Issue 2 December 2017

to

Sound Sea Manteo High School WINTER 2017 VOL. 37, ISSUE 2

Sound to Sea I News Features 2 Forty eight years later, assistant principal ready to “lee-ve” school Dylan Berry Editor in Chief

C

hange is inevitable. After 16 years in Manteo, and 48 in education, assistant principal Meldine Lee is ready for a change. Her retirement from administrative work marks an end of an era at the school. On Jan. 1, 2018, Lee will retire.

Lee grew up in Wake Forest, N.C., but at the age of 10 she and her family moved to WinstonSalem, NC. Along with them came Wake Forest University. This is when Lee’s connection to the college started.

At the old Wake Forest, her father was the assistant athletic director. In Winston Salem, her father was the superintendent of the grounds for the university. Lee lived on campus with her family on the notable Faculty Drive.

“As a child I played on every inch of the grounds, I know it like the back of my hand,” Lee said. “It is a wonderful place for a child to grow up”.

As a teenager, she attended R.J. Reynolds High School. After finishing high school, she attended Wake Forest University and majored in health and physical education and minored in science.

Her first teaching experience was in a self-contained eighth grade classroom at Harnett County High School. From there, she went to South Hill, Va., where she became a health education teacher. She taught in South Hill for two years before beginning a career in Norfolk. Lee spent 30 years in education in Norfolk, teaching both physical education and science.

While teaching in Norfolk, she attended Old Dominion University to gain her licensure in administration. Upon completing the program, Lee went on to be an assistant principal, a dean of students and a principal in Norfolk.

From Virginia, Lee headed back to North Carolina working at a Hanns Middle School in Winston Salem for nine months before beginning her tenure at Manteo

High School in August 2001.

The Outer Banks became a special place to Lee and her family long before they moved here since they frequently vacationed in the area. As a young girl, she visited with her family. While all her other friends would visit Myrtle Beach because it was closer, she and her family headed to the Outer Banks.

To her dad, this was their beach.

“Once the job opportunity became available, I took it because the community is so kind and welcoming,” Lee said. “When I am having a bad day I go and sit by the ocean and smell the salt air and it makes everything better”.

As the school’s assistant principal, Lee handles the majority of the discipline issues.

“Ms. Lee has been in education for 48 years and has been at Manteo High School since before most of you were born,” principal John Luciano said.

“During the past 16 years at MHS, she has always tried to direct students down the right path. The job for assistant principal is generally a thankless job since most of the day is consumed with making decisions that usually leaves someone unhappy. Ms. Lee will be missed and I hope all her future days are happy ones.”

Lee likes watching the students grow and learn, but sometimes discipline is needed.

When disciplining, Lee tries to get students to realize their mistakes

and correct them on their own.

“Our students are kind and it’s not like that in other places,” Lee said. “They are so wonderful, but they are still kids and they do what kids do. Everyone is accepting and it is a true blessing that we are like this.”

She also works closely with the faculty, observing teachers in the classroom environment, assisting with school level professional development and working closely with new teachers and their mentors. .

“Ms. Lee has been a great resource to me as a new teacher,” CTE teacher S t e p h a n i e McKoy said. “She has shown me the Manteo way, and stressed the importance of keeping students safe through consistent routines and policy follow through.

She models proper procedures not only for the students, but for the teachers as well.”

W h e n teachers have issues with students, they often go to Lee to problem solve.

Her office is also always open to teachers when they need to get something off of their mind or they are having a hard day. Over the last 16 and a half years, Lee has always been there for the staff, both in and out of school.

“She reached out to me on several occasions when I had devastating losses; my house, my mom, my best friend. She was so compassionate with me; her

“

You can never really go home, it changes over time.

I am fortunate to be able to get closer to my sister where we can sit and laugh together.

I will be closer to my daughters, that way we can spend more time together. Overall, I plan to sit back and drink a second cup of coffee and watch the rest of Good Morning America.

- Meldine Lee

being in the hospital with me. She was like family,” theater teacher Connie Rose said. “She was the one who had the idea for me to be theater teacher at Manteo.

She and Mr. Luciano worked on getting me commissioned. She was more than a colleague. I’ve had a revolving door of principals, but she’s been here...she’s always been here.”

In her time here, her main priority has been helping keep the school running smoothly and keeping the students as safe as possible. She heads up the school’s crisis team, keeping teachers prepared for the unexpected and ensuring the safety of students.

“Ms. Lee’s number one priority is the safety of the students and staff at MHS,” guidance secretary Jessica Everett said. “She has put a great deal of time into implementing safety protocols for our school and training staff in the event of an emergency.

I am thankful to work in an environment where I know our students are safe and I feel safe.”

From greeting the incoming freshmen on their first day of high school to calling out their names as they cross the stage at graduation, Lee has been an important part of each student’s time at the school.

“She is always nearby and she always has her door open so when there is something you want to get off your mind, she is always there to listen,” senior James Craddock said.

After retirement, Lee will be moving back to her hometown of Winston Salem. Here, she will be closer to her sister and one of her daughters. During retirement, she plans to revel in the simple things she has had to skip the last 48 years.

“You can never really go home, it changes over time,” Lee said. “I am fortunate to be able to get closer to my sister where we can sit and laugh together. I will be closer to my daughters, that way we can spend more time together. Overall, I plan to sit back and drink a second cup of coffee and watch the rest of Good Morning America.”

ON THE COVER: During one of her last days on the job, assistant principal Meldine Lee sits across from Sound to Sea editor in chief Dylan Berry for an interview. “I am sad [about leaving MHS] but also it is time to move on,” Lee said. “It is hard to leave people behind, especially when you have met and enjoyed so many wonderful people, but it is time to take the next step.” Photo by Joseph Lewter

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Sound to Sea I News Features

Young at heart, assistant principal Meldine Lee always embraced the opportunity to engage with students through spirit days and pep rally activities. From Miss. Viola Swamp to Wonder Woman, Lee’s costumes brought smiles to all those who saw her.

4 - Celebrating 10 years of AVID 4 - Bring Your Parent to School Day 5 - Importance of being up to date on world events 6 - Sport Superstitions 7 - Clickbait: What is it? Why is it popular?

7 - Food addictions are real 8 - Vaping: Growing trend among teenagers 9 - Tattoos: what’s the appeal?

9 - Why managing money is important 10 - AP classes v. COA classes: which is better?

11 - The importance of grammar 12 - Le Hook, an Outer Banks Santa 13 - Artificial Christmas trees v. fake Christmas trees 14 - Christmas: Why it’s the most wonderful time of the year 14 - Resolutions: New Year, New Me? 15 - Tacky holiday sweaters 16 - Christmas Favorites survey

Sound Sea to

in this issue...

Dylan Berry Editor-in-Chief Sophia Farrow Associate Editor Dakota Meekins Sports Editor Lara Cate Wright Features Editor Sophia Spinella Social Media Manager Bella Bartell Staff Photographer Sarah Pritchard Adviser Staff Members Hannah Ambrose Grace Cobb Ella Corbett Averi Creef Topanga Daniels Brittany Farence Watson Harvey Olivia Hines Maddy Houseknecht Larissa Jones Joseph Lewter Natalie Mares Teresa Mejia Jayden Miller Emma Rogers Hannah Schuman Ragen Twiford Elizabeth Wheless

Sound to Sea is the official student news magazine of Manteo High School.

The staff strives to provide informative and accurate coverage of individuals and events within the school and the Dare County community. Opinion pieces serve as a forum for the voices of the newspaper, its staff members and the community it serves.

Views expressed in the Sound to Sea and the Sound to Sea on-line do not represent the opinions of the school’s faculty or administration or the Dare County School Board or its administration.

You can reach the staff by mail at 829 Wingina Ave., Manteo, N.C. 27954, by phone at (252) 473-5841 extension 1081 or by e-mail at mhspublications@ daretolearn.org.

Sound to Sea is a member of the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association and the Southern Interscholastic Media Association.

Target Printing and Distribution of the Fayetteville Observer prints our publication. Approximately, 4500 copies are printed. Of those, 4000 are inserted into the Outer Banks Sentinel. The other 500 are distributed to students. Sound to Sea is printed four times a year.

Visit us online: mhssoundtosea.com.

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Sound to Sea I News

Graduates invited back to celebrate 10 years of AVID Jayden Miller Staff Writer It may be known as just another program, but the lengthy history of AVID shows otherwise. Over the last 10 years, the school’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program has graduated 104 students. All of those graduates were invited back Wednesday, Nov. 22 to celebrate the program and the success it has seen.

Although the program began at the school in August 2007, it wasn’t until June 2011 that the first AVID class graduated. It’s been over six years since the first AVID class of 16 students left Manteo. In this time period, members of this group have graduated from college,participated in ministry, served the country and begun graduate school. The majority of the more recent AVID graduates are still at college, some locally and others across the state and country.

“Some of the students are still attending a two or four year college which is a great accomplishment itself because the whole purpose of the AVID program is to encourage and prepare them to go to college,” AVID counselor Marie White said.

While the graduates were visiting they all had the chance to catch up with each other by talking to one another about past and present accomplishments over a reuniting breakfast.

Those who attended met in the cafeteria where principal John Luciano prepared pancakes and sausage. After catching up with one another and members of the AVID site team, some of the past graduates visited Ralph Cleaver’s room to address current AVID students.

“The AVID reunion breakfast was a celebration of 10 years of the AVID Program at MHS. It was a chance for past AVID graduates to come back to school to share and discuss their current station in life,” Cleaver said, “It also provided an opportunity for our AVID staff to receive vital information in regards to how the AVID Program helped them in college, as well as what we could have done better in terms of preparing them for life outside of MHS.” The program boasts the accomplishments of graduates, including that of Toni Selby. Selby graduated from Campbell University in 2017 and is currently participating in an internship with Pearl Therapeutics in Raleigh. She plans to apply to pharmacy school or physician’s assistant school, as well.

“AVID helped me prepare for college by giving me tips for the enrollment process of college,” Selby said. “It also helped know how to take notes in college and what study habits were best suitable for me.”

The graduates spoke to current AVID students about how AVID has

Sarah Pritchard

AVID teacher Ralph Cleaver catches up with former AVID students. Jordan Ventura, Enrique Rojas, Brock Jones, Arturo Lara, Christian Brantley and Tommy Henderson where some of the AVID alumni who attended the breakfast Nov. 22.

helped them throughout their college experience. Sophomore Kajearia Collins learned how AVID would impact her in college from Tommy Henderson, a current student at North Carolina Wesleyan.

“I now know that the skills we learn in class will impact us in a good way and [are] putting all of us on the right track for the best college experience,” Collins said.

AVID encourages students that would normally not interact with each other to work together and this eventually builds a bond between the students. The bond created through this class was evident at the reunion and in the school’s five current AVID classes.

“I have become more comfortable asking Mr. Cleaver and other students questions now in and outside of class because we have all formed a unique friendship with one another,” sophomore Cora Pate said.

From the AVID graduates to the current AVID students, it’s clear the program has a large impact on the students involved while they are in high school and once they leave Manteo.

“Our AVID program has been very successful here. This is due to the strong support the program receives from our school’s administration and teachers,” AVID site team member Sarah Pritchard said. “This program provides students with extra resources while in high school and equips them with the skills they need once they leave us. Seeing the accomplishments of the graduates when they come back to visit confirms this.”

BYPTSD: parents return to school, see what day is like for students Hannah Ambrose Staff Writer For one day out of the school year, parents get to walk in their children’s shoes.

Bring Your Parent to School Day allows parents to come for the entire day, half day or just a period. Parents roam the halls with their students, eat lunch with their students, and endure 90 minute classes. This year, Bring Your Parent to School Day took place Monday, Oct. 30.

“It’s a good day for the students because the parents don’t know what the day is really like. It gives them a real definition of what the day is like,” assistant principal Meldine Lee said. “It involves them more and they

support the school more.”

On this day, some teachers decide to create lessons that incorporate their visitors.

“I think it is important for the parents to see what their kids do all day. I feel the parents wanted to show students that it’s easier to do the school work rather than the real world work,” English teacher Lea Dixon said. ““I love everything about this day.”

For parents, one of the biggest challenges of the day is making it through an entire class period. Classes range from 60 to 90 minutes, and many parents are not used to sitting still and quiet that long.

“Ninety minutes was a lot longer than we used to have class, so that took some time to get used

to,” parent Debby Saunders said.

“The teachers did a great job keeping everyone engaged and the time went by fast.”

Since parents have been out of school and in the working world, school has changed.

Technology plays a much larger role, and students have more distractions, with the biggest one being cell phones. Like students, parents are expected to stay off their phones while in class.

“Being without my phone all day was rough,” Saunders said.

“I am constantly on it, so to make it through the day without it was hard.”

This special day was introduced to the school by foreign language teacher Regina Cecil in 2013. She came up with

this idea to let parents experience the school day with their child.

“I think that it’s important for parents to experience a little of what high school is like for their child each day; it has changed so much. The classes are more challenging and the pressures are different.” Cecil said.

From signing up parents to ordering extra food in the cafeteria for lunches, Cecil continues to coordinate the day for the school year to year.

“I hope we continue to have this day because it helps parents, guardians and the community to see and understand what high school is like for their child,” Cecil said. “It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community.”

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Sound to Sea I News Features

Up to date: the importance of knowing the world around you Dakota Meekins Sports Editor “It’s amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper.” - Jerry Seinfeld It’s the job of newspapers, online sites and TV shows to get across breaking news stories to the masses. Their influence on the public leads to a more informed world. In the future, there will be instances where the world as we know will be on the brink of extinction, and knowing what is happening is essential for everyone. “ The news tends to influence a lot of people in our area like for elections and polls and it makes people more aware of really important upcoming events or it informs people on something serious that may have happened,” sophomore Avery Herom said.

Breaking news stories tend to be shared rapidly in densely populated cities and states before trickling down the chain

of news channels and reaching small communities and towns like Manteo. Years ago, when newspapers were the main source of world information, it would take weeks for news to travel to small communities. Thanks to the invention of the internet, news stories can reach millions of people within seconds, and that week-long wait is no longer necessary.

Though news travels fast nowadays, the problem is not how quickly it spreads, it’s whether or not people want to listen.

“I don’t typically pay attention to news unless it’s local news but with social media and websites you get notified of something happen seconds after something happens unlike a newspaper, ” junior Alexia Barrow said.

The evolution of news sources continues to this day.

Gone are the days of waiting for the weekly paper, or 60 Minutes every Sunday. Now, news can be seen with a click of a button every morning on social media.

DACA The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, created in 2012, allowed immigrants that came to the US as children to remain here. Although the program did not guarantee citizenship, it allowed immigrants to stay legally and attend school or work while seeking full citizenship.

President Trump recently canceled the program. According to the Department of Homeland Security, around 690,000 “Dreamers” may face deportation because of the cancellation.

Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and Facebook now stand as news moguls in today’s society.

“I typically don’t pay attention to the news. The only news I get is from social media because I don’t like reading the paper and I don’t watch news that much on my TV because it’s usually not interesting at all,” sophomore Keagan Charron said.

The Royal Engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton broke on Twitter in 2010. It took a few hours for news sites and papers to cover the event. Those on Twitter saw the story first. Stories and events have been “exposed” on social media for nearly a decade. Due to the fact that social media is used by 185 million people in the US, social media is now sweeping the world as the place to be for news coverage. “ I believe social media to be a very good source of information because many teenagers use their phones and stuff so the information is very accessible,” junior Eden Buchert said.

North Korea Nuclear Threat North Korea and the U.S. often exchange high-stake threats of nuclear proportions. Led by the reclusive dictator Kim Jong-un, the communist nation has made thermonuclear development a top priority. In late November, the DPRK tested Hwasong-15, an intercontinental ballistic missile that some experts believe is capable of reaching anywhere in the continental U.S. This launch is especially concerning because of the weapon’s capabilities, marking a new level of nuclear power and development for the DPRK.

Current events are often shared through social media platforms, and thus reach a wider range of younger people. These platforms could be utilized for expanding the reach of news and current events around the world to people who may not read a newspaper or watch television.

Current events at many times, are overlooked. This is a huge problem and just a little amount of time to catch up and become informed, will have a major impact on society. There are so many sources of acquiring information and it just takes a little effort to stay updated and aware of this ever-changing world we live in. With a broad range of sources and social media to acquire information, more people are and should become more informed. “ I think more people should be informed because there are so many resources people to use to get information and almost anything that happens in the United States affects us too as a community,” junior Jalen Endres said.

Net Neutrality Net neutrality is a bipartisan principle that allows Americans to use the internet freely. Without it, internet service providers could decide which websites users visit and which applications they use. In 2015, under pressure from net neutrality advocates, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a set of laws assuring that we can use the internet freely. FCC chairman Ajit Pai began attempts to backtrack these laws in early 2017, with a vote scheduled for December 14.

Reporting by Watson Harvey

Why is it important to stay current on world events?

“It’s important to know what is going on and to know if a team is going to win and you are always updated on the world around us.”

- Dylan Jones (9)

“It’s important for everyone to know what’s going on because you become more informed and you’re more aware of what’s happening.”

- Brittany Amerman (10)

“To stay informed and [realize] there are other people in the world besides yourself.”

- Kiersten Hart (11)

“It’s important to know what is happening and also to see if it can affect you or your community in anyway.”

- Dakota Benenhaley (12)

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Sound to Sea I Sports Features

The power of superstitions in sporting events From pre-game rituals to fan habits, superstitions play prominent role in sports Dakota Meekins Sports Editor With sporting events come those die-hard fans and players that always follow a game day ritual. These rituals can form into compulsions, or superstitions.

The players follow these routines because they believe that it will bring them luck and increase their chance for success. These routines can range from simply putting one cleat on before the other.

“I fully believe in superstitions and believe that they bring good luck. I believe that if you follow the routines for each sport, it brings luck to the team and helps us win,” sophomore Hayden Scott said.

Fans even have superstitions when it comes to their favorite teams. Die hard fans are also known to follow the same routines and traditions on game day to help their team’s chance of winning.

“Every Friday, I select an outfit to wear for game day to bring the team good luck - same shirt,

same necklace and the same spirit bracelets. At home games, I sit in the same spot on the bleachers along with sitting around the same people to make sure everything is the same as [the game] before,” said Liz Brown, who is a math teacher here and mom to two student athletes.

This asks the question, are these superstitions fact or fiction?

Do they really help someone or is it all mental?

The “Placebo Effect” is a mental response to a treatment or substance with no therapeutic effect. Essentially, the mind tricks itself into believing that that object is necessary to its improvement.

Superstitions can be one such “treatment.”

Those outside of the superstition loop may consider the act to be a placebo; a comforting act or object that eases nerves and stress. Sporting events are often based on skill and luck, both of which are not concrete. For junior Clay Rice, he has a superstition that may seem odd to others.

“On game day, I only eat lunch and I try to not eat that much except for candy,” he said. “I also have an idea of how I’m going to play in the game depending on how I do when we shoot around pre-game.”

Freshman Mikey McCallum fully believes in superstitions and follows through with his

consistently. McCallum follows this routine to ensure he is on task and focused in before a football game.

“I always listen to music and tune everything else to get me focused up and get my mind right before the game,” freshman Mikey McCallum said.

At any level of sports, superstitions can be found by fans but also can be found in many professional sports. At the college and professional level, many athletes rely on these superstitions to give them more success. Athletes across all sports have rituals and follow them routinely, no matter how odd they might be to others.

Superstitions may not have a supernatural effect on the player or the team, but these routines increase confidence and the belief that the team will succeed or perform better. Athletic superstitions have not been confirmed to improve scores, but they do improve the spirit and heart of the sport.

“Superstitions are funny, none are 100 percent proven, but it does improve some mental aspects,” football coach Sport Sawyer said.

“In sports every day whether it is high school, middle school, recreation, college or professional giving people something to believe in is so important. It’s human nature if you believe in something you gravitate to it and work for it, you see it daily. Believing gives you a mental edge.”

Strangest Superstitions in Sports History l Michael Jordan always wore his UNC-Chapel Hill shorts under his NBA shorts l Ed Belfour doesn’t let his teammates touch his equipments l Steve Kline never washed his hat l Richie Ashburn slept with his bats l Les Miles eats turf during football games l Defensive tackle John Henderson gets slapped across the face on game day l Serena Williams won’t change her socks once during a tournament l Jerry Tarkanian chewed on a towel during games l Jason terry wears the shorts of his opponents on nights before games l Patrick Roy had full fledged conversations with his goal posts.

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During halftime of the Nov. 10 football game, Tim Willis, Missy and Jason McPherson, members of the school’s athletic booster club; athletic director Alfie Wheeler; and principal John Luciano recognize retired MHS teacher Mary Berry for her years of deduction to the school’s athletic program by naming the ticket booth after her.

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Sound to Sea I Features

Twenty Ways to get an “A” in a class with zero effort Ella Corbett Staff Writer Click me!

See how easy it is to get someone’s attention? Though this story has nothing to do with homework, the title still peaked interest. That was a clear example of the online phenomenon: clickbait.

Flashy titles like “She’s 72!

Dermatologists Hate Her...” promise surprising stories inside, if only they’re clicked on, but often yield disappointing content.

The stories are not what matters, the titles are. This is not new to the realm of news and media. It is merely the evolution of yellow journalism.

Yellow journalism first came about in the 1890s during the Spanish-American War. Two journalism moguls, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, were in a battle for who’s newspapers would sell more.

Their feud eventually gave way to sensationalism, fabricated stories, and eye-grabbing titles. Clickbait is what remains of the famous rivalry and though Hearst and Pulitzer are gone, their effect on journalism still lingers to this

day.

Yellow journalism was profitable then, and many people of the internet have found a way for it to be profitable now.

Clickbait has become a business.

“The main reason people are using clickbait is because [people who generate clickbait] get paid per view. People will ignore things if it doesn’t grab their attention so you have to say things that will,” technology facilitator Mike Phelan said.

Those garish titles that catch wandering eyes aren’t just there to make the website look full, they’re there to support themselves. Clickbait revenue is often generated through blogging or social media sites such as Facebook or Buzzfeed. This is because of the amount of users on each site makes those sites “prime real estate” in the realm of clickbait. With 1.5 billion Facebook accounts in action, millions of dollars are held within the site for clickbait businesses. Due to the fact that these businesses, frequently

illegal businesses, are feeding off of Facebook’s authorized advertising, FaceBook has penalized the use of clickbait on their site.

“Clickbait titles and thumbnails work to draw people in by making the title of the article or video related to something trending at the time, or vague (such as “you won’t believe what happens next!”),” junior Ryan Braswell said. “This annoys me because it makes finding what you actually want difficult, while giving the culprits more money.”

Not only does clickbait affect social media apps and online websites, it has started its takeover of YouTube and other videos. What used to just be something seen once in awhile about fake celebrity news or some weird disease that isn’t real is now earning the creators who use it ad revenue on their videos with misleading headlines. The headlines are made to look mind blowing and hilarious so when the

video comes up it is hard for the viewer to resist that click.

“When the video looks crazy it makes me curious and it makes me want to watch it, especially when the cover photo on the video looks interesting. It really annoys me when it’s not even real,” junior Courtney Joyner said.

Often times a video blogger will post some kind of manipulating title such as “I was kidnapped by Russian spies!” but the video was actually about how the video blogger may have met a Russian person at the store. “[Clickbait] truly it annoys me because if one YouTuber that’s famous uses clickbait then all the smaller YouTubers do it too. Then all the good channels have become filled with clickbait,” freshman Brian Sikes said.

Clickbait has taken the internet by storm. Its influence over creators and users alike has made it into a fast, easy, and sometimes illegal, way to get money. From its humble beginnings as yellow journalism, to its recent affect over the YouTube “Ad-pocalypse”, clickbait doesn’t seem like it’s going away. Getting rid of it is not going to be as easy as a click of a button.

Food addictions, what food could you never give up?

Sophia Farrow Associate Editor What food could you not live without?

Everyone has that one food that they feel that they could not live without, whether it is a junk food or a healthy food.

“Dopamine is a chemical released by nerve cells to stimulate other nerve cells.

Dopamine has multiple pathways in the brain affecting emotion, movement, and memory and also has a role in reward-motivated behavior,” said school nurse Jennifer Gilbert.

“When our bodies experience a substance or an act perceived as pleasurable, large amounts of dopamine are released. This causes a sense of satisfaction that we seek to experience over and over again. Over a period of time, this cycle can cause addiction.”

More than likely, the food that most people cannot give up is a junk food. The reason behind this is because of the addictive factors that make up junk foods. These factors include the high sugar and fat contents of junk foods, and also all the additives in them. Sugar has the same effect on the brain as drugs.

Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune/TNS

When eaten, sugar causes your brain to release the chemical dopamine. Dopamine is the “feel good” chemical. Drugs cause the release of this chemical. Over time the brain will build up a tolerance to drugs and sugar, which causes the brain to release less dopamine. This resistance to dopamine means that a person will need to eat even more sugar or increase their drug dosage to get the same effect as before.

“Science has proven that sugary/high fat foods cause effects similar to drugs of abuse. Furthermore, consistent exposure to sweets and/or fatty food causes tolerance,” said Gilbert. “In other words, the same way a drug addict needs more and more drugs to get high, a food addict requires more to feel satisfied. Also of note, the chemical released in the bloodstream to reduce hunger at the end of a meal is suppressed by over exposure to sugar and fats. So, we don’t feel full even after consuming a large amount.”

The one food that a person is unable to give up tends to be the one food that they crave when stressed out or doing specific activities (watching a movie, hanging out with friends, etc.). The reason that people feel that they cannot give up a certain food is not because of their physical need for the food, but because of their trained response to circumstances. This means that the person’s mind has conditioned their body to want that food whenever they are in that circumstance. For example many people want popcorn or candy whenever they are watching a movie.

FOOD - continued on page 15

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Sound to Sea I Features

Inhale, exhale: vaping trend attracts young users Olivia Hines Staff Writer The year is 1954. Two scientists, E. Cuyler Hammond and Daniel Horn, scientists working for the American Cancer Society, published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association citing that cigarettes were the largest culprit for lung cancer in adult men. This study swept the nation and from that point on, the American antismoking culture was established.

Recently, companies like the Truth campaign are still fighting against the use of cigarettes. Their slogan, “Let’s be the generation that ends smoking” was made to deter teens from cigarettes and smoking in general. They did just that. The number of high schoolers who smoke cigarettes dropped to 8 percent in 2016, according to the CDC. What wasn’t expected, however, was a rise in another form of inhalation, vaping.

“I started because my friend had one and I thought it was less harmful for you then other things, so I tried it,” an anonymous 17-year-old senior said. “It is definitely not good for you but it’s a better alternative to actually smoking.”

This student is not alone.

With the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes known, many young people have turned toward the alternative form of smoking. Vaping is the act of inhaling heated water vapor from a personal vaporizer or an e-cigarette. Vaporizers and e-cigarettes seem to have the same product, but many students prefer the vaporizers to e-cigarettes.

“I choose vaping over smoking because I have the option to smoke nicotine free,” an anonymous 18-year-old senior said.

Vaping is not just popular with younger generations. Many adults use vaping as a way to wean themselves off of smoking cigarettes. Small doses of nicotine can be added and taken away from the e-liquid, concentrate or dryherb, used in vaporizers. Though this may help adults who had problems with smoking, vaping continually attracts teenagers who aren’t already cigarette smokers.

“I chose to vape instead of

David Pulliam/Kansas City Star/TNS

Jonathan Brower, owner of Waldo Vapes in Kansas City, Mo., tests some of his vaping products.

smoke because I wanted to try smoke tricks with my friends,” a 17-year-old senior said.

According to the CDC in 2016, one in four, high school students vaped. At that number, the effects of vaping are trying to be further researched. The negative sides of vaping are coming to light more and more as the years go by.

“There are two different reasons that vaping is bad for you, one is the behavioral aspect of it,” school nurse Jennifer Gilbert said. “If you get into the habit of smoking, your body wants to continue doing it. Another reason is that the chemicals in a vape are not regulated by the FDA. The vape shops could be putting anything in their vapes, not saying they are but they are not regulated by the FDA”.

Assuming vaping is a safe alternative to smoking, high school students continue to drop cigarettes and pick up a vape.

“It’s definitely better than smoking a cigarette because it doesn’t have as much chemicals and ingredients,” an anonymous 17-year-old senior said.

Another reason people have been dropping cigarettes and picking up a vape is the smell that it puts off. Unlike traditional cigarettes, vaping doesn’t leave an odor like cigarettes do. Due to the absence of particles in vapor smells it does not linger like smoke does

in clothes, furniture, car interior or other objects.

Flavor is part of the appeal when it comes to vaping. Vapeusers can choose the flavor of the juice they want to use from over 300 flavors. Some users even get creative by mixing flavors to create their own flavor. Popular flavors include cookie craze, sour apple gum and pink lemonade, with both the taste and the name attracting users.

“I think it’s cool that you can choose from different flavors.

There’s so many choices it is crazy,” an anonymous 17-year-old senior said.

Vaping is an expensive hobby. A vape is a rechargeable/ battery powered device that consists of two main parts; a mod and tank. Most of the mods are now USB charged, but some still operate off of one or two rechargeable batteries. These e-cigarettes can cost between $40 to $80. This price does include the juice, which runs between $10 and $15 for a single bottle, or accessories like coils and tanks which improve the quality of the vape.

Vaporizers operate by a single press activation that either heats a coil instantly, or a chamber that gradually heats up to a desired temperature. For vaporizers with coils they need to be replaced about once a month but that also

depends on one’s usage.

A main reason most teens vape is the fear of nicotine or other harmful chemicals in cigarettes.

Counterintuitively, most vaporizers are used for e-liquid which can contain natural tobacco. What makes usage different is the nicotine level which is anywhere from no nicotine to 18 mg of nicotine. Most young adults are able to buy vapes and vape products in multiple different places throughout the Outer Banks.

“I got mine when I was 16-years-old. I walked in the store and bought it easily without a problem,” an anonymous 17-yearold senior said.

There has been a decrease in smokers in America. In 2012, around 17 percent of Americans smoked, yet that same year, the amount of registered tobacco stores skyrocketed to around 10,000.

This can be largely attributed to the increase in vaping. With the expansion of vaping, it has become easier for those under the legal age of 18 to obtain e-cigarettes and vaporizers.

“It’s a helpful way to quit smoking cigarettes and less harmful on your lungs. You can pick your juice flavor as well if you want nicotine in it or not,” a anonymous 17-year-old junior said. “In addition it is fun to learn different tricks with your friends.”

9

Sound to Sea I Features

Permanent ink serves to symbolize, remember family Brittany Farence Staff Writer One of the oldest forms of body art are tattoos. In the mid19th century, tattoos were used to identify soldiers in the Civil War. Now, tattoos are used to represent something important or interesting for each person who has one. A tattoo serves as a form of selfexpression. Tattoos allow people to share their own story on their skin.

Sophomore Dakota Payne recently got a tattoo; a cross interlaced with the words ‘Only God can judge me’ is placed on the left side of Payne’s shoulder. He received the tattoo before the age of 18, but the tattoo has deep meaning for him.

“I got this tattoo because it is just something I’ve always wanted.

[My tattoo] shows that only God can judge me,” he said. “I grew up being judged and going off of everyone’s opinion, good or bad but I’ve learned that their opinions don’t really matter.”

Nowadays, many people receive tattoos in remembrance of someone. Located on her left wrist, senior Tessie Dough has a lowercase “j” in remembrance of her grandmother. “[My tattoo] is for my

grandmother. She passed away in June very unexpectedly. She was my best friend, it was just a big surprise. It affected a lot of people.

This is just a small remembrance of her,” she said.

Sentimental value and memories can be held within a tattoo. From a loved one’s name, to a symbol of importance, each tattoo has a story behind it.

On the inside of his left ankle, a blue crab resides. The tattoo is small in size, but to English teacher Stephen Nichols, it has large meaning.

“First [my tattoo] is the symbol to my zodiac sign, Cancer. Second, when I first moved down here, I got a job at a crab shack as a waiter. I use to draw a little crab on my receipts.

I’ve been considering getting the crab I drew on the opposite ankle.

And third, I live in and love the water just like a crab,” he said.

Tattoos are not limited to any certain person or age group. Despite the fact that anyone over the age of 18 can receive a tattoo, many adults believe it is a bad idea for young teens to get tattoos. A sort of tattoo taboo has formed, and Nichols is an advocate for waiting before inking.

“I was 40 when I first got [my tattoo]. I believe that you should be fully grown before you receive

Elizabeth Flores/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS

A tattoo artist works on a client’s tattoo with an electrically powered tattoo machine.

a tattoo because years from now you’re not going to be the same person you are today,” Nichols said.

A group of friends, sororities, brothers and sisters may get tattoos to symbolize a bond they have.

Tattoos could be to memorialize a loved one that has passed or show support for a loved one that is facing a challenge. A scar could be cosmetically disguised by covering it with a tattoo. Every person has a different meaning behind their tattoo.

Guidance Assistant Jessica Everett has many tattoos, but the one that means the most to her is not entirely unique. Everett shares a bond with two of her sisters through a tattoo reading “Mason”. The word is inscribed on each of their feet. “[Mason] was my maiden name. My parents weren’t married, so [the tattoo] was a tie to my dad.

One day my sisters are going to get married, one already is, and Mason will always be with us. We will always be the Mason girls,” she said.

Learning money management early on key to savings later Sophia Farrow Associate Editor No one wants to have debt or discover they have no money in their bank account, this is a fact of life. A skill that many have, but few take the time to develop, is money management. It is hard to manage money whenever there are many tempting items just begging to be bought. There are, however, ways that this problem can be resolved.

“Money management is a privilege, not a burden,” said personal finance teacher Stephanie McKoy. To be able to manage money properly a person needs to set up a bank account to put all the money they earn in. The next step is to establish a budget; this budget should include savings, bills and money for personal expenses (toiletries, eating out, buying items for fun, etc.). Do not overspend, and if there is money left over, put it into the savings account. Also, a person should think about what they want in the future, whether that is a new car, a house, or a vacation. Planning ahead allows for goals to be set and a budget to be made.

“Delayed gratification is an important skill to learn. Being willing to wait before making a purchase is key to money management.

Delayed gratification will help you save for big purchases and also helps with not making silly impulse purchases,” McKoy said.

Debit cards and credit cards are some people’s major downfall. Although it is a plastic card, every time something is bought with it money is taken out of an account. Falling into the deep, dark pit of debt is easy to do when a person uses their credit card often when they don’t have the money. Credit cards should be promptly paid off and should not be used as a tool to afford needless expenses. When debit cards are used, money spent is taken directly from the bank account. To not fall into debt or overspend, finances need to be observed frequently.

“Money management takes discipline and you must be proactive. You cannot manage money after you spend it!” McKoy said.

For students a personal finance class is an option. This class teaches students the life skills of how to invest, save, and manage their money. This class is offered as a CTE, Career

Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa USA/TNS

Technical Education, class. Students do not receive honors credit for this class, but they are taught life skills which are utilized in everyday life.

“Finance class is probably the most useful class I’ve ever taken in high school. I’ve learned everything from putting a down payment on a house to taxes,” junior Kyle Logan said.

“This class has been so helpful in developing a budget. I think everyone should take this class, because it really prepares you for life outside of high school.”

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Sound to Sea I Opinion

The name says it all: Advanced Placement Elizabeth Wheless Staff Writer Going above and beyond what a regular or honors class can give, AP classes give a major advantage when it comes to GPA and college performance.

Ever since my sophomore year, I have been a huge advocate for AP classes. So far, I have taken six. Each class has been difficult, sure, but the rewards are incredible. I’ve learned, and retained, more knowledge than I have in any other classes. AP classes are a great tool for students to learn more about how college classes work and how different the world outside of high school is.

One of the main arguments I’ve heard against AP classes is that no matter how hard you try in the class, that grade doesn’t matter, only the AP score does. True, if you score lower than a 3, you don’t receive college credit. That’s the harsh reality of college. Most classes are passfail. You won’t always succeed. That’s the reality of well...reality. Not everything that you work your hardest at will give you the result you want. AP classes teach this.

I took AP Environmental Science online my junior year, and I passed the class with a high A. I thought I would pass the AP exam the same way, but I didn’t. I got a 2 and that crushed me because I worked hard in that class. I didn’t get mad at myself or the teacher or the class.

I accepted that I tried my best and moved on. Sure, I’ll have to take the class again when I’m in college, but at least then I’ll be prepared for all that I wasn’t prepared for my junior year.

My GPA has not suffered because of that 2. On the contrary, it has been boosted by it. AP classes are given a two quality point raise for seniors, one for all other classes. Meaning that if I finished an AP class with an 80, I technically passed with a 100. COA classes are only given one quality point. A small difference, but if you passed an AP with a 70, you’d have a higher grade than if you passed a COA with that same 70.

It pays off in the end to be in AP classes...for me.

For those who are not seniors, AP and COA classes are given the same number of quality points. This means that someone taking four AP

classes and working five hours a night gets the same amount of credit as someone taking four COA classes and spending their time on Quizlet.

Not only do AP classes help with GPA, they help with college acceptance and scholarship offers. According to The College Board, “31 percent of colleges and universities consider a student’s AP experience when making decision about which student will receive scholarships.”

AP classes are a special kind of class. They are not focused on grades or test scores, like so much of school is, they are focused on preparing its students for college. We are so used to our self worth and value being based on these grades and numbers. I was stuck in this mindset until BC Calculus. Make no mistake, I was scared to death of BC Calculus. I only took it because it fit my schedule, but I’m so glad I did. That was the first class that taught me that my performance on the final exam was not a reflection of my performance in class.

I didn’t pass BC with an A, far from it, but I did end up with a 5 on the exam. (I still have no idea how). To me, my grades didn’t reflect that of a student with a 5, but in reality, somehow they did. BC Calculus showed me that there is so much more to me than what my grades say.

It was the first time I was taught this in over a decade of learning.

I’m currently in a COA class. It’s...different, to say the least. I’m used to assignments being challenging and stimulating, but in my class, I feel like I’m not learning a single thing. I read out of a textbook, and write down what the book says. I’m passing, but at what cost? I’m not retaining any information. I’m not broadening my mind and growing as a student.

As a person so used to AP classes and their ability to both challenge and teach, COA classes are a change of pace, and not for the better.

AP classes open up a world of possibility and expansion of my mind. COA classes shut that door and perpetuate the thought that grades are all that matter about a student. What is your choice?

COA classes: live the college experience Grace Cobb Staff Writer When deciding what classes to take in the future, be careful about choosing between advanced placement and dual enrollment COA classes. I am a firsthand example of why taking COA classes is more helpful for students in the future.

The difference between COA and AP classes is that AP classes are rigorous courses focused on one subject leading to a final exam in May. These exams are scored 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. In contrast, dual enrollment classes are offered through our local community college.

Although you might think that AP courses help you get ahead in college, get credit and look better to colleges, that is not always the case. My sophomore year I took AP US History. All the writing we had done in class helped my writing improve, but when May rolled around, I got a 1 on the exam. Throughout the year, I maintained an “A” in the class and ended the year with a 95, which helped my GPA a lot. Unfortunately though, I did not receive college credit for that class after all the work I had done in that class.

I, however, was not the only person in my class that did poorly my AP exams. Most of my classmates also got either a 1 or 2 on their exams, which was not a surprise because the

exams were extremely difficult. Most students don’t receive college credit for taking AP classes since most universities only accept 5’s on the exams now.

Starting junior year, I decided not to take anymore AP classes. I switched to face to face classes at the College of the Albemarle. I took both English 111 and English 112, Art 111, Psychology 150 and ACA 122, which is a general educational class that freshman are required to take in college. Before deciding to take these classes I was informed that I was guaranteed the college credit upon successful completion. This senior year instead of taking a math at the high school, I am taking MAT 152 which is statistics at COA. COA Psychology ended up being my favorite class I have taken in my whole high school career. My professor, Beth Hughes, was great and knew how to teach the class. We watched interesting videos and at the end of the semester I had done so well in the class, I was exempt from my exam. I am now filling out college applications and I have put that I would like to major in Psychology because I could see myself doing something later on with it.

Taking face-to-face classes at COA is also great because you are placed in classes with students from around the world. You have to work in groups with students that can barely speak English and although it might be hard, you will be more prepared for group activities in college.

Taking AP and COA classes is better than taking regular or honors classes, but in the future, I would encourage students to consider COA classes because not only do some of them require less work than APs but you will also most likely receive college credit for the work you do.

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Sound to Sea I Features

Elizabeth Wheless Staff Writer Grammar. That subject only seen taught in movies, old TV shows, or the dreams of English teachers. Grammar, unfortunately, has become a thing of the past.

No longer are we taught how to properly form a sentence, or which “there” is correct. In fact, many don’t know which “witch” is the “which” to use. Or whether “weather” or “whether” is the one to write into an essay. No one has perfect grammar, even the one in charge of writing this article. The proof? Look at the first sentence of this story.

One word sentences are not grammatically correct. Sentences have to have a subject and a verb to be “proper.” So, why is it that when drama or power is needed in an essay, speech or slogan, adding in one word sentences just seems so natural? There. Boom. It makes sense, doesn’t it? More often than not, what is grammatically correct seems stranger than what is incorrect. For example, the pronoun for “team” is not “them,” it’s “it”. Weird, right? Grammar is a roller coaster of exceptions, rules and revisions. For some, it can be hard to grasp.

“Grammar can be hard because [schools] don’t really teach grammar in schools today,” junior Rena Casey said. “So you be influenced at a young age to get it. Correct grammar makes writing sound more professional and proper.”

In school, students often

don’t write on paper anymore.

Most essays, classwork and simple assignments are written and turned in online. The beauty of online writing is that spell check is automatically implemented in the document. That infamous little red line appears, and it’s clear which word is spelled incorrectly or where the grammar is wrong.

Due to this, one may think that the internet is to blame for bad grammar.

“I think that many people carry the relaxed nature/spellings of texting to their other modes of communication,” English teacher Anna Thomas said. “I think that the ability to ‘code switch’ ie. amend/adjust their spelling and grammar to suit their audience and purpose has been eroded as the internet blurs the lines of communication.”

Not all teachers think as Thomas does. English teacher Stephen Nichols has a different notion when it comes to internet use and accurate grammar.

Nichols believes that the internet is not to blame for poor grammar, and that it is simply a matter of interest and time.

“I think people have poor grammar for the same reason that they always have--English grammar is difficult, and most people do not see enough benefit to learning it to put in the effort.

Just as I did not bother to hang on to much of the math I learned because I do not use it very often, many people do not retain whatever grammar they learned,” he said.

The jury is still out on the cause of bad grammar. Though the root of the problem isn’t clearly known, what is known are the products of bad grammar. One place where bad grammar can be seen quite bluntly are student emails.

Students have been told time and time again to treat teachers with respect in school and out.

This includes emails. Students still email using colloquial language as if they are texting a friend.

Many student emails lack an introduction, reason for emailing and a “thank you”.

“Emails to a teacher of professor, or any adult who is in a position of authority to them should be addressed in a respectful manner,” Thomas said. “Often students begin with ‘Hey...’, or no salutation at all. Often no ‘Thank you’ or appreciation for a teacher’s time/ effort...These emails are frustrating.”

Even teachers are subject to incorrect grammar. Most were not taught grammar later in life or in college. This shows how long society has gone without a proper grammar lesson. It’s not the fault of those who didn’t learn, it just brings up the fact that somewhere down the line, teachers stopped teaching grammar. It was then up to the individual to continue that education.

“I think social media has played a part in the way we enunciate our words,” teacher assistant Necy Morris said. “Even as adults, we don’t stop learning, we just get caught up in all of [the media]. I think teachers have adapted to the ways of the younger generation. We go with the flow of things. We accept [incorrect grammar].”

That acceptance has led to the question of whether or not to penalize incorrect spelling and grammar. There is no set rulebook for teachers and their penalization. Some teachers count off, some don’t. It depends on their preference. Nichols, who prefers paper assignments, does count off.

“I mark errors on student papers and require them to correct what I mark,” Nichols said. “I do not accept student papers until the marked errors are corrected, so they do not get credit until they finish the paper. All papers that receive credit, though,

get perfect scores after revision.

Sometimes more than one revision is necessary.”

Along with a rise in online assignments comes automatic spell-check or a clear indication of misspelling. This immediate correction has given way to the mentality that grammar is no longer important. Many think “There is no need for correction on my half if my device can do it for me.”.

There are a multitude of reasons to spell words correctly and use proper grammar. For example, it makes one look literate.

In college essays and AP papers, proper grammar and spelling are crucial because not only does it set one above the pack, it increases their reliability and credibility in their career field. According to “When Children Want to Punctuate” by L. M. Calkins, using a student’s own work as an example on how to correct grammar is more effective for students than using an internet copy. Teaching grammar in the context of writing is also more helpful than trying to teach grammar by itself. The study concluded that students are more receptive to their own writing, and the corrections that go with it.

English is a very difficult language. No one person, even those born into the language, is perfect at spelling and grammar.

The first president of the United States, George Washington, was cited as writing, “we find our necessities are not such as to require an immediate transportation during the harvest.” Albert Einstein, the world’s genius, was also not the best at English. He famously said, “I cannot write in English, because of the treacherous spelling.” If Albert Einstein stated that English is difficult, than people know it’s difficult. The silent letters, mixed up pronouns and homophones make English a demanding language, but not one that cannot be conquered.

With the innovation of the internet and spell-check, it’s easier than ever for students and teachers alike to improve their English.

Whether or not they want to is the problem. Time and effort have to be put into improving grammar.

It’s not a simple process. English can be tricky, but working towards improved grammar and spelling is needed. That knowledge can open up a world of opportunity.

12

Sound to Sea I News Feature

Local resident “hooked” on portraying Santa year-round Teresa Mejia and Hannah Schuman Staff Writers

small town, big traditions

Santa Claus comes once each Christmas, but Manteo resident, Le Hook, spreads holiday cheer everywhere he goes all year long.

Hook, who is frequently referred to as Santa Claus, has been suiting up for 15 years. He started his career as Santa when he lived in Montgomery, Alabama. A friend asked Hook to dress up as Santa for a winter concert. After the concert, a NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit] nurse approached him to ask if he would take pictures with the children as they were going to be in the hospital over the holidays. It didn’t take long for Hook to realize he was in for something special.

His stint at the hospital began his journey as Santa Claus, and he now fondly refers to it as the “best job in the world.”

“As Santa you are surrounded by love from almost everybody and you get to spread happiness to all these children,” Hook said.

When Hook first began acting as Santa Claus, he did not maintain his prominent beard. Instead he would only grow out his beard during the months of November and December.

“It [my beard] wouldn’t get long enough so I started letting it grow longer, the length it is now is about a year and a half of growth and I keep it trimmed to this length [mid-chest] so I can cross my arm without getting tangled in it,” Hook said.

Hook moved to the Outer Banks in 1978, but it wasn’t until 2002 that he began portraying Santa Claus here. The first few events Hook did here were for Toys for Tots and at the Christmas Shop.

For Hook, bringing joy to children in the community continues past the holiday season.

“Since I [always] look like Santa [because of my white hair and beard] when I see little children during the year and I can tell they recognize me as Santa, I carry stickers with me that say ‘You have met Santa’ to give out,’” Hook said.

Young children often see Hook and stop in awe because of his uncanny resemblance to Santa Claus.

“Last week I was checking out at Food Lion and one aisle over this little girl, about 6, turned and saw me and froze in place with eyes as big as saucers!” Hook said. “I couldn’t leave her like that so I went over and patted her on the head and asked her if she was being good because I was always watching.”

The young girl received a sticker from Hook before he returned to his place in line. Because of situations like this, he always has a sticker handy. He says he typically gives out 300-400 stickers a year.

“As I said before that I carry Santa stickers with me at all times and I am constantly on the lookout for children who have the look of

Sophia Spinella

recognition,” Hook said.

The first Santa suit Hook ever bought was from Target. He purchased it one year on Dec. 26 for half off. As of today, he owns eight Santa suits and does events throughout the holiday season. This season he is booked for 35 appearances. His season began at Belk on Nov. 11.

Other events include, appearances at Blue Water Grill, The Christmas Shop and the Manteo town of Manteo’s annual Christmas tree lighting and parade.

“The parade is my favorite [event] because the whole community is there, not just children,” he said.

Having the ability to provide joy for children and their family has been the motivation for Hook to continue his pursuit as Santa. From giving children stickers when they recognize him in the street, to taking pictures with them for the holidays. Le Hook has prioritized the happiness of others which in the end has influenced his own happiness. ”So you see as long as I look like Santa, I feel I need to embody his spirit whenever children recognize me! I can do no less,” Hook said.

Over the first weekend in December, students participated in the town’s Christmas festivities. From the tree lighting to the parade, band, color guard, chorus and strings students helped spread merriness. Photos by Lara Cate Wright and Sophia Spinella.

Not all trees are created equal: artificial Christmas trees are

13 It’s not Christmas without fresh cut tree adorned with memories

Averi Creef Staff Writer

Ragen Twiford Staff Writer

For as long as I can remember, my family has put up an artificial Christmas tree. Last year, we decided to stray from this tradition. What a mistake!

The first time the tree fell was the night we decorated it. Sentimental ornaments we had collected over the years shattered all over the floor and tears were shed. Before the holiday season ended, the tree fell two more times. It was a disaster. To get the tree standing up again, we had to call in help. It took my brother, step dad and one of his employees to get the tree upright again. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that my family couldn’t handle a real tree. It’s just that real trees don’t even hold a candle to our tried and true fake tree.

Artificial trees come with many advantages. The first is cost. While fake trees are more expensive than real trees, the investment in worth it. When buying a tree, consider quality and duration. Although fake trees do cost more when they are originally purchased, they also last longer. Real trees only last one Christmas and you have to buy a new one each and every year. So in the end, real trees end up costing more than your artificial tree over the years.

Now the lights and the shape. Who wouldn’t like a tree that comes with lights evenly placed from top to bottom? And wires wrapped nicely around the branches so they aren’t visible? A tree so r e a l i s t i c that even you will second guess whether it is fake or not?

A tree so extravagant that there is a spot for each and every ornament to fit perfectly so that your Christmas tree looks like it’s out of a magazine?

When friends and family come over to my house during Christmas, they’re always commenting, “Wow, your tree looks really nice! Is it real?” That always cracks me up because I don’t think it’s possible to have a 14 foot tall, narrow, live tree, but if the guests ask, then the tree must fool them. The authenticity of artificial trees sold today is just another plus.

When it comes to maintenance, fake trees are way easier to deal with. Real trees require water and cleaning. With a live tree, you have to remember to water it each and every day. And if you don’t it dries out and becomes a major fire hazard. And then there is the cleaning. During the Christmas season there is always so much going on, and I don’t have time to constantly pick up the needles under the tree or the ones tracked through the house.

Christmas trees have been the main part of the holiday tradition for centuries, but you no longer need to cut one down in the wilderness to have an authentic looking and smelling tree. Most artificial trees resemble real ones, with people not being able to tell the difference. It’s easy to get the smell too. Stores sell candles and aerosol spray in Fraser fir scents.

Even though a fake tree may not be “nostalgic” for some, a fake tree can still be traditional.

Our experiences with a real tree last year confirmed for me why artificial trees are best.

You pull them out of the box, snap the pieces together, fluff the branches and plug in the lights. You cannot go wrong with an artificial tree.

“O Christmas tree O Christmas tree how lovely are thy branches,” the soundtrack of my family’s annual Christmas tree outing. This song brings back memories from years past. Along with the priceless memories, our freshly cut Christmas tree fills our home with an inviting scent while benefiting our environment. Christmas just isn’t the same without a gorgeous North Carolina Fraser Fir fully trimmed in lights and dripping with tinsel.

The annual Christmas tree outing is a long standing tradition for many families, including my own. I vividly remember the year snow covered the ground as my brother and I ran through all the trees proclaiming we had found the most perfect tree in the lot. We then placed our lively tree in the same corner and topped it with the same sparkling angel we use each year. We add old and new ornaments we have created and collected throughout the years, with each telling a story we are able relive as we decorate our tree. Our Christmas tree is perfect every year mostly because of the laughter and joy this tradition brought us as a family.

With a real Christmas tree, there is no need to have your cabinets stocked with Christmas scented candles and scented air fresheners. Every time you walk in the door you get the sweet smell of fresh pine, which I love so much! This smell fills your house for the entire Christmas season and reminds you of all the warm feelings and memories you have shared with your family and loved ones over the years. Because of the real Christmas tree, the smell stays strong and fresh throughout the entire holiday season.

At the end of the Christmas season, you don’t have to pack the tree up and squeeze it in the attic. Instead, you can recycle it, which helps our environment. Packing everything up after Christmas is a hassle, a real tree is one less thing to pack up after the holiday.

Most artificial trees are made up of toxic, non-recyclable materials, which harm the environment. The polyvinyl chloride, or PVC as it’s more commonly known, used to make these trees has been linked to harmful health and environmental impacts. On top of this, 85 percent of artificial trees come are imported from China. At least we know real trees with all natural products right here in the USA. Real Christmas trees also benefit our beaches. The Outer Banks has beautiful beaches, and part of the maintenance for the beaches includes stabilization of the sand dunes. Christmas tree are used to stabilize the sand dunes that are constantly being eroded by nor’easters and hurricanes and a busy tourist season. Each year, trees are collected and repurposed along our coast. Trees are most often put in areas that have experienced strong winds, erosion and heavy foot traffic. These areas often have less vegetation and need the trees to help hold the sand in place.

The trademark of the holiday season, a real Christmas tree, is essential. The scent alone will take you home for holidays and remind you of the many memories created with your family and friends. So why don’t you keep your artificial tree in the box this year, and go get a real tree.

Sound to Sea I Opinion

14

Sound to Sea I Opinion

Christmas: magic of season makes it best time of year Averi Creef Staff Writer Christmas is, hands down, the best time of year. During this season, the happiest music plays, spirits are bright and people tend to forget about their worries.

Nothing beats this time of year!

The first signs of Christmas are the strong smells. There are no words to explain the feeling I get when I smell a “Christmas Eve” Yankee Candle fuming from my coffee table. And nothing sets the mood like the sensation I get from gulping down a huge cup of a peppermint mocha. Christmas scents and foods are definitely a big attraction during the holidays.

To me, it is obvious why: it brings nothing but joy.

The Christmas season is a joyful time for a lot of people.

With families coming together from near and far to celebrate the happiness and laughter of being together and sharing stories, it makes for a wonderful time.

Family is a huge part of Christmas for many.

The special decorations and all the memories that come along with them that come out for only this time of year also help make this season wonderful. In my house we love to decorate as a family.

My younger sister always insists on decorating the tree while we watch. We let her, but then my mom secretly goes behind her to fix the placement of each and every ornament.

Even though this is more work, it’s so fun to see her excitement and pleasure over decorating the tree.

Holidays bring people from near and far together too. For some, this is the only time of year they can travel to see family members who live far away. For others, they save their days all year to be off at Christmastime. Being able to spend time with loved ones and enjoy each other’s company is a gift in itself.

Speaking of gifts. Receiving gifts is never a bad thing and giving gifts is even better. It’s not often that I receive random presents or new clothes. I work, so throughout the year I have to buy what I want for myself or wait. On

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Dec. 25 all that changes! Now that I’ve gotten older, what I receive for Christmas isn’t as much of a surprise because I like to pick out what I want, but in the end I’m still just as happy and excited as I was when I was little.

My parents aren’t together, and one of the only perks of this is I get two Christmases, which I don’t mind at all. I wake up Christmas morning at my mom’s house and then before the winter break ends, I go to my dad’s house. I really enjoy having two Christmases. It’s not that I get double the gifts, it’s that I get to spend time with the people that I love for two whole days.

From the movies to the decor to the food, I love everything about Christmas. Because of this, I make sure that I start celebrating early, usually around the end of October. After all, I want to make sure I get the most out of the time I have.

I have a mom that loves Hallmark Christmas specials and a dad that says “to heck with those” and settles in with just about any traditional Christmas movie. I have parents who both

love different things and in this situation, being in the middle is a good place to be because it means that I get to enjoy it all.

I am the middle child. I have an older brother and a younger sister and we argue a lot, just like other siblings. During the Christmas season this seems to cease. My siblings and I spend our time together, joking around and enjoying each other’s company.

It’s hard to describe the mood around Christmas, but it’s definitely my favorite part.

It’s truly the most magical time of year. The entire household is content, and there’s plenty of love to go around. This combined with the special decorations, the merry music and the delicious seasonal treats make for the perfect combination. Everyone is just happier at this time of year, it’s plain and simple.

If every day was like Christmas break, I would be excited to wake up every morning, but for now, I’m just going to have to sit back and enjoy life as it is. Christmas is my most favorite and cherished time of year and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Resolutions: “New Year, Same Me” more fitting than “New Year, “New Me” Lara Cate Wright Features Editor On Dec. 31 the clock will strike midnight and the phrase “New Year, New Me” will begin trending on social media. Saying in the next year you are going to become a new person is an empty promise, at most. In reality, using New Year’s as an excuse for changing your life means that your lifechanging decision probably isn’t going anywhere. The phrase “New Year, New Me” is ridiculous.

On New Year’s Day, people will make bold resolutions about how they are going to do amazing things and completely change who they were the year before. From pledging to lose 25 pounds to vowing to giving up social media, I believe that New Year’s resolutions set people up for disappointment.

These resolutions are made of big dreams and high expectations that the majority of people cannot accomplish.

Using a holiday to tell yourself you are going to change for the better is absurd. In fact, the odds are against you. According to a U.S. News and World Report from 2015, approximately 80 percent of resolutions are forgotten by the second week of February. That means, if my math is correct, you’ve waited a whole year to implement a resolution that will stay in action for roughly 50 days.

Seems like a lot of work for such little payoff, at least to me.

Let me introduce you to holiday remorse. I’m sure you’re all familiar with it. It’s the regret you feel after eating and spending too much during the holidays.

Throughout the holiday season, the cumulation of calories eaten and dollars spent lead you to believe that you need a switch.

Next year, you’ll be better. I hate to break it to you, but you won’t be better, you’ll be the same person you were the previous year, and the year before, and the year

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before.

That doesn’t mean you can’t try to be a better person, but... if you need a holiday to convince yourself you’ll be a better person... how good of a person were you to begin with? Shouldn’t you strive to be a better person every day of the year?

You choose one day out of a whole year to try and change yourself. Doesn’t that sound redundant? After that, you wait an entire year to try and improve yourself again. Twitter fills with tweets saying “2018 will be my year.” Flash-forward to next New Year’s Eve, and those tweets now read, “Nevermind. 2018 was a trash heap. 2019 is where it’s at.”

Is 2019 really where it’s at? My bets are on no.

I’m not just expressing my opinion towards the ridiculous nature of New Year’s resolutions, I’m expressing my opinion towards the ridiculous fact that I’ve made them. I’m no stranger when it comes to failed resolutions, either. Last year I tried to make

a resolution to keep toxic people out of my life. And I failed. Turns out that person wasn’t so bad.

I’ve decided that I shouldn’t have to wait an entire year to change something about me and that I should be able to do that whenever I feel it is necessary.

I have found that instead of making resolutions it is easier to set specific goals. Instead of saying you are going to get in shape, sign up for a Outer Banks Flying Pirate Half Marathon. If you plan on giving up a bad habit, like swearing (God forbid!), set a goal to not swear for a day, then a week, then a month. Accomplishing something, though it may be small, reminds you that you can successfully fulfill a commitment.

It’s not all about the plan for the next year, sometimes, it’s about the plan for the next day that is the most effective.

Everyone needs to stop saying “New Year, New Me” and try to make yourself better one day at a time and not worry about the 364 that will follow.

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Sound to Sea I Features

Oh the sweater outside is frightful, but I’m sure it looks delightful Lara Cate Wright and Sophia Spinella Feature Editor and Social Media Manager It’s Christmas Eve. The house is filled with laughter and cheer and everything looks perfect. Everything except that one cousin wearing the festive Christmas sweater that catches everyone’s eye as he walks through the house.

What was once known as a gaudy sweater that only your great-aunt Barbara or your second grade teacher wore has now been reintroduced into the fashion world as a trendy, must-have Christmas season need.

It’s not hard to spot the infamous holiday sweater. These sweaters typically include copious amounts of red and green; large depictions of Santa, snowmen, reindeer or Christmas trees; and jingle bells, pom pom or felt appliques. Some sweaters even light up and play music. These sweaters are meant to be a fun way to show your holiday spirit. When it comes to the holiday sweater, tackier is always better.

“I think tacky sweaters bring out the holiday season even if are really itchy,” sophomore Taylor Cahoon said. “It is fun to see what kind of ridiculous sweaters people will wear for the holidays.”

Stores like Target and T. J. Maxx now price these sweaters around $30.00. Before stores began mass producing these sweaters again, the older ones became hot items on eBay. Tacky sweaters can also be found at local thrift stores for reasonable prices.

“My favorite part is the bells because they make my sweater even tackier,” junior Kayli Tinsley said. “I bought my whole outfit at a thrift store for six dollars.”

While their popularity is newfound, tacky holiday sweaters have been around for decades.

They were made popular in the ‘80s on some popular TV shows and movies like “The Cosby Show” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. After the ’90s, their popularity waned.

“My mom was a retired teacher and really did think that they were cute,” CTE teacher Stephanie McKoy said. “She had several and would buy them for me when I was in high school and I had to wear them!”

Within the last decade, the popularity of these sweaters has increased with teenagers and young adults. These age groups can be seen wearing the garish sweaters throughout the holiday season.

Friends and families even throw gatherings now to don their “ugliest” holiday sweater and accessories. These parties are a huge hit, with attendees often trying to out do one another in the tacky department.

Coined “ An Ugly Christmas Sweater Party,” those hosting can get inspiration from the internet. From Pinterest to party supply stores, there are ideas for decorations, food and games. Some of these parties even hold contests for the “tackiest” sweater.

The trend has continued to the workplace and schools. The third Friday of December is now officially known as National Ugly Sweater Day. Companies and schools host ugly sweater days and spirit competitions to spread holiday cheer and excitement. Although some students opt to wear holiday sweaters throughout the month of the December, the spirit day brings out a lot of participation and some of the best sweaters.

“I think it’s fun to show your Christmas spirit at school and it brings some fun into the stressful school work that we have in high school,” junior Alexis McCallum said.

The adage “everything old is new again” applies to these infamous sweaters. The tacky holiday sweater only known to only your older relatives and elementary school teachers is now popular with all ages.

What holiday tradition do you look forward to most?

“I go hunting every Christmas break with my family.”

- James Craddock (12)

“We have a family gathering for Christmas dinner.”

- Melissa Heath (11)

FOOD - continued from page 7 “When I go to the movies I have to have popcorn. I like to have candy but no movie is good without popcorn,” said junior Melissa Heath.

While healthy foods do not have the same addicting factor as junk foods, some people find nutritiously packed foods harder to give up than junk foods. Some people feel obligated to eat healthy and as a result healthy foods are harder to give up than junk foods. When a person does not eat junk food for a few weeks to a month they stop craving it because their body no longer feels the addictive factors of the junk food. It is then easier to become addicted to healthy foods.

“I have never really given up eating healthy but I think that if I

“We put up a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and then the day after Christmas we burn it.”

- teacher John Houston

“We buy and decorate our Christmas tree together. On Christmas Eve we open one present.”

- Wolfie Schultz (10)

did it would be pretty hard. One thing I could probably never give up eating would be fruit. I eat it everyday,” said senior Lauren Daniels.

Although most favorite foods are junk foods, nothing should be cut completely out of a diet. When eaten in moderation, and not binged on, most foods will not cause any harm.

“When you cut out entire groups of food from your diet you are missing out on some essential vitamins and minerals,” foods teacher Tara Wheeler said. “Moderation is key in a diet. As a society we tend to overeat. Our portions sizes are huge compared to what we really need so we tend to keep eating simply because it is on our plate, not because we are hungry. So eating in moderation is recommended.”

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