rimson C Crier
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Sparkman High School | 2616 Jeff Road | Harvest, Ala. 35749 | Phone: (256)837-0331 | Fax: (256)837-7673 | www.crimsoncriernews.com|
Thursday, Oct. 25 2018, Issue 2
PICK YOUR POISON
Popularity of e-cigarettes leads to discussion of health effects
Brianna Ratley Reporter
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ore than 2 million middle school, high school and college students are doing it. It’s in the bathrooms, it’s in the parking lot, it’s even in the halls. Vaping that is. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), with the launch of the Juul, vaping has grown more popular among 13-21 year olds. This increase has caused the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to launch a public service campaign against underage vaping. This will include the onslaught of posters to public schools to be posted in all bathrooms. The discipline in schools has also been increased. “If you are caught with any nicotine delivery device on school campus, the device will be confiscated immediately and a three day suspension is given to the offender,” assistant principal Jason Watts said. Vapes and other nicotine delivery devices work by producing an aerosol from heating a liquid that contains nicotine and other harmful chemicals that are found in traditional cigarettes. This aerosol is inhaled into the user’s lungs, which can cause many serious health problems created by the chemicals in the electronic cigarette. These conditions can include lung cancer, breast cancer, headaches, nausea, asthma and many more. When the smoke is exhaled, it can also become a danger and distraction to people nearby as the dangerous smoke is blown into the air. Despite the clear dangers, some students just cannot stop. “I purchased my Juul on a whim one night with my friends at a smoke shop in town. Ironically, the shop owner was arrested just a
couple weeks ago for selling to minors,” one senior said. “I understand the health issues that can derive from it and I do not consider myself addicted, but you only live one life, so why live being scared of everything you do?” The brain develops until around the age of 25 and nicotine can harm the development and hinder the function of the brain. Nicotine can affect the way the brain controls attention, learning, mood
and impulses. There are also other chemicals found in e-cigarettes that are found in traditional cigarettes called carcinogens. These are cancer causing agents that are harmless until they are burned in the vape or Juul and then are able to cause cancer in humans. This information, however, does not phase some.
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Administration explains reasoning behind new bells system Josh Comer Reporter
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t did not take students long to realize something was different about the school bells. The Madison County Board of Education made the decision to install new bells as a major upgrade to schools. “It is a work in progress,” principal
INSIDE
Chris Shaw said. “It will take some time to fully implement the system and to learn how to use the new bells.” While the central office and the front office employees continue to learn the new system, students and faculty have concerns. Since the new bell system, the Pledge and the announcements, including end of the day bus change
announcements can only be heard in hallways or through a teacher’s phone. “I’m kind of bummed that I can’t hear the Pledge. All of sudden you just hear a little beep and then the volume it too low that if anyone is talking, you can’t hear the announcements,” junior Lucas Codello said. “If my teacher heard it, I have to ask her to repeat it or I have to go around and
Crocs... I love you.
Check out the school’s love for Crocs on Pg. 12.
seek the information.” Besides the low volume on the intercom, the new system has another disadvantage. The systems operates through the internet. If the internet is not working, then neither do the bells or phones. “My biggest concern is safety,” English teacher Renee Quaife said. “If there is a crisis in my room, then I can’t get anyone, nor can the office
communicate with me.” Despite the issues that need to be improved, Shaw is hopeful that the central office can implement the system effectively as soon as possible. “The bells are a new change to the school and I am hopeful that once implemented fully, they will be a great upgrade to our school system,” Shaw said.
“It is a work in progress. It will take some time to fully implement the system and to learn how to use the new bells.” principal Chris Shaw
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NEWS The Crimson Crier
WEB PREVIEW www.crimsoncriernews.com
Spanish club makes its grand comeback
The Spanish club is making a return, allowing students to express their adoration of foreign language on a weekly basis.
History club’s sole focus is the troops
Beginning this year, the history club renamed itself to “Teens For Troops” in an effort to increase awareness and bring more students into the club.
Team bounces back following tough loss
After their first loss of the season, the Varsity football team has practiced continuously in order to prepare for the remaining games in the season.
Pumpkin spice and everything else nice
That infamous smell, taste or whatever you want to call it, that has people from coast to coast hooked, pumpkin spice.
New Netflix category set to air all month
Netflix is all set up and prepared for a season of spook. The new category for October, ‘Netflix & Chills’, allows people to have the best of both worlds.
OCT. 25, 2018
OCT. 25, 2018
The
NEWS Crimson Crier
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Instructor strives for grants to jump-start robotics program Bradley Wright Editor
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undraising is the number one way for Robotics and Engineering to obtain money for their programs. With no school funding, fundraising and class fees seem to be the only options for gaining money for parts and supplies. However, robotics instructor Jessica Hawkins has applied for several grants to try and jump-start a new program. These grants will help fill in the money gap in which the fundraising and fees do not cover. “The Tennessee Valley Authority grant was given to us earlier this year. We were guaranteed $500, but we received an additional $500 to go along with that. We also got another $500
sent in check form to our bookkeeper,” Hawkins said. The robotics chief officer Kyler Waters does more than just fundraising. He meets with local businesses to try and obtain corporate sponsors. Even with all of these sources, the money needed to fund these programs vary with supplies. “Our first fundraiser starts out with us sending out emails to most of the parents, business owners or people on the chain of commerce to ask if they are interested in keeping our Robotics and Engineering programs running,” Waters said. “Our next fundraiser we will showcase the art of CAD designing. This is where we 3D print wood, metal, glass or plastic filaments into an art catalogue for our
students to look at and or purchase.” One competition kit cost roughly $1,500, not including the parts needed to go along with it. That is just for one robot. Right now, with three robotics classes, that is a lot of money to bring in. With the amount of students in these classes, four kits are what is necessary for one class. “Through the class fees I am able to get some of the parts paid for. It is $40 per student, and if you average it out that is a little over $500600, which does not come close to the total amount you need for supplies you need to teach that class,” Hawkins said. “So it does not put anywhere near the amount we need to reach the goal, hence the fundraising and grant applications.”
Illustration by Storm Jessett
School continues to await capital plan renovations to break ground Lillie Howard
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READY FOR LAUNCH A student takes a moment to pause before letting loose the grasp on his creation. The Robotics and Engineering program constructed catapults and tested them to see how far they could shoot. Photo by Emerald Everhart
Random Acts of Kindness spreads love, care through school Sarah Chase Reporter
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edical academy teachers Kim Goins and Angela Holland developed a project called Random Acts of Kindness with their students to help and uplift those around the school who aren’t always recognized for the things they do. Goins and Holland started this project with their students in August. Goins used the summer months to research some projects and came across an article on random acts of kindness. The article stuck with her. “I thought at the time it would be a good thing to do with my classes. Throughout the summer, I just kept being reminded of random acts of kindness, so I thought ‘there must be a reason
KINDNESS MATTERS First semester medical students pose for a quick photo after delivering desserts and snacks to Peer Helpers. Developing the project, Random Acts of Kindness, was easy due to their kind hearts and bright outlook on life. Photo courtesy of Kim Goins
I am supposed to do this,” Goins said. The students decided who to honor with the project. They have given gifts to the counselors, custodians and bus drivers. Students have responded well to seeing how these random acts affect people. “It honestly feels good to see their reaction. I know like the act is kind, but to see their reaction come out is really eye opening,” junior Narci Hardin
said. Gifts are not the only feature of the project. Students also just help out at times. Recently, they gave the custodians a much needed break. “We cleaned the lockers, cleaned the floors, we swept, cleaned the windows, cleaned the stairs,” senior Claudia Martinez said. “It made Mrs. Kat really, really happy. She started crying.” For some, helping out the custodians
was their favorite act of kindness. They got the chance to see how much work custodians do to keep the school looking its best, while getting to do something for them in return. “I really got the chance to see how much they have to do and how much the school is actually clean because of them,” Hardin said. The students gave out Keurig K-Cups, blueberry muffins to the counseling staff. Staff say that this
ignorant to the dangers have revolted against the advocates. There have been reports of students tearing down the posters that go against vaping and throwing them in the toilet. They want the ban to be shut down and they want to continue to use the e-cigarettes. “The government shouldn’t control what we do, what we choose to do is our own business and we are free to do it,” senior said. Due to the fact that juuls, and other nicotine delivery systems contain more of the same chemicals that a normal cigarette does, it raises the question of: how are they better? In fact, the CDC says they are not. They are worse. One Juul Pod contains the same amount of nicotine that is found in 20 cigarettes. So why is Juuling the more popular alternative? “The Juul and other electronic cigarettes
were created to wean addicted people off of cigarettes which create smoke, harming the lungs far more than a vape, which creates vapor containing nicotine,” senior said. ”Yes, there is as much nicotine in one Juul pod as there is in one pack of cigarettes, but just as one does not smoke 20 cigarettes in one sitting, teenagers as well as adults do not use up a whole pod in one day.” The government is still trying to find a way to control them effectively, as there is no way to prevent the devices from getting to the hands of teenagers through other sources. There are already rules set in place to buy these devices, yet they are unsuccessful at controlling them. “There is no way to catch everyone that has one, so there is no real way to regulate them and eradicate them completely. We just have to wait until we see them and then
activity allows a bond between students and faculty. It also makes the faculty feel loved by the students. “It made me feel so special, and grateful, and appreciative,” registrar Ashley Carter said. Goins and Hollands’ goal with this project was to get students just to do something nice. They did not want it to be a competition or for those who participate to get a prize. They just wanted students to see how a kind act goes a long way. “I did not want them to try and ‘one up’ each other with their kindness act, or to do it only to receive an accolade,” Goins said. “I wanted them to feel good about themselves because they made someone else feel good or have a better day.”
Continued from Page 1 “I do it because people in my family do. I know I am not going to do it forever, but while I am young I do not see the harm in trying it,” senior said. “I think people overreact to try and get teenagers to stop. If they want to stop they will. There is no point in scaring them if they are already aware of the effects.” These reasons that keep users going may seem trivial and insignificant in light of their health and young people’s development; however, the in the moment satisfaction that the vape provides trumps his or her health. In turn, some people start vaping and then quit due to all the risks it brings. “I started Juuling because all my friends were doing it, and I thought I would be left out if I didn’t start, but then I decided the risks were not worth it,” another senior said. There are also people who have
started advocating against e-cigarettes, such as, school officials and administrators and concerned parents. They have does things such as put up posters stating the dangers and trying to start disciplining students who get caught doing it. The FDA has also researched the e-cigarettes and discovered that they are extremely dangerous and are looking into banning the nicotinedelivery devices. This was the cause for the PSA. Many advocating against the e-cigarettes are trying to protect their fellow peers and all doing it. “I for one have never juuled, nor vaped because I know the risk and just don’t think it’s necessary,” junior said. “Some people do it to “have fun” but do not look into the future and see the effects it can cause.” On the other hand, students who have become addicted or are
the auditorium, the cafeteria, the track and looking at expanding the distance of the practice field and the football field.” The band room will come with its own improvements to the way things work. “The band room is made for a band about the size of 70, and we have 267,” band director David Raney said. “So, we don’t have enough space to store our equipment, so the practice rooms are just insufficient for us right now.” There is also heavy traffic that go through the main band room, especially after competitions and
Reporter
ince the school building opened 21 years ago, the need for space to accompany a ion of students. The capital plan is the name for all of the renovations that will take place of the next two and a half years. “With the capitol plan everything is in progress, and what we are doing now is meeting with architects surveyors and engineers,” Shaw said. “So what they are doing is making the plans for everything that was approved. Those things being the band building,
football games. This can cause people to have to do abnormal things to get be able to organize things properly. Raney and band parents have worked for years to have this done, and they are excited that they could make something like this happen. A new rubber track is also on the list for the many improvements that are being made to the school, as students are getting injured from the asphalt track. “For our athletes to be able to compete at the highest level possible they need adequate facilities,” said Cedric Austin “Running on an
asphalt track can hurt our athletes shins and knees, and can also cause other physical complications with them. So I think that having a rubber track will give us the competitive edge that other high schools have.” The new track will allow the school hold track meets which will bring more people out in the community to watch. Austin hopes it encourages more students to join track, and it can give athletes something to proud of. The building of the counties first auditorium is also on the list of things to be done at the school.
“One thing that makes the idea of having a new auditorium exciting is that we will have a space to rehearse for our shows,” said drama teacher Terry Harbison. “Currently when we rehearse for all of our shows we have to go the cafeteria, we can be in my room, or we sometimes go outside. I think this will keep us from having too travel so much to practice for our plays.” With the new auditorium it will also allow students to hold smaller plays here at the school instead of having to travel places to do them. Harbison
hopes that with the new auditorium they will be able to hold plays for certain groups of people such as elementary students, this way they can be exposed to the art earlier in there school years. Changes are going to slowly going be made to the school; everything happening will come in waves. “This is something that has always needed to be done, it was just the matter of finding the money,” Shaw said. “We are fortunate that the school board and the superintendent were able to find the funds to help fund these projects”
Photography department embarks on trip to grow as photographers Sarah Chase Reporter
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ver the years the photography class has taken advantage of the world and space to take creative images. This year the class visited Nashville, Tennessee where they took photographs at the zoo and state fair. The students got a significant experience and they also learned more about the art of taking photos. “I photographed food, then I also photographed some pictures at the carnival, then pictures of the animals interacting with each other,” junior Kody Purinton said.
Some students say they struggled with taking the right photo at the perfect moment. It’s not easy photographing the perfect moment in one try and making it look professional. The talent is difficult to obtain so the onsite experience helped. “Taking any photo, to be honest, is challenging,” Hart said. “The most challenging ones were the carnival pictures because it’s at night.” Photography teacher Eric Mittman is known for taking his students to onsite locations to practice their crafts. They also traveled to Chattanooga to work with professional
models at a modeling agency. “I got several locations where students can learn how to photograph wildlife,” photography teacher Eric Mittman said. “Also students can learn studio lighting and how to photograph professional models. You can really hit a lot of different areas of photography in that one field trip.” For the photography students there is no limit to what types of photos can be taken and ways they can take photos. There’s always something new and beautiful to capture in the moment. The innovation of the art and the students
FLASH BULB An experienced photographer shows the inner workings of a camera with sophomore Spencer Dice. Dice attended the photography field trip to Chattanooga to get experience shooting real models. Photo by Eric Mittman
minds that go into photography is never ending for them. “It’s never the same thing twice. There’s always a new way to be
creative,” Mittman said “,The opportunities for creativity in this class are limitless and I love watching the kids get excited about their
different projects and I love watching them just grow as photographers. I love it.”
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discipline from there,” Watts said. So the question to ask is, how do you stop a disease that has already spread? “Marijuana has been banned in Alabama since 1931, but people still smoke and ingest it. People under the age of 21 are prohibited to drink alcohol, but we know that almost every teenager has at least tried it before,” senior said. “Though the government has threatened the United States with an electronic cigarette ban, they will never be able to stop the use and spread of them.”
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opinion
Oct. 25, 2018
The Crimson Crier
Oct. 25, 2018
The
Opinion Crimson Crier
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STAFF EDITORIAL
New announcement, bell system needs improvement
The Race for Governor
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The Crimson Crier May 10, 2018 Issue #8 2616 Jeff Road Harvest, AL 35749 256-837-0331 www.crimsoncriernews.com thecrimsoncrier@gmail.com
Enrollment: 1854 Faculty: 105 Mission Statement
illustration by Storm Jesset
Maddox presents clear plans while Ivey wavers on key issues Grace Moore Reporter
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he time has come for Alabama voters to decide who they want as their new governor. The candidates have come down to Dem. Walt Maddox and incumbent Rep. Kay Ivey. As the incumbent candidate, Ivey is using her experience in the governor's office to show her stance on the issues. Visiting her site, you will not find specific or detailed plans, because she is mainly relying on
people seeing what she has done in her time in office to get re-elected. Ivey was sworn in as Alabama governor on April 10, 2017, when the previous governor Robert Bentley resigned. Ivey was the first Republican woman ever to hold office in Alabama. She signed the biggest tax relief in over a decade earlier his year. Since she has been in office, unemployment has decreased a full percentage point, with 40,000 more Alabamians working. She is a former
teacher who says she’s highly committed to improving conditions for kids in our schools. Maddox, who is the current mayor of Tuscaloosa, is touring the state presenting clear positions on issues such as education, healthcare and jobs. His website clearly outlines plans for all of these things and more. Maddox was elected mayor of Tuscaloosa in 2005 and has since been re-elected three times. He was a member of the Tuscaloosa City Council for two years previous to this. When
the 2011 tornadoes destroyed 12 percent of the city, Maddox toured the city with former President Barack Obama and former governor Bentley only two days after the disaster. He was recognized by the people as an “unwavering hero of the storm” after he stepped up with much needed crisis management in the wake of the EF-4 tornado. Maddox also wants to improve Alabama schools by introducing a lottery to the state, which he says
will raise over $300 million without raising taxes one penny. He also has a plan to expand Medicaid to help all Alabamians. A breakdown of the issues is the only way to clearly see who is the most worthy candidate. A quick internet search was the key to finding each candidates’ position. When Alabama voters go to the polls on Nov 6, they must take into account each candidate’s positions on the issues to decide who is worthy enough to be in office.
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. Policy The Crimson Crier is an open forum for free expression by the Sparkman High School Community. 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. 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. The Madison County Record prints 2,000 copies, eight times yearly. Letters to the Editor
On The Issues Education
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.
Ivey, previously a teacher, wants kids to have what they need to succeed in life. Her plans focus on her plans for Career TechCollege/ Career Readiness rather than funding. Maddox wants to bring the lottery to Alabama which can help fund public schools.
Staff Editor-in-Chief Shelby Lopez
jobs
Ivey tauts the manufacturing and military jobs specifically, whereas Maddox focuses on decreasing the overall unemployment rate and has detailed plans to do so through infrastructure investment and workforce development.
Opinion Editor Jacob Whitlock In-Depth Editor Saylor Cuzzort News Editor Dylan Brotherton
health
Ivey has recently signed a bill for healthcare in prisons, but has not otherwise presented any clear positions on expanding Medicaid in our state. Maddox, on the other hand, supports Medicaid expansion.
Lifestyles Editor Alaura Gordon Sports Editor Bradley Wright A&E Editor Danni Jo Grider
Ability to use debit cards would be practical, convenient for lunchroom Ethan King Reporter
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sk yourself: How often you have cash on your pocket? Can you look back and remember a time when you did not have cash on you but had a credit card? More importantly, how often have you ever received your food but never had cash to pay for your lunch? You can probably relate to these inconvenient situations, and there is a possible solution that the school can implement. Some people do not always have cash
on them, therefore, installing card readers and ATM’s in the cafeteria can benefit the students. Some students have debit and credit cards which hold most of their money which is inconvenient because we cannot use them to pay for our lunches. Acquiring both of these assets will give students and teachers alike the opportunity to pay for their food in exact amounts. This will allow them to check their available balance straight from their cell phone by checking their bank
account. This can also allow students, teachers and parents to save more money overall by not putting too much money in their account. The idea of card readers is a more efficient and faster way to pay for your food but security problems could arise from the thought of putting an ATM machine in the cafeteria. Yes, an ATM will allow for students to withdraw more
money and let them put more money into their account but this will need polishing before installation.
Students will need protection from stolen cards and pin numbers, though tragic it is fixable if an administrator is placed
next to the machine. An ATM might not be the most useful among students as a card reader but both will present
powerful and efficient solutions to kids not eating lunch because they simply do not have cash.
Business Editor Jordan Waldrop Web Editor Dylan Brotherton Video Editor Jacob Whitlock Reporters Sarah Chase Josh Comer Atty Costanza Madison Duboise Julia Helms Anna Herren Lillie Howard Trey Howard Storm Jesset Ethan King Claudia Martinez Grace Moore Diana Pizitz Briana Ratley Brody Wallace Esperanza Yobo-Dasse Adviser Erin Coggins, MJE
Social Media Twitter Snapchat Instagram
Your View How would the ability to use debit cards/ATM machine benefit you?
@TheCrimsonCrier Credentials
“I’m always asking my parents for money, so if I can use my own money from my card, it would be a lot easier.” --senior Tate Hampton
“I always have my wallet on me, so just swiping a card and not turning in a check would be better.” --junior Hayden Miller
“I would not have to remember to bring cash or bring in a check.” --junior Austin Hall
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 AllAlabama rating.
ast month, the previous system, the school improvement was began installation of expected. a new and improved In the mornings, announcement the announcements system. The upgrade, only come through purchased by the the speakers in the central office, comes hallways, making them with dozens of new, extremely hard for most fun sounds, and classes to hear. Also, also is run via the because the new system internet. It did not is internet-based, it seem takes up a like significant there portion of In Favor was the school’s broadband anything wrong with bandwidth, causing the old system, but frequent internet it also did not seem outages and slower like a big ordeal to speeds. change. All these issues The results, affect not only students, so far, have been but teachers as well. mixed. Several We should be patient times in the past as the school works out month, the system the kinks, but it should has been down, be a priority for the leading to confusion school to do whatever and conflict in the they need to do to transition between resolve these problems classes. Though so that the school day this happened with functions normally.
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illustration by Storm Jesset
PRO
vs.
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Senior class split over vote to change color of graduation attire Recently, the senior class voted in favor of changing the color of robes at graduation to cardinal red. Two Crier staffers share their opinion on the subject.
PRO Jordan Waldrop Reporter
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ith graduation seemingly right around the corner, preparations are being made for the big day. Seniors gather together daily to enjoy their final year as high school students. A huge part of senior year is preparing for and making sure that you can graduate. This year,
CON Dylan Brotherton Editor
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he day a young scholar graduates from high school is supposed to be one of the happiest and most proud moments in one's life, but this year, graduation day has resurfaced an issue that has not been debated for over a decade: should the class of 2019 wear cap and gowns of traditional black, or cardinal? I say, follow tradition.
a lot of controversy has risen over whether we should wear cardinal red or black cap and gowns. The correct decision was made when we elected to wear the cardinal red color. A majority, 60 percent, of the senior class voted for Cardinal colored gowns. This will be a nice change for graduation considering that for the last several
years the black cap and gown has been worn. The last time that a senior class wore cardinal gowns was the graduating class of 2005. Black cap and gowns have become an expected appearance at graduation over the last 14 years and it will be fun to show off our red gowns on the big day. Students and parents will gather in attendance at the
graduation of the class of 2019. Parents will be excited to see their babies graduate and enter into the next stage of their life. However, even though it really does not matter, we currently are complaining about what color we should wear. No matter if you like the decision or disagree with it, the color cannot and will not be changed. You
have to accept it. The decision to wear the red gowns isn’t a lifelong decision. People in this years senior class may have wanted to wear black gown, but, not everyone can have their way. Seniors should not cry over small situations. It really isn’t a big deal and it should not be made into one. Graduation should appear exciting and
It is easily understood that adolescents would like to stand out and differ from one another, so why would this situation contradict? One of the main reasons that the class is drawn toward cardinal is because they want to believe that they are the “b19gest and baddest class,” stopping an unspoken tradition in its tracks. Cardinal cap and gowns were last worn on graduation day 14 years ago. This is due to the company
that the school used for renting out the gowns only offering the sets to be rented. The principal at the time coincidentally wanted to switch to a company that would allow the graduates to keep their attire. The red cap and gowns were changed to black at the time of the company change, but this class wants to revert back to cardinal. It was inevitable that the class would make their graduation differ from the last, and that they did when principal
Chris Shaw allowed the rising graduates to vote on which color they preferred. After talk of changing the color of graduation robes, a poll was sent out on a mass messaging app, GroupMe, and a schoolwide Google Forum was created; cardinal graduation apparel was the verdict of both. Wearing the color cardinal is not a horrible act, do not get me wrong, but wearing it from head to toe while receiving a diploma is. Black is the
traditional color to wear to events of importance. One would not wear a cardinal suit to a wedding or funeral, it is just not appropriate. Though the school has not started a tradition by definition, we might have unknowingly. As some universities use gowns as symbols for the student’s major or level of academic achievement ── majority wear black ── the school has set the standard of every student wearing this color for 14 years.
welcoming. However, if black cap and gowns are worn, we give the image of a funeral. Red won the election so there should be no debate over the color. Accept the fact that the best color was chosen and we will be representing it on graduation day.
Yes, the decision to wear cardinal-red cap and gowns is not something that will physically affect our lives in the long run, but it will alter our memories as we look back on graduation day. A class should lead with tradition to set an example for the undergraduates. Formal, yet classy black cap and gowns could be one simple way for the graduating class to present the school as the pristine educational institution that it is.
Young children should not be able to possess social media accounts Anna Herren Reporter
Social media is a gargantuan abyss that people of all ages continuously fall into. I know children as young as 8-years-old that possess a social media account. Over the years, it seems the age at which their parents allow them to own a social media continues to lower. Although there are age limits on certain social media sites, children often lie about their age and get away with it. Children at the age of 10 and under have not yet reached the maturity level
required for social media. A topic not unheard of, associated with children using social media, is child predators surfing the web, hunting for their next victim. Adolescents are not fully aware that there are human beings that are capable of being malicious rather than friendly and harmless, therefore they will not be as cautious as older kids. This makes them a bigger target to pedophiles online. Children can message strangers online for months without their parents knowledge of this.
Twitter is one social media site where I frequently find accounts made by adolescents. The children then use their accounts to post their opinion on matters they are completely uneducated on. Rather than using Twitter to keep up with their favorite celebrities or stay updated on news like you would expect, they make a mockery of it. Not to mention their cringey fan accounts that they use to defend
their YouTube idols at all costs. I do not doubt that social media is an exceptional way of knowing the 4-1-1 on all current events, but does an eightyearold honestly care about Brett Kavanaugh and the latest scandal? Along with kids’ senseless tweets, Instagram “spam” accounts seem to be all the rage. It is not enough to just have a regular old Instagram
account, but now they need to have a backup account used to spam posts of basically anything they desire. Spam accounts are all in good fun when posting memes, but children do not know the difference between what they should be posting and what they should refrain from posting. Young children tend to post unnecessary friendship turmoil and inappropriate pictures that should not be put out on the internet. They are being senseless and are not thinking about how colleges will react to these posts years from now. First impressions
are everything, and I am sure that no college will want these children after observing their old posts. To be frank, there are endless reasons as to why their minds are too underdeveloped to even own an electronic device. Not only is their safety an issue, but their image can also be hindered. However, I do understand that children might need a means of communication to be in contact with their parent at all times. Though let us be candid, a third grader does not need a Snapchat.
6 Local family realizes bond of brothers lifestyles
Oct. 25, 2018
The Crimson Crier
Jacob Whitlock
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In wake of Down Syndrome Awareness month, family knows love brothers give Saylor Cuzzort Editor
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ason and Chad Dohrman are your usual set of brothers. The two play for the same baseball team, practice ball in the yard and love to drive their mom, dad and sisters crazy running up and down the road with each of their activities. Despite being adoptive brothers, the two share characteristics of having an extra copy of chromosome 21, in other words, the two both have Down Syndrome. After the birth of their first child, Duane and Diann Dohrman decided it was time to add to family. With the discovery that having more children may be a obstacle, the family of three began the adoption process. In 1996, Anna became part of the Dohrman family after completing the her adoption in China. Now with two children, Diann still felt like there was enough love for another child. “I prayed about each of my adoptions,” Diann said. “But God placed adopting a special needs child who has Down
Syndrome on our hearts.” Having never been around children with Down Syndrome, the Dohrmans decided to follow what they saw as God's calling. They contacted an advocate in Cincinnati, Ohio who placed families who were interested in adopting Down Syndrome children with a child they saw best fit. The phone rang in June of 1997 with a call about a child named Jason. Jason was currently in recovery from heart surgery and needed a home, a family. “When we first saw Jason he was hooked up to a bunch of wires,” Diann said. “We stayed there for a while until he could go home and could not get over how perfect he was.” As the months passed and each of the Dohrmans fell more in love with Jason, despite what might look as burdens to others, God's plan continued to unravel. The phone rang once again about a year later, this time it was about a 10 week old named Chad. “I think having Jason probably helped with Chads adoption,” Diann said. “But even after Jason
Getting to Know Jason Dohrman
Role playing games can teach valuable skills Trey Howard Reporter
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ver since its initial release in 1974, “Dungeons and Dragons” (D&D) along with other games in the Tabletop Role-Playing genre has seen a kind of marginalization. The games were set aside for the so-called geeks and nerds of the generation. The players were perceived as your average fedora wearing neckbeards living in their mother’s basement; the lines separating the classic cliques glaringly clear. But since then, those
MAKING A FAMILY The Dohrman family poses for a recent family photograph. Diann Dohrman told the Crier that she and her husband felt God’s pull to adopt three children, including her two sons, Jason and Chad, who are diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Jason, a graduate of SHS now spends his days working at a local Chick-fil-A, a position he acquired with the school’s World of Work program. Photo courtesy of Diann Dohrman
we still felt called to adopt another Down Syndrome child.” Once meeting with Chads family, who did not feel they could properly take care of him, it was no question, Chad became known as Chad Dohrman. Now back at home as a family of six, the lifelong lessons began. They watched as the brothers went through heart surgeries and recovery at such young ages, saw them battle sickness just because their immune systems did not work the same, witnessed their mother trying to teach them to use the bathroom by themselves and other small household chores on a daily basis and encountered them overcoming learning disabilities within the classroom.
“When I work at Chick-fil-A, I like being able to do things and meet new people. I have made a lot of friends.”
PLAYING GAMES Riley Edawards uses his spare time to play D&D. Photo by Jacob Whitlock
lines have blurred. We have band geeks hitting the gym, cross country runners in choir and football players into role-playing games Tabletop role playing games give people a chance to express themselves and explore whatever places their imaginations take them. Tabletop Role-playing Games( TTRPG) are not only a fun way to pass the time. The different aspects of the games can help develop useful skills that will help young and old people in school as well as everyday life
7 Family runs local 5k to remember loss of loved one
Senior Riley Edwards perceives TTRPG’s as a way to develop his writing while escaping the typical judgemental tendencies of our generation. “I’ve been playing and leading games of “D&D” for about two and a half years,” Edwards said. “My enjoyment comes the from ability to express all the creativity jumbling around in my head without being judged for it; you typically don't talk about a giant meatball without getting a few weird looks.” Learning to play games like “D&D” is akin to learning how to ride a bike, it may take a little while to get it but once you do it is hard to lose. “I’ve been playing D&D since about third grade” Kyler Waters said. “I stopped for about six years but picked it back up freshman year and I was able to easily jump right back into it after all those years.” Most games are led by what is called a Game or Dungeon Master(D.M.). The D.M. creates a world or universe almost completely from their imagination. They
“Fighters. That’s what Jason and Chad are,” oldest sister, Ilia Dohrman said. “They amaze me in all that they overcome.” Over the years, Jason has had to endure heart surgery, asthma, celiac disease and severe sleep apnea along with countless other ailments while Chad has had two heart surgeries, asthma, thyroid disorder and severe sleep apnea, but these conditions and situations do not hold the boys back. “It makes me appreciate their accomplishments and I believe gave me a lot more patience and joy in what they do,” Diann said. “They deal with it with so much grace.” The bad days account nothing to the days that Jason and Chad leave the
everyone around them amazed in all that they are. After his graduation in 2018, Jason spends his days working at ChickFil-A where he can be found shaking hands and giving hugs to everyone he meets. In his persistence in asking if he can get anyone a refill his eyes brighten and smile shines as he helps someone with even the minor things. Back at home he helps with household chores and according to Ilia “Jason is the best folder on the planet.” Chad, now a senior in the Sparkman Learning Community, on the other hand spreads joy without a single word. Although he is nonverbal, he can light up a room with his neat smile and contagious laughter. Without a breath
of a word he puts his head against his family's’ face as a way to say “I love you.” “I could not imagine my life without them,” Anna said. “ I think people can all learn something from them.” At the end of the day Jason and Chad are just like everyone else, in fact they may even be better. Their need to make everyone smile provides anyone in contact with them a positive outlook on life. The boys seek acceptance and love which is just what they get in the Dohrman household. “I've learned that though an extra chromosome can alter the way someone looks or sounds, they are people just like everyone else,” Anna said. “Most days, it's not a disability at all.”
“I’m happy that I get to do things out there with people and that I also got to open my own banking
inhabit the world with any amount of people, races, creatures and places they can think of. The D.M. then creates as many or as few rules for their players to follow. The players spend time creating their own unique characters to live in the world the D.M. has created. Characters allow players express any amount of beliefs or ideals; whether they be those of the player or the complete opposite. Characters are able to take on a certain amount of skills unique to themselves. Together, the D.M. and the players embark on a fantastical story amalgamated by the D.M. who portrays all the non player characters using his voice and body to visualize the conversations and actions the players may get involved in. Edwards, who is interested in pursuing a career in voice acting, is extremely intrigued with this aspect of them game experience. “When I D.M. a game, I like to use the various characters I create as a way to flex my voice and practice before I actually go into that department,”
One of Riley’s online players that he has never met drew what she imagined him like.
Edwards said. Certain actions such as attacks and pure luck are determined by a multitude of specialized dice to give the fantasy world an emulation of the unpredictability of real life. “The Dungeon Master guides the players throughout the entire process but the players make choices and take action depending on what their individual character’s traits, bonds, beliefs and flaws are,” Waters said. “There’s a lot of fantasy involved but you also need to deal with the mundane. Budgeting your money, keeping good relations with non player characters and working with your group to take down a strong enemy all help develop money, math, social and teamwork skills respectively.”
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Oct. 25, 2018
Editor
ach October, people across the nation observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month by toting pink attire, participating in fundraising events or buying special products to contribute to research and treatment efforts. For most, it is a fun way to get involved with the community in a meaningful way, but for some it means much more. For some, it represents an opportunity to honor and continue the legacy of loved ones who have suffered from the illness. LouAnn Krahulik was living a happy life. She had a husband, two kids and an enthusiasm for Harley-Davidson motorcycles that was unmatched. But suddenly, she received stunning news. In August of 2016, she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, meaning it had spread to other distant parts of the body, rendering it effectively untreatable. She was given two years to live. “You hear stories all the time, but you don’t truly know anything until it’s someone close and immediate,” Tonya King, her sister, said. “The first emotions I remember were disbelief and then shock. It was overwhelming.” The news hit their family like a ton of bricks. They recall being baffled as to how this could have happened. After all, no one in their family had ever been diagnosed with the disease. They were also confused about the right reaction to have, especially sophomore Ethan King, her nephew, who was 13 at the time. He remembers the shock he felt the moment he heard about the diagnosis. The sadness, however, took its time to set in. “When I finally laid down without other distractions, I got to process it fully and mourn. It was all pretty
Lifestyles Crimson Crier
new to me,” Ethan said. “After that, it was just a matter of trying to enjoy what we had left.” What they had left was immense grief and sorrow, but more importantly, a passionate drive to get involved with prevention and research endeavors. They decided to participate in the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run, an annual event held in downtown Huntsville to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and support those who have been affected. They say the comradery assisted them in digesting GOLD, SILVER, PINK Huntsville community comes together to raise money for breast cancer awareness month.The event raised more than a quarter and coping with their million dollars for research and equipment Photo by Ethan King situation. “When some big personal events happen to you, you sometimes last time they were visit your doctor and take everything in able to experience know your family vain and you forget it in the presence of history. Early detection that these kinds of the lady whose tragic is key,” Tonya said. things happen to other misfortune had brought Despite the people,” Ethan said. them all together in the importance of these “But when you come to first place. screenings, about 35 something like this, you On Christmas Day, percent of women really get a sense of its Krahulik passed away. over 40 have not had impact and how many She was 55. a mammogram in the others are feeling the As the family gears past two years. Though same things you are.” up for this year’s the main obstacle many Photo by Jamie Coggins Their team consisted run, her memory is women face is lack of Saylor Cuzzort of dozens of extended imprinted in their insurance coverage, Editor family members, some minds more than ever. Krahulik’s family of whom they had They hope that energy highlighted an often lthough deaths related to breast almost no prior extends overlooked aspect. contact. Decked cancer are down, deaths related to beyond “Denial,” Ethan “But when out in custom their family said. “ I think fear is a metastatic breast cancer (mbc) is not. MBC you come to t-shirts, they and beyond big part of the reason is when breast cancer spreads to other something joined Krahulik just raising people don’t get tested like this, parts of the body. in walking the 5 awareness. because they don’t you really Due to recent surveys that report kilometers and “It’s know what might be get a sense supported her the daily strain on those living with the important behind the results so of its impact as she met with not only for they hide from it rather incurable disease, Lilly has teamed with and how other patients us that we than facing it.” Hollywood yoga guru, Anna Kaiser to many others and survivors. walk, but it’s The proceeds of are feeling develop the Thriver movement, something “Everybody important this year’s run will go the same teacher Mrs. Erin Coggins is dedicated to comes together at for every towards diagnostic things you the run because following. other family equipment for are. it’s a perfect out there in Huntsville Hospital, “I lost my mother-in-law to MBC in gathering. You sophomore the world,” as well as a patient 2003. She was a lovely lady and I wish Ethan King can hear other Ethan said. assistance fund. we could have had more time together,” people’s stories “It’s not Krahulik’s family Coggins said. “When I saw the movement and you can only to raise want to encourage share your discussed on Good Morning America over awareness anyone and everyone experiences but it’s also to get involved and fall break, I knew it was something I could and form pretty to raise spread much-needed do easily to help further research.” special bonds,” Tonya money through the awareness. To particpate, all one needs to do post said. “It also gives those donations people give.” “The more people a photo of them doing the thrive pose suffering hope because In light of her who are talking it lets them know with the hashtage more for mbc. For every passing, the family about it, the more of people are rallying with decided to focus their a conversation the photo posted in the month of October, them and they don’t attention on advocating community is having Oscar award winning actress Mia Sorvino have to go at something for one element that and more people are will donate $100 to MBC research. like breast cancer could have altered aware of it,” Tonya “I have seen first hand how his disease all alone. They have Krahulik’s fate: early said. “We just want cheerleaders in their can affect families and if it takes just a little detection. In the time people to come together corner.” between her diagnosis to lift everyone’s spirits more focus in research to find a cure, then In 2017, they did and death, this was the and help the fighters a little posed photo is the least that I can it all again, officially focus of her advocacy. fight.” do,” Coggins said. making the event a “We are hoping to family tradition. This send the message to get was, however, the tested, get screened,
Thrive hashtag shows need for research
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Student section brings school spirit to a new level Alaura Gordon Editor
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ighschool games are a way to bring the community together to support our athletes. With a population of over a thousand students, faculty and the community attend the friday night football games. Weather they are players, parents, band members or students they are there to support the football team. There are a variety of activities to get involved with throughout high school. For some students, attending every football
game and being in the front row is important to them. Having a large student section can make it difficult to see the game. “At our games you have to get to the student section around five o’clock to get a front row spot. Being in the front is the best part. Having a student section as big as ours you to be able to see the game you have to get there two hours early,” senior Ben Ratley said. During other school events the classes tend to separate. At pep rallies they chant one nine or two oh. Unlike other school events the student section is a place for the student
body to unite as one. “Even though we fight about who is going to be in the front, or where everyone is as soon as the games starts we put that aside and we realize we are there for one reason and that is to support our athletes,” senior TJ Webster said. “ For an athlete it is good to see everyone come together and support all of the players, it creates a good atmosphere.” The band, parents, cheerleaders and student section members join together, with chants, cheers and motions to hype up the team. Chanting also occurs when trying to distract the other teams
kicker. “I enjoy cheering on the players hyping everyone up trying to be as loud as possible. It is nothing but fun,” senior Mary Wilkerson said. “We incorporate cheers with the band and the cheerleaders to be louder than the opposing team. It is really loud and exciting you have a lot of adrenalin and you just are there having fun.” Despite the differences that classes have, the end goal is to cheer the team to victory. “ At the beginning of the night it is like a fireball hurling the space it is heated and then it gets cool and
GO BIG RED Student section cheers on the football team as they take on the tigers.
you are like this is a great feeling,” Webster said.
Oct. 26 Students are encouraged to dress in white to white out the Falcons.
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SPORTS The Crimson Crier
Oct. 25, 2018
Wrestling coaches, players talk about the sport Crier asks top 10 things fans need to know King of the Hill By Ethan King
Players’ hard work worthy for our support Trey Howard Reporter
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inning is arguably the most important aspect of sports and going undefeated is something every player can strive for at the start of the season. Varsity football may have fallen 35-26 to Huntsville High School on Sept. 21 but it is important to understand one game does not define a great team’s season. Winning games and connecting with teammates on and off the field is what contributes to the players everyday success as football players. Training hard everyday, the players go out on the field and remind us why they are the hardest competition in the state. Not only does football have a good program but other programs like baseball, golf and cheerleading are also forming into elite programs. It isn’t always about good players either, sometimes a good team chemistry can be just as important as a team with talent. The lack of attendance at games and competitions for the schools activities is something the students should attempt to fix. The school’s programs from football to school plays deserve to been seen due to the hours of practice they put in everyday to put on the best performances they can. The school and it’s players do not accept losing and work harder everyday to better their play on the field, court and stage. The parents, student body and student’s themselves need to go and visit all of the programs at least once to get an idea of what they are missing. Playing school sports is not only difficult physically but is also mentally demanding. Players and participants are challenged every day to go out in front of dozens of people to put on a show and perform in the name of the school. Not only does hard work ready teams but also mentally prepares for big moments. So the next time that students are in the student section wanting to condemn a player instead of cheering them on, they should think about the time and effort put into each practice, each game and each play. We should always be good fans for the sake of our classmates.
Brody Wallace Reporter
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hen someone says the word wrestling, that might invoke images of John Cena smashing a chair over The Undertaker’s head on WWE or someone’s face getting slammed into a metal pole. Even though the sport is portrayed as such, the comedic tone is simply not true. Since wrestling season begins this month, the Crimson Crier sought to get the answers every spectator needs to know before attending a match when the season begins at the end of this month. 1: What are weight classes and how do they work? The main purpose of weight classes is to keep safety a number one priority. While there are unfair matches, that is only because of the skill and strength of each wrestler. It’s also much more organized and objective based when it comes to managing weight. “There are 14 weight classes and each is set up by small increments that stay the same. This is because it keeps wrestlers safe and gives a fair chance to each wrestler,” head coach Ronnie Watson said. 2: How does a wrestler know they have won? A match is scored by points and if a wrestler gets the most points after time runs out, get a 15 point difference or “pin” them you win. Most matches are won by points at the varsity level and pins are more common at the middle school and junior varsity levels. “If you can manage to get your opponent on the ground you get two points, if you escape from the ground you get one point or if you can get your opponent’s shoulder blades on the ground for a couple seconds, that’s a pin,” varsity wrestler Tate Campbell said. 3. What happens if a wrestler does
something not allowed? If you get angry and swing at someone, throw your headgear, do an illegal hold, slam someone without going to the ground as well, talk back to the ref or anything else not sensible, punishments can range from some points being awarded to the opponent or disqualification from the match or tournament. “If you do something that isn’t allowed or not smart, the other person ends up getting points or you get kicked out at worst,” varsity wrestler Isaiah Cangelosi said. 4. What is the point of the onepiece things wrestlers wear? The singlets are for visual for the referees so they can see if you are pinned or not, make sure you aren’t storing anything prohibited or dangerous and they make sure that your opponent cannot pull on your collar. In addition, singlets are not required anymore, two years ago the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) ruled that compression shirts and athletic shorts that are issued by the team are now legal. “The singlets prevent your opponent from holding on to your clothes. But now you aren’t required to wear a singlet anymore,” Cangelosi said. 5. How long do the matches take? Matches can range from seven or fewer seconds to six minutes with added overtime. It depends if you have a higher score or pin your opponent. If you are tied after standard time, you go into overtime until a wrestler achieves a “takedown,” in which you need to bring them down on the ground and get behind them. “Matches in my
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Time to Hit the Court: 2018 Basketball Preview Shelby Lopez
Editor in Chief
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“Illegal moves are moves like the full nelson, double chicken wing, any slam that requires you to put them on their head or any other move that compromises the safety of the people involved,” Watson said. 8. What is a wrestling tournament like? Wrestling tournaments require all of your Saturday and are comprised of an early morning and waiting for hours on end to wrestle max six minutes. “Multiple people on the mats at a time with mats covering the gym floor, and hordes of people everywhere just waiting to wrestle or to see someone wrestle,” Cangelosi said. 9. What is even challenging about wrestling? Matches can be compared to a sixminute long sprint that
requires focus, dexterity and durability the entire time. The practices are longer and harder but prepare wrestlers for the journey ahead. “Everything from the practices to the matches and the conditioning are the hardest things to do, but you just have to keep your head high and focus on what is ahead. Winning,” Campbell said. 10. Do girls wrestle at all? According to a Statista.com study, in 2009 there were 6,134 female wrestlers and just last year there were 16,562 female wrestlers. The number has been steadily rising since 2009 and will continue to grow for years. “A lot more girls wrestle than you might think. The girls that do wrestle in our division are great and are held at the same expectation that guys are,” Watson said.
The Round-Up The boys cross country team took first place in the Huntsville/ Metro Madison County Championship meet. The girls finished second to Buckhorn.
The
Upperclassmen prepare young teammates for varsity ball
weight class usually last the entire six minutes and since we aren’t as agile as the lower weight classes, matches end on points most of the time,”
Campbell said. 6. What is a crowd favorite move? Any move that can make the other wrestler fly into the air and crash into the mat is the closest you will get to WWE wrestling. Those moves, if performed correctly, can make anyone grimace in pain just by watching. “Any move that looks like the opponent is getting thrust into the air and back down is the best for entertainment, but not for the guy getting slammed,” Watson said. 7. What is an illegal move or an illegal hold? Illegal moves/holds are anything that can injure either one or both of the wrestlers if performed. They are not fun to look at, to have them done to you or do them.
Oct. 25, 2018
SPORTS Crimson Crier
The football team will take on their last area opponent Friday, Oct. 26 at home against Florence. The team is currently 4-4 overall and 2-4 in area play.
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ooden floors, crowded bleachers, loud whistles and buzzer beaters. Screaming coaches, sweaty towels, blocked shots and shooting fouls. Game winners, halftime shows, stomping cheerleaders and Final Four. This is basketball. With eight seniors graduating last year, the boys varsity basketball team is preparing its new members for high school ball. With two freshman and two sophomores added to the team, head coach Jamie Coggins believes that their hard work and talent will outweigh their lack of experience. “The young guys that have played with us during the summer bring a level of skill that some of the guys might not have,” Coggins said. “They have a really strong work ethic that really stands out and at times they are some of the hardest workers in our
program.” With a young team, inexperience is a bound to be common. While hard work proves to be consistently important, Coggins believes that experience will make a difference during gameplay. “The biggest difference between this season and last season is the inexperience. I feel like we’re working hard and we’re improving but we’re just going to have to wear our hard hat every day,” Coggins said. “We have to put the effort in and develop our chemistry. Game experience is going to be important for most of these guys.” Senior Kendall Wright has stepped up as a leader and is hoping to develop the team from last year. With multiple positions ready to be filled, Wright is excited to see what the underclassmen have to offer. “We lost a lot of key pieces but we have a few more pieces to add to the team. We’re more aggressive than
PASSING THE BALL As an upperclassman, senior Kendall Wright prepares to pass on the secrets of Senator basketball to teammate, freshman Tyrese Elliot. Coach Jamie Coggins will use three freshmen and a sophomore in rotation as the team hits the court against Jemison on Nov. 13. The game will be played at The Capitol. Photo by Shelby Lopez
we were before and we work harder so I think we’ll go farther in the season than we did,” Wright said. Knowing that he will be passing
Coach Speak - Head Coach Jamie Coggins “We have a young team and a few seniors coming back. One starter, Malik Tyson, is coming back. He was a key player last year. Our team started in the summer where we established good chemistry and we had a successful summer. But going into the season, we are a young, inexperienced team. We have to continue to fit our young players into the mix and by the second half of the season, we should be competitive. Our goal is to win the area and host the area tournament.”
the team off to the underclassmen at the end of this year, Wright is trying to encourage his teammates as much as he can. To any basketball players that
hope to be on the team next year, Wright has some wisdom he wants to share. “Work hard. Whatever you do, give 100 percent in
everything,” Wright said. “Just be a good person on and off the court and it will pay off in the end.”
Player Talk - Senior Malik Tyson “I want to try and make it further than last year and actually win the whole thing, state. It is going to be a step at a time daily. It is a slow process. We will have to be patient with the younger guys. We must tell them to keep their head up, even if it is a bad game. They must be level-minded and humble. The young guys are learning fast and take heed of what I am saying and what coach is saying and actually putting it into game speed. I’m coming back from my injury and I’m ready to get back to play. “
Delay, upperclassmen will use experience to go after coveted blue map Ethan King
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Reporter
t is never easy for a program to lose a good set of players. It is even harder to lose players who have been mentors to all of the young players from the first day. Even with two “They did new faces all this on the by while varsity increasing roster, their coach basketball Patrick Delay I.Q. has the assistant coach trust Cedric Austin and confidence of his players to excel beyond last season. “With so many seniors back from a team who made the Final Four last season, we will be expected to win,” Delay said. “We are doing everything we can to prepare and live up to those expectations.”
The roster is still very experienced even with new additions. Four seniors have been playing on varsity since their freshman year and Delay feels now more than ever that they are in a position to propel in high intensity situations. “Our players have a lot of experience,” Delay said. “Our kids have played and won a lot of big games so they will not be intimidated by any situation.” New players and returning players know the value of a winning program. Going into the next season, coaches and players alike know the impact of the mentorship from the program’s former players. “They gave the younger players encouragement and confidence,” assistant coach Cedric Austin said. “They did all this while increasing their basketball I.Q.” Not only is getting
the new players into a new system of play a challenge, but the coaches are working hard everyday to retain a winning mentality. Though even with hard work and talent, chemistry among the players is the key element. “It’s all about building team chemistry throughout the season,” Austin said. “We should all be able to contribute immediately.” Though it is important for the coaches, the players are working hard every day to go out and perform to win games. Guard TJ Webster knows that the harder they work the more potential the team has and that it is important to work together as a team. “We have to think of it as a team effort,” Webster said. “We have to focus on what we can control, the only way is up from here.”
LEADING WITH EXPERIENCE Coach Patrick Delay looks to the court during last year’s game against Bob Jones. The girls expect to use last year’s trip to the Final Four to propel them through the season. Photo by Scott Lowe
Q&A with Delay
CC: How will you use your upperclassmen this season? PD: Four of our seniors have been playing varsity ball for us since their freshmen year. They have played and won a lot of big games so they will not be scared or intimidated by any situation. CC: How do you feel about the new area opponents? PD: Based on our experience, we should be very competitive in the new area. The only team we have experience playing is Huntsville.
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In-Depth The Crimson Crier
Oct. 25, 2018
in-Depth
Oct. 25, 2018
The Crimson Crier
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First Person Perspective:
Student explains role of being first generation American
Claudia Martinez Reporter
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nowing your roots is something that usually is taught to us by our parents or guardians at a young age. We are told stories of how our family members before us struggled through oppression and fought for their freedom. How they came here with an idea to make their future family be their successor. My parents, like many other immigrant parents, have worked
hard to build a home for their kids and to give their children the things they did not have the privilege of having. They went through many hungry sleepless nights wondering was it all worth it to leave a place they’ve known their entire life to a country where they know nothing but how to work. Being a first generation American in today’s society can be rough. At a very early age Hispanic children born in America become young translators. Because of this, anywhere we go we automatically become protective of
our parents. We do not want somebody to ridicule our parents because of their accent or their broken English. At the end, it hurts us because we know what the other person is doing and we know our parents are trying really hard to get their point across. It can be harsh in situations like grocery shopping due to our only means of communication is speaking a different language. Society around us then believes that we are talking about them and then we get the common phrase,”We are in America, speak English”. We
should not have to feel ashamed or be ashamed to speak our first language. A language that rolled off our tongues so fluently is now being forgotten by younger generations. Education is something my parents have drilled into my siblings and my head that it is the most important thing that no one could ever take from us. My parents did not have the opportunity to have a proper education because from a young age they were put to work or they were taking care of their younger siblings. They have always instilled
into us that school, as much as we hate it is our ticket to amazing opportunities and to be and do greater than them. Though it may be difficult our parents always taught us to stay humble to wait for the blessing because they are coming for people who work for it. My parents, even through these especially rough times we are living in the moment, have always stayed positive. My dad tells me that the best way to beat a person who spews hate is to stay silent and prove that you are better than them.
43% of firstgeneration Latino children, 21% of those in the second generation and 5% in the third generation or higher are not fluent in English. 69% of firstgeneration Latino children live in married-couple families, compared with 73% of second-generation children and just 52% in the third generation or higher. diversity.com
“We moved here for better opportunities. My parents thought like, ‘I want my kids to live a better life than I did and America seems like the place to do it’.” -Ruth Okuro
“My parents put so much pressure on me and my little sisters to graduate because they want us to do what they couldn’t.” -Shayma Arrabi
This is Us all of us
Diana Pizits Reporter
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f a box of crayons was comprised of only one color, it would be unable to create a work of art. As cheesy as that sounds, it holds an amount of truth that is difficult to deny. Our school is a bit like a box of crayons and that analogy goes deeper than having 64 different colors. We have nearly 1800 people in attendance, 1800 different stories, 1800 different personalities and 1800 different backgrounds. It is nearly impossible to go a day without meeting someone new. We have a graduating class that is larger than most school’s total
have never left the United States, let alone Alabama. It is suffice to say our crayon box is not only full, but overflowing and our masterpiece is still far from complete. Statistically speaking, people in diverse schools are better off overall than those in schools with demographics that are less diverse. Students in diverse schools have higher test scores, are more likely to enroll in college and are less likely to drop out. In addition, diverse classrooms encourage critical thinking, problem solving, the development of leadership as well as creativity and allows for more vibrant classroom discussion.
42%
military family
7%
D
out of country
32% have never moved
Anna Herren Reporter
Diversity means more than the color of one’s skin student body. We come from a variety of backgrounds, some were born here and some were not even born in the United States; some people have had things handed to them and others have had to work for everything they have. Our experiences make us unique and it provides us with the opportunity to learn from each other. We have Soundcloud rappers and future lawyers, biomedical engineers and the Broadway bound, figure skaters and future Rockettes. I have met people here who speak seven languages to my one. There are people here who have seen all corners of the world that are sitting in class next to people who
First generation Americans talk of diversity they bring Being new to country provides opportunity in sharing diverse culture
4%
are bilingual
More than just a melting pot
26% out of state
iversity is present all throughout America, whether it is through race, sex, religions, or other attributes. Second-generationAmericans know all about diversity as they are the first in their family to be born in America, rather than their family’s native country. Second-generationAmerican families carry their traditions along with them as they live the American dream. Junior Ruth Okuro is a secondgeneration-American, whose parents were born in Kenya, who has experienced this firsthand. As you can imagine, Kenya heavily differs from America, and that is definitely something Okuro’s family had to adapt to. “It’s really different because the way that kids grow up in Kenya is way different from here. So sometimes my parents will switch between culture in Kenya and culture here and they have to realize
that they can’t raise a kid the same way as they would over there,” Okuro said. Okuro’s family brings the lifestyle and culture that they once enjoyed in Kenya into the United States. As you would expect, the food, clothing and language is not what you would see in everyday America. “They have to get used to a lot of things being super processed. Everything in Kenya is natural. If you eat chicken, then you probably just saw the chicken like running around outside and now it’s on your plate,” Okuro said. “Whenever I have friends over, I always order pizza because the food in my house is not normal to them. The language is also different. We still speak it in the house so that hasn’t changed and I think in the language. What we wear differs from Americans. You can occasionally catch my mom wearing some really traditional clothing.” Although Kenyan culture is fascinating, sometimes pressure can get to Okuro as she continues to advance
in her education. Shayma’s siblings were Education delivered in was not as their home. “We moved much of an Despite this, here for better essential Arradi felt requirement opportunities. almost all in Kenya the same My parents as it is in pressures thought like ‘I America. that Okuro want my kids to was facing In fact, live a better life according to during her The United than I did and life. Nations “I will America seems International have to like the place to Children’s graduate do it.’ Emergency because Fund, my parents junior around 38 Ruth Okuro didn’t get percent of to graduate Kenya’s back then, adult and my population is parents put illiterate. so much “The pressure on standards in Kenya me and my little sisters are a lot different than to graduate because here. They appreciate they want us to do school a lot more than what they couldn’t do,” we do in America, so Arradi said. sometimes I feel some Similar to Okuro, pressure to do really Arradi’s family remains well in school just traditional to their because it’s such a big culture at home. Eating opportunity,” Okuro on tabletops is to be said. expected in America, Sophomore Shayma but Arradi’s family Arrabi is also a secondwould disagree. generation-American “We don’t eat on who has faced similar a table, we eat on the obstacles to Okuro, but floor. Even now like at her family comes from home, we still have that the Middle Eastern tradition. My cousins country, Yemen. house has a table, but Yemen did not have they just can’t use it medical facilities, so because they aren’t
used to it,” Arradi said. Arradi’s religion can also take a toll on her life from time to time. Being a Muslim American, she is often given inconsiderate and obscene looks from bystanders. Her hijab is one factor contributing to this. Hijabs are a religious traditional head and neck covering worn by many Muslim females when in the presence of males. They are worn as a way to remain modest. “If a big group of us go out in public wearing our hijabs, we get stared down a lot. No one has been cruel to my face, but you can kind of tell by the looks they give you,” Arradi said. Although wearing a hijab is tradition, it is not always required. Female Muslims like Arradi enjoy ceremonies separate from males, without the hijab limiting their leisure. “If there’s a wedding back home, the girls have their own wedding party one day and the men have their own, so that everyone can have fun without worries. Because if its combined with the
boys and girls, I’ll have to wear my hijab. But when its all girls I can just have fun and wear whatever I want,” Arradi said. Although Arradi and Okuro enjoy the opportunities America brings them, sometimes they get a feeling of longing for their true home. Both students try to visit as often as they can, but it can be hard to just drop everything and travel across the world. “We moved here for better opportunities, definitely. My parents thought like, ‘I want my kids to live a better life than I did and America seems like the place to do it,” Okuro said. Both Okuro and Arrabi are aware of how incredibly lucky they are to have been second-generationAmericans, and even though they are Americans, a piece of their heart will always lie with their family’s native country. “We still go down there and try to help our family as much as possible because of course, they being less fortunate than us, need help,” Okuro said.
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A&E The Crimson Crier
Oct. 25, 2018
Students express support of the Croc comeback Julia Helms
I
Reporter
t is not unheard of for people to wear “odd” clothes because they want to make a statement. However, it is not crazy for someone to like a style that somebody else does not. It is crazy for Crocs to become wildly popular among teens in a time when Crocs stores are beginning to close. These crazy rubber shoes have recently come back into style among high school students. Whether it is the fun colors, comfort or personalization that draws people to them, Crocs are making a comeback. Some people see them as ugly while others find themselves wanting a pair or two. “I love to see other people rocking Crocs,” sophomore Kelly Hovis said. “I get really happy
because I feel like I helped start the trend at school.” The trend started with athletes who wore them after sports and began to spread into everyday life. Crocs still only have a somewhat small following, only those who truly love the style embrace this quirky shoe. “When I wear Crocs people either look at me funny or say they want a pair,” junior Nicole Garcia said. “When I see people looking at me I like to point my toe to show them off.” Funny looks are not an uncommon occurrence to someone who wears Crocs. They make a brave statement and often get a variety of reactions. Flaunting the look is a great way to show confidence. They really represent how much someone likes to be different. “Crocs are
something really special,” freshman Sarah Helms said. “People who wear Crocs almost belong to a special society or Croc Club that represents embracing your inner creativity. They’re a statement piece that really grabs attention.” Crocs add fun to any outfit. They can be worn for almost all occasions and in any environment. People wear Crocs for every kind of event: sports, school, church, to the pool, Prom, you name it. Crocs go with everything and can go anywhere. “They are so comfortable and easy to slip on,” junior Kaylee Vinson said. “I like to put them on after soccer cause they are so easy to slide on after taking off my cleats.” Crocs aren’t only easy to slide on but show personality. They
have lots of colors and buttons to make them special. The personalization really makes them stand out as a special product. Anyone can wear their personality on their feet depending on how they style their Crocs. “I love the SpiderMan button because it reminds me of Tom Holland,” Garcia said. “All the buttons I use remind me of something.” Along with buttons, color is one of the main things that catches people’s eye. They have lots of bright and bold colors that are easily noticed. They make people notice the Crocs from far away or up close. It cannot be missed if someone is wearing Crocs. They are always a fun sight to see walking around. “I always notice the colors when I see Crocs,” freshman
Best selling book delivers a bigger impact on the big screen than in pages Grace Moore
T
Reporter
he Hate U Give” was released in select theaters Oct 5 and released everywhere the 19th. The casting of the movie, including Amandla Stenberg starring as 16-year-old Starr Carter, was filled with amazing talented actors who brought the book to life in a way that couldn’t even be imagined. The author, Angie Thomas, even makes a cameo in the movie, which she helped produce and was there for every step of the production. At the beginning of the movie, we see Starr and her best friend Khalil Harris, played by Aglee Smith, get pulled over by a white police officer. The officer shoots Khalil when he reaches for a hairbrush, then proceeds to handcuff Starr and does nothing to help Khalil, who ends up dying. This sets off a chain reaction of events in Starr’s life, where she must learn to use her voice to fight for justice for her friend and bring the case to a grand jury. It stirs intense emotions in audiences and shines a light on the ugly truths of our society that many would rather
“It picks you up in one place and sets you down in another.” -Stephanie Zackarek, TIMES
“A marvel of verisimilitude.” —Booklist
Josh Comer said. “My favorite pair are the camo Crocs because they are cool and different. I always like to see someone wearing them.” Crocs are a fun style that will always have a place in the hearts of Croc lovers. The hallways would not be the same without the sight of Crocs. They are a special trend that people will always remember. Anyone can look cool if they wear Crocs. “People are always styling and profiling when they wear Crocs,” Vinson said. “I hope the Crocs style sticks around for a long time.”
Why do you love Crocs? “I love crocs because I can put them into relax mode and sport mode.” - junior Madison Rader I love them because they’re comfortable and have good support. They go with a lot of thing and can wear them in any season. I can also wear them with socks which is nice. - junior Kaitie Horton
Fall
Favorites Sweaters are honestly the best thing i have ever worn. If you have ever worn a turtleneck then you can understand the feeling of a nice warm sweater in October and November. There’s nothing like a cute sweater to brighten up your chilly autumn morning. If you have never been to a pumpkin patch, you have not lived. Generally having events like cornhole and tractor rides, pumpkin patches are places of memories and fun fall times. They are most definitely the best all-family event to help kick off the fall season.
ignore. The book focuses on the value of family and how they can support through the most unimaginable times. It is the best movie of 2018 and directors and actors alike would be hard-pressed to top it. It causes audience’s of all ages and ethnicities to sit back and think about what causes they will stand for and whether or not it is their place to make claims for people,
even if they think that they are fighting for a good cause. Many people will not like the movie because it is so controversial, but that is exactly what makes it an amazing movie Some people are born with a privilege just because their skin is a certain color, and do not even realize it is there or recognize why it is a problem that our society is that way. This movie is exactly what is
needed to bring people back down to Earth and help them realize that just because slavery has been abolished in our country does not mean that racism has disappeared. If anything, it is far from gone and this movie tells the story of so many people that have been a victim to this injustice in our country through young Starr and Khalil’s journey.
Spooky season. Halloween is the scariest of all holidays, but the most fun. With Trick-or-treat, Halloween choir concerts, and dressing up to terrify children, you can definitely get the most creative on October 31. While trick-or-treating you tend to feel the fall breeze, and there is nothing better than strolling a street getting free candy with beautiful fall weather.