Issue 5 - North Canton City Schools - sparcc

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Variety adds to holidays Students celebrate differently, still enjoy season BY AMY KING Staff Writer December. Snow. Candy canes. Reindeer. Santa. Christmas. In many people’s minds, December is the month to spend hours in crowded stores looking for the perfect gift for that special someone. It is the month to spend curled up in front of the fire. December is often related to Christmas. “The spirit that the season brings is very “December makes me think of sled riding with my friends and brand new pairs of socks, a big Christmas tree and my whole family coming downstairs in their pajamas anxiously waiting to open their presents,” sophomore Stephen Wakulchik said. But not everyone spends the morning of Dec. 25 tearing open packages filled with DVD players, CDs, digital cameras or other anticipated gifts. For some, it is not a holiday at all. However, it may be hard to notice some people aren’t celebrating because of all the Christmas hype. The reason is partly because some of these people find themselves wrapped up in the Christmas spirit regardless of their religion. Junior Ankur Poseria, of the Jain religion, does not celebrate Christmas. Yet, he feels that Christmas is a “great holiday” for many reasons. “The spirit that the season brings is very positive,” Poseria said. “And if the holiday is celebrated with the right reasons in mind, it can be a memorable time to enjoy.” Wakulchik does not think anyone should feel guilty for becoming too excited about Christmas. He thinks that as a Christian, Christmas is t h e most important positive . . .” -Ankur Poseria, 11 holiday, a n d other religions have different important holidays. “[Christmas] is the most wonderful time of the year, especially when you give people their presents and their little faces light up,” Wakulchik said. “You get that good old feeling deep down inside of you.” As a member of the Jewish faith, senior Adam Schweitzer celebrates Hanukkah. Despite this fact, he still enjoys the Christmas holiday. “I think it’s a fun time of the year,” Schweitzer said. “I like all the lights.” Poseria feels that the holiday spirit is valuable to American culture as a whole and not only during Christmas. “This sort of generosity, egalitarianism, and sincerity should be some- thing that doesn’t just come about during holiday season,” he said. “But the holiday season should just serve as a reminder that we should be virtuous throughout our entire life.” Because of this seemingly contagious spirit, and the inability to enter a store without being reminded of the seasonal festivities, Poseria associates December with “red, green, and Christmas.” And he does not do it with spite. “If anything, recent years have been a bit disappointing,” Poseria said. “The spirit has been down. However, this year seems to be a little more positive in terms of allowing the Christmas spirit to spread.” Schweitzer does not think there is too much Christmas hype. But, he does not like some of the activities that go on at school during the month of the December, including the assembly before break. “[The assembly] is probably the only time during the whole school year I feel left out because of my religion,” Schweitzer said. Wakulchik admits that he does not always think about the people not celebrating this holiday. He thinks they may feel “lonely” during the season, but he does not think there are any “rules” preventing people from giving or receiving gifts. “I don’t think we should have to feel guilty for showing Christmas cheer,” he said. “It’s just brightening little spirits across the globe.” !V One stop shopping for all your dance wear needs! 5390 Fulton Drive NW Canton, Ohio 44718 Phone 330.497.9419 Fax 330.497.9412 14 ! The Viking Views ! 12.19.03 6460 Wise Avenue North Canton, Ohio 44720 330.497.1651 PIZZA OVEN RESTAURANT
Bringing in the New Year There are ways to be safe when the ball drops BY BETH SIMMERMAN Staff Writer Like turkey dinners on Thanksgiving and decorating cookies for Christmas, New Year’s Eve has its own tradition – parties. However, these gatherings of friends or family are not always the prime choice for those looking to celebrate. Many in North Canton and the surrounding area opt for less traditional festivities to bring in the New Year. Downtown Akron hosts First Night, a community celebration of the visual and performing arts. Nineteen buildings are used for the event, which offers seven hours of entertainment starting at 5 p.m., including 10 concerts, take-home crafts and clowns. Sarah Fisher, First Night program assistant, believes the celebration is a “New Year’s Eve alternative” to parties and teens can safely attend. “It’s alcohol free and family oriented,” she said. “There are so many different [activities] for people age three to 103.” Fisher feels that “First Night Idol,” a singing competition similar to the television show “American Idol,” will interest teens. The contestants are high school students and there will be a DJ with dancing in between numbers. First Night requires those who attend to purchase buttons instead of tickets. They are $10 and are available at sponsors like Acme Fresh Market and First Merit Bank branches. Junior Jenna Slingluff attended First Night in Akron in 2000 and enjoyed the experience. “Not only could I celebrate the New Year during such an exciting event,” Slingluff said, “…but I could also spend quality time with my family.” Slingluff said she would recommend First Night as a “family party alternative” but believes it is a fun event for teenagers as well. Several area churches also host unique New Year’s celebrations for teenagers. The youth group of Bethel Temple in Canton holds their own New Year’s festivities every year. This year, they have rented out the YMCA for the night, allowing them to use the equipment and pool. In past years they have spent the night at Laser Quest or at the church. Sophomore Kaitlynn Gunn, who has attended Bethel Temple’s celebration in the past, feels that they are more fun and safer than traditional parties. “At other parties people drink and stuff and we don’t do that there,” she said. “It’s a lot more fun just to hangout, play games and relax.” Because alcohol is often present at parties on New Year’s Eve, the threat of those who drink and drive encourages senior Seth Johnson to find activities to do at home. “It’s dangerous to be out that late at night driving home,” he said. “I believe it’s better just to stay in…I watch TV and rent movies from Blockbuster.” Blockbuster gets business from many people like Johnson on New Year’s Eve. Blockbuster assistant manager Rob Zaleski is surprised by the definite increase in business the rental store sees that night. “We get killed New Year’s Eve,” Zaleski said. “We’re not really sure why. You’d think people would want to see the ball drop.” The store will stay open until 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Other stores in North Canton will be staying open later, offering activities that could be alternatives to parties. Laser Quest is having a “New Year’s Eve Bash,” a lock in from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Park Centre Lanes will be open for bowling. If a person does choose to attend a party, Slingluff recommends that he or she behaves responsibly. “I’m happy I didn’t go to a party because I felt safer,” Slingluff said. “New Year’s Eve is known for out of control parties.”!V 12.19.03 ! The Viking Views ! 15
Page 1 and 2: THE VIKING VIEWS Hoover High School
Page 3 and 4: VVIEWS 12.19 IN-DEPTH Despite being
Page 5 and 6: NHS throws Christmas party BY JAMIE
Page 7 and 8: Mock trial gets serious Students pr
Page 9 and 10: Holiday helpers Students’ volunte
Page 11 and 12: Lelakus to dance in “Nutcracker
Page 13: Commercialized Christmas True meani
Page 17 and 18: 1601 N. Main St. N. Canton, OH 4472
Page 19 and 20: Think healthy thoughts Ninety, 91,
Page 21 and 22: - EDITORIAL BOARD - Tyler Allchin -
Page 23 and 24: THE VIKING VIRTUE Letters to the Ed
Page 25 and 26: Bill & Mary Renner 330.494.9036 Fax
Page 27 and 28: is a prominent issue in his work, a
Page 29 and 30: From the Experts By Chelsea Croffor
Page 31 and 32: The Rating Game By Nick DeFazio Thr
Page 33 and 34: Junior Kari Ringer sees no reason t
Page 35 and 36: Stop Making Sense ‘Tis the season
Page 37 and 38: December / January 19 *Although we
Page 39 and 40: Hockey hits season strong BY CAITLI
Page 41 and 42: Fastbreak to a steady season BY DOM
Page 43 and 44: ‘Z’ Marks the Spot Indoor socce

Issue 5 - North Canton City Schools - sparcc

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