Editorials, Front/Home

AI technology raises concerns over water usage

Leave a comment

By Carlee Ecklund/Staff Writer

     “A medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling purposes, equivalent to the annual water usage of approximately 1,000 households,” according to the Earth Space Sustainability Initiative website.

     The AI hardware chips, or GPUs, are stored in data centers and are cooled down. Because the GPUs get so hot, water is used to keep them from overheating.

     “A single chip installed in a data center has already consumed thousands of gallons of water by the time it reaches the site,” essi.org said.

     Most of Earth’s surface is water, so why is it an issue that AI uses it to cool down? Well, not all of Earth’s water is drinkable, and AI uses clean drinking water to prevent overheating.

     “Only 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater, and only 0.5% of all water is accessible and safe for human consumption,” essi.org said.

A significant portion of clean water is not readily available for our consumption. Much of our freshwater is stored in glaciers. 

     “About 2.1% of all of Earth’s water is frozen in glaciers,” usgs.gov said.

   Data centers also use air for cooling GPUs, although water is a popular alternative. Over time, water usage may increase, potentially leading to a higher supply than demand.

     “Free cooling is a method where outside cold air is drawn into the data center to cool the equipment. Data centers must be located in cooler climates for this strategy to be effective,” essi.org said.

Sophomore Pranita Adhikari strongly opposes the use of AI and thinks that it harms one’s mind.

     “[People] can lose the ability to think for themselves, and some can’t fathom the idea of forming a coherent thought on their own,” Adhikari said.

     Junior Lilliana Kauffman does condone the use of AI; she claims it is incredibly helpful for her academics.

     “If it’s just harder for me to get a rough idea of what I am supposed to do for assignments, I will have AI clarify for me,” Kauffman said.

     Both students have different views on the use of AI; however, both agree teachers should not be allowed to use it for assignments.

     “The amount of AI they use to make certain assignments or certain study tools, everybody thinks it’s not that much, but within how much people use it, saying ‘it’s not that much’ that builds up eventually,” Adhikari said, suggesting that even small inputs of AI can accumulate significantly over time. This perspective aligns with Kauffman’s view, who argues the same standpoint.

     “They shouldn’t be allowed because we’re not really allowed to use AI, and a lot of the time the AI doesn’t like to correctly project what they’ve taught us in class with their own voices,” Kauffman said.

The debate about whether AI enhances or reduces people’s intelligence is difficult to determine.

     “I think if you use it for everything, it makes you really ignorant. It really hurts your critical thinking skills, and it makes you lose the ability to form thoughts or ideas without using another device,” Adhikari said.

     Everyone has different reasons why they use AI or why they should be against it.

     “Our planet’s going to be done one way or another, so it’s just kind of like if it’s helping me, then why not?” Kauffman said.

     AI is very prominently represented in today’s society and is used as a replacement for many human roles like art, music, literature and more. This raises a question: which is better?

     “I don’t think it’s as efficient as manmade things because it takes the surface-level idea of it and makes it into whatever it can. Man-made things are more authentic,” Adhikari said.

Kauffman often disagrees and argues that AI creations are actually of higher quality.

     “I think that a lot of things that AI does are actually more efficient because it takes less time,” Kauffman said. “It’s faster, and it’s smarter than humans are.”

     The amount of water required for AI to perform even the simplest tasks is incredibly wasteful.

     “A mid-sized data center consumes as much water as a small town, while larger ones require up to 5 million gallons of water every day—as much as a city of 50,000 people,” lincolninst.edu said.

     The discussion around AI portrays the tension between technological advancements, environmental sustainability and differing views on intelligence. While concerns about water usage are valid, the potential benefits of AI should also be considered. 

     Opinions on this topic vary widely regarding how technology influences our creativity and cognitive skills.    

     Finding a balance between embracing innovation and preserving our essential resources will be very important as we navigate through AI and its future role in our society.

Entertainment, Reviews, 2025-2026

Lillias Movie Memoirs: ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ Sunshine

Leave a comment

Lillias Cummings / Copy Editor

     If you had the choice to erase someone and every memory you ever had with this person, do you think you would take the chance to? After watching the movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” the answer became crystal clear to me.

      The movie follows Joel and Clementine, played by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet respectively, in their troubled relationship and Clementine’s choice to erase Joel from her memory after their very intense breakup. After Joel finds this out, he decides to undergo the same procedure to erase Clementine from his memory. He comes to regret the decision midway through the procedure as he attempts to grasp on to any memory he has of Clementine.

     There is so much to unpack in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” This movie changed the entire way I thought about my memories and how they connect to me as a person. I genuinely had to sit with myself and just think about some of my worst memories and what I would do if I could erase them.

     Even if our memories are bad, does that mean we should erase them? Or are those memories another part of your story that make you who you are? 

     I believe memories are what set you apart from the person standing next to you. All those experiences you have, whether they are good or bad, make up who you are as a person. Without them, you have nothing to make you different, or an individual in any way: Everything about us comes back to our memories and experiences. 

     The thought and care that went into the filming of this movie is absolutely insane. It plays out in such a non-linear and almost messy way, almost like how we recall our own memories.

     When we recall our memories, they are most of the time not going to be flawless and often will have parts left out or are overly emphasized. The director, Michel Gondry, recreates how we process our own memories so well it’s almost unsettling. 

     Specifically, I think of the scene where Joel is chasing after Clementine. He gets out of his car to go get her, and as he attempts to walk in her direction, he sees the exact car he just got out of but not in the place he parked it. He turns around to see Clementine walking in the opposite direction. As he runs after her again, he ends up right in front of his car yet again, like the memory just keeps flipping–similar to our own memories, which can be flipped completely from the original experience.

     Not only is the display of memories so elaborately done, but the little things you can pick up about the characters and the way they live just by their exterior is so well done. 

     When you watch the movie, you notice the constant changing of Clementine’s hair–she says she loves to change it and can never stick to one color. As the movie progresses and you see more of her personality, you realize the changing of her hair directly correlates to her impulsive nature and her need to never be tied down to one thing. 

     The same goes for Joel: When the people come to his house to do the procedure to remove Clementine from his memory, they make little comments about how it’s so “plain and uninspired,” in his apartment. Similar to his personality, which is the complete opposite of Clementine, he’s very reserved and just kind of a plain guy. This is just one of the many small but significant details that Gondry puts into the film, and that I love.

     But that’s not even close to the end of it. The casting for the movie is beyond perfect. When I think of Jim Carrey I always think of him in his silly roles like “The Grinch” and “Dumb and Dumber,” but to me this is easily his best role. Taking on such a serious role, as someone who mostly does silly things, I can only imagine is very hard, but he makes it look so easy. He did it so well that I cried twice simply because of him and Kate Winslet’s incredible acting. Winslet plays her role as an impulsive and unstable person so well that there were many times that her character made me so angry, but simultaneously sorry for her.

     The end of the movie is just the cherry on top of the really sad ice cream. It wasn’t a bad ending, but it also wasn’t a happy ending. To me, the ending felt hopeful yet somewhat somber. There was hope for their relationship, but I was left also knowing it would fail (again). 

     “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is a must watch if you are a movie analyzer and like to look deeper than what’s on the surface. Overall, I could talk endlessly about how intricate and incredibly done this movie was created. (9.8/10)

Feature, Front/Home

Q&A with inspiring actor and English teacher Morgen Kyser

Leave a comment

By Gianna Jacobs / Staff Writer

Q: At what theater do you currently perform?

A: I’ve had the opportunity to work at a variety of theaters through the years–Theatre 8:15, Wolf Creek Players and Dynamics Community Theater have been my most recent.

Q: Are there any shows that you are in currently?

Pictured above, Morgen Kyser performs as the baker’s wife in “Into the Woods.” This production ran in 2019 at The Jackson Players Theater.

A: Since I began directing at SMFHS, I keep my acting to the summers. Directing three shows a school year alongside Mr. Hinman is a time consuming (but very fun and rewarding) gig, so I’m not in any shows currently. I am currently working on directing our upcoming production of Into the Woods! I encourage everyone to come check it out April 17-19.

Q: How does your experience as a theatre actor influence the way you teach English?

A: I always like to add a little theatrical flair to my teaching. For student birthdays, I encourage my classes to stand on chairs and belt out the birthday song; when reading a literary text, I like to use different character voices and inflections and when standing in front of the class at any given time, I like to try to be as engaging as I can be.

Q: What has been your favorite role to perform?

A: Oooo, what a mean question! Every role I’ve gotten to play has a special place in my heart. I guess I have to say getting to play Ariel in ‘Footloose’ was my favorite because it directly led to me becoming a director. It was the summer after my first year of teaching (at a different school), and some of my administrators came to see me perform. After the show, they asked me if I would like to run the school’s drama club and direct the school’s play. A castmate from that show also asked me if I would co-direct a show with him. I said yes to both and ended up directing two shows at one time, which was a wild thing to do for my directing debut! Fast forward a few years, and here I am now. Had I not had that role of Ariel, I’m not sure I’d even work at SMFHS, and that would be tragic because I love what I do and the people here so much!

Q: How do you prepare for a character on stage?

A: I’m a big believer that character’s motivation should drive them–I always ask myself, “What does this character want in this scene, and how are they going to try to get it?” I think the answers to those questions help with building the nuances of a character.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson theatre has taught you?

A: They say there are no small parts in theatre, and it is 100% true. Every single person matters. Theatre is a collaborative effort, and everyone contributes to creating something that is larger than the sum of its parts. I’ve been in leading roles, I’ve been in ensemble, I’ve run tech, I’ve moved a single bench in a production–every part I’ve ever played has mattered. This lesson is true of life, as well. Everyone matters. YOU matter. As my boy William Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts.” The part you are playing right now is an important one, and the ones you’ll play throughout your life will be important, too.

Q: Do you get nervous before performing? If so, do you have any techniques to help?

A: Oh for sure! Fighting those nerves starts the second I get my script–being prepared is the best way to combat the nerves. I try to learn my lines and my blocking as soon as I can. When the nerves creep up, I can remind myself that I am prepared. There is also something to be said for the healing elements of a deep breath or two before stepping on stage.

Q: How does performing help you better understand the characters in plays you read for teaching?

A: Can I tell you a secret? I hate simply reading plays. To sit with a script and just read it in my head is so boring to me. I think plays are meant to be performed (or read aloud at the very least). Through my experience with performing, I find that I want to hear a character’s voice–I want to think about what inflections they would use when saying any given line. I also want to hear how different people interpret that character–there’s often not just one “right” way to do it. When I teach a play in class, I’ll assign roles to students, and it’s always neat to see how different students approach the same character. In one class, a student may be shouting Hamlet’s lines, where in another, they may be whispering. Theatre truly is an art, and art is driven by the artist.

Q: What advice would you give students interested in theatre or the arts?

A: DO IT! At the end of every show, Mr. Hinman and I ask seniors to give a speech at our cast parties, and so many of the students say the same thing: “I wish I had joined sooner!” There are so many opportunities to join at our school alone–we have Drama Club every Wednesday from 2:45-3:45 in the auditorium, there’s the All-Class Play in the fall (keep an eye out for auditions and crew applications around September), the Senior Class Play (for senior actors and all grade-levels of crew members) and the All-School Musical (watch for auditions and crew applications for the latter two around late November). When in doubt, reach out to Mr. Hinman or me (Ms. Kyser).

Q: What first made you fall in love with acting?

A: When I was four years old, I started dance classes. When I was nine, my parents told me I had to choose between dance or sports. I decided on the latter, but I missed dancing. I saw a flyer in my elementary school for auditions for a production of Babes in Toyland, so I tried out and the rest is history.

Q: Who was your biggest inspiration when you started performing?

A: My friends, hands down. I learned so much (and still learn so much) from my friends when acting with them. There’s something so special about collaborating with the people you love on a creative project.

Q: Was there a specific moment when you realized you wanted to pursue theatre seriously?

A: I think theatre pursued me, not the other way around. There were so many times in my life when I thought I would be done with theatre, but it always found me again and again. I’m a person of faith, and I truly believe every time theatre popped back up in my life it was God directing me to here and now.

Q: What was your very first role?

A: I had the esteemed role of Toy Soldier #25 (or something like that) in “Babes in Toyland” when I was 9 years old.

Q: How do you prepare for a new role?

A: Aside from attending rehearsals, I study. I quiz myself on my lines and my blocking, I dig into the character’s motivations and I read over the script often.

Q: What advice would you give students who are nervous about auditioning?

A:  Some of the best advice I’ve ever heard is to “do it scared.” Life is filled with opportunities that make us feel nervous or scared–we should never let that keep us from trying. We have big feelings about things because they matter. If you want to audition, go for it! If you want to fight off some of those nerves by being prepared, make sure you know what the expectations are for the audition so you can correctly prepare. Need to perform a monologue for the audition? Pick one that aligns with the character you’re auditioning for and start memorizing early. Not sure where to start? Reach out to the director(s), and ask for advice. Just don’t miss out on being a part of something you want to be a part of because of nerves–you’ll thank yourself for your bravery later. 

Broadcasts, Front/Home

English teacher David Morgan is more than the eye can see

Leave a comment

Story by Carlee Ecklund, Staff Writer

     While students know David Morgan as an English teacher here at the high school, he has worked diligently throughout his life to become a successfully published author. His passion for writing extends beyond the classroom, creating an imaginative space for all his students.

     Morgan has written 16 books since 2003 and has one in the making. 

     “I’m currently writing a book right now that’s going to be out in August of 2026, and it’s called ‘The LeBron Phenomenon, My Front Row Seat to History,’ and it’s all about my experience covering LeBron James,” Morgan said.

     Growing up, Morgan said he was motivated in high school and he was smart, but he did not work hard; however, that did not affect his long-term dedication for education.

     “I got a 15 on my ACT, and now I have an honorary doctorate, and I have a master’s.  I’ve written 16 books, and I was part of a team that won an Emmy for a documentary.”

      It was not until college when Morgan started writing for the Youngstown State newspaper that he really found his passion for sports writing.

Photo courtesy of David Morgan

English teacher David Morgan participates in the Columbus Book Festival last summer. He sat in a booth with his eight-book children’s series and some other pieces to showcase his work.

     Morgan said he was not afraid of becoming an author–he said people just need confidence. 

     “If you want to do something, just do it. Quit worrying about the fear; the fear is what’s going to hold you back,” Morgan said.

     Previous to Morgan being an English teacher, he had grown fond of educating children. 

     “I was going into schools, and I thought this was fun. Kids are great to be around, so I just looked into what I needed to do to get a teaching license to be able to teach,” Morgan said.

     Morgan’s favorite part about writing a book is writing about high school sports because it is probably the only time a student will ever get anything positive written about them. 

     “You’ll go to restaurants or somewhere, and you’ll see a story that you wrote 12 years ago, and it’s all yellow and beat up and tattered, but it’s up on a wall in a restaurant because that was somebody’s grand-grandson or grand-daughter,” Morgan said.

     Morgan emphasized basic standards to being a writer: “[You have to be] unbiased, you have to be objective, you have to write about both sides [and] you have to research. You have to not have a personal agenda,” Morgan said.

Photo courtesy of David Morgan

Morgan is pictured with his colleagues after winning a regional Emmy Award in June 2022 from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Central Great Lakes chapter for the historical documentary about the life of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marion Motley, who broke professional football’s color barrier in 1946 with the Cleveland Browns.

    Morgan’s advice for young students who want to write but don’t know where to get started: “Everybody can write. Everybody has a story to tell, because everybody’s story is unique. So don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid to write.” Morgan said.

      Reflecting on his writing process, Morgan shared how he balances being an author with being a teacher. 

     “When I was writing my first six or seven books, I wasn’t a teacher, and most of my writing I do during the summer.  Over the last three or four years, I’ve written about eight books. They were all done during the summer,” Morgan said.

As Morgan was navigating through career paths, he decided to combine both sports and writing into one career.

 “Why not have a career putting those together and be a sports writer and travel and do everything that I’ve always wanted to do, but just write about it?” Morgan said.

     Morgan’s biggest traits when it came to being a successful writer were confidence and determination. 

“You just have to believe it–you have to have confidence. I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get there, and that’s going to happen,” Morgan said.

EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM FOR OVER 90 YEARS

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started