The Journal (18-19) Issue 2

Volume 97 Issue 2 Sept. 14, 2018

Game Addiction

Teens affected by obsessive gaming. page 8

El Paso Experience

Staff members travel to the border to learn about immigration. page 22

Journal Address

The Journal gives opinion on the threat against free press. page 29

ISSUE NUMBER

2

SEPT. 14, 2018

FROM THE EDITOR DEAR READERS,

“We are still learning

and growing as a staff and as individuals... ”

Thank you for taking the time to pick up and read the second issue of the year. The buzz and excitement of seeing people all across the school and community check out our magazine is something that is truly special to everyone on staff.

I am extremely impressed with all the hard work that The Journal has put in throughout this issue. It’s a rewarding feeling to watch the staff get used to the process of our production now that we’ve done it twice. But even so, we are still learning and growing as a staff and as individuals. I personally think you can see the hard work, dedication and improvement we’ve put forth in all of our writing, photos, art and graphics in issue two.

This issue, our centerfold dives into a sentimental story about how the hardships a senior has faced prove to motivate him rather than to hold him back.

I’m grateful that The Journal is able to share this story, as it is something unique and heartfelt.

Along with our centerfold, there are other amazing pieces that I think are worth noting. We have a Journal Address discussing the editorial staff’s opinion on freedom of the press and why we think it is important. In entertainment, there’s a story on video game addiction which is quite compelling. Features is showcasing their first ever ‘Lost and Found’ and staff artist Nina Gojko also has her first installment of her comic.

I could go on and on about all the cool things happening this issue in each section, but I’d much rather just have you go explore for yourself.

Once again, thank you for all of your support and I hope you enjoy!

Madelyn Knight Editor-in-chief

Contents News 4

Features 21

PENCIL PROBLEMS MASTERING EDUCATION NEWS ALERT

BENEFITS FROM THE BORDER LOST AND FOUND

Entertainment 8

Foreign Language 24

TRES RESTAURANTES MEXICANOS BRILLAN EN EL SUR DE INDIANAPOLIS

PLAYING WITH ADDICTION INDY TREASURES REVIEW OF ‘BLOOM’ GO, GO, GOJKO!

Opinion 26

MUSIC N’ MUSINGS TINY BUT MIGHTY ON POINTE THE JOURNAL ADDRESS

The Red Onion 12

TRAFFIC STOPS AND HALLWAY COPS

Sports 16

Photos 30

SO MUCH TO PLAY FOR IN THE LONG RUN

LET THAT CARDINAL FLY

Editor-in-Chief Madelyn Knight ‘19

Entertainment Editor Savannah Doane ‘19

Online Managing Editor Lyndsay Valadez ‘19

Features Editor Hannah Garrett ‘19

Print Managing Editor Jaycee Fitzgerald ‘19

Sports Editor Michael Long ‘19

Adviser Mike Klopfenstein

Foreign Language Editor Yasmin McClellan ‘19

Principal Brian Knight

The Red Onion Editor Emma Sprague ‘19

Business Manager Justin Chambers ‘19

Photos Editor Noah Thomas ‘19

Media Manager Clara Oesterling ‘19

Opinion Editor Rachel Bayler ‘20

Staff Artist Nina Gojko ‘19

News Editor Haley Miller ‘20

@thesopojournal

@theSHSjournal

@sopojournal

www.facebook.com/ TheSHSJournal

www.thejournalrewired.com

Reporters Tabby Fitzgerald ‘19 Dylan Torres ‘19 Viktoria Vadovicova ‘19 Logan Zrebiec ‘19 Nicole Whitman ‘19 Jordin Baker ‘20 Julia Brookshire ‘20 Grace Campbell ‘20 Cobalt Henson ‘20 Russell Peterson-Womack ‘20 Jacob Wiese ‘20 Shelby Denny ‘21 Brianna Henry ‘21 Emma Herwehe ‘21 Kelsey Jones ‘21 Bailey Kennett ‘21 Marissa Muñoz ‘21 Jessica Paro ‘21 Elizabeth Valadez ‘21

Southport High School 971 E. Banta Road Indianapolis, Ind. 46227

News

Haley Miller, Editor

Pencil problems

Students propping doors open leads to school safety concerns

S

By Emma Herwehe, Reporter tudents have found more uses for pencils than writing or drawing. Instead, the everyday writing utensils have been found propping open doors around the school. This use has raised questions about school safety.

“If we can’t have a secure entrance, into the building and out of the building, then anyone can just come in and out when they choose to,” Assistant Principal Andrew Ashcraft said.

According to Ashcraft, propping doors open with pencils is a large security threat to the school as a whole.

An open entrance with no security gives anyone, adult or student, the chance to enter the school.

“High schoolers don’t think about that,” Ashcraft said.

“People will come and find you and hurt you, and I don’t want that.”

School security is proving to be a major issue throughout schools in the U.S. According to CNN, as of May 25, there have been 23 school shootings around the country in which someone was hurt or killed. By leaving doors unlocked and open, the chance of SHS being affected by an event like this increases greatly.

“With the things that have happened here, in the last year or so, with other townships and situations in our township, (school safety is) a big concern,” study hall teacher Carianne Tracy said.

Tracy plays a large role in searching the doors at SHS for pencils. According to Tracy, she checks the doors every period and keeps a count of how many she finds weekly. She says she finds one to three doors propped open every period. Her weekly updates are helping administration come up with ways to prevent potentially dangerous situations from happening and to brainstorm new ideas on how to respond in a manner that benefits everyone.

According to Ashcraft, administration is working on new student entry points and more security throughout the school. The possible student entrance would be near

student parking, so the need to prop doors open would no longer be present. As of right now, doors are being checked by many different people, such as monitors, police officers and custodians, according to Ashcraft.

“We are working with our district administration to show the need to have a secure student (entrance) point,” Ashcraft said.

However, making a new entrance is not as easy as it sounds, Ashcraft says. Approval on an exterior check-in for students is already confirmed, but administration would have to hire someone new to regulate the entrance. As a result, creating a new position can become costly.

“Our schools do a really nice job with budgeting their funds...," Ashcraft said. "I’m sure our district administration knows of the problem and are trying to help as best they can, responsibly."

One student, senior Rachel Woodson, has experienced the issue with letting students in an unconfirmed entrance firsthand. According to Woodson, it is hard for her to leave her friends out in the rain when she could easily let them in.

“Sometimes the weather is horrible and you want to let your friends in,” Woodson said. “But they have to walk all the way to the front.”

Woodson believes that a student entrance would be beneficial to everyone. According to her, one door that is closer to the student parking would be easier to access, and there wouldn’t be as many conflicts.

Propping open doors with pencils has become a schoolwide problem. It has been brought to the attention of administration and students throughout the school. With security threats becoming more common, SHS administration is finding ways to combat them and prevent students from letting in people that could cause harm.

“Students don’t necessarily know who they’re letting in those doors,” Tracy said.

To listen to an interview from Assistant Principal Andrew Ashcraft about this topic, visit thejournalrewired.com.

4 News

Art by Nina Gojko

Photo by Madelyn Knight

Mastering

Teachers work toward higher degrees

By Elizabeth Valadez, Reporter

T

eachers seek further education for a multitude of reasons. At SHS, teachers may seek a higher degree for reasons such as earning extra money and learning more about their field. Although this can require late nights and hard work, Perry Township provides an additional pay of $5,000 annually for those who have a Master’s degree.

While salary is a deciding factor in getting a higher education, some teachers at SHS think the degree goes deeper than the dollar.

According to social studies teacher David Luers, who is working on Master’s degrees in both education and history through IUPUI, obtaining a degree is more about furthering opportunities for promotion and bettering himself as a teacher. Luers says he is a firm believer that the more teachers know about their content, the more effective it can make them.

“Cynically, most people focus on those Master’s (degrees) just so they can move up,” Luers said. “But if you take it seriously, I feel like there’s the potential that you can get something useful that you can bring to your classroom and make (class) better for your students.”

Although math teacher Jason Adler has this perspective as well, he is currently working on his Master’s in mathematics through Ball State University so he can continue teaching a dual credit Finite course. This need

to obtain the degree is because of a new state law that requires teachers who instruct dual credit courses to get a Master’s degree by 2022. If they do not do this, schools will be out of teachers able to teach dual credit classes.

Science teacher John Davis is also experiencing increased pressure to earn his Master's degree.

He already has a Master’s in education because he went into a Transition to Teaching program, but Davis is currently working on getting a second Master’s in chemistry through Indiana University. Although he’s only taking one credit hour per term and does not have an overload of work, IU has helped Davis’s journey towards earning his degree possible because they are paying for graduate courses for dual credit instructors across the state.

According to Davis, this Master’s allows him to “be very, very good at the fundamentals of chemistry.”

Although there are many different reasons for teachers to obtain Master’s degrees, some agree they are helpful in one universal way: betterment.

“I think it can be beneficial if we look at it as, ‘It’s going to make us better teachers,’” Luers said.

Science teacher John Davis obtained a Master's degree in education from the University of Indianapolis.

He is currently pursuing a second Master's in chemistry through Indiana University.

Photo by Elizabeth Valadez

News 5

News Alert Little's payout higher than original claim, RTV6 reports

By Grace Campbell, Reporter English teacher Julie Breeden assigned the pictured masks as a student project, which will be the subject of her presentation at the National Council of Teachers of English. Photos by Julia Brookshire

Breeden, Foor to present at national council

By Julia Brookshire, Reporter In November, English teacher Julie Breeden and media specialist Tara Foor will represent SHS at the National Council of Teachers of English.

The council is a national organization for English teachers and anyone that is related to the English field, such as librarians, media specialists or English education professors, according to Foor.

Breeden feels that being represented on a national level shows how SHS is like a role model for other schools and does things that other schools may want to replicate.

This year will be Foor’s first year attending and participating at the council, but she does make an effort to go to other national conventions to stay informed on how to make SHS a better place.

“Even on a national level, Southport is ahead of the game in (being) pioneers in showing that our students indeed are going to be independent thinkers in the ever-changing world,” Foor said.

Foor will give a presentation on ways that teachers can encourage students to actively participate in diverse conversations. Breeden will also present at the event. Her presentation will give information on a project she assigned to one of her classes. For the project, her students created masks after reading “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien and “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut. The masks currently hang around Breeden’s classroom.

This is not Breeden’s first year attending the council meeting, but this will be her first year giving a presentation. She was excited to receive the news that she would be sharing the student projects with the council audience.

“When my presentation was accepted, I thought, ‘Wow, people think that I really have something to offer,’” Breeden said.

6 News

In July 2016, Dr. Thomas Little took leave from his role as superintendent for Perry Township after he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder.

When he returned from medical leave, he was notified that the school board terminated his contract two years early.

According to RTV6, Little claims that the school district violated federal laws. These laws include the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

As reported by RTV6, an email from the superintendent’s office confirmed that Little would receive a payout of $325,000, since the board says it did not fire him for performance or disciplinary reasons. However, RTV6 reports that Little was actually paid $385,304, not the original $325,000.

This includes around $35,000 for unused vacation and personal days and $25,000 for general damages.

Little’s attorney, Kevin Betz, told RTV6 that Little is eligible to receive more compensation due to the circumstances under the contract.

He states that it is disturbing to see Perry Township’s lack of transparency in the situation. Betz believes that the payout is a “waste of taxpayers money” and that the district should have let Little continue working. Betz did not respond to an email from The Journal, and Perry Township officials have declined to comment on the situation.

Gold Coffee Pancake House 8810 S. Emerson Ave. Suite 275 Indianapolis, IN 46237 317-851-8614

Entertainment Savannah Doane, Editor

Photo by Madelyn Knight

Playing with

ADDICTION

New gaming addiction classification takes affect on SHS students

By Jordin Baker, Reporter

F

rom the first video game, “Pong,” in 1958, to the latest game in 2018, “NBA 2K19,” video games have grown exponentially. In 1996, the U.S. Entertainment Software Industry recorded 74.1 million game units sold. Twelve years later, computer and video game companies sold 298.2 million units.

Due to the rise in popularity of video games throughout the years, The World Health Organization now classifies gaming addiction as a mental health disorder. “(Gaming addiction) can get pretty severe, (to) where people are borrowing money to get games, and people are spending hours where they are not sleeping,” psychologist Elliott Vonzololla said. “It becomes a taking over of a person almost, whatever they are into is taking over any reason in them.”

An addiction is anything that causes you harm and keeps you away from a healthy beneficial life, according to Vonzololla.

Basically, any substance or activity that makes your brain produce dopamine, a chemical that gets released when the 8 Entertainment

brain is happy, with heightened levels, makes your brain crave more of what produced the good feeling. Winning a jackpot in gambling and getting a new high score in a video game both release dopamine.

“I’m so addicted,” junior John Armstrong said. “I get off football at about 5 (p.m.) and I play until about 9:30 (p.m.) to 10 (p.m.) every day, and on Saturdays I play from 10 (a.m.) to 10 (p.m.).”

Armstrong says his playing even affects his schooling.

He says he gets excited if there’s a new update to any of the games he plays. He says he has to know about it, he has to see it and it gets really distracting. Armstrong says he obsesses over the update instead of paying attention in class or thinking about anything until he can download it. “(Gaming) got me thinking a little bit more about everything,” Armstrong said. “Instead of just jumping to a conclusion, I think more because during the game I have to

think more about how I’m going to win. If I don’t think, I’m not “Sometimes it’s an escaping behavior, not wanting to deal going to win.” because your mind can literally tune out and that’s in almost According to Armstrong, he plays video games because any addiction,” Vonzololla said. “Tune out in the sense of there are different people that you can meet. He says he has emotion or any feelings. You can play a game and you might played with many gamers from all around the world. While he get wrapped up in it. You can get mad or excited, but you don’t is having fun, he feels that his stress levels lower and that he is have to interact with any other real emotion. That’s the same educating himself by interacting with others. with gambling and drugs.”

Sophomore Sarah Mendoza claims she’s also addicted to Because gaming addiction is such a newly established video games. However, unlike Armstrong, she recognizes that mental health condition, many doctors are still figuring out school comes first and gaming is how to help. According to Popular for fun.

Science, the best way to get help “Usually, I put homework in is to go “cold turkey” or in other front of (gaming),” Mendoza said. words, to stop completely. However, “As soon as I get home, I do my this may make the addict more homework, and whenever I have irritable, and it may be harder time, I play my games.” to resist returning to the game.

Mendoza, much like Popular Science then suggests Armstrong, plays because in finding another way to produce games you get to know a lot of dopamine, like with an exercise or a people and meet a lot of new fun hobby. friends, but also because of the While quitting is a start to fix the Sophomore Sarah Mendoza plays video games in distraction and the ability to just larger problem, professional help her living room on Sept. 3. Mendoza says that she is relax and unplug from the world. is limited at the moment. Talking addicted to video games. Photo by Jordin Baker According to the magazine The to peers, family or whomever one Real Truth, computer and video feels comfortable with is another games are often used to help people focus on something other resource to utilize until more discoveries are made in the video than life’s daunting problems. The players can, for a time, “lose gaming addiction field. themselves” in the game as they feel the bliss and release of “If you have a friend that is addicted to anything, I being in control. They are in a virtual world that makes sense would say something to them, not on an attack mode, but to them—a place where they can be whomever or whatever like ‘How are you? Are you okay?...’” Vonzololla said. “You they choose without worrying about how they look or act and can’t change anyone but we can offer to be with them if without having to deal with real-life problems. they want to get help or to let someone know.”

How to know if you have an addiction: According to Psychology Today

Priority & Importance:

Do you feel it has become an important part to the way you live your life?

Reward Response:

Does doing it make you feel better and not doing it make you feel worse?

Prevalence:

Do you find yourself doing it more often and longer than planned?

Cessation:

Do you feel anxious or uncomfortable if you are unable to do it?

Disruption:

Has it disrupted your life and relationships?

Reverting:

Do you often say you are going to stop but end up doing it again or even more?

How to fix the problem:

According to Health Prep

Seek Professionals:

Receiving help and advice from professional doctors and therapists can help you overcome your addiction.

Adopt a New Lifestyle:

A possible way to overcome an addiction is by adopting a new routine.

Learn More about the Addiction:

It is easier to overcome something that is more understood rather than something that is completely unknown.

Learn to Reduce & Cope with Stress: A major component in addiction use and relapse is stress. So, learning to cope with stress is in some cases critical for overcoming addiction.

Indy Treasures: Freddy’s Steakburgers Photo by Savannah Doane

By Jacob Wiese, Reporter

I

ndianapolis is blessed with an abundance of fast food restaurants. You have your McDonald’s, your Steak ‘n Shake, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, White Castle and many, many more. So, when a new restaurant comes around, everyone typically flocks there to see how it compares. Is the brand new Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers worth your hard earned cash?

On the outside, it looks like your normal burger joint.

But when you walk in, you are greeted with a retro aesthetic. There’s a line leading up to where you order, as booths line the walls where people sit and enjoy their hot meals, and tables and chairs are scattered throughout the center of the room. There is chrome and tile everywhere along with vintage pictures of Freddy and his two sons who founded the restaurant.

The menu consists of steakburgers cooked to order on a toasted bun with shoestring fries on the side.

Chicago dogs and chicken tenders are also available to order along with chili and even a vegetarian burger.

Sides consist of shoestring fries, onion rings, baked Lay’s potato chips and applesauce.

My family went there on a Sunday afternoon and although it was crowded, we were able to order fairly quickly. Unlike other fast food restaurants, Freddy’s servers don’t bring the food to the tables. Instead, a worker comes over the speakers within the restaurant and says the number that is associated with your order.

10 Entertainment

Our food was prepared quickly and when it came out, everything was hot and fresh. I ordered a double cheeseburger and fries. The burger had two patties and two pieces of cheese, lightly placed on a toasted bun with lettuce and tomato. The fries were hot and fried to perfection. So, there were no limp and soggy disappointments today.

My family all tried to order a variety of food off the menu. One of my family members had ordered the Chicago Dog and another ordered a Chili Bowl. Both said their food was great and delicious. To top it off, it was pretty cheap too, my family of four ate for just around $31.

However, there is a reason why the name of the place isn’t just Freddy’s Steakburgers. It’s Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. So, how is the custard?

For dessert, I ordered a Dirt ‘n Worms concrete mixer.

It had crushed Oreos and gummy worms mixed into vanilla custard. The custard itself was soft and creamy and was complemented by the Oreos and gummy worms really well.

Overall, the food at Freddy’s was great. My only problem with Freddy’s, however, is that the tables to sit in are too close together and the dining room was too small for the amount of people there. However, this place is worth your money, and I’ll be going to it more in the future.

‘Bloom’ proves to be spontaneously vibrant

W

By Savannah Doane, Entertainment Editor

ith the abundance of newly released albums that have track beautifully as her voice meshes effortlessly with Sivan’s.

The witty thing Sivan is able to maneuver within this just hit the market, it was genuinely hard for me to project is that he allows his creativity to easily shine through, pick just one that I wanted to listen to and review for this as the tracks make listeners feel as if they are experiencing issue. However, I have been highly anticipating the release memories in black and white. However, songs such as the of artist Troye Sivan’s new album, “Bloom,” which came out vibrant “My! My! My!” the free-spirited introductory track, on Friday, Aug. 31.

“Seventeen” and the carefree “Bloom” allow the album to At first I felt as if a few of the songs sounded a bit too spontaneously explode into color similar, although that thought without warning. quickly diminished as I made my While there are a handful of songs way through the tracklist. As I got on this album that I absolutely love, deeper into the album, it is clear that the one that completely wins my “Bloom” is an album that has its own attention over the rest is the preunique taste and sound, and Sivan’s released single, “My! My! My!” This soothing voice accompanies the song was released on Jan. 10 of this instrumental extremely well. year, and it is a song that I honestly Consisting of just 10 tracks, play at least once every time I’m in the “Bloom” has only about three or car. It’s an explosive song that has a four songs that are upbeat and unique, exciting beat that just outright dance-worthy. The rest of the makes me happy. Most of the songs album is moody and wistful as it is on the album have this effect on me, made up of several slower ballads but in different ways as they either where Sivan’s vocals give the lyrics make me struggle to hold back tears, an alluring and powerful impact Album art from Troye Sivan’s Twitter, @troyesivan or lift my spirits. as I could feel the pain and love “Bloom” is without a doubt my within his voice. favorite project of Sivan’s, as it was The song, “Postcard,” featuring outrageously creative, spontaneous and moving. But Gordi, starts out a bit shaky and somewhat cheesy at first, overall, what stands out to me the most is how well but I was completely blown away by the transformation of the beauty of the lyrics correlated and fit together with this beautiful ballad after the first 30 seconds of the song Sivan’s overwhelmingly peaceful voice in every song. It passed by. Sivan’s voice seems so delicate, but so powerful was an incredible album and I highly recommend it. as he makes his way through his heartbreaking lyrics. Not to mention how Gordi’s touch on the song compliments the

Go, Go, Gojko!

Comic by Nina Gojko

Entertainment 11

The Red Onion Emma Sprague, Editor

Traffic stops and hallway cops

By Cobalt Henson, Reporter

I

n the past month, there have been a reported 269 tardies at SHS. Perry Township has been looking for a simple fix for a big issue for quite some time.

“Part of this process is to identify the cause of the problem,” Assistant Principal Drew Ann said.

Ann took this opportunity to investigate the seemingly everyday problem. Upon investigation, he found out that the tardies are due to reduced hallway flow. Ann then wanted to see why there is a reduced flow of traffic in the hallway, and how “the people” think it should be fixed. ”Trying to get to class in this place is ridiculous,” senior Danon Belk said.

“Traffic is worse than Banta on the first day of school.”

In order to avoid this traffic, Belk takes a path that adds three minutes to what he says should only be a four minute route, making him late to class.

“Most of the traffic is where the popular meeting spots are, like the main hall, the bus hallway and on that small bridge,” Belk said.

Art by Nina Gojko Traffic signs from Google free-use images

Confused students try to make out new traffic sign in the hallway on Sept. 10. The new signs were placed to quicken the traffic flow in the halls.

Photo by Cobalt Henson

Other students agree, like freshman Joel Folman who says he spotted some kids starting a “tent city” in the middle of the main hall.

As part of a student effort to help those affected by time delays, SPTV created “Cardinals in the Air,” a new traffic report team. The team uses a drone to capture footage of traffic in the halls and shows alternate routes that can be taken to different classes.

Students have found that this has helped them get to class sooner, and administrators have found that this made a small difference in students receiving tardies.

The administration’s solution to try and permanently solve the problem is to add traffic signs to the hallways of SHS. “Aside from the helpful nudge from the directional signs installed over the summer, these traffic signs will deal with some of the major issues we saw in our investigations,” Ann said.

These “major issues” included a student-run

campground of sorts, students using half of the hall to talk and students who have fallen asleep on the side of the hallways. However, with these traffic regulations being put into place, there comes a need for enforcement.

To fill this need for enforcement, hall monitors were given the ability to citate students as they see fit. These citations do not require that you pay fines, but they do require you to pay by volunteering to aide staff and/or clubs around the school.

If you become a “repeat offender,” you will be assigned to a larger project. A project could be something relatively small such as helping reorganize a classroom or something large such as helping revitalize the courtyard.

“This is a way for both parties to benefit,” teacher Nicole Fierce said. “The kids learn a lesson and gain a sense of accomplishment while the school gets stuff done that needed to be done.”

The Red Onion 13

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Sports

Photos by Michael Long

Michael Long, Editor

So much to play for Colorful cleats hold a sentimental value to one SHS athlete

By Logan Zrebiec, Reporter

A

s SHS football players prepare for their games, one of the first things they do is lace up their cleats. These cleats vary in style and color, but one specific pair, on the feet of senior Lucas Willoughby, undoubtedly stands out with multi-colored stripes, writing and drawings. However, these designs are not meaningless. They carry a hefty sentimental value.

The right cleat was designed by two of Willoughby’s cousins, Journey and Charlie Wayman, whose names are written on the inner side along with the initials PAN. On the heel of this cleat, hidden in a glossy purple, is the birth and death date of a lost loved one.

The left cleat was designed by an 8-yearold girl named Avery whose name is written on the inner side, just below the Nike swoosh.

The initials JKL also stand out on the inner side of this cleat. The heel shows yet another birth and death date of another lost loved one.

Drawn on the tongue is a purple ribbon, which represents the disease Cystic Fibrosis (CF). It’s the disease that 8-year-old Avery Kendrick was born with. It’s also the disease that took Willoughby’s mother.

“When I was younger and she was sick, all I wanted to do is take care of her.

I told her that whenever I got older, I would have taken care of her. Put

Senior Lucas Willoughby wears his customized cleats against Perry Meridian on Aug. 24. This was the first time he was able to wear them in a game. Photos by Michael Long

her in a house, buy her a car, all of that stuff,” Willoughby said. “Then, whenever she passed away, I kept the motivation even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to do anything for her.”

Willoughby hasn’t had the easiest road. CF has been a constant factor in his life. There are some things that have happened in his past that give him motivation to be successful on the field. One of them is his mother’s death.

Willoughby’s mother, Jessica Kathleen Leo, who went by Kati, passed away at the young age of 31. It is her birth and death date and initials that are on the left cleat.

According to Willoughby, Kati was diagnosed with CF right when she was born and wasn’t supposed to live past the age of 2. She wasn’t supposed to be able to have children, but Kati was a fighter.

At 21, she had Willoughby, but was in and out of hospitals during his childhood.

Willoughby says that he was too young to know what was going on and too naive to realize that her time was close. She fought and fought against CF until it became too much for her. Kati died on Nov. 26, 2011, when Willoughby was just in the fifth grade.

In commemoration, Willoughby has a tattoo on his left bicep which is a rose with Kati’s birthdate in Roman numerals.

“After it happened, it was just like ‘wow.’ I didn’t get to tell her I loved her every day and just be a better son,” Willoughby said. “All those things that you think about when someone passes away and you’re like ‘I should’ve done this for them.’”

According to cff.org, CF is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and

Lucas Willoughby’s family: Lucas Willoughby (bottom left), his mother Kati Leo (center), father Matthew Willoughby (right) and aunt Kelly Leo (top). Photo contributed by Lucas Willoughby

“ I didn’t get to ” tell her I loved her every day...

limits the ability to breathe over time. Symptoms of CF include persistent coughing, poor growth and wheezing or shortness of breath. There are more than 70,000 people worldwide diagnosed with CF, and at least 1,000 more patients are diagnosed with it each year.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation sponsors the Great Strides walk in many locations throughout the nation. In 2014, senior Anna Kendrick, older sister of Avery, and Willoughby walked into each other’s lives. While going to the same school, they knew about one another but never talked until this day. According to Anna, she noticed him, walked up to him and started having a conversation. This is where the close relationship between Anna and Willoughby started, and how Willoughby was introduced to Avery.

“Every time he comes over, Avery loves Lucas and doesn’t get off of him,” Anna said. “I used to have to yell at her to get her to stay away from him.”

However close Willoughby and Avery may be today, their relationship did not start off this way. The two took some time to warm up to each other, but once they did, they never looked back.

Willoughby says that the two always play games together, like tag, and just do stuff that little kids do. Their time spent together has allowed Willoughby to see fight in Avery, the same fight his mother showed.

“She’s a strong little girl,” Willoughby said. “Not many young people have to go through the things she has to go through.”

While there is no official cure for CF, there are many treatments that could mark the beginning of the end for CF. According to Anna, a treatment that Avery does is

Senior Lucas Willoughby

Lucas Willoughby’s cousins, Charlie (left) and Journey (right) Wayman color his right cleat on Aug.15. Photo contributed by Willoughby

18 Sports

Avery Kendrick holds up Lucas Willoughby’s left cleat after she colored it on Aug. 19. Photo contributed by Anna Kendrick

one with a vest that shakes and vibrates. The shaking and vibration diminishes the amount of mucus buildup in her lungs.

Avery wears this vest 30 minutes a day, twice a day and does breathing treatments where medicines are inhaled through a mask. She also has to take four different types of pills every time she eats and has to take vitamins every morning. “(Life with CF) is basically a normal kid just having to do treatments every single day,” Avery said.

The cost of living with CF varies for which treatments are done. In Avery’s case, the medicines that she takes cost anywhere between $100-$3,000 and the machine and vest cost around $15,000. To be able to afford this, Anna and her family design and sell t-shirts that can be seen worn around the Southport community and take in donations from their friends and family.

For the past four years, Willoughby has been a part of selling the shirts and doing what he can to help the Kendricks.

Along with CF being a constant factor in his life, Willoughby has also faced other hardships that motivate him to play.

April 18, 2018 is a date that Willoughby will never be able to forget. This is the date that Willoughby lost his grandfather, Paul Arthur Neuner. Paul died at the age of 79 after battling two forms of cancer for 12 years. The first form was prostate cancer. At 67, Paul had it removed and started radiation therapy. The scarring from the radiation eventually led to him having bladder cancer which took his life.

All in all, Willoughby’s cleats represent something greater than just sharpie marks on a pair of shoes. The designs, symbols and colors on them are the motivation for why Willoughby plays.

“My grandpa, my mom, my cousins, all of it means something to me,” Willoughby said.

Avery Kendrick and Lucas Willoughby attend a Cystic Fibrosis walk at Eagle Creek on June 10. Photo contributed

by Anna Kendrick

Cystic Fibrosis...

• is a genetic disease that causes excessive mucus buildup in the lungs.

• affects more than 30,000 people in the U.S. • affects 1,000 more people every year.

• has no permanent cure, although there are many treatment methods.

• patients live, on average, about 40 years.

All information from cff.org

Art by Nina Gojko

Down to the Digits 19

Junior Adrianna Frederick placed 19th when the girls cross country team competed in the Columbus North Invitational.

To read more about Frederick, go to thejournalrewired.com.

26

Junior Lauren Cullison tied the school record for most kills in a game with 26 on Aug. 28 when the girls volleyball team played against Indian Creek.

1,414

After four weeks of high school football, senior quarterback Eddie Schott leads the state with 1,414 passing yards.

20 Sports

In the Long run

Nike doesn’t care about your opinions. They’re just doin’ it.

By Michael Long, Sports Editor “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” These words, plastered over a simple black and white headshot of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for a Nike ad, have caused complete mayhem.

Anyone who gets on social media has seen the backlash of Nike’s decision to make Kaepernick, the man who started the anthem protests in the NFL a couple years ago, the face of their “Just do it” campaign. Sneaker bonfires and Nike boycotts seem to be popular options for those looking to express their anger about this.

I find both of these amusing, because, one, how is destroying clothes you’ve already purchased going to impact a company? And two, Nike’s online sales have jumped 31 percent since the ad first ran, according to Complex News.

Anyways, people are furious that Nike chose a guy that won’t stand for the National Anthem.

They call him unAmerican, when in reality, he’s the most American football player out there.

He recognized how poorly minorities were being treated, which has been an issue since we first stepped foot on this land, and used his rights as an American citizen to peacefully protest on the enormous platform of the NFL. To me, there is nothing more American than looking a major social issue in the face and taking it head on by using your First Amendment rights.

However justified Kaepernick’s reasons for protest were, he was still rewarded with a kick out the door by the NFL, as no teams would sign him as a free agent in 2017. This makes Nike’s ad with Kaepernick even more perfect in my book.

The words, “Believe in something.

Even if it means sacrificing everything,” apply to Kaepernick so well. He believed that he had to try to stand up (well, technically kneel) for the horrible mistreatment of minorities. It may have cost him his life as an NFL quarterback, but his message is bigger than football.

Another great thing I see in this is the fact that Nike even took the plunge with Kaepernick. With all the people that despise him, Kaepernick is seemingly a risky investment.

Billion-dollar companies don’t have a tendency to make risky investments, but Nike is making a move that goes beyond sports and money, which is why I am completely behind it.

Nike is more focused on the social change rather than the backlash, and let me tell you, they’re experiencing some major backlash aside from the boycotts and burnings. According to an article on the Rolling Stone’s website, Nike employees had to go through tons of customer phone calls since the start of the campaign, many of which were filled with pure hate.

An employee in the article said that one customer called and said that it doesn’t matter if “a few cops kill some ni****s every once in a while because black teens shoot each other every day.”

This is the type of hate and unfairness that Kaepernick has been protesting against for the past few years in the NFL, until that was snatched away from him. Fortunately, Nike gave him his stage back, and hopefully this will make a change.

Lost and

Found

Features

Hannah Garrett, Editor SEE MORE ART ON

Discover the story hidden behind artist kaitlin arnold

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By Bailey Kennett, Reporter

t’s late and a teen is lying down in her room, indie music playing peacefully into her ears as her hand is flowing on her canvas. This is her zone, her emotions rapidly spilling onto the page. The next night, she realizes that might have been her best work yet. Senior Kaitlin Arnold is an aspiring artist at SHS. “You can see in my art if I am in a bad mood by the certain drawing,” Kaitlin said. “If (I am) in a good mood it is very colorful and very happy.”

Kaitlin started drawing when she was in the fifth grade and is also into ceramics and is new to painting. Recently, she has discovered digital art.

Digital art was introduced to Kaitlin this past summer.

She uses her iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, which simulates a real pencil, to draw. Kaitlin claims it took her a few months to get used to the transfer from pencil to digital art.

In her transition, Kaitlin found that pinterest became essential to finding inspiration for her next piece. She says that she is not comfortable enough to make originals yet, but she definitely makes other people’s work her own.

According to Kaitlin, art is a stress reliever and a “feelgood” hobby. She says digital art is much easier when it comes to relieving stress because she does not have to worry about messing up as much as she does on paper.

Kaitlin creates art for friends and family, and it gives her a Art contributed by Katlin Arnold

Photo by Noah Thomas

great amount of confidence in her creations.

“It makes me feel good when somebody thinks my art is cool,” Kaitlin said.

A main cause for her love in art is her mother, Mary Arnold. Mary has always had a passion for art. She focused on art in high school but never throughout college. She now uses art as a hobby. Mary has even painted a mural for Clinton Young Elementary, and takes requests from family and friends.

Mary says she sees herself in her daughter in several different ways when it comes to art. One similarity is that they both use the same fantasy, which is cartoon style, when drawing. So when it comes to art, she is always answering questions for her daughter and helping her to the best of her ability.

“I hope she continues (art),” Mary said. “I think she has a bright future.”

Kaitlin plans on continuing art. She says she wishes to make a career out of her passion by becoming an elementary school teacher or art teacher. While she is still unsure of what college she wants to attend, she does know she will major in general education and minor in art. She just wants to pursue her passion.

“I find what I’m doing, get my sketch down, put my earbuds in, then I am good,” Kaitlin said.

Benefits from the border

By Brianna Henry, Reporter

Find out why certain township staff went to US-Mexico border over summer 2018

S

Dienhart and PMHS art teacher Kalie HS has seen a large amount of Holdren all wanted to go to El Paso to immigrants coming to the school. The see how the border worked and how the percent of English Language Learners immigrants there were affected by it. went up by 3.3 percent just in the past They planned going down to El Paso on within the past two school years. Now, June 3 and staying there until June 9, but the need for the knowledge on this topic has risen for some. EL teacher Amy Peddie they did not know what they were getting saw this and wanted to learn more to help themselves into.

“We were taking a leap into the her better understand the people around her. unknown.” Peddie said.

She wanted to look for points While they were near the of connection and places border, the group saw an where SHS could collaborate Immigration Detention Center. with countries that are on U.S. When they visited the center, it borders. was near the time that there was The trip was made nationwide controversy around possible because Peddie the centers’ policies and ethics applied for and received on separation of children from the “Lilly Teacher Creativity their parents.

Grant.” This grant is given Amy Peddie “At the time, while we were to 100 teachers every year, down at the shelter, there and it’s a way for teachers were families calling the shelter and to renew their love and commitment to asking, ‘Where is my son? Where is my teaching. Peddie applied for the grant, daughter?’” Peddie said. not expecting to win, but she did.

The group also saw many kids coming After winning the grant, she planned to the shelter sick. Some were throwing on using it to meet the need of learning up on the floor and the volunteers gave about the the immigrant population she them Tylenol. It was very obvious to the works with every day. She hoped to do group that no one was being seen by a this by going on a trip to El Paso, Texas. doctor.

She wanted to gain this experience to “There was a woman who was released see how the border worked and how two days after having a C-section, and so, immigrants are affected by it. her 2-day-old baby was in the shelter,” To start, Peddie sent out to find Peddie said. teachers who wanted to come and share Every day was a struggle for both the the experience with her. English teachers Erin Ancelet, Dawn Fowerbaugh and Sarah volunteers and the immigrants. It was at least 100 degrees during the day and Gott-Helton, former spanish teacher in the 90s at night. They were sweating Patricia O’Connor, Southport 6th Grace Academy math and science teacher Laurel constantly. The teachers realized that this 22 Features

was an everyday thing for the people in the shelter.

Most of the families at these places were also very young. The families there could stay up to three days while the workers, who were all unpaid volunteers, tried to find people to sponsor the families and connect them.

Peddie and her group helped the immigrants by cooking them meals, helping to watch and entertain the kids and by giving them some basic necessities, such as clothes, soap and other hygiene items.

“You felt your privilege. In a way you don’t typically always feel, but there you felt it.” Helton said.

Going into the trip, no one expected to experience what they did. They learned that these

things were happening for many years, and that it wasn’t something that had just started recently. It was a completely different world to them and they realized that their concept on what happens at the border was completely wrong.

“Up here, we have a really mild concept of what the border is and immigration.” Gott-Helton said. “I feel like in the news sometimes they make it out to be scary or more horrible it is, whereas for people in El Paso, it’s like ‘No not necessarily.’”

They came to see how the border worked and they wanted to rekindle their love for teaching, and how to better understand their students.

The photos on this page were contributed by Amy Peddie from the trip to El Paso, Texas. She was able to capture different land marks that the teachers had visited throughout the trip.

Features 23

Foreign Language Yasmin McClellan, Editor

Tres restaurantes mexicanos brillan en el sur de Indianapolis Por Yasmin McClellan

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esde que tengo memoria, siempre me he encantado la comida mexicana. En cualquier momento que mi familia quiere salir a un restaurante, yo quiero salir a comer la comida mexicana. Me encanta todo- la salsa, el queso y la comida en general.

Decidí reseñar tres restaurantes: El Azabache, Margaritas y El Jalapeño. Los reseñé basado en los precios, la salsa, el queso, la comida, el ambiente y la experiencia en total.

El primer restaurante, El Azabache, está ubicado en Southern Plaza. La primera cosa que ves cuando entras es una gran fuente rodeada por colores brillantes. Los camareros y otros trabajadores nos saludaron a mi familia y a mí con sonrisas y nos sentimos el bienvenido.

Aunque la salsa estuvo un poco salada, estuvo muy buena. La salsa tenía la cantidad perfecta de las especias. Por otro lado, el queso no fue el mejor; estuvo aguado y no tenía mucho sabor. Recibí mi arroz con pollo en menos de diez minutos. El pollo estuvo lleno de muchas especias y tenía la cantidad perfecta de queso encima del arroz y pollo. El único problema que vi con la comida fue la abrumadora cantidad de grasa que estaba goteando de la comida de mi hermano. Aparte de eso, El Azabache es un nuevo favorito.

Mi típico, habitual restaurante mexicana que 24 Foreign Language

se encuentra en Greenwood Place Shopping Center es Margaritas que nunca se queda corto de espectacular. Las pinturas elaboradas en los paredes, las mesas, y las sillas son mis favoritas en comparación con los otros restaurantes.

Los ingredientes de la salsa se mezclaron armoniosamente y el queso estuvo espeso de verdad. Los camareros siempre están contentos y alegres. Me sirvieron una porción muy grande de arroz con pollo y fue mi plato favorito de los tres restaurantes. Había lo suficiente de queso, pero no había demasiado.

El Jalapeño, en East Street, no era del mismo diseño que El Azabache y Margaritas. Era más abierto pero le faltaba el color que había en los otros restaurantes. Además de la apariencia, la comida estuvo bastante buena. La salsa era la más picante de los tres restaurantes. El arroz con pollo tenía una abundancia de pollo y no tenía suficiente queso para cubrir todo el arroz y el pollo. La comida tenía un rico sabor.

En todo, disfruté de probar nuevos restaurantes y ver las diferencias entre los tres lugares fue muy interesante. El Azabache y El Jalapeño son competidores cercanos y ofrecen mucho, pero al final, ni El Azabache ni El Jalapeño son mejores que Margaritas. Todo es mejor en Margaritas en comparación con los otros restaurantes.

M A R G A R I T A S

Visité tres restaurantes: Margaritas, El Jalapeño y El Azabache. Los reseñé basada en los precios, la salsa, el queso, el ambiente y la experiencia en total. Reseñas son de cinco jalapeños.

Precios: Salsa:

Queso:

Ambiente: Comida:

En Todo:

E L

Precios: Salsa:

Queso:

Ambiente: Comida:

E L A Z A B A C H E

En Todo: Precios:

J A L A P E Ñ O

Salsa:

Queso:

Ambiente: Comida:

En Todo: Foreign Language 25

Opinion

Rachel Bayler, Editor

Music ‘n Musings Silence solves nothing Column by Rachel Bayler

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel is one because I was not a Jew. of the most well-known songs and one of my personal Then they came for me—and there was no one left to favorites. The lyrics are a masterful call to action set speak for me.” against the countercultural movement of the 1960s.

Words are powerful, powerful tools, and we in America Most people only know it for its opening lyrics of “Hello are blessed to be able to use our freedoms of speech, darkness,” but as the song is written like a revelation, it expression and of the press to stand up for offers a lot more under the surface. our beliefs.

The song’s main message comes from Think of all the different movements the title, “The Sound of Silence.” This is Silence like a from the past and present: the #MeToo an oxymoron that reveals the message cancer grows. movement, the March for Our Lives, that silence is deafening. It’s shown again Women’s Suffrage, the Women’s movement by the lyrics, “people talking without Paul Simon and the LGBT rights movement. These speaking, people hearing without movements and the change brought about listening.” “Silence like a cancer grows” by them would not have been possible if describes the people who stay silent all of these people had decided to stay quiet, sit back and and worship the “neon god they made,” scared to disturb let somebody else deal with it. Instead, they made their the quiet around them. They seem silent out of fear and voices heard, enacting change and improving the world. uncertainty, trapping themselves.

My advice to you is to pay attention to what’s going Basically, when you refuse to speak up, you take away on in the world. If you see something you see as wrong, your own power. Nothing can be changed and those in the wrong continue to believe they are doing right. If you speak up. I’m a big believer that you don’t have the right remain silent about the wrongs in the world, then you are to be angry about something after the fact if you did nothing to change it while it was happening. enabling the wrongs to continue.

I was reminded of the poem written by Martin Change cannot be achieved if no one calls attention Niemöller in the early postwar period after World War II. to the problem. As the song implies, silence can become It reads: like a deadly disease, leading to the destruction of “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak everything we hold dear. Stand up for your beliefs, even out—because I was not a socialist. if you stand alone. Perhaps you can inspire others to do Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not the same. speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

“

HOT NOT 26 Opinion

Baby shark song

Johny Johny song

”

‘Adventure Time’ Colin Kaepernick finale Nike ad

Snapping the entire concert

Hurricane Florence

‘Crazy Rich Asians’

Demonizing of Serena Williams

Tiny but

mighty

short jokes are taken too far

By Tabby Fitzgerald, Reporter

Until recently, I had never really been self-conscious about my height. At my job, I am one of the shortest people there, but only by an inch or two. Standing behind the register not only do customers talk about my height, but so do most of the people I work with.

Whether it’s saying “Wow, you’re so short I almost didn’t see you” or “Oh, you should get a step stool,” it can be offensive even when you’re not meaning for it to be when you’re constantly hearing it from the same people in the same place.

I am 4 feet 11 inches tall and I am not ashamed of how tall I am, even when things like this happen and make me feel bad about my height. I didn’t choose to be this tall, and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. So, don’t say things as if I can control it, especially if you’re only a couple inches taller than me. You have no room to talk.

That job is the only place I’ve ever really been aware of hearing so many comments about my height. I have other jobs, and for the most part everyone is close to the same height as me. My friends are taller than me, but none of them are bothered by my height, and my mom and I are the same exact height.

Don’t comment on a person’s height excessively and constantly, as it can cause a lot of unnecessary anger and pain.

If you were called ugly multiple times a day by multiple people, it wouldn’t take long before it started affecting how you felt about your looks, right? It’s basically the same thing with height. If you’re told multiple times by people that you’re short, that you need to wear heels or get a step stool, it’s going to start affecting how you feel about how tall you are. Saying comments that you may not think are harmful actually could be without you realizing it.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being the height that I am.

Sure, I may have to stand on my tippy toes more often than you do to reach something or climb up the shelf at the store, but it doesn’t bother me at all, and it shouldn’t bother you.

The average height for a 17-year-old girl in America is 5 feet 3 inches, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So if you think about it, I’m really just a little under average for an American girl.

Several factors go into what affects your height. Sixty to 80 percent of your height is due to genetics and the remaining percent is due to how you sleep, what you eat and how often you exercise, according to Healthline. So, even if you eat healthy, sleep well and exercise, you’re still going to be short if it’s in your genes.

Honestly though, being short isn’t a problem for me and it shouldn’t be for you either. If you were in my shoes, would you want people making you feel bad about something that you can’t control? Hopefully the answer to that is no. So, don’t make people feel bad about something they can’t control.

What is the worst thing about being short?

Opinion 27

On Pointe The art of ballet should be appreciated

By Julia Brookshire, Reporter

Ballet has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom put me in dance at Tippy Toes School of Dance when I was 2 years old and I am still at the same studio 16 years later.

Ballet is an escape for me from the stress of life. It provides me a way to let go of what might be going on and just listen to my body. The environment of my ballet classes is so encouraging and positive. Ballet helps me feel like I belong. Ballet has helped me to become who I am today.

But, ballet is an underappreciated art.

Yes, people are amazed at how many turns a ballerina can do, how high they can jump and how flexible they are but people don’t realize how much strength and practice it takes to do these things.

To truly appreciate the art, they need to appreciate the work that goes in. Ballet dancers put their sweat and tears into rehearsals to create a magical experience for the audience. Ballet forces the dancer to do things that the body isn’t meant to do.

For example, our backs tend to have a natural curve towards the bottom. As a dancer, one of the things that you have to force your body to do is have a flat back. It takes so much concentration to resist the urge to let your back have that natural sway, not to mention the many other technicalities you must think about.

Dancers strive to have beautiful turnout, or the capability to rotate their legs from the hips. Our feet are naturally pointed forward, so getting them to point to the side and in opposite directions is a challenge. Many dancers have to fight their body’s natural build and use inner thigh muscles and engaged glutes, and even then their turnout may never be like what all dancers aspire to have. I have personally battled with turnout, but I have improved over the many years of practice.

The strain that ballet puts on the body can cause a lot of damage too. I personally have experienced injuries

28 Opinion

that have permanently affected my body. But as a dancer I am passionate about creating this art, so I dance through the pain. Smiling while your foot is throbbing is not an easy task, but to create the magic of the ballet you have to look as though you are floating through air.

All this strain on the body comes from the countless hours that dancers spend practicing. I usually spend three hours and 45 minutes in classes every week. This doesn’t include the hours that I spend at rehearsals, private lessons or practicing on my own.

According to Atlanta Ballet, professional dancers first have a 90 minute class in the morning that serves as their warm up or conditioning. Following the class, they move on to about four to six hours of rehearsal, not including any performances. Ballet performances typically have two acts with each act being about 40 to 50 minutes long, so the show usually lasts around an hour and a half. This is all added up to be a professional dancer’s typical workload.

I don’t nearly have as many shows as a professional dancer, but when my studio gets close to a performance the stress and strain increases so much. It starts out slow as we begin rehearsals in the studio, which is about twice a week. Once we approach the week of the performance, we practice on the stage every night that week until the performances. I feel so drained and tired by the end of the week, but the joy that it brings me to perform and create magic for an audience makes it all worthwhile.

As a dancer I want people to understand all the hard work, time and effort that goes into the production of a beautiful ballet. It’s not just about the buns and tutus.

Ballet takes strength and stamina. You can’t be a dancer if you are looking for perfection. As my dance instructor Miss Pam always says, ballet is the art of perfection and there’s always something that can be done better.

Art by Nina Gojko

The Journal Address Freedom of the press must be protected All across the country, over 400 newspapers, big and small, conservative and liberal, released editorials explaining the importance and vitality of the free press.

This movement, sparked by The Boston Globe on Aug. 15, has since resurfaced the discussion of the importance of the freedom of press.

We, The Journal, believe that a free press is an essential part of a democracy and of this nation and that students and adults alike should care about maintaining a media that is free. We also do not believe, like our President and some politicians suggest, that the media is the enemy of the people.

The Globe’s intention was to inform the public about the negative side effects of losing the freedom guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution. In order to show the impact that our politicians, like President Trump, have when they speak negatively to and about journalists, the Globe conducted an anonymous poll that laid out beliefs of people in the country and their attitudes towards the press.

The poll included three different statements that around 1,000 people responded to regarding whether they agreed or disagreed with these statements, the most concerning of which were the responses to the statement “The news media is the enemy of the people.” Out of everyone in the poll, 29 percent agreed with the statement. When broken down into different political parties, 48 percent of Republicans, 12 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of Independents agreed.

Curious as to how that number would reflect at SHS, we conducted our own poll. According to this poll that had 72 responses, 14 percent of respondents agreed with the statement “The news media is the enemy of the people.”

When broken down into different political parties, 19 percent of the Republicans and 5 percent of Democrats agreed.

It is reassuring to see that these numbers are lower than the larger poll conducted by The Globe. However, considering the reputation being forced onto journalists

JOURNAL ADDRESS

This is the opinion of the editorial board of The Journal

during this time, it is not surprising to see a distrust between the press and U.S. citizens within our own school.

A democracy is built around the idea that the power lies in the hands of the people. Journalists provide protection to people by revealing corruption that lies within the government and society, while also keeping the people informed. A country without journalism is ignorant and vulnerable to the proceedings of those leading them.

Maintaining a free press is important so that people’s voices can be heard. Instead of trying to shut down the media because they believe it is spewing “fake news,” people should be self aware of the fact that not everything they read is true.

Throughout history, as stated by The Boston Globe, “Replacing a free media with a state-run media has always been a first order of business for any corrupt regime taking over a country.” Today, we have a president and politicians who relentlessly bash the name of the free press. This is detrimental to the public outlook on the press, which is supposed to protect us as citizens.

Claiming the press is “the enemy of the people” will, in the long run, destroy the integrity of this democracy. Without the public supporting the press’ right to freely report, the press cannot protect our rights as American citizens.

High school journalism, much like professional journalism, is also something that we believe to be an essential part of the community. Perhaps we are biased, but high school journalism is the gateway into professional journalism. It teaches the future American journalists to be objective and ethical in their proceedings as professionals.

We, as citizens of the U.S., have been given the right to speak and write freely since the birth of our nation. The media, which, more often than not, gives us the truth and lends us a voice, is vital to maintaining these rights. So, if the freedom of the press is being challenged now, then what other fundamental human right will be next?

Opinion 29

Photos

Noah Thomas, Editor

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3 5 (1) Senior quarterback Eddie Schott prepares to throw the ball to senior receiver Rashawn Haskins, ending in a touchdown for the Cardinals. (2) Senior Erick Mendoza plays the baritone during the marching band’s half-time performance. Photos by Madelyn Knight (3) Senior running back Jalen Caldwell breaks a tackle and runs the ball six yards to the 25 yard line. Photo

by Jordin Baker (4) Junior Kiara Moore cheers in the student section. (5) Junior Ryan Lezon falls to the ground after being stopped by his opponent. Photos by Madelyn Knight (6) Senior receiver Brian Miller blocks a Columbus North cornerback during a run play. Photo by Jordin Baker (7) The cardinal mascot runs across the track and waves the SHS flag after a touchdown was scored. (8) The cardinal flies down the zip-line after an SHS touchdown. Photos by Madelyn Knight

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