Got Gauges? see page 8
What’s Inside
News
Northwest Guilford High School • 5240 Northwest School Road • Volume 51 Issue 2 • December 2013
Tablet rollout fails Guilford County Schools recalls tablets for student safety Carson Beam co-editor in chief Guilford County Schools began the Personalized Achievement Curriculum Environment (PACE) program in the fall of 2013, aimed at integrating technology and learning into one system. The initial launch has not been successful. “It’s a new way to learn stuff, but sometimes it can be really confusing,” Northwest Middle School student Sidney Westfalls said. This new program carries the official name of Strategic Plan 2016: Achieving Educational Excellence – Personalizing Learning, and it focuses on middle school students. In the fall of 2012, GCS applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and received $30 million to begin this initiative. The focus of this program was to provide one-toone technology for students in order to personalize instruction. Individual tablets were chosen to achieve that goal. “You’re more likely to be productive if you’re learning ideas on your level,” GCS’ personalized learning enviroment facilitator Robin Britt said. Personalization, by definition, is a technique in teaching that focuses more on the needs of one student than the needs of the entire classroom. There was a test run of the system set in place in 2013 before the grant was completed. In the Montlieu
School Wi-Fi passcode changes again
page 3
Op/Ed
How clean are the girls bathrooms?
page 7
Continued on page 4
Sports
File photo
NC final exams modified again, EOC data released from 2012-13 Sports injuries affect athletes
page 10
Arts & Culture
Photography contest winners revealed
page 12
Index
news 2-4 op/ed 5-7 spread 8-9 sports 10-11 arts & culture 12-13 features 14-15 entertainment 16
Sarah Boggins staff writer This year, final exams will be changing again. Previously called Measures of Student Learning (MSLs) or Common Exams, this year, they will be titled NC Final Exams. The name change, among other changes, is due to the statewide adoption of the national Common Core Curriculum from 2012-2013. “I think it is too much, too soon,” Principal Ralph Kitley said. “I think the state rushed into this. It takes time to put together a good, valid test.” The changes are as follows: Not every exam will have a constructed response section; those with constructed responses are English Language Arts III, civics and economics, world history, American History I, American History II, chemistry, physics, Math II and Math III. The constructed responses, also, will no longer be graded by teachers as they were last year. Many students at Northwest may not be aware of the changes that have been made to the final exams. “I feel like the school should make sure the students know about the change[s],” sophomore Christian Phillips said. Another significant change from last year is that the final exams will count for 20 percent of
a student’s final grade rather than 10 percent. They will also last two hours rather than 90 minutes. “With all the changes with new curriculum that are being put into teachers’ laps, I think it is just something else that is being dumped and not taking time to make sure what is best for the kids,” Kitley said. Schools that operate on a block schedule will encounter these changes in January. Northwest has the advantage of observing what other schools encounter before preparing for these changes at the end of the year. However, adapting to new tests does not come instantly. “It takes a couple of years for teachers to understand the assessment,” Kitley said. End-of-Course exams (EOCs) will remain the same as last year. EOCs determine a school’s proficiency rate, whereas the NC Final Exams only affect teachers and students. Similar to last year, Algebra I, English II and biology will be assessed by an EOC . The EOC data from last year was released Nov. 7, and Guilford County Schools showed a 48.4 percent proficiency compared to the state average of 44.7 precent. “As we expected, the new tests, more challenging lessons and higher expectations for students led to a significant drop here in GCS and across the state,” Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said in an email to GCS staff. Proficiency rates at Northwest were significantly higher at 71.6
percent proficient. “We were the highest performing traditional high school,” Kitley said. “We achieved ‘exceeds expected growth’ as a school, one of 24 GCS schools to achieve this level.”
Students may not feel the impact of all this testing until they are faced with it. “If you do well in class, but mess up on the final, it can look bad on your final grade,” sophomore Pantho Tsali said.
Graphic by Nikole Nguyen and Sarah Deutchki
The chart above shows the changes to NC final exams before 2011 to the 201314 school year. The MSL/ Common Exams were renamed NC Final Exams.
News
Page 2
December 2013
“Dude, where’s my car?”
Car stolen from student parking lot, suspects yet to be found Sarah Deutchki co-editor in chief Senior Sarah Christopher walked to the parking lot at 3:50 p.m. Oct. 23 only to find that her red 1997 Honda Civic was not in its usual spot. Feeling a sense of confusion, she looked around the parking lot, but it was nowhere to be found. The first thing to cross Christopher’s mind was that her car might have been towed. “I knew someone would have told me [if my car had been towed], but no one did,” Christopher said. “I called my mom and dad, and they didn’t know anything about it.” Christopher says she could not figure out how someone could have stolen her car. It was locked, and the keys were in Christopher’s possession all day. She did speculate, however, about the security capability of Honda Civics, especially those that were made before 2000. It is easier to break into earlier makes of Honda Civics because the alarm does not sound if the locks are breached in any way. “I just didn’t know anyone could do that,” Christopher said. “I was really shocked. Hondas in general, especially Civics and Accords, are the top cars that get sto-
Photo by Brenna Profit
Senior Sarah Christoper stands in her empty parking spot in the student lot. Her 1997 Honda Civic was stolen Oct. 23, and neither the car nor any suspects have been found.
len.” The fact that the parking lot surveillance camera was not working that day did not help Christopher’s cause. According to Principal Ralph Kitley, the security cameras malfunction often and are
frequently repaired. As of right now, there are no suspects in the car theft. Christopher believes that maybe more than one person assisted in the theft of her car, and that the theft wasn’t a personal attack on her
but that the thieves saw an easy car to steal. Northwest’s School Resource Officer Joe Pass filed a police report for the local officers to assist in locating the stolen car. As with any occurrence like this, people are looking for some-
one to blame. Some people probably look at the school as the responsible party. Christopher, however, does not. “I don’t want to blame the school, but I do wish the cameras were working,” Christopher said. “I think that would have really helped. I’m not mad at the school; I just wish something could have been done about it.” For now, Christopher is driving her father’s car while her father drives her grandfather’s truck. Christopher doesn’t know how long they will have to do things this way, but she knows that they cannot afford a new car at the moment. She says she hopes to get a new car before college. The rest of the student body seems to be more cautious, trying to avoid the same fate. It has left some students, especially those who drive cars, a little concerned. “It’s definitely scary knowing that a car can be taken from the parking lot so easily,” senior Sharvari Soman said. “It makes the rest of us a little more on edge now, and I think we will all try to be careful when we lock our doors from now on.” For now, Christopher, her family and the rest of the Northwest community will just have to wait and hope that the car is found.
Bond relief to resolve Northwest traffic situation Plans for a roundabout for student parking lot likely to cost over $1 million
Photo by Clare Kilmartin
Math teacher Chip Edwards directs the flow of traffic after school one day. A new roundabout that would be funded by a possible up coming bond would eliminate the need for staff members having to direct traffic.
Clare Kilmartin staff writer
Northwest Guilford High School may be receiving $1,156, 200 for traffic updates. The Guilford County Board of Education approved a priority list of school construction, renovation and maintenance projects that will be funded with the remaining 2008 school construction bond.
“Northwest definitely needs to improve traffic,” senior Melissa Moreno said. “There are always so many problems with students driving.” The list included a variety of projects for local schools, and Northwest was listed as the third option. The priority items approved by the board included a total of $54 million. This money is only a select portion of the $1.24 billion for projects over the next
ten years. “The ‘plan’ is to put a roundabout in the intersection where the buses exit the front of the school,” Principal Ralph Kitley said. Kitley added that a median would be added so that students and parents would only be able to turn right when exiting the car rider line. This plan was conducted by a state traffic engineer, and the allotted money will need to be ap-
proved and released from the county commissioner. “I don’t see anything happening soon,” Kitley said. However, Northwest has improved the current traffic situation. Last year, students signed a petition to provide traffic safety when Northwest staff was not legally allowed to direct traffic. Many parents and students signed the petition because they wanted
a traffic director to prevent accidents from occurring. Fortunately, after the petition, Northwest hired a traffic controller directing traffic after dismissal. Despite the progress, the combined traffic from Northwest High School and Northwest Middle school still creates problems in the morning and afternoon. “If we don’t improve the traffic at Northwest, then it is just going to get worse,” Moreno said.
News
December 2013
Page 3
Wi-Fi passcode changes again
Network overloading has led to restrictions on passcode access Lindsey McGuirk staff writer It’s no secret that the school has changed the Wi-Fi policy; the real secret is what is the new passcode. Northwest has struggled with the issue of trying to control the overcrowding of the Wi-Fi feed for years. The new method drawn up by administrators is hoped to be the final solution. Northwest, among other high schools in Guilford County, has tried several different outlets in order to allow students to have access to free Wi-Fi at school. From 2011-2012, there was no lock on the Wi-Fi. Then, a password was installed on the “NWHGuest” system. As the password became common knowledge, the server was overloaded by users, slowing it down. “We had tried it several different ways, and the password gets given out,” media center specialist Trina Hunter said. “Because we have a limited number of connections, once it goes to students, they get used up, and then it’s a real inconvenience to teachers.” To solve this constant struggle, Hunter consulted other schools in order to see how they kept their Wi-Fi passcodes a secret. A majority of the schools were experiencing the same situation that Northwest was: the extreme difficulty of keeping their passcodes secret.
Hunter brought the problem to the School Based Leadership Team which decided the best way to solve this was to create a new system for acquiring the Wi-Fi passcode. “We could leave it the way it is, and nobody could use it,” Principal Ralph Kitley said, “or we could change the passcode and be very strict on who can get the passcode, so at least teachers can use it.” The majority of the students who previously had access to the Wi-Fi password had attained it through their teachers. “My teacher gave it to me,” junior Peyton Warner said. “When I used it [Wi-Fi], it was for class.” The choice was simple for the leadership team. As technology is part of the media specialists’ job description, Hunter and Jeanne White, the other media center specialist, were appointed to have access to the password and to be available to plug it in when faculty members ask. “It’s not that we don’t trust teachers so much as it is wanting to maintain the integrity of the password,” Kitley said. This new method make is nearly impossible to students to access the password. Since October, no glitches have occurred, and the system has run smoothly. “I would love to have classes utilize the Wi-Fi,” Kitley said. “This situation was just the lesser of the two evils.”
Photo by Lindsey McGuirk
A student attempts to gain access to the school’s Wi-Fi network on her iPhone. The password to the commonly used “NWHGuest” network has been changed; students now may only use their mobile data to access the internet rather than the school’s Wi-Fi.
Striking a new chord:
Chorus teacher experiences first-year success
Charter schools grow across NC
Jackson Parrish Op-Ed editor
Photo by Satoria Ray
This year, Summerfield Charter Academy opened its doors to students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. Providing a free education, parents from all over Northwest Guilford County are beginning to look into this alternative to public schools. Summerfield Charter Academy is one of 127 charter schools in North Carolina. Charter schools are becoming a popular choice for children’s education in North Carolina. With less government regulation and financial incentives for schools to provide quality education, charter schools may become the educational norm for North Carolina. In a recent poll conducted by Braun Research Inc., 65 percent of North Carolina voters support expanding charter schools and allowing tax-credit scholarships, show-
ing a large backing of the relatively new school system in this state. On the other hand, some believe that charter schools should not be draining the educational funds of the state’s budget, and tax payer dollars should go to public schools instead of the charter schools. With most charter schools having some sort of application or lottery process, only selected students would be reaping the benefits of an increase in charter schools’ funds, whereas public schools are more inclusive and give more students access to educational funds. “Charter schools are mostly bad because government funds are being directed to the few rather than the majority of North Carolina students,” junior Phillip Burger said. Either way, charter schools are growing at a steady pace in North Carolina. For better or for worse, it may be that the future of our state’s education system is a mass amount of charter schools overtaking the public school system.
Chorus teacher James Ward interacts with his chorus students. Ward replaced Beverly Alt as the new director of the Northwest Viking Voices.
Satoria Ray staff writer After more than 20 years of chorus being advised by Beverly Alt, Northwest’s choral department has a new director, James Ward. A graduate of Appalachian State University, Ward is now the conductor of the Northwest Viking Voices. Ward had been a student teacher in the spring for Alt and discovered that he wanted to do her job once she retired. “One of the reasons I knew I wanted to apply for her job when she retired was because of the students,” Ward said. “I love my students and I enjoy teaching them every day.” Ward found it advantageous to
“
Mr. Ward is awesome. He is a really nice teacher and picks fun songs for us to sing.
”
junior Brittany Mantle
have been a student teacher for Alt before taking over her position. He was able to make connections with the students beforehand. The change from Alt to himself was a lot easier because he already knew several of the people he would be
teaching. Ward’s students feel the same way about him. “Mr. Ward is awesome,” junior Brittany Mantle said. “He is a really nice teacher and picks fun songs for us to sing.” Ward grew up in a very musical environment. His mother was a church music director and his father was the pastor. “We sang together all the time,” Ward said. Ward realized he wanted to be a chorus teacher from his own high school experience in chorus, as well as from the great chorus teacher he had. “Teaching music is something I knew I would enjoy because I love people and I love music,” Ward said.
Photo by Saroria Ray
Summerfield Charter Academy first opened its doors for the 2013-14 school year. It is one of 127 charter schools in North Carolina.
News Dropping like flies: Page 4
December 2013
Several staff members leave Northwest mid-year
In Memoriam Eric Ahmed 1996-2013
Photo by Brenna Profit
Photo by Brenna Profit
From left to right, social studies teacher Steve Oele, science teacher Susan Riley, assistant principal Tony Mills and School Resource Officer Joe Pass wave goodbye to Northwest. The school has lost many staff members this year and will be looking to replace them before the new semester begins in January.
Thalia Villarosa staff writer The buzz around Northwest has been the sudden departure of business teacher Emerson Fazekas and his wife Jeanne, chair of the counseling department. After the birth of their second child over the summer, the Fazekases moved back to Pennsylvania in September to be closer to family. This was only the beginning. Before Thanksgiving Break, Northwest lost two other mem-
Tablet rollout, continued from p. 1 Academy of Technology in High Point, all teachers and students were given an iPad with which to work, and results were successful. “The focus of that inititative was technology integration,” Britt said. “It was a prototype.” The selection process of a vendor that would cater to the needs of GCS contained presentations and further meetings with over eight companies, including a comparatively small business named Amplify, which would distribute tablets to all of the county’s middle school’s, including Northwest. “By the time you’re in middle school, you basically know what
bers on staff: social studies teacher Steve Oele and science teacher Susan Riley. Riley plans to move with her husband to Basel, Switzerland but has mixed feelings. “I am looking forward to the scenery [and] exploring a new culture,” Riley said. “But I lived in England for two years when our children were younger, and I now appreciate the United States! I know how much I will miss my life here at times.” Oele plans to move to Michigan to be closer to family.
“My wife Kendra took a teaching job back in her hometown where she grew up,” Oele said. “We are excited to be near both our families again and not only see them on the holidays.” Both Riley and Oele’s replacements have already been hired. In addition to the loss of teachers, assistant principal Tony Mills will be retiring after 33 years of working in education. “This is the best high school I have been associated with in the 33 years as a teacher, coach and an administrator,” Mills said. “I plan
on spending some time traveling along the coast, most likely fishing, hunting, camping, and biking. I may attempt to retry the sport of golf that I gave up years ago.” Finally, Nov. 22 was the last day for School Resource Officer Joe Pass, fondly called “OP” by students and faculty. He now works at Jamestown Middle School. “I am so grateful to have spent nearly 11 years at Northwest. I will miss you all very much, but will never forget you,” Pass said. Pass’s replacement is Officer Stevens.
the world thinks about you, and how you feel about the world,” Britt said. “Middle school students are still young enough that they can still wake up [to the world].” Amplify stood out among other vendors for a variety of reasons. Their instructional software was predicted to be better and far more user-friendly than other corporations’. It was also predicted that the amount of personalization that Amplify allowed it its software would make it easier for teachers to promote a learning environment. However, in execution, a few snags were found in the process. Most of these were structural problems, including stronger screens that were not attached to the tablets, causing frequent cracks and breaks.
Unfortunately, some problems students encountered were a little more dangerous. If a tablet was left on the charger for long periods of time, the charger would begin to overheat and melt. Financially, gray areas on replacing tablets if they were lost or broken was frustrating for many parents. If a tablet was broken due to negligence, the parents had to pay for it, an amount adding up to around $300. However, if it malfunctioned or overheated, the money came from the school to replace it. “I dislike how everyone’s [tablets] kept breaking; it makes it hard to learn,” Westfalls said. Once these problems became apparent, the 15,000 were recalled from students, teachers and par-
ents in October. In a letter to the Superintendent, Amplify has agreed to provide new devices. “We recognize and take very seriously the concerns you have raised with the hardware and equipment provided,” wrote Amplify Chief Executive Officer Joel Klein to GCS Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “On behalf of Amplify, I would like to reiterate that resolving these concerns is a top priority.” The date when the replacements will be available has yet to be determined. “You can use the tablets to get materials and increase your productivity,” Britt said. “You’ve got a lot of access tools in your habnds [with the tablets].”
Senior Eric Aaron BegayAhmed, 17, died Oct. 28 in a tragic car accident. Born in Miami, Florida on April 19, 1996, Ahmed mostly grew up in Oak Ridge. He enjoyed Jiu Jitsu and playing the guitar. He was also a cocreator of a school club called “A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” “Eric was a bright star, full of energy and enthusiasm,” science teacher Susan Riley said. “We will truly miss him.” He is survived by his parents, Frances Marie Begay-Ahmed and Faisal Ahmed, and sister Sabrina Saleha Begay-Ahmed. Funeral services were held 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Home.
Timothy Johnson 1996-2013
Senior photo by Lifetouch
Senior Timothy “Tim” Johnson, 17, died Nov. 3, six days following a tragic car accident. He was surrounded by family and friends. Johnson was a Guilford County native, born on July 31, 1996. A co-creator of “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” club at Northwest, he also enjoyed playing drums. “I remember him as a bright, thoughtful and kind young man,” Northwest Middle School math teacher Beth Rickerts said, who taught him as a sixth grader. He is survived by his mother Shelly Frazier of Kernersville and his father Tim Johnson of Greensboro. Funeral services were held 6 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Home.
The Royal Flush:
December 2013
Editorial
Page 5
Five grimy girls’ rooms at Northwest high school Liz Hubbard staff writer
It is a great wonder why the girls’ bathrooms have so much trouble staying clean. Many people blame the custodians, but ladies, we’re the ones who throw toilet paper on the floor and write on the stalls. How hard is it to flush after you use the toilet? The fact is, a lot of people don’t even try to keep the bathrooms tidy; they feel it’s the custodians’ job to come behind them and clean up their messes. Custodians are here to help us keep the school clean, not to scrub the floor every time a person uses the bathroom. “[The Northwest bathrooms] are disgusting,” junior Courtney Atkins said. “I don’t like to use the bathroom at this school.” We’re young adults, so it’s about time we start acting like them and stop expecting Mommy (or a custodian) to clean up our messes for us.
Photo by Liz Hubbard
These images show five of Northwest's girls' restrooms (left to right, clockwise): the science hallway, new building, English hallway, new gym and front commons. For years, female students have complained about the quality of the bathrooms at Northwest.
Front Commons: English Hallway: New Building: Of the bathrooms in the old building that are open on a regular basis, the girls’ room in the front commons is usually the cleanest. All the locks on the stalls function, there are three mirrors and graffiti on the stalls is minimal. Soap dispensers tend to stay full and there are usually paper towels. The only problem with this bathroom is the trash can is too small and very full by the end of the day. Some students walk to this bathroom during class in the old building, even if there are bathrooms much closer. 4/5 rolls of TP
It’s a mystery why, but this bathroom is sometimes locked during the school day. It is frustrating when you have to go and the closest bathroom is inaccessible. What’s strange about the locked door is that the neighboring guys’ bathroom is never closed. But don’t get too mad if the door is sealed; you’ll have better luck walking to the bathroom in the commons. In this bathroom, only one of the three stalls locks, there is only one mirror and this bathroom probably has the most graffiti out of any in the school. 1/5 rolls of TP
The New Building bathrooms are generally the nicest of the bathrooms that stay open regularly. Nearly all of the stalls lock in every bathroom, there is rarely graffiti and the mirrors are actually clean enough to see your reflection, unlike some of the mirrors in the old building bathrooms. My only complaint about these bathrooms is that a lot of the toilets flush for a ridiculously long time. Despite this one issue, I highly suggest the new building bathrooms over any other ladies’ rooms in the school. 5/5 rolls of TP
Adviser
Features Editor
Staff Writers
Melanie Huynh-Duc
Principal
Ralph Kitley
Editors in Chief Carson Beam Sarah Deutchki
News Editor Sarah Colby
Op/Ed Editor Jackson Parrish
Spread Editor Brenna Profit
Sports Editor Willa Ma
Features Editor
Liz Deutchki
Arts & Culture Editor Carson Beam
Entertainment Editor Nick Loschin
Webmaster Austin Drake
Graphics Editor Brenna Profit
Bassam Bikdash Sarah Boggins Liz Hubbard Melanie Jenkins Clare Kilmartin Noah McCormick Lindsey McGuirk Mackenzie Mitchell Harley Nefe Nikole Nguyen Kara Profit Satoria Ray Thalia Villarosa Natalie Whitehead
Science hallway:
The New Gym:
Although not as clean as the front commons bathroom, this one stays relatively clean. The soap and paper towels are generally full, and there isn’t a lot of graffiti. Two out of the three stalls lock. My main complaint about this bathroom? One of the stalls that lock has a three-inch gap between the stall door and the frame, and the small trash can is often overflowing with paper towels by the end of the day. As long as no one peeps while I pee and I can emerge without wet hands, this bathroom is all right. 2/5 rolls of TP
Issues with smoking a few years ago led to the lockdown of the bathrooms at the front of the new gym and the one next to the band room. The former are only unlocked for events such as basketball games. Left untouched, they are the cleanest bathrooms in the school. The bathroom next to the band room is always locked during the day. Anyone in art, chorus or band is forced to walk across the school during class, knowing there is a bathroom just a few feet away. After school, it is open and very clean for athletic practices. 5/5 rolls of TP (when open)
Policies and Intent Serving as the primary printed and online forum for student opinion, Northwest Horizons publishes five issues each year by the staff at Northwest Guilford High School. The paper is supported through community advertisers. Staff Editorials are unsigned. The stance of each editorial is voted upon in staff meetings, but it requires the approval of the majority of the editorial board. All members of the school community are encouraged to use Northwest Horizons to express their views. Letters must be signed when submitted. Visit our website: www.northwesthorizons.com
Opinion
Page 6
December 2013
HEAD to HEAD The NSA’s invasion of privacy is unacceptable Jackson Parrish op/ed editor In May, 2013, Edward Snowden leaked to The Guardian that the NSA was listening in on phone calls of American citizens in an attempt to thwart national security threats. Deemed a hero, traitor, dissident and patriot all at once, Snowden exposed the United States government in its attempt to dupe the American people. Infringing on the rights of the American people behind their backs, the United States government has been caught committing one of the worst audacities in the history of its existence. Demanding information from cellular companies such as Verizon, the NSA is able to pinpoint where people are when they make their phone calls and can be as accurate as getting locations down to within a city block or even a specific building. Other details, such as who was called and how long the conversation lasted, are also information to which the NSA has access. The battle over rights versus national security will go on and on, and giving up a few rights for the betterment of the nation as a whole may be okay in some cases. However, by allowing the government to get away with using these tactics would be a huge mistake, as it would establish a dangerous precedent. By allowing the government to infringe on people’s rights behind their backs, what is to stop the government from keeping even
more information from its people? “I disapprove of the NSA because they listen in on our phone conversations without our knowledge or consent and they unfairly document our private discussions with others,” sophomore Marissa Millard said. Even if it was just for the government to sensor its citizens’ phone calls, what evidence has the NSA provided to show that these actions have been effective in increasing national security? The answer: next to none. President Obama and congressman Mike Rogers of Michigan have both talked of averted terrorist threats due to the NSA’s actions, but when asked for evidence of these stopped attacks, neither could provide it. In fact, there has been no proof that there is a direct link between monitoring phone calls and heightened national security. In addition, NSA wire-tapping has weakened American and European relationships. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was wiretapped under direct orders from president Obama, and besides her, countless other French and German citizens have been monitored by the NSA. Both countries have demanded an explanation from American ambassadors. Overall, the NSA’s infringement on the rights of the people is unnecessary. It is a violation of privacy, establishes a dangerous precedent for our government, and doesn’t even achieve its purpose of eliminating national security threats.
“
The NSA serves to protect American citizens from terrorism Kara Profit staff writer
Does the National Security Agency go too far with its security measures and privacy infringements?
People really deserve their privacy. That’s just it.
freshman Kasie Russell
”
Sadie looks up “war on terror” on the internet. She’s now flagged. Joe checks out a book on nuclear weapons. He’s flagged. Tim rents “Zero Dark Thirty” at Blockbuster. That’s just sketchy because nobody goes to Blockbuster anymore. How far will we let our government go to protect its people? There has been much controversy over the National Security Agency, or NSA, on what it should and should not be able to do. Several American citizens all over America are worried when they hear that they NSA can read emails and tap into phone calls. It all started with the Patriot Act that was passed in 2001 to help protect against terrorism. In Section 215 of the Patriot Act, the government is authorized to obtain any tangible thing relevant to a terrorism investigation, even if there is no tangible thing showing it pertains to suspected terrorist or terrorist activities. In 2007 under the Bush administration, the NSA took over a program referred to as PRISM. It collects stored internet communications from companies such as: Microsoft, Yahoo, Facebook and Google. Many are familiar with the name Edward Snowden, an NSA contractor who leaked information about the agency. He claimed what the NSA was doing was ‘dangerous’
and warned the public to what extent they were collecting information. He even disclosed thousands of classified documents to the press. Shortly after coming out against the extent of the NSA, he left to Russia. Those against this agency throw their arms in the air when they think that the NSA is collecting millions of records from U.S. citizens. But it’s not what everyone makes it out to be. If there is any evidence against someone doing suspicious activities, they’re flagged. After more than one incident of being flagged, the NSA takes a deeper look into the case. Until then, they aren’t going to go through all of your records since birth. Examples of something that might be flagged would be the use of ‘bomb’, ‘terrorist’ and ‘president’ together. So when you’re talking to your best friend on the phone, there isn’t someone on the other side hearing about the horrible date you went on the other night. The government ain’t got time for that. We also need to look at the role of our government. Many people forget that its main purpose is to protect its people. Thus when we feel irritated with agencies like these that ‘overstretch’ their limits, we need to ask ourselves, ‘is it worth it?’ In every circumstance, a single life that could be saved by the NSA sifting through information is worth more than lack of individual privacy. Because of this, the NSA is the bomb, and because of that statement, I’m pretty sure I’m being watched.
“
What do you have to hide? Anything that needs to be hidden should be found.
freshman Max Boulton
”
Graphic from nsa.gov, photos by Natalie Whitehead
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Taking God out of Christmas is extreme Clare Kilmartin staff writer You’re standing in your elementary school choir and wondering why your music teacher is forcing you to change the words in your favorite Christmas carol. The answer is the Establishment Clause. In the Constitution, the Establishment Clause states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”
“Some people don’t celebrate Christmas, so I think it’s fair that we censor the holiday in schools,” sophomore Stephanie Rowland said. However, censoring God during Christmas is pushed to the extreme. It seems silly that Gov. Lincoln Chafee of R.I. would enact a law that changes the name of Christmas trees to “holiday trees” or for school officials to change lyrics in Christmas carols. “It is a tradition, and I think it’s stupid that
they would go to that extreme of censoring Christmas,” Rowland said. Originally, the Christmas controversy focused on the concerns of non-religious themes such as Santa Claus and gift giving. Today, topics on Christmas are related to the birth of Jesus. “Most people are Christians in our area,” sophomore Ashlyn Cornelius said. “Separation of church and state is not a bad idea as long as we represent all religions.” In Florey v. Sioux Falls School District,
the Supreme Court ruled that students are allowed to sing Christmas carols with religious themes at holiday programs. This case states that carols are constitutional if their purpose is the advancement of the students’ knowledge of society’s cultural and religious heritage. “Christmas shouldn’t be censored in schools as long as the school isn’t endorsing the religion all together because Christmas is such a big part of our culture,” sophomore Caleb Swartzentruber said.
Opinion
December 2013 Creative ways to overcome the U.S. debt ceiling
Page 7
Brainwashed:
Morning announcements are overly repetitive
Sarah Colby news editor 1. Have Apple create the iDebt and use the profits to pay back China
2. The President bikes to work
Sarah Boggins staff writer “Good morning. It’s a great day to be a Viking. All students need to remember to be responsible and respectful, work with integrity, honor diversity and strive for excellence.” We hear these exact same words every morning. In previous years, the morning announcements were more upbeat and fun, but this year, they are the complete opposite. Every morning begins with this scripted mantra, and it has begun to lose all meaning. “The announcements are a lot more repetitive,” sophomore Delaney Marion said. Some teachers try to keep their first period students quiet, while others don’t even realize the announcements are on.
“Last year most of us actually listened, but this year not many people do,” sophomore Kacey Backus said. Like most changes made to the school system, everything must take us all on a “positive-learning” path. The idea of the announcements this year could be to only inform students–and that’s it. “They seem to be shorter and to the point,” sophomore Manisha Sharma said. “All events that are occurring in the week are told under three to four minutes.” This type of approach may not get students going on the attentive path intended by administration. However, others think that this new method of delivering the announcements is more useful; we can all carry our information quickly and carry on with our day.
“I think when the announcements are scripted, it’s better because they are brief but still informative,” Sharma said. Two years ago, Matt Shears (Class of 2012) made the morning announcements funny and entertaining. Last year, Danny Hage (Class of 2013) began the trend toward being scripted. This year, they are completely scripted. “I think the announcements should be free-styled, because it sounds lame when scripted,” senior Shawn Flick said. The introduction of this year’s announcements encourages the student body to be well-behaved, which isn’t a bad thing. All students need a reminder to be appropriate and mature. However, to say the same thing over again each morning is starting to sound like a brain washing method. Hearing it once a week would be more than enough.
3. Congress brings lunch at least once a week
4. Get rid of the penny and save millions from production
5. Invest in a Nigerian Prince who found the United States through email
Photo by Sarah Boggins
Graphics by Mackenzie Mitchell
A student sleeps through the morning announcements, having no interest due to the their repetitive content. In the past, the announcements had been improvised, but this year, they are read off of a script.
Opposites don't attract: Republicans vs. Democrats Kara Profit staff writer Bob Dole, who ran for president on the Republican ticket in 1996 once said, “Our intent will not be to gridlock. Oh, except maybe from time to time.” When looking at our two parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, we can see that it is a constant battle. To many Americans, it looks as though it has been getting progressively worse over time. So we ask ourselves, why has it come to this? Political polarization between Democrats and Republicans is actually quite serious. Over the past 30 years, the increase has resulted in a decrease of productivity, employment and even investment. When looking at graphs comparing political polarization at its highest we can see that Obamacare, the debt ceiling and the fiscal cliff are where these two parties disagree the most. In fact, 2013 is the year with the highest and most intense disagreements between these two parties. “Partisan politics will be the end of America,” senior Amanda Rosensky said. Both sides argue it is the other party that
is so unreasonable; they simply can’t negotiate with each other when it comes to anything. Political scientists who have tracked political polarization have actually found that Republican congressional votes are more conservative than they have been in more than a century. Many interest groups, such as the Tea Party, hold extreme power over their political party. This explains many actions in Congress and why they vote in certain ways. “I think both sides cancel each other out. You have two extremes, so that leaves whoever is left in the middle to make the decisions,” sophomore Jorge Capote said. Finally, we can see that media plays a big part. With everything being recorded and put on the internet or television, party members feel inclined to act the way their constituents would want. Things haven’t always been this bad. Actually we can see that in the past, both Democrats and Republicans have worked together to reach a greater goal. This was seen during the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11 and the Iraq invasion. But will it really take another disaster to bring both parties closer? This is the problem that our generation is currently facing.
Graphic by Natalie Whitehead
For almost 150 years, Democrats and Republicans have been fighting it out get their views represented in government. Whether its through elections or legislation, the two sides fight relentlessly for their say in how the country should be run.
Getting Gauges:
Ear Stretching becomes an increasingly popular form of self expression Carson Beam & Willa Ma co-editor in chief & sports editor
At age 14, he decided to express himself in a way that others would not understand. Senior Brett Spurlock (pictured) inserted gauges in his ears three years ago and hasn’t regretted it since. “At first my parents didn’t approve, but then they accepted it,” Spurlock said. From tattoos to piercings to the new trend of the body modification movement, ear gauges have been on the rise since the 1980s. Ear stretching has become popular among celebrities on the runway and especially on teenagers. So why do people get them? “To express myself,” Spurlock said. He admits, though, he has been judged by others who do not know him. “[I’m judged] all the time,” Spurlock said. “In AP Psychology class, we had to interview kindergarten kids, and they all stared.” To take a moment to talk to Spurlock, though, one would instantly discover what a kind, gentle person he is. His girlfriend, senior Ana King, agrees. “I like them,” King said about Spurlock’s gauges. He is not the only one blazing the trail of ear stretching. Social studies teacher Nicole Wobler also has gauges. “I’ve always liked the way [gauges] looked,” Wobler said. “I’ve never been an earring person, so I just did it.” Wobler initially got gauges in high school, but took them out for a period of time. Then she put them back in in her second year of college. “I don’t regret getting them at all,” Wobler said. “Shockingly, these will still close if I wanted them to. 00 is as big as you can go for them closing.” Ear gauges come in different sizes. The smallest size is 1.2mm and the largest is 25mm. According to Wobler, if you rush to stretch your ears too much, you can rip your ear lobe. It is advised to take it slow and not to stretch them
too fast. These changes to one's body are often painful, and can result in lasting effects. Gauges, for instance, take months to develop. Starting off with your basic earring, someone who wishes to get gauges must continually buy larger and larger earrings over a period of weeks to stretch their ear lobes to the size that they want. Sometimes this process can be incredibly expensive, depending on how large the gauges end up being. “Students seem to react well to it,” Wobler said. “Parents look at me a little weird. Overall, it’s not that different.” Gauges are a new fashion trend. Students find ear stretching attractive and a form of self expression. “Personally, I like them but only to a certain extent,” junior Annie Ford said. “I think the small ones are cool but when it gets to a certain point, it’s just kind of gross.” As gauges get bigger, they become less desirable. “Some [gauges] are all right, but some can be over the top,” sophomore Ryan Rutledge said. Many people tend to keep body tuneups to a minimum, perhaps at most getting a nose stud or a lip stud. However, there are a few people who go over the top with body alterations. Other methods, such as tattoos, can be just as costly. A tattoo can run anywhere from $30 to $150 depending on the size. The process can be mildly or excruciatingly painful depending on the area that is getting inked. “I think that [tattoos and gauges are] a form of self-expression, and that people can just kind of do what they want [with their bodies],” sophomore Katie Puckett said. What is important, however, is that many people alter their bodies for their own personal reasons, and that it is unfair to place stereotypes on them, as many people do. In fact, unique body alterations should be celebrated, be it a nose stud or a face tattoo.
Gauging Gauges According to a survey of 50 randomly selected Northwest students, one in six approve of gauges. Poll by Nick Loschin
Photo by Brenna Profit
Sports
Page 10
Injuries unmasked: Sarah Colby news editor
For athletes, getting hurt is one of the worst things that can possibly happen. When hurt, a player will not be able to perform to his regular standards, or worse, become a liability to the team on the field. An athlete can be taken out by anything from a deep bruise to a sprained ankle to a torn ACL and injuries affect every type of athlete out there. There may be upsides and downsides to every injury experienced. Freshman Max Norman injured his ACL in his very first year of playing football. “I was carrying the ball on a kick return,
and my left foot was planted,” Norman said. “I twisted my leg and it snapped the tendon. I heard a pop when it happened.” This is a very serious injury for someone who doesn’t get injured often. Norman will have to get surgery soon and will be out until April. This means that Norman will not be able to participate in the other sports he plays, such as swimming in the winter and lacrosse in the spring. Senior Miles Huckaby was hurt in the lacrosse season of his junior year. “During a game that was halfway through my lacrosse season junior year, I broke my wrist in two places after body-checking an opposing team member,” Huckaby said. While the injury wasn’t life-threatening, Huckaby felt more pain toward his team
December 2013 Student athletes share their experiences of being injured
members. “Although the ER doctor told me that I might recover before playoffs came around, I felt like I had been hit by a semi-truck and my heart immediately sunk,” Huckaby said. “My teammates had depended on me, and I let them down.” However, there was a bright side to this injury. “Instead of sulking about my shortcoming, I dedicated myself to viewing the predicament as a way to get better,” Huckaby said. “Since I was naturally righthanded on and off the field, I would now get the chance to make myself better with my left hand.” Sophomore Mac Renslow experienced an injury himself this year.
“I was injured by running cross county this year and not slowly easing into it,” Renslow said. “I have a stress fracture in my left shin.” This injury occurred early in the season for Renslow and made him miss the large majority of it. “I have been out since the third meet, so since late September,” Renslow said. For Renslow, this injury has had a lasting effect on him. “I hate this whole injury because it is really hard to look fine from the outside but know that I am really hurt on the inside,” Renslow said. “And it is hard to watch people do what I can usually do and not get out there and do it with them, like Ultimate Frisbee and running cross county.”
Freshman Max Norman looks onto the football team from the bench. Norman was injured in a football game and is in need of surgery on his knee to repair his ACL.
Northern’s Fumble
Photo by Brenna Profit
Northwest’s rival forfeits Sept. 6 win due to ineligible players Bassam Bikdash & Noah McCormick staff writers
Photo by Rob Brown of The News and Record, reprinted with permission
Northern Guilford High School’s C.J. Freeman scores a touchdown against Northwest Vikings during the Sept. 6 game. The Northern Nighthawks beat Northwest 33-7 but had to forfeit the game because they used ineligible players.
The Northern High School football team went up against Williams High School on Sept. 13. Northern crushed the other team in a land slide, 49-7. A few weeks later, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSSA) reported foul play by Northern’s football team during this game. This was due to allowing one more player to play in their junior varsity game than what was permitted. According to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, schools are only allowed to let 12 JV players participate in a varsity game. By allowing 13 JV players to play, Northern was forced to forfeit the game. “I think that it’s idiotic that they thought they could get away with this without others noticing,” sophomore David Mayes said. As a result, Northern has ended their 31-game winning streak, which has spanned two years. Northern High School also forfeited another game due to a NCHSAA violation. Guilford County Schools has said that this
violation occurred on Sept. 6 during the game against Northwest. Athletic officials in Guilford County noticed this mistake while they was reviewing the violation for the Sept. 13 game. The reason for the Sept. 6 forfeit is the same as the Sept. 13 game: too many junior varsity players were allowed in a single varsity game. Fines for some of these violations can be up to $500. Guilford County, however, selfreported both of the violations, so the fine was cut in half, to $250 for each infraction. “It’s karma. They got caught with juniors playing on Thursday and Friday; I just wish we beat them straight up, but a win by forfeit is still a win,” senior Christian Dix said. This isn’t the first time Northern has been caught cheating in their athletics. During April of 2009, the Guilford County Board of Education cracked down on a total of 12 athletes enrolled ineligibly in many sports, including varsity basketball, which led to them winning the state 3-A boys’ basketball championship. This turn of events forced the athletic director and principal to resign. “After their basketball scandal a few years ago, I’m honestly not surprised with this,” sophomore Zac Ellison said. “Northern clearly can’t be trusted.”
December 2013
Sports
Page 11
Sports Psychology
A behind-the-scenes look at your body and brain Losing Muscles Muscles are one of the key fundamentals to how our body functions. Take running, for example. While running and doing many other activities, there are three groups of muscles that work together. Primary muscles are found in the legs and can build up over time to become stronger, helping you to run more durably. They include muscles like the hamstring and iliopsoas. Supporting muscles work together to help stabilize the body and improve flexibility. They include the upper and lower abdominals, and biceps. Auxiliary muscles help your entire body adapt to whatever circumstances you put your body through, regardless of whether or not it’s a sport. It’s a common known metaphor that “our body works as a machine,” and with the collaboration of an array of muscles throughout the body, they allow humans to do extraordinary things. “You have to be careful when working with your muscles, not to work them too hard or too little,” sophomore Trent Gillenwater said. “It’s a tedious thing, but the outcome is always rewarding.”
Winning
From the first moment you start playing a sport, you have one thing on your mind: to be the best. Adolescent boys can be the worst at this. They will find any means to win, no matter what game and no matter the extent. “You feel better about yourself,” sophomore soccer player Pantho Tsali said. “When I lose, I keep thinking about how I could have played better.” The drive to win evokes emotions. No one ever wants to feel the shame of losing. To keep one’s emotions in control, athletes often tell themselves “I’ll win next time,” or “They got lucky.” “I feel accomplished [when I win] and all the hard work I put into it pays off,” sophomore Caroline Raul said. Winning is viewed as an essential part of playing a sport. Without winning, some people believe there is no reason behind playing a sport.
Frustration is typical for high school students, especially athletes, who more than likely have to deal with it during every play. “[I feel] frantic when I’m trying to catch up in the game,” sophomore Catherine Moore said. When emotion flares up, the limbic system in the brain is triggered. Anger is activated mainly through the amygdala, an almond-shaped set of matter. The limbic system is a part of the brain in which no logical thinking or evaluating takes place. This means that emotions run free. From there, a surge of hormones is released, a process commonly known as “amygdala hijacking”—the funny part is, it is defined exactly how it’s read. Most of us have heard that counting to 10 supposedly calms us down. Surprisingly, this method actually does not work. It takes about 20 minutes for the intensity of hormone release to subside.
Graphic by Mackenzie Mitchell; information compiled by Noah McCormick, Lindsey McGuirk and Mackenzie Miitchell
Student At h l e t e Profiles Northwest coaches selected the following students for their exceptional athletic ablilties. Catch a glimpse of some of Northwest’s hardworking athletes.
Wrestling Austin Comeford Grade: 11th Weight class: 126 Record: 96/15 (win/ loss) Pump-up song: “Lying from you” - Linkin Park Pre-game ritual: “Warm up in wrestling room with music.” Looking forward to this season: “Just the start of the season.”
Boys’ Basketball Hampton Billips Grade: 12th Position: Center/Power forward Nickname: Big Ham Pump-up song: “Dreams and Nightmares” - Meek Mill Pre-game ritual: “Listen to music, put up shots, and say the Lord’s Prayer.” Looking forward to this season: “Playing with my boys on the court and competing for a conference championship.”
Girls’ Basketball Morgan Pointer Grade: 10th Position: Center Nickname: Morg Pump-up song: “Remember the Name” - Fort Minor Pre-game ritual: “Praying.” Looking forward to this season: “Playing against Page.”
Girls’ Swimming Corinne Martin Grade: 10th Personal best: (500 free) 5:09.15; (100 fly) 58.52 Pump-up song: “Roar” - Katy Perry Pre-game ritual: “I eat a bagel on the bus and I pray.” Looking foward to this season: “I hope to go undefeated, [and] conference champs as the girls’ team.”
Boys’ Swimming David Lovato Grade: 12th Best Events: 100 fly and 50 fly Pump-up song: Pre-game ritual: “Bagels from Brueggers.” Looking forward to this season: “Having a good year and meeting new pwople.”
Boys’ Indoor Track
Keegan Clary Grade: 10th Personal Record: (Two mile) 11:10; (One mile) 5:10 Nickname: Heart Attack Pump-up song: “Seven Nation Army” - White Stripes Pre-game ritual: “I jump around to get myself warmed up and listen to some music to get myself mentally set.” Looking forward to this season: “I’m just looking forward to doing well and improving my times this season.”
Girls’ Indoor Track Sarah Bomkamp Grade: 12th Personal best: (1600m) 5:32 Pump-up song: Anything by Taylor Swift Pre-game ritual: “Warming up, stretching and praying before my event.” Looking forward to this season: “I am really looking forward to running faster times and hopefully both my brother and I can make it to States.” Photos and profiles compiled by staff writers
Features
Page 14
December 2013
Evolution of fashion trends 1920s
Lindsey McGuirk and Willa Ma staff writer and sports editor There was a time when doing anything resembling your parents was humiliating. Now, for some students, it is an everyday thing. Popular fashions of previous decades have come back into style lately and are currently on the rise. High school students tend to think that students of different decades wore the most extreme outfits. Many think of the extremem fashion trends when de-
1960s
1950s
fining each decade. The ‘80s era. for example, had students wearing sweat bands and leotards every day. Students of the ‘70s wore flowers in their hair and peace sign sunglasses; in the ‘60s, students were clad in bold fabrics and colors. The ‘50s featured students donned in outfits with poodles embroidered on their skirts. These stereotypes are often prominent in students’ minds when asked about fashion trends. “I’ve seen movies from the ‘80s and that’s why I think they dress like that,” junior Hannah Tastet said.
The remake of the movie “The Great Gatsby” (2013) featured styles that were characteristic of the 1920s. The flapper dress is a style that has been seen recently in Vogue. Pencil skirts and corsets were a popular style in the 1950s and have come back in style, especially in wedding dresses. Leather and suede shoes are also making a comeback. Wallabees initially hit the markets in 1965 and since have become just as popular as they were when first released. Oxfords, too, have seen a recent resurrection from fashion death.
1970s
Many students find that family members used to wear these shoes when they were young. “My grandpa had Wallabees back in the ‘70s,” junior Eric Szychowicz said. “I wear them all the time.” Skinny jeans were first seen to be worn by rock stars. Since their appearance, they have become very popular with women. No matter where you go, young girls can be spotted wearing the recent fashion statement. High-waisted pants were a part of fashion in the ‘80s that everyone had to have in their closets. After a leave of absence for
Junior Sydney Flake models different fashions from previous decades. Styles often repeat every 30 years, making “new” fashions actually “recycled” trends.
Car crazies:
2013
30 years, these pants are reigning at the top of the fashion trends yet again, appearing in the form of long pants and also shorts during the summer. “My mom would wear highwaisted pants,” junior Majd Laymoun said. Honors earth environmental teacher Nancy Unger, who has been teaching for 30 years, has also noticed these recurring fashion trends over the years. “Keds have come back, that I noticed,” Unger said. “All of you [students] are wearing them, and I’m jealous because I can’t seem to buy [them].” Photos by Liz Deutchki and Willa Ma
From wigs to flippers, students share the weird things they keep in their cars
“I have a paddle in my car just in case I ever find myself in water because then I have some way of moving along.” senior Brady Fullwood “I keep socks in my car because I have to wear them at work in order to bounce on the inflatables with the kids, and If I forget them I basically can’t do my job.” senior Emily Gaither
“I have flippers in my car because I have to use them for swim practice sometimes, and I cannot forget to bring them.” senior Jacquelyn McGorty “I have wigs in my car because I am a secret agent, and you never know when you are going to need your disguise. Also, they are App State colors, and I am a huge App State fan. “ senior Matt Cook Photos by Liz Deutchki and Brenna Profit
December 2013
Features
KidsStudents justsharewant to have fun their most fun part-time jobs
Page 15
Local author Orson Scott Card co-produces major box-office hit ter, most scenes are directly taken from the novel, and the plot follows it very well. The depiction of The award-winning novel the novel’s characters are also spot “Ender’s Game” (1985), written on, with little differentiation from by Guilford County native Orson book to film. “I liked it,” AP environmental Scott Card, was recently developed into a major motion picture. Earn- science teacher Dr. Richard Thoming $28 million at the box office on as said. “I think they followed the the first night of its October release, book pretty well, but some of the the movie starred Asa Butterfield, important themes weren’t developed enough.” Harrison Ford, I liked it. I think they Indeed, some Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin followed the book pretty details were aland Ben Kingsly. well, but some of the im- tered or left out alCo-produced by portant themes weren’t together. Ender’s brother and sisCard himself, this ter, for example, film is an amaz- developed enough. played a much ing representative of his militaristic AP environmental science smaller role in the science-fiction teacher Dr. Richard Thomas movie compared to their vital roles novel. The plot is set in the future in in the book. The film’s conclusion which Earth is almost destroyed also differed from the book’s conby an alien invasion from a spe- clusion. In the end, however, these cies known as the Formics. The changes and cuts were for the betInternational Fleet decides that the ter as it wasn’t possible to fit all the best way to protect Earth from a details of Card’s 384-page novel possible future attack is to train the into a 114-minute film. In conclusion, an amazing cast, most intelligent children to become storyline and climax makes this the future leaders of Earth’s fleet. Colonel Graff (Ford), the di- movie one of the greatest of the rector of the program in charge year. It took Card nearly 10 years of selecting these children, selects to develop a screenplay that sufEnder Wiggin (Butterfield) to be a ficiently “externalize[d]” Ender’s part of this program. As the movie thoughts for “people who had continues, viewers follow Ender as never read the book,” Card told he is taken from his family, placed the magazine “Wired.” The special effects were pheinto battle school and trained to lead all of Earth’s forces against nomenal, the characters spot-on and as someone who is a huge the Formics. Overall, the movie does a good fan of Card’s novels, I was very job portraying the novel. Though it pleased to see the movie be such a doesn’t follow the book to the let- huge success.
Jackson Parrish op/ed editor
Photos by Liz and Sarah Deutchki
Jackson Parrish op/ed editor
Nikole Nguyen staff writer
Liz Deutchki features editor
While some high school students spend their extra time working in fast food restaurants or grocery stores as cashiers, senior Matt Nasisse gets paid to do something that may seem a bit out-of- the-ordinary for a high school student’s job. Nasisse gets paid to bounce on trampolines and run through obstacle courses while supervising children’s birthday parties. As a “party pro” at Bounce U, Nasisse ensures the safety of the kids that he watches and makes sure they all enjoy the parties they attend while also staying safe. “I love my job because I like working with kids and the people there are great,” Nasisse said. “My job is superb because I get to have fun while getting paid.”
High school jobs seem ordinary, if not mundane. Very rarely is a student employed outside of a clerk at a grocery store or a fast food restaurant; however, senior Caroline Taney is an exception. Taney works at the Chick-Fil-A at Brassfield – which doesn’t sound unusual, but she doesn’t stand at the register to take your order. She’s the famed Chick-Fil-A cow. As the cow, Taney’s job is to entertain the customers and play with the children, all with a smile. “My job is hilarious,” Taney said. “Being the cow is a joke to most people, but I have learned a lot since I started working. The funny things I have witnessed or been a part of make for really great stories. And who doesn’t love Chick-Fil-A?”
Getting a job in high school can be a grueling task because most of the time high school students end up working in the same settings. Half of the Northwest population can be seen in any Lowes Foods within a five-mile radius of Notherst High School. Senior Tyler Messick’s job is a bit different. Messick gets to be a DJ at Skateland USA and a floor guard while people skate. Messick has worked there for nine months and spends his time handing out skates to customers, helping out with maintenance and even putting on the “Roller Roo” suit and skating around. “I like my job because I like the music, skating and meeting new people [while I work],” Messick said.
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Arts & Culture
December 2013
Northwest Horizons Proudly Presents The 4th annual photo contest 1st place: Katelyn Mccorquodale, senior
"Photography has always been an extremely important part of my life. Growing up, photography has not only been a huge stress reliever but also a method of self-expression. I enjoy the unique aspect of photography, considering each photo represents a specific moment in time. Our world would not be the same without photography." -Katelyn Mccorquodale
2nd place: will corcoran, freshman "I made this piece by breaking a lightbulb and putting a candle inside. I like to think that it says even when something is broken, it can still shine." -Will Corcoran
3rd place: August Wyrick, senior "I’ve always been interested in the arts. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I grew more intrigued with photography. I enjoy learning about the technical aspects, as well as the emotion i can invoke with a meaningful composition. I hope to take my love for photography and turn it into a career someday." -August Wyrick
Visit northwesthorizons.com to see all other photo entries.
December 2013
Arts & Culture
Page 13
Nations' food creations:
The alternative to the Christmas turkey found around the world Bassam Bikdash, Clare Kilmartin & Nick Loschin
staff writers & entertainment editor
A hamburger, pizza and a large soft drink is what most people think of when asked to describe American cuisine. We can’t forget, however, that America is built off of immigration bringing a variety of cultures to the country. One of the major cultures that has had an effect on America is Lebanon. People of Lebanese decent are mainly located in southern California and the northern states. They have brought over the key to everyone’s heart: food. One of their major dishes is tabouli, which is similar to an Arab salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, mint and parsley. It is, then, seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice. Olive oil is a necessity on almost every Lebanese dish and it is used to dress and season almost anything you can imagine. “My mom usually makes it for my dad’s birthday considering his
side of the family is Lebanese,” sophomore Kacey Backus said. Another item used in dishes is grape leaves. There are endless possibilities with the grape leaves, but they are often used to wrap lamb or beef, seasoned with olive oil, of course, for a bite-sized treat. “During the holidays, including Christmas, my family, instead of making the typical American food, makes grape leaves and tabouli,” Backus said. Instead of the traditional food that most Americans eat on the holidays, Lebanese people go back to their ethnic roots and enjoy this exotic cuisine in America. Like many other places of the world, Germany celebrates Christmas with its own style and unique culture. A particularly interesting tradition in Germany is the Christmas markets, which are street markets usually set up around Christmas time and present in every town. They sell food, drink and seasonal items from open air stalls. Some of the most famous markets are held in the Nuremburg and Dresden. “[Stollen is] like fruitcake, but
better than American fruitcake. It’s usually covered in some powdered sugar and is most common in Dresden,” German teacher Lisa Worthington said. Platzchen, which are like sugar cookies, are also common foods. The city of Nuremburg is known for its lebkkuchen which is a kind of ginger bread. “[The idea for the] gingerbread house came from this place,” Worthington said. Some other German foods around Christmas time include gluhwein, which is a kind of heated spiced wine. People tend to drink this at Christmas markets. According to Worthington, in Germany one can drink alcoholic beverages such as beer or wine at the age of 16, so teenagers can also partake in drinking gluhwein. There is also a more childfriendly beverage served during Christmas called
kinderpunsch, which is basically a warm fruit punch. Traditional Jewish foods aren’t only delicious but also symbolic. During Hanukah, Jewish foods are mostly fried in oil, which is symbolic of the oil that lasted eight days. “I really love Jewish food because it has a way
of connecting you to the past,” sophomore Sharen Slakner said. “During Hanukkah, we all sit around the table and eat the same foods of our ancestors.” One of the many Jewish treats enjoyed during Hanukkah are loukoumades and latkes. Loukoumades are deep fried puffs dipped in honey or sugar and latkes are fried potatoes of grounded up pancakes. These Jewish treats are delicious and are sure to connect you to the past. “It’s kind of cool because no one else eats this food, and I definitely feel special,” Slakner said.
Graphic by Mackenzie Mitchell
Books that will keep you warm and fuzzy this winter Melanie Jenkins staff writer
“Divergent” by Veronica Roth Taking place far into the future, society has split itself into five different factions and when citizens turn 16, they partake in a customary tradition where they choose what faction they will pledge the rest of their lives to. “Divergent” tells the story of Beatrice, also known as Tris, as she’s forced to choose between the life she’s always known and her heart’s true calling. Making a choice that surprises both the reader and Tris, the story
plunges farther into the life of Tris and follows her as she discovers where her loyalties lie and begins to uncover the truth surrounding the faction’s corrupt government. With an even blend of passion and action, “Divergent” delivers a psychological romance that’s sure to give readers a warm feeling after they’re done reading it. “I love Tris because she’s so independent and amazing,” junior Autumn Roux, a devoted “Divergent” fan, said.
“Wicked” by Gregory Maguire Before Dorothy and the flying monkeys, before the Wicked
Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, there was a eldritch girl with unusually sharp teeth, green skin and a deep dislike for others. Her name was Elphaba. “Wicked” follows her from the time of her birth to her rise of status as the Wicked Witch of the West and shows the origins behind classic characters like the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the iconic flying monkeys. Throughout the book, insightful readers are treated with rich conflicts that will leave them debating at where the fine line between good deeds blurs into wicked acts, or even if there really is such a line. Unlike the zany, merry world of Oz that was shown in the original “Wizard of Oz” by
Online Visit us at northwesthorizons.com for an inside look! Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for instant updates!
L. Frank Baum, “Wicked” unveils the dark, sinister skeletons that Oz has kept hidden in its closet for all these years.
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak If readers are looking for a light, romantic novel to snuggle up with in front of a fire, then this is not the book for them. Taking place during war torn, Nazi Germany, “The Book Thief ” is narrated through the sorrow laden personification of Death as he follows the unfortunate life of Leisel Meminger and collects the many victims of the Holocaust. Liesel Meminger, a young Ger-
man girl who frequently crosses paths with Death, is highlighted in select portions of the book in order to give an insight on her family’s daily life while she struggles to comprehend the purpose and importance of reading. Meanwhile, bombs rain down from the sky, falling on her house and an illegal Jewish man hides in her basement, promising Liesel’s family death if he’s discovered. With an array of charismatic characters, Zusak’s use of colorful figurative language helps bring the world of “The Book Thief ” to life. This book is guaranteed to leave its reader with laughs, tears and the gift of a new perspective on how they view their life.
Entertainment
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December 2013
Cool Holidays Winter’s lesserknown celebrations
Human Rights Day
Chocolate Covered Everything Day
Natalie Whitehead staff writer
A national holiday created by the United Nations on Dec. 10, 1948, takes the name of Human Rights Day. Always occurring on Dec. 10, Human Rights Day is a day all about promoting the importance of human rights all around the world. The United Nations annually promotes this day, giving it a different theme every year. The theme for 2012 was “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” This year’s theme is “20 Years: Working For Your Rights.” Human rights are often taken for granted in our country, but this is a day to remember that many people don’t have basic rights in many places. You can participate just by learning about human rights issues around the globe.
Cuddle Up Day Natalie Whitehead staff writer Cuddle Up Day is a day of unknown origin that takes place on Jan. 6. Since North Carolina is part of the northern east coast, chances are it will be cold outside. This day is the perfect opportunity to cuddle with that special someone. But of course, if you’re on your own, you can cuddle up with a pet, in your favorite chair, with a stuffed animal, by a warm fire or even with your favorite book. This day can be enjoyed by anyone of any age. Cuddle Up Day is a day solely for enjoying warmth and love.
Melanie Jenkins staff writer
National Science Fiction Day Liz Hubbard staff writer Jan. 2 is National Science Fiction Day, celebrated on the date the renowned science fiction writer Isaac Asimov claimed was his birthday. Though the holiday is not officially recognized by any government, many sci-fi fans take the day to watch a few episodes of “Firefly” on Netflix or rent a couple of movies from the Blockbuster around the corner. It’s also a great day to give “Star Trek,” “Doctor Who” or “Battlestar Gallactica” a try for those who have never watched sci-fi before.
Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales Liz Hubbard staff writer Though a holiday dedicated to dead whales might sound a bit kooky to people around these parts, the Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales is very important to the Inuit people of northern Alaska. The Inuit believe that the animals they hunt have spirits. Since whale meat makes up most of their diet, it is imperative that the spirits of the whales are thanked. The Inuit have three celebrations each year, devised to thank the spirits of the dead animals for their sacrifice. So for Dec. 10, the last Inuit whale celebration this year, make sure you take a moment to thank dead whales for keeping your brethren up in Alaska alive.
Chocolate lovers rejoice; Dec. 16 is the day where you should take every opportunity to smother your favorite foods in sweet chocolate. With the holiday season in full swing, National Chocolate Covered Everything Day is when all chocoholics can take a breather by drizzling, pouring, dipping or spreading chocolate over whatever they can get their hands on. The possibilities are endless, so don’t hesitate to try something new and unusual with your favorite treat as you partake in this succulent holiday.
Sandwich Day Melanie Jenkins staff writer Get in the kitchen and make yourself a sandwich. Nov. 3 is the day where anything is possible, as long as it can fit between two slices of bread. The sandwich is such an ordinary, yet scrumptious treat, it’s been awarded with its very own holiday in order to celebrate the sheer beauty of these simple snacks. So tie back your apron, break out the bread and whip yourself up a sandwich in order to celebrate this delicious day of deli delights. Graphics by Mackenzie Mitchell