PITCHFORK
THE
EST 1928
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta High School
Issue 1
@mhspitchfork
October 16, 2020
Presidential, congressional elections divide nation Izabella Sara Staff Writer This year has been full of unexpected events - wildfires, pandemics, protests - but one thing has remained constant: the election. Over the past four years, America has become increasingly polarized due to the two main political parties, Democrats and Republicans, disputing whether Trump is fit to be president. Regardless of political affiliation, it is clear that a divide is increasingly prevalent. This election will have an enormous impact on how the country continues to function and which party will take majority control. Due to the high stakes of this election, it is important to become politically involved, regardless of whether or not someone is eligible to vote. The essential question to ask when educating oneself about political candidates is what is their political platform? Presidential races usually get most of the attention, leaving many citizens uninformed about other elections, such as the congressional races. The Georgia Senate race is quite different this time around. Due to Senator Isaakson having to step down because of health-related concerns, Senator Kelly Loeffler was appointed by Governor Kemp to finish out the last two years of his term until the next election. Because Loeffler was not elected, she will compete against 21 candidates from both political parties, along with Independents, to continue her term as senator. With all of the options, it can be difficult to find one that best represents the state and country well. In order to be an informed voter and member of the community, it is important to understand the political platform of every candidate, regardless of political affiliation. Continue to pg. 15 for “Elections”
Ms. Moore, a Marietta alumna, positions camera for virtual students to interact with students in class during phase one. Teachers around the district adapt to teach students in the new normal. Photo by Alexandra Audrain
COVID-19 impacts schooling Marietta City Schools educates students amidst a pandemic Julia DePasquale - Section Editor
Marietta City Schools started for the first year ever, completely virtually. A growing number of COVID-19 cases in Georgia caused the switch to a completely new, controversial style of learning. Although MCS does have a phased plan for back to school, so much is still unknown. MHS students are set to return on Nov. 9 in phase four. “Back in May and June, we were hoping to open school with the option for students to do it either virtually or full time five days a week in person. As we approached the end of June into early July we saw that the COVID-19 numbers were increasing significantly, and we had to make some very difficult decisions to protect student and staff safety,” Superintendent Grant Rivera said. Many students were relieved by
Rivera and the Board of Education decision to go online. They feel as though Marietta High School is putting the safety of themselves and their family first. “I really appreciate how seamless MCS made the virtual learning experience. Other than the occasional tech issues, I haven’t had any problems with it so far. Lastly, I’m glad the district put our safety first,” Eden Gbolade (11) said. Although many families are happy with the way that MHS has handled the pandemic, there are some students who think they should have had the option to return to the classroom. “I believe that the school should have stuck with the hybrid learning where we could choose whether we wanted to go into school or not. Vir-
tual learning is very difficult for some people and that will have an affect on many people’s class grades,” Caroline Owens (10), said. School board member Jason Waters has a similar opinion. He was the only member of the school board that voted not to have a completely virtual start to school, despite the risks that this return would have on students, teachers, and families. “I felt that students needed to be in school and that we had a good plan in place [choosing online or in person learning]. There are long-term consequences of children not achieving on grade level. I have not changed my opinion that it is best for schools to start,” Jason Waters said. Continue to pg. 6 for “COVID-19”
A community’s call to action: Black Lives Matter Alexandra Audrain Section Editor The rise in support of the Black Lives Matter movement this year due to the murder of George Floyd in late May has compelled Americans to become more culturally aware of race relations and the systemic racism woven deep within the foundations of the United States. Large scale protests, social media “blackouts,” and calls for justice have been seen and heard throughout the nation. “I believe the Black Lives Matter movement didn’t have as much attention before this year. And in a time where social media is growing, the movement has also grown with it and I think more people are starting to understand the purpose of the movement and the anger, frustration, and fear that black people are feeling and have been
feeling for so long,” Sydney Le, an alumna of Marietta High School, said. It is vital for people of all races to amplify Black voices and equally report stories regarding People of Color. “I’m calling on non-black people, allies and those on the fence to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Until you are ready to go beyond posting on social media and address racism in your personal relationships and private spaces, we will never find justice,” Peyton Wilson, former Pitchfork editor-in-chief, said in an Op-ed for George Washington University. The Pitchfork staff is committed to continue to provide coverage and support for BIPOC students at Marietta High School and members of the Marietta community. Continue to pg. 8 for “Black Lives Matter”
The community comes together to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in the Marietta Square on June 3. Photo courtesy of Patsy Rausch
Opinions
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page 2
Editorial: our highlight of 2020
The year of 2020 has been overwhelming, painful, and chaotic. Americans are more The passing of many influential people in the US has caused grief among all people. divided than ever, gridlocked over social conflict, pandemic regulations, political be- “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman, a hero in the Black community, died at 43 liefs, and the economy. It is considered to be “the worst year ever” by the general public. after quietly battling colon cancer. Feminist icon and Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader We have had a “not-so-great start” to the beginning of a new decade. Let’s take a look Ginsburg lost to complications of cancer… 46 days before the presidential election. The at the 2020 timeline. unexpected death of NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Giana “Gigi” Bryant left First the COVID-19 pandemic, which divided us, economihis family, and America, devastated. Many of us are irresolute between horror and disbelief at what cally devastated us, and has killed over 200,000 of us. Wearing “The start of the new can only be described as an American nightmare. It’s impossible masks has become more of a political stance than a health stance. decade has been the to know if the worst is behind us or still lies ahead. In a time of COVID-19 has left empty chairs at the dinner table. COVID-19 has pushed people to learn how to connect without human contest of what it truly turbulence, we are forced to either grow stronger, or fall between the cracks. Which path has America taken? We still cannot definitact. COVID-19 has altered health precautions for years to come. means to have tively answer the question. Scrolling through my Twitter timeline, COVID-19 has impacted families and students across America likes, and retweets more often than not leaves me in tears, anger, who have to adapt to a new type of learning. A new normal. compassion and or goosebumps. Then the racial unrest, erupting at the deaths of more Black empathy for those Americans at the hands of police: George Floyd, Breonna TayHeadlines across America’s media outlets are shocking to read. lor, Rayshard Brooks, Daniel Prude. Say their names. The Black It is difficult to find the “bright side” of our atrocious year. Even around you.” Lives Matter (BLM) movement may be the “largest movement in though we are all fighting emotional and internal battles, what we US history,” according to the New York Times. People have been standing up against would say has positively come out of this year is the support and love I have seen from injustices and the system, forcing people to listen, and letting their voices be heard. The all different groups of people. While there will always be evil in the world, we feel as past, present, and future of America has been brought into question; the public has been though we have all been fighting it together. We the people of the United States, have peacefully and unpeacefully fighting for what will and will not be condemned by the fought to create a better future and life for those who come after us. That is our highAmerican people. light of 2020.
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The editorial is considered the “voice of the paper.” The current Editor-in-Chief writes an editorial each issue to express a thought about a topic that is embedded in the paper. The editorial creates a space for the writing staff to express their thoughts on a topic important to them. Page three features opinion pieces written by the staff to get further insight about thoughts behind different topics. We want to hear from you, too! “Speak of the Devil” gives students the opportunity to share how they feel about a certain topic every issue.
Speak of the Devil: impact of 2020 Etinosa Ogbomo Staff Writer
Ethan Stanley (Freshman) What do you feel has been the most significant event/events in 2020 so far? The BLM movement changed the perspective of many people in our country including me on other people’s culture. How have you or your family members been affected by covid? At the beginning of Covid, we locked down and I was unable to do the things I love. My parents were out of their jobs for about a month. How has the media been altered in the course of this year? I think the media has shifted towards more social media platforms such as twitter, facebook and instagram.
Kennedy Colbert (Sophomore) What do you feel has been the most significant event/events in 2020 so far? I feel the most significant event in 2020 has definitely been Covid-19. As much as I’m upset by everything else that happened, Covid is really the only thing that affected me personally. What is your perspective on the “racial movement” occuring in America? I feel that Black Lives Matter protests have been something that is very well addressed. In the past, we haven’t really been sitting back, but I feel that personally I haven’t been doing a very good job of fighting for my rights...I’m very happy that there are currently protests going on all around us and I am glad that I can say that I’ve been a part of them.
Nayna Shah (Junior) What do you feel has been the most significant event/events in 2020 so far? Corona has been the most significant event of 2020. If not corona, then virtual learning. What is your perspective on the “racial movement” occuring in America? My perspective on the racial movement is that we have been so ignorant of those who have been hidden and now that they are coming and telling us how they feel it’s great progress that can go so many different ways.
Christian Castillo (Senior) How do you feel politics has affected the events of 2020?
For many voters, COVID-19 has changed what the election is about. Trump’s reelection campaign began the year with an unexpected twist. Unemployment was low and the economy was strong. Unemployment has risen to Great Depression levels, and the economy has contracted sharply. With more than 5.2 million cases, most voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the pandemic. Without the economy to run on, the media have said the president has struggled to articulate an argument for reelection.
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journalism students at MHS. 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
Savannah Hernandez
Assistant Editor Piper Rausch
Section Editors Alexandra Audrain Rebekah Bradbury Julia DePasquale Kendall Gazaway
Business Manager Lillian Salter
Staff Writers
Joshua Beyene Ella Chesney Nina Clark Zachary Harrison Danielle Ho Isabelle Lovejoy Icy McFall Etinosa Ogbomo Antwan Williams Kate Williamson
Adviser
Andrea Lyons
Mission Statement:
Pitchfork is a student written and produced newspaper aimed at educating, enlightening, and entertaining MHS students. All content is determined by the staff in an attempt to be relevant to the student body.
PITCHFORK WANTS YOUR INPUT Letters to the editor should be brought to room H108, put in the mailbox outside I-109, or emailed to: pitchfork@marietta-city. k12.ga.us
Opinions
page 3
Get on the bus: go out and vote Alexandra Audrain Section Editor Picture this: You’ve won tickets to a concert! But the only way to get to this concert is by bus. There is no bus straight to the concert venue, but do you decide not to go to the concert because you can’t take a direct route? No. You choose the route that gets you as close to the concert as possible. You get on the bus. You put in the work to get to the concert from the closest bus route you can find. The concert is your perfect America. The bus is your constitutional right—and your obligation—to vote for your representation in the United States government. Vote for the candidate that will get you closer to your ideal America. So what is your ideal America? Think about it. In your perfect world, what does our nation look like to you? What rights do you have? What do the people in charge look like? How does the rest of the world perceive our country? Which candidate gets you closest to this perfect world? This election is not about Donald Trump and Joe Biden. As much as citizens campaign for their preferred candidate, there is no perfect candidate. We lobby for the candidate whom we believe will lead this country in the direction we want to go and who will advocate for what we believe in.
Let me tell you about my concert: Everyone in this country will treat each other with basic decency and respect. Everyone will be free to worship and celebrate their religious beliefs openly and free of judgement or discrimination. Our country will be led by a group of educated individuals diverse in age, race, religion, gender, sexuality, and thought. Every person will have access to affordable healthcare and there will be access to safe abortions, but they will be prevented through education, birth control, and more advanced foster care and benefits for parents. Every person will have a right to love whoever they want and however they want to. Our planet will be taken care of. People who are physically and mentally fit to handle a firearm may purchase one, but education and common sense gun laws will prevent gun violence. Americans will be happy. Americans will be healthy. Americans will be proud of our country. But that’s just my concert. And I know which bus I need to take to get there. I’m not asking you to get on the same bus, or to even enjoy my concert. Your perfect America, your concert, is not going to come to fruition in the next 4 years, no matter who wins this election. The American people are compromising either way. But I implore you: get on a bus. Get on the bus that gets you closer to where you want to be. Move toward the America you believe in. Vote for the candidate who will fight for what matters most to you. Because if you don’t get on the bus, you will never get to enjoy the concert. Go out and vote. Get on the bus.
COVID-19 and online school impacts teenagers Isabelle Lovejoy
Staff Writer
On March 13, 2020, students around the country were sent home from school, bringing with them a mix of fear and excitement for a 2 week break. Many were excited for the chance to catch up on sleep or to hang out with friends. However, this excitement quickly turned to panic as President Trump declared a state of emergency and COVID-19 was labeled as a pandemic. Once the stores ran out of toilet paper and the rest of the school year was cancelled, the excitement of being quarantined wore off, and for many anxiety took its place. The last 200+ days since March 13th have largely impacted teenagers. For the majority of teens, not being able to see their friends at school every day has been devastating. Social events such as prom, football games, and parties are defining moments in your teen years, and to lose these experiences has brought on feelings of frustration and fear. Most have found ways to hang out while socially distanced, and others break social distancing measures all together. It’s hard to get mad at teenagers for wanting to see their friends, however it can’t be ignored that this puts everyone at risk. In a poll conducted by the National 4-H Council, 61% of teens reported increased feelings of loneliness since
the start of the pandemic. These increased feelings of loneliness, along with the fear of catching/spreading Covid19 has caused social strain and anxiety among teenagers. For upperclassmen who are beginning to look for/apply to colleges, the shutdown has created a more difficult process, and many have been unable to visit the colleges they’re applying to. Testing such as the SAT, ACT, and IB/AP exams were pushed back, altered, or completely cancelled. Now seniors are rushing to make up tests before submitting their applications. Additionally, online school has taken a toll on student’s grades. Staying motivated to actively pay attention and participate in class is taxing. While sitting in your bedroom, there’s a multitude of things to be distracted by, from TikTok to noisy neighbors. Turning in assignments is draining now that all work is homework. In the same poll by the National 4-H Council, 7 out of 10 teens have struggled with mental health since being quarantined, and 45% are dealing with excessive stress. Online school is a large source of this excessive stress currently displayed in teens. Numerous outside factors add to the stress teens have been facing, such as our country’s political climate, racially charged violence, protests and riots, the list could go on and on. Everyone is dealing with struggles right now, and with many schools beginning to reopen on altered schedules, it’s essential to remember that it’s okay to not be okay, that you can always ask for help, and to stay hopeful because Gen Z is strong and will make it through.
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School News
page 4
Keeping college stress at bay Savannah Hernandez Editor-in-Chief
There are many aspects that are a part of what truly makes a senior year. Most will point out the beauty of it: being top dog on campus, getting the best parking spots, and doing all the special senior events throughout the year. However, senior year also has an ugly side. For many students, it’s freakout-about-college time. Fall of senior year can be considered by many students as the most stressful time of their high school career. “It’s hard to keep track of dates for meetings and virtual college tours on top of my regular school assignments, especially since we have been completely virtual so far this year,” Bella Peck (12) said. While juggling your regular schoolwork load and busy extracurricular-filled schedule, you have to find time to apply to college and scholarships and set up your future plans. “It has been hard balancing the college application process with all the other things I have going on, especially during this time of uncertainty when we are being introduced to a lot of new aspects of the application process,” Taryn Carthers (12) said. Due to COVID-19, the application process and college admissions look very different this year compared to years past. Applying to college is stress-filled during the best of times. But in the age of COVID-19, the annual effort by high school students to combine their grades, recommendations, test scores, extracurricular activities, and personal essays into standout applications has sent anxiety levels soaring. “I try to take everything one step at a time and figure out a set schedule for myself. Another thing that I found really helpful was making a Google sheet with all my deadlines, so that everything can be easily
accessed in one place,” Carthers said. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an epidemic in availability to take standardized testing. The SAT and ACT have been a crucial part of the application in the past, but now since tests have been very limited when offered, many colleges have gone test optional. “In our new COVID times, many schools have gone test-optional. While that is great news for many students, it also means that admission officers will be looking even closer at the other parts of your application like your essays and recommendations.
“Get organized. There are so many moving pieces to keep up with and you don’t want items to slip through the cracks.” Make sure to take your time with reviewing all parts of your application before submitting,” Brandi Smith, College Advisor, said. It is now more important than ever to understand your specific situation, and what will serve you best in the college application process. “We recommend that seniors apply to 4-6 scholarships a week. That can be a combination of both outside and institutional scholarships. Dedicate some time every week to work on scholarships so you don’t get overwhelmed. Also make sure to check out our scholarship list on the college advising page of the MHS website.
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Mrs. Mahone-Todman updates it frequently,” Smith said. Navigating through this time of uncertainty while applying to college is very difficult. However, the Marietta College Advising Office has offered many virtual resources for students. In August, there was an “Application Boot Camp” provided by the school to help students get started with the application process. The virtual program lasted a couple of hours with various guest speakers to talk about Naviance, the Common Application essay, and other important information for students. “The boot camp was very helpful. It was nice to hear from people that are involved in the college application process and have an insider perspective,” Chloe Parker (12) said. The College Advising Office also holds office hours every Friday for students that would like to join a Zoom call and ask questions. Students can also schedule appointments with the College Advising staff members for further guidance. There is also a scholarship list posted on the College Advising Marietta High School homepage for students to look through to see some possible scholarships they can qualify for. “Get organized. There are so many moving pieces to keep up with and you don’t want items to slip through the cracks. The admission and financial aid processes are going on at the same time so keep a spreadsheet that includes deadlines and requirements for each school will make your life less hectic,” Smith said. The Marietta High School College Advising Office provides many resources for students who need guidance during this process, and opportunities to help set yourself up for success. Be sure to follow their social media accounts to keep up with all the updates and future information about virtual sessions and opportunities.
Get in touch with College Advisors @MariettaHSCollegeAdvising
@MHSCollegeAdv
Marietta High School College Advising @MHSCollegeAdv
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Important dates for seniors October 13 August 1 Common Application opened
October 1
Dual Enrollment information session
October 15 Earliest of Early Action deadlines for college applications
FAFSA opened CSS Profile opened
October 12 Tryouts for Girls’ Flag Football
October 22 Dual Enrollment information session
November 1 Second earliest of Early Action deadlines for college applications
November 13 Senior Ads/dedication pages due
December All senior portraits must be taken by December
December 1 Senior quotes due
School News
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page 5
Blue Devil band, cheer spirit carries on Antwan Williams Staff Writer The Marietta High School cheer and band team bring hope and support to the Blue Devil family with their chants, dances, and tunes through the wins and the losses. They provide motivation for the team despite how practices, games, and showtime have changed from the past years now that Covid-19 has impacted normalcy. Although this is currently a not-so-normal season, the students of Marietta still keep an overall positive attitude and are enjoying the time they have to make memories. Here are some ups and downs from cheer and band students: Tobias Douhit, Senior, percussion “Last year we had competitions and it was kinda something to look forward to, and not having competitions this year and it being my senior year it kinda hurts sometimes.” “I most definitely miss the morning drumline and just the vibes in the morning when we were getting ready for the competitions later on in the day.” “It’s kind of a disadvantage but if we’re being honest most of the students did not pay us attention, For the football players it’s definitely a disadvantage because some of them love the vibes and the hype in the morning.” Hadley Pacin, freshman, trumpet player “People make choices that are best for their families and I feel like if it’s the best choice for them I totally stand by it.” “I fell in love with band last year and I feel like when you get something like this you hold on to it, corona or not”.
Band students, with their instruments protected, are playing the fight song on senior night. Marietta has been able to uphold this tradition, even though there has been hardship throughout the season. Photos by Antwan Williams
Victoria Barnes, sophomore, varsity cheer “I’m making this season special by doing as much as I can with the team, and also making as many memories possible.” “I really wanted to experience Fridays at school, running the halls and singing the school chant over the intercom.” Sarah Kate Harris, sophomore, varsity cheer “I am keeping a positive attitude and am making many memories with the team!” “Nothing about cheer has changed other than being screened for covid at the beginning of every practice.” Ella Schnatmeier, senior, varsity cheer “The main difference I’ve noticed is when it comes to the crowds. Because of restrictions, the crowd is a lot smaller. It makes me sad that there is not as big of a student section with all of the spirit.” Joshua Welch, senior, percussion “The main thing I want to experience is the competitions. But I’m still excited because it’s either we have this season or we don’t.”
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Cheerleaders are in front of the student section cheering on the football team. The student section is standing six feet away from the cheerleaders and are protected by masks, respecting the Covid-19 regulations.
School News
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page 6
continued from "COVID-19" page 1 MCS does have a plan to return to school, that is phased. It starts with younger grade levels returning to the classroom followed by high school students, returning four days a week. However, the plan has been very fluid and changing. “It was possible that we would be changing the phases or even skipping the phases depending on what happened with COVID data, and when I say that I’m specifically referring to the 14 day case rate from date of onset… In early August when we initially proposed that five part phased plan we were sitting in the mid to high 300s per 100,000 for our 14 day case rate… at that time we said if the numbers swifted that might cause our approach to shift and what’s happened… We have dropped from mid 300s all the way down to 182, so as we watch these numbers shift were not necessarily locked into a plan that we proposed the first of August, but instead were trying to be responsive to the numbers as of today,” Grant Rivera said. The COVID-19 plan is changing and susceptible to alterations. As some MCS students start the path back to the classroom, it is important that we remain flexible. “We intentionally did not put data points in between each phase because we knew that this was going to be more organic and fluid, and we wanted to be nimble as a school district. We did put one number for phase five, which was wanting to get to 100 [cases] per 100,000,” Grant Rivera said. Although disagreeing early on, Jason Waters is happy about the progress of the phased reopening plan, emphasising that his major goal is
to have all students back into the classroom. “I just want everyone to stay as safe as possible and for students to engage with teachers either on the virtual platform or in-person to continue learning. I agree with the phased reopening plan and am happy that we are quickly moving to phase 3 to have our youngest learners back in school,” Jason Waters said. MCS youngest students K-2 have already returned to the classroom, and so far the transition back has been smooth. “I feel completely safe! Our school has really gone above and beyond with cleaning/sanitizing. My students have really blown me away with how much they know about the pandemic and the importance of wearing a mask, washing hands, socially distancing. I was worried about this at first but my students and my school have really set us up for success this year,” Maggie Moore, a first grade teacher at A.L Burrus, said. Phase two, also kicked off the week after September break, with the rest of elementary school students having the option to return to the classroom. In addition middle school students are expected to have this option to return starting Oct. 26. So far the reopening has gone well, without any need to slow down the process for doing so. Hopefully the precautions taken by the district will continue this positive trend. As of now, the plan has highschool students returning to school four days a week starting in early November. Students will have the option to return online or in person.
Ms. Moore, a first grade teacher at A.L. Burruss, teaches younger students who have returned to school with added precautions.
Coach Shelton instructs PE to elementary school students from an empty gym. The new normal includes zoom gym class with half of the students calling in from home. Photos by Alexandra Audrain
Marietta vs. other schools: facing COVID-19 restrictions While Marietta City Schools phased plan is beginning to kick off, and the idea of heading back to in-person school is in sight, some schools in the metro area have already begun their return. The return of these schools has been met with criticism, but it also provides an example for MCS. "Yes [I wish school was online] mostly because that comes with no risks and it would just make an easier situation,” Bobby Gillespie, a freshman at North Paulding High School said. Although the return to the classroom poses risks, there are precautions that can be taken to keep students, teachers, and staff safe. “The school has put us on a hybrid schedule, keeping "I actually prefer how online school is ran in only around 10-15 students in a class at a time. They have comparison to in person and I believe online school was a really good opportunity to look at staggered the bell times so different classes can dismiss how we teach and learn, and hopefully improve at different times to avoid crowding. Hand sanitizer and other cleaners are readily available,” Bobby Gillespie said. for when we do come in person," More recently, MHS has abandoned the idea of a hybrid Demi Spencer (11) said. schedule, and instead all students who wish to return can four days of the week. “I didn’t [feel safe] when we were not on a hybrid schedule, but now that we are, I feel a lot safer,” Emma Duard, a sophomore at North paulding High School said. As the opening plan progersses, MCS is using the data from other schools to help in the return to the classroom. “There are a variety of different safety protocols [when we return], everything from taking temperatures, mask/face covering requirements, sanitizing, not sharing materials...air filters,” Grant Rivera said. For schools that continue to be online, the experience is similar to that at MHS. In particular teachers are having to make a huge adjustment. "I feel as though my school has done a fairly “Our principal has been very supportive of our needs, good job keeping families safe, to this point, but she has called each of us in our department to check on I feel like the plan that Marietta has to phase our mental and emotional help...Less interaction with students back into school won’t be enough to students- that’s a tough one, the inability to make those keep students safe," Derek Averill (11) said. personal connections. I feel like a first year teacher all
over again,” Julie Pinto, a math teacher at Hillgrove High School, said. Although every school is handling it in a different way, each school is trying to balance the importance of learning with the safety of students. As Marietta heads back to the classroom, students have an important responsibility to follow the instructions given by the administration in the hopes to keep students, families, and staff safe in an ever changing world.
Since high school students have yet to return to face to face learning, Mr. Simmons teaches to an empty classroom. MHS teachers had to return to the empty classrooms in phase two. Photo by Alexandra Audrain
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News
page 7
COVID-19 Disturbs U.S. Economy Lillian Salter
Business Manager Since March, COVID-19 has played a vital role in the decline of the American economy. According to the World Economic Forum, the U.S. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has fallen at an annualized rate of 32.9 percent, confirming that the second quarter of 2020 has experienced the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression in 1947. Although there are many signs that indicate the recovery of the American economy as a whole, the following industries remain affected by COVID-19, and are incapable of achieving full recovery until the authorization of a vaccine. The aviation industry has experienced major setbacks. Tourism, an industry in a direct relationship with the aviation industry, is at an all time low due to airlines canceling both international and domestic flights in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “As of now our traffic is probably less than 20 percent as compared to a year ago. International travel has nearly come to a standstill. All of the airlines are losing billions of dollars and as a result there are sharp cuts in labor including layoffs and furloughs; It wouldn’t be a surprise if many of the world’s airlines failed to survive,” Greg Geiss, a pilot for Delta Airlines, said. Airlines provide jobs to hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Due to the pandemic, the majority of this massive labor force are incapable of returning to their jobs. “Recently, 2000 pilots have opted for a buyout package and another 1950 will be furloughed on October 1st. This has had a devastating effect on the lives of thousands of families. Delta currently has 2/3 or more of its airline fleet parked all around the nation waiting for the demand to recover,” Geiss said. Although effects on the aviation industry have been devastating, airlines have begun to adopt countermeasures in order for air travel to continue. “Delta was quick to adopt industry leading standards of sanitation and cleanliness to try to restore the public confidence in flying. Each aircraft is thoroughly cleaned between flights and Delta blocks off some of the seats to assist with social distancing. They are doing everything they can to protect the employees and the traveling public,” Geiss said. However, it is predicted that most airlines will not last long if the pandemic continues; the current pace of recovery is just not fast enough. “Delta has tried to become smaller and more nimble to ride out the storm. Things are recovering slowly. However, if things don’t recover further and at a quicker pace the effects could be lasting and catastrophic,W” Geiss said. The higher education industry has also had to make major adjustments in order to prevent further transmission of COVID19. In order to resume programs in the fall semester, schools have either adopted hybrid systems, where courses are taught both in-person and online, or restructured their courses to fit a completely virtual agenda. “COVID-19 has affected my job in multiple ways. Most of my responsibilities have moved online. For example, all of our department meetings, committee meetings, student conduct hearings, student teacher supervision, etc. are conducted virtually. Additionally, the courses I am currently assigned to teach are virtual,” Alyssa Barnes, a Professor at the University of North Georgia, said. Although courses are able to continue with the administering of virtual classes that abide by social distancing guidelines, the majority of schools has been impacted by a lack of funding and/or necessary state budget cuts. “Because UNG is a state institution, we were severely impacted by state budget cuts. Georgia made approximately a 10 percent cut to all state funding. This decrease in funding impacts all areas of the institutions,” Barnes said. Many schools rely on state funds and enrollment in order to stay afloat, so they had little choice when it came to reopening; all that they had to decide was how to administer their courses. Like other economic markets, schools have had to make many adjustments to the format and the structure of their industry. It is expected that colleges and universities will only regain the funding they’ve lost when the pandemic ends, and in person school can safely commence. “I don’t think anyone is looking around right now and thinking these are ideal times. Everyone is having to make sacrifices and adjust to a new “normal.” Higher education is no different. Would professors all like to be completely face-to-face right now? Of course. Would students rather be completely face-to-face right now? Of course. However, that just isn’t currently feasible,” Barnes said. Out of all the industries affected by COVID-19, one that doesn’t seem to garner enough of the public’s attention is performing arts. The government has deemed performers and artists alike to be “non-essential” workers. Due to this, as well as social distancing guidelines, performers are finding it difficult to continue their craft while providing for themselves and their families. “The performance industry has been massively affected by COVID, from community theatre to Broadway. Performances and seasons have come to a halt, productions have been delayed, and we have had to contend with new timelines and practices,” Madison Allen, a performer and the director of Creative Artists Theatrical Studios, said. Although CoronaVirus has drastically affected the performing arts industry, artists are becoming creative in finding non-conventional ways to pursue their art. Broadway performers have held exclusive virtual performances (where tickets are bought online), and numerous digital fundraisers and charity events have raised money to donate to theatrical associations and support groups. “There is a sense of solidarity in the performance industry that has been refreshing, as we’re all in the same boat. We have literal support groups for performers in order to help those in need, and to try to collaborate on new ways of creating and sharing performance
art during the COVID crisis. We, as an industry, are learning how to be artists in different ways, in an entirely new landscape,” Allen said. Although artists are learning to adapt to what people have deemed the “new normal,” the pace at which they are doing so is not enough to combat Corona’s devastating effects on the industry as a whole. “We can’t get back to work without the cooperation of everyone. We were the first to shut down, and will be the last to reopen. We need people to be considerate and cautious in order to wipe out Covid as quickly as possible.It’s a team effort; please help us continue to create the things you love most,” Allen said. Even before actual data was conducted, it was generally expected that small businesses would be hit the hardest by the economic ramifications of COVID-19. These assumptions proved correct within just a month of the lockdown. According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, many layoffs and small business closures had occurred within a few weeks of quarantine. “There have been a few financial struggles with keeping expenses paid as utility companies and landlords have been affected through this pandemic. Also, many of our friends and neighbors have had to completely restructure or re-create their business practices. Some fellow business owners have had to even shut down, close their doors and look to other means of income outside of the retail business,” Julia McFall, the owner of Marina Marina Antiques & Uniques, said. Most small businesses have a single location rather than multiple, and focus on business within the community instead of enlarging their online presence. This means that CoronaVirus transmission prevention tactics, such as social distancing, impacted their business immensely. In order to compensate, some small businesses have taken it upon themselves to enforce extreme countermeasures to potential transmission of the virus. “We have limited our hours and the number of customers, sanitize and clean on a regular basis, and have hand sanitizer located in several areas throughout the store. We offer a variety of masks for sale at our front entrance, as well as ear protectors,” McFall said. Some small business owners believe that the pandemic has provided them an opportunity to get creative with unique marketing tactics and business promotions, believing that the additional investment in work will compensate for the lack of business prior to social restrictions being lifted. “During the lockdown, I was able to continue working by trying new methods to market and followed social distancing guidelines by using social media. I had to be creative in delivery and made arrangements to leave merchandise purchased online on porches, wearing a mask and using sanitizer for each item and delivery. I eventually went to make shopping in our store by appointment, once restrictions were decreased. Our business gradually adapted to the changes and I believe people wanted to be more supported just as I wanted to make sure our customers knew how much I appreciated their business,” McFall said. Not only that, small business owners have come to the belief that CoronaVirus’s devastating effects on small businesses, in addition to the american economy as a whole, have increased community support. “It has made us all here at Marina Marina see things from a different perspective and appreciate one another and our customers. I feel like we’ve become closer as a community and have seen more people out and visiting our shop just to support small business,” McFall said.
Small business owner Julia McFall organizes the mask display in the storefront of Marina Marina Antiques. Mask sales have increased significantly ever since businesses and lawmakers have emphasized the importance of COVID-19 countermeasures. Photo by Lillian Salter.
McClain - Sterling Harper Higgins - Javier Ambler - Tyree Woodson - Terrence Ledell Sterling - Korryn Gaines - Joseph Curtis Mann - Bettie Jones - David
McAtee - George Perry Floyd - Dreasjon “Sean” Reed - Michael Brent Charles Ramos - Breonna Taylor-
The movement
BLACK LIVE
Piper Rausch Assistant Editor
Starting in late May, the nation began a rapid shift towards greater social activism (and criticism) on the behalf of the Black Lives Matter movement. More than ever, people were rallying for police reform, calling out racist friends and family members, attending numerous protests across the country, and shifting the focus of their social media accounts. Those who remained silent or continued life as usual did not go unnoticed. All of a sudden, everyone knew where anyone stood in regards to the Black Lives Matter movement, and all of a sudden America had become a nation even more divided. In order to understand this divide, it’s important to also understand the foundation of the Black Lives Matter movement and the reasoning behind its even greater prominence in recent news. The Black Lives Matter movement began in 2012, when the murder of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin shook the country and sparked controversial conversations. Martin, 17, was shot dead by George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012. Zimmerman, who claimed that he acted in self-defense as a neighborhood watchman, was found not guilty in 2013 amidst a storm of media coverage. The lack of repercussions for Zimmerman infuriated and disturbed many in America, and thus the Black Lives Matter organization was formed. Black Lives Matter is a global organization residing in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Its mission is “to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.” The movement and the organization has gained an immense amount of public support over the years, but it has also faced an enormous amount of adversity. Adversity surrounding the movement largely came from
people who misunderstood its motives. Following the popularization of the movement on social media with #BlackLivesMatter, countermovements of “All Lives Matter,” “Blue Lives Matter,” and “White Lives Matter” began to gain momentum. In August 2015, a poll on a BLM social media site concluded that 78% of surveyed American voters felt that “All Lives Matter” best coincided with their personal beliefs when given the choice between “Black Lives Matter,” “All Lives Matter,” and neither. “A lot of people feel that [Black Lives Matter] is inherently racist,” Donald Trump said in 2016 to the Associated Press, “It’s a very divisive term, because all lives matter. It’s a very, very divisive term.” This viewpoint, shared by many Americans, dismisses the movement on the basis of exclusivity. This further perpetuates the idea that supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement wish to exclude other races, dismiss their struggles, or even go so far as to say that only black lives matter, which is in no way the case. “The universalizing politics of “All lives matter” is one of racial dismissal, ignoring, and denial,” Professor David Theo Goldberg of UC Irvine and Director of the University of California Humanities Research Institute said in the Huffington Post, “The insistence that Black lives matter accordingly is necessary only because, unlike “all lives,” in this society, black lives are too often taken not to matter. Black lives are presumed too readily in the U.S. not to inhabit the universal.” While the Black Lives Matter movement has gained traction throughout the years, its most recent pickup has shaken the nation in a way that it had never anticipated. On May 25, 2020, the death of 40-year-old African American man George Floyd called to change not only the structure of the United States police force, but also the implementation of systemic racism in the U.S. governments, businesses, and communities. George Floyd, who was accused of using a counterfeit twenty dollar bill, was pinned to the ground by his neck and handcuffed by officer Derek Chauvin. Bystander recordings of the incident show Floyd pleading with the officer, repeating the phrase, “I can’t breathe.” After 8 minutes and 46 seconds
of Chauvin using his knee against Floyd’s neck to keep him restrained, Floyd died. Following this tragic and preventable death, the already massive Black Lives Matter movement gained an immense amount of support throughout the nation and throughout the world. According to the New York Times, the Black Lives Matter movement- in light of recent events- may be the largest movement in American history. “I’ve never seen self-reports of protest participation that high for a specific issue over such a short period,” Neal Caren, associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who studies social movements in the United States, said in an interview with the New York Times. The perpetuation of the movement has recently reached a definitive point of tension, especially following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. According to the New York Times, there have been more than 4,700 Black Lives Matter demonstrations, or an average of 140 per day, since the first protests began in Minneapolis on May 26. “The geographic spread of protest is a really important characteristic and helps signal the depth and breadth of a movement’s support,” Kenneth Andrews, a sociology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said to The New York Times. The support for Black Lives Matter has been overwhelming, spread all throughout major cities to small towns to over 60 countries. It’s clear that the movement will not be silenced any time soon; its demands and implications in every aspect of modern society have become too great to ignore. “It looks, for all the world, like these protests are achieving what very few do: setting in motion a period of significant, sustained, and widespread social, political change,” Douglas McAdam, an emeritus professor at Stanford University who studies social movements, said for the New York Times. “We appear to be experiencing a social change tipping point — that is as rare in society as it is potentially consequential.”
Anti-racist books and movies Isabelle Lovejoy Staff Writer
The need, or desire, to learn about anti-racism- the active process of identifying and eliminating racism- has seen a significant increase in the past several months. Books and movies provide perspectives on the experiences of people of color. Understanding these experiences allows people to be better allies. However, many books that are supposed to be anti racist depict white savior stories, stories focused on white people’s actions impacting People of Color, rather than true experiences. These are examples that consumers should avoid and have awareness when looking for anti-racist entertainment.
DO WATCH/READ Becoming
I’m Not Dying With You Tonight
This Netflix documentary follows Michelle Obama on her book tour. It features her travels and talk-show appearances as well as her tenure as the First Lady of the United States. Throughout the documentary, Obama meets with students across the nation who open up about their racial struggles and concerns.
In this NAACP Image Award nominee book, two high school girls, one white and one black, must depend on their intelligence and each other in order to make it home after fights break out at their high school football game. The girls struggle to understand each other in spite of the racial divide that was the impetus for the violence they are caught in. This book is perfect for starting conversations about prejudice and the racial tensions that exist in the U.S.
13th
The Hate U Give
This Netflix documentary by filmmaker Ava DuVernay exposes racial inequality within the criminal justice system. It focuses on the fact that American prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans. It’s named after the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery throughout the U.S. This documentary, while heartbreakingly real, can be difficult for younger audiences to watch. It’s recommended for mature teens.
This film is based on the young adult novel by Angie Thomas and portrays what it’s like to be Black in America. The movie opens with a Black, unarmed teenager who gets shot by a police officer after being pulled over. The story follows how the main characters and their community react to the shooting and how they take a stand. Although both the book and the movie are fiction, they are inspired by true stories.
izzee - Rayshard Brooks - Carlos Carson - Tony McDade - Daniel T. Prude - John Elliott Neville - Elijah
Manuel “Mannie” Elijah Ellis - Atatiana Koquice Jefferson - Emantic “EJ” Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. - Chinedu
Marietta’s initiative Alexandra Audrain Section Editor
The Black Lives Matter movement has empowered many minority groups in the United States to rise up and fight for their rights to justice and fair treatment by their government and for significant, systemic change. Marietta has deep roots in racial tension dating back to the eras of slavery and the Civil War, and the city has not been immune to calls for change and reform in its policies and treatment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). “This city has a rich, controversial history when it comes to race relations from the civil war to the integration of Marietta High School. Some of my old friends and I got to talking, and we wanted to make sure we made our contribution to the history of Marietta as well,” Elizabeth Garnes, Xavier University student, said. Garnes, Marietta High School Class of 2019 alumna, along with former classmates Taylor Colbert, Trevon Burkhead, Jordan Rollo, Sydney Le, and George Krivsky decided to plan a march in protest of the treatment of Black people in America by law enforcement. Sparked by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of officers of the Minneapolis Police Department, thousands of marches and protests occurred calling for policy reform and justice for Black people killed by police. “We felt as if the issues that the Black community face on a daily basis were often overlooked by the majority of Marietta because they weren’t personally seeing or being affected by them. We hoped that maybe if we held a march, it would not only allow our community members to protest these injustices, but to take a stand in our community,” Rollo said. The march was planned in cooperation with the Marietta Police Department and the City of Marietta to ensure the safety of the protesters. On June 7, hundreds of members of the community gathered at Zion Baptist Church in masks to protest the treatment of BIPOC by law enforcement and demand change locally in Marietta, as well as in federal policy. “I was really moved by how the march turned out. With just two weeks of planning, we had over 700 people come out and even in the heat of all that was going on at the time, everyone wore masks and remained very peaceful. I think that really made a statement in our community,” Le said. The calls for change did not end there. As the new school year began, students, alumni, and members of the community were determined to use this movement to ensure real change was made in their city and in their schools and to
not turn a blind eye to racial inequity in their environment. Several Instagram accounts were started for the purpose of calling attention to injustices or instances of harassment towards minorities in the Marietta school system. @MHS_ Student_Alumni_Coalition was started by several current and former students of MHS including Melina Barbuto, Class of 2014. “This account is to talk about issues plaguing MCS and to work on ways that we can demand change. Since the coalition was created by alumni, we don’t want to overwhelm the voice of current students but rather elevate them and have them feel supported,” Barbuto said. Another account, @BlackatMarietta, was created anonymously to allow students, alumni, and staff to share their stories of instances where they felt harassed by or unsafe because of another student or staff member at Marietta City Schools. The page has over 180 posts of stories from members of the Marietta community and has gained over 1,300 followers since its creation in late August. Several posts include censored names of students and staff, and while some are calling for disciplinary action for those accused, without a formal report, it is not possible to thoroughly investigate the situation. However, Keith Ball, Principal of Marietta High School, shared these posts with staff and hopes that students and staff, whether they have previously been involved in the alleged situations or not, can learn from the stories students were willing to share and be a better ally for their students or classmates of color. “An open social media page is not the best way to [report racially charged encounters]... I think it’s important [the staff members named] understand where the kids’ truth is. What are they gonna do about it?” Ball said. Principal Ball, along with the other MHS administrators, were approached by students, alumni, and parents on Tuesday, Sept. 8 with suggestions on how to move forward and create a better environment for students of color at Marietta High School. The forum was led by Colbert, Class of 2019. Her suggestions include establishing more diversity in all levels of staff and leadership positions throughout the school, students and teachers being held consistently accountable for racist/discriminatory language, education on topics regarding race relations and microaggressions, and offering class options to learn about Black history. Administrators present at the forum listened and discussed programs they were already working on. “A lot of [plans for change] are already in place. We’ll be having a meeting with [alumni and current students], realizing that current students might not feel comfortable, but the ones who do, inviting them to the table,” Alisha Green Wyche, an assistant principal at MHS said. At the forum, Colbert pointed out that people of color being represented as administrators would likely make students of color feel more comfortable reporting racially
charged encounters or harassment. As one of the Black administrators at Marietta, Green Wyche recognizes the importance of having POC represented at the administrative level. “I think over the last two years we’ve been really intentional about [creating a diverse staff]. I think the concern is just making sure that, yes we’ve created that, but do those staff members of color feel comfortable enough to also articulate what they’re seeing,” Green Wyche said. “One of my issues has always been that I don’t feel like students feel comfortable coming to administration…I think as adults we need to figure out a way that we, first of all, build that relationship with you all and students to feel comfortable with us.” To further the efforts of educating staff members about racial inequality and how to be a better ally for their students, Principal Ball has mandated that all staff members at Marietta High School take part in trauma sensitive training known as JEDI. “It’s called JEDI training: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. It includes us looking at real systemic issues, not just in Marietta, but how issues outside of Marietta have kind of infiltrated Marietta and, for years, been allowed to live in this space and keep students uncomfortable,” Green Wyche said. Through mandated training, Ball hopes that staff will learn to check their own biases and become more anti-racist and a better ally for their students of color. As a white man leading a school diverse in race, religion, culture, and ideology, Ball believes that to attack the implicit biases of many of his students and staff he must first offer education. “I think looking at it from more broad and more compassionate terms, we can do anything. It’s the narrow minded, short viewed, biased approach that really creates the biggest problems. Not just for students, but for me to try to solve. I can’t make you be less myopic, I can’t make you be less biased, or less racist. I really have to attack it from a training standpoint, and then an accountability standpoint,” Ball said. Jermaine McCann (11) has been one of the most vocal students fighting for change and advancement of the cultural fluency at Marietta High School. He hopes that, moving forward, his efforts will translate to tangible improvement in the quality of education and level of inclusion for People of Color at his school. “The purpose of this movement for me was to really advocate and speak up for others who look like me, and even the ones who don’t, within our schools and community. I’ve always been taught to stand up for your people and fight for something good, something you believe in. I hope to see more inclusive listening and action plans directly and indirectly benefiting the welfare of students so we can really begin to embody what Marietta is and should be,” McCann said.
DON’T WATCH/READ Freedom Writers
The Blindside
Freedom Writers is based on a true story, and follows a white teacher who transforms the lives of teens at an inner-city high school. The message of the movie—that people of color need gracious white people to mold them into civilized and hard-working citizens— critics say, is a step backwards and simply demeaning. Movie critics have said that what the teenagers in Freedom Writers need is not a determined white woman but rather a well-funded school system and an anti-racist society.
Football star Michael Oher went from being homeless to the NFL through his own hard work, but the Oscar-nominated movie makes this look as though it’s largely credited to the white women in his life. This movie is criticized that it seems to suggest that the best solution for the problems of black people are white people.
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Help
While To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic, it fits the mold of a white savior story. It follows a white man named Atticus Finch who usues his power to defend a black man who was falsly accused of rape, rather than lynching him without a trial as many wanted to do. Meanwhile the black characters are on the sidelines of this story about their own oppression. The majority of Americans have read this book whether in school or on their own, and as a society, the themes and take-aways of To Kill a Mockingbird should be reevaluated.
Both the book and movie have faced harsh backlash since it was released. Critics have said that white author Kathryn Stockett wasn’t the right person to tell the story of the black maids who partially narrate the book. The movie has faced criticism of “softening segregation” to make white audiences feel “more comfortable” and allowing a white woman (in the story and in real life) to profit off of telling these black stories.
Okobi - Charles “Chop” Roundtree Jr. - Botham Shem Jean - Antwon Rose Jr. - Saheed Vassell - Stephon Alonzo Clark - Aaron Bailey - Charleena Lyles -
ES MATTER
Jordan Edwards - Chad Robertson - Deborah Danner - Alfred Olango - Terence Crutcher - Dijon Durand
Entertainment
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Cancel culture circulates across social media Cancel culture has changed the mindset of a generation and its perception of social media influencers
Zachary Harrison Staff Writer When scrolling through Twitter or Instagram, it’s easy to stumble across the seemingly endless number of #IsOverParty hashtags trending online. This is just one byproduct of cancel culture. The phrase “cancel culture” brings up varied emotions for many people. At its core, cancel culture is shaming celebrities online as a result of their perceived wrongdoings. Effectively, the public figure is boycotted, which can harm their career and lead to them being “punished” for their actions or beliefs. “I would define cancel culture as when the internet no longer supports someone because of an action, past or present,” said Will Barnes (11). Cancel culture affects more than just A-list celebs. A survey of over 60 Marietta High School students found that social media stars and influencers like James Charles and Shane Dawson were some of the first names to come to mind when thinking of cancel culture. In some cases, the offensive material is years old and has recently re-surfaced in the form of screenshots or videos. The accused may claim that they have changed or that times were different. The effectiveness of canceling is up for debate. While online communities and social media bubbles can remember and continue calling out celebrities for an extended period of time, most people will naturally move on and forget about the incident. Successful celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kanye West have been canceled, yet have continued their careers afterwards. Canceling is far more effective in smaller and more niche communities. In some cases, hasty actions have been made before all the facts are available. The nature of the alleged offenses and the passage of time can make verifying the facts and finding proof impossible.
Kate Williamson Staff Writer Cancel culture, or online shaming, seems to have taken 2020 to an entirely new level: significantly affecting celebrities and social media users alike. Celebrities are most directly impacted by cancel culture, but many consumers still feel obligated to unfollow or ignore these people as well. One key example of cancel culture in play is the controversy surrounding the infamous Ellen Show. Many serious accusations were brought to light over the past few months, leading to Ellen Degeneres subsequently being “canceled”. Since last year, the Ellen Show has reached record low ratings (they dropped around 30%). This perfectly encapsulates how prevalent online shaming is, and how social media can reveal dark pasts from people one would least expect. The general public has mixed feelings towards cancel culture: half of all MHS students who answered believe that it is bad. Many argue that online shaming is unproductive and doesn’t allow people to grow from their past mistakes. In addition, some believe that when social media creates more buzz around celebrity drama, it could be drowning out posts about more important subjects. “Cancel culture is a joke: it doesn’t get anything done,” said Joe Bird (10). “It hurts social issues.” Critics against cancel culture claim that it enables baseless accusations to develop without evidence.
“It bothers me that people believe they can judge based off of things they may find on the internet,” said Jeiah Johnson (9). This creates a rift between those wanting justice for wrongdoings and those who prefer to analyze the situation before drawing conclusions. On the other hand, since cancel culture has raised awareness for several issues, many would consider it a net positive. Racism, homophobia, the use of slurs, abuse, and so on have been addressed through online shaming. As more people are canceled, more people are learning about taboo topics. For instance, R. Kelly, the famous “I Believe I Can Fly” singer, songwriter and producer, was “canceled” online, and subsequently increased attention towards his heinous crimes. As a result, over 2 million viewers were partly educated on stigmatized subjects like abuse through the documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly”. Another prime example of cancel culture having benefits is the J.K. Rowling situation. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has posted numerous transphobic tweets, leading to widespread backlash. Several celebrities spoke out against her, and fans learned more about why her statements (meant to mock the transgender community) wrong. Although cancel culture has had a lot of downsides, it has also brought more pressing issues to the surface, and helped to educate others. There are conflicting opinions regarding cancel culture, but it’s still possible to make it change for the better. Hopefully, the internet community can address overlooked problems and ultimately make the world a better place.
“When an entire population is against you, it really makes you think about what you’ve done and how you can make things right.” Sarah Stewart (12)
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Features
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Celebrating Hispanic and Brazilian Heritage Month Danielle Ho Staff Writer Festivities for Hispanic and Brazilian Heritage Month began mid-September by implementing short activities into students’ online Zoom classes. Marietta High School, this year is celebrating both Hispanic and Brazilian heritage. Marietta High School’s student body is composed of 38% Hispanic students. Marietta’s prosperity and livelihood would not be complete without the major contributions of Hispanic community members and students. These short activities contained videos, Zoom backgrounds, and fun facts for students to learn to fulfill the MHS mission statement to prepare students to be compassionate citizens and lifelong learners in a diverse world. “We [MHS] have a large population of Hispanic and Brazilian students in our school. Celebrating and learning about the Hispanic and Brazilian heritage gives us all a greater perspective of who they are and what is important to them,” Mrs. Ross, the co-chair of the Hispanic and Brazilian heritage month committee (HBHMC) said. Hispanics make up 18% of the U.S. population in 2019 and are the second fastest growing racial or ethnic group. President Lyndon B. Johnson first assigned a week to celebrate Hispanic Heritage in 1968. It wasn’t until 1988 that Ronald Reagan signed a law to expand the commemorative week into a month. The celebration
spans from September 15 to October 15. September 15 was chosen as the starting date because it coincides with the anniversary date of the independence of many Hispanic countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, who were all declared independence in 1821. Respectively, the independence anniversaries for Mexico, Chile, and Belize follow September 15. “Hispanic/Brazilian heritage month means to me that anyone who has a Hispanic or Latino background can celebrate their roots proudly among others. This is also a time where we can teach others about our traditions and cultures,” Montserrat Mendez (10) said. This month honors the heritage of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. “My favorite aspect of my Brazilian heritage is the diversity of cultures within the same country, its miscegenation, and how united our people are,” said Joannye Rachel Nacimiento Soares (11), “My inheritance means valuing friends as brothers and sisters and holding family values above anything else.” Hispanic and Brazilian Heritage month denotes a time to celebrate the legacy and contribution Hispanic and Latinx culture had and continues to have on America’s diversity. Hispanic/Brazilian heritage is integral to the celebration of our nation, but
also on an individual level, the culture is an identifying factor for Hispanics/Brazilians globally. “The HBHMC is a very diverse group including staff in different positions, departments, and ethnicities. We had a challenge in front of us on how to bring this celebration to life in a virtual setting with the limited time we have with students,” Mrs. Ross said. wTypically, this month includes many special social activities because of the community aspects of Hispanic heritage, but due to the global pandemic, these events were not feasible. To adapt to the current circumstances, Marietta High School is hosting a variety of activities online or in-person with social distancing guidelines. While the opportunity to learn how to dance the salsa, samba, and bachata has passed, students can register for a movie screening of Coco on October 22nd. “I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month everyday because I’m always taking part in the culture, even though I’m living in America, I’m still able to remember my heritage by eating the cultural food in my house and celebrating the many traditions we have,” Guillermo Ceballos (12) said. While this celebration is only transient, Hispanics and Latinos around America and around the world take pride in their heritage daily.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at home
Study Spanish on Duolingo Read a book by a Hispanic-Amerian author Support a Latina-owned business Cook a Latin-American dishWatch a movie made by a His-
panic-American director
Dr. Morelock celebrates Hispanic/ Brazilian Heritage month by zooming from Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain in Peru. Photo courtesy of Dr. Cody Morelock
Celebrado el mes de la herencia Hispánica y Brasileña Danielle Ho Staff Writer Marietta High School, este año celebra la herencia hispana y brasileña juntas. Las festividades para este mes, comenzaron a mediados de septiembre mediante la implementación de actividades cortas en las clases virtuales para los estudiantes. Si analizamos el estudiantado de nuestra escuela, el 38% de los estudiantes tienen raíces hispanas. La prosperidad y el sustento de Marietta no estarían completos sin las contribuciones importantes de los miembros y estudiantes hispanos de la comunidad. Estas breves actividades que la escuela ha preparado para este mes, contienen videos, fondos de Zoom y hechos divertidos para que los estudiantes aprendan la misión de MHS de preparar a los estudiantes para ser ciudadanos compasivos y estudiantes en una vida llena de un mundo de diversidad . “[MHS] tenemos una gran población de estudiantes hispanos y brasileños. Celebrar y aprender sobre la herencia hispana y brasileña nos da una perspectiva más amplia de quiénes son y qué es importante para ellos”, dijo la Sra. Ross, copresidenta del Comité del mes de la Herencia Hispana y Brasileña (HBHMC) por sus siglas en ingles. Para el 2019, los hispanos constituían el 18% de la población de los Estados Unidos y ahora son el segundo grupo racial o étnico de más rápido crecimiento. Fue 1968 que el presidente Lyndon B. Johnson asignó por primera vez una semana para
celebrar la Herencia Hispana, y no fue hasta 1988 que Ronald Reagan firmó una ley para extender esta semana conmemorativa a un mes. Este mes se oficializó desde el 15 de septiembre hasta el 15 de octubre, siendo el 15 de septiembre fecha de inicio porque coincide con la fecha de aniversario de la independencia de muchos países hispanos como Costa Rica, el Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua, que fueron declarados independentistas en 1821. También dentro de este mes, se celebran los aniversarios de independencia para México, Chile y Belice. “El mes de la herencia hispana/brasileña significa para mí que cualquier persona que tenga una formación hispana o latina puede celebrar sus raíces orgullosamente entre otros. También es un momento en el que podemos enseñar a otros sobre nuestras tradiciones y culturas”, dijo Montserrat Méndez (10). Este mes honra la herencia de aquellos que trazan sus raíces en España, México y las naciones hispanohablantes de Centroamérica, Sudamérica y el Caribe. “Mi aspecto favorito de mi herencia brasileña es la diversidad de culturas dentro del mismo país, su fé y cuán unidos están nuestros pueblos”, dijo Joannye Rachel nacimiento Soares (11), “Mi herencia significa valorar a los amigos como hermanos y hermanas, y mantener los valores familiares por encima de cualquier otra cosa”. El mes de la Herencia Hispana y Brasileña denota un momento para celebrar el legado y la contribución que la cultura hispana y latina han tenido en la diversidad de los Estados Unidos. La herencia
hispana/brasileña es parte integral para nuestra nación; pero también a nivel individual, la cultura es un factor de identificación para todos los hispanos/brasileños en nuestro país. “El HBHMC es un grupo muy diverso que incluye personal en diferentes cargos, departamentos y etnias. Tuvimos un desafío delante de nosotros sobre cómo llevar esta celebración a la vida en un entorno virtual con el tiempo limitado que tenemos con los estudiantes”, dijo la Sra. Ross. Usualmente, dentro este mes MHS incluye muchas actividades sociales y comunitarias relacionadas a la herencia hispana; pero debido a la pandemia global, estos eventos no fueron factibles. Para adaptarse a las circunstancias actuales, la escuela ha organizado una variedad de actividades en línea y en persona, manteniendo el distanciamiento social adecuado; como por ejemplo la oportunidad de aprender a bailar salsa, samba y bachata para los profesores. Para los estudiantes también hay actividades, como la película de Coco que se proyectará el 22 de octubre en la escuela. “Todos los días, celebro el Mes de la Herencia Hispana porque siempre participo en la cultura, aunque vivo en Estados Unidos, todavía puedo recordar mi herencia comiendo la comida cultural en mi casa y celebrando las muchas tradiciones que tenemos”, dijo Guillermo Ceballos (12). Aunque esta celebración es sólo oficial por un mes, los hispanos y latinos aquí en los Estados Unidos, siempre llevan su orgullo en alto de su herencia y sus raíces hispanoamericanas.
Señora Perez teaches the Bachata, a traditional dance from her home country- the Dominican Republic. Photo by Danielle Ho
Señora Berry dances to the Samba, a lively and energetic dance originating from Brazil. Photo by Danielle Ho
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Sports
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Lady Blue Devils continue season
Kendall Gazaway Section Editor
The girl’s softball team starts the season the structure of the team is still intact for off with three big wins against Wheeler, the 2020-21 season. Sprayberry, and Walton. Standouts on the “Obviously, the team is going to be difteam this season swinging the bat include ferent from year to year, but with the core sophomore McKaela Walker and seniors of players we had returning it put us in a McKenzie Walker, Zoe Adams, and Mi- good spot to have another successful seakayla Duke all with batting averages over son,” Sammons said, “For me, the biggest .500. Adams (12), Walker (10), Walker difference is the region. The teams added (12), and freshman Toni Sims have hit over and dropped from the Region have really three homeruns this season. The Blue Devil made the Region a lot tougher and every softball team is currently 5-9 the region and team is capable of winning at any time.” ranked 174 in the state. Overall, the Lady Blue Devils are in “We have had an up and down year for the midst of another successful season sure, and have had this year. to face different ad“Our new strate“Just remembering gies are just playing versities throughout the entire season. for each other. Just how far we’ve For me, the biggest remembering how highlight or moment far we’ve gotten last gotten last year with year with that team was the walk off win against Hillgrove. how far we that team shows how shows Not only was it a can go again this great come from beyear,” Duke said. far we can go again hind, last at bat win, Upon beginning the but it was the first 2020-21 season, enthis year.” time we have beaten tirely new obstacles Hillgrove in program have met the team. history. Such a great moment and memory “I wouldn’t say there have been new for the team,” Coach Sammons said. strategies in place as much as it is just tryDespite the normal continuation of the ing to get the team to play together. With season, COVID-19 has affected other as- the new players in the program and the adpects of athletics. New GHSA guidelines versity we have had to face throughout the strictly limit physical contact, group sizes, season, it has definitely been a challenge,” and conditioning procedures (see COVID- Sammons said. 19 Safety Application in Sports on page The girls have improved over the course 13). of the season which has been helping their “The virus has affected the way we inter- overall record and record in their region act in some ways. It restricts us from cele- games. “Over the course of the season, I believe brating the way we used to with hugs and our team has improved on being more poshigh fives,” Mikayla Duke (12) said. The Lady Blue Devils only lost five itive when dealing with adversity,” Duke graduating seniors in the class of 2020, so said.
McKaela Walker (10) pitches in region game against North Cobb at home.
McKenzie Walker (12) steals first base against North Cobb in last season conference game. Photos by Alexandra Audrain
Volleyball presses on Volleyball team grows closer during season Joshua Beyene Staff Writer
Frances Storey (9) makes a diving effort to help save her team against Kennesaw Mountain High School. Photos by Alexandra Audrain
Grace Thompson (12) sets the ball for teammate Madison Weaver (12).
The Marietta High School girls volleyball team is well into their season, with a record of 8-14 overall and 1-4 in the region. Coach Jeff Black, the head coach of the varsity team this 2020-21 season, believes the team can improve. “[We can improve by] being more competitive in practice to really push each other to get better every day. We are working on building a winning culture and are making great progress,” Black said. The varsity team welcomed several new players this season, several of which are freshmen. “My first season as a varsity player has been the time of my life. The seniors really made me feel so loved and we all really get along like sisters,” Jaya Moore (9) said. As this season started early, and games are limited due to COVID-19, important games such as Senior Night have already occurred. Coach black described outstanding players at the senior night game. “Kendall Gazaway has 135 kills on the season, currently ranked 51st in the state of Georgia on Maxpreps and #3 in our region. She is also ranked #70 in the state of Georgia for digs and #4 in our region. In our most recent win over North Paulding
Kendall led the team with 21 kills, 6 aces, and 14 digs,” Black said. Jadyn Stanley (12) described her last senior night as very emotional. “The most memorable quote from senior night would have to be the speeches that the underclassmen gave to us,” Stanley said. The team faced Creekview, one of the toughest teams in the state. Sadly, the Lady Blue Devils got the win snatched from them with a tight score of 2-3 Creekview. The team’s most recent success was against Alatoona, who they brushed away with a 2-1 win. “[My first season has been] great. I have gotten super close with everyone and I have gotten a lot better,” Frances Storey (9) said. Storey is one of the five freshman on the varsity team. “[My teammates have] really shown me nothing but support,” Moore said, “They help me stay out of my head when I make a bad play, but overall I feel I am more mentally tough because of them.” Throughout the season, games have been canceled due to outbreaks of COVID-19 at other schools. Luckily, the Marietta High School volleyball team has not yet had any problems regarding COVID-19.
Sports Features
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COVID-19 damages sports industry Ella Chesney Staff Writer COVID-19 has touched every industry and person alive. The sports industry has been greatly affected by the pandemic. Cancelled games and shorter seasons have led to many changes in high school, college, and professional sports. This domino effect could last for years to come. Spring sports at Marietta High School were cancelled when the outbreak started. Many students lost practice and playing time. That could make it hard to recover for this season. “The lack of a spring track season hurt some athletes’ opportunities to show their fitness,” said Coach Coleman. The Marietta football team is still playing a full, 10-game season. The season was just delayed. Mathew Castaldo (12), captain of the football team isn’t worried though. “It has given us time to work harder and to come together as a team,” said Castaldo. Some teams aren’t as lucky. Currently, Wheeler High School is playing a nine
game season. Seniors don’t get to enjoy their last season like in years past. “The shorter season is a little disappointing because it’s my last one and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to enjoy it the same,” said Jackson Tucker, a senior and kicker at Wheeler High School. The pandemic is also having an affect on college recruiting. College coaches are using Zoom to meet with student athletes. Coaches are having to rely on footage sent in from athletes rather than watching practice or a game in person. “College coaches are not allowed to visit high schools or attend games during the pandemic. There were no college camps and no spring practices. So three separate evaluation periods have been taken away,” said Coach Morgan. Many small colleges lost funding for sports early in the pandemic. Furman University, in Greenville, SC, cut their baseball and lacrosse programs in March. Furman is upholding scholarships for those students who received them. But, many players, without scholarships, have transferred to other schools including: Clemson,
$0.37B $2.2B
Wages for stadium and arena employees
National TV Revenue
$3.25B
Fan spending on pro sports
$2.4B
Tourism from youth sports Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1114808/ coronavirus-sports-revenue-loss/
Virginia Tech, and other colleges around the country. “In order for those sports to ever return, which we hope that they can, it would require significant fundraising to raise the budget for those programs and scholarships. Unless we come into some significant philanthropic support, it will probably take a long time for those to come back,” said Erin Wissing, Senior Associate Athletics Director at Furman. Furman is hoping to get these programs back but it’s going to take several years. Because Furman wants to get the baseball and lacrosse programs back, they are trying to leave the baseball stadium unused. “We are going to leave those facilities as untouched as possible for about a year while we try to figure out the best plan,” said Wissing. Now, many larger schools are cutting their sports programs. Stanford University has cut 11 of their programs. The University of Akron, in Ohio, has cut six. Often, large schools use the revenue from football to fund other sports programs. These schools face major budget deficits. The University of Michigan is facing revenue losses of potentially $100 million. As a result, they have eliminated 21 positions in their Athletics department. Many colleges have issued department wide furloughs and pay cuts including: the University of Texas, Pennsylvania State, and the University of Utah. Money is important to keep sports programs running but so are actual athletes. The University of Georgia (UGA) has limited the number of cheerleaders on the squad this year. “Our team is much smaller than it’s ever been. We were only able to continue our season with veteran cheerleaders this year,” said Kaleb Comer, a MHS alum and senior cheerleader at UGA. COVID-19 has also taken an emotional
toll on college athletes. Some students are upset that they can’t play like in years past. New athletes don’t get to experience the rush of their first college game. Senior athletes don’t get to enjoy their last game like they should. “It’s really sad because it feels like we’re having to say goodbye to our sport before we were ready to. We’re going to make the best of it though and enjoy what we have, because we’re extremely grateful to be here considering the circumstances,” said Comer. COVID-19 has also impacted professional sports. Major League Baseball (MLB) teams played 60 regular season games instead of 162. The National Basketball Association (NBA) stalled their season earlier in the year but has resumed play in a bubble at Walt Disney World. Dale Ellis is a former NBA player and MHS alumn. Ellis believes that it is more difficult for professional athletes to play without fans. “Soon as you hear the noise and smell the popcorn it’s easy to get up for a game cause you want to perform in front of them,” said Ellis. The sights, sounds, and smells of a full arena are far from the current conditions. Players have to adjust to the different energy of an almost empty arena. “What the NBA does is they follow talent all the way through high school so it’s going to affect them in some way,” said Ellis. Recruiters might not be able to watch student athletes in the upcoming season. This would create problems for the NBA in future years. The COVID-19 pandemic will affect the sports industry for years to come. These problems may not arise until years from now when current high school athletes go pro.
Marietta continues athletics with safety precautions Icy McFall Staff Writer When COVID-19 struck last school year, the hearts of student athletes were broken all across the United States as their final game came much sooner than anticipated. Luckily, as the new season approaches, teams are uniting once again to participate in their sport. However, this year differs greatly as these athletes begin to settle into their “new norm.” In order for these fall sports to continue, safety guidelines have been put into place. The continuation of sports was not exactly a no-brainer decision. “Initially, the amount of things to consider in order to play sports seemed overwhelming, which can make it seem difficult. However, as with most things, if you take your time, develop a plan and stick to the plan… you will achieve success. Thankfully we had plenty of time during the summer to collaborate and get our plan solidified,” Athletic Director Craig McKinney said. Many people were involved in this decision, safety being the top priority going into this school year as well as the sports season. Coaches and administrators came to a consensus using data, as well as communication through a long line of people with insight on COVID-19 in Metro Atlanta. If coaches, staff, and administrators were not confident in this plan, athletic events would have been put on hold. As students are learning to adjust to these changes, they are taking full advantage of the time they have to enjoy their sport. There is a
different kind of appreciation for the current season that has come for many students as a result of the pandemic. “The whole team is so happy we get to play this fall. We’re making the best of the time we have right now,” Isabel Linares (11) said. Rooted from this appreciation, is respect for the safety guidelines. As students are hopeful to finish their season, there is a serious notice of the standards. “We have been working kids out in the weight room and outside since June. All of them are screened coming in and wear masks while working out in the weight room. All of our student-athletes have been very responsible and have made the most of a bad situation,” Coach Grundmeyer said. Students seem to feel comfortable as many are aware of the importance of each procedure. Following COVID-19 guidelines are not an option, but a requirement for participation. “I believe that [the football team has] taken every measure and precaution possible, and by following that we have been staying safe as possible while being able to resume the sports we enjoy,” Allen Gruehn (11) said. Whether you are a student, student-athlete, teacher, coach, or parent, your safety and comfort has not been overlooked. Even if you choose to keep up with your favorite school sport online, you can have the peace of mind that the athletes are being well protected. Although the smiles of the crowd are hidden by masks, the continuation of sports has brought hope into the community as well as a much needed sense of normality.
Coach Derrick Tinsley practices throwing with Melvin Alexander (10). Photos by Icy McFall
Kaniah Pearson (12) and Shianna Marshall (12) support athletes during practice.
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Community
Civic duties made essential Nina Clark Staff Writer
This year’s voting process will look different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The requirements to register, however, remain the same: the voter must be 18 years or older, a citizen of the United States, a legal resident of Georgia and the county, and not be serving a sentence for conviction of a felony. The registration deadline was Oct. 5. Voting this year for the Election can be accomplished in various ways: by-mail, in-person on Election Day, or in-person during the early voting period.
Voting by mail
In order to vote by-mail, you must request an Absentee Ballot by completing an application. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) Friday, Oct. 30. The Absentee Ballot application can be found on the Georgia Secretary of State website. The completed application can be sent in via fax, mail, email, or in-person at the Cobb Elections Office. Once the office has received, reviewed, and accepted your application, an Absentee Ballot will be mailed to you. The ballots will begin to be mailed on Sept. 15. Once you have received your ballot and cast your vote, you can submit it by-mail to the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration P.O. box, in person at the drop-box locations available 24/7 beginning September 16, 2020, until Nov. 3, at 7 p.m, or inperson at the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration Office by 7 p.m. on Election Night.
Voting on Election Day, in-person
You can vote in-person on Election Day at a location within your district from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. (depending on your location). You will need to bring with you a photo ID which consists of a Georgia driver’s license, an identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, or entity of the State of Georgia, a U.S passport, or U.S military photo ID, in order to cast your ballot.
Voting early
The early voting period in Georgia runs from Monday, Oct. 12 to Friday, Oct. 30. Cobb County voters can vote at any of the available locations, but the dates and hours may vary at different locations. There is no advanced voting on Sunday and some locations don’t offer voting on Saturdays. Again, you will need to bring with you a photo ID which can be a Georgia driver’s license or other identification card.
Voter Suppression in Georgia
The threat of voter suppression in Georgia this November is a prevalent discussion, considering how the primary election was handled and how a recent study showed that thousands of voters were wrongfully purged of their registration status. In the 2020 primary election, held in June in Georgia, many polling locations in majority minority counties, such as Dekalb and Fulton, experienced malfunctioning machines, polling sites that opened late, and insufficient numbers of back up paper ballots. This caused Fulton County to make up 70% of the complaints Georgia received regarding the primary. Also, according to Kristen Clarke, president and CEO of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, three-fourths of voters who called to report problems on the day of the primary, identified as African American, showing how the complications disproportionately affected Black voters. “I think that Georgia is one of the states that’s had a very long history of voter suppression, especially voter suppression against marginalized groups, especially black and brown people, and so I think if you reflect on what happened in the primaries, you notice that a lot of the polling locations that were severely understaffed or had extremely long lines, were in areas that have predominantly black and brown people,” Ciarra Malone, MHS alumna and Georgia State Coordinator for Campus Vote Project, said. The events of the catastrophic primary election have many worried similar conditions will be present at polling sites in November. “I think that unfortunately, you can expect those types of conditions, and I think that that’s why organizers are working so hard to mediate the issues of voter suppression, specifically in Georgia, prior to Election Day,” Malone said.
Working the Polls- Push for poll workers and how to volunteer
Even if you are under the age of 18 and therefore not eligible to vote, you can still provide a critical service to the public and democracy. If you are 16 and older, a resident of the county you’re applying in, a U.S. Citizen, and can read, write, and speak English, you can apply to be a poll worker. A poll worker is a volunteer trained by the county to keep the elections running. Unfortunately, in recent elections, the ability of jurisdictions to obtain a sufficient number of poll workers has been difficult, and this challenge has only grown this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by the U.S Election Assistance Commission, the majority of poll workers were 61 years old or older in 2018, and considering that many of these workers are more vulnerable to the virus, officials are already reporting issues in recruiting. In an attempt to avoid a poll worker shortage in the upcoming election, some companies, such as Target, Facebook, Twitter, and Old Navy, are paying employees for time off to vote and work the polls. In addition, many public figures and organizations are encouraging young, eligible people to apply. Lebron James and his organization, More Than a Vote, are one of the many examples of campaigns urging people to volunteer. “I heard about becoming a poll worker through an Instagram post,” Michael Buss (11) said. In Cobb County, there is currently no deadline for poll worker applications because the need for workers is so high. They will take replacements if people drop out and train new poll workers up until the month of the Election, November. The training session volunteers must participate in will allow them to familiarize themselves with their jurisdiction’s election rules and procedures to ensure a smooth and productive Election Day. “As a poll worker, I was mainly an assistant clerk which basically means I had to collect the voters’ information and give them their ballot. But at the polling station I worked at, we would take turns as the day went by. So for example, I would switch spots with the inspector who had to make sure that the voting booths were clean. Due to COVID, I and the rest of the other poll workers had to take on the duty of making sure that everyone was wearing a mask,6 feet apart, and cleaning down all the surfaces that the voters were touching,” Michelle Rosas (11) said. For these services, a poll worker is paid between $150 and $250 (depending on position) in Cobb County, with an additional $25 for helping set up the poll they are assigned on Election Day.
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Why did you volunteer/apply to be a poll worker? Why do you think it’s important to volunteer as a poll worker?
Michael Buss (11) “I volunteered to be a poll worker because I feel like this election is taking place under unprecedented circumstances, and I want to do my part to ensure that everyone who wants to is able to vote. “I think it is important to volunteer as a poll worker because helping out will decrease the chances of anything going wrong, and this year setting up the polls is going to be a much more difficult process than usual.”
Laura Rosas (11) “I volunteered to become a poll worker because I heard about all the opportunities you get when you do it. Also, because I’m really into politics and since I’m still not able to vote, I thought I could at least participate in the elections by being a poll worker. “Personally, I think it’s important that people (specifically young people) volunteer as poll workers because not only does it pay well but it looks good on your resume! Also, speaking from experience, the older generations love seeing younger people be involved in the elections! It shows them that our generation does care about the real world problems going on and that we are wanting to get involved to change things for the better. I strongly suggest that if you’re 16 and older that you volunteer to become a poll worker!”
Lucas Luxemburger (11) "It would be good money and it would look good on an application. “Polling places are very important and I think it’s imperative to have them running as efficiently as possible, especially due to current problems with voter suppression.”
Brinne Ramirez (11) “I volunteered/applied to become a poll worker because I have heard that there has been a shortage of poll workers because of COVID, and I wanted to help because if there are less poll workers, there is a less chance of opportunity to vote, primarily in person. “As a poll worker, I believe it’s important to vote because we all have the power to make an impact and by voting we can do that. Every vote matters and votes for change.”
Features
@mhspitchfork Continued from "2020 Elections" Page 1 Cartoons by Kate Williamson
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Presidential Candidate Rundown
DONALD TRUMP
Being president was the first political office Trump held; before, he was a realestate developer and reality TV star on “The Apprentice”. One of the first policies Trump implemented was in 2017, when he issued a travel ban on 13 mostly Muslim-majority countries in effort of reducing terrorism, even though there were no terrorists that came from these countries. Campaigning on a “zero-tolerance” policy for illegal immigration, he declared a national emergency in November 2019 to provide Congress with funding for a wall on the U.S-Mexico border. Sadly, his administration led to the separation of thousands of families at the Southern border. He wants to put “America First”; he signed the republican tax bill that slashed taxes for big corporations, high-income earners, and many middle class families, saved the coal-industry, and the stock market has increased significantly, although we are not living in “the strongest economy in the history of our nation”. In 2017, Trump successfully banned transgender people from serving in the armed services, and just recently attempted to take away their healthcare in the midst of a pandemic. He became the third president to be impeached on February 5th for foreign collusion with Ukraine, but he was acquitted in the senate due to high partisan.
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JOE BIDEN
Joe Biden can be considered a career politician; before running for president in 2020, he was a senator of Delaware for 36 years and served as vice president under Barack Obama. He helped write the 1944 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, where he called for the ban of all assault weapons and high capacity magazines and wants to issue a national buyback program for already purchased assault weapons. If elected, he vows to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, have the first two years of college be free, abolish the death penalty, and eliminate private prisons and minimum sentences. He wants to provide wide-spread COVID-19 testing to all Americans at no cost to the patient and hold daily white house briefings. Although Biden now supports a woman’s right to choose, he used to not support Roe v Wade and voted in the Senate to ban a late-term abotion procedure in 2003. He vows to pay farmers to adapt climate-friendly practices to reduce carbon emissions and pollution
Congressional Candidate Rundown
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KELLY LOEFFLER
She stands firmly against the Black Lives Matter Movement. «I adamantly oppose the Black Lives Matter political movement, which has advocated for the defunding of police, called for the removal of Jesus from churches and the disruption of the nuclear family structure, harbored anti-Semitic views, and promoted violence and destruction across the country.” She is a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream, Even though 80% of the team is black, Loeffler doesn’t support her players displaying BLM; she suggested that American flags be put on all of the players jerseys as a “common sense solution”. Loeffler is a political outsider, and although she is currently in office, she has never run a campaign before. Her previous political contributions were in forms of cash; she is worth around $500 million, according to the Atlanta Journalism-Constitution, and has donated to several political campaigns ranging to both parties. She donated $750,000 to Mitt Romney’s campaign against Barack Obama, her husband donated $1 million to the Trump campaign. She is pro-Trump, pro-wall, pro-2nd ammendment rights, and anti-abortion.
RAPHAEL WARNOCK
He is the pastor of the historical Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr used to preach at. Although he has never held office, he worked with the Fulton County Police Department to expunge the records of those who have been arrested but not convicted of a crime and was arrested in 2017 for protesting the Republican budget at the White House. If elected, he vows to support “responsible funding of the police”, while also reshaping the relationship between them and the people they serve, and appoint independent prosecutors to handle police-involved shootings. He supports implementing incentives for businesses that are Made-in-America and eliminating tax cuts for those who outsource labor to other countries.
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MATT LIEBERMAN
He has no political experience, but is the son of former Connecticut Attorney General and Democratic Vice President Nominee to Al Gore, Joe Lieberman. Lieberman was a high school English teacher at his old school, the Hopkins School in New Haven, Connecticut, and then became the head of Greenfield Hebrew Academy, a Jewish School in Atlanta, GA. He created programs for those in need, like the New Haven Cares Voucher Program, which allowed shoppers to buy vouchers for necessities to give out to people in need, and the “I Have a Dream” initiative, which helps low income students attain college scholarships. If elected into office, he pledges to advocate for new gun restrictions, like putting a ban on assault rifles for civilian purchase and enforcing universal background checks.
DOUG COLLINS
Collins served three terms in the House of Representatives and can be considered a career politician. He votes conservative; he is in favor to prohibit abortions past the 20th week, which was the most restrictive in the nation, and of the Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Requirement, which required doctors to give women a free ultrasound and/or allow them to listen to fetal heartbeat before an abortion. He is also anti-LGBTQ; he voted against the Equality Bill and co-sponsored the State Marriage Defense Act, which prohibits people from declaring their marriage or their partner as a spouse until the marriage is recognized by the state or other local government. He supports the repeal of ObamaCare and the death penalty, but does not support physician-assisted suicide or the impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
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School News
page 16
Rolling in traditions
COVID-19 has changed every aspect of students' lives. How has it changed Marietta's traditions? Rebekah Bradbury Section Editor Tradition is a vital aspect of Marietta High School and the Marietta community, from football games, to rolling the school, and so much more. Tradition makes way for celebration of our history and the things that ultimately bring us all together. “As teachers at MHS, we are uniquely positioned as a one high school, one middle school community of educators, who continue to build upon the years of that esteemed reputation as Marietta’s own. We are not an isolated building of instructors without vision or purpose – au contraire! We represent Marietta in our history, as well as our present - and our tradition is rooted mostly in the students who have walked these halls and teachers, coaches, and administrators who have purposely sought employment at such a school. WE ARE MARIETTA,” Mrs. Kibbie Dejarnett said. While the point of tradition is to carry on the same as always, the current climate of the world and of the community has demanded necessary change. “Traditions have started changing, and will continue to change. Although we love our roots, it is evident that sometimes reform needs to take place for the greater good of our community. Not only have we been prompted to take new safety protocols during activities, but we have also had to rethink some activities as a whole to ensure that we are inclusive, considerate, and aware of our current social climate,” Senior Class Co-President Osamede Ogbomo (12) said. While the impact of Covid-19 has been a challenge to MHS traditions, it has also presented the opportunity for new activities and possibly traditions on the campus, with safety being the number one focus. “It has been a lot harder this year than it has been in past years to organize events and give dates for fun activities that students look forward to. We had to get creative on the ways we participated in certain events. We had to listen to our student body and while also listening to the guidelines set prior because of Coronavirus. It has been hard, but our main focus remains, creating the best and safest opportunities for all students so that everyone can have a fun and successful senior year,” Senior Class Co-President James Macpherson (12) said. With careful consideration and planning, the seniors were able to continue the tradition of rolling the school as well as paint their parking spots. “I loved the bonding experience of painting parking spots, we were all sweating in the heat, sharing supplies, while still having fun. Although it didn’t quite seem normal, it was comforting getting to see everyone again, and made me hopeful about going back in-person,” Faith Kumi (12) said. Seniors at MHS are the most immersed in the tradition, as their time at the school is coming to a close, the opportunities presented provide ways for them to spend their last year together as a class and as a community. “I was so sad when I first found out we weren’t going back in person, mostly because I was losing time and social interaction with friends I wouldn’t see after high school, however still being able to roll the school, paint parking spots, and spend that time with my class, made me hopeful about the changes to our senior year, “ Skyla Brannen (12) said. While change can seem scary and is often seen as the opposite of tradition, MHS’s traditions aren’t only changing now, but they have been changing over generations. For example, Senior Week was not always at the beginning of the year. “Senior Week used to be held in May rather than the beginning of school. Each day all Seniors would be pulled out of class for a get together. We had a nice breakfast one day, a catered breakfast another, and the week culminated with a party down at Northcutt Stadium. We had the Varsity, Karaoke, beach volleyball etc. They really tried to make it fun because outside of graduation, that day was going to be the last time we all were together,” MHS Alumnus and current teacher Beau Dominguez said. Traditions are subject to change, and will ultimately be different in our current circumstance, however once again, MHS’s love for tradition persists. “We are presently nominating girls from each class for our 2020 Homecoming Court. And why not? We have a scheduled Homecoming Game on October 23 with Blue Devils playing North Paulding. All football games have a half-time and we are scheduled to have a traditional presentation on the field at Northcutt Stadium with a full court and the traditional crowning of our Homecoming Queen...such a wonderful tradition! We have maintained and continue to honor this tradition of the white and blue at our HoCo half-time each year. This year’s coronation will be historic – and it should not be cancelled just because a parade and a dance are cancelled, “ Dejarnett said. First semester holds the core of many MHS traditions, from homecoming, to rolling the school, and other senior festivities. “Homecoming was always such an exciting time of the year especially with the dress up days. I was in color guard in the marching band so the parade was a big deal and also of course the football game. Homecoming will definitely be different this year. I love that we are going to still have a court, but I know it just won’t feel the same. I also really hope we still get to honor our Seniors this fall. I am happy to see many of the traditions are still here such as those related to Homecoming, the Senior Assembly, rolling the school on the first day, etc.” MHS Alumnus and current teacher Elizabeth Berry said. Overall, tradition will forever be a crucial aspect of the Marietta community and MHS, through hard times it brings the community together and creates a sense of normalcy in an unpredictable and confusing time.
Seniors Faith Kumi, Yasmine Leonard and Osamede Ogbomo roll the front bushes of the High School. Photos by Savannah Hernandez
Senior Class Banner gleams in the night after an afternoon of rolling.
Macie Pfeuffer (12) paints her parking spot in the midst of the august heat.
After a long day of working, Senior Parking Spots are completed.