The Talon issue 4 vol 14

Volume 14 Number 4

June 2021

The Talon Nation Ford High School

1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715

Life’s a Journey...

Enjoy the

Ride Consent Should Be Taught in School Exit 2

‘The Talk’ We Need to Know Exit 3

Students Demand Change Exit 4

2• opinion

A

Consent Should Be Taught In Schools Staff Opinion

ccording to the Rape, high schoolers should be taught the Abuse, and Incest importance of consent concerning sex National Networks every year.

While elementary students need to every nine minutes know about consent in the context of an American child is asking to hug their friends or play with sexually abused. Consent is extremetheir toys.

These building blocks proly important to teach students before mote students to understand the conthey have sex for the first time. Absticept of consent before middle school in nence-based sex ed is the curriculum a more appropriate way. for South Carolina, and as a result, Although the South Carolina Health 36% of high schoolers in South Caroand Safety Edulina have already cation Standards had sex in 2019, Since all families may teach consent according to the in grades 3, 5, CDC. Consent not have the critical and 9, that infreneeds to be a topconversation about quent lesson is ic covered early consent, students need to not enough. Stu-- in grades 3 and dents are missing up every year in learn about consent critical education our district and in

in schools. during middle the state. school and high Consent is deschool grades after freshman year. fined as permission or an agreement.

Students will never be taught about High School 101 teacher Kathrine Kerconsent after ninth grade in school, shaw teaches consent. “Currently, I teach that if someone says no, and you yet many still don’t understand what force yourself on them, then that is consent truly means. Even though sexual assault are not always preventable, considered rape.” she said This one lesson is nowhere near there are some ways to combat date/ enough. Even if these students aren’t acquaintance rape, which is commithaving sex, more likely than not, one ted by someone the victim knows soday, they will. If they don’t know the cially. Some ways to help prevent this basics of consent, there can be huge violence include being around people problems in their future. Middle and who respect boundaries and always

being clear about your limits.

Teaching students this information can help prevent date rape and confusion around what consent actually means. All of this education can go along with the legalities around sexual assault to help all students prevent date rape in case they did not know.

Since all families may not have the critical conversation about consent,

students need to learn about consent in schools.

After HS 101, upperclassmen currently do not learn about these topics in Fort Mill Schools. An easy fix is to have homeroom teachers address the topic for a week each year.

Consent is vital for students to stay safe and help prevent unthinkable situations for students. -CJ

Too Many People Sit At Lunch Tables

With students going to school every day, lunch tables are crowed leaving little to no space for social distancing at tables

by John Frick After everyone came back to school 4 lunches were established at Nation Ford, which is more than ever before. 4 lunches are necessary for minimizing virus spread. However, are there still too many people at lunch? Centers of Disease Control and Prevention states we must be 6 feet apart at all times, but it isn’t happening.

There are tons of unused tables in the senior section of the cafeteria. These open spaces should be used for all grades to sit and not be cramped with others in a pandemic.

After studying lunches over a week we found that 47% or 14 of 30 tables on average are open in the senior commons.

This is a safer option for our students and their families. All spaces to keep our students safe should be used.

Each lunch has its own amount of kids with 44% empty in the first lunch.

A good, and safe option for lunches are additional outside lunch tables, or outside lunch anywhere. In the past students have been able to leave lunch, but now they can’t, but it should be the opposite way, or outside lunch should always be available.

The Talon Staff Editor-In-Chief: Zaria Drakeford Section Editors: Addie Rae Allen Grace Asaad Mine Karatas Sara Pipa

Staff: Amaris Arroyave Rian Donahue Destiny Drafton Iyuna Drafton John Frick

ad manager: Alyssa Martin

Carly Jacobson

Adviser: Beth Swann

Elise Papke

Maddox Oxendine

Tatum Robbins Aiden Witkopf

Nation Ford High School 803-835-0000 1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715

With new variants of covid-19 spread rapidly, now may be the best time for teens to distance themselves at lunch. Even if all tables are limitedto 3 people, some students would still be within 6 feet.

Vaccines have recently been available to teens, this should help prevent outbreaks. Vaccines don’t solve the problem immediately, so students should still distance themselves during this time. If everyone worked together a virus would be easy to overcome, but current behavior makes it a real struggle.

ALL ABOUT Lunches and Covid Safety

Social Distance!

The CDC and other medical authorities say we must be 6 feet away. Yet people are next to each other with tables up to 2-3 feet away from each other.

Now is the time

Clearly not 6 feet apart Save lives by being smart!

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.

All-State & All-Southern 2021 International 1st Place by Quill and Scroll Society 2015, 2016. 2019

Cover photo by Lily Myers

The Talon

June 2021

opinion • 3

The Talk: Dangers Of Driving In America Police brutality: Black families are forced to talk to their children about what has been killing African Americans

T

by Destiny Drafton skin.

“Any black person who is aware of he Talk some families have to have. The Talk the news, who knows history, has to be everyone needs to have. anxious around the police,” said Paul By the age of 15, most Butler, a professor at Georgetown in an black teens and their April 19th NPR interview.

An extraordinary amount of power, families have to have “the talk” about and we know that they selectively use driving in America.

I remember my mom sitting me and this power against black and brown my siblings down when I was 13 after people. Living in America as an Afrianother shooting. We were told that can American is not ideal, we fear the one mistake while being pulled over men and women that are supposed to could cost us our lives. Police brutal- protect us.

Every time I’m in the car and a police ity in America is something that has been around for a long time. Black officer pulls up behind us I instantly families all across America have had to get nervous and my whole body tenses up. When deal with the you get in loss of a fami“Any black person who is a car everyly member by the hand of an aware of the news, who knows one is prone to making officer. This is history, has to be anxious at least one a matter that mistake, but most African around the police.” for African Americans Americans take personal-Paul Butler that one misly, but the rest take could of America can put behind them. However, everyone be fatal. Every time my brother gets should understand the pain and anger pulled over, he calls me just to be sure that comes when another black person someone knows what’s going on. Evis killed by a police officer. Police offi- ery time I get so scared because you cers should have to go to school longer never know what’s going to happen. because 6 months is not enough time. There are always good cops, but every These men and women are in charge cop can not be trusted to do their job of enforcing the law and I don’t think and treat everyone fairly. Some po6 months is enough time to teach and lice officers that have the most power and use it to be racist and biased. The evaluate the officers.

African American parents don’t power the police have over any and have a choice but to warn their chil- everyone is dangerous. Officers abusdren about the risk that comes with ing their power is why there is the term growing up Black. If you’re not taught police brutality.

White privilege is a very controabout the risk, you’re walking around blind to the bad things that could hap- versial subject, but when it comes to pen, just because of the color of your something like this you have to admit,

Ummm...

What am I being pulled over for?

I did nothing wrong!

by Destiny Drafton privilege shows. African Americans have to deal with things white people don’t have to worry about. African Americans have to walk out the house everyday worried something will happen. Being a black person sometimes feels like walking around with a target on your back. Feeling like that is something white people will never truly understand. When talking to white students, I’ve realized some parents have started the conversation about police brutality and how it can happen to anyone.

Black families see the same tragic events done again and again, and not

enough being done about it. Being targeted because of skin color is not acceptable, and African Americans and other people of color have not been heard.

At some point, we have to acknowledge what is happening and make changes. African American parents have to deal with the fact that they are sending their children into a world with people that only see them for the color of their skin.

It’s important for people to understand that it’s not the actions of African Americans – it’s the police officers who only see color and act on it.

Glamorization Of Mental Illness Has To Stop

by Amaris Arroyave When the media decides to portray mental illness, they are often praised. Reducing the stigma and representing people with mental illness is a great thing.

However, when the media glamorizes or romanticizes mental illness as something it is not, it becomes poorly represented. There is nothing “trendy” or “cool” about glamorizing those who live with a mental illness. The media must put an end to romanticizing and glamorizing mental illness.

Romanticizing mental illness is an example of poorly representing those with mental health issues.

Many teenagers have made mental illness out to be something trendy, quirky, and fun to have.

In recent years, young adults turned depression and anxiety into quirky personality traits. About twenty-five percent of the US population is made up of young adults with mental illness. They have also insisted that teenagers who do not have a mental illness are bland or have a boring personality.

“Psycho,” “Silence of the Lambs,” and “13 Reasons Why” are shows and movies that romanticize mental illness in some shape or form.

The popular show “13 Reasons Why” stars Hannah Baker, a high school girl who sent out cassette tapes blaming others for her suicide. The TV show dramatizes and romanticizes suicide. It shows the vast audience that instead of getting help, the only way you can escape pain is through blaming others and taking your own life.

Not only does Hannah’s death turn a pressing topic into a source of entertainment, but it allows for the copycat effect. The copycat effect is the alleged

June 2021

tendency for actions inspired or replicated by other actions, such as recreating another’s suicide.

The show also breaks the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Rules, which exist to avoid the copycat effect and misrepresentation of suicide.

After the show was released self-harm and suicide rates increased.

The glamorization of mental illness has also led to people faking a mental illness. A survey conducted from ages twelve to seventeen by mentalie.com concluded in one out of three teens admitting to having lied about a mental disorder to stand out.

Pretending to have a mental illness is dangerous for several reasons. When a person imitates a mental illness, those with an actual mental illness do not always get the help that they need.

A study has also suggested when someone convinces themselves they have symptoms of a mental illness, it could potentially work its way into their mind.

Another issue that ties with glamorizing mental illness is stigmatizing it.

Mental illness openly discussed in the media, in general, is great. To avoid the misrepresentation of mental illness, it is up to those who produce TV shows, movies, and books to do the background research and avoid glamorizing mental illness. This is so people who live with mental illness can get the help they need by raising awareness of resources that can support a person in need of help.

Depicting a person with a mental illness, without sugar-coating or glamorizing them, is the key to sufficiently portraying mental illness.

13 REASONS INCREASES SUICIDE-RELATED INTERNET SEARCHES Amaris Arroyave

Searches for "teen suicide" rises 35% Other terms relating to suicide were searched from 900,000 to 1.5 million people after 13 Reasons Why's release.

35%

THE TWO BIGGEST PROBLEMS WITH HANNAH'S DEATH SCENE Too graphic

Hannah's death scene was very graphic, showing every step of how Hannah died by suicide. Although the show's creators deemed the scene "appropriate," showing such graphic content is risky and reckless to sensitive and young viewers.

Every year,

800,000 people

die by suicide.

That's one person every 40 seconds.

Glamorizes suicide and mental illness The show presents Hannah's death as an alluring solution to her problems. It shows the vast audience that instead of getting help, the only way you can escape pain is through blaming others and taking your own life.

On average, 132

Americans die by The Talon suicide a day

4• opinion

Racial Slurs Should Not Be Read By Teachers Even If A Reflection of American History

by Tatum Robbins lmost all high school students in America are required to read To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and/ or Huckleberry Finn. English teachers use these books to teach critical thinking skills and help students better understand the evolution of American culture, but what do novels like the ones listed teach students about discrimination and racial slurs? Teachers should try to eliminate the use of racial slurs in literature to avoid making students feel uncomfortable or discriminated against.

The N-word is said 48 times in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and appears 219 times in Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, both of which were written by white authors. As a result, the books have been taken out of many high school English classes.

Although teachers may argue that the use of the N-word in literature is simply a reflection of history, the use of the slur is still offensive to students, regardless of how casually it is used in books.

“I never read the word aloud and I don’t make students read these books aloud either,” said Nation Ford English teacher Amanda Murphy. “Some students feel comfortable with it and some don’t.”

Teachers should aim to find another way to educate students on the intolerance of cultural differences prevalent in the time of these works. Reading

A

books out loud to a class that contains such oppressive language creates controversy about what can be read and who it can be read by. Teachers should try to avoid reading these books out loud to the class and letting the students read them out loud.

“The word is not hurtful, how it’s used is hurtful, the person saying it is hurtful,” said David Bradley, who is an author and professor at the Uni-

“The word is not hurtful, how it’s used is hurtful, the person saying it is hurtful.”

- David Bradley versity of Oregon, in a CBS 60 Minutes interview.

In the same 60 Minutes broadcast, the reporter learned that the publisher of Huckleberry Finn released a censored version of the story replacing the N-word with the word “slave.” The story was censored for schools to use if they felt uncomfortable using the original text. This term, however, was not any better for the story. People felt as if the word “slave” was equally as hurtful as using the N-word.

Teachers have several ways of handling these situations.

“I once had a student that felt uncomfortable reading [Huckleberry Finn], so I gave him an alternative as-

signment,” Murphy said.

“I provide students with articles that discuss the use of these terms in literature and society.” English teacher Richard Solt said.

Students have also shared some other ways that teachers handle racial slurs.

“In the past, I’ve had teachers simply skip over slurs and other controversial words,” said Nyla Riley (‘23).

“This year while reading To Kill a Mockingbird, my teacher played an audio version for chapters that had slurs.”

Teachers should always aim to make sure their students are comfortable reading the material before assigning it. Even if students seem comfortable reading the material, teachers and students should not be allowed to read racial slurs in books out loud in the classroom.

Teachers should educate students on why these words are used prior to reading the text, and they should be open to hearing students’ opinions about how they feel about reading books with these words in them.

All instructors should try their best to help students understand why the texts are being read. If students are not comfortable with reading the assigned material, teachers should be willing to provide either a censored version of the book, or another assignment entirely. No student should have to feel attacked reading something in their own classroom.

The N-word in Literature The N-word is used 48 times in To Kill a Mockingbird

The N-word is said 219 times in Huckleberry Finn

The N word is said 6 times in Of Mice and Men

School Must Listen To Students For Solutions

O

by Rian Donahue ftentimes when schools have issues, they tend to overlook their greatest resource–a resource packed with untapped creativity, problem-solving skills, and perspectives.

What if that resource was right in front of them the whole time? What if that resource was the largest population in the school–the students?

On April 26, The Talon staff surveyed students on their concerns about school. The students had a lot to say, especially regarding dress code, cell phone issues, bullying, and racism– issues regarding our school’s culture.

And these are matters that are fixable with the right approach.

Bullying has become a considerable problem in American schools, and many schools can’t seem to find the best approach to abolishing it.

One school in Ontario, Canada asked for student input. Collectively, this small group of students, each different from the other, came up with a plan. The plan was simple–they’d split the student body into houses and devised a point system. Each house competes for points and a winner is chosen at the end of each month. To earn points there is a range of competitions.

Losing points, however, is more of an individual liability. For example, skipping class, ISS and D-Hall will drop the houses overall points.

The house plan promotes a greater sense of community, making students feel less alone, ultimately decreasing bullying. It’s a system that could be useful in our own school.

Often, the administrators are faced

JUne 2021

with a problem and might not know how to address it. Input from students and teachers would be a great way to solve it.

By making the school more democratic, we can figure out what works (and what doesn’t). If there’s an issue within the student body, administration should ask the student body at large how to fix it. Ask them what would make it better.

Similarly, if teachers are having an issue, the teachers should be asked how they want to solve it.

Another issue that many students find problematic is cell phone restrictions throughout the school day. Out of the roughly 250 students surveyed, 115 said that our school’s phone policies are “unnecessary and a bit childish.” Yes, it is widely understood that Nation Ford is a school, students aren’t allowed the opportunity to learn how to self-regulate.

By giving students more responsibility, we are able to figure out what works best for us and how to manage our time wisely.

Eventually, we will leave high school, and when we do, we won’t have the ability to balance the growing hold technology has on our lives with our normal day-to-day activities if we have no practice.

At the end of the day, all students want is to be treated with respect and treated fairly. We want to be prepared for our future, we want to learn, we want to grow, but most importantly, we want a voice. And the best way to do that is to change the dynamic.

You can’t expect teens to act like adults but while being treated like

The Talon

Dear, Nation Ford

On May 26th, The Talon staff surveyed 248 Nation Ford students anonymously. This is what those students had to say.

Fair 8.5% 5.6%

69.3%

of students said that the dress code victimizes students.

"Honestly, as a male I feel like there’s a lot of sexism towards the females in the school and the dress codes should go both ways.

It’s [easy] for males to slide by."

3 IN 10 students, are part of the minority population in the school. 30.6% of that population experience prejudice during school.

16.5% Unfair 41.5%

27.8%

"There is an undercurrent of racism in the student body that I have observed and experienced. Students often make offensive statements veiled in humor or absurdity about anyone from lgbtq individuals to immigrants and all people of color."

children. That’s where the community everyone works so hard to create and maintain every day begins to unravel.

All students want is space to study, improve, and become hard-working young adults.

The Talon

News • 5

Mercy, Mercy!

‘Mercy Rule’ May Not Be So Merciful

by Erek Ortiz Athletes are no stranger to the mercy rule, and its impact on youth sports. This regulation comes to play when a team is beating their opponent by a wide enough margin, officials alter the game. They enforce this by shortening the time remaining, having coaches of the victoring team pull out their starters, or by ending the game entirely. The intention of this rule is to spare adolescence the humiliation of a blowout.

Though this idea may seem profound, it’s effect on the players suggests otherwise. Pulling kids away from the losing aspect of the sport induces them with a quitters mindset. If young athletes adopt this mentality, winning will no longer hold its value and the incentive to improve will cease to exist.

In Blake Harper’s article “Should The Mercy Rule Still Exist?” Olympic champion Robert S. Herbst emphasized the importance of learning how to lose.

“We need to let kids play out the games fully, otherwise they can’t learn that failure is a part of life. There is now almost a stigma with losing. Losing shouldn’t be shameful, it’s a part of life and it’s okay. Learn from your mistakes and get better.”

“Learn from your mistakes

Goodbye Mr. Johns

Principal Jason Johns Takes position as superintendent, says goodbye to Nation Ford, Fort Mill School District

by Alyssa Martin After a great seven years of having Jason Johns as the principal of Nation Ford High School, he is leaving the nest. On April 19, Mr. Johns was chosen to be the superintendent of the school system of Anderson County.

He has accomplished many things while bePrincipal Jason Johns ing here at Nation Ford such as making our school one of the best performing schools in South Carolina and getting named a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.

With many accomplishments and the thriving he has done, he will do great things at Anderson County, but many are sad to see him leave.

“I am sad that Mr. Johns is leaving because I do not get to finish my four years with him, he has been nothing but a wonderful principal and I will miss

him,” says Mine Karatas (‘22) Along with many students being upset about this drastic change, Mr. Johns is also downhearted to be leaving Nation Ford, “I am very sad to be leaving, I am certain that I will look back and think about my best years being here and I will miss the kids, the teachers, and the families.” says Johns.

Not only is Johns sad to be leaving Nation Ford, but also is devastated to leave his hometown he has known forever, Fort Mill.

“I am definitely going to miss being a part of such a positive and enthusiastic community, and seeing students at the grocery store, Valero, and 7/11.” he says. With this saddening news though, Mr. Johns is excited to open this next exciting chapter of his life.

He knows that he will have new challenges to face and has faith that he will improve the school system.

“I’m looking forward to all of the new challenges that are going to come my way and that I will be able to affect pre-k all the way to high school students for the better.” says Jason Johns.

Mr. Johns has shown students what it means to be a part of school culture and has expressed his love for our school in many ways and will leave a footprint on Nation Ford forever and Nation Ford students remember, “I love you, your teachers love you, and let’s get after it.” Mr. Johns says.

and get better.”

Robert Herbst, Powerlifting Olympic Champion Robert believes that losing isn’t shameful and it shouldn’t be portrayed as such. It’s an essential part of life, showing us why we failed and how to change the outcome. Instead, the mercy rule promotes the notion that losing is indeed shameful rather than focusing on the prime aspect of life -- dedication. The mercy rule has negative effects on coaches as well as players....They can be suspended, fired or even fined for not abiding by the rules.

According to Dan Carson’s article “PeeWee Football Team Fined for Breaking Mercy Rule.”

The head coach of the Lawrenceville Black Knights was given a one week suspension and a $500 fine for “breaking” the league-ordained rule. It was the fourth quarter and Lawrenceville was on top 32-0. The losing team threw a bad pass resulting in an interception by eight year old Elijah Burrel who scored a touchdown, making the score 33-0.

The harsh punishments that the officials rained on the coach for a player following his natural instincts is mad. Most of the time young athletes are unaware of what rules they have broken and what consequences they can inflict onto others.

Furthermore, putting these expectations onto the coach is unethical and therefore the mercy rule should be eliminated from youth sports.

The Talon

Practicing outisde during class, JROTC listens to instructions by Sergant Major John Logan during a sunny day on Friday, May 14. Photo by Carly Jacobson

JROTC Impacted From Covid

by Destiny Drafton

JROTC takes on A new challenge as restrictions get put In place

Like many other classes and programs at Nation Ford, JROTC has been affected by Covid 19, but despite challenges Nation Ford took home another first place in the JROTC National Air Rifle Championship.

“Many of our functions, that brought us together like a family, had to be postponed such as the Marine Corps ball” said Cadet Caroline Audette ’23.

Things such as participation in community services have been postponed due to Covid. JROTC is a class that consists of after school activities, such as a drill team and a rifle team that were also affected

by Covid.

“The air-rifle team has been the least affected by Covid due to the small number of participants’’ said

by Sergeant Major John D. Logan.

The rifle team still competes, but not in as many competitions and also not as many teams. Although a couple of tournaments were “postals” this year in which students competed here, and then mailed in their targets, the majority were standard “shoulder to shoulder” style meets where social distancing could easily be maintained. Maya Cameron ‘22 won 1st place in the JROTC National Air Rifle Championship,and many other students also placed.

“Drill team was affected the most,” said Sergeant Major John D. Logan. Drill team competed on March 6th at South Iredell High School in Statesville,NC for the first time this year. “The drill team was only able to go to one competition due to Covid, but came in second place,” said cadet Caroline Audette. Nation Ford also received an invitation to the JROTC Drill National Championship in May. The academic team participated in a “Virtual Knowledge Bowl” on Zoom this past November.

Nation Ford will compete in several more Regional and National Championships between now and the end of July this year. Their two first-place National finishes this year were their 34th and 35th National Championships respectively since 2015 when they won their very first.

Nation Fords team “A” won the National Championship for the 6th year in a row. “B” team finished 4th place and the “C” team finished in 5th place out of 23 teams across the country. “ We have to practice social distancing so teams have to be more spread out.” Sergeant Major John D. Logan said.

JROTC is a class that focuses more on physical activities, so to do that the students social distance and keep their masks on while working out.

June 2021

6 • Centerspread

Class of 2021 USC: Columbia Neha Arunprakash Neha Biju Zack Billings Mallory Burnette Adam Bush Jhonny Chase Cole Coffee Catherine Conot Jiya Desai Caleb Dozier Braeton Graham Emily Harris Audrey Jones

Clemson

Abby Kuebler Yui Miyawaki Bella Meyer Albert Nguyen Skyla Petti Ana Ponce Josh Pope Trevor Puzzio Victoria Robinson Hannah Scott Avani Shah Amber Snincak Trey Thomas

Anna Lister

Jet Trull Ryan Walczak Jenna Wosje

University of North Dakota Jay Antriotis

Ball State

Abby Clawson Sam Crotty Ainsley Ellis Andrew Enger Genevieve Hammonds Ashley Henkel Tim Houston Kalyn Huntley Topher Irish Divya Kandpal Megan McCabe Payton Ober Riyah Patel

So

Miami Univ

Josephine Cl

Ohio State

Madeline Barhorst

Drew Moore

University of Southern Caifornia Alexandra Cardona Vanessa Cardona

Uninversity of Kentucky Sydney McHorse Kayla Kalenza

Olivia Werme & Kathryn Schwab

North Carolina

UNC: Charlotte

Appalachian State

Jacob Karelitz Alice Lendos Duc Nguyen

Dylan Butler Kourtney Forbes

Winston Salem State

Johnson & Wales

Landon Coleman Marvin Green II

Shelby Black

University of Tennessee Lindsey Harley

Mercer University Anna Schneck

East Tennessee State

North Carolina A&T

West Carolina

Ainsley Archuletta

Georgia Tech

Ashlea Johnson

Zaria Drakeford

Teddy Feldmann

Charlotte Piedmont Kayla Quinlan

Military Army

Navy

Ethan Bowling Isaiah Johns Camden Wisner

James Taylor

Photos by Alyssa Martin

Marines Brandon Breeland Mikey Norris Alex & Vanessa Cardona

June 2021

The Talon

S

Centerspread •7

Destinations

outh Carolina Aaron Pendergast Madison Peeler Jonathon Pool Johnny Reagan Maggie Revis Margaret Rosinski Isaiah Smith Kaitlyn Vu Theresa Weber Heidi Williams Jeremy Willoughby

College of Charleston Isabella Cipriano Hope Cornette Ashley Diblosi Scottie Peters Lily Pike Jack Rea Sophia Saidon Kathryn Schwab Olivia Werme

versity

lark

Winthrop

MIT

Gerado Berlag

Roanoke

Jada Brown Laiya Champaigne Brady Dyson Kennedy Foster Alejandro Ibarra Roman Kaur

Anderson University Miriam Cabrera Ashlee Keller Lexi Hanushek

Iyuna Drafton Layla Washington

USC: Lancaster

Coastal Carolina

Charleston Southern

SC State

Hailey Griffin Hannah Phillips Amber Porter

Selah Taylor

Camryn Lorrick Layla Haliq Nyasia Hatchell

Cameron Ziegler

Converse College

Furman University

Newberry College

Columbia College

Salisbury University

Citadel

Justin Henderson

Katie Pou

Nick Biebel Jake Budd Lexi Bumgardner Alyssa Martin Logan Robson

USC: Upstate

Emily Moriss

Marissa Makwinski Breanna Sernick Hannah Weber

University of Pennsylvania

USC: Beaufort

Wake Forest

Kenyatta Holmes

Howard University

York Tech

Jenny Campos Sami Kelly Khonnie Kounbandith Sierra Lindquist Savanna Misenheimer Noah Morrison Erik Ortiz Rachelle Rygol

Wesley Wallen

Ty Keaton

Gage Fenbert Colin McBride

Payton Brookover

George Bujoreanu

Florida University FSU Tyler Blush

Lucas Grigat

Samford University Liberty University Sydney Sain Kate Barrier

Kayla Kalenza

The Talon

Joshua Gilstorf

Hannah Phillips & Madison Peeler

June 2021

8 •news

The Showdown At The Arch Sgt. Major John Logan takes MCJROTC Drill Team to St. Louis, MO

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by Mine Karatas

he MCJROTC Drill Team won top awards after going to St. Louis, MO to participate in the “The Showdown at the Arch” in lieu of a National Championship. Due to Covid-19, geographic MCJROTC Regions 2 (Southeast U.S.) and 5 (Texas) were not able compete as usual.

“Despite a major travel hiccup (thanks to a bomb-sniffing TSA dog), we arrived safely in St. Louis. Thank you to all who had expressed concern

“What these cadets were able to do this year was remarkable to say the least.”

-Sergeant Major John Logan for us. We needed the prayers and they were answered,” said Sergeant Major John Logan. He says he is proud that his young and inexperienced team went up against the Region 2 rival school and 2018 National Champions: South Iredell H.S., and several National Championship schools from Texas “None of these teams were limited in numbers of cadets, nor were they restricted from regularly competing throughout this school year,” Sergeant Major

Standing under the Arch, MCJROTC Drill Team travels to St. Louis MO for a National Champoinship.

Logan said. Even with a disadvantage, their team won two first place trophies in Armed Regulation drill and Unarmed Exhibition drill. They also placed second in Armed Exhibition drill and finished the tournament Third Overall.

“These cadets knew nothing but hard work in practice this year with very little opportunity to perform. Yet they went out there on Saturday and held

Ruckus With Dress Code Students voice their opinions on dress code policies

by Alyssa Martin & Mine Karatas

male teachers confront female students, which Nation Ford clarfied the controversial dress makes girls feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. code during the morning announcements on “Male teachers should not be able to dress code April 29 after a number of infractions, resulting in renewed conflict. For years there has been con- girls. It’s uncomfortable,” Delgado says.

Historically, women have been objectified. In troversy over what is allowed and not acceptable an Australian study, 81 women were studied over for students to put on their bodies. time, and each woman reported that they were Freedom of expression was put in place in targeted for objectification between 3 to 4 times on 1791 in The First Amendment of the U.S. Constiaverage, as well as being a witness to sexual objectitution, but dress codes are still permitted within fication of other women 9 to 10 times on average. public schools.

In Fort Mill schools, female students also feel as In the schol dress code handbook, the regulaif their freedom of expression is being taken away. tions on clothing are not what younger generaPrivate schools have the tions are accustomed to ability to enforce rules that wearing. For instance, must be followed, and the the handbook states that students must follow these shorts may not exceed rules because they choose to the mid-thigh, but with go there. today’s style, shorts are However, students in not made to be knee public schools are required length, especially for Vernia Delgado (‘23) to attend that public school, women. Students have making dress code a disputbeen protesting the rule able topic. on shorts during school.

Some coaches agree the dress code is problematAs the weather warms up, students tend to ic. want to wear shorts and other various summer Softball Coach Craig Brown says, “If girls in the clothes, but the code does not consider shorts and school get dress coded for wearing a certain thing, summer tops to be appropriate for school. This then so should boys.” causes controversy, making some students feel The reinforcing of dress code policies caused embarrassed. tension to rise between sports’ teams as girls “Girls should be allowed to wear athletic attempted to wear uniforms and shorts during the shorts to school,” Vernia Delgado (‘23) says. school day.

“They are comfortable and the weather is getting Issues arose with the dress code due to students warmer.” being incorrectly told by some coaches that they Female students also feel discriminated could not play if they intentionally violated the against. They feel that the code favors male dress code. The statements re-ignited the argument students over female students. In a circumstance over what is appropriate to wear at school. where a male wears the same length shorts as a Many students say that the district dress code female, the male genrally does not get dress coded while the female does. This increases tensions. should be rethought and give more consideration to females due to the embarrassment.

Another factor that creates tension is when

“Girls should be allowed to wear athletic shorts to school.”

June 2021

their own against the some of the very best experienced drill schools in the Nation,” said Sergeant Major Logan.

The Drill Team has never had this many freshmen on a team before since 2015.

“What these cadets were able to do this year was remarkable to say the very least, “ said Sergeant Major Logan.

Nation Ford Dress Code: - Tops must be long enough to be tucked into pants or shorts

w - Logos or clothing that promotes drugs, profanity, racism, or hate are not allowed.

b - Shorts and dresses must be no shorter than 4 inches above the knee.

f - No headwear (hats, hoods, etc.)

.

- Proper shoes must be worn at all times.

The Talon

The End Of An Era

features • 9

Nation Ford says goodbye to Assistant Principal Pam Pittman

by Carly Jacobson & Aiden Witkopf

“There she was -- this beautiful, The whole crowd erupted athletic girl who walked down around her, and she she said it the halls like she owned them.” was amazing. Mrs. Pittman felt She still does, but next year, Asso loved and special at that mosistant Principal Pam Pittman ment, and she will never forget will be enjoying retirement. Afit. ter 13 years, Nation Ford is say“Mrs. Pittman is definitely a ing goodbye. go-to person if you are going Mrs. Pittman was raised in through something,” Yaya AusFort Mill and attended Fort Mill tin (‘22) said. Students know her High School. She played volas a tough administrator but also leyball, basketball, and clarinet know she will be there no matter during her time there. These acwhat. tivities inspired her to become a Administrative assistant and P.E. teacher at her alma mater. long-time friend Dana Gibson Mrs. Pittman and her hushas known Pam Pittman since band went on to get their masthe two were in school together ter’s degrees together. They both at Fort Mill High. got offers to be assistant princi“Although I will miss Mrs. PitAssistant Principal Pam Pittman with Petelo Tuipulotu on May 13, 2021. pals at Fort Mill High School, man’s presence and friendship, Photo by Carly Jacobson but were hesitant about leaving without a doubt, she deserves the students, the smiles, and memories of being transferred in 2007 when Nation Ford was built this next season of her life,” Gibson said. a teacher.

“She has put in countless hours of blood, and has been here ever since.

“I wasn’t ready to not be around the kids anyMrs. Pittman’s favorite memory at Nation Ford sweat, and tears for this school district, students, more because that’s my favorite part,” Mrs. Pitt- was two years after the school opened. and community.” man said.

In closing, Mrs. Pittman wanted to share a During a pep rally, she was talking to the stuHowever, she realized that as an assistant prin- dents from the middle of the gym and told them, parting statement: “I’ll miss my people, I’ll miss cipal, she would still be able to work with kids, so “I went to high school at Fort Mill and worked at y’all, I’ll miss my teachers, my support staff, and she accepted the assistant principal position. She Fort Mill, but I’m now a Falcon!” the interactions I have every day.”

C512: Where Magic Happens

Senor Jose Figuero pushes students to reach highest potential

by Tatum Robbins

planning.

He’s not your average “I wouldn’t have teacher. In room C512, made it as a teacher if I Spanish teacher Jose didn’t have the team that Figuero - known by stuI have here at NAFO” dents as Señor F. - makes They’ve helped me so it his mission to provide much in that aspect,” he a safe and engaging said. learning environment After all of his planfor all of his students. ning, a typical class peSeñor F. is originally riod might look several from Tenerife, an island different ways. in Spain.

“Some days were He moved to Amermore relaxed while ica in 1994, and went reading our class novto college at Meridian el,” said Wosje, “while and Winthrop where he others were just full of coached and played socfun memorization activcer. ities.”

Señor F. wasn’t alOne of his main priorways planning on beities is to make students coming a teacher. feel safe and confident in “I graduated with a his class. business degree,” says “I like to think that Señor F. “I needed a my students feel safe in change of career. I didn’t my class and that it is a like the business world.” safe environment for stuWith his coaching exdents,” said Señor F. perience, his wife, who His students agree is also a teacher, it made Through a demonstration, Spanish teacher Jose Figuero animatedly helps Sara Pipa (‘23) with her homework on May with him. him consider becoming 7. Photo by Alyssa Martin “My favorite part a teacher himself.

“Señor F. for sure made me feel prepared for the about Señor F. is that he is so approachable and easy “I kind of liked that feeling of being involved next levels of Spanish classes and made me more to come to with questions,” said Wosje. with people,” says Señor F. confident in my abilities to speak the language,” said Señor F. is very passionate about his students and Señor F. takes pride in doing everything he can to Jenna Wosje (‘21), a former student of his. nothing he does is just for him. help his students.

Señor F.’s favorite part of teaching was being able “You don’t teach for accomplishment,” said Señor “He tries his very best every single day to be the to see the impact that he made in his students’ lives. F, “every semester you finish is an accomplishment. best teacher he can be for his students,” said Jennifer “I love seeing the differences you can make in The biggest accomplishment to me is when a student Burriss, one of Señor F.’s colleagues. the students that come back every year,” said Señor calls me or emails me and says, ‘Señor F. look what Señor F. wants to help all of his students feel pre- F. I’m doing! I’m on a mission trip and I’m using my pared and confident in not only his class but also Teaching also has many challenging aspects. Spanish or I’m translating in South America for dochigher level Spanish classes to follow.

Señor F. said that one of the hardest parts of his job is tors.’ That’s an accomplishment to me.”

The Talon

June 2021

10 •Features

Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands Sophomore Charity Revell creates her own nail business

by Sara Pipa

as well as if the client will like their nails or not,” she The smell of acrylic monomer fills the air while the explains.

Charity is slowly overcoming this obstacle by conbuzz of the electric file fills the room. Finally, after What is your astrological sign? stantly practicing her skills in order to become better so much tedious work, you end up with the finished for future clients.

Aquarius Virgo product- a lovely set of nails. The person behind the 6.7% The time to complete a full set of acrylic nails varPisces work? Nation Ford sophomore Charity Revell.5.6% Sagittarius 3.3 % ies.

For example, a longer tipped nail may take more Charity is 15-years-old and became interested in 4.4% time compared to a shorter tipped nail, and addilearning the art of doing nails around September Aries tional “bling” or designs increases the appointment 6.7% of 2020.

She was inspired by her cousin, Shamiyah Capricorn time.

New nails techs often take more time to comJones, because she saw her making money from the 6.7% plete nails than their more experienced counterparts. profession.

It usually takes Charity around one hour to an hour Charity has found a love for doing nails, both for and 30 minutes to finish a set. herself and others. She says that her favorite part is People usually pay for a full set around $60, but seeing the ideas that her clients come up with for Scorpio since Charity is too young to get a certified license, their nails and how they come out in the end.

7.8% she cannot charge people. However, she can request As a small business, Charity buys all of her supa donation, whichTaurus is how she makes her money. plies herself first to create a profit. She has spent up 17.8% Charity has decided to advertise her business to about $1,500 all together for the nail supplies that through social media.

She made a nail account on Inshe has used up to this point. stagram that goes by the name “@youniquenailsby“With nail supplies, you can’t buy cheap materichar_”.

Here, she posts her results and currently has als andLibra think you’re going to get the best,” she says.

64 followers.

She has been accepting clientele since “You truly have to look into what products you are 10% the end of April. buying without spending more than you need to.”

“I have put a lot of thought into doing nails As Charity is somewhat new to this venture, there when I get older, but I don’t think it’s something I are still some aspects she struggles with. would want to do when I’m older,” Charity says. “I Gemini “I personally think the most difficult part of doing 7.8% wouldn’t mind getting my license when I turn 17 and someone else’s nailsLeo is building the apex (the spot doing nails as a side hustle.” right where the tip being used meets the actual nail) 8.9%

Posing, Kiersten Deer shows off her new nail-bling done

by Charity Revell (‘23) on April 17th, 2021.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nail technicians is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is faster than average across occupations. Charity has the skills to take part in one of the fastest growing cosmetic professions, even if she uses her abilities as a side gig.

“My experience with Charity was awesome,” says one of Charity’s first clients, Kiersten Deer. “She has great customer service and I recommend going to her.”

Cancer

%

14.4

BEST SIGN

WORST SIGN

1. Taurus

1. Scorpio

2. Leo

2. Gemini

3. Libra

3. Aquarius

4. Cancer

4. Aries

5. Cap.

5. virgo

Star Crossed

The Talon’s guide to astrology

by Alyssa Martin and Sara Pipa From Tik Tok to Instagram, the ideological phenomenon, astrology, is spreading like wildfire worldwide.

Astrology is based on the ideas that each planet represents the lively part of our being, or a component of life -- for example, our emotions, ways of communicating or thinking, our love languages, etc. Astrology is deep rooted within the idea of zodiac itself.

Zodiac is an imaginary belt in the heavens centered on the ecliptic that encompasses the evident paths of all the planets, then divided into 12 constellations or signs each taken for astrological purposes. These constellations then create the 12 zodiac signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

Astrological signs fit into four main groups; fire, water, earth, and air. The fire signs include; Aries, Leos, and Sagittarius’. Water signs include; Pisces, Scorpios, and Cancer. Air signs include; Aquarius’, Libras, and Geminis.

Earth signs include; Taurus’, Virgos, and Capricorns.

What do the types of signs represent? According to AstroStyle, fire

june 2021

signs are passionate beings and competitive, while water signs are mostly known for being intuitive and sentimental. The earth signs are categorized as grounded and pragmatic, while air signs are known for being communicators and air-heads.

Astrology also provides jobs such as astrologers which is a person who uses astrology to tell others about their character and their future. They have been hired by many people and even by those in roles of power to benefit them in ways like timing businesses and investments.

For example, around the mid-1980s, Ronald Reagan’s wife, Nancy Reagan made the decision to turn to an astrologer for help. She hired astrologer Joan Quigley to protect her husband.

In a sense, Nancy made decisions based on astrology. She wrote in her 1989 book that astrology was a factor in determining Ronnie’s schedule yet it was never the only one.

Astrology had originally come about in the 1960s and wasn’t that popular but is now blowing up due to social media and because it makes people feel like they are a part of something that allows them to see crazy coincidences within their life.

Ask Maddox!

Under Pressure

The Talon provides advice for dealing with teen peer pressure

by Maddox Oxendine

Peer pressure is a very common school. Lots of people can be peer thing to deal with when you’re a teen- pressured into this by their partner ager. Whether it’s drugs or alcohol, even though they don’t want to do or less significant things like wear- it. ing a trendy outfit, peer pressure Kids need to learn to say no to has affected these things us all. even when Learning to say no can be However, they think peer presthat their sure is not very beneficial to your life and friends will always a bad think they’re make you more confident in thing. “lame.”

Say your When beyourself. friends are ing pressured all going to into small a theme park, but you really don’t things like eating spicy food by your want to go because you’re afraid of friends or taking an embarrassing roller coasters. Your friends pres- picture, it’s always okay to just say sure you into going with them but no without hesitation because this it allows you to get over your fear choice won’t have long term effects of roller coasters. Peer pressure can in the future. push you out of your comfort zone However, when making more and help you discover new things. significant decisions like going to a According to a study by Colum- huge party with no adults or sneakbia University, Nearly 10 million ing out of the house, it’s better to not young people, ages 12 to 20, report- be impulsive. ed that they’ve consumed alcohol in Take some time to think about the past 30 days. your choice and the consequences The legal drinking age for the that could follow.

US is 21, so that means ten million People think that saying no is a teenagers admit to drinking in high bad thing or embarrassing when reschool. Being peer pressured into ally, it’s not. under age drinking can result in Learning to say no can be very things that can be easily prevented beneficial to your life and make you like car accidents or getting arrested. more confident in yourself. ThinkThe average age of a person that ing about the consequences before loses their virginity is 17 years old, you make a decision could change via Teen Vogue, which means that the entire outcome of something, most kids do in fact have sex in high and maybe even your entire life.

The Talon

Features •11

...Baby One More Time

Looking Back: Gen Z’s obsession with nostalgia explained

REVIEWS

VERSUS

AT A SALON Graphic by: Tatum Robbins

Con: Damaging to your hair

Pro: Don't have to leave home

Con: Don't have access to professional products (better color)

The Talon

W

WBACK TO T O H HR

2000'S!

by Addie Rae Allen

The 2000's saw many iconic moments. Here's the lowdown!

HANNAH MONTANA AIRED ITS FIRST EP. IN 2006 LADY GAGA DEBUTED WITH HER FIRST ALBUM, THE FAME IN 2008 THE GREAT RECESSION ENDED IN 2009 Hazy memories of trading Silly Bandz with friends and watching George Lopez late at night are all that some teens remember from their childhood.

With repressed or pruned memories, these moments of bliss allow teens to glorify their early years, even if the reality of it was much darker.

The fashion and entertainment trends of today can be viewed as a coping mechanism. Early and mid-2000s icons Britney Spears, Ashley Tisdale, and Destiny’s Child, as well as childhood shows such as Spongebob, Victorious, and iCarly can remind teens of life before they were responsible for navigating their emotions.

Music and fashion from or influenced by the 2000s is a bright, low-waisted distraction from life today in the 2020s.

Color, Corrections and Costs–Oh My!

AT HOME

Pro: Cheaper to do at home

happen during childhood, the brain may choose not to memorialize it. Repressed childhood memories are not fully forgotten, but rather neglected as means of protection. Because of this, memories can feel as though they suddenly resurface during adolescence.

When teens have had time to process an emotionally harmful period in their lives, they may then be driven to replicate the seemingly happier time when they couldn’t understand the emotional turmoil they were faced with.

However, teens now find themselves in the midst of a unique event. One of the most defining moments for this generation is the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were shut down, parents/guardians lost jobs, and political tension in the U.S. surged. These factors buried teens in an isolation that has had a significant impact on their mental health.

“Honestly, it was kind of rough for me,” Reynolds Young (‘23) says. “I was in quarantine for my birthday, which was really bad, and then I went on to spend several more months with nobody but my family for company. Tensions rose, and patience grew thin. I was angry half the time, and sad the other half.”

The pandemic is much different from other impactful events for the younger generation due to the fact that teens can more readily digest the resulting effects on their mental health. Teens no longer live in an involuntary ignorance like they did less than a decade ago. Now, they’re in a period of their lives where they have more understanding of the world and their own feelings. hat happens when the importance of an interpersonal relationship isn’t stressed?

It’s a common narrative, especially in the South, for feelings to be “swept under the rug” and repressed only to resurface years later when taking care of children; since the parent/guardian didn’t know how to cope with their own feelings, it’s unlikely that they’ll know how to support their children’s feelings.

This cycle of emotional neglect can be a proponent of trend regression.

T

C

ami-dresses, lingerie shirts, layered hair with chunky-dyed strands. Sound familiar? The trends of today are not novel in any way, but rather reminiscent of past fashion. These trends have been documented as cyclic -- however, the cycle has been shrinking.

This isn’t a coincidence, it’s a science.

Trends usually recur in 20 year periods; the trends of the 70s influenced those of the 90s, and then these neo-70s trends influenced those of the 2010s. But today’s trends go against this system: they look very similar to fashion from only a little over a decade ago in the early and mid-2000s. The “y2k” tag that indicates something is early-2000s inspired is popular among sites such as Pinterest, TikTok, and Depop -an app where anybody can buy or sell their clothes.

The desire for simpler times in Gen-Z can be traced back to prominent social and political events starting from the late 90s. For example, the stressful effects of the 2009 economic recession allows people to more easily romanticize their childhoods.

Like any recession, the sudden event in 2009 caused an increase in unemployment rates in the U.S. Unemployment causes tension in households; according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the South saw higher rates of divorce than any other region in 2009.

Single-parent/guardian households face a unique set of challenges and often have to make difficult sacrifices to maintain their lifestyles. While children are not able to fully process this, they do notice.

Bad things happen during childhood, but as a result of a child’s underdeveloped brain, they may not realize the severity of the stress until much later.

The process dubbed by many neuroscientists as “brain pruning” explains this. A child’s brain is extremely active; the average synaptic firing rate in children is much greater than that of a teen due to the fact that kids are faced with new experiences everyday. However, the cell connections created from synaptic firing can be overturned, or “pruned,” overtime if the brain deems them unimportant.

Similarly, when traumatic or damaging events

E

by Addie Rae Allen

Pro: Have professional brands and better tools Con: More expensive

Pro: Less damaging to your hair Pro: many salons include wash and style

Con: more time consuming (washing and style)

The Talon investigates which dye brands are best for your hair

by Tatum Robbins

natural colors is Pravana.

When color isn’t applied right it can be extremely Whether you want blonde, black, or bright pur- damaging to your hair. When stylists and hair care ple, going to the salon to get your hair dyed can be professionals apply color or bleach to a client’s hair, a fun way to express yourself or make a fun change they are using a correct ratio of chemicals, color, and for yourself. Coloring your hair at a salon is better developer to avoid hair damage. than doing it at home because hair care professionals “When mistakes are made during at home colorhave access to better hair coloring ing, most people end up going “Color correction costs supplies and tools. Schwarzkopf to the salon to have it fixed,” Vibrance is a brand used by prosays Amber Robbins, a professionals to provide a vibrant are usually much more than fessional stylist. “Color corcolor without damaging their cli- what the service would have rection costs are usually much ent’s hair. more than what the service cost originally....”

Schwarzkopf Vibrance is great would have cost originally, so for natural colors such as blonde, the money you thought you - Amber Robbins brown, and darker reds. Demi were saving by doing it yourpermanent hair color lasts longer self gets spent anyways, plus than semi permanent but not as long as permanent. more. The hair also becomes more damaged than if The Schwarzkopf Vibrance brand doesn’t take as you had gone to the salon in the first place.” long to develop as some other brands do. The cost of Stylists also use dye that they know will work on the color is about $12.95, but the cost of the service at your specific hair type. the salon differs depending on the stylist.

Box dyes and at home dyes are made one way For unnatural colors such as purple, blue, or which isn’t good for all hair types. green, it is still better to go to a salon.

The Schwarzkopf Vibrance color doesn’t wash out When changing to an unnatural color, you almost of your hair very quickly. Their demi and semi peralways have to lighten your hair first, unless you manent color is less damaging than permanent color, have platinum or very light blonde hair naturally. and this brand of color also makes your hair shinier.

Going to a salon will ensure that your hair is getThe Matrix color is less damaging than other unting lightened without being severely damaged, natural color brands, but the amount of damage also which happens often when it’s done at home using depends on the amount of lightener or bleach that is at home dyes. Going to a salon will also ensure that used. lightener and color is applied evenly.

If you are looking for a color that’s shiny, vibrant, One brand that works well for unnatural colors is and non damaging, ask your stylist to use SchwarzMatrix Socolor Cult. Another superior brand for un- kopf Vibrance.

June 2021

FEATURES •12

REVIEWS

‘Shadow and Bone’: Worth The Watch

S

by Amaris Arroyave

hadow and Bone”, the engaging Netflix adaptation of the book under the same name by Leigh Bardugo, released on April 23, 2021. It held one of the tope ten show spots as viewers eagerly clicked “next episode.” There are currently eight episodes available, with each episode lasting between 48 and 55 minutes.

The series begins in the Fold, a dark area filled with pterodactyl-like monsters known as volcra.

No one has ever gone through the Fold and survived to tell the tale. Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), a cartographer, spent most of her youth in an orphanage after her parents braved the Fold and never returned.

There she meets Mal (Archie Renaux), a loyal friend and excellent tracker. Years later they leave the orphanage and are drafted to be in their home nation’s first army, Ravka’s first line of defense against external threats composed of non-Grisha. A Grisha is a human who can manipulate matter in its most basic form. Grisha Fabrikators, Grisha who have special powers, have designed a ship they believe is strong enough to go through the fold.

Mal is one of the soldiers chosen to go on this voyage, which surprises him and terrifies Alina.

Not wanting Mal to go on this dangerous journey unaccompanied, Alina sets fire to the army’s maps of West Ravka, which compels her commanders to send her cartographer unit on the trip.

They enter the creepy, gloomy Fold. Despite being ordered to remain silent and in the dark, a boy lights a lantern, which attracts the volcra. Many crew

mates are severely injured, one of which being Mal. Before a volcra attacks Alina, she creates a blaze of light and kills it, surprising herself.

Meanwhile, in Ketterdam, Kaz Brekker (Freddy Carter) is taking on a quest. Dressen (Sean Gilder), a wealthy tradesman, is looking for people willing to cross the Fold. If Kaz and his team can come up with

“When I was young, I was afraid of the dark. When I got older I learned that darkness is a place, and it’s full of monsters.”-Alina Starkov a plan to voyage through the Fold, he will be hired for the job.

If he is not successful, the job will go to another who desires the prize. The prize for this job is worth $1 million, and the task sounds like a simple one. All Kaz has to do is bring Alina Starkov to Dressen.

The actors all do an excellent job portraying the characters from the books. Alina was the only point of view in the book series. But, the TV series screenplay goes into many character backstories and points of view.

Because of the excellent acting, set designs, and special effects, the show seems more superior in

comparison to the books.

Jessie Mei Li does an exceptional job delivering an intriguing performance for the main character Alina.

Jesper Fahey (Kit Young) was another character who was well presented. He did a fantastic job depicting Jesper’s outgoing and humorous personality.

The character relationships in “Shadow and Bone” are similar to that of ABC’s “Once Upon A Time.”

Over the years, Mal and Alina have grown a strong relationship and care for one another. “Once Upon A Time’s” Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) share a similar bond. Both Mal and Alina and Snow White and Prince Charming have made it clear that no matter what separates them, they will always find their way back to one another.

Some scenes, in particular, were reminiscent of scenes from “The Hunger Games.”

Katniss feels a wave of fear pass through her when one of the people chosen to participate in an annual fight to the deaths was her younger sister. When Mal is chosen to ride aboard on the Ultraviolet, the ship going into the Fold, Alina too threw herself into a dangerous situation to protect the people she cares for.

Overall, the plot is excellent and accurately depicts the book characters. The only flaw in this series is how quickly it moves. There are many characters and story lines to keep track of in eight episodes, which can sometimes be hard to keep up.

The world-building and characters are what make the show what it is: a phenomenal, captivating story.

‘Far From The Tree’ Re-imagines Family Values

R

by Elise Papke

obin Benway’s 2017 award winning book, Far From the Tree, takes readers on a journey of three siblings as they discover the true meaning of family.

The story reflects the difficulty and hardships that come with being adopted or getting caught in the foster care system.

Grace had always known she was adopted, but when her parents told her she had siblings, she was sick with surprise.

After emailing her sister, Maya, the two met up and agreed to find their brother, Joaquin. Grace and Maya were both adopted as babies, but Joaquin was trapped in the foster care system.

The three began meeting once a week, growing closer and closer. It seemed they knew everything about each other.

But each teen has a shattering secret.

Grace has a baby. Maya has a mom with a drinking problem, and Joaquin can’t control his anger.

Grace, Maya, and Joaquin are trying to fight their individual battles on their own.

Joaquin and Maya resent their birth mother for giving them up. But Grace believes she felt torn just

June 2021

like she is about her baby. Throughout the story, their problems get worse.

Grace is harassed by boys at school. Maya’s mom is in rehab. And Joaquin is afraid of being adopted a second time.

By telling each other their secrets, they will discover the true meaning of family, and unconditional love. ar From the Tree is told through the perspectives of Grace, Maya, and Joaquin. Three siblings in three different families. The multiple perspectives help build the characters personalities, and offers plentiful insight into their actions and thoughts. The book features a series of events that shape the relationship between the trio, and strengthen the bond they’ve formed.

The conflicts each teen faces get worse and worse for a long while. Anticipation grows as nothing gets resolved until the very end.

Benway could have included more rise and fall in plot, but overall, the persisting conflicts really helped develop the characters.

Benway did a terrific job underlining the troubles so many adopted children face. Far From the Tree is a beautiful book that defines the line between siblings and family.

F

The Talon