The Talon Vol.12 Issue 2

December 2018

Volume 12 Number 2

Nation Ford High School

1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715

NFHS School Fees Not Transparent Game Over

Athletes (‘19) Look Back

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Local Holiday Fun

2•news

FCCLA Holds Gift Drive For Local Families

by Hayden Biebel The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is bringing the community together to help Fort Mill families have a merry Christmas. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx “The purpose is to help families that don’t have the incentives that we take for granted,” Hailey Fletcher (‘19) said.

Last week, FCCLA held the Charlie Brown Christmas Drive and collected money and angel tree gift donations.

“I love doing the Christmas drives.

It’s such a good way to give back to the community,” Peyton Fisher (‘19) said.

NFHS raised $1,154 throughout the week, as well as the individual gifts that were also donated.

“I’m proud of our student body for coming together and donating,” Angela Costanzo (‘19) said. “I’m so proud to be a part of FCCLA.”

Miller Earns Recognition

F L A S H

B A C K

T O

2 0 1 8

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Hawaii On Jan. 1: California became the largest U.S. state to legalize cannabis for recreational use.

Jan. 13: A ballistic missile alert in Hawaii mistakenly went off and caused panic.

Feb. 21: Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall became the first Americans to win gold in womens’ cross country skiing.

March 14: Students across the U.S. commemorate Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and protest gun laws with mass walkouts.

March 26: “The Black Panther” became the highest grossing superhero movie in America earning $631 million.

May 18: A 17-year-old student at Santa Fe High School opened fire in the Art Department killing 10 and injuring 10 in Texas.

June 11: Net Neutrality was officially repealed by the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S.

July 27-28: The longest total lunar ecplise of the 21st century, lasting one hour 42 minutes and 57 seconds.

Aug. 2: Apple became the first American public company to reach $1 trillion in value.

Sep. 14: Hurricane Florence makes landfall near Wrightsville Beach, N.C. with the highest windspeed reaching 137 mph.

Oct. 6: Brett Kavanaugh was sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court after an FBI investigation amid accusations of sexual misconduct.

Oct. 27: Gunman shot and killed 11 people and injured six at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Penn. in an antiSemitic attack.

Named SC Secondary Assistant Principal Of The Year

by Kailey Cota Assistant Principal Debra Miller was named the 2019 South Carolina Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) on Nov. 29.

SCASA focuses on quality public education for all South Carolina students by providing support and development for school leaders.

Mrs. Miller says she is humbled by the award and insists that she couldn’t have done it without NFHS’s administrative team.zzzzzzz “I feel like the award is an honor for the entire school and our school district because you are only as great as your team,” Miller said.

Principal Jason Johns agrees with Mrs. Miller. zzzzzzzzzz “Mrs. Miller’s leadership style is a perfect example of shared leadership,” Mr. Johns said. “She does an excellent job unifying everyone she works with and inspiring everyone around her.”

by Makayla Brown

FLASHFORWARD TO 2019 The senior class graduates on June 7.

“Toy Story 4” premiers June 21.

“The Lion King” live action film premiers July 19.

Lana Del Rey’s album releases March 29, 2019.

by Makayla Brown

The Talon

14835 Ballentyne Village Way #150 Charlotte, NC 28277 Brian Donovan (704) 369-5300 December 2018

Sports• 3

Former Star Player Turns Challenges Into Gold

by Jacobie Henderson ike any other kid who loves the game of football, Jibrille Fewell wanted to succeed and play in the NFL. Fewell is a Rock Hill, S.C. native who owns Carolina Xposure, a sports management company for teens who want to make it to college sports.

Carolina Xposure is a company that helps student athletes achieve their dreams of playing sports in college by exposing athletes to schools. The company also gives kids an idea of what college is like and takes athletes on college tours. Fewell wants to give kids the experiences he wish he could have had when he was their age.

Fewell started playing football for the Philly Road Falcons when he was 7.

Young Fewell admired players Deion Sanders and Warren Sapp. Growing up, he wanted to be just like them.

Fewell wanted to help his family out by making money playing the sport he loved, just like his role models.

Fewell admired the swagger that Sanders brought to the game and Sapp’s dirtiness in the trenches. He tried to match their playing style and tenacity on the field.

As Fewell got older, he became a more successful player. As a 6’2” 290 pound lineman, he played for Saluda Trail Middle School and South Pointe High School.

L

But then, adversity strikes in 2009. this opportunity.

It’s the beginning of Fewell’s senior Fewell excelled on the football year – and he got in trouble. team, and he was a valuable player to ”I didn’t play my senior year. I got the team. Then, an even better opporin trouble, but was able to play Divi- tunity for Fewell popped up. Fewell’s sion I,” he said. defensive line coach Turner Gills left Fewell missed his entire senior the school, but he didn’t leave Fewell season as the behind. When consequence Gills left Buffor his actions, falo, he took but he was Fewell with able to go to a him to the LibDivision 1 colerty Universilege because ty. he stacked up After Fewell offers his jumade it to the nior year and Liberty Unicommitted to versity, he Buffalo Uniquickly beversity. came an asset After losing to the team and all of his bigwas one of, if ger Division 1 not the, best offers, he felt players on the lonely and like After facing challenges, former football player team. At the nobody really Jibrille Fewell turned his misfortunes into a time, Fewell had his back, company that helps student athletes get scouted was being rehe said. Fewell by colleges. Photo by Jacobie Henderson cruited by the didn’t feel the NFL. same -- he wasn’t like himself, he says.

“My junior year in college, I had This was a hard time for him, and he an NFL scout,” he said. “He came to felt as if his dreams slipped through see my last game, then the NFL aphis fingers all because of one mistake. proached me to send in my informaAt Buffalo University, Fewell took tion. They gave me a grade rewarding advantage of the opportunity to play my position. They also asked about my ball in school. He made the most out of character.”

But his past life caught up with him when NFL scouts eventually found out about his high school troubles, which caused teams to pass on him. Fewell still kept working— he didn’t want to quit because he knew if he went home, he would have to go back to nothing, and his family already had a lot on their plate. Fewell decided to persevere and finish school, earning a degree in journalism.

Fewell then started Carolina Xposure so he could help athletes like him.

Fewell did not want kids to go through what he went through. He didn’t want them to feel alone if something bad happened. ”[Getting in trouble senior year] is why I decided to do what I do now,” Fewell said. “I remember when that situation happened, and I felt alone and that I didn’t have anybody in my corner.”

Jibrille Fewell wants to see kids with potential succeed— he doesn’t wish failure on anyone. He is making sure he can provide for those who don’t have anyone to back them up.

Today, Fewell offers good advice to young people. “Work hard and research everything that you are trying to do,” he says. “For example, if you want to be a doctor, research it to see what you need to do to get there. And don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it.”

Boys Varsity Basketball Looks To Dominate Court Tonight Against SPHS

by Hayden Biebel & Dewuan McCullum

C

oming off of a dominating 15-2 season last year, the boys’ varsity basketball team hopes to conquer South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, S.C. tonight.

Nation Ford defeated the AC Flora Falcons on Dec. 14 in triple overtime with a score of 79-75. The boys to improve to 7-2 on the season at press time.

Zeb Graham (‘19) led Falcons with 33 points, and Malik Bryant (‘19) added 29. record and are ranked 23rd in the state heading into tonight’s matchup.

“We can never be too confident too early in the season. We’re learning

how to work together as a team,“ Head Coach Jared Adamson said.

The Falcons will have a major advantage tonight, starting all seniors with Shaman Alston (SG), Bryant (CG), Graham (PG), John Heath (G), and Sean McCabe (SG).

Coach Adamson expects the boys to gain more experience working together and playing as a team.

“We want to play physical and beat our opponents,“ Combo Guard Bryant said.

Being one of the top teams in the state, Nation Ford is prepared to bring the heat to the gym and give the South Pointe Stallions a tough ball game.

Girls Varsity Basketall

Racks Up Wins, Works Toward States

by Joi Nelson

The girls take on South Point High at 6:30 tonight at home, and they are ready to roll. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx With a 7-2 record at press time, the hard work and dedication of the girls varsity basketball team is paying off.

Without any major injuries holding them back, this season they expect their ending record to be better than last year. Center and lead scorer Amiah Lindsay (‘19) averages 13 points and she’s looking to help the Falcons get the win.

“I hope we’ll end this season with states this year,” Makala Blackwell (‘19) said. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To complete the season with high-scoring games, the team strongly believes in always starting their

December 2018

game days with a couple pregame rituals.

“To get our mindset, we all like to listen to music and get ready for the game,” Keely Wong (‘20).

Each player on the team has their own specialty, and they all highlight it each game.

With Nanie Greene (‘20) on fast breaks, and South Carolina State commit Lindsay (‘19) finishing around the basket, there won’t be much competition from other teams in their conference.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Waking up early to be at practice before school is one of the many strategies the team uses to prepare for a game.

Practicing drills and plays are important to the game, but working as a team is the number one, Lindsay says.

During the second quarter, Shaman Alston (’19) makes a fast-break layup, taking the game to 34-32 at halftime against Porter Gaud during the Battle at the Rock Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Nation Ford. The Falcons came away with the win 82-51.

Photo by Jacobie Henderson.

NaFo Varsity Wrestling

Falcons Strong, Look To Tournaments

by Charles Creech The Falcons finished fourth at the Demon Holiday Tournament with strong individual performances by Dylan Tindall (‘19) as Champion, Henry “Dax” Stegall (‘19) as Runner Up, and Steven Johnson (‘21) in third place. xxx The team has already beat Boiling Springs, who they hadn’t beaten in three years and came away with their first ever win against Dorman High School. They also won against Broome, and Lexington.

The team is lead by seniors Kyle de Leon, Jacob Moore, Bryson Perdue, Stegall, and Tindall.

The Falcons are expecting a well-rounded season this year by placing wrestlers atop the podium and putting in the work. The team has

practiced five days a week for the past two months to prepare for this season, and the practice is paying off. They have won nearly every match, including those against three of the top 20 teams in South Carolina.

The team is a formidable opponent and will be participating in many state-level playoff tournaments, as well as team playoffs. They hope to win titles in the upcoming tournaments and continue to practice in preparation.

They relentlessly work on the basics, which enables them to take their competition to a higher level. xxxxx “Our team has gotten off to a great start with strong senior leadership and a core group, which really started to turn the corner,” Coach Daniel Snell said.

The Talon

4• sports

k c a B g n Looki Senior Athletes Share Favorite Memories

Photos by Rob Upton

Football

Anthony Ahumanda (CB) My favorite memory was either beating Fort Mill for the fourth time or getting my first INT of the season.

I will miss being with all of the guys and playing football with them.

Dewuan McCullum (WR, QB) My best memory was scoring two touchdowns against Fort Mill. What I’ll miss about high school sports is not being able to play with the guys anymore.

Ashten Shaufert (DE) My favorite memory from high school sports is finishing my senior year with a four-peat against Fort Mill. I’m going to miss how close the team was and the overall atmosphere of playing at home.

Carson Carruthers (QB) I’ll miss summer weightlifting and my relationships with my teammates.

André Moore (DT) My favorite memory was making it to the second round of the playoffs. I’ll miss playing because it was my last year.

Arondé Smith (T) My favorite memory was beating Fort Mill. One thing I will miss is not being able to hit anyone on the field.

Harrison Cohen (WR, FS) My favorite memory was beating Blythewood in round one of the playoffs.

I’ll miss playing and practicing with the boys the most.

Michael Peterson (LB) I’ll always remember beating Blythewood in the first round of playoffs. I’ll miss the bus rides home from away games because they were lit.

Kaleb Starnes (SB, WR) I loved forming a brotherhood that won’t be broken.

I will for sure miss the Friday Night Lights.

Hunter DeYoung (RB, WR) The Fort Mill game is my favorite memory, we all worked as a team to lay the wood on Fort Mill.

The thing I’ll miss most is walking onto the field and knowing every single guy out there has my back.

Wayde Prince (QB) My best memory is the Clover game and seeing how happy and excited everyone was when we won.

What I’m going to miss most about high school sports is playing at home in front of the fans.

Noah Tamez (OLB) My favorite memory was beating Blythewood. I’ll miss the bus rides to and from the games because that is when we got lit.

Jason Pugh (RB) My best memory was playing against Fort Mill.

I’ll miss being able to play with my team.

Ceasar White (DE) My favorite memories were always catching dubs with the boys. I’ll miss my teammates because we had such a strong bond.

Gauge Frayne (DE,T) My favorite memory from the team is playing with the same people since freshman year.The main thing I will miss are the dumb things we did for fun during practice and pregame.

volleyball Spencer Henkle (OT) My favorite memories were the bus rides home with the team. I will miss putting hard work into football each week with my team.

Nathan Lovette (WR) Beating Blythewood in the playoffs was my favorite memory. I’ll miss catching dubs with the boys.

december 2018

Sam Rygol (OLB) My favorite memories were the rides back from playoff games. I will miss the bond that I have with my teammates.

Jon Sanders (DE) The best memory I have is probably when we beat Fort Mill, because we all have so much fun beating our rivals. The thing I will miss most is my teammates because this year I had a team of people I actually felt were my brothers.

Gretchen Fischer My best memories were forming the friendships that I’ve had over the past four years. I’ll miss the excitement of playing with a state-winning team.

Cammy McDonagh

My favorite memory was winning state and winning regions all four years. I’m going to miss the fun bus rides with the girls.

The Talon

sports •5

& What They’ll Miss About Playing High School Sports swim

Cheer

Ciara Johnson My favorite memories were always bonding with the team. I’m going to miss having another family to go to every day after school.

Brooke Roberts My favorite memory was when everyone supported me when I was injured. I will miss how the team was one big family.

Nick Grigat My favorite memory is swimming my final race at states in the 200 freestyle relay. It was awesome because everyone in that relay stepped up and swam some of their best times.

I will miss working hard and improving with my teammates both at practice and at meets.

Gracyn Kidd My best memory was when we won regional last year. I felt accomplished.

This season was very exciting for me. I had a ton of fun, and felt like I was a part of a family that I’m going to miss.

Kenzie Roccia I loved going to all the competitions! Getting ready and performing with my team made me feel good. Last season was the end of high school cheerleading for me. I wish I could do it all over again.

Olivia Kuebler My favorite memory was swimming with my little brother and seeing him excel at it. I will miss all my teammates next year; I’ve gotten to know each of them and can truly call them not only my teammates, but my friends.

Emily Kuhn My favorite memory was hitting zero at regions in front of a crowd with my 16 best friends. I will miss all of the friends that I have made throughout high school sports.

Keara Spencer My favorite memory from this season was the Friendsgiving that we had together. I’ll miss the competitions, bus rides, and the fun that comes with being on NFVC. I’ll also miss being around my amazing teammates!

Tori Morgan My favorite memories are jamming to throwback hits in the locker room and making everyone angry when I played Christmas music on the bus! I will miss all of my friends and the satisfaction of my hard work paying off!

Claire Pond My favorite memory was when we won regionals in the 2017 season. I really loved the 2018 season because the team felt like family.

Justin Therrell I loved all of the competitions and the bus rides to them! I’m going to miss the fun practices and spending time with the team.

Macy Spillmann My favorite memory from the season was getting Jersey Mikes before the meets. The thing I will miss most about high school sports will be competing against other schools in the area.

Tennis Riley Doyle My favorite memory was becoming number one in the region. I will miss seeing the team every day after school.

Kathryn Little I loved all of the bus rides to our away games with the team. Hanging out with everyone on the team is what I’ll miss the most.

GOLF & XC

Chandra Kusuma The best memory would be senior night and when we pulled off a win against Northwestern when we were about to lose. I’ll miss the teammates when I graduate and also coming out to practice every day and playing matches.

Elizabeth Little My best memory was beating Fort Mill. I’m going to miss my team and all the friends that I have made.

december 2018

Cynthia Vu My favorite memories would definitely be jamming out to music at swim meets. I’ll miss high school swim for so many reasons, like getting to know students that I never would have had the opportunity to meet.

Mady Hines My best memory of the season was when our team beat North Western after they beat us the first time.

I will miss the coaches and all the friends I have made by being on the team.

Camila Rivas My favorite memory was senior night, and we all won our varsity matches.

I will miss the friends and relationships that I have with the girls.

Amber Bellamy My best memory is getting my scores low and consistent. I also enjoyed getting to know new girls and teaching them. One thing I will miss about school golf is making new friends and meeting new people.

David Sain My favorite memory was running with my teammates and hanging out at each other’s houses. I also liked going to Waffle House after every meet! I love all of my teammates, and I did my best to encourage them.

I can’t wait to see what they do in the future.

The Talon

6• centerspread

From Rags To Riches

COLUMN

Materialism: A Cycle Of Dissatisfaction

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by Bethany Houston

by Justice Wehrmeyer

lothing, shoes, electronics — Americans love to buy things. After all, we live in a materialistic world.

Rather than investing more into life’s experiences, many of us spend time and money on acquiring objects that we believe are tangible indicators of our happiness. However, the truth is we are simply distracting ourselves from what’s important — relationships and experiencing what life has to offer.

“Retail therapy,” as author Anne Lamott calls it, is when people consider material possessions to be physical comfort. In other words, people sometimes buy items to make themselves feel better.

The idea of shopping to ease an emotion sounds silly, however, according to Health Line, an online magazine, studies verify that shopping actually causes the brain to release more Serotonin: a chemical that makes us feel good.

I will admit I like material things as much as anyone. But I want my space to be small and my life to be big; I don’t want to rely on possessions.

To be materialistic means to have

Material things truly afford us much less pleasure than experience does. values that put a high priority on making a lot of money and having numerous possessions, as well as a prestigious image.

Anyone who is obsessively focused on money or cares deeply about owning luxury goods can be described as materialistic.

Unfortunately, materialism relates to compulsive consumption – excessive, inappropriate, and unruly consumer behavior.

Shopping and spending money is anticipated this time of year, especially on Black Friday, making it clear that Americans have a bad reputation for both materialism and compulsive consumption.

With the holiday season coming up, a lot of people are thinking about gifts to buy their family and friends. Instead of buying material gifts this year, consider crafting homemade gifts or buying personal experiences for one another. For example, tickets to a game or concert are always fun to receive! The holiday season is meant to bring people joy: it’s the thought that counts.

Material objects will never fulfill our search for long term happiness — materialism is simply a cycle of dissatisfaction — material things truly afford us much less pleasure than experience does.

The Talon

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Fort Mill Family Battles Poverty, Makes Comeback

“

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Note: Names in this article have been changed for privacy reasons.

was 7,” Amy prepares herself to tell a long, emotional story. “It was Christmas,” she begins.

Mom, what’s for dinner? she recalls asking her mother.

And then came the bitter words that no child wants to hear on Christmas day: There’s cereal in the kitchen.

Amy is a senior at Nation Ford. Over time, her family has come to live the “American Dream.” However, the journey to success for their family has not been easy.

Amy was born in Denver on the floor of her first home. She had one sister at the time, Grace, who already knew the struggles they would soon face. Their father was a policeman, and their mother worked at Walmart.

By the time Amy was 2, she had a new little sister, Carly. They moved into a small apartment but were quickly evicted; their family of five was left on the streets.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz “At the time they kicked us out, we didn’t have wheels on our car… and all of our stuff was in storage… They stole it and threw the rest of it out, so almost all of my baby pictures are gone,” Amy explains.

She begins to fidget with a blue bracelet on her right arm. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz “It took a while… we left [Denver] when I was 1-and-ahalf and moved into my grandmother’s house when I was 3.”zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz It took Amy and her family a year and a half to travel from their apartment in Denver to their grandparent’s home in Illinois. zzzzzz “[In the time between] we were homeless and living in tents,” Amy answers solemnly.

Grace recalls the hard times she had on the streets: “It sucks growing up some nights when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.” zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Grace says that if she could have changed anything from her past, she would have given them a better childhood.zzzzzzzzz

One of her earliest memories was also during this time. z “A massive storm hit. We had to take shelter in the bathtub, and we sat together with candles and Spam sandwiches just trying to enjoy each other while staying calm,” she said. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz The events are hard for Amy to recall as she was so young when they occurred, and her family is sensitive about the subject now. She tries hard to remember every detail she has picked up from conversations over the years.zzzzzzzzzzzzz It took a few years for her family to become somewhat stable again. Amy’s mother worked at the Walmart in Illinois, and her father got a new job with Continental.

The family was eventually able to move into a home of their own, but this didn’t do much to help them progress financially. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz “[When I was] around the age of 6, we got our first house there [Illinois], which was like one room, and it was infested with ants,” Amy recalls.zzzzzzzz Amy says that the only memory she has from this home is going to play with one of her toys and having a swarm of ants come out as she picked it up.zzzzzz Eventually, her family had enough money to leave the ant-infested home for a more stable one that “had two floors and a basement.”zzzzzzzzzzzzz It was at this time that Amy began noticing the side effects connected to her family’s financial instability over the years.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz “I didn’t have a birth certificate until I was 6 because I was born at home. I don’t know the time I was born, I barely know the day… so my birthday could be untrue.”

Amy emphasizes her last point, noting that her “birthday” is in the next few weeks.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Just when things seemed to be getting better, a new challenge arose for Amy and her sisters. zzzzzz “I was home alone at the age of 8 or 9 with Carly and Grace while my dad was traveling, and

“It sucks growing up... when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.”

my mom was [on vacation] with her boyfriend.”

It took the family nearly three years to come to the realization, but Amy’s mother had started a new life for herself, and eventually she left Amy with her father and two sisters. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Amy takes a deep breath. “I was 11 or 12 when we bought my grandfather’s house… me, my two sisters, and my dad moved into that house away from my mom.”zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz At this point, despite everything that seemed to be against them, Amy and her family found their way to financial stability. As it turns out, Amy’s mother was an alcoholic, so without her in the picture, there was a lot more money to be used for food and a home. zzzzzz zzz“Not only would she constantly cheat on my dad, but she would blow through all of our money with alcohol and smokes,” Amy blurts out.zzzzz zzzEven with more money on hand, it still took a while for Amy’s father to get back on his feet. zzzz zzz“We were always at ends meet… we still don’t have savings,” Amy said. “It was hard to get out of each rut; every time we would make some money, something would happen.

When I was 14, we ended the year with $37... We came so close so many times.”zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz But, Grace feels thankful for their struggles in some ways.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz “My past has made me more generous with money,” she said. I remember when we used to struggle, and knowing what that’s like has made me jump on the chance to buy or pay for something for others.” zzzzzzzz

Recently,zAmy’s family was financially stable enough to move from Illinois to South Carolina.

Amy’s father earned a promotion at work that required him to relocate.

The family specifically chose Fort Mill because of its school system. They wanted to come to a place where they could start over. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Now, sisters Carly, Grace, and Amy have grown.

“I feel as though [Amy and I] have grown closer and argue much less,” Carly says. “She [Amy] is very mature, very wise, and doesn’t let things get to her easily.”zzzz Grace agrees: “when we work through a challenge, it brings us closer together as sisters.”zzzzzz Moving to Fort Mill gave the family an opportunity to create a life for themselves where they could be happy and safe. Now the family has a stable income, lives in a secure home, and hasfriends and family members they can rely on.

They have made a comeback - proving all they really needed was a second chance.

“I didn’t have a birth cirtificate until I was 6... so my birthday could be untrue.”

December 2018

$chool Fees

School Fees Pay For More Than Students Know

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by Zaria Drakeford

ees have been imposed on parents of public school students for years to cover expenses, however, a The Talon investigation reveals that parents and students aren’t aware of where their money is actually going.

Accounts for specific charges include additional expenses not listed on the website where mandatory fees are paid. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Required General Fees Required fees listed on students’ accounts at Nation Ford include a $30 instructional fee, $7 publication fee, and access to the website Vocabulary.com for which students are charged $10.xxxxxx “The instructional fee covers any item for students that is used for educational purposes, such as a site license, books, and anything a teacher might use to teach with,” NFHS bookkeeper Annette Irvin said. “The publication fee covers communication that has to be printed. For example, it subsidizes the cost of the school yearbook.”

“The price for the vocabulary website is $10 for each student and every student is required to use it,” she added.

Vocabulary.com is a company the school decided to use primarily for English classes, replacing the $13 vocabularly workbooks used in previous years.

The school now charges $10 for each student. If all 2,188 students pay, the school will collect close to $21,880.

However, the company says they charge the school only $3.53 per studen, which means the school pays only $7,723 for Vocabulary.com.

Even allowing for the 16 percent of Nation Ford students who are not required to pay because they receive free or reduced lunches due to lower family income, the school should receive fees of more than $18,379.20 for the Vocabulary. com fee — a difference of $10,656.20.

Students are being charged an extra $6.47 for Vocabulary.com, so where does the extra $14,157 go?

According to Assistant Principal Debra Miller, the money collected for Vocabulary.com also goes towards instructional materials for classrooms and websites Quia.com, Padlet.com and Lynda.com, which are used for educational purposes.xxxx As of Nov. 9, only 580 students — only about a fourth of the student body — had actually paid the fees required before the start of the school year. The amount each student owes is listed in PowerSchool for them or for parents to see. Students who do not pay fees can’t attend

prom and will not receive a diploma. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Parking Fees Another payment that the school requires from drivers is for student parking on campus. The price for a parking pass is $50, and it can cost an additional $25 for seniors who want to paint their parking spots, though students pay for all supplies themselves. (Before paying the school for parking, students are required to take Alive at 25 driver safety classes, which can cost $40 if students are not the first 50 to sign up for classes held in the school district.)

Many students say they are unhappy with the price of parking passes.

“I think the price is a little crazy for a parking pass, but as long as the money goes towards keeping our parking lot and school efficient, safe and clean then it’s okay,” said Josephine Clark (‘21).

However, according to Principal Jason Johns, the parking lot fees go not only toward maintaining the parking lot, but also toward buying microwaves and tables for the Commons, for paying security personnel, and for supplies for student clubs.

“The parking passes are way too expensive,” Rawan Hamed (‘21) said.

“The money should go towards getting more parking spots and having more space in the parking lot.”

Local Holiday Experiences Festive, Fun

by Bethany Houston t’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas music is beginning to play on the radio, blowups are being displayed in yards and lights are glowing in the streets.

Every year, there are many events, stores, and activities to celebrate the joys of Christmas. But where, when, and how much will all of that cost?

The Talon took on the challenge of finding the most festive and enjoyable holiday activities in the outreached Charlotte area. Taking time to enjoy the holiday season is important, so put your Santa hat on, grab a cup of hot cocoa and get ready for some holiday spirit! For more tips on how to best visit these events, check out The Talon Online.

I

Christmas Town In McAdenville

Only 45 minutes from Fort Mill is the city of McAdenville (A.K.A. Christmas Town USA). Each year, the town encourages its community members to participate in the event, drawing over 600,000 visitors to see the 500,000 Christmas lights around the town. This festive event is open until Dec. 26 and is accessible until as late as 11. I went to their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 30 and had the opportunity to meet some of the town council members. They all work very hard every year to organize the town and regulate visitors as they come in and out of their small city.

December 2018

Volunteering At Operation Christmas Child

Nov. 16 and had their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 24.

While skating, you can to view beautiful lighted trees, the big city of Charlotte, and of course, the Christmas tree.

Christmas lights hang above the rink, and Christmas classics fill the air. This event is perfect if you want to spend a festive day downtown because they sell hot drinks for only $2-3, and you can leave and come back at any time of day.

Speedway Christmas

This may seem like an obvious option, but not many people think of volunteer work as ‘fun.’ However, volunteering is one of the easiest ways to have fun. It’s volunteering, so it obviously doesn’t cost anything, it’s a fun way to spend some quality time with your friends and community members, and it really is a fun experience to see others benefit from what you have to offer. I went to the Operation Christmas Child packaging center in Charlotte, but some other local opportunities include work at the Greenway, working at the soup kitchen at The Community Cafe, or help out at the Humane Society of York County.

Holiday On Ice

Holiday on ice has become a tradition for me. Every year the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte puts up a giant ice rink in front of the building. This event opened

This was hands-down my favorite event to attend. The lights there blink and change to the rhythm of Christmas music you can play in your car (101.3 FM). The track is long and wide, making it easy to pull over to stop for photos. At the halfway point, a parking lot allows you to stop and watch a drive-in Christmas movie, as follows.

Dec. 20 – 24: “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” “The Grinch (1966)” Dec. 26 – 30: “Home Alone” I would also recommend going on either a Thursday or a Sunday. On those nights, the Christmas Village is also open for games, food, animals, and even a Ferris wheel this year. And as an added bonus, you can even meet Santa.

Bring food for s’mores, because there are fire pits! The tickets for those nights are a little bit more expensive ($25 vs. $20), but it is definitely worth it.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All photos by Bethany Houston

centerspread • 7 COLUMN

Teachers Are Underpaid, Overworked

I

by Sydney Mason

n the U.S., as of right now, the average salary for teachers stands at $58,030. It has become increasingly challenging to recruit and retain high quality teachers due to high early-to-mid-career turnover rates, as well as a decline in students opting for a teaching career.

Teachers are responsible for the foundation of our democracy, as well as creating individual the opportunities for success our society depends on. The profession of teaching is imporant, yet teachers still don’t get paid as much as they should.

While the demand for teachers is extremely high, unfortunately teachers are given multiple reasons every day to reconsider their choice of profession. Teachers who work in districts with lower wages usually end up quitting, especially when their salaries are low relative to alternative wage opportunities, such as high-demand fields like math and science.

The decrease in students wanting to become teachers is mainly because many students believe they won’t be able to survive financially on the salary, especially so early on in their career. Many teachers hold master degrees, yet compensation is not equal to other professions.

Even teachers at Nation Ford have agreed that they don’t get paid as much as they would prefer. Considering all the work and education that goes into being a teacher, the current teacher salaries should be improved.

Teachers are responsible for preparing students for college and the workforce, for giving standardized tests.

Teachers’ hard work goes unnoticed a majority of the time.

Each and every day teachers are required to prepare lesson plans, assignments and assessments that challenge students, and they evaluate student work. Unlike most other professionals, teachers must do their own clerical work as well.

They also need to buy their own supplies, including paper, while earning lower salaries than other professions. In addtion, they have students with behavioral or emotional challenges or disabilities who need more attention in classrooms.

With the recent issue with school shootings, teachers undergo an immense amount of pressure.

Teachers’ salaries do not match up with the amount of work they do to prepare and challenge their students. I think this should be reconsidered and teachers should be able to feel more comfortable in respect to their financial income.

The Talon

8• features COLUMN

The Talon staff polled 122

students on 11/15 and 120 out of the 122 felt that the restrooms were unsanitary or could be improved

2% of students think the

restrooms are sanitary; the remaining 98% do not think they are sanitary Graphic by Charles Creech

Students’ Restrooms Not Clean

by Khonnie Kounbandith Nation Ford High School opened in 2007, newly built with clean classrooms, skid-free hallways and spotless restrooms.

Now, as the student population grows larger every year, complaints have grown as well -- especially about the restrooms. It’s time to clean up the bathrooms.

From freshmen to seniors, many students have commented on the status of restrooms.

“Lots of times they are out of soap as well as toilet paper,” Tia Hood (‘21) said. “Also, a big issue is that some girls stalls don’t have those [sanitary] bins for tampons, and so lots of the time people either flush it -- which is bad for the environment -- or leave it on the floor which is unhygienic and gross. Lots of the locks are broken as well, which isn’t a sanitary issue, but can cause the lines to be extremely long.”

Although students and faculty say they have complained about problems, they report no change.

“American Building Maintenance (ABM) Janitorial Services are contractually required to clean our restrooms daily,” Assistant Principal Pamela Pittman said. She says she is aware of the restroom problems for the most part and that students let her know of major problems, but the small ones tend to go unnoticed.

According to a Talon poll on Nov. 15 of 124 students, (78 girls and 46 boys), believe the restrooms are unclean. Only 5 percent responded that the restrooms are sanitary, while 95 percent said they aren’t sanitary.

“The janitors do their best, but [bathrooms are] still gross and lack materials,” English teacher Linh Tran said. “The restrooms up here [D500] occasionally have lunch trays and food in the sinks. I think they should have a big trash can like the ones from the cafeteria in the restrooms as well.”

Improvements in the restrooms need to be made.

Students should continue to notifiy administrators or janitors about any problem to keep the restrooms clean and sanitary.

The Talon

JROTC Offers Leadership Skills Students Say They Enjoy Competions, Exercise, Learn About Marine Corp

by Paige Burney & Alyssa Martin Hearts racing, sweat dripping, the students line up on the field, preparing for the daily seven. Sergeant Major John Logan shouts out exercises while students jump and complete drills.

The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program is filled with hard working and determined students. The class teaches culture and military topics.

Thursdays, JROTC students are required to wear field uniforms. The dress code for their uniforms is very strict; females must pull their hair back, wear a natural colored nail polish, and must wear black socks. They may not have an excessive amount of makeup applied.

“I love uniform days because whenever everyone in the program is wearing them, I feel like I am a part of a family,” Levi Donaldson (‘22) said.

“Uniform days really aren’t as bad as they seem.”

Males are required to have clean cut hair, a clean shaved face, no sideburns, and must wear black socks.

Inspection day is one of the strictest days. To be assessed, the students will head out to the parking lot directly outside of the JROTC building and get into an assigned formation. Cadets Cynthia Vu (‘19), Jacob Childs (‘19) and Sergeant Major check that students are following the rules and regulations of the U.S. Marine Corps, while asking questions about the General Order– a list of rules in the military– and other basic information that cadets are expected to know.

While the strictness of the program can seem overwhelming, most students remain in the class throughout high school.

“It is my fourth year doing JROTC. I love the leadership inquired,” said Cadet Childs (‘19). “I like to practice leadership skills and apply them to JROTC. It can get stressful at times, just like a regular class.”

Each day, JROTC teaches something different. Students spend time growing friendships, exercising, and expanding their knowledge on the Marine Corps.

Students join teams. Rifle Team takes a lot of patience and time, cadets say, and the skills are a challenge to get down perfectly.

“The rifles we use are like regular rifles, but instead of shooting actual

Waiting to be inspected, Cadets Daniel Childs (22’) and Matthew Jarrett (22’) stand in formation waiting to be insepected by commanding officers on a Thursday on Oct. 18. bullets, they shoot air,” Diblosi says.

The Drill Team teaches guidance or instruction in military exercises. Cadets march, step, and swing their arms perfectly and precisely.

Compared to other competitions, judging for Drill Team is harsh. Nation Ford’s Drill team has been the only team to consistently finish in the top three almost every year.

“Drill is subjective,” says Maggie Kell (’20). “At one competition you

“It is a lot of fun. I am not planning on joining the military, but I still am very grateful to be a part of this program.” may have a easy judge, while at another you may have a drill instructors, who are actually marines.

“I have always enjoyed the preciseness of drill,” Kell said. “It isn’t easy.

The prototype rifles we use are heavy and hard to hold for very long.”

Sergeant Major John D. Logan is the primary Drill Team coach. Cadets say he cares not only about winning but also about them.

“Sergeant Major Logan demands a lot out of us,” Kell said. “He expects us to be as close to perfect as we can get. The cadets are a huge part of Drill as well. If not for our hard work, we wouldn’t have made it to Nationals.

But, Sergeant Major is a great leader.”

The Knowledge Bowl Team is all academic related. This team focuses on basic JROTC knowledge. They do jeopardy style question with buzzers, and also have test. The Knowledge Bowl Team is competitive and they travel to where they compete.

Lastly, the Cyber Patriot Team. This team was created by the Air Force, and has no relation to JROTC, but is still practiced and is an option in the military. The Cyber Patriot Team works on hacking and compete against other high schools.

JROTC is a formal program. All students are expected to act accordingly, and meet expectations.

“I love how respectful the environment is. JROTC teaches you maturity and leadership skills,” Noah Morrison (‘21) said.

JROTC is similar to a sport and harder in some aspects. Some of the JROTC branches include the rifle team, drill team, the Knowledge Bowl team, and the Cyber Patriot team.

The students can earn badges in the branch they are involved in and can work their way up to a higher rank.

A majority of the students find this class to be like a family and the class that teaches students so many skills while finding people they can open up to and trust.

“I’m really glad I did JROTC,” said Kayla Southwood (‘22). “It is a lot of fun. I am not planning on joining the military, but I still am very grateful to be a part of this program.”

Sleep Affects Mental, Physical Health

by Paige Burney Sleep helps us recharge from a long day and gives us a time to relax for the day to come. When people get a great night’s sleep they feel much better in the morning, energized, happy, and upbeat. On the other hand, when people do not sleep well, they tend to feel drowsy, lazy, and aggravated.

Teenagers often complain about sleep deprivation, which causes side effects such as memory loss. According to online magazine Health Line, while you sleep your brain forms connections that help you retain new information. A lack of sleep could possible damage long-term and short-term memory, concentration, creativity and problem solving skills. Sleep deprivation will make someone emotional and quick tempered which can even-

tually lead to depression and anxiety.

Car accidents and other injuries are more likely to occur when a person is drowsy. In 2016, 72,000 car crashes, 44,000 injuries and 800 deaths took place due to drowsy driving, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If someone sleeps less than five hours every night, they risk high blood pressure and chemical levels, which lead to a greater chance of heart disease, according to Health Line.

Without sleep, the chemicals in the brain that control the amount of food intake will become defective. The stomach can be completely full but your mind does not know to stop, which causes weight gain.

Sleep deprivation also harms a person’s immune system so they are more likely to become sick. A lack

of sleep stalls insulin, a blood sugar hormone, from being released which increases the possibility of diabetes.

While there are many more side effects that could possibly occur, these are the most noticeable of all. While it may not seem like it, sleep is one of the most important things to do for your mental health.

Waking up around 6:30-7:00 A.M. every day to get ready for school is not ideal for a teens sleep schedule. If a teen wakes up unhappily, science is behind the mood.

Some tricks for falling asleep quicckly include listening to music, smelling lavender, taking a warm shower, putting your phone down 30 minutes before going to sleep, cooling your room, or hiding your clock.

The more you sleep, the better and healthier you will feel.

December 2018

features • 9

Foreign Music Conveys Emotion Through Tunes, Not Language

by Maggie Kell Eum-ag. Tónlist. Yīnyuè. Music - no matter the language of lyrics, audiences can enjoy the songs.

Khonnie Kounbandith (’21) listens to Korean Pop and Japanese Pop. Her favorite bands are NCT and BTS. “I listen to it because I grew up listening to non-English music,” Kounbandith said. “I like the way it sounds.

In English, all the words sound smooth, but in another language, all the words sound rough. It’s unique.”

Just because a song is in another language, that doesn’t have to stop Americans from enjying to it.

The Bangtan Boys, (BTS) is a Korean boy band who have been making their mark in America. On Aug. 24, they released their new hit, “Idol,” which broke their own record for mostviewed music video on YouTube with “Fake Love.”

“BTS makes me feel important,” says Isabel Kissel (‘20). “They write about topics that most artists don't, such as mental health, expectations of our generation and stereotypes. Their music is empowering. My ‘bias,’ which is your favorite in a Korean pop group, is RM or Kim Namjoon.” Kissel likes other K-Pop bands such as AOA, Mon-

Self Defense Tips Use these steps to defend yourself if attacked.

• Open Hand and Strike • Use the heel of the hand to target the attacker’s face, eyes, and the front and back of the neck. Keep your elbow in front of your ribs, it will show the attacker of what is to come.

• Kick to the Groin • If farther from the attacker, kick and aim to hit with the tips of your toes or where your shoelaces would be. If closer to the attacker, use your knee.

• 360 or Outside Defense • Attackers tend to attack from the side or from behind to slap, grab, or punch. To combat this, use the side of the wrist to intercept and hit them in a similar position.

Keeping your arm at a right angle you can create space between yourself and attacker.

• Aggressive Grab • If your arm or handbag is pulled, use that energy – don’t resist or pulling away, but use an attacker’s energy to strike or kick them.

• Attack From the Ground • If you find yourself on the floor, judge your distance and kick your atttacker back. If they’re directly above, kick them with both feet, thrusting your hips off the floor for extra power, then get up and run away as quickly as possible.

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 Source: Independent Magazine graphic by Lauren Molina

December 2018

sta X, Got 7, Block B, Seventeen, and Pentagon.

This fall, the BTS was quick to kick off a worldwide tour that brought fans from many nations together. Throughout their career, BTS has released a series of albums expressing self-love.

Their latest album, “Love Yourself: An-

“In English, all the words sound smooth, but in another language, all the words sound rough. It’s unique.” swer,” is an expression of finally and forever loving yourself, and though the language barrier still stands, their passion shows in every strung.

Tatum Brewer (20’) enjoys a variety of genres including Spanish, French, Korean, German and Polish.

“I feel like the messages is a lot more heartfelt in the music of other cultures, but it also depends on the person who is singing and what they want their audiences to hear,” she said. “There are so many artists in each genre for each language as well.”

Foreign language music in the U.S. is not an unfamiliar topic.

“Despacito,” written and performed

by Luis Fonsi, broke records in 2017, becoming the first Spanish-language song to be on the No. 1 since “Macarena” in 1996. Soon following, “Despacito” reached the top of charts in 40 countries.After Justin Bieber created an English version, the song was able to reach English-speaking countries including America.

Along with listening to foreign-language music, listeners can slowly learn another language. Like English music, foreign songs repeat lyrics which help someone learn the pronunciation of the word.

Living in the Twenty-First century allows listeners to translate lyrics with the press of a button. Apps like “HelloTalk” and “Duolingo” can also help audiences learn multiple languages.

Giving another culture’s music a try can change our perspective. It can allow others to see another’s life, and their pain or struggles aren’t so different from our own. Music opens a gateway to the world. Though we can’t understand the language, that doesn’t have to stop audiences from trying a new sound.

Date Rape: Teens Do Not Have To Become Victims

by Lauren Molina Note: Names in this article have been changed for privacy reasons.

From a young age parents tell their children not to trust strangers. Girls especially learn to trust their instincts and to escape from any “stranger danger” situation that makes them uncomfortable. But what if the person with dark intentions is someone a victim knows?

According to a The Talon poll of 500 Nation Ford students, 14 percent said they have been victims of sexual assault. Of those 18 victims, half them were assaulted by someone they knew.

At the age of 17, a senior, Jane, experienced her first sexual assault. During the past year, she became a victim of sexual assault not once, but twice.

“I was dating both the people who assaulted me,” she said. “The first time I was in my own home… I lost [my sense of] comfort and told him to stop.”

He didn’t.zzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz “The second time, I had been dating my assailant for months...it continued for hours,” she said. “After, I remember having frequent episodes where I would lie in bed crying because I was scared my second assailant would find me or attempt to ruin my reputation.”

Fifty percent of women experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after they are sexually assaulted, according to the McGill Journal of Medicine. Some symptoms of PTSD may be crying, shaking, yelling, denial or repression, and integrating the assault into the victim’s view of themself. Sexual assault can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and depression, but those feelings can be overcome. With help, PTSD can turn from terror to personal growth and strength. Recovery is possible.xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx “I know it wasn’t my fault,” she said.

“Despite that notion, I don’t talk about

it often… It is a difficult thing for me to grasp because I never expected to end up in that situation. Even though it is so common, you never anticipate becoming a victim of sexual assault or rape.”

Jane is not alone. Statistics indicate one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their life, and one in three women and one in six men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.xxxxxxxx For students who are victims of sexual violence, the Nation Ford guidance office offers support. “[Sexual assault cases] would be dealt with case by case,” said Guidance Counselor Staci Dreher. “Law enforcement could be involved if necessary.”

Guidance counselors have access to community groups and mental health counselors who can help sexual assault victims. xxxxxxxxxxx Often times, sexual assault cases can be directly linked to alcohol consumption. In addition, drugs can be used at parties where assailants can easily slip a pill into someone’s drink. To avoid date rape, travel in groups, don’t let anyone hold your beverage at a party, and stay alert for red flags. These red flags may include a someone encouraging their target to drink or use other impairing substances, stray away from their friends, move to a secluded place, ignore his or her instincts.

Like Jane, women and men across the globe are victims of sexual violence.

If someone finds themself a victim of sexual assault, mental health experts say he or she should consider reaching out to someone --whether that person is a friend, a family member, a teacher, or a professional counselor.

Help is available to those who need or want it.

Stress Worsens Teen Acne

by Maggie Kell

Acne. What could make a teen feel more self-conscious?

Almost every teenager strives for the “perfect” skin they see on every social media platform.

Unfortunately, that’s not reality.

Researchers from webdm.com have concluded that stress can affect acne and make it worse.

“Stress does not cause acne -- hormones, bacteria, age, can cause the condition,” says Kim Dixon, the NFHS school nurse.

“Stress can contribute.”

Though stress doesn’t directly cause acne, it does trigger breakouts and clog pores. Cortisol, a stress (steroid) hormone, is released in response to natural stress hormones. If stress levels are high due to a driving test or going on a date, then cortisol is released, resulting in a high production of sebum which is the main factor of acne.

“Anything you can do to decrease your stress level is good for your general health.”

Acne is produced by a substance called sebum which has receptors for stress hormones.

Sebum is an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands that helps keep the skin and hair moisturized.

When a teenager is stressed out, the body tells the glands to make more oil.

“Stress can exacerbate a flair up because it increases production of certain hormones that might contribute to a reaction,” Mrs. Dixon says. “Hormones such as cortisol can cause an increase in oil gland production, which can cause more oil to be secreted to your skin.”

There is no treatment for stress-related acne other than relieving the stress itself through exercise, meditation or other methods. “Anything you can do to decrease your stress level is good for your general health,” Mrs. Dixon said. “The best treatment is to keep your face clean, drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, eat a healthy diet, wear sunscreen, don’t use too much makeup, use over the counter topicals as directed, and follow your dermatologist or doctor’s prescriptive as directed.”

Aldactone, which more formally goes under the name Accutane, is just one of the many medication prescribed for severe acne. However, medication can have mentally damaging side effects including depression, changes in behavior, trouble concentrating or seeing allusions.

“Acne can have many causes, one of which is hormonal. If stress is adversely affecting your hormones, it can contribute,” Mrs. Dixon says.

The Talon

10• opinion

NFHS Should Be More Specific In Listing Fees

Hey! What’s up?

Gotta go get lunch!

Talk to you later!

Vocabulary.com, Parking Fees Pay For Additional Items Including Padlet, Microwaves, Club Supplies Staff Editorial ublic schools are underfunded and always scramble to find sufficient money to cultivate an enriching learning environment for students. For example, Nation Ford is limited to charging each student a $30 instructional fee, which is not nearly enough money to sustain an entire high school. To compensate, NFHS has become creative in acquiring adequate funding. At the start of the school year, students were required to pay fees to supplement “free” public education.

After investigating these fees, The Talon staff learned that in one case, students are charged more money than the listed item actually costs, and in another case, the fee pays for additional unlisted items. When it comes to fees, NFHS should attain full transparency.xxxxxxxx When NFHS students enroll in school, they are required to pay three fees; the $30 instructional fee, a $7 publication fee and a $10 Vocabulary.com fee.zzz However, according to the company Vocabulary.com, they bill the school only $3.53 per student. Where is the additional $6.47 per person going? According to Assistant Principal Debra Miller, the fee labeled ‘Vocabulary.com’ funds not only access to the vocabulary website, but also educational apps such as QUIA, Padlet, lynda.com, and “mis-

P

cellaneous classroom fees.”xxxxxxx One simple way for NFHS to clearly tell parents or guardians where their money is going is to rename the Vocabulary.com fee to accurately represent all the expenditures. After The Talon investigated the situation, administrators agreed during interviews to rename the fee to a more accurate label for the next fiscal year.xxxxx zzzzz NFHS is also not fully transparent regarding what parking charges cover. Students have to pay $50 to buy a parking pass ($25 per semester), and seniors have the option to pay another $25 if they choose to purchase their own supplies and paint a specific parking spot.

While students likely would expect that parking fee money goes solely toward maintenance of the parking lot, the money also pays for equipment in the Commons such as microwaves, stipends for security personnel and supplies for student clubs.

School funding is of utmost importance; it pays for educational enrichment and school safety. However, parents, guardians and students have a right to know exactly where their money is going. The renaming the Vocabulary.com fee is an improvement, but the school must also provide an easily accessible public record of where parking money goes as well.

A newfound transparency should continue across all lines and cover any and every fee the school collects. -KC

Students are charged more money than the listed item actually costs.

Parents, guardians and students have a right to know exactly where their money is going.

The Talon Staff EditorS-In-Chief: Hayden Biebel Kailey Cota Editors: Makayla Brown Zaria Drakeford Bethany Houston Maggie Kell Khonnie Kounbandith Adrianna Mancini Sydney Mason ART: Bethany Houston

Staff: Charles Creech Riley Doyle Ashley Jordan Alyssa Martin Dewuan McCullum Lauren Molina Joi Nelson Nick Roarty Justice Wehrmeyer Kelise Williams

Class Schedule Allows For Little Social Time

by Joi Nelson ccording to the FMSD handbook, only 22 minutes of social time at lunch throughout an eight hour school day is “inadequate.” Yet students are expected to be focused and locked into a mindset of learning without having a reasonable 30 minute break.

If the school system would create a specific time, possibly thirty minutes to an hour where when students could free their minds and relax, they will respond better to school.

Studies show the neurotransmitters in the brain sends messages from one cell to the next. The messages intend to keep someone focused enough to make a new memory. Going from class to class and trying to learn excessive amounts of information doesn’t give the brain enough time to process or store the knowledge it was given.

Assistant Principal Debra Miller believes that students do have enough social time, but the times Mrs. Miller considers breaks are: before school, the 10 minutes in between classes, lunch, and flex. However, FLEX is still instructional class time, and the

A

short 10 minutes given in between classes isn’t considered a break.

Teachers have 90 minutes of planning, 22 minutes of lunch and 30 minutes of FLEX: 42 extra minutes that teachers have that students do not.

Most students in high school have a job, play extra-circular activities and have to keep up with their studies. They earn more than 22 minutes of a break.

In the previous years, FLEX was a time where students could relax, however, that isn’t the case this year.

If students don’t have a club meeting or have a teacher’s room to go to, they are expected to go to a study hall.

The study hall rules state students must be quiet and must be working on something school-related.

Talking is absolutely not permitted. If students are not working on schoolwork, they can be sent out.

There should be a FLEX location where students can be social and not have to work on school work every second of the day. Having a break can help students to continue working while better handling information and challenging social communications.

...22 minutes of social time at lunch throughout an eight- hour school day is inadequate.

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

Ad Manager: Paige Burney Adviser: Beth Swann

803-835-0000 thetalononline2016@gmail.

1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715

The Talon

Art by Bethany Houston

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

December 2018

opinion • 11

Alcohol Limits Necessary Exams Should Happen Before Winter Break

by Kelise Williams

J

essica Rasdall and Laura Gorman had been best friends since Kindergarten. They were practically inseparable. However, on Feb. 25, 2006, Laura’s life was tragically cut short – due to alcohol. The night started off with a couple of drinks. Although neither one of them were of the legal drinking age, getting the alcohol wasn’t tifficult.

There were plenty of men eager to buy them drinks, including the bartender himself, according to Jessica. The girls left the club at 3 a.m. to go back to Laura’s dorm in Eckerd College, St. Petersburg. About a mile from the dorm, the car veered off the interstate, crashing into a tree. Jessica endured a huge gash on her head, and her left ear was dangling. Laura didn’t wake up – she had died upon impact when the roof caved in on her head. xxx There are no legal limits to the amount of alcohol any one person legally can consume in one day. That is what has to change.

Daily alcohol consumption has become a lifestyle for many people, yet alcohol is considered the world’s most dangerous drug, according to a January 2018 article from Verywell Mind, an online resource to support mental health. Alcohol is dangerous because it has the power to change a person’s life in the worst possible way.

Alcohol poisoning kills six people every day, 76 percent of whom are

There are no legal limits to the amount of alcohol any one person can consume in one day. adults, and it is also the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States, according to VeryWell Mind.

Liquor has a profound effect on the human body. It can cause infertility, birth defects, and liver and heart damage among other dangers. You don’t have to necessarily ingest the alcohol for it to have a negative effect. xxxxxxxxxxxx As of 2016, 1 million drivers had been arrested for being under the influence of either alcohol or narcotics. Of the 1,233 traffic deaths among children

from birth to 14-years-old, 214 involved an alcohol-impaired driver. One death every 50 minutes or 29 people every day – that’s the number of people who unfortunately have their lives stolen by impaired driving. These numbers don’t include the number of victims who lose eyesight, become paraplegics, or lose the capability of eating on their own due to tragic brain damage. xxxxxx It is astonishingly easy for someone at or above the legal drinking age to walk into a bar and drink as much liquor as possible. They might choose to drink a couple of beers, have multiple shots of vodka, or even choose

Of the 1,233 traffic deaths among children, 214 involved an alcohol-impaired driver. to consume Everclear. Everclear is 95 percent alcohol and is illegal in some states. It is one of the most hazardous alcoholic drinks in the world. Even in bars and clubs, as long as someone had an ID, or the bartender didn’t care about their age, limitless amounts of alcohol would become available.

If there were laws set in place at any location that sold alcoholic beverages such as liquor stores, grocery stores, and clubs, that could limit the amount of alcohol that could be consumed by a person, and most of the tragic statistics mentioned in this article could decrease significantly. While a legal limit won’t control the amount of alcohol that is consumed in residences or elsewhere, it is a start. It could also come with plenty of negative consequences.

Alcohol selling establishments would potentially end up losing profits from the decrease in sells, leading to the closing of their stores. Some people could even try to make their own alcohol, also known as “moonshine,” but something must be done.xxxxxxxxx.

If someone were to get caught disobeying this law, they would have to pay a hefty fine, or even spend days in jail depending on whether or not it’s their first alcohol-related charge.

We can’t control every person’s actions no matter the laws, yet with consequences such as these, hopefully many would choose to obey. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Memorial Garden Disregarded

by Adrianna Mancici bland flower bed, a dirty bench, and dry soil. What feeling does that convey? Personally I feel melancholy, sadness, and neglect. This is what lies in the forgotten Nation Ford memorial garden.

The memorial garden is supposed to be a warm place for remembering students and faculty that NFHS has lost. If this is such a personal and important space then it should be better taken care of. Students and faculty can start by donating seeds and fertilizer to the school, as well as getting the environmental club involved.

High Schools may be run by teachers, administration and other staff members, however students out number them by far. We should care about our garden just as much as faculty should. Those remembered were a part of the student body, our fami-

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December 2018

ly, which means it’s our civic duty to help remember the lives they lived.

Flowers bare symbolism in every petal. Which plants we nurture in our garden and how well we care for them is important. Lilium candidum is a breed of Lily, chosen for warm temperatures and mild winters. This flower is known to metaphorically represent innocence being given back to someone who has passed away.

This is a belief I find to be beautiful.

Due to this connotation and the vibrant color this flower presents, I believe we should transform the empty and neglected garden into a Lilium candidum memorial nursery.

Cold air embraces a rejected patch of soil, as the sun glares at an empty bench. Let’s not leave this as a passing goodbye to students we have lost, but instead remember them through warmth, color, and liliums.

H

by Riley Doyle

igh school exams should take place before Winter Break, but the current change in the school calendar for this year ends the semester afterwards. While it’s true that having exams after Winter Break allows students more time to study or make up work due absences, the two-week-long break is more detrimental to students than it is beneficial.

Many students would prefer to have the exams before Winter Break because they will better remember the information without two weeks of vacation.

Students also would prefer freedom from study or stress over their break – they would prefer to relax and enjoy the holidays.

The decision to have exams after break was made by a vote, and was not based on much consideration for exams. Having exams after break can cause many students to score lower on their assessments because they forget the information over break.

Many students also travel for the break, which makes it more difficult to study for final exams.

Having exams before break would be beneficial to students and teachers, who would have time to grade at the end of the semester.

Not only would it be better to have the information fresh in students’ minds for exams, but it would be better for students who are graduating early who exempt exams. They could go ahead and start college for the spring.

The semester should end before Winter Break.

After Break 36% Before Break 64% 257 students surveyed on Nov. 24 2018

by Riley Doyle

Higher Education Will Offer Better Future, Pay

I

by Ashley Jordan

s a college education worth the expense? It’s true that further education means more money, but the answer is yes.

In general, people with higher levels of education have better job opportunities, particularly those who have achieved upper secondary education.

Getting a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or professional degree can help with necessities such as lines of health care, retirement investment or even travel. Typically receiving higher education will bring better jobs and higher pay. The more time spent on training for a specific career choice, the more a candidate perfects their skills in that certain field.

This doesn’t mean that people who don’t seek further education past high school won’t receive some of the same job opportunities, but the job may not pay as much as a job for someone with more years of schooling. A high school dropout usually makes about $19,000 a year, while a high school graduate typically makes about $28,000 a year, according to CornerStone University.

Over the course of a full career, a college graduate will have made almost $1 million more than a high school graduate.

The choice of continuing education after high school depends on what a student wants to achieve in life. Although it takes more money and time, college is worth it in the long run.

Graduates have a better chance for a steady, well-paid job. They do not have to worry as much about where their next job will come from. They are more likely to have secure employment with a degree.

Bonnie Kleffman, the Career Development Facilitator at Nation Ford High School, believes that students should seek further education with a specific career goal in mind so as not to waste time and money on a degree just to have one. Many students think that a four-year college is their only option, but technical careers are very much in demand right now, Kleffman explains.

A two-year technical or certificate programs can yield very lucrative careers.

Once a student has a good idea of a field of interest, it is important to go to a university or a tech school for a better future.

Over the course of a full career, a college graduate will have made almost $1 million more than a high school graduate.

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