Introduction to “Liv Talk”
Welcome to “Liv Talk.” My name is Liv, and “Liv Talk” is a new article column I wish to bring to the Hub. My series is based on opinion-based questions. I will be asking some fun opinion questions and explain why others are wrong and I am right. I will teach valuable Liv lessons through sarcasm and my personal intelligence. I hope these articles bring you joy and teach you to not take everything too seriously. My ultimate goal is to help people view life in a more positive, weird, and different way.

Question 1: Would you rather wake up every day with a million dollars or be homeless? (Starring Mr. Love)
Mr. Love, our famous Biology/Physics teacher, answered this question very poorly. He made a remark that “the answer is very obvious.” I thought so too, but he still chose the wrong answer. He said he would choose the million dollars. In reality, becoming homeless is the 100% correct answer. Norah Baker, a junior, explained very well why being homeless should be the #1 pick. She explained how money is the root of all evil (which is a common phrase used by many adults), and being homeless can teach you valuable life lessons and will make you more appreciative. I know you might be asking, “What if you use money for good?” but you need to think into the future. You might say that now and start donating money, but eventually, the money will take over, and you will turn into the typical supervillain from every Disney movie. I tried to save Mr. Love by explaining how money is the root of all evil, but instead of changing his mind, he still wanted the money. After careful consideration and investigation, I have been able to come to one conclusion: Mr. Love has fallen into his villain arc. Mr. Love is officially now “Mr. Hate.”

Question 2: What is the Best Starting Word in Wordle?
Wordle is a popular game played by many. Most people have creative, fun starting words. Some popular choices are “stare,” “audio,” “cloud,” etc. These words are too hyped and unfun. Stare is a horrible option considering the Wordle has already been stare, audio is basically ONLY vowels and a single consonant, and cloud is a boring white cotton ball in the sky. The starting word I love to use is “scoot.” Scoot is a great word that can tell you so much information. The consonants S and T are very popular consonants, and if the letter C is in the word, it can help you narrow things down. Now, I know you probably think it is stupid to have only one vowel in the word, but it is genius. The most common double letter is a double O. If you know there are two O’s in a word, you can only be left with a couple of options. Also, if there is only one O in the word, you will easily be able to place it since you already knocked out two possible spots for it. Now just think of the word “scoot” in general. It is such a fun, silly word telling people to move. This word just makes me smile just thinking of it. So after this, if your starting word is not scoot, you are boring and will always get Wordle in six.

Question 3: Cats or Dogs?
Cats are way better than dogs, and I do not think anything can change my mind. My first reason is that dogs are so loud. As someone with two dogs, I know they will bark for no reason. Whether it’s to protect me from an ant walking across the ground or the leaf falling at a 75-degree angle, they will bark at anything and everything. Cats, however, are quiet. When they do meow, it’s not an ear-crushing scream. Secondly, cats smell way better. You always hear people complaining about the smell of wet dogs. Every time my dogs go out in the rain, I want to evacuate my home. I cannot stand the smell, and it stays for so long. Cats, however, are able to bathe themselves and smell normal. My last reason being cats are just simply cuter. I have never seen an ugly cat. However, there are many ugly dogs. In my opinion, Chihuahuas look like tiny aliens. They have giant foreheads and huge eyes like a basic alien would. Maybe Chihuahuas are the life we found on Mars.

Liv’s Final Thoughts
Although you are entitled to your own opinion, really consider everything I explained. I promise I am a credible source.

Miss Jones is one of Hubbard’s new teachers. She graduated from Niles High School but also attended TCTC. She then went on to graduate from Kent State University with a major in ASL and a minor in education. She had her student teaching experience at Austintown Fitch High School before coming to join us at Hubbard.

One thing that stands out to her about Hubbard is the community. Hubbard has a tight-knit community and is very supportive. Before choosing ASL, Miss Jones wanted to be an English teacher. She took ASL as her foreign language in college and ultimately fell in love with it and Deaf culture as a whole.

She says that if she could take her students on any field trip, she would take them to Washington, D.C., seeing as it is the Deaf capital of America and has the only Deaf university in the world, Gallaudet. She loves building a connection with students and getting to engage with them by getting to teach them about something she loves.

A valuable lesson she has learned and wants to pass down to others is that you should always strive to learn more and grow as a person. Self-reflection is a valuable tool, and you will learn so much about yourself and the world if you continue to learn new things and reach out of your comfort zone.

During the summer, when Miss Jones is not in school, she bakes and sells cookies and cakes. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies with her boyfriend and two dogs.

Balancing responsibility and fun is one of the most challenging aspects of countless lives, especially during high school. This all starts with self-discipline. Students in high school often find it harder to balance their social and academic lives while also remaining stress-free. From homework to parties to sports, maintaining an equal balance is truly a struggle for everyone. At the end of the day, when it comes down to making really hard decisions, this creates stress and worry about what the outcome may be. For example, if you don’t study hard enough or what you might miss out on if you don’t go out with your friends.

When students come to high school, being a multi-sport athlete while also trying to maintain a 4.0 GPA really gives them a clear view of what stress really is. Prioritizing the right things is where to start. As an example, a ninth-grade student at Hubbard, Bella Antenucci, is facing this pressure and states, “It’s nothing like before.” Bella is a competitive dancer, and while maintaining honors classes, she says her schoolwork at the end of the day is her main priority. She has tested her limits and has learned her lesson. Bella said, “I hold my ground. It has been one challenging ride, but I will most definitely carry on multitasking throughout high school and even adulthood.” She has set a high standard for herself to reach, but alternatively, it is preparing her for her future.

A second example that has expressed her challenges of maintaining a balanced life is Bella Linert. Bella is a junior at Hubbard High School, playing both volleyball and cheerleading. Bella has tactics to handle it all. Her main strategy is to keep her life organized by using a planner. This has helped her see what’s going on right in her hand for everything. She uses it for tests, game days, homework dates, almost anything and everything is in this planner. Using this strategy, she has reduced her stress, and with that, she also has a “me day.” Bella makes sure every so often she does something for herself, like going out to eat or going shopping. While having all this pressure on her back from sports, clubs, and work, she makes sure to find a day for herself to get away from everything and chill out.

In conclusion, when dealing with hanging out with friends and academic skills, it puts a lot of stress on students. However, learning how to manage time, set priorities, and make sure your mental health is straight is the key to it all. Both students show a great example of self-care and how important it is in the end. High school may be one of the most challenging parts of life, but developing these habits now really does prepare many for their future.

Build-up to The Big Day

For most students at Hubbard High School, preparations for Homecoming begin way before the big day. Attendees plan outfits months in advance. They conspire about potential date options, search for the perfect flowers, and make plans for postable photo shoots and unforgettable afterparties. A new challenge this year was finding a venue to host Homecoming. After much deliberation, our staff landed on the Eastwood Event Center located in the Eastwood Mall.

Court and Crowning

Every year, one boy and one girl from each grade are voted by their classmates as “Attendants” to the Homecoming game and dance. They ride in expensive cars and wear sashes. I asked sophomore Maria Rotunno, “What was your experience like being an attendant?” “It was exciting to be recognized by my peers and have their support. It was also exciting to be a part of the parade and pep rally. It was an unforgettable experience.” 

For seniors, homecoming is a bit more exciting. Three boys and three girls in twelfth grade are nominated to run for king and queen. This year’s winners were Aubrey Middlestead and Rome Odem. I had the chance to talk with Aubrey; “I was so nervous. I would’ve been happy if any of my classmates had won, but hearing my name get announced on Friday night was an amazing feeling. I was also crowned by Gianna Rotunno, whom I love very much and is an inspiration to me, so it was even better. I am so grateful for everything.” To the few students who get to participate in the homecoming court each year, it’s something memorable and meaningful.

Behind the Looks

Many students at Hubbard plan their outfits months before actual homecoming day. I personally bought my dress in June. This is because a lot of stores have limited stock, and end up picked over when homecoming day draws nearer. It also gives me peace of mind, because the beginning of the school year can be stressful.

 “I actually took my blue dress from Haleigh Taylor’s closet. It’s a very nice dress, and she’s a good friend of mine” says junior Aliyah Elliot. While many buy their dresses online or in boutiques, borrowing dresses from friends or finding them on social media is a great alternative to spending hundreds of dollars. 

Some students end up waiting until the last minute to find a dress. “I got my dress like a week before homecoming. It was my mom’s friend’s daughters. It was navy blue and rose gold. I just didn’t really make time to go get a dress, and when I went and looked (in stores), I couldn’t find any I liked”, says junior Izzy Baker. Boys, on the other hand, may not prioritize their homecoming outfits as much as their counterparts. When asking Logan Balla about his homecoming outfit, he says, “I found my suit in my brother’s closet. I have two older brothers, so why would I spend 60 dollars on a shirt when I can just wear hand-me-downs? I probably didn’t even think about what I was going to wear until the weekend of.” Outfits are a “make or break” aspect of Homecoming for some, and an afterthought for others. 

Dance Floor Diaries 

I asked students about their thoughts on the homecoming dance and new venue location. “I liked the venue a lot, but the dance floor was a bit small. Also, the food I ate was pretty good.” Says Sarah Brand, a senior at HHS. “I thought that the dance floor was a bit small, but the food was good and it was an overall good experience,” says another senior, Haleigh Taylor. Overall, it seems the consensus is that the venue and food were approved, but the dance floor needs to be larger. I, for one, agree with this, and my toes were bruised and bloody from being stepped on and smooshed all night. 

Memorable Moments

After the senior song, with eight minutes left of the homecoming dance, the fire alarm sounded. Staff and police officers yelled “everyone out!” and ushered 400 students out of the event center. As students flooded the parking lot, smoke could be seen filling the nearby halls. Firetrucks and police officers rushed to the mall. “I just laughed… I didn’t really know what was happening,” says Skylar Jordan. Many students weren’t sure if the fire alarms were a prank or serious. Addie Sarisky explained, “I was really confused, and Matt and Braydon just left me, so I was like “What the heck.”’. The next day, it was discovered that the “fire” was actually just a burnt out A.C. unit.

Final Insights

Undeniably, Homecoming is always a night to remember, but especially this year, with not only a new venue, but also a “fire”. It’s always exciting in the weeks leading up to the big day with all of the preparations to be made, and Homecoming week is the most exciting of all. Overall, this year’s dance was a success.

Everyone has a favorite genre of music. For some, it may be rock; for others, it may be indie, while others enjoy whatever comes on the radio. But let’s take a look at a genre that doesn’t get as much love as it should—folk music.

What Is Folk Music?

Folk music is defined in a broader sense as a mixture of traditional music passed through generations and contemporary music that evolved from it. Folk music has encompassed the world for years, from sea shanties to ballads to work songs and storytelling, it has a way of resonating with people in a unique way. Folk music is a way to preserve tradition as it continues to evolve with the world and its various cultures. Like any other genre, folk music has its subtypes as well, depending on meaning, culture of origin—even the primary instruments and vocals used can be the tipping point to define what subtype a song fits into. Folk music has been a way to show identity and has even been used for social reforms and views. As of recently, this genre has finally been getting more love and recognition with the rise of artists and a newfound generation of folk enjoyers.

Folk’s Future

More and more artists are creating folk music and celebrating their culture with it. Some well-known folk artists are Noah Kahan, Phoebe Bridgers, The Crane Wives, and Hozier. Each of these artists takes their own spin on folk music and makes it unique to themselves while keeping the folk element at the heart of their music. With the rising popularity of folk music, more artists are gaining traction, such as Sparkbird, Cosmo Sheldrake, and Yaelokre. These three artists are reintroducing folk to teenagers who are finding solace in the stories hidden within acoustics, with people even becoming inspired to play their own music. Folk artists are creating communities of their fans where they mingle with others, find those with similar interests, and have a space that’s welcoming to those who may feel like outsiders. One of the newer artists, Yaelokre, has just begun their Foreword tour in the United States, with every show almost completely sold out. Yaelokre’s music is focused on the stories they create and their heritage as a Filipino-Icelandic person. Their songs revolve around a fictional world they created that the fans fell in love with immediately. Their newest song, Kamahalan, is completely in Tagalog, a language that many Filipino people speak. Folk artists are known for creating communities and sharing stories that others can find relatable and comforting, and modern folk artists are emphasizing this point.

Final Thoughts

Folk music has shaped communities by giving them a space to see themselves in music and stories told by people not so different from them. Folk isn’t everyone’s favorite, but it’s made to celebrate everyone. By exploring themes of identity, heritage, storytelling, and community, folk music has its chance to make a comeback.

THE HALLWAYS OF NEW HOPE High School were alive with the usual Monday morning chaos, the sound of lockers slamming and endless chatter filling the air. Students scurried off to their classes, chatting with friends about homework and their weekend plans. But the conversation that came up the most was about the biggest football game of the season: Friday—New Hope against Pleasantview, one of their biggest rivals. And it seemed that every student was thinking about it as the warning bell rang that morning.

Brady Jaxser, a junior on the football team, was no exception. He wanted to ensure he nailed this game, worked effectively with his team, and that everyone was ready. Thankfully, he didn’t really have to worry. He was one of the best players—quick, sharp-witted, strong, able to catch and pass and score touchdowns with ease. He’d been playing football since he was a kid, and he’d always loved it. It made him feel alive, and the sportsmanship and camaraderie made belonging—and feeling like you belonged—as easy as breathing.

Excitement about the game buzzed through him as he headed to math class with a few teammates. A confident smile tugged at his lips. “We’re gonna crush it on Friday, huh, guys?”

“Heck yeah,” agreed Anthony Curr, his best friend. Though their days of practicing passes at the playground were long gone, their friendship was as strong as their passion for the sport.

“Those Pleasantview slugs won’t know what hit ’em,” said Rodger Walker with a smirk. Rodger was a senior, the captain of the team. He was the one the others looked to, who always kept order. Strength and agility were his superpowers, and he was responsible for many wins for New Hope, even though he knew that the whole team made it happen. That was Coach Burgandy’s number one rule: they play as a team, or they don’t play at all.

The three of them had just gotten to the math hall, where Brady usually bade them farewell and headed off to class. But today, before he walked off, Rodger called, “Wait, Jaxser!”

“What’s up, man?” Brady asked, turning toward them.

Mischief sparkled in Rodger’s eyes. “Come with me, guys.”

Anthony and Brady exchanged a look, then followed. Rodger led them into the boys’ bathroom, set down his stuff, then pulled something out of his pocket. It was a little black stick that looked a bit thicker than a stick of gum. Brady knew what it was immediately. Shock coursed through him. He glanced at Anthony, who also bore a surprised expression. Rodger stuck the thing in his mouth, and smoke billowed out when he took it away.

Anthony found his voice first. “You vape?”

“Yeah,” Rodger said casually, leaning against the sinks and bringing the vape toward his mouth again. The scent of mango filled the air. He pulled two more from his pocket, offering them.

“But… why? You know Coach B will kill you!”

Rodger snorted. “He’ll never find out. And besides, everybody does it. I’m not the first kid on the team to vape, Curr. Where’ve you been?”

Brady stiffened. Rodger’s words cut like a knife. He knew that people thought vaping was cool, but he never suspected Rodger—a kid who was already cool—of trying it. And if Coach Burgandy found out, he’d be kicked off the team, no questions asked. Brady knew how badly vaping could affect your lungs, making players who used to lap around the field effortlessly gasp for air as they ran. He knew how fast it could affect someone, getting them hooked without realizing it, maybe even causing lung cancer, a disease often battled by smokers. Rodger was smart—surely he knew the risks, right?

But if he did, why was he doing it anyway?

“Dude…” Brady said, trying to find the right words. “You know what can happen, right?”

“Ain’t gonna happen to me,” Rodger drawled. “Lots of people in our school do it. They aren’t bad. You get the itch, you ask to go to the bathroom…”

“You stay in there for thirty minutes getting high on nicotine,” Anthony countered.

Rodger turned toward him, glaring. He was bigger than both of them, and Brady had watched him slam down opposing players at countless games. But Rodger wouldn’t fight them—surely. Just because he was a little high didn’t mean he was dangerous or dumb…

“Shut your mouth, Curr,” the senior growled. He took a step toward Anthony.

“What do you think you’re doing, man?” Anthony argued, his eyes blazing. “You’re our team captain. You keep up this crap, and you won’t be able to play at all. Worse, you might get sick. Heck, you are sick. You’re addicted.”

The mango-scented air was getting suffocating. The tardy bell had rung minutes ago, Brady knew. He felt sweaty, uneasy, like something bad might happen. Rodger couldn’t be addicted… could he?

“Come on, man,” Brady said, putting a hand on Anthony’s shoulder. “It’s Rodger’s choice. It’s not like we’re doing it.”

Anthony’s eyes flashed. “He’s the team captain. If he keeps this up, he’s going to ruin Friday’s game—and every game afterward. If we don’t play as a team, we don’t play at all. You know it’s true, Rodger!”

Rodger snarled. “Screw what Coach says. It’ll take more than a few vapes to mess with me. And more than two little juniors, too.”

The senior lunged toward them. Anthony and Brady stepped back in shock. Fear made Brady’s guts twist. “C’mon, Anthony, I know what to do.” He took Anthony’s shoulder, and both boys scurried out of the bathroom. Rodger followed, protesting, but they were two steps ahead.

“You gonna tattle on me like a bunch of babies?” Rodger called. He’d stopped at the end of the hall, but anger was all over his face. He didn’t look like the strong, fit senior the team looked up to. He was pale and sweaty, breathing hard and heavily even though he hadn’t run very far or fast from the bathroom. He looked broken.

Brady swallowed hard. Anthony was right. Rodger was addicted. The old Rodger never would have tried to hurt them or said such awful things.

This was a problem. It would risk the team’s future and, more importantly, the well-being of the two of them and Rodger. They needed to ask for help—whether Rodger wanted it or not.

The duo headed to Principal Magor’s office. He couldn’t fix everything, but hopefully, he could tell the boys where to start.

“Hello, boys,” the principal said, looking up from a stack of papers. “Shouldn’t you be in class?”

“Yes,” Anthony said. “But we have something to tell you.”

They glanced at each other for courage, then began.

The days that followed were quiet. Rodger hadn’t been to practice all week. On Thursday before practice, Coach Burgandy walked up to the boys as they warmed up.

“Jaxser, Curr,” he said, his voice low with authority. The duo looked up at him, slightly apprehensive.

The coach’s voice softened as he spoke. “Thank you for speaking up about Rodger. That took a lot of courage. That’s hard to do, especially when faced with peer pressure like that.”

“Is he going to be in Friday’s game?” Brady asked.

“No, but we’ve all been practicing. We’ve gotten by without players before. We can do it again.”

“Is… is he coming back?”

Coach B smiled. “Yes, he is. After he swore up and down he would never pull a vape again. I was ready to punch his teeth out. I’ve never had a player admit to vaping before, and frankly, I hope to never have another.”

Anthony gave a hollow laugh. “You probably can’t count on that. Some kids think vaping is cool.”

“Well, it ain’t,” the coach replied. “And I hope you two will always agree with me.”

“Yes, Coach,” the duo said in unison.

Brady managed a smile. He’d felt a lot of things when he was in the bathroom on Monday, but now he felt better. Proud. Proud he’d helped his friends. Proud he’d found the courage to say no. Maybe he could help Rodger find the same.

“Anthony,” he said, turning toward his friend. “We should help Rodger, too.”

Anthony’s eyebrows raised. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. He’s our friend. And the Rodger we saw in the bathroom wasn’t the real him. It was the addict him. Maybe we can help the real him win.”

His friend grinned. “Yeah. I think we can.”

At school on Friday, in between classes, Brady spent the time searching the web about the dangers of vaping and how to combat addiction. He met with Anthony at lunch to swap facts and ideas, smiling, knowing his friend had done the same, knowing they were one step closer to helping a friend in need.

Before the big game, the boys rode their bikes to Rodger’s house. Brady knocked on the door, notebook in hand.

Rodger answered. He looked defeated, a shell of his former self. “Hey, guys,” he said softly.

Brady smiled. “Hey, man. Want to hang out? We’ve got a few hours.”

Rodger looked unsure, but he let both boys in. The trio flopped onto the couch in the living room.

“You really want to hang out with me? I was a jerk. I can’t believe I tried to fight two of my best friends.” Rodger’s voice was soft, looking lost as he stared out the window. Brady hesitated only a moment before putting a hand on the senior’s shoulder.

“That wasn’t the real you,” Brady said. “That was the addict you. And we’re here to make sure your addiction doesn’t keep winning.”

Rodger sighed, but he looked at Brady. “I want to quit. I really do. Looking back on what I did… how awful that felt. But… is that actually possible?”

Anthony smiled. “Sure. And the first step is to acknowledge that you’re addicted.”

Rodger stared at the little metal stick on the table next to the couch. “Okay,” he said honestly. “I am. Now what?”

“Now,” Brady told him, “you get help. And you’ve already got it. We’ll be there for you. Make sure you step back if addiction threatens to win.”

“It’ll be hard,” Anthony said. “But you’re Rodger Walker. If you’re brave enough to be tackled, you’re brave enough to give it a try, right? And you won’t be alone through any of it.”

Rodger chuckled, a smile lighting up his face for the first time. “You guys are saps. But really good friends. I think… I think I’m ready to try.”

Brady grinned, his heart filling with pride and gratitude. “Good. We’ll be with you every step of the way.” He held up his notebook. “And we have a few things that might help you.”

For the next hour, the trio ate snacks as Brady and Anthony informed Rodger of the dangers of vaping—how only doing it once could leave your brain hungry for more and how impossible it was to fill that order. That if he kept it up, he’d not only risk things like football games but his own health—how lung cancer and sleeping problems could become his unwelcome companions, how the addiction would control his life and stop him from being the smart, strong player and loyal friend they knew he was. In turn, Rodger told them how he’d started at the beginning of the year—how people he’d thought to be friends had pushed him into doing it. Everybody does it, they’d told him. It’s cool. You want to be cool, right? He did. And because of that one first try—the thought that it couldn’t be that bad—had changed his life forever.

But there was hope, Brady and Anthony reassured him. He could quit, be happy, and be healthy again. And they would help him—one step at a time.

“And the next step is coming to the game and cheering for us. Without a smoke stick, okay?” Anthony offered. Brady grinned. He’d been waiting for him to lay out their surprise offer.

Rodger laughed and glanced at the vape on the table for only a moment. He got up, grabbed his jacket, and opened the door. Brady and Anthony grinned and followed.

The trio stepped into the early fall air, grinning at each other. With a look of determination, Rodger closed the door and didn’t look back.

“What if I get the itch?” Rodger asked, uncertainty in his voice.

“Then you look for us out there and remember you aren’t alone. And you go find somebody who can help. Principal Magor will be there, you know,” Brady instructed.

Rodger smiled. “I’m glad to have little juniors like you on my side,” he teased, ruffling Brady’s hair. He laughed and punched him in the shoulder. More genuinely, Rodger said, “I mean it. Thank you.”

“No problem, Captain,” Anthony said with a grin. They all shared a laugh.

When they arrived at the gym, they went their separate ways—Brady and Anthony to the locker room, Rodger to the bleachers.

His eyes fell to the ground. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I should be going with you. I feel bad.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Brady said sincerely. “You’re taking a step toward getting better. And that’s all that matters.”

Rodger grinned, and the trio shared a quick fist bump. As he watched Rodger go, Brady’s heart warmed. He did want Rodger in the game, but he would join the team again. And he’d join it feeling better, feeling proud that he was healing.

“Vaping isn’t cool,” he told Anthony. “But friendship sure is.”

Anthony cackled. “That’s sappy. But it’s true, too.”

The End

Truths About Vaping:

According to KidsHealth.org and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2024:

• Vapes are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in the United States.

• As of 2024, 410,000 middle school students and 1.21 million high school students reported having used vapes.

• Among students who have vaped, 46.3% reported current use. Among students who currently use, 26.3% reported using a vape every day.

• You do not have to vape every day to become addicted.

• Most middle and high school students who are vaping want to quit and have tried.

• Even vapes that claim to be nicotine-free still contain nicotine. Some may also contain marijuana.

• Nicotine is highly addictive. It harms parts of the brain that control mood, attention, learning, and impulse control. Vaping has also been proven to cause or worsen anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, lung damage, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis.

• Youth who vape are more likely to become smokers.

• Most teenagers vape due to social influence. They often try because a friend introduced them to vaping and pressured them to vape. They believe if they don’t try, they will be made fun of or ostracized socially.

• Vapes are expensive! And the tobacco companies want that money. They often advertise fun, youth-friendly flavors such as candy or fruit to get youth to try. Once the brain is addicted to nicotine, it will continue to buy vapes, no matter the cost. Companies use these tactics to make youth and teens their next lifetime customers.

• Quitting is possible! Prepare yourself for withdrawal symptoms and be ready for feelings, people, and places that may make you want to vape. Write down reasons why you want to quit on your phone and look at them when you feel the urge to vape. Some coping methods you can use to combat the urge to vape include listening to your favorite music, getting some exercise, keeping your hands busy with a hobby like drawing, and trying to get your mind off the urge to vape. Most importantly, surround yourself with friends and family who will support you and know that you aren’t alone in the fight against addiction.

If you or someone you know is vaping and would like to quit, go to Smokefree.gov.

Both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams have come a long way this season, and now it's time for the playoffs. Here’s a recap of how their seasons went.

The boys had an amazing season with 11 wins, five losses, and one tie. The boys won their first game of the season against Ursuline with a score of 3-1. They had a total of five shutouts — Girard, Lakeview, JFKC, and two against South Range. The boys made a big improvement from last year. They played Poland with a loss of 4-0 during last year’s season and ended up with a tie of 3-3 this season. The boys scored 10 goals against Girard, which is the highest number of goals they had scored in a game. They had a total of 57 goals in their conference games. Overall, the boys had a great 2025-2026 season.

The girls had a tough beginning to their season but ended up with four wins, 10 losses, and three ties. The girls’ first game against Salem wasn’t a good start to the season — they had a 2-0 loss, but that didn’t stop them. Their next game against Harding was a 2-2 tie. They had a total of two shutouts, both against South Range. The girls made great improvements against Poland and Niles. Last year, they played against Poland with a loss of 7-0 and improved this year by losing 3-1 to them. Last year, when the girls played Niles, they ended up with a loss of 7-1. This year, they lost 3-1 against them. The girls scored nine goals against Struthers and South Range, which was the most they scored in one game. They had a total of 43 goals in their conference games. Overall, the girls had a good 2025-2026 season.

Now here are the boys’ and girls’ playoff results:

The boys had an amazing start to the playoffs this year. Their first playoff game against Ursuline at home was a shutout of 6-0. They advanced to the next game against Brookside and destroyed them on their home turf with another shutout of 8-0. The boys advanced once again to play Poland on their home turf but sadly lost 3-2. The boys made it very far and had a great season.

The girls did not have much success in the playoffs this year. They traveled an hour and 20 minutes to Orrville High School. They had a good start in the first half of the game, tied 1-1. The second half wasn’t great for them, and they lost 5-1. The girls didn’t have the best season, but they hope to come back strong next year.

Both the boys’ and girls’ teams tried their hardest this season and are ready to kick the season off again next year.

Recently, Eagle Scout Joey Zucco completed his Eagle Scout project at the Hubbard Public Pool. He built new benches for the facility after a mold outbreak in the fall of 2022, which forced the pool to dispose of its old benches.

When trying to decide what to do for his Eagle Scout project, Joey realized how much the lack of benches impacted swimmers, instructors, and spectators. He decided to take action and build new benches for the Hubbard Pool. Joey explained that he built the benches for “anybody who needs a place to rest, like swimmers in between races or instructors for classes.” The benches Joey made have already had great feedback from the community. One swim instructor shared, “When I teach classes, I usually have to stand, but now that we have the benches, I can sit and show people how to do the swim movements.”

Joey said the hardest part of the project was working through the bad weather and assembling the benches, but he hopes his work will benefit the community and swimmers for years to come.

Mr. Mark Brest is the woodshop teacher at Hubbard, and he really loves his job. He has a master’s degree in education and has taught many subjects like shop classes, computer skills, and even money management. Before working at Hubbard, he taught at other schools like New Castle School of Trades and ATECH. He says Hubbard is different because the students and teachers here are really nice and supportive. It feels like a place where everyone belongs.

Outside of school, Mr. Brest is a family man. He has been married for almost 20 years and has twin daughters, Sophia and Jenna. They are both in third grade at Hubbard. He likes spending time with his family, especially watching movies with them and going on trips to places like Disney World and Niagara Falls.

Mr. Brest enjoys working with his hands and teaching students how to build and fix things. He thinks woodshop is the best class because it’s creative and useful, and every day is different. He likes helping students feel proud of what they make.

This year, Mr. Brest wants to get to know his students better and help them understand that their choices matter. One important lesson he tells his class is: “You can’t always choose your problems, but you can choose how you think about them.” He calls this “Mr. Brest’s Words of Wisdom.”

Mr. Brest also likes computers and technology. He enjoys figuring out how things work and fixing them.

If he could take the students on a field trip, he would pick Kennywood because it’s close, fun, and a good way for students to have fun outside of school.

When he’s not teaching or with his family, Mr. Brest likes to watch movies. One of his favorites is Armageddon because it has lots of action and a great cast.

Overall, Mr. Brest cares a lot about his students and wants to help them do well in school and in life.