May 2018

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News Magazine

Northwest Guilford High School

Greensboro, NC

Volume 54, Issue 4

May 2018

FRONT PAGE FEED

WHAT’S INSIDE Girls’ basketball wins championship

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News 3-5 Op-Ed 6-9 Class of 2018 10-11 & 14-15 20

Spread Sports Features Arts & Entertainment

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Students contemplate high school stress

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Northwest students participate in walkout

Crafted becomes “taco the town”

Students debate gun control

Northwest student receives Morehead-Cain Scholarship Stephanie Mayer editor in chief, arts & entertainment editor

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t’s difficult to start your own club. Also exceedingly difficult— being at the top of your class.

And what could possibly add to this list of tricky feats? How about earning a full-ride scholarship to one of the country’s top public universities?

All of these accomplishments belong to senior Capri D’Souza, a recent recipient of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Morehead-Cain Scholarship, which is a four-year merit-based scholarship covering tuition, room and board, books, a laptop and a yearly summer enrichment program.

D’Souza, while having been extremely successful, is still modest about her achievements.

“I feel humbled,” D’Souza said. “It really wasn’t a goal to start off, and I was surprised when I was ranked first at the end of my sophomore year.”

Alongside her class ranking is the aforementioned club founded by D’Souza.

“Coming into high school, my goal was to make a difference in high school and in our community,” D’Souza said.

“For this reason, I founded ‘Girls for a Change,’ a club at Northwest that aims to empower women while making a

positive impact lective, the honor on our commuultimately going nity, country and to only 3 percent world.” of nominees. The Like her club, program seeks D’Souza aims to students with be a benefit to maturity and society, focusing a humility, the great deal of her ability to guide time on volunothers, academic teering. excellence and “Volunteering a dedication to with my peers has physical well-bebeen a rewarding ing, all attributes experience, and in which D’Souza I have seen the excelled. difference I have “When I began made in many the process, it ways,” D’Souza seemed like a said. “Not only long shot that I have I seen the would actually impact that we receive the scholhave made in our arship, but I still community, but gave it my best,” I have formed D’Souza said. “The bonds with Photo contributed by Capri D’Souza entire process of fellow volunteers Senior Capri D’Souza stands alongside interviewing for while we made a Principal Ralph Kitley. D’Souza was one of 79 the Moreheadchange.” students internationally to receive the full-ride Cain Scholarship All of scholarship. was an extraordiD’Souza’s work set nary experience. her on the path to become a Morehead- All the interviewers were so kind and Cain scholar. The process of receiving engaged while asking meaningful and the scholarship is long and highly sedeep questions--I was never intimi-

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dated, and I was able to be myself.”

Out of 140 finalists, D’Souza was one of the 79 who received the scholarship. She is the only student at Northwest to receive this honor.

“Each and every one of the finalists was very distinguished, accomplished and well-rounded,” D’Souza said.

D’Souza found out about the scholarship results through email at the beginning of March.

“My initial reaction was shock, but I was so excited that I was chosen as a Morehead-Cain scholar,” D’Souza said. “I have officially accepted the Morehead-Cain Scholarship and will be attending Chapel Hill in the fall of 2018.”

Looking back on her high school career, D’Souza notes that her time at Northwest was enormously positive and provided her with a great deal of worthwhile experiences.

“I wouldn’t have changed my high school experience,” D’Souza said. “I feel blessed to have attended Northwest and for the fabulous education that I have received… I am also so thankful for all the friendships I have made and the most wonderful teachers, counselors and staff that work so hard for us, led by a dedicated, supportive principal, Mr. Kitley. Northwest will always hold a special place in my heart.”

May 2018

NEWS

Students participate in school walkout Ethan Bailey, Sydney Thompson & Emma Fagerberg staff writers & op/ed editor

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t’s Friday, April 20 at 9:55 a.m.

The bell rings, and students head to their second period classes.

Five minutes later, several students leave those classes and walk to the football field.

This is the Northwest walk out.

Many parents and students have been growing concerned over the issues of school safety and gun control. While student participation waned in earlier demonstrations-- such as the walkout on March 14 and the March for Our Lives on March 24-- this walkout included more Northwest students in protest of school violence.

“We are tired of watching our peers die, and so we are standing up to say, ‘Something needs to change and now,’”

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sophomore and walkout organizer Savannah McCracken said.

The protest lasted 30 minutes on the football field, during which walkout participants listened to four student speakers and took a moment of silence.

“I really enjoyed the walkout,” senior Kylie Young said. “It was great seeing everyone come together for something like this.”

April 20 was chosen nationally because it is the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, which claimed 13 lives. Even though it was almost 20 years ago, with the recent Florida shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, school safety is becoming more of a national conversation.

“For those people who got killed, it was the end of the world,” the fourth speaker, sophomore Christy Ma, said.

“There’s something that we need to do to make sure [death by gun violence] doesn’t happen to another person.”

Many students believe that this type of peaceful

demonstration is the only way to bring about progress.

“If we do nothing, nothing will change,” senior Sydnie Fuller said.

“By participating in the walk out, the word spreads and the message comes across.”

Ma agrees. “‘Don’t protest; you won’t make a change. So what do you think we’ll gain?’ We’ve all heard it,” Ma said.

“The answer is social tension. This is a peaceful protest, like the Greensboro sit-ins 58 years ago...they created the social tension needed to make a difference.”

The school administration helped to facilitate this peaceful protest by being present to monitor the crowd.

“I am in full support of our students and allow them to exercise their First Amendment rights,” Principal Ralph Kitley said.

Not every student participated, how-

ever. McCracken agrees that students may not be in a position to make a judgment call about how to solve the problem of gun violence in America.

“The Second Amendment comes into question, [for instance], when mental disorders cause people to become violent. What then?” McCracken said. “I’m not in a place to answer that question.”

Other students feel gun control will have little or no effect on the problem of school violence.

“I don’t think better gun control will stop the problem,” junior Kyle Grube said. “If we make guns harder to get or make them illegal, people will still find ways to get them.”

Whether walkout attendies spoke or simply listened, held signs or simply viewed, they came together as a unified body to show politicians and the people of the world what students want: a safer America for everyone.

“It has to be us,” junior Miranda Long said. “We have to make our voices heard, because otherwise [legislators] don’t care about us, and they won’t listen to us.”

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6 Photos by Aidan Bennett and Emma Fagerberg

(1) A student holds a sign reading “We should be carrying bookbags, not caskets,” at the April 20 walkout. Many students held signs and spoke out at the walkout.

(2) A group of students hold signs in support of the walkout. The “#neveragain” has been adopted by opponents of gun violence across the country.

(3) Junior Noah West and sophomores Bailey Rooks, Christy Ma, Caitlin Riggsbee and Savannah McCracken stand in front of the students who walked out. These five either helped to plan or spoke at the walkout.

(4) Sophomore Caitlin Riggsbee speaks at the walkout. She read statistics from school shootings across the nation.

(5) The leaders of the walkout all pose together, holding signs and wearing orange. Orange was the color designated to show your support.

(6) Sophomore Christy Ma speaks at the walkout. Ma read a poem she wrote about the reason people chose to walk out.

(7) Students hold their heads down during a moment of silence in respect of the students who lost their lives during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. There were 17 victims of that shooting.

May 2018

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www.northwesthorizons.com

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NEWS

Do students regret their Absences?

Nathan Vescio staff writer

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tudents at any school miss classes throughout the year for a number of reasons, and Northwest is no different.

Missing classes comes with a price tag, though. Upon more than five absences in a quarter, students are required to make up the time they missed in detention. Furthermore, they also lose the ability to exempt their exams. Should a student fail to make up their time in detention before the end of the quarter, they are punished with a failing grade of 59 in the class they missed.

“There’s a spreadsheet that’s created, and the teachers inform the students [they need to make up time],” attendance committee member Tammy Shoemaker said.

The spreadsheet puts the responsibility of recording and informing of absences on the teachers. It also allows teachers to easily see when a student hasn’t made up their time owed.

Junior Jacob Skeehan has accrued multiple absences this year--18 in his first period AP English class alone.

While some were for legitimate reasons, other times, he found it “hard to get here.”

“In the moment, [the absences] didn’t matter, but now I regret it,” Skeehan said.

With passing the class on the line, many students are incentivised to make up their time in detention, whether they want to or not.

“I think [the detention] is dumb,” senior Tyler Herbert said.

The punishments for excessive absences are received differently by students. “I don’t have a problem with not exempting exams, I have a problem with the detention,” junior Hailey Siebold said.

Others express frustration over having to take exams they would otherwise be able to exempt.

“I have to take an exam in every class,” Skeehan said.

The group that struggles with absences and the penalties that go with them the most seem to be the

seniors. .

“Seniors tend to procrastinate with making time up,” senior grade administrator Tanya Hiller said.

The reason for this will be different for every student, although some seem to view the problem as a lack of motivation.

“I’m a senior, so I don’t really care anymore,” Herbert said.

Students who miss a lot of school don’t necessarily perform poorly in class, and although there may be room for improvement, they can still make grades with which they are pleased with.

“My grades are still pretty good, but I will try to do better next year,” Skeehan said.

Some absences are unavoidable, and students will always have reasons for missing school. While it may be impossible for some to be in school all of the time, the penalties for missing school are still in place, and students have to be prepared to contend with them.

“It creates more work for everybody,” Shoemaker said.

How many absences do you have? senior, Tyler Hebert

sophomore, Emma Palmenteri

junior, Jacob Skeehan

Important upcoming dates May 7-18: AP Exams May 22: Teacher’s Choice Awards after school May 23: Rescheduled AP English 11 exam May 25: Senior Awards ceremony and senior picnic May 30 -June 6: Teacher-made, NC Final Exams and EOCs

75 class periods

6 full days

junior, Hailey Siebold

18 English classes

junior, Jaylynn Nawrocki

114 class periods 6 full days

June 8 and 9: Makeup teachermade exams June 11: Mandatory graduation practice at 1 p.m.

June 13: Graduation at 2:30 p.m.

Photos by Nathan Vescio, Madison Ayres Ayers and Emma Fagerberg

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www.northwesthorizons.com

May 2018

NEWS

Homecoming 2018: Emma Fagerberg op/ed editor

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ver the past few years, Homecoming traditions at Northwest have been disappearing from the school halls. 2015 marked the last Homecoming dance; 2016 marked the last pep rally.

But change is coming.

Parent Erika Berry moved to the Northwest community from Michigan, having gone to a school in which Homecoming was a huge celebration for the community. Upon seeing the changes Northwest has undergone in the recent years, she resolved to revitalize Homecoming at Northwest.

“I think [Homecoming] is hugely important,” Berry said. “It’s really about bringing kids together to form better relationships and connect. I just want to create some lighthearted times where everyone can connect with each other.”

Included in Berry’s ideas for Northwest’s Homecoming are the incorporation of Powder Puff into the week of Homecoming, the nomination of males onto Homecoming court, the recreation of a Homecoming dance and the addition of completely novel activities like a bonfire and a community-wide parade.

“If we act right now, I feel like most of [Berry’s ideas] could be completed, but if we wait until the start of next year or even during the summer, I feel like we wouldn’t get done all that we want to have happen,” sophomore vice president Kema Leonard said. “A lot of naysayers may say ‘Oh, we’ve never done that, so by definition we can’t do it this year,’ but let’s start something new.”

As Leonard suggests, Homecoming planning is already underway. The first open meeting was held March 1 and established different committees in charge of planning certain events, public relations and Homecoming promotion.

“If students don’t feel like it’s their own event, they won’t enjoy it or participate,” Spanish teacher Gwen Stencler said. “It’s really a question of leadership among the student body. It can’t come down on teachers or parents because it’s not our Homecoming; it’s yours.”

Though faculty and staff are included in these committees, Stencler, like many, believes they should be student-led to promote school pride properly among the students of Northwest. “[Homecoming] really showcases the greatness and the opportunities high school has to offer,” Berry said.

“It makes kids excited to go to school,

Next year’s celebration will be revamped with a dance, parade and bonfire

Photo by Emma Fagerberg

Northwest hopes to have an increase in activites associated with Homecoming. At last year’s pep rally, Thomas Hennigan (above), the 2016-2017 student body president, spoke to the student body in preperation for the Homecoming football game.

and I hope they can connect, enjoy and have a good time in high school where everyone is included in Homecoming.”

Another one of Berry’s goals involves turning Homecoming into a a friendly competition among grade levels, which will in turn bring more

unity to the school.

“I like the whole idea of Homecoming as kind of an Olympics in which each class competes to ‘win’ Homecoming,” Berry said. “This friendly competition will promote class unity but culminate in school spirit.”

English teacher receives teacher of the yeaR Angela Seo features editor

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fter teaching for six years at Northwest, English teacher Alex Wertz was named Northwest’s 2018 Teacher of the Year.

“I was surprised when I received it,” Wertz said. “There were many awesome candidates on the ballot. I was really happy that my peers bestowed the honor on me and thought me capable of being Teacher of the Year.”

During his many years of teaching, Wertz has had many things that shaped him as a teacher.

“Some of the things that have impacted me the most have been some of those positive relationships, seeing people grow and watching them learn things,” Wertz said. “Keeping up with [students] after they graduated from high school and seeing where life is taking them and seeing them become successful young people has impacted me.”

Students agree that Wertz’s focus on building relationships with them has helped to create a unique learning environment.

“I think Mr. Wertz is really intentional about developing relationships with the students and making his classroom a comfortable place to chill and learn,” senior Tia Cruz said.

“He makes learning kind of fun and wears this cute little sweater vest.”

Cultivating a positive classroom

May 2018

Photo by Angela Seo

Alex Wertz, an English teacher at Northwest, holds the title of 2018 Teacher of the Year.

He has been nominated three times in the past three years and was happy to receive the award.

environment allows students to really enjoy his class by using his ability to engage his students in the topics he teaches.

“He creates a classroom environment that encourages intellectual discussions of the many novels and concepts we talk about,” senior Jacob Riddles said. “I think his ability to relate to students and empathize with them about most things really helps his students do well in the class.”

Some students credit his patience with some of his success as a teacher.

“He is very patient because we are a mess; the senior class of 2018 is a handful, so he is really good at what he does,” Cruz said.

English 12 teacher, chairperson of School Based Leadership Team, service learning teacher-leader and student council adviser are a few of the many roles Wertz has taken.

“No matter how busy he is, when

someone needs something from him, his answer is always ‘yes,’” the nominator for Wertz said.

Most days, he can be found in his classroom in the late-afternoon and evening hours after the other teachers have already gone home for the day. He is also a vibrant presence chaperoning extracurricular activities such as sporting events and prom.

“It’s really awesome when he comes to my basketball games or when I see him at football games,” Riddles said.

Finally, he is known for taking students on international trips during spring break each year since 2014.

“My friend, who’s a French teacher at another school, had always done it, and I thought it would be a fun experience to share with my own students,” Wertz said.

Wertz uses the company EF Educational Tours and has taken students to Britain, Ireland and most recently, Rome and Paris.

His fellow colleagues say that Wertz’s focus on his students truly exemplifies Teacher of the Year and is what makes him deserve this award.

“He is the most student-centered teacher you’re ever going to find,” social studies teacher Kim Deyton said. “He will bend over backwards for his students, even when it drives him crazy and even if he is here until 8 o’clock at night. That is a Teacher of the Year, always trying to help his kids.”

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OPINION

SEnior reflections J

ournalism has left me a changed woman; I can no longer put the Oxford comma on the first try. One of the most lasting effects journalism has ever had on me, that AP style (journalism speak for pain-in-the-butt grammar and punctuation rules) has ever had on me, is that I struggle to put my Oxford commas in my English papers. Okay, maybe that’s not completely true; journalism’s effect on me has gone far beyond that joke-but the comma thing is still totally true.

Dumb journalism jokes aside, being part of the staff has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had the pleasure of receiving.

That sounds kind of cliché, but I’m being earnest. I’ve become much more confident in my writing and Photo by Emma Fagerberg myself, and I’ve finally Seniors Aidan Bennett, Stephanie Mayer, Alex Cake, Maddie Lawson and Montana Murphy pose as memfound a place where bers of the iconic 1980s’ movie, “The Breakfast Club.” Each member of this group has been on the Northwest I felt like I truly fit. I Horizons staff for three years. got to write and doodle about things that are Aidan Bennett me to people I never would have talked important to me—things that I hope to otherwise. I like to take on stories everyone else has found important, editor in chief, webmaster that push my comfort zone; when I too. I even (kind of) learned to be a work on assignments, I force myself hen prospective staff writbetter leader and designer, which are ers come to me for informa- to travel around the school, meet new all things I know will help me in my people and understand different points tion about journalism, my future career. I’m exceedingly thankful of view. favorite story to tell is of my initial refor the experience, the awesome kids To me, journalism has been an luctance to join our journalism class. I on staff and even the stupid AP style outlet to channel my curiosity and was starkly opposed to applying. In my rules that drive me batty but remind creativity in a productive environment. sophomoric brain, all I saw was a boot I’m incredibly excited to begin studying me of something I really love. camp where I’d have to write pages at UNC-Chapel Hill this August, and upon pages at 8 a.m. every day. I was admission into the journalism program Alex Cake only a little off; journalism, as it turns feels like the start of something big. out, is an excuse to write every mornstaff writer ing. That boot camp I was so averse eing a part of the NorthStephanie Mayer to has exposed me to my passion, and west Horizons has been an hopefully my future career. I’ve come to editor in chief, arts & entertainment editor incredible journey for me. It realize that journalism has introduced

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B NORTHWEST HORIZONS STAFF Editors in Chief Aidan Bennett, Stephanie Mayer

Layout Editor Maddie Lawson

Adviser Melanie Huynh-Duc

News Editor Maddie Lawson

Graphics Editor Stephanie Mayer

Principal Ralph Kitley

Op/Ed Editor Emma Fagerberg

Public Relations Manager Emma Fagerberg

Spread Editor Montana Murphy

Webmaster Aidan Bennett

Northwest Horizons

Sports Editor Logan James

Contributing Writer Anna Yang

@nwhorizons

Features Editor Angela Seo

Staff Writers Madison Ayres, Ethan Bailey, Alex Cake, Autumn Dixon, Reece Gentry, Megan Harkey, Menna Ibrahim, Vika Kotting, Maggie Leybourne, Kendal Quinlan, Sarah Teague, Sydney Thompson, Nathan Vescio, Emma Welsh

@nw.horizons

Arts & Entertainment Editor Stephanie Mayer Managing Editor Montana Murphy

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@nwhorizons

has allowed me to improve my writing skills and expand my knowledge of journalism and media. I am beyond grateful to have met many of my fellow colleagues on the first day of class every year; some people that I never thought I would associate with have become some of my best friends throughout high school. I have many fond memories to look back on in college of my career as a high school journalist. It has been my pleasure to serve the Northwest population by writing for my school publication. Thank you, Northwest Horizons!

Maddie Lawson news editor joined the Northwest Horizons staff my sophomore year with the goal of following journalism as a career path. I loved it from the beginning.

I had always enjoyed writing and hate to admit that essays were my favorite part of English class for a very long time. It’s not because of the subjects we wrote about or the ability of myself to form a cohesive essay, especially since if you ask any of my past English teachers, you’ll know that I’ve gotten low marks more than once for writing poorly. It’s not the writing that intrigued me; it was the words.

They give us a means of communication, of expression, of thought. They allow us to move forward, to change and to become one. We all understand them, they translate to other languages, allowing us to cross borders and show ourselves to the world.

I no longer want to be a journalist, but I want to thank my journalism class for the words it gave me. The beautiful, terrible, insane, understated but always impressive words. They were not always my own words, but the words of others, of teachers and students, administrators and counselors. Because everyone’s words are important, they speak volumes to the person who says them and tell the story of the world around us. So, if I learned anything, it’s to appreciate and love all words.

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Cont. on page 8

Statement of Policy Serving as a primary printed and online forum for student opinion, Northwest Horizons publishes four times each year published by the staff at Northwest Guilford High School. The paper is supported through community advisers.

Staff Editorials are unsigned.

The stance of each editorial is voted upon in staff meetings, but requires the approval of the majority of the editorial board.

All members of the school community are encouraged to express their views. Letters to the editor must be signed when submitted.

May 2018

HEAD 2 HEAD

To bear or not to bear: Let’s bear down on restrictions

Aidan Bennett editor in chief, webmaster

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un control, in many regards, has lost its meaning. Rather than focusing on what’s right or wrong, what makes sense and what doesn’t, the conversation surrounding this issue has become a political football. Check your ideology at the door; teams aren’t relevant to determining what’s best for the country.

Gun control doesn’t mean banning all guns, repealing the Second Amendment or raiding grandpa’s gun safe; it may for some, but it’s such a broad term that it encompasses a variety of beliefs. Let’s avoid blowing off the discussion altogether due to improper definitions.

“People assume that gun control means ‘take your guns’; it’s not a dirty word,” social studies teacher Kim Deyton said. “That scares people away from the conversation.”

The United States has a gun problem. We have far more gun homicides than other developed countries, six times more than Canada. We have 88.8 guns per person, the highest in the world, with war-torn Yemen in a distant second at 54.8. As a result, we’re home to 31 percent of mass shooters in the world.

Deeply rooted in American culture, guns are such an icon that many see them as fundamental to their identities.

“Guns are more culturally appropriate in the US than in other countries,” senior Rokas Dargis said.

Historical precedence has left Americans unwilling to budge on guns--this becomes problematic when a solution is demanded. Rather than allowing laws to keep up with modernday needs, we’re left imagining some idealistic period when we didn’t need this discussion. That time is over; the present warrants direct action.

“As a society, we’ve changed,” Deyton said. “We need to shift our gun control legislation back towards our culture.”

The National Rifle Association, NRA, has been one of the primary groups preventing America from simply progressing. Over the past five years, the NRA has spend more than $15 million on government lobbying alone. This has immense sway over gun policy.

“When you look at these votes, you see that a lot of these anti-gun control legislators take money from the NRA,” Deyton said.

A popular technique of such agencies is diverting public discussion away from actual problems through other proposed “solutions.” Recently, there’s been a push to arm teachers; however, this is yet another attempt to address the symptoms of lax firearm laws without actually solving the

May 2018

root cause of gun violence.

“Attacks are so far and few between, you’re almost asking for trouble,” Deyton said. “You’re adding dozens of guns to school campuses--It’s my job to teach, learning to shoot a weapon just for a bonus is ridiculous.”

Gun control in the US isn’t a lost cause; real solutions exist. Britain, Canada and Australia all had mass shootings that sparked policy changes, and Australia had a gun culture similar to our own.

“People are finding ways to abuse the rules; this results in shootings and accidents in general,” Dargis said.

“People are untrained, and even with back-

ground checks, you can still buy a gun.”

The idea that gun control can remove all firearms from the hands of bad people is idealistic, at least in the near future; instead, the impact of such policy comes by making it harder to avoid detection.

“People wouldn’t go through the trouble, it would change their minds because they wouldn’t want to spend the time,” junior Lasya Raguthu said.

Are current U.S. gun control laws sufficient or not enough?

Bearing arms is our right

Sarah Teague staff writer

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e’ve all been there, huddled up in the back corner of our teacher’s dusty room as the immature kids giggle and our administration checks the door handles. We’ve all been through the lockdown drills, and we’ve all seen devastation on the news. We’ve all heard about kids huddled up in the back corners of their room, terrified of what might be behind that door with a broken lock.

Gun control has been an issue for as long we can re-

member; however, is it more a problem of guns or the people who control them? With the system failure that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, it can be hard to tell. One thing we do know is that the FBI and local police refused to take action on the multiple red flags that were called in, tips that warned

of a shooter with a gun and multiple comments about injuring people. These tips should have been filed at the Miami Field Office, where action would then be taken, but that protocol was never followed.

“I think it needs to be about enforcing what’s already in place; there doesn’t need to be more restrictions on our rights because, at this point, it would be more like taking them away,” junior Haley Hill said.

The FBI shouldn’t take all the blame, however. We also need to turn to Deputy Peterson and the Broward County sheriff’s office. There are piles of misconduct that surrounded Cruz and the shooting, especially leading up to Feb. 14. They received multiple phone calls and tips that he was in possession of a gun and knives with an intent to harm. A lot of this information was forwarded to the school resource officer, Deputy Peterson. He met with a counselor, where he expressed violent behaviors and paranoia. He acted out at home, especially after he moved into a family friend’s home. He reportedly got into a fight with her son and left to go get a a gun, which she had forbade in her home. He had purchased at least 10 guns before the actual shooting, according to the Washington Post.

Moving away from the Parkland shooting, when talking about gun control, we have to take into account the history of guns and how we got to this point. One of the main reasons we have the right to guns is because of the tyranny American colonizers faced under the British government and the fact that in the beginning, they were completely vulnerable. We were given the right to bear arms in case we ever needed to protect ourselves against a corrupt government. The supreme court case, District of Columbia vs.

Heller in 2008, solidified American’s right to own guns on an individual basis.

The District of Columbia vs. Heller case ruled that the term militia, as used in the Second Amendment, at the time meant any man fit to serve in the military, not just those already enlisted. To only include enlisted soldiers would create exactly the type of problem the amendment was built in to stop, a powerful government and helpless civilians.

The gun control issue is something that may never be fully solved. With so many factors and with the way the technology is rapidly changing, it can be hard to find a system that everyone is behind. However, with that being said, before we start trying to overcomplicate the situation, we need to fix the one in place. We need to listen and act on red flags when they pop up and train our police to better deal with gunman situations.

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OPINION

Senior Reflections, Cont. from page 6

Photo by Alex Cake

Seniors Menna Ibrahim, Anna Yang, Kendal Quinlan, Vika Kotting and Maggie Leybourne sit on a couch, emblematic of the 1990s’ TV show, “Friends.” They have all been staff writers for the newspaper for varying years.

Montana Murphy spread and managing editor

Menna Ibrahim staff writer

Anna Yang contributing writer

Kendal Quinlan staff writer

Maggie Leybourne staff writer

have been reading the senior reflections in the Northwest Horizons since I was a freshman, but never did I think that I would be writing my own. My four years at Northwest have been full of cross country, schoolwork, lacrosse, procrastination, late nights and a whole lot of journalism. Being on the staff of the Northwest Horizons for the past three years has taught me so much: to cheat at Photoshop, to always justify, to remind people once (or twice or three times) of their interview times, to run down the hallways at 7:54 in the morning and to never use an Oxford comma when writing an article (shout out to you, AP style). Sure, I didn’t ever get the luxury of experiencing a delayed start, but journalism has shown me that inside every person is a story worth telling, and I’ve been blessed to be able to tell just a few of them. So thank you, Mrs. Huynh-Duc and fellow staffers, for a great three years that I will carry with me for many years to come.

hen I applied to join the staff of Northwest Horizons I didn’t tell anyone. I was shy, new to the school and didn’t have that many friends.

I tell my parents now that it was the fear of rejection that kept me quiet, but I know that it was really because I had realized a passion of mine in writing and that was scary for someone who had the rhythm of the words “I don’t know” down to a science when asked what I saw myself doing in the future.

Funnily enough, this class didn’t end up being just about the writing for me. The interviews are my favorite part, something I probably wouldn’t have been able to say two years ago. I like to think that I’ve come out of my shell with an ability to talk to random strangers. I know I probably don’t realize this class’s full impact on me yet and it’s without a doubt that the skills I’ve garnered and the memories I’ve made through this newspaper will be reflected in all I do.

t is no secret that some variation of transformation is experienced by all high school students.

But as a senior, it can be a daunting task, attempting to pinpoint the origin of such improvements.

For me, journalism is an exception. I attribute much of my writing and communication growth to the opportunities, which journalism has set before me. From the initial fright before an interview to the painstaking removal of oxford commas, the class has aided me in pushing personal boundaries.

Early mornings within a supportive environment have not only allowed me to further my writing skills, but have also given me the chance to cultivate a relationship with an incredibly encouraging staff and adviser. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a course that has challenged me to find more always.

t’s crazy how four years feel so much like four months. I still can’t believe I am graduating in a month. My high school experience has been filled with volleyball, Friday night lights, meaningful friendships, late nights staying up trying to finish an assignment and finally, journalism. This year was my first year being a part of journalism. I had always wanted to join but never had the time nor the confidence to do so. I finally decided to step out of my comfort zone and join journalism my senior year. Despite waking up at the crack of dawn every morning, joining journalism was one of the best decisions I made in my time at Northwest.

As I look back on my school year in journalism, I see how I have grown as a student, as a writer and as a person.

Overall, I am proud of the all the work I have done within the past year and could not have asked for more. I’m sad to see it all end, but at the same time, I know this is just the beginning.

wake up every day at six in the morning to go to my job at Northwest Animal Hospital, and right after I go to journalism, so waking up wasn’t really that big of a hassle after I got into the routine of getting up early.

I started to like getting up that early because it’s peaceful before all of the students come to Northwest. I was astounded to find out about how talented the writers in journalism were.

One of the perks about being on the Northwest Horizons staff is that you’re constantly surrounded by passionate students. I learned so much from my peers in the class that I wouldn’t have otherwise known in a regular English class. I’ve become knowledgeable in how to better communicate with others as the year has passed from interviewing the different grade levels. As I become a college student, I anticipate often using the skills I’ve learned for my day-to-day interactions.

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May 2018

OPINION

Community colleges are better than universities Sydney Thompson staff writer

A

s summer approaches, so does the stress of college for seniors. Some speak of NC State, UNC-CH and Duke. Many talk about their classes, roommates and looming debt associated with these prestigious colleges. Maybe there are even a few tears.

Senior Will Webb, however, plans to take a different path than his peers.

“I’m doing a gap year first, then going to GTCC,” Webb said.

GTCC is a two-year college in Jamestown, Guilford County that focuses on career-oriented skills. It is one of thousands of two-year colleges throughout the nation.

Although more than 70 Northwest students plan to attend GTCC (see page 15), there is still arguably a negative connotation associated with community colleges.

“I think there is a stigma against two-year colleges,” guidance counselor Aaron Murphy said. “Students tend to believe that two-year [schools] are not as good as four-year [schools], and this is simply untrue.”

Murphy continued, explaining that the stigma was most likely due to twoyear colleges such as GTCC not having the prestige that is often associated with four-year colleges.

Despite this, there are plenty of economic benefits to attending two-year colleges over four-year universities.

Two-year colleges allow students to complete general-education classes much more quickly, cutting the two years off of the usual four-year experience.

By taking less classes, there Northwest alum is a reward in there being less to pay for.

“The classes are much cheaper,” college sophomore and Northwest alum Mikayla Harkey said. “The average three-credit class at a two-year college such as GTCC is about $200 without financial aid. Meanwhile, that same class when offered at a university can

cost upwards of $500-1,000.”

Harkey attends GTCC and agrees that the stigma is due to rumors about two-year colleges not being able to prepare its students as well for life outside of learning.

“The stigma about two-year colleges is that you can’t get a decent-paying job with an associate’s degree,” Harkey said. “That simply isn’t true. Yes, there are some jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or more, but Mikayla Harkey you can just get your first two years done, then transfer to a four-year university.”

Murphy agrees.

“It is cheaper to get your first two years of credit in a two-year college, then transfer,” Murphy said. “It saves time and money for the students and

The stigma about “two-year colleges is

that you can’t get a decent-paying job with an associate’s degree.

That simply isn’t true.

“

allows them to start with the classes they actually want.”

Furthermore, the classes are a plus for people who attend two-year colleges, as they are smaller than in four-year universities.

“My classes are usually 1/16 of the size of a normal class,” Harkey said. “The teachers can answer your questions more quickly and more effectively. You get instant feedback on assignments and immediate access to tutoring from your teachers.”

This is not to say, however, that four-year universities are negative.

“There are plenty of benefits to four-year universities as well as twoyear colleges,” Murphy said. “With four-year colleges, there is, of course, the prestige; there’s the connection with alumni and being able to get away from your home and your parents.”

However, it can be agreed that twoyear college and four-year universities have both benefits and disadvantages, and it is really up to the students’ preferences.

“I don’t think I’d love math nearly as much as I do if I’d gone to a fouryear [university],” Harkey said. “GTCC was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Let’s taco ‘bout crafted Montana Murphy spread & managing editor

A

hipster taco lover’s safe haven. Nestled in the heart of downtown Greensboro, Crafted the Art of the Taco, is a taco joint that is sure to please young and old alike.

With an array of menu choices, from an appetizer menu that features a mason jar of bacon, to burgers, macand-cheese quesadillas, salads and a long list of taco choices, Crafted has something for everyone.

After a move directly across the street from Crafted’s former home on South Elm Street, the restaurant more than doubled its size. The space now features a bar, an open dining room and a patio area that will begin opening with warmer weather. A mural featuring lips, veggies, tattooed hands and the word “fresh” fills the left side of the room, and to the right sits the long and expansive bar. A sign that reads “tacos”

May 2018

points to the kitchen area, where you can watch your food being made right in front of you.

My party of three went to Crafted at around 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday and was sat immediately, beating the crowd that normally fills Crafted’s walls.

We all ordered taco meals, which include your choice of two of Crafted’s signature tacos and a side. I ordered two “big trucks” and a side of french fries.

The “big truck” came filled with cheesy mac-and-cheese, cooked-to-perfection pulled pork, tobacco onions, delicious bacon barbecue sauce and scallions. My fries were crispy and perfectly salted. The rest of my party also ordered “big trucks,” but they got chips with guacamole and queso as their sides. The guacamole was fresh and seasoned perfectly, and the queso melted in your mouth.

Part of Crafted’s appeal is that all of their sauces are made in house and most are vegan, no nuts are used in their kitchen and almost all menu

items can be made vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free. This allows for Crafted to be enjoyed by almost anybody with dietary restrictions.

Owner Kris Fuller worked as a chef for many years, and in 2008, she opened The Bistro at Adam’s Farm with her mother. From there a concept was created, and Crafted was born. Crafted’s chain also includes Crafted the Art of Street Food located in downtown Greensboro and another Crafted the Art of the Taco located in downtown Winston-Salem.

If you’re looking for a restaurant with fresh food and ingredients, a friendly staff and a calm and chill atmosphere, head over to Crafted and get your taco on.

Photos by Montana Murphy An arrow-shaped sign reading “Tacos” points to plates full of Crafted’s signature “big truck” tacos. Crafed’s unique and modern atmosphere along with its great cuisine are two reasons why customers keep coming back for more.

www.northwesthorizons.com

9

SENIORS 2018

Class of 2018:

Where will your friends be next year?

Aboghalyoun, Mustafa Eyad GTCC Abordo, Kristel Elisse UNCG Abrams, Patrick Hugh NC State Acosta, Edward Daniel WyoTech Acree, Emma Ruth UNC-CH Adal, Ruth Alem Long Beach State Aghili, Aria undecided* Al-Qaq, Haya Wael UNC-CH Alarcon, Tony David GTCC Alatriste, Bryan Jonathan undecided Algudaihi, Mohammed Hussain UNCG Alimi, Harris Sayed UNCC Almonte, Kaitlyn Esperanza unknown** Altabet, Sara Grace NC State Apple, Kelly Elizabeth Utah Valley Aronson, Benjamin Morgan NC State Ashley, Isaiah James Furman Atkins, Daniel Scott GTCC Atkins, Wesley Brian ECU Atwell, Theodore Kirk App Auber, Daniel James Clemson Badawood, Hamid Omer HPU Bailey, Ashley Lynn UNC-CH Baker, Nehemiah Samuel Naval Academy Barkley, Daniel Alex GTCC Barusic, Jacob Thomas UNCC Baumeier, Elizabeth Ebbing NC State Beck, Jagger George HPU Beck, Maxwell Alexander HPU Beckett, Ryan James GTCC Belton, Madison Kate GTCC Bennett, Aidan Patrick UNC-CH Bennett, Makayla Jayne unknown Berry, Justin Michael UNCG Biggs, William Scott NC State Blackmon, Andrew Scott GTCC Blevins, Seth Robert UNCG Boals, Ryan Michael UNC-CH Boatman, Ashlynn Marie WCU Boatman, Brendan James WCU Boggs, James Robert Marines Boland, Katherine Lorraine GTCC Bolejack, Taylor Nicole UNC-CH Bolling, Hannah Nicole UNCG Boris, Saige Mia UNCG Bowers, Cameron Grace UNCW Bowling, Joshua Ryland Cape Fear Community Bradshaw, Bethany Marie GTCC Branch, Connor Timothy App Branham, Sidney Nicole Caldwell CC Brewer, Macy Kaitlyn Greensboro College Brewer, Megan Elizabeth Guilford College Brown, Landon Grant UNCW Brown, Maurice Wayne GTCC Brown, Maxime Pierre UNCC Brown, Sarah Churchill UNC-CH

10 www.northwesthorizons.com

Bryant, Parker Andrew App Buchanan, David Campbell Hampden Sydney Buchanan, Logan Carter Hampden Sydney Buchser, Catherine Therease UNCG Buckner, Dakota Shayne Army Bullard, Katlyn Marie UNCG Burkhalter, Sara Elisabeth unknown Burns, William Harrison NC State Byerly, Dawson Sides Berry College Byrd, Parker William HPU Caine, Ashlee Rayann GTCC Cake, Alexander Daniel Lenoir-Rhyne Calderon, Angelica UNCG Calderon, Viviana UNCG Caldwell, Christopher Cole UNCC Caldwell, Jarrod Alexander GTCC Cannon, Carson Joseph Napoli Army Carrera, Olivia Faith GTCC Carruthers, Catherine Britt ECU Casey, Kristen Hope GTCC Cassetty, Madeline Rose University of Tennessee Caulk, Zachary Kyle unknown Champion, Trevor Clee NC State Chen, Steven Yikun UNC-CH Cheng, Ho Yeung Ocean American University Cherukuri, Ryan Thomas UNCG Church, Trevor Allen UNC-CH Cinao, Dana Marie NC State Clapp, Trennon Ashley unknown Clark, Collin Barron Averett Clark, Maddie Starr GTCC Clodfelter, Taylor Morgan App Colozzi, William James unknown Cook, Tori Michelle UNCG Cooke, George Lucas ECU Cornelius, Justin Clyde UNCC Cost, Preston Dominic UNCG Couture, Andrew Lawrence UNCC Cox, Adam Lee GTCC Cox-Campbell, Bradley Coltrane GTCC Cox, Zachary Craig UNC-CH Creed, Cody James App Cruz, Shantia Alexandria undecided Cuddeback, Marilyn Brooke UNCG Cushman, Emily Claire GTCC Cushman, Sarah Elizabeth GTCC D’Souza, Capri Alexis UNC-CH Dalton, Ashley Blake GTCC Dami, Hannah Marie unknown Daniels, Kendra Yvonne unknown Dargis, Rokas NC State Davis, Maiya Eve GTCC DeChambeau, Nathan Reid UNCC Deloach, Chandler Dawson unknown Dennis, Jonathan Ryan UNCC Derezinski-Choo, Mariusz Duke May 2018

SENIORS 2018 Diggs, Melvin Albert Eastern Kentucky University Dimatteo, Alicia Lee GTCC Dixon, Haley Carlyn UNCW Dixon, Sierra Breann UNCG Domian, Hailey Jean UNCG Donnell, Ronnie UNCC Doyle, Kelly Marie UNC-CH Drake, Noah William GTCC Drawbaugh, Katelyn Brooke App Dubas, Cameron James UNCG Duell, BreeAnna Leigh App Duffy, Joseph Michael UNCG Durant, Mark Allen unknown Edwards, Brooke Elizabeth UNCC Edwards, Jack Michael Elon Egloff, Jacob Matthew UNCC Elbin, William Maxwell North Greenville University Ennis, Cassidy Lee App Epling, Vanessa Christine NC State Espinosa, Elyza Leynes NC State Esterwood, Harold Alonzo GTCC Farrar, Breanna Grace UNCG Flake, Maya Marie Meredith College Flatt, Brooklyn Dove undecided Flick, Collin Patrick WCU Folck, John Andrew Michael Ohio State Follo, Brooke Emily Leons Ford, Kerzie Abigail UNCG Ford, Sade Cierra A&T Forshey, Angeline unknown Franz, Thomas Albert UNCC Frazier, Ki’yun Tyrel unknown Fritz, Ryan Michael NC State Fuller, Sydnie Brynne UNCG Gabriel, Julia Alysse UNCG Gaither, Theodore Maurice NC State Galloway, Cameron Charie GTCC Ganim, Juliana Jolie NC State Garcia Amador, Michel Valeria A&T Gatewood, Hunter Michael unknown Gauldin, Lindsay Michelle Guilford College Gebhard, Patrick Roger undecided George, Aziza Hasina WCU Gereb, Hannah Grace ECU Gibbs, Bria Tene Presbyterian College Gillett, Christopher Taylor workforce Glasgow, Cody William unknown Goldsmith, Sean Paul Mercer University Goldstein, Alyssa Mary UNCC Golecruz, Meryl Eve Lasmarias UNC-CH Gonzalez, Jacson Alberto UNCG Gonzalez, Jisella Anai unknown Grady, Stanton Lynks NC State Gregory, Jack Angus App Gresham, Camden Riley Virginia Tech Grosser, Rachael Marie UNCW Gullett, Jessalyn Catherine Ann unknown Guzman, Isabella UNCC Hannon, Ashley Noelle NC State Harger, William Scott NC State Harrelson, Charles Douglas GTCC Harrelson, Jenna Elise UNCG Harris, Luke Daniel ECU Harrison, Jordan Alexander Guilford College *Undecided means student had not reached a decision by press-time. **Unknown means student could not be reached for a response.

May 2018

Hartman, Trevor Bryan WCU Haslacker, Joseph Marcus unknown Hatch, Miranda Renee unknown Hayes, D’Andre Lamon UNCC Hayes, Haleigh Nicole GTCC Hebert, Tyler Matthew workforce Hensley, Jenna Kathryn GTCC Herbin, Trinity Katherine undecided Hitt, Brandon Michael Clemson Hodge, Brooke Christina NC State Hodock, Thomas Jadon workforce Hoff, Evan Michael App Holland, Stevie Lynn St. Andrews Holmes, Josephine Liberty Grand Canyon University Hooijschuur, Alex Ronald UNCG Hopper, Gehrig Sanford UNCG Howard, Cameron Leigh Lenoir-Rhyne Hoyle, Katherine Stewart UNCG Huamani, Kelleen Darlene unknown Huckabee, Jacob Gordon undecided Huffman, Landon Gregory GTCC Hughes, Connor Addison App Hunt, Hannah Jewell UNCW Hutchison, Alonna Ashley WCU Hyatt, Joseph Wade Catawba Ibrahim, Mennatalla UMD Isom, Suzanna Evon unknown Jahangir, Talha undecided Jameson, Daniel John Utah State Jenkins, Christopher Paul Liberty Jessup, Ian Walker Sabrin workforce Johnson, Kayla Jamaya unknown Johnson, Roxana Elaine App Johnson, Samuel Taylor A&T Johnson, Taylor Brooke GTCC Jones, Abigail Victoria GTCC Jones, Dakota Tyler UNC-CH Karasiewicz, Mason Keaton GTCC Kefer, Rebecca Noelle UVA Kenion, Taylor Anderson NC State Kerley, Logan Pearce UNC-CH Kessel, Nolan Timothy NC State Kidwell, Joseph Martin GTCC Kilgannon, Tristan Kyle NC State King, Brennan Riley GTCC King, Elijah Isaiah GTCC King, Tyler Klose Texas Christian Kinley, Nicholas Scott GTCC Kohler, Hannah Michaela ECU Korkie, Kyndal Hagen ECU Kostyrka, Peter Scott GTCC Kotting, Viktoriya Angelina UNCG Krause, Alexander Lawrence GTCC Kumari, Shivangi College of New Jersey Kwon, Taeim undecided Laird, Peter Josef NC State Lamb, Anna Darlene App Lamb, Lauren Leanne Wake Forest Lavoie, Cole Edward App Lawson, Madeline Elizabeth Hamilton College Lawson, Sierra Elizabeth unknown Lazar, Razvan UNCC Lemons, Nicolas Lee UNCG Lentz, Hannah Faith GTCC

Continued on page 14 www.northwesthorizons.com

11

SPREAD

A blast blast fro fr A blast fro A

Teachers reflect on the Catherine Ann Brown

AP statistics teacher

Phillip Coley

AP psychology t Q: What was your favorite high school memory?

A: When someone set off a tear gas bomb above the student section when there was only 50 seconds left of the football game. Everyone had to evacuate the stands and the game was postponed.

Q: What did you do for fun after school or on the weekends?

A: I went on dates with my boyfriend, went to football games, went to the movies, and Church/youth group stuff.

Ralph Kitley Principal

Q: What was your favorite high school memory?

A: [My favorite memory was] when we won the state championship in basketball in 1986. That was right after the Dean Dome opened, so it was the first state championship there. That was awesome.

Q: What was the biggest trend when you were in high school?

A: [The biggest trends were] mullets and the members-only jacket. I mean, I had a semi-mullet myself.

Guys would get a perm back then.

Oh, and music from bands like Journey, Van Halen, Prince, Madonna, Styx, Rush.

12

www.northwesthorizons.com

Q: What did you do for fun after school or on the weekends?

A: We went to the movies, rode our bikes, called people we liked on the phone, and listened to the radio a lot more. It was a simpler time, but I’m sure people in the ‘60s would’ve said the same thing to us in the ‘80s.

Q: What stereotypical high school group do you think you fit into?

A: I was somewhere between the athlete and the nerd. I probably leaned more toward the geek side of things. All my friends were geeks for sure.

Q

A: m cu th to l wh Q

A t de

Q: What was your favorite high school memory?

A: When a boy, who now is my husband, was too shy to talk to me so he just brushed by me and said, “nice backpack,” and when I turned around, he was gone.

Q: What is one major difference you see between high school then and high school now?

A: Students are more willing to openly talk to their teachers and form relationships.

Andrea Julia English teacher

May 2018

SPREAD

rom the past: past: om the the past: om

eir high school experience Jennifer Linder Terrence Murphy biology teacher

y

Q: What was your favorite high school memory?

A: I would have to say football games were fantastic [and so was] soccer season, mostly athletics. I didn’t much care about class, although I did well in class.

I didn’t like going to school, which is funny because now I’m a teacher. Going to the state championship my senior year for soccer was pretty fun because it was the first one happening in the school, so we were being treated like rock stars. The best part of our schooling was that we got out of school at 2:00 and were at the beach by 3:00.

Q: What did you do for fun outside of school?

A: We went to the beach and hung out at friends’ houses, a couple had pools or pool tables. That was our life, the beach or hanging out at friends’ houses.

teacher

Q: What was your favorite high school memory?

I just learned a lot and I liked that my teachers encouraged me to be urious. They didn’t just say “here’s he book and here’s what you need o know,” they really wanted me to learn and it helped me figure out hat I wanted to do when I grew up.

Q: What did you do for fun after school or on the weekends?

A: I was in a lot of clubs. I was in the yearbook, on the speech and ebate team and in national honor society. I also worked a lot so I stayed pretty busy.

an

APES teacher

Q: What is one major difference you see between high school then and high school now?

A: The biggest difference is probably phones.

Q: What was the biggest trend while you were in high school?

A: Eminem.

Q: What did you do for fun after school or on the weekends?

A: I went to the movies and played soccer.

Q: What was your favorite high school memory?

A: A lot of people don’t know this about me because they think I just did theatre, but I did FBLA when I was younger which means I was a state officer, so I got to go on all these amazing trips that I didn’t have to pay for. It was really neat.

Q: What did you do for fun after school and on the weekends?

A: My best friend lived across the street and we would go to these gatherings of sorts. The weirdest one I went to was in a cow pasture. I stayed with my friend the next night and we had to be hosed down because our shoes were literally caked in cow patties.

Dana Hilliard Abby Turner

AP human geography teacher theatre teacher

Visit www.northwesthorizons.com to see more featured staff members from their high school days Photos submitted by featured staff members Information compiled by Maddie Lawson, Menna Ibrahim and Kendal Quinlan

May 2018

www.northwesthorizons.com 13

SENIORS 2018

Senior Destinations Continued from page 11

Leonard, Jacob Tyler UVA Leonard, Samuel Payton Catawba Lewis, Ian William NC State Lewis, Taylor James GTCC Leybourne, Margaret Addison NC State Licorish, Isaiah GTCC Lindsey, Kate Ann NC State Lindstrom, Christopher Lee RCC Lohr, Noah Christopher NC State Lugo-Rodriguez, Jasen Nakir UNCG Luther, Sean Edward GTCC Mabie, Taylor Robyn App Magyar, Addie Marie App Mahaffey, Hannah Marie GTCC Mahon, Olivia Clare UNC-CH Malone, Faith Allegra GTCC Mangrum, Lillian Marie NC State Mann, Lindsey Olivia University of Alabama Marbert, Sydney Case UNCW Marble, Christopher Eldgene unknown Marion, Austin Carl App Marion, Connor William App Marshall, Adam Gregory Liberty Martin, Carson Thomas UNCC Martin, Cassie Dena RCC Martineau, Sophie Marie UNC-CH Mast, Caroline Claire Verline UNCG Matherly, Andrew Michael App Matthews, Christopher Corey gap year Maxson, Charles Joseph Catawba Mayer, Stephanie Rose UNC-CH McClinton, Destiny Mecola A&T McCoy, Samantha Megan App McGill, Maggie Elizabeth CDS Business College McGuire, Alyssa Ann ECU McMahon, Megan Elizabeth App McMillian, Myles Christopher NC State Melos, Sarah Ann UNCC Mendyk, Madison Ruby HPU Mennen, Luke Daniel UNCW Mesagno, Isabella Marie GTCC Michaux, James Allen GTCC Miller, Eric Frances Lenoir-Rhyne Miller, Zachary Scott WCU Miringu, John Anthony UNC-CH Mobus, Zachary Joseph ECPI Montgomery, Sara Emily NC State Moore, Jordan Mallory unknown Moore, Kaitlin Rose Pulliam GTCC Moore, Tucker Benjamin unknown Moran, Nicholas John unknown Morris, Camille Kathryn UNCG Murphy, Montana Maria App Nawrocki, Jillian Pearl UNC-CH Nelson, Angela Elise Guilford College Nelson, Lindsey Nicole App Nguyen, Diana Truc Nie NC State Nicholson, Christian Blade Army Norman, Christopher Todd Lenoir-Rhyne Norman, Zachary Todd Lenoir-Rhyne Nowlin, Kaitlyn Marie GTCC

14 www.northwesthorizons.com

Nunez Rodriguez, Julia Fernanda

undecided Nunez Rodriguez, Sofia Valeria unknown Nwangwu, Chukwuemeka GTCC Oates, Riley Elizabeth CFCC Obeid, Roaa Salah UNCG Obi Rapu, OgechukwuIfy ECU Oh, Albert Hail UNCC Olive, Matthew Thomas UNCC Olsen, John Caleb unknown Olson, Kenneth Wayne GTCC Osorio Restrepo, Paula Alexandra GTCC Owens, Justin Aaron GTCC Oyama, Toru NC State Pagan Galarza, Manuel De Jesus unknown Palombo, Kylee Gail UNCW Park, Sanggu UNCG Parker, Hailey Elizabeth NC State Parsons, Joshua Stephen WCU Patel, Samir Raj UNCC Pearson, Emily Margaret UNCG Pegram, Michael Andrew GTCC Petrosky, Jillian Nicole Case Western Reserve Phelps, Megan Leigh UNCW Phillips, Zoe Elizabeth gap year Pierce, Brittany Caroline unknown Pierce, Dallin Steven McRae unknown Pigue, Elise Ann App Piland, Barrett Elliotte undecided Pitter, Jeremy Thomas GTCC Pleasants, Collin Thompson unknown Pollock, Jacob Matthew-Albert UNC-CH Pool, Dallin Craig BYU Poole, Amanda Carolyn GTCC Powell, Morgan Victoria undecided Powers, Madison Victoria NCCU Prillaman, Olivia Peyton GTCC Proctor, Colby Todd UNCC Propfe, Nico James Marines Quaglia, Kaitlyn Nicole ECU Quick, StormyRae Michaela gap year Quinlan, Kendal Hope NC State Rackard, Kinlie Grace University of Mississippi Raiger, Adam Ryan NC State Ramirez, Adrian Alejandro GTCC Ranson, Chancler Bruce Miami Dade College Rayne, Elizabeth Rose App Reid, Kersten Mackenzie UNCW Revak, Samuel Stuart NC State Reynolds, Maggie Olivia UNCC Ricks, William King UNCG Riddleberger, Taylor Scott unknown Riddles, Jacob Jeremy UNCC Rieser, Kayla Alexis GTCC Rivers, Nathaniel Emile Campbell Roach, William Zaccary NC State Roney, Daniel Coy University of Alabama Roof, Madelyn Noel ECU Rottweiler, Karlee Faith UNCC Rotundo, Nico Anthony UNC-CH Royall, Nathaniel Poston unknown Russell, Matthew Bryan UNCG May 2018

SENIORS 2018 Russo, Ian MacArthur NC State Sakkijha, Jinna Iman UNCG Salazar, Daniel UNCC Sampson, Jacob Ryan GTCC Sanchez, Jason UNCG Sauer, Jacob James GTCC Schaller, Eileen Rosalee unknown Schoppman, Anna Marie UNCC Scott, Joshua Douglas ETSU Shattuck, Connor Joseph UNCC Shepherd, Robert Abram UNCG Simaan, Sarah Marie App Sixberry, Megan Nicole GTCC Sizemore, Temple Grace App Skelton, Finley Oliver UNCG Slomkowski, Kyra LaPlante UNCW Smith, Alyssa Nicole UNCG Smith, Austin James Marines Smith, Elizabeth Haley Navarro Smith, Nathaniel James UNCC Smith, Thomas Samuel NC State Son, Seoryeon University of Chicago Spach, Ryan Taylor GTCC Spencer, Hannah Caroline GTCC Spiker, Catherine Chloe UNCW Staley, George unknown Starke, John Phillip GTCC Starling, Tener Cameron NC State Staszak, Spencer James GTCC Staunton, Olivia Peyton Eckerd College Steigerwald, Julia Louise GTCC Stockard, Justin Lee UNCC Stover, Alec Camden GTCC Strickland, Kailee Faith unknown Sun, Zijie unknown Surratt, Madison Nicole UNCW Sutton, Sean David GTCC Swearingen, Jessica Renae GTCC Taney, Emma Catherine App Tate, Brandon Reid Rose-Hulman Tharp, Allen Thomas military Tharrington, Kyle William NC State Thompson, Caleb Alexander Penn State Thorpe, Tiffani Nichelle GTCC Tilyard, Joshua Robert Air Force Torres, Michael Alexander Aviation Institute True, Hannah Elizabeth ECU Uhrlass, Emma Ilona UNC-CH Ungetheim, Jeffrey Bryce unknown Vaughan, Jordan Grace UNCC Villanueva, Christine Joy Hawaii Pacific Virost, Thomas Alexander Air Force Visi, Gregory David GTCC Waddell, Alexis India Guilford College Wade, Brandon Miles A&T Wagner, Hannah Caelyn A&T Wakim, Elie GTCC Waldron, McKenzie Higgins UNCC Walker, Eric Reid unknown Wallace, Wyatt David William App Waller, Joy Ashley Winston-Salem State Wan, Jessica UNCC Ward, Delaney Grace undecided May 2018

Ward, Hallett Sydney UNCG Washburn, Ryan Taylor RCC Wassen, Drew Allan UNCC Watts, Spencer Wesley NC State Weaver, Edward Perry UNCW Webb, Megan Ann UNCC Webb, William Walter gap year Webster, Brandon Henry unknown Weishar, Alexa Sharon RCC Wells, Liam John GTCC Wells, Lydia Elizabeth NC State Wells, Patrick Weis GTCC White, Marion Alexander Wake Forest Whitford, Austin Michael ECU Wilfong, William Mason UNC-CH Willer, Thomas Laurence GTCC Williams, Brenna Danielle UNCG Williams, Jason Alexander App Wilson, Celeste Alicia GTCC Wilson, Cody Nathaniel workforce Wilson, Hannah Bradshaw UNC-CH Wilson, Trace Dallas NC State Wise, Seth Joseph NC State Woodrum, Logan James UNCG Wooten, Chloe Eve Army Yang, Anna Duke Young, Brandon Alaric Army Young, Connor Martin UNC-CH Young, Kylie Logan NC State Zawadzki, Noah Michael Virginia Tech Zhu, Sige undecided

Top six choices for Class of ‘18: 76 45 44 33 30 26 www.northwesthorizons.com

15

SPORTS

College Commits: A game plan for the future

Madison Ayres staff writer s the school year is wrapping up, most of the senior class is set on where they plan on attending college. A select group of athletes have made this decision based on recruitment. The senior class of 2018 has a handful of student-athletes that will continue their academic and athletic careers at various colleges.

The biggest pool of the senior class recruits comes from the lacrosse teams.

Seniors Maya Flake, Parker Byrd, Payton Leonard and Sean Goldsmith are some of the lacrosse players committed to play lacrosse in college, three out of four playing at North Carolina schools.

Maya Flake is a lacrosse commit for Meredith College who spends a lot of her spare time practicing lacrosse. This dedication to her sport is what makes her a valuable athlete for recruiters to notice. Looking forward to her season at Meredith, Flake speaks highly of her team.

“I’m really excited to play with teammates that play like me and a coach that thinks the way I do,” Flake said. “When I play with them, we connect really well and it’s nice to know they have my back.”

Parker Byrd will be attending High Point University to play lacrosse in the fall of 2018. He was guided by his family and travel team coach to pick a school that would be a good fit for him.

Byrd has been playing with some of his teammates since he was in elementary school and he will miss that the most.

His time with the Northwest lacrosse program helped develop him into the player he is now.

“The coaches at Northwest had a huge impact on me throughout my career here by building me up as a player and giving me opportunities I wouldn’t get elsewhere,” Byrd said.

Payton Leonard has committed to play lacrosse at Catawba College. The recruitment path was made a little easier for Leonard since his older brother had gone through the process before and helped him out. Leonard at-

A

Alex Cake and Logan James staff writer and sports editor

Maya Flake Meredith College

Parker Byrd High Point University

Payton Leonard Catawba College

Sean Goldsmith Mercer University

Cody Creed Appalachian State University

Bria Gibbs Presbyterian College

tributes his development as a player to Mark Goldsmith, head coach of the Old North State (ONS) travel lacrosse team and former Northwest lacrosse coach.

“Mark Goldsmith made me the lacrosse player I am,” Leonard said.

“No other coach will ever compare to him in what he had done for me and the Northwest lacrosse program. He pushed me every day at practices and always had confidence in my ability to go out and play my best.”

Sean Goldsmith, a Mercer University lacrosse commit, is wholly devoted to the sport. He makes a daily effort to practice lacrosse, improving his skills even on weekends. Growing up with a lacrosse coach as a dad, Goldsmith has always been surrounded by the sport. Mark Goldsmith has had many years of lacrosse experience,

ranging from coaching at the collegiate level to being inducted in the North Carolina Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

“I’ll miss playing for my dad more than anything,” Goldsmith said. “He was the one that gave me my first lacrosse stick for my first birthday and the one that has been coaching me since elementary school. Not having him on the sideline will be different, but he’ll be happy to watch me play for a change.”

Moving on from lacrosse, senior Cody Creed is committed to Appalachian State University to play football. He is thankful for coaches Goldsmith and Wallace for pushing him and holding him accountable.

Creed is a hard worker on and off the field, striving to be the best.

Senior Sports Profiles

Seth Wise Sport: Boys’ Soccer Position: Goalie Hype Song: Whatever song is on the warm-up track Pre-Game Ritual: “Eric and I always do our warm-up separate from everybody else before the game.”

16 www.northwesthorizons.com

Pearce Kerley Sport: Baseball Position: Pitcher Hype Song: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC Pre-Game Ritual: “I usually try to eat a good meal before the game.”

“I have put in work to keep my grades up so that I can get on the field and make the team better as a unit,” Creed said.

Bria Gibbs, one of the captains of the women’s basketball team, is committed to play basketball at Presbyterian College. Gibbs will continue to hone her skills at the collegiate level, boasting two state championship titles from her high school experience.

Noah Zawadzki is a state champion for the one-meter diving event at the 2018 4A State NCHSAA State Championships. He is committed to Virginia Tech’s swim and dive team with a diving scholarship.

These seniors have dedicated most of their lives to school and sports; they are finally seeing their hard work pay off to compete at the next level.

Photos by Madison Ayres

Rachel Rouse Sport: Girls’ Soccer Position: Attacking Mid/ Forward Hype Song: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem Pre-Game Ritual: “I make sure I warm up properly and get 50 juggles.”

May 2018

SPORTS

Athletes explore a sport from across the pond

Logan James sports editor hen people think of sports, the ones that first come to mind are football, soccer and baseball; however, there are many other intriguing and lesser known athletics out there. One of these less popular sports is rugby, for which Northwest athletes have formed a club that competes against other schools’ rugby clubs.

Originally from Europe, rugby is a sport that not many people think of, let alone understand at Northwest.

Though similar to American football in some of its mechanics, the two sports are extremely different in the technical aspects. Regardless, its foreign origin may be to blame for its diminished popularity here in the states.

“It originated in Europe, so people [here] really haven’t gotten that much exposure to it,” junior Kwadjo Osafo said. “I feel like most people don’t even know what it is.”

Rugby can provide an outlet for athletes to find something different than the traditional sports Northwest offers.

Rugby’s intense action requires players to be both physically and mentally tough, building character and strength.

“I wanted something new to do because I was playing soccer and I got bored of that, so I decided to give rugby a shot,” Osafo said.

In spite of being regarded as a primarily European game, rugby is able to inspire the same camaraderie amongst teammates no matter where it is played. One Northwest student, junior Charlie McPherson, lived in the United Kingdom for several years, where he found a passion for the sport and was able to see the differences of it in both countries.

“Coming from the UK, I wasn’t expecting it to [have as much] team spirit,” McPherson said.

For any person who would like to join Northwest’s rugby program, everyone on the team welcomes new members openly.

“After a couple of practices, you learn to have each other’s backs,” McPherson said. “I definitely appreciate that.”

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Photo contributed by Charlie McPherson

Junior Charlie McPherson rushes with the ball during a rugby match. McPherson has had experience with the sport ever since starting in the United Kingdom where the sport is widely popular.

Rugby can even aid athletes in their main sports, especially if they just want to keep rugby on the side as a method of staying conditioned throughout the off season.

“I’d definitely like to see more people give rugby a shot,” McPherson said.

“Especially football players; I think it would help them a lot with football.”

While it may look extremely challenging to inexperienced athletes, rugby becomes simple once one gets a grasp of the rules and how they work.

Ultimately, it’s a sport that is easy to learn yet hard to master.

“It takes a while to learn how to play well,” Osafo said. “But you get a hang of it pretty quickly.”

Despite being only a club at Northwest, rugby remains extremely competitive, pushing players to the best of their abilities. Athletes on the rugby team love winning just as much as any other sport, bringing an atmosphere that encourages bettering one’s self on and off the pitch.

“Being a club combining the local high schools adds an extra element of competitiveness,” coach Mike Willer said. “The bar has definitely risen… but

we are holding our own for sure.”

Overall, the rugby experience at Northwest is a new experience for athletes. It may be a less popular sport in the United States, but it still leaves a mark on those who play and experience it.

“It’s great to see the level of confidence take off,” Willer said. “Boys who are reluctant to tackle at the start of the season [begin] making amazingly effective low tackles after a few games.

This game brings in athleticism, strength, team culture and a sense of sportsmanship.”

Photos contributed by corresponding athletes

Connor Shattuck Sport: Boys’ Lacrosse Position: Close Defense Hype Song: “Electric Pow Wow Drum”

by A Tribe Called Red Pre-Game Ritual: “I focus on what I have to do in that specific game.”

May 2018

McKenzie Waldron Sport: Cross Country Event: 5k Hype Song: “Rockabye” by Clean Bandit Pre-Game Ritual: “We always warm up and stretch as a team. Then at the starting line, we pray in a circle and do a countdown before we race.”

Maya Flake Sport: Girls’ Lacrosse Position: Midfield Hype Song: “The Champion” by Carrie Underwood Pre-Game Ritual: “We listen to music.”

www.northwesthorizons.com 17

SPORTS

Lady Vikings reconquer states

Megan Harkey staff writer he Northwest Viking Varsity Girls’ basketball team placed another 4A state championship ring on their finger at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 10. After a close fourth quarter and only one lead change for the Vikings, they can celebrate for the second year in a row against the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs.

Before the banner and the celebratory pizza, the team and head coach Darlene Joyner had to prepare every day in practice in hopes of the same feeling as last year.

“I felt that we were prepared as a team because we did the scouting report and watched [game] film, so we knew our match ups and what we had to do to win,” junior Elizabeth Kitley said.

After a rough first quarter down 144, Northwest hobbled back to the bench for some poignant words from Joyner.

Shots were not falling; Northwest had a field goal percentage of 12 percent and a few costly turnovers.

“I was thinking [Southeast Raleigh] had a good first quarter and they hit a lot of shots that they typically don’t hit consistently, but to win the game they had to consistently do that,” senior Bria Gibbs said.

In the second quarter, the lead was then stretched to 12 points, but the Northwest bench and student section never gave up on their girls. “They kept us going and the energy high, and they were still supportive even though we were down,” Gibbs said.

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By the half, the girls shrunk the Bulldog’s lead to four points with foul shots by junior Cayla King, layups by Kitley and a jumper by Gibbs.

Their field goal percentage was now 45 percent. The score was 18-22 as they traveled into the locker room for an inspirational speech from Joyner. “[Joyner said to] get your head in the game [because] this is what your season is riding on right now, and honestly, I thought back to High School Musical with Troy [when] they were down, and it [was] ‘now or never’,” Gibbs said.

The Bulldogs stretched their lead to five points in the third quarter with a score of 32-27 and no lead changes in Northwest’s favor. However, the Vikings never stopped believing that the trophy would be in their hands.

“We had to settle down and get the shots that we wanted, finish shots and get defensive stops so we could transfer those to offensive points,” Gibbs said.

The final eight minutes began. The girls had to win this quarter to win the game. The fourth quarter finally tied the game with a layup by senior Lindsay Gauldin; the momentum was back and forth until an unforgettable play by Gibbs would secure a comeback that will go down in history. She made a layup with a foul call that would turn the score to 37-36; the Bulldogs didn’t score a single basket for the last minute and eight seconds of the game.

“I found an opportunity to score, and I finished it when it counted,” Gibbs said.

Fouls by the Bulldogs piled up, and it amounted to a total of seven successful free throws by King and Kitley. The final buzzer rang with a score of 44-36.

Northwest outscored the Bulldogs 17-4 in that quarter. The Vikings ran off the court for hugs, and there were tears of joy from the seniors.

“It was like bringing [the championship] back home, and I thought about all the memories at Northwest,” Gibbs said.

After awarding the medals, the banner and the trophy, it was time to give the individual awards. First, King won the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the game, and Kitley won Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Afterwards, there were pictures and interviews, but the girls could hardly contain themselves after the win.

“I was in a daze,” Kitley said.

The team has had many accomplishments this season including 2017 HAECO Invitational Tournament champions, conference champions, conference tournament champions, and now, 4A NCHSAA state champions.

The girls on the team won other individual awards throughout the season.

These included Kitley as MVP of the HAECO Invitational, as well as Gauldin, Gibbs and sophomore Reagan Kargo being named to the HAECO All-Tournament Team.

The team thanks all those who came to the game and supported them throughout the season for yet another ring. Next season, they hope for a three-peat.

Photos taken by Madison Ayres and Aidan Bennett

Juniors Elizabeth Kitley and Cayla King-- the Most Valuable Player and the Most Outstanding Player, respectively-- each pose with an NCHSAA representative holding their awards after defeating the Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs in 4-A the State Championship. The Lady Vikings were almost defeated by the Bulldogs until the fourth quarter when the Northwest outscored Raleigh 17 to 4. During the game, Kitley and King scored a combined 33 points.

18 www.northwesthorizons.com

May 2018

FEATURES

AP exams: Are you a worrier or a warrior?

Emma Welsh staff writer

You may be a worrier if...

You may be a warrior if...

• This is your first year taking exams.

• This is your second year taking exams.

• You procrastinate reviewing the material, or you don’t even review at all.

“Study a lot over spring break,” sophomore Mary Yin said.

• You have purchased at least one exam prep book.

“I think [Barron’s Exam Prep Books] are helpful to catch up on things you may have forgotten,” DerezinskiChoo said.

• Your notebooks have papers falling out of them.

• You keep up with your homework throughout the year.

• You almost never have a pencil or paper in class.

• You have A’s in almost all of your classes.

• You have spent the night before the exam cramming your notes. “Make sure you have a schedule and you do your work every night,” senior Mariusz Derezinski-Choo said.

• Your video history includes Crash Course, Bozeman Science and Khan Academy.

• You are a member of multiple study groups.

• You have fallen asleep in class on multiple occasions.

• Your notes are detailed and organized.

• You have no idea what day your exam is.

Photos by Emma Welsh

Sophomore Mary Yin carries a stack of notebooks and paper to show a worrier. Typical worriers cram the night before the exam. Senior Mariusz Derezinski-Choo holds up his AP chemistry review book to show a warrior who is ready to tackle the AP exam. Typical warriors prepare for their exams weeks in advance.

Northwest students share their summer plans Kendal Quinlan staff writer

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or many, the desire to travel peaks when summer rolls around. There are so many destinations where you can find warm weather and longer days; where would you go?

This summer, many Northwest students are going to unique places. There are endless locations to explore, and the experiences are unforgettable.

Senior Megan Webb is going on a mission trip through her church to villages in Bangkok, Thailand to help refugees. For the past few decades, Thailand has been a major destination country for refugees.

“We’ll be running a vacation Bible school in the villages,” Webb said.

“We’ll also be singing and introducing instruments to them.”

This is Webb’s third mission experience. The other mission trips have not been out of the country, so she is thrilled to travel to Thailand.

“I am so excited to be able to teach the kids, explore Thailand’s beautiful culture and to be able to make a real difference in other

May 2018

peoples’ lives,” Webb said.

Junior Diva KC is traveling to Japan at the beginning of the summer and is staying for a month. KC was born in Japan and lived there until the age of five. While she is there, her father will be teaching at a college.

“I’m excited to go back and see where I grew up,” KC said. “Also, I can’t wait to leave Greensboro.”

Senior Connor Young is going to the Dominican Republic in June with many of his close friends. Young will be celebrating his friend’s birthday on the beaches and taking in the views of the landscape.

“This trip is going to be a perfect way to start out the summer,” Young said. “I cannot wait to relax by the beach and just hang with my friends.”

While there, he also plans to partake in snorkeling.

“I have been snorkeling before, and I can’t wait to do it again,” Young said. “Seeing all of the colorful fish swimming around in the clear water is breathtaking.”

These three Northwest students have very exciting summers ahead of them. Their travels will bring them many memories and extraordinary adventures.

Photo contributed by Connor Young

Senior Connor Young is traveling to the Dominican Republic this summer with his friends.

Last summer, Young visited Italy with his family.

Photo contributed by Diva KC

Junior Diva KC is pictured with her parents in Japan. KC was born in Japan and lived there until the age of five. She is going back this summer.

Photo contributed by Megan Webb

Senior Megan Webb is going on a mission trip in Thailand, which will be her third mission trip. Last year, Webb did a mission trip in Louisiana.

www.northwesthorizons.com 19

FEATURES

Was it worth it? seniors reflect on stress in high school

Stephanie Mayer and Angela Seo co-editor in chief, arts & entertainment editor and features editor

L

are] in classes with people, and you’ll ooking back over their high see them in public, and they’ll go school careers, many seniors may ask themselves, “Was this home and tell their parents about you,” Diggs said. “That’s happened to worth it?” With rigorous classes, piles of homework and stress encompassing me in the community so many times; I’d go out in the public and see sometheir lives for the past four years, it body, and they’re with their parents, warrants the question of whether all and they’d be like, ‘Hi, Melvin, I’ve that they did to get into college was heard all kinds of stories about you.’ really worth the effort.

Via school, you become a prominent While most seniors are at a configure in the community.” sensus, finding that the hard work Senior Peter Laird, who will have was indeed worth it, their reasons for taken a total of 12 APs during his believing so vary. time at school, sees the preparatory For senior Seovalue in these AP ryeon Son, who is courses. attending the Univer“I would say sity of Chicago in the yes, [it was worth fall, the classes she it], not just for took were not solely the GPA aspect dependent on how of it, but also to they would affect her be prepared for a GPA. While she took future in college, 10 APs, she also took senior Seoryeon Son taking these both honors orchesrigorous classes tra and honors art. that you’re going to be taking at that “Taking extracurriculars such as level,” Laird said. “I think [taking APs] orchestra and art was worth it because it showed my non-academic side is important, not just for the numbers.” and [that] I had an interest in various Although AP classes are important, areas,” Son said. “The art classes also Son says that it is not worth it to take provided me with opportunities to exhibit my artwork in galleries, and that them if the workload is too much for you. also provided me with things to write “If you know you are going to about in my college applications.” struggle in AP classes, it is okay to Son finds high school valuable for take some honors classes,” Son said. the way in which her interests can be Overall, seniors seem to agree expressed. Other students, like senior that their high school experience was Melvin Diggs, find that the connecworth it. tions made were the most valuable “I think every decision I made in thing they gained from their high high school was worth it in the end,” school experience.

Diggs said.

“It seems kind of weird, but [you

“

If you know you are going to struggle in AP classes, it is okay to take some honors classes.

“

20

www.northwesthorizons.com

Photos by Aidan Bennett

A broken pencil symbolizes the stress some students undergo throughout their high school years. Many students have experienced stress but have said that the classes they’ve taken were worth their effort.

May 2018

FEATURES

Helicopter parents hover over students

Reece Gentry staff writer s the school year comes to an end, students are becoming more and more stressed because of their school workload. For many, parents are only adding to that problem. Some parents hover over their children, especially this time of year, to ensure they are keeping their grades up and getting their work done on time.

Sophomore Melissa Muntyan classifies her parents as “helicopter parents.”

They know about all her homework assignments, upcoming projects and due dates.

“They keep a very close watch on my grades, which for me comes with very high standards,” Muntyan said.

Having helicopter parents is not something most students will freely admit. A recent study has shown that helicopter parenting can trigger anx-

A

iety in young teens. Students in high school and college are in the midst of figuring out who they are and what they want to do with their life, and stress obtained from overconcerned parents can make that process much more difficult.

“If I could tell my parents one thing about their hovering, I would tell them that it is very stressful,” Muntyan said.

“They need to start letting me do stuff on my own and let me be responsible for myself.”

Another factor is that many helicopter parents do most everything for their children. They go over everything with them and make sure that they do everything right so that they can’t fail.

However, failure allows adolescents to learn from their mistakes in order to become successful adults in the future.

Taking away their ability to fail early in life can increase the chance that it will happen to them later in life--and

possibly on a much larger scale.

“Having independence is something that I think will help me better prepare for the future,” Muntyan said.

Helicopter parents can affect teachers, as well. Former student teacher Luciana Malloy, who is currently a student at UNCG, dealt with a few helicopter parents during her past three months of teaching at Northwest. “[The parents make] a lot of demands, a lot of ‘well, why is this not happening? Why is this happening?’”

Malloy said. “I get questions, too, but the demands can be ridiculous.”

Malloy thinks that the parents of those students are putting extra pressure on her because she is a student teacher.

“Obviously, I don’t have the same amount of experience as any of the teachers here because they’ve all been teaching longer than I have, but I’m not a fool either,” Malloy said.

Helicopter parenting caused Malloy to question if she is teaching her students the right way or if there is another way to go about doing it.

“I think that’s a good thing and a bad thing because I can reflect and say, ‘Okay, I can go back and change the way I approach this subject’ or ‘I can change the way I assign this project,’ but then I also think that it has made me question myself too much,” Malloy said.

Even though having helicopter parents can be stressful at times, Muntyan acknowledges it comes from a place of love, and she says she is very blessed to have parents who want her to be her best self.

“I’ve developed a skill of being better about school and managing my time because of my parents,” Muntyan said. “They’re definitely preparing me for the future, and they take it very seriously.”

Graphic by Reece Gentry

The end of the school year and the looming final exams are causing parents to focus more on their student’s grades, which is contributing to the abundance of stress students are experiencing. As shown in the pie chart above, out of 100 students sampled, 34 students considered their parents to be “helicopter parents,” and 66 students did not.

May 2018

www.northwesthorizons.com 21

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Senior Artist Profiles Kylee Palombo AP 3d ART

What do you like about art?

“It’s a way to make something interesting and beautiful, and it’s a catharsis for emotions.”

What do you like about art?

“When I was little, I liked making things, especially sculptures, out of random items I found. I would get bored easily, and art was a way to fill the time; I ended up liking it a lot.”

How do you plan on pursuing art after high school?

“I want to do sports marketing, and graphic design would help me with that, like making promotional flyers and stuff.”

Addie Magyar AP drawing

Meaning behind the piece you chose: “The rock symbolizes the earth and what society used to be, and then the tree represents what we’ve come to be. We’re still natural in theory, but we’re industrial to the highest degree, and we lead severely synthetic lifestyles. We try to re-create nature, but it’s not real.”

Meaning behind the piece you chose: “My triptych is one of my favorite pieces, and it shows my dedication and fondness of art.”

How do plan on pursuing art after high school?

“One of my majors in college is going to be studio art so that I can get better through education and practice.”

Nathan Royal AP 2D ART Dawson Deloach AP 2D ART What do you like about art?

“I really enjoy the challenge of pushing myself to create new things.”

How do you plan on pursuing art after high school?

“I want to go to college for architecture and then probably minor in photography.”

Meaning behind the piece you chose: “I took a picture of the bus because I enjoy taking photographs of vehicles. I went to a transportation museum and loved the contrast of the blue and white colors near the headlight and thought it would be a cool photograph.”

Top six reasons you’re excited for college Montana Murphy spread & managing editor

What do you like about art?

“I love art because it means you’re able to put what you feel in your heart and envision in your brain into a visual and physical form.”

How do plan on pursuing art after high school?

“I plan to go to an art college and then proceed to becoming a full-time concept artist, eventually.”

Meaning behind the piece you chose: “The art I chose is a visualization of one of many characters drifting around in my head. This one is part of a larger setting and theme, which has, itself, garnered around a decade’s worth of my thought.”

1. Being able to take classes that actually pique your interest. You no longer have to take tons of English or history classes if you want to become a nuclear engineer, unlike in high school.

3. Getting to explore a new place. Say goodbye to the desolate outskirts of Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Stokesdale and outer-Greensboro, and say hello to a place full of new and exciting experiences.

5. Being independent. With no more mom and dad reminding you to do your homework and clean your room, college will help teach you the ways of adulthood.

2. Meeting entirely new people.

You can get away from the people you’ve grown up with and become friends with people that will someday be in your wedding.

4. Becoming involved in anything you can imagine. From quidditch club to cooking club to fashion club, colleges have hundreds of clubs and organizations in which you can become involved.

And hey, if you don’t find one you like, you can just start your own.

6. Enjoying free time. Free time, what’s that? Oh, that’s right, something that college kids get to have. ‘Bye ‘bye, seven classes a day; hello, hours of free time.

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ith graduation fast approaching, Northwest seniors are eagerly anticipating with thoughts of college. In a few short months, those at the top of Northwest’s totem pole will be moving into new dorms and exploring an entirely new place. Here are the top six reasons to be excited for college:

22 www.northwesthorizons.com

Don’t worry. We know it’s always a great day to be a Viking, and you’ll miss Northwest just a little.

Graphics by Stephanie Mayer

May 2018

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A year in review: Performing arts programs reflect on success Maggie Leybourne, Menna Ibrahim & Anna Yang staff writers & contributing writer

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ncluded among the plethora of accomplishments that Northwest has had this year are the many achievements of the performing arts programs, like those of theatre, band, Winter Guard and orchestra. From multiple successful play performances to several acceptances into All-County music programs, here’s a quick look back at the year had by these programs.

Theatre

Producing several plays every year, Northwest’s theater department is cultivated by a combination of efforts of theatre teacher, Abby Turner and her student leaders.

“I have assistant directors for just about every show this year that have stepped up and taken leadership and responsibility when I need a moment,” Turner said.

The involvement of student leadership has allowed the class to grow in production strength and stage confidence.

Although the theater class had previously taken two self-written plays to “Play Comp”, a theater competition, their involvement this year was more in depth.

“This year though, the play was really personal to us, and we wrote the whole script on our own,” Turner said.

“We won with it and it really impacted not only the audiences but us too which is awesome.”

While majoring in theater isn’t in the future of all the seniors, they still see a reflection of their passion in other ways.

“I have students that don’t go on to major in theater, but even then, they still end up doing things that contribute a lot of the skills they learned here,” Turner said.

With a great year now behind them, the theater class is anticipating similar success in upcoming years.

“I’m really impressed with the freshmen and the sophomores we have this year,” Turners said. “Some of them have a lot of potential, so I really see them doing amazing things.”

Band

The Winter Ensembles at Northwest are constantly pushing the limits on their fight to be the top group. They have rehearsals every week and sometimes even on weekends, which allows

them to persistently finish at the top of their class in competitions.

“This year I felt like we were very successful in the marching band because we had a lot of growth, we tried a lot more difficult things, harder things and pushed the kids in other areas,” band director Brian McMath said.

But it is not only the bands who have strived to break records. Northwest’s Winter Guard Varsity team has also maintained an impressive track record this season.

“A highlight [this year] has been [attending] Power Regionals with the varsity Winter Guard,” McMath said.

“They finished fourth in finals out of 33,and scored the highest they’ve ever scored.”

Winter Guard’s continuous growth is due in part to the additional instructors that have joined the group.

“This year, we hired a new staff member [for Varsity Guard] from Miami who actually flies in to teach, work, and design for the kids,” McMath said. “Right now, they’re ranked right on the cusp of being a national finalist.”

All the success the groups have seen undoubtedly come with their own obstacles. As their rehearsal times increase in frequency, the groups find it harder and harder to find a space to practice.

“The biggest issue we face is us being able to rehearse in facilities, being able to use the gym in the winter specifically.” McMath said. “I know the athletics here let us use it as much as we can, although it’s not as much as we need.”

What should you do this summer?

Orchestra

The current orchestra director at Northwest, Donald Walter, has only taught at the high school for two years; however, he has already seen much improvement in the students’ skill level.

“They’ve come a long way,” Walter said. “Last year, we played a mix grade 5 [and] 6 program, but this group played a straight grade 6 program, which is the highest level of difficulty possible.”

The orchestra students have had the opportunity to be involved in many new events and have earned a notable reputation in the county.

“We served as the clinic group for the North Carolina Music Educators Association in November,” Walter said. “We [also] had more kids accepted into All-County Orchestra than any other school in the county, even the arts magnet schools.”

In collaboration with counselor Michael Marshall, the orchestra has also formed a string quartet to play at weddings.

Although 13 seniors are graduating this year, the group is hopeful that their growth will not be hindered.

“You always miss your seniors when they go, as they always provide leadership,” Walter said. “But they’re doing a good job training the next generation.”

Photo trom NW Viking Band Facebook page

Junior Miranda Rose participates in a marching band performance. Northwest’s marching band has experienced a year of significant growth, pushing itself to try new, more complex things.

mountains

M o u n t a i n s

Autumn Dixon staff writer

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NC

ummer, for many students, is a time of relaxation and a chance to garner new experiences in all forms. A popular activity, of course, is travel, but with so many places one could go, it’s difficult to decide on a good spot. From relaxing on the beach in or out of state to traveling throughout a city rife with history, the options are nearly endless. This quiz is a little way for you to narrow down your many possible destination for the summer based on what your preferences are.

Graphic by Autumn Dixon

May 2018

www.northwesthorizons.com

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May 2018