MAKING IT AS A SPORTS MANAGER
ODYSSEY
Volume 14 Issue 4 April/ May 2017 $3.00
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LEAVING A LEaGACY OF HIP-HOP
A personal experience with trapeze
The Clarke County School District is shifting the approach to sexual education through its FLASH curriculum.
INFOCUS Photo by Katherine Grace Upchurch
Featured: STEMINIST: A demonstrator protests the current United States’ administration’s dismissal of the issue of climate change in Atlanta’s Candler Park on April 22, Earth Day. Clarke Central High School junior Shahrzad Roshan Zamir attended the march and feels events like these are important for the community and nation. “The march was absolutely great. I think the most beautiful thing was knowing that so many people care about the environment and the earth in a time period when science is being questioned,” Roshan Zamir said. “I think it was absolutely necessary for people to relate science and Earth to politics and kind of presenting their protest to oppression that’s being forced on our surrounding.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS << Photo by Julie Alpaugh
VIEWPOINTS
11 street-to-prison pipeline
COVER STORY <<
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BY JURNEE LODUER AND COLES EHLERS
Viewpoints staff writer Gabriel Mantione-Holmes feels people with mental illnesses are mistreated in society and misrepresented in the media.
BY GABRIEL MANTIONE-HOLMES
NEWS LATE THAN NEVER? 20ABETTER lack of timely attendance to first-period class-
The Clarke County School District is implementing FLASH sexual education curriculum.
es may result in attendance policy changes. BY VALERIA GARCIA-POZO
FEATURES
Photo by Julie Alpaugh
24 NOT A TALL TALE
Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson uses storytelling to form bonds with his students. BY JOHANNA HALL
REVIEWS PERSONA FIVE STARS 29Seven years after the release of the “Persona 4” video game, Atlus released the strikingly stylish “Persona 5,” and it certainly does not disappoint.
Right: Attendees from all over Georgia gathered in the Clarke Central High School Media Center for the Google for Education Leadership Roundtable event. The event was centered around the Clarke County School District’s use of technology. “I hope we can learn from other people here and they can learn from us so we can keep pushing what we are able to bring to our kids,” Carrie Siegmund, Northeast Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency Instructional Technology Director, said.
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BY ASHLEY LAWRENCE Photo by Sophie Fernandes
VARIETY high 35Webflying staff writer Bria Echols writes about her first experience with trapeze at Canopy Studio. BY BRIA ECHOLS
SPORTS STILL KICKIN’ 44When an accident forced him to take a break
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Left: AT WORK: Clarke Central High School CAPS department teacher Elizabeth Mooney (right) has collaborated with paraprofessional William Montu Miller (left) for the past four years. “He is so easygoing and personable,” Mooney said. “I think we connect really well because he does go with the flow. He picks up everything I do really easily.”
from football, Clarke Central High School freshman Sidney Barnett took up a new hobby. BY MADELEINE INGLE Cover by Suncana Pavlic Table of Contents by Lucia Bermudez
APRIL / MAY 2017
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ODYSSEY
LUCIA
Bermudez
The ODYSSEY is a student-produced newsmagazine, published with the intent to inform, entertain and give voice to the Clarke Central High School community, as well as to educate student journalists. Established in 2003, the ODYSSEY is published multiple times a year, and each issue is an open public forum for student expression under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Student journalists are provided with opportunities to investigate, inform, interpret and to evaluate: all traditionally accepted functions of the press in America. Published opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone other than the staff. The ODYSSEY staff is committed to reflect the mission statement set forth by Clarke Central High School. The goals of the staff are to provide fair, accurate news and commentaries, as well as to serve the interests of the school and Athens’ community. Advertising must conform to the guidelines set forth for editorials. Publication of advertisements does not indicate an endorsement by CCHS or the ODYSSEY staff. Students pictured in advertisements are not given monetary compensation. All advertising rates are available upon request from any ODYSSEY staff member. The ODYSSEY is a member of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society, Georgia Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Corrections of errors and omissions will appear in the next issue.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR. Social media is becoming a breeding ground for a culture of awareness, knowledge and learning around the world.
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s I scroll down my Instagram feed on a regular day, I see an abundance of selfies, memes and celebrity news. I’ll usually watch funny videos, a makeup tutorial or stalk celebrity accounts. But the occasional poem or screenshot from Twitter will catch my eye and teach me more about a topic in three seconds than I have learned my entire life. As social media continues to thrive as a platform for communication, news and connectivity worldwide, with it is a growing community of users who seek to educate and inform their communities on whatever platform they have, whether it be Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook and others. These users range from poets, to models, to groups of college students, and anyone in between, and they hold a great responsibility in the climate and culture of our rapidly changing world. Any individual can partake in this culture of “wokeness”, whether it’s sharing personal experience, knowledge or a historical reference or a viewpoint unknown to others. For example, various Twitter users sharing their experiences with misogyny in their own cultures is a form of enrichment we don’t receive in school. Seeing live responses and reactions to horrific or problematic events, such as comments on police brutality, sexual assaults, or political actions, is another facet of this culture that opens my eyes to different perspectives and the realities of our world that are not often touched upon. Though there are accounts dedicated to activism surrounding these issues and more -- such as @LatinaRebels, @Undocumedia, and @ProBlack.Princess -- oftentimes a teenager with a cellphone will drop just as much knowledge, whether it’s through five-word reply on Twitter or a lengthy post on Facebook. When social media users interpret events and are able to inform others of the realities behind them, uncover the history of such issues or shed some light on an unheard perspective -- such as cultural appropriation or homophobic slurs -- this contributes to an evolution from society’s acceptance of White-male-hetero-centric facts to a culture of awareness, knowledge and appreciation of all people from all walks of life that anyone can partake in. Hearing someone say the words I was never told as a kid because they were too “out there”, too controversial, too “other” awakens a fire in me to unravel more of the fallacies I perceived as truths my entire life. I have learned more about racism, colorism, homophobia, transphobia, and the struggles my own people face more on social media than I ever have in school. Regardless, the conversations are changing, and from high school students to musicians to politicians, people are taking to social media to share beyond what is known and expected and push to uncover the realities of our world and wake people up from their state of unconsciousness, and for that, I am truly grateful.
Editor-in-Chief: Lucia Bermudez Managing Editor: Sophie Fernandes Lead Copy Editor: Jordan Rhym Senior Visuals Editor: Julie Alpaugh Photography Editor: Zoe Peterson Viewpoints Editor: Katy Mayfield News Editor: Delia Adamson Variety Editor: Jurnee Louder Sports Editor: Hannah Gale Junior Copy Editor: Andrew Caldwell Writing Coach: Ana Aldridge Business Staff: Business Manager: Adrienne Lumpkin, Alumni Relations Coordinator: Dalace Thomas ODTV Executive Producer Johanna Hall ODTV Director Karla Dougan Staff Writers: Owen Churchwell, Emma Ramsay, Kelly Fulford, Kiki Griffin, Kennae Hunter, Crystal Fox, Alexander Robinson, Emerson Meyer, Elena Gilbertson-Hall, Everett Vereen, Kourtney Teasley, Emma Crane, Olivia Ngu, Madeleine Ingle, Gabriel Mantione-Holmes, Prana Maldonado-Collins
Cartoon by Johanna Hall
Below: A NEW EDUCATION: A student is taught about colonial history in class, but is more intrigued by what she is learning about on her cellphone. Social media continues to emerge as a platform for learning.
Adviser: David A. Ragsdale ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE Clarke Central High School 350 S. Milledge Avenue Athens, Georgia 30605 Phone: (706) 357-5200, Ext. 17370
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our take W
With the appointment of Superintendent Demond Means, the Clarke County School District has a chance for a positive change.
e at Clarke Central High School, who are aware of the shift in leadership, are excited for the arrival of Dr. Demond Means, our new Superintendent. The Clarke County School District is a diverse and ambitious place, but many of our entrenched problems call for new and sometimes not-so-flashy solutions. Though the one-to-one technology initiatives of the past few years that have brought us Personal Learning Devices (laptops) and Google Classroom are appreciated, modernizing our district hasn’t eliminated all its problems. First, we still suffer from severe and self-perpetuating illiteracy. Often students who fell behind in pre-K or kindergarten have not recovered, while their classes get more and more impossible to manage every year until they drop out or graduate high school with a middle or elementary school reading level. Sixty percent of CCSD high school students in the 2015-16 school year read below grade level. Making matters worse, teachers have trouble teaching classes of 30 or more students, whose reading levels in a single class can vary from elementary to college. We need more individualized reading and writing practice in early elementary school, and then far more high school classes dedicated to basic literacy. It’s impossible for teachers to make up an eight-year reading deficit in four, while simultaneously trying to teach literature appropriate for the grade level and teach to the already-on-level students as well. However, classes like Read180, which pull students from regular classes and focus exclusively on building reading skills, are a good start. So are the reading-intensive “hybrid classes” for freshmen, which English department teachers at CCHS pioneered this year. Second, we still suffer from extreme student apathy, often stemming from a focus on standardized testing requirements, rather than enriching students intellectually and culturally. High school history, which like most subjects, are standards-fixated, revolves around dead, rich white guys, as does most literature. Our 80 percent nonwhite, half-female, free-and-reduced-lunch-for-all student body has a hard time relating. Schools in Tuscon, Arizona had the same problem. The majority of students
Right: CHECK THE BOX: With the appointment of a new superintendent, Clarke County School District students yearn for changes to be made within the district. Cartoon by Suncana Pavlic
in that district are Latinx, a demographic which has a 56 percent high school dropout rate nationwide. In Tuscon, however, the dropout for most Latinx students in 2011 was 2.5 percent. A Tuscon Unified School District study found the exceptionality of their Latinx students was attributable to their Mexican American (or Raza) Studies program, which spans 43 classes and 1500 students. Ninety eight percent of Raza students did homework, according to the study, and 66 percent went to college. In the documentary “Precious Knowledge”, Raza studies teacher Curtis Acosta was shown teaching students about everything from entrenched oppression in the American government to ancient Mexican history. His students gave testimonials about how Raza Studies was the reason they came to school, or wanted to go to college. Raza was immediately relevant to the students’ lives, and gave them an identity. When state legislators threatened to end the program, students took to the streets and town halls in defense of their classes. This spring, Acosta Skyped students in English department teacher Ian Altman’s Advanced Placement Language class. Tellingly, he was almost immediately asked how students at CCHS could go about setting up their own version of Raza Studies. CCHS is already graduating more students and sending more students to college than Tuscon schools did before Raza. If we established women’s studies, African American studies and Latinx studies, CCHS students disillusioned with an education that seems irrelevant to them could at last find a place, and a path forward. Finally, we still suffer from the gamut of issues that come with poverty, racism, sexism, and even adolescence, all of which inhibit students’ learning. Our counselors work around the clock helping underdocumented students find colleges which will accept them, talking students down from panic attacks and suicidal thoughts, and guiding students through the complexities of life in high school. Their work is hard and much appreciated, and we need 10 more of them. We hope Dr. Means will think not about impressive-looking technology or what educator awards panels want, but what struggling students need.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
“I’M 17 AND I HAVE DWARFISM”
Our February/ March issue featured a profile on Troy Deslatte, a junior with dwarfism who aspires to be an actor, and a story on the creation of an AP Art History class for the 2017-18 year.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR // Lucia
“I’M 17 AND I HAVE DWARFISM” // Sara Goodie
Bermudez
What I found interesting about Troy’s story is that it completely blew my expectations. I assumed at first Troy would be discussing the drama department and how it is changing and growing, but as I read the article it was more than that. It talked about Troy’s future rather than his involvement with the drama club. The piece overall is done very well and brings a lot of insight into Troy’s life and fruition.
I really enjoyed the piece about referring to Latina women as food. I had never really thought about it because I never had anything to do with it. But, after reading this I became more aware of the objectification that these women go through. I am happy to see someone taking a stand for themselves about this because I have heard and seen that kind of repulsive behavior before. --Maya Jones, junior
--Luis Vicente-Vazquez, senior
>> VARIETY
>> NEWS I think that it is great that the student body is being informed about the new frisbee Glad Time, since it will help bring in new students who never knew how much fun frisbee could be. I think that the ultimate frisbee Glad Time is a very good idea. It lets kids get out and play a game during the middle of the school day, and it helps to teach them team-building skills. --Lucy Gibson, freshman
Corrections/Omissions February/ March 2017 on page 7, Thumbs were compiled by Katy Mayfield, Everett Vereen and Lucia Bermudez. on page 7, the photo is courtesy of Jalisa Alexander on page 8, the Question of the Month was compiled by the Viewpoints staff. on page 36, Katy Mayfield is the Viewpoints Editor, not Viewpoints Efitor. On page 38, the photo is by Emma Ramsay, not Zoe Peterson. on page 37, Valeria Garcia-Pozo is the Web News Editor. on page 47, the illustration is by Ashley Lawrence.
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ODYSSEY Newsmagazine
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CULTURAL BUZZ // Jurnee Louder
t’s true. Many students who arrive at school late have to >> SPORTS bang on the SWIMMING TO STATE // Sports staff locked doors, hoping someone answers.
I really think that the Cultural Buzz section would really benefit from some negative reviews. Every review is between five and three stars. I would like to know what to avoid as much as what I should look into. I would also like to have the movie reviews given stars as well. --Joseph Mullen, senior
“
GLAD TO PLAY FRISBEE // Owen Churchwell
-- Freshman Zumer Alam on locked doors in the building after reading Viewpoints staff writer Everett Vereen’s editorial “Locked out of learning” about the need for easy access to classes from outside the school.
The Clarke Central swimming team caught my interest because I’m a new student from California and I didn’t see a pool at our school and I honestly didn’t know that we had a swimming team. Also, I think it’s really cool that they are going to state. I have been on swimming teams before, and it’s really hard to swim. It works your whole body. So, they must have had to put in a lot of work to get to state finals, and that really proves how great our school is and the people here are motivated to do great things like this. --Jacob Daigrepont, sophomore
Letters: E-mail us at editors@odysseynewsmagazine.net, or drop off in the Main Office, in care of the ODYSSEY. We ask that all letters be under 250 words and signed. We reserve the right to omit or edit any letters received. Insulting, unsigned or libelous statements will not be considered for publication. All letters may be edited for clarity and space. Advertising: For ad rates e-mail us at business@odysseynewsmagazine.net. Online: Comment online at our website, www.odysseynewsmagazine.net.
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APRIL / MAY 2017
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THUMBS
CAMRYN ARNOLD
Fresh Voice
The ODYSSEY staff’s opinions on this month’s issues.
Freshman Camryn Arnold wrestles with freshmen being the butt of a schoolwide joke.
D RAPPER’S DELIGHT Paraprofessional William “Montu” Miller keeps Hip-Hop alive in the Athens community. STORYTELLER Social studies department teacher and tennis coach Stephen Hinson keeps his classes and practices upbeat. SNEAKER NIGHT Freshman Sidney Barnett has overcome challenges to pursue his love of football and sneakers. SENIOR SUCCESS Eleven Clarke Central High School athletes will continue to represent the Gladiators by playing sports in college next year.
WHY-FI? Changes to school and district Wi-Fi policy have spread preexisting restrictions on student internet access. PRICELESS Programs which advocate for teens’ sexual health, like Teen Matters, could suffer from funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s budget. CHRONICALLY LATE Sky-high numbers of students are showing up late to first period, or not coming at all. The mass absence might lead to stricter attendance policies for the 2017-18 school year.
I can’t avoid being a freshman, but I can prove that I’m as capable as any upperclassman is. If I drop my tray in the lunchroom, it’s “because she’s a freshman.” If I blow my nose, it’s “because she’s a freshman.” If I care about my assignments, it’s “because she’s a freshman.” We could just be sitting in the cafeteria laughing and minding our business, while football players or any upperclassmen are acting crazy, but we’re still called out as being immature for laughing. We’re childish because we laugh, but upperclassmen aren’t childish when they pop chip bags? At the end of the day, I can’t avoid being a freshman, but I can prove that I’m as capable as any upperclassman is. I’m not going to change my ways to make you accept me. You’ll have to accept me for who I am. Below: FRESHMAN FRUSTRATION: Freshman Camryn Arnold does not want to be defined by her status as a ninth grader, but rather by her ambitions and abilities. Photo illustration by Katy Mayfield
GO, GO GOOGLE Education specialists from Google spoke to Clarke County School District students, teachers and professionals this spring on how to best intertwine technology and education.
MENTAL HEALTH HYPOCRISY While American society pats itself on the back for improving treatment of the mentally ill, mental illness is often demonized in the media while the mentally ill are neglected and imprisoned in real life.
uring the first semester, a siren went off in my physical education class. As soon as we walked out of the classroom and into the hallway for the tornado drill, all of Clarke Central High School was there sitting in the hallway with their legs out like they were trying to trip us up. My class of freshmen had to walk past junior after junior and senior after senior to reach our place. It was nerve-wracking. We tried to act cool, but knew that with any sudden movement, we could mess up and embarrass ourselves in front of the whole school. We could destroy our reputations before we even got them. Being a freshman is like being a kindergartener or sixth grader all over again. When you start a new school, you’re walking down the hallway and there’s upperclassmen standing down the hallway looking at you, like they’re peeling every layer of your skin off trying to read you just by looking at you. Upperclassmen look at us like we’re freaks, even though they were in the same shoes just a few years ago.
-- Compiled by Katy Mayfield
APRIL / MAY 2017
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What are your plans for this summer?
OLIVIA
NGU HOMEWORK OVERLOAD. Large quantities of homework are counterproductive.
A
student makes their way home after an eight-hour school day. When they get home, they sit down and open their backpack to find they have a study guide, an essay, a video and a chapter reading for homework. The student then comes to the realization that that’s just for one of their classes -- they still have seven classes’ worth of work to complete by 8:45 a.m. the next morning. This is not healthy. A study conducted by researchers at Stanford University found that large amounts of homework caused greater stress and reductions in health, like headaches, exhaustion, weight loss and stomach problems, as well as severe sleep deprivation. The “best four years of my life” shouldn’t be spent worried sick, literally and figuratively. Though moderate amounts of homework can be beneficial, overworking students is not only harmful to them -- it’s clearly counterproductive.
--Alan de Paz, freshman
“I had a job last summer at a country club pool, so I’m hoping to get a job there again. I basically plan to work a lot and make a lot of money before I go to college.” --Skylar Lehmann, senior
The “best four years of my life” shouldn’t be spent worried sick, literally and figuratively.
“I’m going to be going to Washington for the whole summer to visit my grandma and uncle.” --Martavis Evans, freshman
Staying up until 2 a.m. to complete homework assignments, only to fall asleep during class will only put students behind. Throbbing headaches during lectures from eye strain and sleep deprivation will ensure students don’t retain any of the information taught. Pulling an all-nighter before a test after weeks of being unable to study due to assignment after assignment in a class cancels out any good the assignments might have done. Homework has its benefits, but only in moderation. So what can teachers do to have the right amount of homework? According to the National Education Association and the National Parent-Teacher Association, the standard for homework should be 10 minutes per grade level per night. Students in first grade should get 10 minutes of homework, 20 minutes in second grade and so on. Teachers could also have folders or collections of worksheets that can be used for extra practice, so students can take what they feel is needed. Clarke Central High School teacher must keep in mind that students have six other classes that fight for their attention, and they cannot afford to completely devote themselves to one subject. Loading kids with homework without regard is unproductive and dangerous.
“I’m going to this camp called Interlochen, which is in Michigan. It’s an arts camp and I’m going for musical theater.” --Isabella DeMarco, sophomore
“I’m going to try and get a job to work for a little while or babysit my little sister. I don’t have any work experience so I’m trying to get a little with this job.”
--Compiled by Gabriel Mantione-Holmes
Right: DOCTOR’S ORDERS: While homework can clearly be beneficial, an overabundance of nightly work can lead to both physical and mental fatigue.
--Cha-See Soe, junior
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Photo illustration by Katy Mayfield
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
“My plans over the summer are to go to the beach and stay there.”
APRIL / MAY 2017
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SOPHIE
FERNANDES
A
n empty glass is raised to my eye level, a set of angry eyes glaring up at me. “Can I please have a refill?” the slurred voice asks. The voice belongs to an older man, in his sixties, whose twang reveals he has lived in the rural South for all of his life. This, I realize, is an assumption on my part. But as a waitress, it is only natural to quickly size someone up, figure out if he is a tipper or not (because most of the time, we can tell) and put on my best non-reactive, neutral and polite expression -- even in the face of rudeness. I have been waiting tables for two months and I can’t complain. The money is pretty good. But, regardless, it is a difficult job. The average American restaurant-goer is often entitled, angry and many don’t understand that 20 percent is a decent, average tip. Downtown Athens also presents a huge obstacle -- the drunken college student. There is nothing worse than waiting on inebriated 20-year-old students who think they can be demanding, rude and then in their drunkenness, forget to tip or in their attempt to be funny leave a “tip”: “Try smiling more - it might help.” One night, the fraternity down the street had a huge block party and the attendees had been drinking all day. They stumbled into the restaurant, and many could barely stand. I had already been working for five hours and had just gotten some food for my break.
Photo illustration by Suncana Pavlic
APRIL / MAY 2017
BOILING POINT. Managing Editor Sophie Fernandes encourages restaurant-goers to be considerate toward their servers. I could not believe it when I turned around and two young women were chowing down on my hamburger. Despite the challenges of the college students, many in Athens do know how to tip. Families and fellow-restaurant workers are the best tippers. I now know what my mom meant when she said everyone should have to work as a server. Only when you do it do you understand how much to tip and how to be patient and compassionate. So, next time you are at a restaurant, please know that your server only makes $2.13/hour before tips. And before you get all hot under the collar when your glass is empty, look and see what your server is doing. Most likely, she has four other tables and is moving quickly to appease the customers. Remember patience and take deep breaths. No one ever died at a restaurant from having to wait longer than he or she thought they should for a glass of water.
Below: I’LL TAKE THE CHECK: Managing Editor Sophie Fernandes is grateful for her job as a waitress, but questions customers’ lack of courtesy.
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Above: DON’T LAUGH IT OFF: Viewpoints Editor Katy Mayfield sees young men tolerating their friends’ misogynistic jokes and comments, and asks them to step up to do their part to combat rape culture by calling out sexism and coercion. Photo illustration by Ashley Lawrence.
KATY
MAYFIELD
DEAR MALE FRIENDS. Viewpoints Editor Katy Mayfield urges young men who genuinely care about women to use their access to the male community to discourage coercion and assault.
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very time another sexual assault hits the headlines (or Clarke County School District administrative emails), my female friends and I sit down and try to fathom, for the millionth time, what could bring someone to do something so terrible. But the other shoe drops when we reach the next part of the discussion: what now? We’ve been brainstorming for years, and have not yet come up with anything. Sure, sex ed will help clarify consent for some, but for many others, the problem isn’t not knowing what consent is -- it’s not caring. For those guys and girls, but primarily guys, a teacher is too removed from the situation to have any real impact. And he won’t listen to girls: that’s the problem. Whether we’re pushing him away and declining in the moment, or openly explaining why his actions hurt during discussion, he doesn’t care about our feelings. And so for the millionth time after the millionth catcall, unwanted advance or assault horror story, we turn to the same solution: you. You, my male friends, are in dugouts, classrooms and living rooms with the very guys we would give anything to be able to educate. In the same way everyone has that one racist relative,
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every guy in high school has that one, and probably many more, sexist friend. You know the warning signs because they’re uncomfortable for you, as someone who cares about women, to hear. Maybe he refers to girls as sluts or whores, humorously or not. Maybe he suggests you “get her drunk.” Maybe he’s full of tips on convincing girls to have sex. Your strategy is usually to awkwardly chuckle and move on. Maybe you even recount the episode to a female friend later, full of disbelief that he’d say such a creepy thing. But what’s creepy and mildly amusing for you is terrifying for us. Next time, don’t shake your head and ignore your gut feeling. Tell him what he’s saying is really, really messed up. That it’s not normal. That if he really has to convince a girl to want to have sex with him, she definitely doesn’t want to. That if he has to get a girl drunk to have sex with him, he’s committing rape. It’s no silver bullet, but it is a step, and we’ve been standing still too long. We know you might seem less chill, or uptight, or not as masculine, but what’s more important to you: your reputation or our safety? APRIL / MAY 2017
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GABRIEL
MANTIONE-Holmes
T
he most terrifying aspect of M. Night Shyamalan’s recent horror/thriller “Split” is not that classic Shyamalan plot twist, but instead how it depicts the mentally ill. “Split” not only promotes mental illness as something to be feared, but it makes a mockery of dissociative identity disorder (DID). “Split” is emblematic of a dangerous attitude towards the mentally ill. Believing the progress mental illness treatment has made over the past century as anything more than baby steps is as delusional as the mentally ill are portrayed in the media. You don’t have to look all the way to Hollywood to find people with mental illnesses being mistreated, all the evidence you need is right in your own town. According to the Athens Clarke County Housing and Community Development Department, of the estimated 249 homeless residents in Athens, 44 percent suffer from mental illness. That means that there are 109 homeless people in the ACC area with a serious mental illness and without proper care. This plague encompasses more than Athens’ borders. According to the 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, 26.2 percent of the homeless population in the United States have a serious mental illness. It speaks volumes that the streets continue to house the mentally ill -- especially since people with mental illnesses become much more stable once in a group home. Group homes, while not perfect, are infinitely more attractive than the alternative of being placed in a concrete cell. One of the biggest problems is that our government funds and places the homeless mentally ill in prisons rather than hospitals or group homes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 20 percent of prisoners have been previously diagnosed with a serious mental illness, and that does not include the 49 percent of state prisoners showing symptoms that met the criteria for a serious mental illness. This 20 percent of state prisoners is projected to be growing at a rate of one percent every year. At this rate, by 2047, four
BREAKING THE STIGMA. Mental illness is still a crippling problem in both the media and communities across the nation. percent of the nation’s population -- people with mental illnesses -- will make up half of our prison population. “The criminal justice system is the largest mental health provider in the United States right now. The vast majority of people incarcerated could be diagnosed with a mental illness of some sort or another,” Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Georgia Dr. Anne Shaffer said. “They receive treatment while incarcerated, but obviously, the quality of that treatment varies considerably.” Even if the treatment Shaffer speaks of varies, the prison environment does not offer the support people with mental illnesses need. Additionally, hospitals for the mentally ill are nowhere near as advanced as they need to be. This is partially because treatment methods are not at the caliber needed to treat many of these illnesses. This inability to treat many of the illnesses leads to mistreatment with negative results. Essentially those seeking help end up finding and paying for damage to themselves. Portraying them as monsters in the media, treating them as criminals in practice and leaving them in the streets, while acting like everything is chipper, prevents progress. Our treatment methods and medications, while slow, are progressing, but our societal views have been stagnant, to the point where even our president calls people with mental illnesses “sickos.” In the same way we have “ended” racism with the election of former President Barack Obama, we have also “ended” the mistreatment of the mentally ill by increasing regulation standards in mental hospitals and institutes. False. Opressed by regulation, we have turned our heads from hospitals and towards prisons, where mistreatment is still legal. Understanding that this festering gash is being left untreated is the first step toward progress.
Left: HELPLESS AND HOMELESS: According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 20 percent of prisoners have been previously diagnosed with a serious mental illness, not including the 49 percent of state prisoners showing symptoms that met the criteria for a serious mental illness.
Photo illustration by Gabriel Mantione-Holmes
APRIL / MAY 2017
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EVERETT
VEREEN
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WHY, OH WI-FI? The recent change to Clarke County School District Wi-Fi networks has good intentions but only makes old censorship problems worse.
wave of panic swept over Clarke Central High School on March 20. The alarm was brought on by a dramatic shift in policy for a teenage necessity almost as important as oxygen: Wi-Fi. Access to the main school networks has been restricted exclusively to Clarke County School District-issued devices, and a guest network with a password that changes monthly has been introduced. According to CCSD network administrator Chris Call, the combined use of CCSD-issued and students’ personal devices used up a lot of bandwidth -- a network’s capacity to transmit information -- which motivated the change. So why the fuss? Faster and more effective internet with more bandwidth seems fantastic, but, one glaring issue lies within this change: the limitation on student internet access. Being made to use CCSD-only devices with all of the restrictions and website filters that come already loaded on them is a horrible constraint on information and opportunity for CCSD students. Trying to find sources for research projects on touchier topics -- for example, the negative effects of drug addiction -- is extremely difficult, since most sources with great informational and educational value are blocked due to their drug-related content. In some situations, censorship is perfectly reasonable -- what parent or guardian wants their child looking at porn at school? Subsequently, laws like the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) exist. CIPA requires libraries and K-12 schools to restrict access to obscene material from minors. Another reasonable censorship measure is a tiered filter. According to CCSD security systems administrator Clay Atherton, the district has three levels of filtration for elementary, middle and high school students. The younger one is, the less access they have. This also makes sense. As students get older, they’re expected to be able to handle more “intense” material. However, what does not make sense is that anyone on the filter -- elementary, middle or high school -- has unlimited access to the wide selection of animal genitalia available on Wikipedia. “Educational” or not, it is genitalia, which under CIPA, no one should be able to see. Meanwhile, the vast majority of our ODYSSEY broadcast (ODTV ) content, student produced community and school news, is inaccessible due to the forced “Restricted Mode” on YouTube. And students are not the only ones alarmed. In an April 2016 article in “The Atlantic”,
Keith Krueger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking, a group for technology directors in school districts, went on record questioning the benefits of filtration systems for student safety. “School systems need to ensure that we create a safe environment (but) if we believe any technical solution like filtering will keep us totally safe, that is misplaced,” Krueger said. Ultimately, this narrowing of Wi-Fi access has imposed censorship on material which really shouldn’t be censored. Regardless of whether filter enforcement was or was not the intention of the Wi-Fi change, it most certainly is one of the largest and most concerning effects of the new policy. How is a student expected to know right from wrong when finally exposed to free-range internet, when all they have ever been shown is the right? Unreasonable censorship is hindering education in the modern, internet-dominated world. Rather than make the decisions for students, teach the students how to make the right decisions themselves.
Trying to find sources for research projects on touchier topics is extremely difficult.
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Below: LOCKED OUT OF LEARNING: Forcing the school district’s censored Wi-Fi on all devices restricts students’ access to the internet and locks them out of important information and debates. Photo illustration by Ashley Lawrence.
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KENNAE
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A FOUR-YEAR ODYSSEY. Staff writer and Clarke Central High School senior Kennae Hunter reflects on her experience on staff and at CCHS.
n Aug. 7, 2013 at 8:45 a.m., my high school career began. I walked into the front doors of Clarke Central High School with a black blouse, camouflage jeans and red Toms, which was literally the tackiest outfit I’ve ever worn in my high school career. I was very confident that I was ready to begin my four-year journey as a high school student. As a naive, 14-year-old freshman, I had all of these goals for the year, like getting all A’s, and getting involved in extracurriculars. All of that quickly went out the window. As my freshman year progressed, work started piling up, procrastination kicked in and the rush of being in a high school surrounded by new people started to affect me. My mentality was pretty much the same through sophomore, junior and senior year. If I had the knowledge I have now as a graduating senior when I was a freshman, things would’ve gone differently. I would’ve been more focused, more serious and I would’ve taken advantage of tutoring and extra credit opportunities. I never knew about a HOPE GPA until my senior meeting. I always thought I had to have a overall GPA of 3.0 to receive HOPE, but it’s the core classes being calculated. Not knowing this caused me to believe I was doing well and on track to reach my goals for high school. But, I don’t believe my misunderstanding was entirely my fault though. I never had people there to be sure I knew what everything meant or that I
was even doing well. Freshmen meetings or a high school 101 class should be in place to help students have a better understanding of what high school is and what they have to do to be successful. But besides that little mishap, I’ve had a smooth journey through high school. I was never written up, sent to ISS or even given detention. I take pride in never getting in trouble and or forming small habits that one can easily fall into such as writing on walls, skipping class and breaking dress code. Being a part of the ODYSSEY Media Group helped to lead me down the right path, so I could stay away from trouble. I couldn’t imagine my high school experience without it. My freshman year was the only year I wasn’t a part of the program and I can’t even remember what I was doing that was productive during that time. The majority of all of the things I was supposed to be taught while in high school, I obtained while in ODYSSEY. I was put in a more diverse setting and learned what new things were -- like scones! While being in high school, I lost some friends, gained some new ones, learned some lessons, was put in tough situations, grew up, stressed out, laughed, cried and most of all I had fun. I loved being in high school. I can’t say these were the best years of my life because this is the oldest I’ve ever been, but I know for sure I had some great times that I will never forget as I progress forward with my future.
As my freshman year progressed, work started piling up, procrastination kicked in and the rush of being in high school surrounded by all these new people started to affect me.
Photo by Zoe Peterson
Right: GLAD TO BE A GLAD: Senior Kennae Hunter sits on the benches outside the front of Clarke Central High School. She thinks about all the memories she’s had while attending CCHS, such as sitting in the same spot she is now, waiting for a ride home after school when she was an underclassman. Although Kennae is graduating, she will forever be a Gladiator at heart.
APRIL / MAY 2017
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NEWS BRIEFS Above: READY TO GRADUATE: A group of seniors stand on the stage of Mell Auditorium at Clarke Central High School on April 27 for Decision Day. Seniors who are graduating and attending college have the opportunity to walk across the stage with a sign of their chosen school. Senior Ivan Ramirez has chosen to go to the University of North Georgia and believes CCHS has readied him for his next step in college. “I think (CCHS) has prepared me pretty good,” Ramirez said. “The teachers I had would give us work similar to what we would see in college and that for sure helps.”
pushin’ portugese Clarke Central High School foreign language department teacher Douglas Sherer wants to add a completely new language to the Athens Community Career Academy over the summer. “I’m pushing for Portuguese to be offered at the Athens Career Academy,” Sherer said. “It takes about 400 hours for someone to become fluent in a second language, and because Spanish and Portuguese are so similar, many of our Spanish speaking students can probably understand around 60 percent of Brazilian Portuguese right now.” Freshman Isaac Ward, a student in foreign language department teacher Kelli Bivins’ French class, is interested in possibly learning the language. “I would love to take (Portuguese) after French. I think they should expand the languages that we can take (in school) and not just limit us to (French and Spanish),” Ward said. “I also think that adding Portuguese would be a great addition to the program and our studies. It would be a pretty cool thing to learn. I’ve always wanted to learn Portuguese.”
School board has the Means
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r. Demond Means was unanimously approved by the Clarke County Board of Education as the new superintendent of the Clarke County School District with a three-year contract to begin on July 10. “Dr. Means has a track record as a visionary leader, as well as being an innovative and creative leader,” CCSD Board President Charles Worthy said in a press release. “I cannot imagine a more ideal incoming superintendent for the Clarke County School District and the Athens community.” Means is currently serving as the superintendent of the Mequon-Thiensville School District in southeast Wisconsin, which has been recognized as the best K-12 school district with an enrollment of 3,000 or more in Wisconsin for three-consecutive years. “I am excited to continue the trajectory the Clarke County School District has set in being a national leader in closing achievement gaps,” Means said in a press release. “I also look forward to rallying around the shared values of the Board of Education, community members, educators, parents and students in order to take the school district to new heights in the near future.” Clarke Central High School English department teacher Ginger Lehmann attended a CCBOE-sponsored community forum to introduce Means on April 3 and feels optimistic about the hiring. “I hope that he gets a lot of input from teachers, since he is coming from out of the district and I think teachers have the best insight into what is going on in our district, what challenges we face and what we need in order to improve,” Lehmann said.
BY COLES EHLERS Web Staff Writer
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Cooking a Career The Culinary Arts pathway at the Athens Community Career Academy is made up of three, one-semester classes taught by Clarke County School District Culinary Arts Director Emmanuel Stone. Unlike many ACCA classes, there is no testing in the pathway. “The idea with the class is that on the one hand, we’ll give you a good introduction to professional cooking. But on the other hand, you should, if you pay attention in class, leave with a good set of life skills,” Stone said. Junior Elena Castro is enrolled in the pathway and uses skills learned outside of school. “Culinary education is important because it helps with your health, and it’s skills you can use later on in your life,” Castro said. “It (teaches) useful things that sometimes I use at home.”
work ready On April 28, Clarke Central High School math department teacher Alexandria Henson and Curriculum Assistance Program for Students (CAPS) department teacher Lynn Queen were named the teacher and paraprofessional of the year, respectively, for CCHS. To qualify for the award, each educator had to have taught at CCHS for at least three years. The qualified educators were voted on by their fellow teachers. Henson credits her recognition to the disposition with which she faces teaching. “What I strive to do every day is just to be the best teacher that I can for the students and to promote positive attitude even on tough days and with tough things, just to be a positive person here,” Henson said. Likewise, Queen believes a factor to her winning paraprofessional of the year was the kindness she presents to students. “I’m very compassionate towards everybody, no matter who it is. If anybody needs anything, they know that they can come to me,” Queen said. “If they’re hungry, if they need some clothes, whatever it is, I try to help them.” APRIL / MAY 2017
Photo by Zoe Peterson
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I HEARD THAT
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“ “ “ “ Reviewing Personal Projects A “
We can’t plan for an unknown threat.
MARIE YURAN, Clarke Central High School principal, speaking in regards to school safety during a press conference with the ODYSSEY Media Group on April 4.
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They take a condom and they put it on a banana, and that’s like it. That’s all they do. Alice Watson, sophomore, on her perception of sexual education at .
Clarke Central High School.
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I feel like we’re always stereotyped into uneducatedness, if that’s even a word. Ana Espinosa, senior, speaking about how she in sterotyped as
I would be the first one to say I had tears in my eyes. I had big crocodile tears in my eyes.
Bands, remembering his reaction when all three CCHS bands received superior ratings at their Large Group Performance Evaluation.
When you’re looking at your yearbook from way back when, you’re not going to remember anything that was happening in those pictures without the captions, the explanations, the stories. That’s really going to jog your memory and bring you back to those happy times in high school.
BY ZOE PETERSON Photography Editor
APRIL / MAY 2017
Dr. Robert Lawrence, Clarke Central High School Director of the
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s part of an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program district, Clarke Central High School students are expected to complete an IB personal project during their 10th grade year. Though there are over 300 students in the 2016-17 sophomore class, 23 projects were submitted “It was a little disappointing because I wanted a little bit more, but a lot of the students, when they realized it wasn’t going to affect their grade point average, chose not to do it,” CCHS IB personal project coordinator Ammon Hammett-Bregger said. Hammett-Bregger hopes next year’s IB supervisor will shift policy to encourage more students to participate in the project. “I hope the new IB coordinator... will do (personal projects) more through 10th grade advisement,” Hammett-Bregger said. “My suggestion was to have it as a half-credit, so it would have an effect on GPA because I really believe in the project.” CCHS sophomore Sandra Barcenas completed a personal project this year and explored a topic close to her heart. “My IB project was on trying to help animals in animal shelters get adopted since there’s so many of them in the animal shelter,” Barcenas said. “Animals have a pretty big part in my heart, so that’s why I made it a big part of my IB project.” Moving forward, Hammett-Bregger hopes the negative connotation amongst students surrounding the personal projects will shift towards a more positive light. “I hope the person who comes into this role isn’t like, ‘If you don’t do this, you’re gonna get a zero,” Hammett-Bregger said. “I’d like to see it more like ‘If you do this, it’ll be a great experience for you and you can learn a lot of skills.”
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Above: BUILDING IB: Clarke Central High School International Baccalaureate and gifted coordinator Larissa Jean speaks to students during the Personal Project Luncheon and Dessert Social on April 21 in the Media Center. The luncheon was held to honor those who successfully completed their IB Middle Years Program Personal Project. “You guys are definitely self-motivated people to complete a long-term project from beginning to end,” Jean said when addressing the students. “It also shows that you have excellent time management. These are skills that are transferrable now in high school and then beyond as well.”
an immigrant in the Athens community and at Clarke Central High School.
dea pool, Clarke Central High School Technical and Agricultural department teacher and yearbook adviser, on creating the significance of the Gladius.
Spread compiled and designed by Delia Adamson
Below: PROM POSE: Junior Andrew Williams (left) and sophomore Tiffany Sierra (right) pose in front of the Cotton Press for Clarke Central High School’s prom held on April 14. This was Sierra’s first time attending prom and she enjoyed it. “My favorite part was putting on (Williams’) flower and then struggling with his tie, but also getting ready and taking pictures,” Sierra said.
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BY JURNEE LOUDER
BY COLES EHLERS
PHOTOS BY JORDAN RHYM
Variety Editor
Web Staff Wrier
Lead Copy Editor
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f you have sex, you will get pregnant… and die.” This quote from the 2004 movie “Mean Girls” is comparable to the sex-ed program some Clarke Central High School students say they received in the past. “In middle school and in the beginning of high school, (the teachers) are like, ‘Abstinence. Don’t have sex. If you have sex, you’re going to die,’” senior Luis Vicente said. Between 1992, when the policy was first approved, to 2008, the Clarke County School District required the teaching of abstinence as the only method of practicing sexual safety to prevent preg-
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nancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. According to an article from Online Athens entitled “BOE May Shift Sex-Ed Focus”, published on Jan. 9, 2008, under this abstinence-only education, the teen pregnancy rate in Athens was 6.5 percent higher than the state average. Dawn Meyers, CCSD Executive Director of Policy and School Instruction, says that a part of the “hush-hush” nature surrounding sex education can be attributed to the social climate of that time. “There were just misconceptions culturally that if we give kids access to information, they’re going to want to try it out instead of what we learned to be true through public health research and good evidence-based data that actually what teenagers want and need and cry out for is factual information,” Meyers said. “When we give it to them, they actually APRIL / MAY 2017
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FLASH to the Future FLASH is a sex-ed curriculum designed to teach students lessons pertinent to their grade through their four years of high school. It covers sexually transmitted diseases, birth control options and lessons on communication in a serious relationship.
Featured: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Juniors Jennifer Alas (left), Troy Deslatte (middle) and Sydney Gregg (right) listen to the FLASH lesson on sexual orientation, gender stereotypes and gender identity during their first period Advanced Placement Language and Composition class. For Alas, the lessons were not completely flawless. “I feel like they tried really hard not to offend anyone. I wish they could have gone more into detail in some of the things,” Alas said. “The information in the PowerPoint was super vague. It only gave us the basics that we already know.”
make really good choices.” To combat the pregnancy rate and help educate teens, CCSD sex-ed underwent revisions. On Jan. 10, 2008, CCSD unveiled Family Life and Sexual Health (FLASH). FLASH is a high school health education curriculum designed to teach high school students about topics like birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and healthy relationships. According to CCSD K-12 Science Content Coach Amy Peacock, the FLASH curriculum was created in King County in Seattle, Washington and is implemented in grades 6-12. It was chosen for its comprehensiveness and diversity. “It is a comprehensive science-based sexual health education curriculum designed to prevent pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and sexual violence,” Peacock said. “It supports young APRIL / MAY 2017
people in making healthy choices: abstain from sex, use protection when they do have sex, seek health care when they need it, communicate effectively with their families, and respect others’ decisions not to have sex.” For Meyers, adopting FLASH was a step in a direction that no other district in Georgia was taking at the time. “We were progressive. As far as I know, in 2008, we were the first school district in the state to come out and say, ‘We are not abstinence-only,’” Meyers said. The curriculum is split into 12 lessons, which are taught during the course of high school. When it comes to the implementation of the district’s policies at CCHS, Instructional Specialist Linda Boza collaborates with Peacock to decide how the odysseynewsmagazine.net | ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE
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Above: CONNECTING THE DOTS: Junior Luis Garcia participates in a FLASH lesson where students place strips of definitions under what terms they felt they best matched with. Garcia feels that the FLASH lessons were more informative than they had been in previous years. “I thought it was interesting how they touched on gender identity and some subjects that I had only really known (about) through like the internet and through others... but having a teacher say it almost makes it more reassuring,” Garcia said. “I’d imagine it probably was informative for others, too.”
sentative came in to kind of give us the rundown on how we’re supposed to address certain questions and how to go about teaching the lessons. That was in September or October,” Johnson said. “I felt perfectly comfortable and fine teaching it.” Under FLASH, freshmen -- BREVIN BROWN, learn about ways to prevent senior pregnancy in their Health and P.E. classes. While the course still talks about abstinence, it also discusses birth control methods. The course also students will receive the information. Boza says that covers treatment and prevention methods for STDs, before the iplementation of the FLASH curriculum, such as HIV, syphilis and sex education took many forms in CCHS. herpes. “Back when we were on the (block schedule), Sophomore and juniors we used to have an advisement schedule and we learn their lessons in their used to bring in Teen Matters,” Boza said. “They literature and composition would do it in the auditorium when they could. We classes. The course for would also bring in people from AIDS Atlanta. It sophomores covers healthy was always very powerful.” relationships and sexual vioCCHS now trains five teachers to teach FLASH. Clarke County lence prevention, as well as Special education department teacher Ryan Johnhow to stay safe online. For son is one of the FLASH instructors this year. juniors, the course deals with “(For training), we had one day where a repre-
“We had the conversation of communication and consent. A lot of that should go to the freshmen because a lot of them don’t know the foundations of, ‘Yes means yes and no means no.’”
gender identity and undoing gender stereotypes, as well as sexual orientations. The senior course covers coercion, consent and communication. Seniors like Derek Mueller recently completed the senior FLASH curriculum in their literature and composition 12 classes. “(The FLASH curriculum) is very open ended, but it’s very neutral, so it doesn’t force anything any which way,” Mueller said. “It’s very inclusive and covers a lot of bases.” However, senior Brevin Brown feels that the classes for his grade would have worked better for underclassmen. “I feel like a lot of the lessons that they are giving (the seniors) now should be given to freshmen,” Brown said. “We had the conversation of communication and consent. A lot of that should go to the
“When we give it to them, they actually make really good choices.”
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-- DAWN MEYERS, School District Executive Director of Policy and School Support Services
APRIL / MAY 2017
NEWS << freshmen because a lot of them don’t know the foundations of, ‘Yes means yes and no means no.’” English department teacher Lisa Hill values the curriculum, but would tweak its implementation. “I think that it’s as effective as it could be right now,” Hill said. “But, I wish that there was more small groups because I think that provides a safer space than sitting in class with 30 of your classmates and having no real sense of others’ opinions.” Meyers recognizes the issues that may come up with the current form of the FLASH curriculum and says there are steps being made to update it. “You get years away from the actual roll-out and implementation, and I’m sure it’s not being taught with complete fidelity. It’s time to probably look at (the curriculum),” Meyers said. “Ms. Peacock is aware of this and is actively taking steps to kind of reconvene our sex-ed committee at the district level.” In spite of varying opinions on campus, CCHS
“(The FLASH curriculum) is very open ended, but it’s very neutral, so it doesn’t force anything any which way. It’s very inclusive and covers a lot of bases.” -- DEREK MUELLER, senior
principal Marie Yuran believes in the necessity of FLASH and feels that it will have a positive effect on students. “I think it’s an important topic for all of us to have a conversation around. We all live together in this world, and especially 12th graders, they’re soon no longer going to be here at CCHS and they will encounter folks in different ways in a larger environment whether (it is) work or post-secondary education,” Yuran said. “So, I think anything we can do, and any conversations we can have and and any skill set that we can learn to support ourselves are important (to have) around us and is a very positive thing to do.”
Above: CREATING ALLIES: Physical education department teacher Justin Jones was a FLASH instructor this school year. Jones believes that the sex-ed lessons help students understand those that identify differently from them. “It’s extremely important (to have discussions) because as our world continues to progress, I think you’ll have people who not only will fall into several different categories, but as they fall into those several different categories, whether it be ethnicity or sexual orientation or whatever the case might be, we need to be able to empathize, sympathize and help those individuals in anyway we can,” Jones said.
APRIL / MAY 2017
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>> NEWS Left: EMPTY CHAIRS AT EMPTY TABLES: According to English department teacher Andrew Dean, scenes like this staged photo occur in his first period class daily. Dean says it is rare that he has 100 percent attendance by 9 a.m. in his class. “It is very rare that I’ve had 100 percent attendance in a first-period class, and definitely, I’ve never had it for like a sustained period,” Dean said. Photo taken and staged by Zoe Peterson
cursed by the bell
Teachers and administrators are concerned by the lack of timely attendance during first period classes and examine causes and solutions for the problem.
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ccording to Clarke County School District behavior specialist David Brown, there have been over 4,000 cumulative absences for first period classes at Clarke Central High School from August 2016-March 22. “That means that students had missed opportunities to be taught over 4,000 times in their first period class. Now, there are just over 1,500 students in this school,” Brown said. “I think that if you crunch those numbers with the number of students that we have, that speaks volumes.” English department teacher Andrew Dean agrees tardiness and student absences in first period are a problem on a consistent basis. “(At) 8:45, I’ve got roughly half my students sitting in their seats. Probably another 30 to 40 percent of them filter in between 8:45 and 9:00, and then that’s about it,” Dean said. “It is very rare that I’ve had 100 percent attendance in a first-period class, and definitely, I’ve never had it for like a sustained period.” Senior Byron Spraggins cites transportation as a root cause for this issue, but he also recognizes student apathy. “I think it’s more of the upperclassmen who have cars that don’t like getting up in the morning, so they’re normally late to their first period and they’re just too lazy to get up, honestly,” Spraggins said. “I know (for) me, personally, my first period, I feel like it’s not that important. It’s not academic, so I really don’t try to make it on time.” Dean believes that greater action needs to be taken in order to combat the problem, but feels students need a more consistent approach that emphasizes consequences. “I think that the number of tardies that we allow prior to consequence in the discipline code is a little too great. I think that there needs to be some consequence quicker,” Dean said. “As a school, we’re only given so many tools
that we can use to get students into class, and unfortunately, punitive measures is one of the tools that we have available.” Brown says that since tardies come with repercussions, and absences do not, students and teachers are faced with an obstacle to academic mastery and achievement. “Quite frankly, it’s easier to just not go, ‘cause if you go, you’re faced with your failure to engage (in classroom activities),” Brown said. “There’s different ways we can structure some things, but (I also think), part of it is just the clear expectation from our school and our community that when school opens, we want our students, I don’t care if they’re elementary, middle school, high school, we want our students present and connected and participating in some type of activity that’s leading to their growth and development.” CCHS principal Marie Yuran recognizes changes must be made to offset the issue. “I was shocked when I looked at (the data) to see the significant difference between the first part of the day (and the rest),” Yuran said. “I suspect you will hear something from us next year about working with the community and working with students and families to ensure that people are getting here (on time).” To enact that change, Brown says students must make an effort to allter their mindsets on tardiness, and educators can do their part by improving their classroom environments. “Part of what we’re dealing with is the culture. It’s been normalized that’s it acceptable for kids to be late or miss class, and so we’ve got to change some culture. That takes time,” Brown said. “I think if we can create more engaging environments with incentives, -- ‘I came here and did this tough thing’ -- then we can teach people to build up their stamina and we can push them to be better versions of themselves.”
APRIL / MAY 2017
BY VALERIA GARCIA-POZO Web News Editor
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NEWS <<
Wi-fi woes
The Clarke County School District’s county-wide WiFi network “CCSD Net” has been replaced with “ClarkeSchools-Secure” in order to free up the formerly crowded network.
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he Clarke County School District recently changed its county-wide Wi-Fi network from CCSD Net to “ClarkeSchools-Secure”. According to CCSD Network Administrator Chris Call, the “ClarkeSchools-Secure” network is actually the same network as “CCSD Net”, but with a new name and new restrictions. The reason for the change stemmed from overcrowding of the network due to student devices. “The main motivation (for the new network) is just for security and for us to be able to make changes in the future. Using that old network, with all those devices that were relying on it, we couldn’t do anything and had our hands tied and couldn’t make any changes,” Call said. However, this new network’s restrictions are different from “CCSD Net”, where there was one BY JOHANNA HALL
Broadcast Executive Producer
password that anyone could use to access it. Now, the “ClarkeSchools-Secure” network’s password will change each month, and individual schools can decide whether or not to provide students with the passwords. “We are letting the schools decide whether or not they want students to be on the network because some students can handle using their phones at appropriate times, but some can’t handle that, and that becomes a classroom issue,” Call said. “We did have some schools that wanted to take advantage of that because some of the kids were abusing (the Wi-Fi) or getting off track during class sessions.” Clarke Central High School administrators will not be providing students with the Wi-Fi password. CCHS senior Brevin Brown hears students complain about the newly exclusive Wi-Fi, but
understands why administrators made this change. “If you want to be on the Wi-Fi, you might as well just use your computer and do what you need to do,” Brown said. “I think that’s also the reason why the computers are automatically connected to the Wi-Fi and your phone’s not, because on the computer, you actually have to do your work instead of goof off and play games. So, I think that it’s for the betterment of the students.” Call says the benefits of the new network have not been obvious to all, but he believes the improvements from “CCSD Net” will be evident in the future. “Initially, I don’t think there has been any change at all, but once we start changing the password every month, we’re hoping the schools that decide to withhold that information from students will see better classroom experiences,” Call said.
Photo taken and staged by Zoe Peterson
Below: NO MORE GAMES: As shown in this staged photo, a student is unable to access the internet at school due to the Clarke County School District’s new wi-fi network restrictions. A part of the change is that students are unable to access wi-fi on their phones, but Clarke Central High School senior Brevin Brown understands this change. “I think that’s also the reason why the computers are automatically connected to the Wi-Fi and your phone’s not, because on the computer, you actually have to do your work instead of goof off and play games,” Brown said. “So, I think that it’s for the betterment of the students.”
APRIL / MAY 2017
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“TEEN MATTERS” MATTERS Teen Matters is a teen health program for students that provides health services confidentially. The program could be affected by President Donald Trump’s planned Department of Health and Human Services budget cuts. Photo by Zoe Peterson
Above: OPEN DOOR: The Clarke Central High School Teen Matters, located at 168 S. Rocksprings Ct., provides teens with confidential services such as contraceptives and health education. The funding of this free program could potentially be cut due to President Donald Trump’s budget cut plans for the Department of Health and Human Services. “What’s going to affect (Teen Matters) is what money they get to match from the state and the state gets that money from the federal government. It’s politics,” CCHS nurse Jessica Weems said. “I don’t think it’s going to erase it and take it away completely. It may just affect the hours they’re open.”
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ccording to the Los Angeles Times, President Donald J. Trump has planned to make changes to the nation’s budget for the Department of Health and Human Services, calling for an 18 percent cut worth $51.1 billion. For some, this raises questions about the fate of local teen health program Teen Matters. “Clarke County has been really, really good at working with the health department and keeping the funding for community-based programs. They’ve been really good about finding the money to keep these programs up and running,” Clarke Central High School nurse Jessica Weems said. According to Weems, if funding for the program is cut due to Trump’s budget plans and hours of operation decrease, it may affect students’ access. “What’s going to affect it is what money they get to match from the state and the state gets that money from the federal government. It’s politics. I don’t think it’s going to erase it and take it away completely. It may just affect the hours they’re open,” Weems said. “It may make it more inconvenient because it may not be open right across the street where they can walk to it. They may have to find other means of transportation.” BY MACKENZIE CAUDILL Web Staff Writer
Before Weems became the nurse at CCHS, she had experience working at the Cedar Shoals High School Teen Matters location and understands its importance to teens and students. “There were some (teens) that really took the counseling and education I gave them,” Weems said. “We did exams. We did counseling. We did education. So more of that is a one-on-one basis and there were some girls and boys that really benefited.”
“It’s essential for us to be there, so teens have a place where they feel comfortable to go to to ask those questions and to access those services.”
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-- MARCIA MASSENGILL, Athens-Clarke County Nurse Manager
APRIL / MAY 2017
NEWS << Photo by Julie Alpaugh
greeting GOOGLE Clarke Central High School hosted the Google for Education Leadership Roundtable on March 30. Educators from across the state came to observe the school and discuss technology in schools. Senior Visuals Coordinator
Above: OPEN DOOR: A teen is handed a pamphlet in the lobby of the Central Teen Matters, located at 168 Rocksprings Ct. The facility provides minors ages 11 to 19 with confidential services, including education, through pamphlets such as this one on sexually transmitted diseases. “(Teen Matters) provides them with health education. It puts them in touch with resources they might not be able to access. Since Teen Matters has opened teen pregnancy has decreased district wide,” CCHS nurse Jessica Weems said.
Photo by Julie Alpaugh
Physical education department teacher Trey Henson, who has training in health and sexual education, believes students would be impacted if changes to services were made. “I know a lot of them use that resource, so they’re going to have to find somewhere else. There’s the health department. There’s a different couple other options,” Henson said. “If that were to occur, they would have to find somewhere else to find those services.” CCHS junior Jalisa Griggs believes a decrease in hours will make it more difficult for students to get resources, such as contraceptives, provided by Teen Matters. “I want to do things with my partner or whoever I’m doing it with and I want to be safe. I just don’t go in there (unprotected),” Griggs said. “Now you’re taking that away from me.” Theresa Hale, Health Counselor and Clerk at Teen Matters, believes the program will remain available to teens who need them despite changes in hours. “With the (Teen Matters) Central clinic, they’re open some mornings as well as in the afternoons so those hours might decrease,” Hale said. “I still think if teens need our resources we’ll be there and they can still come by and access them.” Marcia Massengill, the County Nurse Manager, oversees all four clinics in Clarke County, including the two Teen Matters clinics. Massengill agrees the clinics provide a necessary service to help keep kids in school. “We want all teenagers to finish school, graduate, be able to go further their education or get jobs or whatever they want to do,” Massengill said. “It’s essential for us to be there, so teens have a place where they feel comfortable to go to to ask those questions and to access those services.” As of right now, Trump’s plans are not in motion. However, the program’s budget depends on whether the plans are approved. “Teen Matters is a very good service that offers counseling and education that most teens may not have access to if they don’t have a clinic right across the street or a clinic at their local health department,” Weems said. “It also provides a lot of community support and it’s something that is needed because it has decreased teen pregnancy and I think it’s something that should continue.”
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he Google for Education Leadership Roundtable was held at Clarke Central High School on March 30. Administrators and teachers from around the state of Georgia gathered to expand and share their knowledge about the use of technology in their school system. The event was sponsored by Google for Education and was put together through a collaboration between Google and the Clarke County School District (CCSD). “We had been in touch with Google, because we are a Google district. They reached out and then they saw the amazing things that were going on with both students and teachers in CCSD,” CCSD Instructional Technology (IT) specialist Clint Winter said. Attendees had the opportunity to spend the day observing the work teachers and administrators are doing with technology by visiting classrooms and seeing one-to-one technology in practice, hearing keynote speaker Google Global Education Evangelist Jaime Casap and attending sessions geared towards their technology interests. “The idea was we were sharing our experience. We are one of the only districts around that have one-to-one in Northeast Georgia. A lot of these school districts may be thinking of going one-to-one or they have just started going one-to-one so we kinda show some of the things we do well and some of the things we needed to go back and revamp and work on,” Winter said. Oconee County School District information technology (IT) specialist Brian Felker was specifically interested in CCSD’s implementation of one-to-one technology. “We are a Google district and we wanted to learn more about using Google with the one-to-one environment because we are getting ready to start a one-toone initiative in our county and we have heard great stories of what is going on in CCSD,” Felker said. The event allowed people with a common interest in expanding their knowledge of technology to come together and network. “It pulls together like-minded people that have the same purpose and that is to enhance the instructional program through digital tools and approaches,” University of Georgia professor Sally Zepeda said. BY JULIE ALPAUGH
Above: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES: Guests from around Georgia gather and converse before the Google for Education Leadership Roundtable on March 30. Attendees were able to look at Clarke County as a model for the use of technology in education. “(Google) reached out and then they saw the amazing things that were going on with both students and teachers in CCSD,” CCSD IT specialist Clint Winter said.
APRIL / MAY 2017
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A living legend Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson brings a South Georgia charm to the CCHS community through storytelling.
“I
was giving a test one time in US History and I remember it was over the turn of the century, the early 19th Century going into War of 1812, and kids are sitting there taking a test ...” BY JOHANNA HALL
Broadcast Executive Producer
Almost everyone who meets him has a story to tell about Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson. After arriving at CCHS 14 years ago, he has left a legacy of lightheartedness in the CCHS community. “I tell jokes. Man, I tell jokes, a lot of jokes. I think I’m the funniest human being in the world, on the planet,” Hinson said. “I’m just kidding.” Social studies department teacher Drew Wheeler has worked alongside Hinson since he arrived at CCHS and has noticed Hinson’s carefree personality. “It’s always good to lighten the mood if everyone’s being really serious. He has this story to tell of something that’s happened to him in the past that’s similar to (what’s) happening now that’ll bring a smile to his face and get people loosened up if everyone’s a little too tense, a little too stressed out,” Wheeler said.
Hinson said. “I only worked with boys and so I learned how to develop a positive relationship with some of the more hardened kids you could ever meet.” Hinson believes his time in the prison education system taught him how to befriend almost any kid he meets. “( Working at the YDC) was fun. Looking back, it was probably not the healthiest job in the world because it was rough. I had to get physical daily,” Hinson said. “My coworkers were awesome and I loved working with them so much and we had such a good time working. I think that good time, that relationship translated to the kids and it, I think, made life for them a little easier.” Hinson continued working to make life easier for his current students by translating this lively, stress-free attitude into his classroom. “I like to create an environment that kids like to be in. I don’t ever want them to dread coming to my class,” Hinson said. “I try to build relationships and develop this -- STEPHEN HINSON, reciprocal caring. The kids know I social studies department teacher care about them and I feel that they care about me and it works. It creates an incredible environment.”
“I try to build relationships and develop this reciprocal caring. The kids know I care about them and I feel that they care about me and it works. It creates an incredible environment.”
“This kid raised his hand and he said, ‘Can I ask you a question?’ and I said, ‘Sure’ and he said, ‘It’s not related to the test.’ I said, ‘Go ahead and ask me.’” Hinson has lived a life nothing short of story-worthy. Growing up in Thomasville, Georgia, located in the southern part of the state, he attended Valdosta State College (now University). In 1988, he graduated with degrees in History and Broadcasting, then moved back home to work on his family’s farm before getting a job at Southwestern State Hospital. In 1992, he moved to Athens to begin work at the Athens Regional Youth Detention Center. “I never thought I could ever help a kid who was in the prison system unless I had a good, positive relationship with him,”
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“He said, ‘What happened to all those folks who died before Jesus came along?’ and I was like, ‘What is he asking me? Really? You’re taking a test.’” For 2016 CCHS graduate Magda Striepen, who took Hinson’s Psychology and Advanced Placement Macroeconomic classes during the 2015-16 school year, Hinson differs from her previous teachers. “He (taught) us and then he (would) randomly add stories,” Striepen said. “He (was) more lighthearted than most of my teachers and mixing the having fun, but also being serious and I think that stands out compared to a lot of teachers.” Hinson says he creates this environment through his method of sharing personal anecdotes. “One thing about teaching (economics), you can relate it to virtually everything. So, the examples I bring in, they might remind me of something. I just stop, ‘Y’all, listen to this, one time ...’ and I’ll just tell some story and it keeps it light and
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FEATURES <<
Featured: LAUGHS OF LOVE: Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson poses for a photo in his classroom. Hinson has been teaching at CCHS for 14 years and believes he has made meaningful relationships with his students. “It’s hard to describe without getting a little bit emotional. I love these kids. My wife is the most important thing in the world to me, and my family. My students are also extremely important to me,” Hinson said. “I love them, too.” Photos by Julie Alpaugh
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Above: HELPING HAND: Social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson assists senior Joseph Mullen in preparing for his Advanced Placement Macroeconomics AP Exam on May 8. Hinson does his best to create a balance between an educational, relaxed and fun environment for his students. “I stay close to a lot of students after they graduate and that’s really important to me,” Hinson said. “I like to think that the memories of my class are fond.” Opposite below: A DREAM COME TRUE: Social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson teaches a lesson in his Advanced Placement Macroeconomics class. Hinson has been a teacher at Clarke Central High School for 14 years. “I wanted to be a teacher when I was in college and I took my first History class (and said), ‘I know exactly what I want to do,’” Hinson said.
funny,” Hinson said. “They’re real experiences. You take things that people don’t usually think about, like the expression of other people when something happens. Take certain aspects people normally wouldn’t accentuate and really accentuate those.”
“I didn’t know how to answer it and I said, ‘Well, I didn’t study religion or theology, but maybe they got a pass if they were a good person.’ ‘I hope so.’ I said, ‘Alright, guys get back to work.’” As a self-proclaimed storyteller, Hinson finds himself constantly on the lookout for the next tale. “One thing I like to do is listen to conversations, you can’t help but hear
“His humor and his optimism make the sport much more enjoyable. He’s one of those people who could literally say anything and it would be hilarious.”
-- DENISE SUNTA, senior
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conversations going on in the hall, (they’re) some of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. You hear them totally out of context, you don’t really hear what they’re talking about then you hear this phrase that’s just like, ‘What?’,” Hinson said. “Literally every day there seems to be something.” As the head tennis coach, Hinson also brings his stories to the court. “I want it to be fun, Number One. And Number Two, there’s no room for me to add any stress to (the players) while (they are) playing,” Hinson said. “I think the worst thing a coach can do is take a player in a really stressful match and literally put more stress onto the person.” Varsity tennis player Denise Sunta, a senior, recalls moments when Hinson’s storytelling has eased stress. “During matches, usually after every other game, players have a chance to go over strategies with their coaches,” Sunta said. “However, Hinson doesn’t just talk about strategy during these brief breaks. He’ll always try and lift your spirits by cracking a joke or something.”
“They’re working and this girl raised her hand, ‘Can I ask you something?’ I say, ‘Is it related to the test?’ and she goes, ‘No, it’s sort of related to what he said, what he asked you.’ I thought, ‘Oh Boy,’ I said ‘Sure.’ Kids just kind of put their pencils down, they were real interested. She goes, ‘Is Hell hot or cold?’” Sunta is a four-year starter and values the unique sense of humor Hinson brings to the game. “I do think his coaching will leave a lasting impression on me. Before I APRIL / MAY 2017
FEATURES << joined the team, I never really saw tennis as being something that I would have fun with,” Sunta said. “But now that I’ve spent (four) great seasons with him and the rest of the team. I have found a new love for the sport, even if I’m not the best at it.”
“I said, ‘I’m not sure, why do you ask?’ and she says, ‘Because you’ll hear people say, ‘Man, it’s hot as Hell outside,’ or they’ll say, ‘It’s cold as Hell outside,’ so which one is it?’ And I came up with what I thought was a brilliant answer…” After spending over a decade at CCHS, Hinson feels he has a strong connection to both his players and his students. “(My students) are a major segment of my life. I couldn’t live without my students. I would feel like there is just a major void in my life if I didn’t have the relationship I have with a lot of my students, especially my players,” Hinson said. Sunta feels that Hinson’s personality assists in forging relationships with his players. “Every one of his players has a unique relationship with him,” Sunta said. “His humor and his optimism make the sport much more enjoyable. He’s one of those people who could literally say anything and it would be hilarious.” According to Wheeler, Hinson has become a memorable presence in the CCHS community. “He knows and talks to almost everyone and almost everyone has some sort of knowledge of him,” Wheeler said. “Because of the nature of his storytelling, everyone feels like they know him and he’s a friend.”
“I said, ‘Well, I think if you dislike hot weather Hell’s going to be hot and if you really dislike cold weather it’s going to be cold.’ And they were just like, ‘That makes total sense’ I said ‘Alright, guys, let’s focus on your test.’” Hinson uses his experiences to instill life lessons in his students. “I try to teach a lot of life skills. A lot of my stories deal with stupid things I did and what I learned from them. They’re funny, but one of the reasons I tell the stories is I want kids to not do that, so that’s where a lot of it comes from,” Hinson said. “I think I have a positive impact on them.” With thought of retirement looming, Hinson is excited for what retired life may bring. “I like to write, I’d like to write some stories and that sort of thing,” Hinson said. “Maybe (I will) take my stories and develop them into some kind of crazy adventure.”
“They start taking the test (and) this one guys says, ‘I got a question.’ I say, ‘Related to the test?’ ‘No,’ I say, ‘Shoot, go ahead.’ He said, ‘Where does oil come from?’”
Above: TAKING A LEAP: Social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson speaks to his AP Macroeconomics class on May 8. When Hinson was offered a position to teach, he wasn’t sure he should take it. “My wife and I just started talking about it and, ‘Why not? You always wanted to be a teacher,’ and over the course of several months, I said, ‘Yeah, I think I’m going to do this, I’m going to give it a shot,’ and I have never enjoyed anything more,” Hinson said.
However, no matter where retirement takes him Hinson will never forget his time at CCHS. “I don’t have kids of my own, so I really enjoy the humor the kids bring and it’s just fun. There’s literally nothing I would rather do than do this job,” Hinson said. “Just the actual teaching is fun trying to impart knowledge. That’s something that I really enjoy doing and the relationship I have with some students, I’ll miss that a lot.”
“I drew dinosaurs on the board, I went through the whole fossilization process and said, ‘We’ll finish this test tomorrow.’ Just a typical day in the life here.”
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Cultural Buzz UBEREATS
the fate of the furious
Damn.
UberEATS was unveiled in Athens on Feb. 16. Through the app, users can order from local eateries, such as Your Pie, and have food delivered to their doorstep. The app is easy to use and the ordering instructions are clear. However, the ordering fee is $3.99 while other food delivery services in Athens, such as Bulldawg Food, charge only $2.99. But, UberEATS gives users a timeline showing the progression of their food delivery, which is unique in contrast to its competitors. The delivery is quick and the user knows who their driver is, what they’re driving and where the driver is, thanks to live updates on Google Maps. UberEATS’ service and efficiency are comparable to other food delivery services, but existing services in town offer a better deal.
“The Fast and the Furious” movies have always been more than just racing cars. They’re about true friendship and family. However, this is put to the test in the newest edition to the series, “The Fate of the Furious.” The usual team was taking a break from their fast, crime-filled lifestyle, until Dom Teretto ( Vin Diesel) gets blackmailed by a woman named Cipher (Charlize Theron). The whole gang, along with some unusual allies, work to help Dom. The movie is filled with plot twists, leaving viewers guessing what the next moves will be. That, plus the action, pull the viewer in from start to finish. “The Fate of the Furious” in its entirety exceeds expectations with its stunning visuals, action scenes, suspense and cast. Fans of the franchise will be head over heels for this film.
“Kung Fu Kenny” is back at it again. Kendrick Lamar released his fourth studio album, “DAMN.”, on April 14. “DAMN.” tackles the heavy themes of life, death and religion and continues to showcase Lamar’s master artistry. “DAMN.” is nothing short of a home run for Lamar. Although the album is new, it’s clear to see that its impact will be large and long lasting. The entire album is filled to the brim with Lamar’s genius lyrical work, but nothing compares to the almost eight-minute masterpiece that is “FEAR.”. Lamar travels back in time to tell three important moments which instilled a sense of fear -- life, death and religion come up again. Lamar’s storytelling is beyond powerful. The album will almost certainly make listeners say “DAMN.”
--Hannah Gale, Sports Editor
--Dalace Thomas, Almuni Relations Coordinator
BY JORDAN RHYM
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--Everett Vereen, Viewpoints Writer
dear netlflix users
etflix’s original show “Dear White People”, based off of the 2014 film, is set on the campus of the predominantly-white Winchester University, where one can find the Armstrong-Parker dorm house -- home to a majority of the school’s African-American student population. Tension circulated the house when the school’s humor publication, Pastiche, had its 15 minutes of infamy after hosting a black-face party in protest of a campus radio segment hosted by the show’s protagonist Samantha White (Logan Browning). White is the epicenter of the show as she attempts to rally her peers to protest the school. White -- the creator of the radio series “Dear White People”, the head of the Black Student Union and a biracial student currently dating a White, progressive student Gabe Mitchell (John Patrick Amedori) -- uses her radio show to address the blatant racism that her White classmates believed vanished when former U.S President Barack Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009. The show is brilliant. Though it doesn’t pick up exactly where the original film left off, it manages to maintain the satirical tone of the movie while crafting its own storyline. With a main focus on exposing racism in 2017 through episodes touching on topics such as police brutality, interracial relationships and blatant ignorance, the show manages to make room to display characters’ development of intersectional identities through episodes that are each told from the perspective of a different character. This show is for the Black kid that never stands up when their friends say something slightly offensive. This show is for the Black kid that is constantly “woke” and ready to “clap back” at social injustices. This show is for the White ally. This show is for the politically incorrect kid who needs a push in the right direction. “Dear White People” is a show for anyone with a Netflix account. Photo illustrations by Lucia Bermudez.
Lead Copy Editor
Photos used under Fair Use guidelines.
Cultural Buzz ella + mila - nailpolish
Despacito remix
Everybody - logic
Most nail polishes are made with seven toxic chemicals: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, TPHP and Xylene. Ella + Mila polishes are made free of all those chemicals The polish itself is a thin, easy to use formula without streakiness or a weird texture. Though the nail polish is also very pigmented, the polish lasts from three to seven days depending on the wearer, so the lasting power is lacking. Applying a base coat under darker polishes helps to lengthen the life of the manicure. The fast-drying top coat adds a nice shine to the polish and lives up to its speed drying claims, but does not help to lengthen the life of the manicure. Sure, there may be polishes that last longer, but are they really worth the toxic risk?
It was the gift to the world 2017 has been waiting for. Released on April 16, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” remix featuring Justin Bieber is taking both the pop and Latin music worlds by storm. The upbeat tempo of the reggaeton song is contagious, making listeners want to move and dance. Listeners will have this song stuck in their heads for days. Though Bieber begins with a verse in English, those who are not Spanish speakers may not understand the rest of the lyrics, which detail love-making -- usually an overdone topic for a song. However, the passion in which the lyrics are sung and its contagious rhythm entices listeners. Both versions of the song are deserving of praise and will continue to rise on the charts and win fans’ hearts “poquito a poquito.”
“Everybody”, released on May 5, is the third studio album by the controversial rapper Logic. The album delivers a strong and loud message of unification, but Logic’s lack of self awareness often threaten the message he is trying to deliver. Logic is biracial and often talks about identity on his songs. Tracks like “Killing Spree” and “Black Spiderman” feature political lyrics that attack stereotypes of all races over glorious gospel beats. However, Logic often tells listeners how real he is, to the point of extreme egregiousness, especially on “America”, which detracts from the energy and speed of the album. The album promises to be Logic’s magnum opus, as he is releasing music unlike any other artist right now. If only he could become more self aware, then his music could truly reach everyone.
--Kelly Fulford, Broadcast Staffer
--Lucia Bermudez, Editor-in-Chief
--Connor McCage, Web Staff Writer
persona 5
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t took Atlus eight years and four spinoffs to finally stop harping on the success of “Persona 4,” and even that was still not enough to prepare fans for the exhilarating new sequel to the Persona franchise, “Persona 5”. “Persona 5” was originally announced for release in the winter of 2014 for the PlayStation 3 before being repeatedly delayed until its release on April 4 on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. It combined some of the most well-known features of “Persona 3” and “Persona 4” into something entirely new and stylish, all the while maintaining a few traits from before. In “Persona 5,” the user plays the role of a nameable protagonist who has moved to Yongen-Jaya to serve out a probation sentence. He awakens to a persona and soon forms a group with his friends called the Phantom Thieves, who seek to “steal the hearts” of these crooked people, thereby having them realize their guilt and confess their crimes. The player also keeps track of their social life and social stats through confidants and other tasks. The execution of the game is absolutely brilliant. It’s a linear game that is half visual novel as it is actual gameplay, so it may not be for everyone, but the storyline is interesting and compelling enough to keep the player going despite the long periods of time without actually playing. Not to mention the game’s aesthetic is absolutely phenomenal. The animation in the menu and shop screens is mesmerizing, as well as the all-out attack sequences, the battle menu and so much more. The attention to detail is such a mind-blowing feast for the eyes. Overall, “Persona 5” is an incredibly fun game that did not betray the expectations left behind by “Persona 4.” Its story is enough to keep users at the edge of their seats, and the gameplay far outmatches its predecessors. That leaves one question -- if “Persona 4” was popular enough to earn four spinoffs, how many spinoffs will “Persona 5” gain? BY ASHLEY LAWRENCE Staff Cartoonist
>> VARIETY Featured: DREADED ORGANIZER: Clarke Central High School paraprofessional William Montu Miller poses for a photo in his home. Growing up in Minneapolis, Minn. in a tough environment, those around him encouraged Montu to follow a more positive path. “I grew up in Minneapolis without the greatest situation, but always having these great organizations that kept me off the streets and out of gangs,” Montu said. “So, I think it’s always been ingrained in me, ‘Organize. Organize. Organize.’” Photo by Sophie Fernandes
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VARIETY <<
Variety Editor
STEP INTO A WORLD... MONTU'S DELIGHT Clarke Central High School paraprofessional William Montu Miller is supporting Athens rap with a mission in mind.
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here is a difference between Rap and HipHop. Hip-Hop is the living, breathing culture that rap permeates in. It is the subways of New York City. The basketball courts of Compton. The underground clubs of Athens. Rap is the way in which one moves about. As rapper KRS-One said in his 1993 song “Hip-Hop vs Rap”, “Rap is something you do./ Hip-Hop is something you live.” Clarke Central High School paraprofessional William Montu Miller lives Hip-Hop. Montu might even say that he lived in it. Growing up in Minneapolis, Minn., a musical life was inescapable. From one of his brothers introducing him to the scene to those around him partaking in it, Hip-Hop was a part of everyday life. And Montu wanted in. “Back in the day, when you were a Hip-Hopper, you tried everything. I couldn’t rap, really couldn’t breakdance. Never really got into the graffiti writing, and I couldn’t DJ. So, I was kind of always the organizer,” Montu said. “That would be my role.” Organizer. Even traveling 1,127.3 miles to Atlanta could not shake Montu of this job. Actually, it was more than a job. It was a responsibility. After his stints with colleges in Atlanta, Montu transferred to the University of Georgia, bringing his culture with him. He, along with a few people he met in Atlanta, started a group, based on the UGA campus, called the Dreaded Mindz Family. The Dreaded Mindz Family was composed of poets, intellectuals, Hip-Hoppers and rappers whose common goal was to immerse themselves and their community in the culture of Hip-Hop. “Every Thursday we would meet at my house, and we do what was called a cycle, where we would sit around and express (ourselves),” Montu said. “The poets would say a poem, the rappers might say a rap, intellectuals might say something philosophical or whatever or some people might’ve said a quote or just said, ‘Hi’. There was no pressure.” From there, Montu’s house became the place of Battle Lounges -- a stage for rappers to come and lyrically spar on Fridays. The event then had to be moved to venues like Caledonia Lounge or Tasty World once the crowd got too big. Throughout this time, Dreaded Mindz never forgot the community. They wanted to make Athens better, one lyric, one poem, one event at a time. “Dreaded Mindz Family was doing assemblies at schools, so we hit a lot of the schools in Clarke County. We were (also) doing after school programs,” Montu said. “In fact, we came to Clarke Central a while back. This was like early 2000s.” Lemuel “Life” LaRoche, Executive Director of Chess and Community, worked and bonded with Montu during this time. “Montu was one of them leaders (that) leads from the back. (He was) humble. He’s got a good spirit,” LaRoche said. “It was really good working with Montu because we all strengthened each other. He realized that I had a lot of good attributes. I realized he had a lot of good attributes. We would compliment each other’s strengths as things would continue to be built.” Dreaded Mindz disbanded in 2006, with LaRoche taking on leadership in the Chess and Community program and Montu immersing himself more deeply in music, including going on tour with his idol, KRS-One. “I kind of stayed more in the music side of it. (I was) always still active in the activism part of it, but my roots has always been in music,” Montu said. BY JURNEE LOUDER
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>> VARIETY Photo courtesy of William Montu Miller
Along with three other contributors, Montu founded ATHFactor Entertainment, a company created to help promote Athens Hip-Hop. ATHFactor Entertainment coordinates shows, performances and helps artists build their brand. Montu describes the company as way to make sure the “pockets” of rap in Athens keep evolving. “Our goal is to make sure that Hip-Hop lives in Athens, and it’s not just the Indie side of Hip-Hop or just the guys that live in certain neighborhoods are doing it or university cats. ( We want to) make sure that they know that Athens Hip-Hop came from all of that,” Montu said. “So, all of those communities must not only work together, but be moving in order to make sure that our scene is what it is. We helped build this scene. We cultivated it. So, we’re not gonna let anybody take it or let it die out.”
“I think that was always my way in with the youth. My way in was always Hip-Hop. I was the Hip-Hop guy. I was the HipHop sub. (I was the sub) that’ll let you listen to music while you do your work.” -- MONTU MILLER Clarke Central High School paraprofessional
Montu also says that he works to remove the stigma from Hip-Hop. To convert nonbelievers into “Hip-Hop heads”, or at least supporters, Montu wants to shed light on the positive side of the culture in any way he can. Using his organizational flare and a love for music, Montu helps introduce Hip-Hop to kids. “I think that was always my way in with the youth. My way in was always Hip-Hop. I was the Hip-Hop guy. I was the Hip-Hop sub. (I was the sub) that’ll let you listen to music while you do your work,” Montu said. “Whether I gave them the courage, the platform, or the few lessons that they may have needed to do that, then that was my way in. I always felt like if they were rapping, then they’re not doing something else.” CCHS special education department teacher Elizabeth Mooney has worked with Montu for the past four years. Mooney feels that when working with kids, Montu has the ability to truly connect. “He’s very worldly. He’s got a good perception of the community as well as his place in this school
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APRIL / MAY 2017
Photo by Sophie Fernandes
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Opposite: THE RAP GAME: Clarke Central High School paraprofessional William Montu Miller performs at Hot Corner Festival in Athens in 2015. Montu primarily works to promote Hip-Hop in Athens and hosts events. “We’re doing shows not for money, not for fame, but to keep a culture alive in Athens. That’s the role we play,” Montu said. “There’s very successful party promoters in Athens that make money. Don’t get me wrong, we want to make some money, but that’s not our ultimate goal.” Above: FAMILY FIRST: While Clarke Central High School paraprofessional William Montu Miller works as a CEO of AthFactor Entertainment and a paraprofessional, he also works as a waste collector. For Montu, working three jobs is for the benefit of his family. “(Waste collecting) is so I can have enough money, so that when I do do these shows, I’m not taking anything away from my family,” Montu said. “I love parapro-ing, but it doesn’t pay like I need it to. I’ll be retiring from (waste collecting) in August. After that, I’m going all in with ATHFactor. I’m going to stay here at Central and go all in at ATHFactor.”
and the impact he has on the school,” Mooney said. “(He’s a) relationship builder. He knows where a lot of these kids are coming from. He understands that they’re coming to school with possibly a lot of things going on.” CCHS 2012 graduate Daniel Mapp is a poet in the Athens community. Mapp has worked with Montu and considers him a mentor. “Montu introduced me to the artistic underground of Athens. He helped me become a better poet and thinker, as well. He motivated me to help inspire the youth of Athens,” Mapp said. “Montu is a very humble spirit and wonderful guy. He is almost like a big brother figure to me and other creators.” Whether as a substitute teacher or a paraprofessional, Montu has worked with kids at CCHS and beyond to try and cultivate positive outcomes for them. “Some of the stuff that happens here at Central doesn’t need to happen. It’s time for us to take a moment to just breathe, stop blaming people, and APRIL / MAY 2017
just come up with some real solutions that’s gonna help some of these kids,” Montu said. “It doesn’t have to be college. (I want to help) some of these kids have a life, so they don’t feel like their life is just going to be selling drugs or in a gang or in and out of jail. There are so many issues going on and music is me reaching my hand out to the youth.” Montu feels he relates to many of the kids he works with. Growing up without a father and in a gang-infested city, music became an outlet. But these days, music for Montu is more than an outlet, it is a means to inspire. “Through the years, I can’t necessarily remember names, but I always run into people all the time and they’re like, ‘I’m glad we met y’all because you helped us understand what it meant to actually do music and how music is nothing but life,’” Montu said. After he moved to Athens in 1999, Athens became his community -- one he envisions being a creative space for all, including his own family.
“My kids go to Timothy (Road Elementary School), my kids have grown up here,” Montu said. “I want to make sure that this community is everything it can be.” Through his relationship with his kids, Montu hopes to instill his love of Hip-Hop and subsequently keep the passion alive. “What we do in my car is funny because we pass my phone around, and everybody plays their song. My son will play a Lupe Fiasco song or Young Thug, and then somebody else will play Drake or whatever. I’ll throw on like a Slick Rick record,” Montu said. It is through experiences like these with his own kids and those in the community that Montu hopes to make a difference. “The thing I think I appreciate about that is that they’re being well-rounded. My kids are growing up to be diverse Hip-Hop heads,” Montu said. “My family is trying to make the community better through music and through Hip-Hop.”
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M♠ GIC MAN the
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hat’s in a good card trick? There are 52 cards in every deck, along with two jokers, but what makes a good card trick is not the deck. It’s who’s performing the magic that makes it special. For many Clarke Central High School students, that person is Hayden Partain or as he’s more commonly known, “Magic Man”. To many, he’s more characterized by the sound of the deck shuffling than who he is. But who he is, or where he came from, is the most interesting part about the Magic Man and also his most well-kept secret. Because when everyone rapidly gathers around to see his sleight of hand tricks and magic, they do not realize that through his magic tricks he is trying to express himself. He is trying to tell a story and deliver a message of love and kindness through his tricks -- a message he latched on to as he struggled with anger management during his time in the Division of Family and Children Services or DEFACS. Those who just look at the cards will never know how much the Magic Man cares about his little sister and how he would do anything for her or his family. They will never know how he thinks that finding his passion for magic, saved his life and put him on the right track. That is the secret behind each of Partain’s subtle and impressive magic tricks. And maybe that’s the greatest trick of them all. BY CONNOR McCAGE Web Staff Writer
Photos by Zoe Peterson
Above: SHUFFLING AROUND: Freshman Hayden Partain practices his favorite tricks in the library using his deck of cards. He has followed magic as a passion ever since seeing a street magician while living in Savannah, Ga. “Just having a deck of cards relaxes me and makes me feel calm,” Partain said. Below: TRICK OF THE TRADE: Partain shuffles through his worn deck, looking for the audience members’ card. It is these moments of anticipation that Partain enjoys the most. “I really like telling a story with my magic and that all finishes at the last part of the trick,” Partain said.
Featured: GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND: Sophomore staff writer Bria Echols had the opportunity step out of her comfort zone and try trapeze for the first time. Echols was inspired to try trapeze after talking with senior Mara Bastow about her experience with trapeze. “It’s just so great what they do (at Canopy) that you really can’t find that anywhere else,” Bastow said.
TRYING TRAPEZE
Bria Echols writes about her first trapeze experience at Athens’ Canopy Studio.
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pon arriving at 160 Tracy Street, I looked around to see a gray building planted next to old warehouses and railroad tracks. On the building, a name was carved out of rusted metal: Canopy. The studio’s interior was like nothing I’d ever seen. Trapeze bars were everywhere. They hung from rafters connected to the ceiling. People were on them -- standing, sitting, twisting their bodies in ways that I could never imagine. It was almost like watching the circus. An electric wave of eagerness crawled up my spine. I wanted to try, and Clarke Central High School senior Mara Bastow was going to show me the ropes, figuratively and literally. Mara has been doing trapeze for six years. She teaches a wide range of ages at Canopy from small children to adults. She knows what she is doing and guided me through the lesson, carefully instructing me what to do every second. Before getting on the bar we had to do stretches, specifically shoulder and arm stretches to prepare my body for the trapeze -- definitely not the stretches I’m accustomed to. I laid on a black mat, which was spread across BY BRIA ECHOLS Web Staff Writer
“Focus on your arms.” “Turn your hands outward.” “Move your neck around.” the floor, listening to their directions. My introduction to the bar was nice and easy, although I did have the occasional reality check in my head that told me, “I’m on a trapeze bar.” Eventually, I was able to conquer my nervousness because I was calmed by the friendly grins and encouraging words of Mara and Canopy Studio
director Melissa Roberts. I had to make what they called “O hands” and grip the bar, making sure to create space for my legs to get on. Then, I had to take one hand and place it on one of the ropes that held the trapeze bar and the other hand on the other rope to lift myself. Due to my lack of upper body strength, Mara had to support my back.
A huge grin crept across my face. Even though the tricks were simple, it still felt surreal. “I can do this,” I thought to myself. When I was sitting up on the bar, I slid my hands down the rope feeling the texture. It wasn’t like any standard gym rope. It was almost like rope on a sailboat. A huge grin crept across my face. Even though the tricks were simple, it still felt surreal. “I can do this,” I thought to myself. It only got better when I was shown how to do basic tricks, like skater and sitting layback. For the sitting layback, I had to sit on the trapeze bar and lean all the way back as if I was going to lay my head on the mat. I could feel the blood rushing to my head. It was almost as if I was flying. For skater, I had to stand on the
bar while making sure to keep my balance by keeping both hands on the ropes. Then, I had to take one leg off the bar and place it behind my body and tilt my head back. It was way out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed it. With Mara’s and Melissa’s help, I felt powerful. For once, I was trying something that was completely out there and I ended up loving it. Below: THE ACTION OF TRUST: Clarke Central High School sophomore Bria Echols hugs senior Mara Bastow at the end of Echols’ first trapeze lesson. Echols loved being able to try trapeze for the first time. “With Mara’s and Melissa’s help, I felt powerful. For once, I was trying something that was completely out there and I ended up loving it,” Echols said. Illustrations by Ashley Lawrence
>> VARIETY
a finale to remember The Clarke Central High School orchestra will hold its last concert of the year on May 15 at 7 p.m. in Mell Auditorium.
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he Clarke Central High School orchestra will perform in Mell Auditorium on May 15 at 7 p.m. for BY EMERSON MEYER News Writer its final concert of the year. According to fine arts department teacher and orchestra director Dr. Eunice Kang, this concert is different from others throughout the year because it is the seniors’ last performance before they graduate. “This concert is the most bittersweet because it is the final concert for seniors, and it’s always tough for me to say goodbye to them,” Kang said. All three orchestra classes -- intermediate, advanced and mastery orchestra -- will perform separately, and then combine for a selection. “(For the concert), we are currently working on ‘Kashmir’ by Led Zeppelin, ‘Ashokan Farewell’ (from ‘The Civil War’), ‘Drifen’ by Shirl Jae Atwell, ‘Young and Beautiful’ by Lana del Rey and we will add a couple more,” Kang said. According to Kang, in preparation for the concert, members of orchestra have been perfecting their rhythm, so they will stay in sync. “For rhythm, we’ll practice with a metronome on the speaker. We will listen to the pieces every day. We basically try as much as possible to be a group by listening to each other, each section BY KATIE GRACE UPCHURCH Web Master
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knowing what the other sections are playing, and just trying to raise awareness of the entire group and what’s going on,” Kang said. Unlike the other concerts throughout the year, at this one, seniors are given the chance to perform by themselves, separate from students in all other grades.
“This concert is the most bittersweet. It’s always tough for me to say goodbye.” -- EUNICE KANG, orchestra director “In ‘Ashokan Farewell’, (senior and violinist) Denise Sunta will be playing the solo part, and then the seniors will be joining in for the first half of the song before the rest of the (mastery) class joins in,” senior Taelor Threadgill, a violinist, said. At the end of the concert, seniors are recognized for their time and dedication to orchestra. APRIL / MAY 2017
Photos by Katie Grace Upchurch
VARIETY <<
Opposite: LAST PERFORMANCE: Junior Edgar Flores (left) and freshman Moss Ivy (right) perform with the orchestra in the Mell Auditorium on Oct. 16. The concert was the first of the 2016-17 school year. “The end of the year in orchestra is kind of relieving because by this time, we are done with (Large Group Performance Evaluation) and most of our concerts,” sophomore Katie Tumlin said. Above: STRINGING ALONG: Clarke Central High School fine arts department teacher and orchestra director Dr. Eunice Kang directs the mastery orchestra class during its Nov. 21, 2016 concert. The orchestra’s last concert of the year will take place on May 15 at 7 p.m. in Mell Auditorium and will recognize graduating seniors. “(This concert) is (the seniors’) final farewell performance with the orchestra and most of them have been in orchestra since sixth grade, so it’s a culmination of seven years of musical study and dedication,” Kang said.
“Seniors are always recognized at the end of the very last concert,” Threadgill said. “Dr. Kang will call our names out to everyone in the audience and then we will receive plaques with our names on them.” In addition to being a final concert for seniors, the concert serves as an introduction for rising freshmen who will be coming to CCHS next year.
“I think that without orchestra, I wouldn’t be as well rounded as I am today. Orchestra is more than just playing instruments.” -- TAELOR THREADGILL, senior “We always love this final concert because the Burney-Harris-Lyons and Clarke Middle School eighth graders visit us and perform two selections with the entire combined orchestra,” Kang said. “This year they will perform ‘Gauntlet’ and ‘Colors of the Wind’ from ‘Pocahontas’ together. It is really fun to host the rising ninth graders and introduce them to Clarke Central in this way.” APRIL / MAY 2017
Viola player Edmund Davis, a sophomore, looks forward to the concert and the impact it will have on younger students. “I remember when I was in the eighth grade and I came to play and I had a lot of fun playing with the people,” Davis said. “It’s going to be good for us now, because now we’re 10th graders and now we’re gonna be playing with the small eighth graders.” Reflecting back, Threadgill believes her time in orchestra has changed her. “I think that without orchestra, I wouldn’t be as well rounded as I am today. Orchestra is more than just playing instruments. Dr. Kang teaches (us) and discusses with us the issues of the world today,” Threadgill said. She says music is an important part of her life from practice to performance. “Music plays a huge role in my life, and it is fun being able to practice music that someone has composed and play it out in front of everyone,” Threadgill said. Kang agrees with Threadgill and says that orchestra gives her students skills and a passion for music which will stay with them past high school. “(Being in orchestra) improves their analytical and critical thinking, as well as giving them organizational and time management skills,” Kang said. “Also, music is something we all love, so being able to play an instrument is one of the best activities in the world. I hope being in orchestra makes them lifelong music learners who will continue to support the arts throughout their lives.” odysseynewsmagazine.net | ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE
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Photo by Zoe Peterson
Editor’s note: For each edition of “Quest for Athens’ Best,” the top two businesses from four reviews are selected for this Variety feature. Email editors@odysseynewsmagazine.net to comment on our selections and ratings, which are placed on a scale from one to five, with five being best and one being worst.
arden’s garden A health-nut’s delight, Arden’s Garden has it all.
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rden’s Garden is a smoothie shop located at 184 College Ave. in Downtown Athens. The franchise has 14 storefronts in Georgia and has premade products sold in various locations in Georgia, Florida, South and North Carolina and Tennessee, including Publix, Kroger and Jittery Joe’s. Arden’s Garden takes a healthier approach to smoothies compared to many competitors. Unlike Smoothie King and Planet Smoothie, Arden’s Garden does not feature any sherbet, ice cream, peanut butter or yogurt one can use to bulk up one’s smoothie, perhaps to maintain a “healthy” brand using only fresh ingredients. In spite of health benefits, Arden’s Garden’s smoothies are very gritty in texture and seem to be lacking the usual consistency of a smoothie at other competitors. In addition to smoothies, Arden’s Garden sells health-related DVDs and books and other snacks like chips, cookies, popcorn and more. They also have shots of cranberry, ginger, lemon and wheatgrass available in addition to the prepackaged cleanses and detoxes the shop’s menu boasts. The prices aren’t ridiculous, but are fairly high for a cup of blended fruit and juice, considering they don’t offer much to make the smoothies more appealing. The smallest size is 16 oz., which starts at $4.99, not including the many add-ins their menu offers to enhance one’s smoothie. Overall, Arden’s Garden is definitely the place for a health-conscious person to shop for smoothies or cleanses, regardless of their prices. EMMA CRANE Variety Writer
Above: GOOD HEALTH FOR ALL: While the Arden’s Garden empolyees prepare the order, customers can see them picking fresh fruit from the bar, which makes for a fun experience. Below: HIDDEN SURPRISE: Located on 184 College Ave., Arden’s Garden is ina a downstairs venue. Photos by Julie Alpaugh
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SMOOTHIES
Photos by Zoe Peterson
For our April/ May issue, ODYSSEY Media Group staffers continue the journey across the Classic City in search for the best smoothies Athens has to offer.
planet smoothie These smoothies are seriously out of this world.
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lanet Smoothie is located in the Colonial Promenade Beechwood shopping center at 196 Alps Rd. -- just under two miles away from Clarke Central High School. Upon first entering, one is met with a small, but organized space with a large counter. Posters cover the wall, detailing the chain’s extensive menu. There are so many options that it’s almost overwhelming, but Planet Smoothie does a good job of separating the smoothies into different categories. For example, there is a category named “Meal replacement”, which includes smoothies heavy in protein. It seems like a healthy move upon first glance, but in reality would not provide the same nutrients as an actual well-balanced meal would. Other categories include “Planet Classics,” “Protein,” “Energy,” “Superfruit,” and more. Smoothie sizes start lowest at 16 oz. for $4.19 and also feature 22 oz., 32 oz. and 44 oz. drinks. The highest price goes up to over $7 for the largest size, which is expensive for a high school student. Planet Smoothie is able to get away with it, however, because of the sweet, fresh and flavorful drinks it brings to the table. The flavors are easily identifiable and, unlike Arden’s Garden, Planet Smoothie’s drinks proved to be a lot less gritty and more smooth, how a smoothie should be. Some may treat Planet Smoothie as a daily stop or meal supplement, but it also serves as a sweet treat or splurge for a special occasion. ZOE PETERSON Photography Editor
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Above: PLANET STYLE: Planet Smoothie is decorated with fun designs, cheery colors and offers an inviting space. Even the yellow and pink cup with a simple swirl make the experience at Planet Smoothie more enjoyable. Below: WHAT’S YOUR SMOOTHIE: Planet Smoothie has a more diverse selection of add-ins and cup sizes than its competitor Arden’s Garden.
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Variety
>> SPORTS Layout by Hannah Gale Photo by Rolando Garibay
The box score Above: TEAM SPIRIT: The Clarke Central High School boys varsity soccer team forms a huddle at the CCHS vs Johnson High School soccer game on March 28. The team does their huddles and performs a chant before every game. “A big part of the huddle is getting each other hyped up and ready to play,” boys varsity soccer captain Muhammad DeLane, a junior, said.
Eight Today, two tomorrow The varsity baseball team will return two seniors for the 2017-18 season. Head baseball coach Trey Henson is optimistic about his returning roster. “The goal (next) year is to be over .500 and to make the playoffs,” Henson said. While Henson is counting on veteran leadership next season, the loss of eight senior players will bring a new dynamic to the program. Henson will evaluate returning JV players to try to fill gaps in the varsity team. “If we have five guys on the JV that can legitimately play the outfield and have the numbers to match that, then we can move one to the varsity,” Henson said. Freshman Sam Jones is trying out for the JV team and hopes that this year will earn him one of the eight varsity positions next year. “I’ve definitely gotten better, and am more suited for high school baseball,” Jones said. “To make it on varsity, I have to work hard in the classroom and on the field. I’ll keep going to work outs and not get behind in school.”
GLADs AT THE NEXT LEVEL BY HANNAH GALE Sports Editor
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our Clarke Central High School seniors signed their Letters of Intent to further their athletic careers at the collegiate level on April 12 in the Gladiator
Gallery. Varsity soccer player Nicolina Boza will play at Georgia Military College. Varsity wrestlers Calvin Nimley and Melvin Nimley will wrestle at Emmanuel College, and Bangahly Touray will wrestle at Brewton Parker College. Calvin and Melvin started wrestling their sophomore year of high school, and were the 2017 State Champions in the 160-pound and 170-pound weight classes, respectively. “Most kids who earn scholarships for the sport that they play, they’ve played for a long time. (Calvin and Melvin) started with a lot of potential, with a lot of ability and with a lot of rough edges that we have smoothed out over course of the season,” CCHS head wrestling coach Tim Stoudenmire said. According to Lady Gladiators head varisty soccer coach Chris Hulse, Boza has started every game since her 8th grade year and made sacrifices for soccer in hopes of playing in college. “She’s a young woman who has done everything the right way,” Hulse said. “From eighth grade on, which is when I got to begin coaching her, her target has been (playing at the collegiate level).” Stoudenmire says Touray and the Nimley brothers have accounted for over 450 individual match wins for the CCHS wrestling program, six area titles and contributed to three teams that qualified for State, which made them sought-after recruits. “The coach at Brewton Parker is excited to get Bangahly. Bangahly is one that he’s had on his radar, so when he found out he was still open and still an option, he signed him,” Stoudenmire said.
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POWDERPUFF GIRLS The Student Government Association (SGA) planned to host the Powderpuff flag football game for junior and senior girls on May 3, but due to a lack of interest, the game was cancelled. “We just didn’t have enough people signed up. We needed at least seven people for each team and I only had six people total,” SGA sponsor Shana Biggs said. “I’m not sure why (there wasn’t interest). We had signs, we had it in the announcement and we had people (advertising the game) on Snapchat and Instagram.” Looking toward next year, Biggs hopes to bring the game to fruition. “(The Powderpuff game) is one of those things my high school did and I absolutely loved it. It was one of the most fun things that we did every year and everybody was really involved,” Biggs said. “I look forward to building it up next year and having it be a bigger part of our school.”
CENTRAL SWEEPS CEDAR The Clarke Central High School Gladiator soccer program went head-to-head with the Cedar Shoals High School Jaguar soccer program on April 8 at CSHS’ Waters-Wilkins Stadium. “The Cedar versus Central game is what brings our community together and shows everyone what Athens is all about,” CCHS JV and varsity girls soccer player Sofia Castañeda, a freshman, said. The JV Glads won 5-1, the JV Lady Glads won 3-0, the Gladiator alumni won 2-1, the varsity Lady Glads won 9-0 and the varsity Glads won 1-0. “I was relieved (when CCHS freshman Zack Quick made the only goal of the boys varsity game) because it took some pressure off of us and gave us a chance to breathe a bit,” CCHS varsity boys soccer player Ivan Ramirez, a senior, said. Since 2015, the CCHS soccer program has had 12 straight wins over the Jags. “Central has had a streak of wins against Cedar in previous years, but the level of the opponent team should never determine our focus,” Castañeda said. APRIL / MAY 2017
Photo by Julie Alpaugh
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Audibles
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Every relationship with a student athlete is special, but this senior class holds a unique position within my career. They were the first group of freshmen when I took over as the varsity head coach. Their tireless efforts have been instrumental in shaping our program as it is.
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CHRIS HULSE, Lady Gladiators head varsity soccer coach, on
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APIRL / MAY 2017
Clarke Central High School vs Athens Academy JV boys soccer game held at CCHS on April 17.
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CHRIS HAMBY, Clarke County School District (CCSD) substitute,
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speaking to the 5th period AP Government class about the importance of academic performance.
Friday morning basketball, 6 a.m. with the bros. ADAM OSBORNE, head JV baseball coach, on the faculty-staff full court basketball games that take place every Friday morning in the Crawford Gym.
Below: TRACK STARS: (Left to right) Clarke Central High School junior Brittani Laster and senior Khamri Bailey run on the CCHS track during track practice on Feb. 10. Laster has been running track since middle school. “I joined the track team because I loved the sport, but also because when I run, it feels like all the things I stress and worry about are gone,” Laster said. “Nothing else matters when I’m on the track.” Photo by Hannah Gale
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n the seventh round of the 2017 National Football League (NFL) draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected University of Miami Hurricanes fullback Marquez Williams, a Clarke Central High School 2012 graduate, on April 29. Williams saw action in all 13 Miami games and logged five starts. Prior to playing at the University of Miami, Williams attended Mars Hill College for four years, where he was a threeyear starter and a two-time All Region South Atlantic Conference honoree. CCHS assistant football coach Aaron Cavin believes that Williams being selected in the NFL draft signifies that young players can be successful, even if they are not a star player. “He wasn’t a first round draft pick,” Cavin said. “Guys always think you’ve got to be the one in the spotlight. To me, what I took away was you don’t always have to be the guy in the spotlight to be able to achieve great things.” CCHS freshman Alex Lopez, a wide receiver, is inspired by Williams’ success. “Knowing that he could do something great like that is something I want to do because if he could do it, I think I could, too,” Lopez said. Williams hopes to inspire CCHS students to follow their dreams. “I believe it (can happen). It’s possible if they keep striving. I love all my people back home,” Williams said. BY MACKENZIE CAUDILL Web Staff Writer
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How many goals y’all want? SAY WAH, boys junior varsity soccer player, a junior, during the
If you don’t take care of it right here, I don’t care how many yards or touchdowns you got on the field. That’s as good as it’s going to get for you. It’s a privilege. There is a reason why you are called a student first and an athlete second.
Above: THREE STRIKES YOU’RE OUT: Clarke Central High School varsity baseball player Ben Gillespie, a junior, pitches during the CCHS vs Oglethorpe County High School game on April 19. The CCHS varsity baseball team fell short of the state playoffs this season with a season record of 10-19 and region record of 4-8. “It was disappointing, but we just have to move on and get ready for next year,” Gillespie said.
from glad to jag
his relationship with seniors on the varsity soccer team.
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>> SPORTS Featured: TEAM PLAYER: Clarke Central High School senior Traveon Varnum sits on the steps leading into CCHS’ Billy Henderson Stadium. Traveon has spent countless nights on the field as the manager for the varsity football and soccer teams. “You are helping the coaches and the athletes, and if you are not there, they are not going to have what they need,” Traveon said.
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APRIL / MAY 2017
SPORTS <<
STORY AND PHOTO BY JULIE ALPAUGH Visuals Coordinator
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e walks down the halls of Clarke Central High School everyday reppin’ red and gold. When he is not on the field handing players water bottles or giving them a word of encouragement, he is in the stands. When he is on the sidelines, he feels like one of the players. He is not running the ball down the field or making a tackle, but he calls himself a student athlete. He sees his role as being just as important. He is a teammate and his team depends on him. “I have to work as hard as (the players) have to work and if I was working lower than them, then I would let the team down,” senior Traveon Varnum said. When Traveon was a freshman, he struggled in school. He lacked motivation and found himself hanging out around others who were not supportive of his goals and ambitions. He was able to turn his high school career around when he began managing for sports teams at the school. It started with baseball. Then football. Then soccer. Once he began managing, he had to be an example and a role model on the field and in the halls. He had to leave behind his childish behavior. He now had a responsibility. “I had a job. I had to make the decision to try and be a leader and realize if others try and get me in trouble, I have to know how to be mature and come out of that shadow,” Traevon said. Traveon has always been drawn to sports. He played football and baseball when he was younger, but when he came to highschool, he didn’t pursue joining any team. However, he still craved the excitement of sports. He was able to find the thrill of being a teammate in being a manager while at the same time, found a more positive high school path.
APIRL / MAY 2017
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Layout by Hannah Gale
For the past three years, Clarke Central High School senior Traveon Varnum has managed various sports teams at CCHS.
Photo by Delia Adamson
Making it as a manager
>> SPORTS
JERSEYS AND JORDANS Clarke Central High School freshman Sidney Barnett shares about his roles as both a sneakerhead and an athlete, and the challenges he has faced throughout his life. 44 | ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE | odysseynewsmagazine.net
“I
should’ve been more careful,” Clarke Central High School freshman Sidney Barnett mutters under his breath, reminiscing about a four wheeler-accident he was in when he was six years old. “If only I was more careful.” As he thinks about that day in October of 2006, he traces over his scars on his arm with his finger. His lungs filled with smoke. He heard sirens. He was too afraid to open his eyes. He felt trapped. He felt hopeless. He wondered if the breaths he was taking would be his last. Sidney thought about how this would impact his family, his school and his football career. Within minutes, he was pulled off of the four wheeler to safety -- but the trauma did not end there. Sidney walked away from the accident with scarSTORY BY MADDIE INGLE Staff Writer
APRIL / MAY 2017
SPORTS << Photos by Zoe Peterson
Left: TIP TOEING IN MY JORDANS: Clarke Central High School freshman Sidney Barnett poses for a photo on May 3 in Billy Henderson stadium. Of all the shoes he’s collected, his Jordans are the most valuable. “Sometimes, (Jordans) can be really expensive, but I think they’re worth it,” Barnett said. Above: SAY CHEESE: Clarke Central High School freshman Sidney Barnett poses for a photo on May 3 in Billy Henderson stadium. Ever since he was a baby, Barnett has been known for his big, infectious smile. “My smile never fails to make others smile with me,” Barnett said.
ring from burns on his right arm, and an intense desire to play football again. “It took almost a year for me to get back on the field,” Sidney said. “That was the longest year of my life.” Watching from the sidelines as the CCHS football team practiced without him, Sidney felt empty and discouraged. His injury had earned him a new nickname from his teammates -- “benchwarmer.” Those insults served as motivation for Sidney to recover. In order to fill the void that football left, Sidney began collecting shoes. After a few months and several new pairs of shoes, collecting transformed from a coping mechanism to an obsession. Sidney was hooked. As both the sneakerhead culture and Sidney evolved, shoes became a part of his identity. “Now, (sneakerhead culture) isn’t about having the cool shoes that everyone else has. It’s about APIRL / MAY 2017
having the cool shoes that no one else has,” Sidney said. While he continued to recover, his shoe collection grew. He started out by collecting Nike Air Jordans, and more recently, he’s added several pairs of Adidas to his collection -- his favorite being his Adidas Original Nmd Xr1 Primeknit sneakers. Though he is passionate about collecting shoes, his ardor for football never dwindled. Sidney sat on the bench until he was cleared to play, and he had to wear protective gear to accommodate his scarring while he played for nearly a year after he was cleared. Despite his many obstacles, Sidney kept improving and became a member of the varsity football team. CCHS JV football player Tracy Hill, a freshman, admires Sidney’s determination and perseverance. “It’s easy to quit when you face challenges. It’s so much easier to give up than to push through. But
Sidney didn’t,” Tracy said. “I didn’t expect Sidney to continue to play (football) after the accident, but sure enough, he was ready to play in no time.” Walking down the hallways of CCHS, or on the Billy Henderson Stadium, students may see Sidney. They would probably notice his shoes, his outfit and his infectious smile. They wouldn’t know about his identity as a sneakerhead, the accident he was in or the process of recovery he endured. They wouldn’t know about how he saved his money for months to buy his first pair of Jordan’s, Green Glo 4’s. They wouldn’t know that he spent months on the bench, longing to play football again. They wouldn’t know how many times he’s been knocked down. They wouldn’t know that he’s gotten right back up every time.
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>> SPORTS
back with a bite Following the University of Georgia football spring G-Day game on April 22, the Georgia fan base got an early look at the upcoming season. JOSEPH CERVANTES Grade: 11 Sport: Varsity soccer Years experience: 4 GPA: 3.3 Game day ritual: “I plug in my earbuds and get focused mentally for the game.” Favorite game memory: “When we won our home game sweet 16 game two years ago.” Role model: Iker Casillas What coaches say: “He is not afraid to tell other players how to train harder and better.” -- Chris Aiken, head coach
Photo by Emma Ramsey
ODYSSEY Star Players are selected based on their academic standing and commitment to teammates, their sports program and Clarke Central High School. Star Players are selected each month by the Sports staff based on interviews with players and coaches. Photo by Emma Ramsey
KEN’ASIA Gainer Grade: 9 Sport: Track Years experience: 2 GPA: 4.0 Game day ritual: “I’ll say a prayer, do warm up laps and stretch.” Favorite pre-game memory: “We were all on the bus singing on the way to the meet and we had went over a bump and everyone started yelling and laughing.”
Below: LET THE BIG DAWG EAT: The University of Georgia football team is preparing for the season and are biting back harder than ever. Photo illustration by Johanna Hall
Role model: Other teammates
F
ollowing the University of Georgia football spring game (G-Day) on April 22, the Bulldog fan base got an early look at the upcoming 2017 season. Quarterback Jake Fromm, a 2017 early enrollee recruit, showed off his impressive skills at G-Day. Fromm played with great confidence in the scrimmage and looked comfortable making the right throws and made great decisions with the ball. Aside from Fromm, starting sophomore QB Jacob Eason seemed to struggle with completions during the game. While he was very inconsistent with his passing, he did show his ability to be a playmaker by connecting on throws to senior Javon Wims. According to an ESPN preseason poll, the Bulldogs are expected to be 13th in the country after securing a great recruiting class and the return of star players, such as RB Nick Chubb and LB Lorenzo Carter. During the offseason, Georgia recruited second best in the nation (only behind the University of Alabama) by Scout. com with two Five Star recruits, 21 Four Star recruits and three Three Star recruits. Georgia recruited five offensive linemen for the 2017 season, including Five Star recruit Isaiah Wilson, three Four Star recruits and one Three Star recruit. These are must-have pieces due to disappointing year for the offensive line, as former Heisman Trophy candidate Chubb struggled to get going last season. Chubb ran for 1,547 yards on 219 carries averaging 7.1 yards a carry in his freshman season. His sophomore season was shortened by an ACL injury, but he was able to rush for 747 yards on only 92 carries averaging 8.1 yards. Last season, Chubb ran for only 1,130 yards on 224 carries averaging a career-low 5.0 yards a carry. After the spring game and recruiting hype, what is clear is that Georgia has one of the best backfields in the nation. Chubb and senior RB Sony Michel have returned for their final season as Dawgs. Sophomore sensations Brian Herrin and Elijah Holyfield show glimpses of a Todd Gurley-Keith Marshall dynamic duo backfield from the 2012 season. Following a disappointing 2016 (8-5-0) season, there will be high expectations for the Georgia Bulldogs this upcoming year. With Chubb returning, a new offensive line and a more experienced Eason, Kirby Smart’s maturing team will go 102, finishing in the AP’s top 20.
CAEDMON CHURCHWELL Web Sports Writer
What coaches say: “She’s one of those almost secret weapons. She’s extremely athletic and fearless. She has no problem jumping in and doing something and trying to do her best at it.” -- Stacee Scott, assistamt coach
46 | ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE | odysseynewsmagazine.net
APRIL / MAY 2017
SPORTS << Layout by Hannah Gale
INFOCUS Featured: ENTER SANDMAN: Clarke Central High School junior Brian Dean jumps into the sand pit on Billy henderson Stadium on May 8. Dean began participating in and training for the triple jump event during the 2017 season. “When you approach, you have to hit a certain board, then jump two times off one foot, and one off the last one. For example right, right, left. I had to like get that, and get that feeling. I have never done that before. I wasn’t used to it. It was difficult,” Dean said. “This (was) my first year doing (triple jump), and it was kind of challenging when I first started, but with the help of my coaches, I really got the hang of it, and I started to like it. I plan on doing track next season.” Photo by Julie Alpaugh
APIRL / MAY 2017
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