Students train to be counselors at 4H Camp
By: Claire Wasem
ST. LOUISVILLE - Summer camp is a great opportunity to make new friends and memories that will last a lifetime, whatever age the camper. Licking County 4H Camp at Camp Ohio in St. Louisville allows kids from a common area to get together and connect while playing games, singing songs, and experiencing outdoor activities. While campers can start attending at age 8, at 15 you are eligible to become a camp counselor until the time you graduate! Being a camp counselor is very rewarding for many different reasons.
“Being a camp counselor takes lots of work,” says second-year counselor Darian Dick (‘20). “You need to have at least 24 hours of training before camp even starts. Along with these 24 hours, you and a group of other counselors are put onto different committees where you help to plan the different parts of camp.”
Second-year counselor Clayton Orr, a sophomore at Licking Valley, explains that, “if you don't get along with kids and don't have good patience, you probably wouldn't make a good counselor.” Orr continues by saying, “Although there is a lot of tough planning involved, once you get to camp you get to spend your days playing around with campers. It’s the only job where it’s encouraged to dress in costume for skits, go crazy at the snack shop, and get competitive playing gaga ball.”
“I love every part of 4H camp,” says second-year counselor Michael Imbody, a freshman at Utica High School, “but I would definitely have to say that campfire is my favorite. Teaching the campers new campfire songs along with funny skits that the counselors put on are what make campfire my favorite part of camp.”
Another counselor, Olivia Ashbrook (‘21) says, “The first time I went to camp, I did the polar plunge challenge. Me and a small group of kids got up super early every morning before everyone else got up and went to jump in the pool. It was FREEZING. But it is a memory from camp that I will keep forever, and I became a camp counselor so that I can help other kids make memories that they will keep for a lifetime as well.”
In a way, being a camp counselor is a lot like being a camper: “You still get to engage in the activities such as hiking, swimming, mountain biking, zip lining, volleyball, nine square, ect.,” explains Ali Zigo (‘20), “but you also get to be the figure that campers look up to.”
Dick says, “If you’re nice and understanding to your campers, they will start opening up to you like sharing secrets, asking you to do their hair and makeup, and asking you outfit advice. And pretty soon you will have made a new friend.”
Being a counselor at 4H camp is a great way to make friends, get volunteer hours, and have tons of fun.
- Claire Wasem (‘20) is Assistant Entertainment Editor for The Viking Vault.
By: Claire Wasem
ST. LOUISVILLE - Summer camp is a great opportunity to make new friends and memories that will last a lifetime, whatever age the camper. Licking County 4H Camp at Camp Ohio in St. Louisville allows kids from a common area to get together and connect while playing games, singing songs, and experiencing outdoor activities. While campers can start attending at age 8, at 15 you are eligible to become a camp counselor until the time you graduate! Being a camp counselor is very rewarding for many different reasons.
“Being a camp counselor takes lots of work,” says second-year counselor Darian Dick (‘20). “You need to have at least 24 hours of training before camp even starts. Along with these 24 hours, you and a group of other counselors are put onto different committees where you help to plan the different parts of camp.”
Second-year counselor Clayton Orr, a sophomore at Licking Valley, explains that, “if you don't get along with kids and don't have good patience, you probably wouldn't make a good counselor.” Orr continues by saying, “Although there is a lot of tough planning involved, once you get to camp you get to spend your days playing around with campers. It’s the only job where it’s encouraged to dress in costume for skits, go crazy at the snack shop, and get competitive playing gaga ball.”
“I love every part of 4H camp,” says second-year counselor Michael Imbody, a freshman at Utica High School, “but I would definitely have to say that campfire is my favorite. Teaching the campers new campfire songs along with funny skits that the counselors put on are what make campfire my favorite part of camp.”
Another counselor, Olivia Ashbrook (‘21) says, “The first time I went to camp, I did the polar plunge challenge. Me and a small group of kids got up super early every morning before everyone else got up and went to jump in the pool. It was FREEZING. But it is a memory from camp that I will keep forever, and I became a camp counselor so that I can help other kids make memories that they will keep for a lifetime as well.”
In a way, being a camp counselor is a lot like being a camper: “You still get to engage in the activities such as hiking, swimming, mountain biking, zip lining, volleyball, nine square, ect.,” explains Ali Zigo (‘20), “but you also get to be the figure that campers look up to.”
Dick says, “If you’re nice and understanding to your campers, they will start opening up to you like sharing secrets, asking you to do their hair and makeup, and asking you outfit advice. And pretty soon you will have made a new friend.”
Being a counselor at 4H camp is a great way to make friends, get volunteer hours, and have tons of fun.
- Claire Wasem (‘20) is Assistant Entertainment Editor for The Viking Vault.
Best of Spring Break vacations
By: Madison Legg
From Aruba to New York, Bonaire to Washington D.C, these are just some of the amazing places students/teachers visited this year during spring break.
Spring Break is a time for students to take a break from school and just life in general and relax for a few days and forget about all their problems. Many of the people here at Northridge went on amazing trips for spring break. A small group of senior boys - Jeremy Butt (‘18) William Cox (‘18) and Evan Willeke (‘18) went on an 8-day cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, and Grand Turk. They did things like swimming with the stingrays, jeep tours, seeing wild flamingos, and snorkeling.
Butt says “I made some great memories I will always try really hard to remember. I also am glad I got to spend my last Spring Break with my friends before we go to college next year.”
The next cool get-away was our Chinese teacher. JunTing Hou got to take her first trip to New York City. Hou said that there were things she liked and disliked about her eventful trip. She said she got to experience a diverse culture that she had never really experienced in Columbus, and she really liked that. She went on to say people were very rude to one another and that was one of the things that she did not like about her trip. She claimed that some people were just plain mean. Overall, though, she liked it and went and visited many places while she was there like Wall Street, Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center. She also noted the Statue of Liberty was a lot smaller than she imagined.
Another interesting Spring Break approach was Samantha Berry (‘19) and her best friend, who went to D.C to participate in the March for Our Lives for gun control. There were around 500,000 people attending, and during the march they had speakers come and talk about gun control, and they have famous people perform. Berry (‘19) says “It’s an overwhelming feeling of togetherness, and everyone is just so friendly.”
-Madison Legg (‘19) publicity editor and a entertainment editor for The Viking Vault. [email protected]
By: Madison Legg
From Aruba to New York, Bonaire to Washington D.C, these are just some of the amazing places students/teachers visited this year during spring break.
Spring Break is a time for students to take a break from school and just life in general and relax for a few days and forget about all their problems. Many of the people here at Northridge went on amazing trips for spring break. A small group of senior boys - Jeremy Butt (‘18) William Cox (‘18) and Evan Willeke (‘18) went on an 8-day cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, and Grand Turk. They did things like swimming with the stingrays, jeep tours, seeing wild flamingos, and snorkeling.
Butt says “I made some great memories I will always try really hard to remember. I also am glad I got to spend my last Spring Break with my friends before we go to college next year.”
The next cool get-away was our Chinese teacher. JunTing Hou got to take her first trip to New York City. Hou said that there were things she liked and disliked about her eventful trip. She said she got to experience a diverse culture that she had never really experienced in Columbus, and she really liked that. She went on to say people were very rude to one another and that was one of the things that she did not like about her trip. She claimed that some people were just plain mean. Overall, though, she liked it and went and visited many places while she was there like Wall Street, Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center. She also noted the Statue of Liberty was a lot smaller than she imagined.
Another interesting Spring Break approach was Samantha Berry (‘19) and her best friend, who went to D.C to participate in the March for Our Lives for gun control. There were around 500,000 people attending, and during the march they had speakers come and talk about gun control, and they have famous people perform. Berry (‘19) says “It’s an overwhelming feeling of togetherness, and everyone is just so friendly.”
-Madison Legg (‘19) publicity editor and a entertainment editor for The Viking Vault. [email protected]
Ways to Prompose: do’s and don’ts
By: Olivia Carpenter
As Prom approaches, so does the looming question of whether or not someone will go with you. At Northridge High School and across the nation, many guys and girls are preparing their perfect promposal… and many are planning not-so-perfect promposals… but how to make the perfect one? Keep reading to find out.
First let's cover the question of whether or not you can ask someone to prom. Do you ask someone who is a junior or senior if you are an underclassman?
Typically, underclassmen will not ask an upperclassman because they are not the one able to go to Prom in the first place - even if that means an upperclassman girl has to ask her younger boyfriend. If you are dating someone that is older than you, the usual move is - whether you are a girl or guy- that the upperclassman will ask you. There are exceptions, of course, but only if you as a couple have discussed the issue.
Now for the style of the promposals.
The typical but cute route is making a poster. Include a catchy pun that pertains to your date. Maybe something along the lines of an inside joke you have or the first time you met. A poster is a simple route compared to other promposals but is creative enough to make your date smile.
A slightly tastier option would be a pizza. The typical thing you could do is buy a pizza and write in the box “Wanna pizza this at Prom?” or something along those lines. Or, you could even get their favorite candy and make a poster that uses the names of the candy as words. For example: “Be a ‘Smartie’ and ‘Rollo’ to Prom with me.” You could even buy chicken nuggets and make a bouquet or use them to spell out “Prom.” Donuts are a great option for someone with a sweet tooth. Timbits can be used to spell out words and normal-sized donuts do the trick, as well.
You could take an artsy approach and serenade your date. You could sing a song, write a poem, a letter, or even paint a picture. You could choose two characters from a show you like and use them in your artwork if you feel they represent you as a couple.
A larger, more grand approach would be to lay out a large display of something your date likes. For example: flowers or objects. Or you could even spell out “Prom” in their driveway with something like rocks, petals, etc. Some people get others in on their promposals and have each helper hold a letter to spell out “Prom.” You could plan a scavenger hunt, sending them different places to find each note that will lead them to where you are. You could even plan a flash mob.
There are endless ideas, so don’t fall short of a good promposal; your date will appreciate and respond much better to something creative and thoughtful that really sums up your relationship to them. The best ideas often have something to do with an inside joke or with something they would never think you remember. Lastly, if you are dating someone, don’t just assume they are going with you because they are your girlfriend/boyfriend. Ask them to Prom to remind them how much you care and that you will continue to put work into the relationship.
- Olivia Carpenter ('18) is a staff writer and the Photo Editor of The Viking Vault
By: Olivia Carpenter
As Prom approaches, so does the looming question of whether or not someone will go with you. At Northridge High School and across the nation, many guys and girls are preparing their perfect promposal… and many are planning not-so-perfect promposals… but how to make the perfect one? Keep reading to find out.
First let's cover the question of whether or not you can ask someone to prom. Do you ask someone who is a junior or senior if you are an underclassman?
Typically, underclassmen will not ask an upperclassman because they are not the one able to go to Prom in the first place - even if that means an upperclassman girl has to ask her younger boyfriend. If you are dating someone that is older than you, the usual move is - whether you are a girl or guy- that the upperclassman will ask you. There are exceptions, of course, but only if you as a couple have discussed the issue.
Now for the style of the promposals.
The typical but cute route is making a poster. Include a catchy pun that pertains to your date. Maybe something along the lines of an inside joke you have or the first time you met. A poster is a simple route compared to other promposals but is creative enough to make your date smile.
A slightly tastier option would be a pizza. The typical thing you could do is buy a pizza and write in the box “Wanna pizza this at Prom?” or something along those lines. Or, you could even get their favorite candy and make a poster that uses the names of the candy as words. For example: “Be a ‘Smartie’ and ‘Rollo’ to Prom with me.” You could even buy chicken nuggets and make a bouquet or use them to spell out “Prom.” Donuts are a great option for someone with a sweet tooth. Timbits can be used to spell out words and normal-sized donuts do the trick, as well.
You could take an artsy approach and serenade your date. You could sing a song, write a poem, a letter, or even paint a picture. You could choose two characters from a show you like and use them in your artwork if you feel they represent you as a couple.
A larger, more grand approach would be to lay out a large display of something your date likes. For example: flowers or objects. Or you could even spell out “Prom” in their driveway with something like rocks, petals, etc. Some people get others in on their promposals and have each helper hold a letter to spell out “Prom.” You could plan a scavenger hunt, sending them different places to find each note that will lead them to where you are. You could even plan a flash mob.
There are endless ideas, so don’t fall short of a good promposal; your date will appreciate and respond much better to something creative and thoughtful that really sums up your relationship to them. The best ideas often have something to do with an inside joke or with something they would never think you remember. Lastly, if you are dating someone, don’t just assume they are going with you because they are your girlfriend/boyfriend. Ask them to Prom to remind them how much you care and that you will continue to put work into the relationship.
- Olivia Carpenter ('18) is a staff writer and the Photo Editor of The Viking Vault
Students and staff explore military options
By: Haley Drumm
Associate Principal and Athletic Director Justin Grieger recently took part in an Educator’s Workshop at a military base on Parris Island, SC to experience life in the shoes of Marine Corp recruits at Basic Training.
Grieger was one of 21 educators in the State of Ohio who got to participate in this four-day program. According to Grieger, his experiences included, “learning what Marine Corp training is all about. The educators got treated as if they were new recruits fresh off the bus. The educators got to stay in the barracks where the Marines stay. The program included PT workouts, obstacle courses, swim tests, and infantry training.”
This was a special trip for Grieger, who said, “It was humbling knowing that so many young people are choosing to go into the armed services and getting to experience what they go through.”
Grieger was also asked what advice he could give to seniors like Karie Smith (‘18) planning to enlist in the military after graduation, and he said, “Choose the path that best fits you, and whatever you do, do it 100%. It’s tough and demanding, but you have to commit.”
Smith said she plans to join the Army. “I have to talk to my recruiter about what MOS (military occupational specialty) I can get,” she explained. “However, what I really want to do is either drive a tank or maybe do photojournalism, if that’s an option. I saw somewhere that it was but I’m still unsure.”
Smith explained how difficult it would be leaving her family and friends, but she said she knows she is making the right decision by enlisting because, “My life is just consistent. I’m tired of this consistency. I want to better myself and better my future, and it’s the best thing for me. What really made me more motivated was realizing that I enjoy helping other people. Knowing that, it made me want to be able to be apart of something incredible.”
When Smith found out about Grieger’s trip to the Educators Workshop, she said it meant a lot to her to know that staff members are taking time to better understand the process of enlisting in the military. “I think it’s cool that there’s an opportunity like that for people to learn more about it and to get an experience they may have never gotten if it weren’t for the program. For teachers to take such an interest in the future of students is really neat because they can take the information they learn through the program, and pass it along to students who plan to join the military in the future. It’s a different experience for everyone. But from a teacher’s perspective, having more knowledge about basic training and military in general would be a good tool to have. Even though there are recruiters, by teachers attending these programs I think it opens up teachers to a world where they can give future military students the advice and comfort that they need that sometimes recruiters may not be able to tell you.”
Smith says she is nervous, but she is proud of the decision she made for herself. She passed this excitement along in the form of advice to any other student who plans to enlist in the future: “ For the other people that want to join, or see no other options, there’s so many things that are possible. Keep your mind set on a goal and work for it. That’s all it is. All it is, is just to work hard for what you want. Nothing will get handed down. Work for everything and set your mind to achieve a goal. I didn’t see my future going anywhere, but I opened doors by joining the Army. I just see a lot of hard work but in the end it’ll be so worth it. Just don’t give up on the dreams you want.”
- Haley Drumm (‘18) is a staff member for The Viking Vault.
By: Haley Drumm
Associate Principal and Athletic Director Justin Grieger recently took part in an Educator’s Workshop at a military base on Parris Island, SC to experience life in the shoes of Marine Corp recruits at Basic Training.
Grieger was one of 21 educators in the State of Ohio who got to participate in this four-day program. According to Grieger, his experiences included, “learning what Marine Corp training is all about. The educators got treated as if they were new recruits fresh off the bus. The educators got to stay in the barracks where the Marines stay. The program included PT workouts, obstacle courses, swim tests, and infantry training.”
This was a special trip for Grieger, who said, “It was humbling knowing that so many young people are choosing to go into the armed services and getting to experience what they go through.”
Grieger was also asked what advice he could give to seniors like Karie Smith (‘18) planning to enlist in the military after graduation, and he said, “Choose the path that best fits you, and whatever you do, do it 100%. It’s tough and demanding, but you have to commit.”
Smith said she plans to join the Army. “I have to talk to my recruiter about what MOS (military occupational specialty) I can get,” she explained. “However, what I really want to do is either drive a tank or maybe do photojournalism, if that’s an option. I saw somewhere that it was but I’m still unsure.”
Smith explained how difficult it would be leaving her family and friends, but she said she knows she is making the right decision by enlisting because, “My life is just consistent. I’m tired of this consistency. I want to better myself and better my future, and it’s the best thing for me. What really made me more motivated was realizing that I enjoy helping other people. Knowing that, it made me want to be able to be apart of something incredible.”
When Smith found out about Grieger’s trip to the Educators Workshop, she said it meant a lot to her to know that staff members are taking time to better understand the process of enlisting in the military. “I think it’s cool that there’s an opportunity like that for people to learn more about it and to get an experience they may have never gotten if it weren’t for the program. For teachers to take such an interest in the future of students is really neat because they can take the information they learn through the program, and pass it along to students who plan to join the military in the future. It’s a different experience for everyone. But from a teacher’s perspective, having more knowledge about basic training and military in general would be a good tool to have. Even though there are recruiters, by teachers attending these programs I think it opens up teachers to a world where they can give future military students the advice and comfort that they need that sometimes recruiters may not be able to tell you.”
Smith says she is nervous, but she is proud of the decision she made for herself. She passed this excitement along in the form of advice to any other student who plans to enlist in the future: “ For the other people that want to join, or see no other options, there’s so many things that are possible. Keep your mind set on a goal and work for it. That’s all it is. All it is, is just to work hard for what you want. Nothing will get handed down. Work for everything and set your mind to achieve a goal. I didn’t see my future going anywhere, but I opened doors by joining the Army. I just see a lot of hard work but in the end it’ll be so worth it. Just don’t give up on the dreams you want.”
- Haley Drumm (‘18) is a staff member for The Viking Vault.