School Board discusses importance of PARCC testing
School start time discussion also planned
By Aili Barbee
NORTHRIDGE - Board members discussed the importance of the The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test, commonly known as PARCC, during the Feb. 23 meeting at the Croton United Methodist Church.
“Opting out is an option for students,” says Superintendent Dr. Chris Briggs, “but opting out hurts the teachers and the school district. It doesn’t allow for teachers to collect accurate data.” Accurate data is needed in order for the PARCC to be improved for years to come. Only two students at Northridge have opted out of the assessment.
Briggs says he disagrees with the rumors surrounding the media that the PARCC caused teachers to only teach to the test. “The teacher teaches the content, and then the content is tested on,” he said. “We want to differentiate Northridge from other schools who only teach to the test. I am confident that our teachers are teaching the curriculum, but our administrators are on the lookout for teachers who teach to the test.”
If a day scheduled for testing is missed due to a snow day, testing will resume as scheduled the following day, and the day that is missed will be made up later on.
The board also discussed the possibility of the district starting later for the 2015-2016 school year. “I’m worried about kids waiting at bus stops so early,” said Briggs. “Some students are waiting at bus stops as early as 6 a.m.” The board also noted that studies have been done that show that starting school even fifteen minutes later is beneficial for the students learning and comprehension. It was brought up that starting later may cause practices to run later in the evening. The board stated that they would keep this in consideration. The board is also considering lengthening the school day. “Our school day is pretty short as it is,” stated board Vice President Jayma Bammerlin. The board wants to allow for plenty of time for public comment before making a decision. It will be brought up again in the March or April meeting.
Briggs stated that calamity days definitely “impact learning” and he knows that “very little learning takes place in June” when days have to be made up. Northridge already has the first three days of June set aside in case they are needed to make up for calamity days. The school board will be looking for other options to make up calamity days in the future.The next school board meeting will take place on Monday, March 16th in the high school media center.
-Aili Barbee is the Junior Print Editor-in-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
School start time discussion also planned
By Aili Barbee
NORTHRIDGE - Board members discussed the importance of the The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test, commonly known as PARCC, during the Feb. 23 meeting at the Croton United Methodist Church.
“Opting out is an option for students,” says Superintendent Dr. Chris Briggs, “but opting out hurts the teachers and the school district. It doesn’t allow for teachers to collect accurate data.” Accurate data is needed in order for the PARCC to be improved for years to come. Only two students at Northridge have opted out of the assessment.
Briggs says he disagrees with the rumors surrounding the media that the PARCC caused teachers to only teach to the test. “The teacher teaches the content, and then the content is tested on,” he said. “We want to differentiate Northridge from other schools who only teach to the test. I am confident that our teachers are teaching the curriculum, but our administrators are on the lookout for teachers who teach to the test.”
If a day scheduled for testing is missed due to a snow day, testing will resume as scheduled the following day, and the day that is missed will be made up later on.
The board also discussed the possibility of the district starting later for the 2015-2016 school year. “I’m worried about kids waiting at bus stops so early,” said Briggs. “Some students are waiting at bus stops as early as 6 a.m.” The board also noted that studies have been done that show that starting school even fifteen minutes later is beneficial for the students learning and comprehension. It was brought up that starting later may cause practices to run later in the evening. The board stated that they would keep this in consideration. The board is also considering lengthening the school day. “Our school day is pretty short as it is,” stated board Vice President Jayma Bammerlin. The board wants to allow for plenty of time for public comment before making a decision. It will be brought up again in the March or April meeting.
Briggs stated that calamity days definitely “impact learning” and he knows that “very little learning takes place in June” when days have to be made up. Northridge already has the first three days of June set aside in case they are needed to make up for calamity days. The school board will be looking for other options to make up calamity days in the future.The next school board meeting will take place on Monday, March 16th in the high school media center.
-Aili Barbee is the Junior Print Editor-in-Chief and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
National Honors Society to get new members
By Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- The National Honors Society (NHS) will soon be inducting new members for next school year.
There are 17 members in NHS as of now, and 33 people have applied to be accepted this spring; of those, 27 are juniors and six are seniors.
“Students are selected to receive applications based fully on their grade point average, and then it is up to them whether or not they apply,” says Elizabeth Miller, teacher and NHS advisor.
The application consists of five major topics and then an essay on why they think they would help benefit the organization. The five main topics that they must fill out are co-curricular activities; leadership positions; service activities; other community activities; and work experience, recognitions, and awards. The acceptance is based entirely on what each applicant provides under each topic.
The applications were due Feb. 13. The selection committee will be going through a process over the next few weeks. Each of the teachers are asked to rate each of the applicants on their service, leadership, and character. These characteristics are what make up a member of NHS. After each of the teachers rate the applicants, Miller will go through and compile the data and then will take the data to a panel of teachers who will make the final decisions on who is to be inducted.
After that is the school assembly where the tapping ceremony will take place. The tapping has been scheduled for March 12th.
Many people are very anxious to find out who made it in or not and, because of all the snow days, the tapping ceremony has been pushed back for another two or three weeks depending on the weather in the next few days or weeks.
Before the ceremony takes place, the parents of the selected applicants will be notified so they are able to attend the tapping ceremony. The tapping ceremony will take place during school. After the tapping, there will be a breakfast for both old and new members and then a formal induction, to which all members and their families will be invited. It will take place in the evening to bring back the “original significance that has been taken away over the past few years” says Miller. The NHS Induction Ceremony will take place Monday, March 23rd for those who have been accepted.
NHS members participate in different activities throughout the year. They volunteer at the blood drives that take place at the school, lunch bunch, many different community service activities, and kindergarten registration.
-Gabrielle Evans ('15) is the News Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Gabrielle Evans
NORTHRIDGE- The National Honors Society (NHS) will soon be inducting new members for next school year.
There are 17 members in NHS as of now, and 33 people have applied to be accepted this spring; of those, 27 are juniors and six are seniors.
“Students are selected to receive applications based fully on their grade point average, and then it is up to them whether or not they apply,” says Elizabeth Miller, teacher and NHS advisor.
The application consists of five major topics and then an essay on why they think they would help benefit the organization. The five main topics that they must fill out are co-curricular activities; leadership positions; service activities; other community activities; and work experience, recognitions, and awards. The acceptance is based entirely on what each applicant provides under each topic.
The applications were due Feb. 13. The selection committee will be going through a process over the next few weeks. Each of the teachers are asked to rate each of the applicants on their service, leadership, and character. These characteristics are what make up a member of NHS. After each of the teachers rate the applicants, Miller will go through and compile the data and then will take the data to a panel of teachers who will make the final decisions on who is to be inducted.
After that is the school assembly where the tapping ceremony will take place. The tapping has been scheduled for March 12th.
Many people are very anxious to find out who made it in or not and, because of all the snow days, the tapping ceremony has been pushed back for another two or three weeks depending on the weather in the next few days or weeks.
Before the ceremony takes place, the parents of the selected applicants will be notified so they are able to attend the tapping ceremony. The tapping ceremony will take place during school. After the tapping, there will be a breakfast for both old and new members and then a formal induction, to which all members and their families will be invited. It will take place in the evening to bring back the “original significance that has been taken away over the past few years” says Miller. The NHS Induction Ceremony will take place Monday, March 23rd for those who have been accepted.
NHS members participate in different activities throughout the year. They volunteer at the blood drives that take place at the school, lunch bunch, many different community service activities, and kindergarten registration.
-Gabrielle Evans ('15) is the News Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Northridge considers changing leagues
By Mikaela Pankuch
NORTHRIDGE - The Northridge Local School district has considered switching leagues from the Licking County League to the Mid-State League.
The LCL consists of ten schools ranging from Division I to Division IV. The LCL has proven to be among the top leagues in central Ohio. Rumors have been thrown around about Northridge switching from the LCL to the MSL. Athletic Director, John Morgan, responded to questions when asked about these rumors.
Q: Why are we switching leagues?
A: “We have not made a final decision on changing leagues. We have been exploring other options to put our school and athletes in a better competitive situation not just in the short term, but in the long run. If we receive an invitation from another league to join, the Board of Education, Superintendent, and I will weigh it against staying where we are and make a decision.”
Q: Any reason to leave the LCL in particular?
A: “Currently we are forced to play much larger teams in terms of enrollment in most sports in crossover games. The LCL did allow us out of these games for the next two seasons in football only. This forces us to some schools three times larger in games that count toward the ‘small school’ league championship standings. In addition, the uncertainty of possible LCL expansion makes it difficult to predict what the league might look like in several years and whether it would be good or bad for us. Finally, the LCL does not offer as many levels of teams in as many sports as we do - soccer and swimming are good examples. Soccer in the LCL is mostly varsity only teams, which leaves our JV team at a disadvantage. Swimming is another example, where there is no league schedule or championship at all.”
Q: What league would we be joining?
A: “Currently we have an application in to the Mid-State League.”
Q: When would we be joining this league?
A: “If we received, and decided to accept, and invitation from the MSL, it could be as early as ‘16-‘17 or ‘17-‘18.”
Q: Who made the decision to join a new league?
A: “No one has made the decision to join a new league. That decision hasn't been made yet and depends on getting an offer, which is not a sure thing. After plenty of discussion in the community, within the Board, and between the Superintendent and I, we decided to do some research, make the application, and then make a decision. Much of the public and our parents seemed unhappy with the LCL.”
Q: Benefits of this new league?
A: “The MSL is very stable, very professionally run, and has the benefit of providing league competition in more sports and at more levels than the LCL currently does. The MSL would also provide our athletes with placement in a division(s) that would allow us to be more competitive and play schools closer to our own enrollment, some smaller and some larger. Currently, other than Newark Catholic, we are the smallest team in the LCL.”
To find out which teams are in the Mid-State League, go to www.ohsaa.org.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Mikaela Pankuch
NORTHRIDGE - The Northridge Local School district has considered switching leagues from the Licking County League to the Mid-State League.
The LCL consists of ten schools ranging from Division I to Division IV. The LCL has proven to be among the top leagues in central Ohio. Rumors have been thrown around about Northridge switching from the LCL to the MSL. Athletic Director, John Morgan, responded to questions when asked about these rumors.
Q: Why are we switching leagues?
A: “We have not made a final decision on changing leagues. We have been exploring other options to put our school and athletes in a better competitive situation not just in the short term, but in the long run. If we receive an invitation from another league to join, the Board of Education, Superintendent, and I will weigh it against staying where we are and make a decision.”
Q: Any reason to leave the LCL in particular?
A: “Currently we are forced to play much larger teams in terms of enrollment in most sports in crossover games. The LCL did allow us out of these games for the next two seasons in football only. This forces us to some schools three times larger in games that count toward the ‘small school’ league championship standings. In addition, the uncertainty of possible LCL expansion makes it difficult to predict what the league might look like in several years and whether it would be good or bad for us. Finally, the LCL does not offer as many levels of teams in as many sports as we do - soccer and swimming are good examples. Soccer in the LCL is mostly varsity only teams, which leaves our JV team at a disadvantage. Swimming is another example, where there is no league schedule or championship at all.”
Q: What league would we be joining?
A: “Currently we have an application in to the Mid-State League.”
Q: When would we be joining this league?
A: “If we received, and decided to accept, and invitation from the MSL, it could be as early as ‘16-‘17 or ‘17-‘18.”
Q: Who made the decision to join a new league?
A: “No one has made the decision to join a new league. That decision hasn't been made yet and depends on getting an offer, which is not a sure thing. After plenty of discussion in the community, within the Board, and between the Superintendent and I, we decided to do some research, make the application, and then make a decision. Much of the public and our parents seemed unhappy with the LCL.”
Q: Benefits of this new league?
A: “The MSL is very stable, very professionally run, and has the benefit of providing league competition in more sports and at more levels than the LCL currently does. The MSL would also provide our athletes with placement in a division(s) that would allow us to be more competitive and play schools closer to our own enrollment, some smaller and some larger. Currently, other than Newark Catholic, we are the smallest team in the LCL.”
To find out which teams are in the Mid-State League, go to www.ohsaa.org.
-Mikaela Pankuch (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Students taking multiple tests, schedule published
By Kaycee Campbell
NORTHRIDGE - Finishing up the end of the third nine weeks students will have their hands full. The end of the third nine weeks will consist of tests, tests, and more tests. Students are booked with tests starting next week, all the way up to Spring Break and then some more after that.
Assessments for Northridge students began on Feb. 23,2015. This testing is the newly introduced “next generation test” that is being put into the standards for the first time this year. This is the PARCC test. This test will not be used for seniors and most juniors this year. This testing will not end until after spring break.
The next upcoming testing is post-assessments, which are put in place to show the improvements over the course of this school year. The post-assessments will begin on March 25 and end onMarch 27. Students will be allowed to leave after their final post assessment. This is if all of their work is completed and turned in.
Sophomores will begin taking the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) on March 16th. They will proceed on that whole week. Non-sophomores will be able to come in late the whole week that the OGT is going on. “All the testing is doing is stressing us out. It's pointless,” says Drew Cella ('17).
After spring break, More PARCC testing will start back up again in the form of end-of-course exams, followed by final teacher-based exams at the very end of the year.
“The testing puts lots of extra pressure on both teachers and students. It’s an excessive amount of it,” according to History Teacher Mike King.
-Kaycee Campbell ('17) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Kaycee Campbell
NORTHRIDGE - Finishing up the end of the third nine weeks students will have their hands full. The end of the third nine weeks will consist of tests, tests, and more tests. Students are booked with tests starting next week, all the way up to Spring Break and then some more after that.
Assessments for Northridge students began on Feb. 23,2015. This testing is the newly introduced “next generation test” that is being put into the standards for the first time this year. This is the PARCC test. This test will not be used for seniors and most juniors this year. This testing will not end until after spring break.
The next upcoming testing is post-assessments, which are put in place to show the improvements over the course of this school year. The post-assessments will begin on March 25 and end onMarch 27. Students will be allowed to leave after their final post assessment. This is if all of their work is completed and turned in.
Sophomores will begin taking the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) on March 16th. They will proceed on that whole week. Non-sophomores will be able to come in late the whole week that the OGT is going on. “All the testing is doing is stressing us out. It's pointless,” says Drew Cella ('17).
After spring break, More PARCC testing will start back up again in the form of end-of-course exams, followed by final teacher-based exams at the very end of the year.
“The testing puts lots of extra pressure on both teachers and students. It’s an excessive amount of it,” according to History Teacher Mike King.
-Kaycee Campbell ('17) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Greater day to be a Viking projects unveiled
By Kyle Stermer
NORTHRIDGE - At the start of November, Northridge juniors in College Prep English 11 started a project known as “An Even Greater Day to be a Viking.” This project focuses on ideas to improve the well-being of the school district itself. In March, selected students will present their ideas to the school board and administrators.
For the project, students were to choose a way to improve an aspect of the school, anything from new vending food to new classes, and all the way to starting school an hour later. 11th grade English teacher Kim Garee, who teaches the course and conceived of the project, said all of the ideas were great, and could really help Northridge be a better place for both the students and the teachers.
After the students wrote their papers, they prepared PowerPoint or Prezi presentations and pitched their ideas to their classmates. Then, the students would vote on which projects they wanted to see move on to the board and administration.
This year, there are five different ideas going to the board. They are: an updated weight room by Alex Webb and Logan Parker, a par course by Matt Krehel, a cafeteria card scanner by Kylor Kauahi, iPads and Chromebooks for students by Zach Smith and Daniel Neff, and lastly a life skills class, which will be proposed by Carrisa Sweetman, Nicolette Clark, Ally Williams, and Ashley Wood. Some students wrote about similar or the same popular topics, and that’s why there is more than one person per proposal.
One of the proposers, Daniel Neff ('16), says “I am pretty excited to share my idea, and I hope it actually happens.” When Neff wrote his project, he said he had no idea he was going to the board. He said it was a pretty big surprise, and he was skeptical of going at first. Neff says he wants Chromebooks because “They would help with school activities, and you can have all of your work in one place.”
Due to school closings and delays, the board meeting for February had to be rescheduled. Students will now present their greater day to be a Viking proposals on the March 16th meeting, which is a Monday. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Media center. Friends and family are also welcome to attend to cheer on the students.
-Kyle Stermer ('16) is an Interactive Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Kyle Stermer
NORTHRIDGE - At the start of November, Northridge juniors in College Prep English 11 started a project known as “An Even Greater Day to be a Viking.” This project focuses on ideas to improve the well-being of the school district itself. In March, selected students will present their ideas to the school board and administrators.
For the project, students were to choose a way to improve an aspect of the school, anything from new vending food to new classes, and all the way to starting school an hour later. 11th grade English teacher Kim Garee, who teaches the course and conceived of the project, said all of the ideas were great, and could really help Northridge be a better place for both the students and the teachers.
After the students wrote their papers, they prepared PowerPoint or Prezi presentations and pitched their ideas to their classmates. Then, the students would vote on which projects they wanted to see move on to the board and administration.
This year, there are five different ideas going to the board. They are: an updated weight room by Alex Webb and Logan Parker, a par course by Matt Krehel, a cafeteria card scanner by Kylor Kauahi, iPads and Chromebooks for students by Zach Smith and Daniel Neff, and lastly a life skills class, which will be proposed by Carrisa Sweetman, Nicolette Clark, Ally Williams, and Ashley Wood. Some students wrote about similar or the same popular topics, and that’s why there is more than one person per proposal.
One of the proposers, Daniel Neff ('16), says “I am pretty excited to share my idea, and I hope it actually happens.” When Neff wrote his project, he said he had no idea he was going to the board. He said it was a pretty big surprise, and he was skeptical of going at first. Neff says he wants Chromebooks because “They would help with school activities, and you can have all of your work in one place.”
Due to school closings and delays, the board meeting for February had to be rescheduled. Students will now present their greater day to be a Viking proposals on the March 16th meeting, which is a Monday. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Media center. Friends and family are also welcome to attend to cheer on the students.
-Kyle Stermer ('16) is an Interactive Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Student’s and staff’s stance on school rules
By Jamie Swickard
NORTHRIDGE- There are many school rules that students have to follow each day, but what do the students and teachers really think of these rules?
One of the big school rules at Northridge is the hat rule, stating no students will be allowed to wear hats inside the school building. Mat Scott (’15) says, “Wearing a ball cap and flat bills inside is very disrespectful because the hats serve no practical purpose. I believe people should be allowed to wear a toboggan because they keep your head warm, serving a purpose.”
However, Evan Willeke (’18) disagrees. Willeke believes it’s unfair that those who wear beanies in winter don’t get in trouble while he and others get in trouble for wearing their ball caps.
Another big school rule at Northridge is the one regarding cell phone usage. The rules say phones will be turned off in classrooms and will either be put away or face down on the student’s desk. Morgan Hatten (’16) believes cell phones should be permitted whenever. Hatten says, “If you want to be on your phone a whole class period and fail the class, that’s your own fault. You should have the responsibility to stay on track, it shouldn’t have to be the teacher’s job, especially a high school teacher’s job.”
When school starts up and is coming to an end, the rule of girls not being permitted to wear tank tops becomes an issue. The rule says the shoulder area should be completely covered as well as the bust. Megan Hatfield (’15) disagrees with the rule saying, “I don’t think shoulders are a very provocative part of your body. With that, I don’t think girls should be allowed to wear spaghetti straps, but they should be allowed to wear thick tank top straps. I agree no cleavage should be shown, but by wearing a tank top, you're not automatically showing your cleavage; some tank tops are conservative.”
Throughout the whole school year, girls face the rule having to do with yoga pants and leggings. The rule states no yoga pants that are see-through or leggings are permitted to be worn. Josie Bunstine (’16) says, “Yoga pants and leggings are the same thing. The only difference is leggings wrap around your calf where as yoga pants flare at the calf. I learn better when I’m comfortable and by leggings not being permitted, I wouldn’t be comfortable while I learn.”
Teacher, Mrs.Miller says, “As long as your pants aren’t see through and everything that needs to be covered is covered, I don’t have a problem with what students wear.”
The most discussed and broken rule is the one which covers public display of affection (PDA). In the rule book, it states any affection that is shown past hand holding isn’t permitted. Megan Phillips (’16) believes the rule could be tweaked a little. Phillips says, “I believe students should be allowed to hold hands and hug, but that’s it. Once it gets to the point that people around you feel uncomfortable you should stop, it just makes you look bad. Maybe a peck once a day is okay, but the couple will have to pick which meeting time between period”.
Tony Byers (’17) however disagrees. Byers says, “I disagree with the rule. It should be allowed because sometimes you can only see your girlfriend or boyfriend at school.”
Principal Ms. Anderson verified that Student Handbook rules and school policies are reviewed at least annually by administrators and teacher team leaders. She said while student input is important to that, the driving force behind the rules comes back to what will help maintain the most constructive learning environment possible.
-Jamie Swickard (’16) is the Jr. Web Editor-In-Chief and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Jamie Swickard
NORTHRIDGE- There are many school rules that students have to follow each day, but what do the students and teachers really think of these rules?
One of the big school rules at Northridge is the hat rule, stating no students will be allowed to wear hats inside the school building. Mat Scott (’15) says, “Wearing a ball cap and flat bills inside is very disrespectful because the hats serve no practical purpose. I believe people should be allowed to wear a toboggan because they keep your head warm, serving a purpose.”
However, Evan Willeke (’18) disagrees. Willeke believes it’s unfair that those who wear beanies in winter don’t get in trouble while he and others get in trouble for wearing their ball caps.
Another big school rule at Northridge is the one regarding cell phone usage. The rules say phones will be turned off in classrooms and will either be put away or face down on the student’s desk. Morgan Hatten (’16) believes cell phones should be permitted whenever. Hatten says, “If you want to be on your phone a whole class period and fail the class, that’s your own fault. You should have the responsibility to stay on track, it shouldn’t have to be the teacher’s job, especially a high school teacher’s job.”
When school starts up and is coming to an end, the rule of girls not being permitted to wear tank tops becomes an issue. The rule says the shoulder area should be completely covered as well as the bust. Megan Hatfield (’15) disagrees with the rule saying, “I don’t think shoulders are a very provocative part of your body. With that, I don’t think girls should be allowed to wear spaghetti straps, but they should be allowed to wear thick tank top straps. I agree no cleavage should be shown, but by wearing a tank top, you're not automatically showing your cleavage; some tank tops are conservative.”
Throughout the whole school year, girls face the rule having to do with yoga pants and leggings. The rule states no yoga pants that are see-through or leggings are permitted to be worn. Josie Bunstine (’16) says, “Yoga pants and leggings are the same thing. The only difference is leggings wrap around your calf where as yoga pants flare at the calf. I learn better when I’m comfortable and by leggings not being permitted, I wouldn’t be comfortable while I learn.”
Teacher, Mrs.Miller says, “As long as your pants aren’t see through and everything that needs to be covered is covered, I don’t have a problem with what students wear.”
The most discussed and broken rule is the one which covers public display of affection (PDA). In the rule book, it states any affection that is shown past hand holding isn’t permitted. Megan Phillips (’16) believes the rule could be tweaked a little. Phillips says, “I believe students should be allowed to hold hands and hug, but that’s it. Once it gets to the point that people around you feel uncomfortable you should stop, it just makes you look bad. Maybe a peck once a day is okay, but the couple will have to pick which meeting time between period”.
Tony Byers (’17) however disagrees. Byers says, “I disagree with the rule. It should be allowed because sometimes you can only see your girlfriend or boyfriend at school.”
Principal Ms. Anderson verified that Student Handbook rules and school policies are reviewed at least annually by administrators and teacher team leaders. She said while student input is important to that, the driving force behind the rules comes back to what will help maintain the most constructive learning environment possible.
-Jamie Swickard (’16) is the Jr. Web Editor-In-Chief and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
FFA changing the landscape of the 'Ridge
By Daniel Neff
NORTHRIDGE - FFA has been reinstated at Northridge and is bringing significant changes to the school.
The class had been offered in previous years, but a lack of participation had caused the class to dissolve. Three years ago, it was reinstated and is now a prevalent entity in the Northridge community.
The program is split up into different Agriculture classes, including Ag Business, Ag Food and Natural Resources, and Ag Biology. Mr. Kim Weiss is the leader of the whole program, teaching all the classes and organizing projects.
The classes consist of students from 8th grade to seniors. Weiss says "I love the enthusiasm of the students every day. Many of them can't wait to get into the shop and try welding or woodworking."
Teaching students leadership is a big part of this program. There are lots of after school leadership meetings and conferences. They focus on teaching students the "parliamentary procedure" and how to run meetings.
Kyle Stermer (‘16) is in the Ag Business class. Stermer says, “We mainly just discuss things about agriculture and current events in the farming world.” It’s one of his favorite classes, mainly because the workload is manageable “and we eat food a lot.” It also counts as a science credit if you need an extra one and want to take a fun class.
Northridge fortunately supports the program a lot and allows them to go on plenty of field trips. They range from trips to Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's, to the state FFA convention in Columbus. Last year they went on a field trip to the Woodruff farm in Wilmington Ohio, a 10,000 acre farm. They have also been able to go on some out of state field trips, like the national FFA convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
They also do community service projects. Last year the FFA program made new benches for the football team. During Christmas, they gave lots to the food drive and gave lots of clothes for charity. They've held a fundraiser for Church World Services. A lot of the gardens and flowerbeds, like the ones by the student parking lot, were planted and maintained by FFA students.
-Daniel Neff ('16) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Daniel Neff
NORTHRIDGE - FFA has been reinstated at Northridge and is bringing significant changes to the school.
The class had been offered in previous years, but a lack of participation had caused the class to dissolve. Three years ago, it was reinstated and is now a prevalent entity in the Northridge community.
The program is split up into different Agriculture classes, including Ag Business, Ag Food and Natural Resources, and Ag Biology. Mr. Kim Weiss is the leader of the whole program, teaching all the classes and organizing projects.
The classes consist of students from 8th grade to seniors. Weiss says "I love the enthusiasm of the students every day. Many of them can't wait to get into the shop and try welding or woodworking."
Teaching students leadership is a big part of this program. There are lots of after school leadership meetings and conferences. They focus on teaching students the "parliamentary procedure" and how to run meetings.
Kyle Stermer (‘16) is in the Ag Business class. Stermer says, “We mainly just discuss things about agriculture and current events in the farming world.” It’s one of his favorite classes, mainly because the workload is manageable “and we eat food a lot.” It also counts as a science credit if you need an extra one and want to take a fun class.
Northridge fortunately supports the program a lot and allows them to go on plenty of field trips. They range from trips to Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's, to the state FFA convention in Columbus. Last year they went on a field trip to the Woodruff farm in Wilmington Ohio, a 10,000 acre farm. They have also been able to go on some out of state field trips, like the national FFA convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
They also do community service projects. Last year the FFA program made new benches for the football team. During Christmas, they gave lots to the food drive and gave lots of clothes for charity. They've held a fundraiser for Church World Services. A lot of the gardens and flowerbeds, like the ones by the student parking lot, were planted and maintained by FFA students.
-Daniel Neff ('16) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
New weight room planned for high school
By Chad Campbell
NORTHRIDGE - A new weight training facility for students and athletes may be in the future for Northridge High School.
The school wants to be adding to the current weight room because it is too small to have teams work out in. “The current weight room is just too small, it would be beneficial for all of the sports teams if they had a bigger weight room that the whole team could fit in,” says Athletic Director John Morgan.
“We don’t have nearly enough benches or room in the weight room, so we are forced to do a whole bunch of different workouts instead of focusing on something as a group,” says Bryant Garee (‘15).
The school doesn’t really know exactly how much it is going to cost to get the weight room done quite yet. They are waiting to get a quote back from a company who is going to do the construction of getting the weight room put together.
“We are hoping to find some corporate sponsors that will help fund the cost of the weight room”, says Morgan.
Morgan also said that the boosters might help out a little with the cost.
The new weight room is supposed to go in the old wood shop across from the middle school gym. The janitors are currently using it as storage and as an office but will be getting a new room for themselves when the project begins.
“The new weight room will be over two times as big as the old one,” says Morgan.
They hope to keep the old weight room as kind of a fitness/aerobic studio that will have multiple treadmills and other aerobic machines.
The new weight room will be more of a heavy lifting room with four half cages. Also, Northridge hopes to find a way to open up the new weight room to the public to be able to use also.
“We hope to find a way for the community and students to be able to come into the weights after school hours” says Morgan.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is the Sports Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Chad Campbell
NORTHRIDGE - A new weight training facility for students and athletes may be in the future for Northridge High School.
The school wants to be adding to the current weight room because it is too small to have teams work out in. “The current weight room is just too small, it would be beneficial for all of the sports teams if they had a bigger weight room that the whole team could fit in,” says Athletic Director John Morgan.
“We don’t have nearly enough benches or room in the weight room, so we are forced to do a whole bunch of different workouts instead of focusing on something as a group,” says Bryant Garee (‘15).
The school doesn’t really know exactly how much it is going to cost to get the weight room done quite yet. They are waiting to get a quote back from a company who is going to do the construction of getting the weight room put together.
“We are hoping to find some corporate sponsors that will help fund the cost of the weight room”, says Morgan.
Morgan also said that the boosters might help out a little with the cost.
The new weight room is supposed to go in the old wood shop across from the middle school gym. The janitors are currently using it as storage and as an office but will be getting a new room for themselves when the project begins.
“The new weight room will be over two times as big as the old one,” says Morgan.
They hope to keep the old weight room as kind of a fitness/aerobic studio that will have multiple treadmills and other aerobic machines.
The new weight room will be more of a heavy lifting room with four half cages. Also, Northridge hopes to find a way to open up the new weight room to the public to be able to use also.
“We hope to find a way for the community and students to be able to come into the weights after school hours” says Morgan.
-Chad Campbell ('15) is the Sports Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Trivia contest open to students, others
By Megan Dalton
NORTHRIDGE - Teams from the district and as far away as Danville competed in a trivia contest known as "Are You Smarter than a Viking?" on Feb. 22, playing for a grand prize of $1,000.
A total of 15 teams enrolled in the battle of the brains. Each team had five players, student or adult, vikings, or even people from other school districts. Adult entries were $20 while students were $10. "The admission fee is worth it if you win the $1,000 1st place prize,” Leyna Varney ('16) shares about the competition. Second place wins $500 and third place wins $300. The teams who out-brained the others are as follows; 1st-Rumspringa, 2nd-Knock^3 Penny^3, 3rd-Wolf Pack.
A question is asked aloud and put onto the projector, while the teams are given 30 seconds to write their answer on a whiteboard and hold it up when the timer rings. Teams are also given a five second warning buzzer. The teams with the lowest number of questions correctly answered is eliminated at the end of each round; if the score is tied they are given tiebreaker questions until someone is eliminated for the round. More teams are eliminated each round to get the final round down to four teams. Points carry over to the next rounds.
Round 1 of the four rounds is relatively easier questions compared to later rounds. The teams are asked questions like, “How many bathrooms are in the White House?” “Who was known as the Yankee Clipper?” “What is a group of kangaroos called?” and “What state is due south of Utah?” The competition slowly dwindled down until there was only a few teams still battling. The final round contained 10 questions that include, “Who wrote The Ugly Duckling?” “What famous invention is Philo Farnsworth credited for?” “What was Penny's job in the latest episodes of The Big Bang Theory?”
“Every team did their best, and it was a fun opportunity even if we didn't win,” Savannah Legg ('16) shares. The teams were watched by an audience who had free admission and had the option of a concession stand while they watched this trivia challenge. “The competition was one I would really enjoy doing it again,” Legg explains.
-Megan Dalton('16) is the Junior Sports Editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
By Megan Dalton
NORTHRIDGE - Teams from the district and as far away as Danville competed in a trivia contest known as "Are You Smarter than a Viking?" on Feb. 22, playing for a grand prize of $1,000.
A total of 15 teams enrolled in the battle of the brains. Each team had five players, student or adult, vikings, or even people from other school districts. Adult entries were $20 while students were $10. "The admission fee is worth it if you win the $1,000 1st place prize,” Leyna Varney ('16) shares about the competition. Second place wins $500 and third place wins $300. The teams who out-brained the others are as follows; 1st-Rumspringa, 2nd-Knock^3 Penny^3, 3rd-Wolf Pack.
A question is asked aloud and put onto the projector, while the teams are given 30 seconds to write their answer on a whiteboard and hold it up when the timer rings. Teams are also given a five second warning buzzer. The teams with the lowest number of questions correctly answered is eliminated at the end of each round; if the score is tied they are given tiebreaker questions until someone is eliminated for the round. More teams are eliminated each round to get the final round down to four teams. Points carry over to the next rounds.
Round 1 of the four rounds is relatively easier questions compared to later rounds. The teams are asked questions like, “How many bathrooms are in the White House?” “Who was known as the Yankee Clipper?” “What is a group of kangaroos called?” and “What state is due south of Utah?” The competition slowly dwindled down until there was only a few teams still battling. The final round contained 10 questions that include, “Who wrote The Ugly Duckling?” “What famous invention is Philo Farnsworth credited for?” “What was Penny's job in the latest episodes of The Big Bang Theory?”
“Every team did their best, and it was a fun opportunity even if we didn't win,” Savannah Legg ('16) shares. The teams were watched by an audience who had free admission and had the option of a concession stand while they watched this trivia challenge. “The competition was one I would really enjoy doing it again,” Legg explains.
-Megan Dalton('16) is the Junior Sports Editor and a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
What do you want your watch to do?
By Hugh Prentice
NORTHRIDGE - Wearable technology is an up and coming market that offers promise to early adopters.
Wearable technology is just a piece of technology that you can wear or, in the case of smart watches, strap to your wrist.
A smart watch is a very basic form of wearable technology. One of the first major breakthrough smart watches was the Pebble watch. The Pebble watch announced itself on the Kickstarter website and broke a record for how fast it was funded past its original asking amount. That was in 2013, and since then Pebble has released a new watch, the Pebble Steel in 2014 and is currently on Kickstarter to fund its 2015 model, the Pebble Time. The Pebble Time has a microphone built into the watch so you can dictate text messages and answer calls when you don’t feel like reaching for your phone or if you are away from it, along with updated Pebble software and many other new features. The Pebble watches aren’t the only smart watches on the market, however; Motorola, Samsung, LG, Apple, and many other companies are trying their hand, or should I say wrist, in the smart watch market.
At the moment technology has limited what features smart watches can really offer and some consumers are even asking "Do we even know what we want in a smart watch?" which is a question I’ve been thinking about recently because I am thinking about buying my own smart watch. I’ve been doing my research for a week or so, and I’ve seen that many of the smart watches on the market share some basic features. They all usually have touchscreens, aside from Pebble watches, heart rate monitors for health apps, microphones to quickly answer texts and calls, customizable watch faces, and all of the watches I’ve seen connect to your phone though either Bluetooth or a combination of Bluetooth and an app that you download on your phone.
Overall, I’m interested to see where the smart watch idea can go but have decided to hold off until they can integrate some new and more useful features into the watches. It’s an interesting idea and maybe before we know it we might be able to start our cars with our watches or even controlling the lights in our houses with them, which seems a little bit ambitious but still a cool thought.
Hugh Prentice ('16) is an Interactive Editor for the Viking Vault.
By Hugh Prentice
NORTHRIDGE - Wearable technology is an up and coming market that offers promise to early adopters.
Wearable technology is just a piece of technology that you can wear or, in the case of smart watches, strap to your wrist.
A smart watch is a very basic form of wearable technology. One of the first major breakthrough smart watches was the Pebble watch. The Pebble watch announced itself on the Kickstarter website and broke a record for how fast it was funded past its original asking amount. That was in 2013, and since then Pebble has released a new watch, the Pebble Steel in 2014 and is currently on Kickstarter to fund its 2015 model, the Pebble Time. The Pebble Time has a microphone built into the watch so you can dictate text messages and answer calls when you don’t feel like reaching for your phone or if you are away from it, along with updated Pebble software and many other new features. The Pebble watches aren’t the only smart watches on the market, however; Motorola, Samsung, LG, Apple, and many other companies are trying their hand, or should I say wrist, in the smart watch market.
At the moment technology has limited what features smart watches can really offer and some consumers are even asking "Do we even know what we want in a smart watch?" which is a question I’ve been thinking about recently because I am thinking about buying my own smart watch. I’ve been doing my research for a week or so, and I’ve seen that many of the smart watches on the market share some basic features. They all usually have touchscreens, aside from Pebble watches, heart rate monitors for health apps, microphones to quickly answer texts and calls, customizable watch faces, and all of the watches I’ve seen connect to your phone though either Bluetooth or a combination of Bluetooth and an app that you download on your phone.
Overall, I’m interested to see where the smart watch idea can go but have decided to hold off until they can integrate some new and more useful features into the watches. It’s an interesting idea and maybe before we know it we might be able to start our cars with our watches or even controlling the lights in our houses with them, which seems a little bit ambitious but still a cool thought.
Hugh Prentice ('16) is an Interactive Editor for the Viking Vault.
Compatibility tests make winter more fun
By Savannah Legg
NORTHRIDGE - This Valentine’s Day, Northridge High School brought back the compatibility testing to help students find their one true love in time for Valentine’s Day.
The idea for the compatibility tests had been a tradition at Northridge until a few years ago, but was brought back by Freshman English teacher Jill Hotchkiss who sought out a new idea to raise money for the freshman class. Hotchkiss says that it is a “great way to earn money for the freshman class without a lot of prep, selling, and going out to sell the product.”
In the compatibility tests, the students were asked a series of questions ranging from what your friends would say about you, to you level of enjoyment at parties. Once the tests were filled out, they were sent to a company in Dublin, Ohio, that would not only put each individual’s answers into a computer program, but also calculate a series of two pages worth of data for each student.
Each student could purchase their results for $3 in which they would find out who their most compatible best friend, and true love is both within their grade, and the entire high school. In the list they receive they will also receive who they are least compatible with. Overall, the fundraiser raised around $400 for the freshman class.
The most compatible male in the high school was Nick Willeke. The most compatible female was Hunter Adkins who says, “I noticed I was on a lot of peoples’ lists. I guess my answers were really generic or something, or I’m just really easy to get along with.”
Hotchkiss, head of the fundraiser, said that changes for next year will include more students working the stand in which you can purchase results the first morning. Hotchkiss says it was “chaotic.”
Josie Bunstine ('16) said “It was cool to not only see who I was most compatible with in my grade, but the whole school. There were people that were high on my list that were freshman that I had never even talked to before.”
Addie Vankirk ('18) said “It was cool because my best friends in real life were also my best friends on my results.”
-Savannah Legg ('16) is the Photo Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.
By Savannah Legg
NORTHRIDGE - This Valentine’s Day, Northridge High School brought back the compatibility testing to help students find their one true love in time for Valentine’s Day.
The idea for the compatibility tests had been a tradition at Northridge until a few years ago, but was brought back by Freshman English teacher Jill Hotchkiss who sought out a new idea to raise money for the freshman class. Hotchkiss says that it is a “great way to earn money for the freshman class without a lot of prep, selling, and going out to sell the product.”
In the compatibility tests, the students were asked a series of questions ranging from what your friends would say about you, to you level of enjoyment at parties. Once the tests were filled out, they were sent to a company in Dublin, Ohio, that would not only put each individual’s answers into a computer program, but also calculate a series of two pages worth of data for each student.
Each student could purchase their results for $3 in which they would find out who their most compatible best friend, and true love is both within their grade, and the entire high school. In the list they receive they will also receive who they are least compatible with. Overall, the fundraiser raised around $400 for the freshman class.
The most compatible male in the high school was Nick Willeke. The most compatible female was Hunter Adkins who says, “I noticed I was on a lot of peoples’ lists. I guess my answers were really generic or something, or I’m just really easy to get along with.”
Hotchkiss, head of the fundraiser, said that changes for next year will include more students working the stand in which you can purchase results the first morning. Hotchkiss says it was “chaotic.”
Josie Bunstine ('16) said “It was cool to not only see who I was most compatible with in my grade, but the whole school. There were people that were high on my list that were freshman that I had never even talked to before.”
Addie Vankirk ('18) said “It was cool because my best friends in real life were also my best friends on my results.”
-Savannah Legg ('16) is the Photo Editor and a staff writer for The Viking Vault.