The Wooster
BLADE Volume XX | Issue 9 | Feb. 7, 2020
Finding love all around us Graphic by Madison Helms
Inside the Feb. 7, 2020 Issue
p. 5 Students advance to Akron Spelling Bee
p. 6 Community members p. 13 Romance in review: share little love stories revisiting 90s films
ON CAMPUS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 2
Operation Warm: Boys & Girls Club initiative provides coats to children JACK VENEY staff writer Operation Warm is a program, funded through the state of Ohio, where students can receive coats, free of charge. The coats come from the Ohio Governor’s office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives. Christine Lindeman, director of Boys & Girls Club in Wooster, said Operation Warm was introduced to Boys & Girls Clubs all across the state of Ohio in the fall, and from there, they started planning for it. Lindeman says that so far, nearly 100 people have received coats in the district; however, they expect that number to increase during parent/teacher conferences. Operation Warm states, on their website, their mission is to provide warmth, confidence and hope to children in need
through the gift of brand new winter coats. Operation Warm, according to their mission statement, as located on their
THEIR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE WARMTH, CONFIDENCE AND HOPE TO CHILDREN... website, states, “a brand new coat is more than a coat.” Karen Arbogast, WCSD Director of Elementary Education, is extremely grateful for this program in the district. “I am extremely grateful for Christine’s idea to expand the opportunity to distribute coats for our preschool/elementary
PHOTOS BY SKYY KHOUNBORIN
In the district, 100 people have received coats through Operation Warm. Above is Gia (left), 7-years-old, and Isabella (right), 8-years-old, after receiving their coats. At the left is 6-year-old Bridget, who currently attends kindergarten. students. Thank you, Boys & Girls Club, for paying it forward and sharing the coats with all qualifying students in
CLASSIC SPONSORS Corporate $350 Classic $250
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CORPORATE SPONSORS Corporate $350
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the school district.” Coats will be available at EWMS and WHS during parent/teacher conferences.
Elementary school guidance counselors can distribute coats as needed. Coats are available through the end of February.
High school winter formal dance melts into spring fling SIERAH PILSON staff writer Now called the Spring Fling, the new winter formal dance will be held March 14 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The change from winter to spring was implemented by the sophomore Student Council for a variety of reasons, with the primary conflict involving space reservation and student attendance. Sophomore class president Connor Rotolo explained that moving the date will accommodate student athletes and supporters, allowing more people to attend. Additionally, the space is scarcely available, according to sophomore class adviser Kenny Rogers. He explained that the date of the dance centers around when they
can reserve the area and also is the reason behind the new name. “In winter, it’ll be Winter Formal, and in spring it’ll be Spring Fling,” Rogers explained. Additionally, Rogers stated the dance has the same idea as previous winter formals, and said students should not expect a deviation from what they are used to. As this year’s theme is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Rotolo said he expects the decorations to impress, with possible features including candy displays and a chocolate waterfall. “It should be very colorful,” Rotolo said. Overall, Rotolo said he hopes the new dance and interesting theme will prove a fun and worthwhile time for students.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | ON CAMPUS | FEB 7, 2020 | PAGE 3
Advanced Theatre Seminar students earn a superior rating at One-Act Play Festival LENA WIEBE & SIERRA DEWALD focus editor and staff writer On Jan. 28, the WHS Advanced Theatre Seminar Class performed for the second time at the 42 Annual Wayne County One-Act Play Festival, at which they received a superior rating. The festival, which features high school theater students performing in short plays, is coordinated and organized by Dr. Michelle Muro from the Tri-County Educational Service Center. Kristin Broda, WHS Dramatic Arts teacher, says she believes the festival has many benefits.
“This performance has many benefits to the students who participate,” Broda said. “First of all, the opportunity to perform for an audience of individuals who love theatre is empowering. Second, the judges provide immediate and specific critical feedback that helps us grow as actors. Finally, it’s a tremendous bonding experience for all involved to come together to create something we are proud to share with others,” Broda continued. Broda also noted that the Wooster Advanced Theatre Seminar class performed a comedic play titled Check, Please! and said one strength of the Wooster ensemble was
their commitment to comedic moments in the piece. The Wooster cast received a superior rating for their performance and two students from the Wooster cast were selected by adjudicators as all-county cast members: Stuart Courson received this recognition for his portrayal of “Manny with lots of phobias,” and Ian Miller as “Guy on a date.” Courson said he thought the festival was enjoyable, adding that he thought observing other schools was an educational experience. “This was my first ever competition-play event, so it was really interesting to see other schools. It was even more interesting to see another school
EWMS inspires WHS Ski Club ASHTON DUNLAP staff writer Three years ago, EWMS student Jo Bailey’s father, Chad Bailey, and a handful of students decided they wanted to create a ski club. The group of students contacted administration, scheduled busing to Snow Trails, and set up a discounted pass program at Snow Trails, a ski area in Mansfield. “I asked my daughter, Jo, if the middle school had a ski club, and she said no, so I suggested she try to start one. She teamed up with Brenton Kassler, Jack Pomfret and Beau Polen and they went to Dr. Tefs and Principal Warner. With their help, the EWMS Ski Club was born,” Bailey said. Eight grader Sydney Older has been a part of the club since its origination. She said she was new to skiing at the time and has grown to love it during the past couple of years. “My favorite thing is probably hanging out with all my friends or getting to do tricks and jumps,” Older said. Most school lead ski clubs like the EWMS club take a bus to a ski area on a week night. According to WHS ski club leader Jacob Melrose, WHS currently offers a price reduction on ski passes and does not take a bus to Snow Trails. Melrose hopes to have more participants in the future and also hopes they may eventually take a bus to Snow Trails on a weeknight. “I would like to involve more students then we currently do. It would be great for us to offer a scheduled bus trip if there was funding for a bus or interest in busing at the high school level,” Melrose said. More information on the WHS ski club can be found by contacting Melrose.
do the same play as us… to see their adaptation,” Courson said. Regarding his selection as an all-county cast member, Courson said, “I was surprised. Usually, from what I’d heard, they only honor one person from each school, so it was really surprising but exciting to see two people from Wooster be honored.” Miller said he thought the group’s success was due to the cast members’ trust in each other while on stage, and said that he enjoyed theater because “...It’s a place where you can be anything you want and embody different personalities and also be who you truly are in a safe environment.” Commenting on the overall results of the festival, Broda added that “I am so proud of my actors. They made us laugh so much, which is simply magical. I am grateful for all the
“IT’S A TREMENDOUS BONDING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL INVOLVED TO COME TOGETHER TO CREATE SOMETHING WE ARE PROUD TO SHARE WITH OTHERS,” BRODA SAID. support we’ve received from our school community.” Broda said she thought the performance was a success, adding that she believed the group had surpassed their goals.
FOCUS
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School-community relations deepen LUKE POMFRET staff writer New opportunities for community members to get involved in WCS will now be made possible due to the new volunteer system created by Karen Arbogast, Director of Elementary Education, and Rich Leone, Director of Secondary Education. The volunteer system had a soft rollout in October 2019 when 160 new volunteers were placed in all schools in the district, according to Arbogast. Volunteers can be involved by chaperoning a field trip, providing learning support for a classroom, assisting with making copies or preparing materials in school, volunteering for a classroom celebration in school and assisting in school
during the instructional day. The background check will also benefit school programs, such as OHuddle. OHuddle, a mentor program used through all schools in the district, currently engages service for 176 students served by 116 mentors, according to Sara Reid, Executive Director of OHuddle. WHS Coordinator, Karrie Foster, describes that the background check process through WCS will benefit OHuddle. “While we have always run a yearly background check on the mentors that we bring in to the schools, the new system of being able to do this online, has been much easier on our community volunteers. Every adult that comes into the schools with OHuddle must go through an initial training course and background check before they
begin their journey as a mentor,” Foster said. Arbogast describes the outcome of the soft rollout. “We currently have 160 volunteers approved and in our new system...The volunteer process has been received well, and it has been helpful to have a system in place and a website to direct interested parents, community partners, and community members. We now have a master list that we can reference when volunteers are needed. The process is quick and efficient for our volunteers as well,” Arbogast said. Arbogast says volunteers can be seen in every school, including the preschool. Additional information about the volunteer process in WCS and the types of volunteer work are available on the district website.
HEART HEALTH HEROES: Children jump rope at the halftime of the Feb. 4 home varsity boys basketball game. The basketball game, which concluded with a 51-34 win over Mount Vernon, also functioned as a heart health awareness showcase, kicking off the Wooster City School and American Heart Association’s monthlong promotion of heart health awareness throughout the district. RUMEN ZDRAVCHEV
TYLER KEATING
Emily Patterson and Joe Bruch rehearse singing for The Last Five Years, preparing for upcoming shows from Feb. 14 through Feb. 16.
Show features local talent MYA VANDEGRIFT views editor On the weekend of Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14-16, Summer Stage Wooster will present the musical The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown. The Last Five Years, from composer and playwright Jason Robert Brown, began as a stage musical in 2001 in Chicago, then opened as an OffBroadway production in 2002. In 2015, it was released as a film starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. Summer Stage Wooster typically performs in the Summer, with past productions like Oklahoma (2019) and Shrek: the Musical (2017), taking place in July. “The show is most different from any other acting experience I’ve done because it’s basically a feature length play filled entirely with songs sung by only two actors,” said Joe Bruch, playing Jamie, the male lead in the musical. “There hasn’t been a show done quite like this in Wooster before, it’s not a very common
choice for community theatre groups to tackle but it’s a great piece that I’m excited to share,” he continued. Emily Patterson, playing the female lead, Cathy, has always been a fan of Jason Robert Brown’s music. “From a musician’s point of view, it’s really difficult to learn. And there’s a lot of very specific rhythm patterns and the jumps are kind of crazy...I’ve been listening to it for like a decade, but it’s taken a lot of listening and studying to get all of that down. It’s very musical. It’s not just about what’s on the page, it’s about the emotion that it draws from people,” Patterson said. “The Last Five Years is filled with laughter and tears. The compelling story is told richly through beautiful music and many dramatic moments, “ said Todd Patterson, the director and head of Summer Stage. The shows take place Feb. 14-16 at the WHS PAC, starting at 7 p.m. for the Friday and Saturday shows, and 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinee. Ticket price for adults is $10 and $8 for seniors and students.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FOCUS | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 5
Bee contestants reflect on the process of preparation
LEO RILEY a&e editor
LEO RILEY
At the 64th annual Wayne County Spelling Bee, Jackson Stansifer stands before the mic. Thirty-five students competed in the event, which lasted for over three hours. Jackson was among the eight finalists who will head to regionals in March.
On Jan. 28, WHS hosted one of the longest countywide spelling bees ever, lasting for over three hours. Two of those final eight, Nick Schott (7) tying for sixth place from Kingsway Christian School and Max Graham (8) at fifth place from Norwayne Middle School, explain what it takes to place in a spelling bee. When asked about the most difficult part of competing in the bee, both stated that nerves were the real danger because, as Schott said, “You can know how to spell a word, then you go up there and mess it up. There’s 10 times more pressure, the best thing you can do is stay calm.” The two boys have differing strategies, but one consistent thing among them is the sheer volume of practice. The two qualifiers already mention had a strategy that
seemed to line up with the general consensus of what to do in order to do well. Schott’s practice strategy was a more traditional approach to preparing. “Practicing for hours spelling words, and having people correct me if I spell things wrong,” Schott said. Graham said his system included doing “10 questions a day, every day.” In preparing for the bee, Graham notes that although preparation is essential to doing well, there are also factors that the competitors cannot control when it comes to the actual competition. “It’s all luck,” continued Graham, “you can get a hard word at fifth or tenth round, I didn’t think I’d make it [to fifth place.].” Both Graham and Schott will be advancing to regionals, along with six others to represent Wayne County in the Regional Bee.
Excelling in spelling: Eight students qualify for the regional spelling bee SYLVIE SHAYA staff writer
Artwork by Olivia VanSickle
Spelling bees throughout the country have taken place over the last months as they work to narrow the enormous contestant pool on a national level. The Wayne county bee on Jan. 28 saw 35 students competing to continue to the regional competition. The contestants in the local bee qualified from their school bees, and the top eight students of the bee will compete in the Akron Beacon Journal Regional Bee, stated Andrew Johnson, Gifted and Talented Consultant
for the Tri-County ESC and one of three judges in the Wayne County Spelling Bee. The grand champion of the Wayne County Spelling Bee in 2020 was Stuti Patel, a seventh-grader from Triway Junior High School, according to The Daily Record. According to Victoria Birk, pronouncer for the bee and Director of the Tri-County International Baccalaureate program, the grand champion was decided by her ability to spell a championship word correctly after elimination rounds with the top eight students of the bee. “Tri-County ESC is proud of
all of the contestants and wished all eight regional qualifiers the best of luck at the regional competition,” Johnson said. The words used in the bee were provided by Scripps, the organizers of the National Scripps Spelling Bee, in an order determined by Scripps, according to Jennifer Marrah, Curriculum Consultant, TriCounty ESC. Birk acted as pronouncer for the bee for the first time this year and said she worked hard to pronounce and explain all the words as correctly as possible, as the contestants were able to ask for the root, definition,
usage, and part of speech of the word they were asked to spell. Birk explained that the sponsors of each contestant, usually teachers who nominate the students, could submit petitions to the judges explaining why they believe something occurred wrong in a round to allow for reconsideration of a decision. Local bees are held in Ashland, Holmes, and Wayne Counties as organized by the Tri-County ESC. The Akron Beacon Journal Regional Spelling Bee will be held March 7 at 1 p.m. in the Akron-Summit County Public Library.
FEATURE
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Voting for Dummies: With Ohio’s primary approaching, The Wooster Blade staff compiled a field guide to the voting process.
What is a primary election? The primaries determine which Republican and Democrat will represent their respective parties in the general election. This spring, there is a primary for the president and the U.S. House of Representatives. (Ballotpedia)
Who can I vote for in the primaries? Any of the candidates currently in the race for the position on the ballot. You can cast your vote for either a Democrat or a Republican. Those running for president as Democrats include: Michael Bennet, Joe Biden, Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Deval Patrick, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang. The Republicans running for president include Roque De La Fuente, Donald Trump (incumbent), Bill Weld and Joe Walsh. For Ohio’s House Representative, you can vote for Republican Anthony Gonzalez (incumbent), Democrat Aaron Paul Godfrey, or Democrat Ronald Karpus III. (Ballotpedia)
What do I need to do to be able to vote in the primary? The deadline for voter registration is Feb. 17. The voter registration form is available on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website, which can be found at olvr.ohiosos. gov/. (Ohio Secretary of State)
No wait to participate: engaging in politics for underage voters ZACH BREWSTER staff writer The primary election is coming up soon on March 17 in Ohio, according to the 2020 elections calendar on ohiosos. gov, and many students at WHS are not old enough to register to vote; however, there are many ways younger citizens can be politically active. One way students can become involved is through student government at the high school. Aryan Patel, senior class treasurer for the group, said, “Student government is a club where students are able to make important decisions and plan events for their high school.” Patel’s responsibilities for the club are ensuring an effective and responsible use of funds. Patel detailed, “I was motivated to join Student Council because I wanted to have a larger impact on my
Where can I vote in the primary? Voting for Wooster residents will take place at Parkview Christian Church, which can be found at 1912 Burbank Road. The polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. (Wayne County Board of Elections)
school. I wanted my voice and ideas to be heard.” Zeke Ntia fulfills the role of junior class president in Student Council. According to Ntia, he became active in student government because, “My group of friends wanted to do it, so I decided to run for government too.” Ntia plans on being politically active by voting when he is old enough, although this plan was not influenced by his participation in student government. According to an article written by Genevieve Clark on stepupmagazine.com titled “Six Ways That Teenagers Can Get Involved in Politics,” one way to get involved is to attend political rallies and debates. Clark said the events are a good way to show support for a candidate, organization or cause. Clark also recommends to attend events supporting something you do not necessarily agree with, as they
can open your mind to new ideas and viewpoints. Another way to be active, Clark detailed, is to contact legislators. Just one phone call or letter can have an important impact on the voting decisions of the legislators. In an article on generocity. org titled “4 things young people can do to create political change,” Jennifer Devor recommends those who are too young to vote to “Get out the vote.” Devor specifies this can include many activities such as hosting voter registration drives at school, helping spread the word door-to-door and driving people to the polls. Although some students are old enough to vote in the upcoming elections, many in high school and younger cannot. There are many ways, however, for youth to engage in politics through means in school or society, such as joining student government or promoting campaigns.
Who can vote in the primary?
FOR MORE VOTING INFORMATION VISIT:
Anyone who is 18-years-old, or will be 18 by Nov. 3. (USA.gov)
The Ohio Secretary of State
When can I vote in Ohio’s primary?
How do I vote if I live away from home/at college?
Early voting begins Feb. 19. Polling locations are open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Feb. 19 - Feb. 21 and Feb. 24 - Feb. 28 for early, inperson voting. Voting ends March 17. (WOSU Public Media and Ohio Secretary of State)
Voters living away from home can send in a form called an absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots are available on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website, ohiosos.gov/elections/ voters/absentee-voting/#gref. Absentee ballots must be sent in the day before the election will take place. (Ohio Secretary of State)
- Website: sos.state. oh.us/#gref Wayne County Board of Elections - Website: waynecountyoh. gov/ Information compiled by Anna Nacci
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEATURE | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 7
Flu poses threat to people of all ages MAEVE FLORENCE-SMITH feature editor The CDC’s weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report puts this year’s death toll from influenza and pneumonia at 6.7 percent, just below the epidemic threshold of 7.2 percent. Dr. Denise Signs, retired president of the Infectious Diseases Society of Ohio, states, “Vaccination is really the key.” Signs explains that vaccinations are important for herd immunity, meaning that enough healthy individuals must have vaccines to protect the vulnerable people who cannot receive vaccines. Pediatrician Dr. Melissa Burgett explains that the group of people most susceptible to influenza are, “Young children under two-years-old, the elderly, and those with underlying chronic health problems: asthma, heart problems, et cetera.” These groups require the protection of herd immunity. In terms of who gets the flu, Signs states that an additional factor that plays
into susceptibility is genetics. “Genetics play a part. Our immune systems from person to person are not created equal. Some of us have more innate protection because our particular immune defenses are stronger.” If someone is more vulnerable to influenza, there is a higher risk of complications. Signs elaborates on the possible death-causing complications of influenza. “Influenza can kill you by causing viral pneumonia, and you suffocate to death. You can get an infection of the heart called myocarditis, or you can get a brain infection, encephalitis. There are all sorts of things influenza can cause to kill you if your immune system is weak. Even seemingly healthy people can die from the flu if they don’t take care of themselves.” Yet Burgett states that even healthy people can get the flu and experience consequences. “It sounds crazy, but sometimes influenza can develop into a severe infection in otherwise healthy people. Last year during
the flu season, there were 143 pediatric deaths nationwide. Many of these were children who were previously healthy, yet influenza caused them to die from a severe infection.” There are a few common symptoms of the flu. According to Burgett, “The most common symptoms of the flu are fevers, body aches, headache, nasal congestion/drainage, sore throat and cough.” If people recognize these symptoms, they have options for treatment. People can take oseltamivir, commonly called Tamiflu. Tamiflu, a pill taken twice a day for five days, decreases the duration of the flu, and it cuts down on some of the complications if taken within 48 hours of feeling flu symptoms. Alternatively, people may receive an inhaled drug, zanamivir, but it is used infrequently because it may cause asthma. Burgett says, “Knowing what I know about what it feels like to have influenza and [knowing the] safety of the flu vaccine, I choose to have my family
Information compiled from cdc.gov/vaccines vaccinated each year. As a mom, I like to feel like I’ve done everything I can to keep my family safe and healthy when influenza is spreading through
the community.” Both physicians emphasize that flu vaccines are safe and helpful in preventing the spread of influenza. Artwork by Emma Yoder
Coronavirus declared a Global Health Emergency by WHO SYLVIE SHAYA staff writer The recent strain of coronavirus, 2019-nCoV has been designated a Global Health Emergency by the World Health Organization, indicating that the virus poses a significant threat outside China, its country of origin. Coronaviruses are a relatively common type of virus in animal populations, but these
viruses are far less common in humans, meaning we lack the immunity that most animals possess, according to Linda Saif, Distinguished University Professor in the Food Animal Health Research Program at The Ohio State University. “Zoonotic coronaviruses are more severe in humans because they can more readily cause pneumonia and because humans have no immunity to them,” Saif explained.
2019-nCoV recently spread out of Wuhan City in Hubei Province of China to cause infections in 18 countries outside China, including the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control. China has taken many steps to limit the spread of the virus and is working with other countries to have a focused response to the spread of 2019-nCoV. “The measures China has taken are good not only for that country but also for the rest of
the world,” stated WHO in a press release on Jan. 30. Tom Tierney, Professor of Global Health at the College of Wooster, stated that as 2019-nCoV is zoonotic, many traditional practices of being in close contact with large amounts of animals could be one of the factors allowing viruses to move from species to species. “The real preventative work would be to limit those kinds of environments where viral
jumping can occur,” Tierney said. According to Saif, 2019-nCoV has had a death rate of about 4 percent in current cases, with 213 deaths as of Jan. 30, while the influenza virus annually kills an estimated 12,000 to 60,000 Americans. As the situation continues to develop, live updates are available at cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov and nytimes.com.
COVER
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Seasons of love: With Valentine’s Day approaching, The Wooster Blade cover section wanted to feature love in this issue. While the holiday itself may be about romantic love, the staff wanted to cover all types of love, romantic and otherwise. Inspired by The New York Times weekly newsletter called “Love Letters,” where readers can send in stories, the cover section of this issue features stories of love in all its forms, whether between significant others, pet and owner, or friends.
What’s your favorite fictional love story? Respondents were randomly selected by Paulina Salazar and surveyed Jan. 30. Chad Bever: “A Walk to Remember, [because] the growth of the main character, Shane West. The emotional maturity that he has, how he seemingly follows his heart instead of what is popular.” Pierce Duong (9): “Lovely War by Julie Berry, there is a lot of tragedy, but there is a happily ever after.” Diane Mealey: “The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain, [because] it’s got a twisty plot in which the woman gets mugged, and there is a guy, a book seller, who finds her purse [although] her wallet was stolen, he pieces [the story and brings the wallet] back to her. It’s a sweet story.” Kelly Grayshock: “Catherine and Jest from the book Heartless by Marissa Meyer. It’s a tragic origin story of The Queen of Hearts in Wonderland. Cath has a heart full of love for all things, especially baking, but wants to escape her controlling Marquess father and find a life for herself. When she is offered by her parents as a bride to the king at their surprise engagement ball, she meets the new court joker, Jest, and falls in love. Soon their secret courtship is found out, and tragedies and selfless sacrifices turn their world upside down. Ever wondered why the Queen of Hearts is so bloodthirsty? Read this book.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF ERWIN AND SUSAN RIEDNER
Wooster residents Erwin and Susan Riedner have been married for more than 55 years, emphasizing the value of time together and compromise.
Couple stays strong after over five decades together SOPHIE GAMBLE cover editor Forty to fifty percent of marriages end in divorce in the United States, according to the American Psychological Association’s website. In spite of these statistics, there are couples who find ways to create long, happy and healthy marriages. Wooster residents Erwin and Susan Riedner have been married for almost 56 years. They have three daughters and six grandchildren and spend their time gardening, drawing, cooking, sailing and writing poetry. On their 55th wedding anniversary, the Riedners wrote a poem together. It reads, “[...] We added our joys, our mutual, wonderful life/ That one accomplishes when a husband and wife/ Never for one moment experience dismay/ That they chose each other for their wedding day.” Spending time together is an important part of their relationship, according to the
Riedners. “We want to spend time together. We got married for that reason,” Susan Riedner said. Susan Riedner explained that she can always count on her husband to see the best in her every day. “Our marriage constantly renews itself [...] we remind ourselves every day of the joy we find in each other,” she added. “A relationship grows when you enjoy doing things together.” Their relationship continues to be successful because of their desire to spend time together that still is dominant in their relationship. Erwin’s advice for a successful marriage is to choose wisely and to be willing to compromise in order to make the other happy. “The adventure [of life] is with each other,” he added. He explained that he does not particularly enjoy gardening, but he helps Susan and encourages her because it’s something she likes doing, because her happiness is mutually beneficial to his.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | COVER | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 9
Therapy animals help students relax
GRACE BROWNSON
Claudia Kuntz and the therapy dog she works with, Gunner, sit with Cornerstone kindergarten student Victoria as she reads a book to them. Therapy dogs in schools have been proven to help students relax and de-stress, as well as build their love of both reading and animals. Gunner and Kuntz work for Caring Therapy Canines in Wooster.
MADDY MCCULLY & SYDNEY EBIN co-editor-in-chief & staff writer “There is a silent warmth and love that dogs provide to people that humans just
can’t reach, and to be able to contribute in that way is awesome,” Alice Rehm, a member of the Caring Therapy Canines said, describing the therapy dog program. Rehm says the program is involved with providing
LITTLE LOVE STORIES: tales of ordinary and extraordinary instances of love
“I love going for walks - getting outside and getting fresh air. Just knowing I’m alive. The people I hold closest that are near and dear to me are my daughters - my biggest fear is losing them.” - Tricia Nussbaum, WHS Visual Arts
animal therapy services to those who need it. They go to many venues including, but not limited to, schools and nursing homes and also participate in the Paws to Read program at libraries. Through the Caring Therapy
“I love so many things. I love my career, I love harvesting and making food… I love sitting by the woodstove in the evening, knitting or reading, with my family, and with the cat on the rug… I love seeing the sunset: my house faces to the west - we’ll all stop what we’re doing and watch the sunset. I have so many pictures of the sunset on my phone.” - Marlene Boyer, WHS Family & Consumer Science
“My partner and I went for a walk late at night to look at the city lights. We paused at the city square and, illuminated by the lights, we (attempted) to dance under the stars to what ever music he had downloaded to his phone.” - Oliver Bushong (12)
Illustrations by Emma Yoder. Stories compiled by Eve Norris and Lena Wiebe.
Canines program, the dogs are able to provide comfort and often serve as de-stressors. Rehm describes her favorite part about the program as, “seeing how the countenance of a dog can have such a positive impact on a difficult situation.” On Tuesdays at Cornerstone Elementary School, students can be found reading to therapy dogs that come into the school. Cornerstone principal Eric Vizzo began bringing in therapy dogs after researching local therapy dog programs. He found Claudia Kuntz who works for Caring Therapy Canines and she has been bringing in her dogs ever since. When therapy dogs Gunner, Atlas and Mia come into the school, Vizzo said they leave a lasting impact on the students. “This is a great way for students to relax and also build their love for animals and reading, ” Vizzo said. Commenting on the program, intervention specialist Jess Menser states, “ Some students are more confident reading to the dogs, rather than their teachers or peers, because there is less pressure.”
“When Homecoming came around, I knew proposals weren’t really my boyfriend’s thing, despite how much they meant to me. I was convinced he hadn’t planned on proposing, but to my surprise, he gave me the best proposal I could have asked for. He did it with all of my friends there to see. He did it because he knew how happy it would make me; the feeling was uncomparable, I was so happy and grateful.” - Lily Eggerton (11)
Both Menser and Vizzo noticed a positive impact the therapy dogs have on students, and the school plans to continue bringing in the dogs. Another animal therapy center in Wooster is One Heart Stables, run by Carla Plegge, the director of Encompass Equine Therapy. According to Plegge, equineassisted psycho-therapy is, “an experiential form of mental health therapy that uses interactions with a horse to facilitate healthy change. Board-certified therapists use observations of a horse, interactions with a horse, riding a horse, making connections with the horse and personal reflection to explore the participant’s identified therapy goals and bring about resolution or change.” Plegge says she loves watching clients finish the program, who are then able to live their life successfully and recognize their worth in Christ. More information about One Heart Stables can be found on ccho.org and Caring Therapy Canines on caringtherapycanines.com.
“My best friend and I are conjoined at the hip. We do everything together, and I honestly couldn’t imagine doing all of that stuff with anyone else. We had a small period of time where we went to drive-in movies a lot, and it felt really nice to snuggle together and be able to freely laugh and joke around in the warmth of our car without worrying about disturbing anyone else. I have never felt as safe with anyone as I do with her.” - Natasha Murzda (12)
SPORTS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 10
Super Bowl entertains
REECE MITCHELL co-editor-in-chief With iconic halftime shows and amusing commercials, the Super Bowl is not just about the football game anymore, with a little bit of something for everyone, even if they do not like football at all. The most watched sports
event in America year after year, the Super Bowl brings in over 100 million views a year, according to the Jan. 2018 Statista article, “Number of TV viewers and ratings of most watched sporting events in the United States in 2017.” Super Bowl Sunday is a day that is special to millions as it celebrated all over the nation, even though it is not an actual holiday. According to the Wonderopolis article, “What’s so super about the Super Bowl,” Super Bowl Sunday ranks right behind Thanksgiving Day in terms of food consumption. The iconic performances by famous artists at halftime always provide chatter the next day. Regardless of the
artist, whether it is Katy Perry or Bruno Mars, they give a show that is remembered. Sometimes the things that are unplanned, like left shark in Katy Perry’s performance, take the internet by storm and make a performance especially memorable. That is the goal by everyone and every team: to be remembered. Whether it is a funny commercial or winning a crazy game, people want to entertain the millions of people who watch. As it is the most watched event in America and the fourth most in the world, every aspect of the night puts on a show for people to remember
Companies score points with viewers through commercials REECE MITCHELL co editor-in-chief This year’s Super Bowl, featuring the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, is bringing in viewership, but that is not the only thing people tune in to watch when they turn on their televisions. The iconic Super Bowl commercials have become a major draw for people and, for some, it may be the only part of the festivities they watch. www.Money. com “Here’s How Much It Costs to Buy a Commercial During Super Bowl 2019” published on Feb. 3, 2019 says “CBS is selling 30-second Super Bowl 2019 commercial spots to the tune of $5.1 to $5.3 million, as Bloomberg first reported. This amount is similar to 2018’s $5.235 million” Companies like Doritos and M
and M’s have been known for having funny commercials but it is all about how to take it to the next level, how to impress one of the largest audiences in one sitting at around 110 million views. Even though Super Bowl advertising is expensive, it pays off for the companies if they come up with a great commercial, as it can trend on youtube or safari long after the game is over. www. Analytics-magazine.org, “Are Super Bowl ads worth it? New research suggests benefits persist” says that “ more than 40 percent of U.S. households will watch the 2018 Super Bowl game on TV.” As to whether advertising is the money these companies are spending, it is hard to measure the exact profit of these commercials. However, if companies see their commercials trending for weeks afterward, it must be worth it.
according to the July 6, 2012 Bleacher Report article, “Ranking the Biggest Events in Sports.” Seatgeek’s “Super Bowl tickets” shows that basic seats for the Super Bowl have ranged between $4,000 and $5,000 every year for the past five years. So, for the lucky 100,000 people who get to attend the game, they get a live look at one of the most popular events in the world. However, just like everyone who wants to be affiliated with the Super Bowl, they have to pay a high price to do so. So, for the people who pay the price to watch the game live, they just
hope for a great game and show because unlike everyone else watching the game from their homes, they cannot just stop watching. With the expensive payment comes a high reward as they can watch an iconic game and performance live and experience something that many may only dream about.
CBS ranks the best Super Bowl ads of 2020 1. Hyundai - Smaht Pahk 2. Rocket Mortgage Jason Momoa 3. Jeep - ‘Groundhog Day’ 4. Google - Loretta 5. Doritos - The Cool Ranch Long Form Information compiled from cbssports. com. Graphic by Madison Helms.
THE WOOSTER BLADE | SPORTS | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 11
Commemorating Kobe Bryant’s powerful life and legacy
ASHTON DUNLAP staff writer Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles, Calif. on Jan. 26. The self-named “Black Mamba” was one of the most impactful players to ever play basketball. In 2016, Bryant retired as a five time NBA champion, a two time NBA Final MVP and an 18 time NBA All Star. He played all 20 of his seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant was known as one of the most dominant and influential players in the history of the NBA and will forever be known as a legend among millions. Bryant’s legacy will resonate past basketball. Not only was he a fantastic basketball player, but he was also a fantastic father, mentor and influence to many. Kobe was a worldwide name, and his brand and presence reached millions of people around the world. Throughout the following days, numerous prominent figures in the world of pop culture and sports voiced their condolences. Lebron James, one of Bryant’s best friends and a current Los Angeles Laker, posted a tribute to Bryant on his Instagram on Jan. 27. “Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking
BRYANT’S LEGACY WILL RESONATE PAST BASKETBALL. NOT ONLY WAS HE A FANTASTIC BASKETBALL PLAYER, BUT HE WAS ALSO A FANTASTIC FATHER, MENTOR AND INFLUENCE TO MANY. about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had,” James wrote. The Grammy’s were on the Sunday Bryant passed away, and host Alicia Keys adapted her performance to incorporate
the death of Kobe, Gianna and the other victims into the show. “And we’re literally standing here, heartbroken, in the house that Kobe Bryant built. Right now Kobe and his daughter Gianna and all those who have been tragically lost today are in our spirits, our hearts, our prayers,” Keys said. Even Barak Obama took to Twitter to voice his condolences. “Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even
more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day,” Obama said. I would consider myself a basketball fan, but I never was a huge Kobe fan. Regardless, his death definitely shook me, and it certainly shook the world. The amount of worldwide reaction to Bryant’s death is a true testament to the incredibly influential and extraordinary person Kobe was. When the news of his death broke, the world stood still. Kobe’s legacy will transcend generations and he will forever be remembered as an amazing basketball player and father.
RUMEN ZDRAVCHEV staff writer The Houston Astros recently fired Manager AJ Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow due to their involvement in the stealing of signs during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Hinch and Luhnow were fired on Jan. 13. Joe Espada will become the new Astros manager, and Pete Putila will become the new General Manager. According to an article by ESPN titled “MLB players, execs on sign-stealing scandal: Astros’ tarnished rep, what they knew and more, “The Houston Astros will now
have a clean slate, and a MLB executive told ESPN that, “In one sense, [the punishment] was on the lighter side of things because the commish was clear and then they broke the rules some more.” It was the 2017 World Series, and Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood was performing well, giving up only one run and one hit over the course of 5 and ⅔ innings. Later into the game, Wood and his catcher, Austin Barnes switched their sequence every eight pitches or so out of the paranoia that the Astros were stealing the signs. Earlier this offseason, Wood told the “Athletic” that he had “heard some whispers of some
of the shady stuff they’d been doing” and though he did not realize the extent of them. Right after the story about the sign stealing broke, multiple players agreed that Alex Cora was the ringleader for the Astros sign-stealing problems. The accusations cost Cora his job with the Boston Red Sox and became the third firing caused by the fallout of the situation. According to NBC Sports, the Astros were only fined $5 million and lost their first and second round draft picks in both 2020 and 2021. “It will scare employees of MLB teams from cheating, at least for a while,” one high-
ranking executive said. “And the man who owns the team gets to enjoy his ring. He gets off lightly and can start with a clean slate,” one MLB source said. According to The New York Times, some MLB players feel cheated out of wins or a championship. “‘As everything’s been coming out, and the more facts that we get, it’s getting frustrating, man, to sit here and know that late in my career I could’ve had a title — maybe ’17 or maybe ’18,’” retired Yankee C.C. Sabathia said. Is this punishment enough or should the Astros lose their World Series rings?
Graphic by Madison Helms
Astros managers fired over cheating accusations
A&E
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 12
MADDY MCCULLY
As seen in the photo above, Wooster High School’s most checked out series are featured. From left to right: Divergent the first book in the Divergent trilogy written by Veronica Roth; Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, the third book out of the seven Harry Potter books, written by J. K. Rowling; book two of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the precursor to the Heroes of Olympus series, The Sea of Monsters, written by Rick Riordan; The Selection written by Kiera Cass, the first book in a five book series and Red Queen, the first of four books in the Red Queen series written by Victoria Aveyard.
Most checked out series in Wayne County: 1
Harry Potter by J.K Rowling
2
1
Dog Man Series by Dav Pilkey
2
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney
3
Dork Diaries Series by Rachel Russell
4
Fly Guy Series by Tedd Arnold
The Selection Series by Kiara Cass
Inspired by the New York Public Library releasing their 10 top books checked out within the past 125 years, The Wooster Blade gathered a list of the most checked out books at Cornerstone, WHS, Edgewood and the Wayne County Public Library.
Wayne County Library List courtesy of Susan P. Roberts
1
3
Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
Edgewood
4
The Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard
List courtesy of Amy Breneman
5
Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan
List courtesy of Kelly Grayshock
Cornerstone List courtesy of Judy Meininger
2
Lucky Luke by Morris
1
Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland
2
High School
5
If You Give a Mouse Series by Laura Numerous
Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Middle School Books by James Patterson Warriors Hunter
3
by
4
Erin
American and Michigan Chillers by Johnathan Rand Data gathered by Molly Snyder and blurb written by Maddy McCully
5
Rick Riordan Books
3
Bob Books by Bobby Maslen
4
Curious George by Margret Rey
5
Pete the Cat by James Dean and Eric Litwin
THE WOOSTER BLADE | A&E | FEB 7, 2020 | PAGE 13
Nineties love stories: still relevent Sleepless in Seattle or a relic of an older generation?
co-editor-in-chief As soon as I heard the first wistful notes of “Stardust,” I knew I would fall in love with Nora Ephram’s Sleepless in Seattle. Sleepless in Seattle (1993), a romance between Chicago architect Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) and The Baltimore Sun reporter Annie Reid (Meg Ryan), opens as Sam struggles with the loss of his wife. Looking for change, Sam moves with his young son, Jonah, from Chicago to Seattle. The first encounter between Annie and Sam, unconventionally, takes place by radio, when Jonah phones a radio station for advice on how to get his father a new wife. Annie, listening to the show, begins to fantasize about “Sleepless in Seattle (Sam),” driving an emotional wedge between her and her
hyperallergic fiance, Walter (Bill Pullman). Although the film easily won me over on soundtrack alone, weaving in one lovely song after the other, the conflicts faced by the characters raise some timeless questions as well: Is there love after love? How do families adapt in the face of loss? Should individuals pursue a love/marriage grounded in security or passion? Although the film boasts a myriad of charming, poignant moments, the plot seems to advance unnaturally as young Jonah tirelessly works to deter unwanted love interest Victoria and move the romance between his father and Annie along. The poise and natural demeanor of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, and the excessive sentimentality created by the romantic soundscape, however, quickly compensate and mask the notably predictable and unrealistic development of the plot in the romantic magic of the film. And, as a hopeless romantic nonetheless, I find myself quite willing to overlook the unlikely coincidences that lead to their encounters and enjoy the overall experience of watching Sleepless in Seattle.
realistic, because it shows that things do not always go the way they are planned and not every relationship is sunshine and happiness all the time. A charming aspect of this movie is how it shows a kind of love that is easy and how, yes, even high school relationships can be serious. The reason this film is still relevant more than 20 years later, is that we as people feed into the perfect movie ideal that relationships can start off badly and blossom into a happy
ending for which some are searching. Yes, sometimes love can be this simple. However, it does set an unrealistic expectation. The expectation that forgiveness comes easily, that problems can be fixed with gifts and that lying is okay in a relationship. Despite the predictability of 10 Things I Hate About You, this late ‘90s movie still shows a modern young romance and has a sweet rom-com ending that makes people want to keep watching it years later.
Three BLADE writers explore romantic comedies from the nineties and give modern perspectives on their relevancy.
My Best Friend’s Wedding
PAULINA SALAZAR views editor My Best Friend’s Wedding, directed by P.J. Hogan and starring Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney and Cameron Diaz, is about a woman, Julianne, whose best friend reveals he is getting married in a few days and invites her to the wedding. After Julianne realizes she is in love with him, she decides to go visit her best friend and
his fiancée with a plan to break them up before they marry. The movie, released in 1997, is loved by many, with a 73 percent audience approval rating in rottentomatoes.com. However, it does have some unrealistic aspects to it. One of these aspects is the held belief throughout the film that not being married at the age of 28 is alarming. It is completely up to each person when they decide to marry, if they wish to do so. Julia Roberts’s character remains determined for most of the film to split the couple apart, and her character’s immaturity yet self-awareness of her actions is alarming. It seems unrealistic that a 28-yearold, completely independent adult with a career could be
immature and blind to other people’s emotions. Another thing is the unrealistic trope of one character pining after the other after realizing years later that they’re in love with them. This trope is harmful in helping people move on from their breakups and simply not something you see very often. However, the film redeems itself from using this trope by giving the protagonist a happy ending without the cliché. My Best Friend’s Wedding is a wonderful romance movie, but like any other classic romance film, it has some unrealistic aspects to it. However, all I can say is this film is definitely good, with its character development and unexpected ending.
10 Things I Hate About You
JENSAN BAUMAN staff writer
10 Things I Hate About You, directed by Gil Jungeris, is the kind of film that people tend to either really enjoy or absolutely despise. The 1999 rom-com revolves around the difficult relationship between Kat Stratford, portrayed by Julia Stiles, and Patrick Verona, portrayed by Heath Ledger. Kat’s and Patrick’s relationship starts off a bit
rocky, as Kat is annoyed with him, and he thinks she is uptight, but both clearly have noticeable similarities, as they are both a bit intimidating to their classmates and people believe them both to be a bit high strung. It is not a love at first sight kind of story, because at first, they dislike each other and things are complicated. Part of what drew me into the movie as it seems to be
RHEANNA VELASQUEZ
THE WOOSTER BLADE | A&E | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 14
2020 Oscar predictions: Staff writer compiles Oscar Predictions from BLADE staff members, as well as Harper’s Bazaar and Rolling Stone critics BEST DIRECTOR: NOMINEES: Sam Mendes Todd Philips Quentin Tarantino Bong Joon HoHarper’s Bazaar Prediction Martin ScorseseBLADE & The Rolling Stone Prediction Blurb and Oscar predictions compiled by Stuart Courson
BEST PICTURE:
Even though one of the oldest major annual entertainment awards is set to broadcast soon, many sources already have their opinions on how the fight will end. On Feb. 9 at 8 p.m., the Academy Awards will be broadcasted to the nation. This is considered one of
NOMINEES: Little Women The Joker Ford v. Ferrari Jojo Rabbit Marriage Story
LEADING ACTOR: NOMINEES: Leonardo DiCaprio
The Irishman Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood 1917BLADE & Harper’s Bazaar Prediction ParasiteThe Rolling Stones prediction
Hollywood’s biggest nights, as this is a night where outstanding actors, directors, cinematographers, costume designers and many more are recognized for their contribution to today’s films. While the night has yet to come, many critics and film lovers have their own
predictions as to how the awards will go in certain categories. In this issue of The Wooster Blade, staff members compiled a list of possible winners in specific categories to compare to how critics from Harper’s Bazaar and Rolling Stone magazines, think the night will fall.
LEADING ACTRESS: NOMINEES: Cynthia Eviro
Adam Driver
Scarlett Johansson
Jonathan Pryce
Charlize Theron
Antonio BanderasThe Rolling Stone Prediction
Renee ZellwegerHarper’s Bazaar Prediction
Joaquin PhoenixBLADE & Harper’s Bazaar Prediction
Saoirse RonanBLADE & The Rolling Stones Predictions
Graphic by Madison Helms
The Oscar nominated 1917 artfully portrays the story of WWI soldiers
ELLIE SNIDER staff writer The film 1917, directed by Sam Mendez, deserves all the recognition it is getting and more. Taking place on April 6, 1917, the film follows two
British soldiers, Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman). The two soldiers are sent on a mission into enemy territory in a race against time to give a message to the 2nd battalion before they attack the Germans. If the two men succeed, they will save 1,600 British lives from being ambushed, including Blake’s older brother. The plot, although fictional, is based on stories that director Sam Mendez’s grandfather would tell him about fighting in World War One, according to an article in TIME.
“THE THING THAT REALLY MADE [1917 ] FOR ME IS THE INCREDIBLE CINEMATOGRAPHY. THE MOVIE IS SHOT TO SEEM LIKE IT IS FILMED IN A SINGLE TAKE.”
The thing that really made this movie for me is the incredible cinematography. The movie is shot to seem like it is filmed in a single take, and the smoothness of the camera is used to juxtapose the harshness of the war and the events that Schofield and Blake experience. The single shot effect also allows tension to build, as the audience has to wait for the camera to pan over in order to understand what is going on beyond the two men, causing me to be completely captivated for the entire movie. The use of colors and light
was also incredible, with one scene being lit completely by flares as Schofield runs through the ruins of the city. Although the camera technique sometimes causes the audience to not be able to see the emotion on the character’s faces, It always panned back to allow MacKay’s incredible performance to stand out. I loved every second of this movie, and it was interesting how one story was able to highlight the brutality and destructiveness of war in a way that a huge action movie is not able to.
TRENDS
THE WOOSTER BLADE | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 15
What happens at Valentine’s Day parties? In elementary school, Valentine’s Day is often observed through implementing a party for the class and explaining the significance of the holiday throughout the celebration. During the week of Jan. 27, kindergarten students from Parkview, Cornerstone and Melrose Elementary School were asked the question stated above and four other questions related to Valentine’s Day. Roughly 10 students were asked from each school. Responses were compiled by Skyy Khounborin and Tyler Keating. For responses to other questions, see The Wooster Blade website at thewoosterblade.com.
“Balloons and cake.” - Sam
“The Easter Bunny might come.” -Grant
Recognizing a S.A.D. day for love for single individuals
“Lots of people come and they show love to other people.” -Brynn
ALEC PAULEY on campus editor
“I feel like it’s Christmas.” -Lauryn
“You give people gifts like flowers or love cards.” -Colton
“You give people nice things like pizza.” -Merlin
“You get cookies and muffins and milk and apple juice.” -Nora
“You dance with the person you like.” -Aaliyah
“I’m watching the gym teacher get pied in the face.” -Kyla
“You get cake when you are done eating dinner.” -Kaicen
“You get to eat cake and you get presents and Chick-fil-a.” -DJ
“Everybody comes to your house and they party together.” -Laileana
Feb. 14 is the national holiday Valentine’s Day, which is, according to the Oxford Dictionary, “a day when it is traditional to send a card, often anonymously, to a person one is romantically involved with or attracted to.” Though in modern times the holiday is romantically inspired, the dark history of the holiday does not necessarily hold the same meaning as it does today. As explained on npr.org in a Feb. 13, 2011 article titled “The Dark Origins Of Valentine’s Day” written by Arnie Seipel, the holiday was first recognized as St. Valentine’s Day to commemorate the execution of two saints of the catholic church, both named Valentine. The combination of this event with the Roman fertility festival known as Lupercalia took place Feb. 13 through Feb. 15, and influenced on what day Valentines Day occurs.
Though the holiday is often seen as a day to share feelings between those who are, or are soon to be, romantically involved, there are some who do not have another person with which to celebrate, and thus Single Awareness Day (SAD) is celebrated instead. The day in which Singles Awareness Day was first created or celebrated cannot be pinpointed, but according to an article on holidayscalendar.com discussing SAD, the holiday started to be widely celebrated around 2005, and that the person who began the holiday was likely “someone who was single at the time and wanted to take a stand against the commercialized holiday of St. Valentine’s Day.” Lee Boyer (11) talks about how he celebrates SAD and the unseen benefits it has. Boyer explains that he does not have to buy a card or gift, which in turn, saves him money. Boyer endorses family love and appreciation on Valentine’s Day, saying that if people do not have a significant other to share the day with, they should, “Hug your family; get your mom something special.” The holiday is known for being a day of romance, but this should not discern those without a significant other from celebrating it as the love in the air can be put toward thanking and appreciating family instead. Graphics by Corinne Wiles
THE WOOSTER BLADE | VIEWS | FEB. 7, 2020 | PAGE 16
OUR VIEW
The Wooster
BLADE editors-in-chief Rheanna Velasquez, Reece Mitchell, Maddy McCully head photographer Grace Brownson graphics managers Corinne Wiles, Madison Helms business managers Sophie Gamble, Leo Riley, Bryn Savidge, Rheanna Velasquez on campus editor Alec Pauley focus editor Lena Wiebe sports editor Skyy Khounborin a&e editor Leo Riley trends editor Bryn Savidge cover editors Sophie Gamble, Anna Nacci views editors Paulina Salazar, Mya Vandegrift feature editor Maeve Florence-Smith staff writers Jensan Bauman, Zach Brewster, Stuart Courson, Sierra Dewald, Ashton Dunlap, Sydney Ebin, Eve Norris, Sierah Pilson, Luke Pomfret, Sylvie Shaya, Ellie Snider, Molly Snyder, Jack Veney artists Eve Norris, Olivia VanSickle, Emma Yoder photographers Tyler Keating, Hannah LoGiudice, Maddy McCully, Theresa Wendell, Rumen Zdravchev adviser Kristi Hiner
The Wooster Blade is a free, biweekly student publication printed in cooperation with The Daily Record. The paper is designated as an open forum and follows publishing guidelines as established in a district-wide publications policy protecting students’ freedom of expression. All copy, art and photography are property of The Wooster Blade and cannot be reproduced without permission. Editorials represent the viewpoints of The Wooster Blade’s Editorial Board and not of the Wooster High School administration, faculty or staff. All personal opinion columns, which are bylined with the writer’s name and photo, represent the views of the writer. Letters and inquiries should be addressed to The Wooster Blade, 515 Oldman Road Wooster, Ohio 44691. Letters to the editor are limited to 300 words and The Wooster Blade reserves the right to print and edit as per length and content. The Wooster Blade is a member of Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association and Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Issues of The Wooster Blade are available for online viewing at thewoosterblade.com.
Remembering Kobe Bryant’s complex legacy On Jan. 26, 9 people were killed in a horrific helicopter accident. Former NBA player Kobe Bryant, age 41, and his daughter, Gianna, were among them. Sports fans and friends of Bryant have responded with cries of grief for the end of his legacy, which was filled with numerous contributions to the NBA and basketball. He was also admired off the court as an inspiring father, husband and friend. But, rarely did the tributes acknowledge that despite his many accomplishments, Bryant made a mistake that greatly affected his personal life, as well as the lives of others. In 2003, Bryant was accused of raping a 19-year-old hotel worker. According to a 2004 CBS statement, “Kobe Details Alleged Rape Night,” physical evidence supported that the teenager was raped, but when first questioned, Bryant denied any sexual encounters with her. However, he later admitted to an encounter that he thought had been consensual. Bryant’s defense team is said to have intimidated the victim, according to a 2004 New York Times article by Kirk Johnson titled “Prosecutors Drop Kobe Bryant Rape Case,” ruining her
reputation and ultimately causing her to back out of testifying. The criminal case was dismissed, Bryant issued an apology and the victim settled for an undisclosed sum in a civil suit. Although Bryant’s career did not appear to suffer from the case, being accused of rape was a defining moment for his character. Therefore, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes that when reflecting on the impact a celebrity has left behind, it is important to tell their full story...both on and off the court. It is uncomfortable to bring up possibly the worst thing Bryant has ever done right after his death, especially when he is honored by so many people. But, it is irresponsible to gloss over the inconvenient parts of Bryant’s legacy, especially in light of the #MeToo movement and the understanding society has gained about the awareness of sexual assault. However, to solely focus on the negative moments when remembering Bryant would not be fair to his story. The Wooster Blade Editorial Board believes that a person can rarely, if ever, be labeled as solely good or bad. Especially when remembering notable celebrities like Bryant, it is
difficult to process a legacy in the face of tragedy. Society can, and should, admire aspects of Bryant’s talent without minimizing the ways in which he inflicted trauma and did irreparable damage. Whether or not Bryant should be redeemed for his actions is not up to the public, and it is not our place to decide these things publicly on behalf of the victim. Moving forward, The Wooster Blade Editorial Board encourages more honest conversations and reflection about how someone with fame can be elevated in the aftermath of a sexual assault, and how money and power can keep the perpetrators from being held accountable. We can have these conversations while still acknowledging that Bryant did not deserve to die in such a tragic manner, and remember that his supporters are grieving. There must be a balance between the good and bad we remember in people, especially those we hold in such high esteem. Bryant’s legacy is a complicated one--and it is our duty as fans, reporters, and consumers of the media to reflect on his, as well as other celebrities’ legacies, responsibly.
Cover letter: embracing love in its many forms
ANNA NACCI cover editor The Wooster Blade cover staff wanted to honor love in our current issue; however, we wanted to celebrate all types of love, not just romantic love. Whether present in a marriage of
over 50 years, an animal providing comfort to its owner, or a lifelong friendship, all types of love matter. Love is respecting and appreciating who someone is, as well as caring very deeply about someone. While this is what love is to us, we recognize love looks different for everybody. It is also vital that we recognize there are some people who cannot celebrate those they love. “Map of Countries that Criminalise LGBT People,” an article from Human Dignity Trust, reveals that “73 jurisdictions criminalise private, consensual, [same-sex] sexual activity.” Twelve of these 73 jurisdictions have the death penalty as a possible punishment for same-sex activity.
While the U.S. is not one of the countries that criminalizes LGBT+ activity, we still have a long way to go. In an NBC News article entitled “Nearly 1 in 5 hate crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias, FBI finds,” Tim Fitzsimmons writes that of 7,120 hate crime incidents reported in 2018, over 1,300 stemmed from anti-LGBTQ bias. It is important to recognize all forms of love, both those celebrated outwardly, as well as those that must be celebrated privately. Along with recognizing these struggles, those who may not experience them must be advocates and allies for those who do, whether through spreading awareness or supporting those in the LGBT+ community.