Pirate Press_November 2022 (Vol.9, Issue 2)

PIRATE PRESS othspiratepress.com

November 2022

Vol. 9, Issue 2

Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour” Album picture featuring her song lyrics

Music: Food for the Soul Senior Emma Coss

Anyone looking for free therapy? Don’t worry because music might be just the thing you need. Music is a quick and easy way to better your mood. If you have a bad day, a lot of people turn to music to make them feel better or to help process how they’re feeling. Even research shows that music does great things for the mind, body and soul.

Music has many therapeutic benefits including treatment for depression, substance abuse, autism and cardiac conditions. It can improve memory, reduce stress, enhance self-esteem and lower blood pressure. There have been many studies showing that music can activate different areas of the brain that are associated with generating emotions. Music can also lessen the effects of dementia, increase communication and better coping skills. It is no surprise that the use of music therapy is increasing in popularity.

Music therapy can be used to help people deal with physical and mental pain as well as gaining control over their emotions. The next time you are having a difficult day, try listening to some upbeat music or whatever you like and see how your mood changes. Using music as a form of therapy is the easiest form of therapy there is. You don’t have to pay for it or go out of your way to do it. Simply turn on whatever music pleases you, and it can make a world a difference on your mood and health.

Personally, music helps me get through those hard times. Music is what makes me get through anything that I’m dealing with. For some, writing music can also be therapeutic. It can serve as a journal, a way to write down and process thoughts. Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift are perfect examples of people who use music as therapy, almost like a journal.

Senior Liam Tipple, a fellow musician says, “Music can say all the things that we are too afraid to. It’s really therapeutic to be able to hear someone agree with you even if you don’t know them. And writing can be the same way. Writing things out and seeing the situation in a new perspective helps me grow as a person and cope with my surroundings no matter what the mood is.” There are several ways that music can benefit you and help process your emotions. You just must be willing to listen.

Ottawa High School Student Publication • November 2022

PIRATE PRESS

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The School Life or the Social Life?

Junior Sarah McGrath

School can become overwhelming, especially when it seems shop or even at their house, to work on their school while still soto take up all of a student’s time. Stress no longer because there are cializing. Although school is still technically taking up time in this ways to manage it. instance, there is still socializing going on at the same time, which makes it more manageable.

1. Do your best: “I use my weekends to my advantage by making sure I finish Students need to understand that all they can do is try their all of my work as soon as possibest. Even the hardest workers beble so I have plenty of time for come overwhelmed at some point. myself and friends,” junior Ava If a person is hard on themselves, Laury said. After a full week of it is just going to make the stress school, students want their weekworse. ends to relax. But if they dedicate 2. Time management a certain weekend day to getting changes everything: work done, or even an hour, they If a student does homemay not have as much to manage work right when they get home, after a long school day. “Learning or even splits up their assignments is important, but self care is too,” throughout the evening, there will Laury said. be more free time available. SomeEveryone is different and mantimes it is difficult to not procrastiages their time in their own way. When a student finds what is right nate, but the time that is added to their social life is rewarding. for them, it not only creates a balance in school, but also gives them 3. Find a friend: more time to relax without the added stress weighing them down.

Meeting up with a friend to do something school related is also a helpful tip. If there is a day when a person knows school will take up all their time, they could ask a friend to meet at a coffee Come and get it. O-Town Brew is here to take care of all caffeine-addicted staff members. O-Town Brew is made up of seven students who all share the love for coffee and helping teachers. The students are on an employment track after high school, so they do a lot of employment-training activities. They work on the organization of materials and orders, along with money management and making change. The coffee cart also helps to work on customer service skills.

English teacher Sue Arbisi is big supporter of the coffee business. She said, “It is a nice treat to get in the morning. I love getting to see the kids in the program learning about business and seeing them have a good time. I also love their matching aprons.”

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee Senior Molly Etscheid

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Helping Hands. Students Madison Brockman, Bryson Moore, Corbin Burress and Tisha Sebastian help hand out coffee in the morning. Not pictured are Landon Voights, Osbaldo Correa and Madeline Sondgeroth.

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Senior Audrey Woodyer

Artist of the Month Junior Lilli Warrner

There are many amazing artists in Ottawa Township High School, and one of them is Senior Corinne Francis.

“I started taking art seriously in fourth grade, but I’ve been drawing and doodling for as long as I can remember,” Francis said. Artists have favorite styles they like to use or look at from other artists. Francis’s favorite style of art is Impressionism. “I love how the feeling of a scene, event, or person can be captured not 100% realistically, but the energy, emotion, and stylistic choices almost make it seem like your part of the work,” Francis said.

Their favorite artist is Félix González-Torres, a Cuban-born American visual artist. “He made installation pieces, all very metaphorical.

What he made is so different from what I do, but I really want to see one of his pieces someday,” Francis said.

Their favorite things that they have done are a self-portrait in blue Bic pen and a life drawing they did of a live model at Northern Illinois University’s art camp.

Art teacher Kevin Olesen said, “She is very hard working and creative.” “She is always up to put her input on a project to help others,” art teacher Paula Carrol said.

After graduation Francis will attend Northern Illinois University and plans to become an illustrator for children’s books.

As well as making incredible art, Francis also has a heavy courseload, which can be extremely difficult to balance. “My phone calender is a lifesaver at times just to remeber how many deadlines are coming up,” Francis said. They keep pushing through the hard course work and deadlines beacuse they know it all pays off in the end. Francis is also part of the band, choir, theater and Speech team.

With their hard work and determination, they will be an illustrator in no time.

Senior Corinne Francis. Photo courtesy of Corinne Francis

Ottawa High School Student Publication • November 2022

“Each boy and girl ever loyal. Each loyal heart beating true,” a line from our school song talking about our students and how we look out for one another. Being a part of Ottawa means being a part of a close community where everyone knows and supports each other.

Student inclusivity is making sure students feel valued, feel understood, feel accepted, have equal access to services and support and feel a sense of belonging. Students should get involved so they can feel a part of something bigger than themselves. They will meet students who share similar interests and will gain a sense of belonging. Senior Counselor, Jenny Rios, works directly with students daily. “Part of my job is to make them feel safe and supported as well as provide them with opportunities and resources,” Rios said.

When talking to her students, Rios always asks questions because she truly wants to understand them and who they are. “It is always so important to me to listen and genuinely take interest in their lives, so they know someone cares about them,” Rios said. For senior Faith Love, Rios helped her find a way to manage schoolwork at the same time as clubs. Love was taking on Drama, GSA and Feminists for Change but was overwhelmed trying to battle to make time for schoolwork, so Rios helped her come up with a personal plan that would fit her schedule, “Rios basically saved my mental health from falling over the edge,” Love said.

With the help of Rios and Michelle Schoolman, who handles all military branches, senior Saryia Furlow was able to apply to join the Air Force and meet with other students who were also interested. “Rios and Schoolman set me up with everything I needed to know for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test and got me set up to meet with my sergeant,” Furlow said. Including yourself in clubs and activities gives you a chance to meet new people and opens you up to new possibilities, and meeting with a counselor is a great way to start.

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A Place for Everyone

Ottawa High School Student Publication • November 2022

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Athlete of the Month Junior Sarah McGrath

There are so many hardworking athletes, and their determination in their sport deserves to be appreciated.

Junior Alyssa Malmassari has been playing volleyball for seven years. “My favorite thing is the thrill of a kill or a good dig up,” Malmassari said. She is always contributing to her team as well as taking the sport seriously. The time she puts in does not go unnoticed.

“What motivates me is my dream to play in college,” Malmassari said. Motivation can be a powerful thing and it is obvious Malmassari understands that. “Alyssa always works hard to improve herself and constantly would help everyone on the team stay positive.” junior Kate Landers said.

Malmassari’s motivation does not solely rely on college though. “You can always improve and get to a higher level,” Malmassari said. Self achievements are important and can even be inspiring. She takes her sport seriously and is a reminder that hard work always pays off.

In addition to taking honors courses, Malmassari currently works at downtown Jerimiah Joe. After high school she wants to continue playing volleyball.

Play on. Junior Alyssa Malmasarri blocking the ball during a play. Photo courtesy OTHS Volleyball Instagram.

Happy Fall, Y’all Senior Molly Etscheid

football or drive down the road with some soothing music always Leaves are falling, pumpkin spice doughnuts are sitting out, puts me in a good mood,” Clark said. the smell of cookie dough fills the air, the weather is getting colder Recently, an extremely popular fall activity has been picking and you are curled up with a warm blanket. These are just a few of the pumpkins. With over 10 pumpkin patches within about an hour amazing things about fall. of the area, it creates a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

Some people love the food, some people love the smells and Most pumpkin patches also provide lots of fun activities for people some people love sports. For me personally, I love them all. I love of all ages. getting to sit on Another great the couch snuggled activity during fall up either watching is Halloween and the world series or trick or treating. hockey with some Many students nice warm cookies. still dress up for Senior Sahalloween. vanna Rogers said Senior Katie her favorite thing Kolesar also said about fall is “all the “getting to spend different candle time with family scents at Bath on Thanksgiving and Body Works” The foliage along the Illinois River.

and eating good food” is her favorite thing. and getting hot coffee. Many coffee places around town including Her favorite is green bean casserole.

Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and Jeremiah Joe all serve many seasonal No matter what it is you enjoy, fall has something for you. drinks perfectly customized to the fall theme.

Seniors Ava Clark and Katie Kolesar both agreed that the fall music and movies are the best vibes. “Getting to lay in bed and watch

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Entering the “Midnight” Era Senior Emma Coss

Picture Perfect Senior Audrey Woodyer

Say “Cheese!” On Oct 27, freshmen, sophomores and juniors met in the cafeteria to receive their school pictures. “It’s pretty chaotic, but it takes a lot less time than trying to deliver individually,” yearbook adviser Erin Byrd said. After seeing their picture, they can decide whether they are happy with their photo or to do retakes. If a student is unhappy with their photo or was gone the day it took place, retakes are scheduled for Nov. 10.

Ottawa High School Student Publication • November 2022

What a rare sight to see snow on the beach. Now entering the “Midnights” era: Taylor Swift has struck once again. This is her 10th studio album consisting of 13 songs or 20 songs if you listen to “Midnights (3a.m. Edition).” With the additional 7 songs, which Swift has called 3a.m. tracks, the album becomes even darker and truly is another work of art.

Swift opens the album with the lyrics, “meet me at midnight,” the start of her song “Lavender Haze.” Then as the album continues, it grows darker. “Snow On The Beach (feat. Lana Del Ray)” was a song that sparked excitement when it was announced.

However, I will be the first to say that I was expecting more than what I received. Lana Del Ray’s vocals are merely whispers in the background. While I still love the song, I think that Ray could have been featured more.

“Karma” has a catchy vibe to it and is one of the songs that people can “bop” out to. The mindset of karma that Swift sets in the song is one that I think we can all benefit from.

“Anti-hero” is another star on the album. The song explores Swift’s self-loathing thoughts and dreams that haunt her. Swift says, “I’ll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror,” a lyric that truly resonates within the soul, and I think a lot of people can relate to. The album has the lyricism of “folklore” while having the music and vibe of “reputation” or “1989.”

Twenty-four hours after the album’s release, Swift broke the record for the most streamed album on Spotify. The album is truly another groundbreaking accomplishment of Swift’s. Senior Summer Blazys, a fan of Swift says, “love love love ‘Midnights.’ It’s the perfect homage to her older songs. Couldn’t have asked for better meanings or lyrics. As always Swift killed it.”

While the album has its critics, I personally think that the album is astonishing. The way that Swift has once again displayed incredible ability to write heart-wrenching lyrics that coincide with amazing music production is truly remarkable. The 13 songs on the original album have dark, mysterious yet light tones to them.

While those tracks do a great job at holding true to the theme of sleepless nights, the addition of the seven songs in the 3am version of the album adds a complexity to the theme of sleepless nights throughout the album.

Overall, the album is amazing. It has those gut-wrenching lyrics piled on top of free-spirited and vengeful lyrics as well. Taylor Swift has outdone herself once again, gifting listeners with something new to gawk over. If you are fan of Swift’s work, I would recommend giving the album a listen. If you like music that connects with your soul and sticks to your mind like glue, then I recommend this album as well. Honestly, I recommend this album to anyone. I think that everyone should give this album at least one listen because “Midnights” will leave you soaking in that lavender haze and a whole new look on karma.

Ottawa High School Student Publication • November 2022

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Teacher Feature Senior Molly Etscheid

This month’s teacher feature is physical education teacher Danielle Hauch. This is actually her fifth year teaching and her second year teaching here.

In addition to teaching P.E. she also coaches freshman volleyball and freshman girls basketball. She is originally from the Mazon area and attended Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. She has always wanted to be a teacher. Originally, she wanted to study elementary education and later switched to physical education. She chose physical education to help students learn ways to stay healthy. Her favorite things about OTHS are all the great people she gets to work with— the staff, students and players.

Freshman volleyball player Mary Stisser said her favor ite thing about having Hauch as a coach is, “The amazing bond she creates with all her players. She always lets us rant to her and helps us with our prob lems.” She love how Coach Hauch makes practice fun and interesting instead of it being like “drill camp.” Stisser also said Coach Hauch makes playing vol-

BUMP, SET, SPIKE. Danielle Hauch takes

a selfie with her freshman volleyball team.

Photo courtesy to Danielle Hauch.

leyball fun, which makes her enjoy showing up to practice.

When Hauch is not out coaching a sport, she likes to go home and hangout with her dog Hank. Hank is a white Lab/Great Pyrenees mix with tons of energy but is also the biggest cuddle bug. They go on walks quite often, and Hank loves to go see his brother Max. If she is not hanging out with Hank, then she is probably at a concert with her friends or family. She loves all kinds of music, but if she had to pick a

Dahmer Review Senior Kendra Martin

“She eat your heart out like Jeffery Dahmer,” Juicy J said in Katy Perry’s iconic song “Dark Horse.” The Milwaukee Cannibal has gained lots of attention since his arrest and death and is now gaining more popularity than ever with Netflix recently releasing “Dahmer- Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story.” In fact, this hit series is the second most popular show in Netflix history.

Written by Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan and David McMillian, and directed by Carl Franklin, Paris Barclay and Janet Mock, this new series is incredibly intriguing yet disturbing at the same time. The series follows Jeffery Dahmer’s life and how he went about murdering all his victims. The show also incorporates real audio calls and footage from when it happened, which adds even more of an unsettling effect.

There are ten episodes in the series, with each getting more and more unsettling as you watch. The watch time, as a whole, is 8 hours and 54 minutes, with each episode being about 45 minutes to an hour.

The only unfortunate fact about this show is none of the money made goes to the victims’ families. “I was very upset to hear they didn’t contact the families of the victims.

I’d only recommend the show if they are watching it to bring awareness to the victims,” senior Savanah Rogers said.

I’d highly recommend this show if you are a fan of crime dramas. This series is so unsettling and disturbing yet very interesting. Each episode is a fast watch and leaves you wanting to start the next.

“Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story” cover photo on Netflix.

7 Senior Kendra Martin

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Junior Sarah McGrath Hard work. Some members from the cast of “Frozen Junior,” this year’s musical, after a rehearsal. “My favorite part about being in the musical is having the chance to recreate a movie I loved as a child and getting to put that show on with the people I care about the most,” senior Faith Love said. The musical will be on November 18 and 19.

A.P. Art

Senior Emma Coss

Let’s chalk about it. Students in Paula Carroll’s AP art class work on their chalk pastel landscapes. Senior Ariana Benitez is working on her mountain landscape that is pictured. Students used chalk pastels for these works. “Working with chalk pastels has become a new favorite of mine; you can’t beat their flexibility,” Benitez said.

They are referring to their basic knowledge of color theory to help with their color schemes and techniques as they work.

Ottawa High School Student Publication • November 2022

When most people hear the word “barbarian” they may think of a fierce warrior from ancient times. That’s quite the opposite from the new horror film written and directed by Zach Cregger which recently released on September 8, 2022.

The movie starts with a woman named Tess (Georgina Cambell) who booked an Airbnb outside of the city where her job interview is taking place. When she arrives at the Airbnb, she discovers that a man named Keith (Bill Skarsgard) has also booked the house. They decide to both stay there, despite the unsettling situation, and soon find something extremely disturbing in the basement leading into the rest of the film.

Although the first part of the movie seems really interesting, right around the forty-minute mark, there is a major turning point.

The whole story shifts to another point of view and introduces a new conflict from a character named AJ (Justin Long) who has yet to know what is even going on. Zach Cregger also attempted to add some humorous scenes into the mix of this bizarre script, making some characters irrelevant and even confusing.

Despite the fact that it can be confusing at times, the film gained lots of popularity fast for its unexpectedness. “The Barbarian” is named one of the most popular horror movies in recent years and is grossing about $40 million across the world from a $4 million budget.

If you are a fan of movies with major turning points and plot twits, this would be a good horror movie to go see. If you’re the type of person who enjoys movies that follow a certain plot and doesn’t jump around between conflicts, I wouldn’t recommend spending any money to see this film.

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Barbarian

Ottawa High School Student Publication • November 2022

PIRATE PRESS

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Harry Styles

Junior Sarah McGrath The pressure of living up to expectations can be terrifying, but Harry Styles knocks it out of the park with his first album since One Direction, which came out back in 2017.

Harry Styles’s self titled album is a beautiful mix of songs both slow and fast. Each line is well thought out, and it is obvious Styles takes his work seriously.

All the melodies are very catchy, and listeners can tell they come from his heart. There is a great variation of songs, so it feels like there is a song for every occasion. Whether you need to cry, dance, or just enjoy some tunes, Styles pulls through.

One of the softer songs, “Sweet Creature,” is a mix of soft and energy. The chorus and background vocals add so much as well as the guitar strums throughout the song. “Kiwi” contrasts this completely and would be more described as rock. This is a song you blare from a speaker to pretend like you have your own guitar solo.

This album is insanely popular and currently has 13,807,691,441 streams.

To anyone who wants a unique and beautiful pop album to listen to on repeat, the album “Harry Styles” may be just what you are looking for.

Harry Styles matching with his backround.

Photo courtesy of NPR.

Students’ Favorite Cafeteria Food Senior Audrey Woodyer

By the time you hear that fourth-hour bell, students are rushing, and stomachs are grumbling. Everyone wants first picks for lunch so they can grab their favorite food.

Whether you have A, B or C lunch, a good majority of students buy food from the cafeteria. With the big variety of food, it may be hard to decide which one is your favorite. Maybe it’s fries or maybe it’s pizza, maybe it’s even the cookies. For senior Saryia Furlow, it’s the walking taco. “I absolutely love nachos so it’s a pretty good lunch for me,” Furlow said. For $3.50 you can get Doritos or plain nacho chips, beans, ground beef, cheese, lettuce, rice and condiments of your choice.

The transition from middle school to high school is a big change. Everything is different, including the way you eat lunch. According to a group of freshmen, barbecue wings are a big hit. “I can tell you seven other people, not including me and my friends, whose favorite food here is wings,” freshman Charlie Woodyer said. “I like the chicken because it tastes good and it’s my preferred food,” freshman Gage Cortez said. For $3.50 you can get a container with around five to six boneless wings, in your choice of barbecue, buffalo or garlic sauce.

The next time you or a friend buys lunch but can’t decide on what to get, give these students’ favorites food a try. Maybe you too can find a new favorite food.

Halloween Run Senior Kendra Martin

BOO! The Cross Country team wears their costumes for the annual Halloween run the week before Conference. Seniors Liam Tipple, Theo Downey and Michaela Froisland are best dressed wearing The Power Puff Girls outfits. “The best part about our annual Halloween run is the lightheartedness of it and how everyone is willing to dress up and have fun,” coach Dan Heaver said.