May 2017: Senior Edition

FREE

news magazine

Senior Edition 2017 Northwest Guilford High School

Greensboro, NC

Photo by Catherine Gray

Volume 53, Issue 4, May 2017

WHAT’S INSIDE

Meet Dewey, the library lizard

Triad basketball sees big success

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23

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18

12

Senior quotes and pictures

Math teacher Matt Andrews wins Teacher of the Year

NORTHWEST HORIZONS STAFF Editor-in-chief Shalini Sharma

Entertainment Editor Jenny Blackburn

News editor Faith Rickerts

Managing Editor Alexis Marvin

Op/Ed editor William Royal

Graphics Editor Tai Van Dyke

Spread Editor Alexis Marvin

Public Relations Manager Zoe Stuckey

Sports Editor Montana Murphy

Webmaster Aidan Bennett

Arts & Culture Editor Maddie Lawson

Staff Writers Alex Cake Angela Seo Emma Fagerberg Caroline Buaron

Features Editor Stephanie Mayer

Logan James Menna Ibrahim Ragad Alsaid Katie Lee Parrish Contributing Writer Anna Yang Contributing Photographer Catherine Gray Adviser Melanie Huynh-Duc Principal Ralph Kitley Find us online: @NWHorizons

Summer adventures available in NC

Statement of Policy Serving as a primary printed and online forum for student opinion, Northwest Horizons publishes four 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 requires the approval of the majority of the editorial board.

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

Visit our website: www.northwesthorizons.com

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May 2017

FRONT PAGE FEED Say Yes says no:

Aidan Bennett & Shalini Sharma webmaster & editor in chief

S

ay Yes Guilford is dead.

The program is bunk and the funds are drying, yet the Say Yes scholarship board maintains an impossibly positive outlook.

What is essentially the purpose of the program has been stripped away; rather than a last dollar tuition payout for all Guilford county high school students, this full tuition payout only applies to families making $40,000 yearly or below. Everyone else receives a payout to some degree, but nowhere close to the original amount.

There are two main issues with Say Yes Guilford’s sudden announcement, and they may not be the issues the public has been repeatedly informed about from angry television interviews.

The first, primary issue deals with college students–those already in college, and those who have accepted their applications for this coming semester. Say Yes’s board’s timing was atrocious. Some students have already made their decisions with Say Yes in mind who are now left without options.

Other students who are currently in their freshman year must figure out what to do with their funding cut; these students will not be grandfathered into the system.

“If you’re a sophomore at Carolina, and Say Yes was taking care of your tuition last year and this year, and next year you won’t get anything, what is that going to mean?” counselor Michael Marshall said. “Are you going to have to leave Carolina and go to a community college? Those are the people I really feel for because the rug is being pulled from right underneath them.”

Students are left with no option, no exit plan to resolve these conflicts resulting from a flawed system. College students are left with a tough choice without any good outcomes.

Say Yes Guilford has responded by mentioning that they never promised full tuition

Funds are diminishing for Say Yes to Education, students must now find another way to afford college

for everyone, reiterating their statement that the payments could change on a yearby-year basis. While this is true, it’s entirely unfair to pull money from those who may have even made their college decisions or rejected scholarships based on the nowdefunct program.

“I think it’s unfortunate,” Marshall said.

“Now, in the April of their senior year, we’re telling [students] that the money isn’t there.

Some of them have already sent in deposits and told the world [where they’re going], and now they may need to recalibrate those decisions and make some changes.”

On a less damaging, though potentially more infuriating note, the Say Yes Guilford spin team has been hard at work. Rather than accepting failure and working to resolve it, the organization has hailed their own “adjustments” as something other than a damaging blow to students.

“The Say Yes scholarship program met and surpassed even our most optimistic expectations in 2016,” Scholarship Board chair Chuck Cornelio said in the board’s statement.

Rather than accepting responsibility for their financial missteps, the Say Yes Guilford Scholarship Board has twisted this situation into a positive one. While their initial statement about the issue included an apology, their more recent update promoted their colossal blunders as some convoluted success.

“I understand their reasoning,” senior Gary Hull said. “They have to be fiscally responsible, and make sure they don’t make promises to students that they won’t be able to fulfill. But, to be honest, they already have done that.”

It’s too late for this organization to undo the damage they’ve done to students. However, they can alleviate some of the frustrations raised against them though recognition of their missteps, and a continued commitment to helping students.

The program has dropped its support for a great deal of students, but the new bracketed system leaves at least some room for famiPhoto by Catherine Gray lies to gain money for college. While many Senior Kayla McDougle writes her college expenses down, crossing out Say Yes because won’t receive anywhere near the same funds it no longer appplies to her. Many students, like McDougle, have been trying to find other as they would originally, Say Yes still holds on ways to pay for college. to at least some degree of usefulness.

This article represents the opinions of the authors.

“On the optimistic side, it is good to see them maintaining their support for lower income families,” Hull said.

Feb. 2017

Sept. 2015

Say Yes is established in Guilford County, promising “last dollar” tuition scholarships for students who have been enrolled in GCS since the sixth grade with a family income at or below $75,000.

May 2017

May 2016

Last year’s seniors graduate high school with money from Say Yes for college. Thousands of students from 12 different high schools qualified for the money.

A majority of the class of 2017 receieves their financial aid packages with Say Yes to Education money factored in.

March 2017

Changes are made to the program; only families with a household income at or below $40,000 will receieve “last dollar” tuition scholarships.

Graphic by Shalini Sharma

www.northwesthorizons.com 3

NEWS Graduation and gratitude Teacher-Parents give diplomas to their children William Royal Op/Ed editor

W

Northwest’s spring musical brings childhood to life Photo contributed by the Northwest Drama Make-Believers

Alexis Marvin & Emma Fagerberg spread and managing editor & staff writer

M

ost kids leave Dr. Seuss’ books behind in elementary school; however, this year’s spring musical, “Seussical,” revitalized Seuss’ rhymes in the form of song.

A two-hour musical, “Seussical” made its Broadway debut in late 2000 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City and went off Broadway in 2007, allowing for its successor “In the Heights” to take its place.

(The incredibly popular musical “Hamilton” now occupies this theatre to sold-out audiences every day.)

However, since its days on Broadway, “Seussical” has been performed in schools across the nation, making it one of the most produced musicals in the country.

At Northwest April 20-22, students of all grades performed the joy and rhymes of Seuss, bringing life to classic Seuss books such as “Horton Hears a Who” and “The Cat in the Hat.” “It was a really fun and funny show,” junior and stage director Caroline Mast said. “I was excited to see how it all pulled together at the end and how it looked.”

This year’s musical marks theatre teacher Abby Cockman Turner’s fifth at Northwest.

“I would say it’s probably our most successful musical since it was the hardest show I have done in terms of the size of everything,” Turner said. “A ton of music, dancing, props, constumes, mics, etc.”

In addition to the actors and the tech-theatre students, the production also employed several musicians. Band teacher Brian McMath conducted, chorus teacher Tres Ward played piano and several students and professionals played additional instruments.

Junior Elyza Espinosa volunteered to play the clarinet in the pit. Seniors Shane Wheeler and Jake Urquhart also played saxophone and bassoon, respectively.

“It was a lot of hard work, but it was a good experience because it was a different environment from regular orchestra and band,” Espinosa said. “You had to be solid in your part because the singers were relying

on our precision.”

Turner said her favorite highlight from the musical was its underlying message.

“I love shows that are overall fun but address specific important issues in an effective way,” Turner said.

The lighthearted yet meaningful plot follows Horton, an elephant in the Jungle of Nool, who believes a city, Whoville, exists in one speck of dust which he is determined to take care of. He tries to convince the rest of the jungle of the Whos’ existence and is ultimately put on trial for insanity because he believes in the Whos.

“A person’s a person, no matter how small,” Horton famously sings.

“

I would say it [was] probably our most successful musical.

”

theatre teacher Abby Turner

Throughout the musical, Horton and his one loyal friend, Gertrude, struggle with saving the Whos, proving Horton’s sanity and restoring peace to their home.

As the male lead, Horton would typically be given to an upperclassman; however, such was not the case with this production. Freshman Kema Leonard was cast as the role.

“It was just an honor [to be playing Horton],” Leonard said. “I didn’t think I was going to be chosen for the lead; I thought I was going to be one of the supporting cast like the Wickersham, but the fact that they thought that I was good enough to be the lead in their show made me very grateful.”

Leonard’s performance was notably impressive.

“What a voice he has!” Turner said.

“Kema was believable as Horton because he is genuinely kind.”

Meanwhile, senior Lindsey Mead performed the lead role of The Cat in the Hat. “Lindsey was the essence of the Cat in the Hat from day one,” Turner said.

According to Turner, however, one of the harder roles to portray, Gertrude, was mastered by senior Marcia Lacopo.

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“Gertrude is a hard part to sing and act, and I was proud of how [Marcia] developed the character through song and dialogue.

She was and is a leader in every way,” Turner said.

For the musical newbies in the cast, performing in “Seussical” was a memorable experience.

“It was my first time doing a really big show, and the cast and crew were all so supportive,” freshman and performer Savannah McCracken said. “We worked for a really long time. At times, it got super-stressful, but show night made it all worth it.”

Overall, “Seussical” broke boundaries in its casting, as well as helped cast members break out of the comfort zones they have set for themselves and develop more on and off of the stage.

“Our cast was very young--many sophomores and quite a few freshmen,” Turner said. “But leaders emerged, and without them, the show would not have turned out as well as it did.”

For experienced performers, it was a way to grow in their field as actors.

“It was a great experience, and it was really fun,” sophomore and performer Katie Maille said. “I got to make a whole bunch of new friends, and it helped me grow as a performer.”

From the audience’s perspective, the show was a success. Several faculty members brought their young children to the production, and according to Turner, the musical grossed $8,200 before deducting what it cost to produce it.

However, Turner added, “Musicals are not cheap.”

“We spent $1,700 alone on the rights to do the show,” Turner said. “This is the most [money] we have made for a musical, but honestly, we could have had more instrumentalists in the pit, higher quality materials for set and costume[s] and purchased some more mics instead of borrowing seven.”

McCracken said during the stressful rehearsals, she vowed never to do a musical again, but she has since changed her mind.

“This was a really great experience,” McCracken said. “The costumes, the music, the dancing--it all went off really well.”

alking up to the stage at the end of your senior year, you hear and feel everything that this day is meant for; “Pomp and Circumstance” plays in the background, and an attentive crowd watches as you climb the stairs.

Then your mom hands you your diploma.

While this is relatively unlikely for most students, those who have parents as teachers at Northwest know this honor well.

“It is one of the perks of being both a parent and a teacher,” math teacher Joe Hamilton said, whose four daughters have attended Northwest. His youngest, Sarah, will walk across the stage in June.

It all started from the simple gratuity paid forward by having a teacher-parent. The special relationship that a student has with his or her education is changed when that student has a parent that teaches at the same school.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” science teacher Jennifer Linden said, whose son James is graduating this year. “I think it’s different for kids whose parents teach here because we go to high school together and finish together.”

The graduation ceremony at the end of high school is a day that many remember, long after the final period bell rings at the end of the last day after four long years.

“It’s hard to see children grow up and head off,” social studies teacher Ray Parrish said. His son Jackson graduated in 2015 and his daughter Katie Lee graduates this year.

“It’s very much about the idea of a family. I always think it’s a moment where Mr. Kitley allows for the family--the father and mother-to give [the diploma] to their child.”

High school is a special period of time for most people who go through it. Students enter as eager freshmen and exit as experienced seniors who are ready for a change. Having a parent as a teacher, however, changes the experience for those families.

“I think that the aspect of being a parent is much bigger. Back when my children were little, I put so much into teaching that I wish I had given a little more to my family,” Parrish said. “But now, it is incredible, being a parent and a teacher coming together.”

Students with parents who are teachers acknowledge and anticipate how the tradition will be a touching moment for them.

“My dad handing me my diploma is a moment I have been looking forward to for a long time,” Katie Lee Parrish said. “I am grateful to have had the unique opportunity to call him my dad as well as my teacher.

Having my dad be the one to send me off into my next journey of life is a memory I will never forget. ” The preparation and expectations for graduation are changed when a student has a teacher-parent. The expectation of the parent when they have this special connection with education is that their child goes to college, and the expectation of the child is their mom or dad will hand them their diploma.

“My children asked me if I would participate in that ceremony, and then Mr. Kitley approved it,” Hamilton said. “It became a sort of a standard, and I think it is a great privilege.”

May 2017

Mathe“matt”ics:

NEWS

Math teacher Matt Andrews wins Teacher of the Year Shalini Sharma editor-in-chief

H

ardworking. Passionate. Positive.

Charismatic. Humble. Inspiring.

These are the words that come up when students and teachers describe math teacher Matt Andrews, who has worked at Northwest for five years after graduating from Wingate University.

He has loved the journey teaching has taken him on thus far, from the bumps, smooth sailing and everything in between.

This year, however, is on the upswing.

Voted on by his colleagues and based on his character and professional leadership, Andrews has been chosen as Northwest’s 2017 Teacher of the Year. He will now create a portfolio to compete against other teachers in the county.

“I was surprised, overjoyed and felt blessed that I won this title,” Andrews said.

“More than anything, it’s just a reminder that I am in the right profession doing the right thing, and it’s going to push me to do even greater things in the classroom.”

Though Andrews has been recognized for his outstanding work, he didn’t always want to be a teacher. In fact, he entered college thinking he would be a pharmacist.

“Being a pre-pharmacist major didn’t seem right, but I had always been really good at math, and when I started taking education classes, I fell in love with teaching,” Andrews said. “It was a discovery, but I wouldn’t have it any other way; I don’t view this as a job, it’s more of a passion.”

Because he is relatively younger than most other teachers, he is easily able to form bonds with students whom other teachers may find difficult. In his class, he

gives them advice about life and goals, and he realizes that sometimes math is secondary.

“I had Mr. Andrews as a teacher when I was a freshman, and he really helped me to become accustomed to high school,” senior Sandra Wommack said. “My favorite thing about him is that he never just helped out the kids that were really good at math; he really cares about all of us.”

One of Andrews’

Photo by Shalini Sharma

Teacher of the Year recipient, Matt Andrews, teaches his math class. Andrews has been teaching at Northwest for five years.

main goals as a teacher is, in fact, to make sure that everybody understands the material, no matter what type of learner he or she is.

“I want every kid to be successful, so my goal is to teach in a way that kids understand, in a way that is equitable for every kid so that the level of success is equal,” Andrews said.

“It takes a lot of reflection, time outside of the classroom planning and looking at various methods because math is a broad subject, so sometimes there are several ways to teach things.”

Even though Andrews takes teaching seriously, his personality shines through in his lessons and conversations with kids and other teachers, such as math teacher Daniel Joyner who considers Andrews one of his best friends.

“There is no one more deserving of Teacher of the Year than my friend, Mr. Andrews,” Joyner said. “Aside from his teaching abilities and laughable demeanor, he has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know and will literally move heaven and earth to make sure he builds a solid relationship with you.

And, if you didn’t know he won Teacher of the Year, he’ll be happy to tell you all about it as often as he can. To date, he has told me about 27 times--I keep a tally.”

What time is it?

Summer reading time!

Angela Seo staff writer

May 2017

A

s summer is fast approaching, students are being assigned summer reading. All English 10 students and AP English 11 students are required to turn in an assignment on the first day of school. All English 12 students are expected to complete the written assignments over the summer and turn it in the first day of school, as well.

The summer reading selection has changed for rising sophomores. For the past two years, Honors English 10 students were required to read “A Long Way Gone” and “The Count of Monte Cristo.” However, this year, the rising honors sophomores are only required to read “The Count of Monte Cristo.”

“I think the change was a good idea,” English teacher Scott Walker said. “We decided to go away from requiring ‘A Long Way Gone,’ and we chose another book for the non-honors group that we thought was more accessible. It’s not that ‘A Long Way Gone’ isn’t accessible, but teachers wanted to teach it during the school year.”

Many students have had differing opinions about this change; some are saying it isn’t fair while others are glad about the change.

“It’s not fair that the rising sophomores only have to read one book,” sophomore Averi Finnerty said. “If we had to read both of those books and waste our summer, then they should also be required to read those two books. I spent all summer stressing about it. I was almost in tears.”

Rising sophomores beg to differ.

“I like that we don’t have to read as much because I don’t really like reading,” freshman Chloe Newton said.

This has not been the only change.

There have been other changes over the years in summer reading assignments.

“We changed AP English 11 sum-

mer reading about three years ago,” English teacher Jennifer Humbard said. “I think this is the third year requiring Stephen King’s memoir and ‘The Scarlet Letter.’”

Another change in summer reading isn’t the reading itself, but the testing. More than a decade ago, English teachers used to give rigorous tests on the summer reading within the first three days of school worth 10 percent of the students’ first quarter grade.

“We’ve gone away from the ‘gotcha’ testing and now traditionally spend about a week reviewing the novels before giving a comprehensive test after Labor Day,” English teacher Melanie Huynh-Duc said.

However, some teachers wanted to go away from multiple choice tests altogether and do something that would focus more on the big ideas like the theme of the book.

“Around the time we switched to Common Core about five or six years ago, the tenth grade English teachers wanted to do something that was like an essay that focused on the big ideas and didn’t necessarily hold students accountable for the minute details,” Walker said. “I think for the most part other grade levels have done the same thing, slowly but surely.”

For now, summer reading is here to stay.

Photo illustration by Emma Fagerberg and Faith Rickerts

Freshmen Rachel Milby (left) and Gretta Overmeyer (right) lie as the “hands” in a clock of summer reading books. There have been many changes to summer reading throughout the years.

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NEWS

STUDENTS IN BUSINESS: the Swap Team strives for app success Aidan Bennett webmaster

M

any students have dreams of successful business ventures– these plans are often scheduled for college and beyond, well into the future. However, some students have managed to make these aspirations notso-distant ones.

Northwest High School senior David Slakter is one of these students. Over the summer, he teamed up with some friends to work on their own app, which is now in the final stages of production.

“Swap is an app that allows you to connect multiple social medias,” Slakter said. “When someone scans your Swap code, they gain access to all your social media.”

The program itself is simple to use, functioning like a QR or Snap code. The Swap team hopes that the ease of connection the app provides will draw users to their program.

Before the idea of Swap had even begun to take shape, Slakter began experimenting with similar basic concepts.

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) became an outlet for this creativity.

“I was interested in app development as a freshman,” Slakter said. “I joined DECA as my friend and I were really interested in entrepreneurship.”

In association with DECA, Slakter designed a simple app to open Bluetoothenabled locks with a smartphone. Armed with the skills he had gathered from DECA, Slakter progressed to further projects.

“I learned a lot about business through DECA. I wanted to be an inventor, and DECA put a perspective on that,” Slakter said.

Slakter ultimately decided to attend MIT Launch Summer, a summer program designed to bring high school entrepreneurs together. Launch’s primary goal is to create real, lasting startups, a goal that allowed the idea of Swap to be realized.

However, this trip was not exclusively a planned one. One member of the Swap team in particular cut the deadline close.

“I think I found out about it [Launch] a week before the application was due,” Atlanta, Georgia senior Michael Bingham said.

The Launch conference is quick to begin moving towards the creation of new companies and startups; this pool of entrepreneurs is soon put to work in product development.

“At Launch, we were assigned to form a team and to create a company based on a list of ideas we all brainstormed in class, and a few of us–the Swap team now–decided that we were the best to carry on with the venture,” Bingham said.

Following the creation of the Swap concept and separation of the core group that would continue to work, the Swap team specialized roles. Bingham became CEO; Slakter CTO (Chief Technology Officer); Charlottesville, Virginia senior Eric Liu Business Manager; Bel Air, Maryland junior Sahil Menon Chief Growth Officer; Indore City, India senior Nakul Goel CDO (Chief Digital Officer).

Most team members held at least some experience in their designated fields.

Photo contributed by David Slakter

From left to right, Virginia senior Eric Liu, senior David Slakter and Georgia senior Michael Bingham stand for a photo at the summer program MIT Launch Summer. This spontaneous trip is where the idea for their app Swap began.

“I previously started a website-building startup for small businesses to help them have an online presence, and I also founded a nonprofit that helps connect kids in isolated places with the outside world,” Liu said.

Still, lots of trial-by-error and hours spent learning outside of the classroom had to be done to make this possible. Bingham had no formal teaching in app design, and many of the other members share this situation. However, they have managed to make up for any lack of training with experience with this project.

“All the stuff I learned for making things was out of school in my free time,” Slakter said. “I learn by making; every project that I complete is more knowledge.”

Other members echo this same sentiment; learning by doing is a key to the success of Swap, no matter the subject. Programming Photo contributed by David Slakter and business skills alike

were learned from extensive practice.

“I mostly learned operational and marketing from starting businesses and a non profit,” Liu said. “It’s definitely a continuous process, so I also explore and experiment with a lot of new things with Swap’s operation and marketing.”

The team’s work, of course, has not been without challenge. The group has overcome a multitude of roadblocks and speed bumps in the development process.

“So far, software development has been the only main challenge for us,” Bingham said. “We’ve actually had to completely rewrite the entire app twice.”

The team has also had to learn how to work on an international scale, with Nakul 8,000 miles away in India. Regardless of the challenges they face, the Swap team has consisted to persist, with the app slated to release in the very near future.

As a whole, the members of this student business have gained a great deal from their endeavors.

“Starting a business is the way to create your idea and make it happen,” Slakter said. “I like seeing people use products that I make, it’s the best feeling–the feeling of accomplishment.”

From left to right, Virginia senior Eric Liu, Georgia senior Michael Bingham and senior David Slakter celebrate after receiving $1,000 towards the production their app, Swap. Swap allows users to connect multiple social media platforms for easy sharing capabilities.

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May 2017

OP/ED

reflections: senior reflections

Ragad Alsaid staff writer Writing in the newspaper is as fun as it sounds. It is very interesting to see the opinions of the student body on different topics and get their feedback. If I had known about how much fun journalism is, I would have taken it earlier and not just during my senior year. This class has broadened my thoughts in the extent of different issues around the school and around the world and made me more aware and informed. In this class, there is something for everyone, so I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.

William Royal op/ed editor I joined the staff in the fall of my sophomore year. I went to the camps, the conventions, and I’ve taken some of the classes. I feel that, after three years of waking up at 6:30, I can say that journalism is one of the most underrated, best subjects in high school. The people are what make it great.

Though it will be hard leaving this school in June, I know that, for sure, I’ll look back 10 years from now and smile that I got to wake up with some friends and work on layout.

Northwest Horizons seniors reflect on high school and their time spent on the newspaper staff

Zoe Stuckey public relations manager Two years ago, I was still trying to figure myself out. High school itself is already enough of a journey, so I thought to myself perhaps I should try to experience that journey with other people. I never knew how scary it would be to actually put myself out there with other people...and how amazing it was to call these people my family. From writing a myriad of articles to figuring out technology- I wouldn’t want to trade these past two years on Northwest Horizons for anything else.

Caroline Buaron staff writer Taking a zero period senior year may be bizarre to some students, but I would not trade this class for the world. Ever since I saw students distributing newspapers my freshman year, I had always wanted to be a part of journalism. I am grateful to finally have had the opportunity to interview students, write articles, and collaborate ideas with my fellow classmates. But most of all, I’m grateful for all of the people that I have met through this class and for all of the laughs throughout this past year.

Tai Van Dyke graphics editor

Joshua Jones staff writer

Being a part of the Northwest Horizons has changed me.

Namely, I have spent the past couple years getting less sleep and I have had countless points deducted from English essays from my journalistic habit of omitting Oxford commas.

In the end though, these are minor setbacks. The staff is made up of intelligent, creative and mostly friendly people, plus Mrs. Huynh-Duc is a really cool adviser. Rating: 9.99999999/10; would do it again if I could.

Over the past four years, I’ve had some amazing opportunities, from meeting with a brigadier general who helped found Delta Force, to the humbling experience of helping underprivileged children over the summer. It’s experiences like those that have made me into the man I am today. I’m going to look back on high school and miss going to youth group on Wednesdays, and playing rugby on Saturdays. But I’m also excited to begin the next chapter of my life and see where it goes from here.

Alexis Marvin spread & managing editor

Katie Lee Parrish staff writer

Faith Rickerts news editor

Shalini Sharma editor in chief

Jenny Blackburn entertainment editor

I remember the day I decided to join journalism perfectly. I was sitting in my first period class, civics and economics, when I heard an announcement over the speaker: “Join journalism! Applications in room 102.” I was too scared to go get the application for myself, so I asked my English teacher if he could pick one up for me. He did, and I got in. That summer, a group of us went to a journalism camp at Chapel Hill, and I learned more about what it would be like and fell in love with the idea of all things journalism.

Over the years, I have learned a lot about myself through the zero-period class. I’ve learned how to understand other people’s points of view, how to put myself in another’s shoes and how to get a good story out of something that would seemingly be tedious.

Journalism has positively impacted my life, and it has actually determined my future, as well. I am now going into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an intended double major of journalism and Spanish. I can hardly express how bittersweet it is to be leaving room 102, my second home.

While I can’t wait to get out of high school and start a new chapter of my life, I will always miss the class that changed my life for the better.

For three years, my school day started at 7:55. Most students detest and avoid having a zero period, but that wasn’t the case for me.

At first, I joined journalism simply because my brother was on staff, but as time went on, I gradually went from being a younger sister following in her brother’s footsteps to developing my own passion and pride in writing for Northwest Horizons.

When I think of journalism, I don’t think of it as just another one of my classes, I don’t think of it as a class that will decorate my transcript and I don’t think of my classmates as just my classmates. To me, journalism is a family that connected me to Northwest more than any extracurricular could. Journalism is unique. It enables me to learn about all the different parts of Northwest by writing stories that are exposed to the entire school. It is an honor being in a position where a student could be inspired, informed or changed by one of my stories.

The skills I learned in journalism will follow me for a lifetime. I will always be grateful for the way journalism enriched my high school experience.

My first article I ever wrote was about pumpkin spice food items.

It wasn’t my best work, but I was proud. Once the paper came out, I remember getting yelled at for supposedly misquoting someone. Who knew people could get so heated over a simple quote saying they liked the taste of pumpkin spice muffins?

Besides being wrongfully accused of poor journalism, I also remember first pitching the idea of the article. I remember volunteering to write it, I remember getting the interviews, the photos, the quotes…

After three years of writing, editing, and helping to create the Northwest Horizons, I have learned that writing can be so much more. Stories in a paper don’t sit. They run. They race from person to person, mind to mind. They spark conversations.

They invite controversy and collaboration. They give a voice to the silent, power to the underdogs.

I will forever be thankful to my journalism adviser and one of the most influential teachers I have ever had for introducing me to this wonderful class. Journalism has been the epitome of my high school experience, and I wouldn’t want to trade it for the world.

Of all the classes I’ve taken over the years at Northwest, journalism by far has been the most rewarding. From being able to sharpen my leadership skills and writing, it has also pushed me time and time again to stand up for what I believe in and to be the voice for others when they lack the confidence. Moreover, it has taught me to work with people who have different opinions and backgrounds than me, coming together for one common goal: to entertain, educate and inspire.

Though I love all of the people in this class, the best part has been starting off my day with Mrs. Huynh-Duc, and I’m blessed to say that she has become more of a friend to me than a teacher. Sophomore year, I entered this class quiet and shy, and three years later I’ll be leaving with refined communication skills and a confidence that I truly believe only came from this class.

Though I’m not going to pursue a major in journalism when I head to college in the fall, it has molded me into the person I am today— fearless, worldly and ready to take on any challenges the world throws at me.

Buzz! The alarm goes off at 6:30 a.m.; it is time to get ready for journalism. This has been my morning schedule for the past three years.

Many ask, why in the world would you get up so early just to go write?

It is not that I love to write; I just enjoy the environment the class effuses.

Having Mrs. Huynh-Duc as my ninth grade English teacher changed my feelings toward writing and reading literature. She made the classroom fun, the work entertaining and you could tell she was truly passionate about her work. I knew that I didn’t want to part from the support and encouragement she offered me. This led me to commit myself to morning suicide, waking up earlier than necessary just to be at school longer.

But journalism is worth it! It is not solely about writing, contrary to many beliefs. You learn business skills through fundraising, improve social skills by interviewing various students, expand your grammar knowledge through copy editing, test your creativity by designing the layout to pages and of course you improve your writing skills even though there are certain restrictions. Beware of the Oxford comma.

May 2017

www.northwesthorizons.com 7

OP/ED Tw Head-2-Head o-y Four-year or community college? ear r

a e y r-

Fou

Joshua Jones staff writer

T

here are risks and benefits to every decision you make, and where you choose to pursue your education is no exception.

Today, many students are opting for fouryear colleges and universities, and for good reasons. Campus life, specialized programs, new relationships or just trying to get away from home are a few of the reasons why new students choose universities in lieu of community colleges.

Campus life has much to offer at a university. The clubs are plenty, sports almost always available to play and to watch and state-ofthe-art campus facilities are accessible to all students. From ultimate Frisbee to Quidditch, there is a club for you. Four-year campuses truly shine, so if you’re a new student, college is an opportunity to meet a lot of new, likeminded people and have tons of fun doing it.

Not only do the clubs have plenty to offer, but there are main sports, as well. If you feel you excelled at a particular athletic event in high school, but don’t want your career to end after you graduate, college is the next level.

“I chose to go to Virginia Tech because they offered me scholarships for swimming, and their swimming team is really good,” senior Heather Sigmon said.

So not only will it help pay your way if you’re good enough, but you will also be inducted into a group of tight-knit people whose bonds only grow stronger with time.

Unlike community colleges where you might pay separately for library access or a gym membership, universities offer the students top-notch workout facilities, with amenities such as swimming pools, racquetball and basketball courts, and of course plenty of weights and machines. University libraries contain nearly limitless resources, making studying that much easier.

But if working out doesn’t interest you, and you’ve already done plenty of reading, schools also offer meal plans with optional unlimited uses, so when you’re bored with nothing else to do, might as well go get something to eat.

The best part of living on campus is you don’t have to do the cooking or the cleaning.

Junior Kelly Apple has aspirations of attending UNC-Chapel Hill in two years, where she plans to live on campus to get the full college experience.

“When you’re a freshman, [living on campus] will make it easier to get to classes,” Apple said. “I’m pretty excited about the college experience and the amenities four-year college has to offer.”

Even though the facilities are and opportunities are great, they are not the only thing university has to offer. The most obvious benefit of going to a university is the access to an unparalleled educational opportunity.

For example, NC State is known for its veterinary and engineering programs, UNC-Chapel Hill offers the most cost-effective liberal arts education in the state and UNC-Charlotte runs a highly competitive nursing program. “[I’m going to] NC State because they have a really good business program,” senior Mary Fenton said.

Alexis Marvin spread & managing editor

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ommunity college has been the solution for many students for years. It’s cheaper, closer to home and gives students the opportunity to decide exactly what they want to do while they get their standard classes out of the way. The benefits of going to a community college and then transferring to a four-year college are outstanding.

“You save a tremendous amount of money,” social studies teacher Jim Thompson said. “It is almost entirely about money. ” Going to community college and staying at home means students don’t have to pay to live on campus in dorms, which also means they don’t have to share such a small space with another person.

“You can stay at home, and you don’t have to pay to live in what is essentially a prison cell with another person in a dorm,” Thompson said. “The average of that is a little over seven thousand dollars a year. I don’t care how nice your roommate is, you’re going to get on each other’s nerves.”

Those attended community college first before transferring attest to saving money.

“I went to community college and I was actually able to be paid to go there. I made money,” English student teacher Andrew Bly said.

“It was close to home so it was convenient, and I saved a huge amount of money.”

Additionally, by not immediately going to a university, students can attend as many night classes as they desire without worry of missing the class because they slept too late.

“The convenience of a community college with scheduling is amazing,” Thompson said. “There are many night classes because there are lots of working adults. The nice thing about community college is those working adults.

They’re there for a purpose, so they take their schooling more seriously.”

The quality of an education one can get at a community college is also almost equivalent to that of university.

“The quality of [Sandhills Community College] was top-notch,” Bly said. “Ever since I’ve been at UNCG, the academics have been a little more rigorous, because it is a university and almost every professor has a doctorate, but overall I still gained a lot of value from community college.”

Having a few years to get regular classes out of the way and then transferring to a program with more tailored classes has also influenced students to choose community.

“I’m going to community college because I have no idea what I want to do,” senior Emilie Tolbert said. “I don’t want to be overwhelmed stepping into a university and feel like I went for my first four years and never really decided what I wanted to do.”

In the end, the subject of community college comes back to money and debt. Students are pressured into going to universities because there is a negative connotation surrounding community college, refusing to look at the main benefit: saving thousands of dollars.

“We are a society that is constantly complaining about college costs,” Thompson said. “It was a major issue in the Democratic primaries and the subject that never really came up was that community college is basically free now. We already have a version of affordable college. There’s just a stigma attached to it.”

Photos by Katie Lee Parrish

Should colleges require essays? How writing sets seniors apart Caroline Buaron staff writer

I

t is October of your senior year. College deadlines are swiftly approaching, essays are quickly piling up on your Google Drive and you are trying your best not to get the infamous disease, senioritis.

This year’s seniors have already gone through the college application process, with some reflecting on the necessity of the college essay.

“I think that colleges should require essays,” senior Brenda Garcia said. “It’s another way where students can have a better chance to get into the school that they are applying for.”

For some colleges, the history of the college essay had not always been included in the admissions process. From 1856-1857,

Tufts University only required applicants to yourself from the crowd and to show why “produce certificates of their good moral that college has an incentive to accept you.”

Ultimately, the essay allows for colleges character” in order to be considered for adto hear students’ voices and passions that a mission. transcript canIt was not unnot convey. til 1946 when the The point is to differentiate “If your modern college application reyourself from the crowd and to grades are good but not quirements startshow why that college has an as good as othed taking place, er applicants, and Tufts also reincentive to accept you. the essay could quired standardsenior Nomar Leon be what gets ized tests and you accepted letters of recominto the college,” Garcia said. mendation.

Back in the mid-19th century, a student “I know that a lot of people aren’t great at writing essays, and that the pure thought could get into college if they could afford the of it stresses them out,” senior Nomar Leon price, not necessarily if they had an excepsaid. “But that’s not the point of a college es- tional academic and extracurricular record. say. The whole point of it is to differentiate The process started to change when more

“

8 www.northwesthorizons.com

”

and more students became qualified for admission and colleges needed to have a more selective and rigorous admissions process.

“It’s a good thing that colleges require an essay because they can know more about you than just your academic accomplishments,” Garcia said.

Regardless of the stress that it may put on some, the college essay is in students’ favor.

It allows for an admissions council to hear a student’s voice, to differentiate students of the same caliber and provides a platform where students can showcase their writing abilities.

“It affords you the opportunity to share your interests and experiences, which can help set apart two people with similar GPAs and class ranks,” Leon said. “Without the essay, you’re just another random name on a page.”

May 2017

OP/ED

Being transgender in highOneschool senior’s personal story

Tai Van Dyke graphics editor

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or everyone else auditioning for the school play in the auditorium, it was probably a phrase that they didn’t have to think twice about.

“Boys line up stage left; girls line up stage right,” or something similar. I don’t remember exactly. What I do remember, however, was the dread I had twisting like a knife in my gut as I awkwardly fumbled towards the stage.

If I lined up with the girls, I would betray myself. Sure, it was the safe option, but I’ve never felt comfortable being viewed as a girl, even if external forces assigned me as such. Not only that, but I had struggled for so long with self-acceptance, so why sell myself short now? I already played the role of a girl in real life, and I was fed up with being something I was not.

I lined up with the boys. I tried to project an aura of confidence despite my shaking legs. We were lined up shortest to tallest, and, bless my Asian genes, I was on the short end.

I glanced nervously off the stage. I was out to a few friends and one teacher, but there were so many people there who knew me as a girl. What would they think? I thought about what might happen if my parents found out. Oh, God. What would they think?

My anxious thoughts were soon interrupted.

realize right away that I was also trans, it “Excuse me.” got the gears going in my head. It wasn’t I winced.

“Are you a freshman?” the guy next to like I pointed at the video and said, “I want to be just like that.” It wasn’t like I me asked. decided to be “special.” It was more like Phew.

Joke’s on him, I was a junior, aged 17. I was finally given the vocabulary to exI told him this, trying to keep my voice plain what I’ve already experienced. Soon low. He then explained that he want- I started wearing baggy t-shirts and cargo ed to know if he was the only fresh- pants, and I got my first short haircut.

What started as me innocently dipping man trying out. The situation made sense. After all, looking young for my toes in the water ended up turning into your age is part of the package when my biggest sources of guilt.

Soon after my parents found out that you’re a transguy.

That ended up being the only hitch that I liked girls, I was confronted by some of happened that evening. At one point, we my family members about my “troubling” behavior.

I had to get into groups, be asI started questioning my gender was even told someone signed characidentity when I was 12...Now, as by I trusted that ters, and perform snippets a senior, I’m the most confident I the reason I felt so deof the play on have been in my entire life. pressed was stage. Ironithat God was cally, as I was playing these other characters I felt that I punishing me for my actions. I was already was truly able to be myself, even more so fragile from having a hard time at school, than how I often felt for most of my life. but even home started to feel unwelcomEven though I was later forced to re- ing.

Things got better my freshman year. sign from the play for academic reasons, I still hold onto the events of that evening I felt somewhat content identifying as a as a personal victory. Even though it was “lesbian” at school, but some things were a relatively small challenge, it was a step I off. I wore a dress to homecoming. My took towards being myself after years of mom took me bra shopping. At one point I was someone’s “girlfriend.” trying to be something different.

The thing is, and this is not a trans-exI started questioning my gender identity when I was 12. I came across a You- clusive issue, but when you pretend to be Tube video in which the speaker came out something you’re not, it seriously messes as a transgender male, and though I didn’t with your head.

“

”

Toward the middle of my sophomore year, I started coming out to a few friends and going by a different name and male pronouns. It started through text and then through hushed conversations. This was difficult for me to talk about. However, coming out to friends and acquaintances progressively got easier. One of my friends went from being openly weirded out by Caitlyn Jenner to being 100 percent supportive of me and other trans people.

School was still difficult. I still felt stressed from my strained relationship with my family. There were days where I couldn’t stand my higher-pitched voice and my rounder face and my chest. There were times I felt alienated in my mind because not everyone was on board with my name and pronouns, and there were a few times where people were just flat-out cruel. But at least I had my friends.

Now, as a senior, I’m the most confident I have been in my entire life. I still have my bad days, but I’m living more authentically, so it’s worth it. High school has been difficult for me, but it was also where I met some of the kindest and most genuine people. Without these friends and teachers, I might still be the shy, angry, withdrawn kid that I was not so long ago.

My parents are coming around, too.

They think that I’m just some really hardcore lesbian, but at least they accept that I’m different. Being raised as a girl, I’ve always felt like I was playing a poorly-assigned role, but now I have the guts to live as myself.

Where to get good grub in Greensboro The Mad Hatter offers a ‘Wonderland’ of burgers We went on a Saturday afternoon so it wasn’t as busy as I expect it is in its prime hours---nor was it as empty as I imagined hen people hear of the Mad an afternoon in a lesser-known, locallyHatter, they often allude back grown restaurant would be. I was greeted to the classic movie, “Alice by a myriad of colors as my eyes adjusted in Wonderland.” Little does their mind to my surroundings. It was quite peaceful travel to Mad Hatter, a local bar and grill to say the least and the food was very delithat serves organic burgers and weekend cious. brunches, where they can get a taste of “They have great service,” said Kennedy. the wonder Al“The waiters [and ice’s tale nods at waitress] are very right in their own nice.” backyard.

This is a stateLocated at ment Kennedy, 201 Smyres Place Ibrahim and I in Greensboro, can all agree on.

NC, I first heard It took approxiof Mad Hatmately half an ter from senior hour for Ibrahim Lauren Kennedy and I to decide who had found what to order, yet Photo by Zoe Stuckey our waitress was the restaurant through her par- The Mad Hatter Bar and Grill on Smyres Place in very patient and serves organic burgers and delicious ents’ workplace. Greensboro gave us the space brunch.

“My first imto decide without pression of the location [was that it] looked making us feel either rushed or too distant cool and hipster-y,” said Kennedy. “I walked from the Mad Hatter environment. inside and there were a bunch of clocks and From reading online reviews, I’ve nosomeone playing the guitar.” ticed that aside from the handcrafted burgMennatalla Ibrahim and I went to inves- ers they are most known for, a lot of people tigate this burger spot for ourselves to see enjoy the brunch as well. what all the hype was really about. I ordered I can’t wait to go back and try more of salmon with chips and spinach while Ibra- what’s on the menu so I can get a better idea him ordered a chicken sandwich with fries. of this wondrous and delicious restaurant.

Zoe Stuckey public relations

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May 2017

The Iron Hen Café: Not food for the birds Maddie Lawson arts & culture editor

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ocated on Cridland Road near Battleground, The Iron Hen serves a variety of local, organic, vegetarian and comfort foods.

The wide variety of options all stem from locally, sustainably and organically grown produce. The Iron Hen is part of the Fresh Local Good Food Group.

As a vegetarian, I think this is a super good option for finding healthy, meatless meals. That being said, my friend who is most certainly not a vegetarian, didn’t have a problem finding meat to eat. I guess you could say they have the best of both worlds.

The menu featured a variety of items, some on the funkier side (tofu tacos) while others were as basic as a grilled cheese.

The café’s prices are fairly reasonable. We paid around $20 for two dinner entrees. The food was very good, but they do go a little heavy on sauces, so if you’re more of a plain food person, I would request sauce on the side, if applicable.

The small restaurant is very quaint and features homey decor with a modern twist.

High metal chairs make up a bar in the center of the room while tables and chairs speckle the floor plan around it. These tables are mostly small and meant for smaller parties, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.

There is seating both outside and inside.

The only strange thing is that the restaurant is located right behind a gas station, so sitting outside may be an issue for some. There are two walls of seating though, so you may be able to find a seat away from the cars.

Overall, The Iron Hen Café is a 9/10.

The food was both tasty and original, the atmosphere was nice, as was the wait staff.

That being said, the location of the café could be better.

Photo by Maddie Lawson

The Iron Hen Café on Cridland Road serves light lunches and salads, all with a fresh, vegetarian flair.

www.northwesthorizons.com 9

SENIORS Class of 2017: Where will your friends be next year?

Abele, Joseph Andre NC State Abourjilie, Austin Balfour William Peace Adams, Nathaniel Clark NC State Ahmed, Sajid Muneer A&T Alaniz, Maximilian Marine Corps Albert, Tess Virginia HPU Allen, Carrie Ann ECU Alley, Christopher Logan UNCW Almond, Cameron Joseph UNCC Alsaid, Ragad Abdulwahed HPU Althouse, Stuart James UNCC Amos, Stuart James Andrew unknown at time of publication An, Jun Su UNCG Anderson, Harold Nicholas unknown at time of publication Anderson, Zachary Emmanuel Army Arkiszewski, Peter Roman NC State Armstrong, Jack Henry GTCC Arteaga, Eyla Cristina UNC-CH Atkins, James Mitchell RCC Ballinger, Jonathan Thomas UNCC Banick, Mary Katherine App Banner, Brendan Michael Guilford College Barbagallo, Joseph Mariano work Barham, Wesley Benjamin UNCW Barker, Michael Brian Virginia Tech Barker, Sara Jessica unknown at time of publication Beck, Lexi Autumn GTCC Beitzell, Theresa Clare UNCG Bennett, Brittany Nicole App Benson, Austin Richard GTCC Benson, Michael Glenn BYU Berg, Timothy Bailey unknown at time of publication Bertholf, Phillip Dean ECU Beshears, Luke Gregory ECU Bethea, Ian Isaiah UNCC Bethea, Joshua Blaine GTCC Bidgood, Emily Marie unknown at time of publication Blackburn, Jennifer Morgan App Blackman, Jacob Wayne unknown at time of publication Blair, Amanda Jocelyn unknown at time of publication Bobetich, Catie Rene UNC-CH Boggins, Abigail Kristine UNC-CH Bolewitz, Elizabeth Ann Pembroke Boulton, Maxwell Charles NC State Bowlin, Brandon Shawn unknown at time of publication Bowman, Bryson Mackenzie USC Braiman, Arianna Grace NC State Brame, Emma Breanne GTCC Branch, Chandler Matthew NC State Brannigan, Casey Eleanor NC State Branson, Haven Ruth ECU Brewer, Madison Taylor ECU Brewer, Nicholas Alan unknown at time of publication Brooks, Brianna Caitlyn-Shea unknown at time of publication Brown, Kinley Lorick App Brown, Thomas Christian GTCC Buaron, Caroline Mae Sahagun NC State Buntin, Hannah Lexus UNCG Burcham, Allyson McKenzie App Burritt, Mary Alice USC

10 www.northwesthorizons.com

Burstein, Sarah Elise UNC-CH Byrd, Alexander Douglas UNCG Byrd, Seth Avery Roanoke Cadd, Haleigh Renee Wake Forest Cahill, Jonah Ian GTCC Calcaterra, Marissa unknown at time of publication Calhoun, Nathaniel Joel NC State Campbell, Amanda Jordan Georgia Campbell, Brianna Victoria unknown at time of publication Carnathan, MacKenzie Layne UNC-Asheville Carpenter, Blake Gordon HPU Carrera - San Lucas, Gabriela Victoria unknown at time of publication Carver, Corwin Chamar Marines Caudle, Elizabeth Marie GTCC Chalmers, Samantha Kim NC State Charles, Emma Charlotte Roanoke Chavis, Shaden Scott Air Force Chiang, Jett Shiun-Su unknown at time of publication Choi, Gloria Soo Bin undecided Clark, Braylin Leon UNCG Clark, Patrick Addison UNCG Clary, Benjamin Conner NC State Clausen, Frederick Gabriel West Virginia Clifton, Kristina Leigh NC State Clodfelter, Jeremy Mason GTCC Cogdill, Alexis Mariann GTCC Cohen, Matthew Grant NC State Coleman, Drew Parker UNC-CH Collazo, Joseph Michael UNCC Colley, Aryan Casey University of Maine Collins, Hunter Joseph NC State Constantinidi, Charlotte Paige UNCG Contursi, Connor William undecided Cooler, Ansley Breanna undecided Corbett, Alexa Gonzalez UNCG Corcoran, William Michael UNCW Cornelius, Charles Dean WCU Cotten, Joel Aidan Erskine Cox, Madison Kelley UNCC Cox, Tyler Allen GTCC Coyle, Lauren Elizabeth University of Missouri Crable, Daniel Roland UNCC Crandall, William Joseph UNCG Crane, Haley Patricia UNCC Craven, Andrew Michael GTCC Crews, Hannah Jordan WCU Crockett, Samuel Elton UNCW Crowder, Peyton Lee undecided Cruz-Avila, Santiago GTCC Cunningham, Kyle Joseph UNCC Cushman, Emily Claire unknown at time of publication da Silva, Taylor Eduardo U. of Michican- Ann Arbor Dang, Ivy Phuong NC State Dasnoit, Meaghan Alyssa GTCC Davidson, Bailey Christian NC State Davis, Cameron Mackenzie App Davis, Carson Edward GTCC Davis, Jacob Cole NC State Davis, Nathanael Eugene GTCC Davis, Reginald Floyd Lynchburg

May 2017

SENIORS Davis, Seth Daniel GTCC Dawson, Michael Anthony UNCC De La Calle, Ruben Andres NC State Dean, Tegan Margaret Lees-McCrae Debecka, Julia Florida Intl Delahanty, Katelyn Anne NC State DelAngel, Fernando UNCW Dew, Anthony Taylor unknown at time of publication Dew, Samantha Anne GTCC Diggs, William Deshawn NC Central Dillon, Sawyer James UNCG Dispensa, Justin Richard UNCG Doles, Andrew Scott unknown at time of publication Drake, Parker Daniel Texas A&M Duffy, Jack UNCC Dumont, Alyssa Elaine HPU Dunlap, Hannah Marie HPU Durham, Katherine Grace UNCG Dyreng, Brianna Roschelle BYU Edwards, Blaine Parker GTCC Eisel, Joseph William UNCC Elias, Ashley Nicole NC State English, Andrew James WCU Evans-Lynch, William Fitz Gerald WCU Fang, Jennifer NC State Fantaci, Brian Christopher ECU Farrell, Anna Catherine NC State Fasnacht, Joshua Robert UNC-CH Felder, Hunter Leonard NC State Fenton, Mary Elyse NC State Fergus, Daniel Scott GTCC Fields, Jacob Lamont Ferrum Finnie, Kyle Edward FSU Fitzpatrick, Casey Parker UNCC Fleck, Abby Jo App Fleming, Rachel Lee unknown at time of publication Foster, Michael Charles UNCW Fox, Dillon Taylor Archer ECU Frank, Madelyn Ann App Frank, Mary Ellen UNC-CH Fries, Katherine LeeAnn UNCG Fuchs, Joshua Elijah Virginia State Fugaro, Matthew Edward NC State Funderburg, David Alan Randolph-Macon Fye-Duell, Bradley Austin App Ganim, Justin Alexander UNCG Garcia Amador, Brenda Jaqueline GTCC Garcia, Luis Enrique unknown at time of publication Garner, Jacob Daniel UNC-CH Garrison, Prescot Councill UNCC Gauldin, Justin Wyatt work Geib, Victoria Grace NC State Ghantae, Adithya HPU Gibbs, DeReco Marquis unknown at time of publication Gibbs, Jared Mitchell UNCG Gillenwater, Peyton Mitchell UNC-CH Gillikin, Hunter Sky GTCC Godino, Emma Caroline Meiling Brevard Goodman, Taylar Jordan UNCG Graham, Carrie Elizabeth Liberty Grandez, Camila UNCG Grandez, Nicole Johnson and Wales Gray, Alyssa Gentry ECU

May 2017

Gray, Catherine Leigh Liberty Greene, Caroline Jane CU-Boulder Greenhill, Caleigh Ann UNCC Grigg, Lauren Taylor NC State Groce, Meredith Grace Wake Forest Groves, Margaret Jean ECU Grube, Kaitlyn Marie Anderson Guerra, Daniel UNCW Guerra, Samuel Obed Marine Corps Gunter, Jhordan Monet Livingstone Guzman Benites, Inmar Donay GTCC Haase, Eric James UNCC Hall, Olivia Simone ECU Hamdan, Kimberly Zayna App Hamilton, Sarah Lynn RCC Hammonds, Chase William ECU Hamphill, Tico Lamont ECU Harris, Russell Walker GTCC Harris, Ryleigh Nicole BYU Harris, Tori Lynn ECU unknown at time of publication Hayes, Matthew Dalton Headen, Hannah Katelyn NC State Henderson, Kayla McKenzie GTCC Hennigan, Thomas Joseph App Herndon, Joshua Benjamin WCU Herrity, Alexandra Maria App Hicks, Daniel Walker UNCC Higgins, William Henry UNCG Hill, Harrison Locke UNC-CH Hogan, Ellie Catherine UNCC Holcomb, Margaret Lea Radford Holder, Brooke Adair WCU Holland, Tyler Roberson GTCC Holliday, Jordan Alexis UNCW Holloway, Anthony Alexander GTCC Holmes, Alexander Brent UNC-CH Holmes, Isabelle Liberty undecided Hopkins, Samantha Shea App Horruitiner, Lenny Manuel unknown at time of publication Horton, Karl Lee unknown at time of publication Howard, Matthew James UNCG Howell, Ricki Sherri WCU Huber, Megan Elizabeth WCU Hubler, Ryan David GTCC Hughes, Nicole Leighanne App Hull, Gary Lee UNCG Humel, Julia Elizabeth ECU Hunsucker, Jack Austin GTCC Ide, Echo Carole LDS Mission Ide, Elijah Daniel unknown at time of publication Ikeanyionwu, Michael U. Olufemi unknown at time of publication Indermaur, Avery Leigh Duke Iqbal, Halimah Noor Ismat UNCG Ivanets, Kateryna GTCC Jaramillo Rodriguez, Daniel Esteban UNCG Johnson, Karena Jabri’ Ann unknown at time of publication Johnson, Luke UNCG Jones, Joshua Hunter UNCC Jones, Kyle Keith GTCC Jones, Tristen Alexander GTCC Jones, Xavier Marquise unknown at time of publication Juarez Perez, Yvonne Viviana UNCG Continued on page 14

www.northwesthorizons.com 11

Sayonara, senio Class o “‘Do not be afraid, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.’” (Joshua 1:9) -Josh Herndon

“‘We’re all homos. Homosapiens.’”

(Michael Scott, ‘The Office’) -Abby Boggins

“This was nothing like High School Musical.”

-Allyson Burcham

“‘I’m a simple man. I like darkhaired women and breakfast foods.’” (Ron Swanson, ‘Parks and Recreation’) -Blake Weaver “‘This place reminds me of Santa’s workshop! Except it smells like mushrooms and everyone looks like they want to hurt me.’” (Buddy the elf, ‘Elf’) -Alyssa Sutton

‘You can’t repeat the past, but you can influence the future.” (Mr. Slater) -Brian Fantaci

“Work the Birks, rock the Crocs, but most importantly, love your dog.”

-Maggey Odell “I don’t just ride the struggle bus…I manufacture it.”

-Catherine Gray

“Don’t count the days; make the days count.”

-Anna Claire Willey “My neck, my back, my anxiety attack.”

-Gary Hull

12

“If idiots could fly, this place would be an airport.”

-Mauricio Nandin

“Of course I dress well; I didn’t spend all that time in the closet for nothing.”

-Britt Ros

“Ju do do tra

ors! of

“Never let a human that breaths the same air as you determine your happiness.”

-Jalen Spicer

quotes

“‘We present ourselves with grace and poise. So we don’t schlump like this!’” (Clarisse Renaldi, ‘The Princess Diaries’) -Meredith Groce “Wouldn’t it be nice if the senior quotes were in the yearbook?”

-Max Boulton

“She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.”

(Proverbs 31:25) -Hannah Buntin

“Najlepsza zemsta jest spektakularny sukces. (The best revenge is massive success.)”

-Julia Debecka

ust because you’re trash oesn’t mean you can’t great things; it’s called ashcan, not trashcan’t.”

-Alexandra Stanley

“Best thing about this year were the chicken tenders.”

-Jonah Cahill

“hufadjsknfvhdlskgjdalhuihwenuilsdhjfgkdlshbuvnilerauvkadbvlhdjsnkhcxui.”

-Will Corcoran “Will Corcoran has a heart.”

-Bailey Davidson

“What in graduation?”

-Mary Fenton

“‘If I had a gun with two bullets and I was in a room with Hitler, Bin Laden, and Toby, I would shoot Toby twice.’” (Michael Scott, ‘The Office’) -David Funderburg

13

SENIORS Kaufmann, Haley Kathleen UNCC Kaur, Supreet GTCC Keller, Madison Victoria GTCC Kennedy, Emily Rose WCU Kennedy, Lauren Michelle Liberty Kessel, Jackson Thomas NC State Khanna, Anisha UNC-CH Kief, Justin Thomas unknown at time of publication Kiernan, Ryan Alexander unknown at time of publication Kilpatrick, Titus Reid Naval Academy Kim, Jisoo Harvard Kim, Seong-Won unknown at time of publication Kinley, Catherine Grace UNC-CH Kostyrka, Sarah Ann-Marie GTCC Kugel-Humphrey, Sydney Marie WCU Kuseybi, Mazen Ramsey UNC-CH Kyei, Dorothy Serwah UNCG Lacer, Zachery Thomas NC State Lacopo, Marcia Jane UNCG Lawson, Bradley Christopher ECU Lazar, Jared Allen James ECU Leach, Caroline Paxton GTCC Learn, Benjamin David NC State Lee, Joshua Jung Hyuk Johns Hopkins Lee, Peter Tae-soo unknown at time of publication Leggett, Blake Caroline ECU Leon, Ruben Nomar NC State Leonard, Journey Amaziah GTCC Lewis, Liam Patrik App Libby, Sophia Marie undecided Lichtenstein, Ryan Taylor UNCC Liebgott, Evan Tyler UNC-CH Lim, Alice unknown at time of publication Lim, Pyo UNCC Linden, James Shaw NC State Lingao, Brittany-Lynn Norsworthy WCU Liu, Feifan unknown at time of publication Locklear, Triston Allen GTCC Loftis, Haley Savannah GTCC Long, Amber Nicole unknown at time of publication Loy, Taylor Erin App Lukhard, Logan William UNCC Luna, Thalia Ariana Maretha University of San Diego Mabe, Katherine Brooke Montreat Macrohon, Anne Thauryn Agustin Wingate Madden, Ryan Daniel NC State Mahabir, Melanie Alexis NC State Maldonado, Jeremy Brandon GTCC Malloy, Joshua Daniel UNCG Marmion, Andrew Nelson UNCC Marsh, Alan Michael unknown at time of publication Martin, Devonya Jamar unknown at time of publication Marvin, Alexis Grace UNC-CH Maurer, Mallory Ann UNC-CH Maxwell, Lian Nicole UNCC Mayes, Ian Lee UNC-CH McCollough, Clayton Aaron USC McCormick, Thomas Cody GTCC McCoy, Kalista Joy Virginia Tech McDougle, Kayla Brynne App McGee, Brandon Daniel FTCC McGuire, Thomas Michael ECU McLachlan, Echo Guilford College Mead, Lindsey Rebecca UNCG

14 www.northwesthorizons.com

Meyer, Andrew Michael Lenoir-Rhyne Meyerhoffer, Olivia Rae UNCG Middleton, Dylan Thomas UNCG Miller, Caitlyn Leigh UNCW Miller, Cody Austin ECU Miller, Tyler Jordan UNCG Miller, Valerie Nicole Guilford College unknown at time of publication Mills, Kaylie Lauren Mitchell, Brooke Taylor UNCG Mitchell, Daryus Niles undecided Mitchell, Trevor Joseph App Molnar, Elisabeth Hannah UNC-CH Montgomery, Levi William Navy Moore, Miranda Kate Leon’s Beauty School Moore, Nathan Wiley Central Piedmont Morris, Dylan Craig UNCG Moss, Tyler Cox UNCG Mothershead, Emily Rebecca NC State Moyer, Liliana Marie unknown at time of publication Mueller, Leigh-Anna WCU Murphy, Ellissa Taylor GTCC Murray, Isabella Claire NC State Myers, Emily Louise unknown at time of publication Nadeau, Jared Christopher WCU Nandin, Mauricio NC State Neal, Amy Nicole RCC Needham, William Andrew unknown at time of publication Nelson, Amber Lynn UNCG Newton, Savannah Layne UNC-CH Norman, Darien Max West Point Obi, Frances Chigozie GTCC Odell, Magdalene Jane NC State Owens, Joseph Sawyer GTCC Oxendine, Kirsten Taylor UNCW Oxendine-Reed, Shayla Monique GTCC Oxton, Coline Frances unknown at time of publication Page, Ethan Ryan UNCG Pak, Steve Minje unknown at time of publication Palmer, Lynsey Breanna GTCC Parker, Savannah Grace App Parrish, Kathryn Lee-Ann Liberty Parrish, Kenneth Scott UNCW Parrish, Zachary Drake UNCG Patel, Meet Anilkumar NC State Payne, Cameron David UNCC Peacock, Clayton Alexander GTCC Pegram, Andrew Blake UNCG Pegram, Joshua Nathaniel ECU Pellegrino, Jianna Gabrielle UNCC Phillips, Samuel Edward UNCC Pickford, Cole Flanagan Notre Dame Pierce, Christian Dale LDS Mission Powell, Faith Alicia UNCC Proposito, Marianna undecided Pulliam, Margaret Faith undecided Raines, Savannah Claire SCAD Rajakumar, Mohnik unknown at time of publication Rakes, Matthew McKinley NC State Ramsey, Nathaniel Winston ECU Randall, Jared Josiah A&T Ratterree, Bailey Marie

unknown at time of publication Reed, Nathalie J’Mycah Gwinnett Tech Rent, Colin Alexander GTCC Renteria, Adrian undecided

May 2017

SENIORS Rezek, Jacob Robert WCU Richardson, Ruth Mariah-Nicole UNCG Rickerts, Faith Joylyn NC State Riedell, Jack Shaw unknown at time of publication Rigby, Emma Kate NC State Riggs, Benjamin Carter Wingate Rivera, Andy Josue unknown at time of publication Rivera, Ryan Anthony UNCG Rivera, Sydney Marie App Roberts, Jewelie Anna App Robino, Zoe Natalie Caldwell Community Robinson, Jaylun Diondre’ unknown at time of publication Rofail, Nathan Sameh NC State Rooks, Greyson Charles unknown at time of publication Ros, Brittny Jasmine UNCG Rothrock, Mallory Morgan UNC-Asheville Rountree, Allison Nicole UNCG Royal, William Curry UNC-CH Royster, Drew Lashay Lenoir-Rhyne RuizValencia, Carlos Manuel unknown at time of publication Russell, Kasie Ciera UNCG Rust, Emma Rose ECU Rutledge, Alexis Sky NC State Salem, Natija Sierra UNCG Sanfilippo, Alexander John UNCC Santo, Logan GTCC Saunders, Haley Nicole GTCC Sawyer, Joseph Robert UNCC Scheopner, Rachel Marie GTCC Schneider, Joshua Mark University of Richmond Schneider, Thomas Hayes unknown at time of publication Scott, Austin James Bridgewater Semones, Brandon Taylor ECU Shah, Mian Saud VCU Shannon, Max Michael UNCC Sharma, Shalini UNC-CH Sharpe, Miranda Dianne NC State Shears, Brooke Nicole UNCW Shepherd, Rhianna Sage Southern Virginia Sherbine, Nicholas Edwin undecided Shubert, Bailey Scott UNCG Sigmon, Heather Elizabeth Virginia Tech Sigmon, Taylor James ECU Sims, Robert Nicholas GTCC Skeehan, Emma James ECU Slack, Christopher Matthew William Peace Slakter, David Chayim undecided Slater, Jonathan Ryan App Smith, Cameron Grey unknown at time of publication Smith, Christopher Brian NC State Smith, Connor Ryland Pitt Smith, Jacob Charleston NC State Sneed, Deavin Marie RCC Soman, Shalmalee Pushkar UNCC Somoza, Alexis Drew unknown at time of publication Soper, Michael Edward GTCC Sossaman, Layne Marie UNC-CH Soufia, Amani Mariam Mikhail NC State Southard, Loretta Brittany App Southard, Maris Dae GTCC Spalding, Shelby Josephine GTCC Spicer, Jalen Timothy A&T Stanley, Alexandra Lynn UNC-CH

May 2017

Stanley, Caitlyn Elizabeth GTCC Starks, Christopher Jordan ECU Stemen, Benjamin David NC State Streeter-Jimeno, Ethan James UNCC Strupe, Garrett Michael WCU Stuckey, Zoe Nicole Wake Forest Stull, Carson Christopher The Citadel Sullivan, Kyle Douglas NC State Sutton, Alyssa Brooke ECU Sweeney, Shelby Diane App Sweeney, Tucker Timothy Coastal Carolina Szychowicz, Shawn Austin GTCC Tapia, Raphael Alejandro Elizabeth City State Taylor, Kaitlin Nicole UNCC Taylor, Sara Lindsey Campbell Templeton, Olivia Joan Pfeiffer Thompson, Lilac Rain Denise UNCG Tipton, Peyton Ansleigh NC State Tolbert, Emilie Elizabeth GTCC Tolley, Sierra Noelle Hofstra University Travia, Katherine Paige UNC-CH Turcola, Hailey Ann UNCG Tyler, Zachary Allen App Uphaus, Joanna Marie UNCG Urquhart, Jacob Lindsay App Van Dyke, Ashton Tai UNC-Asheville Van Ormer, Allison Grace UNCC Varghese, Princy UNCG Vazquez, Sophie Beck App Vigil, Valerie Nicole UNCG Wadelington, Jairen Alexander unknown at time of publication Wagner, Victoria Katherine Ferrum Wakim, Wakim Joseph GTCC Walker, Gracyn Anjanette University of Tennessee Waller, Justin Aric A&T Walls, Jacob Haywood NC State Warren, Daniel Miller WCU Washington, Drew Michael unknown at time of publication Weaver, Christopher Blake UNC-CH Weaver, Dennis Luke UNCG Webb, Preston Layne unknown at time of publication Weidl, Trevor Michael Ole Miss Westmoreland, Kayla Tatum UNCC Wheeler, Nathan Brody unknown at time of publication Wheeler, Shane Edward UNCG White, Evan Douglas UNCG Wielemans, Justine Camille Manon unknown at time of publication Wierwille, Ralph Ernest GTCC Willey, Anna Claire UNCW Williams, Roman Hamilton NC State Williamson, Kaitlyn Victoria unknown at time of publication Wilson, Gabriel Michael Renee GTCC Wind, Jessica Alexandra GTCC Wommack, Sandra Wilson App Woodard, Emily Elizabeth ECU Wooten, Kristen Nicole HPU Wright, Blaydon Marines Young, Tyler John Full Sail University Younts, Austin Glenn Marine Yousafzai, Hamza UNCC Zeyfang, Matthew William NC State

*Undecided means student does not know *Unknown at time of publication means student could not be reached

www.northwesthorizons.com 15

SPORTS Bringing it home: Basketball in Greensboro flourishes

Photos by Zoe Stuckey

(Left) The Northwest girls’ basketball team poses for a picture following their state championship win. Northwest, along with various other triad schools, brought home a state championship in basketball. (Center) Coach Darlene Joyner fists bumps her players, congratulating them on their win. This state championship was Joyner’s first in her many years of coaching at Northwest. (Right) The Northwest student section cheers on the girls during their game. The students made the trip from Northwest to NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum.

Zoe Stuckey public relations manager

“T

here’s no value in playing [basketball] in Greensboro.

None.”

This infamous quote from Syracuse University’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim ignited a Twitter-storm of angry North Carolinians in March 2017. Boeheim was speaking about the viability of the ACC tournament being held in North Carolina versus his own state of New York.

However, basketball is thriving in Greensboro as recently evinced by the high school and collegiate levels.

The Northwest’s Varsity Girls’ basketball team claimed the 4-A State Championship title Saturday, March 11 at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum. This is the first championship win in Northwest’s school history.

The final score was 36-34 against Southeast Raleigh High School, which had a 32win streak prior to losing the state championship.

In 2015, the girls had a record of 24-0 and were the first basketball team in the school’s history to go undefeated and advance to the Final Four of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state playoffs. They lost to Myers Park High School in the Final Four with a score of 58-35.

In 2016, the girls made it to the NCHSAA State Championship but lost to Millbrook High School 46-45.

“Last year was a heart-breaking loss,” junior Bria Gibbs said. “The world stopped in seconds when the shot went in.”

There were some concerns regarding the season this school year. Many were worried that with the amount of seniors leaving last year, the underclassmen would have “big shoes to fill” as well as having to rekindle the chemistry that was created last year.

“Some games, we weren’t playing our best, and it got kind of tight,” junior Lindsay Gauldin said, “but we had to keep our composure.”

The team consists of the following players: Lauren Hopper, Lindsay Gauldin, Tiffany Thorpe, Thalia Carter, Abigail Rose, Bria Gibbs, Megan Harkey, Haley Barker, Cayla King (named Most Outstanding Player), Elizabeth Kitley (named the team’s MVP) and Sandra Wommack.

Adding to the successes of the Triad area, the Southwest Guilford Boy’s basketball team won the 4-A State Championship title earlier that day at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum. The boys’ basketball team had an overall season of 28 wins and three losses they swept the floor with a final score of 73-49. Southwest consistently scored 44 points in the paint first three quarters.

Southwest turning forced Leesville Road to turn the ball over 17 times for 28 points off turnovers.

“I am just as excited to see Northwest win the title for the girls as I am to bring a title here to Southwest,” said Southwest coach Guy Shavers.

Shavers shared that the journey to winning the state championship consisted of

time in weight room, summer scrimmages, jamborees, fall workouts and dedication to cultivate the team to where they are now.

Shavers also said many people support the basketball team while others wanted them to fail.

“The people on the way either served as inspiration or motivation,” Shavers said.

“We are better because of this year. Not because we won, but because we knew the destination all of the while, and now we understand the importance of appreciating the journey.”

Meanwhile, the Northern Nighthawk girls’ basketball team also took home a championship, winning the 3-A State title for their school. Their coach Kim Furlough could not be reached for comment.

Finally, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro has had its fair share of success as well, scoring a total of 2628 points. With an overall record of 25-10 and a conference record of 14-4. UNCG had one of its better seasons in the NIT (National Invitation Tournament).

Last moments: Northwest seniors finish athletic careers Alex Cake staff writer

R

Photos contributed by Clayton McCollough

Senior Clayton McCollough (left) stands with junior Nolan Kessel (right) at the endof-the-season banquet for soccer. Many seniors have found it hard to graduate from a team, leaving their teammates behind.

unning. Faster. And faster. You try to do all you can, but your efforts are unavailing. As the clock winds down, your plight soon becomes a reality. The final whistle blows; everything you spent countless hours working toward is gone.

As juniors become seniors, they soon realize that there is no “next season.” For students who do not plan to play collegiately, this is their last season to go big.

After the season-ending loss, emotions are very high and the deep feelings begin to sink in.

“It was sad because most of my friends are on the team and I always looked forward to playing with my team,” senior field hockey player Lauren Grigg said. “The excitement of winning and playing with those you care about is the best feeling in the world, and I miss it already.”

Reflecting over their season, seniors often recall positive times of being around friends and coaches.

“It felt good all four years [to be part of

16 www.northwesthorizons.com

the soccer team],” senior soccer player Clayton McCollough said. “As a person, I grew a lot and learned many [things] that I will take with me through the rest of my life.”

Out of all things to learn from team sports is that everyone wants to help you succeed. The relationships that you build with teammates and coaches are irreplaceable.

“The soccer team became my family in a way because of the close relationships I had with my teammates,” McCollough said.

For students not playing in college, playing intramural sports would be the next best thing. Finding time to play their sport in college is crucial to most students who care enough to play.

“Most likely I will [play intramural sports],” McCollough said. “It all depends on [how] my classes will set up in college and how rigorous they are.”

Playing for the last time often gets emotional for players. They often regret on what didn’t happen or what they could have done better.

“It was really emotional knowing that it would be the last time I would step on the field and battle with some of the greatest friends to have,” McCollough said.

Going to college opens up the door for new opportunities to discover new things.

Colleges have multiple recreational sports for students to sign up for, including traditional sports, like soccer and basketball, and non-traditional sports, such as Quidditch.

These recreational opportunities allow student to continue involvement in athletics.

“I will probably play [intramural] field hockey and a sport that I want to learn,” Grigg said. “I’m thinking about bubble soccer.”

“

It was really emotional knowing that it would be the last time I would step on the field and battle with some of the greatest friends to have.

”

senior Clayton McCollough

May 2017

SPORTS

Northwest athletes receive collegiate athletic scholarships and offers Savannah Raines (soccer) Savannah College of Art and Design [SCAD]

Ben Riggs (swimming) Wingate University

Tegan Dean (soccer) Lees-McRae College

Heather Sigmon (swimming) Virginia Tech University

How long have you been playing? 12 or 13 years

How long have you been swimming? Most of my life, but competitive [swimming] didn’t really start until I was about 12.

How long have you been playing? 11 years

How long have you been swimming?

Competitively in the summer for 12 years and year-round for nine years

Where were you when you found out that you got an offer? A tournament in Savannah, Georgia How did you react to the news of getting an offer? I was given the offer immediately after the game [scheduled by the coach at SCAD] so I got to celebrate that night with my team. We were all really excited.

What do you most look forward to?

SCAD is my dream school; I love everything. Aside from soccer, I’m most excited about living in such a pretty, artsy town. It will be really inspiring every day.

Where were you when you found out that you got the scholarship? I was helping my dad with his work when he said, “Oh yeah someone sent you something.” I opened it, and it ended up being my Wingate scholarship.

How did you react to the news of getting the scholarship? I was really excited because I’d already visited the campus and found it really beautiful. I thought it would be a great fit.

What do you most look forward to? Probably energy level. Everyone’s going to be really fast and competitive and everyone’s kind of going to be right there with each other.

Where were you when you found out that you got the scholarship? A showcase tournament where the coach talked to my dad for a long time. It seemed like forever.

How did you react to the news of getting the scholarship? My dad told me that [the coach] had offered me a scholarship, and I didn’t believe him. I was so shocked and overwhelmed. In the moment, I felt how much all the hard work paid off.

What do you most look forward to? I’m excited for the experience. I feel like playing in college will [shape who I am today]. I’m excited to become a better player and person and build my relationship with God.

The above students are recepients of some form of scholarship, including athletic, academic and art scholarships.

The exact specifications were unknown at the time of publication.

Where were you when you found out that you got the scholarship? In my room on the phone talking to my dad How did you react to the news of getting the scholarship?

I expected it prior to verbally committing because the coaches discussed it with my family and I on a recruiting trip at Virginia Tech.

What do you most look forward to? Being able to train at a higher level and having a close group of friends on the team.

Photos and information compiled by Menna Ibrahim

Mr. and mrs. Northwest stand out above the crowd Montana Murphy sports editor

F

ans are filling in holes in the stands. The red and black uniforms can be seen taking their positions, facing their opponents. The crowd gets rowdier. It’s game-time for the Northwest Vikings, and on top of all the noise, the chants of the student section can be heard, headed by the leaders themselves: seniors Trevor Weidl and Blake Leggett.

Each year, the student body nominates and votes for who they think best embodies the school spirit of Northwest, and though they don’t typically sport a Viking helmet, Weidl and Leggett carry something much more brag-worthy: the title of Mr. and Mrs. Northwest.

“I’m so honored to receive the title of Mrs. Northwest,” Leggett said. “I figured Trevor and I would win Mr. and Mrs. Northwest because we were in charge of the student section.”

The win came as more of a shock to Weidl.

“I really didn’t think I was going to win [Mr. Northwest],” he said. “But I think it’s awesome to win.”

The two discovered their passions for the student section early on.

“My freshman year, I was really good friends with a bunch of the seniors, so I got the opportunity to sit at the front with them,” Weidl said. “That’s what kind of sparked my love for being in the student section.”

Leggett followed closely behind.

“I went to games my freshman year, but I never sat in the student section because I was scared to sit at the top,” she said. “But

May 2017

Photo contributed by Ryan Rivera

Northwest seniors Trevor Weidl (left) and Blake Leggett (right) pose in R.L. Billings Stadium, the sight of Northwest’s home football games. Leggett and Weidl were prominent leaders of the student sections and were awarded Mr. and Mrs. Northwest.

I started to encourage people to sit at the top because it’s not that bad. Sophomore year, I started getting really involved and I went to every football game.”

With time, their spirit grew.

“Junior and senior year, I went to every single game,” Leggett said. “Every single football game, every single basketball game and I dressed up for every theme.”

As athletes age, they move from junior varsity to varsity sports, and their fans follow. “[My school spirit] has just gotten a lot stronger with the more oppor-

tunities I’ve been given,” Weidl said.

“Also, when you’re a freshman, your friends are on JV, but as you grow up your friends are on varsity, like Thomas Hennigan, Reggie Davis and Jalen Spicer, so you’re cheering more personally for them.”

Not only does cheering for your friends build up spirit, but cheering with them does too.

“It’s better when a lot of your friends are doing it,” Leggett said. “When a lot of your friends are involved, it’s easier for you to get involved as well.”

Northwest’s tendency to win games makes the cheering easier.

“Northwest is the best, and it’s great to win,” Leggett said. “And we win [often], especially at football.”

For Weidl, it’s the deep-rooted athletics of Northwest and his own athletic experiences that encourage him to be so involved.

“The tradition of athletics here is really strong, and we’ve always been decent at everything,” he said. “Also, because I’ve played all the sports that I cheer for now, it puts it on a more personal level because I know if I was out there I’d love to have someone cheering for me.”

Their four years of experience in the stands have left the two with many memories. “[My favorite memory is] the Hawaiian game senior year when it was raining and our banner fell and everyone was kind of gross, but it was so fun,” Leggett said. “Or the America game when we stormed the field.”

Weidl also recalls some of his favorite times cheering for the Vikings. “[My favorite memory] is probably from after we beat Northern this year, doing the ‘I believe that we just won’ chant on the field; that was pretty crazy,” he said. “Or the comeback Southwest guys’ basketball win junior year for the conference championship when we came back from 15 down with two minutes left in the game.”

Though Mr. Northwest remembers the big moments, he cherishes the small ones.

“I’m going to miss a lot,” Weidl said.

“The thing I’m going to miss the most is the away games when there’s 10 people there, and you’re not that loud but you can coordinate everything.”

Mrs. Northwest will miss the simplicity of it all.

“What I will miss the most is just cheering on the Vikings,” Leggett said.

www.northwesthorizons.com 17

ARTS & CULTURE Summer in NC: What to do when boredom strikes Maddie Lawson arts & culture editor

On the Coast:

In the Mountains: Lake Lure:

Nestled in among the foothills of the Blue Ridge, Lake Lure is a beautiful place to visit and has been named one of the top 10 man-made lakes by National Geographic. It was also the backdrop for the classic movie “Dirty Dancing.”

Asheville: This quirky, cool town is situated in the heart of North Carolina’s mountains. It has an variety of activities and shopping as well some amazing restaurants. The downtown area is really focused on the arts with its array of murals and sculptures. Another plus is that the whole town is super dog friendly.

Mt. Mitchell: Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi and a great climb. Its gorgeous views make the 10.9-mile hike worthwhile. This steep hike may be difficult for some inexperienced hikers, so don’t jump in with this as your first hike. There are plenty of other options around if this one isn’t for you.

Max Patch: Hike a part of the Appalachian Trail by visiting Max Patch. The small mountain is located near Hot Springs and the top of it has 360-degree views of the surrounding area. The top is a meadow and a great picnic spot.. Max Patch has two loop trails for getting to the top. The shorter loop is 1.4 miles, and the longer one is 2.4 miles.

In the Piedmont: White Water Center: Located in Charlotte, the National White Water Center is a fun day trip. It has a variety of activities people can participate in on its 1,300acre facility. They offer kayaking, white water rafting, mountain biking, zip lining, rock climbing and more. You don’t have to be a member to go; you can buy a day pass and enjoy all of the activities offered. They also frequently have outdoor concerts and festivals, which can be found on their website’s calendar.

Shopping in Raleigh: Raleigh is a melting pot of top designers, small boutiques, specialty stores and large malls.

There’s something for everyone to buy.

While you’re spending the day shopping, or just walking around, there are plenty of gourmet restaurants like The Heron at The Umstead to try while you’re there. The downtown Raleigh area is easy to navigate and has something fun around every corner.

Beach Music: Every thursday during the months of May and June the downtown area of Greensboro lights up with the sound of laughter and live music. Students and adults alike flock the streets to dance and hang out during this annual event. Most people shag dance and if someone doesn’t know how, more likely than not, they will learn.

Lazy 5 Ranch: Grab a couple friends and head down to the Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville. The ranch consists of a small road that snakes through the zoo where you can feed animals like giraffes, ostriches, and zebras from your car. If anyone has a Jeep it’s definitely their turn to drive.

Drive-in-Movies: In Eden, about 45 minutes from Greensboro, there is an old school drive in movie. The theater plays double features every night at sun down.

Wilmington: A historic, beach front city, Wilmington is known for its ships, shopping and surfing. The USS North Carolina is a large battleship, permanently docked in Wilmington and open for tours. Historic downtown is rich with shopping and culture, as well as some great food. The city is very close to both Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach where anyone can catch some waves or just hang out for the day.

Southport: This small, beachy town is located near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The town is the setting for the book and movie “Safe Haven.”

There are lots of small stores and things to do which make for a great day or weekend trip.

Jockey’s Ridge: This state park is full of activities to partake in. There are miles of hiking trails along with boardwalks over the marshy areas which are havens for all kinds of wildlife. Visitors can also find opportunitites for many outdoor sports. People can learn to hang glide through the park. There are also opportunities for kayaking, paddle boarding and sand boarding.

Lighthouses: North Carolina’s coast is known for its lighthouses. Make a tour of visiting or climbing all of them or just a few and make sure to visit the beach while you’re at each one.

Graphic by Tai Van Dyke

Northwest ’s Secrets to happiness

Information and photos compiled by Jenny Blackburn

18 www.northwesthorizons.com

May 2017

ARTS & CULTURE

Two truths Menna Ibrahim staff writer

& a lie

Try to spot the lie among the three statements made by each student. (Answers at the bottom of the page) 4.) junior Noah Zawadzki

2.) junior Cole Levoie

a. I have been out of the country three times. b. I am a national champion diver. c. I have been arrested.

a. I have a three legged dog. b. I stole a turtle. c. I have a belly button ring.

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

Tattoos and piercings: An alternative method of self-expression Alexis Marvin spread & managing editor

3.) sophomore Matthew Sanchez

1.) sophomore Audrey Gray a.I live in constant fear of missing the bus. b. I can walk well in heels. c. I can never paint my nails without messing up at least three of them.

a. I have been to every continent except Antarctica and South America. b. I once hugged an alligator and named it Jack. c. I asked for every girl’s number in my eighth grade class.

5.) freshman Chantal Estelling a. I own 29 pairs of shoes. b. I like the office. c. I only have five pairs of jeans.

Tattoos and piercings: An alternative method of self-expression Alexis Marvin spread and managing editor

T

here are thousands upon thousands of ways that people can express themselves. From painting a beautiful picture on canvas to singing open-mic at an event, for decades humans have found ways to properly convey how they are feeling.

Getting a tattoo or a piercing is often viewed as just another form of artistic expression, domineering today’s society.

Each year, more than $1.5 billion is spent on tattoos in the United States. Thirty-six percent of adults age 18 to 25 have tattoos. As far as piercings go, 61 percent of Americans have had piercings. Body modification is just a painful way for someone to communicate something to others, whether it be reasons such as, “Hey, I like my nose, you should check out this cool nose ring I have on it,” or “I love redwood trees, I have one on my shoulder that I’d like to show you.”

So what are Northwest students getting tattooed on themselves, and what new jewelry are they styling?

“My tattoo is an adinkra symbol meaning ‘God is king,’” senior Jaylun Robinson said.

Robinson got his tattoo ten days after his 18th birthday. The inspiration came from his appreciation for tattoos, as well as his parents

1.)b 2.)c 3.)a 4.) c 5.)a

May 2017

having a few of their own.

“The significance of the tattoo for me is to remind me of who God is so I never forget, especially as I go off leaving home and into my own life,” Robinson said.

Other students found inspiration for their tattoos elsewhere.

“I got both my tattoos a month after I turned 18,” senior Lexi Beck said. “There’s a constellation on my hip and the solar system on my spine. They’re both something that I’ve wanted for a while, so I guess that’s what inspired it, along with my love of space.”

Both Robinson and Beck’s peers and family were supportive of their new art. However, for Beck, some teachers looked on in disapproval.

“Most people were supportive, but a few of my teachers weren’t,” Beck said.

A popular concern with getting tattoos is where to put them, as most employers are not eager to hire people with tattoos all over their bodies.

“My parents were okay with me getting a tattoo so long as it was in a place that would not discourage employers from hiring me,” Robinson said.

Still, the rush of getting a tattoo drives students to want more art on their bodies to show off.

“I plan on getting more with more deep meanings,” Robinson said. “I’ve planned my next one to symbolize or say ‘stay woke’, a

phrase that to me and many others means to be aware of the truths in the world and not fall victim to the media.”

Students with tattoos heed warning to be wary of where you put a tattoo if you decide to get one when you are of age. They also encourage others to make sure they are getting something they really like.

“Be aware of what you want to do for a living when you pick where you want it,” Robinson said. “For me, I know I may end up in corporate America at some point so a sleeve would not cut it for me, especially as a black male. Also make sure you like it and it’s going to mean something to you forever, not only because they are basically permanent but also because they aren’t cheap to try and remove so there’s no need to throw that money away when you could have had better planning.”

Piercings are another story. Still a form of expression, they can be removed if no longer wanted after a while.

“I have seven piercings,” senior Sarah Burstein said. “Six on my ears and [one on] my belly button.”

Looking around school, it is almost impossible to see more than a few people without a piercing of some sort. The oldest pair of earrings found by archaeologists date back to 2500 B.C. “People get piercings because they think it’s a good way to show individuality,” Burst-

ein said.

If you’ve never gotten a piercing, you may be wondering a few things: pain levels, how much it costs, and what the most popular place to get pierced is. The obvious answer is the ears, but recently there has been a rise in belly button piercings.

“Even though I don’t have it anymore, I think my belly button hurt the worst,” Beck said. “My favorite piercing out of the six I have is my tongue.”

For others, the ear is the key location.

“My double cartilage is my favorite,” Burstein said. “None of them really hurt to be honest. It just feels like a pinch and then it’s over.”

Piercings are slightly different from tattoos in terms of getting jobs. While employers wouldn’t want to hire someone with jewelry all over his or her face, they won’t discredit someone for having something like a nose ring.

“I can cover all of my piercings really easily,” Burstein said. “So I don’t think they would prevent me from getting a job.

“Also, the times are changing and I think tattoos and piercings are becoming more acceptable in society.”

With the rise in the amount of tattoos and piercings over the years, body modification has become increasingly popular and accepted in society.

“Everyone has a right to express or decorate themselves in a way that is pleasing to them,” Beck said.

www.northwesthorizons.com 19

FEATURES Katie Lee Parrish staff writer

I

Senior shares her journey of losing a parent to ALS Photo contributed by Madison Cox

Senior Madison Cox looks at her tattoo honoring the life of her father. Jason Cox passed away in 2008 after a two-year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which was a formative event in Madison Cox’s childhood. Many students at Northwest have watched their parents battle diseases, and some have similarly lost their parents too soon.

t all began when senior Madison Cox was in first grade. Her childhood was abruptly interrupted when she was told her father was sick with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as ALS. ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive nervous system disease that destroys nerve cells and causes disability.

“He knew [he was sick] when I was in first grade, and that’s when my parents announced it to me,” Cox said. “They were separated at the time. He was living in Louisiana, and we were in North Carolina. So as he got more and more sick, he decided to move in with us [when I was in second grade] because he knew his time was very limited.”

For two years of Cox’s childhood, she watched as ALS consumed her father. His physical abilities deteriorated with the passage of time.

“Within the matter of a year, we really saw a difference, because first he could still walk and play around, but then suddenly we had to help him get dressed, my mom had to help him shower or use the restroom,” Cox said. “It came to the point to where, when we were at the store, I was even swiping his debit card.”

Cox was nine years old going on 29, performing tasks an adult would normally do. And as her father grew weaker, their bond grew stronger.

“Once he moved in with us, he really knew that his time was limited,” Cox said.

“He did everything he could to spend as much time with [my brothers and me] whether that was playing my Nintendo DS or [doing] arts and crafts together.

He taught me how to write cursive, so we [didn’t take] that time for granted.”

The two-year journey of her father’s sickness came to an end when, one evening, Cox’s father fell and hit his head, leaving him unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital to undergo emergency brain surgery. After the surgery, he remained in a coma and did not wake up.

“I remember the exact night [when] he fell,” Cox said. “I can remember that lady coming into our house and saying ‘Jason’s on the ground,’ I remember the EMS coming [and] I remember going to the hospital every night to see him. That was a really hard time.”

After nine days in the hospital, her father was taken home to pass away.

“He passed away 20 minutes before I got off the bus, so I got home from school, and that’s when I found out,” Cox said. “My brother and I saw my mom at the bus stop, and she looked a mess.

I walked off the bus and I knew at that moment; even though I was in fourth grade, I still was aware, and I said, ‘It happened.’”

‘It At the young age of 10, Cox was forced to say goodbye to her father.

“I remember all the things that we got to do together and memories and how it was suddenly one day it was there and the next day it was gone,” Cox said. “I think that was the hardest thing because we knew he was sick, and we knew he was going to pass away, but we just didn’t know it was going to be that soon. We thought we still had some time together, but then it just happened that night.”

Cox’s suffering was not without meaning, however. She has been able to find the silver lining from her father’s sickness and death.

“I think a lot of positives have come out,” Cox said. “One, I’ve really grown in my faith. At first I was really confused as to why would God do that to me and to my family, but I’ve really come out realizing that He has a plan for all of us.”

Her father’s sickness and death has not only shaped the person she is, but it has also shaped the person she wants to be.

“Now, I want to be a nurse, and I think that would be great if I could take care of someone’s family member like the way [my father’s caregivers] did,” Cox said. “I think I will be able to connect with my patient’s more. So, by going through such a hard experience--and not just the sickness, but also the death--I think that I will be able to connect with not only the patient, but their families and reassure them that they will be able to get through anything that comes their way.”

Cox is the person she is today because of what she has endured.

“I know this sounds weird, but I wouldn’t change it because my mom even says that if he wouldn’t have gotten sick, we wouldn’t have had the time together with him,” Cox said. “So, I think that his sickness really brought us all closer together as a family and I got to experience a lot of memories with him. I wouldn’t change it because it brought out something in me that I didn’t know existed.”

The best excuses teachers at Northwest have heard

Logan James staff writer

A

ll teachers have to give work, projects, research papers and other assignments in order to prepare their students for college and the world ahead.

While their intentions are good, some students either decide not to do those assignments, or they just forget. While most own up to their mistake and take the zero or make it up for points off, others come up with a crafty excuse as to why they don’t have their assignment. These are some of the best excuses that Northwest teachers have heard.

The juice: “I had a student that said that they spent all week writing an essay,” biology teacher Jessica Tidmore said. “[He then] said that his little sister spilled juice all over it that morning; [however], the next day he brought in a perfectly clean essay.”

The classic: “Once somebody actually tried the ‘my dog ate my homework’ excuse on me,” German teacher Oliver Ham said. “I accepted it because [ironically] the same thing happened to me when I was grading [papers]. I had homework that I was grading on a table, and my puppy came up and started eating some of the papers that I was supposed to grade.”

Vomited up an excuse: “[One of my students said], ‘I was watching my baby brother last night, and he threw up all over it,’” physical science and anatomty teacher Diana Burdzy said. “Funny thing, he doesn’t have a little brother. He doesn’t even have little siblings at all.”

The clueless: “My favorite is the question, ‘We had homework?’” junior English teacher Lora Medley said. “Right now, we’re on chapter five of ‘Of Mice and Men,’ and I had a student ask today, ‘What are we reading?’

20 www.northwesthorizons.com

Rainy day: “One of my students left his bookbag in the back of his truck,” English teacher Andrea Julian said. “That night it had rained, though, so everything that was in his bookbag was ruined, including the research paper that was due that morning; however, he still turned in his textbook at the end of the year and that was just as I had given to him.”

Drove to another state: “I once had a student that said he left his research paper in their grandma’s car,” social studies teacher Elizabeth Russell said. “Then he said that [his grandmother] had driven to Alabama the night before, so he couldn’t get it back.”

Graphic by Stephanie Mayer

A student tentatively gives his teacher the age-old “my-dog-ate-my-homework” excuse. In schools all over, students have provided their teachers with hair-brained excuses for not doing their work.

May 2017

FEATURES

International students fly around Northwest Anna Yang contributing writer

U

nknown to some students, many ESL and international students walk the halls of Northwest. ESL stands for “English as a second language,” and the program at Northwest currently maintains 17 students. The program gives students the opportunity to meet with a teacher and work on classwork and general speaking or writing skills.

“Usually these students arrive [in] Greensboro and are welcomed by the Newcomers School,” ESL teacher Patricia Alen said. “They spend one year [at the Newcomers School] and then go to their assigned school.”

The age of the student often greatly influences the ability of the individual to adapt to the foreign environment. In addition, how different English is from their native language determines the amount of difficulty students have in their new school.

“The younger the student is the better,” Alen said. “They learn the language as they are growing up and adapt more easily to their environment and peers. If they are older, shyness or self-awareness makes them feel like everybody else has their own group, which makes the cultural shock harder.”

Despite such barriers, international students are still able to create supportive friend groups.

“At first I didn’t know anyone, but now I

NW’s senior pranks throughout the years

Photo by Anna Yang

ESL teacher Patricia Alen demonstrates her use of Quizlet games to help international students learn English. Alen has helped many intelligent students reach their full potential by overcoming the language barrier they face when they move to the U.S.

have a ton of friends who accept me the way I am,” freshman Rosalie Wielemans said.

However, some international students, such as twelfth grader Justine Wielemans, did not have such an experience.

“I’m from a westernized country, [Belgium], so I didn’t [feel] so much of a cultural difference,” Wielemans said.

Instead, small scheduling differences and requirements can be a surprise.

A plethora of popping: Principal Ralph Kitley recalls a friendly prank during his time as assistant principal. The seniors filled the principal’s office with balloons—a lot of them—to the point where they principal couldn’t walk in the door. “[It was] pretty much victimless,” Kitley said. “[We] just had to pop balloons for a couple hours.”

Too many “2010s”: As an homage to their graduation year, the seniors of the class of 2010 renumbered all of the spaces in the lower parking lot with that number using sidewalk chalk. “It took a lot of time to do it, [and] it took a lot of time for somebody to come in and [clean it up], but it didn’t hurt much,” Kitley said. “It was pretty much a ‘victimless crime,’ so to speak. [It was] pretty funny.”

“This school was way bigger because I lived in a village in Belgium with a really, really small school,” Rosalie Wielemans said. “[The school] was from first to sixth grade, and we had one class per grade with 26 students [in each class]” Although cultural differences can be shocking, the academic success [of ESL students] is often not compromised. “[ESL] students are very smart, gifted students that are sometimes overlooked because they don’t have the ability express the knowledge in English,” Alen said. “Academically, we have to be very careful when we encounter an ESL student because just because they don’t know the language, doesn’t mean they don’t know anything.”

When there are problems with communication, teachers have different methods of conveying ideas to the students.

“We try to use a lot of images and body language, and if you have a student who has the same native language, you can buddy them together to help each other,” Alen said.

For international students, diplomas can sometimes restrict the courses available.

“Some classes I haven’t been able to take because I needed an international diploma,” Wielemans said. “I was going to take AP Art, but Belgium wouldn’t recognize the class.”

Currently, Northwest has ESL and international students from South Korea, Pakistan, Salvador, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Columbia and Nigeria.

While international students have some barriers to overcome, their successful adaption to the English language is impressive.

“How they make that leap is incredible,” Alen said.

Lawnmower procession: Students gathered at the church on Edgefield road with 20-25 riding lawnmowers and proceeded to drive their unusual rides and park them at the school. “That was pretty funny,” Kitley said. “That didn’t cause problems. [It] backed traffic up a little bit, but that wasn’t a big deal.”

Stephanie Mayer features editor

A

fter bearing almost four years of high school, many seniors feel that they need to leave their mark on the school. They set up tricky pranks, all extremely varied from year to year, hoping to go down as hilarious masterminds. In past years, Northwest has seen many of these hopeful jokesters, but some have proven to be more appropriate and effective than others.

May 2017

A slick (but really not-so-slick) move: Last school year, early in the morning, some seniors broke into the school and covered the floors of the new building with baby oil. It was considered trespassing and, to top it off, was a very nasty cleanup. “[The oil] was very slick, it was everywhere,” Kitley said. “That was just, I thought, very inappropriate and not fair to the classmates and not respectful to the adults in the building that work hard every day for the kids.”

Forget the forks: Seniors forked—or stuck forks in—the football field, with an obscene arrangement in the thick of it. “That can be okay, but they put, in the middle of it all, a sexually suggestive [display],” Kitley said. “And, you know, you’ve got middle school kids right there, and it’s not appropriate for any school setting.” Additionally, clean up can be quite disruptive. “It only takes a few minutes to [prank], but it can take hours and days to clean something like that up,” Officer Matt Parsons said.

Graphic by Stephanie Mayer

21

ENTERTAINMENT

Seniors never said it would be easy:

What made high school worth it for the Class of 2017 Playing the saxaphone

Faith Rickerts news editor

“[I] performed outside of school a lot, mainly for my church,” senior Shane Wheeler said. “I’ve also done a lot of performances around the city. Growing from marching band [is also one of my favorite memories.]

They taught me how to play loud.”

A

s the song “Seasons of Love” goes, there are “525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear,” counted in a year. Multiply that by four, and that’s more than two million minutes most students will spend in high school. While most of those minutes are spent studying, doing homework, taking notes or completing classwork, there are a few that stick out for their complete opposition to school. A few seniors shared what their favorite memories from high school are:

Lacrosse

“My favorite memory would probably be when the lacrosse team did ‘secret psych buddies’ before our conference championship game my sophomore year,” senior Savannah Parker said. “We were all so close and we won [that game], which is always bomb, but we were all so excited to play and everyone on the team was like a family.”

Traveling to Germany “I really enjoyed traveling to Germany,” senior Nathan Adams said. “I stayed with my host family for a month. I was there during the European championship for soccer, so I got to see lots of public viewings.

There’s lots of friendship, the German people are very, very nice. I made lots of new friends there. There’s a German word gemutlichkeit, which doesn’t have an exact translation, but it means companionship, sort of a warm feeling, and there was tons of that over there. It’s just a great country, a beautiful place to be.”

We the People

“Going with a past peep and Grace Kinley to stay in grad dorms for the night and work on essays until 3 a.m. and then going to see a couple of cases at the NC Supreme Court,” senior Blake Weaver said.

Making new friends

Photo contributed by Nathan Adams

Senior Nathan Adams’ favorite high school memory was visiting Germany in a month during the summer. As a junior, he hosted an exchange student and had the

“I first met some of my friends my freshman year,” senior Andrew Craven said. “I didn’t really know anyone [at the time], but we’ve been friends ever since, and they’ve helped me get through some stuff.”

Say What! College stereotypes,

superstitions and misconceptions Emma Fagerberg staff writer

Hazings

War on Roommates

Freshman 15 Friendship Famine

Apathetic Professors One fear that weighs heavily on the minds of rising college freshmen is the idea that they will gain 15 pounds. The “Freshmen 15” is a common phenomenon on campuses, but it is easily avoidable by eating healthily and hitting the gym regularly.

In contrast, there is also the risk of starvation. If you believe most people’s misconceptions about a college student’s diet, a great gift for a college freshmen would be a book called “100 Recipes for Preparing Ramen Cuisine,” as that is all they can afford to eat. Again, this is another superstition that roams college campuses. Students living on campus are required to have a meal plan that offers much more than just Ramen noodles.

Frats, sororities and college clubs are typically portrayed in a negative light, where they bully their new members. Typically, members have to prove their loyalty to a group and complete whatever may be demanded of them in order to be admitted in. Researching the organization can provide an idea of the group values and motives. Overall, it is great to join groups to form bonds with others, as no one likes to feel left out; however, no one really enjoys being hazed and confused, either.

As students depart from high school, they leave behind a loving and supportive network of teachers and administrators. They arrive at college and meet professors with huge class numbers and a high likelihood that they don’t know your name. Professors are seen as rigid, rude and disinterested in their endeavors, but they care. Why else would they go to school for so long just to become a professor?

22 www.northwesthorizons.com

Finding a roommate is a difficult task and decision, and some students leave it to the luck of the draw. Whether they are a slob, rude or just plain annoying, the classic roommate archetype seems to always make it seem as though they are the absolute worst. This is simply untrue, as most students try to appear pleasant around their roommates. However, if the idea of a horrible roommate plagues you at night, there are several ways that you are able to connect with people to find a roommate through social media, compatibility quizzes or meeting at orientation.

Once high school seniors graduate and move all over the country to attend college, bonds of childhood friendships are broken. Venturing into a new school and environment is difficult when you know a limited number of people. Because of this, college freshmen are viewed as loners. This stereotype is easily avoidable by simply reaching out to new people.

Graphics by Tai Van Dyke

May 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

If you give a lizard a book...

Faith Rickerts news editor

“O

h, what the heck?!”

In case you haven’t noticed, there is a lizard in the

library.

Dewey, a Chinese Water Dragon, was named after the book classification system the library uses, the Dewey Decimal System.

“He was a library pet at my last library [in Piney Grove Elementary School], so that’s where he got his start,” media specialist Natalie Strange said. “We had Dewey and Decimal; Decimal was a rabbit. She was evil, though. She was a really mean bunny.”

Decimal stayed behind at Piney Grove, but Dewey stuck with Strange and came to Northwest this year.

“I hear she’s eating spaghetti and ice cream now,” Strange said.

Students, as well as Strange agree that Dewey is living it up at Northwest like his furry friend is back at Piney Grove Elementary. “[The elementary schoolers] enjoyed him,” Strange said. “He didn’t get out as much with the kindergarten students as he does here; here there are a lot of students who have lizards as pets and enjoy handling him, so we can get him out more often. I’ve been surprised at how many fans he has at the high school.”

Students in Strange’s media assistant class enjoy having Dewey around, getting him out of his enclosure and letting him roam the room.

“I love Dewey,” senior Abby Fleck, a media assistant, said. “I had him out once, and then an entire class came in, and I had to pick him up immediately because he was running around, but then he scratched up my arms because he was [scared] and trying to get away. I felt so bad for him.”

Dewey has quite the personality for a lizard, but, contrary to what most students first think when they see him, he is not vicious in the least.

“I [first] thought he was going to attack us or something,” freshman Krystyna DerezinskiChoo said. “I just think he’s friendly now, like he just walks around.”

Even though Dewey has proven to be skittish when exposed to commotion, he can also be a calm, collected, attention-seeking lizard.

“Mostly, at the elementary school, he would wait until the kids would line up right beside him and he would jump onto the glass and slide his body down,” Strange said. “All the kindergarteners would scream, and I think he really enjoyed that [attention].

He would also do that during parent meetings at night, when it got quiet, he would slam his body against the glass. He did a few days ago; it was the first time I’ve seen him do it in a while.”

Anyone who enters the library is able to see Dewey chilling in his cage, but not everyone has been audience to his antics.

“I think he’s pleased with the amount of attention he gets in here,” Strange said.

“I think he was feeling ignored [before] because he didn’t really start slamming into the glass until after we got the bunny.”

It’s no spaghetti and ice cream, but most agree that Dewey is content with his new library. But the question still remains: why a lizard? And why is he in the library?

“I didn’t really want a lizard when I originally got him, I wanted a bunny, or a hedgehog, but at the time, there was the question of whether or not the school board would allow mammals in a library,” Strange said.

After an unfortunate incident regarding a library turtle, Strange adopted Dewey.

“You couldn’t go back to school without

colorful wall and a lizard, so I think he helps bring

anything after you had even a turtle that doesn’t do anything.”

Luckily, Dewey seemed to be the perfect fit for a high school library, according to students who frequent the media center.

“A lot of kids come to the library to come check him out and look at what he’s doing, it’s cool,” freshman Shelby Harbough said.

Like a mascot or a beacon for books, many agree that Dewey draws students into the library like a moth to a flame.

“I think he’s been great at drawing people into the library that might not have come in otherwise,” Strange said. “And maybe while they’re here they’ll see some other things that are interesting, which would be great.

So I think he’s a good way to sort of break the ice and make the library a more accessible place to be.”

The media center has undergone a multitude of changes this year, including murals on the walls, a puzzle table and an art alcove.

“I think he helps make [the library] a little different,” Fleck said. “Normally, when you walk into a library, you expect to see only books, but really, when you walk into our library, the first thing you see is this

some freshness in.”

Dewey has been in the library since the very first day of school, but it seems like there are some students who still don’t realize there’s a lizard in the library.

“Oh, yo, what the heck?” junior Teddy Gaither exclaimed upon seeing Dewey for the first time. “That’s kind of cool looking.

He seems kind of out-of-place in a library, though.”

Once students start to get to know Dewey, however, it becomes clear that he is the perfect animal to fit the space.

“I think that’s the point [to have a lizard], because you don’t see animals like him everyday, so people want to come see him, see what he’s all about.” Harbough said.

Reptiles are relatively easy creatures to care for, and they usually live for many years. Lizards of Dewey’s species typically live up to 20 years in captivity. With their quiet persona, flexible schedule and enrapturing presence, it seems that a lizard is best suited for a home in a library.

“If something were to happen to Dewey, I would be tempted to get another [lizard],” Strange said. “He’s a very easy pet to have. He’s a mischievous lizard, but he’s a great pet.”

Photo by Faith Rickerts

Library ‘mascot’ Dewey the Water Dragon poses during a photoshoot. Dewey was introduced to the library this year.

Netflix and chill out this summer Horror: “American Horror Story”

Emma Fagerberg staff writer

Though each season the characters, setting and plot change, American Horror Story’s cast continues to bring back fans.

Some of the already covered themes include a murder house, an asylum, a coven living in New Orleans, a freak show and a haunted hotel in Los Angeles. “[‘American Horror Story’] is kind of weird and freaky, and I like that about the show,” freshman Miranda Rivera said.

“Evan Peters was really hot, too.”

A

s staying inside for the summer has become more of a habit and tradition every year, most students end up “binge-watching,” or quickly watching seasons of various TV show series on Netflix. Here are some of the already popular as well as some up-and-coming shows on Netflix that may work for you whether you prefer horror, action or even just a good crime drama. Get ready to curl up on the couch, pig out on your snacks and enjoy the show.

Crime Drama: “Criminal Minds” Based in Quantico, Virginia, the show follows the jobs of FBI agent in the behavioral analysis unit. In each episode, they work to find the criminal by investigating their crimes and developing profiles on their psyche.

“I want to be a forensic scientist and I find that [‘Criminal Minds’] is very useful,” junior Rose Warosh said. “It is kind of a mix of fun and educational.”

May 2017

Photos contributed by Haleigh Cadd

Students veg out on the couch in front of the TV binge-watching Netflix. Many will spend their summer days glued to the TV trying to squeeze in one last episode.

Adventure: “The Flash” Meet Barry Allen, a forensic scientist and the fastest man alive--thanks to a lightning strike and a chemical cocktail. In the show, Barry teams up with other Meta-Humans to fight for justice in Central City.

“It’s different because it has a kind of supernatural element to it and it makes the impossible possible,” sophomore Mohsin Iqbal said.

Animation: “Bob’s Burgers” Bob Belcher, with the help of his wife and three kids, works to keep his burger retaurant open. With seven total seasons, there are plenty of struggles and successes you can watch their family go through. “[I like ‘Bob’s Burgers’] because it has good comedy,” senior Joseph Wakim said.

“Bob is my favorite character.”

Sci-Fi: “Stranger Things” When a young boy goes missing after a late night, the whole town helps to look for him. Little do they know that his world has been turned upside down. While he is missing, a young girl appears in town, claiming to know something about his disappearance.

Follow Mike, Dustin and Lucas on their many adventures to help a lost girl and save their lost friend.

“I like [‘Stranger Things’] because it keeps you on the edge of your seat with cliffhangers and it explores parallel universes,” chemistry teacher Ashlee Clark said.

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May 2017