BA Today - Spring 2019

A TODA

Volume 12, Spring 2019

BA Today | 1

A Letter From the Editor Taylor Hartley '19, Editor-in-Chief

Hangout Fest is just one of the many exciting events to look forward to this summer.

[River Beats]

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he final semester as a Bayside student is quickly passing by, and I find myself hopeful and anxious for what the next several months will hold. Someone once told me that after returning from Pine Mountain, time would go by more quickly than ever before, and before I knew it, the second semester of my senior year would be winding down.

Needless to say, they were right!

The past year has been a whirlwind of ACT prep, play practices, track meets, and more college applications than should be legal. As I am sure many of my fellow classmates can agree, I am looking forward to leaving the nest and heading to college this autumn. But as much as I want August to get here, there appears to be a lot going on in the Eastern Shore area over the next few months.

Much to the dismay of my classmates, the annual Hangout Fest will be held from Thurs-

day, May 16 to Sunday, May 19. Since the music festival is being held on the same weekend of graduation, many of the juniors and seniors are not purchasing tickets. Big-name artists and bands such as Cardi B, Vampire Weekend, Khalid, and The Lumineers will be performing, so if any of those groups interest you, or you just want to see what all the hoopla is about, consider spending the $279 on a three-day general admission pass.

If you’re interested in seeing musical performances but don’t want to spend all that money on a Hangout Fest ticket, there are a myriad of great artists and bands coming to The Wharf in Orange Beach. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers will be performing at the Wharf amphitheater on Tuesday, March 23, Kenny Chesney will be in concert on Saturday, March 27, and Thomas Rhett will be performing on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26.

Here at Bayside, the theatre department's spring production of The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood will be taking place on March 28, 29, and 31. I sat down with sophomore Hannah Wieland, one of the play’s leading ladies, to ask her about the production. When asked what the audience can expect from this performance, Hannah commented, “[The play is] a whole lot of fun! It’s a very wacky play, so try not to take it too seriously. We have new people who have never been in plays before, so it should be super fun! My brother, Jacob, is doing a play for the first time, and he is doing really well.”

If you are interested in seeing a performing arts production but will not be able to make it to Robin Hood, the Saenger Theater in New Orleans has an outstanding lineup of traveling musicals for the upcoming year! This year, hit broadway shows such as Come From Away, Wicked, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Mean Girls are set to travel to the New Orleans Saenger. Personally, I have been to several musicals at this theater, and they are always a treat to see! The actors, costumes, and sets are beyond incredible. If you are up for the drive, I highly recommend purchasing your tickets and heading to New Orleans to catch a show or two.

As you can see, there is no shortage of fun activities and events in our area this year. Seniors, we should take advantage of it while we can! Our days at Bayside are numbered, so we should be spending them enjoying ourselves (while keeping up with our school and attendance, of course).

And with that, I hope you all enjoy our spring edition of BA Today! Our staff wrote some of the most intriguing and well-written articles I have ever seen. From a dorm room-friendly recipe to Bayside’s newest cheerleading squad, and from a set of prototypical artificial gills for humans to a teaser of upcoming movies this year, our news magazine will surely have something to pique your interest!

Staff & Contributors Editors-in-Chief Mary Helene Hall Taylor Hartley Layout Editor Student Life Editor Lifestyle Editor Editor Reporters

Mary Helene Hall Anna Turner Maggie Davis Ben Lane Sophie Akyuz, Anne Sterling Beall, Ann-Margaret Boothe, Camille Buckner, Mallory Downey, Jenny Florey, Leah Jha, Geneva Martin, Isabella McCormick, Jessie Peterson, Mae Taul, Avery Vosen

Advisor Ms. Deborah Denniston

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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

On The Covers: Front: Senior Riley McGlasson pictured working on an art piece for Mrs. Jackson's class, Painting I, in the art studio.

Photo by Mary Helene Hall Back: Moss by Ashley Suchan

Editorial The Problem with Sex Education in America

By Isabella McCormick '21, Reporter

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he teenage pregnancy rate in the United States is one of the highest in the industrialized world. There are at least 50,000 new HIV infections, 20 million STDs, 3 million unplanned pregnancies, and 1 million rapes annually in the U.S. Of two sexually active people, one will contract a STD by 25.

How has this happened? The answer may lie in unsatisfactory sex education, which promotes a stigma surrounding sex and conversation about sex.

In short, sex education, according to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, means a comprehensive, medically accurate education on topics pertaining to sexuality. Such topics may include “human development, relationships, decision-making, abstinence, contraception, and disease prevention.” In addition, while the practical lessons are certainly important, sex education should also focus on the emotional impact of sex.

So, with this definition in mind, what makes sex education “unsatisfactory” is when it fails to cover all of the topics that a teen should know for a current or future sexual relationship. Certain abstinence-centered sex education programs, for example, have the tendency to withhold information from students. This may be an effort to keep the students from being confronted with some (often jarring) truths of life; however, denying students needed information promotes ignorance, which is a root cause of the United States’ extremely high teenage pregnancy and STD contraction rate. Furthermore, ignorance about sex is harmful in a situation where a person may be taken advantage of by someone who knows more about sex

[PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou/Getty Images] than they do. Birth control, STDs, and consent should all be covered in sex education.

Some may argue that comprehensive sex education encourages students to engage in sexual activity. With an abstinence-only curriculum, premature sexual activity is discouraged. However, comprehensive sex education does not encourage sexual activity, but knowledge about the subject. Every student should have access to the information required to understand their choices and the consequences of them. For this reason, abstinence-only sex education may present an issue, as it fails to provide students with necessary information.

Another factor contributing to ignorance about sex is the fact that students feel hesitant to talk about the colloquial “it.” A com-

mon cause of this is certain teachings in abstinence-only sex education, which frequently fosters guilt among teens about their sexuality. Teaching them that their natural desires are shameful leads them to feel ashamed of themselves, and it does nothing to help the already prevalent self-confidence issue among teenagers.

Exploring and learning to understand sexuality is an important part of being a teenager. In addition to providing essential information, sex education needs to instill the idea that it’s okay to talk about sex, and that it isn’t shameful to have questions. It needs to be upfront and frank. If adolescents know what they are getting into and are aware of their options, they will be much more prepared in the future.

BA Today | 3

YouTube is Losing its

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The popular video site YouTube has been losing its former touch. Upon its founding in 2005, the company was a platform for creators to upload self-made videos of topics that interest them to share with others who have the same passions. Yet, in the past few years, YouTube has had problems: bad copyright rules make it hard for some YouTubers to make money off their videos, and corporate channels are becoming dominant over individual creators.

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YouTube videos have a range of topics spanning nearly anything one can imagine. This is why the site is so appreciated--anyone can find videos that focus on their interests. YouTube channels pursue their passions with their videos, making content that they truly enjoy sharing with others. Topics range from video games to science experiments to dropping iPhones off buildings. Most of these channels are run by at most a handful of individuals, but recently, YouTube has been gaining more channels on the opposite end of the spectrum. Companies such as Vox Media, Buzzfeed, Vimeo and huge brands like Disney, Amazon, and Sony rack up millions of views on videos carefully curated by a panel of people paid to do so. In 2015, the top 100 brands owned 2,400 channels, a number that has only increased since.

Why does it matter if companies make their own channels? The existence of business channels is inevitable. Companies see YouTube as an amazing opportunity to advertise their product a new crowd. Small businesses can gain the exposure necessary to make them successful through their videos. The main issue is that these companies’ videos dominate YouTube. The front page is overrun with corporate videos, overshadowing individual creators that have to work hard filming and editing their own content. They are the most widely advertised channels and YouTube seems to push this professionally developed content to their audience more than privately owned channels.

Channels that consist of one person who films, edits, and posts their own videos struggle to compete with companies that can crank out multiple videos in one day. The most topical example of the clashing between creators and companies on YouTube is the battle between PewDiePie, the top subscribed channel since 2013, and T-Series, an Indian film and production company similar to Vevo.

T-Series is only a few hundred thousand subscribers behind PewDiePie, and the gap is closing fast. The company also has 28 other channels. T-Series primarily produces Bollywood and Indie Pop music videos. In contrast, PewDiePie films his videos and posts them with the help two friends he employs to edit his videos. T-Series has a significant advantage

over PewDiePie in terms of audience and video production. Because the company has employees that can release multiple videos per day, there is more content for the audience to watch. However, the main cause of T-Series’s success is its Indian audience. India’s internet use has skyrocketed in the past few years. They have the second most amount of people on the internet in the world, only behind China.

With all of the new internet users flocking in, the first channel recommended to them on YouTube on their new devices is T-Series. Therefore, T-Series is able to gain subscribers faster than anyone else.

They don’t have much competition for views, so they dominate the market, making up to 1.2 million dollars every month.

PewDiePie, still hanging on to the top spot with his 85 million subscribers at the time of press, has given his opinion on the topic in many of his videos. One viewer asked, “What are your serious opinions about T-Series? Do you think it’s unfair that a corporation like T-Series is passing you, as an Indie YouTuber?”

“I don’t really care about T-Series,” PewDiePie responded. “I think if YouTube does shift in a way where it feels more corporate, something else will take its place. I think people enjoy this connection so much that something else will just show up.”

As PewDiePie points out, non-corporate YouTubers have some advantages, primarily the more personal relationship created between the creator and its viewers. If YouTube continues in the direction it is going, PewDiePie’s point that a new platform more focused on the creator-viewer relationship might show up to replace YouTube doesn’t seem so far fetched.

Facing corporate channels isn’t the only problem YouTubers are facing: recently they struggle more than ever to monetize their videos. On the platform, it is easy to steal and re-upload content that is owned by other channels. To counter this, YouTubers are able to make a “copyright claim” or “copyright strike,” which gives them the revenue from the offending video. This system seems beneficial, but it has major flaws. YouTubers can only play a few seconds of music in their videos, even if the intent is to promote that music. If a creator includes a clip from

someone else’s video in their own, they run the risk of their entire video being claimed.

This past December, popular EDM artist TheFatRat posted a video titled “How my video with 47 million views was stolen on YouTube.” In the video, he described how one of his hit songs, “The Calling,” which he posted in 2015, just got copyright claimed.

This claim meant that the video would stay up, but all future revenue would be taken by the claimant. Initially, TheFatRat wasn’t worried, thinking it must just have been a mistake. He filed an appeal that he was sure would be accepted. On December 12, he received a message reading “Your dispute wasn’t approved. You can appeal to this decision, but if the claimant disagrees with your appeal, you could end up with a strike on your account.”

TheFatRat was shocked. If his account received a strike, this would mean he could never earn revenue again. Ridiculously enough, the account that rejected his dispute was the same one who claimed it in the first place: a user named Ramjet. YouTube itself didn’t even review the claim.

In response, TheFatRat contacted a YouTube employee, who sent him an email saying that the artist had to resolve the copyright issue with the claimant himself, a completely ridiculous suggestion because the whole false claim was set up by Ramjet to steal revenue. The email even said, “Please understand that YouTube does not mediate copyright disputes.”

After TheFatRat’s situation went viral, YouTube fixed the problem and gave him the rights to his video. However, this is merely one example of similar situations that happen every day on YouTube. TheFatRat may have gotten his money back, but what happens to smaller channels whose situations don’t go viral? The fact that someone can copyright claim a video and reject any appeals themselves without YouTube’s interference is simply ridiculous and something that needs to be changed.

YouTube is not only straying away from what it was originally intended to be― it is letting down the content creators that make it so special. Clearly YouTube needs to make some major changes, or it will be left in the dust when a more regulation-sound, creator-friendly platform introduces itself to the scene.

BA Today | 5

Student Life Bayside Joins Bachelor Nation?

By Anna Turner '19, Student Life Editor & Mae Taul '19, Reporter

Left to right, Mrs. Donna, Mrs. Shaw, and Mr. Marine holding a rose while expressing how they feel about The Bachelor. [Mary Helene Hall]

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ince 2002, The Bachelor has been a show that many people look forward to each year. Every “bachelor” has the same goal--to find love and become engaged at the end of the season. The show begins with 30 girls, but each week girls are eliminated if their dates do not go well or if the bachelor does not feel a connection.

This season’s bachelor is 26 year old Colton Underwood, a former NFL player who also starred in the spin-off shows, The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. Women all around the world are falling for him because of his good looks, charm, and love for dogs; however, that is not all he has. He also founded a non-profit organization to support people living with cystic fibrosis called The Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation.

Interestingly, there are two girls from Alabama on this season, and they are both named Hannah! Hannah B. is from Tuscaloosa and is the 2018 Miss Alabama. Hannah G. is from Birmingham and received the first impression rose.

This special rose is given to the bachelor’s favorite girl at the end of the first night. This gesture is a big deal on the show, considering a lot of people who get it end up engaged!

“Rose ceremonies,” the Bachelor vocabulary term for elimination nights, are highly anticipated for the drama and suspense that they bring to every episode. Since Colton’s

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season aired in January, by press time, he has cut his posse of thirty potential wives down to just two. He has spent a plentitude of quality time with each girl on multiple dates, including a trip to one of their hometowns to meet her family. Just after meeting her parents and siblings, Colton sent the potential bride home.

It was a painful breakup for both of them. As the season goes on, it has become increasingly difficult for Colton to shorten his list of girls.

Choosing a wife at the end is seemingly impossible as all of the finalists are great girls.

When it comes to opinions on The Bachelor franchise, the Bayside community has opposing views. Both members of the student body and the faculty cannot seem to agree on what the show really values.

“It is so romantic, I love it. The show is so ridiculously out there; you can watch it and not think about anything else,” Mrs. Donna claims.

Freshman Caroline Chastang agrees, saying that she cannot stop watching the show because it is so intense and crazy—in a good way, of course.

Even Mr. Ray cannot get enough of the reality show: “It is real life drama that I cannot turn away from. In theory, it is someone looking for love. How could you not be a fan of that?”

However, the Ray household is divided when it comes to The Bachelor. Mrs. Ray argues against her husband, “It just does not set

a good example for children, so with a kid in the house, I do not watch it. There is a lot going on that you do not watch to expose your child to.”

When asked about the show, Mr. Marine, like always, could not hold back from using Membean words, saying, “It is a trash show. I consider it to be voyeuristic and insipid.”

Year after year, fans excitedly make their predictions on who will receive the proposal at the end of the season. After surveying people from different facets of Bayside’s campus, Hannah G. was predicted to win, followed closely by Cassie and Hannah B. Elyse and Heather also deserve an honorable mention, as their names were brought up quite often as well.

When asked for her opinion on who will get engaged to Colton, Mrs. Shaw did not have much to say, “All I predict is that a girl will marry an idiot at the end of this.”

Despite there being so many opposing views on the show, Killian Kahalley was able to find a neutral standpoint. “Although I cannot say that I watch the show, a lot of my friends do. So, if it brings joy to those around me, then I am happy and support it,” he said.

This feud will probably never be settled at Bayside; however, with millions of fans tuning in every Monday night, The Bachelor franchise will presumably live on for many more seasons.

Student Life Give a Pint, Save Three Lives

By Anna Turner '19, Student Life Editor

Junior Tori Roush gives blood during the Lifesouth blood drive. [Anna Turner]

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ccording to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, an American finds themselves in a tragic accident, desperate for blood. Additionally, blood is a perpetual need in hospitals for patient treatment and surgeries. Yet despite these facts, only 10% of people give blood.

From chemotherapy to accident victims to people with diseases, patients of every age need blood. One pint of donated blood

can save the lives of up to three adults and can nurture a premature infant for two weeks. The victim of a serious car accident could need up to 100 pints of blood in order to be nursed back to health. Blood is vital for people with life-threatening injuries.

Researchers have yet to discover something that can take the place of blood and sustain human life. Therefore, blood donations are vital worldwide.

Human blood is made up of multiple components, the main ones being: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. After it is collected, the blood is divided into its individual components so that the patient can be given exactly what they need. This separation process helps make the most out of a single donation.

Most people qualify to give blood but neglect to do so because of the intimidating nature of the process. However, giving blood is completely safe. After each use, needles are thrown away to ensure that only the most sterile products are being used. It poses no threat to your health, however, if the medical professional administering it even slightly suspects that it will, you will no longer qualify.

It takes very little of your time and typically has no cost whatsoever. Every year, when the Blood Mobile visits our campus, Bayside students and faculty have to decide whether or not they want to participate.

This year, the blood drive took place on

campus on Wednesday, January 16th.

A lot of people are nauseated simply by the thought of a needle or watching their own blood drain out of an IV. However, this year’s turnout from the upper school and faculty exceeded expectations with over 60 donors!

Senior Ashley Suchan has a needle phobia; however, after some reflection, she made the last-minute, notable decision to donate, “I figured, it might hurt me, but it has to be way worse for the person that is in need of the blood.”

Another main concern for potential donors is the pain. Senior Mae Taul recalls, “I was really nervous about it hurting and was freaking out while I was in line waiting for my turn. But after they put the IV in my arm, I realized it did not hurt, and I was completely calm.”

If you did not get around to giving blood this past year, there are multiple opportunities to give blood in Baldwin County. Lifesouth hosts over 50 mobile blood drives at various locations in 2019.

Your single pint of blood could be responsible for saving the lives of multiple people. Next time you find yourself stuck deciding whether or not you want to give blood, think about it like this---What if you or a loved one was the one in need of a blood transfusion?

If you'd like to donate blood, visit Lifesouth Daphne. They are located at 26125 Capital Drive and can be contacted at (251) 621-9644.

Smash Club: A Smashing Success

By Mary Helene Hall ‘19, Editor-in-Chief

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n January 9th, 2019, the Bayside Super Smash Bros. Club held its first meeting, and the immediate success of the group wasn’t much of a surprise.

The classroom, although filled with students partaking in a hectic and fast-paced video game, didn’t have the stressful and tense aura of a classroom during the normal school day.

Instead, the sound of laughter, conversation, and the Smash Bros. theme music rang in the background. During this short break period, the participants of this meeting simply wanted to have fun, and the success of that was apparent.

For those that aren’t familiar with the popular game, Super Smash Bros. is a series of fighting games made by Nintendo that feature many characters from their other games. The series began in 1999 on the Nintendo 64, and four games have followed since then. The most recent release is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch, which, like the others, was highly anticipated by devout followers of the franchise.

Smash Bros. competitions that attract large audiences are held across the globe, and prizes range from bragging rights to large sums of money.

President and founder of the club, senior Jacob Wieland, decided to start the club so he could both introduce his peers to the game and compete against seasoned players in the student body. When asked about his motivations to start the club, he said that while he was playing with friends, he thought, “Why don’t we do this at school, too?”

He and the founding members of Smash Club were hopeful for the success of the club.

Junior Dyer Lumpkin expressed his optimism for the club, stating, “There are a lot of different kinds of people that are interested already...It’s a party game, so it’ll be a lot of fun regardless if you win or lose.”

Turns out, their confidence in the success of the club was extremely warranted.

Since then, the club has garnered a devoted following that possesses a clear enthusiasm

for the group. Win or lose, everybody in attendance is laughing, smiling, and having a great time while honing their Smash Bros. skills.

The first thing to be noticed in the room is that, not only is the game being played on the projector, but other members have brought their own televisions and consoles in order to get the most out out of their flex meetings.

Junior Ivy Fellers commented on her experience at the first meeting, stating, “I think it's pretty fun. I like getting to watch everyone else play, and I like getting to test my skills against my friends. It’s actually pretty great.”

As for the future of the group, Wieland says that his goal is to bring some Bayside faces to local Smash Bros. tournaments to try their luck. However, at the end of the day, all are welcome, even if they’ve never touched a controller.

If you want to see what all the excitement is about for yourself, Smash Club meets every Wednesday in Mr. Robertson’s room during flex and after school.

BA Today | 7

coming to the u.s.a. by jenny florey '20, reporter & anne sterling beall '21, reporter

Bayside students have the amazing opportunity of experiencing personal relationships with their teachers and classmates that not all students at other schools are able to have. The student body gets to learn about other people's cultures through students and faculty who have a background outside of the United States.

One of these faculty members is Señora McClellan, who was born in Gainesville, Florida but moved to a small town in Puerto Rico at the age of four. She lived there until she was in middle school. The Herrero family moved in June of her 8th grade year to Mobile, Alabama. She knew and understood English, but her primary language was Spanish. When they moved, McClellan and her siblings went to summer school to learn English before school began in late August. That summer was very hard for her because she missed Puerto Rico and her friends. In America, Mrs. McClellan and her family were called “dirty Puerto Ricans” and were told they could not swim in public swimming pools or use the towels. They didn’t understand why people were calling them names or treating them that way. She graduated from McGill Toolen and attended the University of South Alabama for a year. Then she moved to Atlanta and graduated from Georgia State University and later got her master’s degree after her children had been born. When BA Today asked her what she missed the most about her homeland, she said, “It has to be the food and the people.” Mrs. McClellan also says, “I love teaching Spanish – it has been one of the greatest gifts I have been given.”

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Another one of Bayside’s foreign language teachers, Señora Claramunt, shared her thoughts about coming to America from Alicante, Spain. McClellan started learning English in 5th grade and continued to study the language throughout college. She then moved to Boston, Massachusetts with her husband two days after their wedding. Mrs. Claramunt continues to visit Spain every summer. Senora told BA Today that she really enjoys going back and forth from America to Spain. She explained, “The lifestyle in America is so different; in Spain, we walked everywhere, so the city was so full of life. In America, you live to work, but in Spain, you work to live.” She misses her family dearly. BA Today asked Mrs. Claramunt what she likes and dislikes the most about America.

To this, she responded, “I love how Americans are go-getters and there are so many opportunities; however, I hate prejudice. Here there are so many double standards and so much hypocrisy. If I could change one thing about America, I would make people more respectful and open-minded.” Finally, Senora said that everyone has been so kind to her, and she has been so lucky. Bayside, especially, has welcomed her.

Nurse Dee Tran and her siblings moved from Bangkok, Thailand to America when she was 18. Tran started learning English when she was in elementary school. However, the English curriculum at her school in Thailand wasn't focused on speaking and was more concentrated on written language.

Although she knew how to read and write, she didn't know how to speak English. The move to the United States was very challenging for her and her siblings. Tran, her brother, and her sister came to live with their uncle who had lived in the United States for over 20 years. He was a surgeon in the US Air Force.

Nurse Dee said, “There were no fun phone apps to learn English back then. My uncle and aunt always tried creatively to teach us how to speak English. One of their rules was there would be no speaking in Thai during dinnertime. If you spoke in Thai, you had to do more chores. As you can imagine, dinner times were very quiet.” When BA Today asked what Nurse Dee liked most about America, she said, “America is the land of opportunity. People with dreams can make them happen here. I like that people are equal--no classes--and everyone has rights.” Nurse Dee’s favorite part of Bayside is the community. She likes that Bayside’s relationships are the core of the school, keeping it strong and closely-knit.

Bayside also has students from foreign countries as well. Leona Rindle, a student in the 8th grade, comes from Hamburg, Germany. We welcomed Leona to Bayside last year. She started learning English in the fifth grade at her school in Germany. The Rindle family currently has a work contract with Airbus in the United States. At the end of this contract, Leona’s family can choose to stay here, move to another place, or move back to Hamburg. Leona says she would love to stay here for as long as possible. Bayside uses more technology than her German school. Also America has “fast food on every street corner.” She also likes moving from class to class every period. The aspect she misses the most would have to be her friends back home, but she loves her friends here just as much.

Typically, people like to think getting up and moving to another country is as easy as it sounds. Bayside is very fortunate to have these people with us everyday who have come from as far away as 1,500 to almost 10,000 miles. They faced struggles from lost luggage to discrimination, but all of them have learned many lessons that they could have only learned through the experience of moving.

Bayside 10th grader Sam Field from Brisbane, Australia arrived at the beginning of this school year. He too has been welcomed to America

by Bayside and his classmates. Australia does not have American football, and Sam really enjoys Bayside’s school spirit. He explained to us that he loved sitting in the student section on Friday nights to watch the games. Sam told BA Today, “I love American culture, but I miss my friends back home.This may just be a southern thing, but I do not like saying yes ma’am and yes sir.” Similar to Mrs. Claramunt, Sam said that he walked and took public transportation to most places in Australia. However, he likes some of the differences in America, such as how everything is much bigger and much cheaper. He told us some fun Australian slang such as “Bugger” and “‘Mate.” Lastly, Sam misses some of the food in Australia like frozen Coke, Milo, vegemite, and much more, but he is glad he moved to America.

Special thanks to Mrs. McClellan, Mrs. Claramunt, Mrs. Tran, Leona Rindle, and Sam Field for sharing their experiences and providing the images for this piece.

BA Today | 9

News

10 Words It's Officially OK to Say Compiled by Leah Jha '22, Reporter

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verybody uses words even when they do not know if what they are saying is actually correct. Everybody also wants to use the newest words, but how many of these new words are actually in the dictionary? In 2018, the American Institution Dictionary added 840 new words into its latest issue. Here are ten new words that are "officially" words, defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

adorbs. adj. extremely charming or appealing airplane mode. n. an operating mode for an electronic device (such as a mobile phone) in which the device does not connect to wireless networks and cannot send or receive communications (such as calls or text messages) or access the Internet but remains usable for other functions bingeable. adj. having multiple episodes or parts that can be watched in rapid succession : suitable for binge-watching fave. n. favorite fintech. n. products and companies that employ newly developed digital and online technologies in the banking and financial services industries

Generation Z. n. the generation of people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s hangry. adj. irritable or angry because of hunger instagram. v. to post (a picture) to the Instagram photo-sharing service rando. n. a random person; a person who is not known or recognizable or whose appearance (as in a conversation or narrative) seems unprompted or unwelcome zoodle. n. a long, thin strip of zucchini that resembles a string or narrow ribbon of pasta

Bayside Faces at D.C. Women’s March

By Sophie Akyuz '19, Reporter

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n January 19th, people of all ages gathered in Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2019 Women’s March. According to their website, the goal was to create “transformative social change” and march, not only women’s rights, but also for social justice.

While the main Women’s March took place in D.C., there were well over 100 marches held around the world this year. The purpose of these movements has been to help end violence, fight for reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, eliminate the wage gap, and promote general human rights.

Bayside Academy was represented at the annual Women’s March by 7th grade English teacher Mrs. Tart and former English teacher Mrs. Burgess. This was the first march that both women attended, and they were inspired to attend by their shared beliefs and dreams of a better global community.

Despite the cold weather that deterred some from attending, a massive group still gathered in coats and scarves to march for their rights. It was launched near the White House at Freedom Park. Thousands of people moved through the streets, and almost everyone in attendance held up colorful signs. The nature of messages displayed on signs ranged from environmental to healthcare and politics.

Mrs. Tart said that, even with cold weather and not as many people as planned, the march had high energy and a lively atmosphere with a

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feeling of “esprit de corps.” She stated, “everyone was passionate about it” and seeing everyone come together helped people forget that the weather was unfavorable.

A percussion band kept spirits high by playing as the marchers moved forward. Attendants were ultimately led to a stage with guest speakers who discussed human rights. There were a variety of speakers: government officials, corporate and political leaders, and even women that were simply passionate about the cause.

After participating in her very first Women’s March, Mrs. Tart stated that she felt like she was “part of history.” She believes that individuals in attendance will be inspired to go home and bring change to their communities. She also said that she attended the march in order to support private and public school education, environmental issues, and a variety of other topics that she feels passionate about.

Attending the Women’s March inspired Mrs. Tart and Mrs. Burgess to strive to be role models for the next generation of men and women to show them that big changes are possible in small steps. Mrs. Tart shared that being at the Women’s March and watching thousands of individuals come together gave her a “feeling of unity and hope.”

So far, the annual Women’s March is in its third year and has gained support from men and women across the world. Throughout the years, reproductive, minority, and a plethora of

Mrs. Gail Tart, 7th grade English teacher, and Mrs. Emma Burgess, former Bayside faculty member, displaying their sign at the Washington, D.C. Women's March.

[Courtesy of Gail Tart] other human rights have come a long way since women gained the right to vote. Hopefully, the next generation will take the steps needed to further support human rights and implement them into society.

News Artificial Gills for Humans

By Taylor Hartley '19, Editor-in-Chief

[Mikito Tateisi]

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hat comes to mind when you read the word “amphibious"? For many, images of animals like frogs, toads, and salamanders appear in their heads. After all, any creature classified as an amphibian can live both on land and in the water. However, consider for a moment a new amphibious species: humans.

With the help of modern technology, and a lot of innovation, it could soon be possible for humans to breathe underwater.

Japanese inventor Jun Kamei has dared to cross the line between biological norms to create the world’s first prototype of artificial gills.

He, in association with the RCA-IIS Tokyo Design Lab in Tokyo, created the “Amphibio” because of his fascination with the future of urban human environments. Kamei believes that, in the event that sea levels rise due to global warming, it will become a necessity for humans to function with copious amounts of water in our communities.

The gills of water-diving insects inspired Kamei to create his prototype: a large, two part, 3D printed vest and mask that cover the upper part of the body like a lifejacket. The prototype is made out of a superhydropho-

bic, or extremely water repellent, material that mimics the appearance of actual fish gills.

At its current stage, the Amphibio is quite cumbersome, and as a result less convenient for recreational use. However, as time goes on and Kemei and his partners at the Tokyo Design Lab improve their prototype, it is likely that the device will become less overwhelmingly large and more simple in appearance and functionality.

Kamei commented to CNN on the difficulties of creating the prototype. "The difficulty is our large oxygen consumption. We humans consume too much. Although you have oxygen dissolved in the water, the rate it needs to be drawn through the gills is huge, and this makes the gill wide in surface area.” Kamei believes that, in order for this invention to truly advance, he and his partners must find a way for the gas exchange to happen much more quickly.

From inventing general anesthesia to instant noodles, Japan has long been known as one of the most innovative nations in the world.

Will the Amphibio go down in history as the first step towards amphibious humans? Or will Kamei’s invention be a total flop, forever dividing the line between the land and the ocean? All we can do is wait and see.

The New Women of Congress

By Geneva Martin '20, Reporter

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he new year has swept in a new Congress, one built upon diversity and respect. With a record number of women, especially of color, Congress is proud to display its progressive new vanguard of representatives. The fresh face of politics was solidified by the exquisite and vibrant fashion choices of its new members.

For two years, the media has been filled with headlines of corrupt and immature politicians with more in common than just their unsavory behavior. It is traditional for both male and female politicians, especially members of Congress, to sport conservative suits in dull shades of black, blue, and gray. However, the swearing in of the new congressmen and women kicked off the year on a very colorful note.

With a record number of 102 women electees, all kinds of feminine touches were added to the traditional garb. Leading the colorful display was the new Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, dressed in a vibrant red kneelength dress. Among her contemporaries, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), the first openly bisexual senator, took Pelosi's lead and appeared in a fitted grey pencil skirt with bright pink poppies, as well as pin up curls and black, cat-eyed

glasses. The women's message was clear in both houses: it is time for change, and it will be achieved through confidence and class.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) dressed in a white skirt and blazer along with a vivid floral hijab. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Omar were sworn in as the first two Muslim women of Congress. Other women such as Reps. Barbara Lee, Jahana Hayes, Lauren Underwood and Sheila Jackson Lee all dressed in elegant rich colored suits adorned with pearls and scarves.

Women such as Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New Y.) sported “suffragette white,” showing allegiance to the women's rights movement.

Early in the 20th century, people used color to express themselves and represent their organizations and parties. In the beginning of the Women's Suffrage movement, they designed their flag around purple to symbolize loyalty, gold to symbolize Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s efforts in fighting for the right to vote, and white to draw attention back to the purity of the fight and of women themselves. White has outlasted the other two colors in its representation of women's suffrage because of its simplicity and rich history.

The color has also translated into the more modern “Me Too” movement and was an angelic sight during this year’s State of the Union speech. As the camera panned past the Republican representatives, there was no comment on the traditional dark reds and blues.

However, as soon as the Democratic representatives came into view, viewers were stunned by the images of the female members in their white attire. From suits to dresses to vests, the women of the Congress and the House made a loud statement without words on a night they were deemed to listen.

With an influx in diversity of Congress and House members, the demographic of representation has shifted. As the representation of more American citizens grows, so does the opportunity for peace and the freedom for people of all political ideologies to feel properly represented.

Though fashion choices are not the most important talk on the Hill, American women can take comfort in knowing that a lack of representation will no longer be the norm. Though the future can be scary, our country has strong, bold new politicians to lead us on a beautiful and colorful path.

BA Today | 11

Lifestyle The Music Industry from the Inside

By Camille Buckner '22, Reporter

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t’s 2019 and music is more significant than ever. With the increasing amount of attention the industry receives and easy accessibility via the internet, interest in pursuing music has become very high. More and more questions prevail, and the most common one in my eyes is where to start.

Recently, I spoke over the phone with two up and coming musicians: Matt (Rapta) and Austin Sanders (ASTN) to get their input on the industry and advice for anyone hoping to pursue a career involving music.

Rapta is a hip-hop and rap artist from Boston, MA. He creates songs that aim to connect with people going through a wide range of emotions. Some songs are “more deep” as he describes, while others are lighthearted. Finding your sound is something you have to work hard to develop. “I think finding your sound comes with finding yourself as a person,” Rapta says.

He created a fanbase through networking. As he produced music, people became aware of his music and he met important people through that which allowed him to create connections. “It’s a progressive thing.

It’s on going and defining being in the industry is a tough thing because there are so many levels to it. It’s just meeting people and networking.”

His advice to anyone inquiring about a

career in the music industry is to “believe in yourself and stay constant because it pays off eventually.” When Rapta first started with music, he claims that he wasn’t the best at it, but it was what he loved to do. He kept working hard at it and believing in his vision, which is the most important part.

This hope for success is accompanied by lots of opinions, Rapta warns, “Being in the industry, there are going to be a lot of fake people and real people, but most importantly, there are going to be a lot of opinions.

And that connects to anything else, not just music. There are going to be people swinging you in a million different directions, but at the end of the day, it’s so important to just focus on what you believe and follow your intuition and the people closest to you.”

ASTN is a 20 year old artist from Panama City, FL. His career began 5 years ago as he began producing music with his best friend.

Only recently did he start recording and covering songs. He takes inspiration from artists like Bazzi and Blackbear. His sound is most accurately depicted in his song “Not in Love.”

Austin’s first song “Revenge” dropped on SoundCloud about a little over a year ago. Although SoundCloud is a very popular streaming service and a good place to start.

ASTN suggests making a profile on Spotify.

“I tell my friends that are coming up in music not to post SoundCloud links. People don’t take that seriously because of the bad stigma behind it, but when you post a Spotify link people are like, ‘Oh snap, he’s the real deal.’” You can create a Spotify artist profile through programs that charge you $30 annually with 100% royalties back.

Similar to Rapta’s advice, it is important to put yourself out there because in order to make a name for yourself, you must talk to people and make connections. According to both artists, a skill you pick up quickly in the industry is networking. ASTN claims, “Before I started doing all of this, my social skills weren’t incredible. I’m just a laid back kind of shy guy. It’s hard to be that way in the industry. You gotta put yourself out there and actually talk to people.”

ASTN advises that those interested in a career similar to his should start early. “Start while you can, because the younger the better, especially in the industry. Also, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”

Subsequent to my conversations with Rapta and ASTN, I concluded that the music industry is a place to persevere in order to be successful. Believe in yourself, don’t listen to irrelevant opinions, and make connections. Add in a little bit of talent, and you’ll really be going somewhere.

In Theatres Near You

By Mallory Downey '19, Reporter

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rab the popcorn and prepare for the magic, because the Disney classic, Aladdin, is returning to the big screen in a new live action remake.

On May 24, be prepared for fan favorite characters, such as Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Genie, to come to life as actors Will Smith, Mena Massoud, and Nasim Pedrad bring the well-known animated characters into a vivid, lively production.

Even with the modern twist, director Guy Ritchie will take viewers on a magic carpet ride, watching as the street rat becomes the handsome prince, and how the adored love story begins. As the only official remake of the film since its release in 1992, many parents will be able to relive the magic of watching the movie for the first time while introducing their children to a Disney Princess classic.

Ritchie a prolific director that is best known for movies such as Sherlock Holmes, Toff Guys, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and countless others. When Disney offered

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him a children's movie it “sparked his interest,” Ritchie stated in an interview. Even though the movie takes place in the fictional land of Agrabah, home to princess Jasmine and Aladdin, the writers have striven to make the movie as realistic as it can possibly be.

The Aladdin cast has been filming mostly in the Wadi Rum Desert, which is located in Jordan. The bits and pieces they could not film in the desert were filmed in Longcross Studios, which is located in Surrey, England.

In the past, Disney’s live action movies like The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, and Cinderella have been a massive hit among viewers, so Aladdin will likely see similar box office success. Aladdin won’t be left alone as the only live action movie made this year; Disney fanatics can expect to see more live action adaptations of Disney classics like The Lion King and Dumbo that are currently in the works.

All in all, devout Disney fans and casual moviegoers alike can look forward to a great summer film in theatres soon!

[Disney]

Lifestyle Maggie’s Sweet Treats Dorm Room Cooking Edition!

By Maggie Davis '19, Lifestyle Editor

A

s I approach the end of my senior year of high school, I have begun to question the things I need to buy for my dorm room. This led to me questioning how to continue my hobby of baking and cooking while in college. In my research I have found that most dorm rooms allow students to have coffee makers, slow cookers, rice cookers, George Foreman grills, and most importantly, microwaves. With a simple Google search, you can find a plethora of Buzzfeed’s Tasty videos about making everything from cake to risotto in the microwave. Today, I figured that I would show you a delicious recipe for my favorite food: mac and cheese.

Ingredients: • 1 cup of water • ½ cup elbow macaroni • ½ cup cheeses of choice *recommend Parmesan and shredded Mexican cheese blend Instructions 1. Combine the pasta and water in a microwave-safe mug. Depending on the size of your mug you should add more or less water. There should be more than enough to completely cover the noodles.

2. Microwave on high for 8 minutes. Stop at the 5 and 2 minute marks to stir and, if necessary, add more water.

3. Cook the noodles until they are al dente.

4. Stir in cheese.

5. If the cheese does not completely melt, then microwave for another 30-60 seconds.

6. Stir and enjoy!

The Golden Trend

By Mallory Downey '19, Reporter

Since Christmas, these shoes have popped up more around Bayside. [Avery Vosen]

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here are always many fashion trends that seem to come and go. Since 2000, Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo, two young Venetian designers, have created their empire of a high fashion sneaker brand: the Golden Goose. 2018 was a huge year of success for their company, Golden Goose Deluxe Brand. They have blown up and become a huge, new fashion trend all over the United States. A multitude of A-listers wearing these sneakers have influenced many fashionistas.

This high fashion sneaker brand is based out of Venice, Italy, but can be found in stores located in many top shopping locations like: New York, Los Angelos, Boston, and many European hot spots. The brand can also be bought at locations like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many more locations. However when people hear of Golden Goose there is always one thing that comes to mind right away: the big price tag.

A pair of Golden Goose on average can vary from $250-$550, and some can even go up to $1000. This can be very hard to fathom for

many people, but here is some insight as to why they are so expensive.

To start, each pair of Golden Goose is hand stitched together with high quality soft leather, so not one pair will be exactly the same as another. They also come pre-distressed, which causes them to look worn. This distressed look has caused a big controversy on why spend so much money on shoes that already look worn; however, that is the brand’s signature mark. The deisigners refered to the shoes as, “Looking as if they have lived a big and full life and will inspire the one wearing them to do the same.” The sneakers are designed to blend in and are only noticed by those who are in the “know.”

Since Christmas, these shoes have popped up around school. BA Today asked the sophmores, juniors, and seniors who have a pair of Golden Goose sneakers to respond to a poll via GroupMe. The results showed 7 sophomores, 2 juniors, and 7 seniors claimed to have a pair. So, if you have never heard of these shoes before or never seen a pair, hopefully after you read this, you too can be “in the know.”

If these shoes have sparked your interest, but you don’t want to spend so much money, there are other shoe brands that have a similar look and are very trendy as well. One brand that is a great dupe for Golden Goose is a brand called P448. This brand is based out of Italy, and their price range varies from around $100-$300 a pair. However you can always find cheap look-alikes online if you put in the time.

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Athletics Meet the Varsity Basketball Cheerleaders

By Avery Vosen '19, Reporter

W

e have all seen the Bayside cheerleaders perform at our pep rallies during football season, march down from the SAC during the Admiral Walks, and cheer every Friday night during the months of August through November, but there is a new group of peppy girls on campus: the basketball cheerleaders!

Since the cheerleaders were busy practicing for Cheer Nationals, an entirely new cheerleading program has begun at Bayside. Mrs. Donna Williams stepped up to the plate to coach the Bayside basketball cheer team.

“When the administration asked me to coach basketball cheer, I didn't hesitate. I was overwhelmed with the amount of girls that signed up but pleased at the same time. Even though there are fifteen seniors out of the twenty-seven, I feel like the future of this program will continue to grow and bring excitement and spirit not only to the team but the parents as well," reported Coach Donna.

She continues, "Over Christmas break, we practiced a few times. The football cheerleaders came and helped us learn all of our cheers. I have no complaints.” Senior cheerleader Maggie Davis told BA Today, “Mrs. Donna is the best!”

On game nights, the Bayside Academy gym is much more lively due to these cheer-

Basketball cheerleaders pictured at the Boys Varsity Basketball game against Satsuma on January 4, 2019. [Chris Miller] leaders who greatly outnumber the ranks of the football cheerleaders. The effect of the twenty-seven girls is more noise, more cheers, and more team spirit. The cheerleaders rev-up the students and the parents alike, creating a fun, positive environment for everyone to enjoy!

Motivation to join the team for most girls, especially seniors, was because it gave

them a last chance to show school spirit as a cheerleader. As senior Sophie Akyuz mentioned, the uniforms were a huge draw as well! According to Akyuz, she joined "because it sounded super fun, but the uniforms were a big plus!”

The basketball cheerleaders may be new, but they have enough spirit to fill the entire campus!

Bizarre Basketball Traditions

By Anne Sterling Beall '21, Reporter

E

very Bayside team has their own traditions, and the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are no exception to this. Even though their customs are extremely different, they share the same team comradery.

The Bayside girls’ basketball team has numerous traditions that are all about food.

Senior Emily O’Neill explains, “In my freshman year, we almost always went to the Japanese

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Express for our pregame meal.” She went on to tell BA Today that, during her sophomore year, they consistently ate Frios before every game. Junior year, they ate at Taziki's. Finally, their senior year, the team often enjoys Chickfil-a for their pre-game meal.

Before every game, the girls write “Box out on D” on their left hands and “Love your team” on their right hands. In addition, the team rubs an essential oil called “Motivation” on their wrists. Finally, they pray in the exact same order in a circle right before running onto the court.

The boys’ basketball team has some specific superstitions and customs to help them win their games. They wear a tie and a button down shirt on their game days in order to stand out and look classy, so the student body knows that it’s game day.

While warming up on the court, the team counts how many Apple AirPods the other team has; if the Bayside boys have more Air-

Pods in their possession, they instantly know that they are going to win the game!

A senior on the team, Sam Koby, reported his personal traditions. Sam does not put on his jersey until seconds before stepping on the court. He says, “One of my personal traditions is that if I don’t do as well as I wanted to in the first half, I switch to another pair of shoes.”

The last, and one of the most bizarre, traditions for the boys’ basketball team is “clamping up.” This custom started last year. To celebrate a win, the boys present a chain with a padlock on it to the player who performed the best defense. Sam Koby comments, “The seniors from last year got the Clamp Chain the most.”

These traditions help team members have fun while keeping a consistent pregame routine, allowing them to focus on what’s ahead.

Although their customs may seem crazy, the athletes really do believe in them.

Athletics An Inside Look at Cheer Nationals

By Geneva Martin '20, Reporter

rehearsing our routine in our new environment. We met with cheer officials to review our performance before the competition commenced and enjoyed the moments spent together in “the happiest place on earth.”

The initial performance for the preliminary competition went off visually without a hitch. Hitting a zero deduction routine is one of the biggest accomplishments a team can hope for, and we did it flawlessly. However, what the audience could not see, was our youngest cheerleader, Amelia Cunningham, tearing her ACL. Amazingly, she managed to complete the routine without faltering or showing any signs of discomfort.

To fill Amelia’s spot, Annie Loper cut her cast off to perform in the semi-finals. We only received thirty minutes to re-choreograph and clean our routine. Coach Sam Leffard kept us going time and time again building us up and giving us the strength to keep going. Sadly, the second performance did not meet the standard of the first; however, with the challenges faced, we could not be more proud of the teamwork and dedication that went into our performance.

The Bayside competetive cheer team posing at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. [Courtesy of Bayside Cheer]

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ne. Three. Five. Seven. One. Three.

Five. Seven. These four simple counts have tied the Bayside cheer team together for the past solid six months.

What makes each of these numbers so important is the action or movement that accompanies it. Our team trained over the summer and learned a single routine to perfect and invest in throughout the rest of the season because we decided to compete in the Universal Cheer Association National Championship. The decision was made together and not by a single athlete or coach, as it requires the complete and total commitment of each athlete.

The routine we developed and learned is a sprint. Not the kind where you put one foot in front of the other, but the kind where you put everything you have, emotionally and physically, into a few short moments, hoping, that just maybe it is enough to bring you to your goal. It might even be better to describe it as a relay, a few sprints, each seamlessly tied together by the handing off of focus to a different member of a tight-knit group of athletes. It is silly to call us a team. Each person is required to move so precisely and with such exactness and togetherness that we end up being more like a bunch of little pixels making

up an impressive picture than a group of girls bouncing around on a spring gym floor.

Cheer is unique from other sports because there is no extra person to take the place of an injured member. Each person is so integral to the overall action of the team that if one person is unable to participate, the entire team suffers. This became one of our biggest challenges this season. Each cheerleader has at one point or another had to push through a serious injury in order to support the rest of the team.

One week before departing for the championship, one of our teammates, Annie Loper, was injured beyond the point of recuperation, tearing a ligament in her wrist; meaning, we had to find a replacement in lightning speed or watch six months of hard work swirl the drain. Thankfully, a very dedicated student athlete, Annie O’Neil, stepped up to fill in. Changing just one member of our team completely alters the identity and ability of the team. In a week’s time, we made major changes and performed a successful demo open to the Bayside community. We finally felt prepared for our departure as a new team.

Upon arriving at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, we set to work practicing and

Throughout the season, Coach Leffard would remind us that we had the big things mastered, and the importance was in the little things. The attention to detail is the key to the success of the Bayside cheer team, as well as the love and dedication of our coach. With the immense closeness of our team and the support of friends and family, we concluded the competition feeling satisfied.

Leaving Disney without our white jackets, the cheer equivalent of a championship ring, left us sore and sad. But our spirits changed when we realized how far we had come facing so much adversity. Our team was ecstatic to return home and share our accomplishments with friends and family.

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