THE
VISOR EX TR AC UR RI CU LA RS
archbishop hoban high school - Issue 3 - October 24, 2013
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three
Student finds Hoban staying true to slogan
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The Visor takes a look at the increasing Akron crime rates
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The Visor staff provides a look into fall’s current entertainment
S T R O P S OOL H G C RADES S Y ILRI ENDS F B M A A + F CStress and the Teenager S
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Cover by Danielle LaRose
tress levels continue to rise at Archbishop Hoban. At the end of the first quarter last week, students' stress levels reached new heights. The Visor explores the harmful nature of stress through one's high school career, its side effects and how it affects Hoban students.
two
editorial
Busy work deters student productivity
S
enior year can and should be regarded as the grand finale. Likewise, every other year prior should be a build up of anticipation and excitement for senior year. It is the year where students cap off four years of hard work with the ever so sweet rewards of established friendships, “senior slide” and most importantly, the almighty college acceptance letter. However, this year seniors are pressed to find even a moment of free time to apply to colleges. The reason? Busy work. And it’s not just the seniors; students from every grade are stressing over the amount of busy work and the loss of time to complete other essential tasks in their already hectic lives. The amount of unnecessary work that has been assigned by teachers this year has been overwhelming and in almost all cases redundant. In an effort to make things clear, busy work is considered any assignment a teacher gives to his or her class that is avoidable, irrelevant or covers material that has already been explicitly addressed. For example, students do not need the burden of 30 calculus problems a night when just a few problems can deliver the same educational lesson. Nor do they need a new essay every week, or a project a day. And if a teacher is assigning coloring assignments during class or for homework, then we have an even bigger issue. However, there is a fair counterargument for some of the issues of busy work. Honors and AP courses are more rigorous and call for more work in order to meet the demands of the curriculum. Likewise, teachers typically do not intend to assign busy work. It is the student’s decision to take more intense courses that call for more work. Yet, it has still become the case in many situations that the amount of work has become over-burdensome to the student. Although it may seem like seniors are sim-
What seniors think
Average time consumed by homework every night- 3.5 When asked how much of their homework do they believe is “busy work,” seniors responded that on average about 51-75% of their homework can be considered “busy work” How many people have not finished the common app or other applications? 91% How close are you to being done with the common app? Done-8% Almost Done-19% About Halfway-45% Quarter of the Way-21% Not even close-7%
ply whining about assignments, there is credibility to their complaints. Seniors are being given so much of this pesterous and pointless work that they are falling behind on applying to college. It is a constant and unified concern among the senior class that there is no time allotted senior year to apply for colleges. “Every night I go home and have four hours of homework. On the weekends I have even more. Yet the weekends are the ideal time to fill out applications. However, I’m preoccupied with busy work and studying for tests that colleges might not even see,” senior Leah Sadinski said. Given that the national deadline for early application for most colleges is on Nov. 1, only eight days away, several seniors have nearly run out of time to complete their applications by this initial deadline. As a result many will have to apply by the normal deadline, therefore losing the potential for special consideration that would have resulted in applying early. This special consideration includes financial aid, scholarships, and a smaller pool of applicants. It is senior year for many, and equally important years for others. Yes, it is important that teachers ensure that seniors end on a strong note academically and all students are well prepared for college. However, that preparation process does not include drowning seniors in so much needless homework that they fall months behind on college applications while other grade levels suffer insurmountable hours of homework. The amount of homework given should be evaluated on a more holistic level rather than just given to kill time and fill in gaps in the schedule. Overall, the most pressing issue of busy work is that its purpose, aside from taking up class time, is rarely explicit, leaving students upset due to the unanswered questions they have about why they do their work.
Results of a poll conducted with the senior class where students were asked about their college application status and busy work. Do you feel like you have enough time to do your applications? 73% said No Which classes give you the most busy work: 1. Religion (84%) 2. Math- including CAT, AP Stats, AP Calc, Honors Pre-Calc (74%) 3. Government (55%) 4. Science- including AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Physics, Honors Anatomy, Environmental Science (46%) 5. Foreign Language (30%) 6. English-including AP English (21%) 7. Others- (16%)
VISOR
THE
ARCHBISHOP HOBAN HIGH SCHOOL Mailing Address: One Holy Cross Blvd. Akron, OH 44305 Online: www.hobanvisor.com E-mail: visor@hoban.org AWARDS •CSPA Gold Medalist •NSPA First Class Award •Quill & Scroll Int'l First Place •OSMA First Place
The Visor subscribes to the ASNE/MCT Campus news service and to APStylebook.com. Signed letters for publication are welcome. Mailbox is in the main office. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus of the editorial board. Signed opinion represents the views of the writer only.
Staff: Editors-in-chief Benjamin Easton Danielle LaRose Managing Editor Timothy Brennan Features Editor Hannah Caprez News Editors Jonathan Sapp Sports Editors Trey Lesiak Copy Editor Emily Dunn Photo Editor Julia May Website Editor Kyle Knapp Staff Reporters Joseph Brennan, Sarah Carmon, Christian Cook, Ashley Kouri, Michael Londa, Julia May, Matt Mascolo Adviser Natalie Tannehill
opinion three Hoban teachers build relationships, surpass traditional education
T
he typical American high school student wakes up in the morning dreading the idea of going to school. The thought of all the busy work, grumpy teachers, and school drama is not a pleasant one. Yet, while I still dread the mounds of work due to senior year along with the daily gossip, when it comes to my teachers, my feelings could not contrast more. For me, a run-in in the hall with a former teacher is more like seeing an old friend rather than an adult who gives out A’s and B’s. This experience is one that I feel is unique to the Hoban community and it’s mission to educate the hear t as well as the mind. The sincere and genuine care each Hoban teacher has for their students makes the Hoban environment special. If its been a long day and I just need to sit and talk to someone or share an exciting stor y, all I have to do is peek my head into an all-too-familiar classroom where I had already sat for an hour working, and my teachers are more than
happy to see me. With the majority of my teachers, I could sit and talk to them for at least half an hour and not want to leave. From relationship problems, to fashion tips, stressful life decisions or a confusing section in that week’s math lesson, they always seem willing to help and suppor t whenever they are needed. If anyone were to ask me what I think is the most beneficial aspect of a Hoban education, I would not say the learning environment or the religious atmosphere, which is undeniable an impor tant aspect of the school, but rather that each teacher has a genuine care for their students. For the teachers here, grading papers is not just putting a letter on a paper; when we fail they take an interest and tr y to help, and when we succeed they let us know that they are proud. These expressions of comfor t can come in a variety of ways such as hug, a hear tfelt conversation, or just a simple note on top of an assignment. Before “True to You” and the new
‘cording to capes
by hannah caprez “Hoban H” the most common phrase you could find around the Hoban halls was “Educating Hear ts and Minds”. To me, this charism of Holy Cross embodies Hoban more than any new logo or catch phrase ever could. Out of the many pieces of wisdom and knowledge I have gained over my past 3 years here, the most impor tant one is this: never take your teachers for granted. If you take the time to actually listen to them, some of the most impor tant things you learn in school will have nothing to do with your GPA at the end of your time here at Hoban.
Musical Preference Does Not Define Personality
Y
ou walk into your local coffee shop and spot a girl with headphones on, listening to music. She wears the attire that would seemingly put her into the category of a “hipster”. What music would she be listening to? You would assume she was listening to music that remained off the charts. The typical “I won’t listen to it if it’s too mainstream” stereotype. Most would be surprised if they were to realize she was listening to the top rap hits. If you hear heavy metal, who do you picture? Most would say someone wearing black clothing and who is covered in tattoos, not the quiet girl in the corner who never seems to wear anything but pink. The world is full of these stereotypes, each person falling into a named category. Hipster, emo, punk, and many others are all included in the musical stereotypes of today. Unfortunately, these stereotypes and preconceived notions have caused many people to judge and look past others solely based on how they dress or what they listen to. As someone who personally has experienced music discrimination, I feel that it provides an unfair disadvantage in obtaining positive opinions from others who do not like the same music I do. Being one who listens
to hardcore/metal music, I often receive odd looks when my music is overheard. My music has given me the title of “emo” and “punk,” and most people say this with a certain knowledge of who they think I am, I know that their stereotypes have given them misguided ideas. Like my music inflicted title, the people of society develop a certain prejudice of an individual because of their music choices. People are judged and associated with certain stereotypes and listeners of a certain genre are expected to act a certain way. For example, Country music listeners; do they really all drive pickup trucks and sport the usual cowboy hat or are fans of heavy metal to be feared because of how angry and rebellious they are? Who would be a avoided in an every day situation, the avid classical music listener or the one who listens to the rhymes of their favorite rappers? Today we are faced with many stereotypes, music being one of them. In the end, we must realize that what we like may be a part of us, but it doesn’t define us--unless we let it. People who listen to what they like, not because they want to be seen solely as what listeners of the genre are supposed to be like, but because they enjoy the music.
Kouri’s
Story by ashley kouri Music often speaks to an individual. Each song brings a different meaning to each person. It is up to them to define what they like and what it means to them, society should play no role in that decision, or judge this decision. Imagine being avoided because of your love of a certain genre or receiving stares because others do not share the same opinion as you. Should one truly be judged because of how they seem as a person? In modern age we are supposed to be free to be ourselves, but because of these stereotypes we are restricted. In an ideal world, each of us should be able to listen to what we like without the fear of being ridiculed and explained by our musical stereotypes.
four
news
Upcoming Fall Production Encompasses Multiple Interests by joe brennan
D
uring the weekend of Nov. 7, students will perform the annual Fall play in Barr y Gymnasium. This year’s production is based on “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” a science fiction novel written by H. G. Wells. The show revolves around Edward Prendick, played by senior Austin Griffith, who is shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean and, through a series of unfortunate events, finds himself on the secluded island of Dr. Moreau, played by junior Ann Melody. Prendick soon learns that Dr. Moreau is performing experiments on animals in an attempt to make them human, and turmoil ensues. To coincide with the subject of animals in the show, the Fall play has formed a partnership with biology classes and the Ani-
mal Care League. Before each showing, Animal Care League members will be in the lobby with animals that live at Hoban. They will also display several biological artifacts, including animal bones. “We are linking the living world and the creative world along with the theater department and Mr. K’s production of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’,” biology teacher Mrs. Bates said. Students from area grade schools were given the opportunity to make their own mask for the play, combining human and animal attributes. The student who wins this “Fantastic Mask” contest will have their mask worn as a makeup design by an actor in the live production. “I picture it as a cross between ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Frankenstein,’ and ‘Castaway,’ ” director Russ Kwitkowski said. Mr. Kwitkowski has been in charge of several
plays in the past. This is the first year, however, that he will be accompanied by assistant director David Michaels, who has plenty of experience in theatrics. Mr. Michaels studied Musical Theatre at Ohio Northern University and has performed in several plays at the Beck Center for the Performing Arts in Lakewood, Ohio. “I love theater. It’s what I’m really passionate about,” he said. Mr. Michaels has so far been impressed by the imagination of Hoban students in the production. “The creativity of our students is what makes this show,” he said, “that’s not typical to see in a high school play.” As opening night nears, all are strongly encouraged to come out and support the Hoban Troubadours as they take the stage for what is expected to be another successful showing.
Nation Faces Economic Conflicts in Wake of Shutdown by ben easton
M
Graphic by Sarah Carmon
ore than three weeks ago, on Oct. 1st, our nation experienced its first national government shutdown in 17 years. National parks were closed, monuments were barricaded off, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees were put out of work for the duration of the shutdown. Arising from Republican refusal, led by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, to pass funding legislation for the Affordable Care Act, the partisan stalemate on Capitol Hill lasted for 16 days. Claiming that the health-care law was a “train wreck” to the American economy, Cruz filibustered on the senate floor for 21 long hours in an attempt to stall proceedings of the funding bill. Initially, the Republican effort to “defund Obamacare” met a certain measure of success in Wash-
ington as it created the shutdown. But, as the greater threat of default approached, multiple House Republicans rethought their stance on the issue and conceded to vote in favor of a newly crafted senate funding resolution, thus avoiding potentially catastrophic economic consequences. In a statement from the White House the day the national government reopened, President Obama expressed his discontent about the current political state of the union. “There are no winners here. These last few weeks have inflicted completely unnecessar y damage on our economy,” the president said. In retrospect, although the shutdown brought no major damage to the countr y’s economy, it surely affected national sentiment on the government’s ability to balance its own budget. According to the Investment Company Institute, stock and
800,000 715,000
government workers initially furloughed
401
bond investors pulled as much as 5.7 billion dollars out of the system in fear of imminent default. The government may not have actually fallen into a state of monetar y distress, but in light of recent events, its financial stability has undoubtedly been put into question by investors. Although the shutdown is finally over and many furloughed employees are back to work, the political issues over Obamacare and the looming threat of an expiring debt ceiling still lurk closer around the corner than one may expect. Forming a long-term funding resolution before Jan. 15th and properly accounting for the debt crisis by Feb. 7th of 2014 are imperatives for congress in the upcoming months, for if these measures are not dealt with in a timely fashion, the nation may experience the same problems it did nearly a month ago at the beginning of the fiscal year.
16 70
parks, monuments, and days officially in shutdown cultural sights closed
visitors not able to enter national parks
17
years since last shutdown
percent of Americans who viewed shutdown as a major issue
Numbers: According to USA Today
five
news
on the rise
Akron, once the rubber capital of the world, is now infamous for something else: having one of the worst crime rates in Ohio, in addition to its growing meth production.
by kitchy cook
A
ccording to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal, there have already been 111 meth lab busts this year in Akron–compared to 53 last year–and meth labs are being found in more widespread places. With roughly three new labs discovered by police ever y month, law enforcement is finding that these labs are easily made out of items that can be found at local grocer y stores. In an effort to reduce meth production, Akron’s new “Face: Meth” program alerts grocers of what materials are used in a meth lab in hopes to raise awareness of the problem. In regards to homicide, 27 murders occurred in Akron in 2011 alone. Eleven of these 27 homicide victims were white and sixteen were black. According to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal written by Phil Trexler, drugs have been linked to many of these murders in Akron. An issue for the Akron Municipal Court jurisdiction is that it tries to keep criminals off the streets, but the Summit County Jail is over-crowded, understaffed and often performs emergency releases. According to a different article of the Akron Beacon Journal written by Rick Armon, the jail will either have to partially shut down or add employees because it is currently understaffed by about 50. This problem is putting criminals back on the streets simply due to a lack of space. Overall, Akron’s growing crime problem stems not only from an influx of drugs in the region, but also from an inadequate jailing system. “Currently, the best practice is to determine the underlying problem, if any, that caused the defendant to make the poor choice to commit a crime in the first place, such as mental health issues, drug dependency, and lack of education. Once I know what a defendant’s needs are, part of my sentence often includes programs and services to address those needs,” Akron Municipal Court Judge Katarina Cook said. “However, if a defendant fails to complete the sentence, they are subject to time in jail and on the path of becoming a career criminal,” Cook added. While the current homicide statistics are shocking, Akron has kept down most other crimes: burglaries are down by 65 since 2011, assaults are down 13 from 2011, and arsons are down 11 from last year. However, Akron certainly has had unusual patterns in its crime records as its all time high for homicides was in 1991 with 40 and all time low in 2001 with just eight. In coming months, if Akron wants to break this cycle and lower the crime rate, the police force must change their approach to stopping crime at some of its sources. Most of Akron’s problems stem from drug problems. Increased enforcement of drug laws and additional initiatives to prevent adolescents and adults from ever getting into them may help to prevent some of these issues. If actions are not taken it is likely that crime rates will continue to spike in the area.
Photo courte courtesy of Akron Police Department
CRIME
Akron
Akron crime
by the numbers
These numbers represent the crime rates for each area from the last reported year. A higher number represents a higher reported crime rate. Crime rates include all types of serious and violent crimes.
Akron- 582.7
Cuyahoga Falls- 172.8
Tallmadge- 141.4
Norton- 132.0
Violent Crime Rates in 2012 See how Akron compares to the state and national averages
Akron- 504.2
Ohio- 224.3 Source: city-data.com
U.S.- 213.6
six
centerspread
Stress
THE
JOURNEY OF A HOBAN STUDENT by emily dunn
Many different stressors affect teens at different points in their high school careers. The Visor conducted a survey with students to search for the root of this stress, and also to discover more about the homeworks habits of students in correlation to how much they sleep. Students across the nation are receiving a distressing amount of sleep. High school students need eight to ten hours of sleep every night, which, most unfortunately, is impossible with the average teen’s schedule. Lack of sleep greatly contributes to stress, and is a common symptom. Throughout a Hoban student’s time at school, these different factors will fluctuate frequently.
FRESHMAN YEAR The average freshman is thrown suddenly into the world of high school, and is expected to fit in as quickly as possible and start off his or her academic career successfully. This is a lot to ask of anybody. One major stressor early on is adjusting and making new friends. Freshman are challenged with balancing schoolwork and activities with a social life, which is why it was easy to see why it was difficult for freshmen to pick only one major stressor, with 28.4 percent picking multiple stressors. “My life basically revolves around Hoban. Everyday I'm at Hoban from 7:40 in the morning until 5:30 at night. Then I go home and do homework typically until midnight. During the week,I barely have time to sleep let alone have much time for a social life,” freshman Mackenzie Deighen said. However, it is not entirely impossible for freshmen to find a balance. “I find balance with my busy schedule by devoting the week to school and other school related activities and on the weekends spending time with friends,” Deighen added. Unlike the upperclassmen, freshmen at Hoban spend a more moderate amount of time- almost two hours- on homework and receive the closest amount of sleep to the eight and a half hours that high school students need, a quota that their older counterparts fail to meet.
SOphomore YEAR Things get much harder sophomore year for the average student. Sophomores have the opportunity to take six honors or AP classes, so the workload sharply increases. More time is spent on homework. Even though the class average was two hours, some responses went as far as an overwhelming four to five hours of homework a night. Nearly 60 percent of the class cited school as their prime concern. The struggles of an increasingly difficult schedule throw a curveball into the average student. “This year has been a big change in my life. Taking on the responsibilities of honors classes, student council, and finding time to spend with friends, both for social reasons and for academic help has caused my stress load to greatly increase,” sophomore Josh Sukie said. “Finding time to balance these aspects of my life can sometimes consume my entire day, not to mention having to find some time for relaxation.” There is still a great deal of excitement in sophomore year, from learning to drive, celebrating friends’ “Sweet 16s” and feeling the joy of not being a freshman any longer.
junior YEAR During the second part of freshman orientation, students learn the importance of having an academically strong junior year in order to impress colleges. However, the push for perfection puts juniors on edge. According to the survey results, the junior class was the class most concerned with school and grades, with nearly 80 percent of the juniors responding that school concerned them the most. The class also spends the most time on homework, spending an average of three hours per night. Juniors at Archbishop Hoban have the chance to participate in four core honors classes, two AP core classes, other elective AP classes and other interesting electives. The students who participate in as many of these classes also try to balance extracurriculars and friendships, despite the difficulty in doing so. During junior year, many students get their first jobs, which is always exciting, but still contributes to the increasing stress of the average student. Juniors are also pushed quickly towards making preparations for the next chapter in life: college. Junior Annie Fahey, as of November, will have visited three colleges, and is feeling the pressure. “I feel like everything I do within these final two years at Hoban should be aimed at impressing a college or university,” Fahey said.
senior YEAR Many high school movies make senior year appear to be a long, sentimental walk in the park. In the real world, this is not the case. From early on, seniors are rushing to meet college application deadlines, taking the SAT, ACT and multiple Honors and AP classes and making the most of their final year. “I’m afraid I won’t have enough time to do everything before we leave,” senior Maddie Beban said. “I’m most worried about graduating and feeling like I missed out on a lot of great high school experiences.” From this mindset, it is easy to see why 16.8 percent of seniors were concerned about their after-school activities, more than the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors combined. Not surprisingly, seniors get the least amount of sleep on average out of all the Hoban students with an average of six hours and fi fteen minutes per night. This is far from healthy, but is unfortunately necessary with their packed schedules.
In conclusion:
Stress affects students in many different ways, but it is a part of life that all experience. Despite all of its negative connotations, a little bit of stress can be a healthy motivator. “Even though stress is always going to be part of life as a student,” Josh Sukie said. “I’ve learned that it can be that drive which all of us need to push ourselves to our highest potential.”
seven
centerspread
SIde effects of stress Mental :
Emotional :
Social :
1. Difficulty Concentrating
1. Overreaction to petty annoyances
1. Difficulty communicating
2. Forgetfulness, Disorganization and Confusion 2. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
2. Increases in impulse buys
3. Difficulty in making basic decisions
3. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
3. More likely to turn to alcohol, tobacco and/or illicit drugs
4. Reduced productivity and effectiveness
4. Increased frustration, irritability and edginess
4. Social Withdrawal and isolation
5. Crying spells and/or suicidal thoughts
5. Frequent use of over-the-counter drugs, such as Tylenol
5. Decreased interest in one’s looks
Physical : 1. Insomnia, nightmares and other sleep-related problems
How well do YOU understand stress & anxiety? True/ False:
2. Weight gain or weight loss
____ 1. Stress and Anxiety are the same thing.
3. Sudden panic attacks
____ 2. Changes in eating habits are often signs of stress.
4. Nervous habits, like nail biting, fidgeting or feet-tapping
____ 3. Women are twice as likely as men to develop an anxiety disorder.
5. Neck aches, back pain, muscle spasms and other muscular pains
Information Courtesy of The American Institute of Stress
____ 4. Only major symptoms of stress need immediate attention. ____ 5. Stress can be prevented with careful planning and time management. Information courtesy of The American Psychological Association and WebMD 1. F 2. T 3. T 4. F 5. T
Class Statistics: Freshmen:
Sophomores:
Average amount of time spent on homework: Almost two hours Average amount of time spent on homework: 2 hours per per night night Average amount of sleep on school nights: Almost seven hours Average amount of sleep on school nights: 6 1/2 hours per per night night
Stressors: School/Grades: 62.7% Social Life: 6.8% Family Situations: 0.9% After-school Activities: 1.2% Other/Multiple: 28.4%
Stressors: School/Grades: 59.5% Social Life: 2.4% Family Situations: 2.4% After-school Activities: 7.1% Other/Multiple: 28.6%
Juniors:
Seniors:
Average amount of time spent on homework: 3 hours per night Average amount of sleep on school nights: 6 1/2 hours per night
Average amount of time spent on homework: 2 1/2 hours Average amount of sleep on school nights: 6 hours, 15 minutes
School/Grades: 80% Social Life: 3.4% Family Situations: 7.2% After-school Activities: 5.2% Other/Multiple: 5.2%
Stressors: School/Grades: 54% Social Life: 5.6% Family Situations: 5.6% After-school Activities: 16.8% Other/Multiple: 18%
Layout by Danielle LaRose
Stressors:
eight
features
The Visor guide to
Haunted Houses
by julia may
Every year when Halloween rolls around, many choose to stick to the candy eating and costume frolicking activities that signify Halloween. But those who seek a little more thrill in their lives choose to visit haunted houses. In the past, Ohio’s haunted houses had little to talk about but as technology has advanced, the tales have become creepier. The Visor has taken a look into the spookiest spots that Northeast Ohio has to offer.
The Haunted Schoolhouse and Haunted Laboratory Location: Akron Runs from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2 With almost 40 years of experience, this haunted house will surely to get a scream out of you. Purchased from the Akron School Board in 1974, The Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory has been scaring its victims with over 50 trained actors who portray monsters, zombies, evil scientists and more. During your trip through the Schoolhouse you visit a home full of witches, giants, dragons and gargoyles. You will also travel through cemeteries, Dracula's castle and Dr. Frankenstein's Laboratory, as well as the evil king's dungeon of terror. If the seven floors of the schoolhouse are not enough of a thrill, try venturing into the haunted laboratory where you can experience walking onto a catwalk while lasers shoot up through a four story vertical wind tunnel as well as an array of other intricate sets. If you do not want to wait in line to get tickets they can be ordered online to ensure more time to visit both attractions!
The Seven Floors of Hell Location: Middleburg Heights Runs from Oct.4 to Nov. 2 For those who have searched for the largest and most thrill-packed haunted house but have always come up short, rest assured because this haunted house is what you have been looking for. The Seven Floors of Hell offers seven distinct “haunts” (haunted houses), so even the biggest thrill seeker in the group will be scared. Not only has it been featured on the Travel Channel Network but it has also been rated the seventh best-haunted house in nation and it is ranked as #1 in Ohio for the largest haunted house. Some of the haunts include a Clown House, Blood Barn, Voodoo Tribal Forest and a Mental Ward. New additions for this year include a simulated coffin ride and zombie paintball ride. Unlike most haunted venues, you should leave your camera at home because this haunted house has hidden cameras that capture action shots of you during the tour and can be purchased as a spooky souvenir.
The Carnival of Horrors Location:Cuyahoga Falls Runs from Sept. 28 through Nov. 2 The Carnival of Horrors at Blossom Music Center is not your stereotypical haunted house. Its four attractions, the Wicked Woods, the Freakshow, the Fun House, and the Insane Asylum put the visitors in charge of their fate. The Wicked Woods sends its visitors into the darkest forest with no guidelines on how to escape as monsters stalk your every step. The Freakshow is Northeast Ohio's first and most original fully 3-D walk-through haunted house. It uses special glasses to bring the experience to life as visitors fumble with the floor, walls and ceilings that become a living 3-D experience. The Fun House is home to evil clowns and has been consistently voted as one of Ohio's number one attractions year after year. Finally, the Insane Asylum combines a cage maze with roaming mental ward inmates into a confusing labyrinth filled with wrong turns and dead ends. If you thought you would be safe from the monsters outside of the houses, you are wrong. You can expect visits from plenty of monsters who love to terrorize the visitors waiting in line.
nine
features
Falling into
FICTION
Reeling from the summer’s list of pop culture premieres, both up-and-coming and well known authors have taken it upon themselves to fill Fall with new and noteworthy fiction. Here, The Visor shares their top three choices for this season’s most prominent page-turners.
by danielle larose
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
G R A V I T Y:
a review
by matt mascolo
“L
ife in space is impossible.” This title card opens director Alfonso Cuaron’s space epic and through its art house imagery, edge of your seat tension and powerhouse acting you never doubt that statement. The premise is simple enough; rookie astronaut Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and veteran Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) are on a spacewalk when disaster strikes and they are forced to find their way back to safety. What “Gravity” nails is the realism in each scene. The space landscapes are incredible and linger quite a bit. With no flashy editing, “Gravity” lets you feel the terror and oppressiveness of space through long, uncompromising shot selection. Cuaron’s camera twists and turns in sync with the protagonists struggles in zero-G. At times, it seems as if the camera is bound to float away from the action, only to return in one dramatic movement. Aside from the technical components, the human ones are just as compelling. Sandra Bullock, as much a character and vehicle for the audience, perfectly conveys the terror of facing almost certain doom. Bullock practically owns the film and takes every moment to remind the viewer of the unforgiving climate of space. Clooney’s role is less major but just as important. As a talkative, confident astronaut , he uses his usual charm to calm down the hysterical Dr. Stone and his extensive training to reason his way through any situation. While not a romantic comedy, Bullock and Clooney have a natural chemistry with each other and the somber topic of the film is sporadically injected with humor due to the two leads. The film, however, is not without its flaws. One minor complaint is that some astrophysicists and other professionals in the field of space travel have criticized the film for it’s unrealistic depiction of multiple scientific facts. While true, the film never claims to be the textbook for space travel and for the most part looks, and most importantly, feels realistic. Another fault could be Sandra Bullock’s breathing oddly enough. While her hyperventilation is realistic and accurate considering she is close to death in every frame of the film, her incessant staccato gasps may be too much for some. Overall, “Gravity” manages the impossible. It manages to be a human drama set entirely in space, a visually spectacular ride while still being an emotionally attuned artistic statement. Most importantly, “Gravity”, especially in 3-D, is an experience and for the majority of movie-goers, one that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
A sequel to his renowned thriller “The Shining”, Stephen King’s “Doctor Sleep” follows the son of Jack Torrance, Danny, as he enters adulthood as the sole survivor of his father’s ax-wielding attack. Battling demons both figurative and real, Danny surges through life psychologically tormented by his telepathic powers and visions of his childhood trauma. In an attempt to avoid his struggle with sobriety, he begins to work at a local hospice, becoming Doctor Sleep by using his “gifts” to help dying patients transition through the darkness prior to death. Stitching together multiple plotlines, King intersperses supernatural suspense among the tale of a broken man’s path to recovery.
The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Shneider Ezra Faulkner believes that everyone has a tragedy waiting for them: a sole encounter in which everything that matters ceases and new, better beginnings ensue. Reeling from an accident that shattered his knee, athletic career and social life, Ezra had found his tragedy. No longer living the archetypical role of jock and highschool hunk, Ezra now sits among the misfits where he finds Cassidy Thorpe. Carefree and adventurous, Cassidy teaches Ezra that some people, like books, can’t be judged solely by their covers. A heartfelt story of loss and selfdiscovery, “Everything” tells of the trials of acceptance and the blessings that come from the abrupt, tragic and unexpected.
Cartwheel
by Jennifer duBois
A mere recasting of the Amanda Knox trial, “Cartwheel” follows the misfortunes of Lily Hayes, a student accused of murdering her roommate while studying abroad. Enchanted by the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires, Lily hasn’t a care in the world until shy, bookish Katy is found brutally murdered in their shared suite. The prime suspect, Lily and her seemingly sinister and cunning persona become increasingly suspicious as deceptions are revealed and evidence uncovered. Written with wit and profound insight, duBois leads the reader to question both the fragility of human conscience and the fickle nature of belief.
ten
features
Getting to know Student Volunteers by trey lesiak
When does service become more than just a requirement to get hours completed? In the Hoban community, the goal of service is to better the world stretching from a local to a global scale. The Visor Staff takes a look at how some of Hoban’s students have taken advantage of service opportunities in the Akron community:
Senior
Junior
Sophomore
Katherine Bradshaw
Ian Hamlin
Sophomore Katherine Bradshaw has volunteered at St. Bernards both years she has attended Hoban. At St. Bernards she has served the less fortunate by supplying them with food and clothing. Her time spent helping others in that area has brought her to a new understanding of what it means to serve. “When I pass out clothing items it amazes me how a simple pair of socks or gloves brighten up someone’s face, especially when they find a sweatshirt that they really like,” Bradshaw said. “My experiences really opened my eyes to appreciate what I have.”
Akron Study Spots
Junior Ian Hamlin also began his service at Hoban working with ATC. His freshman year he volunteered at ATC bowling and basketball where he worked with the developmentally disabled for the first time in depth. His sophomore year he attended JAM and worked with ATC again at the Weaver Elementary School summer camp. As a junior he has worked with The Boys and Girls Club located on Arlington Street again through JAM. “I felt like I understood the kids that I worked with more and more,” Hamlin said. “Even after JAM I wanted to go back and hang out with those kids even more than I wanted to hang out with my friends.”
MAKE THE GRADE by danielle larose
[
Nervous Dog Coffee Bar, an eclectic mix of cafe meets comfortable lounge, offers a variety in both drink and study options. With its velvet-lined, hardwood booths and several-seated tables, Nervous Dog allows one to both bury his or herself in their books or spread out in a social study session. Its menu comprises of over 40 different beverages, surely enough caffeine to get one through exams, if not their daily dose of homework. Seasonal Items: Pumpkin Chai, Pumpkin Latte, Apple Cider Music: Alternative; acoustic singer-songwriter Clientele: Relatively quiet, yet not uncomfortably so. Conversation is neither distracting nor discouraged; it acts as the perfect background noise for people who prefer soundtracks to silence while studying. Employees: Genuinely welcoming, they neither pressure you into ordering or act overly friendly. A simple “What can I get you?” suffices. Price: $3.70 for a small cup of coffee
A
Barnes & Noble
Senior Travis Pero has been an active participant in service through Hoban since the beginning of his freshman year. Now the head of the newly erected Service Committee, Pero has worked in more than five separate projects beginning with ATC (All-Star Training Club) in 2010. Pero worked on Project Hope, attended JAM, ran an Alex’s Lemonade Stand for childhood cancer awareness and traveled to Honduras on a service-mission trip. “Being able to see the difference you are making for someone in their faces is the most important thing for me,” Pero said. “My first time at ATC a kid told me it was the most fun he has ever had and that has influenced me to continue serving others.”
The Visor surveys Akron’s most visited coffee shops turned study staples. Here’s who made the top of the class:
[ Nervous Dog Coffee Bar ]
[
Travis Pero
]
At the heart of Montrose, Barnes and Noble acts as the ideal mix of coffee shop and learning center, drawing in the crowds of Akron and Fairlawn alike. With an abundance of resources at one’s disposal, along with many plugs and private chairs throughout, there is room for all types of learners. Whether searching for seclusion or casually reviewing over coffee, Barnes and Noble provides all options in terms of studying, not to mention those offered on their Starbucks Cafe menu. Seasonal Items: Pumpkin spice latte, Salted caramel mocha and hot chocolate Music: N/A Clientele: Despiting being relatively loud, many find their work is still easily done. The main cafe is not for those who work in silence, but lounge chairs and tables between shelves provide the quiet a place to withdraw and work. Employees: A Starbucks trademark: the employees provide light jokes and feel-good conversations starting from one’s initial order, to the retrieving of one’s drink. Price: $3.65 for a small cup of coffee
A-
Angel Falls Coffee
]
Located in Akron’s Highland Square, Angel Falls serves as a local favorite for festive flavors and friendly conversation. A relatively small space, it is crammed with lounge chairs accompanied by makeshift side tables of vintage trunks. Despite its living room-like atmosphere, this amounts to little privacy when studying or otherwise. But, once one finds the rarified unoccupied nook or cranny, it is easy to settle in and study between the sips of a seasonal latte. Seasonal Items: Yuletide Reaper (Peanut Butter Chocolate Mocha), The Goblin’s Goblet (Cherry-Mocha-Latte) , Fawn of the Dead (Toasted Marshmallow & White Chocolate) Music: It varies. There is a touch-screen modernized jukebox with which customers can choose music to fit overall mood. Clientele: Depending on the hour, most customers either have their heads in their laptops and it is relatively quiet save for the grinding of coffee beans, or conversation flourishes and acts as a deafening distraction. Proceed with caution or plan ahead when in great need of concentration. Employees: Know what you are getting before you go; some baristas will stare you into ordering before you’re ready. Price: $3.50 for a small cup of coffee
B-
eleven
sports
Longboarding by michael londa and julia may
graphics by hannah caprez
With the rise in popularity of longboarding throughout the 21st century, The Visor recently had time to research and chat with a few students about the topic. Max Duffy, Peter Kratcoski and Gus Barber are some of the most recognizable longboarders around the campus of Archbishop Hoban High School. With their trendy thrift shop clothin clothing, lothin ng, the three can usually be fo found longboarding after school.
What do you enjoy about longboarding the most? Gus & Peter: Hitching on to the back of a car in the school parking lot and getting yelled at by one of the renta-cops. Gus: I enjoy sliding, bombing hills, and riding in the rain. Peter: The breeze and just straight up looking cool. Max: The adrenaline rush of the speed you get while riding.
Gus: Longboarding isn’t a hobby… it’s a lifestyle.
What is one of your favorite moments you’ve experienced while longboarding? Gus: The first time I hit Conestoga Road Hill from the very top, it was awesome. Peter: The solidarity between everyone is the best because you’re always meeting new people and you bond with cool people over longboarding. Also, longboarding down West Market Street at 3 am to Mr. Zubs… there was no traffic and it was totally calm. Max: I towed at 35 mph once! Also, when I bashed my chin on a curb in loose gravel because a car pushed me off the road.
Graphics by Hannah Caorez rez
Do you know any history about longboarding or how it started? Max: People who couldn’t surf got bored. So, they decided to start something new and that is how longboarding and skateboarding came about. Peter: On the seventh day God said, “Let there be boards, bro!”
What or who got you interested in longboarding and when did you start? Gus & Peter: Sander Kolodziej, Will Lawrence and Jake Hochswender basically peer pressured us into buying boards because we weren’t allowed to go on rides with them until we bought our own boards. Max: I started longboarding when I was 12. My friend’s older brother convinced me to buy a board.
Photos by Julia May
What kind of board(s) do you own? Gus: A Landyachtz Wolfshark Original Freeride 38. Peter: Sector 9 that I bought from a hippie and an Element Cruiser. Max: An Original Apex 37 Carbon.
History off the t Longboard on In the late ate te 1960’s the thrill-seekers in California and Hawaii stood to at a c crossroads. They needed an activity that was a happy ha medium between etween snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding. The he answerr tto their dilemma-- longboarding. Surfers began usi using longboarding g as a cross-training regimen when the surf was poor, r, imitating ng similar techniques of surfing a wave on the longb longboards to maintain n a smooth ride. From there the phenomenon known as longboarding oa spread throughout the world. By the late 1970’s 197 long1970 boarding g had become so popular it became a part of a subculture cu attached ta with a rebellious lifestyle. But, have no fear b because nowadays ays ys you do not have to be a rebel to join in on the thrill ill of the sport sp and it is easy to pick up; all you need is a longboard, lon some courage and maybe ma a couple co of band-aids.
twelve
sports
Hoban Faculty Virtually Tackles the Football Field by tim brennan
I
Lesean McCoy, and biology teacher Amie Mancine’s picks of both wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jimmy Graham. Week one provided an unexpected upset. Though a novice to fantasy football, Adaway emerged with a smashing victory over AP Statistics teacher Paul Traxler, scoring a whopping 175 points. Through this, a precedent was set that the league was more than a little “friendly competition.” Rather, winning became a top priority. “Two words,” Adaway said as she happened to cross paths with her opponents in the hallways at school, “Peyton. Manning.” Since these occurrences, fantasy football veterans have been dominated by rookie players. “I’m just glad that I have the best record of all the men in the league,” English teacher Casey Yandek said. “Props to Mrs. Starkey and the silent assassin
East
Emma Burkholder
Favorite Halloween candy
5-2 4-3 3-4 3-4 0-7
1. Srail 1. Mancine 3. Adaway 4. Traxler 4. Clem
5-2 5-2 4-3 3-4 3-4
West
Standings known as Mrs. Mancine for putting us boys in our place.” Fierce rivalries persist into the coming weekend. Week eight matchups to watch include the battle between biol
The Hoban Pop Culture Grid _____ fires me up during a game
1. Starkey 2. Yandek 3. Dzik 3. Messina 5. Mohan
ogy teachers and the faceoff of jv soccer coaches. With less than half of the season over, the title of Hoban faculty fantasy football champion remains up for grabs.
One thing I would What does the want to know about Favorite perfect meal look the future... pre-game like? snack?
Senior,, Girls Tennis
Elena G Gutbrod
When I ace on my serve
KIt-Kat
Junior, Girls Soccer
The ref calling bad calls
Heath
Justin Bisesi Sophomore, ophomore, Boys Golf G
Senior, Football
Mitchel Kozik Freshman, Cross Country
Delivering a big hit on a defender Passing people
Reese’s Cups
Kit-Kat
Reese’s Cups
If people will be living on mars Start Jack Griffith or Vince Murdocco for my fantasy team?
What college I will be going to
What job I will have
Panera bagels
Caesar salad and green beans
Best Halloween costume
Bathtub Panera with friends Italian BMT from Subway Anything my mom makes Pizza, fries and a drink
McChicken, fries and a Diet Coke Ice cream with every topping possible Bread
Granola bar
Siamese twin A cheerleader Hand-made skeleton costume Inflatable sumo wrestler
Compiled and Designed by Sarah Carmon
Ben Cook
Thinking about Haylee Fisher
The million dollar lottery numbers
Graphic by Sarah Carmon
n June, the first ever Hoban faculty fantasy football league was kicked off by an email from economics teacher Jason Dzik to the entire staff inviting anyone interested in participating to contact him. Though the faculty typically only engages in a fierce competition in the spring over who can complete the most accurate NCAA March Madness bracket, nine motivated competitors responded to Dzik. Thus, the league was born. On Tuesday Sept. 3, league tensions climaxed as the draft commenced. Instantly, English teacher Jamie Adaway selected running back Adrian Peterson. As the draft progressed, bitterness festered as adversaries stole each other’s ideal players. Other notable picks include English teacher Cindi Starkey’s acquisition of quarterback Drew Brees, Dzik’s selection of running back