Why not? YEAR-END ISSUE Vol. 94, No. 6 • May 2015 • Lakewood High School • 14100 Franklin Blvd. • Lakewood, OH 44107 www.lakewoodtimes.net Editorial Policy As preservers of democracy, our schools shall protect, encourage, and enhance free speech and the exchange of Staff 2014/2015 ideas as a means of protecting our American way of life. The Times and its staff are protected by, and bound to, the prin- Co- Editors : Editorial Board Members ciples of the First Amendment and other protections and Contentslimitations afforded by the Constitution and the various Matt Morgenstern court decisions implementing those principles. LaNiqua Jones Editors’ Robert Searles Mackenzie Rivera It is the mission of The Lakewood Times, the official Ryan Swingle newsmagazine of Lakewood High School, to serve as a Jacklyn Voll public forum that promotes the gathering and exchange of Assistant Editors: Ashley Hirsch Mickey Nestor ideas, and uphold high journalistic standards for the pur- Mandy Muscatello pose of enriching the lives of our readers. Veronica Gordon (Photography) Brett Brown The Times is established as an open forum for student Ryan Mitchell (Sports) Emily Suleiman Ozemenay Taylor expression and as a voice in the uninhibited, free and open Eman Naserallah discussion of issues. The Times will not be reviewed or re- Emily Suleiman (Copy) Maggie Jawhari strained prior to publication. Content of the Times, there- Samuel Ciancutti Jacob Buntyn fore, reflections only the views of the student staff or indi- Christian Bort vidual students and not school officials. 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Spring sports photostory.........26 2 contents The Lakewood Times ContentsEditors’ This is the year’s final issue of The Lakewood Times This is my last “Letter from the Editor.” Hardly anybody and I couldn’t be more happy. I’m not really sure if any- reads this, but I’d simply like to say it’s been a pleasure writing body reads these, but The Lakewood Times has been a lot for The Lakewood Times, and I wouldn’tletters be able to look back of work whether you believe it or not. Although it’s been a at these years fondly without having served on this paper. It lot of work, I’ve had a lot fun during these past four years. helped me realize my writing aspirations, my love for all forms I am very happy to have had these experiences with ev- of English, and how I can find passion in even the most minute eryone that I met. With that said, I would like to say it factors of production. I’m done now, so as to not waste words has been a pleasure writing and being the co-editor of on passing eyes... good reading, and good luck. The Lakewood Times. I’m excited to see what future staff members come up with. Sincerely, Matt Morgenstern Sincerely, Robert Searles May 2015 contents 3 SENIOR REFLECTIONS MAN! LET’S LOOK BACK AT LIFE AT LHS Last year, The Lakewood Times used its final issue to look at senior insights into their high school years. We asked them to provide raw, unembellished details that could end the year on a good, and humourous, note, which may or may not have happened. Regardless, we couldn’t come up with anything better to do this year, and, thus, here are your 2015 senior reflections! Photos courtesy of Prestige Portraits (formerly Woodard Photographic) Mackenzie Rivera I never thought the time would come when I would be writing Everyone always says high school is literally the smallest part of my senior reflection for my final issue ofThe Lakewood Times. I re- your life, but it’s where you make the most memories. Honestly, I member eighth grade year, when I went into my counselor’s office. didn’t believe it in the beginning, but when I hit my senior year, I I knew from the beginning I wanted to take Journalism. However, I started realizing that it was true. I have so much ahead of me it’s didn’t quite think I would be in journalism for all four years of high scary…there’s no going back. Then when you’re a senior, everyone school. asks you what you want to be when you’re older or what college Writing for the Times definitely made me think about what I you’re attending. wanted to be when I was older. At first I wanted to be a journalist Well, after high school, my plans are to go to college and get my and write for newspapers and be a reporter like my cousin, Elaine. Master’s in English Literature. Then the next question comes quickly But when I started learning about literature and the way literature -- “What made you want to be an English major?” It’s crazy how has developed, I started to get interested in the English program, many questions adults have for seniors in high school. to major in English Literature. In the fall I’ll be attending Cuyahoga Community College for a Another great thing about my four years in journalism were the year, and then I’ll be transferring to Ashland University or Baldwin teachers, especially, Karen Ballash before she retired and Dennis Wallace University. Going to a community college for a year is, I Ebner. I had Mrs. Ballash for Journalism 1, her final year of teach- think, the best way to go, especially if you have to pay for it yourself. ing. It was such a fun class. Then Mr. Ebner came in and taught us Growing up in a family with both parents and brother who never so much. I will miss is seeing him every day, and all his teasing. I attended college makes me look at it differently. It pushes me that will always remember to bring him Chipotle when I come to visit. no matter what happens in college, I will always be successful. It Being in this class definitely taught me so many lessons. makes me want to graduate and show my family what I can do. With this being my last article, I think I have a lot to write about So as I write about my senior reflection on a Monday morning, -- really more on my thoughts on how I actually got to my senior I think about the past four years.