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National Signing day comes and goes By Greg Griffin “I’m undecided with what I National Signing Day has want to do, but being a game warden come and gone with two seniors at or a job in criminal justice interests me Loudonville High School signed and the most,” Kyle said. ready to play football! Last Wednes- Garrett and Kyle are excited day Kyle Clady and Garrett Dotson about being able to do what they love both signed to play football at college. the most and that is football. They are Kyle signed to Ashland University, also excited about college and what and Garrett signed to Wright State. might happen while they are there. Both of them have worked very hard in “I can’t wait to meet my new their high school careers, and they are teammates. I’ve already talked to most ready to take their knowledge and hard of them, but it’ll be interesting. Some work to the football field and the class- of the players are from Florida, Ken- room. tucky, and mostly Ohio. I’m just excit- Even though Garrett and Kyle ed to be around new people,” Garrett signed to play football, their education said. “I’m most excited about the col- Kyle (64) and Garret (25) walk is a big part of making it through col- lege experience and meeting new peo- together off the football field lege and finding a good job. Taking ple. Playing at the next level for 4 classes in college will allow them to I’m going to have to take pre -requisite more years will be a great experience,” find jobs that they are interested in. classes that will allow me to be a social Kyle said “I want to go into social work. worker,” Garrett said. LHS Drill Team dances to the top

By Morgan Graham more that are coming up. The next to make memories that they’ll never Loudonville’s Drill Team per- dances are February 11 th , 17th and the forget. forms every year at half time for the 21 st . I recommend coming to watch the “I personally have had many boys’ basketball games. last three, they’re going to be the best memories with these girls but I will “This year our season has been ones yet,” Smart said. never forget at our latest performance great. We’ve made huge improvements To learn the new routine danc- on January 27 we had a hip hop dance. from last year and this year we have ers have to learn the steps, counting, So after we finished our eight count we had a lot of chorography thrown at us, and learning how to put the dance to- were supposed to hold our pose and so we’ve definitely taken advantage of gether. As a team the girls have to Savannah Sheppard dropped her hand it. The girls on the team are great and learn how to be on time for each step. to her side and started spiriting while we’ve had a lot of fun together per- “It all just depends on what type of everyone else was still holding our forming. I think it is safe to say we’ve person you are. Thankfully, this year pose. That will always be my favorite given drill team a better name,” said we’ve gotten girls who are smart and memory of the season because as eve- drill team performer Katie Smart. can catch on easily. We are now capa- ryone knows you never spirit at the The drill team performs every ble of learning a whole dance in just end of a dance,” said Smart. other week. They use the time between two hours and it’s great because then performances to learn the choreogra- we have more time to perfect it,” phy for the dance. Each year the drill Smart said. team performs six dances for their sea- As the season winds down, son. “We have already performed three and seniors on the drill team time starts dances this year, but we have three to click away, the girls bond together 2 EDITORIAL: Technology plays big role at LHS

By Hannah Lane When schools give laptops or than without. Technology, over the years, tablets to the students, it makes turning Students are not the only ones has changed in so many ways. There in assignments more efficient. People in the school that rely on technology are laptops, smart phones, tablets, and say that the students will use the lap- anymore. Many teachers have now projectors. About twenty years ago, tops to get on You Tube and watch made technology a big part in their technology like this would be a fig- videos or get on sites and play games. lessons. Technology has just become a ment of our imagination. Back then, Like our school and many others, the big part in how students learn nowa- administration is able to block certain people used landlines phones and wire- days. It may just be me, but I’m per- less phones that were bigger than the sites to limit students from messing fectly fine with that. head of the user. around. Students in our school have People say that if students are been proven to be very organized allowed to use technology in school with their time and use their tech- they will just surf the web and just nology to their best advantage watch cat videos or do anything other when it comes to school work. than what they are supposed to be do- Parents, at first, were very ing. They believe that technology in unsure about how they felt having schools is going to make it harder for their kids on the internet instead of students to learn anything, but I be- doing book work. Does anyone else lieve just the opposite. These people feel this way? I don’t. Now that we don’t actually see what is going on in have had the laptops for a couple the class room. Technology can be years, their views have changed used in many ways to help students drastically. In a weird way students learn. are more likely to do homework at home if they have a laptop, rather EDITORIAL: The evils of social media By Shy Farely say whatever they wish because they They can change their name, age, and Social media: almost every- are behind a screen. Cyber bullies can even their pictures to make themselves body, especially teens, have at least put out embarrassing videos or photos look better and how they wish they one form of social media, whether it is of someone. They can also send mes- looked. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or some sages filled with name calling, threats, Addiction to such things can other social media. Chances are that and black mail into sending pictures cause one to become dependent to you have at least one. Some have nu- you don’t want to send or doing other online communications and isolate merous accounts on countless plat- things on the internet that can get you themselves from the “real world.” - - forms. Although there are benefits of hurt. We already have face to face bul- They can push away family, friends, social media and developing technolo- lying, I don’t think we need to allow and peers, becoming socially reliant on gy, there are also many detriments. more abuse, anonymous abuse, to hap- the phones and laptops. Teens (particularly teenage pen and become a reality. girls) who use social media platforms Some people believe that there are vulnerable to “predators.” People are no mentally harming factors that such a pimps, rapists/molesters, abduc- can come from social media but there tors, and stalkers, can easily get per- are addictions and anti -social behavior sonal information from people’s Face- as well as unneeded (and more) insecu- book posts. Things like your full name, rities caused by things such as Face- social security number, credit card in- book, Twitter, etc... Addictions to so- formation, your school, and even your cial media are caused by the feelings address can be tracked down if the of self -loving and security one gets wrong person gets ahold of your pages when they reach a certain amount of and IP address. views on their YouTube video or likes There is one other form of they get on their selfies or Facebook. predators out there, on the web: cyber Some people get addicted because they bullies. Cowards that think they can can be whoever they wish to be online. 3 EDITORIAL: Is love in the air? By Bailey Polen Day with your significant other. Mil- from the problems in their relationship “Love is in the Air” at least lions of people celebrate Valentine’s or that actually celebrating Valentine’s that is what is said on every mug I Day by spending time with their fami- Day is a sign that your relationship is passed in the store. For all of us “pro - lies or by swapping little gifts amongst failing. All of that is not exactly true. valentiners” and Cupid enthusiasts, their friends. Enjoying the time you Just because you celebrate it doesn’t February 14 th is our time to shine. have together with the people you love mean it’s a cover -up for how bad your Valentine’s Day can be some- is how Valentine’s Day should truly be relationship really is. what of a “touchy” subject for some viewed. On another note, isn’t having Another reason for not want- people. Especially those who see Val- an anti -Valentine’s Day on Valentine’s ing to celebrate Valentine’s Day is entine’s Day as “express how single I Day still celebrating the holiday? making the point that we should cele- am via Facebook” day, or a “looks like So many people have ex- brate love every day of the year, not I need to go and adopt another cat be- pressed their reasoning for why they just waiting for February 14 th to roll cause I’m obviously going to be single hate celebrating Valentine’s Day. around. We should also celebrate life forever when I’m only 14” day. Well Some say that it “distracts” people every day, but that doesn’t mean your suck it up, buttercup. Go buy yourself birthday is any less significant. Also, some grade A chocolates if it bothers if you only spend one day a year to you that much. “Well, I’m on a di- express your love to someone, your et…” So what? Try to spend at least relationship may have issues. one day out of the year to treat your- Please don’t be a Valentine’s self better then you usually do. Day scrooge. Spend some time with Look, no one ever said that the people you love, nibble on some you needed to celebrate Valentine’s chocolate, and eat lots of food. EDITORIAL: The air reeks of love By Jerrod Ward Cards, Necco and other cunning com- of poison and pestilent gas and is sure Valentine’s Day is a day dedi- panies. It is true that love struck fools to be harmful to everyone who inhales cated to love and people spending time will give the CEO’s of these compa- it. It is a completely pointless day be- with their significant other, sort of. On nies’ fat paychecks, but people will cause people waste money on faces of this day people tend to go on dates, spend money they do not have to buy their lovers made out of flowers and give each other boxes of chocolate the someone else something expensive some blood diamonds. Also, be smart size of cars and teddy bears the size of instead of paying for bills or buying and don’t empty your whole bank ac- actual bears, but why spend fiddy dol- groceries. count on someone who could leave lars on a giant bear for a girl or guy The majority of people cele- who could end up shattering your heart brate the holiday by going out to eat, you any minute, because bills won’t to a million pieces because they had surprising each other with expensive take this “holiday” off. That makes better things to do than to spend time gifts and sucking each other’s faces for those lonely souls who has to sit there with you? Why spend a whole day the sake of love, but there are others and watch all the puppy love and spit thinking about people who did nothing who are sitting alone who watch other swapping, feel worse about them- but hurt you emotionally and only saw people showing happiness and having selves. Now what did we learn today you as a walking, easily manipulated someone to spend time with and some- kids? That we shouldn’t fall for the wallet? What is point of a holiday that one to care about them other than their money and happiness chupacabra of a causes more pain then it does happi- family. Those lonely people feel horri- holiday called Valentine’s Day. ness? ble; like no one will ever love them Valentine’s Day is the day for because for the first time or even the “love”. More specifically, it’s for the 30th time, they sit there and get love of money. Clever marketing takes slapped over and over again by reality advantage of the suckers who have that they were alone on a day meant to been hit with “Cupids Arrow”. The share ones passion for that special people who will hand over hundreds of someone. dollars every year to big businesses “Love is in the air” is what like The Hersey Company, Hallmark everyone says. Well this this air reeks 4 Feature Loudonville’s family tree By Abbie Kline and Emily Weber In a town the size of Loudon- town. Laurel met Jim Schaffer and also having no children. Dan married ville, it is no surprise that a lot of peo- they eventually married and moved to Laurie Chambers, and they had three ple are related. Small towns are often Helena, Ohio, where they had two chil- children. hard to leave, so it makes sense that a dren. Fun fact: Some of you may lot of people stick around and start I know, I know, this is getting know Laurie Weber as one of the four their own families. This is the story, boring, but we will get to the people kindergarten teachers that you might well part of the story, of one such fam- you might know. Well, it all started have had or the girls head soccer ily. Glenn Weber and Virginia Sweit- when Harold, Lois, and Katie, decided coach. zer met at Dundee High School, which to stay near Loudonville. Harold, Dor- Carrie never married. When used to be located in Dundee, Ohio othy and their ten children, Jim, Deb, Carrie was born, the doctors told her near Strasburg. Now I know you might Pat, Jen, Dan, Carrie, Nancy, Pam, parents she wouldn’t live past ten, be thinking, what does this have to do Abby, and Mike, lived on a farm right however, she lived a life full of happi- with Loudonville? Just wait, the an- outside of Loudonville. ness until the age of thirty -eight. Nan- swer will come in time. Fun fact: Dorothy’s sister cy married Ryan Drodes and they had Anyway, Glenn and Marge, who married Ken Fowler, is two children. Pam and Abby were also Virginia fell in love and got mar- never married. Mike married ried in the 1930s. They started a Belinda and they had three chil- wonderful life together and had dren. seven children; six girls and one Fun fact: Both Mike and boy. Their names were Dawn, Nancy’s kids go to Hillsdale, our Harold, Marla, Sharon, Lois, rival school. Katie, and Laurel. Lois, Ron and their eleven Glenn and Virginia never children, Julie, JoAnn, Annette, lived in Loudonville, but most of John, Christy, Rose, Susan, Carol, their children ended up living Janet, Angie, and Jeff, also lived there in the future. Dawn, the old- on a farm in the rural part of est child, grew up and married Loudonville. Julie married Steve Herb Hoover. They moved to Conant, and they had two children Colorado, where they had one who both went to Loudonville. Jo child. Harold, the second oldest, Ann married Cliff Schaffer and met his wife Dorothy Wigton at they had two children, also attend- Loudonville High School, where ing Loudonville. they both attended. They stayed in Fun fact: Travis married Loudonville and raised their ten Glenn and Virginia Weber Whitney Harris, who is the daugh- children there. ter of Mrs. Harris, our school secre- Marla and Sharon married the mother of Aimee Ross, who many tary. Annette married Sean Owens. brothers Jim and Bud Strong, who they of you know as the English 12 and Sadly, Annette passed away at the age met at their church youth group. Jim Compositions teacher at Loudonville thirty -five. John married Julie Dunham and Marla got married first and raised High School. Aimee married Kenneth and they had nine children. their four children in Loudonville. A Young, and they had Jerrica, Natalie few years after Jim and Marla’s mar- and Conner Young, who have all at- riage, Bud and Sharon decided to tie tended or are attending Loudonville. the knot. They were unable to have Anyway, Jim married Leslie children, so they decided adopted two Forbes, and they had five children to- children. Katie met Joe Ajtaji and fell gether. Deb married Steve Baisel and in love. they had two children. Pat married After getting married, Bryan Wimpkin and never had chil- Feature Continues on Page 4 they raised their seven children here in dren. Jen married Jody McCluggage; 5 Feature Fun fact: Julie was grader here at Loudonville. Weber actually introduced Julie to the head volleyball coach at Loudon- Jeff married Jill and they have John on the ski slopes of Michigan. ville for ten years, coaching alongside four girls. Katie, Joe and their seven Jacob is now employed at Laurie Weber for a few of those years. children, Joyce, Matt, Ann, John, Ayers Farm Incorporated in Loudon- Julie resigned after having Abbie Mark, David, and Beth, lived in the ville. Katie is now a freshman attend- Kline, yes, it was me, one of the co - rural area right outside of Loudonville. ing Bluffton University. Abbie (co - writers, who drove my mother to quit. Ann married Chris Lee and they had writer 2) is a senior at Loudonville. Laurie also went to an extreme after three children, Greg, Rebecca, and So- Heidi played volleyball as a freshman having a child during volleyball sea- phie. Greg is an 8 th grader at Loudon- for Loudonville. The rest of the “Kline son. Hours after giving birth, she ville. Kids” are homeschooled and will rushed out of the hospital to get to a Okay finally, let’s talk about eventually attend Loudonville. Jason volleyball party, taking her newborn people from the younger generation. and Rose’s children are Andi, Shelby, baby with her. This newborn is more Jim and Leslie’s five children are Lin- Austin, and Peyton. Andi has graduat- specifically known as Emily Weber, da, Luke, Tim, Ryan, and Rachel. ed from Mount Union, while Shelby, a yes, me the other co -writer. They all attended Loudonville High junior and Austin, a freshman are cur- Anyway, Christy married School. Linda, Luke, and Tim have rently attending there. Peyton is a 5 th Randy Oswalt, and they had one child graduated college, while Ryan is a jun- grader at the C.E Budd School. Jerry together. Much like their and Susan’s children are aunts, Marla and Sharon, Ashley and Justin. Justin is Rose and Susan got married now a senior at Loudon- to brothers, who they both ville. met at Loudonville. Rose Brian and Carol’s children married Jason Vansickle are Emma and Owen. Em- and had four children. Su- ma is a sophomore and Ow- san married Jerry Vansickle en is an 8 th grader at and had two children. Loudonville. Fun fact: Jason Fun fact: The Hinkle’s’ coached football at Loudon- are related to the Al- ville for many years and lerdings. some of you might recog- The rest of the families nize Rose Vansickle as your have younger children, sixth grade math teacher. some who attend the ele- Carol married Brian mentary and kindergarten Hinkle and they had two schools at Loudonville. children. Fun fact: Ron Kline’s Glenn and Virginia Weber’s Children Fun fact: Brian is the brother Larry Kline is the father of president of Loudonville Farmers Bank ior at Malone University. Ryan, as you Morgan and Dane Kline. Morgan grad- and many of you may know Carol Hin- may know, was the second state wres- uated in 2016 while Dane is a fresh- kle as your elementary art teacher. tling champion to ever come through man here at Loudonville. Janet married Tate Simpson Loudonville High School. Rachel is a From the 1 st generation until and had one child. She later remarried junior here at Loudonville. now, these families continue to popu- Jonce Stull and they now have two Dan and Laurie’s three chil- late the towns of Perrysville and little girls. dren are Josh, Emily, and Nikki. Josh Loudonville. Children from these fam- Fun fact: The Stulls are re- is now a sophomore attending Akron ilies walk the halls of Loudonville now lated to Justin, Jacob, and Ryan Stull, University. Emily (co -writer 1) is a and it is not difficult to imagine future who all attend Loudonville High senior and Nikki is a sophomore at- generations continuing to walk these School. tending Loudonville. John and Julie’s hallowed halls. Angie married John Vermilya children are Jacob, Katie, Abbie, Hei- and they had four children. di, Aimie, Sadie, Caleb, Lukas, and Fun fact: John’s brother is Thomas. the father of Grace Vermilya, an 8 th Fun fact: Dan and Laurie 6 The return of The Walking Dead By Garret Dotson in his very risky task. But, like earlier come together to kill Negan and the This weekend, the most in the season, I believe he’s going to remaining Saviors that don’t leave. watched show on television, The sell rick out to Negan in quest to save Hopefully this happens. Walking Dead , has its mid -season his life and safety. Negan will then kill 3. Somehow in the attack, Ne- premiere on February 12 th at 9:00 p.m. more of Rick’s people to show Rick gan will sneak out and join a new With a very gory, violent, and that he’s a man of his word. *wink group, like The Governor did in sea- tear -jerking first episode, the rest of wink* (Episode 1) sons 3 and 4. season 7 has been anti -climactic by 2. There are five settlements in With my three theories of how introducing new characters and settle- season 7, Alexandria, The Hilltop, The the new season will go, I hope that ments through some of Alexandria’s Kingdom, Saviors, and an all -woman Rick can find a way to kill Negan, and settlers. The last episode, before the settlement. The five settlements have get revenge for Glenn and Abraham. season went on its two month break, one thing in common, they are ran by There is much anticipation to what Rick and the rest of his team are shown Negan. But, with the Saviors being Rick and his companions will try to do. Negan’s group in which he lives asking the Hilltop to help them take So, make sure you tune in this Sunday Negan down. amongst and leads, some of the mem- at 9:00 p.m. to see what Rick wants to I have three theories for what’s bers are getting fed up with how they do about his biggest enemy yet. about to go down. are being treated and want to get out of 1. The leader of the Hilltop, Negan’s regime. The Kingdom, The Gregory, is going to agree to join Rick Hilltop, and Alexandria are going to Laine’s Totally Professional Movie Review: La La Land By Laine Heffelfinger Sebastian plays the keyboard in an movie, which was set in Paris, and Seb 80’s band. She teases him for it after finally got his own jazz club. The final Disclaimer: There are possibly spoil- he recognizes her, and they end the time they meet was in that jazz club, ers in here, so keep that in mind. night by walking to their car together, which Mia visits with her husband, culminating in a song with obvious five years after the movie. Of course, Last month, the box office hit signs of romance, even though they are Seb notices her and plays a song that La La Land was released, earning an singing about their hatred of the oth- she would know was meant for her, astounding 223.5 million dollars. The er’s company. and she left. Overall I would give this plot of the movie follows the stories of So after this point, it’s mostly movie a 10/10. The songs were origi- Mia (Emma Stone) and Seb (Ryan romance, so I’ll spare you the details nal, the story didn’t follow the typical Gosling). These two seemingly oppo- on that section of the movie. In short, pattern of romance movies, and the site characters first meet on the free- Seb joins a new age jazz band and Mia characters were played so well that one way, where Seb gets annoyed with writes her own play. After a while, the would think they were really in love. Emma for being distracted. After that two start fighting, like many couples occurrence, she is obviously left with do, and Mia ends up some negative feelings towards him. going to stay with her His reaction to her distractedness, parents. While she is honking his horn obnoxiously, recurs there, Seb receives a throughout the movie, although with a call from a major cast- joking manner instead of hostile. ing agent that was Later on, Mia encounters him looking for Mia to again at a restaurant, where he plays come in and audition Christmas songs on the piano, but he for a part in their next soon gets fired for throwing in a jazz big movie. Being the style. When Mia sees this and ap- heroic, yet slightly proaches him to console him, he simp- obnoxious, character ly pushes past her and walks away. Yet he is, he drives to Mi- again, she is left feeling angry toward a’s house and convinc- him, giving the audience the feeling es her to come audi- that they will never work out. Howev- tion. In the end, Mia Seb and Mia dancing on the set of “La La Land.” er, they meet again at a party, where got her role in the 7 Ryan’s Meme Review Spongebob memes: I give Spongebob a highly acclaimed review be- cause it brings back childhood memories but with a more young adult sense of hu- mor. The entirety of the SpongeBob memes are humorous and offer a nice relief from the typical meme. This once beloved children’s show has been taken by the people of the internet and turned into a comical piece of art. There have been multi- ple memes arise from Spongebob including (but not limited to) Spongegar. Spongegar is a prehistoric version of the main character used to illustrate a scenario where you get upset or put into a precarious situation. Another Spongebob meme is when Spongebob is sitting alone in a diner with some funny caption such as “when you make plans and all your friends bail” 4/5 stars

“Italian” memes : These memes are funny because they satirically make fun of Italian stereotypes of culture and food. I honestly love these memes. They bring a new level of joy to my life. The entire meme itself may seem slightly racist however once you get past that it brings forth many humorous aspects. For those of you who have been without the great joy of the internet as of late you may not be aware of the Italian memes that have surfaced. These memes contain pictures of stereotypical Italian things such as pizza, spaghetti, and their national flag and so on. 5/5 stars

The Meme obituary By Arielle Cameron The “Cash me ousside howbow dah” meme has died, and was honestly dead on arrival. I would like to urge everyone to stop using this meme because it has no comedic value whatsoever. If it ever was funny, it certainly isn’t anymore. If you want proof of that, all you have to do is look at Facebook (most memes are basically dead by the time they reach Facebook.) It is constantly being posted by normies, with slight variations that add absolutely nothing of value to it. Danielle Ann is just anoth- er crazy 13 year old girl (which is quite common, honestly,) and constantly quoting her just isn’t funny. It is time to let this one go.

It is time for us to let the “Salt Bae” meme go. It has honestly ran out of pos- sible humorous uses at this point. Despite this, I constantly see it being used. Please just stop. Memes are kind of like inside jokes among strangers; everyone is in on this one, so it just isn’t funny. I’m sure Nusret Gökçe is a fine person in real life, but his time as a meme has run out.

The “raindrop drop top” meme has been extremely overused. Like wow guys, basic rhyming? Good one, that is so funny and original. That is all that can really be said about this one. Low quality meme + overuse = dead meme. 8 A word from the editor: Real Talk Good Afternoon, LHS, I hope now, but I’ll go on and say it anyways and on like a broken record about you’re enjoying your day, I know I am. because the Head [teacher] In Charge, “Donald Trump this” and “Donald Today marks the end of “Spicy Talk Mr. P. Snyder, want’s the paper to Trump that”. With Srirach”. (Well actually, the last have little to no white space at all, and I’ve grown quite tired of hav- issue was the end of the article, but I’m already in the second column, go ing to deal with such an “article” in that’s beside the point.) It should be me amiright? Anyways, the noun being such a fine and dandy paper as The blatantly obvious as to why Spicy Talk painted as sophomoric is none other Redbird . Not just that, but the constant was omitted from this sacred paper than The Classic Redbird Article, bickering about what should and known as The Redbird , but if it isn’t Spicy Talk. shouldn’t be in the Spicy Talk. let me spell it out for you. I have read the most recent Anyways it’s late and I’m S-O-P-H-O-M-O-R-I-C. Yes, I unreleased version of Spicy Talk, in tired. I don’t think I can carry this for quite like that word. It’s an adjective, which Srirach talks about enacting any longer, but could you do me a fa- so you could use it to describe any martial law through out LHS because vor, Srirach and hold this for me? noun or pronoun. Sophomoric, if one some teacher(s) said or did something Google’s the definition, is something that a student did not like, and as you characterized as pretentious or juve- know, Srirach is one to not like a nile. whole lot of things. Now, when I saw this defini- He starts off by calling the tion I jumped out of my seat. Not only general public names and insulting because I wanted to jump out of my them, trying to add momentum to his seat for no good reason, but because I tirade of hate speech and doltish polit- know of a noun that can be deliciously ical innuendos. Later through out the rest in r.i.p spicy talk described by “Sophomoric” as both article he has a call to action, insisting mm/dd/yyyy—mm/dd/yyyy pretentious AND juvenile. that people actually do the things he is press “F” to pay respet I’m sure you’ve guessed it by asking them to do and then he goes on Album Review: “Tidal Wave” By Gavin McIntire alternative rock, my ears were met by mix that not just works, but is thrilling. Taking Back Sunday’s 7 th al- an instantly familiar, fuzzy guitar tone. In fact, despite my initial thoughts, I bum was destined to be a disappoint- The sound was vintage, without sound- now think this may be the best Taking ment. The band hadn’t made a large ing dated. It was exciting, and despite Back Sunday album, period . If you can see this, impact since their 2006 release, my inability to dance, I felt the urge. I I am being trapped in a totalitarian newspaper by Pete Snyder “Louder Now”, which spawned the hit was smiling in the way a new rock single “Makedamnsure”. I insulted its song hadn’t made me smile, because first single, degraded lead singer Adam not only was it moving and guitar driv- Lazzara for the evolution of his vocals, en, but it was gorgeous. I reached for denounced the bands newfound south- the slightly slippery surface of my iPh- ern rock look and made the amateur one 7 to see what name these incredi- assumption that the band was past its ble songs went by. “Song name” – “All prime simply because I thought it was. Excess”. “Band name” – “Taking Back Despite my self -assured thoughts, the Sunday”. I flinched, as if a sudden pain band worked, likely harder than they pierced my eye. Then, I saw the album had since their formation in 1998. The cover, which prominently featured the former emo giant worked towards rein- words “Tidal Wave” in a Pet Sound vention. styled typeface. I paused the song, and “Tidal Wave” was released on in that moment realized to exactly September 16 th , 2016. I didn’t listen to what extent I had been wrong in my it. In fact, I ignored the very fact that it blind assumption. existed. Last week, I got a subscrip- “Tidal Wave” blends classic tion to the streaming service Apple sounds and production with the bands Music. While shuffling through new signature ‘wall of sound’ guitars. It’s a 9 LHS Sports News By Alexis Heffelfinger attending sectionals this weekend. ball team has a record of 6 -10. They will be playing Lucas, on Friday the Loudonville Swim Team Loudonville Girls Basketball 10 th . They have four upcoming games The swim team swam Satur- The Loudonville Girls basket- until tournaments, those games will be day at Galion pool for the MBC swim ball team has a record of 18 -2, and on February 11 th against Crestline meet. Britney Sage received first place have two more games before tourna- (Home), February 17 th against Central in the 100 back and first in the 200 IM. ments. Those games will be on Febru- Christian (Home), February 21 st Mya Switzer received second in the ary 11 th against Manfeild St. Peters against East Knox (Home), and Febru- 100 free and second in the 200 IM. (Home), and February 14 th against ary 24 th against Smithville (Away). Also Sarah took first in the 100 free Northwestern (Away), the tournaments Wrestling and first in 100 breaststroke. will be on February 22 nd at home, The top five wrestlers are The 200 medley got first against Smithville. Thomas Forbes with 31 wins, Gavin which had Mya, Britney, Kenna, and The district 4 meeting is on Davis with 29 wins, Brice Swindall Sarah and the 200 free relay got first February 12 th - players may be given with 24 wins, Harley Young with 20 which had Kenna, Hannah, Mya, Brit- awards during this meeting. Also wins, and Brock Lowery with 19 wins. ney. northeast inland district teams are re- The MBC meet will be here at the Sarah and Hannah had a swim leased at the end of the month, where Loudonville High School on Saturday, off for the place on the 200 free relay players may earn additional awards for February 18 th and Sectionals will be and Sarah won so at sectionals this division 3. the following weekend on Saturday the Friday she will be on the free relay, Loudonville Boys Basketball 25 th . The Loudonville Swim Team will be The Loudonville Boys basket- 10 Rotary Club to host a speech competition

By Gavin McIntire The rules state that the test said Mr. Snyder, who is offering guid- The Rotary Club is hosting its should be at least five but no longer ance to students wishing to participate annual four -way speech contest on than seven minutes long. If a student’s in the contest. March 9 th at 1:30 pm, and is open to speech is shorter or longer than that students in grades 9,10,11, or 12. amount, points are deducted by the “This is a contest that the Rotary Club judges. Speeches should be built with puts on every year where students from facts, statistics and examples, not just Loudonville can participate,” said Mr. the students opinion, and should be Snyder, the 11 th grade English teacher memorized at the time of the event. for LHS. “Students will write a speech, “The winner of this contest then apply the Rotary four -part test to gets the chance to go to district contest, it,” he said. The test is as follows: Is it where they can win $500 for first the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? place, $300 for second, and $200 for Will it build good will and better third, so it’s just an opportunity for friendships? Will it be beneficial to all students to write a speech, deliver it, concerned? and show off their speaking skills,” “Girl In Pieces ” book review By Shy Farely

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen this novel, not only Charlotte. Glasgow (2016) is about a seven- The situational irony and dra- teen year old girl with PTSD (post matic irony is strong with this - traumatic stress disorder) and novel. You think Charlotte and NSSH (none - suicidal self - harm) her friends are going to do this, and a bad, very bad, history. It is and then they do that. Thinking about Charlotte Davis and her sto- that one will say one thing but ry trying to ‘’fix all of the broken then they say another. Maybe things’’ in her and forget about all Charlotte will get better, maybe of the things that have happened to her been through. We have all been sad, in the past. upset, angry, and struggling to keep she won’t? This suspense of her story Girl in Pieces is a good insight ourselves together, finding our place in keeps you wanting more, leaving you on teen depression, alcoholism, and this world. Weather you have self - mu- on cliff hangers as you turn the page. drug abuse, as well as suicide and self - tilated or not, whether you have turned harm. It would be easy for people, or at to alcohol or drugs, whether or not you least most people, to relate to the main have ‘a healthy’ way of coping, one character, even if they have not been cannot help but to feel empathy and through the things that Charlotte has sympathy for all of the characters in