The Cardinal Invitationals Tournament

By : Taylor Stevens

On the 9th of December, Madison’s Wrestling team traveled to Cardinal High School in Middlefield to compete in the Cardinal Invitational Tournament. The teams that participated in this match were Madison, Harvey, Newberry, Aurora, NDCL, and many more. In this tournament there was lots of improvement shown by the boys of the team. These improvements are what helped Madison take first overall in the tournament.

A lot of players placed in their weight classes. Jeff Brichford, captain, placed 1st in the 132 weight class. Brody Arrundale, also a captain, placed 1st in the 170 weight class. Drew Bailey placed 1st in the 113 weight class. Placing 2nd place in their weight class was Logan Blough in the 182 weight class, Douglas Bailey in the 145 weight class, Shayne Magda in the 152 weight class, and Jason Davidson in the 120 weight class. Nick Meyers placed 4th in the 195 weight class.

The team is looking forward to further matches in the future and also winning these matches. Clay Smith, who is a senior, said the team needs to show more aggression or E.T.T, which means Empty The Tank. Coach Tomas said when they got on the mat, the players did what they were supposed to do but there is still lots of improvement to be made. It’s the beginning of the season which leads to great opportunities for improvement. The next match is on December 16th, 2017 at Saint Ignatius High School. Be there to support the boys!

Jack's Journey Through Junior Year

BY: Jack Tagliamonte

You guys think Amazon is secretly a wicked Viking Clan, Norsemen of old, wicked cool boat loving, ax wielding ax guys? I do, they're buying huge businesses and plots of land to build huge buildings for "Storage" but is it storage, Amazon? Or is it secret prisons, super well hidden boat garage, or maybe a gateway into some upside down world that was opened by some little girl with an Eggo waffle addiction? Really Amazon, I don't see you having anything good about you, your CEO looks like Mark Zuckerberg's bald lizard brother, he looks like Dr. Evil with Dumbo ears, he looks like an egg. Alright I'm done smacking on Mr. Clean, but he looks like the kind of guy who just bought into being evil, kind of looks like he's trying to kill Superman, okay seriously I'm done making fun of him but there's a serious look to his face like he's trying to take over the world with some crazy secret plan and I want to uncover it.

Jeff Bazos, you look like you know which one came first, the chicken or the egg. He probably knows and won't tell anyone just for the fact that we don't know, but maybe he really is just a normal guy with an incredible business that surpasses everyone else's idea. Nah that's boring, there's nothing interesting about that, there has to be some crazy Kit Kat and a kaboodle at the end of this right? YOU'RE RIGHT! SO as stated earlier, they've been buying out huge businesses and taking them for their own, sounds very... Viking don't you think? Vikings were aggressive boys with boats, Jeff has a boat and has been taking out competition left and right, showing he is aggressive. Vikings had hair, Jeff used to have hair too. Vikings raided and fought for personal gain and according to Forbes, Jeff is definitely rocking that "personal gain" thing with his 19.1 BILLION DOLLAR HOME. So really I think Jeff is descendant of Bjorn Ironside, one of the most intense vikings ever.

I'm just spooked Amazon is gonna take over the world with its insane in the membrane viking tactics and you should be too. Also the FCC is a big ol bowl of gross guy spaghetti if Net Neutrality gets chopped.

Our Greatest Tradition

BY: Kaitlyn Rohl

Madison is known for new traditions, one of our greatest traditions happened back in 2014 Haley Azbill had a idea that would impact many lives. She created Project Unify. Project Unify is a foundation of diversity, where different individuals valuing each other regardless of skin, intellect, talents, or years. This helped provide a great way for teachers to get involved with the students, parents to engage, and the student body to join together and become more of a whole while showing support for their peers, impacting them greatly.

In 2016 Jessica McPeek took over senior Haley Azbill position after Haley graduated. In 2017 Haley's younger sister Brittany organized another basketball game in which Fox 8 News  attended for the second time since the start of the school’s participation. This years 2018 project unify leaders with be Rachel Collins and Emma Burkholder. Rachel Collins have been interested in getting the position since freshman year, she’s always wanted to be apart because she says that she love working with the students involved with this event. “This experience is so special to me,” says Collins.

Since the beginning of project unify the student body has helps supports the event, purchasing t-shirts and admission tickets. In the past years the girls have set up a spaghetti dinner to as a fundraiser for this special event, each ticket has been $10 and all donations went towards the Project Unify game. Rachel and Emma came up with a new idea this year, they set up a fashion show,  girls from past years donated their dresses, and the models walked down the runway will girls bid on the dresses. They sold a total 22 dresses to the MHS girls. All bids on the dresses were put too this year's Project Unify.

This year the students will all wear yellow, for autism awareness. Rachel said they decided on yellow this year because it's a bright and very happy color. As they have not picked the day yet, they asked that some time in February for the basketball game to come out and watch our students during their time to shine.

Big News...

By: Amelia Marlow

Big news! The Madison High School Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band have both been invited to perform at Severance Hall!

Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Severance Hall is the home of the Cleveland Orchestra and is one of the finest concert halls in the world. It opened in 1931 and is used for concerts, rehearsals and formal events.

The once in a lifetime invite came when Madison High School band director Mr. Tomko got a phone call asking if the band could perform at Severance Hall this winter. Needless to say, he was elated about the invitation and eagerly accepted.

According to Mr. Tomko, “You can’t really put into words what it means to play at Severance Hall. When I got the call it was pure joy and excitement. It’s truly an honor to be asked.”

The Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band will each be performing at Severance Hall on Sunday, January 28th beginning at 3:00 pm. They will be the 2nd school to perform. It will be a day full of music starting at 2:00 pm and ending at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available for anyone who wants to attend the event on a first come, first serve basis. The tickets cost $10.00 per person and is for general seating. Tickets are good for all day admittance. Anyone who wants to purchase tickets to see the performance at Severance Hall is asked to let Mr. Tomko or Mrs. Stout know as soon as possible.

Lights! Camera! Action!

BY: Emily Johnston

Over the weekend, your Madison High School competition cheerleaders took on "Lights! Camera! Action!" cheer and dance competition in Erie, PA.

The girls took first place and grand champions, meaning they not only won their division, but the whole competition, scoring 94.2 points out of 100. They also took home “rocking cash”,  to use towards the Cleveland nationals, and a full paid bid to attend the Lake Erie nationals. The team plans to attend both of those competitions and they are hopefully awaiting more success at them.

At the competition, the girls perform a 2 minutes and 30 second routine that consists of a short intro cheer, and short dance, and then a longer cheer and longer dance. They perform the hard routine all while keeping a smile on their faces and looking like they have lots of energy.

The team is proud of themselves and that their hard work has paid off for them. Captain Brionna Havens says, “I’m proud of the accomplishments the competition team has had, taking 1st at both of our competitions so far this season. Not only 1st place, but also grand champions with a score of 94.2. Being this is my last year and being a captain, I’m glad we have started off with the big wins we have.”

The cheerleaders still look forward to more hard practices, more competitions, and bettering themselves this season. They are not only looking to beat other teams, but to do better than their last competition and beat their own score each time.

Fancy Caroling Time!

BY: Sierra Croddock

Happy Holiday’s everyone! Your Madison Show Choir performed this past Saturday at Debonne Winery in Thomson. Two hours of fun filled singing and dancing while people were having dinner and some fine wine.

Abby Schultz, her first year in show choir, said it was a lot of fun. According to another member, they did things a bit different this year with performing. They said it was separated in groups, smaller sections as well. Brooke Howley spoke up very clearly and said, “It was a very personal experience and more relaxed because we are not on stage and we can see the fans reaction and what not more than if you were on the stage in front of a bunch of people.”

Caroling seems to have a more emotional experience because you are talking about whatever Holiday you celebrate. Thea Sapic made a comment on how it was their first year singing at a winery and she is a senior. The setting was a bit different because while you are performing you see everyone just watching you and how close you are to them, it is very easy to see them and have any feedback right then and there while when you have a bigger crowd you don’t have as much pressure. A huge Thank you to Debonne Winery as well for letting the Madison Show Choir perform. Their next performance is at Cornerstone from 5:30 to 6:00. The Show Choir highly appreciate the support!

Underwater Records

By: Joshua Smith

Joey Smith a senior that is a  part of the swim team and also one of the best swimmers on the team. Many things earned him this spotlight. One is that he broke one individual and three relays and he is the captain of the boys swim team.

Joey was chosen for a spotlight specifically because he has broken many records and stood out the most on the team as an individual. The records Joey broke was 100 breaststroke record in 105.7 minutes and 2 district qualifier. Joey likes to compete,and he likes to cheer on his team mates.

Joeys goals to accomplish in high school is to finish the top 15 percent in his class. One of his best moments of high school he shared with me was on the homecoming court. Joeys plan for the future is play baseball in college and also major in some kind of business.

Joey's favorite baseball team is the Cleveland Indians and his favorite movie is Sandlot, a baseball movie. His favorite food is pasta and meatballs. That was some of the good things about Joey smith about what he likes to do and what loves. Joey is also a great baseball player.

Joeys first swim meet is on the 3rd in December its at the spire and they are facing Pymatuning valley and hopefully the blue streaks win their first swim meet. The picture above below is Joey and his friends, Richie and David.

Hoping to Break More Records

By:Kennedy Rochford

I interviewed with Zoey Fedele a sophomore at Madison High School, also on the girls swim team at this school. This year she is very confident in for this swim season, she is confident in her team this year, she feels they will have a really good year with no drama and to have many good times and create more memories with the her team. Not only is she excited to see how she does she is also excited to watch and cheer on her team. Zoey feels her rely is really good and she believes they have potential to break the records.

Zoey has goals for herself. In school she wants to maintain her GPA and in swim to get new records for the 100 fly, she also wants to qualify for states and hopefully win first or second in districts this year. Last year she set personal records: the 200 free which was 1:58.5,  the 200 individual medley which is 2 minutes and 21 seconds,and the 500 free which she set 5:48. Not only did she set personal goals, she also set a school record for the 100 fly which is 1:00.18 minute.

A quote that keeps her motivated is a saying her old coach told her, “If it ever gets easy in practice find a way to make it hard”. Last year, Zoey also went to sectional championship, and at the WRC which was her most important meet, at that meet she set the record for her 100 fly. Now her and her team are preparing for this season to hopefully beat some more records.