The Talon Volume 11 Issue 4

The Talon

May 2018

Volume 11 Number 4

Nation Ford High School

Fort Mill, SC 29715

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1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Life On Mars: NASA Is Making Dreams Come True

Senior Takeoff: See Where Class of 2018 Is Going

Horoscope: See What The Stars Are Planning For May 4

2 • Op/ed

Buying Gun Easier Than Getting Driver License

I

Staff Editorial

n the state of South Carolina you are eligible to get your beginner’s driving permit at the age of 15, and two years later at the age of 17, you are able to get a full driver’s license. Yet in South Carolina you can get a concealed carry permit with only an eight-hour class. South Carolina is not alonethis is a national problem. In this country it is easier to legally own a gun than it is to legally drive a car.

Something is wrong here.

In America, 136 children and teenagers are shot every week.

Since the historic mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, 135,000 students in the United States have lived through a school shooting, according to The Trace, a nonprofit news organization covering gun usage in the U.S. Schools across the nation are taking steps to develop a defense plan instead of simply responding to a shooting – but how many shootings will have to occur before someone goes straight to the source? Since Jan. 2018, there have been 33 shooting incidents in American schools. That is more than two school shootings every week.

Inappropriate gun usage isn’t just a matter of danger in schools. Americans live in a constant state of tension because laws that were once supposed to keep the country safe have instead allowed for fatalities. Three million Americans carry a handgun with them every day, according to The Trace. The result?

Every day roughly 96 Americans suffer a gun related death, according to Every Town Research, a charity

for progressive gun safety.

Although legislators are slowly moving toward gun control, they simply are not coming fast enough.

Only eight states have passed laws to ban people with a history of domestic violence from purchasing a gun, according to The Trace. When two-thirds of women killed with guns are killed by an abusive partner, you’d think there would be more protective laws in place.

In most states people are eligible to buy a rifle at the age of 18 and a handgun at the age of 21. In most states teenagers are able to buy a rifle before they can purchase beer or rent a hotel room.

In South Carolina, the age to buy a handgun is 21, but there is no age limit to buying or possessing a rifle.

Under the federal law, though, licensed firearm dealers have to abide by the rule that most of the country is using. The trick is that the unlicensed dealers are able to sell a rifle to a person of any age, according to Giffords Law Center. This means that purchasing a gun from a licensed company for firearms must abide by federal law, but if a minor were to attend a gun show or wish to purchase a gun from an unlicensed person it is terrifyingly easy.

The fact of the matter is that countries with stricter gun control have a substantially lower gun-to-crime causality rate than the U.S. One prime example is the gun laws in the United Kingdom. Citizens there must prove they are not vi-

“In America, 136 children and teenagers are shot every week.”

olent citizens and earn gun licenses as opposed to the government handing them out after an eight-hour class. Out of all homicides in the U.K., only 4.5 percent of them are gun-related. In the U.S., 64 percent of homicides are gun related, according to a report

by BBC. In a poll done by Fox News March 18-21 of this year, among current registered voters, 91 percent of Americans are in favor of promoting policies to reduce gun violence such as requiring background checks on all gun buyers (including those at guns shows and private sales), requiring mental health checks for all buyers, and increasing the legal age to buy any gun to 21.

Like many other schools in the past few months, Nation Ford High School has taken action to create a more secure emergency plan in case of a school shooting. This year gun violence is at an all-time high, just as it will be next year and the year after – the percentage will always be increasing. How long will it take before someone does something?

“Guns don’t kill people; people kill people,” is a classic quote used by pro-gun activists. 64 percent of murderers in the U.S., kill with a gun in their hands.

More action needs to be taken to provide safety and security for the American people. No one deserves to live in fear when going to school, or going to a concert, or simply walking down the street.

Action needs to be taken by those with the power to do so to restore the original purpose of citizens owning guns in America – safety.

R.C

“In this country it is easier to legally own a gun than it is to legally drive a car.”

Horoscopes Can Be Disappointing At Times

I

Paige Burney

s astrology a science or a worldwide myth?

Is Astrology really accurate? accurate?

Some people read their horoscopes and are shocked by the accuracy. Others could be disappointed to find that none of the horoscopes actually relate to them.

The truth is that there is really no way to know if horoscopes are actually accurate or not, considering every person with the same sighn is diffrent in many ways. It could be a huge coincidence that something was predicted throughout your day.

The alignment of stars and planets are said to affect each and every individual’s mood and personality based on when you are born, according to Dr. Christopher S. Baird, who specializes in astrology. Reading horoscopes may make people feel better just from the physiological

“...your horoscope could be spot on, while others is not so much.”

The Talon Staff ediTOr-in-chieF: Raegan Craddock ediTOrs: Hayden Biebel Carly Cashatt Kailey Cota Precious Fisher Abigail Knight Julia Lako arT: Abigail Knight

sTaFF: Paige Burney Ben Burnham Markia Coleman Cole Hallberg Maggie Kell Adrianna Mancini Alexander Oppel AJ Smith Sam Yacovetta ad Manager: Abigail Knight adviser: Beth Swann

1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715 803-835-0000 The TalOn

effect it has on your mind. Most people like to believe that their day or week has been predicted.

Nikki Harper, a writer for the Huffington Post, admitted she had once been a writer of horoscopes.

She said it is for “entertainment purposes only.”

Many astrologers don’t believe any of these horoscopes are real. They are only written for fun. The predictions based on the position of the sun and moon while you are being born needs more details and cannot be communicated through a small paragraph, according to Refinery 29.

At Spiritual Research, the writers of horoscopes have to be well-educated in astrology, they say. Astrologers try to relate to the destiny of people using only limited amounts of data. Destiny is a spiritual issue that cannot be determined from others, according to the group. Even they admit that astrologers cannot predict everyone’s day in a paragraph.

It’s true – most websites only give limited information, such as predictions that you will get in a new relationship in the next month, or someone you know will begin to bother you throughout the day.

It’s too general to be a personalized prediction.

Knowing others with your same sign may be interesting, but either your horoscope could be spot on while theirs is not so much.

There is really not a way to know if horoscopes are actually accurate or not, considering every person with the same sign is different in many ways, it may be a huge coincidence that it predicted something throughout your day.

Horoscopes can be a huge disappointment if you’re waiting for the $20 bill the prediction said a Gemini was supposed to find, or the extreme relationship coming up for the Leo. It really just depends on the person if your sign matches up with your personality.

Only you can really determine if your horoscopes are accurate. But don’t count on it.

The TalOn pOlicy The Talon provides students with an opportunity to discuss information related to Nation Ford High School. 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 D109, 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.

International 1st Place by Quill and Scroll Society 2015, 2016 May 2018

Opinion• 3

E.T. Exists: Organisms Linger In Space

L

Paige Burney

ife in space. We have yet to discover life elsewhere, however evidence has been found to support that life elsewhere in the galaxies of space is very likely.

Aliens are mentioned in books, movies, and fantasy stories, but life is out there somewhere. Just because there isn’t a definite place that people have discovered that has life, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any.

The universe is over 93 million light-years long, filled with more than 100 billion of galaxies, and trillions of planets. In theory, it’s mathematically probable for activity beyond our realm to include intelligent sources.

Some people tell stories of their spine-chilling encounters with alien life. According to History.com, an archaeologist uncovered remains of a strangely shaped skull dating to 300 BC. There are UFO reports. Astronauts Edgar Mitchell, Cady Coleman, and Dr. Brian O’Leary claim to have seen something flying alongside them while traveling through space.

In the beginning, they thought it was a piece of the detached rocket. It was then brought to their attention from Mission Control that the piece of the rocket was over 6,000 miles away from them. There was no other rocket in space.

Maybe the ‘aliens’ think the same about us. Maybe we are equally absurd in their perspective.

The star KIC 8462852 has shown unusual activity and has astonished astronomers, according to Earthsky.org. NASA is recruiting someone with a salary between $124,406 and $187,000 a year-not to investigate the alien life -- but to protect Earth from an alien invasion.

According to The Sun, a United Kingdom publication, military-coded voicemails have been left on citizen’s phones with a message that sounds quite threatening. It is not a joke. In morse code the voicemails say, “No one is safe anymore.” The messengers say that we have stolen our technology from their own and that we base our lives off of an unrealistic god.

Before the Malaysian flight 370 plane crash, voicemails featured a robotic voice and listed the coordinates 042933964230 predicting the exact coordinates

Abbie Knight the Malaysian Airlines flight crashed.

After the suspect of these suspicious voicemails posted on his twitter account, @straydeaway, sharing his experience, an unknown account contacted his user telling him to delete his post about the voicemails. Is an unknown organism lingering in our universe?

“I think it is possible for life to exist elsewhere because this is a huge universe, and I don’t think we are the only planet to have life.” says science teacher Cynthia Mejia.

“Our current technology does not allow us to travel far enough to see other life in our universe,” she says. “The planet must have an atmosphere that humans could survive in and have a way of growing food.”

Aliens have many possible ways to show that they exist, and only about 17 percent of the people on our planet deny their existence. Twenty-two percent don’t know, the rest strongly believe in the life beyond Earth. It is more than likely than not that aliens are roaming our space right now.

Space Conspiracy Theories Get It All Wrong

T

Hayden Biebel

he closest thing most Americans have ever experienced space travel is watching a few episodes of Star Trek or binge-watching the Star Wars movies. We can only wonder what goes on in the universe.

That leaves a lot of room for conspiracists to concoct stories about what happens in space, some of which are ridiculous and crazy.

NASA Faked the Moon Landing On July 16, 1969, NASA successfully launched Apollo 11 into space on a mission to reach the moon.

Just four days later, Neil Armstrong became the first man to ever walk on the surface of the moon. His first steps were broadcasted on televisions all over the world with more than 500 million people watching. The space race was over-- the United States beat the Soviet Union to the moon.

Live television broadcasts did not stop people from coming to their own conclusions.

On June 3, 1976, Desert Publications published Bill Kaysing’s book “We Never Went to the Moon: America’s Thirty Billion Dollar Swindle,” and the book is one of the first known cases of people publicly claiming the moon landing never happened. One of his theories is that the landing was shot on a movie set.

Kaysing points out that special effects and editing techniques were stunning in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” one year before Apollo 11 launched. He believes NASA could have pulled off editing equally as realistic for the moon landing.

“The film is considered to be the [best] science fiction movie concerned with space,” Kaysing states in his book. “It was begun in the summer of 1965, at about the time when those who really knew what was happening to the Apollo project began to make May 2018

their final decisions.”

Kaysing also insinuates that because Kubrick reached out to over 70 space experts to accurately portray outer space in his fictional film and eventually constructed a beautifully realistic space set, NASA did the same thing.

“While ‘2001’ was being filmed, Kubrick and his crew consulted with institutions to ensure that the film would be technically accurate. Had this been done without ‘2001,’ much suspicion would have been directed towards those making inquiries,” Kaysing claims.

“It has been proven for thousands of years that the Earth is a sphere with satellites photographing it and even astronauts seeing it with their own eyes. ” It seems ludacris that so many people confidently back up this theory. xxxx All of the evidence is there to prove the event happened from a live television broadcast, to Armstrong’s footprints being cast on the moon’s surface, and even moon rocks being brought back from the mission-- yet people will deny the proof just to get a reaction out of society.

The Earth is Flat Around 500 B.C., Pythagoras first proposed that the Earth was round by studying the separation between the light and dark parts of the moon. He then concluded that the moon was a sphere-- and Earth

likely was, too.

Hundreds of astronauts have since gone into space and proved his theory, yet some people still believe the Earth is flat.

In a recent experiment performed by Flat Earth Lunacy, 210,000 people from across the world called themselves “flat Earthers,” or people who think the Earth is flat. Fifty-three percent of the self-proclaimed flat Earthers are Americans.

Why do so many Americans disagree with Pythagoras’ theory of a round planet? Flat Earth Lunacy believes it could have something to do with Evangelical Christians.

“Evangelical Christians make up over 25 percent of the total U.S. population. Evangelical Christians are the leading flat Earth advocates,” the group says in their introduction statement. “They point to scriptures that say the Earth is stationary and does not move, and the Earth is the center of everything.”

It has been proven for thousands of years that the Earth is a sphere, with satellites photographing it and even astronauts seeing it with their own eyes.

To go against a philosophy that children have been taught in science class for years is flat out ridiculous.

The Lucifer Project Many theorists believe NASA is working on a top-secret plan, called the Lucifer Project that will turn Jupiter into a second sun.

Sean Adl-Tabatabai, a famous conspiracy theorist, believes the reasoning behind replacing the planet with a sun is to make surrounding planets, like Mars and Saturn, habitable.

Believers in the Lucifer Project think that to transform Jupiter into a sun, nuclear fuel can start the process of nuclear fission by sending space probes equipped with radioisotope thermoelectric generators to the planet.

I think NASA has more important work to do.

The Talon

4 • news

Drill Team Wins Second Place In National Competition For Second Consecutive Year Maggie Kell On any bright morning, you may be able to hear the sharp voices of commanders or the slamming of rifles on the shining waxed floors. The marching of boots are precisely in sync and the swinging of arms are perfectly aligned to each other.

For the second year in a row, the Marine Corp JROTC drill team took a second place trophy in the National Drill meet in Gray, Tenn. Never had the team taken home a national trophy until last year when they out-marched all of their competitors – except for one.

Sgt. Maj. John D. Logan USMC ret. is the primary drill team coach and a Senior Marine Instructor for JROTC at Nation Ford. He came to the high school determined to make the drill team the best it could be no matter the obstacles.

“I remember two emotions when we finished in second place last year at the inaugural Marine Corp JROTC National Drill Championship: shock and overwhelming joy,” siad Sgt. Maj. Logan. “We were just happy to be there and had no idea how we would stack up to the other 14 schools from all around the U.S. “This year’s second place finish yielded a different emotion,” he explained. “I believe most of us were still very happy and proud, but I don’t think there was one of us who didn’t, at the same time, feel a tinge of disappointment. The disappointment wasn’t in our performance rather just that we came so close, and this year’s goal was to win.

I do believe we accomplished more than last year in that our routines were more difficult, we placed in the top three in more events, and we are simply a better drill team than we were a year ago,“ he said.

Drill is instruction or training in military exercises. Often it can be accompanied by a rifle (or a fake prototype) used for precise and quick movements.

Without a rifle, drill is more movement of arms

Maggie Kell

Preparing herself for the Armed Expidition Drill, Lieutenant Colonel Kristina Krutzig (‘18) holds a stonecold expression in hopes that she can compete the way she’s practiced for so long. rather than of an object. Marching is a necessity in drill, as is being aligned to the others beside a soldier, and the quick reaction to commands given to a soldier by a leader. It is usually graded by performance on the topic, and Nation Ford focuses on the intensity and correctness of a certain movement.

“My biggest concern going into any drill meet is that the judging be both competent and just,” says Sgt. Maj. “Unlike most other sports, judging in drill is subjective. I always believe that if we receive competent and

unbiased judging, we can hold our own with anyone.”

Nation Ford’s Drill team has been the only team in consecutive years to finish in the top three. South Airedale, the winners of this year’s National Competition finished tenth last year. While the winner of last year, College Park, finished sixth this year.

“I believe if we just continue on the same trajectory, with faith and hard work, our day will come.

Be it next year or five years from now, we will one day claim that championship,” says Sergeant Major.

The Talon Wins Eighteen Individual ESNA Awards Sam Yacovetta The Talon staff won 18 individual awards at the Excellence in Student Newspaper Awards (ESNA) Conference.

The newspaper earned a Superior rating and won Second Place in Sweepstakes for winning the second most overall awards in multiple fields of journalism.

Raegan Craddock (’18) won five awards. She took first place in computer graphics for the year and spring semester, and spring semester front page design. She also won second place for yearly centerspread and for the yearly cover.

Bethany Houston (‘19) won third place in yearly computer graphics. Maggie Kell (‘19) won first place in editorials for spring semester while Car-

“They work hard, often behind the scenes, to shine a light on events, people and issues in our community and the world.” ly Cashatt (‘18) won second place for the year.

Julia Lako (‘18) won second place in spring semester single-page layout. Bianca Yurdock

(‘21) and Amanda Gonzalez (’21) won second place in spring semester news features. Kailey Cota (‘19) won third place for yearly features.

Hannah Barnes (‘19) won second place in yearly photography and first place for spring semester reviews. Gracie Barnett (‘18) won second place in centerspread for the year. Adrianna Mancini (‘21) won third place in columns for spring semester.

Journalism instructor, Mrs. Beth Swann, could not be any more thrilled by her students’ achievements.

“I’m so proud of our journalism students and the newspaper staff,” she said. “They work hard, often behind the scenes, to shine a light on events, people and issues in our community and the world.”

Trump To Ban Video Games In Hopes To End Gun Violence Cole Halberg One month after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida President Donald Trump suggested placing a ban on certain video games because he says that video games cause “violence.”

There are mixed reactions to the ban with some calling it outrageous and others saying that the ban should have been implemented sooner as it affects the way people act, according to anti-gun activists.

Most research on the topic has shown that violent video games do not correlate to any acts of violence in real life, according to a 2018 study by the University of York in the United Kingdom.

“The findings suggest that there is no link between these kinds of realism in games and the kind of effects that video games are commonly thought to have on their players,” Dr. David Zendle the leader of this research said in an interview with Science Daily.

“We also only tested these theories on adults, so more work is needed to understand whether a different effect is evident in children players,” he added.

Trump has placed a suggested ban on six games: “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” (The Russian Sequence), Wolfenstein, The Talon

Dead by Daylight, Sniper Elite and Fallout 4.

He also wants to look at the internet.

“We have to look at the internet because a lot of bad things are happening to young kids and young minds and their minds are being formed,” Mr. Trump said at the gathering of lawmakers at the White House, “and we have to do something about maybe what they’re seeing and how they’re seeing it. And also video games. I’m hearing more and more people say the level of violence on video

“Most research on the topic has shown that violent video games do not correlate to any acts of violence in real life.” games is really shaping young people’s thoughts.

Gamestop when asked about what they do with M rated games they said “We do not sell, reserve, or offer Mature rated games to customers under 17 years of age.” also when asked about the most popular games at the store they said “Legend of Zelda Breath of The Wild, Metroid: Samus Returns, Super Mario Odyssey and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.”

Ariah Massey (‘18) works with children in NFHS’s Preschool Program on March 1.

May 2018

Entertainment• 9

Movie Review:

Alien Abduction Has Fun Effects Carly Cashatt

Beware the lights. A camping trip gone wrong in the 2014 movie “Alien Abduction” was based off a real missing persons report, a video recording, and legends. Directed by: Matty Berkman and Produced by Lawrence Bender the movie is in the point of view of the Morris family’s 11-year-old autistic son. He awkwardly holds a camera throughout the movie capturing every phenomenon. That weekend felt like any other for the Morris family- until they see the lights.

The movie starts off with Peter Morris (Peter Holden), his wife Katie Morris (Katherine Sigismund), their older son Cory Morris (Cory Eid), their daughter Jillian Morris (Jillian Clare) and their younger autistic son Riley Morris (Riley Polanski) getting into the car and heading to Brown Mountain, NC. In Brown Mountain there are these ‘Lights’ called the Brown Mountain Lights that appear. Every time someone sees these lights, they either get chased away by this floating orb, or they disappear out of thin air.

The Brown Mountain Lights date back to the year 1200, when the Cherokee and Catawba nations fought in an area around Brown Mountain.

The Native Americans thought the lights were their ancestors looking for their loved ones who died in the battle. Later, a large number of Cherokee people vanished after seeing the lights.

This movie was horrifyingly good, and it had some soft spots. The acting was amazing, and the best part under special effects. All of the actors have the same first name as the people who went missing, and the fear in their eyes when they think that they are next to be taken, cannot be faked.

The plot was mildly good, I like how they gave a little background in-between dialogue, and you can find the same facts given within the movie on some websites talking about the Brown Mountain lights and where the legend of Extraterrestrial beings came from and how they came to be.

The special effects were the best part of this movie. I feel like if the special effects were not magnificent then the movie wouldn’t be worth watching. All the lights and noises just added to the fact that you might go missing next, and put the overall experience to a five out of five.

The alien’s which you don’t see much of, could have been better, especially since there are older movies that have better makeup than these aliens. They look like basic aliens that the movie industry have previously made. They could have made some very creative choices.

I rate the whole movie experience a 4 out of 5. I’m not much of a horror movie fanatic, but I do love a scare every now and then.

This movie is for audiences 13 and up, it has some jump scares, but overall it’s not that scary.

Beware the Lights, or you might be the next to go missing.

What Do The Stars Have In Store For Today?

Carly Cashatt

Aquarius: (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)-

Love: Everything you try to achieve is not accepted, and is criticized.

Family and friends: Friends are having a hard time with you and you’re having a hard time with them. Regarding the negative atmosphere as an opportunity to resolve conflicts permanently.

Health: You will realize that you are more stressed than normal. Build small resting times into your hectic schedule.

Taurus: (April 20 to May 20)-

Love: Everything is going marvelous in your relationship, from the everyday to the romance nothing is neglected.

Family and friends: Today try to refresh any relationships that have become stale, as well as give full rein to your creativity.

Health: You’re in good health, but there is no reason to be idle. Try something like horseback riding or skiing.

Leo: (July 23 to Aug. 22)-

Love: In your relationship you are everywhere and nowhere. You are tempted to seek your own pleasures in life with or without a partner.

Family and friends: Today you are going to have to put up with unpleasantness, by being asked repeatedly to take a stance on awkward conflicts.

Health: You are able to accept responsibility for the fact that you don’t always feel good.

Scorpio: (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)-

Love: Your partner might be hiding from you today, and at times you tend to be unreasonably jealous.

Family and friends: People find you irritable and somewhat chaotic.

Health: Your physical condition and overall health is improved when you’re calm.

May 2018

Pisces: (Feb. 19 to March 20)-

Aries: (March 21 to April 19)-

Gemini: (May 21 to June 20)-

Cancer: (June 21 to July 22)-

Love: Your partner is loyal and endearing.

Somehow you are absent-minded, even though you and your partner are inseparable. Focus on the important things in life.

Family and friends: Even if you do nothing more than a simple family outing or a small get-together, today is perfect for socializing. Relax and enjoy someone’s company.

Health: Your mind and body is fit and well. Balance your need for activity with the social aspect.

Love: Today you are in your best spirit in your relationship. Try making your partner commit him or herself to you through interesting experiences.

Family and friends: All of your relationships will strengthen. Opposing points of view can easily be shut down, and you are able to create an tolerant atmosphere.

Health: You feel physically fit, but you are more concerned with the health of others.

Virgo: (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)-

Love: Today you will have harmony and happiness.

Family and friends: Recently you are at peace with yourself, and your friends and family have noticed, responding very positively. You will return these feelings.

Health: Your body and mind are well-balanced.

Today you have the energy to put in place longawaited plans.

Sagittarius: (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21)-

Love: Don’t assume your partner is responsible for any turmoil in the relationship.

Family and friends: Today you will feel put down by friends and family, and you might even get into an argument with them. Just calm down.

Health: Your nerves are on edge -- and have been recently. Today treat yourself to some relaxing ‘me’ time away from all the stress.

Love: Today try and find your voice, whether your single or not, don’t miss this opportunity, that special person is waiting for you to make the first move.

Family and friends: Today is the best day for a long trip with some close friends. Have a great time and make some memories.

Health: You could handle a huge amount of exercise, but take it slow so you don’t get overwhelmed or over worked.

Love: Your secret is to be yourself, even if you feel a little uncertain.

Family and friends: Today you are full of energy and others are loving it! Try something new.

Health: Both your mind and body are in harmony, and you feel fully fit and healthy.

Libra: (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22)-

Love: You are very chatty today, which makes you very popular.

Family and friends: People are constantly criticizing you, and you feel like you’re doing everything wrong.

Health: Go easy and treat your body well.

Capricorn: (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19)-

Love: Whether you are in a long term relationship or you appreciate yourself and life as it is, you’re going to make an important decision.

Family and friends: Today your relationships with your friends and family are very positive.

Health: Getting up early in the morning is becoming easier than usual. You will wake up feeling exhilarated with a happy attitude.

The Talon

6 • centerspread

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The Talon

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centerspread• 7

Newberry College

College of Ch ar

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Shaina Platt, Corinne Luksch, Sabrina Johnson, Alexa Fisch, Leah Nguyen, Mallory Epple, Amber Richardson, Megan Rich ardson, Emilee Opien, Noah Ross, Dilluon Crawford, Seth Younglove, Leah White, Christina Ferrell, Ally Hunt, Gracie Barnett, Angel Rodruigez

Lander University Colton Phillips, Matthew Heinrich

Anderson University

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Amaya Britton

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Devin Martin, James Watson, Sylvia Goomis, Madelyn Key, Danielle Fields, Seth Merrit, Matt Tamke, Matthew Ervin

ity rs

nior e-off!

he force be h you, of 2018!

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Groff, Tre edith, eria

Spartanburg Methodist Isabella Dykes, James McGowen

Out-of State C o ge lle s Uni. of North Carolina Haley Hempstead

Claflin

Lauren Pringle

Western Carolina Raegan Craddock Micah Campbell

Appalachian State

Carter Barrow Jack McCullough Hannah Hartleb

Furman

Rachel Romagnoli

New York U.

Gardner Web

Carlie Nance

St, Andrew

Jy’Montae Drafton

DePaul Uni.

Westin Hicks

Jaylen Henderson

Piedmont International Matthew Levy

Layelle Omar

Uni. of Tennessee

Ben Tuipulotu

NASCAR Tech.

Brigham Young Jacksonville Uni. Griffin Raczynski

Eastern Kentucky Kristian Geron

Lena Micelli

Austin William

North Greenville Kathleen Phillips

Central Piedmont Daniel Lopez

Darian Blaney

Averett Uni.

Reece Helms

Isaiah Nelson

Aveda Cosmetology

Isaac Willett

Universal Tech.

Albany State King’s (NY) King’s (NC) Manhattan School of Music Robert Leaks

SCAD

Sam Gandbold

may 2018

Purchase College

Lily Costner

Gerogia Tech

Willie Cornish

Coker College

Anderson

E’lashia Davis Kelly King

Brooke Maddox Bryan Tran

Steward Home & School Michael Anthony Matus

Midlands

Johnson & Wales Josiah Waldo Arnell Neal Art: Raegan Craddock Information: Precious Fischer AJ Smith

The Talon

C A g W G

8 • Features

Legacy Of George Lucas’ Star Wars Lives On Maggie Kell

“Do... or do not... there is no try,”

Yoda once said. The handiwork of American filmmaker George Walton Lucas, Jr., and his galaxy far, far, away, shaped a planet called Earth, when he released “A New Hope,” in 1977. This director changed the world, making “Star Wars” the largest and most successful franchise during the late 1970s and still today.

The first three movies follow the life of Luke Skywalker, a 19-year-old farmer who, despite seeming pretty normal, becomes the first Jedi of a newer generation. “A New Hope” was followed closely by its squeals, “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) and “Return of the Jedi” (1983).

After the huge outcry for Darth Vader’s story, “The Phantom Menace” (1999), “Attack of the Clones” (2002), and the prequel “Revenge of the Sith” (2005) came out in later years, revealing the strong-willed Anakin Skywalker, better known as Darth Vader, who became the face of the Galactic Empire.

Over the past 40 years, the movies have made $37 billion combined, according to wired.com. Star Wars has shaped the entertainment world as we know it, appearing in television shows, as well as a myriad of merchandise.

“When the movie was released in the late 1970s, Sorcerer was also released the same week and ended up flopping because of the huge impact Star Wars had,” said Mr. Christopher Revels, film and fiction teacher. “Though Jaws was the first huge blockbuster, Star Wars kicked the door off the hinges when it was released.”

If you don’t know the line “May the

force be with you,” that’s unusual, as it is a popular quote. The Star Wars movies have been shaping the world culturally since their debut. Viewers were stunned with its colorful depiction of extraordinary characters, such as Luke Skywalker, who despite his heroic outlook, didn’t want to be hero at first, and the awe-inspiring concepts of space, like the opening scene of “A New Hope.” George Lucas changed filmmaking as well on Mar. 25, 1977 when he came out with the first movie, inspiring trilogies like “The Hunger Games,” and “Divergent.” His special effects, use of puppets, sets and models captivated audiences, and pushed films during that time to be more like his.

However, Lucas decided to sell the company to Disney for approximately $4 billion and ended going into retirement after “Red Tails,” a box office flop.

“The Last Jedi is my favorite,” said Mr. Revels. “For me, Star Wars was at risk of getting stale, and this movie made Star Wars fresh and exciting again. The film is genius, and I love that it didn’t deliver everything the fans wanted. Star Trek catered to the fans for too long and became a bit stale before its reboot. Seeing Star Wars avoid that trap was great.”

The Last Jedi was directed by Rian Johnson and brought in $1.3 billion globally, according to cinemablend. com. Unlike the other movies, it stars a female lead character named Rey. Psychologist Carl Jung, also known as the great grandfather of Star Wars, is the baseline for the Joseph Campbell book, “A Hero with a Thousand Faces.” Jung designed a theory that humans all had a same basic under-

“Star Wars changed the film industry when it first aired...”

standing or model of what a “Hero,” or a “Mentor,” or a “Quest” is, and that’s why people of different heritage can enjoy the same stories. In Campbell’s work he expressed a same story-pattern, called the “Hero’s Journey,” or the “Monomyth.”

The character of Luke Skywalker was based heavily off of Campbell’s work.

In 1975, George Lucas had two drafts of Star Wars completed when he rediscovered Campbell’s book after having read it in college. The model of a “Hero’s Journey” inspired Lucas to shape Star Wars to

look more like the films we see today.

Star Wars changed the film industry when it first aired with its graphics and overall special effects, and audiences craved the inspiring movies and overpowering plots. The Star Wars merchandise alone has brought retailers about $32 million.

In the coming years, the Star Wars franchise will be releasing new films, including a Han Solo spinoff. For now, all we can do is wait in anticipation and watch as Star Wars impacts the audience with all of its movies in the future.

Trip To Mars The Talon Staff Asks: Possible In Time Would You Like To Go To Mars?

Ben Burnham When we were young we dreamed of going to space. Generations of kids wanted to be astronauts and scientists. We dreamed of discovering new planets while we stared amazed by the wide open sky above us. But will we ever live to see the day we visit Mars?

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, is planning to send a rover to Mars in 2020 to test the availability of resources we need to sustain life, such as oxygen. NASA has set a goal to go to Mars by 2030.

There will be three stages: Earth Reliant, Proving Ground, and Earth Independent. The Earth Reliant exploration is to test the way that space affects humans and how we can protect Astronauts.

During the Proving Ground exploration, NASA will organize a series of missions to the moon and will test what we would need to live on Mars.

Lastly, Earth Reliant will be the act of humans actually going to Mars using the information we’ve learned about space travel.

“NASA is already in the process of sending us to Mars, probes and rovers have already gone to test whether or not we could go,” says Cynthia Mejia, a science teacher who believes that we will one day live on Mars. “People are already signing up to be sent to Mars. Going to Mars is very likely.

Little did we know growing up that living on Mars would be something accomplishable in the future. There is already 200,000 people have already signed up and hope to go to Mars one day.

The Talon

“No, because I would die in the spaceship,” Evelynn Bailey (‘20)

“No, because I don’t want to get abducted.”

Nathan Snell (‘20)

“I would go if my saftey was guaranteed. I have children at home.”

Emily Merrill, Biomed Teacher

“Yes, because I like to explore.”

Ty Strawhorn (‘20)

“No, because I will die.”

Jalen Suber (’20) May 2018

Features • 9

What To Avoid When Looking For New Job

Career Development, Work-based Learning Facilitators Share Tips Sam Yacovetta

Without her wig, Tatum Brewer (‘20) looks at her reflection in the mirror at her home April 28.

Living With Alopecia

Tatum Brewer Shares Feelings About Living With Hair Loss Maggie Kell It’s 5:30 on an early Tuesday morning, and the harsh sound of an alarm vibrates across a two-story house to wake Tatum Brewer (‘20). She would tend to ignore it, but the teenager knows this is the last warning to get up. With a groan of discontent she rolls away from the warmth of her blankets, stretches her arms over her head, rubs her blurry eyes, and lets a large yawn escape from her lips.

A mirror stands adjacent to her messy bed, reflecting her young image back across the room before she begins her morning routine. She is one of few kids (2 percent of the population) to have alopecia areata, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the hair follicles, the part of the skin which makes hair, resulting in patchy hair growth.

At age 16 Tatum stands 5 feet, 3 inches tall, with pale skin and dark freckles dotting the bridge of her nose. She has a delicate complexion and a worn-out smile that greets anybody who comes near. Though she has a soft exterior, she lacks in self-confidence because of the disease that haunts her every day.

“I’ve had alopecia since I was 2, and I wasn’t ever really attached with my hair,” she says. “I’ll see pictures of me when I was younger, and it was always really hard because then I didn’t have a hairpiece.

I had to wear hats, and you could always pick me out of a crowd. I feel like a lot of people treat me differently because I don’t have hair. It’s that one thing that makes me different from everyone else.”

Alopecia patients have a chance to re-grow their hair, but even if they do, it may fall out again. The disease does not cause pain, nor does it make you terribly sick. It also doesn’t limit the lifespan of an individual.

“I will most likely have alopecia for the rest of my life,” she explains. “The biggest thing is that I am not the same appearance-wise as other people. Since it’s up near my face, it’s where people’s eyes go to. I have very little hair on my arms, patchy hair, and I don’t have full eyebrows. I am lucky enough to have eyelashes, but my leg hair even comes out patchy.”

Tatum lives with her father, Jason Brewer and her step-mother, Dianne. She has three siblings, two of which are her half-siblings, and being the oldest, she feels a responsibility to love and cherish them. Her 2-year-old brother, Cooper, is the love of her life. But she sometimes feels uncomfortable even around her family without her hairpiece.

“Knowing that you have something different than other people makes you want to hide it even more,” Tatum explains. “I am shy, I have anxiety, and my stress skyrockets just like everyone else.”

After two years, she still is extremely active in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, for the Marine branch of the armed forces. Tatum is also a part of the drill team, and she spends most of her Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with the team.

After high school, she wants to enlist in the Navy to train to be an OB-GYN or Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist to deliver babies.

She says she is a normal teenager but with alopecia. Tatum doesn’t want it to define who she is or who others think she is. She is as stubborn as most 16-year-olds, and she laughs while she speaks about celebrity crushes.

Nevertheless, that image of a girl with black patches growing across her scalp is the Tatum that she hides. “I don’t want people to feel bad for me. I just want to be treated like a normal human being.”

The Future Of Space Travel

Predictions Include Cool New Technology Precious Fisher A normal flight from London to Sydney is 22 hours but could you imagine taking that flight in only 2 hours? You won’t have to imagine much longer because in 2020 scientist will have invented these planes call hydrosonic planes that will travel 90 kilometers above earth and travel five times the speed of light.

Space predictions are hard to make because a lot can change, but scientist are working on improving technology that will make for some impressive capabilities in superfast travel for the future.

Space satellite will be so tiny that from space a scientist will be able to zoom in anywhere in the world and see who’s in a specific car or see who is walking down the street within clear view. With a satellite scientists will even be able to control your cellphone data from space. may 2018

There is still a question that everybody wants to know: Will we ever be able to live on Mars? The answer to that question is yes, with a lot of the technology being developed by Space X, an aerospace manufacturer and space transportation source company. But not anytime soon – they believe we will be able to live on Mars in a decade or two.

Space X predicted that scientists will be able to send people to Mars in 2026, and in 2027 they will land on Mars. Space X has said that every year or two they will send another group of people in a space shuttle that holds six to Mars until they have built a colony.

In the year 2020, scientists plan on building a space hotel that can hold four wealthy people at a time, but a 12-day stay will cost $6.7 million. Orion Span announced they are taking reservations for Aurora Station, the world’s first luxury hotel in space, which is expected to be finished by 2022.

You’re overwhelmed with excitement. After two weeks of dealing with difficult customers, trying to withstand the dreaded rush-hour, and standing and running about without rest for seven hours a day, you finally get your paycheck. Your boss gives you a dirty look as you take the paycheck from his hands and grumbles to himself as he returns to his office.

Why is he so passive aggressive? Am I not doing my job right? Is he just out for me?

Some of the problems you face at work may be more than commonplace issues everyone faces.

Bonnie Kleffman, Career Development Facilitator, and Susan Brackett, Work-Based Learning Coordinator have suggestions for avoiding issues at work, toxic work environments, how to solve social problems with coworkers – and more.

When you are close to getting a job, Ms. Kleffman and Ms. Brackett say one of the best things you can do is talk to someone who works at the business or used to work there. This can offer insight on whether the place it is worth working at or not.

Not everyone has a friend who coincidentally works where you’re applying for a job, so the best thing to do is actually ask a manager if you can talk to an associate about working there, or you can talk to an employee yourself if they know you’re applying. This can offer great insight into what the workplace is truly like and if it is somewhere you could see yourself working.

If a manager is hesitant to let you talk to an

Mrs. Kleffman and Mrs. Brackett also emphasize that gossip in the workplace is a red flag. associate of the business, then that in and of itself can be a red flag for avoiding that job.

Ms. Brackett pointed out that teenagers can be sensitive. “Some kids, they can misunderstand… I have a lot of kids that get their feelings hurt,” she said. “For example, and the manager is used to dealing with adults that have grown a little thicker skin, so they don’t think twice about saying something that might sound rude or abrupt, and so for a student to just be able to say ‘Did I misunderstand you?,’ ‘Are you disappointed in my work?,’ ‘Would you give me some advice as to how I can do a better job?’... to someone who you feel maybe has wronged you in question-mode is really much better than in an accusatory-mode.”

If you feel the need to confront an issue in the workplace, it’s always best to remain confident and wear a thick shell. The worst thing you can do is lose your temper, causing the situation you’re trying to solve get worse.

Mrs. Kleffman and Mrs. Brackett also emphasize that gossip in the workplace is a red flag. Other issues that could signify a problem include managers being negligent to safety procedures or processes that would keep workers and customers safe, harassment (both physical and nonphysical) such as bullying and racist/sexist comments, and managers/higher-ups letting their personal lives interfere with their jobs or getting involved in other workers personal lives.

Good advice can help students in achieving a job with a healthy, safe work environment. If students have any further questions or need more assistance in getting a job, they may contact Susan Brackett at bracketts@fortmillschools.org or Bonnie Kleffman at kleffmanb@fortmillschools.org.

The Talon

10 • sports

What Is Your Favorite Memory Playing Sports?

Cecila Hilton (‘20), Matthew Riemann (‘18), and Grace Scott (‘20) participated in the 2018 Special Olympics on April 13 to support Nation Ford’s athletes in Rock Hill.

“Getting my first varsity start last year against Blythewood and winning.”

- Matt Levy (’18) Baseball

Special Olympics

Communities, Students Come Together For Sport AJ Smith

“Building the bond between all of the girls and being able to grow with them on and off the field.”

- Summer Holland (‘18) Softball

Twenty-five students from Nation Ford High School participated in the Special Olympics on April 13 at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, SC. Over 15,000 students competed in this event as part of Area 11 Special Olympics.

“The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, and other Special Olympics athletes and the commu-

nity,” according to the Rock Hill Special Olympics organizers on the website for the event.

“We are so proud of our Special Olympic Athletes, they don’t find the events easy but they try as hard as they can with every event they participate in,” Special Services teacher Mary Katherine Clenshaw said. “It is a day full of joy. Each student is smiling from ear to ear when we get back on the bus. It is the best day of the year. I am so proud of our Falcons!”

The Special Olympics held six events consisting of the Softball Throw, 50m run, 50m Walk, 100m Walk, 100m Run, and Standing Long Jump.

Medals were given out for top three finishers in each event.

Sports ’17 - ’18 Wrap-Up Alexander Oppel

Which Team Had The Most Wins?

“When we all came together as a family after the games -- no matter the outcome.”

- Jymontae Drafton (‘18) Football

Which Team Had The Most Losses?

“Making friendships with my teammates every year and being a leader to all the underclassmen.”

- Angelnique Bryant (‘18) Track

a seb Ba

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sports• 11

Column:

Colleges Ought To Pay Players

T Misael Morillo

Teaching the basics of the game to the children of Fort Mill, Nation Ford High School baseball coach Stas Swerdzweski gathers young players on the school field during the youth camp on April 10. Both Varsity and JV Players helped run the camp of 150 kids.

Baseball Team Wins District Playoffs, Reflects On Memories

T

Misael Morillo

he varsity baseball team, coached by Stas Swerdzewski – or as his players call him, “Stosh” – is looking to make a run at the state playoffs this season. As 2018 District Playoff Champions, the Falcons are not satisfied – they believe this team is one to remember, and they will not accept anything but the state championship.

This team is already stacked with talented players.

With a D-1 commitment, shortstop Tyler Causey (‘19) has been accepted to play baseball at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Causey is not the only player who is signing with a university to play on the diamond. Pitcher Matt Levy (‘18) signed with Piedmont International University Bruins, a private Christian school in Winston Salem, NC. First Baseman Hayden Mobbs (‘18) is committed to Erskine College.

The Falcons started off struggling with 6-6 record and were third in the conference heading into a three-game series against crosstown rival Fort Mill High School. But the boys are turning it around. The Falcons come into the Upper State Playoffs with a record of 13-14 just below .500.

Even more, this is a team who gives back. The baseball team held a clinic for children in grades 1-5 on Saturday, April 10. Players, coaches, and the 150 kids who came out had an experience they will never forget, from batting, to fielding, to running.

The children had an opportunity to build skills in a fun camp experience.

“These kids are amazing, and I know I am a senior, but I really hope that these kids come back next year and continue their dream,” Levy said.

This team has always had some funny and unique traditions. One player on the varsity team is always wearing a red cowboy hat when it’s time for a rally or to distract the other team. They are always loud, and they have a reputation as being one of the most trash-talking teams at Nation Ford.

“We hate having to face Nation Ford because it’s the Mill Town Showdown, and it’s for all bragging rights but they make it hard for us to concentrate when they are yelling, mocking, and just doing their thing in the dugout,” Fort Mill High School Varsity shortstop Dylan Helms (‘20) said.

This Falcons are relentless and will always challenge the opponent. Fighting for a chance at the state championship, these athletes are ready, locked and loaded.

As this season is quickly coming to an end, and the school year is almost over, this team has been one to remember with many strong athletes and talented young men with bright futures.

“This team is by far the most talented team that I’ve ever coached, and I can never pick a greater group of guys,” Coach Stosh said.

For seniors, it’s hard to say goodbye, but it also opens up the future for new beginnings.

Nick Biebel

he National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) cleared more than $1 billion last year. They currently have a deal with CBS worth about $11 billion for broadcasting March Madness. If there were no athletes, the NCAA would have no money, and yet the athletes don’t receive any compensation from the organization. The athletes aren’t even allowed to make money through endorsement deals, and if a college pays a player to come to their school, the school or athlete can be punished. Punishments can include suspensions, losing scholarships, or even banning the school for competing for a set amount of time.

The NCAA makes a profit off of the players’ names and talent through merchandise and televising games, but the players themselves can’t make a single dime until they get out of college.

The NCAA has an “amateurism” rule that disallows athletes from doing anything that a pro athlete can.

With rules as ridiculous as not being allowed to play games off-season for a wager or monetizing YouTube videos, it’s a wonder how these athletes can make any money while in college.

When you’re a college athlete, essentially 100 percent of your time is devoted to your sport, making it nearly impossible to get a job and make money.

If athletes aren’t on a full-ride scholarship, not having money can be rough, especially when they need to pay off student loans. Even if they can manage to get a job, if they get paid for more hours than they work, that can be punishable as well, which was the case for former Oklahoma starting quarterback Rhett Bomar, who was kicked off of the football team for this very reason.

The only difficulty with paying athletes is the variation of pay. It isn’t fair for a big name, millionaire school to pay their players as much as a small name school, and it’s also not fair to the athletes at smaller schools to watch athletes at bigger schools get paid more.

It also isn’t fair to those who play sports that have smaller audiences, like lacrosse, as the atheletes would be paid much less than basketball or football players. This is also an issue for female athletes, as they would be paid less because fewer people watch women’s sports than men’s sports. A formula or even compensation should be used, but some form of payment is only right.

At the end of the day, college athletes should be paid due to the enormous amounts of money the NCAA makes every year. These athletes put their hearts and souls into their respective sports, and it is unfair that they aren’t compensated.

Lacrosse Team Hoping to Advance In Playoffs Coming Off Last Year’s Championship Game Loss Alexander Oppel The 2018 boy’s lacrosse season has been a rollercoaster for the Falcons.

They had big wins and, unfortunately, big losses as well.

Last year, the team had a record of 6-8 and barely made the playoffs, holding the number sixteen seed.

They defied the odds and beat powerful teams, even defeating the number one seed and eventually played in the state championship game where they lost to Wando High.

As of print date, the Falcons are 7-8 and are a wildcard for playoffs.

With big challenges ahead of them, Overall, I think we have a great deal the boys are ready for another run. of talent on the team, and most im“How far we advance will depend portantly a group of young boys that on focus, heart and hustle,” Coach will grow to be successful men,” he John Tauzin said. said.

“I expected Regardless of this most of the adseason’s turnout, We definitely have ministrative reCoach Tauzin is looka bright future. sponsibilities, ing forward to new wins and losses, players joining the - Coach John Tauzin highs and lows.” team next year.

Coach Tauzin “We have a young said. “I was cervarsity team and tainly disappointed with how we many talented athletes on JV becomplayed against Charlotte Latin and ing better lacrosse players,” he said.

Blythewood, which led to losses. “We definitely have a bright future if

“

”

all players continue to play or practice in the off-season.”

With a promising future ahead of this program, the team will rely on strengths with a few we weaknesses.

Coach Tauzin names “talented offensive stick skills, speed, lacrosse IQ, and experience playing the game” as the teams’ strengths, while crediting lack of focus, slow starts, and lack of passion and hustle as weaknesses.

The team had a great season and they hope to make a run for the playoffs.

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