THE WOOSTER BLADE
WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER • 515 OLDMAN ROAD, WOOSTER, OH • OCT. 25, 2019 • VOLUME XX, ISSUE 4
DEMOCRACY RISING: engaging with power and politics in the public sphere
On Campus 2-4 • Feature 5-7 • Cover 8-10 • Focus 11-12 • Trends 13 • A & E 14 • Views 15-16
Artwork by Emma Yoder
ON CAMPUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 2
Seniors set the stage for lip dub JACK VENEY staff writer
SKYY KHOUNBORIN
On the stage, Zeke Ntia (11) and Tyler Keating (12) rehearse a Grease scene where Rydell High’s hand-jive dance contest is in full swing.
Drama Club adapts fall production Grease for modern times SKYY KHOUNBORIN sports editor Grease is the word! The Drama Club will be producing Grease for the fall musical. As with many shows, this musical addresses sensitive topics for teens, including teen pregnancy, bullying and substance abuse, so Brett Hiner, director of Drama Club, led discussions with the cast and crew about the time period and also about how to maturely handle these issues. “We’ve made necessary cuts to some of the overly offensive language and labels of groups from the ‘50s, but we wanted to respect the playwrights at the same time; so, we’ve kept some of the sillier teenage jargon from the time,” Hiner said. Stuart Courson (12),
co-president of Drama Club, explains the intended message and the evolution of literature. “The message we want the audience to see is how finding one’s identity is more or less of a journey for kids...we also wanted to emphasize how certain parts of stories may not be as acceptable as they used to be when published nowadays, and how society has changed,” Courson said. Max Mingay, first year Drama Club member, sees the musical as a learning opportunity. “I think the content of Grease could be seen as a good teaching moment for younger audience members,” Mingay said. Grease will open on Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m., and the productions continue Nov. 22 through Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
For Lip Dub 4.0 at WHS, 43 seniors are participating. This year marks the fourth lip dub at WHS, with the other three having occurred in 2014, 2015 and 2018. Dramatic Arts Dept. member Kristin Broda and Computer Science Dept. member Nathan Greene are the staff members assisting the seniors with the lip dub. According to Greene, since the first lip dub, they have let the students steer the lip dub and supported the process from the background. This year, Broda and Greene were approached by a group of seniors who asked about
doing a lip dub again. Broda and Greene sat down with the seniors to brainstorm the lip dub and they began the process from there. “It’s [the lip dub] always been about the students,” Greene said. The students who are participating are involved in creating the route. When deciding the route, they want to show spots of the school where they have a lot of memories, Greene said. The music this year was chosen by Broda and Greene and then edited to make it the length for the lip dub. “Mrs. Broda and I always begin looking for our anchor song. Something with a message, something positive
that students can relate to. Once we found that, then we look for a fun mash-up of songs…This year’s mashup was created by Adamusic. Once we get the songs selected, I edit them together so that they blend well…Our anchor song is something we’re super proud of, it’s called ‘Everybody’s Somebody’ by Don Diablo,” Greene said. On Oct. 24, the lip dub was performed and recorded, with the assistance of a drone that recorded the final segment at Follis Field. The lip dub will be aired to students on either Oct. 25 or Nov. 1. Students who wish to watch the other lip dubs can view them on the WHS announcements webpage.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 3
Graphic by Corinne Wiles
celebrated at WHS through new club PAULINA SALAZAR views editor
A new club has started at WHS, and although it does not yet have a name, it will have a monthly theme and will be hosted by a different staff member each month. “The new club is about celebrating and sharing different aspects of pop culture- whether it’s music, books, movies, games, hobbies or anything that we fanguy/ fangirl about. We’ll play games, make art and crafts, and do activities centered around a different theme each month,” Kelly Grayshock, librarian and the creator of the club said. Grayshock said she decided to start this club in hopes that “the group will take ownership and share their obsessions
with each other to discover an appreciation for other genres
“THE NEW CLUB IS ABOUT CELEBRATING AND SHARING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF POP CULTURE- WHETHER IT’S MUSIC, BOOKS, MOVIES, GAMES, HOBBIES OR ANYTHING THAT WE FANGUY/FANGIRL ABOUT,” GRAYSHOCK SAID.
or maybe even make some new favorites.” This new club has a monthly fandom-based theme, which will be celebrated during the club sessions. Chelsey Porter, English Dept. member, is in charge of this month’s club theme, Harry Potter. According to Porter, the theme was chosen because in the Harry Potter book series, the school year resumes in September, and the Harry Potter series tends to be celebrated during October because of Halloween. “With Harry Potter specifically, it is just kind of celebrating our joy of the wizarding world,” Porter said. The club is celebrating with Harry Potter-themed snacks, making wands, playing trivia games and having the College
Rogers writes on heroes and healing BRYN SAVIDGE trends editor WHS English Dept. member, award winning author and Ray Bradbury fanatic, Kenny Rogers, has been writing books since college. Some of his writing is intended for younger readers, such as Thoughts and Italics, Writing in the Margins, Sequence and Chronicles of the
Last Liturian. However, his other works are focused on boys and men who have survived childhood sexual abuse. As a survivor himself, he said he writes so others have the opportunity to heal. Rogers immerses himself in his writing, as he states, “I don’t live here, I live on the page.” His memoir Raped Black Male is a testament to this statement, as it delves into his dark and gritty past.
In addition, Rogers writes healing guides. How to Kill Your Batman and Heroes, Villains and Healing, conquer issues male survivors often face, such as hyper vigilance and the need for facades. Rogers is currently finishing his third guide, How to Conquer Your Superman. Along with including his own stories and experiences, Rogers has worked closely with psychiatrists to ensure his
SKYY KHOUNBORIN
The library, shown above, is transformed with Hogwarts themed decorations to display the new club’s monthly theme of Harry Potter. of Wooster’s Quidditch team teach the club how to play the sport stemming from the Harry Potter series. Porter added she hoped this month’s theme will spark some interest in people of the Harry Potter series. The club is a judgementfree zone, emphasized Porter, stating everyone is welcome. November’s theme is ‘Games
We Play,’ for which board, card and other games will be provided for in the library during weekly club sessions, according to Grayshock. November’s theme will be hosted by Carol Estvanic, Science Dept. member, and will be hosted Nov. 11, Nov. 18 and Nov. 25, Grayshock added. Everyone, including staff, is welcome.
content is the most helpful. Additionally, his guides are centered around D.C. comics heroes and villains. Rogers explains this method by stating, “Superheroes are a way for individuals in general to feel empowered...it’s very black and white.” Rogers explains that in the world of superheroes, everything is black and white. Similarly, survivors tend to see things in black and white thinking. “There is no gray area. Superheroes offer the opportunity to feel safe because as a survivor, you never feel safe,” Rogers states. Rogers’ guides have also been getting attention from
psychiatrists and therapists as materials for male survivors of sexual abuse are limited. Through his writing, Rogers is determined to help others. “Once you move from becoming a survivor, you go to helping other people...I have to do that because there are so many other men and boys like me that feel like they are completely alone and I do not want that on anyone,” Rogers said. Ultimately, Rogers recognizes his purpose as an author, stating, “I’m helping a lot of good people realize that they’re not by themselves.” He offers advice to any survivors that it is okay to not be okay, to cry and to get help.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 4
In it to win it: tradition grows team funds MAEVE FLORENCE-SMITH feature editor One of Speech and Debate’s biggest annual fundraisers, Cow Chip Bingo, occurred Oct. 12. When Speech and Debate coach Holly Custer was asked what is Cow Chip Bingo, she replied, “Our students sell deeds...and we get all of the deeds together and determine how many squares we need. Maintenance, actually here at the high school, goes out to the field and lays out the plot, and wherever she [the cow] does her business is the winner.” Speech and Debate team member Sophia Lee (12) states, “Each deed has a different
amount of winnings to it...You can win $1,000.” Bryn Savidge (12), president of Speech and Debate, states, “Where most of it [the money raised by Cow Chip Bingo] goes is tournament registration fees...so we can go to tournaments...that way we, the team, don’t have to pay for it.” Speech and Debate coach and English Dept. member Kenny Rogers elaborates that if the cow does not poop anywhere, sometimes it is the square where the cow pees that determines the winner. Debate coaches could not pinpoint the time and reason as to why Cow Chip Bingo was chosen as a fundraiser for speech and debate, but there are some ideas.
Custer speculates, “I’ve been here since the fall of 2006, and we’ve been doing it since then, I know that Wooster was doing this back when I was in high school, which was in the late ‘90s.” Custer explains the reason that Speech and Debate has continued the fundraiser is, “It’s a great fundraiser that we can do before the competition season starts....it’s a unique fundraiser. There are not a lot of schools in the area that do Cow Chip Bingo, so, since it is unique, and since our students typically sell deeds in competition dress, it’s easier for them to sell.” Rogers states the goal of the fundraiser is to raise $6,000, and this year they met their
PHOTO COURTESY OF LYNN BUCHHOLZ
Speech and Debate members gather on the field that is plotted for Cow Chip Bingo. The cow used for the fundraiser belongs to the Cochran family. goal. Rogers explains that “This year the cow did its business really
quickly in like 30 seconds,” and that they plan to continue the tradition next year.
CLASSIC SPONSORS Classic $250
Corporate $350 Seaman Corporation CORPORATE SPONSORS Corporate $350
Boreman Norton Cook Wealth Partners Buehler’s Fresh Foods
BLUE & GOLD SPONSORS Blue & Gold $750
Milltown Family Physicians, Inc.
FEATURE
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 5
Wooster High School alumni: Reflecting on and revisiting their hometown SOPHIE GAMBLE cover editor There are plenty of opportunities for WHS alumni to stay connected to the school and to the greater Wooster community. Many alumni return for sporting events, Drama Club productions and to see former classmates and teachers. Having a sibling still attending WHS gives recent graduate Maddy Nacci more opportunities to stay connected to the school. Nacci graduated as a class of 2018 alumna and currently attends Case Western Reserve
University. She typically comes back to see her younger sister’s events, including lacrosse games and Drama Club productions, and to see friends and family. Nacci said that she would like to stay involved in both WHS and the greater Wooster community. Another graduate from the class of 2019, Anna Birk, who is now attending Ohio University, said she returned this year to see a football game in addition to the band’s new halftime show. “I would like to stay involved with the community for as long as I can. The people of Wooster are so close knit and
“I ALSO ENJOY THE THEATER PERFORMANCES, MUSIC, AND SPORTS AS OUR FRIENDS’ KIDS ARE PARTS OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS,” OZAR SAID. have a strong bond, which is something I realized after
coming to college,” Birk said. Birk said she plans on attending the Drama Club’s opening night of Grease as well, describing the fine arts as her strongest tie to the school. “I had an amazing experience in band, Drama Club, and BLADE and can’t wait to see how they all grow,” Birk said. Sarah Ozar, a 1997 WHS alumna who works as the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the College of Wooster, says she is more involved in the Wooster community as a whole than specifically in WHS. Ozar said that along with the facilities that WHS provides, “I also enjoy the theater
performances, music and sports as our friends’ kids are parts of these organizations.” For students who do not have such strong connections to the Wooster community, leaving for college provides an opportunity for a fresh start. Lindsay Kastner, a class of 2019 WHS alumna who attends Loyola College in Chicago, says she would come back to the school to visit former teachers, but has not done so yet. For those who would like to stay connected to WHS, the Wooster High School Alumni and Friends Association, sports and music events, and Drama Club performances provide the opportunities to do so.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 6
Examining WCSD district procedure for implementing pay-to-participate fees LENA WIEBE & MAEVE FLORENCE-SMITH focus editor & feature editor As the CDC noted this year, about 13.7 million children and adolescents are affected by obesity. At the same time, as colleges increasingly demand examples of leadership and extracurriculars for admission, one possible solution may be participation in youth sports. But, according to the Aspen Institute’s Sport and Society Program’s “State of Play” 2018 profile of youth sports, participation in youth sports is increasingly tied to income level. In 2017, the profile found that children from households with an income under $25,000 had an average rate of 30.5 percent of children who were physically inactive, compared to 10.9 percent of children who came from households with incomes of at least $100,000 a year. Many factors may contribute to this gap; for example, in a study titled “The Paradox of Parks in Low-Income Areas: Park Use and Perceived Threats,” found on ncbi. nlm.nih.gov, it is noted that “Concerns about safety and perceived threats have been considered responsible for lower use of parks in high poverty neighborhoods,” and that “As a consequence of not using parks, many people also do not get enough physical activity, which places them at greater risk for multiple chronic diseases, like heart disease, diabetes and cancer…” But, one factor that some WHS students said affected their participation in sports at the high school is the presence of pay to participate fees.
In a recent survey of 156 WHS students in grades 9 through 12, who were surveyed randomly in study halls and Academic Assists from Sept. 9 to Sept. 18, 16 percent of those students said pay-to-participate sports have affected their decision to participate in a sport or activity. According to Bonnie West, the WCSD treasurer, “Pay to participate fees were instituted after a failed levy attempt in 2003. As a result of that failed levy, $3.5 million in budget cuts across the district were implemented, including lay off of teachers and closing of an elementary school. Because of the amount of dollars needed to balance the budget, all departments were impacted. A proposal to implement pay to participate was brought forward as a means to raise revenue as opposed to eliminating various academic and athletic programs.” The district offers reductions to students on a needbased basis, and West says students generally receive these reductions based on qualifications for free-andreduced-lunch qualifications. West further explained that these reductions are factored into the district’s budget, stating that “Pay to participate was not implemented with the intent that revenue raised would cover the entire cost of any one athletic or academic program. Therefore, the pay to participate fee schedule does not change in response to the level of students who participate in an activity from year to year or in response to the number of students receiving reduction in fees due to financial hardship. “ Richard Leone, Director of Secondary Education in the WCSD, estimates 45 percent to 47 percent of students are on
free and reduced lunch. Leone, regarding the reductions, said “Yeah, they’re [pay-to-participate fees] are just sort of waived by the district, so we don’t budget for them; we just don’t expect to have them.” Leone went on to state that “In an ideal world, we would be fee free—in a utopia.” Joe Rubino, WHS Athletic Director, noted the fees are collected in one pool and said that he was unable to comment on how funds are distributed from activity to activity, as he had not yet collected enough data regarding the financial distribution toward each sport and activity. According to the WHS athletic handbook, the fees at WHS run at $120 for sports, and the amount for activities is determined on a sliding scale. However, some surrounding schools have different policies. Dover High School, according to their website’s pay-to-participate policy, at dovertornadoes.com, has a rolling fee policy, in which the first high school sport or activity students pay for is typically $150, the second $100, and the third is $50, with a maximum of $300 per student, and $500 per family, which they state is in an effort to encourage participation in such sports. However, other schools may have higher costs, One example is Pickerington High School Central, where, according to the district website at pickerington.k12.oh.us, charges $275 for the student’s first sport in a season, and $140 for participation in subsequent sports in that same season by the student. Leone stated that the pay-toparticipate fees at schools in the WCS District are typically reviewed on an annual basis to determine their cost.
Students comment on activity fees at WHS During study halls and academic assists, 156 students in grades 9-12 were polled Sept. 9-18. Polls conducted by Sierra Dewald, Sophie Gamble, Leo Riley, Sylvie Shaya, Maeve Florence-Smith and Lena Wiebe. 1. Are you in a sport or activity that requires pay-to-participate fees? 2. If you are in a sport or activity, do you qualify for any reductions or accommodations in pay-to-participate fees?
70 percent of students polled are in a sport that requires pay-to-participate fees.
3. Have pay-to-participate fees ever affected your decision as to participating in a sport or activity?
26 percent of students polled that are in a sport or activity qualify for reductions or accommodations in pay-to-participate fees.
4. Are you satisfied with the district’s approach to pay-to-participate fees?
16 percent of students polled say payto-participate fees have affected their decision to participate in a sport or activity.* 81 percent of students polled are satisfied with the district’s approach to pay-to-participate fees.*
*Total respondent number may be skewed because some who were not in a pay-to-participate activity did not respond
Graphics by Corinne WIles and Madison Helms
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 7 SYLVIE SHAYA
NAACP freedom fund dinner honors community builders
staff writer
The Wooster-Orrville NAACP annual Freedom Fund Dinner has raised $42,000 in scholarships over the past ten years, according to John Clay, the Wooster-Orrville NAACP Unit 3208 president. Clay explained that revenue from the dinner goes, “to our scholarship fund...We also use this money to operate our unit throughout the upcoming year.” Oliver Warren, executive committee member of the unit and Social Studies Dept. member at WHS, said the NAACP is, “a civil rights organization. No matter race, creed, color, sexual orientation,
whatever, if your civil rights are being violated, that’s what the NAACP is for. We’re here to protect minority rights, we’re here to protect those civil rights.” Warren added that the NAACP also plays an important role in the Wooster-Orrville community: “It’s good to have a place that has community empowerment, that’s involved in our neighborhoods...It’s all about making the community more of a community.” The Oct. 12 dinner celebrated that sense of community and the work that many people do to improve different aspects of it. Awards given out at the dinner included the Community Enhancement Award for projects working to help the Wooster-
Orrville community and the Lydia Thompson Humanitarian Award. The former went to the College of Wooster Applied Methods and Research Experience team, a program dedicated to exploration of real world applications of liberal arts education for, “their work on the workforce expansion project in 2018 and for the work that they have done on an inclusive hiring and supportive employment project,” Clay said. Cheryl Goff, Guidance Counselor and Second Vice President of the WoosterOrrville NAACP, said the Lydia Thompson Humanitarian Award honors, “someone who is very effective in the community by giving back
and doing multiple things in the community.” The award went to Orrville High School teacher Tyrone Mosely for the work he has done as a teacher and volunteer. Goff added that in past years there have been man of the year and woman of the year awards, but this year there were not. Each honored party was awarded a plaque at the dinner. The dinner featured keynote speaker Mark Goodman, Chairman of the Colorado Nut Holding Company, Global Chief Marketing Advisor for Vistage International and COW graduate and trustee, who spoke on “Color, College, Capitalism and Consciousness,” according to the dinner’s informational flyer.
League of Women Voters hosts forum LENA WIEBE & SIERRA DEWALD focus editor & staff writer Local candidates for City Council and mayoral elections met to take questions from Wooster voters in a Candidates’ Night hosted at First Presbyterian Church by the Wayne County Chapter of The League of Women Voters on Oct. 17. The candidates in attendance included: Oliver Warren and Craig Sanders, running for Wooster City Council-atLarge; Mark Cavin and Joel Gray, running for Wooster City Council Ward 1; Juanita L. Greene and David Silvestri, running for Wooster City Council Ward 3; and Bob Breneman and Nell Reardon, running for mayor of Wooster. School Board candidates Sue Herman and Dr. Michael Knapic were not present at the event, as they are running unopposed for two open seats. Kathy Helmuth, league
member and co-chair of Candidates’ Night who has been involved with the event since 2002, says the event is nonpartisan, and the goal is not to support a specific candidate but rather to, “support democracy and participation in democracy through informed voting.” Helmuth furthers that she is always glad to see the turnout at Candidates’ Night and encourages, “all citizens, especially all voters, [to come] so they can learn more about who will represent them and what their ideas and attitudes are.” Questions covered a variety of issues, ranging from homelessness in Wooster and income inequality to business and immigration topics. Mayoral candidate Nell Reardon emphasized a focus on increasing affordable housing, attracting more quality jobs to Wooster and moving toward, “a community for the future” in terms of sustainability.
Mayoral candidate Bob Breneman said he intends to concentrate on attracting businesses to Wooster and improving the city’s infrastructure if re-elected. Breneman and Reardon disagreed over air quality issues in downtown Wooster that resulted from changes to the wastewater treatment plant. Breneman cited changes in EPA requirements as the main cause and assured citizens that a solution is in progress, while Reardon maintained that the issue should have been anticipated before the changes were made, as other cities like Akron have implemented similar changes without facing the same issues. City Council candidates provided varying answers when asked about their plans to address poverty and economic inequality in Wooster. Sanders said City Council does not have the power to address the issue directly, while Warren called it, “the
PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHY HELMUTH
Mayoral candidates, such as Bob Breneman and Nell Reardon, answer questions from Wooster voters, read by event moderator Cindy Biggs. crux of why I chose to run for Wooster City Council,” stating that he plans to work toward increasing the minimum wage and increasing affordable housing options if elected. Cavin cited plans to emphasize and improve the Wooster Transit system. Silvestri and Gray both took the position that people make themselves what they are and everyone has the ability to
pull themselves up by their bootstraps, with Silvestri also stating that economic inequality is not really a problem in Wooster. Greene responded to that by saying, “sometimes people don’t have boots and don’t have straps,” with Warren agreeing that people can only work their way up when society has an equitable foundation. Local elections will take place Nov. 5.
COVER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 8
Students share the importance of Students actively advocate tolerance for the LGBT community for change by walking out For the cover section, The Wooster Blade staff wants to encourage you to participate in democracy and to be politically active. We encourage all citizens to take part in our government, regardless of your stage of life. Expression of views can be demonstrated through, but not limited to: voting, protesting or using social media in a positive light in order to educate or advocate for change. We hope our cover section inspires you to go out, make your voices heard and be politically and socially active. Blurb written by Maddy McCully
SCOTUS rules on workplace discrimination ANNA NACCI & LENA WEIBE cover editor & focus editor The Supreme Court recently decided to hear three separate cases relating to workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The rulings on these cases will decide whether or not sexual orientation and gender identity are protected against discrimination under Title VII, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. According to an article by The New York Times titled “Supreme Court Considers Whether Civil Rights Act Protects LGBT Workers,” Pamela S. Karlan, a lawyer for the two men who claimed they were fired for being gay, argued that “When an employer fires a male employee for dating men but does not fire female employees who date men... he violates Title VII.” However, some justices who take a more textualist stance toward the Constitution, seemed to disagree, arguing that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity was not considered by the framers of Title VII laws. The rulings will impact the
enforcement of laws like Title VII. L. Camille Hebért, J.D., a lawyer and professor at Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law, whose areas of expertise include employment discrimination, labor and employment and sexual harassment, said there are currently no protections for LGBT+ workers in the state of Ohio, although some other states currently provide such protections. These laws that provide protections are created under Title VII, however, Hebért notes these laws may be struck down if the Supreme Court decides that Title VII does not protect LGBT+ workers. One recourse for workers, who face discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which allows workers to report instances of discrimination. However, Hebért pointed out that the EEOC’s power would also be decided by the Supreme Court’s decision in these cases. “Right now, the EEOC allows people to report discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity because the EEOC takes the
position that discrimination on those grounds is sex discrimination. If the Supreme Court says that Title VII does not protect against those forms of discrimination, the EEOC will be bound by that decision. The EEOC is the agency that enforces Title VII, but the Supreme Court has the ability to decide what Title VII does and does not protect. I do believe that discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation is inherently sex discrimination. I do not, however, expect the Supreme Court to reach that same conclusion,” Hebért said. In looking at a community that faces heightened rates of poverty, a 2018 report from The Center for American Progress titled “Intersecting Injustice: Addressing LGBTQ Poverty and Economic Justice for All: A National Call to Action,” transgender people are four times as likely to have an annual household income under $10,000 and twice as likely to be unemployed as cisgender people, and though LGBT+ people tend to have received more education than their non-LGBT+ counterparts, they have lower average incomes.
ALEC PAULEY on campus editor
Activism has been a growing discussion in younger generations as of recent years and has influenced students and teachers in the public education system alike. A Feb. 13 article written by Dawson Barrett, describing the increase in activism since the Florida Parkland school shooting on TeenVouge titled “How Youth Activism Has Changed the Country in the Year Since Parkland,” reinforces the importance of activism. The same article describes that “Within weeks of the tragedy in Parkland, high school and middle school students across the U.S. began organizing spontaneous walkouts and silent vigils. On March 14, an estimated 1 million students participated in 3,000 official school walkouts.” Activism has been on the rise across America, but how has it influenced and inspired change in WHS? Riley Brisbine (9), president of Prism, the LGBTQ+ activism club at WHS, talks about his hopes for a soonto-be scheduled walkout showing political support to the LGBTQ+ community and
emphasizes the importance of such actions. Brisbine says the purpose for having walkouts is to, “show support for a community...[and] draw attention and support.” Brisbine says the support they are showing is in reference to the recent Supreme Court rulings allowing LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace. An Oct. 8 article on usatoday. com, titled “SCOTUS ruling could completely alter the lives of LGBTQ Americans,” says three cases will be presented to the court debating whether it is legal to fire workers based on their sexual orientation or identity, and notes these cases will, “serve as the true test of where the nation stands on LGBTQ rights.” Brisbine says that “talking about it [issues] and drawing attention to it” is a good way to spread awareness. Brisbine hopes the prospective walkout will, “draw more attention to the club and the issues that the LGBTQ+ community faces.” If more issues were to arise in the LGBTQ+ community as the year continues, Brisbine says he would like to organize more walkouts to continue the spread of awareness.
GRACE BROWNSON
WHS students participate in a climate change walkout on Sept. 20. The walkout was part of a series of worldwide, youth-led demonstrations.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 9
Mayor of Wooster
City Council Member At-Large
Wooster City School Board
Bob Breneman
Oliver Warren
Sue Herman
Bob Breneman is running for re-election for mayor as the Republican candidate, a position he has held for eight years. According to his campaign pamphlet, Breneman believes his experience and ability to work effectively with public officials, regardless of political party or office held, allows him to be an effective leader. As a Wooster native, Breneman takes pride in the Wooster community and its accomplishments over the last four terms he has served. He has been involved in organizations, including the American Red Cross and President of Wooster City Council. According to his campaign pamphlet, if re-elected, Breneman plans to further improve Wooster and create a community citizens are proud to call their own.
Oliver Warren is running against Craig Sanders for election to Wooster City Council At-Large. Warren says he has unique insight into the problems Wooster faces, as he grew up in Wooster, graduated with a BA in political science and has participated in various community organizations. Warren is also a teacher at WHS, which he says allows him to see the issues that exist in Wooster in his classroom every day. Warren furthers that his guiding principle has always been to, “help the most people you possibly can within your ability.” If elected, Warren hopes to, “affect positive change in the wider structure of my students’ lives outside of the classroom, while doing what I love in the classroom as well.”
Sue Herman is running for re-election to the WCSD School Board, a position she has held for four years. Herman says that as a former teacher, she brings a unique perspective, as she has an insider’s view of how policies can impact people. Policy-wise, Herman hopes to work toward reinstating the mandatory teaching of cursive writing and prioritizing the arts in the classroom as much as or more than STEM. Her position on the school board is important to Herman because, “the decisions that we make impact kids and families every single day.” If re-elected, Herman plans to continue learning and growing in her position as someone who is, “committed and ready to work to make the district a better place.”
Craig Sanders
Dr. Michael Knapic
Running For: Re-election as Mayor of Wooster Party: Republican Mission Statement: N/A Policy Positions: Attract businesses to Wooster, improve city infrastructure
Nell Reardon
Running For: Mayor of Wooster Party: Democrat Mission Statement: The Broader the Input, the Better the Solution Policy Positions: Address homelessness by increasing affordable housing, increase Wooster’s use of renewable energy, establish an Arts & Humanities Council Nell Reardon, a former WHS teacher and College of Wooster graduate, is running for mayor as the Democratic candidate. On her campaign Facebook page, Reardon said she is running for mayor because she knows that if Wooster has, “the right leadership, we can work together to realize Wooster’s full potential.” Reardon hopes to find new approaches to some of the issues around Wooster and Wayne County as a whole, such as a growing poverty rate, lack of affordable housing and drug/opiate crisis, which she says are, “all interrelated and affect the quality of life for every member of our community.” If elected, Reardon plans to, “Provide the diverse and culturally rich community that our young people seek and that we all can be proud to reside, raise a family and invest in.”
Running For: Wooster City Council At-Large Party: Democrat Mission Statement: Ears to the Ground, Eyes to the Sky Policy Positions: Raise the minimum wage, increase affordable housing
Running For: Re-election to Wooster City Council At-Large Party: Republican Mission Statement: Responsible Decisions for Wooster Policy Positions: Support local businesses, continue to follow the same values and policies that have made Wooster great Craig Sanders is running for re-election to Wooster City Council At-Large, a position he has held for eight years. Sanders says he brings something unique to the table through 35 years of business experience in the construction industry, which has helped him to learn, “the value of negotiation, [along with] common sense values that provide solutions for all parties in a time of conflict.” When it comes to policy decisions, Sanders states he will, “look at what will be the best decision for our entire community.” If re-elected, Sanders plans to maintain his, “commitment to serving the citizens of Wooster with the solid foundation of faith, clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship and fiscal responsibility.”
Running For: Re-election to Wooster City School Board Mission Statement: Working for Kids Every Day Policy Positions: Reinstate mandatory teaching of cursive writing, emphasize the arts as much as or more than STEM
Running For: Re-election to Wooster City School Board Mission Statement: N/A Policy Positions: Focus on diversity and inclusion in schools Dr. Michael Knapic is running for re-election to the WCSD School Board, a position he has held for four years, as a write-in candidate. Knapic is a lifelong Wayne County resident with three children who are currently in, or have graduated from, the WCSD. Knapic says his experience in the position and working relationships with school administrators makes him uniquely qualified to continue serving. Policy-wise, Knapic believes, “fostering an environment of inclusion and diversity is important for our schools,” in order to develop leaders for the future. If re-elected, Knapic says he will continue, “judging each issue on its own merit and developing policy accordingly, to the ultimate benefit of our students and staff...[as that] is the Board’s most important imperative.” Blurbs by Sierra Dewald and Molly Snyder
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 10
Advocacy in local sports affects community awareness of national issues RHEANNA VELASQUEZ co-editor-in-chief “The local sports scene can connect national causes to a local community or organization. The impact it has, whether big or small, can make a difference, and that is the most important thing,” WHS football coach Doug Haas said. WHS cheerleaders and the Frontline supported breast cancer awareness with a pink out at the Oct. 11 football game.
NBA activism from Rockets GM causes controversy
“We knew that the month of October was going to be dedicated for breast cancer awareness...and so really Alexi [Leach] and Mya [Gish] ran with that and wanted to use one of the games to raise funds and awareness for a local charity called The Girlfriend’s Corner,” cheerleading coach Jennifer Wright said. Over $250 was raised toward The Girlfriend’s Corner, Wright said. Athletic Director Joe Rubino noted that while it has become
common for athletic teams to wear pink in October, WHS cheerleaders also, “engaged the process of remembering those who have been lost and celebrating those who survived with great success.” Families, individuals and students affected directly and indirectly by the disease were recognized at the game. Rubino said the team’s effort to raise awareness shows the impact of local sports beyond the field of play. English Dept. member Chad
Bever describes bringing advocacy into local sports as, “a great opportunity for coaches to teach their players about the importance of being more than just an athlete, representing their school and student body well and about being part of something bigger than just themselves or their team.” Bever explains that with the immense popularity of sports at the local level and beyond, today’s athletes have a powerful platform to speak out on issues that hit close to home.
“I do believe athletes have social obligations. And, I believe the level at which the athlete plays — high school, collegiately, or professionally — also dictates the amount of obligation the athlete has. The higher the level an individual is, the more likely they are to be heard by a larger number of people,” Bever said. With athletes also representing their team and organization, however, Bever said it is important for athletes to be educated as they respond to social issues and political events.
ASHTON DUNLAP
manager of the Houston Rockets. “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong,” his tweet wrote. The only difference between Morey’s activism and the past activism of NBA players? China and their limit of free speech. This limitation immediately caused backlash from the Chinese people and government. China is a country where currently, citizens have very limited rights, especially in the realm of free speech. Even Twitter is currently blocked in China. These overseas restrictions did not stop Morey’s tweet from
circulating around the world in an instant. The news traveled to China, and the Chinese government was not happy. Instantly, state-run television network CCTV stopped televising all preseason games. The NBA and China represents over $4 billion in value for both sides. According to David Carter, executive director of the USC Sports Business Institute, China makes up 10 percent of the NBA’s total revenue. Commissioner Adam Silver has put forth multiple statements, both defending Daryl Morey’s freedom of speech and respecting China’s
rules and values. Silver has tried to straddle the issue as to not upset the league and America, while also not losing a billion dollar market. The NBA players are also caught in the middle of the whole situation, unsure whether to participate as usual and take a stand or sit idly by and wait for a better time. Silver and the NBA have both gotten much backlash for their numerous responses. Currently, China has the NBA in their clutches, and despite the NBA’s efforts to clear up the situation, the position of the league is still extremely tenuous.
staff writer In the past, the NBA has established itself as a league that accepts political and social activism. Both Lebron James and Karl Anthony Towns repeatedly speak out against Donald Trump, and during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul all spoke out in response to the death of black teenager Trayvon Martin. On Oct. 4, another NBA member spoke out. This time, it was Daryl Morey, general
ACTIVISM IN SPORTS TIMELINE 1883:
Moses Walker plays in a baseball game despite the opposing manager specifically requesting he not play.
1926:
Gertude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel in 14 hours, 34 minutes.
1947:
Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American in the major leagues.
1960s:
Historic milestones of social activism by athletes can be found below.
1961:
Bill Russel and other black Boston Celtics players boycott a game after being refused service at a restaurant.
1968:
200 meter gold and silver medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists and bow their heads during the 1936 Berlin Games to protest racial discrimination.
1967:
1973:
Billie Jean King beats former men’s tennis champion Bobby Riggs in “The Battle of the Sexes.”
1970:
Kathrine Switzer becomes The “Syracuse Eight” refuse Kareem Abdul-Jabbar protests the first woman to complete to participate in a football after MLK’s assasination and the Boston Marathon. practice to protest racial does not participate in the discrimination. 1968 Olympics due to racial persecution in the U.S. Events compiled by Ashton Dunlap and courtesy of The Undefeated and Stadium Talk
2004:
2016:
1992:
2012:
Carlos Delgado takes a seat during “God Bless America” because of his disbelief of war.
Craig Hodges wears a dashiki to the White House and hands President George Bush a letter about his concern about racism in America.
Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand during the national anthem to protest racial oppression.
Members of the Miami Heat posts a photo in hooded sweatshirts to protest the death of Trayvon Martin.
FOCUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 11
ACT changes test structure ELLIE SNIDER staff writer High school students can expect several big changes for their upcoming ACTs, beginning in September of 2020. For one, students will now have the option to take the test online, rather than solely on paper. Those who choose the online route will receive their scores faster, as stated by the ACT website. The ACT will also introduce superscoring, which according to the ACT website, allows students to combine scores from different tests to get the highest result they can. The most significant change to the ACT, however, is the opportunity for students to retake sections instead of the entire test. “ACT Section Retesting helps students focus study efforts on individual subjects that are part of the ACT test… without having to study for the entire test again,” the ACT website states. Benefits of this change will include, “more choices, an improved testing experience, and a better opportunity to showcase [student’s] readiness and reach their maximum potential,” Suzana Delanghe, ACT chief commercial officer, stated in the press release about
the ACT changes. Students at WHS have negative views on the change. Ben Haven (11) said section retesting goes against what the ACT is about. “I think it will help everyone get higher scores… but I disagree with all of it because the ACT is supposed to be hard, and I believe the difficulty is taking the whole thing at once,” Haven said. Neena Shell (11) also said the retesting will cause issues. “I think there will be more problems [than solutions] because being able to retake parts of the test will take away from the value of the scores,” Shell said. Senior Associate Director of Admissions at the College of Wooster, Cathy Finks, does not see the ACT changes causing colleges to expect higher scores from students. “Most colleges, including Wooster, are already super scoring ACT and SAT scores. Additionally, many students are already taking the ACT more than once to pull up scores… At this point, I don’t foresee just this testing policy change alone affecting College ACT averages by a meaningful amount,” Finks states. However the ACT changes affect students, they can expect to rethink the way the ACT works, beginning next September.
Graphic by Madison Helms
College admissions officers advise seniors LUKE POMFRET staff writer Every year a new batch of seniors faces the stress of deciding what they want to do with their lives. College applications take into account an astonishing amount of variables, and the stress because of this is immense. April Gamble, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the College of Wooster, says the most effective way for a student to impress colleges is their academics, stating “Although extracurricular activities and test scores do matter at most schools, the transcript is often the most important part of an application.” In contrast, Jennifer Lindsay, Assistant Director of Admissions
at Ashland University, wants students to know that the application is not only about the academic portion. “We would like to see students who are involved in other ways besides just going to school... there is a lot of learning that can happen outside of the classroom through clubs and organizations,” Lindsay said. Gamble said the writing portion of the application allows for a more in-depth view of an individual: “The essay is a way for students to tell us more about themselves, show us the quality of their writing and their ability to communicate complex ideas, and leave us with a complete picture of who they are.” Lindsay recommends seniors pay attention to deadlines and ask for reference letters that describe them in a way
that cannot be seen on their transcripts or test scores. Michele Stasitis, Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Akron, said cumulative GPA, courses taken in high school and ACT or SAT scores, are the most important factors in an application. Stasitis recommends that students be proactive with the admissions office. “[Contact] the Office of Admissions for each college you plan to apply to, so you can be sure you are doing everything to ensure the best opportunities for admissions, financial aid, scholarship consideration, and more. The representatives in admissions are here to guide you through the process,” Stasitis said. Stasitis recommends that students be involved with the colleges they wish to attend.
in Liberty St. Marketplace downtown Wooster 330-262-1088 www.roomscapesonline.com
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 12
TYLER KEATING
Photo above shows the entrance to Ramseyer Farm, which includes many familyfriendly activities, including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, animals and games.
Looking at the history of Wooster’s Ramseyer Farms TYLER KEATING staff writer According to Ramseyer Farms employee Tammy Lyons, Ramseyer Farms first opened commercially in 2000, with a corn maze and a few animals. According to the farm’s website, they were originally a crop farm, growing mainly potatoes, but a couple years of harder weather led them to look at other options in order to make ends meet. Lyons was a school nurse, but she decided to come back to the farm to help out. They hosted a couple of school tours for their childrens’ classes and a church group, and had included a bonfire, hayride and games, which gave them the idea to open the farm to the public. The farm grew pumpkins to sell at a roadside stand for 10 years prior to opening the farm publicly, so they decided to ramp up production and make their pumpkins
an attraction. The farm’s first corn maze was designed by a friend of their daughter. The next year, they added their acclaimed “Ohio Maze,” and kept adding activities each year. Today, they have over 45 activities, including the two mazes, farm animals, hayrides, slides, pedal carts and more. Madison Helms (12) is an employee at Ramseyer’s. “It is a great place to work to get me in a fall mood. I love working with kids and being able to bring a smile to their faces,” Helms said. Recently, they have transitioned even more toward agritourism, and have not grown potatoes for two years now. Lyons encourages families to come to the farm, saying, “We’re really here for families to just come and have a good time together, sort of unplug, and just interact, so that’s why our motto is ‘plant traditions and harvest memories.’”
TRENDS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 25, 2019| PAGE 13
Staff members visit local haunted houses
Mansfield House of Reformatory Horrors
REECE MITCHELL
EVE NORRIS & SIERAH PILSON
co-editor-in-chief
staff writers
One of the most popular haunted houses in Ohio, the Mansfield Reformatory, lived up to its expectation, giving chills to anyone who entered. Special foggy effects and the fact it is an old prison added to the horror as we walked through the dark cells for 42 minutes. For a rating out of five, I give it a three. There is a downside to it being one of the most popular, as it was a five hour wait in line in the cold which drops the grade for me.
The use of special effects such as lighting, projectors and makeup really made this daunting attraction truly come to life. Specific parts of the attraction, especially the mirror maze this year, were truly horrifying. However, there were problems with the spacing of visitors, resulting in my group, oftentimes, catching up to the people in front of us, decreasing the overall scary factor in some sections of the haunted attraction.
Nightmare Factory of in the Terror Wilderness
MADISON HELMS
STUART COURSON
co-graphics manager
staff writer
Nightmare in the Wilderness is a Halloween attraction located in Lodi, created with the intent to scare visitors with classic haunted tropes, and it does. The atmosphere all throughout the haunted house is sufficiently spooky. My favorite part of Nightmare in the Wilderness is how interactive the actors are. However, there are points in time in the haunted house where it is unclear which way to go. Overall, Nightmare in the Wilderness is an enjoyable experience to get one into the Halloween mood.
The Ghoul Brother’s House of Horrors, located in Akron, provides quality fright to entertain its guests. With interactive actors, impressive effects and scare tactics, the place is a hit in regard to overall enjoyment. The interesting themes of the rooms, including a circus, swamp, dressing room and butcher shop, add variety that helps liven the experience. Although the house is not overly unique or earth-shatteringly terrifying, the welcoming environment and fun spirit of the actors heightens the thrill at the House of Horrors.
Halloween Fun Facts On Oct. 21 and Oct. 22, 134 students were polled about these random aspects of Halloween. Are you going trick-ortreating this year? Yes 37% No 63.4%
Do you wear a costume at any time? Yes 42% No 58%
What is your favorite candy? 1. Reese’s 2. Kit Kats 3. Twix Graphics by Madison Helms and polls distributed by Grace Brownson, Madison Helms and Leo Riley.
A&E
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 14
Halloween Hoopla:
spooky shows and movies to watch
Carrie This traditional thriller has stood the test of time, as it has not lost any of its fear factor since its release in 1976. The movie follows Carrie, who is a bit of an outcast in high school, beginning to break away from her unkind mother. The film’s frightening story comes from the cruel girls in high school and one girl, in particular, who wants Carrie to have a horrible experience at senior prom. Carrie’s use of telekinesis make the last bits of this movie truly terrifying. Although not a Halloween specific movie, it is a great horror film to watch to get in a scary mood, and for those looking for a scary movie that is not filled purely with jump scares.
Stranger Things 2 Being as Stranger Things 2 is centered around Halloween, there is no better time to binge watch this season. Obviously, the plot of this season is based off the first season, but arguably, Stranger Things 2 has a far better plot. The season follows Will Byers and his friends through the fall of 1984. In the midst of trying to hide from the socalled demodogs, which are based off the demogorgon from season one, the teens are trick-or-treating, dressing up and going to costume parties. This season’s chilling addition of multiple monsters creates more fear in watchers and is great to watch to get in the Halloween spirit.
Blurbs written by Jensan Bauman
Coraline Coraline is the perfect Halloween movie or scary movie for those who do not prefer the traditional thriller or horror films. Coraline is about a young girl who moves into a new home and finds herself in a mysterious new world after entering a small door in this new house. Her quick wit and willingness to seek adventure drive the plot of the movie, as it shows how she finds a friend, learns more about her home, and how she keeps herself occupied while her parents are busy. Although not categorized as a Halloween film, the beautiful claymation style and the eeriness of the film’s plot instill a sense of spookiness in watchers, no matter the age.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is an original series on Netflix; it is perfect to start watching on Halloween, as this is when the plot of the show begins. The show follows a teenage half-witch who is meant to become a full witch on the night of her sixteenth birthday, on Halloween night. She is torn between her mortal life with her boyfriend and friends, and her witch life that her parents and aunts want for her. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina encompasses romance, horror, teen angst and, of course, Halloween. It is the truly perfect show to watch to get in the spirit of Halloween.
Graphic by Corinne Wiles
Tracing the evolution of Halloween throughout history ZACK BREWSTER staff writer Every year, Halloween is celebrated by dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating, according to Global Ties U.S. These Halloween traditions, alongside many others, can be traced back to their origin throughout history. According to an article titled “Origins of Halloween,” by Damira Pon at albany.edu, Halloween started as the ancient Celtic holiday, Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter. It was believed, according to Pon, that the recently deceased walked the Earth on this day, so villagers dressed up as ghosts, witches, etc. to protect themselves from being possessed. Pon also states it was also thought that divination was stronger on this day, so fire festivals were held to prevent the Sun from dimming. Crops and animals were sacrificed in the fire, and animal skins were worn in an attempt to predict the future. Later, when the Romans conquered the Celtic lands,
their festival to the goddess Pomona may have inspired the tradition of bobbing for apples, as the fruit was her symbol. In the 1800s, Irish immigrants combined their traditions with those of the English and brought Halloween to America, including things such as trickor-treating, according to Pon. Halloween became a community holiday, but was later focused on the youth in the 1950s. An article on gty. org titled “Christians and Halloween,” by Travis Allen, says the name “Halloween” originated from “All Hallows Eve,” the evening before the early Christian holiday, All Saints Day, which was for the remembrance of martyrs. Halloween, however, is not alone in regards to similar holidays. According to Dr. Jeremy Rapport, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Religious Studies at the COW, “The most important of these is undoubtedly Día de los Muertos, ‘Day of the Dead,’ a Mexican celebration for departed relatives that falls at the same time as Halloween.” Día de los Muertos, and many other religious holidays, have been brought to America by immigrants, Rapport said.
VIEWS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 15
Classism persists in American culture and the service industry workplace
MYA VANDEGRIFT views editor
Graphic by Madison Helms
It is an unspoken occurrence that when considering someone for a job or a date, you take them out for dinner to see how they interact with the waiter. The rule of thumb is that if that person does not treat the waiter nicely, that person is not a kind person. Basic respect toward all people is generally a good trait; this is not a foreign concept. Regardless, people still continue to be rude to housekeepers, cashiers and waiters, and it is easy to see that it is a direct result of America’s underlying classist perspective. In a world fighting for gender and race equality, classism is harshly overlooked, due to America’s large tolerance for high income inequality, Many Americans deny the existence of classism because of the common belief that hard work will equal economic stability, completely disregarding the fact that poverty is a multifaceted cycle with numerous causes: family history, socio-economic standpoint, etc. And, not only do Americans let this attitude influence their perceptions of job titles, but it also influences their perceptions of those who are a
part of the lower and working class. According to PovertyUSA. org, 29.9 percent of the U.S. population tightropes the poverty line, not meeting the estimated costs of living for how many people are in their households. The USDA estimated that 11.1 percent of U.S. households were food insecure in 2018. This means that 14.3 million households have difficulty providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources. It may be time for Americans to face the truth: the American Dream is not as accessible as we believe it to be, as it is locked in a hierarchical system, with the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer. And, refusing to acknowledge the faults of American capitalism only puts more blame and discrimination on those disadvantaged by it. Perpetuating a society that is deaf to the needs of the poor, and bent on the concept that poverty is the fault of the impoverished, which is the opinion of 48 percent of Americans, according to NPR. Defined by classism.org as “the systematic assignment of characteristics of worth and ability based on social class,” classism represents the idea that worth is determined by economic capital, as well as social and cultural capital, meaning who they know and what they know. This is why a fry cook at Burger King is treated differently than a CEO of a tech company: because our culture has equated wealth with worth. Wealth=Worth is an underlying rule in our everyday interactions; noticeable in the rude treatment of fast food
THE AMERICAN DREAM IS NOT ACCESSIBLE AS WE BELIEVE IT TO BE, AS IT IS LOCKED IN A HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM, WITH THE RICH GETTING RICHER, AND THE POOR GETTING POORER. workers, unnecessary messes for custodians and the ever present idea that poor people should “just get a job.” This type of disrespect is seen by many as acceptable because it is so common, when it should have no place in our cultural interactions to begin with. We have become okay with the blunt disrespect to those of the middle and working class because our socio-economic system gives opportunity for poor people to be looked down upon. American society must look beyond the barriers of class, and treat everyone the way that they, themselves, would want to be treated. No one can “pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.” It sounds very elementary, but every hard worker deserves respect, and not giving basic respect to waiters, baristas or those in poverty only gives more room for classism to grow, and for people to be deemed not worthy of kindness.
THE
WOOSTER
BLADE
Editors-in-Chief Reece Mitchell, Rheanna Velasquez, Madison McCully Webmaster and Head Photographer Grace Brownson Graphics Manager Corinne Wiles Business Manager Sophie Gamble, Leo Riley, Bryn Savidge, Rheanna Velasquez Managing Editor Anna Nacci On Campus Editor Alec Pauley Focus Editor Lena Wiebe Sports Editor Skyy Khounborin A & E Editor Leo Riley Trends Editor Bryn Savidge, Theresa Wendell Cover Editors Sophie Gamble, Anna Nacci Views Editors Paulina Salazar, Mya Vandegrift Feature Editor Maeve Florence- Smith Staff Writers Jensan Bauman, Zach Brewster, Stuart Courson, Sierra Dewald, Ashton Dunlap, Tyler Keating, Clara Lee, Eve Norris, Sierah Pilson, Luke Pomfret, Sylvie Shaya, Ellie Snider, Molly Snyder, Jack Veney, Artists Eve Norris, Olivia VanSickle, Emma Yoder Photographers Tyler Keating, Hannah LoGiudice, Maddy McCully, Theresa Wendell, Rumen Zdravchev Graphics Staff Madison Helms Adviser Kristi Hiner The Wooster Blade is a biweekly student publication printed every other Friday by the Newspaper Production classes at Wooster High School. The paper is designated as an open forum and follows publishing guidelines as established in a district-wide publications policy protecting students’ freedom of expression. All copy, art and photography are property of The Wooster Blade and cannot be reproduced without permission. Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words and The Wooster Blade reserves the right to print and edit as per length and content. The Wooster Blade is a member of Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The Wooster Blade is printed in cooperation with Wooster’s The Daily Record. Letters and inquiries should be addressed to The Wooster Blade, 515 Oldman Road Wooster, Ohio 44691. The Wooster Blade can be contacted at 330-345-4000 ext. 3210. The newspaper can also be found at thewoosterblade.com
THE VOICE OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | OCT. 25, 2019 | PAGE 16
OUR VIEW
Modern values complicate holiday celebration Every year, on the second Monday in October, students and federal workers alike rejoice in a day off in honor of Christopher Columbus, such as at Jackson High School, only an hour away from Wooster High School. Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, and is celebrated to honor Christopher Columbus‘s landing in the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492. While some states have continued to celebrate Columbus Day, others have begun to protest it. Due to the cruel way in which Columbus treated the Native Americans after he arrived, many citizens are advocating for the day to be changed to Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor the victims of Columbus’s actions. Shannon Speed, director of the UCLA American Indian Studies Center and member of the Chickasaw Nation, explains her opinion on why the day should be changed to Indigenous Peoples Day, “Today we understand that while [Columbus] was an explorer and is credited with being one of the first Europeans to arrive in the Americas,
we now know a great deal about the history and the way that he and his people behaved when they came to this continent, which included pillaging, raping and generally setting in motion a genocide of the people who were already here. That’s not something we want to celebrate. That’s not something anyone wants to celebrate,” Speed said. In an article published by NPR on October 14, 2019, entitled “Columbus Day Or Indigenous Peoples’ Day?,” Leila Fadel wrote that at least 10 states and 100 cities, towns, and countries, have turned Columbus Day into a commemoration of the Native Americans who were victimized by Columbus. Yet, Columbus Day can also serve as a day of pride for ItalianAmericans. “We believe Christopher Columbus represents the values of discovery and risk that are at the heart of the American dream, and that it is our job as the community most closely associated with his legacy to be at the forefront of a sensitive and
engaging path forward, toward a solution that considers all sides,” wrote John M. Viola, then the president and chief operating officer of the National Italian American Foundation, in a New York Times Editorial published on October 9, 2017, and entitled “Tearing Down Statues of Columbus Also Tears Down My History.” Whether it is through a protest in homage to Indigenous Peoples’ Day or even through a parade celebrating Italian heritage, the second Monday in October should no longer honor a perpetrator of slavery, rape and genocide. While Columbus’s accomplishments are an important part of history, one can not gloss over the atrocities that he has committed. Celebrating Columbus Day is counterproductive to the cornerstone American values of equality and freedom. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes that our federal government should not be glorifying the violent actions of Christopher Columbus, but instead should use the day to advocate for more sensitive and wholistic engagement with history.
Students share opinions on Columbus Day Do you believe Columbus Day should be celebrated?
Some states have proposed changing Columbus Day to National Indigenous Peoples Day. Do you agree with this change?
55% Yes 45 % No
25% Yes 75 % No
57% Yes 43% No
Some also see Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian heritage. Do you agree?
113 polls conducted on Oct. 17 and Oct. 21 and distributed by Rumen Zdravchev and Ashton Dunlap. Poll graphics by Madison Helms.