10. Westerville North High School puts a ban on personal electronics in study halls
North’s staff are being told to not allow students to use personal electronics in silent study halls.
By Darrell Turner
Starting Tuesday Jan. 9, 2024 Students that have a study hall in the library are no longer allowed to use personal electronic devices for anything at all. They are being told to find something to do such as classwork, homework, reading, or anything that doesn’t cause a distraction to those that are trying to do the other things listed. If their homework or classwork is online they are being told that they need to use a school’s Chromebook. This was put in place to help students struggling in their classes but the students don’t have a choice in where their study hall is. Some teachers don’t enforce the rule due to the fact that they feel as if it is not as useful to the kids that aren’t struggling, however during some periods the teachers are actively bringing their students the help that they need and sending them to the classrooms to get the work that they need.
9. Iowa shooter commits suicide in the act
Dylan Butler shot himself after killing a kid as he yelled racial slurs.
By Darrell Turner
On the morning Jan. 4, 2024, at Perry High School in Iowa, a shooter took shots at six people then proceeded to turn the gun on himself and shot himself. The results of this would leave five of the victims injured, one of which was left in critical condition, and one dead. Unfortunately when he turned the gun to himself, he took his own life as well. The police found the shooter, 17-year-old Dylan Butler, with a pump-action shotgun and a small caliber handgun. They also found a “rudimentary” explosive device in the school.
8. Ohio anti-trans HB 68 veto at risk of being overridden by Ohio State House
Following the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s decision to veto HB 68, the Ohio State house has voted to override it.
By Bo Hermiller
On Dec. 29, 2023, House Bill 68 was vetoed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
House Bill 68 is a bill that would have banned transgender minors from receiving gender affirming care and would prevent transgender girls from participating in women’s sports. It “would have prevented doctors from prescribing hormones, puberty blockers or gender reassignment surgery” to anyone who is under the age of 18, according to an article from the Columbus Dispatch.
“Ultimately, I believe this is about protecting human life,” DeWine said in a veto message. “Many parents have told me that their child would be dead today if they had not received the treatment they received from an Ohio children’s hospital.”
Although the bill has been vetoed, the Ohio State voted to override the veto in a “65-28 vote” according to an article from ABC News.
To override the veto, the Ohio Senate will need at least 60% to vote for an override. They will hold the vote on January 24th.
7. Women’s Jr. hockey team looks to recreate what men just did
The women’s IIHF junior tournament has started and the USA woman’s team is looking to win gold.
By Connor Rathburn
As the women’s International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) world Jr.’s tournament is about to start the USA women’s team are looking to repeat what the men’s team just did and win the gold medal. The young American team comes in predicted to win the silver medal behind Canada.
The USA team in the previous year won the bronze medal. The team is led by the 17 year old Maggie Scannell. In the years with the Jr. team they have won both bronze and the silver medal. She is looking to complete the set and get a gold medal.
This American journey to the finals if they get there will not be an easy one as in the group stage they have to play the team expected to get the bronze medal. Make sure you follow to see how it goes for team USA.
A lot of the young women in this tournament are also predicted to have a chance to play in the new women’s hockey league in the United states.
Students at North share the dream of playing at a higher level. Just like this kids have.
Currently the women’s team is in the semifinals game against Finland. That game will be played on Jan. 13, 2024. The team has guaranteed a spot in a medal game no matter the outcome of this game. With a win they get gold or silver. With a loss they will get a bronze medal or fourth place.
6. North basketball is on a roll
North basketball has been off to a great start. Take a look into the team as they got ready to face Worthington Kilbourne.
By Connor Rathburn
As Westerville North Basketball is getting ready to face Worthington Kilborne, they have spent the week practicing and scouting coming up with a game plan as they hope to take down the wolves.
North has had a great start to the season being 7-2 and ranked 2nd in the conference. Kilborne is off to not the best start at 6-5 and 6th in the conference.
Lawence Pack is an assistant coach for the basketball team about what they do to get better in effort for these games. “We just try to have them work hard each practice giving it their all. If they do that they will find that improvement,” Pack said. “This season should go well with the plans that we have made for the season and it should end up well, we have a good chance in the playoffs with the talent that we have”.
The big thing that the team is focusing on is scouting that they have done to identify the weaknesses of the team and how they can hopefully exploit them to bring home a win for North basketball.
The women’s team for the Warriors are struggling but are looking to turn that around. The lady Warriors are 2-10 but all season have shown sparks of potential.
5. WNHS hosts a breakfast in honor of MLK Jr.
The breakfast will honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. as well as nominated students of color who will receive Westerville’s Fouse Award.
By Sadio Adbi
(Sadio Abdi (Senior))
Westerville North High School is hosting a breakfast on Monday, Jan. 15 at 8 a.m. in the main gymnasium to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event is invite-only and was created to honor and highlight the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. as well as students of color at this school.
Every high school in the Westerville City School District will have their own table that will include a number of students nominated for the Fouse Award. Westerville North’s Black History Month show and Black Student Union leaders were also invited to this event.
“The Westerville MLK Fouse Award is named in honor of William H. Fouse who was the first black graduate of Westerville Public Schools and of Otterbein College,” (Leadership Westerville). The nominees from Westerville North high school to receive the Fouse Award are Samiya Johnson-Ali, Rem Reynolds, and Eyon Robinson.
The event will also host a guest speaker. Nic Stone, the Author of “Dear Martin,” will present a speech at the breakfast.
4. Harvard President, Claudine Gay announces her resignation
After many accusations, Harvard’s President steps down after less than a year in office.
By Bo Hermiller
On Jan. 2nd, Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard University, announced her resignation. Leading up to Gay’s resignation there were accusations of plagiarism and an “insufficient response to antisemitism on campus” according to the New York Times.
This is referencing Gay’s statements during a congressional hearing that took place in December. When she was asked if “calling for the genocide of Jews” was against Harvard’s code of conduct Gay said “The rules around bullying and harassment are quite specific and if the context in which that language is used amounts to bullying and harassment, then we take — we take action against it,” according to an article from ABC News.
Gay was the president of Harvard University for about 6 months. Out of all of Harvard’s presidents she has had the shortest run, she was also the “first black person and second woman” to be the president of Harvard University according to an article from USA Today.
3. Ohio raises minimum wage
Minimum wage employees will now be earning 3.5 percent more on their paychecks in Ohio starting this year after a new law has passed.
By Ridwan Adam
Ohio’s minimum wage was raised for an annual increase as mandated by the Constitutional Amendment (Il-34a), passed by voters in November 2006. It has been in effect since Jan. 1, 2024.
The minimum wage will see a boost from $10.10 to $10.45 per hour for non-tipped employees while tipped employees will also experience an increase, with their minimum wage rising from $5.05 to $5.25 per hour. This adjustment will predominantly benefit low-wage workers.
Supporters of raising minimum wages argue that changes are needed to help incomes keep pace with increasing costs of living, and a higher minimum wage will lift millions out of poverty while others argue that raising minimum higher wages could lead to inflation, make companies less competitive, and result in job losses.
2. North earns grant money for feminine hygiene products
Free hygiene machines have been spotted in women’s restrooms.
By Lia Webb
(Lia Webb (Senior))
Westerville North High School has implemented feminine hygiene product machines into its bathrooms.
Section 3313.6413 of Ohio law and Administrative rules that Free hygiene product machines should be placed into school buildings housing students. The school can face legal consequences if this rule is violated. For that reason these free hygiene product machines can be found attached to the walls of women’s restrooms.
The Young Feminist Club advised by Beth Henman showed gratitude towards the passing of this law as the students in her group were fundraising to get pads and tampons to place into baskets that were placed in school bathrooms. Rather the money comes from students for other students. The custodian will refill the machines with hygiene products from grant money.
The Young Feminist Club acknowledges the change. “[We] feel super excited as a group as it should be a given [because] it’s a human need.”
Henman, while excited, would like to see these be placed in break rooms for teachers and staff as “There used to be a machine in the teachers lounge about 25 years ago then suddenly stopped being stalked.”
Until the implementation of the dispensers, English teacher Leslie Baumann had been filling in for the lack of tampons gathered by the annual Period Products Drive by paying out of pocket to supply the women’s restrooms. The tampons had been frequently disrespected, being thrown on the floor and causing Baumann stress. As of now, it’s unclear if school supplied period products may be treated differently from those supplied by Baumann. Regardless, the implementation of the dispensers will surely bring benefit not only to the students, but also to Baumann, who may no longer have to participate in the betterment of our school bathrooms as a primary supplier.
1. Gypsy Rose’s rise to fame again after her prison release
Some are skeptical of the attention gathered by Gypsy Rose Blanchard following her release.
By Kellar Hyde
Gypsy Rose Blanchard suffered a lifetime of abuse from her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who utilized fabricated medical records and deception to falsely portray Gypsy as suffering from severe mental and physical disabilities. On June 10, 2015, Gypsy, along with her boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn, conspired to end Dee Dee’s life. After serving eight years in prison for her role as an accessory to murder, Gypsy has been released. While some celebrate Gypsy’s freedom, considering the gravity of the actions she took against her mother, one must ask, is this reaction justified?
Following her release, Gypsy Rose Blanchard turned to social media to share her story. Across her various accounts, one can see posts about interviews, documentaries, and autobiographical works. While some perceive her actions as morally questionable, profiting from a terrible past, Gypsy Rose shows that she is much more than what her history suggests. Alongside the promotional content, her social media also features everyday posts that you could find on any other social media account. Things like selfies, pictures of loved ones, and even memes- exhibit Gypsy Rose’s genuine desire to reintegrate herself into society. Despite the media attention she garners her actions seem to be more of an attempt to navigate her tragic past than a pursuit of fame.
