Inside the March 11, 2022 Issue
p. 2 - Class scheduling methods
p. 5 - WHS teacher female inspiration
p. 8 - Local female features
p. 10 - COW student teacher features
ON CAMPUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 2
Exploring scheduling alternatives ANIKA ELLIS staff writer When people think of high school, the most common similarity is that everyone had the same eight period day with lunch in the middle. What if it did not have to be that way? For students at WHS, this variety in a school day is a definite possibility. With opportunities such as the IB program, early release, and online schedules, students can alter their schedules to fit with their personal and educational needs. The International Baccalaureate program at WHS is an international academy enrolling students in the tri-county area. According to the Wooster City School District webpage, the IB program gives students
access to a college preparatory education that also grants them advantages in the college application and scholarship process . IB Diploma Program Coordinator Victoria Birk works closely with the students in the IB program and, in regard to the way their schedule works during the day, “the IB schedule currently runs from 8:05 a.m. to 1:35 p.m., allowing for six class periods and lunch.” According to the district’s website, students participating in this program have the opportunity to get an advanced learning experience, while also being able to return to their home schools to participate in clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities. Guidance counselor Jamie Gerber works with students in
grades 10 through 12; one part of her job is assisting students with their schedules and selecting courses for the next school year. Unlike in college where she says that “parents are removed from the process,” high schoolers still need their parents present when deciding on how they plan out their day. Privilege periods are offered at the beginning and end of the day, where students, typically juniors and seniors, can either come in a period late or leave a period early as allowed by the school district and their guardians. In WHS, there are several options for how a school day can look. Any questions or concerns about course scheduling can be directed to the Wooster High School website or the guidance counselors.
Scheduling for college prepardness ASHTON DUNLAP co editor-in-chief Several variables are considered when looking at college admissions and the college admissions process. One of these variables is high school class selection and class load. April Gamble, Associate Director & Coordinator of Counselor Initiatives at the College of Wooster says the impact of high school class selection depends on the type of college. “The more selective a college, the more they are looking for rigor and depth. Some colleges will require more than the Ohio high school graduation requirements… Colleges are aware of how much choice a
student has in terms of rigor,” Gamble said. WHS offers a wide selection of class types that allows students to build their schedule around how much rigor they would like to have. College of Wooster Associate Director of Admissions Sarah Ozar says to, “talk with your teachers about where they think you would be successful.” Gamble adds that high school
“TALK WITH YOUR TEACHERS ABOUT WHERE THEY THINK YOU WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL” OZAR SAID.
selection is only one part of the admissions process. She says that often, colleges also look for students who have other passions, hobbies and work experiences outside of school when going through the acceptance process. “Colleges look for students who have things they care deeply about, whether it is academics, sports, arts, volunteer or paid work, or community connections,” Gamble said. Ozar says that students should choose adequately challenging classes, which differs student to student. She also says that communication with counselors is important when scheduling. More information on class scheduling can be found on the guidance section of the WHS website.
Looking toward next school year: WHS students begin scheduling process Scheduling:
Alumni share class advice STELLA POWERS staff writer When reflecting on high school experiences, many WHS graduates have some advice, especially with scheduling underway. Adam Smith (2020 alum) is an Environmental Earth Science and Sustainability major at Miami University. For Smith, AP Lang, AP Environmental Science and AP Chemistry were the classes that best prepared him for college. “AP Enviro was the class that had the biggest impact on me,” shared Smith. “I always knew the environment was a huge concern for me, but this was the class that really drove me to declare my major when I got to college.” Smith also shared that through the many classes he took at WHS, an important lesson he learned was to always say “Yes, and…” Madison Schroer (2021 alum) is a middle school mathematics and social studies major at Bowling Green State University. For Schroer, the classes that best prepared her for college were Chemistry, CCP Composition I and II, and English II. “The class I would
recommend taking the most is CCP Composition I and II,” said Schroer. “For me, I was able to have the credit transfer and did not have to take the freshman writing courses and was able to take other general education classes, as well as major classes right away.” According to Schroer, she learned from WHS that high school goes by super quickly and, “Once a General, Always a General.” Class of 2020 graduate, Audrey Van Lieu, is currently majoring in Equine Assisted Services at Asbury University. According to Van Lieu, she was best prepared for college by taking AP Chemistry, AP Calculus and AP Biology. “The class that had the biggest impact was AP Biology because I learned a lot of information that I have used and will continue to use,” said Van Lieu. “It is also where I first discovered my love for science.” Van Lieu shared that through her experience, she learned that high school friends last a lifetime. With a large variety of courses available at WHS, there are a lot of opportunities for students to learn important life lessons that will aid them in future endeavors.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | MARCH 11, 2022| PAGE 3
Perspectives: Mental Health Resources
Mark Woods, Executive Director at Anazao Community Partners
On Feb. 15, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board published an editorial focusing on the current state of students’ and staff mental health with the hope of analyzing solutions and resources. Board members agreed that the editorial would feel incomplete if answers regarding mental health resources were not acknowledged. Co-Editor-in-Chief, Luke Pomfret did three follow-up interviews to the editorial published on Feb. 15. Students and staff should be assured that the WCSD has resources if an individual should need help. Gabe Tudor, Superintendent of The Wooster City School District Gabe Tudor, Superintendent of the WCSD, says the district has made great strides in providing mental health resources to students and staff. “Our district has been proactive, and our board has been very generous with the mental health supports we have…coming from other districts and seeing where we are, we provide a lot of support and put a lot of money into our mental health supports,” Tudor said. Tudor says that while the district has made significant advancements in their mental health services, more work needs to be done. “I think we’re doing a lot of things well in this area, but because of the significant need [of mental health resources] by no way can we be complacent or can I confidently say that I am content with what we are doing,” Tudor said. Tudor acknowledges that Wooster, as a school district, has gone through many changes and notes the teachers’ frustration
with a lack of consistency. “There’s no question. This past year at Wooster, it’s been more [stressful] because you think of the changes that Wooster has had from a leadership standpoint in the last eight months. Michael Tefs was here for 13 years. That’s a long time as a superintendent and has primarily the same leadership structure of people for a lot of that time. By July 15, 2021, when I was in the position and multiple people resigned, the four highest leadership positions in the district became all open. That is pretty significant and would cause stress for the staff. I feel like we’re moving in a really good direction, and hopefully, they [teachers] are feeling that consistency and steadiness from me,” Tudor said. Change has been a recurring theme throughout the 20212022 academic school year, but there have been students and staff using resources to help better their mental health.
Heidi Haas, Director of Student Services Heidi Haas, Director of Student Services, says roughly how many students and staff utilize the Anazao resources. “Approximately 350-375 students across the district have accessed or been referred to mental health services with Anazao Community Partners. This number continues to grow
weekly, as students, teachers and families see needs that can be met through schoolbased services. We have also had multiple staff members reach out and connect with our providers throughout the year,” Haas said. Haas said the partnership between WCS and Anazao
Scott Miller, president of the WEA and History Dept. Member Scott Miller, president of the WEA and History Dept. member , says the insurance teachers have allows them to see a therapist as frequently as they wish, while additional resources in the high school are new for staff and students. Miller notes that the WCS Board of Education invested in partnering with Anazao. “It certainly is an investment our Board of Education has made over the years, and I think that has had a positive impact on students and if needed, our staff to go to,” Miller said. Miller notes that he does not think teachers will ever have enough training for dealing with mental health issues, but
says it is an ongoing investment that constantly requires gaining information and strategies that can apply to multiple areas in life. “I am proud of the growth we have made in the services that we provide, and it does not happen overnight. It happens over a length of time, but I also hope that’s since we have spent so long on working on it [mental health resources ]. These services do not just vanish overnight either that they continue to be important,” Miller said. In terms of recommendations for the WCSD, Miller notes that having a full-time social worker on staff would be beneficial for students and staff.
“Tudor, Miller and Woods all individually agree that the stigma of mental health is being eradicated in Wooster.” is very important to both the students and the staff. “As a district, it is important to continue to be aware of the mental health needs of our students to ensure that services are set up to meet those needs. The pandemic has contributed to increased numbers of students accessing
mental health care across the country, and the Wooster school community is seeing this as well. We have continued to add services annually to address all of the needs we see with both students and staff , and we are prepared to continue to work hard to be responsive and expand as needed,” Haas said.
Mark Woods, Executive Director at Anazao Community Partners, says that roughly two Anazao staff members are in every building, except the high school. There are four Anazao staff that are not full-time in the schools and also work in the Anazao offices. Woods says that a school setting is offering a unique opportunity for Anazao as their services can be utilized in a variety of ways in the school district instead of a traditional office setting. “The school presents an interesting change to the way we operate… We see students [for] shorter durations than we would on an outpatient level. Typically, we are not getting an hour-long session with a student, but we are able to see them in a greater frequency, for example, more times per week,” Woods said. Woods says if students should need to use Anazao’s resources, to first contact their guidance counselor. Tudor, Miller and Woods all individually agree that the stigma of mental health is being eradicated in Wooster, and notes, as a community, progress of eradicating stigma around mental health is being made. “The culture of [needing mental health] treatment is becoming normalized. It is developing at WCS. WCS is ahead of most other schools. The support that a student in need sees and hears from teachers, bus drivers, principals, guidance counselors, and fellow students is different and is better than what is happening in other schools… Someday, someone or someplace is going to figure out how to put stigma to bed, and I hope Wooster will be able to become that place,” Woods said. If students and staff need to utilize any of the mental health resources provided by the district, they should reach out to a guidance counselor.
FOCUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 4
Analyzing Ohio’s health standards School’s banned books BRITTANY WACHTEL views editor
In a recent article published in The Columbus Dispatch on Feb. 20, written by Haley BeMiller, a bill that would aim to further educate children about sex abuse in Ohio is said to have been stalled. According to the article, the bill presented to the Ohio House would require Ohio school districts to teach sex abuse prevention to students grades kindergarten through sixth grade, and to teach sexual violence prevention to grades seven and up. Currently, this bill is stalled within the Ohio Legislature due to its opposition by eight Republican house members. Section 3313.6011 of the Ohio Revised Code outlines the health education standards set for Ohio districts. As seen in section (C)1A of the code, teachers are to, “stress that students should abstain from sexual activity until after marriage.” All standards outlined through the Ohio Revised Code are abstinence based, and no discussion of birth control is required via educators. Ohio is not the only state that chooses abstinence based education. According to Planned Parenthood as seen
on the sex education portion of their website, 35 out of 50 states in the United States are required to teach abstinence. Among these states, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Louisiana also require students to learn that “abortion kills a living human being.” Government services, like the CDC, have advocated for an increase in what is considered necessary for children to learn in their health classes. The CDC outlines via their website that students should be educated based upon eight standards. These standards range from mental health, substance abuse, and understanding possible reprecussions of sexual activity, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Julie Zimmerer, Health and Physical Education Dept. member, says that topics such as abuse prevention taught in her class can be intense. Zimmerer said she discusses topics ranging from sex abuse to basic nutrition all within one semester course. While Zimmerer said that all students should be taught age appropriate material concerning abuse, due to a lack of requirements from the state of Ohio, she chooses not to discuss contraceptives with her students, saying, “I don’t present material, but will
answer any questions.” Although her small time slot to teach students is taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to educate on contraceptives, she said she also views the topic from the perspective of a parent. “I believe that is a discussion that should happen between kids and parents. I always get kids that don’t want their parents to know [that they are sexually active], and I’m like, then you’re not mature enough.” Zimmerer said. The state of Ohio is set to
“ALL STANDARDS OUTLINED THROUGH THE OHIO REVISED CODE ARE ABSTINENCE BASED” add new health education requirements to the curriculum of schools at the start of July 31, 2023, as reported by Haley BeMiller from The Columbus Dispatch, What that curriculum will include is unknown as of now, but ideally, Ohio will increase the necessary requirements for students.
LUCIA PERFETTI graphics editor The last three months of 2021 saw nearly 400 book ban requests, according to an American Library Association report published last month. Banned Books Week Coalition Coordinator Betsy Gomez remarked, “This is only the tip of the iceberg-most challenges and bans probably don’t even get reported…” Banning books are dangerous, “because…many of the books being removed depict LGBTQ+ and BIPOC people,” Gomez explained, “young people who are among these groups are basically told that their experiences aren’t valuable and they don’t matter.” Ava Kirtley (11) experienced book banning when parents in her Washington school district announced books they wanted removed from the library, “All of which are about race, and or gender or sexuality,” Kirtley said. “It’s masked as protectiveness, but really it’s just insulting our maturity and our ability to choose what we want to read.” Kirtley pointed out. Kirtley wasted no time setting up a GoFundMe page to finance a Banned Books Club. “We envisioned a club of 20
people,” Kirtley said, “and we now have 40 signed up,”adding that the GoFundMe has raised over $3,200 to provide free copies of the contested books for the students. Christine Emeran, Youth Free Expression Program Director for the NCAC speaks to this newfound trend, saying “Usually it’s parents or community members that support bringing back (banned) book(s); this time it’s student led activism.” Ultimately, schools have the ability to decide what to censor, as long as they go through a removal process that ensures motives are not political or personal. The NCAC will get involved, “only in cases where they’re violating First Amendment rights…(and) removing books based on personal viewpoint,” says Emeran, in which case the NCAC acts as “first responders” to help fight against the removals. Although book banning is a threat to learning, it has also increased the level of awareness surrounding some topics. “The more angered they are by the books and the harder they try to get them out of schools, the more we start hearing about them, and the more we want to read them,” Kirtley declared.
COVER JENNIFER WRIGHT language arts dept. member
Upon reflection of what Women’s History Month means to me as a professional female, I have come to the conclusion that there was not a single female who motivated me to become an educator, but it was so many different women who exhibited an array of admirable characteristics I wanted to emulate or possess. Through relationships with coaches, teachers, and family members, I have witnessed the steadfast conviction of always holding oneself to the highest of standards; the significance and importance of surrounding
JILL COPPOLA language arts dept. member
The question asks for professional mentors, but I am struggling to answer that. My ultimate mentor – and pillar of strength – is my mom. However, when I try to conceive of other role models, my mind does not automatically go to “professional” women. Instead, I have been most influenced by strong women rather than “professional” women. I heard an interview with a Ukrainian
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 5 yourself by those who enhance your life, the resolve to finish what you start, and the necessity of providing a voice for those who may not have one. As an educator and as a female, I understand the significance of my role in society, especially with those I teach or coach. The most important standard I hold for myself is to be a woman of character. What and who I value matters, how I act and react matters, how I exhibit my convictions matters, how I care and love matters, and what I dedicate my time to matters. Through these elements of my moral compass, I hope to encourage my female students and athletes to be women of character. When we make decisions based on this foundation, we represent the value of women to a standard worth respecting and appreciating. refugee this morning who said it best. She said that the Russian attack on Ukraine has shown who is the strongest, and that is not Russia, but the mothers who are fighting to save their children. Strong, intelligent, resourceful, resilient women who never give up are those I see as role models. I do not consciously think about being a mentor or role model. I try do my job to the best of my ability and hope students see a person worth emulating. I hope they understand that knowledge is power. I hope they learn to explore their passions and speak their truth. I hope they learn that there is no shame in making mistakes, and when a plan goes awry, they should not be deterred. I hope they strive to truly know themselves, and never underestimate their worth.
KATHERINE PUTKA
possibilities available to women. Raising children, working full visual arts dept. member time, pursuing multiple degrees, single and married, and all the combinations therein; women in my life taught me that I really could be anything even if equality in the workforce was not represented in society. In college, my women mentors came from everywhere and I realized the importance of emphasizing those people in our lives. Seeing women achieving It is weird to think of women things I wanted gave me the mentors or role models I had drive to be like them. With these experiences came growing up. I never really the desire to make a difference thought of them that way. But, I definitely know that the and make sure I was open and women who surrounded me honest. I am far from perfect, but I demonstrated the wide range of want to share how I got where I am today. I cannot reveal all my mysteries, but I would love to use what I have Five female teachers write about their learned to help you think about mentors and what inspires them to how many teach the next generation. paths there are Photos by Ashton Dunlap, Mattie open to you, Dunlap and courtesy of WHS website regardless of where you are now.
Women Who Inspire:
MIRIAM STOKES spanish dept. member
Throughout my life, there have been people that I have looked up to and admired. These people have been wonderful role models for me, both personally and professionally. The one person that has been such an influence in my life was my mother. My mother was a Registered Nurse here in Wooster for many
years. She also raised three children and was able to juggle her job as a nurse and her job as a mother. Because of my mother, I learned that women can have both a career and family life. She encouraged me to have both. Personally, my mom always valued such characteristics as kindness, compassion, honesty and patience. My hope is that I can teach these characteristics to all the kids I have throughout the years here at WHS. I believe I can be a good role model for others because of the strong role models that I had in my life, like my mom. I am very thankful for her guidance and support.
DENISE BRODA spanish dept. member
My professional mentors were my grandmothers. My maternal grandmother was an office worker, and I have memories of her dressed for work in a suit, pumps, and panty hose (ugh!), always looking polished and well-groomed. Her professional life gave her a sense of personal fulfillment, and she became more of the family’s breadwinner than my grandfather. My paternal grandmother graduated from the conservatory and earned her master’s degree in child psychology from Oberlin College. She owned and operated the first nursery school in Wooster and perhaps in Ohio, at least that’s what our oral history says. Later, she mentored a woman named Clare Adel Schreiber who became director of the College of Wooster’s nursery school. Both grandmas had strong networks with other women, and they balanced work and family (five and four children, respectively) before either was “a thing.” I learned the practice of a work ethic, the value of education and learning, the importance of helping others, a sense of humbleness, the willingness to take risks and break barriers, and a passion for music (my students will get this) from those ladies, and being a role model to female students means modeling the same behaviors and attitudes. I want them to be fearless.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 6
Disparities exist in recognition of feminism
MOLLY SNYDER feature editor “Feminism,” according to Oxford Dictionary, is defined as, “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.” Because of great policy strides within the last century, many believe that feminism is unnecessary in first world countries like the United States and many Western European nations. However, feminism is still needed in the most developed of countries because gender inequality goes beyond the ballot box and the workplace. Amber Garcia, a professor of psychology and women and gender studies at the College of Wooster, says, “... there are still many areas, including law, government, corporate management, and certain academic and professional fields where women are severely underrepresented.”
Graphic by Lucia Perfetti
Although developing countries can have more oppressive issues, first world nations are not exempt from gender based discrimination. France has progressively restricted Muslim’s religious freedom since 2011. First, legislation banned Muslim women from wearing a niqab, a covering that covers the entire face other than the eyes, in 2020 Muslim women under 18 were banned from wearing the hijab, a covering for the hair and neck, according to a Times article written by Cady Lang on May 19, 2021. There are still incredible societal disparities between sexes. Being passionate was automatically aggressive, being told our bodies were too tempting for boys to control themselves in middle school, and even things as little as benign talked down to by male peers has shaped my perception of feminism and has solidified my beliefs in societal equality. It should also be noted that the race, ethnicity, sexuality, socioeconomic status and gender expression of women heavily impact how they are treated by society. In order to advocate for subgroups, intersectional feminism should be the starting point for first world feminism.
PHOTO FAIR USE COURTESY OF OLYMPICS OFFICIAL SITE
Pictured above is Eileen Gu, skier for team China in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Gu was the first free skier on the podium to win three events, as a female. Below, Maya Galindo Benson discusses how the media is male dominated in its coverage. She highlights athletics, and how there are inequalities in the coverage for female athletes. Galindo Benson also discusses how the Olympics have improved their media coverage.
Coverage of women in the media MAYA GALINDO BENSON staff writer With the conclusion of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and with the addition of new women-only events, as well as an increase in women’s media coverage, the importance of women having equal media coverage, especially in sports, has become apparent. In the past, women have been subjected to inequalities in media coverage, especially in sports. However, this issue has been brought to the forefront in more recent years, and people are stepping up to fight against it. It has been less probable to see women than to see men in the media, and this is due to a lack of coverage. As told by Aneeta Rattan on June 6, 2019, in the Harvard Business Review, “Women only
appear in a quarter of television, radio, and print news.” Globally, women have fewer career opportunities in the media and are, therefore, not featured as experts in news stories as often as men. Coverage is not only affecting women who are part of media reporting, but has also become a complication for women who are professional athletes. According to research done by Cheryl Cooky and published in 2021 by Purdue University, “... coverage of women athletes on televised news and highlight shows, including ESPN’s SportsCenter, totaled only 5.4% of all airtime.” These statistics show a major inequality in terms of coverage, as women athletes are fully invested in their sports, but unfortunately, are shown less in the media as compared to men. However, media coverage has advanced in leaps and bounds
over the past few years as exemplified by women at an international level, with women getting more coverage than men in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic games. Emily Adams from USA Today reported on Aug. 12, 2021, “They [female athletes in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics] also set a record on television screens, taking up 59.1% of NBC’s primetime coverage of the Games.”). The 2021 Tokyo Olympic games held many milestones for female athletes, not only in sports, but also in media coverage. There has been a lot of progress made toward the empowerment of women and the goal of having equal coverage for both women and men in the media, however there is still a lot to be done in terms of having equality for women in media, and therefore this goal is yet to be reached. Women continue to fight.
ARTS
WHS observes music in schools month SHERIDAN SCHAUER focus editor
March is the national “music in our schools” month that first started back in 1973. Winter Guard International states that music in our school’s month started in New York, leading this year to be the 49th anniversary of the national celebration of music in our school’s month. WHS band director Craig French states that music education is important because, “When you perform, it’s one of the few activities that engages your kinesthetic domain, your cognitive domain, and your affective domain.” French says that performing music is one of the only activities that requires you to
use all three of the domains at once. When relative to the effects of music on a person’s education and the way that they learn, choral director Elyse Mason states that music provides an opportunity for collaboration that students may not learn elsewhere. “It is proven that music improves social skills, teaches students how to work together as a group and students that are involved in music score better on standardized tests,” Mason said. Mason also notes that WHS offers more opportunities in the music program than other schools, as there are opportunities for student participation in programs like Jazz Band, Symphonic Band and choir.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 7 Graphic by Grace Brownson
French says that when thinking about how important music in our school’s month is, to, “Think about a day without music: no music in your car, nothing on your headphones, nothing in the movies, nothing in the elevator, nothing in the store, no music anywhere, and imagine what our life would be without it.” Jhon Fajardo (12), who plays in both Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, says that music is important to him because, “Music is a way to express myself, and it’s also really enjoyable to make music. It’s also part of my culture and my personality.” Music in our schools month is a tradition to bring awareness to the importance of music education and the effects it has on students’ education.
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THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 8
Females in cinema demonstrate courage and activism MOLLY BYRNE staff writer During Women’s History Month, it is important to give recognition to films that showcase trailblazing women in many different fields and
their stories. These films were featured in “12 movies to watch for Women’s History Month” written by Rasha Ali on March 24, 2021, in USA Today. Two big movies that discuss journeys made by Black women in both STEM and music, specifically blues, are Ma
Rainey’s Black Bottoms and Hidden Figures. An example from our generation of a film that showcases the courageousness of a female in the music industry is Miss Americana because this film shows the story of pop star Taylor Swift
and her struggle with rights to her own music. Another film from our generation is I am Greta which discusses Greta Thunberg’s advancements in global activisim and showcases her honorable speech at the U.N. Climate Action Summit.
Various female authors provide unique perspectives BAILEY MESSNER staff writer Female authors pose a unique perspective that can not be found through the eyes of anyone else. Local authors can have an even greater impact on their readers because of their experiences.
Ashley Aya Ferguson has written two picture books. Ferguson says her first book, Girl, You Are Magic! was originally written for her daughter. She says that “She was dealing with bullying at school and I wanted to remind her that she needed to know who she was before she let anybody tell her who she was.” Marcy Campbell grew up with
minimal access to books, but she was always drawn to them. She has created two picture books, a middle grade book, and has more in the process. Campbell commented that “Each book is different, but a recurring theme in my books is kindness and empathy.” Marlane Kennedy started writing in her twenties but was unable to obtain a publisher
until her forties. She had to undergo numerous rejections, but she did not view those scripts as failures. She added that “With each manuscript I wrote, I learned more and more about how to become a better writer.” She considers them her practice novels that helped her make her way to being published.
Female-lead nonprofit OneEighty supports community MOLLY BYRNE staff writer Supporting women should be an all year round effort, but recognizing women should be especially noted during Women’s History month. Showing support to local organizations that support women in need is one way
that people can start the conversation of how to support women’s organizations globally. Wooster is the central office of One-Eighty, which is one of these organizations. One-Eighty is a nonprofit that supports both men and women that are recovering from substance abuse and gives opportunities and safety
to women that are victims of sexual assault. Christy VanSickle, Community Relations and Marketing Manager, and Bobbi Douglas, Executive Director, in a joint statement said, “In 2016, we rebranded to promote our continuum of care and highlight the various programs we offered. Before being known
Wooster female-lead businesses inspire female youth BAILEY MESSNER staff writer People honor Women’s History Month in a variety of ways, and one of these ways is through supporting local female owned businesses. Undergrounds Cafe was purchased by Barbara Biro,
but she knew the previous cafe decor did not fit her personality. “So I had to shape and reshape it, which is ongoing as I am also an attorney working currently as an assistant prosecuting attorney. All the makeover happened with no closure of the Café’s doors,” Biro said. Rhiannon O’Hearn is the owner of Rhimix Salon. O’Hearn is a determined
mother, as well as a determined artist; which was why she created her salon. “I soon realized that not only did I love creating beauty, but I had a passion for people and making them feel renewed, beautiful and better about themselves,” O’Hearn said. Jodi’s Closet and Ana’s Alterations is a thrift store and tailor. Jodi Harris was
not originally looking for a business, but chose it because she wanted a challenge. Harris states that she has learned, “To trust my own instincts, and not be afraid to do things differently than others.” Harris hopes that by showcasing female-owned businesses, it will give girls the confidence to pursue their own business.
as One-Eighty, we were Every Woman’s House and STEPS. Our history as Every Woman’s House encompasses the essence of Women’s History Month and also our continued support for women.” This local organization is able to provide an outlet for women in our Wooster community that should not go unrecognized.
FEATURE
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 9
Paying homage to inspiring women ESports addresses equality OLIVIA HINER AND LEXXE PARSONS cover and a&e editor
On March 1, Luke Pomfret (12), co-editor in chief of The Wooster Blade and Olivia Hiner (11), cover editor, gathered together for a roundtable discussion centered on the topic of Women’s History Month and the roles that women have played in their lives. The conversation included Tricia Nussbaum (visual arts teacher), Marlene Boyer (family and consumer science teacher), Victoria Birk (IB Diploma Program Coordinator) and Christina Kostohryz (English teacher). English Dept. members Chelsea Porter and Jennifer Wright contributed to the discussion through email. To begin the discussion, we started by asking the question: “Are there former female teachers who have inspired you?” Nussbaum: “I am an art teacher because of my art teacher, she was my art teacher from 7th-12th grade in Dalton. She’s one of my favorite human beings on this planet.” Porter: “I am a teacher because of two phenomenal female teachers I had in high school. They were the embodiment of empathy, but they also modeled how to stand tall and strong as
a woman. They encouraged me to explore the world around me, to form opinions about issues that matter, and that women supporting women can be an unstoppable force.” “Have you ever had any female students who have inspired you?” Boyer: “students that engage with the content, who treat people with respect, and students who take the content and run with it.” Wright: “Absolutely. The female student who comes into my class without a voice and by the end of the year is confident enough to share hers... The female student who challenges the status quo and allows herself to just be, without conforming to the ideologies or expectations placed upon her... The female student who straightens the crowns of other females instead of pointing out to the world that the crown was crooked.” “What does Women’s History Month mean to you?” Boyer: “It brings to light the struggle women have had.” Birk: “It’s really cool to hold all of these people up so that.. Why does it have to be a month? Why can’t every day be Black history day or women’s history day?” “Do you think as a community, we do enough to support women?” Wright: “...we don’t recognize
the everyday woman. The everyday woman who has to overcome significant challenges to put food on the table for her children... the everyday woman who puts her family first and doesn’t know who she is anymore... the everyday woman who has to continually be mansplained to as she works in a male-dominated profession; the everyday woman who sees herself in the mirror and hates what she sees because societal norms define beauty other than what she think she has. These are the women who should be recognized.” Kostohryz: “There are still stereotypes. I was a stay at home mom for 12 years. I had a master’s degree as a stay at home mom. People were like ‘Oh, do you think you’ve wasted your education?’ I didn’t waste it. You can’t take it away from me. I’ve already earned it.” After this discussion, Alexandra Parsons (12), A&E editor, joined the conversation and we spoke about what Women’s History Month has meant to us. In the past, women have fought and struggled to be viewed as equals to men. Talking with these teachers and hearing what they have to say was so inspiring and really made us think about how important this month is.
JHON FAJARDO sports editor
The Wooster ESports team has officially started their season with matches all throughout this past week. According to TheConversation.com in an article from March of last year, ESports at the collegiate level nationally observe 91.8% of the players as male, and 8.2% as female. This is approximate to the demographics of the Wooster ESports team. There are currently two female participants and one female coach out of 57 total participants. Charlotte Garens, Overwatch coach, observes the team as male-dominated, with a few exceptions. “Our current competitive teams are entirely male dominated with the exception of our Overwatch team... We would love to see a more diverse team roster in the future,” Garens said. Garens also explains the team also runs as a club, meaning anyone is welcome to play after school for fun. However, Garens acknowledges that in the gaming community, females are not as welcome. “The toxicity toward women in gaming is rampant. It’s nearly impossible to play a game that isn’t directly marketed toward girls
and not see blatant sexism and misogyny,” Garens said. Brian Ehrlinspiel, History Dept. member, is the coach of the ESports team. Ehrlinspiel explains that ESports is a coed team. “Esports is unique in that we have coed teams, and students from 8th to 12th grades are competing together,” Ehrlinspiel said. Lucy Garens (9) plays Super Smash Bros. and Overwatch for the team. “I’m happy to see that Wooster finally has an Esports team and I’m glad to be a part of its first year,” Garens said. The Wooster ESports team is in their first spring season as a part of Ohio Esports. Ehrlinspiel explains how competition works in the league. “With Esports Ohio... schools can field both JV and Varsity teams in each of the eight games that we compete in. Each team plays the same day a week versus another Ohio high school,” Ehrlinspiel said. Coach Garens encourages girls to join. “Whether you are already passionate about gaming or just interested in learning how to play... There’s always room for girls at WHS Esports Club. Help us pave the way for future female gamers,” said Garens. The club runs Monday through Thursday after school in room 164.
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THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 10
College of Wooster students gain invaluable experience at WHS For the year 2021-2022, five College of Wooster seniors are student teaching at WHS. College students, who are earning their teaching degree in Ohio, are required to complete a minimum of a 12-week student teaching experience in their area of licensure in order to complete the program and receive their teaching license. The COW currently has nine student teachers in WCS, five of whom are at WHS. The student teachers began their training at WHS on Feb. 7 and will be done on May 13. Blurbs collected by Mattie Dunlap. Photos by Mattie Dunlap and Ashton Dunlap.
Joseph Zagales is studying to become a History teacher. Zagales says he loves the kids at WHS and loves teaching them and helping them out. Zagales also plays football for the COW and is very fond of sports. “I love football. So usually, what I’m doing is watching football, watching film, watching some football documentary… and I’ll watch basketball and baseball too,” Zagales said. Zagales is from Miami, Fla. and hopes to return there to teach once he graduates from COW.
Abbi Tarburton is studying to become a chemistry teacher. Tarburton says she really likes chemistry because she can use it to explain the world around her. She also says she enjoys the ability to be curious about science. Tarburton’s advice for graduating seniors is that it is okay to not know what you want to do or where you want to be. “It’s not going to be linear, but you’re going to get to where you need to be,” Tarburton said. Tarburton plans to attend a graduate school after she leaves the COW.
Sarah Neuville is from Lancaster, Pa. and is studying to become a biology teacher. She says she has always known she has wanted to be a teacher and loves the school spirit and environment at WHS . Neuville mentions that she has lots of other hobbies outside of biology. “I love to scuba dive and I’m really into sharks…I also have a miniature dachshund whose name is Moose,” Neuville said. Neuville will be moving to Sweden in the fall for a teaching job and plans to stay there for at least two years.
Libby Malone is studying to become a French teacher. Malone said she hopes to eventually end up teaching at the same school she attended as a student in Buffalo, NY. Malone shares that she has enjoyed her time at WHS because of the students she teaches. “They [the students] seem to show a lot of interest in me and want to tell me stories about their weekend… I’ve really enjoyed their willingness to kind of get to know me,” Malone said. Malone loves Starbucks, Gilmore Girls, knitting and going on walks.
Jackson Stuff, a native of northeast Ohio who hopes to stay in Ohio to teach, is studying to become a history teacher. Stuff illustrates that he has always loved history and he really enjoys being able to teach others about history as well. “When I work with the students and I see them actually think about history, there’s nothing better… I love watching [students] learn and grow with the content… even when it’s tough and challenging, it’s still enjoyable,” Stuff said. Stuff says outside of history, he loves video games, anime, cartoons, Marvel and Star Wars.
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THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 11
Student athlete spotlight
Women’s collegiate Emma Chelf finishes successful season basketball tournament shifts to March Madness THEO OLLIER sports editor For this issue, the sports page editors wanted to recognize a student athlete in a winter sport whose season has recently ended and deserves recognition for their accomplishments. The WHS swim team recently finished their season at the OHSAA state meet on Feb. 26, and coach Chris Matthew was asked who she would nominate for a student spotlight. Matthew named swimmer Emma Chelf (12) as the student athlete most deserving of recognition, citing her academic achievements and work ethic. “She is in the very rigorous IB program and has maintained a 4.0 [grade point average]
both years in this program. She is a four year varsity letter winner who has never missed a practice due to an academic responsibility and she’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached in my 28 years,” Matthew said. Chelf noted that swimming competitively for four years in high school has helped her push harder in academics and develop into a stronger person. “Throughout my high school career, I was able to develop the motivation needed for swimming and I think that I was able to transfer the same drive and motivation to my academics, making me a more determined and motivated student... Swimming has also allowed me to become a stronger individual, as well as
GRACE BROWNSON
Emma Chelf most commonly competed in the 200 meter individual medley and the 500 meter freestyle races.
“...SHE’S ONE OF THE HARDEST WORKERS IVE EVER COACHED IN MY 28 YEARS,” MATTHEW SAID.
someone who can cooperate and work well with others,” Chelf said. According to Matthew, Chelf has garnered various swimming accolades throughout her high school career, in addition to having academic success. “[Chelf won] numerous NEAC and OCC league honors, was a three year OHSAA district qualifier and was on a state qualifying 200 meter free relay this year,” Matthew said. Reflecting on her career, Chelf stated that the most memorable part of her high school career was being able to compete with her sisters in a relay at the state meet this year. “It is definitely hard to pick a favorite memory from my time with WHS swimming. However, I don’t think that anything could beat the feeling or the privilege of competing at the state meet alongside my sisters and Olivia [Frantz, 12] for my last race, it was surreal,” Chelf said. After high school, Chelf looks forward to swimming for a club team in college. Chelf is planning on attending Ohio University for the fall session of 2022.
NORA LEVY staff writer In 2022 the college Women’s Basketball Tournament became equal to the men’s tournament in name. For the first time ever, the women’s tournament will be called March Madness, a name that has been reserved for the men’s tournament in years past. The use of March Madness will increase visibility for female athletes by using the branding power that has been reserved for male athletes. By using the March Madness branding power, young female athletes can see individuals that represent who they are, and who they want to become. On Sept. 29 of 2021, USA Today reported that the NCAA would be, “following one of the recommendations issued by a law firm tasked with investigating gender disparities among the governing body’s championship events.” The law firm identified many disparities between the women’s and men’s tournaments. The investigation was spurred by inequities identified during the 2021 NCAA collegiate basketball tournaments. Sports Illustrated identified the inequities in food, equipment and gear as reasons for the independent investigations on Sept. 29 of 2021. A cause of disparity was emphasized by the New York Times on Sept. 29 of 2021, as NCAA officials focused, “heavily on how the men’s tournament would rebound, to the detriment of the women’s
tournament.” March is recognized as Women’s History Month and is also the start to the March Madness tournaments, increasing the visibility of women’s sports throughout the country. For many young girls, watching female athletes on television gives them the opportunity to see all of the possibilities for their future. Parents and educators also recognize the impacts of increased visibility of women’s sports. Christina Kostohryz, English Dept. member and parent of a female athlete, expresses support in the increasing coverage for women’s sports, “Just because athletics started off with male competitors doesn’t make them more important. Women and girls have come a long way and are fiercely competitive and should be represented equally,” Kostohryz said. Kostohryz also emphasized that visibility is very important in allowing young girls to realize their dreams are possible. “Female college athletes were once little girls with the same dreams and seeing those dreams come true is powerful motivation,” Kostohryz said. As a parent, Kostohryz said recognizing female athlete’s accomplishments emphasizes that “the work put in offers the same opportunities that men get.” The NCAA women’s basketball tournament had its inaugural year in 1982, 40 years later, more branding power and visibility is available to the women’s tournament to grow the women’s game.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS II | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 12
Flores’ lawsuit brings NFL Head to Head: students take sides on hiring practices to light Olympic ice skater’s use of PED’s ASHTON DUNLAP co-editor-in-chief On Feb. 1, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a monumental lawsuit against the NFL and three NFL teams that accuses the league and teams of racial discrimination in their hiring practices. Flores’ lawsuit surrounds a 2003 NFL guideline, known as The Rooney Rule, that according to the NFL Football Operation website, “aims to increase the number of minorities hired in head coach, general manager, and executive positions.” The rule requires teams to interview diverse candidates for GM and coaching positions. Among other things, Flores’ lawsuit alleges that The New York Giants considered him for their head coaching job only to comply with The Rooney Rule. The lawsuit claims Flores was, “deceptively led to believe he actually had a chance at this [The Giants Head Coaching] job.” The lawsuit alleges that after Flores’ interview with the Giants, New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick texted him, congratulating him for getting the job. Belichick later texted that the messages were supposed to go to Brian Daboll, who is white. According to the lawsuit, these messages suggest that the Giants were only interviewing Flores’ to satisfy the Rooney Rule and had no intent to hire Flores. The lawsuit lists several more instances where Flores
was given a “sham interview” only to comply with The Rooney Rule. Overall, the lawsuit represents a larger effort to analyze the NFL’s diversity and inclusions and to try to improve it in the future. The lawsuit brings up several of the NFL’s problems regarding race in the past. Namely, it mentions Colin Kapernick’s inability to get a quarterback job, and the league’s complacency and unfairness in hiring after this incident. The lawsuit also addresses the recent hiring and firing of John Gruden by the Las Vegas Raiders. Gruden resigned after report of emails that contained racist, misogynistic and antigay language. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says that he and the league will take the accusations very seriously. “We’ll obviously do an investigation. We’ve said that from Day 1, that we will look into this and do an investigation. We need to understand what really, truly happened in those circumstances, and treat that in the best and most serious way we can to make sure we preserve the type of culture we want in the NFL,” Goodell said in a February news conference. According to The Athletic, the Miami Dolphins recently asked the NFL to move Flores’ lawsuit to arbitration, which is the same thing the league did with the lawsuit surrounding Gruden. Moving Flores’ lawsuit to arbitration would eliminate the transparency of the lawsuit’s court proceedings and the lawsuit would then be evaluated behind closed doors.
Athletes should take responsibility for their actions
BEN STAVNEZER staff writer On Feb. 13, during the 2022 Winter Olympics, the Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva, tested positive for three medications used to treat
heart conditions in a drug test, which should have led to her disqualification from the Olympics. Valieva tested positive for Trimetazidine, which is a heart medication typically used to treat the symptoms of vertigo. However, when the medicine is taken without a cause to treat, the drug can help bolster endurance and improve circulation. Both effects could give a large competitive advantage to any professional athlete. Valieva’s actions also led the Olympic Committee to not hold medal ceremonies for any event in which she medals
or has already medaled, which unfairly robs the other medalists of their special moment on the podium that they competed for. The precedent this issue sets for future Olympics is massive. Russia has historically received light punishments when they break the rules, but this may lead other countries to follow in their lead and test the boundaries of the rules. The athletes and coaches who compete in the Olympics need to be held responsible for their actions and follow the guidelines and bear the consequences when they do not.
Athlete’s safety should be taken into consideration
BRITTANY WACHTEL views editor The Olympics are home to sports, competitors, and most recently, drama. Olympic figure skater Kamila Valieva was reported by CNN’s Hannah Richie to be using doping drugs that are meant to
enhance her performance. Upon the positive drug test being released to the public, controversy arose surrounding the future of Valieva’s Olympic career. Many believe that Valieva should not be able to compete, as well as forfeit her gold medal. While many are placing blame on her positive test, I believe that such test results are a product of child abuse and manipulation. Valieva is just 15-years-old, leading all judgemental eyes to her coach, Eteri Tutberidze. Although Valieva has just now been found positive for doping drugs, no one knows how long the use of such drugs have been forced onto Valieva. When a child is consistently
around a mentor who is aiming to better her athletic performance, that child has no reason to believe that said mentor would harm them. Through the administration of drugs into Valieva’s system, a blatant disregard for the safety of young athletes is demonstrated. Valieva was most likely pressured into allowing the use of such drugs and punishment for the actions of others should not fall onto her. Instead of placing the focus on medal winning and the success of other athletes, empathy for Valieva’s situation needs to be the highlight of conversations happening on social media and amongst the Olympic committee.
VIEWS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 13
Kanye West’s mental health struggles shed light on current celebrity culture
DELANEY WILSON on-campus editor Over the past several weeks, musician Kanye West has been posting on Instagram about his divorce from Kim Kardashian, her new boyfriend Pete Davidson and the release of West’s latest album Donda 2. While fans of West were not
initially surprised by West’s sporadic posting, more casual fans and social media users have been regularly checking West’s Instagram for updates. While some of West’s posts and actions have been entertaining, such as West holding up a notepad stating that his account had not been hacked, West’s actions have crossed over into concerning behavior and have begun to border on harassment. West’s posts about Kardashian have been constant, with West stating that he will not let anyone stand in between him and his family and repeatedly stating that he wants his family back. West’s posts have also targeted Davidson, who began dating Kardashian earlier in the year. While West photoshopping
people such as Davidson and Kardashian, and musicians Future, Kid Cudi and Ariana Grande into the movie poster for Captain America: Civil War, or West only referring to Davidson as “Skete” have
WEST’S ACTIONS HAVE CROSSED OVER INTO CONCERNING BEHAVIOR AND HAVE BEGUN TO BORDER ON HARASSMENT. been considered as comical from fans, West went as far as to threaten Davidson on his 2022 single “Eazy” when West states: “God saved me from that crash, just so I can beat
Pete Davidson’s a**.” While this lyric may be a vague threat used in a song, it shows that West has transitioned from the person who seemed to be accepting his divorce from Kardashian during his rollout of his 2021 album Donda, to someone who is going to extreme and disturbing lengths in an attempt to get Kardashian back. These actions by West will undoubtedly impact his relationships with his family, notably, the four children he has with Kardashian. While their children are all relatively young, having their father, who has publicly battled mental illness, continuously take unwanted actions to try to woo Kardashian will only exacerbate any effects the children will feel from growing up in the spotlight, and the trials that comes from a parent who has stated he suffers from bipolar disorder. Fans should not encourage behavior that could
The Passion Play transitions to the 21st century
LAURA RAPPORT arts editor The Passion Play has often been called “the greatest story ever told” and the story of Jesus of Nazareth has captured audiences for centuries. However, in more recent times, the Passion Play has been frequently criticized by Jewish people, and some Christians,
for its portrayal of Jewish people. In the play, Jewish characters are often portrayed as evil people, clamoring for the death of the innocent Jesus. The most popular version of the Passion Play is performed every year ending with zero in the German town of Oberammergau. The Passion Play has been performed in Oberammergau since 1634, and will be performed this year (the 2020 production was delayed) and in 2034, according to their website. After the 1990, 2000 and 2010 productions came under fire for its portrayal of its Jewish characters, Christian Stückl, the director of the play teamed up with the Anti-Defamation League, or ADL, to revise the script in order to portray the show’s Jewish characters
more like people and less like antisemitic charicatures. Rabbi David Sandmel, director of Interreligious Engagement at ADL said, “In March 2019, Stückl and Frederik Mayet, who handles public relations for the play… came to the United States to meet with a committee of scholars… We spent a full day together going through the script, highlighting problems in the text as well as in the staging and the costumes. Stückl and Mayet listened intently, asked insightful and probing questions and took prodigious notes. The committee subsequently produced a detailed report outlining our recommendations, which we sent to Stückl.” The 2022 production will include the changes to the script, costumes and staging.
The Passion Play has been adapted into movies, T.V. shows, and musicals many times. Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell, which the WHS Drama Club performed in 2015. Much like the Passion Play, both shows have garnered criticism of using antisemitic tropes. As an avid theater fan, I have seen both Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell. However, as a person of Jewish descent, I have often felt uncomfortable when seeing performers play antisemitic caricature I remember watching a scene in Godspell where the Jewish high priests were portrayed as greedy and conniving, and thinking, “That’s not okay, Jewish people
be disastrous for those in his personal life. This situation also provides a learning opportunity for mental health, and that even celebrities struggle with the same issues as regular people, and that supporting, not antagonizing those struggling is the best thing for everyone involved.
Image courtesy of fair use @ kanyewest on Twitter aren’t like that.” Similarly, I have seen the Jewish character of King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar portrayed as bumbling and idiotic, again making me quite uncomfortable. However, not all productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell feature antisemitic themes. The 50th anniversary of Jesus Christ Superstar, which played at Playhouse Square in Cleveland Feb. 2 through Feb. 20, featured new staging and costumes by Tom Scutt. The production, which stars Aaron LaVigne as Jesus, Omar LopezCepero as Judas, and Jenna Rubaii as Mary Magdalene, portrays the passion of Christ as a story that everyone can enjoy. The Passion Play has come a long way since its origins in the middle ages, while there are still some traces of antisemitism, the Passion Play has grown and improved and will continue to do so.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | MARCH 11, 2022 | PAGE 14
THE
Eating Disorder Awareness week prompts discussion
THE VOICE OF WOOSTER HIGH SCHOOL
WOOSTER
BLADE
Editors-in-Chief Ashton Dunlap, Luke Pomfret Webmaster Ashton Dunlap Graphics Manager Grace Brownson Business Manager Delaney Wilson Head Photographer Grace Brownson A & E Editor Lexxe Parsons, Laura Rapport Cover Editor Lucia Perfetti Feature Editor Molly Snyder, Grace Brownson Focus Editor Sheridan Schauer, On Campus Editor Hannah LoGiudice, Delaney Wilson Sports Editor Theo Ollier, Jhon Fajardo Trends Editor Olivia Hiner Views Editor Brittany Wachtel Staff Writers Mattie Dunlap, Molly Byrne, Chloe Frichtl, Ben Stavnezer, Nora Levy, Sophia Mera, Stella Powers, Grace Kostohryz, Anika Ellis, Maya Galindo-Benson, Bailey Messner Photographers Grace Brownson, Hannah LoGiudice, Ashton Dunlap, Ben Stavnezer, Brittany Wachtel, Nora Levy, Delaney Wilson, Sheridan Schauer, Molly Snyder, Maya Galindo-Benson, Molly Byrne 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. Letters and inquiries should be addressed to The Wooster Blade, 515 Oldman Road Wooster, Ohio 44691. The Wooster Blade can be contacted at 330-3454000 ext. 3210. The newspaper can also be found at thewoosterblade.com
OUR VIEW
The week of Feb. 21 was National Eating Disorder Awareness week, which aims to educate people about eating disorders and provide resources through the National Eating Disorders Association, a nonprofit organization. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes that education and awareness about eating disorders is incredibly important, especially at the high school level, so we wanted to take some time to begin a discussion concerning the importance of this awareness. According to a study conducted by the Recovery Village in 2021, 95% of people with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25, and 11% of high school students suffer from an eating disorder. An eating disorder is categorized by abnormal eating patterns that are rooted in psychological issues. The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorders, but there are a litany of lesser known eating disorders. All information about eating disorders has been sourced from DSM5, the diagnostic manual from the American Psychological Association that categorizes and lists symptoms for mental disorders. Anorexia nervosa, is an aversion to eating overall. People who suffer from anorexia often restrain themselves from certain food categories such as carbs or sugar. Body dysmorphia is a common symptom of anorexia, where a person’s perception of their weight/ body is drastically different from reality. They often see themselves as overweight even if they are severely underweight. Bulimia nervosa is another common eating disorder, where people binge eat and then purge themselves of what they consumed. Purging can take a number of forms, including self induced vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise, or fasting. Binge eating disorder is often overlooked as an eating disorder, especially because of the perception that every person who suffers from an
eating disorder is underweight. Binge eating is when a person consumes copious amounts of food in short periods of time. People who suffer from binge eating often feel a lack of control when binging and do not purge or restrict calories. Eating disorders are not solely food related behaviors. Pica is a rare eating disorder where a person consumes non-food/inedible items. This can include dirt, paper, hair, chalk, and even soap. This eating disorder is especially dangerous in the short term due to the increased risk of consuming poisonous substances. Because eating disorders can be a touchy subject for some people, they are often stigmatized. Stigmatizing a person’s eating disorder can often make them feel isolated and cause them to fall deeper into their struggle with their disorder. Making eating disorders a taboo subject only hurts people who are suffering more, and an open discussion about eating disorders to key to give people a safe space to open up and ask for help. In addition to the stigma that often surrounds eating disorders, there are stereotypes that surround eating disorders as well. While bulimia and anorexia may be some of the most common eating disorders, they are often stereotyped as the only eating disorders people can suffer from, which undermines the struggle of those who suffer from other types of eating disorders, such as binge eating disorders and Pica. It is also often assumed that most people with eating disorders are extremely thin, while some people with eating disorders can still be of average weight or gain weight with their eating disorders. Additionally, there is a common stereotype that eating disorders mostly affect young, upper-class, white women. While this group can be affected by eating disorders, it is also important to acknowledge that people from all walks of life can be affected by eating disorders, especially minority groups, who are more likely to be
diagnosed with an eating disorder. According to data collected by NEDA, Black teenagers are 50% more likely to exhibit symptoms of bulimia than white teenagers. Similarly, research has found that 48.1% of Native American adolescents were attempting to lose weight. Although Black teenagers are more likely to exhibit signs of having an eating disorder, Black women are less likely to be recommended professional help than any other group. LGBTQ+ youth are more prone to binge eating disorders than their heterosexual peers. Gay men are more likely to suffer from bulimia than heterosexual men. Data collected by the Recovery Village last year revealed that the majority of people who suffer from eating disorders will not receive treatment. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment and less than 1 in 5 adolescents receive treatment. There are many resources to get help for people suffering from an eating disorder. The National Eating Disorders Association offers many services, including information on different types of eating disorders, treatment and recovery options, and access to dietitians and therapists, as well as a hotline, which can be reached by calling or texting (800) 931-2237. NEDA also offers an online chat service. For more information on NEDA and the services they offer, visit their website, Nationaleatingdisorders.org. At WHS, guidance counselors, as well as representatives from OHuddle, are an outlet to seek help from. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board encourages anyone who is struggling with an eating disorder to please seek help and educate themselves on their eating disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please contact your doctor, a trusted peer or adult, and/or use the resources previously mentioned that are offered by NEDA and offered via the Wooster City School District.
