PITCHFORK
THE
EST 1928
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta High School
Issue 2
@mhspitchfork
December 17, 2020
Diversity club creates an inclusive space for all students Savannah Hernandez Editor-in-Chief The year of 2020 has experienced a world-shifting, global movement for racial justice. In this culturally sensitive time, the Diversity Club has the potential to create an everlasting impact on students and community members. “It’s more important than ever for us to have a club like this because conversation and inclusion is everything right now. Our students, and people in general, just want to be heard and accepted. The Diversity Club will be able to emphasize and collate those wants and needs for students of all kinds and backgrounds,” Jermaine McCann (11) said. It is a mission for Marietta High School and this club to be an inclusive and safe space for all different kinds of students with different backgrounds and experiences. “The mission statement of the club is to cultivate an inclusive culture that amplifies, embraces and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of students here at MHS,” Betsy Biddle (12) said. A sponsor of the club, Jill Hooley, understands the importance of diversity and is eager to have the opportunity to take her efforts outside of her classroom. “Celebrating diversity has always been important to me. I am fortunate to have the freedom to educate and celebrate diversity within my classroom and visual art curriculum. Now, it is exciting to see what can happen beyond my classroom walls. This is a perfect time to create solidarity with our students, staff and community,” Hooley said. Continue to pg. 4 for “Diversity Club”
Coach Grundmeyer and students walk up the grand staircase after Marietta opens its doors to students and begins hybrid learning. Photo by Alexandra Audrain.
Marietta navigates hybrid classes Students choose between in person and virtual learning Etinosa Ogbomo and Kate Williamson Staff Writers
Students arrived to learn in-person for the first time in 241 days on the Marietta High School campus since the start of the COVID-19 shutdown. Marietta City Schools reopened in phases. Elementary students had the option to return in September, and in the final phase, MHS students had the option to return on Nov. 9. School administration estimated that about half of the 2,532 total students enrolled returned the first week while the other half continued to learn virtually. However, by the first week of December the estimates of in-person students had decreased to around 800 since the return. Students have the option to choose to come in person or stay at home to learn virtually on a day-to-day basis.
According to Principal Ball, preparations for students to return in-person have been in place since June. “Each safety mitigation strategy is examined to see if it is working as intended under current circumstances and if it has sustained value,” Principal Ball said. Noticeable differences in the building include required masks for staff and students, partitions at student desks and hand sanitizers stationed throughout the building. Students may remove their masks when they are outside between class changes or if they are eating in one of the two cafeterias or in the outdoor eating areas, the senior courtyard and
J-Hall terrace. Other safety precautions taken for COVID-19 have been less noticeable. The Board of Education has approved the purchase of needlepoint bipolar ionization units for school buses and similar technology for the HVAC units in MCS buildings. A letter from Superintendent Rivera explained that this technology is proven to remove more than 99% of any COVID-19 in the air in only 30 minutes. Rivera also touted that Marietta is one of the first school districts in the nation to add this safety precaution to our bus fleet. Continue to pg. 4 for “Return to School”
CROSS COUNTRY DOMINATES: TWO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WINS Josh Beyene and Julia Depasquale Staff Writer and Section Editor This year, both the boys’ and girls’ teams were named Region 7AAAAAAA state champions, the first time in school history both have held the title in the same year. “The boys meeting the goal they set 3 years ago and the girls bouncing back after a disappointing 2019 campaign made the day very satisfying.” Jack Coleman, coach of both boys’ and girls’ teams said. This state championship will mark the sixth championship Coleman has overseen as head coach. Kamari Miller (12) won the 7AAAAAAA state championship, and was named the 2020 Powerade All Metro XC runner of the year. “It was the best day of my highschool career. The feeling of accomplishment after
going through so much... it makes everything worth it,” Miller said. Teammate James May (11) finished fifth and Jared Fortenberry (10) finished eighteenth. In addition, James May and Kamari Miller both made the 7AAAAAAA region all state team. “Making the all region team was a big accomplishment for me and it was something that I had to work hard for knowing that I was able to make it as a junior was very motivating because I know that next year I’ll be one of the top runners in the state who will be competing to go to nike nationals as long as I keep training hard and staying consistent,” May said. Continue to pg. 11 for “Cross Country”
Kamari Miller crosses finish line at regionals, winning the race and later going on to win the State Championship. Photo by Julia DePasquale