A NEIGHBOR, A FRIEND, A VETERAN: RECOGNIZING THE HEROES IN OUR MIDST

By: Leila Evans

Veteran’s Day is a time to honor all who have served in the U.S. military. Originally called Armistice Day, November 11, 1918 marked the end of WWI and was later renamed to Veteran’s Day to celebrate our brave veterans. Every year, our school puts on a Veteran’s Day assembly where veterans in our community come with their families. The event is put on by Think Tank, which is run by Southeast High School teacher, Monica Kiskadden.

This assembly starts at 9 am in the auditeria where we serve breakfast for our veterans. Our Swing choir comes in and performs, alongside our band, then a few speakers come in and talk, giving appreciation to everyone who has served. Following the speakers, the veterans’ families go down to the gym, where all the juniors and seniors join them. They all get to pass a microphone down and say their name, the years they served, and in what branch they served in. This assembly has been a tradition for 15 years, and it is important for multiple reasons. “The veterans seeing where their tax dollars go, and how awesome our kids are, and that the kids planned this,” are just a few of the positive impacts, said Kiskadden.

Another teacher helping with Veterans day is Southeast High School history teacher, Douglas Craver. He is a current chaplain in the Air Force reserves and has been in service for 27 years. Craver speaks at our assembly and is celebrated alongside the other veterans. “The only people that know what it’s like to be in the military are the people that have been in,” said Craver. The common bond they share through the rigorous training and selfless dedication to the country makes veterans set apart from regular civilians. “Anybody who came before gave the same oath that I did – that’s pretty cool…that bonds you together,” says Craver. Our Veteran’s Day assembly is important because it brings our community together in celebration of our brave veterans.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN PORTAGE COUNTY

By: Abi Lenze & Jocelyn Nowak

As we transition into the holiday season, it is important to come together and give back to the community. Volunteering is beneficial in many ways and is a thoughtful way to get involved. Whether you’re looking for volunteer hours to add to your resume or just wondering how to bring more holiday cheer, volunteering is a great way to get started. Here are some community opportunities:

Southeast High School constantly has volunteer opportunities on campus.  Christine Anzevino, head of the National Honor Society, is always searching for volunteers. Recently, she has allowed students to volunteer at Edinburg Church to help with baking apple pies, as well as going to the intermediate school to assist with the book fair. Athletic director and assistant principal, Patrick Youel, has also offered volunteer work, such as helping with the carnival games and the setup of Trunk or Treat. Leo’s club, run by teacher Mary Tarka, is a community service-based club and provides countless volunteer opportunities. The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, led by consumer science teacher Stephanie Beitzel is another popular club that provides volunteer opportunities. If you are struggling to find somewhere to start, our teachers can help you. Volunteering is beneficial to more than just the people you are helping. It helps you, too. To graduate, you need two seals, and you can earn one of them through volunteer work. Community service also looks good on resumes when applying to college or the workforce. Many opportunities at hospitals and law firms may give you a basic understanding of what it’s like to work in that field. On a personal level, volunteering is good for your mental health. “It makes you feel good that you are caring and giving, and helping somebody else,” Anzevino said while reflecting on her time volunteering. Senior at Southeast High School and Leo’s Club president, Genevieve Brown wrote, “Just the thought that I can do something that can be bigger than myself really drives my motivation.”

Whether you are volunteering for school or for your personal benefit, volunteering can change your perspective and greatly impact the lives of others. Brown stated, “If you even think, hey, I’d love to help with that, all it takes is you to ask and you could be involved.” Volunteer today and start changing lives.

 ACCESS DENIED

 By: Caden Dillon & Tyler Shaw

Is blocking all sites on chromebooks hurting students’ ability to learn? The popular opinion around campus is that it is hindering educational growth. The main application that is used to block inappropriate or non educational sites on our computers and to keep kids on task of learning is called Securly. The first Securely app was created in 2012 by company “Securly, Inc” then first used in schools in 2013. Southeast originally started using Securely in 2021. This site has negatively affected students’ learning because it leads to blocking access to educational resources, and it has many problems with cybersecurity. 

 There are a multitude of reasons why Securely is not efficient in helping students learn. One of the main reasons is censorship. Overly strict filtering essentially turns into censorship, shutting students out from whole areas of knowledge. When filters block content that teachers and students genuinely need, it becomes frustrating for everyone. A common complaint by teachers is when lesson planning is hindered or interrupted due to blocked material. We asked Southeast vice principal Mason Harsh about this problem, “Sometimes we’re able to block something specific, but oftentimes we need to block the entire site.” The tech team and administration are doing their best to block all distractions to students while keeping educational resources accessible.

Between privacy issues and constant inconvenience, Securly creates more problems than it solves. Students have virtually no privacy on school devices because someone is always watching their screens and tracking every move. When it comes to students trying to get around the system, Harsh admits that “if there’s a will, there’s a way.” He knows they can’t completely stop kids from gaming on Chromebooks unless they block nearly everything. As he puts it, “Technology is always moving faster than we are…” Instead of blocking everything, students need to be taught how to utilize new technology appropriately. Ultimately, Securly eats up valuable time for both students and teachers, since students spend more energy trying to outsmart the filters than simply finishing their work and relaxing afterward.

A WINDOW TO THE SOUL: POETRY CORNER

By: Alexis Crum

Poetry is considered to be a window to the soul. Poems are constructed from the heart of the writer. There is always a meaning behind the words woven to complete the poem. Southeast High School English teacher, Julie Bowers states, “There is this creative license there that allows for flaws to occur.”

PRIDE TAKES THE STAGE: A TIMELESS TALE RETURNS

By: Emma Wood & Isabelle Goodnite

Let’s all be serious here: who would want to go to a romantic comedic play written in the late 1700s? Absolutely nobody, or maybe a few stragglers here and there. But before you roll your eyes and quit reading this article, I want you to ask a question: why is Southeast putting on this production of Pride and Prejudice, and why should you come? 

This year Southeast will be putting on a production of Pride and Prejudice starring Emma Wood as the prideful and snarky Elizabeth Bennet, and Jason Benecke as the brooding and elusive Mr. Darcy. They are the two lead romantic partners. Whether it is co-director and crew advisor April Markov or music teacher and director Ashley Oakley,  choreographer Emma Wood, or costume designer Anne Carpenter, they have all poured hours of effort into bringing this classic to life.

But why Pride and Prejudice? Jane Austen’s timeless tale explores the complicated dance between all the characters, making every scene glide across the stage, every glance carrying hidden meaning, and every heartbeat creating their own complicated rhythm. Expect more than just an enemies-to-lovers story, expect drama, elegance, laughter, tears, a few spicier scenes where longing glances or scornful glares are given, and expect scandal, like a younger sister being practically kidnapped by a charming man… or expect an absolute creep coming to steal the family’s house and marry their daughter. Expect duels of wit, rejected proposals, wild dances, and so, so, so much more. But beneath all of the plot, there is more. It shows the experience of human kind; it teaches the audience and the actors about themselves. This play is like the drama we face every day, just with better costumes. 

On the topic of costumes, Carpenter has done an amazing job of creating empire waist gowns and tailored suits. It’s all handmade, with beautiful makeup and elaborate hairstyles. Intensity and passion is sewn into every stitch. Truly, it will be something amazing to see. 

It’s not just the directors and Carpenter who are excited, our entire cast is just as crazy about the upcoming production. Isabella Klemm, a student here at Southeast High School, is cast as Jane Bennet in the upcoming production. Klemm stated during the interview that she connects most with her role as Jane Bennet and how “calm yet soft” her character really is. Klemm shared that she enjoys this connection with her character as it is different from how she is normally portrayed in her character roles from previous plays. “What I love most about my cast members is the sense of friendship and connection we all have due to all being intertwined in the music programs that we’re involved in”, Klemm stated. This connection displayed through the cast members shows the family-like atmosphere the drama club has here at Southeast High School. Klemm even shared that she enjoys seeing her co-actors develop into their characters and excelling in what they do. Based on Klemm’s interview, it is inevitable that the drama club will be putting on an exceptional performance and the cast will carry their connection with each other throughout the play. 

The curtain rises on November 21st and 22nd at 7:00 PM in the Southeast High School Auditorium. Come for the romance, come for the drama, come for the kiss even, and leave realising why Pride and Prejudice has captivated so many audiences for over two centuries. 

Because let’s be honest, the best stories never go out of style.

SOUTHEAST SPOTLIGHT

By: Garret Davis & Bradley Dillon

This month we’ve chosen to highlight people who are highly involved within our school. Southeast senior Morgan Muncy and English teacher Jennifer Baker are both stellar examples of this. Muncy involves herself in clubs and activities while Baker brings purpose and excitement to her lessons and the school community.

Baker has been teaching English at Southeast for 17 years. Her teaching style isn’t plain and boring, but rather, she tries to bring excitement and fun into every class period. “I teach because I love trying to ignite some excitement for learning,” Baker said. She truly cares about the school and her students. She helps with various extracurricular activities such as setting up fundraisers, organizing school events, and coming up with the summer read. Baker stated her favorite time was when Covid-19 had hit because it made our school and community come together more.

The student we are recognizing this month is Muncy. Muncy is an incredible student who comes to school everyday with the motivation to participate and be involved. She participates in National Honors Society, Link Crew, softball, Leo’s Club, FCS, FCCLA, and FFA. Muncy says her biggest achievements are earning the 1st team All-Ohio for softball, and receiving a scholarship to play Division 1 softball at Miami University in Oxford, OH. After High School, Muncy plans to further her education there. Muncy’s favorite High School memory was getting the opportunity to go on the FFA field trip to the National Convention in Indiana. Muncy’s favorite subject this year is Makers Space with teacher Carrie Edwards. 

Both Baker and Muncy are perfect examples of the staff and students in our school who get involved in their own ways. Whether it’s being a leader in various activities or igniting passion and enthusiasm in others, they both deserve to be recognized.

INVOLVEMENT AND IMPACT- CLUBS AT SHS

Around our school there are many ways to get involved and spend time with your friends at the same time. This month we are showing light to a club that sometimes goes unseen. 

Espançais

Have you ever wanted to broaden your horizons on the cultures and the world around you? Then Espançais is for you! Espançais is one of the less heard of clubs at Southeast and was recently brought back these past two years. When looking at a normal day of Espançais you would find yourself eating and chatting with your friends. They do crafts from different countries and play games centered around talking to each other. “We are learning new words, cultures, traditions, and fun facts, but also learning about each other, talking, and creating things that are unique,” says Alivia Collins, the Espançais advisor. She would love to incorporate more community aspects into Espançais, but they’re still growing and looking for more people to attend. This year they sold carnations under the motto of “It’s a boo-tiful day to send someone love”. In addition to the Halloween sale, they are also having a big sale in February for Valentine’s Day. Another hope that she has for the future is to incorporate the younger kids for a class or event. “It could be making crafts, teaching a little bit of Spanish, cooking a cultural dish for a community event, or just about anything that might get younger kids interested in learning a new language, or even just learning about the world,” says Collins. Although the club is not currently accepting new members, Collins is planning on reopening the club in the spring to anyone who would like to consider joining next year. If you want to know more about it, just contact Collins at acollins@sepirates.org, stop by her room (154), or ask some of the students in the club for information about what it is like from a student perspective (Dylan Evans, Logan Bruderly, Taylor Buchkowski, Genevieve Brown, Holley Reynolds, Allison Hards, Hailey Sippel, Riley Monroe-Holbrook). You do not need to be in a language class to join. This club will allow you to remain open minded to the world around you, and help guide you through cultures while having an amazing time.

STATE OF MIND

  By: Cali McPeak 

Making it to the state cross country meet is a monumental achievement, showcasing an athlete’s dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This year, history was made as both a boy and a girl from Southeast Highschool qualified for states, marking the first in twenty- five years. This accomplishment is evidence of the team’s strength. The athletes’ achievements have brought pride to the school community, with students, parents, and faculty all celebrating their success. The experience gained from competing at states will undoubtedly benefit these athletes in their future.

Senior Julia Wheeler has made it to states three times and is a true standout, demonstrating consistent excellence and a passion for the sport. Her repeated qualifications are a result of her tireless training and unwavering dedication. Wheeler stated, “During the summer/pre-season I lift 6 days a week and it is focused on max strength. During the fall/in-season I lift on my hard workout/race days to keep recovery days true recovery days and those lifts are focused on muscular endurance.” As a recurring state contender, Wheeler is an inspiration to her team and a role model for younger athletes. With each state appearance, she’s demonstrated remarkable growth and improvement, solidifying her position on the course. Her work ethic has helped contribute significantly to the team’s overall success. Wheeler’s athletic achievements serve as a reminder that hard work and determination can lead to remarkable accomplishments.

 Sophomore Caden Dillon was the first boy cross country runner to make it to states in decades, breaking the long drought and paving the way for future runners. Dillon stated, “The most challenging part of racing that fast is how hard you have to physically push your body to compete in the races.” This achievement is evidence of his hard work and determination. It’s a proud moment for his family, coaches, and teammates. This milestone marks a new era of success for the school’s cross country program. Dillon’s accomplishment has sparked excitement and renewed interest in the program, inspiring younger athletes to strive for similar success. This achievement will be remembered for years to come, serving as a motivating force for future cross country athletes.

MEET OUR CREW

Writers:

Abi Lenze, Ava Lenze, Cali McPeak, Alexis Crum, Emma Wood, Jocelyn Nowak, Isabelle Goodnite, Bradley Dillon, Caden Dillon, Tyler Shaw, Garret Davis, Alaunte Massrock

Pictures:

Flag Picture: Getty Images

Pride & Prejudice Flyer: Miss. Oakley

Picture of Mrs. Baker: Garret Davis

Picture of Morgan Muncy: Erin Muncy

State Of Mind Picture: Angel Evans

Editors:

Kristen Dillon, Isabelle Goodnite, Jocelyn Nowak, Mrs. Dillon