Nothing brings people from all walks of life together quite like music. Music is cathartic and takes people away from their problems and the real world if only for a little while.

On Wed. April 27, the annual Battle of the Bands took place and provided joy and unification for everyone involved. Each year, the high school holds Battle of the Bands under the condition that at least one member be in school at the time.

Anyone can sign up which brings people from all over the place together.

“What’s really great about this competition and music in general is the diversity. There are a lot of different genres here and many people who wouldn’t normally associate with one another,” junior and M.C. of the event Mitchell Norman said.

The night started off a little late, but the commons were packed full of people ready to listen to good music. Jack Dotson went first in the competition as a solo acoustic guitarist. He calls himself “Dack Jotson” and he does original comedic songs as well as covers.

“I absolutely love playing music and entertaining people as much as I can. There really is nothing else like captivating an eager audience,” Dotson said.

Following “Dack Jotson” was the band “Working Class Boys.” Working Class boys is composed of lead singer Charlie Blair, guitarist Jason Rozak and drummer Stefano Mariola. They play punk rock music and played a seven-song set that was very well received.

“Working Class Boys is by far my favorite band. I love the funky punk vibe they give off and they have an incredible stage presence,” sophomore Janae Droder said.

Working Class Boys had a special treat for the crowd as two tall men in pigeon and chicken masks danced along with the music. Many enjoyed this addition and saw its originality.

“I really loved the pigeon and chicken dancers. They danced really well and did not distract from the music,” sophomore Kayla Duckworth said.

Scarlet Promise followed Working Class Boys with a grungy hard rock sound that resonated throughout the audience. They played many original songs as well as a few covers of hard rock grunge songs. Many current students are in the band including Dane Gellner and James Brownridge..

“Scarlet Promise was great, I love Dane on the bass and James on the drums, they rocked it tonight,” senior Taylor Hostetler said.

The last band to play was “Incite the Riot,” a metal core band also containing Jack Dotson, lead singer of Dack Jotson.

    After the competition, contestants and patrons alike waited to hear who the winner would be. Fourth place went to “Incite the Riot,” third place to “Working Class Boys,” second place to “Dack Jotson,” making “Scarlet Promise” the winner of the 2016 Battle of the Bands.

    “The show was really great this year and all of the bands were fun to watch. We raised a lot of money, and I feel like we brought people together,” Norman said.

By Theresa Parr

Often times children need to go to hospitals for help, but some are not able to afford the never ending cost of numerous treatments; however, there is a way to help the less fortunate: a lip sync battle.

Student Council is hosting the first annual lip sync battle to help children in need. All of the money raised will be donated to Akron Children’s Hospital for children to be able to receive the treatment needed. The battle is great for people who enjoy acting.

There is still plenty of time to create a team and a routine. The battle will take place on Tues., May 3 in the auditorium. The time is precisely 6 p.m. and is free of charge.

Students and teachers are welcome to perform. There can be solo performances or group performances; however, the maximum number of people per group is six people. Participants are more than welcome to bring props, but they will not be provided.

“The battle is going to be oodles of fun for everyone and [the battle] will be a great use of time and money,” junior Hanna Riddle said.

Participants will act out or sing to any song of their choice, but there is only one rule: the song must be school appropriate.

Forms are located near the upstairs bathrooms. On the form there is a place to put the song of the participants choice.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the fundraiser and donate money. The lip sync battle is a good use of money and will benefit children in need.

Riddle said, “I think people should participate in the fundraiser because [the battle] is helping people in need. People are able to put their money to good use.”

Competitive students fought until the end in a hectic dodgeball tournament in order to raise money for Camp Quality.

On Feb. 2, from 6-8 p.m., student council held a dodgeball tournament for students to have a good time raising money for a summer camp for children who have cancer.

Each player on a team of eight needed to pay $5 in order to play, and the tournament was organized by a bracket system.

“The dodgeball tournament is a fun [event] we do every year so students can have something fun to do in the winter,” senior Kristen Buzaki said. “It’s a great event to bring students together, plus part of the money we make will go to [charity].”

Even if a student was not able to play, he was able to come and cheer on friends and peers. Both the players and those watching were able to build positive connections with other students: the tournament encouraged teamwork and spirit. The goal of the game was not only to have fun while making money for charity but to allow students to build their teamwork skills as well.

“In student council, we try to promote service, spirit and leadership,” Buzaki said. “I think this event especially promotes spirit in the school, enabling students to make new friends and connect with others.”

Many students participated in the enriching activity. After all the teams played through, The Average Joes came out victorious.

Team captain and junior Mohammad Silmi, and his teammates junior Ethan Hanson, junior Justin Racheter, senior Zane Obaid, senior Dakhil Silmi, senior Aron Gloeckler and senior Shane Lavery won the entire tournament against team Mustafa.

“It felt pretty good [to win] because we started off 0-5 then came back and ended up winning the championship,” senior Shane Lavery.