PITCHFORK
THE
EST 1928
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta High School
Issue 5
@mhspitchfork
April 1, 2021
War in Ukraine continues Etinosa Ogbomo Business Manager
Tensions between NATO and Russia continue to escalate to their highest level in years as the U.S. and its European allies attempt to end a Ukrainian invasion executed by Russian militartistic forces. Since Russian troops entered the sovereign nation, multiple world leaders have condemned President Vladimir Putin for his aggressive action in the region. The international community has stood in solidarity and aided Ukraine by sending funds, military equipment and welcoming Ukrainian refugees who have been displaced as an effect of the war. However, while leaders around the globe are attempting to help the war-torn nation of Ukraine through tangential defense measures and verbal renounciation of Putin’s behavior, all nations have fallen short of becoming directly involved in the armed conflict in fear of the war growing beyond the boundaries of Eastern Europe. President Putin said that punitive sanctions imposed by the West are “akin to a proclamation of war,” during a press conference on March 5, and declared regarding air action that “any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation of the respective country in an armed conflict.” His declarations pertaining foreign involvement in the war have led many to fear the onset of a global conflict. On March 26, President Joe Biden remarked that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power,” echoing a sentiment that has become increasingly prevalent on the world stage. Continue to pg. 4 for “War”
Aldolpho, played by Kalyan Piovesan Toussaint (10), and Mr. Feldzieg, played by Xavier Stokes (12), plot to stop the wedding of Janet van de Graaf in Marietta High’s production of “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Photo by Ashley Caldwell
Musical theatre returns to Marietta Theatre department performs musical for live audience, first time in three years Ashley Caldwell Staff Writer The Marietta Theatre Department performed “The Drowsy Chaperone” in front of a live audience in the Marietta Performing Arts Center. The theatre department had showings from March 25-27. “The Drowsy Chaperone” has won five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score. Not only is “The Drowsy Chaperone” critically acclaimed, but according to Stage Manager Grace Pudvin (10), the plot of “The Drowsy Chaperone” is an interesting one to watch. “The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical comedy set in the 1920s written by
an enthusiastic group of friends in the 1990s,” Pudvin said. “It is narrated by the ‘Woman in the Chair’ who provides a modern annotation to the 1920s play inside of her head. The show involves a unique set of distinct characters that come together to create a special and personal atmosphere for the audience.” “The Drowsy Chaperone” is the first musical to be put on by the theatre department since the 2020 cancellation of “Newsies.” After the first showing of “The Drowsy Chaperone” on March 25, Director Holly Smith shared her appreciation with the crowd.
“It feels so good to have an audience, doesn’t it?” Smith said. The plot of “The Drowsy Chaperone” is intricate and entertaining, but according to Sophia Steigerwald, Co-Director of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Drama Instructor, and American Literature teacher, the award-winning musical is less serious and takes a comedic and light-hearted approach. “It’s just a lot of fun,” Steigerwald said. “It helps everyone laugh a little bit...It’s a feel-good musical.” Continue to pg. 12 for “Musical”
First Amendment debate engrosses schools Julia DePasquale Assistant Editor
Everyone has a bias. All teachers have a bias. Therefore, an important question to pose is to what extent is this bias allowed to be present in what teachers teach? What First Amendment rights are present for teachers in the classroom? Is there censorship in the classroom? “As teachers, we cannot push our agenda and instead must keep in mind the diversity of the students that we teach,” Andrew Cole, a social studies teacher, said. Over the past year, Central Office has put into place vetting of material to ensure that this is the case. “Teachers work in professional learning communities (PLCs) to collaborate. This work includes pacing of standards, ensuring instruction is aligned to standards, ensuring assessments are aligned to standards, those assessed standards have been taught and resources
are appropriate. Additional professional staff (instructional coach MYP/IB Coordinator, and district Content Coordinator) review the aforementioned found in units of instruction,” Dr. Jennifer Hernandez, Executive Director of Academic Achievement, said. “These are not lesson plans or day-to-day activities. Teachers have complete discretion over that, and lesson plans and daily activities fall under the purview of local school administration.” Chelsea Bargallo is the K-12 Lead Academic Coordinator of and 6-12 ELA Coordinator at MCS. She has collaborated with PLCs to guide and assist on the vetting process. “The Central Office only reviews common learning experiences, typically one to three in a unit, identified by the PLC to determine standards alignment, assessment alignment, resource appropriateness,” Bargallo said. Continue to pg. 8 for “First”
“Pitchfork” is holding a First Amendment contest. Students are encouraged to send submissions for a chance at a $100 prize. Graphic by Julia DePasquale