Mill Creek Chronicle 2017-18 Issue 4

Vol. 9 Vol. Issue10 1 Issue #4

CHRONICLE

Thoroughly Modern Millie The New Wave of Student activism Alternative Health

Spring Sports A Year in Review

Mill Creek

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Front Cover: Bailey Curtis as Millie in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

PHOTO: Abbie Key PHOTO: Emily Mahon

PHOTO: Abbie Key

PHOTO: Maggie Moseley

9 Thoroughly 4 Modern Millie

13 SPRING SPORTS

Courtesy of: Grace Nebel

MASTHEAD Editors

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Michelle Ortiz Collins Sainovich

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

Online Editor

Other Stories Included...

Vanessa Medina

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Fast News

Staff Writers

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The New Wave of Student Activism

Caitlyn Bedillion Sapphire Brooks Hannah Coffield Meaghan Exantus Isabelle Harrel Madison Jackson Taylor Johnson Alyssa Johnston Abbie Key Catherine Lysaught Margaret Mosley Faith Montgomery Mark Pierre Gabriella Seeton

Adviser Nora Neff

11 15 17 19 25 31

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What’s New Around the Creek Spring Sports Spring Fashion A Year in Review

PHOTO: Sapphire Brooks

23 FRENCH VISIT PHOTO: Michelle Ortiz

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Summer Makeup PHOTO: Gabby Seeton

New Year New Classes Senior Goodbyes

The Mill Creek Chronicle is a student publication of Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, GA. It is distributed to students, faculty, staff, and the Mill Creek community in print and online. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire Chronicle staff or of Gwinnett County Schools, Mill Creek High School, its students, faculty, staff, or administration. Content is designed and edited by student journalists.

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FAST NEWS

Bringing you the latest news including topics relating to Mill Creek High School, the community, national, and even international events. The Mill Creek Chronicle staff strives to bring you in the know of what is current, trending, and happening in today’s society.

Avengers: Infinity War By: Catherine Lysaught

Since its debut on April 27, Avengers: Infinity War, the latest addition to the Marvel Universe, has set numerous worldwide records.

Avengers: Infinity War was the most anticipated movie of 2018, according to Internet Movie Database (IMDB.com) and with Marvel enthusiasts around the globe, Infinity War has become the most watched theater movie of 2018.

Infinity War marks the creation of the fourth Avengers movie and represents the crossover between characters from all corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Guardians of the Galaxy.

According to Forbes.com, on its opening weekend, Infinity War made $640 million at the global box office. The movie debuted in 52 countries around the world and has set the record for largest grossing movie in its opening weekend, beating the previous record holder, the Fate of the Furious, by over $100 million.

In the United States alone, Infinity War opened in 4,474 theaters, marking the widest release for any Marvel movie on its opening

night. It also broke international records in India by becoming the most watched Hollywood film and in European countries like England, France, and Germany by becoming the most watched Marvel movie made.

Through the success of Infinity Wars crossover event and the recent merger of Disney and 21st Century Fox, Marvel fans should be expecting new crossover films to appear. Kevin Feige, President of Marvel studios announced that while no current plans were being processed for the Avengers and X-Men crossover, “House of M�, fans should look forward to seeing news about the pending movie shortly.

PHOTO: Creative Commons

PEACE TALKS IN KOREA By: Isabelle Harrel

On April 27th, 2018, the leaders of North and South Korea agreed to work together in order to end the Korean War and remove nuclear weapons from Korea.

According to the New York Times, “South and North Korea confirmed the common goal of realizing, through complete denuclearization, a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula,’ read a statement signed by North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, and the South’s president, Moon Jae-in, after their meeting at the border village of Panmunjom.”

Both Korean leaders also agreed to have peace talks with the US. These talks will occur within the next year.

PHOTOS: Creative Commons

McDonald’s New Value By: Madison Jackson

McDonald’s introduced its new value menu in January with items priced at $1, $2, and $3 in hopes of getting customers to buy more profitable items. The improvements came as McDonald's is continuing its campaign of modernizing its stores by adding delivery, touchscreen systems, and mobile ordering in thousands of locations.

"More customers are recognizing that we are becoming a better McDonald's,

appreciating our great tasting food, fast and friendly service and compelling value," CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a statement.

As the race to be the number one franchise continues, the customers benefit from lower prices as summer approaches.

PHOTOS: Creative Commons

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The New Wave of Student Activism By: Catherine Lysaught

KILLED “ This looks at the 151 shootings in the past 18 years, in which four or more people were killed by a lone shooter (two shooters in a few cases). It does not include shootings tied to gang disputes or robberies that went awry, and it does not include shootings that took place exclusively in private homes. A broader definition would yield much higher numbers.”- The Washington Post

Since its founding, the March for Our Lives organization has staged nationwide rallies and walkouts and are advocating for an end to gun violence in the United States, thus bringing in a new age of student initiated activism.

Student activism in vast political and social matters dates back to the early 1900s and has had influence on racial inequality, wartime indifferences, and educational standards.

Students have a history in generating change through organized protests and rallies, and they have sparked some of the largest changes in United States history. “It’s worth

remembering that students, teens, and younger, have been part of the anatomy of social justice movements since the end of World War II, most notably the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s” (CNN.com).

The involvement of students in the advocation of gun control and the recent debates pertaining to it calls to attention the limited knowledge that surrounds the second amendment and the rights of American citizens.

Both the students initiating the protests and the officials in power of the government and organizations, such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), have made common mistakes about gun control

laws and have demonstrated just how complex the debate is.

For many Americans and students who are against the changes proposed for gun control, the common factor they cited was the protection of their second amendment rights, or the right to bear arms. In a randomly conceived survey of 75 Mill Creek students, it was determined that 71% students thought that the second amendment gave all citizens the right to possess guns freely.

According to ConstitutionCenter.org, an organization established by Congress to educate the with the movement for tighter gun control.

Common misconceptions surrounding gun rights and laws have led to a lot of confusion around the debate of gun control. When 100 Mill Creek students were surveyed about their opinions on gun control, 48 students admitted that they recognized a need for change but that they had no idea what change was needed.

With many different opinions and beliefs surrounding the gun control movement, it raises the question as to whether students should be actively participating in such a serious and dangerous matter or if they should leave the debate for the government.

Looking back through history, many important movements have been undertaken and led by students with varying levels of success. Seeing as gun violence in schools directly effects all teengers, some believe that students have the right and the obligation to advocate for change. “The two representatives who responded to [my letters] are focused on keeping schools across the nation more safe by training SROs and

teachers on how to identify the signs of someone who could potentially shoot up a school. I think that it’s good; it’s in the right direction. My whole thing is that it should be a process on obtaining a gun like learning how to drive a car and getting a permit and license. No person should have military weapons in their possession. Keep guns out of the public unless you are a police officer or some kind of law enforcement.

Guns should be to protect you from the government and to protect yourself and your home. There is no point to have a gun strapped to your hip.”

Senior Kate Key. Alternatively, some teenagers and adults believe that this matter can only be changed by those who hold power and by those with money.

Seeing as high school students make up the lowest amount of voters in the United States, they have the least power over the policies and changes made in government.

“The opinions of teenagers don’t have much power because no adult takes us seriously. Adults think that we’re just kids and that our opinions don’t matter because

we have no life experiences to help us understand the matter at hand. This affects teenagers the most out of anyone and the people who represent us in Congress should take in to account that even though we can’t vote, we aren’t silent.”

Sophomore Jennifer Dunn.

The controversy and the debate surrounding the advocates for reform of gun laws has started a new age of student initiated protests in the United States and beyond. The March for Our Lives Movement held protests and rallies around the United States on March 24, and has inspired similar rallies in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Antarctica.

PHOTO CREDIT: Isaac Lee Veronica Martinez (12th) participaterd in the first Mill Creek walkout.

Infographic: Faith Montgomery

Photo Courtsey of Benny Spellman March 24, Spellman participated in the Atlanta Protest towards gun control.

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Each year, the MCHS Theatre Department puts on a Spring Musical, a full length production complete By: Faith Montgomery with acting, singing, and dancing. This year, the troupe produced the Tony-award winning musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie. In previous productions, the department has spent anywhere from 9-12 weeks on a production. “This is actually the shortest rehearsal process for a show that I’ve ever done. Usually for a musical of this caliber, it takes around 9 or 10 weeks to get together everything because there’s a lot of moving parts. But, we got this musical together in four weeks, which required a lot of drilling in,” says Shanden Vance, who played Trevor Graydon, Millie’s boss in the show.

PHOTOS: Faith Montgomery and Abbie Key

Thoroughly Modern Millie

AUDITIONS

There was an additional two weeks added onto the time frame for the audition process.

Sydney Argento, who played Ms. Dorothy, Millie’s best friend, says, “The audition process was pretty intense; it started out with all of us doing a selected monologue in front of the judges, and then they would narrow it down from there. It was stressful, but it was really fun. And, they kind of just narrowed it down by doing several callbacks and such.”

PREPARATION

After being cast, the troupe spent many long nights at the school preparing for the production. Vance says, “Rehearsals would range from anywhere between 2:30-5 p.m. to 2:30 to 11 p.m.. There were some times where I wouldn’t leave until around 12:30-1ish in the morning, just getting notes and running some scenes.”

But the leads weren’t the only ones staying overtime, Vance went on to say, “Everyone worked really hard, especially the stenographers in ‘Forget About the Boy.’ They worked tirelessly to make sure that was good. And, a lot of those girls, probably 95 percent of them, had never tapped a day in their life. It took them around two to three weeks to

get comfortable with it, but once they got it, my God, did they get it.”

CHALLENGES

Saabir Morgan, who took on the role of Muzzy Van Hossmere, a “diva” performer, says, “The most difficult part of the process was the time frame of trying to memorize lines, choreography, the lyrics to songs, and keeping the energy up during shows.”

For Millie, played by Bailey Curtis, the rehearsal process mainly consisted of trying to find the energy to both sing and dance simultaneously. Curtis says, “The show took a lot of stamina. I remember the first few times after the tap break, trying to sing was so hard; I could not do it. But, after a lot of practice, I finally built up the stamina and endurance to be able to sort of sing after doing super intense tap dancing.”

“My favorite scene was the Hotel Priscilla scene where I get to put on a blonde wig, so I get to pretend to be two different people in this show.”

-Saabir Morgan

“I really liked the scene where Jimmy is out on the window ledge and Millie comes out, and we dance above the streets of New York.”

-Bailey Curtis

RAPID REHEARSAL

On top of tapping, Curtis, as well as Vance, had to perform a very fast past song, called ‘The Speed Test,’ which required a lot of verbal dexterity.

“Drawing on this mustache I kind of look like Juandissimo Magnifico, but it’s okay.”

-Shanden Vance

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RAPID ..REHEARSAL

Curtis says, “In order to prepare for ‘The Speed Test,’ Shanden and I would sit together and study out the words and make sure that we were saying it with the same inflection to make it as funny as we could.

And then, we practiced getting it faster and faster and faster.” For Vance, he says, “It just takes a lot of practice until it becomes muscle memory.

You get to a certain point doing a musical that you’re kind of on auto-pilot, but it’s like just because you get so used to performing it.” Then, before each rehearsal, and

eventually show, Vance says, “I do vocal warm-ups before I go on stage to get my mouth moving because I want to make sure the audience knows what I’m saying.

PERFORMANCE

As for the actual performance, one of the hardest parts for Curtis was all the quick changes that the musical required. She says, “I have six costume changes in Act I alone, and then I have two costume changes in Act II. Chloe Tullis is my go-to woman for quick changes.

She’s always there helping me get in and out of a costume super fast.”

PHOTOS: Abbie Key and Faith Montgomery

From Tullis’ perspective, she says, “Quick changes are really stressful because sometimes you only have like 90 seconds. In the first quick change, in the opening song, Millie walks off stage and has about 30 seconds to get into an entirely different outfit and change wigs. And then, she has to be back out on stage and finish the song.”

REFLECTIONS

For Curtis, she says, “I really liked the scene where Jimmy,” Millie’s love interest, played by Adam Breazeale, “is out on the window ledge and Millie comes out, and we dance above the streets of New York. It’s so fun, and then we sing a little duet.

And then, my favorite part is when Graydon and Dorothy come out, and we all sing the quartet. It’s just so pretty and such a surreal moment; it’s like a Disney movie.”

Vance, thinking back on his performances says, “I just love this show with all my heart. This was one of the best roles I think I’ve ever played.

I had so much fun attacking it. I had so much fun playing this role and everyone around me and just getting a chance to share this funny, wacky, beautiful story on stage.”

Overall, Curtis sums up the production by saying, “It’s been an amazing opportunity.

I love this cast so much and I can’t think of any better way to end my senior year.”

WHAT’S NEW AT THE CREEK Painting the Halls By: Hannah Coffield

This year, a contractor hired by Gwinnett County began repainting the many classroom walls in February, with some rooms only being painted in April. The process is certainly a long one, especially for teachers. They are not allowed to hang anything on their wall, like posters, until July of this year.

Mrs. Zambo recently had the walls of her classroom painted, saying that Dr. Cypert had been the one to inform her of this. The walls in the auxiliary gym are also being painted, which will affect the “Rise Up” program and the students that participate in it.

Coach Lovelady, the teacher who runs the program, says that the program may be moved to the gym. “Depending on the paint fumes, we may just move the tables closer to the middle of the gym, but if it’s too much for people to handle, we’ll have to move to the theatre if it’s available.

If it’s not, Rise Up will have to be canceled.”

Unfortunately, the walls being painted

caused Rise Up to be canceled as the theatre was unavailable.

The walls being painted doesn’t only affect Rise Up students, though, it affects every classroom. Mrs. Primm had to take down all her posters on the walls, and put all her desks into a large cluster at the center of the room.

“When they painted my walls, I had to take down all the posters I had on the walls that were there to help students, and when my desks were pushed to the middle it was very claustrophobic in here. Other than that, the painting didn’t affect me much,” says Madame Primm.

She also mentions that the walls in her room look much cleaner and brighter since they were repainted.

As of the beginning of May, most walls in Mill Creek have been painted, meaning they won’t need to be repainted for another few years, so classrooms can return to the way they were before, but this time, with bright and clean walls.

Literary Magazine Turned Academic Journal By: Madison Jackson

In the past, the level I journalism classes have published a literary magazine composed of artwork from students, but this year, they are trying something new. The Journalism students will be publishing an academic journal showcasing both the artistic and scholarly talents of the Mill Creek Community.

Jordan Rice (9) says that the purpose of Mill Creek’s’ journal is “to show how students are diverse and always changing.” It’s important to Journalism students like Rice that they are able to show how academics are not strictly defined and how they are “subjective and personal to each student and dynamic in interpretation.”

The Academic journal will feature an array of subjects such as theatre costumes, art sketches, poems, pictures, and math proofs. All of the work in the journal comes from the students and can be submitted through email or a QR Code.

“We are trying to get our journal to be more inclusive of students here but it was hard at first trying to get students to submit work,” Andre Bevily (9) says. He continues to note that although it was hard gaining the attention of students and teachers that “the submissions are coming in steadily now and we’re happy that we have an opportunity to get essays and poems this year.”

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PHOTOS: Michelle Ortiz and Isaac Lee

RECAP:

SPRING SEASON This spring sports season has been a successful one for Mill Creek Athletics. This year, our baseball and girl’s lacrosse teams are both region champions, girl’s soccer is ranked second in the region, boy’s lacrosse is ranked third, and boy’s golf are defending state champions.

As for track and field, the 4x800 team of Marisa Petit, Camryn Petit, Olivia Fuller, and Kailey Ann Clark, as well as the 4x1600 relay team of Marisa Petit, Camryn Petit, Olivia Fuller, and Hannah Olive, broke school records this track season.

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“My favorite part about track is competing at meets and being with the team. Whether it’s workout or just mileage, running together makes the team feel like family.”

“I stay focused on the course by either singing a song in my head and just repeating the advice ‘trust your line and stay committed.’”

PHOTOS: Michelle Ortiz and Isaac Lee

PHOTO: Magic Moment

“The best golf advice and tip I’ve ever received is that you are never out of a hole.

No matter how hard of a shot you hit, you can always recover and bounce back.

Perseverance is key. “

Luka Karaulic (12th)

Jordan Smith (12th) PHOTO: Magic Moment

“Earlier in the track season, I broke my collarbone. I didn’t know it was broken until like two weeks. My brothers just told me I shouldn’t be a baby about it. I just kept running.”

Marisa Petit (12th) PHOTO: Michelle Ortiz

BrianPHOTO: Pelland (10th) Michelle Ortiz

SPRING SPORTS SPOTLIGHTS

Justin Parish (12th) Courtesy of: Justin Parish

“We’ve struggled with starting off slow and getting down a couple points and then having to play catchup. If we’re going to go far in the playoffs, I think we need to start off with 110% intensity and focus instead of waiting until a couple minutes into the first half to really turn it on.”

Courtney Burleigh (11th) PHOTO: Tylar Matthews

“There are no days off if you want to be the best, so I make sure to always do something to stay active.”

“I love when everybody is sitting together cheering for our other teammates that are still on court. I always look forward to that after my matches.”

Brooke Bolton (9th) PHOTO: Maggie Mosley

Andre Izadi (9th) PHOTO: Maggie Mosley

“I play line one singles, which is the top position and is usually played by the best player on the team.”

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SPRING FASHION By: Maggie Mosley

This spring many styles and aesthetics are coming back. According to “Elle Magazine,” many looks from the 90s are coming back. For example, Gucci is having many of their models wear fanny packs and designers all across the spectrum are designing sheer dresses and tee shirts.

Socks and sandals are also making their way back onto the fashion scene.

Even with all of these flowy and easy-going styles, high-end designers are bringing back structure and pleats. There were a lot of checks and banker stripes appearing on the runway this year.

Ready-to-go collections are also big this year. Ready-to-go collections are large collections that high end designers like, Christian Dior, make for off the runway looks.

They are the type of outfits people are seen in on the streets of New York, also known as “street style.” White platform sneakers are integral pieces in the ready to wear collections.

“InStyle” came out with an article saying that street style is trending this year.

Striped cut-off palazzo pants are seen on the streets of New York.

Street style is comfortable and easy, but makes the model look put together. Forever 21 has a set collection of street style pieces. It has a matching set including palazzo jumpsuits and pants.

This spring’s runways included jumpsuits, but not rompers.

“[Socks and sandals] are unique, casual and comfortable,” says Kendall King.

At Men’s Fashion Week, just like the women’s, street style was a huge hit on the Infographic: Faith Montgomery

runway.

Designers like Louis Vuitton had tropical print shirts as a key part of his designs. He also had some contradicting pieces. Some outfits would have a tighter tailored pant, while others were baggy, and flowed off of the model’s leg.

Vertical stripes are a large trend in men’s fashion this spring. High-end designers are adding trainers to their outfits. Trainers are casual sneakers and they are not made for running. They are for style purposes only.

Students at Mill Creek are making these styles their own. Mom jeans, belts, chucky shoes, and loose tee shirts can be seen around the hallways at Mill Creek.

This is the movie, classic, artsy, high schooler style. But, more than art students are taking advantage of theses looks coming back.

Lily Gerald, sophomore, says she “likes thick heels the best,” out of this year’s fashion trends, because they are, “simplistic and cute.”

PHOTO: Maggie Mosley

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

—Coco Chanel 17

A YEAR IN Mill Creek gathered in the football field stands to witness the By: Abbie Key Solar Eclipse. This is the first time in 99 years that the path of totality went over America. A new eclipse happens every 18 months, but this one the only “all American” eclipse. The shadow of the eclipse went from the west coast of Oregon to the east coast of South Carolina. Some people at Mill Creek Due to the days missed from the Hurricanes and snow in wen to the states that was on the path of totality to get the 2017 and 2018, Mill Creek participated in Cyber days for the full experience.

August 21st first time. The purpose was to prevent the school year from being elongated to make up for the days missed. Sophomore Madison Ansoategui said she, “didn’t mind it, but it does felt Hurricane Irma hit Caribbean island of Barbuda around like I was given more work than I would have been given in a September 6-8th as a Category 5 storm. Irma was a category regular class.”

January 12th and 24-25th 4 hurricane and killed at least 38 people while devastating much of Carribean islands. As a result to Irma, Mill Creek was out of school, and many school sports games were cancelled.

August 25th

TooManyCons By: Mark Pierre

With Summer break approaching closer and closer, planning for it usually involves lots of traveling either nationally or internationally. A common venture in the season is visiting cons or conventions.

Conventions vary in their focus, some are comic based, some video games, some anime, or a mix of some kind. Regardless of their focus, conventions attract a lot of people for gathering multiple people under one interest to meet and see their favorite big names.

Atlanta’s own MomoCon is to take place between May 24th-27th, with a focus split on gaming, anime, and comics. MomoCon’s guest list has a variety of people from each industry, ranging from gaming commentators BrainScratchComms to renowned voice actor Crispin Freeman.

MomoCon also hosts a variety of photo shoot locations and panels ranging from cosplay contests to Q&A panels with creators or voice actors in and out of character.

Nathan Thomas went to MomoCon in 2017, calling it a rush. “It was slow at first but

when you get into the movement of things, time seems to fly by. There are so many vendors that you won’t reach all of them unless you stay all four days.”

Atlanta is also host to Dragon Con between August 30th to September 3rd, a celebration of Western forms of media like television or comics..

Dragon Con focuses more on the science fiction and fantasy genre of media, though it also hosts events beyond that such as wrestling or late night puppet slams.

Japanfest is a Japanese spin on Dragon Con, regarded as the largest Japanese cultural celebration of the southeast. Japanfest takes place between Sept. 15th-16th and hosts a variety of Japanese inspired events and areas.

The convention gives access to Japanese foods and tech and even some anime vendors.

Japanfest also hosts the portable shrine “Omikoshi”, based off the deity “Mikoshi” who visits festivals in his honor.

“It was pretty good, wasn’t very crowded and a lot of stuff to buy,” adds Nick Wilson, who attended in 2016.

REVIEW Seventeen people were killed and 14 wounded after Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on 14 February 2018. “I stand with the people who survived and died in the shooting. No person let alone a student should ever go through that,” says senior Kate Key. February 14th Mill Creek students participated in a “walkout” to protest the gun laws.

February 21st Since the shooting, Mill Creek has practiced a soft and hard lock down to practice what to do in the case of a situation like in Parkland.

February 22nd

A protest was planned by students, but Gwinnett County said they did not support it. Mill Creek said they would have consequences for anyone who participated in it because it was dangerous. “I was going to walkout in the second rally, but it wasn’t worth the risk of punishment which the school overstepped its boundaries by issuing,” said sophomore Lauren perry. “I wanted to participate in the walkout because it was important to show support for change and be part of something bigger than myself. But I didn’t know I would speak up until I got there.”

March 14th

An estimated 30,000 people attended the March for Our Lives in Atlanta. The speakers at the rally included Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, civil rights leader Sen. John Lewis and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students.

March 24th

and the Japan Kawaii Live on the 7th with THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, Shoko Nakagawa and many others.

For video game fans, TooManyGames opens up from June 22nd-23rd at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Philadelphia. It features content creators like Twitch streamer vinesauce and SomeCallMeJohhny, bands such as Crush40, and events such as Cosplay Pro Wrestling and retro tournaments.

PHOTO: Nick Wilson

Leaning more towards anime conventions, Anime Weekend Atlanta is recognized as one of the largest anime cons in North America. Held between September 20th to 23rd, AWA is more focused on Japanese animation and manga compared to MomoCon.

Alongside fan panels and events like dances or tournaments, AWA features a large collection of manga, an artist alley selling fan art, and a maid cafe.

The largest anime convention goes to Anime Expo, with over 100,000 people in last year’s event, keeping its top spot for a 14th year in a row according to animecons.com. Anime Expo is to be held between July 1st-4th at the Los Angeles Convention Center and features a variety of big names from the industry. Ranging from the acclaimed Persona 5’s localization team to animation studio TRIGGER’s main team, Anime Expo is a prime way of interacting with your favorite creators.

Anime Expo is also one host of the Anisong World Matsuri concert, a display of some of Japan’s most popular acts. The 2018 lineup features a full length concert for Love Live Sunshine’s Aqours group on the 4th, the Japan Super Live on the 6th with Aimer and May’n,

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Alternative Health By: Isabelle Harrel

PHOTO: Courtesy of Gtace Nebel

Alternative medicine describes the practice of using treatment methods to heal a person without medication. Some types of alternative medicine are not as well known such as Reiki while others are more commonly practiced.

In the United States, around 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children use some form of CAM, or complementary and alternative medicine (nccih.nih.gov).

Grace Nebel, a junior here at Mill Creek, practices yoga, which is one of the more common types of alternative medicine.

Nebel started doing yoga as a child and continued to do so until she briefly stopped last year.

Yoga has been used as a way to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve sleep (sciencedaily.com).

The benefits of yoga have not gone unnoticed by Nebel.

“I’ve noticed so many benefits [from doing yoga]” she said. “There was a small moment last year where I stopped. Since [I started doing yoga again], I sleep so much better, my mood has improved, and my body and skin have also changed for the better.”

Though, the differences Nebel sees aren’t limited to only her physical health.

“I all-around feel more happy and confident with how I look and how things affect me,” she said.

Khushi Patel, sophomore, also does yoga.

“I had always been interested in yoga because I always wanted to become more flexible,” she said. “I

did yoga at home, and I decided that I should take classes since I really liked doing it.”

Like Nebel, Patel has also noticed differences in her physical health and mental state as a result of doing yoga.

“I have noticed that yoga has made me more flexible overall,” she said. “Before I started, I couldn’t touch my toes, and now, I can leave my palms on the ground. Also, when I do it, I feel very relaxed and calm, and it’s a good stress reliever.”

Yoga isn’t the only type of alternative medicine that helps people’s’ mental state. Meditation can also make a positive impact.

Madie Keener, sophomore, meditates to help deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.

“I’ve tried a lot of different things to help with stress, anxiety, and depression, and I watched a lot of educational videos about how meditation could help with those things [and decided to try it myself],” she said.

In order to meditate, she’ll go outside around sunrise or sunset, closer her eyes, and breathe deeply.

Keener has found that meditation helps her feel better mentally.

“Whenever I do get the chance to meditate, it genuinely does help me,” she said. “[It helps me] feel less stressed and anxious about things that are going on in my life at the time.”

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Bienvenue

By: Sapphire Brooks

On February 18, twenty French foreign exchange students from Mill Creek’s sister school, Emmanuel Heureux, arrived in the United States. Participating in the annual student exchange between the two schools, the students spent one week immersing themselves in the American way of life and education.

Students from varying levels of French fluency opened up their homes to these students for an one on one experience of French culture. Junior Nick Darby, a French III student, was one of the hosts.

He housed the student, Paul, and says, “Hosting my French student, Paul, was an incredible experience in which I learned the true immense culture of France and the uniqueness of their school programs and student bodies. C’est trés amusant.”

After a ten hour flight over the Atlantic the students were greeted with a horde of colorful signs and smiling faces as they walked into the Hartsfield Jackson international airport. “I was really nervous at first, but after seeing them off the plane it was really exciting,” says senior Seth Nurmi.

After the initial round of awkward hugs and simple greetings, the students and their host families rushed home for the start of the next week. “They were really excited to get off the plane and get some rest,” said junior Brooks Foxworth. “My student was surprisingly energetic and ready to talk on the way home,” says Will English.

The following day saw the settling in of the exchange students: “My family was nervous about the first night, but it went really well,” says senior Raleigh Bumpers.

“It was a little awkward that night, but after a while it was just another day,” says Nurmi.

That night came a chance for just about all students taking French to meet and greet the exchange students at a scavenger hunt in The Mall of Georgia. “They were really shy at first and hung around on the host

at first, but really opened up,” says senior Kelly Hagan.

The start of the following school week allowed the French students to shadow their hosts as they went about their school day. “They were kind of overwhelmed about the size and amount of students we had,” says Bumpers. Many Mill Creek students who were not hosting enjoyed getting the chance to interact with the foreign exchange students. “It was fun getting to see them, even if we really couldn’t talk,”says junior Kaelan Tunis.

After getting to tour the school in its entirety, led by Principal Lane, the students were allowed to spend personal time with all students currently taking French by splitting between each of the three French teachers and remaining in their class for the school day.

The rest of the week was filled with trips out of school. A day spent at the aquarium, a tour and lunch at the Fox, and ending the week with a meal at the Varsity a tour of Georgia Tech, and a monster truck show at Mercedes Benz stadium.

“We did so much and my student had so much fun seeing American culture,” says Bumpers. At the end of it all, the following Sunday saw the departure of the students.

“That was the hardest part of the week I cried a lot,” says Nurmi.

Overall, the point of the exchange was to give the students from both school a chance to utilize what they had learned about the differing cultures, and to experience these differences firsthand. “The students really got the chance to put their French to the test with natural speakers,” says Mrs. Primm. Mill Creek students really enjoyed the chance to get to know the French students on a personal level and make connections that will last a lifetime, “It was an experience I will not forget and always cherish,” says English.

PHOTOS: Sapphire Brooks

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New Year, New Classes by: Taylor Johnson

S S s n t s

Photo Credit: Sean Floyd

Senior Sebastian Rodriguez and Sophmore Ella Rose Kraner run a lab in AP Chemistry.

AP World & AP European AP World History builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional and technological foundations that set the human stage prior to the year 1000.” AP European is the basic chronology of major events and trends in Europe. Next year, they are going to teach a class that is a combination of the two AP classes.

Music History The History of Rock and Roll will examine the origin, development, and story of Rock and Roll music in America.

Beginning with the delta blues, country, western music of the 20th century, and finishing with hip hop and modern pop, this course will examine the music and personalities of America’s greatest musical tradition Students will be exposed to new types of music and a new way of understanding the music they already know and love.

Stagecraft Stagecraft is a hands on course that gets students working with the tools and techniques of theatrical production in a practical way. Students will design and build sets for productions.

Photo Credit: Faith Montgomery

Legal Environment Of Business Legal environment of Business will prepare students to understand their role within this environment, identify issues, recognize potential problems, and manage legal risks in business decision making. This class will assist students in making ethical decisions, individually and as an organization.

Programming, Games & Apps Are you ready to design and develop? Students will strategize, design and develop mobile and desktop games that can be produced in the real world. Alyssa Cornelius (10th) has signed up to be in the class next year. “I’m taking this class because it seems like an interesting and fun class, and since I’m a very active gamer. I’m also very interested in technology as a potential career, along with a bunch of other things like music, forensics, and law,” says Cornelius.

Science/ Engineering Research Engineering science is a class that teaches many different principles and accelerated mathematics that underline engineering. Students will learn skill sets required to develop innovative, enduring solutions and transform the latest scientific discoveries into enabling new technologies.

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PHOTO: Michelle Ortiz Featuring: Sidney Chansamone

By: Caitlyn Bedillion

Bright Days Brighter Makeup S

ummer can be full of wonderful things but smeared eyeliner and melting makeup are not among them. Here is what to wear to avoid that sticky mess.

Primer

Mattifying primer should be worn on any portion of the face that normal get oily, usually in the T-zone of the face. This keeps your makeup from smearing and makes it last longer.

Foundation

During summer, the hotter weather calls for a lighter coverage look that will sweat off. Foundation should be applied with a damp makeup sponge for a dewy light coverage look. A BB cream with sunscreen can also be used instead to protect the face from harmful sun rays and to have a light coverage. A dewy foundation should be used for those with dry or normal skin, and a matte foundation should be used for those with oily skin types.

Setting Powder

A light hand is needed with applying a setting powder during the summer because it should only be enough to set the makeup and not allow the liquid products to clump together

Eyeshadow

Eye shadow should be worn on top of a non oil based eye shadow primer and set with a translucent powder. Colors worn should be neutral or warm tone shadows to bring color and brightness to the eye. Cream eyeshadows should be used minimally to avoid creasing and transfer to other parts of the eye.

2018 Summer Colors According to Vogue

Concealer

Concealer should be placed under the eyes a minimal amount to reduce the look of a cakey face. To brighten the face, a small amount should be applied on the high points of the profile.

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Summer Attractions in Georgia By: Gabby Seeton

Once school is out, the endless possibilities of things to do rush in. But here’s always the problem of money and laziness. Students want fun and close things to go and spend their time doing. And, with Atlanta becoming the new film capital, there’s plenty of TV show and movie sets to check out. Here’s just a few places that are cheap and fun to visit.

PHOTO: Creative Commons

HELEN

Helen, Georgia, is a very popular place for tubing in the summertime. Sit back and relax and float down the Chattahoochee river.

As you slowly make your way through the 2 hour tube ride, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along with some parts that have fast moving water.

Kim Nguyen (12th) says, “I love going to Helen because it brings me back to my nature roots. Going out tubing makes me feel connected with the earth again. It’s also super cheap to go tubing, so it’s a nice and relaxing day.”

With prices ranging from $8 for one trip and $12 for all day, it’s PHOTO: Gabby Seeton definitely a relaxing day for everyone.

SIX FLAGS

Another place to go and spend a fun-filled day is Six Flags Over Georgia.

Six Flags has over 50 rides across the whole park including some water rides.

The park also

has a water park that you can pay to visit separately, but is still just as much fun as the regular park.

Kate Key (12th) says, “I love going to Six Flags because they include water rides throughout the park, especially since it’s hot outside; it just makes it ten times better.

They also do cheaper tickets online, so it’s not as expensive as any other amusement park.”

COVINGTON

If you are a lover of “The Vampire Diaries,” then maybe a visit to Mystic Falls is for you. Covington Square is where they shot a majority of the show, and it’s located about 45 minutes away from Dacula.

Eating at the Mystic Grill is one of their main attractions there or seeing all of the stars, from actors that have visited there and have acted there before.

In fact, some other shows, including “Stranger Things” and ““The Walking Dead” have also been filmed in Covington.

Amaya Kimball (10th) says, “I used to live in Covington where they shot ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ and I used to find it so cool that I could walk around the actual sets and eat at the Mystic Grill. If you love ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ then I would definitely recommend that you visit Covington Square.”

The shows also offer tours for some of the other sets as well. To walk around the square is free but the tours start at about $55 for one person. But, there’s still plenty of things to see in the square for free.

PHOTO: Creative Commons

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Senior Goodbyes Michelle Ortiz, Editor

After so many years dedicated to this paper, it is crazy to think that these will be my last words published. I wouldn’t be who I am today with out this paper. I would like to thank Mrs. Neff for introducing me to Journalism and pushing me to do my best. The Chronicle has given me so many friends and adventures. I plan to graduate from UGA with a degree in data science and pursue a career in investigative journalism. I believe that the Chronicle’s legacy has just really begun. Next year’s editors: Vanessa Medina, Faith Montgomery, and Abbie Key will continue to establish the best paper Mill Creek can offer.

Sapphire Brooks, Staff Writer

Through Newspaper I have really honed my passion for writing. This class has allowed me to get more involved in the Mill Creek community through the news. I really enjoyed working under Mrs. Neff as she really helped guide my writing to another level, and my editors were really down to earth and willing to help with any problems I had. I would definitely recommend that people take this class as it offers so much to straighten and broaden one’s writing.

Collins Sainovich, Editor

I have been on staff for three years, and was Co-Editor this year. Thank you to this year’s staff and especially Ms. Neff, who has been a great adviser these three years. I will be attending Mississippi State University in the fall and majoring in Political Science. Thank you to Michelle, Vanessa, Abbie, and Faith for being great friends and also picking up my slack when I got senioritis. I have made so many friends through staff and I am so thankful to have been apart of the Chronicle!

Gabby Seeton, Staff Writer

Thank you so much for this experience. I’m going to use these experiences when I go to college in the fall. plan on going to GGC, and I’m so excited to see what film classes they have there. Thank you to the staff for inspiring me to do my best with my writing.

Meaghan Exantus, Staff Writer

I accredit getting to this point to all my teachers who allotted various curves on tests (special shoutout to Madame Primm. I’m going to miss you) , a plethora of online sites- most notably sparknotes, and last but not least: all of the friends I have made here. You all exuberate such positive energy throughout the year. It’s truly invigorating and made me strive to be as amazing as all of you.

Caitlyn Bedillion, Staff Writer

After graduation, I plan to attend either UWG or CSU to fulfill my career as I take the next steps in my life to accomplish my dream of becoming an Orthodontist.

I have learned so much from my teachers and classmates this year as they have encouraged me to never give up. I will take everything I have learned from Newspaper, and I will apply it later on in my future.

Being a part of the graduating class of 2018 has opened up unimaginable opportunities for my success.

Magic M oment Phot ography

Capturing all of Mill Creek’s magical moments

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