Golden Golden Fleece Fleece TCTC Roberson High School Roberson High School
VOLUME 38 | ISSUE 1
Asheville, North Carolina Asheville, North Carolina
goldenfleeceonline.com
INSIDE
December 11, 2015
College Board transitions to new version of SAT
SCHOOL SAFETY This month’s FLIPSIDE Focus deals with campus security. Students discuss and present solutions to common issues faced at our school.
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by SARAH HUNTER Opinion Desk Editor Write to Sarah at shunter. communications@gmail.com
HEALTH MORE ONLINE Look for this symbol throughout the paper, located on various photos. It indicates that there is a much larger number of photos in a gallery from that photoshoot that you can view online at Golden Fleece Online.com
Eblen provides medical supplies, care, and assistance, plus physician visits, medication and eye glasses for children, adults and families with illnesses or disability.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Mission Hospital pairs with Eblen Charities to help individuals who are having difficulty paying the fee. They also provide eye exams and glasses, hearing exams and hearing aids, prescriptions, and dental care for families.
HOUSING MEASURING SUCCESS Junior Brooke Ullman recently was featured in Asheville’s Fashion Week for her current designs. See her story on
photo/MOLLY HORAK /golden fleece
CHANGING LIVES: Distributing over 1,200 turkeys, Eblen needed extra assistance during the holiday season.
The Neal Hanks Sr. Rental Mortgage Assistance Program was created to help those struggling to pay housing rents or mortgages.
MORE ONLINE
See Jessica’s full story of her experience at GoldenFleeceOnline.com
Local charity continues to reach district, area by JESSICA ZUK Exec. Editor, Print Media
Write to Jessica at jzuk. communications@gmail.com
A waiting area lied at the end of a “Billy Murdock, he knows how to long, blue hallway that blocked out take all the people involved in Eblen the 28 degree weather. Pictures of and shine a spotlight on them, makhistoric downtown Asheville, Mother ing them all feel like equal contribuTeresa, and an abundance of coffee, tors for such an impactful cause,” donuts, and puzzles encompassed the McMinn said. room where a simple sign up sheet Junior Devin Hickman, who frewas placed on a table near the front. quently volunteers at Eblen, particiThe receptionists answered “Eblen pated at the annual giveaway. Charities, how may I help you?” each “It makes you realize how much time the constant chime you have. You are able of the phone sounds. to appreciate life a little And what seems to be more,” Hickman said. just another business According to Hickman, “It makes you embedded within the her mother, who volunteers realize HOW Westgate Shopping Cenat Eblen every Monday, MUCH YOU convinced her to get into ter complex is an entirely different operation. HAVE. You volunteering. Events such Volunteer Coordinaas the coat drive and toy are able to tor of Eblen Charities, drive during the holiday Mary Ann McMinn, has appreciate life season also require more seen up to 100 people a volunteers, one of which is a little more .” Hickman. day needing some form of assistance in the office. Manning the coffee staDevin Hickman But winter, she claims, tion at the event, Hickman creates a greater need could not help but notice for help due to the extra the cheerful attitudes evstresses such as heating, eryone had. oil, and warmer clothing in order to “It puts you in a good mood, being survive the harsher months. able to do something for someone “It’s all about a need. And we are else,” she said. here to provide,” McMinn said. McMinn said she knew she choose November 24 marked Eblen’s anthe right field because she believes nual Thanksgiving Giveaway Turkey there are hundreds of moving moDrive, where members of the comments. munity are able to receive a turkey if “My greatest joy is when I actually they have preregistered. get to work with the clients and hear According to McMinn, the 1,200 their stories. If you sit in the front turkeys were received at a discounted desk, you answer the phone. And price, along with other side items such as produce, desserts, and various see EBLEN pg 8 mixes to add.
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ENERGY ASSISTANCE The Eblen Energy Project has partnered with multiple utility and energy providing companies to assist in paying electric bills or providing oil or natural gas for those in need.
EDUCATION Eblen Charities offer support for necessary tools in the classroom, clothing or shoe needs, and funds for school breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE Eblen provides assistance in non-medical areas through donated food or helping with grocery costs at Ingles Markets and with the Hearts with Hands project.
HELPING OTHERS Roberson has sold more Eblen pumpkins than it has in years, making it one of the top selling schools in Buncombe County.
photo/MOLLYHORAK /golden fleece
COMPARING COCCA See our list of the best hot chocolate in the area! We rank 4 of the best cocca’s to see who reigns supreme!
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ALL SMILES: Eblen Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Ann McMInn shares the joy of volunteering.
Between individual participants and clubs, Roberson raised over $3,000.
Seniors look to raise funds for end-of-year activities The senior class by CAROLINE BOWERS continues to strugNews Desk Editor gle with funding for their upcoming Sales go towards the budget graduation ceremony at the for graduation. However, U.S. Cellular Center in the last year, juniors did not spring of 2016. sell enough candy boxes to Rumors have spread this provide an adequate amount year about how the senior of money for graduation in class is in debt; however, this spring of 2016 at the U.S. is not the case. Seniors will Cellular Center. just have to make cut backs “It comes to about $3,000, this year in order to have and usually how that money their graduation ceremony comes about is from the at the U.S. Cellular CenJunior Candy Sales and what ter, due to a lack of money they don’t use for Prom carfrom fundraisers in their ries over. This year, seniors junior year. Usually, extra didn’t do well in their fundprofits from Junior Candy raising endeavors, so that’s
Write to Caroline at cbowers. communications@gmail.com
why they’re so far behind, because they didn’t have any roll over from last year,” Michelle Maynor said. In order to reverse this chain of events, seniors on Student Council have already organized several fundraisers to help their class out. A Yankee Candle sale has been organized in hopes of raising more money to fund the graduation ceremony. “I don’t know right now what else we’re going to do
for fundraisers. We’re totally open to any ideas. We’ve had some people come with ideas that are good ideas, but they probably won’t bring in much money...I feel like we may be doing a lot of car washes,” Math teacher Cindy Hallman-Morris said. Maynor said that there isn’t any real chance of graduation actually happening on the football field instead of at its classic location, but it’s just the
Juniors and some seniors this year had to make a decision as to how many times and which versions of the Scholastic Assessment Test, also know as the SAT, they would be taking. English teacher Joi Keen strongly supported students taking both the old and new SAT. “I just think it would put you at the best advantage because the colleges you are going to be applying to know the old one really well so seeing a score on that one will give them a real indication of how they think you’ll do,” she said. The College Board states that the SAT is the admission test that is taken most widely to submit to colleges. Keen continues to share her opinions on why taking both the new and the old SAT is advantageous. “Then, though you’ve got the plus side of this new one coming out so if it actually fits your learning style better, maybe you do even better on it and that looks doubly good to the colleges, that you did good on the old and good on the new,” Keen said. According to The College Board, the new SAT is accepted by most U.S. colleges. The changes to the SAT include an optional essay portion, no penalties for guessing and less complicated vocabulary. Junior Jenny Mullins has taken the old SAT and is planning on taking the new one. “I’m going to take the old SAT probably one more time and then the new SAT. That way I can submit to colleges whichever score is higher. I think that overall the change is beneficial. Now students will be trying to learn information that they will actually go on to use after high school,” said Mullins. According to The New York Times President of the College Board David Coleman, says that the SAT causes unnecessary anxiety. He began expressing his thoughts on a new SAT a year ago. “I know, I’m a bit more stressed than I would be only because the old SAT won’t be offered after March and I feel like you should wait until the end of your junior year to take the SAT, but then I will only be able to take the new SAT and the old SAT is beneficial to colleges because they have more to compare to. You’ll have to make a closer to perfect score to stand out to colleges,” said Mullins. EnlightenMe.comn states future test takers should go into this test with patience and confidence. The SAT is only a part of the application process to different colleges; some colleges look more at this test than others. “I think it will be good, I think it will be interesting for the juniors to get used to what the test is looking for, and I think once we get through a couple groups, [students] will have an even easier time because we’ll know even more how to prepare you for it,” Keen said.
see FUNDS pg 8
“In order to carry a positive action, you must develop a positive vision.” -- Dali Lama
Campus
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GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
d n e Ttrhat is A
County updates food lab to commercial kitchen
g n i n n i Beg to
by XENNA SMITH Director of Audio/Tech Write to Xenna at xsmith.communications@gmail.com
According to Family and Consumer Science teacher Lynn Isgrig, TC Roberson’s food science lab has been virtually the same for decades. Starting in the spring of 2017, the lab will be renovated from a home kitchen into a commercial-style kitchen. Buncombe County Schools’ Career Technical Education Director Christy Cheek pushed to change the labs because she wants the kitchens to offer the resources needed to prepare students for professional food preparation jobs. To accommodate the renovation, a new food science program of the National Restaurant Association called ProStart will be offered. The program will teach food industry methods and management to students and provide certifications in certain skills. By renovating the food science lab with professional-grade equipment, Isgrig believes students will gain skills that will benefit them with finding a job within Asheville’s growing food-tourism industry. “Our students will have a lot more opportunities because where we live. Tourism is such a big part of our economy that we need to be able to send our students who don’t want to go to college for a four year degree out into the work area for them to be able to get a good job,” Isgrig said. According to Career Development Coordinator Tanya Tommey, approximately 200 students are enrolled in Family and Consumer Science food classes at Roberson and another 150 requested food science classes last year. Junior Hunter Knight is considering pursuing a job in the culinary industry and sees the benefit in renovating the lab from a home kitchen to a commercial-type kitchen that mirrors a real restaurant. “[Jobs will be] more professional, like how a job at a restaurant takes place, more than it is at a house,” Knight said. The number of culinary institutions is up 30 percent nationally over the last four years, according to the accrediting commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. A 2010 report by Education News’ Career Index found that the number of culinary school graduates over all grew by 25 percent in four years. Junior Fallon Ruff, like Knight, is interested in joining the culinary industry. She believes having class in a professional setting will get students to start thinking about what they want to do for a living rather than just cooking at home “It will get you thinking about college and what you want to do for a career more instead of ‘hey I can just make this at home.’ I’ve been thinking about becoming a chef,” Ruff said. Sophomore Andy Torres, another aspiring chef, looks forward to learning how to maintain within a restaurant style kitchen. “[I will] learn how to keep my kitchen clean and how to keep my equipment stored,” Torres said. Not only will the lab have more commercial style equipment, it will also be more accessible to teaching environments. “When it’s renovated, we are able to be where Mrs. Isgrig can demonstrate at a demo place and we’ll be in our kitchens doing it at the same time,” Knight said.
k c i t S
Stickers on bottles show interests around campus by JAMIE CUMMINGS Social Media Desk Editor People express themselves through the brand of clothes they wear, what music they listen to, and now even with their water bottles. In the past few years, an expanding number of student water bottles covered in stickers has been seen here on campus. “I think it’s neat--almost like a storybook in the shape of a water bottle that tells the events that are important to them,” English teacher Joi Keen said. Sticker personalization might be closely related to using bumper stickers on cars for some students, but because they can be carried around, it shows a person’s likes to more people throughout the day. Freshman Caroline Nguyen said she likes the fact that personalizing her water bottle means that nobody will have the same one. Nguyen said she got the idea from her friends who started putting stickers on their bottles, so she put some on as well this summer. Another freshman, Catherine Rand, said that she got the idea from her sister, Roberson alumna Anne Rand. Rand said her water bottle highlights
Write to Jamie at jcumming. communications@gmail.com
places she has hiked to and visited. For example, stickers from Lookout Mountain in Montreat decorate her bottle. At Seattle Pacific University, an article was published in March of 2006 on Nalgene water bottles. Author Marc Ramirez argued that “you are what you drink from” and that “even in the silence of study hall, what you put on (your bottle) screams volumes about you…” Ramirez’s story shows that he understands the power of decorative stickers. Ramirez went on to say in the article the water bottle became a campus staple wielded by students. Rand said the sticker with the most meaning to her represents a special place. A sticker from the Presbyterian conference center at Montreat reminds her of one of the most frequently visited places in her life. Sophomore Ethan Ide said his favorite sticker was from Crooked Creek, a Christian Young Life summer camp. He went there for a week this summer and said it was “awesome.” Nguyen’s most meaningful decal is a sticker from the company Eno, which makes outdoor accessories such as chairs and hammocks. She got the sticker right after a 5k that she ran and recalled that it was a fun race that has held true in her memory. Keen recalled many trends that were popular when she was in middle and high school and believes that this one is not uncommon across the nation now. “When I was in junior high, Members Only jackets were really popular. I can remember that in the late 80s and early 90s, people wearing the MC Hammer pants. And of course, the great hairstyles like the big puffy ones,” Keen said.
Although other trends might have been more about clothing and hairstyles, some fads where the old sticker on water bottle style that was going around. Bottles can be used as a snapshot into hobbies and interests of the owner. Both Barber and Nyguyen said that their bottles tell others a little piece of who they are. “I wear a lot of vineyard vines, I own Chacos, and I like running,” Nyguyen said. She has a sticker to represent each of these parts of her story. Ethan Ide said his water bottle shows he is a part of Young Life and that he enjoys the outdoors. “I think each generation finds a new way to express who they are, clothes, hair, even things like water bottles. I think it’s a way of saying who you are, without having to shout it,” Keen said.
photos/ANJALI KUMARI/golden fleece
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Features
3
GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
Shell leads various clubs on campus
Success
Measuring
by DIANA CHILDRESS Staff Writer Write to Diana at dchildress. communications@gmail
Roberson student combines desire, talent & friendship in growing acclaim as a designer
J
Ullman designs own fashion line
unior Brooke Ullwith my complete own ideas, so a by MOLLY HORAK Write to Molly at mhorak. man never imagined lot of times I’ll see something that I Exec. Editor, Digital Media communications@gmail.com that she would be want to make but can’t, and I have shown during spring fashion shows across standing backstage at Asheville to come up with something else,” Fashion Week, about to watch models walk the region. Ullman said. “We are collaborating with the same the runway in her own designs. As a three-sport athlete, member of a type of fabric, so the outfits correlate. We’re clogging dance team, and an AP student, “The ‘wow moment’ definitely came not planning on making anything together, Ullman finds it difficult to balance her time when it was our time to go and we heard it’s more similar ideas. We collaborate a lot, and make room for sewing. our music playing, and were watching our like ‘oh, do you think this will look good or first model go out on the runway. It was “I’ve always been super-motivated in that will look good.’ That is really helpful,” such an amazing feeling,” Ullman said. school, but now with all of this happening, Ullman said. Ullman was one of approximately 15 I just want to [sew] and not do [homeUllman first began sewing when she designers to participate in the inaugural work]. If I need to work on a specific outfit was 10 after attending a summer camp Asheville Fashion Week, which was held I would put off homework to get the outfit Aug. 5-8. Ullman, who had heard about the held by Asheville Cotton. However, after done, so I definitely need to learn how to taking apparel classes her freshman year, show through Roberson apparel teacher scale back,” Ullman said. Ullman learned the skills needed to create Mary Smith, originally applied to help out Junior Olivia Berry participated as a more complex clothes. Smith feels that as a volunteer; however, through her conphotographer for a photoshoot featurBrooke has the potential to make it far as a nections with Mary Grace Larson, a senior ing Ullman’s designs on several Roberson designer. at the North Carolina School of Science students. “She works really, really hard and has a and Math (NCSSM), she secured a spot. “We worked together, and she told me “Mary Grace also signed up, and she put good eye for things. I just see something what she wanted and what her ideas were. I different in Brooke. We would watch in her description that she had been in a went off of what I thought would be good. Fashion Week on the smartboard [in Apfashion show before at NCSSM. They were Her clothes are very colorful, so we tried to parel], and she was glued. You could tell like ‘we have an extra slot... do pick places that would fit the clothes,” Berry she loved it. She would get ideas and send you or a friend want to show said. me pictures,” Smith said. “She’ll get on a anything?’ She told me about Since the show, dress form and start putting stuff together, that, and we decided that we Ullman has been apand I’ll watch her keep trying to change it. would put our stuff together proached by several and be in the show together,” This summer, she said she couldn’t find a photographers and cape sleeve. So we went back and forth a Ullman said. designers in the few times until I found one for her, because area in response to Though they had not she had an idea in her head for a top she worked together officially the collection. wanted to make.” prior to the show, Ullman Ullman believes one of the hardest and Larson had worked aspects of fashion design is coming up with together once on a dress new ideas to make. for fun. Now, the two are “I always have a bunch of projects going collaborating on a new on at once. I’m really trying to come up collection to be
Ullman’s design (shown on left) became a reality this past August at Asheville Fashion Week. Ullman models that design from the fashion show (right).
UNCA brings robotics to TC student by SARAH HUNTER Staff Writer Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rovers give humans the ability to explore to further places in space, where humans themselves don’t go. Rovers are made to get around the rocky terrain of distant planets. Bischof himself has created a rover-likerobotic himself and continues to expand his creations. “I’ve made a rover kind of thing, with a sensor that can guide itself through anything pretty much. I’m also working on something with my dad that levitates this ball using magnets and controllers, Bischof said. This new program, F.I.R.S.T Robotics, will give the high schoolers who don’t have the chance in their high school to participate in robotics. Bischof is only one of two students at Roberson that attends these sessions. “Just doing this, just going out of my way to do this, is just a way of recognizing the different things in the world today with technology. Not only that but it’s not just technology, it incorporates math, science, and just communication with other people,” he said. If students do compete within
Write to Sarah at shunter. communications@gmail.com
their district, and their product is prosperous, than they can move up to the state level, or even beyond their district to place in national championships. Bischof explains the process of a typical robotics session. “The program itself F.I.R.S.T Robotics there is an objective or game that we play that we get six weeks to make a robot that can complete the objective. So, before we do any of that, probably like the first week, we plan, think of ideas, and then we just get to work: machinists will machine parts, programmers will program code, mechanics will start building once the machine has already been built,” Bischof
said. Bischof would like to incorporate the robotics into his job in the future. “Invent something cool or big,” he said.
Get Smart: Freshman Colin Bischof participates in UNCA’s robotics program, creating gadgets like this one.
photo/ANA ENGEMAN /golden fleece
TC Roberson does not offer a robotics program; however, for freshman Colin Bischof, The University of North Carolina at Asheville offers him a place to invent and create his own robotics. This new program began in October and is free to all who are interested. Bischof is a part of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (F.I.R.S.T). Bischof gained his interest in robotics from his father. “My dad is an engineer and he uses Labview too, and that kinda got me into it because I liked what he did. It was very interesting to me,” Bischof said. Locally, ArtSpace Charter School offers robotics; however, many high schools don’t offer robotics to their students. According to OurKids.net, younger students who want to work in the field of engineering should attend a school that has robotic engineering. “I know a ton of people that are going to be interested in doing engineering in the future or who are going to college for an engineering degree, which is a big part of this and if you do it now you’ll get a head start in education and your later jobs,” he said. According to The National
To most students, Jamie Shell is just a regular Spanish teacher, but Shell has another side to her that not everyone gets to see. Shell started learning Spanish when she moved to North Carolina at 9 years old. She always knew that she wanted to have a career dealing with Spanish, but when she was awarded the Teaching Fellows scholarship, her passion for teaching was sparked. The grammar mechanics and quick-thinking involved with the Spanish language is what Shell said attracted her to teaching the subject. “I personally really enjoy Spanish, and I like the way it makes you think and problem solve. I think it’s important to look outside of yourself and your own culture. It’s important to reach out for experiences you might not have otherwise,” Shell said. Shell currently teaches Spanish II and III, but has taught most levels before. She said she cares about how her students are doing in the class and outside of the class. “What matters most to me is my students feeling safe and welcome at school, making sure them as people come before them as students,” Shell said she faces the job of not only making sure her students are happy and healthy, but to also read the academic needs of the people in her classes. “It’s kind of hard to make sure that you’re challenging the kids who need challenging and you’re not losing the kids who may be struggling to keep up,” Shell said. While performing her duty as a teacher she also advises three clubs, including Roberson’s slam poetry club, the Sexually Inclusive Gender Nonconforming Students (SIGNS) club, and the Unidos club, which is designed to help nativeSpanish speaking students feel welcome. “I think that a lot of the time, our Latino population tends to get marginalized. I want them to have a place where their culture and their language is really celebrated instead of being seen as a detriment,” Shell said. Junior Katie Flanagan has been a part of Roberson’s poetry slam club since her freshman year. Within a short period of time, she fell in love with writing poetry and performing. “I really relate with Mrs. Shell, with how she is personality-wise. She is so good about giving us space to write but really pushing us to really give it effort. She is very relaxed and that creates a great atmosphere to help us write and to let me be real versus writing to impress a teacher,” Flanagan said. After hearing about the reported abuse of LGBTQ youth, Shell said she decided to become an advocate for the movement. Together with theatre arts teacher Sarah Leary, they began the SIGNS club. Regardless of her teaching or other duties after school, Shell believes that making students feel comfortable and welcomed is a top priority of hers. “It’s just really important to me that kids have a safe space in school,” Shell said.
Opinion
4
GOLDEN FLEECE •December 11, 2015
Life, Listed by JESSICA ZUK Exec. Editor, Print Media
Building Traditions
P
acked stands and screaming fans. Spirit days, pep rallies, school dances, and the prominent display of Ram Pride across the campus. The stereotypical idea of “school spirit’ makes learning seem like a party, and school quickly becomes a place to be proud of.
But we’ve become complacent, and bogged down by the We’re doing it. We’re making the effort, and the effort is daily grind that high school presents. In the midst at least attempting to pay off. of tests, papers, and hours of homework, celebratPeople are now a little more excited to come to Editorials ing the good that high school carries with it tends school, and sitting in the classroom has become represent the to become forgotten. So many time, we forget what less of a chore. Step by step, we are channeling our viewpoints it means to come together and cheer for both ourenergy into something that brings smiles and joy of individual authors and selves and our peers. back into the halls of TC. not those of But we’re trying. The change is underway. Being a Ram is something to be proud of. Our the Golden Gone are the days where clubs were “lame” to academics are high, our sports teams are strong, Fleece Media join. Gone are the nights when sports games were our clubs constantly participate in creative and Group or its a chore to attend. Gone is the mentality that we are unique activities, and our teachers are top-notch. staff. “too cool” to show our support for our school. Now it’s time to show the rest of the world that the With the RamFam adding themes to home current Rams are indeed carrying on the legacy, games, we have revived the student section into a mass and positively influencing the future of the school. of wildly screaming, animated fans. Pep rallies are once As the currents of change are flooding the halls and reagain becoming a routine way to unify ourselves as a single vitalizing the once dormant school spirit, we challenge you student body. The Roberson Fight Song is being taught to to plunge headlong into the movement. Spend your days inand sung by the school. Spirit Week was so successful that a vested in a cause to rally together and bring out the pride in second, holiday-themed week is scheduled for next week. us all, instead of commiserating over the small tribulations. Additionally, teachers are getting involved with the first Help be a part of the movement to bring back the joy and faculty “Secret Santa” gift exchange, along with a new anbe a part of the new and improved TC Roberson student nual Holiday Door Decorating Contest. And tonight, the body--one that is focused on highlighting what it truly school is holding the Snowball Dance, the first school dance means to be a Ram. in several years.
Push for education a necessary evil by JULIA EHLEN Staff Writer
Write to Julia at jehlen. communications@gmail. com
The competitiveness among students in high schools has grown significantly over the course of the year. Guidance counselors and teachers stress the importance of class rank, grade point average (GPA), and extracurricular activities. These elements can allow for the student to pursue a college that is in their interest. According to National Center For Education Statistics, in fall 2015, 20.2 million students are expected to attend American colleges and universities, which is an increase of about 4.9 million since fall of 2000. The push for college benefits the students by allowing them to accomplish their own personal achievement of their career. Also, the student will be able to live independently with the comfort of having job stability and job satisfaction. A 2008 report produced by The College Board showed that roughly 70 percent of individuals with a four-year college degree received health insurance from their employer. While less than 50 percent of employees with only a high school diploma who received the same benefit. The advantages that they can receive from their job
The Golden Fleece is printed by BH Media Group in Bristol, TN. 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. All unsigned editorials reflect the opinions of the Golden Fleece staff.
Editorials represent the viewpoints of individual authors and not those of the Golden Fleece Media Group or its staff.
by SCOTT BURGESS Staff Writer
can also be extended out to Often we’re told that we their family members. He should follow our dreams or she will be able to supand take on the world the port their own family and way we see it, deciding what provide for them after they we want to be later on in have completed a bachlife when we grow old and elors, associates, or master’s need to supply ourselves and degree. love ones, but there’s that The drive for a career one thing we all go through. can either come from the salary School. they will earn or a deep passion Either if you started in a day they have developed for that job. care or were watched by a relative The more time or close family you spend at friend until you school typically were enrolled into correlates with a school which the amount of was most likely Head-to-Head money the pernot your choice Pro-Con son will earn. but your parents. If the student According to does not pursue North Carolina a degree after Board of educaFor-Against high school, she/ tion the average Head-Tails he will not likely years of schoolhave the oping is 12 to 13 portunity to earn years (includa decent living, ing preschool) have benefits from their job, or but when it›s time for our high have job stability. school years come to an end we’re If there wasn’t such a big left the decision of continuing the push to go onto college after educational journey or to pursue high school, many would not be a career. determined to have a good GPA, Many are turned away from class rank, and extracurricular college for many different reasons activities to continue on their such as cost for tuition, grades, or education after high school. lack of interest. William Henry (Bill) Gates
Editorial Board Julia Ehlen Amelia Ramsey Morgan Brown Diana Childress
Golden Fleece
As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the contents of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the TC Roberson High School editor. Subscription cost is $20 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the school. Additional copies are $.25 each.
Non-college alternatives really do still exist
Asheville, North Carolina
2
Versus
Write to Scott at sburgess. communications@gmail.com
states “college is worth it only if you can afford it.” Even with scholarships others may still struggle with handling the rest of tuition and may get a job while attending college but with the cost of living while enrolled in college ask yourself will it cover food, gas, clothing and other expenses along with the tuition and loans that must be paid off? Furthermore, 19.9 million college students in 2013 the average student debt at about $26,500 is still growing this very moment. The application process to colleges also takes a toll on your wallet as well $50 to around $70 plus, for a 50/50 chance of approval or denial for a school that you may hold up to all their standards but still fall short, along with your money that will more than likely not be refunded. Application waivers help in ways where you may send in free applications free to colleges who participate in college application week Some people don’t perform well in high school and tend to make choices that prevent them to stay in school even if they were not given a chance to finish their high school career and obtain their high school diploma.
Golden Fleece Official newspaper of TC Roberson High School, 250 Overlook Rd., Asheville, NC, 28803.
Jessica Zuk Executive Editor, Print Media Molly Horak Ana Engeman Executive Editor, Digital Media Executive Editor, Visuals Rahquelah Conyers Director of Photography
Xenna Smith Director of Audio/Tech
© Copyright 2015 by the Golden Fleece Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
Editorial Staff Grace Loizzo Mollie Brewster Caroline Bowers Willie Yang Anjali Kumari Sarah Hunter Jamie Cummings Scott Burgess
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” might just be my favorite movie. Spontaneous living room dance routines, classic music, friendship, and love. Perfection in a cinematic masterpiece (bias alert). But now, right at this moment, it takes on a more relatable message, particularly the ending. Let me share a little of the screenplay to give you a reference: “And as you stand up and see the lights on buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you are listening to that song on that drive with the people you love most in this world. And I swear in this moment we are infinite.” So it’s a movie, I get it. It’s a little dramatic, maybe even cliche to a certain extent. The wind, the tunnel, the lights illuminating the characters faces ever so perfectly. “Heroes” by David Bowie plays in the background, to only add to the dramatic appeal, but yet the raw, organic moment seems suiting. Right now, I’m sitting on my gray chair (minus wind, lights, dramatic music), looking around my room. There are my pictures, my dresser, my bed, my lamp. My bumper sticker on the wall with “Coexist”, and my sign that says “Hippies Use Side Door.” The blue quilt my mom made me for my 16th birthday. All that stuff that’s shoved under my bed when my parents asked me to clean. Of course more elephant pictures than one would ever care to count. It’s all me, every nook and cranny. But then, you start to think of everything in “lasts.” For example, this is the last time I will ride in my own car on a chilly December 11th, rushing to physics in attempt to make it to school on time. It’s the last time on this day that I set four alarms because I promised I would get up on the first one, but I hit snooze, and in reality, I wake up 5 minutes before I have to leave. Or the last time my sweet dog Daisy jumps on my bed to wake me up as she pounces on my crabby mourning attitude. Because December 11 next year will be completely different. It’s all my last time, which is partially terrifying when the future remains a vast mystery. So my life is being listed again. Senior year, this is to making the most of the limited time remaining.
Contact Us GoldenFleeceMedia@ Gmail.com The Golden Fleece is a paying member of MCT Campus and Tribune Media Services. All images not taken specifically by the Golden Fleece staff members are used with expressed permission by the original owner. Adviser: Mark Harrison
Opinion
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GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
RAVES & RONGS
A quick look at the good and bad things happening now. by Amelia Ramsey Off-Campus Correspondent
Rave Seasonal Drinks: Waiting in line for 30 minutes & spending half of your paycheck to get that muchawaited peppermint or gingerbread drink from Starbucks is the only way to ring in the holidays!
Holiday Music: I have never understood people who hate holiday music. It is so cheerful and puts you in the Holiday mood. So what if it repeats a lot? We have to make up for the 10 months that we don’t get to hear it.
Connotation, interpretation matter when advocating causes by RAHQUELAH CONYERS Director of Photography
Write to Rahquelah at rconyers. communications@gmail.com
Three words can represent a movement. Lives Matter movement should embody the same mesIts roots behind the movement have been alive since sage as its counterpart organization, but yet it is flawed. the 1950s and this phrase has become a hot topic in Again, the words used have a different connotation than the media, serving as a platform for racial what is the actuality behind the movement. reformation. Black Lives Matter. This simple All Lives Matter is used mostly to discredit the Editorials sentence has wrought out deep-rooted efforts of Black Lives Matter. The former surfaces represent the emotions that are responsible for protests, particularly in social media tags and in rallies viewpoints of heated discussions, and several other mantras that are centered around notions of the latter, countering it, such as All Lives Matter or Blue individual authors lacking legitimacy. While Black Lives Matter is an and not those of actual foundation, credited to three black women, Lives Matter, which campaigns for the safety the Golden Fleece with an agenda and goals, All Lives matter is just of police officers. In reality, all lives should and do have valid- Media Group or its a saying - they don’t even have a website. They staff. ity. The conflicts that arise for supporters of use their “platform” mainly to emphasize that the Black Lives Matter movement stems from the focus of black deaths in the media is unfair the notion that they put lives of color on a instead of advocating for the value of all humans pedestal. Although the name of the organizaand their rights. tion does single out one race, the isolation If this saying has validity, it would appear is not of superior intent. The purpose of the cause is to whenever any life of any race, gender, denomination advocate that black lives matter, as well. - you name it - was abused. They would then drop the Separating the race as a means of seeking social equalhashtag and do something for change besides voicing ity is much like that of the month of October. Pink leaves their concerns on social media. #AllLivesMatter should its mark on everything in order to represent Breast Canappear on any tweet concerning the desolate Syrian refucer Awareness. In 31 days of donating to support groups gee crisis. There are 4.3 million Syrian refugees with half and honoring those who have battled with this illness, of them being children, according to worldvision.org. were the other forms of cancer and diseases ignored? Is Not one #AllLivesMatter. #AllLivesMatter should have this to say that people who suffer from a variety of other flared up along with #prayforparis when ISIS terrorists ailments are less significant? Of course not. The same killed 130 people according to RTE News. can be said for the intentions of the Black Lives Matter What shouldn’t matter, when the issue of life is movement. involved, is the mere diction of any said movement. At This emphasis on the name itself is enough to rile the end of the day, they are just tools used to ingrain the people up, displaying the impact of words and how literal name of the cause. statements can be taken. The world is aware of America’s What should matter, what should be retained, is the racist past, and prejudice feelings still linger for many meaning behind the words. groups, not just African-Americans. Idealistically, the All A View From Here
Reconnecting with family: Although the questions regarding your grades, relationships, and social status from your entire family can be grueling, gathering with family is always a nice way to spend the holidays.
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Snow: Yeah we all love snow...when it snows lightly and gets us out of school. But does anyone actually like being in somewhat melted and muddy freezing cold snow? Nope.
Flu Season: You thought by this time you would be kissing a loved one under the mistletoe, Instead, you’re curled up in bed sending ugly snapchats while your mom gives you medicine and more blankets.
Reconnecting with family: Hearing that your cousin made a perfect 2400 on their SAT, & got accepted to Princeton can really put a damper on your mood.
cartoon/ANJALI KUMARI/golden fleece
Paris attack reactions cause ‘bandwagon mourning’ by XENNA SMITH Director of Audio/Tech
Write to Xenna at xsmith. communications@gmail.com
It’s December, and by now the hashtag #PrayForParis people knew what happened in Paris the day of the atwill probably be a forgotten topic buried under every tacks. other social media fad. When the terrorist group known Disproportionate coverage on social media of similar as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) committed mulattacks in Middle-Eastern and African countries truly tiple mass shootings and suicide bombings on exists. Not being able to personally relate to a November 13 in Paris, France, social-media country (in the regard of lifestyle, religion, and Editorials was swarmed with posts, hashtags and filters race) causes a compassion gap between people represent the calling attention to the event. caring about what happens in Western civilizaviewpoints of The influx of Instagram posts, transparent tion. Terrorism is a daily occurrence for people individual authors living in Middle Eastern and African countries, French flag profile pictures, and hashtags is something we should call “bandwagon mourn- and not those of so it becomes irrelevant among the news cycle for the Golden Fleece ing.” Essentially, it is people rallying together Westernized countries. Media Group or its to publicly mourn over a certain tragedy on During the conversations that happened days staff. social media because everyone else they know after the attacks, some were asking what the is doing so. harm was in showing support for Paris? Nour The attacks in Paris were absolutely devasKabbach, a citizen of Beirut, posted a response tating and it deserves recognition, but so does on Facebook that received a lot of popularity every other tragic event that affects a country. after the attacks. “Imagine all that happening No disastrous event should be considered more imporwithout global sympathy for innocent lost lives, with no tant than another, not even in the special media updates by the minute, regard of casualty toll. and without the support of every According to the New York world leader condemning the vioTimes, around 130 people died in lence,” she wrote. Victims in unrecthe attacks on Paris, but so far in ognized attacks feel forgotten, and as 2015 alone, around 4,100 civilians a result, it is adding insult to injury. in Middle-Eastern and African Friends on Facebook that had the countries have died in terrorist French flag filters on their profile attacks. The question is, why are pictures have already changed their certain tragedies widely recognized pictures back to normal; the event and other--just as severe--tragedies is becoming old news only weeks are not? later. “Bandwagon mourning” results When asking 10 random high in shallow caring and reinforces school students (who are avid users the mentality of posting before you of social media) if they had heard even truly know what’s happening © MCT/CAROLYN COLE/los angeles times about the ISIS attacks in Beirut, in the world. All the attention Paris Lebanon the day before the attacks has received has resulted in victims on Paris, six of the people said they had no idea that of unrecognized attacks feeling forgotten and that is a those attacks even happened. On the other hand, those tragedy in itself.
Newsworthy by MOLLY HORAK Exec. Editor, Digital Media As high school students, we often see world issues as out of our control. We become hardened; accepting of the situations around us, trusting in the words meant to reassure. But we are also openminded, and are constantly forming our own beliefs about political issues. We are bombarded with media and a flood of information, yet we have the power to interpret and act on it as we deem fit. This year, my column will focus on real-world issues that we face, and often disregard, on a daily basis. Last week, another mass shooting occurred in San Bernardino, California. Upon hearing the news, I was dismayed, but sadly, not shocked. The common occurrences of such violent, uncalled for situations are becoming just another aspect of our daily lives, and the default reaction is to accept the news and move on. Yet this shouldn’t be the case. We shouldn’t be upset, live in fear, or shrug off the idea that someone or something may happen at any given time. My response was one of anger, that such horrific actions are committed, but also of fear, that we can continue to let these incidents continue on. I don’t want to live in a world where guns are unregulated, and assault weapons are brought into public settings. I don’t want to live in a world where citizens are victimized due to their religion or country of origin. I don’t want to live in a world where the hatred of a few can suppress the good in the hearts of the majority. The world is revolving around fear. Fear that we may be next, fear that our safety may be out of our hands. But I fear the fear of others, and the lengths that people go to find someone to blame. As President Obama said in his address to the nation last Sunday night, “We cannot turn against one another by letting this fight be defined as a war between America and Islam.” I agree with this wholeheartedly. ISIS is scary, and it is real, but the actions of a select few do not constitute but a minute fraction of the religious minority. To stereotype all Muslims as terrorists, as ISIS, only spreads the fear further. The constant frequency of these attacks dehumanizes the situation. You hear reports of ISIS-allied attackers without stopping to separate the extremists from the whole of the religion, and of victim after victim, without realizing that they are empty casualties, killed for no other reason than being at the wrong place at the wrong time. We do have a say, and I choose the path of peace and tolerance, of not stereotyping those around me. Cast off your fear, and work to foster positive change, not cower in constant terror.
Entertainment
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GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
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C O K L B STE U R.E.V.I.S.I.T.E.D
Filmmakers look to past to create today’s newest hits by CAROLINE BOWERS News Desk Editor
D
irectors have recently announced the continuation of traditional blockbuster films, and sequels to popular movies will also be making their appearance in theaters soon. Examples of upcoming reboots of traditional films include: “Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens,” “Ghostbusters 3,” “Finding Dory,” “Beetlejuice 2” and “The Goonies 2.” Rather than recreating these classic blockbuster movies, most the franchises are planning to just extend them in the form of sequels. This movement is different from past remakes of classic movies, such as “Batman” or “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” According to Thinkgeek.com, Chris Columbus and Steven Spielberg have teamed up again to create “Gremlins 3” and promise that the new movie will not be a remake of the original. Columbus, who developed the original story, admitted that he originally was not open to a sequel but has recently seen the advantages. The new sequel to the “Star Wars” franchise has stirred up excitement in fans, such as history teacher Brian Feid. “When [the original] came out, it was very unique. It was a very different type of movie. Its science fiction-kind of technology was really different from what was
A fresh new take on the classic cartoon, the Peanuts gang is back with a new set of adventures. New love interests for Charlie Brown and Snoopy bring about a new set of obstacles to overcome.
Spectre As the 24th James Bond installment, the infamous spy is back! This time, Bond must deal with the sinister organization called SPECTRE, while facing former foes and friends from his past.
Write to Caroline at cbowers. communications@gmail.com
common… so it made it appeal to a wide “Jurassic World” came out on top of the audience. It wasn’t just science fiction charts in June as a continuation of the nerds or romantics or adventure people original “Jurassic Park.” Also, the Mupwho liked it. I like my stories pets have made their appearto be completed--have beginance back on television as a ning middle and end--but they prime time show on ABC. “Star Wars was didn’t quite finish the whole The year 2015 has also big in the 80’s, marked the first time that Pixar story. So, I’m looking forward and I think to that,” Feid said. has come out with two movpeople that ies in one calendar year. Both In addition to sequels of grew up now Pixar movies, “Inside Out” and classic movies, sequels of more recent movies are also coming have kids, and “The Good Dinosaur,” have they’re trying become a part of the continual to theaters soon. The “Hunto show those success of the franchise, both ger Games” and “Divergent” kids what they ranking as “Certified Fresh” movie series are coming to love.” an end with dramatic finales. from RottenTomatoes.com. Sophomore Emma Binns said Blockbuster movies in the form that more futuristic movies will of sequels to both modern Carolina have to be made that would movies and older classics will Cinemas be directed toward a teenage Representative hit theaters in the upcoming audience. Critics from Fox months. News have called “The Hunger “One big factor is nostalgia. Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” Star Wars was big in the 80’s, the “most violent young-adult and I think people that grew movie ever made” and said that it pushed up now have kids, and they’re the boundaries of the PG-13 rating. trying to show those kids However, some students have different what they love. That never opinions on this matter. really goes away. I think “No, I don’t think it’s too violent. It it’s kind of a generational makes the story better, and the violence thing,” a Carolina Cinappeals to teenagers,” sophomore Mary emas movie representaRutherfurd said. tive said. Throughout 2015, sequels to big blockbuster films came out across the country.
POP! Goes the...
Weird Facts About Everyone’s Favorite Movie Snack
Americans eat around 17 billion quarts of popcorn every year. This amount would fill the Empire State Building 18 times.
The Peanuts Movie
Approximately 70% of popcorn sold in America is eaten in home. The other 30% is eaten in theaters, stadiums, schools, ect.
During World War II, Americans ate three times the normal amount of popcorn because sugar was rationed.
Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens Darth Vader’s death is vowed to be avenged by a new character in JJ Abrams’ leadership of the seventh installment of the Star Wars saga.
Divergent: Allegiant Part 1 Set to be released in mid-March, the third installment of the dystopian thriller follows Tris and Four as they venture for the first time out of the walled city of Chicago, to find a solution for their war-torn world.
source/RANDOMHISTORY.COM/
CAMPUS EVENT
Snowball semi-formal dance debutes tonight Decorations are in the process of being hung, and with dozens of tickets having been pre-sold, the snowball dance, hosted by Student Council, will be the first of its kind in at least a decade on campus. “Everyone was talking about how we haven’t had a dance in a long time, so we wanted to bring it back somehow,” Student Body President Denzel Summey said. With help from the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO), holiday snacks and a hot chocolate bar will be provided throughout the night. Sean Lowman from Premiere Sound and Light will deejay for the snowball. Student Council has asked for donations of lights and decorations to add to the winter theme. The council’s primary goal is to spend a minimal amount of money
by DIANA CHILDRESS Staff Writer while offering a dance that will create lasting memories. The dance will start at 8 p.m. in the Cafeteria and last until 11 p.m. Admission at the door is $10. In order to get more people to participate, a contest of the best “sno-posal” was held. “We are really trying to make it fun with the #snoposal. [We asked students to] think of a creative way to ask your date to the dance, and then post it on social media using the hashtag,” Student Council co-sponsor Nerina Patane said. According to Cynthia Hallman-Morris, co-sponsor of student council, there have
Write to Diana at dchildress. communications@gmail.com
been approximately three years without having a homecoming dance at Roberson. The reason for that being the low attendance at the last one held. When very few students were showing up, the lack of revenue made it hard to continue the dances. Patane believes the student council’s point in throwing a later dance will prove to be beneficial instead of having a homecoming dance this year. “Student Council wanted to have a homecoming dance. We don’t have the commitment from the kids to hold one, so this dance is a test. If there is a big turn out, then maybe we will have a dance around homecoming next year,” Patane said. According to Patane, the homecoming dances in the past were
held in the auxiliary gym because they were not able to turn all the lights off in the cafeteria. Now that they have figured the lighting situation out, the cafeteria will be more suitable for the dance. As of the beginning of the week of the snowball, about 40 tickets have sold. Senior,Kalleigh Kaiser is eager to see how this year’s dance turns out. “I feel like since we haven’t had a dance in a long time that people are excited about it because we usually just have prom. It’s just a fun way to dress up and have a good time with your friends,” Kaiser said.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 The highly anticipated final installment of the bestselling series came out Thanksgiving weekend. Intense battles ensue as the army led by Katniss and her fellow victors attempt to take over the Capitol, to restore peace once and for all.
Asheville
TRADITION: The TC Roberson Band of Gold and AFJROTC participated in the Asheville Holiday Parade held on Nov. 21. photo/ANA ENGEMAN/golden fleece
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Popular lokai bracelets have ‘stories to tell’ by Willie Yang Features Desk Editor
As sophomore Mariela Escamilla rolled up her sleeves to examine a microslide through a microscope in biology class, colorful bracelets in shades of blue, green, and white became visible on her wrist. These are just not any bracelets, but they are Lokai bracelets. “They’re meant to make you have stability to remind yourself that there are moments when you are at your highest and moments when you are at your lowest,” Escamilla said Junior Lyndi Martin’s bracelet holds even a deeper meaning to her heart. “I was actually given this bracelet a couple of months after my mom died of cancer, but when I was reading on what the bracelet meant it made me think of the highest points I had with my mom and the lowest points I had with her. I like to wear it in remembrance of my mom,” Martin said.
“It reminds me that even though we have bad days we will always have good days,” Martin said. Lokai donates 10 percent of its net profits to charities because, according to the company’s mission statement, it believes that helping others is a part of the journey to achieving balance. “My favorite has to be the pink one. I like supporting breast cancer charities since my mom had breast cancer,” Escamilla said. For $18 each, Escamilla and Martin both believe they are worth it in the long run. “They remind you to be happy and help charities all at the same time,” Escamilla said. Despite her mother’s passing, Martin believes the quality of the bracelet is as well as important to the worthiness of the bracelet along with its meaning.
Write to Willie at wyang. communications@gmail.com
The Lokai bracelet is a type of jewelry designed to people who wish to seek balance in their life. Cornell University graduate Steven Izen created the bracelet in 2013 after learning that his grandfather had Alzheimer’s. The band’s white bead carries water from Mount Everest and the black bead contains mud from the Black Sea to symbolize life’s ups and downs. “Everyday I look at the bracelet and I realize that I have to control myself and try to be at a middle point where I am not sad or even happy, just content,” Escamilla said. The silicone bracelet not only reminds people to maintain control, but it also reminds people to stay hopeful of the future.
Hot
photo/ANA ENGEMAN/golden fleece
CHOP STOP: If the original plan proposed by Duke Energy had continued, backyards in the area might had been cut in a similar fashion, like senior Alli Whitenack’s yard.
Food Review
Cocoa Comparsion by Jamie Cummings Social Media Desk Editor “Hot chocolate is one of those drinks so comforting that even bad hot chocolate still tastes good,” according to Melissa Clark from the New York Times. In Asheville, plenty of restaurants and coffee shops offer hot cocoa options. Some of the most raved about places include Starbucks, Another Broken Egg, the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, and Beehive Coffee Bar. Sales of hot chocolate go up in this cold weather according to Sophie Charlton, owner of Beehive Coffee Bar in South Asheville. “We put all of our love into a little cup of hot chocolate. No, we actually use Ghirardelli chocolate,” Charlton said. Beehive is a small, local coffee shop. Their coffee is Dynamite brand, made down the road in Black Mountain. “We are a comfortable place to hang out. We are very eclectic and aesthetically appealing. Oh, I love our customers,” Charlton said. For another hot cocoa drink in a slightly less local atmosphere, try Another Broken Egg or Starbucks. “I get hot chocolate from Starbucks quite a lot. It seems like their hot chocolate is richer and thicker,” english teacher Tristen Plemmons said. Plemmons is a total hot cocoa fan, and claims they always have some mix for the drink at her house as well. “Well I’m a ‘chocoholic’ anyway, so the chocolate is by far my favorite (part),” Plemmons said. “I think my very favorite food in the world is chocolate, so I will take it anyway I can get it -- solid form, liquid form, it doesn’t really matter.” According to Plemmons, hot chocolate is a great beverage for the holiday season.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge:
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Taste
2 Atmosphere 4 Presentation
Atmosphere
3 Presentation
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Starbucks:
4
Well, it has chocolate...
Overall
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I’ll get it if it’s half price
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3
Write to Jamie at jcummings. communications@gmail.com
“And I also think that the holiday season is time where people kind of forget about eating healthy,” Plemmons said. However, Plemmons said that if calories are a worry to some, they do offer diet hot chocolate packets at the local grocery stores. Another Broken Egg, another chain restaurant that offers hot chocolate is located in Biltmore Park. Their hot chocolate is made with steamed milk and Hershey’s chocolate sauce. Served in a colorful mug topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, the presentation is part of the experience. Sophomore Beth Scott, like Plemmons, sees hot chocolate as a beverage of this winter season. “When I think of Christmas or winter I think of curling up in a blanket or sitting by the fire so that warm drink is just relaxing,” Scott said. “I mean it tastes wonderful.” Beth Scott said she goes to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge downtown at least twice a month. “It’s definitely like a nice, cozy place to go with friends-- sit around and eat chocolate.” The Chocolate Lounge offers hot chocolate in multiple froms. They serve regular hot chocolate, a “chocolate sip,” or their “liquid truffle.” Scott’s favorite treat during winter is the “liquid truffle.” “To me, (the liquid truffle) is like a European style, and it’s a lot thicker. It’s just really smooth and chocolatey.” Tis’ the season for some warm, chocolate goodness. “I think because of the cold weather, people like the warmth. It’s kind of like a comfort food to warm the bones during the winter,” Plemmons said.
Another Broken Egg Cafe:
3 5
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Overall It’s okay, I guess
Beehive Coffee:
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Taste
5 Atmosphere 3.5 Presentation Overall
Now, that’s good!
5
*Editor’s Note: Got a place you’d like us to review? Contact us at GoldenFleeceMedia@gmail.com!
4.5
Heaven in a cup!
Duke Energy scraps plans to add new transition line by GRACE LOIZZO Staff Writer Write to Grace at gloizzo.. communications@gmail.com
Asheville is known as being one of the most eco-friendly cities in the South. However, over the past six months, concerns ran throughout the Buncombe and Henderson counties about Duke Energy’s plans to install a transmission line from Campobello, South Carolina to Duke’s plant on Lake Julian. Blue Ridge Now reported the intent of the line was to be pro-environment by eliminating the use of burning coal for power. To run the line, Duke Energy planned to cut down trees throughout the area which lead to people protesting against the line. “My friend lives in the mountains, and the power line would have gone straight through by her house. She had friends that were going to be displaced, and they were going to lose their houses,” senior Alli Whitenack said. According to Duke Energy, in the last 40 years, the customer electricity use has more than doubled. The demand is supposed to increase 15 percent in the next 10 years. “It’s important for [Duke Energy] to go green, but I don’t think cutting down trees and putting people out of their homes is the right way to do that,” Whitenack said Duke Energy’s plan was to run a transmission line 140 feet along high towers across Western North Carolina in hopes that the line would help strengthen the existing electric grid and help manage the ever-rising need for electricity in the area. According to Duke Energy, the Asheville power plant, which started in 1964, is the largest electric generating facility in Western North Carolina. Duke has yet to announce what they plan on doing next.
News
8 photo/XENNA SMITH/golden fleece
GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
OUR FORTE: Choral Director Aleisa Baker leads warm ups for the performance at the Night of the Arts at Roberson on November 30. The night highlighted performances from chorus, band and theatre students, as well as displaying artwork from TC’s Visual Arts classes. The night was used as a fundraiser for the programs by selling dinner plates from Corner Kitchen.
from EBLEN pg 1 what that client wants is a listening ear on the other end of the phone,” McMinn said. Chris*, a junior at Roberson, knows exactly the vitality of charity. (*name has been changed in order to keep student anonymous) “My mom works three jobs just to get by, yet she never has any money. I’ve applied for a job to try and help out, but it’s
hard. I wouldn’t be wearing shoes if it weren’t for charities,” Chris said. According to the student, his family received food brought in by students for Thanksgiving break in order to have enough to eat over the five day extended break. He thought this Thanksgiving was going to be a stressful time until Eblen came and donated necessities and extras for the holiday. “It was the best Thanksgiving I have ever had,” he said.
from FUNDS pg 1 matter of making cutbacks on other events. However, some seniors are still concerned that graduation will end up on the field and are worried about the weather and having enough space for family and friends. As a result of this concern, the school is trying to do everything they can to keep the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Cellular Center. Consequently, spending on special senior privileges, such as Senior Day, will be reduced. Hallman-Mor-
But Chris did say he has seen a stigma attached to charity. “Students here do not want to intrude with personal problems, so it’s difficult to even talk about parents and money. I see my mom work so hard, yet nothing is returned. I was so glad to see that someone could help her. That means a lot,” he said. Chris has already applied to two companies in search of a job in order to supplement his mother’s sole income.
ris said that if there aren’t drastic changes, Senior Day will certainly be cutback, because the seniors haven’t earned this special privilege. She said that it can cost up to $5,000 to go off campus to The Camp, which can be hard to come by when the fundraisers haven’t been very successful. “I don’t think it’s necessary (to cut back on senior day) because I think we have every chance to get enough money, and we have a lot of fundraisers, but people just don’t really participate...I would rather have my graduation at the Civic Center, just
“It’s hard to even see this direct impact. People donate money, but don’t realize how it affects people like me. No one actually says how Eblen helps them, because most people have a hard time saying they receive charity. It’s difficult to say aloud,” he said. He has been able to witness an even greater impact. “Charity makes you feel better when you see the results,” he said.
for logistic reasons. There’s not going to be enough seats here,” Senior Caleigh Sewell said. While the senior class may not be as successful with their fundraisers, the current junior class has raised more than enough this year. According to Maynor, they have sold all of the candy boxes that they had received, and a great amount of the junior class participated. She also addressed that the fundraisers by last year’s seniors and the current chorus and band classes were definitely more successful than this year’s current senior class.
gf•ONLINE Roberson’s Official News Site
www.goldenfleeceonline.com Look online for stories updated daily. Below are some of the stories that don’t show up in this issue of the paper. You can read these by scanning the QR code with your smartphone or by visiting GoldenFleeceOnline.com Check out our all new content on our main site including audio, & stories updated daily!
STAFF BLOGS Staff Blogs this year include topics on photogaphy, travel, Christian athletes, dogs, fashion, and much more!
PHOTO GALLERIES
New this year, Galleries with pictures from sports games and school events. Look for the camera icon in the paper to view supplemental photos.
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l o o h Sc y t e f a S GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
n f the Golde o n io it d e SIDE security on e In this FLIP h t t a k o take a lo students f o s n r Fleece, we e c n o s and the c u p m a c r u o ter. on this mat
Campus security continues to be topic of discussion after recent events, threat
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by MOLLY HORAK Write to Molly at mhorak. chool Resource Officer Corey outside. If we’re high schoolers, they should Exec. Editor, Digital Media communications@gmail.com Ray never has a “typical” school actually trust us, not just treat us like childay. His day is dedicated to one dren,” Crownover said. entrances, my fear is that someone could come task: ensuring the safety of the students and staff According to members of the school faculty in without us noticing that they’re here,” Ray on campus. and staff, class change and lunch presents adsaid. “My main thing is that a shooter does not ditional safety concerns. Currently, students are Last month, threats were written on the wall come. That’s why I’m not staying in my office, allowed to walk outside to class, meaning that of a bathroom that implied the potential for a why I’m visible, because I need the students. I’m outside doors must be left unlocked throughshooting the next day at school. While there was just one pair of eyes, and I need you all not to out the day. Rhoney believes this is necessary reason for the administration to believe that the be afraid to say ‘Officer Ray’ and tell me what’s threat was not constructed as most viable threats to combatting overcrowded hallways and ease happening. The more eyes I have, the better,” Ray are, parents were informed of the situation, traffic flow. said. “We are keeping a lot more of our doors and the next day additional police officers were Despite the efforts of officers and administralocked, and we do have a keypad on the math stationed around campus for added security. tors, the national spotlight has recently shifted door, but it wouldn’t make sense to put a keypad Rhoney feels that in the future, student awaretowards the darker sides of school safety. Aton these other doors because students couldn’t ness is the way to catch potential danger. tacks, such as those that occurred at Columbine get in or out. Plus, I think our students like being “Usually people that choose to do something High School, Sandy Hook Elementary, Virginia outside between classes and at lunch,” Rhoney like that have a plan and have comTech, and recently, Umpqua Community College municated with somebody, and we said. in Oregon have highlighted the issue of weapons have to take everything seriously. Security guard Malcolm McCarson and trespassers on school campuses nationally agrees that the size of the school makes Even to the extent of over report“I would not his job more difficult, but feels that and prompted debate over the effectiveness of ing something, we take every threat security measures. extremely seriously,” Rhoney said. like to think overall, there is not much that he would In 2015, there were a total of 52 instances change. “But our students are so familiar with of gun violence on school campuses that have “I would believe that I would change the setting, you guys are the first line that kids were killed 30 and injured 53 people, according to afraid of going some of the exits a little bit more. You of defense.” a recent report by RT News. According to The got a lot of different areas, people Deputy Sandy Edmunds, the to school, but coming in this way and that way in the Washington Post, since the Sandy Hook Elemen- Student Resource Officer for the tary School shooting in Dec. 2012, roughly one Roberson district elementary schools, they should morning, but [safety] is pretty good. It’s account of gun violence on a school campus such a big campus, but you really can’t hopes that threats, both locally and be aware.” occurs per week. have much more security on the outside. nationally, do not scare students from According to principal Amy Rhoney, the large People are pretty respectful, and they try attending school. Deputy Sandy to check in and try to tell me,” McCarsize of Roberson makes security a more difficult “Stuff happens anywhere, and issue to tackle. Precautions, such as a buzzer son said. Edmunds our country is more safe than most system to let visitors in the main door, additional countries. I would not like to think In response to the surge of attacks on security cameras, and more security guards have that kids were afraid of going to campuses nationally, schools across the been discussed in the past; however, Rhoney country have instigated new measures school, but they should be aware. You believes that the best way to address the issue to further protect students and faculty, including don’t want it to fill up your whole mind, your is by adding preemptive deterrents, including a arming teachers and teaching students to attack whole day,” Edmunds said. stop-arm gate at the back entrance of the school. an intruder rather than hiding. Crownover disBut despite protocols in place at Roberson, “Additional security cameras are great , but agrees with the idea. secretary Donna Greene doesn’t believe it is that’s not a preventative. We don’t have some“That’s ignorant, you’re not going to do anyenough yet.. one that sits and watches security cameras all thing by giving a teacher a gun, you’re going to “The front door is left open constantly and day. What I would love is some added security do something by changing gun laws or adding doors are unlocked everywhere around here. measures at the back entrance, because we don’t more cameras or teaching students to be less We are one of the few schools in the county that want to have these [cafeteria] doors locked for does not have a buzzer system to buzz somebody violent. We just live in a very violent society, our students, but anyone can just access the Crownover said. in,” Greene said. back, an automated stop-arm gate or an adEdmunds feels differently. Senior Max Crownover believes that the ditional security guard at the back that would “It’s the fight or flight syndrome: are you goschool is doing enough to address security ismonitor who comes in and out. That would be ing to fight to survive or run away from it? You sues.. awesome,” Rhoney said. never know what’s going to happen, but any“There is a difference between keeping Ray agrees with the need for security in the thing you can do to save your life or the life of students safe and overburdening. We already back of the school. somebody else is a plus. To have kids know that, have pretty high surveillance throughout the “What I would love to see is one way in and or at least think of that, to me is always an opschool outside and inside, we have an officer on one way out, but that’s kind of impossible with tion. I don’t think people should be scared, but campus, and we have the security guard sitting the size of the school and the way it was built. they should be vigilant. You should always be My biggest concern right now is that we have so aware, and anything that looks suspicious should many entrances, and we have so many unlocked be reported, question anyone on campus that doors. Even though we have cameras on the you don’t know,” Edmunds said.
Koontz Intermediate
T.C. Roberson
Valley Springs
Estes Elementary
P.E.P. Program
Distance to Main Office: 12 ft Entrances to Main Office: 1 Type of Entrance: Buzzer system Number of Cameras: (68)
Distance to Main Office: 15 ft Entrances to Main Office: 1 Type of Entrance: Buzzer system, must go through main office Number of Cameras: Many
Distance to Main Office: 84 ft Entrances to Main Office: 2 (main & back delivery) Type of Entrance: Unlocked Number of Cameras: 68
Distance to Main Office: 10 ft Entrances to Main Office: 1 Type of Entrance: Buzzer system Number of Cameras: 20+
Distance to Main Office: 10 ft Entrances to Main Office: 1 Type of Entrance: Buzzer system Number of Cameras: 0
Focus
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GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
Panel discusses safety, campus concerns Members of the committee this issue were: senior Riley Howell, junior Sierra Ackerman, sophomores Daniel Lowman, Zabrina Lang, Laura Erickson, Lousie Brosnan, & freshman Ashley Teague What are your thoughts on the current security at the school? PANEL MEMBER 1: I know people who find it ever easy to sneak off of campus on a daily basis, and have never gotten caught in over three years, so I don’t think security is great. PANEL MEMBER 2: I think they’re good at keeping us physically safe, like from outside threats, but if we wanted to we could easily leave, totally have the risk of not keeping us safe. Physically safe yes, but mentally safe no. PANEL MEMBER 4: If someone brought something in, it would be pretty easy for a student to be a threat to the school, like with all the jackets especially now that it’s winter, someone could easily bring a weapon or something that could harm others, and they probably wouldn’t know. Do you think that those kind of situations could be prevented? PM 1: I feel like there is always going to be a way to get around the system no matter what you do, so in a way, I doubt that there is a super awesome way to keep
everyone safe at all times. I’m not saying that it’s not possible, but I don’t think that anyone is really there yet. PM 2: I feel like there are a lot of doors around the school that are open, and there are a lot of ways that people who shouldn’t be able to get in to get into the school. And there’s not always a way to be able to keep track of all of them. PANEL MEMBER 3: There are always going to be threats and everything. The school is really big, there are so many people, you’re not going to be able to keep track of everything, and there aren’t that many adults who can actually watch. Do you wish that we had a stricter system like that? PM 2: I think it would risk the convenience of transportation, because if we had to leave early, and were say in a rush to get to the dentist, and we tried to go out the back way and got stopped every time, I feel like parents should have certain passes that they could have. PANEL MEMBER 5: I don’t think it’s an external threat as much as
it is internal. When I went to Tuscola, we had two gun threats and last year they had four guys bring guns to school. I don’t know how we would fix that. PM 4: We could have metal detectors. PANEL MEMBER 6: I feel like that’s too much, we’re not in airport security or a crime scene. Some schools across the country have taken measures to protect students by arming teachers. Thoughts? PM 4: People trust their teachers more than they would someone that they don’t know coming in with guns, and I feel if the teacher was properly trained, and it was concealed during class time, and put away in a desk, then I don’t think it’s bad, especially if the students don’t know where it’s hidden. PM 1: I feel like the problem with that is that if the student know about it, of course some of them would try to take it. And also, if there was a school shooting, even with proper training, so much could still go wrong with that. With 2,000 kids running around
and not knowing what they’re doing, that leads to the potential for bad news. PANEL MEMBER 7: When you give a teacher any sort of weapon, there are so many possible sources of error, like a teacher panicking, or asking someone to go get something from their desk and they see a gun in it. If you are going to arm them, it should be non-lethal, since there are so many sources of error that you can encounter. Do you think people take drills seriously? PM 6: I don’t think there is much you can do to make people care, you have to want to try. I think that if it is a legitimate threat, they should alert you and tell you that it is a real threat. If it’s a real threat we should know, because that’s when people take it seriously. PM 1: I feel like you can only prepare so much for, because if there was a threat, there is always going to be something that no one saw coming that they couldn’t prepare for. Of course you need to do the drills and that stuff, but there is only so much that you can do before it’s too much.
So what do we do about this? The members of the Golden Fleece discussed some ideas that we think would best increase the security on campus, if money was not a factor. Additional Security Guard: Roberson has the most student parking in the county, and to further protect the junior and senior parking lots, we should hire an additional security guard to monitor the back of the school. This would also alleviate parents dropping off students in the wrong areas before and after school. I would keep all of the doors locked around campus during the day. Oscar Good
Keypads on all Doors: By installing keypads on all of the doors on campus, we would immediately fix the issue of unlocked and unmonitored doors. The code would then be available for those who need access, and can be changed if the need arises.
I would have more officers and people watching the cameras. Abby Kruegar
There are blind spots on the cameras, but most students wouldn’t change that. Chulyeun Park
Student ID Cards: If students were issued ID cards that could unlock doors and access specific rooms, we would constantly know who was in the building at all times, and would be able to keep potential intruders out.
I would like to have metal detectors to feel safer. Amelia Radocha
Buzzer System: Many of the other schools in the county have a buzzer system in place that only allows visitors access to the building after being cleared by the main office. If our school instigated a similar process, then we would be able to stop visitors from walking into the school unknowingly.
I think teachers should be able to carry concealed weapons so they can defend the students. David Snider
What would you change, if anything, in regards to the school’s campus safety?
I would have more police officers and have one to stay in the freshman academy. Madi Loftis
Sports
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GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
Sports
from GAINS pg 12
Shorts
A quick look at what the Rams are up to during the winter sports season.
The football team ended their season with a record of 4-6. The Rams had an important win over Enka, their last game, winning 44-3. The Rams made it to the first round of playoffs.
The volleyball team had a great season, ending with a record of 17-3. The team had an important win over Reynolds winning 3-1. The Rams made it to the third round in playoffs, where they came short 3 points in the 5th set.
photo/SARAH HUNTER/golden fleece
The girls’ crosscountry team placed 1st out of 11 in the Buncombe County Championship and placed 1st out of 7 in the MAC. The team competed in four other meets and placed 5th, 2nd, 7th, and 5th.
The boys’ cross country team finished their season 2nd in the county and 6th in the region, two places better than last year.
Underclassman players assist older teams this fall by MOLLIE BREWSTER Sports Desk Editor
The boys’ soccer team ended with a record of 13-3-3. The team had many major games, including both Reynolds games.
The girls’ golf team placed 1st in their MAC Asheville tournament. The team placed 2nd in four of their other tournaments and came in 3rd in one tournament.
YOUNG SPIRIT: Freshman Davie Pyle performs band dances during pep rally. She is one of a small number of freshmen who competed at the varsity level this year.
The girls’ tennis team had an undefeated season, ending with a record of 13-0. The team places 6th out of 12 in the 4A tournament.
Write to Mollie at mbrewster. communications@gmail.com
Traditionally, high school athletes are set to start their varsity careers as upperclassmen; however, some athletes each year bring with them enough talent to be awarded a spot on the varsity roster, even as freshmen. “It has made me better because I have to get myself up to the way they do stuff, as opposed to how I did it in middle school or would be doing on JV,” freshman cheerleader Davie Pyle said. Pyle made the varsity cheerleading squad after an extended tryout process of tumbling, stunts, cheers and interviews. She said that although she is the youngest, she holds no regrets being put on varsity and looks forward to what that has in store for her in the future. Pyle said she has been cheering since she was 4 and hopes being on varsity at a young age will increase her chances of cheering in college as well. Pyle is the only freshman varsity cheerleader this year and according to senior Cameron Comerford, that may have created more of a challenge for her. “There’s a lot more pressure. When Montana, Bailey and I were all freshman, we all didn’t know what was going on, so it wasn’t as hard,” Comerford said. Where in some cases, being the youngest might carry more pressure, freshman Ashlyn Blakely, one of the top runners on the cross-country team, feels like there is less pressure being
the youngest. “There was way more pressure last year when you’re the oldest and have to be good. But this year, there really isn’t that much pressure,” Blakely said. Blakely earned a varsity letter and qualified to compete in the state cross country meet. She placed 24th at the state meet with a time of 20:01. Blakely along with senior Chesley Krug were the only two individual runners to qualify. They train together at practices despite the age difference. Cross-country, like tennis, does not offer a varsity and JV level, so runners have to have a 5k time of 27:30 or less in order to earn the varsity designation and receive a letter. According to Athletic Director Laura Beatty, physical maturity levels may have something to do with why these past few years, more females are participating on varsity than males. . “The maturity level of the female body is usually developed by 9th grade, so they’re the size they are going to be. That is not the case for boys because of how they have a couple of growth spurts during the high school period,” Beatty said, “I think the trend has changed somewhat for boys because our culture is to be bigger, faster and stronger.” Coaches hold the final decision about the athletes they put on their team, and how old those athletes may be.
Lacrosse. “I think they made a connection with some of the kids, and they can pursue that beyond the classroom,” Christman said. Hillhouse has also reached out to other middle schools in the area to implement more clinics, but no official plans have been scheduled. “We’re really looking to expand and to grow the sport. We’d love to be able to bring it in and offer it at area high school and middle school programs. That’s another reason we do community outreach-to be able to gain more exposure and get more kids interested, and then try to eventually get into the school systems,” Hillhouse said. An official team has never been sponsored by Roberson; however, when lacrosse first started coming to Asheville, TC tried to organize a club multiple times. Students working with Athletic Director Laura Beatty attempted to create a team in 2010. Prior to that, the previous athletic director, Fred Park, tried to form a club team as well. Christman said she would support the development of a team at Roberson or Valley Springs, but some of the issues include time, field space and proper coaching. Junior Bryson Case plays for Asheville Empire Lacrosse. He wanted to get involved because his brother played. He began his freshman year and has seen growth in the participation. “My freshman year there was only three people at TC (playing lacrosse), and last year there were about 10 or 15,” Case said. However, Case added that trying to get his friends involved has proven difficult since many of them play other spring sports already. He believes lacrosse has many great aspects that his friends are missing out on. The physicality is one of his favorite aspects of the sport. “It’s kinda like football, except there’s a little bit more contact, and you get to hit people with a stick,” Case said. Hillhouse not only enjoys coaching the sport, but also shaping a relationship based on the love the game with her players. “We’re always trying to empower girls through the game of lacrosse and community interaction.”
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Sports
12
GOLDEN FLEECE • December 11, 2015
Lacrosse continues to gain popularity in area by JAMIE CUMMINGS Social Media Desk Editor Write to Jamie at jcummings.communications @gmail.com
career wins Wilcher steps on sideline for final two seasons “I have fond memories of all my years coaching, but obviously the last one--the last one will be special,” soccer coach Rob Wilcher said. Although it is yet to be determined if Wilcher’s last year will reach the milestone of a state championship, it has already reached one major milestone--that of 1000 wins. On September 30th away against AC Reynolds High School, Roberson beat the Rockets 2-1, reaching Wilcher’s 1000th win. Wilcher also recieved the title N.C. Soccer Coaches Association Co-Coach of the Year for NCHSAA 4-A. According to the Asheville Citizen Times, Wilcher is the most successful coach in Western North Carolina and potentially in state history. Wilcher has won 585 boys games in 29 years and 422 girls games in 21 years. National Federation of State High School Associations has Wilcher’s boys wins as the
by MOLLIE BREWSTER Sports Desk Editor
11th highest in national history. Zack Osborne, former soccer coach at Greensboro, who is as well high in the ranking from North Carolina has a recorded 410 wins. Boys’ and girls’ head soccer coach Rob Wilcher will hold the reigns of the program for one last year before saying his final goodbyes at the end of the girls’ season in the spring. “This is my 30th year of teaching, and I’m just ready to be done,” Wilcher said. Wilcher has lead the Rams to three state titles and a total of 10 state championships, since he took over the soccer program in 1995. Throughout his coaching career, he has had players leave him and go on to play at the professional level. Additionally, he has had numerous players who, although they may have been second string, caught his heart, too. “Just the support and dedication of the players and their families and of the school has been great,” Wilcher said. While Wilcher is taking time to thank those who have helped build the program up, his peers and players are taking time to
Coach of the Year
strong headed on and off the field. “Coach Wilcher and I have become close friends, and when you lose a great friend on the sideline, acknowledge the work he has put you’re gonna miss that,” Marin to build the solid base that Rob- tin said. “But he also has a huge erson soccer has. amount of wisdom when it comes “I think the biggest change will to the game, and I have learned a be losing structure once he leaves ton from him. When your menbut I do believe he’s leaving it in tor is gone, you miss that aspect as good hands with Martin,” senior well.” Anna Spake said. Spake, Wilcher and Martin Along with Spake, all share a common goal or assistant soccer vision each year, that being a “He has a coach Joshua Martin championship. This year really good state shares his opinion holds a little more to that goal on the base Wilcher relationship than years past they say. has formed for the According to all three of with his program. Martin them, both the girls’ and boys’ will be taking over students and teams have the “determinaas head coach of the tion and desire” to go and soccer program after bends over accomplish the common goal Wilcher’s departure. backwards this year. “When you have “Winning state championto help such a strong base ships has stood out to me as with what he built, them out.” a coach. Losing some of the we are going to be state championship games very successful. We Joshua Martin has stood out as well because are going to continue getting to see the players want to do the things that it so badly and play all season made the program to get to that point and it not successful and then hopefully add work out for them,” Wilcher said to that,” Martin said. “as a coach you’re just proud of Martin is starting his 4 year their effort.” and 7 season coaching alongside Highlight memories with Wilcher. Spake has thrived from Wilcher shared from Spake and Wilcher’s intense coaching style Martin are off the field. Spake’s is for 3, running on 4, years now. getting to present Wilcher with a According to Spake he was able shirt for being “Mr. Emerald Isle” to make her mentally tough and
Write to Mollie at mbrewester. communications@gmail.com
Coach Wilcher has been awarded the title N.C. Soccer Coaches Association Co-Coach of the Year for NCHSAA 4-A, along with 1,000 career wins.
Students participate in non-conventional sports A different sport happening this winter Director Wayne Morgan said. by GRACE LOIZZO Write to Grace at gbrewster. is snowboarding and skiing. Races at The American Journal of Sports MediStaff Writer communications@gmail.com Cataloochee Ski Area have been held cine recently did a 10-year study that fodivided into categories determined by gender there for over 25 years. cused on snowboard injuries. Most of the and skill, and include male and female skiers “In middle school, I was introduced to it by injured people were 30 years old and younger. and snowboarders. Each racer has a total of two a friend. And getting into it in middle school Nearly half of the injuries were upper body has been the reason I’ve kept it up through high runs to attempt to get their best (fastest) time. related, 50% of those injuries were fractures After all the individual racers go the three fastschool” 8 year boarder Chandler Anderson and the most common site of injury on the est times for each team are used to calculate the body is the wrist as boarders use their reflexes said. Races at Cataloochee are held to test the abil- team score. The team with lowest time receives to catch themselves when falling. 150 points, the second lowest time gets 149, and ity of individual skiers and snowboarders for “My friend Brandon Reemes hurt himself so on. their team. pretty badly when riding down the slope, he At the end of the season, the slowest perfor“I’ve been doing this for four seasons now, hurt his shoulder and fractured a few ligaments mance for each individual is dropped and the and boarding is the best sport there is, it’s when he tried catching himself from falling” remaining points are added up and the team shredtastic’” sophomore Jared Linhart said Linhart said. with the highest overall team is declared winThe opportunity to make a team, and comAccording to Morgan there are safety prener. pete is open to all students no matter the years cautions, every day slope reports are given as “Surprisingly, high Schoolers do not get hurt well as hazards, but it’s really a come at your of experience. The races for high school indivery frequently while racing, riding down the viduals and their teams they create take place own risk. every Wednesday starting in January. Racers are slopes on their own is a different story” Patrol
@garrettdoug45 Good win against a good opponent boys and congrats on coach Wilcher’s 1000th win @
@mitchell_stanekw Thankful for my family, teammates, and the sport I love!
@cameronhaley1 No matter what I’m always going to have so much love for my team
@ladyyramssbball Shoutout to your lady rams for bringing home a win tonight against North Henderson! @acthshuddle
#RAMNATION
Each month, we will feature your posts abot our sports. Just use #RamNation
@TCRbkb2015 Your TC Roberson Rams defeated Brevard 75-45! Shemarri Allen with a game high of 15pts! Great show out by the ram fam also! #RamNation
The U.S. Lacrosse Association conducted a survey in 2013 identifying lacrosse as the fastest growing sport in America at both the collegiate and the high school levels. During that year alone, more than 750,000 people participated in organized lacrosse leagues across the country, according to the participation survey. “There hasn’t really been a lot of girls’ lacrosse offered in Western North Carolina, so being able to offer a program that every single girl is eligible to participate in really levels the playing field,” said Rachel Hillhouse, director of the Asheville Edge girls’ lacrosse. In Western North Carolina, lacrosse is growing, with new club teams showing up annually. Asheville Edge Lacrosse is a new club that launched in June. In the nation, North Carolina is up 991 percent, making it the state with the highest growth rate from 2001 and 2009. “Lacrosse has always been a very impactful thing in my life, and I wanted to be able to share my passion for the sport with other girls. Every girl that has tried it for the most part seems to be falling in love with it,” Hillhouse said. Hillhouse has played since she was 8 years old and said she is working to expand the love of the game in Asheville. At this point, six club leagues and three schools in the Asheville area have existing teams. Male teams include; Asheville Empire, Peak Lacrosse, YMCA Lacrosse, Asheville Lacrosse Club, Christ School, Asheville School and Gladiator Lacrosse. Female teams include; YMCA Lacrosse, Asheville School, Carolina Day School and Asheville Edge Lacrosse. “We’re just trying to expand as we gain interest in the community,” Hillhouse said. Recently, Hillhouse has paired up with Valley Springs Middle School to hold a clinic for the gym classes in hopes to spread awareness for the sport. “We were able to reach out and just expose the sport to so many girls,” Hillhouse said. Sally Christman, Physical Education instructor at Valley Springs, hosted the clinic with her classes. “They taught the fundamentals of lacrosse and did an excellent job. It went very well. We like it when folks like that come in and can take a whole group. I’d love to see them come back in the spring,” Christman said. According to Hillhouse, seven or eight girls from Valley Springs developed a deeper interest in the sport and came out to the fall ball practices held on Sundays at Fletcher Park. She said they all plan on returning for the official spring season for Edge see GAINS on pg 11