Copley High School - Copley-Fairlawn City Schools

May 27, 2011 Copley High School Drumbeat2NewsCopley’s big three compete for valedictorian spotBy Abigail GrableThey are the over-achievers; the ones who flood their schedules with AP classes andsacrifice their lunch periods in order to boost their GPAs. They are the certified “brainiacs,”who can tackle just about any math problem orchemistry experiment known to man. They are the rolemodels for students everywhere and the ones who haverepeatedly put Copley schools on the map for academicexcellence—and they are also best friends.Seniors Saajid Moyen, Edward Pang, and KyleSutter have been toeing the line between close buddiesand avid competitors ever since middle school.Together, they’ve participated in numerous extracurricularactivities, such as Science Olympiad, AcademicChallenge, and band, and they have strived to achievesuccess in school. Despite the inevitable tension thatsuch competition creates, all three agree that their similargoals and involvements haven’t had any deleteriouseffects upon their friendship—in fact, they claim quitethe contrary.“Since we take the same classes, we can help eachother with homework,” Sutter said.Clearly, though, this trio isn’t your typical studygroup. Moyen, Pang, and Sutter comprise the top threestudents of the graduating class of 2011—that is, theyhave the three highest GPAs. But with so much otherthan schoolwork to do, how does one achieve such afeat? These three attribute their success to lots of dedication,perseverance, and a fearless attitude.“A lot of students are afraid to take multiple AP classes because of the workload,” Moyenexplained. “But if you work hard, you can make it through.”Moyen is currently enrolled in six AP classes, while Pang and Sutter each take five.In addition, all three have particular teachers to thank for their achievements.Saving lives one pint at a timeFirst time donor sophomore VincentO’Leary is all smiles after donatingblood.Photo by Emma WebbBy Emma WebbA few minutes of time and one pint ofblood is all it takes to save up to three lives.The Red Cross hosts a yearly blooddrive at Copley High School, giving staffand students the chance to help those peoplein need. On May 6, an estimated 207 liveswere saved thanks to the 69 students whoeach donated one pint of blood.Blood drive supervisor, PattyRichardson, said, “It [the blood] is for peoplethat have been in an accident and havelost a lot of blood; when they get tothe hospital red blood cells are veryimportant so that their brain and vitalorgans get enough oxygen. If they’relow on blood, they’re going to needmore immediately.”First time donor sophomoreVincent O’Leary, has wanted to giveblood ever since he entered highschool.“I think it’s good to help outpeople like that; I’m helping someonethat I’ve never met, and they’re goingto use my blood,” O’Leary explained.In order to give blood there arevarious eligibility requirements. TheEdward Pang, Saajid Moyen, and Kyle Sutter, seniors inthe running for the title of valedictorian, observe a foamingsolution.Photo by Abigail Grabledonor must be healthy; at least 16 yearsof age with parental consent; and if thedonor is over the age of 18, he/she mustweigh no less than 110 pounds. If onewishes to donate double red blood cells,the requirements vary. For males, thedonor must be at least 5’1” and weigh130 pounds. For females, the donormust be at least 5’5” and weigh 150pounds.According to Richardson, “beinghealthy is extremely important. Youcan’t donate even if you think you havea little bit of a cold,” she explained.“If that virus is still in your blood andeven though you feel as if you’re okay,if someone very sick in the hospitalgets your blood, the virus could end upkilling them.”While there are multiple bloodtypes, only about seven percent of peoplehave O Negative blood. Out of thatseven percent is senior Ryan Messner.“I try to give blood as often asI possibly can,” Messner explained.“Every month I donate because I’m ONegative, which means my blood is universaland can go to everybody.”According to the Red Cross, “currentlyonly 3 out of every 100 people in Americadonate blood. ”Donating blood rewards one with thesatisfaction of knowing that a life is savedbecause of them.If interested in donating blood, visitwww.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.Senior Ryan Messner gives double redblood cells.Photo by Alaina Bartel“My sixth grade science class was one of the hardest classes I had ever taken,” admitsPang, “so I appreciate that the teacher challenged me.”Speaking of science teachers, Moyen, Pang, and Sutter find common ground in theirappreciation of Mr. Young, and each agree that he is their favorite teacher at CHS. Youngrealizes the “personal motivation and sacrifice” that onemust have in order to achieve academic excellence, andhe commented on the effect these students’ successeshave had on others.“Saajid, Edward, and Kyle have demonstratedthe qualities necessary to be in contention this late intheir careers. Not only have they set high standards forthemselves, but they have also helped elevate the overallacademic success of many in the senior class,” Youngexplained.The one teacher for whom the three are all grateful,however, played a very large role in their early successes.“Mrs. Forchione really pushed us to get involved inScience Olympiad, and she taught the gifted program ina way that was really beneficial,” shared Moyen.The three agree that Forchione kept them motivatedto go above and beyond the typical expectationsfor students.Undoubtedly, these boys’ successes will continueto stack on top of each other as they enter college inthe fall. Moyen will study computer science, math, economics,or a combination of the three at the Universityof Pennsylvania; Pang will major in engineering atNorthwestern University; and Sutter will double majorin business and bioengineering at Miami of Ohio. Regardlessof which one edges out the top spot, these three will always be remembered as theutmost achievers—and simultaneous best friends—of CHS’s class of 2011.Copley’s got talentPhoto by Amanda WannerAt the Spring 2011 Talent Show, Nick Martin and the Whalers, ft. “The Whalettes,”captured the first place trophy for their rendition of Phil Collins’ song “In the Air Tonight,”with a homemade music video, and a mathematically inspired parody of Lady Gaga’s “BadRomance.” Martin wrote the lyrics of “Math Romance,” replacing Lady Gaga’s famous lyrics,“I want your bad romance,” with the catchy, “I want your T-89.” He and the band dedicatedweeks of time to deliver a spectacular performance.Photos by Alaina BartelDuet partners Iesha Hale and Bria Nealplaced second, singing “Beautiful” by ChristinaAguilera. Although this is the girls’ firsttime competing together, their performance,complete with a slideshow of all the beautifulwomen at CHS, made quite an impressionon the audience.Tramel McMillan won third place, rappingan original composition titled “WhoDat.” Getting a positive reaction out of theaudience, a large crowd of groupies ran upalong the stage to sing his lyrics with him.