RETURNING TO ANALOG: NO MORE STREAMS DO CARS INCREASE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT?
BAND UPDATE: ALUMNI NIGHT
INTERNET SPEECH MAKES ITS WAY TO REAL LIFE
COVER PHOTO: NYAH PALMER INSIDE PHOTO: NORAH BELL
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.
NORAH BELL
EMILY DOCKRILL
NYAH PALMER
MADDEN PIEKARSKI
SOFIIA SAVCHENKO
PEYTON STEPIC
AVA WEATHERBIE Staff
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
AI: It’s all anyone seems to want to talk about. It’s the topic of discussion around the teacher workroom, a feature on all of our cell phones, and the headline nearly every day on the news. Even as I logged into my layout program to piece together this issue of The Royal News, the program asked if I’d like to use AI to generate images for the school’s paper. Truth? I sort of did. A few students sent photos that were too small, and I had to reach out for better quality. We also needed an extra photo for an article here or there. It would have been extremely convenient just to let the program make the photo. All I had to do was click “YES.”
But I didn’t.
And here’s why. Because all it took was a quick email, and the students immediately responded and sent me what I needed for the issue: Images of students working during study hall. A shot of a student’s dog. An October photo of the city. The pictures are great. And so are the articles. They worked diligently
to write these stories, choosing which word to put after the next, instead of letting a dead, mindless algorithm make those decisions for them. They spoke with real people for interviews. Interacted. They were engaged and alive.
I recently had the amazing opportunity to speak with NHS students about the concept of easier not being better. And I find that theory applies here as well. Ultimately I’m so glad I clicked on the “NO THANKS” to AI button. I’m proud of the words in this issue. Words that are read by real people. Words written by real people. I believe this is our last stand against apathy, and I’ll happily stand with the students who care enough about the future by interacting with the beauty of the world.
Thanks, as always, for reading, -Mr. Hemery
The Royal News Advisor
THE NEW PHONE POLICY: A DIFFICULT CELL BY: AVA WEATHERBIE
Since the first assembly of the school year, students have either been in an uproar about the new announcement regarding the cell phone ban or just a quiet confusion. Only a few details have been provided about the new plan that is being enacted for the 25-26 school year, and it piqued interest among students and teachers alike. According to the bill that Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio, signed into effect, all school districts must devise a policy by July 1, 2025, which outlines the use of phones during school hours. However, the bill does not state that cell phones must have a complete ban placed on them but gives sovereignty to each school district to devise an individual plan that limits or restricts the usage of phones in some capacity.
Mr. Yappel, an assistant principal at North Royalton High School, explained that our school district “does not have a set plan yet, but it is expected to be done by June 2025.” He also stated that the plan’s main objective, according to the state, is to
ensure that students’ cell phones are “as limited to them as possible” and that “each school has to shrink the availability of them.” This will all contribute to a decrease in cell phone-related distractions, which is the goal of the state and the Ohio Department of Education. He emphasizes that although we have an exemplary school district with high-quality students and parents, the administration can not go against state law or the ODE.
Interestingly, Mr. Yappel pointed out a discrepancy between the language used in the bill that was passed and the statement that the ODE put out regarding the bill. The bill that was signed into law said that there does not need to be a complete ban on cell phones in schools, while the ODE noted that cell phones must be prohibited in school for students, but there are exceptions, such as students with 504 plans and medical requirements being allowed to carry their phone on them. Prohibiting phones with a guideline of exceptions is what the ODE interpreted as a model policy for each school. This discrepancy caused the whole ordeal to be muddled with confusion as each school district is trying their best to navigate this new bill and its implementation.
Although the wording seemed intense and aggressive in the model policy produced by the Ohio
Department of Education, it has a vast amount of stipulations and suggestions for how schools could prohibit phones, some being to keep them stored away in a students’ book bags at all times and some implying use of phone pockets, which we already have in place at North Royalton High School. This begs the question of whether students have already been required to do enough.
Many teachers and students are satisfied with the cell phone policy we already have. Mrs. Leatherman, an English teacher at NRHS, said, “I believe it is mostly a good idea because not just students, but people in general are tempted to use their phones all the time.” She stressed how distracting phones can be, an experience almost everyone who owns one can attest to. Although she doesn’t care for the phones in the classroom, she disagrees with an allout ban and said, “I like the use of wall pockets to store the phones of students.” With the use of cell phone pockets, students can still access them, but teachers can easily police when students have their phones and when they do not. She also expressed concern about having an all-out phone ban because “certain exceptions are necessary, like parent contact, medical emergencies, or when we have to use the phones’ wifi to keep moving along educationally.”
think a student’s cell phone should be accessible and within reach.
The importance of being able to have access to one’s phone is echoed by students as well. Nyah Palmer said, “I’m worried about not having my phone on me if an emergency happens, like fires or bad weather, or if I get sick and need to be picked up by one of my parents. I also need my phone in school to make plans for ride arrangements, especially for club meetings.” Having easy access to a cell phone in case of emergency or if she needs to contact someone is a significant and valid concern, one that is not uncommon with many other students. Nyah continued to detail how many of her classes utilize cell phones in daily learning activities. She said, “We have been instructed to retrieve our phones from the phone pocket multiple times throughout the school year, either to use as a timer, to record a lab experiment, or to take pictures of any notes that were put on the board.”
Cell phones serve as an excellent and convenient tool in numerous classes to serve as educational tools. This is a perfect example of how teachers can limit cell phone usage by keeping them in phone pockets but also make them still within reach of students and can help them in their academic pursuits.
Phone pockets allow students to have controlled access to their phones; this way, students still have them for educational purposes and can have them in case of emergencies. Now, as our school district has yet to decide what plan will suit our schools the best, many hope they will consider the aforementioned opinions and ideas. Although most agree that cell phones can and do cause negative effects on students, whether that be their mental health or creating a disturbance in their learning, and that cell phones should be limited during certain hours of the school day, students and many teachers still
How to go about enacting this bill and model policy presented to school districts by the Ohio Department of education is a tricky and delicate subject, with many factors contributing to its outcome. Cell phones can be a useful tool in educational areas when correctly policed by teachers. Allowing students to have access to their phones during the school day creates easier contact with parents in case of emergencies and transportation arrangements. It also can help students keep track of homework and notes done in class. When done correctly, the mixture of a limit on cell phones during school and student accessibility of them can cultivate a better and safer learning environment for everyone.
Students use their phones for academic reasons every day.
APPRECIATING PHYSICAL MEDIA IN A DIGITAL AGE
BY NYAH PALMER
In today’s modern age, it often seems that almost all aspects of life have been digitized. We listen to music and read books online, manage our bank accounts from apps, and scan QR codes to access restaurant menus. But is digital media always superior to old-fashioned physical media?
As far as books go, people seem to have varying opinions on whether they prefer paperbacks or Kindles. Madden Piekarski, an NRHS junior with an impressive book collection, can appreciate the convenience of digital copies–but always defaults to physical books. Piekarski has been an avid reader for three years, during which her library has only grown. She continues to purchase books because she loves that they look “pretty on [her] shelf” and add to the aesthetic of her bedroom. “I like that I can
feel it in my hands,” she said, speaking fondly of flipping pages and bending back the spine. The tangible nature of physical books adds to the reading experience for many. Personally, I find myself drawn to the rich smell of old books and the crisp scent of new ones, hot off the press.
Sofia Savchenko, meanwhile, has her own reasons for keeping physical books. The NRHS junior has a love for classic literature–but these more challenging novels often take more work to read than your average YA romance. Savchenko has a strategy: “I understand it more when it’s physically in my hands.” She uses different mediums for different styles of books, and both have their benefits and drawbacks. For classics, she said, “I like reading it physically because then I can annotate it.” When she’s reading less complicated novels
purely for enjoyment, she’ll use digital copies; this way, she can read in dim rooms and public places when she might not necessarily have a book on her person.
Both Piekarski and Savchenko agree that owning physical copies allows for easy rereading, without worrying over return dates and holds. And they agree that having books makes them, in Savchenko’s words, simply “happy.” In cases such as these, enjoyment takes priority over efficiency.
The way we listen to music, too, has been changed by the digital age. Where once people purchased albums and CDs, they now pay monthly subscriptions to streaming platforms and have access to all kinds of music at once. Because of this, we spend more time on shuffle and don’t often listen to an album, from beginning to end, in the order carefully curated by the artist.
Listening to music can be an experience in the same way that reading can. When I put a record on, I find myself appreciating music on a different level. I cherish the ritual of blowing dust off a vinyl and carefully setting the needle down. I like flipping through my collection of wellloved albums to pick one that fits my mood. And I like the physical representation of my music taste displayed atop my dresser.
The vinyl format also provides artists with more opportunities to be creative. Vinyl pressings can come in a wide variety of colors and designs: crystal clear or tie-dye or a replica of blooming flower petals. The music itself can also be altered using tricks like recording sound in the locked groove of a vinyl, which has the effect of looping that sound continuously until the needle is removed (for example, Boygenius’ the record ends the B-side this way). Many vinyls also crossfade songs into one another, making for smoother transitions between tracks. All these little touches can make a big difference in enjoying music. Not to mention the delight of opening the sleeve of a new record and finding a poster inside!
CDs can also provide a different way to enjoy music. For most of my generation, Gen Z, CDs are a source of nostalgia. We grew up listening to CDs in the car on long roadtrips or on decorative kid’s CD players themed after Hello Kitty and Disney princesses. As a kid, I used to collect the CDs of every Broadway musical I saw–and because my family were season ticket holders at Playhouse Square, this was quite a few. With each new CD, I would spend hours sitting next to my karaoke machine, playing the soundtrack again and again while reading the lyrics from the little booklet every CD included until I had memorized it from beginning to end. In this way, it almost felt as though I were rewatching the whole musical in my mind’s eye.
But CDs and vinyls have benefits beyond pure en-
joyment. When it comes to digital formats, the consumer doesn’t truly own anything, even if it’s been purchased. Songs, albums, or even entire discographies can be removed from streaming platforms in the blink of an eye - gone forever, completely inaccessible. I was devastated when Phoebe Bridgers’ Waiting Room was removed from Spotify, a several month-long period that fans jokingly referred to as “the Waiting Room drought.” Owning physical copies of beloved media is a way to put agency and control back into the hands of the consumer. No producer, record label, or streaming platform can alter or remove music if it’s in your hands (and I mean that both literally and figuratively).
Movie and TV show enthusiasts can experience the same problem. Streaming platforms can decide on a whim to delete entire multi-season shows or movie series, leaving fans on cliff hangers or unable to revisit old favorites. This can often drive people - especially teens - to turn to illegal piracy websites. Of the many students I interviewed, all of them reported having used piracy sites, and all reported encountering dangerous or inappropriate things because of it.
DVDs, the physical format for movies and television, can provide true ownership and much more. In the late 2000s/early 2010s, most DVDs came with all sorts of bonus content: extra clips, behind the scenes footage, bloopers, interviews from the cast. You got more bang for your buck. I have a cousin (a Grand Rapids freshman) who’s been steadily growing her DVD collection each time she visits a thrift store. She’ll comb through the section of donated DVDs, picking out movies she’s seen or wants to see - and often for only a couple of dollars. Not only is her method often cheaper than renting from a streaming service, but it’s also permanent.
Ultimately, I think permanency is one of the main appeals of collecting physical media. It’s human nature to want to leave an impact, to desire tangibility and something real. It, whether intentionally or not, makes media consumption much more deliberate (as opposed to mindless scrolling). And I believe that most people will get excited when they see a limited edition copy of their favorite book, movie, or album - especially if it’s been signed by the creator. For those of you that saw Noah Kahan at Blossom Music Center this past summer: just imagine leaving the concert with a Stick Season vinyl signed by Kahan himself! By branching out into new mediums, you can enrich your media consumption and fulfill that intrinsic human longing for connection. In the wise words of Madden Piekarski, “having something physical in your hands creates a different sort of connection with the media. It lets you embrace it on a level you couldn’t have if it was digital.”
CHOICE OR ABILITY: DOES PARTICIPATION DEPEND ON TRANSPORTATION?
BY MADDEN PIEKARSKI
Many teenagers associate the process of getting their driver’s licenses with freedom, but does this freedom also lead to increased participation in the student body? Many of North Royalton High School’s clubs start after school, ranging from right after school until the end of the day, which makes independent driving a huge help. But, do students take advantage of this?
Paige Hunady pointed out that North Royalton’s band has extended band practice on Mondays from 2:20 PM to 3:5 PM and practice on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Both of these practices require students to have a ride to and from the school. Most people that sign up and continue band know these restrictions and work around them to make sure they succeed in looking presentable for contest and Friday nights’ football games, but it is definitely more inconvenient for those without a car.
dependent scenario in which they need to set their own alarm, leave at the right time, and arrive before about 7:15 AM. There is more room for error if the student isn’t extremely responsible.
This is easier for the older students. Most students that have their license are either juniors or seniors at the high school. Therefore, only half of the student body can easily participate in clubs, events, sports, or even jobs.
But this doesn’t mean that cars necessarily equal more participation. The school faculty and district emphasize the importance of attendance. This means that if a student were absent at some point during the day, they wouldn’t be able to participate in school activities. There is an argument that students with cars have worse attendance because it creates a more in -
Despite the responsibility, most agree that cars make school participation easier. Sydney Geschke stated, “It’s a lot easier because my parents don’t have to take me, so I can just go whenever I want.” This shows that those within the student body with busy or unavailable parents/guardians would have an easier time attending events if they could drive. Another student, Nyah Palmer, who does not have a license, said, “I would have more time and better ability to show up for clubs if I could drive.”
Although the original theory is supported by the mindset and power of many students, there are multifaceted factors that contribute to attendance. It logically makes sense that someone might have more availability with a license, but in the end, everyone’s life and personality is different. This is what truly determines the amount of involvement and social magnitude someone has within the high school. Students without a license, but with the drive to succeed, make it work. It is not a matter of privilege gained, but one of willpower and effort that someone shows up and creates a new environment for themselves. While some students truly are unable to attend school events, it is the choice of an individual that decides their involvement.
BACK IN TIME: ALUMNI NIGHT
BY: EMILY DOCKRILL
On Friday September 13, our North Royalton High School Marching Band was joined by eighty-plus alumni for their performance. Christine Vislosky, who was known for her legendary leap, made an appearance during the NRHS fight song. Despite having only three hours of practice with the current band, the alumni were perfect. Watching many of the middle school teachers being retaught flag core was especially inspiring. Many band members also agree. Freshman Mikayla Thomas said, "It was nice to see so many people come back and watch in the stands and perform on the field."
special energy that exists within the marching band community. It was so much fun reconnecting with everyone!"
This particular show was also a very memorable one, celebrating Coach Karen for her 40 years of service to the dance team. Alum Erica Loucka said, "I really appreciated the opportunity to relive some fond memories and be part of the
The alumni showed great desire and passion for our band community and were able to reunite with their graduating class members. Alum Nadia Tomblin said, "Alumni night brought back so many happy memories! It was great connecting with past friends and the Royalettes as well as meeting members from other years. There will always be a special bond for anyone part of this wonderful community. "
This show brought joy to many faces, tears to many eyes, and sweat to many bodies. In addition to reuniting the band, this game was the first winning game of the football season, and returned the Golden Shoe to our school! This will be a night to remember!
BY SOFIA SAVCHENKO
HHATERS IRL: HOW INTERNET SPEECH MAKES ITS WAY TO OUR REALITY
ave you ever read or watched something on social media that instilled some negative emotion in you? Maybe it made you angry or annoyed. Maybe it was so ridiculous that you just had to send it to your friend. Chances are you might have commented something snarky or impulsive under the post without a second thought, the ones and zeroes in your screen hiding you from the consequences of your actions. The Cyberbullying Research Center found that 30% of kids and teenagers have been or are currently being cyberbullied on social media. Despite the attempts of advocacy groups and schools to lessen this behavior, online harassment has only become more prevalent on social media. On account of normalization of online harassment,
teenagers have become more hostile and less sympathetic.
But this “bullying” takes many forms. In recent years, “cancel culture” has flooded all the corners of social media, every platform thriving off of the wave of exposé-style video essays and TikTok rants. The trend started as a beneficial way to hold influencers and celebrities accountable for their actions. For instance, Shane Dawson, a popular YouTuber, was exposed for his previous problematic and racist comments. The internet plastered his cancellation on every thumbnail and title, leading to his inevitable fall from ultra-fame. In this sense, cancel culture can benefit society. However, cancel culture can morph into a bitter, spiteful plague when people become obsessed with “taking down”
influencers. TikToker Haley Baley was ridiculed for using a song referencing Marie Antoinette, the internet claiming the video was tone-deaf and classist. Baley’s small misstep sent her flaying down into the pit of “canceled influencers.” Cancel culture was the venomous viper latched onto the remnants of her career. The reaction on social media greatly outweighed the malevolence of Baley’s video, proving how nonsensical the internet hive mind is.
Recently, this cynicism reached the cusp of the online world, spilling into the daily lives of
posts. Social media users have caught on to the trending page cheat code, causing an influx in these types of posts. Junior Nyah Palmer says that hater culture is everywhere online. She explains that being a hater has been “romanticized” on social media.
Although the digital world seems entirely separate from reality, it is integral to the development of a user’s personality and morals. The bitter taste of the online environment has seeped into reality, making for an extremely hostile school environment. Junior Madden
"The line which you can cross has faded."
-Madden Piekarski
teenagers. Junior Lily Purtee commented, “Cancel culture has definitely made people meaner.” She continued, saying that students find it “funny and cool” to belittle people. In the current school environment, those who regularly mock others are praised for being “blunt” and “real.” This can be attributed to the rising popularity of “hater culture.” Social media platforms, especially TikTok and Twitter, prefer to promote posts that are negative or inspire anger because it causes a greater amount of engagement. This pushes social media users to abandon their morals and speak their thoughts without any filter. Social media thrives on the hate, coating the explore and trending pages with harassment and bullying. In turn, these posts can accumulate an incredible amount of likes, comments, and re -
Piekarski stated “the line which you can cross has faded.” Junior Yasin Rizk emphasized this, expressing that people act rude in person to “keep the standard they make for themselves online.” Social media blinds teenagers to the dire effects of their hurtful comments on the recipients. Setting aside the disciplinary action that could be taken, these comments can cause serious issues for a person. Teenagers need to fight against the negative herd mentality and stand beside their morales. Despite the important role that social media plays in many teenagers’ lives, we do not have to let it dictate our character.
