Issue 9 - North Canton City Schools - sparcc

Hoover High School 525 Seventh St. North Canton OH 44720 May 15, 2009 Vol. 59 No. 9 

counting 

the days

Viking views 

the 

Editors-in-chief 

Kayla Carpenter • David Esber • John Jackson 

Managing Editor 

Natalie Casper 

Online Editor 

Maria Dawaher 

Copy Editors 

Kyle Marcus• Blake Tan 

News Editors 

Jen Bellissimo • Alexa Costi 

News-in-brief 

Kenzie Smith 

Features Editors 

Erin Druga •Melanie Sudar 

Sports Editors 

Charles Dobry• Mike Richards 

Scene Editors 

AJ Crofford •Sam Stults 

Opinion Editors 

Kaitlin Kline •Maranda Shrewsberry 

Poll Editor 

Carina Belles 

Focus Editors 

Tori Christ • Katy Coduto •Jessica Kincaid 

Photo Editors 

Bill Gould • Lindsay Quinn 

MCT Editor 

Tom Curran 

Business Manager 

Caroline Hill 

Circulation Manager 

Owen Miller 

Public Relations 

Hollie Ward 

Freelance Cartoonist 

Jonny Rice 

Adviser 

Mrs. Rachelle Ogilvie 

Letter from the Editors 

Dear Readers, 

The cover of this issue, rather appropriately, proclaims the end is near, and 

just as the class of 2009 prepares to complete their senior year, the senior 

staff has worked hard to complete what has become an annual tradition: the 

senior issue. To celebrate our class, “Season Finale” takes readers through 

our class history, telling our fondest memories and recounting the twelve years 

we will leave behind June 7. Flip to the center insert to read “Season Finale” 

and reminisce with the senior staff. 

Just as the class of 2009 prepares to leave, Hoover High School will lose two 

dedicated teachers and the district curriculum coordinator. Turn to page four 

to read more about the legacies they leave behind and their future plans. 

Many students recently traveled to unique locations, as the Marine Biology 

students traveled to the Andros Island in the Bahamas and the band and orchestras 

traveled to Disney World to perform and celebrate a successful year. 

Page eight and 10 tell of these experiences. 

As with every May, this month is abuzz with performances and concerts. 

Take a look at page 22 to learn more about the Senior Spectacular and May 

Fiesta where the talents of many Hoover students were showcased. And while 

students were performing onstage, a band of Hoover teachers played to rave 

reviews. The Electric Pickle is revealed on page 24. 

Football season may be over, but for the junior and senior classes, the Powderpuff 

Football game became an intense rivalry; page 28 brings football back 

in season—with a twist. 

Even though the end is coming sooner than we ever could have thought, 

there is still time to leave our mark and ensure that our “Season Finale” will 

be one to remember. 

The Viking Views 

Hoover High School 

525 Seventh St. NE 

North Canton, OH 44720 

E mail vv1nc@northcanton.sparcc.org 

Web http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~vv1nc 

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper 

Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service 

• Senior Dan Casey sleeps as time passes and the end of another 

school year nears. 

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION LINDSAY QUINN 

02 the viking views 05.15.09 

Editorial Policy 

The Viking Views is a student-run newspaper 

produced 10 times a year to approximately 

1,900 students and staff, as well as members of 

the community. As student editors make content 

decisions independently of the school’s staff and 

administration, the paper is considered a forum 

for student opinion. It is therefore exempt from 

prior review or restraint in both principle and 

practice. 

Letters to the editor are accepted and encouraged. 

Letters must be signed, but, upon request, 

they may be published anonymously at the discretion 

of the staff. The Viking Views reserves the 

right to edit letters for space and content in order 

to maintain the paper’s high standards against 

obscenity, libelous material, and personal attacks. 

Letters that exhibit a blatant disregard for 

such standards will not be considered for publication. 

Unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of a 

majority of the editorial board. No one individual 

may be held responsible for the opinions expressed 

therein. Signed editorials and columns 

reflect the opinion of the writer and not The Viking 

Views, adviser or school. The Viking Views takes 

all measures possible to make a clear distinction 

between fact and opinion in all news printed. 

In the event of an error, The Viking Views will 

print retractions as they are brought to the attention 

of the staff. 

-The Editors

28 

7 

inside 

this issue 

News 

4 Martino, Merchant retire 

5 McClain says goodbye 

7 Super Service Saturday 

7 District cuts budget 

8 Academic Challenge 

competes at state 

8 Marine Biology trip 

Features 

10 Band travels to Disney 

11 English class retells history 

12 Commentary: Invisible children 

17 Burn After Reading 

10 

24 

27 

Opinion 

18 Our views 

19 Your views 

20 This Message Approved 

21 Oven Blaked 

Scene 

22 May Fiesta and Senior Spectacular 

24 Calculus classes ‘unite’ 

25 Turn of the Century 

Sports 

28 Cleveland Cavaliers 

28 Powderpuff football 

28 

every issue 

9 News in brief 

14 Personality Profile 

16 Trends 

17 College search 

26 CD reviews 

27 Movie reviews 

29 Gamefaces 

30 Updates 

31 Chuck on Sports 

32 Sports Captured 

Check us out online @ my.hsj.org 

05.15.09 the viking views 03

NEWS 

Fond farewell: 

Tori Christ 

B l a c k s a i d 

Staff Writer 

Merchant’s class 

prepared her for 

As the year comes to a close, students college. 

and staff must say goodbye to staff “I am at a better 

members who are retiring. This level coming from 

year, French teacher Mrs. Trisha Merchant M a d a m e t h a n 

and science teacher Mr. Joe Martino are 

retiring after a combined 52 years of service 

at Hoover. 

Au revoir 

Merchant has been teaching for 28 years, 

and for 22 of those years she has been a 

French teacher at Hoover. 

She said her favorite part about teaching 

is the students. 

“I really enjoy teaching because I love 

my students,” she said. “They just really 

almost every other 

person I’ve met in 

college,” she said. 

A l t h o u g h 

Merchant does not 

have any immediate 

plans for retirement, 

she hopes to live in 

France for four to 

six months during 

the year. 

seem interested and enthusiastic.” 

Merchant said she got into teaching 

because her parents required her to get a 

teaching certificate. However, she said she 

has always enjoyed learning. 

“I’ve always liked school, whether I was 

a student or a teacher,” she said. 

Marissa Black, a 2008 

graduate, had Merchant 

as a teacher for four years 

of French at Hoover. 

Merchant said 

Black attends Ohio 

State University and is 

majoring in French. She 

said Merchant helped her 

to develop a love for the 

language. 

“I think Mrs. Merchant 

is the reason I decided to 

continue on in French,” 

she said. 

S e n i o r J e a n e t t e 

Frascello currently has 

class with Merchant and 

said she agreed with 

Black. 

Mr. Joe Martino 

“She is the reason that 

I became interested in French because she’s 

so enthusiastic about it,” she said. 

Merchant said she enjoys having many 

of the same students year after year. 

“I can see their growth,” she said. 

Merchant said almost every day is a 

good day for her. She said she likes the 

“atmosphere of mutual respect and support” 

at Hoover. 


MARIA DAWAHER 

Teachers leave lasting legacies 

CAROLINE HILL 

Mrs. Trisha Merchant 

there are a few things 

she will miss about teaching everyday. 

“I’ll miss seeing the kids on a regular 

basis,” she said. “I’ll also miss the 

intellectual part of the day. I’m still learning 

things all the time.” 

Scientific Inquiry 

Martino has been teaching for 35 

years. He taught five years at Canton 

City Schools and has spent the remaining 

30 years as a Hoover science teacher. He 

currently teaches Chemistry, Anatomy and 

Physiology, and Marine Biology. 

“I’ve loved science ever since I was a 

kid,” he said. 

Senior Kathleen Ray had Martino last 

year for Marine Biology and is currently 

in his Anatomy and Physiology class. She 

said she loves science and is planning on 

majoring in biology next year. According to 

Ray, Martino is a good hands-on teacher. 

“He’s kind of quirky and he’s really 

funny,” she said. “You know you’re going 

to have fun in class no matter what.” 

Martino said one of his favorite aspects 

of teaching is the students. 

“I always have pretty good students,” 

he said. “I don’t think I could survive 35 

years if I was teaching someplace where 

the students didn’t care.” 

Ray said it is clear Martino loves what 

he teaches. 

“It’s really nice to have a teacher who 

loves his subject,” she said. 

Martino, an avid painter also enjoys art 

and has participated in art exhibitions. 

“I’ve loved art my whole life,” he said. 

“Probably about ten years ago I started 

doing some professional work.” 

Martino said he has some plans for 

retirement but nothing definite. However, 

he said he would like to continue with art, 

including art exhibits this summer. 

“It’s a passion that has become something 

I’ll probably do when I retire,” he said. 

He said he will miss the daily interactions 

with both students and staff at Hoover. 

“I’ll miss the students and contact with 

other teachers,” he said. “I’m sure that’s 

going to be a big adjustment for me.” •

AJ CROFFORD 

• Mrs. Peggy McClain works at her 

desk. McClain has been the Curriculum 

Director for North Canton City Schools 

for 28 years. 

McClain retires after 25 years 

Tori Christ 

Staff Writer 

Most students may not be familiar 

with what goes on in the district 

office. For North Canton City 

Schools Curriculum Director Mrs. Peggy 

McClain, the district office has been the 

location of her job for 

the past 16 years. 

After 28 years of 

working for North 

Canton City Schools, 

McClain is retiring. 

“I’ve been around 

long enough that 

I’ve known five 

superintendents,” she 

said. 

Superintendent Mr. 

Michael Gallina said 

McClain is responsible 

for all of the curriculum decisions in the 

entire school district. 

“It does encompass a wide range of 

opportunity for our kids,” he said. 

McClain said she deals with everything 

from curriculum instruction to staff 

development. 

“It’s so varied and I get to see the big 

picture of the whole district,” she said. 

“There’s hardly a typical day.” 

McClain said she has always enjoyed 

school and likes being a “problem-solver” 

in her job. 

“I love curriculum and how kids learn 

and how to make learning the most fun 

and the most 

effective,” 

“I’ll miss the daily 

interaction with the 

great staff that we 

have.” 

- Mrs. Peggy McClain 

she said. 

McClain 

works yearround 

and 

said there are 

always things 

that need 

to be done, 

even when 

school is not 

in session. 

“I like the 

challenge of prioritizing,” she said. 

She said everything she does is to ensure 

that the schools run efficiently. 

“I think we really believe that everything 

we do is to protect what happens in the 

classroom,” she said. “That’s the most 

important function.” 

Gallina said McClain is patient, kind and 

thorough. He also said she is very caring 

toward what happens to students. 

“She has a very calm demeanor and 

helpful approach,” he said. 

According to Gallina, interviews for 

McClain’s position were held during the 

past two weeks. He said a recommendation 

will be given to the board of education May 

28 to see which qualified candidate would 

fill her position. 

“It will be a challenge for us to replace 

her,” he said. 

McClain said she loves the community 

and people of North Canton. 

“After 28 years, I think what makes 

North Canton the best place to be is that 

all of the people care about other people 

and are willing to work extra hard to do the 

right thing,” she said. 

McClain also said she will miss the staff 

members in the district. 

“I’ll miss the daily interaction with the 

great staff we have,” she said. 

Gallina said McClain is the reason 

for North Canton’s continued curricular 

strength. 

“She’s such a large contribution to the 

success of North Canton,” he said. • 


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06 the viking views 05.15.09

Students perform service projects 

Jessica Kincaid 

Staff Writer 

Making blankets, traveling to 

an armory, playing with dogs, 

painting ceiling tiles, landscaping 

lawns and figuring out ‘who done it’ were 

all activities National Honor Society 

(NHS) members participated in during 

the Super Service Saturday event April 

25. Mrs. Flo Rankin, NHS adviser, and 

senior Erin Corneliussen, Super Service 

Saturday chairperson, organized the event. 

Junior members of NHS were in charge of 

specific committees which planned all of 

the various service projects. 

This year, Super Service Saturday 

included new projects and activities. Rankin 

said senior Ben Hazen organized a trip to 

the local armory to sort through donations 

to be shipped to the troops overseas. She 

added that they played a new game at the 

end of the day. 

“Instead of playing dodgeball in the 

gym, we played Mafia and the kids really 

liked it,” she said. 

According to Rankin, Super Service 

Saturday started seven years ago because 

they wanted a unique event. 

“When it was first organized, we 

wanted to have a signature project, like 

how Leadership Council has the 

Senior Citizens’ Prom and Student 

Council has the dances,” she said. 

“We felt like NHS needed an 

identity of its own, since a lot of 

the kids are crossovers between 

the different organizations. Super 

Service Saturday is what we came 

up with.” 

Junior Michael Renner was in 

charge of Project Linus, an activity 

in which students made blankets 

that went to hospitalized children. 

“The blankets allow the children 

to have a personalized item in 

an often depressing hospital 

environment,” he said. 

In addition to making blankets, 

the students painted ceiling tiles 

for a hospital’s children’s ward. 

Corneliussen said the project would 

make children smile. 

“Kids can look at the ceiling and 

feel happy and more comfortable in 

the hospital,” she said. 

As a whole, Corneliussen said Super 

Service Saturday is a project designed to 

connect NHS with the community. 

“Super Service Saturday gets NHS 

members involved in the community,” she 

said. “It shows them how fun service can be. 

It also shows the community that Hoover 

High School cares about the community.” 

Renner agreed. 

“I think Super Service Saturday is a 

great way for students in NHS to really 

help the community,” he said. “It builds 

camaraderie between the members and 

creates a large community presence.” • 

COURTESY OF PAT CORNELIUSSEN 

Hoover faces more budget cuts 

Maranda Shrewsberry 

Staff Writer 

Because of the current condition of 

the economy, most people have 

closed their wallets to save a few 

bucks, and local schools are no different. 

Hoover, which has already done some 

economizing of its own, is in for more 

money obstacles in the next year. 

Administration is trying to compensate 

for the loss of funding by cutting the budget, 

defined as an estimate of future spending, 

by about $1.5 million for the 20090- 

2010 school year. Plans were outlined by 

Superintendent Mr. Michael Gallina in the 

March issue of The Viking Vision. 

A district savings account contains the 

school’s local funding from levy supporters 

and state funding. Gallina said the problem 

is with state funding. 

“It’s an issue of our state funding not 

living up to its projection,” he said. 

Disttict Treasurer Mr. Todd Tolson said 

the projection is made from a look at past 

trends in enrollment. 

“Unfortunately, enrollment has flattened 

out,” he said. 

This is a problem because for each 

student, the school receives state funds. 

Gallina said that as enrollment decreases, 

the amount of funds decreases as well. 

While enrollment and revenues stay the 

same the bill continues to grow, Tolson 

said, and the administration is forced to 

eliminate some costs. 

“If we can’t get extra revenue, we have 

to find a way to cut things out of programs 

to balance out the budget,” he said. 

Gallina said the district has already 

eliminated some things, including two 

administrative jobs and five staff positions. 

He also said the savings amounts to about 

$1.5 million. Gallina’s goals are to find ways 

to slow expenses and avoid eliminating 

anything that affects students, or what he 

calls the core of the entire school setting. 

“The goal is to protect the core as long 

as possible,” he said. 

In 2006, administration promised the 

community that they would not ask for 

another levy until 2011, and Gallina said 

they hope to keep their promise. Because 

the schools have been taking away so much 

due to so little funds, the next step could be 

cutting staff positions. 

“Without additional revenue, there are 

only so many things a school can do,” he 

said. • 

(Above) • Senior Megan Wise makes a blanket 

for Project Linus. The blankets, made by 

NHS members during Super Service Saturday, 

will be donated to hospitalized children. 


Academic Challenge goes to state 

Kyle Marcus 

Staff Writer 

While track has been practicing to 

reach the finish line, members 

of Academic Challenge have 

been working since September to be the 

first to reach something different: a buzzer. 

In a competition of player knowledge on a 

variety of subjects, the varsity team made it 

to the state level after placing runner-up at 

the regional tournament in April. 

The state competition was held May 

2 at Columbus State Community College 

in Columbus. The team of seniors Kevin 

Crowl, Gary Rose, Dominick Talerico and 

junior David Olszewski went 2-in-3 in the 

first five rounds. 

“It was a great experience for us all,” 

Rose said. “I don’t think we were the best 

team in the state so I’m not too disappointed 

with how things turned out. Going to 

state for the third straight year—that was 

good.” 


To practice, coach Deborah Wiley said 

the team tries to expect what they will be 

faced with during competitions. 

“We talk strategy,” she said. “We talk 

about listening skills—trying to anticipate 

what they’re going to ask.” 

Talerico said the team had a more 

specific method when practicing for the 

state tournament. 

“We tried to focus on lightning-round 

questions, which is where you have to 

buzz in,” he said. “In the match, you 

have category rounds and then lightning 

rounds.” 

The questions in the state competition 

were more difficult than ones found in 

other tournaments, which Rose said he was 

expecting. 

“They really ask a lot harder questions 

at the state level,” Rose said. “All of the 

teams there are so good that if they didn’t, 

it would be more of a speed match.” 

Although they did not make it to the 

final round, Wiley said the team members 

had a successful season overall. 

“They’ve done some amazing things,” 

she said. “They enjoy the competitions. 

They’re very aggressive in trying to be the 

first one to answer and they listen to each 

other.” 

Talerico agreed and said the individual 

members each played a role in the team’s 

success. 

“Each team member has one or two 

areas that they’re really good at and we all 

contribute to the team,” he said. “This has, 

by far, been my favorite season. I’ve really 

gotten to know my teammates.” 

Although members of the varsity team 

will be graduating, Rose said he sees 

potential in the underclassmen. 

“We have a good group of juniors right 

now who can hopefully take the federal 

league title again next year,” Rose said. 

“Maybe even more—maybe we can finally 

win state next year.” • 

Students travel to the Bahamas 

Caroline Hill 

Staff Writer 

After a year of learning an extensive 

amount of material, the perfect 

reward is experiencing the 

world about which you have been 

learning. This is reality for the 

Marine Biology classes who went to 

the Bahamas April 17-25 as part of 

their curriculum. 

According to biology teacher 

Mrs. Sarah Covington, the group of 

32 students went to Andros Island, 

in the Bahamas to get a real life 

experience in the field. 

“[The trip was] to expose the kids 

to everything they learned about 

over the year in class,” she said. 

Chemistry teacher Mr. Steve 

Wood, who started teaching Marine 

Biology this year, agreed. 

“[We go to the Bahamas to] apply all the 

concepts we learned throughout the whole 

year,” he said. “It makes sense once you’re 

in the ocean.” 

Senior Candice Michel said the classes 

prepared considerably for their trip. 

“We took two big tests about fish 

corals and other sea [animals] so we could 

identify them when we were in the water,” 

she said. 

Covington said the students did a 

variety of land and ocean trips and had a 

daily schedule of seven hours in or around 

the water. She also said the students had 

homework and class every day. 

Wood said the classes students attended 

while in the Bahamas were relaxed and 

enjoyable. 

“A lot of the classes reflect on what we 

saw during the day,” he said. “It’s so fun 

that it’s not work; they’re just amazed by 

it all.” 

According to Wood, throughout the 

school year students learn about the animals, 

geology and culture of the Bahamas as well 

as the chemistry of the seawater. 

“The students learn about culture, 

because that affects the ocean,” he said. 

Wood said the students have to 

COURTESY OF MR. STEVE WOOD 

learn about hundreds of different 

species to prepare for the trip. 

“They see a cultural and natural 

world they just would never see in our 

area,” he said. 

Michel agreed. 

“Even if you learn things in a class 

you can’t fully understand things 

unless you see it for yourself,” she 

said. 

Covington said she believes the 

trip was very enjoyable for students 

and that they learned a lot. 

“This class was very excited to 

learn and very curious because they were 

always looking for different species out on 

our land trips,” she said. 

Overall, Michel said she was very happy 

she went on the trip. 

“It was one of the best things I’ve ever 

done,” she said. • 

• Senior Rachel Tharp snorkels in the Bahamas. 

The marine biology classes traveled to 

Andros Island April 17-25.

news 

Co m p i l e d by News Editors 

in brief 

• Hoover High School took the first place 

school award at the Kent State Stark 

County Mathematics Challenge May 2. 

Students competing were seniors Nate 

Bodenschatz, John Malloy, Stephen Rakocy 

and Simon Qin and juniors Chrisee 

Curts, Taylor Roman and Melanie Sayre. 

Rakocy was the first place individual 

award winner and Qin won second place. 

• Senior Ariel Myers was awarded first 

place and a $1,000 scholarship to a culinary 

school of her choice at the Stark 

County Culinary Contest. She became 

the first Hoover student to win the annual 

event. 

• Speech and English teacher Mrs. 

Jennifer Manion went on maternity leave 

May 1. Substituting for the rest of the 

year is Miss Missy Stertzbach. 

• Special education teacher Mrs. Patti 

Thoman sponsored the first Transition 

Fair at Hoover May 7. The fair was designed 

for parents who have students 

with disabilities to see some of the opportunities 

available to them after high 

school. Over 16 local school districts and 

28 community services were invited. 

• (Above) Kent State University alumnus 

Dean Kahler visited Mr. Dave Reese’s 

psychology classes April 27 to discuss 

the May 4, 1970 Kent State shootings. 

• National Honor Society announced its 

officers for the 2009-10 school year. Officers 

include juniors Erin Garfield, president; 

Taylor Roman, vice president; Julie 

Benedetto, treasurer; and Erica Cornell 

and Cece Ramsey, secretaries. 

• Prom will be held May 23 at the 

Canton Civic Center from 8-11 pm. Each 

attendee will have to submit to a mandatory 

Breathalyzer test. Underclassmen 

are not permitted to attend the event. 

• The 2009 Spring Recognition Dinner 

will be held May 21 in the Commons. Retirees 

include Mrs. Brenda Covey, Mr. 

Joe Martino, Mrs. Peggy McClain, Mrs. 

Trisha Merchant, Mrs. Georgia Quinn 

and Mr. Robert Weible. 

• Rock the Rink, a fundraiser for Greentown 

student Keegan O’Reilly and the 

Cleveland Barons Sled Hockey team, was 

held at Center Ice May 3. 

• Altercare of Ohio and Absolute Heath 

Services have announced they will join as 

a tenant to the Hoover Company. This will 

keep around 250 jobs in Stark County. 

• A Kent State Stark video conference 

was held April 22 in the library media 

center to celebrate Earth Day. 

MARIA DAWAHER 

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Gary L. Giammarco, D.D.S. 

Jordan D. Greenward 

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Hysong Paving Company 

Industrial Tool Co., Inc. 

Kumon Math & Reading Center of 

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North Canton Veterinary Clinic 

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FEATURES 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KATHRYN NUTT 

The Cinderella castle at Magic Kingdom is 

a landmark for everybody visiting Disney 

World. 

Juniors Kathryn Nutt, Lauren Stone, Whitney Yoder 

and Taylor Roman pose in Islands of Adventure. 

Juniors Kathryn Nutt and Laura Kay and sophomore 

Ryan Donaldson stand at Magic Kingdom in Walt 

Disney World. 

Band and orchestra make magic 

Blake Tan 

Staff Writer 

he Hoover band and orchestra 

Ttraveled to Orlando, Fla. April 22-26. 

They visited Islands of Adventure at 

Universal Studios and Magic Kingdom and 

Epcot in Disney World. 

Mr. Ronald Varn, director of the band 

and orchestra, said this is the fifth trip he 

has taken to Disney with his students. Varn 

said 197 students went on the trip, which 

is about 91.6 percent of the band and 

orchestra. However, receiving an invitation 

to Disney is not easy. 

“We apply and send a recording, 

videotape and picture of the group,” Varn 

said. 

At Disney World, the band marched 

down Main Street, USA in Magic Kingdom 

April 24 and the orchestra played at Epcot 

April 25. 

“It was a really cool experience,” junior 

Kathryn Nutt, a marching band member, 

said. “All of these kids were around us, 

happy to see us and singing along to the 

‘Mickey Mouse March.’” 

Sophomore Katie Hockman is a 

member of the orchestra and said she liked 

performing at Epcot. 

“It was very cool, especially with the 

band there to watch because we’ve never 

had that much applause before,” she said. 

“It was a large audience and I got to perform 

a solo.” 

Varn said both groups performed 


perfectly. 

“The band played as well as they 

rehearsed,” he said. “And the orchestra did 

very well.” 

While in Florida, they stayed at Port 

Orleans Riverside, a Disney World Resort. 

“Our hotel was really nice, even though 

we weren’t there much,” Nutt said. 

Band and orchestra members kept 

themselves busy in Disney World. In 

addition to performing at Disney, students 

were also able to explore the parks at their 

leisure. 

Nutt said 

this was a lot 

of fun. 

“I got to 

spend a lot 

of time with 

people I like to 

hang out with,” she 

said. “It’s more fun 

than just with my 

family.” 

Nutt said that of all 

the parks they visited, 

Magic Kingdom was 

her favorite. 

“It’s got that classic 

Disney magic feeling to it,” she 

“It’s got that 

classic Disney 

magic feeling 

to it...” 

-Kathryn Nutt 

said. “And Cinderella’s castle was really 

pretty.” 

Hockman said Islands of Adventure was 

her favorite attraction. 

“I liked the water rides since it was hot 

and it was fun to cool off,” Hockman said. 

However, Nutt didn’t find it to be as 

amusing. 

“Overall, though I liked the rides there, I 

didn’t like Islands of Adventure as much,” 

Nutt said. “There wasn’t as much to do.” 

Hockman said Epcot was her least 

favorite park. 

“I didn’t like Epcot because there were 

no rides, but the Worlds Showcase was 

exciting,” Hockman said. 

At the end of the trip, despite sore feet 

and travel exhaustion, band and orchestra 

members came 

home with lasting 

memories. 

“I’m crazy 

about Disney,” 

Nutt said, “and 

being able to say 

I was in a parade at 

Disney is just the best.” 

Hockman, who 

had never been to 

Disney World, said 

the trip exceeded her 

expectations. 

“I am glad I got to be a 

part of this trip with the band 

and orchestra,” she said. 

Varn said this was the best trip he 

has taken with the band and orchestra so 

far. 

“The kids showed how mature, 

respectful and polite they can be,” he said. 

“Their behavior represented Hoover and 

that made it the best in my eyes.” •

Revisiting the past: 

Hoover juniors connect with senior citizens 

Katy Coduto 

Staff Writer 

For some, the history of North Canton 

might not sound appealing. However, 

one group of Hoover students delved 

deep into the history of North Canton for 

a recent project with the North Canton 

Heritage Society. 

Twelve junior AP English students were 

given the opportunity to interview 12 North 

Canton senior citizens who worked for the 

Hoover Co. when it was in full swing. 

Students were able to meet with their 

assigned seniors, take pictures with them 

and interview them for hours about what 

life used to be like in North Canton before 

the Hoover Co. went out of business. 

The students’ works will be contributed 

to the North Canton Heritage Society near 

the end of May. 

Kathy Fernandez, director of the North 

Canton Heritage Society, said the grant for 

the project was written through the Key 

Bank Foundation. Students were provided 

with tape recorders so they could record the 

interviews with the senior citizens and then 

save the files for the exhibit. 

“We’ll add these stories to the small 

file we have already, and we’ll have the 

auditory and written stories,” she said. 

“Since there are only 12 pieces, the exhibit 

won’t be huge, but we’ll have it open so 

that the public can see the work put in.” 

AP English teacher Miss Tiffany Walker 

said the work the students did was good for 

them, as it allowed them to go out in the 

community to hone their writing skills. 

“Kathy [Fernandez] e-mailed me and 

asked if I would be interested 

because she thought we should 

get either junior honors or AP 

students involved,” she said. “We 

had around 16 who were initially 

interested and they went to a 

class that taught them interview 

techniques and writing skills to 

really enhance their writing.” 

Walker said the assignment 

required students to write about 

the life of one senior citizen from 

the North Canton area. 

“They had to write about 

a person’s life while including 

details about the history of North Canton 

and this area. The project documents the 

20th century through the senior citizens,” 

Walker said. 

Fernandez believes the experience was 

valuable in helping the different students 

learn history. 

“Most kids just aren’t interested in 

history today,” she said. “It’s hard to get 

kids interested and keep them interested. 

At first, I was planning on having the 

seniors write their own stories. But then I 

thought it would be good to have a younger 

generation connect with the seniors and 

hear their stories.” 

Junior Michael Renner was one of the 

students who participated in the project and 

said he learned a lot about his senior citizen, 

who once worked as the Vice President of 

Engineering at the Hoover Co. 

“He was able to tell me so much about 

the Hoover Co.’s work ethic and about how 

they were so detailed and focused with the 

work they did,” he said. 

Fernandez also said that the lessons 

learned from the seniors were valuable for 

the students. 

“It was good for everyone involved,” 

she said. “We’ve had people come from all 

over the place, even The Washington Post, 

looking for information on North Canton 

and the Hoover Co., and now we have even 

more primary sources to help them.” 

Walker said she’s just glad that her 

students had the opportunity to go out in 

the community and work with the seniors. 

“I think it was really good for them to 

go out in the community and write about 

someone other than themselves,” she said. 

“It was a good learning experience.” • 

(Above)•Dan Zucal, former worker at the 

Hoover Co., stands with his daughter. Zucal 

worked for the company for many years. • Zucal 

stands with family members. He was interviewed 

by junior Rachel Acuna for the project. 

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF RACHEL ACUNA 

SERIF 05.15.09 TEXT WITH the viking SAN-SERIF views 11 

HEADING W/ GRAPHIC

COMMENTARY 

MARANDA SHREWSBERRY 

INVISIBLE CHILDREN 

Students raise awareness of the war in Uganda 

Maranda Shrewsberry 

Staff Writer 

On April 25, 100 cities in 10 countries 

decided to come together as one 

voice to solve an issue that is a big 

problem. They were raising their voices 

about helpless children in Uganda who 

are taken from their beds and turned into 

monsters to fight Africa’s longest running 

war. In supporting the Invisible Children 

cause, I helped to raise awareness for 

the children in Uganda. 

The war began 23 years ago when 

Joseph Kony started a rebel army called 

the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) against 

the Government of Uganda to bring 

justice to an ethnic group called the 

Acholi. When Kony’s forces lost support, 

he decided to recruit children against 

their will, abducting them while they 

slept. According to invisiblechildren.com, 

the LRA was made up of over 90 percent 

abducted children at one point. 

After I found this information, I decided 

to do something to help them. I learned 

about Invisible Children April 23 when 

they held a screening at our school. 

After showing the informative and 

graphic video about the child soldiers, 

they told us about demonstrations that 

were to be held across the world to 

raise awareness on the subject called 

The Rescue. The people attending the 

demonstration would abduct themselves 

for a day, sleeping in the open like the 

child soldiers and waiting for someone 

with influence to come “rescue” them. 

Fortunately, there was one in Cleveland 

so I was able to attend The Rescue. On 

the day before, an announcement was 

posted from Invisible Children that there 

would be no sleeping in Cleveland. I was 


disappointed until I discovered that The 

Rescue was almost not going to occur in 

Cleveland at all. It all happened thanks to 

one man named Josh Wolny. 

Wolny, a sophomore at Cleveland 

State, learned about Invisible Children 

when he was a junior in high school. Three 

years later, Wolny became the Street 

Team Leader for Cleveland. He hoped 

that everyone with influence would come 

save us and the revolution would begin, 

but this didn’t happen. 

“The whole Central East Africa region 

has been on fire for years and this specific 

fire should have no fuel,” he said. 

The next step is a lobby in Washington 

DC from June 22 to 23. Wolny hopes for a 

positive outcome. 

“I think that we can end this war and 

prove that our generation is not just going 

along with the norms or being apathetic,” 

he said. 

Katie Oglesby, a senior at Cleveland 

State, is proof that the millennials do 

care. She is one of Wolny’s friends who 

volunteered for The Rescue to help the 

children of Uganda. 

“They are suffering,” she said. “They 

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are getting taken from their families in 

the middle of the night. They don’t want 

to be there, they want to be with their 

families.” 

Oglesby wants to raise awareness 

more than anything and said anyone can 

help. 

“If they can do it in 100 cities in ten 

countries, they can do it anywhere,” she 

said. “It starts with one person.” 

Being part of The Rescue changed 

the way I see the world. I see the evil of 

Joseph Kony in Uganda as something 

that needs to be stopped and media 

stations don’t take college kids standing 

up for a cause seriously. I learned that I 

like the idea of getting involved in what I 

believe and getting out there and making 

a difference. 

Now it’s your turn. Next time you hear 

about something that needs changed, 

will you sit and wait for change to come 

to you or will you propel the change 

(Above from left) • A group of volunteers 

waits for the event to begin. Demonstrators 

walked to Willard Park in Cleveland. • Josh 

Wolny speaks at The Rescue. Wolny has 

been in charge of The Rescue for 3 years. 

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“I try to go out 

and play my 

hardest every 

game...” 

Each issue, The Viking Views staff randomly 

selects a Hoover student to be featured as 

a unique personality. 

Kelsey Soehnlen 


Story and Photo • AJ Crofford 

For the eldest child of a family it can 

be rough: the first to experience high 

school, the example that parents use 

for younger siblings, and balancing life 

all-around. Sophomore Kelsey Soehnlen 

is managing her life while participating in 

extracurricular activities, sports and family 

life. 

Soehnlen is the oldest child of three with 

younger siblings Greg, 13 and Katie, 11. 

She enjoys spending time with her family 

and tries to help around the house. Mrs. 

Mary Beth Soehnlen, Soehnlen’s mother, 

feels she is doing a good job. 

“She is a role model, even if she doesn’t 

know it,” Mary Beth said. “She is good 

with both of them and she spends time with 

them and offers advice.” 

According to Soehnlen, when she is 

not at school she enjoys hanging out 

with friends, shopping and playing 

volleyball. She also participates in 

Leadership and Spanish Club. 

“Kelsey is disciplined in the way 

that she balances everything,” Mary 

Beth said. “She gets good grades 

while playing volleyball year round 

and keeping everything together.” 

Soehnlen played many sports as 

a child but decided to be a setter on the 

volleyball team in the end and her love for 

the sport has blossomed. 

“I try to go out and play my hardest 

every game while trying to be positive and 

I tell myself to ‘give it my all,’” she said. 

Soehnlen’s coach, Miss Lindsay May, 

said she is privileged to have met Soehnlen 

and has watched her talent grow through 

her high school career as a setter. 

“I’m proud of her on the court and in the 

classroom, and how she represents North 

Canton City Schools,” she said. “She is a 

very kind person and goes out of her way 

for others.” 

According to Mary Beth Soehnlen, 

Soehnlen practices year round and became 

a better player. 

“She has grown as a volleyball player,” 

she said. “It has made her more confident 

in herself and she has taken more of a 

leadership role. She is disciplined and 

works hard.” 

May agreed she is growing as a leader. 

“She shows teammates that even if you 

are already good at a sport, there is always 

room to improve,” she said. “On and off the 

court she knows what’s wrong and what’s 

right.” 

Soehnlen’s personality shows 

when she is with friends and 

family, but also while playing 

volleyball. 

“She is a very shy, quiet 

girl,” May said. “But she 

shows leadership, athleticism, 

intelligence and that is 

important as a setter.” 

Soehnlen said she 

appreciates May’s help 

and said she has made her 

more communicative 

while being there 

to help and being 

encouraging. 

When Soehnlen 

is not in the 

classroom or on the 

court she is spending time 

with her friends. 

“She is a very kind person 

and goes out of her way 

for others.” 

-Miss Lindsay May 

Sophomore Elise Criswell and Soehnlen 

have known each other since middle school 

and ever since they have been best friends. 

Soehnlen said Criswell can make her 

laugh and she can trust her 

with anything 

and Criswell 

feels the same 

about Soehnlen. 

“She inspires 

me to be a better 

friend because I 

see how good of 

a friend she is to 

me,” Criswell said. 

“She does what a 

friend is supposed to 

do: makes life fun.” 

Soehnlen said she 

tries her best each day 

and tries to be helpful 

to others around her. 

“I try to live every day to the fullest,” she 

said. “I can always tell myself it could be 

worse if I am having a bad day. I appreciate 

my friends and family because they are 

always there for me.” 

Mary Beth Soehnlen said she feels 

Soehnlen has grown drastically as a person 

due to everything in her life. She 

said she still holds some 

characteristics 

from when 

she was a 

baby. 

“She has 

always had 

a sense of 

humor and she 

is able to laugh 

at herself,” she 

said. “Kelsey is 

really positive and 

goes into each day 

with a smile on her 

face.” 

Mary Beth Soehnlen 

supports Soehnlen in 

everything she does 

and helps her balance 

her life. They get through 

everything together, and 

Soehnlen said that her mother 

inspires her the most because they 

can relate to each other. 

Soehnlen tries to give advice to 

others who are feeling down while 

keeping her own head held high. 

“She is a trustworthy and funloving 

person,” Criswell said. “She 

will always listen and have a response. 

Kelsey is very friendly and welcoming to 

all and people 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KELSEY SOEHNLEN 

can be comfortable 

around her.” 

Since Soehnlen 

and Criswell have 

been best friends 

since middle 

school, their 

r e l a t i o n s h i p 

has grown and 

Criswell feels it 

is strong. 

“If there 

is one thing I 

could change 

about Kelsey, 

I wouldn’t 

change a 

thing,” she 

said. “If I would have never 

met Kelsey I would have missed out on a 

lot of fun things in life.”• 

(Above) • Kelsey Soehnlen gets ready for 

school. Soehnlen is a sophomore at Hoover. 

• Soehnlen stands with her younger brother 

and sister. She and her siblings have stayed 

close growing up. 


TRENDS 

What is the best place to store your favorite o-zone 

layer depleting aerosol hairspray, your alcohol based 

body spray and your undegradable oil wipes Your 

new eco-friendly tote bag from Pacsun, naturally. 

You can lessen your eco-footprint by investing in 

Al Gore approved organically produced clothing, 

available from stores like American Apparel 

and Alternative Apparel. Feel good about yourself as 

you arrive home in your SUV with your new organic “Save 

the Planet” T–shirt from WetSeal in a plastic shopping bag and rest 

while turning on every electrical appliance in your household. 

Even if being a fine pioneer lassie treading 

along treacherous Oregon Trail doesn’t 

sound like a romantic good time, you can 

still enjoy the freely moving western wear 

of the 19 th century. Skirts, graceful as amber 

waves of grain in a gentle gale, are now where 

the fashionable wind blows. Flowing skirts have 

transcended generations, from the times of dysentery to the 

times of the free-loving 60s, to the modern and times. But this time around 

they feature a shorter cut, representing this new age lewdness. Skirts of all 

flows and lengths can be found at American Eagle and Charlotte Russe. 

Model: Laura Levitt 

Compiled by: Maria Dawaher 


Inspired by ancient Roman warriors and present-day 

college toga parties, gladiator sandals have come into the 

present day with a stylish vengeance. Gladiator sandals 

feature an often complicated array and entanglement of 

straps, and may or may not be adorned with a studded 

touch. They range in height level from the simplistic 

and charming ankle-length to the cage-like knee-highs, which 

best be avoided except for those who are paid re-enactors of the long 

gone era. Regardless, you will be dressed to kill in these prize fighting 

footwear, found at Urbanoutfitters.com and Journey’s.

The simple things in life 

burn after 

reading 

by kyle marcus 

Columns in The Viking Views tend 

to be very mature and thoughtful. 

They have controversial topics. 

Nostalgic reflections on high school life. 

And rarely do they avoid using insightful 

metaphors or life-changing epiphanies to 

do this. 

When I sat down to write this column, 

naturally I planned to do the same thing. 

For example, I could 

have written about 

how high school is like 

a zoo and I feel like a 

lion. About how I feel 

emotionally caged in, 

waiting to break free 

and attack every child 

who gets in my way on 

my journey to Africa where I belong. 

But who wants to read that crap Not 

even my mother. And since I’ve been 

known to be wild and rebellious, I feel like 

doing something different. 

Instead of complaining about 

important, serious topics, I chose to write 

positively about unimportant things that 

float my boat. A mature and thoughtful 

list of stupid things I like. Why do you care 

about what I like I don’t know. But you 

may just find that you like the same things 

I do. And in my opinion, there’s nothing 

wrong with people coming together to 

enjoy the simple things in life. 

For starters, I like offensive jokes 

about serious matters, like Chris Brown 

attacking Rihanna, Sarah Palin’s sex 

appeal or Britney Spears’ all-around 

dysfunction. Of course, I know when to 

draw the line. For example, I would never 

laugh at a senior citizen who suffers from 

memory loss. Even if they would just 

forget about it sooner or later. 

I like pizza delivery men and women 

who sound eternally grateful and 

surprised at the sight of you giving them 

a $2 tip. This one time I gave the guy a 

generous $5 and he became so gleeful 

that he almost forgot to give me my 

breadsticks. That would have sucked. 

I like women comedians like Kathy 

Griffin and Chelsea Handler who aren’t 

afraid of being rude in their attempts 

to stick it to the man and be politically 

incorrect. Especially when they make fun 

of Ryan Seacrest’s short stature. 

I like Mr. Weible. Where is he Who’s 

that blonde woman teaching in his 

classroom He was 

There’s nothing wrong 

with people coming 

together to enjoy the 

simple things... 

so friendly. I wonder 

what he’s doing right 

now. 

I like Kevin from 

“The Office.” He’s 

like an unintelligent, 

socially awkward 

teddy bear. I also like 

Phyllis. If she ever left Bob Vance to be 

with Kevin, they could dominate the world 

with their size and love for brownies. 

I like smiley teachers like Mr. Pickle 

and Mr. Rankin who always say “hi” when 

they pass me in the hallways. I’m sure 

they do this to all of their current and 

former students, but it just makes me 

feel special when they do it to me. 

I like adorable, intelligent women like 

Tina Fey, Hillary Clinton and Mrs. Bridges. 

I only personally know one out of those 

three and yet I’m positive any one of 

them would happily adopt me if I were 

ever a scraggily bum like Will Smith in 

“The Pursuit of Happyness.” 

I like when Tyra Banks has a guest on 

her talk show but ends up interviewing 

herself. People who are self-centered are 

so fascinating to watch. 

I like El Rincon. They don’t make me 

wait more than 30 seconds for my Speedy 

Gonzales. Nothing ticks me off more than 

having to wait a normal amount of time 

for a delicious Mexican entrée. 

And last but not least, I like summer 

and I hope you do too. If you don’t, you’re 

weird and these next three months are 

going to suck. So have a good summer 

kids. 

COLLEGE SEARCH 

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUREN VAUGHN 

Point Park University 

By Erin Druga 

Point Park University is located in 

the center of downtown Pittsburgh. This 

private school is considered a liberal arts 

college and has more than 50 majors 

and minors, including dance, business 

management, mass communications and 

political science. 

This smaller school has approximately 

2,000 students, with class sizes usually no 

larger than 30 people. According to 2008 

Hoover graduate Lauren Vaughn, having 

smaller classes is very beneficial. 

“There are no lecture classes; you’re 

able to [know] everyone in the class,” 

she said. “The professors talk to you 

in the halls and are always available to 

answer questions.” 

Aside from academics, Point Park 

offers many different activities for 

students to be involved in, such as 

volleyball, basketball and baseball and 

intramural sports like flag football and 

ice-skating. 

Its urban setting provides many 

opportunities for Point Park students. 

“Anywhere you need to go is only a 

short walk or bus ride away,” Vaughn 

said. “Internships are always available 

too, which is pretty convenient.” 

Tuition for Point Park is approximately 

$21,200 per year for non-conservatory 

students, however 98 percent of students 

receive financial aid. When students 

are admitted into the university, they 

are automatically considered for 

scholarships. 

Vaughn, who is majoring in dance, 

said she enjoys attending Point Park 

University and feels very comfortable 

there. 

“I love the people I’ve met so far,” she 

said. “No one is afraid of being exactly 

who they are.”• 


OPINION 

Our Views 

Time for Goodbye 

The old saying “All good things must come to an end,” seems to 

prove true at the end of every school year. This year is no different, 

as this is Mr. Joe Martino and Mrs. Trisha Merchant’s last year at 

Hoover High School. 

We are fortunate at our school to have the privilege of being 

instructed by qualified, intelligent and caring teachers. Many 

students have positive and grateful comments to say about both 

Martino and Merchant. As seen on page four, students’ lives have 

been impacted by both, whether it was by learning something extra 

or by being pushed to their best in their academics as well as their 

lives. 

Not only will Hoover have to bid farewell to two exceptional 

teachers but also to our curriculum director Mrs. Peggy McClain. 

McClain has improved our curriculum for the past 16 years and 

has worked for the North Canton City Schools district for 28 

years. After years of continuous hardwork for the sole purpose of 

improving our education, McClain is retiring. 

The Viking Views staff would like to thank these three people 

for their oustanding efforts and contributions to improve our 

education as well as our lives. The lessons, the motivation, the 

high expectations—endless gifts given to students by these people 

will never be forgotten. 

Although it is sad to see these three retire, we would also like 

to wish them the best of luck as well as plenty of enjoyment and 

relaxation for their retirements. Their legacies have touched 

many and will continue to touch the lives of students for years 

to come. 

A Healthy Reminder 

Over the past month there have been a growing number of confirmed 

cases of the swine flu (now referred to as “H1N1”). Although 

it is now believed that this illness will be mild, we believe 

it is still important for students to take the appropriate precautions 

during this contagious time. 

In order to avoid contracting this illness, students should remember 

the following: 

1. Wash hands as much as possible and correctly. 

2. If you need to cough or sneeze, do so in a tissue and then 

throw it away. 

3. Most importantly, if you are feeling ill, stay home and avoid 

contact with others. 

The symptoms of H1N1 are very similar to a typical flu illness, 

including nausea, vomiting, fever, body aches and fatigue. Coldlike 

symptoms such as a runny nose and a sore throat are also 

common symptoms of the H1N1 virus. 

While we recommend that precautions are taken to avoid catching 

the virus, we believe there is no need to act rashly in light of 

additional confirmed cases. 

As the end of the year rolls around, we encourage readers to 

follow these steps to have a happy and healthy summer. 


“We strive to provide our honest opinions while 

representing all sides, and to fairly portray the 

student body’s expressions.” 

OUR MISSION 

Prom Arrival Controversy 

Prom has been on the minds of the junior and senior class since 

before spring break. On May 5 a letter was given to students during 

homeroom explaining a new process for prom arrival. 

The letter outlines that trained staff members will administer 

a Breathalyzer test to everyone in attendance. If a student blows 

two positive tests they will be turned over to law enforcement officials. 

We support the decision of the administration in making this 

policy and feel certain that such a policy is necessary for the protection 

and safety of prom attendees. The administration is merely 

following the rules and guidelines set by the student code of conduct 

and working to keep prom-goers safe. 

Although we agree with this policy, we do have concerns over 

the implementation of this program. 

While the letter from the administration details systems to keep 

lines short, the testing of every prom attendee will take far too 

much time. Despite opening the doors earlier, there is still concern 

that long lines will occur as a result of late arriving attendees. 

We recommend the administration take steps to ensure prompt 

and brief testing times to allow students to enjoy the entire duration 

of prom. 

Secondly, as this system has not yet been field-tested at a school 

event, we are concerned with the potential of false-tests and inadequate 

training. The Viking Views feels there should be a secondary 

method for testing students with two confirmed positive 

Breathalyzer tests. 

As always, we encourage students to be safe and make good 

decisions to ensure that prom will be memorable for the right reasons. 

JR

Editorial Board 

Kayla Carpenter • Natalie Casper • David Esber • John Jackson 

Kaitlin Kline • Maranda Shrewsberry 

YourViews 

No matter how many times you hear 

it, your high school years really do fly by. 

Enjoy your time, live every moment to 

the fullest and don’t be dumb. Make these 

years last with awesome memories and 

live each day as well as you can. It’s high 

school, man, live it up! 

- Kirsten Sudar, 12 

My advice to underclassmen is to 

remain focused and keep your eyes on the 

prize—graduation. It is easy to slack off 

and be lazy (senioritis). 

- Tyler Cochran, 12 

My advice to the underclassmen would 

be to balance your life. Work hard in school, 

but not to the point where it’s all you think 

about. Focus on friendships but don’t let 

[them] ruin your schoolwork. Also, learn 

to accept disappointment and grow from it. 

And lastly, be good to your parents, you’re 

going to miss them when you’re trapped in 

a dorm room. 

- Kelsey Morgan, 12 

myVIEW 

As the number 

of my high school 

days dwindle down 

to single digits, 

I’m realizing more 

in these few days 

that I have left 

than I ever did in 

all four years I’ve 

been here. 

I’m realizing 

that I don’t even 

know half of the people in 

my graduating class. I haven’t taken the 

time or put in the effort to get to know 

I would tell underclassmen to be involved 

because you only have four years 

and then it’s over. Make friends and don’t 

be afraid to put yourself out there because 

you could miss out on knowing some really 

amazing people. Be you! 

- Rachel Price, 12 

As a graduating senior, I would 

advise each student to make 

the most memories you can 

throughout the year. Time flies 

by and will be over before 

you know it. However, this 

advice also includes making 

smart decisions and 

being responsible when 

having fun. 

- Jessica Carpenter, 12 

As a graduating senior, my advice to underclassmen 

is to get a parking pass. Walking 

from Dogwood in December is awful. 

- Alex Gaul, 12 

Staff member Kenzie Smith responds 

hardly anybody. I’ve judged people based 

on what I hear about them or what outfit 

they’re wearing. I judge people and that’s 

enough to feel so much guilt. 

As I leave high school, I am filled with 

guilt. Guilt of not trying hard enough, guilt 

of not making more friends and guilt of not 

getting more involved with the activities 

that my school had to offer. 

Underclassmen: Listen up. 

As an upcoming graduate of Hoover, I 

would like to say something very important 

to all of you: get involved with school. 

Find time to go to the football games or 

join a club. Don’t let drama get in the way 

My advice to underclassmen would be 

to not be afraid to do something that leaves 

a lasting impression on the school. You 

only go to high school once, why not make 

it the most memorable you can 

- Tori Tauscher, 12 

Seniors, as your high school 

career comes to an end, what 

advice would you offer to 

underclassmen 

As an upperclassman, I would suggest 

learning to not discriminate against your 

peers regardless of whether or 

not your personal 

beliefs, politics 

or habits 

clash with 

theirs. Learn 

to love all inclusively. 

- Tim Grable, 12 

My advice to underclassmen is 

to always listen to your teachers and never 

talk back to them in a smart way. 

- Scott Miller, 12 

of grades; it’s really not worth it. Another 

thing I would like to tell the underclassmen 

is that all of the teachers and principals 

who you think are so awful, really aren’t. 

They really are looking out for your best 

interests. Listen to them and be mindful of 

what they have to say because it’ll help you 

out when you get into the real world. Rules 

are in place for a reason and because life 

isn’t always fair. 

When the time comes to receive your 

cap and gown, you’ll comprehend all of this 

“nonsense.” I would like to congratulate the 

class of 2009 and say good luck in whatever 

you choose to do after high school. 


Your 

VIEWS(cont’d) 

Although some weeks go by slowly, 

overall, your four years will go faster than 

you could ever think. Make sure you have 

good memories to look back on. Get involved 

in activities. The most important 

advice would be do your work and don’t 

get behind, but have fun. 

- Leah Gibson, 12 

If you look like you know what you’re 

doing, no one will stop you. 

- Taylor Vukovich, 12 

As a senior graduating, my advice to underclassmen 

is enjoy high school as much 

as possible and don’t take your time here 

at Hoover for granted. Your high school 

years will pass you by before you know it. 

- Santana Crilley, 12 

The best advice I could give to underclassmen 

would be to make friends with 

people you actually like and have similar 

interests. 

- Brian Lesnak, 12 

As a senior graduating, my advice to 

underclassmen is to learn to manage your 

time and not to procrastinate things. 

- Michelle Cohen, 12 

Most things in high school are overhyped 

to make them seem like a bigger 

deal than they really are. Turkey Gravy is 

good, but not good enough to push people 

out of the way or stop the world. Prom is 

fun and a good way to end the year, but 

it’s not the end of the world if you don’t 

go. Punishment is blown out of proportion 

too. High school isn’t the end of the world, 

there’s life afterwards. 

- Jason Bosyj, 12 

Don’t stay away from opportunities to 

meet new people. You could make new 

friends in the process, even with people 

you least expected. 

- Colin Leslie, 12 


Unexpected is not 

always unwelcome 

this message 

approved 

by kaitlin kline 

I 

can remember my first year on The 

Viking Views staff. I looked around 

at my fellow staff members with the 

sinking feeling that I would never be able 

to find anything in common with any of 

them since we all, pretty much, came 

from different high school stereotypes. 

After my first year, I seriously considered 

not rejoining staff, as many nights spent 

after school working on the paper, I 

sat mostly alone and not speaking to 

anyone. 

I don’t really know what 

it was but something in 

me told me to join again 

my junior year despite my 

general disappointment 

the previous year. However, 

the next year was not 

much of an improvement. 

If anything, it was worse, 

as the few friends I had on 

staff my sophomore year 

were seniors and therefore 

no longer around my junior 

year. 

I began writing columns 

my junior year, though, 

and once again, I was 

determined to join staff 

again for my senior year. 

Maybe it was my love for 

writing. Maybe it was sheer 

curiosity in trying to figure out why my older 

sister had such a love for Newspaper. 

Whatever the reason, I signed up. And 

every time I walk into the Publications 

Lab, I am thankful for this decision. 

My staff members, as well as my 

classmates, have spent the past three 

years together, working on the same 

common tasks, stressing over the same 

problems. Despite these factors, I felt the 

need in the past to shut them out merely 

because of the fact that we came from 

different cliques. 

Cliques. High school stereotypes. The 

defining ways of how I have spent the 

most of my high school career. And now, 

with less than two weeks of high school 

left, I am surrounded by some of the best 

people I know: the preps, the jocks, the 

super-smart kids. The students I have felt 

intimidated by for no apparent reason. In 

the end, I have come to the realization that 

these titles mean absolutely nothing. 

And now, I am sitting here with a 

smile on my face as I listen to possibly 

some of the craziest and weirdest kids 

I know, singing along to some ridiculous 

song, shrieking with 

...I am sitting 

here with a 

smile on my 

face as I listen 

to possibly 

some of the 

craziest and 

weirdest kids I 

know... 

laughter and crawling 

around on the floor. 

I am listening to the 

sounds of sheer 

chaos around me and 

the stress of everyday 

life is temporarily put 

on hold. 

I don’t know 

whether or not we will 

all keep in touch after 

we walk across the 

stage June 7. I don’t 

know whether or not 

we will continue our 

craziness once we 

step outside of the 

Publications Lab. I 

do know one thing, 

though, and that is that 

I will be forever grateful for the happiness 

these people have brought to my life. I will 

be forever changed for the lessons I have 

learned from them; that, regardless of 

what stereotype you come from, you can 

find some of the people you get along with 

best in the most unexpected situation. I 

will be forever confident that crawling out 

of my shell around people I hardly know 

can turn out to be a good thing. 

Now, with that said, I am going to bring 

my last column to an end, join in on the 

chaos with my friends and enjoy my last 

late-night here in this Publications Lab as 

a Viking Views staff member.

For me, this year has been filled 

with all sorts of transformations. I 

have always enjoyed nature and as 

a young child, I figured that I would grow 

up to be a militant environmentalist. But 

as I got older, the cause of nature fell 

by the wayside. I looked at groups like 

Greenpeace and the Sierra Club with 

disdain. They were hippies that were too 

obsessed with protecting the environment 

that they didn’t even notice the suffering 

of their fellow man. The 

environment just didn’t 

seem as important. 

Going down to 

Disney World, as well 

as the insistence of a 

close friend, convinced 

me again that our 

planet needs our help. 

Don’t mark me down 

as Captain Planet yet. 

I’m pretty sure I litter 

just about as much as 

any other person. And 

if I was forced to make 

a decision to save a 

person or a fern, I’m 

The grass is greener 

oven-blaked 

by blake tan 

I don’t 

want to be 

remembered 

as the 

generation 

that killed 

Earth. 

still going to choose the person. But I’ve 

made a personal resolution to do more 

everyday to help the Earth. 

This planet is our home and though I’ll 

admit that the rings of Saturn and some 

space nebulae are pretty, it doesn’t come 

close to the beauty that is Earth. I’ve only 

seen our planet from pictures astronauts 

took from space or the amazing Mission: 

Space Ride at Epcot, but even those 

are enough to persuade me that in the 

galaxy as we know it, there is no planet 

like ours. So why should we spoil and ruin 

this wonder of a world 

If you’ve seen Wall-E, you’ve seen 

a depiction of an Earth completely 

covered in garbage. That simple imagery 

alone spoke to something inside me. I 

don’t want to be responsible for that. 

I don’t want to be remembered as the 

generation that killed Earth. But we can 

do something about it. 

Even writing these words, I feel like 

a broken record. Or a hippie. But these 

words have to be written, for my own eyes 

as well as yours. I want this to be a visual 

reminder of a promise, a covenant, I have 

made between my home and myself. 

I will recycle. 

I will use recycled items. 

I will use less paper. 

I will not drive when I 

can walk. 

I will turn off unused 

lights. 

I will support the 

research for renewable 

resources. 

They aren’t difficult 

promises. The only hard 

part is remembering them. 

But if I write it down, and if 

as a generation, as peers, 

we remind each other of our 

responsibility as stewards 

of this planet, we can keep 

them. 

Let’s play pretend. 

Pretend we do nothing. Pretend we keep 

living as we have lived, as our predecessors 

have lived. Pretend we continue to belch 

smoke and chemical wastes into our 

atmosphere. Pretend we keep dumping 

waste products into our oceans. Pretend 

we continue devastating our rainforests 

until all that remains is wasteland. Let’s 

pretend we fail. Thousands, no, simply 

hundreds of years later, we would have 

no planet, no home, no Earth. Just a dry, 

empty husk where there once were green 

forests and blue seas. 

Wake up. No more pretending. Let’s 

do something about the atrocities being 

committed against our home. I know I 

don’t want that grim future that Wall-E 

presented. I know nobody else does 

either. I can promise you this: It won’t be 

easy, but we can do it. 

Student Views: 

Which senior will you 

miss the most after 

graduation 

Michael Scheks, 11: 

“Michael Green because of his 

outstanding personality, athletic ability and 

solid bear hugs” 

Julie Benedetto, 11: 

“I’ll miss Maggie 

Knisley because when 

she goes to college 

I’m not just losing her, 

I’m losing my second 

family.” 

Kyla Campbell, 10: 

“Robby Warburton because I love his hair 

and I will miss seeing it flop in the wind.” 

Becca Moore, 10: 

“Denise Cunningham 

because she’s 

my best friend. She 

always used to give 

me rides to volleyball 

and they were so fun. 

She’s the coolest senior 

I know.” 

Antonio Ganios, 10: 

“Nate Arnold, he makes track fun.” 

Stephen Burrier, 9: 

“Zach Goulet just because he’s a good 

teammate and pushed everyone to do their 

best.” 

Katiann Scherer, 11: 

“Sarah Maj because 

she is really funny 

and loves Will Ferrell. 

I’ll miss her like 

crazy.” 

Braydon Semonovich, 9: 

“My freshman mentor, 

Ben Hazen, because 

he’s a really good 

mentor and gives 

good advice.” 

Kayla Zellers 10: 

“Ashley Keenan because when she is at swim 

practice it makes swimming more enjoyable 

and I can count on her to be there for me.” 


SCENE 

Senior Spectacular and May Fiesta hit the stage 

Carina Belles 

Staff Writer 

It is a tradition that Hoover choirs look 

forward to every year. Whether it is their 

first time or a yearly family tradition, 

May Fiesta and Senior Spectacular have 

been Hoover institutions for as long as 

anyone can remember. 

This year Senior Spectacular 

was held May 2 and May Fiesta 

ran from May 8-10. 

“It’s been a longstanding 

tradition,” Hoover choir director, 

Mrs. Patti Grewell, said. “One 

of our old choir directors, Mr. 

Hayward, had May Fiesta back at 

Lincoln, where he used to teach. 

Lincoln had it, Lehman did, 

McKinley did and then Hoover 

had it. Our May Fiesta, as far as 

the title goes, got started then.” 

May Fiesta typically runs the 

third weekend in May but this year 

it was pushed up a week earlier so 

the Sunday performance would 

coincide with Mothers’ Day. 

The students prepare for three major 

shows in just a couple of months. May 

Fiesta practice is done during the regular 

school day for freshmen, Women’s Chorale 

and A Cappella choirs. The ensemble 

choirs, Hi-Notes and Hi-Los, meet before 

or after school to learn their music and 

dance routines. 

However, the show is not just limited 

to high school students. The middle school 

and the elementary schools both have their 

own rehearsals after school for students 

who are interested. 

Senior Rachel Beuoy said she likes 

having students of all grade levels involved 

in May Fiesta. 

“My favorite part is the whole experience 

of having all the choirs together,” she said. 

“Everything is my favorite because we’re 

all on stage singing together.” 

However, Senior Spectacular 

is an entirely different story. 

Interested 

pick a song 

a n d 

seniors 

perform it during the Senior Spectacular 

and on one of the three nights of the May 

Fiesta shows. 

Grewell said she recommends that 

seniors be prepared to work on their own 

time because they do not get a lot of inschool 

practice time. 

“For seniors, they work pretty much on 

“May Fiesta is 

basically the last 

time we’ll all sing 

together so it’s 

really sad.” 

-Rachel Beuoy 

their own,” she said. “But they do have to 

sing for me, usually two weeks before the 

show our band rehearses with the senior, 

then we have dress rehearsal and then the 

shows.” 

Junior Ianthe Craigg is excited to do 

her senior special next year, and plans to 

perform a High School Musical song. 

“I feel like the last movie is totally 

applicable to senior year. It’s in my best 

interest to do a song that relates to how 

we’re all feeling, even though I might cry,” 

she said. 

Emotions are said to run high in a show 

and during May Fiesta, seniors get their 

own tribute in the finale. 

“It’s so sad. Every time we sing, I 

seriously 

have to go up 

a n d 

hug a senior. Some of my best friends are 

leaving this year and it makes me want to 

cry,” Craigg said. 

Grewell said she will miss her students 

after they have graduated but she loves 

being able to share their final high school 

performance with them. 

“It’s sad seeing them leave but it 

feels really good to see what they’ve 

accomplished. I feel proud of what they’ve 

done,” she said. “They make me very happy 

to see them on stage.” 

The seniors agree that, even though they 

have had an incredible time performing and 

learning, what they will miss most is the 

people who they have met. 

“I’ve made all of my best friends in 

choir,” Beuoy said. “It’s hard not to start 

loving the people you stand uncomfortably 

close to on the risers. May Fiesta is basically 

the last time we’ll all sing together so it’s 

really sad.” 

But May Fiesta does not just focus 

on graduating seniors the sibling song is 

always a favorite tradition in which about 

40 families are represented in just one 

piece. 

“I like to see all of our families and, 

as a mom, I like to see my kids up there 

together. It’s nice to see how many families 

we have involved,” Grewell said. 

Students have their own favorite 

traditions as well. 

“My favorite part of the show is our 

warming up songs because it’s funny to 

see how pumped up everyone gets,” senior 

Lisa Price said. 

May Fiesta and Senior Spectacular have 

always been the grand finale to a year of 

involvement in Hoover choirs. 

“Our goal is to make them enjoy music 

throughout their life in any aspect—big or 

small,” Grewell said. “Some kids may just 

sing in the shower and that’s alright. Some 

may go on to pursue music as a career. It’s 

important to always have music as a part 

of your life; it’s something you can always 

take with you.” • 


AJ CROFFORD 

OWEN MILLER 

(Clockwise from top left) •Sophomores Sara 

Polatas, Leah Jackson, Mandy Wise, Michelle 

Rasicci and Jackie Clark perform “Mambo Italiano.” 

• Junior Cece Ramsey and sophomores 

Mercedes Dunne, Katie Shirra, and Sara Blike 

hold hands in the Hi-Notes performance.• 

Sophomore Julia Brendus and younger sister 

Mary shake their hips during the “Sib Song.” 

• Junior Julie Benedetto, senior Maggie Knisley 

and graduate Sam Knisley sing “Itty Bitty 

Pretty One.” •Seniors Stephanie Graham and 

Chris Nichols share a touching moment during 

“West Side Story.” • Sophomore Dustin 

Urey twirls a cane during “Show People.”May 

Fiesta took place May 8-10. 

AJ CROFFORD 

AJ CROFFORD 

AJ CROFFORD 

May Fiesta 

AJ CROFFORD 


Calculus students see 

the ‘final frontier’ 

Sam Stults 

Staff Writer 

Some people go to the movies as just 

another Friday night activity, but for 

math teacher Mr. Jeff Kreis and some of 

his students, it was a late night showing. 

Kreis, along with his AP calculus classes, 

attended the premiere of Star Trek May 

7. 

For Kreis, the appeal to this sci-fi series 

began long ago. He has watched the series 

reruns since the early 1970s. 

“I always liked the science fiction part, 

the cool technology and how they always 

figure out how to solve the problem,” he 

said. “It generally has an optimistic view 

of the future.” 

Teachers’ band rocks out 

Alexa Costi 

Staff Writer 

Hoover’s students are not the only ones 

with musical talents. 

English teachers Mr. Jack Bunnenberg 

and Mr. Michael Johnson, 

social studies teacher Mr. 

Charles Collier, social 

psychology teacher Mr. 

David Reese and science 

teacher Mr. Jeff Pickle 

formed their own classic 

rock band, The Electric 

Pickle, two and a half years 

ago. 

Bunnenberg, the band’s 

lead guitarist, said the 

members talked about music 

together before they ever 

formed a band. 

“[We] thought it might be nice to get a 

group together,” he said. 

While The Electric Pickle would be 

classified as a classic rock band, they play 

music from all different eras. Reese, the 

band’s rhythm guitarist, said each member 

contributes two songs per month for them 

to work on. 

“Normally, one chooses songs for 

oneself, but when you play with other 

people, you really have to stretch and try 

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHELLE OGILVIE 


Kreis’ enthusiasm has rubbed off on 

some of his students. Senior Amanda 

Robinson said that Kreis would talk 

about Star Trek frequently, and as 

a result, she looked forward to the 

premiere. 

“Mr. Kreis was able to come with us, 

which was fun,” she said. 

Senior Kathleen Ray agreed that this 

helped contribute to the classes urge to 

see the movie together. 

“He would make Star Trek jokes and 

has posters on his walls, so when someone 

saw a movie poster for the opening of it 

we all decided to go as a class,” she said. 

Kreis said the students played a 

significant role in preparation for the 

premiere. 

things you wouldn’t have tried on your 

own,” he said. 

Collier, one of the vocalists, said the 

band members’ different tastes in music are 

reflected by what they play. 

“Sometimes they talk about songs I 

don’t know,” he said. “I enjoy listening to 

songs even when I don’t sing.” 

Johnson, lead vocalist, said music was 

something he always enjoyed even though 

he never had much musical experience. 

“I was never in choir or band, but I loved 

music,” he said. 

Reese, on the other hand, has had a great 

deal of experience playing guitar. 

“I’ve been playing guitar for over 38 

years,” he said. “I started playing in various 

USED WITH PERMISSION/PARAMOUNT PICTURES 

“They made t-shirts and took care of 

everything,” he said. 

As Kreis and the students got ready for 

the premiere, each was looking forward to 

something different. 

“We will go chill out and look at the 

Trekkies,” Ray said. “I’m kind of excited 

to see them all dressed up.” 

Kreis said he was looking forward to 

the action, good storyline and the escape 

of a movie for a couple hours. 

“Live long and prosper,” Kreis said as 

he help up his hand in a V, just as Leonard 

Nimoy ad-libbed for Star Trek. • 

bands beginning in junior high school, but 

I’ve basically played at home or solo for the 

last 15 years until we formed The Pickle.” 

Bunnenberg, too, said he has been 

playing guitar for years. He was involved 

in a band when he was younger, but then 

went at least ten years without playing at 

all. 

“The only thing that got me to take the 

guitar out again was the guys in the band,” 

he said. 

The Electric Pickle only performs once 

a year. Collier said they typically practice 

once a month, but more often before their 

performance. 

The members agreed that the best 

part of being in a band together is the 

camaraderie. 

“I enjoy the friendship, laughter and 

being challenged musically,” Reese said. 

Collier agreed. 

“We all have this in common,” he said. 

“It’s fun getting to know each other more.” 

Bunnenberg said he loves just being 

able to play in a band. 

“Physically playing rock and roll music 

with a band is the most thrilling thing in the 

world,” he said. • 

(Above) •Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary 

Quinto) join together on the USS Enterprise. 

• Mr. Charles Collier and Mr. David 

Reese practice for their band The Electric 

Pickle.

So, to be honest, I had a few 

doubts about the situation I was 

in. To start, I was soaking wet. 

I was also standing behind two really 

drunk guys, I was kind of hungry and I 

had about a half an hour until I could 

even dream of being inside Tower City 

Amphitheatre. 

And then, at 6:30, any doubts I had 

about my decision to see The Killers 

were completely erased. As the crowd 

rushed forward, that familiar feeling of 

being surrounded by people just like 

you, connected by the same love you 

have, erupted in the 5,000 people who 

had been eagerly waiting in the rain, 

just like me. 

Not long after we had entered, the 

opening band, Chairlift, took to the 

stage. The eclectic girl with braided 

pigtails and her two companions didn’t 

disappoint. For some reason, the Live 

Nation ticket vendors had decided to 

keep Chairlift a little secret from the 

buyers, so it wasn’t until sound check 

that anyone knew who was opening. The 

biggest moment in their set, “Bruises,” 

got more than a few people dancing 

Rememberances 

P H O T O G R A P H Y 

by Stephanie 

Somebody told me 

around. Think you’ve never heard of 

Chairlift “Bruises” is one of the iPod 

commercial’s catchiest themes. 

I’m going to 

tell you the truth. 

The eruption of 

sound and lights 

that was The 

Killers was almost 

overwhelming. 

Three girls in 

front of me were 

basically crying, 

and the two next to 

me danced even 

during the slowest 

of songs. Some 

turn of the century 

by katy coduto 

Some guy behind me 

managed to not only 

sing every word.. he 

also managed to stay 

completely in key 

330.413.6370 Canton, Ohio 

Receive $75 off any 

senior picture package with 

this ad. 

Specializing in Senior Pictures and Wedding Photography 

guy behind me managed to not only sing 

along with every word from Brandon 

Flowers’ lips, he also managed to stay 

completely on 

key. It was pretty 

impressive. Even 

the parents 

who had been 

forced to come 

with their kids 

couldn’t help 

but let go for the 

hour and a half 

that Flowers and 

Co. controlled 

the stage. 

It was 

nothing short of magnificent. 

The crowd ate up everything The 

Killers chose to perform. Opening with 

“Human” was a good move, considering 

everyone knew the words and sang 

them right back (I still have no voice). 

Whether the songs were oldies from 

“Hot Fuss” or brand new, fresh off of 

“Day & Age,” it really didn’t matter. 

Everyone sang, fist-pumped, clapped, 

swayed and chanted. 

For almost two hours, The Killers 

and their audience were a completely 

impenetrable, unbreakable force. 

Their crowning moment came with 

the encore. Fans cheered for almost 

ten minutes, begging them to come 

back for one more song. Oh, and did 

they oblige. 

“Bones,” “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” 

and “When You Were Young” capped off 

one of the most spectacular nights in 

Tower City Amphitheatre’s history—no 

two ways around it. There was so much 

positive energy from everyone that, 

even though the show was over around 

10:30, the feeling lasted long into the 

night, as we all wished to burn down the 

highway skyline. 


Asher Roth 

“Asleep in the Bread Aisle” 

If you’re looking for the next Eminem, you may as well 

not even read the rest of this review. Unless, of course, the 

Eminem successor you’re looking for is the perfectly middle 

class, sweater-clad, college-bound white boy. 

If that’s the case, then you’re in good company with the witty, 

somewhat deadpan Asher Roth, the 23-year-old from suburban 

Morrisville, Penn., who would rather rap about “going back to 

class for a little bit” instead of life on the streets. 

Question his credibility Listen to the refreshing and catchy 

“As I Em” featuring D.A. Wallach of Chester French. He knows 

the comparisons to Marshall Mathers are coming and blatantly 

tears them apart: “Now the masses think that Asher wants to be 

a Marshall Mathers…Cause we have the same complexion and 

similar voice inflection.” He really just wants you to “take me as 

I em.” 

Of course, if you even have a semi-functioning radio signal, 

you’ve probably heard “I Love College,” and it’s quite possible 

that “Lark On My Go-Kart” will be the next single blasting out of 

your iPod earbuds. Both songs are catchy and, more importantly, 

their lyrics are above and beyond what most rappers feel the need 

to rhyme about (read: money, bling, women). 

Granted the whole album isn’t exactly the work of a genius, 

but Roth isn’t trying to be a genius. Roth is here to have a good 

Chester French 

“Love the Future” 

Possibly one of the most diverse albums so far in 2009, 

Chester French, debuted “Love the Future.” Self-described as 

“gentlemen rock,” the duo follows somewhere along the lines of 

indie pop, orchestral sounds and occasional sprinkles of country 

and hip-hop. Though they are mostly pop, they make an appearance 

on Asher Roth’s debut album “Asleep in the Bread Aisle.” 

Comprised of Harvard students Maxwell Drummey and D.A 

Wallach, the duo was originally accompanied by three others 

but after time the group dwindled. The new Chester French left 

Drummey to do most of the instrumentals and Wallach to do the 

vocals. 

Their first single, “She Loves Everybody,” opens with a light 

cello sound. It then goes to strong power chords of guitar then to 

the smooth pop sound. This should all be considered chaotic and 

unfitting but somehow works together. 

One standout on the album is “Time to Unwind.” This brings a 

bit of a retro sound to the album with the guitar and cowbell. From 

the retro sound, it is suddenly 

propelled to the future with 

a fast synth tune, making this 

song one of the best one minute 

and 44 seconds on the album. 

With such a strong debut 

album, Chester French will 

definitely “Love the Future,” 

since they are going to big 

places. 

-Sam Stults 


~~~~ 

time and his debut album, aided greatly by Oren Yoel and David 

Appleton, shines brightest when Roth is discussing his partying 

ways and college days. 

If you find you’ve become a true Roth fan after “Asleep in the 

Bread Aisle,” it’s more than worth your time to investigate and find 

his “A Milli” freestyle—it’s as good as anything on this album. 

-Katy Coduto 

Bob Dylan 

~~~~ 

“Together Through Life” 

Bob Dylan is inarguably a musical genius ranked with legends 

like the Beatles and Elvis Presley, because that’s exactly what 

he is— a legend. People will never stop listening to Bob Dylan, 

and that’s exactly why he’s been able to release a 33rd solo album 

called “Together Through Life.” 

With Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, Dylan pens some 

of his greatest and yet most painful love songs to date, though 

nothing can really compare to his songs of political unrest of the 

60s. The pain comes from Dylan’s beautifully battered voice. To 

some, that could be a downside but Dylan’s raspy snarl speaks so 

much of love and having lost— the whole album is like a lifetime 

of heartbreak, which makes sense, considering Dylan is 68 years 

old. 

The listener becomes emotionally involved with him 

immediately. The first track, “Beyond Here Lies Nothing,” is the 

exact opposite of what the album really is. Dylan encompasses 

nearly every emotion known to man in his music. 

The stand-out track, “It’s 

All Good,” is a snarky portrait 

of America, as Dylan creates 

images of gritty cities and 

corrupt politicians, all while 

repeating “It’s All Good.” 

The iconic Bob Dylan can 

still inspire us as much as 

he inspired our parents and 

grandparents. 

~~~~~ 

-Carina Belles

Sam Stults 

Staff Writer 

Often times, prequels serve not as an 

explanation to past movies, but as 

a transition to more gaps in stories 

and questions left unanswered. Fortunately, 

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” filled in the 

past of Wolverine with a nearly flawless 

storyline and ridiculously sick action 

scenes. 

Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is 

truly a hero figure throughout the film as he 

keeps his brother, Victor Creed/Sabretooth 

(Liev Schreiber), in check from being 

completely destructive towards humans 

throughout the ages. As military man 

William Stryker (Danny Huston) assembles 

a mutant team, Logan realizes that the path 

he is on with his fellow mutants is more 

harmful than helpful. Logan abandons the 

group to go and try to live a normal life. 

Without his brother by his side, Victor 

becomes the animal that his brother tried to 

control him from being. 

After Victor starts to target the old group 

‘Earth’ will rock the world 

Mike Richards 

Staff Writer 

members, he 

goes on to 

kill Logan’s 

wife, giving 

Wolverine 

the reason to 

come out in 

all strength 

to seek 

r e v e n g e 

against his 

b r o t h e r . 

With the aid 

of Stryker, 

Wolverine’s 

bone-like claws are formed into the most 

indestructible metal and his true animal can 

come out. 

X-Men brings together the sci-fi genre 

and action perfectly. With mutant fight 

scenes throughout, the viewer is always 

on the edge of his or her seat to see what 

will happen next. In the climactic fight 

scene when Wolverine and Sabretooth join 

together to fight the ultimate Weapon XI, 

all the mutant powers are forced together 

nature at its best with exceptional footage 

that comes from the two afore-named 

series. Shots from the ocean, the arctic, 

the rainforests and the natural habitat of 

animals are some to be highly admired. 

Narrated by James Earl Jones, “Earth” 

proves to be a powerful movie for all the 

Earth fanatics. The movie also shows the 

potential outcomes of the planet’s climate 

changes such as the melting of the icecaps 

and the rising of the oceans. The movie 

warns of the crisis going on in the world 

Movies 

‘Wolverine’ tears up the silver-screen 

Earth” comes out at a relevent time, 

c o n s i d e r i n g 

all the global 

warming/save the 

planet ruckus that 

has been constantly 

growing since Al 

Gore said that global 

warming is as severe 

as it gets. 

“Earth” was 

released by 

DisneyNature and 

is its first theatrical 

release since becoming 

an independent film 

label under The Walt Disney Company. 

The movie uses parts of “Planet Earth” 

and “The Big Blue Planet” series. It takes 

the views of three animal families—polar 

bears, whales and elephants—along with 

snippets of other species including birds 

and wolves. 

Throughout the movie, viewers will see 

into one body, which makes for one of the 

coolest fights. 

Overall, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is 

one of the most action filled flicks without 

being monotonous in the style of fighting 

that goes on between the characters. In 

addition, the prequel is enjoyable whether 

the viewer is a hardcore X-Men fan or a 

rookie. However, after watching mutants 

for a couple hours you may wish you had 

superpowers. 

today and that it needs to be prevented. 

Next on the list for DisneyNature is 

“Oceans,” which will obviously consist of 

footage generated from undersea adventure 

and is expected for release in April of 

2010. 

“Earth” is a great family movie, 

that most people should see at some 

point ,whether in theaters or after disc 

release. It definitely shows a different 

outlook on the “big blue planet.” 

If you’re one of those people who 

aspire to help “save the planet,” or if 

you just want to watch an overall mustsee 

movie, “Earth” is the way to go. As 

they state in the movie, “it’s not too late 

to make a difference.” 

MCT/ USED WITH PERMISSION 

•Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) goes through 

an experimental treatment that turns his 

bones into the strongest metal, making him 

indestructable. The movie premiered May 1. 

•Three lions gather at the watering hole. The 

movie ‘Earth’ premiered April 22 and features 

unknown areas of Earth. 

05.15.09 the viking views 27 

MCT/USED WITH PERMISSION 

~~~~~ 

~~~~~

Cavs make playoff push 

(RASHAUN RUCKER/DETROIT FREE PRESS/MCT) 

SPORTS 

Charles Dobry 

Staff Writer 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are moving 

on through the NBA playoffs. In 

the first round, the Cavs swept the 

Detroit Pistons, winning the series 4-0. 

They also defeated the Atlanta Hawks 4-0 

in the second round. The Cavs now move 

onto the Eastern Conference Finals. 

The Cavs entered the playoffs as the top 

seed in the Eastern Conference and have 

homefield advantage through the entire 

playoffs due to their regular season record, 

which was in part due to their 39-2 home 

record. 

Senior Anthony Altieri said their record 

at home will cause home-court advantage 

to be very important in the playoffs. 

“One of the main reasons they play good 

at home is so much fan support,” he said. 

Tom Curran 

Staff Writer 

Since the beginning of football, it 

has been the job of men to get their 

hands dirty in the trenches while the 

girls pump up the crowd. These roles flip 

each year as the junior and senior girls put 

on their game faces and their male counter 

parts add pep and pom-poms to the annual 

Powderpuff football game. 

It is a fan favorite to see the upperclassmen 

boys throw on some short shorts 

and run their own routines, usually based 

loosely off the traditional cheers performed 

at football games. 

Senior Zach Goulet said the cheerleaders 

are necessary to the game. 

“They keep the crowd involved and help 

our team’s morale,” he said. 

Senior Alex Palomba, a two-year 


Sophomore Shawn Stone said he thinks 

home-court will be more important in the 

later games of a series. 

“When the pressure’s on, it’s always 

easier to have the support and comfort of 

your home-court,” he said. 

Junior Emily VanVranken said the home 

games are always important and should 

give the teams more chances to win. 

“When you play on your own court you 

feel more comfortable and more confident 

about your playing,” she said. 

While the Cavs are new to being the 

top seed, they did make a run to the NBA 

Finals two years ago, an experience which 

Altieri said will help the Cavs this year. 

“They will have an idea of what it is like, 

so hopefully they won’t be as nervous,” he 

said. 

VanVranken said the 2007 finals run 

Guys hit the field ‘One More Time’ 

cheerleader, said his goal is helping 

his team to victory. 

“I’ve always wanted to be out there 

supporting my team,” he said. “The 

entertainment and adrenaline rush we 

give the fans is just a bonus to us men 

out there [on the field].” 

However, not all in the stands are 

fans of the cheerleaders. Palomba 

said he uses this negativity to his 

advantage. 

“I just try to channel any put downs 

into my routine and let my moves do 

the talking for me,” he said. 

For Palomba, delivering the perfect 

cheer for the players and fans requires 

balance. 

“I always try to make things very 

classy,” he said, “but incorporating 

sexy into the dances is always 

necessary.” • 

AJ CROFFORD 

“has helped the team improve and better 

prepare themselves for finals this year.” 

According to Stone, LeBron James has 

been extremely important to the Cavs this 

year and his abilities will help the Cavs 

make a run. 

“He has the ability to single handedly 

take control of a game and score in 

seemingly impossible situations,” he said. 

Altieri said James’ play is able to 

improve the other members of the team. 

“Not to say he’s the whole team, but he 

most likely gets everyone going,” he said. 

James’ contract is up at the end of the 

2010 season and there have been rumors 

of him leaving, but Stone believes he will 

stay, especially if the Cavs win the title. 

“A championship will definitely help 

seal the deal because it’s one of his highest 

goals that he has been close, but hasn’t 

reached yet,” he said. 

Altieri said a title led by James could 

lead to a better Cavs team down the road. 

“If he wins it this year, more players will 

want to come join him and hopefully start a 

dynasty,” Altieri said. • 

(Above) • Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James 

performs his hand-powder ritual before the 

start of game four in the Eastern Conference 

playoffs against the Detroit Pistons at the 

Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan 

April 26. Cleveland defeated Detroit, 

99-78. 

(Below) • Senior Drew Nickel shows some 

leg to fellow senior Mike Chryssos.

GAME FACE 

Ethan Frock 

Story by Jen Bellissimo 

Photo by Owen Miller 

With the post season almost here, the lacrosse team is working hard 

as ever, both as a team and as individuals. 

Sophomore Ethan Frock has been on the varsity lacrosse team 

the past two years and started as the attack midway through his freshman 

season. Lacrosse is a sport that combines many sports into one including 

basketball, hockey and soccer, making it hard work Frock said. 

“It’s pretty physically demanding and you have to work pretty hard, but 

it’s worth it,” Frock said. “Some sports you have to ask why you do it, but not 

lacrosse. You enjoy it so much you don’t really pay attention to how much 

work it is.” 

Frock’s hard work does not go unnoticed, as sophomore teammate David 

Radosevic acknowledges his work ethic. 

“[He’s] one of the hardest working guys on the team,” Radosevic said. 

“He is very coachable and easy to work with.” 

Frock’s work ethic as a sophomore gives insight on the potential leader he 

will be when he is an upperclassman. 

“I think he’s very dedicated to the team and its success,” Radosevic said. 

“When he is an upperclassmen he will definitely be one of those guys that 

stick out as a team leader.” 

The team has had a winning record so far as they strive to finish their 

season strong. 

In its first season, the girls lacrosse team started from the bottom in 

learning the game and improving their skills. Hard work and dedication 

for the game have paid off for freshman Mara Nickel, one of the starting 

varsity defenders on the team. 

Although this is her first year playing the game, Nickel was familiar with 

lacrosse because of her siblings’ involvement in the sport. 

“My two younger brothers play lacrosse, and I’ve always enjoyed 

watching their games,” she said. 

Through supporting her brothers, Nickel became interested in the sport 

and was excited to find last year that a girls program was in the works. 

“I didn’t think that was going to happen at Hoover but I was definitely 

interested in it after I found out,” she said. 

Nickel also plays soccer for Hoover and has noticed similarities between 

the two sports. 

“We’re really intense and aggressive during the games, just like in soccer,” 

she said. 

Fellow defender, senior Katie Hamilton said Nickel always gives her best 

effort on the field. 

“She’s really aggressive,” Hamilton said. “Her goal is to get the ball back 

on our side and she’s not afraid of getting hurt.” 

Despite her drive on the field, Nickel’s favorite aspect of the sport does 

not relate to the physicality of the game. 

“I like that you have to think the whole time; it’s a really mental sport,” 

she said. 

Hamilton is thankful to have Nickel helping her defend the goal this 

season. 

“If there’s a girl somewhere down the field, you know Mara will be there 

to defend her,” Hamilton said. “You can always count on her to get the job 

done.” 

Mara Nickel 

Story by Natalie Casper 

Photo by AJ Crofford 


UPDATES 

Baseball 

The baseball team traveled to Ashland April 26 and won both games of a doubleheader, 

20-6 and 19-12. Senior Mike Kohler had three hits and drove in five runs in the first 

game. In the second game, senior Travis Moldovan drove in four runs with four hits in 

the game. Then they defeated Minerva April 27, 10-0. Seniors AJ Ross and Mike Green 

each had two hits and drove in two runs. The team lost 2-1 to Fitch April 29. Their next 

opponent was Canton South, who the Vikings swept in a double-header 6-5, and 8-5. 

Senior Jeff Meek got the save in the first game, and had two hits and drove in three runs 

in the second game. They again played Fitch May 4 and were defeated again, this time 

11-3. The team traveled to Lake next and won 3-2. - Charles Dobry 

OWEN MILLER 

OWEN MILLER 

Boys Track 

AJ CROFFORD 

The regular season has finished for the boys track team, with high hopes for 

the post season. Looks can be deceiving, with a dual meet record of 1-6, the 

lone team win being against Austintown-Fitch. However, the large invitationals 

that the team has participated in have shown that this is not the case. The boys 

finished second overall at the Stark County Invitational April 25. The following 

week the team traveled to Ausintown-Fitch for the Optimist Meet. The team 

took third with some impressive individual performances. The 4x800m relay 

of seniors Jason Bosyj, Sean Newman, Zach Goulet and junior Parker Queen 

took third with a time of 8:04.04. Goulet also took second in the mile with 

a 4:23 while Queen took third in the 400m dash with a time of 50.56. Most 

recently in a dual meet against Jackson May 5, juniors Tom Vretas and Aaron 

Morrow dominated the field. Vretas took first in the shot-put and discuss while 

Morrow jumped a 6’2” to win the high jump. The boys look to be successful 

at the Federal League meet tonight. And at districts May 20 and 22 so they can 

move on to the Regional meet. - John Jackson 


The girls lacrosse team traveled to Beachwood April 26 and won 14-4, improving 

their record to 3-1. Junior Sam Stults scored four goals and junior Gina La- 

Rocca added three. The girls then defeated Brecksville 13-3 April 28. Freshman 

Lexi Swisher had nine saves in goal. They again defeated Beachwood, this time 

by a score of 17-6. The girls lost to Green 15-5 May 2, before defeating Cuyahoga 

Valley 11-1 May 4. Junior Rachel Jose and LaRocca each scored three goals. They 

next defeated Andrews Osborne Academy 14-3. The girls now have a winning 

record of 6-3 - Charles Dobry 

The boys lacrosse team has been on a four game winning streak. Their last loss 

came back April 18 to Medina. It was a hard fought game but the Vikings lost by 

two. But the Vikings haven’t looked back. They have taken down Akron Hoban, 

Shaker Heights, Green, and most recently Kent Roosevelt. The Vikings got their 

first win at Kent in team history. The boys are 7-5. - Bill Gould 

AJ CROFFORD 

The girls placed second at the Stark County Invitational April 25. 

Scoring first place finishes were junior Ally Peare in the 1600m and 

800m and junior Erin Garfield in the 3200m. The girls then defeated 

Perry 100-37 April 28. Junior Katie Eastman won the long jump with a 

distance of 15’6 1/2”, senior Denise Cunningham won the discus with 

a throw of 99’4”, while sophomore Hannah Romano won the 100m in 

a time of 13.0. At the Fitch Optimist Meet, the girls placed eighth out 

of 34 teams. Peare won the 1600m with a 5:08 and freshman Maddie 

Morrow won the high jump with a 5’4” to lead the Vikings. Their next 

meet was against Jackson, who they defeated 86-51, bringing their 

duel meet record to 5-2. - Charles Dobry 

Girls LAX Boys LAX 

Girls Track

Twenty-three players have won 

300 games in Major League 

Baseball history, making it one 

of the most exclusive clubs in 

sports. The twenty-fourth member to this 

club is on the way. San Francisco Giants 

pitcher Randy Johnson, 45, currently has 

297 career wins and will likely reach the 

300 mark this season, possibly before 

the end of this month. 

While Johnson will likely reach the 

mark this season, the next person to 

reach this mark is not as certain. 

The next closest person to the 

milestone is Philadelphia Phillies pitcher 

Jamie Moyer, with 249 wins, but he is 

older than Johnson and would have to 

pitch after age 50 to reach 300. 

Some pitchers have a chance to 

reach the milestone, but need to remain 

consistent and healthy to 

have a chance at adding 

their name to the club. 

Roy Oswalt, 29, of 

the Astros would need to 

average 16 wins a season 

until he turns 40, but he 

wouldn’t reach 300 wins 

until 2019. Mark Buehrle, 

29, of the White Sox, would 

also need around 16 wins 

a season until age 40. C.C. 

Sabathia, 27, now of the 

Yankees, has to keep up his current pace 

of 14 wins until age 40 to reach 300 

wins. 

Sabathia has a chance since he made 

his Major League debut at age 20, when 

he was playing for the Indians. He reached 

100 wins at the end of the 2007 season, 

and is now up to 118 wins. 

Now that he has moved to the 

Yankees, he has a solid defense and 

a powerful offensive on his team. The 

owner of the Yankees will spend money 

it really could 

be another ten 

to fifteen years 

before another 

pitcher wins their 

300th game 

Diminishing Milestones 

Chuck on Sports 

by charles dobry 

to keep those important players on the 

team. This will allow for a greater number 

of opportunities to gain wins. 

The next pitcher will not reach 300 

wins for a good while after Johnson does, 

unless Pedro Martinez and Andy Pettitte, 

both 36, keep pitching into their forties 

and win about 85 more games, which will 

be tough to accomplish. 

Baseball fans have 

been able to recently 

witness a trio of 300 

victory milestones. Roger 

Clemens got victory 

number 300 in 2003 

against the Cardinals, 

Greg Maddux scored 

number 300 against the 

Giants in 2004, while 

Tom Glavine won number 

300 against the Cubs in 

2007. 

Both Maddux and Clemens ended up 

winning over 350 games but are only 

eighth and ninth on the all-time wins list. 

Maddux ended up 157 wins behind 

the all-time leader Cy Young, who won 

511 games, which is a record unlikely to 

be approached, let alone broken. 

When Young was pitching, the game 

was played much different, which allowed 

for more opportunities to win games. 

Many pitchers routinely threw 

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330-494-3131 

complete games, and some even pitched 

both games of a double header. Since 

fewer relief pitchers, including closers, 

were used, the starting pitcher had more 

control over their lead. 

Another difference is that teams used 

two or three pitcher rotations instead of 

the five now, which gave pitchers more 

opportunities to win games. With two 

or three pitcher rotations, a thirty win 

season was possible, but that chance is 

gone due to the five-man rotations. 

While reaching 300 wins is more 

difficult than it was in Young’s time, it is 

still possible to do. A pitcher who makes 

his debut at 22 would need a very solid 

17 wins a season to obtain 300 by the 

time he turns 40. 

However, that allows for no injuries, 

a very good bullpen and an offense that 

will score runs. 

No baseball fan is certain when 

Johnson will reach 300 wins, but it 

should be this season. After this season, 

it really could be another ten to fifteen 

years before another pitcher wins their 

300th game. 

Martinez and Pettitte would need to 

show the longevity and lack of significant 

health problems late in their career that 

Johnson, Maddux and Clemens have 

shown in recent years to reach 300. 

Pitchers such as Oswalt, Buehrle and 

Sabathia will need to stay healthy and 

keep winning to have a chance at 300. 

Randy Johnson is closing in on 300 

wins and baseball fans should take 

notice of this milestone, both for Johnson 

and the game of baseball. 

This is one of baseball’s most 

prestigious clubs and yet another 

member is being added to the famous 

list this season. However, after Randy 

Johnson, this club might not gain any 

new members for a while, making his 

impending win an even bigger reason to 

celebrate. 



(Clockwise from top right) • Sophomore Hannah Romano receives the handoff 

from sophomore Kelsey Acell in the 4x100m relay against Perry. The girls won the 

meet 100-37. •Sophomore Nicko Bagnolo hits a backhand volley against St. Edwards. 

• Junior Gina LaRocca battles for the draw in the game against Brecksville. 

The girls won the game 13-3. • Senior Erica Iafelice juke-steps junior Bri 

Baxter during the Powderpuff football game.• Senior Lindsay Sumser hits a foul 

ball in a game against Jackson. The girls lost 5-1. (PHOTOS BY AJ CROFFORD) 

SPORTS CAPTURED

Issue 9 - North Canton City Schools - sparcc

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