CCHS quarterback Lucian Anderson III has grown closer with his father, CCHS assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr., through their mutual love of football.
Restrictive bills in Georgia, specifically Senate Bill 202, suppress voters' rights and will impact the 2022 gubernatorial election.
BY JANIE RIPPS
Recently retired CCSD Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas reflects on her time as an educator and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
BY MOLLY HARWELLAfter sampling fries from a variety of fast food restaurants across Athens, members of the Variety Staff conclude that Chick-fil-A and Cookout offer the best fries in town.
BY THE VARIETY STAFF
Stacey Abrams is a progressive Democrat who is running for governor in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election on Nov. 8. Brian Kemp is a conservative Republican and incumbent candidate for governor in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election.
BY VICTORIA GARLAND
While esports don’t provide the same physical challenges as more traditional sports, they still offer benefits that make them worth playing.
BY WYATT MEYERTAKING OFF: Clarke Central High School varisty cross country runner Beck
a junior, runs on the path to
during the cross country team's practice on Oct. 18. Throughout Wolf-Hardy’s eight years of running, he has learned to uplift his teammates in order to help people feel better. “I try to put (positivity) on my teammates. Even if I'm having a bad day, I'll try to put on a smile and a good face and keep motivating (my teammates)," Wolf-Hardy said.
Christian Barner poses outside of the CCHS Ceremonial Entrance on Sept. 28. For the past five years, Barner has been working as the FES and impacts the CCHS community in a variety of ways. “I (enjoy) being able to be involved in a lot of things throughout the school and have my hand (on) a lot of different parts of the school," Barner said. "I can see some of the successes and see the things that are happening but also be able to support and feel like I'm a part of the school at large, instead of focused (on) just one small area.”
Featured: LISTENING CLOSELY: Clarke Central High School freshmen Ka’Siyah Briscoe, Tyler Arnold and Haley Hull sit in front of CCHS fine arts department teacher Leslie Sokal-Berg in Room 261 to listen to Ga. Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott speak to the CCHS Peer Leadership class on Sept. 22. Sokal-Berg has incorporated many guest speakers into the class schedule. “We’ve got the athletic director from (the University of Georgia) coming in to talk to us, (Athens-Clarke County) Mayor Kelly Gertz is going to come talk to us, Judge Lisa Lott, she’s (in) the Supreme Court of Ga., she’s going to come speak with us, (as well as CCHS Principal) Dr. (Swade) Huff,” Sokal-Berg said. Photo by Aza Khan
The Clarke Central High School TriM Honor Society club hosted the Trunk or Treat event for the Athens community on Oct. 26.
BY AZA KHANThe censorship of books with diverse representation in schools can lead to negative consequences in terms of LGBTQ+ students’ mental health.
BY MAYA SHRIVASTAV
The CCHS varsity football team pulled out a thrilling overtime victory against Eastside High School in a game that could determine the Gladiators’ playoff fortunes.
BY WYATT MEYER
The AthHalf Half Marathon, an annual event produced by AthFest Educates, experienced the largest turnout in its 13-year history on Oct. 23.
BY MILES LAWRENCE
The ODYSSEY is a student-run news publication, 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 four 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.
Editor-in-Chief: Molly Harwell
Lead Copy Editor: Maya Clement
Visuals Coordinator: Lucas Donnelly
Digital Editor: Anna Shaikun
Viewpoints Editor: Janie Ripps News Editor: Cadence Schapker
Variety Editor: Isabella Westrich Sports Editor: Wyatt Meyer Business Manager: Audrey St.Onge
Digital Junior Copy Editor: Riley Ramsey Webmaster: Maya Shrivastav
Photographer: Aza Khan
Staff Members: Temprince Battle Kendarius Butts Jesse Dantzler McKinley Dykes Isabelle Galis Victoria Garland Mykolas Kumpis Miles Lawrence Antonio Starks
Adviser: David A. Ragsdale, CJE ODYSSEY Newsmagazine
Clarke Central High School 350 S. Milledge Avenue Athens, Georgia 30605 CSPA, GSPA, NSPA, SIPA, Quill and Scroll (706)-357-5200 EXT. 17370
I really enjoyed reading the Mo Knows article of this ODYSSEY (news)magazine. As a girl on social media, I find that it can be really hard to not compare yourself to other people. Although the “that girl” trend is not completely harmful, I still feel like it sends the wrong message. I feel like it puts a lot of pressure on girls and can easily influence them. I loved reading this piece because it’s something that’s very relevant to our world today and something that needs to be talked about more.
-- Caroline Goldman, CCHS sophomorePage 1, in the Empowering women is sports teaser, “CCHS’s” should be “CCHS’” Page 3, in the first photo caption, “Print Managing Editor” should be included before “Chloe Sears”
Page 3, at the bottom of the page, “Cover art by Eva Orbock” should be included after “Cover design by Chloe Sears”
Page 7, in the photo caption, “Print Managing Editor” should be included before “Chloe Sears”
Page 7, in the photo caption, in the first sentence, the comma after “computer” should be omitted Page 8, in Grades for Glads, under Preparedness for College, “follow through” should be “follow-through”
Page 14, in Retention rate crisis, in the photo caption, “is huge” should be omitted Page 16, in Retention rate crisis, in the pull quote, “recuit” should be “recruit” Page 18, in Combating absences, in the first column, “CCHS” should be inserted before “Assistant Principal” and before “Family Engagement” Page 18, in Combating absences, in the first column, “CCHS” should be inserted before “English department teacher”
Page 19, in Awarding growth, in the photo caption, “at CCHS” should be omitted Page 20, in Juneteenth in Athens, in the photo caption, “recognized” should be “recognize”
Page 25, in Cultural buzz, in “The Dropout”, in the third paragraph, a comma should be inserted after “Theranos”
Page 25, in Cultural buzz, in “The Dropout”, in the second to last paragraph, “ehave” should be “behave”
Page 30, in Empowering women in sports, “CCHS’s” should be “CCHS’”
Page 31, in Empowering women in sports, “womens’” should be “women’s”
Page 32, in Central takes the flag, in the first column, in the sixth paragraph, the third sentence should start a new paragraph
Page 32, in Central takes the flag, in the pull quote, “CCHS” should be inserted before “girls”
Page 32, in Central takes the flag, in the photo caption, “is shown” should be inserted after “(right)”
Page 34, in Revisiting Perno’s playbook, in the first column, “Athletic Department” should be “athletic department”
Page 35, in Revisiting Perno’s playbook, in the photo caption, in the quote, “we” should start a new sentence
Page 35, in Revisiting Perno’s playbook, the pull quote should not be a duplicate of the pull quote on page 34
Page 36, in Taking back class, in the deck, “Athletic Department” should be “athletic department”
Page 36, in Taking back class, in the second column, “challngcs” should be “challenges”
Page 36, in Taking back class, in the photo caption, the “student” after “Meyer” should be omitted
Page 37, in The power of lifting, in the first column, “uwntouched” should be “untouched”
Page 37, in The power of lifting, in the photo caption, “Photo” should be “Photos” Page 38, in Star players, under Ariana Araujo-Ledezma, a comma should be inserted before “(but)”
Page 38, in Star players, under Ariana Araujo-Ledezma, “JV” should be “junior varsity”
Page 39, in 5 things to know about pole vaulting, under warm-ups required, “warmups” should be “warm-ups”
Our May/June 2022 issue featured a package about the addition of women's flag football and powerlifting and how it is furthering female opportunities on a local level.
Living in a football-crazed region and in a state where high school football is at the core of many communities, a school’s football team is often a point of pride not just for the student body, but for the community at large. It can be a unifying force in divided times and is something the entire community can rally around. Over the years, however, the program faded from prominence and I am extremely excited to see the program move towards reclaiming its spot among the state’s elite high school football programs thanks to the efforts of Coach (David) Perno’s staff and the talented and dedicated players that walk the halls of Clarke Central! Go Glads!
-- Tyler Graves, CCHS social studies department teacher ABSENCES // Janie RippsI agree that skipping and absences are big issues at Clarke Central High School. Many of my classes only have around half of the students they’re supposed to have but I don’t think the raffle is something that is well known nor cared about by the students. I think that the interviews of the teacher and student were a good way to support the author’s claim. I also think the author did well in choosing who to interview in order to get relevant answers to the topic. However, I think that the best way to have people actually go to their classes is for there to be serious punishments for unexcused absences.
-- William Hogan, CCHS seniorContact ODYSSEY Newsmagazine
Letters: Email 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 email us at business@odysseynewsmagazine.net. Online: Message us on Instagram at @odysseynewsmag.
the Flag" by News Editor Cadence Schapker
A
s a member of the Flag Football team myself, it was very nice to see this sport represented in the ODYSSEY. I'm glad that we are being recognized for our hard work and I am exited to see people supporting us in the stands!
”
”
In my household, we have a saying. It’s not, “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” It’s, “Leon can’t do everything.”
quoted that commercial, simply saying, “Leon can’t do everything.”
In elementary school when I wanted to sign up for too many after school activities, my mom would say, “Leon can’t do everything.”
In middle school when I would get so worked up over schoolwork or disappointed that I couldn’t go to a certain event, my dad would always reply, “Leon can’t do everything.”
together the magazine, guides staffers and oversees all aspects of our Production class. It’s a lot to handle.
My semester has been filled with self-doubt and comparison.
What does it mean to be a leader? How am I supposed to do this? What if I fail?
BY MOLLY HARWELL Editor-in-ChiefIn the early 2000s, a national beverage corporation released a series of commercials featuring an egocentric football player named Leon.
In one particular commercial, Leon is interviewed after losing the big game.
“I’ve gotta put the loss squarely on the shoulders of my supporting cast,” Leon said. “I’ve been carrying these guys the whole season, but I can’t do it all.”
“So, your four fumbles weren’t a factor in your mind,” the reporter asked.
“Not if one of those other guys would’ve jumped on the ball. Again, Leon can’t do everything,” Leon said, breaking the fourth wall.
For as long as I can remember, my parents have
Up until recently, I ignored the expression, rolling my eyes everytime they brought it up. I know I can’t do everything. They don’t understand.
In the back of my head, I have always remembered the phrase, repeating it to myself whenever needed. Over the past few months, however, it has shifted slightly.
I’ve had to learn a hard lesson: Leon actually can’t do everything. I can’t do everything.
Now that I am in charge of a whole staff of people, I have had to learn how to delegate tasks and take a step back.
Instead of trying to fix everything and do all of the work myself, I’ve learned that it is more important to ask for help. I can’t do everything.
Now, as a junior and the Editor-in-Chief of the ODYSSEY Media Group, it means so much more.
Coming into this position has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my high school career.
All of a sudden, I am the one who represents the program to the school and community, puts
I used to think that being a good leader meant that I had to do everything myself. Now, I understand that that isn’t true.
A good leader listens to their constituents and graciously accepts the support of others. A good leader can’t do it on their own. I can’t do everything.
Though it may seem like a silly catchphrase from a commercial, it has become so much more to me. As I have moved through life and leadership positions, “Leon can’t do everything” has become my mantra.
Understanding this has helped me become a better leader, a better student and a better friend. I know now that Leon can’t do everything and neither can I.
Left: JUGGLING ACT: Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell, a junior, juggles several different orbs that represent different aspects of her life. Throughout her life, Harwell's parents encouraged her by repeating the phrase, "Leon can't do everything," and as she stepped into her new role as Editor-in-Chief, it has become her mantra. "Now that I am in charge of a whole staff of people, I have had to learn how to delegate tasks and take a step back. Instead of trying to fix everything and do all of the work myself, I’ve learned that it is more important to ask for help. I can’t do everything," Harwell wrote. Illustration by Eleanor Robinson
A good leader listens to their constituents and graciously accepts the support of others. A good leader can’t do it on their own.
There are five minutes left until the end of class and my friend and I are rushing to get our work completed. I’m a problem ahead of her and I need to keep it that way. While there’s no reason for this, my goal is to finish before her.
BY MAYA CLEMENT Lead Copy Editor
For as long as I can remember, I have been extremely competitive. Whether I’m playing a sport or completing regular everyday tasks, I find myself making it a competition.
Being this competitive has made playing sports more serious than a game. While other people can go out and play for the fun of it, my focus is always on being the best.
These competitions come in many different forms, not just sports, and they are always present. I’m either trying to get something done in a set amount of time, trying to beat someone at a game they don’t know they are playing or trying to outdo my previous performances.
While having races with friends and playing games in class like Kahoots can be fun to some, they’ve always been serious to me.
Whether I want to or not, “winning” is always a priority.
This has instilled in me a fire and passion to get things done, but it also makes life difficult at times. If I can’t win, then I’m losing, and losing never feels good.
able to accept that outcomes aren’t always what I expected or hoped for. In spite of this, however, I’ve learned that how you look at a competition means everything.
I used to look at competition as a means of winning. The primary thing I cared about was getting to the end. I would try to finish a show jumping course in a horse show just to get my placement or complete my math problems as fast as possible so that I was first at my table.
I didn’t even care about the trophies or ribbons, though those were nice, as much as being able to say that I won because that was the biggest accomplishment in my mind.
Now, I view competition as an additional aspect. Sure, winning is amazing, but separating the actual competition from the result makes both experiences worthwhile.
The competition might have no purpose to others, but it is real to me. The stress and pressure that comes with competition are still present and drive me to want to do well. Unlike other people, when these emotions are activated, I become even more determined to win in order to prove to myself what I can do.
This causes me to work harder than necessary at a lot of things for no reason. There is no point in trying to complete my school work in class faster than my friend, especially when I am sacrificing my understanding or making mistakes in the process.
I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older that being competitive can be a strength, but also a weakness. It’s not something that I need or want to change because it is who I am.
I love the motivation, focus and opportunity that all come from being engaged in competition. It has also helped me learn about failure and being
others, comes with to do well. activated, I become prove to what than necessary at a lot no in to class faster than my my or process. gotten older that but also a weakness. need or want to focus and opportunity in competition.
additional but separating result makes I competition, resentment positives of A little exciting, Instead think best Even competitive. challenge I did I
When I focus too much on the actual competition, the weakensses such as stress and resentment can start to overpower all of the positives of competing.
A little bit of competition can be fun and exciting, but too much of it can be detrimental. Instead of beating arbitrary expectations of performance, I can focus more on enjoying the moment and having a good time.
Instead of rushing through my moves when I’m doing trapeze, I can take the time to think about what I am doing and what works
Even with this change in outlook, I love being competitive. I love putting in effort to beat a challenge or pushing myself to do better than I did before. I love the feeling of pride when I do win an actual competition because I know of all the effort that went into it.
Ican’t win, then I’m losing, and losing never feels good.” Illustration by Antonio Starks
Lead Copy Editor Maya Clement shares her experience with being competitive and how that has affected her life.
This has instilled in me a fire and passion to get things done, but it also makes life difficult at times. If I can’t win, then I’m losing, and losing never feels good.
Journalism I student Adah Hamman explains the harsh transition from middle to high school.
It's true that entering high school is a big turning point in a kid’s life. You’re finally a teenager, ready to start driving and eventually apply to your dream school. However, when it comes to the transition from middle school into high school, how hard should it be?
When I first entered Clarke Central High School, I was hit with a harsh reality: this was nothing like middle school. It had all the aspects of a typical school: gum stuck to the desks, fluorescent lights, and carpeted floor.
Somehow, though, CCHS was more than just your average school. Teachers cared about your education and genuinely wanted you to succeed, which you could say about any school, but it was all the more prominent here.
However, unlike in middle school, there was an abundance of homework, lectures, and note-taking. I had never properly learned how to take notes, as it hadn’t been taught at my previous school. This realization made one thing clear to me in those first few weeks: I hadn’t been prepared for high school. Not properly, at least.
I didn’t understand how to approach my new workload because I didn’t have a work ethic. I often had to ask the teacher to pause while lecturing so that I could jot down my notes. I didn’t study for my tests because, in the past, I hadn’t needed to, and my grades suffered as a result.
Even in the ODYSSEY Media Group, I was baffled; I had no concept of professionalism. I didn’t know how to dress, communicate, or present myself. The transition from from middle to high school was especially difficult, and it shouldn’t have been.
Though my transition was hard at first, I persevered. By studying vigorously and maintaining a solid work ethic, I have attained a good score in most of my classes. I’ve also met a lot of great people who have helped me through this transition, like my teachers, who are encouraging and sympathetic.
While the transition was difficult at first, I believe that my experience from here on out will be seamless, and I look forward to growing as a result.
"Yeah, it could be cool. It depends. I guess at one point you'd get too old, but you could still have a little fun. (This year) I’ll probably go to a party.”
-- AJ LENNON, CCHS freshman
“If you want to trick-or-treat, do your thing. But (to) me personally, you should just go to a Halloween party. You will have a good experience.”
-- KYRA WADE, CCHS sophomore
“Yes, I think (you should) stay a kid as long as you can. It's fun, enjoy it.”
-- KE'AIRA SMITH, CCHS junior
“I don't see a problem with it. We're still kids and we can still have fun. It’s not weird yet.”
-- JACKSON HALL,CCHS senior
“I think it's more for the younger kids. I do know that it is fun to dress up, and I respect that, but I enjoy seeing the middle schoolers and high schoolers giving out candy to the younger kids.”
TOO LATE: An illustration depicts Journalism I student Adah Hamman, a CCHS freshman, standing beside a massive pile of late work as a clock counts down. Though Hamman struggled with the transition from middle school to high school, she was ultimately able to find her place. "I had never properly learned how to take notes, as it hadn’t been taught at my previous school," Hamman wrote. "This realization made one thing clear to me in those first few weeks: I hadn’t been prepared for high school. Not properly, at least." Illustration by Antonio Starks
-- BRITTANY CARTER, CCHS special education department teacher
The ODYSSEY staff’s opinions on this month’s issues.
A passionate care for plants and local entrepreneurship blossoms hand-inhand.
A love for football and community is passed down through blood.
New leaders are on the rise thanks to new courses in CCHS.
Learning doesn't take a break for students in the Governor's Honors Program each summer.
Control of information online is a gut punch to users on social media.
Voters get the short end of the ballot with the introduction of new restrictive laws.
The middle to high school transition can be stressful with little to no help.
Long hours, low pay...Who wouldn't want to be a teacher?
In October of 2020, The New York Post reported on the contents of Hunter Biden’s now infamous laptop. The contents revealed information on how the corrupt financial dealings of then Vice President Joe Biden’s son conflicted with the Obama Administration’s foreign policy.
Sharing of The New York Post’s story was banned on Facebook and Twitter. According to Datareportal.com, a digital library for social media information, these companies cumulatively have 3.172 billion users. With the attention of so many, social media companies’ suppression of information is a war on truth in our internet-based society.
However, content control isn’t their duty. The Communications Decency Act of 1996 protects these companies from legal repercussions for things shared on their platforms.
“If I post something on Facebook or Twitter, and there is something libelous in that, social media companies are going to be isolated from liability. If that were printed in a newspaper, the same does not apply: it’s liable for everything that (gets published),” Kelly Furnas, Senior Lecturer in the School of Communications at Elon University, said.
When Facebook slowed the spread of information regarding Biden’s laptop, spokespeople announced they were awaiting “fact checking.” However, The New York Post did its ethical duty and verified the story before it went public.
Facebook and Twitter took down a major political story weeks before a presidential election despite its accuracy. This act supports a dangerous precedent for freedom of information online and should be fought by users.
“Social media companies (usually) police their content by saying, ‘Here are the terms of service, the posts that (are allowed) and those that aren’t,’” Furnas said. “Consumers can and should protest (these) policies regarding content moderation.”
It’s election season, when fair and free online information is as crucial as ever to voters. The public must stand up to social media companies’ tyrannical control of the truth to protect freedoms integral to this country and its democracy.
Roughly 40 hours a week, parents send their children to school to be under the guidance of people other than themselves. These hours are spent molding children’s educational and social development, but the involvement of parents and guardians in this important aspect of the children’s lives is not always where it needs to be.
As children switch from elementary school to middle school to high school, the participation from families tends to decrease, according to Christian Barner, Clarke Central High School Family Engagement Specialist and Academic Support Specialist.
By the time children reach high school, they are allowed more independence, often prompting families to step back in their involvement. However, families should maintain the interaction with their children’s school, while also permitting their freedom.
“Sometimes when a student hits high school,
there's a little bit of a thought that they're kind of doing it themselves,” Barner said. “So family engagement is a little bit different than it is in high school than it is in elementary school.”
Despite Barner’s effort to connect with families in the happenings at CCHS, there is not always as
itations on their time such as child care, work schedules and facilitating transportation to the school. Yet, CCHS sporting events, commonly football games, are filled with parents, while academically-oriented school events have far less families present.
There are many great opportunities for parents to be involved in their children’s school community without overstepping boundaries into their children’s lives.
much engagement on the household’s side. Fortunately, according to Barner, family engagement has increased this year in comparison to previous years. This had been shown through attendance at PTSO meetings, school events and interaction from parents with emails and the CCHS website. While this is a stride in the right direction, there is still a long way to go.
It’s understandable for families to have lim-
Every week, Barner sends emails to the CCHS community to summarize the events of the week and announce upcoming events, such as Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) meetings, College Night and Open House.
“The ultimate goal is that the school and families have established that kind of two-way communication, that kind of relationship where both parties are being heard, respected and working together to benefit the students,” Barner said.
Families need to make sure that they are showing interest in all aspects of their child’s education. When effort comes from all sides, communication can be effectively established between parents, students and the school.
“If you care about your children's education, you can't rely on just the school, you can't rely on just the teacher,” second-year PTSO board member Tiffany Linston-Smith said. “I think when your children know that you support them and you encourage them, they take ownership of their education.”
Not every form of family engagement is going to work for everyone, but parents and guardians should make an attempt to be involved with their children’s education and events happening at their school in order to make the best possible high school experience for everyone.
When your children know that you support them and you encourage them, they take ownership of their education.
Family engagement is necessary for families to be involved in their children’s education, but the level of engagement shown at CCHS has a long way to go.Above: EMPTY SEATS: An illustration depicts Clarke Central High School parents and guardians attending a Parent Teacher Student Organization. Even though CCHS Family Engagement Specialist and Academic Support Specialist Christian Barner provides families with many opportunities to interact with CCHS, there is not always as much engagement on the household’s side. “It’s understandable for families to have limitations on their time such as child care, work schedules and facilitating transportation to the school. Yet, CCHS sporting events, commonly football games, are filled with parents, while academically-oriented school events have far less families present.” Illustration by Antonio Starks
We were five minutes away from Berry College and I was bawling my eyes out because I thought I would hate the Governor’s Honors Program. It was four weeks away from home with over 600 people that I had never met before.
“This is going to be the worst experience of my life,” I thought to myself.
Now that GHP has ended, I see I couldn’t have been more wrong. No matter how cliché it may sound, GHP truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You’re not constrained to the typical public school requirements. There are no grades or tests, just you and how much you’re willing to challenge yourself.
AYANNA LONON Guest Writer
The selection process for the Governor’s Honors Program was lengthy and rigorous, entailing several interviews, discussions and in the case of Communicative Arts students (also known as Commies), creative writing submissions. In my mind, there was no question whether I’d get in.
I didn’t feel entitled to a place at GHP. I just knew that I was capable of earning one. To interviewers, I was personable and well-informed. To submission reviewers, my writing was heterotopic and emotive.
But when I arrived at GHP, my peers had not seen any documents that might shape the way they understood me, and had no preconceived notions as to who I might be. When I found myself responsible for world-building outside of
You get a taste of college and residential life while having a variety of learning opportunities, from songwriting to cybersecurity to dance.
As a World Language Chinese major, I finally had the chance to be immersed in the culture and meet people who shared the same interests. From performing a play together to making candy in class to our daily Chick-fil-A and Subway runs where we spent half our money, I had some of the best laughs ever.
Outside of class, I had daily game nights and pool-table games with the best group of people. Despite being in completely different majors, from math and science to music and world language, we found a place to just be ourselves and have fun. At the end of the day, that’s what GHP is all about, exploring your passion and making lifelong memories and friendships.
As GHP came to an end, I found myself crying again, but for an entirely different reason — I was sad to leave. I had met so many amazing people and had so many amazing experiences. I wasn’t ready to let that go.
While all good things must come to an end, I will always cherish the memories and lessons from GHP. Sometimes you have to put yourself out there. You have to step out of your comfort zone, make new friends, initiate conversations and try new things because if you don’t, you’ll never know what opportunities you might have missed.
written narratives, my confidence was tested.
In my classes with other Communicative Arts majors, I was amazed at the ease with which those poets and orators and narrators created stories worth reading into.
I met people, students and instructors alike, who altered my judgments on what is good and what is acceptable.
I met people who could recognize the layers in stories that had no written words and those whose voices could sway listeners to laugh and sob in public. I was motivated to develop my style as a writer to display that same power, and it led me to produce my best work yet.
I spent my days with strangers who quickly became friends that I would keep even after the program ended.
Now that I’ve returned home, I do not feel sad because GHP is over. To me, it was a trailer of the rest of my life. I am grateful to my mom, for instilling in me a love for education, which serves me as a means of travel.
I am thankful to Clarke Central High School English department teachers Ms. Kaela Sweeney, Ms. Erin Horton and CCHS English department chair Mr. David Ragsdale for their directions that led me to a camp for free minds. It was the most enriching experience I’ve had yet, and it is a model of the way I hope to live my life: learning, appreciating and having fun.
Guest Writers Sofia Balsamo and Ayanna Lonon describe their experiences at the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program and how it shaped them.Above: SUMMER AWAY: An illustration shows CCHS junior Sofia Balsamo and CCHS senior Ayanna Lonon engaging in activities that align with their Governor’s Honors Program majors. Both Balsamo and Lonon attended GHP 59 during the summer of 2022 and grew from the experience. "Now that GHP has ended, I see couldn’t have been more wrong. No matter how cliché it may sound, GHP truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Balsamo wrote.Illustration by Antonio Starks
SOFIA BALSAMO Guest Writer
I had met so many amazing people and had so many amazing experiences.
I didn’t feel entitled to a place at GHP. I just knew that I was capable of earning one.
very election day in the United States, eligible citizens cast their ballots at in-person polls or through early or absentee voting. Some may not vote at all, but any option is their right as citizens of the U.S.
However, for voters in Georgia, this isn’t true. Georgians’ voting rights are being taken away.
Following record-breaking voter turnout in Georgia during the 2020 presidential election, Senate Bill 202 was introduced in the Georgia General Assembly. There had been multiple attempts to pass voting rights bills in early 2021, but Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp successfully signed SB202, also known as the Election Integrity Act, into effect in March of 2021.
This controversial legislation introduced changes to how elections in Georgia are run. New restrictions on in-person, early and absentee voting were put in place and will be extremely evident in Georgia’s gubernatorial election in November as voting results will be skewed.
E“(Because of SB202) there are less times for voters to request an absentee ballot,” Athens-Clarke County Director of Elections and Voter Registration Charlotte Sosebee said. “It (decreased) the number of days that we can accept the applications, but also the number of days that someone can first (apply). In the past, that was (180) days, now it's only (77). (SB202) reduced the number of ballot drop boxes, (too).”
citizen’s right to vote. However, in Georgia, voting isn’t a right anymore. It’s a privilege.
How can elections in the U.S, Georgia and Athens be considered fair when suppression is the new normal?
For Athens-Clarke County attorney Bertis Downs, an Athens voter, the new changes in voting procedures is an attack on voter’s rights.
In addition to absentee ballots, restrictions on in-person voting were enforced. At polling locations, it is illegal for anyone who is not a poll worker to pass out food and water to voters in line for polls, regardless of how long those voting have been waiting.
According to Census.gov, in-person voting made up 26% of votes in the 2020 Presidential Election. SB202 discourages voters at in-person polls and with obstacles on absentee ballots, voting is more complicated than it should be.
The foundation of democracy was built around a
“(Examples of) election suppression (in Georgia) would be the laws that limit voting on Sundays, voting early, voting absentee (and) dropboxes,” Downs said. “There used to be dropboxes determined by the local elections officials based on the size of the county, the intensity of the population and where it's dense and where you need more dropboxes. (Now,) we can only have one dropbox per county.”
While SB202 was designed to silence voters, there are ways to fight back.
Democracy is constantly changing. If a citizen is opposed to a bill, they have the right to reach out to elected officials, including those in the Georgia General Assembly, to express their concerns.
The voting process may change, but the constitutionally granted right to vote should never. Georgia voters need to fight for their rights and fight for their voice.
Restrictive bills in Georgia, specifically Senate Bill 202, are suppressive to voters' rights and will greatly impact the 2022 gubernatorial election.Above: UNCONSTITUTIONAL OBSTACLES: A Ga. voter fights to cross various barriers preventing them from exercising their right to vote. In March of 2021, Senate Bill 202 was passed in Ga., changing various voting procedures in the state. “This oppressive legislation will be extremely obvious in Ga.’s gubernatorial election in November as it will skew the voting results,” Viewpoints Editor Janie Ripps said. Illustration by Antonio Starks
How can elections in the U.S, Georgia and Athens be considered fair when suppression is the new normal?
Featured: TUNES OF THE TIMES: University of North Carolina English Professor and songwriter Florence Dore takes a break from playing the guitar to speak with students during a guest speaking engagement with the Clarke Central High School Advanced Placement Literature and Writer's Workshop classes in the CCHS Media Center on Sept. 30. Throughout her life, Dore has been fond of the link between rock n’ roll and literature. “I've always studied literature and I've always written songs (so) my philosophy about those songwriting exercises (in literature) is that it's important to delve right in,” Dore said. “(Music helps) perfect or really deepen your perceptions of the world. (It) heightens that antenna (to) start thinking about observing things that might seem mundane, and putting some meaning to them.”
Photo by Aza Khan
Former CCSD Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas, who retired on Oct. 8, reflects on her time
STORY AND LAYOUT BY MOLLY HARWELL Editor-in-Chief
Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas: I did grow up here and I've always been committed to the community. I see the potential in the community and I also see the need in Athens. As a child, I didn't think I would want to stay here, but then when you become a parent, you realize that different things are important and it's a really good community to raise a family.
Above: LEAVING A LEGACY: Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas sits at her desk in the CCSD office at 595 Prince Ave. on Sept. 15. Thomas faced many challenges during her time as superintendent, but she believes the most significant was navigating her role as a woman. "I think it's challenging being a female in a role like this, people don't realize it. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on that," Thomas said. "You hear a lot about, 'Oh, here's the first female superintendent,' and yes, but one of the things I've said to myself recently is moving into a space doesn't remove some of the obstacles and challenges that come with being in that space." Photo by Lucas Donnelly
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MOLLY HARWELL: why have you made a point to stay and serve the ATHENS community?
as an educator and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
XT: I started out as a school social worker, and I thought that I would do that work and then get into private practice counseling and therapy, but fell in love with school social work, and did that in Clarke County from ‘92 to 2000. I went to Oconee County as a school social worker, but worked a little more as a school counselor and school social worker, doing more direct services with students. While I was there, I moved into being an assistant principal and becoming a principal. In 2009, I got the opportunity to come back to Athens and open (Judia Jackson) Harris Elementary (School), which (is) our most recently opened elementary school and was there until 2018 and became Chief of Staff for Clarke County Schools, and then interim superintendent and superintendent.
XT: I think it's challenging being a female in a role like this, people don't realize it. I've spent a lot of time reflecting on that. You hear a lot about, “Oh, here's the first female superintendent,” and yes, but one of the things I've said to myself recently is moving into a space doesn't remove some of the obstacles and challenges that come with being in that space. I think that sometimes the expectations of you as a female can be different. How you're approached, how you're treated, how you're brought to the table or left from the table, are all realities that still exist, that I've had to face and deal with.
XT: Sometimes your biggest challenges are some of your greatest successes. It is showing people that it can be done when I accepted the position. I didn't even think about being the first female, that was probably months into it when someone brought it up. Then thinking about not just being a female, but a woman of color. That's a success for me. I believe that it shows people what can be done. It shows students of color what can be done, but I also think it's just as important to share that message with students, in general, that you can accomplish, just through hard work and commitment and determination, whatever it is you set out to do.
MH: What was your pathway to becoming involved in the field of education?
mh: What would you say have been some of your biggest challenges as superintendent?
mh: What would you say has been the most rewarding aspect of being the superintendent?Top: CHECK-IN: Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas works with a colleague at the CCSD office at 595 Prince Ave. on Sept. 15. Throughout her life, Thomas did not search for this position; instead, it found her. “This is not what I grew up saying I wanted to be, but I accepted this position because I was committed to the community and I felt that at the time, consistency and familiarity were something that was needed just to give some stability to where we were in Athens,” Thomas said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly Bottom: GLAD-TO BE HERE: Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas stands outside of the Clarke Central High School ceremonial entrance front entrance on Oct. 4. Thomas has maintained a value of commitment and dedication throughout her career as superintendent. “I've always been committed to the community. I see the potential in the community and I also see the need in Athens. As a child, I didn't think I would want to stay here, but then when you become a parent, you realize that different things are important and it's a really good community to raise a family,” Thomas said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly
XT: You hear the more things change, the more they stay the same and you want to say that things are better, but you look back and there's so much that we still haven't improved on. So the impact of poverty, the impact of marginalized populations or the impact for marginalized populations. Even having educational settings that really are responsive to the needs of individual kids. There's so many things along that line that haven't changed. Probably one of the biggest changes that I have seen is just the negative impact of community and negative influences within our society, and seeing the impact of social media and how instantaneous everything is now. Everything is such an entertainment world and everything, now, also shows instant gratification. So how do we support students in helping them understand the importance of hard work and the importance of long-term commitment and that what you pick up on the phone and see about someone on Tik Tok or Instagram or Twitter isn't necessarily the norm?
XT: I know he does this anyway, but listening, tapping into our children. He's already asked me about student advisory boards at our high schools where our students have voices, so he recognizes the importance of that. Hearing and listening to young adults, but also to our teachers and our paraprofessionals and our transportation workers and custodians and nutrition workers. He recognized the importance and value of our community, but to really engage and be involved.To make sure that his leadership supports the needs of our community and then to continue to recognize all of the assets that we have here and to capitalize on that, which I know he will do. Just to have high expectations because people rise to the level that you set. How do you make sure that you're focusing on ensuring that our students have strong rigorous learning opportunities while also supporting those other areas of need will be a concern and I'm sure it will be a continued focus.
MH: You've been in the field of public education for a long time now. How would you say it has changed over the course of your career?
MH: What advice would you give to the superintendent, Dr. Robbie Hooker?
mh: What gives you hope about the future ofAbove: WORKING WITH PASSION: Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas works at her desk in the CCSD office at 595 Prince Ave. on Sept. 15. Thomas worked for years as a CCSD educator before achieving the position of superintendent. “I started out as a school social worker, and I thought that I would do that work and then get into private practice counseling and therapy, but fell in love with school social work, and did that in Clarke County,” Thomas said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly Below: MEMORIES: Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas stands with Family Engagement Specialist and Academic Support Specialist Christain Barner inside the Clarke Central High School main entrance on Oct. 4. During her career, Thomas had many opportunities to connect with people in the Athens community. “I hope that people will recognize that, in the three years, I really tried to focus on doing what was best for children and ensuring that the voices of those who aren't always heard and aren't always at the table were considered and every decision was made,” Thomas said. Photo by Lucas Donnelly
XT: I have a superintendent’s advisory board (and) having conversations with young adults, you realize that there are some brilliant kids from all walks of life in Athens-Clarke County. If we just take the time to stop and listen and allow you to have voices and decisions and allow you to give us input about what you need, it's helpful when I see even what I saw during the pandemic. I think it forced people to identify skills and talents and interests that none of us knew we had and we really didn't know our kids had. As educators, we just have to create schools that help to support and nurture and bring that out of our kids.
XT: That I cared about children and that I believed in children and that somehow left Clarke County in a better place than when I started. If I've just done something to help one family, one student, one teacher, one staff person. This is not what I grew up saying I wanted to be, but I accepted this position because I was committed to the community and I felt that at the time, consistency and familiarity was something that was needed just to give some stability to where we were in Athens. But I hope that people will recognize that, in the three years, I really tried to focus on doing what was best for children and ensuring that the voices of those who aren't always heard and aren't always at the table were considered and every decision was made.
O
REFLECTING ON A LEGACY:
595 Prince Ave. on Sept. 15. Although
so many kids and that just gives you
Below: GOING WAY BACK: Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent
Summerour in the Clarke Central High School west wing on Oct. 4. Thomas believes that the adults in CCHS are an
part to the quality of education that students receive. “People rise to the level that you set,” Thomas said. “Ensuring that our students have strong rigorous learning opportunities while also supporting those other areas of need should be - and I'm sure it will be - a continued focus.”
MH: As you look back over your career as an educator and superintendent, what do you hope your legacy on the CCSD will be?Above: Recently retired Clarke County School District Superintendent Dr. Xernona stands outside of the CCSD office at her time as superintendent is over, she still believes there is work to be done. “I've just seen so many skills from hope that there is a lot of potential in our community,” Thomas said. “As educators, we just have to create schools that help to support and nurture and bring that out of our kids.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly Dr. Xernona Thomas embraces CCSD bus driver Shelita essential Photo by Lucas Donnelly
CCHS Family Engagement Specialist Christian Barner has dedicated himself to CCSD throughout his 16-year career by focusing on his impact on the systems he supports.
BY CADENCE SCHAPKER News Editor BY MILES LAWRENCE News Staffer LAYOUT BY MAYA CLEMENT Lead Copy Editorpon opening their inbox, Clarke Central High School students and families can expect to see at least one weekly email sent by CCHS Family Engagement Specialist (FES) and Academic Support Specialist Christian Barner. Though, few will know much else about the man behind the scenes of CCHS.
Barner graduated in 2000 from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, a field which left him with limited career options. Unsure of his post-college path, Barner opted for exploring the world while he figured out his next steps.
“The first thing I did (after graduating) was I moved away from Athens,” Barner said. “(I’d) lived in Georgia and Tennessee my whole life, so I moved to Portland, Oregon and lived there for a few years, just (working) in restaurants.”
After working in the foodservice industry for two years in Portland, Barner
began his search for a more fulfilling career path.
“I wanted to do something that was challenging, something that I felt could make a difference and could be beneficial to people,” Barner said. “Arguably, most jobs, in some way, are beneficial to people, but I wanted something that had more of a direct impact with people, so I (started) thinking about teaching.”
Barner moved back to Georgia in 2003 and attended Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, graduating in 2006 with a Masters of Arts in teaching. Later that year, Barner began working at Cedar Shoals High School as an English department teacher, a position he held for six years, before transferring to CCHS in 2012.
CCHS English department teacher Brian Ash worked closely with Barner in the English department as members of the Literature 10 team, prior to Barner’s move to the FES position.
“We had to write lesson plans together. We would come up with an idea that we wanted to teach students and then he always had some way of building it,
Oct. 6. Barner’s passion for education began when he attended graduate school at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville in 2003. “When I got into graduate school, I got really interested in education. That's probably where a lot of (my) work ethic and passion kicked in,” Barner said. “Prior to that, I definitely didn't have drive, (but in education), there was a lot more purpose and meaning to it than there was when I was working in a restaurant. (My job) became much more purposeful.”
U"I wanted to do something that was challenging, something that I felt could make a difference and could be beneficial to people."
-- CHRISTIAN BARNER, CCHS Family Engagement and Academic Support SpecialistFeatured: PURPOSEFUL PASSION: Clarke Central High School Family Engagement Specialist and Academic Support Specialist Christian Barner meets with a community member in his office at CCHS on Photo by Aza Khan
making it accessible to all levels,” Ash said. “So he was, and still is, really good at that. I think that transferred over to his role (in) family engagement. He’s just really good at brainstorming ideas to include all people.”
After 12 years in the classroom, Barner began seeking new challenges that would provide greater impact on the CCHS community.
“(I) was just kind of looking for something different. I wanted to have a little more ability to influence things at the school at a different level than I felt like I had in the classroom,” Barner said. “I was kind of stepping out of that a little bit when I was still teaching, but (I was) trying to find other ways to affect change and try to make different things happen.”
The role of FES oversees many significant systems at CCHS, including technical support and guidance for CCHS families, faculty and students, as well as event coordination. Barner appreciates the fresh perspective on school operations and interconnectivity that the FES position offers him.
“Moving into this position from teaching, I've learned there's a million moving parts within high school,” Barner said. “(I’ve) enjoyed being able to be involved in a lot of things throughout the school and have my hand in a lot of different parts of the school. I can support and feel like I'm a part of the school at large instead of focused in just one small area.”
CCHS Principal Dr. Swade Huff met Barner in 2009 when Huff worked as CSHS Associate Principal. Due to their existing relationship, Huff felt Barner would be an ideal candidate for the FES position.
“Those two years that we worked together (were) a pleasant experience. He (was) respected by his colleagues, he had a great rapport with his
Bottom: A LOVE FOR AUTONOMY: Clarke Central High
talks with CCHS Principal’s Secretary LaToya Hill
allows him greater flexibility than when he was an
“I
the FES
I'm able to
said. “I don't have anybody directly over me. I don't have as much of a set schedule as you would when you're teaching, so I can kind of jump around.” Photo by Aza Khan
students and his classrooms (were) always engaging,” Huff said. “That made it easier for me to vet him as a candidate for the (FES) position when it became available.”
Despite joining the CCHS Administrative Team as an Associate Principal at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, Dr. Cindi Lowe acknowledges Barner’s presence at CCHS.
“Given my limited experience (with Barner), which has been a couple of months, he has really stood out as a person who’s extremely welcoming (and) helpful,” Lowe said. “He’s engaging, he makes you want to be (at CCHS), he makes you feel welcomed here (and) he wants you to be a part of things.”
Barner's work and dedication at CCHS and across the Clarke County School
District were recognized when he was awarded FES of the 2021-2022 School Year in August, an award voted on by all of the CCSD FES.
“I was honored,” Barner said. “I try really hard to help out those people who are new to being family engagement specialists at different schools, so it's nice to hear that people were thankful for the help that I've provided them as they come into the position.”
Overall, Huff recognizes Barner, not only as an integral part of the CCHS community, but as a positive influence across the CCSD.
“His brand at Clarke Central has really grown so much that some of the initiatives and steps he's taken to create this positive environment at Clarke Central (are) being imitated in other aspects of our district,” Huff said. “Mr. Barner is a resource and we're fortunate to have him at (CCHS).”
"He has really stood out as a person who’s extremely welcoming (and) helpful."
-- Dr. CINDI LOWE, CCHS Associate Principal
New safety measures were enacted at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year in order to protect those in the building.
BY RILEY RAMSEY Digital Junior Copy Editort the start of the 2022-23 school year, two policy changes were made for several different purposes including student safety. These changes were announced in grade-level assemblies that took place during the first two weeks of school.
Clarke Central High School’s administrative team informed students of the new tardy policy, as well as the new security measures intended to protect those at the school.
“Students should not open doors to allow other students access to the building if they're late so (they’re) required to walk around to the main building,” CCHS Principal Dr. Swade Huff said. “(The tardy policy) is to help kids have an
awareness of getting to class on time, but at the same time, keeping our school campus safe.”
According to CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Summer Smith, the new measures have already brought about significant results in mitigating hallway congestion.
“Last year, it would be nine o'clock (in the morning) and (administrators would) stand in the old main entrance and it looked like a party,” Smith said. “There were 100 kids in the hallway coming to class at nine o'clock and that's not happening this year.”
Huff says that the implentation of the new protections comes from the increase of mass shootings taking place in schools all over the country.
awareness in regards to the
“The heightened
A"(The tardy policy) is to help kids have an awareness of getting to class on time, but at the same time, keeping our school campus safe.”
-- Dr. Swade huff, CCHS principal
mass shootings that we've seen or experienced over the past couple of years has definitely elevated urgency to make sure that we're safe in our school communities,” Huff said. “We are going to have several different drills this year and that is just to prepare us in the event that something should happen on our school campus. It's a sad situation, but it's the reality of our world.”
After an event occurs, such as a lockdown or administrative hold, there is a communication protocol approved by the Clarke County School District to inform the school community regarding the incident.
“Dr. Huff is always the person who oversees our communication,” CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Cindi Lowe said. “But, as you can imagine, in any type of event, communication is carefully controlled for a variety of reasons: to keep people during the event safe (and) to make sure that the information going out is accurate.”
CCHS Junior Thea Richards understands the need for controlled communication but feels students have a right to know, to some extent, what happened after an event occurs.
“I think it's better to have everyone in a space where (the students) know at least some extent of what is going on within the building we're in, instead of just keeping us totally blind. The least they should do is have (an) email sent to the students about what happened,” Richards said. “We don't need to know exactly who was hurt or who came into the building if that was the situation, (administration) could just easily tell us, ‘Hey, students, just so you're aware. A non-student individual came into the building today who was not authorized to do so.’”
Richards believes that a lack of communication with students could lead to greater disruption and negative consequences.
“If (administration doesn’t) tell (students what happened) everyone starts talking about it. Like, ‘(Do) you remember what happened at school today? I wonder what that was?’” Richards said. “It becomes a much bigger thing than it needs to be and that could potentially be triggering for the people that were affected by it.”
While Smith recognizes a desire for students to receive communication from the administration, she emphasizes a need for trust in the process.
“There are situations that we deal with that aren't privy to everybody's knowledge and don't need to be because of privacy for victims, offenders or whatever,” Smith said. “Part of that is we just have to be okay with the understanding that the people that are put in charge of the school have your safety as our No. 1 concern and that's what we actively do every day. If it's something we can tell, we tell it.”
“It's all just to be
Above: NEW POLICIES: An infographic
tions in
rates, the CCHS
has
couple of years has definitely elevated urgency to make sure that we're saving our school communities," CCHS
“I
BY MILES LAWRENCE News StafferClarke Central High School is offering a new academic elective to students during the 2022-23 school year– a peer leadership course that focuses on student-led discussions, problem solving and student leadership.
The class was proposed to the administrative team by CCHS fine arts department teacher Leslie Sokal-Berg in 2021, and aims towards the control of restorative practices at CCHS.
“It's a very fluid classroom because we're building airplanes in the air,” Sokal-Berg said. “You know, we haven't had (this) program here (before) and so I'm relying on the students a lot (for it) to work. It's a very collaborative class in that the kids and I decide what it is that we want to do (and) what we think is important.”
However, not all CCHS students are eligible to take the course this year as it is only offered to freshmen.
“We started the program using freshmen simply because at Clarke Middle School they already have this kind of leadership program, so we thought that it would
community and learning how to be better leaders,” Miller said. “We did a lot (in that class), but I just wanted to enhance my skills and do more of that kind of thing (in high school).”
A peer leadership course is not only offered at CMS, but there’s also a class taught at Cedar Shoals High School by social studies department teacher Montu
be smart to go ahead and start with this group, and then each year add in more freshmen (to the existing members),” Sokal-Berg said. “It's going to take four years for this to really kind of come into fruition (where students will be) able to really take over all of these restorative practices that we have going on at Clarke Central.”
CCHS freshman Sadie Miller, who participated in the program at CMS, decided to take the high school class because she enjoyed her previous experience.
“I really liked the things that we were doing in the class. We were helping out the school, learning about our
Miller. One of Montu’s goals for his program is to change the Athens community, which is something he would like to accomplish in partnership with Sokal-Berg’s new program.
“One of my hopes is that we can build this bridge between Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals’ peer leadership programs so we can possibly go on field trips together, do workshops together (and) even sometimes (look) in each other's class,” Montu said. “I just hope we really build this bridge so we can have (Cedar’s) leaders and Central's leaders meet and and just make this whole atmosphere in Athens, Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central better.”
Like Montu, Sokal-Berg wants to prompt change through her program, and feels the best way to do that is having students facilitate all of the restorative practices at CCHS instead of faculty and administrators.
“I feel like students should be running all restorative circles, like fights (in our school). I want to change our community,” Sokal-Berg said. “I don't think you can ever completely eradicate violence, but I feel like if people understood not only other people's emotions but their own emotions better, there would be a lot less conflict and so that's my happily ever after.”
A new academic elective is being offered to the CCHS student body for the 2022-23 school year with a focus on leadership, peer support and problem solving.Right: PRACTICING PEER LEADERSHIP: Top: Clarke Central High School’s Peer Leadership Class poses for a group photo with Georgia Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott (middle), who spoke to the class, in Room 261 on Sept. 22. Bottom left: CCHS freshman Mariah Buron listens to Georgia Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott talk with the CCHS Peer Leadership class in Room 261 on Sept. 22. Bottom right: CCHS fine arts department teacher Leslie Sokal-Berg sits on steps near the CCHS courtyard on Sept. 22. Sokal-Berg’s Peer Leadership class is aimed towards the control of restorative practices at CCHS, so the class has held many of their own restorative circles this school year. feel like it's very important for all of the students in the class to be okay with being uncomfortable and vulnerable, so we've spent a lot of time during class doing circles, like we do (in) Advisement,”
Sokal-Bergsaid. Photos by Aza Khan
“I really liked the things that we were doing in the class. We were helping out the school, learning about our community and learning how to be better leaders.” -- sadie miller, CCHS freshman
"I just hope we really build this bridge so we can have (Cedar’s) leaders and Central's leaders meet and and just make this whole atmosphere in Athens, Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central better.”
-- montu miller, CSHS social studies department teacher-- Leslie Sokal-Berg, CCHS fine arts department teacher
“I feel like students should be running all restorative circles, like fights (in our school). I want to change our community.”
The SAT, a standardized test used by post -secondary institutions as a factor in the admissions process, will fully transition from paper to digital by 2024.
BY RILEY RAMSEY Digital Junior Copy Editor
For almost a century, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) has been administered to high school students to showcase their academic capabilities to colleges. During this period of time, the test has always been taken using pencil and paper.
On Jan. 25, College Board - an organization that administers standardized tests such as the SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) exams - announced that at the beginning of spring 2023, the SAT delivered outside the U.S. will switch to taking place digitally. The U.S. SAT will follow in the spring of 2024, completing the shift of all SAT-related assessments to an exclusively-digital platform.
“Students will be able to complete the new online test on their own laptop or tablet, a school-issued device or one borrowed from the College Board,” University of Georgia Director of College Admissions Barkley Barton II said. “There will be a unique test for each student, (which will provide) more security for future tests. Completing the test will take two hours instead of three hours (and) digital testing allows for faster score reporting.”
Clarke Central High School Class of 2021 alumna Treasa McHugh is not surprised that the test is moving to a digital platform.
“Changing the format of the SAT makes sense to me,” McHugh said. “It may take time for people to relearn how to take and/or teach the SAT, but I think the convenience and efficiency of online testing will be worth working through those changes.”
CCHS senior Camille Hudson, who plans to take the SAT for the first time on Oct.1, believes the transition of the SAT from paper to digital will be easy since many tests and assignments given in school are already on the computer.
“I feel like we're moving into more technology-based everything. So most tests, most things that we're doing are already on (the) computer,” Hudson said. “It's all about efficiency and getting it sent out to whoever. I just feel like when it's online, it's much faster to get the scores in.”
While she believes the transition will be easy, Hudson prefers to take tests in the traditional manner.
“Testing on the computer is straining and I would rather take it on paper. I don't really like technology. You could have mishaps, your computer can die, you never know,” Hudson said. “Most people would probably prefer to have (the test) on paper.”
In order to test out the digital format, the College Board launched a pilot program inside and outside the U.S. in November 2021 that was meant to give
Featured: DIGITAL TEST: Clarke Central High School senior Grace Habibi (left) discusses college plans with fellow seniors in Room 231 on Oct. 14. To Habibi, who has taken the Scholastic Aptitude Test twice before, the test’s switch to a digital format reflected the transition from paper to technology that has occurred in recent years. “ I think of the SAT (as) very old-fashioned,” Habibi said. “Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I’ve taken a test on a piece of paper so I think it’s just very relevant to how I’m testing right now.”
1 . The SAT will have fully transitioned from a paper to a digital format by the end of 2024. “I’m for whatever will help students in terms of (getting) a better opportunity to showcase their talents and skills,” Smallwood said. “For now, I will say just to encourage students to register for the SAT and American College Test (ACT) (and to) go ahead and start studying for it because the application process has opened for colleges.” Photo by Aza han
Below: PAPER VS DIGITAL: An infographic displays the differences and similarities between the Scholastic Aptitude Test on paper compared to the test online. Clarke Central High School senior Grace Habibi, a senior, has taken the test twice on paper but welcomes the option of taking it online. "I think that it will benefit people because I don't think it's as stressful," Habibi said. "I also think it will be quicker to get your test scores since if you are doing it (in) paper form, people probably have to sort through those papers.” Infographic by Riley Ramsey
program inside and outside the U.S. in November 2021 that was meant to give the opportunity to compare paper and digital SAT scores.
“There could be students who do not like focusing (on) a computer and would not focus enough on it. That could be a potential problem,” CCHS College Adviser Gabriel Smallwood said. “And there’s some students who are not able to sit there and write on a piece of paper.”
McHugh feels the test’s transition may have a positive impact on students when it comes to the college application process.
“The sooner (students) know how they performed on the test, the sooner they know if (and) when they need to test again in order to be able to submit a score that they’re happy with to a school that they’re interested in,” McHugh said.
According to the Program Manager for Dual Enrollment at the Georgia Institute of Technology Laura Simmons, any changes to the SAT are designed to make the process of taking the test and receiving scores as smooth as possible.
“(High school) students should not worry about these changes,” Simmons said. “(The) College Board has nothing to gain from tests being harder or results being different. They will make sure the experience is as good as taking a standardized test can be.”
The bone-twisting Netflix original TV show “Devil in Ohio”, based on the novel of the same name, was released on Sept. 6 and provides a chilling, yet intriguing look into cult dynamics and trauma.
The series follows a typical suburban family in Ohio and a mysterious girl named Mae Dodd (Madeleine Arthur) plagued by a secretive force in their community.
Rated TV-MA, “Devil in Ohio” features mature and triggering imagery such as cult programming, the foster care system and familial abuse, contributing to the sub-genres of horror it encompasses. However, the program discusses these topics in a genuine and sensitive manner.
One of the downfalls of this show is that it fails to portray itself as many different genres cohesively. At one point, it’s a psychological thriller while, at another, it’s a supernatural horror.
While the show may be confusing, the cinematography and music embodies a skin-crawling creepiness that is only enhanced by the emotional and authentic acting and direction of the characters.
Overall, viewers who crave their daily dose of drama along with a cup of horror will thoroughly enjoy “Devil in Ohio”.
The highly-anticipated psychological thriller "Don't Worry Darling", based on the book of the same name, was released exclusively to theaters on Sept. 23, but doesn't live up to expectations.
The R-Rated movie, set in the 1950s, follows married couple Jack Chambers (Harry) and Alice Chambers (Florence) as they live seemingly perfect lives in Victory. Directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Pugh and Styles, the film's biggest issue is its slow and lackluster plot.
The action starts shortly after the movie begins, hooking viewers, but then continues repeating throughout the two hour and three minute showtime without many notable advancements. This then leads to a rushed climax and resolution packed into the very end, thus withholding the “ahha” moment viewers will come to expect.
Despite the failings of the plot, the movie was well executed. The actors, especially Pugh, gave amazing performances and the stunning cinematography tells a story on its own.
Overall, “Don’t Worry Darling” is worth a watch due to its execution and quality, although the plot may be disappointing to some viewers.
Antonio Starks, Illustrator -- Isabella Westrich, Variety Editor
Chick-fil-A’s Autumn Spice Milkshake was released to the public on Sept. 12 for a two-month cameo, and against all odds, it's actually good. Whereas other seasonal drinks often overwhelm the taste buds, the Autumn Spice Milkshake manages to subtly convey everything there is to love about fall in just one sip.
The milkshake contains hints of cinnamon and ginger that mix excellently with small gobs of brown sugar, bringing the drink's flavor to life. Priced at an affordable $4.39, the milkshake is a cheap alternative for those wanting a taste of fall.
The milkshake isn't perfect, but then again, neither is autumn. After several sips, the sugar and spice combination feels repetitive and overly sweet, much like a Thanksgiving with extended family members.
For those who are tired of the tried and tested fall drink formula, steer clear. However, for anyone who hasn't lost faith in fall flavors, the Autumn Spice Milkshake is a must-try.
Wyatt Meyer, Sports EditorReleased on Sept. 16, “The Woman King”, a historical epic based on actual events, is thrilling, emotional and full of action-packed battle scenes with strong female leads.
Rated PG-13 and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, “The Woman King” is set in the 1820s in the West African Kingdom of Dahomey, the present-day Republic of Benin. Throughout the movie, General Nanisca (Viola Davis) is responsible for training and leading the Agojie – a regiment of all-female warriors.
As the Agojie are fighting the Oyo Empire, who have been ambushing the Dahomey villages, General Nanisca assembles a group of recruits, one of whom is hot-headed 19-year-old Nawi (Thuso Mbedu).
Although rejecting the Agojie principles at first, Nawi soon comes to embrace the Agojie values when she is taken under the wing of trainee-leader Igozie (Lashana Lynch).
Overall, “The Woman King” does an excellent job of incorporating complex parts of history such as the slave trade, while also embodying aspects of West African culture. There is laughing, dancing and chanting throughout the movie, which energizes the audience. The cinematography captures the emotion of the characters, as well as the exhilarating, adrenaline-filled combat scenes.
Additionally, “The Woman King” touches on feminism while also addressing the long-lasting issue of a lack of equal rights, which is illustrated through the differences in rights and privileges of the Agojie women and the all-male army.
However, the movie’s plot is scattered, mixing the bloody, gory action scenes with emotional family drama and a romantic subplot that doesn’t make sense. Perhaps with more character development and depth, the movie would be more engaging.
Nevertheless, superb acting and a diverse cast make this movie worth a watch for those who want a little history lesson.
Just like bread, soda, mustard and a multitude of other things, teachers are in short supply in the U.S. right now. But at least this problem is easy to fix: people just have to, like, teach. Right?
Teachers have always had long hours, low pay, emotional exhaustion, huge responsibility and practically no support. Now there’s also the fun new development of increased school shootings, COVID exposures, virtual learning, political control in classrooms and post-COVID student behavior issues.
Really, the question is who wouldn’t want to teach?
Clearly, the educational system could be reworked so that teachers weren’t paid 23.5% less than other college graduates in comparable career paths, according to EducationWeek.
BY ISABELLA WESTRICH Variety EditorA Feb. 1 National Education Association survey found that 55% of educators are now planning to leave their jobs earlier than they originally intended. EducationWeek reported in a March 22 article that the number of people training to become teachers nationally has been steadily declining.
According to a Washington Post article published on Aug. 4, nationwide school staffing gaps are moving into the thousands. Sounds like teachers just need to get their acts together, huh?
The teacher shortage crisis has hit Athens, too. According to a June 6 article from Grady Newsource, during the 2021-22 school year, the lack of teachers affected Clarke County School District in grades K-12 and in a wide range of school subjects.
The Red&Black reported in a Feb. 11 article that four schools in the district switched to virtual learning for part of a week because not enough teachers and substitutes were available. But… why?
Lawmakers could stop inserting their political opinions into education by passing laws like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which, according to a July 17 Victory Fund article, has left educators questioning how to best support their students without putting their jobs in jeopardy.
Some students and parents could start thinking about teachers as human beings before sending angry emails or ranting during phone calls.
But… they’re just teachers, right? Why would they need a living wage or basic human respect?
At the end of the day, all teachers are really doing is expanding student’s minds, educating the next generation and shaping the future. Do they actually think they deserve decent pay for that? Ha!
Sounds like teachers still haven’t learned their lesson.
“But… they’re just
right? Why would they
The U.S. is facing a national teacher shortage, but what on earth could possibly be stopping people from being teachers?Above: TEACHER SHORTAGE: Teachers struggle to hold up a heavy weight, representing the factors that make their job difficult. These factors, including low pay, little support and lots of work, have contributed to the teacher shortage. teachers, need a living wage or basic human respect?" Variety Editor Isabella Westrich wrote. Illustration by Antonio Starks
At the end of the day, all teachers are really doing is expanding student’s minds, educating the next generation and shaping the future.
On Dec. 1, 2021, Stacey Abrams announced that she would run for governor for the second time in Georgia’s 2022 gubernatorial race. Abrams lost to Gov. Brian Kemp in the 2018 gubernatorial election, in which she was the nation’s first Black female majority party gubernatorial nominee.
Abrams is an advocate of strong gun control measures. Her goals are to pass stricter laws in regard to gun safety and to implement a more thorough process for gun purchases. One of these changes would be requiring background checks and licenses to carry concealed weapons in public.
Abrams strives for reproductive freedom, and as governor, she would support the Georgia General Assembly if they introduced a law to overturn the Heartbeat Bill that Kemp signed. She also claims that supporting safe pregnancies, spending more on maternal healthcare and rural hospital funding would be important parts of her agenda.
Abrams feels that accessible healthcare is of significant value and should be available for all Georgians. As governor, she would work to help grant equitable healthcare and overcome factors that have previously limited access. She hopes to attract more health care workers and hospitals to rural areas in Georgia by investing in Georgia’s public health infrastructure and providing more payment options to those who might not be in a position to afford quality coverage.
Abrams believes in equal education opportunities for students. In order to support students’ educational growth, she plans to oppose state censorship in the classroom, invest more in education and build the relationship between families and the schools. In addition, she believes that teachers' needs are just as important as students, and wants to raise statewide minimum teacher pay in order to support them.
Abrams wants to emphasize economic prosperity for families and individuals across the state, defining prosperity by measures such as affording vacations, unexpected car repairs and medical expenses. She hopes to offer women and minority owned small businesses support and opportunities, improve rural infrastructure and ensure living wages for all Georgians.
Abortion:
“Every single state in the South has been on a mission to make abortion difficult, if not impossible, to get. As the next governor of Georgia, I will fight to ensure safe and legal access to abortion in our state,” Abrams said. (Sep 16, Twitter)
“I am proud to support the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections and pledge to uphold the integrity of our elections. Regardless of party, we must encourage a peaceful election atmosphere during the pre-election, polling, counting and post-election periods,” Abrams said. (Sep 18, Twitter)
Medicaid:
“Expanding Medicaid will provide access to insurance for half a million Georgians and create 64,000 jobs. It will save lives and our state’s future,” Abrams said. (Sep 9, Twitter)
Stacey Abrams is a progressive Democrat running for governor in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election on Nov. 8.
Brian Kemp is a conservative Republican and incumbent candidate for governor in the 2022 Georgia gubernatorial election.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is a 1982 Clarke Central High School alumnus and a businessman. He is also a conservative Republican politician, who won the gubernatorial election in 2018. Kemp announced he would run for governor again in the 2022 gubernational election on May 18, 2021.
Kemp recognizes the issue with gun safety and the violence that has arisen in Georgia. His standpoint is that carrying a legal weapon is a Constitutional right through the Second Amendment. Throughout the past term, he took action by signing legislation allowing eligible citzens to carry guns in public without a special license.
Funding Education:
“The learning loss caused by the pandemic has been challenging for students, parents, and teachers. That’s why I announced $37.4 million in funding to help set Georgia students on a renewed path of learning success. I will always put our students, parents, and teachers first,” Kemp said. (Sep 7, Twitter)
Rural Healthcare:
“We’ve taken steps to strengthen healthcare in rural GA by adding 1,300 healthcare providers, 136 physicians, & 500 nurses. And we were able to do it while also cutting taxes for hardworking Georgians. While other politicians talk about what they may do, we’ve actually done it,” Kemp said. (Sep 21, Twitter)
Business Economy:
“Georgia’s economy is breaking records thanks to our common-sense, pro-business leadership! As governor, I will continue fighting to keep Georgia the #1 state for business,” Kemp said. (Sep 21, Twitter)
Kemp believes that human life begins at conception and therefore abortion is a moral issue. In keeping with this view, he signed the historic Heartbeat Bill in 2019 that banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The bill went into effect during the summer of 2022. If re-elected, Kemp will uphold the bill, though he has not addressed what he would further pursue in regards to abortion.
During his first term, Kemp passed legislation to attract more health care providers to Georgia. He’s done so by passing a bill called the Patients First Act, which increased access and lowered cost for health care. He also expanded Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to one year after having a baby.
Kemp plans to introduce school safety plans to increase security. He’s given $30,000 to each school in Georgia to implement these plans, along with goals for more training, “intruder alert drills” and precautions for potential violence. His agenda for K-12 learning is to get rid of teaching Critical Race Theory to support his claim that it is a dangerous ideology.
If re-elected, Kemp plans to work towards inflation relief with a goal to return $1 billion of surplus tax revenue to Georgians. Under this proposal, single taxpayers would receive $250, individuals who are the head of their household would receive $375 and married couples would receive $500. He would also continue to try and attract large corporations to Georgia to bring jobs to rural areas. In addition, he wants to maintain Georgia’s status as the No. 1 state for “business climate.”
Above: CONNECTING WITH CUSTOMERS: Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus and Cozybear Nursery owner and founder Deijhon Yearby holds a pink chrysanthemum outside of one of his greenhouses on Sept. 29. Throughout the three years of owning his business, Yearby has built relationships with his customers. “I'm honest with them and I don't put up (an) advertising wall or try to use promotional tricks and stuff,” Yearby said. “I'm just gonna say, ‘Hey, I have a really good quality plant here and if you need help keeping it alive, I will help you. I don't want you buying from me because you think it's a sympathy thing.’”
by Lucas DonnellyClass of 2015
and
owner and founder Deijhon Yearby has pursued his passion for plants through his business.
BY ISABELLA WESTRICH Variety Editor LAYOUT BY MAYA CLEMENT Lead Copy EditorPlanting, watering, pruning, fertilizing and caretaking— Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus and Cozybear Nursery owner and founder Deijhon Yearby carefully nourishes each of what he calls his plant babies from seed to sprout to fully-grown flora.
Less than 10 years after graduating high school, Yearby has built a career for himself as a farmer and entrepreneur, tapping into his passion: plants.
“I haven't had a plant I wasn't able to grow. I grew a banana tree and they don't even really grow in this area,” Yearby said. “There is some type of feeling you get when you take that one small little plant and you can grow it into this gigantic thing.”
Yearby’s journey with greenery started during his time at CCHS, where his teachers and classes helped him discover his passion and inspired him to pursue a career in agriculture.
“When I was in school, I always told all my teachers (that) I hate being inside," Yearby said. "So one of my teachers was like, ‘Okay, well, you just answered the question of: Do you want an inside job or an outside job?"
(Former CCHS Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) department teacher Jeff Holland) got me into the (agriculture) world by making us do all the chores that he didn't want to do in the greenhouse.”
After graduating from CCHS and earning a degree in Agricultural Science
from Athens Technical College, Yearby worked as an Assistant Farm Manager at Williams Farm for Athens Land Trust (ALT). His dream, however, was to work for himself as the owner/manager of a nursery, where plants are started from seeds and grown to be bought and planted by customers.
“(Yearby has) always struck me as never, ever really being content with what he's got going. He always thinks it can be better so he's constantly striving to make his business better. He's also a really hard worker and he's really passionate about farming and growing plants,” Williams Farm Manager Steph Nivens, who works with Yearby almost daily, said. “It's impressive to see somebody so young who knows what they want (and) where they want to go.”
As Yearby worked towards his dream of owning his own nursery, the Athens community provided him the support he needed.
“Working through (the ALT), I really got to see the (Athens) community. I like to say there are small bubbles within this town, and if you don't branch out from your bubble you just don't know what's going on,” Yearby said. “The best way to describe Athens is it’s a community where if you do bet on yourself, there are people here that will support you.”
One of the community members that supported Yearby was Amy Flurry, who owns and operates a boutique communications and development firm in Athens. Flurry met Yearby while he was working at the West Broad Farmers’ Market through the ALT.
“He was working with other people (at the West Broad Farmers’ Market) and he was just very open, very positive, he acknowledged (me), and that was how
"There is some type of feeling you get when you take that one small little plant and you can grow it into this gigantic thing."
-- Deijhon Yearby, Cozybear Nursery owner and founder and CCHS Class of 2015 alumnusPhoto
I got to know him because I was a regular shopper there,” Flurry said. “Because he knew I worked with entrepreneurs, we just had great conversations and I could see he was piecing together what it meant to be a farmer.”
In 2019, Yearby achieved his dream and was able to open Cozybear Nursery after working for about three years with the ATL and operating a market garden to make money.
“Working for (Williams Farm) was awesome, but I also felt like, ‘Man, I don't really like doing this at all.’ I know a couple of people that really enjoy vegetable farming, but in the back of my mind I was like, ‘I hate weeding and I hate harvesting. The only thing I like is when we grow plants,’” Yearby said. “So (when Cozybear Nursery opened), I just felt a sense of ease, like, ‘Yeah, I feel like this is the right move.’”
CCHS English department teacher Brian Ash taught Yearby while he was at CCHS, and has enjoyed watching him grow into his passion for agriculture. He believes that Yearby’s dedication towards his goal makes him a role model for CCHS students.
“He's a kid who kind of blended in the crowd (at CCHS), but it really highlights and illustrates how special everybody is when they find their thing. I'm really glad that he puts his enthusiasm out there for us to see,” Ash said. “That's what the kids need to see, they need to see people who've gone out and made it through (CCHS). They need to see there’s lots of different ways to be successful.”
Similar to Ash, Yearby hopes that CCHS students can learn from his journey and find a career in something they are passionate about.
“If you want to be (an) entrepreneur, be completely open-minded. You're not gonna know what you want to do so keep your options open,” Yearby said. “If you're getting into (the agricultural world) because you want to make a lot of money, you're not going to be successful. But if you get into it because it's something that you're passionate about, then you will make a lot of money and you'll be happy.”
Above: CHRYSANTHEMUMS AND COMMUNITY: Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus and Cozybear Nursery owner and founder Deijhon Yearby's orange chrysanthemums are displayed at Cozybear Nursery on Sept. 29. Yearby has given back to the Athens community through his work with plants. “When I was selling vegetables people would say how they stopped eating at fast food places because they would eat vegetables,” Yearby said. “Now that I sell plants, I sell herbs and people say they planted herbs in their yard and now they can pick the fresh herbs from there.”
Left: PLANT BABIES: Clarke Central High School Class of 2015 alumnus and Cozybear Nursery owner and founder Deijhon Yearby waters his plants at Cozybear Nursery on Sept. 29. Yearby has put a lot of effort into taking care of all of his plants. “(Every day I) come out here, do a walkthrough of all the plants, make sure there's no bugs, make sure there's no dead leaves. After that, I sit down (and make a) gameplan. What needs fertilizer? What needs to be pruned? What needs to be moved out of the sun? What actually needs water and what doesn't need water?” Yearby said. “I feel like all of these are my babies.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly
"I'm really glad that he puts his enthusiasm out there for us to see."
-- Brian Ash, CCHS English department teacherLAYOUT BY MAYA CLEMENT Lead Copy Editor GRAPHICS BY ANTONIO STARKS Illustrator
Above: WAFFLE FRIES: Chick-fil-A’s signature waffle fries are shown at the 1 6 Alps Rd. location. With a wide variety of sauces, an almost perfect texture and a good, but slightly unoriginal, flavor, the fries created a pleasing eating experience. “The fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside for the majority of the time, though, inevitably, there are some soggy ones,” Variety Staffer Victoria Garland wrote. “Even though every fry isn’t perfect, they are a satisfying snack, made even tastier by the sprinkle of salt.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly, photo illustration by Maya Clement
BY VICTORIA GARLAND Variety Stafferalking into the Chick-fil-A on 196 Alps Rd, customers are greeted with friendly workers, delicious smells and the signature waffle-shaped french fries that always feel like a treat.
The fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside for the majority of the time, though, inevitably, there are some soggy ones. Even though every fry isn’t perfect, they are a satisfying snack, made even tastier by the sprinkle of salt.
They don’t have much flavor compared to other options, but there’s also a variety of sauces you can choose that improve the taste. From classics like ketchup to original flavors such as Chick-fil-A sauce, there’s an option for everyone.
The fries are also priced reasonably between $1.55 to $1.85, depending on the size. Fortunately, all sizes, from small to large, provide a generous amount of fries that will leave customers pleased.
Overall, the Chick-fil-A fries are definitely a satisfactory eating experience and an affordable option. Despite not having the most original taste, the sauces Chick-fil-A provides allow the fries to suffice.
BY SOFIA BALSAMO Guest Writer
Cookout on 1917 W. Broad St. has whatever fast food you desire, including fries that are savory and fresh, which customers can order through a drive-through or walk-up window.
With a large selection of fries compared to other restaurants, Cookout allows customers to choose between regular fries, cheese fries, chili cheese fries and cajun fries, which can all be purchased with a meal or by themselves. In addition to that, Cookout fries are available in regular and large sizes.
The large regular fries, priced at $1.69, is a decent portion for a snack. The fries have a hint of salt, providing just enough flavor, but not overpowering the classic fry taste. Unfortunately, Cookout only serves ketchup which can be disappointing for sauce lovers.
While the fries are served at a nice warm temperature, they lack the crunch that is quintessential to the fry-eating experience.
Nonetheless, with an affordable price, a decent taste and a variety of fries to choose from, Cookout has the fries to complement any fast food meal.
owadays, there seems to be an app website for almost anything that was formerly done in real life, from talking and texting to sketching to photographing. But at a time when it feels as though "real life" is increasingly digital, why should sports be any different?
Across the world, more and more people are becoming involved in esports, which are essentially competitive video games played against other gamers.
While it’s hard to quantify how many people play esports because there are so many different types, the industry as a whole has grown tremendously.
According to games marketing website Newzoo’s report on March 9, 2021, the global esports audience is projected to grow from 465 million people in 2021 to include almost 600 million people by 2024, with the industry projected to be worth more
Nthan $1.6 billion by that time.
Although it’s generally accepted that esports are fun, the criticism of them has long been that they don’t offer transferable skills that more traditional sports provide, but that’s not entirely true. While other sports incorporate more physical challenges than esports, playing online still has its benefits.
“The skills that you get by playing soccer, Rocket League, any video game or any sport are things like communication, teamwork, adaptability, reliability,”
ness, media, production or coaching.”
In fact, esports are often more accessible than sports like football or basketball because of their digital platform.
“We can use esports and gaming as (a) kind of vehicle or mechanism to teach things that we’ve been teaching for a long time, but we’re just doing it through a lens that makes more sense to this current generation of people,” Gawrysiak said.
While esports might seem to be an abstract concept far away from Athens, the reality is that students can play them as a sport right here at Clarke Central High School, although no one played out for tried out for last year’s team.
Joey Gawrysiak, Director of Esports at Shenandoah University and Co-Founder of Esports Development and Growth Enterprise said. “You can get (those soft skills) by playing and competing in video games, but also you can learn a lot through esports and gaming that relate to traditional areas of busi-
“Compared to football, basketball and baseball, (esports are) really small. I think more people (participating) would just make the games more popular and get more people invested,” recreational esports player Alexander Fishburn, a CCHS freshman, said.
With esports more legitimate than they’ve ever been before, grab a computer, create an account and start playing. There’s never been a better time than now.
While esports don’t provide the same physical challenges as more traditional sports, they still offer benefits that make them worth playing.
At a time when it feels as though ‘real life’ is increasingly digital, why should sports be any different?
Featured: RUNNING BUDDIES: Clarke Central High School cross country runners Beck Wolf-Hardy (left), a junior, and Max Carlson (right), a senior, pose together on the Billy Henderson Stadium track on Sept. 14. As Wolf-Hardy has spent more and more time on running at CCHS, Carlson feels he has grown to be a larger influence on the team. "He is very eccentric, he is also very confident and an overall great person," Carlson said. " He does all the little things that most runners don’t think are important. He does everything perfect and gives 100%." Photo by Lucas Donnelly
Year after year. Day after day. Stride after stride. CCHS cross country runner Beck Wolf-Hardy keeps on running.
BY KENDARIUS BUTTS Sports StafferClarke Central High School varsity cross country runner Beck Wolf-Hardy, a junior, is known by his peers as an encouraging teammate and a confident runner. But he hasn’t always been the star athlete that the CCHS community knows him as.
Wolf-Hardy started his running career when he was 8 years old and immediately developed a fondness for the sport.
“I remember my first season. I was like, ‘Wow, I’m pretty good at this.’ So that (made) me just naturally love it and the feeling that it gives me,” Wolf-Hardy said. “I can’t control a lot of things, but running is one thing that I can control. I can control where I go and how fast I’m running.”
Cross country isn’t just a sport for Wolf-Hardy: it’s a lifestyle and an outlet for expression.
“Every day, (I) just come out (to run),” Wolf-Hardy said. “In the moments that I am locked in, I can really feel how I’m doing with my mind. It’s clear and I’m focused. I can feel the swing of my arms, the pounding of my legs. I feel like I’m flowing along, kind of like a river.”
Wolf-Hardy’s experience with running has allowed him to adopt a philosophical outlook on life.
“I feel like I have the whole world on my shoul-
ders. I know I don’t, but I still feel like that, so I try to focus on one day at a time, one foot in front of the other,” Wolf-Hardy said. “(I) try not to think about the future too much. Just be in the moment.”
Wolf-Hardy is known to be an uplifting and motivational teammate by his peers and coaches.
“He’s always loud and proud and yelling, ‘Hey, y’all, let’s do those strides.’ That’s Beck. ‘Hey, guys, let’s go to the tennis courts and do abs,’” CCHS head varsity cross country coach Erica Cascio said. “He’s always that guy.”
Fellow CCHS varisty cross country runner Max Carlson, a senior, has been running alongside Wolf-Hardy for years and during that time, they have formed a bond.
“He’s been great. We help each other out during the workout and we (push) each other and that’s why he is a great teammate,” Carlson said. “His work ethic is very good. He’s always encouraging the rest of us (and) he puts in a ton of work.”
Wolf-Hardy hopes to continue spreading his message of consistency and motivation for others; one foot at a time.
“Just take a moment, smile. Look outside, stare at the window,” Wolf-Hardy said. “Take a deep breath, focus on being in the moment and just have a great day.” O
Featured: GOING FOR THE GOLD: Clarke Central High School varisty cross country runner Beck Wolf-Hardy runs on the path to Billy Henderson Stadium during the cross country team's practice on Oct. 18. Head varsity cross country coach Erica Cascio has worked with Wolf-Hardy during his time on the cross country team, and credits Wolf-Hardy's success to his character. "I can't even describe it - it's beyond work ethic," Cascio said. "You want him to stop, you ask him to stop and he won't. He has goals in mind, he's very goal-oriented and he's always working towards his goal without stopping." Photo by Lucas Donnelly
Featured: FAMILY MEMORIES: Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, poses with his father, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr. in Billy Henderson Stadium on Oct. 6. Anderson III began playing football in the third grade and since the start of his high school career, has been coached by his father. "I feel like the biggest lesson (I’ve learned from my dad) is really just to be yourself and to give everything that you have into what you want,” Anderson III said. “If (I) really believe that (I) can do it, (I) can.”
Photo by Lucas Donnelly
Featured: BE THE BEST: Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, stands with his father, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr., during the Gladiators’ football practice on Sept. 26. Anderson III has been the CCHS starting quarterback for almost two years, but with college on the horizon, Anderson Jr. has not changed his expectations of his son. “The goal is the same that we’ve had for him since the first day of school. I’m talking about kindergarten, preschool, whatever it was, we only want him to do his very best in whatever he chooses to do,” Anderson Jr. said. “If he does that, then he’s gonna be fine (and) we’re gonna be proud of him.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly
s Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, looks back on his football career, there’s been one person who’s been with him the whole time: his father.
Anderson III started playing football as a third grader in 2013, playing recreationally on the Classic City Cowboys in the Northeast Georgia Youth Football League.
However, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr. didn’t initially want his son to play football.
“I wanted him to want to play, (to) show me that he wanted to play for himself and work at it,” Anderson Jr. said. “(I told him), ‘Show me (football) is something that you want to do, and then you (can) go out there.’”
Anderson III’s football journey wasn’t linear, as he took a couple of years away from the game before returning to it in his eighth-grade year. As soon as
his son decided to come back to football, Anderson Jr. knew he was serious about the game.
“I would always tell him if he does his part, then we’ll do our part. It starts with him,” Anderson Jr. said.
“Seeing him practice with the school and then go and take away his free time to go get extra training (and) extra practicing in, says that, ‘Okay, if you’re willing to do that, then we’re willing to take you wherever you want to go.’”
During this time, Anderson III was attending school at Prince Avenue Christian School, but he made the switch to CCHS before his sophomore year in high school to further his footballing development.
“I wanted to play football on one of the highest levels that you can play on,” Anderson III said. “I wanted to play against big-time schools
A“I wanted to play against big-time schools and (play) big-time games and just get my name out there as best I could. I felt like Clarke Central was the place for me to do that.”
-- Lucian Anderson III, CCHS quarterback and senior
CCHS quarterback Lucian Anderson III’s football journey has always been intertwined with his father, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr.
the
said. “He has (had a big
and (play) big-time games and just get my name out there as best as I could. I felt like Clarke Central was the place for me to do that.”
Anderson III’s switch to CCHS coincided with Anderson Jr. accepting an offensive assistant position on the Gladiators’ coaching staff. CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno is glad the pair made the switch.
“The whole mentality of (our program) and the whole perception of the program, Lucian (Anderson III) and his father have had a tremendous influence on changing that and creating the type of environment and culture that we’re looking for,” Perno said.
Further to that point, CCHS middle linebacker and running back Kendrick
Curry, a junior, credits Anderson Jr. as encouraging Curry to continue playing running back after he had focused more on his defensive responsibilities as an underclassman.
“(Anderson Jr.) has improved my stamina while (I’m) staying in the game to run the ball and (improved) my footwork to make cuts and get through holes,” Curry said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in practice or a game, he always wants 100%.”
As both Andersons have sacrificed more and more to be a part of the varsity football team, the two still try to find time to be a family outside of football.
“(My dad) talks about football a lot, but he also talks to me just in general a lot too, and I really appreciate that,” Anderson III said.“But, once you love
“Lucian (Anderson III) and his father have had a tremendous influence on changing that and creating the type of environment and culture that we’re looking for.”
-- LuciAN ANDERSON JR., CCHS assistant varsity football coach
something like football so much, it’s hard to stay away from it.”
After having worked with the duo for three years, Perno sees similarities between the two that he believes will serve Anderson III well at the next level.
“They’re both very structured and very disciplined in the way they go about their work, they don’t take anything for granted and (are) very thorough in their details,” Perno said. “They have been two shining lights in our program for the last three years.”
Despite the similarities between them, Anderson Jr. wants his son to go above and beyond his achievements as a former University of Georgia wide receiver.
“I always tell him, ‘Dude, to be good, you have to be better than me because I’m good,’” Anderson Jr. said. “(He has) the opportunity to be better than I could ever be as a man.”
Anderson III’s ability to separate his work from his family is what Anderson Jr. thinks will enable his son to succeed at the next level.
“(Coaches will) ask me, ‘Well, is he a workaholic when it comes to football? Does he just put everything into it? Does he live and die (for) the game?’” Anderson Jr. said. “What I tell them is ‘What I see that’s gonna make Lucian great, which gives him the opportunity to be such a really, really good football player, is (that) he puts all the time in it when it’s time to put all that time in, but he knows how to shut it down and get away from it.’”
As the Gladiators chase down a fourth consecutive Region 8-AAAAA title,
Curry believes that Anderson III’s performances will be key to their chances.
“Lucian plays a big role on our team and is doing a great job at the quarterback spot, especially when he runs,” Curry said. “(I) hope he plays great and (is) able to get a state championship ring at the end of the season.”
Beyond high school, Anderson III hopes to continue his football journey in college, but until that time comes, he is focused on his final season in Athens.
“We haven’t really had a checklist of things we want to try to get done before he goes to college, we just know that’s a part of his development,” Anderson Jr. said. “We just try to keep teaching him as long as he’s in our house, try to just be in today, be in the moment. (Don’t) look so forward to college because then you’re gonna miss out on high school.”
As the sun sets on Anderson III’s high school career, both Andersons will look to make their final CCHS season together a special one. But, no matter if he’s in high school, college or beyond, Anderson III knows that he will have his family’s support to guide him.
“I feel like the biggest lesson (I’ve learned from my dad) is really just to be yourself and to give everything that you have into what you want,” Anderson III said. “If (I) really believe that (I) can do it, (I) can.”
Below: FINDING FOOTBALL: Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, evades a Cedar Shoals High School defender during the Gladiators’ 40-0 win against their crosstown rivals. Anderson III didn’t always play football, only becoming fully committed to the sport in his eighth-grade year at Prince Avenue Christian School before moving to CCHS for his sophomore year in high school. “When I was playing (junior varisty) and I saw love and family with the high school team, I knew that it was going to be even better at the next level,” Anderson III said. “I just knew I really wanted to be on a team at the next level.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly“‘We just try to keep teaching him as long as he’s in our house, try to just be in today, be in the moment. (Don’t) look so forward to college, because then you’re gonna miss out on high school.”
-- Lucian Anderson JR., assistant varsity football coach
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 written for each issue by the Sports Staff based on interviews with players and coaches.
Grade:12
GPA:4.12
Years of experience:6
Game day ritual:I usually just listen to music or watch an old college game on YouTube to make me strive towards something.
Favorite memory:All the bus rides back home (from volleyball games) are super fun. Last year, we’d usually stop somewhere to get food and energy. Even after a loss, (it) was great to be in. I don’t think I’d be friends with most of the girls on the team if it wasn’t for our time together.
Role Model:(CCHS fine arts department teacher Dr.Eunice Kang) has been my orchestra teacher for six years now. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone (that said) they don’t love her.She is always so positive and passionate about her job. I wish to be as impactful as she is one day. I’ve seen her every school day for four years now, either in person or (on) a computer screen,and she’s definitely the one (person) I’ll miss after graduating.
Grade:10
GPA:4.0
Years of experience:1
Game day ritual:I just listen to music and I pay attention to what the coaches tell me because they help you. During warm-ups, I just make sure I’m doing my best at full speed to break a sweat.
Favorite memory:(The) Loganville game (this year is my favorite) because it was my first ever (interception) playing football in a real game and I liked (the 2022) spring (practice) because that was the first time I was actually in pads.In spring,we were working out with varsity and (junior varsity) people combined, they weren’t split up already. Hearing what all the varsity coaches and players said and did also helped a lot.
Role Model:I’d like to work as hard as my mom. My mom works hard and that’s pretty inspirational.
What coaches say:(Sewell) is a hard-working,reliable young man who always comes to practice and games with a positive attitude. He practices hard, he is coachable, he works in the classroom and he has the character that we are looking for from our student-athletes.
-- Stefan Smith, CCHS head JV football coachWhat coaches say:Ashley is the only starter returning this season. She isn’t vocal,but her actions display true leadership. Ms. Elizalde is typically the first to practice,giving constant feedback and praise to her passing partner.
-- Stacey Scott,CCHS head varsity volleyball coach
IN THE MIDDLE: Georgia High School Association umpire Wayne Battey poses on the Clarke Central High School softball field on Sept. 23. Battery has been an umpire for 27 years, but never lost his passion for the game. “I was 39 when I started and I wish I started at 19,” Battey said. “There’s always something that I’ve never seen before. Now, I’ve seen a lot, but there’s always something like, ‘Okay, that’s a first.’ We always say, ‘Be prepared for the unexpected.’”
Officials are very much a part of the game just like fans and players, but what you understand (is that) the game is not about you. You’re there to manage the game and make sure that the game is administered fairly with the rules associated with that game.
We have bad games, but (we) forget about it. It’s just like if I miss a pitch, I think, ‘Dang, I missed that pitch.’ Well, you go into (the) next pitch, ain’t no need to worry about that now, that’s done, you go on to the next pitch. After (one) play, you got to go onto the next play. (If) you dwell too long on things that now don’t matter because they’re done, that’s where you can make mistakes.
The hardest part is just mentally being focused (on) every pitch, every play. That can get hard sometimes because the minute you don’t and something happens, then you’re going, ‘Okay, now what I do?’ Ninety percent of the game is going to take care of itself, it’s that 10%, whatever it may be, that’s like, ‘Okay, what happened?’
Keeping your uniform presentable, pants pressed, just carrying a spray bottle full of a little soap and water and a used towel to wipe the dirt off (your) shoes just so you look like an umpire (is important). Looking like an umpire or any official, that’s half the battle. If you look like you know what you’re doing, that will say something.
Umpires do it because they love the game and we put in a lot of effort and preparation to basically get it right. We always say, ‘It can look ugly, you might have been out of position, but did you get it right?’
Featured: MAN
Photo by Aza Khan
