The Occurrence Volume 5, Issue 2

TheOCCURrENC

Bryant Junior HigH|October 2023|Vol

Design By Brayden Rowe

Table of Contents

Pages 3-4..................................... Opinion

01

Bella Luper

Pages 5-6..................................... Feature

Managing Editor

Pages 9-11..................................... News

Nate Barnes

Pages 12-18..................................... Lifestyles

Art and Design Editor

Page 19..................................... Photo Essay

Erin Wright

Photography Editor

Design information

Alex Wharton

Cover by Erin Wright, Photography Editor. Fonts are Helvetica Neue and Colabro. Art is produced in the IOS app SketchesSchool and designs are produced with Adobe InDesign 2023. Photographers shoot with various Canon Rebels and multiple lenses; photography edits are done through Adobe Photoshop 2023.

MastHead

STAFF

Business Manager Brayden Rowe Web Editor

Leila Brown

Publication Policy Letters to the editor, photographs or guest columns are published when space allows. We acccept the following for considersation for publication:

Photographer Taylor Blake Alexis Holley Isabella Durfey

Reporter and Designer

•

formally written letters

•

letters 175 words and under

Xoe Hawkins

•

signed letters by an individual

Phoenix Smith

•

letters that aren’t discriminatory

•

work which demonstrates journalistic integrity

coEditors-in-Chief Meag Abo Adviser

We do not accept the following: •

informally written letters

•

letters over 175 words

To join staff, email mabo@

•

anonymous letters or those signed by a group

bryantschools.org or fill

•

bigotted remarks made towards groups, religions, etc.,

out the application on the

•

rude or personal attacks directed at a specific individual

website:

•

work lacking journalistic merit

https://bjhsjournalism681058946.wordpress. com/applications/

@BryantJuniorHighMedia

intsagram.com/bjhs_media

facebook.com/bjhsmedia

Letter From

the Editor

Bryant Junior High’s The Occurrence staff is excited to share Volume 5 Issue 2! In this issue, we were inspired by the upcoming holidays and the how technology is impacting the world. We included stories about how AI can be helpful and harmful that even though everyone has different interests there is something that all of our staff, students and people in the community can enjoy in this issue. This will be our staff’s second issue but we have also had one website publication. You can find our website at https://bjhsjournalism681058946.wordpress.com/.

shows how you can get involved in our staff. If you are interested in joining the Junior High’s Blue and White yearbook, The Occurrence newspaper, or Swarm Productions broadcast and film staffs all of the information is on our website above. Between the three staffs over 200 awards have been won in the time that the school has been open. Being on any of the three staff opens up so many different opportunities for schools and scholarships as we move out of high school and into college. We go to competitions all over Arkansas, and this is the first year that staff has the opportunity to go to Kansas City Missouri for the JEA/NSPA national competition.

We are so excited to share our final issue of 2023 as well as beginning to build a staff for the next school year. We have worked so hard with everyone involved to make these the best stories that they can be. Please enjoy The Occurrence Volume 5, Issue 2.

Xoe Hawkins

Coeditor-in-cHIEF

02 Design By Brayden Rowe

Our website is available and has stories, tells about our awards, our yearbook, and

Masthead

and Christmas movie summaries; this issue has a little bit of everything. We think

Design By Brayden Rowe

03 EDITORIAL

Art: Nathan Barnes

What aBout Ai? Artificial Intelligence has spread throughout the internet, and many people use it everyday.

According to Pew Research Center, 27% of people use it in the US. But how does it actually work?

AI systems have been programmed to adapt through progressive algorithms. This allows the data to influence how the system responds to certain prompts.

“The models adapt when given new data” says SAS Institute, “Just as an algorithm can teach

itself to play chess, it can teach itself what product to recommend next.”

This allows it to change and expand its range of knowledge, and many businesses have adopted AI just from that. But as with many things, this can also lead to questionable usage.

Multiple sources say that using algorithms, like ChatGPT, in educational settings should be accepted and the risks monitored.

“Using it ethically and impartial-

Artifical Intelligence useful tool, has limits ly is vital to ensuring academic assessment integrity.” says Educause, “Academic institutions must embrace ChatGPT while also taking measures to mitigate its associated risks.”

While artificial intelligence is useful and can be helpful, even progressive algorithms have their flaws.

war in Gaza Against Hamas

Israel protecting citizens, preventing additional loss of life

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, almost immediately declared war on Hamas and promised retaliation.

People are upset with Is-

Israel has also been criticized because the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City was attacked and besieged.

The American media reported the attack quickly, but an Israeli hospital, called the Ashkelon Hospital, has been bombed three times in two weeks. This hospital contains all kinds of people and it is Israel’s official N.I.C.U. While watching ABC News and CBS News nearly every night, I never saw anything reported about the bombings.

Tim Scott, South Carolina senator, and a republican presiden-

tial candidate, said talking to Benjamin Netanyahu, “Not only do you have the responsibility and the right to wipe Hamas off the map, we will support you and we will be there with you.”

Israel should eliminate Hamas by undoing their leadership and finding out where their major bases of operations are.

They could also cut off Hamas’ supplies by clearing out the warehouses they get supplied weapons from.

There is also the fact that as some people in counter terrorism have said that Hamas is “messing around” and that if the IDF doesn’t teach them a lesson before they calm down, then Hamas is likely to attack again.

OPINION: Brayden Rowe

04 Design By Brayden Rowe

Since then, Israel has carried out airstrikes in Gaza killing about 15,000 civilians according to a Palestinian medical organization, but that is being questioned by the U.N. and the USA and Israel also launched a ground invasion on October, 27.

rael and accusing them of war crimes because they’ve killed civilians when attacking Hamas. Israel is just retaliating to Hamas’ surprise attack, and the land has Biblically been inhabited by Jews.

opinion

On October 7, 2023 Hamas fired roughly 5,000 rockets into Israel. They then invaded Israel killing and estimated 1,400 civilians, including women and children, and captured around 200 civilians. In order for this war to end the IDF (Israel Defence Force) needs to dismantle Hamas and instate a new Palestinian government.

Feature

05

Design By Xoe Hawkins

Volunteer cOaCh

Superstars Archery was

going to be disregarded but was saved thanks to a couple of volunteer coaches. But how did they become volunteer coaches? Why do they do what they do?

Both coach Nick Metheny and coach Steve Lee revealed that they became coaches because of their daughters.

“I became a coach when my daughter was in fifth grade and she mentioned to her PE teacher that I bow hunt.

So she approached me and asked if I wanted to help.”

Metheny said.

“Mrs. Woods at hill farm asked me when Abby was in fifth grade if I wanted to help her.” Lee said.

Metheny and Lee also expressed why they made the decision in becoming a volunteer coach.

“The fact that my daughter didn’t really do any other sports or activities starting in elementary when she moved in with me” Metheny said.

“Just my daughter Abby.

When she started in fifth

archery teams rely on unpaid coaches

grade, she taught me how to shoot. I didn’t teach her.” Lee said.

Metheny and Lee both love coaching but will they continue to coach?

Both coaches said they enjoy coaching because they value the time they spend with kids.

“Yes, as long as she’s in school and it is a passion of hers I will continue to coach.

When she graduates I’m probably going to hand the reins over to my daughter, she wants to coach as well after college.” Metheny said.

“I enjoy getting to spend time with my daughter and the influence I have on the other kids on the team.” Metheny said.

“I enjoy being around all the kids. I like coaching because they give me praise for my work.” Lee said.

“I plan on continuing if possible even though Abby graduates this year.” Lee said.

Story: Isabella Durfey

Lee and Metheny both revealed how they hope to make differences in students’ lives.

“The biggest thing is to make a difference in at least everyone of y’all’s lives in a good way.”

Metheny said.

“I just want to see the kids progress and do well and see their faces when they get to go to state and maybe nationals.” Lee said.

Benjamin Glover, 8th, laughs with Coach Nick while shaving coach Steve’s head at one of the last practices of the 2022-2023 school year. The coaches promised students they would let them shave their heads if they remained in the top two teams every tournament.

Photo ID: Lexie Metheny

Saline County

helping local families in Crown Club need, empowering girls

Feature

The Crown Club is a

volunteer organization for girls in 9th-12th grade who go to school in Saline County.

It is a part of the Junior Auxiliary of Saline County which has many service and finance projects.

The Crown Club is considered a service project and it helps the JA. On Sunday, November 12 a few girls from the Crown

Club helped the JA stuff 741 Thanksgiving blessing bags for insecure students.

Angle Tree on December and host a parents night out early into 2024.

The next time they stuff bags will be on December 10 for winter break.

If you’re interested in joining or helping you can contact them at jasccrownclub@gmail.com.

Story: Brayden Rowe

The JA is also doing an event for Second Chance where the girls can help out.

The club is also hosting their own service projects and voted on what they wanted to do over the past few weeks.

They chose to shop for an

06 Design By Xoe Hawkins

Photo ID: Xoe Hawkins

News

09

Design By bella Luper

Valued Hours

Volunteer hours are one of the most important requirements for graduating, and it’s best to start volunteering as possible.

Here are four local organizations where you can start volunteering.

The Royal Theater (501-315-5483) If you love showing your creativity and helping out whenever you can, then the Royal Theater is a great place for you to volunteer. They have a significant variety of tasks such as hair and makeup, costuming, set design and building, etc.

Interest Form https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRw-BZySTncZ9FcUqXxN-_mhjueKSVYqfKOdCk6k_JDAE54A/ viewform Your Church Volunteering at a church can bring a close community even closer. Volunteer tasks can vary depending on the church, they can be helping families with a food pantry, going mission trips, and so much more.

Saline County Library (501-847-2166) The Saline County Library welcomes every teen 13 years or older to come and help out with sorting books, and assisting patrons. To volunteer at the library, you need to apply in person. The application needs to be signed by a legal guardian and returned to the library.

Interest Form https://sclibrary.bamboohr.com/ careers/7 Bryant Boys and Girls Club (501-653-5437) Volunteering at the Bryant Boys and Girls Club can not only help increase volunteer hours but also give you the chance to show and teach you valuable skills like confidence, and being able to teach all that you have learned. You must be at least 15 to volunteer. Their interests form states all that is needed.

Interest Form https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSpdd7EsnPb9EZ6tfzn0w4tVac3GYwg_ ZsXmwNaUCIPfCwAA/viewform?fbzx=5866502207669931867

Graduation 101

LEARNS Act changes high school diploma requirements STORY: Bella Luper

should get a total of 15 hours and then 20 hours each year The new Arkansas after that. To make those hours L.E.A.R.N.S. Act, which stands count you need to track them. for literacy, empowerment, accountability, readiness, Some ways to track them are networking, and safety, making a spreadsheet that lists the date you volunteered, you started and has updated the graduation when requirements for the class ended, location, what you of 2027 and all after. did, and your supervisor.

The old law states that community service was not required to graduate, while the new law states that a student must have at least 75 hours to graduate highschool.

It may seem like graduation is miles away, but it’s best to start preparing as soon as you can to guarantee a cap and a robe.

ART :Alex Wharton

“A public high school student shall complete a minimum of seventy-five hours (75) clock hours documented community service in nine through twelve,” ACT 237 of 2023, states.

When broken down, freshmen Another requirement for graduating is college credits. You need a total 32 credits to graduate. You will receive the credits needed from the following classes: • 4 English Credits • 4 Math Credits • 3 Science Credits • 3 Social Studies Credits • 0.5 Credit Physical Education • 0.5 Credit Health with CPR • 0.5 Credit Oral Communication • 0.5 Credit Fine Art • 1 Computer Science Credit • 6 Career Focused Credits • 0.5 Credit of Personal Finance

Artificial

shenanigans AI more intelligent by the day, unable to mitigate all risks

Story by: Phoenix Smith & Bella Luper

Last nine weeks, freshmen in actual people, as well as building creative works.

The availability of this software can also lead to dishonesty in academic settings.

Many can read, write, comprehend speech and even speak, among other things.

According to Pew Research Center, around 27% of people use AI in the United States.

Some of the more popular ones include Google Assistant, ChatGPT, Socratic, Alexa and Otter.

The readiness of this technology can support and answer questions from

PHOTO: Igor Omilaev on Unsplash

Students Students responsed saying responsed saying that they wouldn’t that everyone else is using AI need to know because of AI

17%

8%

Students Students responsed responsed saying saying that it’s that they wouldn’t do as well if they not important to know the subject didn’t use AI because they would be using AI

Design By Bella luper

People use AI in their everyday lives. AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is an adaptable software that learns from previous occurrences.

22% 22%

10

AI can be useful in education, Nevertheless, some students like using Socratic to help you still tried to use it on the study. But the line between studying and cheating has assignment. been blurred many times.

“It’s not too many,” said Leah Garner, Assistant Principal, AI has potential, but it comes “around 20 total for plagiarism. with risks and people should use it ethically.

Using AI - maybe five total.”

62% 24%

Students response Students to the surveysaid responsed saying that AI is just that they didn’t another tool like school or schoolwork

news

honors English classes were instructed to write an essay over a poem titled “Medusa”

by Carol Ann Duffy and were warned against using AI to plagiarize.

Why students USe AI

Design By Isabella Durfey

09 News

The AI Ate My Chatgpt and the controversy around it “I also think it’s okay

for students to use it to help them with writing sentences, but I do not

think they should copy an entire essay,”

-Gina Bolick, Honors

English and creative

writing teacher, said.

Story by: Taylor Blake Chat GPT is a generative language model created by OpenAI, a company founded in 2015 by Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, and Wojciech Zaremba. The name ChatGPT stands for Chat Generative Pre-Training Transformer which refers to how it processes and formulates responses.

OpenAI began researching and a year after

the company was founded it published research on generative language models.

Three years after that, they published research about fine tuning the GPT-2 language model.

OpenAI introduced ChatGPT using GPT-3.5, which is a subclass of GPT-3 models with new capabilities, for people to use in a free research preview on November 30 of 2022.

Then in February of

2023 ChatGPT Plus was introduced as a premium subscription offering new features to users. It offered better reliability and less wait time for users who paid for the subscription.

ChatGPT reached 1 million users within 5 days. In comparison it took Instagram 2.5 months to reach that number and it took Netflix 3.5 years.

Information from Mathew Cox on Daily Mail.com.

On March 1, OpenAI

y Homework

Open AI looked into this issue and it was soon fixed. Seeing the effort made to fix the issue and the adjustments made Italy issued a statement allowing ChatGPT to be used there again.

In May they launched the ChatGPT IOS app which allowed ChatGPT Plus

ChatGPT has advanced a lot in the past few years and it is a very helpful tool. However many people are concerned with the number of students using it to write their essays for them.

While ChatGPT may be able to write beautiful essays for your teacher to grade, if you use it too much you won’t develop the skills needed to write good articles, essays, books, or even professional emails which are all things many people do after school.

Design By Isabella Durfey

March 31, a major development was made when Italy banned ChatGPT for collecting personal data and not having good enough age verification during registration.

By the end of May ChatGPT Plus users had access to over 200 ChatGPT plugins which are add-on tools developed specifically to be used with the large language model.

It also has flaws, like all technology, and the database it draws from false information that can get put into whatever you tell it to write. That being said, while ChatGPT is a great tool, it is good to be cautious when using it.

10

Just a few days after this development a major ChatGPT outage affected millions of users for several hours. During the outage many people reported a decrease in their productivity.

users to switch between GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 at will.

Both are good options but GPT-4 is promised to be more reliable than GPT-3.5.

News

introduced ChatGPT API, application programming interface, for developers to integrate GPT functionality into their applications.

Some of the first to do so are SnapChat’s My AI, Instacart, and Shopify.

Later in March, GPT-4 was released promising better reliability and problem-solving skills for users.

Art by: Alexis Wharton

News Feature

choir

After hard work and comiment students practice for All Region concert

M

any students from many different schools auditioned October 14 to see if they could make it into All-Region.

All Region is where students from many schools in a particular region of a state compete to be on a team or in a group together. The people who do the best in their auditions get to be in the group.

The students from our school auditioned against many other seventh, eighth and ninth graders for the limited spots.

11

Design By Xoe Hawkins

All region

While the freshman are considered high schoolers in many places, they are allowed to compete against the seventh and eighth grade students for spots in all region.

This is because the high school music is much more complex and the competition is harder.

Competing with seventh and eighth graders for another year gives the ninth graders more experience under pressure, better chances, and easier music for them to learn.

“This is really just a good chance for them to keep getting the experience and doing it so when they get to high school all regions are prepared for what it’s like,” Jordan Murdock, choir director, said.

Bryant freshman are not the only ones at the event.

Many other schools

Photo Submitted: Dresdon Brooks CFHS

take their freshman to compete at the same time, especially the districts where the freshman go to junior high school.

“We are not the only school Photo Submitted: Dresden Brooks CFHS that takes ninth graders to that particular The people who did make it into All event,” Murdock said. Region got to go to Magnolia for a clinic and performance on November That being said, not making into 10. 64 of our students went to the All Region can be sad but it does clinic and they made up all of the not mean you are a bad singer. students at the clinic with solos.

“The competition itself is not a personal statement on anybody’s ability as a singer. It’s really just your ability to prepare music and perform under pressure,” Murdock said.

“It was fantastic! We really enjoyed ourselves. The kids had a great time, they made new friends, they made new memories, they sang some awesome music. It was a really great experience.” Murdock said.

A Christmas Movie Marathon!

Which Christmas Movie are Students more likely to watch this Christmas season!

Home Alone 40 Votes

This movie is about an eight year old boy named Kevin Mcalister, for Christmas the Mcalister family decided to go on a family vacation. While the family is already going crazy packing, Kevin gets in trouble with his parents and is forced to sleep in the attic, but when he wakes he finds out that his family had left without him. Kevin later figures out two men

Elf 19 votes

Lifestyles

“I grew up watching it and I really love the movie”, Isabel Morris, 9th grade, said.

This movie is about a boy named Buddy, who unintentionally is transported to the North Pole, where he is raised by Papa Elf. As Buddy gets older he realizes how much he doesn’t fit in with the other elves, and discovers that he is actually human. Buddy travels to New York to search for his real father Walter Hobbs. When he found his father, Walter was very reluctant that Buddy was his son. Walter tries to start a relationship with Buddy causing them to go through many more adventures.

The Grinch 13 votes

The Polar Express 12 votes

This movie is about a boy who starts not believing in the magic of Christmas on Christmas night so when he falls asleep, a magical train takes him on a journey to the North Pole. He soon discovers that Santa is real, and believes in Christmas once again.

Rudolph 5 votes

This movie is about a reindeer named Rudolph that was born with a red glowing nose. He went through many journeys to try and be accepted by the other reindeer. He found true love, and found his purpose in life, to lead Santa’s sleigh.

“I just really think its a wholesome movie”, Marlie Redford, 9th grade, said.

A Charlie Brown Christmas 4 votes

This movie is about a boy named Charlie Brown who feels sad during Christmas. He feels as though everyone is more worried about the presents rather than the meaning behind Christmas. Then his friend Lucy suggests he be in charge of the Christmas Pageant, so Charlie Brown accepts the challenge but struggles running the pageant. In his attempt to save the pageant he buys a small forlorn Christmas tree that helps everyone to see that Christmas is about more than just the gifts.

National Lampoon Christmas 3 votes

“Home alone is a show that gives me comfort, it’s really funny”, Keityn Flenoy, 8th grade, said.

Clark Griswold wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his family. With his big tree, and lights that don’t work, the family try to make the best of things with a dinner with the unexpected guest Eddie and his family who live in their camper. As Clark is dealing with some problems getting his holiday bonus he promised his family he would get.

Design By Alexis Holley

“Because it’s a good movie”, Raylynn Childress, 8th grade, said.

12

This movie is about a live action version of the Dr. Seuss tale of the green Grinch, who has hated Christmas. When he was a child he was bullied for being different from the other children. So when he grew older he decided to live in isolation from the others and live in a cave in the Mt. Crumpit. He met a little girl named Cindy Loo, who changed his perspective of Christmas.

Lifestyles

13

Design By Taylor Blake

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Winter break is on its way and with it comes Christmas Christmas is coming up soon at the end of December and many people have already begun decorating. Lights are going up and trees are being decorated in the spirit of Christmas.

People have vacations planned and cookies baked ready for the day they get to wake up early and open presents. Lots of people are watching the sky, hopeful it will snow.

Jacob Richmond, 8th grade, said he was going to be, “Watching movies, playing games and I’m hoping it’s gonna snow so I can go out.”

Christmas is a time to be with family and Jacob Richmond, 8th grade friends so people fly in from all around the globe every year to celebrate. Prices spike to be around an extra 40 dollars during the week before Christmas. Information from Ana Teresa Solá on CNBC.

“Going to my cousins’ house in Utah and go see my friend with the nice white snow,” Seth Lievano, 8th grade, said.

Between Thanksgiving and New Years alone UPS will deliver around 800 million packages Seth Lievano, 8th grade and 15 billion pieces of mail total. Information from Dennis Kelley on Postalytics.

While friends and family are important, many people also enjoy opening presents on Christmas.

You can find people ordering presents and updating lists months in advance so that everything arrives on time to be wrapped up and placed under the tree.

“I will get Christmas presents and meet family members.”

Phoenix Stone, 8th grade, said.

Most people enjoy being around their loved ones during the holiday so the spike in travel prices is expected.

Pheonix Stone, 8th grade

Giving

AND GETTING

People show love in many ways including Some people express their love by giving gifts, but it may not be the way to show them you care gifts because it isn’t their love language.

Greater Good Magazine looked at what Garry Chapman, the creator of the love languages concept, had to say.

This leads people to believe that it is the least popular love language out of the 5.

14

“Chapman suggests that people typically use all love languages, but that most people tend to rely on one love language most of the time,” they wrote.

Lifestyles

Over the years there have not been many studies on “My love language is quality time but, I prefer whether or not love languages actually affect peogiving because I like to make my friends happy, ple. and I like to share things that I like with other people,” Henry Young, freshman, said.

When people hear “love languages” they tend to think of the 5 most common; Physical Touch, Words According to SimplyPsychology, receiving gifts of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, and Acts of Service. Each one being a different way that was the least Googled love language out of the 5 in 2023. people show love to each other.

One love language is receiving gifts. People with this as their primary love language tend to prefer someone giving them a gift to show their love.

“I prefer getting gifts because I never know what to get people, and I am very grateful for what I get,” Christina Bardales, freshman, said.

So this holiday season ask yourself this: Do I want to give or get?

Art by Gabrielle “Pheonix” Smith

This does not mean that they don’t also enjoy getting words of affirmation, or another love language, this is simply to say that they would prefer a gift.

SimplyPsychology also says that love languages are a fluid concept and it is expected for them to change.

Whether you believe in Gary Chapman’s love “My love language is quality time. I hate physical languages or not, everyone has different ways of touch. I do believe in love languages because I enjoy quality time more than the other love languag- showing their love. es,” Isabella Smotherman, freshman, said.

Design By Taylor Blake

Chapman believed that people were happier in relationships when they matched primary love languages according to the magazine.

Design By nathan barnes

15 lifestyles

Thanksgiving Food Poll We set up a poll asking

students whether or not they prefer cranberry with their Thanksgiving dinner. Feedback led to 35.7% enjoying it, with 64.3% disagreeing.

Some say they don’t enjoy it

because of the bitter taste or texture. Others say it’s sweet and they always add it to their plate. __________________________________________________

People’s thoughs on Cranberries

“Cranberry just isn’t one of my favorite things to eat with that kind of meal,” says Mason Abrahamson, 8th.

“It adds something sweet to the traditional dinner,” says Isabella Wahrmund, freshman. “ I’ve never tried it before,” says Taylor Hughes, 8th.

It seems we’re tied. What do you think—is cranberry a must with your dinner at Thanksgiving?

Non-Traditional Thanksgiving

When people talk about Thanksgiving a few things come

This holiday season take a look at what you can add to your meals and make it just a

Design By nathan barnes

“My family always has tamales, pozole, and other Hispanic foods for Thanksgiving,” Vanessa Hernedez, freshman, said.

While food is a big part of celebrating Thanksgiving, some families do more than just eat.

“For Thanksgiving we break open piñatas,” Christina Bardales, freshman, said.

16

_______________________________________________________

lifestyles

to mind. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, the “normal” foods.

Have you ever wondered how it is celebrated beyond the traditional dishes?

“My family always has Birria de Res, menudo, and tacos for Thanksgiving,” Neah Soto, freshman, said.

Birria de Res is a stew-like meal that is traditionally made with goat, but can also be made with beef. Some also turn the meat into tacos.

Menudo is a traditional Mexican soup where the cow’s stomach is cooked in a red chili pepper based broth with different vegetables to season it.

There are many different foods that people around the world eat to celebrate this holiday that aren’t just turkey.

little

more

special.

Design By Gabrielle Smith

18 Lifestyles

Black Friday

V.S.

Online When Thanksgiving ends, Christmas time rolls in. And if there is anything that the holidays are known for is the chaotic battlefield known as your local Best Buy on Black Friday.

Each year, there is an annual panic of what to get your loved one’s for Christmas due to Black Friday; with the fact that people have to risk an arm and a leg to even get the wrapping for your presents and still have to deal with the occasional entitled mom, grandma on a scooter and football-dad.

In fact, a certain study shows a widely ranging level of injury due to the violence exerted during the Black Friday battles, the most lethal case with 11 deaths and 100 people injured. But,

Shopping

there is at least one savior one out of three Americans to this terrible situation. use online shopping services for their personal needs. The As our modern internet has been advancing technology advances, over the three decades it’s so does the efficiency of been with us, but even in everyday things which, luckily the wonder of our advanced for Black Friday shoppers, technology (including online include gift getting during shopping), we still must when the discounts are be careful of things like high on the fly. Now, people viruses, hackers, fake popare shopping online via ups and malicious websites. websites such as Amazon, as shoppers can still get the This year, when looking gifts they want all from the for the right thing to get your safety of their own home. loved ones, either go out searching for it like hunting And to add on to a deer, or go online and that, a statistic shows that search for great deals to get ⅓ Americans would rather your family and friends what use online shopping services they want for the holidays. such as websites and apps Story: Nathan Barnes as a method for all variety of shopping, let it be getting your everyday groceries.

In fact, a statistic shows that

Mattie Fuller, Freshman, cheers at the game against Parkview on August 31st.

Isabella Smotherman, Freshman, climbs up the ladder to battle another peer on the catwalk on September 13th

Freshman JD Olson practices his kicking on August 29th before an upcoming game.

Design By Gabrielle Smith

At the 30 yard line, Terriun Jones, Freshman, is tackling number nine on the Parkview team.

19

Gresham Moseley, freshman, reaches into the air to hit the tennis ball at the match on September 19th.

Photography

Ruby Wolverton, Freshman, preforms the hip hop dance routine at the pep rally on September 25th.