PITCHFORK
THE
EST 1928
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta High School
Issue 1
@mhspitchfork
September 24, 2021
Delta variant highlights public health concerns Dylan Buehner Staff Writer With COVID-19 cases on the rise and mask mandates increasing in number across Georgia, the Delta variant is confirmed. Most people thought that the bulk of COVID-19 problems had passed and that life could resume normally. But with the introduction of a new variant, that hope diminished quickly. The mutation of viruses is nothing new, with the flu undergoing similar mutations almost once a year. The Delta variant is one of many mutations and has become the primary version of SARS CoV-2. Origins for the Delta variant are foggy at best, but from what scientists have gathered, it seems that the variant originated in India around late 2020. Because of what has been noted as an underwhelming response from the Indian government, it spread throughout the country, trickling out into neighboring countries, and eventually arrived in the US in early 2021. COVID-19 and its variants are known for traveling the world, going from country to country via planes, trains, and automobiles alike. The World Health Organization is tracking at least 13 other variants with origins in the US, South America, Indonesia, the Philippines and Britain. A resurgence in cases has caused concern resulting in direct action from some school officials and business owners in the form of mask mandates and vaccine cards.
Continue to pg. 4 for “Delta”
Kiwanis volunteers place 2,977 American flags at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to represent every life lost on 9/11. The flags will remain on display until Sept. 26. Photo by Ella Chesney
MARIETTA REMEMBERS 9/11 Volunteers unite to honor the victims on the 20th anniversary Lillian Salter Section Editor For America, 9/11 is a day to commemorate the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks through memorials and community service. The impact of such a calamity continues to unite communities around the nation, Marietta being no exception. On Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:45 a.m., a hijacked plane flew into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 18 minutes later, a second plane flew into the South Tower, resulting in a massive explosion. Two more planes crashed into the Pentagon and a rural field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The tragedy amounted to 2,977 deaths and 6,000 casualties.
“I remember where I was that day. I was a teacher at Pope High School and grading assignments in the media center. The Today Show was on in the workroom, and I remember looking at the TV, only to find the first tower up in smoke. I ran to the TV, turned the volume up, and the first report was that a plane had flown in, not necessarily that it was a terrorist attack. And then, 15 minutes later, on live TV, another plane flew through the second tower,” Mr. Ball, Principal of Marietta High, said. “My initial reaction was to call my family because they lived and worked in the city, to make sure they were okay. It was awful because that
was my city. That was where I grew up, where my family emigrated to when they came to this country. With a direct attack on New York and the Pentagon, I just remember being beyond angry,” Ball said. Despite the attacks only intended for New York City and Washington DC, the event took an emotional toll at the national level. Spanish teacher, Richard Hurd, was a student at Marietta High and he recalls the sequence of events in detail.
Continue to pg. 9 for “9/11”
Blue Devils crush McEachern High in rival game Ella Chesney Section Editor Outside of Northcutt Stadium, children play on the lawn while their parents chat. A bus filled with donations for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta sits in the street. Students from both high schools filter through the rock arch of the stadium in spirited outfits. McEachern dons camo, Marietta western wear. The sun’s still up as the Marietta High and McEachern High football teams run through their respective banners. The crowd roars. McEachern High kicks off. Devin Clark (11) downs the ball at the 22 yard line. Tyler Hughes first makes an incomplete pass to Milon Jones (12). The ball is then handed to Jones, who carries it to the line of scrimmage. Tyler Hughes runs right, throws to Kamryn Perry (12) under pressure. Perry makes the catch before being pushed out of bounds. The home stands erupt in cheers.
“During such a high stakes game, any seemingly small win felt huge,” Birdie Gilreath (12) said. The ball is again handed to Jones, who runs for 18 yards. During the next snap, Christian Mathis (11) receives the ball at the 20 but is carried back to the 16. The Blue Devils feign a handoff to Jones, and Hughes throws to Camden Overton (12), who is downed at the five. Once again Jones is handed the ball, he breaks right and travels two yards before being downed by Drake Hatcher. McEachern High switches their defensive lineup before the ball is run in for a touchdown. Marietta High is on the board just three minutes into the game. Ben Parrot (11) attempts the extra point from the 10, but a false start is called against Marietta with a penalty of five yards, which are quickly gained back because of a penalty against McEachern. The extra point is good. Continue to pg. 11 for “Football”
Quarterback Tyler Hughes breaks through McEachern’s defense to score a touchdown in the second quarter. Hughes also had 350 total passing yards. Photo by Ella Chesney