The Royal News, May 2023

THE ROYAL NEWS

FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

NRHS BAND DOES IT AGAIN

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL A HUGE SUCCESS

NRHS TAKES TO THE SKIES

TWO VERY DIFFERENT GROUPS HEAD TO STATES

LET'S BE REAL ABOUT BEREAL

THE TRUTH ABOUT COLLEGE

COVER PHOTO: JULIA KINDEL

INSIDE PHOTO: JULIA KINDEL

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.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

In 2023, people’s lives are public domain. We live an existence filled with pictures of the now, now, now. Posts about what we think before we’ve had time to think. Pavlov is surely nodding somewhere as we all press LIKE over and over and over, but now the only stimulus is the hope that others will reciprocate and LIKE us back. To not be engaged in this world that thrives on instant gratification is an anomaly.

And that’s what our little publication is–an anomaly. A team of students gets together in the sanctity of my classroom every few months to hash out possible stories. “There are no bad ideas” is our mantra before every brainstorming session. Then the students disappear into their personal spaces to gather information and listen to others’ perspectives. And after they’ve thought for some time, they carefully place one word after the next in order to convey some truth. They submit their stories and pictures and then reset to do it all again. They’re content not knowing the exact number of “hits” they’ve gotten because they know, ultimately, what they do really matters.

We intentionally don’t have a LIKE button in our paper. Our writers don’t want one. They aren’t in this for some sort of recognition, but, rather, they write and take photos because they know that’s who they are, a mighty group who does what they do for all the right reasons. They don’t need the show and pomp. I beg them to give me headshots for the articles, as most would be fine pub-

lishing without them. They don’t need it. And that feels entirely refreshing–humans who do what they do without the constant need for recognition, attention, or the insincere love of the masses.

And despite all of that–I do want them all to know how eternally grateful we all are for their commitment to the written word. We sincerely LIKE what they do.

Amongst these many fine writers on staff, it does deeply pain me to say goodbye to my many seniors. They have set a tone with this club that is unimaginable. They’ve served as leaders in every facet. In addition to the seniors who have been churning out dozens of articles since their freshman year, we also have several who are doing this for the first time and thrived in these past three issues (and one who is actually writing for the very first time this month…just because she wanted to give it a try). They aren’t padding a resume at this point in their careers–they already have enough to make them shine. They’re writing because they write. And that’s that.

So, thank you to all of the writers this year and their commitment to our little anomaly. And, maybe even more, their commitment to the notion that some things are more important than being superficially LIKED. There is something different about this space. And I hold steadfast that that is a very good thing. Thanks, as always, for reading,

Mr. Hemery

The Royal News Advisor

ALL WE DO IS WIN BY:

BRANDON BARRETT

Before the new construction in the high school, the North Royalton High School Band hosted states for Northeastern Ohio. Many would come to perform, watch or judge. However, with the recent construction and the COVID-19 pandemic, this tradition has been put on hiatus in order to allow for the new parts and renovations of the building to be completed. This past April, the tradition has returned in full force.

Makayla Fulmer, the trumpet section leader, was thrilled to see this tradition return. “I am excited because we haven’t been able to host them during the time I’ve been in high school,” Fulmer said.

Mr. Vitale, director of bands at North Royal -

ton High School said, “I’m excited because we are known throughout the state for having a great band program, and we’re known throughout the state for hosting a quality event. They were excited for us to bring that back, and it’s really nice with our new facilities and our new band rooms. We’re able to use our new spaces and kind of showcase our high school a little bit. So it was kind of neat to be able to do that on our home turf.” The judges echoed that notion, mentioning they were impressed with the quality of the school’s new facilities.

Although hosting went off without a hitch, there is a lot of work that goes into making it happen. Marija Djordjevic, the field commander, said,

“I think the most difficult part about it is figuring out how to do each job correctly since there are so many things you have to remember during the event.” For his part, Mr. Vitale stated that, “For me…there’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff. There’s a lot of planning and putting together. You have to figure out, alright, how many music stands do we need; we have six performance spaces, where do we have to get the pianos to…how many sets of xylophones do we need in a room? I talk with the sight reading judges and they say, ‘This is the percussion we need in the sight reading room,’ and I have to figure that out. It’s a lot of juggling and a lot of balancing things behind the scenes so that when 2:30 hits on Friday, every room needs to be set, and we have to have the parking lot for the buses and equipment and it’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff.”

Djordjevic agreed, saying, “I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s difficult, but it’s just making sure everything is in the right place.”

Despite all the work, it is believed that hosting an event such as this will ultimately have positive impacts on the band program and the school at large. Vitale said, “I like the fact that our kids, our student workers, get to see the behind the scenes action, and they get to work the sight reading room, they get to see the interaction with a lot of different bands.” He added, “There’s a lot to be gained by seeing and hearing different styles of music and different ways that directors approach contest. I think that they gain a greater appreciation, and I think our boosters do too, They hear lots of different types of music and lots of different styles of programs, and everyone’s a little bit different, but I think it kind of opens everyone’s eyes to the idea that there’s lots of different band programs out there.”

While States can be complicated to set up, it does a lot of good for the high school and the band program.

BY OLIVIA HARDING

BREAKING FREE: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

On March 30, 2023, our very own North Royalton High School opened their first production of High School

Musical to the public. This mega-production demanded weeks and weeks of preparation, but the result was a wild success. The work began with rehearsals, which were typically held Monday through Thursday (with an occasional Friday if needed) after school until about 6:00 pm. During this time, the actors, actresses, and crew spent countless hours memorizing lines, songs, and blocking (which is learning where to go and what to do on one stage). They worked on painting sets, picking costumes, choosing set pieces and props, folding programs, and organizing backstage. Many of the students helped with other tasks during their

study halls, open campus periods, and after school (in addition to their scheduled rehearsals).

During the week before the show, also known as “Tech Week,” the entire cast met at the school on a Saturday, and they participated in an event called Cue to Cue. They went through each individual scene, set all sound/ lighting cues, and decided who moved what set pieces on and off the stage. Then, throughout Tech Week, they typically stayed after school until very late to perform some dry runs and dress rehearsals, just to go through the show to visualize how it would be performed.

Senior and four-year-drama member, Colin Finnecy, said he took on the leadership role to help mentor the underclassmen and those who

have never participated in a show before. He helped teach his colleagues choreography and rehearsed lines, as well as answering other basic theater questions.

Since the actors and actresses spent countless hours together, the tight-knit bond created by the cast was unmatched.

Freshman Miles Podlogar, who played Jack Scott, as well as worked on the construction crew, said, “I love everything about theater, and getting to know so many people with the same interests as me really felt nice. I can say it really left a good impact on how I view the community here. Everyone is very caring and welcoming. They are definitely like family to me.”

Sofia Savchenko, a freshman who played Taylor McKessie, stated that their favorite memory was when Hope (who played Sharpay) let out the most ear-shattering, haunted scream at the end of “Stick To The Status Quo,” instead of her usual scream during one of the performances. They said that, “Keeping a straight face until leaving the stage was close to impossible after that hilarious performance.”

Amanda Meerdink, another freshman, who played Martha Cox, said, “Throughout my time being involved in many different organizations at the high school, working on this show was my favorite part. I have never been

involved in the choir or performing clubs, and yet I was welcomed by everyone with open arms. Mrs. Jahnigan made the show a place where everyone was welcomed, and it really paid off.”

Senior Maddie Geschke, who played the lead role of Gabriella Montez, explained that her favorite scene was the transition between the scenes, “'Counting on You” and “When There Was Me and You.” At that time, her character went through so much emotion, and she was really able to broaden her horizons as an actress.

Finally, Yasin Rizk, a freshman who also played the lead role of Troy Bolton, stated, “I got a lot more recognition as an actual person by a lot of new, awesome people. I’m so happy that I got to try something new. I never thought I would enjoy something as much as I enjoyed acting. I can't wait to do this in future years, and hopefully improve as an actor and singer along the way!”

From the exhilaration after the first show, to the way the cast changed the detention scene each night, there is no doubt that the students of North Royalton High School put in an extensive amount of effort and time into their production of High School Musical. The sense of community created was sensed on and off the stage, because after all, "We’re all in this Together."

BROADCASTING AND VIDEO CLUB GET A NEEDED LIFT

Thanks to a generous grant from the North Royalton Educational Foundation, the high school broadcasting class and video club are now taking to the skies with “Air Bear,” a DJI drone that allows students to expand their video production skills.

Broadcasting teacher and Video Club advisor, Mr. Hemery, said, “We have been trying to obtain this technology for many years, but costs were prohibiting our ability to provide this tech to the students, as there was always something else that was more critical in our studio. Finally, thanks to the generosity of NREF, we are able to expose students to this cutting-edge technology.”

Immediately after the drone was delivered, the class began using it for weather and traffic reports. Lily Purtee, NRHS TV News’ weather-person extraordinaire, said, “I love doing the weather, and this is just an added layer to the broadcast. Instead of me just saying what it’s like out in the courtyard, we can actually show the students current conditions around the school

grounds.”

NRHS TV News aired its first drone weather report on May 5, and it has continued to incorporate it into various aspects of its broadcast. Jason Skudrin has taken over pilot duties for the morning broadcasts, and is becoming quite deft at maneuvering the drone around the campus.

In addition to being used for practical purposes, students are already beginning to see other uses for their creative endeavors. Senior Criss Ann Valenti plans to use the drone for an upcoming assignment that will be debuted to all students in a few weeks. She said, “We are going to use this amazing tech to give us a different perspective that hasn’t been used at NRHS before. What’s cool is we can use it not only for aerial videography, but we can capture shots on the ground that would otherwise be unobtainable.”

The sky is literally the limit, as students begin to explore all of the possibilities this new broadcasting tool affords them. Be sure to keep your heads up, because Air Bear has arrived!

GLORO 2023

TWO VERY DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES, HEADED TO THE SAME PLACE

BY CHEYENNE CASTELLO

Although an unlikely duo, North Royalton High School's wrestling and mock trial teams share a common thread–they both earned a trip to the state finals.

The wrestling team, led by Mr. Folk, has had a fantastic run since the late 1960s with determined wrestlers fighting their way to the top. Once again, the team's hard work and dedication paid off as they secured a spot in the state championships. Kyle Sandborn, Mannix Wasco, and Sophia Antonio all made the fanous trip to the exclusive tournament. Ohio is known for being one of the most difficult states in the U.S. for accepting qualifiers, but North Royalton has succeeded for over fifty years! Mr. Folk said, “Any time you can get wrestlers down to the state tournament to represent your school, it's a great accomplishment for the program and the community. I am very proud of our effort, and proud of the way our wrestlers conducted themselves and represented the city of North Royalton.”

Although they didn’t compete on a mat, they did hit hard in the courtroom. Originally an experimentation

club, the mock trial team led by Miss Sladky has also had an impressive season. The team has been competing against other high schools in the region and has won every trial they've participated in. The team's legal knowledge and public speaking skills have impressed the judges and helped them secure a spot in the state championships. Miss Sladky said that as soon as they had their first meeting, they were already preparing for the long run. The participants have months to memorize a “mock trial” of something they could witness in their lifetime. Miss Sladky said, “Mock trial is a club like no other because you are treated like real attorneys and witnesses in real courtrooms. Students work one on one with an attorney to help build their individual roles. Everything about Mock Trial is authentic, and the skills you build can't be gained in any other class or club.”

Both teams have worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and the entire North Royalton community is proud of their accomplishments.

LET'S BE REAL ABOUT BEREAL

BY JULIA KINDEL

BeReal is a relatively new app released in 2020 as a response to the heavily-filtered and unrealistic expectations of modern social media. The app’s intent is to promote authenticity and make its users feel more comfortable sharing their real selves online. BeReal has a simple design compared to other social media platforms and is heavily picture-centered. However, BeReal’s main draw is its two-minute countdown to take two photos: one of themselves with the selfie camera and one of their surroundings with the main camera. BeReal notifies its users of the two-minute countdown to post their current activities, though this notification can appear at any time of the day, so users must stay alert.

Additionally, if a user posts after the allotted time, then their post is marked with how late they posted. This incentivizes more people to post on time in order to truly ‘be real.’ Also, when a user retakes their image, the amount of retakes is listed in the post, encouraging people to use their first take to stay true to themselves.

Regardless, BeReal’s user base has heavily decreased from a peak of 15 million users in October 2022 to 6 million users, a drop of 61%. It appears that BeReal’s attractiveness to young audiences has died down significantly, and it has already passed through Gen Z’s short-trending cycle. This is unfortunate, as the purpose behind the app was positive and meant to benefit young people who were over-exposed to filters and photo-editing on other social media platforms. Furthermore, BeReal is desperately attempting

to gain back audience engagement, which has decreased because of the way the app was designed. Since all of its users appear at the same time of the day, engagement for the rest of the day is extremely low. To combat this, BeReal released an extra feature called Bonus BeReal to try to attract more people to the app. This feature is only available to those who can post within the two-minute time limit, making the feature more exclusive to users.

Many students at NRHS continue to use BeReal, but many have slowed or even stopped their usage of the app. Alyssa Rudolph, a senior at NRHS, said, “Honestly, I stopped using BeReal because I would often forget to post. I think the app has a great concept, but it can be hard to find something interesting to post about every day.” This statement reflects the opinion of a large percentage of users, explaining why BeReal seems to be bleeding out in popularity.

The loss of interest from users can be attributed to people instinctively wanting to present themselves attractively on social media and ultimately accepting the artificiality of current social media. According to theguardian.com, “[BeReal] just added another demand for self-presentation, only this time, you had to pretend to be authentic once a day, instead of being comfortably inauthentic on an app like Instagram.” The fall of BeReal might have always been inevitable due to the nature of human beings, but it was fun while it lasted.

THE TRUTH ABOUT COLLEGE READINESS

BY: KAITLYN MESSICK

As summer approaches, the last thing on most students’ minds is their future academic plans. However, in recent years college admissions have become increasingly competitive. For anyone looking to attend an even remotely selective school, preparation can begin as early as their freshman year.

For incoming freshmen and sophomores, the best way to bolster your college application is by getting involved. Though it may seem cliche, getting involved in clubs, activities or sports is a great way to show colleges that you’re both well rounded and pursue the thing that you are passionate about.

It is also never too early to start looking at possible college options. Deciding whether you want a big or small school or to stay close to home or go out of state is a huge decision. It is also important to research the schools’ policies, as some schools may not accept some CCP credits or require a certain AP test score to grant college credit. It is important to research these things in order to plan out your schedule for the next few years.

As for juniors and seniors, they may want to start planning out their application. Although

it may seem far away, application deadlines can sneak up on students. Students should start considering what teachers they would want to ask for letters of recommendation. In addition to preparing their applications, students should know that many schools have also begun to go “test optional.” This means that applicants do not have to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, some students are better at test taking, and submitting these scores could help them look better for colleges. To help prepare for standardized tests, students should check out resources such as Khan Academy, a free website with multiple full-length practice tests, sample questions and step-bystep instructions on how to complete commonly asked questions.

For the class of ‘27, looking at the rest of your life may be frightening, but it is important to remember that the next four years are in your hands. It is up to you to make the best of it. Putting yourself out there and maintaining a healthy balance of school social life is vital to your happiness. Overall, the upcoming years may be full of many new challenges, but there are tons of steps that you can take to make sure it’s a great experience.

THE MANDALORIAN STRIKES BACK ON DISNEY PLUS

BY PETER CARAM

After three years, The Mandalorian is back for its third season. Mando and his small companion, Grogu, are back after reuniting in The Book Of Boba Fett; the two stars start a new journey together as they venture off into the galaxy again. However the question is will this new season live up to Star Wars fans expectations like the first two seasons did?

The story begins with The Armorer (played by Emily Swallow) and other mandalorians welcoming a new founding to the sacred creed that each mandalorian takes. Shortly after the ceremony, the mandalorians are attacked by a giant crocodile creature; Mando (played by Pedro Pascal) quickly swoops in in his N-1 starfighter and kills the creature. Shortly after, Mando asks the Armorer how he can be redeemed due to him taking off his helmet, which is against the mandalorian creed. The Armorer then says he must bathe in the mines of Mandalore. Mando, along with Grogu, go visit Bo-Katan Kryze (played by Katee Sackhoff) who informs them it is still possible to find the mines of Mandalore even after the empire destroyed Mandalore. Mando bathes in the mines’ water where he is rescued by Bo-Katan after being grabbed by a creature. Does this quest for re -

demption for Mando lead to another journey?

With an 87% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes but just 50% from the audience, it's safe to say that this season left critics satisfied and many Star Wars fans unsatisfied.

My thoughts on this season were positive overall, however this season had its flaws. The action and effects are good, but the best part of this season was the characters. Every character got a moment to shrine in this season along with the introduction of new characters to help expand the “Mando-Verse.” As for performances, Pedro Pascal crushed it as Mando along with Katee Sackhoff who not only made Bo-Katan a more likable character but a fan favorite as well. The only flaw in this season was the story. It had its good moments, but I feel like this story was to specifically set up Lucas Films’ other plans for the “Mando-Verse.”

Overall I’d give this season a 8.9/10; it may be the weakest season in The Mandalorian and it sometimes fails to entertain Star Wars fans, which is the core audience. All the episodes for The Mandalorian season three are available to watch on Disney Plus, and if you're a Star Wars fan I recommend this show to you because, of course, “This Is The Way!”

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP QUANTUMA-

NIA, A SMALL CHARACTER IN A BIG HIT

BY PETER CARAM

Ant-Man And The Wasp Quantumania kicks off phase five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after phase four just concluded last year. This film has Scott Lang venture off into the quantum realm where he meets a new threat that could change the MCU forever. The story starts off with Scott (played by Paul Rudd) enjoying his life after he helped the Avengers save the universe. He has achieved celebrity status in San Francisco. However his daughter, Cassie Lang (played by Katheryon Newton), has been getting in trouble with the police and ends up in jail. When Lang bails her out of jail they and Hope Pym A.K.A The Wasp (played by Evangeline Lily) visit Hope's parents, Hank (played by Michael Douglas) and Janet (played by Michelle Perfier) Pym. Cassie then shows everyone an invention she made that sends a signal to the quantum realm. However, something goes wrong with the device, and it transports all of them into the quantum realm. It is there that they meet Kang the Conqueror (played by Jonathan Majors) who tells Scott he is capable of eliminating the Avengers with his bare hands and that he needs Scott’s help. Can Scott trust Kang even if he's an obvious threat?

With a score of 47% from critics and an 84% from

the audience on Rotten Tomatoes, it's safe to say that this film created mixed reactions between critics and audiences.

My thoughts on this film were positive, and I enjoyed this film despite what other critics say. While the film has its flaws, it does not stop it from being good. The special effects used in this film were better than the previous Marvel films, the action was good, and the cast did well with their acting performances. Jonahan Majors did a phenomenal job playing Kang The Conqueror, which was by far the best part of the film. However this is also the film's biggest flaw due to Kang The Conqueror stealing the show in the film; it feels more like a Kang film than an AntMan film.

Another flaw is the story of the film. This film feels like a set up to Marvel’s upcoming movie Avengers: The Kang Dynasty rather than just being a standalone Ant-Man movie that focuses on the relationship between Scott and his daughter. Overall my score for this film is an 8/10. The film is entertaining as well as being a good start to phase five of the MCU; however if you are expecting this film to be Avengers Endgame or Spider-Man No Way Home, this film is not for you. If you missed the theatrical run for Ant-Man And The Wasp Quantumania, have no fear because his film will be available on Disney Plus on May 17!

THE GUARDIANS GO ON ONE LAST RIDE THIS SUMMER

BY PETER CARAM

After being one of the most anticipated films of the year, Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume Three is here. This film is the final installment of the Guardians Of The Galaxy trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as well as being the final Marvel film directed by James Gunn. The question is does this film, unlike the past few Marvel projects, live up to fans expectations? The film starts off on the Guardians’ home planet Knowhere where Rocket (played by Bradley Cooper) finds Star-Lord (played by Chris Pratt) drunk and passed out, and Rocket calls the other Guardians to put him into his bed. Nebula (played by Karen Gilan) brings up that the only reason Star-Lord is like this is because of the death of Gamora. Drax chimes in that Gamora is alive, but it's not the Gamora they know. Soon after, when Rocket is heading to bed, a mysterious gold man (played by Will Poulter) tries to abduct him. The Guardians fight the man to save Rocket but not before he suffers a life-threatening injury. The Guardians must find a way to cure Rocket before he dies. It is soon revealed that the mysterious gold man named Adam Warlock works for and was created by The High Evolutionary (played by Chukwudi Iwuji). The High Evolutionary then reveals his goal is to kidnap Rocket and use him to help create “the perfect society.” While unconscious, Rocket has flashbacks of the High Evolutionary creating and torturing him. Meanwhile, the Guardians hatch a plan to save him by teaming up with Gamora (played by Zoe Saldana). Star-Lord tries to reconnect with her but Gamora is not

interested due to her not knowing him. Can The Guardians save the life of their friend by teaming up with an old member who barely knows them?

With an 82% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 96% from the audience as well as making $282 million opening weekend worldwide at the box office, it's safe to say this film is getting the praise it deserves.

My overall thoughts on this film were extremely positive. I really enjoyed this film. I thought it was a masterpiece from start to finish: the action, the effects, and story were near perfection. The core of this film was closing out the story of the Guardians, with each character getting a moment to shine as we got to say an emotional goodbye. But the one character that the film focuses on the most was Rocket, who was the heart and soul of the film. We get to see the origin of his character and how it affected him and his persona, and it was, in my opinion, the saddest thing to watch not only in the MCU but in all of modern cinema. The soundtrack of this film was wonderful, featuring songs that fans will love, including In The Meantime by Spacehog, Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine, and more. My overall score for this film is a 10/10, not just for being the best MCU film since Avengers Endgame and Spider-Man No Way Home, but for being the perfect ending to The Guardians Of The Galaxy Trilogy. Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume Three is now in theaters and just in time for summer, but make sure you bring tissues for the film because it gets very emotional. And, as always with the MCU, stay for the post credit scenes!

Photo by Casey Charles