The Metro Voice

Movie Review: The Haunting in Connecticut

By Nathan Alspach, Metro Voice Art Director

The Haunting in Connecticut is a movie based on an actual event that occurred to a family in Connecticut.

In this film, a family moves into a home and soon realizes that it was previously owned by a funeral home director who tried to contact the dead through a medium.

Although it exaggerates the details of the actual event, the movie maintains the historical accuracies of the real event while also creating fear for viewers.

At times, certain lines are over-exaggerated, and there is a slight over-emphasis on special effects. Every five minutes, you can expect to be surprised by a zombie or ghost that appears, or disgusted by a close-up of a dismembered limb or excessive amounts of blood.

The viewer may be able to connect to the personal stories of the characters. The main character’s cancer progressively worsens throughout the film. He is constantly trying to separate fiction from reality, given the uncertainty that this could all just be in his head.

All in all, The Haunting in Connecticut was a very good movie and I would give it four stars out of five. If you enjoy scary movies and have some spare time, The Haunting in Connecticut would be an excellent choice for you.

Posted: 1:29 p.m. May 26, 2009

Opinion: A tale of two first years

By Shaquan Gray, Metro Voice Reporter, and Kim Swensen, Metro Voice Adviser

Editor’s note: Shaquan is a first-year student and Ms. Swensen is a first-year teacher at Metro High School.

1. 1. What was your best memory of your first year at Metro?

Shaquan: My best memories are planning the Metro Games, and seeing all students struggle to get through them. It was great to see the student body come together for one purpose: to win for their advisory. I also enjoyed participating in the first-ever collaboration between Metro and Shadowbox Cabaret.

Ms. Swensen: I think that my best memory has to be our rainy Metro Games. Running around grassy and drenched, laughing and relaxing with cocoa and watching I am Legend with my advisory made me feel a part of a special community.

2. 2. What was your biggest challenge in your first year here?

Shaquan: For me, it was transitioning from just getting by to mastering something. I was so use to being able to get a B- and still move on to the next course, but here at Metro, a B- is unheard of.

Ms. Swensen: Moving from teaching an hour and forty-eight minutes twice a week at OSU to two hours a day five days a week at Metro was a dramatic shift. Luckily, it didn’t take too long to adjust; now the occasional hour-long class races by in a flash.

3. What do you wish you had known prior to joining the Metro community?

Shaquan: Something that I wish I would have known before this year would be how much fun Metro Would be. I came into Metro High School thinking that I was walking in to one of the nerdiest places ever, but when I entered Metro and became involved, it was nothing like that at all.

Ms. Swensen: I truly wish that I had known how to use all of the features on Power School and Task Stream. I am excited to use these tools more effectively next year.

4. What’s the best advice you received in your first year at Metro?

Shaquan: Mrs. Jones told me that mastery is not really that hard to achieve, as long as you do the work.

Ms. Swensen: Mrs. Floyd Jefferson says, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

5. Who has been your mentor this year?

Shaquan: I don’t have one for Metro High School.

Ms. Swensen: My department really helped me through this first year of teaching, whether it was meeting about curriculum, sharing lunch, talking about our successes and challenges, or giving hugs. That support helped me immeasurably.

Posted: 1:20 p.m. May 26, 2009

Opinion: Five things to be grateful for

By Lydia Kuhn, Metro Voice Editor-in-Chief

It’s easy to make fun of or complain about high school. Everyone does it. High school may be one of the toughest times you have experienced so far in your life. Hopefully, after it’s all said and done, you’ll be able to look back positively on your experience. Be optimistic. Nothing is as good or as bad as it seems when you first stare it in the face.

Now that Metro High School’s third year is wrapping up, here are a few things that we, as a community, can be thankful for.

1. We have air conditioning when it’s hot outside and slightly less chilly air when it’s cold outside.

2. Our teachers often go above and beyond to make sure we have opportunities, even if we don’t see it at first.

3. There is more to Metro High School than the staff and the students. All of those people who come on tours on a regular basis are interested in what we are doing.

4. We have “tech guys” that help keep up maintenance on our new MacBooks and our wireless network.

5. Summer trips are created with fun and education in mind. And yes, it is entirely possible to combine the two.

Posted: 3:56 p.m. May 22, 2009

Opinion: Business internships bring new responsibilities

By Lydia Kuhn, Metro Voice Editor-in-Chief

As a second year at Metro High School, the goal is to pass Gateway at the end of the year. This year, other concerns have moved up through the ranks as well: Calculus 151, international trips, service-learning hours and more. But there is one more thing you should start thinking about: a business research internship.

I am wrapping up the spring term of my second year. When it came time to schedule the classes for this term, I realized that I was ready to do a business research internship. This scared me, confused me and annoyed me.

When you do a business research internship, there are a lot of assignments you must complete. These include writing a resume and cover letter and completing a research project. This must take place at a local business with a subject focus that you are interested in. For example, I am an intern at COSI in Little Kidspace, where I work with children because I am interested in developmental psychology.

There are some things you should know when doing a business research internship:

1. This is not a mastery course. You will receive a letter grade.

2. Do the work. At first it seems like it is a ridiculous amount and subject, but it really is worth it in the end.

3. This is a credit that is required at Metro. Most regular high schools only require 21 credits, but Metro requires around 25.

4. At the end of your research project, you will have to do an exhibition. This is like the final exam; you present your project and its findings to your internship coordinator from Metro and the people you worked with at your internship.

When the time comes, be ready to step up your work ethic. This is unlike anything you’ve ever done before, but you still have a foundation to stand on—all those things you learn during the first two years lead up to this in more ways than you can imagine right now. Take this opportunity and run with it.

Posted: 9:36 a.m. May 22, 2009

Opinion: The third-year experience

By Deidra Schacht, Metro Voice Chief Photographer

This year was my first experience with the Metro Learning Centers—and like everything that is new at Metro, it comes with its quirks.

A Learning Center is a Metro classroom located in one of our partners’ buildings. This school year, Learning Centers can be found at both Franklin Park Conservatory and COSI, and they provide classes such as art, research and calculus. These classes are provided to mostly third-years and qualified second-years. I recently took calculus at Franklin Park and I am now taking research, biomed and photography at COSI.

There have been several issues so far this year with the Learning Centers. With two Learning Centers and more than 20 students enrolled, providing adequate transportation for each student has been difficult. Jane Ensign, Curriculum Coordinator, stated, “The largest problem with the Learning Centers for the administration is transportation.” Thanks to that transportation issue, one recent mishap included four students being left at Metro.

Hopefully, once there is a steady stream of students in and out of the Learning Centers, these issues will be ironed out. However, if all the students that can transport more than one passenger did, we might not need a shuttle. Metro currently restricts students who drive to have no more than one passenger, except for Franklin Park students, who may provide rides for more than one student.

Aside from the transportation issue, both Learning Centers are accommodating to Metro students. COSI brought in an entire technical crew to set up our computers with wireless Internet. Students asked for a microwave and it appeared in our classroom the next day. Those results were a surprise because most new experiences seem to run on Metro Standard Time (slow!). Franklin Park Conservatory provides two classrooms and storage space that conveniently come with doors and locks. Conservatory staff also allow students to use their gardens for both the Junior Capstone and art classes.

As Metro continues to grow, those Learning Centers are going to become more a part of the Metro experience.

Posted: 9:10 a.m. May 22, 2009

Swine Flu booWHO

By Nathan Alspach, Metro Voice Art Director

In recent weeks, there has been a storm of media attention directed toward the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. As indicated in reports from various news media outlets, people have varying levels of concern about the subject. However, this is not yet a pandemic and concern is dwindling.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Influenza Pandemic Alert is currently at stage 5, which is one level below a pandemic. Furthermore, the symptoms listed by the WHO are no more severe than those caused by a throat cold or a normal case of influenza. However, there is some cause for concern; three people in the Franklin County have the flu and it may be more widespread than people think.

The WHO has provided a list of tips that can help to keep you and others around you at less risk for contracting Swine Flu. It advises people to avoid touching their mouths and noses; to wash their hands thoroughly on a regular basis; to avoid close contact with people who might be ill; to reduce the time spent in crowds; to improve airflow in your living space by opening windows; and to practice good health habits including getting adequate sleep, eating nutritious food and keeping physically active.

Additionally, the WHO states that eating pork will not cause people to contract the disease. It states that there is no link between being in close proximity to pigs and contraction of Swine Flu.

Posted: 12:45 p.m. May18, 2009

The Metro Dozen

By Jana Al-Akhras, Metro Voice Op-Ed Editor

You know you’re a Metro student when…

You try to bypass dress code and get caught by both Mr. Johanssen and Dr. Bruening at the same time.
You can recite the 6 Metro Habits in your sleep.
You gain 15 lbs., thanks to a bake sale.
Your tech support consists of Josh Federer, Austin Russell….and Matthew Peterman.
You get REALLY excited for spicy chicken sandwich day.
The terms freshman, sophomore, junior and senior are considered “derogatory.”
You have over 21 credits and you’re still in high school.
You have an Apple laptop and get it updated every 2 months.
You know what THE LINE is.
You have been caught digging a hole.
You don’t have a locker.
Someone says “CABS” and you don’t think of a taxi.

Posted: 11:40 a.m. April 30, 2009

Opinion: Prepare for the final stretch

By Lydia Kuhn, Metro Voice Editor-in-Chief

Here it is, folks—the moment we’ve been waiting for all year. The moment when we realize that school will end in a month and a half is a glorious one at best and disappointing at worst. This is the time that can either make or break your year at Metro.

There are plenty of things that Metro students have on their plates right now. Some students are worried about finishing independent studies from previous trimesters, preparing for a Gateway or Round Table, or bracing themselves for the summer ahead. Whatever category you fall into there are a few things I would suggest you remember.

1. Take a deep breath. You’re more than two-thirds done with the year. Everything you’ve done so far has brought you to this moment. You have a foundation to stand on that will prepare you for this school year’s grand finale, whatever it may be for you. Do your best, and do nothing less.

2. This school year may have taught you a lot about yourself as a person. What kind of student are you? Would you rather study or slack? Do you care more about your social life than academics? No matter where you go after this year, you should be able to take what you learned here with you.

3. There is approximately a month and a half left in this school year. No matter what happens between now and the last day of school—it is coming, regardless of how often you cross your fingers and wish for that day to arrive earlier. You’ll reach the finish line; the only question now is “how?”

Posted: 11:35 a.m. April 30, 2009

Johnanssen to leave Metro, teach in Peru

Emily Lybbert, Metro Voice Reporter

Metro High School teacher Jacob Johanssen recently made a sudden announcement: He is leaving. Lydia Kuhn, a member of Mr. Johanssen’s advisory, was one of the first to know of his departure. “During announcements,” she said, “he said, ‘I need to meet my advisory in this circle right here.’ So we all gathered after announcements and he said, ‘I just want you guys to be the first to know that I’m leaving next year.’”

Johanssen, who is in his third year of teaching mathematics at Metro, is moving on to the American School of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Lima, Peru. He plans on teaching there for 2 or 3 years and then hopes to move to Greece and teach in a similar program.

“I’ve always wanted to teach in a foreign country,” said Johanssen, “and up until recently I thought that I could only teach English in a foreign country. But then I found out that there are a bunch of American schools around the world, so I can actually go there and teach in my content area; I can teach in math.” His advisory may miss him, but Johanssen said he is excited to go.

Posted: 10:42 a.m. April 30, 2009

Metro teams with sketch comedy troupe for fundraiser

By Kristine Thompson, Metro Voice Reporter

For 3 years, Metro High School has offered its students a wide array of opportunities, from taking college classes at the Ohio State University to traveling to a number of international destinations, such as Rome, Ghana and Costa Rica.

Now Metro students have the honor of developing and participating in sketch comedy in conjunction with Shadowbox. Shadowbox is a comedy and rock and roll club with locations in Columbus, Ohio and Newport, Ky. Recently, Shadowbox staff approached Battelle about putting on a show as a fundraiser. It wanted to work with a local high school to put on a show and when Metro’s name came up, a partnership was formed.

Metro Rocks the ’Box will be performed by 27 Metro High School students on May 18. Students will be working beside professionals in the areas of acting, singing, lighting, sound and other aspects of performing.

Diana Wolterman, a faculty member at Metro High School, is in charge of organizing this performance. She said this performance will be a “fun partnership” and will allow students to express their talents in performing arts. “[Metro] needs more opportunities in the arts, and this performance allows them that opportunity,” said Deidra Schacht, a third-year student who will be working front-of-house at the performance.

Time Warner Cable will be broadcasting a documentary of Metro Rocks the ‘Box on local on-demand channels.

Event Infomation
When: Monday, May 18^th, 7:00 PM
Where: Shadowbox at Easton Town Center
Tickets: All sales benefit Metro High School. $25 General admission- Discounted tickets for Metro students.
Contact Metro High School for tickets.

Posted: 12:32 p.m. April 23, 2009

Opinion: Metro first years must adapt to a new way of life

By Lydia Kuhn, Metro Voice Editor-in-Chief

From the first moment you walk into Metro High School’s doors, you are faced with a whole new way of academic life. You begin to appreciate those extra hours spent on Saturday mornings padding around in your pajamas, not having anything in particular to do.

You begin to refer to those pimply-faced adolescent middle school years as the “good old days,” referencing shadowy recollections of times past when homework was not a priority, social outings were a dime-a-dozen, and anything higher than a D was good enough to slide by.

Your vocabulary grows to include such terms and phrases as “mastery,” “work in progress,” and “don’t dig yourself into a hole.” The Metro Habits of Mind and Heart easy apply to your life at least 10 times per day.

You begin to accept pep rallies sending robotics teams off to competitions or students to field studies as normal; even with sports there are no cheerleaders or football player hierarchies to navigate.

Metro is anything but normal, and in order to make it here, you must accept it as such. Your teachers will push you to your limits, and then some as you discover that what you had previously considered to be limits are really just mental blocks inserted by years of “sliding by” and childish diversions. Sometimes your homework will seem miles high, but to avoid “digging a hole” you realize that time previously devoted to playing video games or engaging in frequent social activities must now be allocated to education.

This is high school – supposedly the best and worst years of your life. You have outstanding opportunities at this school, but at times it may be difficult for you to see over the mountain of challenges that you face. So make your decision now. Will you take this chance and run with it, or will you drop it and forever speculate about what you may have missed?

Posted: 8:53 a.m. April 14, 2009

Teacher feature: Dr. Bruening

By Jocelyn Browning, Metro Voice News Editor

Q. Where did you grow up?

A. I grew up in Toledo, Ohio.

Q. What was your favorite high school memory?

A. Almost breaking the school long jump record. I missed it by two inches!

Q. Where did you go to college?

A. I attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Q. What was your major?

A. Marine Science.

Q. What was your favorite part of college?

A. Being in Florida and being able to camp on barrier islands.

Q. What is a piece of advice you would give about being successful in college?

A. Do not procrastinate. Some are able to work well under pressure at the last minute, but this is not what should be done in college to ensure success.

Q. What was your first job?

A. Resurfacing gym floors.

Q. Where did you work before you came to Metro?

A. University of South Carolina.

Q. Why did you choose to come to Metro?

A. My wife came to The Ohio State University for her Ph.D. and I believed that teaching at a STEM school was a great opportunity for me.

Q. What is your favorite part of teaching here?

A. My least is being interviewed for journalism club. (Editor’s note: He loves it, actually.) My favorite thing is the small school setting, and it lets me know a lot of the students on a personal level. The personal connection allows us teachers to teach better.

Q. What is a random fact about you that you would like to share with the students?

A. I like surfing!