The Visor March 2026

Women’s History Month

Pages 6-7

Winter Sports Enter Postseason

Page 10

SPANISH STUDENTS SERVE HOLY CROSS COMMUNITY IN MONTERREY, MEXICO

BY CATHERINE BORDENKIRCHER

Commitment to service is an integral aspect of Holy Cross’s core values, an attribute that Hoban’s administration strives to nourish. Numerous opportunities to connect with local communities are made accessible and encouraged by the faculty, granting students the chance to aid others. Of these opportunities, few compare to that of Hoban’s service trip to Monterrey, Mexico.

Contrasting the many immersion experiences offered by Hoban, traveling to Monterrey prioritizes actively serving the community rather than simply observing. Attendees must exhibit a baseline understanding of the Spanish language and

be able to communicate freely with local residents without the aid of a translator. Furthermore, participants are expected to assist communities through Christian service in several facets.

“We do get to see and do a lot of amazing things with the idea of service behind it,” said Spanish teacher and four-year chaperone of the Monterrey trip, Amy Zeller.

Additionally, Monterrey currently possesses a Holy Cross community of their own, uniting Hoban students with local residents through familiar aspects of the congregation’s culture. Faced with this relation, participants accompanied Eucharistic Ministers to the homes of vulnerable individuals to deliver the Eucharist, holding a secluded mass while connecting with residents.

Moreover, Hoban students were invited to local Catechism classes to meet and play with Monterrey’s youth. In another display of Christian service, students assisted social workers in the sorting

and distribution of food items and sanitary products for food pantries.

One of the most prominent aspects of these service opportunities was the experience of immigration houses. Students were permitted to understand the history of the facility, the services they provide, and hear the trials faced by individuals on their path to citizenship. The house assists immigrants to gain valid identifications and employment opportunities to sustain themselves, acting as a support system for them to build their new lives.

“It was a very heartfelt place to be in,” said Senior attendee Ehbway Nay. “Hearing the stories of those people, not from

the perspective of an outsider, but as someone who was speaking with them face to face was an extraordinary experience.”

While the 2026 Monterrey group accomplished great feats, Christian service does not require an itinerary or plane ticket. Many residents right here in Akron face similar challenges to those in Mexico, and although the afflictions of vulnerable individuals may know no bounds, neither does selflessness.

For those hoping to pursue similar endeavors, Zeller encourages speaking with the trip’s attendees, finding a way to “bring that sense of community, whether that directly relates to Holy Cross or not. Think of the core values.”

THEATRE BRINGS THE MAGIC OF OZ TO HOBAN

BY KAYLA JOHNSON

Hoban Theatre is set to take the stage with a reimagined version of “The Wizard of Oz” on March 27. The theatre department chose to make a shift and perform a concert version of the hit Broadway musical and movie.

“I think the feeling of Oz and the magic that the show brings is going to be seen a lot clearer in this version,” said theatre teacher and director, Alex Funk.

This concert version is around 90 percent of the show and will feature the entire cast on stage the whole time. With this adaptation, cast members get the opportunity for more stage time as well as the ability to be a part of songs they would not have normally sang.

With around 35 to 40 cast members, including munchkins played by third

through sixth graders from neighboring elementary schools, everyone is working tirelessly to perfect their performance.

Practice is around two hours, three to five times a week.

With the show being just a month out, rehearsals are filled with reviewing of music, choreography and slight changes in staging.

“We usually start off practice by discussing what scenes we’re doing and what the character is emotionally going through underneath just the words they speak,” said Junior Ellie Stephens.

Do not miss Hoban Theater’s rendition of Wizard of Oz at Hoban, March 27, 28, and 29.

“It’ll mean a lot when people show up to see them and to share in what they have worked really hard to put together,” said Funk.

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Celebrated on March 8, International Women’s Day honors women’s rights and achievements globally. The socialist party of America declared the first National Women’s Day on Feb. 28, 1909; however, the holiday was formalized by the United Nations in 1975. The idea originated from early 20th century labor movements in North America and Europe to demand better pay, shorter hours, and voting rights. The holiday is associated with the colors purple, representing justice and dignity; green, which represents hope; and the color white, which represents purity and solidarity.

Join apple fanatics on March 11 to celebrate Johnny Appleseed day in honor of the life and legacy of John Chapman. Chapman was an American pioneer who introduced apple trees across the midwest. Celebrated twice annually, once on March 11 in recognition of the planting season and once on Sept. 26 to mark Chapman’s birthday, celebrants often participate in planting apple trees, eating apple themed foods, and participating in festivals.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

St. Patrick’s day, celebrated on March 17, honors the patron saint of Ireland. Originally, the holiday was a religious feast day commemorating his death. The holiday now serves as a global celebration of Irish culture. Celebrants participate in parades and parties, often dressing in green attire featuring rainbows, leprechauns, and pots of gold.

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VALEDICTORIAN & SALUTATORIAN RECEIVE NEW SCHOLARSHIPS

BY LEXXI SCHMITT

The 2026 school year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian have officially been announced and Hoban could not be more excited to congratulate seniors Alexander Haran and Danielle Ferree. Obtaining these two highest spots in the class is no easy task and was only pulled off due to hard work and diligence on both students’ ends. Valedictorian Haran was able to achieve the highest cumulative grade point average after seven full semesters at Hoban, along with Salutatorian Ferree, who had the second highest average.

This year, Haran and Ferree will be the first to get the honor of receiving a brand new scholarship that comes along with their Valedictorian and Salutatorian titles.

“Before a test, make sure to always go over any relevant notes that could come in handy,” Ferree said as advice to younger students. “If there’s a practice test available, do it, and if you get any questions wrong, make sure you

Pictured on the left is 2026

Valedictorian Alexander Haran.

Alongside Haran on the right is 2026

Salutatorian Danielle Ferree. IMAGE COURTESY OF MELANIE WHITE

understand why.”

Thanks to the extremely gracious donors John T. ‘61 and Marie (McFarland) Brooker, Hoban will now have Academic

Excellence scholarships in their names. The scholarships have been established to acknowledge the Hoban students who exemplify the highest levels of academic achievement.

For the 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian, both will receive a scholarship of $10,000 each to put towards their college funds. Along with this, the top two students each grade will be receiving $500 Brooker Academic Excellence scholarships that will be applied to their financial accounts for the following school year.

These awards for the underclassmen are for the special purpose to reward their strong academics early to help them continue to strive for academic excellence.

Overall, the Brookers wish that these scholarships will motivate the student recipients beyond their graduations, aiming to continue their qualities of perseverance, determination to continue when things are hard and strong grit.

STUDENTS & FACULTY ANTICIPATE ARTEMIS II AMID DELAY

BY GRIFFEN WAUGH

People eager to witness the first American lunar mission in over 50 years might have to wait just a little longer. NASA announced on Feb. 3 that

the Artemis II lunar mission, the first one since Apollo 17 in 1972, would be postponed to launch no earlier than March 6 this year. The reason for the delay was a liquid hydrogen leak that was discovered during a dress rehearsal of the countdown. A second dress rehearsal was performed on Feb. 19.

Despite the delay, there is still plenty to look forward to regarding the mission, as three out of the four crew members will experience different firsts: astronaut Victor Glover will be the first person of color to travel around the Moon, while Christina Koch and Jeremy

Hansen will be the first woman and nonAmerican to do so, respectively.

Science teacher Erick Siders is excited about the possibilities the Artemis program may bring.

“The first [Apollo] missions obviously inspired people because it [was] like ‘Hey, we are able to get out there [to the moon],’ so I guess I’m curious how [Artemis II] will change the current thought,” Siders said. “[One Hoban science class] got to talk to a couple of the engineers that work on the Artemis program, and just to hear them talking about [the components of the rocket] was really exciting to see as well.”

Junior Zach Fuhrer is similarly excited about the mission, predicting that various factors will make Artemis II just as historic as the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s.

“When Apollo 11 landed on the moon in 1969, America had an emergence of space fever,” Fuhrer said. “This draw of space [in the Artemis program] paired with the power of today’s mass media will spur a new [emergence of] space fever, but with a much greater magnitude than the last one.”

EDITORIAL: STUDENTS EXPERIENCE CULTURAL EXCHANGE IN MONTERREY

The immersion trip to Monterrey, Mexico, far exceeds the other Hoban trips since it is a transformative experience that allows Knights to engage with service, the Spanish language and Mexican culture.

The school prepares its students for the annual trip to Mexico by holding six meetings beforehand. These sessions are designed to immerse students in Mexican culture, covering essential customs and etiquette to ensure respectful interactions. Participants learn key phrases, including how to introduce themselves in Spanish. The meetings also provide a detailed overview of the trip’s itinerary, which includes visits to immigration homes and participation in community projects. This comprehensive preparation ensures that students are informed, engaged travelers ready to maximize their experience and proves this trip has more respect for Mexico than the average vacation.

Unlike other excursions, this trip demands students reach far out of their comfort zones. The trip offers students an opportunity to practice their Spanish skills in a real-world setting. Because the group communicates

almost exclusively in Spanish while in Monterrey, students find themselves fully immersed in the language and are able to foster deeper connections and often lead to hilarious interactions when the locals make fun of students’ mispronunciations. This environment allows them to put the Spanish lessons learned at Hoban into practical use as they navigate daily interactions when engaging in conversations with locals.

Instead of selfishly going to Mexico for their own pleasure, the Hoban group uses their time in Monterrey wisely to make a lasting impact on the community.

“While there, they stay at the parish houses of La Luz,” said Christian Service Coordinator Christopher Fahey. “They spend time with the Sunday school elementary students. They are involved in their youth and young adult group. They also visit shut-ins and take communion to members of the parish who cannot visit the church. They also visit an immigration center and learn about the lives of people who are trying to move to the U.S. and Canada.”

The heart of the immersion lies in the daily interactions with the citizens of Monterrey.

Students directly engage with locals and gain insight to the daily life and culture of the people they encounter.

“The community is always so inviting. They invite us to their homes to have dinner,” said Spanish teacher Amy Zeller. “They invite perfect strangers (us) into their homes when we are with the Eucharistic Ministers and often offer food or drink, despite how little they have. Monterrey encompases the true meaning of community: coming together as humans to love one another.”

KILL THE TREES, USE PAPER FOR TAKING NOTES

OPINION BY ALEX KROHN

The recent surge in digital notes and decline in paper notes has been a statistic on the rise since the early 2000s. With new technology making learning easier every day, it erects the question: Should the notebook die?

As most schools have done, Hoban has

adapted with the times and does instruction primarily through Canvas or other online accessories for class. It is rare to see an open notebook and pencil compared to a screen and keyboard.

Fortunately, Social Studies teachers Dr. Jason Anderson and Jason Deal are combating this by making paper notes a

necessity. They ask students to put the iPad down and focus on intentionality within their transcribing.

“I like asking the students to do paper notes because, to me, it’s utilizing and honing a skill that seems to have slowed down, and in some cases gotten lost since screen typing and texting has taken over,” Deal said.

“Paper notes help me remember more material for tests and quizzes, but iPad notes feel so much easier since I don’t have to carry a bunch of notebooks around,” Senior Leah Kubick said.

Both note taking supplies have benefits and losses, and it makes it complicated to determine which one outweighs the other. Fortunately, teachers are trying their best to incorporate both.

“I don’t think iPads should be used less … they are such an integral part of classroom learning and their benefits are worthwhile,” Deal said. “I do think there are ways to use them so they are not the primary tool all the time. Much like phones, they offer the opportunity for distraction and, while adults want to believe the students know when to lock it, that isn’t always the case.”

PIERCINGS ARE A FORM OF EXPRESSION NOT DISTRACTION

BY JESS KREJSA

The dress code at Hoban High School is built on tradition, respect, and professionalism. As a private Catholic school, presentation and unity are important aspects of students’ identity. However, the limitation on nose piercings is a rule that deserves reconsideration.

For many, a small nose stud is not about rebellion; it is about confidence and selfexpression.

It actually helps me in school because it gives me confidence and makes me feel good,” Junior Zyra Sularte said.

Hoban should encourage this behavior because, oftentimes, if students feel comfortable and confident in their appearance, they will have a positive attitude towards their engagement in school.

Others believe the rule is unnecessary.

“It’s not hurting anyone,” Senior Emma Gallagher said. “A small nose stud does not disrupt class or distract from learning.

Gallagher also said that she feels “not mad but disappointed” about the restriction. Her

reaction encapsulates how many students feel: not angry, but confused about why such a small form of expression is prohibited.

“I would understand if we couldn’t use it for, like, school pictures… if it’s just, like, a regular day at school, I don’t really see what the problem is,” Gallagher said.

This perspective shows that students are not trying to challenge authority but are open to balance.

As students prepare for life beyond Hoban, it is also important to note that appearance standards are evolving.

“In the real world, you’re going to see people with septum piercings, you’re going to see people with their eyebrows pierced,” Gallagher said.

If society allows for professional

expression, Hoban should too.

Approving small nose studs would not compromise Hoban’s identity. Instead, it would reflect a school community built on trust, respect and self-expression, while also preparing students for the evolving expectations of the real world. If Hoban made this change it would reinforce the idea that a small piece of jewelry does not take away from one’s character and integrity.

INEFFECTIVE PRESALES CAUSE EXTREME TICKET PRICES

OPINION BY

LEXXI SCHMITT

Today, concert tickets for artists like Noah Kahan, Harry Styles and Ariana Grande are being resold for hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of dollars. These prices are significantly higher than the average buyer’s ideal price range. This coupled with the fact that many big name artists are announcing tours is putting many into a crazed ticket-buying frenzy.

“Just to see Taylor Swift we spent $800 a ticket, and more recently to see Tate McRae we spent $500 a ticket,” Junior

Mariana Gluck said.

These experiences that Gluck and thousands of others have had are not easy ones. Due to the few restrictions on presale access for these concerts, absurd amounts of people are fighting for tickets.

The most recent instance of zero limitations being put on an artist’s presale is Harry Styles. Styles announced a world tour stopping at only six locations, having just over 50 concerts total. With this announcement came the presale, which was free to sign up for anyone with a Ticketmaster account for a number of days.

As a result, there were approximately “11.5 million artist presale registrations,” according to Rolling Stone magazine, which is an astonishingly high amount. With this, Ticketmaster holds a massive amount of power compared to other ticketing companies like SeatGeek or Vivid Seats. Along with this chaotic presale process comes the multiple-hour long queues, with most waiting hours just to find the tickets are all sold out.

Senior Anna Wenzlik says that she does not “think Ticketmaster should hold people in the queue if there isn’t even going to be enough tickets for them. Instead, a solution could be there should be a countdown of the amount of seats available and anyone not within that number in the queue should be notified so they don’t have to wait several hours just to not get a ticket.”

Overall, ticketing companies are making the process of purchasing concert tickets more strenuous than necessary. There are many simple solutions to these problems that companies are neglecting to take, which negatively affects the purchaser’s experience with their company.

The Visor Celebrates Women’s

WOMEN OF HOBAN SPONSORS CHILDREN IN NEED

BY LILY OBHOF

Women of Hoban, a club led by Hoban’s Director of Family and Community Engagement Kristen Heller, is centered around faith and helping others.

“Women of Hoban is a group of women who go to Hoban, and we like to do service projects first and foremost,” Heller said.

One important service project is that Women of Hoban has sponsored two students in Africa through Linc Worldwide.

Founded by Hoban alumna and winner of the 2026 One Hope-One Dream Award, Erin (Clark) Riegle ‘08, Linc Worldwide focuses on providing educational care and resources, and is dedicated to helping communities in need and providing core resources. Through Linc Worldwide, Women of Hoban has been able to sponsor Kenyan students named Megan and Georgia, in the second and third grade.

“Each fall we commit to paying their tuition for a year, and it’s just about 800 dollars each,” Heller explained.

Throughout the school year, Women of Hoban fundraises money to be able to sponsor these students and their education, raising roughly 1,600 dollars for these students’ tuition. Megan and Georgia also

send letters to the girls in Women of Hoban, giving them updates on what they are learning in school and sometimes including drawings in their letters. The members of Women of Hoban also have the opportunity to write letters to the girls, and eagerly await their responses, with the letters being posted in Heller’s office.

Women of Hoban go to see “Wicked: For Good.” They often take trips outside of school to bond as a group. PHOTOS COURTESY OF

Sophomore Lauren Short is a member of Women of Hoban and loves receiving and reading these letters.

“It just makes my heart so happy,” Lauren said. “I love doing this.”

Through this act of service, the members of Women of Hoban are able to spread love to Kenyan girls like Megan and Georgia and give them the opportunity to learn and

brighten their days.

“I love helping out so much, because for people that are less fortunate, Linc Worldwide is helping out so much with kids in Africa, and they can feel so much love during the school day and actually can get the help and resources and education they need,” Short said.

SUCCESSFUL HOBAN WOMEN RIEGLE & WALKER

BY EMMA POMEROY

In honor of Women’s History Month, The Visor celebrates two remarkable alumnae of Archbishop Hoban whose lives and accomplishments portray Hoban’s core values perfectly. Their stories show that despite following different career paths, one nursing and global non profit work and the other environmental engineering and community advocacy, both women reflect the impact women of Hoban can have on the world following graduation.

For Erin Riegle, she shows her values through service. While attending Hoban, she volunteered with JAM and SumFun, working with children who have special needs. She also attended the Kairos retreat, now known as Spes Unica, which

gave her a sense of calling.

“Kairos was really impactful for me spiritually and helped strengthen my faith,” Riegle said.

Her faith has been a sturdy foundation in both her nursing career and nonprofit leadership. She carries empathy with her wherever she goes, whether during her time as a travel nurse, or as she goes overseas visiting an orphanage in Kenya.

strive to provide that to my patients,” Riegle said.

Her advice to young women at Hoban is simple: if you feel called to serve, start now. Leadership begins with action, and it is obtainable to everyone.

“I SPEND TIME TO ENSURE EVERYONE SPEAKS UP AND HAS SPACE TO GET THEIR IDEAS AND FEELINGS ACROSS WHILE FEELING SUPPORTED IN THE PROCESS.”

- Jasmine Walker

‘15

“I know what kind of care I would want for my family or myself, and I always

Alumna Jasmine Walker, who discovered her voice in an environmental science classroom here at Hoban, realized that environmental justice is not simply a discussion, but a reality lived by many.

History Month in the Castle

FIRST HOBAN ALUMNAE INSPIRE FUTURE KNIGHTS

BY SOPHIA BURGOYNE

International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, is a day to acknowledge the significant strides women have taken, the barriers they have overcome, and their impactful contributions to society. This year, as women around the world share their unique stories of resilience and perseverance, the inspirational women of Hoban’s first female students are joining the conversation.

In response to the orchestrated walkout of 1972, where students openly displayed their desire to become coeducational, and fears of potential closure, Hoban’s administration adopted coeducation in 1973, with the first female students graduating in 1974.

Cynthia Paris Terry ‘74 was amongst the very first Lady

Knights to enter the Castle.

“The admission of female students had a profound impact on the entire community,”

Terry said.

In 1973, everything changed. Faculty and staff shifted, new infrastructures were developed, and social standards and revered traditions evolved.

Ornamenting the halls with every class photo is a beloved and respected Hoban tradition. Cynthia Paris Terry smiles for her senior yearbook photo, which hangs high amongst her fellow classmates. PHOTO COURTESY OF CYNTHIA PARIS TERRY ‘74

“Academically it raised standards, increased competition, boosted application numbers and provided more diverse perspectives to the curriculum,” Terry said.

For many students, Terry included, Hoban became so much more than a school.

“Looking back, I realize the Hoban community supported my entire journey, shaping me into an independent woman who is spiritually grounded, courageous in my beliefs and confident in who I am,” Terry said.

To future and current female students, Terry says, “Embrace your uniqueness. Wear self

confidence as your breastplate of armor. Remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are strong, you are capable and you are enough just as you are.”

“EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUENESS. WEAR SELF CONFIDENCE AS YOUR BREASTPLATE OF ARMOR. REMEMBER YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE.”

- Cynthia Paris Terry ‘74

Her legacy, as well as the many other pioneering women who adorn the halls, continues to inspire and motivate the women of today. From athletes that have broken school records to students who have achieved highest honors, and leaders who are fostering growth within their communities, women all over are showing the world what it means to be a Hoban Knight.

“The Class of ‘74 is an inspiration to all of us women who came after them, including myself,” said Senior Brooklyn Blair. “I’m so blessed to be a part of the Hoban community and surrounded by so many talented and amazing women.”

SWEEP ONE HOPE-ONE DREAM AWARDS

Today, as a Community Resilience Manager, she not only ensures families’ safe living conditions, but also advocates for those marginalized.

“I spend time to ensure everyone speaks up and has space to get their ideas and feelings across while feeling supported in the process,” Walker said.

Women’s History Month honors the leaders that shape our future, and these alumnae that have walked our very halls do just that. At Hoban, young women are discovering their voices, strengthening their faith, and learning who they want to be. These alumnae give these girls a powerful role model, and should continue to be acknowledged and celebrated this month.

NEW MATH TEACHER ENTERS THE CASTLE MID-YEAR

BY PAIGE SMITH & SOPHIA BURGOYNE

Practice does not always make perfect and oftentimes challenges arise. As a community, it is necessary to re-assess, adapt and evolve. This year, Hoban’s community did just that. Faced with a mid-year turnover in the Math Department, Hoban stepped up and embraced the challenge. The solution: Hoban welcomed new math teacher Katelyn Jankowski to the Castle.

“I was teaching at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, and I was there for eight years,” Jankowski said. “I then took some time off to be a stay at home mom, so I was home with my kids for about four years.”

Her mid-year start for her worked better than if she would have started in the beginning of the year.

“I just felt like everything clicked, and it was my time to come back to teaching, and now I’m here and love it,” Janskowski said.

Since Jankowski’s introduction to the Hoban family, she has brought bright new smiles to students and faculty alike, cultivating new and old relationships.

“I had a couple crazy connections already,” Jankowski said. “I taught at Kent Roosevelt with Mrs. Dillon and I actually coached Mrs. Murphy too.”

Her main connection, though, was with English teacher Sarah Motil, who was overjoyed to learn her lifelong friend and college roommate was now a fellow colleague.

“We worked at Rockne’s together and had a mutual love over Firestone salads,” Motil said. “We both ended up needing a place to live.”

And the rest is history.

Motil’s love and admiration for the Hoban community did not go unnoticed and influenced Jankowski’s decision to apply for the position.

“I knew it would be an excellent fit for her,” said Motil. “It was all the right timing, truly divine providence.”

16 years later, the two are going to school together again. Working alongside one another has not only strengthened their friendship, but also the school community as a whole.

“Being able to collaborate professionally

College girls, Jankowski and Motil, pose for a picture at a restaurant in New York City during a college break. Both attended Kent State University, so they were able to travel together due to having the same time off. IMAGE COURTESY OF SARAH MOTIL

and share those personal experiences just gives us the opportunity to lean on one another and really build that Hoban family,” said Motil.

JON MCDANIEL’S JOURNEY OF DUAL CITIZENSHIP

BY PAIGE SMITH

Many know Jon McDaniel by being a senior, a football player and an honors student, but many also do not know that he is a dual citizen. McDaniel has dual citizenship in Sweden.

“My mom is from Sweden, born and raised, and she moved here over 20 years ago,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel shared how his mom made her first trip to the United States around the same high school age as him. She made back and forth trips to nanny in Chicago and to attend college, which she really enjoyed. She then met his dad and everything fell into place.

“It is not super clear cut how long you have to be in each country,” Mcdaniel said about maintaining his dual citizenship. “You don’t even have to come... It’s more how you have to establish a genuine connection to the country.”

McDaniel decided last year to move back to Sweden for three months to maintain his dual citizenship before it expired. He graduated from Hoban early in December, along with many other athletes. With this trip back being his ninth time in Sweden, it

McDaniel, Radel and Fortunado take a picture at the top of one of the ski hills on their trip. They all enjoyed skiing and finding different routes to take either on the hills or through the trees.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX RADEL

feels a little bit like home to him. Driving through the streets and everything is so recognizable.

“My grandparents still live and have always lived in Sweden and they’re who I’m living with right now,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel is playing football for a semiprofessional team and has a coaching position for a 15U team, which he is really excited about.

“Sweden doesn’t have school sports in the same way we do,” McDaniel said. “I’m playing with people that have children because it’s a men’s team so I’m getting used to it.”

With his move back, he planned an early graduation party to say goodbye to most friends and family. Even with hangouts and goodbyes, Seniors Alex Radel and Domonic Fortunado planned a ski trip to go visit McDaniel.

“We started planning probably last January and we were joking at the time but it turned into a reality,” Radel said.

McDaniel and his mom did most of the planning. They stayed in a ski resort in Western Sweden for five days and spent a day and a half in Stockholm walking around.

“We watched Olympic hockey on a boat, skied and explored new things,” Radel said.

TEACHER TEAM WINS HOLY CROSS HOOPS GAME

Hoban’s Cheer Squad poses for a picture during the annual Holy Cross Hoops game. These ladies brought the energy to the room for students on and off the court.

BY SOPHIA BURGOYNE

MARCH MADNESS: FINAL FOUR FEVER

BY DREW TOWELL

As March begins, one of the most anticipated sporting events takes place. The NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament, March Madness, will decide the national champion. 68 teams play in a single game elimination style format, which has seven rounds.

The top four teams include Duke, Michigan, Arozona and Iowa State for the Men’s tournament. The Women’s top teams are UConn, UCLA, South Carolina and Texas. As the bracket starts to take form, attempts to make the “perfect bracket” begin. In 2025, 80 to 100 million brackets were filled out, and not a single one turned out to be perfect. The hunt for the perfect bracket might never be complete. The odds of creating a completely correct bracket are 1 in 9.2 quintillion.

Students and faculty crowd the basket and fight for the rebound. Both teams continuously gave their best effort to raise the score and defend their sides of the court.

BY EMMA POMEROY

Upsets are a huge part of college basketball and especially March Madness, with the motto being “expect the unexpected.” Miami Ohio could be a team that creates madness during their postseason run. Miami Ohio enters the playoffs and conference champion bracket with a perfect 30-0 season, something only completed by a few teams, with the last one coming in 2021, and before that, 2015. The last perfect season that also won the national title was in 1976, after the Indiana Hoosiers went 32-0. Another team that is looking to create noise is Kansas. After starting the season a little slow, the Jayhawks have not looked back, with momentum gaining wins against number five ranked Houston, a 17 point comeback win against Arizona, and a standing defining win against number two BYU. Darryn Peterson leads the way for Kansas as they continue their uphill battle toward a title.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are also a team that could make a push for the bracket. The Bucks won two huge games against number eight ranked Purdue and Michigan State. They are a bubble team looking to win the last few games to make a playoff push.

The season will finish after conference championship brackets end. The start of March Madness begins on March 17 and the bracket will be set on March 15.

FROM POOL TO COURT, WINTER SPORTS ENTER POSTSEASON

BY KORBEN HAHN

As the temperature rises, so does the winter competition. From the pool facilities to the bowling pins, Hoban swimmers, basketball players, and bowlers are all out for glory. This month, these teams have had one goal in mind: to win.

First, the teams had successful regular seasons.

The swimmers had a terrific 2025-2026 season. The teams had over 300 points, with brand new records being broken.

Senior Rylee Jackson set an outstanding record of 2 minutes and 10 seconds in the 200 IM and completed the 100-yard backstroke in under a minute.

At the bowling lanes, both the girls and boys are going to districts with impressive records of 13-2 and 11-2. They even placed first overall at the MLK invitational out of 26 other teams.

On the basketball courts, the girls’ basketball team heads to districts with a winning record of 17-4. The girls this past year have shown great courage and athleticism, and are not planning on stopping.

In the postseason, Rylee

Jackson made history by winning both of her events during districts at the Cleveland State University Busch Natatorium, qualifying her for states. At states, Jackson got eighth in the 50 freestyle and ninth in the 100 freestyle overall.

At states, Senior Jack Sekerak won his B heat, swimming faster than the A heat’s fifth place time.

The tight knit team helped carry Sekerak and Jackson to success.

“The people who helped me on my way to states were my teammates who were always

there for me when I was having a bad day or didn’t want to dive into the pool,” Jackson said.

“Either it was them literally pushing me into the pool, or it’s just a simple ‘you got this,’ they always helped me through it.”

The boys’ bowling team finished ninth at their district championship, showing determination and skill against tough competition. The girls’ bowling team had a terrific weekend, dominating the lanes and winning their district championship. Their teamwork and focus under pressure helped

them clinch the title, and they will be moving on to states, with Junior Roni Caputo finishing 11th individually.

Moving to the hardwood in Barry Gymnasium, the girls’ basketball team also won their district championship, moving on to regionals. In an exciting and hard-fought tournament, the girls displayed resilience and strategic play, overcoming strong opponents to secure the top spot.

Hoban showed their dominance and proved who the real Knights of the district were.

OSCAR EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS MOVIES TAKE CENTER STAGE

This iconic gold statuette shows a knight holding a sword, standing on a reel of film, which represents the film industry. The five spokes on the film reel represent the original branches of the Academy: actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ACADEMY MUSEM

BY DEIDRE DRENSKY

The 98th Academy Awards are happening on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and excitement is building as movie fans speculate which films will take home the prizes. This year has a wide range of nominees including both feel-good and dramatic films.

On opposite sides of the spectrum, two big standouts this year are “Sinners” and “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” These movies both earned major recognition and gained tons of fan support throughout the year.

“Sinners” received multiple nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.

“It wasn’t what I expected, but it was really interesting to watch,” Junior Lauren Ribovich said.

Many viewers have praised the film for its powerful message and meaningful character development, making it one of the strongest contenders of the night. Ribovich said “[she hopes] it wins Best

Picture.”

On the other hand, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has become a fan favorite, especially among younger audiences. The film earned nominations for Best Animated Feature, Best Original Song, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.

“It was a fun movie that was easy to understand but still had deep messages,” Junior Avery Neugebauer said. “The music was catchy and really added to the story.”

The soundtrack has been especially popular.

“I’ve heard the songs on the radio, and little kids sing them all the time,” Neugebauer said.

Neugebauer’s favorite character was Zoey, described as “bubbly and outgoing,” and her favorite scene was “the emotional moment when the antagonist sacrifices himself.”

She shared how she hopes “it wins Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.”

NEEDOHS BECOME NEW TRENDING TOOL AT SCHOOL

BY ALEXANDRA LAGOS

In all classrooms at the castle, a new trend has emerged: the presence of fidget toys, specifically NeeDohs. These squishes have become apparent by popping in students desks. But are Needohs just a temporary trend or do they offer real benefits to students?

Many Students swear by the perk of NeeDohs having the duality of being fun to fidget with in class while improving focus. Toying has been proven to subtly release energy and generate long lasting concentration. NeeDohs especially help those who struggle with hyperactivity and have difficulty focusing. In a classroom setting, enhancing students’ attention is crucial to improving everyone’s academic performance.

The real question is how Hoban manages to balance the potential benefits of fidget toys with the need to maintain a productive environment.

“We balance it by focusing on the impact on learning. If it helps a student stay engaged without distracting others, we can work with that.” Said Dean of Students Bryce Harris. “If it interrupts

the educational process or other students’ right to learn, we intervene.”

The effectiveness of fidget toys in class heavily relies on the behavior of each student, but most importantly their ability to focus.

Teachers often allow NeeDohs at all times as long as they remain quiet and not distracting. This approach helps preserve the school’s focused environment while accommodating to everyone’s different learning needs.

change based on students behavior.

Hoban’s general policy on bringing NeeDohs to class is understanding of the fidget’s benefits, but can be subject to

“Fidgets are not specifically discussed in our handbook, so we handle them like any other personal item in class.” Harris said.“If it supports focus and does not disrupt learning, it is usually fine. If it becomes disruptive, it will be addressed.”

The Visor’s Women’s Month Playlist:

Open Spotify and scan the code to listen

“Doo Wop (That Thing)” by Ms. Lauryn Hill

Submitted by Drew Towell

“Young Hearts Run Free” by Candi Staton Submitted by Alex Krohn

“Skin” by Sabrina Carpenter Submitted by Lexxi Schmitt

“Long Live” by Taylor Swift Submitted by Kayla Johnson

“No Fences” by Erin Kinsey Submitted by Sophia Burgoyne

“not a lot, just forever” by Adrianne Lenker

Submitted by Gemma Alexander

Write the answers to the hints of the lines above them. Match the symbols beneath the letters to the lines for the final answer! Enter the final answer into the form sent to your email to have a chance at the Golden Ticket!

“C’Mon” by Kesha Submitted by Deidre Drensky

“From the Start” by Laufey Submitted by Korben Hahn

“stranger” by Olivia Rodrigo Submitted by Emma Pomeroy

“Barracuda” by Heart Submitted by Griffen Waugh

“Roar” by Katy Perry Submitted by Lily Obhof

“Losing You” by Solange Submitted by Catherine Bordenkircher

“It is one of my favorite songs of all time and I love how you can listen to this song any season, even though the title is ‘Spring into Summer.’ I do love listening to this song in the summer with windows down and it is the perfect vibe.” -Paige Smith

“Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara Submitted by Alexandra Lagos

“Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac Submitted by Jess Krejsa

COURTESY OF SPOTIFY

“Spring Into Summer” by Lizzy McAlpine

Submitted by Paige Smith

The Visor’s Golden Ticket Word Puzzle!

Music Artist that sings “Shape Of You?”

Actor that said “On October Ninth, he asked me what day it was.”

Actor of Harry Potter’s closest friend