October 27 Issue of The Crimson Crier by crimsoncrier

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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, Issue 1

SEARCHING: THE RACE TO FIND A VACCINE pg.4 Photo Illustration by Kameron Glenn

2 | CONTENT

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

QUESTION

OF THE ISSUE

INSIDE

With Halloween approaching what are you planning to do for the holiday?

CONTENT | 3

2020-2021

Crier Staff Editor-In Chief

Madison Duboise

News Editor

07 32

Myles Gollop

“I plan on dressing up as a character from The Purge and taking the scary route this Halloween. I am going to hang out with some friends and go to some haunted houses.”

Opinion Editor

Emma Headrick

In-Depth Editor

Grace Moore

Sports Editor Ethan King Brody Wallace

-sophomore Lauran McClendon

A&E Editor Sarah Chase

Reporters

“A couple friends and I might have a bonfire and hang out together, we have also been thinking about doing some kind of outdoors Halloween Party.”

-junior Matt Brown

Gabi Alexander Makaya Barchett Matthew Brown Kendall Cope Kyla Davidson Angela Ducote Rileigh Glassman Kameron Glenn Jacob Hiles Cherish Hollie Olivia Lake Anh Nguyen McKynna Stevens Tess Warren Donnell White

Adviser

Erin Coggins, MJE

07 27

News - New facility introduced at the start of the year

In-Depth - Upcoming election and what could come of it

18 32

Lifestyles -Teacher finds passion for baking, starts business

Sports - Starting quarterback commits to Army

Opinion - Student shares view on new Netflix show

A&E - Find a 5k run for a cause

“I plan to stay in with one of my friends this Halloween. We might bake cookies and watch some scary movies all night. I wanted to spend my last Halloween as a teenager chill and calm with my friends.” -senior Isabel Pollard

TheCrimsonCrier sparkmannews thecrimsoncrier thecrimsoncrier Keep up with daily news on TheCrimsonCrier.com

4 | NEWS

NEWS | 5

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

Controlling the Pandemic

Normalcy rests in vaccine trial success

Madison Duboise-Editor

he swipe of the alcohol wipe, the pinch of skin as a nurse looks for a vein, the uncapping of the two inch long needle and then it is over. The effects lasting decades longer than the quick actual pain of a vaccination. In the wake of COVID-19, prevention of the virus seems more urgent to citizens than a cure. Doctors and scientists across the world have been scrambling to find a vaccine and with that, citizens have begun realizing the vital importance of medicinal treatments to diseases and how they have shaped the 21 century. “Not many doctors around the world had ever seen or treated a patient with Coronavirus. There was no standard procedure for anyone to follow. With all of the health complications many people face today, like diabetes and heart disease, it only complicates matters in the ability to properly diagnose and treat with medications they do not normally prescribe,” LNP Bethany Ducote said. “Regardless of what the President wanted, the general public was largely at the mercy of WHO & CDC because they were attempting to restrict which medications could be used, it hindered the doctor’s ability to see long term results effectiveness. Doctors that challenged the CDC with info of their own proven results were dismissed and the media attempted to discredit them. In a society that is largely based on the public getting their information from the media during a time of crisis, the bias of political affiliations created another layer of confusion and chaos. When your own doctor is no more informed than you are, the sense of lack of control over the situation heightens fears and people begin to speculate.” Even with mandatory social distancing and the requiring of mask wearing in states across the country, cases and deaths are steadily rising and the one solution to cure the country is yet to be found, the vaccine. The theory of medicine dates back to ancient China and their use of snake venom to cure disease, but the history of the vaccine started with the increase of smallpox in the 17 century led discovery of the first ever practical public vaccine. “Prior to the invention of Polio and Diphtheria vaccines, hundreds of thousands of children died or became permanently disabled due to complications of these diseases and, of course, mostly everybody is familiar with the history of the Black Plague which destroyed populations in its wake,” local private practice doctor Nancy Neighbors, MD said. In the early 21st Century, the world came to a similar situation that they are in today with an influenza outbreak. During this time, a total of 12,469 people died in the U.S. according to the CDC. Now the annual immunization that is usually offered every year previous

to the typical influenza season has become a mundane activity for most. There are still groups and individuals that believe this strategy of immunization is more harmful than good however, according to UNICEF, vaccines are one of the most effective treatments when it comes to public health intervention. Vaccines prevent about two to three million deaths per year, yet in a study conducted by the Harris Poll, two in 5 American adults say something caused them to doubt vaccine safety. In this pandemic, many think a vaccine is the only strong answer for Americans. “Anyone that is skeptical of receiving any vaccine as an adult, has to be informed by facts and know what their own needs are and understand that those needs change with time. Just because at 30, everything is fine, doesn’t mean that at 45 you can ignore the metabolic changes and hereditary factors. If a person chooses to forgo a vaccine that can prevent a significant problem, then are faced with that problem, a vaccine is useless at that point, it’s too late,” Ducote said. ”This is why vaccines are given to babies before they develop problems like diabetes and heart disease. Due to the rise of the anti-vaxxers, it challenged what we know and the effectiveness so while it was chaotic for a while, it was beneficially to us a modern society facing new problems than when the vaccines were originally created. We need to create and challenge science based on the growing information that we are fortunate to have in this era.” Many Americans do not believe in vaccinations either because of religious beliefs or because of superstitions about the medical industry. Others believe they just do not work. But with a global outbreak killing Americans daily it is predicted to save thousands of lives when found. “For individuals who do not choose to vaccinate, they risk the possibility of becoming infected with a preventable disease, and, also, if they are infected, they risk spreading a disease to others around them who have a compromised immune state,” family nurse practitioner Bethany Barnett said. “Such individuals would include patients undergoing cancer treatments or who have some type of autoimmune disorder which makes them more susceptible to infections.” Vaccine trails are in the process across the world, yet no sure answer still. With President Trump saying it will be here by Election Day and many doctors saying next summer, it is unconfirmed when a vaccine will be accessible to the public. One thing is for certain, there are more than 170 candidate vaccines now being tracked by the World Health Organization. Vaccines normally require years of testing and additional time to produce at scale, but scientists hope to develop a Coronavirus vaccine within 12 to 18 months. It seems as if it is the ‘‘50s again and the space race has just begun.

“For individuals who do not choose to vaccinate, they risk the possibility of becoming infected with a preventable disease,” Barnett said.

“In my opinion, I feel that our leaders and drug companies are working hard to formulate vaccines and treatments for the coronavirus. It does take time to develop these, and it takes trials to deem them safe and effective for society. Since the virus is one that we have not experienced before, we are learning each day its effects on people.” Barnett said. “Of course, the more scientific studies we have on the effects and behavior of the virus the more knowledge we gain about how to diagnose, treat and follow up on our patients who have become infected. There’s a lot of information we have learned so far, but I feel there is so much more to learn about the virus.” NBC said this past week that Covid-19 vaccine researchers are left in the dark as trial after trial is being put on hold. The University Hospital at the University of Wisconsin, Madison was conducting a trial when it was put on hold, voiding the trial and now researchers must start from scratch once again. UW Health is just one of 80 sites across the United States, which were expected to enroll 30,000 participants for vaccine trials. The Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine trial has also been paused due to an unexplained illness in a study participant. The closer Election Day gets it seems every day there is less and less progress. According to USAToday, President Trump, back at the White House days after being diagnosed with COVID-19, said vaccines in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic are coming “momentarily”. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has attempted to ignore Trump’s false statement and push clear and correct information to the public. Over the past two weeks the number of Covid cases has risen in 38 states, leaving officials, scientists and doctors scrambling. CBS News a full four years before COVID-19 asked Fauci what his greatest fear is. He responded: “An influenza-like respiratory-borne virus that’s easily transmittable to which the population of the world has very little if any immunity against and that has a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Something similar to the very tragic pandemic flu of 1918.” It seems as if Fauci’s biggest nightmare has become a living reality. “I try to base my opinions on facts provided by credible sources, not news agencies due to proven bias against the president, using unnamed sources, and repeatedly retracting stories without highlighting their changes. My initial hope with the onset of the pandemic, is that people would use this time to work on themselves, mentally and emotionally,” Ducote said. “A quick scan through any social media forum will show that mental health has rapidly declined and the need for mental health care has skyrocketed as a by product of the pandemic. We still don’t know long term effects this will have on us as a society, on our economy, on our culture.”

NEWS | 7

Mask mandate impacts student activities

Masked Up Gov. Kay Ivey issued a mandatory mask mandate to last through Nov. 8 This mandate required that masks be worn during school and in all public places. This mandate had an impact on how the marching band performs the halftime show. Photo by Isabel Pollard

Olivia Lake-Reporter

ith COVID-19 upending many traditional school activities, teachers and students alike are struggling to regain the lost ground in their classes, and no one is struggling more than the

Masks Equal Strength A group of friends wear their masks while sitting in the student section. Photo courtesy of Ethan Cuzzort

faculty of extracurricular classes. The guidelines that have to be enforced present a tricky problem to the staff and faculty. Solutions have been tweaked and tested, until they have arrived at the answer they have to contend with today: limited practices, restricted performances and opportunities that are few and far between. With these restrictions now in place, the students are left to deal with the fallout. One of the extracurriculars being burdened by COVID-19 is the band. Where the band once sat among the crowd in the stands for football games, they now stand on the track, far away from the people they’re playing for. The brass section is required to wear bell covers over their instruments, sort of like its very own mask. Their performances have been cut down to only halftime shows, and all of them are meticulously planned to keep everyone six feet apart at all times. “The band has been and will continue to practice safe rehearsal,” sophomore Wilson Lake said. “We have made every effort to exhume the risks, and we follow every CDC guidelines plus some. We all go back to practice because we believe it is safe to go, and I don’t want to miss out on what the band has to offer.” From scholarships to valuable skills, these are only a portion of what motivates Lake to play the tuba. It is about the community of the band and helping it rise to its full potential. “I like the tuba because it serves as the building block for the band,” Lake said. “I like helping to bring the band up, being a part of

Find Your Fit Make sure your cloth mask: fits snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, completely covers the nose and mouth, is secured with ties or ear loops, includes multiple layers of fabric, allows for breathing without restriction, and can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.

it.” The band is not the only activity that was hard hit by COVID-19; the JROTC faces its own unique struggles as the year wears on. To junior Abby Judge, participating in JROTC is more than just an extracurricular. JROTC was about being connected to her peers, which is why the sudden shift in the status quo was so jarring. Performances have come to a stop— where there was once a color guard at every home game and special teams practicing after school, all plans have now been halted in their tracks. “When we were able to still compete, do PT, and Drill and Ceremony we were able to stand close together,” Judge said. “I feel like we were more connected when we were able to be together as a team and we had a better bond.” Judge’s class time is punctuated with restrictions as well. From mask wearing to strict social distancing, Judge says there

are only a few downsides. The muffled speaking from presenters during their weekly briefings is difficult to understand, and the feeling of separation due to social distancing is taxing compared to the personal connection she felt before. Despite all this, Judge said it’s only hard if you make it hard. “Personally, I think if the masks can potentially stop the spread of the virus, I’m okay with wearing one for eight hours,” Judge said. Even though Judge thinks the pandemic has stripped away the personality from the school’s extracurriculars, she chooses to remain

positive about it. The limited number of people in her classroom provides her more frequent opportunities to have a one-onone with her instructors and the ability to form deeper bonds with her peers. “I see this as an opportunity to use my leadership skills to help cadets grow in the program,” Judge said. “I am so

excited to work with the freshmen and teach them how to be good cadets.”

“I’m glad that my fellow students are staying aware about COVID-19 and are doing their best to keep their masks on and stay socially distant,” Judge said.

8 | NEWS

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

NEWS | 9

NEWEST ANONYMOUS SUBMISSION:

THIS JUST IN: ALICE CHEATED ON BRAD WITH TAYLOR LAST WEEKEND

Getting Fine A ribbon cutting ceremony was held in August to officially dedicate the new Fine Arts Center. Media, officials and staff were present for the ceremony. Photo by Anh Nguyen

Fine Arts center takes center stage this school year T

Makayla Barchett-Reporter

he school has recently finished its new 17 million-dollar theatre building as of July 2020. It had begun under construction as of December 2019 and now it stands as what many students would say is the school’s proudest new addition. The staff and students have been appreciative of the convenience of the building and what a benefit it will be for students for years to come. Many will be able to enjoy the excitement the building provides whether they are performing or sitting in the crowd. Some including, principal Chris Shaw, have shared an idea of what has changed in comparison to where the theatre students previously practiced and performed. “There have been significant changes in the theater department,” Shaw said. “ Previously they had to use the stage in the cafeteria to perform plays. Also, if they went to the civic center for their musical, the drama boosters had to raise thousands of dollars to tent the facility. Now we do not have to.” Shaw as well as students are proud of the work of the new building and how far it has come. With the school’s new changes, the theatrical productions could amaze more people than what it already has.

“Our new facility is one of the best in North Alabama. Our stage, lighting and sound system is state of the art,” Shaw said. As the years move on, it is always a natural tendency to improve or change what feels needed. As of right now, Shaw makes a point that this addition might help improve the building even more and make it into an even finer facility. “I would like to have a big electronic marquee out in front of the auditorium. This way we could advertise all the exciting happenings in the fine arts department,” Shaw said. According to several of our high school students and staff, we can see that with this building we have a chance of a better future. Senior Blake Westmoreland has shared his opinion on how he sees the new building will further help the theatre department for the high school. “I think the new building is a great opportunity for all of the fine arts programs to grow,” Westmoreland said.“Rehearsing in the cafeteria became such a chore and now that we have our own space, it makes it super easy to learn and grow as a group while also competing and collaborating with students from other schools.”

Rumor accounts prove hurtful to students Sarah Chase-Editor

ost schools have their fair share of rumor accounts on social media. They are created anonymously and made for students of the school to send in confessions and rumors, which many choose to participate in. The rumor accounts allow for the users who send in submissions to be anonymous. In the bio of one account, always anonymous is written in all caps. Even then, many students care not to participate. “I don’t really care about rumor accounts. I feel like it’s a stupid way for people to somehow validate themselves. I’ve never participated in one. I don’t care enough to and I don’t think anyone else truly cares what they have to say either,” senior William King said. Most students feel the same way. They believe the rumor accounts for the school or any school are unproductive and unsafe. Some students get a laugh out of the accounts not because of what is being posted, but because of the behavior of the rumor accounts. Many highschoolers make fun of the accounts because they see them as immature. “I think they are very childish. It’s hurtful to people. I think it’s [also] funny, but I can definitely see how some people could get

upset. They also posted mean things about Two high school freshmen from New people. It causes more harm than good,” York created a rumor account for Sparkman senior Karis Hogan said. High School because of a TikTok trend. Rumor accounts have created Students got amusement out of it, posting confrontation between students as they it on their social media accounts when they create the accounts to “expose people”. Some found out, but the account also put people in students just decide not to put energy into the harmful situations. drama if something is posted about them. “It was funny at first because I saw the “I personally don’t care about them when trend on TikTok until it got popular and they’re about myself because it’s usually people were getting called out for being ‘gay’ someone that was too scared to come to me and other things like that. People can be put and talk to me about their issues with me,” in dangerous situations if their parents see senior Justice those things Hudson said. online Students about them “Our whole lives have been about not get followed and it got posting things on the internet if we don’t disrespectful by the accounts very want people to see them because the frequently. quickly,” internet is forever. It seems like that just Sometimes Hudson goes out the door when there is a new they follow said. back, but Most rumor account,” Hudson said. other times students not so make rumor much. That accounts for is because many students do not care to get entertainment not knowing that the accounts involved with an account focused on people are a form of cyber bullying and harassment. that students will not see after graduation. Students who get followed, posted or tagged “Again I just think it’s dumb. I’d tell in the accounts are strongly against them anyone starting a rumor account that they’re being created. wasting their time because no one cares. I am “It sounds fun in thought, but it could be about to be out of high school and I guarantee damaging to someone else’s self esteem and that I won’t even see 97 percent of the people could get you in a lot of trouble if it gets too that go here,” King said. far,” Hudson said.

10 | NEWS

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

NEWS | 11

“I have taken care of teenagers as patients but never a whole class at once so that is a tiny bit challenging,” Fralix said.

Helping out Showing a student how to complete a chart, new teacher Sarah Richey, gives guidance. Richey was hired to replace retired teacher, Angela Holland. Photo by Tess Warren

New teachers take medical academy in new direction

Tess Warren-Editor

long with the school’s new normal of 2020, Medical Academy has received its own new changes. Former Medical Academy teachers, Kim Goins and Angela Holland have left the school to pursue new opportunities. Goins felt led to take a position at Hartselle High School and Holland retired. Although students were sad to see them go, they are gaining two new teachers in Kenzie Fralix and Sarah Richey. Fralix has experience in the intensive care unit, emergency department, long-term care unit and medical-surgical unit. She previously worked with the Surgical-Trauma Stepdown department at Huntsville Hospital Main for 16 months. She continues to work there over school breaks and plans to work

there over the summer. “I'm a sucker for blood, guts and gore so some of the stuff I saw was pretty amazing, or terrible, depending on who you ask,” Fralix said. “I enjoyed [the Surgical-Trauma Stepdown department] the most because we would have some patients stay for weeks-months at a time after a traumatic [experience] and it was just great to be able to help them gain their independence and confidence to be able to go home or go to a rehabilitation facility and just to be able to see that improvement every day. It was inspiring a lot of the times.” Richey is a Registered Nurse with a background in Emergency Medicine. She has worked as a Clinical Instructor for local nursing programs. As a Clinical Instructor, she was responsible for nursing students in the hospital setting. When she went back to school to get her Master’s Degree in Nursing Education, she was working as a Clinical Instructor and in the ER. “I began to like teaching when I had opportunities to have nursing students placed with me to learn and train new employees,” Richey said. “I hope that my passion for healthcare translates

“I have always said that my goal in life is to make a difference,” Fralix said.

to my students. I love being a nurse, and I would like to help other students determine whether or not healthcare is a career path they could see themselves in.” Richey was also greatly inspired by her own teacher of her high school’s medical program. When she saw the position at Sparkman, she saw an opportunity to impact students in the way that her teacher did with herself and many others. “My high school medical academy teacher was passionate about her career in healthcare, and you could definitely tell that when she was teaching,” Richey said. “She made learning fun, but was also realistic with us on what it takes to succeed in a healthcare career.” Richey has experience teaching whereas, for Fralix, this is her first year. She decided to start teaching to instill a passion into the students to inspire them “to change the world.” “I have always said that my goal in life is to make a difference. I became a nurse so I could make that goal a reality,” Fralix said. “I feel like I accomplished that goal over my almost 6 years as a nurse. Now, I’ve broadened my scope of practice to include teaching so, hopefully, I can make enough of a difference in a students’ life that they can go out and change the world. Cheesy, I know, but the truth.” Although her first year teaching may not be what she anticipated, Fralix was

not too surprised by the pandemic itself because it relates to her 12-hour shifts in a hospital. However, looking into school halls versus hospital halls, she mentions a definite difference in the atmosphere. “I have taken care of teenagers as patients but never a whole class at once so that is a tiny bit challenging,” Fralix said. Although teaching a hands-on orientated class may pose some unique challenges, Richey is doing everything she can to make the best of her situation and ensure her students get the best experience they can. “We do bounce ideas back and forth about ways to make a hands-on skill ‘virtual learning’ friendly,” Fralix said. “I think, personally, it helps that I have Mrs. Richey to brainstorm with and come up with ways to reach out to virtual students, and our traditional students too.” For sophomore Hannah Stovall, who is currently taking the medical courses virtually, characterizes the class as well organized and set up where students can easily ask any questions, despite the teachers having virtual and in-person students. “I think that Mrs. Richey and Mrs. Fralix are both going to do a great job managing their classes and will be very creative in coming up with ways to teach new lessons,” Stovall said. “As a virtual student, I feel that I am getting a good experience of the

class through the assignments and Google Meets we have. For example, in Unit 1 Mrs. Richey held a Google Meet where we played Jeopardy to review for our upcoming test.” Senior Sarah Taylor, who was in the class for the past two years, mentions her enthusiasm to meet the new teachers, yet her disappointment when she found out they removed the class for seniors, known as the internship, entirely. “I was excited for a new year getting to know the teachers. I bet they are so awesome and I’m praying for a successful first year for them.” Taylor said. “Hopefully, I will be able to work with them on HOSA this year, as I will still be participating in that.” Taylor expected they would not be doing the internships in regards to not being able to work and visit in hospitals, but she was in disbelief to hear the whole class was taken away. She emailed all of the principals asking them to reconsider, but they told her the central office made the decision. “I was honestly shocked and heartbroken when I found out there wasn’t going to be a third class. We all worked so hard the first two years to be able to do internship. I was so bummed because I had been looking forward to this class since 6th grade,” Taylor said. “I was really surprised they discontinued the internship because not even Mrs. Holland or Mrs. Goins thought that would occur. I’m

so sad that the class got taken away for the third year, but I am so thankful for all the opportunities I had in the first two classes.” Taylor like many other students hope they will bring the class back and future grades will be able to do internship because it is a unique experience designed to prepare students for a future in the medical field. “I have heard about the Disaster Drill that the previous teachers did. I think that would be exciting,” Fralix said. The Disaster Drill is a unique aspect of the program. It is the ultimate test for students to see their capability of performing medical procedures in a major disaster. The interns gleefully play their role as victims, screaming and scaring the other students as they try to attend to everyone. Fralix mentioned her interest in the possibility of conducting the famous test after everything blows over. “I absolutely loved the disaster drill and I learned so much through it. It was one of the most memorable parts of the class.” Taylor said. “I would absolutely be thrilled to help them with it and kind of show what they did in the years past if they want a student’s perspective and experience.”

Dummy down Modeling how to take vitals, Kenzie Fralix demonstrates listening to the heart. Fralix was hired just before school began in August. Photo by Tess Warren

12 | LIFESTYLES

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

Local Pharmacist tells about his connection with cars Brody Wallace-Editor

ars were made to get people from one point to another as efficiently and reliably as possible. However, one person in Huntsville believes that cars can offer so much more. Pharmacist Drew Smith belongs to this community. His journey into the car enthusiast world is one of sorrow, pride, failure and discovery. It all starts in high school during the late 2000s. “It was in high school where I became interested. I was driving

Saving Grace Drew Smith takes his savior out for a cruise and snaps some pictures along the way. Smith’s wife, Danielle , puts up with Drew’s obsession . Photo by Drew Smith did slightly modify the car, only exhaust, and intake upgrades. But this was just the surface of my addiction to speed.” Smith ended up trading the car in for pennies after the timing chain broke and went to the BMW dealership for more options. Unknowingly he picked one of the most upgradeable and modifiable BMWs ever.

“I took a ride in their cars and got to feel the raw power. I had a rush and I wanted to feel that in my car.”

a Hyundai Tiburon GT and I thought it was fast at the time,” Smith said. “Little did I know this was the beginning of my dive into the deep end.” He ended up wrecking the Hyundai and moved on to a Mazda RX-8. Smith loved the car, but once its engine lost compression he was ready for a change. The one deciding factor for his next car was the underwhelming power in the Mazda. “I ended up driving a BMW 540i M-Sport with a V8 in it. It was the polar opposite in terms of power, I felt such a rush from pressing on the gas, and it made me love BMWs and cars since then,” Smith said. “I

Buying a 2009 BMW 335i with the twin-turbo n54 engine, Smith knew he had some power but he didn’t know how much he could get. “I ended up going with the 335i because of the color. The other option was a convertible 330i in a champagne color and I did not like it. The 335i was in a space gray and I thought it looked awesome,” Smith said. “I loved the car then and I still love the car now.” Once he moved to Tuscaloosa after

graduating from Samford, Smith wanted to get his intake ports walnut blasted and took it to a couple of locals that offered a better price than the dealership. The two handymen, Brent and John, owned heavily modified BMWs that boasted high horsepower numbers. He started his research on forums and sites for modifications to start with. He picked out a couple of upgrades and got his mechanical buddies interested and involved in the project. It was during this time, however; Smith found himself amid darkness and despair. “The reason I moved to Tuscaloosa was for a relationship, I had already graduated from Samford, so this was my only reason for being there,” Smith said. “I had no friends, no family and no connections outside of this relationship.” No one, not even Smith could prepare himself for what was to come next. “I ended up proposing to her and we get married later on. I couldn’t have felt better,” Smith said. “She ended up filing for a divorce on our honeymoon.” Smith had lost his only connection and spiraled out of control. He tried reaching out

LIFESTYLES | 13 but to no avail. “A lot of non-car people I come in contact with, you know, when they found out I was divorced, I had like this stigma to me. The dating scene is like, oh, you’re divorced. There’s something wrong with you,” Smith said. There was a glimmer of hope, however, as throughout this time Smith kept modifying his car to the point of insanity. He had found his way out of his mind. “Other car enthusiasts don’t care. They didn’t care what I was like really. I had a cool car and they respect me, but when you start talking to them they don’t care. I could have been a felon or you know, had a face tattoo or something. They don’t care,” Smith said. “I was genuine and I was a car person and that’s all it took for me to step into that group. I had found people that I could open up to. We would go for rides and they’d tell me it was going to be alright.” A group of people saw him for what he simply was. A man with a cool car. He had found more than just car nuts, but friends who cared about him and his car. Smith had bridged his way from his car to outside comfort. “I was at a car meet and hanging out with some of my friends and a college kid walks in. He demands to race the fastest car at the meet. One of my buddies replies, ‘We don’t have anything that fast but you can race that BMW over there’, and gestured to my car,”

The Road to 600 Gas conversion to E-85 Secondary lowpressure fuel pump Upgraded turbos, cold air intakes Custom exhaust system Seven inch intercooler upgrade

Transmission and radiator coolers Catalytic converter delete Dual-injection system, custom intake manifold Custom carbon fiber steering wheel, carbon fiber lip

Smith said. “I humbly accept and take him out, once we race, I pass him quick enough to make it look like he put his car in reverse and took it to Gapplebee’s.” At this point, Smith comes out of the dark, mostly unscathed with friends to support him. His car hits high numbers, which has racked up a laundry list of modifications, as it now gets over 600

“I don’t foresee myself buying anything else for sure. I’ve put a lot of time and wrenching into the 335i and I don’t have the space for something else right now. Unless it would be like, I don’t know, small go-carts for the kids or something like that. I don’t envision myself buying like another huge undertaking of a project personally,” Smith said.

horsepower in a 3600-pound car. “I guess the main goal was just to maximize both the reliability and the power of the car. I wouldn’t say that there’s like a single image or a single car that I’m trying to make it look like,” Smith said. In August of 2019, He finds himself with a job offer in the Huntsville area at the Star Discount Pharmacy in Madison. After taking it, he moves away from everything and everyone in Tuscaloosa, taking just his possessions and the vehicle that drove him out of gloom and doom. Fast forward to May of this year, Smith is now married and a soon-to-be-father to twin boys. His perspective on cars completely changes from the twin turbos in his car towards his twin boys.

Although the lessons he learned, friends he’s made and speed he craved will never leave him. Smith loves his car and found the community he loved so much loved him back. The community that had his back in times of darkness and lifted him in times of triumph. “Jump in the car community, jump in whatever community you can just to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Then you can meet people and talk to people based on common interests. And it gives you something to talk about and to look forward to,” Smith said. “It gives you something to occupy yourself when you’re alone. And that’s the biggest thing. Not letting yourself sit alone and stew in your feelings, loneliness or whatever it may be.”

14 | LIFESTYLES

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

LIFESTYLES | 15

Media specialist finds passion for water

Madison Duboise-Editor

ypically people drink a few glasses of water a day, shower once a day and travel to the beach about once every two or three years. For media specialist, Philomena Compton, she spends a little more time around the water than most- scuba diving, sailing and coaching, that is. Last spring Compton decided to pursue a new adventure, obtaining her sailing license. She wanted to become a captain so she could navigate the wonder of sailing and explore the world. “I hope to possibly go on an adventure next summer to see the beautiful water and experience the manipulation of the wind to complete a journey,” Compton said. Compton will complete her sailing certification this fall or possibly next spring in Nashville. She also is studying for her Mariner’s license which would give her the ability to hold a senior officer-level on a ship. She will not be completely finished with sailing until next spring or summer. She is utilizing the American Sailing Association and will complete the courses in Nashville through Sail Nashville. To get a Sailing License, there is classroom training, hands on training, an exam, and instructor training. The Mariner’s License is a separate exam, with online content and then an exam taken in Leeds, Alabama. That will complete her Captain’s License and will also give her the sailer’s certificate from ASA. “That is my hope- it may take me a year to complete everything, but it is so exciting. It is great fun to operate a sailboat,” Compton said. When a friend suggested that Compton should try out scuba diving she immediately jumped on the idea, since she had her Commercial Driver’s License,was working on her Captain License and wanted to travel, to her it was the perfect next adventure. “It got me dreaming that I possibly could go to the Caribbean when I retire, and drive a bus of tourists with my CDL, to a dock where I could operate a sailboat to take people

Diving Deep Media specialist, Philomena Compton, poses with the swim team seniors after meets and practices. Compton spent most of summer working with the team and learning all about coaching. Photos courtesy of Philomena Compton

out to that beautiful water to scuba dive someday,” Compton said. Compton went online and did some research and decided to complete the Professional Association of Diving Instructors process. She found several places that remained open during the pandemic in the Nashville area. “I narrowed it down to the two best websites. I called the first one and I fell in love with the lady who answered the phone

and I spoke directly with the instructor when I called as well,” Compton said. “I knew with all my heart that I had found the perfect instructors for me. Plus, the lady who answered the phone used to be an educator.” From playing with a bowling ball to diving down to about 50 feet, Compton got an array of experience learning to dive. “Honestly I enjoyed the Rock Quarry so much. It was fun to be with everyone and learn the entire process from beginning to

end. Once we completed using the compass underwater, which was awesome, we got to free dive with a dive master which is what I am aspiring to be,” Compton said. “We swam down to a van and table area down at the bottom of the quarry on the north side. It was amazing and very cold, even with my wet suit. My dream dive would be the beautiful, clear waters of the Caribbean Scuba diving opened up a whole new world for Compton. From having eyeopening experiences to becoming certified,

Compton truly believes there is more that she can do in the world now that she has wandered outside of her traditional comfort zone. “I realized that scuba diving changed my whole perception of the world. When I dove down to the bottom of that quarry, I realized that under the water in God’s creation, the world’s problems were silent and I could just be free to kick my fins and enjoy the beautiful visuals and calmness of the water,” Compton said. “It was like total peace under there with

a renewed regard for the fragility of life.” Once Compton completed her required two pool dives and two open water dives, she was then tested on all diving skills and then became PADI certified. She has her own card now and can dive anywhere in the world, since PADI is nationwide. From sailing to scuba diving, it seems like this past summer Compton could not find herself away from the water. When principal Christopher Shaw brought up the open position for a swim team coach, it made Compton begin to think. “My first job was life guarding and I had helped with swim meets in Decatur in the past, when it was manual. I later became WSI certified and have given many lessons to all ages,” Compton said. “I was a little nervous about swim meets being digital, but I spoke with Mr. Shaw and Ms. Gray and they felt I would be very positive and do a great job as the coach, and I felt very encouraged and I knew I would work very hard to be a great swim team coach.” As a coach, Compton is responsible for training during practice, planning meets, managing the software utilized for the swim team, and organizing team information and scheduling like all other coaches. Even though this is another totally new experience for Compton she has found a home in the swim team and spent what she says was an unforgettable summer with the swim athletes. “I have learned that there are some awesome students on the swim team. I adore my swim team athletes. They each have a very unique and individual personality,” Compton said. “I try to talk and get to know each of them. They are each amazing, dedicated swimmers.” Compton spends much of her time focused on the team, and enjoys spending almost every moment she is not working in the media center focusing on swim. Whether it is swim team or thinking about sailing or diving, Compton’s mind never strays far from the water. “I have been swimming since birth. I grew up taking two or three swim classes every summer. My first job at age 16 was at Point Mallard as a lifeguard. The training was very intense. I loved life guarding. That turned into sailing, diving, and a lifetime of swimming, I love it,” Compton said. “Honestly, it all goes back to my mother, because she wanted my sisters and I to always be safe in the water. With me I guess it really stuck, and now I am sharing those skills with Sparkman and through my own experiences.”

16 | LIFESTYLES

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

LIFESTYLES | 17

CHH-CHANGE

Students make money from popular app Kendall Cope-Reporter

The Making of a Leader Junior Abby Judge looks forward to gaining leadership skills. Photo courtesy of Rebel Judge

READY

TO LEAD Junior secures spot in prestigious conference J

McKynna Stevens-Reporter

unior Abby Judge joined the JROTC program as a freshman to gain some knowledge for a possible career in the military. After two years, she seems to have found an army career option for her. “I wanted to have some military background before I joined the army after college. My dad was in the military when I was little so I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Abby Judge said. Judge was selected to attend the MOWW Youth Leadership Conference this Fall. The YLC selects kids from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The kids are chosen by instructors, principals, and community leaders. The award is being able to work with like minded people. They are all working towards the same goal and Judge is excited to be surrounded by that. She will be learning leadership skills, communication skills, and overall how to be a better person. “I hope to learn skills that broaden my leadership skills. I want to be able to take those skills into adulthood,” Judge said. This award has been a dream come true for Judge. The conference gives students the opportunity to gain leadership skills and learn some insight on the military after high school. They will do team building exercises, work to find solutions, and present results. “Some of my friends / mentors were chosen in the past and they’ve really left a mark on me. They’ve turned out to be strong leaders and that’s what I want to be,” Judge said. Judge’s father has quite the career in the army. He retired as a Colonel in the

United States Army. He branched infantry, aviation, and finished military intelligence. He worked overseas with other countries’ embassies. Other than picking up some skills and helpful knowledge Judge is excited to hear the guest speakers at the conference. “I’m definitely excited to hear military officials and politicians speak. Something about the power they hold fascinates me. My future is all military. I want to be able to see what I’m getting myself into and what to expect from their experiences,” Judge said. Covid-19 will not make much of an impact for the conference. The conference is held at the space and rocket center every year. “The conference will be held in person on Oct. 28-31. I’m really happy that we’re able to meet face-to-face. It adds more of a personal touch,” Judge said. Judge has certainly put the effort in to get where she is now. Growing up she knew she wanted to be like her father and that she would have to work to get there. “I put myself out there in the beginning. I volunteered for everything and I took control whenever I could. I made sure people knew who I was,” Judge said. Joining JROTC was one of Judges best choices. It helped her find a passion for the army. “My favorite memory has to be winning State for the drill team 9th grade year. It was such a fun experience. We became so close during that trip and it made us perform better. I gained so many new friends and memories that year,” Judge said.

ith the current pandemic, online shopping has become a popular way to decrease the risk of catching COVID-19. Students have found a way to make money by selling products on the app, Depop. Depop describes itself as a “fashion marketplace app where the next generation come(s) to discover unique items.” Kayla Nichols and Fynn Virgo are student sellers on the app. Nichols sells 90s/vintage clothes and Virgo sells vintage clothes along with shoes and earrings. The students agree that the app is extremely easy to use. “After you get all of your payment information set up, it’s fairly simple. You just have to know the basics,” Nichols said. “The app is really user friendly after a little trial and error,” Virgo said. The students came across Depop through other social media platforms and decided to partake in the app. They started selling products in 2020 on Depop to make money, since it is such a simple app. Virgo not only wanted to make money, but also wanted to provide a shop with inexpensive prices for all body sizes. “I saw that a lot of people had way overpriced stuff so I wanted to have a shop where you could find cool vintage clothes for usually under $20, and to have affordable products for all sizes,” Virgo said. Shipping is notorious for being the hardest part about online selling, but Depop makes it trouble-free. The app gives a shipping code and the buyer

pays for shipping if the seller does not pay for it themselves. “I just mail it to them. Usually the item(s) are small enough to fit in my mailbox so I just put it in there,” Nichols said. Virgo has sold 14 items so far on Depop and Nichols has sold a couple as well. They both have trouble finding anything that they would change about the app. “I like that I get to set my own prices and it is a short amount of time spent on posting and shipping,” Nichols said. Virgo said, “There’s nothing I really dislike.” Both students have no intentions of ceasing to sell anytime soon, even with the distractions that life brings. “I haven’t been selling a lot recently because I’ve been busy with work and school, but I don’t have any plans to stop,” Virgo said.

“I haven’t been selling a lot recently because I’ve been busy with work and school, but I don’t have any plans to stop,” Virgo said.

Available Now

These dinosaur earrings are for sale on Depop and can be found on Fynn Virgo’s page, @ v1rg0, for $12.

Ready to Wear

Kayla Nichols is selling this stylish shirt on Depop for $15 on her page, @kaylanicholss.

Featured

These popular Color Block Jeans are selling for $55 on @kaylanicholss. Photo by Kayla Nichols

For Sale

You can get these trendy Doc Martens for $120 on Fynn Virgo’s page, @v1rg0. Photo by Fynn Virgo

18 | LIFESTYLES

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

LIFESTYLES | 19

Getting Sweet

Teacher starts business to keep occupied at home She sells products on her site including sugar cookies, cupcakes, cookie cake cups and more. From themed cookies to plain colors Watson has found herself experimenting in ways she never thought she would before. “My personal favorites are my cookie cups, they’re chocolate chip cookies in a small cup shape filled with frosting,” Watson said. “I have a very, very long list of things to try. Right now I’ve been focusing on new fall flavors for my cupcakes. I’m always thinking of new ways to decorate my cookies. I plan to try a gaming set with a Nintendo Switch and a Playstation controller.” Even though the school year has started back Watson does not plan to take a break from baking. From grading papers to sifting flour, Watson would not give up either of her passions for baking or teaching. “There is always something for me to do, whether it is making dough, baking cupcakes, rolling and baking cookies, decorating, or coming up with new designs and recipes,” Watson said. “I definitely hope to continue baking; it’s been a little harder to do larger orders while also teaching full time, but it’s been working well so far. I’d like to continue baking because it’s something I enjoy. It brings me a lot of happiness and personal satisfaction knowing that people enjoy my baking so much.”

Madison Duboise-Editor

nglish teacher Hannah Watson found another way to spice up her life other than classical literature. Flour, butter and sugar are just a few of the ingredients that have transformed Watson’s life in so many ways. After the abrupt stop to the school season earlier this year, Watson was left empty. While she had predicted the school year would be rocky she never expected the cancellation. Even with the spare time she had without being able to teach, she and her husband spent their time raising their goats, chickens, turkeys and horses. “The beginning of quarantine was a complete surprise to me. I had prepared virtual lessons for my students, but I really wasn’t expecting school to close completely,” Watson said. “One of our horses needed daily medical treatment at the time for an eye ulcer, so the extra time was great. We also had about thirty baby chicks and turkeys to take care of about a week into quarantine, so we stayed plenty busy.” Still she found a lot of free time despite her animals. With a family always baking treats, it was almost natural that Watson began filling her spare time with icing and cookie cutters. “My mom was always the “cookie lady” when I was in elementary school- she baked for every school event. She also made cakes and other desserts for people. I would often help her in the kitchen as a kid, and over time I learned to do recipes on my own,” Watson said. “I definitely had plenty of experience baking with my mom. I often helped her glaze cookies or make fondant decorations for cakes. I like that it’s a chance to be creative; I’ve heard people refer to desserts as “edible art”. I also enjoy peaceful activities that I can do on my own, and baking definitely falls into that category.” As the summer continued Watson began perfecting her craft and taking her baking a lot more serious. Her mom decided it was time to hand down the title and let her daughter take reign. “Over a school break, I decided to give the more elaborate designs a try for myself. I kept practicing and getting better at new techniques, and eventually my mom started to send customers my way,” Watson said. “She’s been wanting to retire from being “the cookie lady” for a while, so she was happy to help send people to me.” After a while orders were consistently coming in and that is when she decided to start her website Sugar Fern Sweets and began rolling out dough weekly. “My mom’s cookies were always from the “family recipe”- a sort of tea cake with a very thin sugar glaze. They’re delicious and fun, but always one color. I had been telling my mom for years that she should try something more elaborate,” Watson said. “I’m not sure when I realized that I could make a business from making cookies. I started with just a few orders here and there; now, I consistently have at least two orders a week. I think I became more serious because it’s something that I enjoy and I’m lucky enough to be able to make money doing it. Baking helps me to clear my head and relax.”

SUGARFERNSWEETS.COM

Sweet Treats English teacher Hannah Watson focuses in as she delicately pipes designs on to her freshest batch of cookies. Watson photographed and displayed all her favorite treats to post on her website for customers to view. Photo credits Hannah Watson

20 |LIFESTYLES

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

Newly elected SGA chairperson makes plans

2616 Jeff Road, Harvest, Alabama 35749 (256) 837-0331 https://www.mcssk12.org/Domain/30 Distribution The Crimson Crier is a student-run publication produced in the state of Alabama. All final design, reporting and content decisions are the responsibility of the student journalists of Sparkman High School under the guidance of their adviser and principal. The views articulated in The Crimson Crier do not necessarily represent the views of the entire staff, Sparkman High School or the Madison County school district. Copies are distributed to the faculty, staff and student body free of charge. School Paper Express prints 500 copies for distribution.

Kyla Davidson-Reporter

s the newly elected SGA Chairperson, senior Rebekah Curry hopes to make some changes that will make a difference in the school and in the community. Curry is faced with the challenge of leading a student body that is 50% face to face and 50% remote. With a goal of increasing school spirit, Curry will have to look at plans and procedures a little differently than those leaders before her. “I expect a good number of students will choose to stay online and not attend in-person events, so the board and I will try to find ways to accommodate them as well,” Curry said. “I want all students’ involvement to grow this year- whether they went virtual or will be attending school in person.” Curry has served on SGA for the past three years where she gained experience in seeing what works and what does not work for the betterment of the student body. School spirit was a big part of her campaign platform. It is the biggest reason she wanted to run for the top office. “I wanted to become SGA Chairperson because over the past couple of years, I realized how extremely passionate I am about school spirit, SGA, the betterment of Sparkman High School and the lives of everyone in it,” Curry said. “I knew this club was a great way to improve the school and to act on these passions of mine. I was confident that I’d be a progressive leader and knew I was capable to lead the board with my

OPINION | 21

Taking the Lead Speaking with her first period, senior Rebekah Curry talks of her future plans for the student body. Curry was elected as SGA Chairperson on Oct. 2 as the student body voted virtually. Photo by Tess Warren experience and commitment.” One of the ways Curry wants to build school spirit is through new activities. One of her biggest priorities is to begin a tradition of recognizing smaller sports and listening to students’ opinions on these events. “I plan on first organizing a tailgate or trunk or treat before football season is over. If there is a way to safely have pep rallies for not only football but basketball and other sports as well, a dance to replace homecoming- like a semiformal,” Curry said. “I also want to help the board start the tradition of a senior breakfast. I would like to accomplish all of this as long as they abide by coronavirus regulations.” Due to Coronavirus cases, Curry is forced to change the order of things according to the regulations of staying safe. Her first concern is the safety of the school and the community. She plans on keeping the entire school safe by following the safety precautions that is required of everyone. “Our first priority in creating plans for this year is safety. With Coronavirus, the board and I have to find ways to abide by the regulations, so that we don’t risk anyone getting sick during our events,” Curry said. “This may mean moving events that occur indoorsoutdoors, and practicing social distancing during all of them,” Curry said. SGA sponsor, Ashly

“I knew this club was a great way to improve the school and to act on these passions of mine.”

Johnston, feels that Curry can make a difference this school year because she is familiar with how SGA works. “Rebekah has been an officer for years, so she fully understands what happens behind the scenes in order for SGA to work. I am looking forward to her being able to take the reins and me not having to be as hands-on in, as SGA should be student driven,” Johnston said. “This also makes her highly qualified through her experience and her ability to communicate to both administration and the student body.” Besides increasing school spirit, Curry has plans to ensure that the student body also participates in community activities, along with continuing the Make a Wish Foundation charity events. “ I would like SGA to volunteer more in our community and one effective plan I have is to organize food and other supply drives to give to local shelters,” Curry said. Going along with her campaign speech, Curry does want more people to join SGA, and if not, at least get them involved so their voices can be heard. “This year, I want strong communication between the board and every single class, whether it be speaking in person or sending polls and surveying them online,” Curry said.”Also, I want the student body to be aware that the board serves them and our goal is to make sure their student life is much better.”

Membership The Crimson Crier is a member of Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Alabama Scholastic Press Association and Southeastern Interscholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll. The Crimson Crier is a two-time CSPA Silver Crown winner, a consistent CSPA Gold medalist, NSPA First Class medalist and ASPA All-Alabama rating. Policy The Crimson Crier will report objectively on issues directly and indirectly affecting the student body and the school community. As student journalists, we understand our role in a global society to abide by the ethics of professional journalism in order to ensure a more informed student body. Letters to the Editor The Crimson Crier will print all letters to the editor as long as space will allow, and may edit letters for grammatical mistakes. All letters to the editor must be signed and include contact information of the writer. Letters can be dropped off at the Sparkman High School newsroom (127) one week after publication.

Staff Editorial @shs.tea has requested to follow you. Post after post “tea” or rumor accounts have publicly bashed students, from slut shaming to exposing racist students, the Instagram accounts never seem to quit popping up. As a staff we experienced the painful effects of these accounts and what damage they can really do. While in South Carolina for the annual Southeastern Interscholastic Press Association conference, a student from school created a rumor account and began ‘spilling the tea’. They had students send anonymous messages exposing students and giving their opinion on certain topics. One of the posts made on these certain accounts attacked our staff and adviser, these types of accounts and posts did not seem to fade over the summer. Staff member after staff member. It seemed as if no student was safe from being exposed, whether the information was truthful or not. Students in all grades saw friends, teachers and even administrators being talked about inappropriately and gossiped about in the comments. After a viral TikTok trend, the rumor accounts seemed to triple in numbers, some

with many followers and anonymous tea submissions, some with none. Cheating scandals, racist accusations and straight up cyber bullying were constantly filling up the feeds of students everywhere. Even when administrators stepped in to shut down the accounts, it did not take much for the next person sitting at home to get bored and create another account. It saddens us that students think it is okay to embarrass and harass classmates by creating these accounts, sending in submissions and even commenting on posts and following these accounts. The best thing to do is simply ignore and report, just like we did in South Carolina. We also messaged the account owner asking them to take down these claims even if they were submitted by someone anonymous because they did not have any facts or truthful claims to back these accusations up. It is even to some extent, disgusting, that students wish to publicly shame and expose each other on social media. There is enough cyber bullying and harassment without these accounts. It is awful to see how much damage can really be done when someone has harmful intentions.

What You Said “I don’t think it’s good because students that see things posted about themselves get really hurt and it’s hateful for students to send in these rumors.”

“I know my friends faced a lot of mental health issues after being blasted on these accounts, these types of things are mean and unsafe and can do a lot of damage.”

-junior Jacob Edwards

-sophomore Gracie Reaves

“I think it is just extremely toxic, it is horrible the things being said and the lies being spread.” -senior Gavin Mayfield

22 | OPINION

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

New court appointee could lead to trouble for marriage equality

Emma Headrick-Editor

1996

27% support same-sex marriage

2006

37% support same-sex marriage

2012

53% support same-sex marriage

2020

67% support same-sex marriage www.newsgallup.com

eventy-eight percent. That’s how much the rate of hate crimes toward the LGBTQ community has risen since 2013. In just seven years, we have made so much progress as a community and yet one in every five hate crimes is anti-LGBTQ motivated, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Now, as we near the end of 2020, our rights are once again being debated in the Supreme Court and all of us are left with just one question. How did we lose so much in such little time after all the strides we have made? In order to truly understand why our most basic human rights are once again being put on blast in our nation’s Capital, we must first look at the Justices responsible for this tragedy in the first place. Justice Clarence Thomas and fellow conservative Justice Samual Alito have been taking aim at the 2015 ruling that deemed marriage equality a constitutional right since the law was passed just five years ago. Thomas has a long track record of conservatism and what most would call “traditional values.” The Supreme Court Justice has taken hits to the LGBTQ community throughout his entire career under the guise of following the Constitution, his attacks on the community ranging from supporting anti-gay funeral pickets to supporting hostility toward an individual because of their sexual orientation as ‘self defense.’ His fellow Justice, Samual Alito, who is also advocating for the removal of the Marriage Equality Act, is currently over a decade into his tenure and has justly earned his title as the most solidly conservative Justice in recent history. Both men are notorious for their conservative views and even more conservative rulings. On Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, Thomas and Alito claimed Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision that officially legalized same-sex

marriage, “threaten[s] religious liberty,” saying that because of the decision, “those with sincerely held religious beliefs concerning marriage will find it increasingly difficult to participate in society without running afoul of Obergefell and its effect on other antidiscrimination laws.” In my own personal experience, this is an excuse all too commonly heard when LGBTQ issues are debated. It takes me back to when I was just 10 years old, sitting in the back pew of my old church, listening to the preacher say that the people in support

“For many Americans across the country, July 9, 2015, was the greatest day of their lives.”

of ‘alternative lifestyles’ still had time to repent. I remember listening to the adults seeth over the Supreme Court ruling and wondering why it was such a problem. “It’s against the Bible,” they would say. My young mind could never wrap itself around that concept. I had just learned about the separation of church and state and yet, as I listened to these people who would have otherwise preached about following the Constitution without any exceptions, all I could do was shut my mouth and wonder how people loving each other could be such a bad thing. For many Americans across the country, July 9, 2015, was the greatest day of their entire life. They finally had the option to marry the love of their life, a privilege that most straight people take for granted. They fought tooth and nail for their right to marry and now, as we near the six year anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling, what was once thought to be history is now at risk of becoming reality once again.

OPINION | 23

Student in despair over recent car repairs H

aving a car can be expensive, depending on how it is purchased. If you get a loan or buy it off a person, the monthly payments add up along with the insurance and gas however, there’s one cost newer drivers tend to forget, repairs. From valve cover replacements to failing starters, repairs can suck your bank account dry and then some. Trust me, my bank account screams at me every time I open up the app. When my parents first handed me my keys, I was ecstatic to hop into my car and have an option to go wherever I wanted to. Matter of fact, that same day I went to a car meet. Knowing my luck, on the way back, my car started shivering and whistling. I immediately knew what was wrong, just based on horror stories I have heard from other people who have the same generation of car as me. I went home and laid in my bed solemnly. The next morning I called a European garage since most of the regular shops do not know how to work on a BMW. They told me it would be $1200 to fix the car. I agreed because this was the best price I could get, no joke. I drive the car to the shop and hand

the keys over. My mom takes me to work the same day and I end up getting a call from the shop while I’m there. “Hey Brody, it's Ken from the shop. Listen we need to talk about your car,” Ken said. My heart stopped and I immediately knew something was wrong. “What’s up Ken? Hopefully, the engine didn’t go on me, did it?” I said half-jokingly. “We found out there were a couple of other issues with your car, nothing seriously wrong, just some minor things,” Ken said. He ended up telling me that there were four more things that would be $1,900 to fix. My wallet started crying when he said this. This was mostly because I had to pay $500 for the car payment and $265 for insurance. I got the car back and it drove better than ever. Yet, I had more insane luck as the very next day, the starter decided to hand in its letter of resignation and not work anymore. I towed it to the shop and pay another $900 to fix it. My wallet resumed crying. All-in-all, I have spent around $4200 on the car in just car payments and repairs. Luckily, the starter repair was about a month ago and the car seems to be running fine

Brody Wallace-Sports Editor

now. My lesson to others reading this is to always, and I mean always, take care of your car and save a little money for car repairs. They will happen, so being prepared is the best way to not have your bank account sue you for harassment.

Award shows are outdated, need more diversity Award shows are something that have existed just about as long as ‘modern’ entertainment has. The oldest of them being the Oscars premiering at the end of the Roaring ‘20s, they are practically ancient. And it is time we do away with them. Yes, I know it is probably a rather unpopular opinion, but award shows in the modern day are overrated, and ridiculously exclusive. First of all, the obvious fact is that nobody watches them. The Oscars hit all-time low viewership ratings in 2020, falling 20% from the previous year. Viewership of the Grammy’s has been halved since 2012. The older generations are more uninterested in the artists and actors receiving the awards because they are not the ones they grew up watching and listening to. And for the younger generation, streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu have taken over the world, and many do not even have the need for cable in the first place. But, the more important reason that award shows should be a thing of the past:

the lack of inclusivity. Only 14 black actors and actresses have won an Oscar. Ever. The award show has gone on for almost a century, and only 50 have been nominated. Since the year 2000, there have been 72 actors and actresses that have won an Oscar, and 60 of them were white. This is a popular trend across other popular Award Shows, such as the Tonys (with 95.3% of their nominees being white) and even the Grammys (with white men being nominated 49 times more than all other groups combined). There is no excuse for these statistics. People of color makeup 27.6% of film leads and 32.7% of total actors. It should be represented as such in award shows, because these wonderful actors are amazingly talented and inspiring. If we cannot properly represent the people who deserve it, we should not have the shows at all.

Grace Moore-Spread Editor

24 | OPINION

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

OPINION | 25

BLACK LIVES MATTER Senior discusses impact of movement on herself, family

Sarah Chase-A&E Editor

t is late, maybe around 11 p.m. and I am sitting on my bed, lights still on, not planning on going to sleep anytime soon. I’m scrolling through Instagram and I see Shaun King, a journalist, posted an IGTV video with a sensitive content warning. I already know what it is. I stare at it for a minute wondering if I should watch it. I am wondering whether I can take it after Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. I decide to watch it because it is not about whether I can take it, but it is about me staying informed because if black people don’t care about black lives then no one will. As I am watching it, I see a white officer with his knee on a black man’s neck. The man is screaming out for his mama and yelling “I can’t breathe”. A very familiar statement I have heard too often. I hear people pleading with the officer because the black man is obviously detained and nonviolent and I notice the officers eyes. They are filled with pure evil. He was motivated to murder that black man and make sure that he did not make it home to his family. My vision starts to get blurry, my heart racing, my breathing speeding up. A wet drop hits my screen. I am crying. I am angry. I am tired. After that, everything happened so fast. There are protests, riots and two types of white responses. There are those deciding to become allies and those deciding to be racist. When the first night of riots happened in response to the death of George Floyd, I felt no sympathy. I watched the CNN broadcast with my dad and I saw the destruction, but I did not care. Those people were angry and so was I. They were burning down a block and I told my dad, “Let them burn it down. Enough is enough.” Yet there were students at this school and around America getting upset over buildings. There were students posting about how burning down buildings is not the answer as if America did not bomb Japan after Pearl Harbor. They are more angry at Colin Kapernick’s knee than the knee that killed

“It angered me to see my dad shedding tears for a man who looks like him, who looks like my brother and only gets hatred in return.”

another innocent black life. I remember one of my ex-friend’s posting about how he loves Minneapolis, he has family there and he visits there often and now buildings are being burned down and a Target is getting looted after police threw tear gas at peaceful protesters. What about the black life that was murdered? He was a son, a brother and a father. He was a human. I wonder if they know that Black Lives Matter protesters did not start those riots. A man- a member of a white supremacist group-did. I realized how mentally draining and how angry I truly was on the day of George Floyd’s funeral. I woke up and decided to go get coffee. I went into my dad’s man cave to tell him I was leaving and he was crying. I looked at the television and I noticed that he was watching the funeral. I walked up to him and I gave me a hug. I could not tell him it is okay because it is not okay. We are getting killed and then get called thugs because we are angry. He started crying harder and the only thing he said was “Why does God take our children from us?” And I could not answer his question. It angered me to see my dad shedding tears for a man who looks like him, who looks like my brother and only gets hatred in return. There is hatred behind the words blue lives matter and all lives matter. There is hatred behind dehumanizing the Black Lives Matter movement because when we say end oppression they claim we are not oppressed as if they have walked in our shoes. Sure I can vote, but can I walk out of my house and be guaranteed that I will not get in some sort of trouble or end up dead because of the color of my skin? No, but this response to my fight is not the first time I felt the hatred this country had for me. I felt it when my friends and I walked into Ulta and they followed us, when they placed their blue lives matter flags outside of

The Right to Protest On June 15, people protested the death of George Floyd around the courthouse square in downtown Huntsville. After the protest, a local artist painted a mural of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor that is still present on Clinton Ave. Photos by Terry Willis

their houses and cars, when my family and I went to Selma for the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and they patted down my brother and my brother only, they remind me when they support the man that sits in office right now. I understand though. It is ignorance. It takes ignorance to say “All lives matter”. They fail to understand that when I proclaim that “Black Lives Matter” I am not saying that white lives do not. We know white lives matter. White lives have mattered since the day this country was stolen from Native Americans. I am not saying black lives are more important. I am simply saying black lives are important. It takes a toll on black people. We constantly feel less than here and it is because of the fragility of white people. Their fragility has caused my fear. Every time I get in my car that has “Black Lives Matter” written on the back windshield, I know the risk I am taking. Alabama is probably one of the unsafest places to have that on the back of my car, but I got tired of staying silent as blue lives matter flags and Trump stickers sit on the backs of people’s cars. I am scared every time my brother leaves the house. When he does I pray that he comes home and I see him the next morning

because I know that too many officers love to play God in this country. Their fragility has caused black people to be unprotected in this country. We were stolen from our land, made to do free labor, hung from trees, incarcerated at mass numbers and failed to be given rights. We were unvalued when we got here and we are unvalued now. White people love to say racism is not real because there are black athletes and we had a black president. Lebron James fights for black lives, his life and his family’s life and racists love to call him a “clown” or stop supporting him because he fights for his life to matter. Getting a black president did not end racism because while Obama was President there were calls for him to prove he was a citizen. Those same calls were brought onto Kamala Harris when she was announced as Biden’s Vice President. I do not remember a white President or Vice President having to prove that they were a citizen. Those calls only apply to Presidents of color in this country. Their fragility has caused my pain. One night I was so fed up. I was just thinking about George, Breonna, Ahmaud, everything that has led up to now and I asked God why.

I asked Him why this country hates me so much. I told Him I would give anything to be as loved here. I would give anything for my community to be healed from years of oppression. I want to love this country. Every morning when the Pledge of Allegiance is recited in class I want to get out of my chair, but I can not. I emotionally and physically can not give my allegiance to a country that is not and has not been on my side. I want to take pride in this country and say that it is great because it is my home. I want to love my home, but my home does not love me. So when you think about telling someone that “All lives matter”, “Blue lives matter”, or that Black Lives Matter is a “domestic terrorist organization” or a “joke”, know that you are adding to their pain, you are adding to their unprotection and you are adding to their fear. You are telling them that they do not matter in this country and you are causing their oppression. You are becoming what your ancestors were during the Civil Rights Movement. You are spreading the virus that destroys this country the most and it is not COVID-19. It’s racism.

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The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

IN-DEPTH | 27

Photo Illustration by Kameron Glenn

Netflix goes wrong with ‘Cuties’ documentary

etflix has an array of shows and movies that many find concerning from Big Mouth to 13 Reasons Why, but many think they have finally crossed a line. While most of those shows include cartoons or adults, their new show, Cuties, has real 12-year-olds girls. The movie follows Amy, an 11 year old immigrant girl in France. It begins when her father leaves back to their home country because he wants to get a second wife. This causes Amy to rebel against her Muslim parents and traditions. She decides to join a dancing group with three other girls after seeing them dance in an extremely suggestive way. Throughout the movie, the 11 year old girls do many inappropriate and sexual acts. When caught with their cousin’s belongings, Amy attempts to seduce him but is rejected and runs away in embarrassment into a bathroom where she takes and posts an inappropriate picture online. At one point the movie even shows an 11 year old in her underwear. The girls are seen watching inappropriate videos, accessing cam sites and watching a rival dance team where one of the members exposes themselves. The girls are seen watching hip-hop music videos where they mimic the inappropriate dance movements in their dance routine. While the girls are dancing, the camera zooms in on inappropriate areas on 11 year old girls while in skin tight and revealing clothing, and dancing in extremely inappropriate

ways, especially for their age. At the end of the movie, they participate in the big dance competition doing all those moves in inappropriate and revealing clothing. The main character, Amy breaks down in the middle of their routine after thinking of her mother and runs home. The director of the movie believes that the movie has a good message, even calling it a feminist film. This excuse resembles the slasher films excuse for their excess violence and gore being to stop violence. When your goal is to bring attention to and stop premature sexualization, making a film that sexualizes kids does not work. The message of this movie is good, but completely ruins it when it did the same thing it’s advocating against. Federal law in America defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (less than 18 years old). This movie fills this parameter throughout the movie but especially in their dance sets. This breaks federal law and Netflix should be prosecuted federally for providing a platform for child porn. A grand jury in Tyler County, Texas has indicted Texas over this film for promotion of lewd material of a child. The prosecutors said the platform promoted lewd material depicting children and the film is appealing to the prurient interest in sex. They also said the film has no literary, political, artistic or scientific value. The

Election 2020:

Election 2020

Jacob Hiles-Reporter prosecutors claim that promoting certain lewd material of children has destructive consequences. A grand jury indictment doesn’t mean that Netflix is guilty, it just means that the jury believes that there is sufficient evidence provided by the prosecutors against Netflix. Netflix was not able to defend themselves or provide any contrary evidence. That will happen in the actual trial in the future. Even if Netflix is convicted of promoting child porn, it does not address how the executives at Netflix thought it was a good idea to release this movie on their platform. Our culture has become so over sexualized that they thought this was acceptable. If Netflix is held accountable, this will not only help prevent the sexualization of children by themselves or others but also show the severity of Netflix’s actions.

Battle ground set, analysts say it is up to the people Grace Moore-In-Depth Editor

Unprecedented. This is the word that has been thrown around across nearly every news site, radio station, news channel and even commercials. President Donald J. Trump’s face off with former Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Nov. 3 is one that is filled with uncertainty, but it is not the first time America has been in a similar situation. There have been other elections where social conditions and candidate differences are similar to what they are today. John Adams v. Thomas Jefferson in 1800, John Quincy Adams v. Andrew Jackson in 1824, Lincoln's election in 1860 with less than 40% of the popular vote, the Hayes v. Tilden election of 1876 when the electoral votes of several states

were challenged, and the Cleveland v. Harrison election of 1888. We have had elections where the unemployment rate was approaching 25%- three times today's level; we have had elections during a Civil War, two world wars and a flu pandemic. Dr. Jess Brown, Professor Emeritus, Athens State University and long-time political analyst understands why the press declares this particular election as historic. “They do so for two reasons. They need to generate excitement so you will follow the media more and frankly they are just historically ignorant,” Brown said. “I do think this election may pose some interesting challenges regarding the logistics and counting of votes, and I predict some changes in state election laws will occur based on the lessons we learn from 2020.”

Trump’s face-off with Biden leaves much for Brown and for political analysts to consider and both sides of the aisle have been in a constant debate. “Trump's primary strength is he is not Biden. Trump's primary weakness is that he makes decisions intuitively and impulsively; he is not data-driven and deliberative,” Brown said. “Biden's primary strength is he is not Trump. His primary weakness is that he does not have a persona that evokes passion. He is not identified with a particular cause or crusade that puts ‘fire in the belly’ of voters.” According to www.pewresearch.org, as the voters see it, the two dominant issues in

Continued on pg. 28

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such a high percentage of voters who seem so intense about their views towards a sitting President - both pro and con. For that reason, a dramatic change in the polls between now and election day should probably not be expected. Trump can still potentially win a victory via the Electoral College with 47 or 48 percent of the popular vote, but history suggests that is not likely.” Best polls, as of Oct. 1, generally have the President behind by 7 or 8 percentage points. He gets in the low 40 percentiles. Biden scores in the high 40 percentiles or 50 percent. However, in five or six competitive states, which control many votes in the Electoral College, the polls are much more competitive. These states are Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona. Florida and North Carolina seem very close. Increasingly, Pennsylvania and Michigan are trending to Biden. Locally, Alabama is the highest approval rated state for Trump. It is believed by the Republican Party of Alabama that there will be another record-breaking voting day on Nov. 3. “Every election is very important, but this one is showcased by the massive differences between the two party platforms,” Chairwoman of the Alabama Republican Party Terry Lathan said. “Republicans continually want less government interference in our lives and businesses while Democrats lean toward bureaucracy and government to fix problems. It is a very distinct difference and the outcome of the election will determine which way America proceeds.” In Alabama, the biggest strengths for the President are his promises to lower taxes, to strengthen border security, his pro-life beliefs, his support of a strong military and law enforcement and school choice. “These issues are very important and highly regarded as priorities in our state

Trump on the Issues

Coronavirus: set up a Coronavirus task force at the end of January which he says has now shifted its focus to "safety and opening up our country". Climate: skeptical of climate change; and wants to expand nonrenewable energy. He aims to increase drilling for oil and gas, and roll back further environmental protections. Healthcare: wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed under President Obama . He says he wants to improve and replace it, although no details of the plan have been published. The president also aims to lower drug prices by allowing imports of cheaper ones from abroad.

with the majority of Alabamians,” Lathan said. “The disadvantages [to this] are that we often encounter is complacency. It’s easy for people to become too comfortable in ‘red’ Alabama and let our guard down thinking we don’t need to vote because we are so red. That is something we constantly have to remind folks about so we take nothing for granted.” Despite Alabama’s tendency to vote red, the Alabama Democratic Party is running 0full coordinated campaign, reaching voters in all 67 counties to turn out as much support as possible for Democrats up and down the ticketaccording to Patrick Fitzgerald, the Regional Organizing Director for North Alabama for the Alabama Democratic Party, and Sparkman Alumni of 2013. “Even in a year like 2020 where we’ve had many of the traditional avenues of reaching voters taken away from us by the pandemic, we’re still finding ways to effectively contact folks in every corner of the state,” Fitzgerald said. “This constant voter contact is not only

Biden on the Issues Coronavirus: wants to set up a national contact-tracing programme, establish at least 10 testing centres in every state, and provide free coronavirus testing to all. Climate: wants the US to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and proposes banning new leases for oil and gas drilling on public lands, as well as a $2 trillion investment in green energy.

Healthcare: wants to protect and expand the ACA. He wants to lower the eligibility age for Medicare, the policy which provides medical benefits to the elderly, from 65 to 60. He also want to give all Americans the option to enroll in a public health insurance plan similar to Medicare. Phwww.bbc.com

IN-DEPTH | 29

Photo Illustration by Kameron Glenn

the presidential contest are the government's response to the COVID pandemic and how it affects the economy, health care and Supreme Court appointments. “It is difficult to say who has the best campaign. I can say that the three critical ingredients of a campaign are message, money and manpower,” Brown said. “All four of the candidates in the presidential and senatorial races will have adequate funds. All four will have adequate manpower or volunteers for their efforts. The question is- who will have the most effective message? The most effective message is the one that resonates most effectively with the most voters, but especially the non-partisan independents.” Based on the 13 top pollsters in the Dr. Jess Brown U.S., as of Oct. 1, Biden would win both the popular vote and the Electoral College vote (polls are snapshots of opinion at the time the interviews are conducted). One week is still left until the biggest majority of Americans will be voting. The election of 2020 is also fundamentally not the election of 2016. “This election will ultimately be a referendum on whether voters wish to keep President Trump in office or not,” Brown said. ”It is not really a comparison of the two candidates. Biden just happens to be the alternative to Trump. Also, I have never seen

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

to encourage Alabamians to get out and vote in 2020, but to start building a stronger infrastructure and lasting relationships going forward towards 2022 and other future election cycles. Essentially since March, democratic parties have been trying their best to form an ‘online headquarters’ – trying to emulate a traditional HQ volunteer vibe in a virtual setting.” With some states voting by mail and even voting early, the question has been raised as to whether or not there is a possibility of fraud, and how long the true final results of the election will take. However, of the five states which have conducted voting by mail for several election cycles, there is no evidence that those states have experienced widespread or pervasive fraud or unlawful voting. “Evidence of widespread corruption

in election administration is simply not supported. Maybe we will have it in 2020, but political fear or paranoia may be driving this claim more than a substantial amount of information. However, we will be having a lot of new avenues for casting a lawful vote in 2020 that were not available before now,” Brown said. “It is important to remember that the vote by mail system criticized by the President was one in which the voter was mailed a ballot without soliciting a ballot. Every registered voter was automatically sent a ballot. That approach is used in very few states and in none of the battleground states. Most vote by mail in the states is occurring because voters fill out a form and request a ballot to cast via the mail.” Ultimately because of the mail in votes, there will be a delay before the people will know the true results. The final conclusion

can come days of even weeks after Nov. 3. Ultimately, according to Brown and political analysts across the country, it will come down to who can sway the most non-partisan voters. “The President, both during his administration and the campaign, suffers from messaging that is inconsistent and largely unappealing to independent voters. He enjoys the roar of the crowd of his most loyal supporters, but has also provided political ammunition for his critics,” Brown said. “Biden, while somewhat bland and predictable, does not offend independent voters. The persona of the President is that of a verbal steamroller who personally castigates others early and often. The persona of Biden is more like that of an elderly Uncle Joe at Thanksgiving dinner.”

“Evidence of widespread corruption in election administration is simply not supported,” Dr. Jess Brown.

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IN-DEPTH | 31

Informing the public:

Photo Illustration by Leo Duboise

Issue of voting seems more important than ever

Matt Brown- Reporter

Quoting the Vote Forecasts suggests that more than 150 million Americans will vote this fall—a level that would dwarf the 139 million who cast ballots in 2016 and represent the highest voter-turnout percentage in more than a century. -The Atlantic

ith the election only a few weeks away, the race for the White House is getting tighter and tighter. There is one thing Americans need to remember in this fight between candidates, and that is that we need to vote. Predictions have pointed out that this election we will see record- high voter turnout, some casts say almost 150 million Americans will be voting this election. Voting is single handily the most important thing we can do as citizens of the United States. This practice of self electing people to represent us is something that helps keep our democracy fresh and alive in this ever-changing world. With this election about 83 percent of Americans say that it will matter who wins this election. Whereas in other years these numbers have been low as 50 percent. This election is shaping up to be one of the most crucial in American history, and for good reason. We have two of the most hard fought candidates to ever be considered for the office of President. No matter who you support or want to win- more than anything in the world if you are able, it is imperative that you vote. Voting has been made easier and safer in some states with the introduction of universal mail in voting. More than 1

million ballots have already been cast across the nation, and in Alabama one can vote through the process of absentee voting. It is true that 2020 has already been an unprecedented year and this election is going to be just as crazy.. Every American needs to vote in this election because the outcome of this election is going to shape and define this country for centuries to come. In the 2016 presidential election only around 138 million Americans voted, only 58 percent of the eligible voting base in America, so basically There were still at least 100 million Americans who didn't vote in 2016. Voter turnout has been at a massive decrease ever since the start of the 2000s. The only major spikes in voter turnout was in 2008 and 2012, but the elections preceding and after these elections have had a massively decreased voter turnout. Regardless of who we support politically, or if you love or hate the current American political climate, we must get out and vote if possible. Our generation has an amazing opportunity to make change happen to affect who represents us. Even if you are not old enough to vote, encourage others around you to do so. Push, fight tell everyone you canshout it from the roofs to go vote. We are all in this together we all have a voice- and we can all make our voices heard.

Staying Informed Keeping up with recent political news, junior Eashan Pokhrel checks out the day’s news. Pokhrel’s new site is getting attention. Photo by Tess Warren

Junior creates his own political media site Jacob Hiles- Reporter

hen school let out this past spring students were given opportunity to develop new hobbies and talents. For junior Eshan Pokhrel, it has given him the opportunity to start his own, non-partisan political site. PBPolitical is a website that posts political articles from both sides of the aisle. It was started in May to give an unbiased take on political forecasts in the upcoming election. It has since evolved to incorporate all avenues of electoral news, including articles on hypothetical electoral scenarios. “I started PBPolitical mainly because I find the scenarios and possibilities within elections and electoral politics extremely fascinating. The combinations you can make with an electoral map are very interesting,” Pokhrel said. “I felt like I could provide a way to help younger people, who often are overlooked by the world, a way to see the workings of such a strange but incredible machine.” Pokhrel started following politics in early 2019 when he became interested in Andrew Yang’s campaign for office. Yang ran on the idea of stopping the displacement of the American worker by automation and what he called the “Freedom Dividend,” a monthly $1,000 to every American adult. “I was already somewhat well-versed in current events, but it was really the lack of respect for a rational and appealing campaign such as Yang’s, one that brought people from both sides of the spectrum together to fight for people, not politics,” Pokhrel said. “This really inspired me to do something to help people see through the deception most

national media outlets create. While we are nowhere close as influential as CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, etc, I feel like what we do is still important for younger Americans.” PBPolitical posts a weekly recap, from presidential to senate forecasts, important or notable things occurring in politics and political opinion pieces. They have six full time contributors as well as guest writers for opinion pieces, one of those writers being senior Myles Gollop. “I write the weekly recaps, which covers what has happened in the last week in politics from an unbiased point of view,” Gollop said. “I also write for the ‘What If’, where we talk about potential events that could have happened due to previous political events.” The 2020 election has affected many Americans this cycle. It is considered by some to be one of the most polarized elections since before the civil war. This conflict has influenced people, including Pokhrel, to start new things to combat this polarization. “[This] election season has really added to our content. Frankly, it’s the whole reason I began the website,” Pohkrel said. “To be quite honest, I haven’t started to think about how we will shift our content post-election.” Quarantine has also affected many Americans since it started. It’s caused many negative effects, including 60% of small businesses closing down. However, it has led to people to do new things while stuck at home. Writing for PBPolitical is one of the things Gollop did. “My voice having publicity during these times is a very valuable asset and I am very thankful for this opportunity,” Gollop said. “Writing for PB is fun and I plan on being on it for a very long time”

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The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

SPORTS | 33

Senior quarterback commits to more than just the game Ethan King-Editor

t some point in nearly every young kid's life, they dream of one day being like the people they look up to. For some people it is astronauts, for others it is famous actors but for senior Nick Sawyer, it was the professional athletes that he referred to as his heroes. Sawyer now has his opportunity to join his heroes on Saturdays with his commitment to West Point Military Academy. Sawyer was looking for a school that would allow him to play quarterback right out of the gate and West Point fit the bill. “When West Point started showing interest in me it really became an easy decision,” Sawyer said. “The education along with the ability to play D-1 football out of the gates, that can’t be matched.” Not only will playing at West Point allow Sawyer to be pushed to be the best possible player he can be day in and day, but will give him the opportunity to also serve his country after graduation. “I’ve been told multiple times that when I get there they are going to break me down and build me back up,” Sawyer said. “I know it’s going to be for the better and that I’m going to be stronger physically and mentally, I’m ready for it. The same will be done for me in the military.” As part of the West Point military fulfillment, Sawyer must spend two years serving in the U.S. Army, becoming the first in his family to serve. “I have spent time on research of how the Army operates and I have spoken with my

athletic advisor on the complete package of signing with West Point,” Sawyer said. “I do not want to go into this endeavor blind.” Despite his success, Sawyer had almost no intention of becoming a varsity quarterback until his dad came to him with the choice to pick up another sport, pushing him to play football. This decision would prove altering in Sawyer’s life who was originally planning on breaking out of the basketball scene. “Without my dad pushing me I honestly don’t know where I would be right now, I definitely have him to thank for being the reason I'm playing football today,” Sawyer said. “My entire dream was to go D-1 and play basketball but after awhile it started to be clear I’m supposed to play football.” Sawyer’s coaches, including head coach Laron White, have been working with him ever since coming under center. Teammates and coaches alike have seen his progress and maturity on the field taken to new heights through his leadership on the field and his innate ability to keep the heads of his teammates cool and focused, ready to close out a game. “Every day I’ve seen improvements in his passing and running abilities but more importantly his leadership skills on the field,” White said. “He’s matured a lot over the time he’s been on the team and he’s really learned

“I’ve been told multiple times that when I get there, they are going to break me down and build me back up.” how to manage a team.” Not only has his coaches seen how his leadership on the field has developed but they can also see his game translating seamlessly at the next level with a system at West Point that could give way for Sawyer’s game to thrive. “West Point is a perfect fit, he’s going to go in there and slide right into a system that can cater to option plays for an elite scrambler,” White said. “He’s so fast, when he runs out of the pocket it’s a mismatch for most defenses, West Point will help exploit that at the next level.” Having played next to the same group of guys for years and with a spotlight gleaming towards a playoff push, Sawyer and the rest of the Senators have finally come to terms that their ride together is almost over which leaves for one more final push towards the ultimate goal in every sport across the world. “We’ve been preparing for this for years now and this class is built to succeed. We’ve had ups and downs during the season but this team is a family,”Sawyer said. “At this point, we only have a goal, win a state championship.”

PLAYING THE GAME Against Bob Jones: 9 carries for 56 yards 8 of 18 passes complete

Against James Clemens: 10-yard touchdown 6-yard touchdown

Against Florence:

131 Yards Through the Air 94 Rushing Yards 57-yard touchdown run

SAWYER SOARS Swooping In Running away from a defender, senior quarterback, Nick Sawyer, makes a play. Sawyer has been known to use his legs to score. Photos by Isabel Pollard

34| SPORTS

The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

Ready to Serve

SPORTS | 35

Davis takes on head coach for the tennis team

Makayla Barchett-Reporter

fter being the assistant tennis coach for the past 8 years, coach Monica Davis is counting on making the team the best that it can be as her promotion as head coach begins its journey. Some newer coaches have harder times adapting and establishing a foundation for their team but not Davis. Her years of experience as an assistant coach has already given her the advantage that is needed to keep the team strong and wellmotivated for the upcoming season. “At my age, time just seems to fly by and years merge. If I have done the math correctly, I have been involved in school’s tennis for around eight fantastic years,” Davis said. Davis will take over for former head coach Ethan Richardson who felt the need to take the time he has to spend with his girls who are growing up rather quickly. “I do admire him for that; he is a good man, a good father, a good husband, and a great coach. I have learned so much from him,” Davis said. As an assistant coach, Davis did not have the same amount of responsibility as she does now. From now on, the decisions and the final say in most situations will be made by her. But with a higher position, comes the consequences that could follow if decisions are not decided properly. In general, most can believe it can be stressful at times, but you learn to adapt and keep doing what needs to be done. Her position from assistant coach to head coach had an impact on her life. “I thoroughly enjoyed being the assistant coach; I didn’t have to make the tough decisions and I could connect with the kids on a different level. Now, I have to make those decisions and suffer the consequences,” Davis said. As the new head coach for the tennis team, she does have expectations and goals just as any instructor would. Davis

“Watch and learn; don’t shoot for perfection, but performance. In the end, it is still just a game, but if you have learned something, it is so much more.”

A New Love Showing off her technique, tennis coach Monica Davis gets in the tennis mode. As an assistant coach, Davis developed a new respect for the sport. Photos by Tess Warren

stands ready to do what it takes and more to make the team succeed in those goals. “I want to build on the foundation that coach Richardson has laid for this team, the idea of family, teamwork, and dedication. I want to expand our influence on our feeder schools and offer off-season opportunities for them to experience and enjoy the game of tennis,” Davis said. Even athletes on the tennis team encourage the promotion of Davis and are thrilled to have her stepping up to the plate to continue to take them on the right path. Sophomore Tess Warren and juniors Noah Edwards and Allison Yount show appreciation for her new promotion.

“She is so encouraging, supportive, and amusing. She always looks for ways to make us laugh and gives advice on ways to improve,” Warren said, “She really cares about the players themselves rather than just their skill level. She never makes me feel any less important than anyone else on the team. She tells us to never discourage ourselves when we lose, but use that as motivation to work hard and get better.” Edwards comes to grips with the promotion and doesn’t expect this next season to be anything less than his previous years. “Over the past 4 (soon 5) years with the Sparkman Tennis Team, I've come to know coach Davis as a great assistant coach and a role model. Though I'm going to miss having coach Richardson at the helm, I couldn't be more excited about the things that coach Davis will bring to the table with her new position,” Edwards said, “ When we give it everything we have with coach Davis as head coach, I feel like this year could be our best! So I have very high expectations. One of those expectations, of course, is getting dinner after our far away matches on the bus. Don't wanna miss out on that two seasons in a row.” Yount gives her opinion of what she would like her new coach to aim towards. “I feel coach Davis will make a good fit, we all love her and she always pushes us to be our best. I would like her to bring us closer together as a team. I think that could help us improve and create great bonds with each other,” Yount said. As a team, you tend to grow closer together, and creating these bonds that could not be created with any other group tends to impact you for life. coach Davis plans to continue to further strengthen the bonds that the athletes have with her, with one another, and with those who decide they want to join in the big family. She advises her team and any upcoming athletes who are interested. “Watch and learn; don’t shoot for perfection, but performance. In the end, it is still just a game, but if you have learned something, it is so much more,” Davis said.

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The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

The Court is Calling

Starters talk preparing for the season Donell White-Reporter Crimson Crier - Do you feel prepared for the 2020-2021 basketball season? Calen - “Of course!” CC - What are ways you prepared for the season? Calen - “Just hard work, working hard on the court and in the weight room. Also watching a lot of film.” CC - Do you feel like the AAU season has prepared you? Calen - “Yes, most definitely. I’ve played some great teams this summer. I played with Pro One this year.” CC - How do you help prepare your teammates for this upcoming season? Calen - “I just try my best to be a leader on and off the court for them.” CC- How do you prepare yourself mentally for the season? Calen - “I don’t worry about all the outside stuff going on, I just stay focused

and stay on my grind.” CC- How do you prepare yourself physically? Calen - “I lift a lot of weights.” CC - What have you been focusing on when it comes to your weight lifting? Calen - “This year I have been focusing on stronger, so I’ve been lifting a lot lately trying to get the ups.” CC - Going into this season what is one goal you have for the team? Calen - “Make it to state, most definitely. Win state. CC - This being your third year at Sparkman what is a personal goal you have for yourself for this upcoming season? Calen - “One of my goals coming into this was to at least average 20 points a game and 7 assists.” CC- How do you feel like this could be beneficial to your team? Calen - “Well, it’ll put points on the board to help the team win and get my teammates in the right spots to knock down shots.”

Tip off is Tuesday, Nov. 10 against Buckhorn at The Capitol

Photos by Scott Lowe

CC - Are you prepared for the 2020 - 2021 season? Trevon - “Most definitely” CC - Who did you play for this AAU season? Trevon - “ Carroll Premier Team Gold” CC - Do you feel like the AAU season has helped you in your progression and preparation for the season? Trevon - “Yes, it has” CC- How are preparing your new teammates for the season? Trevon - “Staying on them during practice and making sure everyone is going one hundred percent on court and in the weight the room.” CC - How do you mentally prepare yourself? Trevon - “Staying focused on the task at hand to get to State and staying confident in myself throughout the season.” CC- From last season what is one

thing you feel like you could have done better? Trevon - “I think I could have been a better leader instead if waiting till the end of the season to be a leader.” CC - How are you preparing to do that this upcoming season? Trevon - “By leading by example and using my voice and talking to people throughout the season.” CC - What physical preparation have you focused on for this upcoming season? Trevon - “Staying in the weight room getting stronger and faster. Getting shots up, eating healthy, and drinking a lot of protein shakes.” CC - What are some things you learned from last year as a team you could have done better on and how are you preparing your new team to do that? Trevon - “ We could have worked together more instead of thinking about ourselves individually and since this team has a lot of people I didn’t grow up with I want to build a connection with them, so when it’s time to go we are all ready.” CC- This being your senior year what is a personal goal you have for yourself? Trevor: “I want to at least one buzzer-beater in a playoff game.”

SPORTS | 37

COACHING THE OL Osborn believes relationships matter most

Myles Gollop-News Editor

orn in the small town of Moulton, Ala., Brandon Osbourn began his football career at Lawrence County High School where he played center and tackle for the Red Devils. He then attended Northwest-Shoals Community College, and later transferred to Athens State to acquire his teaching certificate. After graduation, he joined Cullman’s coaching staff for a coaching internship. “I was coaching at Cullman High School doing my internship, and I started applying for jobs. I saw an opening at Sparkman,” Osbourn said. “I knew Coach White through some people and I got an interview here.” Hired as offensive line coach, Osbourn prepares his line for battle every week. He also scouts the opposing defenses, analyzing what offense would be most efficient for the Senators. “My responsibilities on a week-to-week basis are to scout out the opposing defense and figure out what we can get going in the run and pass game,” Osbourn said. “It’s like a chess game, trying to figure out the numbers.” At school, Osbourn has a completely different job. His teaching duties are not the same as his co-workers. “I have the resource room and I help our special education population,” Osbourn said. “I advocate for them daily. I also teach a transition course here that deals with life skills and on the job training.” Outside of work, Osbourn has had quite an eventful personal life. He married his girlfriend, Savanah, over the summer and is getting used to balancing a busy season with being a newlywed. “Getting married is the best thing I’ve ever done,” Osbourn said. “It’s like getting to hang out with your best friend all of the time.” When not teaching or coaching, Osbourn enjoys participating in outdoor activities. His favorites include golf, hunting and fishing. “I love golf. I love being outside, I’m a deer hunter, and I fish a little bit,” Osbourn said. “Golf is definitely my number one. It’s a pretty good stress reliever.” Osbourn has aspirations to eventually become an offensive coordinator and a head coach, however, whatever coaching position he obtains, he wants to be remembered as someone his players can trust. “Relationships with players and students is a big thing for me,” Osbourn said. “I care more about the kids than I do about wins and losses. At the end of the day, I want the kids to know that they can come to me at any time.”

Shaking Hands Congratulating a player, coach Brandon Osbourn celebrates a a job well done. Osbourn took over the OL two years ago. Photo by Scott Lowe

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The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

A&E | 39

Venturing to new lands, traveling through dimensions Anh Nguyen-Reporter

Celebrating After defeating Albertville for the area championship, the team shows their excitement. Photo by Scott Lowe

Volleyball spikes with new coach Gabi Alexander-Reporter

he Lady Senators Volleyball Team has come a long way despite Coronavirus challenges and the addition of a new head coach. In her first head coaching job, Chandler Phillips has led the team to a 32-11 record, an area championship and a shot at the state championship. A former college player at Wallace State and the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Phillips volunteered as an assistant coach at Hartselle High before applying for her head coaching position. “I first knew I wanted to coach my freshman year in college. I had a shoulder injury and had the opportunity to see each game from the outside in,” Phillips said. “Whether it is volleyball softball or basketball I enjoy motivating kids and seeing them set and crush their goals.” Having to introduce herself and her coaching style to the players over the summer

where COVID rules were just being setup, Phillips knew the year was going to be nothing but normal but was satisfied with how she was welcomed by the team. “The girls seemed very nervous and stressed. We had a long talk after the first day about having fun and being kind and supportive of one another, and every day after that we’ve had very exciting and high energy days of volleyball,” Phillips said. COVID has caused some serious obstacles for the girls on the court. They have to wear masks while they play and can not even shake hands or high five on the court. “COVID has changed more than just a few things about the game from waving at

The girls feel that they have become stronger and closer than ever during this pandemic. Their hard work, dedication, and bond will help them continue to excel this season. “This season is all about we. It’s something that we as a team have come up with all of the crazy going on in the world today and also with my late arrival in June. We are better and at our strongest together,” Phillips said. “Every day, every single ball, in every moment we are at our best when we play together and pick each other up on an off day. We are strong throughout our entire lineup on the court and the bench” Winning the area tournament was

our opponents from across the court instead of shaking hands to referees asking us to not shag balls during the other team warm-ups” junior Allie Cagle said. Coaching is not easy, and that’s before a global pandemic hits and affects a season. Despite both starting to coach for the Senators this season Phillips, and new freshman coach, Betsy Galloway has persevered through these times and have loved watching the players and team grow. “Seeing the girls set and accomplish the goals that we have set for themselves and the team as a whole. It is a very special moment to see them realize how good they are and how good they can be with hard work,” Phillips said.

huge, but there have been milestones along the way, including beating Hazel Green at their house for the first time in years, which Phillips said was a turning point in the system. The second was defeating McGill Toolen. “When the volleyball community thinks about high school volleyball in Alabama, they think of McGill Toolen and Bayside Academy. They have had historically very strong programs for 40 plus years,” Phillips said. “Us beating them and then taking a game from the number one ranked overall Hoover was a highlight for us because there was no longer a question of whether we belong in the top ranked teams list or not”

ophomores Francis Clark tells the tale, Brianna Nale paints the picture and Finn Treadwell rolls the dice. Dungeons & Dragons is a role play fantasy game in which anything could happen at any given time. Clark first got involved with the game after a friend’s recommendation, giving Dungeons & Dragons a shot, she found it to be a fun experience. From the interactive elements to the complex theories involved in the game, her liking to the game grew each time she played. “The characters are introduced to a scenario,” Clark said. “Let’s say your characters end up in a town and I list things you can do- for example, you can go to a tavern, shop, etc. Your players tell you where they’re going and the dungeon master will read out what happens.” Currently, five editions of Dungeons

& Dragons are available for play. While there are pre-made stories and campaigns, it is possible to create a brand new story from scratch. Players may consist of dwarves, rogues, warlocks, sorcerers, barbarians, fighters, druids and more. One role, the dungeon master, vocalizes the events as they unfold. “As a dungeon master myself, a group of five friends is nice to have. The mechanics are a bit complex at first glance, but as you play it gets easier,” Clark said. Though one session lasts around two to eight hours, a campaign could take years to conclude. With the roll of a dice, the player’s actions are decided. The dice are no regular set of dice- each can have more than six sides, the highest amount of sides going up to 20. “Kracken Dice and Chessex are nice places to get your dice,” Clark said. “For boards, you can buy a large, simple mat with grid lines on Amazon. The books can be bought at your local Barnes and Nobles.” Books can vary in price depending on the route and collection of

choice, some being 20 to 40 or even 50 dollars. Books are meant to provide the players with information to aid with world building as well as helping shape characters such as villains. “I think just getting to see how the characters you make interact with other people is one thing that makes it really fun,” Treadwell said. “It’s also fun to see what all your dungeon master has planned for the campaign.” Despite being almost completely new to Dungeons & Dragons, Treadwell states the most fun part of the game is getting to learn the process as it is played. “You’ll run into issues occasionally, but it helps you improve and the other campaign members are usually incredibly helpful,” Treadwell said. Each decision impacts the story. Spontaneous happenings and unplanned events occur, the dungeon master speaks them aloud and the players continue on. “I love the story. With my art, I love to create characters to draw, with D&D, I can make them come to life in a story with my friends,” Nale said. “It’s like playing pretend as kids all over again.”

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The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

A&E | 41 TIPS & TRICKS TO KNOW

Viral game explodes on social media Tess Warren- Reporter

hen Innersloth LLC released “Among Us” it remained a small community until quarantine hit and numbers skyrocketed. On Sept. 28, over two years after having been released, Innersloth announced they “hit 3 million players across all platforms over the weekend.” “Among Us” is a murder mystery party game where you and your crewmates set off for adventure in space. You can play one of two roles: innocent crewmates and deceiving alien impostors. Crewmates must eject all of the impostors or finish their tasks to win. Impostors try to remain undetected and stealthily kill everyone before the crew complete all of their tasks. Besides its entertaining gameplay, the multiplayer feature is one of the leading causes of its sudden burst in popularity. This quickly became a go-to for people looking for new ways to have fun with friends since quarantine. Another reason for its August and September surge specifically, is the attention it began receiving from content creators, making it go viral. The majority of content creators play together over an audio call, specifically with Discord. People have been using Discord to verbally discuss things rather than the in-game chat. It opens up opportunities to gather more information to help deduce who the impostor is. Using an audio call tends to make the game more suspenseful and exhilarating. Its affordable price allows more people to be able to play. It is free for the mobile app and five dollars in Steam for computers. Not only is it inexpensive for both devices, but in a recent September update

“Its affordable price allows more people

to be able to play. It is free for the mobile app and five dollars in Steam for computers..”

they made it compatible for crossplay. The only difference is the mobile version does not include any premium hats or skins and it has short ads, while the Steam version has more hats and skins and no ads. When it comes to dressing up your character, there are over 100 accessories to choose from. The collection consists of free default items and premium items ranging from $0.99 to $2.99. The mobile app has a generous amount of 40 free hats, while the Steam game has a whopping 80 hats and 9 skins. If that does not suffice, there are bundles that include extra accessories you can buy, including pets. Pets follow you and keep you company as you roam, although they can not protect you from the impostor; they just lay dormant where you died for the remainder of the game. There are also holiday special items that are free to everyone. Halloween hats are currently out for you to enjoy: bat ears, witch hat, pumpkin hat, pirate hat, cat hat and many more. When joining games that other people host, you can join a random public game, or use a code to get into a specific game. The host can customize the gameplay settings and choose up to three maps to play on: The Skeld, MiraHQ and Polus. Joining a public game is best if you are playing by yourself or with one to two other people, more than that and you may want to host your own game. That way you can play with just your friends, or have all of your friends join before you make it public and the game gets full. Crewmates have simple minigames known as tasks around the map to complete. While exploring the map, they must keep an eye out for anyone portraying suspicious behavior. They can look at the cameras or at the admin map to keep tabs on the rest of the crew. If they happen to get killed, they become a ghost and get to roam around freely. Now it is up to the remaining crewmates to avenge the death and find out who did it. Impostors sneak around the map, trying to blend in with the crewmates while looking

for their next victim. Throughout the map, there are vents or holes that act as shortcuts and hiding places. Along with venting, impostors can create chaos and confusion by sabotaging the map. This includes the locking of doors, handicapping the crewmates, delaying emergency meetings and splitting up the crew. These disruptions, when strategically used, can lead to innovative victories. It is a great game for those who want to get their adrenaline pumping, either hoping to stay alive or trying to stay undercover. Even the discussion itself can be eventful in its own way; you are interrogated on the spot and in a matter of seconds, the opinions of the crew can shift from person to person. “Among Us” logic can be outright ridiculous and

even frustrating to some people. It can be as serious as reporting someone killing before your eyes, or as silly as someone calling an emergency meeting and only saying “they are sus.”

+ In the lobby make sure you look at the settings (vision, tasks, kill cooldown, etc.) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If you’re a veteran of the game, you may think you have seen it all but that is simply not true. The game never gets dull because when playing with new people or even the same people, something intriguing is bound to happen as people continue to develop new tactics. If that’s not enough, behold, a new way to play the game, Hide and Seek. Essentially, everyone knows who the impostor is—so there is no need to report bodies—and they must hide from them. In this version, the impostor has the lowest level of vision while the crewmates have the highest level of vision. Crewmates win by completing their tasks as quickly as possible and staying alive for as long as possible. “Among Us” is all about strategy, suspense and betrayal. It is a simple concept, and yet the game can become more complex depending on how you strategize. You must keep track of everyone’s behavior and whereabouts to wisely decide who you trust. There is no better feeling than solving the mystery or successfully tricking your crewmates. Winning the game can make you feel as clever as Sherlock Holmes when you construct solid alibis or successfully deduce the clues.

PhPhoto Illustrations by Olivia Lake

CREWMATES

+ Wait to do visual tasks (medscan, asteroids, garbage, and sheilds) until people can watch you + It is safest to stay in groups of three + Don't vote on 7, but always vote on 6 when 2 impostors left + Don't vote on 4, but always vote on 3 when 1 impostor left + Anyone can fix sabotages including impostors, if someone is there, watch to see how long it takes + Use Emergency Meetings to reset kill cool down ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

IMPOSTORS

+ Sometimes you have to vote your own teammate so you don't sus yourself + Self-reporting is a rookie move, it is best to just run away + Faking tasks when no one is around is a waste of time, only fake them to get close enough to kill + If you get locked in with someone don't kill them so you can earn their trust + Use the admin map to find rooms that people are not in to use as your alibi + Be aware of the cameras, do not kill when they are on and blinking red

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The Crimson Crier || Oct. 27, 2020

Run for RBG The Cause: Women’s Equality Date: Month of November Cost: $33 www.runsignup.com

Veterans’ Day The Cause: Disabled Veterans Date: Nov. 11 Cost: $30 www.thebestraces.com

Grateful Gobbler The Cause: Chattanooga Community Shelters Date: Now-thru Nov. 26 Cost: $30

The Nutcracker The Cause: Testicular Cancer Date: Now-thru Dec. 31 Cost: $30 www.runsignup.com

St. Jude Run

Virtual 5K Runs for a Cause Rileigh Glassman-Reporter

The Cause: St. Jude Children’s hospital in Memphis Date: Dec. 5 Cost: $40 www.stjude.org