CV.1 - November 2010

Walnut Hills High SchoolNovember 5, 2010 Vol. CV, No. 1

The Chatterbox

Walnut Hills High Schooli Vol. CV, No. 1

Chatterbox Staff November 5, 2010

Marshalla Eves, Editor-in-ChiefShiwani Kamath, Managing Co-EditorMia Manavalan, Managing Co-Editor Simon Lazarus, Copy EditorRiley Theurer, Visual EditorMac Calvert, Photo EditorSerena Dugan, View Points EditorJP Schmitz, Cartoon Editor Jonah R-Roth, News & Features EditorEmily Friedman, Style & Culture EditorClayton Castle, Fine Arts EditorBria Neil, Just Nuts EditorAdam Wolf, Sports EditorAdvisors: Mrs. Wolfe & Mrs. Gerwe-Perkins

The Chatterbox Editoral Staff Table of Contents

The Chatterbox Policy Statement

The Chatterbox has been guaranteed the right of freedom of the press through the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The administration of Wal-nut Hills High School is thus bound to support and pro-tect The Chatterbox's inalienable rights as a free press. As an integral part of the Walnut Hills High School community, The Chatterbox has the responsibility to report in the most comprehensive and objective manner possible. Students, parents, faculty, and administrators are encouraged to use this publication as a forum to ex-press any ideas or concerns, whether they be personal or of local, national, or international scope. Journalists are required to work under established guidelines. Invasion of privacy as a means of news gath-ering is prohibited. Articles found to be discriminatory, libelous, or unnecessarily obscene (as determined by the editors or the advisor) will not be published. Finally, journalists are granted the right to keep private the name of a source from whom they received information with the understanding that the source was to remain anonymous. The role of the newspaper advisor will be to provide counsel and criticism pertaining to the newspa-per's content and production. Although both the advisor and the administration hold certain powers regarding The Chatterbox, both must respect the paper's autonomy. No student shall be prevented from joining the staff on the basis of sex, race, creed, or national origin.

Letter from the Editor 1

Viewpoints Serena Says 2 Preparing for the Zombie Apocolypse 3News and Features Walnut Hills’ Success 4 Read Me, I’m Yours 5Feature Article The Renovation: An overview 6Sports Spotlight on Benson Browne 7 Women’s Varsity Tennis 7 Cross Country 8Fine Arts Idina Menzel 9 Backstage with Marisa 9 Carnegie Awaits Wind Ensemble 10 Orchestra Programs 10 The Hill is Alive 11Style and Culture Essencha Tea House 12 Silly Bandz 12Just Nuts Incessent Evil or Nusiance 14 The Effie Report 14 Bria’s Blub 15Wally Hill 17

Art Credit: Sarah Davidoff, sketch of WHHS inside cover

This year, Walnut Hills has already undergone some drastic changes. While we all groaned at the knocking down of the Commons and the unexpected retirement of Dr. Houghton, everyone here at the Chatterbox decided that maybe change wasn’t so bad; it was just the right time for us to have a make-over, too. I won’t tell you all the new things we have in store for you. I’ll let you all see and enjoy it for yourselves.

So, let’s get rolling. Every issue, you’ll be hearing from me in the new feature we have called Letter from the Editor. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m your Editor-in-Chief. My name is Marshalla Eves and I’m a SENIOR here at Walnut. My favorite color is yellow, and I like long strolls on the beach... Oops, wrong letter. Anyway, this letter is my opportunity to let you, the readers, know what is on my mind as well as what is coming up in this issue. We’re here to serve you, which is why our team has given you the option to write me a letter with any questions, concerns, or opinions. The purpose is not to hurt or taint the image of the Chatterbox or anyone else. Instead, it is to connect with the readers in the Walnut community.

We will serve you a range of topics from politics to fashion and from sports to fine arts. We’ll even talk about those quirky, little things around campus that everyone sees, but no one speaks of. Oh, yes, we have it all for your pleasure. Even Jeggings! Now, we won’t go there this time, but if I continue to see what I’ve been seeing, ladies, please believe I’ll call an intervention. Don’t be so quick to laugh gentlemen. You have the Roscoe Dash look... You know - the mo-hawk, those jeans, the glasses? Let it go.

On that note, welcome to the new Chatterbox. We’ve worked tirelessly to make this first issue the best. We have a very talented staff, which you’ll soon be able to see. So, sit back, relax and let your mind wander through the pages.

Marshalla [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief

The Chatterbox

Walnut Hills High School 1 Vol. CV, No. 1

Letter from the Editor November 5, 2010

Dear Readers,

I am not a villain. I am not a superhero. But I am here to protect your rights. Of course, my methods of protecting your rights may vary from witty to somber, but you may rest assured that my rants will apply to someone, some-where. I hope my writings will voice the opinions held by many but spoken by few. The aim of my articles is not to criticize aimlessly but to shed light on the nature of our school and our environment.

As to my identity, it is a secret. It will be revealed in time, but, for the moment, I remain incognito. I could be any-one (though, according to tradition, I suppose it is safe to say that I am a SENIOR). I could be your best friend. Your tutor. Your pupil. Your neighbor.

But don’t let the Wally Hill identity hysteria make you paranoid. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy my deep philosophi-cal musings about life, liberty, and the pursuit of senior superlatives.

Yours,The Wally Hill

(Wally’s philosophical musings can be found on page 17.)

A BRIEF MESSAGE FROM WALLY HILL

lish that public dining in a general context has considerably deteriorat-ed in the past few years. The qual-ity of dining at an establishment overrun by manic tourists, however, is another story entirely. Public din-ing in these choice locations has not merely gone downhill; it has been catapulted off a cliff. If you ever wake up one morn-ing with the spontaneous entrepre-neurial aspiration to open a tourist restaurant, I advise you of the fol-lowing: do not serve your customers boxed rice from aisle seven of your local grocer. This is both unaccept-able and obscenely tacky. The gaudy décor of your tourist restaurant should not be the inspiration for the quality of your side dishes. While diners might overlook the giant inflatable shark hanging from your ceiling, I am highly dubious that you will impress them with boring and dismal side dishes. So spice up that rice! Another tip I can offer you: en-sure that you have properly leveled all of your dining tables. Your guests will be alarmed if their beverages and silverware begin to abruptly slide off the side of the table. Once they recover from this initial shock, they will become irritated by your shoddy hardware. Do not expect return customers.

Serena SaysSerena Dugan

Have you found yourself men-tally bulldozing the hallway of rolling backpacks, conspicuously affection-ate lovebirds, and other persons of a pronounced general annoyance? Are you feeling abnormally overwhelmed with a persistent bout of claustropho-bia? Are you shocked by your haggard reflection in the mirror and your expo-nentially deteriorating ability to put together coherent outfits? Surely you don’t need Sherlock Holmes to deduce the inevitable: a new school year has begun. The lazy days of summer have swiftly been usurped by a cacophony of school bells, loud children, and slammed lockers. No longer can we revel in the untainted tranquility of indolence. This sad reality has brought us all to a state of collective lamenta-tion over the summer bliss we have left behind. Once again, we gather to bury our noses in dusty, oversized textbooks and jointly embark on a new year of scholastic endeavors. Although summer has deserted us, joyful memo-ries of sunshine and daisies linger prominently in our minds... Indeed, perhaps too prominently. But in this respect I can fully commiserate with the effects of a diminutive attention span. Fond memories of my vaca-tion to the Outer Banks have already begun to sabotage my concentration in history class. But, alas, wouldn’t the pleasant recollection of sea shells and over-sized sunhats be a hindrance to any student’s scholastic attention span? Regardless, while day-dreaming idly in history class one afternoon, I became cognizant of the fact that not every aspect of my trip was quite as agreeable as the pleasing flop of my sunhat. Enter: the catastrophic perils of dining in a tourist restaurant. If you’ve never experienced the horror of vacation dining, perhaps the following list of grievances will enlighten you. But before I begin, let me first estab-

Moreover, when it comes time to hire servers, I wholly entreat you to employ only those men who are not inclined to chase anything in a skirt. Receiving disconcerting stares from the male wait-staff is not conducive to a pleasant dining experience. And finally, for all of you budding restaurateurs, do not under any circumstances give obnoxious toys to small children. Let me paint this picture for you: while having dinner with my parents, I was suddenly cognizant of a very noisy and obnox-ious chattering sound somewhere behind my left ear. Irritated by this distraction, I turned towards this noise only to discern that a 6 year old child had been given a wind-up plastic alligator toy by one of the waiters. The overly energetic child insisted on winding up the 2x2 inch plastic nightmare for the entirety of the evening. But alas, this was not an isolated occurrence that could be allayed by simply changing tables; the toys were everywhere. And be-fore long I was completely encircled by a circus of chattering wind-up alligators. To avoid situations afore men-tioned, I obsequiously entreat you to monitor the etiquette of children in your party. Try to keep them quiet and occupied with crayons or other small objects (sans any form of a wind-up toy). While the entertain-ment of your child is important, the sanity of your fellow diners is equally so. With regards to your personal conduct, try to abstain from irritating those around you with noisy anecdotes, drunken mer-riment, or any other type of general guffawing. With a bit of luck (and quite a bit of persistence), perhaps our collective efforts in the realm of tourism will successfully reform the quality of vacation dining. Maybe then we can dine with the assurance that our meals will not be ambushed by a convoy of chirping alligators.

The Chatterbox

Walnut Hills High School2 Vol. CV, No. 1

Viewpoints November 5, 2010

feed on flesh, preferably human. A zombie will not cease to pursue its prey unless it loses the scent or is destroyed (more on that later). Use this to your advantage. Zombies cannot climb or reason, so barricade yourself somewhere with high walls and a solid gate, such as an aban-doned prison or a walled university. Military bases also make excel-lent zombie fortresses. Schools and prisons, especially those with walls, are often equipped with food and emergency gear with which you can sustain yourself. Always have a few battle ready weapons on hand (but not at school). The only way to kill a zombie is to destroy the brain, from which the virus controls the rest of the corpse. According to Brooks, the Roman gladius is a good choice for close-quarters combat, but a gladius is considerably more difficult to find than it would be worth to own. As for long-range weapons, I rec-ommend you consult Brook’s guide, as the list is long, complicated, and inappropriate in the context of a school newspaper.

Preparing for The Zombie Apocalypse Rachel Chung

It started in the slums. Somewhere in a dank wetland, it began. Creeping its way through the entire village, it spread to infect our parents, children, siblings, and friends. This plague is among the greater threats to human-ity. If it is not controlled, it threatens humans with extinction. And once humans are extinct, zombies will rule the earth. Using The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, we can prepare. Knowing where to be and what to do are the simplest steps to ensure your survival when the zombies attack. The following guide is a combination of the facts provided by Brooks and my own personal experience fighting zombies.Assemble a group of three or four with whom you will build a fortress, forage, travel, and hunt zombies. This group must operate efficiently and without emotional interference. Zombies have no emotions; yours will not save you. Zombies also lack the capacity for thought. Their only objective is to

Never overestimate your abili-ties. A good zombie kill may give you a temporary high, but do everything in your power to control your senses and stay alert. The slightest slip could deliver you straight into the rotting hands of ravenous zombies.But, there’s no need to worry. A zombie invasion, while a constant threat, is easily controlled. As long as any isolated outbreak is con-tained and swiftly annihilated, the threat of a zombie apocalypse remains dormant. But, you must always be prepared for a zombie outbreak, however unlikely it may seem. The best defense is to be aware. Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer, and keep a modest supply of canned foods in your basement (and don’t forget the can opener). If you should find your house besieged by zombies, ascend the stairs and destroy them as quickly as possible. Prior to the out-break, ensure that your provisions are adequate to last you until armed forces arrive to quell the outbreak. All in all, it’s easy to prepare as long as you have your Zombie Survival Guide on hand at all times. The brief summary I have pro-vided here is not nearly enough to prepare you. You can never be too well-versed in all the scenarios that can be presented you by a mob of zombies. And take it from me: just because you’re not paranoid doesn’t mean that the zombies aren’t out to get you.

The Chatterbox

Walnut Hills High School 3Vol. CV, No. 1

Viewpoints November 5, 2010

Student SurveyIs construction impeding school traffic patterns?61% feel that there has been a moder-ate increase in hallway traffic because of construction32% reported being tardy for class be-cause of hallway congestion69% feel that construction has made passing classes a nightmare15% feel that construction has made our school an eyesore

is “geeky”, because having a com-prehensive recognition vocabulary is necessary for performing well on the PSAT and SAT! Just ask Mrs. Lynn and Mr. Taylor...” In addition to these achieve-ments, Walnut Hills has been ranked the 65th best high school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report‘s annual “America’s Best High Schools” list, and has once again received Gold Medal status for its excellent AP programs.

*Statistics were taken from www.collegeboard.com.

Walnut Hills’ Success Rate in Standardized Tests IncreasesMia Manavalan

Walnut Hills already has a reputa-tion of exceeding normal expectations, but this year, students have outdone themselves. The class of 2011 has enumerated the highest number of National Merit Semi-Finalist scholars in Southwest Ohio. Walnut Hills has a grand total of 17 students who are National Merit Semi- Finalists. These students obtained this prestigious award by attaining high scores on the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). In addition, SAT scores have risen dramatically. The average criti-cal reading score has increased from 593 to 607; average math scores have increased from 582 to 594; and aver-age writing scores have risen from 565 to 572. According to the The College Board*, the national average score is 1509, while Walnut Hills’s average score is 1773. Both English and Math teachers alike have committed their time in making sure students are successful on these standardized tests. SENIOR Adam Wolf, a National Merit Semi- Finalist, said, ”I went to Mrs. Geller’s lunch bunches and took a few prac-tice tests. Once I got the hang of it, it wasn’t actually that hard. All you need is practice.” Mrs. Martha Geller, head of the College Information Cen-ter, has a countless number of study aids to help students on these exams. The CIC has both “clean and dirty” samples of the ACT, SAT, and PSAT - those with and without correct an-swers and comments. Mrs. Geller has visited numerous junior classes and emphasized the importance of read-ing to improve vocabulary skills. She stresses this advice to students: “Rid yourselves of any notion that partici-pating in the Word of the Day program

The Chatterbox


News and Features November 5, 2010

6 2 5 120

3 20 1

10 3 2

2 3 120 3

11 2

6 12

12 3 2

2

4 3 24

2

RULES FOR KENKEN®

Fill the grid with digits so as not to repeat a digit in any row or column, and so the digits within each heavily outlined box will produce the target number shown in that box by using the operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) shown by the symbol after the numeral.

So, for example, the notation 6+ means that the numerals in the box should add up to 6, and the notation 48x means that by multiplying the numbers in the box you will get 48. A 4x4 grid will use the digits 1-4. A 5x5 grid will use 1-5. A 6x6 grid will use 1-6, and so on.

nal, and now, Walnut Hills High School. They were designed and created by Kelley Hensing, a teach-ing artist, and seven apprentices in cooperation with Cincinnati Public Radio. Cincinnati Public Radio collaborated with ArtWorks and Luke Jerram to commemorate 150 years of public radio and its fiftieth anniversary. They didn’t want to generically celebrate the anniver-sary, but they wanted to thank their donors and listeners in a loud way. By doing this, they have brought the community together by giving it an object that anyone can use. The project was pulled off by dona-tions of pianos from various people throughout the city. The abandoned pianos were converted into pianos with these themes: jukebox, steam punk, Charlie Harper, picturesque downtown day, and minotaur. The minotaur piano is now located in our school. Although they have been removed from the streets, the pianos have been donated to recreational centers and schools, including Wal-nut Hills and The School of Creative

Read Me, I’m YoursDominick Clark

If you have walked past the Forum lately, you have probably seen an alluring pink and green piano. The elaborate piano was created by Art-Works Cincinnati’s 2010 “Play Me, I’m Yours” project. That piano and twenty-nine other pianos were created this summer over a six week period. ArtWorks decorated six of the thirty pianos that were made. The other twenty-four were created by artist Luke Jerram and multiple recreation-al centers. ArtWorks is a non-profit organiza-tion that was founded fifteen years ago by director Tamara Harkavy. It has received eighteen awards nationally, state-wide, and locally for beautify-ing the Greater Cincinnati Area. The program lures teens from the Tri-State area to work with professional artists with the simple motto, “Make Art. Get Paid.” For fifteen years, they have helped create beautiful murals, build sets for plays, and provide inspiring canvases for The Ronald McDonald House. Since 1996, it has employed 2,200 teen apprentices and 440 profes-sional artists. This summer, projects included the annual Mural Works, an American Road project in the Art Mu-seum, and they helped to transform unwanted pianos into painted music-boxes in its “Play Me, I’m Yours” project. The project was started by Luke Jer-ram, an artist from the United King-dom, in 2008. The steps of the project included painting pianos and setting them outside in public areas; the idea was that anyone could come and play them. Since he began the project, it has been a global phenomenon. These painted pianos can be seen in London, Bristol, and New York City. This year, they took over Cincinnati. The six pianos created by ArtWorks were located in places like Fountain Square, Sawyer Point, Union Termi-

and Performing Arts. Those on the “Play Me, I’m Yours” project were not limited to paint-ing pianos this summer. They were also given the opportunity to add to their schools collections of painted benches such as those that were previously seen in the arcade and music areas. The benches they cre-ated this summer were inspired by pop-artist Andy Warhol and Walnut graduate Jim Dine. The Andy War-hol bench is a representation of one of his renowned sixties style pieces that depicted eagles. The Jim Dine bench includes simple paint brushes that he made famous. These sitting works of art can now be seen in the new building near the forum. For more information on Art-Works, please go to www.artwork scincinnati.org; you will find updates on this year’s “Secret ArtWorks,” the fall project “Seed Bombs”, next year’s projects, and all things ArtWorks. Who knows? Maybe you can, “Make Art. Get Paid!”

The Chatterbox


News and Features November 5, 2010

the project. Brokamp explained that the in-terior of the 1932 building will look notice-ably different. The classrooms will acquire new technology to replace blackboards and whiteboards. New furniture will also be added. The design firm is even working to enhance the classical feel; they will pay particular attention to the lighting, floor-ing, and color scheme. Brokamp, however, noted, “The Arts and Sciences Building will actually get some renovation as well. A new air conditioning system will be put in, probably some improvement in the floor-ing, and little aesthetic face lifts. In some

The Renovation: An Overview The first in a series of articlesGarret Oester

In August of 2014, Walnut Hills High School will have un-dergone a major transformation. When students first walk into the main lobby from Blair Circle, they will feel a cool breeze of air conditioning coming through the doorway. Inside the building, the colors, flooring, and light fixtures will reflect a classical theme. All of this and more is slated to become reality as part of the $67 million renovation, the largest project in the Cincinnati Public School Dis-trict. The project will start in March of 2011. It will take three and a half years to reach completion. The north wing, the side closest to the football field, of the 1932 building will be closed, and construction on the three new buildings will begin. The new construc-tion will include a two-story modern foreign language wing; it will occupy the space of the former Commons. A new gym will house high school sports, and a natatorium (a com-petitive swimming facility) will be built in the lowest level of the new gymnasium complex. Principal Brokamp said, “The new music wing is going to be state of the art. I think it will be the finest music facility anywhere in the state of Ohio.” This phase will be done by the fall of 2012, at which time the south wing will be closed. The project will continue for another additional eighteen months. “The li-brary will be absolutely magnificent when it’s done,” Brokamp added. “The flooring…the plan is that there will be a special tile mosaic directly underneath the oculus of the dome. The library will actually be expanded both ways to include what is now room 326.” The two existing pools will become a multipur-pose room. The locker and fitness rooms will be updated too. The 1932 building, known to students as the Old Building, will be renovated as part of

cases, these renovations will bring it into line with some of the decor of the renovat-ed 1932 building.” The many changes com-ing throughout the next three and a half years will place Walnut Hills High School and students in a building that will be a more conducive learning environment.

The next article will focus on the plans for this year and how it will af-fect the student body.

The Chatterbox


Feature Article November 5, 2010

Bygones . . .

one. “Constant phone calls, letters, emails, voice mails, and camps all summer...” He firmly believes that all of this dedication will only lead to success. The team’s goals for the

Benson Browne Adam Wolf & Tommy Mcmillan

In the past few years, Walnut Hills has experi-enced tremendous success on the football field. While the entire team has contributed, one player cannot be ignored. SENIOR Benson Browne, the starting Tight End, is consid-ered one of the top players in the country. He has received Division I scholarship offers from ten schools. So far this list has included Louisville, West Virginia, and Illinois. Browne says, “I love the at-tention. It feels good. I’m trying to put Walnut on the map.” One of the most popular players on the team, Benson Browne is used to people wanting his attention. How-ever, the life of a top recruit is a busy

season are “to win conference and to make the playoffs.” Browne thinks the team has what it takes to achieve these ambitions. “This is a really gifted team. The team has a very experienced group of players on the varsity team. We are packed with athletes who have what it takes to accomplish our goals.” While Benson may be a football star, that is not his only trait. He is also a starter on the basketball team, an excellent student maintaining a B aver-age, and a great teammate. When asked why team work is so impor-tant to him, Benson responded, “Teamwork and camaraderie are important to meeting our goals. If

we all do what we need to do, it’s go-ing to get done.” Benson’s contribu-tions to Walnut are felt both on and off the field, and he is an integral part of both the football team and the student body.

The Chatterbox


Sports November 5, 2010

Women’s Varsity TennisMia Manavalan

The Women’s Varsity Tennis team took first place in the Coaches Classic Tournament on September 25th. The team competed against six other high schools: McAuley, Glen Este, Little Miami, Fairfied, Oak Hills, and Turpin. Sophomore Jaelen Adams played first singles, junior Jaunae Robinson played second singles, SENIOR Lindsey Las-siter played third singles, junior Mia Manavalan and sophomore Carey Becker played first doubles, and freshmen Audrey Shelton and Alex Riblando played second doubles. First singles, second singles, and first doubles all won first place in their sections. With such outstanding results, the team took first place. This is the second year in a row that the girls’ tennis team has won the Coaches Classic Tournament. In addition, the team placed 4th out of the nine teams in the FAVC league.

work over the summer.” The teams having been training since July, and all their work has helped them get a great chance to go to Regionals and compete with the best. Noah Fetters and many others on the team were running seven miles in the July and August heat to get prepared for this season. Josh Mansfield, the star runner on the boys team, explained training as a necessary evil. “Run-ning a race is one of the most miser-able things you can do if you do it right. You train to get used to that.” Nurre trains because “the reward of obtaining a personal record is greater than the pain required to achieve this.” The cross country runners sacri-fice both their time and energy, and exhaust themselves for the sake of the team. Only the top seven run-ners from the previous week achieve a spot on the Varsity roster, so each race is important, not only to com-pete against other schools, but also to compete against themselves. Jake Findley explained the competition as a metaphor for the African savan-nah. “I run like an antelope with grace, confidence, and fear, as if be-ing chased by a cheetah.”

Cross CountryAdam Wolfe

While football and basketball may reign at Walnut, cross country is quietly becoming the most success-ful sport in the school. Under the direction of Coach Valenzano, the Varsity teams are making a name for themselves throughout the city. Most notably, the girls’ team is cur-rently ranked 5th in the city. Led by SENIOR Captain Alison Nurre, the girls have achieved this success through rigorous daily training. Pos-sibly the most enthusiastic member of the team, Nurre is willing to pub-licize the team’s success to anyone who will listen. While many cringe at the thought of running long distance, Nurre explained the reason she loves her sport so much. “The best part about cross country isn’t the running or staying in shape, it’s the people on the team. They make a normally unpleasant activity fun.” Most others on the team will agree. According to Joe Fiorelli, “Cross country is the only true sport.” While this may be a con-troversial exaggeration, Valenzano, af-fectionately called “Mr. V,” attributes the teams’ success due to “all the hard

The competition is one of the main selling points for cross coun-try. Valenzano explained that so many of the runners love running so much solely “for the sake of competi-tion.” Valenzano himself has been running for 37 years, and has run 18 marathons, making him more than qualified to train these young athletes into running superstars. The success of the team is expected to continue in upcoming years. The girls JV team recently won the city championship, and this success is expected to transfer to the Varsity team in the next couple of years. While most of the student body has never ventured near a cross country meet, everyone is encour-aged to attend at least one and cheer on one of the most successful teams at school. Nurre said, “It’s different from cheering at other sporting events. The adrenaline flows, and all the energy fires the spectators up. It’s a totally different experience.” The Varisty girls’ team won third place in the districts meet on October 23. They will now go on to compete at regionals on October 30.

The Chatterbox


Sports November 5, 2010

The Jr. High Girls team won the FAVC, 8th Grade Small School City Championship, and the State Middle School Meet Division I .

Back row L-R:Emily Segers, Mackenzie Richter, Kaleigh Lamb, Kelly Coleman, Hannah Schroeder, Casey Becker, Skye Bruggerman, Grace Kappers

Front row L-R: Sophia Goodman, Tara Rodes, Col-lier Summay, Zoe Cheng, Zoe Harvey

Jr. High Girls Cross Country Team

Backstage with Marisa Marisa CastagnaChatterbox Columnist

Join me behind the curtain as we take a look at artists high on the hill! This month, I sat down with Lovieree Simmons, a Walnut Hills SENIOR currently taking AP Design. Simmons happily agreed to a quick interview. First question: What art courses have you taken at Walnut?Besides AP Design, I’ve taken Digital Imaging my junior year and Junior Art in the ninth grade.Where does most of your inspiration come from?I mostly rely on my own imagina-tion, although I do gain a lot of inspiration from anime artists.When did you actually start draw-ing?Let me think… Seventh grade. I was sitting in a fourth bell study hall, and I decided that I wanted to write a story. During that bell, I’d created five girls and a bunch of doodles… Since then, it’s evolved into posters, comics, and a beautiful obsession.What is your favorite media to use?Right now, I love using colored pen-cils and watercolor pencils, because they’re easy to work with and give me a great deal of control over my art.How have the art teachers here at Walnut helped you reach your full potential as an artist?In the ninth grade, Mr. Stocker taught me all the basics – lessons I really couldn’t live without today. Last year, Mrs. Williams taught me a lot about Photoshop – a really important tool for artists. This year, she’s helping me learn compositions, values, and components of design – a

Idina Menzel Stuns with the PopsOlivia Horn

Idina Menzel (n) - an unbelievably tal-ented singer, actress, and songwriter; my best friend

She is, in fact, the best friend of everybody who was fortunate enough to see her perform with the Cincin-nati Pops on September 24, 25, and 26…or so she made us think. From the moment she playfully sauntered on-stage to the introduction of “The Life of the Party,” her first number, Menzel was funny, engaging, and conversational. She wholeheartedly allowed the audience into her world, telling stories about everything from her childhood in New York City to her recent encounter with her idol, Barbra Streisand (“Do you want to hear my Barbra story?”). Even Menzel’s vocal performance was extraordinary. Backed by the Pops Orchestra, under the direction of conductor John Morris Russell, Men-zel spanned multiple genres with her breathtaking alto. Paying tribute to her Broadway roots, she sang “I’m Not That Girl,” “For Good,” and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, “No Day But Today” from Rent, and other selections from Finian’s Rainbow, Funny Girl, The Wild Party, and Annie. Menzel also performed two songs that she had composed herself: “Gorgeous,” from her second album, I Stand, and “Good Morning, Walker,” written for her one-year-old son. In addition, she sang to a mash-up of Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale” and the Police’s “Roxanne,” and a rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” Menzel’s incredible vocal talent, combined with her captivating stage presence, made for a remarkable and highly enjoyable concert. Aren’t I lucky to have such a gifted friend?

whole page’s worth of tips. It’s great, because this is what I want to do in the future, and I want to be able to learn from a professional [like her].What do you think of Walnut’s Art Department?I think it’s really great! There are so many different classes students can take to learn about different aspects of art. The only downside I can think of is that I want to take every class – and there’s just not enough room in my schedule!That’s all! Are there any parting words you want to put in?Yes. To the independent artist – no matter what art, never stop; just keep doing what you love to do!

Be sure to check out Lovieree Sim-mons’ artwork on display in the Forum!

The Chatterbox


Fine Arts November 5, 2010

Walnut Hills musicians have played at Carnegie Hall. The Wind En-semble also went in 2007, and fond memories of the experience were created. SENIOR Julia Kelley-Swift said, “I am excited for the great op-portunity and believe I will be able to appreciate it more this time than I did as an eighth grader.” There is a lot of excitement buzzing in the bands. Eighth-grader Abby Desch said, “I am amazed that I might be able to play in Carnegie Hall at such a young age!” Clearly, playing at Carnegie Hall could be the opportunity of a life-time.

Carnegie Awaits Wind EnsembleAnnie Carroll

There’s a famous joke that goes, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?The answer is “Practice, practice, practice.” For the Walnut Hills Wind En-semble and Chamber Orchestra, their practice appears to have paid off. Both groups have been invited to participate in the National Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Mr. Kruze, director of the Wind Ensemble, was recently contacted by festival organizers and asked to perform in the program as a participating ensemble. The festival will be held over Easter weekend (April 21 to 24). Musicians and chaperones will travel on buses to New York. In addi-tion to performing a concert on April 23, the students will also have the oppor-tunity to explore the Big Ap-ple. Exciting events on the proposed itinerary include attending a Broadway show, visiting the Statue of Lib-erty, and shopping in China Town. However, it will not be an inexpensive trip, as early estimates are around $1000 a person. This is not the first time

Orchestra ProgramsSarah Bee

Walnut Hills High School is home to a wide range of music programs. Out of the many classes it offers, one of the most popular is orchestra. There are four different levels of orchestra groups: Beginner, Junior, Senior, and Chamber. This year, the music department has moved from the old rooms in the basements to brand new modulars. This new space is a great improvement over the cramped rooms of last year. Now there is more room to play and store instruments. “My favorite parts about the new modulars are that we have a clean, spacious rehearsal space and ample rooms for individual practice. Also, we have air conditioning! The stable temperature helps keep the instru-ments in tune,” says Mr. Caliguri, head of the Walnut Music Depart-ment and conductor of all of the Walnut orchestras. Students have nothing but praise for Walnut’s orchestra program. Ada Barach, from Junior Strings says that Mr. Caliguri is a great teacher and definitely knows what he’s do-ing. Like Mr. Caliguri, many stu-dents are happy that the modulars are air conditioned. “He’s just one piece of the great jigsaw puzzle of the music program that allows kids to explore their musical talent.” Orchestra class is more than a music class for most students. It is a place to relax, and is a break in the day from the stress of other classes.

Students can express themselves through music that they learn and at home in their daily prac-tice. Musicians in the program are encouraged to improve their skills and embrace their talents in the music field. All students with any musical interest are encouraged to join the orchestra. It is well worth the $50 spent to rent an instrument. “The kids at Walnut are more advanced and they’re more will-ing to accept a challenge,” adds Mr. Caliguri. Walnut is changing with the upcoming construction, and the strength of the music pro-gram is growing along with it.

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and Ruby Bachemin will play the couple of Leisl and Rolf. The Wom-en’s Ensemble will perform as the nuns’ chorus. Playing the Mother Abbess, SE-NIOR Rachel Chung says the show is currently on the right track. She gives two thumbs up to the current status. “The rehearsals are going splendidly! I’m very confident that the show will be a success.” Similar to last year, the auditions were open to all grades. In the case of The Sound of Music, only a small amount of younger students are required to play the von Trapp Chil-dren. Upperclassmen don’t seem to

The Hill is Alive with the Sound of MusicClayton Castle

We all remember the heavenly voice of Julie An-drews as she sang the open-ing song in The Sound of Music motion picture film. We watch it every year; it has become a integral part of American pop culture. The hit 1960’s movie was nothing short of spec-tacular, redefining musical theater for that era. The beloved love story will be coming to the Walnut stage this November 18-20. Junior Lea Phillips will be playing Maria Von Trapp and SENIOR Carter Mi-chael will be playing Cap-tain Von Trapp. Juniors Paul Linser

mind having young-er students in the cast. Chung said, “The von Trapp kids are the cutest things I’ve ever seen, and the amount of talent in the entire cast is astounding.” The Sound of Music is based on a memoir, written by Maria von Trapp, who appeared in the motion picture film as an extra. The memoir details her life as the governess and eventual wife of Captain Georg von Trapp, while restor-ing music back into the lives of his chil-dren. The story took place in Austria dur-

ing World War II, when Germany eventually invaded and took over. Germany then ordered the Captain to join the German Navy. This Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece is an American musi-cal theater classic. The Sound of Music runs from November 18-20 at 7:30PM in the auditorium. Tickets will be sold the week before the show during all three lunches in the cafeteria. Tickets cost $8. Break a leg, Mr. and Mrs. Peters and the entire cast and crew of The Sound of Music!

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Moments from the Hill . . .

Silly Bandz Kaitlyn Gilioli

It’s not unusual to see colorful Silly Bandz on many wrists as you walk down the hall. Lately, these silicone bracelets, most popular with elementary students, seem to be every-where. For those who don’t know, Silly Bandz (and a variety of knock-off brands) are colorful, stretchy bracelets that come in the shape of words, animals, foods, cartoon characters, or just about anything else. The original version of these toys originated in Japan during 2008. Although it has taken a few years, they have become popular across America. Their ap-peal lies not only in their fun colors and shapes, but in their adaptability; they can be worn as accessories (bracelets or anklets), used as a regular rubber band or hair tie, or traded like collectables. Among younger kids, Silly Bandz have be-come the new version of Pokémon cards. However, not every-one is completely satisfied with this new trend. “Silly Bandz are awesome,” said Effie Anna Donnelly, “but they’re too expensive.” The bands are sold in packs of 12 or 24 and average at $0.25 each. A common complaint is that they are thin and easily broken or lost. Despite these drawbacks, they continue to be wildly popular. The product is marketed to children between eight and twelve, but high school stu-dents want in on the fun. Recently, Silly Bandz has developed a new line of Silly Ringz, which are the same as the bracelets but smaller. We have yet to find whether or not they will achieve the same popularity as their larger counterparts.

Essencha Tea HouseTori Obermeyer

From its comfortable and stylish decor to its extensive tea selections, Essencha Tea House gives an experi-ence unique to Cincinnati. As you enter Essencha, you are greeted by friendly and experienced staff, will-ing to share their knowledge of tea. Located in Oakley Square, Essencha is home to hundreds of tea choices. Once seated, you are offered a sample of the tea of the day and given a menu with a wide selection of high-quality, afford-able food and, of course, tea. Unlike the hustle and bustle of most coffee shops, Essencha’s environ-ment is calm and relaxing. Essencha was created with the belief that food should be enjoyed slowly and peace-fully. Experts say that this way of eat-ing is conducive to a healthy lifestyle, gives the body time to digest, and allows nutrients to be better absorbed. The menu gives you a choice of soups, sandwiches, desserts, crepes, and vegan-friendly dishes. Essencha’s wide variations of tea include black, oolong, green, white, rooibos, herbal, and organic. Each type of tea is different in tast, type of leaves, cultivation, and origin. With one of the best variations of tea to choose from in Cincinnati, Essencha takes pride in its careful selection and quality of teas. The restaurant’s staff is as expe-rienced on types of tea as they are on tea history. Two workers at Essen-cha, Hannah Dwerman (a graduate of Walnut Hills) and Trica Tucker, have learned the importance of the tea making process while working at the restaurant. “The tea experience is taken very seriously at Essencha,” they said. They both agree that Essen-cha is a perfect place for high school students to come and relax. The calm environment is a great for studying and socializing (not to mention free Wi-Fi). According to Hannah, bubble tea, a sweet tea with chewy tapioca beads at the bottom, is the most popu-lar among teen. Essencha and a few other places in Cincinnati serve it. So next time you’re stressed with home-work and looking for a quiet place to study, check out Essencha and relax with a great cup of tea.

To learn about Essencha go to: www.essencha.com.

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Style and Culture November 5, 2010

Lore of Yore

A Hundred Years in the Making:The Class of 1911

A Blast From the PastEmily Friedman

Throughout this month’s Chatterbox, you will notice pictures of pictures of past Walnut students. These pictures were taken from REM yearbooks and Gleam magazines from 1902-1912. The pictures are examples of fashions that were present at Walnut Hills High School during that time period. In the 1912 REM each senior photo was accompanied by a brief biography describing who they were and how they would be remembered. Enjoy.

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Style and Culture November 5, 2010

Caption ContestJP Schmitz

It’s time to get the creative juices flowing. Write the best caption for this cartoon for you chance at fame and glory.

Please submit all sugestions to Mrs. Gerwe-Perkins’ or Mrs. Wolfe’s mailbox by November 12, 2010.

As we near the end of our inter-view, I asked Sir Brokamp the vital question. B: Are the sprinklers an inces-sant evil lurking among us?

“Are the sprinklers in place to watch us? Is there a camera installed that watches us when they turn in the 360?” He answers “Maybe cameras have been installed as some subver-sive plot,” As my eyes widen he is sure to add, “Make sure the students know I am kidding,” He chuckles. “As far as I know, no, the sprinklers are not in place to watch the stu-dents.”

He knows we’re on to him.

How successful have you been at dodging the sprinklers? SENIOR Jasmin Chapman color-fully responded: “They’re impossible to dodge, (following a series of exple-tives), get them out of my way!” The more free spirits wondered, “Why aren’t we allowed to play in them?” The sprinklers may be an addi-tion to preserving the beauty of the Walnut Hills campus, but how does one explain being pounded with wa-ter as soon as the tardy bell rings? Is there an explanation when one feels its wrath on the way to explain the reason for not attending Friday school?Students exclaimed, “It’s as if they inform security when I’ve lost my note!” Other cried out, “I swear I was just tying my shoe!”

Whether the “sprinklers” are an incessant evil or nuisance, we will never know. It is fact that their intrusion is making many students frisky. I hope some decisions will be made regarding their stay before junior Jennie Waits decides to “strip down in a bathing suit and run through.”

Incessant Evil orNuisance? Bria Neil

In the center of the campus they stand. They are ruthless. They dis-criminate against no one as water pulsates from their pores upon the skin of innocent bystanders. You’ve seen them; they seem to spray by day. Of course, you have wondered as the guns rotate in a full 360 degrees. Have they been installed to watch our every move? On my quest to seek information on the evil lurking among us, I run into Sir Brokamp. B: How long have the sprinklers been on the Walnut Hills campus? SB: They were installed a couple years ago. B: Last year, they were on the campus every other day. Why are they spraying everyday this year? SB: I’m not sure if you know this, but it has not rained in two months! We need the sprinklers to keep the grass alive. Sir Brokamp explained that he believes in maintaining the aesthetic beauty of the school’s campus. He is firm in his position that the environ-ment essentially determines one’s outlook. B: Concerned students believe that the plants should be watered by night, because the water evaporates when the sun shines. How true is this? According to Sir Brokamp, fungus can occur with a lack of evaporation. Also, a mud pit would form if water could not escape. Unfortunately, the sprinklers will not be put away until rainfall occurs. Sir Brokamp has asked for the sprinklers’ placement to be controlled however he observes that allegedly many students on a hot day did not mind the sprinklers. Sir Bro-kamp takes notice and is ultimately appreciative that students have made efforts to walk on the sidewalk.

The Effie ReportBy Sam Petersen The seventh graders of Walnut Hills High School have been classified as “Ef-fies,” con-sidered by many as a spe-cies all its own.There is a mass of ste-reotypes about “the Effie kind” like the infamous Effie backpack. The “Effie run” is another huge commonality which in-cludes running between class-es as a result of being unsure of time. From an Effie’s point of view, the Effie backpack is necessary, because the com-mon seventh grader is unsure of what books to carry with him or her to class. They have yet to gain the expertise of students who keep their back-packs light and manageable. Some seventh graders do not realize these silly mistakes or how ridiculous they actually look. When fellow Effies and upperclassmen find these mis-haps humorous, some Effies feel hurt. However, these sev-enth grade behaviors have be-come a Walnut Hills tradition and will continue throughout the years.

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Just Nuts November 5, 2010

Based can be translated as cool and unique. To be based is to have a lifestyle of optimism; it includes remaining unusually chill through-out the day. Like the name, based chefs coolly pretend to cook. This new dance craze is easier than it looks. Just grab a spoon and move your arm in a stirring motion. If you lack the coordination, feel free to ask SENIOR based chefs Allen Jones, Benson Browne, and Bobby Rankin; they may be able to teach you a few recipes. However, if you’re scared to burn something, just join the crowd

in their incessant chants of “swag!” Now, you’re cook-ing! Although this national sensation has entered the halls of Walnut Hills, can the based movement surpass the quick dance phase? Whatever hap-pens, many are just happy that the jerking phase is finally over.

Bria’s BlurbBria Neil

During 3rd lunch, a sweet aroma fills the air. Excited, you grab your lunch money; with antici-pation, you wonder what premium lunch the cafeteria is serv-ing today.As you aimlessly journey through the lunch lines, you real-ize it is not the chef salad that has your mouth salivating. Straight ahead, you see what appears to be a group of SENIORS stirring an unknown concoction. As you move into the crowd, some-one yells, “Let that boy cook!” To your amazement, young men are chopping what appears to be imagi-nary vegetables and feeding them to one another. Part of the Based movement, these young men refer to themselves as based chefs. Brandon “Lil’ B” McCart-ney, a California Bay native and self-proclaimed based God, started this new dance style.

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Fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. In a 9 by 9 square Sudoku game:

* Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order* Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order* Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must in-clude all digits 1 through 9

Sudoku

Fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. In a 9 by 9 square Sudoku game:

* Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order* Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order* Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must in-clude all digits 1 through 9

Sudoku

ThinkGreen [[If every person takes one small step toward being more conscientious of the environment, the collective effort

will change the planet.

Advertise here!Contact a staff member to find out how you

can advertise in this spot!

Please recycle this magazine.

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sure that your best friend is also the “Best All Around”? Beyond causing social awkwardness, SENIOR su-perlatives have effectively condoned “labeling,” something that Walnut Hills is especially devoted to avoid-ing. Superlatives have been reduced to choosing the most outstanding (and by outstanding I don’t necessar-ily mean great, just…out standing) students and slapping a title across each of their faces. Earning a superlative marks an automatic win. But when you and your bestie win that superlative, the rest of us just lost. This overly competitive style of campaigning (yes, I have heard that word being used on several accounts) promotes values usually eschewed by smart, virtuous Walnut Hills students. Not to say that the class of 2011 has not had its political spats, but this war has got to stop. Of course, now that packets have been turned in, we are at peace—well, until the nomina-tions are released, and the entire ordeal intensifies. However, before the animosity climbs to astronomical heights, let us lay down a few rules. Until now, these rules have gone unwritten and spoken only in the safest and most private settings:1) It is generally awkward to tell people that you think you are the “Best All Around.” For one thing, you run a high risk of losing credibil-ity, even if you had a fighting chance in the first place. On the other hand, your peers will feel even more uncomfortable writing your name down in pencil and erasing it later. They’ll probably to move it to “Most Egotistical.”2) It is less awkward (but still un-orthodox) to ask someone else which superlative he or she wants. While everyone appreciates being consid-ered the best at something, even if it is partying or being an Ivy League kid, very few people feel comfortable

SUPERlatives?Wally Hill It’s eighth grade year. You have sur-vived seventh grade. Now wise in the ways of the dome, you set your sights on the future. What does it behold? SENIOR superlatives, that’s what. Starting in seventh grade, SENIOR superlatives have fascinated us. We plan for years, speculating who will be voted “Most Intellectual”, “Biggest Partier”, or “Best Vocalist.” SENIOR superlatives are meant to provide Walnut Hills alumni with a nostal-gic picture of our graduating class, sprinkling it with humor and spunk. To bring closure to the Walnut Hills experience, the best in nearly every category is announced. However, is this really what all the SENIORS thought when we received our yearbook packets? Did every SENIOR go, “Gee, I can’t wait to bring closure, humor, and spunk to my SENIOR year!” Of course not! Our minds were instantly flooded with who we thought would win all the various categories. And, to be sure, superla-tives provide a myriad of options for labeling those we love and despise. Every street-wise SENIOR knows that every superlative has a double meaning, a code name. What, in fact, is the difference between “Most Intel-lectual” and “Most Ivy League”? Who would want “Most Ivy League” when everyone knows that Most Intellectual is the gleaming trophy at the end of the race for academic superlatives? Choosing who to put down for each superlative is not only a laborious task but a social dare. To ignore the requests of your friends and to write in someone who is not in your social circle could be equated with high treason. How did we let superlatives become such a popularity contest? To be fair, some superlatives do call for winners entrenched in the “popular” cliques. But really, are you completely

just stating what they think they deserve. This tactic for voting must be used with the utmost prudence. It is the highest compliment to be told that you’ve been marked down for some superlative or another; everyone wants to be remembered. 3) Be careful what you wish for. While “Biggest Partier” may seem to accurately characterize you now, you may not think so when you look back with your children and your children’s children and say, “Yep, kids, that was me…biggest partier. Man, those were the good times...” When beginning a campaign, one must consider his or her options carefully and be especially aware of the ramifications of each possible title. 4) While it may feel uncomfortable to peruse your yearbooks from years past looking for the “Sexiest”, “Best Looking”, and “Best Legs”, it must be done. Voting for senior superla-tives is imperative in the same way as voting for the next president. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But waiving your right to vote is equivalent to letting them win, who-ever they may be. Use your voice as a SENIOR to choose who you think should be recognized. This privilege of choice is so rare in high school; don’t waste it. I hope that following or at least keeping in mind these four simple rules of common sense will miti-gate the impending inferno. Let us re-discover the long-lost purpose of SENIOR superlatives as they were intended; let us replace our bitter-ness with nostalgia. SENIOR su-perlatives, if done correctly, should represent the graduating class well. They should highlight people from all demographics with equal touches of humor and pride. In the future, we will look back on our SENIOR year with light hearts. For the pres-ent, let us approach it with open minds.

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Wally is Back! November 5, 2010

Announcements

Students - Free math songs are still available! Bring your blank CD’s to Mrs. Cantey inroom 321. Students - Math Team competitions began Thursday, October 14th. There are contests coming up in November, December, January, February and March. Sign up with Mrs. Cantey in room 321. SENIORS - Senior Dinner Dance, November 6, 2010 at Losantiville Country Club, 7 - 10 PM

Students - Hoxworth Blood Drive, November 23, 2010. Anyone 16 and older can donate.

Students - Rembrancer is for sale online at www.yearbookforever.com or at lunch in Room 215. Order yours before it is too late!

November Fine Arts CalendarPlayhouse in the Park presents: You Can’t Take it With You Now through November 13Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents: Dracula Now through November 7Broadway Across America presents: Rock Of Ages Now through November 7 Young Frankenstein November 16-28Cincinnati Music Theater presents: The Music Man November 14-20UC College-Conservatory of Music presents: Evita November 17-21Walnut Hills Theatre presents: The Sound of Music November 18-20

For a complete list of Fine Arts Events at Walnut, vist www.walnuthillseagles.com

The Chatterbox wants you!

We meet the 1st Thursday of every month in room 217.

The Chatterbox is currently seeking:*Sports Writers*News Writers

*Photoshop Whizzes*Web Content Managers*Sales Team Members

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CV.1 - November 2010

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Transcript of CV.1 - November 2010