2013-2014 School Year, Volume 94, Issue 1

The Voice of
the Presidents
Friday, October 4, 2013
Volume 94, Issue 1
New principal to make changes
Tayler Moore
Journalism Student
Mr. Kirk Koennecke is the
new principal at Harding High School.
“I wanted to become a principal because I wanted to have an impact on
students beyond the classroom, and be
able to do things that I couldn’t do as a
teacher.” Koennecke says that so far he
loves his job at HHS, and he said, “This
has been the best opening of a school
year that I’ve seen in 20 years.”
He says that everyone has
been extremely helpful and everyone
has stayed positive. He also believes
that we have one of the best student
bodies and student systems.
Mr. Koennecke plans to start
whatever programs students want to
start. Also, Mr. Koennecke stated that
during this school year there will be
more expected from teachers than ever
before, and he will try to help by working with us all on student growth, and
by finding more good methods to help
teachers.
In high school, Koennecke
was in band, so he believes that athletics and the music department both have
the same amount of importance. He
will support what each group wants to
do, as long as it will benefit them.
There are over 34 extracurricular activities at HHS now, and with discussion,
there is always room for more.
issues we can improve on. Some of the
issues are pep ralleys, assemblies, planning and running things, and bullying.
Koennecke has zero tolerance for bullying, or any violence. If someone harms
Mr. Kirk Koennecke, new school principal, in his office. Photo by Carissa Martin.
The new Harding principal says he
wants to add more opportunities for
students by hiring people who are good
quality, and who will try very hard to
help their students. He also wants to
add to the Learning Café and MOOC,
which are online college courses.
Koennecke says that there are always
someone else, they will be removed
from the school. Koennecke said, “I
will never be satisfied with the status
quote of the school. There will always
be more ways to win.”
He believes that HHS has a lot
of potential. He says that it has so many
connections to agencies and companies.
Mr. Koennecke is trying to
improve the school by going out and
developing community partnerships. He
has already created partnerships with
Whirlpool, Nucor, United Way, and
Boys and Girls Club.
The principal wants HHS to
have a ton of academic achievement.
He wants more students to start transitioning for work throughout high school
so Marion will have a qualified work
force for more new companies to hire.
He was born on August 30,
1972, and he is 41 years old. His
hometown is Kent, Ohio and he got his
undergraduate at The Ohio State University in 1994. He taught social studies
for nine years. Mr. Koennecke is currently taking college classes to get his
superintendent license.
Mr. Koennecke came to Marion because it reminds him and his wife
of where they grew up. He said it also
has a lot of attractive elements that
made them decide to live here. The new
principal chose to work at HHS because
he thinks it is amazing. He said, “It is
one of the most interesting buildings in
Ohio.” he seems as if he will be an
outstanding principal, who will try his
hardest to help the students with everything they need to benefit them throughout their lives.
New superintendent has 100-Day Plan
Zach Edler
Journalism Student
Originally from Youngstown Ohio, Mr.
Gary Barber is the new superintendent of the
Marion City School district. He has a history
of working hard to achieve even what he did
not originally intend to do, a prime example
that no one knows what the future can hold for
them, and that all doors are open to achieve at
one point or another.
Mr. Barber grew up in a mainly industrial town in Ohio called Youngstown. During
high school he was inspired by his coach,
Keith Wekefeild, to go to college with an
athletic scholarship. He did not initially intend
to go to college, and if it were not for Keith,
Inside this issue
What’s Hot? ………………….… 2
Should we pledge to the flag? ...... 3
Features at Harding …….............. 4
Features at Harding …………….. 5
Harding joins MOAC ...………… 6
LJ Scott on ESPN ……….…..….. 7
Faces in the Hall ………………... 8
WEB EXTRA …………………… 9
who knows where Mr. Barber would be today.
Mr. Barber got a full athletic scholarship and
went to Youngstown University in 1988 for
his Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management.
He later got General Science, Health and
Physical Educational Endorsements from
Hiram College. In 2000, he received his Masters of Educational Leadership from Ashland
University. In addition, he also had extensive
training in leadership, teacher and principal
selection, and teaching strategies, among other
things. He was certified in high school teaching for science, health, and physical education
in 1989. Then in 2002, he obtained his certification to be a high school principal. Finally, in
2009, he obtained his superintendent certification.
Mr. Barber has already had some experience in administration in schools. From the
middle of 2007 to the beginning of 2009, Mr.
Barber was the principal of Big Walnut High
School. After that he was the Assistant Superintendent at Big Walnut School District. He
also was principal at Franklin Heights High
School in the South-Western City School
District in Columbus. His education career
dates back to the 1990 school year at Lowellville Local Schools as a physical education,
science, and health teacher.
Currently, the superintendent is working
on his 100-Day Plan to get the school district
into shape for the ensuing years. He has many
goal setting models and is creating a common
mission to build relationships in the community to help generate jobs for Harding graduates
as well as to prepare them better for the immediate jobs that they could take after college. In
creating community partners, Mr. Barber can
help increase the ability of the Learning Café
to allow grads to get jobs that require specific
skills in order to work. One such example the
superintendent gave was a company that needed workers who know how to operate a fork
lift. Gaining a partnership with this company
will allow us to get the training program we
need in order to train students to be eligible
for this job immediately. Other such remedial
classes, as well as test assistance, are expected
to become part of the Learning Café.
In the end, Mr. Barber has a few things
we need to improve that we already have,
such as the pride in our accomplishments, or
just to celebrate the good things in our community. He plans to bring a better view of our
school, which he says is “the exact same as
any other school.” It has the same cliques and
the same problems. From experience, he says
that we have no more fights here than anywhere else, we just have a larger population.
We have the good, we have the ability, now
all we need is the ability to let our community
and every other community know that we are
just as good or better.
A few things to note outside the formal
job: Mr. Barber has a Twitter account with
which he will immediately post about delays
and closings. He claims the tweets will be
faster than even the phone call that the school
sends out. This account is: Gcougars65@twitter. Mr. Barber is here to help the
students as well as the school, which may be a
result of his family. Having a wife, Kelly,
three daughters, Kara, Briana, and Dana, as
well as two sons, Brent and stepson Aaron,
Barber is certainly a family man.
His job here is to make an impact, to
create a better environment for the students.
He is working constantly to create more part-
nerships to put us in a better position in the
community.
He is here to make high school bearable
for us, and is certainly going to do a good job.
He likes working with adults (high school
students) because they will work with him,
and they will make tomorrow a better place
because of him, because of his job. “We have
a lot of things going on here, many of them
good” Barber says with confidence, now it
just needs to be put in place, and he seems like
just the man to do it.
Superintendent Gary Barber visits
Harding classroom. Photo by
Cheyenne Abrams
What’s Hot?
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 2
Is Chapter 2 better than the original?
Samantha Rife
Herald Editor
very likely to be that the original Insidi-
plausible. I would rate it a six out of ten
ous had a production budget of only
and would recommend this movie to
$1.4 million, whereas Insidious: Chap-
those looking for a mild scare.
Top film critic, Michael Phillips
ter 2 had a budget of $5 million. Insidious: Chapter 2 has a runtime of one
from the Chicago Tribune, writes:
James Wan and starring Patrick Wilson,
hour and 45 minutes and is rated PG-
“Reliable gotchas are brought out for
Rose Byrne, and Ty Simpkins, follows
13.
mini-sequels of their own, within this
Insidious: Chapter 2, directed by
the haunted Lambert family as they
sequel. The bit with an invisible some-
I didn’t really favor the first Insidi-
seek to uncover the mysterious child-
ous in any way. It was a low-budget
one playing the family piano? We get
hood secret that has left them danger-
movie and it showed, plus the ending
that three times, at least. Closet doors
ously connected to the spirit world.
wasn’t good at all. I honestly wasn’t
opening on their own, revealing pitch
expecting much more from the second,
blackness containing…something…in
$61, 608,632 in box office as of Sep-
but I was in for a little surprise. Insidi-
the space between the neatly hanging
tember 24, Insidious: Chapter 2 was
ous: Chapter 2 is a bit suspenseful from
shirts: twice? Three times?” Phillips
quite an improvement from the first
the very beginning and all throughout
also opines that “the movie's moderate-
Insidious, which only made
the movie. It uses the classic scare tac-
able. Surprisingly, there is actually
$54,009,150 since its release on April
tics and a chunk of the movie is predict-
some comedy and the underlying plot is
Released on September 13, making
1, 2011. One major factor for this is
ly tense, though Wan is smart to want
to get out of the old dark houses for a
while.”
New and bigger and broken records of 2013
Melody Owens
Herald Editor
Many new records were added to
the Guinness Book of World Records
this year including tallest freestanding
domino tower, broken by Tom Holmes
in Bristol, UK, which took seven hours,
2,688 dominos, and stood at 5,275 meters tall. Holmes started working on
breaking the record on computer programs several months before it was
broken. He works for a London-based
design and engineering consultancy,
Arup, where he had designed several
prototypes before his final piece. “As
engineers, we’re constantly looking for
creative solutions to solve problems so
it’s great to put my skills to use in a fun
task like this,” Tom says. "It’s not every day that you can say you’ve built the
world’s largest domino tower!” With
the help of some of his fellow employees, the tower stood 20 cm taller than
the previous Guinness record.
Largest fruit salad was another accomplishment added to the records. “To qualify, the salad had to be
fresh and include five fresh fruit,” Michael Empric, an adjudicator for Guinness said. The University of Massachusetts had 150 different fruits. Their pool
included: 20 varieties of apples, five
kinds of bananas, 14 varieties of berries, three of currants, four of cherries,
three kinds of mint, three of grapefruit,
10 kinds of grapes, three kinds of mangoes, 19 different melon varieties, 10
kinds of oranges, three kinds of papayas, 13 of peaches, 12 of pears, two
pineapples, nine different plums, three
kinds of kiwi, 15 other fruits and 500
pounds of orange juice. 500 volunteers
and staff cut, pitted, and diced all the
fruit. The record beat was 11,192
pounds set by McGill University in
Montreal last year. UMass has also
broken records for things such as largest seafood stew, largest stir-fry, and
largest sushi roll.
Another outstanding record
that was broken was the longest table
tennis rally, broken September 11 in
Stoughton, Wisconsin. Max Fergus and
Luke Logan, who attend Stoughton
High School, played an eight hour 30
minute and six second match pinging
the ball back and forth without stopping.
Hometown kid makes Top 100 on iTunes
Faith Demico
Journalism Student
Alex Sheridan’s very first
album “Heartbeats” is now in the top
100 on iTunes. He placed #96 first but
now he places #77.
He graduated from Marion
Catholic High School in 2005. Alex
also went to Ohio State University for
Early Childhood Education. He’s been
making music since his junior year in
high school, but he didn't start to write
NativeOfVA, Nite tha Grrness. The list
dimepieces and donks is out, if I don't
scious decision to get into production
or music. I just started messing
goes on and on.
He also has his mother Shelly
want to get into trouble. I'm not left
with too much to write about.”
around with some music software
when I was in high school and things
and his sister Emily yelling in the
background to create a crowded feel.
Alex also has a new music
video coming out called “We All Fall
just slowly evolved into it being a full
time thing.”
He likes to make beats for fun, then he
started recording and producing songs
Down.”
for some local artists; the local artist he
new album out next July, and it will
30, 2013 It features” Is Skee-Lo, B.
Stille (from Nappy Roots), Rickie
worked for are Cie Breeze and Nite
Tha Grrness.From there he started
have about 12 or 13 songs on it.
His whole album is on the
Spanish, Doc Ice (from Whodini),
sending his instrumentals to bigger and
bigger names, building relationships
following sites: Spotify, ITunes, Amazon, and pretty much almost all the
and getting connections. Right now he
has two people helping with his new
popular album sites. Also go to Ichoirmusic.com and you can buy his album
“I never really made a con-
His album came out on July
His goal is to be able to get his
songs: Lobergeek and Gabby Short.
and record his own music until his
freshman year in college in 2005-06.
and his new album when it comes out
“My songs are just about life.
I'm a pretty simple guy. I don't care too
He was going to name his first
album “On Top of the World” but
in stores. Two of his new songs are
“You Found Me” and “Magic.”
much about material objects or brands,
so I can't rap about whips or chains. I
thought it would be too long, so he
Alex likes the career because
it’s like cool being able to express
don't do any drugs to rap about. And
I'm happily married, so rapping about
yourself and have fun. He also says that
it is very inspiring and super fun to do.
decided to change it.
Perspectives
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 3
The Pledge of Allegiance: to say or not to say?
Say it
Tayler Moore
Journalism Student
Many people have many debates and disagreements over
whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance should be said in schools.
Every person has a different opinion
about the pledge being said.
Students and teachers of Harding High School gave their own
opinions whether the pledge should
be said, and why or why not. Nine
out of 10 people surveyed responded, “Yes, the Pledge should be
said.” They all have different reasons for why the Pledge should be
said.
The Pledge is part of America’s
history, but some critics feel that
making students recite the Pledge of
Allegiance in the classroom environment is forcing them to take a
loyalty oath in front of other students. This is not entirely the case.
Students attending United States
schools should understand the history and heritage of the Pledge because it represents the country and
all of the students do live here.
The Pledge being said in school
helps to bring more patriotism into
students. It is also a large part of the
United States history and helps the
students understand part of their
heritage. It is truly an American
symbol and has been around for
many years. It has always been in
schools and to take it away now
would break a tradition that is part
of history.
In today’s day and age, it’s important to keep as much of the heritage of the United States intact as
possible. Too many things are
changing, on a sometimes daily basis, from what this country’s founding fathers intended.
People believe that the Pledge
should be recited, but you should
have the option to stand and say it.
The United States has freedom of
religion, but it is most densely pop-
Don’t say it
Faith McGinn
Journalism Student
Many people would argue whether
to say The Pledge of Allegiance on a
day to day basis. Everyone will always
have different opinions.
But the debate is whether it should
be required to say it or whether it is
upon
one’s
self to
recite
the
Photo from Google Images.
ulated with people who are Christians. If you don’t believe in God,
or if you believe in a different god,
you could just not say that part of
the Pledge.
Throughout the years, the
Pledge has always been said. Even
though there is now debate, most
people believe it should still be said;
you should just have the option to
recite it. The Pledge of Allegiance
is a big part of America’s history
and should still be said in schools
by whoever wants to recite it.
pledge. Right now you are probably
asking yourself, “Why even question
it? Why would this be thought about, is
it a law?”
Many people have strong opinions
whether we should have to recite The
Pledge or not. Those who believe we
should not be required to all have different reasons why. “As a history
teacher and an American I feel that it is
very, very important that the Pledge be
said. It represents who we are and
where we come from and the sacrifices
made by those who serve for our liberty. It is a pride thing!” Mr. Johnathan
Ogg said.
“Yes, it should be recited; however, people should also have the right to
decline reciting the Pledge. They
should still show respect, but they have
the freedom to politely abstain if they
do not agree with the words being
said.” said Miss Jessica Miller.
“Yes, everyday, but the conflict of
the students’ protest is too much to
hassle. I like the Pledge once a week.
This gives me time to educate the
meaning of the flag” was Coach Rose
Cunningham’s thought on the subject.
“Yes, it should be recited at least
once a week.” commented Mrs. Jill
Hecker.
As you see some of the teachers’
opinions on the debate, they all feel as
though it should be said. They all agree
that it is showing importance and we
need to show pride in what the Pledge
really stands for.
“I think that people who want to
say it should, but it is their choice” was
Taylor Hancock’s opinion when thinking about the pledge. “I think that we
should have the opportunity to say the
Pledge but if you don’t want to you do
not have to” replied Justina Wallin.
“I think you should choose if you
want to or not because it’s your body
and no one can tell you what to do,”
Faith Demico stated. “I think it is up to
the individual themselves. No one can
make you recite something. It is up to
you, maybe someone disagrees because
it says the words ‘under God’ what if
that person doesn’t believe in God? But
they are being forced to recite words
they do not agree with?
“Everyone has the opportunity to
voice their opinion, but no one should
be forced to say something” was the
point that Tyriq Harris made on the
subject.
Teachers and students have different views on this debate whether The
Pledge should be recited or not. I think
both opinions should be taken into consideration,. Yes, it is showing our respect for our country, but what if someone disagrees with what it is saying?
This will be an ongoing battle.
Photo Opinions: Should the Pledge be said?
Brittany Vojtush — Freshman
Bubba Heine – Sophomore
Nate Sperling – Junior
Haley Miner – Senior
“It should be said during school
because it is respectful and it
honors our country.”
“I think it should be allowed
‘cause it honors the flag and
what we fought for.”
“I think it should be said at least
once a week. It honors our
country and pride.”
“It should be played on announcements and made an option
to be said or not.”
Features
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 4
New Academic Assistance rules begin
Trextyn Harbolt
Journalism Student
Harding High School is no stranger to
the Academic Assistance program. The
program was introduced last school year in
an attempt to help students get more work
done.
With a new principal comes new
changes. Several things have been changed
or added to Academic Assistance in order to
improve it. Several options are offered to
students through Academic Assistance.
Among these options is the ability of
the students to choose where they go for
Academic Assistance. Students may go to
any teacher-occupied classroom as long as
they are not assigned by another teacher.
If a student is assigned to Academic
Assistance by a teacher, they must go to that
teacher during the period. If this rule is disobeyed, proper punishment will be given.
Also, if a student is assigned to Academic
Assistance by a teacher, they may not be
assigned by another teacher for the same
day.
Along with the classroom options,
there are a few general areas students can go
for the Academic Assistance period. There
are computer labs assigned to each major
subject around the building. These labs are
used when a student needs a computer for
homework or needs help with a specific
subject. These may be used because a teacher is busy or not available.
The computer labs are assigned as
English in room 135, math in room 204,
science in room 229, social studies in room
243, and a lab for projects in room 245.
Another common room for students to
go to during Academic Assistance is the
library (Media Center). There are plenty of
things to do in the library, and some teach-
ers and coaches are available there as well.
Students have a variety of options in the
Students get Academic Assistance with
English teacher Ms. Meg Maynard.
library including reading, working on any
homework, using a computer, or even just
sitting with friends.
There are two more rooms available
for any students, which are the Cafetorium
and the Community Room. The Cafetorium
is where the new .Learning Café program is
held. This program involves teachers working with students who seek help. Students
can also get work done and socialize in the
Cafetorium.
The Community Room is used as most
classrooms are during Academic Assistance. This room acts as a study hall for
students who must get any work done.
Academic Assistance has helped students stay caught up on homework, and in
some cases, stay ahead as well. The studentteacher interaction is believed to help students get a better grip on things that they
may not have understood in class.
One student said, “I like getting one-on
-one time with my teachers because it helps
me understand things.” Academic Assistance seems to be a helpful program for
students and may be at Harding to stay.
Buzzer system adds security to building
Tyler Parsons
Journalism Student
Concerns coming from incidents such as the mass shooting at
Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Connecticut have led to more school
security upgrades in Marion City
Schools. The purpose of these systems
is to keep everyone in the building
safe.
Mr. John Carder, the assistant principal, said, “We are always
looking for better technology to keep
the building secure.”
The buzz-in systems are located on both the front door and the
student parking lot doors, which are
the only doors that can be opened during the school day. The doors are on a
timed lock that starts at about 8:a.m.
Mr. Carder states that “it may be
an inconvenience, but it will keep the
New Harding buzzer system outside
door. Photo by Tyler Parsons.
people in the building safe.”
The system consists of a camera, a
microphone, a speaker, and a call button. An office worker can see the visitors on a camera and, if necessary, ask
questions over an intercom system before unlocking the door remotely. The
students or anyone else are not required to show any I.D. to come in.
Once in, visitors are required to go to
the assistant principal’s office and
check in.
A small security measure Harding
is also starting is I.D. checks in the
halls. If someone is caught in the halls
without an obvious pass, he or she may
be asked by a staff member to show
their student I.D. This is only to make
sure that he or she is actually supposed
to be there.
Harding isn’t the only school with
these new systems. Similar systems are
already in place in Pleasant and
Ridgedale schools and at St. Mary
Grade School, Marion’s private Catholic elementary facility. Elgin Local
Schools also upgraded security in each
of its buildings.
Some people believe that this sys-
tem is a “step forward to prevent
school shootings” and a new, more
secure way to keep the building safe.
Anna Rich, a sophomore, thinks
that it “could help keep students safe
against unwanted visitors but could
make it harder for students.”
Some people have a different
opinion on the system. Some think
that it won’t do much help.
Mr. Scott Cameron, a physical
science and biology teacher, expresses his belief that it’s “a Band-Aid on
an open wound. It’s there more to
make people feel safe than to actually
keep them safe. The idea is there but
not fully.”
There were some students who
didn’t even know it was in place.
Even through there are many different opinions, these new security systems are here to stay.
New staff members arrive at Harding this year
Kailey Abrams
Herald Editor
Many new faces are being seen at
Harding as a dozen new teachers and
administrators join the staff.
This is Mr. John Carder’s first year
as an assistant principal. He was a science teacher at Marysville.
Mr. Josh Clevenger teaches Special
Education Math.
Miss Andrea Grimm teaches
French/International Studies.
Mr. Korey Keplinger teaches Modern World History, African-American
History, and OGT Prep.
Principal Kirk Koennecke was an
educator for 20 years, joining Marion
City Schools in April.
Mr. Justen La Plante teaches
Chemistry, Physical Science, and
Middle School Science.
Miss Jessica Miller teaches
General and Accelerated Physical
Science.
Mr. Mike Panamarczuk
teaches biology and advanced
biology
Miss Amie Ramsey teaches
Physical Science, Biology, Environmental Science, and English.
Mrs. Tola Sanusi teaches PC
APPs I and II, College Prep Computer Applications and Business
Education.
Mr. John Smith teaches English I and II.
Mr. Anthony Zarcone coteaches Algebra I, Math, and is
an Intervention Specialist. More details can be found at the Herald web
page, which is part of
MarionCitySchools.org .
New staff members are joining Harding this year. Photo by Becky Gilliam, Marion
City Schools.
Features
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 5
Has modesty left Harding?
Leanndra Moore
Herald Editor
Do you think that modesty has left Harding? Trending topics and side conversations here at Harding High School all seem
to have different opinions. The students
seem to think that guys and girls all dress
the way they want to in order to “express
their style”
while teachers
seem to think
different.
Mr. Adam
Matthews, Algebra II teacher
at Harding says,
“I believe evePhoto by Google Images. ryone has the
right to selfexpression. However, right or wrong, people will judge you by their first impression.
You don’t have to dress classy to act classy.
Many students dress and act appropriately,
but a few push the envelope. They need to
stop and think about the message they are
conveying. I believe mandatory uniforms
would be helpful in eliminating dress code
violations as well as installing pride in our
students.”
History teacher Mr. Greg McClelland
says, “Dress no, acting yes.” “I think we, as
a society, have forgotten the need to respect
ourselves. Reality TV has taught us to act
outrageous.”
Ms. Megan Maynard, Accelerated
English II and Read 180 teacher at Harding, writes, “I feel that my personal concept of modesty may differ from that of
other individuals in the building and the
community, but there are certain unalienable rights that must be maintained in order
to maintain civility (and sanity). Among
them is my right as a teacher to have a
classroom full of students but free of visible
undergarments and peek-a-boo privates.
This, however, is not the true problem.
What truly troubles me is the lack of self-
respect. Moreover, I felt
the need to find a way to
mend my heart that was
breaking for these kids. I
understand that some of
them have grown up in
circumstances that do
not promote the teaching
of self-respect, dignity,
integrity, and strength of
mind. What breaks my
heart is that they haven’t Photo by Google Images.
picked up on it yet.
What kills me inside is that there are so
many young ladies in our building who
think that they MUST attract romantic partners and that the only way to do so is to put
themselves on display and behave lewdly –
and that there are so many young men who
feel that these girls either want to be treated
like means to an end or that this is all they
are. I choose to use this as a venue to beg
for change.
Students of Harding, let’s forget for a
moment that you represent our community,
our district, our building, your grade, and
your group of friends. Take a moment to
consider what you represent in yourself.
What kind of person do you admire? What
do you want people to notice about you?
What do you value in yourself? If you can’t
answer these questions, you have some
serious thinking to do. You are more than
what you wear (or don’t wear) and you have
more to offer than your physicality. Each of
you is a strong, incredible, valuable individual with infinite potential. We as teachers
and administrators love each and every one
of you. All I ask is that you love yourselves.
All my love, Ms. Maynard.”
Freshman, Kelsey Arms, says, “I think
that the way people act and dress are just
them being them, if that’s how they want to
do things, then let them.”
Sophomore, Daniel Daigneau, said,
“Yes I think that modesty has left Harding
due to the way that people dress and act.
Everyone tries to turn themselves into
something that they aren’t in hopes of being
someone that they are not”
So you tell us Harding, do you think
modesty has left?
Homecoming from the view of Andy
Shelbie Howard
Herald Editor
two weekends he gets to come home, but
he doesn’t have much time to have fun.
Andy liked coming to America and
getting to participate in things such as
Homecoming and soccer.
Andy says his overall experience of
Homecoming was an unforgettable experience for him.
“I like the pop music played because
it is very similar to music played where I
am from.”
Also, it was his first time seeing that
Everyone knows the excitement of
their first Homecoming. Some old, some
new, but for 16 year old Andy Hung, Harding’s exchange student for this year, it is
an entire different experience.
Homecoming had a good turnout this
year and was well thought out. Winning
the Homecoming football game was a
great start to this
year’s Homecoming. Harding’s Varsity
football team
won against Toledo Bowsher 70, Sept. 20. LJ
Scott had an
amazing play,
hurdling over a
defender and
scoring a touchdown, but sadly
receiving a pen- Kayla Croyle is Homecoming Queen 2013. Photo by Becky Gilliam.
alty for it. Our
Homecoming queen, Kayla Croyle, says it
kind of dancing and he enjoyed it very
was one of her best nights.
much. He explains that where he is from,
Andy is from the island of Taiwan in
they do not have those kinds of dances
the city of Taipei and is excited for every
until their high school graduation. “I think
new encounter he makes. He’s involved in
the best part is when everyone starts jumpsoccer and hopes to play basketball. “I was
ing and dancing together.”
scared to come to America because I
Homecoming may not be enjoyable
didn’t speak English very well, but now I
for everyone, but for a kid coming to
think it doesn’t matter as much.” Andy
America from Taiwan, it’s the most excitcame from a boarding school where he
ing thing that could happen to you.
attends school for two weeks and every
Marion Harding High School
1500 Harding Highway East
Marion, Ohio 43302
(740) 223-4700
Published by the Harding Herald staff. The
Harding Herald has been a student-produced
newspaper for 94 years. Opinions expressed
are those of students in a public forum and
should not be construed as administrative
policy. Letters to the editor and/or guest
articles are welcome from interested readers
on relevant subjects. They should contain the
author’s name, homeroom and address. The
Harding Herald reserves the right to edit
letters for length, repetition, spelling and
Editors:
Cheyenne Abrams
Carissa Martin
Kailey Abrams
Leanndra Moore
Devon Beck
Melody Owens
Olivia Eastridge
Samantha Rife
Alissa Greenawalt
Brianna Hartman
Adviser:
Shelbie Howard
Mr. Bob Bender
Sports
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 6
Harding finds a new home in the MOAC
Austin Riegel
Journalism Student
Harding High School has
joined the MOAC (Mid-Ohio
Athletic Conference). The Presidents will begin in the conference in the 2014-2015 school
year, in all sports except for football. Harding switched spots
with Upper Sandusky, which allows Upper Sandusky to enter
the year in the Northern 10 Conference.
The MOAC is split into two
divisions, Red and Blue.
The schools that are in the
MOAC Red Division are: Buckeye Valley, Fairbanks, Galion,
Jonathan Alder, North Union,
Pleasant, River Valley, Marion
Harding, and Upper Sandusky.
The schools that are in the
Blue Division are: Cardington,
Centerburg, Elgin, Fredericktown, East Knox, Highland,
Mount Gilead, and Northmor.
Mr. Sean Kearns is the Athletic Director for Harding. He
thinks the school got us in this
conference because it is an addition for a team to have and it allows your players to get recognized. He feels that it is very ex-
citing to be in this conference
because it will be great for the
kids and the community.
He said being in the MOAC
will help us because it will give
us extra goals and recognition
and a less demanding transportation
budget
since
most
teams
are local.
Kearns says that it will spark
some rivalries because it already
has; there are people that do
things together and their kids
might play for different schools.
That could be for bragging rights
for the people. Kearns says, “The
schools are smaller than ours,
which overall hurts our chances.
There are two things that will
help us get in the playoffs—the
teams’ strength and ability to
win. If we can beat them, that
will give us solid amounts of
playoff points. The other reason
is there are three non-league
games that will help us.”
Mr. Todd Schneider is the
freshman football head coach for
Harding. Schneider thinks the
school got
us in this
conference because we
were on
the conference
list for
five
years, and
we tried
to get in
conferences so we can face county and
state schools in Ohio. He feels
that being in this conference is
good because we have a good
school and teams, but there are
smaller schools, so that is one
negative.
Coach Schneider thinks the
MOAC will help us because it
will allow our teams to be more
successful and have our players
have post-season honors The
coach said, “Yes, it will spark
some rivalries because anytime
you have teams facing each other, it always will.” Mr. Schneider
said that it might hurt us because
we might not get much out of
playing small teams but “yes and
no,” if we have a good team.
He thinks that it may help
with funding issues, such as traveling, because the travel time
will be short and it will save the
school and parents money. He
also thinks that it will make the
athletes happy and excited, because when you give kids something to play for, and give them
goals, it will make them better.
Schneider thinks we will win and
keep a winning record because
the conference is happening at
the right time. It will make us
more successful.
Caden Brady is a freshman
football player for Harding. He
thinks that the school got us in
this conference because it allows
us to face more competitive opponents and allows us to get better as a team and as a program.
He feels confident about getting
in the conference because we can
play to our full potential. He
feels this conference will help us
because we will be able to face
bigger schools that are better or
evenly matched to Harding.
School rivalry has been taken to the next level
Zach Edler
Journalism Student
Here at Harding we have a rivalry. Not
only with Findlay, but also now with River
Valley. We have supposedly had this rivalry
for years and simply didn’t commonly know
about it because of a difference in division
causing us not to face River Valley. Now
that we are in the same division, the rivalry
has hit us full force. From painting our rock
to playing us in sports, River Valley is a
rivalry we cannot ignore any longer.
Near the beginning of this 2013 school
alike have treasured for years. The Harding
has supposedly gone on for so long? Some
being in such a close proximity to simply
rock. They painted it their school colors of
students had little care for our rivalry, apart
not getting along, guesses were once again
gold and blue, the blue being the writing
from the acknowledgement of its existing.
sporadic. Many people agree though, this
and the gold the base. This covered the
Sophomore Trextyn Harbolt said, “I don’t
rivalry was certainly started by a Harding
work that generations before it had placed,
think much of it. It makes no difference in
win, years ago.
including last year’s seniors. You would
my life.”
never know it now, as students have painted
answer. Who started it? When did it really
over the evidence. Now in school colors, the
Katie Douglas, “I think the rivalry is fun,
start? Was it a fight at home or was it
rock now symbolizes Harding, like it always
for both schools.” Obviously there are
brought to them? Maybe someone has these
should. (Picture of RV rock painting) Then
mixed emotions about this rivalry. Another
mysterious answers, but not anyone found
came the game. The football game at home
question that ailed Harding is, “How did all
easily.
for Harding against River Valley. Losing 14
of this start?” that, however, is a question
-41 the Presidents fought their hardest and
not so easily answered. Guesses ranged
force. River Valley is still facing other
left River Valley with a reminder that we
from the 90’s to the 70’s from where this all
sports such as tennis. We still are fighting
may fall, but not without a fight.
started, and no answer was quite the same.
the good fight and keeping our heads held
From the quests of two teams in Marion
high, but this rivalry will not soon be over.
year, River Valley snuck out and vandalized
But what does the rest of the populasomething that seniors and sports players
Others, however, enjoy it. Like Senior
Questions still rise that are difficult to
tion at Harding know about this rivalry that
Regardless, the rivalry has been on full
Sports
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 7
LJ Scott’s hurdle is so good it’s illegal
Cheyenne Abrams
Herald Editor
The Twittersphere erupted Wednesday,
Sept. 25, with retweets, hashtags, ESPN, and
leaps galore. The football team and devoted
supporters, and even some everyday students,
tried their absolute hardest to get Harding High
School’s very own running back, LJ Scott, on
ESPN’s Top Ten Plays of the Day. That is a
segment from Sports Center during which athletes get featured by video submissions for
outstanding plays, no matter the sport. LJ was
recorded hurdling over a defending player,
trucking through another, then finishing with a
50-yard touchdown.
This video was recorded by Brooklyn
Pritchard, Ty Endlsey, Cain Lackey, and Nate
Sperling, edited by the Harding Telecommunications team, then added to HHS’s Telecom
YouTube channel by Nate Sperling.
Hard work paid off as anxious students
and a very excited LJ Scott stayed up far past
“bedtime” in piles of long-forgotten homework
to see Scott make the cut.
“It was like being a little kid and waiting
for Christmas all over again,” Robert Lambert,
a sophomore, stated.
The nail-biting anticipation increased as
Sports Center Top Ten started its countdown.
As it got to number two of the countdown,
some students were let down, but that didn’t
give any devoted Scott fan reason to lose hope.
Harding High School students lost their minds
when LJ Scott, from small-town Marion, Ohio,
tian Ugarte, commenting on LJ’s YouTube
video.
Harding Stadium’s press box went into an
uproar with questions and comments as Scott
made number one of Sports Center’s Top Ten
Plays of the Day.
Scott’s play was penalized during the
game for hurdling Toledo Bowsher’s #23,
Doniven Clark. Hurdling is illegal in high
school football unless the defending player is
laying on the ground because it causes a hazard.
“I don’t know whether to hate him or
follow him on Twitter! I mean, I’m on ESPN
getting hurdled, things just got real,” said Clark.
“Flags are always thrown against great
players, it levels the playing field,” said Sebas-
leaped Clark. “In my 24 years of watching
Harding sports, the only time I’ve seen a hurdle
like that was during track season,” said a high
school football spectator.
Scott’s committed college, Louisville, also
had an input by saying that even though this run
was negated, it’s still highly impressive. They
then asked permission to use this video on their
website and newspapers.
“This definitely brings great attention to
LJ, Telecom, Harding, and Marion,” said Har-
Kier Scott: MVP of the Month
Joshua Blauser
Journalism Student
Harding High School has
many fantastic athletes, who are
not only good at the sport they
play, but show strong character
as well. The varsity coaches have
come up with an ‘MVP’. This is
a player who, the coaches feel,
helps make the team what they
are. Kier Scott is the Harding
Herald’s Player of the Month.
Kier has been playing
football for eight years now,
starting in 2005. He started playing on a midget football team,
the JETS. He played for the
JETS for two years, then he
joined the travel football team,
the Titans. Those were the first
football teams he ever played on.
“I play football because I
have been playing for eight years
now. So it’s kind of just normal
now to join football every year. I
also love football, so that’s also
another reason I tend to play
football every year,” said Kier.
What drives him to be the
best he can be is the fact that he
is a senior captain and his teams
need him to help his team to be
successful.
Photo by Marion City Schools
“Along with my team,
many younger children who aspire to be a football player look
up to me and I try to provide a
good example or model for the
younger people who look at us
every day,” said Kier.
ding’s Head Football Coach John Brady. “Most
people look at this as a great play, which it is,
but Harding coaches and players see it every
day. It’s nothing new to us—LJ always impresses us when he gets his hands on the ball,”
Brady continued.
The Telecom video has over 500,000
views thus far and counting. Mr. John Mullins,
the Telecommunications advisor for Harding,
has received numerous phone calls from national media outlets such as ESPN, Fox Sports,
NBC Sports, and Yahoo to use the video for
airing. “It exploded into something none of us
imagined,” Mullins stated.
“LJ Scott is exactly what college recruiters
are looking for, but he is also the kind of kid
you want in your locker room. LJ is constantly
striving to do his absolute best. He is responsible on and off the fields. If he isn’t practicing,
he is in the weight room, on the track, or on the
field,” said Harding spectator and former coach
John Cupps.
“LJ is the best, but he just wants to be
better. No one is going to stop him from achieving that,” Cupps commented. “It’s funny, because it’s great that LJ was on ESPN, for him
and everyone involved,. But LJ IS going to play
for Louisville, in the ACC. He IS going to be on
ESPN, but it’s neat seeing it happen to him for
the first time. He is a special player, and I look
forward to seeing him graduate, go to college,
and work his butt off to get into the NFL,”
Cupps went on.
Volleyball serves up some wins
five. In a volleyball game, six people are on
the court at one time.
Hannah McCleese
Butcher said Coach Rose CunJournalism Student
ningham is her favorite coach because “She
makes volleyball fun, but also makes us
better as individuals but as a team.”
Shania Butcher from the Junior
Taylor McIntire from the varsity
Varsity volleyball team is new to Harding
volleyball team has played for Harding for
and she’s played for Marion City for four
two years and she’s played for Marion City
years. She joined volleyball because it’s
for four years. She
competitive and
has also attended
she was naturally
all the Elementary
good at it. Butcher
camps. McIntire
enjoys the games,
joined volleyball
the adrenaline
because “Every
rush during the
time I watched a
games and down
team play it
balling balls.
looked like a lot
They
of fun and I love
have practice evehow it takes a
ry day during the
whole team to
week, even when
give it their all,
there is no school. Harding’s Varsity Volleyball team. Photo by
not just one perPractice takes
Marion City Schools.
son.”
place at Harding
Volleyball
has
three basic
in the gymnasium and sometimes they lift in
moves
that
are
pass,
set,
and
hit. Volleyball
the weight room. Practice is two hours long.
positions
on
a
team
consist
of
three frontJunior varsity always practices with the
row players and three back-row players.
freshmen, and half the practice
they practice with the varsity. Practice starts off with warming up,
then doing different drills that help
improve their skills such as the
“cooperation drills’ which is when
you have to get a volley going for
so long before you can stop. Junior
varsity has practice from 2:30 to
5:30. Varsity has practice from
4:30 to 6:30.
So far this season junior
varsity has won three games out of
eight. Junior varsity goes by best
out of three and Varsity is best of
Harding’s JV Volleyball team. Photo by Marion
City Schools.
Faces in the Hall
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 8
Name: Amber Hornbeck
If you could be in a cartoon, which would it be? Why?
I would be in “Scooby Doo” because it is my favorite cartoon.
Vampires vs. zombies? Why?
Vampires because vampires live on forever and cannot die unless
someone kills them.
Do you believe in the supernatural? Why?
Yes, because I lived in a haunted house.
What’s your best Homecoming experience?
When all of your friends are there.
SOPHOMORE
FRESHMAN
ONE PERSON FROM EACH CLASS WILL BE RANDOMLY CHOSEN SPOTLIGHT IN EVERY ISSUE
Xbox One or PS4?
PS4.
Vampires vs. Zombies? Why?
Zombies, because they are better.
Do you believe in the supernatural? Why?
Uh no, IDK, that’s weird.
What’s your best homecoming experience?
Ha ha. I’ve only been here for two years, so ask me next year.
Xbox One or PS4?
Neither, laptop.
If you could dress up as anything on Halloween, what would it be?
A princess.Ha ha.
if you could dress up as anything on Halloween, what would it be?
A zombie or something to scare little kids.
How old is “too old” to trick or treat?
When you’re dead.
SENIOR
How old is “too old” to trick or treat?
Twenty-two years old because of my brother.
JUNIOR
If you could be in a cartoon, which would it be? Why?
“Fairly Odd Parents.” It’s amazing.
How will you spend Halloween?
Eating candy, lots of it.
How will you spend Halloween?
Scaring little kids.
Name: Nathan Lawrence
Name: Kennedy Davis
Name: Allen Jones
If you could be in a cartoon, which would it be? Why?
“Ren & Stimpy.” I liked how funny they are together, it reminded me of me and my friends.
If you could be in a cartoon, which would it be? Why?
“Rocket Power” or “Hey, Arnold!”
Vampires vs. zombies? Why?
Zombies, just be way too many zombies.
Vampires vs. zombies? Why?
Lol, what?
Do you believe in the supernatural? Why?
Yes, because I have had run-ins.
Do you believe in the supernatural? Why?
Yeah.
What’s your best Homecoming experience?
Freshman year, instead of going to a fancy restaurant, she
decided that we just go to Denny’s.
What’s your best Homecoming experience?
Probably my sophomore year. It was just fun.
Xbox One or PS4?
Xbox One.
Xbox One or PS4?
Xbox for life.
How will you spend Halloween?
Throw candy at little kids.
How will you spend Halloween?
Watching Disney Channel, judge me.
If you could dress up as anything on Halloween, what would it be?
Dead Annie.
If you could dress up as anything on Halloween, what would it be?
Jesus.
How old is “too old” to trick or treat?
If you’re old enough to think candy corn taste good, then
you’re too old.
How old is “too old” to trick or treat?
35.
Web Extra 1
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 9
New staff members join Harding family
Kailey Abrams
Herald Editor
Harding High School welcomes
a dozen new staff members to the
classroom and administration.
This is Mr. John Carder’s first
year as an assistant principal. Mr.
Carder wanted to work with students to “help them reach their
goals and to see them be successful.” He also worked at Marysville
High School for ten years as a science/biology teacher. He went to
college at Ohio Northern University, Urbana University, and University of Cincinnati.
Mr. Josh Clevenger has been a
teacher for five years. He has taught
at Delaware Hayes High School
and Franklin Woods Intermediate
(Southern City Schools). He went
to college for seven years, five of at
Bowling Green. The other two
years, he went to Ashland University. Mr. Clevenger teaches Special
Education Math. “Great teachers I
had in school” influenced him to be
a teacher.
Miss Andrea Grimm has been a
teacher for a total of four years.
Three years she taught in Mexico
and one year in Ohio. She teaches
French/International Studies. She
went to college at Ohio State for
four years. “Go Buckeyes!” She
also taught at International American School of Cancun, Mexico. “I
love working with people, watching
and learning from their creativity.
It’s lovely to be around smiling faces all day.”
Mr. Korey Keplinger is in his
first year of teaching. Mr.
Keplinger teaches Modern World
History, African-American History,
and OGT Prep. He studied at Otterbein University for four years.
"Teaching is something I've wanted
to do since middle school. Teachers
I had in school, and my family
members that teach, influenced me
to be a teacher." Mr. Keplinger did
his methods and study teaching at
Northland High School in Columbus.
Mr. Kirk Koennecke was an
educator for twenty years and has
been with Marion City Schools
since April. Mr. Koennecke received his undergrad bvachelor’s
degreefrom OSU and his master’s
from Miami of Ohio. He has also
worked at Kent, Mayfield, Barberton, Bedford, and Springfield
schools. "Initially other adults who
were my role model" influenced
him to work with students, but later
"coaches, teachers, community
members."
ing experience that I feel
helps.”
Miss Jessica Miller is in
her second year of teaching.
She also taught seventh grade
at Gahanna Middle School last
year. Miss Miller teaches General and Accelerated Physical
Science,. She studied at Ohio
Wesleyan University for four
years and The Ohio State University for two years. Miss
Miller said, “I wanted to make
a difference in the world. I had
many teachers who inspired
my throughout my life, and I
wanted to be able to do that for
other students. Plus, I love sci-
New Harding staff members are (left to right): John Smith, Tola Sanusi, Josh
Clevenger, Anthony Zarcone, Amie Ramsey, Justen La Plante, Andrea Grimm, Korey
Klepinger, JessieMiller, Mike Panamarczuk, John Carder, Kirk Koennecke.
Photo by Becky Gilliam, Marion City Schools.
Mr. Justen La Plante teaches
Chemistry, Physical Science, and
Middle School Science. Mr. La
Plante said, “I’ve gone to OSUMain for Chemical Engineering and
STEM Education for 7-12.” He
has also taught at Franklin High
School, Davidson High School,
Lincoln High School, and OSU
Chemistry Department Lab as a
TA. Mr. La Plante said, “I was impressed with the competence, confidence, and character development
of sergeants and officers in the army. I felt that I could do the something as a civilian teacher. I have a
wealth of chemistry and engineer-
ence.”
Mr. Mike Panamarczuk
has been a teacher for half a
year. He teaches Biology and
Advanced Biology. He has
also taught at Springfield High
School. Mr. Panamarczuk
studied at the University of
Toledo for five and a half
years. He has two degrees in
Biology Education. He was
influenced by "the will to want
to make a difference in the
lives of others, and former
teachers who have positively
impacted me throughout the
years." he said.
Miss Amie Ramsey has
worked as a teacher for two
years. Miss Ramsey teaches
Physical Science, Biology,
Environmental Science, and
English. She said, “I taught online last year for ECOT. I completed my student teaching
here at Harding just two years
ago,” Ramsey went to Muskingum University for four
years and B.A in Communication Ashland University for
two years. Miss Ramsey said,
“I wanted to give back to the
students in my community. I
wanted to become a teacher to
help struggling children.”
Mrs. Tola Sanusi Studied
in England at Greenwich University for three years, CUNY
(New York) for four years, and
University of Phoenix for two
years. She obtained her undergrad degrees in Computer Science, Accounting, and her
MBA from those respective
colleges. Mrs. Sanusi said,
"My previous company encouraged its employees to volunteer in public schools teaching and I loved mentoring the
young people at my church to
help them succeed. I enjoy
imparting knowledge to others." This is Mrs. Sanusi's first
year of teaching but she was a
substitute at Grant Middle
School from December 2012
to May 2013. She teaches PC
APPs one I and II, College
Prep Computer Applications,
and Business Education.
Mr. John Smith went to
college at Otterbein University
for four years. “I love sharing
my knowledge and preparing
kids for their futures,” Mr.
Smith said. He student taught
at Delaware Hayes and Northland High (Columbus city).
Mr. Smith teaches English I
and II.
Mr. Anthony Zarcone is in
his second year of teaching. He
also taught at Big Walnut Middle School. Mr. Zarcone coteach Algebra 1. Math, and is
an Intervention Specialist. He
went to college at Muskingum
University for four years. He
said, “Two of my high school
teachers influenced me the
Web Extra 2
Friday, October 4, 2013
Page 10
Editorial cartoon: Should the Pledge of Allegiance be required in school? (See article on page 3). By Hanna Rish, Grade 12.
Marion musician moves up on iTunes
Faith Demico
Journalism Student
Alex Sheridan’s very first album
“Heartbeats” is now in the top 100 on
iTunes. He placed the first time in #96,
but now he places #77.
He graduated from Marion Catholic
high school in 2005; he also went to Ohio
State University for Early Childhood Education. Alex has been making music since
his junior year in high school, but he didn't start writing and recording his own
music until his freshman year in college
(2005-2006).
His very first concert was at OSUM
Fest in Marion. He says it was fun, that
they had a couple of guys who had only
practiced a few times. His singer was a
girl named Kayleigh Schofield and a few
days before that she had sung the National
Anthem. At the festival he sang
“Heartbeats,” “Ardy,” “Ready to Ride,”
“Butt by Betty,” “Rememberies,”
“Feeling Fly,” “On Top of the World,” “A
Little More Hip Hop,” “Starry Nights,”
“Say You Gotta Man,” “Muddy Shoes,”
and “FINE,” and he said it turned out
amazing.
Alex was going to name his first
album “On Top of the World” but he
thought it would be too long, so he decided to make it “Heartbeats.”
“I never really made a conscious
decision to get into production, or music. I
just started messing around with some
music software when I was in high school
and things just slowly evolved into it being a fulltime thing.”
He says that he gets inspired by just
about everything such as art, other music,
businesses, people...everything. He says that
every situation, person, or object has something about it that is completely mind blowing and inspirational if you look at it the
right way.
His album came out on July 30, 2013.
“Producing the album was a crazy
process. There are so many little accents,
and hidden Easter eggs that 99% of people
will never notice, that I agonized over for
months, trying to get it just perfect. It's a
blast creating music and getting to share
that music with the world, but there's never
a "finished product." That's the worst part
about art. There's no such thing as perfection... there's only good enough. I had a
hard time accepting that”
His album features Skee-Lo, B. Stille
(from Nappy Roots), Rickie Spanish, Doc
Ice (from Whodini), NativeOfVA, Nite Tha
Grrness, the list goes on and on. “I did a
song with Cupid (“The Cupid Shuffle”) for
the album, but it didn't fit in well with the
rest of the tracks so I decided to not put it
on this project.”
He also has his mother Shelly and his
sister Emily yelling in the background to
create a crowed feel, also like a bunch of
hooligans. He likes to make beats for fun,
then he started recording and producing
songs for a local artist; the local artist he
worked for was Cie Breeze and Nite Tha
Grrness. From there he started sending his
instrumentals to bigger and bigger names,
building relationships and getting connections. Right now he has two people helping
with his new songs: Lobergeek and Gabby
Short. Most of his songs feature a man
named Vernon LeLand Curren, who had
played guitar in “Heartbeats,” but in most
of his songs he plays bass.
Right now Alex is working on his
new album and he has a handful of songs
on it.
His songs are about “just about life.
I'm a pretty simple guy. I don't care too
much about material objects or brands, so I
can't rap about whips or chains. I don't do
any drugs to rap about. And I'm happily
married, so rapping about dimepieces and
donks is out, if I don't want to get into
trouble. I'm not left with too much to write
about.”
He had worked at a preschool and he
made a couple songs with the kids but they
became just random stuff. He also has a
new music video coming out called “We
All Fall Down.” Alex says it will have kids
in it singing and that it’s more kiddie
songs.
“The idea of the album cover was that
he saw an abandoned school, and me and
my buddy’s child named Evan Sickmiller
in the hallway. We asked Kristian Irey to
take the pictures and choose that picture!”
The songs that took him the longest were “On Top of the World” and
“Rememberies.” He worked on them
for about six years. His song “I Try”
has a sample of Macy Gray’s song.
His goal is to be able to get his
new album out next July. It will have
about 12 or 13 songs on it and he
might put more family in it as background voices.
His whole album is on the following sites: Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and pretty much almost all the
popular album sites. Also go to Ichoirmusic.com and you can buy his album
and his new album when it comes out
in stores.
He has a spoiler alert and it’s two
of his new songs which are: “You
Found Me” and “Magic.”
He likes the singing career because he says it’s like cool being able
to express yourself and have fun. Also
you get paid to do it, and you don't get
forced to do it if you don't feel like
doing it for a day, like you can take a
day off without getting in trouble for
not going. Also you are not forced to
do anything or to do it immediately.
He also says that it is very inspiring
and super fun to do.
The reason he likes to sing so
much is because “I think it’s just a fun
way to express myself and get rid of
some creative energy. It’s also super
satisfying when other people listen to
your stuff for the first time. I’m addicted to getting feedback. Verbally,
and nonverbal...just watching people
as they listen.”