NEWS • 5
Isa Rivas Named Miss Nation Ford
Voices for Diversity sponsors a Kickball Trivia event in the gym on Feb. 10 as part of Black History Month. Sierra Smith (‘23), Assistant Principal Trina McFadden, and Ethan Lewis (‘23), assist in the production of events. Photo by Lucas Smalley
NAFO celebrates Black History Month
by Felicia Okereke As part of Nation Ford High’s celebration of Black reer panel Black entrepreneurs + HBCU experience History Month 2023, themed “Black Resistance: from alumni on Feb. 16. Black History Month reminds Americans of imBuilding Bridges and Navigating Barriers,” students can see music and dance performances in the audito- portant events that happened in the U.S. and to acknowledge those who were frequently left out of rium during FLEX today. Olivia Bennett (‘23) and Nyla Riley’s (‘23) dance American history. Biology teacher Benson Seisay says it’s important will illustrate music history in a performance entitled “The Bigger Picture” by CJ and Friends in the to celebrate this month to remember what African American ancestors went through and the contribuauditorium. Next Tuesday on Feb. 28, a team of students from tions they’ve made. In February 1976, the U.S. is officially celebrated each grade will play Black Culture Jeopardy moderated by Ethan Lewis in the auditorium. The winning Black History Month for the first time; 47 years have team will get a prize. Students can sign up on the passed since then. “BHM should be celebrated by everyone, regardEnriching Students app. Earlier this month, activities included a Kickball less of race. Everyone should celebrate it,” Seisay Trivia event and Super Icy Brothers Feb. 10, and a ca- added.
After a competitive pageant, faculty sponsor Kristi Kruft crowns Isa Rivas (‘23) this year’s Miss Nation Ford on Jan. 26 while participant Ashlyn Myers (‘23) applauds. Rivas was the winner of a $1,000 scholarship. The Scholarship Pageant is an event where girls of all grade levels come together for a fun and formal evening. The pageant was held on Thursday, Jan. 26 in the auditorium. The bond between the girls was strong. “You get to learn a lot from [the girls] and also just feeling good about yourself and having an opportunity to just really dress up,” participant Ava-Grace Robinson (‘25) said. Photo by Addie Gollnick
Prinicpal Chris Chandler works with students at the District Office to gain their input on school safety Feb. 8. Students from all three high schools volunteered to attend the conference and were chosen after applying.
Safety Summit
Fort Mill Schools gives high school students opportunity for input on school safety, more Continued from page one This system would work to improve entry into the school by issuing IDs carried on lanyards or hooked to students’clothing, just as teachers are required to wear currently. “The only problem with this system is that former students would have these IDs,” Principal Chandler stated. A simple way to address this would be using a graduation year or providing the year the ID is issued. Nation Ford students made comments about the state of the restrooms in their school, along with the lack of hygiene products such as toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels. “These are items that will be worked on immediately,” Nation Ford Assistant Principal Ernest responded.
February 2023
Americans spend big bucks on their pets by Willow Wyman-Chase and Ava Stubbs
People with pets are reaching for their wallets maybe a little too much this year. Average annual household spending on pets rose from $460 in 2013 to $770 in 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ever since the pandemic, adoption rates for pets have been increasing. In April of 2020, peak quarantine time, adoption for cats and dogs increased by up to 250%. And pet owners are spending a lot of money. “People are starting to look at their pets like they are human,” Business owner Kristine Rameriez said. “It’s making it easier to spoil them.” Health Science teacher Inger Kuhl said she spends $10,000 on two cats, two dogs, three chickens, three geese, one mini goat and two donkeys. Kuhl says that the $10,000 a year will likely rise because Rascal, her small dog, has heart problems. Health Science teacher Lori Jackson spends $6,000 for her pets a year food, meds, vet bills & boarding for three dogs. Two out of her three dogs need a spe-
cial diet with more expensive food. “You can tell we LOVE our fur babies,” Jackson said. Jackson has three dogs, Pennie, Cole, and Finn. All of the dogs have very different personalities. “Cole is a puppy mill rescue and loves to snuggle,” Jackson said. “He is my person, and I am his. I think I might love him more than my family (ha ha)!” She bought Pennie from a breeder, and the dog is high maintenance and can be annoying, she says. “Pennie loves ChuckIt! balls and her claim to fame is she can hold two in her mouth and chew on a 3rd one,” Jackson said. Due to recent increase in demand, pet food is becoming more expensive, rising over 14% in the past year. The initial cost of purchasing your pet isn’t the real expense–it’s the money you put into your pet after you adopt it. The healthcare costs, food, and fun toys will really run up your pet’s receipts.
THE TALON