The Talon newspaper Vol. 16 issue 2

December 2022

THE TALON

Nation Ford High School

What's Inside

Opinion 2-3

•Cheating at NFHS

• Food waste at lunch

•Mental Health Days

•Rank choice voting

News 4-5

•Abortion law update

•Options after high school

•SAT & ACT testing dates

•The Innocence Project

Center 6-7

•Date ideas

• Evolution of dating

•How not to date

Sports 8-9

•Athletic calender

• Coach Mike Allen most HS winnings

•New coaches

•NFHS athlete commits

Features 10-11

•Mrs. Verhage to retire

•TWF review

•Local coffee shop v.s. Starbucks

•No phone experiment

•Phobias at NFHS

Enertainment 12

•Christmas music: when do you start?

• Coming soon ...

•Crossword puzzle

•Gift guide quiz

•Horoscope

2023 Early Graduates

Anna Adams

Lainey Adamson

Kayla Armstrong

Carson Black

Katelyn Carroll

Amy Cogbill

Victoria Cortes-Barrera

Emily De Souza

Daniela Garces

Chelsea Gilmore

Ashley Hancel

Mason Hawkins

Jorge Hernandez Cuatzo

Arianna Holcomb

Zahria Hull

Kayla Joyce

Ana Juarez Artica

Dylan Luke

Joshua Maier

Kennedy Martin

Alexis McClellan

Kayla Mayer

Zuri Miller

Allison Nix

Charity Revell

Sha'Kiya Williams

1400 A.O. Jones Blvd. Fort Mill, SC 29715

The evolution of teenage dating

Culture, technology changes dating etiquette over time

by Lilah Skovran

The adjustment of a tie, a bouquet of flowers at the ready, palms sweaty, ready to shake the hand of an intimidating father. Dating back when our parents were teenagers has changed majorly. Forget waiting by the landline--a text will suffice.

The term “dating” was first used in a newspaper column in 1986, it meant to go out with someone who is romantically interested.

Online dating, Snapchat, and the “talking phase” has taken the world of dating by storm.

But how was dating in the past? When today's dating scene is compared to circa 1980s, there have been some major changes.

Kristin Anderson, media assistant with a teenage daughter, feels that dating now compared to when she was younger isn’t necessarily better or worse, it just seems more casual and straightforward.

“I am not really 100% sure that people even go out on dates anymore in high school,” Anderson said.

“I thought it was more casual, 'talking' over text or Snapchat and going to prom

Winningest high school football coach in district

by Rachel Studer

Michael Allen, NFHS Football Head Coach, exceeds his father for the winningest record in football wins, with a total of 65 wins against Rock Hill.

In high school, Allen played numerous sports, including football, basketball, and track. Pole vaulting even took him to college on a scholarship. His father was his football and track coach.

"Football is in my blood," Allen says of his passion.

He’s known from the beginning that his future was to be a teacher and a coach.

“My dad coached 44 years, ever since I could even think about what I was going to do, it was going to be that,” Allen said.

Allen has been coaching for 38 years now, and has seen a mix of all athletes and students.

Turn to page 8

together or hanging out.”

In the 1980s, dating had become more “comfortable”, in which young couples could go on simple dates, like the movies or grabbing dinner, just to get to know each other better before starting anything serious.

“I was in high school in the ‘80s, and when you were interested in someone, you might go out on dates–almost always where the boy asked the girl to the movies or to do something like go skating, or water skiing when you were first getting to know each other better,” Anderson said.

your movie ticket, or paid for pizza, or your drink and popcorn at the movies.

It wasn’t common to go on a so-called “real” date to a nice dinner because of money.

"After a few weeks, if you liked each other, he'd keep calling and asking the girl to do things and it became a serious thing (sort of between 'talking' and 'serious').

"The dates with just the two of you became more of hanging out.”

It wasn’t common to go on a so-called “real” date to a nice dinner because of money.

This was unless there was an anniversary or some other event, so younger couples just usually stuck to casual dates.

“Usually the boy bought

Turn to page 6

Coach Mike Allen surpasses father's overall winning record with 65 wins

⬆Flashback to 1960s: A more formal style and "serious" date for Evan Morris ('23) and Lily Myers ('23) in a small forest patch on a picnic.

“

...dating now compared to when she was younger isn't necessarily better or worse, it just seems more casual ...

⬇Today: A more casual style and "laid-back" date for Evan Morris ('23) and Lily Myers ('23) hanging out by the pool at Morris' house with friends near by on July 4. Photo courtesy of Lily Myers.

Photo by Sara Pipa

The Talon Staff

Editors-In-Chief:

Rian Donahue

Carly Jacobson

Sara Pipa

Section Editors:

Justin Baxter

Georgia Cox

Isabelle Fetting

Lilah Skovran

Rachel Studer

Personal devices encourage cheating

by Olivia Bennett

Graphics Editors:

Crystia Basnight

Sanaa Loyd

Ad Manager: John

Frick

Adviser:

Beth Swann

The Talon Policy

The Talon provides students with an opportunity to research and write informative articles related to Nation Ford High School or topics students find interesting. The paper’s objective is to notify the school community of the news in a timely and informative manner and to entertain them through articles and columns.

The staff encourages letters to the editor. Nation Ford High School students, staff members, and the public can express their opinions and reactions to the articles in The Talon

Letters should be signed and should not exceed 150 words. Letters submitted may be published in the paper at the discretion of The Talon staff and will be edited for accuracy, length, and grammar, as well as offensive or inappropriate content.

The staff may permanently keep all unpublished letters for reference or guidance for future writing. All submissions should be submitted to Mrs. Swann, room D111, or via email to swanne@fortmillschools.org.

Please keep in mind that opinions voiced in the articles and personal columns are not those of the Nation Ford High School newspaper staff or Nation Ford High School’s administration, faculty, or staff; opinions are solely those of the author who submitted the article.

803-835-0000

TheTalonNationFord@gmail.com

“Nation Ford High School encourages students to maintain high standards of academic integrity and honesty,” according to the Nation Ford High School student and parent handbook.

NFHS has a zero tolerance policy on cheating, including plagiarism and fabrication. Teachers and administrators will treat such actions in a serious manner. Students partaking in these acts will face extreme consequences.

Because some take advantage of the option by misusing their devices in an immoral and dishonest way, students should not have the option to use their personal computers in class.

Teachers and Administration have mixed opinions.

“I don’t necessarily agree with the statement that students should not be allowed to bring their own technology to school,” Chris Chandler, Principal of NFHS said. “There are many ways to monitor student activity on their own devices.”

What teachers and faculty may not be aware of is that students have found ways around the monitoring systems embedded in the school network. When students use school provided computer technology for testing and graded assignments, teachers can monitor their activity on a server called Dyknow.

The school chromebooks are linked to this server on each teacher’s computer that tracks students' ac tivity on their computers. When students use their personal computers at school they are required to connect to the school's internet. That way the school district can monitor what students are doing, but teachers cannot.

When teachers are not able to monitor students

during exams, tests, and other graded assignments, it allows students to go outside of testing sights and have other windows open. Oftentimes, students use this advantage to get answers for tests. This is a violation of the NFHS zero tolerance policy of cheating.

When students cheat, it not only affects the student themselves, but the other students around them.

When other students who apply their knowledge and hard work see cheating occuring, it causes them to feel undermined; their best work that they put forward is overshadowed by someone’s laziness, and the resulting grade that was not earned.

Tests are a reflection of how well students understand material in class. Cheating weakens this concept, and discourages students from engaging themselves in the information they are being taught.

If they aren’t understanding material, students should take responsibility and ask for help to clarify confusion.

There’s never an excuse to forfeit integrity for a few more points.

Students commonly cheat because they feel there are too many responsibilities to keep up with: relationship problems, work issues, stress overload, plus students focus more on grades rather than the material they are learning.

Even though students may feel anxiety or stress when looking at their grades, cheating is never the solution. Cheating also causes people to feel guilty, and at the end of the day even more stressed out.

NFHS already has a rule: students have to use school monitored chromebooks during tests and other graded assignments, but the regulation is not enforced by many teachers. This inconsistency means some students have an unfair advantage.

There should be more effective ways of monitoring student activity on personal technology during assessments in particular or students should leave personal devices at home. Either way, students should be held accountable for their actions.

Students want a voice in menus, school should curb waste

by Sara Pipa

“You need to pick a fruit or vegetable,” the cafeteria server insists.

Every day, students reluctantly pick up orange slices or peas knowing they will just throw them away.

Public schools have been a key cause of the epidemic of food waste, and this must stop. The issue is especially problematic in high school, considering that students will trash their required fruit/vegetable and head over to the vending machine for a $1.25 bag of chips. When students throw away their lunches, they’re also throwing away perfectly good food.

The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act–which strengthened nutrition standards for meals, snacks, and beverages at school–was put into place by Barack Obama in 2010, and new policies applied in the 2012-2013 school year were promptly followed by an increase in the waste of food.

“The basic question we wanted to explore was: does requiring a child to select a fruit or vegetable actually correspond with consumption. The answer was clearly no. It was heartbreaking to see so many students toss fruits like apples into the trash right after exiting the lunch line,” Director of

Community Nutrition Education Sarah Amin, Ph.D stated.

While the act was put into place with positive motives to fight childhood obesity, researchers admit change doesn’t happen quickly and can have unintended consequences, says CBS News Health Editor Ashley Welch.

According to Amin, a researcher at the University of Vermont, studies regarding food waste showed the excess of fruits and vegetables increased from an average 0.25 cups thrown away to 0.39 cups, a 56% increase in food waste after the government mandate went into effect. Food waste increased after the mandate was put into effect.

Additionally, professionals at usda.gov claim that food waste has shown harmful effects on the environment. The article “Food Waste and its Links to Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change” published in January 2022 states, “The connection between food loss and waste and climate change is increasingly recognized as important, and so is the link between climate change and agriculture and supply chain resiliency.

“Food loss and waste is estimated to be roughly one third of the food intended for human consumption in the U.S. When food is discarded, all inputs used in producing, processing,

transporting, preparing, and storing discarded food are also wasted. Food loss and waste also exacerbates the climate change crisis with its significant greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Production, transportation, and handling of food generate significant Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and when food ends up in landfills, it generates methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas.”

Unfortunately, regardless of available choices for students, a select few will continue to throw away their food.

However, there’s a possible solution: if students were given the opportunity to have a voice in what is served, there’s a higher chance that students would eat healthier.

As for the students who still choose to not eat their food when given the option to choose fruits and vegetables, schools can easily create a return table where students return dry fruits/vegetables, such as a banana. District food services can then work together with organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina located in Charlotte, N.C. to repurpose the food so it doesn’t go to waste.

Hopefully students will think before throwing out their next tray, but if not, the school should create a plan to decrease the amount of food waste.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Poor access for students with disabilities

Nation Ford High School claims to be an inclusive environment which supports the learning and growth of all students. What if I told you that this ‘inclusive’ space is unavailable for many disabled people, such as myself? During my short time at Nation Ford, I have experienced many hurdles accessing my education because of my disability. I am unable to independently access the media center, main office, and guidance office due to the heavy, manual doors that lead to said places. Finally, Nation Ford has only one elevator, presenting a major safety issue for students who cannot climb stairs, for example in during a fire. The inability to access vital resources makes me feel isolated and affirms that people like me are merely an afterthought in Fort Mill School District’s eyes. I urge you to think about the hurdles I and many others face at Fort Mill Schools and realize that someday, you too could be facing these same obstacles.

–Lily Sander (‘26)

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS NEED MENTAL HEALTH DAYS

by Addison Gollnick

Source: information given from a poll taken by 155 students at Nation Ford on October 20, 2022

31%

Of students have been diagnosed with a mental illness

FMSD needs to reassess attendance policy

Staff Editorial

As the 2022 school year drags, students and teachers are finally fully adjusted to the new schedule changes. Students’ and teachers’ stress levels rise as we approach the last weeks of the first semester, and sometimes the weekend isn’t enough time to come back to school feeling refreshed and ready to learn or teach. At times, a mental health day is a necesity, but isn’t available when needed most.

Currently, no school in the Fort Mill School District offers mental health days for students. The closest thing the district offers is two days of excused absences without a doctor’s note for students, according to the parent/student handbook. Students get 10 days of school absences (excused or unexcused) before the acting principal has to approve or deny their absence request.

The typical school year lasts 180 days, and the expectation that every student or teacher can maintain positive mental health is unrealistic and dangerous.

Teachers are given personal days that they can use in place of a mental health day, but they’ve yet to be given an official day off.

Officializing mental health days will encourage teachers to prioritize themselves during the school year.

Some students can’t afford to take an unexcused absence because they’ve used up all their allowed days off without principal approval. Many other students can’t get a doctor’s note excusing them from school for their mental health.

According to a survey taken by 155 students during lunch on Oct. 20, 2022, more than 50% of students believe they suffer from possible mental illness at some time. Additionally, 96% of the same group of students believe they should get official mental health days. Furthermore, 94.8% of students polled also think teachers deserve mental health days.

No specific bill has been introduced to the South Carolina legislature prohibiting or allowing mental health days, so if the FMSD wanted to implement

them, they legally could. This would open up more opportunities for students to take control and teach responsibility. Furthermore, officialized days will help remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Students who take advandage of their sick days to skip class are only hurting themselves. When introducing mental health days, the administration should make this aware to the student body. Not every student needs a mental health day, nor will all students use one. The ones that need the time should have the opportunity to take a day off if needed. When they come back to school, the student is responsible for catching up on missed work– just like a sick day for physical illness or injury.

Good mental health is crucial for school performance, and that goes for students and teachers. No one will perform well if they aren’t taking care of themselves. Everyone needs a break, and that should be made available in the FMSD.

Rank Choice Voting Rank Choice Voting should be implimented at NFHS and in local elections

by Carly Jacobson

Political parties have become increasingly polarized in the last 10 years. Between the rise of the internet and pressing issues, Americans have become increasingly divided. Citizens are losing shared national identity due to the extreme nature of the Democratic and Republican parties. Ranked Choice or Instant Runoff Voting (RCV) is one solution to this problem.

Voters rank candidates in order of preference– first, second, third, and so on. For example, in this system, a vote is not “lost” if your first choice is unpopular because your second choice can count.

Candidates in this system are forced to become the best option for the majority of voters, rather than the “less worse” option. For instance, in 2020, #settleforbiden was trending on TikTok and Instagram in an attempt to unite progressive voters to vote for Joe Biden for president as opposed to a third party. The reason? To avoid splitting less conservative votes to enable one progressive/liberal candidate to win against Donald Trump. Republicans also had a similar tactic.

Democracy fails when voters stop voting for the candidate they see fit

for the job and start voting to prevent another candidate from winning the election.

In this system, smaller parties such as the Libertarian party and the Green party get more support, because voters feel they aren’t wasting their vote.

Major parties are then forced to become more moderate and pledge to do

what is best for the general public, actually competing with all parties rather than their polar opposite.

Unfortunately, lack of voter education is an issue when it comes to all types of voting, especially when it comes to RCV. However, the benefits of RCV are much greater than traditional voting.

A solution to the lack of knowledge is to educate those entering the system. High schools and colleges can use this process for student elections to teach future young voters how to vote in this system.

According to Ranked Choice NY, over 90 colleges and universities in the United States currently use RCV for their student government elections. While this number is small, it is increasing.

Fair Vote reported in 2020 that 75 schools used RCV in student elections. In two years, at least 15 colleges have passed laws to use RCV. For example, James Madison University’s student government passed a resolution in April of 2020 implementing RCV in all future elections.

This system can be easily modeled in student council elections at Nation Ford. This system would increase democracy, creating a more fair system for school officers as well as preparing students for the future.

In South Carolina municipalities can implement the process, yet none have done so. NFHS should implement RCV in student council elections to educate young voters how to vote in this system and lead the way for change in Fort Mill.

72.3% of students have needed to take a day off of school for their mental health

2022 abortion case aftermath

The new supreme court overturn results in South Carolina debate

by Georgia Cox

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade this past summer, there are no federal abortion protections. Abortion laws are left up to the state.

South Carolina senators have been trying to pass the Fetal Heartbeat Law. This law prohibits an abortion if a heartbeat is detected, which is usually five to six weeks after conception.

As of right now, this law has been blocked by the South Carolina Supreme Court, but that decision may not hold up for very long.

So far, the court has failed to completely ban abortion, but instead added more restrictions, such as required ultrasounds, parental consent, and a 24-hour waiting period. They have been blocked by the Supreme Court because of ongoing litigation.

The battle has continued throughout the courts because of disagreements between the Republican and Democratic parties.

Many Republicans, including Senator Richard Cash, believe that a fetus does not deserve to be aborted because they consider it an “unborn innocent,” which is the basis for the argument to ban it.

“Does an unborn human being have the most fundamental civil right of all, which is the right to life?” Cash asked.

Senator John McCravey was a leading sponsor of this bill, and he had similar views.

“We must also consider the life of the innocent preborn child as precious as the life of any child,” McCravey said in court. “To kill an innocent child will never erase the criminal act.”

Republican women have stood up

against the men of their own party, trying to dissuade them from voting for bills they believe endanger women’s safety.

“If what’s going on in my vagina is not an unreasonable invasion of privacy for this legislature to get involved in, I don’t know what is,” Senator Sandy Senn said during the debate.

Well-known South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham wants a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks, with exceptions only for rape, incest, or if the mothers life is in danger.

This decision, however, lacks support from other members of the U.S. Senate. Republicans believe that is not extreme enough and goes against Graham’s “pro-life” stance, while the Democrats believe that his plan is too extreme.

Currently, it’s legal to bring a minor

over state lines to receive an abortion, but that permission is another thing that Republicans of the South Carolina Court want to ban.

The closest place to get an abortion from Fort Mill is the Planned Parenthood in Charlotte, N.C.

North Carolina has its very own laws concerning abortion.

It is illegal to get an abortion after 20 weeks and 6 days in North Carolina. This law has made abortion access harder for many women. The state is not currently in court battle over abortion laws like South Carolina, so their laws are more stable.

The reelection of South Carolina Governor Henry McMasters in the U.S. Midterm elections on Nov. 8 could mean a change in legislation for abortion, but as of right now, there have been no changes to the current laws.

College isn’t only option after high school, NFHS offers opportunities for career ed

by Rian Donahue

Junior and senior years is when it’s crucial to begin thinking about life after high school. Oftentimes, students aren’t aware of options other than higher education.

No matter what path you choose to take, it’s important to plan ahead to give yourself an edge in finding the best fit for you after graduation.

It’s easier to plan your future with a solid understanding of who you are and what you want.

A great way to start is with an aptitude test like YouScience. The test takes an hour and a half, which you can split into 15-minute segments.

“It’s better to figure out what field you want to be in, and then ask, ‘What

education does it take to get there?’” advises Career Development Facilitator Bonnie Kleffman.

Unlike many aptitude tests which presents a series of questions, YouScience offers brain games that will essentially direct you toward careers to suit your personality and skill sets.

If you’re not the test-taking-type, a website called onetonline.org is a great way to skip the test and explore hundreds of career paths.

A four-year school may not be the best path to economic prosperity for some students. Aside from a four-year school, students also have options like two-year schools, tech schools, and the military.

“If you go to college because you want the ‘experience’, the partying,

the dorm life, and the social experience that college provides, those are important things for growth,” Kleffman said. “It can be a very expensive way to grow up.”

The military is also a great field for students to enter after high school. If you serve on active duty in the military for at least two years, the government will cover up to 100% of the cost of college.

The GI Bill offers around $36,000 to use for college costs and financial support for housing and tuition after leaving the service.

“Be sincere, be curious, work hard and be grateful, and amazing things will happen,” said Work-Based Learning Coordinator Susan Brackett.

Brackett works at all three Fort Mill

school district high schools and works to help students apply their skills through Career and Technichal Education Programs, and make connections in the real world.

Friday, Dec. 9, the Mini Skills/ Trades Fair will happen in the commons during lunch and flex.

A variety of companies will attend to talk with students more about certain trades. Some will offer on-the-job training, apprenticeships, internships, etc.

“I hand picked these companies, because they have something more than a good job,” Brackett explained. “They either have a really good on-the-jobtraining program, an internship, or an apprenticeship that I consider amazing opportunities.”

Protestors gather June 30, 2022 in Walter Elijah park for an abortion rally after the Dobbs v. Jackson

Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. A high school group on Instagram called @youractivistfriends organized the protest.

Photo by Georgia Cox

German exchange student joins

NFHS student body for 2022

by Bethany Knode

Goodbyes. Tears. Anxiety. On Aug. 1 Greta Fleiss decided to say goodbye to everything she had known to go to a country full of mysteries and possibilities. She left Germany and embarked on a 20-hour journey by herself to America.

From a town called Essen, Fleiss spent most of her time with her friends, and loved to be outside in nature. Sometimes she would visit her distant family by train and she cherished times like that. She would also go to the Baltic Sea with her family. However, it was time for her to go on an adventure of her own.

“My mom and sister went to the airport with me and we said goodbye at the security gate,” Fleiss said. Her plane ride was full of worries. Not getting along with her host sister, or not finding friends were just a couple of her fears she mentioned she had about coming over.

Project” sparks new hope for wrongly convicted

by Sanaa Loyd

An Ohio man who spent more than 20 years in prison was awarded $45 million in a civil lawsuit in November against the local police department and the detective who led to his wrongful conviction.

The court found the officials had suppressed evidence and tainted eyewitness identifications in the 1991 rape and kidnapping in the case against Gillispie. The Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati Law School was critical in the effort to free the man and clear his name.

As a part of the Forensic Science course at NFHS, instructor Laura Dula highlights some of the people unjustly convicted of crimes who were later proved innocent based on DNA evidence. This was accomplished through The Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization that uses science to free the wrongfully imprisoned.

“I am just humbled by the stories of the exonerees,” Dula said. “I can't imagine spending decades in jail, miss-

ing out on important family matters, to walk free in a world that has drastically changed since you were put behind bars, and to still manage to find peace in your life.”

The Innocence Project not only tries to correct wrongful convictions, but the group also strives to create equitable systems of justice for everyone.

The project was founded in 1992 by Barry Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld. So far, 375 people in America have been released by DNA testing through the group that operates state by state.

To create the framework of good science and good evidence, the first unit of Forensic Science allows students the opportunity to study cases the Innocence Project has solved.

For example, Kenneth Adams was convicted of rape and a double homicide in 1978 in Illinois as a part of a group known as the Ford Heights Four.

Kenneth was sentenced to 75 years, and he served 18 years before he was released due to the DNA testing that proved he was innocent. This is one of the many stories that the Innocence Project has helped bring to light.

She tried to remember why she wanted to come to America this year.

“I wanted to experience it on my own and maybe learn English better,” Fleiss said.

Once arriving with her host family, she started to feel comfortable. “She seemed very open with how this family runs,” her host mother Cindy Knode said.

She has fit in easily with her family but had to make some hard adjustments.

She immediately noticed how the

culture was different. “The schools are totally different from how we do things at mine. It’s weird having the same classes each day,” she said.

Her host mother has been very impressed with how she has reacted to everything she has seen in America so far.

“She has seemed to fit in well–except for thinking everything is either fancy or weird,” Mrs. Knode said laughing.

While Fleiss has been here almost four months, she has made some great memories. After being asked what her favorite memory has been so far, she responded with her day in Washington when she went to the Capitol and the Library of Congress as well as going to see “Dear Evan Hansen” the musical.

There are also some fun events coming up with her host family.

“Christmas will be fun, especially being able to decorate for it,” her host father Dave Knode shared.

She also added that she looks forward to upcoming events like prom.

Homesickness is not a stranger to her. She celebrated her 16th birthday only a couple of days after arrival.

“We knew that she wished she could’ve been in Germany with her family and friends for her birthday, but we tried to make it just as special and memorable for her,” Mrs. Knode shared.

She deals with her homesickness in multiple ways. “I have my journal,” Fleiss says. She also calls her mom, sister, and her friends almost every day.

It’s been hard for her to adjust, but she greatly has been enjoying Nation Ford and is excited to be a part of the NFHS family.

Middleton named Midlands Regional Librarian of the Year, voting committee

Nation Ford’s new media specialist Terly Middleton was recognized as the Midlands Regional school librarian of the year. This award will bring a spotlight to her and the Nation Ford media center. “It’s a huge honor,” says Middleton. “This award gives me the chance to support other libraries in-state, which is a big goal of mine.” She will also be able to help vote for next year’s contestants, as she is also awarded a spot on the voting committee.

Greta Fleiss ‘24

“Innocence

Photo by Isabelle Fetting

Decades of ngefghijtl

Dating... Then & Now

Whittemore, now a math teacher, gave Denise a corsage, and she gave him a buitonnaire. They took pictures, then went to the prom. Afterwards, the two went out for pizza then went to the afterparty at a friends house.

1992

Now the media assistant at Nation Ford, Kristy Anderson and Brandt went to their friend Lucy’s wedding in Atlanta, GA. He picked her up and drove her there, and opened the car door for her since she was dressed up. The couple grew up in the South, and they considered this gentlemanly.

Last year as juniors, Luke and Rya went out for a special dinner before the prom in May 2022. They also took prom pictures in Uptown Charlotte. Afterwards, the couple went to Luke’s house and watched a movie together.

Gotta Know How Not to date

Top 5 tips for enhancing your dating life–and the life of

by Rachel Studer

Having relationship issues? Here are some pro-tips on dating that will skyrocket your seduction skills. Real-time advice from Nation-Ford’s favorite exes!

Don’t Be Clingy

While loyalty can be the start to a healthy relationship, it can quickly morph into an unhealthy obsession. In the words of an anonymous NFHS senior, “Clinginess is a double edged sword. Treat it as such.”

Passive aggression can quickly breed a toxic relationship and a tricky situation.

“I’ve been in relationships with very clingy people, who have threatened me in ways to spend time with them, instead of doing school work or hanging out with friends,” anonymous (‘24) said.

Clingyness can come in many forms, sometimes even harmless, but very unattractive.

You might think you are hilarious, but calling someone you’re interested in ‘Schmoopy’, ‘Wifey’, or ‘Boobear’ after only a couple of days isn’t cute, it’s

just weird.

The Rizzler

Flirting, or “Rizz” for Gen Z, has become a hot topic everywhere. While it can be funny and entertaining, don’t boast about your flirtation skills.

If you want to sound a little silly, just refer to yourself as The Rizzard of Oz, Rizzasaurus Rex, the Boy who Cried Rizz, Rizzalicious, and The Rizzler. Don’t Underestimate Underwear

Next tip- don’t get dressed in the dark. Use that mental checklist to remember your socks, shirt, pants, and most importantly: your underwear.

One horror story demonstrates the importance of the most underrated undergarment.

“I went on a date with my ex’s best friend,” she (‘23) said. “We went ice skating, and I tripped and pulled his pants down. He wasn’t wearing underwear…I never saw him again.”

Date Etiquette

There are a few simple ‘don’ts’ that will set you off on the wrong foot.

Being late to your first date

your date

iPaying little to no attention to your partner during a date. Ghosting them (are you that afraid of confrontation?) Bad overall communication. Degradation. Sarcasm is ok, but an excessive amount can cause insecurities.

Cheating isn’t date etiquette: just don’t do it. Holding the door isn’t necessary, but it is a bright green flag.

Consent!

A final important point, whether in a relationship or not, is to make sure you have consent. Relationships can get scary (if consent is violated) and even dangerous under the wrong circumstances. Stop, means stop.

About 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Dating is intimidating enough. One choice can lead to a lifetime of trauma. Be safe, and consider the opinions of your partner.

If you follow these tips, your dating problems will cease to exist.

At the Vance Senior High School prom, Jackie Whittemore and his date Denise at their Senior Prom in 1983.

Before their prom, Rya Reynolds (‘23) and her date Luke Miller stop for photos in Uptown Charlotte after dinner.

Dressed up, Kristy Anderson and her date Brandt pose for a picture at her friend Lucy’s wedding during Summer ‘92.

of Dating abCderGhLm

The Evolution of Dating

Teenaged dating has changed a lot throughout the years

Continued from page one

In terms of dating with technology, Katherine Kershaw, a high school 101 teacher at NFHS, thinks that online dating and the ability to text makes everything much easier than her generation had it when they were younger.

“Texting would be amazing since it would be an easy way to gradually break up if that was your situation,” Kershaw said. “I also think it would be awesome to not have to sit at home and wait for somebody to (maybe) call you. That was a nightmare and so stupid.” House phones used to be the only way for teenage couples to communicate with each other, so if the phone rang, anyone in the home could answer. Girls did not call boys.

“My parents would never have let me go out on a date with a boy (even if they had already met him before) unless he came in the house and said hello to them,” library assistant Kristy Anderson said. Without phones, her dates would have to go up to the door instead of texting her that they were outside.

“Usually a parent would be the one to answer the phone, so boys would have to say hello to the parents and then ask to speak to whoever they were interested in,” NFHS physical education teacher Robyn Stockunas said. Now, people can get calls on their personal phones, anytime and anywhere.

“I feel like the immediate access to technology has made the whole ‘rit-

ual’ of dating move at a much faster pace (for high schoolers and grown ups),” Stockunas said.

Technology isn’t the only thing that has developed in the dating world..

“Another pro for today is the greater communication we have about our expectations and respecting each other’s rights,” Kershaw said. “There is more education about how to treat people respectfully and not cross boundaries without permission/consent.” Back when she was younger, there wasn’t much awareness about healthy vs. toxic relationships either.

Now consent is taught much more in schools than it was in the past, and the number of people who value it today is huge.

Tyler Griffin, a social studies teacher, says he doesn’t really know how to judge dating now compared to when he was in high school because popular culture is a thing that changes over time inevitably. However, he occasionally sees teenage couples in different places at school.

“I see high school couples a lot of times on their phones when they’re with each other, which I think is wrong,” Griffin said. He feels that people should be present with people that they care about.

“In the halls I occasionally see couples holding hands or exchanging hoodies, which reminds me of when we were in high school,” Griffin said. “So some stuff has changed, but I think a lot has remained the same too.”

DATING

1920s

The main starting point for dating Young people no longer needed an escort, and could meet with others freely

1950s

At this time, when couples were "going steady," the woman in the relationship would receive a piece of clothing and/or jewelry from the man

1970s 1990s

Couples became much less formal, and they were just able to be with one another without a major label.

The internet came along, and so did online dating The concept spread around the world very fast due to how much easier it made things.

2000s

Phones joined the party, which helped younger couples not have their parents listen to every word they say

SOURCED FROM The List and Analog

NEW COACH SPOTLIGHT

Taking charge

New Coach Bret Peltier takes charge of Falcons wrestling team

by Justin Baxter

This year the Falcons will have a new head coach for the wrestling team, Bret Peltier. Fans can come out and support the Falcons on Dec. 12 at 5:30 at Indian Land High School.

Coach Peltier embraces the challenges ahead of being the head coach but also likes helping the athletes increase their skills.

“I am determined and open to the challenges that head coaching provides while producing highly skilled and winning athletes,” he said.

Coach Peltier is a former college wrestler.

“I took the head job because I love Nation Ford High School and the sport of wrestling,” he added.

“

Peltier spent his first six seasons as an assistant coach on the wrestling team. “I felt that it was my time to take the head job and lead this program to accomplishments the program has yet to reach,” he said.

Coach Peltier plans to change the culture and more in reference to his team, now having the head job.

“The culture of the team is the biggest part I will change,” Peltier said. “... I look to create a culture of wrestlers who are determined, highly skilled, resilient and relentless on the mat.”

Coach Peltier says he strives to have one of the best wrestling teams that is mentally and physically prepared.

“We will be the best conditioned, mentally tough and physical wrestlers when we step on the mat,” he

“Wrestling is the toughest sport in the world–it will kick and push you down time and time again. Being able to push back and fight even in the face of defeat is something I strive to instill in my athletes.”

Wrestlers are also looking forward to their season. “I look forward to getting better in every aspect, and as a senior, I’m going to work hard,” Hanson Nguyen (‘23) says. “My personal goal this year is to make States.”

Peltier says he has plans for the team even when players are not on the mat. “I look to build a family atmosphere where the athletes and families feel like they are part of something bigger.” His efforts are already paying off.

“I love Coach P’s energy and how we

can run to him as a coach and as a friend,” Nguyen said.

The team has attracted new wrestlers this season.

“We have the most wrestlers on the team we’ve had since I’ve been wrestling,” Nguyen added.

With this being Coach Peltier’s first season as the head coach, he plans to make things more fun as well, but he’s confindent and his goals are clear.

“I plan to see a team that will be relentless in every match, win or lose. We will be better conditioned, mentally tough and physically tougher than our competition this year,” Peltier said.

“If we wrestle the way I believe we are capable of. We can and will put a region banner in the gym and take a school record to the state tournament...”

Coach

Charles Brown steps in to lead men’s basketball team

by Justin Baxter

After the stepping down of Coach Jared Adamson after last basketball season, the Falcons have started this year’s season with their new boys varsity coach, Charles Brown.

Brown graduated from Berkeley High in 2003, and attended Spartanburg Methodist College out of high school to then finish at Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Recreation and Sport Management.

Brown taught for 10 years at Central High in Pageland, S.C. before coming to NFHS, and he has been coaching for 11 years. Brown believes with this opportunity he can grow and make others around him better.

“I wanted the opportunity to coach a bigger school,” Brown said. “I want to add to the athletic prestige of NAFO.”

With the Falcons going 6-18 last year, Brown hopes to improve the record this time around.

“

“I hope to get the guys to buy into play as 1 team with 1 goal,” Brown said.

With the Falcons coming off two straight losing seasons, they have much improving to do.

“Greatness comes from within,” he added. “If we sincerely bring our best each day, and learn how to play as a team, I believe everything will take care of itself.”

Like many teams and coaches, academics come first with Coach Brown.

“Without academics there is no athletics,” Brown said.

“I understand that some athletics keep [players] focused for academics. Student athletes should strive to be the best they can be in the classroom. This will reflect in their chosen sport.”

With Brown coming in for his first year and coaching a young team, he says integrity is important.

“I try to be sincere in all I do and stand by what I say or do. I am like a long learner who is relatable,” Brown said.

Bret Peltier (in the hat beside former head coach Tony Forte) assists in coaching wrestler Isaac Nieves ‘23 in Feburay 2022 at Nation Ford High School. Nieves qualified for states.

Photo courtesy of Bret Peltier said.

Being able to push back and fight even in the face of defeat is something I strive to instill in my athletes.

Greatness comes from within. If we sincerely bring our best each day, and learn how to play as a team I believe everything will take care of itself.

Charles Brown coaches the Falcons at the Milltown Classics games in November at Fort Mill High School. The Falcons lost, but made a good showing.

NAFO Commits

Congratulations to 3 more seniors for their commitments

by Justin Baxter

Three more NFHS senior athletes have committed to play their sport for college teams next year, bringing the total of signed athletes so far to eight.

Olicia Lucas began her passion for track and field when she was 7-years-old. She has developed into an All-American Track and Field athlete in the 400m and 200m. Lucas will be committed to the University of Iowa.

Winningest High School Football Coach in FMSD

Mike Allen’s passion extends beyond the record

Continued from page one

“My favorite part in general is watching the progression of young people in all facets and avenues,” Allen said.

He’s developed his patience and perseverance so he can inspire the same qualities in his players.

One of his favorite memories is playing for the Upstate Championship in 2015. The team went from a record of 2-5 to 9-5 in one year. What changed?

“Attitude and perseverance,” Allen said. “Those two things, they always win.”

Allen has found that his greatest strength as a coach is his ability to motivate, leading by example.

“I don’t just say what the expectation is, I live it,” Allen said.

The coach hopes that his players would describe him as hard nosed and passionate, but also loving. That was something he prioritized in his coaching method.

“I’d describe coach allen as a nice, funny guy, and he’s going to forever have your back in war,” wide reciever Ja’Derrick Foster (‘23) said. “As he likes to

say, he’ll be your biggest cheerleader, but he will also get on you when you make a mistake. I mostly love that he listens to what anyone has to say and is willing to open up to change.”

Coach Allen’s passion for the game and love of his players shows.

“I like the way he says ‘Let’s go play some football’,” James Wells (‘24), outside linebacker said. “He clearly loves the sport of football and his players.”

As Coach Allen challenges his players to succeed, they appreciate his leadership and his passion for the game of football.

“My experience with Coach Allen was great,” Foster said. “I’ve known him pretty much my whole life, he’s like another father figure on and off the football field. I think he really impacts the whole team with his coaching style and how he carries himself.”

Allen’s father’s record stood for 42 years. Fort Mill isn’t the easiest place to secure a win, but Allen’s teams succeeded nevertheless.

“When somebody tells me I can’t do something, I like to go prove them wrong,” Allen said.

“What made me commit to The University of Iowa was the atmosphere,” she said. “It had everything I was looking for in a school-great business program, a hard working team, a coach who believed in me, and could see that I would do great things at the school.”

With Lucas achieving many accomplishments, she hopes to do well while she is in college.

“I plan on accomplishing winning the BIG10 conference in all my running events being an academic All American all four years of college, running a personal best of 51/50 seconds in the 400 meters,” Lucas said.

Emily Eaton, a member of the Nation Ford swim team for six seasons will be committed to the University of South Carolina.

“South Carolina was my number one choice,” she said. “The coaching staff and team was so welcoming. When I went on my official visit, the campus felt like home, and I love the atmosphere.”

Mackenzie Riga committed to Providence College in Providence, R.I.

“I choose PC for the amazing academics and it being a smaller D1 swimming program,” Riga said. “I also really wanted to go to school up north, and visiting Providence and going on the official visit just put all the puzzle pieces together.”

At the Fort Mill High School graduation in May of 1980, Mike Allen celebrates with family. With his arms around his mother, Jeri Allen,and his father and coach Gus Allen, he was joined by his grandfather, Gaius Allen, Sr. for the big day.

I think he really impacts the whole team with his coaching style and how he carries himself.

Olicia Lucas (‘23)

Emily Eaton (‘23)

Mackenzie Riga (‘23)

Life without my phone for 3 days

Juice cleanses, fasting, and detoxes are all the rage, but what about a cleanse from cell phones? Phones have become an important part of everyday life. We get o work done on our phones, we socialize on our phones, and we convey important information through our phones.

In an attempt to test how much phones really affect our lives, I went 3 days without mine.

The first day without my phone was a Saturday. Usually I am able to procrastinate getting out of bed by either scrolling through my phone or setting a 10-minute timer. I didn’t have that option, so I woke up and started getting ready. I was able to do homework, clean my room, eat breakfast with my family, and take a run all before I went to work at 1 p.m.

I’m not saying that the choice to go without my phone gave me motivation to get all of that done, but it showed me that I had the time to do it.

One of the most upsetting things for me was the fact that I no longer had access to Spotify. I had to listen to the radio, which was not terrible, but because I am always listening to music, I couldn’t listen to it outside the car.

While at work at Starbucks, I wanted to check my phone multiple times, but kept realizing I was unable to do so. That night, I had dinner and went to bed early instead of staying on my phone for another two hours.

The second day without my phone, I woke up feeling refreshed. I was still getting urges to check my phone, but I was also glad that no one from my work was contacting me when I was not there. I had breakfast with my mom, then we hung out and talked for a while. I spent some time playing guitar and reading before I went to work again.

A friend visited me at work, and we made plans to get coffee for the next day. It was nice to make plans in person and not over the phone.

The third day was a Monday. I was able to grab coffee with a friend before school started. One difficult thing was waiting for my friend to show up when I had no way of knowing if she remembered our plan to meet or not. At school, the day went by relatively quickly, and I found it easier to concentrate on tasks.

Overall, there are definitely pros and cons to not having a cell phone for a couple days. The negatives are that I felt left out, I didn’t have the same access to music, and I couldn’t tell people things the moment they came up. On the positive side though, I was able to connect more authentically with the people around me, I didn’t have to worry about always responding to everyone else, and I wasted less time on social media.

A phone detox is something I would recommend for everyone to try at least once, especially if you are on your phone a lot. A phone cleanse can show you how much time you really have in a day.

Beloved teacher retires

Nation Ford says goodbye to preschool teacher Kathy Verhage

by Georgia Cox

Almost everybody has had a teacher that left a lasting impact on their life. For many students, that teacher is Kathy Verhage. Verhage has been teaching for almost 34 years. She currently teaches Pre-K at Nation Ford High School, working with both pre-schoolers and high-schoolers alike. She’s spent a lot of her life teaching in between kindergarten, first, and second grade. Now, Verhage plans to retire at the end of the ‘22-’23 school year.

She started teaching in 1985, but even from a young age, she knew that she wanted to work with kids.

“I had a job at the Warsaw Community Daycare Center,” she said, “and I always loved children. I started babysitting in fifth grade. I knew that when I started working at that daycare center that this is what I wanted to do.”

For the vast majority of her teaching career, she taught elementary schoolers. In 2018, Verhage made the switch to start teaching in the Pre-K lab at NFHS.

“This job always appealed to me because I can teach how I know kids learn best, which is through play,” she explained. “I can do that here because I don’t have a strict curriculum.”

Her favorite part of the job is, of course, the children she works with. She really values the relationships that she builds between herself and her students.

“I love the kids and the families,” Verhage said. “The relationships built over the years are so special.

It’s so fun to watch them get a concept and work together, to learn empathy and how to persevere. I have the freedom to sit and watch them learn, and I’ve gotten to work with so many wonderful people.”

One of these people is her assistant, Michelle Gregg. She’s been working in the preschool program with Verhage for two years. She was excited at the idea of working with her after her son had Verhage when he was in first grade, and remembered what great of a teacher she was.

“She is the most loving teacher I’ve ever met,” Gregg said. “She tells the parents that they’re her kids, and she means it. They’re a part of her. She is just so good at what she does, she really understands them.”

Verhage is one of those teachers that has a lasting impact on her students, and they have an impact on her. For someone who’s been teaching since the ‘80s, she still remembers all of her previous students.

“I’ve never seen so many students come back and visit a teacher more than they do for her, and she remembers all of them,” Gregg said.

Her former students agree that she is a wonderful teacher, one with her student’s best interests in mind.

“I love her positive energy and kindness,” Ella Borsm (‘23) said. “She really knows how to make a room of children feel safe and loved.”

The students who have her as a teacher now as a part of the Child Development course at NFHS appreciate all she does.

“She really cares for everyone,” Caroline Zban (‘25) said. “She’s so nice, and you can tell that she really loves everyone and wants to help them.”

During class reading time, Kathy Verhage, one of Nation Ford High School’s preschool teachers, reads “I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie” to her students on Nov. 17.

Photo by Lilah Skovran

TWF review: new Fort Mill burger restaurant

by Sara Pipa

Entering TWF Burgers, one of the newer restaurants in Fort Mill, you’ll immediately be captivated by the pleasing decor and the bustling environment of a new and fun eatery in a small town that doesn’t often get many new places to eat.

After being warmly welcomed, my friend and I were quickly seated outside at a picnic-like table. We took notice that the outside portion of the restaurant was very well-kept and clean. We were swiftly greeted by our kind waitress, Gracie, and ordered a delicious sweet tea ($2.79) and a refreshing pink lemonade ($2.79).

Their menu consists of many dining options, such as unique burgers, crispy chicken tenders, fresh wings, tasty salads, french fries, and sweet milkshakes.

The fried pickles ($6) we ordered as an appetizer were delicious–cooked

in their own special batter and served with their signature TWF sauce. After finishing the fried pickles, we ordered our meals–a burger and one side each: the Bacon Mac ($12) and the Breakfast Jam ($12), one with a side of sidewind-

er fries ($3.50) and the other with a side of tater tots ($4). The portions were quite large, making the pricing easier to understand.

Unfortunately, the breakfast jam burger wasn’t that satisfactory–the jam

Phobias: our deepest fears explained

by Sara Pipa

Snakes. Airplanes. Needles. No matter what you fear, you’re likely not alone. About 19 million Americans say they suffer from one or more phobias, according to experts at Johns Hopkins.

The term phobia, a persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation, was first used to describe ‘fear’ or ‘terror’ long ago by ancient Greeks. The first written reference to phobic issues was in 450 B.C. in the works of the ancient philosopher Hippocrates, but it wasn’t until 1895 that it was considered a distinct mental illness, courtesy of Sigmund Freud, who found research supporting the idea.

Phobias can develop early in childhood, but the fears are frequently seen for the first time in high school, between the ages 15 and 20. While phobias affect both men and women equally, psychologists say more men seek treatment for their phobias.

Jonah Touchstone (‘24) has a phobia known as myrmecophobia. This phobia is the overwhelming fear of ants.

“Those things sent me to the hospital when I was little,” he said.

Another student had a similar experience, but instead of a fear of ants, she has a fear of spiders.

“I’m afraid of spiders in general, but it all started when I found a giant bug on my leg. They bite and it hurts, and they have way too many legs,” said senior Marissa Ashe.

Phobias can stem from a variety of sources. Experts say, past incidents and trauma are one of the main origins of phobias, like Touchstone’s story. For example, if you were bit by a dog when you were younger, you may end up developing cynophobia–the overwhelming fear of dogs. Another main reason people establish phobias is from learned responses. For example you might have parents or guardians who are very worried or anxious, and this may affect

how you cope with anxiety in later life. You might develop the same specific phobia as a parent or older sibling–if they have a severe reaction to something they fear, this might influence you to feel the same way.

Some of the most common phobias include claustrophobia–the irrational fear of confined spaces, arachnophobia–the irrational fear of spiders, and acrophobia–the irrational fear of heights, along with many more.

There is actually a scientific reasoning behind phobias–how they work, and how they come to exist. Heidi Moawad, MD explains how phobias are correlated with major alterations in neurological activity.

In an article titled “Phobias and Brain Activity,” Moawad says, “Individuals who suffer from phobias have been shown to display increased activity of the amygdala when exposed to phobia-inducing stimuli, noted on functional MRI. The amygdala is known to be associated with emotional reactions. One observation is that the right amygdala is more highly reactive in response to negative emotions, such as those associated with phobias, while the left amygdala is more strongly associated with pleasant emotional reactions. Interestingly, one study suggested that the higher the activation of the right amygdala, the greater the sense of distress induced by the phobia trigger.”

While phobias can have a tight grip on some people and occasionally even stop them from participating in certain activities, there are some strategies to help people cope with their phobias. A helpful website that provides help for people with mental health problems called Psycom.net lists methods to assist in managing people’s fears. Therapist and author Sherry Amatenstein suggests sitting with your fear for 2-3 minutes at a time, writing down things you’re grateful for, as well as exercising and using humor to deflate your fears.

they used just doesn’t make sense on the burger. The flavors were confusing and overall didn’t taste the best. The tater tots were really bland, too.

Similarly, the bacon mac burger didn’t meet expectations, the mac and cheese was very bland and didn’t taste right on a burger.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed my sidewinder fries– they were seasoned well and cooked perfectly and tasted great with the TWF sauce.

If you end up trying this new restaurant, go with an open mind to new flavors, and make sure to try a milkshake to wash down those tasty fries.

I will give credit to TWF for taking a leap of faith with these out of the box flavors that some may like, but the two that we tried didn’t quite hit the spot–if you’re a picky eater, you may be out of luck with their burger options.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at TWF Burgers, but I didn’t enjoy the food as much as the atmosphere.

Review: Olive’s Mud Puddle

by Georgia Cox and John Frick

Starbucks is one of the largest coffee chains in the world, but is it really the best coffee that the world has to offer?

Olive’s Mud Puddle is a small, local coffee shop in Fort Mill, S.C. located on Main Street. It’s not a chain, and it’s not Starbucks, but that might be a good thing.

Its small environment is more welcoming and comfortable than any Starbucks. It has comfortable seating, even chairs and couches, and they play quiet music. It’s a good, calming place to study or work. Starbucks is usually loud, crowded with people standing around waiting to get their drinks and leaving, or taking up uncomfortable chairs. At Olive’s, customers can actually sit down and focus instead of being distracted by all of the people surrounding them.

The coffee is better, too. Lots of drinks that come from Starbucks, such as something simple like an iced vanilla latte, lack the actual coffee flavor. They’re overly sweetened by creamers and milk. Olive’s iced vanilla latte has a much better balance between the bitter flavor of coffee and the sweetness of vanilla and sugar.

When comparing prices, a Starbucks iced vanilla latte is $5.94, while one from Olive’s is $4.65. Not only is Olive’s cheaper, but it is better coffee as well. Their money also goes to support a local business, one that is an active member of the community, instead of a corporate chain.

Overall, we would give Olive’s Mud Puddle 5/5 stars, and Starbucks 3/5 stars.

When given the choice between Starbucks and a local coffee shop, choose local.

Iced Vanilla Latte from Olive’s Mud Puddle on Nov. 16.

Photo by Georgia Cox

Taco Burger and Straight Fries from T.W.F Burgers on Dec. 1st.

Photo by Lilah Skovran

Local coffee shop is better than Starbucks

Happy Holidays from The Talon!