The Chatterbox - Apr. 28, 2017 - CXI.13

Volume CXI, Issue 13

The student news publication of Walnut Hills High School

Friday April 28, 2017

Earth Jam chalk draw ing 2017

BRIANNA JONES, SOFIA TOLLEFSON AND RYLEIGH SANBORN/CHATTERBOX

APRIL 28, 2017

PAGE 2

SPORTS

WHHSCBOX.COM

SECTION EDITOR: EMMA FARRELL

CINCINNATI, OHIO

Lainhart fired amidst allegations

J.P. SCHMITZ/CHATTERBOX

The cartoon above shows the evolution of WHHS football from 2007 to 2009, when Coach George Kontsis took over the program. While a new change will affect many of the student athletes, it could also serve as a positive change to the team and the school as a whole.

Michael Sweeney, ‘17 Emma Farrell, ‘18 This past week it was discovered that WHHS no longer has a head football coach due to allegations of recruitment violations.

This affects the returning players and brings into question what will happen next season.

The WHHS football players had a meeting on April 18 where they were told that their head coach, Brian Lainhart, would not be returning this upcoming season.

This news later spread to the local media.

After WHHS’s first game against Woodward High School, there were concerns with how the team was recruiting all of these new players in such a short window and

how they were able to play without actually attending the school. It was the discovered that a number of these players were taking online classes to continue their high school education, and playing sports for the school.

This was completely following the rules, until earlier this year; when Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) banned the practice, and even cited WHHS as a reason for the banning. The official reasons for this surprise departure have been that Lainhart had been illegally recruiting players from their previous high school by text message, which is a direct violation of the OHSAA rules. The eligibility of Lainhart had also been in question since he was not licensed by the Ohio Department of

Education to have a Pupil Activity Permit, which was required to coach by OSHAA. “Losing the coach and all the players that we had is really gonna hurt the team [and] is really gonna drag us back,” returning player Caleb Diersing, ‘19, said.

“Playing time is earned,” Diersing said when asked about the effects of the transfer students.

Coming into the school year, the team was facing a lot of pressure with the amount of talent they were presented with.

The team was led by Jowon Briggs, ‘19, and Quintin Wilson, ‘18, both of whom have received many Division I offers.

As the 2016-2017 school year was coming to a close, it looked like Lainhart had turned the school into a well-de-

served football powerhouse, until April 20 when news broke that Lainhart and WHHS had mutually parted ways.

“Honestly I think he was trying to improve the team and add an athletic culture to the school,” SENIOR Ozie Davis, who played offensive line, said.

“It is up to the players if they are going to let this situation damage their hopes and dreams,” John Allen Phillips, ‘17, said.

Brian Miller served as the Defensive Line Coach during the 2016 season, and will now be serving as interim Head Coach.

Men’s volleyball returns with gold Michael Sweeney, ‘17 As the school year comes to a close, WHHS witnesses the return of the men’s volleyball team, a program that has not been a school sport since the 1940s.

The team is being headed by Zach Ober, who has gathered a team with at least half of the players having no prior experience in playing volleyball.

SENIOR John Allen Phillips, who had no prior playing experience, believed that the idea was fun enough to join and try something new.

Even with this disadvantage, the team started the year 5 and 0 and so far have stood at third in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.

The team has been led by freshman phenomenon Dominic Hagerty, who was recently named Enquirer athlete of the week.

This new team shows how exceptional every WHHS sports program is becoming, as the school grows its sports excitement.

MACKENZIE CANTO/CHATTERBOX

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APRIL 28, 2017

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SECTION EDITOR: ALLISON MEIER

Fact versus fiction in news A final letter from the editor Augusta Battoclette, ‘17 The year is coming to a close.

With really only a month left, or what will seem like less because of AP exams, my time at high school is almost over. It seems like just yesterday I was in seventh grade, not six years. What is even more scary is that my time on The Chatterbox staff is ending.

Since I joined the staff in eighth grade, I have seen my fair share of staff members graduate and move on with their lives. While I knew one day that would be me, I never thought it would come this quickly. But now, reality has set in and, as I find myself eager for whatever the future holds, I also look nostalgically at the calendar realizing that this issue is one of the last I will be a part of production for.

The families I have made each year and the bonds that continue to hold strong even after graduation only further express how important a factor the newspaper has been in my life.

The Chatterbox is the main reason I have a plan for life after high school. Studying journalism was never in the books. However, because of the experiences that came with joining the staff, I found myself wanting to be a journalist -- reporting and interviewing and writing. Without The Chatterbox, who knows when I would have figured that out, if ever?

More importantly, the newspaper has shown me that my

voice matters. That what I do can have the potential to impact not only the WHHS community, but people all over the globe.

Journalism has connected me with so many opportunities to strengthen and grow as a writer, editor and all-around journalist.

I can hardly put into words how important The Chatterbox is, and has, been to me. That might sound cheesy, but it is so true.

Some of my favorite memories of high school have happened inside the journalism lab in room 2306.

From dance battles when we were supposed to be having meetings, to dabbing a bit too excessively, to genuinely enjoying seeing every staff member come to class every day eager to contribute their time to the paper, -- their paper -- I could not have asked for a better family to be a part of for so long.

The last thing I want to say is that if you in any way have an interest or something you like doing, seize every opportunity you stumble across. If I hadn’t seen a newspaper lying on a windowsill one day in eighth grade during lunch, I probably would not have joined The Chatterbox, and subsequently, would not have become a journalist. Seize every opportunity because it could be one of the best things that happens to you.

See you in the halls, Augusta Battoclette Editor-in-Chief

ALLISON MEIER/CHATTERBOX

Both print and digital news consumers weigh in about their views on news reliability. Major print newspapers, such as the New York Times and other widely-known publications, fell in the middle of these opinions.

Emily Glazer, ‘17 Symia Grayson, ‘17 Facts are the basis of any conversation. Facts are the truth; you cannot change facts.

Opinions, on the other hand, are a person’s feelings toward the facts.

While the difference seems clear, why is there confusion?

Lack of differentiation between fact and opinion is a growing problem in the United States, WHHS included. There are extremes on both ends of the spectrum: those who believe satirized works and all opinions stated are facts, as well as those that discredit the news outlets and assume facts are opinions.

Recently, whenever a news

source — such as The Chatterbox — releases a story, there are some who assume that every article is comprised solely of facts or solely of opinions. They fail to differentiate between news pages, and those focused on expressing opinion and serving satire to readers.

The News and Features page in The Chatterbox repeatedly fact check everything they put in print, and constantly edit to ensure there is no bias in their work. It is their job to strictly report the facts and let readers form their own opinions on said facts.

On the Viewpoints page, writers work hard to understand the facts through detailed research,

interviews and verification of obtained information through at least three other credible sources.

Once article research is complete, the writers of the Viewpoints page form their own opinions and integrate them into articles, along with the background research.

The anonymous Wally Hill also takes the required steps to write a non-fabricated opinion piece.

We, the Viewpoints page, understand that there are people who may disagree with our opinions, or want to challenge what we publish. If you do, we encourage you to write to us, and send in feedback. You can stop by Room 2306 or you can send us an email at <whhscbox@gmail.com>.

The Chatterbox Policy Statement The Chatterbox has been guaranteed the right of freedom of the press through the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The administration of Walnut Hills High School is thus bound to support and protect the Chatterbox’s inalienable rights as a free press.

As an integral part of the Walnut Hills High School community, the Chatterbox has the responsibility to report in the most comprehensive and objective manner possible. Students, parents, faculty, and administra-

tors are encouraged to use this publication as a forum to express any ideas or concerns, whether they be personal or of local, national, or international scope.

Journalists are required to work under established guidelines. Invasion of privacy as a means of news gathering is prohibited. Articles found to be discriminatory, libelous, or unnecessarily obscene (as determined by the editors or the advisor) will not be published. Finally, journalists are granted the right to keep private the name of a source from whom they received

information with the understanding that the source was to remain anonymous. The role of the newspaper advisor will be to provide counsel and criticism pertaining to the newspaper’s content and production. Although both the advisor and the administration hold certain powers regarding the Chatterbox, both must respect the paper’s autonomy. No student shall be prevented from joining the staff on the basis of sex, race, creed or national origin.

Augusta Battoclette Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Munir Managing Editor of News and Features

Maham Usmani Managing Editor of Student Life

Ashwini Kamath Managing Editor of Opinions

Hannah Bundschuh Managing Editor of Visual Elements

Pavan Yaddanapudi Business Manager

Nick Robertson Online Content Manager

Samantha Gerwe-Perkins Adviser

Dawn Wolfe Adviser

APRIL 28, 2017

PAGE 4

FEATURES

WHHSCBOX.COM

SPREAD BY: AUGUSTA BATTOCLETTE, MACKENZIE CANTO, RYLEIGH SANBORN, KEEGAN SULLIVAN, CAROLINE HORVATH

CINCINNATI, OHIO

A career dedicated to education Augusta Battoclette, ‘17 WHHS Principal Jeffrey Brokamp first joined the WHHS community himself in 1973 as an Effie. This wasn’t his first connection to the school, however.

Brokamp’s father was the principal of WHHS in the 1960s and 70’s, and then the superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), retiring in 1987 after 33 years of service in Cincinnati.

Brokamp’s wife, Sherri, graduated from WHHS the year after

Brokamp, and two of his four children are WHHS alumni as well.

Before returning to WHHS in 2007 as the first alumnus to be principal, Brokamp obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University in 1982 and a master’s degree from Xavier University in 1990.

He taught math at Woodward High School starting in 1983; after six years, he ran a mentoring program at the school for two years.

His ninth year at Woodward, Brokamp was the assistant principal.

After Woodward, he helped

transition Crest Hills Year Round School into a year round program, winning the school an award from the state in the 90s. He stayed at the school as the principal for 5 years.

He was then approached

by CPS Superintendent Michael Brandt about working at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA).

“Brokamp liked the experience [at Crest Hills] and was sending out feelers to other school districts to see if there might be opportunities with other innova-

tive programs when Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Michael Brandt approached him about the SCPA job,” Cincinnati Magazine wrote in 1997.

Brokamp was the third principal of SCPA, and was there from 1997 to 2004. Under his leadership, applications more than tripled and Brokamp was named one of the most influential people in Cincinnati arts in 2001. As he does at WHHS, Brokamp met with students and teachers frequently at SCPA, sitting in on almost ev-

ery class in the building during his first month working there.

He also pushed for the expansion of vocational training programs such as photography and costume design at SCPA, and made having a positive relationship with the arts community a top priority.

After SCPA, Brokamp was the assistant superintendent for two years before becoming the principal of Mount Washington Elementary, where he also stayed for two years. Then, in 2007, Brokamp became the principal of WHHS.

“The students lift me up every day.”

Jeffrey Brokamp

The an e

of

Remembrancer: Bro

CUTOUT, GLADIATOR, BALLOON AND EAGLE PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAST CHATTERBOX ISSUES ALL OTHER PHOTOS: MACKENZIE CANTO/CHATTERBOX

7th grade 1973

8th grade 1974

9th grade 1975

FEATURES

WHHSCBOX.COM

APRIL 28, 2017

SPREAD BY: AUGUSTA BATTOCLETTE, MACKENZIE CANTO, RYLEIGH SANBORN, KEEGAN SULLIVAN, CAROLINE HORVATH

CINCINNATI, OHIO

PAGE 5

Leaving behind a legacy of his own Ryleigh Sanborn, ‘21 At the end of the 2006-2007 school year, WHHS principal Marvin Koenig stepped down from his position after 15 years.

In his place, 1978 alumnus Jeffrey Brokamp stepped up as the new principal of WHHS. Under Brokamp, WHHS has seen positive changes in almost all aspects of the school.

In the 2011-2012 school year, WHHS left the Fort Ancient Valley conference and joined the Eastern

Cincinnati Conference. That same year the football team qualified for the Ohio state playoffs for the first time in school history.

During the 2012-2013 school year, the men’s basketball team was the top ranked in the state. In 2016, after nearly three years of planning between Brokamp and band director Charles Ferrara, the Marching Band took a trip to France to perform in a New Year’s Day parade. WHHS was one of only four schools from the United States invited to participate in La Grande

Parade de Paris Champs-Elysées.

The 2010-2011 school year saw the beginning of a school renovation, overseen by Brokamp, that managed to modernise WHHS by adding all-new digital whiteboards to each classroom, while also updating the school’s pool and senior high gym, constructing new locker rooms, refubishing the music lyceum and adding four new outdoor courtyards. In 2013, when the classrooms were completed, and the mods were removed, work began on the Chris-

end era

topher South Athletic Complex, which opened in 2014. The entire renovation project was completed with the opening of the new tennis courts in the spring of 2016.

Brokamp was awarded the Excellence in Education Award from the AdvancED Ohio State Council in 2013 for demonstrating “unparalleled leadership in promoting and advancingexcellencethroughaccreditation and school improvement”.

Since Brokamp has become principal, WHHS has maintained its school ranking of number one in

the state of Ohio, as well as stayed within the top 100 in the nation.

In 2016, WHHS boasted composite SAT and ACT scores of 1889 and 26.7, respectively.

Brokamp has also managed to remain very involved in day-to-day school activities, even sitting in on, and assessing, classe frequently.

Walking down the hallway, he never fails to greet every student he can, most times by name. The impacts of Brokamp on WHHS will continue to benefit the community for years after he leaves.

“The first time I met him he was saying [that] he loved my sister and then said ‘I’m sure you’ll be as great as her’.”

Caroline Pepiton, ‘22 (left)

f

“The first day of school, [he] was out in the parking lot waving to people and [saying] hi.”

Kiara Pfister, ‘22 (right)

okamp as a student

10th grade 1976

11th grade 1977

12th grade 1978

“When he interviewed me for the job, he invited me to lunch. It was at Joseph Beth and neither one of us ate. [We] just talked, and I got the job. That’s my favorite memory of him.”

Assistant Principal John Chambers

NEWS

APRIL 28, 2017

PAGE 6

WHHSCBOX.COM

SECTION EDITOR: MATTHEW YOUKILIS

CINCINNATI, OHIO

Trump’s first 100 days

‘The Donald’s’ domestic policy decisions Grace Berding, ‘19 Ibrahim Munir, ‘19

“Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed,” President Donald Trump said, while speaking on domestic policy of the United States before Congress on Tues. Feb. 28. Trump has ambitious plans for the United States, but has failed to execute many of them thus far.

One of Trump’s goals is to repair infrastructure and build roads and bridges by loosening regulations and relying on the private sector to fund parts of these projects. He has proposed a $1 trillion dollar investment in infrastructure, funded by both public and private capital.

Trump has also proposed a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as ObamaCare. Although Congress never voted on the repeal, Trump remains adamant in his stance against the ACA. “ObamaCare is in serious trouble. The Dems need big

money to keep it going - otherwise it dies far sooner than anyone would have thought,” Trump said.

However, Democrats have stood firm that every alternate solution to the ACA will leave more people uninsured.

The Trump administration is also working to provide funding to build a wall along the border with Mexico. There would also be enhancements in security along the divide between the U.S. and Mexico in an attempt to slow illegal immigration from the country.

This has sparked major controversy between the Democrats and Republicans in Congress , due to the fact that they are each fighting for funding of the two party’s major projects, the ACA and the wall.

Trump has also promised to tremendously increase military funding and cut costs on domestic programs. The White House budget office has drafted a list of

domestic programs that could be cut, many that are conservative targets such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Legal Services Corporation, AmeriCorps and the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities.

Most of the programs cost under $500 million dollars annually, and the Trump administration is predicted to spend $4 trillion dollars this year.

Some of the programs he is cutting also contradict past statements he has made. He has made many remarks about the nation’s drug problem, but the “hit list” includes the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, which dispenses grants to reduce drug use and drug trafficking.

Another example is the ExportImport Bank, which guarantees loans to foreign customers of American companies since the 1930s, even though Trump has strongly supported American exports.

However, an internal memo circulated within the White House Office of Management and Budget

said that the list is subject to change.

On economic policy, Trump has been very supportive of large corporations, such as Walmart and Ford, for announcing new investments since his election. Trump has stated that he is committed to creating deregulation task forces inside of every federal agency.

Trump’s economic team is also working on making sizable cuts in the corporate tax rate. He has promised “massive” tax relief on the middle class.

Trump has made many promises on his domestic policies, and what programs he is planning to cut, but based on previous statements, it is difficult to see what he will cut in the end. Due to previous statements, Trump overall will likely try to cut many programs put into place by President Barack Obama. He will also focus a lot of his term on economically helping big business and cutting taxes on the upper and middle class.

Summarizing the scandals of the Trump presidency Matthew Youkilis, ‘19 President Donald Trump has experienced and overcome controversy many times since he entered the political spotlight in June 2015, when he announced his candidacy for the 2016 election. Beginning on the first day of his campaign, he called Mexicans “killers and rapists”, and weeks later declared that John McCain, an established Republican senator and Vietnam War veteran, was not a war hero.

Different scandals continued to plague Trump throughout his campaign, many pertaining to things he said earlier in his life, as well during the election cycle.

But the scandals have become increasingly more damaging since Trump entered the White House.

Just after his inauguration, Trump and Press Secretary Sean Spicer claimed that Trump’s inauguration crowd size was the largest in history. When the facts showed this to be false, Coun-

selor to the President Kellyanne Conway said Spicer was citing “alternative facts” in his argument.

The scandal that seems to have the greatest potential implications for the United States is the controversy surrounding Trump’s connections to Russia.

Before the election occurred, as well as in the interim between Trump’s election and inauguration, there was public outcry over Russia’s possible meddling in the 2016 election.

When an intelligence dossier alleging ties between Russia and Trump was reported on Jan. 10, many declared it illegitimate and false.

However, the scandal has gained legitimacy since Trump was inaugurated. On March 20, FBI Director James Comey testified before the House Intelligence Committee that the FBI was investigating whether collusion between the Trump administration and Russia occurred.

Many of Trump’s top advisors have been connected with the

scandal. This includes former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn (who resigned from his position days into the presidency), Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner, former Campaign Manager Paul Manafort and former Trump foreign policy advisor Carter Page. They have all been connected to Russia in different ways, many of them having met with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak without reporting it.

In the long-term, it is possible that Trump is able to shake off the scandal with Russia like he has with many others. However, only time will tell if the truth will show that there was significant collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian government or not.

Either way, Trump has already been a president marred by more controversy than most, which could have serious implications for his effectiveness as president, and in future elections.

WHHSCBOX.COM

NEWS

CINCINNATI, OHIO

APRIL 28, 2017

PAGE 7

SECTION EDITOR: MATTHEW YOUKILIS

The presidency examined from every angle Successes, failures and future of foreign policy Nick Robertson, ‘19 Pavan Yaddanapudi, ‘17 President Donald Trump entered the presidency with little diplomatic foreign policy experience.

As a businessman, his experience abroad consisted of negotiations and projects with other developers and investors.

His foreign policy plan was simple: work with Russia against ISIS, oppose China’s development in the Pacific and secure the United States’ borders at home.

Thus far, he has succeeded in only the first of those three objectives.

As one of Trump’s first foreign policy hurdles, North Korea has recently increased ballistic and nuclear missile tests to unprecedented levels. North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has encouraged the North Korean missile program, which has the ability to launch missiles with a range of 2,500 to 3,500 kilometers.

This scope encompasses the entirety of South Korea and can pose a serious threat to Japan.

North Korea’s nuclear program, however, is still in its infancy.

Trump has tried to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear program by expanding U.S. military presence in and around Korea.

Recently, a carrier battle group

was sent to the Korean peninsula in a show of force. China, North Korea’s closest ally, has tried to restart diplomatic talks and wants to bring a resolution to the fiery rhetoric that has become characteristic of both sides in the conflict.

In January, China helped pass a United Nation’s resolution denouncing the North Korean regime, the first time in the history of the countries’ relations.

Trump has also been scrutinized for his talk on dealing with China.

Trump the candidate and Trump the president have taken conflicting positions on China.

During his campaign, Trump promised to label China a currency manipulator, fix the “$500 billion trade deficit” and address the issue of job losses due to outsourcing to countries such as China.

Trump recently reversed his position on labeling China a “currency manipulator” after meeting Chinese Head of State Xi Jinping.

Trump went so far as to praise China for its efforts to rein in “the menace of North Korea,” after North Korea again threatened the U.S. with a “super-mighty preemptive attack.”

In the Middle East, Trump’s campaign policies have remained steady. In Afghanistan, the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb,

nicknamed the “Mother of All Bombs”, was deployed, killing at least three dozen ISIS fighters.

Additionally, Trump authorized missile strikes in Syria following the use of chemical weapons on civilians by the Assad regime.

U.S. intelligence agencies determined that the Syrian government, led by Bashar Al-Assad, was re sponsible for a chemical attack that killed dozens of Syrian civilians.

In response, 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from an American cruiser stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. The missiles struck a Syrian airbase from which the chemical attacks were executed.

In the aftermath of the missile strike, about half a dozen Syrian soldiers were killed and the airbase’s infrastructure was severely damaged.

Russian military personnel, who had troops and aircraft at the base, were notified beforehand and evacuated the location.

Russia is considered to be an ally of the

Assad regime, and has denied any role in the chemical attack.

Still within his first 100 days in office, Trump seems to be get-

ting his footing on foreign policy initiatives, but only time will tell whether he fully embraces the position of chief diplomat.

The progress of Trump’s presidential promises Krishyra Mitchell, ‘17 Nick Robertson, ‘19 President Donald Trump is known for the many controversial promises he made during his campaign. The assurances he made are why many Americans voted for him, but some of his supporters are becoming more aware of what these promises actually entail and the fact that the fulfillment of these pledges could in fact be bad for them, or not even possible.

One of Trump’s most famous promises was to remove more than 12.5 million illegal immigrants from the United States. The

number of illegal border crossings has already dropped by 36 percent to 840 in February, when compared to last year’s statistics.

The promise of a U.S.—Mexico border wall, paid for by Mexico, was another large part of Trump’s campaign which had supporters excited. The former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, said “we will never pay for that...wall,” a position echoed by the rest of Mexico, which leaves Americans to pay for the project. The wall is now estimated by the Department of the Interior to cost $21.6 billion. As of April 5, Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told

both the Senate and the Governmental Affairs Committee that, “It is unlikely that we will build a wall, a physical barrier, from sea to shining sea,” but s ug ge ste d that fencing could be a more “ re a l i s t i c option and useful in many places.”

Trump’s

plan to ban Muslim immigration is another promise that has energized his base but frightened many Muslim Americans.

During his campaign, he promised to ban all Muslims entering the U.S., but as president he switched to trying to ban all immigration from several majority-Muslim countries. He has introduced two travel ban executive orders, but they have both been met

by legal challenges because of their violation of constitutional protection against discrimination based on religion, and both were struck down by federal courts. Trump has hinted at wanting to take the matter to Supreme Court, but no action has been made to do so.

These are a few of the promises that Trump has made during both his campaign and presidency but has ended up altering or changing completely. Both his supporters and his opposition are waiting to see how the rest of his promises play out, and how they will affect each of them as well as the rest of the country.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS AND GAGE SKIDMORE ON FLICKR.COM GRAPHICS BY: NICHOLAI LEKSON/CHATTERBOX MATTHEW YOUKILIS/ CHATTERBOX GRAPHIC FORMAT COURTESY OF <WORDCLOUDS. COM>

PEANUTS

APRIL 28, 2017

PAGE 8

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SECTION EDITOR: CAROLINE HORVATH

CINCINNATI, OHIO

The Wonderful Wizard of WHHS “Do you love the movie? Yes? Then you’ll love our show!”

HANNAH REINHARDT/ CHATTERBOX

Michael Sherman said.

Molly Munn, ‘20, sings “Somewhere Over the Raimbow” as the lead role, Dorothy Gale. Judy Garland played Dorothy in the original motion pciture.

Camille Williams, ‘18

of the time she is just having fun, because she’s in control, for most of it,” Ernst said.

Samuel Frank, ‘20, is excited to “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” capture the essence of the Tin Man. This year, the theatre department is tak“I definitely think that even though ing on the 1939 classic: The Wizard of Oz. he is not supposed to have a heart, he’s Mark the calendar and get ready to journey still sentimental and cries a lot,” he said.

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” May 11, 12 Before the cast began blocking and runand 13 at 7 p.m. in the WHHS auditorium. ning lines, they started by learning all the This junior high musical adaptation fol- songs in The Wizard of Oz Jr. lows the main plot points of the origi“You would think that [the songs] would nal movie within a 90 minute frame. be really easy, but from a technical standHead of the WHHS theatre department, point, they’re actually really difficult to sing.

Michael Sherman, is directing the show; One of the pieces I’m singing is ‘Optimistic he chose The Wizard of Oz Jr as a classic Voices’, and that’s part of the Emerald City piece to contrast the contemporary junior Chorus. That [song] and ‘Jitterbug’ are the high musical last year, The Lion King Jr. two hardest songs in the entire play, and “I think that doing a popular show they’re very technical with pitch, range, and for the junior high musical helps new, all the different notes, but they’re fun to sing younger students get involved. It’s like, ‘oh and they get stuck in your head because they I know The Wizard of Oz; I’d love to be in are just that catchy,” Navia Palmer, ‘20, said. that!’ And then they come audition and we Besides acting and singing, cast members got them hooked for life. And they get to also must take on the challenge of dancing -hopefully stay in the program and experi- with perfect pitch and lively facial expressions. ence shows that they wouldn’t necessar- For the choreographers, SENIORS Kayily be exposed to, but discover [them] and la Lennon and Morgan McHale, teachhave a wonderful time,” Sherman said. ing the junior high kids to dance is Any student seventh through ninth both exciting and challenging. Between grade student can audition for junior high the choreographers and cast members, musicals. This year, the majority of the the “Jitterbug” is the dance favorite. cast is in ninth grade. Still, newcomers of “It’s really fun, just because we do so all grade levels are embracing the rehearsal much dancing. It’s hard and it’s really fast, process. Rehearsal is deemed rigorous, but but it’s really cool because overall, a lot of fun for the cast. we’re all intertwined and “Everyone is really fun and interacting with each easy to work with; they don’t other throughout make you feel nervous that the dance,” Jonah you’re acting,” Tigerlily Human, ‘20, one Gehrlich, ‘22, who of the jitterbugs, plays a munchkin, said. said.

“Especially when With many everyone’s older than chorus memyou. You don’t feel like bers playing they are doing way betmultiple roles, ter than you or overshadthere are sure to owing you,” Lily Canter, SENIOR co-chorepgrapher be plenty of costume ‘22, also a munchkin, agreed. changes. The Wizard Kayla Lennon Rehearsal also provides a creative of Oz is known for having space for the cast to experiment with memorable costumes (Dorothy’s their character(s). Bettina Ernst, ‘20, plays dress and red ruby slippers, for example). the antagonist, Wicked Witch of the West. Lucy Beauchamp, ‘19, is the costume mas“The Wicked Witch just has a lot ter for The Wizard of Oz Jr. She designs of fun with being wicked. She wants what how the actors will look on stage, from she wants, which are the ruby slippers, re- costume accessories to hair and makeup. ally badly, and she gets frustrated when “We’re actually going pretty ‘avershe doesn’t get what she wants. But a lot

“Working with younger kids is definitely fun.

We know a lot of them from working on previous shows, so it’s fun to see the kids who were in Pirates and Lion King grow up and be in bigger roles.”

HANNAH REINHARDT/ CHATTERBOX

Bettina Ernst, ‘20, The Wicked Witch of the West, demands that Dorothy return her beloved sister’s ruby red slippers. In the meantime, the Witch shouts, “I’ll get you my pretty!”

HANNAH REINHARDT/ CHATTERBOX The munchkins thank Dorothy, played by Molly Munn, ‘20, for killing the Wicked Witch of the East and encourage her to “follow the yellow brivk road”. The munchkins engage in a celebratory dance number to express their gratitude.

age oz’, not super out of the box, as we’ve done for other shows, just because The Wizard of Oz is a classic,” Beauchamp said.

But, as with any show, obstacles arise when preparing costumes.

“The main problem, at least at the moment, is how small all the people are.

Because it’s a junior high show, it’s all seventh through ninth graders. As I’m taking measurements, I’m asking sizes, like, if you’re a size two in a dress, or something like that, and then they give me like, 10-year-old, like the child’s sizes,” she said.

May is a busy time for the auditorium, with end of the year concerts frequently coming in and out of the space. That’s why head set designer and Assistant Director, SENIOR Isabella Noe, created versatile set pieces that the crew can remove from the stage entirely, at any given time.

“Well, there’s the witch melt, which is definitely interesting to work on as a director and as a set designer. But I’m really excited about the spiral staircase. It’s steps, but it’s also used as a lot of playing space, because it provides a lot more space to move around on different levels,” she said.

Noe expects the transition to Emerald City to be especially interesting. With large green gates and dramatic lights, this scene is sure to be awe-inspiring.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing

the gate to Emerald City, because I’m [in] the Emerald City Chorus, so that’s kind of my part. I feel like it’s the main thing you think of when you think of The Wizard of Oz. You think, the Emerald City,” said Palmer.

The Wizard of Oz would not be the critically acclaimed show it is now without its extravagant scenery and original special effects. For the first time at WHHS, the theatre department is utilizing a new projection system to create the backdrop for the scenes in the musical.

“We’ve had a guest artist come in here and do our projections, so you’ll see a moving cyclone and a moving windmill and a moving Oz face that’s going to be really cool,” Sherman said.

“When Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow all go into the haunted forest, you can see blinking eyes, and you can see the witch’s castle in the background. It will definitely be a show to see and it’s going to be nothing like any other,” Human said.

Tickets are on sale online now for $10 each and will be on sale in person in the theatre lobby the week of May 8. The hard working cast and crew look forward to opening night.

“I think [the audience will] take from this performance the hardwork and dedication. At the end of this play, it’s going to be awesome,” Gehrlich said.

Next year’s theatre season is dedicated to Broadway producer and WHHS alum, Rick Steiner, ‘64.

The theme is “Demons, Dragons and Dreams.”

Junior high students are highly encouraged to take crew positions in the senior high performances and audition for junior high productions.

Fall senior high play Fall junior high play Spring senior high musical Spring senior high play Spring junior high musical

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