V3-I1 News
Licking County teens taking leadership roles in community
By: Megan Dalton
(Photo: Part of the YLC group at the Newark suicide vigil Sept. 9. Barbee is bottom right. Photo by L. Barbee.)
The Youth Leadership Council of Licking County is a student run operation that focuses on “helping to make Licking County a happy, healthy, safe and drug free place to live, work and go to school,” says the group’s bio on Twitter (@YLCSquared).
YLC of Licking County is made up of students from any schools that are in Licking County. 10 out of 12 schools of Licking County have representatives in the council. The council has around 35 representatives at this time. The students have to be either in grades, 9, 10, or 11 to apply. The students alone plan, run, and execute all of the projects that they want. The students have a little help from supervisor, Bobby Persinger. The groups meets up at OSU Newark to discuss their plans on the first Tuesday of every month. The group comes up with ideas and then together they vote on whether they think it is the best idea. If the council votes yes on the project then the project is presented and the plan is worked out with Persinger. The students focus of the “four pillars” which are prevention education, leadership development, civic engagement, and community service.
Northridge’s first representative in years is Aili Barbee (’16). Barbee became involved in YLC this past April after she heard about the YLC over the school’s announcements. She choose to join the Youth Leadership Council of Licking County because she thought “it would be a great opportunity to be involved with.”
The goals of the leadership council is to prove that “they are the majority.” The group uses this as their motto because the statistics of teenagers who do drugs and or alcohol shows the majority doesn’t participate in those acts. They want to show that “not all high-school students are the reckless and wild people that others make them out to be,” Barbee explains. “Our mission is to improve the education, social, safety and economic environments of Licking County by reducing the use/abuse of marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) by youth and adults,” according to their website.
YLC has done many projects to help achieve their goals and missions over the years. For example, the council partnered with the YMCA of Newark and held a mother-son ‘superhero training’ in August 2014, where the families did superhero-themed activities. They also held a ‘freshman focus day’ at Newark High School in August where they helped the freshman know what a good choice is and why drugs and alcohol are bad. Some upcoming projects include one student who made signs for schools in Licking County which promote ways to handle self-harm or depression. Barbee also is in the process of a campaign against reckless driving which is coming in the second week of November. On September 27 the council worked with police departments which to allow people to hand in their prescription drugs to the department.
“The council seems like a great idea for not only the students involved but the people in Licking County that they will be helping,” says Kaycee Campbell (’17).
For more information about how to get involved or to learn more about the Youth Leadership Council of Licking County you can go to www.ouryouth.com.
-Megan Dalton(’16) is the Junior Sports Editor for the Viking Vault.
By: Megan Dalton
(Photo: Part of the YLC group at the Newark suicide vigil Sept. 9. Barbee is bottom right. Photo by L. Barbee.)
The Youth Leadership Council of Licking County is a student run operation that focuses on “helping to make Licking County a happy, healthy, safe and drug free place to live, work and go to school,” says the group’s bio on Twitter (@YLCSquared).
YLC of Licking County is made up of students from any schools that are in Licking County. 10 out of 12 schools of Licking County have representatives in the council. The council has around 35 representatives at this time. The students have to be either in grades, 9, 10, or 11 to apply. The students alone plan, run, and execute all of the projects that they want. The students have a little help from supervisor, Bobby Persinger. The groups meets up at OSU Newark to discuss their plans on the first Tuesday of every month. The group comes up with ideas and then together they vote on whether they think it is the best idea. If the council votes yes on the project then the project is presented and the plan is worked out with Persinger. The students focus of the “four pillars” which are prevention education, leadership development, civic engagement, and community service.
Northridge’s first representative in years is Aili Barbee (’16). Barbee became involved in YLC this past April after she heard about the YLC over the school’s announcements. She choose to join the Youth Leadership Council of Licking County because she thought “it would be a great opportunity to be involved with.”
The goals of the leadership council is to prove that “they are the majority.” The group uses this as their motto because the statistics of teenagers who do drugs and or alcohol shows the majority doesn’t participate in those acts. They want to show that “not all high-school students are the reckless and wild people that others make them out to be,” Barbee explains. “Our mission is to improve the education, social, safety and economic environments of Licking County by reducing the use/abuse of marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) by youth and adults,” according to their website.
YLC has done many projects to help achieve their goals and missions over the years. For example, the council partnered with the YMCA of Newark and held a mother-son ‘superhero training’ in August 2014, where the families did superhero-themed activities. They also held a ‘freshman focus day’ at Newark High School in August where they helped the freshman know what a good choice is and why drugs and alcohol are bad. Some upcoming projects include one student who made signs for schools in Licking County which promote ways to handle self-harm or depression. Barbee also is in the process of a campaign against reckless driving which is coming in the second week of November. On September 27 the council worked with police departments which to allow people to hand in their prescription drugs to the department.
“The council seems like a great idea for not only the students involved but the people in Licking County that they will be helping,” says Kaycee Campbell (’17).
For more information about how to get involved or to learn more about the Youth Leadership Council of Licking County you can go to www.ouryouth.com.
-Megan Dalton(’16) is the Junior Sports Editor for the Viking Vault.
Northridge entrepreneurs starting personal businesses
By: Hugh Prentice
(Photo: Hatfield (left), Messer (center), and Carpenter (right). Photo by M. Scott.)
NORTHRIDGE - There are a few Northridge students in the high school that have their own businesses and sell their own merchandise. They are using their talents, ranging from athletics, art, or music to earn money when it’s not common for teens to try to use their abilities not only for a pay check but also to give people a local business from which to buy things.
McKenzie Messer (’15) started knitting around October 2013 and had never really sold her work until recently. Messer always just gave her projects as presents for birthdays and Christmases or donated them to places that needed gloves, scarves, or hats to keep those who needed them warm. As of recently she and her friend Taylor, currently a student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, started selling their knitted apparel out of McKenzie’s house, and the pair has just recently developed their logo. Their business is called Posies & Purls (purls being a specific stitch when you’re knitting). McKenzie says "It’s a very independent setup; Taylor and I just knit together." Currently the pair doesn’t have any business cards, but their logo is what speaks for them at the moment.
To see items or shop, visit Posies & Purls’ Facebook page or visit posiesandpurls.wordpress.com.
Another senior in high school, Ana Carpenter (’15) has an artistic design company called A Celestial Creation and has started taking in items to design and "reinvigorate" student’s phone cases, shoes, etc. Carpenter says "I’ve wanted to draw ever since I could pick up a pencil." Carpenter started her business about a month before this school year and has business cards and a Facebook page to publicize her works. Carpenter also hopes to get an Etsy page set up in the near future as well. Currently, it’s just Carpenter who draws for the company.
One last senior at Northridge, Megan Hatfield (’15), has started taking photos outside of the yearbook. Hatfield started taking pictures for fun around her 8th grade year and had started working for the high school’s yearbook in her sophomore year. Hatfield says she "has no set idea for a business" and that she usually just does family pictures and senior photos, and just takes donations for payment but Hatfield just "does them for fun."
If you need to find out more about any of these student’s businesses, just visit these websites:
https://www.facebook.com/posiesandpurls
https://www.facebook.com/acelestialcreation
https://www.facebook.com/MeganHatfieldPhotography
-Hugh Prentice ('16) is an Interactive Editor for the Viking Vault.
By: Hugh Prentice
(Photo: Hatfield (left), Messer (center), and Carpenter (right). Photo by M. Scott.)
NORTHRIDGE - There are a few Northridge students in the high school that have their own businesses and sell their own merchandise. They are using their talents, ranging from athletics, art, or music to earn money when it’s not common for teens to try to use their abilities not only for a pay check but also to give people a local business from which to buy things.
McKenzie Messer (’15) started knitting around October 2013 and had never really sold her work until recently. Messer always just gave her projects as presents for birthdays and Christmases or donated them to places that needed gloves, scarves, or hats to keep those who needed them warm. As of recently she and her friend Taylor, currently a student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, started selling their knitted apparel out of McKenzie’s house, and the pair has just recently developed their logo. Their business is called Posies & Purls (purls being a specific stitch when you’re knitting). McKenzie says "It’s a very independent setup; Taylor and I just knit together." Currently the pair doesn’t have any business cards, but their logo is what speaks for them at the moment.
To see items or shop, visit Posies & Purls’ Facebook page or visit posiesandpurls.wordpress.com.
Another senior in high school, Ana Carpenter (’15) has an artistic design company called A Celestial Creation and has started taking in items to design and "reinvigorate" student’s phone cases, shoes, etc. Carpenter says "I’ve wanted to draw ever since I could pick up a pencil." Carpenter started her business about a month before this school year and has business cards and a Facebook page to publicize her works. Carpenter also hopes to get an Etsy page set up in the near future as well. Currently, it’s just Carpenter who draws for the company.
One last senior at Northridge, Megan Hatfield (’15), has started taking photos outside of the yearbook. Hatfield started taking pictures for fun around her 8th grade year and had started working for the high school’s yearbook in her sophomore year. Hatfield says she "has no set idea for a business" and that she usually just does family pictures and senior photos, and just takes donations for payment but Hatfield just "does them for fun."
If you need to find out more about any of these student’s businesses, just visit these websites:
https://www.facebook.com/posiesandpurls
https://www.facebook.com/acelestialcreation
https://www.facebook.com/MeganHatfieldPhotography
-Hugh Prentice ('16) is an Interactive Editor for the Viking Vault.
Classrooms making the jump to the Internet
By: Savannah Legg
(Photo: Northridge Biology class working on Google Classroom. Photo by S. Legg.)
NORTHRIDGE - As of this year, Northridge local schools have brought the classrooms to the internet, using Google Classroom. The idea for the Google Classroom started out as a trial run for any school who wanted to test it. Google’s Classroom program started this May, and was designed so that students could use Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive, that are compatible with the teachers. Northridge set up to be a tester of the software in August, but wasn’t officially up and running until September.
With Google Classroom, Northridge teachers can now post homework assignments, notes, lectures, and even tips for homework help daily on their website for each class. Therefore, if a student is stuck on homework, instead of opening up a textbook to find out what to do, they can just watch a ten minute video lecture that the teacher puts on her Google site, making it easier to access additional information on each homework.
Jack Kruse, the technology specialist at Northridge, was in charge of setting up the accounts this summer. So far, he says he is very happy with the program and wants to stress that “with the software being free we cannot expect it to do everything we want. The Google Classroom is still an ‘infant’ of Google, and we all know what happens to Google’s infants.”
Josie Bunstine (‘16) said she “really likes the Google Classroom. It helps link all of my schoolwork so that I can access it at home.”
For both students and teachers the set-up process is fairly simple. First you go to Google Classroom where it will ask you if you are a teacher or a student. If you select teacher, it will automatically take you to the Google Site building process where you will be able to create a website for all of your classes. If you select student, it will take you to a fundamental process where you will create an email and password. From there, you can search for, and join the classes you are enrolled in as long as a website has been created for that class.
-Savannah Legg (‘16) is a Staff Writer and Junior Photo Editor for The Viking Vault.
By: Savannah Legg
(Photo: Northridge Biology class working on Google Classroom. Photo by S. Legg.)
NORTHRIDGE - As of this year, Northridge local schools have brought the classrooms to the internet, using Google Classroom. The idea for the Google Classroom started out as a trial run for any school who wanted to test it. Google’s Classroom program started this May, and was designed so that students could use Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive, that are compatible with the teachers. Northridge set up to be a tester of the software in August, but wasn’t officially up and running until September.
With Google Classroom, Northridge teachers can now post homework assignments, notes, lectures, and even tips for homework help daily on their website for each class. Therefore, if a student is stuck on homework, instead of opening up a textbook to find out what to do, they can just watch a ten minute video lecture that the teacher puts on her Google site, making it easier to access additional information on each homework.
Jack Kruse, the technology specialist at Northridge, was in charge of setting up the accounts this summer. So far, he says he is very happy with the program and wants to stress that “with the software being free we cannot expect it to do everything we want. The Google Classroom is still an ‘infant’ of Google, and we all know what happens to Google’s infants.”
Josie Bunstine (‘16) said she “really likes the Google Classroom. It helps link all of my schoolwork so that I can access it at home.”
For both students and teachers the set-up process is fairly simple. First you go to Google Classroom where it will ask you if you are a teacher or a student. If you select teacher, it will automatically take you to the Google Site building process where you will be able to create a website for all of your classes. If you select student, it will take you to a fundamental process where you will create an email and password. From there, you can search for, and join the classes you are enrolled in as long as a website has been created for that class.
-Savannah Legg (‘16) is a Staff Writer and Junior Photo Editor for The Viking Vault.
New exchange students come to Northridge
By: Mat Scott
(Photo: Leon (left) and Dmitrii (right) in Mrs. Garee's English class. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE – This school year, Northridge High School will be host to two foreign exchange students. Dmitrii Goloshchapov (’16) and Leon Meyer (’16) will be spending the year among our junior class, attending classes and studying alongside Northridge students. Dmitrii came to Northridge from Kyrgyzstan, which is near Russia, and Leon hails from Germany. Both are glad to be in the United States, saying that they both want to improve their English and that the people they have met so far have been very kind.
Dmitrii is not playing any sports for Northridge, but he played soccer while in Kyrgyzstan. Since coming to America, he said he is “excited to be here.” He would like to study American culture outside of school, and has said he would like to experience holidays such as Halloween and Christmas. Visiting Los Angeles and Hawaii are two excursions that he would like to make while in America. He said he is “tired of living in one country his entire life and would like some new experiences.” He also said that the roads, religious aspects, and environment are much different from those in Kyrgyzstan. Being from a city, Dmitrii says that living in rural Ohio is “much quieter.” He has studied English for less than one year, and has studied German before, saying that English is “not very difficult” to pick up. Dmitrii said his favorite part of Columbus was a trip to the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay when he arrived, where he got to pet a giraffe, and will also be going to Cedar Point soon. Kaleb Pugh (’17), whose family is hosting Dmitrii for the year, says “It will be a fun and exciting experience to host him for the year."
Leon is on the Northridge Varsity soccer team, and says he would like to “see how fùtbol (soccer) is played in the US.” He would also like to visit the big cities in the US and improve his English throughout his time here. In Germany, Leon says you can catch a bus or train and be just about anywhere you would need in about ten minutes, a vast difference from the US where everything is spread out. Leon went to Cedar Point shortly after coming to the US and said that his favorite roller coaster was the Top Thrill Dragster. Leon is currently in Germany but hopes to return soon.
The process to enroll in the foreign exchange program is a long one, say both boys, taking about six months. Potential students have to apply about six months in advance, plus three or four months of paperwork and visa negotiations. The students do not get to choose their school; the host family decides on that.
-Mat Scott (’15) is the Web Editor-in-Chief for The Viking Vault.
By: Mat Scott
(Photo: Leon (left) and Dmitrii (right) in Mrs. Garee's English class. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE – This school year, Northridge High School will be host to two foreign exchange students. Dmitrii Goloshchapov (’16) and Leon Meyer (’16) will be spending the year among our junior class, attending classes and studying alongside Northridge students. Dmitrii came to Northridge from Kyrgyzstan, which is near Russia, and Leon hails from Germany. Both are glad to be in the United States, saying that they both want to improve their English and that the people they have met so far have been very kind.
Dmitrii is not playing any sports for Northridge, but he played soccer while in Kyrgyzstan. Since coming to America, he said he is “excited to be here.” He would like to study American culture outside of school, and has said he would like to experience holidays such as Halloween and Christmas. Visiting Los Angeles and Hawaii are two excursions that he would like to make while in America. He said he is “tired of living in one country his entire life and would like some new experiences.” He also said that the roads, religious aspects, and environment are much different from those in Kyrgyzstan. Being from a city, Dmitrii says that living in rural Ohio is “much quieter.” He has studied English for less than one year, and has studied German before, saying that English is “not very difficult” to pick up. Dmitrii said his favorite part of Columbus was a trip to the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay when he arrived, where he got to pet a giraffe, and will also be going to Cedar Point soon. Kaleb Pugh (’17), whose family is hosting Dmitrii for the year, says “It will be a fun and exciting experience to host him for the year."
Leon is on the Northridge Varsity soccer team, and says he would like to “see how fùtbol (soccer) is played in the US.” He would also like to visit the big cities in the US and improve his English throughout his time here. In Germany, Leon says you can catch a bus or train and be just about anywhere you would need in about ten minutes, a vast difference from the US where everything is spread out. Leon went to Cedar Point shortly after coming to the US and said that his favorite roller coaster was the Top Thrill Dragster. Leon is currently in Germany but hopes to return soon.
The process to enroll in the foreign exchange program is a long one, say both boys, taking about six months. Potential students have to apply about six months in advance, plus three or four months of paperwork and visa negotiations. The students do not get to choose their school; the host family decides on that.
-Mat Scott (’15) is the Web Editor-in-Chief for The Viking Vault.
High school welcomes new associate principal and athletic director
By Aili Barbee
(Photo: Associate Principal and Athletic Director John Morgan is excited about the rural atmosphere of Northridge High School. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE- John Morgan was welcomed to Northridge on August 1st as both high school Associate Principal and the Athletic Director for grades 7 through 12, in order to assist Principal Amy Anderson and possibly alleviate her work load.
“I decided Northridge was the right place for me after my interview,” Morgan smiled. “The initial message I received from Superintendent Chris Briggs and the rest of the administrative team was that they do what they do in order to serve the students and the community. They made a point that even though our school is not big, our students still deserve the best.” Morgan was also really attracted to the close-knit Northridge community, stating that the “rural-ness” of Johnstown is very similar to his hometown.
Morgan’s goal for Northridge this year is “to get the message across to the community, students, parents and staff that our students deserve the best we can give them both academically and in sports. I also want to put a more organized system in place to make us more financially responsible with uniforms and equipment.”
Morgan stated that his current task is to better organize and assemble the athletic department. “The difficult part of replacing a previous athletic director is taking their system and making it yours,” he commented. “It’s a long transition trying to work to get things how you like it.” Morgan’s main job as athletic director is to hire and evaluate coaches, scheduling, hiring officials for games, arranging transportation and working on the budget with the Athletic Boosters.
After everything athletic-wise is sorted out, Morgan will have more time to focus on being Associate Principal and assisting Anderson. As associate principal, Morgan will eventually help with student discipline and observing and evaluating teachers.
After being asked how he is handling being both associate principal and athletic director, Morgan noted that “It is a lot of work; I’m here until almost 10 p.m. every night. Yet, it is crucially convenient to have an administrator also work as athletic director because it allows that individual to be able to evaluate coaches, which takes a big load off of the principal’s shoulders.”
When asked her opinion of Morgan, Anderson quoted that he “is doing a fantastic job. He has great energy and is a great fit for this school.”
Morgan’s had trouble picking a favorite part of Northridge commenting that he “really likes all of it a lot!” But, the best part is “the students and families, and their sense of support for each other and the community.” He reports that there is nothing he does not like about Northridge, only that it was an adjustment moving to the country and having to drive far for shopping and movies.
Morgan has previously taught and coached in the MENTOR school district, has been the athletic director for a school in Cincinnati and in Bexley, and was the assistant principal at Grove City. “I think the Northridge administrators liked that I had experience in both the areas that they were searching for,” said Morgan.
Morgan lives in an apartment in Johnstown with his wife, Sarah, and his border collie, Lola. He also has two daughters who are both currently attending Miami University. Morgan enjoys gardening and plays the guitar. He laughed, commenting that he is always looking for suggestions on the best local restaurants.
-Aili Barbee ('16) is the Jr. Print Editor-in-Chief The Viking Vault.
By Aili Barbee
(Photo: Associate Principal and Athletic Director John Morgan is excited about the rural atmosphere of Northridge High School. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE- John Morgan was welcomed to Northridge on August 1st as both high school Associate Principal and the Athletic Director for grades 7 through 12, in order to assist Principal Amy Anderson and possibly alleviate her work load.
“I decided Northridge was the right place for me after my interview,” Morgan smiled. “The initial message I received from Superintendent Chris Briggs and the rest of the administrative team was that they do what they do in order to serve the students and the community. They made a point that even though our school is not big, our students still deserve the best.” Morgan was also really attracted to the close-knit Northridge community, stating that the “rural-ness” of Johnstown is very similar to his hometown.
Morgan’s goal for Northridge this year is “to get the message across to the community, students, parents and staff that our students deserve the best we can give them both academically and in sports. I also want to put a more organized system in place to make us more financially responsible with uniforms and equipment.”
Morgan stated that his current task is to better organize and assemble the athletic department. “The difficult part of replacing a previous athletic director is taking their system and making it yours,” he commented. “It’s a long transition trying to work to get things how you like it.” Morgan’s main job as athletic director is to hire and evaluate coaches, scheduling, hiring officials for games, arranging transportation and working on the budget with the Athletic Boosters.
After everything athletic-wise is sorted out, Morgan will have more time to focus on being Associate Principal and assisting Anderson. As associate principal, Morgan will eventually help with student discipline and observing and evaluating teachers.
After being asked how he is handling being both associate principal and athletic director, Morgan noted that “It is a lot of work; I’m here until almost 10 p.m. every night. Yet, it is crucially convenient to have an administrator also work as athletic director because it allows that individual to be able to evaluate coaches, which takes a big load off of the principal’s shoulders.”
When asked her opinion of Morgan, Anderson quoted that he “is doing a fantastic job. He has great energy and is a great fit for this school.”
Morgan’s had trouble picking a favorite part of Northridge commenting that he “really likes all of it a lot!” But, the best part is “the students and families, and their sense of support for each other and the community.” He reports that there is nothing he does not like about Northridge, only that it was an adjustment moving to the country and having to drive far for shopping and movies.
Morgan has previously taught and coached in the MENTOR school district, has been the athletic director for a school in Cincinnati and in Bexley, and was the assistant principal at Grove City. “I think the Northridge administrators liked that I had experience in both the areas that they were searching for,” said Morgan.
Morgan lives in an apartment in Johnstown with his wife, Sarah, and his border collie, Lola. He also has two daughters who are both currently attending Miami University. Morgan enjoys gardening and plays the guitar. He laughed, commenting that he is always looking for suggestions on the best local restaurants.
-Aili Barbee ('16) is the Jr. Print Editor-in-Chief The Viking Vault.
Viking Vault adds print copy of newspaper
By:Megan Hatfield
(Photo: Newspaper staff working on getting the paper ready for print. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE - The high school’s newspaper, The Viking Vault, is in its third year of publishing an online paper, and is adding a print edition beginning this fall. The Licking County Foundation awarded adviser Mrs. Kim Garee with the Leaders for Learning grant award of $500, which she is putting toward that print edition.
The newspaper staff has plans to place the printed copies not only at the school for people to read, but at local businesses, banks, libraries, and other places where the community can access it along with students.
Every year every school district in Licking County picks one teacher to win the Leaders for Learning award. Those teachers get presented a glass apple, and the winners of the award can apply for the $500 grant. Garee, who won in the 2011-12 school year, can apply for the grant every year, but it is not always guaranteed.
Mikaela Pankuch (‘15) said “I’m excited for the printed copy of the newspaper because it will be more accessible.” She said sometimes she forgets about getting online to read the newspaper, so a printed version would be a great way to get more readers. She also said “I like reading the newspaper. It being a hard copy will feel more traditional than just reading it online.”
Macy Adams (‘15) thinks having a printed copy is “a great way to get more readers and to spark people’s interest to get online to read the rest of the story. The printed Vault will contain all the big news for the issues, but the rest of the stories will still be online.
Alexis Absten (‘15) agreed with Adams about getting more readers. Many times people often forget to get online to read the paper, but with the printed version it will be available at all times in many places.
Garee said that the branching off of the print version has created more editorial positions on the staff, which is made up entirely of students who have successfully completed the Journalism course. Many of this year’s seniors, including Web Editor-in-Chief Mat Scott ('15), Print Editor-in-Chief McKenzie Messer ('15), Photo Editor Megan Hatfield ('15), News Editor Gabrielle Evans ('15), and Features Editor Hunter Adkins ('15) were part of the very first class to publish The Vault. Chad Campbell (‘15) has come aboard this year as Sports Editor, while a group of juniors prepare to take the helm next year.
Messer said, “This gives us a way to reach a broader audience, the people in the community who prefer to hold a paper in their hands. It’s exciting that, even as a small school, we’re going to have the same kind of opportunity that a big school might have.”
Aili Barbee (‘16) plans to edit the print edition next year when Messer graduates and agrees that the opportunity is exciting. “I feel like people who don’t have the internet or who don’t even know about our newspaper will have a chance to see it now, and the experience for us on the staff is so important.”
Though the grant only covers six printed issues for this year, the staff is considering ways to continue to print a hard copy of its online paper in years to come.
-Megan Hatfield ('15) is the Photo Editor for the Viking Vault.
By:Megan Hatfield
(Photo: Newspaper staff working on getting the paper ready for print. Photo by M. Hatfield.)
NORTHRIDGE - The high school’s newspaper, The Viking Vault, is in its third year of publishing an online paper, and is adding a print edition beginning this fall. The Licking County Foundation awarded adviser Mrs. Kim Garee with the Leaders for Learning grant award of $500, which she is putting toward that print edition.
The newspaper staff has plans to place the printed copies not only at the school for people to read, but at local businesses, banks, libraries, and other places where the community can access it along with students.
Every year every school district in Licking County picks one teacher to win the Leaders for Learning award. Those teachers get presented a glass apple, and the winners of the award can apply for the $500 grant. Garee, who won in the 2011-12 school year, can apply for the grant every year, but it is not always guaranteed.
Mikaela Pankuch (‘15) said “I’m excited for the printed copy of the newspaper because it will be more accessible.” She said sometimes she forgets about getting online to read the newspaper, so a printed version would be a great way to get more readers. She also said “I like reading the newspaper. It being a hard copy will feel more traditional than just reading it online.”
Macy Adams (‘15) thinks having a printed copy is “a great way to get more readers and to spark people’s interest to get online to read the rest of the story. The printed Vault will contain all the big news for the issues, but the rest of the stories will still be online.
Alexis Absten (‘15) agreed with Adams about getting more readers. Many times people often forget to get online to read the paper, but with the printed version it will be available at all times in many places.
Garee said that the branching off of the print version has created more editorial positions on the staff, which is made up entirely of students who have successfully completed the Journalism course. Many of this year’s seniors, including Web Editor-in-Chief Mat Scott ('15), Print Editor-in-Chief McKenzie Messer ('15), Photo Editor Megan Hatfield ('15), News Editor Gabrielle Evans ('15), and Features Editor Hunter Adkins ('15) were part of the very first class to publish The Vault. Chad Campbell (‘15) has come aboard this year as Sports Editor, while a group of juniors prepare to take the helm next year.
Messer said, “This gives us a way to reach a broader audience, the people in the community who prefer to hold a paper in their hands. It’s exciting that, even as a small school, we’re going to have the same kind of opportunity that a big school might have.”
Aili Barbee (‘16) plans to edit the print edition next year when Messer graduates and agrees that the opportunity is exciting. “I feel like people who don’t have the internet or who don’t even know about our newspaper will have a chance to see it now, and the experience for us on the staff is so important.”
Though the grant only covers six printed issues for this year, the staff is considering ways to continue to print a hard copy of its online paper in years to come.
-Megan Hatfield ('15) is the Photo Editor for the Viking Vault.
Adkins and Lamp are king and queen of the luau
By: Hunter Adkins
(Photo: Adkins (left) and Lamp (right), crowned on Sept. 19 at the football game against Licking Valley. Photo by M. Hatfield)
NORTHRIDGE- Northridge’s Homecoming was September 20th with a Hawaiian Luau theme and, this year, included a full homecoming court.
Freshman attendants were Cora Dorman and John Berkley. The sophomore attendants were Meabh Powell and Logan Garee. Junior attendants were Kaelin Curran and Joe McDaniel. The senior attendants were: girls Sarah George, Shanlee Lamp, Hannah Young, Katelynd Havice; and boys Chad Campbell, Bryant Garee, Gavin Shank, and Jake Adkins. The Homecoming King and Queen, crowned during the pre-football game festivities, were Jake Adkins and Shanlee Lamp.
The school brought back the full class court this year but decided not to do hallway decorations or floats. Mikaela Pankuch (’15) said, "I think that having the full court is a way to get all of the grades involved, but is also a good way to carry on the tradition of homecoming court." She also said, "Not having floats or hallway decorations doesn’t take anything away from Homecoming, and it’s easier for the students."
There were decorations around the entrance of the dance so that people could take pictures if they wanted and also so it would look nice. Mrs. Grow, homecoming adviser, said the dance was a success. It drew about 250 students. Anita Shults (’16) said, "The music was fun; I really liked the songs and it was overall a good night."
Lamp was really excited about being on Homecoming court. She said, "Having all of the grades gets everyone involved and not focused on just the seniors." She also said, "Having floats or hallways decorations would’ve been cool because its senior year and it’s my last year, but some people care too much and then there are too many people that don’t care at all."
Havice and George agreed about not having floats and hallways decorations was good because people don’t take it seriously and, "it’s a waste of time and money." "Having hallways decorated is pointless because people take it down and it’s a waste of time for the people that decorate." She also said, "It doesn’t really affect Homecoming or anything because people joke around about it." Campbell agreed, "It’s easier not having the floats and hallway decorations because we don’t have to waste our time."
The varsity volleyball, cross country, varsity soccer, and the cheerleaders all rode around in decorated trucks and threw out candy to the crowd. The football team was defeated by Licking Valley with a score of 40-0. In the parade members of the homecoming court rode around in cars and walked across the football field.
-Hunter Adkins (’15) is the Features Editor for The Viking Vault.
By: Hunter Adkins
(Photo: Adkins (left) and Lamp (right), crowned on Sept. 19 at the football game against Licking Valley. Photo by M. Hatfield)
NORTHRIDGE- Northridge’s Homecoming was September 20th with a Hawaiian Luau theme and, this year, included a full homecoming court.
Freshman attendants were Cora Dorman and John Berkley. The sophomore attendants were Meabh Powell and Logan Garee. Junior attendants were Kaelin Curran and Joe McDaniel. The senior attendants were: girls Sarah George, Shanlee Lamp, Hannah Young, Katelynd Havice; and boys Chad Campbell, Bryant Garee, Gavin Shank, and Jake Adkins. The Homecoming King and Queen, crowned during the pre-football game festivities, were Jake Adkins and Shanlee Lamp.
The school brought back the full class court this year but decided not to do hallway decorations or floats. Mikaela Pankuch (’15) said, "I think that having the full court is a way to get all of the grades involved, but is also a good way to carry on the tradition of homecoming court." She also said, "Not having floats or hallway decorations doesn’t take anything away from Homecoming, and it’s easier for the students."
There were decorations around the entrance of the dance so that people could take pictures if they wanted and also so it would look nice. Mrs. Grow, homecoming adviser, said the dance was a success. It drew about 250 students. Anita Shults (’16) said, "The music was fun; I really liked the songs and it was overall a good night."
Lamp was really excited about being on Homecoming court. She said, "Having all of the grades gets everyone involved and not focused on just the seniors." She also said, "Having floats or hallways decorations would’ve been cool because its senior year and it’s my last year, but some people care too much and then there are too many people that don’t care at all."
Havice and George agreed about not having floats and hallways decorations was good because people don’t take it seriously and, "it’s a waste of time and money." "Having hallways decorated is pointless because people take it down and it’s a waste of time for the people that decorate." She also said, "It doesn’t really affect Homecoming or anything because people joke around about it." Campbell agreed, "It’s easier not having the floats and hallway decorations because we don’t have to waste our time."
The varsity volleyball, cross country, varsity soccer, and the cheerleaders all rode around in decorated trucks and threw out candy to the crowd. The football team was defeated by Licking Valley with a score of 40-0. In the parade members of the homecoming court rode around in cars and walked across the football field.
-Hunter Adkins (’15) is the Features Editor for The Viking Vault.