November December 2017 by The Viewpoint

Mountain View High School 2135 Mountain View Road Stafford, VA 22556

STUDENT NEWS Magazine MVHS VOLUME 12 ISSUE 2

november | december

Wow your family and friends this holiday season with delicious, easy-to-make recipes on pages 16 and 17.

Jinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Garden Chinese Restaurant 263 Garrisonville Rd, Stafford, VA 22554 (540) 288-8838 Now Hiring!

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MV The Viewpoint

Editorial

INDEX 01 Cover 02 Advertisement 03 index 04 briefs 05 ‘Tis the season 06 banned books 07 banned books 08 Friends 09 Friends presents 10 DIYreflections 11 perfection of 12 Notes 101 13 Advertisement 14 skepticism 15 black friday 16 A dash of cranberry

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17 a dash of cranberry 18 The Evolution of news 19 Take a stand 20 advertisement 21 Happiness 22 2017 ROund up 23 Taste of culture 10 Holiday Desti24 Top nations 25 26 Privilege 27 Drugstore dupes 28 DIY stocking stuffers 29 advertisement 30 Sports vs sports 31 Sports vs sports 32 snow homework

Beginning with the era of ancient Egyptians, makeup has been a prominent source of beauty and confidence for the average person. According to “NBC News,” these first products were highly unsafe due to the inclusion of lead, mercury, arsenic, and even some levels of radiation. Both lead, mercury, and arsenic can cause heavy metal poisoning which can result in vomiting, hypotension, skin rashes, and a decrease in mental function. Since then, the use of makeup has definitely evolved more into safe and somewhat skin-friendly products. Makeup lines created by brands, such as BareMinerals who have non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic products that are hypoallergenic and promote improved skin texture, have been successfully working on products that are actually good for your skin. In addition, brands like Urban Decay and Tarte have been working on creating merchandise that is also cruelty-free and vegan, which is a major step up from ancient times. Currently, makeup is seen as a way to allow people to express themselves, whether it be in their daily routine or for special occasions. A huge downfall that has come with the rise of popularity in the use of makeup is that it has allowed for unrealistic expectations on both men and women to become present in today’s society. This combined with the use of PhotoShop on photographs has created constant pressure on people to fit a perfect image. The use of makeup should not be a defining feature of a person’s beauty. It is a choice for one to wear it, and society should not be judging a person based on it or lack of.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Lexi Strawder

by Lexi Strawder This past year junior Lainey Breland set up and organized the Wildcats Give Back club. The Wildcats Give Back club is a community club that raises money by hosting events and donating the profits to an organization. Also, they help people in need that live in the community. Lainey was inspired to by her late grandfather’s morals to “help others and make other people happy every chance [he] got”. Her love for Stafford County also inspired Lainey to want to give back to her community. “I love Stafford. It’s where I’ve lived my whole life, and I want to give back in any way I can. Helping people is something I’ve always wanted to spend my life doing and this was a great way to do that at my age.” Aside from being the founder of the Wildcats Give Back club, Lainey is also the President. Meetings are held on the first and

third Monday of every month in Diana Van Fleet’s room (341). All students are encouraged to join the club. She even shares her enthusiasm by saying, “The more members we have, the better! With more people that means more positivity and help we can spread.” Some of the planned upcoming events include the volleyball match between the senior boys and the girls varsity volleyball team with profits donated to Saint Jude’s, a students vs seniors basketball game with profits donated to the local animal shelters, a bake sale and a food drive to help those in need. Lainey said, “Seeing the positive effects on those around you is something that I hope everyone can see one day. I don’t think I honestly think of something that makes me happier.”

The Viewpoint NOV | DEC 2017 VOLUME XII ISSUE II Managing Editors Paige Doerfler Emilee Holmquist Ruby Jackson Social Media Editor Sophie Perez Copy Editors Bella Roeske Photography Editor Emilee Holmquist Briefs Editor Charlotte Hazard Adviser Trisha Orndorff

The Viewpoint is a cross-section of the news and opinions of the student body of Mountain View High School. It is a forum of expression published by aPrintis. Letters and art to the editorial board are welcome and should be submitted to rooms 303 or 311.

Staff Writers Brody Albertson, JoJo Brigham, Madison Jones, Rahzel Lemott, Gia Morreale, Isabel Navarro, Selena Obregon, Caroline Pollock, Chloe Reid, Adam Skoloda, Lexi Strawder, Damien Veal, Abbey Whitehead Front Cover Paige Doerfler Ruby Jackson Chloe Reid 2014-2016 Virginia High School League State Championship First Place Award Winner 2013, 2014, 2015 Free Lance-Star Best Over All Newspaper 2011 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist 2011, 2010 and 2009 Virginia High School League First Place Award Winner Mountain View High School 2135 Mountain View Rd. Stafford, VA 22556

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School Events at Mountain View

Faculty Follies

by Selena Obregon Photo by Selena Obregon On Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Mountain View hosted its annual teacher talent show, “Faculty Follies”. It showcased the comedic stylings, acting abilities, and singing talents of teachers and staff at Mountain View High School. The show featured many faculty, including the principal, James Stemple; the IB Coordinator, Theresa Gaddy; math teacher, Laurence Crosswell, and many more. The show kicked off with a throwback to the 2000’s with Gaddy singing “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, accompanied with acoustics provided by Mark Mayer. Crowd favorites included Byron Hoover and his son making a return to the stage, performing the song “You’re Welcome” from the movie Moana, with Hoover dressed as the character Moana. There were two dances in the show, which featured 14 teachers that stunned the audience with costumes designed to create optical illusions and stick people made from glow sticks. Stemple and Gaddy also hosted a fashion show as the characters “Coco Puff Chanel” and “ Calvin Not so Klein”, with eight teachers that modeled outfits that were made out of tape, gift bags, paper, and other random materials. After 12 acts, the show closed with a memorable performance of “12 Days of Christmas” that included eggs and turkeys being thrown by Bonnie Margheim and Carl Reichert. Alex Goldbach, a math teacher who participated in the show, said “The faculty talent show was so much fun because it gave us a chance to get a bunch of faculty together from different departments, so we got to meet people that way and put on a performance for our students. It was really nice to see the support of the students at the talent show”. 30 faculty members showcased their talents to an adoring audience and allowed for students and families of Mountain View High School to see a more laid back, comedic, and outgoing side of themselves for a night.

Wrestling Injuries by Chloe Reid Photo by Chloe Reid

Improv Show

by Danielle Piper Photo by Danielle Piper

For only $3 per student and $5 per adult, Mountain View High Schools’ community gathered in the school’s auditorium on Friday, November 3 for an evening of ridiculousness and laughter hosted by the improv team. The team’s talent was showcased through a series of improv games such as “Late to Work,” and “Scenes from a Hat.” Most games used objects, places, professions, and relationships drawn from the audience, really showing the team’s ability to roll with whatever they’re given, and make it funny. No one was safe from the fast-paced fun when some improv-alumnis were invited to participate during games and give prompts. Friday afternoon, a few hours before their first show of the year, Tom Clark, the improv team’s adviser, said, “We started our practices about the second week of school, but you can never tell [if you’re ready] until you do the show, but I do have a lot of veteran players returning, and we’re actually getting up 2 weeks earlier than we went up last year, we’ve been rehearsing every Thursday, and we’ve only skipped one.” All the improv team’s hard work payed off, and MVHS will have another Sorry-in Advance show December 1. 04 q the viewpoint q november | december 2017 q news

As the wrestling season starts, two seniors, David Cohen and Steven Lang will be sitting out. These two senior athletes have injured themselves and will not be able to compete in the wrestling invitationals on December 2 and possibly December 9. Cohen said that he sprained his foot, while Lang said he sprained his ankle. Cohen said, “After our bingo fundraiser last Saturday, we went to one of the guy’s houses, and he has a zipline in his backyard, and I got on the zipline and at the end there was a tree, and I hit my right foot on the tree”. Though Cohen’s injury may not have taken place on the wrestling mat, it will definitely affect his ability to be able to complete. Unlike Cohen, Lang’s injury was acquired on the mat at practice while wrestling with a teammate. Lang said, “Too much weight was put on my ankle, and it just kinda snapped”. Both of these athletes said they will be out for at least another week when asked about recovery time. This is causing them to miss the next upcoming invitationals where they would be core starters. Both wrestlers feel that the team will be affected but will still be able to do well.

S e e h as o n T s i ‘T

G i e v i B n g o T Many people focus on the materialistic things during the holidays rather remembering others during a season of giving by Lexi Strawder

When thinking about celebrating the holidays, the first couple of things that probably come to mind are family, food, and, of course, presents. Regardless of cultural and religious background, family, food and presents are the foundation of tradition. Often times, people become too wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays that they forget what the season is all about. The media is constantly bombarding society with Christmas specials on T.V. and blow-out-sales going on during the holidays and, as a result, has caused people to jump into a hyperactive mode of obsession over small details. This has allowed little to no room to think about the less fortunate during a season of thankfulness and giving. According to the Huffington Post, “More than 45 million people, or 14.5 percent of all Americans, lived below the poverty line last year.” This means that 45 million people are living in extremely poor conditions out of a total of 323.1 million people living in the United States. Whether one sees the less fortunate around town or on T.V., people often look past them. Some people make the argument that it's not society's responsibility to aid the less fortunate. While, technically, there is no law to tell people to give back to the community to make the country a better place, it is the noble and charitable thing to abide by. Giving back to society by supporting one another helps promote a united front rather than a divided nation. After all, how can humanity be humane if they do not show any acts of compassion or benevolence? Everyone faces obstacles at some point in their life. Some are greater than others and require help to overcome them. There are many reasons as to why some people are less fortunate, but instead of focusing on how they became the way they are, we should be focusing on how to move forward and help them. Sharon McCamy, Learn and Serve teacher,

said, “The word 'charity" comes from the Latin "caritatem"--meaning affection or esteem. Service to others, through giving of resources or time, not only benefits those in need but also demonstrates appreciation of others. We are all part of the same larger community and there's no better way to appreciate that than by giving or volunteering.” Giving back to society and helping the less fortunate doesn't necessarily require one to spend money. If you are looking to help the less fortunate out and are low on funds, you could do any number of things, such as, donating old clothes, volunteering at an organization, fundraising money to donate for a cause, or even offering emotional or psychological support by having a conversation with someone who has gone through a lot of trauma and needs someone to talk to. If you are interested in giving back to society and are unsure of where to go, you may consider looking into the community service clubs here at Mountain View, such as the Wildcats Give Back club, Learn and Serve, Interact club and Students Helping Honduras. Besides creating a better quality environment to live in, helping others and giving back to society also promotes a spiritual well being and can be very fulfilling. Junior Megan Wiley, a member of the Students Helping Honduras club, said, “I always feel really happy because I have made great relationships with the kids and even some adults in Honduras… It is great knowing that I am able to put my passion for education and culture to work!”. It is only human nature to forage for something greater as if we live in a scarce society; however, we have made this mindset consume us, which has caused ourselves to be focused on the aspect of receiving rather than giving. It is easy to look at the tragedy going on in the world and proceed with your everyday live as if it doesn't affect you when in reality that's not the case.

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Banned ks

The challenges of many books can sometimes lead them becoming banned, resulting in a controversial reaction due to the infringement on the freedom of speech by Ruby Jackson | Photos by Ruby Jackson

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The Scarlet Letter Located in present-day Boston during the 1600s, “The

Scarlet Letter” is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in order to show the life and hypocrisy of the Puritans during the time period. In the book, a woman named Hester Prynne is ostracized from the community when she commits adultery. The Puritans, a very strict religious group, react strongly and force Hester to wear a scarlet ‘A’ pinned on her clothes. Hester is given the option to leave the settlement and start a new life; however, she refuses to let them have any power over her. She remains in town and wears the letter to remind her of her past sins and how they are a part of her. Hester also keeps the identity of her lover secret, despite being pressured by the rest of her community to confess his name. Hawthorne shows how the Puritans were hypocritical because they came to America to escape persecution, but they, in turn, judged and persecuted individuals in the community who didn’t follow their societal norms. “The Scarlet Letter” was banned due to how Hawthorne portrayed Hester. People believe she deserved more than her punishment entailed and that Hawthorne gave her good traits when she didn’t deserve them. Even though it was written in 1850, the controversy of the novel still affects the world today through the modern thinking of the theme of discrimination and writing style of Hawthorne.

The Lord of the Flies In “The Lord of the Flies” by William

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Golding, a group of young boys are stranded on an island after their plane crashes. The boys quickly become uncivilized and run rampant due to the lack of adults. They elect a group leader; however, this still does not solve the issue. Throughout the book, the boys violently kill animals for sport. Golding shows the subject of violence to show how humans are naturally animalistic. The rules of society are made in order to help rein in this impulse. The violence and extreme language in Golding’s book is the main reason for the banning of “The Lord of the Flies.” “With any text you have to approach it in regards to its purpose. His [Golding’s] whole purpose is to show the example of what would happen if we didn’t have social constructs or moralityin which case it wouldn’t be something we could ban, it would be a reality,” said English teacher Emilie Klinger.

Fahrenheit 451 In “Fahrenheit 451,” Ray Bradbury creates a dysto-

pian society where books are banned and burned by firefighters in order to avoid offending anybody of differing opinions. Firefighter Guy Montag faces hardships in his life and soon looks for answers in books that have not yet been burned. Guy meets a retired English professor and together they plan to revolutionize society by beginning to reprint books Bradbury shows themes concerning ideas surrounding censorship and authoritarian governments by banning books. In doing this, the government has complete control over the citizens by inhibiting their freedom of speech and press that is now present in the United States today. The book is controversial due to the strong language and offensive religious phrases within. Despite this, the book has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. “Authors can’t be restricted on the materials and topics they can write about. The whole point of the first amendment is for our country to be able to express and voice our opinions- whether it’s in speeches, protests, or books,” said sophomore Caroline Ford. Banning books like “Fahrenheit 451” infringes on people’s right to freedom of speech and represses people from forming their own opinions.

The Harry Potter Series

Written in 1997, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” soon became one of the most popular books in the world. The series by J.K. Rowling focuses on a young boy who learns he is a wizard. Upon learning this, he goes to a wizarding school where he learns how to use magic. Although this series contains exemplary themes that focus on family and good-versus-evil, many believe the series to be ungodly and unfit for reading due to the glorification of witchcraft. A Christian church in New Mexico called the series a “masterpiece of satanic deception.” By reading something that portrays witches in a positive light, the church believes it influences children to lean towards witchcraft and Satanism rather than of Christianity. Many people also believe the books promote violence and dark themes, though it mainly focuses on important life lessons about friendship and love. Due to the controversy over witchcraft and violent themes, Harry Potter is the most banned book in America according to the American Library Association; however, the popular series has been made into eight movies, sold over 400 million copies, and been translated into 68 languages.

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To Kill a Mockingbird As a popular book formerly assigned to high school students, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is told

through the perspective of a young girl named Scout Finch in Alabama during the 1930s. Her father Atticus is a lawyer who chooses to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who is unjustly accused of raping a white girl. Despite the lack of evidence against him, Tom stood trial for a crime that he obviously did not commit. Throughout the book, the overt racism and prejudice of this time period is clear in several ways. Atticus is faced with severe backlash for choosing to defend Tom. The people of the town say many discriminatory comments and racist slurs attacking both Atticus and blacks. Harper Lee, the author, showcases the struggles our country has faced with the inequalities between races. In addition, Lee explores the struggles of a girl coming of age; Scout grows as a character by becoming educated on the prejudice surrounding her and realizing that not everyone has good intentions. To accurately depict the time period, Lee uses racial slurs, such as the n-word. The derogatory words, along with the themes, are the main reasons for the banning of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Director of the American Library Association’s department for intellectual freedom James LaRue said, “Silence doesn’t make us smarter. A classic is something that makes us uncomfortable because it talks about things that matter.” featureq november | december 2017 q the viewpoint q 07

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DIY Presents f

Handmade holiday gifts make all the difference to friends and family by Bella Roeske

bATH bOMBS

According to “Idle Wife blog,” you need two tablespoons of baking soda, one tablespoon of citric acid, one tablespoon of cornstarch, one tablespoon of epsom salts, ¼ teaspoon of Canola oil, ¾ teaspoon strongly brewed flavored tea, and a drop or two of food coloring. Whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a small jar, shake the wet ingredients to mix them together. Continue whisking the dry ingredients as you add the wet ones into the mixture. Mix until the ingredients are completely dyed the color of the food coloring and are clumped together; it should be slightly crumbly. Don’t add more liquid. Spoon the mixture into molds, and pack it in tightly. Allow for the molds to dry for at least five hours. Take the bath bombs out and let them dry another four hours before using them, or wait one to two days before packaging them as presents.

o it yourself (DIY) gifts have become an increasingly popular option for holidays and birthdays. “I think they [handmade gifts] mean a lot because in a world where everything is commercialized, a handmade gift means that you sat down and took the time to care about the person individually,” said Emma Reese, sophomore. The memory shadow box is a gift that should be given to someone close, as you need quite a few objects to place inside the shadow box. When giving the memory shadow box to a friend or loved one, they will see that how important their relationship is to the gift giver. The lip balm is a simple little gift that can be given to friends in cute tins or lockets, or any other small container. Use different containers for different people. The letter collage brings pictures from different events and time to present a product that sums up happiness between two or more people. The bath bombs are a trendy and aesthetic gift. They can be given in jars with ribbon and personalized painted words. This mixes artsiness and a touch of sentiment.

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According to “Hello Glow,” you will need one to two tablespoons of coconut oil, ½ tablespoon of freeze-dried raspberries (or more), and ½ to one teaspoon of beeswax. First, grind the raspberries into a fine powder. Then, melt the coconut oil and beeswax together in a double broiler and proceed to add the raspberry powder. Stir to combine. Transfer to containers with lids and let harden at room temperature.

Pixabay

According to “My Anything and Everything,” all you need for this cute collage are wooden block letters, paint, a sponge brush, a paint brush, mod podge, pictures, and polyurethane. Paint the front of the letter black and the sides and back any other desired color. Put mod podge on the black paint, after it has dried, and then place your pictures. Lastly, use the sponge brush to lightly cover the pictures with a layer of polyurethane. Let it dry and you’re done!

mEMORY sHADOW bOX For this adorable gift filled with heartfelt memories, you need a shadow box, movie tickets, notes, game tickets, wristbands from carnivals or festivals, etc. You will also need small block letters. You can get shadow boxes at most grocery stores and craft stores. Paint the block letters any desired color and glue them onto the top half of the back of the shadow box. Then, place the tickets, bands, etc. into the box and place them on the bottom.

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Bella Roeske

cOLLAGE lETTERS

Reflections of perfection A detailed guide from dermatologists on skin care By Selena Obregon | Photos by Selena Obregon “When choosing a cleanser, stay away from high-foaming cleansers as they can strip the skin, leaving it tight, dry, and more prone to breakouts. It can even cause lines, wrinkles, and sensitivity to the environment. Apply a pre-cleanser prior to cleansing to help thoroughly clean your skin without stripping your skin’s natural oil.” — Candace Noonan, esthetician and director of education at Environ Skin Care “A moisturizer can also be helpful any time your skin feels dry, such as during the winter. When your skin becomes dry, your body makes more oil. The extra oil can clog your pores, which may lead to more breakouts. The right moisturizer can prevent your skin from becoming dry and irritated.” — American Academy of Dermatology Inc.

“Exfoliating twice weekly is what I call my secret weapon to perfect skin. We all tend to either skip it or overdo it. Twice a week with a physical scrub that has a chemical element like lactic acid is a perfect combo to great skin. It keeps the pores minimized, keeps the fine lines at bay, and resurfaces the skin perfectly.” — Joanna

Vargas, dermatologist at Joanna Vargas Skin Care Spa in New York City, New York

“It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers the following: Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays) SPF 30 or higher.” — American Academy of Dermatology Inc.

“Washing your face any more than twice a day can dry out the skin, causing it to produce more oil to compensate. Instead, scrub safely using a gentle electric brush. It helps remove makeup and helps your cleanser work better. Steer clear of the coarse ones, which can cause a breakout.” — Rebecca Kazin, MD, of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and the Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology “Moisturizers help our skin barrier by providing lipids, protecting from external chemicals, and providing water to our sometimes parched skin.” — Vermén Verallo-Rowell, MD, of VMV Hypoallergenics “Individuals who may benefit from exfoliation treatment include those who have experienced premature aging due to sun exposure and those with noninflammatory acne, which is acne with only blackheads and whiteheads. Individuals with inflammatory acne, which includes cysts and pustules, should consult a board-certified dermatologist before selecting an exfoliation method.” — Mary P. Lupo, MD, FAAD, clinical professor of dermatology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans. “Even though darker skin may take longer to burn and may not show it as clearly, I have found skin cancer and sun damage in darkly pigmented people as well as light-skinned people. Everyone needs to wear sunscreen.” — Debra Jaliman, MD, author of Skin Rules and assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

“Get a toner to help tighten your skin and prevent your pores from opening and causing breakouts. I use witch hazel and rosewater as toners because they don’t burn my skin. Just spray it on and let it dry or rub it in with a cotton ball.” – Aliciah Armah, junior feature u november | december 2017 u the viewpoint u 11

(Notes 101)

Taking notes efficiently is essential for every class, so it is important to develop a note taking system that works for you by Isabel Navarro | Photos by Isabel Navarro

In the header of your notes, include a title, the date, chapter and corresponding unit. Including all of these parts in your header will help keep all notes organized and easier to locate later on. The body of the notes should include information such as main ideas, definitions, and examples that deal with the topic being taught. By splitting the page into two sides, the notes are transformed into a helpful study tool. In the smaller section of the notes, write down key terms and questions regarding the information in the main portion of the page. When it is time to study for a test, simply fold the notes and quiz yourself based on the questions or terms on the left side of the page. Include bullets and sub-bullets to branch information off from the main ideas and topics in your notes. Keep the information brief and try to write everything in your own words so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to understand.

Draw illustrations that will help you better comprehend and remember information. Acronyms are also very useful when trying to keep your notes as concise as possible.

Divide the information into different sections in order to space out your notes and make them easier to read. Notes with a lot of information can seem overwhelming when it comes time to study, so spacing notes out will help make them seem less overbearing.

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Mark any information you are having a hard time understanding so you can prioritize what needs to be reviewed when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for a class test.

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e c n a t r o p m I The m s i c i t p e k S f o T

he dictionary definition of skepticism is an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object. In a way, everyone is a little bit skeptical. When people are presented information, particularly information they disagree with, an attitude of doubt sinks in. This doubt should lead to research and new information; however, some people refuse to research and just criticize the information they have heard and disagreed with. If you really put thought into it, many jobs such as lawyers, teachers, and leadership positions require a is large amounts of skepticism. If a criminal justice lawyer d accuse falsely were they claims defending someone who who person the of ism skeptic their use they crime, of a accused them to prove their defendant innocent. When teachers are skeptical about students possibly cheating, they use their doubt to get information to figure out what is actually going on. When leaders in leadership roles are given a conflict, they have to question both sides of the situation to figure out what really happened. One of the most important parts of skepticism is that it usually leads to questioning, research and action. One of the many reasons that skepticism is so crucial in our society and today is because of how much bias there is in our news e media. They are being smart to a certain degree becaus they know their viewers won’t take the time to go watch If the whole speech or event, and will just side with them. short a see only and viewers are watching certain media clipping of a speech by the president or members of Congress, it’s important for skepticism to take over and allow them to see the full meeting or speech to get the whole story. That way, people won’t go spouting off information that is inaccurate and end up looking unintelligent. It’s also very crucial to be skeptical about your own ask beliefs. When someone says something you agree with, back to facts have you Do that. yourself why you believe up what you are saying? It’s important not to just rely on emotion and feelings when you’re debating or making a point. Have facts to defend your beliefs and opinions. It’s also important to know where information or facts are coming from. If people are consistently getting facts

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with When people are presented it’s information and supposed facts, the important to think and question source by Charlotte Hazard

off the internet, they need to make sure the sources the facts are coming from are reliable. That can be hard consid inaccu with filled ering a good majority of the internet is rate information and bias. Additionally, when researching certain instances or studies, it’s important to get the most up to date information on them. Some information varies and it’s crucial to get the accurate facts. Skepticism helps get correct information and call out inaccurate information. Some people may argue that too much skepticism can result in people becoming gullible and uninformed citizens; however, it is important not to throw skepticism completely out the window, because it is beneficial with getting information and finding out the truth. A doubtful attitude to certain things can result in finding the truth and in the end being right. It’s important not to neglect the feelings of skepticism because sometimes that results in people just following the crowd and not searching for what is actually happening. It’s better to be askeptical and research, rather than to just accept inform er Wheth ing. someth about al skeptic is ne Everyo is. tion as it be the media, the government, cheating, a crime scene, an outburst or fight, be skeptical. Get the truth. Get accurate knowledge and decide for yourself.

Bl a Fr ck id ay

Black Friday weekend’s low prices brought roughly 137 million customers to businesses in 2016, but even with it’s popularity, this is a rather odd tradition, and it has origins to match. by Danielle Piper

Misinformation plagues today’s society, especially in reference to the holidays. A big example of this is when people use the term “Black Friday” incorrectly. It has origins that are unknown by many, and even speculated to be racist by some. These claims are often shot down by the common knowledge origin, but this simple explanation isn’t accurate either. According to the everyday origin story, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Through the year, businesses’ monetary amount is “in the red;” still in debt from the year. After Black Friday, big businesses finally are “in the black,” finally drawing a profit. This makes sense, as large business organizations buy bulk amounts for their year. What doesn’t make sense is how they only make a profit in the second to last month of the year. How much can they really make in the short time from the third Friday in November to December 31? Although this period includes the busiest shopping days of the year: the few days before Christmas and Black Friday according to 2016 statistics from Business Insider, the holiday season accounts for only around 20 percent of the retail industry’s’ profits according to 2013 statistics from Statista.com. This leaves the origin story’s validity debatable. According to History.com, the actual reason for Black Friday’s odd name and sensationalism around the shopping deals and chaos is from a less picture perfect area of history. The Friday following Thanksgiving has been a busy shopping day for a long time, causing traffic, crowds, shoplifting, and overall disorganization in busy cities. One of the worst cities is Philidelphia because of the influx of people for the holiday and Army-Navy game that takes place the following Saturday. In the 1950-60s, the local policemen were vexed by the consistently long and difficult day. They coined the term “Black Friday,” hoping to cast it in an undesirable light. Because of this negative effect, businesses attempted to change the name to “Big Friday,” hoping to capitalize the day and lighten any negative opinions of the holiday; however, the feelings towards it could not be undone. Drama around the day lessened little by little, and by the late 1980s, retailers were finally able to rework the day in their favor by fabricating the “red to black” story. Even if the reason behind the name is negative, the sensationalization of Black Friday is unquestionable. For the past decade, stores have been opening earlier and earlier, getting free publicity from news outlets, and attracting some of the most dedicated customers, likely to buy more than the casual shopper. More recently, stores have been remaining on their trend of opening earlier each year, some now on Thanksgiving day. An example is Walmart, which plans to offer Black Friday deals online at 12:01 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, and in-store doorbusters at 6 p.m. Does beginning shopping on Thanksgiving take away from the family values of the holiday? Sophomores Caroline Loving and Madison Rempola said they planned on going Black Friday shopping together, although only Caroline will go shopping on Thanksgiving evening. Freshman Marian Rempola said, “The lines are always terrible, but it’s worth it.” Other opinions remove Black Friday shopping outright from their holiday plans, which is likely linked to media sensationalization. Sophomore Nathan Dawson said Black Friday isn’t a large affair in his family so they wouldn’t be going, and jokingly added he didn’t really want to die. Everything else is capitalized on in the US, much like the originally distasteful Black Friday. Still, it marks the beginning of the holiday season with it’s hunt for deals and borderline outragous things businesses do for publicity.

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these f o few ome ige Tr y aipes for s ht by Pa eid | rec er delig Chloe R n wint er and Jackso y r fl Doe o by Rub Phot

Ingredients: 1 pre-made pie crust 3 large eggs 1 cup light or dark corn syrup 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed 1 cup chopped pecans

Dressing Ingredients: 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 3 tbsp white sugar 1/2 cup olive oil 3 tbsp honey 1 tbsp finely minced shallot 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted 1 tbsp poppy seeds (optional) Salad Ingredients: 16 oz baby spinach 1 cup almonds, toasted 1 cup dried cranberries

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Instructions: In a large bowl, whisk eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until blended. Stir in cranberries and pecans. Pour into crust. Bake on lower oven rack for 10 minutes at 425 degrees F. Reduce oven setting to 350 degrees F; bake until filling is almost set, 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate, covered, overnight before serving.

For the dressing: In a bowl or jar whisk together white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in olive oil, honey, shallot, sesame seeds and optional poppy seeds until mixture is well blended. For the salad: Add spinach, almonds and cranberries to a salad bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss. Serve immediately.

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Ingredients: 3 cups cranberry juice 2 cups apple cider 1/3 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed 1/3 cup Agave In The Raw 2 cups club soda 1 cup crushed ice 1 cup cranberries 1 apple, thinly sliced 7 orange wedges 7 cinnamon sticks Instructions: Mix together the cranberry juice, apple cider, orange juice concentrate and Agave In the Raw. Slide the oranges wedges onto the cinnamon sticks. For each glass of punch, put a few cranberries and apple slices in a cup. Add a little ice and about 3/4 cup of the juice mixture. Fill the rest of the cup with abut 1/4 cup of club soda and top with a cinnamon stick.

Ingredients: 3/4 cup fresh cranberries 1 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup 1/2 tbsp finely chopped shallot 1/4 tsp chopped dry thyme 1/16 tsp salt 1 flatbread 2 oz fresh goat cheese, crumbled Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix cranberries, maple syrup, shallot, thyme and salt in an 8 by 8-inch baking dish. Roast, stirring once or twice, until the cranberries burst and the mixture is bubbling and caramelizing along the edge, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and stir until the cranberries are broken down and the mixture is thick. Set aside. Lay flatbread out on work surface. Spread the hot cranberry mixture over the flatbreads, dividing evenly. Top with the goat cheese. Bake directly on the oven rack until the cheese is softened and flatbread is crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut into 8 small wedges or strips.

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The Evolution of News

The growth in how news has gone from only being aired one hour a day to 24 hours a day shows evident changes in the public’s access to the news by Charlotte Hazard

Carrier Pigeons 1150-1914

News has always played a major role in society. It keeps people updated on relevant topics, lets them know how government leaders are running the world, and tells interesting and fascinating stories. Because of society rapidly changing, the way news is presented is also changing. There are a lot more sources now to chose from to get news, such as newspapers, different broadcasting stations, and social media. Junior Tyler Haskins said, “I think the news influences society because there is always something going on. It choses to view events in either a positive or negative way. It tells the people what they want to hear.” Depending on political views, some news sources may view a political event in a positive way while others view it in a negative way. News has really come a long way since stone tablets and carrier pigeons, but how beneficial really are all these options? According to “Maltese History and Heritage,” one of the earliest forms of receiving news was through carrier pigeons. Not only were they used to proclaim winners of the Olympics 3000 years ago, but they were also used by soldiers in World War I to deliver messages to each other. The birds used in this way were known as war pigeons. They were used by the soldiers to deliver important news and messages to allies,

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Newspaper 1605-present

Television

1940-present

and were often shot down by the opposite side. Another old way of getting news that is still available today is through the newspaper. According to “Celebrate Boston”, the first official newspaper was called “Acta Diurna” and it was published in Rome around 59 BC. It wasn’t until 1605 that there was a weekly printed newspaper. It was published in Antwerp and was called “Relation.” The United States’ very first newspaper was printed and published in Boston, Massachusetts in 1690. It wasn’t until the early 1940s that television became another source of news. In 1941, CBS broadcasted a news channel that only aired at two different times, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All day news happened nearly forty years later on June 1, 1980 on another news station which was CNN. Soon after, other news stations such as Fox and NBC also began having twenty-four hour news, but it doesn’t just stop there. With all the advancements in technology, journalists could start publishing their work online for people to read. The internet is also a major source of news, and it uses social media as one of its ways to instantly tell people what is going on in the world. Twitter, which is a major social media source, has trending news topics and can send updates to people when certain events happen. This also occurs on another social media network, Facebook, where

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Social Media 2004-present

there are optional links to news articles from different news sources and trending topics. According to some journalists, 24 hour news makes it harder to get facts correctly due to so many different sources. Journalist Joan Bieder said, “The important thing is, of course, not only to get [the story] first, but much more important, to make sure you get it right.” Even though there is a lot of access to news and different news sources, there still seems to be pros and cons. A pro is that people can be updated whenever a major world event happens, and a con is that it’s harder to check sources for accuracy because there are so many of them. Senior Amanda Wyche said, “I feel like it would be beneficial to have one hour a day news because if you are constantly receiving information, you won’t be able to live life as spontaneously as a person who isn’t constantly notified.” Although news has evolved over the years, it is important to check sources and make sure information that is being received is accurate. Certain sources tend to be bias at times and it’s important to know where the news is from. Staying up-to-date on what is going on in society is easier than every with current means of transmitting news.

pixabay

ith recent events taking place in the National Football League (NFL), it’s important to address the issue of players kneeling during the national anthem. Not only is this issue causing social and political uproar, but also, in some cases, an issue of boycotting the NFL completely. The trend was started by quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016. Many players have followed in Kaepernick’s footsteps by taking a knee or sitting down for the anthem. Some civilians insist that players who kneel should be fired or not allowed to play. Instead of kneeling during the national anthem, players have taken a knee before the national anthem in order not to be deemed disrespectful by fans. Upset football fans have even decided to boycott watching NFL football games because they find kneeling for the national anthem disrespectful and unprofessional. Others have even gone as far as burning tickets to their favorite team’s games and burning football jerseys. NFL coaches have even gone far enough to bench players who sit or kneel during the national anthem. Some of the teams that have protested include the New Orleans Saints, the Baltimore Ravens, the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants, and the Seattle Seahawks. NFL team owners have met and are discussing possible solutions to the issue. A league spokesman said that rule changes are very possible and that, in the near future, it might be mandatory for players to stand; however, it is already a rule in the NFL that players must be on the field for the start of the national anthem or they could face disciplinary actions. Players soon may not just have to be on the field but stand for the Anthem as well. It is important to expect changes to the league soon, as NFL owners are eager to stop the debate over the national anthem.

ootball players should be required to stand for the national anthem because it is unprofessional not to stand. Although some say that players have the right to free speech and to express their beliefs, playing football is a job and you should not be able to express personal political opinions at your workplace. At other jobs, one can be fired for showing political biases, so why is football any different? Many NFL fans watch football for entertainment, and as a way to escape stress and politics. Bringing politics into sports and entertainment, It forces the audience to think about them during a time that they are trying to relax. The protests that have been occurring due to this have changed the whole essence of football games. Fans now have to think about more than just enjoying the game and are now burdened with thinking about politics during one of America’s favorite pastimes. Sports are a way for people to come together and to overcome divisions and bond over common enjoyments. The arguments regarding the national anthem threaten to dissolve the unity that comes along with sports. The simple solution to this issue is for players to stand for the national anthem and avoid bringing social and political issues into the sports world. In addition, refusing to stand for the national anthem disrespects veterans and people fighting for our country. Many people have fought and died for the right to fly the American flag, and by kneeling or sitting for national anthem, NFL players demean what our veterans and military are and what they have fought for. Many say that the protest is not meant to go against the men and women in service, but when one kneels or sits during the song that represents the freedom we have in our country, they give off the opposite message.

Take A Stand It is unprofessional for players in the NFL to kneel or sit for the national anthem By Abbey Whitehead

neeling for the national anthem is hypocritical, as players are disrespecting the very flag that gives us the freedom to act and speak out against it. Many of the protests are also about people coming together to fight social injustices, but instead of bringing people together they have caused more division in our society. Some argue that players should be allowed to speak out. Although the players are accessing their right to free speech, free speech does not mean that there aren’t consequences for what they say and do, especially in a workplace environment. Senior Edward Gaines said, “ I think it’s their right to kneel for the national anthem and there are fighting for what they are passionate for and trying to make a change.” For example, Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, said to Sports Illustrated that players will be benched if they are seen disrespecting the flag. Jones even went as far as to say, “If we are disrespecting the flag, then we will not play.” However, Jones says he has no issue with peaceful protests as long as they do not disrespect the flag. Jones joined his team in solidarity taking a knee before the national anthem was played. Junior Kendyll Brown said, “Athletes should stand for the playing of the National Anthem because it is important to honor our country and the people risking their lives everyday to protect us. I understand that we have freedom of speech, but we have these freedoms because of the people protecting us. We need to respect that.” It’s important to show respect for the service men and women of our country. In times where there is conflict it is important to remember that sports are common ground for all of the people in America to come together and forget our differences. With all the freedoms we have in this great country the least we can do is stand for the national anthem to show our appreciation.

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h Ab Being be by happy means n a le feeling content ll c sib e s with what is going w g mpo on around you, or n i i showing pleasure or congo ms t ’ tentment. To truly be happy, e n re it se you need to focus on the positive a s things in life instead of the negative. n ng he i Always start with the small things so th n w that you are not overwhelmed with n e the things that you cannot control. he ev w y Simple things like hanging out y p p ap with your friends or getting a good p h ha night’s sleep can increase happiness.

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I make sure that everything I do has a purpose and I only do things that I know will have a positive effect on my life and future. I also always stay connected with my friends and never let school work get the best of me, said JUNIOR TAYLOR LARNED

”

According to Dr. Amanda Hyde, a kinesiology graduate from Penn State University, exercise can increase happiness. It releases endorphins in your brain. Endorphins which act as a chemical that fights stress. The endorphins released when you exercise also interact with receptors in your brain to lessen the body’s perception of pain. Not only does exercise have chemical effects on your body, but exercise can also help with feeling more confident. Overall, exercise is a great way to increase happiness through chemical and non-chemical means. Another way to be more happy is by simply getting a good night’s sleep. A sleep- deprived brain is not only unhealthy, but also it has been directly linked to having a higher risk of depression. According to Dr. Lawrence Epstein, Medical Director of Sleep Health Centers and instructor at Harvard Medical School, 20 percent of people diagnosed with sleep insomnia will develop some form of depression. According to Calm Clinic, an organization of scientists devoted to fight anxiety, missing out on precious hours of sleep can cause anxiety because it stresses your body out and forces your muscles to tense up which can directly lead to anxiety. Heading to bed early may feature u

seem like a minor change is routine, but it can have immense effects on your health and happiness. Try heading to bed a couple hours earlier. It could make you feel better the next day. According to Dr. Art Markman of Psychology Today, being social and talking to people has also been scientifically proven to make you happier. Having people to confide in can instantly relieve stress and create a better sense of belonging and contentment. It might seem like too much work to keep all of your friendships, but having many friendships increases your social spectrum and helps enrich people’s lives. Many people do different things to help themselves feel happy when they are feeling down. Here’s what some of the students at Mountain View do. Junior Heather Donald said, “To stay happy and positive I play basketball and drive around with friends.” Heather said that doing these things can help give her a clear mind and a good attitude. Senior Becca Lazerson said, “I try to keep the end goal in mind, and I try to surround myself with those that are positive and happy and not let those that are negative affect my positive outlook on life. To help relieve my stress I try to write down my goals and give myself a clear objective.” Junior Maya Barnhill said, “To help myself feel happy I stay active and surround myself with people I care about and love spending time with.” In a world filled with stress and things to worry about, it is important to stay positive and happy in life. A good night’s sleep, exercise, and a great group of friends can make a world of difference. Although focusing on the bright side might be hard, in the end it’s always worth it.

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2017 Roundup As 2017 comes to an end, we take a look back at a few things that happened throughout the year by Javonna Brigham

On January 20, Donald Trump, the new president, was inaugurated and will serve the usual four-year term.

January

On April 7, Tupac Shakur, Journey, Pearl Jam, Yes, Joan Baez, and Electric Light Orchestra were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

APRIL

Played almost five billion times, “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber became the most streamed song ever.

JULY

Fifty-eight people were killed and over 500 were injured after a gunman opened fire at the Harvest music festival.

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On February 5, the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons (34-28) in Super Bowl LI in Houston, Texas.

“Beauty and the Beast,” a movie starring Emma Watson, opened to the public March 17.

February

MARCH

On May 22, 59 people were injured and 22 were killed during a suicide bombing that occurred at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England

MAY

On August 21, a solar eclipse occurred, the first one in 38 years. The next solar eclipse won’t happen again until 2024.

AUGUST

On November 19, cult leader, criminal, and murderer, Charles Manson dies at 83.

NOVEMBER

On June 13, the Warriors won their second NBA title in three years over the Cavaliers.

JUNE

On September 24, more NFL players began to kneel, lock arms or stay in their locker rooms during the National Anthem in protest against comments said by the president and police brutality.

SEPTEMBER

25 Days of Christmas begins December first, this year is it’s 21st year doing this series.

DECEMBER

Taste

The Viewpoint looks at the differences in food preparation by culture by Damien Veal | Photos by Damien Veal

Culture

he modern American lifestyle is all about being quick and on-the-go. The stereotypical food often referred to as fast: available regularly, taking little time to prepare, and often having negative effects on people’s health. Other cultures’ food customs are vastly different because they mainly prepare their food fresh, which is healthier, but can take hours. Going to a restaurant could much longer than 20 minutes just to get your food. Having a healthier cuisine comes at the expense of your time. Eating healthy in the U.S. is no easy task. Fast food chains and restaurants alike tempt many people out of eating healthy. Healthy foods are often more expensive than junk food in stores, and in some areas, far less convenient. Living in a city is especially hard to eat healthy since there are far less grocery stores options than there are in rural areas. Chains where people shop for all of their groceries, like Walmart and Giant, are often almost impossible to find in the city. Instead residents have to rely on smaller neighborhood stores that may not carry as many options. Making your own vegetables and other fresh foods by rooftop gardening is pushed heavily in these areas to help make fresh food an option instead of just convenience store junk. Senior Grayson Ford said eating healthy in the U.S. is definitely possible; you just need to pay attention to where you’re getting the food. Ford said, “I’ve lived in a lot of places and the food is leaner, with less fat, and cooked with less oils.” He says cooking fresh usually takes him from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. “I prefer Thai food to American food,” said junior Getgaew Prachgratok, a foreign exchange student from Thailand. She said that, in her opinion, foreign foods are higher quality than food in the U.S. The main difference that she can taste in the food is that food in Thailand was saltier but also healthier. Prachgratok stated that she usually doesn’t cook her own food but Thai cuisine often takes some time to make. A healthy cuisine comes at the expense of not only cost, but also time. Knowing that you are promoting a better lifestyle for yourself, however, could be enough to motivate some Americans to steer clear of the fast food industry and opt for a fresher option.

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of s plenty ly w o l l a n o i ay seas ith fam The holidnities to travel w opportu by Gia Morreale

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y a d i l o H 0 1 p To s n o i t a n i t s e d

Cammie Decker

DisneyWorld, FL

Helen, GA

Ann SHields

Helen, Georgia is known for their “Christkindlmarkt”, which is a traditional German event with booths where visitors can buy gifts, decorations, and sweet treats. There is also an annual parade followed by a bonfire with s’mores. On the weekend of December 2, they have their annual Christmas in the Mountains Festival. This celebration includes tons of hot cocoa, Christmas carols, cookies, plenty of food, and arts and crafts.

Aspen, CO

St. Regis Aspen Resort holds a daily public Menorah lighting December 16-24. During this ceremony, complimentary treats will be served. Woah Nellie Hill, which is near Aspen Highlands, is a hot sledding spot for families during the winter. Aspen even offers a Rent-A-Dog for a weekend that not only provides socialization skills and exercise for the dogs, but also increases adoption rates.

Las Vegas, NV

Frankenmuth, MI

New York City, NY

New York City is filled with gorgeous decorations and elaborate events. One of the longest on- going traditions in NYC is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The Christmas Spectacular is a display of singing and dancing involving the Rockettes, a world famous dance troupe. In addition, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park not only has free ice skating on a 17,000 square-foot outdoor rink, but also has more than 150 holiday shops, including many kiosks and eateries. Christmas Town, USA McAdenville, North Carolina is one of the most festive cities in America, even nicknamed Christmas Town, USA to prove it. On December 1, the town has an annual tree lighting ceremony. One student from McAdenville Elementary gets picked to flip the switch that lights up the whole town for the following 26 days. McAdenville’s Christmas Town, USA was ranked as one of the best cities to see holiday lights in by Redfin in 2015. With almost every house in McAdenville lit up and decorated, they display over 200 wreaths and decorate over 375 live trees, with thousands of lights brightening up the town.

McAdenville, NC -

Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs offers many holiday events. Colorado Springs allows people to go on a helicopter ride at night to see all of the lights. There is also a holiday market filled with homemade ornaments, clay art, photographs, glass, cards, soap, and jewelry.

Park City, UT.

Park City is a great city to go skiing, snowboarding, and tubing because it has ski resorts everywhere. Deer Valley Resort is lit up with torches, and there is a huge parade for the holidays. During the parade, you will see a fantastic light show with festive music.

Grand Canyon, AZ.

In December, Grand Canyon National Park has an amazing Polar Express train experience for families. The train arrives and families get to enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and watching the holiday classic, “The Polar Express.” The train ride journeys through the wilderness of the national park. Gary Nace

Las Vegas is packed with events for the holiday season. One of the fun holiday events is when the Cosmopolitan Hotel turns its outdoor pool on the fourth floor into an ice skating rink. They have a menu of seasonal snacks, as well as s’mores kits for roasting over a fire. Las Vegas is in the middle of the Mojave Desert, which allows the cactus garden at Ethel M Chocolate Factory to come alive. The workers at the Chocolate Factory dress up 300 species of cacti with half a million lights.

Wonderland is 96,000 square feet of retail space, which is larger than a football field. This store has more than 300 decorated Christmas trees in the store and over 150 styles of nutcrackers.

Steve Rankin

Traveling during the holiday season is an easy way to spend quality family time. These destinations offer tons of things to do no matter what someone’s interest is. Disney World is already considered one of the happiest places on Earth. Known for the huge Cinderella castle and fireworks, around the holidays, it gets even more festive and magical. Disney World becomes a winter wonderland; they decorate the Magic Kingdom and hang Christmas lights everywhere. Junior Cami Taylor said, “My favorite part would have to be the light show at the castle.” There is also a enormous Christmas tree. Not only that, but Disney also has a huge holiday parade filled with every character one could imagine. Senior Danielle Judkins attended the parade one year and said, “My favorite part was spending time with my family watching the parade, and being in the holiday spirit.”

Frankenmuth, Michigan is home to the world’s largest Christmas store. Bronner’s Christmas

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rivilege is a term that is sparingly used in society, yet is everywhere and inevitable in daily life. Privilege, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, is “the special right that some people in authority have that allows them to do or say things that other people are not allowed to.” Almost everyone is born with some sort of privilege, whether it be gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. When privilege is pointed out, it is often denied or defended; however, many times, privilege is not something to be ashamed of unless used unwisely. The first step in using privilege responsibly and beneficially is to simply acknowledge the different types of privilege that one possesses. Privilege can be a platform that provides a stance to speak out about the injustices of those without certain privileges. To use privilege unwisely is to ignore the problems around one, to solely use privilege selfishly to one’s own advantage, and to remain provincial. People need to recognize privilege as anything along the lines of being able to walk in public with your partner without discrimination, being able to freely leave your country, or assuming that you will not be asked what you wore the time you were sexually harassed.

he most obvious type of privilege is one based on race. One of the core concepts to understanding race discrimination is the idea of institutional racism. Institutional racism, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is “racial discrimination that has become established as normal behavior within a society or organization.” Institutional racism is the reasoning behind the argument that people of color (POC) cannot be racist towards white people. POC can be discriminative, prejudiced, and blatantly rude, but cannot be institutionally racist. Jim Crow laws, slavery, segregation, etc. normalized racism in America, thus institutionalizing the privilege that is allotted to white people. POC are oppressed daily for their skin color, something people should be encouraged to embrace and be comfortable in. Our nation’s history is skewed in textbooks. We are taught from a young age to favor the white men who wrote our constitution and started the 13 colonies, but we are not taught that these are the same people (the colonists from Europe) who pushed Native Americans out of their land, diseased their families, and raped their women. White people have always been positioned in a place of authority. From birth, we are given privilege based on history. Standing for movements, such as Black Lives Matter (BLM), is using the platform white privilege has given us to stand for racial injustices. Kneeling for the national anthem is a way to protest not the flag, but what the flag is supposed to mean: freedom. Sadly, not everyone in America today is free, and kneeling for the national anthem means that we care enough about our country to believe that it can do better. Those who kneel for the national anthem hope that their fellow citizens will learn to stand for equality for everyone under our Star Spangled Banner.

ophomore Sofia Harris said, “I think prejudice forms privilege. Everyone makes judgements about people for reasons such as the way the look, speak, and dress. These prejudices are normalized in society and cause people to award those they deem superior, in some manner, more privileges, whether this be a conscious or subconscious decision. These privileges usually benefit upper class, able-bodied, educated, light skinned people. When the people who are burdened by the privileged realize what’s going on, tension arises. Some of the tensions could be soothed with programs that benefit the lower classes such as affordable care, affirmative action, food stamps, etc.” unior Mathais Spangler said, “Being privileged makes you think that you’re better than everyone else when in reality, we’re all the same. We all breathe and think and need the same basic needs to survive.”

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As high school students in America, we all have the foundation to use our privilege to help others by Bella Roeske | Picture by Bella Roeske

ender discrimination is also evident in society. Men are given countless advantages in life simply based on the fact that they are men. Feminism was created so that all people, regardless of gender, will be able to go through life without gender-based discrimination. When girls misbehave, their actions are never justified with sayings like, “girls will be girls,” or “she’s a girl,” but rather given a speech about how to act more lady-like. It is engrained in everyone’s minds from a young age that masculinity means freedom and femininity is restrictive. According to the United Nations, 15 million girls are estimated to experience child marriage each year. Once married, these girls are denied many basic human rights, are forced to end their education, are at risk for serious health problems due to early pregnancies, and are subject to domestic and sexual violence. Sexual harassment is an epidemic in society, spanning from rape to street calls to anything in between. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women will be raped at some point in their lives. The center also states that women account for 91 percent of the victims of rape and sexual assault. We need our male counterparts to stand up and call themselves feminists, speak out about sexual assault, and make all of our voices heard. Having a president that normalizes sexual harassment as “locker room talk” is not an excuse to let things slide. Sexual predators like Harvey Weinstein, Woody Allen, and Bill Cosby need to be called out and pay the price for hurting so many people and abusing their power.

s high school students in America, we all have a shared privilege of living in the free country and having access to a free public education. We all have a voice and the power to use it for good. There are countless ways that we can speak out for injustices in society, in our schools, and in our homes. Protest with BLM, go to the Women’s March, use your privilege of voice to remain silent on April 27, 2018 to protest anti-LGBTQ+ bullying, or even speak up in the hallways when you see discrimination. Do something and help everyone.

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DIY STOCKING STUFFERS

1 Gingerbread Bath Bomb ingredients: 1/2 cup of baking soda 1/4 cup citric acid 1/8 cup cornstarch 1 tbsp. almond oil 1-2 tbsp. rubbing alcohol 2 tbsp. Epsom salt Red and green food coloring 1 tbsp. ginger spices (Optional) several drops of cinnamon essential oil Directions: 1. Divide the bath salt between two mixing bowls. 2. Add a drop of red food coloring to one bowl and a drop of green to the other. 3.Stir well, and set the bowls aside and allow the color to set in. 4. In another mixing bowl, combine citric acid, corn starch, and baking soda. 5. Add almond oil. 6. Slowly add rubbing alcohol one tbsp at a time, stirring in between to complete the “dough”. You’ll know it’s done if you squeeze the dough and it clumps together. 7. Add gingerbread spice and stir. 8. Add cinnamon oil, if desired. 9.If you have a mold, place the dough into the mold and let it dry over night. If you don’t have a mold, sculpt the dough into your desired shape by hand.

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Hot Chocolate Kit Ingredients: Resealable tube shaped container Hot chocolate packets Mini marshmallows Assorted candy canes (crushed, stick, mini) Ribbon or twine of your choosing Directions: 1. Empty hot chocolate powder into container 2. Place desired candy canes in a separate tube from the hot chocolate powder until filled. 3. Place marshmallows in a third tube until filled. 4. Tie the three tubes together with the ribbon or twine.

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If you want to show your loved ones you care without emptying your wallet, these DIY gifts could be for you by Sophie Perez

Slippers comfort kit ingredients: A pair of cozy slippers Winter scented hand sanitizer Winter scented lotion Fun-sized candy or candy bars Anything else to personalize the stocking stuffer Directions: 1. Arrange the items however you desire inside of the slippers. 2. Remember to personalize the items in the slippers.

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Tennis vs Golf Tennis and golf are similar in regards to the fact that they are both single-person sports. They are both very formal sports that require sheer focus. During the action, the crowds don’t make a lot of noise,tending to stay very quiet to not break the players’ concentration. Golf is a fall sport in Stafford County, and the golf team at Mountain View is coached by Steven Cassiday. Unlike team sports, the golf team isn’t ranked as a whole. Instead, the players are ranked individually. The team’s players are ranked according to their 9/18 hole score from their previous round and the match qualifiers. The golf team usually practices four days a week and they typically run for about two and a half to three hours each day. There are no more than twelve regular season matches, not including the opportunity to go to the playoffs. The golf team is reliant upon golf courses giving them time to practice. Therefore, it is hard to do any preseason training or practices, and golfers tend to do most preseason work on their own time. Coach Cassiday stated that his expectation for each player is to respect the game, to know and abide to the rules, and to have a positive attitude regardless of their performance. The boys tennis team is coached by Rick Bradley, and the girls tennis team is coached by Meghan Johnson. Tennis is a spring sport in Stafford County. The team has Tennis Tuesday many months before the season begins. Tryouts are held in late February. The boys tennis team had 17 players, and the girls tennis team had 10 players. The varsity team is one team; there’s no JV team. Players must play half of the ranked games to earn a varsity letter. There were about 15 matches last year for tennis; however, some matches were cancelled due to weather conditions. Coach Bradley requires his players to work hard and to try to be the best that they can be.

Swimming and track and field are similar in that they both have several competitors competing in different events. The competitors are split up by the distances they are best at. The swimming coach is Michelle Stambaugh. Swimming practices are split up into different times during the week. For three of the five days, practices run for two hours, and the other two run for only an hour. Preseason only takes place two weeks before tryouts because of limited pool time. There are 72 swimmers on the roster including boys and girls. Swimmers can only partake in four events per meet and there are eight meets this season. This is not counting regionals and states. Coach Stambaugh requires that swimmers act in a respective manner in and out of the water. They have to give their best effort and have a good attitude. The head track coach is Michael Porter. The track team holds practices after school until five on most afternoons. Towards the end of practice is where the specialized field events are practiced, including long jump, triple jump, or pole vaulting. Preseason conditioning starts on November 27 this year because it takes approximately three weeks for competitors to get conditioned. However, athletes who are conditioned can begin competing earlier. The indoor track season starts in early December and runs through the end of February. There are Saturday meets for the higher level athletes, whereas the newer and less experienced athletes compete in meets during the week. Runners can compete in a maximum of six events. They could do this by competing in three field events and three running events. The average person competes in two events per track meet. There are fifteen indoor track and field events. These events include: 55 meter hurdles, 55 meter dash, 300 meter, 500 meter, 1000 meter, 1600 meter (mile), 3200 meter (2-mile), triple jump, long jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, four by 200 meter relay, four by 400 meter relay, and four by 800 meter relay. The track team doesn’t have cuts because the coaches understand that runners need more time to be able to compete at a higher level, as well as mature. A requirement of Coach Porter is to be a student-athlete and have their academics be most important. Runners must have a positive attitude at all times, and they must want to improve and enjoy the sport.

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Sports Vs Sports

Basketball vs Volleyball Basketball and volleyball are both sports that are played inside in the gym. Basketball is a winter sport, while volleyball is a fall sport. There is boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball in Stafford County. Benjamin Sargent coaches the girls basketball team at Mountain View. The girls basketball team has workouts about two months before tryouts, and tryouts occur in mid-November. Regular season practices run for two hours, and the team practices five to six days a week. There are 22 regular season games not including a tournament afterwards. Playing time is distributed based on playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performance in practices. The most influential factor is hard work. There are 13 players on the varsity roster as of November this year. Coach Sargent stated that his expectations for players include having a good work ethic, being committed to the program during the season, and doing their best to outwork the opposition in order to gain team success. The girls varsity team is coached by Kim Glassie. The girls volleyball team holds tryouts at the end of July and the beginning of August. Preseason practices run for about three weeks after tryouts and the first games begin towards the end of August. There are about 15 games in a regular season. There are also showcases and tournaments that the team competes in. There are about 13 players on the varsity team for girls volleyball. Playing time is based off of practice performance, such as skill level, hard work and a good attitude. Coach Glassieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirements players include working hard, having positive energy, and good teamwork. She emphasizes her players to be the best they can be and to give 100 percent effort every time.

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A look at how comparable sports stack up against each other by Adam Skoloda | Photos by Lifetouch

Soccer and lacrosse are played outside on the turf fields and are both spring sports. They require a high level of stamina and leg strength. The boys soccer team is coached by Andrew Offineer. The team begins preseason conditioning approximately two to three months before tryouts. Regular season practices tend to run for about two hours. There are about 35-40 people in the total program, including JV players. Varsity playing time is divided up based on several factors including work ethic, school performance, and practice performance. Some players play the full 80 minutes while others only play 10; it all depends on those various factors. Some include classroom performance, work ethic, and attitude. There are around 15 or regular season games in a given season. However, playoff time can extend the season for varsity players. Coach Offineer said he requires players in his program to behave in a manner that reflects the program and the school. He highly encourages students to be student-athletes sand requires players to respect their teachers and fellow students. When players are on the field, he said he demands high-level playing physically, tactically, and technically. Physically meaning physically fit, tactically meaning positioning on and off the ball, and technically meaning on-the-ball skill. The boys lacrosse team is coached by George Pugh. Practices for boys lacrosse typically lasts for about an hour and a half to two hours. However, pregame practices only last for a little over an hour. The lacrosse team plays around 13 regular season games and one guaranteed playoff game. During preseason, the team practices five times a week. When the season starts, they move to two to four times a week. For boys interested in playing lacrosse who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play a fall or winter sport, preseason conditioning is held in September. After winter break, the preseason conditioning becomes more immediate in preparation for tryouts that begin towards the end of February. Last year the lacrosse team held 19 players on the JV level and 24 on the Varsity level. JV level is about development, whereas Varsity is more about competition. The JV players receive equal playing time which is about 20 minutes per game. Playing time ranges between playing the whole game and not playing at all at the varsity level. The big requirement for Coach Pugh is for players to give their best effort on the field. If his players work hard and try, it is easier for him to them. It is easier to coach the game than it is to coach energy, effort, and focus.

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magine having the amount of homework that you have on any regular school week, but multiplied over a holiday break. You wouldn’t have much time to spend with your family, and even when you would be with them, you would be too preoccupied thinking about all the homework you have to get around to doing at some point. At Mountain View, students are blessed with the privilege of Dr. Stemple’s No Holiday Homework policy, a policy that prohibits teachers from assigning students homework over holiday breaks. With this, students have the freedom to relax and spend time with their loved ones rather than spend a large portion of the break doing homework. Principal Dr. Stemple said, “If [an assignment] is allotted before break, it’s got to be due before break, so [students] don’t even feel the pressure to work on it over break. I don’t want people to feel that pressure; [If you have an assignment due,] you can’t really relax because you know this big project is going to be due the Friday after winter break.” Though presently the policy is more widely known and followed throughout the school, this was not the case when Dr. Stemple first introduced it many years ago. He said, “The first couple years [that the policy was in place] I had some teachers circumvent it by giving the assignment a week before or saying that ‘this isn’t due until after the break, but I’m going to give it to you before in case you want to work on it, wink wink’.” He resolved this by making the policy so that nothing can be due after break, and by communicating with the students, he is able to keep track of what teachers are not following the policy. Dr. Stemple’s notorious policy has appealed to other schools as well, and starting this year, all the other high schools in Stafford County have implemented a variation of the policy. However, Dr. Stemple said,

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See the inside scoop and school opinion on Dr. Stemple’s no homework policy over holiday breaks by Emilee Holmquist “Some of the schools have the same issues I did with teachers, and they will also have to work through those.” Sierra Armstrong, a junior at North Stafford High School, said, “I still get a lot of homework [despite having the policy] and I think it distracts from relaxing and from family time, which is the whole point of the break. I think the policy is good, but our teachers haven’t really gotten on board with enforcing it yet. I feel like the policy should make it so students actually have a break from school and it would likely decrease stress a little bit.” For Alexandra “Xani” Eckel, a new junior at Mountain View, the No Holiday Homework policy is also something brand new to her. She said, “[At my old school] I would often have to stay home from family activities and from going out with friends because I had to do homework instead.” She continues, “This [Thanksgiving] break was so much more relaxing knowing that there wasn’t a ton of homework that I had to do. It was such a nice break and I enjoyed my time a lot more and I got to spend more time with my family instead of studying.” In addition to students being able to spend more time with loved ones, having no homework over break also allows for a decrease in stress levels and a time to “reset” the stress that often builds up with so much schoolwork in a row with little to no breaks. “No student deserves to be stressed during their time away from school,” said freshman Eva Dow. With the amount of days that students are in school throughout the year, it makes sense that holiday breaks should be void of any work. As Dr. Stemple’s policy has already spread throughout the county, perhaps one day it will spread elsewhere, and all students will have the privilege of no homework over breaks.