Multicultural Journalism Program Journal

The

Journal

The Newspaper of the 27th Multicultural Journalism Program workshop at The University of Alabama

Gulf oil spill affects Alabama schools

By Cathryn Walker HUNTSVILLE — The Huntsville City School District may have its budget reduced by millions in the 2010-2011 school year because of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The anticipated decline of state sales tax due to a loss of

tourist dollars, may ultimately affect the local district, and the other 131 districts across the state, because Alabama schools depend heavily on state sales tax.

“We have stellar (school) programs that we don’t want

Studio famous for tunes goes film

to have to cut,” said Michael Sibley, director of communication for the Alabama Department of Education. “But we may have to make cuts somewhere.”

Tourists have cut their vacations in Alabama short and

steered away from beaches and recreation areas such as Gulf Shores, to head to other beaches that are clear of oil.

In June, businesses throughout the state recognized a decrease in sales tax revenue, and while the exact

See Gulf, Page 2

By Latara Holloway SHEFFIELD — Muscle Shoals Sound Studios -- the start of hits like The Staples’ “I’ll Take You There” and host of music legends such as Cher, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan -- is now going into the film industry.

The former sound studio has been reinvented into what is now called Cypress See Studio, Page 3

Junior Nunez On a June day, three young World Changers volunteers take a well-deserved break after hours of arduous work under the sun.

Fixing homes, building friendships

Latara Holloway Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, known as one of the most prominent music hit makers, is now going into the film industry.

By Junior Nunez HUNTSVILLE — Daphne Davies, 21, came all the way from Texas to rebuild the homes of low-income families here.

Davies is a member of World Changers, a Baptist organization that promotes the love of Christ by aiding those in need.

World Changers is an organization

affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, which sponsors national youth projects by encouraging young people throughout the country to spend their summer in a myriad of states and cities helping the needy. In Huntsville, volunteers will spend a week helping repair

See Changers, Page 3

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Gulf

From Page 1

loss isn’t known, the decline is apparent.

Alabama school systems are waiting to see how drastic their share of state funding will be reduced.

Three hundred and seventy-seven miles away from any oil contamination, students in Huntsville can expect to see classes packed with more students, fewer teachers and less educational programs as a result of the decline.

School officials say it could get worse.

“We’re past the point where we can make many changes,” said Herbert Wheeler, finance director for Huntsville City Schools.

With budget decisions for the upcoming school year being made at the end of June, Wheeler is uncertain of what that budget will look like.

“We’ll just wait and see,” Wheeler said.

To help alleviate the funding cuts, Sibley encourages people to continue vacationing, shopping and visiting Alabama beaches.

Alabama Department of Education Assistant Superintendent Craig Pouncy will hold a presentation at the Huntsville City School Board of Education open to the public on Thursday, July 1, at 5:30pm.

Changers From Page 1

Daphne Davies, a volunteer from the World Changers, shares a smile while directing a crew in a rooftop

Source: NOAA.org as of June 24, 2010.

damaged homes.

The main goal for the World Changers, as stated by Davies, is “to share the love of Christ in a tangible way, and also to make new experiences for themselves.”

Dominick Julian, 16, from Ohio, Kyle Jackson, 15, from Kentucky, and Alex Nickelson, 15, from Virginia came to know each other as a result of World Changers. Out of the many World Changers volunteers working throughout the United States, 300 volunteers are in Huntsville. They are split into 20 groups, each group working on six homes.

“This program works both as a learning experience and an outlet for friendship,”

Davies said.

World Changers requires all volunteers to have passed the sixth grade. Before arriving in Huntsville, volunteers had to pay $250, which covered lodging and food expenses. The City of Huntsville provided the materials and the World Changers the manual labor.

World Changers also focuses on helping the same people by returning each year to the homes they’ve rebuilt.

“There’s always a need to keep doing the same kind of work; to help the same families each year,” Davies said.

People who need their home repaired and those

Anthony Bratina

who wish to volunteer can contact World Changers.

Davies has been a World Changer for two years. She has experienced first-hand the gratitude and peace of mind the home owners attain as a result of this organization’s work, as well as the countless friends she’s made as a result of the World Changer experience.

“We are changing the perspective of the world for the ones we are helping, but also making outlets for friendship and creating new experiences for ourselves,” said Davies.

For more information visit their website at http:// www.worldchangersresources.com/imdex.html

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Students leap into learning in North Alabama One of the exciting things about being an educator is watching young minds expand and become open to new ideas. I call it the light bulb moment.

This week I got to watch many light bulb moments as our MJW students tried new things and had marvelous experiences.

We traveled to the Shoals area of the state to dive into that part of Alabama. We saw surprising things, such as how the Gulf oil spill affects students far from the coast.

We saw old landmarks in a new way, like Helen Keller’s birthplace, as workers there prepared for a festival. We saw landmarks that were reinvented, such as Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, which has taken on new life as Cypress Moon Studios. And we saw new programs, like several that reach out to those in need.

This year’s MJW group certainly made their own mark, with mature and dedicated teens that made my heart sing. If the future of journalism — and the world — is in their hands, then I’m OK with that. These students set the bar high in their devotion to learning new concepts and their enthusiasm for detail. I think you will sense that dedication on the following pages.

I am proud of the MJW class of 2010 and I will miss them terribly. I am so proud of them. I know you will be as well.

Meredith Cummings, Director, MJP

Studio

From Page 1

Moon Studios. Kelvin and Tonya Holly bought the studio in 2005 and have since released an award-winning film called “When I Find the Ocean.” These awards include the George Lindsey UNA award, the Dove “Family Approved” Seal and Second Place in the Reel Women International Film Festival.

David Hood and his friends, better known as the band The Swampers, bought the building to serve as a recording studio in 1969. The building still includes both of the original recording studios which are used today as sound studios and also as

Hood creates small town success

By Jessica Rosenthal MUSCLE SHOALS— After having played an eclectic mix of music styles at venues throughout the U.S. and Europe and working with countless music artists, David Hood still embraces his roots after more than 40 years.

Hood was mainly a studio player – background musician – for the past few decades, spending most of his days playing the bass guitar in the “Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section” band.

Hood said he enjoyed the challenge of learning and perfecting a new song almost everyday in the studio. He said he was in it for the music, not the money or fame.

“That challenge has always appealed to me,” Hood said. “I just like music.”

Though he toured with the band “Traffic,” which had a top 10 American album in 1971, Hood said he still prefers recording in his studio in Muscle Shoals.

“I’m more of a homebody, small town person,” Hood said.

Hood said his father al-

ways wanted him to work at ers and the Rolling Stones. the family tire store, but he Muscle Shoals was a center always had a love for music. for the recording industry in When Hood was 18, the ‘60s and ‘70s. he became apart of Artists travelled the band “The Mysto Muscle Shoals tics” playing bass from around the guitar. globe to get the A few years later, “soul sound,” he The Mystics recordsaid. ed at Fame Studios Hood said that in Muscle Shoals The Muscle Shoals where Hood discovSound Studios ered his passion for David Hood, started in the right the recording indus- creators of Muscle place at the right try. After recording time.

Shoals Sound the song “Where The Muscle Studios. is My Little Girl” at Shoals Rhythm Fame Studios, Hood Section, better said he enjoyed working at known as the “Swampers,” the studio so much that he also got a lot of attention. stuck around waiting for any Artists would flock to Muscle job opportunity they would Shoals to record with the give him.

Swampers. In 1995, the “I would do anything,” Swampers were recognized Hood said. statewide for their work by Hood got into the being inducted into the Alarecording industry in 1969 bama Music Hall of Fame. In when he started the Muscle 2008, Hood was also inductShoals Sound Studios with ed into the Musicians Hall of band members Jimmy Fame for his lifetime of work.

Johnson, Roger Hawkins and Though Hood has been Barry Beckett. The Muscle doing the same thing for Shoals Sound Studios has more than 40 years, he said recorded artists such as he still loves recording.

Cher, Aretha Franklin, Rod “What you do now, will Stewart, Bob Dylan, Willie affect what you do the rest Nelson, the Staple Singof your life.”

settings for some of their movie scenes.

Cypress Moon Studios is quickly gaining media publicity for its upcoming film “Bonnie and Clyde,” starring Hilary Duff and Kevin Ziger. The film, written, directed and produced by owner Tonya Holly, producer of “Blue Sky” and “The Tuskegee Airmen,” is planned to have a theatrical release in the spring of 2011.

Hood still works with the studio to record and make music today. He thinks the building holds a lot of purpose and history.

“I think it’s good. I love that old building, because if it wasn’t (being used) it would have just been there.”

Hood, who also toured with Traffic

and worked on tracks for other artists, still sees the Shoals as a prominent factor in music today. He said he had to sell the studio in 1985, because disco music drove many studios to closing, but he and his friends continued to work in the studio as producers. Now Hood is a freelance bass player and continues to play some of his famous work around the country.

Despite these changes toward the film industry, the studio is still doing music. It recorded some of the songs in their first independent film as well as some songs that have been used on other movie scores.

“The music in Muscle Shoals is still happening,” said Hood.

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More than just storytellers Small staff at the Morgan County Archives building in Decatur ‘ensure the future by preserving the past.’

By Gigi Eyre DECATUR — Outrageous stories, colorful characters, family histories, and dusty old bookshelves are just a fraction of the things that archivists Lily Robinson and Libby Boggess filter through every day in the Morgan County Archives.

“You just never know what you’re going to find in this place,” Boggess said.

People visit daily in search of their family history with nothing but a name. That’s where Robinson, 78, and Boggess, 56, come in. The women dig through newspapers in the archives, reliving the history of Morgan County.

The stories they find are not always pretty.

Boggess cautioned, “when you come to the archives, you better not dig too deep.”

The stories are as wild as Boggess’ red hair and lime green fingernails, yet they can be just as touching as Robinson’s graceful personality.

Even these two veteran historians are amazed at the extent of the unbelievable stories.

Boggess recalled one woman who wanted to learn more about her uncle and was shocked to find he was of a completely different race. Another came in search of a missing relative, only to discover their death. Yet another woman wanted to research her genealogy, and discovered that her mom had been keeping a family secret.

“Mama will tell her children a story, and they’ll find out it’s not true,” said Boggess.

As Robinson explained, family histories change as they are passed through the generations.

But no matter what they find, they are more than just storytellers. They dig through the news, find the facts, and animate the story.

And that’s why people come back for more.

“People appreciate what we do,” said Boggess.

If you’d like assistance in researching your Sharisma Bell John Allison and DeAngelo McDaniel browse old records books, some of which included genealogy, call the Morgan County Archives at charges against Madam Kate for vagrancy.

(256) 351-4726.

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Sharisma Bell (Left) The Morgan County Archives Building is where the history of the county is recorded, back to 1819 when Alabama had just attained statehood.

(Right) Lily Robinson and Libby Boggess search through a book of antique newspapers.

An historical detour in a river town

By Sharisma Bell

The Tennessee River runs through the depths of Decatur, a quick highway detour for a trip through history where, in the 1800s and early 1900s, boats unloaded, people settled and entertainment became king.

One of those entertainers was Madam Kate Lackner, famous for her brothel, but also an astute businesswoman.

At the Morgan County Archives visitors can see where her store used to be on the river, now replaced with townhouses.

According to archivist John Allison, Madam Kate, locally known as “Aunt Kate,” opened up a store with a business on the first floor and a brothel on the top.

When she first arrived in Decatur, Lackner was a family woman who moved to Alabama from Illinois with her

husband and child. Soon after arriving, though, Lackner left her family for a famous steamboat captain named Simp McGhee, who owned a store in town.

Lackner soon became Madam Kate, opening a “gentlemen’s sporting bar” in the store.

While word of Madam Kate’s illicit activities quickly spread through town, she never faced arrest for running a brothel. Many people didn’t like that she was a madam and men couldn’t be caught there or it would be a disgrace.

On Saturdays, the women would dress up and Madam Kate would parade them around town in her convertible.

Two of the most famous women on Madam Kate’s staff were named Josephine and Linda.

Josephine later opened her own brothel, a block down from Madam Kate.

When she left, she took Linda, who was considered a prize possession.

According to Deangelo McDaniel, a staff writer for The Decatur Daily, “the place where Josephine’s brothel is located was burned down because a pastor’s son bought the place and wanted to burn it down so there can be no reminders of it.”

When navigation allowed boats to pass along the Tennessee River without stopping in Decatur, business suffered for Madam Kate. Madam Kate died in 1947, and her infamous house burned down in the 1960s.

Madam Kate is just one historical figure in Decatur, where walking tours are held every Saturday. Other places on the tour: For more historical places to visits in Decatur, Al visit www.decaturcvb.org

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Wilson Lock: Big structure, bigger story

James Byrd, an operator of the Wilson Lock for 35 years, started his career shortly after he became a Veteran of Vietnam, when the Army Corps of Engineers gave him his current position. Byrd said the traffic flow through the lock changes from day to day.

By Aaron Etheredge “Some days you don’t have any [traffic], but on others, you Muscle Shoals – A 40-foot yacht floats snuggly against the might be flooded over,” Byrd said. ominous, 94-foot high black wall at the Wilson Lock. James On average, Wilson Lock sees far more barges than private Byrd, sits inside his control room and begins filling this massive vessels on the river. Barges are responsible for transporting chamber with millions of gallons of water to carry the yacht up roughly 15.5 billion lbs. of commodities through the lock. It can the lock. hold four “super jumbo” barges, nine commercial-size barges, The vessel starts its 92-foot rise from the downstream level or 17 regular sized barges. of the Tennessee River to the upstream area as water flows into In addition to barges, both rockets and kayaks find the lock the massive 600-foot water elevator. equally useful on their journeys as well. The lock only denies The lock has been in operation since 1959. For nearly 51 entry to craft that can’t stay afloat on their own, such as Sea years, it has provided a valuable resource to locals and comDunes and water vessels of the same sort. mercial industries. People, cargo and barges often pass through “I’ve lifted it all -- canoes, kayaks, water skis,” Byrd said. the water safely, avoiding the rocky Shoal area on the riverbank The lockmaster and staff are skillful at getting barges that plagued water-goers for years. through safely. However, no matter how careful and safety cauWhether it’s lifting 17 barges, or transporting a Jet Ski or tious they are, accidents still occur. kayak through the Tennessee River, the Wilson Lock accommoIn 2006, a barge traveling to Decatur drifted too close to the dates all sizes of vessels. upstream gate of the lock. As the lock filled with water, the bow of the barge caught the bottom of the gate’s edge. As the water level rose, the barge lifted the gate out of position causing the lock to be out of commission for several months according to the TVA. Despite rare setbacks, some famous crafts have passed through the lock. In 1969, the three-stage Saturn V Rocket, which was used for taking men to the moon, was disassembled in Huntsville and shipped to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida via the Tennessee River. The Wilson Lock was the largest lock on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) system that it passed through.

As the yacht continues its journey up the Tennessee River and gently glides through the still waters out of the lock, James Byrd takes a deep breath and clears his mind inside the control room for only a moment before he is back to his tireless job of providing passage to the endless river traffic.

(Left) James Byrd speaks about the Lock capacity to transport barges. (Right) Yacht being raised upstream in the Wilson Lock.

Aaron Etherirdge

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Finding History in Every Corner Historic Wilson Dam

By Andrea Matei

(Left) A boat exiting the lock. (Right) The Historical Wilson Dam is in Muscle Shoals.

History is all over Alabama, even in explosives during the war. President the farthest sections of the state. Muscle Theodore Roosevelt gave orders to start Shoals, located in the northwest corner, building, and it turned into the largest is the site of the historic Wilson Dam. construction project in the nation at the The dam is located about ten miles from time. the Tennessee border, where it funcAccording to Blackwell, people from tions along the Tennessee River. The dam all over the United States came to aid regulates water flow and gives boats pas- construction of the Wilson Dam. It was sage through via its lock. finished in 1925 and totaled $130 milJames E. Barb, a lock operator at lion, translating into billions today.

Wilson Dam since 1975, mentioned the The construction was said to have diverse types of watercrafts that pass been more complicated than the Panama through the lock.

Canal, simply because of the lack of ma“I’ve locked kayaks. I’ve locked boy terials. Shortly after completion, Henry scouts, you know, in canoes. All sorts of Ford came up with an offer to buy the things,” said Barb.

“We have a lot to dam and build one of the largJohn Blackwell, a est industrial cities around retired employee of the be proud of and a it. Many thought it was an Tennessee Valley Aulot of history that unrealistic plan and Ford thority (TVA) for nearly withdrew. goes way back.”

30 years, gives great In 1933, Franklin detail about the dam and its history.

Roosevelt started the TVA who ended up “We have a lot to be proud of and a buying the Wilson Dam. It turned out to lot of history that goes way back,” said be the only dam not built by the TVA and Blackwell. the largest one owned by them to this The construction of the dam began day. in 1917, during World War I. It was first Even during the 1960s, many rockets focused to be a source of electricity and and space ships that were too large to to extract nitrogen from the air to make be transported by truck, were freighted

Andrea Matei

through the lock on their way to the space station in Huntsville. This included the Saturn V, one of the earliest rockets used by the NASA space program.

The National Park Service and the National Historic Landmarks Program declared Wilson Dam a historic landmark on Nov. 13, 1966.

The dam is still fully functional, allowing versatile watercrafts and spacecrafts to pass through its lock. The dam also supplies at least seven states with electricity.

Blackwell emphasized that the TVA keeps one of the highest security profiles in the nation. Excellent records are taken of all their plants, including the Wilson lock and dam.

“Even the CIA comes to the TVA,” said Blackwell.

According to Blackwell, the Wilson Dam staff take pride in keeping the water around the dam clean. He said the water is safe to fish and swim in. The TVA prides itself in safety, efficiency, and keeping the consumer rates for electricity reasonable yet competitive.

“This is a unique place,” said Blackwell.

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Rechelle Lambert (Left) The recording studio in Studio A that functions as a demo studio at FAME Studios. (Above) Aretha Franklin was awarded for “I never loved a man the way I loved you.”

World famous studio keeps the tape rolling from analog to digital

By Rechelle Lambert MUSCLE SHOALS — As more people turn to computers to create music in today’s digital world, many working in recording studios wonder what the future holds for them. In an age where technology is always on the rise, digital recording has negatively impacted the future of recording studios and the longevity of the industry.

Rodney Hall, president of the Muscle Shoals-based FAME Studios that has recorded hits for singers such as Etta James and the band Alabama, enjoys making analog recordings in the studio. However, the fate of FAME Studios remains unclear due to the demise of analog recordings and the emergence of digital recording in the early 1980s.

“There might not be a business left 10 years from now,” Hall said. “Bedroom recording kills the business.”

Music purists who prefer the warmth and reliability of analog recordings are one of the main contributing factors that help to keep the business afloat. The decline in tape use since the advent of digital recording makes it impos-

sible for some companies to survive and do business but Hall has managed to find ways to make his company more attractive to those groups who would rather use digital recording over analog.

His answer? He publishes songs.

“The money is now made in music publishing. Songwriters write the song and then the publisher gets a cut of the income that the song produces,” Hall said.

Hall got into music publishing in 1985 after he noticed more artists moving away from making music in the studio, to making music from the comfort of home simply because the newer and cheaper digital recordings made it easier to do that. Comfort from home was not the only factor. Experts also contend that new age gadgets like drum machines and new genres such as disco piqued people’s interests and pushed them to look for new sounds.

“Drum machines and disco really hurt the business because Muscle Shoals folks were not really good at it,” Hall said.

Even though some may consider digital

recordings more convenient, Hall said nothing beats the true heart and reliability of analog recordings.

“There is more flexibility and warmth to analog tape as compared to digital,’’ Hall said, adding that some groups who really want that analog sound still come to him for that authentic touch.

“There’s a group right there practicing and making use of the (analog) recording studio,” Hall said as he gave a recent tour of the studio company his father, Rick Hall, helped start in the late 1950s.

But groups like the one in Hall’s studio on a recent Tuesday afternoon are few and far between nowadays. When he does do recordings, most are for those looking to cut a demo — that is mainly what the studio functions as now. But Hall said he needs more to stay competitive in today’s music industry.

To stay in the recording game, Hall uses music publishing to help support what he loves — making good music.

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Son of founder says running FAME is ‘the coolest thing in the world’

R

odney Hall may not be a famous recording artist, but he knows what it takes to sell a record. For 20 years, he’s worked at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, which gained a worldwide reputation of generating hits for super singers including Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, Otis Redding and others.

Hall serves as the president of FAME Publishing/House of FAME. Hall’s father, Rick, who is known as the Father of Muscle Shoals Music, and two men opened the studio, known as Florence Alabama Music Enterprises, in the late 1950s.

The first hit song Rick Hall recorded was Arthur Alexander’s “You Better Move On” in 1961. The song was successful and generated enough money for the company to expand and move to a bigger building. With the move, various artists came to record hits.

The news spread about the studio and recording artists from across the country started to roll in just to get a chance to get some of that “Muscle Shoal Sound” on their record. Publishers and producers have said that FAME StuRodney Hall, the owner dios and Muscle Shoals had what of Muscle-Shoals FAME recording studios, has met the world wanted. many artists including Bil“Muscle Shoals changed my lie Ocean and Tom Jones. whole approach to music,” David Z, a musician and producer for Prince, Etta James and Billy Idol said on the FAME website. “It

affected anyone who ever heard the music that came out of there. And that’s pretty much everyone in the world.”

The company developed a reputation of using live bands and playing groups to back up artists recording soul, R&B, gospel, country, rock, and some jazz songs, Hall said.

Even though FAME helped several artists record hits in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s, not all of the time was good for the company.

Hall said their recording business hit a decline after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King in 1968 in Memphis.

He said the soul artists stopped coming to the South to record and began to venture up North.

The studio took another hit when the disco craze emerged in the 1970s. The music just wasn’t a good fit for those recording in his studio.

In the Shoals, which includes Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals, Hall said there were 11 studios that were ”happening.” But FAME was the only one to survive.

After his father’s retirement, Hall began to run the studio.

“It’s the coolest thing in the world to do,” he said. “I didn’t think there was any other option.”

Today FAME serves as a publishing company, having numerous songwriters that have written hits for artists including Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire and Tim Mcgraw.

Hall considers FAME a time capsule. History covers all corners of the studio, from the photo album on the front table to the plaques upon the walls.

Hall said, “Without the artist, the building is just a building.”

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Students use Popsicle sticks to build a better future

By Corey L. Johnson Remember the glory days of elementary school when arts and crafts were the thing to do? Highschooler Daniesha Carr built a bridge out of Popsicle sticks this summer.

Carr is a rising senior at HewittTrussville High School in Trussville, a suburb of Birmingham.

She, along with as many as 80 other students around north and central Alabama, recently attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Summer Transportation Institute, a four-week intensive program that looks at jobs and careers in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering.

They also take field trips to various museums around the Shoals area and attend life skills classes.

This is the second year the college has offered this program, which is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.

Dr. Samuel Gholston, associate professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management at UAH, coordinates the STI program. “The majority of the students come from lowincome families,” Gholston said, “and without this program, they probably would’ve never thought about even going to college.”

Carr said she’s determined to attend college after she graduates in 2011, and she’s committed to studying engineering.

“Engineering, building things, will never be under-wanted,” Carr said. “It’s something that’ll always have job openings in.”

During the last week of STI, students divided up into groups of five and competed to see which team could build the strongest bridge out of Popsicle sticks.

Carr’s team placed second.

(Above) Erica Bride, sophomore from Bob Jones High School, reinforces her group’s Popsicle-stick bridge. (Below) Teammates (left to right) Jayla McClavey, Daniesha Carr, Taylor Anderson and Erica Bride show off their Popsicle stick bridge.

Corey L. Johnson

“We hope to continue the program each summer since we began it two years ago,” Gholston said. “It has really helped shape the minds of our state’s youth. I hope STI will inspire these kids to further their education and seek new horizons.”

Teens’ dangerous habit: Raiding grandma’s medicine cabinet

By Tiara Thompson Grandma’s medicine cabinet is the new ready source of illicit drugs for teens.

The demand of prescription drugs is increasing among teenagers because of its availability.

All they have to do is raid the medicine closet.

Josh Carruba, a pharmacist at Jim Myers Drug Inc., said teens often abuse drugs because of peer pressure and the need to feel “free.” According to Carruba, teenagers wrongfully use prescription drugs to escape from their problems.

“Prescription drugs have the potential to be harmful, but are not intended to be,” Carruba said.

Teens focus on the positive effects that drugs bring and overlook the fact that they are and addictive substance that can harm their health.

Adderall is a stimulant drug that is in high demand among teens.

It is generally prescribed to treat children and adults diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Stimulants like Adderall, and narcotic painkillers such as Hydrocodone, are a few of the substances in high demand for the teenage population that are be very harmful when abused.

Some signs that point to teens’ inappropriate drug use is depression, low self-esteem, aggression, rebellion and alcohol.

Bruce Dunkin, a pharmacist from Dunkin’s Pharmacy, said part of the reason teenagers resort to drug abuse is its availability. According to Dunkin, prescription drugs are highly harmful when they are not used correctly.

Dunkin said another cause of prescription drug use is related to signs of ageing.

As a result, teenagers’ accessibility to drugs reflects back to their parents’ and grandparents’ medicine cabinets.

Carol Olive, 70, Fayette, said she uses medication for her blood pressure and insomnia. According to Olive, teens should not be using or abusing prescription drugs.

“I don’t think they should be taking it all. I think they should stay away from it,” Olive said. “I would not be taking these meds if I didn’t have to. I can’t imagine

anyone wanting to take these medicines.”

Jim Oakley, a career counselor and recruiter from the University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences, said the thought of drug abuse is always in the back of his mind.

According to Oakley, drug abuse has always been a prevalent topic on campus.

“Fifteen years ago I could see it,” Oakley said. “I don’t [see it happening], but you hear about it.”

Freedigitalphotos.net

“Prescription drugs have the potential to be harmful, but are not intended to be,” Josh Carruba, pharmacist at Jim Myers said.

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Contributors Sharisma Bell Sharisma is a rising senior at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery. Sharisma, 17, enjoys writing, singing, photography and basketball. A member of the National Honor Society, Sharisma is on the school newspaper and literary magazine. She also served on the design committee of the yearbook. Sharisma wants to major in broadcast journalism, and her dream job is to be a runway model or a news anchor at the TODAY Show, ESPN, or E! News.

Aaron Etheredge Aaron is an 18-year-old graduate of Alma Bryant High School in Irvington. He has worked in his high school’s journalism department for three years. He hopes to ship out in late September to become a United States Marine.

He has traveled to France, Italy, Mexico and Japan during his high school years and has learned numerous lessons along the way. He hopes someday to use his computer skills in conjunction with his career.

David Currin David is a 16-year-old junior at Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook. David is the Editor-In-Chief of The Mustang Post, the student-produced newspaper at Stanhope Elmore.

In 8th grade, David was in the first TV Production class offered at his middle school, where he was involved with everything from anchoring to working the camera. David has always been interested in journalism.

Gigi Eyre Gigi is an incoming freshman majoring in journalism at the University of Alabama.

She loves playing volleyball and doing anything creative like scrapbooking and making collages. She was the Editor-inChief of her high school yearbook staff and cannot wait to join the staff of the Corolla.

Brian Helms Geoff Follette Geoff is a rising junior at Oakwood Adventist Academy. He is 16 and lives in Madison.

Geoff is an avid writer and aspiring journalist, and he hopes to be the editor of a major magazine someday. His pastimes include basketball, writing music and spending time with family and friends.

Latara Holloway Latara is a rising senior at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery.

She enjoys writing, drawing and hanging with friends. She is excited about her senior year and being vice president of her school’s Film Club.

Brian is a junior at Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook. Brian is 16 years old and the copy editor/photographer of the Mustang Post, the student-produced newspaper at his school. The experience at MJW was an ideal one for him — taking pictures and traveling combined. Brian also enjoys spending time with his friends and family and listening to music.

Corey L. Johnson Corey is a rising junior at Scottsboro High School and is a writer/video editor for The Wildcat, his school’s newspaper. He has traveled to 24 states and wishes to attend the University of Alabama in the fall of 2012. He is left-handed, an artist since toddlerhood, a movie buff, and likes Mexican food. Corey also produces stop-motion animated films as a hobby and won his first film festival award in April 2010. He is enthusiastic about pursuing a career in filmmaking and hopes to work alongside Tim Burton if ever given the chance.

13 Rechelle Lambert Rechelle is a senior at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, and she is interested in majoring in journalism with a minor in fashion. She is a member of the Tower Yearbook and her school’s literary magazine, Counterpane. She enjoys cooking, writing and looking through fashion magazines in her spare time. Her dream job is to work for Vogue in New York.

Andrea Matei Andrea is a rising senior at Hillcrest High School, where she takes part in various academic clubs and serves as the assistant captain of the Color Guard. She is an avid participator of PATS-TV, the school’s television broadcast. Andrea has worked on many stories ranging from school rules and events to on-location stories. She also enjoys writing short stories and skits, photography, working at the movie theatre and spending time with friends.

Megan Lawrence Megan will be a freshman majoring in journalism at the University of Alabama in the fall, and she hopes to write for the Crimson White as soon as possible. She became interested in journalism after an internship at The Birmingham News during her junior and senior years of high school. She loves photography, cats and Chinese food.

J.B. McCracken J.B. is a rising sophomore at Parkview Baptist High School in Baton Rouge, La. J.B. plays football, and he is an avid video gamer. J.B. hopes to attend the University of Alabama and double major in journalism and business. J.B. enjoys traveling and attending sporting events with friends and family.

Breion Palmer

Junior Nunez Junior is a rising senior at Golden Gate High School in Naples, Florida. Originally from Cuba, Junior has experienced firsthand the cruelty and the despicable deed that is the deprivation of freedom. Junior has grown fond of the principles and ideals of freedom, using writing as a great and powerful tool of social advocacy.

Jessica Rosenthal

Breion is a rising senior at Loachapoka High School. She is on the LHS Lady basketball and softball teams and the varsity cheerleading squad. She is an aspiring journalist and enjoys writing, attending sporting events and shopping.

Tiara Thompson

Jessica is originally from Rantoul, Illinois. and is a rising junior at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in Irondale. She is a part of the student government, debate team, French club, and is on the literature staff of her school literary magazine, Counterpane. She has always enjoyed writing, has a passion for photography, and is excited to learn more about the field of journalism.

Tiara is an 11th grader from Alma Bryant High School. She lives in Grand Bay. She is 16 years old and avidly devoted to becoming a journalist. She plans on majoring in journalism and minoring in photography at the University of Alabama. She plans on being the first female to graduate in her family.

Cathryn Walker Cathryn is a rising University of Texas freshman enrolled in the College of Communications as a pre-journalism student. Her experience as yearbook editor has led her to love photography, layout design and reporting. Aside from writing, she enjoys dancing and traveling, and her dream career is to become a broadcast reporter.

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Huntsville peddling to new places with bike ordinance

By J.B. McCracken Bicyclists may have parking spaces of their own alongside motorists if a proposed ordinance passes.

The Huntsville City Council is considering an ordinance that would require new businesses for every 20 parking spots for cars to have two spots for bicycles. The city council is expected discuss the proposed ordinance in mid-July, but may delay a vote until August 26. The Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory and Safety Committee introduced this ordinance in July 2009, then passed the ordinance on to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission passed the ordinance on June 22, 2010.

The proposed ordinance is modeled after how Auburn, Alabama and Yuma, Arizona made their towns more bikefriendly.

Lisa Leddo, urban planner for the City of Huntsville, said only businesses

built after the ordinance is passed will be affected The only area that would be exempt from this ordinance is downtown, because of how limited parking is in downtown Huntsville. Leddo said the city of Huntsville already provides a few bicycle racks in front of government offices in downtown Huntsville.

Leddo said that the bicycle racks will no have to be very extravagant. “These bicycle racks will be very basic and an reverse u-shape,” she said.

Leddo said, “These racks will be very cost effective to the businesses and the racks will only cost anywhere from $100 to $150.”

Leddo also said she has received no negative feedback on the proposed ordinance from local businesses or the general public.

“The Mayor of Huntsville endorses

Freedigitalphotos.net

the ordinance, since he does an annual bike ride,” she said. “That the Mayor thinks that this ordinance will pass.”

The mayor was unavailable for comment.

David Stone, an avid bike rider, said the proposed ordinance will provide a healthy, economic, and environmental impact on Huntsville. When Stone lived in Maryland, he rode his bike to work instead of driving.

Riding his bike served a dual purpose, to get him to work and to get a workout. Stone said he thinks the ordinance will not have a lot of opposition and will pass the city council.

Many factors involved in trying juveniles as adults

By Megan Lawrence When a 14-year-old boy shot and killed another student at Discovery Middle School in Madison on Feb. 5, the aftermath highlighted the issue of juveniles being tried as adults.

The shooter’s fate is yet to be decided. He must undergo a psychological evaluation, which is a critical part of the process to certify a juvenile as an adult. A hearing has been set for July 2.

According to Marc Sandlin, chief deputy district attorney for Madison County, it has been speculated that both the shooter and the victim were involved in some kind of gang activity, though the shooter came from a good family and has no prior record.

Because of these circumstances, this is a controversial decision, as is nearly every decision to try juveniles as adults.

Because every case is different, there is no routine way to handle the decision to try juveniles as adults.

Many factors are involved: the seriousness of the offense, the mental state, prior record and the demeanor of the defendant and the interests of the community and the child, all of which vary with each case.

Ultimately, though, the judge will decide, Sandlin said.

In Alabama, there are two ways to impose adult sanctions on juveniles: an automatic transfer, which occurs when the defendant is 16 years old and has committed a felony which involves the use of a weapon, and a motion to transfer, for defendants 14 or older.

The defendant could be transferred from juvenile court to circuit court to be tried as an adult if the judge so decides after a hearing, which would be petitioned by the prosecutor, Kristen Simms Cross wrote in a 1998 article for the Alabama Law Review.

Most debates about this decision are driven by the fact that the brains of teenagers are not fully developed, especially by the age of 14.

The National Institute of Mental Health states in the article “The Teenage Brain: A work in progress” that while the parietal and temporal lobes reach maturation during teenage years, the frontal lobe, which involves planning and impulse control, does not reach maturity until the ages of 23-30.

13 15

(Above Left) Robert Parham has been collecting Civil War memorabilia since he was 14 years old. (Above) Cases line the walls of the Blue and Gray museum filled with everything from uniforms to swords.

David Currin

Parham Collects for Stories, Not Money

By David Currin

DECATUR — Robert Parham has been collecting Civil War era pieces since he was a kid. “[Walking along the river] we’d find a bullet or a button,” said Parham, 62. “I’ve always liked collecting them. It wasn’t until about 15 years ago that I decided I’d like to start a business - buying, selling and trading.”

Parham owns the Blue and Gray Museum of North Alabama in downtown Decatur. The museum has display cases filled with Civil War era rifles, swords and uniforms Parham has collected over the years.

Some of the items were donated to the museum from the families of Civil War soldiers, but most of it was bought by Parham.

Parham said since he was a young child, he has held an interest in the Civil War. When searching for Civil War memorabilia, Parham looks for items with a story rather than random pieces.

“Each one has a story,” he said. “Actually to me, the story related to the item is of more interest than the item.”

In the late 1960s he purchased his very first piece: a model 1840 Musician’s Sword.

“I paid 20 bucks for it,” he said. “Of course, back then $20 was probably the going price for it. Now it would be worth about $325.”

When someone wants to learn of their family’s past, they often turn to Parham. People come and request his help to trace their ancestors who were in the war.

Sometimes when they find an item that was in their family they want it. But the items in the museum are not for sale, Parham said. If Parham has his way, the items in the museum will remain there long after his death.

“That’s already taken care of,” he said. “It’s a nonprofit organization with a board of directors, and the board of directors will decide (what to do).”

For more information, call 256-350-4018 or go to www.moultondragway.com/jjones/index.htm.

16

(Far left) A statue in Ivy Green, the home of Helen Keller, portrays Keller during the moment she learned her first word — water.

(Above) Helen Keller once lived in this small home at Ivy Green in Tuscumbia.

(Left) Becka Davis and Katherine Tumlinson alternate portraying Helen Keller in the play “The Miracle Worker,” performed during the annual Helen Keller Festival in Tuscumbia.

Brian Helms

Keller’s spirit lives on in festival and ‘Miracle Worker’ play

By Geoff Follette TUSCUMBIA — Every summer, people come to Ivy Green to learn about Helen Keller, who overcame enormous challenges to inspire the world.

Keller’s birthplace is home to a play called “The Miracle Worker,” which tells the story of her journey to meet the expectations of the world, even with her handicap of being blind and deaf.

The play shows “that anything is possible,” said Shea Glenn, who plays Keller’s sister in the current production.

The play is performed at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at the house of Keller’s birth, Ivy Green in Tuscumbia.

The performance is part of the Helen Keller Festival, which kicks off with a parade at 6 p.m. Thursday featuring the

cast of “The Miracle Worker” along with musicians and politicians.

“The parade is a celebration of her life,” said Tyson Johnson, a descendent of the Keller family.

The play by William Gibson depicts the learning of Keller’s first word, water, at the historic pump in the back of Ivy Green. According to the story, Keller’s teacher, Anne Sullivan, spelled the word ‘water’ in Keller’s palm using the water from the pump. The local cast performs on a stage also behind Ivy Green which seats 750 at a general admission price of $8. Reserved seating costs $10. It is the designated state outdoor play of Alabama since 1991.

The festival also features music

from DecembeRadio, CMT’s ‘Can You Duet’ season 2 winners Steel Magnolia, and ACM Top Vocal Duo award winners Joey+Rory. Just as there is entertainment for adults, children may experience the fun of the festival with storytelling by Ann Maples and a water show in Spring Park each night.

Helen Keller may have had difficult obstacles to overcome, but she was still able to be a powerful activist. From receiving a degree in Doctor of the Laws at the University of Glasgow to writing books in regular print, she proved herself as the First Lady of Courage.

“It is an honor to be kin to Helen Keller,” said Johnson.