Cristo Rey Columbus High School Issue 1 2015 November 12

Page 2Introduction from the editors

Page 3On Relationships and Reefer

Page 4Fall sports recap and information on joining the newspaper

Two Editorial

The Spirit

Cristo Rey Columbus High School

Mailing Address: 400 E Town St

Columbus, OH 43215

Online: www.cristoreycolumbus.orghttp://issuu.com/thespiritcrc

E-mail:thespirit@cristoreycolumbus.org

Signed letters for publication are welcome. Our mailbox is locat-ed in the main office. Unsigned editorials represent a consensus opinion of the editorial board. Signed opinions represent the views of the writer only.

Staff

Editing contributions from:Vanesa Mora

Madison RenickerAngelica Christiansen

Malcolm NealeArturo Vallejo

Designers:Arturo Vallejo

Jessica Mendoza

Writing Contributions:Leanna Greenlee

Asia RileyMaverick Corchinski

Faculty Advisor:David Clark

Welcome to The Spirit, Cristo Rey Columbus High School’s student created newspaper!

We’re excited to have you as readers and hope that you will find our content stimulating and worthwhile. This pa-per is most importantly a platform for students to express their ideas, and to bring these diverse opinions into con-versation with each other. We want you, our readers, to critically engage with our articles. We hope to present opin-ion pieces that are thought provoking and open the doors to discussion and debate. If you read ahead in this abbre-viated issue of The Spirit you’ll find the sage relationship advice of junior Asia

Riley, and an insightful argument for the legalization of marijuana by fresh-man Leanna Greenlee. We encourage you to take part in the important dia-logue they have started. Proceed to our back cover and you will find highlights from the upstart Cougar soccer and volleyball teams. We’ll regularly feature stories about student activities, school events, and the happenings of Cristo Rey. Our aim is to be informative and insightful. This project is ultimately about creating a space for student writ-ers and readers to talk about issues that are important to them. We hope we have accomplished that with our inaugural issue. Welcome again, and read on! ■

Introducing CRCHS’s Student PaperThe Spirit!

Statement Of The Spirit Editorial Policy

The Spirit is a forum for the expres-sion of student news and opinion. The paper is distributed free of

charge to all students, faculty, and staff. The Spirit does not carry advertisements. The Spirit strives for accuracy and balance in its coverage and publish-es only legally protected speech. The Spirit does not print material that is obscene or libelous, material that con-stitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy or material likely to be dis-ruptive of the educational process. The Spirit welcomes letters, either in response to its editorials and news sto-ries, or to raise issues of concern to its readers. Letters must contain no errors. Letters must be signed, but a name may be withheld on request of the writer for sufficient reason. When a letter is signed by more than one person, The Spirit will print only the name of the princi-pal writer, with an indication of how many other names were signed. Letters are subject to editing as to length, lan-guage and libel. The Spirit mailbox is in the central office; its email address is thespirit@cristoreycolumbus.org. The Spirit does not authorize prior re-view by any member of administration or board of trustees. The editors make all decisions on the content of the paper. The adviser reviews, copies, and advis-es editors and staff members but does

not determine the content of the paper or act as a censor on behalf of the ad-ministration. Unsigned opinion, labeled “staff editorial” represents the consen-sus of The Spirit and may be construct-ed as the position of the paper. Signed opinion, in regular columns or appro-priately labeled commentaries, repre-sent only the opinions of the writer and not necessarily the views of The Spirit. Opinions expressed in The Spirit are not necessarily the opinions of Cristo Rey Columbus High School, its admin-istration, faculty, staff, or student body. Since the invasion of a student’s privacy is not protected by the First Amendment, The Spirit will ordinarily not publish stories concerning specific disciplinary matters involving particu-lar students. Since school officials have a legal obligation to keep such matters confidential, it is difficult to cover such stories fairly. If disciplinary policies of the school are questioned, the matter will be raised at a time when the reader is not likely to associate it with an in-dividual infraction of its consequences. The Spirit chooses not to take a po-sition that is inconsistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church or the Diocese of Columbus on clear matters of faith, morals, or dogma, but may take a position contrary to current disciplines or practices. ■

Three Opinion

Teens need to enter relationships with realistic expectations. When in a relationship, anticipating a

breakup is just as unhealthy as counting the days until the wedding. At first, rela-tionships are so exciting that it is easy to spend time exclusively with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Some feel completely hap-py only when their significant other is by their side. They cannot stop thinking about each other and might even be in love. Despite these feelings, it is im-portant that partners do not lose sight of who they were before the relation-ship began. Relationships require com-promise, but too much sacrifice could cause someone to lose him or herself. Giving up friends or sacrificing time normally spent doing things one loves is a sure sign of overcommitment. Part-ners need to realize that they are sep-arate people with their own interests and ambitions that should be valued. At the heart of any good relation-ship is communication. It is common to hear about how males and females don’t speak the same language. “Noth-

ing’s wrong” can have several different meanings, depending on who is saying it. Miscommunication can be avoid-ed altogether by being honest about how one feels. This doesn’t mean that all problems need to be brought to the surface immediately. If one needs time to figure things out before talking, that should be communicated as well. A lack of communication can lead to insecuri-ties and jealousy. However, it is normal to get a little jealous sometimes, and it’s not all bad. Jealousy adds intrigue to the relationship. It can be pleasing when a person knows that their partner is afraid of losing them, but too much jealousy is annoying. A healthy amount of jeal-ousy must be accompanied by a degree of trust. If there is no trust, it is im-possible to be in a strong relationship. The final ingredient is respect. Re-spect in a relationship means that each person values who the other is without challenging the other person’s bound-aries. A partner should listen when the other says he or she is not comfortable with something and back off immedi-

ately. Relationships can be one of the best, yet the most challenging aspect of one’s life. They can be full of intense feelings, fun, romance and stress too. Whether you are single or in a rela-tionship, you should remember that it is okay to be picky about who you get close to. There is no rush. If you are someone who is still waiting, you should take all the time that you need to get to know people. There is nothing wrong with being just friends. And if you are currently in a relationship, make sure it brings out the best in you. ■

T e e n a g e r ’ s G u i d e T o N o t L o s i n g Y o u r s e l f i n A R e l a t i o n s h i p

Marijuana Legalization Would Be Good For Ohio Citizens

Last Tuesday, Ohio voters reject-ed Issue 3 which would have legalized marijuana statewide

for users 21 years and older. The pri-mary reason the bill failed was the spread of propaganda from the op-position, and the monopoly shtick that ResponsibleOhio couldn’t shake. To understand why this bill was so contentious, you must know some his-tory. Marijuana’s demonization began with Reefer Madness, an embarrassing-ly inaccurate film that insinuates that marijuana leads to insanity. This is not true, but it succeeded in making our country believe it was. Cannabis has been vilified for decades. Its supporters have been ostracized for believing in the power of a weed whose effects are demonstrably beneficial; yet cannabis is labeled a Schedule I drug, the federal government’s most severe classification, alongside deadly narcotics like heroin. Americans are so afraid of marijuana that it is impossible to even study the benefits of the plant without federal approval. Yet more harmful substanc-es, like alcohol, are readily available and advertised on billboards and com-mercials to adults and children alike. When Issue 3 was being debated, many concerns arose around how can-

nabis would be taken, especially among children who use it for medical reasons. Under Issue 3 children would not have been “smoking” marijuana, or buying pot-candy in stores. They would in-gest marijuana in low doses containing little to no THC, the compound that makes users high. Advocates have no intention of getting our children stoned, but rather of helping kids who need the medical benefits of this safe drug. While the media has been full of horror stories about the dangers of marijuana use, there is irrefutable ev-idence that marijuana has countless physical and mental health benefits, such as helping control epileptic sei-zures. If you saw advertisements fea-turing Ohio families with ill children who desperately need the benefits of marijuana, you will recognize that these kids are the main priority to legalize. The reality is, we have a symbiotic relationship with this righteous herb. Our bodies, which have an endocan-nabinoid system that responds to the cannabinoids in marijuana, are expert-ly designed for its use. In the words of Columbus native Dana Kobach, the mother of JC, a 15 year old boy who has lived with cancer since he was two years old, “Cannabis is the best

medicine. Period.” It’s nature’s healer. While this initial attempt at legal-ization has failed, it has started a di-alogue. As of writing this article, prominent legislators have announced plans to instate a medical marijuana bill through a legislative amendment. While we may have taken one step back, this is again a positive step forward. I hope that I have painted a green-er picture of Mother Nature’s wonder plant. I am happy to be living at a time when serious, thoughtful discussions on marijuana legalization are finally happening, and I’m hopeful about the future of pot. It is time for our country to wake up and smell the ganja, because it is a true miracle growing for us. ■

Gettin’ R i l e d Up

by Asia Riley

The G

reener Side

by Leanna Greenlee

Four News

Men’s SoccerCoaches: Katherine Leach Jeff King

Record: 3-0-7

Team Leaders: Farrell Kpacha-vi, Gustavo Botello, Michael Osorio-Santos, Jess Johnson

Highlight: Jose Hundley’s hat trick and the bus ride to Lick-ing Valley

Coaches Quote: It was an absolute honor to coach each and every one of our players. We have a team of great soc-cer players, but even better people, and they make it all worth it.

Player Quote: As the season went on the team got better and better. I think I influenced my teammates a lot. Our coaches were very supportive of us and the pushed us to the limit.~Farrell Kpachavi, 11th

Lady Cougar VolleyballCoaches: Maria Bruno Laura Hubacheck

Record: 3-11

Things to work on: Commu-nicating with the girls on the court and keeping the confi-dence they have from practice for an entire game.

Coaches Quote: This year the girls did a great job of improv-ing personal skills, adjusting from 3/4th of a court to full court, and encouraging their team!

Player Quote: The overall year was good. Everyone tried their hardest and did their best. We all made new friendships from the experience.~Madison Renicker, 11th

Reporting by Maverick Corchinski

Lady Cougar SoccerCoaches: Julianne Corroto Michelle Bologna

Record: 0-2-1

Team Leaders: Madeline Somsy, Maria Somsy, Julissa Ferrera-Sageth, Kayla Erb, Vic-toria Langley

Highlight: Tying Columbus International High School

Coaches Quote: The girls grew so much in their skills and knowledge of soccer. Many of the girls on the team had never played soc-cer before, but always asked questions and never gave up during the games, even if we were losing.

Player Quote: I was so im-pressed to see beginning players do so outstandingly well on the field. We worked well as a team to not improve ourselves, but to improve the ones around us.~Kayla Erb, 10th

Are you interested in design? Do you consider yourself artistic? Is writing your passion?If so, join The Spirit, Cristo Rey’s student run newspaper! #wherethecoolpeopleare.

If you are interested then check one, detach this form, and return it to The Spirit’s mailbox in the main office by next Thursday, November 19th. For questions, inquire at thespirit@cristoreycolumbus.org

Graphic Designer

Layout Designer

Reporter

Columnist

Design applicants, please include a two sample pieces of artwork; writing applicants, please in-clude two samples of essays or short stories.