We all have been yearning for the signs of spring. This month should bring relief for each desperate Ohioan. Yes, March will be the end of the snow, which definitely makes it a glorious and favorite time.

This month has also brought about many beloved favorites to me and many other students.

The first and most important part of loving March comes with one single day: March 21. This is the first full day of spring; however, it does not mean the weather will hit at least 40 degrees, but we can hope.

Along with spring comes St. Patrick’s day–one of those “what is this holiday even for” holidays. Many question its purpose, including me. Whether or not if someone knows its true meaning, the holiday brings along the darling specialty at McDonald’s: the Shamrock Shake. With the minty flavor and decorative green tint, you do not have to be Irish to know it is delicious.

Shamrock Shakes are not the only delectable part of March: Rita’s finally reopens for their spring and summer hours. Rita’s, which reopens on March 20, is known for their luscious soft serve and their variety of creamy slushies called Blendinis. Some Blendini flavors include raspberry lemonade, cotton candy, mint and lime; however, there are so many more from which to choose. Both the Blendini and regular soft serve ice cream are superb. Rita’s is surely a spot more people should check out for their next ice cream craving. The closest location is on 2328 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

March also can bring along many memories for students. This is the time of the year when the I-X Indoor Amusement Park opens. One of the major things I remember doing as a child was going to this indoor park, loving to eat the greasy food and getting extremely dizzy on the rides. The whole experience was such a blast.

Many other students may have the same flashbacks of the live performances, animal shows, huge ferris wheel and spinny rides as well. Some may even remember the old commercial with that little jingle, which was made up of the name of the park being sung by children whose bodies formed into an I and an X, along with the words. No matter the memories associated with this awesome place, it will open on March 26 and run through April 9, so it would be a great idea to go with a younger sibling or child soon. Both of you will have a great time. The I-X Indoor Amusement Park is located in Cleveland on 6200 Riverside Drive.

Another favorite this month will for sure be the movie,“Insurgent.” I am just one of many who read the whole “Divergent” series and fell in love. That fact that the movie for the second book is out in March makes this month so much more exciting. This action-packed movie, featuring a dystopian society, comes out on March 20. Anyone who likes thrilling fiction should certainly read the series and watch the movies.

Lastly, the end of March is always favorable since it is the start of Spring Break. Many will venture to beaches and warmer climates; however, the relief from school is quite enough for some. This Spring Break starts on March 23 and goes until March 27, but there are also weekends at the beginning and end of the break, which extends the time we are off.

There are many events, places and desserts to love in March. Each is only around for a limited time, so take advantage of everything this month because before you know it, someone will be fooling you with a devious practical joke on the first of April.

Standardized testing is a big part of the American education system, but there are many holes and missing parts to the system.

A standardized test is any exam that is administered and scored in a predetermined, standard manner. According to parcconline.org the tests are used to determine placement in schools, states and countries. Though the tests show placement, there are flaws in the standardized testing system.

Students do not see the tests as work that shows their great achievement but as a test they need to do well on to live up to the expectations of parents, teachers and higher level education schools. Not doing well on a certain test could prevent students from going to the college of students choice.

The tests do not show what each student is capable of achieving. According to institute4learning.com, the testing process is looking for a specific format for responses and does not value the students’ creative view because  the response is not viewed by an actual human. A machine is looking for something that could not be there in the desired form.

The testing processes are not for educational purposes at all. They exist for administrative, political and financial purposes.                                   The  Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career administration make billions of dollars, and  politicians get elected based on promises for higher standardized test results. Also,school administrators get funding and avoids penalties by boosting test scores.

Students are the only ones who do not directly benefit from the testing. To them, it is a stupid test they have to take each year. The tests often place them into the class level they will be in the next school year.

The tests put unnecessary pressure and stress onto a student to do well. The standardized tests do not test what a student has learned but what they have most likely memorized weeks in advance for the test, meaning that after testing, the student will forget the material to memorize for the next upcoming test.

The new common core standard that schools nationwide adopted set higher standards in education in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade, according to parcconline.org.  The new PARCC assessment the freshmen class  recently took  is  part of the new standard. The PARCC assessments, or Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, are assessments made by concerned educators, parents and employers who want assessments that better measure students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills and their ability to communicate clearly.

These tests are designed to prepare young children who have no idea what they want to do for future colleges and employers. The new standardized tests are made to groom a whole new generation to fit into the ever growing and competing world of jobs and real life.

The freshman class has no desire to be part of the PARCC testing process. After testing, students said the tests were hard, the questions unclear and should have been considered as a form of torture. Students were unsure on how well they did on the tests, given that much of it was did not make sense.

“The tests are really difficult and  aren’t worth the time,” freshmen Maria Petrecca said.

To the students, no one saw why the tests were necessary. To graduate, students who are freshman and under are required to have 18 points in each subject; many freshman joked that graduation rates will drop due to the difficulty of the PARCCs.

Only thirteen of the fifty states are taking the PARCCs, the others decided that another standardized test is unnecessary. When it comes to testing that can determine a future, the testing should be seen nationwide and if proven too difficult that thirty-seven states pull out, there should be a reconsideration.

Freshman Cody Kowalczyk said, “The tests were either way too simple or so complicated that there was no way we would have known the answer.”

That’s right, it is February: it is the 28 days of the year consisting of hot wings, roses and candy hearts.

This month holds many trademark events and desserts. From the delicious candy to the feelings brought from the words “Super Bowl” and “Valentine’s Day,” February definitely reminds students of some of their favorite things.

Feb. 1 was a memorable day for all New England Patriot fans. Winning by only four points, Super Bowl parties all around were either crushed by the slight loss or enthusiastic from the victory.

The Super Bowl is one of those events that brings friends and families together with the fire of debate on who the best team is, excitement for victory and a little dash of comedy with each new commercial.

My favorite commercial this year was for Mountain Dew Kickstart. The dancing dog and couch made for a very weird yet comical commercial.

Although the entertainment on Super Bowl day is what excited most people, I get pumped for the food. With the selection of mini hot dogs, chili and chip dip, one could never go wrong.

Thirteen days later is yet again another favorite day in February.

This day is surely a favorite for all of those elementary students who get to buy those cute, little cards and make their own decorated tissue box. Back in the day, that Valentine’s day party in class was one of the best days of the year because any day that you could receive chocolate in the second grade, was a great day.

Now-a-days, we may want fancier sweets from Malley’s or Edible Arrangements.

Malley’s is a favorite of mine, definitely around this time of the year. With a new location in Stow, you could buy your loved one a heart shaped box of chocolate or their famous chocolate strawberries without having to go very far. Their chocolate covered pretzels and strawberries are my absolute favorite item in the store. Just down the road from the high school, 3027 Graham Road, the new Malley’s is sure to have something for everyone on Valentine’s day or any other special occasion.

Just a few miles further into Stow is yet another marvelous place to shop for your valentine.

Edible Arrangements has quite a different selection for your partner. They offer baskets of all different kinds of fruit, which may seem boring; however, they take it a step further than just an ordinary basket of fruit.

Edible Arrangements takes the pineapple, strawberry, grape and cantaloupe combination and turns them into a beautiful creation. Each basket resembles a bouquet of flowers, with the fruit pieces shaped like individual flowers. They are stunning to look at and are even better to eat. Your valentine would definitely not turn down a basket of glorious, high quality arranged fruit. Edible Arrangement is located at 4326 Kent Rd, in the plaza by 5 Below.

On the more traditional side of Valentine’s day are candy hearts. Some have a burning hate towards these little candies; however, some people, like me, love them. The tiny pastel colored hard candies with the cute sayings on them is one of my favorite parts of February. My favorite color of the selection is orange. Usually only being available within this month, candy hearts are like gold. Those who love the little hearts must stock up now, because before we know it, it will be March and one step closer to spring time.