The Talon Vol 15 Issue 1

THE TALON Volume 15 Number 1

Nation Ford High School

October 2021

1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Quill & Scroll 1st Place l All-State SCSPA

Fort Mill, SC 29715

Talon Special Edition Fighting climate change: simple ways you can help

Wrestlers prepare to slam opponents 8

Inside look at Dirty Birds 5

2• NEWS

Criminal internet trends wreak havoc

TikTok’s trends lead to criminal charges for vandalism, assault in Fort Mill

by Josie Alsbrooks & Lucas Smalley Like many schools, Nation Ford has been affected by big media corporations publishing viral videos. Students in the Fort Mill School District are being prosecuted for participating in these trends.

After a destructive September challenge, the school released a video warning that the October challenge to hit a staff member on the back of the head or rear end will result in serious consequences, according to School Resource Officer Dave Prescott.

“The consequences to this are drastic --you will ruin your futures,” said Prescott.

The punishments for hitting someone on the rear end consist of jail or juvenile detention for no less than five years, and the offender will be charged with sexual assault and labeled as a sex offender for life.

If a student hits someone in the back of the head, the teen will be charged with assault and battery, jail or juvenile detention for not less than five years, and that will be on the offender’s permanent record.

“It would break my heart to put you guys in jail, but that’s what going to happen,” said Prescott.

The TikTok trend “Devious Licks” took a toll on Nation Ford High School in September as well. From soap dispensers to toilets, students destroyed and stole property.

This trend had caused damage to national bathrooms and school supplies. At NFHS, soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers, and toilet seats had been stolen from the bathrooms.

“They think it’s a victimless crime, but in reality, it isn’t a victimless crime,” Principal Chris Chandler says.

“And to be honest, we are running out of bathroom supplies.”

It’s not only bathroom supplies students are stealing. “A couple of supplies were stolen from teachers as well,” Chandler said.

Schools, including Catawba Ridge and Fort Mill High School experienced the same issues.

Nation Ford School resource officer

After being cleaned up by the janitors, the D500 girls bathroom is back to normal on Sept. 21. Damage was caused by students participating in viral Tik Tok trend “Devious Licks”. Photo by Josie Alsbrooks Dave Prescott has concerns. patrolling the hallways during class “Schools around the entire country changes and watching cameras to try are being vandalized by this TikTok and prevent this situation from contrend,” Prescott said. “People have tinuing. caused very significant problems in Biology teacher Brianna Bingham the bathrooms, including flooding and agrees with Prescott on the underlying vandalism all around different states.” problem.

This all started “It is immamid-September ture for students “They think it’s a and it has died in high school to down, but a few victimless crime, but in reality, behave this way,” items are still gosays Bingham. “It it isn’t a victimless crime.” took a very long ing missing. All restrooms were aftime to realize –Principal Chris Chandler fected, but mostly that this trend was boys’ bathrooms. even happening Students from all grades except seniors in our school. All misbehavior comes have been involved, according to Offi- from students wanting attention.” cer Prescott.

Teachers have been preventing It is an immature TikTok trend in these situations by taking phones which people are looking for popular- when students go to the restroom and ity, he said. by recording the times they went. Tak“If you want to be popular, be ing the phones when students use the popular in a better way, not this way bathroom prevents these problems please,” said Prescott. because they are not able to make the Administrators and teachers are TikTok videos at all.

“I made this TikTok to make my friends laugh and to make a famous video,” said one student involved in the vandalism. He has around 10,000 followers on TikTok. That student admitted to reporters to stealing a soap dispenser and a paper towel roll after kicking them off of the walls between classes, as well as taking a scale that was given to him by a friend.

“People do it for the clout. You shouldn’t--it was a huge mistake,” the student said.

Consequences for such actions include going to court, charges on the student’s juvenile record, and paying the money back to the school.

School administrators at Nation Ford High School are concerned that these trends are going to become a monthly problem, because of the new October trend and want to discourage destructive and dangerous behavior before it becomes a even larger epidemic.

New Falcon

Nation Ford welcomes new principal Chris Chandler, begins new era

by Mine Karatas Nation Ford welcomed on July 1 new principal Chris Chandler, a former Vice Principal for Curriculum and Instruction for five years at Rock Hill High School.

Before becoming an administrator, he taught U.S. History and coached cross country and track for 12 year.

He is married and has two kids who are six and nine-years-old.

When he was in school, he was a shy individual and reserved which made it difficult for him to get involved, he says. He explains that his high school experience was not the best.

However, he found things that brought him joy such as joining the newspaper staff of his high school, running cross country and becoming involved in teacher cadets. These brought him out of his shell and made his high school experience better and

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enjoyable. He realized how important it is for students to find things that interests them in school.

He wants his students to have a sense of belonging. Being involved in clubs, sports, acclivities, etc. is the sole reason he wanted to peruse his career as an educator.

He says he is excited to become a part of the Nation Ford family.

“There’s a learning curve coming to a new school,” Chandler explains.

He says he loves how welcoming and wonderful Nation Ford students, faculty, and staff have been.

One of the favorite aspects of his job is interacting with students. He loves to monitor lunch. He walks around every lunch period talking with students in all grades.

“One of the things I look forward to is getting to be around students and

Principal Chris Chandler connect with them,” Chandler says.

Friendship and a sense of belonging is a top priority for Mr. Chandler.

He says he wants to maintain the high expectations of the Nation Ford family.

He says is not here to change the school heritage. He wants to help make

everyone feel like they belong in a safe, learning environment.

The clubs and student organizations are important because he believes that every student should feel like they have a place where they belong.

“I hope to maintain that family atmosphere,” says Mr. Chandler.

OCTOBER 2021

NEWS • 3

Teen Pregnancy Rates In South Carolina

by Kiara Wiley

- 83.5% of teen pregnancies in South Carolina range from the ages of 18-19 - 16.5% of pregnancies age from 15-17 15-17 16.5%

18-19 83.5%

In 2019, SC teens gave birth to 3,425 babies powertodecide.org World Health Organization

Abortion law to be debated in court

by Kiara Wiley On Dec. 6 an appellate court plans to debate a lawsuit challenging South Carolina’s abortion law, however that is about a week after the U.S. Supreme Court considers a similar measure in Mississippi.

South Carolina is now one of 17 states seeking to restrict abortion, and 45 states have enacted restrictions to constrict or eliminate abortion access.

Since 2014, South Carolina has had the highest teen pregnancy rates. In 2017, 4,7000 teen pregnancies were reported and in 2019 there were roughly a total of 5,000 abortions.

On Feb. 18, 2021, Governor Henry McMaster signed the Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Act. This bill bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy but there is an exception for rape, incest, and other medical reasons.

At 6 weeks, a heartbeat should be detected, but many women are not aware they are pregnant at 6 weeks, because it takes 4 weeks for a positive result to come from a pregnancy test.

If a doctor performs an abortion after 6 weeks, they will be charged with

a federal crime.

Texas’ “Fetal Heartbeat Bill” went into effect on September 1, 2021. Unlike South Carolina, in Texas, women can not have an abortion regardless of rape, incest, or medical-related reasons.

In both Texas and South Carolina, Planned Parenthood, an organization that delivers reproductive health care, sex education, and information, filed a restraining order against the new legislation.

If a doctor performs an abortion after 6 weeks, they will be charged with a federal crime.

Texas established a temporary restraining order when more than 75 women were scheduled to have abortions in the state over the next three days. Under the new law, most were banned.

Meanwhile, in a press conference, President Joe Biden stated that the Texas law “blatantly violates the constitutional right established under Roe

v Wade,” the landmark decision in the court that legalized abortions, and he added the resulting right to an abortion was upheld as a precedent for nearly half a century.

According to Amnesty International, Texas, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Tennessee are also planning on adding the “Fetal Heartbeat Bill”.

These laws are constantly changing.

On Oct. 7, 2021, Texas did lift this bill allowing women to have an abortion after 6 weeks. No states have followed.

“While the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case related to Mississippi’s law offers great hope and promise for protecting the lives of the unborn, we must defend South Carolina’s Fetal Heartbeat Act against every challenge at every level,” Gov. Henry McMaster is quoted saying on his website.

The Fetal Heartbeat bill has been passed in 10 states so far, and many are attempting to challenge the Supreme Court on this topic, but the Mississippi case should shed light on the states’ ability to limit abortion law.

By: Kiara Wiley

Class Spotlight

New dance classes offered in spring

by Kalli Desai

New dance classes are now available at Nation Ford, a groovy and ready to get moving!

A new dance class will be offered during the second semester.

In previous years students from NFHS have had to shuttle to and from Fort Mill High School so that they would be able to take the dance class.

Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction Debra Miller creates the master schedule with her counterparts at Catawba and Fort Mill High School. ”The schedule is based on one thing,” Miller says, “student requests.”

Over the years dance has always been an available option, but there weren’t enough students to fill up the class.

“When we started to look at the numbers, you can see the trends.

The dance class started to get more and more requests.” Miller said.

The class can be a perfect fit for anyone, not just experienced dancers.

“In Dance 1 we learn about social dances… these types of dances you would typically see at weddings. Think of dances like the cha

OCTOBER 2021

cha slide and the cupid shuffle.”

Dishner says While the idea of dancing may be daunting, the class can still be an option for you.

“If you have no previous dance experience, Dance 1 would be perfect for you because there is no performance requirement,” he said.

“Dance 1 is set up like a dance appreciation class–you learn the cultural aspect and the history of the basic steps.”

Dance 2 and 3 offer more advanced experiences. Dance 2 is more focused on technique, Dishner said. “It’s more of your traditional dance with a little bit of contemporary, lyrical, and some hip hop thrown in.”

In Dance 3 and 4 students can start to choreograph their own dances and place it on Dance 2 students.”

Dishner has big ideas for the future, “My biggest hope is that [students] just have a stronger understanding of dance. There is a stigma right now that not everyone can dance, but in reality can dance,” Disney insists. “Dancing is just a visual representation of what we hear musically.”

Holding the Grand Champion trophy, assistant drum majors Elise Papke and Will Sander celebrate their win on Sept.

25 at the Olde English festival of the bands, located at the District 3 Stadium in Rock Hill.

Photo by Linda Carr

Band wins big in local competitions

by Gabrielle Kiser Tomorrow the band will perform tant drum Major Elise Papke (23). their halftime show at the York “We are a team. We help build one County Championship. another up, and we encourage evLast weekend, the band placed erybody to have a fun time on the tenth out of 22 bands in their Bands field.” of America regional competition.

Band members get to work even This took place in Jacksonville, Ala. before school opens to get ready for The band was extremely proud of the season in early August. Every their performance and their season day after school this fall, 100 band so far. members can be found on the grass Currently, the band also is runfield, practicing for four hours in ning a fruit and pastry sale as a the hot sun. fundraiser until Nov. 14, which is Summer practice usually lasts one of many special events the band two weeks for students in the holds to help with fees or with havmarching band to go over choreing fun props or food for the stuography, the music pieces and the dents. formation of their shows.

In their first performance in two After their halftime show the years due to COVID-19, the band band goes to the stands and plays took first place at the Old English to show their Falcon spirit during competition at Rock Hill School on the game.

Sept 25, followed by a performance “This is my family-- [band] at Rock Hill Stadium Oct. 9. taught me a lot,” Papke said. “BeWith five competitions on top of ing an assistant drum major [taught eight halftime performances, they me] to work hard and to help motipractice hard, and tomorrow night vate the band.” the band perform their show for “Band got me involved!” said this season entitled “Ascension” Papke. “It gives me a sense of purabout rising up and being the best. pose and to be motivated with the “We never give up,” says Assisband.”

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4 • FEATURES

Hitting that high note

Nation Ford’s chorus is looking to expand the program

by Lilah Skovran Stretching, breathing, reading, singing. Everyday the chorus students at Nation Ford High School work hard to make great performances for the audience.

Thessalonia Graham, the chorus teacher, is looking for more students for the chorus program. He wants to create opportunities for kids and hopes to have people in class who have never sung before.

“Anyone is welcome,” Graham said. “Come one, come all!”

Any student can come to the choral FLEX on Thursdays to observe what the students do, or even join in with them. Nearing the end of the year, the NFHS chorus goes to local middle schools to sing for them and possibly spark interest to sign up.

“I love inspiring students, just like my teacher did, which changed my life,” Graham said. The recruiting process for the 2022-2023 NFHS chorus has begun. He is glad to be working more hardworking and talented students, he says.

“I don’t really know if there is a hard part to this job,” Graham said. “However, challenges are opportunities.”

In his classes right now, there are about 25 students in all. Coming from COVID-19, it’s a process to find students to join the chorus. However, when kids do sign up for his class, Graham is excited to explore music with them, and make many experiences.

“I would love to do more with showcases and things like that to get people interested,” current chorus student, Julia Wolman (‘24) said. There are about 10 students in her current class.

“A typical day in chorus is going through our songs and perfecting any mistakes,” Wolman said.

The class also learns new music including rhythm and solfege.

“In the beginning, I taught students how to sing songs that you would maybe hear on the radio,” former chorus teacher, Mike Ramsey said. He is now the guitar and music theory teacher at Nation Ford

Self care important for mental, physical health

Singing for Nation Ford’s Chorus, Julia Wolman (‘24) and Maddie Ray (‘23) prepare their voices on Oct. 13. Photo by Lilah Skovran High.

Later on in his teaching, Ramsey’s class began singing more choir-like songs. He also taught them how to read music and how to sight read, much like Graham does now.

“I probably had about 30 kids per semester, but nearing the end, I probably had about 75-85 students per semester,” Ramsey said.

Chorus students can take the class every semester up until the end of high school. By being a teacher at Nation Ford for 13 years, Ramsey was able to watch his chorus students grow from freshman to seniors.

Nearing the end of the period, the students finish up their singing, and let their voices rest. They leave the classroom at the bell, already excited for another day in chorus class.

COVID-19 attacks physical, mental health

by Isabelle Fetting The school was a vacant shell, the once-thriving community it housed now gone.

Then students and faculty returned, separated by shields and screens, stress, and uncertainty. Face masks that only held a place in a doctor’s office, became a staple in many people’s lives.

It sounds like a dystopian anecdote, but it’s a reality facing many students today.

While COVID-19 has created many physical challenges, such as social distancing, lack of supplies, and face coverings, the most influential effects have been on the mental health of many who are living through the pandemic.

“I believe COVID-19 has affected the mental health of everyone, but especially teenagers who were isolated from their peers for long periods of time, and who missed out on traditional socializing opportunities,” Guidance Counselor Amy Market said. “There is also added stress of health concerns for family, potential for being quarantined from school, and more.”

Students agree.

“I was definitely more nervous to go back to school,” Caroline Audette (‘23) said, talking of her experience coming back from the long quarantine that began in March of 2020.

“I think it’s posed a new set of anxiety-type issues,” Audette said.

In an anonymous Nation Ford Survey, 61.2% of students reported that their mental health has declined since the beginning of the pandemic, many commenting that they have lost motivation to keep up with their work.

“I definitely became more stressed when we had a hybrid schedule so it was harder to keep my grades up,” Noel Hanushek (‘23) said.

Guidance counselors are aware of the issues.

“I have noticed more students needing assistance with academic help this year,” Market said. “This year has been a hard transition for some students

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Talon

by Shania Marshall We all know that high school can be stressful, whether it comes from school work in classes or from life at home. Our job as caretakers of our mind, body, and spirit is to try and find ways to manage our problems so that the problem doesn’t take over -- this is called stress management skills.

“Self care is a tough subject. I think it is very important for overall wellness, including physical health, mental health, and social/emotional health,” says PE teacher Robyn Stockunas. “I think it’s tough for teenagers because many may be limited based on what their families can provide.”

“If the adults in their home don’t model appropriate self-care, then teenagers are less likely to learn,” she added.

According to InGenius Prep, the number one self-care tip for high school students is sleep.

Teen’s brains need time to relax and regain energy to take on more as they prepare for the school day.

“Sleeping is a big thing for teenagers. They think they can go to sleep at 12 and wake up at 7 and function regularly and that’s not the case,” said school counselor Abby Duncan. “It is a proven fact that teenagers actually need more sleep than elementary school kids.”

On average, Duncan says she gets about three to four students visiting her a week about their mental health or just to talk to relieve themselves from what the week brings.

“Most students find it easier to talk to school faculty who they are comfortable with,” Stockunas says. “Students come to me regularly to talk about problems.”

“If the adults in their home don’t model appropriate self-care, then teenagers are less likely to learn.”

who were virtual last year, or even for students who were in person on A/B day last year.”

This has not only affected students’ motivation, but also teachers.

“The schedule has changed,” US History Teacher, Coach Snell said.

“We stole time from transitions in the hallway, and we stole time from class. It’s tough on us [Teachers].”

In an unprecedented time of safety concerns and mental struggles, both teachers and students must take time to care for themselves.

“I would just encourage all students to make sure they are taking time out for themselves and caring for their own mental health,” Market said. “If you need any support, please reach out to someone at school like your counselor!”

Another aspect that is important in self care is exercise. Studies show that consistent exercise is linked to increased productivity and mental focus.

It helps reduce stress and anxiety, improves mood, & promotes better sleep, which contributes to a boost in energy.

“I struggle with stress and anxiety. I have found that regular exercise and monthly massages help me keep everything under control,” says Stockunas.

Tierre Downer (‘23) says the workload that teachers give students contributes to fatigue.

“I find a way to fight through it everyday and try to go to sleep as early as I can,” he says. “This doesn’t even include my work schedule.”

As a result, Downer recognizes the importance of self care.

“For self care I actually try to meditate and listen to music to calm my mind. Walks also help me stay aligned,” he said.

Tierre uses reminders on his phone to set a schedule for his every day routine.”

“Since I wake up early I usually have enough time to just chill before I have to get on the bus,” he says.

Health experts emphasize it’s important that everyone practice self-care, whether you are a teenager or adult because in the long run it will help you cope with many problems that come with life.

OCTOBER 2021

FEATURES • 5

Did someone say Falcon school spirit?

Nation Ford’s Dirty Birds fire up Falcon fans on and off the field

by Paityn Tumblin

mitment.

“I have gotten some Touch down! Sudreally brutal headaches, denly you see a group of but that’s about it,” guys running through Sharpless said. the bleachers, covered This line-up of boys in paint and drenched is very responsible, in sweat. according to Marsh.

Dirty Birds seem to “They make sure that come from every anthe student section is gle, screaming in celesafe,” Marsh said. “If bration, jumping over anyone gets out of conthe fence, and banging trol, they make sure to sticks into the ground. put an end to it, or call Nation Ford’s very an adult.” own Dirty Birds, filled There are co-capwith school spirit, cheer tains for the group to on the teams and the help lead them. “I was fans. chosen last year as a The group of boys junior Dirty Bird by who fire up the crowds the seniors along with at sports events have Caden Brandenburg included females in the (‘22),” Sharpless said. past, but not this year.

“This year Caden and I “Mostly seniors are are the captains.” on Dirty Birds with the The captains work exception of one or two together to get 16 other juniors,” said Gus SharDirty Birds ready for pless (‘22), co-captain Pumping up Nation Ford’s student section, Brecken Carrieri (‘22) lets out a powerful cheer section at the game against Catawba the game. of the Dirty Birds.“You Ridge on August 27 at home. The Copperheads came out on top with a score of 35-14. Photo by Yasmine Anakkar On game day, these have to be as loud as junior and senior boys wear jean shorts during school you possibly can and be someone that expresses sponsor for the group. their school spirit.”

Sharpless says they are very grateful for all she hours, then come back to the school before the game to get pumped up.

There aren’t necessarily many requirements to does.

Marsh says she helps to make sure the boys know join the group.

“I’m not official–far from it–but the boys needed “Be an upperclassman, be loud, be cool, that’s it,” someone to step in when things got messy,” Marsh who is getting painted before the game, and what color they should be painting themselves.

Tyler Maloney (‘23) said during a game. said.

“I have always wanted to express my school spirit Although they do not have an official sponsor, They haven’t had too many problems within the marketing teacher Melinda Marsh (knowns affec- group and don’t often have problems at any school in the best way I can, and Dirty Birds help me do tionately as “Mamma Marsh”) stands in place of a event. It may sound like an easy job, but it takes com- that,” Sharpless said.

Boys struggle in current educational system

by Sara Pipa

The struggles of boys in the academic scene has indicated problems about which parents, teachers, and college admissions officers across the country are becoming increasingly aware.

Many factors play into this growing predicament of boys struggling not only academically but socially as well, but primarily in school. Currently, women far outnumber men in college due to fewer men applying or dropping out.

The prevalent misdiagnosis of ADHD in young boys brings to light adults’ expectations for a higher level of maturity that young boys’ brains simply have not yet developed. Further, feminism may have an effect on young males, according to psychologists.

A pernicious mindset of comparing girls and boys has become toxic for young men considering that biologically, girls and boys grow up differently.

Boys often hear in their classrooms: “Why can’t you sit still like the girls do?” or “Be quiet like the girls.” Yet researchers have found, according to medicinenet.com, that connections in the brain that allow us to make decisions and decide right from wrong occur at an earlier stage for girls, which leads to the portrayal of boys making “worse decisions” than girls when really, they aren’t capable of making the same higher-leveled connections as girls, experts say.

This creates an unfair environment for comparison, increased number of referrals, and opens a floodgate for the misdiagnosis of ADHD. Immaturity and this lack of connection in the brain are becoming more misassociated with learning disabilities due to most ADHD symptoms in boys being exterior.

Theconversation.com refers to “destructive and aggressive” behaviors which is also considered normal behavior for immature boys. This causes physicians to prescribe medicine to young people who don’t actually struggle with a learning disability.

“Boys are three times more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis than girls. This disparity isn’t necessarily because girls are less susceptible to the disorder,” healthline.com says. “Research has shown that boys with ADHD usually show externalized symp-

OCTOBER 2021

by MacKenzie Creasman

toms, such as running and impulsivity.”

“I think school is a hostile environment for boys because they are targeted more often for acts such as horseplay and fights,” says Sai Kottapali (‘23).

Principal Chris Chandler says, “Long classes could have an impact on student behavior and particularly male students. Eighty minutes is a long time for anyone to sit still and especially for 14-year-old boys.

To improve the situation, we must be cognizant of the instructional strategies that we use in class. Students must switch activities every 20-30 minutes to stay engaged.

“We know that when students are not engaged in the learning in the classroom is when behavior problems occur,” he added.

‘Girl Power’ is a feminist statement we’ve all become familiar with, and while uplifting girls (who have their own set of problems), it’s possible that term could have the opposite effect on boys.

A gender stereotyping report done by the Advertising Standards Authority argues that gender stereotypes in media “can lead to mental, physical, and social harm which can limit the potential of groups and individuals.”

Some professionals believe this movement of feminism within the past few decades has taken a toll on

the boys of this generation leaving them to feel lost, insecure, and not knowing their place in this world.

“Studies from the past two decades confirm that our focus on girls can leave boys behind in regards to education and well-being. The truth is, boys actually need more emotional support than girls,” Christine Carter says in her Harper’s Bizarre article, ‘How Feminism Is Stifling Our Sons.’ “Gender stereotypes put boys’ self-confidence at risk too,” she adds.

Another article called, ‘We’ve Got To Start Addressing The Emotional Needs Of Our Boys’ concurs with this sentiment: “Research shows that boys actually need more emotional support than girls, but because of societal expectations, and gender stereotypes, we are not giving it to them. There are biological differences between the ways boys’ and girls’ brains develop. In fact, boys are more emotionally vulnerable while still in utero.”

Every child and teenager seeks attention, but young males’ lack of ability to feel comfortable openly showing emotion in the home as well as in school due to gender norms can lead to overall behavioral troubles.

Nation Ford’s in-school suspension referral statistics from the 2020-21 school year, show that the number of boys in ISS is greater than those of girls.

Staff has noted that the number mainly increased in March of 2020 when students returned to a full 5-day school week while the girls’ numbers showed little to no change.

The male percentage of 3-5 referrals from March 2021 (the month we returned to a 5-day school week) to June 2021 increased from 0.6% to 1% while the female percentage of 3-5 referrals increased from only 0.2% to 0.3%.

This information supports the idea that now that as school returns to normal, there has been an influx of behavioral issues.

“Students getting used to school being normal that has led to some students getting into more trouble,” says Principal Chandler. “This is the first time in almost a year and a half that school has appeared to be somewhat normal. Last year, most schools showed students a lot of grace in terms of behavior problems, and this year has gone back to being stricter.”

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6• CENTERSPREAD

WAYS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT

What is Your Carbon Footprint?

Cut Down on Food Waste According to the Environmental

Protection Agency, 95% of the food thrown away ends up in landfills or combustion facilities. It is important to limit the amount of food thrown away.

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle Following the three R's is

essential in eliminating waste in your own home and in the environment around you.

Bike! Bike! Bike!

If possible, avoid using vehicles such as cars and use bikes, etc. instead to limit gases emitted from cars that cause pollution.

Lights, sinks, stoves Turning off the water or the lights or anything when it is not in use will help to eliminate wasted energy and protect the enviornment.

Infographic by Mine Karatas

Thrifting for a cause

Thrifting For Style Can Help The Planet More Than You Think

by Carly Jacobson Thrifting is an easy way to save money and protect the environment and has become trendy in the ever-evolving culture of Gen Z. According to Thread Up, “33 million customers bought secondhand apparel for the first time in 2020.” The boom in the secondhand clothing industry has left people wondering if thrifting clothes have helped the environment and what are the implications of this trend.

“I thrift to find unique pieces that have a story behind them and to buy clothes that have already been made instead of having to produce more,” Alex Flanagan (‘22) said. Thrifting gives buyers a sense of individuality that traditional clothing stores lack. Thrifting brings uniqueness and individuality to the consumer.

This same item has a story you will never know. It might have been someone’s past favorite sweater or a gift from a loved one, but now its story is up to you.

Companies are now tending to use more polyester than ever before, while thrifted clothes have more cotton. Polyester has almost double the carbon footprint of cotton. By wearing older clothes you are decreasing the amount of carbon you are releasing into the atmosphere.

To get an idea of how much pollution comes from fast fashion “Textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined,” the House of Common Environmental Audit Committee stated in February of 2019. By thrifting, you can play a part in decreasing the negative environmental impact of your clothing.

The downside to thrifting is limiting the availability of affordable clothing to lower-income people. The best way to combat this is to buy your size in clothing and make sure to donate your clothes.

Avoid overbuying and finding items just to sell them for profit. You thrift for yourself, not your Depop followers. Lastly, shopping at more pricy consignment or vintage stores reaps the same environmental benefits as thrifting at Goodwill but prevents the gentrification of your lower price stores.

How can you get involved?

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The Talon’s on Enviro

Sustainability Club

S F

See Mrs. Bingham in C114 OCTOBER 2021

CENTERSPREAD • 7

s Snapshot the onment

Waves of plastic pollute Ways people can fight against polluting the world’s oceans

by Hanson Nguyen Tea bags. Water bottles. Food wrappers. Trash in the ocean causes all kinds of marine life to face horrifying experiences everyday due to ocean pollution from plastic littering.

To save marine life and prevent further ocean pollution, companies are now striving to reroute plastic waste that would otherwise end up polluting our oceans by finding ways to incorporate ocean-bound plastic into their products. They’re cleaning up.

“Plastic in general is a problem from the production of it to how we improperly dispose of it,” says Environmental Science teacher Dana Steastead.

“It doesn’t go away, and recycling is not the answer. The answer would be to reduce the production of plastic and this can be accomplished by educating consumers of the harms of plastic,” she says.

Discovering that there’s strength in numbers, some are joining a consortium of companies called NextWave Plastics to share their learnings and achieve the plastic recycling on a greater scale.

“Plastics are derived from petroleum,” says Seastead. “The refining of petroleum to form plastics can put excess CO2 into the atmosphere and the excess CO2 is connected to ocean acidification.

The plastics can photodegradebreak into smaller pieces when they are hit by the sun’s rays. This is a problem because they appear to be food (algae) and many marine organisms consume them and end up dying.”

Responsible for bringing those businesses together, Nonprofit Lonely Whale started the NextWave initiative in 2017 with the goal of permanently cleaning up 25,000 metric tons of plastic waste by 2025.

“We think of ocean-bound plastic as waste, but it’s not,” says Lonely Whale CEO Dune Ives in a Sept. 22.

2021 interview with FastCompany.

“It’s actually a lost opportunity. We’re losing money and we’re polluting our ocean and our communities.”

When building plastic supply chains around the world, businesses have to consider the needs of the local communities. For instance, HP, which uses the equivalent of a million plastic bottles per day in its products, now sources plastic from Haiti and upcycles the ocean-bound plastic into printer cartridges, desktop fans, and even entire laptops.

“Honestly, the amount of CO2 entering the ocean from anthropogenic activities is just as big of a problem as plastic pollution,” says Seastead. “Ultimately this lies with the general public to be educated on the consequences associated with being dependent on plastic.

Sierra Club Foundation

OCTOBER 2021

Infographic by Mine Karatas

Plastics are convenient for consumers and the majority of them are thrown away. They take up space in the landfills when disposed of.”

“It’s not every company that wants to come and sit at a table across from their competitors,” Ives said in the article.

Chief Sustainability Officer Jane Abernethy works for Humanscale and HP to assist the company with earth-friendly policies.

“We recognize that even if we use only ocean plastic in all of our products, we’re not going to solve the problem on our own,” she said.

Ives and Abernathy emphasize that businesses will not be able to solve the problem on their own.

NextWave will allow these businesses to learn from each other and to share findings from their successes in order to reduce the volume of plastic waste before it enters the ocean.

Environmental Defense Fund

THE TALON

8 • SPORTS

Looking up & beyond

Senior volleyball players commit to play at North Carolina Universities

by Kaiden Bridges Lady Falcon’s varsity volleyball teams have two recent state champion titles within the last five years, and they’ve also had some talented individuals star on the team. Two of these Falcon volleyball players, Taylor Atkinson and Adeline Mezzanotte (‘22), have committed to be collegiate athletes.

“Taylor and Adeline are both very intense leaders on the court. . . and they don’t like to lose,” varsity volleyball coach Craig Brown said. “They’ve played enough volleyball that they’re also coaches on the court as well.”

Both spending all four years of their high school volleyball career on varsity, Atkinson and Mezzanotte have had four exciting seasons, including the two seasons ending with a state champion title for the girls.

It doesn’t stop there though, Atkinson has com-

“I can’t wait to get there and just be able to learn from some of the best.”

- Taylor Atkinson ‘22 mitted to Duke University and Mezzanotte has committed to Belmont Abbey University where both will continue their academic and athletic journeys.

“Any opportunity that a young lady gets a chance to play their sport in college is awesome,” Brown said. “I'm just looking forward to seeing what they do when they go.”

Both girls have a fiery passion for the sport, and have enjoyed being a part of this team during their high school years.

“I enjoy the thrill of the game as well as the chemistry that I have made with my teammates on and off the court,” Mezzanotte said. “It’s been great. My four years of high school have gone by so quickly. . . My senior season has been great and growing up with these girls since freshman year has been so heartwarming and amazing.”

Despite the love they’ve had for their high school years, the two are very enthusiastic for the collegiate play that is ahead of them.

Going up to make a play, Taylor Atkinson j(‘22) jumps to the net to block ball as Falcons warm up before a game last year.

Photo by Kaiden Bridges “I’m super excited for the opportunity,” Atkinson said. “I can’t wait to get there and just be able to learn from some of the best.”

Both expressed how they are looking forward to being 5A region champions and competing in play-

offs. “We’re going to keep our region champion streak going,” Mezzanotte said. “We’re just going to continue to play how we play.”

At press time, the Falcons currently have a record of 7-1 in the region, and are going to continue to fight.

Wrestlers pin down hopes for new season

by TJ Hailstock The Nation Ford wrestling team kicks off the season at home facing off against Catawba Ridge and Andrew Jackson High at Nation Ford in the main gym on December 1, 2021.

The team has some big shoes to fill with Herald All-Area team mention and the Winter Athlete of the year Steven Johnson graduating last year.

Coach Tony Forte has very high hopes for the team this year. “We’re excited for this season and have set some high expectations,” he said.

The coach specifically expects big things out of two wrestlers Caden Brandenburg (‘22) and Clayton Rygol (‘23). They’re both returning state qualifiers from last year’s wrestling team.

“I think they realize that they were good enough to place at the state tournament last year, so they will have their eyes on placing this year,” Coach Forte said.

Rygol and Brandenburg are the two athletes that the team expects a lot from, but there’s other wrestlers on the team expected to have a great season.

“We also expect to get a lot out of juniors Isaac Nieves, Ja’Derrick Foster, and Alan Minarro, as well as sophomore Dalton Curtsinger,” Forte said.

He is also very excited about the future of the Falcons wrestling team. ”I’m also very excited about our younger wrestlers who are working hard and getting better everyday,” he said.

One of the biggest problems the team will have to face this season is Fort Mill, especially considering the history.

“The one hurdle that we need to get past is beating Fort Mill–that has never happened in our school’s

THE TALON

With strong moves, Ja’derrick Foster (‘23) wrestles in match against Catawaba Ridge High School last year. The upcoming season promises to send some experienced wrestlers to the mats. Photo by Ashley Diblosi history. We’ve been closing the gap on them the past two seasons and expect another highly competitive match with them this year,” Coach Forte said.

In the past Nation Ford had good individual wrestlers but has had trouble in dual meets. Falcons have a lot more people than in past years but need to fill in all the weight classes.

“We have more students out this year than in the past, but a lot of them are in the same weight class-

es,” Coach Forte said He believes that if the team can fill in more weight classes the team will be a lot better, and after football season ends, there should be more wrestlers.

The Nation Ford wrestling team expects to be a very competitive team this year, hoping to finally Fort Mill for the first time, and the Falcons also hope to send multiple people to the state meet to make a solid showing there.

OCTOBER 2021

SPORTS • 9

Baseball: the most unique sport SPECIAL COLUMN by Connor Ford Hitting. Fielding. Running the basThe first pitch is also unique to the es. Without question, baseball is the game of baseball; no other sport does most unique American sport. In fact, something like this at the start of the baseball is considered America’s great- game. The different celebrities come out est pastime, and with good reason. and cause the fans to go crazy over the Let’s start with the history of base- little event at the game. ball–it has played a major role in shapThe players each have unique equiping the nation after the Civil War. In ment to their playstyle and size of their fact, an editorial cartoon published just hands so gloves will fit them. The bat is months before the presidential election the same–each bat might feel different in 1860 depicts Abraham Lincoln in a in the hands of players, and depending baseball game playing against his rival on the batter, one may feel more comcandidates. He’s hit a home run using fortable than another. a bat representing the Republican parThe coaches are able to communicate ty platform, and the others have been with players by giving them signs and called out. hand signals while they’re up to bat.

The game is The different signs played for nine From 1876 to 2021 and be- affect what may ocinnings, and basecur during the at-bat. ball’s stop time Also, in the game yond, baseball will always is determined by of baseball, once play, not the clock. you’re out of the be America’s pastime.

That can lead to the game, you cannot game going on for come back unlike in hours, generally around three hours, basketball, soccer, and football. causing energy to be low throughout “Take Me out to the Ball Game” is a the game. song unique to the game of baseball--no Also, unlike other sports, in order other sports have a theme song during to score, players touch the bases–no the game. net or goal required. Depending on the While most sports take days off befield, a batter could hit a homerun, but tween games they play, baseball plays fields are unique so, the distance to hit almost everyday. the homerun could be different on any The game always advances, making given field. the game unique because the style is alAll 30 professional baseball teams ways changing. have unique names and jerseys that all “The mechanics of the game always come with a backstory. Take the New need to be changed and you have to York Yankees for example.They were adapt quickly or you’ll fall behind. It named after the people in the North makes the game incredibly difficult,” after the Civil War. C.J Smith (‘25) said.

Baseball is the only sport in which There is no doubt baseball is Amerithe defense can attempt to make a play ca’s greatest pastime. From 1876 to 2021 in the stands even though fans can af- and beyond, baseball will always be fect the play.

America’s pastime.

UNIQUENESS OF BASEBALL Baseball was orginally founded in 1845 in the state of New York.

GAMES Baseball has around 162 games in the regular season.

The bases in the MLB are all 90 feet.

The Yankees have 27 world series wins leading all of the MLB.

HIGHEST SCORING GAME

FASTEST PITCH

The highest combine scoring game is 49 runs with the final score being 26-23 in 1922.

The fastest pitch recorded was by Ardolis Chapman at 105.1 M.P.H.

Highest paid player

The highest paid player in MLB history was Alex Rodriguez at $450 million dollars

The Talon’s High Flyer Issue 1 Spotlight Swimmer Ethan Black makes big splash

by Connor Ford just a really fun person overall,” Nicholas Martin W a t e r (‘24) said. splashes on This year Black is ranked 161st for North Carthe side of the olina with a 66.9 power index while also being on pool.The swim- the Nation Ford swim team. mers down the In addition, Black is also on the Upper Palmetstretch make to YMCA Stingrays / Rock Hill Area YMCA. their final Black specializes in mid-to-long distance strides. swimming during meets such as the 200 L and It’s a scene the 400 L. Ethan Black Swimming is a big commitment to the team. (‘22) has The Nation Ford swim team practices for an known most of hour and 45 minutes everyday with morning his life. practices.

“Everything “Ethan is an extremely hard worker and alabout a swim ways puts the team before himself,” Coach Lori meet is real- Glasco said.

Ethan Black (‘22) ly cool, like While Black is not going to be swimming in the vibe of the college, he will certainly be swimming his senior whole thing makes it exciting,” Black said. year.

After moving to America from South Africa Being a senior also means he has to be a leader when he was five he has been swimming ever for the swimmers around him on the team. As since. He has been swimming competitively for such, Black has made an impact during practice 10 years. and during meets.

Black has been on the Nation Ford swim team ”He leads by example. He always works hard for two years and has made a positive impact in in practice, never complains, and always gives his time with them. his very best at meets,” Coach Glasco said.

“Ethan is a really positive person to be around,

OCTOBER 2021

HISTORY

FIELDS

Quarantine Affects Athletes, Ticket Sales

by Justin Baxter

Due to COVID-19, some games have been cancelled or postponed, which made the school miss out on money from ticket sales and concessions.

“We adapt as it comes,” says James Shackleford, the athletic director for NFHS. “Some instances are last minute, and we cancel games, change opponents, change dates.”

COVID-19 has caused lots of problems for each and every sport.

“The team affected the most has been JV football,” Shackleford says. “They have missed at least two games due to COVID concerns for them and others.”

This year the Falcons will be having 19 home games for fall sports. Last year the school was not able to have as many home games and also lost revenue from cancelled or postponed games.

“For volleyball we couldn’t host tournaments, and that cost us,” Craig Brown head varsity volleyball coach said. “But we didn’t spend money on away tournaments or hotels, so it was barley noticeable.”

NFHS is known for having some of the best high school sports teams and with games being cancelled some teams were not able to show off their skills.

Other schools quaratining caused NFHS teams to make last minute decisions and cancel some games.

THE TALON

10 • OP / ED

What athletes need to win

Mental Health and Athletes

Mental toughness plays biggest role

by Kiara Wiley

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“It’s okay to be sub-par, just do your best,’’ said Colonel. His way of coaching has worked as the 45 National Titles the rifle team has earned since 2015 prove.

In a Talon survey regarding mental health, Nation Ford High School athletes indicated that mental health is a factor in performance. Of the participants in the survey, 70% feel as if their sport is mentally harder than physically, and all of those athletes are stressed while performing their sport.

Statistics in a poll last year conducted by Eastern Carolina University showed 95% of male and 85% of female athletes report higher stress compared to 52% of non-athlete students.

All athletes need mental focusing, and coaches need to make that a priority.

Athletes want reassurance that it is okay to fail; we want to know that if we are sub-par, it is good enough.

Physically we have the talent, but mentally, most athletes struggle.

Real strength begins with coaching the whole athlete. We cannot fear failure -- we must fail in order to grow and become mentally tough.

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Tall. Tough. Muscular. It’s every athlete’s dream -- bigger, stronger, faster. Nation Ford Rifle coach, Colonel Sean T. Mulcahy has a different philosophy. In truth, mental strength is more important than physical strength, and coaches must acknowledge the matter.

Atychiphobia is the fear of failure.

“When athletes fear failure, they unintentionally surrender to their opponent,” the Colonel says.

Of course, the feeling of failure is something that athletes know all too well. We are told we must not fail.We must not fail our coaches, parents, peers, but most importantly, ourselves.

We are required to learn the sport inside and out and step up when we are needed the most.

We must keep excellent grades in the classroom, and we are constantly practicing skills to succeed. We must not fail.

“Not any of my athletes have been perfect, and I do not expect them to,” Colonel says.

Colonel believes that mental focusing produces strong athletes. Mental focusing is the ability to concentrate on your current environment and put your direct mental effort towards your task.

“WHEN ATHLETES FEAR FAILURE, THEY UNINTENTIONALLY SURRENDER TO THEIR OPPONENT,”

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Nation Ford Survey -70% of Athletes feel as if their sport is harder Mentally then Physically -30% feel as if their sport is harder physically than mentally

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7 in 10 Athletes report feeling stressed while performing their sport By:Kiara Wiley

Online games should be considered real sport

by Connor Lambert Sport or game? Esports are a tricky topic to discuss. Are they considered an actual sport, or are they considered a game? Many people consider esports a game because it does not meet the physical requirements in other sports because the definition of a sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

But I believe that Esports should be considered a sport because despite not having as much physical activity in other sports, the main point of a sport is to be a competition of two teams for audience enter-

tainment, and esports checks off all of those boxes as a sport.

There are some similarities between Esports, and other sports. Such as you can’t play a video game or a sport one day and suddenly be amazing at it. Skill is required, just like how you have to put in practice into the game or sport to be good at it. Some other similarities in Esports and other sports are teamwork, competitions, strategizing under stressful situations and how to solve those stressful problems quickly.

Another reason people consider Esports as a game/activity rather than a sport is because Most sports encompass large motor skills, such as run-

ning, jumping, kicking, etc. and Esports does not cover those large motor skills. Esports do involve physical exertion with the movement in fingers, and hands, eye movements, etc.

In fact, the average actions being made from an Esports competitor being about 300 movements per minute and the fastest is around 500-600 movements per minute. For another sport, an example being football, makes about 550 movements per minute and so both take about the same amount of movements.

Even though there are similarities and differences, I believe that Esports should be just the same as other well-known sports.

The Talon Asks: Sport or not: What do you think?

“I think they could be considered a mental sport. A lot of games have to have the playing field even.

Fortnite, Apex, etc. aren’t because there are too many variables in those games, although there are games that don’t have many random factors, so you have to play with your strenghts and weaknesses. So I believe only games that require no Randome Number Generaton to win, and should be considered Esports. -Connor Hill (‘24)

The Talon Staff EditorS-In-Chief: Kaiden Bridges Miné Karatas Section Editors: TJ Hailstock Carly Jacobson Connor Lambert Sara Pipa ART: Lilah Skovran Ad Manager: Paityn Tumblin Adviser: Beth Swann

Staff: Josie Alsbrooks Justin Baxter Mackenzie Creasman Kalli Desai Elizabeth Ferretti Isabelle Fetting Connor Ford Emma Harrison Emmie Hayes Gabrielle Kiser Shania Marshall Hanson Nguyen Lucas Smalley Kennedy Warren Kelise Williams Kiara Wiley

803-835-0000 thetalononline2016@gmail.

1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715

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“Yes, I do think Esports should be considered sports. Esports and regular sports are similar in many regards. For both, you have to put time and effort to practice and get better. Not everyone can pick up a game or pick up a ball and instantly be the best around. I’d argue that Esports may be more accessible than other sports because you do not have to be extremely athletic to be better at them.

-Quinn Lewis (‘22)

Yes, esports should be considered a sport. They are rooted in competition, involve athletic and strong mental ability, require practice and now even take place in stadiums, cheered on by diehard fans, so in my view, esports check all the required boxes to be a sport!”

-CIO of the National Football League

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.

2015 Best Newspaper in South Carolina 2015 Newspaper Palmetto Award ALL STATE Rating for 2015 International 1st Place by Quill and Scroll Society 2015, 2016

OCTOBER 2021

OP / ED • 11

Student publication staffs’ rights revived

Principal Chandler makes decision to rescind prior review policy

Staff Editorial Student free speech rights have been regained after editors-in-chief and the adviser for The Talon newspaper and Voices literary magazine met with Principal Chris Chandler to propose a change in the publication policy. Chandler discontinued prior review for the rest of the school year, a big milestone for publication staffs and a win for the entire student body and community.

“Prior review occurs when anyone who is not on the publication/media staff requires that he or she be allowed to read, view or approve student material before distribution, airing or publication. Prior restraint occurs when someone not on the publication/media staff requires pre-distribution changes to or removal of student media content,” according to the Journalism Education Association. The organization is critical of both practices.

The Talon applauds the abandonment of prior review and the return to the open forum status the publications enjoyed when first established in 2007.

The new policy leaves students excited about being able to exercise their First Amendment rights. Student publications cover events and experiences that no other publications will publish, and this expression is crucial not only for the school community now, but it is of historical importance. Students must be free to express themselves and inform the community without interference, a real-world experience.

In the creative writing and Introduction to Journalism classes, students learn the importance of press law and ethics. The new policy includes em-

by Lilah Skovran

phasis on the principles of writing factual, informative articles about the events happening within the school, as well as fair and balanced coverage

Mask up

Fort Mill Schools must require masks

by Josie Alsbrooks Wearing face masks has been virus for that matter.

People have family members that proven to lower cases of not only are also compromised, and wearCOVID-19 but also drastically lower ing masks can prevent spreading other illnesses. We should all wear COVID-19 to them. You never know our masks. someone’s home situation. Some Wearing face masks is highpeople live with their grandparents, ly recommended by schools and and people with older age have been medical professionals due to rising proven to have a harder time fightCOVID-19 cases ing the virus. in South CaroliThere are na. also some peoEven though ple with youngthey are not reer siblings at quired, some home. Babies/ places including toddlers are not schools recomfully developed mend students We need to be more open yet and have to wear their not experienced to the fact that there are masks, supportmany viruses. ed by many parpeople trying to protect This can be exents, students, themselves and their tremely hard and teachers. on babies, and families. People need to There are peothey might not ple all around focus on being less selfish. be able to fight you who are compromised. This can mean dan- COVID-19.

People are compromised, scared, gerous consequences to people at trying to protect their families. Fort higher risk from people who don’t Mill Schools must enact a mask wear their masks. I myself am one mandate.

Recommending the masks of the hundreds of people in South doesn’t seem to be enough.

Carolina who is immunocomproWe all want to go back to normal, mised. People who do not wear but while the virus is here, we need masks are frightening for me and to be selfless and show care for othfor others. Autoimmune diseases ers by wearing our masks to stop the prevent high risk people from being spread of COVID-19. able to fight the virus -- or any other

OCTOBER 2021

in the newspaper. NFHS publications consider the audience and use the same ethical standards required by the Society of Professional Journalists.

The Talon appreciates the trust that Mr. Chandler has shown in students and is dedicated to responsible, fair, and accurate coverage. by KB

Optional Masking

Fort Mill Schools must keep policy

by Emma Harrison In 2020, mask mandates swept for the sliver of normal life returnacross the world as a result of the ing, when I first found out about the executive order, I was enraged, like rising COVID-19 cases.

As we began to get back into the most “mask wearers”.

Wearing a mask used to be a routine of school, we experienced an entirely different way of learn- no-brainer for me. I was influenced ing, and a new way to go about life: by the community around me and not being able to hear the entirety social media who continuously of your teacher’s lecture because yelled that if I did not believe in they are muffled by the mask; not wearing a mask, I was a bad person. knowing exactly what the new peo- This did not instill fear in me because ple around you looked like because of the virus, but because of what I you could only see the upper half of thought people around me would their face; not being able to interact believe about me if I didn't. As the and communicate with the people months of wearing masks began to around you for fear of the spread. become normal life, masks soon disThese issues slowed down not only appeared. I began to see fewer and fewer people our social inaround me wear teraction skills Not wearing a mask will them, including but our ability always be my normal, as it myself. I wasn't to be educated scared of the vihas been my entire life. and process inrus or the sympformation. We can finally ditch the masks, one of toms, in fact, I never was.

I don't wear a mask because to the biggest hurdles to our learning me, this is my way of returning to a experiences and socialization.

Why don't I wear a mask? The normal world.

I don’t think of wearing a mask simple answer would be because I don't want to. But the decision to not as a political argument. For me, I think that if you are at a high risk, wear mask is questioned everyday.

On May 11, 2021, South Caro- then yes, please wear a mask for lina Governor Henry McMaster your safety. But for high schoolers, banned the mask mandate not only like me and most of Nation Ford, in schools, but in government build- that isn't a concern and I don't think ings around the state. While I rejoice I should let something that doesn't in this decision now and am grateful affect me control me.

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OCTOBER 2021

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