Red and Black, Winter 2020

Reflecting on the decade, p. 8-9

Science behind living with ADHD, p. 10

The latest rage: bubble jackets, p. 16

Red and Black

Montgomery County Public Schools

Northwood High School

919 University Boulevard W.

Silver Spring, MD 20901

Winter 2020

‘It’s just part of who I am’:

How Northwood artists are creating the future

by Zoe Kilgore Kessy Sambou, ‘20

Leona Montvillo, ‘20 Kameren Brown, ‘20

Artwork by Caitlin Stout, ‘20

Pride and hockey

Looking into an overlooked community

by Chris Peterson The NHL originally started “Hockey is for Everyone” in 1998 to promote diversity in the NHL. It was originally mostly focused on racial inclusion in the sport, but has further expanded into inclusion for other communities, including the LGBTQ+ community.

Each team in the NHL has a “sponsor” for the LGBT community. This sponsor was chosen based on their involvement in their community’s events and their leadership in the locker room.

The initiative expanded to include the LGBTQ+ community after former Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke’s son, Brendan, came out as gay. Brendan came out in December of 2007 and his family was extremely welcoming and tolerant.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case for a lot of families.

Brendan Burke, with the help

of his father Brian, became a huge part of the new “Hockey is for Everyone” movement. Even today, Brendan Burke is the closest person to the NHL to ever publicly say he’s gay.

Brendan’s activism touched the hearts of many and when he died in 2010, the hockey world cried. The Toronto Maple Leafs, for whom Brian Burke was then GM, held a moment of silence immediately following his death, and the St. Louis Blues did so as well.

The Maple Leafs named Brendan honorary first star of the game on February 6, 2010. USA Hockey also established the Brendan Burke internship, given to a recent college graduate looking to get into hockey operations.

In 2016, Brad Marchand, sponsor for the Boston Bruins, called out a homophobe on Twitter.

Marchand, who has a reputation for being one of the dirtiest and most unlikable people in the entire league, also has a reputation for standing up for the LGBTQ+ community.

Former Canucks goaltender Anders Nilsson said to the media that if he had been gay growing up in Sweden, he would’ve been forced

out of hockey.

“What I now can feel myself, is that if I was gay, I would have quit playing hockey in my teens,” Nilsson told Outsports in 2019.

“That’s why I think when people say there are three to four gay players on each team, I say no, absolutely not. They quit when they were younger. There’s no one who would dare to or want to keep playing.”

The art world is constantly evolving, and young artists at Northwood are evolving along with it.

With a plethora of art courses to choose from, a few students go above and beyond when it comes to creativity and an artistic vision that can’t be replicated.

The creative process varies from artist to artist. Some, like senior Leona Montvillo, use music to help inspire them to work.

“Different genres of music invoke a lot of different emotions and imagery that make me want to put things on a canvas.”

Leona has been painting throughout her four years at Northwood and was recently chosen to have her work displayed in the Johns Hopkins University art show.

(SEE ART, 3) For Nilsson, “Team sports are about the feeling of togetherness.

It’s just as fun to go there to hang out and have someone to talk to as the actual sports, but if you have a hard time in the dressing room when you’re a teen it’s not as fun to play hockey on the field either.”

In Finland, another player came out recently, Jon-Lee Olsen.

The 27-year-old goalie said that he’s ready for (SEE HOCKEY, 13)

Caps’ mascot Slapshot at the team’s pride celebration.

(Photo: Chris Peterson)

2 Red and Black

Unlocking the mystery of recycling at Northwood

by Elizabeth Sampson and Zoe Kilgore Around Northwood, many students assume that all trash and recycling ends up in the same bin, so it leads them to believe that there is no reason to recycle.

Misplacing things like cans, plastic bags, and other recyclables adds to our already deteriorating marine ecosystem.

Habitats are being ruined and animals are ingesting plastic that does not decay.

We interviewed Mr. Brooks,

Northwood’s thriving community of artists (continued)

by Zoe Kilgore “Sometimes the people around me inspire me to paint faces that I love. I don’t get to do it often, but I really enjoy interacting with people and wanting to make pieces involved with them.”

Art can often provide an escape.

“If I can’t sleep or I don’t know what to do, I’ll just start drawing and I’ll do it for hours,” says senior Cat Stout, who plans to apprentice as a tattoo artist during college.

“I’ll lose track of time and zone out. It just kind of happens.”

In an environment where many students feel burdened by high expectations, art can be very therapeutic. It helps people explore their emotions, relieve stress, and vent without having to use words.

For seniors Kameren Brown and Kessy Sambou, who use a variety of media to make art, creating comes as second nature.

Kameren says she creates “because [she has] to. I can’t go very long without actually making art.

It’s just part of who I am.” Her parents are both artists, which might explain her passion for it.

“My dad is an artist, and my mom does photography. I used to go out with my mom and do photoshoots with her,” she recalls.

Kessy has her creative mind running even when she’s not making art. “I feel the most inspired when I can’t make anything, unfortunately,” Kessy explains. “It’ll be three o’clock in the morning and I’ll really want to make something, but I can’t. I’ll open my notes app and write ideas for later, or record

News Winter 2020

head of building services at Northwood, to discuss the recycling rumor going around, as well as many other concerns about the environment.

According to Brooks, on June 24, 2019 Northwood received a certificate for collecting and recycling the most paper during the 2018 “Got Paper?” contest.

Around Northwood, the building services team does see a lot of misplaced plastic, but a part of their job is to divide up what is put into every bin.

“We don’t tell [students] to recycle, and usually leave it up to the teachers to do that,” said Mr. Brooks.

However, it is clear that we can’t depend on building services alone

to sort our trash. There are so many recyclables at Northwood that the building services team has requested more bins to be put around the school.

It has reached the point that the county has to come and take Northwood’s recycling at least three times a week.

Our huge recycling load requires a lot of help to maintain, and putting trash where it belongs from the start would make a difference in the time it takes for building services to sort through and send it out.

Recycled products could be Above: one of many places to easily made more quickly and, in the long recycle at NHS. term, the saved time accumulated would be drastic.

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a voice memo.”

Despite the fact that art is inherently important to many people, its value is often overlooked.

Many see an art degree is usually seen as a waste of time, and creative individuals are encouraged to devote their time to more fundamental subjects.

Many don’t realize that art is integrated into almost everything we do. It gives us a glimpse into the past, and allows people to design things for the future.

A common problem that many high schools have fallen victim to is an underfunded art department that lacks resources to give outstanding students proper exposure.

“There aren’t too many events that have artists in mind,” says Leona. “We have one opportunity in the spring to show our artwork, but it’s very much glossed over. . . We don’t have the motive to push new artists into the school and create an environment for them.”

Last spring’s art show fell on the same date as a dance concert, resulting in a lower turnout than

expected.

The National Art Honor Society, established last year, has been making countless efforts to make Northwood a school for artists to flourish.

They hold events every few months called Creative Coffees that invite students, staff, and members of the community to make holiday-themed art.

The Honor Society even held their own student run art show.

This year, they have been working to design book-themed benches for the Media Center.

Staff

Editor-in-Chief Liya Tadesse Supervising Editor Kate Valentine Business Manager Heyling Amador News Editors Lizzy Alspach William Vorosmarti News Staff Naufal Alavi Kevin Amaya Henock Ashebo Zion Hollins-Drew Yimel Hernández-González Mikayah Levy Giselle Matamoros Fasina Mendoza Iris Ramos Features Editor Zoe Kilgore Features Staff Daphne Fuentes Bryan Lopez Marcelo Lovo

Leona Montvillo’s award-winning artwork (above right) is on display at Johns Hopkins until March 12; below, Montvillo and Ms. Randall celebrate her second-place finish in the show called “Movement.”

Sports Editor Christopher Peterson Design Editors Gabby David Brayan Saravia Semira Tekle Photography Staff Ruben Herrera Romeo Medrano Comics Editor Michelle Bazie Special Contributors Audrey Barrick Asha Burtin Adriana Cruz Zoe Friedman Elizabeth Sampson

Source: @MsRandallArt

Faculty Advisor Ryan Acosta-Fox

News Winter 2020

Northwood’s Academy of Music, Theatre, and Dance shines in “Into the Woods”

by Yimel Hernández-González In November, Northwood theater students performed the musical “Into the Woods,” and each night was better than the one before.

The inspiration for this musical was taken from the movie “Into the Woods” directed by Rob Marshall and written by James Lapin. It was originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine and orchestrated by Jonathan Tunick. The leads were Elaina Giaudrone (‘20) as Red Riding Hood, Maya Okoye (‘22) as the Baker’s Wife, Raymond Ingram (‘20) as the Baker, Sophia Willis (‘20) as Cinderella, Sebastian Penate (‘22) as Jack, and llan Brick (‘20) as the Witch.

Guided by Dr. Temple and Mr. Sullivan, the cast of “Into the Woods” produced something that took effort, spirit and creativity.

Dr.Temple said that rehearsals began the first week of school.

“We did auditions during the week prior to school starting, so we would be ready to go. Much of the first month of rehearsal was dedicated to music. You can’t start blocking and staging scenes if characters don’t know the music.”

Rehearsals were extensive, happening four days a week for two hours and on five Saturdays. But for Dr. Temple, it was worth it.

“The show itself is a result of making consistent choices during the rehearsal period and really following through with them.”

In this musical the actors don’t just sing and they don’t just read from the script that they were given; they brought both elements to life.

Sophomore named Athena Adams said of the performance that it was clear “people put their original flare on things.”

Every time Sebastian Penate sang, the audience applauded vigorously. Penate focused only on the audience by using body language and eye contact even through the darkness of the auditorium.

Another sophomore, Kinza Javed, had this to say: “The show kept everyone interacting with the audience. I liked the fact that there wasn’t anything confusing. Everything was so clear.”

“Into the Woods” involves numerous fairy tale stories combined into one to make the final product special. But the actors, the director,

3 Red and Black

as well as the costume and set design also help make it come to life.

Directing “Into the Woods” was special and close to Dr. Temple’s heart.

“Directing a musical is always very challenging because you have to coordinate the acting, singing, dancing, orchestra, set and costumes into rehearsal time and juggle a lot of scheduling chaos. “‘Into the Woods’ has been the most challenging musical for me to direct to date. It required thinking ahead two-to-three scenes to ensure that characters were blocked into places that made sense through the rest of the scenes, as well as planning blocking that allowed many people to be on stage at once, but for all of them to be seen and focused on.”

Even though it felt at times “really chaotic,” it “also left us feeling like we had accomplished something amazing.”

But “Into the Woods” wasn’t just about performing a musical; it was also about collaborating and connecting as students and teachers.

Raymond Ingram reflected on his role in the production.

“I believe that the musical as a whole requires a lot of hard work and I believe my peers performed at the highest caliber.”

In the original fable, “Little Red Riding Hood,” the Wolf is a meat-eater predator.

In “Into The Woods,” we see more hidden motives. The Wolf feels more like a sexual predator.

The actors did a tremendous job bringing this creepy quality of the Wolf to life.

The senior and freshmen actors balanced each other perfectly because they were not just able to teach each other but learn from each other. “Into the Woods” was a learning experience for everyone, including the audience.

For Dr. Temple, the choice of “Into the Woods” was easy.

“Mr. Sullivan and I chose ‘Into the Woods’ because we felt our students were ready for the challenge. Stephen Sondheim [the composer and lyricist] is one of the most difficult writers to sing and play, but we had confidence that our seniors, who had been working with us for the last three years, were really ready for this difficult, but fun, score.”

Dr. Temple and Mr. Sullivan were also excited about the “incoming freshman who would be adding to our ranks.” This influx of students allowed a much larger cast than in prior productions.

Their goal was clear from the start. “We also chose ‘Into the Woods’ because it has a fairly stationary set and wouldn’t require us to build and paint multiple sets for the stage. That way, we could focus on lighting and costumes to really bring the stories to life.”

Red and Black Patrons Emperor Level The Acosta-Fox Family Laura Albert Anonymous Sara Baudry Monica Bridgewater Carolyn Dixon Drew Linenberger Jenn Sawin The Valentine Family The Vorosmarti Family Carolyn West-Gipson Gladiator Level The Breslaw Family Courtney Conklin Meredith Lazzaro Spectator Level Saeed Damadi Nadine Hecht Holly Jones Brandy Reazer Roseann Saah Kira Swann

Students involved in the cast, the crew, and the pit of “into the Woods” pose after the final performance (Source: @Theatre_at_NHS).

Politics

4 Red and Black

States see an uptick in laws restricting abortion rights

by William Vorosmarti In the past year, nine states have passed laws restricting abortion.

These range from Utah banning abortion after 18 weeks to Alabama’s new Human Life Protection Act that only permits abortion when the woman’s life is in danger.

Georgia and Utah allow exceptions for rape or incest in their new laws as long as the woman notifies the police. Arkansas is more lenient, not requiring a police report in such cases.

However the other 6 states (Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio) do not allow any exceptions for rape or incest. While media coverage of this topic has slowly faded away over the past few months, abortion remains one of the most polarizing issues in today’s America and one that deserves attention.

Out of the states that have

passed abortion laws in 2019, the two that have generated the most controversy are Missouri and Alabama. In Missouri, HB 126 or the ‘Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act’ was signed into law by Governor Mike Parsons on May 24, 2019.

This law banned abortion after eight weeks with the only exception being for medical emergencies.

In August, a federal judge blocked important sections of the bill while upholding others, allowing both sides to announce a win.

As of this writing, it is unclear what the future will hold for HB 126 as further litigation is pending.

Additionally, state regulators have been fighting to shut down Missouri’s only abortion clinic. The state claims that multiple failed abortions at the clinic provide evidence of ‘deficient practices.’

On the other hand, Planned Parenthood, who runs the clinic, argues that the stauchly anti-abortion Parsons is attempting to end abortion in Missouri. A hearing was held on October 31 to determine if the state could take the clinic’s license away. Although the ruling is not likely to come until

Winter 2020

spring 2020, abortion rights in Missouri are very much on the line.

Then there is Alabama. The Human Life Protection Act is the strictest of all abortion laws passed in 2019, outlawing all non-emergency abortions. Although exceptions for rape and incest were considered, they were ultimately left out of the final bill.

In late October a federal judge made a ruling blocking the law from taking effect. More strongly worded than the ruling on the Missouri bill, it claimed the Human Life Protection Act “defies” the Constitution and goes against previous Supreme Court rulings.

Advocates for legal abortion celebrated a victory while supporters of the bill, expecting it to be struck down at the district level, vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court if neccessary.

That brings us to the central question. Why now, 45 years after Roe v. Wade affirmed a woman’s right to have an abortion, are so many states passing laws that are in direct opposition to it?

Many anti-abortion lawmakers and activists have always wanted

LGBTQ+ community awaits Supreme Court decision on employee rights

by Kate Valentine On October 8, 2019, the Supreme Court heard three cases regarding LGBTQ+ rights. While the cases regarded three separate situations, all presented the same question: is it constitutional to fire someone for being LGBTQ+?

The first case concerns Aimee Stephens, a transgender woman who was fired from the funeral home she worked at in Detroit after she wrote a letter to let her boss and coworkers know that she was transgender. Stephens proceeded to sue the funeral home for discrimination. According to the ACLU, their defense was that it was “perfectly legal to fire her because she is transgender. [The funeral home] even argued that her complaint should be dismissed because Aimee Stephens never worked there.”

The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled in Stephens’ favor, stating that discimination against transgender people violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ruling led the funeral home to ask the Supreme Court to review the case.

The second case regards Donald Zarda, a skydiving instructor who claims he was fired from his job at

Altitude Express when the company discovered he was gay. Zarda passed away in 2014 in an incident while BASE jumping (a sport that involves parachuting from a fixed structure). Zarda’s sister, Melissa Zarda, and his partner, William Allen Moore, are pursuing the case after his death.

In February 2018, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Zarda’s favor. Citing Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, they decided that he had been unlawfully terminated due to his sexuality. Altitude Express appealed the ruling and argued that the Supreme Court should hear the case.

The third case is that of Gerald Lynn Bostock, who claims he was fired from his job in Clayton County, Georgia, because of his sexual orientation. Bostock worked as the coordinator of the county’s Court Appointed Special Advocate

(Source: Pixabay.)

Program, which monitors abused and neglected children for Clayton County’s Juvenile Court.

Bostock was ruled against when he brought his case to a federal appeals court in Georgia; in May 2018, his attorneys filed a petition to request that the Supreme Court examine the case.

Twenty-one states including the District of Columbia prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. If the Supreme Court rules against Stephens, Zarda, and Bostock, “LGBTQ people could lose protections against discrimination that they have relied on in many cases for two decades,” says the ACLU. Bostock, Zarda, and Stephens’ cases rely on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin by an employer. Their lawyers argue

the Supreme Court to overturn the Roe decision. It seems that now, with two new conservative justices on the high court, they see a perfect opportunity to do so.

In order for there to be a case to begin with, however, there has to be an abortion ban that some will find unconstitutional. This is why Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation as Supreme Court justice last year precipitated an unprecedented number of states passing laws limiting or banning abortion rights.

In October, conservatives got what they were hoping for when the Supreme Court announced that it would hear a challenge to the abortion law in Louisiana. As this will be his first ruling on abortion, all eyes are on Justice Kavanaugh and how he will decide. The ruling is expected to be announced in June 2020, meaning abortion will likely be front and center during the 2020 presidential election.

Though it is by its very nature a divisive issue, almost all can agree that how we decide on abortion rights will define who we want to be as a country going forward. that Bostock and Zarda would not have been fired had they been women interested in men instead of men interested in men, grounding their cases on the basis of sex discrimination.

Stephens’ case is similar. She argues that her employer is requiring someone they perceive to be a man to dress and act like a man, even though they would not require the same of someone they saw as a woman. Consequently, her lawyers contend that it is a case of sex discimination.

Many are also advocating for the passing of the Equality Act, which would provide protection for LGBTQ+ people in areas such as employment, housing, education, and public spaces. The legislation is supported by 70% of Americans, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

If the court rules in favor of Stephens, Bostock, and Zarda, LGBTQ+ employees across the United States will be protected from job market bias regardless of the laws of the state they reside in.

However, if the Supreme Court rules against them, “We could return to a world where employers can fire anyone—straight or gay, transgender or not—for not being the ‘right kind’ of woman or man,” reports the ACLU. The Supreme Court will likely make a decision on a case sometime within the next few months.

Politics

Winter 2020

In Montgomery County, the “Thin Blue Line” flag causes controversy

by Heyling Amador A handmade wooden “Thin Blue Line” flag gifted to a Germantown police station by a woodworker and his son in recognition of National First Responders Day recently caused considerable controversy in Montgomery County.

To advocates of the flag, it is meant to convey support for law enforcement and the concept that “police officers stand as a thin line that protects society from evil and chaos,” according to Timothy Roufa, a former police commander who has written on the flag.

The flag has also become the symbol of the “Blue Lives Matter” movement and has been adopted by various white supremacist organizations, including ones involved in the 2017 violent “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Some see the flag as a sign of respect for police officers while others see it as an opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement.

In response to the incident in Montgomery County, activist Kristin Mink tweeted, “The Blue Lives Matter flag & movement were created in response to the Black Lives Matter mvmt. The primary purpose isn’t to honor cops; it’s to demean & diminish the Black Lives Matter mvmt—illogically, as being a cop is a choice & being Black is not...”

Around the country, many police officers voiced support for the flag.

Some see the flag as a sign of respect for police officers while others see it as an opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement.

After the removal of a similar flag at an Oregon courthouse following its use by white supremacists in Charlottesville, police officer Darryl Turner, president of the Portland Police Association, said of the flag, “It’s a memorial to fallen officers who have given their lives to support and protect diverse and evolving communities.”

But Turner was quick to disavow white supremacists’ association with the flag.

“Anyone who supports [white supremacist] rhetoric should not be using that flag.”

On October 30, 2019, the Mont-

gomery County Police Department uploaded a photo to their Twitter account of the woodworker and his son posing with officers in front of the flag they had made for them.

MCPD stated that the flag would be publicly displayed at the station.

Two days after the tweet was shared, however, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich issued a statement that the flag would not be put on display for the public.

“The flag provides a symbol of support to some but it is a symbol of dismissiveness to others. Because it is divisive, the flag will not be posted at the 5th District nor in any public space within the Police Department,” Elrich stated.

“Under my administration, we are committed to improving police relations with the community and will immediately address any action that stands against our mission.”

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Both the donated flag (above) and the Maryland Governor’s response (below) sparked controversy.

“The primary purpose isn’t to honor cops; it’s to demean & diminish. . .”

Shortly after the incident, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan expressed his opposition to the decision to remove the flag by calling it “outrageous” and “unconscionable.”

He tweeted two pictures of himself standing beside two Thin Blue Line flags and wrote, “We are proud to hang these Thin Blue Line flags in Government House to honor our brave law enforcement officers.

A local elected official prohibiting police from displaying a flag given to them by a grateful child is disgraceful.”

Although supporters claim the original purpose of the flag was to honor law enforcement and their dedication to their work, some believe the meaning of it has shifted throughout the years and has become associated with ideologies that demean the lives of Black people and invalidate their struggle against police brutality.

In the end, then, when choosing to remove the flag or keep it raised at the Police Department, two different groups would have felt ignored and offended, with one group’s feeling as if their job was being devalued and another group’s lives being demeaned.

This is a question America will need to answer: How do we measure a flag’s worth against the lives and struggles of a group?

Gladiators Don’t wait or it could be too late! www.jostensyearbooks.com

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6 Features Red and Black

Winter 2020

Top 10 Top 10 Lists of All Time

by Marcelo Lovo Many people believe that the “Top 10 List” is something that has been used to gain quick cheap clicks and has been done to death. They believe that there is no creativity in the listing process or there are no avenues explored in listing topics that most people wouldn’t even bother listing. But I refute these claims with one simple word: stop. These are the Top 10 Lists that pushed the medium to its very core and will forever have a lasting effect on the world of listing.

10. “America’s Top 10 ‘Tough- reoccuring theme between est’ Immigration Sheriffs” all these lists, and you know, maybe we should just not Coming at Number 10, we rank tragedies like mass have a very controversial disappearen-topic but, besides that, a great listing. My only cri6. “Top 10 WTF Things Peotique would be to include ple Have Stolen” numbering. I’m going to be real: all these people look Okay, what does that even the same. mean? Are we talking about random objects people have 9. “Top 10 Devastating Volstolen, or is there somecanic Disasters” thing else at stake? This title doesn’t even do a good job Now, most people would of presenting itself in manquestion the act of listing nerable fash-something as horrible as a series of volcanic disasters.

5. “Top 10 Foods That Can But what people fail to real- Kill You” ize is that sometimes, volcanoes are really dope. You I didn’t even post this one know, after you forget about in the article, the lists have all the lives lost in a fiery taken over I’m not in conwave of ash, volcanic debris, trol anymore. and lava. Also, Pompeii is still number one; people 4. “Top 10 Foods With Highliterally got frozen into ash, est Amounts of Sugar” don’t @ me.

Why? Are we really scraping 8. “Top 10 International this low for topics and, who Manhunts” is even going to watch this?

Please help, the lists are Alright, so I know that listing themselves, my coorthis list is getting kind of dinates are bizarre, but trust me. We haven’t even put our foot 3. [???] in the door in the world of list-making. This is a fantas- 2. tic list, atlhough I question You know what? I don’t how low they have placed even have a problem with the manhunt for Adolf Eich- this one. mann.

I’m calling it now.

7. “Top 10 Disturbing Mass Disappearances” 1. “Top 10 Olsen Twins” Okay, I’m starting to see a

Features Winter 2020

7

Red and Black

How to burn extra time in class: a humble guide

rigorous attention, however.

That exam isn’t a joke, so don’t treat it like one. Even if you don’t find American economics to be the most interesting thing in the world, you still need to

by Lizzy Alspach learn it.

If science isn’t your thing, you As we all know, classes in high might find yourself fading out school can be either super boring, when learning about the central super tasking, or kind of interestnervous system. In some rooms, ing. it is possible to look through the (Or maybe very interesting, dedoor window and see how many pending upon your interests.) people happen to pass by.

Either way, everyone has their If your class is facing the boring days. Whether it’s because inner courtyard, you might be you stayed up late doing the essay able to observe and document for your history class that was due Sandy Cheeks’ cousins on the the next day or just that you’re pine trees. struggling to stay interested in a (Sandy Cheeks, for those not class with an hour still to go on a in the know, is Spongebob’s unblock day, there are tons of things derwater squirrel friend.) to do to keep your mind occupied.

The urbanized squirrels tend If you happen to be in the to do some relatively interesting A-hallway on the second floor, activities in their own downyou’re kind of out of luck. Lots of time, which happens to be all Left: Sandy Cheeks of Bikini Bottom (Nickelodeon); right: Sandy’s real-life the teachers in those classes like to the time for squirrels. cousin Ted enjoying some afternoon snacks in the Northwood courtyard keep their blinds shut, so you can’t In the inner courtyard, there’s a (Adrien Mohepath). really watch the birds outside or singular black squirrel that likes to passes in the old, elementary-style you’re kind of stuck. Math teachers waste a few minutes watching all run around. The squirrel’s name is school desks. That activity might don’t put up a lot of posters in their those interesting cars drive by.

Ted. Keep an eye out for Ted, he’s be coming to an end though, with rooms. Math is hard though, so you One class does have a very hard to spot. the introduction of our brand new probably won’t find yourself bored intriguing Deadpool poster with a Not only that, but if you find e-hallpass system. in math class. unicorn. This poster is hard to miss yourself needing some time to burn There might even be a decent But if you do end up having and seems to invite staring, just like in any of the Learning Cottages, amount of doodles on the desk you time, you could work on those the many other superhero posters you might find an interesting arcould view. You might find a mod- assignments that you’ve been one tends to see in AP teachers’ tifact or two to keep yourself busy ern Picasso, courtesy of your fellow procrastinating from finishing. classrooms. (Someone should for a little while.

Gladiators (who, to be clear, should You shouldn’t forget about those check on this.)

Students tend to forget some of not be writing on desks). In LC3, MyMCPS quizzes either. Those deIn APUSH, students should pay their very interesting bathroom there’s a very old, interesting desk lightful assignments can make your Our lonely duck friend (artist unknown). with lots of doodles on it; check out grade or kill it. the duck on that desk sometime.

You say, “I’ll do it at home”...

It is pretty artistic if I do say so until you don’t. Don’t lie to yourself myself. like that. Just get the assignment If you can’t do any of these done and call it a day. things, and you happen to be in an Now, if you ever find yourself English or Health classroom, you needing a game break, Mr. Hawcan occupy yourself by memorizing kins plays “Super Smash Bros” on all the posters your teacher has on his Nintendo Switch during lunch the walls. (English teachers tend to in room A214. Don’t think you’re put up a lot of motivational posthot stuff when you walk in there ers--busy yourself with one). though--you will lose at least once.

Or, you could read the posters Don’t worry, that’s just a part of that talk about grammar on the life. wall. You should learn your gramRemember though guys, you mar so your grades will go up (as have to get those credits to gradulong as you actually do the work on ate. Get your work done. It’s okay time). to take a mental day every once in a Maybe you’ll even be able to while, but you want to be on top of avoid those grammar packets your grades. everyone knows and loves. But If you are, treat yourself to probably not. Wishful thinking. watching Ted do acrobatics on the If you’re in a math classroom, pine trees.

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Northood High School and writing “newspaper” on the memo line.

Northwood Cheer Championship Season Recap

by Giselle Matamoros

Northwood Cheerleading made history this year after placing 1st in the countywide championship.

After scoring a roaring 118.3, Northwood won the title of D2 County Champions. Working extremely hard all fall season, the team demonstrated their incredible motto, “The work is worth it.� Following the win at Counties, Northwood Cheer competed at State Semifinals for the second time in school history. Northwood cannot wait for what our very own champions have in store for next year!

10 Features Red and Black

The science behind ADHD

by Yimel Hernández-González ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a medical condition. The signs of hyperactivity are usually seen by the age of seven, but they can also be detected later.

Researchers are Johns Hopkins explain that symptoms may include lack of focus, daydreaming, making mistakes, forgetfulness, procrastinating, fidgeting, problems with staying quiet, and more. ADHD is very common in boys and the most common medicines used for ADHD are Vyvanse, Adderall, Ritalin and Dexedrine.

An important issue with ADHD in teens and adolescents is that it can be extremely difficult to

Winter 2020

control. For this reason, ADHD can sometimes spark feelings of anger, frustration, and even depression.

One Northwood student had this to say about the way ADHD disrupts their daily life: “If I don’t take my meds my attention is gone.

I can’t even focus right. But when I got off the meds I was on for a while, my whole body couldn’t handle it. I was more tired than ever because my meds caused a bit of insomnia and without that I couldn’t really function right.”

Adverse effects happened as a result of forgetting to take medication. “I forgot my meds one day and I couldn’t even listen or hear what my teacher said properly.”

In this way, ADHD doesn’t just affect people mentally, but also academically and emotionally.

At times people who don’t have ADHD may underestimate the

people who do. Some might underestimate their capability to do normal tasks.

Freshman Nathaniel Lehman said that “ADHD severely affects my life; when I am not on it I almost can’t be productive at all.

It’s really hard to use my best judgement and not do stupid things. I feel like I have to just embrace it and not act like it’s not there.

“I deal with it. It is a disability but you can’t let that be an excuse.”

Some ADHD teen patients believe it’s a curse to have a condition that can be challenging to control, while others like Nathaniel believe no matter what you are born with you have to embrace it and deal with it because it’s a part of who you are.

ADHD is very common in the U.S. This begs a question: how does a mental disorder that is so common not have a cure?

Medication helps, but of course there are side effects. Experts explain that Vyvanse, a medication used for ADHD, has many symptoms being insomnia, weight loss, increased blood pressure, increased heart beat, personality changes and more.

Few people are able to control everything that comes with ADHD. People with ADHD often feel as though it heightens their personality, their emotions. But deep down everyone with ADHD has the power to fight it or to embrace it.

Researcher Andrew Lewis explains that “medications can help but there is no cure.” That said, for him “hopefully. . . people are able to appreciate the positive in ADHD as well the negative traits.”

“By practically addressing ADHD problems, it is quite possible to live a fulfilled, successful and happy life.”

(Source: PLOS Biology.)

Living with ADHD: one Northwood student’s personal experience

by Alex Chartol I am one of the many people in the U.S. with ADHD. It can suck, but sometimes it can be a boon.

I was diagnosed when I was in the first grade. I was six-years-old.

I would bounce all over the place, never do my work and was overall just a terrible student. I had absolutely no filter for my mouth, and would sing or talk when I wasn’t supposed to.

Eventually I got diagnosed with ADHD, and we did try different things, not going to medication right away. I had a special seat that I would sit in, but I ended up just playing with it. I would go see a child psychologist, and eventually I

was prescribed medication.

I take Adderall XR. I didn’t really like it at first, but it did make me calmer, more focused and more aware. It also butchered my appetite to the point where my parents gave me protein shakes and nutrient supplements because I was getting so thin.

The thing is, I have a more severe form. I can’t function properly in school without taking my meds.

When I don’t take them I can’t focus, I’m way more impulsive, and I can’t stop moving. It’s hard to function. My hand will actually start to hurt when I try writing.

It’s not all bad though. One thing that is kind of cool about ADHD is that it gives me the ability to hyperfocus. I am able to focus and zone in on things that I find interesting, to the point where I am almost completely unaware of my surroundings. I do whatever is in front of me, or I listen intently and do very well on whatever it is I am

doing.

Another thing is that, after beginning medication, and with practice, I have learned to read much more quickly than most people can.

I use my peripheral vision to see words in a sentence, allowing me to read twice as fast as others.

This also helps me write quickly, though I do sometimes forget to write down words or letters as I am trying to write as fast as my brain thinks. ADHD allows me to notice details and make connections and think faster than most people, with all my pent-up energy.

However, ADHD makes doing stuff I find boring much more difficult. I procrastinate a lot and don’t always think before I speak.

And while it helps me to do certain things, it makes it harder for me to do other activities. It also makes it harder for me to remember things, such as assignments or tasks to do later.

If I was able to choose between

having ADHD and not having it, I would pick not having it.

My parents take my schooling very seriously. They forget that it is a lot harder for me to form and break habits than most people, and that sometimes I physically can’t do things. It’s horrible. They lecture me and scold me, saying that they know I can do better, even though I am already doing the best I can without giving my self anxiety.

Sometimes they forget that I am not them. It can be challenging for them to understand that it is harder for me to do well than it is for them. They are able to focus when they need to, they don’t practically rely on medication to help them stay on task. Meanwhile I cannot; if I don’t take my meds, my grades immediately start to slip.

But despite the obstacle that is my ADHD, I know that I’ll be okay.

I just need to try a little bit harder than most people.

Features

Winter 2020

“Stardew Valley” offers a charming escape

by Michelle Bazie Ever want to escape from the daily grind at work or school? Escape from the city buzz and technology to enjoy some peace in the countryside? Do you just want to raise some chickens?

Well then, “Stardew Valley” is the game for you.

A charming farming simulation role-playing video game created

by ConcernedApe, aka Eric Barone, “Stardew Valley” started as a one-man passion project. The game was completed by the development studio ChuckleFish.

This game allows you to escape from the daily stresses for a bit as you deal with mundane farming tasks, get to know the people who live in Pelican Town, and help rebuild its Community Center. What

Northwood’s famous alumni

by William Vorosmarti It’s often thought by students that Northwood is a below-average school when it comes to just about everything.

For this reason, it might be surprising to many that well-known and successful people have gone to Northwood in the past.

Perhaps the most famous person to come out of Northwood is photographer Annie Leibovitz (class of 1967). Growing up in Kemp Mill, she became chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine in 1973. Famous for her intimate and often contentious portraits of celebrities, Leibovitz is most known for her cover photograph of a nude John Lennon with his fully-clothed wife Yoko Ono, taken just hours before Lennon was murdered.

Some of the many notable people she has photographed include

Tips for a nutritional new year

by Kevin Amaya With the new year, it’s a good time to start a new, healthier lifestyle.

If people don’t eat enough grains, vegetables, or fruits, it may shave years off their lives.

Studies show that an estimated 11 million people die each year due to the certain foods they put into their body and lack of nutrients

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makes “Stardew” so great is how much there is under the surface, and the longer you play the more invested you become in learning about the town, and its mysteries.

It has quite simple gameplay mechanics as you grind and collect items at the start, but also has a simple combat system used in the mines. There are a variety of things to do in town, with the four main tasks being fishing, farming, mining, and foraging to get money.

One of the main goals is collecting all sorts of items in the game, like crops and fish, for achievements. An appealing factor of “Stardew” is getting to know the townspeople and their stories; a lot of them have great depth, which makes the town feel more alive and personal.

An interesting way to save is by going to bed in-game, allowing the player to make the most of a 15-minute day. To build on the atmosphere the music was com

One of the many rustic scenes of “Stardew Valley.” game still bringing in new posed by Eric Barone himself, and the relaxing tracks that blend into content with updates, there’s always the background fit the vibe of each something new to look forward to. For only $15, you have hours of season. The tracks themselves are great on their own as well. content, and I highly recommend this game to anyone looking for a Whether you’re into it for the gameplay and expanding your way to relax.

You even have the option to play farm, or you just want to know more about the story and people, with your friends in multiplayer mode. It is available on Steam, there is something for everyone in Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, “Stardew Valley.” With a devoted Android and iOS. community making mods and the

Queen Elizabeth, Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Leonardo DiCaprio, and LeBron James. In 1991 she became the first woman to hold an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

George Pelecanos (class of 1976) is an award-winning author, screenwriter and television producer. Born in Mount Rainier in 1957, he moved to Silver Spring at a young age. Starting out by publishing short stories, he released his first novel in 1992. In the time since, he has written over 20 books, many of them detective stories set in the D.C. area. Pelecanos is also known as a writer for the hit TV show “The Wire” which takes place in Baltimore. He still lives in Silver Spring with his family.

Jonathan Banks (class of 1966) is an actor with many screen and TV credits to his name. Dropping out of college to go into show business, Banks made his first TV appearances in the early 1970s.

After a decade of small TV and film roles, Banks achieved wider rec

Photographer Annie Leibovitz, Northwood High School class of 1967. nalist Matt Drudge (credited with ognition for playing the villainous breaking news of the Clinton-LewZach in “Beverly Hills Cop.” This insky scandal). was followed by the crime show Admittedly, most of these peoWiseguy, for which Banks received an Emmy nomination. Most people ple graduated a while ago, but they did go to Northwood. They lived will be familiar with Banks for his role as Mike Ehrmantraut in the hit in the same area, walked the same halls and had class in the same TV show “Breaking Bad.” For this, rooms we do today.

Banks received a second Emmy So if you ever find yourself nomination and a Saturn award. doubting your ability to succeed in Other Northwood graduates life simply because of where you go of note include pro football playto high school, perhaps you should er Alex Bazzie (of the Edmonton Eskimos), music producer George think again.

Daly (credited with discovering The Cars) and conservative jour

their body demands.

Researcher Ashkan Afskin, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington, has conducted research that shows that these millions of deaths were caused by multiple reasons. Smoking killed around 2 million people, but over the years it has changed and now 3 million deaths were attributed to too much sodium and lack of whole grains and the right amount of fruit in their bodies.

But there’s still time for a change if you don’t feel comfortable with your daily diet! With just a few of

theses tips given it has have a significant difference in your health, and most important, the way you feel emotionally.

These are foods that benefits you to eat consistently: • Just 1 pear, banana, apple or a similar size fruit a day is 1 portion of your daily nutritional needs.

• Starchy foods like whole wheat pasta or brown rice; these are good as they are shown to have higher fiber as well as important vitamins and minerals.

• Foods from the milk and dairy food group are good sources of protein. Foods like yogurt contain calcium, which helps keep your bones healthy.

• Other foods that contain a solid amount of protein include beans, eggs, and fish.

As for what to avoid, researchers say that you should at fewer saturated fats, sugar, and sodium.

Too much saturated fat can raise your blood’s cholesterol levels, and as a result this increases the risk of heart disease as you age.

Music

12 Red and Black

“Fine Line” (2019)

Review: Harry Styles gets personal with “Fine Line”

by Daphne Fuentes Harry Styles’ earnest thoughts on his new album “Fine Line” reveal that he has a desire to do right, to be a good person, or at least to be seen as one.

The result is an airy, melancholy album that addresses heart-

ache while declining to wallow in the sadness it brings.

On December 13, 2019, singer-songwriter, Styles released “Fine Line,” his second album and a follow-up to his eponymous 2017 debut album.

In part, “Fine Line” deals with Styles’ breakup with the French model Camille Rowe. But it also speaks of their past relationship and a sense of needing someone, missing someone, and remembering someone.

Winter 2019

Styles takes his past relationship as inspiration for this album, making “Fine Line” a thoroughly self-reflective piece.

The album is very diverse in sound. It goes from up-beat tempos in songs like “Sunflower Vol. 6,” which is about having a wonderful time with a significant other, to a mellow melodies in songs like “Falling.” In “Falling,” it is evident that Styles is coming to an end of a chapter in his life and saying goodbye to someone that meant so much to him.

It’s surely a whirlwind of emotions.

In the making of “Fine Line” Styles was influenced heavily by David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac. The album takes on a completely different style from his prior musical involvements.

Styles has spoken frequently about his fear of making music after he left his old band, One Direction, as well as the pressure of finding a radio single.

On “Fine Line” Styles manages to find his own style. He also claimed the final number 1 album of the decade and held that spot for two weeks straight.

Styles has become a young force within the music industry and has solidied himself as an artist to watch.

Red and Black Playlist Winter 2020 Asha Burtin, Audrey Barrick, Zoe Kilgore

• “10%,” KAYTRANADA feat. Kali Uchis • “Gabriel,” NAO • “Situationship,” Snoh Aalegra • “Mixer,” Amber Mark • “Dancing,” bLAck pARty • “Blu,” Benee • “Ipanema,” Still Woozy (feat. Omar Apollo & Elujay) • “Roses and Gold,” Biig Piig • “Lost in Yesterday,” Tame Impala • “Sunflower, Vol. 6,” Harry Styles

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Sports Winter 2019

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Hockey and the LGBTQ+ community (continued) the backlash that comes with coming out in a sport where very few openly gay and bisexual men have ever been welcomed.

Olsen is the first openly gay man to play in the Metal Ligaen, the Danish version of the NHL. In an interview, Olsen was quoted saying, “There’s a risk that some people might shout and heckle me while I’m playing matches.

It’s something I have to be ready for and be mature about. But I feel that I’m ready to show that you can be gay and play ice hockey.”

It’s breaking down a barrier that shouldn’t have been put up in the first place.

Olsen came out in August of 2019 by sending a text to the team saying he had something to get off his chest and hoping the information wouldn’t change his relationship with the team. Instead of getting ostracized and bullied out of the sport by his teammates, they embraced him.

“They wrote that they had great respect for the fact that I dared to say it, and that I was still just me,” said Olsen. He added that it’s actually made the group even closer.

“I think there is more openness among us now. Now we can talk freely about the same things from everyday life, without a filter.”

Recently, Phys.org did a study trying to find why the NHL had never had an openly gay player.

They intervieweed some former NHL players and some openly gay professional hockey players and discussed the issue. The former NHL players said that being gay in the NHL is like admitting you have a drug problem in the way that if the team knows you’re addicted, you’d be seen as a distraction and your career would likely be over.

The results of the study have been inconclusive, but one thing is for sure, many players admitted that the potential to lose their careers outweighed the benefit of revealing something they could live with people not knowing.

Ryan Kennedy from The Hockey News said that one of the reasons there isn’t any openly gay hockey players is because of “Jock Culture.” He explains that “Jock Culture may be getting more progressive, but it’s a long hill to climb for a group that, traditionally have been the main tormentors of anyone even slightly different from the status quo.”

He continues: “For me, I would think that hockey culture would

Above: Anders Nilsson, Canucks’ goalie and vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community (SportBladet). dictate that a teammate is like family and that he should always be protected, but I’ve also privately talked to players who said they would be iffy about showering in front of a gay teammate.”

This shows that even though a player may say they support the LGBT community, some might only “support” them if it doesn’t directly affect their lives.

It’s likely to take a while for this mindset to disappear from the hockey community. As Kennedy put it, “I’m from Generation X, and while our attitudes were much more progressive than the Boomers before us, the younger generations of today don’t see the same barriers that existed 20 years ago. They are who they are and don’t wait in line for permission to be open about it.”

Rookies and young players are the future of hockey, and while many have more progressive mindsets, as long as the old way of thinking is still around, whether it be in the locker room or on the ice, it will be challenging for us to see an openly gay NHL player.

speaker’s ignorance and shows the person who just opened up a big part of themselves to you that you actually want nothing to do with a gay teammate.

If you find yourself saying this or something closely related to it, fix yourself. All you’re doing is causing more trouble for your teammate.

As someone who has personally experienced homophobia in the locker room, I can attest that it’s awful. You think you can trust your teammates, so you open up to them and it turns out that they don’t think they can trust you because you’re not just like them.

It takes a lot of courage for anyone in the LGBT community to come out to their family, friends, or teammates, and when you encounter something like this, it tears you apart because you feel like you’re no longer “one of the guys”--you just become “that one gay kid.”

Recently I was openly mocked in the locker room for having pride tape on my stick.

This isn’t to say that the NHL isn’t trying, but it’s difficult to trust a business to truly care about others. Businesses frequently exploit Personal reflection things like Pride month for profit, and the NHL is just another busiI personally have experienced homophobia in the hockey commu- ness, of course.

However, some of the people in nity from teammates and oppothe NHL like Washington’s Branents alike. den Holtby, Carolina’s Trevor Van I was told by some of the other players in the locker room that they Riemsdyk, and Ottawa’s Anders Nilsson have shown themselves to were uncomfortable being in the locker room with me because I told be real LGBTQ+ advocates in the NHL. them that I’m gay.

Holtby and his wife attend Pride I noticed a common response: parades every year, as well as “I’m okay with it, just as long as donate time to LGBTQ+ causes in you don’t start hitting on me.”

This response is rooted in internal- the offseason. Van Riemsdyk has stated that the small things ized homophobia; it reveals the

can open the door to change, such as the rainbow stick tape.

Anders Nilsson wears the pride flag on his helmet at all times and stands up for the LGBT community back home.

Recently, the firing of Canadian hockey commentator Don Cherry shook the hockey community.

Here is what Harrison Browne, a trans man and former professional hockey player in the National Women’s Hockey League, had to say about the hockey community following the Cherry’s firing: “Ever since coming out in 2016, I’ve seen hockey through a different lens. I’ve met a wide variety of people from a wide variety of backgrounds within the hockey community and I’m better for it.

“But I’ve also seen the bad side of hockey through this experience and can understand why some leave this sport or don’t even start out of fear of not being included.

“Hockey IS for everyone and know that, whoever you are, you have a space here and there is a community waiting to welcome you with open arms.”

I couldn’t agree more.

The hockey community, and society at large, will not progress with people like Cherry spewing their hate to the youth, making it seem like bigotry is a good thing.

14 December 2018 Red and Black

Comics

Red and Black Winter 2020

by M ich elle B

by Z

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by A dria na C

ruz

Games and Leisure

Red and2020 Black Winter Name: Gunnar Gonzalez

Name: Dunya Siddique

Graduation Year: 2020

Graduation Year: 2023

Birthday: December 9th (Sagittarius)

Birthday: July 3rd (Cancer)

Biggest Style Inspiration: 90s fever

Biggest Style Inspiration: Tunnel Vision

Favorite Store: Outlet stores

What you want more of at NHS? Less high socks

What you want more of at NHS? School spirit and support for the arts

Favorite Store: Urban Outfiters

Favorite Artists: -Cecile Mclornin -Baby no Money (bbno$) -Kay P

Favorite Artist: -Men I Trust -Crumb

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December 2018 Red and Black

Favorite Era of Fashion: 60s Mod.

Favorite Food: Cheesecake

Fashion Pet Peeve: High Nike socks with tights

Favorite Era of Fashion: 90s

Most Expensive Piece of Clothing You Own: -Cargo pants

Biggest Style Pet Peeve: Socks and sandals Most Expensive Piece of Clothing You Own: Jacket- Uniqlo ($30)

Dream Job: Something that involves law

Dream Job: Green house/ Jazzclub The first THREE to complete this maze win a prize! See Mr. Fox in A204.

The Snap: AP Classes

by Lizzy Alspach and Liya Tadesse Here we take a snapshot of Northwood students to see what was happening in their AP classes.

Name: Ahniya Issa (right, ‘21) Update: Just played with Play-Doh in AP Bio!!! #Mitosis Feeling: Hedgehoggy Name: Daphne Fuentes (‘20) Update: Got an A on the Progress Check in AP Literature!

Feeling: Crazy good

Name: Leila N’diaye (left, ‘21) Update: Just made another graphic design masterpiece for my AP Bio slideshow.

Feeling: Hedgehoggy

Name: Anita Henderson (right, ‘21, with Lizzy Alspach left, ‘22) Update: Ms. Holland’s husband is coming to be a speaker. I don’t know what he’s going to be speaking about.

And I’m taking AP 3D Art next year, and maybe AP Lit! Feeling: Interested

Name: Amelia Eisenmann (‘22) Update: So basically, we had this idea that in the last five minutes of class, ‘Flex’ by Playboi Carti has to be played in the classroom.

We had a unanimous vote and Ms. M had to approve.

Feeling: Pretty good → Playboi Carti is amazing

IN THE HALLWAY Liya Tadesse and Lizzy Alspach As winter season rolls in, the oversized garments come on.

Our fellow Gladiators stay toasty during this frigid time of year with these puffy coats. In this edition, you’ll see the variety of bubble jackets sported by members of our community.