An Angel in Madison

By: Isabel Gnagy

Art. To most, a required course at most high schools but here at Madison High School it is another story. Mr. Grier, one of the most beloved and outstanding teachers at MHS passed away February 15, 2018. The day, only a month ago, started out uncertain with the news of his passing as it was a controversial rumor but by the end of first block it was officially confirmed. He was gone too soon from our school and too fast for our hearts.

Heartbreak rang throughout the school. Flowers and works of art were laid in front of the Streak Shack as a memorial to him. And on all social media platforms there were various accounts of memories with Mr. Grier. Many recall his musical taste, always playing Artic money or other 80s/90s rock throughout his whole class period. While at first in the beginning we all found his taste strange, we learned to love not only the music but the man himself. 

His personality was always something that stood out as well. His sarcastic comments that always incited laughter through any student will never be forgotten but instead always remembered and cherished. Along with his jokes came his ever so present want to help any student in any way he could. His endearing and calming ways helped numerous troubled students who had either came to him or he had gone to check on when he felt they were troubled. He cared so much for all students of Madison and many of us cared just as much back. Possibly even more.

Mr. Grier taught us all two major things in that very art class: Expression and love. He taught many that art is more than just lines and colors. Art is a way to express yourself and your feelings in a creative peaceful way for others to see and relate to. His teachings have inspired many to become an art teacher as well or become an active member in the art community. He had taught us so much and it hopefully will never be forgotten.  

He taught us to always love ourselves and others around us. Treat them with care and never isolate someone out because they were different. He continuously went out of his way to make sure no one was left out. For several classes he brought in snacks such as donuts and if someone ever had an allergy he did all he could to make sure they weren’t left out. He would bring in their favorite kind of food because they couldn’t eat the donuts or the delectable snack he had that day.

Jeff Grier was an astounding person and a critical part of the Madison High School staff. Not only will his family mourn his loss but so will the teachers and students of Madison High School. We may have lost a teacher but we have most definitely gained an angel.

What's Next For The Women's Choir?

BY: Seirra Craddock

All three of your Madison High School Choir’s went to contest Nordonia High School. The best score you could get would be a 1 rating out of 5, and in order to move on to states you must score a 1. Concert Choir had scored 3, Eclectica had scored a 2 and Women’s Choir scored a 1. Since, Women’s Choir had scored the best they get to move on to states. Four years in a row they have made it to states and they have brought home a plaque in honor of going that far.  

Stacie Ratajc, this being her first year in the high school as well as being a part of Women's Choir, felt that this was a wonderful experience. “I felt that this was another way to hear us, as well as come together more as a whole choir.“

Reese Morgan had also chimed in, as this being her first year in this choir, but her second year in high school, “ It was beautiful to see how much work and effort we put together in this and to see a great outcome and to have success and make it to states.”

Others had said how they worked together to have such a beautiful harmony. This being Bailey Rieck third year in Women’s Choir, she is very proud of being able to make it to states again and hopefully bringing home another plaque. Everyone had said that the girls only have a few minor things to fix and they feel that they should be ready to bring home yet again another plaque. They travel the weekend of April 20th to Highland Medina High School. Wish these ladies good luck!

Jack's Journey Through The Junior Year: The Disastrous Delays

BY: Jack Tagliamante

Please stop delaying Project Unify. It's been like 4 weeks since we were supposed to do it, then we had to push it back because we weren't ready, then it got delayed for losing one of the greats, then a snow day. What's next, are we going to get a present from North Korea? How about King Kong destroying the school? Maybe the Girl Scouts burn the place down! Just really think about it, do you think there's another reason behind this? Maybe the reason why we keep on delaying it is because they went full Space Jam and took all of the players skills and now we have to go against the MonStars. Maybe there's something even bigger than that, maybe there's something more.... sinister.

Probably not though. We've just kept on pushing it back for the extra tension for when it actually does happen. But I feel like with the good old Madison luck the world would end when we were actually going to have Project Unify in full effect. But how? I hear none of you asking, I don't know that's up to your imagination, stop bothering me about it. Overall I just want to watch Project Unify on the day we promised, I want us to push through it no matter what because it's worth it in the end. How long has it been since we've had an assembly? Probably a million years, the last one I remember was the homecoming court one when they played the games, so I think it'll be good to have everyone back in one room again.

Reasons Why We Have to Have Project Unify This Friday

• We promised
• It's been delayed like 8 times
• Donations to the Special Olympics
• We promised
• Why not?

We Are United

BY: Kaitlyn Rohl

Project Unify is based on the foundation of diversity, different individuals valuing each other regardless of skin, intellect, talent, 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. Our community has grown to look forward to this event every year. This year's Project Unify will be held on March 2, 2018.

The varsity players use the buddy system, pairing with the special ed athletes, getting more involved and helping out. In honor of the event, many special guests are invited, including the parents, the superintendent, and the Board of Education. While everyone gets excited for game day, the star athletes put in 2-3 days of practice before the big game to prepare and are provided with lunch after the big action packed game along with the special guests. While the big game helps the special ed students feel involved, it also brings the student body together as one, allowing them to show support for one another creating a unified school.

This year’s Project Unify leaders are Emma Burkholder and Rachel Collins and since the last Project Unify they have been putting on fundraisers. This past August the girls put together a fashion show with loud music, lots of dresses and models, they auctioned off the dresses to their peers for this years Homecoming. Also, they held a spaghetti dinner with the Madison community to raise the rest of the money for this years event. This past week the girls have been selling T-shirts for eight dollars, and tickets for fifty cents. All of the funds they raised this year and past years went as a donation towards the Special Olympics. The fees needed to make shirts and purchase awards that are given at the end of the event.

Rachel and Emma want to encourage everyone to come out this Friday to help support and bring our community together. “Project Unify is an awesome event, Rachel and I have been working at making this the best year yet. We would like to see all of our classmates and our Madison community there for support, can't wait to see everyone there!”

Pin City

By: Taylor Stevens

Last weekend Madison High School's wrestling team took home the 2nd place title for the WRC Tournament. The tournament took place in Madison High School's gym. There were 4 matts for the 8 different schools in the Western Reserve Conference. Madison is part of the conference along with Brush, Riverside, Mayfield, North, Kenston, South, and Chardon.

Madison did great in this tournament, they had 13 team placers. 2 of those were late add in players, Seth Shrocke and Jacob NeHoufs, they will be continuing the rest of the season with the team. This tournament had plenty of highlights:  Captain Jeff Brichford placing 1st in his weight class, getting his 2nd WRC title. Coach Tomaso said, “Jeff pretty much pinned his way through this tournament, same with junior Shayne Magda¨. Brichford said he had fun with this tournament and is happy with how it turned out.  Shayne placed first in his weight class also and it was his first time getting a WRC title. Shayne had faced his competitor before. He first faced him in the match against Kenston, he had lost to him, but then Pin City came and Shayne beat him by one or two points. Shayne beat the player for the second time, giving Shayne his first place title in his weight class.

Many surprises had happened with this tournament. Dominic Zirkle wrestled hard and earned himself 2nd place in his 220 weight class. Jacob Glass also worked extremely hard to get his 2nd place title in the 285 weight class. Each and every wrestler put a huge amount of work in for this tournament and every match really. Coach Tomaso told his wrestlers during the tournament that they could either wrestle hard enough and work enough to be champs or you can be in 5th place, it just depends how hard you work.

If you missed the WRC Tournament you can come to the team's senior night, Thursday February 15th, 2018 at 7. It is a home match and it is against Madison´s rivals, Perry. The team would love the support so make sure you are there!

Bernard's Take On The Empire State

BY: Adrianna Hanzak

"Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight." The opening lines of the "Miracle on Ice" pregame speech. Lauren Bernard recited this hockey speech before a softball game to motivate her peers into playing their hardest.

Jordan Pasalaqua, a teammate of Bernard's, described that moment of inspiration and motivation to express the kind of teammate that she truly is. While she excels in softball as an extracurricular activity, Bernard's passion and major recognition lies in a different sport outside of Madison High School, outside of Ohio even: hockey.

Growing up, five year old Bernard was a spectator in the stands of her older cousin's hockey matches. Over time, she wanted to give the icy sport a try, not knowing that it would give her an opportunity that'll help her promote her future. Around ten years later, on October 13, 2016, she committed to Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York as a sophomore in high school.

Before her commitment to Clarkson, Bernard wrote to college scouts, informing them of her upcoming tournaments and matches with her team, the Pittsburgh Penguin Elite U16, hoping for them to take an interest in her. While her efforts to find a school were present, it was Clarkson University was the one who found her, contacting her coach and offered to set up a college visit. After visiting ten other schools, Bernard made her final decision to commit to carrying out her education at Clarkson University.

While hockey is her major passion, Lauren Bernard plans to go into a field such as physical therapy or sports medicine while playing for Clarkson. As a student athlete with her future locked down, Bernard leaves this advice to those looking to take their passion farther: "Always work hard with what you do."

Let The Games Begin

BY: Jordan Pasalaqua

The Madison Lady Blue Streaks basketball team are 5 and 14 this year so far. The girls will be playing Chardon on February 10th at Chardon High School, and they will also be playing them February 17th for tournament play. The last time the Lady Blue Streaks played Chardon the game was close with a final score of 29-35. The Lady Blue Streaks have been working hard at their practices to get ready for these two games against Chardon.

To lead the girls to a victory they need to make better decisions on their passes and have to see the floor better. The girls need to play better as a team and trust each other more on and off the court. The girls expectations for this game are to play a little tougher because they know what to expect now from their recent game with Chardon. For these two games against Chardon they will be missing two key players due to injuries. Mykayla Askew is out with a torn ACL injury and Aly Berry is out with an ankle injury, both of them are out for the rest of the season.

Coach Smith expectations for these two games are to work together more and talk more on the court. He wants the girls to keep the same intensity throughout the whole game and stay focused, but Smith is more focused on the tournament game against Chardon because it's more important so the girls can move farther into the tournament. Captain Shyenne Ledford said that they have to play more as a team and need to stay calm throughout the game because the girls have been rushing their plays in the past games and have been losing the ball due to bad passes. The girls are ready to come out with a win this Saturday.