• 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
Melinda Looney Ho

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer

I am a first year journalism student and a freshman. This year I hope to become a better writer and express my ideas and opinions more clearly. In my spare time I enjoy creating art especially drawing. I’m in Cross Country, Ski Club and will be doing the science fair this year.

All content by Melinda Looney Ho
Acrylic Paintings are well known for vibrant and bright colors. This flower done by Mary Looney helps portray the wide range of colors. It also shows the evident layers from the background to the rose.

Painting with Acrylics

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
May 28, 2015
Final photo sequence

Photo sequence #4

photo sequence #5

photo sequence #2

photo sequence #3

photo sequence #1

Oil paints are thick and come in tubes. A few artists prefer to make the paints themselves although pigments can be costly and hard to find. Curators consider that oil paintings can take decades to dry.

Brighten life with oil paints

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
May 20, 2015
Talia Bailes plans trip to Ecuador

Talia Bailes plans trip to Ecuador

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
May 7, 2015
Do not wait for Earth Day to protect the earth. Analysts estimate that three to six billion trees are lost every year due to deforestation. Help out by planting a tree, recycling more, and being more aware of nature.

Celebrating special day for nature

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
April 23, 2015
Some people take shots to reduce their impact to a range of allergens including seasonal. Allergy shots are taken one to three times a week over four or more months before immunity is achieved. After that a person might only need monthly maintenance shots to keep immunity to the allergen.

Minimize effects of spring allergies

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
April 16, 2015
Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation

Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
April 15, 2015
Bilingual people start learning different languages as babies. “The Associated Press reports that up to 66 percent of the world’s children are raised bilingual,” said Viorica Marian Ph.D., and Anthony Shook. Their parents probably read children’s books to them. It is recommended to start speaking new languages before puberty as it helps develop the muscles in the mouth and tongue needed to pronounce certain words, yet it is never too late to learn.

Being bilingual in America

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
April 13, 2015

Choose a global language

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Wrtier
April 13, 2015
Women's History Month- Frida Kahlo

Women’s History Month- Frida Kahlo

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
March 24, 2015
Emma Watson, 24, receives lots of media attention after her HeforShe speech in September. However, just 12 hours after her speech, Watson received online threats. That reaction increased her awareness of how immediate and important gender is.

Celebrating Feminism: Promoting equality for both genders

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
March 14, 2015
This colorful butterfly is an example of a stain glass project for beginners, which might take 5-7 weeks to complete. Students learn to select the glass, cut it, foil it, and solder the pieces together. The process is relatively simple when guided by a teacher and the right equipment is available.

Making stained-glass

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
March 7, 2015
Veronica Looney enjoys a beautiful fall day outdoors. Her mood matches the bright blue sky. Some studies say that there is a relation between climate and self-reported happiness.

Weather impacts your mood

Melinda Looney Ho
February 2, 2015
Try this easy fun piece of art. Draw or outline a large leaf using school glue. After the glue dries, fill each section of the leaf with different pastel colors. Spread the color using a tissue and enjoy your masterpiece.

Enjoying pastels

Melinda Looney Ho
February 2, 2015
People associate tie-dyes with hippies and the peace-loving era of the 60’s. Today these colorful patterns are found in name brands as fashionable as Vogue or versatile as Land’s End. Every design is slightly different and can easily be done at home, as with the patterns shown in this picture.

Creating tie-dye

Melinda Looney Ho
February 2, 2015
Shown above is an honorable mention pencil drawing from the Cincinnati Library’s Teen Drawing Contest by Melinda Looney Ho. Drawings are judged on creativity, style, drawing ability, and contest theme. The theme is "fan art," from favorite books, movies, or shows.

[Photo] Art competitions in and around Cincinnati

Adhiti Chundur
February 1, 2015
This drawing is a still-life of a cow skull and clay pot. There is a clear light source in the picture and the shadows give a more realistic feel. Try to always locate where your light is coming from in your art.

Becoming skilled at pencil drawing

Melinda Looney Ho
January 22, 2015
A charcoal drawing of a spider plant is shown above. The charcoal makes a great contrast in the lights and shadows of the piece. This sketch took less than five minutes to create, making this an excellent medium for quick sketches.

Learning to draw with charcoal

Melinda Looney Ho
January 22, 2015
Most drugstores and supermarkets carry lice treatment products. Some kits include lice killing shampoo, egg comb-out gel, dust mite spray and a special lice comb. People with long hair might need to purchase a second lice killing shampoo to cover all their hair and avoid recurrences.

Keep your head pest free

Melinda Looney Ho
December 5, 2014
Airline companies will charge you extra money for food and luggage. Avoid these expenses by packing light with some hardy snacks. In addition to this, stay hydrated by taking an empty water bottle and filling it up once you pass security.

Packing smart for your trip

Melinda Looney Ho
December 4, 2014
Shown here are watercolor cards made by second graders at Blue Ash Elementary. Many easy projects include watercolors. They add soft hues and resemble light as they seem to glow on the paper.

Mastering watercolor

Melinda Looney Ho
December 4, 2014
Jane Lundgren is studying her guides and is doing extra practice work before the test. This will take away some of her stress because she will be well prepared. Other ways to reduce stress can be deep breathing, yoga, and muscle tensing.

Managing stress

Melinda Looney Ho
November 21, 2014
Matthew 25: Ministries provided food for all participants. Food sponsors included Hot Head Burritos, Chick-Fil-A, Arby’s, and other local and chain restaurants. For dessert runners enjoyed a treat with a chocolate fountain and cotton candy.

Fighting hunger with fun run

Melinda Looney Ho
November 21, 2014
Flu symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches, dizziness and a runny nose. These start about two days after contacting the virus. Most symptoms last five days although you might keep the coughing for much longer.

Attack of flu season

Melinda Looney Ho
October 15, 2014
This is a simple meal you can put together in minutes. It includes layered granola, yogurt, and fruits in a cup. Even a basic meal gives you the calorie count you need for your brain to function.

Breakfast proves itself to be most important meal

Melinda Looney Ho, Staff Writer
October 14, 2014
This buffalo was made by an artist who takes clay and folds it to get different shapes. Then he cuts and compresses the clay to turn them into elaborate repetitive patterns. This takes the simplicity of molding clay to a new extreme.

Tips for improving art skills

Melinda Looney Ho
September 29, 2014
Load More Stories
Donate to The Leaf
$0
$750
Contributed
Our Goal

Menu
Activate Search
Home
Melinda Looney Ho