Brianna Doctor
After a rough start to the season, the boys basketball team has made a tremendous effort to end the season with a winning record.
With a record of 9-9, the team has practiced hard after school and on weekends to improve their skills in hopes of winning more games. Senior and captain, Evan Bainbridge, believes they are motivated them to be better.
“The season is going alright, but I know it can be better. We had a rough start to the season, but I think we finally have the momentum we need to do go in playoffs,” Bainbridge said.
From beginning to now, the team has changed drastically with new additions and skills, but the team is still hoping to grow.
“[Senior] Jack Wilson, who is one of our main guys, was out for six games at the beginning of the season. Since he has returned, he has brought a different energy which has helped us win more games,” Bainbridge said.
Making improvements for the rest of the season starts with practice. The team has been putting in the work during all of their practices, so they can improve in time for playoffs.
“Practices have been going well. We hope to start playing more as a team, so we can end our season strong, and hopefully, we can make a big run in the playoffs as the underdogs,” Bainbridge said.
As the team itself works to improve their dynamic, Bainbridge has been focusing on himself. He hopes to help the team by improving how he plays against other opponents.
“A lot of teams look to face guard me and take me out of games, so I have been trying to improve my game to be able to impact the game in different ways to help us win,” Bainbridge said.
Throughout the season some players have experienced minor setbacks. For junior, Christopher Miller, he is sadly out for the rest of the season because of issues with his hands
“Being injured this season has really helped me put things into perspective. I have never really known what it’s like to be out and how much it would affect me. I’ve had to view everything like practices and games in a different way,” Miller said.
Since Miller has been out, he has learned different skills that he would not have had he still been playing. Being injured has given him the chance to improve skills that are not physical but mental.
“I have really learned how to be a positive influence. I have also learned how to listen better and give more advice in time of need,” Miller said.
Although he will not be able to contribute anything to the team on the court for the rest of the season, Miller hopes to start improving for his senior season as soon as possible.
“I am going to participate in AAU this season and get a private trainer. I want to continue to improve and build chemistry with the rest of the team after the season to prepare for next year,” Miller said.
Miller hopes to see the team improve for the rest of this season, and he hopes the team next year starts working towards their goals for next year.
“I have very high expectations for next year. I want to lead the team in a positive way. I hope that we play together well, and I want us to always be on the same page. Hopefully the team sticks together, and we can be brothers on and off the court,” Miller said.
Come out and see the boys on senior night as they take on Saint Ignatius at home Saturday, Feb. 23.
The Vegan Experience
Abby Kuhns
Many people in 2019 chose to commit to live a vegan lifestyle. These people, in other words, choose not to eat or use any products from animals such as fur, milk, eggs or meat.
As a part of my news years resolution I decided to try and live vegan for two weeks. I ate a fair share of salads and a bunch of fruits during this time.
The most difficult part was eating simple items such as a granola bar because it contained honey. I did have the opportunity to try zucchini pasta which I would not normally eat.
The absolute best food item I tried was bagel “Halo Top” ice cream. It tasted the exact same at typical ice cream but with coconut milk instead of regular milk, and it was quite delicious.
A large amount of vegan options I tried is very unique to say the least; however, I was not a huge fan of all of it. It was hard trying to eat out because even items like salad I would have to take off egg, meat, cheese and change the dressing to make sure it had no animal products.
I give a lot of credit to the people who can commit to living a vegan lifestyle because it was a challenging process for me and I had many times where I just wanted to reach for that cookie with butter, milk and eggs.
In my opinion, I would not recommend completely changing one’s lifestyle to vegan if one has lived life eating and using animal products.
The transition is difficult and most definitely takes time to become accustomed to. I think if I would have progressed from omnivore to vegetarian to pescatarian to vegan I would have done much better with the food options I had.
Goals of Our Swim Team
Abigail Kuhns
At the beginning of the season head coach, Monica Sincel, noted their main goals: to send a relay to States, maintain a balanced diet, have a 92% attendance rate and in addition, maintain a GPA average of 3.0 or higher.
Now headed into post-season senior, Alex Schoenberg, has set a goal of his own: to compete in the state meet before he leaves Stow.
Last season, Alex qualified to districts in four events and with the help of his teammates wants to see how far he can go.
Throughout this year, Alex has focused on weightlifting and eating healthier to be able to reach his goals. Sophomore Luke Novak also has aspirations of sending some of his teammates along with himself to the state meet by relays and individually.
“To improve this season I tried to set my goals as early as possible. I use these goals every day in practice as motivation,” Luke said.
Luke has goals of breaking the school 200 meter record and to stand on the podium at districts. He also plans to continue his swimming career after high school at a division one school like Oakland University.
Junior Elysia Gabbas had some setbacks last season but came into this season determined to make a change for herself and her team.
“The changes I made this season were having a more positive attitude coming into the season and putting everything I have into each practice. I also, personally, am swimming long course and working on my technique to prepare for postseason and senior year,” Elysia stated.
Stow’s swimming team currently holds a 6-2 record in the conference heading into postseason as a team.
Traffic Pattern Issues
Over the years, the traffic at the high school has grown to be efficient for the students, staff and overall community. Recently, the traffic has gotten substantially worse.
Two years ago when I was a freshman, there were two ways I could enter the building. Students could be dropped off at the main entrance where buses also were, or in the back by the athletic office. I come to school from the Kent side, so it was always easiest for my mom to drop me off in the back.
Within a few months, traffic was switched and buses were the only form of transportation that could enter the back, and everyone who was dropped off or driving had to use the main entrance.
Last year barriers were placed in the parking lot, separating the parking lot into two lanes. The barriers made traffic move so much faster and traffic was not nearly as bad.
Now, the barriers still work, but Officer Smith usually comes and directs traffic, even though the barriers are already there.
This school year is the first full school year that I am driving to school. Last year as a sophomore I occasionally drove, but I have driven to school everyday of this year and experienced every form of traffic.
Keeping in mind that I live less than five minutes away from the high school in a neighborhood off of Fairchild Road, I typically leave on the late side of the morning since I am so close.
At first, I would leave my house around 7:05 in the morning and arrive very early to school. I obviously did not need to leave 25 minutes early when coming to school, so I started leaving later.
The absolute latest I have ever left my house is at 7:18, and even then without Smith directing traffic, I have been able to successfully make it into the building before 7:30.
A couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday morning I left my house at 9:10, which is plenty of time to get to school. Smith was directing traffic and at this point it was his first or second time directing the traffic. I waited in line for over twenty minutes.
My sister and I were late, as well as many other students. The line to get into the attendance office was nearly out the school doors. On a regular day with no direction of traffic, there is rarely any line or many kids that are late.
As the weeks have gone on, Smith continues to direct traffic. I never know when he will be there because he is not consistent either. Some days he comes, some days he does not.
For the past few days, I have left my house at 7:10 and did not park my car until 7:25, barely making it to my first period class. I think it is ridiculous that I am expected to leave so early in order to be at school on time when I live less than five minutes away.
Without Smith directing traffic, I have managed to leave my house twelve minutes before school starts and was able to go through the line, park my car and be inside the school.
Not all of the traffic is Smith’s fault though. Since I am coming from the right side of the school, I do not have access to the parking lot right away, so I have to drive all the way around and park.
It is extremely hard for cars to proceed through the parking lot when a huge flow of students keep walking through the parking lot.
Around 7:20-7:25 is when most students are walking into the school, and everyone is scattered and they do not leave enough room for cars to pass by.
I appreciate Officer Smith trying to help out the community and those who attend the high school, but I believe he is not needed in the mornings. I very much appreciate his help at the end of the day because it is much needed. He does an amazing job of getting everyone out of the high school parking lot at 2:30 and I am very glad he is there.
I may be bias because I have heard he helps the other side of traffic which is usually a huge line, but overall most students are late due to the traffic.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING--Anyone can call the tip line: 1-844-723-3764 or email safehs@smfschools.org 