TC Roberson High School • 250 Overlook Road • Asheville, NC 28803
Friday Night Lights Student section raises school spirit during football games
Page 15
A Hidden Social Divide A look at how social media is affecting students’ mental health
Page 24
VOLUME 42
goldenfleeceonline.com
Sunny Side Up Solar initiative gains support from county and city school systems
Page 6 November 15, 2019
“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”
photo/GRETCHEN WATERS/golden fleece
- Don Williams
The Golden Fleece is published by the Golden Fleece Media Group of TC Roberson High School. It is printed by Advantage Printing Inc. Located at 1848 Brevard Road in Arden, North Carolina (28704). Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
NOVEMBER
To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $30 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the school. Additional copies are $5.00 each. The Golden Fleece, by policy and tradition, is a public forum for student expression. The students determine all aspects and content of the publication without any form of prior review. © 2019 Golden Fleece Media Group. All rights reserved.
photo/GRETCHEN WATERS/golden fleece
e e a n is e d d h ). e ut is d.
n n, or. 0 y s, d ol. es e y n, or e all nt n of w.
e p. d.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
News
05 06 Feature 10 15 Sports 18 20
Around the World:
Read about the latest events in countries from the Congo to Syria
Sunny Side Up:
Check out how the Solar Initiative might impact Buncombe County
page 6-7
One Pixel at a Time: Take a look at the new Digital Design class offered at Roberson
Friday Night Lights
Friday Nights mean football and fans. Read about how school spirit is shown in the community.
page15-17
Sports Update: Read up on how Roberson’s sports teams are closing their seasons
Setting It Up:
Roberson’s volleyball team continues to establish itself as a yearly title contender
page 20-21
Entertainment
24
A Hidden Social Divide:
Learn about how social media continues to affect students’ mental health
page 24-25
Opinion
04 26
On the COVER
Staff Ed
Read about how the Golden Fleece will undergo its new year
TC Roberson High School • 250 Overlook Road • Asheville, NC 28803
Friday Night Lights Student section raises school spirit during football games
Page 15
Columns:
Read the first columns of the year about social pressures and the education system
Page 24
Page 6
A Hidden Social Divide A look at how Social Media is affecting students’ mental health
VOLUME 42
goldenfleeceonline.com
Sunny Side Up Solar initiatives gain support from county and city school systems
November 12, 2019
Students cheer on the Roberson Rams as they play against North Henderson during the 2019 Homecoming game.
cover photo/ALLIE-GRACE POUPORE/golden fleece
Our Voice
Reaching a different set of stars Executive Director of Print Media Gretchen Waters Producer of Media Design Allie-Grace Poupore Editor of Media Design Alexa Feid GOLDEN FLEECE ONLINE goldenfleeceonline.com Executive Director of Digital Media Aleen Ammar Director of Social Media Isaiah Dickerson GF CURRENT BROADCAST youtube.com/gfmediagroup Producer of Visual Media Natalie Lonabaugh Director of Visual Media Gracie Reinhardt MEDIA GROUP ASSOCIATE STAFF Associate Editor of Print Media Isabella DeJong Sports Director Adam Eisen Special Projects Director Lucy Jung Digital Assets Director William Parks Photography Director Julia Reed
As the 2019-20 school year began, our class kick-started the semester with our annual Kanuga trip. We embarked on a journey where we began “tracing our way through the constellations” in connection to a space-inspired theme. With the stars in mind, the perspective we had for this class began to change. Now, as our first production makes it into the world, we have solidified our goal of building up our journalists to be the best version of themselves. With the production of the magazine and broadcast, we want to ensure we are learning new skills and bettering what we create. You have most likely seen the growth of our social media presence, and this is a huge part of what we are doing now. With the need to reach high school students, it is important we cover news that relates to younger adults and reaches out using the platforms already in use. Up around the school you can see a few new things, from the pet bulletin board to our Great Pumpkin Decorating
Letters to the Editor
GF Wave Director Izzy Sanchez Associate Editor of Digital Media Cici Sherman Director of Public Relations Meaghan Skelly GENERAL STAFF Cullen Ciocian Eilah Wood Josh Draper Juliet Howell Juliet Smith Katie Pritchard Klaire Brown
Lauren Campbell Lauren MacGregor Miriam Illan-Martinez Molly Malachowski Riley sharp Victoria Pivovar
Contest. All of these are ways for the class to include the student body with our new way of thinking. While we are passionate about our magazine and broadcast, these are great ways to reach people outside of those platforms. In the beginning of this new process, we were building the system from scratch. Now we see where we need improvements and want to continue the growth of this class and its products. The “stars” we are reaching for are really just the new additions we want to make to the process. A new system, where we can efficiently produce work we have always done, will also allow us to grow in skill and reach out into the community like never before. We need people like you in order to reach these stars. Stay involved with our social media, pick up a magazine or take a look at the broadcast. Without an audience like you, we can’t go very far. But with you... well, the sky--and stars--are the limit.
The Golden Fleece Media Group • Letters should not exceed 300 words. and the Golden Fleece news • Letters may be edited for length, magazine encourages and welcomes grammar, spelling, and content. communication from its readers regarding • Letters will not be printed if content is the content or other subjects of interest. obscene, invasive,encourages a disruption Please be advised of the following to the academic day or implies libel. guidelines when submitting letters: Mail: c/o Golden Fleece to TC Roberson HS • Letters must be signed by the author and Email: GoldenFleeceMedia@gmail.com or verified by including an email and phone gwaters.communications@gmail.com number for contact by the editorial staff.
The Golden Fleece is published by the Golden Fleece Media Group of TC Roberson High School. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations, and letters that appear in the Golden Fleece are the views of the individual writers and artists.
Adviser: Mark Harrison © 2019 Golden Fleece Media Group. All rights reserved. Member NCSMA • Quill and Scroll • CSPA
fmedia
Contact and advertising information and methods to submit Letters to the Editor, or a correction request are located on this page of this issue.
Top row: Gracie Reinhardt, Gretchen Waters, Isaiah Dickerson, Natalie Lonabaugh Bottom row: Aleen Ammar, Allie-Grace Poupore, Alexa Feid
SHARP/g
The Golden Fleece, by policy and tradition, is a public forum for student expression. The students determine all aspects and content of the publication without any form of prior review.
2019-2020 Leadership Board
photo/RI LEY
All unsigned editorials reflect the opinions of the Golden Fleece staff.
Staff Editorials are the majority opinion of the Editorial Board & stands as the voice of the Golden Fleece News Magazine
NEWS
Around the World
by ELIAHWOOD| Staff Writer
T
sources/nbcnnews.com/cnn.com/edition.cnn.com/washingtonpost.com/independent.co.uk/
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Graphics & Design | Riley Sharp
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At least 31 passengers were killed and at least 18 were wounded after a bus burst into flames in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The bus was traveling from Lufu in Mbanza-Ngungu territory, and was heading to the capital of Kinshasa. The bus was carrying alcoholic beverages, and some of the passengers were carrying fuel, which helped in feeding the fire, according to reports.
Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party has been able to remain in power after a narrow election. He will be in control of a minority government, making it harder for Trudeau to pass legislation. The Conservatives are expected to win the popular vote during his second term. His popularity has fallen, by supporting projects like the Trans Mountain Oil Company.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently tried to push the Brexit deal through Parliament, in which England hopes to leave the European Union. The Letwin amendment stopped Johnson’s push, requiring the legislation to vote on the bill. Members voted 322-306, which essentially postponed the Brexit deal until further deals are introduced. This happened despite English citizens voting to leave the union in June of 2016.
uador c E
Pho
t o/ D e za lb /Pix a
Syria
Pho
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us S h utz /Pix
ba
ab
Oct. 3, 2019, a riot broke out in Quito, Ecuador after gasoline prices rose. Roads throughout Ecuador were blocked and a common protest began against President Lenin Moreno. The people are fighting for their economy and are hoping to bring changes to the government soon.
y
ay
President Trump authorized the removal of troops out of northern Syria, and deployed these forces to Western Iraq. This is the largest withdrawal of US forces from Syria, though around 200 troops will remain. Additionally, on Oct. 26, Trump announced the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in an orchestrated raid by U.S. special forces.
Ukraine
President Trump is now facing possible impeachment inquiries after reports of pressuring Ukraine for to investigate political rivals, like Joe Biden. Opposed parties may see this as contradicting the persuasions of American federal leaders. y A number of steps remain a a b in the process that was Ph Pix ot o er/ /L e o n ar d ne id er w im m initiated by the U.S. House.
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 5
Sunny Side Up
Solar initiatives gain more support from county, city school districts by JOSHDRAPER | Staff Writer
A
fter weeks of petitioning, groundwork laid in a Youth for Environmental similar initiative two Stewardship (YES) won the years prior. According to approval of the Asheville Mattox, it involved the City Board of Education in response help of Roberson and to their request for solar panel energy many other local schools being used in public schools and like Asheville High and buildings. Erwin. “This is going into our third Early on, YES year. The organization was was able to con“It was created to bring together vince the county a nice youth and teachers to make board to support surprise, a difference in policy. 1,973 their agenda. frankly, that signatures later, we won. This effort took it [petitions] They passed a resolution to Mattox months worked join the request for proposal. to organize. After better this So they’re in,” Leader of YES, an initial count of time.” Judy Mattox said. 5-2 against, the Four days later, on Oct. board later unanEvan 11, the Buncombe County imously supportSwaney|12 Board of Education foled the resolution to balance lowed suit and committed to the county’s emissions. reaching out to local solar companies. “Well, a couple years ago, it was a Senior Evan Swaney was excited to very long process of trying to rope in hear this news. He, with the guidance school after school. This year, we really of Roberson’s Environmental Club, hit the ground running. We only had worked on the process of gathering school for a month before [the county signatures for the petition. council meeting] came, and went back “We’ve had various people passing to the same teachers who helped in petitions around the school for the past years. As we all know, we got the Buncombe County Solar Initiative. It job done a lot faster this time,” Mattox has been tried before, but there wasn’t said. any success. It was a nice surprise, Originally, the county didn’t have frankly, that it worked better this the financial means to proceed, a time,” Swaney said. concern that lingers today, according This end result, as Swaney mento Mattox. However, the agreement tioned, was accelerated due to the on a Request For Proposal (RPF)-6 | November 2019 // GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM
which was initiated by all nine local high schools-serves as a firm plan to achieve widespread renewable energy. Mattox realizes the immediate obstacles might derail the project, but she remains hopeful. “If the school [officials] would join hands in this request for proposal, then the bidding would be cheaper because of the economic scale,” Mattox said. The county’s concerns with finances will be addressed in the budgetary hearings in November, and Swaney points out the potential of the state’s influence on this progress. “[Solar panels] would be very beneficial and it’s a system that has been Graphics & Design | Miriam Illan-Martinez
Getting
Into
Green?
NON-POLLUTING Solar power plants don’t produce any pollution or greenhouse gases. Source/www.environmentalscience.org
LOW COST Operating a solar plant is low cost because once it’s built, its major input, sunlight, is free. Source/www.environmentalscience.org
RENEWABLE drawing/MIRIAM ILLAN-MARTINEZ/goldenfleece
endorsed by the state as a whole, but our county has not put it into effect. I’m not sure of the upfront costs, but I think those who are higher up will lead the way,” Swaney said. The new RPF will be mediated by County Board of Commissioner Chairman, Brownie Newman. The request gives solar companies the chance to bid competitive prices for the opportunity to install and supply power in the area. “The board would put out [an offer] to a number of solar companies, for them to come in and make bids on what they would charge to place solar on public lands and buildings. In particular, county government buildings and Asheville City properties. It turns out that the school system actually Graphics & Design | Miriam Illan-Martinnez
has more land than the government,” Mattox said. YES will continue its involvement in the coming months and hopes to see the project materialize. Now, Mattox suggests the organization has gained a significant amount of attention. “We’re hoping to communicate with Buncombe County again, and find out how to finance up front once the bids come back. Whether or not the county commission can help with that remains to be seen, but you, as students, and we, as the school system, have a lot of clout. We have a voice, I think, and that is very valuable. This is our life; this is our planet. And we’re in this together,” Mattox said.
Sunlight is renewable energy source. It can be used without worry of future supply. Source/energyinformative.org
PLENTIFUL Solar energy can be collected from anywhere in the world. Source/www.environmentalscience.org
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 7
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BREAKING
photo/ALEEN AMMAR/ golden fleece
VAPE Local teens continue to fight vaping addictions
by ISABELLADEJONG | Associate Editor, Print Media
H
igh school student Marcus* went to a local hospital to experience something that would significantly change his life for the better. “A huge part of quitting (vaping) was when my mom took me into the hospital and showed me a kid who’s left lung just collapsed. It looked like a solidified rock and I was like, dang, my lungs are going to look like that soon, so I decided to quit,” he said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] released the newest vaping update on Oct. 10, 2019. As of then, 1,299 people have been hospitalized and 26 people have been reported dead from severe lung illnesses that have been linked to a history of heavy vaping. Savannah Henderson is the nurse at Roberson and frequently comes upon ill students and reports of vaping in the restrooms. “Overall vaping is something that is highly underestimated, and I’m scared of it because it’s being marketed very specifically to our youth,” Henderson said. Henderson believes that the popular vaping company, JUUL, sells flavors such as creme brulee and mango to target teens. She claims this is one
cause in the huge leap of usage. to a certain point when I start feeling “It’s the biggest jump (CDC) has really bad. Then, I’ll just stop,” he said. ever seen of any substance,” HenderHowever, vaping is extremely hard son said. to quit because of the high levels Another contributor is how highly of concentrated nicotine in JUUL it’s marketed on social media, in order pods. A single pod contains 5 percent to attract teens to hop on the ‘trend.’ nicotine which is equal to a pack of This trend, however, is quite deadly. cigarettes. “We really don’t know the reper“I wish I had never started it. I say cussions. We actually don’t know that all the time. I used to “You get what’s happening to us. Cigacomplain to my mom all to a point rettes may honestly be better for the time about how I wish where you us, and we wouldn’t even know I never started, because don’t get that,” Marcus said. you get to a point where a buzz and As a result of many people not you don’t get a buzz and you’re just knowing the effects of vaping, the you’re just hurting your hurting your number of deaths is increasing body for no reason,” Marbody for no rapidly and will continue because cus said. reason.” no one is, or was, fully aware of With his experience, what was happening to them he found that sometimes *Marcus when they used a vape. it takes a bit of a shove According to CDC’s research, to open the user’s eyes to vaping causes ‘popcorn lung’ which reality. can be fatal and symptoms can Henderson agreed that more can be include: cough, shortness of breath, done to educate students. fever, fatigue, chest pain, nausea, vom“There’s a lot we can do as a comiting and diarrhea. munity and as a school to fight this Joe*, another student, knows the and there’s also a lot of opportunity for risks of vaping but he has found he peer to peer education for prevention,” isn’t too worried about his health Henderson said. surrounding his addiction. Editor’s Note: Asterisk (*) indicates name change “(I continue vaping) because I feel to protect the identities of the students. like I can just control myself until I get
38% 30.7% 60% 45%
of high schoolers have tried vape
started smoking cigarettes 6 months after starting to vape
of men have tried vaping
of women have tried vaping
statisticsdatabase.com/statisticsstats.com
Graphics & Design | Lucy Jung
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 9
ONE PIXEL
AT A TIME
FEATURE by ELIAHWOOD| Staff Writer
New digital design class to provide basics for future 3D graphics, game design classes
photo/MOLLY MALACHOWSKI/golden fleece
T
his 2019-20 school year at Roberson, an two years now and I was really excited when T.C. all-new Digital Art Design class is being started offering a program that supported digital offered and taught by Spencer Jackson, arts and graphic design,” Redrick said. who was a student teacher for Chad Redrick is self-taught in his skills but this class is Inman’s Civics and Economics class during the helping him grow as a graphic designer and he has 2018-19 school year. aspirations of going into the graphic design field as “I was a history major. I was supposed to teach a career. social studies, but then I got offered this job and “I’m really looking forward to learning 3-D took it without hesitation,” Jackson said. modeling. It’s something that I have been lookAlthough Jackson was given the position to ing forward to for a long time, but haven’t gotten teach this new class, he possessed limited prior around to doing myself. So I think starting in this knowledge about the subject. class will really help,” Redrick said. “Right now, I “I was given the opportunity to come to T.C. and do a lot of graphics and videos for record labels. teach in the CTE department, and this was the class I’m really into visuals and music, so I enjoy doing I was assigned. Basically, when I was interviewed, animations for mXVAusic. I’d love to go into that they asked what do you know about these comfield.” puter programs, and I don’t know much but I said There is a follow-up course to the digital art deI would learn. So, I’m learning as I’m teaching it,” sign class which is a video game art design course Jackson said. which is becoming an increasingly popular topic. The main thing that students are learning how “I don’t play video games myself much, but I to use in this class are various Adobe programs and am really interested in the art of video games. I do the different ways to utilize them for curriculum. admire a lot of games for their artistic value for Programs like this are often used in universities for sure,” Redrick said. majors involving graphic design. Redrick has found Jackson to be well-versed “You build graphic design skills mostly in this in the subject, even as he is learning the material class. It’s the basic building blocks of along the way. Despite having to learn the graphic design, so it will set you up if material so last minute, Redrick still conyou want to go into that in the future. siders Jackson’s first year of teaching to be “You have a But if you just want to learn about going well. lot of artistic graphic design, that’s also what this “He’s actually a great teacher. He was freedom to class is. It’s basics, but once you get the hired really last minute and had to learn create what basics down, then you build up and see these programs really quickly, so he’s you would what all you can do with those skills. learning with us. But honestly, he’s picked like. There Later, we are getting into 3-D animaup how to do everything really fast, and he are cert that tion and things like that,” Jackson said. already has a good knowledge of comI have you Since this is a digital art design class, puters I can tell, which really helps in this do.” emphasis is put on the artistic charkind of class. I really admire how much he Spencer acteristic of it and students are given knows for the amount of time he was given Jackson creative flexibility to experiment and to learn it,” Redrick said. learn. With being hired so last minute and “You have a lot of artistic freedom to having to learn the materials of what he is create what you would like. There are certain things teaching so quickly, Jackson feels satisfied with how that I have you do. There are certain goals that I’m his first year is progressing. having you meet. But as long as you’re reaching “It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been going well. those goals, you have the artistic freedom to create It’s everything that I was prepared for a first-year just about anything you want,” Jackson said. to be; crazy, getting used to everything. I had a lot Senior Harbin Redrick is a student in the class of responsibility last year as a student teacher, but this semester and was thrilled to be a part of it, as it goes to a whole new level when you’re actually graphic design and animation has become one of teaching. I was well prepared, but it’s still a lot,” his passions. Jackson said. “I’ve been interested in animation for about
On the
RECORD This is Mr. Jackson’s first year teaching at Roberson, starting off his career with the new Digital Design class.
On the
RECORD Students cover a wide variety of skill sets over the course of the semester including the basics of powerful Adobe products.
SCREEN SHOT: Junior Patrick Bartlett is one of the first students to try out the all-new digital design class offered this year. The class is one of the building blocks to more advanced offerings, like game design, coming soon.
Graphics & Design | Molly Malachowski
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 11
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N H S IN WITH THE NEW
New advisors adjust NHS requirements by MEAGHANSKELLY | Staff Writer
photo/ISAIAH DICKERSON & JULIA REED/golden fleece
I
t’s the second week of school, the last Tuesday of lot of time to get those hours (before),” Belknap said. the month, 7:30 a.m. Among the crowd of students However, while these changes are more well-known to in the library, a few new faces are seen beside the members of the club, Ketchuck believes they are not the most usual rising juniors. This year, National Honor essential modifications that have been made. Society (NHS) has two new advisors, math teacher “One of the biggest changes we have made so far is having Mandi Boyd and history teacher Laura Ketchuck. a Google Classroom page to keep our documents in one NHS has been established at Roberson since 1993. Howplace. I think it was sometimes hard for students to not have ever, over the years, the long-standing club is no stranger to one centralized location to find access to all the materials change. they might need,” Ketchuck said. “It’s been super busy. It is a very large club. But, so far, I The organization established with the classroom is meant feel like it has been a fairly smooth transition in the leaderto help students in the club keep up with the requirements. ship,” Ketchuck said. “I think we have tried to put things in place to help Boyd and Ketchuck volunteered to take over the people not find themselves in a bad situation in “It’s been advisor positions for the Charles T. Koontz chapter terms of where they’re standing,” Boyd said. super busy. It at Roberson after Jill Sizemore and Joshua Lowe The advisors hope for the students’ help in knowis a very large retired from the position at the end of the 2018-19 ing the pros and cons of their experience at the end club. But, so school year. of this school year with the addition of so many far, I feel like “I volunteered for the position because I really new aspects in the club. it has been a agree with the values that NHS stands for with “Hopefully, I will get some feedback from stufairly smooth service and character and leadership. Those are a dents to confirm whether some of the changes have transition lot of the same things that I look to have in my own made it run more smoothly. But, so far, students in the personal life,” Ketchuck said. seem to be well-informed and know what to exleadership.” The National Honor Society was officially espect,” Ketchuck said. Laura tablished in the United States in 1921. NHS will be “Last year I didn’t plan or know deadlines as well celebrating its centennial anniversary on March 1, because it was my first year. This year, I already have Ketchuck 2021. Initially, the National Chapters experienced my first 10 hours and two activities, so I do feel like rapid growth and have continued expanding to have I’m on top of it more,” Belknap said. chapters across all 50 states and around the world today. With high hopes for the rest of the year and many events Today, there are approximately one million students that are planned, both advisors are looking forward to the annual participants of NHS worldwide. Wesley Farnam 5K. This year, Boyd and Ketchuck changed multiple elements “I think the Wesley Farnam 5K is going to be pretty of the club that members experienced last year, including awesome. I think we’ve got some good things planned,” Boyd aspects such as adding more board members, said. cutting down summer hours and requiring Wesley Farnam, a past member of the the attendance of sports and arts events for TCR NHS chapter, and was diagnosed activity credit. with Cystic Fibrosis. The race is named “I really wanted students involved during in honor of him and the characteristics the school year, while we have their full he presented while in the club, as well attention, to be involved and show up for as after. This year is the 13th year of other classmates during the school year,” the walk, run and roll and the race Ketchuck said. falls on Friday, May 8, 2019. Kristen Belknap, a senior, has been “I’m really excited for the Wesley in NHS for both her junior and Farnam 5k because I’m a runner. senior year. Many of the changes I have run a lot of races; but this year have been beneficial I have not organized a race. for her to keep up with her time That’s something I’ve already management. started planning just because “The summer hours being that’s something I’m passionate reduced was definitely helpful about and I’m excited to be on for me because I didn’t have a the other end,” Ketchuck said. SOMETHING NEW: Amanda Boyd (left) and Laura Ketchuck (right) are in their first years of advising National Honor Society. They have implemented new activities to help facilitate student interactions while working with the largest club in the school. Graphics & Design | Lauren MacGregor
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 13
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NIGHT
FRIDAY
LIGHTS
The student section continues to grow during Friday night football games. From the team and cheerleaders, to the band and staff, many aspects come into play for the “Friday Night Light” experience. STORY ON NEXT PAGE
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November2019 | 15
Updated student section highlights fan interactions by KATIEPRITCHARD | Staff Writer
I
t’s Friday and the buzz part of something. You feel that of tonight’s seven community aspect, and everyone’s o’clock football game together,” Gempe said. is circling through the Gempe believes the cheerleadhalls. ers help to further the experience “When you think of football, of Friday Night Lights. you think of Friday Night Lights,” “It’s important for people to senior Caroline Allison said. “I always keep their spirits raised, love seeing everyone come out and even when it’s difficult. I feel like cheer on our team. the cheerleaders give out that “The fact that we have our super extra pep and momentum, which seniors lead in the front is really adds more energy and spirit to the cool. I feel like that helps get all whole game and experience,” she the underclassmen hyped and said. shows them what it means to cheer When picking out what cheers on your team. Even though we to call, Gempe says, “for the most aren’t always winning, they’re your part we try to keep up the same friends on the field, and they’re do- energy. Even if it feels like we’re ing their best,” Allison said. losing, we try to make it seem A super senior is a stulike we’re not.” “You want to dent council representaSenior varsity football show up and tive who earns free access players Michael Morris be all dressed to all sporting events for and Colson Graham are up with all the 2019-20 school year. convinced that having a your friends. Student council advisor big student section adds Cute pictures Taylor Sluder picks the energy to the game. are taken and two students, one female “It feels good having I feel like it’s and one male. Seniors people at our games. It an incentive Mason Murray and definitely adds more ento come and Adam Eisen have been ergy to the game,” Morris hang out with chosen to represent the said, “It’s nice knowing your friends.” Class of 2020. you have people behind “They do a really good you, backing you up and Caroline job leading the student cheering you on.” Allison|12 section,” Allison said, Graham agrees and feels “and they always particithat “the bigger the student pate with the themes.” section, the more exciting Allison believes having themes the game is. It’s more fun to be for games is an added benefit. around and gives us more energy “You want to show up and be all for the game.” dressed up with all your friends. Among those supporting the Cute pictures are taken and I feel team on Friday nights is Assislike it’s an incentive to come and tant Principal Rebekah Calloway, hang out with your friends. I feel who joined Roberson’s staff at the like when we have theme nights for beginning of the 2018-2019 school other sports, like soccer, more kids year and has been working to get show up and are excited for the more students involved at sporting game,” she said. events. For the first home football game “It’s important for whole school this season, Roberson students morale,” Calloway said, “I try to participated in a “Neon Night” recruit people to go to the games, theme. and talk about the themes, and tell Varsity cheerleader and junior people to yell. Elizabeth Gempe says being a Junior Isabelle Ingle has noticed cheerleader at the front of the Calloway’s efforts from the student student section is a memorable section. experience. “She is a very important influ“It’s pretty cool when everyence. She keeps us engaged in the one is involved and people get game, and she is always trying to dressed up. It feels like we’re a make our student section look bet-
16 | November 2019 // GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM
HAIL
TC ROBERSON
WE WILL FIGHT FOR
THE
BLUE AND GOLD...
ter and sound louder,” she said. Calloway believes it’s important for students to come out to sporting events because of its several benefits. “It’s one of the most important things to build relationships with your peers and to be a part of the whole school community. It helps with school success. Having students who feel like they’re a part of the school is really linked to higher graduation rates,” Calloway said. Energy, school pride and attendance are qualities that Calloway feels create a good student section. She also feels that themes are another important aspect of creating an overall better experience at sporting events, specifically football games. “The themes bring out more people to the game. It helps when it’s not directly related to football because it engages students who aren’t really into it (football),” Calloway said. Another aspect of engagement for some students is Roberson’s marching band. “The Marching Rams” are led by senior drum majors Sion Kim and Tyler Cupp. “I feel like we play the same role as the cheerleaders and engage the crowd, not only for the football part but for the musical part. We show the crowd and the student section that we’re having fun; we try to lead by example,” Kim said. Calloway trusts that there’s a tradition to Friday Night Lights. “The tradition of Friday Night Lights is being revived at Roberson this year, with a greater number of students attending games,” she said.
AND WE’LL SING TO VICTORY WE WILL F
RAMS
WE WILL FIGH WE WILL FIGH WE WILL FIGH
Graphics & Design | Alexa Feid
EVERMO
RAISE A SONG ON HIGH FOR TCR AS WE WAVE OUR BANNERS BOLD
NIGHT
FRIDAY
LIGHTS
LL SING ONWARD
TORY
PROUD AND TRUE
WILL FIGHT FOR THE
“THE TRADITION OF FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS IS BEING REVIVED AT ROBERSON THIS YEAR” REBEKAH CALLOWAY |ASSISTANT PRINCIPLE
FOR THE
GOLD
AND
BLUE!
photo/EVAN VORHIS/golden fleece
Marching Band
ACCOMPLISHMENTS LAND OF SKY
ENKA HIGH SCHOOL
2ND PLACE- COLOR GUARD 1ST PLACE- DRUM MAJOR 2ND PLACE- PRECUSSION 1ST PLACE- MUSIC PERFORMANCE 1ST PLACE- BEST IN CLASS 4A
FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT
VERMORE
CEDAR CLIFFS CLASSIC TOURNAMENT GRAND CHAMPIONS 3A-5A 1ST PLACE- COLOR GUARD 1ST PLACE- DRUM MAJOR 2ND PLACE- PRECUSSION 1ST PLACE- MUSIC PERFORMANCE 1ST PLACE- OVERALL
NAMED BAND OF THE DAY Graphics & Design | Alexa Feid
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 17
SPORTS
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With a record of 16-0 the Girls Tennis team closed out their regular season undefeated along with being conference champions. They got knocked out in the first round of the 3A state playoffs against Wellington, but celebrated back-to-back regular ec fle n e seasons without a loss. d l o g
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18 | November 2019 // GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM
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The Varsity Football team overcame a slow start and is currently 5-6 overall and 5-3 in conference and will host in the first round of state 3AA playoffs this weekend. This also marks the first time ever that TC defeated Asheville High at Asheville.
The Girls’ Golf team finished their season with four first place finishes, four second place and one third place. Junior Katy Connor led the team this season with her average score of 92.3 for 18 holes. The girls won conference this year, marking a growing achievement for the program as a whole.
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The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team closed out their regular season with a win over A.C. Reynolds to end their regular season with a record of 20-2 and 14-2 in conference. They took home a share of the WMAC conference title and advanced fle to the second round of the en o ld g playoffs. I/ WSK ec
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The Boys’ Varsity Soccer team finished 19-3 and 15-1 in the conference. They have been ranked second best team in the state and nationally at 79th. They defeated Montgomery Central 7-0 in the playoffs before losing in the 2nd round to Statesville.
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The Boys’ Cross Country team placed 2nd at the conference championship with senior runner David Codero finishing second individually. He and junior Josh Draper made the all-conference team. The Girls’ Cross Country team placed fifth in the conference championship with senior ec Chloe Widmann making the Ph fle n oto ld e / KL conference team. Both teams ran A IR E B R O W N / g o well at state last weekend.
by ADAMEISEN | Sports Manager
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Graphics & Design | Riley Sharp
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“IT’S NOT ABOUT WINNING STATE IT’S ABOUT LEAVING YOUR MARK ON THE TEAM” EMMA LOIZZO|12
SETTING them UP
Seniors see four years of program growth by LAURENCAMPBELL |Staff Writer
photo/STAFF/golden fleece
C
onference champs isn’t everything, but leaving a legacy might be. The Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team has had winning seasons for the past four years. Their current standings placed them as co-conference champions with West Henderson, with a record of 19-2. So, what has made the team excel this past season? Michelle Wagaman, Roberson coach since 2010, witnessed the team grow into what it is today. For Wagaman’s first season, the team held a record of 12-12. But the coach believes it has improved every year after that. She credits this to the players and the effort each girl gives. “I think a lot of that [success] is attributed to the girls and the time and effort that they put into our practice and the value that they had, in wanting to build the program. And each and every year, the girls that come out and try out make it a priority to be successful,” Wagaman said. The team has five seniors--Emma Loizzo, Mason Murray, Claire Spake, Khiari Johnson and Sara Grace White--who have been in the program since their
freshman year. passion for the sport. Wagaman credits part of this Over the current era, West year’s success to senior mentalHenderson High School and ity. She believes each of these A.C. Reynolds High School have players holds a mentality of ‘this remained Roberson’s biggest is our year, we can make it what competitors. According to Wagwe want.’ aman each of these teams has the The players think the success tools to consistently win at the comes from something else. Setstate level. She believes it comes ter and right side hitter, down to momentum and the Johnson believes it’s mental game because skill the increasing amount is there on all sides. “I think a lot of of fans filling up the Loizzo believes that that [success] bleachers. this year the players have is attributed to “It just helps all a feeling of not only the girls and the time that we have wanting to win for oneself the time and those people with us,” effort that they but also for every other Johnson said. girl on the team. put into our Loizzo believes She also believes the practice” its a different aspect, title of champs is a goal she thinks that the but isn’t most important Michelle mindset of players has among her priorities. Wagaman changed throughout According to Loizzo, conthe years. Each player is ference and state titles are competitive and driven, accorda way for students to leave their ing to Loizzo. mark on Roberson, but to her it “When we unite behind a isn’t everything. common goal of winning, all of “For me, it’s more important our drives add together. It’s the to leave my mark on my team. mindset of the players that have Yes, the winning conference is improved,” Loizzo said. great but I would much rather Loizzo believes that the leave my mark on the girls bemindset of players has changed cause they all left their mark on due to coaches. She believes that me,” Loizzo said. the Wagamans influence the mindset of players through their
On the
COURT
EMMA LOIZZO
MASON MURRAY CLAIRE SPAKE
Graphics & Design | Lauren MacGregor
KHIARI JOHNSON
SARAH
These seniors have participated in volleyball since freshman year and hope to leave a legacy for their younger WHITE teammates.
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 21
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A
Hidden SOCIAL DIVIDE Social Media continues to be identified as major contributor to mental health issues by EILAHWOOD Staff Writer
A
ccording to the National Institute for Mental Health, adolescents and teenagers have the highest mental illness rate at 49.5 percent, as well as the highest amount of social media usage, at an average of seven hours in one day. Michelle Eldridge has been a counselor at Roberson for almost two decades. She has seen the growing amount of mental illnesses, like depression and anxiety, and the correlation with the increased amount of time teenagers spend on their phones. “Probably a third of the reason we see students regard their social and emotional health, and social media does play a part in some of the mental health issues we’re seeing,” Eldridge said. Along with social media, over 3,000 text messages are sent from the average teenager’s phone in one month, according to Business Insider. “Texting definitely has made a difference in the way people
communicate. I’ve seen it evolve from nothing to being a full part of a student’s life, and kind of consuming some students,” Eldridge said. Cyberbullying and threats are a part of the social media and internet world, playing into the role of mental health. “I’ve seen students targeted by their peers, or other people that wouldn’t say it to their face, but they’ll post something on social media that is really hurtful,” Eldridge said. Senior Mirna Oliverez suffers from body dysmorphia; this includes obsessive thoughts about perceived flaws and insecurities within oneself. She discusses the role social media has on this mental health. “I look at how other girls look online, and I wish I could look like that myself, and I look at all my insecurities. It makes me think I’m not good enough and I’m worthless,” Oliverez said. Junior Tyler Leik has been a model for over two years with the company K. Starr Management. The
24 | November // GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM 24 | November 20192019 // GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM
Graphics & Design | Lucy Graphics & Design | Lucy JungJung
ENTERTAINMENT On the
PHONE
Students around Roberson feel the effects of social media in their daily lives.
company controls the pictures Leik likes, similar to that of their peers. posts on social media, as well as the “You ask what am I going to do hashtags and editing. with all those likes and comments? “They edit the pictures for you. If What do I gain from that? People do you have a certain picture you want get famous, and they do have careers, to post, and it’s not edited, we have to but it’s not for everyone,” Oliverez send it to them to edit. This goes for said. any social media account,” Leik said. Oliverez also dismisses the push According to Leik, the insecurities for ‘validation’ in the form of likes of body weight and the images of and comments. other models can be overwhelming. “Social media helps you validate “Agents can push you to lose yourself, but it’s bad because then you weight and looking at other see that you need validation people can stress you out. from others and not yourself. “Social Looking and comparing We need to realize we have media helps other things to worry about,” yourself to other models you validate Oliverez said. gets really unhealthy,” Leik yourself, said. As of May 2019, Instagram but it’s bad released a new feature Similar to Leik, senior because Ian Ibarra has his own allowing users to disable the then you qualms with media amount of likes on their posts see that platforms. At the beginning to help fight this battle. Ibarra you need of high school, he was claims this action isn’t for validation diagnosed with anxiety, everyone. from others which has been furthered “I think for the people and not due to the increase of that have an obsession with yourself.” negative news in the media. likes, that’s a healthy thing for “I will see lots of bad them, but I don’t think that is Mirna news that is happening going to get rid of the stigma Oliverez|12 in the world, which is of impressing people that important to be educated surrounds Instagram,” Ibarra on. At the same time, it said. gives me a lot of anxiety about my Eldridge also finds that students own life and how it affects me, like and teenagers will most often fall to catastrophic anxiety,” Ibarra said. the negative side of the social media Ibarra also found himself anxious spectrum, rather than focus on the over what his followers thought, positives, like communicating with regarding social media appearance. peers. “I used to closely monitor myself “It’s a nice way to stay connected and what other people would think to a larger community, but it’s hard of what I posted. I would only post to find that balance, and I think high Instagram pictures that I thought school students go negative rather people would like, not what I wanted than positive,” Eldridge said. to post,” Ibarra said. According to HelpGuide With the focus on likes and Magazine, smart phones also trigger a comments on Instagram posts in similar addiction to that of alcohol. particular, many online users feel “It’s just like any other addiction, pushed to reach a certain number of you can’t just get rid of it,” Ibarra said.
photos/LUCY JUNG/golden fleece
Graphics & Design | Lucy Jung
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019| 25
Sticking Reject the call to be like to the everyone else, only better Status C Quo A look at some common misconceptions in today’s society by GRETCHENWATERS Executive Director of Print Media
atching a ride home world of standardization, from school, sitting revealing the current problem down for two hours of with both students and also homework, calling a those in the working field. few friends and the night wastes Our current system works away on social media. pretty well, if what we want are Just a usual afternoon for me. quotas. Programming people to My status quo. compete with one another and Our whole lives are full against themselves, striving to be of routine and expectations, the best. Individuality has been whether they come from our lost and passionate people are parents or ourselves. This year absent in the work environment. for my column, it is my goal to 30 years down the road, I bet bring up the many expectations that girl I sit next to applying held for the younger generations for law school is still going to and show that we don’t always be swimming in debt, trying have to follow the “status quo” to provide for a family and will that is built in for us. come home every day hating Constantly, I am what her life has become. asked “what do you But you have to make Editorials want to be when you money somehow, right? represent the grow up?” All my life it feels like But, in reality, people have been telling viewpoints that’s a pretty dumb me what I am supposed of individual question to care about, but it took authors and How can you me a while to ask myself, not those expect a 17-yearwhat really matters. Why of Golden old high school do I participate in all these Fleece girl to answer that clubs? What am I taking Media or question? She barely that AP class for? Is there its staff. knows what the end a reason I decided not to of the week is going graduate early? to look like, let alone It’s important to figure out the rest of her life. what motivates you. Make your Society has somehow own choice and decide what you managed to convince the want. younger generations that things Make your own path, not have to be figured out quickly, the one your parents have and before life has even started. created for you. Create goals you Parents almost unknowingly want to meet, and wait for the pressure their children to make destination to make itself. exceptional grades, apply to Ivy For me, my next goal is to League universities and to settle graduate high school. I have for nothing less than a doctorate plans for after, but why does degree. it matter so much anyway? In a podcast run by Brett Why do you need to know my Mckay, an author guest stars destination so badly? and the two speak on the I want my journey to be standardized system we live enjoyable, and I refuse to sit, in. Digging restrained, in the chains that the into the status quo has created for me idea of and my peers. Be what you want the Dark to be, not what you have been Horse, many told to be. are able to Break the box your parents, succeed teachers, peers and generation outside have built for you, you can start the from scratch, and build your own experiences. Scan to check out a podcast on achieving success and fulfillment.
Raves TIKTOK High school sleep schedules are already messed up and with the new invention of Tiktok. We have been able to cure school stress, but by risking even more sleep.
POPEYES With the arrival of the new fast food restaurant, a chicken dinner from Popeyes has been all the rage. From crispy chicken sandwiches to apple pies, people are lining up on Airport Rd. to get their taste on.
Rongs
DENTED HYDROFLASK
The rise of hydroflasks are upon us. We all fear the traumatic sound of one dropping and hearing the dreaded “sksksksksk / and I oop” from the back of the classroom.
HEAVY TRAFFIC It all continues to get worse each year it seems. Each year more new drivers are on the road, on their way to school. At the beginning of the year we are all frustrated with the constant back up on Overlook Rd.
photos/ALEXA FEID/golden fleece 26 | November 2019 // GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM
Graphics & Design | Alexa Feid
Ramblings What is your favorite social media platform and why? I would say Snapchat because it’s like multiple things; you can post how good you’re looking and talk with different people.
-Anaiya Adwaters, 12 Probably Snapchat because it’s easy to talk to my friends and that way I can see their face everyday.
-Rayaan Bashir, 11 I don’t really use social media, but I like YouTube. It brings all kinds of people onto one platform.
-Siy Hankins, 10 I like Instagram because you can see pictures and comment; also, stories are fun.
-Kat Lusick, 9 My favorite social media platform is Instagram. There’s a lot of control in what you view and most of the content is tailored to your specific taste. Plus, I can show my people some love when they post something cool.
-Oscar Edrada, 11 Tiktok! It’s a goofy place where people can make videos and not have to worry about the appearance that you do on Snapchat and Instagram.
-Vaidehi Desai, 12 Snapchat because there are cool stories and articles you can find on it. And you can snap with your friends.
-Gaby Hinckle, 9
Graphics & Design | Alexa Feid
Education system begins to reveal frightening problems ur school years are So how do we fix something always the same. that has been used for We go to class, take centuries? In order to test notes, go home, do someone’s knowledge in a homework and at the end of curriculum, teachers should the year, we take a test only to assign portfolio-based forget what we learned. assignments to watch growth Despite the flaws of and creativity within the standardized testing, programs student. such as No Child Left Behind, For example, in my AP and Race to the Top have United States History class, pressured schools to use tests our exam consisted of a music to measure student’s learning, video about a topic we learned achievement gaps, teacher and in the classroom. Not only was school quality, and to impose the exam a fun activity to do groups based on test scores. with friends, we were able to We’ve taken exams, our older consistently research the topic siblings have taken we chose in order to exams, our parents form creative lyrics, as Editorials and even our teachers well as create a catchy represent the song that helped us have taken exams and viewpoints we all believe the same potentially remember a of individual thing. Standardized part of our history. authors and testing is not capable Another alternative of measuring our to standardized testing not those intelligence. is using softwareof Golden We have media learning. With Fleece participated in people of our age, we Media or standardized testing do better at things we its staff. for as long as we can enjoy. According to remember. We take the School of Education 20 to 25 hours of our school in American University, year, sitting in silence filling in game-based knowledge, tests bubbles to a test we studied for can gather data on student’s the night before. We are told to performances without stopping eat a good breakfast, get a good any activities to take a test. night’s sleep and do the best we In my Spanish classes, we can. review our curriculum using Although we follow those Kahoot- a website where we are directions, it doesn’t always assessed on what they learned. help. Too often, the students I was able to review my Spanish who score lower on their tests skills, and learned what I are assumed to need lowneeded to work on all while level remediation rather than having a friendly competition enrichment. Flunking, or with my classmates. holding a student back can be In order to create a better academically harmful towards learning environment the students. for future generations, Low-income students, schools need English learners and students to make with learning disabilities are changes to also at a disadvantage because the way they of their conditions outside of view their school. This leads to stress, students’ depression and anxiety for progression students attempting to pass a throughout test. the school According to the National year. This Research Council, standardized way, we testing has worsened outcomes can break for students. The exams high the system school students take in order in order to to graduate with a diploma has positively increased the drop-out rate by impact our two percent. future.
O
OPINION
Breaking the System How our educational process needs to be rethought to address future needs by ALEENAMMAR Executive Director of Digital Media
GOLDENFLEECEONLINE.COM // November 2019 | 27
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