THE Spectrum

Avon Lake High School THE SPECTRUM Volume 92, Issue 3 “The Maroon and Gold in Black and White” November 17, 2017 Alumnus changes lives through life of service By Olivia Crimaldi the idea that one should give back from what they Fall Sports Review The Spectrum Feature Editor have gotten. Avon Lake High School was the founda- In the middle of southern Africa, bordered by tion of a life of service for Matt. Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique, lies the coun- “I loved being at Avon Lake High School because try of Malawi. Listed as the sixth poorest country I remember our class was very together,” he said in the world by Business Insider this year, Malawi explaining his high school experience. “There were is also the most impoverished country in the world a lot of students from different backgrounds, with Kneeling during the that is not currently at war. It is there where Avon different interests, but everybody seemed to look Lake High School out for each other. National Anthem alumni Matt It was a very good debated Maroon chose to dynamic that has start his founda- stuck with me tion, Determined through college, to Develop. and through life as Matt gradu- well.” One Chip Challenge ated from Avon After high Lake High School school, Matt ob- in 2002 after tained his under- years of involve- graduate degree in ment in Student political science on Council and Key a pre law track at The Kaleidescope Club. Matt said the University of there was always Dayton. However, 2017 returns! See an undercurrent after graduating, page 7 for ALHS’s of service from he decided to take literary magizine teachers, faculty, a year off before en- and parents. All during the intensity of the supported of law school. Senior describes activities at the photo provided by Bruce Petro see Maroon school promoted Maroon, seen here, working with young Malawians. page 11 the highs and lows Nothing stopping freshmen from success of his last year By Ava O’Malley swimming was no longer my The Spectrum Co-Editor-in-Chief dream sport,” Schasfoort Avon Lake High School has a myriad said. “Last year I decid- of outstanding students and alumni, no- ed to try track and I ended table for specific talents or accomplish- up being really good at it.” ments. One of these students is freshman Her decision to Nelya Schasfoort, a lifelong athlete, junior join track was quite random. paralympian, model, and world record She saw fliers at school ad- holder. It’s amazing for anyone to have vertising track tryouts and that laundry list of accomplishments, and decided to take her chanc- even more spectacular when you take into es with a new sport. Nelya consideration that Nelya is only 14 years jumped into track with little old. She also suffers from Arthrogryposis experience but quickly real- Multiplex Congenita, a congenital disabil- ized that it was the perfect ity which decreased the muscular function sport for her. However, the in both of her arms at a very young age. transition from swimming Nelya has been involved in athletics to running was challenging photo provided by Karen Stary since childhood. She entered into the many for Schasfoort . “I was so All cameras on Neyla after she broke the world record. national competitions primarily as a swim- used to all of the different Nelya’s talent for track is best dis- mer. Schasfoort participated in multiple techniques of swimming. When I went played in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 triathlons and championships around the into track, I had to get used to all of the meter, and the long jump. After running country. Despite her success as a swim- new techniques.” Schasfoort said. “I had on her school team, she went to a nation- mer, Nelya recently made the decision to adapt to using new muscles and meth- al paralympic track meet in California. to pursue track and field. “I realized that ods of running. It was definitely different.” see student page 6 Page 2 The Spectrum Editorial Page November 17, 2017 Meet the Eagle Scouts of Avon Lake “Things We Do in By Jack Gardner “I enjoyed scouts and all the great friends The Spectrum Staff Writer I made during the meetings and campouts, the Dark” What do Steven Spielberg and Neil Arm- Foley said. “It was a lot of fun learning all of In a Principal’s strong have in common? They are both Eagle the scout skills and earning all of my merit column in a school Scouts. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy badges. Being an Eagle Scout means a lot to newspaper, this Scouts of America, an achievement consid- me because it runs though my family and the headline would prob- ered by many to be a great honor. whole journey was a ton of fun.” Of all the ably lead the reader Becoming an Eagle Scout takes great focus parts of his Eagle journey, Foley says his fa- to imagine an editorial about appro- and dedication, which is why so few people vorite part was his first year of summer camp priate and ethical become Eagle Scouts. Only four percent of when all of the older scouts were still active behavior. Correct! Boy Scouts ever reach the rank of Eagle. in the troop. But for the reasons However, Eagle Scouts are everywhere, even Senior Colin Wadsworth runs for the you might think. I in Avon Lake, Ohio, where amazing projects Avon Lake Cross Country team, but he is also am writing to share were completed so those scouts could reach an Eagle Scout. Wadsworth said he really an experience I recently had at the Shoregals the coveted rank. This is one’s story. enjoys technology which was his inspiration Sectional Volleyball game at Midview. Junior Nick Foley may seem just like your for his eagle project. His Eagle project was Just prior to the start of the match vs. Mag- nificat, the power went out. Both teams, as well average Avon Lake High School student, but getting two 3-d printers for the engineering as spectators and officials, were in the gym he is also an Eagle Scout. Nick Foley was part department of Avon Lake High School. when things went “dark.” Everyone, including of Boy Scout Troop 338 when he achieved the “My love of technology and dislike of GBED, groaned. Great! After a long day, this. rank of Eagle Scout. manual labor motivated me to find a tech Character is what you do when noone For his Eagle project Foley created raised project.” said Wadsworth. is watching. That evening, in the darkness garden beds for the Lucy Idol Center because Wadsworth has made a lot of great mem- of Midview High, our Shoregals, as well as of the owners enjoyment of nature and wild- ories as a Boy Scout and his commitment to the Magnificat, St. Joseph Academy and Ol- life. The purpose of this was to make it easier the scouting program will carry on what he msted Falls teams demonstrated the true meaning of character and sportsmanship. for the handicapped and people in wheel- has learned during his journey throughout While teams were bumping the ball in the chairs to see/plant in the garden. In addition the rest of his life and future career paths. dark, waiting to play, they started cheering. to the raised garden beds, he created bird “Being an Eagle Scout to me is, having the Each team began with their favorite school houses plus bird and squirrel feeders to be focus and strength to do any task no matter or team cheer, and a competition seemed to hung around the garden. what it is.” said Wadsworth. build. Then, someone brought a rechargeable Foley’s family is filled with Eagle Scouts, Chris Stepak, a senior at Avon Lake High karaoke machine with disco ball lights, into the including his brother, uncle and grandfather, School, is currently working towards gym. Music began to play, and, with lights swirl- ing around the gym, the Magnificat girls began which caused Nick Foley to be introduced to See scouts on page 11 line dancing (The Chicago Hustle, I believe). scouts early. Our Shoregals stopped, stared, and im- ALHS Teachers Try to Take the Heat mediately rushed toward the other team. By Mallory Smith and Margo Lence simple: last to drink his milk or eat his ice In an instant, it began, a full blown high school line dance, with all of the teams, The Spectrum Editors cream wins. and many spectators, moving to “left There are times throughout the year Not long after eating the chip, Dr. foot, two stomps.” The dancers laughed when the ALHS community gathers to wit- Williams boldly poured his milk into the and cheered, hugged and clapped, engag- ness something unforgettable. These times wastebin next to him. “I was trying to go for ing in spontaneous fun and friendship. might be football games, choir concerts, or an intimidation factor,” Williams recalls. “I When the tournament officials moved to- commencement ceremonies. Other times, thought I could convince the others to give ward the dancers, with their red flag sticks in however, the students and staff gather to in.” Those gathered marveled at the act of hand, it appeared the “party in the dark” would watch the consumption of a single tortilla confidence as Mr. Smylie called Williams out be ended by OHSAA rule. Instead, the white- clad judges jumped right in, “cha-cha-ing” in the chip. plainly. “Now that was cocky,” Smylie joked.

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