BA Today Fall 2019

VOLUME 13, FALL 2019

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Ben Lane '20, Editor-in-Chief As time flies by and the quarter draws to an end, seniors are starting to realize that their time left on campus is limited. We rush to finish our final ACT’s and frequent meetings with the college counselors. We are constantly busy with work for clubs, sports, classes, and college. I will repeat the advice that many seniors before have given us: Push through the first semester. Finish those college essays. Turn in those recommendations.

Don’t let the senioritis hit you too early. Once we get through first semester, it’ll be blue skies and sunshine, with the occasional AP work thrown into the mix.

The Bayside band plays "Hotel California" at halftime. [Hannah Wieland]

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elcome back to school, Admirals!

As we settle into the first semester of the 2019/2020 school year, students are getting back into the swing of things.

After a fun and relaxing summer, the return to daily school work has been a shock to the system for many.

Bayside has plenty of excitement on campus.

Although they had a slow start, the football team is picking up steam, achieving multiple big wins over opponents. In addition, Bayside theater is preparing for one of its most anticipated shows yet: High School Musical. In this issue of BA Today, you will explore the future of space travel, see the achievements of Bayside’s athletes, learn about an aspect of meme culture, and be updated on some important current events.

With a new year come new faces: Bayside has many new faculty members on campus, all of whom have been welcomed warmly by the

Editor-in-Chief Ben Lane Layout Editor Isabella McCormick Reporters Anne Sterling Beall, Camille

Buckner, Caroline Cunningham, Jenny Florey, Spencer Gaberino, Kate Ginger, Audrey Hudson, Leah Jha, Annie Loper, Geneva Martin, Gavin Mims, Millison Mixon, Evelyn Prickett, John O'Hara, Ben VanDerHeyden

Advisor Ms. Deborah Denniston

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students. With six new individuals joining the crew, the Admirals are prepared to sail smoothly through another year.

As I sit with my friends on the White House porch during lunch, I reflect on all of the great times I have had at this school. I look out on the bluff, where I have played countless games of football, keep-away, and Spikeball during breaks.

I see the picnic tables buzzing with conversation.

I go to classes taught by teachers I have gotten to know ever so well after multiple years in their classes. After school, I head to the track to run with some of my best friends. I take it all in. Bayside truly is a family. As cheesy as it may sound, it’s true. We have something special that cannot be replicated by other bigger schools. You don’t fully realize what a treasure Bayside is until your time here is almost done--but Bayside is only the beginning, just one stepping stone on our paths of life.

BA Today is the student publication of the Bayside Academy Upper School journalism class. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire staff, faculty, or administration.

If you are a student interested in submitting content, email batodaysubmissions@gmail.com.

Bayside Academy 303 Dryer Ave. Daphne, AL 36526 251-338-6300 baysideacademy.org

SGA President Kaleigh Phillips, Vice President Alex Cook and students celebrate Gold Week. [Evelyn Prickett]

On The Covers: Front: Bayside's pier stretches out into Mobile Bay. Photo by John O'Hara.

Back: Pace McLendon's photo placed at the Shrimp Festival.

A Tribute to Mrs. Donna

By Camille Buckner '22, Reporter

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ave you ever been late to school? Most of us could answer this question with a yes, but did you ever take the time to get to know the wonderful lady in the office who recorded your tardiness, Mrs. Donna? If you somehow didn't have the pleasure of meeting her during her twenty-three years working here, then that truly is a shame.

Mrs. Donna Williams, who has recently resigned from her position at Bayside, spent twenty-seven total years working and volunteering for the school. She truly was a major reason Bayside is what it is today. Mrs. Donna watched our school grow and develop throughout the years. With her phenomenal organizational skills, patience, posi-

tablished and sponsored the school’s first basketball cheer team, which I had the pleasure of being a part of. She was as fantastic of a coach as she was an Upper School Administrative Assistant.

Mrs. Donna was one of the most optimistic and encouraging faculty members. On numerous occasions I would pass her in the hallways, and she would flash a smile my way or wave with a cheerful, “Hey girl!" That always made my day!

She had the ability to effortlessly uplift anyone with her smiling face and kind gestures. She truly cared about people, investing time and energy into students and the school. Mrs. Donna was influential and many people, myself included, saw her as a mentor. While her years at the school have come to a close, we wish her the best for the future and thank her for all she has done for us.

Faculty and staff alike had nothing but good things to say about Mrs. Donna. BAToday spoke with some of them, and this is what they had to say:

“Mrs. Donna never failed to make everyone feel genuinely cared for.”

-Merri McLendon ‘23 “She had a burning passion for all Bayside students. She was invested in basketball cheer and truly cared about it and everyone involved.”

-Avery Vandermeeden ‘22 “I think she is the sweetest person and very funny!”

-Will Deleporte ‘21 “She was everyone’s favorite, and I am sure she was an amazing cheer coach as well. She had the best Bayside spirit, with a smile always on her face.”

-Dyer Lumpkin ‘20 “Mrs. Donna brightened each day. She was dedicated to everything she did. Always very enthusiastic! Mallory Downey used to spend her days in Mrs. Donna’s office, chatting. Mallory passed that relationship to me in her senior will.”

Mrs. Donna and Mallory Downey '19 [Donna Williams]

-Audrey Hudson ‘20

tivity, and eagerness to help in any way, she was a valuable piece of Bayside and will not be forgotten.

During her past year at Bayside, she even es-

“I could ask her anything, and even if she didn’t have an answer, she would help me.”

-Mr. Richardson

[Donna Williams] “She always had the best outfits!”

-Mrs. Rolin “She was always so welcoming, very efficient, and accomplished tasks with a smile.”

-Mrs. Claramunt Mrs. Donna was an influential member of our Bayside family, and her legacy will live on forever. With relentless spirit and loving patience, she truly represents the ideal Admiral.

We treasure these words from Mrs. Donna:

“Thank you students, faculty, friends, parents, and alumni for making my journey at Bayside Academy one that will be forever special! Hope to see you soon! Go Admirals!”

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any Americans have heard about the recent developments in the Epstein case, but most don’t know just how deep the rabbit hole goes. This article will dive into the haunting story of Jeffrey Epstein: teacher, lawyer, and sex offender, detailing the origins of his career, conviction, and criminality.

The year is 1976. A young Jeff Epstein has just taken a job offer from Bear Stearns, a successful investment bank in New York City. “What makes a degreeless high-school teacher qualified to work at such a company?” one might ask. Epstein taught and tutored the son of Ace Greenberg, the chairman of the executive committee at Bear Stearns investment firm. This could hardly be a coincidence; the connection likely facilitated the job opportunity.

After apparent success at the company, Epstein left in 1981 to start his own firm. This U.S. Virgin Islands-based firm would only have one known client and required all clientele to make at least one billion dollars in hedge fund investment. From this time on, Epstein’s life grows murky and will not begin to elucidate until his criminal case over twenty years later.

Jeffrey Epstein had an intricate web of connections that spanned a broad range of wealthy, prominent Americans. Some were exposed as criminals; others still have prominent societal standing: Donald Trump (who is now “not a fan” of Epstein), Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and many more. Because of these high-profile connections, Epstein was able to make much of his fortune and stay off of the criminal radar.

Epstein’s criminal activity was first picked up in 2005 when it was reported that a 14-year-old girl had been molested by a man named Jeff in his Palm Beach mansion. The girl said that she and several other girls had gone to the man’s house and given him massages on different occasions and that they were paid hundreds of dollars to do so. The police began investigating the case and eventually obtained a search warrant, finding multiple ties and substantial evidence that Epstein had sexually preyed on underage girls from poorer backgrounds, girls who were more desperate for the hundreds of dollars being offered.

Midway through 2006, a grand jury heard from one of Epstein’s victims. He was indicted for the solicitation of prostitution, but he was prepared to fight the case. With his array of connections, Epstein assembled a powerful legal team that pushed much of the case under the rug, aiming for a very minimal sentence. Epstein’s ties with Alexander Acosta, a Federal Attorney for Florida, played a large role in the trial’s outcome. The FBI began an investigation resulting in a 53-page document detailing Epstein’s crimes that would never come before a grand jury. Utilizing his connection with Acosta, Epstein negotiated a plea deal, specifically a non-prosecution agreement (NPA), which granted him immunity from federal prosecution.

How did this clearly under punished criminal case go under the radar? Part of the plea deal between Acosta and Epstein was that none of the victims would be notified of the NPA. Essentially, the case was secretly closed with a minimal sentence. Epstein pleaded guilty to a state charge of the procurement of minors and was sentenced to a mere 18 months in jail.

Most charged sex offenders in Florida would be sent to state prison, but Epstein had special treatment. During his jail time, he resided in a private wing of the Palm Beach County Stockade. After only 3 ½ months, Epstein was allowed to leave the jail for 12 hours a day, 6 days a week to work. After 13 months, he was released on probation where he took multiple private flights and was allowed to go shopping and walking around Palm Beach.

After probation, Epstein returned to his Manhattan home. By this time, it was September 2009 and Epstein’s case had been released to the public, stirring up adverse reactions. In the past, Epstein had donated millions to a number of schools and foundations.

Many returned the money, including the governor of New York, who had received money for his campaign. Others, like Harvard University, kept the millions of dollars that had been given.

Where did Epstein get all this money? Was it from his peculiar, exclusive investment firm? Or was it dirty money? Epstein’s fortune still is shrouded in mystery. Many news sources believe that Epstein was not truly a billionaire―that it was all a facade. Regardless, Epstein was clearly financially secure, with millions of dollars confirmed to be stored in Swiss bank accounts and other locations.

He had money spanning multiple tax-haven organizations across the world, money that will probably never be traced to an exact source.

A court case emerged in 2011 when two of Epstein’s victims filed a lawsuit in which they accused the government of denying them their right to hear details of the plea deal. The U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marshall ruled in favor of the victims, but the case persisted for another seven years. Nevertheless, Epstein was registered as a level three, high-risk sex offender. He was required to personally check in with the New York Police Department every 90 days. This was completely disregarded, but no enforcement was ever made.

After experiencing social downfall, Epstein tried to redeem himself in 2012 by making multiple generous donations to research and world-peace organizations, helping further cancer research and save the planet.

The case resurfaced in 2015 when one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Roberts, filed an accusation that Epstein forced her to have sexual relations with both lawyer Alan Dershowitz and Prince Andrew of the British royal family. Both pleaded innocent to the charges, and their attorneys privately resolved the case with Roberts. Roberts later filed another court case against a socialite friend of Epstein’s. Both cases would help to bring the Epstein situation to the public eye. In 2016, a brief lawsuit was filed by Katie Johnson, accusing Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in Epstein’s mansion back in 1994. This case was dropped in 2017. Johnson said she had been threatened and did not want to pursue the case.

Throughout 2018 and up to July of 2019, a series of court cases were brought against Epstein. His victims began coming forward, all claiming to have been sexually exploited by the PalmBeach millionaire. The evidence piled up, all of the allegations lining up with evidence found in Epstein’s mansion.

On July 6, 2019, Epstein was arrested for sex trafficking and was taken to a high-security prison. After his arrest, his massive Manhattan townhouse was thoroughly searched by the FBI. The contents included compact discs full of nude pictures of underage girls, thousands of dollars, and a fake Austrian passport reportedly used to enter multiple countries in the 1980s. It contained Epstein’s picture under a different name with a residence in Saudi Arabia.

At 1:30 AM on July 23, Epstein was found, barely conscious, on the floor of his cell with marks covering his neck. Some sources said this was a suicide attempt, while others say it could have been a cellmate assault. Epstein himself said he had no memory of what happened. Mysteriously, Epstein was still taken off suicide watch after this incident, and no proper precautions were taken. 18 days later he was found dead inside his cell by suicide.

There is no surveillance footage of the event.

Just one day before his death, Epstein’s court documents were unsealed, apparently including over 1,000 names. His suicide is not necessarily surprising; he could have been overcome by guilt or regret for his crimes, leading to a state of mental turmoil. However, his death coincidentally prevented the mass exposure of many prominent figures and the full scale of his own involvement. There are many “coincidences” throughout Epstein’s criminal life. Are these just up to odds, or are they due to the wills of powerful men?

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"We're All in This Together"

By Kate Ginger '23, Reporter

[movies.disney.com]

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his is the “start of something new” — one of the most highly-requested shows, High School Musical, will be performed this fall at Bayside. Most students have seen the movies if they don’t already know the lyrics by heart. Mr. Kirby, the upper school performing arts teacher, is excited to present this long-awaited show in the Pilot Center.

BA Today interviewed Mr. Kirby to hear his take on this production. “I love the idea of doing shows where students are playing their age because it’s a lot more natural,” he says. This creates a more authentic show, which is what Mr. Kirby is striving for.

This production has interested students that have never previously been involved in shows and will undoubtedly attract a wide audience. Mr. Kirby additionally says, “I love it that the seniors are really setting an example and being leaders and being a part of something because it’s their last opportunity.” He also talks about the inclusion of cheerleaders. “Having the cheerleaders participate in the show will really give it that wow factor.”

Christian Fletcher and Olivia Counselman appear as Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, the two protagonists. Sharpay, the notorious “mean girl” of this musical, is portrayed by Catherine Hawkins.

Sharpay’s younger brother, Ryan Evans, is played by David Klimjack.

Troy and Gabriella are two juniors in high school who, despite their different interests, unwittingly audition for the school musical. Even though they encounter many obstacles along the way, Troy and Gabriella are given the lead roles, and the musical ends with a lively celebration in the gym.

Challenges are involved in the process of creating any show, specifically musicals. This includes the fusion of three major elements: acting, singing, and dancing. Mr. Kirby says, “Trying to make all of those mesh into a great show is very challenging and difficult.” Faculty members Beth Horn and Zoe Todd will assist with singing and choreography, respectively. Kirby has been working hard to combine these three components into an impressive, fun-filled production.

Behind the scenes, the crew works just as hard as the actors and actresses onstage to create an unforgettable experience for the audience. They are confronted with a completely separate set of challenges, from changing scenes in a matter of seconds to the technical aspect of coordinating the lights, music, and performers onstage.

High School Musical may not depict high school in the most realistic sense; however, it surely captures the essence of Bayside’s spirit and passion for the arts.

From College Prep to College Life

By Spencer Gaberino '20, Reporter

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ere at Bayside, a college preparatory school, we all spend hours reclining in uncomfortable desks and sprinting from one extracurricular activity to another.

We are being groomed to attend a college or university, but what is college really all about?

What is this critical next step in our education and lives going to look like? I attended Stanford University this past summer for a quarter and found an answer to these questions. In short, it’s incredibly different.

First, the quintessential college experience: staying in dorms. I, like many first year college students, stayed in a communal style dorm.

Although initially skeptical, I found this to be a good experience.

People from all over the country and the world lived with me. In fact, my roommate was from Barcelona and the person across the hall was from Japan.

A benefit I found in our slightly cramped living arrangements was the close relationships I built with my dormmates. Because of the close quarters I lived in and the time I spent with them, I cultivated many close friendships. It was easy to find people I had a lot in common with while also interacting with many who had fun-

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damentally different lives and experiences.

Another aspect of college life I experienced firsthand was a general lack of supervision. The benefits and detriments of this newfound independence became rapidly clear.

Finally, the freedom of choice and action that many of us crave fell into my hands. I could stay up as late as I wanted and go out whenever I wanted, but that freedom came with its problems. Gone were the parents hovering around to help with laundry, cook warm meals, bother about homework and health and schedules.

This aid, however unwanted, was gone and often very missed.

On the topic of homework, I experienced, though in a lighter way, the critical foundation of college: actual academic classes. I enrolled in ten credit hours, the standard for my program, as opposed to the standard sixteen.

I took three courses: electrical engineering, astronomy, and Greek mythology. Each class was around one and a half to two hours per lecture, similar to DOK day periods, with two to three lectures per week. In addition, I had a three hour lab once a week. In all, that adds up to be a lot less class time than a high school week or even day.

The homework was also quite different.

Most of my classes assigned one long assignment a week, and as a result, most days I didn’t work much. The years of daily homework were behind me, but there was still nearly daily reading for my mythology class. Like many literature based classes in college, it entailed a large quantity of reading—around 100 pages a week.

On some level, this work load felt a good deal lighter than standard high school because I specifically chose some of my classes for no other reason than because they interested me.

Aside from general and major requirements, your academic workload can include anything you like. Many colleges, in fact, offer a wide variety of options with classes from ballroom dancing to creative writing.

Climbing through my friend’s second floor window, going fountain hopping, and waking up early for electrical engineering labs filled my quarter at Stanford with incredible fun and fulfilling learning, and I’m sure my first actual year in college will be just as satisfying. I hope my explanation of some of the fundamental aspects of collegiate life helps a few of you to understand what you will be going up against.

Hopefully, you will enjoy college life just as I did.

Seniors and Their Favorite Bayside Traditions

By Caroline Cunningham '20, Reporter

this will be changed back to the original tradition next year because all students have loved it in the past.

First and Eighth Graders

Kaleigh Phillips tells BA Today that she has loved participating on both sides of this tradition.

When she was in first grade, she looked up to her eighth-grader and could not wait to receive her tree at Christmas Together. Remembering the great experience she had in first grade, she was so excited to be an eighth-grader. She enjoyed spending time with her first-grader and says she is grateful for the relationships she created as both a first-grader and an eighth-grader.

Class of 2020 at Pine Mountain [Alex Cook]

B

ayside Academy would not be the school it is today without its traditions. Throughout the years at school, traditions have brought back the best memories for students. After attending Bayside for many years, seniors cannot imagine the school without these special events. Several seniors have been interviewed about some of their favorite traditions here at Bayside.

Pine Mountain

Jack Smith tells BA Today that this was an experience he will never forget: “The junior class trip to Pine Mountain will create a bond between any class at Bayside. This trip is an opportunity that

cannot be found at any other school, and those at Bayside are so lucky that they are able to take part in it.” Even some of the teachers still talk about their class trip to Pine Mountain. Those who have experienced this trip hope that this will be continued for many years.

Ice Cream Social

Ernest Ladd tells BA Today that one of his favorite traditions is the Ice Cream Social on the first day of school. It is an event that everyone in the school can look forward to. Having everyone in the SAC together really shows Bayside’s sense of community. However, the Ice Cream Social was different this year and took place outside. The students and parents did not enjoy the heat, and it is hoped that

Worth It: Breakfast By the Bay

Game Days

Annie Loper tells BA Today that her favorite memory is going to school on Fridays before football games. Ever since preschool, she has enjoyed seeing the football players and cheerleaders in their uniforms during the day. She loves that she is now able to do this herself.

“Moms of the students in the ECC have come up to me and told me how much their kids love seeing us in our football and cheer uniforms. I love to know that younger students look up to us, and it makes me want to try harder to be the best role model for them.” Cheerleaders, football players, band members, and all students will remember these Fridays as some of their favorite days of high school.

By Millison Mixon '23, Reporter

[Gizmodo]

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oing out to eat with friends is one of Bayside students’ favorite things to do outside of school. Whether it’s grabbing a quick bite after morning practice or going to brunch with friends on a weekend morning, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from in our area.

The question is, which restaurant is worth it?

In an attempt to answer this question, I ate at three local restaurants, to find out which was the most worth it.

Another Broken Egg Cafe: Located in downtown Fairhope, this restaurant is the perfect spot for brunch with friends. From peach cobbler pancakes to lobster omelettes to chicken and waffles, this cafe has it all.

A typical meal here costs around $12-$15. Additionally, servers are accommodating and friendly. The only negative about this spot is the long wait time. On a busy weekend morning, diners can wait up to 30 to 40 minutes, and food takes an additional 20 minutes to arrive at your table.

Although this may be a con, Another Broken Egg Cafe utilizes the NoWait app to allow diners get on the waitlist before they even arrive at the location.

Chick-fil-A: Not only is Chick-fil-A cheap, but it is located near Bayside, which makes it the perfect place to pick up breakfast on the way to school. Unlike Another Broken Egg, this restaurant has a short wait time. The average wait time for food at the drive thru is 4 minutes and 16 seconds, and an average breakfast meal costs $4.49.

The Chick-fil-A One app enables customers to order food ahead and skip the line. Diners can also earn points with every purchase to receive free food. Not only is this restaurant cheap and

quick, but the employees provide exceptional service; however, although almost all of the chain’s locations are clean and polished, the ambiance is not top-notch due to the crowds and informality of the seating. It is not the place to have a nice brunch or breakfast.

East Shore Cafe: This restaurant is the closest to Bayside. This charming cafe is located in Olde Towne Daphne right by Christ the King. It is rated #3 out of 74 restaurants in Daphne on TripAdvisor, and rightly so. The staff treats you like family, and the menu has plenty of options to choose from.

Additionally, diners have the choice between inside and outside dining. A typical breakfast meal at this restaurant costs under $10. East Shore Cafe is the ideal location for breakfast any day of the week.

Although all three restaurants have their pros and cons, one stands out the most. In my opinion, Another Broken Egg Cafe is the “worth it” winner. The food here is outstanding and well worth the wait. To combat waiting for long periods of time, make sure to use the NoWait app to get on the waitlist prior to arriving. When you have the chance, be sure to eat at this restaurant.

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The New Faces of Bayside

By Audrey Hudson'20, Reporter

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ave you noticed all the new faces on our campus this year? Meet the new upper school teachers: Emma Burgess, Sean Gibson, Beth Brooks, Anjie Lowther, Deborah Newberry, and David Stapleton. Both Emma Burgess and Anjie Lowther are returning faculty members.

One exciting face to see back on the campus is Mrs. Emma Burgess. She left Bayside two years ago and moved to Alexandria, Virginia with her husband who was completing his theological degree at Virginia Theological Seminary. She taught students with learning difficulties at the McLean School of Maryland. Excitingly, a few months ago she had the opportunity to return to Alabama because her husband was offered a job at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Mobile. Mrs. Tart knew that Mrs. Burgess was eager to return to Bayside, so she helped her find a position in the ACCE. This year Mrs. Burgess is happy to be a part of Bayside traditions and is overjoyed to be back with all of her faculty friends.

Next, meet a Coach Stapleton. He is serving as the athletic training and football defensive back coach. He previously coached varsity football, girls’ golf, PE and strength and conditioning at Saint Paul's school in Mobile. He learned about the Bayside position though Coach Lazenby.. When BA Today talked to Coach Stapleton he said, “I am really enjoying the atmosphere and the beautiful campus. I also truly appreciate how respectful the kids are and the way they carry themselves.”

Additionally, Deborah Newberry returned to Bayside this year to teach Ethics. Previously, she served as a member of the faculty, Development Director, member and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Head of School.

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The history department also expanded this year with the addition of Mr. Sean Gibson. He originally taught history and coached soccer at Altamont School in Birmingham. He is now the 7th grade American history and 9th Grade advanced world history teacher. Upon his arrival he stated that, “All the teachers and students have been super helpful.” He cherishes the view of the bay and enjoys getting out at 2:30 on Fridays.

Another returning face to Bayside is the level I and III Spanish teacher, Mrs. Lowther. She previously sponsored the yoga club and taught art and Spanish at Bayside for eleven years, then left in 2013 to pursue her love of art and yoga. Last spring at the Fairhope Earth Day festival, Mrs. Snell mentioned to her that a position had opened in the Spanish department. Mrs. Lowther applied for the job and is now excited to be back at Bayside. She told BA Today that this year she is looking forward to football games and spirit days. Mrs. Lowther noticed that, in her time away, our school has grown technologically. She is “adapting to the new systems of grading and learning, such as Google Classroom and Quizlet."

Bayside also added another Spanish teacher, Mrs. Beth Brooks. She recently moved here from Fort Worth, Texas to be closer to her family. After hearing about this position from relatives, she applied for the job and is loving the smaller class sizes. She also mentioned that she is looking forward to “getting to know the faculty better and learning how to best meet the students’ needs.”

Each new teacher mentioned the Bayside community in their interviews with BA Today. They all love the scenic views and the personality of our school. Certainly, this community welcomes the new teachers!

BA Today | 9

MAGA vs Made In China

By John O'Hara '21, Reporter

In the past year, the United States and China have been the focal point of many economic discussions throughout the world, and the discussions have only escalated in the past couple of months. A complete trade war has resulted because of these conflicting economic superpowers, and an end to the issue does not seem to be on the horizon.

To begin, what exactly is a “trade war?” According to the Oxford dictionary, a trade war is a situation in which countries try to damage each other’s trade, typically by the imposition of tariffs or quota restrictions. Tariffs are a tax put on by one country to mark up the prices of other countries’ imports. This creates a system in which businesses will likely want to sell goods produced in their own nation instead of another nation because the tariff causes them to spend more money if they were distributing goods imported from another country.

To understand why the United States and China have entered into a full out trade battle, we must look at the information at hand. The United States is the world’s leading economy by a huge margin, but in recent years, this lead has been threatened by China. In 2015, China’s government implemented the Made in China 2025 initiative which has the goal to boost China into being the strongest economic empire in the world. The Chinese government is working to do this in many different ways. They want to pressure private businesses to adjust to China’s 2025 vision. They are providing $300 billion in subsidies to Chinese businesses. The most dangerous

maneuver the Chinese government is making is forcing transfer agreements. With this, they force all businesses that manufacture within or trade with China to share trade secrets with their government, who in turn uses these to make copies of the other business’ products. As a result, China is able to grow their own economy with cheap products made in their own country, sold by Chinese businesses.

If you look further into the trade relationship between the U.S. and China, you will see that the U.S. has a large trade deficit with China. Overall, each year the United States imports $3.1 trillion of products from other nations, whereas the U.S. only exports $2.5 trillion of products to other nations. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, China makes up 17.3% of the goods coming into the U.S. That is $539.5 billion per year in imports to the United States. The United States, on the other hand, only makes $120.3 billion per year with exports to China. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, The United States has a trade deficit of $621 billion, and our deficit with China is $419 billion. This means our deficit with China makes up 67% of our nation's trade deficit.

President Trump sees what China is doing and understands the problem the United States faces. United States supply chains are located inside of China because our adversary specializes in cheap labor and manufacturing. The U.S. specializes in innovation and technology. The United States creates the ideas, China produces the products and exports them to the United States,

taking advantage of the U.S. and becoming more powerful with every single profit. This is why the President has begun to innact multiple tariffs on Chinese products and imports into our nation.

Initially, President Trump placed tariffs on up to $250 billion of Chinese products, but now the President is planning on adding tariffs up to $450 billion on Chinese imports. The reason for this is because the President knows that the Chinese government will not be able to enact tariffs on up to $250 billion of U.S. imports let alone $450 billion. The tariffs have hurt consumer prices, local farmers, and aluminum workers, but the current administration feels that the increase in prices is necessary for keeping the geopolitical advantage over our adversary, and without challenging the Chinese authorities, we concede our trade to the Chinese Communist Party. The tariffs created by President Trump have actually caused many American tech companies such as Apple, Dell, and HP to create plans to move their supply chains out of China in the coming years, which will benefit the U.S. economy.

The trade war does not look like it will end anytime soon, and it does not have a sure winner as of right now. Both nations are still imposing plenty of tariffs on each other, trying to damage the other’s economy and take leverage in the trade battle. Neither President Trump nor President Xi Jinping wants to give up ground and cause substantial damage to their nation's economy, but at the rate this conflict is escalating, both economies will more than likely be damaged by the end of this ordeal.

Warning: Only Happy News Here!

By Geneva Martin '20, Reporter

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chool is stressful enough, and though it is important to stay informed on the world's affairs, it is just as important to have a little something that can make you smile. Headlines today are filled with drama, sad news, and unrelenting conflict. Flipping on the TV or reading the local paper only seems to lead to dismal updates.

In an effort to break away from the drudgery that surrounds the news cycle, BA Today is starting a column of Happy Headlines specifically geared to make our readers smile!

Delaware Becomes First State to Rid Animal Community of Kill Shelters Best Friends Animal Society has accomplished something many animal lovers have been dreaming of since the establishment of shelters: a ban on kill policy (putting down animals to make more room in the shelters). The organization hopes to make all fifty states no-kill shelter states by 2025 and have kicked off their mission in Delaware, now the first

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state to rid their shelters of kill policies.

Zoo Employs Inmates to Work as Zookeepers for Rehabilitation What began as an accidental duck rescue has become a community staple in Key West, FL. After it became publicly known that the sheriff's office took in a stray family of ducks, the department became the new unofficial drop off for animals, as well as home to animals confiscated during raids and rare or endangered animals in the area. As well as being home to animals such as sloths and mini horses, the “zoo” is also a place for inmates to work on their social rehabilitation and personal responsibilities.

The Happiest Happy Meal "My son is in the Air Force. I can't buy him breakfast, so I bought yours. Have a blessed day."

Woman missing her son says since she cannot buy her son breakfast. She wanted to buy another family breakfast in a McDonald’s Drive through.

Maybe next time you’re picking up some grub, you

too could spend a few extra dollars to pass the kindness back.

Moose Cools Himself Off in Sprinklers in Alaska We know all about heat down here in Alabama.

But an Alaskan moose unaccustomed to heat waves found an easy little way to beat the sun...find the house with the best sprinklers. But this moose is not the only animal to discover this nifty trick. Though the increase in heat is not necessarily appreciated, it has given rise to many adorable videos of cuddly critters cooling themselves off in a stranger’s front yard.

Debunked! Love At First Sight Exists...If You’re Old In a study conducted by Retire Savvy, it was found that people 65 years or older know right off the bat if they are attracted to someone, and even if they can see a future with that person. It’s suspected that with their age comes knowing exactly what they want in life, so love at first sight is becoming an increasingly common experience!

Don't Take an Uber—Take a Spaceship!

By Gavin Mims '20, Reporter

SpaceShip Two [Digital Trends]

S

oaring above the stars while floating in a zero-g bliss is a bucket list experience that seems out of reach for many, but a few ambitious billionaires are working to bring space travel to the commercial market.

Many people fear that as NASA’s space budget dies off, so will space travel, but the dreams of feeling the zero-gravity live on through a few startup companies.

For most, it would take years of training and studying to become an astronaut, but now all it takes is a deep pocket and a healthy body.

Aerospace technology has advanced so far in recent years that the ability to replace highly trained scientists with highly adventurous civil-

ians is now possible. The geniuses in this upcoming industry have developed autonomous spacecraft that can be piloted and tracked from a base on the ground to ensure safe travel.

As of now, space is still only available to the top one percent. However, thanks to new advances in technology, the price of a flight to the upper atmosphere has decreased significantly. SpaceX, an independent aerospace company run by Elon Musk, developed a rocket in April of 2019 that could successfully land after launch. This means that a repeated launch from the same rocket is possible, which drives the cost of space flight down.

VirginGalactic is at the forefront of commercial space travel, offering the cheapest flight available. The price of this expedition ranges between $200,000 and $250,000 and

600 people have already signed up.

This trip takes place on the legendary spacecraft, SpaceShipTwo, which is set to be the first private aircraft to regularly carry passengers from the earth's surface. On December 13, 2018, SpaceShipTwo fired up its rockets for the first test flight and launched passengers at a whopping 17,600 mph into the earth's atmosphere.

The entire flight takes 90 minutes and soars the passengers 40,000 feet above the earth's surface. The vehicle is a six-seater, rocket-powered plane that ascends 50 miles above the earth’s surface, passing the legal boundary marking outer space. After passing this boundary, the aircraft goes from traveling at 20 times the speed of sound to a peaceful smooth oasis, where passengers may float around and admire the breathtaking arc of the earth's crust.

The possibility of floating around in zero gravity is still out of reach for most; however, many space enthusiasts believe that, like most new technologies, the price for space travel will drop and become much more accessible.

With enough interest and funding, people will soon be viewing our earth in a whole new way.

Until then, we must rely on photographs and stories in order to fulfill our endless curiosity.

Live Giant Squid Discovered by Dr. McCall

By Ben VanDerHeyden '22, Reporter

[Courtesy of Dr. McCall]

D

r. Megan McCall is not only a Bayside Academy teacher, but she is also an avid explorer. On June 19, 2019, the STEAM teacher assisted in the discovery of a gi-

ant squid 100 miles off the coast of Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico. On the two week expedition, twenty-three explorers, including Dr. McCall, were researching life in the midnight zone. They used a camera equipped with LED lights called Medusa to attract and observe deep sea creatures. Using this, the scientists managed to bait and capture a 12 foot long giant squid on video.

Dr. McCall was tasked with sharing daily mission logs with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. During the expedition it ended up that she was sitting across from Dr. Nathan Robinson, the director of Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas, when he made the huge discovery. Dr. McCall was incredibly excited as she watched the historic discovery unfold:“I got up, went over, and got to see the squid right after it was discovered. I got to see it in real time as it was being discovered!” Dr. McCall told BA Today.

Dr. Eddie Widder, one of the expedition leaders, already knew that giant squids existed in the Gulf of Mexico because their major predator, the sperm whale, is known to live in these waters.

There was a lot of pressure on the crew to find a giant squid; against all odds, they succeeded in

their mission. This was the first giant squid ever discovered in American waters and only the second live one ever seen.

Thirty minutes after the giant squid was discovered, a lightning bolt struck the antenna of the ship and destroyed 17 sensors. Five minutes after that, a waterspout formed within a mile of the ship. Dr. McCall stated that the whole situation “was wild and added dramatic effect to the discovery.” Although this was surely exiting, the footage was almost lost due to the lightning strike.

This is not the first expedition in which Dr. McCall has participated. She has already gone on expeditions to study the geology of the contenental margin off the coast of Svalbard, Norway, and she has also been to Antarctica to study the thermal tolerance of Antarctic fish.

Dr. McCall has participated in many water-life based expeditions and looks forward to participating in many more. She has a simple reason for why she goes on these expeditions: “If we are extracting resources without knowing what we are affecting, then we could be harming things and losing them before we even know much about them.”

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Memes: The Resurgence of Dadaism

By Isabella McCormick '21, Layout Editor

[wikiart.org and KnowYourMeme]

T

he majority of millennials and Generation Z are well-versed in internet meme culture. Older generations, try as they might with minions reposted on Facebook and sorry attempts with the Impact font, simply can’t understand the bizarre, ever-evolving nuance of memes.

Although meme culture appears to be completely detached from anything that has come before, its absurd humor bears a striking amount of similarities with an early 20th century art movement: Dadaism.

Dada developed during the years before and during World War One, and it was popular in major cities all around the globe: Berlin, Zurich, Paris, New York, Tokyo. It might as well be referred to as an anti-art movement instead of an art move-

ment; Dada was meant to reject the very concept of art itself, challenging any and all formerly established art forms.

Its artists’ primary purpose was to ridicule the senselessness and absurdity of the world around them, which was, of course, characterized by the horrific first world war. Take a photo of a urinal and title it "Fountain," or scribble a mustache on a copy of the Mona Lisa, and voila—you have art!

Modern millennial and Generation Z meme culture exhibits the same eccentric, outlandish qualities as Dada art. According to Google Trends Data, the sharing of strange memes became an Internet trend around 2014, experiencing a spike around 2016 with the U.S. presidential election, and has grown steadily since. During this time, there was a clash of political ideologies in the U.S. that has continued to affect our government today. Additionally, there was an increase in the wage gap and continuing wage stagnation.

TikTok . . . No, Not the Song

It is also worth mentioning that millennials and Gen Z have lived through and grown up with the war in the Middle East, as well as the 2008 recession. We are confronted every day with the ever-increasing frequency of police brutality and school shootings. We live surrounded by advanced technology unlike anything ever seen before, and we don’t know how it will affect us in the future.

The world in which we are coming of age bears an eerie resemblance to the circumstances in which the Dada movement developed. In Europe, the destruction and irrationality of WWI, an inability to move upwards in society economically or socially, and the presence of laws and ideals that attacked human rights confused intellectuals.

As the Calabasas Courier, a student-run newspaper at a California high school, puts it: “The senselessness of Dada art reflected the senselessness of the world circa WWI, in which conventional logic led to the senselessness of a world war.”

Additionally, parallel to the technological boom beginning in the 90s, Dada thrived as the world was stepping into the new industrial age of science.

Jean Arp, a sculptor and abstract artist living in the early 20th century, said that “Today’s representative of man is only a tiny button on a giant senseless machine.” Arp’s comment about the technological takeover is still frighteningly relevant today.

The Lost Generation expressed their frustrations about the world around them through nonsensical works of art. In the case of the disillusioned, disenchanted millenials and Gen Z, the art form has changed, but the driving force behind it has not.

By Jenny Florey '20, Reporter

I

t's hard not to have heard of the newest social media platform called Tik Tok, especially if you are currently in high school. TikTok is an app for making and sharing short creative videos with other users of the app. TikTok was originally merged with Musical.ly, a social network initially built around lip-syncing and dancing and is directed to younger audiences from all over the world.

It’s been a while since a new app got big enough to make people who have never heard of it feel like they’re missing out from an experience. The last time an app inspired such interest from people who weren’t on it was…maybe Snapchat? TikTok is now 500 million users strong and growing day by day.

Video creators can choose from an enormous range of sounds, from popular song clips to short moments from TV shows, YouTube videos or other TikToks. Creators will also do challenges along with making jokes about other people, or you can make fun of all of these things.

It’s easy to make a video on TikTok, not just

12 | BA Today

because of the tools it gives users, but because of extensive reasons and prompts it provides for you.

TikTok is based on algorithmic observation and inference. The first thing you see isn’t a feed of your friends, but a page called “For You.” The algorithmic feed works by filtering video specifically directed toward the user based on videos you’ve liked or interacted with. News feeds use algorithms to determine the content to show you based on your interests, activity and interactions on the platform. It’s full of things that you seem to have demonstrated you want to watch, no matter what you actually say you want to watch.

It never runs out of material with this system, but on the other hand, you can alter the app to be full of people you know or things you’ve explicitly told it you want to see. People are loving this app, because you don't necessarily have to be famous to become popular. It is continuing to blow up and surely is changing social media in some very interesting ways.

[slate.com]

Make Your Halloween Spooktacular!

By Leah Jha '22, Reporter

[hodderscape.co.uk]

A

s Halloween draws closer, everyone is starting to think about their Halloween plans. With everyone’s busy schedules it is hard to find time to plan Halloween parties or even look for events to attend. Don’t fret, though, because there are many things to do right here in Baldwin County.

An extremely popular place to go during the entire month of October is a haunted house, and it just so happens that the OWA amusement park, located in Foley, hosts the Town of Terror from September 21 to November 3. The headlining theme of the haunted house will be Hotel MitcHELL which is promised to be scarier than the previous year with the headliner being Circus Asylum.

The hours are from 6-11 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. Prices start at $19.99 for sin-

gle entry to the haunted house and combination passes at $34.99. The options for the combinations are one amusement park pass, one visit to Hotel MitcHELL, or one entry to the family corn maze.

Speaking of the family corn maze, if you are not really into getting scared or have younger siblings or family members, OWA also offers a kid-friendly corn maze as a part of their fall festival festivities.

Another important part of Halloween is carving a pumpkin, and what better place can you find one of those other than a pumpkin patch. From September 27 to October 31, Wales West Light Railway, located in Silverhill, takes passengers on a steam train to a haunted barn and a pumpkin patch where visitors receive a complimentary pumpkin. The train runs from 5-9 pm on Fridays and from 1-9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays until the 24th of October when the train becomes a nightly event running from 5-9 on Monday through Thursday. The price for the train starts at $15.00 per person and children under 2 get in free. The price does not include tax or any of the

additional events once the visitors are there. For example, there are petting zoos, face-painting, pony rides, concession stands, and a café.

Many people enjoy walking through haunted mazes. This past year Bayside’s very own cross country team ran their County Championships at the Baldwin County Bicentennial Park, located in Stockton. This is important because they learned about a hidden gem called the Halloween Haunted Trail. Every year the park tries to scare the locals of Baldwin County by exploiting some haunting stories from the past making the experience spookier than ever. Unlike the others the park only has the event on the 27th of October; although, general admission is only $5 per person and children under three get in free, making this the cheapest option out of the three. The event lasts from 6 pm to 10 pm with the trail rides beginning at 7 pm.

Halloween is the time to get spooked with all your friends, but how can anyone find time to throw a scary event together with their busy schedules? Well, never fear because there are many places to go to get scared that are only a short flight on your broomstick away!

coming bored, but California teens have an entire nearby city to explore, not to mention the shopping there. When it comes to girls' fashion, the hot spot for trendy clothes is Brandy Melville; however, the nearest Brandy store to us is all the way in Texas.

While fast food here is relatively stellar, we don’t have the famous, In-N-Out Burger. This chain is a popular burger joint with a commitment to fresh food. It is located primarily out West, with many locations within the San Francisco Area.

The climate, weather, and natural disaster routines in northern California are very different than what we experience here. The weather in Sonoma ranges from mid 80s to low 90s during the day but can get as low as 40 on summer nights. This and the contribution of the dry air near the mountains definitely calls for a lot of chapstick! With the heat and humidity in the South, we all know how unpleasant it can be being outdoors on summer days.

Education in California is very similar when it comes to public schools, despite state laws, for the most part Sonoma schools tend to use the same curriculum as we do. Private schools may vary.

When it comes to politics, many people in California lean toward the left, where as I would argue that the majority of the South tends to be more conservative. This is a hard subject to nail exactly, since politics are very personal; statistically, Alabama votes Republican, while California votes Democratic.

When it comes to natural disaster, Alabama’s nemesis is none other than hurricane season

(June 1- November 30). With torrential rain, high winds, and intense weather patterns, hurricanes bring abundant damage to the South. California is fortunate not to be prone to such matters, however they often experience earthquakes, tsunamis, as well as the occasional (yet recently, more common) wildfires and mudslides. Despite the difference, it is safe to say that both areas experience threatening natural disasters.

After mentioning all of these differences, you may find it surprising that there are many similarities; however, there are. You know that new Drake album you’ve been bumping? Well, odds are California kids are doing the same; however, we get to hear it first, hence the two hour time advantage. Rap/hip-hop or any popular music can be heard all across the country.

Trends are trends for a reason. Northern California teens even use the same apps/social media, most commonly Snapchat, and the infamous TikTok. It’s just a common culture amongst us in 2019.

We may take the quick 45 minute flight to Atlanta for concerts or events. Similarly, residents of Sonoma may take a speedy trip to Los Angeles, a place many of us have longed to see.

Teenagers in California may be somewhat different than we are, yet in most aspects they are the same. Both areas are unique and offer great environments for teens.

And yes, high school football is big everywhere!

From West to Gulf Coast, Teens are Teens

By Camille Buckner '22, Reporter

Livi Harb '23 and Camille Buckner '22 [Camille Buckner]

B

eing a teenager from the South is something that most of us are familiar with, but have you ever wondered what it would be like to live “the best years of your life” somewhere else? Would the people be different? Would schools be easier? These are just some of the questions you might ask yourself. BA Today recently spoke with teen Livi Harb '23 of Sonoma, California to give us all the answers.

We are all familiar with the Malbis mall or our local Sonic. Imagine being a mere 56 minute drive from the big city of San Francisco. There are only a handful of trips to Sonic we can make before be-

BA Today | 13

Senior Spotlight: Jake Cunningham

By Evelyn Prickett '20, Reporter

Jake Cunningham, quarterback [Andrew Smith]

T

here is nothing more exciting to a high school football player than Friday night lights. Every year, seniors celebrate their last game days and reminisce about their time with the team. Bayside has eight seniors this year who have dedicated their final football season to leading the younger players and bringing the team success.

They are John Couch (defensive back), Graem Maxwell (offensive and defensive lineman), Will Murphy (wide receiver and cornerback), Christopher Stuart (running back and linebacker), Jack Smith (wide receiver and kicker), Ryan Ross (center and linebacker), and Mac Gaillard (offensive and defensive lineman). Along with winning, the boys value the traditions of the football team that they have shared with their teammates every year.

Jake Cunningham, the quarterback, is a senior this year and BA Today had the opportunity to ask him some questions about his time on the team.

When asked about his favorite memory he replied, “My favorite memory is when we destroyed the eventual state champs, Flomaton, during my junior year.” The team beat Flomaton with a score of 34-21. This was many of the players’ proudest win of the season, as Flomaton went on to win the state championship later that year.

Football has been a huge part of Jake’s life for many years, as he started playing in the 4th grade. Ever since, he has dedicated himself to always improving and helping lead the rest of the team. Jake credits the team’s many successes to their amazing coaches. He says his favorite funny Coach Lazenby quote is, “If you eat grits you’re a communist.”

Seniors feel that guiding their younger teammates is one of the most important roles they play.

Jake advises younger players to take constructive criticism from their older teammates, as they have a lot of experience and want to help everyone im-

prove their game. Jake also encourages everyone to join the team because they are very welcoming and supportive of new players.

Traditions are a valuable part of being on the team. Jake’s favorite tradition is the annual trip to Camp Beckwith. Every year before the season begins, the team uses this time to bond with each other.

When asked about his favorite pre-game habits, Jake said that he always loves eating chicken on Friday game days, and his pregame superstition is listening to the same 23 songs.

Unless you have experienced being a member of the football team, you might underestimate the hard work the players dedicate to the sport every year. “The most challenging thing about football is how much of your time it demands year-round, whether it’s in the weight room, watching film, or on the field,” Jake explains.

A high note this season has been Bayside's victory over TR Miller on Friday, September 20.

With 19 seconds left in the game, Jake threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Steadman Jones to upset T.R. Miller, securing a big win for the team.

Jake rushed for 83 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns for Bayside. He was 12 for 21 in passing for 166 yards and a touchdown, earning a nomination for Player of the Week.

BA Today congratulates Jake and the team on their win and hopes for success for the remainder of the season!

Sisters on the Sideline

By Annie Loper '20, Reporter

H

ave you ever wondered what it is like to be a part of a nationally ranked varsity cheer squad? BA Today sat down with Caroline and Amelia Cunningham, the only sisters on the team, to provide an inside look of what it is like being the oldest and youngest on the team.

Caroline has been a part of this program since her freshman year. Being a senior on the team means a big change in responsibilities and decisions for what is best for everyone. Caroline says, “The best part is having more of a say in decisions for the team. I like helping come up with new ideas for pep rally music and dances. The worst part about being a senior is only having one more football season left with my team.”

Being a freshman also means taking on responsibilities. Amelia tells BA Today, “The best part is making friends with older people and bonding with the team. The worst part is getting called out more while having to learn all the cheers, band dances, and freshman duties!”

14 | BA Today

Amelia also says that she is looking forward to football season for the next three years.

BA Today asked the girls how this year’s team compares to the past years. “We just try to make the most of every moment and have the best practices so we can perform to the best of our abilities.'' The varsity cheerleaders would not be where they are today if it were not for their coach, Samantha Leffard. Amelia’s favorite Coach Leffard quote is, “If you mess up one time, you’re running.”

As Caroline’s last year cheering on the Admirals comes to an end, she tells us her favorite memories and advice to younger girls on the team. “My favorite memories have been going to nationals my freshman and junior year.

Placing as one of the top ten cheer teams in the whole nation was one of the best experiences of my life. Being on the cheer team throughout high school has taught me how to be a part of a team and care for others. My advice to younger girls is to not take corrections personally and enjoy everything while you can!”

Caroline and Amelia Cunningham [Caroline Cunningham]

Senior Spotlight: Myles Cook

By Anne Sterling Beall '21, Reporter

Myles holding his cross country runner up trophy.

[Mrs. Cook]

B

ayside’s cross country team is having an outstanding season due to the amazing leadership of Senior Myles Cook.

At the age of seven, Myles started running summer track with organizations across the country such as AHSAA and USATF. In addition to this, Myles has been an essential member of the cross country team ever since he was in seventh grade. He told BA Today, “I always knew I wanted to run cross country as a child because it was the sport I always enjoyed and had a passion for, so in the 7th grade it was no question I wanted to run cross country for Bayside.”

Myles has had some astounding accomplishments throughout his running career. He has medaled at state not only his sophomore year but his junior year as well. Myles mentioned to BA Today that his favorite memory from cross country was when he came in 12th at the state meet his sophomore year. “I barely got All-State because it’s only the top 15. The second I crossed the finish

line and realized I was All-State, I knew that all my hard work and dedication had paid off at that very moment,” Myles said to BA Today.This was such a surreal moment for him and his team.

Myles has truly worked vigorously throughout his high school career and has the best intentions for the team and excitement for his senior year. He told BA Today, “I would have to say being a senior and this being my last XC season is bittersweet...

Being a senior has really given me the opportunity to reflect on all of my past seasons and understand the journey, the ups and downs, and appreciate running more.” The cross country team will truly miss him as he finishes his final year on the team.

Myles gave BA Today some final comments on cross country: “I would say to anyone who is hesitant but thinks they would enjoy running cross country, that they should give it a try and join because I know from experience it is a sport that is tough at times but is truly rewarding.”

More Accomplishments on the Football Field

By Jenny Florey '20, Reporter

Zach Kittrell '22 [Travis Middleton] During the 2019 football season, several football players, in addition to Jake Cunningham, have been acknowledged for their talents. Will Murphy, who plays wide receiver and cornerback, happens to be one of these incredible student athletes. Murphy was nominated as a Scholar Athlete and definitely has the resume to prove it. As an SGA representative, Will’s leadership and hard work are what distinguish him from being just another athlete.

Steadman Jones, who also plays wide receiver, is another crucial team member. When Steadman hits the field, his love and drive for the game motivate his fellow players and coaches. He believes the team has bonded through faith this year which has helped them work harder and become closer than

ever before. Jones was nominated for Play of the Week because of his amazing one-handed snag of the ball in the Bayside vs. Cottage Hill game. Steadman says that all of the credit should go to his team and the line.

Steadman Jones '21 [Andy Smith]

Zach Kittrell, who plays second string quarterback, helped lead the team to a 30-26 victory over Class 3A No.1 Flomaton. Kittrell had three touchdowns throughout the game, including the game winning 53-yard pass to Jay Loper. He was nominated for Player of the Week because of his incredible 51-yard touchdown run.

These incredible players keep the team uplifted and urge them to fight on even when the odds may not be in their favor. The Bayside Academy community is extremely excited to see what this team will accomplish by the end of the season.

Will Murphy [aol.com]

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