All posts by Nick Kollar

World Headlines

Russian hackers invade government cyber security

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A breach in cyber security at the White House has led to potentially classified information being attained by foreign hackers.

According to Polly Mosendez, a writer for newsweek.com, Russian hackers were successful

in their attempts to break into White House computer systems where they gained access to supposedly secret information, such as real-time details of President Obama’s schedule. While this information may not be considered “classified,” the breach is a symbol of the capabilities foreign intelligence agencies have to reach government information.

U.S. intelligence agencies, the FBI and the Secret Service are all in the works of investigating the mis- hap in computer security at the White House.

Newsweek.com reports the contents of any other information received by the Russian hackers has yet to be announced, though it appears none should be considered classified but rather just “sensitive” information.

In 2014, Russian spies were successful in complete- ly hacking into the unclassified emails of the State Department, known as the “worst ever” attack on a U.S. federal agency, according to CNN reporter Evan Perez. These attacks are believed to correlate with the recent hacks on the White House as the Russian hackers are thought to have gained access to the White House computer information through the State Department.

Though no classified information was stolen, the United States is on high alert with all information and how it is distributed. Anything labeled as classified can only be passed on through one email address and one phone number. CNN also says all information is being treated as though it could compromise major White House networks.

President Obama has made strides to strengthen cy- ber security in recent months, including national data breach reporting, where companies are to inform their customers when their company has been intruded by Hackers. An extension towards the budget of cyber security is also planned to be extended.

No harm was done by the recent cyber attacks from Russia, but the hacks leave Americans questioning whether government officials are doing enough to protect vital information and keep it out of foreign intelligence hands.

Sports

Speech and Debate hosts second annual Ultimate Frisbee Tournament

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Flying discs took to the football field as the Speech and Debate team looked to crown the high school’s Ultimate Frisbee champion.

The Speech and Debate team held their second annual Ultimate Frisbee tournament on Apr. 25. The fundraiser brought in eleven teams, ranging from 5-8 players each, and a total cost of forty dollars to enter the tournament.

With a round-robin system of play, all eleven teams played against each other. They were then seeded, based off their amount of wins and losses, into a single elimination tournament bracket where only one team could reign victorious.

“Last year we raised over 600 dollars [for the Speech and Debate team], hopefully this year we will come close to that again. We have concessions and other various items being sold and so far it has been a big success,” junior Speech and Debate member Cameron Stebbins said.

The competition kicked off with four separate games going on at once. Ultimate Frisbee demands a high level of endurance and team chemistry, as not one player can control the whole game. Some teams were able to reach these demands and others fell to a flying disc dismay.

Teams that could not find their success on the field certainly could seek revival at the concession stand where they served, “drinks, hot dogs, memes and more,” as sophomore Speech and Debate member Mitchell Norman said.

In the end it was the Floopy Doo Dee Doo’s who arose victorious and won the 2015 Speech and Debate Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Team members of the winning team include: Matt McCombs, Jordan Wolfe, Jack Wadsworth, Matt Levine and Kyle Austin.

Stebbins said, “We have had great support from the school and it looks as if this year’s turnout was just as, if not more, successful than last year’s event.”

Sports

Sports teams take on the mulch

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The cold of winter breaks, snow begins to melt and spring creeps in. The temperature will rise, and soon enough everyone will be back outside landscaping their yards from sun-up to sun-down, breaking their backs in hope of a lawn appearance up-to-par with the rest.

There is no easier way to have the best looking yard in the neighborhood than by having it mulched by the local sport teams through Booster Club’s Mulch Mania.

For the eighth year, Booster Club will be holding Mulch Mania to raise money for the middle school and high school sport teams.

Athletes will participate in the spreading of mulch for every yard, teaching kids the importance of hard work and learning to use tools and proper equipment for landscaping.

For $28 per yard, double-shredded brown hardwood mulch can be purchased, and delivered to the buyer’s house. Proceeds for the purchases of mulch will go to Booster Club.

For an additional $15 per yard, members of a high school or middle school sports team will personally spread the mulch around the customer’s yard with diligence. All proceeds for the spreading of the mulch will go completely to whichever team that completed the work.

Mulch Mania provides athletes with the chance to experience working hard for a cause and allows customers to save some cash, time and back pains, all while supporting the local student athletes.

For contact information,  visit http://www.smfboosters.com.

Sports

Alumni Connor McMahon to compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championships 

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     The dream of one alumni is soon to be a reality.

    Connor McMahon, a graduate from the class of 2012, will be competing in the NCAA Divison I Wrestling Championships March 19-21 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. McMahon wrestled four years at Stow, placing second at the OHSAA State Championship his senior year. McMahon’s high school success brought him to Southern Illinois University, a Divison I wrestling school located in Edwardsville, Illinois. 

   Wrestling at the 165 pound weight class his junior year, McMahon entered the Southern Conference Tournament with the fifth seed out of eight wrestlers. He was overlooked by many, as a fifth seed would certainly not be a favorable victor in the battle for a national championship spot. McMahon was out to make the best of his situation, knowing the odds were not likely, but still possible. 

    “Not being expected to beat anyone took a lot of pressure off of me. I knew the pressure was on the kids I was going against so I went out there with nothing to lose. I was able to wrestle to my capabilities,” McMahon said. 

    McMahon did not just reach his capabilities, he exceeded them. 

    A quick victory over the fourth seed from Tennessee Chattanooga started his run, followed by a win over the number one seed in the tournament from Appalachian State. Reaching the finals, McMahon wrestled the third seed out of Virginia Military Institute, winning the match 4-3 and claiming victory in the SoCon Tournament. 

   McMahon’s victories in the SoCon Tournament not only came against higher ranked seeds, but also were against wrestlers who had previously defeated him earlier in the year. Due to these circumstances, McMahon was awarded the Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament along with a spot in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

    McMahon plans to keep the same mentality he had in the conference tournament through his journey at nationals.

    “I’m really just excited to be there. I had some success in high school but I’ve never achieved anything like this. Qualifying for nationals was a dream of mine and no matter what I do I’m going to be happy with the results,” McMahon said. 

    McMahon’s first match at the NCAA Championship will be early March 19, against the tournament’s number one seed, Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State. 

    McMahon said, “I plan on just going out there and giving anyone I wrestle the best match I’m capable of. If I win some matches, that’s just icing on the cake, and if I don’t, I still had a great season.”