Contra-Banned

CONTRA-BANNED... Phoenix rising from the Ghoulish treats: tasty or coffee grounds p. 12 toxic? p. 22 Hoodwinked? They’re listening to WHAT? You decide. p. 20 p. 24 Vol. 88, No. 3 • November 2008 • Lakewood High School•14100 Franklin Blvd.• Lakewood, OH, 44107 Cover Photo by Alex Mezin, Staff Photographer. Cover Design by Thealexa Becker, Design Editor. ...or just CONTROVERSIAL? The Lakewood Times Hey, LHS! Editorial Board We did it! One quarter down, just three more to go. During the last month Rebecca McKinsey Editor in Chief of this quarter, The Times has been working to discover how students and Thealexa Becker Design & Focus Editor staff at Lakewood High feel about the dress code. We took advantage of Rachel Kowalski News Editor the convenience offered by Scantrons to get more data and comments than Sarah Jawhari Opinion Editor Times surveys ever have before. Some of what we found was expected, but Isabella Zettler Lakewood Life Editor Jacob Ott Sports Editor a lot of the information and opinions we received surprised us. Read on to Andrew O’Connor Advertising & Business Manager discover what LHS says about dress code. Valerie Locke Names Monitor In addition to dress code controversy, this month’s issue offers reviews Miranda Mave Art & Photo Coordinator of movies, books, music, and restaurants; fun new info about the SAT and Adam Mihalski Public Relations & Pollster ACT; a faceoff between two Times staff members; and information from Wilson Sackett Exchange Editor female LHS athletes about who influences them. Enjoy, and remember that Fiza Shah Future Book Compiler we’re always welcoming new members! Danielle Szabo Distribution Head Rebecca Karen Ballash Adviser These sad-looking students are behind bars because they are guilty of the following transgressions: (From left to right) Josh Watkins, illegal headgear; Meredith Richards, showing too much shoulder; Jordan Congeni, a real hardened criminal in hoodie, sunglasses and sweatpants; Anna Marburger, indecent exposure of the midsection; Abbey Hegarty, entirely too comfortable; along with everyday hoodielums Carley Ama- long, Mary Beth Donahoe and Emily Jackson. ...or just Contents Focus 4 – Clothing Statement News CONTROVERSIAL? 10 – Freshmen discover Lakewood 12 – Phoenix not just a myth anymore 13 – Teachers exchanging students 22 14 – Recent grad investigates FBI 15 – Prepping for your future 16 – Chance Encounter News Briefs Editorial The arrival of fall 17 – Inquiring Times means the coming of Study hall studied Halloween and winter sports (above). 18 – Cheers and Jeers Cheerleaders show off their routines (right). Open mind, open campus Photo by Kim Farkas. Dr. Sidney Peterson and 19 – Times’ take on hoodies her daughter, Emily 20 – Faceoff on dress code take in the scenery in Poland (below). 21 – Bookroom hours conflict Lakewood Life 22 – Dying for sweets “Twilight” highlights 31 23 – Cereal Central Little Italy 24 – “Nick and Norah” won’t bore ya Playlist Profile 25 – Musical musings Sports 26 – Girls’ sports influences 28 – Wilson’s Words of Wisdom 29 – Winterhurst no longer on thin ice 30 – Editor’s Corner Underclassmen Uncovered 31 – Ranger Report Sports Under Review 13 November 2008 3 Focus Focus Students speak: no more hoodie rule By Rebecca McKinsey, Editor in Chief less tops, opposed by 75 percent; and the con- It’s no secret that Lakewood High students straints on clothing that is in disrepair or has don’t like the hoodie rule. What may come as a holes (74 percent). surprise, however, is that they don’t have a big “ y class was interrupted to Reasons for this opposition are varied. One M problem with the rest of the dress code. is the ever-present freedom of expression ar- punish people wearing hood- More than three hundred LHS students gument – 57 percent of students believe the completed surveys to let The Times know what current dress code is too restrictive of personal ies when a security guard they thought about the dress code. While some expression. aspects of the results only reinforce the com- came in to check. Not only Twenty-one percent of surveyed students plaints that staff members have heard count- believe that the restrictions set forth by the were the five to ten people less times, others are unexpected. dress code are so extensive that having uni- Most significant is the response regarding deprived of a lesson, but the forms would be better. the hoodie rule. Of the students surveyed – “I think that having this strict of a dress code whole class was distracted close to 100 in each grade – 92 percent say the is basically like wearing a uniform already,” rule needs to go. for the rest of the period.” sophomore McKenzie McKernan said. “Either Reasons regarding this majority opinion get rid of it or give us uniforms.” were varied, but one that becomes more sig- Students and faculty alike agree that viola- nificant with the approach of colder weather is tions and subsequent enforcement are exten- the warmth offered by hoodies. to check. Not only were the five to ten people sive. The Times was unable to obtain data on “I know that wearing hoodies can be a prob- deprived of a lesson, but the whole class was dress code violations from LHS administra- lem,” one student said. “However, getting wet distracted for the rest of the period.” tors. However, student-reported results from a going across the street and being cold is a prob- Students deny the argument that the apparel similar dress code survey conducted by Jamie lem also.” banned by the dress code is distracting to their Cure’s English class last year verify that viola- While the opposition to the hoodie rule learning. On average, 84 percent of students do tions are occurring. Of the students surveyed, comes as no surprise, what may be more un- not find any of the restricted apparel distracting. 26.8 percent said they had violated dress code expected is that the majority of students – 66 The only articles of clothing a larger amount of more than five times, and 12.5 percent claimed percent – admit there should be some type of students say are distracting are short skirts (30 they had been sent home more than five times dress code, and 60 percent say they agree with percent) and low necklines (25 percent). And for dress code violations. most of the current dress code. while only 32 percent of students support the “The dress code was a good idea when it The areas of the current dress code that are ban on short skirts, 73 percent agree that low started, but now it is out of control,” junior supported by the majority of LHS students are necklines shouldn’t be allowed. Mike McMaster said. the restrictions on low necklines (73 percent), The largest dissent is found with the hoodie Students also protest the inconsistency pres- clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, rule – 96 percent of students say hoodies are ent in current enforcement procedures. “I don’t sex, and violence (71 percent), sheer or light- not distracting. have a problem with a dress code, but everyone weight clothing (70 percent), and oversized, “I believe I speak for everyone when I say at this school is not treated equally,” senior baggy, or tight-fitting clothing (54 percent). that a hooded sweatshirt doesn’t distract learn- James Bond said. “Security guards don’t write Several aspects of the dress code, on the ing or is the cause of problems,” sophomore up certain people because they are friendly with other hand, stand out as being greatly opposed Grant Graves said. them, while other people get caught. If every- by students. The most significant is the hoodie Next up were body piercings, which 88 per- one gets treated the same way, then there is not rule. Others are restrictions on body piercings cent said weren’t distracting, then dyed hair – 84 a problem.” and unnaturally colored hair, both opposed percent of the LHS students surveyed said they The dress code set forth by the Lakewood by 76 percent of students; the ban on sleeve- don’t find unnaturally colored hair distracting Board of Education states as one of the rea- to their learning. sons for having a dress code, “We expect stu- “Piercings don’t bother the educational pro- dents to maintain the type of appearance that is cess,” sophomore Miklos Szabo said. “It’s not “I know that wearing not distracting or disruptive to students, teach- like they are talking to us while we are trying to ers, or the educational process of the school.” learn. They are just being worn, and if it both- hoodies can be a problem. Despite this, many students assert the extensive ers you, then don’t look at the person.” enforcement of dress code is actually increas- Students also believe the time and effort that However, getting wet going ing disruption, more than the banned articles security guards and administration put into en- across the street and be- of clothing ever did. forcing dress code take away from more impor- “I really and truly believe that hoodies and tant needs. ing cold is a problem also.” other such disallowed articles of clothing are “The administration has a lot more impor- ten times the distraction they were before they tant issues to deal with besides the dress code, were banned,” sophomore Nicole Dashiell said. such as truancy and fights,” senior Kelsey Mo- “My class was interrupted to punish people ran said. “They have become too wrapped up wearing hoodies when a security guard came in in punishing students for petty things.” 4 The Lakewood Times Focus Focus Teachers weigh in: hoodie rule a hassle By Rebecca McKinsey, Editor in Chief is high among LHS staff, with an average of 89 Teachers and staff are usually seen as the percent agreeing with the restrictions on over- bad guys when it comes to the dress code.

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