The Visor
ARCHBISHOP HOBAN HIGH SCHOOL
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ISSUE 4
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016
CROWNING THE KING OF WATER The Visor staff tries to find an answer to the age old debate over whether or not all brands of water actually taste the same.
Hoban unveils plans for new library renovations Nation must denounce bigotry of President Elect Donald Trump
A new drug plagues the Akron community
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Editorial
Leaked Trump Video Causes National Outrage
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n Oct. 7th, a video showing President Elect Donald Trump making lewd and offensive comments about women was leaked to the Washington Post. In the video, which was filmed in 2005, Trump bragged to Access Hollywood host Billy Bush about a married woman he had attempted to woo. “When you’re a star [women] let you do anything,” Trump said to Bush. Trump also claimed to come upon women the moment he saw them, saying he “just start[s] kissing them.” After the release of the video, Bush was fired from his job as an anchor for NBC, and Trump’s campaign tumbled into a downward spiral. Many Trump supporters, such as Paul Ryan and John McCain, announced that they would no longer be voting for him. U.S. Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah, one of Hillary Clinton’s biggest critics, also retracted his endorsement of Trump out of respect for his fifteen year old daughter, whom he “wouldn’t be able to look in the eye” if he voted for Trump. Similarly, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, an-
other former Trump supporter, condemned Trump’s words. “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever,” said Priebus. In an attempt to amend for his comments, Trump issued an apology, in which he claimed that his offensive statements were merely locker room talk. “This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago,” Trump said. Trump even tried to divert the attention to Clinton’s husband by bringing up the claims that he has abused women, and her alleged mistreatment of his victims. Many were further angered that Trump would try to downplay his comments as locker room talk, and athletes, such as Lebron James, have countered this claim. “What is locker room talk to me? It’s not what that guy said,” said James. “We don’t disrespect women in no shape or fashion in our locker room ...I’ve got a mother-in-law, a wife, a mom and a daughter.”
A Letter to the Editor To the Editor, In the previous issue of The Visor, an anonymous editorial regarding the national anthem protests was printed, taking numerous stabs at Colin Kaepernick and his method of protest. Portraying Kaepernick--the “leader of the problem”--as an attention-seeking hypocrite, the editorial argued that engaging in peaceful protest during the national anthem is heinous and does nothing in the fight for racial justice. The editorial claims that Kaepernick is attention-seeking, and I agree; however, I argue that he is not seeking attention to “get back into national news” after “[seeing] his fame quickly decline,” but to promote his cause: raising awareness of the injustices that blacks face in American society. A decidedly lacking amount of evidence exists to support the claim that Kaepernick wants attention for any ulterior motive. Accusing him of such selfishness without evidence is simply ludicrous and irresponsible. Kaepernick’s alleged hypocrisy can be easily refuted, as he stated in an interview that “this stand wasn’t because [he felt] like [he was] being put down in any kind of way,” but rather to give “people that don’t have a platform [a chance] to talk and have their voices heard.” The author of the editorial also stated that Kaepernick is hypocritical because he is half white. This statement underscores the moral
disorientation of America with its implication that race should supersede justice. Additionally, it highlights the very principle of his protest, as he argues that race should hold no intrinsic value in the United States of America, where all men are created equal. I would hope more Americans would set aside such trivial differences as skin color to untie and attempt to create a better future together. The final argument of the editorial was that Kaepernick is protesting in the wrong manner, when he should be “inviting fellow stars to partake in communities, schools, or charities to make an actual difference.” The incendiary tone of this statement outrages me. It highlights the mind boggling prospect that some Americans are more outraged by which method of peaceful protest is taken rather than by the fact that Kaepernick’s chosen method of protest raised awareness across the country. His protests were the motivation for any such editorial piece to be written, along with thousands of tweets, news articles, and conversations in America. Kaepernick’s actions will not solve racial injustice in America, I can agree with the author on that. However, I disagree on almost all else, believing that he is acting responsibly as a catalyst for much needed change--kneeling to acknowledge the abhorrent stain that injustice has left on the flag of freedom. Bryce Dzubara ‘17
The Visor Archbishop Hoban High School mailing address: One Holy Cross blvd. Akron, Ohio 44316 Online: www.issuu.com/thevisor Email: visor@hoban.org
Awards CSPA Gold Medalist NSPA First Class Award Quill & Scroll Int’l First Place OSMA First Place The Visor subsribes to the ASNE/MCT Campus news service and to the APStylebook.com Signed letters for publication are welcome. Mailbox is in the main ofifice. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus of the editorial board. Signed opinion represents the views of the writer only.
Staff Editors-in-Chief Alexander Lynch Vicky Woodburn Managing Editor Julia Susany Opinion Editor Mara Bahmer News Editor Bridget Wiedt Features Editor Shamael Muhammad Sports Editor Brandon Eckman Webmaster Justin Icsman Photographer Johnny Durkin Staff Reporters Katie Clark, Sarah Caley, Joel Krznaric, Hannah O’Neil, Nick Griffith, Claire Stock, Ryan Volcansek, Marissa Kastelic, Molly Sack, Lukus Stricker, Sam Cherveny, Ean Tucker, Jenna Farah, Ryan Davis, Claire Frego Adviser Katharina Cerny
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Opinion
Nation Needs to Practice Tolerance in the Face of Bigotry
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onald Trump will become the 45th president of the United States. For me, it is a truly shocking fact, a bitter pill to swallow. As the results poured in late Tuesday night, I pulled out my already long list of prospective colleges and thought about adding a few more that met the following criteria: outside of the United States. Yet, as I looked at institutions in other countries, my heart pulled me back to America, and that is why this election hurts so much. I asked myself how my fellow countrymen, my neighbors, and my classmates could choose a man with such faltering morals. I remain convinced that this is one of the worst possible people who could be elected president. I remain convinced that Trump has a fundamentally flawed character and is a danger to world stability and an injury to America’s standing in the world. It is hard to know specifically how to position myself in a country that can elect a man with such staggering ineptitude and universal animus. It makes me doubt whatever faith I had in the nation itself. If you’re in the approximately 52-percent majority of voters who supported someone other than Donald Trump, I mourn with you. When a former Ku Klux Klan leader like David Duke is giddily celebrating a political triumph for his values, how can we not ache for our own?
How can I make sense of the fact that the man who will appoint the next Attorney General has boasted of assaulting women? What will Trump’s law and order program for inner cities do to minority communities that are already weary of police aggression? How do I make sense of the fact that a man who attacked a federal judge for his “Mexican heritage” will be the man who will nominate the next Supreme Court justice? Trump represents a clear and very present danger, and it is in the face of that danger that courage and truth are made more necessary and more perfect. It is impossible for me to fall in line behind an unrepentant bigot. It will be impossible for me to view this man participating in the pageantry and protocols of the presidency and not be reminded of how he is a demonstrated demagogue who is also a sexist, a racist, a xenophobe and a bully. This is not a leader worthy of applause. That is an individual who must be placed under unrelenting pressure of scrutiny because power must constantly be challenged. Each of us must challenge Trump’s bigotry and ethnic exclusion with our own tolerance and acceptance. In a press conference after the election, President Obama told the country that we all must “go forward with a presumption of good faith in our fellow citizens.” What the country needs, he said,
Acrimonious
Alex By Alexander Lynch is “a sense of unity, a sense of inclusion, a respect for our institutions, our way of life, rule of law, and a respect for each other.” It would be easy to be consumed with anger. It would be easy to walk away. But Obama was right. This is a moment to stay engaged and to fight back. There is a country to save. All Americans can help in this work, whether as activists or volunteers, or simply as neighbors who show, through reaching out to someone who looks or worships differently than they do, that they reject bigotry, misogyny and fear. Let’s give Secretary Clinton the last word, an exhortation to young people who supported her candidacy and the values it embodied. “This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what is right is worth it,” she said. “We need you to keep up these fights now and for the rest of your lives.”
American Media Focused on Wrong Headlines
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he morning of Oct. 13 made world history, as singer-songwriter Bob Dylan was selected to receive the rare honor of a Nobel Prize in Literature, a prestige that gives him common ground with literary giants like T.S. Eliot and Toni Morrison. This is a monumental success on Dylan’s part, not only because the award itself is a worldwide glory, but because Dylan is the very first musician to receive an award of this caliber—it is comparable to a Grammy, though multiplied significantly. Dylan’s fans were delighted to hear the news—but not many others were. Despite the enthralling and groundbreaking nature of this event, the world’s focus was nearer to the gutter, and had been for a shameful amount of time beforehand. Kim Kardashian, a prime example of someone who is famous for being famous, nearly petrified her unnecessarily enormous fan base on a Sunday evening in early October. News broke almost immediately after the superstar was held at gunpoint and robbed of millions of dollars worth of jewelry in a Parisian hotel, her bodyguard nowhere to be found, leaving Kardashian vulnerable to the armed intruders’ dark intentions. Reportedly, she was gagged and bound by her
wrists and feet and shoved unceremoniously in her room’s bathtub, but thankfully was physically unharmed. The frightening disposition of this event garnered what was, at first, a necessary amount of attention—surely, fans of any celebrity tend to view them as a friend or familiar, to the point where their concern for them is genuine. But the bizarre details and unbelievable elements of Kardashian’s story have given it a little too much prominence and longevity, to the point where when literal history was made eleven days later, no one knew about it. Why? Because everyone was frantic over newly released facets of Kardashian’s nightmare in Paris. This claim is not to downsize what must have been a traumatic experience for the epithet of reality television herself. Kardashian has expressed great fear and agony over what has happened to her, and she should be validated and consoled and even counseled, should she need it. But it is undeniably ridiculous that more than a week after the initial shock of Kardashian’s experience, someone else can’t have the well-deserved spotlight for a doing something remarkable. The world ignores Dylan’s amazing honor because they are all trying to find every
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By Shamael Muhammad detail about what happened the evening of Oct. 2 at Kardashian’s hotel. Even now, near to a month after the robbery, the world has not found peace over it, and hardly anyone is aware that Dylan has received the Nobel Prize. Given, Dylan seems to be as oblivious as the rest of the population because he has not returned any of the committee’s calls regarding the award—but this does not change the fact that the focus of the general public is never where it needs to be. The country of Haiti is almost in complete ruins. Someone is unjustly shot by a police officer almost every day. The country of Kuwait has just dissolved their Parliament. But we are talking about Kim Kardashian.
Opinion
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Hoban Announcements Need Urgent Upgrade
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etween the second and third classes of every Hoban school day, students and faculty alike gather to watch the video announcements. Produced daily by the Video Production class, these announcements are ostensibly for the enjoyment and education of the whole school. As of late, however, they have become tedious for both teachers and students. It is true that the daily announcements are a necessary source of information for most, if not all Hoban students. However, the current format and presentation of this information leaves much to be desired. As entertaining as it may be to hear the jokes and facts offered by the on-air students, the videos lack much in the way of professionalism and clarity. The daily announcements are made available for public viewing on the Hoban website. Why, then, is it necessary to take up precious learning time with yet another form of the same information? It is true that the announcements are a valuable experience for the members of the Video Production class, but it is hard to believe that the quality and overall format of the project could not be improved upon. Currently, announcements must be sent to the central office, where they are transferred to Mr. Feador, who provides them to the on-air students. However, this system
is flawed. Consider, for example, the recent announcement regarding the Spanish Club’s candy sale. Many students expressed displeasure that this announcement was not aired before the morning of the sale, since they did not know to bring money that day. Also, consider the announcements regarding sports teams and other extracurricular groups. Some announcements are aired for days before the event, while others are aired the day of, barely acknowledging the involved students or faculty members. This contributes to the emphasis of certain sports or groups over others within the Hoban community - a current and ongoing problem that should be addressed, starting every day in the five minutes before third period. Adding to this is the fact that the on-air speakers sometimes mumble, leading many students to mishear or misunderstand the information that is being communicated. As a result, students often tune out the announcements instead of trying to decipher the poorly spoken information. It is understandable that the pressure of being aired live to the entire student body might cause a few slipups, but lately it appears that the on-air students do not even take the time to glance over the announcements before they convey them to the rest of the school. This creates a dull job for stu-
Candid with Caley By Sarah Caley dents, as they must struggle to understand the information being relayed to them. Every Hoban student is issued an up-todate, fully functional iPad when they enter the school. Why are the daily announcements not transferred to students through more technologically advanced means? Every student has their own email address and Canvas account, so why are the announcements not given to students via these apps? The Hoban announcements are a fun and beloved tradition that also provides a learning experience for the student video production team. However, these daily videos need a massive facelift or even a complete overhaul. There are several practical solutions available to solve this problem. Hoban should take advantage of the technological advances of our time, and make certain that all of its students benefit from the fullest high school experience possible.
Strong Bias Behind Dress Code Enforcement
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lack of communication between school administration and Student Council has led to a deplorable standard of Hoban dress code. While some teachers enforce the dress code, others do not, leading to mass confusion and unnecessary detentions. It is apparent to the vast majority of students that there is an existing double standard on those who are caught for uniform infractions and those who are not. To deny this observation shows ignorance to daily happenings. The events of the last week have shown that the lines of the uniform standard are being blurred beyond recognition, leading many to wonder, what is the dress code? Hoban administration, in unison with Student Council, has effectively failed at communicating dress code guidelines. The orange day on Nov. 4 is a prime example of this failed communication. Student Council was not specific on whether or not sweatpants could be worn. They were neither forbidden nor mentioned on any of the numerous posters hung throughout the halls. Thus, the unclaimed stance on sweatpants led many students to assume they were permissible. Boy, were they wrong.
The irrational behavior of administrators in persecuting students who wore sweatpants was uncalled for. If they had taken but only a brief moment to analyze the posters, they would have noticed that sweatpants were neither forbidden nor explicitly mentioned. Instead however, some faculty members resorted to dealing detentions to the dress code “rebels” who in this instance, had not violated any guidelines set by Student Council. This fiasco, caused chiefly by a lack of communication, unjustly criminalized students who believed they were following dress code policy. A blatant double standard in dress code violation is obvious among students. Certain members of the athletic community continually disregard the already lenient dress code. For instance, some athletes dress in team spirit wear even on days they do not have a game, match, etc., and yet never seem to be disciplined. In contrast, if a non-athlete were to be out of dress code, he or she would immediately receive a detention. Some staff members believe that an athlete’s “elevated status” allows them to commit hypothetical murder. But if you are not a star athlete, sorry, you get a detention.
Righty Ryan & Modest Molly
By Ryan Davis and Molly Sack The lack of communication between Student Council and administration has caused the lines of appropriate and inappropriate dress code to be blurred. As more confusion plagues staff and students alike, more disagreements will likely ensue. Although Student Council is not responsible for the day-to-day dress code, their lack of clarification on dress down days and other special days has resulted in student resentment towards its “governing body.” So the next time you wonder if your outfit meets dress code standards, ask yourself, am I a star athlete?
News
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Hurricane Matthew Causes Major Destruction By Hannah O’Neil
Photo courtesy of Business Insider
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arlier this season, a massive tropical storm, referred to as Hurricane Matthew, ravished across South America and the Southeastern United States. The pernicious tropical cyclone became the first hurricane to reach category five since Hurricane Felix in 2007, which affected several parts of central America. Hurricanes that are labeled category five feature wind speeds reaching 157 mph or higher and inevitable damage to property, humans and animals. Most nations have not been exposed to a natural disaster of this caliber in years. “Hurricane Matthew could rival or possibly exceed Gilbert if the core of the strongest winds does actually move over Jamaica,” Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist and spokesman for the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, told the AP. Hurricane Gilbert was the worst hurricane to hit Jamaica since 1988, bringing widespread destruction to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. “Under the current forecast, total devastation of the barrier islands is possible and portions of F.J. Torras Causeway and Jekyll Island Causeway may be completely lost,” Georgia’s Glynn County official said. After wreaking havoc on Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas, Matthew traveled into the U.S., where it narrowly missed Florida and left North Carolina completely submerged in water. Because of the over 900 Haitians killed in Cuba, mass evacuations were made in the U.S. as the storm grew closer. Matthew’s slow moving nature left areas under
torrential downpour for days at a time, making it difficult for necessary supplies to be delivered. Many shelters were unable to provide pillows, blankets, mattresses or a three-day supply of food and clothes; however, there were shelters that administered support for special needs. After the storm had mitigated, people left the shelters to visit their homes, only to find more than 30 houses washed away and hundreds of roofs blown off as the storm barrelled through the northeast side of the country. “If you are in an area that emergency managers told you to evacuate and they’re telling you to go, you absolutely have to go now,” Knabb told Good Morning America. “Your life could depend on it.” The total time span of the storm was two weeks. In this time period, the storm ended 1,384 lives and caused massive destruction to areas in Haiti and North Carolina. Water and food sources still remain scarce and many Haitians are finding it hard to recover
from this sudden tragedy. Hurricane Matthew’s wind force alone was able to rip out trees from their roots, cause long term power outages and plow through anything in its way. “This storm will kill you. It still has time to do a direct hit...it could be that the worst part of this is yet to come,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott. Because of the extreme damage done to crops along the south there is a huge concern over food security in the already impoverished nation of Haiti. People worry severely worried that they will not be able to provide food or shelter for their families. Hurricane Matthew has caused tremendous destruction and loss to so many communities and will not be a tropical storm forgotten anytime soon. With the help of local volunteers and shelters, many families will have to rebuild from scratch what they have lost and move on from the lives that have been taken.
Hoban Unveils Plans for New Renovations By Claire Stock
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eginning next year, the Hoban campus will once again be experiencing new renovations. Of the multiple renovation projects, the library will be the first space to be redone, and is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2017. The library space will be transformed into the “Hoban Innovation Center,” and plans to include new science classrooms and a MakerSpace. The role of the Hoban library has changed significantly over the years, and as books become largely accessible online and on the iPads, the need for a designated library space is diminishing. This state of the art area, dubbed the MakerSpace, will feature a 3D printing lab, a workshop, and most importantly, room for students to be creative, build, and experiment. One of the major improvements in creating this space is that everything is mobile. Chairs and desks will be able to be
easily moved in order to allow for collaboration and a location to build. Robotics Club, pre-engineering and the arts will all benefit from this added creative space. On the opposite side of the library, where the laptops arecurrently located, new classrooms will be added, which will create much needed space for the science department. Modern technology, such as teleconferencing equipment, that will help connect students with other students and professionals from all over the world will also be incorporated into these new classrooms. With the library updates, Dr. Sweda, head of the renovations team, said he is “most excited to see students have the ability to take their creative and innovative ideas and make them into a reality.” In the fall of 2018, the fourth floor, which currently houses the art department, Shower’s Activity Center and the tutoring center, will be renovated if all of the funds are raised. With this renovation to the fourth
floor, the art department would expand to occupy the entire space. New art rooms would be constructed to better accommodate the needs of the growing art department, such as a designated classroom space in one half of the classroom and tables for working on projects in the other half. The Mac lab would also be moved up to the fourth floor and a room that specifically houses kilns will be added. The new visual arts center will provide facilities that will match the caliber of work produced by the art department. “The new renovations will positively impact every student at Hoban,” said Dr. Sweda. Funding for these renovations will be raised through donations from a faithful constituency of alumni, parents and friends of Hoban. Also, corporate grants and grants for new resources that promote creativity and innovation are being sought to fund these projects.
Centerspread
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WHAT ARE THE By Lukus Stricker and Joel Krznaric
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e vote d it the b
First Floor by Boys Bathroom
18.8%
Inside Alumni Gym
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Design by Vicky Woodburn
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e vote d it the b
Second Floor by Boys Bathroom
29.1%o
rst
38.8%
Which water fountains are the worst?
vote d it the w
Inside Barry Gym
19%
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In the Fitness Center
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o vote d it the w
Top of Ramp in Basement
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Which water fountains are the best?
he Visor staff recetnly sought out an answer to an age old question: are different waters, whether bottled or tap, actually all the same? Hoban has 13 sets of drinking fountains throughout the building, with notable characteristics associated with several of them. For example, the fountain outside of the second floor boys bathroom is notorious for looking outdated, having extremely weak pressure and tasting uncomfortably warm. Obviously, people will disagree on which drinking fountains are the best and which are the worst, but the question still needed to be answered. Three Visor staff members tested seven of the eight drinking fountains that are contained within the basement, first floor and second floor of the main hallway. Only the fountain in the cafeteria was left out because it is notfrequently used. For each of the eight fountains, we gave subjective ratings on a scale of 1-10 in ideal temperature and stream and ratings from 1-5 for taste since it’s not as noticeable. Finally, we measured the actual temperature of the water in the fountain. Ratings between the three were compiled, giving a cumulative scores of out of 30 for temperature and stream and 15 for taste. Across the board, the fountain outside of the second floor boys bathroom received the worst ratings, with a five in both temperature and stream and a four in taste. We rated the fountains left of the central office and on the first floor outside of the girls bathroom far ahead of the others, with temperature scores of 28 and 26. Additionally, the stream ratings for the fountains at both ends of the first floor were at least 10 points above every other stream. For taste, we rated half of the fountains at either an 11 or 12 but the fountain near the elevator still earned a 14. The average of all the measured temperatures turned out to be about 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The fountain outside the second floor boys bathroom recorded an almost lukewarm 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, the fountain left of the central office was measured at a chilled 50 degrees. These two drinking fountains were the extremes, being the warmest and the coldest measured. Ultimately, the fountain outside of the second floor boys bathroom has not only the warmest water, but the weakest stream. In contrast, the fountain outside of first floor boys bathroom has the strongest and most defined stream along with one of the coldest temperatures, making it one of the best.
o vote d it the w
Centerspread
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BEST WATERS? R
eusable water bottles are a common sight throughout the Hoban halls and most students tend to stay fiercely loyal to their preferred brands, claiming that the taste is clearly better. It is undeniable that there is a certain stereotype associated with specific brands, with the inexpensive ACME and Deer Park brand waters typically not living up to the glorified image of the more expensive Fiji brand or the electrolyte-charged Smartwater. Those who do prefer the more lavish brands usually claim that they do so for an “enhanced taste experience.� In other words, because they taste better. The Visor Staff decided to test whether or not these waters lived up to their high prices by conducting a blind taste test. We selected five different water bottle brands to test between: two expensive brands- Fiji and Smartwater, two standard brands- Deer Park and ACME (highly criticised for tasting awful) and the official water of Hoban- DejaBlue. To ensure complete equality among the brands, every water was kept in the same refrigerator for a day to keep temperatures constant. Each was then poured into paper cups, labeled A to E, so that the participants were blinded to which brand they were tasting. Fifteen Visor staff participants tasted the waters in a rotational order, so one water would not always be tasted first and another last. They then had to order the waters from one to five, with one being the best and five being the worst. The stereotype of expensive water being the best tasting was immediately disproved, with Smartwater coming in last place with an average rating of four. It was voted the worst brand a total of four times, and never managed to secure a first place vote. However, ACME brand water supported its negative stigma by coming in fourth, receiving both three first place and three last place votes. In the middle of the pack, DejaBlue received only three last place votes. Beating out DejaBlue by a mere one point, Fiji came in second, with only one participant putting it in last place. Lastly, receiving the highest total rating was Deer Park. The 15 Visor participants gave the brand an average value of 2.4 points. However, it tied with both DejaBlue and Fiji water for most first place votes, with each brand receiving four. As far as taste, the experiment showed that bottled water brands probably have only a slight discrepancy, except for Smartwater. Expensive waters may be more lavish and potentially cleaner, but not necessarily better tasting. The experiment was small in number of both brands and participants, but achieved the goal of proving that water is simply water.
#4 AcmeWater $0.18
#1 Deer Park $0.25 per bottle
per bottle
per bottle
#2 Fiji Water $1.64 per bottle
#5 SmartWater $1.27
#3 DejaBlue $0.75 per bottle
News
News in Brief
The
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Russian Bombings Add to Unrest in Syria
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he United States and Russia have voiced several major concerns pertaining to the possible downfall of the reigning Syrian government. Both parties believe that a war would lead to an anarchy that would allow for the conjoining of several major terrorist groups from the area. The Russian Military has been intervening in the Syrian Civil War as a response to an official request for military help by the Syrian government in September 2015. Initially, the aid consisted of air strikes led by Russian planes against groups looking to oppose the Syrian government, however recently that has not been the case. Today there seems to be countless questions surrounding the validity of the target of these attacks, as the “war on terror” has turned into what seems like the massacre of thousands of innocent civilians.
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Vladimir Putin announced that the goal of the mission was to “stabilize the legitimate power in Syria and create the conditions for political compromise.” However, by the end of September 2016 Russian air strikes have killed at least 3,800 civilians, over a quarter of them being children. The Syrian Network for Human Rights states that the Russian attacks have killed more civilians than either ISIS or Assad’s army. The United States has publicly declared Russia in “flagrant violations of international law” in regards to the recent actions in Syria. In addition, U.S Secretary of State, John Kerry, has made plans to meet with Russian representatives from Moscow, in Switzerland later this weekend to discuss instating a ceasefire.
By Kaitlyn Clark
Poland Considers A Total Ban on Abortion
n Monday, Oct. 3, women all over Poland took to the streets to protest the government’s plan for a ban on abortions. Some protesters wore black clothing as they marched through the streets during “Black Monday.” Counter-demonstrations were held, with anti-abortion protesters wearing all white clothing to distinguish themselves from their ethical foes. Poland’s stance on abortion is already among Europe’s strictest. Abortion is only permissible if the pregnancy is due to incest or rape, or if the life of the mother or fetus is under serious threat. Under the government’s new proposal, at least two of these exceptions will no longer exist. For women found guilty of illegally having an abortion, a jail sentence of up to five years will be enacted. Additionally, doctors could face time in prison if they are found guilty of performing an abortion. If passed into law, a total ban on abortion would make Poland one of the world’s most restrictive countries in regards to reproductive rights. Only two European countries support such bans: the Vatican and Malta.
Poland is one of Europe’s most religious countries and the Polish Catholic Church is said to have a strong influence in the nation. Supporters of an abortion ban in Poland argue that it will save lives. Although the Catholic Church is pro-life and does not support abortion, bishops said they could not support jail time for women who had an abortion. The debate over abortion has many gynecologists in the nation worried for the future. For patients with pre-eclampsia, a potentially fatal condition that develops in the second half of pregnancy, the only cure is to deliver the baby early. Critics argue that a ban on abortion could lead doctors to be unwilling to perform essential invasive prenatal tests and life saving operations for fear of a prison sentence if the baby does not survive. In the case of pre-eclampsia, doctors may have to let both the mother and child die. By Wednesday, Oct. 5, the government appeared to have abandoned the bill. Although the abortion law may have been overthrown for the time being, another mass demonstration was planned for Oct. 24. By Ryan Davis
Australian Government Divided on Same-Sex Marriage
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he left-wing Australian Labor Party has formally announced that it will not support the government’s planned vote regarding same-sex marriage. Party representatives have stated that a public vote is unnecessary and too costly, adding that it could create a public division, proving to be traumatic towards young gays. “There is more than one door to open to achieve marriage equality,” said Bill Shorten, the leader of the Labor Party. “The easiest way is...legislate.” The party has also announced that they want same-sex marriage to be passed in Parliament. However, without Labor’s support, the Australian Senate cannot approve the national vote set for February 2017. Additionally, Parliament will not be able to approve the issue for placement on the ballot without the Labor Party’s votes in Senate. If the plebiscite is not approved, then marriage equality could be withheld until 2019, when the next general elections are scheduled to take place.
In the event of a “yes” vote, the government would allow religious and marital celebrants the right to refuse to marry same-sex couples, something that Shorten strongly opposes, as it will alter the existing Marriage Act. “We just need to look at the consistent public polling that shows the majority of Australians support marriage equality,” said Rachael Hambleton, VGLRL co-convener. “We are closer than ever before to reaching marriage equality and we are being met with needless stalling tactics.” The Australian government has since defended the public vote. “Rather than working with the government to see this matter settled, Bill Shorten and Labor have chosen to play politics with the lives of gay people,” said George Brandis, Attorney-General of Australia. Despite the result of the vote in Senate, there will be a divide among the people, one that might not heal for years to come.
By Molly Sack
Features
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Opiate Infiltration a dangerous new drug known as carfentanil has infiltrated akron and its effects are catastrophic.
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he opiate epidemic in Akron has been growing steadily over the past few years and it has reached alarming new heights due to the introduction of a powerful drug called carfentanil. Carfentanil is similar in chemical structure to the synthetic opioid fentanyl, which can be traced to thousands of overdose deaths each year, such as Prince last April. Intended to sedate extremely heavy animals such as elephants, carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which makes it 100 times more deadly. It is so potent that no animals in the Akron Zoo are large enough to require it. For humans, a dosage the size of a grain of salt is enough to be lethal. “Carfentanil is so powerful that zoo veterinarians typically wear protective gear just a little bit short of a hazmat suit when preparing the medicine because even one drop splattered into a person’s eye or nose could be fatal,” said Dr. Rob Hilsenroth, executive director of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. The killer drug infiltrated Akron around the Fourth of July and the police began to witness its effects immediately. Due to the overwhelming abundance of fatal overdoses, the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office was forced to temporarily bring in a cold storage truck for a week because the office didn’t have the space to hold the mass amount of bodies. Another problem with the torrent of carfentanil is its resistance to typical methods used to combat overdoses. In several cases where carfentanil was suspected to be involved, emergency responders had to administer multiple doses of the overdose antidote naloxone, often known by the brand name Narcan, in order to save people. The starting amount of Narcan required to save a person who has overdosed on carfentanil is five times the amount given to someone who has taken heroin or fentanyl, but emergency responders typically have to give a double dosage, putting it at 10 times the normal amount. However, the most alarming aspect of carfentanil is its ability to be easily, and discreetly, mixed into other drugs, such as heroin or marijuana. Officials know very little about how carfentanil is added to various street drugs, which stresses its danger. When people use a drug that is laced with carfentanil, it puts them at a notably high risk of overdosing, especially if they are unaware of the mix, which is common since many dealers are cutting carfentanil with heroin and selling it as pure heroin. Its effects occur within minutes of exposure — disorientation, coughing, sedation, respiratory distress or cardiac arrest and death. “The street drug supply is probably more dangerous than usual because of carfentanil,” said Dr. Carl Schmidt. “There are other derivatives of opiates that may be present as well, and may be more potent than fentanyl already is. As always, purchasing street drugs comes with a risk — you may get something other than what you think you bought.” Ultimately, the carfentanil problem and the overall drug epidemic of Akron is a very serious problem that needs to be dealt with. Although it may seem like a problem too big for high schoolers to assist with, there are various ways that they can help. The primary way to do so is by getting informed. Awareness is the key tool in combatting the war against opiates. Additionally, if any students want to become more involved, they can contact the Summit County Opiate Task Force for more information by going to www. summitcountyopiatetaskforce.com.
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weight of an elephant that carfentanil can sedate number of calls for emergency overdoses in the Akron area from Jul. 5 to Aug. 4 calls for emergency overdoses in the Akron area prior to Jul. 5 number of times more potent carfentanil is compared to fentanyl number of people that died of opiate overdose prior to Aug. 4 in Akron number of people that died of opiate overdose from Jul. 5 to Aug. 4 in Akron number of milligrams of carfentanil needed to sedate an elephant number of micrograms of carfentanil necessary to have an effect on humans
Sports
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Senior Fall Athletes Reflect on their Final Season By Jenna Farah and Claire Frego
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ith the fall regular season drawing to a close, many senior athletes are ending their careers in their respective sports. As the last game of each season approaches, we caught seniors in their final moments as an athlete at Archbishop Hoban High School. For many of these players, this means it is their last competitive game of their life. For some, it is an easy close to this chapter in their lives. For others, it is a significant end to many of their accomplishments, and an end to a part of who they are as a person.
Girls soccer “My senior year was so unforgettable. [The girls] are my best friends and I will never forget the memories I made with them. I would do anything to go back and play one last game.”
Liz Kunce
Football “The thing I will miss the most is being with my brothers, who is my family. My brothers mean so much to me and we have been through so much together.”
Joe Brode
Boys Soccer “Playing in my last game of soccer for Hoban was bittersweet. We have had such an amazing season and it was hard to see it come to an end.”
Boys Soccer “My last game was pretty emotional. I wasn’t able to play because of an illness so before the game I talked to the boys on the phone and I couldn’t hold back the tears. My senior year was great and there is nothing I would change except maybe win some more games.”
Danny McRaven
Boys Cross Country “My senior teammates and I invested a ton of time into running in the past 4 years and it seems crazy that we will not be able to run in a high school cross country race again. I will forever cherish all of the memories made during long runs and time spent with teammates. “
Mark Dudek
Alex Thomas
Girls Volleyball “What I will miss most is the girls, especially the seniors. I’ve known these girls for 4 years and been through many trials with them but we’ve finally made it though.”
Hannah Hottinger
Girls Cross Country “My favorite part of cross country was playing Jordan Belfort on repeat during long runs. I will miss everything but the running.”
Evie Koslosky
Cheerleading “My favorite memories include getting to cheer the football team onto states and getting closer as a team. I will miss getting to do the sport I love with the people I love and cheering for a great team.”
Maddie Peck
Knights Wrap Up a Strong Fall Sports Season By Sam Cherveny
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his fall proved to be another great season for all of Hoban’s fall sports teams. With football finishing with a 9-1 record, the Knights are well-prepared to focus all of their energy on playoffs. Along the sidelines at every football game, the varsity cheerleaders provided an unwavering and upbeat sense of support to the players on the field while they uplifted the fans in the crowd. Along with football and cheerleading,
both the girls and boys soccer teams excelled throughout their regular season games. The girls finished with an 8-8-3 record and the boys’ record was 11-3-4. Additionally, both teams were NCL champions and the girls were Dictrict champions as well. The members of the girls volleyball team also closed out their season with a strong record of 15-10. A team that also performed well, girls tennis closed out their season with a record of 11-3. The cross country team completed their regular season with the boys placing in the top five
teams at seven different meets and the girls placing in the top five teams at five different meets. Similarly, both girls and boys golf ended their season very well with a great record; boys placed in the top ten in 17 matches, and girls beat their opponents six times out of twenty matches. Ultimately, the Knights wrapped up the fall season with exceptionally strong records in every sport and the Knights will hopefully continue to dominate the athletic scene during the winter and spring seasons as well.
Sports
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Cleveland Cavaliers: What’s Next for the Champs? By Ryan Volcansek
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ith the 2016-2017 NBA season set to begin on Oct. 25, the Cleveland Cavaliers prepare to begin their title defense after defeating the Golden State Warriors in last season’s NBA Finals. It has been a long offseason for the Cavs, as the team has been forced to deal with uncertainty about who will be on the roster when the regular season commences. Much of this doubt has to do with the point guard position, as the departure of Matthew Dellavedova and the sudden retirement of Mo Williams has left the Cavs with minimal options behind starting floor general Kyrie Irving. This will likely result in plenty of action for guard Kay Felder, a 5-foot-9 rookie out of Oakland University who, for the time being, has been named Irving’s backup. “Right now we’ll say say [Felder is] going to be our backup point guard,” said Cavalier’s coach Tyronn Lue. “We’ll just see how the flow of the game goes.” Despite ongoing concerns about the lack of depth at point guard, the Cavs were finally able to lock starting shooting guard J.R. Smith into a four-year $57 million contract after a long stalemate in contract negotiations with the three-point and defensive specialist. This is welcome news for the
Cavaliers, as Smith shot 40 percent from three while averaging 12.4 points per game during the team’s 2015-2016 title campaign. Kevin Love is also getting set to begin his third year as a Cavalier. Despite doubtsab-
out his fit with the team and rumblings that he would be traded, the Cavalier’s starting power forward remains with the Cavs organization. Although some may argue that Love’s impact is minimal, he nearly averaged a double-double last season
while maintaining an above average Player Efficiency Rating and shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc. With this being his third year with the team, it can be expected that his numbers will only improve as he finds his niche. Also returning to the Cavs is four-time MVP and 12-time All-Star LeBron James, who signed a three-year $100 million contract this summer. Since his reunion with the team in 2014, James has resurrected the Cavaliers organization which only won 33 games in the year prior to his return. In only two seasons back with the Cavs, James has led the team to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances while posting an average Player Efficiency Rating of 26.7-well over the league average of 15.0. Even after hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy last season, James continues to stay driven by his personal goal to match or surpass the accomplishments of Michael Jordan. “My motivation is this ghost I’m chasing,” said James. “The ghost played in Chicago.” With a new season on the horizon, nobody knows what James and his Cavaliers will accomplish. However, with all of the key pieces returning, the future is bright for the 2015-2016 NBA champions.
Death of Pitcher Shocks Sports Community By Brandon Eckman
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he world of baseball and Miami community were shocked by the sudden death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez on Sept. 25, after a fatal boating accident. Fernandez and two other victims were found by the U.S. Coast Guard around 3:00 a.m., as the boat was overturned on a jetty near Government Cut and South Pointe Park off of Miami Beach. The 32 foot boat was traveling at significant speed when it struck a barrier of large rocks. The three victims were all between the ages of 24 and 27, and it is believed that all were killed upon impact of the crash. A toxicology report made by the medical examiner was originally opted to remain confidential, though it was later released on Oct. 29 that Fernandez had both high levels of alcohol and cocaine in his system at the time of the crash. Fernandez, a Cuban refugee, had been a pitcher with the Miami Marlins in Major League Baseball for four seasons. He posted a total record of 38-17, had an earned run average of 2.58 and struck out 589 batters in his career. The Marlin’s ace pitcher was a two time All-Star and National League Rookie of the Year in 2013. He also finished 3rd
for the Cy Young Award, given to the best pitcher in baseball every year. Fernandez was the backbone of the Marlins pitching staff, and was best known for his fastball and devastating curveball. In the final start of his career, just three days before his sudden death, Fernandez struck out 12 batters through eight innings, leading his team to a 1-0 victory over the Washington Nationals. Despite his outstanding success on the mound, the short life of Jose Fernandez will be most remembered for his outstanding personality that far exceeded his talent. The impact he made on Major League Baseball is unlike anyone to date, given the little time he had. Fernandez was loved in the Southern Florida community, particularly by the Cuban-American population, and his story was well known by many. As a young man, Fernandez, along with his mother and sister, attempted to defect from Cuba three times, but were unsuccessful. Each unsuccessful attempted landed the young man in prison. With a vision and dream of a better life in America, Fernandez and his family were finally successful in 2007, as they reached the coast of Mexico and later moved to Florida. Much of the Cuban community within Miami looked to Fernandez as a sign of
hope and positivity, as one of their own had achieved the American Dream. The history of hardship he shared with thousands of Cuban-Americans, along with his love and passion for baseball made him special to all of Southern Florida, as they adopted him as their own. The death of the pitcher hit his team and fellow baseball players the hardest. Numerous memorials were held for Fernandez, including moments of silence before many of the games taking place in the MLB days following the accident. The Miami Marlins also announced after an emotional press conference that they would retire his number 16. The whole team wore his number one last time in their game against the New York Mets on Sept. 26 to pay their respect and honor a beloved teammate. Although the life of the well known and respected pitcher was far too short, he will be best remembered for his joyful personality and love for the game of baseball. He touched the lives of many, and inspired others with his courage and determination. It is unfortunate that numerous questions regarding his bright future will remain unanswered, but one thing is for sure: the legacy of Jose Fernandez will live on in the hearts of many for years to come.
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The November Crossword Across
Down
1. Subj. that covers atoms and
1. Home to 1.3+ billion people
elements
2. Like rainforest air, usually
5. Site for streaming TV
3. With 4-Down, SpaceX found-
6. Cars at Hollywood premiers
er
7. How contracts are usually
4. See 3-Down
signed
6. Where Burt’s Bees or Blistex
8. Word after lily and launch
is applied
Turn in to room 231 by Friday, Nov. 25 for a chance to win a gift card!
Ask Johnny What’s your favorite cereal? My favorite is most definitly Cap’n Cruch’s Peanut Butter Crunch because peanut butter is my favorite condiment this side of the Mississippi. The overall taste and experience of it can be described in two words: Life altering. Yet, due to the importance of physical fitness I must also endorse Cap’n Crunch’s Oops! All Berries. This cereal brings the health along with the box we all know and love. I was extremely pleased that Quaker Oats took into consideration the well-being of its targeted demographic by selling these all-natural, organically raised berries.
Johnny, I’m thinking of buying a car, any suggestions? 2006 Suzuki XL7, leather interior originating from the highest mountain in the Himalayas, taken from Grendel himself. Four wheel drive, excellent if attempting to escape your girlfriend’s parents. Makes weird sounds when it starts, which adds character. Easy to live out of. Good car for a nomad, such as myself. But that’s just my car, I really have no idea what you’re interested in, or anything about cars.
Johnny, I left my homework at home, what should I do? In the future, don’t be a scrub and forget your homework. My go-to is usually an elaborate story involving a rabid dog and a bear tranquilizer. My backup would be to convince your teacher that you embarked on a spiritual journey with the ghost of Tupac.
What’s your favorite Disney Princess? After much consideration, my favorite Disney Princess would have to be Pocahontas. For some reason, the dark skin complexion and the deep, long, shiny locks really catch my eye. I hope that someday in my life I will find a woman that resembles Pocahontas, but is, I don’t know, like, Italian or something.