Opinion
You Can Still Be Kind
Opinion by Anna Hoffard
Dating is hard enough in high school. Imagine how hard it would be if you were gay, transgender, or bisexual. Continue reading
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Frustration in the Air as Faulty Fire Alarm System Sounds Off
Article by Ryan O’Donnell
On March 15th, 2018, the entire student body and staff at Kings High School were taken by surprise as the fire alarm sent its piercing siren-like sound throughout the school. They shuffled to get out, with confused looks on their faces, as they could not see or smell smoke. Much to everyone’s dismay, the culprit was discovered to have been a shuttlecock hitting the fire alarm during a badminton game in gym class. In a bizarre example of lightning striking twice, a nearly identical situation occurred about a week later. Additionally, in between the two incidents was a poorly timed instance where the fire alarm seemingly malfunctioned and went off several times in a single day. This incident triggered a small – albeit vocal – outcry from staff and students alike. Continue reading
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Opinion
More Guns; More Chaos
Opinion by Lauren Steele
How close are you to your teachers? Are you close enough to be comfortable in their classrooms knowing that they would be armed? I’m close with some of my teachers, but not that close. According to Donald Trump, arming “gun adept teachers” is the best option for the United States. It’s not. Even Joel Myrick, a former assistant principal who survived a school shooting by chasing the shooter with his own gun, realizes that arming teachers is not the right approach. Continue reading
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Sports
Great Expectations
Article by Christian Pierce
The King’s Knights baseball team began their regular season over spring break. They had an excellent trip to Vero Beach, Florida, scoring sixty-six runs, giving up only thirty-five runs and finishing the trip 6-0. When the Knights returned home, they went on to win two more games, recently losing to Springboro and Loveland. The Knights now are 8-2. Continue reading
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Schedule Changes for the 2018-19 School Year
Article by Zoey FitzGerald Kidwell
On Tuesday, March 20th, the Kings Board of Education voted to remove Wednesday early release starting next school year. In addition to this change, the board also agreed on a later school start time, 7:50 A.M., for the KJH and KHS. Despite this later starting time, school will still end at 2:25 every day. In order to shorten the school day, the district also made the decision to cut down time in between each class from five to four minutes. Continue reading
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Entertainment
Paddington 2 Review
Article by Kevin Lewis
At first glance, Paddington (2015) should not have been a good film. It had all the trappings of terrible kids movie: a CGI character who is annoying and only there for “comedic” fart jokes, lackluster plotlines and cheesy acting, but somehow the film managed to exceed everyone’s expectations. The film about a polite bear who loves marmalade was a genuine delight for all-ages . Unfortunately, the film was not seen by many people here in the States, however, it did manage to find an audience overseas and was successful enough to warrant a sequel. To the many people who did not witness the friendly bear’s first adventure, it would be easy to dismiss another entry in this franchise and for good reason. Most kids films that feature a CGI animal only get worse with each entry; Alvin and the Chipmunks, Yogi Bear and the Scooby Doo just to name a few. Paddington 2, instead, earns the right to stand by some of the greatest sequels ever made: The Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, The Godfather 2. This is not a hyperbole. Continue reading
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Opinion
Something Fishy
Opinion by Jess Harmon
A year ago, Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins, won Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards. I remember watching the absolute chaos on my screens, as they announced the wrong winner, claiming that La La Land was the Best Picture winner before quickly correcting their mistake and announced that Moonlight was the true winner. The immense joy and pride I felt when I heard that this film got the recognition it deserves, is one that only cinema can provoke in me. A year later I was desperately hoping that one of the films that made me feel the way Moonlight did would win the same title. I was rooting for Get Out, directed by Jordan Peele, because it pushed boundaries, generated conversations, and reminded me of why I fell in love with film in the first place. Sadly, Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro, was the winner of Best Picture for the 90th Academy Awards and to say the least, I did not get that same feeling of joy, and here is why. Continue reading
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The Allen Children’s Library at Joshua’s Place
Article by Anna Muenchen
On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, Joshua’s Place will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Allen Children’s Library whose legacy will continue to spur a love for reading after its move into the community center. Continue reading
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Walkout or Walk-in?
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Walkout or Walk-in?
On March 14, 2018, Kings High School students walked out to honor the victims of the Stoneman Douglas shooting. They also voiced their concerns about school safety and to protest for stricter gun laws. Here are some photos from the event: Continue reading
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Opinion
Get Involved
Article by Anna Muenchen
Sitting in the auditorium as a freshman, I listened as Seniors said “I wish I would’ve gotten more involved.” As a freshman I believed I would get involved early. But I didn’t. I believed I wouldn’t have any regret. And I do. I didn’t realize that getting involved is easy and life changing. Continue reading
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Sports
Bracketology
Article by Christian Pierce
Photo Credit: Bella Spleen
They’ve been through signing day, summer conditioning, early morning workouts, late nights with homework, stress, winning streaks, losing streaks, blood, sweat, and tears.
This is what every NCAA Basketball team works so hard for… March Madness 2018 is officially upon us!
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Opinion
Why Choose Flight When You Can Fight?
Article by Chloe Keith
February 14, 2018. Valentine’s Day. A tragedy in the making for the students of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After watching 17 of their peers, teachers, and faculty be killed by a former student with a gun, the students took a stand. Continue reading
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Opinion
The NCAA: Naughty Crooked Athletes Association?
Article by Ryan O’Donnell
Similar to the #MeToo movement that made like the Scorpions and rocked Hollywood like a hurricane – all starting with the sleazy Harvey Weinstein – Louisville’s equally sleazy head coach, Rick Pitino, appears to have set off a storm of his own in the NCAA. Pitino illegally persuaded recruits to play at Louisville by bribing them with large sums of money. To add insult to injury, he was discovered to have purchased prostitutes to engage in sexual activity with the underaged recruit players. Last week, ESPN reported that Sean Miller, the head coach of the Arizona University Wildcats basketball team, was exposed on phone conversations wiretapped by the FBI to have similarly bribed star recruit Deandre Ayton $100,000 to attend the school and play basketball there. The shocking report resulted in a highly polarized response from NCAA basketball fans all across the country. Many condemned Miller and Ayton for their actions, and others argued that collegiate athletes should receive a salary. When I first heard people bring up the latter argument, I burst into laughter, and here’s why. Continue reading
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Opinion
World Hunger: We’re All Responsible
Article by Zoey FitzGerald Kidwell
850 million people die each year due to starvation, yet there is enough food in the world to feed every single person. I read this statistic a few months ago and couldn’t believe it. If we have more than enough food, why is world hunger still a problem? Continue reading
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The Weight of a Grade
Article by Rachel Onega
The Kings Local School District, changed the grading system this year. The old grading system used letter grades but now it has been changed to percentages. Now that it is an exact percentage, the exam scores and semester grades affect a student’s GPA, making it a lot more accurate. This new grading system wasn’t made clear to students before it changed. Continue reading
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Where Do We Go From Here?
Article by Lauren Steele and Jess Harmon
Student Diversity and Inclusion Panel Photo Credit: Lahrenn Thibodeau
In 1967, while reflecting on the state of our country, Martin Luther King Jr. posed the question, “where do we go from here?” He answered the question in this title speech given at the 11th Annual SCLC Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. The Kings Local School District has been asking themselves the same question lately. Continue reading
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Sports
NBA Trade Deadline Rejuvenates NBA’s Lifeline
Article by Christian Pierce
Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer;Ga.com
From battling it out at the TD Garden and Quicken Loans Arena, to playing each other in the Eastern Conference Finals just one year ago, Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving have been through a rollercoaster of an off-season. Continue reading
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Winter Whiteout
Article by Chloe Keith
Bomb cyclone. The term isn’t as threatening as it sounds, but it has caused concern across America. A bomb cyclone is classified as a drastic drop in atmospheric pressure, meaning winds can get up to 74 miles per hour or more, much like those of a hurricane. Along with the freezing temperatures and high winds, snow and ice can accumulate on the roads, making it dangerous for travel. Continue reading
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Winter Pep Rally
Article by Rachel Onega
On Friday, February 2, 2018, Kings High School had their third pep rally of the school year. All administration and students were invited to the gym for an hour at the end of the day because of an early release schedule. This assembly was to honor and highlight most winter sports. Continue reading
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Entertainment
The Disaster Artist: The Ultimate Disaster Piece
Article by Ryan O’Donnell
When people think of life’s greatest mysteries, quite a few things come to mind: the creation of Stonehenge, the fate of Amelia Earhart, the disappearance of the colonists at Roanoke, and of course, the entire production process of The Room. Dubbed “the Citizen Kane of bad movies” by many film critics, viewers spent almost the entirety of the bizarre film asking themselves rhetorical questions. Why are all of these subplots getting abandoned? How did this monstrosity of a movie cost $6 million to make? Most importantly, who is Tommy Wiseau, where did he get all the money, and what country is he from with that kind of accent? In the midst of his laughable pipe dream of winning an Academy Award – and shamelessly ripping off acting legend James Dean in doing so – Wiseau was quite innovative in a sense. He managed to carve out his own legacy by being a remarkably horrible actor, producer, writer, director, and human being. The Disaster Artist, a film based on Tommy Wiseau’s friend-turned-Hollywood whistleblower’s autobiographical book of the same name, serves as the perfect sentiment to Wiseau’s legacy. Continue reading
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California Dream
Article by Anna Muenchen
As a young girl riding the bus into the small town of Kings Mills, Katherine (Katie) Waissbluth dreamed that one day she’d make it to the Ivy League. Her wish was not diminished by the fact that no one from Kings High School had ever attended her dream school, in fact this motivated her to work hard and ultimately reach her goal. Her destination: Stanford University. Continue reading
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Opinion
H&M Lost in the Jungle
Article by Caleb Owens
Imagine sitting in a room, thinking of ways to incorporate diversity inclusion into an ad campaign. What’s a good way to show this? Let’s bring in a black model instead of all white models. Let’s explain to his mother the importance of the opportunity is to represent kids who look like her son. Now imagine bringing in the young black model and then showing him the apparel he has to wear: a bright green sweatshirt emblazoned with the slogan, “Coolest monkey in the jungle.” Continue reading
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Turning Activism into Action
Article by Zoey FitzGerald Kidwell
On January 21st, 2017, 2.6 million people around the world took the streets to advocate for human rights and for a better future. It was considered the beginning of a revolution, a spark of hope in a world turned completely upside down. After current President Donald Trump was elected, people panicked. But despite their worry, citizens everywhere decided to come together. The Women’s March was a protest, but also a way for people to acknowledge the unity still prevalent in the United States. This year, on January 20th, there was a reunion march. This march was called, “Power to the Polls” and the slogan: we are the leaders we have been waiting for. Continue reading
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Entertainment
Winter Movie Guide
By Kevin Lewis
As the year comes to a close audiences are looking for an escape from the holiday madness. This December is a significant movie month for Oscar contenders and some big blockbusters. Here is a list of films that I think you should watch this holiday season (after you have seen The Last Jedi, of course):
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Sports
A Season of Positivity and Persistence
By Christian Pierce
The Kings Lady Knights started their season last week. The reigning ECC champions have very high expectations, but they still have challenges to overcome. Seniors Lilly Richardson and Savannah Mussari shared their excitement, expectations, and goals for the season, as a team and for themselves. Continue reading
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Humans of Kings
Holiday Memories
By Jess Harmon
What’s your favorite holiday memory?
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Holidays in 2017
By Rachel Onega Continue reading
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Entertainment
5 Fun Filled Winter Activities
By Chloe Keith
WinterFest at Kings Island
This year, Kings Island has created a winter wonderland called “WinterFest”. With multicolored light displays, entertaining performances, an ice skating rink, and thrilling amusement park rides, you can’t go wrong. “…It’s a fun place to spend time with the people you love” says Renee Perpignan of Kings Junior High. At WinterFest, there’s fun for the whole family. Children can decorate cookies and even meet Santa. You won’t want to miss out on this unique experience!
Operating Hours:
December 15-30 (Exc. 12/24 and 12/25):
Sunday -Friday 5pm-10pm / Saturday 4pm-10pm Continue reading
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Humans of Kings
Holiday Memories
By Lauren Steele
What’s your favorite holiday memory?
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Entertainment
It’s a Wonder
By Ryan O’Donnell
After several years of persuasion and demand from fans, R.J. Palacio’s New York Times bestseller-dubbed by Entertainment Weekly as a “crackling page-turner”-finally splashes onto the silver screen. Wonder essentially plays out as a classic “underdog triumphs above all” tale, whilst also being a coming-of-age story; the latter type of tale being something the film’s director Stephen Chbosky has a great deal of experience with, seeing as he wrote the best-selling novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower and produced its film adaptation. Although Chbosky has proven that he is certainly no rookie at pulling instantly classic novels from the bookshelf to the big screen, his adaptation of Wonder is rather hit-or-miss. Continue reading
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Gifts That Actually Give
By Zoey FitzGerald Kidwell
The holiday season is a complete frenzy. Parents scour malls trying to find last minute stocking stuffers, moms receive coupons for free back rubs, dads get hammers and wrenches, and old candles are re-gifted to co-workers. Gift-giving can be more than a checklist. If the Holidays are about giving, why not give back to the world? That, of course, doesn’t mean a person has to donate thousands to charity each year. However, there are gifts that, in addition to fulfilling your immediate gift needs, also contribute to helping the world. Continue reading
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Opinion
Is Artificial Intelligence Taking Over?
By Caleb Owens
Two weeks ago, I casually scrolled through Twitter and stumbled upon a thread about AI programs. In the thread there was a Beatles song. I started listening and realized, maybe I do like the beatles after all. Well, at least I thought it was The Beatles. I felt played. An Artificial Intelligence (AI) program had been able to compose an entirely new song in the style of The Beatles after being fed their music catalog. Think about that. A bot was able to compose music and make it sound just as good as the original Beatles’ songs…maybe even better. AI is completely ripping apart our creativity, our jobs, our imagination. Continue reading
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Features
Family is the Best Gift
By Anna Muenchen
An event where the “hot” items go on sale for a limited time only, Black Friday spans over three days: Thanksgiving night, Friday morning and Cyber Monday. The Black Friday shopping frenzy sparks the idea that the holiday season means presents under the tree or by the menorah on the table. However, students at Kings have different traditions that show the reason they celebrate the way they do. Presents are not the meaning of Christmas to them. Continue reading
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Humans of Kings
“Coming out last year had to be one of the biggest things to happen in my life. Continue reading
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Sports
Football Seniors Reflect on Season
By Christian Pierce
On August 29th, 2017 the seniors at Kings High School started the final football season of their high school football career; dreaming of a winning record and becoming ECC and state champs, led by team captains Tommy Bauman, Sam Burgin, and Garrett Vanover. The Kings Football program has had a lot of success in the past, but unfortunately this season was a struggle. The three captains reflected back on this past football season.
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Entertainment
Blade Runner 2049: A Runaway Success
By Ryan O’Donnell
The year was 1982. Wayne Gretzky was firing slap shots left and right, Jelly Belly sales were at an all-time high thanks to the President who “won one for the Gipper,” and anyone with either the name Jenny or the number 867-5309, no longer wanted to get out of bed in the morning. In the midst of pop culture, a strange new movie named Blade Runner was quietly released into theaters, boasting game-changing special effects, exciting storytelling, and a thriving new star named Harrison Ford. Despite these factors, the film flopped at the box office like a fish out of water and split opinions down the middle. Over time, critics and audiences have re-evaluated the picture and given it a much more warming welcome. The film still retains an overwhelming cult following and has been considered one of the greatest science-fiction films ever made. The American Film Institute even placed it on their list of the 100 greatest films in the history of American cinema. Now, 35 years later, a long-awaited sequel has been released into theaters.
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Storytelling with Humility, Humanity, and Humor
By Zoey FitzGerald Kidwell
Dungeons and Dragons usually conjures up pictures of nerdy teenagers sitting in basements, eating snacks, and rolling dice. Perhaps the kids are wearing wizard hats, capes, even cheap costumes. “She Kills Monsters,” King’s High School’s current play, drives a sword right through that stereotype. Dungeons and Dragons is presented as not simply a game, but a masterpiece crafted in the minds of geeks and brought to life beyond a grimy basement, a few dice, and a bowl of pretzels.
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Humans of Kings
“I used to be kind of nervous and I would ask people if they’d think of me differently if I dated a girl, but everyone said no. Continue reading
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Entertainment
Lots of Love for Lady Bird
By Kevin Lewis
Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, Lady Bird, is not only one of the best films of the year, but also one of the best coming-of-age movies of all time. The film is set in suburban Sacramento at a Catholic high school in 2002, and stars Saoirse Ronan as teenager Christine McPherson who goes by the name “Lady Bird”. While Christine navigates her senior year, the audience follows her misadventures as she deals with getting into college, dating, and her relationship with her mother Marion, played by the excellent Laurie Metcalf.
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Online or In-Store Shopping
By Anna Muenchen
Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” and it seems as if he was speaking for online grocery shopping, an innovative way to buy the food you need and only the food you need.
“I do believe convenience is why people are switching” said Andrea Nichols, a teacher at Kings High School, and Hamilton, Ohio resident.
Laura Harris, a mother of three in the district, agrees.
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Act Locally Empower Globally
By Chloe Keith
“Every girl, no matter where she is born, deserves to dream,” or so the Girl Up website says. Girl Up is a worldwide organization of clubs started by the United Nations that strive to provide safe access to education for girls in developing countries; that’s exactly what almost one hundred students in Cincinnati are trying to do.
