• NHS Induction Ceremony - Nov. 19 @ 6:30 pm
  • Board of Education Meeting - Nov. 20 @ 7 pm
  • No School - Professional Learning Day - Nov. 22
  • No School - Thanksgiving Break - Nov. 25-29
The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf
The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf
The student voice of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Leaf
Caroline Gao

Caroline Gao , Executive Editor-in-Chief

Hi! My name is Caroline Gao and I’m a senior here at Sycamore High School. This is my fourth year on staff. As a part of The Leaf, our national award-winning, student-run publication, I hold the position of Executive Editor-in-Chief. My duties include overseeing the production of all four of our platforms: print newsmagazine, online magazine, website, and broadcast department. I enjoy exploring multiple genres and thus have written a multitude of articles including feature, opinion, news, and sports.

 

I also take great pride in designing pages [Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator] and editing/shooting videos [Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere]. I can’t wait for another amazing year with my fellow journalists!

 

More about myself:

 

I find volunteering to be extremely rewarding: I play piano as a volunteer musical therapist at Bethesda North Hospital and am the Treasurer for Sycamore’s National Honor Society, the largest organization at the high school. I am also a mentor for my school’s Fast Track tutoring program!

 

In addition to volunteering, I also captain Sycamore’s Varsity A tennis team, and in the offseason, play at a local club and in USTA tournaments. This past season, our team placed as State Runners-up in the OHSAA State Team Tournament! I also really enjoy music- especially the piano.

 

Quote to live by: “No one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe” – Harry Gray.

 

All content by Caroline Gao
While groups of voters can impact elections, it is a concern that a majority will have little to no influence on how this country is governed. Even when a fairly large majority of Americans favor a policy change, they generally do not get it.

To vote or not to vote

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
May 4, 2016
A big match that players often times go to cheer on is the match against Mason City Schools. In both the boys and girls seasons, a large crowd usually forms. A large crowd provides for even more school pride and spirit.

Varsity tennis cheers teammates

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
March 14, 2016
Community colleges reduce costs

Community colleges reduce costs

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
March 3, 2016
The Green Initiative

The Green Initiative

Caroline Gao, Hannah Loftspring, Taylor Close, and Max Torem
February 25, 2016
The M.I.T. research team also found that speech and music circuits are in different parts of the brain’s auditory cortex, where sound signals are interpreted. Each circuit is deaf to the other’s sonic cues. But, there is some overlap concerning songs with lyrics.

Musicality moves

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
February 24, 2016
The thinking in the medical field is that attentional capacity and skills occur on a continuum. Pediatrics is evolving toward the idea of supporting attentional functioning in everyone.

Discouraging diagnoses

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
February 4, 2016
Research has also shown that heavy multi-screeners find it very difficult to filter out irrelevant stimuli. They are easily distracted by multiple streams of media. This trend is growing in society.

Attention spans shorten significantly

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
February 4, 2016
Another tradition for Chinese New Year is for adults to give children “hong bao,” little red envelopes of money. The dragon is also a part of many Chinese traditions. Everything is red for good luck.

Chinese New Year sparks excitement

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
January 21, 2016
The program intended to reform school lunches for children across the nation. The quality of meals provided to students of the nation has increased, and kids have become healthier since its implementation.

Healthy lunches mean healthy students

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
January 19, 2016
Despite their financial burdens, Millennials are still the nation’s most stubborn economic optimists. More than eight in ten millennials say they either currently have enough money to lead the lives they want, 32 percent, or expect to in the future, 53 percent. Some of the Millennials’ optimism may simply reflect the timeless confidence of youth.

Millennials make changes

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-chief
December 17, 2015
Rising temperatures will increase the rate and which glaciers and ice caps melt and cause early ice thaw on rivers and lakes. Sea ice will increasingly retreat. According to scientists at the U.S. Center for Atmospheric Research, the Arctic could be ice-free in the summer of 2040.

Climate change changes perspectives

Caroline Gao, Print Editor-in-Chief
December 11, 2015
Five students serve as officers for the club. They hold the positions of president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and communications officer. They run multiple volunteer opportunities and organize events.

National Honor Society promotes recognition

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
November 24, 2015
While technology has led to some effective learning methods, it can also prove as a distraction. Students should utilize technology to limit screen time and increase productivity.

Technology comes with consequences

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
November 11, 2015

Varsity tennis continues conditioning

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 2015
Along with finishing second at state with her team, senior Alexandra Abele also finished second at state in the individual tournament. Abele placed third the previous year.

Varsity Gold Tennis secures state runners-up

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
October 21, 2015

Quality sleep impacts performance

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
October 7, 2015

Varsity tennis sustains success

Caroline Gao, Executive Editor-in-Chief
October 5, 2015
Even though the fight or flight response is automatic, it is not always accurate. When the fight or flight response is triggered, it is usually a false alarm. The part of the brain that initiates the automatic part of the fight or flight response, the amygdala, cannot distinguish between a real threat and a perceived threat.

Fighting flight or fight responses

Caroline Gao, Business Manager
September 30, 2015
While it requires a lot of work and motivation, online studying can be very positive to a student’s learning. Advantages of online classes include flexibility of schedules, and learning at a student’s own pace. Before deciding if this type of schooling is right for you, make sure to talk it through with your counselor. Photo Courtesy of Caroline Gao.

Students seek online advantages

Caroline Gao
May 13, 2015
One of the sports that SHS has to offer is the Academic Quiz Team. Members on that team say it has brought great experiences. Spending the time is definitely worth it. Photo Courtesy of McDaniel's Photography.

Students seek extracurricular activities

Caroline Gao, Business Manager
May 6, 2015
The growing vegetarian trend can be beneficial. Several studies show that a vegetarian diet increases the body’s metabolism, causing the body to burn calories up to 16 percent faster than the body would on a meat-based diet. Our bodies are also designed to be herbivores. Photo courtesy of MCT Photo Service.

Vegetarian numbers rapidly rising

Caroline Gao, Business Manager
April 29, 2015
Students of SHS listen to different types of music during school. Several teachers allow music players during downtime or silent work periods of their class. The various types of music they listen to may affect their moods.

Music makes mood changes

Caroline Gao, Business Manager
April 22, 2015
After introductions to the opposing team, players all gather together for a loud team cheer. This builds excitement and intensity for the match.

Varsity Green Girls tennis team finishes season with success

Atiya Dosani and Caroline Gao
January 9, 2015
A common AP course for juniors to take is AP United States History. That course involves many hours of study. “AP US History is a hard course that takes time to adjust to,” junior Brianna Dooley said.

[Photo] AP courses push limits

April 15, 2015
Abele is a qualifier for the state tournament her junior year and was a qualifier both her freshman and sophomore year. She is focused both as a doubles player and as a singles player. She has accomplished many things as a junior.

Girls Varsity Gold Tennis serves up success

Caroline Gao
October 16, 2014
Most teens need about nine hours of sleep a night to maintain daytime alertness. But few teens actually get that much sleep regularly. More than 90 percent of teens in a recent study published in the Journal of School Health reported sleeping less than the recommended amount.

Sleepy teens tire out minds

Caroline Gao
October 15, 2014
The Purple People Bridge is the longest connector bridge of its kind in the United States linking two states together. Local residents frequently travel along this bridge. However, it was not until recently people have started noticing the locks.

Love locks Cincinnati locals together

Caroline Gao
September 26, 2014
A very vital part to a speedy recovery is to free yourself from stress. Most students feel a lot of stress which hinders their healing time. People should try to avoid any common injuries. Photo Courtesy of Astrid Cabello.

Careful students stopping injuries

Caroline Gao
June 3, 2014
While walking around the school almost every discussion revolves around summer. Students have developed a lazier attitude toward the end of the school year. The warmer weather and exciting plans ahead make students even more eager for summer to come. Photo courtesy of Astrid Cabello.

Students struggle with end of school

Caroline Gao
May 15, 2014
Having the new tennis facility completed causes players to be even more eager to begin playing. Clinics are offered during the summer to improve hitting technique. Members must also run the mile. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.

Extracurricular activities bring opportunities

Caroline Gao
May 2, 2014
Procrastination comes with loads of stress and guilt. Along with stress and guilt, procrastination also causes a loss in ambition to succeed. However, it is never too late to stop procrastinating. Photo Courtesy: MCT Photo Service.

Procrastination proves as negative

Caroline Gao
May 1, 2014
Flowers and bright colors are proven to help boost happiness whether paired together or separately. Flowers will brighten people’s day and are liked for their wonderful scent, look, and inexpensiveness. They make for great gifts. Photo Courtesy: Astrid Cabello

Springing into cheerful spring

Caroline Gao
April 25, 2014
Students begin to cram more as they grow older. They are faced with more time conflicts and harder courses. Cramming is a problem people of all ages face. Photo courtesy of MCT Photo Service.

Cramming for tests proves unhelpful

Caroline Gao
April 17, 2014
Students with working memory difficulties take a much longer time to process information. They are unable to cope with timed activities and fast presentation of information. Working memory impacts all areas of learning from kindergarten to college. Photo Courtesy: MCT Photo Service.

Memory loss affects abilities

Caroline Gao
April 10, 2014
Heavy backpacks break backs

Heavy backpacks break backs

Caroline Gao
March 3, 2014
The Albert Einstein College of Medicines features its new discovery as its lead story. They have been known was one of the largest medical universities in the country. As their research continues they hope to find even more information. Photo Courtesy: MCT Photo Service

Snoring causes more than scares

Caroline Gao
February 27, 2014
Students seek social media for news reports

Students seek social media for news reports

Caroline Gao
February 16, 2014
The two categories which the four SHS qualified for are instrumental music and vocal music. Three students qualified in instrumental and one in vocal. Participants are excited and determined for the upcoming event. Photo Courtesy of Caroline Gao.

Overture Awards bring opportunities

Caroline Gao
February 14, 2014
Research provides strong support for the fact that good sleep improves facial appearance. Sleep-deprived people look less attractive and less healthy than they do when well rested. Facial cues of fatigue also relate to health. Photo courtesy of Astrid Cabello

Beauty-sleep proves useful

Caroline Gao
February 14, 2014
Science Fair is another activity which students participate in. Students who do well the first round move on to the next round. Participants are excited and determined for the upcoming activities. Photo Courtesy of Astrid Cabello.

Extracurricular activities bring opportunities

Caroline Gao
February 13, 2014
Netflix was founded in the year 1997. It currently has 40 million streaming members globally. Subscribed members can also instantly watch unlimited movies and television episodes directed to their televisions and computers. Photo courtesy of MCT Photo Service.

Netflix doubles new content

Caroline Gao
January 16, 2014
In addition to the multiple offseason exercising, players will also participate in serving practice. The serve is a crucial part of the game. Improving the serve will automatically improve the player’s skill. Photo courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.

Varsity Gold tennis prepares with mile

Caroline Gao
December 5, 2013
Grace Kays, 12, was a first doubles player for the team. Even though her tennis career has come to an end, she still voluntarily participates in the morning condition. Along with the rest of her team, Kays is a dedicated athlete who has a lot of passion for the sport. Photo Courtesy of McDaniel’s Photography.

Varsity Gold Tennis aces to train

Caroline Gao
November 11, 2013
The effects of Superstorm Sandy are still impacting people all over. The hurricane caused 181 deaths in the country alone. A multiple of families and organizations have helped make the process of recovery easier. Photo courtesy of MCT Photo Service.

Superstorm Sandy residents recover

Caroline Gao
October 30, 2013

Varsity Gold tennis serves up success

Caroline Gao
October 15, 2013
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