01/01/2023
The Heart Wants What It Wants
Love Is In The Air...Or is it?
Alyssa Sandy & Ruby Sams, Staff Writers
Cheating. A word that means- to act dishonestly or unfairly to gain an advantage, a word that means something different to everyone that dares to utter or think of it, a word that changes lives daily. The meaning of cheating can differ between relationships, but regardless of who is using it or how it’s being used, both the denotation and connotation are rarely positive.
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Of course, opinions on what cheating can be defined as are unique to each relationship and situationship, one thing is clear- there is a preconceived notion that men are more likely to cheat than women.
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A survey conducted by the Clarion Staff covered a random sample of peers and adults to explain who they believe cheats more and why. The survey yielded various answers and reasons for cheating from both women and men.
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Some responses were based on personal experiences and things as simple as it has happened chronically, while others were based primarily on observation and what is portrayed in the media.
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Those that weren’t speaking from personal experience cited reasons like being emotionally checked out or disconnected, a learned habit/ modeling from the environment or a previous environment, and a lack of satisfaction regarding physical wants.
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Clarion Staff findings were conclusive with research conducted and presented by the Institute for Family Studies which revealed that men are more likely to cheat than women, with 20 percent of cheaters being men, and 13 percent women; however, age and maturity can sway these findings.
Bryla Dowler & Hayden Dixon, Staff Writers
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The widespread celebration of Valentine’s Day can be attributed to Saint Valentine, who was executed in 270 A.D., allegedly for performing marriages that would allow men to avoid war and battle and remain at home with their wives and families.
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The original intention behind the holiday has since been lost to modern commercialization, and more than a holiday, it seems that Valentine’s Day has become synonymous with elaborate dates, gifts, cards, and chocolate.
Perhaps the sentiment behind the holiday isn’t all that bad; it’s just not that great either. Freshman Carson Nutter stated he is indifferent to the holiday. “It’s just like any other day; I just have to buy my girlfriend something.”
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Unlike indifference, there are some people that absolutely loathe the idea of Cupid’s arrow. “Valentine’s Day is just a day. Most people don’t look into the holiday much, but it has a different meaning today than what it was intended as,” Senior Eli Devaughn said.
Of course, there are also those who love…love. “It feels like a good day to show appreciation to all the ones you love,” said Senior Conner Pitcher.
Overall, Valentine’s Day looks different based on circumstances. Regardless of where your feelings fall, the holiday will remain controversial, as it has since it began.
Hook,Line,and Sinker
Bryla Dowler and Hayden Dixon, Staff Writers
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Rage bait is content, or dialogue deliberately designed to provoke anger, frustration, or outrage to boost engagement and interest in specific topics.
Parkersburg South High School students and teachers were asked about what rage baits them. Teachers had a lot to say about students, while the students gave responses that more so involved everyone. ELA and Theater teacher Mr. Parks was interviewed and what he said rage baited him was, “…when students don’t turn in their work on time.” He stated this rage baits him because, “… you’re always going to have due dates and have to learn to meet them.”
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In addition to teachers, Head Principal, Mrs. Francisco was also asked about what rage baits her. She said, “When people don’t put forth the maximum effort they could, because I can see their full potential, and if you are going to do something, do it the best you can”. Another administrator, Mr. Collins stated that what rage baits him the most is overcooked steak. He said this rage baits him the most because, “…at that point it just becomes hamburger.”
Parkersburg Police Seargent and school resource officer, AJ McGary said it rage baits him the most when students are walking around in the hallways when they are supposed to be in class. McGary commented, “This rage baits me because you should be in class and not the hallways.”
Senior Kyler Wise said annoying people are his biggest source of rage bait and he stated, “This rage baits me simply because they’re just annoying.” Sophomore Kevin Myers says what rage baits him is when people butt in his conversations. Freshman Camren Mick claimed it rage baits him when people yell at him. He says, “There is just no reason to yell and that is why it rage baits me.”
Everyone has something that rage baits them- from annoying people, to the sound of someone chewing, or things like teachers saying “the bell doesn’t dismiss you, I do” like it’s a prison. Even you, dear reader. You’re thinking about it right now, aren’t you? Well, what is it? What’s the thing that really grinds your gears?
Competitive Gaming Has Reached New Heights
Brayden Byers, Staff Writer
February 27,2026
The Esports World Cup is back with bigger and better prizes, and the future of gaming is hopeful.
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This year allowed for a chance at a record breaking $70 million dollar prize pool is up for grabs for the players and organizations that rise to the top. The World Cup started on July 7,2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. More than 2000 players and 200 top teams and groups gathered for the biggest multi-game championship. Players competed across 25 tournaments and 24 games until the finale on August 24. Global Esports revenues are projected to be in the billions. Saudi Arabia is home to 23.5m gamers which comprises about 67% of the gaming population, Saudi Arabia is trying to become the hub for Esports.
The gamers fought for a portion of the prize pool. It is a point-based system, participating organizations or groups compete across multiple games. The winning team, which will take home the large grand prize, will be crowned based on consistency of high performance across the various games. The remaining prize money from the prize pool will be divided between winners of each game.
The Esports industry is rising at an astronomical rate; experiencing growth that was unimaginable in the minds of both competitors and viewers. In Saudi Arabia, gaming has become more than a hobby; it has turned into self-sustainable and thriving industry. Saudi Arabia has already made multi-billion-dollar investments into the industry with the goal of creating thousands of jobs.
As the Esports World Cup scaled to new heights, Saudi Arabia positioned itself as an Esports powerhouse, shaping the future of gaming for generations to come.
