The year of 2016 was a year filled many changes both in the U.S. and worldwide. New technology was released, new political leaders elected, and several tragedies stamped the year that made 2016.
January
The year started off with the death of famous singer, songwriter, and actor David Bowie on Jan. 10, after his 18-month battle with cancer.
The 64th Mardi Gras pageant was held Jan. 17. The theme was “Pieces of One,” where seniors William Kamphaus and Emma Kapp were crowned king and queen.
The national Powerball lottery also passed $1 billion during January.
February
The Denver Broncos played against the Carolina Panthers for Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, where the Broncos claimed victory 24-10.
Leonardo DiCaprio also won his first Oscar at the 88th Academy Awards in February for his role in The Revenant.
March
President Obama landed in Cuba in late March to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro, becoming the first president to visit since 1928.
April
American Idol ended after a 15-season run. The April 7 finale episode declared Trent Harmon the final winner over runner-up La’Porsha Renae, but both received record deals.
McNick’s “The Great Gatsby”- themed prom occurred on April 17, where Mitchell Hartwell and Sierra Myer were crowned king and queen.
Famous singer/songwriter Prince died on April 21 at the age of 57 from an unintentional drug overdose.
Eight people, all of the same family, were shot dead in Pike County, Ohio, in late April. Only three family members survived the shooting.
May
McNicholas said goodbye to its graduating class of 2016 on May 22.
Harambe, an endangered western lowland gorilla, was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo after a 3-year old boy fell into his enclosure.
June
Former Stanford student Brock Turner was sentenced to six months in jail on June 2 after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, sparking public outcry at the length of his short sentence.
A gunman opened fire in Pulse Nightclub, a gay bar in Orlando, Florida, on June 12. The victims include 49 killed and 53 injured, making it the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games on June 19, winning their first NBA title.
July
In early July, a sniper opened fire on a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, and 5 police officers were killed on July 7.
Donald Trump picks Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his vice-presidential running mate on July 15, while Hillary Clinton chooses Virginia Senator Tim Kaine on July 22.
A hijacked truck crashes into a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day (July 14) in Nice, France. The attack killed 86 people and the suspect claims allegiance to Islamic State Extremists.
August
The Olympic games opened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and ran from August 5-21. The U.S. won a total of 46 gold, 37 silver, and 38 bronze medals.
The 2016 Louisiana flood occurred throughout August, flooding over 146,000 houses in Southern Louisiana and killing 13 people.
The 2016-2017 school year began at McNick on August 24 , welcoming the Class of 2020.
September
The McNicholas High School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Homecoming was held , and Jonathan Hazzard and Adrian Ell were crowned King and Queen at halftime of the football game on Sept. 24.
October
In Early October, The Washington Post released a 2005 video of Donald Trump making lewd comments against women in an interview with Access Hollywood reporter Billy Bush. He defended the video by insisting it was just “locker-room talk.”
November
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians, winning the World Series on Nov. 2. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was 1908.
Following the review of newly discovered emails on Nov. 6, FBI Director James Comey tells lawmakers the agency does not change its opinion that Hillary Clinton should receive no charges. This is a part of the ongoing investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server and emails she sent containing classified information.
On Nov. 8, Republican Candidate Donald Trump was elected as the 45th president of the United States, defeating main opponent Hillary Clinton. Discontent began to appear across the country, ranging from peaceful protests to riots burning effigies of the President-elect.
A man crashed his car into a group of students on Ohio State’s campus and then proceeded to exit his car and assault them with a knife on Nov. 28. The suspect was shot dead and 11 people were injured.
December
Earlier this month, Green Party Candidate Jill Stein led recount efforts in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
On Dec. 12 the date for the retrial of Former UC Police Officer Ray Tensing was set to May 25, 2017. Tensing is charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter for the shooting death of Sam DuBose during a traffic stop in July of 2015. His first trial ended in a mistrial and a hung jury.
Conditions in Syria worsened on Dec. 14 after reports that pro-government forces executed citizens in the streets of Aleppo. At least 82 civilians were killed, including 11 women and 13 children.
On Dec. 22 a man hijacked a truck and crashed it into a Christmas Market in Berlin, Germany. The attack killed 12 people and injured another 48.
After suffering cardiac arrest on an airplane from London, actress Carrie Fisher, best known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series, died on Dec. 27. Her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, died the following day from an apparent stroke.
The McNicholas Milestone 
“Elected” is a strong word.