The Hilight: Valentine Edition 2024

the hilight. vol LXXXIX 510 13th St. Cullman, AL 35055

THE VALENTINE‘S EDITION The Newspaper of Cullman High School

issue 04 February 14, 2024

Table of Contents contents

staff list

Rachel Zegler 3 Famous Criminals 4 Evolution of Media 5 ADS 6 Passing the Baton 7 Spring Sports 8 ADS 9 Key Club Spread 10-11 ADS 12 Guest Writer 13 WW3 14 ADS 15 Celebrity Couples 16 Date Ideas 17 Fortnite 18 Conversation Hearts 19 Unromantic Date Ideas 20

Co-Editors Elley Atchison Drew Williamson Staff Writers Anna Beth Burleson Claire Dossey Jonah Jarrett John Mark Johnson Sophia Lambert Blyss Murphree Mack Rudder Aubrey Shaddrix Wilson Wood Advisor Jennifer Calahan Contact Phone 256-734-2923

Calendar: -February 19: President’s Day (No School)

Address 510 13th Street NE Cullman, AL 35055 Member of Alabama Scholastic Press Association

-February 24: Southerner/ Fair Queen pageant -March 9: Senior Prom -March 10: Daylight Savings Time, NHS Induction Ceremony -March 17: St. Patrick’s Day -March 25-29: Spring Break Seniors, Only 66 School Days Until Graduation!

Newspaper printed

by Alabama Web Press Editorial Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in the Editorials section belong solely to the writer and do not represent the Hilight staff or Cullman High School

The Come Back of Rachel Zegler

FEATURES 3

The snow that killed her career and the snow that revived it Claire Dossey, staff writer

In the “Back to School” edition of The Hilight Newspaper, an article was written about how badly Rachel Zegler was being perceived in the live action Snow White. However, she has since redeemed herself in the eyes of the media. Prior to her role in the new Hunger Games movie, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, released December 19th, 2023, where she starred as Lucy Gray, people spoke nothing but hate towards her because of the negative way she talked about the original Snow White movie.

Since Snow White was the first Disney princess movie, many people view that movie as something sentimental and not something that needs to be changed. While she was in the middle of receiving a ton of backlash for the Snow White movie, she came back and redeemed herself and is now being absolutely praised for her amazing work in the new Hunger Games movie.

Her acting was absolutely amazing and her singing has mesmerized the viewers. One viewer stated “Rachel Zegler as Lucy Grey in the Hun-

ger Games, an incredible on screen performance and her songs were also brilliant!” Another viewer stated The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes is the perfect masterpiece haunting origin tale showing the downfall of President Snow.

What a masterful job at taking the book and adapting it to the screen.The cinematography is excellent. Tom Blyth is a star and Rachel Zegler embodies Lucy Gray. What an experience, the whole theater was at the border of their seats, quiet, just

admiring the movie. The story, the acting, the music, the references, EVERYTHING was just perfect. Not only is she being praised for her work, but she has clearly been through much media training

since the announcement of the Snow White live action movie. She spoke very gratefully about this role unlike her role as Snow White where she said things like, “There is a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her,” she also told an interviewer that the original scared her as a child and she only watched it once, making her sound very un grateful for the role even though she wouldn’t be without the original movie.

Now, when you search “Rachel Zegler” online,

been a rumor spread that she has been cut from the making of the Snow White live action, which might be for the best after the way she spoke of the original and her resigning from that role might be the best option for Zegler. There is also a rumor that they have given Snow White an origin story, hiring a young actress to show flashbacks of Snow White as a child to cut out much of Zegler’s time in the movie in hopes to get better reviews. Zegler has also stated that she is thankful for the backlash she received from the Snow White movie because “nothing can hurt anymore because they’ve said the worst that can be said,” saying that all of the hate she received made her tougher as a person and stronger as an actress.

there are far fewer articles giving her criticism There has also

There are still many problems people have pointed out, but no one knows what is to come as of now. If she is still starring as Snow White, Disney can pull off the feminist look while the movie is still much like the classic original film.

A Carnvial of Southern History The history of Mardi Gras Mack Rudder, staff writer

Traditionally, Mardi Gras happens on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Mardi is the French word for Tuesday and gras is the French word for fat, as the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is typically known as “Fat Tuesday.’’ This name came to be coined due to many people feasting in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday in anticipation and preparation for the start of Lent and the 40 days of fasting until Easter Sunday.

Mardi Gras is not just celebrated on that Tuesday though, and in most places, it has evolved into a week long celebration. The first Mardi Gras celebration in America happened on March 3, 1699, and was celebrated yearly up until the Spanish took control of New Orleans and banned these rambunctious celebrations from happening. Mardi Gras was not celebrated in America again until 1812, when Louisnana became a U.S. state. New Orleans then became the center for Mardi Gras celebrations in America.

In 1827, the first documented Mardi Gras parade took place there, and they are still held annually.

Mardi Gras is now celebrated across the South in the United States.

Mobile, Alabama is another notable

center for many Mardi Gras celebrations.

Classic Mardi Gras traditions include “throws” such as the classic beaded necklaces, elaborate floats and masks, and many foods and desserts like the famous king cake.

Parades are a classic staple of Mardi Gras celebatrations everywhere. The first Krewe, Mistick Krewe of Comus, was formed in 1856. These Krewes decorate floats to be in the parades.

Not only do the Krewes make floats to star in the parades, these krewes also throw elaborate A ball invititaion from the masked Twelfth Knight Revelers balls. These balls are mostly invite only though, while the parades are public for all to enjoy. At these balls “Tableaux” are performed.Tableaux are eleborate pagenats that tells historical stories or mythological tales. The second ever Krewe was created in 1870 and named the Twelfth Knight Revelers. This

Krewe popularized parade “throws.”

“Throws” are trinkets and treasures that are thrown from floats during the parades. Many Krewes now have specific throws they give out. Many of these throws are highly regarded and considered collectables by many. The Muses Krewe gives out elaborately decorated The Carrollton Krewe’s deco- high heels, rated shrimp boot throw Iris Krew throws out sunglasses, and the Carrollton Krewe throws decorated shrimp boots.

King cake, a treat now considered an important Mardi Gras tradition, originally comes from a Christian background. For Christian’s king cake is traditionally eaten in honor of Epiphany, which is a holiday that commenrates the arrvial of the three kings who came to present gifts to baby Jesus after his birth. King cake then became associated with Mardi Gras due to how close Mardi Gras is to Epiphany. Epiphany takes place

on January 6th and king cake is eaten from that day until the start of Lent on

A king cake

Ash Wednesday. Coincidentally, Mardi Gras falls in between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday leading to the popularization of king cake as a classical Mardi Gras tradition. Traditionally king cakes are decorated with purple, green, and yellow icing and sprinkles to represent justice, growth, prosperity, and wealth. Most king cakes people eat now also have a plastic baby hidden somewhere inside of it. This baby is supposed to represent baby Jesus. If you find the plastic baby in your slice of cake you become responsible for providing next year’s king cake. King cakes have a deep and spritually connected history to Christiainty as well as one to Mardi Gras celebrations.

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FEATURES

Infamous Criminals Being Released/Paroled Infamous felons and their stories Blyss Murphree, Staff Writer DISCLAIMER: This article includes semi-explicit content. This article consists of general rundowns of each case.

Cameron Hooker - Girl in the Box Case On May 20, 1977, in Eugene, Oregon, Colleen Stan was kidnapped by Cameron Hooker and his wife Janice while she was on her way to surprise an old friend for their birthday. Following the kidnapping, Colleen was tortured by Cameron for 7 years until Janice took action and set her free. During her time with Cameron and Janice, Colleen was told about an underground society known as The Company; however, upon her escape, she was told by Janice it was never real. Colleen’s torture started as being chained in an X shape in the basement. To be moved to multiple different boxes, including a box for her head, a body box, a box she would use to live under the stairs in. Eventually a coffin shaped box built underneath into a bed frame where she would sleep

and spend up to 23 consecutive hours in. The torture she endured spans from being locked into a box to the burning of her body with a heat lamp, to putting a gun in her mouth to “prove her loyalty” to Cameron. Over time, Colleen developed a gnarly case of Stockholm Syndrome, causing her to stay for as long as she did alongside her fear of “The Company.”

Cameron Hooker is scheduled for trial in March 2024 at the age of 67 years old and possibly being released.

Edmund Kemper III - Co- Ed Killer When Kepmper committed the murders of his grandmother and grandfather, he was in his early teens. Upon his confession, stating “I just wanted to know what it felt like,” his IQ was tested. He scored 136 (genius level) the first go around and then scored 140 (super genius) on the second. He was diagnosed with Paranoia and Psychotic Disorder and then sent to a maximum security facility for mentally ill convicts. He was released after 5 years

due to being a minor. He then went on to murder 8 other individuals, all being women. One of them was his mother.

In a prison interview, Edmund was asked what he thought when he saw a pretty girl. Edmund Kemper responded with, “One side of me says I’d like to talk to her, date her. The other side says I wonder what her head would look like on a stick.”

Edmund Kemper is scheduled for a parole hearing some time in 2024.

David Berkowitz - Son of Sam David Berkowitz is the guy who blamed murdering 6 people and injuring 5 more in New York on his neighbor’s “Demon Dog.” David killed each of his victims with the same 44- caliber pistol. It took police 4 murders to figure out they were all connected from 1967 to 1977.

He was caught by a witness reporting his parking ticket she saw on his vehicle.

David Berkowitz is scheduled for a parole hearing in 2024.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Gypsy Rose Blanchard was charged with 2nd degree murder for the planning of killing her mother. Gypsy and her mother had a difficult relationship.

Gypsy was experiencing Munchousen

by Proxy daily from the day she was born to the age of 23 when her mother was murdered.

Gypsy is one of the first victims of Munchousen by Proxy who killed the person that inflicted it on them. Gypsy plotted her mother’s murder with her boyfriend at the time, Nicholas “Nick” Godejohn. Since Nick was the individual to physically commit the murder, he has been charged for life in prison.

Gypsy, however, was only sentenced to 10 years due to the 2nd degree charge. Gypsy had a parole hearing in November, 2023 and was released on parole. She is currently living with her father, stepmother, and husband. She is having the time of her life, for this is the first time she has ever had any sort of independence. If interested, please watch her 6-episode TV show on Lifetime named, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.

Preface to Presidents

Information about the upcoming presidential candidates Elley Atchison, Co-Editor

The 2024 presidential election is coming up this November, but the candidate’s campaigns will be fully underway before we know it. Thus, I have compiled relevant information on each candidate so you can better understand what they stand for and, in turn, who you want to give your vote to.

DEMOCRATS: The first candidate running is President Joe Biden. As a member of the Democratic Party, Biden claims his priorities lie in combating the climate crisis, creating greater access to healthcare, and expanding immigration. In regards to the climate, Biden plans to mobilize “a whole-of-government effort to reduce climate pollution in every sector of the economy.” Additionally, his plan for immigration “welcomes immigrants, keeps families together, and allows people across the country...to more fully contribute to our country.”

Another candidate running for president is Marianne Williamson. Along with President Biden, Williamson will be running as a Democrat. A main issue Williamson will be focusing on is healthcare. In her plan, she reasons that “preventative Care will be included as part of a single-payer Medicare For All type universal healthcare system.” Additionally, Williams plans to take action regarding reproductive

rights, claiming she “believe[s] abortion is a moral issue, but it is an issue of private, not public morality. [She does] not believe the government has that right to legislate our private morals.”

Dean Phillips is the final Democrat running in the 2024 election.

His

priorities lie with bipartisanship, the climate crisis, and the economy and fiscal responsibility.

In regards to bipartisanships, Phillips claims he is “inspiring a new era of collaboration in Congress and using common sense to pursue the common good.” He believes that bipartisanship will “heal America.” Additionally, Dean Phillips thinks that reforming our energy is “imperative,” and he plans to enforce bills that combat the climate

crisis.

REPUBLICANS: Former president Donald Trump will be running as a Republican in the 2024 election. His main issues he will be addressing include rebuilding the economy, making trade equal for

American workers, and becoming the most dominant energy power in the world. According to Donald Trump’s website, he “passed record-setting tax relief for the middle class, doubled the child tax credit, and slashed more job-killing regulations than any administration had ever done before.” Additionally, when Trump was president, he “became the number one producer of oil and natural gas on earth,” which he would plan to contin-

ue under his leadership.

Nikki Haley is the next Republican candidate running during this election.

She was the first female governor of South Carolina. Later, Haley became a UN ambassador, all the while building a reputation for being outspoken. Nikki Haley wants to “fix our immigration system,” but she opposes open borders.

Moreover, Haley opposes the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. She plans to create a more efficient economy, claiming she will not “raise taxes” but “reduce debt.”

Ryan Binkley is the final Republican candidate for this upcoming election.

As a former pastor and entrepreneur from Texas, Binkley is someone during this election who might not be well known. He plans to enforce his border security and dignity plan, which he hopes will “secure the border, fix the immigration system, and provide immigrants the chance to be productive contributors to our economy.”

Alongside this plan, Binkley has a plan for the economy called the Seven Year Economic Rescue Plan. This plan is a “comprehensive strategy to balance the federal budget, regain American competitive advantage, and boost economic growth for the Sake of America’s Next generation.”

FEATURES5 The Evolution of Media

How the Epic of Gilgamesh led to the fall of Blockbuster Jonah Jarrett, Staff Writer Human civilization and technology have come a long way from their ancient beginnings. Not long ago, people didn’t know America existed or didn’t know that the Earth was round.

In ancient times, people even used “IPods.” Society has come far from these primordial roots as technology has evolved, but there are many elements of our culture that date back to our primeval roots. Dating back almost as far as the discovery of fire, people have wanted to play, sing, dance, and perform music. As long as there has been land to explore, people have tried to explore it. Since the first spoken word, humanity has wanted to share information and ideas with each other.

The earliest known form of writing was invented in Sumeria around 3400 B.C. At least four different ancient civilizations invented writing around this time. Dating back to around 2000 B.C., one of the earliest discovered stories was written: The Epic of Gilgamesh. This story follows Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and Enkidu, a man created by the gods to oppose Gilgamesh. This story is widely studied both by historians and literary experts who trace the text’s connection to more “modern” stories like the story of Noah’s Ark, with The Epic of Gilgamesh

predating even the oldest Bible discovered. The Epic of Gilgamesh also has clear parallels to epics such as those by Homer or any modern telling of the hero’s journey. All of this is to say that The Epic of Gilgamesh has had an indelible impact on storytelling since stories were first told.

As time continues to pass, technology evolves, and ancient epics and poems are eventually forgotten in favor of more recent stories. The fables and tales of the past are slowly replaced with modern parallels, first with Homer’s Odyssey, then with Shakespeare, Pinocchio, Star Wars, iCarly, and even Young Sheldon. Slowly, humanity invents more permanent and accessible forms of storing and spreading information; it is easy to draw a line connecting the epics of the past to the trash TV of the present. As time passes, ancient Sumerian writing is replaced by Egyptian papyrus scrolls, the eventual invention of the first books, the printing press, film, and eventually the internet. As things change, however, many other things stay the same; Socrates was the Dr. Phil of his time, and ancient Roman gladiators are not very different from those who play in Steve Harvey’s twisted games. But as these old forms of media fall away to

new and more effective ways to spread information, the information contained within them often falls with them. As time passes, it is inevitable that media will eventually fall into obscurity and be forgotten- it is up to the scholars of the future to discover what was lost.

This continuous stream of innovation and new inventions eventually led to the creation of a business more revolutionary than perhaps even the invention of the book- Blockbuster, a store for renting movies and video games. Ancient historians have found that the first Blockbuster was opened on October 19, 2985, with a catalog of around 8,000 VHS tapes available to rent to the public. The idea of Blockbuster was new and innovative, allowing consumers to watch whatever they wanted from the comfort and convenience of their homes. Blockbuster remained relevant and impactful for many years, but in the early 2000s, Blockbuster’s grasp on the industry began to slip. Rival companies had begun to dominate the industry, and with the rise of the Internet, a new form of movie rental had begun to rise in popularity. In 2007, Netflix, which had been a competitor to Blockbuster in the DVD rental scene since 1998, launched their online streaming service

that allowed you to watch movies and TV without even needing a physical copy. Netflix eventually became the new face of at-home entertainment, and by 2014, Blockbuster officially went out of business.

Ultimately, as technology continues to evolve, older forms of media will always rise to dominate what came before them. It was not until 1839 that The Epic of Gilgamesh was discovered by a British archeologist and eventually translated into a modern script- for millennia, the text was lost to time due to the less advanced technology available at the time to catalog and spread information. Although we have better technology now, and it is much harder for media to go entirely forgotten, things will always continue to change, and technologies will continue to fall into obsolescence. Nobody speaks Sumerian now- unlike its ancient texts, the pronunciation has not survived the passage of time. In a few hundred years, who will remember the ancient works of art like Creed 3 or Fast and Furious 11? As human society continues to sail onward, the tides of time will continue to wash away the media and technology left in its wake.

then going back to the harder ones will help you save time on all sections of the test.

The English and Math portions of the test are the first ones, and arguably the hardest as they require prior knowledge of grammar, formulas, and etc. It can be good practice to go over these before the test to make sure you’re prepared. For the math section, if you find yourself stuck on a problem, it can be useful to take advantage of the multiple choice answers by using them to check yourself and backsolve the problem.

The Reading and Science portions of the test require much less background knowledge than the other two and mostly focus on your ability to analyze passages and graphs. Many people have different strategies for approaching these sections. For reading, many tend to skip the passage to read the questions first. While this strategy can work, it’s often better and less time-consuming to closely read the passage first, then do the questions rather than jumping between the passage and questions. For science, reading over the graphs and annotating them (i.e. marking important numbers and trends) before going through the questions can greatly improve your efficiency.

With tests like these, it’s easy to get stressed and anxious. It’s important to remember that no matter what your score is, it doesn’t define you and there are many chances to try again. If you would like more resources to help you study, feel free to consult websites such as OnToCollege.

ACT Tips For Success

How to hammer the grammar Drew Williamson, Staff Writer The ACT is probably everyone’s least favorite part of the high school experience, but a necessary one. A good ACT score can get you into more schools and even save thousands of dollars through scholarships. On March 12, grades 9 and 10 will be taking the Pre-ACT and grade 11 will be taking the ACT. Here’s some helpful tips to ensure a good score!

A common issue lots of people run into on test day is sleepiness. It’s hard enough to feel awake on the morning of a school day but the beginning of a 4+ hour test on an early Saturday morning is even more difficult. One easy way to get yourself awake and ready during the test is simply establishing a routine. If you wake yourself up at 8 AM for a few Saturdays before test day, you’ll be a lot less drowsy during the test. Many people opt for coffee or other caffeinated drinks in the morning before the exam to be more productive and alert. However, many times, these drinks end up doing more harm than good. Energy drinks high in sugar work well initially, but you’ll crash about 2 hours in and end up maybe more sleepy than when you started.

Coffee is a natural laxative, which speaks for itself given the limited break time during the test. Tea may be the

best option for a caffeinated drink, as it makes you alert for longer compared to coffee or energy drinks.

Another key factor is what you eat before. Breakfast is often cited as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. The last thing you want is to be starving throughout the entire test, so make sure to start your day with something hearty. Some good choices are foods that are high in protein and have low sugar, such as eggs, oatmeal, etc.

For the test itself, there are several strategies you can employ to make the most of your time. Bringing a watch can help time management a lot, as it can be much more convenient than having to look up at the clock. Each section of the ACT has a strict time limit, so it can be useful to know the segment lengths ahead of time to be able to know how much time to spend on each question. For example, the English portion consists of 75 questions, but only 45 minutes.Therefore, you only want to spend about 36 seconds per question on average. If you come to a question that you don’t know the answer to immediately, the best thing to do to save time is to just skip it and come back later. Knocking out all of the questions you can get immediately

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SPORTS 7 Passing the Baton

Talking to the Coach and Team Captain about the upcoming season Wilson Wood, Staff Writer The 2024 outdoor track season is approaching, and anticipation and excitement are increasing daily. For months, the track has been filled with Cullman athletes challenging themselves in preparation for the upcoming meets.

Both long-distance, short-distance, and field event athletes have undergone the physical and mental training required to compete in such competitive events.

With Coach Dean noting the “excitement for the upcoming season” and the ability for athletes to “develop through the season” through hard work and consistent training, it is expected to be an exhilarating and eventful spring for the Cullman Track and Field teams.

Unfaltering dedication to training and exceptional leadership from coaches have created an environment for Cullman athletes to excel and prosper.

In fact, Coach Dean expresses how we “have athletes in three of our five event

groups that are elite performers in our State,” especially in the “6A classification.” These outstanding accomplishments are echoed throughout the entire program, yet it is particularly exciting to see the development of the relays. According to Coach Dean, “we have had consistently great 4x800 relays” in past years, yet the “Boys 4x100 record has been broken three years in a row” under the leadership and guidance of Coach Broc Malcom and Jordan Endl. In classic Cullman spirit, Coach Dean expresses the willingness and excitement of the team to face the “challenge of becoming more elite with our 4x400 relay.” This season’s goals appear to be quite evidently known to each athlete, as well as the hard work required to accomplish them.

One aspect of Cullman Track training that cannot be ignored is the mindset required to not only succeed

in your own goals but also to compete at a competitive level. Echoed throughout the training process is the importance of positivity and trusting your training no matter what. According to Boy’s Long Distance Team Captain David Manashirov, the team has greatly focused on “perfection in the process” this season. The team “understands that no training period can be perfect and hiccups are inevitable,” yet their primary goals are to “perform to the best of our abilities, remain consistent, and run fast when it counts.” David continues by reiterating the “culture of dedication, consistency, positivity, faith, and discipline” that has enabled the past successes of Cullman Track and prepared the athletes for all those successes anticipated in the future.

With major track meets right around the corner, it is interesting to consider those that garner the most

Indoor Track Wrap-Up

Bearcat Ballers

Drew Williamson, Staff Writer

Jonah Jarrett, Staff Writer

Highlights from the Bearcat runners’ indoor season The indoor track season has come to a close, but not without some stellar performances. Despite the ice storm getting in the way of some practices and meets, the track team has been to three major meets and performed great.

The track team is striving for success this season. According to David Manashirov, long distance team captain, their goals for the season consist of having “as many individuals as possible qualify for state, and to run to the best of our ability.” While the team was at a disadvantage to qualify for state due to the missed meets from the ice storm, they still managed to perform very well at the remaining meets of the season.

According to Coach Dean, some of the top performers from this season include Patrick Adcock in the shot put, getting runner-up at the indoor state meet, Mabry Free, breaking the school record in the 1600 meter run with a time of 5.13.33 at the indoor state meet, and the girls 4x800 relay team, placing 6th at state with a time of 10:28.79.

There have been many more great performances, and all of the results from the Last Chance and Indoor State meets are included at the end of this article.

As the weather warms up and the outdoor track season begins, it’s certain that the Cullman runners have another great season ahead of them.

excitement from the team. Coach Dean reveals they are “Always excited for our North Alabama meets,” noting the “friendly rivalries.” Furthermore, Cullman County V Marshall County on Friday, March 8, and the Cullman Classic on Saturday, March 16 are included as exciting events. However, the Mountain Brook Invitational on April 12-13 is noted as being particularly exhilarating. With Coach Dean considering it “perhaps the most prestigious regular season meet in the state” and David mentioning the “wonderful campus, great track, and almost unmatched competition,” it will undoubtedly be a special meet. The track team would appreciate anyone who wanted to come out and support the athletes as they compete for Cullman. It will certainly be an exciting and successful 2024 track season for Cullman High School.

How the Bearcats are closing out the season The CHS basketball season is coming to an end, and like always, our Bearcat ballers seem to be in it to win it this season. At the time of writing, the team has won the area and has a shot for regionals. Coach Stu, the team’s coach, seems optimistic. When asked what the team’s pre-game rituals

were, he said that the team keeps it “all business,” preparing for the game ahead by watching scout tapes and playing a shootaround. Overall, he says, the kids have faced adversity and overcome it to become who they are and will continue playing to become the best version of themselves.

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SPORTS

Kicking off the Year 2024 Soccer Season

Aubrey Shaddrix, Staff Writer It’s time for soccer! Our Cullman High School soccer teams are now prepared for their upcoming 2024 seasons.

Starting this February, both our JV and Varsity soccer teams will put their practice to the test and begin competing against other schools. To get excited for this season, we asked some of our varsity seniors and Coach Drake a few quick questions about what they look forward to this year

Coach Will Drake 1)“It would feel great to win the county tournament, win area, and go deep into the playoffs, but I want to see these boys develop and go on to play at the next level, too.”

2) “Our most important opponents are Hartselle and Decatur. Both have great, long-standing programs. Locally we’ll play West Point and Fairview” I also asked Coach Drake what preparations his team is taking this season.

3) “A good soccer player has four parts of his or her game: tactical, technical, physical, and social-spiritual. We have been training all of these attributes since the end of last season, starting in

June.

Questions 1) What do you look foward to most this year?

2) Who do you think our strongest competition will be?

3) Whats your favorite memory as a Senior?”

Elley Atchison 1) “Beating Decatur!”

2) “Hartselle is out for blood this year after we beat them both away and home last year. Little do they know, we are ALSO out for blood!”

3) “Playing on the muddy field in the rain at the beach tournament in Gulf Shores; nobody could see anything, and it was so fun!”

Jayce Johnston 1) “I’m looking forward to my last season with my best friends and just getting to play with them one last time” 2) “I think in season we have a couple of tournament games that will be tough, but once we hit playoffs we will play our toughest competition” 3)”My favorite soccer memory was coming back and beating West Point after being down 2-0 at halftime my freshman year”

Swinging into Spring

Tennis class is now in session Jonah Jarrett, Staff Writer The winter break is a period of rest for many students, but now that the break (and our extra week for ice) is finally over, school life has quickly reverted back to normalcy, and spring sports are quickly kicking into high gear. This year, the Cullman Bearcat Tennis Team is off to a great start. The Arab Knights were viciously defeated

by the Cullman teams; both the boys and girls teams won 9-0. The season is only just beginning, too. The tennis team’s schedule is packed in the coming weeks as the season comes into full swing. One thing is certain: these dedicated students are working hard to support their team and their school.

2/17 Saturday Hillcrest Doubles Tournament VB VG 2/19 Monday Springville JV JVB JVG 2/20 Tuesday Mortimer Jordan** VB VG 2/23-24 Fri – Sat Jasper Tournament VB VG 2/26 Monday Lauderdale County VB VG 2/26 Monday Boaz JV JVB JVG 2/27 Tuesday Muscle Shoals Middle JVB JVG 2/29 Thursday Decatur VB VG JVG 3/4 Monday Leeds JV JVB JVG 3/5 Tuesday Gardendale** VB VG 3/5 Tuesday Hartselle JV** JVB JVG 3/11 Monday Center Point** VB VG 3/12 Tuesday Sardis VB VG 3/14 Thursday Muscle Shoals JV**

JVB JVG 3/18 Monday Briarwood VB VG 3/18 Monday Deshler** JVB JVG 3/21 Thursday Austin VB VG 3/21 Thursday Muscle Shoals Middle JVB JVG(7,8,9) 3/23 Saturday Wilson Warrior Tournament VB VG 4/1-2 Mon-Tues JV League Tournament JVB JVG 4/8 Monday Lauderdale County VB VG 4/11 Thursday Boaz VB VG 4/12 Friday Deshler VB VG TBA TBA Section Tournament VB VG 4/25-26 Thurs/Fri 6A AHSAA State Tournament ** Indicates Varsity Section Matches or JV League Division Matches

And the Crown Goes to...

Setting the Stage

Anna Beth Burleson, Staff Writer

John Mark Johnson, Staff Writer

Miss Southerner and Fair Queen The Miss Southerner and Fair Queen pageants are both important traditions at Cullman High School.

This year a total of 20 Miss Southerner contestants and 4 Fair queen contestants will be competing for either title.

The pageant will take place on Febuary 24, 2024 at 7 p.m. and last year’s queen, Ivaleigh Peppers, will be crowning. The winners for last year’s Miss Southerner was Ivaleigh Peppers and Fair Queen was Siddalee Drake.

Miss Southerner competitors will compete in backstage interview and your walk. In the Miss Southerner portion of the pageant, there is also a Miss Photogenic that you can opt to compete in.

Fair Queen is a more lengthy process. Contestants have to provide a platform that you are passionate about and the reason why. The platform can be something that has directly impacted the contestant’s life or something that she just cares deeply for. Remember to come out on Febuary 24th in the auditorium to support the girls!

Above: Ivaleigh Peppers- 2023 Miss Southerner Queen

Above: Siddalee Drake- 2023 Fair Queen

Checking in with Cullman Theater Cullman High School’s theatre program is in the midst of exciting things coming this spring including preparing for two new productions: 26 Pebbles and Grease. 26 Pebbles recounts the events of December 14, 2012, when Adam Lanza took the lives of twenty-six innocent people as well as his own in a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut. The play aims to illustrate how these twenty six innocent lives created a ripple effect, much like stones thrown into a pond, and how these ripples have been felt far beyond their initial rings.

Grease follows the Rydell High senior class of 1959, made up of cliques such as the “Burger Palace Boys” and “Pink Ladies,” as well as following the love story between Greaser Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Dumbrowski.

Both shows will be making their debut this spring, with 26 Pebbles showing March 1st and 2nd, and Grease showing later this Spring.

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CHS Senior Prom March 9th

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CAMPUS NEWS

CAMPUS NEWS 11

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EDITORIALS13 Terrorists Tried to Kill Me The Israel-Hamas War Kaila Rasmussen, Guest Writer In 2016, when I was 7, while visiting family in Israel my sister, my mom and I rode in a Taxi to the airport when HAMAS fired rockets into Israel. The sirens went off. We had seconds to get out of the car and lay flat on the ground; as the rockets flew overhead, we prayed the US-Israeli designed anti-missile system Iron Dome worked.

Did you know, virtually every residence in Israel has a bomb shelter built in?

Between 2001 and today, Palestinians fired over 30,000 rockets/mortars into Israel, (over 12,000 in 2023).

There is a lot of misinformation being spread about the war in Gaza. Israel has even been accused by some of ethnic cleansing. Unfortunately, misinformation is rampant so let’s correct the record.

To understand the current war in Gaza, we need to understand history. Unfortunately, I cannot cover 4 millennia of history in 1000 words but the short version is Jews have “occupied” the Holy Land for 4000 years (that’s 2000 BC) and during that time they have been attacked time and again with warring factions conquering and reconquering Israel. Jerusalem was sacked 44 times.

In 610 AD, Islam was created. Shortly thereafter, Muslim Arabs conquered the land and built the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque on top of the ruins of the Second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) ruled (except for an 8-year break) from 1516 AD until 1917 AD. In 1917, during WWI, the British captured “Palestine” from the Turks and declared support for restoring Israel as a national home for the Jewish people. In 1920, the League of Nations (predecessor of the UN) awarded the British a mandate to rule Palestine. At this time, both Arabs and Jews were called Palestinians. Arabs rioted in opposition to the British policy and attacked Jewish farms. The British reversed their pro-Jewish policy and a civil

war broke out between the three sides.

In WW2 (1939-1945) German National Socialists (Nazis) killed 6 million Jews during the Holocaust many in concentration camps by using poison gas. The Holocaust galvanized Jewish desire to return to the Holy Land. When pro-Palestinian protesters shout “Gas the Jews” they are calling for another Holocaust. “From the River to the Sea” is a Palestinian call for Israel to be eradicated from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a call for genocide. If “Palestine” were to be freed from occupation, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), Gaza, Syria and Jordan would all have to be given back its original owners…the Jews.

In 1948, the Jews won the civil war and Israel became a country. The new Israeli government allowed Muslim Arabs who abandoned their weapons to stay and become Israeli citizens. The Arabs that fled are now called “Palestinians.”

In 1964, the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed which, with other terrorist organizations who sought to destroy Israel. Terrorists attacked a school bus (1970), Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics (1972), the Savoy Hotel (1975), they hijacked Air France 139 (1976), and ambushed the Coastal Road (1978).

The PLO conducted terrorist attacks until 1993 when the Oslo accords were signed and the PLO acknowledged Israel’s right to exist and entered into joint security arrangements with Israel.

In the 1980s the terrorist groups Palestinian Islamic Jihad and HAMAS were formed to eradicate Jews.

In 2005, Israel withdrew its securityforces from Gaza. In 2006, HAMAS was elected to control Gaza. 32 countries have recognized HAMAS as a terrorist group.

HAMAS terrorism is funded by Iran.

President Obama authorized $556 million be given to the Palestinians.

Palestinians used much of that money to buy rockets that they shot at me and other

people in Israel. President Trump cut $200 million in aid and President Biden released $10 BILLION in sanctioned funds to Iran, the worlds greater proliferator of terrorism, which paid for and facilitated the 10/7 massacre.

Today, 7 million Jews, 2 million Muslims, and 500,000 Christians live in Israel.

Israeli minorities including Muslim Arabs are allowed to vote, serve in the Israeli Parliament and are allowed to serve in the Israeli military. Israelis have the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly and women and minorities enjoy equal rights. No Jews live in Gaza. There are also no equal rights for minorities and LGBT people are severely oppressed.

Gaza is a tragedy, one created by HAMAS with Iranian help and Gaza will remain a tragedy until HAMAS is eliminated and Palestinians accept Israel’s right to exist.

On October 7, 2023, HAMAS invaded Israel and killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and took 240 men, women, and children hostage. 80% of the bodies that were recovered were tortured and sexual violence was widely used a war tactic.

I have seen the photos and videos HAMAS published of their war crimes and I cannot unsee the carnage. It gives me nightmares. The newspaper will not even allow me describe the atrocities because even the description has been deemed potentially too traumatic. Personally, I think everyone should see it because only then will you really understand terrorism but the school is right - you would be traumatized.

The Palestinians elected HAMAS, HAMAS started this war. Israel will finish it. Palestinians are learning President Obama was right when he said, “Elections have consequences…”

God bless America and God bless Israel.

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Digital Diapers and Tiny Influencers

Unraveling the rise of iPad babies and Sephora kids Claire Dossey, Staff Writer

Millennials are raising kids and they are all grown up! Right? Well, they at least wish they were. They were once iPad Kids, and they have now transformed into Sephora Tweens. They have reached their early tween years around the ages of 10-12 years old and the result of the way they were parented is beginning to backfire.

These kids grew up on the Internet, constantly watching things like Cocomelon, YouTube Kids, and other kid-targeted programs because their parents would shove an iPad in their face in an attempt to keep them occupied, and it has turned them into monsters.

Media is evolving at a very fast pace, and so are these children. With their having such unfiltered access to the internet, their goal is to constantly keep up with the trends. And these 10 year olds seeing 16-20 year olds on the internet is only provoking them to be just like influencers who are twice their age.

Now, instead of 10 year olds being interested in Barbies, art and coloring, super

heroes, and things that most children their age should be interested in, they are dipping their feet into the world of makeup.

Except they aren’t just dipping their feet in, they are jumping in head first. These kids have taken the internet by storm because of their rude attitudes, their entitlement, and their selfish viewpoints. They go into makeup stores, like Sephora or Ulta, and pick out all of the trendiest makeup items and the most expensive skin care products you can find; then they expect their parents to pay for the thousands of dollars worth of products they have picked out because they think they deserve it. Some people might even believe that 10 years being into makeup isn’t that big of a deal, but that is not the main problem. They are relentlessly rude to the workers in the store and call them names, destroy the store, are rude to other customers, steal products, and take products out of other customers hands/ carts.

Now, you can’t blame the kids in this situation because it is totally the parents

fault. They didn’t want to do any actual parenting in their child’s most impressionable stages of life, like taking them to play outside, reading them books, playing games with them, coloring with them-their solution was an iPad. These parents will also often let their children be on their device during times that they should be spending with their family.

Going out to dinner and seeing a kid with an iPad or any sort of tablet isn’t a rare thing these days. These parents also just give their kids whatever they want. If they want five hundred dollars worth of makeup and skin care, or all the Lululemon that money can buy, these parents will just give into these children causing them to be completely entitled and believing they should get whatever they want. Gen Z has picked up on this problem and have spoken out about

not letting their kids have iPads or iPhones until at least 13 or 14.

Maybe then there will finally be a stop to this.

History of Israel

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EDITORIALS

Countdown to Conflict

How imminent is World War 3?

Wilson Wood, Staff Writer You have seen the jokes and memes concerning another large-scale global conflict known as WW3. Considering our age and the idea of being drafted for males, it is interesting to note the humorous nature that our generation holds for such a conflict. However, there is a natural sense of concern behind the guise of humor and the nonchalant approach to the uncertainty of our futures. A global conflict on the scale of another world war could undoubtedly spell the end of life as we currently know it. So, the question remains: Is World War 3 actually imminent? To answer this question, it is crucial to address the global geopolitical landscape and potential and ongoing conflicts. Specifically, the continuing Russo-Ukrainian war, as well as increasing tension between China and Taiwan in association with elevated tension between North Korea and the West.

One of the most deadly wars in Europe since the end of World War 2, the Russo-Ukrainian War began when Russia invaded Ukraine in late February of 2022.

Signaling the need to protect the people of the Luhansk and Donetsk Republics bordering Russia, President Vladimir Putin announced the operation. In reality, however, the security of the two former Ukrainian states is generally regarded as a facade to Putin’s real intentions. Although the conflict initially saw significant Russian advances, almost two years later, the war has primarily resulted in a stalemate with constant Ukrainian counteroffensives. One of the main reasons for the invasion and the most significant contributor to further tension between Russia and the West is Ukraine’s intention to become a NATO ally. Although Ukraine joined NATO as a partner in 2020, the country has yet to fulfill the economic and militaristic standards required for full membership.

Since the beginning of the war, the United States has provided more than 75 billion

dollars in aid. Furthermore, military assets and equipment, as well as the training of Ukrainian soldiers, have been supplied to Ukraine by the West. Additionally, sanctions against Russia have taken a toll on its ability to wage war. Although a victor of this conflict is still undecided, there is the ever-looming chance of further escalation.

Russia holds the world’s largest nuclear arsenal at an estimated 6,000 warheads.

Furthermore, since the start of the war, the Russian Federation has suspended its participation in both the CTBT and New START treaties, both formerly aimed at limiting the test of nuclear weapons as well as reducing the stockpiles thereof. Overall, the war in Ukraine has dramatically strained relations between the East and West. Several hundred thousand soldiers have been killed or injured on both sides, as well as thousands of civilians.

Tensions between China and Taiwan have exponentially risen in the past few years due to a push for reunification of the island nation by the Chinese Communist Party. Historically, Taiwan has maintained its status as an independent nation, while China has claimed it as a rogue province and gives no validity to its claims of independence. The history of Taiwan can be traced back to the Chinese Revolution, in which the Chinese Communist Party fought against the ruling Republic of China. With a communist victory, mainland China was ruled by the People’s Republic of China while the Nationalist forces of the Republic of China retreated to the island of Taiwan. China has made its intentions of regaining control over Taiwan clear, directly expressing its goals of reunification with Western powers. However, Western powers such as the United States have historically provided military aid to Taiwan and hosted official diplomatic visits with their respective government. This complex political approach as well as an increase

Man’s (Real) Best Friends

in military assets in the region has caused rising tensions throughout the strategically significant South China Sea. Specifically, the U.S. maintains military bases in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Guam, and Singapore effectively surrounding Chinese coastal provinces. Furthermore, China has strengthened its Navy in the past few years and is now speculated to have the most powerful Navy of any country, with more submarines and frigates than even the U.S.. Such a powerful buildup of maritime military assets in just the past few years is consistent with the notion of waging war in the South China Sea. Furthermore, China has initiated an increased amount of military drills around Taiwan as well as the firing of conventional missiles over the strait between Taiwan and China. Although the U.S. officially does not support Taiwan’s independence, it is still committed to its defense. Further escalation in the region would undoubtedly have a profound effect on geopolitical relations, yet the extent that America aims to honor its commitment to that defense is yet unknown.

North Korea has historically held complex and intense relations with the West.

The aftermath of the Korean War was a divided Korean peninsula with the longest militarized border on the face of the earth. On both sides of the Demilitarized Zone, behind fields of anti-tank mines and millions of armed troops, sit two distinct societies. This polarization between North and South Korea is shown through their alliances. North Korea relies on Chinese trade and has historically held partnerships with China. Furthermore, North Korean relations with Russia have grown since the Russo-Ukrainian war, with North Korea supplying munitions and other soviet era military assets to remedy the rapidly depleting Russian munition stores. In exchange, it is speculated that Russia has worked to

advance North Korean military technology as well as the development of its nuclear program. However, South Korea stands only 2.5 miles across the DMZ. With 15 U.S. military bases and over 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, its position on global alliances is evident.

With one of the world’s largest economies at 1.67 trillion GDP and its prosperous electronics industry, South Korea remains one of the strongest allies to the West in Asia. Deteriorating relations with the West led to a December 2023 announcement by North Korean state media announcing leader Kim Jong Un’s order for his military to “thoroughly annihilate” South Korea and the United States if provoked. With an increase in ballistic missile testing from North Korea alongside their pre-existing stock of nuclear weapons, hostilities in the region pose a threat of exponential aggression.

The only thing the future holds is uncertainty. With conflicting ideologies and wars being waged around the globe, it is almost impossible to ascertain where a potential third world war would begin. A web of alliances among the most powerful empires the world has ever known would dictate the outcome of such a war. However, a total war waged between such powers would almost certainly result in a nuclear outcome. Ultimately, it is in the hands of the leaders of such powers to determine how soon, if ever, the initiation of World War 3 could occur. This emphasizes the importance of participating in America’s democratic processes. Choosing our leaders, especially in such tumultuous straits, is essential in determining the future of our world and answering the question of how soon humanity could expect another world war.

nearest throwable object.

#4-Wolves A common motif in many fairy tales and stories is the character/ trope of the Big Bad Wolf. Whereas wolves are the antagonists of these stories, wrecking the homes of pigs and eating people’s grandmothers, Wolves in reality are not as big of a threat as they are made out to be. There have only been two recorded human deaths in North America caused by wolves since 1900. If dogs can be “man’s best friend” then why can’t their older cousins be?

A list of animals that get a bad rep John Mark Johnson, Staff Writer Almost everyone has a favorite animal.

If you were to ask someone what their favorite animal is, you may get responses like horses, lions, monkeys, and elephants.

Some may even say their favorite household pet like a dog or cat. While there are many animals that are loved by humanity, there are a staggering number of beautiful and wonderful creatures that we as a society have wrongfully scorned. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I would like to open your eyes to a different perspective on these mislabeled creatures. #1- Sharks Sharks are often seen as the ocean’s most ruthless killing machines, with this man-eating image being ushered in by movies such as Jaws. While shark attacks do occur, they are often sensationalized by media outlets and are very rare. When attacks happen, it is often due to a shark’s curiosity about an unfamiliar part of their environment. Sharks are important to the ocean ecosystem by keeping populations of other fish in a proper proportion to the rest of their environment. Scientists consider

sharks to be keystone species, meaning that removing them would cause the collapse of ecosystem’s structure. You are also twice as likely to be killed in a vending machine accident than being killed in a shark attack.

#2- Spiders Whenever someone spots one of these so-called “creepy crawlies,” their first instinct is to grab a shoe or any other object to use as a weapon to smash it; arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, is extremely common among many. While some spiders are venomous and can be harmful to humans, the benefits they provide heavily outweigh the flaws they carry. Spiders benefit the environment by keeping down the populations of other insects such as flies, cockroaches, and mosquitos. Spiders can also prevent the spread of diseases carried by these other insects. Whenever one of these eight-legged house guests pay you a visit, think twice before you grab the

#3-Opossums While they may be seen as mean, disease-ridden vermin, opossums are very beneficial to the environment. An opossums diet usually consists of rotting fruit, ticks, cockroaches, and other insects all things that can be harmful and intrusive to backyards. In addition to their benefits, opossums are also the only species of marsupials, animals like koalas and kangaroos found in North America

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Valentine’s Day Interviews

What do the Bearcats think of Valetines Day? Sophia Lambert, Staff Writer Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? yes: 74.9% no: 25.1%

Do you have a Valentine? yes: 44.1% no: 55.9%

Do you think Valentine’s Day is for children? yes: 28.3% no: 71.7%

Has the true meaning Is Valentine’s Day a marketing of Valentine’s Day been scheme? yes: 67.5% no: 32.5% What do you think is the lost? yes: 35.7% no: 64.3% true meaning of Valentine’s Day? (Honorable Mentions) -Love -Burgers -Celebrating others -To play Fortnite

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ENTERTAINMENT

CHS’s Favorite Celebrity Couples Who’s your favorite couple?

Anna Beth Burleson, Staff Writer

Tom Holland & Zendaya

Robert Pattinson & Suki Waterhouse Jermey Allen White & Rosalia

Chase Stokes & Kelsea Ballerini

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck Harry Styles & Taylor Russell

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

Kylie Jenner & Timothee Chalamet

Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively

Beyonce & Jay-Z

2000’s Versus 2020’s Rom-Coms A new era of feel-good classics

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer From Shakespearean retellings like 10 Things I Hate About You to films every little girl has watched, such as 27 Dresses or 13 Going on 30, this decade has released some of the best genre-defining rom-coms. Rom-coms released during this decade defined what a good rom-com is. Since the end of that era, though, a good rom-com has come by sparingly. We have been in a romcom drought.

Many people credit the disappearance of the classic 2000’s rom-com to the fact that most of them leaned into very stereotypical tropes, like enemies to lovers (10 Things I Hate About You) or a fake relationship turned real (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), which viewers found boring after a while, and did not feature much diversity.

Recently, though, there has been a re-emergence of movies with that same 2000s rom-com feel- just with modern touches. A great example of this is Anyone But You, starring Sydeney Sweeney and Glen Powell, which was just released and includes a stereotypical trope of enemies to lovers, but an R rating that most classic rom coms do not have. This is due to multiple mature scenes in the movie. Most classic 2000’s rom-coms have a PG-13

rating, making them family friendly and movies that many teenage girls have enjoyed.

The successful revival of the classic rom-com feel in modern movies has not only been credited to more mature scenes being included in movies, but also to more diversity. In To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, the main character and her family are Asian. The movie still includes the stereotypical trope of a fake relationship turned real, just with a more diverse cast than a classic 2000’s rom-com would have.

Me Before You and Crazy Rich Asians are also great examples of diversity being featured in newer rom-coms.

Best Classic 2000’s Rom-Coms 27 Dresses (2008) - Rated PG-13 Starring Katherine Hiegl and James Marsden - Rated 6.1/10 on IMDb

13 Going on 30 (2004) - Rated PG-13 - Staring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo - Rated 6.3/10 on IMDb She’s the Man (2006) - Rated PG-13

- Starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum - Rated 6.4/10 on IMDb

50 First Dates (2004) - Rated PG-13 - Starring Adam Sandlar and Drew Barrymore - Rated 6.8/10 on IMDb

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) - Rated PG-13 Starring Kate Hudson and Mathew McConaughey Rated 6.5/10 on IMDb 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) - Rated PG-13 - Starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger - Rated 7.3/10 on IMDb The Notebook (2004) - Rated PG-13 - Starring Ryan Gosling and Racheal McAdams - Rated 7.8/10 on IMDb Best New Generation Rom-Coms Anyone but You (2023) - Rated R Starring Syndey Sweeney and Glen Powell

- Rated 6.7/10 on IMDb

No Hard Feelings (2023) - Rated R - Starring Jenifer lawrence and Andrew Barth Fieldman - Rated 6.4/10 on IMDb Me Before You (2016) - Rated PG-13 - Starring Emillia Clarke and Sam Claflin - Rated 7.4/10 on IMDb Crazy Rich Asians (2018) - Rated PG-13 - Starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding - Rated 6.9/10 on IMDb

La La Land (2016) - Rated PG-13 - Starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone - Rated 8/10 on IMDb To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) - Rated PG-13 - Starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo - Rated 7/10 on IMDb

ENTERTAINMENT17 Valentines Date and Gift Ideas For your special someone Claire Dossey, Staff Writer

Personalized hoodies

Necklace with your initail

Set up a movie night to watch your favorite movie together Something simple like this is just perfect!

A simple hoodie with your initials monogramed in the sleeve is something personal and something he will love.

“Bae” Basket

His favorite picture of you two

A picnic on the beach to spend time together Cheap or expensive, a basket with her favorite thing will sure make your girlfriend happy this Valentine’s!

Perfect for him to put in his wallet!

A love letter

His favorite cologne

Stargaze together and pick out constellations

Refresh his favorite cologne

A love letter spilling your heart out is an easy and great gift for your favorite girl.

Go to your favorite artists concert

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ENTERTAINMENT

Fortnite Lore in Chronological Order

Information to successfully drop into this new season.

Blyss Murphree, Staff Writer Fortnite lore is unnecessarily complex. This storyline starts with the Big Bang. The meaning of the Fortnite Big Bang parallels the meaning of the real world Big Bang.

This Fortnite Big Bang created the Fortnite island. With the creation of the Island, this guy named Geno is introduced. Geno is the ruler of the island and is obsessed with being genetically perfect. He’s kind of like a wizard scientist and creates this thing called a Snapshot. A Snapshot is a genetically perfect clone. During the duration of Chapter 1, Season 1, Geno is trying to perfect his invention and make Snapshots concrete.

While making Snapshots, he has two daughters that are later introduced.

The Big Bang did not only create the Fortnite island, but it also created the Zero Point. When the Imagined Order first found the Zero Point, they built an underground vault around it. Geno used the Zero Point to create the storm and the loop. This explains why when you die in the storm, the game resets and you’re put into another match.

The storm and the loop were created to wipe the player’s memory when they die (really the character being played as). At some point, a meteor appeared in the sky and everyone went bonkers. The meteor hit the center of the island and threw smaller meteors all over, destroying most of the map. When the Imagined Order found the rock and examined it, they found that the Seven space knights inside the rock were kidnapped by Geno. However, the Seven were too smart and escaped the system, leading them to the island after Geno’s disappearance. The Seven become the guardians of the Zero Point. They launched a rocket to try and get back to their reality; however, it failed and created a crack in the sky. The rift made objects from other realities fall from the sky, including Kevin the Cube. The longer the Cube stayed on the island, the more it rolled around and left runes on the ground. It eventually made its way to Loot Lake in Season 5.

The cube exploded in the lake and made multiple islands. The magical butterfly created from the Zero Point’s energy sent

all players to the Inbetween.

After this, a white fog came with an Iceberg and smashed into the side of the island. On this island was the Ice King. He wanted the Zero Point’s power, but so did his prisoner. The Fire King eventually defrosted and resurrected himself from the dragon eggs in the dungeon with him. The Ice and Fire Kings fought, the Ice King won and the Fire King went back to prison.

The government dug under the volcano the Fire King made and found the underground vault where all the in-game guns come from. Singularity had been guarding the Zero Point this entire time and allowed the government to use its power. During all of this, there was a frozen monster on the side of the giant iceberg. It melted and was set free. Polarity, a member of the Seven, created the Mech, and Singularity piloted it.

They defeated the monster. However, when the fight was over, Polarity flew the mech to the Ice Moon and stayed for a very long time.

This marks the beginning of Chapter 2, resulting in a new island and the loop being reset.

This introduces the Ego and Alter teams.

The Ego team consists of real people. The Alter team consists of their snapshots. 8 Ball met and fought his own snapshot. The 8 Ball snapshot killed him, and becomes the first Gitch due to his real form (real 8 Ball) being dead. So, the snapshot hides and does not resurface.

In Chapter 2, Season 2, Midas renames the teams. Ego turns into Ghost, and Alter turns into Shadow, being led by Chaos Agent. Midas, leading Ghost, makes a doomsday device in hopes of stopping the storm. This does not work. Instead, the storm turns into a giant wall of water and floods the entire map.

After this, Midas goes missing.

So, his daughter, Jules, makes the Authority where the agency sat.

Everything is fine until another reality rift is found, and now Marvel heroes appear, and Thor is there.

Galactus comes for the Zero Point, so Thor brings the other Avengers to fight him. After Galactus is run off, Jonesy calls for the Seven, and they return to help him protect the Zero

Point for access to Geno.

Chapter 3 starts with Raz coming to the island to learn as much as possible about the Zero point.

He finds a Cube shard and becomes corrupted. This is when Jonsey and the Foundation are defrosted from the Zero Point. Raz’s new name is Glyph Master. The Cube Queen arrives in her mothership, bringing all the aliens. The Imagined Order put the Zero Point back in the bridge so the Cube Queen could not seal it. Dr. Sloan decided to bomb the mothership; however, this resulted in polluting the entire island with cubes. The cubes then formed a pyramid led by the Gold Cube. and inhabited the Cube Queen on top.

This pyramid then basically burns the island’s atmosphere and reveals the Cube Queen’s “Cradle.” The Imagined Order then tries to wipe Jonsey’s memory, but the Foundation (from the 7) who is also apparently Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, saves him. They defeat the Cube Queen, and the whole map flips over. The “new” island for the next season is where the Seven have been the entire time.

The Foundation (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson) tells Jonesy that if they do not hide the Zero Point, then they will continue to suffer these attacks. So, they sent a rocket to find Paradigm, and the third attempt worked, and they brought her back.

The Rock and Jonesy start fighting the Imagined Order. While doing this, the missing twin sisters come and contact Geno. They learn that Geno has been fighting the Imagined Order as well, and the Rock and Geno both die. By the way, the twin sisters are the genetically perfect children Geno made by using his snapshot creation.

After this, the Zero Point is let loose and turns this island into a magnificent oasis charged with energy with the Reality Tree dead center of the island. However, everything slowly begins to chrome, and the only person left alive from the Seven is Paradigm. The Herald fuses with the Reality Tree and creates another rift, resulting in islands from multiple different realities to

join together to make a big one to protect the Zero Point.

One of these realities is one that inhabits one of Geno’s snapshots, the Oathbound. He and Jonesy’s assistant Amy work together to try and rebuild a rift gate. This does not work, and causes another hole in the sky. Mega City falls out of the sky, making the Zero Point unstable again. Now, the island is splitting in half and a giant jungle is uncovered underground. The Explorers went down and were looking for things. They found a relic and took it to Aura. Dr. Sloan has been trapped in this jungle since the time she exploded it and tried to defeat the Cube Queen. Aura tells them she has a buyer who is identified as Kado Thorne. Sloan finds a room in one of the abandoned buildings, and Optimus Prime pops out and tells her that her answer lies in the past. So she decides to give Kado Thorne the relic, hires some thieves, and steals his time machine all after the upcoming eclipse. Another eclipse happens and Kado Thorne is now in his vampire form.

A vampire hunter comes and kills him.

Jonesy and Sloan start working together again and take the time machine back to OG season Fortnite. They attach the time machine to a rocket and shoot it up into the sky, throwing us back into another black hole situation, but this one is different.

The chapter Fortnite is in now is the result of being sent into another black hole. This season is packed with lore. If you would like to learn about the state Fortnite is currently in, please go into YouTube and search “Fortnite lore Chapter 5” or something along those lines. Your brain will explode with Fortnite information, and you will never be the same again.

FEATURES19 The History of Conversation Hearts

The Love Library

Sophia Lambert, Staff Writer

people will start recommending the best rom-coms to watch, yet I will take a different approach. I am going to suggest that you dive into the world of literature. This Valentine’s Day, in addition to watching a good rom-com, I recommend that you start reading one of the love-filled books mentioned below.

1.)Pride and Prejudice: This classic novel by Jane Austen includes a classic “enemies to lovers” trope written in such a beautiful way.

You will be in awe of Austen’s cheeky dialogue and elegant diction. You should definitely add this book to your list this Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day book recommendations

Atchison, Co-Editor How heart-shaped sugar lumps came to be Elley With it being Valentine’s season, Have you ever wondered why conversation hearts are such an iconic part of Valentine’s Day, or who came up with the idea of writing tiny phrases on heart-shaped lumps of sugar?

In the 1840’s, a pharmacist from Boston by the name of Oliver Chase invented a machine thats purpose was to create apothecary lozenges. Chase originally used the machine to create all kinds of lozenges that helped with everything from sore throats to bad breath. Later on, Chase started using his machine to create candy. Today his lozenge cutter is credited with being the first American candy machine. The candy he created is called Necco Wafers, which is still around to this day. After creating these wafers, he joined forces with his brother, Silas Edwin. They formed a company together named the New England Confectionery Company or NECCO. Necco Wafers started to become popular during the Civil War because they were portable, and they would not melt. This made them ideal for oversea shipping. The candy continued to be popular for many decades after the war.

It has been rumored that the idea for conversation hearts sparked because they figured since people were sending soldiers love letters and the soldiers were already carrying Necco Wafers, they should press the messages straight onto the candy.

The more plausible reason for the idea is

that Chase and Edwin were inspired by a candy that had already been around. This candy was scalloped and included a note inside like a fortune cookie. In the 1860’s David Chase, Chase and Edwin’s brother, invented a machine that stamped messages directly on candy using red vegetable dye.

These candies came in many different shapes like baseballs, horseshoes, and watches. The candy also featured much longer phrases than the ones used today.

In the early 1900’s, these candies started to take the shape of what people know today. The candies were scaled down in size and heart shape was introduced in 1901. They also started to use shorter phrases like the ones we see today, such as “Be mine”, and “Kiss Me.” NECCO even made Twilight themed hearts featuring phrases like “Bite Me,” and Spanish hearts with phrases like “Te Amo.” The NECCO Sweetheart candy became the most non-popular heart shaped candy with over eight billion hearts sold in the six weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. NECCO ended up declaring bankruptcy in 2018, and Spangler Candy acquired the rights

to it in 2019.

This goes to show that even though many people hate conversation hearts and they think they taste like chalk, the heart shaped sugar lumps are here to stay.

ter is rich and dynamic. Please commit the time to this cultivating read.

3.) Wuthering Heights: While Emily Bronte only wrote one book in her lifetime, the book she did write is quite brilliant. Encapsulating the dark side of love, Wuthering Heights conveys the effects that one relationship can have on others. You won’t want to put this book down.

Give this book a try if you feel so inclined.

2.) Anna Karenena: While this novel is not for the faint of heart, it is a must read this Valentine’s Day. Tolstoy’s portrayal of each charac-

Why is Cupid a Baby in a Diaper? Free Willie The history of Cupid

Aubrey Shaddrix, Staff Writer Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love and who better to represent that than a cherubic diaper wearing archer?

Our version of Cupid was actually originally named Eros in Greek mythology.

He was first depicted as a young man wielding a bow and arrow, arrows capable of making people fall in love.

The arrows aren’t sweet and innocent, and he would use his power to stir trouble betweens Gods and mortals. He was often described a mischievous character. Later on, Romans would adopt the mythology of many Greek characters including Eros. They would name him Cupid, as it was a symbol of passion and desire, perceiving him as a cherubic boy following his mother’s demands to make other people fall in love.

Renaissance painters took inspiration from Roman depictions and began putting this mythology to canvas and

painted him as we know now. Naturally, industries would pick up on this unique character and put him on the face of Valentine’s cards and products for his love influencing abilities. They would take inspiration from Renaissance era art that depict Cupid as a winged baby. Cupid would greatly transform compared to his beginnings and his cherubic form would be widely popularized to the character we recognize. As we still celebrate Valentine’s Day, Cupid continues to represent the holiday.

Steamboat Willie enters public domain John Mark Johnson, Staff Writer As of the start of the new year, Steamboat Willie, one of the first ever animated shorts by Walt Disney, has officially entered the public domain. The 1928 short was one of the first cartoons to use synchronized sound, as well as introducing the world to the iconic characters of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

By entering the public domain, the animated short and its characters are free of copyright and are able to be used by anyone for any purpose. For instance, several recent horror video games have been released with the iconic rodent in an antagonist role such as Captain Willie and Infestation:Origins in a similar vein multiple horror movies are also in development similar to last year’s Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey following the titular stuffed bear’s release from the copyright jail.

A big misconception from this is that the Mickey and Minnie mouse

characters in their most iconic iterations (red shorts and red dress specifically) are free to use. This is not the case; in order to freely use the characters in the public domain, they must appear as they did in the Steamboat Willie short.

For many prior years, Disney has fought to keep its copyright of the famous cartoon character as long as possible, lobbying the U.S. government to extend copyright protection before it was originally set to expire in 1984. In 1976, the law was changed to allow owners to retain copyright protections for the duration of the life of the author plus an additional 50 years. In 1998, Disney once again successfully lobbied along with other entertainment companies to extend copyright protections to life of the author plus 70 years for a maximum of 95 years before finally expiring in January of this year.

THE BACK PAGE The MOST Romantic Valentine’s Date Ideas U^N

1) Fortnite duos This Valentine’s Day if you really want to impress your Valentine, make sure to log on to Fortnite to play together. Bonus points for matching outfits!

2) Fast food No one really wants to go somewhere nice on Valentine’s Day. Take your date to Arby’s instead, after all they have “the meats.”

3) Parking lots Nowhere else to go? The Walmart parking lot is perfect for Valentine’s Day! And if it is too busy, try the AMC one next door.

4) Grocery Shopping No one else is going grocery shopping on Valentines Day. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure you and your date get all the good deals at your local Aldi without dealing with a crowded store. Just you, your date, and the deli worker.

5) Doing your taxes Tax season is coming up, so take this Valentine’s Day to make sure you and your date are prepared.

6) Babysitting Make sure to invite your sweetheart over for a long romantic night of babysitting.

7) Waffle House Is fast food not your speed? Try a slower form of the same amazing quality food! Plus free entertainment- as you watch the workers fight instead of making your food.

8) Stay home and watch TV Young Sheldon is really popular on Netflix right now!

9) The gym Multitasking! Make sure you and your date still get your workouts in on Valentine’s Day this year.

10) Public pool Do you miss swimming now that it is winter? The indoor pool never gets too cold. Make sure to bring a towel, though, as there is guarenteed to be toddlers splashing around.