Allison McElroy, Trends Editor
Hi! My name is Allison McElroy and I am a senior. This is my third year on the staff. I have always loved writing, so being in journalism has been one of my favorite experiences of high school! For the past two years, this program has helped me grow so much, both as a writer and as a person. I am serving as the Trends Chief this year, which means I manage all of the aspects of the Trends section of our newsmagazine, The Leaf. Since it is my second year in this role, I will also serve as a section editor mentor, which means I will help my fellow section editors whenever they have any questions. Last year, I was very grateful and proud to have one of my articles chosen for a “Best of SNO” award (you can read it here!) I am so excited to continue to provide amazing news coverage with our awesome staff and continue to grow as a leader and journalist during my final year in the program!
At school, I participate in Yoga Club. I began practicing yoga freshman year and throughout my high school career, it has been a great way to unwind and destress after a busy day at school. I am also in the OGB club, which is a club that does volunteer projects to benefit Operation Give Back. Additionally, I am in the TPA 2 class and will hopefully have the opportunity to be a student-teacher later this year in other schools in our district.
Outside of school, one of my passions is singing in the Cincinnati Youth Choir. I have been in the choir since I was in fourth grade and it has become like a second family. Singing with my friends every Tuesday and Thursday night is always one of the best parts of my week! This year, choir is going to be mostly virtual, which is definitely not the ideal experience, but I am still excited to make the best of my last year in the organization! Singing in CYC has also given me incredible opportunities to travel to amazing places, for which I am very grateful.
Additionally, I love hanging out with my friends, baking, babysitting, and traveling. In the future, I hope to have a career in education, most likely as an elementary school teacher or a speech-language pathologist.
Thanks for reading and enjoy our website!
![Senior Paul Whaley, an employee at Jet’s Pizza, is one of many people who have continued to work during the COVID-19 pandemic at essential businesses. Applying for a job at an essential business is one alternative way for teens who have lost a different job due to the coronavirus to make money. Whaley explained how his job has changed significantly since the pandemic began, since the restaurant has “switched to curbside pickup to minimize contact for everyone...allowed for customers to choose a contactless delivery option, [and] we all have to be wearing masks and gloves.”](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/mcelroy_summerweb_jobalternatives_photo-e1590002291525-675x900.jpg)
![The 2020 Oscars are on Feb. 9. After the nominations were announced on Jan. 13, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the lack of women in the Best Director category. “That culture [of systemic bias towards white men] is really shutting out people for the highest recognition,” said Mrs. Melissa Wolfe-Izworski, English teacher and advisor of SHS HeForShe club. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/mcelroy_opinion_femaledirectorsoscars_photo.png)
![RAISING AWARENESS. This Halloween, many trick-or-treaters who are nonverbal or have autism will use a blue candy bucket to raise awareness. Children who are nonverbal often struggle with trick-or-treating because the houses they visit expect them to say “trick or treat.” The idea for the blue bucket came from a mother of a child with nonverbal autism who hopes to make Halloween easier and more fun for her son and other children. Other inclusive initiatives for Halloween include the Teal Pumpkin Project, which encourages people to provide safe non-food treats for children with food allergies. “I’ve seen a lot about [the blue buckets] on social media, which also gives me hope that things in general in our country are becoming more inclusive,” said Ms. Lydia Dogget, speech-language pathologist at SHS.](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/mcelroy_trends_bluehalloweenbucket_photo-600x900.jpg)
![Meditation is an activity that can help students reduce stress. Students who participate in the Mindfulness and Meditation counseling group practice meditate each meeting, which helps them take a break from a stressful day. “The more unique thing about the Mindfulness and Meditation group is that it’s just the practice of actually learning how to do [meditation],” said counseling center intern Zach Myers, who led the group during first semester.](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-12-at-10.47.15-AM.png)
![DEFEND. Seniors Lydia Cooke and Laura Mihlbachler pose with their awards at the Model UN conference in Dayton. There were three award winners at the Dayton conference. The awards are given to students who were impactful in defending their issues. “[Model UN] is for people who are engaged in national and global issues, or if they want to be a lawyer and enjoy the argument and persuasive style,” said Model UN advisor Mr. Greg Cole.](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screen-Shot-2018-11-09-at-11.07.09-AM.png)
![PLAY BALL. Sophomore Luke MacBrair is up to bat. Senior Maddy Davis was one of the student volunteers on the field trip. She helped assist MacBrair and other students in using the machine. “[Baseball day is] about [the students], and it’s just a day of fun,” said Mrs. Paula Anstaett, Adaptive Physical Education teacher.](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Screen-Shot-2018-10-20-at-2.50.07-PM.png)
![STRETCHING AWAY STRESS. Ms. Meredith Blackmore leads students and even a couple teachers in a yoga pose. At each meeting, students gather in the wrestling room and are led through a simple but effective yoga practice. The students learn how to breathe deeply and calm their bodies. “[Yoga is] good for [students’] mental health, it’s good for their physical health, and it’s good for their emotional health,” Blackmore said.](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/mcelroyfeatureyogaclubphoto-900x675.jpeg)
![BOWLING CREATES BONDS. Freshman Lucille Clerc helps junior Ava Martin bowl. Martin uses a wheelchair, however she can bowl by pushing the ball down a ramp. She got the highest score in her lane on last week’s trip. Working with a peer in the bowling lane helps build valuable relationships between peers and Adaptive PE students. “I love being able to go to social events with [the special needs students] and have so much fun,” Clerc said.](https://shsleaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/mcelroyfeatureadaptivepebowlingphoto-e1537119311606.jpg)