senior edition
Where are they going? page 8
What’s Inside News
Northwest Guilford High School • 5240 Northwest School Road • Greensboro, NC • Volume 51 Issue 4 • May 2014
Class of 2014
When are exams? Here is the complete schedule
page 4
Op/Ed
College expenses continue to increase
page 7
Spread
What disasters have you seen?
page 10
Features
Students choose alternatives to college
page 19
Index
news 2-4 op/ed 5-7 seniors 8-9, 12-13 spread 10-11 sports 14-15 arts & culture 16-17 features 18-19 entertainment 20
You can change the world Graphic by Nikole Nguyen
Sarah Deutchki & Satoria Ray co-editor in chief & staff writer
S
inger Steven Morrissey once said, “You may not realize this, but people have the power to change the world.” Anyone can change the world. It doesn’t take just one action or one type of person to do something significant in the little time spent on Earth. A combination of characteristics allows a person to make a life-changing discovery or even just a small impact on someone’s life. There are so many qualities in a potential world-changer, and certain noticeable qualities are exhibited in the students here at Northwest. Leadership. Innovation. Intelligence. Compassion. Conviviality. Teachers encourage students to utilize these abilities in their everyday lives in hopes that by the time they are seniors, they
Leadership
Olivia Anderson
have learned everything they need ties any good leader must have. to to be prepared to branch out Though not the only great leader into the world. at Northwest, Anderson is a leader Senior Olivia Anderson started by example in her openness and exploring her ability to lead others acceptance of others. long before she became a senior. Leadership can be learned over “Being a leader with all of the time; however, intelligence cannot. power you Intelligence is an receive, it is Empathy and sym- essential quality easy to let it of a world-changpathy for others is er, but it’s not go to your head,” Ander- necessary to change something that son said. “You is taught, and it need to realize the world. People re- is not something that although that is learned. you are a lead- member the kindness It is difficult to er, you have to that has been shown measure degrees communicate of intelligence. to them. with all types Senior Danny of people.” Streeter believes Beginning senior Caroline Taney that there are her junior many types of year, Anderson took on the role intelligence that can be applied to of junior class vice president, and many different aspects of schoolthis year as a senior, she is senior work. class president and the president “Some people have the advanof the National Honor Society. tage of having an inclination toShe also holds a secretary position ward a math or science or being in the Gay-Straight Alliance club, really good in a particular field, but exemplifying a few of the quali- I don’t think intelligence is just test
“
”
Intelligence
Innovation
Danny Streeter
Sam Pool
Compassion
Caroline Taney
scores,” Streeter said. “It applies to every area, even arts and music. Those require different kinds of intelligence.” Streeter is right. Intelligence is not just measured in test scores, and it can be any degree of intellect. And what is intelligence without a little innovation? To be innovative, one must have imagination. But such creativity like innovation is not simply inventing something as some people may think. Innovation is finding a way to apply a new method or solution to a problem. Senior Sam Pool exhibits much of the attitude of an innovative person. His curiosity leads him to try to find his own way to solve a problem, especially in math and sciences. “I always need to play around with [equations] and see what works,” Pool said. “I hate it when teachers give you an equation and expect you to just accept it.” On the other side of a worldSee “World changers,” pg. 2
Sociability
Elise Wright
News
Page 2
May 2014
Summer reading undergoes changes Melanie Jenkins staff writer
It’s that time of year again. Local libraries are adding to the waiting lists for “Invisible Man,” Edward McKay’s is sold out of every copy of “A Long Way Gone” and Barnes and Noble is beginning to set up their designated table for every student’s favorite pastime: summer reading. “[Summer reading] helps the students stay active during the summer,” English teacher Lora Doby said. “It’s just the same as reading during the school year.” Summer reading books are chosen in order to correspond with students’ upcoming curriculum and are intended to help students begin the transition. Teachers have chosen books that contain themes that pertain to student’s lives outside of school in an effort to keep students interested in the books. Students dread being tested the first week of school, especially if they read the books back in June. However, next year, tests won’t take place until after a week has passed. The tests will be more about the book’s themes and less on what students can recall. “Were going to move away from factual tests and try to use the book more,” English teacher Monica Clark said. “We’re going to focus more on the themes.”
Unlike years in the past, the amount of books that rising seniors are required to read has been lightened slightly. The reason for this is so that when the new seniors return from summer vacation, they can start working on their college resumes and apply for college scholarships early in the year. For the upcoming 2014– 2015 school year, both current and rising high school students are responsible for reading their designated summer reading books. The full list of books required for students to read can be found on the Northwest Guilford high school homepage under the tab labeled “Students.” “I’m not against [summer reading] as long as it’s not a huge amount of reading,” freshman Allison Rountree said. “I think the selection of reading should broaden.” Rising seniors and sophomores are required to complete a written assignment on their designated books and turn it in on the first day of school. It’s advised that students take these assignments seriously as teachers will collect the completed work and most likely quiz students on what they should have read. “The goal is to have summer reading really be something that is addressed throughout the year,” AP English literature teacher Joan Baer said.
Photo by Brenna Profit
Freshman Lilac Rain Thompson sits in the busy hall reading a summer reading book. English classes will assess summer reading during the first two weeks of school, with a stronger emphasis on the themes of the chosen books.
Rising 9th grade
This Summer’s Books
CP:
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie
Honors:
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie Mythology (Parts 1, 4 and 5)
Rising 10th grade
Rising 11th grade
Rising 12th grade
A Long Way Gone
The Catcher in the Rye
The Time Machine
CP:*
Honors:*
A Long Way Gone Life Of Pi
*Assignment available on school website
Alterations made to Summerfield’s 2014 Founders’ Day Festival
Sarah Boggins staff writer
The Founders’ Day Festival is an annual fair that takes place in the historic town of Summerfield. This year’s festival was held on May 16 and 17. This year was the 18th annual year that the festival had taken place. In 2013, the Northwest High jazz band played in the 12:00 session, and the marching band performed in the parade. “Last year was the first year performing for the jazz ensemble,” band director Brian McMath said. “We had done the parade many times before.” Last year, the parade included a little friendly competition. “The parents were really loud,” sophomore Sarah Geib said. “They were cheering us on because Northern was in front of us in the parade.” This year, the bands did not perform in the festival. “I had another commitment ,and the drum line was here [Northwest] at a camp that day,” McMath said. However, the Northwest jazz band will be playing at other events this year. “The jazz band will be per-
Photo printed with permission
A street performer entertains the crowd at the 2013 Founders’ Day Festival. This year, the Northwest band did not perform at the festival as it has done in years past due to a previous commitment.
forming at the Northwest Middle School concert,” McMath said. The Founders’ Day Festival this year was different than in previous years. The parade took place at its usual location (Summerfield Road), while the rest of the fair took place at the Summerfield Athletic Park. The festival started with a performance by the Northern Guilford High School music department. Throughout the days it
took place, the festival included rides, food venders, music and dance performances, a history tent, camel rides and “Hogway Speed Racing” (a race ran by pigs). The parade for the festival started at the Summerfield Elementary School and ended just past the Summerfield fire station. This year, the Founders’ Day Festival drew in many people, like it has in years’ past.
CP:
Honors:
A Streetcar Named Desire Huck Finn
AP:
A Streetcar Named Desire Black Boy Huck Finn
CP:
Honors:*
1984 The Time Machine
AP:*
All the Pretty Horses How to Read Literature Like a Professor
World changers cont. from page 1
changer lies the emotional side. World-changers do not just change the world for themselves. In them lies compassion and sociability. Compassion can be anything like sympathy and concern for others. Compassionate people are often a fueled by a strong desire to help people in need of assistance. Senior Caroline Taney tries to express compassion in her everyday life. “Empathy and sympathy for others is necessary to change the world,” Taney said. “People remember the kindness that has been shown to them.” Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” Taney says that she tries to keep Angelou’s thought in her mind every day. Cordiality and social skills go hand-in-hand. Being convivial can help one with making friends and long-lasting connections. World-changers need to feel connected to others to truly feel like they are making a difference. Senior Elise Wright has been sociable and friendly ever since
she was young. Being sociable has helped her reach out to even the quietest people and befriend them. It has also helped Wright make lasting connections not only with her friends but also her teachers. “[Being social] has helped me talk to teachers more and build relationships with them,” Wright said. “[Being friendly] is how I made friends in middle and high school.” Of course, a world-changer possesses all of these qualities and more. There is no specific type of person able to do it. There is no single way to change the world either. There’s no novel or class “How to Change the World 101.” The important thing to remember is that everyone is capable of affecting their surroundings in some way. They just have to be brave enough to seize the moment and run with it. As another year passes by, another group of seniors is off to the real world. Off to make a difference or an impact on someone’s life. “It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that’s like you after you take your hands away.” –Ray Bradbury
News
May 2014
Page 3
Havoc in Venezuela: Protests erupt Harley Nefe staff writer
Protests against the government in Venezuela have been happening since February of this year. Ever since the opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, was arrested Feb. 18, havoc on the streets has increased tremendously. The commotion began when President Hugo Chavez passed away and Nicolas Maduro succeeded him March 5, 2013. As a result of this, social and economic issues have begun to increase, fueling the protests. At first, students were only protesting for improvement in the education system. “There are times when schools will get closed for days just because the government turns off the electricity throughout the cities or shuts down the internet,” Northwest 2012 graduate Ana Nino Combs, who has family in Venezuela, said. People soon began joining in the protests, and now they are more for the country’s freedom. Protesters are demanding better security, an end to shortages of common goods and protected freedom of speech rights. Overall, they just want to see Maduro resign. Flour, cooking oil, butter and milk are all examples of common goods of which the country has a
major shortage, reflecting on the poor state of the nation’s economy. A lot of people in Venezuela are scared for what might come next, so they hoard and buy as many goods as they can for themselves. Those actions lead to others having a lack of goods. Not only are there people buying too many goods, but there are others that can’t afford them at all. “The average salary daily is 109 Bolivares, which converts to $17 a day, and the food is priced too high for many of the people to afford a lot of goods,” Combs said. Trying to help with the dearth of goods, the government of Venezuela came up with a new ID system. When people go to buy an item at a grocery store, they have these new cards that keep track of all their purchases. “Every time you go buy something at the grocery store, they count what you buy, and limit the number of products you can buy depending on the size of your family,” Combs said. People who oppose the government blame poor price control and the lack of money the country has to import more goods. “The relationships the government had established with other countries are not lasting like they should,” Combs said. “Maduro has even wanted to block the Panama Canal and forbid certain people
Photos contribuited by Ana Nino Combs
Former Northwest student Ana Nino Combs (Class of 2012) is seen with her family in multiple baby photos from her time in Venezuela. A decade ago, the country was relatively at peace; however, today riots ravage the streets.
into the country.” The opposition’s leader, Lopez, turned himself in Feb. 18 after days of hiding. Lopez was arrested for allegedly inciting violence that broke out during protests in which three people were killed. “Lopez turned himself in because he believed it would give
people more of a reason to fight, and it did,” Combs said. People have joined together to fight back against the government, and protests have been happening nonstop ever since. At least 39 people have been killed in protestrelated violence. “The only thing that could help
Venezuela would be to replace the current regime with one who believes in personal freedoms,” social studies teacher Robert Ayers said. “Their domestic and foreign policies would have to help create jobs and to give the people access to adequate food and necessities; however, it will not be easy.”
Road construction abounds in Greensboro Mackenzie Mitchell staff writer Road construction affects every driver, and the projects that are being put into place in Greensboro could require some major changes to the normal routes drivers take to get from destination to destination. According to the NC Department of Transportation’s website, the last of these developments will not even be started until around 2019. “It’s a huge project that’s going to be finished really late,” junior Hannah Hamilton said. A few prominent construction plans in progress include the bridge replacement on Bunch Road, the widening of West Market Street, the widening of U.S. 220 and the completion of the Greensboro Urban Loop. Bunch Road is currently undergoing a plan that includes replacing the bridge that runs over Reedy Fork Creek. The project started in early March and the bridge replacement is actually scheduled to begin this summer.
The point of this replacement is to install a much larger bridge in its place. It will include a shoulder on both sides and a 10-feet-wide footpath. It will be reopened on Oct. 1, 2014. “The bridge on Bunch Road does affect me because that’s the way I [travel to get to my destination],” math teacher Michelle Halchin said. For now, the detour drivers must take includes traveling along both Stanley Huff and Pleasant Ridge Roads to avoid the closed-off section of Bunch Road. West Market Street is currently undergoing a widening of lanes; the construction zone beginning at the exit onto Highway 68—or at the intersection of West Market St. and Burgess Road—and ending at the intersection to Sandy Ridge Road. Both the exits to and from 68 and West Market St. are also being widened. “West Market Street’s a mess,” senior Avery Downs said. With cones covering the majority of its median lanes and in-
side lanes, there are limited detour routes on this popular street. “It’s a little bit confusing,” Halchin said. “Siri was telling me to turn when I wasn’t supposed to turn, and I was thinking, ‘Oh no, what am I supposed to do?’” For those who travel further down West Market St. to get into Kernersville, the construction may become more of a problem. “[The construction company] switched the roads around, so now you have to go down different lanes,” junior Rahul George said. “It makes it harder [for me] to go home.” Highway 220 is presently two lanes wide, but will be widened to consist of four lanes by 2016. Construction began in 2012. The result of this project is expected to be less congestion on the highway. The lanes will be widened between Horse Pen Creek Road and Winfree Road. The biggest development the construction force is currently working on is the completion of the Greensboro Urban Loop. “There’s not a good way to get onto [Interstate] 40 right now,” Halchin said. The Loop will solve this problem and give drivers a more direct route onto I-40 and into the Piedmont Triad International Airport.
It will also improve traffic flow and relieve congestion around I-40, I-85, and highways 29, 70, 220 and 421. The completed Loop will consist of 44 miles, according to NCDOT.gov, and 15 new miles are projected to be added around 2019. The impending portion of the Loop will cut across Bryan Boulevard, Fleming Road, Battleground Avenue, Lawndale Drive, North Elm Street, Yancyville Street, Huffine Mill Road, the future Cone Boulevard and highways 220, 29
and 70. That means major construction around these areas. “It looks like on Fleming there’s going to be some construction,” Halchin said. The Loop will be completed in sections, the Western Loop from Bryan Boulevard to 220 (Battleground Avenue) presently in progress, as well as the segment between highways 70 and 29. Construction for the next part of the Loop (from 220 to Lawndale Drive) will begin in 2017, and the next piece (Lawndale Drive to 29) in 2019.
Photos by Mackenzie Mitchell
Cars travel through the construction zone of US 220. By 2016, the road will be four lanes wide; other roads receiving construction at this time are as follows: Bunch Road, the Greensboro Urban Loop and West Market Street.
News
Page 4
May 2014
2014 Exam schedule
Calendar by Willa Ma
Two Northwest juniors accepted into NC Governor’s School Satoria Ray staff writer
The Governor’s School is a five-week summer program that takes place on two campuses: Governor’s School West at Salem College and Governor’s School East at Meredith College. It is the oldest statewide summer residential program for intellectually gifted high school students in the nation. The program is only open to rising seniors, with exceptions made for rising juniors in selected performing arts areas. Students are nominated by teachers, counselors and other school officials to go to the school. Two juniors, Bianca D’Souza and Jocelyn Linder, were selected to attend this summer. It’s been awhile since Northwest has had students attend the Governor’s School, because of its selectiveness. “Of the hundreds that apply, only a few are chosen,” 11th grade counselor Christine Puryear said. D’Souza was selected to attend for Spanish and Linder was selected to attend for math. “I wanted to apply to the Governor’s School because I knew I’d be around people who all share the love of Spanish like me,” D’Souza said.
D’Souza also says that Spanish teacher Thomas Soth influenced her decision to apply to the school. “He’s [Soth] instilled this love of Spanish that’s unexplainable,” D’Souza said. “He has made me not only love the language but the people and the culture.” Both Linder and D’Souza, and all the people who apply, go through an intense application process that involves writing essays. “First you have to qualify through grades and achievement testing,” Puryear said. “Then your application goes to the county level then the state level.” Linder, like D’Souza wanted to attend Governor’s School because of her love for math. “I wanted to gain more experience in math, something I am very passionate about,” Linder said. Linder says she was overjoyed when she found out she got accepted and can’t wait to be introduced to a new way of thinking. “I’m most excited about the programs I will get to participate in,” Linder said. Throughout the program, there will be guest speakers, field trips, exhibitions, performances and optional seminars for the students. “It’s known for a really good program where they learn a lot and do really good things,” Puryear said.
Juniors Jocelyn Linder (left) and Bianca D’Souza (right) were recently accepted into the Governor’s School, a selective summer program. Linder will be attending for math, and D’Souza will be attending for Spanish.
SAT to undergo changes in spring of 2016 Clare Kilmartin staff writer In spring of 2016, College Board’s SAT exam will undergo its first major changes since 2005. Although the changes may seem similar to the current test, they are noteworthy. “I do feel it’s necessary to change the SAT,” senior Megan Laughlin said. “It has become outdated.” The new test’s main goal is for it to align with high school curriculum and be available for all students to take. To help students prepare for the new exam, College Board will partner with Khan Academy to provide free SAT prep starting in spring 2015. “It’s accurate and concise,” guidance counselor Chris Puryear said. “I hear from teachers that Khan Academy is awesome. It will be very user friendly to students.” The free online test preparation is a resource intended to make the SAT more transparent and to cut back views and opinions of inequality regarding the overall expenses that come with SAT test preparation. “Paying for the test prep course is a deterrence to anyone lacking extra money,” Laughlin said. Khan Academy is planning to challenge the existing test preparation industry by offering high quality and easily accessible tools. In a CNN article, Khan stated that “it will be the best thing out there.” “Khan Academy test prep is a great idea,” Laughlin said. “I already watch their videos to do better in math and science classes, and I think the free program will be accessible to students.” The SAT exam will return to a 1600 scoring scale, as well. “Scores are only relevant to what other students do and what you’ve done before,” Puryear said. “It’s only a measure of how well you’ve done.”
The new test will include three sections. These sections are evidence-based reading and writing, math and an optional essay. The test will be retooled to stop students from filling in a bubble on an answer sheet. In a CNN article, College Board stated that it’s “not interested in students just picking an answer, but justifying their answer.” Reading and writing sections will question students and require them to cite evidence from passages. These passages will include science, history and literature. Students will no longer be asked to complete sentences with vocabulary in which they might have memorized. Instead, students will have to consider the context of the vocabulary and how it is used. The math section will now focus on data analysis and problem solving. However, the math section will no longer contain the luxury of a calculator in every portion. The SAT essay, which has been criticized from educators since being added in 2005, will also undergo changes. The essay will now be optional and scored separately. The prompt will ask students to consider a passage and analyze how the author made an argument, used evidence, and styled ideas. “I definitely see that SAT is being transformed on every aspect,”
junior Kailyn Akers said. The restructured exam will take about three hours with an additional 50 minutes to write the optional essay. The test will be given by print and computer, also. College Board stressed the need to create more opportunities for students rather than obstructing them. Afterward, College Board is offering income-eligible students to receive free waivers to apply to four colleges for free. Although the new changes are intended to draw in students, in recent years, the ACT has gained popularity. Several states have adopted the ACT as part of their standardize testing program “The ACT is different,” Puryear said. “The SAT and ACT are different in what they test, but are both valid.” A majority of four-year colleges require an exam score for admissions. However, hundreds of schools offer test optional policies. “I do feel it is necessary to change the SAT because colleges are accepting ACT scores now in the place of the SAT,” Laughlin said. “The changes will bring in more students.” The College Board hopes students will breathe a sigh of relief because the exam will be focused, useful, open, clear and better aligned with the high school curriculum.
SAT changes: Current SAT exam - free test prep exam: -
unavailable 2400 scoring scale mandatory essay calculator active at all times test given in print
New SAT exam -
free test prep online 1600 scoring scale optional essay calculator inactive sections test given in print and on the computer Graphic by Clare Kilmartin
Editorial
May 2014
Page 5
Northwest Horizons seniors share their experiences on staff Carson Beam co-editor in chief Well, what can I say? Northwest Horizons has been such an integral part of my life for the past three years that I could hardly imagine life without it. But I don’t think even my freshman self could have envisioned what I have accomplished. If I told myself then, “Carson, you’re going to be editor in chief of the school newspaper someday,” I don’t think I would have believed myself. This class has helped me in ways and taught me skills that I display often without noticing. They’ve become a natural part of my personality. It’s helped me become a better leader, a better writer. It’s taught me how to raise funds when your school won’t give you any. It’s taught me the feeling of a deadline bearing down on you, and the satisfaction of having fulfilled it. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes: “I love deadlines. I love the sound they make as they go whooshing past.” Without hesitation, I can say that if I hadn’t gone down this road, I don’t know where I would be, but I know I would not be as happy as I am today. There is no better place for people who enjoy writing in the company of friends. I’ve never felt out of place, and I can’t recall any undue hostility, from my wonderful teacher or fellow colleagues. I want to thank everyone that has been a part of my journey, and I’m only sad it couldn’t have been longer. Thank you. Sarah Deutchki co-editor in chief Pen and paper became my best friends sophomore year when I joined journalism. One hour every day since then has been spent creating a work of art to share with the student body. I have spent roughly one-third of my time in high school on anything related to journalism. I’ve spent many days and nights interviewing people and writing articles. Despite my frustration sometimes or my lack of sleep many nights, I wouldn’t have spent my time in high school any other way. I joined journalism in hopes of improving my writing skills. Not only have I done that, but I have also learned useful writing skills that I will take with me to college and beyond. The most valuable thing I will take away from this experience is friendship. We have our moments, but I know I will always have people who share a common love for investigating and exposing the truth. And though I will not be pursuing a career in journalism, I will never forget the experience I had or the people I met. The last thing I must address is the reason for learning journalism and loving it so much. Northwest Horizons is blessed with the best teacher. No one will ever find a more compassionate and caring teacher in any other school. I feel so lucky that she gave me a chance to be a part of something so special. Liz Deutchki features editor “Journalism will kill you, but it will keep you alive while you’re at it.” ~Horace Greely Greely was right. Three years I have been on the newspaper staff. The hard work that has gone into the newspaper from both me and the other staff members is immeasurable. I have spent over 450 hours writing, interviewing, photographing and capturing more memories than one can keep to put into the newspaper. And they’ve been the best three years of my life. I have never felt more alive. The feeling I have gotten over the years when people were talking about the paper is indescribable. I remember wanting to join journalism. I loved writing more than anything in school. My classmates used to think that was weird because they hated it, but I didn’t care; I loved it. Joining journalism seemed like the best option for a young writer. As it turns out, I was right. I am now walking away from this staff having learned lessons that go far beyond the classroom. I cannot thank the staff ’s incredible teacher, Mrs. Huynh-Duc, enough for being the best teacher, friend and role model that I have ever had. Introducing me to journalism was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I have her to thank for that. My love for writing has grown so much over the years, and I hope it continues to grow. It has been a fantastic three years creating something so special, and I have never felt luckier to be a part of such a fantastic publication among such a wonderful group of peers and life-long friends.
Adviser
Sports Editor
Melanie Huynh-Duc
Willa Ma
Ralph Kitley
Liz Deutchki
Carson Beam Sarah Deutchki
Carson Beam
Principal
Editors in Chief News Editor Sarah Colby
Op/Ed Editor Jackson Parrish
Spread Editor Brenna Profit
Features Editor Arts & Culture Editor Entertainment Editor Nick Loschin
Webmaster Austin Drake
Graphics Editor Brenna Profit
Photo by Melanie Huynh-Duc
Six seniors are graduating from Northwest Horizons after serving a total of 13 years on staff. From left to right: Features editor Liz Deutchki, co-editor in chief Carson Beam, co-editor in chief Sarah Deutchki, spread and graphics editor Brenna Profit, staff writer Kara Profit and staff writer Thalia Villarosa.
Brenna Profit spread & graphics editor For the last two years, I’ve rolled out of bed an hour earlier than many other people. I’ve stressed over graphics, panicked about layout, stayed after school to take pictures, dealt with computer crashes, even written a few articles in my time, and I’ve loved every minute of it. The family we make in this class, Mrs. Huynh-Duc’s teaching, the Southern Interscholastic Press Association convention, the Chapel Hill field trip we go on every summer, are all memories that I will never forget. One day I’m sure I’ll forget about that one test I bombed, or how much I struggled with Algebra 2, but journalism is a class that will always stand out when I think back to my years spent here. It feels like yesterday that Mrs. Huynh-Duc pulled me aside in my fifth period English class and suggested I take journalism. Four years have flown by, and I know I wouldn’t be the same person I am today if it weren’t for this class or this publication. Kara Profit staff writer To summarize what high school is like would be very difficult if not impossible. These past four years that I have been at Northwest have been incredible. Over 24 teachers, five days a week for 180 days a year, I have made some memories that will go with me for my entire life. The classes that you choose to take are very important in your high school career. Because of them I have decided what I want to do after school. They can teach you life lessons, open your eyes to a different perspective and allow you to meet people you would have never had the opportunity to meet. Journalism has been one of the classes that has done this for me. It is in no way like any of the classes that you are required to take. We form relationships that are stronger than most and together pursue something more. When I leave for college, I do not know where exactly my path will lead. I do know, however, that my time spent at Northwest has prepared me for anything that will come my way. Thalia Villarosa staff writer With only three weeks left until we seniors walk across the stage and collect the one thing standing between us and adulthood, I find myself reminiscing through past events and memories from high school. When I was an underclassman, I heard upperclassmen say, “You really find yourself in high school.” I, for one, told myself that’s impossible, but I realize now that it’s true. I have to thank my teachers, friends and parents for this journey. Journalism gave me the opportunity to put my words to action. I am thankful for the opportunity I received coming into the class, and I am thankful for the Northwest community.
Staff Writers Bassam Bikdash Sarah Boggins Liz Hubbard Melanie Jenkins Clare Kilmartin Noah McCormick Lindsey McGuirk Mackenzie Mitchell Harley Nefe Nikole Nguyen Kara Profit Satoria Ray Thalia Villarosa Natalie Whitehead
Policies and Intent
Serving as the 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 it requires the approval of the majority of the editorial board. All members of the school community are encouraged to use Northwest Horizons to express their views. Letters must be signed when submitted.
Visit our website: www.northwesthorizons.com
Follow us online: @NWHorizons
Page 6
Opinion
HEAD
May 2014
2 HEAD
What’s the best NC vacation destination?
Beach Sarah Colby news editor When it comes to summertime, the first thing that comes to mind is sand and the ocean. Not only is the coast easily accessible from the Northwest area, but the beaches are also some of the best on the East Coast, and the area is rich with history and life. First off, the weather at the beach is nearly always perfect. Whether in the late spring, summer or early fall, you can almost always count on the beaches to be dotted with people looking to catch some rays. When it gets too hot, the ocean is always there to cool you off. “You can go to the beach in all weather, but you just can’t swim all the time,” freshman Savannah Parker said. In the wintertime at the beach, people still go around in board shorts and flip flops, rather than having to be bundled up in seven
layers of clothing to trudge through the snow. While the mountains boast cool weather year-round, what is there to do after the snow melts but before it gets warm enough to hike? “I love how relaxing the beach is,” junior Emma Halchin said. “There are also no allergies that make me suffer.” If you aren’t a huge beach bum, the coast has so much more to offer. In the port city of Wilmington, there is a thriving metropolitan area, a beautiful college, and Screen Gems, one of the largest film studios on the East Coast which has produced films and TV shows such as “Iron Man 3,” “One Tree Hill” and “Sleepy Hollow.” The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, though known as the “coastal college,” according to its website, is one of the most difficult in the state to get into, second only to UNC Chapel Hill. It is one of the
largest yet most underdeveloped campuses in the UNC system. “I’d love to go to UNCW,” Halchin said. “I want to be a marine biologist, so the beach is the perfect area.” Wilmington isn’t the only part of the coast that is well known. The Outer Banks draw people to North Carolina from all around the country, with its secluded, high rising sand dunes. The Cape Hatteras lighthouse, famous for its black and white spiral stripes, draws people to the coast to see a piece of history still alive and working today. Higher along the coast is the birthplace of the phrase “first in flight.” Kitty Hawk, with its Century of Flight Memorial and Wright Brothers National Memorial, attracts history and flight enthusiasts from all around. Though the common misconception is that the mountains are the only place with good camping, the National Seashore allows for camping for about $30 a night. While
there may be few trees from which to hang an Eno hammock, there’s an abundance of soft ground on which to lie. “Camping at the beach is nice because the sand is very soft, and you don’t have to close your tent from creatures,” Halchin said. There is an abundance of recreational activities to do at the beach, even if they’re not beach related. Because of the flat, fruitful ground, sports fields do extremely well on the coast. “I love to play lacrosse at the beach,” Parker said. In the mountains, it is not as easy to make these fields, unless you want to play on the side of a mountain. While the mountains are ever eroding, with humans smashing through to make their way, it seems the beach is constant. Forever beating in and out along our coast, the steady rhythm and power it possesses can help to reset one’s internal clock and give a restful, relaxing vacation.
Mountains Noah McCormick staff writer
There’s no place like the mountains. The peace and tranquility brought about by the beautiful masses of land is unique and unlike anything you could ever find anywhere else. It’s perfect for the much needed getaway or stress-reliever, and it’s sure to relax your body as much as it will your state of mind. But how they do this is the true miraculous event that should persuade all travelers to visit North Carolinian Mountains. “I like the atmosphere at the mountains,” sophomore Scott Jobe said. “It’s much more calm and tranquil than something I’d expect at the beach.” In fact, the topic regarding what to do in the mountains is not only a matter of its grand scale, but also the scope of quality activities and memories that can be shared there. Whether it’s biking down twisted dirt paths, camping on the brink of a gorgeous canvas, or touring the mansion of Biltmore, the mountains region of our
historic state is sure to surprise you in terms of what all it has to offer. “I really enjoy hiking in the outdoors and being able to experience nature in all of its beauty and excitement,” said junior Lauren Alemanni. “It’s great exercise and a great way to have a lot of fun.” Choosing to visit this natural and isolated location instead of the beach isn’t just a matter of the west peaks having something for everyone, but also the fact that the east shores have so many problems. Beaches are the number-one voted travelling destination across America. This is largely due to convenience and outdated tradition. However, those who live in between the two have a clear opinion on which is best. “Living in the heart of North Carolina, I’ve had my fair share of visiting both locations on many occasions,” junior Christy Doyle said. “The over populated and loud atmosphere of the beach degrades the meaning of a vacation. Sometimes, I just feel like I can’t take it any more, which is why I’d much rather prefer somewhere as soothing and graceful as the mountains.”
These factors merrily add on to the multiple inconvenient assets of going to the beach. Its redundant, loud and cluttered atmosphere is nearly unescapable for miles, and there’s enough sand and grit to follow you back home. “There are so many downsides hidden about the beach, many being physically and mentally painful,” sophomore Marissa Millard said. “When families and couples travel there from in and out of state, most of them neglect to take in account for the many downsides, such as getting sunburnt, getting stung by jellyfish, and being surrounded by all of the sand in the world.” The best part of the mountains, though, is that they really do have something for everyone. Whether you're the philosophical insider trying to seek peace, or an active dare-devil who goes places for the sake of adventure, the mountains will always have you covered. However, a location can’t be a true travel destination without the land having a significant history. Thankfully, the mountains have the historical aspect of a vacation fully covered.
For example, you could trace back each and every last hidden landmark in its wild jungle or keep things simplistic and tour the largest mansion in the country, which is filled with enough bells and whistles to make you become lost in your own mind. When consulting your summer getaway, people need to account the definition of a vacation, what Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines as: “a period of time that a person spends away from home, school, or business usually in order to relax or travel.” Being stressful in order to be stressfree seems quite ironic under most circumstances. So go somewhere where you can genuinely kick back, relax and let nature take its course in relaxing your body. These qualities are all present in the North Carolina mountains. “It’s generally quitter, has less people and transforms you into a more peaceful environment,” sophomore David Mayes said. When planning your vacation this summer, think logically. From Boone all the way to the Appalachians, you’ll receive the peaceful respite you were always seeking. Photos provided by Sarah Colby and Noah McCormick
May 2014
Opinion
Page 7
ollege onundrum: The problems with paying for college NW faculty’s student debt
Legend
(Percent of NWHS faculty who responded)
10 percent 11.7 percent 3.3 percent 5 percent 70 percent
Graphic by Nikole Nguyen
Out of 60 NW faculty members who responded to an email survey, 70 percent (42 faculty members) are debt free while 30 percent (18) still owe money from their student loans. Ten percent of faculty members owe more than $20,000, evidence that student loans can be crippling many years after a person graduates from college.
Bassam Bikdash staff writer $64,538. This can buy two brand new Toyota Camrys or serve as a 20-percent down payment on a $300,000 home. Or it can pay for the 2014-2015 school year at North Carolina’s Wake Forest University. It’s unjust and unfair that the cost of going to college rises annually. It can be argued that the debt that follows college graduates is just as bad if not worse than not going to college at all. It’s unfair, especially today, because it prevents some people from getting the essential higher education needed for a job and a life. “I believe that we cannot expect our generation to feel like education is important when many of us can’t afford to pursue a degree in higher education,” junior Julia Williams said. “The rising cost is pushing away many who would want to develop their education.” College tuition has been increasing for quite some time now. And it has increased a lot. Between 1978 and 2008, private college tuition and fees have increased by a factor of about 10. The increase is faster than the cost of living and medical costs combined; grants and scholarships can barely keep up. Now why has this change occurred? There may be a couple of explanations. A reduction in state funding is one cause of public colleges having to jack up their prices. Reductions in state funding almost perfectly mirrors a percent increase in tuition. Another reason could be the
GCS goes to Twitter: How far is too far?
schools, others use it to attack and complain to the person running the account. Many have begun to attack this person behind the curtain With the ever-evolving world of social of their Twitter account, thinking they are media becoming more and more instantaneous, protected. Phrases like “stfu gcs” and “go to hell” which Guilford County Schools needed a new way to reach students. To solve this problem, they come from students, are unnecessary and highly rude. Often these attacks come during inclement turned to Twitter. GCS created a Twitter account for students, weather, and the person running the account is trying to get out a message of staff and parents to ask delays or closings as soon as questions and stay updated. he or she hears it. However, with the insistent “All they are telling us asking for college acceptance is what the Board [of selfies and, on snow days, Education] is telling them,” “snowfies” from students, this freshman Savannah Newton account has become far from said. “They aren’t coming up professional. with the decision themselves. “When it was first made, We shouldn’t shoot the it didn’t seem like an adult messenger.” [was running the account],” Graphic by Sarah Colby These Internet attacks freshman Marcia Lacopo said. In addition to asking for student selfies, often seem like a good source of laughs for other the person running the account bargains out students, but these fights are deleterious to the “follows” to whomever they please, showing too image of authority of the GCS account when they reply to these rude and vulgar messages. much interaction with the students. “I don’t think they should be taking [their In reply to a response to a previous tweet, the GCS account said “@slorcat anger] out on the Twitter account,” senior Zoe AWESOME! Congrats-- you get a #followback Schulze said, “but most Internet fights are dumb #gcscollegebound.” Though promoting a sense anyway.” Perhaps it’s up to the GCS Twitter account of community, this type of interaction is highly unprofessional because it blurs the line between manager to be professional. As junior Alicia an administrator and just another follower on Andrews said, he or she is an authority figure. “I don’t think some of their comments are Twitter. This lack of professionalism has created a false school appropriate,” Andrews said. “Whoever sense of comfort, for then the students begin to it is, I don’t think they should interact with relax and interact with the account. While some students. They’re an authority figure when use it as a way to ask questions pertaining to their they’re acting as a friend.” Sarah Colby news editor
competition of universities. Each one wants to look better than its competitors, so they spend copious amounts of money to improve their facilities and faculty. Of course, this money has to come from somewhere; usually from hard-working, tuition paying students and their parents. “I think it’s unnecessary. [Colleges] encourage us to get an education just so they can get money to make their bushes look nicer,” senior Sam Pike said. Another unfair disadvantage that stems from rising college costs is the ridiculous amounts of student debt. The thing about student loan debt is that it doesn’t go away, even if you declare bankruptcy. Normally, after declaring bankruptcy your debts are wiped clean and forgotten, but $100,000 of student loan debt stays with you and must be paid back. According to the organization of American Student Aid, about 20 million students attend college every year. About 60 percent of them, which is about 12 million students, borrow money annually to help cover the costs. This has resulted in a total of somewhere between $902 billion and $1 trillion of total student debt in the US. According to CNN News, as of 2013, the average amount of student debt is $29,400 upon graduating, but it can be much higher. This situation, if not a worse one, is happening to 12 million people and counting every year. “I have $16,000 of college debt, but started off with $36,000,” science teacher Dr. Sawyer said. “I’ve carried it for 12 years, but I only started paying it off seven years ago. Mine’s not too bad considering I have a doctorate degree; some people end up with
$100,000. I really, really want to caution students going to college to be aware of the job market for their field and likely income when they graduate. Doing a cost-benefit analysis is very helpful.” Most of the time, not going to college is not an option. America has made a transition from a manufacturing economy to a servicebased economy, which basically means that people produce services instead of goods: they offer their knowledge and time to improve productivity, performance, potential and sustainability. Working at Apple or Google, being a barber, owning a business or even being a teacher—these are all jobs that provide services and require a higher education. The United States isn’t a manufacturing society anymore; most medium and high paying jobs require formal training. When you can’t get a decent college education, you are being cheated of a life that could’ve happened. So how do we fix this problem so everybody has a fair chance at college? State governments could increase funding for colleges; this would effectively reduce the need to keep tuition very high. Dr. Ronald Ehrenberg of Cornell University proposed another solution. Instead of trying to improve their quality by spending more and more money, they should try to increase efficiency or reallocate funds. This would potentially lower tuition costs, but colleges may prefer not to make that choice in order to gain more revenue. A good education in our society is important and being denied that right just because some people in our government want to move funds away from education at the expense of someone’s financial security is incredibly unfair.
SNOW DAYS
Students share their opinions on how GCS handled snow day makeups “I was happy to get spring break back. I needed to get things done.” -sophomore Lauren Castillo
“I really didn’t care. I took my whole spring break.” -freshman James Linden “People already had plans. It’s not fair that we had to change them.” – senior Colton Luchs “It was only a few days of spring break. It’s not like anyone was here anyway.” -senior Chelsey Coble
Page 8
Seniors
May 2014
Senior plans for the future Where will your friends be next year?
Allen, Arthur Scott Amick, Peyton N Anderson, Alexandra L Anderson, Emily J Anderson, Olivia S Anderson, Rachael Ann Angermeier, Robert Shane Arkiszewski, Rachel M Arledge, Treyton James Arnold, Ashley Nichol Arrington, John Richard Ashby, Justin Maurice Ayub, Zeeshan Ahmed Bailey, Margaret Alyssa Barber, Catrena Ruth Barusic, Matthew N Bateman, Carlie Rae Bazemore, Imani J Beam, Carson A Beck, Catherine Lucinda Beck, Christopher Matthew Reese Bellenkes, Jackson Finley Bello, Elias D Benavides, Monica Lizbeth Bethea, Alaina Nicole Bethea, Jacob Lee Billips, Hampton Michael Bills, Jeremy Austin Bills, Matthew A Bird, Haley Renee Bixler, Sydney Nicole Blackburn, Adam Scott Blackburn, Alyssa Rose Boggs, Anna Katherine Boggs, Hunter J Bomkamp, Sarah Elizabeth Bondarenko, Darya Boscia, Paul Vincent Broertjes, Summer Elizabeth Brown, Ahmani M Brown, Erin Leigh Brown, Layne K Brown, Logan Dane Brown, Parker W Bryant, Christian Alexander Buford, Autumn Jo Bugg, Kayla August Bunnell, Thomas J Burke, Janalee Ann Byrd, Preston Matthew Cabana, Samantha Ann Campfield, Evan Jeffrey Campo, Ilona Marie Canady, Clayton Allen Gray Cano, Ana Pierina Carrera Altamirano, Roxana Michelle Carter, Ashley Gail Carter, Calvin Dmitri Carter, Faith Elizabeth Carter, Jessica Nicole Case, Jessica Storm Chavis, Imani Zhane Cho, Youjin Choi, Christine M Chong, Alejandro Tae Christopher, Sarah A Clark, April Bailey
ECU University of Minnesota UNCG App State Simpson College App State WCU ECU NC State UNCW UNCG Lenior-Rhyne Undecided App State UNCG App State NC State UNC-CH App State GTCC NC State UNC-CH Dartmouth College UNCG NC A&T GTCC NC State Undecided GTCC GTCC UNCG UNCW App State NC State Unknown at time of publication Queen’s University St. Mary’s College GTCC UNCG Undecided USC-Columbia GTCC GTCC NC State Undecided UNCW GTCC UNC-CH UNCG UNCG GTCC UNCG UNCG App State Work/Undecided Undecided NC State Air Force UNCW Univ. of Alabama-Birmingham GTCC Undecided UNCG UNCG Guilford College Pitt CC ECU
Clark, Brandon Lloyd Clark, Sean Barron Clausen, Harold Alexander Coble, Chelsey Nicole Codispot, Dante Alexander Cole, Nathan E Collison, Jacob William Comer, Callison G Connelly, Ellaina Nicole Conway, Zachary A Cook, Corbin Reed Cook, Matthew Whitford Corbett, Meredith Anne Corcoran, Mary Michelle Cothran, Travis H Cox, Dillon Kelvey Cox, Jessica Nicole Craig, Sarah Jane Crandall, Jonathan Daniel Cronan, Michael A Cronan, Noah Andrew Cunningham, Breanna M Dadul, Janelle Aimee Dail, James Samuel Dalton, Jordan Elizabeth Dami, Leah T Davidson, Kensey G Davidson, McKenzie Morgan Davis, Brittany Nicole Davis, Crystal Coe Davis, Joshua Michael Davis, Maxwell B Davis, Nicole Lee Davis, Shelby R Dawson, James M Defeo, Ryan P DeGree, Meagan Nicole De La Rosa, Alexander Dennis, Jacob Lee Deutchki, Elizabeth K Deutchki, Sarah C Dillon, Cameron Ray Dix, Christian King Donelson, Tyler R Doss, Erica Elizabeth Douglas, Kiane Angelique Douglas, Tristen James Downs, Avery Cole Drake, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Dry, Nathan Robert Dunlap, Mitchell Wesley Duran, Boris Andres Durham, William Blake Edwards, Robert Bowen Elam, Brionna Joy Erickson, Megan Lynn Estrada, Erik D Ettorchi, Anas Adam Evans, Bria Paris Evans, William Grant Everest, David R Everett, Colson S Fahnestock, Hannah Renee Fahnestock, Jack H Fallon, Conor Ian Fell, Madison Bryce Fergus, Leslie Michelle
Army UNCC UNCG UNCP Undecided Air Force UNCG GTCC UNCG Undecided Wingate App State UNC-CH UNC-CH NC State GTCC Campbell Unknown at time of publication UNCC Unknown at time of publication GTCC GTCC Davidson Unknown at time of publication UNCG UNCG UNC-CH Breckinridge Central Carolina CC Undecided GTCC NC State UNCG UNC-CH Forsyth Tech App State ECU Undecided Work USC-Columbia USC-Columbia HPU Brevard UNCC Unknown at time of publication Undecided Unknown at time of publication UNCC GTCC Undecided UNCW GTCC GTCC UNC-CH WSSU GTCC UNCG UNCC Spelman College UNC-CH App State Pfeiffer Work UNCC UNCG Flathead Valley CC UNCG
“Undecided” means the student did not know his/her plans for next year. “Unknown at time of publication” means the student could not be reached.
A Decade of Disasters Northwest Horizons reflects on disasters throughout the years
NATIONAL DISASTERS Tragedy of 9/11 remembered 13 years later Sarah Colby news editor Frantic screams. Lost loved ones. Smoke and danger all around. Safety ultimately lost. These are the images in the minds of most when thinking about Sept. 11, 2001. When I was four years old, my mom would often take me to preschool on the back of her bike. Every day when we would come home, she would make me lunch, and then send me up to my room for a nap. That one day in September, I was feeling especially rebellious and didn’t want to sleep. I came down the stairs to find my mom on the phone, folding laundry, crying in the living room, the television on the wall repeating the same images of two tall white buildings crumbling and dust and smoke all over the streets of New York City.
Despite not knowing what was going on, I knew not to interrupt her phone call. “Where is he?” my mom frantically said. “Well, do you know if he flew today?” My mom’s older brother was a pilot set to fly that morning out of the LaGuardia airport in New York. “Let me know when you hear anything,” she said. The image of the first building collapsing played over and over on the TV in the back. She turned to me, and I, thinking I was going to be in trouble for not taking a nap, started to cry. She quickly grabbed me and hugged me tightly. Later that day, she received a phone call from her sister, informing her that my uncle had stayed home that day and was celebrating my cousin’s birthday. If it hadn’t have been for the good luck my uncle had, my family would have been altered for the rest of our lives. Thousands of people were affected by it; I could easily have been one of them, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have not had the life my four-year-old self barely knew ripped from me and shattered into thousands of pieces.
Virginia Tech shooting leads to summer camp lockdown Sarah Boggins staff writer The Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 was a horrific event, and it seemed that the school would be devastated forever. However, a few years later, everything seemed to go back to normal. During the summer of 2011, my sister and I went to a jewelry making camp at Virginia Tech, hosted by the All-Arts, Sciences & Technology camp. I was 13 years old and my sister was 11. We went to the camp in Virginia so that we could stay with our dad while we were there. One day during the camp, I was using a hot glue gun for a piece of jewelry when a loud beeping started. I thought I had set the fire alarm off with my glue gun, but I looked around to find that my group had gone quiet. I looked up to the electric sign at which they were staring. It normally had the date and time on it,
but instead it read: “Man with gun spotted on campus. Please lock your doors and remain inside.” Our counselor remained calm while I, and the rest of the kids, ran and hid under the desks in the room. The counselor informed us that everything was going to be all right. This organized chaos went on for another six hours. We were not allowed to leave the room for anything, but soon people were hungry and had to use the bathroom. Our solution was this – pee in trashcans and have our counselor sprint to the vending machine and back. Meanwhile, my dad was at work. One of his coworkers knew that we were at camp and told my dad to turn on the TV. The story was all over the news. We continued to sit in the room for another hour and were finally released after everything was brought under control. I was so much younger then that it seemed like a game, but now that I look back on it, I feel so blessed to be safe.
LOCAL DISASTERS Memory of Stokesdale tornado in 2004 still reverberates Nick Loschin entertainment editor As a child, my biggest fear was the unknown and still is today. When I was younger, this fear was stronger and the slightest thing out of order caused me uneasiness. So you can imagine my consternation when I was told a big whirling object, twisting and tormenting the area, was headed right for me. Being a second grader at Stokesdale Elementary in 2004, I knew what to do in case of a tornado but never truly believed one was actually going to happen. When the tornado was announced, my class piled into the bathroom like sardines in a can to wait it out. Lucky for
me, my teacher brought her guitar and soothed us while we awaited what felt like imminent doom. The music was soft and relaxing until an assistant came in and pulled me out of the bathroom. My mom, a teacher at Stokesdale at the time, had wanted me to be with her. Angry and confused because I didn’t want to leave the music, I reluctantly left my class. Now placed shoulder-to-shoulder in my mother’s area of the school, the kids next to me, who were two years younger, were bursting into tears. Music prevailed again as we all began to sing until we received news that the tornado had passed the school. Although the tornado did not cause any destruction around the school, it did cause trenchant branches to fall on houses and destroy a few cars. Luckily nobody was harmed by the storm.
Homeless man prompts Caldwell lockdown
Air conditioning malfunction causes NW classroom fire
Lindsey McGuirk staff writer
Carson Beam co-editor in chief
We waited in a room. Doors locked, blinds closed, utter silence. Restless, we waited, hoping for news of what was to come. In my seventh grade year at Caldwell Academy, the entire school was put on an emergency lockdown because there had been an unarmed homeless man spotted in the girl’s locker room. “I had thought it was a drill, so I kept talking,” sophomore Scot Jobe said, who was a sixth grader at the time of the incident. “After ten minutes I realized it was real.” Students speculated about this sudden lockdown. Wild rumors began to spread, some of which reached another sixth grader at the time, Chandler Smith. “I remember some people thought it was an animal,” Smith, who is now a sophomore, said. The lockdown lasted a for an hour. Regardless, the scariest part about it was the uncertainty about what was upon us. Looking back at it, Jobe finds the whole ordeal comical. “I [still] laugh about it,” Jobe said
It started with a magazine. It wasn’t about reading it, or cutting it up for a scrapbook, but by the time the fire was over, the ordeal was about negligence. In April 2013, the air conditioner in English teacher Andrea Julian’s room, Room 111, caught on fire. A magazine had slipped through the grating at the top and a spark, caused by dripping water, had set it aflame. “[I noticed] the odor,” substitute teacher Rufus Slater, who was Julian’s maternity sub at the time, said. “When it started, there was a very, very piercing odor.” Students in all classrooms were evacuated. They were pulled from class into an environment that was, surprisingly, worse than a classroom. It was cold outside, and it was raining. “The kids stayed outside for approximately 45 minutes, and then the fire department gave them clearance to move into the cafeteria,” Slater said. The firemen approached the fire from the outside and inside to take care of it, and in the end, it was a very simple fire to put out.
(Left): The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City collapsed during the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, an event many Northwest students can remember despite being very young. (Right): From a tornado in 2004 to a classroom fire in 2013, local disasters have interrupted the education of many Northwest students throughout their schooling.
Graphic by Brenna Profit
May 2014 Ferman Blanco, Reina Xiomara Fiege, Gerardo G Fitzpatrick, Cyrus John Flematti, Jacob Thomas Flick, Shawn Thomas Fogleman, Nicholas Keith Ford, Kolsen Gregory Foster, Emma Bly-Beck Frazier, Justin T Fuchs, Joelle Fullwood, Brady M Funke, Rachael Danielle Gaither, Emily C Gantz, Cheney Walton Garcia, Carmen M Garneau, Nicole Lynn Garner, Matthew Scott Garvey, Denise Yvette Gauldin, Rodney Eric George, Aaron Michael Gilmore, Ayers Louis Gimbert, Julia Claire Gingerich, Barret James Goldstein, Caitlyn Ashley Goodwin, Jennifer Anne Gravley, Ryan Jacob Gray, Andrew Gray, Justin Robert Gray, Rachel Anne Greene, Connor James Greene, Kathryn Michelle Griffin, Autumn P Haase, Anthony L Hall, Charles Austin Hall, William Jacob Hammonds, Chelsey J Harding, Anthony James Harper, Andrew William Harrell, Sarah N Harris, Andrew C Hartzoge, Aliza Paige Haselsberger, Erica Rose Hatton, Cameron Maverick Hatton, Stephanie N Hatton, Steven T Havas, Alyssa M Hayes, Kalynn Nicole Heath, Victoria Hennigan, Elizabeth Anne Henry, Haldane Stephen Herrin, Emily Gail Hogan, Taylor R Holmes, Katie Marie Hong, Ye Jin Howard, Hannah Elizabeth Hubbard, Katherine Elise Huber, Caitlin Elizabeth Huckaby, Miles Gabriel Hungerford, Sarah Rachel Hunter, Jessica L Ide, Gideon Patrick Indermaur, Elaine Wyatt Jackson, Andrew Addison Jameson, Tyler C Jeitner, Kyle Warren Jenkins, Aleigha Danielle Jessup, Cody Lee Jiang, Dianpeng Johnson, Kareem Jabbar Johnson, Logan T Johnson, Mikala Imani Jolin, Jessica E Jones, Alyson Echo Jones, KateLynn Katuro Jones, Steven Alexander Joyce, Erin Leigh Juday, Jesse Devon
Seniors Unknown at time of publication GTCC UNC-CH Unknown at time of publication WCU ECU ECU UNCG Caldwell CC NC State App State UNCG Clemson UNCG GTCC GTCC NC State UNCG Marines/Rockingham CC Unknown at time of publication NC State NC State Work UNCC UNC-CH Surry CC NC State App State Indiana Wesleyan University GTCC WCU GTCC UNCG Gap year/traveling WCU USC-Columbia Unknown at time of publication UNCC App State UNCC NC State Cape Fear CC Toledo University GTCC Military UNCG GTCC Gap year UNC-CH Work UNCG GTCC NC State NC State Undecided UNC-CH Viterbo University NC State UNCG ECU GTCC NC State Military Utah State University GTCC WSSU UNCC UNCG GTCC Undecided Belmont Abbey UNCG GTCC GTCC Work Laurel University UNCA
Juergens, Jaret Tyler Karasiewicz, Travis Collin Keating, Heather Michele Keedy, William B Keefer, Kristopher Hunter Keene, Kenneth Cole Kelcourse-Oquendo, Kelin C Kernen, Christopher Albert Kiernan, Michael B Kilduff, Cooper James Killian, Jeffrey P Kilpatrick, Timothy Ernest Kincaid, Sarah Kathryn Kinsey, Kewante Shiquan Kirksey, Christopher Giles Kozerski, Dylan Kuylen, Samantha N Laughlin, Megan Ashley Lawrence, Charles Marquise Reynolds Lawrence, Hayden Victor Lawrence, Kareem Isa Leonard, Joshua Jubei Lett, Collin S Lewis, Caleb Piver Lindsey, Jack Allen Long, Andrew Taylor Lothian, George William Lovato, David A Luchs, Colton D Luchs, Devin M Lukhard, Jamie Kathryn Luna, Christopher Juan Lyons, Dalton W Magyar, Eric A Mannary, Robert Tyler Manzi, Kelsey Nicole Marmion, Terry James Marshall, Courtney E Martin, Alex Daniel Martineau, Christopher L Marvin, August Lee Marzouk, Shannon Raeann Matsuoka, Shiori Nicole Maurer, Maxwell Thomas McCorquodale, Katelynn R McDonald, Brittany Nicole McDonnell, Chaz Robert McGee, Lindsay E McGee, Samuel Foster McGorty, Jacquelyn C McMakin, Grant Fields McQueen, Tayler Renae McSweeney, Micaela Nicole Messick, Tyler Quinten Michaux, Michael E Michaux, Nicholas Chase Middleton, Jacob David Millen, Michael Miller, Alan Tyler Minton, Dakota James Mjalli, Yasmeen Adnan Molev, Gueorgui A Moneta, Susanna Moorefield, Luke Anthony Moreno, Melissa Marie Morgan, Emily Rose Morrison, Marlin Allen Morrow-Lea, Sydney Danielle Mowery, Autumn C Munoz, Jesus J Murphy, Rachel Anne Murray, Jessica Leigh Murugu, Sucharitha Nam, Gi Hoon Nandin, Grecia M Nasisse, Mathias S
Page 9 GTCC GTCC UNCG Work Undecided GTCC UNCG Surry CC NC State UNCC Undecided GTCC App State GTCC WCU Undecided UNCG UNCG Undecided NC State Air Force GTCC UNCC NC State GTCC UNCA GTCC NC State Ferrum College App State NC State GTCC App State WCU Army Liberty University UNCC GTCC UNC-CH ECU UNCG Caldwell CC UNCG HPU NC State GTCC GTCC GTCC UNCC Elon University UNCC GTCC GTCC UNCC GTCC Methodist University GTCC Liberty University GTCC UNCC Undecided UNCG NC State Unknown at time of publication UNCG UNCG Unknown at time of publication American University App State Undecided NC State Undecided WCU Undecided UNCA UNCW Continued on page 12
Sports
Page 14
May 2014
College bound...
As their senior year comes to a close, these athletes will be stepping out onto the fields and courts of a different territory: college. During the past four years, you have seen these athletes sweating at practice, scoring points for the team and making Northwest parents and students stand to cheer. In their own words, here is their anticipation for college days to come.
Baseball at UNCAshville Jesse Juday
Pole Vaulting at Virginia Tech
Track and Cross Country at Queens University
Sarah Swantko
Sarah Bomkamp
“[I’m looking forward to] making “I’m excited about being part of a team new friends with teammates and still playing against some people I know “I’m most looking foward to running against and having a structured schedule as a out of showcase ball and high school other colleges and working with the Queens college athlete,” Swantko said. *Swantko was noticed for her gymnastics talent and recruited for pole team,” Bomkamp said. ball,” Juday said. vaulting after an injury ended her gymnastics career.
Football at Lenior-Rhyne
Tennis at Eckerd College Isabella Wong
“I’m so excited to be given the opportunity to continue advancing my game in tennis,” Wong said. “I’m honored that I am allowed to keep pursuing what I love to do in a fun, competitive team-based environment while also being able to attend my dream school at the beach.”
Keenan Scott
“I’m looking forward to forming new bonds with new teammates,” Scott said. “It’s going to be a big adjustment to a new place, but I’m excited for it.”
Photos contributed by featured students
College Recruiting: How the process has changed Nick Loschin entertainment editor
Once an athlete reaches high school, and sometimes even late in his middle school career, the question of recruitment engenders in his mind. Playing every game in high school so that he can receive a college scholarship and pursue his dreams, most high school athletes push themselves to the limit to be noticed. However, in 2014, there is a possibility the athlete will rarely be seen in person by a recruiter. Recruiting used to include a college scout coming to watch an athlete play, and the way the athlete was noticed was by the scout spreading the word. To witness what recruiters call a “Blue Chip,” they had to travel to high schools all across the country just to catch a glimpse of talent. “The process has drastically changed in the past 10 years with the increase of technology and many for-profit companies that specialize in helping the process for potential college athletes,” Northwest Athletic Director John Hughes said. With the innovation of email and easy video sharing, now the burden is placed on the high school coach to help get athletes recruited. Coaches must send videos, stats and information about their players to colleges. Faster and more effective, this new process can help more athletes become discovered by a wider range of colleges across the nation. Senior Sarah Bomkamp runs cross-country and track for Northwest. Recruited by many places to run track, Bomkamp chose Queens University, a Division II college, be-
cause she believed it was the best fit. Most of the recruiting from the schools happened over the phone. “It mainly consisted of phone calls, but I occasionally was able to meet up with recruiters at big races,” Bomkamp said. Coach Hughes was recruited in 1991 by Duke University for baseball. During that time, video recording was just beginning to become popular and was rarely used for baseball. “When I was recruited in high school, over 30 college coaches came to games and saw me play because that was really the only way they could see me,” Hughes said. Hughes chose Duke because he enjoyed its atmosphere and coaches. According to Hughes, some players rarely even meet the coach until the end when they are deciding on schools. “By seeing me play, it allowed the coaches to establish a relationship with me and vice versa, as we would talk after the game and on the phone afterward,” Hughes said. This personal connection is slowly fading away because meeting face-to-face is time consuming and much less efficient than using technology. Recruitment is not all about the stats and how good of a player an athlete is, but also about the student’s leadership and character. By allowing high school coaches a huge role in this process, colleges can better see who has good character and strong leaders. As competition gets fiercer, colleges have to get more aggressive, and technology is the way to do it. “It was a stressful yet worthwhile endeavor,” Bomkamp said.
Photo contributed by Sarah Bomkamp
Senior Sarah Bomkamp signs her letter of intent to go to Queens University. She ran track and cross country at Northwest for four years.
Sports
May 2014
Ending an era:
Senior athletes say goodbye to the past four years of sports
have and not taking it for what it could be.” In track, Bethea ran the 400 and 800 events. “My best memory was going to nationals,” Bethea said. “I worked really hard to get there, and although I didn’t do as well as I thought I would, that feeling of making it to nationals was such a great accomplishment.” Bethea’s personal record for the 400 event was 59 seconds, and her best 800 time was 2:24. Although Bethea loves run-
to college. “My plans are to pursue my other interests and try to be as successful as I can,” Messick said This time of the year is Many athletes who give up when athletes who are graduator take a break from a sport they ing are saying goodbye to the era play find regret and are saddened of their high school athletic caby the thought that it’s all over. reer. Some students will continMessick, on the other hand, is ue off of what they have already excited for the doors of opporaccomplished, while others will tunity that are opening for him. have to leave their sport behind. “I’m pumped knowing that “It’s not going to be how ill have a lot of free time to play it used to be,” senior Alaina and do stuff for fun, no more Bethea said. competition, just me and Bethea started runthe sport I love,” Messick I’ll miss the atmosphere and said. ning track in middle school; she has been runOpportunity is a main the people pushing you, reason ning for about five years. why so many athand also the passion. She began running to letes retire. College allows relieve stress, but then it students to try new club evolved into something sports without having the Senior Alaina Bethea more for her. She started stress and the pressure of to run competitively because of ning, she has reasons for ending being on a team. what she was going through at it when she goes to college. The high school memories “I chose education over my of being an athlete do not fade, that time. “I really love the adrena- athletics; it was kind of tedious however. Messick says he will line rush and the competition,” and was putting strain on my not forget the great times he had education,” Bethea said. “I just playing football with his teamBethea said. Due to health issues, Bethea don’t really have the passion like mates decided she would not be run- I first did when I started.” “I will miss it because it was However, track benefited fun playing with my friends unning track again in college. Bethea will be attending North Bethea with many lessons. der the lights,” Messick said. “It teaches you a lot – not Carolina A&T University next Messick will be attending fall. When she left track for the only mentally, but physically,” UNC-Charlotte in the fall and is last time, she knew it was the Bethea said. “It teaches you excited about the new hobbies strength and that you can push and intramural sports that are to closing to her era. “I was in a depressed state yourself more than you think.” come. Ending her era, Bethea will because I knew it was the end,” Some students will begin to miss many elements of track. Bethea said. add to their athletic successes “I’ll miss the atmosphere after leaving high school, but As Bethea looks back on her running career, she remembers and the people pushing you, and others, like Bethea and Messick, also the passion,” Bethea said. her best and worst moments. will have to say goodbye to their Senior Tyler Messick has sports as they pursue new en“I cherish the environment, but the people the most, be- played football for Northwest deavors. cause not only do they teach you all four years of high school. “It’s not a good feeling, but a lot, but they show you a lot,” Messick has mixed emotions I left knowing I accomplished Bethea said. “I regret not push- about leaving behind his jersey something that’s greater than I ing myself as much as I should and starting over when he goes thought I could do,” Bethea said. Sarah Boggins, Thalia Villarosa & Clare Kilmartin staff writers
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Photo by Brenna Profit
Senior Alaina Bethea walks off the track, ending her high school track career. Bethea ran track for three of her four years at Northwest.
Football coach Joe Woodruff leaves, new coach announced Willa Ma sports editor
As graduation nears, Northwest is not only losing seniors, but this year Northwest says goodbye to the football coach, Joe Woodruff, as he starts a new beginning as a coach in Michigan. “[I will miss] the teachers, students and community,” Woodruff said. “Northwest has been a blessing to me and my family. I have watched my children grow up here, and I am a better person for having worked here.” Woodruff is leaving Northwest to take the head football coach position at Big Rapids High School . Better pay and the opportunity of being closer to family were his primary considerations when making this decision.
His daughter, freshman Abbey seven years and watching the play- about the coming year. “I thought Rolfes was pretty Woodruff, will also have to start ers and coaches implement a long over at a new school in a different range plan for building a program nice,” junior Michael Hunt said. state after spending several years and watching it work,” Woodruff “He already knew who I was besaid. cause he has been watching us on in the Northwest community. film, and he had an idea “I am very sad about about who everyone was leaving, but I’m excited on the team.” Seeing where Northwest for all the good things Coming in with a pleththat will come from this,” football has come in seven ora of coaching experiAbbey said. ence, Rolfes served as a Throughout his years is both humbling and coach at Waubonsie High Northwest career, Coach gratifying. I will always be School in Illinois, West Woodruff has won sevJefferson High School eral conference champia Viking, and I will always in Ohio and Leo High onships, and the team is School in Indiana. bleed red. now considered one of “I fully support Rolfes the top 10 in the state. Coach Joe Woodruff and believe he will conDuring the 2013-2014 tinue to build on what we season, he coached the To replace Woodruff, North- have started,” Woodruff said. team to a 12-2 overall record and west has named Jared Rolfes as the In 2013, Rolfes was the ofa 4-1 conference record. “[My most memorable mo- new head varsity football coach. In fensive coordinator for Northern ments were] watching the kids and early May, Rolfes met with poten- Guilford County School, and for the program grow over the past tial and returning football players the five years prior, he was the
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head coach at his alma mater, Celina High School in Ohio. Taking over the struggling team at Celina, Rolfes coached the team to a 7-3 record, the best performance since 1998 and the first time they have been undefeated at home since 1995. “[Next season is] going to be really different because it’s a completely different offense, but I think it will be fun and challenging,” Hunt said. As Rolfes takes over the growing football program, Woodruff leaves behind his seven-year legacy. “This has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” Woodruff said. “Seeing where Northwest football has come in seven years is both humbling and gratifying. I will always be a Viking, and I will always bleed red.”
Arts & Culture
Page 16
May 2014
Five deadly plants in North Carolina:
No matter how hungry you are, these plants will never be a good option
Lily of the Valley Satoria Ray staff writer The Lily of the Valley is native in the southern Appalachian Mountains as well as the Northern hemisphere in Asia and Europe. It is a sweetly-scented woodland flowering plant. It flowers in late spring and in early March in the Northern hemisphere. All parts of the plant are
highly poisonous, including the red berries. If ingested in small amounts, vomiting, abdominal pain and a reduced heart rate may occur. One of many legends says that the flower sprang from the weeping of the Virgin Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus. The plant is also known as “Our Lady’s Tears” or “Mary’s Tears.” In the “language of flowers”, the Lily of the Valley signifies the return of happiness.
At the beginning of the 20th century, it became tradition in France on International Labor day by private labor organizations to sell the flower without sales tax as a symbol of spring. Although highly poisonous, the flower is very popular in weddings. In fact, it was used in the bridal bouquet in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. It was also chosen by Princess Grace Kelly to be in her bridal bouquet, as well.
Jonquil Harley Nefe staff writer The Jonquil or Narcissus is a type of amaryllis, which is the same family the daffodil is in. It is native to southwestern Europe and northern Africa. The jonquil has long narrow leaves and can have up to five flowers at the end of a stem. Each flower usually has six pet-
als, and they are either yellow or white. The petals elongate into a tubular shape. It can be used as a household plant for interior decoration, or as landscape in a flower garden. You are more likely to find them growing in North Carolina near the end of winter and early spring. The flower comes up into Greek mythology, as well. In the 14th Century, a beautiful youth pines away for love of his own
reflection and is then turned into the daffodil. The jonquil also happens to be toxic. The bulbs contain phenanthridine alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals. The toxicity level is only severe if large quantities of the bulb are ingested. Symptoms include skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, trembling and convulsions, and in serious cases, the outcome can be fatal.
Hyacinth Jackson Parrish op/ed editor First named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, the Hyacinth plant was soon after grown commercially for the first time in the Netherlands by almost 2,000 cultivators. The flower most commonly appears in shades of red, blue, white, orange, pink, violet or yellow, and is still com-
monly grown today. The plant dates back to Greek and Roman times, as the plant is first written about by Homer. In Greek mythology, Hyacinth was a youth who was accidently killed by the god Apollo. From the youth’s blood, flowers grew, and Apollo named them ‘Hyacinths.’ The negative connotation paired with the Hyacinth still persists today to some extent. A poisonous substance called oxalic acid is contained with its bulbs,
with enough toxicity to kill small animals and cause skin irritation on humans. Overall, the Hyacinth is a beautiful flower that can be found in several different colors. Its origin comes from Greek and Roman mythology, and it is still a widely grown flower to this day. The plant is poisonous, however, and its negative connotation associated with the death of the Greek youth named Hyacinth carries on to the present day.
Jerusalem Cherry Melanie Jenkins staff writer Often referred to as the “Christmas Cherry,” the Jerusalem Cherry is anything but a peaceful plant. With vibrant red berries and dark, elliptically shaped leaves, the Jerusalem Cherry is an evergreen plant that is a part of the nightshade family and mainly produces berries in the winter
months. Each berry ranges from a bright red to pale yellow in color and grows to roughly the size of a grape. Originally native to Peru and Ecuador, the Jerusalem Cherry can now be found as a common household plant due to its resilience toward frost and freezing weather. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the lethality of the Jerusalem Cherry. Because the berries of the plant closely resemble common, nontoxic, cherry tomatoes, the Je-
rusalem Cherry appears enticing to pets and children. Symptoms of poisoning are: stomach pain, delirium, headaches, low blood pressure and vomiting. If ingested and left untreated, this noxious nightshade can result in death, though uncommon. Long-term exposure to the Jerusalem Cherry’s toxins will result in more severe health problems, and any cases of ingestion of this noxious nightshade are advised to be treated by local Poison Control.
Deadly Nightshade Bassam Bikdash staff writer Atropa belladonna, also known as Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade, is one of the most toxic plants in the Eastern Hemisphere. It’s native to Europe, North Africa and East Asia and has extremely toxic berries and foliage. It needs rich soil to grow and is limited to cultivation in the United States, as opposed to growing in the wild. The berries of the plant pose the greatest danger to children because
they look attractive and have a somewhat sweet taste. Ingesting two berries is enough to kill a child. Consuming 10 to 20 berries would kill an adult. Poisons in the Deadly Nightshade affect the nervous system. When taken in sufficient doses, it can cause dilated pupils, blurred vision, headaches, convulsions and disruption of cognitive processes like memory and learning. Deadly Nightshade has a long history of use as a medicine, a cosmetic and a poison. The name “belladonna” comes from its historic use by women—Bel-
ladonna means “beautiful woman” in Italian. In the past, the herb was used in eye drops by women to dilate the pupils of the eyes to make them more seductive. For centuries, Belladonna has been used as a pain reliever, muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory. Today, chemicals from the plant, especially atropine, are used in a variety of pharmaceutical products. Despite being harmful to humans, several animals such as cattle, horses and rabbits can eat the leaves without harm. Birds are also able to eat the berries without being affected.
Photos compiled by staff writers
Arts & Culture
May 2014
Page 17
To eat meat or not to eat meat Liz Hubbard staff writer
Go green!
Got meat?
Imagine life without meat. Perhaps if you’re a vegetarian, it isn’t hard for you, but for meat-eaters, it may not be so easy. Humans are built to be omnivores with teeth designed to grind grain, strip leaves and eat meat. If we have the teeth for meat, our bodies need it. “[I eat meat] to get a good source of protein and iron, and it tastes good,” senior Katie Greene said. Eating high concentrations of proteins found in meat is believed to have evolutionary benefits. A large amount of protein must be provided by a person’s diet in order for bodily functions to be carried out properly. Compared to animal protein, plant protein has relatively low biological value and digestibility. In order to consume the amount of protein found in one chicken breast, a vegetarian would have to eat a little more than four servings of peanut butter, which would contain four times as many calories and almost nine times as much fat. However, omnivores tend to consume more saturated and trans fats than vegetarians which raises the risk of hardened arteries and heart disease. “We get a lot of fat that we don’t need; in terms of the amount, we eat too much meat,” AP Biology teavher Lisa Holler said. “People think they have to have meat with every meal, which isn’t true.” But a balanced omnivore diet is just as healthy as a balanced vegetarian diet and easier to maintain. Regardless, many of the “bad” fats found in animals come not just from meat, but from cheese and milk, so vegetarianism won’t eliminate it from your diet completely.
And the fat which people try to steer clear of by ridding of meat from their diet contains a substance necessary for life: cholesterol. There are two kinds of cholesterol: HDL (good) and LDL (bad). Saturated fats raise both kinds of cholesterol and trans fats lower HDL while raising LDL. While cholesterol itself is not found in plants, plants still contain saturated and trans fats which induce our bodies to produce cholesterol; in fact, some vegetarian diets contain higher levels of saturated and trans fats than omnivore diets. Even if a vegetarian diet could erase saturated and trans fats completely, unsaturated fats can cause health issues that are just as harmful as those caused by the “bad” fats. The best fats to increase HDL and decrease LDL are found in the form of Omega-3 fatty acids. While Omega-3s can be found in seeds and nuts, the best source of them is fish, especially salmon, so the healthiest diets contain some form of animal flesh. For those who choose not to eat animals because they believe it is mean, keep in mind we are often doing the animals a favor. “At this point, if we don’t hunt the prey animals, they will overpopulate and starve,” Holler said. Once animals exceed the maximum capacity for their habitat, they deplete their resources and can cause harm to their environment, and humans are predators who can prevent this from occurring. It is natural for humans to eat other animals just as it is natural for seals to hunt penguins, for lions to hunt gazelles and for foxes to hunt rabbits. “We did not evolve our big powerful brains eating veggies,” Holler said. “It’s hard to get complete proteins being a vegetarian.”
Nikole Nguyen staff writer How do you define yourself ? We can start with physical attributes- gender, skin color, dress, height, weight - what our clothes say on the front, or even your hair Monday morning gives off a message. Then our mentality - are you happy with yourself ? How do you approach hardship? Well, you are what you eat - that’s all we know for sure. And nothing else seems to emphasize this more than vegetarianism. As soon as the word is said, the atmosphere seems to shift, but it’s a subtle move. Those with “normal” diets hear the word, and the pretentious treehugger with the Earth Day t-shirt rolls into their minds. But vegetarianism means something different to vegetarians, and it’s much more than a bland diet. “You feel a lot healthier because you cut out a lot of things you can’t eat,” junior Audrey Wheeler said. “But it’s not just that. I just feel morally better about myself, too.” Wheeler hasn’t eaten meat since she was in fifth grade. She made the decision herself. It is an eye-opening experience. The vegetarian and vegan community is a supportive community, providing many substitutes and recipes for those who have trouble giving up animal products. Websites like The Vedge and Chefkoch provide recipes that normally involve meat. YouTube is no exception. “There’s a YouTube user [Tasha Edwards] who makes Big Macs out of nothing but vegetables. No animal-related product goes in at all,” said junior Sarah Williams, who went vegetarian to reduce the amount of resources
that goes into producing meat. Vegetarian cuisine is becoming increasingly popular within society. Restaurants, schools and even prisons have switched to purely vegetarian and vegan cuisine simply because it is cost effective. The popularity has caused many people to switch their diets entirely. “I remember becoming vegetarian after being on a cruise,” sophomore David Mayes said. “There was a lot of food they made that didn’t have any meat in it, and it was all really good.” Many people see vegetarianism as a tasteless, painful sacrifice and a goodbye to any and all joy and happiness, but such is not the case. I never thought much for animals as I became a vegetarian; I did it to feel healthier, and because the culture was so unique. But there was definitely a time where I couldn’t care less about cutting meat out of my diet. Even as a budding veggie, I’m still trying to cultivate a compassion for the animals that I’m not eating anymore, rather than focusing on my personal goals. Others say vegetarianism can lead to a nutritional deficiency. “You have to take supplements,” sophomore Taylor Pool said. “You can’t get all the vitamins and minerals you need, either, unless you want to eat 20 different vegetables.” This topic remains debatable. Although vegetarian diets cut out a good source of vitamins and minerals, there’s nothing that meat has that vegetables don’t. However, as stated earlier, becoming vegetarian requires an open mind. “I’ve heard people tell me I’m going to hell for being a vegetarian, or I’m going against God’s will,” sophomore Marissa Millard said. “But by being a vegetarian, I’m promoting my own opinion instead of going with the norm.”
Graphic by Mackenzie Mitchell
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Page 18 Five ways to stay awake in class Liz Deutchki features editor
Features
May 2014
Before they were teachers: Cynthia Mardis
1. Look at someone. Try the teacher first, so you can trick him or her into thinking you are alive during the lecture. Think about Sarah Deutchki different things like how nice the person’s hair is in front of you, or co-editor in chief at least how nice it could look if you got your hands on it and did Students swarm the table, causome serious work. tiously leaning forward to get a closer look at the chemical reaction about to happen. Their piercing eyes focus on the hands of chemistry teacher Cynthia Mardis as she quickly mixes the substances together, creating not only a new compound but also fascination and awe in the minds of her 2. Place toothpicks in between students. This year marks Mardis’s 21st your eyebrows and your cheeks. Now it is impossible for you to year teaching in the public school system. Five of those years have close your eyes. been spent here at Northwest. Before teaching in public schools, however, Mardis was an ultrasound and x-ray tech at Cone Hospital. “For about 10 years I was the floor supervisor,” Mardis said. “It was part of my other job to supervise and instruct students. Also, when [a hospital] would buy a new x-ray or ultrasound machine, I would go to that hospital and 3. Sit on the tundra side of the teach them how to use it.” It was not until after leaving classroom. Every class has one; sit there so that you are distracted by the program at Cone Hospital the cold air, and there is just no that Mardis realized she wanted possibility of sleep without your to become a teacher, specifically a chemistry teacher. pillow and footie pajamas. “I knew I needed to become something else, and I liked teaching,” Mardis said. “I like chemistry and biology, and I knew there were few chemistry teachers. I knew it would be easier to get a job teaching chemistry than biology.” Teaching for over two decades allows for many memories, and Mardis certainly has some that stick
Photo by Brenna Profit
Honors chemistry teacher Cynthia Mardis discusses elements of chemistry with her students during class. Before Mardis was a teacher, she served as an ultrasound and x-ray tech at Cone hospital for about 10 years.
out. Any student lucky enough to attend her class will hear about a particularly unforgettable moment that she had her first year of teaching in public schools, for Mardis incorporates stories here and there as part of her teaching style. Mardis seems to remember most of her students, some more than others because of their academic ability or their personality in general, and she particularly remembers a student many years ago who did not do well her in class. In fact, he failed and ended up dropping out of school, but this is not
why she remembers him. Mardis recalls an instance where the boy encountered one of her daughters and told her something that Mardis will never forget. “He told [my daughter] that the only adult that was really nice to him was me,” Mardis said. The student has since passed away, but Mardis still remembers those words every now and then. Throughout the years, Mardis has seen it all: those who struggle with math and chemistry and those who have a natural talent. Mardis says, however, she takes the most
pride not only in helping students understand their full potential but also in knowing that she has helped a student for the future. “It is always nice when someone that you do not know, that is quiet but works hard, emails you or calls you and says ‘I just became a veterinarian’ or ‘I just graduated from pharmacology school, and I appreciate what you did,’” Mardis said. “That’s memorable. It’s kind of strange that when I am at my lowest, when I’m really down, I get something like that. That’s why I’m here.”
Science teacher by day, EMT by night
4. Exercise. More exercise is proven to heighten your energy level. Since you are in a desk, you will have to get a bit creative. Pick Kara Profit up some textbooks and do some staff writer bicep curls. Hold your legs out in front of you until they burn. GetA typical morning in the life of ting “swole” and getting a good a teacher: arrive around 7:30 a.m., education never seemed so easy. attempt to make copies on a broken machine and deal with students and their variety of issues prior to the bell ringing at 8:55 a.m. to start first period. A typical morning in the life of an EMT: arrive at 7 a.m., inventory the supplies on the ambulance and wait for a 911 call to come over the 5. Carry a lot of espresso. A radio. shot or two of espresso every hour AP environmental science and couldn’t hurt. I don’t see you fall- chemistry teacher Jennifer Bracking asleep in class (or for the next en, formerly Jennifer Potts, has exthree days) ever again. perience with both worlds. She is in her second year of teaching at Northwest and her third working part-time as an Emergency Medical Technician, or EMT. “I started working EMS in college,” Bracken said, adding that she became interested in the field after taking a college class. “I worked a lot last semester, and I work over Cartoon by Mackenzie Mitchell the summer. Starting teacher salary
Photo contributed by Jennifer Bracken
AP environmental science and chemistry teacher Jennifer Bracken poses with an ambulance while on the job. Bracken has been working part time as an EMT for the past three years.
is not enough.” During the school year, Bracken works as an EMT during the weekends, night or day. She has found that the night shift has more ac-
tion. “One time we had a man who decided he would remove a wart from his foot himself,” Bracken said. “He used a knife to make a
hole in his foot, and then he took a clothes hanger, heated it up and stuck it in the wound to kill any bacteria, or so he thought. Then apparently that was not enough, and he poured Drano on his foot, giving himself chemical burns. He ended up losing his foot.” Bracken added that she has witnessed a lot of other “gross” things working as an EMT, from heroin overdoses to “people using saws and cutting fingers off.” She says blood and drugs aren’t the most disturbing aspects of her job, however. “I hate throw up,” she said. “If a call requires dealing with throw up, I usually try to get my partner to be the primary on the call.” Bracken’s work as an EMT is an exciting complement to her day-job as a high school science teacher. The extra money comes in handy, too. “I use my extra income to go on vacations usually,” Bracken said.
Features
May 2014
Not College-Bound:
Liz Deutchki features editor While most of the senior class plans on relaxing this summer and attending college in the fall, senior Brandon Clark will be headed to Basic Combat Training in June. Clark will spend three months training, followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in the fall, to prepare for his duty in the U.S. Army. “Going into the military has been a life-long dream of mine,” Clark said. “I come from a military family, and I have always been excited about joining the military, particularly the army, and I do not want to put it off any longer.” Clark will be entering his basic training as a Corporal, a title that most potential soldiers at his age do not receive so quickly. Clark scored very high on his Physical Training test, which determines rank advancement. Clark has received an advancement twice since beginning his training. “I started out as a Private First Class and then moved to a Specialist,” Clark said. “I just became a Corporal, and I am really excited to continue my training to eventually become a Sergeant. With my
score on the PT test, I should be able to keep advancing, and that is something I am really proud of.” After basic training, Clark will graduate in November and enjoy his break over the Christmas holiday with his family before more training. Although Clark is delaying college, he says it is still in his plans. “I still plan on going to college, and I will enroll in the spring semester,” Clark said. “I hope to study criminal justice.” During Clark’s college years, he will be eligible for deployment; he was recently informed of possible deployment in 2015. “The Colonel informed my unit at our last Battle Assembly that we are scheduled to deploy sometime next year,” Clark said. “I could not be more ecstatic about the news because this is why I joined the military.” Clark feels that he is prepared to fulfill his duties and feels a sense of pride at his accomplishments so far. “I want to fight for my country, and I want to deploy as much as I can,” Clark said. “Getting sworn into the army and becoming a soldier in the defense of America was without a doubt the greatest moment of my life.”
Natalie Whitehead staff writer Northwest senior Autumn Puckett has decided to take a road trip across the United States going from coast to coast when the year ends. She plans on doing this instead of attending college as most of her friends in her grade. Puckett has decided to drive all the way from Greensboro to San Diego, California with Nina Pleasants, a friend of hers who attends Grimsley High School. “[Social studies teacher] Mr. Thompson told my class that if we had the chance to travel before college, that we should take it,” Puckett said. “We’re only young once.” Puckett believes that she will learn life lessons and that this trip will be incredibly soul-searching for her and her friend Nina. “I think [the trip will be] more enriching,” Puckett said. “I think I’ll definitely learn more by meeting new people on the road. I just feel like it has more to offer.” Puckett predicts she and Pleasants will stay in San Diego for about a year since they eventually want to at-
Page 19
Three seniors opt for different experiences after high school
tend college somewhere. She also stated that if they like San Diego enough, they will stay longer. When asked what she wants to study when she attends college in the future, she said that she’s unsure at the moment, but hopes to find out on the trip to San Diego. “I’m leaving after I graduate,” Puckett said. “I don’t want to waste my time here.” Puckett hopes that with this trip, she will go out into the world and experience things that she’s never done before, which she believes will guide her to finding out what she wants to do. The primary reason she has decided to take this trip is because she is unsure of what she desires for her long-term future. She does not want to spend her time in a classroom studying something that she is not passionate about or has no interest in. Puckett also stated that she wants to convince her friend Jalen Knops to join her and her friend on their trip to San Diego. “I’m not scared of college; I’m just so done with school,” Puckett said. “I’ve had senioritis since my freshman year.”
Satoria Ray staff writer After high school, senior Austin Hall will not be attending college or entering the workforce. He has decided on a different path. “I’m going to be traveling across the country on as little means as possible,” Hall said. Hall plans to leave in August to journey across the country alone, mostly hitchhiking to avoid the cost of gas and bus tickets. The little money he will use will come from graduation and his summer job. He’ll start by taking a bus to Nashville; then he will walk and hitchhike to Memphis and go westward from there. Hall hopes to visit national parks and small cities throughout his year-long journey. “I’ve never been out west,” Hall said. “This is kind of like the push to go towards that because I’ve never really been off the East Coast.” Although Hall won’t be leaving for college in August, it doesn’t mean that he will never go. “I feel like [college education] is the same thing as high school, just more amped up,” Hall said. “I don’t
Photos by Liz Deutchki
want to do that right now; I want to get my adventure out of the way. All I want is an adventure.” He plans traveling light, bringing only a few necessities, among them a backpack, a tent, a sleeping bag, a mini stove and a few changes of clothes. “I’m going to be eating really cheap, so rice and ramen and beans are going to be the things I eat the most,” Hall said. Although he will be travelling alone with so little, Hall says that his parents are supportive. “They want me to do it,” Hall said. “But they really want me to do it with somebody because it’d be safer that way. It’s hard to find someone whom I can trust. I doubt that I’ll start with somebody, but I might end up with someone.” Hall chose to delay college because of his feelings toward school. “School in general is kind of monotonous,” Hall said. “It’s the same thing over and over again. I don’t like working so hard just to get a number, a grade.” The adventure Hall hopes to get from this will allow him to experience the world. “I just want to experience life unfiltered,” Hall said.
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Photos contributed by staff members
Who’s who? Try to identify each Northwest staff member based on his or her high school photo above. Flip upside down for the correct answers.
1. Lora Doby 2. William Davidson 3. Bert Webb 4. Elizabeth Russell 5. Catherine Brown 6. Phil Coley 7. Linda West 8. Marcia Wall 9. Rhonda Hudson 10. Dana Hilliard 11. Donald Rhoney 12. Cheryl Graham 13. Susan Boykin 14. Alexander Wertz 15. Jennifer Humbard 16. Ralph Kitley 17. Sarah Hutchinson 18. Melanie Huynh-Duc 19. Howard Perlmutter 20. Monica Clark 21. Jason Anderson 22. Wendy Mills 23. Nicole Wobler 24. Rice Strange 25. Ray Parrish 26. Richard Thomas 27. Ashley Young
The transformation of Northwest: How the school has changed in the past 30 years
Jackson Parrish op-ed editor
Students driving school buses. An area for students to smoke. Few AP classes. Dozens of pickup trucks scattered throughout the parking lot. In just a few decades, Northwest has become a very different school. Though these attributes may have pertained to this school years ago, Northwest has changed in multiple aspects. From academics to culture, various elements have caused our school to evolve, becoming almost
unrecognizable compared to its earlier characteristics. Academically, Northwest has become more and more challenging over the past view years. In the early ’80s, only three AP classes were offered: English, biology, and European history. Currently, over six times that amount of AP classes are offered, with more being introduced constantly. “There weren’t AP classes when I graduated from Northwest,” biology teacher Amy Dunn said. “There were basic, general and CP classes, and just a few advanced classes that
would prepare you for AP exams.” Northwest has become much more academically competitive compared to past years. This has become evident even in just the past decade, as AP scheduling and GPA weighting have both been altered. “All GPAs were unweighted,” Dunn said. “The different levels of classes didn’t count differently towards your GPA.” Northwest has also changed as much culturally as it has academically. Though previously known as a school full of “rednecks,” North-
west has changed to become much more culturally diverse due to the construction of suburban areas such as the Cardinal. Slowly, pickup trucks were replaced with Mustangs and Mercedes-Benz. The number of students has also changed vastly. Since the 1980s, the total size of Northwest has grown, having large influences on social aspects of the school. “We were much smaller,” Dunn said. “We’re a 4A school now instead of a 3A, and ninth grade was still a part of junior high, greatly reducing the number of students.
Now, everyone doesn’t know everyone. That wasn’t the case back then. We were much closer knit.” Overall, Northwest is a very different place than it was years ago. One thing that’ll never change is our school’s success and academic achievement, however. “The core education at Northwest hasn’t changed,” junior Kailee Akers said. “My brother graduated a few years ago, and we still have a lot of good teachers. Northwest has a good history of delivering a good, constant quality of education.”