PITCHFORK
THE
EST 1928
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta High School
Issue 2
@mhspitchfork
November 19, 2021
Incumbent Tumlin secures fourth mayoral term in office Etinosa Ogbomo Business Manager The recent mayoral election voting period ended with electors sending Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin to his fourth term in office. Mayor Tumlin faced off against Ward 6 Councilwoman Michelle Cooper Kelly after running unopposed last election cycle. The precincts recorded Tumlin receiving 4,981 votes, approximately 57 percent, as opposed to Kelly’s 3,733 votes, about 43 percent. Although the candidates technically ran nonpartisan, Tumlin largely received support from Republicans while Kelly received the majority of her support from Democrats. Mayor Tumlin ran on a platform of continued stability, noting that low taxes, consistently low crime rates, and increasing property values resulted from his leadership. Conversely, Congresswoman Kelly ran as the candidate of change, aiming to increase affordable housing options, attract young professionals, and incorporate young voices into the political process. Their respective plans for Marietta were best encapsulated in their slogans, with Kelly saying we need to “Move Marietta Forward” while Tumlin hoped to “Keep Marietta, Marietta.” Councilwoman Kelly noted that this election was drastically different from any other election she’s participated in. “Unlike my previous elections where I ran for only my ward; this was a city wide election. I have about 7,500 residents in my Ward; whereas the City of Marietta has a population of nearly 62,000 residents,” Kelly said. Continue to pg. 5 for “Election”
Nora Hart (10), Gabi Comsudes (10), and Kristal McQueen (11) break away from their competition at the state race in Carrollton. This course is considered the most challenging of the season. Photo by Ada Chesney
Cross Country crushes competition Lady Blue Devils clinch state title, boys finish runner-up Ada Chesney Staff Writer For the second year in a row, the girls cross country team won state at Carrollton High. They won four of the last five years. With 107 points, the team beat Harrison by nine points. “Overall, the season was very successful. The girls pulling off the trifecta, winning Cobb County, Region, and State, cannot be considered anything but successful,” Coach Coleman said. The girls team had one top ten finisher, Kristal McQueen, placing ninth. She finished the race with a time of 19:52.45. “I’m super proud of my performance
and my team’s performance. Getting ninth in the state race was a big accomplishment for me and I’m glad that my hard work paid off,” Kristal McQueen (11) said. “I’m also very proud to be on such a hardworking team. My teammates all performed very well and gave it their all. Being the State Champions back to back is awesome, and I couldn’t be happier.” The boys team placed second overall with a total of 104 points, losing to Mill Creek High by two points. The boys finished the race with two top ten finishers: James May placed second, with a time of 16:09.41, and Jared Fortenberry
placed ninth with a time of 16:36.91. “It was a pretty good race, I’m proud of what we were able to do, both individually and as a team,” James May (12) said. “I think next year the guys will be able to come back even stronger.” To get to the state meet, the cross country teams dominated at the regional competitions at Allatoona Creek on Oct. 23. The girls team placed first in the region with a total of 41 points, beating Hillgrove High by one point. Continue to pg. 11 for “XC”
“Noises Off!”: a hilarious return to live theatre Isabelle Lovejoy Section Editor
After a year of virtual performances, the theatre department makes its return to live theatre with the one act comedy, “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn. The theatre department has performed emotional dramas for their last three one act plays, making the choice of a comedy a unique one for this program. “We purposely selected a comedy to try and lighten the mood given our current state of affairs in the world. We want to make the audience laugh and forget their worries,” Holly Smith, director of “Noises Off” said. “Noises Off” is a play within a play. It follows the rocky final dress rehearsal of a play called “Nothing On.” The ridiculous series of events and wacky characters create a hilariously entertaining show. “‘Noises Off’ takes place in the 1970s, we have a director who is working so hard on
this wonderful comedy, however he is dealing with all of these different problems that are going on with the actors, and the props, the sets, and nothing seems to be going right. By the end of the show the question is, will the director keep their sanity with everything going on,” Sophia Steigerwald, assistant director of “Noises Off” said. The actors faced several challenges throughout the rehearsal process. Being their first in-person show since 2020, many of these performers had to relearn their core acting skills. “It was challenging with projecting after being virtual for so long. We weren’t really able to be in the theatre space as much, so projecting was definitely a big challenge coming back into performing in person. But as we’ve eased back into it, it’s gotten better,” Jamiyah Smith (12), secretary of the theatre department, said. Continue to pg. 4 for “One Act”
Mrs. Clacket, played by Tiah Carthers (10) makes a hilarious call on behalf of the owners of the household in an outlandish British accent. Photo by Isabelle Lovejoy
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Editorial: follow your own story The constant presence of social media in the lives of Generation Z has led to a massive sense of normalization and desensitization to death and violence. Travis Scott’s concert at Astroworld in Houston caused a social media craze. After Scott encouraged fans to sneak in to his concert in a since deleted tweet, thousands of fans stormed the security gates, overcrodwing the concert. At least ten people have died as a result of crowd surges, and hundreds were rushed to the hospital. TikTok videos featuring concertgoers crowdsurfing unconscious bodies to safety have since gone viral. When Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on May 25, 2020, the world had a front row seat. A video taken by Darnella Frazier, 18, a bystander to Floyd’s death, went viral across social media platforms. Her video shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, accompanied by Floyd and bystanders at the scene pleading for his life. Millions of viewers of all ages watched a man die on their screens. Social media has changed the way teenagers understand death. They have access to actual footage of violence and murder they would have never otherwise been exposed to. Social media, however, is not the only platform that has led to an oversaturation of violence and graphic images for young audiences. The growing prevalence of a 24 hour news cycle has served as both
an answer and catalyst for a demand for live news–constant, graphic images of real life horror stories. Violence has become the focus of typical, everyday conversation amongst peers.
engrossed in content providing graphic depictions of crimes against real people with traumatized families. Social media provides a platform for once in a lifetime atrocities to be broadcast
“Social media acts as a constant cycle of relaying horrible events to an audience largely consisting of kids.”
- Kate Williamson “Violence and death have been shared through social media in copious amounts and its prevalence has normalized the concept of loss and tragedy.” - Etinosa Ogbomo “I feel like the emergence of social media and the ability to easily share incidents makes us show more empathy toward those who the violence is against.” - Wes Harrison
The newfound true crime fever has created an entirely new genre. Podcasts, video series and books portraying sensationalized accounts of real atrocities have taken pop culture by storm. Young adults become
across the globe, exposing individuals to an exorbitant amount of violence. Modern media has normalized graphic depictions of death, thus desensitizing viewers of all ages to the tragedy of loss of life. Explicit
video games, music videos, TV series and movies are available for consumers on demand. These depictions of death are so ubiquitous that young generations have created a demand for it. Our generation has been forced to dissociate from the true calamity of death, creating jokes and humorous trends in an attempt to cope. Police brutality, suicide, gruesome deaths and violent assaults have been played across our screens for as long as our generation can remember. Constant portrayals of tragedy have created a sense of desensitization and apathy amongst younger generations, routinely exposed to traumas from which they are detached. So how do we combat this? How does our generation denormalize the near constant portrayal of death in the media? We must first restore our empathy. When we see a headline in the news about another murder, another school shooting, another concert crowd surge, we recognize the tragedy. It is not a case for us to solve, but rather a loss for us to mourn. The eight lives lost at Astroworld are not a hashtag to retweet, but lives for us to honor, a symbol of the progress we need to make. For once, we ignore the trending page. We turn off the Twitter notifications. We stop getting caught up in every story that comes across our newsfeed. We instead ground ourselves in our own stories. We begin to live in our moment.
Do you consider social media positive?
Marisol Hernandez (9)
Lauren Giles (11)
“It has been negative because a lot of people post other people and talk about them.”
“I think it can be a both positive and negative experience for everybody, and that it’s very important to put positive outreach on everybody’s social media.”
Lauren Kelly (10)
Nathan Nebeu (12)
“I think social media has both a positive and negative impact because it can keep you in touch with people, but also can bring people’s self-confidence levels way down.”
“Obviously it has its negative sides, where if you don’t take anything you find with a grain of salt things can go wrong, but for the most part, it allows people to explore their interests and find out what they’re passionate about.”
follow us @mhspitchfork A follower will be chosen to win a Zaxby’s gift card from @Zaxbys591SMP
CONGRATULATIONS to this issue’s winner, Owen Hall (12)
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Pitchfork is published by journalism students at Marietta High. It is free to the student body, staff and community. The views and opinions expressed in the Pitchfork are not necessarily those of the administration and faculty. Letters to the editor should be brought to room J208 or emailed to the staff: pitchfork@marietta-city.k12. ga.us
Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Audrain
Assistant Editor Julia DePasquale
Section Editors Ella Chesney Nina Clark Isabelle Lovejoy Lillian Salter
Managers
Wes Harrison Icy McFall Shae Mulkey Etinosa Ogbomo Kate Williamson
Staff Writers
Dylan Buehner Zaria Byers Ashley Caldwell Ada Chesney Kate Corr Alyssia Hamilton Zachary Harrison Kaia Kirkpatrick Lily Konigsmark Maelyn Moore Alafair Persons Cooper Shaw Quadriyah Williams
Adviser
Andrea Lyons
Mission Statement:
Pitchfork is a student written and produced newspaper aimed at educating, enlightening, and entertaining Marietta High’s students. All content is determined by the staff in an attempt to be relevant and give voice to the student body.
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Digital activism: performative or informative?
Kate Williamson Graphics Manager Social media is rapidly replacing traditional forms of political expression, and there’s no turning back now. Providing a glimpse into the world outside of our personal bubble, social media can start conversations and advancement to deeper research. Don’t get me wrong, there are of course several faults to a teenager engaging in political conversations online, as with any form of protest. The most pressing issue with online activism is the influx of misinformation which can actually detriment the marginalized communities that it’s meant to protect. For example, many Black Americans have stepped forward since June 2020 to criticize the infamous black squares trend: the “activism” that attempted to justify overshadowing and ignoring Black voices. To combat these harmful instances of performative activism, teenagers should be wholly educated outside
of social media using both research and insight from aforementioned communities. I’m not trying to say that all teenagers need to share every infographic they find when scrolling through Instagram. I’m also not saying that teenagers are morally corrupt if they don’t have the means to be completely informed. However, it should be normalized to educate oneself and respectfully educate others on the topic across social media platforms. There’s no doubt that activism’s traditional roots are losing their universality with modern progressives. Considered a contemporary, uncomplicated, and cost-effective alternative to in-person protest, social media platforms have practically become the epicenter of politics, with 58% of 18-29 year olds confirming their online advocacy involvement (2018 Survey of U.S. Adults by Pew Research Center). Whether you like it or not, almost everything can be tied back to politics. Even for teenagers, it constantly surrounds our day-to-day lives, and it’s impossible to simply remain “neutral” in the face of unyielding political turmoil.
Lily Konigsmark Staff Writer I believe that social media and politics should not clash. Social media activism is growing greatly in all media and is shared through many apps for getting information out there. The preferred audience is generation Z. “Gen Z” is very vocal about their opinions and political outlook, and they share these opinions through social media. There is a larger majority, specifically 51%, of teenagers using social media compared to adults and children that are under the age of twelve. Many accounts are made for spreading awareness on many different situations that people are struggling with, like suicide awareness. Though spreading awareness about our world news through social media is informative, it can also be considered annoying and overwhelming. A discussion on this topic can be very complex and there are many ¨scandals¨ including social
media and the negative effects. Social media is a deep hole of anything and everything one desires to see. Instagram for example is an entertainment-centered app used for others to share about their lives and explore the places and friends other people have. I gained this opinion over the course of quarantine because of the uprising of politics to our favorite apps. As students, we were on these apps for almost all of the day. There was an overwhelming boredom of having nothing to do and being scared of this strange disease. Enough talk about the C word because I know that everyone that has a heartbeat is sick of hearing about this infuriating topic. A person trying to claim that they have made an impact on others and how they ¨help¨ others through posting on social media is not true activism. Yes, it is helpful to hear about current news, but that is what news channels are for. There is no powerful influence from sharing personal opinion behind a screen rather than going out and promoting awareness and putting yourself out there. If you want to make a change and achieve influence on others, stop exemplifying performative activism.
SAGITTARIUS SEASON HOROSCOPES Taurus
Gemini
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
There’s a focus on communication and navigating your social life as we enter Sagittarius season. You’ll find success in leading discussions on meaningful global issues. A new confidence in romantic partnerships will help heal old romantic insecurities. This is a time for successful and enlightening correspondence.
With the sun entering Sagittarius, you’ll find financial comfort and security in the month ahead. Speaking your mind and values will bring you success. Discover new ways to improve your income flow. Adopt an abundance mindset and good things will follow.
Happy birthday season! You’ll find yourself extra chatty and social this month. Verbalizing what you want will help you attract your desires. During the full moon lunar eclipse in Taurus on November 19, you may be knocked off your game. Don’t let the idea of imperfection derail your progress.
Isabelle Lovejoy Section Editor
Aries
As the sun enters Sagittarius, you’ll find yourself craving experiences outside of the norm. You’ll find inspiration from compelling conversations and debates. You should prioritize freedom and faith during this time. Stay open to new opinions and opportunities, and you’ll see lots of growth emerge.
Cancer
This month, shift your attention to the future. You’ll find success in communicating with peers and focusing on the details of big-picture ideas. Prepare to micromanage multiple crises at once. This is a great time to show off your leadership skills.
Capricorn
This Sagittarius season, you’ll find yourself called to put a stop to any relationships or situations that don’t align with your intuition. This is an ideal time to communicate any important messages, intuitively and in your personal life. An opportunity to shine is awaiting you, don’t be afraid to leave the comfort of your regular social scene.
Deep bonds will be forged and strengthened this month. This time will bring clarity on how to share your future with those closest to you. The full moon lunar eclipse on November 19 falls in your sign, which will bring endings to relationships that have run their course.
Sagittarius season encourages you to pursue creative self-expression. Think about innovative ways to use your voice. You’ll be able to make a name for yourself by showing off your originality. The November 19 full moon lunar eclipse in Taurus will propel you towards a new professional or educational direction, which may force you to accept new responsibilities or pressures.
Aquarius
As the sun shifts to Sagittarius, your attention will be on friendships and collaboration. Don’t be afraid to discuss big-picture ideas this month. You’ll find clarity on how to manifest new opportunities, don’t be afraid to make your own path. Examine your past to gain closure on any issues that have yet to run their course.
This Sagittarius season will highlight partnerships and alliances. You’ll find yourself better able to find empathy and see through others’ eyes. You’re encouraged to discuss big-picture topics. You’ll find success in communicating your perspective and negotiating issues.
Your attention is turned towards family affairs and your inner circle for the upcoming month. Security and peace will be especially important to you at this time. Work on strengthening your foundations by acting more intentionally. Conversations with those close to you will help you view the past from a new perspective.
Pisces
This month your focus will shift on career and educational interests. Your voice will begin to align with your reputation. You’ll find confidence in taking the lead and showing off your skills during this Sagittarius season. Don’t be afraid to move past limiting ideas or beliefs you once held during this time.
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Stigma and stereotyping of indigenous people Zaria Byers Staff Writer Native roots run deep through Georgia. Sports teams, landmarks and even counties in Georgia are named after American Indian tribes. However, some of these names do more harm than good to the Native community, and changes are being made across the country. Changes are taking place in schools Around 2017, Georgia’s standards shifted from Georgia Performance Standards to Georgia Standards of Excellence, to be more respectful to American Indians. This included the removal of ‘Native American’ from the curriculum. 'Native American' became the "politically correct" term in the 1970s, but many indigenous people object to the term because it was assigned by white oppressors. For this reason, many identify as American Indian, to describe their ancestry. In short, there is no written "correct term for indigenous people. Preference diffferes from person to person, as do their ethnic backgrounds and feelings. Native people are pushing for this same inclusivity of the indigenous perspective in schools. “Unfortunately, I really have not seen any changes in regard to standard courses
like US History. We have seen more Ethnic Studies courses added here at Marietta High School this year, which allows teachers to explore topics such as Native American history and culture, and that is a wonderful thing,” Dr. Beverly Sylvester, Department Chair said. However, some other states aren’t doing the same. People are calling on schools across the country to dive deeper into all tribal history; including northern and eastern tribes. Outside of the curriculum, indigenous people are fighting for schools across the country to change long-opposed mascots and team names. Recently, superintendent Elizabeth McAndrews proposed the removal of Amesbury High School's 'Indian' mascot, in Massachusetts, and took a poll from those who support her. Just 15 minutes away from Marietta High looms a 23 foot tall fiberglass ‘Indian’ statue at McEachern High School, the mascot of their school’s team: The Indians. Unlike places such as Kansas and California, there is very little indigenous representation in Georgia, which could be a reason as to why the statue still stands. "It's just overall wrong, because they don't even dress the 'Indian' correctly. They mix a bunch of tribes together which
is wrong," Chiamaka Opene (10), a McEachern student said. Aside from schools, national sports teams are also being urged to change their names upon controversy. During July of 2020, The Black Lives Matter Movement set a cultural awakening in motion, with indigenous people demanding for racebased sports mascots to be removed. Teams such as the Cleveland Guardians and the Washington Football Team have changed their names, but other teams have chosen the latter, despite the ongoing backlash. Georgia’s very own Atlanta Braves are among this group. Major League Baseball Commissioner, Rob Manfred claims that American Indian groups are wholly supportive of the Braves’ and that it is the “end of story” for him. However, Jason Salsman, a spokesman of the Muscogee nation, says otherwise. "If you just go out and get a group here or there and say you're good, I don't think that's how Indian Country works," Salsman said. "You need to speak to the whole of Indian Country and make sure that you get a grand consensus. I wouldn't say that they have that." To further oppose Manfred's claims, Stephanie Fryberg, a psychology professor and member of the Tulalip Tribes, says
that the effects of these race-based mascots have lasting impacts, including stress, depression and decreased self esteem among Native individuals. Moreover, research proves that Native mascots fuel the dehumanizing of indignous people, reducing them to animals or objects. Native culture is deeply ingrained into many Southeastern communities and it plays a major role in Georgia’s state aspects. For example, the Cherokee rose, Georgia’s state flower, is said to have grown from the tears of the Cherokee people who were forced out of their homeland during the Trail of Tears. The trail passed through the state of Georgia, hence the Cherokee rose being the state flower. The flower is a reminder to Georgian residents of the impact that the Indian Removal Act had not only on indigenous people, but on Georgia as a whole. “They [indigenous people] have left many traditions, it's been helpful, it helps us to remember why things are named the way they are,” Mr. Warren King, social studies teacher, said.
Combatting stereotypes fueled by mascots and other offensive instances of caricatures, more accurate representation of indigenous culture can portray the true diversity within the indigenous community. Graphic by Kate Williamson
continued from pg. 1 "One act" Additionally, many of these performers had never been in a comedy before, which requires an entirely different skill set. “I’ve never done a comedy, so I haven’t had to work on that side of acting before, so it’s been nice to try something new,” Natasha Walker (12), president of the theatre department, said. Facing these new challenges has brought the actors more confidence in their range as performers. “Timing was a challenge because you have to have timing in any show that you do, but comedic timing is different versus dramatic timing. So we had to learn and expand our abilities. Now I feel like we’re more prepared to do other types of shows,” Tiah Carthers (10) said. After a challenging two years, the department brought home third place at the Regional One Act Competition. Natasha Walker and Tiah Carthers were selected for the All-Star Cast awards. “The All-Star award is for actors or actresses that the judges think were at the top of their cast. Not every cast gets them, like for example, I remember last year [at the Regional One Act Competition] every cast got two All-Stars, but this year not every cast got one. Some groups got two and some groups got one. Our cast got two, me and Natasha,” Carthers said. The Regional Competition took place before the performances of the show, leaving the cast with nerves not knowing how the audience would react. Comedies are difficult to pull off, and the audience finding the show funny was essential to placing well in the competition. “It was nerve wracking and it was a challenge because when we were practicing for competition we didn’t have an audience, so we didn’t know how they
would react, and especially since 'Noises Off!' is a comedy, there’s a lot of logistics to it, as in holding for laughter," Erin Johnson (11), department historian, said. "The audience is a big part of a comedy because their reaction is also a part of the show, which is not something you really get in dramas, so it was definitely a challenge trying to anticipate the audience’s reaction without seeming like we were anticipating it,” Johnson said. The cast proved successful, and the show was a fan favorite among the competing schools. “I loved ‘Noises Off.’ The script was hilarious and the cast and crew cohesively performed an amazing show,” North Paulding student, Bobby Gillespie (10) said. The show performed for a public audience on Nov. 5 and 6. The cast performed two stellar performances that went over without error. This was thanks to the hard work of the tech crew, who’s work looked different this year during the live performances. “This show has been very well put together. I conduct the tech crew, and most of the time I’m in the booth directing the lights and sound, and queuing people backstage. So my job as stage manager is to que everything and make sure everything is running smoothly," Wes Harrison (10) said. "I was the assistant stage manager of ‘Anonymous’ and the head stage manager of Moana Jr. My job looks a lot different this year because we filmed our shows last year, so we would run and cut, and then run again. With this it’s all live and I have to advise the cast based on how the audience is reacting,” Harrison said.
Belinda Blair, played by Erin Johnson (11), assists Frederick Fellows, played by Jamiyah Smith (12), with a fear induced bloody nose during the comical final dress rehearsal of "Nothing's On" in the one act play "Noises Off!"
The cast of "Noises Off!" in the final scene of their hilarious one act play. Photos by Isabelle Lovejoy
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Local elections low voter turnout Etinosa Ogbomo Business Manager
CITY COUNCIL Incumbents were heavily favored in the Marietta City Council elections. Two precincts reported incumbent Grif Chalfant triumphing over opponent John Silvey in Ward 2. Official results show Chalfant leading with 1,271 votes while Silvey trailed the polls with 674 votes. In Ward 4, three of three precincts reported incumbent Andy Morris narrowly securing re-election with 1,656 votes, while his opposition, Ted Ferrerira, received 1,013 votes. Ward 5 was the only other city council race in which multiple candidates contended for a seat. M. Carlyle Kent headed the race, with precincts reporting 310 ballots cast in his name. Incumbent Reggie Copeland had 277 votes, and the third candidate, Cristina Stallworth, received 223 votes. Due to none of the three candidates winning 50% and one vote, Copeland and Kent will compete again in a runoff election on Nov. 30. The remaining candidates: Incumbents Johnny Walker from Ward 3, Joseph R. Goldstein from Ward 7, and Cheryl Richardson from Ward 1, as well as candidate Andre Sims from Ward 6, ran unopposed for their seats on the Marietta City Council . SCHOOL BOARD Marietta City Schools Board of Education races also wrapped up on Nov. 2. Considering that Board Members directly influence how schools operate in the midst of COVID-19, this election was particularly contentious. Large decisions, such as mask mandates, are decided by the Board; therefore this particular cycle received widespread attention. However, very few Marietta citizens showed up the polls to cast their vote.
Results showed Jeff Dejarnett taking the lead in Ward 1 with precincts reporting 195 votes as opposed to candidates Alex Castro and Lisa Lindsey receiving 132 and 115 votes, respectively. Lindsay’s votes were invalidated due to her dropping out of the race. Hence, no run-off election will be held between Dejarnett and Castro. Incumbent Jason Waters secured his School Board seat by a large margin, receiving 1,287 votes while his opponent, P.J. Hardy, had 651 votes with all precincts recording. A.B. Almy also secured Ward 3’s School Board seat after receiving 1,048 votes in comparison to Erica D. Bush’s 412 votes with all precincts recording. Ward 4 was the only Ward in which multiple candidates ran for a seat. Precincts recorded Jaillene Hunter leading with a plurality of votes, 1,532, cast in her favor. George Darden trailed behind Hunter, with precincts recording him at 839 votes. Angie Smith, the final candidate, was a distant third contender, receiving 302 votes. Incumbents Angela Orange from Ward 5, Kerry Minervini from Ward 6, and Irene Holly Berens from Ward 7 ran unopposed for their seats on Marietta City Schools Board of Education. SPLOST In addition to Mayoral, School Board, and City Council races, Cobb County voters decided whether the countywide Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (otherwise known as SPLOST) should be approved or denied. SPLOST is a financing method that is utilized to fund capital outlay projects. It is an optional 1% sales tax levied by Georgia counties, and the revenue goes towards funding the building of parks, schools, roads, and other public facilities.
Voter participation in the mayoral election
Mayor Tumlin’s previous elections Mayor Tumlin v/s Opponents
Non-participating voters
Election year
Votes for Tumlin Votes for Kelly
The Cobb County government proposed the question as follows: “Shall the special one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes currently imposed in Cobb County be reimposed on Jan. 1, 2024, upon the expiration of the current sales and use tax, for not longer than 20 consecutive calendar quarters, to raise the maximum amount of net proceeds of $966,405,942.00 to be used for the following educational purposes: For the Cobb County School District: For renovations, modifications and additions to new and existing schools and other facilities, construction and equipping of new schools, construction and equipping of new classrooms, upgrading buildings and facilities, infrastructure improvements, acquisition and preparation of land, and acquisition of equipment, safety and security and technology systems at a total maximum cost of approximately $894,891,903.00 for the Cobb County School District as described in the Notice of Election. For the City of Marietta Schools: For renovations, modifications, and additions to existing schools and other facilities, upgrading buildings and facilities, infrastructure improvements, acquisition and preparation of land, and acquisition of equipment, security and technology systems and systemwide support vehicles, at a total maximum cost of approximately $71,514,039.00 for the City of Marietta Schools, as described in the Notice of Election.” 35,427 Cobb County voters affirmed the tax while 13,713 voters said “no,” according to official results from 145 reporting precincts.
Votes for candidates
Continued from pg. 1 “Election” This election was Congresswoman Kelly’s first competitive cycle in the city; defeating a 12-year incumbent is no easy undertaking, but Kelly was optimistic after the election, saying that she learned throughout the course of the race. “This campaign taught me the value of being disciplined and organized. Running a campaign for any office requires a tremendous amount of time and resources. Therefore; it’s important to create a plan, stick to the plan and only deviate if absolutely necessary,” Kelly said “I’m obviously disappointed in the results, but I’m not discouraged, I ran twice unopposed, and I needed to run a full citywide election. So the thing that I’ve enjoyed the most is getting to know people throughout the city of
Marietta throughout all the wards,” Kelly said. “We mutually both ran a good race, we got our issues out there,” Tumlin said. “And I was fortunate enough to get more who supported my issues. She’s a quality person,” he said regarding his opponent. Councilwoman Kelly expressed gratitude to her family and voters for their support. “I feel really humbled and inspired by all of the support, volunteer dedication and just all of the energy that surrounded my campaign.” “This campaign was so much about the people who supported my vision. I was so blessed to have over 80 volunteers who dedicated their time knocking on doors, putting out campaign signs, hosting meet and greets, phone banking
and texting voters. These volunteers not only dedicated their time and energy but also their financial resources to help my campaign,” Kelly said. Tumlin, an attorney, accountant, and former state executive, similarly gave credit to his volunteers for his victory. As an incumbent, Tumlin was heavily favored for re-election, and he benefited from widespread support from a range of Marietta residents. “My campaign was real people oriented. We’ve had a lot of volunteers go door to door, standing on corners waving ... I’ve had a lot of good friends step up and support me,” Tumlin said. In his upcoming term, Mayor Tumlin hopes to build on the progress he’s made over the past 12 years.
Mayor Tumlin at Marietta High School Photo by Ella Chesney
Lillian Section
Dependence on social media In today’s modern age, society is more dependent on social media than ever before. While most agree that the detriments of social media are damaging, the extent to which they are problematic is more debatable. “Social media is partially detrimental, but I would find another way to distract myself if it didn’t exist. The things I learn and am able to enjoy outweighs any potential distraction,” Schuyler Parker (12) said. Many studies have been conducted to see if certain psychological problems amongst teens can be attributed to social media. In recent years, the studies have only managed to reach conclusions of correlation, not causation. This is partially because the rise in depression occurred at the same time as the rise in smartphone use, as was reported by the Child Mind Institute. However, certain studies have shown that this seems to be more than just a coincidence. In 2017, Twenge et. al conducted a study regarding the correlation between smartphone use amongst eighth to twelfth graders and depressive symptoms. Results showed that out of the half a million participants, 33% indicated symptoms of depression between the years 2010 to 2015. Due to the fact that Apple released the first smartphone in 2007, and that 92% of young adults in 2015 owned a smartphone, the correlation between social media and depression is almost unquestionable. Another study, conducted in 2014, explored the correlation between social media and body image. With a population sample consisting of 227 female university students, the study concluded that women who spend an increased amount of time on social media, Facebook specifically, are increasingly likely to compare themselves to others, and experience concerns with body image in general. “I feel like celebrities these days are so skinny and make me feel terrible about myself, especially knowing I’m never going to look like them. They create these unrealistic images of what girls should look like, when in reality it’s not true. I hate the feeling of looking at a really cute outfit on someone and then realizing it will never look good on me because I don’t have that body type,” Libby Barnes (9) said.
Even influencers, like Jessica Camerata, find it difficult to navigate social media. “I’m an old school blogger and post four times a week to my blog. It’s definitely a challenge in my business to grow on social media, while getting an engaged audience. Plus, there’s the constant comparison game we tend to play with having social media”, Camerata, owner of anindigoday.com and Co-Founder of The Blog Societies, said. “Following aspirational lives and people, it can be unhealthy. I try to unfollow anyone who doesn’t make me feel good or makes me question my own looks and life and so on. I think it’s important to set boundaries with social media for your mental health and recommend everyone go through their feed and unfollow anyone who isn’t serving a positive purpose,” Camerata said. Camerata’s commentary goes to show that the effects of social media are impactful and far-reaching, to the extent that even internet professionals need to navigate online interfaces cautiously. Although social media has been shown to have disastrous effects on people’s self-confidence and body image, there are some undeniable perks. The interweb allows anyone and everyone to communicate faster; news and entertainment are just at the edge of our fingertips; people can share videos of screaming goats and anxiety-inducing parkour compilations. Some students at Marietta even feel that social media is more beneficial than detrimental to their daily lives. “It’s my main mode of communication; sometimes it’s my main mode of escape or even news too. I kinda feel like life would be a bit boring without it,” Kushal Tummala (12) said. Savannah Dixon (10), feels similarly. “I think social media is more beneficial to my daily life because it allows me to talk to people, and interact with friends I normally don’t get to see,” Dixon said. In the end, social media has both benefits and detriments. The best that society can do now, is to manage our usage the best we can. After all, social media doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Marietta students by the numbers
Daily Screentime (Hours)
Graphics and charts by Lillian Salter The sample consisted of 153 Marietta High School students: approximately 7.65% of the school population. The first two charts depict the positive and negative aspects of social media the respondents relate to. It should be noted that students were allowed to select more than one option, hence why the total number of responses exceeds 153. The pie chart above measures the average daily screentime of the sample. The most common response was a screentime of six hours, while the second and third most common were five hours and four hours respectively. The four histograms to the right depict the amount of time (in minutes) the students spend on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat. According to the data, more people spend 11 - 30 minutes on Instagram, 0 - 10 minutes on YouTube, 0 - 10 minutes on TikTok, and 0 - 10 minutes on Snapchat.
n Salter n Editor
Facebook in the hot seat One morning, social media users across the globe began to report errors with social media software. Without any warning whatsoever, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, and Messenger had vanished from the face of the internet. “That day I didn’t go on social media until 12:40 p.m. A friend and I arrived at our HOTA class, and I opened Instagram and it wouldn’t load. I assumed it was just the Wifi or something,” Jack English (12) said. The crash occurred as a result of an error in the backbone routers, which are responsible for the coordination of network traffic between data centers. One small mishap caused not only Facebook to go down, but also Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Oculus. Facebook eventually resolved the issues regarding their internal systems, but in the six hours that the apps were down, the damage had already been done. In addition to the management of a popular social media platform, Facebook is responsible for many aspects of daily life. According to the New York Times, many people use Facebook to access more than just media. “Facebook is also used to sign in to many other apps and services, leading to unexpected domino effects such as people not being able to log into shopping websites or sign into their smart TVs, thermostats and other internet-connected devices.” Additionally, the crash had major financial repercussions in countries all around the world. Entrepreneurs that depend on Facebook and Instagram to run their businesses, could not fulfill the demands of their clients due to the outage. According to a source of the New York Times, Mark Donelly, the founder of HUH Clothing, was unable to communicate with customers. “It may not sound like a lot to others, but missing out on four or five hours of sales could be the difference between paying the electricity bill or rent for the month,” Donelly said. Thankfully, the crash did not affect those who were pre-
Screentime on Instagram
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pared. Many influencers run their business through a website or blog online, meaning the crash did not interfere with income. “As a blogger for ten years, I have built the bulk of my business through my website and blog. While I use Instagram and other social platforms to promote my blog and create content on, at the end of the day, my blog is number one. When Facebook and Instagram went down, I didn’t panic at all. But this isn’t the case with my other influencers who solely rely on these platforms to run their entire business,” Jessica Camerata, owner of anindigoday.com, said. Camerata went on to describe how she managed the crash. “When Facebook went down, I decided to email all my email subscribers. In this email I drove my subscribers back to my blog to check out a few great posts to read. This ended up being my number one top traffic day on my blog in my ten years. So I was actually glad Instagram went down because I didn’t waste my time on social media all day. And instead worked on my blog, and generated great traffic which resulted in more ad revenue and affiliate sales.” However, as expected, many of Camerata’s friends were affected by the Facebook Crash. “Many rely heavily, or solely, on Instagram and I’m not sure what they did for the 8 hours that this was down. I think it was eye opening to many that you can’t rely on another platform for your entire business. While it should be a part of your business strategy, it shouldn’t be the only one,” Camerata said. This is not Facebook’s first time in the hot seat. In 2018, Facebook confessed to mishandling data obtained by the Cambridge Analytica Consulting Firm. They accumulated the data through an external app, specifically through the form of a personality quiz, entitled “thisisyourdigitallife.” The data allowed the firm to construct profiles on each of their respondents, including their likes and dislikes, political affiliations, and personality traits. The real controversy occurred in 2016, when Donald
Trump’s Presidential Campaign recruited Cambridge Analytica to create targeted advertisements using voter data. Concers were raised when it was discovered that the firm had ties with Russia. Zuckerberg said the following in a Facebook post after the scandal first came to light: “We have a responsibility to protect your data, and if we can’t then we don’t deserve to serve you,” Zuckerberg said. Although Facebook employees began to grow suspicious of Cambridge Analytica in 2015, the company waited a total of three years to take action. Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress to answer questions regarding the scandal, and the Federal Trade Commission eventually fined Facebook $5 billion in reparations for their privacy violations. In light of these recent controversies, Facebook made the decision to rebrand. The actual app will remain under the name of Facebook, but the company’s corporate name is now “Meta”. Zuckerberg promises to enforce privacy standards throughout the development of the Metaverse and assures the public that changes will be made to protect user information. Hopefully, with the rebranding the company will abandon their reckless behavior and build a new platform for online interaction safe for everyone.
Screentime on YouTube
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Entertainment
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Fashion week takes Paris by storm After eighteen long months of virtual representation, Paris Fashion Week debuted its nine day long all-inclusive in-person show. The show highlighted their spring and summer pieces for the upcoming year. Some of the well-known favorites showcased were Saint Laurent, Gucci, Chanel, and Balenciaga. The Spring 2022 show is already strikingly different compared to
last season’s fully digital production. Paris Fashion week is a semi-annual event held in Paris, France showcasing designer presentations with dozens of other guest designers, emerging talents, and virtual events. Fashion seasons are divided into spring and summer, lasting from January until June, and fall and winter, lasting from July to December. According to WearNext Fashion journal-
ist Daisy Jordan, Fashion week “informs the trends for the season, so collections must be shown early. Retail buyers need time to view the collections and decide which pieces to go with, then designers need time to manufacture the orders.” Appraised as the fashion capital of the world, Paris brings together some of the most famous fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Lacroix, into buzzling
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Quadriyah Williams Staff Writer fashion districts. This globally impacted event displays a range of different styles and an opportunity to display amazing talent on a large stage. The next show will debut the first weeks of March 2022 for Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2022, in hopes of an entirely in-person show.
Marietta High Reviews Top Fashion Week Looks LOEWE
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI
LOUIS VUITTON
VALENTINO
“You could wear this in New York or Paris.” - Mary Jane Mayfield (10)
“This look is easy to follow; it can be done with other patterns and colors.” - Yosselin Rodriguez (12)
“Too oversized, looks bulky.’’ - Payton Konop (9)
“The person who created this probably has a vision in mind.” - Ani Johnson (9)
VALENTINO
GIVENCHY
GIVENCHY
LACOSTE
“I don’t like the pattern and the see through fabric together.” - Todd Lecadre (11)
“There is so much going on that everything is overshadowing everything else.” - Lauren Giles (11)
“It’s very high fashion and experimental but it tells a story in a sense.” - Mayerlyn Rivera (12)
”I feel she’s prepared for all weather at once! I appreciate that in an outfit.” - Nicole Hurioglu (10)
Fast fashion: industry takeover Fast fashion
Fast fashion brands have taken hold of pop culture and fashion in the U.S. Many teens and high school students buy or support fast fashion brands because they offer trendy clothing at an affordable price, hallmarked by their ability to produce an immense quantity of clothing quickly. Additionally, the variety of products and styles for both males and females offers an easy, simple shopping experience. Found on their website, Shein’s mission statement is as follows: “SHEIN is the ultimate one-stop-shop for the modern yet economical fashionista. It aims to promptly offer stylish quality products at appealing prices to every user in the world.” SHEIN is an easily identified fast fashion brand, however, many other popular stores are also considered to be fast fashion. For example, Zara and Urban Outfitters are considered to be fast fashion brands. Many students at Marietta support these brands by being loyal customers. “I buy from SHEIN because there is a wide variety of cute clothes and it’s cheap. I also buy from Zara because they are affordable and have quality clothing pieces,” Alera Kose (12) said. These types of stores also allow students to dress in ordance with the trends, while
still having the money to buy when the next trend comes around. Despite the positives of fast fashion in providing goods that are more affordable and accessible, many fast fashion brands have been accused of breaking labor laws and contributing to disposable consumerism and increasing carbon footprint.
Alternatives
There are many alternatives to fast fashion. These alternatives include thrifting clothing to ensure that it lasts for a longer time and isn’t disposed of into landfills. Consumers also have the choice to be more aware when shopping, maybe only buying a couple pieces that instead are
Graphic by Kate Williamson
Julia DePasquale Assisant Editor more sustainable and ethically produced. However, this option is not accessible to many buyers as the costs associated with ethical labor often significantly raise the prices of the products. “Thrifting is so much more eco-friendly as the piece of clothing you are getting is second hand. when buying second hand clothes you aren’t making more waste by buying something completely new. I don’t think people realize how much waste goes into buying a piece of clothing from a fast fashion website,” Margaret Black (10) said. “The shipping equipment alone is so wasteful because it is used for a short period of time and then just ends up in a landfill where it will take years to decompose. Thrifting helps reduce our carbon footprint.” This, in many ways, has started a movement. Influencers have spoken openly about not supporting fast fashion brands. YouTuber Emma Chamberlain has been a huge proponent for sustainable shopping and thrifting. “Because of influencers like Emma Chamberlain, thrifting has become more encouraged for our generation. Emma especially has an eye for cool statement pieces that are one of a kind and it inspires people to go out there and see what they can find,” Margaret Black (10) said.
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True crime increases presence in Opinion: True Crime Craze popular culture Zach Harrison Staff Writer
Graphic by Kate Williamson
Ashley Caldwell Staff Writer From serial killers to mind blowing mysteries, true crime is anything based on or describing an actual crime. True crime is famously known for its serial killers, cults, and unsolved mysteries, and the genre is now impacting society. The obsession with true crime stems from morbid curiosity, which is interest or thirst for knowledge in regards to death, violence, or anything that causes emotional and/or physical harm. The human psyche can be grim and turbulent, and the most famous true crime cases in the world explore some of the most frightening minds humanity can offer. Humanity has seen some of the most bizarre cases in history within the last 100 years: Jeffery Dahmer, the Black Dahlia, D.B. Cooper, Gianni Versace, Watergate, and the Manson family are just a few of the many cases that have intrigued so many. TikTok accounts, YouTube channels, and podcasts have been singularly dedicated to the complex stories that unfold behind these famous headlines. As it becomes more convenient, we are increasing the consumption of true crime. True crime has inspired many recently released shows and movies. “You,” a Netflix Original, released season three on Oct. 21. “You” is a psychological thriller detailing the lengths a bookseller is willing to go to in order to get close to the source of his infatuation.
“You” is not the only popular TV show or movie to take influence from numerous True Crime cases: “Squid Game,” “American Horror Story,” and “Scream” are just a few examples of true crimes’ effect on the entertainment we consume. “Squid Game" contained graphic violence and death but became extremely popular on social media. Is there a potential link between this increasing violence and the popularity of true crime? According to Time, Netflix Original docuseries “Tiger King” attracted more than 34 million viewers in the first ten days of its release. The number rivaled the highly anticipated release of season three of Netflix original “Stranger Things." A victim of one yet unsolved true crime mystery is buried in Marietta. JonBenét Ramsey, a six year-old beauty queen, was murdered in her home in Boulder, Colorado on the night of Dec 25. and Dec. 26, 1996. After a formal investigation by the Boulder Police Department, the case was deemed unsolved and remains an open investigation to this day. JonBenét is buried across the street from Marietta Middle in the Saint James Episcopal Cemetery. Dec. 26 will mark the 25th year since JonBenét’s death. Discovery created a documentary on JonBenét titled "JonBenét Ramsey: What Really Happened?". The documentary has been available to stream since Jan. 4. True crime is becoming an influential aspect of popular culture. Through consumable media, true crime is becoming a frequent, morbid point of conversation.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the popularity of many types of content, from streaming services to video games. One of the biggest beneficiaries of the lockdown was true crime. Podcasts, TV series, and novels skyrocketed. I believe that the obsession with true crime is the result of a society looking for a way to both be frightened and feel more secure than we are. True crime is a female-oriented genre. A 2010 study found that women are more attracted to true crime, especially to stories focused on a female victim, while men are more attracted to other violent genres. While men are more likely to be victims of homicide, women are overwhelmingly more likely to be the victim of a crime perpetrated by a close relation. Some argue that there is an evolutionary aspect to true crime. It can teach defense tactics and give some form of insight into the mind of a killer. Keep in mind that it is only a perception based on analysis often done by laymen without an inside look at the killer beyond their statements and writings. The insight given can lead to overconfidence or worse. There are even more positive aspects, like the communities that have formed around these crimes that find ways to heal after collective traumatic experiences. However, the current craze also poses several dangers. One danger is to the dignity of the victims. While many content creators are respectful and careful of the survivors and the dead, others can take their plight and sensationalize them with gratuitous detail. These are real people, and their stories and suffering should not be treated as cheap entertainment. Poor handling brings additional trouble, as the intense subject matter can also set off those who have been traumatized in the past. Some experts believe that this obsession has impacts on mental health, even for those without past trauma. True crime obsessions can lead to anxiety and a fear of similar events happening in your own life. These stories are chosen because of their dramatic potential and unusual qualities, which can create a distorted perspective of both the likelihood of crime and the potential sources of it. Most crimes are committed by a person the victim personally knows, for example. There is often a sense of guilt and relief that comes from knowing that your life is better than that of the victims. Putting yourself in the imaginary shoes of victims can make you more prepared, but it can also damage your mood. The ultimate takeaway is that these are events that happened to real people. They are dramatized and exaggerated, but the core of their stories are painfully real. Should they be used as lessons, warnings, and precautionary tales? Should they be something you listen to on the bus or between classes, half-paying attention? The next time you turn on your favorite show or podcast, it might merit a closer look.
JonBenét Ramsey is buried at Saint James Episcopal Cemetery in Marietta next to her mother Patsy Ramsey. Ramsey is the subject of one of the most prolific cold cases in the genre of true crime. Photo by Ashley Caldwell
Marietta High offers new course in American Sign Language Lily Konigsmark Staff Writer This year, American Sign Language is officially an accredited class for Marietta High School students. The new American Sign Language class is in J-hall and taught by Ms. Cecily Sims, a new teacher to Marietta, who is excited to share ASL with Marietta students. "Marietta has welcomed me with open arms, and everyone here is very helpful," Sims said. Sims attended Arizona State University, where she learned sign language, and
is a proud Sun Devil. She fell in love with ASL in third grade when a sign language teacher taught her class the alphabet. “The alphabet stuck with me ever since then and influenced the path I had for my future,” Sims said. Her teacher made an impact on her, and she, in turn, hopes to make an impact on the world, starting with Marietta. "I've wanted to take ASL since sixth grade, but it was never really an option," Alexandria Kelly (10) said. If you are interested in joining the American Sign Language class, contact your class counselor for further information and details on the class. Registrations closes in January.
Alexandria Kelly (10) practices American Sign Language gestures along with their instructor, Ms. Sims. This is the first time ASL has been offered as a language course at Marietta High. Photo by Alexandra Audrain
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Bilingual
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HoPe for Latino community in Marietta Nina Clark Section Editor HoPe, standing for Hispanic Organization Promoting Education, is a national non-profit organization that aims to help students gain a sense of belonging within their school and community. The Marietta chapter has similar goals and accomplishes this through different service opportunities for members and other events to include students at the school. “There are multiple service opportunities for the members throughout the school year. For this month, members can drop off cans/nonperishables to participate in a can drive with a local church,” Monsterrat Mendez (11), Vice President of Service, said. Some other examples of service opportunities include making bookmarks at Marietta Reads. During COVID-19, students wrote letters to healthcare and front line workers and participated in E-Book Buddy, where HoPe volunteers
were paired with a young student to help through virtual learning. The mission of HoPe is to provide high school students a platform to be leaders and enact real change in their community through obtaining scholarships and educational and professional success. “HoPe provides students with mentors, scholarship opportunities, educational consultations, and much more,” Jackie Ramirez (11), HoPe President, said. Members of HoPe relate their involvement in the organization to the various resources and opportunities available and chances to connect with other students. “I thought HoPe was a cool organization to join and meet new people that have a similar background to mine, as well as the multiple scholarship opportunities, service hours, and graduate coaches, ” Mendez said. Another key point of the organization is to encourage and focus on Hispanic and Latinx youth. At Marietta, HoPe aspires to showcase Hispanic culture and
Members of HoPe perform their annual grand staircase dance to close out Hispanic and Brazilian Heritage Month. Photo by Nina Clark
encourages students to embrace the heritage. As a means to do this, HoPe hosted various events around Marietta High to celebrate Hispanic and Brazilian Heritage Month. “The HoPe leaders were instrumental in kicking off Hispanic Heritage month with a piñata. They then put on a great dance sequence to close out Hispanic Heritage month,” Chief Jose Alfaro, HoPe sponsor, said. HoPe also had an “aguas frescas” sale where they sold horchata, tamarindo, pineapple, and mango drinks to students during lunch to celebrate Hispanic and Brazilian Heritage Month. Chief Alfaro explained he enjoys his position with HoPe because of how the Marietta chapter has had an impact on Hispanic and non-Hispanic students. “Since the chapter was established in 2012, HoPe has become a strong voice for Hispanics at Marietta High School,” Alfaro said. As 37% of Marietta High’s student
population is Hispanic, it’s important for these students to have an outlet such as HoPe and access to resources the organization can provide. “HoPe provides the Hispanic community in MHS representation, a community of students similar to them, and a place where students can get resources for college if they’re first gen, undocumented, or simply looking for help,” Ramirez said. For more information or to get involved, contact Chief Alfaro, Mrs. Frank or Jackie Ramirez. HoPe has a Remind and Instagram page that regularly updates members with information about general monthly meetings.
Leaders of HoPe sell “aguas frescas” during lunch to celebrate Hispanic and Brazilian Heritage Month. Photo courtesy of Jose Alfaro
HoPe por la comunidad Latina en Marietta Nina Clark Section Editor HoPe, en calidad de Organización Hispana que Promueve la Educación, es una organización nacional sin fines de lucro que tiene como objetivo ayudar a los estudiantes a adquirir un sentido de pertenencia dentro de su escuela y comunidad. El capítulo de Marietta tiene metas similares y logra esto a través de diferentes oportunidades de servicio para los miembros y otros eventos para incluir a los estudiantes en la escuela. “Hay múltiples oportunidades de servicio para los miembros a lo largo del año escolar. Para este mes, los miembros pueden dejar latas/no perecederos para participar en una campaña de lata con una iglesia local,” dijo Monsterrat Méndez (11), Vicepresidente de Servicio. Algunos otros ejemplos de oportunidades de servicio incluyen hacer marcadores en Marietta Reads. Durante COVID-19, los estudiantes escribieron cartas a los trabajadores de atención médica y participaron en E-Book Buddy,
donde voluntarios de HoPe se emparejaron con un estudiante joven para ayudar a través del aprendizaje virtual. La misión de HoPe es proporcionar a los estudiantes de secundaria una plataforma para ser líderes y promulgar un cambio real en su comunidad a través de la obtención de becas y el éxito educativo y profesional. “HoPe ofrece a los estudiantes mentores, oportunidades de becas, consultas educativas y mucho más,” dijo Jackie Ramirez (11), Presidenta de HoPe. Los miembros de HoPe relacionan su participación en la organización con los diversos recursos y oportunidades disponibles y las maneras de conectarse con otros estudiantes. “Pensé que HoPe era una organización genial para unirse y conocer a nuevas personas que tienen un trasfondo similar a mí, además de las múltiples oportunidades de becas, horas de servicio y entrenadores de graduado,” dijo Méndez. Otro punto clave de la organización es alentar y concentrarse en los jóvenes hispanos y latinx. En Marietta, HoPe as-
pira a mostrar la cultura hispana y anima a los estudiantes a abrazar la herencia. Como medio para hacer esto, HoPe organizó varios eventos alrededor de Marietta High para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana y Brasileña. “Los líderes de HoPe fueron instrumentales en el inicio del mes de la Herencia Hispana con una piñata. Luego pusieron una gran secuencia de baile para cerrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana,” dijo el Jefe José Alfaro, patrocinador de HoPe. HoPe también tenía una venta de aguas frescas donde vendían horchata, tamarindo, piña y bebidas de mango a los estudiantes durante el almuerzo para celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana y Brasileña. Jefe Alfaro explicó que disfruta de su posición con HoPe debido a cómo el capítulo de Marietta ha tenido un impacto en los estudiantes hispanos y no hispanos. “Desde que se estableció el capítulo en 2012, HoPe se ha convertido en una voz fuerte para los hispanos en Marietta High School,” dijo Alfaro.
Como el 37% de la población estudiantes de Marietta High es hispana, es importante que estos estudiantes tengan una salida como HoPe y acceso a los recursos que la organización puede proporcionar. “HoPe proporciona a la comunidad hispana representación en MHS, una comunidad de estudiantes similares a ellos, y un lugar donde los estudiantes pueden obtener recursos para la universidad si son de primera generación, indocumentados o simplemente buscan ayuda,” dijo Ramirez. Para más información o para participar, contacte al Jefe Alfaro, a la Sra. Frank o a Jackie Ramírez. HoPe tiene un Remind e una página de Instagram que actualiza regularmente a los miembros con información acerca de las reuniones mensuales generales.
Sports
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Sophomore wakeboarder makes podium
Rivers Hedrick kickstarts her professional wakeboarding career at Red Bull Wake the City competition in Milan, Italy Ashley Caldwell Staff Writer Rivers Hedrick (10) participates in the extreme water sport of wakeboarding. According to Hedrick, balancing both school and wakeboarding is a feat that takes dedication. “My student life has been good. It’s honestly been kind of hard to keep up with both wakeboarding and school,” Hedrick said. While it may prove a challenge, that hasn’t stopped Hedrick from striving to achieve success in the sport. “One of my biggest achievements so far was winning worlds last year as an amateur and placing in pro women’s this year at nationals, which has officially kick-started my professional career,” Hedrick said. She competed against numerous women of all ages, still managing to place on the podium. Hedricks traveled to Milan, Italy to participate in the Red Bull Wake the City competition Sept. 4. Her achievements are impressive and inspiring, but they did not come without hard work. “I’ve been wakeboarding for about six or seven years,” Hedrick said. “After school I go home, eat and do some homework. Then I go up to Terminus Wake Park, and ride from about 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day.” Her dedication has not gone to waste. Hedrick has placed second at the Moxie Pro Series, the first professional wakeboarding series specifically for women. For Hedrick, her family most definitely had an impact on her drive and determination in wakeboarding. “My dad’s side of the family has a lake house and they grew up skiing on the lake,” she said. “My older cousins wakeboarded just for fun. I guess I thought it was pretty cool, so they eventually got me on a wakeboard when I was around five years old. Then in 2014, my dad took me to Terminus Wake Park for my birthday, and I’ve basically been there ever since.” With the support of her family, Hedrick has taken the wakeboarding community by storm. With her success as a student athlete, her decision for the future was unsurprising. “After high school, I plan on traveling and competing as a professional wakeboarder while getting a degree of some sort. Maybe business, but I’m not sure yet,” she said. While her post-graduation plans are uncertain for Hedrick, her love of wakeboarding will unquestionably remain continuous for years to come.
Rivers Hedrick with Anna Nikstad dismounting ramp feature while preparing for competition in Milan, Italy.
Hedrick successfully sliding down incline on wakeboarding course during Red Bull Wake the City with partner Anna Nikstad. Photos courtesy of Justine Zonne
Continued from pg. 1 Runners are assigned points based on the place a runner finishes. The scores of the top five runners are added together and the team with the lowest score wins. The girls finished the race with three runners placing as top ten finishers. Kristal McQueen placed second running the race in 18:41.94. Additionally, Maddie Jones placed fourth and Nora Hart placed eighth. “I really wanted to finish the race knowing I had used all of my energy in that race,” Nora Hart (10) said. The boys placed second overall at the regional competition with a total of 37 points, losing to Harrison High by five points. They finished the race with four runners placing as top ten finishers. James May placed first in the region with a time of 15:40.78, following in the footsteps of Kamari Miller who placed first at the event last year. Additionally, Jared Fortenberry placed second, Cade Mayfield placed seventh, and Jack Baltz placed ninth. According to Coach Coleman, the team runs six days a week, with a couple of those days ending with weight training. Even when Coach Coleman is not there, the runners are dedicated to what they do and practice year round, including the track season in the spring. “I really feel like this group was focused on improving themselves,” Coach Coleman said. “Their dedication and commitment to the team and to each other is the reason we are able to compete against much larger teams in the state. I am blessed to work with such a dedicated group of students.” Overall, the boys and girls had a very successful season. The girls won Cobb County, region, and state, and the boys won Cobb County, got runner up in region, and runner up in state. The regular season is wrapped up, but there are still a few postseason meets. This week the team ran in the Meet of Champions on Nov. 13, the 2-mile Tune Up on Nov. 17, and will run in the Nike Southeast Regionals on Nov. 27, and the Nike Nationals on Dec. 4.
The Marietta High boys cross country team starting the race at the state meet on Nov. 6. The team went on to take second place in the state championship.
Kristal McQueen finishes state in ninth place. She placed in the top ten at Cobb County, region and state.
James May crosses the finish line as state runner up. He is ranked fourth in the state of Georgia. Photos by Ada Chesney
Varsity Boys: Mercy Invitational 1st Jekyll Island Invitational 1st Carrollton Orthopaedic Invitational 2nd Cobb County Championships 1st Great American XC Festival 9th Atlanta Classic 2nd 19th Annual Coach Wood Invitational 4th Region 3 7A Championships 2nd GHSA State XC Championships 2nd Varsity Girls: Jekyll Island Invitational 2nd Carrollton Orthopaedic Invitational 4th Cobb County Championships 1st Great American XC Festival- 19th Atlanta Classic 2nd 19th Annual Coach Wood Invitational 7th Region 7A Championships 1st GHSA State XC Championships 1st
BRAVES WIN WORLD SERIES, FANS CELEBRATE FROM ATLANTA TO COBB Ella Chesney Section Editor The Atlanta Braves won the World Series for the first time since 1995 and only the second time since the franchise has been in Atlanta. The Braves went into game six with a 3-2 lead over the Houston Astros. The game was a 7-0 shutout. The Braves scored three runs in the third inning, three in the fifth, and one in the seventh. The three runs in the third were due to a home run down left field by Jorge Soler. Dansby Swanson also homered in the fifth for two runs. Many Marietta High students stayed up past midnight to watch the game, along with 14.3 million other people. “When Jorge Soler sent a moonshot out of the stadium, I knew we were going to win that game and win the World Series. I went crazy and started yelling. It
was a crazy moment and one I’ll never forget,” Daniel Najera (12) said. Marietta High students, along with Metro schools, had Nov. 5 off from school on account of the celebration parade. The parade started in Atlanta at Centennial Park and travelled to Truist Park. Almost 400,000 fans attended the parade in downtown alone. Closer to Battery Avenue, throngs of people blocked Cobb Parkway. Fans brought chairs, food, and Braves flags. The crowds roared when the team came by on double-decker buses. The parade ended with a concert by Big Boi and Ludacris in Truist Park, Zac Brown also made a special appearance. “I think it was really special for the whole city of Atlanta...it was great to experience the parade, and the post season games because everone shared the excitement of watching the team play,” Ella Wiliamson (11) said.
Ronald Acuña Jr. hoists the World Series trophy over his head with teammates Ozzie Albies, Guillermo Heredia, and Christian Pache at The Battery before entering Truist Park.
How to: keep Freddie in Atlanta
Let’s face it, this championship team is not sticking together. The Braves have eight free agents, two players with mutual options and three injured players, one of which could become non-tender. They have $77 million committed for 2022, unless Marcel Ozuna is suspended without pay. So who do we keep and who do we let leave? The first player to save is our first baseman, Freddie Freeman. He’s been with the Braves for 11 years and is considered a staple of Atlanta baseball. This season, he had a .300 batting average, 120 runs, and just won his third Silver Slugger. It’s unlikely he will leave, but he will have offers. I think the Braves will re-up for several years at around $180 million, given his last contract was eight years for $135 million. Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario could be leaving. Pederson has reportedly opted out of his mutual option, meaning he is now an unrestricted free agent. He was unlikely to stay in Atlanta for the $10 million they offered him. Pederson has played for teams who have offered far more money and playing time. If he is not snapped up on account of his hitting problem, the Braves could still get him back with a reduced price tag. Duvall has not yet opted out of his mutual agreement. The Braves are speculated to make an offer of $9 million to Duvall, one he will probably take. In the outfield, the Braves should focus their attention on Rosario and offer him a multiple year contract, but losing Pederson or Rosario wouldn’t be tragic for the Braves outfield. With up and coming players like Christian Pache and the return of Ronald Acuna Jr, the future is still bright. The Braves could save some money by cutting Drew Smiley and Mike Soroka loose. Smiley is great, but the Braves still have Charlie Mortan and several younger options, so they shouldn’t waste the money. The Braves should, however, offer Jesse Chavez a deal. He had a 2.18 earned run average this season and he’s 38, older than most players. They could offer him a one year deal for a couple million and keep a decent right-hand reliever. The Braves should let Soraka go. He’s unlikely to play until mid-season after the second rupture of his Achilles tendon. His chance of full recovery has decreased significantly; it’s unlikely he will pitch at his old level.
Dansby Swanson makes hometown proud A decade after graduation, Mr. MHS is a World Series Champion. Dansby Swanson set himself apart during his time at Marietta High. He was a standout on the field and the court. Swanson was a three year starter on the basketball team, spent two years as captain, and scored more than 700 points in his career. “As an athlete, he was the coach’s dream. He understood the game and helped everyone on the team improve daily. We were better when he was on the court. He always strived to be the best at everything,” said Matt Lyons, Swanson’s former basketball coach. Swanson credits his success to playing multiple sports in high school. He was also a scholar athlete with a 4.2 GPA. “He always worked hard in the classroom, and had a curiosity about learning math. He continued to take the highest level classes throughout high school,” Jessica Vaughn said. Swanson was well-liked by his classmates and teachers. Kelley Herrero knew Swanson well and has a continued relationship with him. “When he’s been in a slump, he continues to look for ways to be his best self. That’s not just him as an athlete, but him as a person,” Herrero said.
After graduation, Marietta High retired his jersey. Swanson was drafted in the 38th round by the Colorado Rockies after high school. Instead, he attended Vanderbilt University with a partial academic scholarship. At Vanderbilt, Swanson won the College World Series in 2014. He was also acknowledged as the Most Outstanding Player of the series. After college, Swanson was a first round draft pick. He went to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 where he suffered setbacks from injury. On Dec. 9, 2016, he was traded to the Braves and came home. “It’s no coincidence that success follows Dansby. There’s no better example of a ‘student athlete’ in my opinion. It was so special to watch, with my son, Dansby make the last out of both the NLCS and World Series and to watch his growth from a high school baseball player on Jackie Smallwood Field to World Champion- he is an inspiration to all who play, coach, and watch the game of baseball,” Phillip Rogers, baseball head coach, said. Swanson is still involved in his community. He started the clothing brand All Things Loyal, abbreviated to ATL. Their vision is to give back to the community to enhance the lives of other people, and the mission is to create a world which constantly spreads love and kindness.
Dansby Swanson celebrates atop a bus during the parade. Swanson hit two home runs during the series. Photos and graphics by Ella Chesney