Clawprint, September 2020

Creekview Clawprint September 2020 Issue I

Looking to the Future: Uncertainty in the New Year

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CREEKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL

Uncertainties Of An Orthodox Teen

CLAWPRINT ISSUE 01 | SEPTEMBER 2020

Editor-in-Chief Meghan Samples

Copy Editor Lexie Holder

Staff Writers Lauren Bobo Alexis Chandler Walker Grant Lexie Holder Jackson Kavanagh Meghan Samples

By Lexie Anne Holder PAGE:15

CONTENTS Student Life 4 | Fly on the Wall: A Memoir of a Student Journalist 5-7| The Uncertainties of the Teenage Self-Image Feature 8| Senior Uncertainties

“Help Spread Some Self-Love!”

Entertainment 9-10 | The Uncertainties of TV Shows and Movie Theaters

Sports Stories 11-12 | Uncertainties in Sports: Black Lives Matter Activism 13 | School Sports News 1

“When a platform cares more about monetary gain than art, integrity is lost”

CONTENTS Profiles

Uncertainties

14 | Today’s Gamers, Tomorrow’s Engineers

Of An Orthodox Teen Page 15

Issue 01 | 2020

Community News 16-17 | Essentially Overworked

“panic…can spark suddenly and spread like a wildfire”

@voiceoftheview “…it’s going to be a tough year for…fans to make the best of [an]…uncertain situation.”

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, This is the very first edition of the Clawprint! This year, we have completely remodeled the old newspaper and revamped it to complement the ever-changing nature of the teenage experience.

Each month a new, stylish publication will be released, keeping everyone up to date on the happenings of Creekview.

This small team has worked incredibly hard to put out this first publication and get things started at the Clawprint. We recreated the idea of Student Journalism and news at Creekview.

Because our issues only come out every month, we brainstormed a way to stay connected with our student body and continue to amplify their voices. So we created a social media platform to showcase individuals who don’t typically get the spotlight. We focus on highlighting the student and teenage experience during a time of Uncertainty.

Since we have such a small staff, we have had our fair share of struggles to put out this publication, from worries about content, to helping new writers to find their voice, we worked together beautifully to help everyone in the staff feel heard and respected. I am so proud of this team for putting their all into it and producing an amazing first issue.

As always, we focus on the students and their voices as the unique individuals they are not just a face in the crowd. We hope that students of all kinds, from all backgrounds, with all different dreams will find something of interest in our publication. We want to hear your stories and put them out there for others to take from and be inspired by. I hope we leave you feeling inspired.

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Student life Fly on the Wall: Memoir of a Student Journalist Written by: Lexie Holder Photography courtesy of: Lexie Holder There is a common misconception about what Student Journalists do. Because of constant stereotypes of the “high school newspaper” being a group of nerds who write about school news nobody reads about, student journalists are often faced with their dreams coming to a halt because of budget cuts due to the student body putting life behind these misconceptions. No, we don’t sit and write articles all day about matters that nobody wants to read about. We engage with the people, and we give them voices.

I could sit here all day and act like I didn’t used to think the same way. I could sit here and act like I didn’t believe those same stereotypes about the student press. But when I was younger, I was made aware of my talents of connecting with people. I was made aware of my ability to observe my surroundings at all angles. So, in a moment of adventure, I joined the newspaper.

At first, I hated it. Every second was fast, and I had absolutely no clue what I was doing in that class. But this did not affect my ability to keep up. That is when I discovered my passion. The thought of writing articles unmotivated me, but the thought of expressing my opinions and letting other people express theirs was gravitating for me. The moment when the article that I am passionate about comes together the way I envisioned it and the work I put into it gets seen gives me goosebumps now.

In my work, I can help other students make decisions, be heard, and also heavily portray my own opinion all in one article. As student journalists, we can bring issues into stark contrast with societal opinion. We can observe in a new fashion. We are the “flies on the wall.”

When conducting an interview with a student who doesn’t get noticed by the rest of the school and finding out about their ideology, we gain a certain type of access into their lives, making the present into tangible history. Some things that go on at school now could be forgotten in later years; the only thing we would have to hang on to that is a distant memory of what was. But when we create a factual representation of what events actually occurred in that moment and create it in writing, we are essentially freezing moments. It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of so many high school memories.

We are the middleman between action and influence. We are the more observant. We are student journalists.

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Feature The Uncertainties of the Teenage Self-Image Written by: Jackson Kavanagh and Meghan Samples Even in the light of living through a pandemic, people still seem to have a fixation on their weight - especially weight gain.

As millions of people around the world self-quarantine to reduce the chances of coronavirus spreading, a new, not-so-body-positive trend has surfaced on the internet.

The Quarantine-15 is a saying which targets individuals who have gained weight during their self-quarantine.

Much like other infamous weight gain trends, the Quarantine-15 is a toxic approach to a serious issue. It provides nothing but self-image issues for those affected and offers no genuine help people seeking any. Individuals who chose to self-isolate did so with the greater good of their families and community in their mind, and with the constant stress of having their routine lives taken away, poorer eating habits is a natural development; that doesn’t mean they should be ridiculed for their choices. This is just one instance in the fight for body positivity and self-love.

In the world we live in today, it is easy to see why poor self-image is an issue that will just not go away. Throughout our lives we see unrealistic body standards for men and women; whether it be on a billboard or on your smartphone, it has become unavoidable. Major beauty industries, such as Calvin Klein, are guilty of “touching-up” their advertisements before they are used; however, it typically goes beyond just “touching up.”

These photos are altered to make the model look perfect in every single way by editing out facial blemishes and photoshopping a model’s figure to fit the “standard” for beauty.

This creates a toxic environment within the beauty industry, creating a false body standard that is very hard (if not impossible) to achieve just to sell products. The infamous Justin Bieber Calvin Klein ad is a perfect example of this; even though Bieber is an objectively fit person, his muscle definition and overall body shape was altered to better fit the stereotypical standard of an attractive man. This false standard could lead to a decrease in body positivity as men could look at this and hold themselves to a standard that the model has not even naturally achieved.

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Feature The Uncertainties of the Teenage Self-Image Written by: Jackson Kavanaugh and Meghan Samples Despite the continued toxic practices in the beauty industry along with trends such as the Quarantine-15, there have been great steps forward when it comes to the body positivity movement. In January of 2018, CVS launched the ‘Beauty Unaltered’ campaign, which aims to educate consumers on the differences between authentic and digitally altered beauty ads. CVS made it a part of their policy to clearly include labeling on the advertisement disclosing if the image was digitally altered or a part of their Beauty Unaltered campaign. This step in the right direction helps cut down on self-image issues rooted in false beauty advertisements, as it not only clearly labels digitally altered images, but also pushes for natural beauty over unrealistic beauty.

On a more local side of things, students within our school have stepped up and created Instagram accounts for both boys and girls to support each other and spread self-love and body positivity. @cvhs.girlsupport and @cvhs.thebois are two Instagram accounts where students can submit anonymous statements to be posted on the account. Many statements were immediately posted spreading love for the student body, such as girls anonymously complimenting each other and boys calling out the need to stop body shaming girls. These platforms allow students to anonymously receive the support that should be passed around in our day-to-day lives. I strongly encourage anyone to visit these pages and help spread some self-love!

The altering of models and images is plastered throughout our lives, especially on social media, where we as teenagers spend much of our time. This constant reminder of the impossible standard influences everyone.

However, many have turned to style choices to help better their self-image and to combat the toxic stigma.

Style and body-positivity go hand-in-hand, causing many to use style to better their self-image. By wearing things that make a person feel comfortable in their body, they are working on improving their self-image.

While the toxic standard of “dressing to your body type” still exists, the positivity on social media is working to eradicate that standard and help everyone to feel comfortable in their bodies.

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Feature The Uncertainties of the Teenage Self-Image Written by: Jackson Kavanaugh and Meghan Samples

YouTube and Instagram influencers such as Loey Lane (@LoeyBug) and Candice Huffine (@candicehuffine) are working to prove that no body type is “too big” to be beautiful. Loey Lane has an entire YouTube category dedicated to self-love and body confidence where she candidly expresses her struggle with loving her body. Candice Huffine, a Victoria's Secret model, posts photos of herself that society doesn’t typically expect of a model.

She posts pictures of herself standing and having fun, not worrying about posing to make herself appear thinner. Every aspect of her Instagram shows self-love and body positivity.

Style is about self-expression and confidence. With the rise of social media trends, many teenagers have adopted trending styles to find what works best for them. What you wear and how you wear it can influence how much confidence you have. The adoption of different styles and trying them out has helped many to find what they are comfortable in. While some with bigger body types may be more comfortable in wearing bigger clothes to cover themselves, others enjoy wearing crop tops and small clothing. Some with smaller body types may enjoy wearing full coverage clothing like hoodies, while others prefer more revealing outfits. It’s all about confidence and comfort.

The most important part of style and self-love is understanding that the only person you need to worry about is you! Dress for yourself, and wear what makes you comfortable and happy. Be dressy or casual, be bold or mild. All of those stylistic choices vary from person to person, generation to generation. Style can be used to find more confidence, to express oneself and their personality, or to stay on trend. But what does not go in and out of trend is body type. That is not something a person can choose, and, in some cases, they may not be able to change it either. Whether it be medical reasons, or a lack of resources, many can’t change the body they are in. Which is why loving the body you have is so important. You only get one. Happiness at any size for anyone is achievable through self-confidence and self-love.

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Student life The Last Quarter: The Uncertainties of a Senior Written by: Lexie Holder As eleventh grade comes to an abrupt halt and each year goes by quicker than the last, upcoming twelfth grade students find themselves in a sense of uncertainty. The coddling of years before has slowly come to an end and the common anxiety and excitement of the outside world becomes more prevalent as the days move toward graduation. During this year, many minors officially become adults as they turn eighteen. The dramatic changes that a junior undergoes as they become a senior make these newfound responsibilities seem more daunting. This is the time of looking back at past teenage years and realizing that every decision made now has an impact on the future.

“I mean life is all about learning how to not wait for the storm to pass but to dance in the rain.

I just gotta roll with the punches,” commented Senior Class President, Brinn Dameron on her feelings of uncertainty surrounding adulthood. “I know right now I am doing small things at home to help me prepare.

I am going ahead and making my plan, but the best laid plans normally go awry. So, I’m just thinking that I’m not really nervous but very excited.”

Adulthood comes with major responsibilities, but for students like Brinn who are already preparing for the uncertainties that face them in the near future, the nervous feelings are turning into excitement. When the general population hears that the birthday of a teenager is coming up, they typically give it as much attention as any other age, but the birthday of a teenager turning eighteen is less of a celebration and more of a steppingstone in life. The feelings of “oh man, I’m officially an adult,” automatically hit when the individual see the responsibilities multiply in front of them.

The pressures of going into college or finding a place on the workforce side of society becomes a very real situation. The “outside world” has officially begun once the teenager steps off a high school campus for the last time. The people they attended school with and shared parts of their lives during their most influential years now are finding their own paths. It is the final year of “let me lean on…” which is disintegrating as the days progress toward graduation. The cushion of protection laid by high school teachers is being taken away. The uncertainty of the adult life is becoming more apparent.

“In my next chapter of life, I’m kind of uncertain about me and my—personality. Like how I am gonna grow and how I am gonna get judged because I know you get judged in the real world and that is part of life. The uncertainty of whether people are gonna like me is scary,” said Senior Delia Guy. The ever-constant judgements that come with being an adult are an obvious concern. The reality of growing up is facing the judgments to personality. It is an exciting venture into the unknowns of becoming an adult that most seniors are the most excited and nervous about.

“The first thing that hits you and you’re like ‘Oh I’m a senior’ is you can talk about it all summer long and can hear your parents say ‘oh my goodness you’re gonna be a senior! Are you excited?’… but it really didn’t hit me until I actually got into school and realized I am actually the oldest person here.

This is actually the real deal. This is actually a thing that is happening to me. It’s not people saying ‘Oh, you’re gonna grow up one day.’ It’s like no, it’s time to start pulling up your boots. It’s time to get with it.” Dameron, when asked about the moment stepping into the hallway her senior year.

As Brinn Dameron explains realizing the gravity of being a senior, some would describe the 8 uncertainty of being a senior, looking toward adulthood, an adventure all in itself.

Entertainment Netflix: Losing Touch or Losing Grip?

Written by: Walker Grant

COVID-19 caused many problems in the entertainment industry. Many big TV and movie studios had to stop production on every project being filmed as of March. Even juggernauts such as Disney and Universal pulled movies in reaction to the worldwide pandemic. The world was forced into a standstill during the quarantine with everything closed and shelter-in place orders put into effect. People turned to streaming platforms like Netflix for entertainment. They are famous for their unique range of original movies and shows. However, they are infamous for their unique hobby of cancelling these praised shows, movies, and smaller shows that are barely off the ground. Netflix typically cancels shows that are not big hits, as they crave for shows to hit the heights of their more successful projects. However, if they do not reach an audience in the first or second season, stopping funding when they are at their peaks. It would seem as if, at the end of the day, Netflix cares more about what gives them the fattest wallet. When a platform cares more about monetary gain than art, integrity is lost.

Netflix was one of many companies who had to stop production due to the quarantine. Having a multitude of shows in the pipeline, they were forced to stop production on all liveaction projects. They were quick to add a lot of third-party content to the site to make sure they would not lose money. This content included Avatar: The Last Airbender and other popular shows; these third-party shows were added to occupy their growing audience until originals could resume filming. The show The Witcher was about to start filming their season 2 in late March. The show delayed its filming during the lockdown.

On August 12th, The Witcher resumed production with many people excited that things are slowly returning to normal. However, just as things were looking up for Netflix, they canceled 2 of their most recent successful shows: I am Not Okay with This, and The Society. Both shows garnered over 3 million views when they came out. Both cancelled shows, just like The Witcher, were about to start filming their second season before quarantine hit. Both shows had less views than The Witcher; however, they still were big enough that a large majority had wanted to see more from the shows. Many were saddened that two of the biggest shows of this year will not see a follow up season.

When a company gets as big as Netflix is, they have the freedom to take risks without the fear of losing more money than is flowing in. Netflix took a risk with the production of their own original content. Netflix took on indie projects that would have otherwise never become exposed. When Netflix’s most popular original show Stranger Things, came out, it was an instant hit with many people getting a subscription to the service just to watch the show. Netflix gained 94 million subscribers after the fourth quarter of 2016 according to Quartz. The same quarter that Stranger Things hit the service. Netflix started to focus more attention on their originals, hoping to capture another lightning in a bottle. They started canceling shows that had smaller fanbases to make room for bigger, more marketable, shows. Rob-Waksberg the writer/director of the Netflix original BoJack Horseman and executive producer on another Netflix original Tuca and Bertie had both shows cancelled. Both BoJack and Tuca were cancelled in their prime. After Tuca's cancellation, Waksberg had this to say about Netflix’s new model of production, “...the Netflix model: to give shows time to build an audience... it's a shame that they seem to have moved away from that model."

When looking at what Netflix is doing financially, the decision is smart. However, Netflix's model is still doing wrong by the consumers who enjoyed those smaller shows. Netflix cancelled BoJack after it almost won 3 Emmys for best 9 animated show, for an unknown cause. The best guess to why is to help fund the next painfully dull Family Guy rip-off.

Entertainment Netflix: Losing Touch or Losing Grip?

Written by: Walker Grant

Netflix cancels great shows to give money to what is the most popular. Take adult cartoons for example, which are growing rampant on the service. Shows like Big Mouth which is the most popular cartoon on the site, is about middle-school kids going through puberty and having hilariously age-inappropriate experiences, such as early relationships, for the sake of comedy. That is why Netflix picked up the movie Cuties, a movie that criticizes the sexual exploitation of children because of growing internet culture. The original movie is a satire for how young girls are expected to be provocative and sexually alluring at younger and younger ages. However, Netflix changed the message of the movie and it became the very thing that French Film writer Maïmouna Doucouré appeared to criticize. The way Netflix described the movie was, “Eleven-year-old Amy becomes fascinated with a twerking dance crew and decides to join them, she starts to explore her femininity, defying her family's traditions.” Netflix took a basic movie about how exploitation can ruin the minds of adolescents and described like it was more prudish than the movie was. Netflix changed the way the art was presented to get a higher watch rate. Although, it is not entirely Netflix’s fault. When watching the movie, you can see that the director’s intentions were not as glossy as they would seem.mMany shots were either filler and taking up runtime the movie does not deserve or grossly exploitive as they can and serve no purpose but to show off children in a sexual manner.

Many people are rightfully appalled by the movie, with thousands starting the hashtag #cancelnetflix.

Long time subscribers of the service cancelled their subscriptions in protest. All the while, Netflix did absolutely nothing to fix the situation, with Netflix sending a letter defending the movie rather than siding with the consumer. The movie was still advertised and was even pinned on the home page. Netflix did not come out unscathed, being completely static on the issue led to a giant loss of stockholders; twelve percent have pulled out as of right now, according to Google Finance. So naturally, Netflix, looking at all their options, chose the smartest possibility: they canceled two unrelated shows amidst the controversy. It is possible that they lost too much money thanks to Cuties, but Netflix will not even have a dent in its massive wealth; twelve percent is not a huge net loss to Netflix Additionally, thanks to the pandemic, Netflix has gotten over 10 million new members according to metrics by Business Insider.

At the end of the day, Netflix has great content on their website and at least tries to give many creators a chance. However, they strive to build up their bottom line when their bottom line will never break. Netflix ruins creators' chances at bring their visions to life. Netflix murders the creator’s baby before it can walk with the greats. These shows will fade into obscurity, forever a part of the deepest parts the site as a reminder of the spark that was not able to keep a light. Which begs the question: what if these shows had just one more season, one more episode, or even just 5 more minutes?

Clark, Travis. “The Creator of 'BoJack Horseman' Called out Netflix after His Show Was Canceled despite Its Final Season Getting a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.” Business Insider , Business Insider, 5 Nov. 2019, www.businessinsider.com/bojack-horseman-creator-calls-out-netflix-for-quick-cancellations-2019-11.

Rodriguez, Ashley. “Netflix Now Has an Audience of 94 Million Worldwide.” Quartz, Quartz, 19 Jan. 2017, 10 qz.com/888801/netflix-shares-are-rising-on-strong-fourth-quarter-2016-subscriber-growth-nflx/.

Bess. “Netflix Slammed For Using 'Inappropriate' Poster That Sexualized Young Girls.” Eyerys, 24 Aug. 2020, www.eyerys.com/articles/timeline/netflix-slammed-using-inappropriate-poster-sexualized-young-girls?page=10.

Sports Stories Uncertainties in Sports: Black Lives Matter Written by: Meghan Samples Activism

With the major uncertainties already surrounding sports due to CoVid-19, many sports fans were dismayed at the delaying and canceling of games in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

However, many don’t see the impact that sports activism can have on a movement. While some believe that Sports professionals and famous influencers should stick to the status quo, others encourage the use of elevated social status and platform to support social justice movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Black Lives Matter movement was founded following the, “acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer” (BLM) in 2016. The mission of the BLM is to, "eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities” (BLM). They hope that by, “combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy,” (BLM) they can help to make the world a safer and more enjoyable place for people of color.

The recent surge in fascination with the movement was due to the protests during the summer of 2020 which occurred as a result of the shooting and killing of people of color by law enforcement officials. These protests gained global attention; many were peaceful, but some were violent, leaving businesses and public property in disrepair and some protestors injured or killed as a result from tension between the protestors and opposing groups. This portrayal of the protestors as inherently violent has left many fans to question why professional sports teams are backing the movement.

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Many major sports teams such as the Milwaukee Bulls and even individual players such as Naomi Osaka have put their support behind this movement. The Milwaukee Bulls in particular refused to play in their play-off game against Orlando Magic to protest the shooting of a black man named Jacob Blake in their home state of Wisconsin. This was the first protest, sparking many more like those “in Major League Baseball, [where] three games were postponed.

Another Wisconsin team led the way — the Milwaukee Brewers called off their home game against the Cincinnati Reds” (Goldman). Powerful statements like these have lasting impacts on the mind of the public as well as supporting the movement. The Black Lives Matter website published a “Thank you” to those teams who have stepped up to support their cause, showing the impact their gestures made.

The impact on the public has been mixed. Many agree that using their socially elevated platform is important to support the movement. However, many more sports fans believe that it is unprofessional to use a corporate platform to support personal causes. The controversy stems from public misunderstanding or the negative portrayal of the protests. President Trump publicly announced his influential opinion regarding the sports teams and their protests, saying, “...The greater social and political activism of players and, in some cases now, coaching staffs and entire leagues appears to have turned off Americans who disagree with their messages or the way they express them. The net effect at this point has been negative for the industry’s image” (Campanile).

Sports Stories Uncertainties in Sports: Black Lives Matter Written by: Meghan Samples Activism A poll taken by Gallup revealed that “Americans who have a positive view of sports dropped from 45 percent positive in August 2019 to 30 percent last month... The number of citizens who had a negative view shot up from 25 percent last year to 40 percent in August 2020” (Campanile). While Corona Virus is also a contributing factor to the drop in interest, it is the protests that have really caused outrage among fans across all sports.

Despite these numbers, players continue their protests by putting their full support into the causes. One Lynx player, Rebekkah Brunson, expresses her fears saying, "Racism and unjust phobic fear of black males and disregard of black females is very real... "When we look at the facts, it's hard to deny that there's a real problem in our society. I'm scared for my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, my future son or daughter” (Shoichet, Martin).

The players have a constitutional right to express their opinions under the first amendment.

Where they do so, whether personally or professionally, can sometimes lead to controversy. The real-world consequences that come from expressing personal viewpoints in a professional setting can be difficult when rights could be infringed upon. However, protests ensure that no voice goes unheard and thereby, allow society to work towards positive change.

“About.” Black Lives Matter, 22 May 2020, blacklivesmatter.com/about/.

Campanile, Carl. “Public Support for Sports Plummets amid BLM Protests, Pandemic: Survey.” New York Post, New York Post, 8 Sept. 2020, nypost.com/2020/09/08/public-support-for-sports-plummets-amid-blm-protests-survey/.

Goldman, Tom. “'Tired Of The Killings': Pro Athletes Refuse To Play To Protest Racial Injustice.” NPR, NPR, 27 Aug. 2020, www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/08/26/906496470/a-dramatic-day-inpro-sports-where-the-action-was-no-action.

Shoichet, Catherine E., and Jill Martin. “Off-Duty Cops Walk out over WNBA Players' Black Lives Matter Shirts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 12 July 2016, www.cnn.com/2016/07/12/us/wnba-minnesota-lynx-black-lives-matter- 12 shirts/index.html.

Sports Stories School Sports News Written by: Alexis Chandler There are many different sports people play. From football that brings large crowds to the stands, to baseball, which is one of America’s favorite pastimes, Creekview students enjoy playing a variety of sports. However, this year there are many uncertainties due to the pandemic. It may be difficult for a lot of players to practice and play with the virus going on this year. Many players have already gone into quarantine and several games for the year have already been rescheduled. Additionally, all sports have new rules this year to keep everyone safe. For example, players must wear masks while they practice, and social distancing is encouraged when possible.

Two individuals were interviewed and here’s what they had to say about how the sports they play plan to continue this year. Taytem Valrio, a senior, plays baseball for the school. Taytem has been playing baseball for 8 years. He said he likes playing baseball because it's fun. I asked him how things are going with the virus going on and he said, “It’s hard to practice because the fields are closed.”

Hudson Marcus plays soccer. Now a sophomore, he’s been playing since he was 5. He said, “[he] likes playing soccer because it’s fun and [he]'s good at it.” He also said because of the virus going on its hard to practice because he couldn’t really go anywhere. The way several of the players are talking it’s hard for them to even practice.

Players aren't the only ones facing uncertainties. Fans are also having to readjust their expectations. Fans can't go watch games like they usually do because they only allow 25% admittance. Many people are choosing to distance themselves and avoid large crowds. As a result, last year’s spirited Friday nights are now muted.

The way it sounds it’s going to be a challenge to stay safe, practice, and play. I know that all of the coaches and players are going to push through this year and make the best of the sport seasons. Overall, it’s going to be a tough year for all of the coaches, players, parents, and fans to make the best of a difficult and 13 uncertain situation.

Profile Today’s Gamers, Tomorrow’s Engineers Written by: Lauren Bobo

Some teachers or parents may claim that videogames are a detriment to education, and that they distract from meaningful learning developments by monopolizing students’ attention on meaningless and unhelpful tasks. However, video games have evolved in such a way that allows them to perform well, not only as educational tools, but as facilitators for innovation. As an Award-Winning member of the Creekview TSA team and a long- time gaming enthusiast, Codey Borrelli seeks to challenge this notion through utilizing Minecraft’s simple mechanics to create machines that mimic the complexities of real-life technology. “From a distance, Minecraft is a medieval/ magical looking game with only crude technology like a bow and arrow and the very simple mechanic of breaking and assembling pixelated blocks. One wouldn’t expect to be able to build such advanced technology that seems magical in its own right,” said Borrelli.

When asked how his unconventional use of the Minecraft medium began, Codey said, “ I’ve always been interested in how complex mechanical or electrical things work, and my love for Minecraft as a middle schooler piqued my interest to see if I could replicate real world objects within the cubical limits of Minecraft.” From interactive tic-tac-toe boards to operational calculators, Codey has utilized simple blocks and switches to create carefully engineered masterpieces. He was open about the long process that is behind each one of his machines: “My first big project was a timer, and it was massive and overly complex, and it didn’t work all that well; However, the process of building it introduced me to binary and I built off of that knowledge for future projects. Every time I have built a large project, I gained a little bit of knowledge about logical operators and how to compact the circuit.

The process has been long and slow but very rewarding. I don’t think the process is ever over because there’s always something new to learn.” The process of planning, wiring, testing, and refining one of these creations requires an extensive knowledge of the game’s mechanics and operational systems. However, these creations also require a working display of problem-solving skills involving the basics of numerical calculations, as well in-depth knowledge of any given machine’s real-world counterpart. “It teaches practical problem solving and basic circuitry, as I had to research how actual computers function to make many of these machines,” Borrelli said.

Through allowing students to express creativity and ingenuity in a controlled space, video games are allowing students to form a foundational knowledge of engineering and mechanical processes subconsciously, as well as other lessons crucial to careers in STEM. “It teaches you that you shouldn’t be limited by your surroundings,” said Borrelli. “With these creations, I’m trying to show people that complex, real world things are able to be replicated in videogames, and that people can really learn something from that process. I would have never gotten the experience or drive to research the workings of a computer had I not been doing it for a Minecraft project. I think these creations should serve as an example for how one can learn and have fun at the same time.”

Finally, Borrelli responded to the often-stigmatized view of videogames in the media and by people foreign to the gaming world: “I do think that videogames get a bad rap in multiple accounts. Some say that videogames make kids violent, others say it makes them crazy or that they’re distractions that kids can get addicted to. But every kid is different and personally I think the reason that most kids enjoy videogames is because it is such an expressive, interactive, and satisfying form of art. I feel like most kids play video games to relax or relieve stress. While in is true that there can be misuse in extreme cases, I think that can be said of anything. Videogames are on a relatively new field in our history as humans, and we are still learning about how we can use them for 14 good and how we can utilize them for the betterment of ourselves.”

UNCERTAINTIES Being a teenager is that awkward transition between being an adult and being an adolescent. We are clobbered with poster phrases like be yourself, you are the boss of your own decisions, be successful, but psychology tells us to ask why. This is the reality of an orthodox teenager . In this phase we are uncertain about almost everything around us. The constant reminder that you have no idea where you will end up is haunting. Some might describe the uncertainty of being a teenager exciting, while others look at themselves and fear where they will end up in life.

The fear of being socially unacceptable is consistent with our craving for attention. We are no longer dependent on adults to survive, so naturally the extent of attention teenagers are used to receiving is limited. The questions multiply as we learn a new aspect of life every day. The curiosity of a child has not yet left our consciousness, but the experience of an adult is not yet in our grasp. The frustration of not knowing aggravates our thirst for knowledge. Some of us do not feel the need to defy our environments, and some have lost or even found themselves in the uncertainty of being in the most contradictory stage of life.

Fear. It is fear that drives us away from our healthiest adult self. Specifically fear of the unknown. A 2019 Scholarly Journal named Examining

the Role and Anxiety Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty in the Relationship Between Health Anxiety and Likelihood of Medical Care Utilization explains how the “intolerance of uncertainty—the dispositional fear of the unknown—has demonstrated strong associations with health anxiety across multiple studies in both clinical populations and healthy young and older adult samples.” The relationship between the teenage fear of the unknown is directly correlated to the rising anxiety within the age group.

The Intolerance of Uncertainty has been defined as the dispositional characteristic tendency to react negatively to uncertain situations. Intolerance of Uncertainty plagues the teenage phase because the thought of uncertainty is all we know, and we aren’t equipped to deal with it. Our parents tell us (most of us) that our job is school. Our job is to make sure that we can make it through to our adult years, which is our next phase of life. Some teens will tell themselves that uncertainty does not affect them. However, this may not be the case for everyone. Getting called a “bad kid” does not help our case.

Some teens already feel that the world is against them simply from the fact that they are heavily exposed to the harmful aspects of society. This exact adolescent may have gotten overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown without even realizing it. Basically, having hit the “button,” the limit, in which they just do not care anymore, causing some to turn to rebellion.

“It’s so stressful for everybody because nobody knows what tomorrow is or where we are going to be in two months, one year, five years.

Like we don’t know… When you are in your body it is so stressful. You have to be this person everyone wants you to be. This person that knows exactly what they are doing and where they will end up. We don’t,” commented one Orthodox teenager.

There are a select few that are able to motivate themselves through this uncertainty with the thought of success. There are some that do not think of rebelling. Some focus on college and their dreams. This is the age of constant pressure where the question, “What are you going to do with your life?” buries deep into the minds of focused teens. For the teenagers that have been broken by uncertainty, “What am I doing to myself?” rings in their subconscious. For the teens that have dreams and aspirations larger than their ability to be broken, “Will I fail?” makes motivation harder and harder to find. We are surrounded by stories of success and greatness. Surrounded by celebrities telling us “YOU WILL SUCCEED!”, yet watching people fail in society every day. This is hard to rationalize as an irrational teen.

We internalize criticism everyday by doing things like comparing our grades to our peers’ and holding ourselves to an impossible standard. It is a constant uncertainty that subconsciously sits on our brain, feeding on our fear, that will either make or break our future. We are driven and subsequently bur ned out due to the fear of our unknown. Unknowns differ from individual to individual, but the uncertainty of the ever-changing nature of the teenage experience is something we all share. It really does not matter where we are from, what the circumstances of our current situations entail, or things we all worry about but leave unsaid. Uncertainty is a constant unifier 15 among us all.

Community Essentially Overworked Written by: Lauren Bobo

From the lull of a routine commute to the repetitive nature of procedural tasks while on the clock, jobs once served as a source of constants and structure, isolated from the typical unpredictability of life outside of them. However, when the Co vid-19 pandemic swept the nation in March of 2020, the employment element of many people’s lives was impacted severely. While many were sent to work from home, put on temporary leave, or even laid off from their jobs as a result of the pandemic, businesses that were declared essential remained operational throughout. Despite these industries retaining their ability to remain open routinely during the pandemic, Creekview students in essential worker positions can attest that things were far from business as usual. What was once a source of near absolute certainty became a daily question, each time with a different answer than the day before.

As the first Covid-19 cases were reported in America, confusion was widespread amidst a raging storm of speculation and conflicting information.

However, the progression of confusion to panic is one that can spark suddenly and spread like a wildfire. In these early days, stores attempted to delay this inevitable escalation through measures that maintained the illusion of normalcy. “In the first few months, we were told not to wear masks or gloves because it would scare the customers. Many customers apparently complained about us wearing masks at the onset, so we were told to hold out on them until about 2 months in, when they became mandatory,” said Walker Grant, a customer service representative at the Free Home Publix. Managers were often forced into difficult decisions between what was best for the employees and the establishment and what was best to uphold the welfare of their patrons.

However, as the pandemic escalated and government mandated quarantines seemed an imminent threat, people flocked to stores in massive hoards. Aisles were flooded with crowds only comparable to those before snowstorms or holidays, eschewing the social distancing advisory from the CDC . “For customer service,” said Walker, “It felt like the week before Christmas every single day for 3 months. I was told that, in those three months, our store made as much money as we’d usually make in a year.”

It was only a matter of time before all stores faced stocking shortages, as essential materials were flying from the shelves far faster than they could be restocked. “It was very hectic…We were constantly running out of items like paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies,” said Zack Ewald, a cashier at the Target in Canton Marketplace. Tensions rose among customers and workers alike. Walker Grant recalled, “A good 75% of our stock was sold out in the first week. Most days after that, there was nothing on the shelves at all except for a few things people didn’t want. Most people were more frenzied because of the shortages than they were about the virus. We didn’t even have our stock back on a regular basis 16 until, like, June. Some customers were angry at us.”

Community Essentially Overworked Written by: Lauren Bobo The concern of stock availability was not only relevant to workers as they tried to provide for their customers; student workers also felt pressure to provide the necessities for their own families. Being at the stores each day meant they knew firsthand just how quickly everything was selling out. Allyson Carter, an employee of the Starbucks at the local Kroger, said, “The workers were scared because even our own families were out of stuff. We had to buy things for our families too, and as soon as we restocked employees would rush to pick up what they could.”

With an ever-increasing volume of customers, stores needed more help than ever to manage the crowds.

Unfortunately, due to the Virus, Super Markets faced labor shortages as well. “A large margin of our workers decided to self-quarantine,” said Walker. Allyson also expressed that her store was missing many employees, noting that, “ We had a few Covid-19 cases in the store, but they were dealt with pretty much right away There were people who stayed out for months, and I’m not sure they got paid leave.” The consequences of Covid -19 cases and panic buying gave many stores no choice but to overwork the few employees they had left at times despite potential health risks. Grant commented on the rapid increase to his hours: “ At first, I guess it was nice to get more hours. However, that quickly evolved to working every single day. At the height of it all I was working 30-35 hours per week.” Most workers were understanding of their stores considering the extreme circumstances, with Zack noting that his store “…ensured they were doing everything they could to protect their workers.” However, one employee, who has asked to remain anonymous, claimed they felt as though “…if someone got the virus in those first few days, one of the managers would just tell them to sleep it off.”

Unfortunately, despite labor shortages, a boom in business, and the increasing demand for their products, stores were not immune to the nationwide concerns accompanying the rising unemployment rate in America. The title of essential worker could provide little reassurance in uncertain times. Allyson’s particular situation on the line between essential and nonessential worker left her feeling unsure about the future of her job: “In the beginning, I was worried that my job was going to close down. No one was really buying coffee from Starbucks, so our sales tanked…

Even though our boss was pretty adamant that they weren’t going to close us down, it was scary because we didn’t know what to expect.”

Walker expressed similar feelings of uncertainty about the security of his job : “Many people lost or quit their jobs, and many people were hired almost immediately after them, so no matter what, the feeling of being easily replaceable was in my head.”

The stress and uncertainty felt by the entire world in these troubling times affected everyone’s lives in different ways. However, such chaos can occasionally provide a greater sense of clarity about one’s purpose and place in the world. Zack, despite the negative fallout, said, “After witnessing how crucial my job is to help people get through times like these, I have realized how much more important my job is than I originally thought.” Perhaps the most that anyone can hope for in catastrophic circumstances is the ability to feel like they 17 are making positive contributions in any way that they can.

Thanks for reading!

@voiceoftheview