The
Leaf
Sycamore High School Student News Magazine Volume 2 | Issue 5 | December 17, 2014
Breaking the bank
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
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[ inside this issue ] The Leaf
Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, OH 45242 Adviser Cheralyn Jardine Photographer McDaniel’s Photography About us Professional memberships: • Columbia Scholastic Press Association • Journalism Education Association • National Scholastic High School Press Association • Ohio Scholastic Media Association • Ohio Professional Writers (National Federation of Women Writers) • Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honorary
Staff Writers Jordan Baker Jenna Bao Natalie Brinkman Caroline Bruns Ben BrynjulfsonReardon Emily Chien Adhiti Chundur Hannah Clark Taylor Close Benjamin Cohen William Coleman Meghan DiGiovanna Jake Englander Sydney Evans Max Fritzhand Zachary Fritzhand Meredith Gottliebson Charles Harte Sarah Horne Claire King Riley Kurtz Claire Lefton Beverly Liu Jack Loon Melinda Looney Harsimran Makkad Ellen Martinson Ethan May Zachary Milliken Joshua Patterson Esther Pittinger Anthony Popenoe Madeline Schramm Lauren Shassere Luke Tenbarge Max Torem Emily Tyler Kamaria Walton Leah Wallihan Neil Yejjey Nathan Zhang
[ news ]
[ a&e ]
2 | widespread responses to Ferguson decision
7 | the classics: movies to watch during the holidays
2 | time capsule: history through the years
[ cover story ]
3 | human trafficking affects own at SHS
[ opinion ]
9-13 | money and how it relates to our lives
[ feature ]
5 | rape culture on college campuses 6 | Ferguson decision leads to unrest
13 | vine usage spreads 14-15 | the rise of fake news 16 | no shave november
[ fun&games ] 17 | wordles, sudoku, riddle, word scramble
[ sports ] 19 | concussions affect high school, college athletes 20 | junior Divyesh Balamurali becoming chess grandmaster
[ spotlight ] 21 | freshman Yasmine Guedira
The Leaf, the official print news-magazine of Sycamore High School, serves as an educational tool in the training of student journalists. We provide information and editorial leadership concerning school, national and world issues. We also provide a public forum for the exchange of ideas and viewpoints and to give coverage to newsworthy events directly related to the diverse school population. The viewpoints are purely of the staff of The Leaf and not the administration.
editors’ note
Print Editors-in-Chief Atiya Dosani Lauren Saxon Web Editor-in-Chief Kathryn Tenbarge Leaflet Editor-in-Chief Lauren Glynn ASSIGNMENT EDITORS Lila Englander Brenda Shen Associate Editors Joseph Ahn Taylor Evans Madeline Marsh Anna Zhou Managing Editors Abbey Baker Isaac Goldstein Creative Projects Joseph Ahn Hannah Frey Elizabeth Rickert Orion Schlosser Zoe Schlosser Business Manager Caroline Gao Web Master Eli Seidman-Deutsch Broadcast Editor-in-Chief Victoria Swart news Hannah May Sports Alex Wittenbaum Eli Zawatsky FEATURE Hannah Frey Lauren Kurtzer A&E Amy Deng Ben Ruskin Opinion David Wertheim Spotlight Brooke Landrum Fun & Games Rujula Kapoor
As a student-run newspaper, one of the responsibilities and challenges we face is bringing in enough money to print our paper. In this aspect, we deal with money - or lack of money firsthand. Our staff is responsible for going
out to local businesses to sell ads and bring in revenue. It is no easy task and has definitely taught us all the value of a dollar. At SHS, our fellow peers know this struggle well. Many face challenges such as paying for gas, college, and even
basic wants and needs. As we move into adulthood, the issue of money does not go away. It is reassuring to see SHS students take on this financial responsibility through jobs and hard work. -Atiya Dosani & Lauren Saxon
[ news ] Photo by MCT photo
THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Time Capsule WILL COLEMAN staff writer
Grand jury decision results in chaos Rujula Kapoor
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fun & games chief
he riots in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, began as a result of the shooting of Michael Brown, who was 18 at the time, by Officer Darren Wilson, a policeman in the community. “I think that even though the shooting was wrong on the cops’ part, I’m not sure if it was racially intended,” sophomore Priya Malla said. The recent unrest that occurred was due to the ruling of the grand jury. The grand jury did not indict Wilson. The result was mass destruction in the city. “All the damage was really sad to watch on the news,” sophomore Maddie Sykes said. Images have come out from that night like the story of Terri Whilts. His gas station was burned to the ground on the night of Nov. 25. The riots not only resulted in damage to buildings and cars but
also resulted in the arrest of 61 people. It also meant that people who had no intention of getting involved were also roped into the situation. “I have lived in Ferguson for 38 years and I have never seen anything like this. They just want street justice and they don’t care about how they get it,” a neutral citizen Tony Koenig told the New York Post. Recently, the stepfather of Brown was accused of trying to start revolts. According to CBS, Browns’ step father warned that he was “going to start a riot” on the night the grand jury released the verdict. “I think the situation is getting out of control and the riots could spread all over America,” sophomore Jun Niskwava said. In Cincinnati, a peaceful protest was held downtown on Tues. Dec. 2. When the protesters attempted to go onto Interstate 25, the police stopped them quickly.
Employee of the Week Austin Williams was the employee of the week. Austin has been employed by the Hilton Garden Inn for over a year working in the kitchen doing dishes. He also works in the kitchen at the Sycamore Senior Center. Austin works quickly and had a strong work ethic. His coworkers love to be around him and he always has a cheerful, upbeat attitude at work.
31 YEARS (Jan 22, 1984) Apple Macintosh is first publicized thanks to Steve Jobs. It was advertised as a commercial during Super Bowl XVIII in the middle of a third quarter timeout. This became one of the most famous commercials of all time because of the timing and content. 51 YEARS (Jan 12, 1964) Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, is born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bezos founded the company in his garage at the age of 30 in 1994. Amazon was one of the first successful online shopping sites and was a catalyst for the industry. Since then, Amazon has continued trailblazing, developing drones for even faster product delivery. 86 YEARS (Jan 2, 1929) The United States agrees with Canada to preserve the now treasured location of Niagara Falls. The Niagara-Ontario border is located in northwest New York. The waterfalls combine to stand at about 167 feet high. 96 YEARS (Dec 19, 1918) Robert Ripley’s column “Believe It or Not” comes out for the first time in the New York Globe. “Believe It or Not” later became a well-known series of large books containing a variety of bizarre facts. Interactive museums of “Believe It or Not” can be found in states like Florida, California, New York, New Jersey, and more.
THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
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Human trafficking hits home D’Souza family moves past tough times Jack loon staff writer
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Rohan and Bradley D’Souza were both born in India. Rohan is currently a junior at SHS. His family moved to the United States to pursue promises of a better job and house. After months of working without pay, Rohan’s mother contacted the police. Image by Lauren Saxon
Their family did not realize just how different the U.S. police is, so they did not report it right away. Eventually, Rohan’s mother decided to take a chance and tell the police. The police intervened and informed the family just how illegal this was. The FBI was contacted and their illegal trafficking nightmare was over. “People need to be aware that this is not only happening in Ohio, but in Cincinnati in particular. It is a very tough situation, which people must be careful about,” Rohan said. If you are experiencing problems similar to the D’Souza family, you can call the Greater Cincinnati Human Trafficking Center at 513-800-1863. You can also call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737888. In addition, you can call the police department.
“I usually don’t like to talk about it because it was a tough time for my family and I”
Top labor trafficking industries 1. Domestic labor
Images by Hannah May
uman trafficking is defined as the illegal movement of people for the purpose of forced and unfair labor. While many believe this issue is not relevant in the United States, the story of junior Rohan D’Souza brings it to SHS. Rohan, his father Harold D’Souza, his mother, and his brother Bradly D’Souza, ’13, were born in India. Harold was contacted by an acquaintance and promised a stable job and a nice house in America. Basically, he was promised the “American Dream.” With hopes for a promising and possibly better life, the D’Souza family traveled to the U.S. When they arrived in the States, the family eventually found out that all that they had been promised was not true. “From what I remember, it was very rough. My parents were almost never home, because of the constant work they were put through. I usually don’t like to talk about it because it was a tough time for my family and I,” Rohan said. First, they were not paid after several months. Their acquaintance who promised them the job claimed that he was putting their earnings into a savings account to give to them at a later time. He also mentioned he was in the process of finding and buying a house for them. According to Rohan, the police are typically very corrupt in India and may have deals with criminals.
2. Restaurant 3. Peddling ring 4. Traveling sales crew
20%
of all trafficking victims are children
[ opinion ] THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Staff Editorial
Money overpowers students’ lives
Leafing through the masses: What does money mean to you?
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Cartoon by Esther Pittinger
oney is everything; our lives revolve around it. We need it to survive. Parents invest heavily in their children from kindergarten through high school to increase their future opportunities. Each week more statistics are released regarding the vast sums of money required to raise a child. In high school, all this childhood
investment culminates in admission to top-notch colleges, leaving students heavily in debt. Once we enter the workforce, we must pay off those haunting college loans, as well as paying for rent, utilities bills, food, car, healthcare and other needs we take for granted now. In high school, we flaunt our money. Students are on the lookout for who has the newest and best clothes, shoes, electronics, vacations, cars and other luxury items. Uggs, Nike, Pink, Ray Bans and other top name brands would not be as popular if those items were not high-priced. Although money is a central part of life, recent studies have illustrated a surprising correlation between money and happiness. Psychologists have discovered that once an individual’s income reaches $75,000, increases in income have a negligible effect on happiness levels. Thus, the notion that money significantly influences happiness only holds true up to a certain point. So while we must prepare ourselves for the economic challenges of adult life, we would also do well to remember these statistics.
I think money runs the world. It shouldn’t, but it does. Or maybe it should. Clarence Dawson, 11
There are more important things in life, such as the way we treat others, if we love what we do, and our family and friends. Mr. Ashwin Corattiyil, Dean of Students
Opportunity to some degree, but I don’t think it’s necessary in all cases. Dasha Beniash, 12
I think people care about money too much. Money doesn’t bring happiness. You can only bring yourself happiness. Emma Smith, 9
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Photo courtesy of MCT Photo
THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
KATHRYN TENBARGE web editor-in-chief
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s a high school senior, I have been on six college visits, and listened to a campus safety briefing at each one. “Our campus is secure,” they say, “And we have security buttons you can press on streets if you ever need help.” Each presentation gets more repetitive than the last, and to be honest I don’t think of safety as one of my top criteria for a college. But new research shows that one out of every five women get raped during their time on campus. Schools like the University of Virginia may be losing potential students due to their high rates of sexual violence. With that kind of shocking statistic, researchers and commentators are racing to propose solutions to end the rape crisis on campus. Measures to end sororities and fraternities have already been introduced at some universities. And yet, a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions are circulating, even from top journalists. We tend to picture rapists as suspicious men hiding in the shadows in the run-down parts of town or partygoers slipping rohypnol (‘roofies’) into drinks at fraternity parties. But the truth is, men can get raped too. And two-thirds of victims know their rapist prior to the attack. The idea that only women can get raped distorts the entire concept
of what rape is. Rape and sexual assault have less to do with body parts and everything to do with consent. Any kind of sexual activity is illegal unless consent is legitimate and vocal, regardless of the nature of the relationship between the individuals. Legitimate consent includes both parties being sober, at least to an extent. That’s where the line goes gray for a lot of college students. Even if someone doesn’t act like they’re drunk, they could still be intoxicated and not able to give legitimate consent. And even if the initiator meant well and thought it was okay, it can still be rape. The bottom line: alcohol and sex are like vinegar and water- they don’t mix. When it comes to protecting students from rape, authority figures sometimes revert back to unhelpful, outdated quips like ‘dress appropriately’ and ‘don’t go wandering around alone at night.’ Yes, that’s helpful to an extent, but 50 percent of rape victims report that the attack happened within a one-mile radius of their home. That’s because rapists are generally close, in some emotional capacity, to their victim. We need to stop pretending that rapists are some fringe element of society and recognize that they could be our friends. We need to stop victim-blaming and educate people on boundaries and
consent and healthy relationships. In addition, we need to instill justice systems in our universities that don’t silence the victims and let the attackers off with a warning and a slap on the wrist. Rapists need to be separated from their victims, even if that means getting kicked out of school. Here’s what I want from a university in terms of safety: somewhere that actively works to silence rape culture, educates its students and upholds the law without exceptions.
1 in 4 college women
will be the victim of sexual assault during her academic career
3 percent
of college men report surviving rape or attempted rape as a child or an adult Every there is a rape on an American college campus Source: www.clevelandrapecrisis.org
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One nation, in protest Anthony Popenoe staff writer
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onday night struck me with a wave of emotion. Like many others, I had hoped for at least a trial, but all I was left with was anger and sadness. Since Michael Brown was killed by Officer Darren Wilson in August, citizens of Ferguson, MO have protested. However, after the grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson, there has been an unprecedented wave of civil disobedience. Not just in Ferguson, but across the nation too, as people have taken to the streets. Even in Cincinnati, people have held demonstrations in response.
do something when kids my age and younger keep dying. Back in 2001, a policeman shot and killed 19 year-old Timothy Thomas in Over-the-Rhine. What followed was the largest display of civil disobedience since the 1992 trial for the beating of Rodney King.
Deadly Pattern
Unsettlingly, there are several similarities between Thomas and Brown’s cases. Both were young Black men and the offending officers did not receive any punishment. After the recent killing of 12 year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland and John Crawford in Dayton, both by police, I have wondered if anything will change. All year, mass displays of civil disobedience have been occurring across the globe. To this day, protests are still going on in places like Venezuela and Hong Kong as they demand an end to unjust systems in their own countries.
“I have wondered if anything will change”
Local Demonstrations
The night after the jury’s announcement, I attended a rally at the federal courthouse downtown, after which I marched through the streets in protest with fellow activists. To be honest, I was not sure whether my actions would make any difference. Yet, I felt compelled to
Power of Protest
Protest is one of the purest expressions of patriotism as it is done to make the nation greater in the eyes of its citizens. It is one of the few and strongest tools people have
Protesters in Cincinnati stop traffic on I-75 N. Starting at the federal courthouse, they marched through downtown, chanting mantras such as “Hands up, don’t shoot.” Similar protests have been occurring across the nation since the jury’s decision. Image by Anthony Popenoe
to use their voice. Unfortunately, demonstrators are often met with hostility and police brutality. Even the most peaceful expressions of protest have been met with guns and barrages of tear gas. I have witnessed individuals looking down on protesters, calling them “thugs” and claiming that they only want media attention. Yet, they neglect to criticize the system which makes people feel as though their only option is to protest. One day, people will not have the need to protest. However, that day will only come when we listen to the cries of the people. People are out there, calling for change. The people are waiting to be heard.
Quick Scan Scan this QR code for more information about protests.
[ column ]
[ a&e ] THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Revisiting classic holiday films meghan digiovanna
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staff writer
here are so many important traditions tied in with the upcoming holidays. Food, carols, and of course movies. So many holiday memories are associated with sitting with family and watching movies over the holidays. The classic comedy “Elf”, starring Will Ferrell will keep families laughing as Buddy the elf leaves the North Pole to go to New York City in search of his real dad. “I love Elf, my family and I watch it every year. It is so funny and gets us all in the Christmas mood,” freshman Christina Hanisch said. If comedies are not the perfect choice, “A Christmas Carol” is always a classic. Whether it is the Disney, live action or animated version, “A Christmas Carol” never fails to charm its audience. “A Christmas Carol” tells the story of three ghosts who come to teach Scrooge, a man who refuses to see the joy of Christmas, and teaches a lesson about being thankful and
MERRY
having an open heart. “I love this story it always puts me in the Christmas spirit every season,” freshman Lily Martinson said. If you have not heard of “Home Alone” you may have heard of its director, John Hughes. Famous Hughes films include “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Planes Trains and Automobiles.” “Home Alone” starring Macaulay Culkin is the Christmas tale of a young boy’s wish for his family to leave him alone. When he wakes up the next morning, he finds his whole family left for vacation without him. “The movie…succeeds … at tapping into the universal terror and exhilaration of being left alone in an upper-middle-class home stuffed with leisure-time goodies,” writes Entertainment Weekly. Whether the holiday spirit is spread by laughter, suspense or surprise, movies are a classic part of the winter holidays for families and a great tradition to kick off the New Year.
SCARY
CARREY
FEATURED FILMS Image by Ben Ruskin
Worst movies of 2014
Ben Cohen staff writer
Tis that time of year again when people go to their local library, most likely Netflix, and get out movies to enjoy over holiday break. Nothing is worse though, than finding out you just wasted two hours of your life on a horrible film. So to save everyone some time, here are my top five picks of movies NOT to watch over break. “The Other Woman,” a.k.a “John Tucker Must Die” with grown women, had a lot going for it, but all of the potential and cast was ultimately wasted in a pool of raunchy, gross out jokes and annoying characters. “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones,” really is just a tired film in an increasingly tiresome genre known as the “found footage horror films.” Especially since we needed another Paranormal Activity. Besides being poorly acted, the film also had practically no good scares save for a somewhat mediocre ending. If you are looking for a good horror movie try “Insidious” or “The Conjuring” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Why anyone thought this needed to be made into a movie is beyond me. Why anyone thought Michael Bay should be involved is a complete and total mystery. “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” See above description of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” “Maleficent” probably seemed like a great idea in concept, Disney rarely shows the story from the villain’s point of view. Unfortunately, they still have not. Instead they turn Maleficent, the villain from “Sleeping Beauty,” into some sympathetic anti-hero who is “evil” for a total of 5 minutes and only because she was spurned by a man. If you want to watch a great villain being completely butchered, be my guess, but if not then stay away from this film and stick with the classic. Now this is just my opinion, which is undoubtedly the correct one, so feel free to watch any of the above movies. Hopefully I have freed up some time for everyone to watch more quality movies over break, like the new “Annie” movie… Or just stay home and watch movies you know for sure are good.
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Musical expression shapes identity [
Screening with Ben
hannah frey
Ben Ruskin
staff writer
usic. People say you cannot judge a book by its cover, but can you judge a person by their music taste. This idea leads people to wonder, what does their music say about them? Reflective or complex music that people listen to is generally folk, blues, jazz, or classical. These people are usually emotionally stable and open to new experiences. They might like sophisticated activities, such as watching documentaries. “I like folk music, because the lyrics actually mean something to me and are relatable to what I go through in life,” sophomore Grace Mather said. Rock or alternative music appeals to an edgier person. These people are friendly, assertive, conversational, or athletic. They might lean on the rebellious side. “I really enjoy alternative rock because every song sounds different, you never know what to expect and it is rejuvenating,” sophomore Lily Retford said. Fun and simplistic people like pop, country, or soundtracks. They usually speak their minds and lean towards the liberal side of thinking. “I really enjoy country music
because it tells a story and this makes the music interesting to listen to,” sophomore Claire Hallock said. People who are energetic or upbeat might like funk, soul, or electronic music. They value intellect and are more like your average person. They will always speak their minds. Music is a huge part of society and whether people want it to be or not, music does say something about an individual.
Photo by Hannah Frey
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column ]
ALTERATI NS 11627 Springfield Pike Cincinnati Ohio 45246 513-671-2144
OF SPRINGDALE
10756 Montgomery Road Cincinnati Ohio 45242
513-429-5612
a&e chief
It is always a sad day in television when a beloved character meets their demise. This is most definitely the case when it comes to Beth Greene in ‘The Walking Dead.’ After three seasons of fighting flesh eating walkers, Beth’s character has died. The past mid-season finales of ‘The Walking Dead’ have included the deaths of Hershel Greene as well as Lori Grimes, so when the date of the most recent mid-season finale was released, a death was highly anticipated. Just when you think a character might be safe, the producers of the ‘The Walking Dead’ change all of inferences in just one episode. Beth’s death was met with the trending hash tag on Twitter, #RIPBeth, as well as many messages to Emily Kinney, who plays Beth. In movie news, ‘Horrible Bosses 2’ was released and was somewhat of a letdown. The hilarious ‘Horrible Bosses’ starring Jason Bateman became an instant classic. It was expected that the sequel would continue the previous movie’s funny themes. It was somewhat disappointing to find that many of the jokes used within the sequel were poorly thought out and extremely similar to jokes in the previous movie. Even though it may have been the worst book in the trilogy, ‘Mockingjay’ proved itself to be one of the best movies released in 2014. Fans were worried that the split of the book into two movies could cause problems. The split proved to add a lot of detail to the movie and also helped viewers who had not already read the book, understand the movie clearly. Jennifer Lawrence’s song from the movie, ‘The Hanging Tree’ climbs to the top of the charts as people enjoy hearing the star sing a song from the movie.
[ cover story ] THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
$ $
$
Image by Elizabeth Rickert
$
Where does the money go?
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Driving to empty wallets Related expenses counterbalance license benefits Lauren shassere staff writer
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etting a license opens up doors. It provides freedoms that some sophomores and freshmen do not have. Having a license and a car does not permit aimlessly roaming the open roads, but it does allow teenagers to drive themselves to and from school instead of riding the bus. Students can drive themselves to and from their after school activities instead of having to wait, for what seems like forever, to be picked up. Also, social plans no longer have to revolve around supervisors’ plans. That means if parents cannot drive you to the movies with your friends, you can take yourself.
Just like every relationship, your relationship with your car and with your license is nothing but cupcakes and rainbows at the beginning. Then, you encounter your first fill-up. Depending on your arrangement with your parents, either you or your parents will be paying the price. If it is you, you better be making bank. “I spend like all of my money that I’ve worked for on gas and it sucks because I have to keep an eye on how much I drive,” junior Savannah Asbrock said. With the new factor of gas money coming into play, that new licensed driver may find their freedom crippled. For teenagers, gas money is the first major expense they must face.
4% Books & Supplies
$57
Average price of a new college textbook
1% Health Care
3% Transportation
It can be hard to prioritize where you need to go and where you want to go in order to save money. “It’s funny because I buy gas so I can go out and do things with friends, but then I don’t have any money to actually do those things,” senior Lena Miles said. Miles and Asbrock certainly are not the only ones who experience this struggle. It is quite common for students who pay for their own gas to miss out on other uses of their money. “I pay about 60 dollars a month and it keeps me from doing stuff like going out and buying clothes, tattoos, and other stuff. I still manage despite the struggle though,” senior Jay Cobbs said.
Average College Student Budget ATIYA DOSANI
6.5% Entertainment
print editor-in-chief
8% Other Expenses
7% Other
6.7% Apparel & Services
19% Tuition & Fees
4.7% Travel & Vacation
Average 2012-2013 Tuition $14,292
$14,292
22.1% Other
$33,716
Mean monthly amount received from home: $312
$33,716
$0 $10000 $20000 $30000 $40000
Private Colleges Public Colleges
Average 2012-2013 Room & Board 26% Room & Board
66% Receive funds from home 49% Work part-time
College students are expected to spend more than
$10.5 billion
gearing up for campus this year
$2000 Average credit card debt for college students
Mean monthly earnings: $453
15.9: mean hours worked part-time 20h
40h
According to a study of student expenditures at Yale University in 1915, one college freshman spend $4,500 in his first year (the equivalent of $94,541.44 in today’s dollars). The least amount spent by a freshman that year was $200, or $4,201 adjusted for inflation. Sources: O’Donnell & Associates LLC College Student Spending Behavior; Monthly Labor Review; Student Monitor spring survey
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
aking cuts in stride
eachers’ union maintains integrity
dip into the $40 million, but other years it is not even touched. print editor-in-chief In the business world, individuals need to have the equivalent of half a LAUREN GLYNN leaflet editor-in-chief year’s expenses in the bank, which would be about $35 million for the very so often, we see district. them walking around, “This is a good thing because wearing identical black other school districts are laying off t-shirts on a specific day all teachers and increasing class sizes; representing unity for the entire you need to make the money last,” district. The teachers’ union, the Wittman said. Sycamore Education Association, This year has also brought many has stuck together through a changes, and often hardships, to variety of experiences, but the schools all over Ohio as Governor big conversation for this year is John Kasich introduced new contracts. legislation, which included budget Teacher union president, Mr. cuts for public schools. Kevin Wittman, along with five Because Sycamore other representatives, already did not receive “The school constantly met with much funding from the representatives from the district has state, the district is not school board to negotiate too worried about budget done a very contracts for teachers, cuts. looking at salary, good job with However, other schools medical, and retirement budgeting in this area have been benefits, and sorting harmed by Kasich’s out other conditions of and spending decision to reallocate employment. money” certain funding, moving “The school board it from public schools to was interested in trying out some charter and parochial schools. cost saving ideas and we weren’t “Where Governor Kasich has hurt interested in any of those which is us the most is with all these tests why we kept negotiating back and that he is requiring us to give,” forth,” Wittman said. Wittman said. They finally settled on a contract in Instead of buying textbooks, November; the process was lengthy Sycamore has to buy computers to because the teachers were trying to run PARCC tests and standardized keep the integrity of their contract. tests. They were not asking for anything At the beginning of the year, new, but just wanted to maintain students had to take these what was already in the past years’ assessments. In order for this to contract. happen, the assessments had to be “The school district has done a created, thus forcing the district to very good job with budgeting and pay teachers over the summer to spending money,” Wittman said. prepare assessments. The district, on average, spends “Even though Kasich is not $70 million and takes in a little directly impacting our district, he less than $70 million a year. There has indirectly impacted us with this is no debt because there is always legislation that is mandating tests a cash reserve of $40 million set and new curriculum,” Wittman aside. Some years the district has to said.
ATIYA DOSANI
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Q&A with Alex Schlie, 12 CAROLINE GAO business manager
Q: How did you find your job as a caddy? A: I found my caddying job at the Kenwood Country Club because my brother was a caddy when he was in high school. Q: How often do you work? A: I mainly work in the spring, summer, and fall. In the summer, I work on the weekends and sometimes during the week if I get called in. Q: Do you enjoy what you do? A: I do enjoy caddying a lot because I meet many people with all different personalities. One of my favorite parts of the job is that I get to stay outside talking face to face with people. Q: What opportunities has caddying brought you? A: There are a few scholarships that a person can be awarded when caddying. The main one is the Chick Evans Caddy Scholarship. For the state of Ohio, scholars can get a full ride scholarship to either Ohio State University or Miami University that lasts up to four years. Q: Would you recommend caddying? A: It is rare to find a girl caddy, but I love my job. I would recommend caddying to everyone because not only are you outside getting a little exercise, but you meet great
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
10 best ways to save money stop buying magazines Almost any information is available for free online. For those magazines all over the house that have never been read, cancel your subscriptions today and get a refund on the undelivered issues.
pack lunch once a week Spending six dollars a day on lunch means spending about 800 dollars a year. Brown-bag it just a day or two a week, and you will not only be eating cheaper, but healthier and maybe tastier.
conserve energy By turning off the computer or unplugging the TV or coffeemaker when away, you can save a good bit of energy over the course of the year. That way, less energy is spent and you are helping the earth at the same time.
wait it out Establish a one-month grace period for exciting purchases. Write down what it is instead of buying it, and a month from now, see if it is still something you desire.
online banking Online banking makes it easier to figure out how much you are making, how much you are spending, and how much you can save or use to pay off your debt.
Source: howstuffworks.com
stay smart with cars
Buying a car that is a year or two old means somebody else paid 40 percent when they turned it in, or sold it to you. That change in price will also be reflected in warranty and insurance prices.
help with family expenses
Anything involving health is going to come with a lot of marketing behind it. Make it a rule of thumb to check behind the curtain and compare prices and longterm costs with things like life insurance, baby products, medicines and financial planning.
cut down personal desires
While each mobile phone plan may make financial sense, that does not mean it is right for everyone. There is a perfect plan out there for everyone, and that includes the best price. Compare service plans with your provider, and be realistic.
create an emergency fund
An emergency fund holds three to six months’ worth of expenses. That means looking honestly at your household spending can help you decide how much you will need to stay afloat if the unthinkable happens.
individualize the budget Create a long-term budget goal to stay motivated and on track. Keep up with small changes you make and do not just do something once and assume it will help immensely.
Infographic by Lauren Glynn
[ feature ] THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
ine fame fascinates friends Why people use it
a&e chief
beverly liu staff writer
A
video sharing app called Vine allows people to create six second looping videos for other people to view, like, share, and “revine”. Dom Hofmann, Rus Yusupov, and Colin Kroll developed Vine in June 2012. Twitter then bought Vine in Oct. 2012 for $30 million.
How it works
Vine can make edits for a person, stitching their shots together in sequential order, reordering, trimming, and repeating their footage. A new feature has allowed the user to upload a video from
About Vine
People use Vine to document unexpected art, precious moments, and funny memories. It has generated a popular use of hashtags in the captions of the videos. “I think vine is a good way to pass time, but I don’t go on it that often. My favorite viner is Jerry Purpdrank, because he makes hilarious vines,” sophomore Clayton Bennett said.
Facts about Vine
The name Vine was chosen because it is short for Vignette. This is defined as a “short impressionistic scene”. Vignette is also the name of a photo filter offered by the signature Twitter app. On the day of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, a
usage facts
Vine has more than registered users. million
40
5
Videos will be of all Internet traffic by 2017.
66%
Between 2011 and 2016, mobile video traffic will increase by
1,800%
57%
of Vine If every Vine users are female. user recorded a -second video, Vine activity it would take more peaks on than 8 years to watch the entire footage.
6
Vines are tweeted every second.
Why Vine works
the weekend.
D. William Lange, DMD, Inc D. William Lange, DMD, MSD David W. Lange, DDS, MS
Branded Vines receive
Practice Limited to Orthodontics
9157 Montgomery Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45242 (513) 791-0777 Fax: (513) 791-7817
Why brands should invest in Vine
905 Main St. Milford, OH 45150 (513) 248-7100
4more timesshares than branded videos
Vine is a great way to harness more user-generated content.
Source: The Statistics Portal
Amy deng
record of 19, 667 vines were made. If every viner recorded one vine, they would create 2,334 hours of footage, which is more than “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy looped 2,500 times. Many viners have turned into big stars and have signed record deals, including 16 year old Shawn Mendes. “Shawn Mendes was an overnight Vine sensation with the voice of an angel, I really want to meet him but he hasn’t come near Cincinnati for his tours,” sophomore Gracie Pel said.
Infographic by: Amy Deng
their camera roll.
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert perform at the 2010 “Rally to restore sanity and/or fear” on the National Mall. Due to their popularity, thousands attended. Both men have become trusted figures in journalism despite running satirical news programs. All photos courtesy of MCT Photo
Fake
^
The Rise of News Claire Lefton
A
staff writer
bandon News, All Ye Who Enter Here” greets those going into the studio of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”. This satirical news program along with a slew of others is changing the way youth inform themselves about current events. News satire, also known as fake news, can range anywhere from a parody to a commentary of modern day news media and topics. These productions rely heavily on irony, deadpan delivery, and the sheer absurdity of the world for humor. Most people consider the first example on television of this satire the “Weekend Update” segments from “Saturday Night Live”, however the first notable long-form show was “The Daily Show”. “For me it was just exciting to see fake news catching on
like that. We don’t… you know, it’s interesting. I think we don’t make things up. We just distill it to, hopefully, its most humorous nugget. And in that sense it seems faked and skewed just because we don’t have to be subjective or pretend to be objective. We can just put it out there,” Stewart said in an interview with PBS. “The Daily Show” even spawned several spinoffs such as “The Colbert Report” hosted by correspondent Stephen Colbert, upcoming “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” hosted by the titular contributor, and arguably “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” hosted by the ex-correspondent himself. Ironically, “The Daily Show” meant to make fun of the media but ended up providing more knowledge on news topics than
Why do students like satirical news? “I like ‘The Daily Show’ because it feels like a smart show” -Max Weiss, 11 “It’s clever satire on serious political issues” -Bailey McCarthy, 12 “I like the hyperbole and over exaggeratedness. And it’s actual news, not just ‘Here’s a joke!’ It’s intelligent” -William Hobart, 12
THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG most major news networks according to a study in 2012 by Fairleigh Dickinson University. When asked questions current events, the test subjects who received their info from Jon Stewart’s fake news program were bested only by “National Public Radio” on international topics. The least informed were patrons of Fox News. Comedy appears to be the most effective means of sharing news, but if that means more people are informed and substantial topics are re-entering regular conversation, it might be safe to say that fake news is becoming the more reliable source.
Famous Guests
President Barack Obama• First Lady Michelle Obama••
Longest running “Daily Show” correspondant Samantha Bee conducts an interview at the 2012 Republican National Convention. This interview was featured in the “Democalypse 2012” segment during the 2012 presidential election. The show is regularly praised for its blunt coverage in election times.
Jane Goodall••• Stephen Hawking• Justice Sonia Sotomayor•• Bruce Springsteen• Sir Ian McKellan•• Bill Gates•• Rachel Maddow•• Anderson Cooper•• King Abdullah II• “The Daily Show” •
• “Last Week Tonight” •
Fake News Lingo The C olbert Bump Defined as increase in popularity of something as a result of appearing on “The Colbert Report”. According to the American Political Science Association, a 40% rise in contributions to Democratic politicians was apparent for 30 days after their appearence on the show.
“The Colbert Report”
#GoGetThoseGeckos Hashtag campaign launched by John Oliver on “Last Week Tonight” to raise awareness for a Russian satellite with five geckos that contact was briefly lost from. The hashtag spread across Twitter until the news of the geckos untimely death came in- Oliver then declared the new hashtag #GoodbyeGeckos.
Jon Stewart interviews President Barack Obama on “The Daily Show”. Satirical news interviews are conducted with anyone from actors, to athletes, to major political figures. The tone of the interviews can also range from light and joking to serious and hard-hitting.
Your Moment of Zen The segment that ends “The Daily Show”. Some moments include random funny clips, recaps, and extended versions of news clips used in the episode.
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Noshave November Men of SHS vow to keep facial hair growing
ATIYA DOSANI
Celtic tribes Middle Ages Otto the Great Touching another ovember brought pumpkins, colored swore by his beard man’s beard was leaves, turkey, and the beginning of when saying offensive and Christmas carols. November also anything serious grounds for a duel brought an excess of facial hair. Each year, “No Shave November” trends Baseball players who have participated worldwide. The rules are self-explanatory: multiple years with and without facial hair... during the entire month of November, those participating cannot shave. Combined Average For some, this month simply means more Home Runs peach fuzz around their chins, but for others it can cause a small forest of hair to grow along their faces. Both teachers and students of SHS embraced this month as a time to toss razors out the window and build up their scruff. However, for most, the beginning of ...have averaged 6.7 more home runs December means the return of clean-shaven per Derby while sporting facial hair. faces.
19th Century President Lincoln made
print editor-in-chief
N
beards popular for Americans
More men tend to have facial hair when the marriage market is good,
17.6 10.9
“
but when it’s tough to find a wife, men are found clean shaven.
“I thought it would be fun to do No Shave November a little differently so I shaved my head.”
“I don’t participate in No Shave November, but I grow a beard in the winter because it keeps my face warm when I run.”
“I trimmed my beard a little because every girl was telling me it was really out of hand.”
Stone Beyersdorfer, 11
Mr. Greg Pottebaum, math teacher
Will Schrantz, 12
Mr. Kevin Wittman, government teacher
“I’m all for seeing more facial hair around this place.”
Clara Chuey, 12
William Schrantz, 12
Not available due to the fact that Bapat has not been clean shaven in several months.
Animesh Bapat, 11
Matthew Green, 12
”
[ fun&games ]
RUJULA KAPOOR fun & games chief
THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Wordles
All spread out. Flat tire. Check us out. On point.
Patterns
What Comes Next? 986888 724864 143224
Word Scramble
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[ sports ]
[ column ]
THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Keeping Up with Kurtzer
Q&A with Katie vorpe, 11
LAUREN KURTZER
feature chief
LAUREN shassere
Q: What motivates you to finish the race? A: Definitely the sight of the finish line. The finish line encourages me to finish strong and do everything I can to get the best time I can, and that is by powering through no matter how hard that may be. Q: What is your strategy when trying to run through pain? A: I try not to think about what is hurting or how much pain I am in. Instead, I focus on the competition, and my form. Q: Why do you run? A: No matter how bad my day is, I know running can bring my spirits up. Running pushes me out of my comfort zone so much that it is a great feeling of accomplishment when I succeed.
Photo by Alex Wittenbaum
staff writer
As a varsity athlete Vorpe has experienced pain in its many shapes and forms. When racing in her events, 400, 4x400 and 4x200 relays, she is put in an uncomfortable position. If she wants to improve she is forced to push through pain and finish as strong as she can. Playing the “pain game” is not an easy thing to do and requires mental toughness most people do not have.
Thank you Lauren Hill for showing sports fans and non-sports fans around Cincinnati and the nation what is really important, our health and to appreciate every day, hour, minute, second and moment in this precious thing called life. Thank you for displaying all of the strength, when sometimes, that is all you have left. That strength is beyond going to weight room and gaining muscle. It is mental toughness, a coveted source of courage not all possess. Your might has had the astonishing ability to capture the attention of millions across America. And while, in my opinion sports are a beautiful part of life, life itself becomes more important. Your strength allowed you to play just one basketball game in college because your sport is that special to you and a large amount of people around the world. This incredible story has inspired a multitude of people. I call sports the ultimate distractor since it takes one’s mind off of whatever is going on in the outside world. For those few hours only what someone is playing or doing matters, nothing else. That is one of the reasons I love sports so much. No matter what is going on in my life I can go to practice or go on a run and either sort through any crazy high school minds or forget about it completely. Thank you Hill for showing us that in any situation one is facing, one can go through it with a smile on their face and an ‘I can do it attitude.’ Thank you to your family, friends, teammates, school and support staff for displaying another amazing action that sports can do: rally a community.
THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
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Concussion discussion Brain injuries bring concern to athletes
LAUREN KURTZER
C
feature chief
oncussions in high school athletics have been a hot button topic as information mounts demonstrating the damaging effects of such injuries. “Certainly, there is always a concern when dealing with an injury to the brain,” Varsity football coach, Mr. Scott Dattilo said.
What is a concussion?
According to the United States Center for Disease Control, a concussion is defined as a type of traumatic brain injury that results from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body. It causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in
the skull, stretching and damaging the brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain. When one has a concussion they have symptoms that affect cognitive, physical, emotional, and sleep functions. This injury can last days to multiple months. “My concussion, although they did not realize it at the beginning was pretty severe since it debilitated me for three months,” sophomore Nicole Crone said. Last year Crone got a concussion during a JV soccer game.
Symptoms and side effects
“Side effects would be everything you would think of headache, dizziness,” Dattilo said. Severity is different for victims. Some symptoms are only noticed by the victim while others can be noticed by peers.
“Some of the effects I had were nonstop headaches, difficulty focusing, and some memory issues,” junior Haley Rayburn said. Rayburn had a sports related concussion a year ago.
Coming back
This injury is a part of sports, but will not stop players. “The day I got cleared I jumped right back into the game and kept playing,” sophomore Rebecca Holdren said. While the possibility of concussion is always present, coach Dattilo won’t let that fear stop his team. “You can get a concussion falling off your bike but we are still going to ride bikes. There is always a risk of getting a concussion,” Dattilo said.
OHSAA rules
Another Blow Ohio State walk on football player this year and fouryear wrestler, Kotsa Karageorge was found dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday Nov. 30, five days after he went missing early Wednesday morning. His mother told reporters that he has had multiple concussions during his college career. His brain will be tested for CTE in his brain during the autopsy.
Officials are required to know the signs and symptoms and to take a player out of the game. All adults are responsible for all students.
Only a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy or a Liscensed Athletic Trainer (LAT) are allowed to determine if someone is concussed or not. *Ohio High School Athletic Association Source: ohsaa.org
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THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
[ column ] DAVID WERTHEIM
opinion chief
Seventh Inning Stretch
Chess prodigy approaches grandmastership LILA ENGLANDER
Balamurali said. He plays chess two hours per day, five days per week, keeping a unior Divyesh Balamurali record of his moves to eliminate started playing chess at age future mistakes. five. When he was eight, “It’s such a good game, it uses he moved from India to your mind. I just was intrigued by it Cincinnati. By the time he was ten and kept going. It’s hard to let go of years old, he could beat his dad, the something when you play it a lot,” very person who taught him how to Balamurali said. play. Chess offers many added benefits. “We don’t really play anymore; “At a tournament in Dayton about he just lets me play with my coach. four years ago, I was the youngest He was sad, but also happy that I in Ohio to win over $500 in a chess was doing so well in tournaments,” tournament. The entry fee is $100, Balamurali said. but if you win you make back the His coach was ranked first money and a lot more,” in Serbia when he said. was playing as a “You start Balamurali “I also coach five kids grandmaster and creative about three times a week. played for the Serbian One kid I coach who is national team in the thinking seven is doing really well. I World Championships. and make $30 per hour so I can Chess ratings are use that for my chess based on matches. To calculating always tournament entry fee.” become a grandmaster ahead with Math and chess are very one much achieve a related. 2200 rating. chess ” “You start creative “Right now I have thinking and calculating 1800 points. I need 400 points to ahead with chess. The better at become a grandmaster. Hopefully math you are the better at chess before I go to college I will be a you are,” Balamurali said. grandmaster,” Balamurali said. “I definitely think I will do There are about 50 grandmasters something with math in my currently playing in the world. In career, something with physics, Ohio, Balamurali ranks in the top engineering.” 20. Even so, there are always ways
assignment editor
J
to make the game more difficult. “I was randomly chosen last year to play simultaneously against ten grandmasters. It didn’t go well but it was fun. I got destroyed on every board. You can’t concentrate on all ten games at the same time,”
Quick Scan Scan here for more information about SHS chess
The last NCAA Division One program to dissolve its football team was Pacific in 1995. Now, The University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) is the most recent, as they no longer have a football team as of Dec. 2, 2014. The school, which is a branch of the University of Alabama, had a D-1 program for 24 years. According to president Ray Watts, financial problems were the reason for the canceling of the football team. Apparently, the Alabama Board of Trustees, who oversees Alabama as well as UAB, was the responsible body, sapping ties with the lesser UAB to support powerhouse Alabama. Paul Bryant Jr., son of legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant is on this board, as well as many strong Alabama boosters. As you would expect, players had a strong reaction. Many of UAB’s players, including tight end Tristan Henderson, came from serving the US in Iraq to continue their dream of playing football. In a video of the announcement to the team, Henderson can be heard saying, “Some of these cats came from 3,000 miles away to play here, to be a part of this! But you say numbers? UAB had not been eligible for postseason play until this year. They finally had a .500 season, going 6-6 under first year coach Bill Clark. However, they will not be playing in a bowl game, meaning that those players have played their last game. I feel as though there needs to be some justice here. Attendance, while not at the level that the Board wanted, was still higher than previous seasons. I do not know what the Board can do at this point. Alabama brings in more money than all but two other colleges (Texas and Wisconsin). Obviously, they can differ some of that to UAB to ensure that the young men from Iraq who are on scholarship at a university can continue to play the game that they love.
[ spotlight ] THE LEAF | WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17 | SHSLEAF.ORG
Around the world in 2,190 days Freshman offers insight on America BROOKE LANDRUM
spotlight chief
T
raveling the world is one of the biggest dreams that Americans share. People long to see new things and experience different cultures. “I’ve never felt weird being from somewhere else. Its always felt very normal. People find it interesting and I really like talking about my culture,” freshman Yasmine Guedira said. For Guedira, this was life for her first six years and continues to make an impact on her life from day to day. She still celebrates her different cultures with food, memories and original world views. “I think culture is just really important in general. Because of moving
around and going to school here, I know a lot of different people from a lot of different places. It’s great to have a worldly perspective,” said Guedira. Guedira’s heritage is one of legends. Her parents are of Moroccan heritage as well as having lived in London and France, yet Guedira was born in Belgium. She soon moved to Italy, and finally found home in Cincinnati, first in Loveland then Blue Ash. “My parents speak French around the house. They speak Arabic too because that’s the language they grew up with. We cook a lot of food from everywhere, like from Italy, where we used to live,” said Guedira. Even after living in so many places, Guedira considers Cincinnati her home. She has lived here the longest and believes that Cincinnati and America have things to offer that other places she has been do not. “A lot of other people
don’t realize how lucky we are here. There is a lot of poverty in Morocco and just sort of everywhere. I realize how grateful we should all be and how lucky we are. A lot of people don’t realize that,” said Guedira. One of the things that strikes Guedira as setting the U.S. apart is that we have a lot of opportunities here. She holds strong faith in our education system; she says that her parents often tell her to be thankful for all that she has. “When I travel and I tell people that I am from America, they all tell me how lucky I am. So many people still want to come here from other parts of the world,” said Guedira. Her six years spent around the world are fond memories but are long from over. She continues to travel and provide others with culture and experience.
All images by Brooke Landrum
THE LEAFLET volume 2 issue 5 dec. 12, 2014
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