Gone Girl leaves you hanging but is still worth the ticket
By Chad Campbell
In the movie Gone Girl, Amy Dunne, Nick Dunne’s wife, all of a sudden disappears and no one really knows what has happened to her. Nick Dunne seems to be loving husband that is upset about his wife’s disappearance until the police uncover a few clues that point straight at him.
Nick is determined to clear his name and prove his innocence. While on his way to clear his name and prove innocence though, Nick has a big secret about his marriage to reveal that just might ruin his life and get him thrown in jail. Nick has to reveal this secret before it is uncovered by someone else.
In my opinion, Gone Girl was very well made movie that is definitely worth the money to go see.
The movie is nearly three hours long so make sure you clear a big part of your day to be able to watch the movie all the way through.
The only real concern I or anyone else that I have talked to about this movie is the ending.
The ending of the movie Gone Girl is a very odd ending that leaves you wanting more. It kind of cuts off and makes you wonder what happens with their lives.
Other than that, Gone Girl is well worth your money to go see.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Chad Campbell
In the movie Gone Girl, Amy Dunne, Nick Dunne’s wife, all of a sudden disappears and no one really knows what has happened to her. Nick Dunne seems to be loving husband that is upset about his wife’s disappearance until the police uncover a few clues that point straight at him.
Nick is determined to clear his name and prove his innocence. While on his way to clear his name and prove innocence though, Nick has a big secret about his marriage to reveal that just might ruin his life and get him thrown in jail. Nick has to reveal this secret before it is uncovered by someone else.
In my opinion, Gone Girl was very well made movie that is definitely worth the money to go see.
The movie is nearly three hours long so make sure you clear a big part of your day to be able to watch the movie all the way through.
The only real concern I or anyone else that I have talked to about this movie is the ending.
The ending of the movie Gone Girl is a very odd ending that leaves you wanting more. It kind of cuts off and makes you wonder what happens with their lives.
Other than that, Gone Girl is well worth your money to go see.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Lilly’s reviews of today’s hottest pop songs
By Lilly Chesser
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Mark Ronson is an instrumentalist and producer who has worked with artists like Adele and Amy Winehouse - two of the strongest/most remembered/most critically acclaimed neo-soul pop acts of the 2000s. Though I’m not sure Bruno Mars’ voice has the character of either of those two artists, he can belt, so...good enough, and he’s been on a sort of retro kick with a lot of his latest hits. “Uptown Funk” is a throwback funk hit (polished up enough for 2015 radio) and it is a fantastic, mood-boosting song that doesn’t take the common pop pratfall of being over-predictable in its structure. Mars’ voice works well with the song and with the little quartet backing vocals. The lyrics also seem well-written to the meter, giving them enough panache to make this an all-around great song to pump in your car with your friends on the weekend so they don’t make fun of what you normally listen to (I guess no one believes in the pop power of Lady Gaga anymore. Artpop was good, you guys.)
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
I’m happy for all the couples out there who think their relationship is defined by this song, or all the people who are made hopeful or enchanted by it, because I will never get that joy. I’m not opposed to “love” as a subject, but what does Ed Sheeran have to say about it? He loves someone. They love him. Love exists. Love is the dullest of cliches here and it falls so flat. Even places where he tries to say something other than just the word “love” are incredibly boring. The line “kiss me under the light of a thousand stars” rouses nothing in me. These lyrics were most likely written to go along with what Sheeran and his producers thought was a pretty instrumental and to showcase Sheeran’s voice. He does have a good voice but, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before or couldn’t hear again in the American Idol tryouts. As for the instrumental - tired, boring piano I’ve heard before, tired, boring drum machine I’ve heard before - I have no attraction to it. Hearing this I was immediately suspicious that Sheeran has had some connection to the music industry since birth; this is not the kind of song that would make someone famous. I'm glad to say that a bit of research has found nothing on that. However, I have to acknowledge that there is an incredible advantage for the music of established artists over that of an amateur. Just scrolling through youtube I could find hundreds of guitar or piano pop tunes that are at least better than this. Nothing will convince me that this song is popular for any reason that isn't marketing. We were forced to care about this song by businessmen, not by the invisible hand of our collective musical tastes, I’m sure of it. Ed Sheeran is proof that capitalism doesn’t work.
Take Me to Church - Hozier
This is a respectable establishment so I can’t really get into my interpretation of the content of this song. Let’s just say it’s very obsessive of a certain relationship. It’s part of a rich tradition of literature and songwriting that compares “relationships” to religious themes for the connections both have to feelings of love, ecstasy, something above yourself, etc., and for, frankly, shock value. I like it, I think this is a pretty alright song, but unfortunately that’s all it can ever be to me. I want a certain something from pop music- something that only pop music can deliver. This is a vaguely “alternative” type of pop, and good for it, but that forces me to critique it against other alternative, non-pop music to which it does not have a chance of holding up. What I mean is that it cannot go to the places it wants or need to go while still trying to hold to pop conventions. The comparison I immediately drew was to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, because of the similar obsessive lyricism. Trent, however, can “go there”, so to speak, with hollow industrial noises, pained vocals, and absolutely maddening obsession about this object of his desire. I’m not trying to say Hozier should try to be more like Reznor, I understand they’re two different songs with two different styles trying to accomplish two different things. I would just prefer that a popular artist either play the pop game or the “artistic merit” game because straddling both doesn’t do much for me.
-Lilly Chesser ('15) is the Copy Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Lilly Chesser
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
Mark Ronson is an instrumentalist and producer who has worked with artists like Adele and Amy Winehouse - two of the strongest/most remembered/most critically acclaimed neo-soul pop acts of the 2000s. Though I’m not sure Bruno Mars’ voice has the character of either of those two artists, he can belt, so...good enough, and he’s been on a sort of retro kick with a lot of his latest hits. “Uptown Funk” is a throwback funk hit (polished up enough for 2015 radio) and it is a fantastic, mood-boosting song that doesn’t take the common pop pratfall of being over-predictable in its structure. Mars’ voice works well with the song and with the little quartet backing vocals. The lyrics also seem well-written to the meter, giving them enough panache to make this an all-around great song to pump in your car with your friends on the weekend so they don’t make fun of what you normally listen to (I guess no one believes in the pop power of Lady Gaga anymore. Artpop was good, you guys.)
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
I’m happy for all the couples out there who think their relationship is defined by this song, or all the people who are made hopeful or enchanted by it, because I will never get that joy. I’m not opposed to “love” as a subject, but what does Ed Sheeran have to say about it? He loves someone. They love him. Love exists. Love is the dullest of cliches here and it falls so flat. Even places where he tries to say something other than just the word “love” are incredibly boring. The line “kiss me under the light of a thousand stars” rouses nothing in me. These lyrics were most likely written to go along with what Sheeran and his producers thought was a pretty instrumental and to showcase Sheeran’s voice. He does have a good voice but, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before or couldn’t hear again in the American Idol tryouts. As for the instrumental - tired, boring piano I’ve heard before, tired, boring drum machine I’ve heard before - I have no attraction to it. Hearing this I was immediately suspicious that Sheeran has had some connection to the music industry since birth; this is not the kind of song that would make someone famous. I'm glad to say that a bit of research has found nothing on that. However, I have to acknowledge that there is an incredible advantage for the music of established artists over that of an amateur. Just scrolling through youtube I could find hundreds of guitar or piano pop tunes that are at least better than this. Nothing will convince me that this song is popular for any reason that isn't marketing. We were forced to care about this song by businessmen, not by the invisible hand of our collective musical tastes, I’m sure of it. Ed Sheeran is proof that capitalism doesn’t work.
Take Me to Church - Hozier
This is a respectable establishment so I can’t really get into my interpretation of the content of this song. Let’s just say it’s very obsessive of a certain relationship. It’s part of a rich tradition of literature and songwriting that compares “relationships” to religious themes for the connections both have to feelings of love, ecstasy, something above yourself, etc., and for, frankly, shock value. I like it, I think this is a pretty alright song, but unfortunately that’s all it can ever be to me. I want a certain something from pop music- something that only pop music can deliver. This is a vaguely “alternative” type of pop, and good for it, but that forces me to critique it against other alternative, non-pop music to which it does not have a chance of holding up. What I mean is that it cannot go to the places it wants or need to go while still trying to hold to pop conventions. The comparison I immediately drew was to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, because of the similar obsessive lyricism. Trent, however, can “go there”, so to speak, with hollow industrial noises, pained vocals, and absolutely maddening obsession about this object of his desire. I’m not trying to say Hozier should try to be more like Reznor, I understand they’re two different songs with two different styles trying to accomplish two different things. I would just prefer that a popular artist either play the pop game or the “artistic merit” game because straddling both doesn’t do much for me.
-Lilly Chesser ('15) is the Copy Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Under the desk: underclassmen stress
By McKenzie Messer
As a senior, I’m extremely stressed trying to figure out scholarships, budgeting, and trying to decide what type of laptop to get. There are many things I wish I would have known before I got here, so if you’re an not here yet and freaking out, I hope some of these words can help you!
Getting a job:
Not all first jobs are going to be glamorous, and it won’t be your favorite. Jobs are nice though. I love having my own money to buy coffee or get my friends gifts or saving for college. It’s nice knowing I have that kind of power even though it’s not a lot. If you’re trying to find a job, walk around a mall, ask adults, or even the office sometimes has information. If possible, don’t go with something that makes you hate yourself or your life. School takes a big part of your time, so don’t spend your left over time hating it. Look at places that interest you and ask the owners if they are hiring. If you like baseball, look at batting cages. If you like swimming, look for lifeguarding opportunities. I work at the library because I love books and let me tell you, I love my job. I love the books, my coworkers, my boss (hey, Denise!), the patrons, I honestly love everything about it. First jobs aren’t supposed to be extraordinary, but you shouldn’t hate it either.
College readiness:
First thing’s first- IT IS LITERALLY NEVER TOO EARLY TO LOOK AT SCHOOLS OR THINK ABOUT MAJORS. Don’t overdo it because you’ll become overwhelmed and never look at college, but you can always look.
Picking your school:
Let’s not lie here, picking your school can be very frustrating and difficult. That’s why it’s incredibly important to listen to your heart. When picking your school look at population, location, programs, study-abroad options, amenities, teacher to student ratio, and if you’re interested, it’s very important to visit it because you don’t want to get accepted and arrive there and be uncomfortable in the environment. If you’re curious what the students are like, download the app Yik-Yak and search the college you’re interested in. Many times schools show you the brightest and the best to make you think everyone’s like that, but Yik-Yak is an app that the students post their thoughts to directly. That being said, there may be inappropriate material so beware. The good part about college is if you absolutely hate your school, you don’t have to stay there. You can transfer schools. You also don’t have to start where you eventually end up. I can’t tell you how many people I knew that have/are/or will attend OSU Newark and then went to main campus or another school.
Money:
Money is such a stressful topic. When choosing schools, my first question was always, “How much is tuition?” While state schools are cheaper than private colleges, the private ones have a lot more money to give out. Private schools will give out merit scholarships based on your high school academics and can take most of that money burden off your shoulders.When you’re attending college presentations at the school, don’t be afraid to ask the school person about merit scholarship. That is a very important thing to take into consideration because while some of the school’s base price is lower, you could go to the more expensive school for a lower cost because you got a really good merit scholarship.
Saving for college is also stressful. Ask your parents if they’ve put back money for your tuition so you can start planning. If you have a job, try to save 15% of each paycheck. This sounds easy, but once you’ve gotten the money, you won’t want to depart with it. Trust me, it’s only temporary. Putting away the money will suck at first, but you’ll thank yourself when you’re in my place.
Scholarships:
My goodness, what a stressful topic right now. I actually just finished 12 scholarship applications, and I have about eight that I’m working on right now. I’m not going to lie, it’s a ton of work. All I’ve done the past three weeks straight is work on scholarship material. But enough about me. Let’s talk about how you find these beautiful things.
Honestly, stop by Mrs. Stone’s office whenever they announce a new list. I know it seems repetitive to be in there all the time getting new lists, but it will pay off. Plus, seeing Mrs. Stone will put you in a good mood. Another place to look is online. Think of our hobbies or weird things about you and type it into google followed by “scholarships.” You’d be surprised by the results! I’ve found ones for tall people, left-handed people, knitters, vegetarians, people who show hogs, and everything in between. It’s also a good idea to ask parents to ask their bosses if their company has specific scholarships for the children of employees. There are also special websites that have lists upon lists that you could qualify for. The biggest one right now is the Licking County Foundation. I highly recommend looking there first! The applications aren’t very difficult and all the ones I’ve done don’t require letters of recommendation.
Finding your major:
I feel very strongly about loving your career because you’re going to spend a big part of your life doing it and it would suck to wake up every Monday dreading the week and spending every Friday waiting for 5:00 to roll around. Figure out what you love and do it. If you really, really love art, but everyone is telling you that you can’t make a good living with that, blow them off. People are in this weird mindset that the only people who ever get jobs are doctors and lawyers. If art or writing or whatever is your true passion, go after it. You’ll thank yourself 15 years from now.
Just generally lost:
Ask for other’s advice and guidance. Ask adults who went into your field or seniors going through what you’re wondering about. I actually found my college through my neighbor who is a photographer, so just generally asking around what schools are good or what majors seem nice is always a good idea. If you don’t have anyone to ask questions on schools, how to deal with stress, or the what not, I can always be your upperclassmen friend that can help you out.
-McKenzie Messer (‘15) is the Print Editor-In-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By McKenzie Messer
As a senior, I’m extremely stressed trying to figure out scholarships, budgeting, and trying to decide what type of laptop to get. There are many things I wish I would have known before I got here, so if you’re an not here yet and freaking out, I hope some of these words can help you!
Getting a job:
Not all first jobs are going to be glamorous, and it won’t be your favorite. Jobs are nice though. I love having my own money to buy coffee or get my friends gifts or saving for college. It’s nice knowing I have that kind of power even though it’s not a lot. If you’re trying to find a job, walk around a mall, ask adults, or even the office sometimes has information. If possible, don’t go with something that makes you hate yourself or your life. School takes a big part of your time, so don’t spend your left over time hating it. Look at places that interest you and ask the owners if they are hiring. If you like baseball, look at batting cages. If you like swimming, look for lifeguarding opportunities. I work at the library because I love books and let me tell you, I love my job. I love the books, my coworkers, my boss (hey, Denise!), the patrons, I honestly love everything about it. First jobs aren’t supposed to be extraordinary, but you shouldn’t hate it either.
College readiness:
First thing’s first- IT IS LITERALLY NEVER TOO EARLY TO LOOK AT SCHOOLS OR THINK ABOUT MAJORS. Don’t overdo it because you’ll become overwhelmed and never look at college, but you can always look.
Picking your school:
Let’s not lie here, picking your school can be very frustrating and difficult. That’s why it’s incredibly important to listen to your heart. When picking your school look at population, location, programs, study-abroad options, amenities, teacher to student ratio, and if you’re interested, it’s very important to visit it because you don’t want to get accepted and arrive there and be uncomfortable in the environment. If you’re curious what the students are like, download the app Yik-Yak and search the college you’re interested in. Many times schools show you the brightest and the best to make you think everyone’s like that, but Yik-Yak is an app that the students post their thoughts to directly. That being said, there may be inappropriate material so beware. The good part about college is if you absolutely hate your school, you don’t have to stay there. You can transfer schools. You also don’t have to start where you eventually end up. I can’t tell you how many people I knew that have/are/or will attend OSU Newark and then went to main campus or another school.
Money:
Money is such a stressful topic. When choosing schools, my first question was always, “How much is tuition?” While state schools are cheaper than private colleges, the private ones have a lot more money to give out. Private schools will give out merit scholarships based on your high school academics and can take most of that money burden off your shoulders.When you’re attending college presentations at the school, don’t be afraid to ask the school person about merit scholarship. That is a very important thing to take into consideration because while some of the school’s base price is lower, you could go to the more expensive school for a lower cost because you got a really good merit scholarship.
Saving for college is also stressful. Ask your parents if they’ve put back money for your tuition so you can start planning. If you have a job, try to save 15% of each paycheck. This sounds easy, but once you’ve gotten the money, you won’t want to depart with it. Trust me, it’s only temporary. Putting away the money will suck at first, but you’ll thank yourself when you’re in my place.
Scholarships:
My goodness, what a stressful topic right now. I actually just finished 12 scholarship applications, and I have about eight that I’m working on right now. I’m not going to lie, it’s a ton of work. All I’ve done the past three weeks straight is work on scholarship material. But enough about me. Let’s talk about how you find these beautiful things.
Honestly, stop by Mrs. Stone’s office whenever they announce a new list. I know it seems repetitive to be in there all the time getting new lists, but it will pay off. Plus, seeing Mrs. Stone will put you in a good mood. Another place to look is online. Think of our hobbies or weird things about you and type it into google followed by “scholarships.” You’d be surprised by the results! I’ve found ones for tall people, left-handed people, knitters, vegetarians, people who show hogs, and everything in between. It’s also a good idea to ask parents to ask their bosses if their company has specific scholarships for the children of employees. There are also special websites that have lists upon lists that you could qualify for. The biggest one right now is the Licking County Foundation. I highly recommend looking there first! The applications aren’t very difficult and all the ones I’ve done don’t require letters of recommendation.
Finding your major:
I feel very strongly about loving your career because you’re going to spend a big part of your life doing it and it would suck to wake up every Monday dreading the week and spending every Friday waiting for 5:00 to roll around. Figure out what you love and do it. If you really, really love art, but everyone is telling you that you can’t make a good living with that, blow them off. People are in this weird mindset that the only people who ever get jobs are doctors and lawyers. If art or writing or whatever is your true passion, go after it. You’ll thank yourself 15 years from now.
Just generally lost:
Ask for other’s advice and guidance. Ask adults who went into your field or seniors going through what you’re wondering about. I actually found my college through my neighbor who is a photographer, so just generally asking around what schools are good or what majors seem nice is always a good idea. If you don’t have anyone to ask questions on schools, how to deal with stress, or the what not, I can always be your upperclassmen friend that can help you out.
-McKenzie Messer (‘15) is the Print Editor-In-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Long-distance relationship advice
By Megan Hatfield
For a year and a half now I have been in a long distance relationship. In November of 2014, my boyfriend, Elliott joined the Marines, which added more distance and separation to our relationship. From my own experience, I know long distance relationships can be challenging, especially when you add the Military on top of it, but if you find the right person they are definitely worth it. I have some tips for making long distance relationships work.
These are just a few tips that can help lead to a healthy, successful long-distance relationship. My biggest piece of advice is to not let obstacles like separation and distance affect a relationship because in the end, it is worth it.
-Megan Hatfield ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Megan Hatfield
For a year and a half now I have been in a long distance relationship. In November of 2014, my boyfriend, Elliott joined the Marines, which added more distance and separation to our relationship. From my own experience, I know long distance relationships can be challenging, especially when you add the Military on top of it, but if you find the right person they are definitely worth it. I have some tips for making long distance relationships work.
- From the start of a long distance relationship you have to have a foundation built off of trust, honesty, and realistic expectations of one another. You have to realize that you won’t be spending everyday together and both be committed to still wanting to make the relationship work.
- Instead of focusing on all the time you spend apart, you have to cherish and appreciate the times you spend together. There is no reason to dwell on all the time you have to spend apart; instead just focus on all the great times you spend together.
- Being in a long distance relationship requires both people involved to be primarily independent. One of the main reasons long distance has worked for me is because I am involved in so many different things and I always stay busy. High school is time where you can get involved and participate in many things, a relationship shouldn’t limit what you do individually.
- Communication is key. Texting, calling, and face-timing are great ways to stay connected with your boyfriend or girlfriend who you can’t see very often. My boyfriend and I stay connected through handwritten letters while he was at bootcamp. There are many ways to stay in contact and take advantage of that.
- Make each other a priority. When you both are free, make it a point to spend time together. Being far apart with busy schedules can make finding time to be together difficult, so when you do find the time, make it a point to do something fun together or just hangout.
- Always try to look at the bright side, even when you are feeling lonely. When you go a long time without seeing someone, or sometimes even talking to them, it’s easy to feel sad, but the best thing to do is stay positive. Think of all the great memories and times you have had with your boyfriend/girlfriend instead of missing them.
- Long-term commitment to one another will always give you something to look forward to for the future. If you always plan on being together, then you can always look forward to when you won’t be far apart anymore.
These are just a few tips that can help lead to a healthy, successful long-distance relationship. My biggest piece of advice is to not let obstacles like separation and distance affect a relationship because in the end, it is worth it.
-Megan Hatfield ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Ask Aili
By Aili Barbee
Q: I have a lot of free time because of the snowy weather. What are some fun things that I can do inside?
A: I personally enjoy reading during snow days the most. If you know the next day is going to be snowy, make a trip to the library before the storm hits or buy a book on your laptop or phone. You can also pick up a crafty hobby such as knitting, painting, or drawing. Netflix is always a popular choice for snowed-in high schoolers. When you’re stuck inside and bored, start watching a new series, watch the movie you’ve been dying to see, or tune into a documentary on a subject you’re really interested in!
Q: My one friend pressures me into doing prescription pills with him and his brother. Is this wrong? If so, how do I get them to stop pressuring me?
A: Prescription drug abuse and misuse are both illegal and dangerous. Tell your friends that taking a prescription in a way that is not prescribed or that is not yours is never a good idea. If they continue to pressure you into it, be sure to continue to communicate to them that it is not something you want to engage in. If they still do not listen and respect your wishes, it is then time to get new friends.
Q: I feel as if my mom hasn’t been paying that much attention to me lately. How do I relay this problem to her?
A: Try talking to her calmly and telling her how you truly feel. Be sure to not get angry and start yelling at her, for then she will tune out completely. Explain to her that you want to spend more time together and give her examples of what you guys can do together. Remember that your mom is very busy trying to provide and take care of you, but she still wants to spend quality time with her children.
-Aili Barbee (‘16) is the Junior Print Editor-in-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Aili Barbee
Q: I have a lot of free time because of the snowy weather. What are some fun things that I can do inside?
A: I personally enjoy reading during snow days the most. If you know the next day is going to be snowy, make a trip to the library before the storm hits or buy a book on your laptop or phone. You can also pick up a crafty hobby such as knitting, painting, or drawing. Netflix is always a popular choice for snowed-in high schoolers. When you’re stuck inside and bored, start watching a new series, watch the movie you’ve been dying to see, or tune into a documentary on a subject you’re really interested in!
Q: My one friend pressures me into doing prescription pills with him and his brother. Is this wrong? If so, how do I get them to stop pressuring me?
A: Prescription drug abuse and misuse are both illegal and dangerous. Tell your friends that taking a prescription in a way that is not prescribed or that is not yours is never a good idea. If they continue to pressure you into it, be sure to continue to communicate to them that it is not something you want to engage in. If they still do not listen and respect your wishes, it is then time to get new friends.
Q: I feel as if my mom hasn’t been paying that much attention to me lately. How do I relay this problem to her?
A: Try talking to her calmly and telling her how you truly feel. Be sure to not get angry and start yelling at her, for then she will tune out completely. Explain to her that you want to spend more time together and give her examples of what you guys can do together. Remember that your mom is very busy trying to provide and take care of you, but she still wants to spend quality time with her children.
-Aili Barbee (‘16) is the Junior Print Editor-in-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
The art of urbex
By Kyle Stermer
A new craze has been going around, and it is known by the name of urban exploration, or the shortened term "urbex." To sum it up, urbex is when a group of people, or however many people really, go explore abandon structures, such as abandoned hospitals, hotels, amusement parks, and many other places.
To start off, sometimes urbex isn’t a good idea. Many places have no trespassing signs, and these could mean hidden dangers such as unstable buildings, or chemical spills.
There are a few spoken rules of urbex. One of these rules is absolutely no vandalism. There is no need to go to a piece of history and make your mark on it. Set the example for future explorers. Another rule is take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing but footprints. A lot of the time while urbexing, you’ll see a lot of cool things that will leave you with the urge to take them for yourselves. What makes urbexing so cool is the stuff you find, if you take it then the next person down the line won’t get to experience the same thing as you did. A lot of the time, nobody will say anything, as long as you aren’t taking anything, or vandalizing. Urbexing is relatively supported, but there is a small crowd who claim it’s dangerous to go in abandoned buildings. That may be true, but most of the time the risk is relatively low.
A popular urbex location in Ohio is an amusement park called Chippewa Lake. Hidden on a lakeshore in Median County, was an amusement park running almost 100 years, from 1878 through 1978. The park went out of business due to financial reasons, and nothing was torn down. Many people today say there is still a lot left to see, ranging from buildings, rides, and mechanical equipment. The bad part about this park is that it is now a stretch of woods littered with no trespassing signs.
The amusement park is located near Cleveland, so not a very close drive in relation to Northridge. However, there are plenty of other urbex spots that are within an hour to a half hour drive from Northridge.
Urbexing is a very fun and rewarding hobby, and I would recommend it to anyone. Although, there are some obvious risks, that may not be worth taking depending on the person. Happy exploring.
-Kyle Stermer ('16) is the Interactive Editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Kyle Stermer
A new craze has been going around, and it is known by the name of urban exploration, or the shortened term "urbex." To sum it up, urbex is when a group of people, or however many people really, go explore abandon structures, such as abandoned hospitals, hotels, amusement parks, and many other places.
To start off, sometimes urbex isn’t a good idea. Many places have no trespassing signs, and these could mean hidden dangers such as unstable buildings, or chemical spills.
There are a few spoken rules of urbex. One of these rules is absolutely no vandalism. There is no need to go to a piece of history and make your mark on it. Set the example for future explorers. Another rule is take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing but footprints. A lot of the time while urbexing, you’ll see a lot of cool things that will leave you with the urge to take them for yourselves. What makes urbexing so cool is the stuff you find, if you take it then the next person down the line won’t get to experience the same thing as you did. A lot of the time, nobody will say anything, as long as you aren’t taking anything, or vandalizing. Urbexing is relatively supported, but there is a small crowd who claim it’s dangerous to go in abandoned buildings. That may be true, but most of the time the risk is relatively low.
A popular urbex location in Ohio is an amusement park called Chippewa Lake. Hidden on a lakeshore in Median County, was an amusement park running almost 100 years, from 1878 through 1978. The park went out of business due to financial reasons, and nothing was torn down. Many people today say there is still a lot left to see, ranging from buildings, rides, and mechanical equipment. The bad part about this park is that it is now a stretch of woods littered with no trespassing signs.
The amusement park is located near Cleveland, so not a very close drive in relation to Northridge. However, there are plenty of other urbex spots that are within an hour to a half hour drive from Northridge.
Urbexing is a very fun and rewarding hobby, and I would recommend it to anyone. Although, there are some obvious risks, that may not be worth taking depending on the person. Happy exploring.
-Kyle Stermer ('16) is the Interactive Editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Scooting through life
By Brad Wilson
As an athlete, it is very important to have a healthy body in order to perform at your highest level, and if you can’t do that, then you won’t be satisfied. Injuries are the worst nightmare for anyone that takes sports seriously ... more specifically, season ending injuries.
I had a season ending injury on Jan. 6 at Heath High School. I tore my Achilles tendon in my right leg. After the injury, I was incapable of walking on my own so I needed to find an assisted walking device. In my searching, I remember that J.T. Barrett had a similar injury, and he got a knee scooter to help him around. So I figured I would do the same.
I had surgery on Jan. 14, and the next day I went to a medical supply building where I rented the scooter that I ride around on today. The scooter came with a lot of warnings and rules that would prevent me from breaking it, but I didn’t read those rules. The scooter is a very good source of help when it comes to walking on one foot, but it is also extremely tempting to abuse it. The first temptation is also the most obvious, speed. I constantly find myself trying to get going as fast as I can until I’m on the verge of losing control.
Unfortunately, I did fall off the scooter more than once. The point is, it was never a devastating enough fall to slow me down the next time.
The scooter isn’t all fun and games; it makes everyday tasks such as getting up and down stairs and putting clothes on a real challenge. It is a true mental and emotional test, not being able to put on your own sock, requiring assistance making food, and literally breaking a sweat turning your body 180 degrees.
If someone is ever to have a serious leg injury below the knee, I would not hesitate to recommend that they invest in a knee scooter, but I would also be quick to warn them it can be a rough ride.
-Brad Wilson (‘15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Brad Wilson
As an athlete, it is very important to have a healthy body in order to perform at your highest level, and if you can’t do that, then you won’t be satisfied. Injuries are the worst nightmare for anyone that takes sports seriously ... more specifically, season ending injuries.
I had a season ending injury on Jan. 6 at Heath High School. I tore my Achilles tendon in my right leg. After the injury, I was incapable of walking on my own so I needed to find an assisted walking device. In my searching, I remember that J.T. Barrett had a similar injury, and he got a knee scooter to help him around. So I figured I would do the same.
I had surgery on Jan. 14, and the next day I went to a medical supply building where I rented the scooter that I ride around on today. The scooter came with a lot of warnings and rules that would prevent me from breaking it, but I didn’t read those rules. The scooter is a very good source of help when it comes to walking on one foot, but it is also extremely tempting to abuse it. The first temptation is also the most obvious, speed. I constantly find myself trying to get going as fast as I can until I’m on the verge of losing control.
Unfortunately, I did fall off the scooter more than once. The point is, it was never a devastating enough fall to slow me down the next time.
The scooter isn’t all fun and games; it makes everyday tasks such as getting up and down stairs and putting clothes on a real challenge. It is a true mental and emotional test, not being able to put on your own sock, requiring assistance making food, and literally breaking a sweat turning your body 180 degrees.
If someone is ever to have a serious leg injury below the knee, I would not hesitate to recommend that they invest in a knee scooter, but I would also be quick to warn them it can be a rough ride.
-Brad Wilson (‘15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Where culture goes wrong
By Kaycee Campbell
I am probably not alone in feeling that this day in age lacks the common manners and speaking filters of those generations in the past.
Kids in this generation are just not raised with as much discipline as those in the previous generations. They do and say things that shouldn’t be considered acceptable in my opinion. But the types of things we submit ourselves to could be negative influences, as well.
When I say this, I mean things that we have adapted into our culture so willingly, like T.V., movies, songs, phrases, celebrities role models, etc. Movies and songs talking about drugs, strippers, sex, alcohol, robbery, and crime like its nothing. Celebrity role models being sent behind bars for drugs, theft, etc. Phrases that are too inappropriate to even print. So many things that we are engaged in so frequently.
The phrase “monkey see, monkey do” fits perfectly because in this case the negative things we see are influencing us in a negative way. In the United Sates, 90% of alcoholics and drug users started before the age of 18, when they were still under the easily influencing stage of their lives.
Another place we see such negative things is social media. On social media, basically anything goes. If you find something you don’t consider okay on social media, you can report it on almost any website/app. Doing this, though, does not help much; for one, it’s a long, dragged out process and could even be weeks before its looked into, and that is if it is even looked into.
Another place we go wrong with the lack of discipline is parents trying to play the role of “friend.” They let their kids do anything they please, hoping they’ll like them. Being raised like this, young people may lose respect for authority in general, which carries over to school and work situations.
So maybe if we could take control and realize that we have a problem on our hands, then we could change it. Watch what you say, use your filter, and have respect for others. Also don’t idolize the bad things, they’re considered negative things for a reason.
-Kaycee Campbell ('17) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Kaycee Campbell
I am probably not alone in feeling that this day in age lacks the common manners and speaking filters of those generations in the past.
Kids in this generation are just not raised with as much discipline as those in the previous generations. They do and say things that shouldn’t be considered acceptable in my opinion. But the types of things we submit ourselves to could be negative influences, as well.
When I say this, I mean things that we have adapted into our culture so willingly, like T.V., movies, songs, phrases, celebrities role models, etc. Movies and songs talking about drugs, strippers, sex, alcohol, robbery, and crime like its nothing. Celebrity role models being sent behind bars for drugs, theft, etc. Phrases that are too inappropriate to even print. So many things that we are engaged in so frequently.
The phrase “monkey see, monkey do” fits perfectly because in this case the negative things we see are influencing us in a negative way. In the United Sates, 90% of alcoholics and drug users started before the age of 18, when they were still under the easily influencing stage of their lives.
Another place we see such negative things is social media. On social media, basically anything goes. If you find something you don’t consider okay on social media, you can report it on almost any website/app. Doing this, though, does not help much; for one, it’s a long, dragged out process and could even be weeks before its looked into, and that is if it is even looked into.
Another place we go wrong with the lack of discipline is parents trying to play the role of “friend.” They let their kids do anything they please, hoping they’ll like them. Being raised like this, young people may lose respect for authority in general, which carries over to school and work situations.
So maybe if we could take control and realize that we have a problem on our hands, then we could change it. Watch what you say, use your filter, and have respect for others. Also don’t idolize the bad things, they’re considered negative things for a reason.
-Kaycee Campbell ('17) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Impact of snow days on test schedule
By Mat Scott
With all of the foul weather recently, I think we can all agree that we’re getting very far behind with schoolwork and life in general.
Since we only had one day of school last week, anything that was planned for those days we missed will have to be rescheduled for days we actually have school. This puts pressure on us as students since we are now in a rush to learn all of the things we are required to learn, but it also puts the squeeze on the teachers, who have to find time that isn’t there to teach the material they need. Throw in all of the standardized testing that the state now requires, and you’ve got yourselves a serious time crunch from which students and teachers will struggle to recuperate.
The biggest issue with the cancellations is that the standardized tests don’t move. If a regular school day is cancelled, the teacher can just reschedule the lesson plans for that day to the next day of school. Standardized testing throws a wrench in that because teachers still have to meet a deadline to teach everything they need to for the entire year. They can’t just reschedule things for the next day because there is still a giant test waiting for the students, and it’s not moving due to the state requirements.
Standardized testing should be a little more flexible with schools, and foul weather should be taken into account when scheduling these tests. Setting a date in stone makes the job of teachers extremely tough since they don’t have any schedule flexibility. Teachers have to cut things from lessons due to the time constraints, and the days after the tests end up being wasted. If the state would add in some flexibility to the testing schedule, teachers would have the time they need to cover all of the material before the tests and students would have enough time to effectively learn all of the material. This would also eliminate the fluff days at the end of the school year due to the testing being over. Since teachers are required to “teach to the test” if they wish to keep their jobs, the days after the tests go to waste. Not only is this a waste of days, but it’s a waste of valuable resources that could be otherwise used to further education.
State officials do still have to score the tests and return results on a timely basis, but this is still something that can be delayed for a short period. Giving the teachers and students the time they need to successfully complete their education is more important than getting results back. The days at the end of the school year could be used for test scoring, and results could still be returned in a timely manner.
-Mat Scott ('15) is the Web-Editor-In-Chief and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Mat Scott
With all of the foul weather recently, I think we can all agree that we’re getting very far behind with schoolwork and life in general.
Since we only had one day of school last week, anything that was planned for those days we missed will have to be rescheduled for days we actually have school. This puts pressure on us as students since we are now in a rush to learn all of the things we are required to learn, but it also puts the squeeze on the teachers, who have to find time that isn’t there to teach the material they need. Throw in all of the standardized testing that the state now requires, and you’ve got yourselves a serious time crunch from which students and teachers will struggle to recuperate.
The biggest issue with the cancellations is that the standardized tests don’t move. If a regular school day is cancelled, the teacher can just reschedule the lesson plans for that day to the next day of school. Standardized testing throws a wrench in that because teachers still have to meet a deadline to teach everything they need to for the entire year. They can’t just reschedule things for the next day because there is still a giant test waiting for the students, and it’s not moving due to the state requirements.
Standardized testing should be a little more flexible with schools, and foul weather should be taken into account when scheduling these tests. Setting a date in stone makes the job of teachers extremely tough since they don’t have any schedule flexibility. Teachers have to cut things from lessons due to the time constraints, and the days after the tests end up being wasted. If the state would add in some flexibility to the testing schedule, teachers would have the time they need to cover all of the material before the tests and students would have enough time to effectively learn all of the material. This would also eliminate the fluff days at the end of the school year due to the testing being over. Since teachers are required to “teach to the test” if they wish to keep their jobs, the days after the tests go to waste. Not only is this a waste of days, but it’s a waste of valuable resources that could be otherwise used to further education.
State officials do still have to score the tests and return results on a timely basis, but this is still something that can be delayed for a short period. Giving the teachers and students the time they need to successfully complete their education is more important than getting results back. The days at the end of the school year could be used for test scoring, and results could still be returned in a timely manner.
-Mat Scott ('15) is the Web-Editor-In-Chief and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Netflix: how to know if you’re hooked
By Megan Dalton
Its the things all teens spend their days thinking about all day long. Its the first thing they do when they get home, and if they’re reckless enough they’ll even do it at school. You guessed right, it’s Netflix.
How to know you’ve become addicted to the online movie/tv website:
Stage one: All you can think about is going home to watch the next episode of your favorite series.
Stage two: It gets to the point you binge watch episodes non-stop into the wee hours of the morning.
Stage three: You can't stand to wait until you get home so you watch it during the school day with your mobile phone or laptop, with your earphones in.
Stage four: You become so addicted everything you do revolves around the series you are currently watching, following accounts, quoting episodes, and convincing your friends to join the craze.
Stage five: You watch Netflix so much you finish entire series in a matter of days.
Stage six: You literally cry when the series you have grown so fond of has come to an end.
Stage seven: When you come out of your Netflix cave and attempt to watch normally televised tv, you become baffled when you see a commercial and can't skip through it.
Stage eight: You begin to fall in love with not only the characters but the actors who play them and you “fall in love with them and everything they do.”
Netflix addict Morgan Hatten’s (16’) life has revolved around Netflix, and she says she has gone through all nine series of Grey’s Anatomy in a matter of a few short weeks. Another Netflix addict, Josie Bunstine (16’), claims she is starting to base her life choices from Netflix saying, “because of Grey’s Anatomy I think I’m going to be a doctor.”
-Megan Dalton ('16) is a staff writer and Junior Sports Editor for The Viking Vault.
By Megan Dalton
Its the things all teens spend their days thinking about all day long. Its the first thing they do when they get home, and if they’re reckless enough they’ll even do it at school. You guessed right, it’s Netflix.
How to know you’ve become addicted to the online movie/tv website:
Stage one: All you can think about is going home to watch the next episode of your favorite series.
Stage two: It gets to the point you binge watch episodes non-stop into the wee hours of the morning.
Stage three: You can't stand to wait until you get home so you watch it during the school day with your mobile phone or laptop, with your earphones in.
Stage four: You become so addicted everything you do revolves around the series you are currently watching, following accounts, quoting episodes, and convincing your friends to join the craze.
Stage five: You watch Netflix so much you finish entire series in a matter of days.
Stage six: You literally cry when the series you have grown so fond of has come to an end.
Stage seven: When you come out of your Netflix cave and attempt to watch normally televised tv, you become baffled when you see a commercial and can't skip through it.
Stage eight: You begin to fall in love with not only the characters but the actors who play them and you “fall in love with them and everything they do.”
Netflix addict Morgan Hatten’s (16’) life has revolved around Netflix, and she says she has gone through all nine series of Grey’s Anatomy in a matter of a few short weeks. Another Netflix addict, Josie Bunstine (16’), claims she is starting to base her life choices from Netflix saying, “because of Grey’s Anatomy I think I’m going to be a doctor.”
-Megan Dalton ('16) is a staff writer and Junior Sports Editor for The Viking Vault.
Slickest Sledding Spots
By Daniel Neff
We have been getting tons of snow recently, and a lot of snow means a lot of sledding. Sledding has been one of my favorite things to do since I was a little kid. Who doesn’t love zooming down a hill on a piece of plastic or wood? The only problem is, not many people have huge hills in their backyard, and you can’t sled very well without a hill. But thankfully there are plenty of public places you can go to sled.
One, which is close to the school, is a hill known as Morehead Hill. It’s on Racoon Run Road, which is about six miles from the school. The hill is on the road itself, so if you just drive down the road you’ll definitely see it. The times that I’ve gone with my friends, we just sled down the road. You don’t really have to worry about cars because since the road is so big and steep, not many people try to drive up it, especially during winter when there's snow on the roads. The snow plows can’t even plow it either because of how steep it is. But if there isn’t much snow on the road, you have to look out for potholes and rocks.
Snow Trails has the biggest hill available, but you can’t exactly show up with your sled and ride the lift up. It’s great if you want to try snowboarding or skiing, but if you're not into that they also offer snow tubing. Snow Trails is located in Mansfield, about an hour away from the school. Tubing is always fun to go with a big group of friends or family. There’s even a carpet conveyor lift so you dont have to walk up the hill. It will run you $25 for unlimited tubing on weekdays, and $25 for two hours of tubing on weekends plus $5 per extra hour.
The Johnstown Recreation Center has a fairly big hill right in front of it. I always used to go there with my brother because it was the closest to us. It’s located at 185 West Maple Street in Johnstown. This is a pretty popular one, I’ve met some cool people there.
-Daniel Neff ('16) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Daniel Neff
We have been getting tons of snow recently, and a lot of snow means a lot of sledding. Sledding has been one of my favorite things to do since I was a little kid. Who doesn’t love zooming down a hill on a piece of plastic or wood? The only problem is, not many people have huge hills in their backyard, and you can’t sled very well without a hill. But thankfully there are plenty of public places you can go to sled.
One, which is close to the school, is a hill known as Morehead Hill. It’s on Racoon Run Road, which is about six miles from the school. The hill is on the road itself, so if you just drive down the road you’ll definitely see it. The times that I’ve gone with my friends, we just sled down the road. You don’t really have to worry about cars because since the road is so big and steep, not many people try to drive up it, especially during winter when there's snow on the roads. The snow plows can’t even plow it either because of how steep it is. But if there isn’t much snow on the road, you have to look out for potholes and rocks.
Snow Trails has the biggest hill available, but you can’t exactly show up with your sled and ride the lift up. It’s great if you want to try snowboarding or skiing, but if you're not into that they also offer snow tubing. Snow Trails is located in Mansfield, about an hour away from the school. Tubing is always fun to go with a big group of friends or family. There’s even a carpet conveyor lift so you dont have to walk up the hill. It will run you $25 for unlimited tubing on weekdays, and $25 for two hours of tubing on weekends plus $5 per extra hour.
The Johnstown Recreation Center has a fairly big hill right in front of it. I always used to go there with my brother because it was the closest to us. It’s located at 185 West Maple Street in Johnstown. This is a pretty popular one, I’ve met some cool people there.
-Daniel Neff ('16) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
The College Decision
By Mikaela Pankuch
That all-too-anticipated college decision is one that every sophomore cannot wait to make. Or at least that is what they think. Reality comes into play towards the end of the junior year and you think ‘Wow this decision will affect me for the rest of my life.’ It really is not all roses and daisies when dealing with one of the biggest decisions you will ever have to make.
Here is how the situation works:
ALL of these things play a huge part in your future. Worst of it all, you have to make this decision as an 18 year old kid. Although you are legally an adult, you’re still just a kid. Think about it, it is either the best decision you could ever make, or an $80,000 mistake. Ouch.
People always claim that the “teenage” generation is the worst one. I’m not saying that we are the best in any regards, but most people don’t take into consideration some of the things we have to do at this age, or the decisions that we have to make. AP classes, along with advanced math and sciences, and on top of all that thinking about the rest of your life.
This part in our life is so very critical and many don’t even take it seriously. I feel sorry for them because they’ll be the ones with the $80,000 mistake. I hope all people think with their brain and not with their lips, at the expense of their liver if you get my drift, while making this decision. It’s life changing. It can change your life for the good, or the other way around. After all the stress it will surely be worth it. But when I say after, I mean after, like way, way after senior year.
My advice to the underclassmen after all this would be, enjoy your first two and a half years of high school because it turns into a giant stressor after that.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Mikaela Pankuch
That all-too-anticipated college decision is one that every sophomore cannot wait to make. Or at least that is what they think. Reality comes into play towards the end of the junior year and you think ‘Wow this decision will affect me for the rest of my life.’ It really is not all roses and daisies when dealing with one of the biggest decisions you will ever have to make.
Here is how the situation works:
- You decide on something you want to study (fun)
- You look up colleges with your major (fun)
- You visit those colleges (even more fun)
- You look at the price (not so fun)
- You worry if you can get in or not (not fun)
- Is my ACT score high enough? (still…not fun)
- What about my GPA? (dreadful)
ALL of these things play a huge part in your future. Worst of it all, you have to make this decision as an 18 year old kid. Although you are legally an adult, you’re still just a kid. Think about it, it is either the best decision you could ever make, or an $80,000 mistake. Ouch.
People always claim that the “teenage” generation is the worst one. I’m not saying that we are the best in any regards, but most people don’t take into consideration some of the things we have to do at this age, or the decisions that we have to make. AP classes, along with advanced math and sciences, and on top of all that thinking about the rest of your life.
This part in our life is so very critical and many don’t even take it seriously. I feel sorry for them because they’ll be the ones with the $80,000 mistake. I hope all people think with their brain and not with their lips, at the expense of their liver if you get my drift, while making this decision. It’s life changing. It can change your life for the good, or the other way around. After all the stress it will surely be worth it. But when I say after, I mean after, like way, way after senior year.
My advice to the underclassmen after all this would be, enjoy your first two and a half years of high school because it turns into a giant stressor after that.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
How to make the perfect "promposal"
By Jamie Swickard
Prom is right around the corner, and many boys are wondering and beginning to worry about how they will ask their friend, girlfriend, or even crush to prom in the cutest and most unique way.
No matter how unique, funny, or cute you get while asking your dream date, have fun! Every girl loves a guy who takes chances and has a little fun while doing it. Most importantly, have fun and be safe at prom!
-Jamie Swickard (’16) is the Junior Web Editor-In-Chief and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Jamie Swickard
Prom is right around the corner, and many boys are wondering and beginning to worry about how they will ask their friend, girlfriend, or even crush to prom in the cutest and most unique way.
- All girls loves getting flowers randomly, so of course they would LOVE for their locker to be filled with flowers, right? Well, you don’t want to be too typical so maybe you should fill her locker with flour instead! The unusual proposal will make it nearly impossible for the girl to say no! Though she may love you forever, be prepared for the janitors NOT to love you. Still, keep your eye on the prize.
- Many people say they’ll do or say something “when pigs fly” so why not make them fly when you ask your dream date to prom! Blow up pink balloons and draw pigs on them. Next, make a sign saying, “You’ll have to say yes to prom with me when pigs fly!” Any girl would be lucky to go to prom with such a humorous guy!
- If you want to ask her to prom at the comfort of her own home, spell out “Prom?” with red Solo cups and hold a sign saying, “I don’t want to go to prom solo.” The pun would be too irresistible for any girl!
- If you’re more of a country boy wanting to ask another country girl, the best way to ask your dream date to prom will involve a goat. When you’re with the girl, go visit her or your goat. While she’s looking at the goat she’ll notice a necklace around the goat’s neck. When she looks she’ll see “Praaaaaam?” written on it! How could a girl say no to that?
- When your dream date leaves her car alone, put sticky notes all over her car with reasons why you want to go to prom with her and why you like her. Have the sticky notes that say the reasons why you want to go to prom with her be a different color from the other sticky notes and spell out “Prom?” with those! She’ll have a long time to think of an answer while she takes those off her car!
- If your dream date owns horses, buy a white sheet to write “Prom, yay or neigh?” then drape it over her horse the next time you two are together! Any horse lover would laugh at the pun and would have to say yes!
- Maybe your dream date really loves chicken or just food in general! If so, buy her a Chick-Fil-A meal and make a sign that says, “Will you be my chick to prom?” No girl can turn down a guy who buys her food!
No matter how unique, funny, or cute you get while asking your dream date, have fun! Every girl loves a guy who takes chances and has a little fun while doing it. Most importantly, have fun and be safe at prom!
-Jamie Swickard (’16) is the Junior Web Editor-In-Chief and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
How to cope with public embarrassment
By Savannah Legg
It’s inevitable. Bad things happen to all of us every day. But what do we do after these things happen to us? Let’s go over some common embarrassing moments and breakdown how to face a crowd after that.
Tripping in the hallway: tripping is something that happens to us all, and of course it happens when everyone is watching. After you trip, stand up as fast as you can and shout “And that’s how you dive ninja style.” This will not only do away with the humiliation, but also give you major street cred for being a ninja.
Farting in class: farting in class is something that everyone does. But every once in a while it’s not as quiet as one would hope. After releasing the “burden” you have two choices. Either blame the person beside you or do the ol’fashioned “that noise was my shoe not me.”
Voice Cracks: When puberty takes a turn for the worst and our voices crack, break out in song to the key that your voice cracked in.
Zipper Down: when your zipper is down and your dear friends neglect to tell you so you face the challenge of someone shouting it out in the worst possible moment. When the worst happens and someone does say something to you about your zipper, explain to them that you are taking a stand against shallow social conventions such as zipping up your pants.
Sweat Stains: when a pool of liquid accumulates in your underarm simply tell the other students that your car broke down five miles from school and you had to run the rest of the way this morning.
Choking on water: when you pour into your mouth more than you can swallow, you may find yourself choking on your water. When this happens, fill your chest with air, and spray the water on all your friends or anyone near you.
Telling a joke and no one laughs: honestly there is no way to recover from this. Although it might be embarrassing now, just remember time heals all wounds.
-Savannah Legg is the Photo Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Savannah Legg
It’s inevitable. Bad things happen to all of us every day. But what do we do after these things happen to us? Let’s go over some common embarrassing moments and breakdown how to face a crowd after that.
Tripping in the hallway: tripping is something that happens to us all, and of course it happens when everyone is watching. After you trip, stand up as fast as you can and shout “And that’s how you dive ninja style.” This will not only do away with the humiliation, but also give you major street cred for being a ninja.
Farting in class: farting in class is something that everyone does. But every once in a while it’s not as quiet as one would hope. After releasing the “burden” you have two choices. Either blame the person beside you or do the ol’fashioned “that noise was my shoe not me.”
Voice Cracks: When puberty takes a turn for the worst and our voices crack, break out in song to the key that your voice cracked in.
Zipper Down: when your zipper is down and your dear friends neglect to tell you so you face the challenge of someone shouting it out in the worst possible moment. When the worst happens and someone does say something to you about your zipper, explain to them that you are taking a stand against shallow social conventions such as zipping up your pants.
Sweat Stains: when a pool of liquid accumulates in your underarm simply tell the other students that your car broke down five miles from school and you had to run the rest of the way this morning.
Choking on water: when you pour into your mouth more than you can swallow, you may find yourself choking on your water. When this happens, fill your chest with air, and spray the water on all your friends or anyone near you.
Telling a joke and no one laughs: honestly there is no way to recover from this. Although it might be embarrassing now, just remember time heals all wounds.
-Savannah Legg is the Photo Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
An athlete's reputation
By Bryant Garee
If you’re an athlete at Northridge, then you must represent your school and family both on and off the playing field. With Northridge being such a small school, everyone knows everyone and people are always looking for a way to take down an athlete. When the school gets a complaint about an athlete, it’s an embarrassment to the school, and when you’re sitting out of your competition, your parents have to explain to others what their kid did.
The time and situation doesn’t matter. You are always representing your school and your team. Acting like an idiot in public does nothing but hurt you and whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish with sports. If some kid is running his mouth to you, just simply let it go. Beating the crap out of them will do you no favors. It will make you look like a jerk, because here athletes are never victims, and it will get you suspended from your team as well.
Athlete’s grades are also a big part of our reputation and example that should be set. Too many times I have heard athletes laughing about how they were on the warning week list to be ineligible. When you are ineligible, you do nothing but hurt the team that believed in you. Your parents also will have to explain to others that their kids slacked off in class and didn’t care about academics, what should be his/her first priority.
When you act dumb in and out of class it causes embarrassment to both the school and your family. When someone who doesn’t play sports acts out in public, they have no worries. But being an athlete, there are eyes everywhere and people are just looking for a reason to take an athlete down.
So represent your school and family in a good way. Make being a Northridge athlete a thing to be proud of and make strangers know that Northridge athletes are respectable young kids that represent everything good that Northridge has.
-Bryant Garee ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Bryant Garee
If you’re an athlete at Northridge, then you must represent your school and family both on and off the playing field. With Northridge being such a small school, everyone knows everyone and people are always looking for a way to take down an athlete. When the school gets a complaint about an athlete, it’s an embarrassment to the school, and when you’re sitting out of your competition, your parents have to explain to others what their kid did.
The time and situation doesn’t matter. You are always representing your school and your team. Acting like an idiot in public does nothing but hurt you and whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish with sports. If some kid is running his mouth to you, just simply let it go. Beating the crap out of them will do you no favors. It will make you look like a jerk, because here athletes are never victims, and it will get you suspended from your team as well.
Athlete’s grades are also a big part of our reputation and example that should be set. Too many times I have heard athletes laughing about how they were on the warning week list to be ineligible. When you are ineligible, you do nothing but hurt the team that believed in you. Your parents also will have to explain to others that their kids slacked off in class and didn’t care about academics, what should be his/her first priority.
When you act dumb in and out of class it causes embarrassment to both the school and your family. When someone who doesn’t play sports acts out in public, they have no worries. But being an athlete, there are eyes everywhere and people are just looking for a reason to take an athlete down.
So represent your school and family in a good way. Make being a Northridge athlete a thing to be proud of and make strangers know that Northridge athletes are respectable young kids that represent everything good that Northridge has.
-Bryant Garee ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.