October 2019

FREE

HORIZONS

pregnant at 15:

Sophomore shares her story

Read the story on page 2

Northwest Guilford High School

Greensboro, NC

Volume 56, Issue 1

October 2019

FRONT PAGE FEED

WHAT’S INSIDE

News Op-Ed Spread

3-5 6-9 10-11

Sports 12-14 Features 15-17 Arts & Entertainment 18-19

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19 12

Alumni reflect on their gap years

NC final exams are terminated

17 Senior spends her summer in Africa

Students gather in Guatamala

16 16

Homecoming participants got game

One student’s experience of teen pregnancy Madison Magyar & Kelby Shouse features editor & staff writer

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ophomore year is usually a time for exploring yourself while attempting to manage school and homework.

Trying to put together the future is significantly more complicated for sophomore Autum Mayes, who has the added challenge of being pregnant at age 15.

She found out when she was seven weeks along in March. She was forced to make one of the hardest decisions of her life at a very early age.

“I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby. That’s scary,” Mayes said.

Coming to the reality of the situation, she decided to tell her friends and family, whom she hoped would be supportive of whatever decision she made.

“When I first told my mom, I didn’t really tell her. I just kind of handed her the test that I had because my mom kind of suspected

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it,” Mayes said.

Mayes’ mom had her at a very young age, as well, so hearing her daughter would be put through the same experience was difficult. “(My mom) talked to me about it; she was like, ‘You have a decision whether or not you want to keep the baby,’” Mayes said.

“She gave me options. I told her I wanted to keep it, and she was supportive of me.”

Although it was a tough decision, she decided to go with what her gut was telling her to do.

“I feel like a lot of women can’t have babies, and I feel like if you get pregnant, you should keep the baby because it’s a miracle,” Mayes said.

Her mom’s support of her choices was important as she faced her pregnancy head on. As her due date of late November grows closer, attending school has been an added challenge; however, her teachers say she has managed well.

“She’s attentive, she’s bright,” Honors English 10 teacher Scott Walker said. “I can’t imagine how

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difficult this is at her age with the added pressures teenagers face.”

Her early childhood development teacher, Kara Winicki, echoes Walker’s sentiments.

“We just finished a unit on teenage pregnancy,” Winicki said.

“Autum shared with her peers her struggles, and I think it was cathartic for her and good for the class to hear it.”

Her friends have also had to figure out how to act around her.

“I was trying to figure out what to do,” sophomore Hannah Gray said. “I remember the first day that she showed. I freaked out, but nobody knew at that time.”

Gray has been one of Mayes’ friends since freshman year.

“I’ve learned a lot more about Autum because when I first met her, I was like, ‘This girl’s kind of crazy!’ and then we got close,” Gray said. “She is a really sweet girl.”

Having a strong support system is necessary for anyone in high school due to judgment and stress.

It is especially important when other people don’t understand

Mayes’ situation.

“Walking around school, there are kids that walk by me who wouldn’t (normally) stare at me, but (now) stare at my stomach,” Mayes said.

Although Walker and Winicki say they have not witnessed negativity from her peers within the classroom, Mayes says she constantly feels as if she is being judged.

“Sometimes I wear a sweater to school, but because my sweaters are tight, you can still see (my stomach). I’ll text my mom and say, ‘So many people are staring at me. I don’t know what to do,’” Mayes said. “She just says ‘Don’t be ashamed of it. Be proud of it. Be excited. Just walk around school.

Who cares? It’s not going to do anything.’”

Mayes acknowledges that stares and comments are not helpful, especially considering how difficult pregnancy truly is.

“When you’re around pregnant

Continued on page 16

Front page photo by Kaylen Ayres

October 2019

NEWS

Late buses cause students to miss class A county-wide bus driver shortage has prompted buses to make multiple routes

hire new bus drivers this year due to the job’s overall lack of appeal and low salary, forcing the existing drivers to take on additional work.

Bus drivers across the county are working tirelessly to accommodate to the shortage in staff, et’s go, let’s go! Y’all are gonna be late!” some of whom are making two bus routes a This is what the hundreds of Northwest day. students that rode the bus on Sept. 19 heard Zone transportation supervisor, Betsey Kelas their bus arrived one minute before the bell ly, and department of transportation program rang. These tardy students were unaware as to administrator, Deborah Graves, both declined whether their bus would pick them on time, if to comment on this issue. at all. This issue is due to a county-wide shortWhat is being done to resolve the shortage age of bus drivers that leaves many students in bus drivers? Guilford County is currently late to class daily. trying to recruit “I think new bus drivers I’ve been through countylate to class wide emails sent because of to all staff mem(late buses) bers, encouragfive or six ing them to sign times in the up for bus trainpast four ing. In addition, weeks,” juGuilford County nior Sophia began using the Ladetto said.

Remind101 app “They didn’t in order to comget to school municate with on time at all students and the first week parents when of school.” buses are late.

Each “In the event morning, your students’ Ladetto had a bus is running new bus and late due to an bus driver, emergency, leaving her breakdown, confused as traffic, or any to which bus other unforeto get on. In seen uncontroladdition to lable events you this, the inwill be notified consistency of through the bus drivers is Remind101 app,” causing many the transportabus routes to tion team said constantly in a letter to change. The Guilford County new drivers families. don’t know As of Oct. 11, the most efthe GCS school ficient routes, board approved which leads a $2 million to buses arpackage to Photo by Lily Hughes riving even provide bonuses Northwest students wait outside for their buses. The recent bus driver shortage has impacted the Northwest students and its community later than for current bus through delayed routes. expected. drivers. Money “We’d have remaining from a different last year’s school budget will be used as the -who must supervise them--principal Ralph bus and bus driver almost every day,” Ladetto state’s budget has yet to be passed.

Kitley is also frustrated and concerned. said. “Doesn’t this seem like a big problem?”

As for now, students like Ladetto and Mila“The first couple weeks, it was until 5:30; Late buses have been affecting students’ ni-Kaufman remain disheartened and confused now they get picked up by 4:30.

Students learning as they miss out on critical instrucdidn’t want to stay (outside); it was hot,” Kitley about this issue. tional time. Many students have found them“Even the people who ride the bus don’t said. “It’s not quite as bad, but what message selves falling behind in their first periods, fully know the problem,” Milani-Kaufman said. is this sending (to the community)?” including junior Mackenzie Milani-Kaufman.

“It’s so frustrating.”

Guilford County Schools has struggled to Milani-Kaufman is currently enrolled in AP psychology for her first period, an advanced class that is easy to fall behind in.

“What if you’re taking a test that day? You would miss half the time you have to take the test that day. You have to come and make it up at a different time,” Milani-Kaufman said.

“That’s just so much time wasted.”

In the afternoon, some buses have to make two to three rounds in order to drop off all of the students. This leaves some students waiting in the parking lot for almost an hour after school waiting for their bus to pick them up.

In addition to the affected students and staff-

Lily Hughes staff writer

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bus driver vacancies in the county The number of GCS students who take the bus each day:

35,000

October 2019

www.northwesthorizons.com

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NEWS

Final exams canceled

New teachers

Kimberly Brown arts & entertainment editor

Testing Reduction Act of 2019 cuts 20 North Carolina Final exams Christy Ma news editor

ting something in place, so that a student can get the same assessment at one school and another school.”

The push away from unnecnder the Testing Reduction essary standardized testing is Act of 2019, NC Final exams will the goal of the state; according be removed starting the 2020-2021 to an article from the News and school year. While students will Observer, the passed act is less still have teacher-made, district, ambitious than the original plan. state and end-of-course exams, the The reason people support North Carolina Department of Pub- this decision is that it would lic Instruction (DPI) will be cutting decrease stress in students since 20 tests across grade levels.

NC Finals are 20 percent of a stuAccorddent’s final ing to Part I grade in the of the act, the course.

State Board of “StuEducation and dents don’t the DPI will have to start planning worry as for testing much about alternatives doing well on March 15, (on state 2020. Teststandarding is beization); ing steered it’s more towards focused multiple, short on actual tests over a learning. long period of (Plus), some time rather students curriculum facilitator than one, long are just not Susan Orr test over a good at takshort period of ing exams, time. and (some) This decision was made by the exams can show that they’re not state legislature and signed into as good at school as they really law by Governor Roy Cooper. might be,” senior Greg Potter “(People made) this push (besaid. cause) our kids are over tested,” Some may be negatively afcurriculum facilitator Susan Orr fected by this decision, especially said. students who rely on the final In addition to reduced state exam to boost their grade at the finals, Part III of the bill also states end of the year. It will also be that district and school testing difficult to compare school curcannot exceed state tests in prepariculums. ration or duration time; the State “(NC Rinal exams are) a good Board of Education will regulate way to see how much you’ve and report this to the Joint Legisla- learned and see if the teachers tive Education Oversight Commithave actually taught you,” sophotee on Nov. 1 of each year. Other more Oly Ukaegve said. than this implement, there is little No one truly knows the future known about the future of exams outcome of this decision until in individual classrooms; however, next year as this is in an experithere are some ideas as to what mental period now. will happen. “‘Where is it going?’--that’s “There is a push to use the ACT the million-dollar question,” as an end-all-be-all assessment,” Orr said. “I think we’re in for an Orr said. “I foresee the county putinteresting ride.”

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(People made) this push (because) our kids are over tested.

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”

Name: Emily Burch Subject: Latin I and II Hobbies: Art and illustrating Previous Experience: Taught Latin at Caldwell Academy for nine years

Name: Buford Fox Subject: Exceptional Children Adaptive Classroom (Life Skills) Hobbies: Collecting sports memorabilia, watching football, fishing, playing bluegrass music Previous Experience: Taught Exceptional Children curriculum for 17 years in elementary to high school

Name: Amanda Cogley Subject: Exceptional Children Occupational Course of Study (OCS) Hobbies: Coaching girls’ basketball at Northwest, hiking, camping, backpacking, kayaking Previous Experience: Taught preschool for nine years at Ohio State University

Name: Steven Hancock Subject: Exceptional Children Hobbies: Filmmaking, historical re-enacting, fishing Previous Experience: Subbed for one year for Guilford County Schools

Name: Damian Jackson Subject: Civics and Economics Hobbies: Reading, coaching football, learning Spanish Previous Experience: Taught US History for seven years at Iowa Western Community College, Metro Community College.

Name: Pattie Bumpus Subject: Health Science I, II, Health Team Relations Hobbies: Reading, knitting, crocheting, spending time with grandkids Previous Experience: X-ray technician, mammographer, taught two years of health science at Dudley High School

October 2019

NEWS

NHS reconsiders GPA requirements

and the community. Their biggest focus this year is impacting the community through volunteering.

“Most NWHS students represent the four pillars every day,” Ashley Royal, a parent representative of the School Based Leadership Team, said. “I do think he Northwest High School National Honor it’s extremely important for students to know what Society has one of the highest GPA requirements in the qualifications are so they can be prepared.” the state of North Carolina.

Students are expected to be leading examples in “We are currently in the process of revising our their community every day. NHS focuses on acting GPA requirement for the next school year,” NHS with the pillar of service within the school and the adviser Gwen Stencler said. community as more members join.

Currently, the GPA requirement In order to be a part of NHS, these is a weighted 4.2, which much students have to reflect their good higher than the national standard. character on their application.

According to the NHS website, “We would like to see more peer schools can set their own GPA tutoring at the school,” Kitley said. requirements, but the minimum NHS encourages its members requirement is a 3.0 on the 4.0 to use their academic excellence scale. to help others succeed in school.

Northwest’s GPA requirement Every student is required to get is set by the NHS committee, 25 service hours for the year. Five which includes advisers Rhonda of those hours must come from Hudson and Stencler and Principal volunteering with a teacher; Ralph Kitley. helping them grade papers, “I think the Honor Society cleaning their room, or whatever should be inclusive, and everyone task is needed. The other 20 come should have an opportunity to be from service in the community as a member,” said Kitley. “Having well as opportunities within the said that, we are making the GPA school like peer tutoring. requirement a 3.75 unweighted.”

“If students meet the Northwest is a competitive qualifications, I encourage them to school. Most students will take at apply. Being a member is a great least one AP recognition before honor,” Royal said. they graduate. Being part of Applying to NHS begins the Honor Society gives these October of a student’s junior year in students an honor for their high school. That means they have Photo provided by Hinal Patel academic achievement, an edge Senior Hinal Patel holds her NHS certificate. The requirements for Northwest’s NHS GPA has be- six semesters of grades to boost on college applications and a come the highest in the state. their GPA in order to get in. There medal at graduation. But many is a large induction ceremony for have questioned if it is fair to students who are not as sports, jobs, clubs and other extracurriculars. those who get accepted in the fall semester in late enrolled in these higher level classes.

“We want to maintain the honor of the Honor October. For those who didn’t get accepted or didn’t This is where the controversy of having such a Society,” Stencler said. “We want students to feel apply in the fall, there is another opportunity to high GPA requirement begins. accomplished and reward them for their hard work.” apply in the spring during mid-February.

“Moving to a 3.75 unweighted, puts us in line The Northwest National Honor Society chapter “I believe the requirements should be with other schools like Grimsley and Reagan, but it is will continue to uphold its four pillars of Character, challenging, but also fair to all students,” Royal said. more inclusive because you don’t need to have all AP Leadership, Scholarship and Service in the school

Val Orozco staff writer

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classes or all honors in order to get in,” Kitley said.

On a weighted scale, the GPA requirement excludes students who do not take honors or AP classes. The maximum GPA they can acquire is a 4.0 because they can’t get the extra .5 to 1 GPA point that comes with honors or AP credit classes.

Some students simply do not want to take these highly rigorous courses. The heavy workloads and accelerated coursework can get in the way of student lives which are full time-demanding activities such

“Adulting” class debuts next year

Financial literacy class will be mandatory starting the 2020-2021 Nathan Vescio webmaster

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or all the reading, writing and arithmetic taught in schools, students may have found their education missing crucial information about how to pay taxes or how to budget their savings.

Until now.

Beginning next year, North Carolina will require a financial literacy class as part of graduation.

Lovingly called an “adulting” class by some, specifics of the course are still in creation at the state level, but it appears that the class will be offered through the social studies department. Topics the course will cover include the cost of credit and how to manage reports, mortgages and managing bank accounts.

Curriculum facilitator Susan Orr says the adulting class will be the first major change to the curriculum in some time.

“The last time there had been a change that was mandated, it was when we switched to U.S (History) 1 and 2,” Orr said.

While information about the class is sparse at the moment, details will likely be shared from the top down, starting with announcements from the state, working their way into the district level and

October 2019

finally into schools.

“Usually, (the state) will share information with principals, who will then share that information with curriculum facilitators, and by that point, teachers have found out about it as well because they have access to those services too,” Orr said.

The adulting class appears to have been inspired by a similar class offered in Kentucky.

However, more change may be on the way for the social studies department beyond a simple addition to their core curriculum. The class is coming as part of a larger process that will review all of North Carolina’s social studies standards for kindergarten through high school.

“They are looking at every course and what is taught in every course, analyzing, gathering some data, and deciding if what needs to be taught in that course can stay the same or if (it) needs to be changed,” Guilford County social studies director Jonathan Permar said.

Teachers will have some time to brace themselves for the changes to their material, though. The process takes three years to see through completely.

“We’ll spend an entire year doing a review and writing process,” Permar said. “After that, they’ll start teaching it, but there won’t be any state assessment involved, and then the third year is when

they implement it with a state assessment.”

The financial literacy class will not follow this process and will be offered as a graduation requirement beginning next school year.

Permar expects the data collecting and review process for social studies to begin this October, and finish around March or April.

With all of the changes in the not too distant future, Northwest’s social studies department will have to join the rest of the state in adapting to the new curriculum, as will the students who take the classes.

www.northwesthorizons.com

5

EDITORIAL

Laurie Powers:

The passing of Northwest’s most loyal substitute STAFF EDITORIAL

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aurie Speer Powers was a fixture at Northwest. As a longterm substitute, she covered many teachers’ maternity leaves, and in between, she was a pinch hitter if a teacher suddenly needed to be out. Her colleagues described her as loyal, caring and extremely reliable.

Her sudden diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in late May and subsequent passing on June 29, 2019 has placed a hole in Northwest’s heart.

Our most dedicated substitute teacher will never grace these halls again.

She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, daughter-in-law, aunt, grandmother (Lola), teacher, friend and mentor to countless people.

Powers is preceded in death by her father, Jim and brother, Stewart, and is survived by her mother, Norma; her husband, Jim; her daughter, Kelly and her husband, Jamie; grandchildren, Micah, Zoe and Triniti; brother, Michael and his wife, Becky; sister, Jaymie and her husband Bob; sister-in-law, Karin Speer; brother-in-law, David and his wife Vicky; brother-in-law, George and his wife Janet; sisterin-law, Deborah and her husband, Rich; sister-in-law, Mary and her husband Kevin; plus four nieces Photos by Megan Harkey

(Left) A sophomore English student poses with substitute Laurie Powers in 2017.

Powers was a substitute at Northwest for many teachers’ maternity leaves and absences. She passed away this summer from pancreatic cancer.

and eight nephews.

This family of grand size fits Powers’ open-armed personality filled with love and faith.

Powers was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on May 8, 1957. She traveled through Florida, Georgia, Indiana and North Carolina.

In the school hallways of Northwest, Land O’ Lakes High and Wesley Chapel High, she was a friendly face for 25 years. She developed many rich friendships with both students and coworkers that will be cherished for years to come.

Powers’ loyalty and loving nature will be deeply missed as she will no longer greet students at teachers’ doors, but her legacy lives on within each of us as we re-

member the lessons she taught us.

The staff of Northwest Horizons dedicates this first issue to Laurie Speer Powers. Thank you for everything you did for our school.

“She had a true desire to get to know the kids. And rarely do you have a substitute teacher that interacts with the students on that level.”

Principal Ralph Kitley

“She was always involved; she knew about my life, she was interested, she asked, she told me how I needed to be.”

Sarah Hutchinson, English teacher

“She was such a positive influence on my life. She was so caring and took (in) not only me, but so many other kids who needed someone to talk to.”

Bizzy Baumeier, Class of 2018

NORTHWEST HORIZONS STAFF Editors in Chief Megan Harkey, Nathan Vescio News Editor Christy Ma Op/Ed Editor Sarah Teague Spread Editor Autumn Dixon Sports Editor Kaylen Ayres Features Editor Madison Magyar Arts & Entertainment Editor Kimberly Brown

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northwesthorizons.com

Staff Writers Sophia Carson, Morgan DelFava, Jhenesis Hines, Lily Hughes, Angela Lam, Laina McCoy, Val Orozco, Ava Rickelton, Adam Sasser, Kelby Shouse, Kaitlyn Sumner, Jacob Teague, Mycheal Warner Contributing Writers Sarah Arteaga Hinal Patel

Adviser Melanie Huynh-Duc Principal Ralph Kitley

Northwest Horizons

@nwhorizons

@nwhorizons

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

Staff Editorials are unsigned.

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

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

October 2019

HEAD 2

HEAD TO HEAD

HEAD Should teachers be able to express political opinions in class?

Opinions enrich the learning environment Instead of teachers trying to influence opinions, they could be to cultivating an actual fact-based understanding of the world and people n today’s society, personal in it. Done right, current events opinions opinions are easier to express as could provide reliable sources that people move to a digital platform; a students otherwise wouldn’t have personal stage where it seems like access to or seek out on their own hundreds of people are listening at accord. When misconstrued facts one time. With increasing focus on are easily accessible on any feed on the importance of the individual, any platform, actively seeking out there seems to be a push to keep accurate news sources can feel outthe classroom a sacred place, free of dated. Sifting through these preopinions and personal leanings. carious obstacles toward real facts However, for high schoolers can be time-consuming, and many still trying to navigate their way students simply don’t have that time through the news and newly acon top of a myriad of AP classes and quired voting rights, this limit can after-school activities. Setting aside hinder students’ learning. class time to allow teachers to share “I think (limiting a teacher’s reliable sources could be incredibly political views) does a disservice valuable to busy students, especially not only to the teacher, but to the seniors who are about to vote in the student,” social spring. studies teacher CurrentWilliam Satly, teachterfield said. ers can be “Every day fired for we’re living espousing in a more discussions global society; in the class. you’re going Districts can to encounter ask employmore and ees to take social studies teacher, more people. down all And while we posters that William Satterfield may not like have any afpeople’s perfiliation to a particular candidate or sonal opinion, they’re simply that-express an opinion. As a right-tothey’re opinions,” work state, any Northwest teacher In the Supreme Court case Wein- could be fired at any time for any garten v Board of Education of City reason. So sharing opinions in the School District, it was decided that classroom is a risky game. in the state of New York, all pub“I don’t think outlawing opinlic teachers K-12 are banned from ions does anything other than limit sharing opinions. This stemmed the individuality of the lessons and from elementary school teachers material being presented,” Sattercommenting on elections, which field said. can be understandable as wrong.

Instead of working to forbid Elementary schoolers are impresteachers’ opinions, we should work sionable when listening to adults on trying to regulate the way in who express their thoughts. which they are delivered. Instead In contrast, most high schoolof allowing students to be misled ers have fully formed opinions, so a by bias, teachers should be opening teacher sharing his or her opinion up the myopic views of students to wouldn’t be as influential. Healthy understand the whole world. When discussions in class can even guided properly by real, reputable contribute to a whole, factuallyfacts, opinions in the classroom can supported view. be informative and eye-opening.

“We can’t assume political lean“You can’t learn when you’re ings, but I think we do a disservice comfortable; you can only grow to our students and to young people when you’re uncomfortable.” Satterin general and them trying to field said “If you’re comfortable then understand the world they’re going you’re not learning new things, and into if we don’t talk about politics,” if you’re not learning new things Satterfield said. you’re not growing,”

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You can only grow when you’re uncomfortable.

think when you pick one side over the other, you lose half of your class,” AP government and politics teacher Jimmy Jiles said. t is against the law for a public These opinions can often alienate school teacher to share his or her students who disagree with teachers, political views with students in the decreasing the trust in any informaclassroom. tion from that teacher.

The Supreme Court cases of “Students often assume my Mayer v. Monroe County and Garcetti political leaning, which is crazy bev. Ceballos both state that while on cause in my last school, they actually official duty, a teacher must abide by thought I was the exact opposite,” a professional code of conduct that Jiles said. limits his or her First Amendment However, should teachers refrain right to free speech during business from sharing their own political behours. liefs when engaging in an authentic “Although school is a safe space discussion with students? for expressing your opinions, I feel “It opens up the class to conflict,” political opinions of all, not just junior Cat Rigsbee said. “We are here teachers, are a personal thing, and to learn only the facts. We can’t have it’s inapbias.” propriate Although students in a school often discuss politics, setting,” juwhich Rigsbee says nior Dexter she has seen led to Robertson “peer pressure” and said. “Teach“bullying,” most ers should Northwest teachers do have enough not actively put their sense not to beliefs on display. let political “It is rare that I beliefs inhave had a teacher terfere with talk about or display their job.” their political opinTeachions,” Rigsbee said. ers in other But some teachschools ers believe politics have been are a part of human disciplined nature-- it goes bejunior, Cat Rigsbee or even fired yond just an election for sharing season. disparaging “All human political views with their students. relationships are politics,” civics and In 2017, a Georgia public school economics teacher Scott Bennett teacher was forced to resign after said. “The classroom should be a telling two students to remove their laboratory of ideas.”

Make America Great T-shirts while Inevitably, people have their in her math classroom. beliefs, which influences their lens.

“Employees may never express In every part of human history, the personal political views or camleaders decide what is said upon it, paigns during school hours or in so even the facts could be perceived their capacity as an employee after as biased. Yet it is quite easy to dishours,” Georgia Superintendent agree with the factor that all interacBrian Hightower said in response. tions are politics.

This legislation does not mean “Holding beliefs is not the same that teachers should be required as displaying beliefs,” Rigsbee said. to ban all political speech in class.

Ultimately, a public school should For instance, in a class such as AP be a “blank canvas,” as Rigsbee said, government, teachers have to discuss in which students learn to develop past and current political events as their own ideas about politics withpart of the curriculum. out teachers painting their beliefs “The biggest reason (to keep upon them. opinions out of the classroom) is I “We are here to learn only the facts,” Robertson said.

Mycheal Warner staff writer

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It opens up the class to conflict.

We are here to learn only the facts. We can’t have bias.

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Sarah Teague op/ed editor

Opinions alienate students trying to learn

northwesthorizons.com

7

OPINION

Minority groups reclaim slurs

Sophia Carson, Angela Lam staff writers

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any minority groups are starting to reclaim slurs and insults as a form of empowerment.

In the past, the word ‘queer’ has been used as a slur against people of the LGBTQ+ community.

Although sometimes it is still used in a negative context, others now claim it as an identity. The ‘Q’ in LGBTQ+ stands for ‘queer.’ This community is taking back derogatory language.

“It gives people who don’t quite know or don’t really fit into a certain label or a well-known label—a word to use that makes them get the point across,” junior Pierce Dolan, who identifies as queer, said.

Another instance of reclamation is the n-word. The n-word has been used as a derogatory term dating back to the time of slavery.

However, many people in the black community have taken back the word.

“It is sort of working for black people. It does help to strengthen bonds and ties within the black community, but it can lead to great social tension and conflict when different races interact,” senior Kema Leonard said, who is African American.

Words have power. When a per-

Graphic by Angela Lam

son or group flips the use of a derogatory term, it shifts the power. Although it’s important to note that “power-shift” only occurs when someone in the affected group reclaims the phrase.

“The black community would not have come this far with the nword if it wasn’t for the repetition and the normalization in music, and the music has to be made by said group for said group,” Leonard said.

The reclamation of slurs is a way for minority groups to change the words’ connotations of said

slurs. Its symbolic nature is freeing in and of itself. Society is built on language, and to control words is to control the view of those words.

However, opinions differ on reclamation.

“I think it can be a good thing,” Dolan said. “I don’t know a lot about slurs in general, but I think it can be an empowering thing for a group it has been used against. It’s good that they’re taking the power away from it.”

For some people, it’s difficult to separate a slur from its hurtful past and negative connotations.

previous teacher, believes that gap years allow students to explore different cultures and mature before returning to regular school classrooms in college. “(A gap year) allows a person to mature, although Angela didn’t need any maturing at all, and to be able to bring different experiences to the college classroom,” Stencler said.

A common misconception about a gap year is that if one decides to take it, there will be less of a chance that he or she will return to college.

“I think that if your goal is to go to college after a gap year, taking the gap year will help you prepare mentally,” Seo said. “Taking a gap year or bridge year won’t be a block in your path to higher education, instead it will be

an enhancer.”

In addition, some believe that students will forget a lot of what they learned in high school, and that it will be extremely expensive.

Although for some people this may be the case, there are programs that are built to maintain your focus throughout the gap year and simultaneously provide scholarships to fund the gap year.

Seo is participating in a program called UNC-Chapel Hill’s Global Gap Year Fellowship that provides an $8,000 scholarship. Seo is using the money to teach students in Equador through a partnership with Global Citizen Year.

“It’s because of this generous financial aid that I was able to take this gap year,” Seo said.

Furthermore, Seo is gaining knowledge by participating in this program because she is not only learning about a different culture, but participating in it, as well.

“I decided to go with GCY because it’s a more structured program where I can truly immerse myself into one place and become a part of the community there,” Seo said.

After a training period in San Francisco, this structured program located Seo to Ecuador.

“I chose to go to Ecuador to work on my Spanish,” Seo said.

“I think it’s good for the people who want to have more power over words, but I’m personally not a fan of reclaiming slurs; it’s just not my thing. I prefer staying sensitive,” junior Taylor Yasaki, who identifies as transgender, said.

There have been many other instances of reclamation, but not just of slurs. A well-known example is the P*ssy Hat from 2017. This hat was based off President Donald Trump’s infamous “grab them by the ...” Many women wore these hats to take back power and protest peacefully.

The #ShePersisted tag, a viral meme that was a satirical take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s attempt to silence Senator Elizabeth Warren during a debate over Donald Trump’s choice of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. The saying behind it was, “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”

Reclamation can be a powerful tool, but one does have to stay aware of what is being done. Some words can be hurtful to others.

Some people could have bad experiences with a slur, and they could therefore be uncomfortable with reclaiming it.

“Reclamation is used as a strategy to ultimately take away the slur’s power, leaving it useless and undesirable to the outside groups,” Leonard said. “I do not think it is necessary if you are just wanting to spice up your conversations.”

Northwest alumna narrows down on gap year benefits Sarah Arteaga contibuting writer

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s a senior in high school, deciding one’s future is extremely stressful. Most people assume that college is the only path that can be taken in order to have a successful future.

However, there are other options. Northwest alumni Angela Seo is currently in Ecuador for a gap year. Seo had experienced a rigorous four years of school at Northwest and wanted to prevent burnout with another consecutive four years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Going from four years of stressful school work to another four years isn’t mentally healthy for me,” Seo said. “I want to learn for the purpose of learning and get out of the mentality that school was only for getting the grades and passing.”

Seo believes a gap year is a reasonable and potentially beneficial option despite the existing stigma when people refer to them. Spanish teacher Gwen Stencler, Seo’s

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Seo currently lives with a host family in a small town called Natabuela. Throughout her stay in this small town, she will have an apprenticeship where she teaches children English while she takes Spanish classes. Her daily schedule includes waking up at 6:00 a.m., walking her host sibling 1.2 miles to school at 6:30 a.m. and going to her apprenticeship at 9:00 a.m. for 30 hours a week.

“The most important thing is to be adaptable and flexible to all things that can happen,” Seo said.

Although Seo is fortunate enough to have parents that support her decision to take a gap year, not everyone believes it is as beneficial as a result of the preexisting stigma. Seo will attend UNC-Chapel Hill the following year as a result of the program that she is in, which is evidence that her future will still be on track.

“I think that if you want to take a gap year, you should take it,” Seo said. “Taking a gap year is mostly for your personal growth and learning.”

Photo provided by Angela Seo

Class of 2019 graduate Angela Seo (right) poses with one of her students (left). During her gap year, Seo works as an apprentice teaching children English in Ecuador.

October 2019

OPINION

Greensboro deli serves a throwback experience Autumn Dixon, Sarah Teague spread editor, op/ed editor

w

Photos by Sarah Teague

ith various new restaurants popping up up all the time, sometimes it’s nice to take a break break from the #trendy foods and return to a local favorite. Jay’s Deli has been open for many years in Greensboro and keeps bringing customers back.

Located in the Friendly Center outdoor shopping mall in Greensboro, the deli has a perfect location. It is surrounded by various businesses, from clothing stores to a movie theater. Jay’s Deli is the perfect stop during a day out.

The restaurant has a cute vintage feel without making the interior appear outdated.

During our visit, the restaurant was fairly quiet-but comfy, not awkward.

The menu offers a wide range of breakfast to dinner options, with fair prices. It had various kosher items but is very limited in its vegetarian and especially vegan items.

Despite the charming atmosphere, the food seemed to waver in its quality. We both ordered

the veggie omelet and the Carolina burger. The omelet meal came with an omelet filled with mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomatoes and mozzarella, as well as a side of fries and a plain bagel. The burger meal came with fries. The burger was topped with chili, slaw, mustard and red onions.

Seemingly the meals had strong sides.

Well toasted, the bagel was crunchy and tasty. The fries were crispy, and especially good with ranch. However, the burger was subpar; overall, it had great flavors but came out dry. Disappointingly the omelet was also unsatisfying. It was under seasoned, came with the cheese incompletely melted and the vegetables were not cooked thoroughly. Luckily the meals were salvageable thanks to their sides.

Although the food shined more in some places than others, it has great prices and a vintage feel. We will definitely go back.

The Grade Floor:

A new way to keep students on track

Morgan Delfava staff writer

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or the first time ever, Northwest is implementing a “grade floor.” This new rule states that the lowest quarter average a student can receive is a 50; however, it is only in place for the first semester. This change is designed to keep students on track and to give them a “safety net” if they are doing poorly in a class. For any number of reasons, students may easily begin to fall behind in a class and spiral. The grade floor is a new way to prevent this from happening and gives students a fighting chance at still passing a class after hitting rock bottom. “(We understand) some things are out of students’ control,” counselor Elizabeth Lucas said. “If you have mono and are out for a few weeks or have a family emergency, it can tank your grade.”

The idea came about from many departments around the school, and was geared towards ensuring students do not “give up” because they are discouraged by extremely low quarter average numbers. The grade floor gives students an opportunity to create realistic recovery goals without stressing about having a perfect second semester in order to receive credit for the class. “(Multiple departments) proposed having some type of grade floor to prevent students from essentially giving up halfway

October 2019

through the year,” chair of the School Based Leadership Team and English teacher Alexander Wertz said. “If you’re a student who is struggling and have a super low average first and second quarter, and you do the math and see there’s no way for you to pass in the third and fourth quarter, then you aren’t going to put forth any effort.”

While this may seem like an interesting concept at first, some are worried it will only promote laziness in the group of students who are already prone to it if they are failing their classes with incredibly low numbers. Upon the realization that no matter how low their grade sinks to, it will just be raised to

a 50, questions revolving around students putting in any effort in the first half of the year has been a topic of concern.

“I get that, but there’s not a grade floor for the remaining two quarters (for that purpose), and there certainly isn’t a grade floor for the exam,” Lucas said. “Our hope is that students would respond to this much more maturely than, ‘I don’t have to do any work.’”

Additionally, questions revolving around any potential underlying motive to boost the school’s numbers have been raised. If the grade floor essentially gives a free safety net to students in order to boost their chance at passing, logically this could be a great boost to

Photo by Morgan Delfava

A student holds up a 50 percent sign. Students will no longer receive lower than a 50 average during first semester as a grade safety net.

the school’s passing and ultimately graduation rates. However, while it may benefit the school, Wertz denies the possibility of it being created for that purpose alone.

“Students (who fail a course) usually end up taking a course recovery class over the summer and get credit for the class anyway,” Wertz said. “The (grade floor) was mainly designed so they didn’t have to do those online classes.”

The grade floor seems to be a positive change brought to the school that, if effective, will eliminate the need for the course recovery classes as well as will aid in students’ anxiety over passing a class after initial low averages and discouragement.

“I really think this is coming from a student-support direction, much like getting rid of summer assignments; it was stressing students out. I have students come into my office who have terrible grades, and it stresses them out.”

Lucas said.

As it is the first year the grade floor has been implemented at Northwest, the School Based Leadership Team plans to observe how well the grade floor does and reflect on it at the next summer’s meeting, deciding if it will continue and in what form. It is completely subject to change, yet staff is hopeful that this first “trial run” will be successful.

“Some states and districts have grade floors, (I think) they’re pretty successful.” Wertz said.

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SPREAD

Environmental changes shake Earth to its core who (are just trying to) support what they believe in,” junior Seeva Cherukuri said. “It’s taking us back (a step). The power of these corporate companies (is being used) to mislead us, and the environment (is the one) who’s hurting.”

Another form of greenwashing includes promoting green campaigns for the sole purpose of profit or improving public image. While this is less harmful than misinformation, this does open the door to shortcuts in sustainability that might not yield the greatest results. An example is General Motors “ecomagination” campaign contradicting their other environmental habits. According to a New York Times article, “Green” products give red flags General Motors is investing millions into “ecomagination,” but is reluctant in helping to Christy Ma clean up the Hudson River, which they helped news editor contaminate by dumping PCBs--or Polychloecyclable plastics, all-natural products, rinated Biphenyls, a toxic chemical difficult to sustainably sourced--these all sound like wondecompose--for 30 years. This form of altering derful initiatives to combat the many environpublic perception can result in selecting their mental crises of today, and sometimes they are. products over another band, which may not However, sometimes buying that colorful, advertise their eco-friendliness as well. recyclable bottle may not have the impact many “When (someone) is walking down an aisle, and intend. (they) see something that is “Greenwashing” is a term (marketed as) environmentally that refers to the marketing friendly, (they) are going to of a product as more envipick that product,” Murphy ronmentally friendly than said. it really is in an attempt to However, there are people make a profit off of unassumstanding up and fighting ing customers. This means this misinformation. In 2019, that companies can tell halfRene Walker filed a classtruths in order to capitalize action lawsuit against Nestle on the eco-friendly wave. This chocolate company, Walker v. includes a range of marketing Nestle USA, Inc. et al. Nestle tactics from nature images on was marketing its products bottles to meaningless labels. as “sustainably sourced,” but “It’s like the different levels according to ClassAction.org, of organic,” AP environmental they were profiting off of child science teacher Terrence Murlabor and contributed heavphy said. “To be truly organic, ily to the deforestation of the you have to have these 97 perIvory Coast, buying cocoa off AP environmental science of protected lands. cent environmentally-friendly practices. For (companies that “Most companies are forteacher Terrence Murphy don’t meet this standard), profit, so it’s (up to the) conthey can label themselves as all-natural, which sumer to know what they’re buying,” Murphy (almost everything) is all-natural.” said. “There needs to be (more) regulations on Some examples of greenwhat can be said, and there needs to be truth washed products are colorful bottles in statements. A certain label needs to follow that claim to be recyclable. While a certain standard, you can’t just put random this is technically true, recycling labels on because of a marketing campaign.” is, at heart, a business, and the For the everyday consumer, it is important demand for recycled colored bottles to read into claims such as “free-range” or is low. “recyclable” or “all-natural” or “sustainably Tom Szaky, co-founder of Tersourced.” Speaking out against products which racycle, said that clear and white misinform can help stop the effectivity of greenplastics are in demand due to dyewashing. ing flexibility, and the rest is often “Look deeper (than the surface),” AP envidiscarded into landfills. Furtherronmental science teacher Taryn Vanderpool more, products that then say they said. “Tell (people) exactly how much they are are made from these recycled matericontributing to this whole environmental cause. als may only have a small percentage Inform the public with announcements, posters come from recycled materials and opt and conversation.” to leave the truth in fine-print.

“It’s misleading and terrible for big corporations to do this to consumers

Greenwashing:

R

“

There needs to be (more) regulations on what can be said, and there needs to be truth in statements.

Photo by Tony Webster on Flicker, changes have been made

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October 2019

SPREAD

Climate Change: Avoiding what’s right in front of us Autumn Dixon spread editor

Sarah Arteaga contributing writer

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others will too. Therefore every small action can make a big difference.

A further step toward change is making this issue heard, students from around the world such as Greta Thunberg, spend their time getting attention globally to confront our tragic reality.

Thunberg, a 16-year-old environmental activist on climate change, started spending her school days protesting outside the Swedish Parliament with a sign decorated with the saying “School strike for climate,” while demanding they reduce carbon emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

Quickly her presence grew on social media, causing her actions to gain international coverage quickly. As the number of other students participating in school strikes began to grow, Thunberg and other students created Fridays for Future, which is a movement that calls for students to strike in their own communities. In 2018 she spoke at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which caused student strikes to take place every week somewhere in the world ever since. Her actions among thousands of others have moved politicians to acknowledged the importance of focusing on climate change.

Within our own communities, students can protest and make the message about climate change known. The best chance we have to reduce climate change is to force our political leaders and big business owners to reduce our footprint on the environment.

“The only way any that changes are gonna (occur) is if all the countries come together with huge industrial giants and find some sort of way to come up with (a solution),” senior Jesse Andrews said.

su

es

7%

14%

500 Million

straws are estimated to be used every day in the United States according to National Geographic.

25% 20% 15% 10% 5%

ted

A majority of students surveyed, 26.98 percent, feel afraid of climate change, while 11.90 percent of students are uninterested.

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of 2,219 products surveyed by TerraChoice were guilty of greenwashing, the problem has grown by 79 percent from a survey taken two years prior. As consumers demand for green products and services increase the amount of claims of stainability has also increased and it’s projected to continually worsen according to ncbi.nlm. nih.gov.

30%

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of plastic are estimated to be dumped into the oceans each year, 0.025 percent are plastic straws according to National Geographic.

98 percent

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8 Million Tons

18%

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October 2019

46%

How does climate change make you feel?

reserving the environment has become a more prominent issue in recent years. Additionally, it has become a popular subject on social media. People are realizing that not only does our pollution damage the environment, but that it also harms ecosystems.

The Save-the-Turtles movement focuses on the damage that plastic has on the environment considering that it takes thousands of years for it to begin to break down. This can be hazardous to animals that believe that the plastic is food and can choke on it.

Environmental science teacher Terrence Murphy believes that all plastics should be recyclable and that a deposit should be placed on plastics in order to influence more recycling.

“You pay an extra five cents on every plastic material that you buy, and you get those five cents back if you recycle those plastic materials,” Murphy said. “Plastic bottle companies need to do more to encourage recycling of their plastics.”

Overall, this movement attempts to persuade people to use reusable straws rather than multiple plastic straws. All of these plastic straws have had a negative effect on the sea turtle population.

Senior Jessica Creviston has recently purchased a reusable straw of her own in order to prevent further pollution of plastic straws on her part.

“I believe that little things done by people like me can have the power to persuade big corporations to improve the environment around them,” Creviston said.

Creviston believes that the power to actually make a difference in improving the environment lies in the hands of large businesses, but that a difference will only be begin with the average person.

“I think awareness of the importance of our environment and just exactly what we are doing to it needs to be brought to the attention of people,” Creviston said.

“Once people understand their surroundings, they will care for them more.”

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M

Save-the-Turtles movement conquers pollution one step at a time

food waste by only buying what the family will end up eating, as well as decreasing one’s meat consumption s a result of human actions, can, according to the BBC, reducing our earth is facing drastic changes in our meat intake will cut a person’s its climate. Reports from the United carbon footprint by more than 40 Nations show that the changes in percent, which is one of the best our climate are only accelerating and courses of action to decrease the efare about to cross critical tipping fect of climate change. points. In a poll of 75 students it was “Knowing the impact my (pescaconsidered to be the most pressing tarian) diet has on the environment environmental problem, but with makes me feel more encouraged few students taking action, and to (never) go back to eating meat,” obvious research shows it is a dire junior Annabelle Mills said. “It (has) problem our world is facing, can we assured me that I am doing the continue to ignore it any longer? right thing for myself and the enviAnd what can even be done to stop ronment.” it?

Scientists have found when one A variety of actions must be person takes action, it is globally taken in order to slow and more Environm likely reverse the effects of climate change. g n i s s ent We are currently at risk of sea level Pre al t rises, coral bleaching, an ice-free is os arctic, billions of heat waves, increased flooding, loss of wildlife habitats and so much more. In order to make the changes our planet needs before we reach a 2-degree ge Celsius increase in global han c temperatures, people need te ma to be willing to take action.

Cli 15% People’s ambition needs to Wa be tripled in order to preter n n o i o i t t c a P u t vent an increase in global Air ollu rod efores P e t Po tion D temperatures. s Wa llu tio To make a difference at n home, we need to manage our electrical usage. Families should consider looking into renewable energy options, such as wind and solar power. It is critical to reduce our In a poll of 75 students, 46 percent befossil fuel impact; in order to achieve lieved climate change is the current most this, students can ride a bike to pressing environmental issue. The current school or carpool with a friend. Also production of waste was the least concerning among students. consider reducing one’s household’s

Graphics by Autumn Dixon

40

percent

of 75 students surveyed own reusable staws, but only 5.3 percent of students never use plastic staws, while 43 percent always use plastic straws when available.

79

percent

39

of 75 students surveyed said their household regulrly recycles, while 7 percent sometimes recycles and the rest of students do not.

percent

of 75 students surveyed said they had taken action to reduce climate change, such as carpooling and composting.

www.northwesthorizons.com

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SPORTS

Homecoming Week: “Vikings got game” Megan Harkey, Kaylen Ayres editor in chief, sports editor

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orthwest went all out in their homecoming festivities this year. With new traditions from last year, student participation was at an all time high. On Monday Sept. 30, juniors made history by winning the Powderpuff game against the seniors 14-12. They defied the odds, and with a touchdown in the last quarter, they secured the victory.

At the homecoming football game on Friday Oct. 4, the Vikings were not able to win against Reagan. Even with a final score of 62-15, the Northwest student section maintained vibrant school spirit.

In between these events, the spirit week themes including jersey day, character day, prep day, 80s workout day and red-out day encouraged students to participate. Overall, the spirit week winners were the seniors, who won four out of the five themed competitions.

Photos by Kaylen Ayres

The Northwest student section (top left) brought their A-game to the Homecoming game Friday, Oct. 4 against Reagan High School. The hype was enhanced by numerous cheers, and senior Jackson Reeves posed as Moses to “part the red sea.”

Senior Montana Mears (beneath top left) runs with a football locked in her clutch. The Powderpuff game Sept. 30 shocked participants as juniors brought home the win.

Junior Carson Cassetty runs (top right) into the defense with the ball. Despite their efforts, the Vikings lost to Reagan 62-15.

Junior Micah Salmon (left middle) is ready to catch the ball during the Homecoming game. Salmon then winds up (center middle) to throw the ball as a Reagan defensive lineman prepares to tackle him.

Senior Mitchell Vermillia cheers (right middle) at Monday’s Powderpuff game. The cheerleaders performed a well rehearsed half time show for the crowd.

Senior Abigail Rose has her game face on (bottom right) for Monday night’s game. She worked hard as the senior quarterback and produced for the team.

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www.northwesthorizons.com

October 2019

SPORTS

Students express interest in physical therapy Megan Harkey, Kaylen Ayres editor in chief, sports editor

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ne wrong step, twist, landing or move can cause an injury that can keep you out of action. Many athletes have had an injury at some point in time that has prevented them from playing, and sometimes the injury requires them to go to physical therapy to help the recovery process.

Going through physical therapy has inspired many athletes to pursue it as a career in their future. According to CollegeGrad, an information website about jobs and salaries, there’s a projected 22 percent rise in physical therapists over the next 10 years. “(It has) immediate job opportunities, the starting salary is above the norm and there are so many different facets to go into,” Dr. John O’Halloran said.

O’Halloran, from O’Halloran Rehabilitation, is a PT, DPT, OCS, retired ATC, retired CSCS, certified MDT and certified SCTM-1 practitioner. He also is a nationally recognized educator, speaker and mentor in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation.

Physical therapists must review the patient’s medical past with both the patient and other medical workers, diagnose pain or issues, develop the care and exercises needed for

the patient, evaluate the patient and educate those related with the patient. When choosing a state to go to school in, North Carolina is a good choice.

“North Carolina is a good example (because) there are over eight schools (that have the major), and every year each school has more applicants apply to the school,” O’Halloran said.

For junior Amelia Hammond, Duke is her dream school to pursue physical therapy. After experiencing many injuries in swimming and volleyball including a fractured shoulder growth plate, a torn hand ligament, golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, compressed nerve in her elbow and two torn ligaments and bruised bones in her ankle, she’s been to physical therapy quite a few times.

However, her shoulder injury was the one that sparked her interest in pursuing physical therapy as a career. Acquired during swimming, it went undiagnosed for 11 months and had an extremely long recovery time.

“I saw my physical therapist as my last chance to get back to doing something that I truly loved to do,” Hammond said. “This feeling of desperation made me think that maybe I could help other people that were in my position get back to doing what they love.”

Similarly, senior Taylor Lowman’s interest in physical therapy

began after watching her uncle endure it after both of his shoulders were operated on.

“I just watched what they did, and I decided that’s what I want to do,” Lowman said.

Lowman started playing travel volleyball because her sister played it, and she wanted to diverge from doing just school.

“Within volleyball, there are so many accidents,” Lowman said. “I’ve seen many players get injured and have to go to physical therapy.”

Now, Lowman’s sister is also going into the field because of her interest.

The field has many different options and jobs to fill, but the main goal is to help others.

“There are plenty of other people

who have had catastrophic injuries, and I think that having someone help you get back from them makes you want to help other people when they have injuries,” Hammond said.

Photo by Jennifer Harkey

Dr. John O’Halloran works on a patient’s shoulder. He has practiced physical therapy for many years.

The recruitment process: The experience of one student athlete Megan Harkey editor in chief

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s high school athletes begin their journey in the recruitment process, it is important to know what it entails. Here’s my story as a girls’ basketball player of 6’6”.

In the start of my process, I was not a gifted basketball player.

In fact, I was quite bad. My height and coordination worked against each other tremendously. This continued until the end of my sophomore year. However, after years of work, this struggle has shown me what a sport can do.

The most important thing I’ve learned over the years: the development of an athlete does not happen overnight. It takes long hours of practice, sprints, weight lifting, studying, learning and most importantly, failing (over and over and over). Every other adult in your life who has told you, “You’re not trying if you don’t make mistakes,” is right. I have never learned that more than during this process.

The feeling of failure on the court, on the field or in the class-

October 2019

room can affect a whole day or even week. The realization of losing an opportunity can be so frustrating that you nearly give up.

I lost two Division I offers in the span of a week, one was on my birthday. I have been ignored or forgotten by coaches who had previously expressed interest in me.

I’ve seen recruiters leave my games right before I started to do well.

Even the best players in the country are turned down, but the recruitment process is often heartless in these times of distress.

Conversely, during these times of failure, I had programs ecstatic

to talk to me, and I had coaches from every division cycling through to watch my team. There will always be someone on the sidelines looking for an addition to their team; it’s just a matter of either seeing them or approaching them first.

Some athletes can wait upon interested schools, but most need to hunt for a coach. A simple phone conversation can spark a great connection or even a scholarship opportunity.

Additionally, when you personally choose a school to talk to, you already know that that school will suit you as an athlete and a stu-

dent.

My advice to student athletes: do not choose a school that does not fulfill your educational needs. A college experience without a good degree is detrimental to your future and a waste of hard work. Also, a minimal percentage of athletes actually go professional, so you need a career to fall back on.

So many student athletes make this mistake and need to transfer, which can put you through the stress of college searching all over again.

Overall, nothing prepares you for the rollercoaster of this process, but it’s important to know to embrace the peaks and let the valleys fuel you. Playing a collegiate sport is not easy in any division, and getting there is just as difficult.

The simple feeling of being wanted by a coach can push you to new heights you never thought possible.

Photo contibuted by Megan Harkey

Senior Megan Harkey boxes out an opponent after a foul shot. She has committed to Xavier University to play Division I basketball.

www.northwesthorizons.com

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SPORTS

Northwest hires a new athletic director Lily Hughes staff writer

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or the first time in 15 years, Northwest has appointed a new athletic director: PE teacher and coach Michael Everett. Everett, who previously coached varsity girls’ basketball and softball, has taken over this position since John Hughes left to pursue an assistant principal position at Eastern Guilford High School.

“I just thought it was the right time for me to do this,” Everett said. “I’ve been coaching for over 20 years, either at the college or high school level… So, I just felt like at this time in my career, it was time for me to venture into something new.”

As the athletic director, Everett will oversee the athletic department, schedule events such as games and manage buses. Balancing all these responsibilities has already proven to be overwhelming at times.

“I’m still learning,” Everett said.

“The biggest challenge at this point is just learning the scheduling process and following up on what

(Hughes) has left.”

Everett is following the lead of Hughes, who has trained him for this new position. However, it is impossible to fully prepare for all outcomes in the constantly changing world of high school sports.

“I’ve got Coach Hughes on speed dial. I ask him questions that come up daily that we haven’t had the chance to go over yet… It seems like there’s something every day that we (need to) discuss,” Everett said. “I call him at least three times a day.”

Hughes believes that communication is a very important tool in becoming an efficient athletic director. In this position, Everett must communicate with other staff members, students, parents and the rest of the Northwest community about sporting events and transportation. Such a high-

SPORTS profiles

Name: Spencer Mann (below) Sport: JV Football Grade: 10th Position: Quarterback Hype Song: “Fishing in the Dark”

by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Pre-Game Ritual: Sit outside After Game: Go to McDonald’s

Name: Summer Bethea (right) Sport: JV Volleyball Grade: 10th Position: Defensive Specialist Hype Song: ”Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor Pre-Game Ritual: Take deep breaths After Game: Do homework and go out to eat Photos contributed by Alexandra Yancey, Spencer Mann, Summer Bethea and Brooks Atwell

www.northwesthorizons.com

Northwest’s athletic department as Everett takes this new role.

“He is very well liked and has a lot of experience in different sports, which is important,” Hughes said. “He’s a good guy… I think he’ll do great.”

Photo by Lily Hughes

Mike Everett (right) stands with former athletic director John Hughes (left). Everett assumed the position recently after Hughes took an assistant principal job at Eastern Guilford High School.

Ava Rickelton, Hinal Patel staff writer, contributing writer

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pressure job with various responsibilities often requires outside help. “(Everett) should not hesitate to ask for help,” Hughes said. “There’s a lot going on at once as an athletic director, so you’ll need (assistance) sometimes.”

Moving forward, Hughes is confident and hopeful for the future of

Name: Alexandra Yancey (left) Sport: Varsity Field Hockey Grade: 11th Position: Center Defense Hype Song: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor Pre-Game Ritual: Getting hype with the girls After Game: Self-reflection

Name: Brooks Atwell (above) Sport: Varsity Boys’ Soccer Grade: 12th Position: Center Midfield Hype Song: “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes Pre-Game Ritual: Prayer After Game: Calculus homework

October 2019

FEATURES

T i k To k : T i m e t o g et fa m o u s

Hinal Patel, Kaitlyn Sumner contributing writer, staff writer

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ikTok has been the platform for growing trends over the last year. From Area 51 to VSCO girls, TikTok has it all. TikTok is a social media app where people can upload 5-10 second videos that are funny and relatable; some might even say it is the new Vine. Many users have found fame on TikTok, including some at Northwest.

“I got it as a meme, and then I just started posting for the fun of it,” freshman Lexie Holbrook said.

“I’ve had a couple videos get on the For You page.”

The For You page on TikTok is the main page from which people become famous from and can act as a reward for users. Many notable influencers get their start from their TikToks appearing on this page.

“For me it was (easy), but I know people who have had it longer than me and aren't famous,” freshman Andrew Harger who has 45.2k followers on TikTok, said. “At first I thought it was going to be more like Musically, but then I got it and it was more like a Vine but still had the Musically vibe.”

For sophomore Jack Hughes, who has 40.1k followers on TikTok, gain-

ing fame was pure luck.

“You just have to make relatable and funny content and people buy into it, but it's really hard to get yourself out there with the millions of people that are out there trying to do the same exact thing,” Hughes said. “I just got lucky.”

But not all students think TikTok is a good way to gain fame.

“There are so many people on TikTok who have more than 60k (followers) but relative to how many users really get that many views on the regular, it's not real fame,” junior Macey Moore said.

In other words, having a lot of followers does not necessarily mean one will become a bonafide celebrity.

“Some of them are pretty funny but there is also a controversial side to it,” junior Evan Edwards said.

“There's drama with certain people...bigger people sharing their unpopular opinions that a lot of other people don't like.”

Other Northwest students

think TikTok is great.

“I love TikTok! I think it's so funny,” junior Savannah Lawson said, “It’s like a new Vine; I watch TikToks all the time.”

Regardless of whether you love it or hate it, Northwest students can all agree that TikTok is probably a trend that won’t last long.

“I think it will eventually die down like all the other things… and those people won't be famous anymore,” senior Terry Hedenskog said. “I think it's kind of weird, we've had other weird trends like the Harlem Shake and all the other crazy things.”

Although, many think the fame may not mean much, students have enjoyed gaining followers on other social media platforms such as Instagram.

“I have my Instagram linked and I got 5,000 followers from TikTok,” Harger said.

Junior Kamryn Sprague has 26.1k followers on Instagram. Sprague says she gained her followers through cheerleading.

“I feel like it’s good for people to represent themselves (on social me-

dia apps), and express themselves through it,” Sprague said.

Hughes agrees that it allows for influencers to show others who they truly are.

“It's a way to freely express yourself in ways you couldn't in person,” Hughes said.

TikTok fame may not be as real as it originally appears.

“People ask me and I don't feel famous at all...pretty much every high schooler or middle schooler in the entire world is on (TikTok),” Hughes said.

Tik Tok currently is one of the most popular apps for teenagers.

“When you think of a famous person you think of a movie actor or somebody on Instagram who has a lot of followers...but below 100k, I wouldn't consider famous,” Sprague said, “I do reach out to followers but I wouldn't consider myself an influencer...I don't think (losing followers) would affect me, I’ve gotten used to having a ton of followers.”

Northwest students agree with Hughes and Sprague.

The relevance of influencers appears short-lived.

“You'll get one video that goes viral but in order to stay famous, you really need to post consistent good content to continue to gain followers is where it can become difficult,” Moore said.

Posting consistent content means keeping up with the new trends and trying to stay relevant.

“It's just an app, its different from apps like Instagram... it’ll die in a couple of years,” Holbrook said.

Photo by Kaitlyn Sumner

Freshman Andrew Harger (left), sophomore Jack Hughes (middle) and freshman Brady Dole (right) pose holding out their phones with their Tik Tok accounts pulled up. The app proved to be more than just for fun as each student slowly gained fame.

October 2019

www.northwesthorizons.com

15

FEATURES

Teen pregnancy, cont. from page 2

women, you’re like, ‘Oh, they’re being dramatic,’ and you don’t really understand it,” Mayes said, “Things that other moms say are true. It›s really hard being pregnant.”

After missing school at the beginning of her pregnancy due to extreme morning sickness and carrying around extra weight--not just her bookbag—Mayes has decided to pursue online schooling.

“Hopefully by the time I have the baby, I’ll be accepted,” Mayes said. “If not, I don’t really know what I’m going to do.”

Even with some concerns, Mayes remains hopeful and has made the most of her situation.

“I swore it was going to be a girl. I felt it,” Mayes said. “I had a gender reveal party where we popped balloons to find out the gender. It was a boy.”

Winicki also threw Mayes a surprise baby shower on Friday, Oct. 11. Mayes received gift cards, blankets, clothes and many other items from her fellow Vikings.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan; sometimes you have to embrace what life hands you.

“I don’t think you should get pregnant when you’re young,” Mayes said, “but pregnancy is a beautiful thing.”

Students take actions for those in need

Laina McCoy, Ava Rickelton, Kaitlyn Sumner staff writers

Guatemala you realize how spoiled we are,” Toland said Other mission teams have similar views to Toland and Tippett.

Junior Caitlin Pritchett worked hile some students spent their with a mission team who went summer vacationing with friends to Slidell, Louisiana, along with and family, others spent their time sophomores Dylan Maldonado and helping others and serving Colin Vess to fix hurricane on mission teams across damage. Unfortunately, the country and the world. the team had to leave Sophomore Cameron Louisiana a little early due Tippett participated on a to an incoming hurricane. mission team that served in “It made me feel grateGuatemala. ful for the work that I did “It furthered my because it was just a lot relationship with God, of damage,” junior Caitlin and it made me feel a lot Pritchett said. “The woman more grateful for what I that I worked with was have,” Tippett said. “My really nice; it made me favorite part was seeing realize that there are still the kid’s faces when we did good people in this world. the sports camps and how She was very grateful and much they appreciated it very fun to talk to.”

Photo contributed by Calvin Toland and how much it actually Mission trips can teach Seniors Calvin Toland (left) and Robbie Boulton (right) pose for a affected them because they photo in Guatemala with two young boys. They both spent their students that circumdon't really have a chance summer on a mission trip helping others. stances are good here in to be kids because they are the United States comforced to grow up quickly to be important in building a commupared to other communities and able to take care of their families nity… and to stop and think about going out to help those people in and themselves.” whether it’s worth to get angry need can open their eyes to the For many this was their first or irritated over a specific thing,” needs in the world. experience with different cultures senior Calvin Toland said.

“It humbled me;` We are acas well as their first experience Toland spent part of his sumcustomed to life here and we don't outside of the United States. mer in Guatemala on a mission know how good we have it until “I wouldn't say there would trip. “(I learned) to be grateful for we see what others don't have,” be much I would change,” Tippett all the things we have because in Maldondo said.

W

said. “It was the first time I went so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I would definitely go again.”

Mission trips can have longlasting memories for students, no matter the age. Many students learn similar lessons on these trips.

“Relationships are the most

German, Latin clubs help media center’s new escape room raise funding

Mycheal Warner staff writer

pate in the Daedalus-themed escape room.

This year, media center specialist Natalie Strange has implemented t is our choices, Harry, that the “Harry Potter” escape room as show what we truly are, far more a fundraiser to purchase books, than our abilities.” escape boxes and materials. Teams Albus Dumbledore delivers this of up to five may sign up for a time sagacious message to a young Harry with Strange, and the cost is $10 per in “Chamber of Secrets,” the second person to participate. novel in the iconic “Harry Potter” “Our goal is to make $250 to get series. However, perhaps it can also more escape boxes,” Strange said. serve as an all-call to Northwest Escape boxes are used by students, inviting them to particiteachers yearly to educate classes. pate in the media center’s newest Strange designs them to corre“Harry Potter”-themed escape room. spond to what students are reading In 2017, the media center’s and learning in their English and Edgar Allan Poe escape room was a social studies classes. For instance, popular fundraiser. In 2018, many many junior English teachers can students again signed up to particitake their students to the media center to complete a “Gatsby”themed escape box, and U.S. history teachers may have their students work on an Underground Railroad escape box.

As part of a historic rivalry—and to support the media center’s endeavors-the Latin and German clubs recently went head-to-head Photo contributed by Natalie Strange competing to achieve the best time at the The backroom of the library is set up for the escape room.

The mysterious decorations help create the perfect enviorn- media center’s latest ment. escape room.

“I

16 www.northwesthorizons.com

“It was not too difficult,” senior Oriana Bunting said, who participated on the German team. “The puzzles just took time and critical thinking to complete.”

While there was competition and rivalry, both teams were more focused on having fun.

“It’s just a fun competition,” senior and Latin club member Jesse Andrews said. “(German club students) are pretty good people who are just taking the wrong language.” “(The escape room) is a fun competition,” German teacher Oliver Ham agreed.

Strange is interested in students participating outside of more than just club rivalries.

Anyone can pay to participate—it doesn’t have to be just students.

“I have still not reached my goal, even with the help of both German and Latin clubs,” Strange said.

To encourage more students to participate, Strange even allows them to complete the escape room, as long as they agree to pay the $10 at a later time.

“I was surprised at the quality of the escape room,” junior Noah Collins of German club said.

Without revealing too much, this particular escape room fits well with the Halloween season.

Photo contributed by Natalie Strange

Students work together to solve codes in order to complete the escape room. Working together is the fastest way to solve the riddles.

The event itself has a part outside of the room, and then the secondary part takes place in the small room across from the staff bathrooms in a staff-only hallway. So, for anyone who is interested in puzzles, Harry Potter or assisting the media center in getting new materials, this escape room will be available until April.

“It was difficult but fun,” junior Rhianna Collins, one of German Club presidents, said.

October 2019

FEATURES

Senior spends summer in Africa Madison Magyar features editor

S

ummer is the ideal time for relaxation and taking long luxurious vacations; however, some people trade trips to the beach for more culture.

Over the summer, senior Hannah Baker decided to take a trip to

Senior Hannah Baker stands in front of a market area in Africa. After working on a garden for many familes, the volunteers took time for themselves to experience the areas culture.

South Africa. The three-week adventure was full of volunteering, hard work and learning about different lifestyles.

“My Spanish teacher told me about the trip, so I looked online,” Baker said. “I knew I should go when the website mentioned “ubuntu” and learning by Nelson Mandela's example.”

“Ubuntu” is a Nguni Bantu term typically translated, “I am because we are.”

This phrase has been a part of Baker’s life since she was young, due to her parents’ connections in Africa.

“My family has a foundation called Each Child Counts that is based in Africa,” Baker said. “We are building a school there for the people in need.”

Not only has Baker and her family helped with education in Africa, she went over the summer with the goal to reduce the growing problem of malnutrition found in children.

“We designed two gardens that could be hands on for the kids so that they could interact with what they were growing,” Baker said.

A lot of kids in South Africa have never seen or worked with many of the plants the volunteer group brought.

It was very important for them to be able to have a hands-on experience with their food.

“It was amazing to see the transformation from weeds to an actual working garden,” Baker said. “The best part was spending time Two elephants graze near mountians. This is only one of the many with the kids amazing species found in Africa.

Invasive species take over NC

and teaching them how to properly maintain a garden.”

Although the majority of the time was spent volunteering, the group still manage to observe the culture and take in all that South Africa had to offer.

“We would have discussions about culture and what we think about America versus South Africa,” Baker said. “Learning that your opinion matters and when you say things it would be bashed down was important.”

Life in South Africa is very different than life in America in more ways than one.

“I think a lot of people when they think of Africa picture huts and things, but they don't have the same mindset as people in America,” Baker said. “They are happy to be in huts and are living their best life.”

A simple lifestyle isn't necessarily ideal for everyone, but sometimes it can be exactly what a person wants. Baker already plans on going back with the intention of helping more people.

“South Africa doesn't have a lot of hospitals, and most people can't afford to go to the ones they do have,” Baker said. “I have an idea of making a mobile hospital to travel to help people.”

Photos contributed by Hannah Baker

changes (in its environment), so they do pretty well (in the area), and they can increase their population,” Vanderpoel said.

Kimberly Brown and Jacob Teague As an invasive species, Japanese arts & entertainment editor, staff writer stiltgrass undergoes rapid growth and invasion of habitats. Additionally, just one plant can produce up to 1,000 nvasive species. It’s a scary term that can have serious consequences on the environment. With no natural predators, these species are free to spread in seeds from self-fertilizing or crossfertilizing flowers. This means that their new environment while pushing native species, out of their habitat. one plant can create large patches of “(Invasive species) are a species that is going to grow a lot, increase the grass and effectively destroy the surpopulation, then eat the food that native populations are supposed to eat,” environmental science teacher Taryn Vanderpoel said. “That’s when you see in- rounding area.

Once seeds are in the soil, they creased competition. It can decrease the population of native species, and that’s where you see the real problem.”

remain viable for up to five years.

Luckily, Japanese stiltgrass infestations can be controlled and prevented. Simply hand-pulling small patches of stiltgrass can go a long way in controlling growth. For larger populations, herbicides are often used.

One of the most successful control treatments, according to Rutgers Cooperative Extension, is mowing plants just before they start to flower.

Not only will this method remove the physical plant, it also prevents the spread of stiltgrass seeds.

Growing up, we’ve all experienced annoying bug bites. But this year, people are at risk of a dangerous tick known as the Haemaphysalis longicornis, or commonly termed the Asian Longhorned tick.

Although they’re not quite as dangerous to humans as they are to pets and livestock, Asian Longhorned ticks still pose a threat to North Carolinians. While there have been no confirmed instances of disease spread from ticks to humans in the United States, in Asia, the tick carries a dangerous virus that has killed nearly 15 percent of the people it bites.

According to County Extension Administrative Assistant Deb Fuller from NC State University, the first spotting of the Asian Longhorned tick was in August 2010. Today, 67 counties across the US have confirmed it.

The Asian Longhorned tick is “an

aggressive biter” and causes animals “great stress, reduced growth and blood loss,” Fuller said.

Perhaps more terrifying is the fact that these ticks reproduce parthenogenetically. In other words female ticks can reproduce without a male tick present; in doing so, they create “a localized population.” Even more worrisome is the rapidity with which they reproduce; a single female tick can spawn more than 2,000 tick clones in less than one month.

Recently, the ticks found their fifth victim in North Carolina: a young bull in Surry County was found with more than 1,000 ticks.

If you find a tick, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), recommends removing and saving the tick by placing it in a zip-lock bag. Then contact the N.C. Health Department.

I

Northern Snakehead

The Northern Snakehead prefers stagnant water to build its nest. It takes an average of 45 hours to incubate the eggs, with water temperature significantly affecting incubation time. The Northern Snakehead is known as an r-strategist using massive clutch sizes of more than 100,000 eggs per year to guarantee that some of their young will survive.

Despite fierce parental protection of their young, the main cause of death among Snakehead fry is predation from other fish.

When they reach maturity, their single primitive lung enables them to live out of water for four days and have almost no predators. They themselves are voracious predators and sometimes hunt in groups. They leave areas when predator to prey ratios become unfavorable.

“I think people should be aware of the consequences and what could happen if they got into our environment,” English teacher Ethan Smith said.

North Carolina has become home to another invasive species from Asia: Japanese stiltgrass. Native to Japan, China, central Asia and India, it was first identified in Tennessee in 1919.

You may have noticed the stiltgrass along roads, ditches, woodlands and powerline corridors. They can also be found in lawns and gardens. “(Japanese stiltgrass) can handle

Japanese Stiltgrass

October 2019

Asian Longhorned Tick

17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Legacy Project:

Northwest’s haunted house event leaves its mark Morgan DelFava staff writer

F

or the second year, the Northwest theater team is putting on the Haunted House event: a largely successful, Woods-of-Terror-like walkthrough experience where theater students will be the predators, and the remainder of the Northwest community the prey. The fun-filled, exhilarating night of scares was a concept drawn up by charitable minds and has become an event that brings together the students of Northwest.

The idea for a haunted house was originally created after drama teacher Abby Turner told her advanced students about her friends who lived in Texas and had experienced grave flooding after a hurricane.

“I had friends who used to live here (North Carolina) that moved to Texas,” Turner said.

“Their home was flooded all the way to the top of their second floor; they were forced to evacuate… they lost everything.”

This family would always be the one with elaborate Halloween decorations, passing out candy and scaring young children. As she was telling her students this unfortunate story on how the family lost their home and everything in it, one student had a brilliant idea.

“I think it was Hannah Garrab (Northwest graduate of 2017) who goes, ‘Well why don’t we have a haunted house to raise money for them?’” Turner said.

The event certainly was not without preplanning, and Turner states how lucky she was to have the help of a superb theater team as well as some individuals with inside knowledge on how haunted houses are run.

“Riley Oats, who was also a senior at the time, worked at Woods of Terror, and she really became a resource as to, ‘How the heck do we do this?’” Turner said.

This year, Turner wanted her five veteran theater students, who have participated for four

consecutive years, to “leave their mark” in a positive way, calling it “The Legacy Project.”

After they came together and discussed what they wanted to do, they revealed they wanted to put on the haunted house again and put the funds earned towards the worn out auditorium theater curtains.

“The curtains were budgeted to be $17,000, so this will help get the process started a little and allow the fourth-year theater seniors leave their mark,” senior Chloe Beam said.

Like many other enterprises at Northwest, the theater department gets no funding from the school and must be completely financially self-sufficient. Often times, arts departments at public high schools must get innovative with money-raising techniques.

“What we make from our shows is what we have to spend on our shows. We go to two theater competitions a year, and that’s a huge cost for us,” Turner said. “We’re pretty much spending money to make money.”

While the theater department does well in producing their shows and coming up with the money for them, they often break even in their budget and don’t produce excess money to put towards new resources or equipment.

“We pretty much do okay in terms of funding our shows, but in terms of improving our debilitating auditorium, we really have not had a lot of success,” Turner said.

This haunted house event is a way for theater to turn around the state of the auditorium via a great fundraiser. Turner believes the kids are thrilled to be a part of it again and also appreciates the vast amount of volunteer help she’s received for it. Big projects like this take many hours from a large pool of people, both in the theater squad and outside of it.

“We’ve been preparing since the second week of school, and that’s just the planning process. It wasn’t until last week where we actually started building (props) and working on the rooms,” Beam said.

Ultimately, as a fundraising technique as well as a popular, entertaining activity, Turner believes the haunted house could become an annual tradition that would drastically benefit theater’s financial situation as well as boost the school community’s pride.

“I would like to make it an annual thing, and I think this group is really trying to find a way to set a standard to be able to do that,” Turner said.

Photo contributed by Abby Turner

Two students stand in their costumes during the haunted house.

This is Northwest’s second year hosting a haunted house event.

18

www.northwesthorizons.com

Young adult author visits Northwest Jhenesis Hines staff writer

Y

oung adult fiction author Amy Reed visited Northwest Thursday, Sept. 26 during fourth period. About 90 students attended this event.

“It was so overwhelming. ‘The Nowhere Girls’ was the first book I ever liked, and I couldn’t put it down,” freshman Kirialysse Nieves said. “It was written very well; I would love to read more of her books.”

Amy Reed was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and attended eight different schools before the age of 18.

“I feel like when I was younger, it was like I was running away from my problems and just trying to start over,” Reed said.

As an only child, Reed had a lot of time on her hands to spend alone and get to know herself. During that time, she often read, citing her favorite book as “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold. Her love of reading sparked a strong sense of imagination and creativity that developed into a passion for writing.

“I just had all this Photo by Jhenesis Hines space to fantasize and Author Amy Reed talks use my imagination; about her experience writI really got to express ing. Reed visited Northwest myself,” Reed said. on Sept. 26.

Her most popular novel “The Nowhere Girls” features a girl who is new in town, gets sexually assaulted and accuses a guy of rape only to be driven out of the town by the community. Skip forward in time, and a group of girls comes to the school to later avenge the rape of a fellow classmate and put an end to rape culture at their school.

After moving back and forth from the West Coast, Reed recently decided to settle down with her husband Brian and daughter Elouise in the western mountains of North Carolina, making her recent visit to Northwest logistically simple.

Reed intends to visit more schools throughout the Southeast this fall.

Behind the scenes of author visits, media center specialist Natalie Strange works with a local organization called Greensboro Bound to recruit writers.

“We’re lucky to have authors visit,” Strange said.

Strange enters Northwest into a sort-of raffle process, and Greensboro Bound’s system assigns an author to the school.

According to its website, Greensboro Bound “believes in getting authors in front of students.” Greensboro Bound recruits authors, makes travel arrangements, pays fees and donates 10 copies of the authors’ books for each school visit.

“I think it’s easy as a student to get the idea that authors are sort of these ethereal people who don’t exist,” Strange said. “I also hope because of the topics that the authors cover will help some of our students expand empathy towards other groups.”

October 2019

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Long-awaited sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” hits stores Val Orozco staff writer

M

argaret Atwood’s chilling novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” is a story of patriarchal dominance and abuse. The book takes on the issues of rape culture, Christian sector conflict and political tension and creates the theocracy of Gilead.

Atwood writes a speculative fiction novel where the United States government has collapsed. The country is in chaos: there is a falling birth rate thanks to birth control and radioactive wastes, sectors of Christianity are at war all while women’s rights activists push for civil rights.

The main character, Offred, is a Handmaid to a Commander and his wife. Like other women, Offred has had her rights limited by the Republic of Gilead. Offred isn’t allowed to read, write, or go outside on her own. She isn’t allowed to make relationships with other people outside of her housing unit and is rarely even allowed to speak.

Offred is not allowed to remember her past with her true family.

Being a Handmaid, she has one job: to bear children for Gilead.

“It’s really scary,” senior Michelle Seeman said. “The Handmaids were forced to have sex with the Commanders, whether they wanted it or not. They were only used for their working ovaries.”

Atwood nails down this theme of patriarchal dominance throughout the book, emphasizing that this society was designed for the few elite men’s pleasure.

But now the sequel, “The Testaments” is here to challenge the picture Atwood had originally painted of Gilead.

The sequel is divided into three points of view: Aunt Lydia, Agnes Jemima and Daisy,

who are three women living very different lives.

Agnes is a child in a Commander household. She lives with her mother and her father, the Commander, and her three Marthas. She is a person of high status, which is marked by her clothing–pink, bright and sweet. She goes to school with the other daughters of Commanders and is taught by the Aunts the little things she is allowed to know.

Daisy lives outside of Gilead. She plays basketball at school, works part time with her parents in their secondhand clothing store and has the benefit of being able to read.

The point of view of Aunt Lydia stands out the most, she’s the only character that carries on from the first book. In “The Testaments” she comes to an awakening: Gilead’s goal is not helping or protecting women but keeping them under control.

The book maintains the themes of a maledominant society, but also it shows the outside perspective, our society’s perspective of what is going on in Gilead. Atwood gives the reader an insight into what kind of people live in Gilead, and how they could stand the cruelty and horror that was within in. “’The Handmaid’s Tale’ is about the power of language,” English teacher Scott Walker said.

“The leaders of Gilead can’t go around killing everyone that disagrees with them. The book poses the question: how do you enact power over people you can’t use brute force to control?” A question to which Atwood answers with a simple word: ideas.

In the acknowledgments, Atwood writes about the process that was forming “The Testaments” and what happened after “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

“Thirty-five years is a long time to think about possible answers,” Atwood said. “The

answers have changed as society itself has changed… One question that came up a lot after ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is: How did Gilead fall?

‘The Testaments’ was written in response to this question.”

Cover art from promotional website

The cover of “The Testaments,” sequel to, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is shown. “The Testaments” was published Sept. 10, 2019.

Top 5 movies to watch during this Halloween season

5 3 12 4

Adam Sasser staff writer

D

uring the spookiest time of the year, it’s important to get the recommended amount of thrills and chills. Luckily, we have compiled a list of movies that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, and terrified long after the screen has been turned off.

“Not only one of the greatest “Saw” (2004): When horror movies, but one of the photographer Adam greatest movies of all time,” Stanheight and Dr. senior Matthew Kier said.

Gordon wake up chained to pipes in a grimy bathroom, they are “The Exorcist” (1973): put through the most Actress Chris McNeil and twisted escape room ever her 12-year-old daughter seen. Their anonymous Regan have just relocated advisory, a serial killer to Washington D.C. Chris named “Jigsaw,” informs is filming parts for a the men they must commovie, and everything plete a series of puzzles seems fine, until one to escape. This nail-biting day, Regan begins to act suspense is sure to have strangely. Not knowing you yelling in the back of what to do, Chris turns your mind that you’d be to Father Karras to see if able to do it. an exorcism may be in order. Although hesitant, Karras eventually agrees “It’s disturbing and has to this and soon finds an epic plot twist at the himself face-to-face with end which is a must see,” the greatest evil. junior Chris Johnson said.

“Halloween” (1978): On Halloween night, six-yearold Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-yearold sister. He never spoke a word after that. He was locked up and would fade from the memories of the town only to remain as an urban legend of sorts.

That is until 15 years later when he manages to escape and make his way back to the sleepy town of Haddonfield, Illinois where he sets his sights on his next target.

“I have watched ‘Halloween’ countless times and I’m still in awe at how well it was put together for its time,” junior Sydney Holder said.

“It’s by far the scariest horror movie I’ve seen. The music and house make the movie very ominous and creepy,” junior David Goodman said.

“The Conjuring” (2013): In 1971, famous paranormal investigators, the Warrens, were called to the home of the distressed Perron. family. The family had just moved into a house with a deeply disturbing supernatural force hidden within. The scariest part will be in the end when you fully grasp that certain parts of this story actually happened.

“IT” (2017): Clowns are scary enough on their own, but Stephen King’s Pennywise took that fear to the next level in his book. The demonic clown terrorizes the small town of Derry, Maine as it feasts on the town’s children. But Pennywise doesn’t play by the typical rules of a horror movie monster and makes his presence known. You’ll never look at Ronald McDonald in the same light ever again. “‘IT’ was a really awesome movie to see in theaters. The scares were surprising and scary enough to keep the movie interesting,” senior Hailey Bullard said.

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October 2019