The HUB Mission Statement
The HUB Mission Statement
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The HUB is now available for all to enjoy!!!
Our goal is to represent the Hubbard Schools and the city of Hubbard in the most effective way possible. By being student driven, we are learning daily to emphasize the key points of situations and to better understand each other as citizens of the community, nation, and world.
The HUB
The HUB
Here is this months edition of The HUB, Hubbard High School's student led newspaper.
April 1st, 2024
Battling Senioritis
Ashley Rodgers
Senior Staff Writer
Senior year is a momentous occasion for many students as they look ahead to their new life. Some students are a little emotional because they are afraid to leave their friends behind. Others are jumping for joy and cannot wait to leave high school. However, being too excited to go can be harmful to these students. They could develop a bad case of senioritis. Senioritis is defined as “the lack of motivation felt by students who are reaching the end of their courses” by Southern New Hampshire University. Unfortunately, as the year winds down, seniors stop turning in their work or even stop coming to school altogether. Senioritis has become increasingly popular and a rising problem for graduating classes in recent years. According to www.degreechoices.com, they claim “...the most recent study on the affliction found that nearly 4 in 5 students experience senioritis.” Although it may feel hopeless, there are ways to combat senioritis.
One way to combat senioritis is to reflect on the journey. Although your final high school transcript might not affect your admission to your post-secondary school of choice or an employment opportunity, they still will take a peek at your grades afterward. Plus, you don’t want your hard work from the first three years of high school to go to waste. Senior Peytyn Slovesko said, “I just think I came this far and to just finish strong. There is no reason to quit now.” when sharing her method to fighting against senioritis.
Another way to battle senioritis is to avoid procrastination. Pushing off your work until the last minute might seem the easiest thing to do. However, procrastinating your work will increase the chances of rushing to finish it or not completing your homework. “I try to get my work done as soon as I get it, so I don’t have to worry about doing it later” states senior Ava Gomez. Regardless of whether you finish your homework late at night or not do it at all, you aren’t learning the information productively, and it will be harder to remember in the long run. Staying up late to do your homework can also negatively affect your sleep schedule and make you feel sluggish the next day. It’s essential to attack your homework during the day in order to avoid these side effects. As a result, staying on top of your work and looking back at your journey through high school are easy strategies seniors can use to stay strong for the rest of their senior year.
As another school year ends, seniors must focus on graduating from high school. Graduation is the stepping stone to what life has for them. Once they graduate, they can start to look at the journey ahead. The possibilities are endless, and there are a variety of paths you can follow. Yet the only way to focus on the journey ahead is to beat senioritis now.
Teacher V.S. Students: Spring Break or Spring Pause
Teacher V.S. Students: Spring Break or Spring Pause
Lauren Gasser
Freshman Staff Writer
As it begins to warm up, everyone looks more toward summer than school. They are ready for sunny days, vacation, swimming, and relaxing. Hubbard allows students and staff 3 days of spring break. Addy Sarisky states, “I think our spring break needs to be longer! I think we need a whole week off for spring break.” On the other hand, Mrs. Wack states, “Let's keep the short spring break.” But why?
“Testing is so close to spring break, that giving the kids a long period of time off, they won’t retain what they’ve learned,” says Mr. Bosheff, Hubbard English teacher. Mrs. Stamp, Hubbard math teacher, agrees, stating, “I understand why it is so short because of how close it is to testing.” End of course testing is just around the corner and this year the pressure is on for most students. Sophomores have to pass ELA 2, and freshmen have to pass Algebra 1. If you are a Junior taking Government, you can earn a Citizenship Seal, and if you are in Biology, you can earn a Science Seal. “Seals are fancy stickers you need to graduate,” says counselor Mrs. Gasser, “They are very important.” However, student Taylor Rodgers brings up a good point, saying, “But if you think about it, other schools have a longer spring break but still get high test scores. So is there really a connection? Plus, no one is going to forget everything after one week.”
Some teachers don’t just worry about the academic disadvantages but the physical ones too. “I am a spring sport coach, a disadvantage would be having a game but some players are on vacation,” says Mr. Bosheff. Mr. Bosheff is one of the three baseball coaches for Hubbard, and like any coach, he wants a good season. “It would be too big of a disadvantage for games,” he adds. Mr. MacMillian, an old spring sport coach, states “If we had a week off, there wouldn’t be any games or practices to miss because school would be out. Plus students have so much on their plates already. With extra curriculars, jobs, and sports, students deserve a break. I don’t want them to run themselves too thin and a break would be good for them.” It would also be nice for teachers to have a break for themselves too because of how stressful being a teacher can be. Mrs. Stamp says, “The kids have been restless.” Mrs. Marshall, Hubbard counselor says, “ I think students AND staff get restless. I think spring break will help everyone recharge. That way, when we do get back from break, everyone can finish the year off strong.”
Spring Break is a nice treat for students and staff members who worked so very hard this year. But with only three days, it’s hard for students to fully enjoy themselves. “I would love to go to Florida for a break but with the amount of time given to us on break, it isn’t worth going in that small amount of time with the money I would spend,” says Gianna Rotunno. There is no clear connection between test grades and Spring break, therefore it wouldn’t hurt. With a longer Spring Break, they’ll have more time to relax and enjoy time to themselves. What do you think?
March 1st, 2024
Aubrey Middlestead
Sophomore Staff Writer
Airbuds: Hubbard’s Music Taste
Listening to your favorite songs is great, but what about being able to see and react to what your friends are listening to? This concept is not new, but Airbuds recently has allowed some Hubbard students to share songs and flaunt their musical library. With the new iPhone’s ability to add widgets, this app constantly gives daily recaps and live listening to your and your friend’s activity. Airbuds allows many music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Musi. Scrolling through Airbuds, you can find your tune twins, a shared song between a duo or a group of people, what you and your friends are listening to on repeat, and so much more.
Airbuds is not new to some students at Hubbard High, but for many, it is just the beginning. Caroline Capuzello, a senior at Hubbard, has had Airbuds downloaded for around two years. She says, “My favorite thing about it is that it is a great way to discover new music. It’s also really interesting to see what my friends are listening to, and I’ve found some of my favorite songs and artists because of the app.” Caroline believes the app lives up to the hype. Airbuds, during their recaps, show your top artists and songs for time and your friends. Hubbard Junior Zack Svensson got Airbuds after a former student, David Williams, convinced him to get it in October 2023. They used the app as a way to see what the other was listening to while being miles apart. Svensson enjoys the app because it shows the type of person someone is through their music taste. He has found friendships or common musical interests with people after befriending them on Airbuds. Whether you have had the app for years or just a couple of months, Airbuds truly changes the way people listen to music.
Airbuds is a high-rated app on the Apple App Stores with a 4.8/5 star rating. The app introduces music to you and allows you to connect with others. On the app store, it says, “Airbuds is a widget for best friends to share their listening activity. You and your friends can see what each other is listening to right on your home screens. You can react to songs, play music on the app, and start a conversation. It makes you feel closer to your friends through the music they’re listening to at any moment.” This further explains the idea of reacting and creating conversations through music. Airbuds has many valuable qualities that countless students at Hubbard are fond of. Will you share your music with your friends?
Scout Nicholson
Junior Staff Writer
A Look into the New York Times Games
The New York Times is a well-known, established newspaper. But, if we’re being honest, the most exciting part of newspapers is the fun, thought-provoking games! The New York Times has gained a lot of popularity with their very own New York Times Games. These games include Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, and many more. These games are released daily, with a new activity to solve each day! People tend to anticipate playing these games daily, excited for what puzzles to solve next! This academic addiction started in 2022 when the game Wordle began to gain popularity. This helped lead to the popularity of the other NYT games. One Hubbard High School junior, Jordan Porter, shared his opinion on these games, “I enjoy playing the NYT games because it’s a fun way to start my day, and I like to battle my friends. My favorite is the Mini Crossword because it’s the most fun to fill out. The Connections are way too hard, and Wordle is a bit too basic.” Jordan, like many others, loves the academic challenge of these games and the community these games create. Being able to share and compare with your friends makes the experience ten times better! Below is an in-depth explanation of these games.
Wordle
The objective of this game is to determine what five-lettered word was picked for the day. It could be any word possible as long as it has five letters! You have six opportunities to guess the word correctly. Begin by guessing any word; some people try to have a strategic start by starting with words full of vowels like adieu or autos. Knocking out the vowels can help determine which word it is in fewer tries! Once you begin guessing, three colors can show up. Green means that one of the letters you guessed is correct and in the right spot. Yellow means the letter is in the word, just in the wrong place. Lastly, there’s gray, meaning the letter is not in the word at all. Some people may continue by using a word full of common consonants, like the word storm. It’s important to try to get the answer in the least amount of tries. This game can be quite fun and gives an academic alternative to gaming.
Connections
Connections tend to be one of the more challenging games, though it is just as exciting! This game starts by naming 16 items. The goal of this game is to find the connection between these items. The game will end with four groups with four items in each; these items will have something in common with the other things. For example, there may be a group titled Colors, and would have words like purple, green, blue, and pink. That category would have been easy to solve, which explains one of the aspects of this game. Each group is color-coordinated by their levels of difficulty. Yellow tends to be the easiest, most straightforward category. Then there’s green, which gets a little harder, but is still fairly easy. Then there’s blue, which gets a bit trickier. Lastly, there is purple, which is extremely difficult. This game makes one think and look for the links between each word. The official Connections directions state, “Categories will always be more specific than “5 LETTER-WORDS," "NAMES,” or “VERBS.” Each puzzle has exactly one solution. Watch out for words that seem to belong to multiple categories.” When playing the game, you are given four opportunities to make incorrect guesses. So, it’s crucial to not waste your guesses and look for categories you are sure of first. HHS Junior Miles Harvey expressed, “I enjoy the challenge Connections gives me. Even though I don’t finish it every time, it still makes me think!” This game can also be quite informative, giving new facts and knowledge on some words, or information one may not know!
Mini Crossword
Another one of the most famous games is the Mini Crossword! This game is a replica of the actual NYT crossword puzzle; however, it is in a smaller format and available to everyone. The New York Times official website states, “Weekday and Saturday puzzles are available at 10 p.m. EST the previous day…Sunday puzzles are available at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.” Some people will stay up at night just to get the new puzzle. The anticipation is worth it! This game is played just like a regular crossword puzzle. You are shown a set of squares where you must fill in the corresponding words. To figure out these words, there will be a set of clues that can help hint at what the words will be. The objective of the Mini Crossword is to determine the words in the quickest time possible. If it’s too difficult to solve, you can turn on auto-check. This feature will help you determine which words are correct and which are not. Sophomore Addison Sanders states, “These games give me something to do in my free time. Even when I’m in class and have nothing to do, I can play this and have fun!”
There are many more games available, not just these three! There are also the games Spelling Bee, Sudoku, Vertex, Tiles, and Letter Boxed. Each of these games provides an academic challenge to the gamers! They’re fun to play and beneficial to all! Below is a link to play these challenging games, so try it out and let us know how you like it!
Ashley Rodgers
Senior Staff Writer
Every year, Hubbard High School throws a huge STEAM Festival to get students involved in STEAM activities and create interest in possible career opportunities. An article posted by Harvard claims, “...STEM occupations has grown 79 percent in the past three decades. In addition, STEM jobs are projected to grow an additional 11 percent from 2020 to 2030.” Hosting these activities will prepare students for career opportunities that will become dominant in the future. There is a wide range of events held to engage the students. From Paint Pour, to Escape Rooms and Bridge Building, there are activities for everyone. To give students more incentive, many teachers offer extra credit to any student who participates. Another way teachers engage students is by offering prizes for specific competitions. However, this STEAM Festival was unlike any other.
Hubbard saw two new events added to the festival’s lineup this year: The Science Scavenger Hunt and the Math 24 Challenge Competition. What’s unique about the Scavenger Hunt is that it’s the only event held outside. Groups of 3-4 students dressed warmly to explore what nature has in store for them. All groups were given a list of objects or science terms to find in the Land Lab behind the school. While some students knew the words on the list, many learned new vocabulary that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. As a result, the first Science Scavenger Hunt was very successful and will most likely be back next year.
The Challenge 24 event also drew large crowds of students. There were various levels to ensure it wasn’t too challenging for the students. Players strived to reach the magical number, only using each of the four numbers once, as quickly as possible, which, you guessed it, is 24. Although there were minor bumps in the road, such as people accidentally joining the wrong level, next year, all of the kinks will be worked out, and the event will run more smoothly. Practice makes perfect!
The science, math, and art teachers spend countless hours planning to make sure the event goes on without a hitch, and every year, students have nothing but positive remarks about the events they chose. Freshman Kaylynn Kong experienced her first STEAM Fest and said, “It was a really fun experience. I felt like I was in one of those old high school movies.” On the other hand, senior Malorie Oyler tried both new events for her last year in STEAM Fest. She claimed, “I’m not the best at Math 24, so I probably wouldn’t do it again. But I would do the Scavenger Hunt again a million percent.” Regardless of the number of years students participate in STEAM Fest, they are guaranteed a good time. Doesn’t STEAM Fest sound like a blast? Keep an eye out for other STEAM activities this year, and sign up again next year!
Just Some Jacktivities – Orange Journalism
Jackson Corbett
Sophomore Staff Writer
Hello everyone. Welcome back to another session of nonsensical sensations and questionable factuality. A certain tropical fruit and its despicable counterparts have come to my attention, and I would like to discuss it. That’s right, today we are talking about oranges, along with its deviant deviants.
I’m sure you all know what oranges are, but just in case you are out of the loop I will catch you up. The origin of the orange itself is lovecraftian in nature. They came into pitiful existence out of the unholy matrimony of a mandarin and pomelo in Southeast Asia. Ever since, they have slowly ravaged this plane of existence, spreading from Asia to Spain, and then to America as an accomplice of scathing imperialism. Its citrusy tendrils have truly wrapped themselves around our society.
However, the horrors just don’t end, perchance. There are “other” fruits as well, such as the dastardly kumquat, atrocious clementine, the criminal kinnow, and the terrible tangerine. These fruits also suffered a similar fate of the orange (that of being born). Specifically, they were born as amalgamations between two different fruits.
Are you starting to see a theme here? Not only do they all have similar origins, but they are also all part of the Citrus genus. On top of all that, my insider sources, also known as the “Images” tab in Google.com, tell me that every fruit mentioned so far just so happens to look very, very similar.
“What are you implying, Jack?” I hope you are asking, because that would mean you are actively engaging in my writing. What I am implying is that oranges, kumquats, tangerines, kinnows, and clementines are all in fact the same fruit. They are merely sold as different fruits to increase the profits of Big Orange. This may sound like a rather bold claim, and the evidence to back it up is circumstantial at best, but I believe if you just hear me out you will come to adopt my rather juicy position.
First off, there is the obvious fact that they all look suspiciously similar. There may be some minor differences here and there, but you wouldn’t look at a Ford and a Nissan and say “Yeah, those are two different species of fruit.”, would you? They also taste nearly the same. I have never had any of these fruits before however, but I have drank orange juice for breakfast before, and it does in fact taste like the color orange. There is also the motivation for facetious fruit corps to commit this act of disdain. Calling an orange not an orange would encourage people to buy them since they seem more “exotic”. We also know that fruit conglomerates have malicious intentions, given that they overthrew entire Latin American governments for their fruitful endeavors. Arguably the most scathing evidence is the fact that Abraham Lincoln never said “Oranges, kumquats, and all those other ones are the same fruit.” Honest Abe would never lie, so the fact that he never said they were the same fruit is very telling of their legitimacy.
If that didn’t convince you of the crimes against humanity committed by the orange, I don’t know what will. We need to take a stand against this tyranny. Please, if you have any common decency, stand up for what is right!
Isabella Williams
Junior Staff Writer
Shoot For a Change 2024
I am Isabella Williams and during my sophomore year, I started a service project called Shoot for a Change. This project is a Basketball game that raises money for the nonprofit school, Potential Development. Potential Development focuses on providing an education for students with autism and allows them to have a well-rounded high school experience. This includes allowing the students to participate in clubs, sports, school dances, and other activities than in an average public high school. This allows students to earn their high school diploma at their own pace.
I chose to give back to Potential Development because they made the biggest impact on my cousin, Christoph. Later into my Freshman year, my cousin Christoph and I reconnected after almost eight years of no communication through Facebook. When we were messaging each other, I found out he had autism and he was on the basketball team at Potential Development. So my mother, sister, and I decided to attend a basketball game to support my cousin. Watching the athletes at Potential Development was the most heartwarming experience of my life. No matter how good or bad the player was, they never gave up and they had so much fun. Winning was so exciting for them to experience.
Afterwards, we stayed in contact with each other and before we could even ask when the next game was, their season was over. They had only played 5 games that whole season. My heart broke for them. It was an eye-opening experience because I dreaded the time games and practices took from my day. But after finding that they only have 5 games, I viewed sports as more than just wins and losses. They are memories that last a lifetime, and I decided I wanted to give one more game to Potential Development to make more memories.
So I mentioned to Mr. Hogue an idea I had to bring a team over to them the following year, but my mind started going, realizing I was meant to do more. During the summer, I came up with an idea to have a huge charity event to raise money for the school, because they have completely changed my cousin’s life. Once school started, I was in Community and Career Exploration first semester. After realizing instead of volunteering I could create a service project, I was overjoyed. So on the first day of school, I proposed my idea to Mrs. Delmonte and my idea took off from there. “I was excited but nervous because I knew this was going to be a lot of work and something I'd never assisted with before. The fact that Izzy wanted to continue this project shows the leadership, passion, and dedication Izzy has to make sure everyone has an opportunity! I love how Izzy wants to continue making a difference in our community! ” says Mrs. Delmonte. I created flyers, and donor letters, learned what a W-9 form was, and made programs. I picked up baskets, asked businesses for donations, and compiled a list of volunteers. At the end of my first event, I was able to raise $4,400 for Potential Development.
However this year, I decided to expand my event and make it bigger than it already was. After speaking with the director of special events at Potential Development, we decided to make the game senior night for their student-athletes. This event, I received even more support from the community than I thought was possible. I had doubled the amount of items for the basket from the year before and I was able to make more donations going toward Potential Development. I also was able to use a new community business at Hubbard High School. All the T-shirts from this event were created by the Working Eagles Company at Hubbard High School. The shirts they made were absolutely incredible. The working eagles were excited for their first large order and it allowed them to get recognition for their company in the school and community.
The actual event was more heartwarming than the last. During the senior night ceremony, I was in tears because I realized what I actually did for the school. It wasn’t even about raising the money, it was about the smiles I saw on the students' faces. Not only did more people attend but we were able to raise $5,000 for Potential Development which alone is incredible in addition to all the memories made. Nicole Allison volunteered in this year's event. Allison says, “I loved being able to help with it and it’s a really great experience. I’m glad we get to do the event and I love seeing how happy it makes people. This event is an amazing thing you have made and I’m proud of Izzy for all she has accomplished for it and how much she has raised for Potential Development.” This was more than I could have ever imagined to have done. I am so beyond thankful for this school for giving back to my cousin and his school, that I will forever be grateful and supportive of the school.
Overall this project has been the best part of my high school experience. I am more than proud to have given over $9,000 to Potential Development so they can continue to have an impression on students with autism. Creating this project is a lot simpler than people would think. As long as you have a drive, giving back is the easiest and most rewarding experience anyone can accomplish.
Adam Pogacnik
Junior Staff Writer
The Effects of Video Games: Helpful or Harmful?
Video games have become a remarkably large part of popularity in the technologically driven culture, with gamers collectively spending 3 billion hours per week in front of their screens. More than 150 million people in the United States regularly play video games, or play them for at least 3 hours per week. With studies being performed to find effects of video games, scientists have had conflict coming to a consensus of if the effects of video games are more positive or more negative.
There are multiple studies that show positive effects of video gaming. According to Rebecca Bernstein, writer of the web article Exploring the Pros and Cons of Video Gaming, video games have been proven to enhance basic visual processes, executive functioning, everyday skills, along with helping to ease anxiety and depression. These benefits involve the player developing a stronger ability to efficiently solve problems, increased mental flexibility, and even improved eyesight. Playing video games have also been attributed to enhanced hand-eye coordination, lengthened attention spans, and better decision-making abilities. Scientifically, video games have been proven to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, offering some with social anxiety disorder a way to learn how to initiate relationships via online communication.
Some individuals agree with this side, arguing that video games are beneficial to enhancing skills that one might not be able to enhance otherwise. Ava Flowers, junior at Hubbard High School, said that “Video games are beneficial to one’s creativity and fine motor skills. Personally, growing up with video games seems to have a positive effect on my well-being.”
Despite the positive mindset some hold over the effects of video games, evidence has also shown negative outcomes of video games, especially when the gaming gets excessive. One of the most commonly seen negative effects of video gaming is that it can make gamers become violent, usually those who engage in first person shooter (FPS) games, which simulate firearms. Video games may also decrease one’s ability to concentrate, while they could also become extremely addictive. And while some studies show that video games can combat anxiety and depression, others show the opposite–that these conditions could worsen with excessive video gaming.
“It has been proven that people can get highly addicted to video games, as they cause our brains to release cheap or ‘easy’ dopamine, which causes a more satisfying reaction to video gaming in comparison to other daily activities,” stated Ayah Mufleh, Hubbard High School junior.
It is still unclear as to what effect video games pose on society, as well as where this difference in opinion will take video games; however, whether video games have a positive or negative effect, it seems evident they will only evolve and grow more popular in this world of technology.
February 1st, 2024
Jackson Corbett
Sophomore Staff Writer
Just Some Jacktivities – Groun-Dhogism
As the Second draws near, we rejoice. Soon, the likes of Punxsutawney Phil, Chattanooga Chuck, and Midtown Mel will grace us with their presence, and the fate of the seasons shall be weighed. Every year, these furry divine messengers deliver their verdict; will Spring arrive soon, or will a cold snap take hold for the foreseeable future?
For those of you who are not caught up on your groundhog lore, let me fill you in. In year 0 (known to the wider world as 1877), the first of many messengers arrived. But what are groundhogs messengers of exactly? Well, they are divine creations of the Weather Deities. There are two of them to be precise; Groun – the god of freezing temperatures and unpleasant times, and Dhog – the god of rainy days and slightly less unpleasant times.
To show their approval or disapproval, they sent their children, the groundhogs, to let us know what the coming weeks will bring. If Groun has been displeased with our behavior, the groundhog will turn his back on society and retreat back into the earth. Following this, the misery will continue. Hoodies will still be in fashion and we will have to stay cozy in our blankies. On the other hand, if we have pleased Dhog, the light will obscure the groundhog’s shadow, just as our own shadows have been secured. Wet socks, worms on the driveway, and puddles will return.
All over the region known as This Side of the Mississippi Groun-Dhogism is practiced. We have even made some headway on the West Coast and Continental Canada. However, it is not far-reaching enough. If people don’t see a Phil equivalent, how will they tell the weather? Please, join me in spreading the word!
Ashley Rodgers
Senior Staff Writer
Super Bowl 58
In a couple of weeks, worldwide one of the biggest games in sports will be watched : the Super Bowl. Every year, two of the best teams in the NFL play each other in the ultimate championship. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will battle to see who will become the next Super Bowl Champion. It has become a tradition for football fans and non-football fans alike to gather together in order to watch the Super Bowl. Between the game, halftime show, and the commercials there's always something for everyone. "Approximately 200 million viewers -- 60% of all people in the United States -- watched Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12." This year, Usher will be performing the halftime show and will have people screaming, "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"
The Super Bowl series has a rich history. The Packers and the Chiefs played in the first Super Bowl on January 15, 1967. The game resulted in the Packers defeating the Chiefs, earning them the World Championship Game Trophy (later renamed the Vince Lombardi Trophy). The Packers dominated the Chiefs in the first Super Bowl, but they don't have the most Super Bowl wins. Not only one, but two teams share the title of "Most Super Bowl wins"."The Patriots and Steelers are both tied with six Super Bowl wins." Fast forward to Super Bowl 58; one team has overcome their struggles to return to the Super Bowl. Last year, the 49ers fell just short of the Super Bowl, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship match. Now, the 49ers seek revenge after losing to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 54. The Chiefs, however, are looking to become back-to-back Super Bowl Champions after defeating the Eagles last year.
As the countdown to the Super Bowl starts, Hubbard students are excited to watch the big game. Some students are already making their predictions. Freshman Steven Badurik confidently claims, "49ers are bringing it home 38-16 against the Chiefs." On the other hand, senior Nick Bowser believes "the Chiefs will win because I don't think the 49ers are very good and Mahomes is the best player in football." Only time will tell to see which team will receive their rings. Who are you betting your money on?
Lauren Gasser
Freshman Staff Writer
Not All Roses Are Sweet
The Gypsy Rose Blanchard case is one of the most famous cases in the entire world. It is a case built off of a broken family, lies, teen romance, and murder. Gypsy Rose was released not too long ago, on December 28, 2023. She was then greeted with new-born fame on multiple media platforms, but not everyone agrees that she should be praised for her decisions. She is even threatened to be canceled but, does she deserve it?
Gypsy Rose grew up with her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, in their home in Louisiana. However, the family asked too many questions, so they moved to Missouri. Dee Dee Blanchard was believed to be a mentally ill woman; doctors said that she had Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Munchausen syndrome is a psychological condition where someone “diagnoses” themselves as sick. But in this case, Dee Dee convinced Gypsy that she was sick, faking hospital reports, faking her birth certificate, convincing doctors, making her have multiple unnecessary surgeries, moving around in a wheelchair, convincing her she had cancer, and more. Luckily, Gypsy eventually caught on to what her mother was doing. She tried to escape once but was caught and, according to Gypsy, was tied to her bed. But Gypsy didn’t give up. She went on a Christian dating website and met Nicholas Godejohn. She told him about Dee Dee and everything that she was going through. She asked him to get rid of her so they could be together.
In June of 2015, Nicholas came over to Gypsy’s house and got rid of Dee Dee. They went back to his house in Wisconsin but were quickly found by the police. Gypsy’s lawyer was able to make a plea deal with the judge because of the abuse Gypsy faced, and she was sentenced with second-degree murder with a charge of 10 years in prison but got out early. Godejohn was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Since Gypsy has gotten out of prison, she has been a huge internet hit. But now people are starting to second guess how they feel about Gypsy. Does she deserve all of this fame?
Gypsy Rose has 8.3 million followers on Instagram and 9.8 million followers on TikTok. Ever since her release, she has been a huge hit. From interviews and movies to books and covers of magazines, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has become as famous as Taylor Swift. But is all of this fame good for her? Many websites say that she should be praised, not for killing her mother but for surviving her abuse. “Maybe the praise will help to feel like a normal person, not a criminal,” an anonymous student states. According to “People,” Gypsy Rose states, “‘Nobody will ever hear me say I’m glad she’s dead or I’m proud of what I did. I regret it every day.” Is the praise helping her cope with the regret and her trauma?
Ace Johnson says, “I don’t think she should be given praise, but I think she should be given time. This is all new to her. She hasn’t seen the outside world for a long time.” Emma Langley seems to agree, stating, “I think she should be left alone.” The website, “Quora,” says, “Praise helps people know if they are doing something right.” Obviously, no one should be praised for second-degree murder. However, what if the praise changes her in the right way, like surviving her abuse? Whatever you believe, we can all agree Gypsy didn’t deserve the treatment she put up with. Would you have escaped, and if so, how?
Scout Nicholson
Junior Staff Writer
Thrifting and its Advantages
Recently, thrifting has become a common hobby that many people practice. People tend to go to thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army to find cute clothes for reasonable prices! Many other stores are specifically curated for vintage clothing. This activity has become customary with younger generations and has been trendy on the TikTok app. There are many fashion influencers on this app who film videos showing their very own thrift hauls. These videos get great responses due to how fascinating and fun these hauls can be! Some people have even made thrifting their full-time jobs. Thrifters buy clothes from these stores for a cheap price and then resell them to make a profit. Other than the fun aspects of this hobby, there are also many positive effects of thrifting. "Thrifting is a much more sustainable way to source clothing. I like going there with my friends and finding cool clothes while also not spending that much," states Brennan Yohman, Hubbard High School Senior. Thrifting can be an exciting and valuable way to source clothing.
The Cost of Thrifting
Typically, when shopping, people gravitate towards going to the mall or online shopping. Clothing can be quite pricey when shopping at these places. Even with sales and discounts, they can cost much more than one deems reasonable. Shopping second-hand can prove to be a much cheaper option. Clothing initially sold for $20 may be sold for just a dollar. Thrifting can be a more cost-effective way to source clothing rather than spending unnecessary money. An article by Water Footprint Calculator explains, "The average American consumer spends $1,000 to $2,000 each year on clothing, but wears only about twenty percent of what's in their closet." Instead of purchasing clothing that you may not even wear at unreasonable prices, take a trip to the thrift store to find cheaper pieces for your wardrobe and your wallet. However, it is important to mention that as more attention grows towards thrifting, the prices of these finds may increase. But overall, thrifting can be very helpful when saving money.
Thriftings' Sustainability
As previously mentioned, thrifting is a very sustainable way to source clothing! With the many harmful effects of fast fashion, thrifting is a breath of fresh air. The Good Trade defines Fast Fashion as "...A design, manufacturing, and marketing method focused on rapidly producing high volumes of clothing. "For clothing so cheap, this mass production of clothes creates so much waste of clothing and is extremely harmful to the environment. Thrifting reuses clothing and repurposes it. Thrifting does not add to the overproduction of clothing, ultimately creating a healthier environment. Even Students at Hubbard High find sustainable shopping important. Junior Landen Rain states, "I like wearing thrifted clothes because it adds character to an outfit, and with the overconsumption and waste of clothing that's been going on recently, it's a more sustainable option." Thrifting helps recycle clothing, which is a simple and affordable way to protect the environment.
Overall, thrifting is a great way to source clothing! The cost of thrifting is a major benefit of shopping second-hand. The clothing is just as cute but at a much lower price! Not only does it help save money, it helps protect the environment as well. It helps reduce the amount of waste from the overconsumption of clothing. It's essential to take into consideration the environment when shopping for clothing. So next time you go out, take a trip to the thrift store and see what you can find!
Aubrey Middlestead
Sophomore Staff Writer
Mean Girls: An Honest Hubbard High Review
Released on January 12th, 2024, a rendition of the iconic movie/musical Mean Girls hit the theaters. This motion picture replicates the Broadway version of Mean Girls starring Reneé Rapp as Regina George, Avantika Vandanapu as Karen Shetty, Angourie Rice as Cady Heron, and Bebe Wood as Gretchen Weiners. Reneé Rapp reprises her role as Regina in the Broadway Musical. The soundtrack includes songs like Revenge Party, World Burn, Sexy, and more. Some familiar faces also returned to the screen, such as Tina Fey, Lindsay Lohan, and many more iconic characters. Due to the success of the classic 2000s film, this movie musical was sure to do well. However, the movie has seen some backlash as it seems cheap and not as notorious as the musical and movie before it. This past Tuesday, some of the HHS Drama Club members went to see the show. Allie Lissimore, a sophomore at Hubbard says “I overall really enjoyed Mean Girls, but there were some parts that were really cringey. Another member, Mia King, Junior, expressed, “It was very camp, I enjoyed it a lot. It was very different from the original but in a good way. The music was great and Reneé Rapp is amazing.” The drama club enjoyed the musical, but what are the critics saying? According to harpersbazaar.com the movie was described as an awkward spot between the past and the present. The writer, Louis Staples, said “The first film’s success was grounded in capturing teen life at a particular time: 2004, in those last few years just before social media took over our lives. The new film is updated to reflect how teens communicate today, mostly on smartphones. But this feels slightly jarring with a script that was mostly written twenty years ago and, with the exception of a few iPhones, doesn’t characterize teen life today with the same level of depth.” This explains that the new musical almost seemed awkward and did not fit the times. Overall, the movie was a smashing hit if you love musicals and the classic clique plot. Will you watch?
Is Technology Holding Students Back?”
Adam Pogacnik
Junior Staff Writer
As obvious as it may seem, technology has become such an integral part of education, but for good reason—it has adapted the minds of students to expand their thinking into the real world. It’s what most people believe to be an easier way of doing almost anything, whether that be writing a paper, taking a test, or simply completing an assignment. Although, what most seem to ignore is the downsides of technology, or why it holds students back because it’s not always as efficient as one may think.
There are many reasons why this new form of learning has shown negative effects on students. For one, technology could pose as a distraction to students trying to study or complete classwork. It’s so common for students to completely drop what they’re working on because they saw their phone light up and figured whatever it was couldn’t wait. Another problem caused by the increasing use of computers in school is that this could create feelings of alienation for students. Being present in a class is beneficial for social interaction, but not many learners get this experience because the social aspects of learning have turned into something digital. With technology, it’s clear that certain needs aren’t met that help students grow academically.
There have also been studies performed that reveal the downsides of online learning. One of these observations concluded that “college students in the U.S. who used laptops or digital devices in their classes did worse on exams” (“How Classroom Technology…”). This wasn’t the only discovery either. There have been countless studies done that demonstrate the negative effects the use of technology in schools can have on students. Another one showed that “Eighth graders who took Algebra I online did much worse than those who took the course in person” (“How Classroom Technology…”).
A few students were asked their opinions on the question: “How has technology held you back in school?”
Jordan Porter, Hubbard High School junior, had this to say. “I’ve been held back by technology especially during Covid. It was pretty hard to look at instructions from teachers on a screen, rather than getting the full explanation in person and having the ability to ask questions and get an answer quickly.”
Another Hubbard High School junior, Emma Harley, said this. “Sometimes I feel like teachers depend on technology to do the teaching for them, rather than going through the topic thoroughly in class or having a memorable assignment done with it to help differentiate the topic from others. I think technology holds us back as a school, and we’d be a lot more successful as a whole if we veered toward more person to person interactions.” This input reveals that students view what is supposed to be helpful as more of a set back.
Genocide in Gaza: What to Know
Ayah Mufleh
Junior Staff Writer
As life in America continues to run business as usual, if you’re a Palestinian in Gaza, your life has completely changed forever. January 15th marked 100 days of the terror civilians in Gaza have been enduring nonstop. For those who have remained updated on the events there, it is clear that this is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in history; however, it still isn’t viewed as such by many. The media plays a significant role in why this is, so if you find yourself consumed in misinformation, unsure of what to believe, the following article will provide a brief guide on what to know, as well as what steps to take moving forward.
This did not start on October 7th
While violence drastically escalated three months ago when Hamas - a Palestinian militant group - decided to invade Israeli communities, it’s imperative to know that the tension between Palestinians and Israelis is deeply rooted in 75 years of conflict. Considering the challenge it would pose to go through everything from the very beginning, it’s only necessary to mention key events. To start, a common misconception is that this all began in 1948 during the first ‘Nakba’ (catastrophe), while that is a significant event things truly began in 1917 under the establishment of the Balfour Declaration (About the Nakba - question of Palestine, n.d.) This document was a pledge from Britain to allow for the establishment of “a national home for the Jewish people” that were in Palestine (Tahhan, 2018). Ultimately meaning that the Balfour declaration was a direct cause of the Nakba, allowing for the displacement of thousands of Palestinians. During the same year, the Israeli government declared independence on May 14, 1948.
A timeline published by World101 goes through additional events following 1948. For instance, the timeline makes note of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Moving on to the First Intifada in December of 1987, was a time of extreme violence that all started with an Israeli driver killing four Palestinians in a car accident. Looking back, it is apparent that this has been an ongoing resistance against occupation, rather than a baseless attack with malicious intent.
United States and Israel
Despite all the injustices Israel has been committing, the United States has openly funded/supported them from the beginning. Major indicators of this include the previously mentioned events such as the United States being the first to officially recognize them as a country when Israel declared independence in 1948 as well as their billions of dollars in aid provided to the Israeli government - such as loads of military supplies and materials during the Yom Kippur War. All this time later, the United States remains firm in its support. Even going the extra mile, and deciding to recognize Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization, while in reality, they are simply fighting to get back what was originally theirs. Nonetheless, the United States continues to turn a blind eye to the war crimes being committed in Gaza.
Living in Gaza
Another result of the occupation is the 16-year military blockade that has been placed on the densely populated Gaza Strip of roughly 2 million people. The blockade makes it nearly impossible to travel in, out, or around Gaza. It’s also referred to as an “open-air prison”, which more accurately encapsulates what’s like living there. Currently, around 85 percent of Gaza’s population has been displaced as a majority of the infrastructure has been bombed by Israel. This has resulted in civilians seeking refuge in schools, hospitals, or even staying in tents. Typically, these places would certainly be “safe zones” as backed by International Law; however, these are the primary targets of the Israeli military with the suspicion that Hamas members are intermixed with the civilian population. As a result, all hospitals have been destroyed, and several schools have been intentionally bombed.
Delving into the casualties that have come as a part of this genocide, the number now stands at 26,900 (including those that are missing/stuck under the rubble) - most of which are women and children. The amount of civilians is even higher being at 65,949 (“Gaza death toll”, 2024). Although these figures are telling, it’s important to note that these civilians were not just numbers having dreams and aspirations like everyone else.
Humanitarian aid is extremely limited due to various organizations' inability to enter Gaza. This has led to famine and zero accessibility to other needs such as clean water, diapers, clothing, and feminine products. Adding to this, since hospitals have been destroyed, there are also scarce amounts of medications, medical supplies, and doctors themselves.
Journalists in Gaza have been the window in allowing those who aren’t in Gaza to see in on the inhumane conditions that exist there. As a result of this, they along with doctors and nurses, have been a target of the Israeli military. Statistically speaking, around 100 journalists have been murdered since October 7th (Gaza Media Office, 2023). On Instagram, young photojournalists Motaz Azaiza and Bisan Owda (@motazazaiza, @wizard_bisan1) are two of the many journalists who have been capturing daily photos/videos of what’s truly happening on the ground in Gaza. If it wasn’t for them, the likelihood of people across the globe seeing the severity of the situation would have unfortunately been slim to none.
Well, What can I do?
As Americans, it's important to remain aware of what’s happening in Palestine, mainly because the United States is complicit in genocide. Knowing this, holding the U.S. officials accountable would be ideal through attending protests as well as signing petitions. Aside from holding accountability, it’s equally as important to boycott brands that fund some of their money to Israel. According to the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS ) list, McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Disney are among the organizations with the largest contributions to Israel. (“Act now”, 2024) Remember, despite that everyone may not be directly affected, everyone is certainly impacted by this genocide, Americans especially.
January 1st, 2024
Jackson Corbett
Sophomore Staff Writer
Should Christmas Break Be Longer?
It’s the holiday season, and every year around this time we have a two week long break from school to celebrate the holidays, spend time with family and friends, and overall just to take a break from all the stress.
Many students may like the break to be longer, but according to the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce high schoolers need at least 1,001 student education hours. This doesn’t leave much room to just remove days. If there were to be a longer Christmas break it would mean taking some days out of Summer break.
The opinion on whether or not Christmas break should be extended at the expense of summer is very split. However, even the people who do think it should be extended don’t think it should be too much longer. “I wouldn’t want a full extension to Christmas break at the cost of summer, maybe just 3 days added onto Christmas break to make it a full 3 weeks.” said Caleb Elliott when asked if he thought break should be extended. On the other hand, some people don’t think it should be extended at all. Jacob Arthur was one of those people. When asked what he thought, he told me, “Christmas break is perfect at the length it is in my opinion. I also would rather have more time in the summer when the weather is nicer off of school than more time off in the cold where I’m not going to be doing much outside anyway. So personally for me I wouldn’t change anything.”
There’s also the issue of it interrupting school itself, which Liam Kerr pointed out. “It would be counterproductive to increase winter break. It occurs both in the middle of a school year and before the end of the first semester, making its extension a hindrance to the active learning environment already established.”
While there is a divide in opinions, the general consensus around if winter break should be extended or not is that it should not be radically changed, with people at most wanting it to be a few days longer.
Does Cheerleading Deserve to Be a Sport?
Lauren Gasser, 9th Grade Writer
Since November of 1898, you have seen cheerleaders on the sidelines at basketball and football games, cheering loudly for the teams. Many cheerleaders take it to the next level, going to compete at worldwide competitions and tournaments. Some even want to see cheerleading in the Olympics, saying that it is a sport and, “If shuffleboard can make it, so can cheerleading.” But not everyone agrees with that. Senior Garland Warren states, “Cheerleading just isn’t a sport.” But why is that?
Many athletes playing on the fields don’t believe that cheerleading isn’t a sport because, “It doesn’t seem like a lot of work,” but it is. “At practice, you don’t always practice the cheers, we also have to practice those at home. At practice, we have to condition like other sports too,” states freshman Ava Langley, a competitive cheerleader. She also says, “The first month of competition practice is all just conditioning. We call it ‘training month.’” She then says that conditioning is hard work, which involves a lot of running and ab workouts. “We don’t always do our dance at some competitions so we normally use our game day routine. Game day routine is just a floor cheer, offense or defense cheer, and a band dance.” Do you think basketball and football players could do that?
“Cheerleading is a sport because of the time and dedication that is put into it as any other sport, " says freshman Jeralynn Rudiak. Unknown to most people, cheerleading isn’t an easy activity to keep up with. They keep the same level of standards in the sport and the classroom. That deals with grades as well as other activities both inside and outside of school. If they don’t meet expectations, they can be punished. “There are these things called demerits. If you get three or more from doing something wrong at a practice or a game, you pretty much get benched and in a lot of trouble,” Gabi says, “It also takes a lot to be on the team. You don’t just show up and get in.” To be able to make the cheerleading team, you have to memorize a cheer, chant, and dance, and you also have to show off your tumbling skills. Tumbling and being flexible is a big part of cheer and can either make it or break it if you want to make the team. Not all other sports have to put in that much work just to be considered for the team.
Many athletes playing the game on the field think that even those conditions don’t make cheerleading a sport. “Cheerleading was originally designed to support other sports teams, not to be a standalone competition,” Garland says. Another basketball player adds, “I just don’t understand how it could be a sport.” While some agree and some don’t, a lot of people agree somewhere in the middle. Steven Badurik adds, “Competitive cheerleading is a sport but football and basketball cheer is not.” Gabi Gasser, a Hubbard cheerleader, also adds, “Normal cheerleading, like cheering at games, isn’t a sport. But competitive cheerleading is. More work is put into competitive cheer and they compete against other schools, while normal cheerleading just supports the main sports teams.” But would that be considered the same for just basketball versus travel basketball or a more competitive team?
Regardless of whether or not you believe it’s a sport, cheerleading isn’t easy. It takes a lot of time and dedication to be able to be a cheerleader. It is held to just as high of standards as any sport at Hubbard High School. Not only that, the practices are just as hard, competition or not. With not only learning new cheers and dances but conditioning as well. With all that being said, do you think cheerleading should be considered a sport?
The Shows of Our Childhood
Scout Nicholson, Junior Staff Writer
Our childhood is often remembered as the best time of our lives. Playing outside for hours on end just to get home, sit down, and turn on the TV. Looking back at those times provides a sense of nostalgia that makes many want to go back to simpler times. Rewatching favorite childhood shows brings us back to when life was easy and fun. Now, it's time to take a look at the shows that shaped our childhood and remember the laughter and joy they brought our younger selves.
SpongeBob SquarePants
This tale–which is beloved by many– focuses on the bizarre life of a sea sponge and the exciting adventures he goes on in the nautical city of Bikini Bottom. This childhood staple showcased this sponges many sea creature friends: the dumb starfish, who lived under a rock; the greedy crab, who owned the Krusty Krab; the moody octopus–who ironically is named Squidward; and a genius squirrel; who lived in the ocean. Many generations of children can enjoy watching the silly life of Mr. SpongeBob SquarePants. This cartoon aired on Nickelodeon for 24 years and was created by Stephen Hillenburg. Of the many children worldwide who enjoyed this show, Hubbard High School Junior Peter Koulianos expressed, “No matter what happened at school I could always laugh at Spongebob with my Yiayia when I got home. It holds a special place in my heart.”
Scooby-Doo
This kooky cartoon centers around five mystery-loving friends, Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby–the lovable talking dog. This gang can be seen driving around in their mystery machine, solving obscure crimes. This show was created by Fred Silverman, and was a part of Hanna-Barbera, an animation studio. This studio produced many other famous cartoons, including The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Smurfs, and many more! As found on CBR.com, “The Scooby-Doo franchise features a total of 13 series since the debut of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! in 1969 with hundreds of episodes across different formats to enjoy.” Scooby-Doo is loved by many, and to this day episodes continue to be produced.
Arthur
“The series, which first aired in 1996, is based on the popular book series by Marc Brown, who created the Arthur character in 1976. It stars the aardvark character along with his family and friends,” states The Guardian. This show has run on PBS for 26 years and recently ended in February of 2022. This cartoon is known to be one of the longest-running kids' TV shows. Arthur can be found arguing with his kid sister DW, or reading comics with his bunny rabbit friend Buster. He even can be found in the classroom with his rigid teacher, Mr. Ratburn. Many children have grown up watching this show, and it has been very influential in molding their young minds.
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
“Mr. Rogers taught me to be a loving and kind person no matter the circumstances, and to always value friends and family,” states Senior Brennan Yohman. Mr. Rogers was a very influential figure in many children's lives. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a kids' television TV show which taught valuable life lessons to preschool-aged children. In this show, Mr. Roger used his imagination to play make-believe with his puppets. He was always seen wearing his signature red cardigan, and was known for his famous line, “Won’t you be my neighbor?” Fred Rogers Productions states, “Fred Rogers dedicated his life to understanding childhood. He took that knowledge to the medium of television in 1968 with his groundbreaking PBS series, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. For more than 30 years, Mister Rogers created a relationship with millions of children, each of whom felt like they were visiting with a trusted friend.” His lessons of love, compassion, and overflowing heart continue to be loved by many.
Though we have all grown up now, the shows we watch as a child still have a major impact on who we are today. It is important to take the time and look back at the lessons we learned when we were kids. As said best by Mister Rogers, “ Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my Neighbour?”
Aubrey Middlestead
Sophomore Staff Writer
People are constantly coming up with new ways to cut and style their hair. Hair is the only part of you that continues to grow throughout your lifetime. For centuries, hair has been used as a way to show individuality. Each year, hair trends reappear and inevitably go out of style again. Well, what is new for this year?
One popular haircut that rose to fame last year is curtain bangs. It was trendy in the 1970s and has started to make a comeback. According to “Vogue Magazine” the bangs give an elevated look that many people have started to love again. The magazine interviewed Xavier Velasquez, a celebrity hairstylist who claims the hairstyle helps with individuality due to the many ways they can be styled. Sarah Brand, a sophomore at Hubbard says her bangs look great when they are styled, however, they do not in ponytails or any updos. During her volleyball seasons, she has found workarounds such as bobby pins or braids to hold them back, but they still can be a pain. She still believes anyone can rock them if you're willing to commit to them, and style your hair every day. Although this popular style is high-maintenance, will you try it?
Another hairstyle that took Hubbard High School by surprise is the buzz cut. Many boys have been shaving all their hair. Kason Fry, a sophomore at Hubbard decided to try the haircut. He enjoys not having his usual messy curls and thinks it is easier to deal with. However, he feels that he no longer attracts girls like he used to. Fry felt very strongly about goosebumps on his head, which he described as uncomfortable and weird. There are a variety of different versions of buzz cuts. According to Byrdie.com, “As it turns out, a buzz cut is more than a singular close-cropped 'do, and it extends way past the standard military look. Some rocking celebs have stepped out with majorly inspiring buzz-cuts—or variations of the look.” There are perks and downsides to the buzz but overall, it has been a popular choice.
These are just a few of the favored hairstyles that are popular today. Trends are always changing and expanding to greater, cooler ideas, or sometimes even simpler ones. There is no telling what the next style will be, but uniqueness and individuality can start with your hair.
November 15th, 2023
Ayah Mufleh
Junior Staff Writer
5 Ways to Handle Peer Pressure
These days, when one is unsure of something, searching for guidance, or simply in need of answers they can go on the internet and with the click of a button find the information that they were looking for. With this, the internet can be overwhelming and information can be misleading, so instead of stating five possible ways to handle peer pressure, it is more beneficial to provide those needing direction with only the most effective, evidence-based ways to deal with it. Ultimately, filtering out the nonsense and revealing true solutions.
A wrong decision can have the potential for being a formative lesson that helps to shape your life, or a detrimental downfall leading you astray. Peer pressure is not limited to the trials of adolescence, rather it's a difficulty experienced throughout our lives. Gianna Rotunno, a Junior, states that as a teen peer pressure “isn’t something new” following that up by saying “I’ve felt peer pressured many times in my life whether or not it was major or something minor. I truly believe that I have consistently handled peer pressure pretty well and carry the courage to turn down things I don't feel okay doing. However, finding ways to continue to carry that courage is when things become challenging.” A person, regardless of age, can manage peer pressure with strategies that become easy and self-empowering. Here's how it starts:
Allow yourself to avoid
In most cases, when one suddenly finds themselves in a situation where they feel pressured to do something they tend to remember what they have always been told since grade school, which is to stand their ground and say no, but why not try to prevent these uncomfortable confrontations entirely? It is known that saying no is far more difficult than it is made out to be, so there's no need to risk it. Set boundaries, and respectfully decline those plans. By using this strategy one can also use the “delay tactic” which essentially means to wait a bit before giving an immediate response or decision. Using this will make avoiding the plans a lot less questionable.
Emphasize Values
Elyse Salek, writer for the Center for Parent & Teen Communication introduces in her article “8 Strategies to Handle Peer Pressure” the idea of expressing one’s values when in situations as stressful as these. Doing this has two possible outcomes. First, it keeps the individual who is feeling uncomfortable from giving in and participating in something that they did not want to be a part of. Also, it lets the person who is doing the pressuring take a step back.
Support!
Having someone always helps. Specifically someone with shared morals and values. A trusted friend who is loyal and will not shrink down to any form of pressure. It is even mentioned by writers for the UC Santa Cruz Counseling & Psychological Services that “managing peer pressure is made easier when surrounded by people whose values, preferences, and behaviors are similar to yours.”
Speak Up!
There isn’t always time to prepare as peer pressure can come at any time, at any given moment. Therefore the previous strategy of bringing someone along may not be an option. If there comes a point when peer pressure suddenly arises then now would be an opportunity to tell someone such as a trusted adult so that they can handle the situation and prevent anything further. Asking for advice is great too!
Self Assess
Looking into past actions and future decisions is extremely important as they provide one with valuable lessons that will then allow one to become more mindful. Asking questions like, “Why did I do that?” “Why do they force me to do this?” “Is this what’s best for me?”
In all, peer pressure itself is a complex matter, and trying to navigate answers on how to cope on the internet can be daunting which may cause one to be anxious and confused. Landen Rain, a Junior, expresses how difficult managing peer pressure can be by stating “Peer pressure takes the focus off yourself and changes your focus on what other people think.” Ensuring that one has a feeling of self-worth and confidence can ease the pressure that life throws our way is crucial. When an individual is comfortable with who they are and what they stand for then peer pressure becomes less of an issue.
Adam Pogacnik
Junior Staff Writer
Is Art Important to the Education of Students?
Art is historical, yet timeless. It’s the basis of how we visualize humans throughout time, it’s the ideas built around societal issues, and it’s the customs practiced throughout cultures of the world. Art has built a foundation for humans to express their creativity and beliefs about how they visualize a concept; that can be something so impactful that makes some people feel that art education is important to learn about in schools.
When asked if the arts were important to education, Hubbard High School junior Ava Flowers responded, “The arts are just as important as any other form of education. Many kids are more creative than logical, and those skills should be valued just as much as any other.” Flowers brings up a good point, in some occupations—such as graphic design or architecture—skills are required that can only be taught through learning about the arts and their history.
Scientific research has also made its way into the study of how art education can affect the minds of young learners. Art instruction aids the development of cognitive abilities, including motor skills, social skills, decision-making, and inventiveness (“Arts Integration in…”). Learning about the arts can also strengthen communication, creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaborative teamwork (“11 Rock Solid Statistics…”).
Regardless of how some feel about this topic, others feel the arts aren’t necessary for the benefit of students' learning experience. For one, there are low chances of actually becoming a working artist, and secondly, the expense of art schools can be immense. One study showed that only 10% of art graduates can make a living from art alone, and 90% have to find another way to make income (“Benefits of art…”).
Hubbard High School junior Ayah Mufleh was asked her opinion on arts education in schools. Mufleh stated, “I’ve come to realize that even though my creativity is pushed more through the sciences, this is not the case for everyone, and it is only fair that we continue to provide the arts in our curriculum so students can decide whether or not that’s where their creativity stems from. Without any options, they’ll never discover their true passion.”
Even if art education isn’t as vital to schools as other subjects may be, it certainly will remain an integral part of the development of humanity forever.
Lena Faure
HHS Junior Staff Writer/Foreign Exchange student
First Impressions of the United States as a Foreign Exchange Student
All over the world, teens travel to discover the world for a few weeks, and others decide to come to study for a year. This is what happened with the four exchange students at Hubbard High School, including myself. But what was our first impression when we came here? What did we think of this new country that would be our home for one year?
Coming to a new country means learning to live, study and cohabitate with a new family. Most crucial is to start everything from scratch regarding your comfort zone. According to Unai Balboa from Spain, a student in Hubbard High School, “I was scared; a new country, new friends, new everything…” Going away from our country for a long period of time is a big change, but thankfully when supported and surrounded by a good support group we can adapt. He explains, “my host family made me feel comfortable super fast, and my friends also helped a lot with that”.
Arriving in a new country also means a new language, and expressing yourself can be very difficult. Antonio Costanza from Italy, a student in Hubbard High School, reported the following: “At the start I found some difficulties in communicating, I couldn’t understand them and they couldn’t understand me because of my pronunciation and my accent.” We can feel really bad that people can't understand us, he mentions. “For this reason I felt so bad at the start.” Additionally it helps a lot to meet new people, he explains. “I met really nice people, all of them are friendly with me, they were very curious about my culture and my attitude.”
Sometimes there could be difficulties with our host family or the high school for different reasons. Abygaëlle Ledoux from France, a student in Derby High School, stated “My host family took another placement (student) in their home for a temporary placement of 6 weeks, but that changed and they kept the girl for the whole year, so I started to worry because she had a lot more in common with my family.” I love my host family but I also have a lot of trouble finding my place, and I feel like I was being left out. Moreover it can be very difficult to find your place in high school, making friends or adapting to all the changes. She explains “I still have a lot of trouble adapting to high school, my new life, and making friends.” Other exchange students told me that I was too quiet, so I'm trying to change, but it's hard.
While traveling to a new country and living in a new culture is amazing and the chance of a lifetime, it can often leave you anxious, scared and longing for home. Someday we'll look back on this experience and marvel at the wonder of it all and how we did it at such a young age.
Ashley Rodgers
Senior Staff Writer
October is associated with many things.
Athletes continue to play their fall sports, kids look forward to Halloween, and it’s known as the first month of fall. Above all, October is known for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The National Cancer Institute states “The most common type of cancer on the list is breast cancer, with 300,590 new cases expected in the United States in 2023”. In October, people take the time to donate money to breast cancer organizations and wear pink to show support for people fighting breast cancer and celebrate its survivors. However, Sophomore Aubrey Middlestead wanted to do more.
On October 10th, the Hubbard Volleyball team hosted West Branch and the theme was … you guessed it … pink out. Aubrey decided to make the game a little more special by having a 50/50 raffle, Chinese Auction, and a little candy stand. The money earned from the event would go to Pink Lights the Way, a local organization that gives breast cancer patients the help they need. She said, “I got the idea from Junior Isabella William’s Shoot for a Change event, and thought I could do something like that. A Pink Out game just seemed fun for the team and anyone participating.” Players from both teams received pink warm-up shirts to show support for people fighting against breast cancer. In the end, the Lady Eagles were able to beat the Warriors 3-1 in an exciting match.
Overall, the Pink Out game was a huge success. Not only did the volleyball team win their match but they raised a lot of money. The event raised a total of $3067.50 for Pink Lights the Way. Megan Schellhorn, founder of Pink Lights the Way, says "I am so humbled that Aubrey selected Pink Lights the Way as the recipient of the funds she raised at the Pink Out game. Pink Lights the Way will use the money to help women and their families who are impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis with mentorship, care packages, meal deliveries, and activity boxes for kids.” With the amount of funds raised, there is a lot that can be done for many families. The American Cancer Society claims, “According to the latest Survivor Views survey from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), 61% of cancer patients and survivors find it somewhat or very difficult to afford their care.” With the $3,000 raised, Pink Lights the Way will be able to create a huge impact for so many families. Although October has come to a close, you can still do your part to help spike out breast cancer.
Aubrey Middlestead
Sophomore Staff Writer
It has almost reached the time of fluffy fur coats and turtlenecks. Winter consists of holiday parties, snow, and most importantly the cold. Here in Hubbard, the cold season lasts pretty much from November through March. Many people like to stay warm while remaining stylish throughout the season. S0 what's new for Winter 2023?
Dark blue denim has been showing up all over the place. The fabric can be worn as a dress, pants, or even a jacket. Whatever it may be, it is in style. “Glamour.com,” mentions how people are choosing to wear it “The current silhouette of choice is straight-leg or wider—more on that below—but all you really need to do to be on trend is pick a look that you like in a deep blue hue.” This explains that dark denim is commonly styled with the wide-leg or mom jeans but no matter how you’re wearing them, they will make you look adorable for the season ahead. Maia Grey, a sophomore here at Hubbard says she thinks the denim jeans are cute and she would typically style them with neutral colors such as black and brown. Pictured, we have a model at New York Fashion Week 2018. This shows that this classic look is here to stay. Will you rock the trend?
A color that is familiar to December is red. The color has recently gained popularity, and seems to be sticking around this year. This color is fiery and fierce and was seen all over New York Fashion Week. You can wear this color as a coat, or even as an accessory like a purse. Its bright nature tends to light up the dark months. Here we have the Head Of State during the New York Fall/Autumn Fashion Week rocking some unique red shawl/scarf outfits. The color will surely be a recurring trend in the next few months, and will likely maintain popularity for many years.
The latest and most unique trend that struck the fashion world is the thought of bright and eccentric coats. Whether you wear bright colors or long puffer coats, they're sure to stand out this winter. Cora Cristoff, a senior at Hubbard High School says “I love fun coats, I would wear them everywhere if I could. Bonus points if they're vintage as well. ” Olive green trench coats or cropped corduroy coats are especially popular this season. At New York Fashion Week, this model is shown rocking a fun coat…and even some denim!
This season is filled with lively and quirky trends that are sure to brighten up the world. If you wear some bright reds, dark blue jeans, and some coats to accessorize (and keep you warm)...you’re sure to fill your winter with style.
A Guide to HHS’s Europe Trip
Scout Nicholson, Junior Staff Writer
Exciting things are happening for Hubbard High School! In June of 2025, Hubbard High will be taking a trip to London and Paris. This trip is open to the community as well as the students. This will be a 9-day trip where students will be able to experience European culture while seeing many fascinating monuments and historical sites. For those who will be attending this trip, it will be important to understand the basics of what attractions you will be seeing. So, this article is here to provide you with an explanation of some of these captivating sites!
Canterbury, England
The first stop on the list of attractions is Canterbury, London; this city is home to the famous Canterbury Cathedral. The official website of the Canterbury Cathedral explains its origins as, “Founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is a unique place of worship, a major pilgrimage destination, a masterpiece of art and architecture, and one of the UK's most-visited historic sites.” This cathedral is full of history and will be a wonder to experience. Another attraction that will be visited here is the Westgate Tower Museum and Gardens. This is a medieval gateway that was built during the one-hundred-year war! How exciting is that! There also will be a walking tour of this city, where one can take in the splendor of it!
London, England
This well-known, populated city has many monuments and attractions to visit. One famous tourist site is Big Ben, which is a very famous clock located in the Palace of Westminster. Little known fact, Big Ben is the name of the bell inside of the tower, not the actual building! There are many other famous exhibits here in London! For example, The Palace of Westminster, where England's Parliament is located. The Palace of Westminster is a very important site for London heritage, UNESCO states “The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret's Church together encapsulate the history of one of the most ancient parliamentary monarchies of present times and the growth of parliamentary and constitutional institutions.” After hearing the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down,” it will be quite the site to experience it in person! Though this song is known by many, the London Bridge lasted for many years and never fell, like the song suggests.
Throughout this trip, many historical sites in London will be visited, for example, the Windsor Castle. According to “The Royal Collection Trust,” “Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 40 monarchs.” Many sites here in London, like this castle, are full of history that's just waiting to be learned! The London area contains a plethora of castles, structures, and chapels as well.
Paris, France
Paris, otherwise known as the city of light. This widely-known city is booming with culture, life, fine cuisine, and even many historical sites! This part of the trip will be full of excitement, with visiting the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, The Seine River, and many more places. Mrs. Gasser, a Hubbard High School guidance counselor, and an advisor on this trip enthusiastically expressed, “I enjoy the Parisian culture, fashion, the beauty of the architecture, and the ambiance! Every time I go, I see and experience something new because of the abundance of cozy shops and restaurants, the Parisian way of life, The Seine River with the artists on every bridge, and the Eiffel Tower, which changes at every angle!” Having this first-hand account truly depicts the beauty of Paris!
When traveling through France, The Eiffel Tower will be a must-see! Originally, this site was built for the World Trade Fair and was planned to be demolished after 20 years, but it wasn't due to the upcoming war. “LinkParis.com,” explains The Eiffel Tower to be, “ a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of human engineering.” Another famous symbol of Paris is The Louvre! This museum holds thousands upon thousands of pieces of artwork! Most famously, they hold The Mona Lisa, otherwise known as La Joconde by Parisians. There are so many pieces of work in The Louvre that it will take about 100 days to see everything. The extravagant home of Marie Antoinette known as The Palace of Versailles, is a testament to the history of France and will also be visited! Paris is an alluring city, with a rich history, and much to learn.
Traveling can be quite a fulfilling experience, with being able to broaden one's horizons and learn a lot about other cultures. Madame McCarty, an expert in traveling, as well as the Hubbard High School French teacher, expressed, “There's this quote that I love when talking about traveling by Saint Augustine which goes “The world is a book and those who never travel read only one page.” She went on to explain, “Traveling through Europe provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in its rich history, culture, and diverse heritage. Exploring historical sites that are older than the United States and engaging with locals imparts a deep appreciation for our history in relation to European History.” This testament shows the true value of traveling and experiencing other words. Learning about the history of these amazing countries can prove to be very important, and life-changing!
Jackson Corbett
Sophomore Staff Writer
On October 29th, the movie “Five Nights at Freddy’s” was released. It is heavily based on the video game franchise of the same name and is best described as a horror movie with elements of comedy. It is rated 5.5/10 on IMDb and has a 29% movie reviewer rating and an 88% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie follows Mike Schmidt, a downtrodden security guard, as he begins working at a local pizzeria. This pizzeria, known as Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, turns out to be haunted. He and his sister, Abby, must survive the nights at the location.
There seems to be heavy debate around whether or not the movie was actually worthwhile. So, what does Hubbard think? Many people didn’t think it was scary enough. When asked what he thought about the movie, Miles Harvey, a student at Hubbard, told me, “I did not like the content shown. It was not scary. There was too much exposure of the animatronics. I really disliked that scene." The scene in question, which caused a great upset by many who watched it, depicted the animatronics who were supposed to be the main antagonists building a fort with the main characters out of tables. While many thought it wasn’t scary, other people still thought it was an overall decent film. Caleb Elliott, who is also a student at Hubbard, gave me his review. “As someone who grew up playing the games and watching YouTube videos about the series, I thoroughly enjoyed it. But I do have to admit, as a horror movie it was lacking, but putting that aside I’d give it a solid 7.5/10.”
Overall, the opinions on the movie seemed very divided. There were many people who both liked and disliked it. There also weren’t very many people who absolutely loved it or hated it. It seems like it will go down in Hubbard Schools as an average film.
October 15th, 2023
New Teacher Highlight - Mr. Love
Sophomore Staff Writer Jackson Corbett
Mr. Love is the biology and honors biology teacher at Hubbard High School. This is his second year working for Hubbard Exempted Village School District, and his first year teaching at the high school level. He graduated from Hubbard High in 2017 and then went on to attend Youngstown State University. He graduated from there with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and is currently working on his master’s degree in physics online. He has a passion for science and teaching and it truly shines through his character in all that he does.
When he was in high school he was part of multiple extracurricular activities. “I played baseball and basketball. I was part of the Spanish Club while I was in Spanish.” Mr. Love told me. He also mentioned that a lot of the teachers he had back in high school still taught today. “I graduated here in 2017, so I’ve had a lot of the same teachers that are still here.”
After graduating from Hubbard in 2017, he decided to go to YSU. When I asked him why he picked YSU, he explained to me, “I had some good scholarships from my work here at Hubbard and it was just the cheapest option.” When he first started at YSU, he wasn't entirely sure what degree to get. “I knew I wanted to do something with science and looking at some of the prospective jobs that are in the field of science.” After thinking about various job opportunities involved in science, he eventually settled on becoming a teacher. “So I figured, I might as well become a teacher, get to do something different each day, doing science still.” This is where his passion for science becomes incredibly apparent. He not only got a career directly involved with science but one where he was able to share this passion with others and teach it to them. One thing he wishes he could have changed during his college years was the effort he put in right at the beginning. “I kinda slacked a little bit in that first semester. Got a couple of my worst grades in that first semester.” Overall though, he seemed to have very positive memories of college.
He came right out of college with an enthusiasm to teach and make a difference. As a Hubbard graduate, this was his first choice of school to be employed at. “I knew kind of the reputation that Hubbard has in education and it’s a really good school district and I still live in Hubbard, so it’s kind of been like my community my entire life. It’s been a great opportunity to come back and teach at the school that I went to.” I also inquired as to what it was like to have your former teachers now be your coworkers. He responded by saying, “At first I thought it was gonna be a little kind of, not necessarily weird but a little different, but now they’ve taken me in as just another teacher, and I see them as, at first I still saw them as kind of my teachers but now I see them as coworkers and other teachers too.” Overall, he loves Hubbard and is very glad to be working here. “I love it here, everything about it. The people here are great, the kids are good, we’ve got beautiful facilities.”
As a whole, Mr. Love is a fantastic teacher and person. He is an amazing addition to an already thriving school. We are so delighted to have him as part of the Hubbard School family.
Teacher Highlight: Mrs. Finocchi
Adam Pogacnik, Junior Staff Writer
There are a variety of teachers at Hubbard who have made many different connections with each of their students. Mrs. Finocchi is one of those teachers, always striving to better the lives of students by bringing a positive attitude not only to the classroom, but also around the school. Mrs. Finocchi is the American Sign Language (ASL) teacher at Hubbard High School, and just recently, I took it upon myself to organize an interview with her where we could sit down and discuss some of the major questions that the people want to know.
Personal Life, Family, Hobbies
Mrs. Finocchi is married and has two daughters. I asked her how she spends her time out of school, and she responded:
“I’m always busy, always working. If I’m not working, I’m going to watch Little Raiders football games.”
She further explained that her youngest daughter is a part of the cheer squad for the football team. She talked more about her support for her children, and this would eventually lead us to why she became an ASL teacher later in the interview.
I asked about her hobbies, to which she answered:
“Committees. I’m involved in so many organizations and committees that I’d consider it a hobby. It feels like once I stop being a part of something, I go on to join something else.”
Travels
The interview moved onto places she’s visited, and she talked about how she’d been to Savannah, Georgia, twice this year.
“I always love it down there,” she said.
She then began discussing a future goal of hers, which is to move to Beaufort, a town near the East Coast in South Carolina, known for its scenic location. She even showed me the different types of colonial-type architecture there and expressed her love for that style of home.
Teaching
I asked if she’d ever taught at any other schools, to which she responded:
“I haven’t taught at any previous schools, but I teach community ASL every now and then at Easterseals” (Easterseals is an American 501 nonprofit organization).
I moved on to ask her why she chose to teach ASL specifically in the first place.
“I decided to switch to teaching because I watched my [oldest] daughter struggle to make friends in school due to language barriers. I find it very important to teach ASL in schools because deaf people are isolated as it is.”
When asked what she enjoys most about being a teacher, along with her personal goals for this school year, Finocchi replied:
“Watching students grow and develop in learning is my favorite part of teaching. My goals for this year are to continue developing my skills so that I’m able to teach students in a more meaningful way.”
I asked another student of hers, Mylie Vaughn, Hubbard High School junior, about her thoughts on Mrs. Finocchi.
Vaughn stated, “Mrs. F. exemplifies the perfect amount of honesty and kindness. She is always there for her students, and I look forward to going to her class everyday.”
Closing Remarks
Overall, the interview was very successful. Getting to know more about any teacher can really change someone’s perspective on them. There’s no doubt that Mrs. Finocchi will continue to inspire students to devote themselves to learning, as she continues to devote her time to teaching the subject she’s most passionate about.
Getting to know Ms. Sinkovich
Ashley Rodgers, Senior Staff Writer
This year, Hubbard has welcomed many new teachers to the high school. One of these teachers is Ms. Sinkovich. She is a new Junior English teacher and has worked with students for about 20 years. She was born and raised in Youngstown. While in high school, she was involved as a part of the cheer team and speech team. Whenever she has free time, she likes to spend time in nature by going on walks with her daughter and her dog. Lastly, her favorite restaurants in the area are Francesco’s and Eagle Grille & Tavern.
Ms. Sinkovich has been all over Ohio as an educator. Before getting a job at Hubbard, she was a teacher at Bloomfield and had worked at a career and technical center. In addition to working in the public school setting, she was also offered the opportunity to work at The Ohio State University for a period of time. Accepting the job at Ohio State, she worked at the Student Athlete Support Services Office. During her time there, she got to know what it’s like to be a student-athlete. She realized how hard it can be to balance school and sports and how long the days can be. “Some of these athletes were putting in 13-16 hour days, between academics, classes, study table and of course training,” said Ms. Sinkovich. Even though she’s had multiple teaching opportunities around Ohio, she likes being back in the area. Sometimes it just feels good to be back at home.
As a teacher, her job isn’t only to teach her students, but to be a role model to them too. In college, she bounced between majors a lot. After learning her lesson the hard way, her advice to high school students is to take positive risks by exploring careers ahead of time, get a feel for what you like to do, and step out of your comfort zone. Not only does she aspire to be a role model to her students, but she is also making a good impression on her colleagues. Mr. Moriarty, her assigned teacher buddy, said, “She is open to suggestions, collaborative, and appreciates teamwork. She is a very skilled teacher.” Mrs. McCarty, another new teacher at Hubbard, said, “Ms. Sinkovich always has a positive outlook. Her perspective is enlightening and refreshing.” As Ms. Sinkovich begins her new journey, let’s give her a warm welcome to Hubbard!
Getting to Know Ms. Kensinger
Ayah Mufleh, Junior Staff Writer
At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, several faculty members have joined HHS. With that, The Hub Staff has come together in efforts to highlight each teacher that is new to the school, so that students and parents can get an opportunity to know more about them! The following article introduces English teacher Ms. Kensinger - covering her interests, goals for the year, and why she decided to make the switch to Hubbard.
Personal Life, Recent Travels, Hobbies
The first thing addressed in the conversation with Mrs. Kensinger was her personal life. She shared that she is a graduate of Hubbard High School, and then went on to obtain her bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University soon after. Adding to this, she went on to express how much she enjoys the time she spends with her friends and family - leading to the topic of travel. Ms. Kensinger said that she regularly takes a trip to Florida as it’s her favorite place to visit; emphasizing that “the beaches are really nice”. The most interesting place she says she’s been to, however, was Bermuda. The subject of travel was discussed for some time, and the question of, “If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them, and why?” She responded with Yellowstone National Park as there would be “many cool sites for the students to explore out there”. Aside from traveling, interests were briefly discussed. Baking, shopping, painting, and occasionally watching the Browns football games are her all-time favorite hobbies.
Career Journey
The decision of what career path one wants to pursue is definitely among the most difficult, so of all the possibilities, “Why English?” She answers this question with two reasons. First, she communicates the passion she has for teaching her students how to truly “dig into a story”, but also, she thoroughly enjoys getting to know all of her students through their pieces of writing. Prior to moving to Hubbard, Ms. Kensinger taught at both Youngstown City Schools as well as MCCTC - both schools she had an immense amount of fun teaching at! Now, to the question of, “Why Hubbard?” it primarily had to do with the close-knit community Hubbard has to offer, one that she wanted to make herself a part of.
Additional Takeaways
Considering that Ms. Kensinger is an English teacher, it was rather imperative to ask what her favorite book is. She responded with Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin. This novel was recently published and falls into the category of fantasy. A vast amount of lessons are told through reading, and she wishes to convey this life lesson to all of her students: “Insecurity is loud. Confidence is quiet”.
Overall, Ms. Kensinger intends to make her first year at Hubbard a memorable one, with her main goal always remaining the same. That is, “making each year better than the last.” The Hub Staff warmly welcomes Ms. Kensinger into the school, and hopes that this article achieves its own goal of allowing everyone to get to know about her!
Getting to know Mrs. Schellhorn
Aubrey Middlestead
Sophomore Staff Writer
Have you ever had a teacher who makes you feel comfortable and enjoy school? Mrs. Schellhorn is this teacher for countless students here at Hubbard High. She is always willing to help and see her students grow. Mrs. Schellhorn says, “I hope that students feel like my class is a positive part of their day. I try to be a bright spot for them.” The majority of students would agree that this is true. David Williams, a past student at Hubbard says, “She helped me discover my passion for broadcasting, and gave me the opportunities to excel in the field.” David is now attending Kent State University for Broadcasting and Journalism. He thanks Mrs. Schellhorn for all that she has done for him. Schellhorn expresses that seeing her students after they leave her class is one of her favorite things about teaching. She looks for the growth in the students, and how they've developed into amazing adults.
Mrs. Schellhorn is Hubbard’s video production, broadcasting, and yearbook teacher. She teaches students how to edit, operate cameras, other technology, and so much more. She has said that students have told her that her class has helped them later in life, whether it be for college, work, or any extracurriculars. Mrs. Schellhorn does not teach a common subject, which makes her day to day life interesting. She has taken students on field trips and brought in guest speakers to advance the student's knowledge of media. Throughout school, she is constantly helping those around her, which is stressful due to her being a mother, and a co-founder of an organization called Pink Lights The Way. How does she do it all? She tells us, “I write a lot of notes for myself, make a lot of lists, and I try hard to be a good multitasker…” Schellhorn goes on to say that she is not the best at keeping things organized, but I think we all can agree she does a pretty good job.
As she has been a teacher at Hubbard for 13 years, she has acquired infinite memories. Her favorite overall memory at Hubbard is how the community has shown up for her during her cancer treatment. Every piece of that is so special and appreciated. Through helping students come up with video ideas, take photos and so much more, Mrs. Schellhorn has such a positive impact here at Hubbard High School that is cherished by many students.
The Teacher Feature: Madame McCarty
Scout Nicholson, Junior Staff Writer
This year Hubbard High School has welcomed a new teacher to the language department. Hubbard High is overjoyed to have Mrs.McCarty as the new French teacher for the 2023-2024 school year! McCarty is an alumna of Lakeview Schools, after graduation, she continued her education at The University of Mount Union. At the beginning of her college career, she majored in early education with a music minor. She expressed that she “...soon realized that was not my personality,” so she made the switch to a French major. Her love for French culture originated from her high school French class, her energetic, full-of-life teacher created a fun environment. After taking this language for four years she soon came to miss it, so she decided to declare that as her major. Following her graduation from Mount Union, she attended Youngstown State University.
In Madame McCarty's personal life, she can be found spending time with her husband and daughter Amelia, as well as her four cats which she states are “way too many cats.” In her free time, she enjoys golfing, hiking, and spending plenty of time outside! She also is an avid photographer and traveler. When speaking of her travels McCarty states, “I've always wanted to travel, I grew up really poor so my parents never had any family vacations. So, part of the reason I decided to be a French major was because it had a study abroad component. I was like ‘sign me up!’” She has traveled all across Western Europe, while also visiting Ireland, England, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and Monaco. For the United States, she has a goal of visiting all of the national parks with her husband, and she hopes to continue traveling with her family once her daughter gets a bit older.
Mrs. McCarty has previously taught at Warren G. Harding where she worked for seven years. After her time there she taught at Liberty High School where she created their French program. When asked, “Why the switch to Hubbard?”, she expressed that she was originally asked to take over the French program 5 years ago before Madame Szeljack was hired, but she was working at Harding and wasn't ready to leave. “I always regretted not coming here, so I should have been your teacher for the last five years. I feel like it's full circle,” McCarty shared. She also spoke of how Hubbard is very unlike her previous schools, “It's way different! The culture is completely different, not necessarily in a bad way, just different.”
Teaching can be a difficult, but fulfilling job, and some aspects can make this job very enjoyable. For Madame McCarty, it is being able to build relationships with students, while making learning fun for them. “Seeing you guys actually learn and have those A-ha moments is always awesome,” she explains. Madame McCarty is already creating a great impression on the students. Anthony Prommersberger, Hubbard High School junior shares, “Mrs. McCarty is an excellent French teacher! Already, I have felt that my French has significantly improved from last year, and she is a direct cause of this. I 100% support her as the new French teacher and a member of the Hubbard staff.” Mrs. McCarty's goal for this year is to become more familiar with this new environment. She expresses that she hopes to, “Figure out the puzzle that is this year". Madame McCarty is excited to be here and hopes to have an enjoyable year with everyone!
Who Is Mr. Bosheff?
Lauren Gasser, Freshman Staff Writer
Many students don’t imagine teachers having a life outside of school. Or who the teachers were before they became a teacher. Did you know that Mr. Bosheff originally wanted to become a pro baseball player? Or that he has a dog? These are all things many students don’t realize, that teachers don't just live at school. They actually live normal lives.
Mr. Bosheff grew up in Vienna and went to Mathews schools. He played many sports such as basketball, football, and baseball. As a young kid he loved sports and other than wanting to become a baseball player, he also wanted to become a sports writer. He states, “I listened to a lot of radio and read a lot of newspapers so I thought I would be a sports writer.” He then went on to attend YSU. There, since he wanted to become a writer, he studied and looked into many English classes. He also participated in the school newspaper, called The Jambar. From this point on, it seemed like he was on the path to become a writer.
But then one day he was assigned to write an article and interview two parents. Easy right? Except that the parents were the mother and father of a young college football student who was recently killed on campus. He states, “It would've been awkward,” and, “A lot of the ethical parts of the journalism thing, I ended up discovering, I didn’t align with.” He then changed his major to education while also coaching Mathews football team. Soon after he changed majors, he was hired at Hubbard to coach football. This was before he became a teacher here.
After college, he began his teaching career here at Hubbard. Last year he also coached three sports, and had to take his daughters to their multiple sport events. He says, “ I do a lot of cross country, track, and basketball.” But he never forgets to make time for himself, like fishing and golfing. He laughs,“ I was in Parto’s Par-3 league with Mr. Sarisky.” He also plans on coaching this year too, hoping to coach the 8th grade girls basketball at McDonald. Additionally, he likes to travel. Two of his favorite places being Kiawah Island in South Carolina and Europe. He says that the island is one of the nicest places he’s ever been to and that Europe was “pretty cool”. Since then he has been wanting to go back to places like Italy. Who would've thought their English teacher has seen so much of the world?
Teachers do have lives outside of school, take Mr. Bosheff for example; who knew that he originally wanted to be a sports writer or that he played three sports while going to Mathews? Maybe it was not even known that he went to YSU and has been to Italy! Teachers have very interesting lives, so the next time you decide to go email your teacher at 8:30 at night, and expect an immediate response because they live in their classroom, they’re probably just watching TV at home with their pet.
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