Vol 2. Issue 5

ISSUE 5

military issue

FREE / APR 2018

PREFACE

let t er from t he

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EDITOR

always heard the saying, “The days are long, but the years are short,” but looking back on high school as a nearly-graduated senior, I have not appreciated its meaning until now.

There have been some impossibly long days of high school. From cramming a week’s worth of Georgia Virtual assignments into one weary Wednesday night, to drying up every highlighter I own during finals week, many days and weeks seemed to drag on for years.

It’s April. Spring break came and went, prom is just around the corner and the days are growing longer everyday. The halls at Johns Creek buzz with anxious anticipation for the close of the school year, and all of a sudden, August seems like a mere few weeks ago.

Graduation season is a time for reflection and sentiment, for wishing the days were not as long but that the years were not so short.

I think we all get caught up in wishing away the days and not appreciating the years.

In an effort to slow down and take a step back to appreciate the things we take for granted, we chose to feature the military in our second-to-last issue. Many students on the brink of adulthood have the option to turn to the military after high school, and as citizens of the United States, it is important to understand and appreciate the sacrifices thousands of men and women make everyday.

Copy editor Brian Sui and staff writer Matt

Press sat down with several members of the Johns Creek community to discuss their service in the military. The cover story discusses issues like flag-burning protests and increasing opportunities for minorities in the military, as well as features Johns Creek’s very own JROTC program.

Adhering to the fifth issue’s cover theme, staff writer Rohan Lalla takes a side on the glorification of the military through media, and staffers face off on whether or not the United States should require mandatory service.

Ultimately my wish for this issue and the rest of the year is to just slow down. Instead of flipping straight to the crossword–we know you do–take a second to browse the news section’s coverage of new technologies or drool over managing editor Jamie Miller’s chicken and waffles review.

Niki and I will soon hand over the reins to Rohan Lalla and Maura McClynn, the editors-in-chief for the 2018-2019 school year. With more applications for new staffers than we have ever had before, Niki and I are confident the future of The Chariot is in good hands. Thank you to everyone who applied, and we appreciate your enthusiasm for The Chariot.

It has been an honor to be a part of The Chariot, and I cannot express enough how proud I am of this publication. Leaving this magazine next year will be hard, but I hope you enjoy the last two issues of the school year. To end the year out, our next and final issue will cover Generation Z.

RACHAEL JONES

edit or-in-chief

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contents 04. n ews 4. ROUNDUP 6. SPACE EXPLORATION 8. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN WAR 9. FLU EPIDEMIC

10. sport s

Staff writer Nathan Goggans discusses the rise of artificial intelligence and how it will impact the future of the military and war. Page 8

10. MARCH MADNESS 11. E-SPORTS 12. MILITARY WORKOUT

14. fe ature s 14. COVER STORY: MILITARY 20. STREAMING WEBSITES 21. AMAZON MONOPOLY 22. CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

With streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu on the rise, features editor Sophie Brandeis covers the take over of the at-home movie theaters and the extinction of movie theaters. Page 20

24. MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

26. opinion 26. FACE-OFF: MANDATORY MILITARY SERVICE 28. INCREASING SCHOOL SECURITY 29. FORTNIGHT 30. MILITARY GLORIFICATION Managing editor Jamie Miller, along with four other staff members, explores different takes on chicken and waffles in Atlanta and reviews three different restaurants that serve the dish. Page 22 THE CHARIOT |3

NEWS

UNITED STATES

Following the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in which a former student fatally shot 17 students and faculty members, 20 student survivors founded Never Again MSD, an organization that advocates for tighter regulations to prevent gun violence.

The movement formed on social media using the hashtag #NeverAgain. The group has staged protests demanding legislation, such as the “March For Our Lives” on March 24, and vocally condemned U.S lawmakers who have received funding from the National Rifle Association.

BRAZIL

On March 14, City Councilwoman Marielle Franco, one of Brazil’s most respected political figures, was shot dead in an apparent targeted political assassination in Rio de Janeiro. Franco, a popular LGBTQ and human rights activist, grew up in one of Brazil’s largest favelas and rose to political prominence by denouncing economic inequality and police brutality.

She was the only black female representative and one of seven women on the 51-seat city council. Franco’s death has resulted in large scale protests across Brazil.

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RUSSIA

Russian President Vladimir Putin won a landslide re-election victory on March 18, 2018, extending his time in office to 2024. Putin, who has already dominated the Russian political landscape for 18 years, received 73.9 percent of the vote. Seven candidates ran against Putin, but his primary political opponent, opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was barred from running.

KOREA

South Korean musicians performed in North Korea for the first time in over a decade on March 31, 2018. Around 160 artists, including several high-profile K-pop stars, performed a series of concerts concluding on April 3. The musical ensemble comes in the wake of talks along the Koreas’ shared border in January.

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KENYA

Sudan, the world’s last male Northern White Rhino, died on March 19, 2018, at the age of 45 after battling a severe leg infection for several weeks. Sudan lived in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservatory and received 24/7 protection from armed guards. His daughter Najin and granddaughter Fatu are now the last two remaining Northern White Rhinos on Earth.

ROUNDUP

NEHA BHATIA, production editor

THE CHARIOT | 5

NEWS

ONE GIANT LEAP THE RISE OF SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND ADVANCEMENTS IN SPACE EXPLORATION.

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JAKE PELJOVICH, staff writer

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n 1961, Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to visit space in the Vostok I Spacecraft. Eight years later, American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon during the famous Apollo 11 mission. These pioneers went through years of training to prepare for the venture out into space. However, with recent aeronautical innovations, space travel may soon be available to anyone who wants to experience the vastness of outer space.

As public interest in space exploration grows, Aerospace companies such as Virgin Galactic, Xcor, and SpaceX continue to develop commercial space expeditions open to the public. The average price for one of these space excursions would be around $250,000 but predicted increases in demand for spaceflight may drive prices down over the next 50 years.

“I think that the expansion of space travel is a great thing for the future of human exploration, and just as air travel expanded rapidly in the early 1900s, so will space travel in the near future,” said Alex Peljovich, an Aerospace Engineer, Georgia Tech graduate.

The “near future” may also be

closer than it seems. A Virgin Galactic spaceport located in the United Kingdom is scheduled to begin commercial space flights as early as 2020, and SpaceX has already reserved spots for a flight around the moon to a couple of wealthy space tourists. Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has also released the spacesuit and rocket designs intended for commercial space flights earlier this year. According to a NASA estimate, the designs are predicted to save the United States over $20 million per seat as opposed to using the more expensive Russian designs.

“It’s just crazy how fast space exploration is becoming available to people like us. Sure, it’s expensive right now, but when we are older, we may be able to buy a ticket to space as if it were like buying an airplane ticket today,” said senior Cole Hooper.

Flights into outer space may only be the beginning. SpaceX’s “Falcon Heavy” rocket is currently being tested to send supplies and people past Earth’s atmosphere. Commercial trips to the moon, Mars and beyond are not as far away into the future as it may seem.

“With the increasing interest in space travel, I think that new destinations like the moon or Mars may soon become available due to the influx of money into the industry,” said Peljovich.

However just flying around Earth’s neighboring planets and moon is not the pinnacle of recent space development. Companies like SpaceX are already researching possible technologies and tactics necessary to create a human settlement on the Moon, Mars and beyond. There have even been volunteer lists created in order to select the first inhabitants of Mars. Although colonization on Mars and the Moon has not received a definite plan for enactment, the recent developments in this field are too interesting to ignore and are worth monitoring for years to come.

With the ability to travel into space approaching in the near future, it is hard not to look up into the stars and wonder about what it must be like to fly among them. The current innovations in commercial space travel may soon make it possible for everyday people to schedule trips into outer space and beyond. As Neil Armstrong said, “This is one giant leap for mankind.”

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NEWS

FUTURE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

IN WARFARE

NATHAN GOGGANS, staff writer

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en years ago, nobody could imagine what robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) would become. Today, some of the world’s most intelligent people are engineering robots so advanced that their development has to be monitored to ensure they do not plot against humans.

In the future, the use of AI in the military may be the difference in winning or losing a war.

AI is misunderstood partly because its definition is constantly evolving.

As computers have accomplished tasks previously thought to be only possible by humans, the bar for what is considered “intelligent” rises higher.

Recently, one of the most astonishing areas in AI has been in technologies that can train software to learn and think on its own. This area is moving quickly while “old school” AI that uses rule-based approaches are being abandoned. In the next decades, AI systems that can be trained, learn and think independently will likely dominate the field of AI. This being said, these same systems will also likely dominate the military fields, whether it be ground units, air/ water drones, or training units.

Senior and engineering student Joe Yosanovich got the unique experience of working with AI this past summer.

“It was really cool to see technology that had the ability to learn and adapt,” he said. Although he enjoyed his experience, he believes that AI could be very detrimental to the

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fate of humanity. “Scientists need to be very careful about artificial intelligence. Training robots to kill human beings is not the direction we need to be going,” said Yosanovich.

Robert Button, senior operations research analyst at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND (Research and Development) Corporation, suggests in a recent blog that there are several possible AI applications for the military. Replacing frozen software with systems that do not need to be refreshed periodically creates a broad yet promising potential for creating more versatile and nimble systems, possibly at lower costs, which is a great advantage when considering the United States’ military spending. Again, AI could be used in training systems, so it does not necessarily need to be used in direct warfare. For example, it could provide simulations and adaptive adversaries for training fighter pilots or navy captains.

Facial and voice recognition AIs are developing rapidly. Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), used by systems such as Amazon’s Alexa, enables systems to interact with humans using natural language. NLP can translate documents and could serve as a translator in the future when dealing with locals overseas According to the “Washington Post,” some countries are already using AI in their national defense.

For example, Israel has developed a drone, the Harpy, that can detect and automatically destroy radar emitters. South Korea has security-guard robots on its northern border that can kill humans. Both of these can function autonomously, without any human intention. It is unpredictable what portion of the military could be made up of AI, but at the rate at which technology is advancing, the possibilities are endless.

AFTERMATH OF THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC MAURA MCLYNN, news editor

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s winter rolls around each year, along with it comes a seemingly endless number of doctor visits and school absences. Flu season always impacts students heavily, but it seems that the flu epidemic of 2018 is hitting the nation harder than ever in terms of the number of diagnoses and even fatalities.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in every 13 visits to the hospital this season has been regarding flu-related symptoms, the highest frequency seen in this decade. The uncommonly high number in visits is likely due to this year’s particularly devastating strain of virus, one comparable only to the swine flu outbreak in 2009.

“There was a nationwide shortage on flu tests this year, so when I had the flu, they had to diagnose me based on symptoms. I was given the medicine for it, but there was no guarantee they were even treating me for the right thing.

The experience was awful; I missed a week of school and felt terrible the whole time,” said junior Saif Murshedi.

As of January 2018, the Food and Drug Administration banned the two most common brands of flu tests, leaving many without proper confirmation of their illness. With these two suppliers having been left out of the equation, physicians were scrambling to find ways to diagnose, forced to resort to basing their prescriptions solely on symptoms. It seems that the production of these rapid flu tests can simply not meet the demand this season.

“I was scheduled to get a flu shot for some time in December but ended up having to push the date back. In between

that time and when I was finally going to get the shot, I came down with the flu. I definitely wish I had gotten the shot when I was originally supposed to. It would’ve saved me a lot of trouble,” said junior Tessa Paul.

Students at Johns Creek High School have also been affected by this year’s flu epidemic. The illness has taken people out of school for weeks at a time, causing many to fall behind in classwork and assessments. While there is not much to do regarding prevention aside from eating well and washing hands, the most JCHS can do is hope that this year’s destructive flu will come to an end sooner rather than later.

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SPORTS

march madness

NATHAN GAUTHREAUX, sports editor

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very year 64 teams compete in a three-week long tournament to decide the collegiate national champion for basketball. This event creates immense hype and fanfare around college basketball.

Millions of people fill out brackets, attempting to correctly guess the winner of each game and potentially win some money.

For teams, making the tournament is a great accomplishment and sparks the excitement for even the teams with the lowest chances to win. The month of March is full incredible shots, surprising upsets, and a true sense of madness.

The tournament begins with four play-in games to decide the final four teams of the tournament, then the first round consists of 32 games crammed into just a couple of days. The first two rounds are often the most exciting and produce the least expected upsets. Every year low seeded teams--seeds 12, 13, 14 or even 15-pull off upsets of one of the top ranked teams in the country. These teams, if they are able to sustain their success in the second and even third round of games, become known as “Cinderella teams.” The term “Cinderella” refers to teams who achieve success substantially greater than that expected from the world.

In addition to “Cinderella teams,” college basketball is home to several “blue blood” teams. “Blue blood” teams are programs that have shown a sense of dominance and continued success. These teams include Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan State and a few others that have established a winning tradition.

This year’s tournament has no definite front-runner to win the tournament with most top-ten teams with several losses a piece.

This year’s field of teams is loaded with talent and potential Cinderella teams.

All sports fans should look forward to an exciting month of madness.

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or

distorted reality: the world of e-sports JOHN POSA, staff writer

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ith the substantial progression of electronics being integrated into our everyday lives, it was only a matter of time before technology had influenced the way people spend their leisure time. eSports, also known as electronic sports, is just one of these instances where technology has created its own subfield of activity, and in this case, it is sports. However, controversy looms over this new movement and whether or not it should be considered a “true sport.” Many players have argued in favor of naming it a sport because of the the cautious planning, accurate timing and execution of moves needed to be a superior individual in the competitions.

The history of gaming goes far back. The first signs of competitive gaming originated in 1972 at Stanford University, where students conducted tournaments for the popular game Spacewar and the winner was given a year’s subscription for “Rolling Stone.”

This miniscule representation of what the sport would evolve into was just the beginning. Soon after, many gaming enthusiasts made multiple strides to promote the new form of competition, including setting up a record-keeping organization called Twin Galaxies for popular games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong and also the induction of high scores in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The sporting world has always been based around physical characteristics and skills of its competitors, but this new wave of video gaming is attempting to change that perspecative. eSports is a trending platform for skilled gamers to show off their talents. While skeptics discredit the work put in to be a professional gamer, participants in eSports mention how the concepts of practice, competition and other aspects of more physically demanding sports are all involved in the latest addition into the world of athletics.

“Video games require great reflexes and dedication to be a top contender. Their overall commitment allows them to improve like any other sport,” said senior Cam Koenamen Even though the verdict on whether electronic gaming is a sport or not is inconclusive, the massive amounts of money funneled into the tournaments is not debatable. Prize money for some of

these leagues can amount to millions of dollars. The best players can accumulate over 20 million dollars for one competition. With such high stakes for huge winnings, most of these big tournaments draw the attention of gamers around the world, and some events are so big that conventions are held to host the games played.

The most common games played at these tournaments include “League of Legends” and “Overwatch,” which are both teambased first person shooters games. The objective of these games is to use varied weapons in order to take out the opposing team.

From observing the numbers of participants over the years, the increasing exposure of electronic gaming into the public will only continue to grow. Video games over the last 10 years especially have become a major part of society as a whole when it comes to how people spend their free time. These games keep refining their realistic and entertaining qualities in order to increase the number of gaming enthusiasts across the world.

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DANI BLANK, staff writer

military workouts

SPORTS

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DAVID KIM

T

he average person cannot do one full pull up. Soldiers in the military however, must complete 20 to score full points on their physical fitness test. These individuals, while known for their bravery and courage, could not do what they do without being as strong and athletic as the statistics prove they are.

Each of the services take an annual or semi-annual physical fitness test (PFT) in which they are assessed on cardio and strength. They each do some variation of running, an upper body test and crunches. The scoring is based on age and gender and has specific details and requirements based on the service.

The Marines have a second test called the combat fitness test.

It’s completed in full uniform, and consists of a mile and a half run, followed by various intense obstacles and tests simulating movement under fire. From lifting 30 lb canisters seven feet in the air to doing zig-zag crawls across the course, these high exertion activities require an immense amount of strength and agility and are extremely representative of how one would be able to perform in an actual combat situation, therefore the army is considering adding a similar test to their repertoire.

“The combat test [is] a better indicator of actual mission success” said Brigadier General Pat Houston, in regards to possible reasoning for the army to add a combat test.

Physical fitness is an enormous part of being a soldier as it makes it possible for them to accomplish the military’s mission -- “to fight and win the Nation’s wars.” By achieving and maintaining outstanding

physical shape, these men and women are far better suited to protect our country and fulfill their duties as soldiers. “[Being] fit helps by keeping people healthy, focused on health, and helps them be more resilient” said Houston.

However, striving to accomplish this mission daily becomes less of a chore for these dedicated people; they learn to accept the ways of the military and love becoming stronger and more capable of what seemed impossible.

“Later, most people love training, it makes carrying gear easier, moving with it easier, and people begin to enjoy it or at least see that it helps them to do their job easier,” explained Sergeant Major Scott Hamm.

Since being physically fit is so important in the military, if someone is interested in joining the military, he or she should mainly focus on training basic strength exercises that are on the physical fitness test. However to become an officer, there is a completely separate path one must follow. A soldier-to-be can either join the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) -- a program that allows college students to train to be a military officer while in school; the military pays for their education and in return the student is required to serve for a certain amount of time -- or Officer Candidate School (OCS) which is usually attended post college.

“It consists of physical and leadership evaluation,” said Hamm, “It’s mostly to weed out folks.”

The great trouble that soldiers go through to not only achieve a high rank but to achieve the level of physical fitness that they do proves how loyal and dedicated they are to their nation. The intense amount of training and testing they go through is only to prepare them to serve the American people and without staying physically -- and mentally -- strong, these soldiers wouldn’t be able to accomplish the mission that the military set out for them.

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COVER

military issue BRIAN SUI, copy editor and MATT PRESS, staff writer

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n 1783, the United States military emerged victorious from the Revolutionary War, and thus, a new country was born. Time and again, the U.S. military has gone into battle with the intentions of protecting the principles of the United States Constitution.

From the evasion of King George III’s tyranny to the takedown of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, the United States military has continuously protected the basic rights that American citizens are granted.

There have always been two symbols representative of the United States: the flag and the national anthem. The “Star Spangled Banner” is steeped in military history. Poet Francis Scott Key was inspired by the United State’s epic battle in Baltimore, Maryland, where American forces defeated the British in The War of 1812.

He then wrote the famous anthem that captures the essence behind the battle that turned the tables of the war. From sporting events to graduations, the scene of the notorious battle where 14 | DAVID KIM

the flag was flown over Fort McHenry is repeatedly reminisced.

In addition to the symbolic weight of the anthem, the nation’s flag also serves as a common motif for American patriotism.

During the South’s controversial secession, the North wanted to reunite the states as one union. When the North defeated the South in the Civil War, the two regions were brought back together, and the stars in the flag became a symbol of the reunification that ultimately led to the success of the United States.

While these symbols have always been sacred, players of the National Football League (NFL) have sparked some controversy in wake of the recent protests during the national anthem.

The issue has been heavily debated, and there are essentially two sides of the story: the player’s perspective where they are protesting police brutality and other forms of racial discrimination, and many outsiders’ perspective where they are protesting

the flag and the military. Despite the differ- or just isn’t permitted by an oppressive govent perceptions of the issue, there is a clear ernment. I’ve seen that in other countries, too, sign of disrespect in the eyes of veterans where people who want to express their oppoof the United States military. Johns Creek sition are imprisoned, you know several counHigh School contains a handful of veterans tries in the world are like that. I happened to who have voiced their opinions on the topic. be in one where it was sad to see,” said Olsen.

“The national anthem and our national Ensign Most civilians of the country have never been (the flag) should never be used as a form of pro- on the battlefield or been involved in any techtest. It shows disrespect towards the men and nological aspect of the military. These veterans women who lie interred at our many cemeteries have endured certain events that most could around the globe, who gave the ultimate sacri- never imagine. Veterans around Johns Creek fice for their fellow countrymen. There is in my have shared their fondest memories and expeopinion no excuse to disrespect the flag. I am a riences they remember most from the military. huge believer in freedom of speech, but I per“One other thing was when I was working at sonally think that Fitzsimons Army disrespecting the Hospital in Auroflag, the one thing ra, Colorado, and that should tie us this was when the all together, is a AIDS epidemic “Anywhere you see the American flag bit reprehensible,” was really at its that’s a representative of who we are as said AP computheight, and everyer science teacher one was afraid to a people and all of our history and all and former Navy work with the kids of the great things that have come in pilot Commander who had AIDS this country. I think it represents the Raymond Schenk. and who had gothighest ideals whether we achieve them Since the protests ten it from blood or not…” occur during the transfusions, and national anthem, I started working there exists a defiwith them and I nite consensus think that was the among the veterhardest thing beans. In the case of cause everyday I Spanish teacher Spencer Olsen, these protests would leave the hospital crying because a lot of are allowed, however extremely disrespectful. time their families couldn’t be with them, they “I’m all in favor of peaceful forms of protest; in had to be there by themselves, and this is like little fact, that’s one of those things I was committed little kids, and it was really sad. And at that time to as someone in the military. Peaceful protest it was pretty much a death sentence, because is a right of every person in the United States, they didn’t have all the stuff they have now,” irrespective of how it’s received by the people, said World History and American Literature irrespective of how it’s received by me. Flag teacher and army veteran Dr. Beatrice Wallace. burning, for example, breaks my heart, but I’m Whether it be Democrat or Republican, pro gun glad people can do that in this country. That’s control or not, there will always be two sides of the way they want to convey their displeasure, an issue. Clearly, in the case of the NFL protests, disgust with the way things are going. It is at there were multiple sides that went unnoticed. least peaceful and no one’s hurt in that way. In In terms of the United States flag, what does many other countries, protest becomes violent it actually symbolize? To veterans, it hangs in

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COVER

classrooms, memorials and public spaces as a national treasure, carrying in its seams the history of American carnage and sacrifice- an emotional weight that transcends the perceptions of the common layman.

“Anywhere you see the American flag that’s a representative of who we are as a people and all of our history and all of the great things that have come in this country. I think it represents the highest ideals whether we achieve them or not. And we don’t always achieve them, I mean that’s a fact. You know we teach history; you can look back and reteach about the things that we’ve done wrong. We’ve done

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plenty of things wrong, but it represents the highest ideals of what we should attain,” said AP Psychology teacher and former marine Captain Dan. The flag and the national anthem mark the intersection of the United States military and the country as a whole. Members of the military, current and former, have always fought to preserve the freedom of speech, as well as the freedom to be able to peacefully protest. Despite the disagreements in the manner of the recent protests, the flag and the “Star Spangled Banner” will continue to uphold the ideals that the US military has fought to maintain.

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The U.S. military’s greatest strength does not lie in its advanced arsenal nor in its astute combative strategies but rather in its diversity that fosters brotherhood and sisterhood that cut across all barriers.

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n Wednesdays after school, Johns Creek High School’s JROTC student cadets clad in camouflage uniforms and coyote brown boots march rhythmically in a tidy line - each of their steps are like sharp staccato notes culminating into a symphony of precise, thumping beats that echoes through the hushed halls.

Their mechanical movements follow strict choreography and express a keen sense of command as they move together as a synchronized unit. From a distance, the students look similar to one another meshing into sepia green patchy silhouettes against the backdrop of the pale walls, but up close, they are anything but the same.

Their faces carry in them their distinct heritages, personal struggles and cultural roots that not only characterize the heterogeneity of the American identity but also reflect the many changing faces of the U.S. military today.

Very much like the U.S. military, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), over the years, has also undergone massive social and structural transformation. It first came to fruition under the National Defense Act of 1916, which assembled the first programs around the nation at various secondary and higher educational institutions, lended hefty loans to schools for purchasing military equipment and assigned active duty army instructors to lead these programs.

At the time of the program’s inception, the United States was on the brink of entering World War I, so the primary purpose of JROTC was twofold: to equip the nation’s young men with the skills needed to serve in the U.S. Army and to commission potential officers for service. It was not until the passage of the ROTC Vitalization Act in 1964 that JROTC programs expanded into other branches of the military, namely the Marines, Navy and Air Force, and enabled military veterans to replace active duty instructors.

By 1972, JROTC permitted females to join as cadets, and 18 years later, given the changing context of social affairs, the programs modified their curriculum by shifting the focus on combat tactics and weapons training to one centered on the tenets of exceptional citizenship, such as discipline, civic responsibility and character. At Johns Creek High School, the JROTC program is no different as students collectively rehearse their colorguard and rifle drills, learn new formation walks or commands and exercise their leadership skills by advancing through the ranks granting

them the opportunity to lead meetings. JROTC serves as a precursory portal for these students to simultaneously step foot into the military realm and critically examine themselves and their futures from a unique vantage point.

For senior and JROTC leader Susan Hong, JROTC was an unlikely organization she saw herself becoming involved with, but a few years after joining, she started to break out of her shy and sensitive cocoon and began the process of metamorphosing into someone completely new.

“When I first came to Georgia, my mom heard about about the ROTC program, and she was like, ‘Susan, you should apply for this.’ And I said, ‘No, heck no. I’m too weak, and I’m dumb. I can’t function in the military.’ But then freshman year I started, and unfortunately, I dropped out because I couldn’t stand it. Then sophomore year started, and I was going to give it another shot. After a few months later, I was like, ‘Wow, I did not see myself fitting into this place.’

What was surprising though was I never saw myself as a leader; I was more of a follower… But my mom said, ‘You are a leader. You just don’t see it in yourself; others around you think it, too.’ In my eyes, the program represents a way that can break down barriers that you’ve been holding to yourself and become a leader yourself because people think that leadership is something you were born with. No, you can learn from it and have leadership in you. All of that brought me into JROTC, and it can help me in college and get me ready for what’s up ahead in adulthood,” said Hong.

Evidently, there is no single profile that defines the archetype of a military soldier, especially with the increasing strands of diversity woven in the overarching fabric of the modern-day U.S. military. Despite the media’s fallacious portrayal of soldiers as warmongering, brusque and bulky men, the military holds a multifarious abundance of strong hidden figures, such as Dreamers, racial minorities, women, homosexuals and transgender people.

Racially, the U.S. military stands as one of the most diverse forces in the world. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2015, ethnic minority groups (Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and others) composed 40 percent of the Defense Department active-duty military, which was a 15 percent increase from 1990. Though the numbers indicate growth, the gradual rise in representation and parity in the military has not been a steady linear path. Throughout American

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COVER

Evidently, there is no single profile that defines the archetype of a military soldier, especially with the increasing strands of diversity woven in the overarching fabric of the modern-day U.S. military.

Despite the media’s fallacious portrayal of soldiers as warmongering, brusque and bulky men, the military holds a multifarious abundance of strong hidden figures, such as Dreamers, racial minorities, women, homosexuals and transgender people.

Racially, the U.S. military stands as one of the most diverse forces in the world. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2015, ethnic minority groups (Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and others) composed 40 percent of the Defense Department active-duty military, which was a 15 percent increase from 1990. Though the numbers indicate growth, the gradual rise in representation and parity in the military has not been a steady linear path. Throughout American history, the U.S. military was severely segregated as black Americans and other minorities served in the troops without any recognition for decades and did not receive proper treatment until President Truman’s Executive Order 9981 in 1948 that established equality in the U.S. military regardless of race.

More recently, about 900 Dreamers in the U.S. military are still drifting in limbo as the Supreme Court refused to rule on President Trump’s appeal of the Obama-era legislation Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), nullifying the original March 5 deadline Dreamers had to renew their legal protection status and extending their status for six more months, but all of this intensifies the degree of uncertainty for these young immigrants.

“I would consider Dreamers as a part of the American identity and so long as their reason for serving is a desire to serve, and an appreciation for this country, I personally think they should be able to serve. I don’t think that service for the sake of avoiding deportation will strengthen the military though. I believe as long as people genuinely want to serve, and are able to do so, they should be allowed to strengthen our country,” said senior and JROTC student commander Maya Wade.

While the U.S. military continues to expand racially, the number of women in the military is

“

18 | DAVID KIM

simultaneously reaching unprecedented figures.

Statistically, in 2015, Pew Research Center calculated a total of 201,413 women serving in active duty, making up 15.5 percent of the active-duty U.S. military personnel, a jump from 11 percent in 1990. Historically, though, women were instrumental fixtures to the military ever since the Revolutionary War, serving as nurses, technicians and officers but were not allowed to serve freely in combat until 2013, when all combat roles became available to them. Nonetheless, the protracted fight against this transplanted inequality not only rewrites the narrative for women in the military but also contributes to the grander discussion of universal gender equality across all fields.

“Women in the military face many of the same challenges that women in other masculine dominated areas face. We face a lack of women in positions of leadership, difficulty in promotions and advancement, judgment and accusations of not being devoted to the family and an overall lack of support. In general though, the military seems to be evolving to accommodate and support women and while they still must work hard to prove themselves, at least most people have stopped the criticism. Women have a long way to go for equal rights in our country, in the world and in the military, but it is getting better with every woman who keeps pushing,” said Wade.

However, one of the most drastic transformations that has reconfigured the U.S. military is the integration of openly gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender individuals. For years on end, homosexuals in the military perpetually feared the possibility of discharge, especially when the Department of Defense explicitly declared “homosexuality was incompatible with military service” in 1982.

The stringency around the issue loosened up slightly when the Clinton administration passed “Don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) in 1994, which allowed closeted homosexual and bisexual members to serve but banned open individuals, but in 2011, the Obama administration effectively resolved the inextricable tension and conflict by repealing DADT. Likewise, transgender members confronted their own share of obstacles, particularly President

Despite the media’s fallacious portrayal of soldiers as warmongering, brusque and bulky men, the military holds a multifarious abundance of strong hidden figures, such as Dreamers, racial minorities, women, homosexuals and transgenders.

”

Trump’s attempt to ban trans military personnel earlier in 2017, but they have witnessed their own personal victories as many federal courts have definitively ruled against him on consecutive cases. On many accounts, the success of the LGBTQ community in the military arena projects a larger message of humanization and gradual acceptance.

“I served with guys who I knew were gay. They never said it, and it was kind of obvious. Nobody made a big deal out of it. Nobody said anything about it, and it was sort of one of those things we lost with the rise and proliferation of social media… This whole homophobic idea is based on the idea that gay people are going to be doing something to either attract or attack heterosexual men, for example.

That’s nothing from the truth, but there’s this fear, which is homophobia, fear that somehow they’ll do something terrible and weird- that somebody is going to go out and

sort of be converted to being gay… I’ve had gay friends my whole life, and not one of them tried to convert me. It’s irrational fear. It’s always the fear of the unknown. You get to know people, and all the fear and anger go away,” said Spanish teacher and former Marine Dr. Jack Bucsko.

Lately, amid the rift of ubiquitous polarization and the unbridled cacophony of grating discord, the U.S. military will continue to stand as an indomitable pillar of the American spirit, reminding its people of the ideals this country was built on.

The U.S. military’s greatest strength does not lie in its advanced arsenal nor in its astute combative strategies but rather in its diversity that fosters brotherhood and sisterhood that cut across all barriers. In a period of time when peace is scarce and turbulence is recurrent, the nation looks to the military for unity, tolerance and protection.

THE CHARIOT | 19

FEATURES

s t re amin g s i g ht s MOVIE THEATERS

vs

SOPHIE BRANDEIS, features editor

T

here is no question that online television and movie streaming industries are sweeping the nation. In this day in age, people would rather “Netflix and Chill” than go out to the movies. The ease of having hundreds of movies and television programs at the touch of a finger provides movie theaters with a type of competition just cannot be matched. The popularity surge and technological, savvy nature of companies like Netflix and Hulu are leaving movie theaters struggling to keep their popcorn popping and slushie machines churning.

“Netflix is just easy for me. There is something so nice about being able to open my laptop and binge watch TV shows in the comfort of my own home. It also costs like $12 a movie if I were to go to the theaters, while it costs less than that per month for my own Netflix account subscription,” said senior Aaron Rosenberg.

With its humble beginnings in 1997, Netflix has grown to be the world’s sixth-largest internet company by revenue. In recent years, Netflix has completely dominated the entertainment industry by gaining more subscribers daily.

According to the The Statistics Portal, Netflix surpassed the 100 million mark for subscribers early in 2017. The whole idea of Netflix is that a person pays a monthly charge so that they can log onto the website and be able to stream any show or movie in the Netflix library. Other companies, such as Hulu, Amazon Video, HBO GO and Fandor, have hopped on the trend and created sites with the same basic concept as Netflix.

Together, all of these streaming sites have become the norm in many households worldwide.

“Netflix, for me personally, is just so much more convenient. I hate having to worry about tickets or being late to the theater. But on the other side,

20 | DAVID KIM

there is something nice about going out to see a new movie with friends. It is more of an experience. But I can definitely see how Netflix is taking over the industry,” said senior Daniel Abramow.

While online streaming sites do not offer their subscribers access to new movies, as well as popcorn and slushies, they do bring ease and a significantly cheaper price to the table. According to the “LA Times,” last summer the average movie ticket sales were down 16 percent. In addition to the cost aspect, Netflix and other companies that are similar often produce their own original movies and TV shows, such as “House of Cards,” “Narcos,” “Stranger Things,” “XOXO,” “Fuller House,” “13 Reasons Why” and so many others.

Although many people believe there is something special about going out to the movie theaters with friends and family, companies like AMC and Regal, are struggling financially because of online streaming sites.

Whether it’s because of ease, price or access to original programs, companies like Netflix and Hulu are taking over the entertainment industry.

amazon monopoly SAM BEAGLE, staff writer

F

or many Johns Creek families, the company Amazon is a household staple. The services Amazon provides are seemingly limitless; from Amazon Prime to music to video, Amazon expands far beyond just delivery service... but how did it get here? Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1995 as “Earth’s biggest bookstore” (as claimed by its original logo). Amazon has undergone massive growth in almost every industry, and surprisingly, Business Insider claims that Bezos’ primary goal was to expand into as many markets as possible.

Since its start, Amazon has consistently absorbed its competitor companies and established itself as a fierce competitor in the economic world. It started with absorbing small online bookstores and even IMDb in 1998. It moved into the pharmaceutical and pet retail industries in 1999 with its partial acquisitions of drugstore.com and pets.com. Amazon then moved onto clothing and apparel retail in the 2000s, buying Zappos and Shopbop. According to USAToday, The most famous purchase made by Amazon is WholeFoods, a grocer whose annual sales are amongst the top in the world.

Additionally, Amazon has bought out some of the gaming industry, including Twitch, a game streaming site similar to youtube.

Zacks.com claims that Amazon Prime reaches into nearly half of all American households Prime’s success derives from its low membership cost and its efficient service like two day shipping and discounted prices. Much of the Prime owning community uses other Amazon subsidiaries. Amazon Fresh is a grocery delivery service that is revolutionizing grocery shopping. Amazon Prime Video and Fire TV are services that coincide with one another. They are similar to Netflix and Hulu, and they provide specials unique to their service. Amazon Music has also attempted to take a prominent role in the music industry, and it is currently competing with top music providers like Spotify and Soundcloud. Lastly, Amazon has created multiple physical products for its consumers. The Kindle has proven to be the Nook industry’s top competitor, and it only continued to grow with newer and more technologically advanced models. Amazon’s Alexa is one of the most hot items of the year, and it continues to bring in revenue. Its ease of accessibility and similarity to the smartphone versions like Siri and Kortana make it a favorite among families.

Just recently, Amazon opened its first store in Seattle. The principal aspect of the store is that no check out lines are needed. Consumers do not even need to pay in the store. Once having entered the store, buyers scan their Amazon’s account QR code, and after having signed in, the app tracks what food items and how many of those items the buyer has taken off the shelf (and, therefore, purchased). The concept was first introduced in 2016, and is foreshadowing an exciting future for the company.

Leading off their store’s success, Amazon is coming to a decision on where to base its

new headquarters; they have released a shortlist of twenty final candidates. Atlanta is on that list along with many more cities on the east coast, and Amazon has a certain set of factors that they want in a new city. They plan on employing upwards of 50,000 people, and they want an innovative city so that their employees fit the overall mindset of the company. They also want a city with great public transportation, a criteria which experts believe might take Atlanta out of contention. Which-

eve r city t h e y pick, it seems that Amazon will carry on their past successes into the future.

THE CHARIOT | 21

FEATURES

Chicken

& Waffles

Bantam and Biddy Midtown and the Avalon

$$$$

South City Kitchen Midtown and the Avalon

$$$$

Nana G’s Midtown

$$$$

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DAVID KIM

JAMIE MILLER, managing editor

O

ver the course of this issue’s production schedule, “The Chariot” staff has had – as per usual – a keen eye for fine dining. Naturally, we took a select group of “The Chariot’s” self proclaimed food connoisseurs to the heart of Atlanta to try one of the south’s most prized delicacies – chicken and waffles. Taking into consideration the prices, reputations and location, Rachael Jones, Rohan Lalla, Niki Dani, David Kim and I carefully chose a well-rounded group of restaurants: Nana G’s, Bantam and Biddy and South City Kitchen.

Bant am and Biddy Our first stop of the day was Bantam and Biddy. Known for its brunch menu, Bantam and Biddy is priced at mid range and offers a plethora of food options. Of course, we only had eyes for one menu item – the cheddar waffle topped with three pieces of crispy fried chicken. We were skeptical about the combination of cheese and waffle, but we ordered two plates nonetheless. The combination of cheddary goodness and the dense fluff of the waffle was unexpectedly savory. Although it did not have the best overall price to taste ratio, due to mediocre chicken quality, it was delicious and I would not hesitate to order it again.

Sout h City Kit chen Our second stop was South City Kitchen – a high-end, southern-style restaurant. We arrived, hoping that the taste was competitive to our previous stop.

At first taken aback by the costly price, our small group of high schoolers pitched in all of the dollar coins we could find in order to get chicken and waffles as well as a plate of gourmet salmon toast. At first glance, the presentation was impeccable. The waffles were perfectly golden and the high quality chicken was tender and crispy. The dish proved to be the best combination of savory and sweet of all three restaurants. At about $20 a plate, it is not the most cost friendly for high school students. However, the taste makes South City Kitchen’s chicken and waffles worth the splurge.

Nana G’s The last stop of the day was Nana G’s. Despite what some may judge from its appearance, this hole-in-the-wall is one of a kind for more than just its unique taste. The chicken and waffle recipe behind the award-winning restaurant was created by 102-year old Nana G, who has been serving the dish for over 75 years. I can confidently say that after ordering the “Papa G’s” – Maplewood smoked bacon-infused Belgian waffle with two lightly seasoned chicken strips, topped with warm maple syrup & sprinkled with powdered sugar - Nana’s recipe uniquely combines an underlying spice taste with its sweet waffle batter. At roughly $7 a plate, this is without a doubt the best chicken and waffles option for high schoolers who are looking for a budget-friendly joint to satisfy their sweet tooth.

THE CHARIOT | 23

FEATURES

entertainment &

Rap Game Saviors

Trending

With so much conflict surrounding rap and its lyrical content, "The Chariot" staff created a playlist of songs that specializes and emphasizes the power of words and sending messages through music.

01. MEMORIES ON 47th STREET | VIC MENSA 02.

NOT A MINUTE MORE | COZZ 03.

CAGED BIRD | JCOLE 04. HOW MUCH A DOLLAR COST | KENDRICK LAMAR 05.

STORY: NO TITLE | DENZEL CURRY 06.

ULTRASOUND | JOYNER LUCAS 07.

DIVINE | KYLE BENT 08.

MY GOD | PUSHA T 09.

STORY OF OJ | JAY-Z 10.

POTHOLE | TYLER THE CREATOR 11.

HOMECOMING | KANYE WEST 12. SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE | KID CUDI 13.

1942 FLOWS | MEEK MILL 14. HALFWAY OFF THE BALCONY | BIG SEAN 15.

PYRAMIDS | FRANK OCEAN 16.

MOCKINGBIRD | EMINEM

BROOKE HALAK, staff writer

C

harlie Brooker’s “Black Mirror” is a dark and satirical television series that encompasses a pessimistic outlook on the future of technology. Brooker takes a dismal approach to futuristic technologies and human interactions with it, effectively capturing our anxieties and concerns for the future. All four seasons of this sci-fi horror show are available on Netflix where they have attracted a variety of viewers and increased their popularity worldwide. Each episode comprises of a distinctive dystopian scenario in which human cruelty and selfishness are used to exploit the destructive capabilities of cyber technology. Alongside the praise “Black Mirror” has received from its fans and critics, highly acclaimed author Stephen King describes it as, “terrifying, intelligent and funny.” With its growing fan base and global recognition, it is certain “Black Mirror” will continue to challenge the way people view technological advances.

Star on the Rise HANNAH ROSE FRAZER, staff writer

F

amous Hip Hop and Trap music artist Lil Skies, age 19, performed at Center Stage Theater on March 30. He performed songs from his recent album, “Life of a Dark Rose” which peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, igniting his first success in his early career.

This album consists of his popular songs, “Red Roses” and “Nowadays,” both featuring Landon Cube who is another music producer on the rise. Within two months of launching his music video for the song “Red Roses,” it received more than 11 million views. According to Johns Creek freshman, Knox Odendahl, “Lil Skies is very versatile musician with a really good voice who is capable of using many different styles of music. He has a lot of potential because he is young.” As Lil Skies remains unknown to many, his catchy and youthful music will continue to attract more attention.

24 |

PHOTO COURTESY OF UPROXX

“

Lil skies began his career on Soundcloud and gained popularity through the release of his song "Red Roses." His career prospered after his "Nowadays" album dropped. He will continue to thrive off of his growing fan base and catchy music.

MUSIC Shots Fired in Film War is a recurring theme in Hollywood with almost every best seller featuring themes of violence. These movies attempt to replicate the stories and lives of men and women who serve..

BROOKE HALAK, staff writer HANNAH ROSE FRAZER, staff writer

1. Saving Private Ryan

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKI

“Saving Private Ryan” is a drama and action movie about a family consisting of four boys. Three of them passed away in the war while the fourth one is struggling to survive on the enemy’s territory. Captain John Miller recruits men to help him find Ryan. They are on the mission to being the mother of the four boys joy, since three of the brothers died, and she wants her only son left to come home. During the hunt for Private James Ryan, each man uncovers his own fortitude while going on this dangerous journey. The men are brave and bold to take a deadly risk to help Private Ryan. “Saving Private Ryan” came out in 1998 and is rated R.

2. Apocalypse Now “Apocalypse Now” is a drama and action movie about a man named Captain Willard who takes a dangerous hallucinatory adventure to seek out and kill Colonel Kurtz. Colonel Kurtz is an officer that has gone out of control, so Captain Willard has set sail on a Navy patrol boat with unusual companions to complete this risky task. “Apocalypse Now” came out in 1979 and is rated R

PHOTO COURTESY OF SBS.COM

3. Platoon “Platoon” is a drama and action movie. It is about a man named Chris Taylor who drops out of his university classes to enroll in combat duty in Vietnam around the time of 1967. As soon as he’s in the battlefield, his act of pursuing the war disappears. His unit has a major conflict between two sergeants and argument causes soldiers to not only fight each other, but also the enemy. “Platoon” is rated R and was resolved in 1986.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEN OF GEEK

THE CHARIOT | 25

face of f

OPINION

Should the United States require mandatory military service?

26 |

DAVID KIM

yes LAUREN GREENFIELD, staff writer

O

ver the past 20 years, the United States has undergone a series of traumatic and stressful events, driving a wedge within our country. This chasm has grown wider, and America no longer seems to be unified as “One Nation, Under God.” One logical and beneficial solution to the nation’s lack of unity would be to implement mandatory national service.

The suggestion of making national service a requirement for a country’s citizens has circulated worldwide. Over 15 countries including, Israel, Russia, Norway and Sweden, have policies that require mandatory military service. These requirements have proved to be advantageous for many countries, creating positive results all around.

Mandatory military service does not necessarily mean deployment on the front lines; it accounts for civilian

no

–unarmed or non-combat – service.

About 80 percent of the jobs in the military account for non-combat occupations. These services can include work in disaster relief, healthcare facilities and even retirement homes.

Military service policies unite the nations who chose to implement them and encourage nationalism as a whole.

Requiring military service would guarantee experience in the workplace which can help boost the country’s economic success. It is recognized that Israel’s national service requirement even supports innovation and job creation; Israel’s labor force participation rates have grown to reach heights as far as 64.7 percent. Through military service, citizens have developed problem solving skills and the ability to interact with a wide range of people.

Implementing mandatory service will

reinstate basic American values; people from all walks of life will be able to connect and bond over the common goal of bettering the country. Not only will it benefit economic success, but it will also restore confidence within our government because citizens will have a better understanding of how national problems are approached and solved.

Overall, national service will stitch together the wounds that have caused our country to suffer. By participating in efforts that are required to run and sustain a nation, citizens will have more of an appreciation for governmental programs and will be inclined to become involved with them. Implementing mandatory national service in the United States will increase national unity and the desire for citizens to work together to alleviate current national stressors.

matic stress disorder and physical injuries many veterans experience can force them into unproductive jobs and lives. Due to the ineffectiveness of the Veterans Affairs, veterans suffer mental illnesses and disabilities often linked to addictions and unemployment. The number of homeless veterans is at approximately 40,000 and the number of drug-addicted veterans is at nearly 20 percent of veterans. These factors make finding a place in the world a hard job for so many.

The rise in soldiers would also increase the military spending of the United States. In 2019 alone, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is expected to spend nearly $890 billion, exceeding the DoD’s base budget by $300 billion. Due to the estimated 10 million eligible draftees, the budget would increase substantially, result-

ing in a spike in defense related taxes.

It is also important to note that with a draft comes unhappy soldiers, a group that can turn out deadly. Unwillingly drafted soldiers are less likely to risk their lives to win a war. If the person in charge of saving someone’s life is forced to do it, it is likely that they will both die. Fighting in the military is dangerous enough already. Additionally, although some may argue for the military’s character building benefits, there is no way to ensure happiness and growth in such conditions. Any character development from national service is nullified in comparison to a life. For some people, serving his or her country is the best way to help, but for others the cons will simply outweigh any benefit.

Upon creating mandatory military service, America would undermine its core values, the very piece that make it great.

MAREN STEPHENS, staff writer

W

ithout the freedom of the American Dream, is it even a dream? The implementation of mandatory service for the military could rip away the American youth many look forward to. By taking away the right to choose one’s own path, the nation is stripping away a fundamental human right: the right to liberty.

Disregarding the infringement upon free will, violence is against the ideologies of many groups. Followers of Islam, pacifists and other belief systems are opposed to violence, and thus participation goes against their morals. Forcing a person to fight against others is inhumane and has no place here. As important as protecting this country is, it is no more important than upholding the right to life.

Also, despite the military’s benefits, it can ruin a person’s life. The post-trau-

THE CHARIOT | 27

OPINION

IN-SECURE

MORAYO OGUNBAYO, business editor

O

n February 14, 2018, an ex-student walked into Stoneman Douglas High School, and with an AR-15 that he had purchased, released bullets onto his classmates, killing 17. The tragedy quickly gave way to a bunch of opinions on the topic, especially on gun control.

One side of the issue that did not receive as much coverage, however, is the issue of security in schools.

As we reach the end of this news cycle, many wonder whether America’s schools should be armed.

Whenever the issue of security in schools comes up, arming teachers is the solution that is often the quickest to be brought up.

For many, this solution makes sense. School shootings are usually brought to an end when law enforcement comes onto the scene, so it seems to be the best option to have law enforcement always on the scene. This can also work as a solution in the context of prevention, as it seems viable that shooters will be wary of protected schools.

However, this solution has many flaws that outweigh the positives. The first flaw has to do with the job description of being a teacher. Teaching would have to include being armed security for your students, as well as being an educator. Anoth-

28 |

er flaw that comes with the question of this working in a practical sense. A teacher, no matter how trained, has few odds of taking down a shooter during the chaos that comes in a mass shooting. School security is only complicated by these perspectives.

Security in schools encapsulates much more than what is within the school, but also outside of it. Many start to question whether a school has enough protections to vet those coming inside. Johns Creek, for example, boasts strong security from an outside perspective. However, the protections can be easily worked around.

Lauren Garrett, a JCHS senior has been concerned about this issue, and trying to work with FCS to find ways to protect students.

Garrett put a coalition together to not only fix what she sees as broken in Johns Creek’s security, but to mend the fear students have about this particular issue.

“It’s really scary that people feel like they can’t be safe at school,” said Garrett.

Security in schools is a complex issue, and as the topic expands and gets more dense, people are learning that there is not one singular solution. As lawmakers become more passive, the solution may come down to the students and their collective power.

ALL PHOTOS: DAVID KIM

THE SCHOOL SECURITY ISSUE

fortnite

and why we hate it

RACHEL GROSSWALD, opinion editor

O

ver the years, many addictions have dominated the lives of young people. From alcohol to hard drugs like cocaine and heroin, addictions continue to destroy the futures of America’s youth. Today, a new addiction is sweeping JCHS and has already begun to dampen the bright futures of many students. This addiction is not to a drug, illegal substance or unhealthy food. Instead, this addiction is to a video game by the name of Fortnite.

It seems as though many of society’s greatest contributors have slipped off the face of the Earth. A violent, pointless video game now occupies all of their time.

Fortnite came out in late July 2017, and not many people played it for a while. Almost over night the whole school became obsessed with this game. Instead of being productive, teenagers are spending countless hours on a virtual reality that does not even matter. Fortnite players are now excellent “multi taskers” and can play the game while they are talking to loved ones, doing homework and even while playing other video games on their phones.

Besides being an enormous waste of time, Fortnite has caused the vocabulary of America’s youth to devolve to a few, imbecilic phrases and grunts. Phrases like “bruh I just got murked” a n d “ b i n k

gang” have become commonplace in conversation between Fortnite players. Some words have even taken on whole new definitions from this overrated game. A squad is no longer known as a group of friends and is instead often used to describe four people playing together in a round of Fortnite. When people talk about saving the world, they are not trying to combat global warming or finding a way to end world peace; they are instead talking about a game mode on Fortnite.

This game has even found a way to slip into everyone’s daily lives. A mobile version of Fortnite, called Rules of Survival has appeared on every Fortnite player’s phone.

School is not a place of learning anymore and is instead a place where people can sit together and play a violent video game on their phones. Good luck trying to talk to anyone that is playing Rules of Survival at school, they are incapable of looking up from their phones controlled by the fear of losing a game on their phone.

Fortnite is an addiction that has run rampant among America’s youth. It has taken over players lives and is slowly lowering their intelligence to that of cavemen. Fortnite gives players control over a character in the game, but what they don’t realize is that the game is controlling t h e m .

THE CHARIOT | 29

OPINION

MILITARY GLORIFICATION: PLAYING WAR ROHAN LALLA, staff writer

T

he modern age of media is dominated by vi- are told in the opening sequence that they are not olence. Action movies featuring brash, styl- supposed to survive. Between the bullets, exploized fight scenes unbounded to reality run sions and helmet-clad, bloody and taciturn men, it across screens, belting the consumer into a glori- all feels very real. However, this not war, rather a fied depiction of barbarity; video games portray a convincing replica in which everyone is a hero and cyclic version of violence, one that ignores death in no one really dies. Players run into battle, mindfavor of respawn times and infinite vitality. These lessly shoot faceless enemies and if a mercenary modes of entertainment have become ever-popular, happens to die, they wait a prompt 10 seconds unand military-centric media til they respawn and get the is one of the quickest selling chance to relive the maelstrom and more problematic subonce more. Similarly, nearly genres under this category. every year we get a new movie Movies and video games that depicts the trials, tribulathat revolve around wartions and eventual triumphs of time have been ingrained M i l i t a r i s m , c a p i t a l i s m a n d wartime legends. These fables in American culture since e n t e r n t a i n m e n t a r e a l l i n e x - are the only depictions of war the conception of these t r i c a b ly t a n g l e d , c o m b i n i n g that the average consumer remediums. They succeed t o p r o p a g a t e a g l a m o r i z e d ceives and are intrinsic to the due to their appeal to the d i s p l ay o f A m e r i c a n s t r e n g t h . new ideology of chauvinism jingoistic flame that exand flag-waving that more and ists in the hearts of conmore Americans are subscribsumers seeking a hearting to. By only being exposed warming tale of American to an overtly stylized version might. Scenes of militants of war, we ignore the chaotic surging fearlessly into battle and guns blazing and disruptive path it leaves in its wake in favor against the backdrop of an undulating Ameri- of glamorous narratives of heroic figures. Painting can flag all induce a cathartic sense of pride with- war as a series of these tales has a coma-inducing in audiences, but these glamorized depictions effect, numbing Americans into believing that this of war throw a mendacious veil over the true na- is the truth. This blindfold is meant to dispatch ture of America’s military-industrial complex. the widespread acceptance and support of AmerMilitarism, capitalism and entertainment are ica’s military- and it has succeeded. According to inextricably tangled with one another, all com- a Gallup poll, more than one in three Americans bining to propagate a glamorized and sadistic believe that we spend “too little” on defense, yet display of American strength. There is not an in- America spends more on the military than any herent issue with depicting the valorous aspects other country and spends more than the next of the American military; we owe a great deal of eight countries combined. Are the depictions of our freedom to courageous veterans. However, the military in video games and movies solely to contemporary displays of war take this idea to an blame? Of course not, but when the only picture extreme that is both unrealistic and fallacious. that Americans see of the military is one of heroIn the blockbuster game “Battlefield 1,” players ism and glamour, the outcome is easier to swallow.

“ ”

30 |

masthead

PUBLICATION

DESIGN EDITOR

STAFF WRITERS

“The Chariot” is a student-run publication printed for and distributed to the Johns Creek community. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Johns Creek High School, its students, faculty, staff or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors, in collaboration with the staff adviser and the administration. The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and the invasion of privacy.

Caroline Kwon

Sam Beagle Brooke Halak Dani Blank Hannah Frazer Jake Peljovich John Posa Matt Press Lauren Greenfield Maren Stephens Nathan Goggans Rohan Lalla

COPY EDITOR Brian Sui

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SPORTS EDITOR Nathan Gauthreaux

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For more information about advertising with “The Chariot,” please contact the staff e-mail.

Rachel Grosswald

CONTACT US 470-254-2138 jchschariotmagazine@gmail.com 5575 State Bridge Road Johns Creek, GA 30022

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Nikita Dani Rachael Jones

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BUSINESS EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHER David Kim

ADVISER Todd Hedden

Morayo Ogunbayo

A L B UM J U K E B OX TOA S T E R E R A S E TS AN LN H R OTO AG L E T MA C S NO NEA R S U SH I N T S A V E L I UONA A T GE R E S P N GA E MO B ED MO R E O V E R P I D DC R MS YE A S T GENE T I C E PA F A I L UR E D ORMS I N E D I B L E NO E L THE CHARIOT | 31

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16. Abbreviation for “The Peach State” 17. Style of rock music resembling punk 18. Piece of furniture on which a person 1. Body of music released by an artist sleeps 2. Machine that plays recorded music when a coin is 19. As a further matter; besides inserted into it 3. Electrical applicance used to heat up slices of bread 20. The ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter; 3.14159265...

4. Rub out writing or marks 21. Entertainment group home to Super5. Natural logarithm 6. Automative manufacturing company by Ford based in man and Batman 22. Prefix used for seagoing vessels that Turkey carry mail 7. The plastic tube at the end of a shoelace 8. The brand name for a line of computers from Apple 23. Single-celled fungus that ferments sugar (plural) 24. Acronym for federal agency that 9. The opposite of “yes” enforces regular to preserve the environ10. _____. Far. Wherever you are.

11. Popular Japanese dish made from seasoned rice with ment 25. Study of heredity fish, egg or vegetables 26. Lack of success 12. U.S agency created in response to 9-11 13. Small town on the Nemunas River in the Jurbarkas 27. A university building containing living quarters for students (plural) district in Lithuania 28. Not suitable for eating 14. Museum in Montpellier, France 29. Christmas, especially as a refrain in 15. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network carols; French term for Christmas

1. Capital of Georgia 2. Written abbreviation for “Junior” 3. University degree in arts or social science 4. Person who shows people to their seats, especially in a theater 5. State abbreviation for Montana 6. Spot in desert where water is found 7. Condiment made from tomatoes 8. Offpsring of a donkey and a horse 9. Stage name of New York-based rapper Abbas Hamad 10. U.S Air Force base located south of Seoul 11. South of East 12. Element with atomic number 54 13. Roaring sound of an engine 14. Encampment formed by a circle of wagons 15. Gradual destruction by natural forces 16. Superlative adverb for measuring a great distance 17. The amount of time a person has l ived 18. A small, European-style restaurant 19. Abbreviation for Doctor of Medicine 20. Foot of one long syllable and three short syllables 21. Put together two or more numbers to calculate their total value 22. Bright green precious stone 23. Vast body of salt water 24. Wheatlike cereal plants 25. Thick, clear liquid substance used on the hair or body 26. Google’s newest project, a no-contract data plan 27. Final part of something, especially a period of time 28. Part of existence measured in past, present and future 29. Abbreviation for versus 30. Baked dish of fruit, meat or vegeta bles, typically with a top and base of pastry 31. Short for user interface 32. Initials of the entrepreneur who founded The Virgin Group 33. American medical drama series set at County General Hospital 34. Abbreviation for the language of the deaf in Malaysia and Taiwain

*answers on page 31