March 2016 issue

Northwest Guilford High • Greensboro, NC

Clare Kilmartin features & managing editor

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very day in America, countless people are affected by gun violence.

Nearly 300 people in America are shot each day, and of those, approximately 90 die.

For senior KG Clark’s family, they know too well the realities of gun violence. Clark’s younger brother and a family friend found themselves in a shooting at Old Navy in Friendly Center in 2008 where one person was killed.

“Thankfully the events of that day yielded a positive outcome for our family,” Clark said. “It has affected the way I view gun control.”

Gun violence in America has integrated itself into society, killing over 108,000 people every year. It takes more lives than threatening ailments such as Parkinson’s disease.

“Gun violence has become a major issue in these recent years,” senior Zaina Kuseybi said. “It’s a shame that such a valued Constitutional right has been taken advantage of in such a negative way.”

The U.S. is ranked number one in firearms per capita and owns more than 270 million guns according to a 2007 report.

“It seems as though instead of thinking of the better good of the whole American population, especially its safety, individuals care more about their own interests,” Kuseybi said.

Suicides comprise a majority of gun deaths, holding 63 percent.

Homicides follow with 31 percent and mass shootings hold 1.5 percent of gun deaths.

“I think it is a shame that more outcry has not been seen throughout the country,” Kuseybi said.

President Obama has spoken 15 times during his presidency on mass shootings and has become no stranger to such crises. Since the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012, 1,042 mass shootings have occurred.

“I refuse to act as if this is the new normal or to pretend that it’s simply sufficient to grieve and that any mention of us doing something to stop it is somehow politicizing the problem,” President Obama said in a statement after the Charleston shooting.

President Obama unveiled his new strategy to tighten gun control on Jan. 5.

His plan focuses on new background check requirements that will enhance the effectiveness of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NIC’s), education and enforcements of existing laws at the state level.

“Growing up in the South in a home where guns have always been present, I am a supporter of the second amendment,” Clark said. “However, I do not believe that requiring background checks, assessing one’s mental stability or requiring a thorough and extensive gun safety course is impeding on anyone’s second amendment rights.”

Indeed, 67 percent of Americans back the President’s executive action on guns according to a

Volume 52 • Issue 3 • March 2016

CNN/ORC poll. “[The NRA] scares politicians in that they are a group with a lot of power,” social studies teacher Jim Thompson said. “Politicians are scared to stand up to what I would consider to be common sense rules about guns.”

The lack of any legislation being passed angered Americans, while Australia was able to pass legislation in less than two weeks after a massacre killed 33 people.

Since Australia enforced it’s gun laws, the firearm homicide rate fell by 59 percent and Australia has had no mass shootings.

“America would be wise to follow Australia’s lead,” Clark said.

“Australia has not abolished the right for its citizens to own or carry a gun; [it] simply restricted it.”

Presented with the problems America faces today, universal background checks have proved to be necessary in preventing violent people and red-flagged suicidal people from purchasing deadly weapons. “[Universal background checks] may help a little bit, but as far as fixing the [entirety of] the problem with guns, it’s a cultural issue that needs to be addressed [from] a multi-layered [perspective],” Thompson said.

Obama goes out with a

BANG:

Fixing America’s gun problem

During his last year of presidency, Obama hopes to fix gun control problems in America. He also hopes to raise the minimum wage and work towards finding a cure for cancer.

Graphic by Nikole Nguyen

2 News

Science classes change to one period for next year's students

7 Op/Ed

New changes made to the SAT test

13

Arts & Culture

Northwest’s renowned arts program lacks funding

Page 2

March 2016

AP sciences reduced to one period next year schools, the administration and guidance department at Northwest found it best to make AP physics, AP chemistry and AP biology only one period next year.

However, the change presents both positives and negatives for teachers and students. “[My initial reaction was] total surprise,” AP biology teacher Lisa Holler said. “Then, of course disappointment--no teacher wants to lose time with a class.”

Teachers will have to adjust most aspects

self-motivated,” Holler said.

Both the teachers and the students will have to make alterations for the change; however, there are also many positives. For fter hearing rumors for more than example, more science electives can now be year, a decision has finally been offered to students. made: AP science classes that are “[The change in periods] will open more currently two periods long will be converted opportunities in our science department,” to one period next year.

Garner said. “[We are] hoping for other elec“Right now, what we’re doing is more tives to come back into the picture that, right of a typical situation,” guidance counselor now, couldn’t be in the science department Stacy Garbecause it ner said. was two “ M o s t periods for schools those AP aren’t declasses.” voting T h e necessarily change will two class create an periods to increase in [AP sciavailability ences].” for students T h i s to enroll in change more sciis due to ence classes, two main such as mar e a s o n s. rine science, First, the astronomy majority and forenof schools sics. are not alNot only lowing AP will stuscience dents bencourses efit from to conthe wider sume two variety of class perielectives, ods. The but stusecond dents can reason is also easily the twoPhoto by Shalini Sharma fit AP sciperiod AP Senior Betty Lulseged completed a lab activity in her 1st period AP chemistry class. With AP sciences going ences into s c i e n c e s to one period, labs such as these may not be completed in time or may not be done at all. their scheddecrease ules. the flexibility for other science courses to of the courses, such as labs and work.

“I was excited to hear that [AP sciences] be offered and also decrease the availabil“The structure of the course [AP chemis- would be one period because it gives me ity for those science teachers to teach other try] is going to have to be very different [be- more freedom with my schedule and gives courses. cause] the course is intended to be a whole me a chance to get college credit while still “I went to News Week’s top High year of the course and a whole year of the taking more classes that I want,” junior AnSchools, contacted them via email, [and] lab,” AP Chemistry teacher Janet Wells said. sley Keith said. asked how they did things,” Principal Ralph Teachers will be required to alter their The shortening makes certain AP sciKitley said. “Some had similar [situations], teaching, meaning the work load may be ences fit into schedules easier than before but nobody [does] what we do. Most ev- altered, and therefore students may need to because the classes will only take up one peerybody [spends] between 45 minutes to an take on more responsibilities. riod rather than two. hour a day for AP science classes.”

“Students will have a lot more to do on “The majority of students will benefit After research and discussions with other their own, which means they will have to be and the school as a whole,” Kitley said.

Katie Lee Parrish sports editor

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Coping with a monster: Eating disorders affect students worldwide Sarah Boggins co-editor-in-chief

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ou step on the scale. It reads a number that is less than the day before, but for you, it’s not low

enough.

This was the reality for senior Morgan Auel, a Northwest student who has struggled with an eating disorder for almost six years.

“I was born loving to exercise. I was a swimmer, dancer and gymnast all at the same time at one point, so I used my love of exercising to lose weight,” Auel said. “I would run six miles three to four times a week and would eat less than 1,000 calories.”

Auel’s eating disorder began when she was in the sixth grade.

“When I quit gymnastics, my body started changing because of puberty, and I developed a terrible body image,” Auel said.

Not only were exercising and eating contributing factors in Auel’s eating disorder, but also anxiety.

“I was constantly counting calories, planning meals and stressing trying to decide what would be the ‘healthiest’ thing to eat,” Auel said.

According to Nationaleatingdisorders.org, anorexia in women from ages 15 to 19 has increased every decade since 1930. In ad-

dition, eating disorders affect approximately 30 million people, however they receive the least amount of funding from the National Institutes of Health in comparison to Alzheimer’s Disease, Autism and Schizophrenia.

Eating disorders can be caused by a variety of factors including low self-esteem, troublesome relationships and the portrayal of women in the media. These are just a few of the many causes.

“Personally, my eating disorder stemmed from within,” Auel said. “I consider myself a perfectionist, and I always try to be the best person I can be...and this is most likely a result of my anxiety.”

Auel is still in the process of coping with her eating disorder; however, she says she is in a much better position now.

“I am still struggling with it, but I’m in the best place with my eating disorder than I’ve ever been,” Auel said. “I’ve had therapy, and I have been put on anti-anxiety medication.”

In addition to this treatment, Auel meets with a nutritionist who assists her in managing her disorder.

“She is like a best friend to me,” Auel said. “She’s really helpful and encouraging.”

Auel believes that having an eating disorder has a large impact on the way someone lives his or her life.

“After so long, eating disorders can really become part of someone’s identity and who they are,” Auel said. “Mine is definitely a huge part of my life, so to change my whole way of life and thinking is what makes it so hard to break the habits I’ve acquired over so many years.”

To others who may be struggling with eating disorders, Auel gives a word of advice.

“Learning to accept the body you live in is the best thing you will ever do with your life,” Auel said.

“Balance and moderation is key.”

In the graphic, this girl’s worst nightmare is batting her eating disorder (anorexia to the right and bulimia to the left).

Each year, thousands of teenagers develop eating disorders, or problems with eating, body image, and weight.

Graphic by Tai Van Dyke and Stephanie Mayer

Budget cuts cause registration woes Miranda Cecil staff writer

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egistration. It’s a time that proves daunting for some and exciting for others.

Each spring, Northwest students make decisions about classes for the academic year to come, whether to fulfill graduation requirements or to pursue a particular passion or talent.

Last year, Northwest was the pilot school for online registration. All Guilford County schools will be following Northwest’s example for registration this year.

“I thought it was an exciting opportunity to do something different and be a leader,” Principal Ralph Kitley said.

The county is trying to become more high-tech, as schools incorporate online registration and grading, using PowerSchool.

“We’re striving to become computer savvy, so it just made sense,” guidance counselor Stacy Garner said.

Almost every course in the registration book is offered, but only those that provoke sufficient student interest will actually run because of continued budget cuts. Each department has a specific minimum class size, and if that size is not met, the class does not run, or not as many sections are run. Electives are most heavily impacted because they are not graduation requirements.

“We need those electives in the core areas, but every year they get cut because the budget keeps getting cut,” Kitley said.

Marine science and astronomy have become more popular, but every year, sections must be cut and some students are not able to take the courses. Other courses, referred to as ‘singletons,’ just offer one section.

“We have unique groups who want, for example, We the People, and those singletons are popular,” Garner said.

Singletons are sometimes difficult to fit into the schedule, especially when competing with other classes. This year, We the People, a popular Constitutional history elective exclusively for seniors, meets during sixth period, which means AP English Literature has approximately 16 seniors in its sixth period section.

“It’s like putting together a puzzle,” Kitley said. “It used to be fun since we had resources for everything.”

Repeated budget cuts have also led to fewer teachers. However, this has led to an increased enrollment in online classes.

There are 234 Northwest students currently enrolled in online classes, such as AP computer science. Some students choose to take a class not offered at Northwest, like African-American studies or medieval studies, while others take one to meet a graduation requirement, such as a world language.

“We don’t have the staff to offer the electives everyone wants,” graduation coach Kim Deyton said. “If you’ve taken everything at your level, and you’re competitive, online classes are good.”

The most enrolled in electives are AP psychology, honors marine science, honors astronomy and visual arts. Next year, online classes are predicted to rise in popularity, particularly to fill holes in schedules of students.

Students have received recommendation letters and the online portal for registration was accessible beginning March 2. Curriculum Night took place March 3. Northwest will also be offering workshops for schools new to the online program.

With online courses, students have more control over the registration process.

“Kids want to be a part of the fun,” Kitley said.

March 2016

Page 3

The FAFSA changes for the 2017-2018 school year criteria are met. This money, being a grant, needn’t be repaid and can help families who would be in debt otherwise.

The U.S. Department of Education calcuhe federal govlates the amount of ernment can aid that qualifying help you in families receive with many ways. The governa formula that takes ment provides roads to into account what the drive on, welfare for the family will be able to poor, pay for the disabled, contribute. services for emergencies “For 2017, you’ll and education for the actually be able to fill public—just to name a [the FAFSA form] few. out a year earlier or However, we also rely with information on the government to from a year earlier,” help pay for perhaps one Garner said. of the most expensive Economically disand life-changing experiadvantaged families ences that await students will get more from at the end of high school: the Pell Grant while college. families that earn College costs the U.S. more will get less. millions of dollars every While this grant may academic year because seem like a life-saver, everyone is willing to pay there is a catch: the Pell high price tags for their Grant’s effectiveness futures. The Free Applidecreases over time, so cation for Student Finanthose that apply for and cial Aid (FAFSA) is a fedreceive the grant eareral program that decides lier get more money. For who gets certain types of Photo by Shalini Sharma those who apply later, grants and aid from the FAFSA has previously lowered costs significantly for students going to college. With these new changes, it will save time for they may only be lookgovernment for college. The students who need to fill out the application. ing at dollars and cents to “The FAFSA took me go towards their college a couple of hours doing two years before the application might be turns, filled out in your W-2 forms. it with my parents,” senior Kayler DeBrew “I think that the biggest difference to turned in. This makes it so that students education.

Unfortunately, grant money runs out, so said.

Northwest students is that because of Say don’t have to wait for their parents to file For the up and coming class of 2017, this Yes to Education, every senior has to do their tax returns, and allows them to use people who are late in filing their tax returns program is on the brink of change.

[FAFSA],” guidance counselor Stacy Gar- last year’s return information in their FAF- are not likely to receive any aid, regardless of their financial situation.

“You won’t have to wait for your W-2s to ner said. “We’ve hit a huge bump of people SA application.

“Say Yes has made it to where families arrive before you get started, so you can get needing help with the [FAFSA].”

“There is a big change on the horizon a jump on the college application process,” While the FAFSA is a potentially effec- for next year’s process. Students will be here at Northwest that have already saved for President Obama said in a statement. “You’ll tive way for families to pay for college, Say able to complete the FAFSA starting Oc- their students’ college have to fill out FAFSA know sooner how much aid you qualify for, Yes to Education has come to Guilford tober 1 and the FAFSA will be based on to see what they can qualify for there,” Garner [and] you’ll have more time to evaluate your County. With Say Yes, the cost of tuition is income information from two years prior,” said. “That’s the whole point of the FAFSA options.” covered for students that apply for the aid. financial aid officer John Lucas said. “This and Say Yes, to find out who can get the asIn the past, seniors have had to submit This raises serious questions about the FAF- change will allow students and families to sistance they need to go to college.”

Though many ideas about government aid their FAFSA form in Jan. or Feb. of their SA. Is the FAFSA even needed for Guilford more easily answer the income questions final year. Obama announced a series of County students anymore? and to import their tax data directly to the are out there, this form of aid seems to help the middle and lower classes more than many changes to the FAFSA process Sept. 14, “When people see how long the [FAFSA] FAFSA from the IRS.” 2015. With these incoming changes, the class application is, they might be less willing to FAFSA is not the only application might think. Those that might not go to colof 2017 will be able to submit their form in do it,” DeBrew said. “They think they’re go- where one can obtain financial aid from lege at all due to the steep price of tuition will Oct. 2016. In addition to being more widely ing to get money from Say Yes.” the government. The Pell Grant is an en- have a fighting chance at going, what with the available to people, FAFSA aid will no lonFor example, the 2017 cycle of forms titlement provided by the federal govern- FAFSA and Say Yes helping them out every ger require the most current year of tax re- requires tax information from 2015, almost ment to high school students if certain step of the way.

William Royal op/ed editor

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March 2016

A cure for cancer could be on the horizon

Harley Nefe arts & culture editor

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nglish teacher Jennifer Doner’s sister. Vice President Joe Biden’s son. Rock legend David Bow-

ie.

What do all of these people have in common?

Cancer.

Nearly everyone knows someone who has fought or is fighting cancer. From family members to celebrities and politicians, anyone can develop this deadly disease. Cancer does not discriminate.

But there is currently no cure.

“We built a space program almost overnight. And 12 years later, we were walking on the moon,” President Barack Obama said in his 2016 State of the Union Address. “I’m announcing a new national effort to get it done, for the loved ones we’ve all lost, for the family we can still save, let’s make America the country that cures cancer once and for all.”

What exactly is cancer?

“Basically, you have cells that have lost their control and all they do is divide,” AP biology teacher Lisa Holler said. “There’s a lot of things that your body has to guard against it, but sometimes none of them work.”

Surgery is one of the primary treatments for cancer—cut out the tumor made up of the cells that have replicated out of control.

However, surgery is not a cure because even if the cancer cells are removed, over time, they begin to make a reappearance with what is called recurrence.

In addition to surgery, often times patients are given radiation therapy, where high doses of radiation are used to kill cancer cells and to shrink tumors. Chemotherapy is

another line of defense, where toxic drugs are used to kill cells that are dividing quickly.

A relatively new treatment, immun otherapy, helps the immune system to fight cancer sort of like a vaccine, whereas hormone therapy blocks the ability of the body to produce the hor-

mones that are “ f e e d i n g ” the cancer growth.

Even though there are numerous treatments for cancer, the disease is still difficult to cure due to every case of cancer being different.

“There are so many different causes,” Holler said. “Some cancers have a genetic component even though they aren’t totally genetic. There is usually some environmental component or even a viral component.”

Through decades of research, scientists were able to compile a list of “oncogenes” or genes that have the potential to cause cancer.

In tumor cells, these genes have mutated or have made too many copies of themselves, causing them to be activated when

they’re not supposed to and grow out of control.

If tumor suppressor genes mutate or change in harmful ways, they may lose their ability to regulate cell growth, resulting in cells that grow out of control, causing cancer. When working properly, tumor suppressor genes slow down cell division.

Most oncogenes require a mutation in another gene or other environmental factor, such as a virus, to cause cancer.

Lastly, when treating cancer, doctors look out for metastasis, which occurs when cancer spreads from the primary site to other parts of the body.

Fortunately, the cancer research hasn’t stopped and new advancements are made every day.

“Hopefully, we will be able to target the bad cells more and leave the good cells alone,” Holler said. “I don’t think there will be one [treatment], but a variety of things for cancer. There are just too many causes to come up with one treatment.”

Through increased funding from the federal government—the “strongest resources in over a decade,” Obama said—the National Institutes of Health will be increasing its research and pushing for progress.

“I think [Obama’s pledge] is good,” senior Caroline Gilmore said. “Cancer is so scary to people because it’s hard to understand. In our day and age, people feel that we should have already defeated cancer [and] it makes sense to put more money into research for it.”

The graphic above depicts some cancer cells which have lost the ability to stop their growth. As a result, they grow uncontrollably destroying healthy cells and eventually healthy organs.

Other Science News • After more than 100 years, scientists have detected direct evidence of gravitational waves caused by two black holes colliding. The discovery also fulfills one of the last phenomena predicted by Einstein’s general theory of relativity.

• The Zika virus, which is spread through mosquito bites, tends to cause low fever, pink eye and skin rash.

However, when contracted by pregnant women, the virus may be linked to an underdeveloped skull and brain (microcephaly) in their children.

In 2015, Zika outbreaks have been confirmed in Brazil and Colombia and the virus has been reported in the U.S. in 2016. A vaccine is currently being developed.

Graphic by Stephanie Mayer

Reusable rockets yield potential for future space travel Tai Van Dyke staff writer

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premise behind much of science fiction is the notion of humans visiting and colonizing outer space. However, in the near future that science fiction idea will become science fact.

Despite the breakthroughs humans have made with manned satellites and moon landings, space travel is severely limited by cost.

The average NASA shuttle mission used to cost approximately $450 million.

This is an issue that the private corporation SpaceX has been trying to get around.

The corporation is in the process of creating reusable rockets, which, if successful, could cut costs and make space travel more accessible.

“I think this is a fantastic development,” senior Jacob Schott said. “This might lead to future terraforming of planets for human life.”

According to the official SpaceX website, the ultimate goal is in fact, to allow humans to live on other planets.

Founded in 2002, SpaceX has had its share of milestones. In 2009, the company successfully launched Falcon 1 Flight 5. This was the first privately developed rocket to deliver a commercial satellite into Earth orbit. Later in May of 2012, the company succeeded in delivering supplies to the International Space Station.

Recently, SpaceX has made a large step toward their goal of creating truly reusable rockets. In Cape Canaveral, Dec. 21, the

company successfully landed its Falcon 9 rocket back on Earth.

This was after the rocket delivered cargo to a satellite, and is one of the first achievements of its kind. The rocket also landed upright and undamaged. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared his experience with reporters in a teleconference after the landing.

“I ran out on the causeway just to watch the landing, and the sonic boom reached me just as the rocket touched down, so I thought at first the rocket exploded,” Musk said. “Then I went back into launch control and saw this amazing video of the rocket on the pad … I can’t quite believe it.”

However, this was not a first attempt. In June of 2015, one of the company’s Falcon 9 rockets exploded less than three minutes after it had been launched. A strut that was supposed to secure a high pressure bottle of helium broke, causing pressure to build up in one of

the rocket’s liquid tanks. The rocket was unmanned so no fatalities occurred.

Over a span of six months, the strut was fixed, and other improvements were made. The most prominent improvement was the addition of a supercooled propellant to further increase thrust.

“There are a number of improvements in the rocket,” Musk said at the American Geophysical Union’s San Francisco conference. “[It is] a significantly improved rocket from the last one.”

Many consider SpaceX to be revolutionary in that it takes space travel from being the explicit realm of g o v -

The Falcon 9 rocket was designed and manufactured by SpaceX for reliable and safe transport of satellites and astronauts into space. Dec. 21, 2015, the Falcon 9 succeeded in its first upright landing at Cape Canaveral, Florida. CEO Elon Musk sees this success as a big step forward to reusable rockets and further space travel.

ernment agencies to the realm of private corporations.

Previously, with government organizations such as NASA, funding for space travel was limited. This was because funding came from federal tax dollars, which were more likely to be aimed at education, infrastructure, and defense. Private corporations specializing in space travel could open new doors.

“You look at what has happened with NASA being run by the government with the lack of launches,” freshman Emma Fagerberg said. “It would be terrible to repeat that, especially if the goal is to possibly colonize other planets.”

Despite the company’s accomplishments, they are not alone. Other companies, such as Blue Origin, are making reusable rockets as well.

In fact, Blue Origin was able to land one of their rockets back on Earth before SpaceX landed the Falcon 9. Though Blue Origin is more interested in creating rockets for “space tourism” rather than for long term travel, room for competition still exists.

“This competition might create another proverbial space race, except for commercial reasons rather than political,” Schott said.

Overall, companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin are believed to be securing a future for space travel. NASA’s space shuttle program ended in 2011. Since then, progress in American human space travel has been relatively stagnant. It is now likely that private companies will take responsibility for innovations in space travel.

“It is very important for us to continue exploring and learning about space and what it may hold for future generations, as well as us,” Fagerberg said.

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March 2016

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staff editorial

ear concerned students, In our December issue, our paper published a head-to-head argument defending the opinion that all cultures and religions should be able to celebrate during the Christmas season.

As our staff passed out the December issue, we didn’t realize that our writers would also have to defend their freedom of speech as journalists and American citizens.

As the day progressed, the article was met with negativity, which was addressed by tweets to our paper and discussions throughout the halls about how incorrect the view of the article was.

However, as this article continued to receive much unfavorable feedback, there were also people complimenting how well written the article was.

Our staff did not expect such a heated reaction to the opinion expressed in the article, and we soon figured out why this was the case: people were simply reading the headline, “Let’s take the Christ out of Christmas,” without also reading the article.

During a class discussion the next morning, our staff recognized that if the students of Northwest would have read the article and not merely the title, they may have truly understood the argument behind the writing.

Yes, perhaps we should not have used such a misleading headline. Our writer was

not promoting tions from the Concerned atheism; rather, reader and Student she was trying @NWstudent101 to voice the to open up the opinion of holiday season the minority, to people of all even if the faiths rather than majority dislimiting it to just agrees.

Christians.

While we Our class did support the not accept the writing of idea of failure each side of for this article any head-tobecause our goal head piece, it as journalists was is important achieved -- stuto remember dents were talkthat in a heading about our to-head arpaper. gument, two For any issue extremes of we publish, we an opinion are encourage comrepresented. ments, whether So, while they are negative article Graphic taken and modified from Twitter the or positive, be- In this tweet, a disgruntled student shares her opinion expressed a cause we strive to of our December issue. Faced with challenges over free belief that raise awareness speech, we boldly stand up for the rights of our journalists. people of all within the stubackgrounds dent body of Northwest. should be able to partake in Christmas traWe felt pride that people were talking ditions, we by no means support the idea about the newspaper, and we furthered our that Christmas should stop being a holiday understanding that journalism focuses on one celebrating the birth of Christ. ultimate ambition -- the ability to evoke emoRather, the fact that Christmas is a time

about embracing family and encouraging generosity may inspire others from different religions to join in on the festivities.

Christianity is valued by many around the Northwest community. As a staff, we stress impartiality and accuracy in our writing, anddeeply value our readers and the entire community.

We cherish all religions, and published this article in the spirit that we would bring about unity between us all, especially in a particularly festive time around the holidays.

In the Constitution, it states that all citizens have the freedom of religion, but we must also remember that it grants the freedom of the press.

We, as your school newspaper, will always uphold this precious freedom, and by doing so, we may often call attention to opinions that cause heated controversy.

We stand by our journalists, who, as writers and students among everything else, have the right to express their beliefs and opinions.

Journalism has always been a form of communicating from the beginning of its creation, and we won’t back down to censorship and unconstitutional violations.

We apologize to those who were offended by the article. We believe that we gave a voice to those among our student body who may not wish to speak out about such sensitive topics. For that, we will not apologize.

Man with controversial hair “trumps” political candidates Bassam Bikdash science & technology editor

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is hair is notorious for its uniquely dynamic shape, sand-yellow-white color and what Vanity Fair has described as an unusual two-directional “double comb-over” which is made particularly visible in harsh lighting.

Undoubtedly, the very name (and hair) of Donald Trump has changed the face of the Republican Party and the mere mention of his name is enough to evoke strong emotions from both sides of the political spectrum.

Ever since Donald Trump announced his candidacy to be the Republican Party nominee for president in the 2016 election in June 2015, he has drawn more media coverage than all of the other Republican candidates combined.

“He’s definitely a very controversial candidate,” junior Ryan Madden said. “I suppose you could say, unhinged.”

Trump has supported several typical planks of the Republican Party platform, including opposition to gun control, pro-life advocacy and replacement of Obamacare.

However, Trump’s extreme opinions regarding the deportation of 11 million illegal immigrants and the construction of a substantial wall on the Mexico– United States border, as well as a ban on foreign Muslims entering the United States, drew wide criticism from sources both within the U.S. and from unusual sources, such as foreign leaders who normally do not get involved in United States presidential campaigns.

Critics that have condemned Trump for these statements include British Prime Minister David

Cameron, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and previous Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, among others.

A petition to block Trump from entry into the United Kingdom gained over 540,000 signatures, a record for the UK Government website.

It is undeniable that Trump’s antics have given him unmatched publicity throughout his campaign and a strong base of supporters. So strong that during a rally in Iowa, Trump boasted that his supporters were so loyal that “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose voters.”

“People are so loyal to Donald Trump because he plays off of people’s fears,” senior Giulia Cavalcanti said. “People are terrified of an attack from ISIS, another 9/11. They don’t legitimately hate Muslim people; they are just terrified of them because of these extremist groups.”

It seems that no other presidential candidate in U.S. history has insulted a number of groups so numerous and diverse as Donald Trump.

Despite having dished out snide remarks and insults to women, Asians, African Americans, Hispanics, Muslims, handicapped people, Iowans, Republican candidate Marco Rubio and Barack Obama (among others), Trump is in the lead as the Republican nominee and recently won Super Tuesday.

Trump also received the endorsement of former Alaska governor, Sarah Palin.

“I would hope for another candidate to become president,” Madden said. “But if events like San Bernardino and other terrorist attacks occur, he might win since his poll numbers surged so much in the wake of San Bernardino.”

NORTHWEST Adviser Melanie Huynh-Duc Principal Ralph Kitley Editor(s) in Chief Sarah Boggins Noah McCormick News Editor Shalini Sharma Op/Ed Editor William Royal Spread Editor Alexis Marvin Broadcast Forest Chilton William Hanna Matthew Floyd

Arts & Culture Editor Harley Nefe Science & Technology Editor Bassam Bikdash Entertainment Editor Faith Rickerts Managing Editor Clare Kilmartin Staff Photographer Catherine Gray Sports Editor Katie Lee Parrish Features Editor Clare Kilmartin

Graphic by Tai Van Dyke

Throughout his presidential campaign, Donald Trump has garnered support for his flamboyant showmanship and wild claims. While he has a huge fanbase, Trump has drawn many critics so far.

HORIZONS Staff Writers Tai Van Dyke Alex Cake Haleigh Cadd Lindsey Nelson Zoe Stuckey Miranda Cecil Maddie Lawson Stephanie Mayer Montana Murphy Aidan Bennett Jenny Blackburn Alexis Rutledge Graphics Contributor Nikole Nguyen Contributing Writer Anna Yang

Policies and Intent

Serving as the primary printed and online forum for student opinion, Northwest Horizons publishes five issues each year by the staff at Northwest Guilford High School.

The paper is supported through community advertisers.

Staff Editorials are unsigned. The stance of each editorial is voted upon in staff meetings, but it requires the approval of the majority of the editorial board.

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

Find us online: @NWHorizons Visit our website: www.northwesthorizons.com

Page 6

March 2016

Head-2-Head

Should the United States promote a gap year after high school?

On to college!

Maddie Lawson staff writer

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any feel the need to take a break between college and high school, but is this really such a good idea? Students usually opt for a year away that’s frequently referred to as a gap year, but the year students take off is usually one full of loss.

First of all, it is easy to lose knowledge when it is not being used. According to the National Summer Learning Association, the average student loses about eight weeks’ worth of knowledge over summer vacation.

Summer is only 10 weeks; a year is 52. This means that a student taking a gap year would be losing 41.6 weeks of knowledge during his/her gap year when many people say they are “getting prepared for college.”

“I’m not a professional or anything, but you would think that students taking a year off would lose a lot of the things they learned during high school,” sophomore Daniel Laws said.

Then, when gap-year students enroll as freshmen in college, their professors are gearing their teaching toward those who just came out of their senior year of high school.

As a result, many gap-year students struggle initially to catch up.

What’s the rush?

“Once you’re in the swing of things, studying often and going to school every day, it’s much easier going straight to college rather than tasting the real world and trying to re-train your brain and re-motivate yourself to go back to school,” senior Daryl Williams said.

After 13 consecutive years of schooling (including kindergarten), the routine of going to school and then coming home and doing homework is engrained into students’ heads. Once you get out of this routine, it is often very hard to get back into it, and, of course, some never do.

“You should go to college right after high school because you’re used to the routine and if you don’t go right after high school, who knows when y o u will d e cide to go,” freshman Kendall Balton said.

Finally, gap-year students will miss out on the socialization of college. It can often be disheartening for a student to watch their friends going to college parties and meeting new people.

“It must be really hard for gap-year students to watch all of his or her friends go off to college and have fun with new friends,” sophomore Nico Rotundo said.

Shalini Sharma news editor inally, it’s graduation day. You smile proudly for your parents while receiving your diploma, excited for the journey that lies ahead in college: new people, new places and another four years of studying—after having just completed 13.

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W h i l e most are eager to rush into college, few decide to take a year or two off before returning to the school setting. A break can be beneficial to a graduate, especially one who doesn’t know what they want to do in life.

“College is always going to be there; it’s not going anywhere,” social studies teacher Jim Thompson said. “In this society, you’re viewed as a loser if you aren’t done with college by the time you’re 22. But there is just nothing wrong with [taking a break] to find your own path, and it doesn’t mean that you’re unsuccessful or a loser.”

However, students should not stay at home playing video games or taking naps.

Instead, time off from school should be utilized by traveling, working, discovering or doing something else that will teach you.

“Get out and go do something,” Thompson said. “Get crummy jobs. Go experience other cultures. You’ll appreciate other human beings more, and you’ll appreciate what you have more.”

A hiatus can help you become passionate about things you wouldn’t have otherwise, like it did for Northwest graduate Jacey Hensley. After about a week at UNCG with a teaching fellows scholarship, Hensley knew she wasn’t in the place she needed to be.

“So many of my plans have changed since I took a gap year,” Hensley said. “I’m not even really sure what I want to do with my future anymore, but I’m learning to be all right with that. I’m young, and I think it’s good for me to explore all of the things that interest me.”

In addition, you become more motivated to go back to school the next year. This can help you excel and not lose momentum while at college.

“I’ve really missed the whole classroomlearning atmosphere, so I’m way more excited to go to college now than I was this time last year,” Hensley said.

Though it may not be right for everyone, taking a break will prepare you for life better than any college ever will.

Graphic by Stephanie Mayer

“Godzilla” El Niño caused by climate change Tai Van Dyke staff writer

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ith severe flooding in Texas, disastrous wildfires in Indonesia and a recent winter storm on the East Coast, it is safe to assume that global weather patterns have been out of the ordinary. This recent surge in dangerous weather can be attributed to what some meteorologists have dubbed the “Godzilla” El Niño, the worst El Niño in 15 years.

An El Niño occurs every two to seven years when winds in the southern Pacific weaken, causing oceans to warm. The warming of the tropical oceans creates clouds and storms, which are carried by convection currents to the rest of the world. This is a perfectly natural phenomenon. However, many scientists agree that global warming intensifies El Niño’s extreme weather patterns.

“Having different temperatures in the atmosphere is what causes the El Niño in the first place,” earth and environmental teacher Chelsea Joyce said. “It makes sense that any warming would cause a disturbance.”

The logic behind this is fairly simple. El Niño weather patterns are caused by warmer oceans. An increase in Earth’s surface temperatures would lead to an increase in ocean temperatures. Global warming would spur the development of storms and weather anomalies, especially during El Niño years.

Dr. James Hansen from the University of Columbia further explains.

“Global warming increases both extremes of the earth’s water cycle,” Hansen said. “Heatwaves and droughts, on one hand, [come] directly from the warming.

[Also,] because a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor with its latent energy, rainfall will become, in more extreme events, stronger storms and greater flooding.”

However, as with anything in science, there are skeptics who present different arguments. The main argument is that the Earth’s climate has shifted long before hu-

Photo taken with permission from NASA Land Rapid Response Team

The largest in 15 years, the El Niño phenomenon has an infamous reputation for creating a weather crisis and is created by weakened winds, heated waters and possible global warming. As a result, increased chances of large storms and systems are present, especially across the continental United States.

mans have interacted with the environment.

It would be inconclusive as to whether or not humans are primarily responsible for climate change in the modern age.

“The environment is always changing,” junior Isabelle Holmes said. “People cannot always be in control of how the Earth works.”

There are certainly some of natural factors that would increase global surface temperatures. This includes volcanic eruptions spewing greenhouse gases and temperature

trends of the sun. Such factors have been influencing the Earth’s climate for billions of years, bringing both flourishes in life and mass extinctions.

A central factor in global surface temperatures is greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb heat reflected from the Earth’s surface and prevent the heat from being released in to space. Thus greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere. The most prominent greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide.

Though carbon dioxide does occur natu-

rally, it is released excessively through human industry and fossil fuel-based engines.

Therefore, a human impact does exist.

“The quick rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide perfectly aligns with the global rise of industry,” junior Will Corcoran said.

“People would rather believe a comforting lie than face an awful truth.”

The average global temperature has increased by 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit during the last 130 years. This follows the rise of industry within this timeframe. Half of this change has occurred within the last 35 years.

Though such a change in temperature might sound minimal, even the smallest change can impact global weather patterns.

Scientists know that increasing levels of carbon dioxide from industry are what are most responsible for increasing global temperatures. This is because rapidly increasing levels of carbon dioxide Leave a different “fingerprint” in the atmosphere than other causes.

“We’ve known for many decades that increasing levels of CO² in the atmosphere will produce a unique pattern of temperature change from the surface to the upper atmosphere,” environmental scientist Peter Jacobs said in one of his lectures.

Warming from increasing levels of CO² tends to result in warmer temperatures at the surface and in the lower atmosphere, and cooler temperatures in the upper atmosphere. Warming from sunlight yields different temperature patterns.

However, regardless of where people stand on global warming, the disastrous effects of this year’s El Niño are undeniable.

Aid organization Oxfam International released a statement relating to the global situation during a December press release.

“The El Niño weather system could leave tens of millions of people facing hunger, water shortages and disease [in 2016] if early action isn't taken to prepare vulnerable people from its effects,” the organization said.

“The effects of a super El Niño are set to put the world’s humanitarian system under an unprecedented level of strain.”

Page 7

March 2016

The new SAT: Is the test any better?

Stephanie Mayer staff writer

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aybe you’ve already taken it and don’t care.

Maybe you’ve already taken it but still worry about it.

Maybe you have yet to take it, and it’s stressing you out.

Regardless of your scenario, the SAT is one of the biggest parts of a collegebound student’s life, and those taking it in 2016 will encounter a completely redesigned test for the first time since 2005.

“I think they’re always working to make [the SAT] a better instrument,” math teacher Catherine Ann Brown said.

In 2014, the College Board announced its plan to redesign the SAT to make it easier and a better indicator of a student’s academic ability. This redesign officially replaced the old test Jan. 23 and was first administered March 5.

With it comes a plethora of benefits, including a relief in the pressure put on all of the students who have a test date on the horizon or in years to come and an increased relevance to students’ lives.

Its replacement of the old SAT will be highly beneficial for both students and colleges.

Before taking the SAT, many students find themselves going through an endless amount of studying and preparation in order to make the best score they can.

However, the new SAT has been designed to reflect more of what students see in real life.

“It seems more logical to have it this way,” freshman Nick Riddles said. “I think it will reduce the amount of stress on students who have to take it.”

According to the College Board, words like “epistolary” and “obsequious” have now been replaced by words

Photo by Catherine Gray

A student studies for the SAT by taking a practice test. Amidst the new changes to the test, the SAT remains one of the most important admissions tests due to how it presents them to colleges. However, is this new test any better than the old test?

more commonly seen in schools and in the workplace.

“I think they’re just trying to make it more relevant to students,” Brown said.

Students may lose knowledge of vocabulary as soon as it has been studied.

There is no longer a need to preoccupy the mind with words that don’t hold much value in most jobs, and therefore, there is a greater focus on comprehension over memorization. The relevance of the vocabulary included will help students in college and in their jobs.

Another indicator of the comprehension-over-memorization focus of the new test is its emphasis now placed on the idea of analysis. With the new test, students

not only need to understand and interpret what they read, but they also must be able to use evidence to support the claims they make.

Problems and themes are also more pertinent to what is happening in the real world. Studying for the test will deal more with students learning what is happening around them globally, creating pensive thinkers.

“It will be beneficial to colleges because they won’t just be recruiting kids based off of intelligence,” junior Savannah Raines. “It will be based off of global awareness, vocabulary, et cetera.”

Another important aspect of the new SAT is the essay portion. Though it may

still be required by some colleges, it is now an optional part of the test.

“I like the fact that the writing is optional since most colleges have an essay to write for them,” Brown said.

Students preparing for college are already writing multiple essays for the colleges they choose to apply to, so this may come as a relief to them.

Many colleges in North Carolina, like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, do not require or even recommend taking the essay, and there are only a handful of schools that do. For those who decide to take the essay, they will have 50 minutes to complete it, which is a 25-minute increase from the old SAT. “I think it will help students get better scores because they will have more time to give thoughtful answers,” sophomore Jacob Pollock said.

An additional change is that there are no longer penalties for wrong answers.

Students can refrain from second-guessing themselves and go with what they think the answer may be, rather than leaving it blank because they aren’t completely sure. “[On] the guessing part, you can just bubble some in and hope you get it right,” Pollock said.

Although the new SAT might encompass the same subjects, like mathematics, reading and writing, it has been changed to be a more student-friendly and supportive tool in preparing students for the real world.

The developers of many of the standardized tests students are taking are striving to get closer to accurately represent a student who is going to a potential college.

“I think the redesign probably gives colleges a better idea of how well rounded the student is and how aware they are of what’s going on worldwide,” Raines said.

President Obama’s legacy includes Evacuations engender chaos, confusion for students and staff gay marriage, health care, gun control Anna Yang contributing writer

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s President Barack Obama enters the final year occupying the Oval Office, the American people are beginning to reflect on what he’s done and what he has yet to do.

During his first term, the president made a health care program the priority.

There was also an economic crisis plaguing the nation in 2008, but today, Obama states that the economy is no longer declining.

“The United States of America, right now, has the strongest, most durable economy in the world,” Obama said during his 2016 State of Union Address. “We’re in the middle of the longest streak of private sector job creation in history.”

The president is not the only one who has noticed improvement in the economy.

“The economy is not as bad as before,” sophomore Jaiden Davis said, “although there is still room for improvement.”

During his second term, Obama will be remembered for his support of marriage equality. In the landmark Supreme Court case June 26, 2015, gay marriage was officially legalized in all 50 states.

Sophomore Miranda Hatch approves of the support.

“Just let people live their life and love who they want to love,” Hatch said.

In addition, he responded to the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and pulled U.S. troops out of Iraq the following year.

Today, President Obama’s intent is focusing on the future and the progress that will be made in years to come after he has left public office.

“I don’t want to talk about next year,” Obama said. “I want to focus on the next five years, the next 10 years and beyond. I want to focus on our future.”

Despite having only 10 months remaining as president, there is still much to expect from him as he has several plans and ideas that he wishes to implement.

Ideas like personalizing medical treat-

ment, enhancing gun control, making college affordable and raising the minimum wage.

Sophomore Jenna Harrelson is supportive of many of Obama’s ideas.

“Making college affordable is very important for promoting an educated population,” Harrelson said.

Davis agrees education is key and should not be limited to low-income populations.

“Some people want to go to college but they don’t have the money,” Davis said.

“A policy like this would even impact the Northwest community.”

Safety has also become an important factor to consider.

“I hope that protecting people from gun violence will help,” sophomore Rose Warosh said. “It can happen to anyone, and I don’t want to be the next victim.”

Junior Connor Contursi agrees that safety cannot be overlooked.

“I think gun control is necessary because it is getting out of hand,” Contursi said. “The mortality rate in the U.S. has been on the rise because there is not stricter gun control.”

Obama states that economic and national security is a priority.

“We need benefits and protections that provide a basic measure of security,” Obama said in his address.

At the same time, some students are skeptical towards his plans.

“I don’t think the minimum wage needs to be raised because it is supposed to be a starter job,” sophomore Kate Lindsey said.

“It’s not meant to support a family.”

Some students also think not much can be done in the remaining months because of the bureaucracy of government.

“I’m not positive there is going to be much of an outcome because the legislative process takes so long,” Harrelson said.

Throughout everything, Obama remains confident that the United States is strong.

“Our unique strengths as a nation—our optimism and work ethic, our diversity— these things give us everything we need to ensure prosperity and security for generations to come,” Obama said.

trailer, [the students] were getting a little restless.”

After the gas leak was resolved Thursday, the following day, Friday March 4, the Northwest administration ordered all students and staff to evacuate the main building again. t first, nobody knew why we “I’m not in a position to know why [we had were evacuating,” senior Michael to evacuate] two days in a row, it was just very Brotherton said. “Some people frustrating,” Russillo said. “[Thursday] didn’t thought it was a bomb threat.” mess up my plans too much believe it or not, Northwest exeven though that perienced an unexwas a larger time pected emergency disruption. When Thursday, March 3 I heard that bell after staff smelled ‘bing’ to make the an odor coming announcement from the cafeteria.

I was like ‘Here Everyone was orwe go, not again’ dered to evacuate joking. And then the main building [principal Ralph until the problem Kitley] goes on was solved. and he says ‘we “The first day Photo by Clare Kilmartin have to orderly’ was kind of novel, During second period Friday, March 4, Northwest students and I was like kind of scary,” sci- in the Old Building were evacuated for and relocated to the ‘There’s no way. ence teacher Steve gym. A gas leak found in the boiler room near the cafeteria There is no way Russillo said. “I Thursday, March 3 caused two days’ worth of chaotic this is happennever had the evacuations and inconvenient schedule interruptions. ing!’” sense that we were The second in any kind of danger.” evacuation, however, was not due to a gas leak However, the evacuation which began in but as a precaution because there was a odor left the middle of first period was quite lengthy and from the day before. Many staff and students ended at the beginning of third period. Classes were concerned, confused, and angry as to why continued, however, frustration and confusion the problem was not resolved. remained.

Overall, Northwest acted accordingly. How“Keeping us [outside in the parking lot] in ever, it was a learning experience. In the future, 40-degree weather while it was windy for 30 min- emergency evacuations should be planned and utes was ridiculous,” junior Jared Gibbs said. “I practiced. wished they kept the students informed more.”

“We don’t usually plan for evacuations of this Throughout the evacuation, the fire depart- type,” social studies teacher Kate Connor said. ment worked to fix the gas leak located in the “Realistically, if we had a threat that was even a boiler room near the cafeteria. Meanwhile, bigger one, and if it was cold or raining, where around 500 students and staff members were do we go?” left in the parking lot and eventually scattered While the evacuations were unexpected causthroughout the campus and the Northwest Mid- ing the school days to be interrupted, there was dle School gym. a lack of information and the situation clearly “Both of my classes in both first and second presented danger. The Northwest staff and stuperiod are now on two different lessons because dents handled the situation efficiently. of the missing class time,” English teacher Alex“So yeah there’s some gripe here and there ander Wertz said. “We went outside like a normal but it was handled by all parties about as well as fire drill, then we went into [a] trailer because it could be expected to be handled,” Russillo said. was cold. We didn’t know how long we would be “I seriously believe that. As frustrating as it was out there and then we ended up taking in other for me, I honestly don’t know how it could have refugee students. After a while of sitting in the been handled any better.”

Clare Kilmartin & Harley Nefe features editor & arts and culture editor

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Page 8

Page 9

Going Green

Northwest strives to be an environmentally-friendly school

pros

Recycling helps protect the environment by reusing natural materials such as paper.

70 tons of waste are prevented from being disposed in landfills each year due to recycling programs.

Alexis Rutledge, Zoe Stuckey & Haleigh Cadd staff writers

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Recycling not only helps the environment, but also helps the economy by creating jobs.

Recycling helps to conserve natural resources, therefore preserving habitats.

The average home in Germany has at least five distinct colorcoded bins for different wastes: packaging, paper, glass, compost and trash.

orthwest presents many opportunities for students to help their environment and community through the school. By joining environmental clubs such or using the recycling bins around the school, students can make a difference. Though it may seem like a small feat, just having recycling as an option for students takes a lot of work. “[The process for how we recycle is] all of the teachers put their recycling bins outside their doors,” special education teacher Kristan Skordahl said. “We then split into groups and make sure that the boxes are broken down.

If there are liquids in bottles, we

If you recycle one plastic bottle, it saves enough energy to power a 60W light bulb for six hours.

empty them out before we recycle them. [The special education class] has worked with the custodians to help, since it’s such a big ordeal.”

Custodians work to keep the school clean each day.

“We will continue to have the puzzle recycling bins, which allow people to separate their water bottles, plastics and cans,” custodian Don Vasses said. “We are hoping to get the newcomers and freshmen to be a piece of the puzzle.

I hope to get the school to have a recycling bin specifically for batteries. As a side note, I encourage students to fully empty their bottles prior to recycling them.”

Last year, the special education class worked with Energy Wise, a club that focuses on the school’s energy needs and conservation, to help organize the recycled items.

“We helped [Energy Wise] separate the water bottles from all the other recycled materials,” Skordahl said. “I think Northwest should

do more work like this, such as splitting into groups and working together to keep getting better at recycling.”

Skordahl believes by doing more hands-on activities, students and teachers will be able to come together, help the environment and get more people involved.

“I recycle every day because I think it’s helping the environment,” sophomore Addie Magyar said. “I feel like the more people that do it, the better it will be because if everybody does it, it will really make a difference.”

While some recycle at the school, others make specific efforts to recycle on their own. “[My family] recycles cereal boxes, fruit snacks’ boxes, plastic containers, milk jugs, water bottles and much more,” junior Drew Royster said. “I feel like recycling really helps the earth and that Northwest should take a greater part in recycling as a student body.”

Teachers also do what they can to help the environment at home.

“I recycle at home really well,” chemistry teacher Cathy Haywood said. “I’m very lucky because we can put all of our recycling stuff together in Greensboro in our big, brown trash cans, so I don’t have to separate it all. It’s really easy for us.”

There has been some controversy whether recycling is worth the hassle because it can be fairly expensive and can have dangerous job sites; however, there are many benefits to recycling. For example, it reduces the amount of pollution in the environment, creates jobs and conserves natural resources.

Recycling is a good way to help the earth, but lowering consumption and waste also plays a major role in saving the environment.

Students can easily reduce the amount they consume by buying items that have less packaging, buying used materials and borrow-

Households in the UK produce 30.5 million tons of waste each year, and only 17% is collected for recycling.

ing items from others.

“I shrink all of my photocopies down to an incredibly small size to save paper,” Haywood said.

Another way to help the environment is to buy reusable materials and to maintain the condition of the products. This will limit the amount of waste you create and lower energy consumption.

By reusing materials before throwing them away, reducing the amount of waste you create, recycling materials so they can be reused and buying recycled materials, people will be helping their communities by creating a healthier environment.

Whether it’s at school or at home, alone or with a group, the students and faculty of Northwest are working to make their environment cleaner and more sustainable by reducing, reusing and recycling.

“We are just trying to help the earth one little water bottle at a time,” Skordahl said.

Over 100 million tons of plastic are consumed each year.

cons

There is a high initial cost of creating recycling facilities.

Recycling is used on a smaller level and will not create a large impact until it is used large-scale.

Recycling sites are often dangerous for the staff members working there due to harmful chemicals nearby.

Recycled products are not as durable as other products and therefore last a shorter amount of time.

5% of the Earth’s population produces 40% of the Earth’s waste.

Photos compiled by Haleigh Cadd

Page 10

March 2016

Madi : Senior shares her journey Maxx in becoming a pro wrestler

Alexis Marvin spread editor

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ince the age of eight, when Northwest senior Madisyn Spagnola attended a wrestling match with her father, she has loved pro wrestling. She enjoys watching it on television and even attending independent shows in Greensboro.

To the surprise of many, Spagnola is a paid professional wrestler herself.

Spagnola has been wrestling since the summer of 2015, when she began searching for schools where she could do her training.

“I went online and looked for training schools,” Spagnola said.

“When I was younger, I would search for every single wrestler and look at where they went to school.”

In June, Spagnola discovered the United States Independent Wrestling Foundation (USIWF) training facility in Kernersville.

She contacted Josh Gerry, general manager of USIWF, and told him what she was interested in doing.

“Madisyn came to me and said she’d been a fan of women’s wrestling since she was around eight,” Gerry said. “She stated that she wanted to enter this business and wrestle.”

At the time, she was under 18 and required a parent’s consent to allow her to train. Her mother and father agreed after sitting down and talking with Gerry.

“Madisyn has gotten into pro wrestling at the right time, I believe,” Gerry said.

Money tends to be what divides the line from pro wrestling and team wrestling, which schools like Northwest have.

“As soon as you get your first paycheck, you’re considered a pro,” Spagnola said. “Once I become more established in the business, I can choose my price. Once that happens, I’ll charge between $50 and $100 per show, but right now I get between $20 and $50 depending on where I am.”

Pro wrestling is a sport, but it is also a form of entertainment. Op

Photos contributed by Madisyn Spagnola

In these matches pictured above, senior Madisyn Spagnola conquers her opponents, already confident she will be the winner of each match. Spagnola has been a pro wrestler for USIWF since June of 2015.

ponents climb into the ring with a winner already picked. They talk to each other the whole time they are wrestling.

“We put on a fighting show that is choreographed,” Spagnola said.

“The moves are supposed to be safe, but they can be scary.”

The players are always thinking about what they’re going to do next, how they’re going to get the crowd involved and how they’re going to make it look good, according to Spagnola.

“It’s like acting, but we beat each other up.”

There were a few things Spagnola had to overcome initially in order to become more involved in the sport.

“I was intimidated to start because everyone at my training school was a boy and they’d been training a lot longer than I had,” Spagnola said.

Another issue that Spagnola encountered was the fact that she was so much younger than every-

one else at the facility, being only 17 at the time.

“I’m also small, so everyone was--and still is--bigger than me.

It’s hard because people underestimate you,” Spagnola said.

Spagnola prefers to look at the more optimistic side of things, though.

“People compliment you all the time,” Spagnola said. “It’s so different because it’s like you’re famous for a little while.”

Spagnola is always looking for

ways to improve herself and her technique.

“I watch WWE every week and go to independent shows. It helps me learn new moves,” Spagnola said. “When I go to indie shows, I peek backstage and talk to the wrestlers and it helps me learn new things and it’s fun to watch.”

Not only does she watch other people doing her sport, but she also throws herself into her training. For four hours a day, four days a week, she practices new moves and learns new ways to entertain the crowd while making the whole show look realistic.

“I wrestle against both girls and boys,” Spagnola said. “The moves are choreographed to what makes sense.”

In the past, women in pro wrestling have been seen as sexual objects, but that stereotype is evolving along with the profession.

“Women have started to become more of an equal attraction on pro wrestling events,” Gerry said. “The idea of women wrestling men has taken hold lately and there are several female competitors that do so on a regular basis.”

Even though Spagnola is a female, that does not necessarily mean she is treated differently from the males.

“She wrestles, gets hit, and hits back just like any other trainee I have,” Gerry said.

Spagnola has become very popular with all age and gender groups at the events she attends, according to Gerry.

Spagnola has some dreams of her own when it comes to pro wrestling. Even though she wants to go to college, she will remain wrestling as a pro for as long as she can.

“People look at me and they don’t think I fight people every day, but I’m committed,” Spagnola said. “My goal is to be on TV for this.”

Spagnola’s committment has brought her this far and will continue giving her new opportunities.

Not only is Spagnola aware of what she wants for her future, but she also encourages others to find their calling as well.

“Follow your dream,” Spagnola said. “It’s scary, but do it.”

March 2016

Page 11

Do you feel the burn?

Overtraining may lead to burnout apathy after intensely practicing for his sport.

However, he believes burning out is an essential part of being an athlete.

“Exhaustion teaches you that you’re not invincible, and that you can be brought veryone experiences a period of comdown,” Price said. “You just have to learn plete exhaustion in his or her life at from that and get better, so you can improve some point or another, whether it in your sport.” stems from stress at school or pressure from Coaches try their best to help keep athwork. letes motivated and energized in order to But for some, complete physical exhaustion avoid quitting. Moreover, teammates should comes from training too hard, and it ends up support each other throughout the season, turning what used to be extreme dedication for especially when fatigued. a sport into extreme hatred.

“As coaches, and having gone through Every athlete has a different definition of [burn-out phases] as athletes, we try to pre“burning out.” However, senior Savannah Mcvent this from happening to our players,” Cormick, who plays basketball and coaches recMiller said. “We try to make situations fun, reational teams in Stokesdale, admits that uniwhen possible, and give them breaks—which versally the concept is the same: the athlete feels is a big reason why we are able to get out of Photo contributed by Creighton Price our kids what we get out of them, and why overwhelmed.

“I think there’s different types of being Senior Creighton Price sprints to the front of the pack in his final cross country race. As a they are able to keep going throughout the burned out: you just don’t enjoy playing any- result of his burnout, Price jokingly wanted to obtain an amusing photo. year.” more, you don’t have enough time or you decide knowing when to bring them back and build them back up.”

Sometimes, however, the only person who to focus your main energy on something else,” McCormick As a student coach and athlete, McCormick realizes the can help overcome disinterest in a sport is the athlete By said. consequences of pushing too far. taking a break, it will give the mind, body and soul time to However, all athletes must recognize that there is a fine “You should do what makes you happy, because if you’re recover from over-training, and may even help regain lost line between pushing oneself and pushing oneself too far. not happy playing a sport, it’s going to reflect on the whole passion for the sport.

“It is important to push players physically, mentally and team,” McCormick said.

“I think a break can really help someone who is burned emotionally,” co-football coach Bryant Miller said. “But you In addition, senior Creighton Price, who has been on the out because when they try practicing again, it will show also have to be wise in knowing how far to take them, and cross country team since his freshman year, has experienced them how much they miss it,” Price said.

Shalini Sharma news editor

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Off-season: how students continue conditioning between sports

Alex Cake staff writer s fall sports wrap up, athletes are stuck in a slump through winter.

This dreaded period is known as “the off-season.” During this period, the athlete can decide to either stay in shape or to sit around and wait until the next season begins.

Perhaps a reason for this is because the athlete has a lack of motivation to train for his or her next athletic season.

Sometimes people may choose to not exercise because of bad weather, while others may claim they don’t have the time or patience. These excuses cause a delay in the training of the athlete.

The period of snow in late January may have caused for more excuses to slack off. The inability to partake in outdoor exercise is limited due to harsh weather conditions.

“None of those things such as [videogames and TV] are going to motivate you,’’ freshman Matthew Sanchez said. “You will never be

A

if everyable to get one else abs by playwill not do ing a sports anything game.” to stay in A n shape,” juother reanior Tre son people Bertholf may avoid said. working “It’s good out is beto always cause they have a ‘you feel that can do it’ ever yone mentalelse around ity because them is that gives doing the you somesame. thing to Relaxing work for.” too much Coaches will hurt enjoy seethe athlete ing people in his or at tryouts her upcomwho look ing season.

Photo by Alex Cake like they are They will As spring sports get closer, athletes stay in shape by taking weight training to most likely build up their bodies for the upcoming season. In addition, having a healthy diet is well conditioned. It be pun- important when staying in shape. makes the ished by athlete more appealing to a coach the coach, by being “benched” or poor performances. “cut” from the team due to their “I regret times when I feel as who is looking for a hard working

person to add to their roster.

“Staying fit is really important because it helps you make a bigger contribution to your team if you are healthy and ready to play,” sophomore Jeremy Pitter said. “I take weight training so that I am able to become stronger by the time the new season comes right around the corner.”

Not only getting fit, but also a positive attitude can give you confidence and high self-esteem. Exercising may relieve stress if you have a large homework load or a social dilemma.

“Positive thinking is very important when it comes to sports,” freshman Gage Pickford said.

“You aren’t as nervous if you are able to think positively and confidently about yourself.’’

It may be easy to realax during the offseason, but it is important to recognize that staying in shape will help with various aspects of your everyday routine. From a more positive mindset to a healthy body, staying fit will help any individual excel.

Sports Profiles: Name: Zach Cox

Name: Maggey Odell

Name: Tré Turner

Grade: 10

Grade: 11

Grade: 10

Sport: Winter Track

Sport: Swimming

Sport: Varsity Basketball

Nickname: Cox

Nickname: Mags

Warm-up song: “I listen to songs from Soundcloud.”

Sport superstition: “I have to reposition my goggles like five times before a race or I believe they’ll fall off.”

Warm-up song: “Jumpman” by Drake and Future

Sport superstition: “I do certain stretches in a certain order to avoid getting hurt.”

Pre-game ritual: “[I] do ‘Hoorah’ [cheer] with team.”

Favorite part of sport: “I enjoy getting sweaty and being tired when I’m done.”

Sport superstition: “I wear money boxers on game day and I wear two pairs of socks during games.”

Pre-game ritual: “I get a pep talk from my dad and he either gives me a fist bump or high five.”

Pre-game ritual: “I watch our film from the last game to see what I can improve on.”

Favorite part of sport: “Although swimming is more of an individual sport, the team friendship lasts forever.”

Favorite part of sport: “I like when my team works hard to pull out a win.”

Information complied by staff

Page 12

March 2016

Starving arts: Is the arts program at Northwest underfunded? do.

Faith Rickerts entertainment editor

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igh school is a time for self-expression. It is a time to ‘find yourself ’—what your interests are, and what you would like to do for a living. It is a time to help you find out who you would like to be when you grow older.

For many, this means taking a wide range of classes. Finding a career in political science might have stemmed from a history class, or a favorite chemistry teacher might have been the inspiration to pursue a job in engineering. Or, a performing arts job might have been inspired by the many years involved in chorus. “[Chorus] is the most important class for me,” sophomore Hannah Gereb said. “That is what I look forward to during the day.

[Singing] is what I want to do with my life; my life is that class.”

The arts program at Northwest is one of the best in the state. Numerous students have been recognized for their outstanding work in their drawing, painting, photographic and musical skills regionally and even nationally. For students involved in the arts, it is what helps them find themselves.

“I was always interested in art since kindergarten, so I’ve taken art all throughout my high school life,” senior Sharon Slakter said. “I had to take a lot of online classes just so I could have both [band and art] in my schedule.”

Every student involved in a creative arts class at Northwest knows the importance of fundraising.

With numerous fundraising opportunities throughout the year, every student is encouraged to par-

Photo by Faith Rickerts

A pile of painting trays is stacked high behind bottles of paint. Because the arts programs are often underfunded by the county and state government, many creative classes rely on fundraising and donations to purchase such supplies.

ticipate.

“I love fundraising; I am the queen of fundraising,” Gereb said.

“We need to [fundraise]. Especially choir—we have no money. And a lot of people don’t want to [fundraise]; they don’t want to put the effort into it.”

The creative arts classes are funded mostly by what their students take in during fundraisers.

The state government does not put enough of an emphasis on education in order to give a substantial amount of funding to any class— especially the arts. “[Art is] not a class that’s tested,” visual arts teacher Beth Herrick said. “As far as looking at the

big picture and where funding goes, obviously, money would go toward areas that are being tested.”

This may also be a factor in why the arts are never seen as important like other required subjects, such as math and science.

“Math and science get more recognition, and just because they’re in the spot light,” visual arts teacher Amber Bryant said.

“We kind of go to the wayside. It’s understandable, but I do wish that we would get just as much recognition. It’s nice that this school tries really hard [so] that we do get that recognition.”

Guilford County Schools has taken the time to recognize stu-

dents who have excelled in creative competitions at board meetings, and openly supports schools’ creative arts programs.

“Our [former] superintendent has been a huge supporter of the arts,” Herrick said. “Mo Green in particular had done everything he could to keep arts in schools. He also worked with an extremely tight budget because he didn’t get the funding that he used to.”

Herrick and Bryant’s art classes are supported by the Art Boosters, a team of parents whose students are enrolled in Bryant and Herrick’s classes. They help sponsor art exhibits and trips, and also help out with any fundraisers the classes

“It would be nice if we didn’t have to [fundraise],” Bryant said.

“It would make our lives a lot easier. I don’t mind it; I know it’s part of the job. We have to do it.

It would be wonderful if we didn’t have to—I would prefer it—but it’s for the kids. When it’s all said and done, of course you don’t mind it.”

With such a tight budget to work with, many teachers will often go out and spend their own money on resources for their kids to use in class.

“I don’t mind [buying supplies from my own pocket] as much,” Herrick said. “I wish I didn’t have to do it, but I know it’s necessary.”

The compassion and care the teachers put into their work shows in the lives of the students they are teaching.

“Every day I see [arts positively affecting students],” Bryant said.

“Most of my kids, when they come in here, this is their outlet. This is their place where they get to decompress. It puts a smile on kids’ faces just to walk in here every day.

It also brightens a lot of their futures too.”

Bryant has had past students who have gone on to become art teachers after taking her class. She believes that being in her class has affected those students’ lives for the better. Gereb’s experience with her creative classes supports that idea.

“I’ve always had anxiety and depression,” Gereb said. “I never really fit in anywhere. When I was in elementary school and middle school, I was always an outcast.

And when I joined theater and choir, I found myself. I found I was good at something. And when I was finally good at something, I found a place of belonging. It made me discover who I was.”

Page 13

March 2016

What did you say?

Seven hand signals with different cultural interpretations

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1

3

The “a-okay” sign is a slang way of calling someone a loser or “zero” in Turkey, Brazil, Venezuela and South American nations.

The “hang loose” sign means the number six in China.

“Thumbs up” is the equivalent of the middle finger in Greece, Italy and the Middle East.

6

4

This symbol that means “I love you” in American Sign Language also implies sexual relations with a person’s wife in Spain and Portugal.

A “peace” sign with the palm facing inwards is the equivalent to the middle finger in some nations settled by the British Empire (Australia, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, etc.)

7

5

Waving to someone means that death is imminent in Singapore.

This gesture can land a person in jail in the Philippines.

“Fingers crossed” is derogatory toward females in Vietnam.

Information and photos compiled by Miranda Cecil

Co$teffective creations: Teacher makes her own clothing

Lindsey Nelson staff writer atin teacher Christina Murphy knows much more than just noun declensions and English derivatives.

Outside of the classroom, Murphy has a hobby of creating her own clothing.

“Mostly during the summer, I’ll hurry up and stockpile a bunch of things and make maybe 10 items,” Murphy said.

Murphy’s cost-effective clothing also allows for her to express her individuality. Many of the items she finds come from trendy thrift stores. “[I shop at] a variety of places,” Murphy said. “I love Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts and Value Village.”

Murphy says she finds items of which she likes the pattern, styles it out to fit her and then creates a finished product that expresses who she is. She mainly makes skirts and dresses to wear.

She says instead of spending around $20 on a dress, she can create a similar item for about a fraction of the cost. Creating her own clothing also gives her something to do during summer break.

Murphy also designs quilts and gives them away to close friends and family. She says that it’s easier to create a quilt than clothes because you have to have particular measurements to create clothing for people. Murphy`s expression of clothing shows off her creative and individual personality.

Her sense of style is often admired by the students she teaches.

She also inspires her students to become creative and show off their unique qualities. “[Her clothing is] very original and shows off her personality,” freshman Jessica Schmid said.

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Careers in the arts: Students pursue their dreams as artists Zoe Stuckey staff writer

T

he lights shine down and soothing tones fill the atmosphere as lyrical and familiar tunes are played that move the crowd. The audience roars its approval with a standing ovation as the musician, center stage, soaks it in.

This is another day in the life of a successful artist.

“There is always going to be a good day right around the corner, and those good days are worth every second of practicing” Senior Michael Brotherton said.

In addition to positive acclaim, a career in the arts can be fi sca l l y rewarding. According to Berkley College

of Music, the annual salary of an artist can range up to as much as $143,000—and even more for elite or famous artists. Unfortunately, however, this is not the most common case.

Georgetown University reports that unemployment rates are generally higher for art majors at 11.1 percent compared to the national average of 5.9 percent.

With each hardship comes a story waiting to be told. Senior Lauren Castillo is an aspiring artist who is committed to her path of making it happen.

“To be perfectly honest, it was just spite,” Castillo said. “When I was in middle school, people told me I couldn’t draw

Photo contributed by Ryan Rivera

and that I would never be a good artist.”

Since then, Castillo has experienced success: one of her pieces won Best in State, and she now plans to go to college to pursue art. “[Art] gives me a way to express myself that words can’t really describe,” Castillo said. “Every time you look at your art, you notice every mistake you made, and everyone is telling you that it’s the most amazing thing that they ever saw.”

Castillo says she uses her critics as a way of improving. When others see the beauty of her artwork, she says it’s the motivation to continue to keep doing what she’s doing.

“You always look at this like what are you talking about,” Castillo said“ but I always see it as a sign of improving”.

Junior Ryan Rivera is another student pursuing the art path. Rivera, an aspiring photographer, takes pictures throughout the week whenever he spots moments or objects that he deems should be captured. He says he began his photography career back in September 2013.

“Instagram introduced me to photography and so it just opened up this whole new world for me,” Rivera said. “That’s why I chose it, and now that I’ve chosen it, I feel like I was meant to do it because it makes

me so happy.”

Rivera says, in addition to giving himself renewal and purpose, art adds an extension to himself in which he is able to open facets of his mind that he didn’t know existed. However, he also acknowledges it is hard for him to focus on photography with outside responsibilities of a job and academics.

Brotherton has been playing the trumpet since the sixth grade. In addition to being a part of Northwest’s Wind Ensemble, the most advanced band class, since he was a freshman, he has also played first chair in both AllCounty and All-State Jazz and concert bands.

“I try to practice at least one to two hours a day,” Brotherton told Northwest Horizons in an interview last year. “I think as a musician, I have grown more through what my teachers have taught me.”

Brotherton says he plans to major in music when he attends college next year and he aspires to play in a professional ensemble someday.

“I like that the arts give so many people the opportunity to express their imaginations in several different ways,” Brotherton said. “I think it is an extremely important part of anyone’s life because of what you can learn about yourself, your own creativity, imagination and personality.”

Page 14

March 2016

It’s the climb: Junior hikes Mount Kilimanjaro Alexis Rutledge staff writer

J

unior Meet Patel stood

in the African plains gaz

ing up at the 19,341 foot tall beast he would conquer over the next eight days. Excitement, fear and anxiousness swelled inside him as he thought of the hours upon hours of hiking that he would face as he climbed this monstrous volcano, the highest peak in Africa, known as Mount Kilimanjaro.

Last summer, Patel, his father and the rest of his team of 11 members began their eight-day journey up Mount Kilimanjaro.

The group was comprised of two guides and nine porters, some of which carried pots and pans, others carried Duffel bags and the rest carried the remainder of the supplies in their backpacks.

After six days of hiking up the volcano and camping each night in freezing weather, the group came to their final campground before they reached the top.

“The last camp [before the peak] was at 17,000 feet above sea level,” Patel said. “On the final day’s climb we started at 2 a.m. because it takes about seven hours to hike to the summit and through that, including wind chill and everything, it was well below the negatives. When we got to the top, it was really cool. [As I looked around, I could see] clouds, the crater of the volcano and Mount

Photo contributed by Meet Patel

Pictured from left to right is junior Meet Patel, the assistant guide, the head guide and Patel’s father. After climbing for six days up Mount Kilimanjaro, Patel reached the peak at 19,341 feet.

Meru in the distance.”

Along with seeing the stunning views, sharing the experience with his father was one of Patel’s favorite parts of the adventure. From introducing the idea to finishing the climb, Patel’s father was with

him every step of the way.

“My dad previously went to the Everest base camp,” Patel said.

“Two summers ago, he asked if I wanted to take on the challenge, and I said sure I’ll try it.”

Once the decision to go was

made, the training began. Patel and his father had to work hard to get the strength and endurance they needed to be able to complete the task of hiking such a tall volcano.

“We started preparing about six months before,” Patel said. “Dur-

glimpse at the art.

Harris started to play trumpet in sixth grade, and still continues to today, but his main fascination lies in composing.

“I don’t know [why I started composing],” Harris said. “I just kind of tried it, and thought ‘well this is interesting,’ so I continued to work with it.”

After Harris spent numerous hours on music pieces, he often asked Northwest Middle School’s band director, Donald Walter, for help and advice. “[When Matthew first came to me], I was excited that he was trying it,” Walter said. “I didn’t know how good it would be, and then I was very impressed because he did a great job.”

Harris spent two days at the middle school volunteering with Walter’s classes last year and he still continues to see Walter for his music.

“I just give him some pointers on what works for the instruments and ranges,” Walter

said. “I give him s o m e guidelines to w h a t ’s expected in the level of music he is trying to

target because there are different requirements.”

Harris has already composed pieces that the middle school band will perform in their upcoming concerts.

“They’re fun,” Walter said. “[Harris] is having a great time composing and playing with colors and rhythms and that makes them very interesting and engaging.”

One of Harris’s original pieces that will be preformed is a middle school orchestra composing titled “Ghosts Upstairs,” which is about a ghost couple dancing a waltz.

“Writing music involves a lot of thinking outside of the box and that’s what led me to write my piece called “BUSted,” Harris said.

Harris wrote “BUSted” as a middle school band level piece with the tune of “Wheels on the

ing the week days we would go to the gym, and each Saturday we would go climb different mountains in the area, hiking around six to 10 miles.”

Though climbing was strenuous and the preparation was straining, Patel still loved the experience.

“I’d recommend [climbing Mount Kilimanjaro] because it’s a really cool thing to say that you’ve been there, and have climbed one of the tallest peaks on a continent,” Patel said.

While Patel would recommend this hike to his fellow peers, he cautions that the climb is not to be taken lightly, and that people should go through proper training and preparation before attempting such a feat.

“If you do want to climb you can’t underestimate the mountain and if you do, you may have to turn around. [For example], you can experience altitude sickness when you’re not used to having low oxygen at that high of an elevation.”

Even with the difficult training, the dangers of the climb and the long, freezing hike, Patel thought the experience was all worth it once he reached the top.

Through his experience hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, Patel found a true passion for backpacking and wants to continue to climb larger mountains throughout his life.

“I want to climb the Himalayas which are 20,000 feet tall,” Patel said. “I would also like to climb Mount Everest, but it’s more of a far-off kind of dream.”

Not just another note on the staff: Student shares his dream of composing music

Harley Nefe arts & cultures editor

M

usic can be found anywhere: on the radio, television, in movies and even at school. What may be less likely to cross one’s mind is the complexity of writing music and the skills that are necessary to do so. “[Composing music] takes a large understanding of music theory, the function of music, how it moves and how you place it,” band director Brian McMath said. “You have to have creative ideas. Whether it be a theme, a concept, a melody or a world event, something that inspires you to write.”

Some might have dreamed about composing music; however, for senior Matthew Harris, it is a reality.

Composing music first began to interest Harris around spring break of his freshman year when he was introduced to a composition program called MuseScore by a friend.

However, this wasn’t Harris’s first

Bus” intertwined in it. “BUSted” may also be preformed at the middle school band concert.

Harris writes for both groups-orchestra and band.

“It’s quite challenging,” Harris said. “There’s a lot to it. It’s just a lot of different kinds of thinking than what other classes involve.”

Currently, Harris is working on a piece called “Of Tractors, Tanks, and Bicycles Built for Two.” It has to deal with traditional songs that everyone knows such as “Old McDonald had a Farm.”

“If I get a good idea that I look at and see that not really anyone has ever tried before, or it’s an idea I really like, I sit down and draw a sketch of a storyline for the piece,” Harris said. “But sometimes it’s just on a whim.”

Harris plans to major in music education at Western Carolina University and to continue composing music.

“Matthew is a complete arts child,” McMath said. “That’s just him. He loves music. He has a huge thirst for it.”

Photo by Harley Nefe

Page 15

March 2016

Nine Signs you have senioritis

Faith Rickerts entertainment editor

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he excitement of the upcoming graduation is palpable, thanks to the class of 2016. Seniors have endured four years of high school, innumerable amounts of quizzes, tests and quests, and finally, their hard work will pay off come June this year.

However, the rest of the students at Northwest are sadly looking on, wishing that they, too, would be walking across that stage as soon as the seniors.

You are still able to contract senioritis as an underclassman, contrary to popular belief. Here are nine symptoms of the phenomenon to help you decide if you have been infected or not.

1.) The dejected acceptance of your inability to do any work whatsoever.

2.) Reserving your Sundays to mourn the loss of the weekend.

3.) Having your heart sink a little bit every time you hear the senior bell.

5.) “Due tomorrow” has started to become “do tomorrow.”

6.) Deciding what to wear gets easier and easier until you’re literally coming to school in jammies.

7.) You start planning your summer vacation in September.

8.) You walk down the halls as if you’re walking across the stage to get your diploma.

Buds from the beginning: Two Northwest students share the story behind their friendship

Sarah Boggins and Clare Kilmartin co-editor-in-chief and features & managing editor

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veryone has had a close childhood friend. While you may have thought your friendship would last a lifetime, often these friendships drift apart.

Juniors Maggey Odell and Allyson Burcham overcame this challenge, remaining best friends to this day. The two have gone to school together since kindergarten and became close in the fourth grade.

“We were in the same class, and we had really small classes,” Burcham said.

Burcham says the defining moment of their relationship took place at one of their childhood parties.

“I was isolated [at my party,] and [Odell] was the only one that would talk to me,” Burcham said. “One of the girls took the whole party into the playroom.”

Not only did they become close after this encounter, but also their families grew close. On occasion, the two families will spend time and have dinner together.

“We’ve been friends for so long,” Burcham said. “We’ve integrated into each other’s lives.”

As in most close relationships, there are obstacles to overcome.

Burcham moved from Odell’s neighborhood to another home about 20 minutes away.

“She moved this year,” Odell said. “She used to live two houses down the street.”

However, despite the distance, the two have been able to stay just as close. They still find it necessary

The Kuseybis help Syrian refugees

Shalini Sharma news editor

“T

4.) Taking a nap because you just have so much work to do.

9.) Whether your graduation is coming up this year, the next year, or in four years, it can’t come soon enough.

Graphics by Tai Van Dyke

“We went to my uncle’s recording studio [when we were in the seventh grade] and recorded a CD,” Odell said.

This memory is one their favorites that they were able to share.

They even planned to name their album “C.A.M.” “We thought we were going to be the best,” Burcham said.

Burcham and Odell believe that their relationship is unique when compared to others.

“Some people can go a week with their friends and want to lose it,” Burcham said. “But we can actually spend a week together and have so much fun.”

Another important part of their friendship is the support they give to each other.

“In middle school, I had really bad self-image problems Photo contributed by Allyson Burcham and I [lacked by the distance between the col- self-confidence],” Burcham said. leges they choose to attend. They “Being best friends, you don’t have both wish to attend East Carolina to disclose everything, but you can University, but they realize there still give support.”

Both have the same opinion still may be a day when they are on what makes a relationship like separated by another factor.

“We know our lives [together] theirs so healthy. “[What keeps our relationship at one point will go away, and that so strong] is our honesty with each is hard,” Burcham said.

They plan to come back home other,” Odell said.

Odell and Burcham have been and visit each other on holiday breaks during the time they are at- through thick and thin, and they have become so close that they tending college. “[We just want to spend] as practically finish each other’s senmuch time together as we can,” tences.

“We’ve just become a part of Odell said.

Despite the changes they have each other,” Burcham said. “She gone through, and will go through knows me better than myself [and] in the future, the two have life-long we know just about everything there is to know about each other.” memories together. to keep their friendship strong by meeting face-to-face by visiting each other’s houses on the weekend.

“Texting isn’t our thing,” Burcham said. “We like to talk in person.”

The two have recognized that one day they may be separated y e t again

heir home was completely destroyed by bombing,” junior Mazen Kuseybi said. “The father was wounded by a sniper bullet. All of their extended family was forced to flee the country.”

In over four years of armed conflict, more than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives, and more than 11 million others have been forced out of their homes due to the ongoing Civil War. Although some people are afraid that there is a chance ISIS will sneak terrorists into the country, others are willing to help the Syrian refugees, such as junior Mazen Kuseybi, senior Zaina Kuseybi and their family.

In Sep. 2014, through a program called the Church World Service (CWS), the Kuseybis welcomed a family from the Jordanian refugee camp. Out of the 600,000

families present at the camp, the Haj Al Kasems were chosen by lottery and brought to America.

“My dad contacted the CWS [in Greensboro] to see if there was any way to provide assistance for the Syrian people, since both of my parents are Syrian,” Zaina said.

“When he was told of the incoming family, he decided that was the perfect way to make a difference.”

Consisting of seven members, with three young girls and two young boys, the Kasems arrived in Greensboro after fleeing their hometown, Saraqib, of the Idlib Province, in Syria. The CWS provides the Kasems with a house, and the Kuseybis assure that the family is able to integrate into American society.

“We help them adjust by providing them with necessities…assisting them with their English, familiarizing them with the city and introducing them to locals, which resulted in a job opportunity for the father,” Mazen said.

And with the support of the Kuseybis, the family has been able to adjust with few problems.

“In the one year since their arrival in Greensboro, the father has a full-time job, the mother has earned her driver’s license and the children are attending public schools within Guilford County,” Mazen said. “They are doing very well adjusting to their new home, and they are very grateful for this opportunity.”

Just as the Kasems have gained freedom and safety, the Kuseybis have also gained a new perspective.

“From this experience, my family has become more appreciative of living in a democratic and free nation,” Mazen said. “We have also gained an addition to our family.”

Throughout the year, the Kuseybis have grown on the family and will continue to visit them twice a month.

“My favorite part has been interacting with the children,” Zaina said. “It made me realize that even people of all cultures, languages and ages are capable of caring for one another. I can’t wait to see them grow up and take advantage of opportunities they would have never had in Syria.”

Page 16

March 2016

15 minutes with fame:

Four students share their experiences meeting their idols Haleigh Cadd & Jenny Blackburn staff writers

H

ow would you feel if you got the chance to meet someone who is chased by paparazzi? Spends time with millionaires? Sells out music venues regularly? Additionally, how would you feel if you discovered that they were just like you?

Everyone has heard stories of how various celebrities are down-to-earth, relatable and very normal in real life; however, with their faces gracing our television screens every other minute, it can be hard to think of them as such.

Students such as Lindsey Taylor, Hannah Buntin, Ruthie Richardson and Jenna Hensley were able to meet some of their favorite celebrities without fainting. These students tell of their experiences and how ordinary these people really are.

Junior Lindsey Taylor met olympian Lauren Perdue:

“It was really exciting to meet [olympian Lauren Perdue]. She is a gold medalist for swimming.

We both swim the 100 fly. I hope to get my times close to hers one day. Lauren came to watch my Greensboro community YMCA swim team’s swim meet. I thought I was going to freak out, but I was actually kind of shy around her and didn’t say much. It wasn’t as exciting to meet her as I thought it would be, but it was great. Meeting her motivated me to work harder.”

Junior Hannah Buntin met singer Taylor Swift:

“It was a surreal moment meeting [Taylor Swift] because I have always seen her on television and in magazines and, then all of a sudden, she was standing right in front of me and talking to me, but then I realized that she was just an ordinary person.

I thought I would be really shy, and up to that moment, I was nervous. She just walked into the room unannounced…but then she came over and talked to us and it was just a normal conversation.

Meeting her met my expectations because she was a genuinely nice person and she was fun to be around. It all happened in a blink of an eye, though, and her mom took us on a backstage tour and that was more than I thought was going to happen. It was a very fun experience.”

Junior Ruthie Richardson has met a myriad of celebrities:

Sophomore Jenna Hensley met singer Jamie Grace:

“I met Jamie Grace [a contemporary Christian music singer] at Carowinds. We went there for a concert and a bunch of other artists were there earlier, so I ran up to her and I said ‘Oh my gosh I’m such a big fan! I know you!’ So, I met her sister and hugged her. She said ‘Do you want to take a picture?’ and I replied ‘Yeah!’ So then a little bit later, they said ‘Jamie Grace is going to be here if you want to [meet her and] get in line.’ So, I ran to the line because she’s my favorite singer. I stood there for thirty minutes. I got to talk to her a little bit. I asked if I could take a picture with her, but she couldn’t because they had to keep the line going.”

“I’ve met Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Jesse McCartney, Fall Out Boy, Jordan Sparks, the cast of ‘High School Musical’ when I was really little, as well as some more [celebrities], but I can’t remember.

I’ve played Xbox with Justin Bieber once, and that was cool, because I love him. I’ve met Taylor Swift three separate times, but the last time I got to sit and talk to her for a minute, and I got a tour backstage by her mom, so that was cool. I was with my step-dad [who works for a radio station] when we were talking to her with the radio station [staff], but she is always really nice and she always tells me that she really loves my name.

She’s nice all of the time. The first celebrity I ever met was when I was in first grade, maybe, when I met the cast of ‘High School Musical’.

When you’re in the moment, it’s really scary and surreal because they’re standing right in front of you. They’re all really nice, I’ve never had a bad experience with anybody.”

Photos contributed by Hannah Buntin, Ruthie Richardson, Lindsey Taylor and Jenna Hensley