women.

How one examines and resolves disputes is inextricably intertwined with personal identity, particularly when those disputes are susceptible to interpretation and enter into the Supreme Court for resolution. While news outlets attempt to predict who Biden will name to fill the court’s vacancy, the intellectual range and experiences of black women lawyers ensure the court will be excellently represented by any of them, and the current presidential administration must uphold its promise in order to create a diversified court. Instead of disparaging this form of affirmative action, Republicans need to acknowledge this country’s racial transgressions and the urgency surrounding accurate and true representation of everyone in the nation – otherwise, the authority of the Supreme Court remains in perilous jeopardy.

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PHOTO BY: ANASTASIA HAYDASH