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The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

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THEY ARE HERE! The dreaded 17-year timer is up. If you have not heard, cicadas are coming out this year. Brood X will be emerging from the ground, bringing billions of cicadas this year in large swarms. Many are not ready for these red-eyed, inch-long, flying insects who release a mating call that can reach 100 decibels, which, in comparison, is as loud as a jet taking off. And believe it or not, some even consider cicadas a delicacy. Cicadas are featured in many meals such as ice cream, salads, and even ramen dishes. Cicadas offer a great source of protein, zinc, iron, and are low in fat.

They’re here

Brood X is already here-get ready
Michael Sanchez and Jackson Shock • May 21, 2021

   The dreaded 17-year timer is up. If you have not heard, cicadas are coming out this year. Brood X will be emerging from the ground, bringing billions of cicadas this year in large swarms. This phenomenon...

Sophomore Kendra McPherson sporting an orange “I got my COVID-19 vaccine!” sticker after receiving her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. “It is exciting to be on my way to being fully vaccinated! I am the youngest person in my family so lots of our summer plans revolved around when I would be fully vaccinated, so it is a relief to get my shot sooner than expected. As people continue to get vaccinated it will be nice to see a little bit of a return to normalcy,” McPherson said.

Another Step Forward

FDA authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds
Katie Mott, Lead Copy Editor and Feature Editor • May 13, 2021

On Monday, May 10, the FDA gave the green light for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be used for 12 to 15-year-olds, pushing the U.S. one more step forward on the path of the return to normalcy. “This...

HELP INDIA BREATHE. Right now, India is dealing with a coronavirus catastrophe, losing one life every five minutes. This cannot be something that you frown at and then go about your day and ignore. The international community, including each and every one of us, needs to act and make up for lost time. Photo courtesy of Pexels.

A COVID-19 Surge

How India’s recent outbreak affects the whole world
Tillie Berge, Trends Editor, Copy Editor • May 4, 2021

 “Every minute is a life-and-death situation,” said Dr. Harjit Singh Bhatti, a doctor at New Delhi hospital.    This second wave of coronavirus is hitting India hard. In the past few days, India’s...

19.56 MILLION. That is the number of COVID-19 cases reported in India during this pandemic. Read that again. 19.56 million lives, 19.56 million beating hearts, 19.56 million people like you and I, all forever changed by a virus they had not even heard about before last year. If that number has not already made you raise a brow, let me tell you that over 300,000 of those cases in India have been reported in the last 24 hours. In a single day. From the time you read this to tomorrow, hundreds of thousands more people will have become part of this statistic. According to CNN, “India is now the epicenter of the worst ongoing coronavirus outbreak, and the situation there could get worse before it begins to get better.” Luckily, even with the 8,000 miles physically separating the US and India, you can make a difference. How? By donating to Breathe India, a fund currently dedicated to sending oxygen concentrators directly to patients in India. Click the link in our bio to read the full story and visit the following link to donate: https://www.breatheindiafund.org/index.php/donate/ Photo Courtesy of Breathe India Fund

Breathe India Fund

An initiative saving lives
Ria Parikh, Deputy Photo Editor • May 3, 2021

19.56 million. That is the number of COVID-19 cases reported in India during this pandemic. Read that again. 19.56 million lives, 19.56 million beating hearts, 19.56 million people like you and I, all...

NFL Draft. The Bengals select receiver Ja’Marr Chase out of LSU with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bengals reunite Joe Burrow and Chase from their LSU playing days and look to make a big impact.

Ja’Marr Chase reunites with Joe Burrow as Bengals Draft Pick

Bengals Add Another Weapon
Drew Berke, Sports Editor • April 29, 2021

With the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft, the Bengals have selected LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase. At 6’0 and weighing in at 208 pounds, Chase is set to become one of the focal points of the Bengals...

TAKE ACTION. For most of us growing up, homelessness and poverty are things that we have not had to worry much about. However, some are not so lucky. According to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, “3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year.” However, ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, that number has been on a rise. Click the link in the bio to read more and find ways to help! Photo courtesy of: Creative Commons

Homeless in a Pandemic

How COVID-19 has affected homelessness
Anna Ralston, Staff Writer • April 29, 2021

For most of us growing up, homelessness and poverty are things that we have not had to worry much about. However, some are not so lucky. According to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless,...

GUILTY. On April 20, 2021, the nation watched with bated breath as the jury’s verdict in the case of State v. Derek Chauvin was read out to a silent courtroom. Learn more about the charges brought against him and the aftermath of the trial at the link below.

“We the Jury Find the Defendant Guilty”

The aftermath of the Chauvin trial verdict
Serene Tarabishi, Media Director • April 23, 2021

   On April 20, 2021, the nation watched with bated breath as the jury’s verdict in the case of State of Minnesota v. Derek Michael Chauvin was read out to a silent courtroom.       Crowds...

INDIANA FEDX SHOOTING. On Thursday, April 15, just after 11 p.m. an active shooting broke out at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Unfortunately, the gunman killed eight people and injured more before taking his own life. The police were unable to determine a clear cause for the violence. This is the 28th shooting in the month of April so far, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Shooting Occurs at Indianapolis FedEx Facility

Jack Brownlee, Staff Writer • April 16, 2021

On Thursday, April 16, 2021, another active shooting occurred inside and outside of an Indianapolis FedEx facility. This is nearly the 150th shooting to happen in the United States since the beginning...

THE DEATH OF PRINCE PHILIP. Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip died today. He went peacefully in his home at Windsor Palace. He dedicated his life to Great Britain but was sometimes too frank with his comments. Read to find out more about Prince Philip’s life!

His Majesty’s Death

Tillie Berge, Staff Writer • April 10, 2021

   The British Monarchy website less than 48 hours ago read, “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke...

Pictured above is sophomore Claire Dillon who received her first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on March 29. “I think it's the tiniest thing...like you're just getting a needle poked in your arm for a quick second and it really does help with the coronavirus efforts so, like I said, if you can get it, absolutely do it… It keeps you safe, it keeps those around you safe,” Dillon said.

An Effective Success

Pfizer reports 100% efficacy rate in 12-15-year-old vaccine trials
Claire Berlier, Feature Editor • April 5, 2021

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 100% effective in protecting against symptomatic disease during clinical trials for children from ages 12–15, according to the company as of March...

A full year after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the United States is one of many countries around the world that is well into vaccine distribution. This month, the eligibility age is working its way down to the younger generations. Beginning on March 29th, anybody age 16 and older in Ohio is eligible to receive the vaccine.

Ages 16+ Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine in Ohio

Ella Schulte , Staff Writer • March 26, 2021

     A full year after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the United States is one of many countries around the world that is well into vaccine distribution. In December of 2020,  vaccinations...

After the Atlanta-area shootings, Junior Sophie Leong posted a drawing she made featuring Asians she looks up to (above) to help spread awareness on hate crimes and encourage people to share their stories.

Aftermath of Atlanta-area shootings

Claire Berlier, Feature Editor • March 23, 2021

   Tuesday, March 16, a man named Robert Aaron Long, 21, suspected of killing eight people in Atlanta-area spas, was arrested. Six of those killed were Asian women, four of them being South Korean. The...

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