The Wooster
BLADE Volume XXI | Issue 1 | October 12, 2020
The New Normal: finding normalcy in a pandemic. Inside the Oct 12, 2020 Issue
p. 2-3 Meet the 2020-21 Staff of The Wooster Blade
p. 7 Pandemic spurs an Eviction Crisis
p. 10 WHS Drama Club annouces Footloose
ON CAMPUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT 12, 2020 | PAGE 2
Meet the 2020-21 Staff of The Wooster Blade For the first issue of The Wooster Blade, we thought it would be interesting to introduce our staff and tell you a fun fact about each member.
Key: Seniors Juniors / Adviser
Luke Pomfret
Trent Kuzma
Focus Editor Second Year
Staff Writer First Year
My favorite book is Making faces by Kevyn Aucoin.
My favorite food/candy is dark chocolate.
Brittany Wachtel
Grace Brownson
Staff Writer First Year
Head Photographer Third Year
Sophomores My favorite movie is Empire Records.
My favorite show is Criminal Minds.
Lena Wiebe
Rumen Zdravchev
Leo Riley
Co-Editor-in-Chief Third Year
Staff Photographer Second Year
A&E Editor Third Year
I hate the smell of dill.
My favorite show is The Blacklist.
I am a Wii bowling god.
Kristi Hiner
Julia Hootman
Molly Snyder
Adviser 21 Year
Staff Writer Second Year
Staff Writer Second Year
I am ambidextrous and absolutely love typing.
My favorite movie is Fight Club.
My favorite movie is The Princess Bride.
Jack Veney
Hannah LoGiudice
Paulina Salazar
Co-Editor-in-Chief Second Year
On Campus Editor Second Year
Trends Editor Third Year
My favorite TV show is A Series of Unfortunate Events.
I can ride the unicycle.
My favorite show is That 70’s Show.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | OCT 12, 2020 | PAGE 3
Delaney Wilson
Ellie Snider
Lucia Perfetti
Staff Writer First Year
Feature Editor Second Year
Staff Writer First Year
My favorite book is First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung.
My favorite movie is Dead Poets Society.
My favorite animals are cows, especially the little calves with cute noses.
Sophie Gamble
Sheridan Schauer
Sierra Dewald
Cover Editor Third Year
Staff Writer First Year
Cover Editor Second Year
I am bilingual (fluent in French and English).
My favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls.
My favorite show is Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Ashton Dunlap
Jensan Bauman
Laura Rapport
Sports Editor Second Year
Trends Editor Second Year
Staff Writer First Year
My favorite book is Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future.
I have been saving all of my movie tickets since 2012.
My favorite movie is The Producers.
Mya Vandegrift
Olivia Hiner
Jhon Fajardo
Graphics Manager Third Year
Staff Writer First Year
Staff Writer First Year
I don’t like spaghetti.
My favorite movie is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
My favorite show is The Umbrella Academy.
Sophia Mera
Sylvie Shaya
Lanie Meyer
Staff Writer First Year
Views Editor Second Year
Staff Writer First Year
My favorite show is Psych.
My favorite book is Journey to the West.
I’m a ballet dancer and my favorite show is Criminal Minds.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 4
Opinions vary on online learning SHERIDAN SCHAUER staff writer
Graphics by Maya Vandergrift
During the week of Sept. 28, 82 hybrid schedule students were polled online in order to ascertain their reactions to Edgenuity, the online learning platform WHS is utilizing this school year.
COVID-19 has caused many changes for WHS students, including the online learning they can now do at home. WHS is using an online learning management system called Edgenuity for most of its classes this year, and other classes such as Spanish IV, BLADE, Band and Orchestra are utilizing Google Classrooms for their courses of study. During the week of Sept. 28, 82 hybrid schedule students responded to an online poll addressing online learning and their experience with the platform thus far. When students were asked if they thought online learning was harder or easier than inclass instruction, 55.4% of the respondents stated that online learning is harder. Tyler Keener, WHS principal, stated when asked why we chose Edgenuity, “It is not a new learning management system, it is the system we have used at the high school now for about three to four years prior... The district team and especially the secondary level team between Edgewood and WHS looked at several of them and came back to Edgenuity as the one we liked the best.” In using this platform, students can log in anywhere in order to do their school work, and they have videos of teachers explaining the steps they need to solve any problem. Edgenuity also shows students’ projected grades based on their progress, a feature that most students find helpful. Of the students who took the poll, 78.6% of them stated that Edgenuity is easy to use in terms of monitoring their progress. Beside use of online learning, WHS offers a hybrid schedule in which students can come to
school two days a week and then continue their use of Edgenuity as their curriculum for the rest of the week. Lydia Otto (11), who is enrolled in the hybrid schedule, states, “It’s nice to be able to work on your own time, but it can be very stressful when you fall behind.” Although many of the students come in two days a week to get extra help from teachers, 58.5% of the students who took the poll stated that the hybrid two days a week schedule did not benefit them. One student who responded that the new schedule did not benefit them added that “This is because at times I feel like we do not get enough time to do Edgenuity on the days that we are at school. Resulting [sic] in us being further behind in class, and having more work to do on the days when students would be home.” Some students also have a Google Classroom created by their teachers to accompany their Edgenuity classes, allowing students to communicate with their teachers when they are not in the building. Other classes that are not offered on Edgenuity rely on Google Classrooms to post assignments and deadlines, and to help students interact with teachers outside of classrooms. Foreign Language Dept. member Chris Matthew, who uses Google classroom for her Spanish IV class, which is not offered by Edgenuity, stated when asked if Edgenuity or Google classroom is easier to grade that “Generally on Google classroom, the assignments are a bit more lengthy and more all encompassing and comprehensive.” In the poll, 66.7 percent of students said their classes on Edgenuity align with the classes for which they originally enrolled.
Dr. Kristina Boone recently joined the Wooster City School Board of Education. PHOTO COURTESY OF WCS CENTRAL OFFICE
Boone joins WCS BOE LUCIA PERFETTI staff writer The WCS Board of Education appointed Dr. Kristina Boone, the Assistant Dean and Director of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at OSU/ATI, to fill the vacant position left by Hilary Carroll. Board President Sue Herman said she is excited for Boone to join the board. “I’m...looking forward to having her new ideas and enthusiasm, it’s going to be a really positive move for our board,” Herman said. Boone previously served as a professor and department head at Kansas State University where she was also active with the public school system. She now serves on WCSCC’s advisory committee. “Her commitments to things outside of work are impressive,” BOE member Dan Stavnezer said. There were three candidates nominated by board members, of the 26 who applied. Stavnezer nominated Boone, citing her affiliation with the NAACP and her leadership in ATI’s first MLK march as reasons why she would make an excellent candidate. “I like the idea of diversity of thought and perspective,”
Stavnezer says, mentioning that Boone’s background provides new perspective for the board. Herman added she admires Boone’s experience in education, stating, “She is so well equipped to come on board...she’s been involved in education in so many ways her whole life.” Boone said she applied for the position because of her love of education. “I really enjoy seeing young people grow and become college and career ready,” she said. Boone shared that one thing she wants to help with as a board member is diversity, by stating, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are very important to me...and that’s certainly something I want to look at and see if there are ways that I can contribute as a board member.” Boone notes that the percentage of students on free and reduced lunch in the school system is concerning to her, noting, “as a community we need to be more aware of that...and think of something that we can do to help.” Boone’s election was unusual, as the board did not have a majority vote for any of the three nominees. Instead, the decision went to probate court, where Judge Latecia Wiles appointed her. Boone’s first day as a board member was Sept.14.
FOCUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 5
Speech and Debate begins new season LAURA RAPPORT staff writer When schools shut down earlier this year, many extracurricular activities were cancelled. However, Wooster’s Speech and Debate team continued to compete virtually. This school year, the team will still be competing despite challenges caused by COVID-19. Auditions for this year’s team were held Sept.1, Sept. 3 and Sept. 8. While some auditions were held at the LGIR during the school day, students also had the option to attend a virtual audition via Zoom. According to head coach Holly Custer, auditions went well, but student turnout this year was lower than usual. Because of
this, auditions were extended, and students were still able to audition until Sept. 23. This year, Wooster’s team is also welcoming several new coaches, including: Joseph Smith, Brianna Schmidt, Sonja Pagniano, Stuart Courson, Kennedy Shelton and Kevin Poe. Early in the summer, seven WHS students competed at the Speech and Debate Association’s National Tournament. Bryn Savidge, Anna Nacci, Sierra Dewald, Sophia Dal Pra, Lena Wiebe, Stuart Courson, and Rebekah Barnett all competed in the national tournament. Savidge placed in the top 15 in the country in Informative Speaking, while the duo of Anna Nacci and Sierra Dewald, competing in Public Forum,
and partners Sophia Dal Pra and Lena Wiebe, competing in Policy, advanced to elimination rounds in debate. This year, despite the fact that WHS Speech and Debate will still be competing, tournaments will operate very differently. While this does not affect most events, some events, such as duo interpretation will change significantly because of virtual tournaments. While duo interpretation often features two partners interacting very closely, this year duo interpretation will be forced to use more open blocking. Despite these changes to speech and debate, head coach Holly Custer said she is confident that the team will be successful and will work hard to overcome all of these obstacles.
Presidential debate causes disappointment
BRITTANY WACHTEL staff writer In a world riddled with racism, a pandemic and blissful ignorance, it seems impossible to juggle it all. And, to add even more to the list, the presidential election is right around the corner, with the first presidential debate kicking off the race Sept. 29. President Donald Trump and former vice-president Joe Biden faced off in Cleveland, six feet apart, ready to prove to America that they were the ideal candidate.
In today’s society, Gen Z is particularly involved in anything and everything political. Many were looking forward to the first public meeting of the two candidates. Previewing and following this debate, I set out to see what my generation was looking for in both of these candidates. Using Instagram stories, I posted a series of polls open to the younger generations, prompting them to give their thoughts about the debate using a simple yes or no format. When asked if they would be watching the debate, 71 percent of the 100 respondents polled said they would, in fact, be viewing the event. Out of this percentage, 66 percent said they favor Biden over Trump, while 34 percent stated that they favor Trump. These numbers quickly changed after the debate when asked who they believe did better while debating, with 79
percent saying that Biden was more mature than Trump. When reached out to directly about their opinions on the debate, the consensus was consistent: the two candidates did not maturely handle the situation they were put into. Reagan Maclean, grade 12, said, “Honestly the whole debate felt so pointless since they weren’t seriously talking about any of the issues. I didn’t take anything away about their presidential policies as that didn’t end up seeming like the focal point of the debate, unfortunately.” Many respondents also said the two-minute time slot policy to answer questions should have been strongly enforced, with Sophie Gamble, grade 12, mentioning that the two candidates agreed to this policy and still chose to disregard it. When it was all said and done, the debate proved to be a disappointment to all.
KRISTI HINER
Community members have donated a variety of masks throughout the district. Above, are just a few of the masks donated to WHS.
WCSD receives masks SIERRA DEWALD cover editor In reopening schools this year, one challenge for WCS staff and families to meet has been the statewide requirement of face coverings in school buildings. The Wooster community has stepped up to meet the challenge, donating nearly 12,000 masks to the district so far, according to WCS Maintenance Secretary Vicki D’Intino who has been in charge of the collection and distribution of donated face coverings. D’Intino continues that donations are primarily coming from individuals, with some coming from other cities and states in addition to those from the Wooster community. D’Intino furthers that many organizations have donated as well, including: Wooster United Methodist Church, Dee’s Hallmark, Grace Church Wooster, Nobletek, members of We Huddle, Tri County ESC and the Ohio Bureau of
Workers Compensation. Heidi Haas, Director of Student Services for WCS, writes that the district is, “so grateful for all of [D’Intino’s] hard work surrounding this effort.” Dr. Michael Tefs, Superintendent of WCS, explains that the entire mask donation process, “came from the community,” as the district was receiving so many requests to donate face coverings that they created systems in response. Tefs wishes to express gratitude to Wooster for being, “an absolutely amazing community [and] wanting to lift up and support the students and families of the Wooster City School District.” According to a WCS press release as found on the district website, anyone who wishes to donate can print and fill out a form from the website with their information, and drop off masks in a box or bag on the front porch of The Wooster City Schools Support Services Office at 955 Oldman Road.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | OCT 12 2020 | PAGE 6
Samira Zimmerly named President of the Chamber of Commerce LUKE POMFRET focus editor In June 2010, Samira Zimmerly started her work at the Wooster Chamber of Commerce as a part-time project coordinator. As of September 2020, the Wooster Chamber of Commerce named Zimmerly as the 17th president and the first female to lead their organization. Zimmerly describes her past work at the chamber and said she has set goals for the chamber. “Over the last five years we’ve worked really hard to evaluate what the chamber has been doing, as well as focusing on making our programs stronger… Now with all of the changes we are facing, our
business community needs our leadership and we need to be a resource for those businesses.” Zimmerly explains that the chamber serves many different roles for small businesses. “The Chamber of Commerce provide[s] networking opportunities, professional development, referrals, advocacy efforts, and various seminars… For example, the chamber has created Manufacturing and Healthcare day to introduce students to various business opportunities,” Zimmerly said. Zimmerly says she is honored and excited to be leading the Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve always tried to be a very independent and strong female, so this is an exciting opportunity just to show that when you are dedicated
and loyal and work really hard, you can achieve things that are outside the realm of possibilities,” Zimmerly said. Zimmerly would also like to thank the previous chamber president, Justin Starlin, for his leadership and mentoring.. Starlin said in the Wooster Chamber of Commerce monthly update, “Zimmerly brings immediate value to the position, as she is a resident and stakeholder of the Wooster area and understands the intricacies of the community, a must have for the position. She has impressed me with her desire to make a difference both within and outside of the Chamber.” Zimmerly says she is grateful for a fantastic board of directors and is excited for her future at the Wooster Chamber.
Local businesses change routines JENSAN BAUMAN trends editor According to an article from, The Washington Post titled “The End of Small Businesses,” “[The] coronavirus will radically reshape Main Streets across the country.” Locally, Ramseyer Farms notes a few of their changes amid the pandemic include a lower capacity and different safety precautions advised by the CDC. Karen Ramseyer, business owner, states, “The health and safety of our guests and employees is always our first priority. We are grateful that our guests have been cooperating with our new safety guidelines.” Ramseyer goes on to say, as far as hygiene is concerned, there is a regular sanitation crew working throughout the day, as well as hand sanitizing stations
placed throughout the farm. She also notes a capacity limit in places such as the corn barn, so that customers can remain socially distanced and explains mask regulations as far as both customers and employees. Dianna Stair, owner of local massage therapy business Stair Steps to Wellness, also notes how much COVID has been impacting her business. “It [the beginning of the pandemic] was a very frightening time as a small business owner with the uncertainty of how long we would be closed, and when we would be allowed to re-open,” Stair says. She explained that different precautions have been implemented for the safety of everyone involved, including: temperature checks, wearing masks, as well as symptom screening before appointments, for both employees and patients, and spacing out
appointments to avoid overcrowding in her office. She also stated that Stair Steps to Wellness has gone above the State Medical Board of Ohio requirements by doing things such as placing air purifiers in treatment rooms. “Our patients have been absolutely amazing with being so understanding of what is required when they arrive for their appointment,” Stair said. Co-owner of Salon 316 Bernadette Reardon says reopening has been a bit nerve wracking for her. “Most customers are okay with [safety precautions]. We have lost a couple [who] I assume do not want to wear a mask, “ Reardon said in regard to how customers have been responding to their reopening Local businesses look different than before, but these business owners have noted numerous safety precautions to keep the public safe.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Samira Zimmerly is the first woman to be named Wooster Chamber of Commerce President after 10 years of work for the Chamber of Commerce.
Choral classes:
COVID-19 affects program ASHTON DUNLAP sports editor At WHS, much in the educational realm has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those changes was a cut of the various choir classes the school offers. According to high school principal Tyler Keener, the administration did not believe choir would be possible during the pandemic. “As Mrs. [Emily] Patterson resigned late in June, we did go through the interview process, looking to see if there was somebody we could have to fill that spot and also run a choir program during a pandemic. The administration really leaned back on the fact that with everything and all the questions going on, we were going to wait
to do choir after the pandemic,” Keener said. Keener also said the choral program will make a comeback, either later this school year or next year. Sophie Garcia (11) says she was not warned by administration about the absence of the class and will miss the class. “I was told by fellow classmates, not by any administration. I do miss choir simply for the vocal training I was able to do every day with people who knew a lot about music and could teach me,” Garcia said. The absence of a choir class and teacher will also affect the upcoming production of the Drama Club’s production of Footloose in the spring. Director of Children’s Music at First Presbyterian Church, Rachel King ,will fill Patterson’s previous role of vocal director for the production of Footloose.
COVER
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 7
COVID-19 highlights housing crisis at the local and the national level LENA WIEBE co-editor in chief Since the COVID-19 pandemic first spread to the U.S., triggering a massive shutdown of the economy and an outbreak of the disease that would kill as many as 200,000 Americans, tens of millions of Americans have faced financial devastation that has both exacerbated and highlighted long-existing economic inequities. Though the early months of the pandemic were marked by some state and federal assistance in the forms of moratoriums on evictions and utilities shutdowns, increased access to unemployment, and some sparse financial benefits, the economy has begun to reopen, even as the resurgence of the virus has worsened, leaving many Americans vulnerable to eviction, homelessness, food insecurity, and heightened exposure to the virus. According to research published in August by the COVID-Eviction Defense Project and the Aspen Institute, “The United States may be facing the most severe housing crisis in its history,” with an estimated 30 to 40 million Americans at risk of eviction. These problems are not new. The study also noted that as early as 2018, almost 50 percent of all renter households were spending over 30 percent of their income on rent, and stated that a quarter of households under the poverty line spend over 70 percent of their income on housing costs. Despite their prevalence, housing issues are often afforded little attention and
little funding; only one in four renters who is eligible for federal assistance receives it, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that the U.S. has a shortage of seven million rental homes that are accessible to the lowest income renters. Katie Koglman, Executive Director of the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties, a nonprofit organization that helps fundraise for organizations that work in the areas of health, safety net programs, youth development, and workforce development, said that Wayne County is facing its own lack of affordable housing: “...the sobering fact is that we don’t have enough housing in our community for everyone who needs housing,” she said. Koglman continues, “So we have a lot of people who have been issued a housing voucher from Wayne County Metropolitan Housing Authority, but we don’t have the actual units to put them in. So there’s just an overall lack of affordable housing, and our homeless shelters are full there’s no room right now for any other homeless people to be sheltered.” Koglman added that Wayne and Holmes Counties have seen an increase in the number of people claiming to be homeless or on the verge of homelessness, in addition to those facing other issues with their housing. On Sept. 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a halt on evictions nationwide, stemming from concerns of viral spread among populations experiencing homelessness. However, this moratorium is
not automatically applied to eligible participants, Koglman says. Koglman noted that “...people have to opt into it [the eviction moratorium]. It’s not automatic. And that’s what’s very important for people to know… you need to apply to be eligible for that… So if you’re facing eviction, or you feel like you’re not going to be able to pay your rent because of COVID, give us a call and we will tell you how to fill out that form.” Applying to be covered by the ban on evictions requires renters to sign declarations that they do not exceed the income threshold and will have no other option than homelessness or living with others in close proximity if evicted. These moratoriums are intended to help prevent homelessness and to promote public health. However, some have questioned the efficacy of temporary bans on evictions or other shutdowns of other programs such as utilities without additional assistance. Mary Raitano, Housing and Economic Assistance Director for Community Action Wayne/Medina (CAW/M), one of many similar nonprofit agencies originally created by President Lyndon B. Johnson, as part of the War on Poverty, observed that although moratoriums on evictions and utility shut-offs provide temporary assistance, they are often not a long-term solution. “Yes, there was a moratorium, but now those bills are becoming due,” Raitano said. “People don’t just magically have the money to pay six months’ worth of utility bills at this moment, right? So, yeah, at the time, it helped. But, if they haven’t been able to get back
With this issue, The Wooster Blade staff wanted to highlight the effects of COVID-19. Everyone has felt the pandemic’s impact as we struggle to adjust to the new normal. on their feet during that time… if there’s no programming around these issues that folks are facing, just having a moratorium, it… delays the inevitable.” Raitano also added that although there is now a new moratorium on evictions. However, similar protections for utility shut-offs have mostly expired. In Ohio, many local organizations, nonprofits and community groups have been working overtime to keep up with the increased need that these issues are creating. Raitano said that CAW/M had seen a 500 percent increase in households they served in their food pantry located in Rittman at the beginning of the pandemic. In response, the Rittman pantry expanded their hours, the area served, and created a delivery service. Raitano added that they had seen similar increases in need for issues families faced like utility bills and housing and housing upkeep. CAW/M works to help subsidize some of these costs and to help make homes more energy efficient and livable, and to help with transportation, among many other programs. Other groups, like Wooster Grace Church have helped organize to help families in need. The Wooster Grace Church
recently created a fund to help people with their water bills, Raitano says. “When you think… we’re in this public health crisis. We’re supposed to be washing our hands. We’re supposed to be practicing all kinds of healthy and safe manners. You think of a household without water. Clearly, there are hygiene issues there, and clearly that’s not going to be a healthy situation for anybody,” she said, adding that community programs like Wooster Grace Church’s are always helpful. Koglman of the UWWH also said Wooster has recently formed a homelessness task force that works in conjunction with the Wayne County Housing Coalition, and notes that the city and the county are working to create a land bank to help address the area’s affordable housing shortage. While many volunteers, groups and local organizations are working diligently to help ensure that the needs of the community are met, increased need will persist even as there is no clear end in sight to the pandemic. If you need help or guidance with issues like housing food, or unemployment, the UWWH maintains the Wayne Holmes Information Referral Exchange phone line, at (330) 263-6363, and also has an online virtual database with information at uwwh.org/gethelp.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER |OCT 12, 2020 | PAGE 8
Confusion abounds over methods of reporting of COVID-19 deaths MYA VANDEGRIFT graphics manager When COVID first entered the United States in early spring of 2020, the world seemed to shift. Everyday activities were halted, and masks were mandated as the infection and death counts seemed to rise out of control. As different information about the mortality rate rises, questions centering on how COVID deaths are counted and whether death counts are inflated or undermined have begun to take precedence in this discussion. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention explains the systems of counting deaths in their information database
COVID Death Data and Resources: “States rely on two systems in partnership with the C.D.C, the onesystem and provisional death counts. In onesystem, (also called disease surveillance), public health care workers track the outcomes of people with Covid-19 infections, producing a quick but imperfect public number.“ In the other system, provisional death counts, doctors and coroners submit death certificates to vital records offices, which works with the CDC to tally COVID19 deaths and create the country’s official death toll. While 80 percent of deaths are electronically processed and coded by The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
COVID-19 impacts local medical practices DELANEY WILSON staff writer As COVID-19 slammed the United States, national news outlets have shown the pandemic’s impact on the biggest hotspots and healthcare facilities in the country. Local medical practices were also hit hard and had to make adjustments, including Milltown Family Physicians, a large family practice, that has faced several issues such as patient care, logistics and misinformation. Patient care has been impacted greatly by the pandemic, according to Barbara Tickton, a certified nurse practitioner at Milltown and various nursing homes in the area.
“As far as patient visits, both have been using Telemedicine. Our office has used a ‘back door,’ so that ill patients do not go through the main lobby… Of course the use of PPE is important to help [stop] the transmission of disease,” Tickton said. Dr. Eric Smith, one of Milltown’s primary care physicians and the medical director for the Wayne County Health Department, went into further detail about how Milltown has adapted, explaining, “Expanding the way in which we have always managed illnesses that are spread by respiratory or droplets required enacting already established...flow of patients and staff. I say,
within minutes, most deaths from COVID-19 must be coded by a person, which takes an average of seven days. Public health experts say any method used to count deaths from a disease like COVID19 allows some amount of uncertainty, which is simply part of the process. Limited awareness and testing during the initial months of the pandemic mean an unknown number of early COVID-19 deaths will never be counted. Still, the president and some news media have accused states of inflating their counts, even as public health experts have said undercounting is more likely. “Everything is so politically charged, people are looking for excuses to question the data,”
said Robert Anderson, who runs the mortality statistics branch of the CDC. Political motives seemed to come to the forefront of COVID discourse when, in early September, data from the CDC seemed to reveal that only 6 percent of people who died of COVID-19 actually had COVID-19 as the only cause on their death certificate. However, it has long been stated by the CDC and WHO that pre-existing health conditions can contribute to one’s ability to get coronavirus and how hard their battle will be with the virus. “Death certificates list any causes or conditions that contributed to the death,” the CDC/NCHS Mortality Statistics Branch tells Health. While it is true that in 6 percent of COVID-19-related deaths, COVID-19 was the only diagnosis listed on the death certificate, that is only one part of the picture.
Looking beyond the 6 percent, in the 94 percent of deaths with COVID-19, other conditions are listed in addition to COVID-19, including chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, as well as acute conditions that occurred as a result of COVID19, such as pneumonia or respiratory failure. Most Americans say they doubt the U.S. death count, according to the latest installment of the AxiosIpsos Coronavirus Index. The available data suggests those who believe coronavirus deaths are undercounted may be right, said Axios health care editor Sam Baker in the Index. His reasoning for the undercount comes from the same worries the CDC has, that many deaths are not officially attributed to the coronavirus because of how unprepared U.S. healthcare systems were in the early stages of the pandemic and lack of accessibility to testing.
‘expanding’, because these are the same processes used when there is a suspected case of chickenpox or measles. It is also the same as the process we used in 2009 during the influenza H1N1 pandemic… Strategies like telehealth and curb-side testing have been essential to continue the safe practice of healthcare for both patients and the caregivers. These strategies minimize potential exposure while giving opportunity for monitoring/ testing the community for illness and ensuring safety in treatment of ongoing chronic medical illness.” In addition to patient care changes, healthcare facilities have also experienced logistical issues, according to Milltown’s practice manager Janet Kurtz. “We instituted an existing triage system that needed a few adjustments, but overall, we were able to handle the possibility of seeing contagious patients. Unfortunately, many
medical practices did not have enough PPE, but when the headlines began to report a new virus, we wisely ordered enough supplies to sustain us for months. Initially, the information was changing day by day from the CDC and governor’s office. This was hard to navigate, but as information started to be more firm, we settled in fine... we would meet during weekly meetings with our staff to keep everyone informed. We lost a few employees... but we are once again fully staffed. One key function was everyone working as a team, ” Kurtz said. In addition to logistical issues, the quick spread of misinformation also posed a challenge for the practice. Smith explained, “One of the difficulties has been the rapidly changing information. Likewise, the increasing public distrust of science and the benefits of preventive medicine such as vaccines has limited
the ability of keeping as many people safe as possible. The initial non-aggressive approach to the virus is what allowed nursing home, prison, and work-place spread. I realize many people feel that the state and federal government gave too many regulations; nevertheless, in countries where a more aggressive approach to isolation was followed by better community adherence, the number of cases was and remains lower.” Tickton, who was a nurse in New York City during the AIDs epidemic, also explained, “I do not recall that there was a group of persons saying that AIDs was a ‘hoax’... there was more of a national effort to educate, protect the public and try to develop treatments, if not cures.” Milltown is still operating at their normal hours from 8 to 5 and patients are encouraged to check Milltown’s website for additional procedures.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | OCT. 12 2020 | PAGE 9
COVID-19 guidelines lead to debate over masks ELLIE SNIDER feature editor As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the country reopens, wearing a mask has become a topic of debate. In Ohio, governor Mike Dewine mandated masks for all Ohio residents starting July 23, according to governor.ohio. gov. This mandate requires Ohio citizens to wear a mask while indoors, not including their homes, outdoors when unable to maintain a six-foot distance from others and while on public transportation. Despite this mandate, some still refuse to wear masks in public. According to Brian Karazsia, associate professor of psychology at the College of Wooster, psychology plays a large role in their decision. “One way I have been thinking about it is in the context of what is called the ‘Health Belief Model.’ This is a model that public health professionals and psychologists have used to understand why some people do versus don’t wear seat belts…or wear helmets…or get vaccines…or any other behavior designed to promote health,” Karazsia said. In general, this model states there are two key variables that people consider when deciding to wear a mask. According to Karazsia, these variables include the “Perceived risk,” or the individual’s perceived idea of how much at risk they are for something, and, “Perceived severity,” the perceived notion of how serious the issue is. If individuals see their perceived risk or the perceived severity as being low, they are, “unlikely to engage in any protective behavior (such as masks),” Karazsia said.
Another psychological factor that could contribute to the decision to not wear a mask is a perceived locus of control. The locus of control refers to an individual’s perception of the world around them, and whether they play a role in the events that happen to them. According to WHS psychology teacher Mike Sullivan, an external locus of control can play a role in an individual’s decision to not wear a mask. “When people don’t feel they have control over their lives, they will react in irrational ways at times,” Sullivan said. According to the May 6 article, “Why Are Masks Triggering Conflict and Rage,” written by Seth J. Gillihan in Psychology Today, masks are also seen as visible markers of someone’s political beliefs. “Masks may be seen as a marker of political loyalty, triggering feelings of us-versusthem. A politically liberal person may assume that someone wearing a mask is ‘on their team,’ while those who don’t wear masks must be Fox News-watching Republicans. The anger they feel is not simply about the mask, but about believing the non-mask wearer is a certain type of person,” Gillihan says. This perspective is also true of conservatives, who may see the idea of being forced to wear a mask as a symbol of rejecting their political ideology. This debate can make things challenging in a classroom, as teachers must navigate enforcing the mask policy on students whose families might be opposed to the policy. “It requires another rule for students to follow that is difficult to enforce. Some students come from families that are afraid of not wearing
In this difficult time, WHS supplied a handout noting various mental health resources available to students.
Graphic by Luke Pomfret
masks and some come from families that are anti-mask, so their perspectives can cause conflict in school,” Sullivan said. While the mask debate has not died down over the past months, Karazsia said the mandate has helped get everyone on the same page. “I think it’s helpful that there are mandates in some contexts, because mandates make it
less about the individual’s decision-making… Of course, we can agree or disagree with any policy, but it does remove the decision-making from the individual,” Karazsia said. While the mask debate continues, so is life, with people returning to school and work now that fall is approaching. For those who wear masks, the topic can be discussed with individuals against the practice
by using psychology. According to Karazsia, by understanding the individuals’ state of mind, pro-mask people can better engage in conversation with those around them. “We should never make assumptions based on these variables, but they give a starting point for asking someone we know well why they are making their decisions,” Karazsia said.
A&E
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 10
Mulan highlights WHS Drama presents: issues with Disney remakes
LEO RILEY a&e editor I remember watching the original Mulan as a child and being completely enamored with the film’s line-up of catchy songs mixed with Eddie Murphy’s infectious sense of humor. Quoting lines with my sister, singing songs in the shower, rewatching both movies during every vacation: these are the kinds of memories that kids watching 2020s Mulan will never experience. When I first heard about Mulan’s more controversial changes, I was livid, but the closer the release came, the more open-minded I became toward it.
I may not have been happy about the axing of Mushu and the songs, but I understand that it had to be done in order to accurately portray Asian culture. Then came the day of the movie’s release on Disney Plus, and it would be an understatement to call it merely a disappointment. The remake of Mulan is a blatant cash grab that loses the heart of the first film and fills that void with boring filler accented by references to the original that do little more than highlight how much better the original is than this current option. The removal of the music and the characters Li Shang and Mushu was already questionable, but when you combine that with a $30 charge (even if you own a Disney+ account), a problematic lead actress who thanked a province with active internment camps, and the movie’s absolute lack of polish or any form of originality, you get a movie that put plainly, is bad. Do not watch Mulan. It is not worth the money and it is not worth the time.
Graphic by Maya Vandergrift
HANNAH LOGUIDICE on campus editor The WHS Drama Club is back and will be performing Footloose as the one show this school year. The show dates have been set for the spring of 2021, on the weekends of March 12-14 and March 19-21. Rehearsals will run until these dates. Typically, Drama Club performs two shows a year. This year, however, changes have to be made in order to accommodate the safety of the cast, crew and the audience. Brett Hiner, Drama Club director and English Dept. member, said many precautions needed to be put into place before auditions even began in order to protect the cast, crew and directors. “We’re following policies put in place by Gov. DeWine and his ‘theater reopening’ plan and then adding more. Smaller
rehearsal numbers to allow for a longer rehearsal schedule. Not as much intermingling during rehearsals; masks being worn; social distancing on stage and while sitting in the house, etc.,” Hiner said. Even though Footloose is a show in the same style as Grease, which the Drama Club performed last year, Footloose is going to look and feel a little different because this year changes have to be made to accommodate the governor’s guidelines. “We’re trying to keep it as ‘normal’ as possible but maintain all proper safety guidelines. With Grease we had close to 100 kids participating... we’re just not going to be able to do that this year. The theater experience will remain intact but getting to opening night will be a different journey. Honestly, I think what students will most notice, differently, will be the smaller rehearsal numbers and the use of online
programs to learn the songs, choreography, etc. We will also, most likely, have restricted ticket sales,” Hiner said. Hiner said he chose Footloose because it is a classic high school story that fits as closure to their high school trilogy of shows, including Grease last year and Yearbook the Musical the year before. “It’s fun. I think a good number of the students involved in Grease would tell you it was an absolute blast. There’s always some misery in the process, but our shows and crowds last November seemed sincerely joyous. We wanted to match that vibe. Also, with COVID, we’ve all been cooped up and I sense this need to MOVE. Footloose will make everyone MOVE, including our audience.” The students are equally excited to perform a show that has a lot of dancing and is super high energy. Caleb Singer-Holden, the Drama Club’s underclassman representative said, “I’m super excited to do a show that has a lot of fun songs and a lot of energetic dance scenes like Grease did because Grease was a super fun show.” Even with all these challenges the show must go on, so Drama Club fully plans to bring Footloose to WHS.
Staff member reviews Phineas and Ferb the Movie
LAURA RAPPORT staff writer
Phineas and Ferb is a children’s TV show, created by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, that ran for nearly six years on Disney XD. Featuring two inventive young boys, a crazy older sister, a mad scientist and a platypus who works as a secret agent, the show was a hit. However, nearly five years after the show ended, Povenmire and Marsh are back with a new edition to the series: Phineas and Ferb the Movie:
Candace Against the Universe. When Candace, the title characters’ sister, is abducted by aliens, along with her friend Vanessa, the boys, their friends, and Vanessa’s father, the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz, set out to rescue them. The boy’s secret agent pet platypus, Perry, also comes along. However, much to the character’s surprise, Candace is worshipped as the savior of the planet. Featuring all the characters
fans love from the original cartoon, as well as delightful music by Danny Jacob and Povenmire, Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe is a must-watch for any Phineas and Ferb fan. While the plot is not anything we have not seen from Povenmire and Marsh before and some fan-favorite characters are missing, like Meep, the space-traveling secret agent alien, overall Candace Against the Universe is a fun movie for the whole family.
Graphics by Sylvie Shaya
THE WOOSTER BLADE | A&E | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 11
Suicide Squad film reboots LEO RILEY a&e editor The Suicide Squad, a soft reboot of the 2016 movie, was one of the new big announcements unveiled at DC’s FanDome event, and while not much is known yet about the film, it is shaping to be the movie that the original promised to be. Having Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn taking the reins of this movie is already a good sign, but the cast of this semi-sequel is jaw
Wonder Woman 1984 MYA VANDEGRIFT graphics manager Since seeing the first Wonder Woman in theaters, I have been a fan of the franchise. She is strong, she is smart, she is - a demigod?! What more could you want in a superhero? Lucky for me, Wonder Woman II, also titled as Wonder Woman 1984 has been announced for release December 25, 2020. From the title, you can see that the movie will be set in the ‘80s, making way for creativity in costumes, setting and characters. According to Entertainment, in the sequel Dianna (Wonder Woman) is working at the Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. and will be facing a new villain, the Cheetah. The Cheetah will be played by Kristen Wiig, a new face in the DC universe. Co-star Chris Pine will also be making a re-appearance as iconic loveinterest Steve Trevor.
dropping. Some of the original film’s familiar faces will be making a return, including Margo Robbie as the Joker’s partner in crime, Harley Quinn, as well as Rick Flag, Amanda Waller, and Captain Boomerang. Many characters will not be returning, most notably Will Smith as Deadshot, who was the closest thing to a lead the first film had. While the original Suicide Squad was received as a box office failure, this reboot will likely be the last chance for this franchise to prove itself.
Titans:
Season three set for 2021 release JULIA HOOTMAN staff writer Titans, based on the comics team, the Teen Titans, depicts haunted, young heroes joining forces against evil. Titans has exciting developments under way for season three. In Titans, Brenton Thwaites stars as Dick Grayson, the original Boy Wonder, who takes on vigilante persona, Nightwing and leads his fellow superheroes, including dark
Writers review DC Universe Happenings The Batman staring Rob Pattinson set to release JULIA HOOTMAN staff writer DC FanDome virtual event delivered a teaser trailer with a look at Matt Reeve’s highly anticipated film The Batman, set to come out in October of 2021.The trailer, set to Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” gives a glimpse at Robert Pattinson’s take on Batman, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, and the movie’s main villain, the Riddler, played by Paul
Dano. Additionally, among these headlining characters, is Colin Farrel as villain, Oswald Cobblepot, or The Penguin. The trailer is grim and dark, mirroring the aesthetic of last year’s Joker, starring Joaquin Pheonix. Director, Matt Reeves is switching up how the beloved dark knight is portrayed in The Batman. Reeves draws inspiration from films like Taxi Driver, The French Connection, and
and powerful Raven, bright and fiery Starfire, shapeshifting Beast Boy, and the second Robin to Batman, Jason Todd. During the virtual event, DC FanDome, executive producer and writer, Greg Walker, confirmed several new characters will enter in season three, notably Barbara Gordon and Red Hood. Gordon will be following in her father’s footsteps as Gotham Police Commissioner. With the complex history between Gordon and Dick
Grayson, and her status as a fan favorite, the character addition should prove to be exciting. In the DC Comics, Jason Todd was killed off by fan vote in the 1988 comic, “A Death in the Family” and came back to life as morally grey antihero, Red Hood. Viewers of Titans were given a similar voting opportunity in 2019, this time voting for Robin to live. Despite this outcome, Todd, played by Curran Walters, will take on the Red Hood mantle in season three.
DC FanDome is a virtual comic book convention held on DC’s website. The event was created in June as a response to the COVID-19 cancellation of the San Diego Comic-Con. With DC FanDome, came announcements about The Batman, Wonder Woman 1984, The Suicide Squad and season three of DC Universe original show, Titans.
Chinatown as he showcases Batman’s noirish detective skills in his second year fighting crime. Speaking with Lesley Goldburg from The Hollywood Reporter in January, 2019, Reeves goes into detail, saying, “It’s a very point of viewdriven, noir Batman tail… I’d love this to be the one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation.” The film will be independent of other DC movies, building its own universe and continuity. In the trailer, Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne is depicted as being brooding,
somber and sad. Pattinson, most well-known for his role in YA franchise, Twilight, has quite the filmography. Pattinson’s prior work will help him play Bruce Wayne, a deeply troubled character who witnessed his parent’s death at a young age, sending him on a dark journey of vigilantism and secrets. It is arguable that Pattinson has been preparing for this role his whole career. Pattinson’s past roles in dark and powerful films, Good Time, The Lighthouse, and The Devil All The Time, combined with his work on Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster, Tenet may give him the edge to make this Batman show stopping.
TRENDS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 12
Masks can pose a threat toward the environment OLIVIA HINER staff writer Masks have undeniably become an important part of everyday life. According to the Sept. 2 AARP article “State-by-state guide to face mask requirements,” 34 states now mandate face coverings in public. Because of the protection they can provide, whether they are reusable or disposable, masks play an important role in keeping people safe. However, many people
have started to see the risks that masks are having on the environment. Adding to the already plastic polluted oceans, large quantities of face masks have started to wash up on shores. United Nation News published July 30 that “an estimated 75 per cent of the used masks, as well as other pandemic-related waste, will end up in landfills, or floating in the seas.” Not only would that be extremely harmful to the environment, it would also create public health risks to animals and people. According
to Ashifa Kassam, in “Seascape: the state of our oceans” article, published June 8 in The Guardian, Laurent Lombard, who works at the Opération Mer Propre, a French nonprofit that helps in ocean cleanups, posted a video on Facebook that states, “soon there will be more masks than jellyfish in the waters of the Mediterranean.” While this statement may be alarming, there are many things people can do to prevent further environmental pollution. If people choose to use disposable masks, prior to throwing them away they should cut off the straps so they will not pose a risk to animals. Using a reusable or homemade face mask is the most eco-friendly option, so people should, if trying to eliminate their environmental footprint, rely on fabric masks.
Fashion trend blooms from mask usage across the nation OLIVIA HINER staff writer There is an endless amount of options for colors and patterns for masks. Whether people are theater fans, athletes, or both, they are guaranteed to find something they like with the multitude of mask options available now. When buying cloth masks online, it is important to note the effectiveness of the mask, C Raino Macintyre said in the article “How to Test your Face Mask to Make Sure it Works” for sciencealert.com on Aug. 13. She discusses that the more layers masks have, the more effective they are better and to “aim for at least three layers.” Macintyre says to test the thickness of the material by using the “mask vs. candle” test. “If you can blow out a candle while wearing your mask, that’s a fail.” After noting these things, the mask is good
Graphics by Sylvie Shaya to go. Masks can be found just about everywhere. For solid colors or simple patterns, Emma Lord from buzzfeed. com recommends Athleta, Macy’s, Old Navy, Everlane, and Vistaprint. When looking on Etsy, she recommends “Mascly,” “GillyaStudio,” “ H a n u k D e s i g n , ” “WoollySocksUS” and
“SlowMadeCreations.” Finding masks in which people can exercise can be difficult. Tim Chan recommends in “The Best Face Masks for Running, Cycling and Working out” in the Sept. 11 issue of Rolling Stones Masksup, Bloch, Under Armour’s sportsmask, SMRTFT sports masks and Athleta. For theater lovers, Redbubble or Etsy has countless options
Self-expression grows over quarantine
Over quarantine, everyone had time to update their personal style. Shopping online became very trendy with places like Etsy and Depop that sell accessories, clothing and everything in between. For me, when we were still in lockdown, I would put on a fun outfit just to simply drive around or run small errands just so it did not feel like clothes were going to waste and just sitting in my closet. Fashion has become increasingly relevant as a way of self expression and I think it is fun that it has changed so much this year. A few of the ways fashion has changed have to do with the rise of internet trends, such as saying, “big shirt little pants outfit/ little shirt big pants outfit,” which is simply either an oversized shirt with a small
skirt/ shorts or a cropped/ tank top shirt with baggy pants. With people doing their own variations of these kinds of outfits, there has been room for creativity. Layering has been something I have personally been working on recently, with both clothes and accessories. A thin turtleneck or a button down underneath a more summer style of shirt can look really neat, and the layers look a bit more put together than just wearing a plain old t-shirt. As for accessories, mixing different metals is a trend I really like. Wearing both silver and gold rings, or an assortment of different bracelets. There are many ways to look unique when incorporating different statement pieces of clothing/ accessories in an outfit. It is almost as if there are not as many barriers for style as there used to be. Personally, I hope that a lot of the trends that have become popular this year stay around a bit, because there is a lot more room for self expression. People seem to be dressing for themselves and not as much to fit into one specific category, which could also contribute to the rise of online shopping as well as shopping at thrift stores.
from every Broadway show of which people can think. Redbubble, Etsy and Amazon also have many options for fans of TV shows, movies or music artists. However, be sure to read the reviews to make sure the material is not too thin. If looking for a high fashion mask, Sarah Spellings, in her Vogue article “Cloth Masks to Shop Now” writes that some cheaper options on this
list include Caraa’s masks that come in a pack of five with different color options, Etsy, Reformation’s fivepack, Baublebear’s set of two, Summersalt’s pack of three, Vida, Nordstrom’s four-pack and Viva Aviva. Searching for masks to fit a specific interest might be difficult, but there are many options out there from which to choose.
JENSAN BAUMAN trends editor
THE WOOSTER BLADE | TRENDS | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 13
Focus on the trend of documentaries: COW professor creates film about artist Ray Murphy ELLIE SNIDER feature editor While many documentaries tackle large complex issues, others focus on a single individual. For College of Wooster Professor Greg Shaya, Ray Murphy was the perfect candidate to feature in his documentary, Chainsaw Michelangelo- The Life and Art of Ray Murphy. “I got the idea for this film while I was driving around in
Maine checking out roadside attractions and looking for stories to tell. I stopped in and talked to Ray and could tell right away that he had a great story to tell,” said Shaya. Chainsaw Michelangelo was produced by Greg Shaya and Colin Kelley, a digital media producer at Bowdoin college. Kelley and Shaya worked on the project together, sharing duties of producer, cinematographer and editor, according to Shaya. Residing in Hancock, Maine, at the time the documentary
was filmed, Murphy is known for his unique chainsaw art, carving designs and animals out of lumber. Filmed in the summer of 2011, the documentary follows Murphy throughout a typical day. Murphy telling stories about how he came to his craft to combat his alcoholism and showing off his skills to a captive audience each night. His unique choice of tool lends itself to criticism, as Murphy explains in the documentary, with some asking if his work should be
considered art. Others have compared him to Michelangelo, praising him for his detailed craftsmanship. In all, the documentary is a study of an individual’s life, telling the story of Ray Murphy. “There is a lot you learn when you try to tell someone’s story in film. You can shoot a lot of video and record all the interviews you want, but at the end of the day, the documentary is what you choose to show. It happens in the editing room,” Shaya said. For Shaya, documentaries
have never been more popular than they are right now. “We are living in a golden age of documentary… they are everywhere,” he explained. Shaya also encourages high schoolers to watch documentaries. “There is something for everyone - character, drama, beauty, and stories that help you see the world in new ways,” Shaya said. To get started, students can watch Chainsaw MichelangeloThe Life and Art of Ray Murphy, which can be found on YouTube.
Immigration Nation: Film highlights operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
PAULINA SALAZAR trends editor The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is a federal agency that enforces immigration laws, most known for deporting illegal immigrants. Their most recent controversy, according to an article “Alleged unwanted hysterectomies and other abuses at ICE facility prompts investigation,” by USA Today written September 17 by Rick Jervis, Alan Gomez,
and Maria Clark, centers on the allegations made by immigration detainees that detention centers have been performing unnecessary hysterectomies, among other surgeries, without the consent of detainees. Now, Congress is asking for an investigation. The documentary, Immigration Nation, was stalled by the Trump administration until after the 2020 election, as footage showed ICE officers in a bad light. “A Rare Look Inside Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Draws Legal Threats,” published in The New York Times on September 14 by Caitlin Dickerson, explained the controversy of the documentary itself. Filmmakers were allowed to film private conversations of ICE officers, and officers detaining illegal immigrants,
among other things. The filmmaker turned in footage, as their contract had been written, to a government official for review. However, the government official was angered by the footage, and threatened to veto scenes that shined bad light on ICE. The threats were reported to have been coming from a higher level to the government official. Immigration Nation, released Aug. 3, is a mini-series taking a closer look at ICE, or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement federal agency, and the stories of many illegal immigrants. The series focuses on the operations held by ICE, with a cameraman following those officers doing the operations. Conversations were recorded with consent of those being recorded, and officers often discussed with a harsh tone on
those illegal immigrants being deported, some even being humiliated. In the first 30 minutes of the first episode, an officer holds his phone to record his first detainee of the day, bragging about being the first officer in his office to detain someone. The lack of empathy is emphasized throughout the series, and provides a look into what the officers think of their occupation. Many officers also trick the immigrants to get inside their homes and would mass detain immigrants despite lacking proof of the immigrants having a criminal record. It is emphasized in the documentary that United States officials, including Bryan Cox, ICE public affairs official, promised the public only illegal immigrants with criminal records were being detained. Cox says on the documentary of the illegal immigrants being
detained, “these are people arrested locally on serious, violent felony charges.” However, this statement is proven wrong in the documentary. Additionally, the show shows the stories of different illegal immigrants, with many in detention centers. Others live in asylum homes, made by churches to provide a home to illegal immigrants. The different lifestyles of these immigrants adds perspective, showing the varying stories of immigrants seeking a better life. Their stories are heartbreaking and brutal. Immigration Nation is a harsh and heartbreaking documentary on illegal immigrants and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement federal agency. I recommend this miniseries to anyone who wants to stay informed on the injustice in the immigration system.
FEATURE
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 14
Q&A with recent graduates of Wooster High School Where are you attending college? Stuart Courson: “I was supposed to attend New York University... However, I wasn’t comfortable to be moving to such a large city and decided to not attend this year. As of now, I’m currently attending University of Akron: Wayne College.” Skyy Khounborin: “Xavier University” Rheanna Velasquez: “The Ohio State University.” Alec Pauley: “The University of Cincinnati” Anna Nacci: “Ohio Wesleyan University”
Are you doing classes online, in person, or some of each? Courson: “Currently, all of my classes are hybrid, as in one day per week, my classes meet
up and do in-person, and the rest of the course work (such as homework, quizzes, etc.) are all online.” Khounborin: “All of my classes this semester are operating on a hybrid schedule, meaning some days in class and some days online. My chemistry lecture class is my only class that is all in-person.” Velasquez: “The majority is online, but I have two hybrid courses.” Pauley: “I had one in person class that switched to online the day before classes started, so as of right now, all online” Nacci: “Some of each! I have two classes that are completely online, and we meet via zoom. My other three are in person, but use an online platform to submit assignments.”
Are you living on campus?
Courson: “I am not living on campus” Khounborin: “Yes, I am living on campus” Velasquez: “Yes, I love it.” Pauley: “Yep, a two person dorm” Nacci: “Yes.”
Are you participating in extracurriculars? Courson: “I am currently not.” Khounborin: “I am currently not.” Velasquez: “Absolutely. I’m captain of the Lincoln Tower Team for BuckeyeThon, OSU’s largest student-run philanthropy. We fundraise to support children with pediatric cancer and blood illnesses. I’ve also joined Buckeyes Raising Awareness in Neuroscience and the Bob Ross Painting Club.” Pauley: “All club activities are based through online meetings and such, but ‘yes’ .“ Nacci: “Yes. I am on the lacrosse team and part of College Democrats.”
Overall, how do you feel
County Fair continues despite pandemic SYLVIE SHAYA views editor The Wayne County Fair continued amid the COVID19 pandemic, but did so with many changes. The 2020 Wayne County Fair took place from Sept. 12 to Sept. 17 with restrictions on vendors, shows and rides. “We’ve had to limit bandstand shows, we’ve eliminated any commercial exhibits, we don’t have rides, we don’t have games, and we don’t have nearly as many food vendors as we usually have,” said Wayne County Fair Board President Ron Borton. 4H events, FFA events, still projects and school art still ran. “We are excited that we’re
able to provide something for the 4H and FFA kids,” Borton explained, although, “We are disappointed that we can’t do any of the other things.” The fair did not charge for admission, so official attendance was zero, but many locals came for the food and to see the animals, according to Borton. Lauren Crum, (12), who competes in shows with breeding heifers observed that “the crowd was a fraction of what it has been in years past.” Audrey Cochran, (12), participates in swine shows with her pig, Chungus. Cochran said she enjoys the week of the fair greatly and believes, “it’s good that they let the kids show because people put a lot of time into it.” The fair board implemented
rules in line with current COVID-19 guidelines, requiring masks and social distancing, according to Cochran. “A lot of the shows are live streamed,” Cochran said, so that people who can physically make it to the fair can still observe. Cochran added that she found the changes appropriate. “I hope that people take the rules seriously… because there’s obviously still health risks,” she said. Crum shared a concern that on Wednesday of fair week, fair board rules were not enforced and few people wore masks. Both Cochran and Crum expressed they were happy to have been able to show their animals, even if the fair was not the same as usual.
COVID restrictions have endanger someone else, so I try impacted your college to be as cautious as possible. Being a freshman, I did not experience so far? Courson: “COVID has greatly impacted my college experience, as I had to entirely change colleges last minute because of the fact many people (including me) were under the notion that schools will open back to normal next school year, as cases were promised to decrease ... Although I’m happy with the final outcome of my decision, as I feel more calm and relaxed staying in town, it worries me ... that I need to apply to colleges again due to a pandemic.” Khounborin: “Honestly, the restrictions aren’t limiting any experience that any normal college student would have. You can still see your friends and experience college life, you just have to do all of that wearing a mask. I can’t say for all faculty, but the faculty at Xavier is trying really hard to ensure that we have a ‘normal’ school year and they are doing a great job with that. Plus, the most cases we’ve had so far is 37 and that’s really good for a college campus to have.” Velasquez: “The switch to online classes has made it more difficult to get to know professors, especially as a firstyear. But, as far as meeting students, I’ve joined interestbased groups and social organizations like the Pilipino Student Association, so it’s definitely not hard to socialize with other college students!” Pauley: “It’s made stuff a lot different than I think anyone is used to, but that doesn’t mean it’s been a bad experience. I am still able to get out and find people to be around in smaller groups and enjoy my time on campus, but connecting with people without the help of in person classes has certainly been harder.” Nacci: “I’ve gotten used to most of the precautions, but I am a little bit paranoid. I get worried that anything I do may
form any sort of’routine’ of what college should be like without COVID, so I do not feel like I have missed out on as much as returning students. COVID has made it a little bit harder to connect with the campus community because it is hard to hold as many events and gatherings that would encourage bonding.”
What has been your favorite thing about college? Courson: “My favorite thing about college is how sympathetic the professors are toward everything regarding COVID affecting our learning habits. They’re very understanding with their students when we are having trouble accessing quizzes, turning in homework, and anything online, and truly want their students to succeed.” Khounborin: “My favorite thing about college is learning what it’s like to be an ‘adult’ for the first time. It sounds scary to think about, but there is always someone here to help you navigate your way through life; so you are never alone.” Velasquez: “My favorite experience so far is joining Buckeyethon. The students in the organization really do incredible work for such an amazing cause - please visit my personal fundraising page at go.osu.edu/bt and consider donating.” Pauley: “My favorite thing has probably been the freedom. I’ve had a lot more responsibility being away from home and not having any teachers physically over me, but it’s also liberating being fully self driven on a day to day basis.” Nacci: “I felt cooped up in quarantine, so the change of scenery and schedule has been nice. I have also met so many wonderful people.” Quotes compiled by Sierra Dewald
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 15
Wooster citizens protest for black lives LUKE POMFRET focus editor The Black Lives Matter movement has been prominent in the news over the past couple of months due to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Brian Questel, Social Studies Dept. member and creator of the Civil Rights and Racial Injustice class, said that the BLM began in 2013 and has grown in its purpose. “The origins of the Black Lives Matter movement came about following the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s killer, but it has morphed into something more. It is now used to protest the systemic racism found in institutions across the country, and more specifically against judicial and/or policing policies or actions that impact everyone… It is a grassroots movement, as BLM does not have a specific, national organization, and one of its main goals is to lessen the violence against the Black community and promote justice and diversity in the country,” Questel said. According to the official BLM website, the BLM movement was founded by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi, and Alicia Garza. Their primary goal for the BLM movement is to, “engage society with the situations of violence and injustice that black people have been suffering in the US for thousands of years,” the website says. In Wooster, Desiree Weber, a local activist and assistant professor in Political Science and Pre-Law at the College of Wooster, has been the leader of organizing the BLM protests in downtown Wooster. Weber says the protestors hit their 100 days of protesting Sept.
8 and notes that the usual group of 15 to 25 protestors jumped to 55 that Tuesday. Weber said she has been disappointed by the response of some public leaders in the Wooster community. “The lack of response from the mayor is sad and obvious that they don’t want to engage.” Weber says the police have been very respectful during the protests and have made great efforts to ensure that everyone is safe. “We’re all neighbors… it’s important to take care of each other,” Weber said. In looking at what she hopes to achieve through these protests and through this movement, Weber said she would like to have more of an open dialogue between those protesting and community leaders . “What I would like to see from community leaders is for them to engage in conversations about how race impacts Wooster and its residents-- and also for them to lead in making this community more equitable,” Weber said. Weber says two petitions were formed in June and July in hope of creating discussion with law enforcement. The first petition received 350 signatures and the second petition received over 500 signatures. “These petitions are designed to terminate the use of chokeholds and no-knock warrants in the police department,” Weber said. Weber said the community must work together to promote a more just criminal justice system. “I would love to see community members, in general, reflect on the ways race shapes their community and to take active steps to right the wrongs of history and make Wooster a fairer more welcoming place to live,” Weber said. Linda Houston, a Wooster resident who has lived in
Wooster for 50 years and served on City Council for eight years in the 1980s, is one of the many protesters in the Wooster square holding a sign saying, “Black Lives Matter.” “I don’t ever remember standing here in downtown Wooster protesting, but I have always fought for what is right. Even when I was raising my children, we didn’t support companies that engaged in inhumane activities. I’ve lived through a lot, but that doesn’t mean the work is done,” Houston said. Houston said she is saddened by the lack of community members’ response. She also added that she hopes to meet between the BLM protesters and the mayor to discuss these issues. The BLM movement has daily protests in downtown Wooster from 12 p.m. through 1 p.m. and according to Weber, is always open to new participants. The protests are typically centered around issues like criminal justice reform, police brutality, and racial justice.
RUMEN ZDRAVCHEV
A Black Lives Matter (BLM) protester poses downtown. Wooster BLM protesters have gathered for over 100 consecutive days since last spring.
Students gather in downtown Wooster to protest racial injustice and support BLM issues. RUMEN ZDRAVCHEV
BLM movement sparks WHS students to rally for change SOPHIA MERA staff writer Showing extreme dedication and determination for their cause, Black Lives Matter protests have been held for over 100 consecutive days at Wooster’s downtown square. The ages of protestors who stand at the square daily from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. vary from children to adults. Many students have shown their support for the movement. Audrey Miller (10) said she was motivated to protest because she was scrolling through Instagram and read informational posts about the social injustices happening. Miller said, “I learn more and more every day and I continue to recognize how big of an issue this is in our country,” adding that, “Scrolling through Instagram, I see posts and stories about racial injustice. I learn more and more every day and I continue to recognize how big of an issue this is in our country.” Ilana Tucker (10) says, “I think it’s good to have a younger person at the protests to show that anyone of any age can stand up against racial inequality.” Tucker encourages her fellow
students to go out and protest and show support from all ages and people. Not only do these students say it is important to show support for the cause, they said that support from the youth is important to motivate the change they want to see. Eleanor Stormer Burch (9) is a frequent participant of the downtown protests. Stormer Burch said her role as a youth protestor is, “...to help educate other youth and to help ensure that we have a better future when we are older.” Protesting is not the only way students are getting involved and showing their strive for equality. Miller, who organized her own protest downtown in order to enhance the ones happening every day, said she supports the BLM cause by participating in a number of actions. “I sign petitions, protest, donate, post and repost on social media, and support black-owned businesses...I’m using my privilege wisely and doing everything I can to make a positive impact,” Miller said. All three students say they try to advocate as much as they can from protesting and signing petitions, to donating, but say that as busy students it is sometimes difficult to attend as often as they would like.
SPORTS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 16
WHS fall sports goals in retrospect
Photo courtesy of Legacy Staff
“Our season has been going great. We have a very solid team this season. We have improved since last year... There are many great players coming up in the next few years that will make an impact,” Macey Dillon (12) said. The team capped off a very good season with an OCC championship win and multiple playoff performances.
Rumen Zdravchev
“Every game, we’ve continued to improve and clean up on things that we have to be near perfect on once we play better teams as the season goes on. Our expectation for the remainder of the season are to remain undefeated.” Owen Roach (12) said. The team will begin the playoffs Oct. 16 at WHS.
Kristen Keating
“I think the first part of the season has gone really well for the majority of the team and I think this is the strongest our team has been in a long time and I think we’ll continue to get stronger and better and start winning more races this season,” Erin Harlan (12) said. The team will compete in the OCC meet Oct. 17 at WHS.
Kristen Keating
“We have placed first in all our meets as a team so far, and the team is looking very promising. We have a lot of young talent on the team, and I believe we have a chance to win OCCs and even move on from districts,” Lucas Niro (12) said. The team will compete in the OCC meet Oct. 17 at WHS.
Ashton Dunlap
“We have started out very strong and are starting to figure things out. We are working hard for each other. Now, we just need the final push to get to where we know we can,” Jaden Boucher (12) said. The OCC champions will play away at Orville on Oct. 17 before their first playoff game Oct. 24.
Photo Courtesy of Marty’s Photo Courtesy of Marty’s
Photo Courtesy of Marty’s
Photo Courtesy of Marty’s Hannah LoGuidice
“The season has been off and on. We have many younger players who need to learn the competition mindset, but I am confident they will in time. I believe we have a chance to do well in postseason if we all play well,” Ben Haven (12) said. The team finished off a strong season with a fourth place OCC finish.
“This year’s season has been good. We are making nice strides to do better in our matches and tournaments... We know what we have to work on and we know how to become the best players we can be,” Emilee Glenn (12) said.
“The cheer moms and Mrs. Wright strive to make our senior year the best one yet under the circumstances. I just hope to continue having fun and making the best out of the rest of the season we do have with my teammates and Ms. Wright,” Adria Lemmon (12) said. The team is looking forward to the first playoff football game Oct. 16.
“Having a young team is difficult in some aspects because we have a lot of players who have never played high school soccer, but it’s been a learning experience for all of us because playing with new people helps you learn about yourself as a player,” Sophie Gamble (12) said. The team will play Cloverleaf Oct. 15.
“I believe we will win OCC, especially if we keep practicing and improving as we have been. Our team is really strong, on and off the court, this year, which makes a huge difference, so I’m very excited to see what the future will be like,” Elena Wagoner (12) said. Wagoner is thrilled to try and take home a win at the matchup Oct. 13 against Perry.
Blurbs written by Ashton Dunlap, Sierra Dewald, Trent Kuzma and Molly Snyder.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 17
NCAA and NFL plan and enforce COVID-19 guidelines JHON FAJARDO sports editor As October begins, most Ohioans have college football on their minds as the Buckeyes first game is set for Oct. 24 against Nebraska. Already in that football mindset after the Browns win against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 11, fans will be disappointed to hear that spectators will not be allowed into any college football games. With COVID-19 still among us, attempting to keep a balance of social distance and public health has become quite the task when a Big 10 football game attracts
43,000 people, according to “College Football Average Attendance” on statista.com on June 5 by Christina Gough, yet professional teams allow some spectators to attend on a gameto-game, stadium-to-stadium basis. But, should these games be occurring? The NCAA offers an early answer to this question by cancelling the Division III fall season. This decision may have been made too quickly, as other leagues have provided solutions to surpass the pandemic. The NFL has a strenuous testing procedure for COVID-19. The players and coaches get
tested every day, and if the positive rate is below 5%, they only test every other day, according to Judy Battista’s “NFL Training Camp Amid COVID,” published on nfl.com July 27. But, such constant testing is costly. Most insurance policies cover the test for free, but providers charge about $50 to the insurance company, which would be $200 per player on a team for a test every other day. Most colleges cannot test that frequently, but NCAA’s officials will get tested weekly and have to wear masks during football matches, according to David Cobb in the article
“2020 College Football Rule Changes,” published on cbs. com Sept. 2. The NCAA also provides a list of scenarios, as noted in “Will the College Football Season be Sidelined by COVID” by HealthDay reporter Dennis Thompson, published Aug. 18, in which schools would have to terminate their seasons. The scenarios that could terminate a season include: the school’s inability to isolate positive cases or quarantine high-risk cases on campus; insufficient ability to test for COVID; inability to contact trace and prevent outbreaks and a lack of capacity in local hospitals to deal with a surge in
COVID cases. The NFL and NCAA seem to have similar philosophies on attacking COVID-19 on the field, and that is constantly checking its constituents off the field in the hopes that they can keep everyone safe. Colleges, unable to do as stringent testing, have to give up its spectators to reduce risk, while the NFL can have limited spectators on certain occasions. One thing that is certain is that the early season will likely dictate how the rest of the season goes. The football season itself will be a precedent on how other sports will proceed through the pandemic.
NBA Bubble proves successful throughout season ASHTON DUNLAP sports editor It has been more than a month since the NBA announced they would be suspending the 20192020 season, but since then, professional basketball has had a successful resurrection. On June 4, after months of preparation and discussion, the NBA announced that 22 teams would travel to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Orlando. Those teams would play the remainder of the regular season and then transition into the playoffs and eventually crown a champion while undergoing vigorous health mandates and testing. According to a Washington Post article titled “Inside the NBA’s health plan to safely hold games at Disney World bubble,” the NBA released
a comprehensive, 113 page health manual that outlined the various requirements and procedures the players and coaches would be required to follow while in the Disney Bubble before the arrival of the teams in Orlando. Under the protocol, players undergo daily COVID-19 and temperature tests along with other health screening. The players are also expected to wear masks and social distance while not competing in games or practices. Only recently did the league allow players to bring certain visitors, only after those visitors quarantine to maintain a healthy community. The general media are also allowed into the bubble, while still complying to various health and wellness checks. “I’m getting tested every day... I have to have it done in the morning, or I can’t access the games or the practices, they
“I have to have it done in the morning, or I can’t access the games or the practices, they enforce wearing a mask. I can’t have anybody in my room because of social distancing. They’re cleaning up stuff all the time. Where else in America is safer than being here,” Marc Spears said.
enforce wearing a mask. I can’t have anybody in my room because of social distancing. They’re cleaning up stuff all the time. Where else in America is safer than being here,” said Marc Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated. “With any group of people, if left to their own devices, compliance would not be high, but the league has really reinforced and put up checkpoints... The logistics behind it have been amazing,” said the second high-ranking team official involved in player health in a story on ESPN. com article titled “The NBA hasn’t had a positive test in the bubble, but guests are a concern.” Players and coaches alike hailed the bubble as a remarkable achievement. Lebron James, member of the NBA Finals champion Los Angeles Lakers thinks the
bubble was a success. “We had zero positive tests for as long as we were here, 90-some days, 95 days maybe for myself. I had a little calendar I was checking off. But on a serious note, no positive tests. That’s a success for everybody that was involved,” said James. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra viewed the season as a success as well. “This has just been extraordinary, this bubble, this campus, the safety protocols and just the organization of everything. To be able to be a part of something historic like this to continue our season, we feel so honored and grateful that we were able to be a part of this.” The NBA managed to create a successful bubble, allowing a facet of normal life to go on, while much other normalcy has come to a halt.
VIEWS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 18
Polarized Politics:
The Dangers of Failing Bipartisanship in USA Politics
LEO RILEY graphics editor
Bipartisanship is defined by Oxford Languages as an “agreement or cooperation between two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies.” Broadly thought of as the ideal form of democracy, bipartisanship is how the U.S.
government was structured, since its founding, and it is something that the US as a whole has been drifting from throughout the years. In 2016, Business Insider uploaded a 60 second animation illustrating the collapse of cooperation within Congress from 1953 until 2011, and the resulting images were astonishing. Despite starting as an amorphous blob of alternating colors, by the end of the video, the two parties evolve into separate circles connected through a select few dots. The implications of this divorced Congress are shocking, and now, Americans are seeing the many dangerous impacts of this separation.
If our government cannot find common ground, then even their most basic responsibilities will end up unfinished, something that can be illustrated by the government shutdown of 2018-2019. Historically, though, the lack of bipartisanship that we are seeing now has been seen before in the United States. Jeffrey Lantis, COW Professor in the department of political science, said there is a hope for bipartisanship. Looking at the achievability of bipartisanship in the future, Lantis states that “Finding common ground between major political parties in the United States has been possible in the past, and it is certainly achievable in the
future. Surveys show that Americans are deeply divided these days. There has been a sharp rise in ‘negative partisanship,’ with voters more motivated by fear and dislike for the opposite party than by a shared sense of purpose in their own (Abramowitz and Webster 2018). But what can one extrapolate from this? I would prefer to believe that in a volatile political environment, progressive change is possible.” Lantis notes that his area of expertise is, “partisanship and polarization is in relation to US foreign policy.” Elaborating further upon said area of expertise, Lantis explains, “With the breakdown of bipartisan consensus on the principles that the US
government should endorse in foreign policy, we see that presidents seemingly have more power to shape foreign policy. Take nuclear weapons and nonproliferation policies, for example. Where President Obama was able to garner Democratic Party support and Republican Party tacit acceptance for the Iran Nuclear Deal, President Trump lurched back to the right and withdrew the United States from the agreement. Without a bipartisan consensus to challenge, limit, or oppose such moves, the president might perceive a freer hand to take dramatic actions with long-term consequences.” Ultimately, bipartisanship has great potential to make a resurgence and it truly needs to, because without it, Americans will become more divided. So, when voting this November, remember, only with a just and diligent leader can we emerge from the crisis the United States has entered.
Remembering the “Notorious” Justice Ginsburg
MYA VANDERGRIFT graphics manager My sophomore year, I wrote a column about the movie On The Basis of Sex. The film was about the early professional life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Cornell, Harvard and Columbia educated Brooklyn native who led a life full of law, learning and fighting for equality. RBG inspired me, among
many others, to strive for excellence despite all hardships, and to fight for equality whenever possible. So when I heard the news of her death, I felt a great loss. Not only for the cultural inspiration she had become, but for the hope that she represented. To me, her presence on the court was a sense of security. Before her, state-funded schools did not have to admit women. She instigated that women must be able to have a mortgage, a credit card and a bank account in their own name. She made strides toward equal pay for equal work. She was a key vote in granting same-sex marriages. She fought for widowered men to have the same benefits as widows. She was someone who had always been an advocate
for equality in places where decisions were being made. There are so many steps to take through the doors that she has opened. I am scared that these steps will not be taken, and in some cases, those doors will be closed. In light of her death and the chaos our country is facing right now, I would like to share three things I have decided to focus on. One: Educating. I’ve found that most Americans don’t understand the importance of RBG’s presence on the court. The public must be informed about the issues that could be overturned by new justices. Two: Advocating. As much as RBG did for women, a majority of her policies only ended up helping white women. I am striving to listen to those
around me, and learn more about systemic racism and how I can help. Three: Having faith. There are constants in our lives that will stay constant. Whether it’s the love we have for our friends and family, or the hope for change in our country. To anyone else struggling to make sense of this awful year, we will see this through.
Graphic by Sylvie Shaya
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | OCT. 12, 2020 | PAGE 19
WOOSTER
BLADE
Editors-in-Chief Lena Wiebe, Jack Veney Webmasters Rumen Zdravchev, Ashton Dunlap Graphics Manager Mya Vandergriff Business Manager Luke Pomfret, Jack Veney Head Photographer Grace Brownon A & E Editor Leo Riley, Julia Hootman Cover Editors Sophie Gamble, Sierra Dewald Feature Editor Ellie Snider Focus Editor Luke Pomfret On Campus Editor Hannah LoGiudice Sports Editor Ashton Dunlap Trends Editor Paulina Salazar, Jensan Bauman Views Editor Sylve Shaya Staff Writers Jhon Fajardo, Olivia Hiner, Trent Kuzma, Sophia Mera, Lucia Perfetti, Laura Rapport, Sheridan Schauer, Molly Snyder, Brittany Wachtel, Delaney Wilson Artists Sylvie Shaya, Mya Vandergrift Photographers Hannah LoGiudice, Rumen Zdravchev, Ashton Dunlap Graphics Staff Sylvie Shaya 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 Wooster Blade is designated as an open forum and follows publishing guidelines as established by 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 rights 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
OUR VIEW
THE VOICE OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL
THE
Urging neutrality for school officials The Thin Blue Line flag, a grayscale depiction of the American flag with a blue line replacing one of the stripes, is often displayed to signify support for law enforcement. The flag has become increasingly controversial in the current political climate, as some see it as a message of support for law enforcement, while others view its increasing popularity as a direct response to Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality, according to an NPR article by Tovia Smith from July 31. The Thin Blue Line flag that was previously displayed in the WHS main office was voluntarily taken down on Aug. 19 by Student Resource Officer April Teichmer after a complaint. Controversy over the flag’s removal has centered around the ethics of displaying political symbols in public schools, and whether the Thin Blue Line flag is considered political. Mark Goodman, Professor of Scholastic Journalism at Kent State University, explained that the debate over displaying such symbols comes down to if a certain symbol is considered political, as Ohio law states that public school employees cannot
endorse symbols that have been deemed political in the school setting. The Thin Blue Line flag was developed from a phrase coined by 1950s LAPD Police Chief William Parker, referencing what he saw as the role of police as the barrier between order and chaos, according to David Shaw’s 1992 Los Angeles Times article. Officer April Teichmer wrote in an Aug. 19 instagram post addressing the removal of the flag that it has been used for years as, “a way of showing support to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and...showing solidarity to those in the profession.” Yet, the intention behind the creation of a symbol does not always determine its interpretation. Jack Lowe, who studies the history and symbolism of flags, stated in an NPR article by Mary Tyler March published Nov. 4, 2019 that, “people use symbols for their own purposes... it’s just a symbol, and the interpretation of the symbol may change over time.” According to Smith, the Thin Blue Line flag has been adopted by the Blue Lives Matter movement launched in response to the Black Lives Matter call to end police brutality. The article
states that “many believe it connotes opposition to the goals of ending police brutality and systemic racism,” no matter its intended purpose. While The Wooster Blade Editorial Board supports freedom of speech we recognize that there must be certain limitations regarding political speech by school administrators to promote an environment in which all people can feel comfortable learning. Displaying political symbols in a public school building can represent an endorsement of that viewpoint, which has concerning implications for the role of public schools in providing unbiased education. The Thin Blue Line flag, regardless of intention, has become politicized and ambiguous in meaning. The politicization of this symbol means that to some, it could represent hatred and division, which has no place in a school environment. No matter one’s personal opinion on its meaning, the flag should not be displayed by administrators of a public school. School officials ought to strive for neutrality and the creation of an environment where all students feel at ease.
As we enter a new school year, The Wooster Blade staff is facing some unprecedented obstacles. Publishing a student newspaper always presents unique challenges, but changed school schedules, financial obstacles, a pandemic and an increasingly divisive political atmosphere has forced us to reconsider how we can equitably and objectively cover the stories that we want to cover. At the same time, it is our goal to take advantage of this unique moment. As our schools, communities, and ways of life have been so dramatically changed, student journalism and the role of the press is more critical than ever before. As students, we are on the front lines of many of the changes that have most affected our communities, and
as journalists, we will work to foster informed, responsible discussion. It is also our goal to engage with the community around us, both by improving the platform through which we reach them, but also by providing meaningful, fair coverage of the issues we know affect all of us and that inspire passion in our staff, in the student body, and in the community. Wooster is not homogenous, and we welcome input and discussions that help represent us all. Health, financial and organizational concerns have also forced us to rethink how we reach others. Our priority will always be public health, but this approach has presented new challenges as we have been unable to sell advertisements to pay for the production of our paper, and as we
must distribute the paper safely. However, with the help of our community and staff, we strive to both maintain and improve our accessibility by working toward physical distribution of our paper and by improving our online platform. Finally, accountability and transparency are core journalistic values, and we hope to always uphold them. We pledge that we will always be honest about our process, the struggles and the disagreements we have. We may not always come to a consensus, but we will always work toward producing a paper that is an honest reflection of our process. This year is and will be challenging in many ways, but we cannot wait to learn and grow from it together. Happy reading.
Letter from the editors