the
cavalier
Dorman High School | Roebuck, SC | Vol. 52 | Issue No. 6 | May 2016
State Champ:
Wynn Johnson wins track championship Page 7
Letter to Underclassmen: How to make the most out of your time in high school Page 8 Play Reviews:
The top two plays to see on Broadway Page 14
Inside the Cavalier
May 2016
@Dorman
Page 4-5
3 Holocaust Survivors Visit Dorman
Profiles
4-5 Mrs. Gallman Says Goodbye to Senior Staff Members
Photo by Sydney Galloway
Co Editors-in-Chief
Kristin Keisler Haley Elkins
Senior Editor
Kendall Shepard
Sports Editor Jake Darwin
Managing Editor Sydney Galloway
Sports
6 Q&A with Jacob and Jack
Hennessy 7 Wynn Johnson is State Champ
Features
8 - 9 Letter to Underclassmen 10 New 10-Point Grading Scale 11 Road Trip South Carolina 12-13
Entertainment
How to Survive a Music Festival
Reviews
14 Lion King/Hamilton
Editorials
15 Should Students Know if They Have ADHD?
Page 14
Photo by Sydney Galloway
The Cavalier welcomes and encourages any and all letters to the editor. All letters are subject to editing for libel, grammar, content, and space. Letters should be signed and brought to Mrs. Gallman in room B105. Some material is courtesy of American Society of Newspaper editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. Discriminations of all persons is prohibited with regard to the provision of educational opportunities and benefits on the basis of race, color national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability in Spartanburg County School District Six as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendment Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding discrimination policies: Mr. Gregory Cantrell, Title VI, VII, and IX Coordinator, and Dr. Allan Eggert, Director of Special Services, 1390 Cavalier Way, Roebuck, S.C. 29376.
n er i
No Be rber rli n, t an 19 d m 39 ot . h
Dorman Welcomes Holocaust Survivors Norbert and Gerda Bikales Kristin Keisler co-editor-in-chief
“Thank you for inviting our wonderful parents to the upstate of South Carolina and thank you for allowing us to fulfill the 5th commandment (honor thy father and mother). When you have parents like ours, honoring them is easy. We are grateful every day that they escaped the fate of more than one million Jewish children who were murdered by the Nazis and that they were blessed to come to America where they could rebuild their lives. Despite their horrendous childhood, Hitler did not take their spirit. Instead, their tragic experiences imbued them with determination to make the most of their lives and always treat others with kindness and respect. America gave them opportunities of freedom unimaginable in their youth. They thrived, made significant contributions to this country in fields of science and civic engagement. They raised a family, and today have us: there two children, and five terrific grandchildren. Later this month, they will celebrate 65 years of marriage. We love them very much, and after you hear them, you will love them too.” Sincerely, Eddy and Peggy (son and daughter of Norbert and Gerda)
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Gerda and her mother, 1939. Photos (top) and (left) courtesy of Norbert and Gerda Bikales Photo (bottom ) from goupstate.com
n April 13, 2016, the Dorman School of Arts, Humanities, and Communications partnered with the Greenville Jewish Federation to host Triumph of the Soul: Two Stories of Holocaust. To most students, the Holocaust was a horrifying tragedy that occurred during WWII. It seems as if it took place centuries ago. However, for survivors and their family members, the memories of the past are always fresh. From 1933 to 1945, over six million people were murdered during the Holocaust; however, there were survivors. According to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Registry of Holocaust survivors contains over 195,000 survivors. This number includes any persons of Jewish or non-Jewish decent who were discriminated against, persecuted, or harmed in any way. For Norbert and Gerda Bikales, the Holocaust isn’t some past event. It was reality. They suffered through it, survived it, and continue to tell their stories to anyone willing to listen. Gerda began by introducing herself and her story. She was born in Breslau, Poland in 1931 to Polish immigrant parents. She spent most of her childhood fighting for her freedom from Nazi rule and fleeing from country to country. “One and a half million children were murdered. I am the exception, I lived,” Gerda stated. Not only did Gerda survive, but her parents survived as well. Sadly, her family did endure great loss. Her grandparents and all of her family from Poland including aunts, uncles, and cousins did not survive. “I was an exposed child in the sense that no one came forward in an effort to hide me. I was exposed to danger from all directions.” She explained how Jews had no civil rights, no human rights, no right to live in Germany, and eventually, they had no right to live. People simply disappeared. No one knew what
Norbert and Gerda speaking at Dorman.
happened to them. Gerda turned 14 the year the war ended. She and her mother fled to America to reconnect with her father and hopefully find some sort of normalcy. Norbert was born in Berlin, Germany, or “the center of all of the evil” as he referred to it. “I am also an exception. I, too, survived. If it had not been for the Allied Armies, there would be no Jews alive today.” Norbert did not have a good childhood even before the Nazis took over. He explained that his family was poor and struggled in many areas. Norbert’s situation is similar to Gerda. His father and brother were deported, and he and his mother were left alone. His mother searched frantically for a way to America but fell short. She was then forced to join her husband and son in Poland. Due to the lack of being able to obtain a Visa to America, his difficult childhood continued when both of his parents were eventually murdered in one of the first experiments of extermination camps. Miraculously, Norbert survived due to the courageous acts of his mother. Before she was deported, she sent him to Kindertransport where he was able to make it to a safe haven in France. He and his brother, Richard, were the only members of his immediate family to survive. Norbert made it to America at the age of 17; there, he met Gerda several years later and married. The couple now spends their time traveling the United States and Europe to educate people about the Holocaust. They continue to struggle every day with questions that they will never know the answer to, but they are grateful to be in America where they can now live in peace.
@Dorman 3
Mrs. Gallman Says
Goodbye
to Senior Staff Members
Haley Elkins
4 Profiles
Kendall Shepard
Kristin Keisler
Jake Darwin
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s another year in Newspaper comes to a close, it’s time that I say goodbye to my senior staff members. But this semester is particularly difficult as I bid farewell to students who I have taught for three years in a row. Teaching Newspaper gives me an opportunity to watch students grow from eager sophomores to proficient seniors (though senioritis has befallen them as of late). So, I am finally sitting down to write about and say goodbye to four of my favorite people in the world. I have been putting it off for so long because I knew it would be difficult to express just how much I am going to miss you. To Haley, Kristin, Kendall, and Jake... Haley, you are one of the brightest students I have taught in both Honors Comp and Newspaper. You have a determination that I have rarely seen, and you chase down what you want. I am so grateful for your honesty, straightforwardness, and your humor. I will miss our Monday updates and check-ins. I expect you to keep in touch from Lander’s Honors College. Kristin, there has been no other student with whom I have disagreed with so much and simultaneously adored. I am so appreciative of your faith, punctuality, and work ethic (right now you are working hard in the back of the room while Haley is talking about college--like she has for the past two months...nonstop...all block). I am so happy that you are going to USC Upstate because I can call on you to come back and show the “new kids” how it’s done next year. Haley and Kristin, co-editors in chief, together you have made the last three years some of the most enjoyable. I cannot imagine what life will be like for you two as you go your separate ways for college. The dynamic duo that I have depended upon is headed down two different roads, and I can only hope that I can get both of you to come back and visit, finish a few pages, create The Shield. Right? Kendall (or Kendall Fire), I remember you as a freshman,
coming over to the main campus for Newspaper Club. The next year you became President, and you have done more with the club than I thought possible. As a Newspaper staff member, you have grown from staff writer to Senior Editor. You taught us how to check for spelling in InDesign, albeit a little late. Not only have you excelled in journalism but also in drama. Having attended some of your plays, I am always so happy to see you on stage. In Fools, you played a butcher, and I loved your accent and your enthusiasm on stage. But, to me, you will also be Alice. Good luck at SCAD--it’s the perfect college for you! Jake, you have managed to be one of the few guys to stay in Newspaper for more than one semester. Having first taught you in Honors Comp, I didn’t expect to see you on my roster for Newspaper, but four semesters later, you are still hanging tough with the girls. You are always willing to step up and take stories or do whatever is needed. It’s always good to hear about your job outside of school, especially since it seems to change on a monthly basis! You definitely have a unique sense of humor that won’t be matched. Good luck at SMC! To all of you, one semester in Newspaper is usually enough for most students, but then there are those few who fall in love with it. Having taught you now for five semesters, I can honestly say that we have moved past being a classroom family into a family that will last after graduation. I will always remember the bickering on deadline days, the time spent during other blocks frantically trying to finish a layout. But most importantly, I will remember the stories, the advice, the debates, the laughs, the eye rolls, the food lists, and the questions and answers to some of life’s greatest mysteries. Normally, the last line is the easiest for me to write, but right now, there are no eloquent words to say goodbye. So, I’ll just say, “see you later.” With love, Mrs. Gallman
Profiles 5
Quidditch Baseball According World Cup to theJakeHennessy Brothers Darwin sports editor 5. Do you just play high Held in Rock school ball, or do you play travel or anything else? Hill, SC Both: We play travel ball for the Evoshield Canes.
Kendall Shepard senior editor
6. Is baseball the only sport or activity that you participate in?
Both: Baseball is the only sport that we play, and we play baseball all year.
7. For Jacob: How does it feel to know that you are going to play for Clemson, and how did you feel when you were offered to play there?
Photo from USQ World Cup 8 took place last year on April 11 and 12.
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uidditch is recognized by most people as being the broom-flying sport read about in the Harry Potter series. However, fans of the series have created their own version of Quidditch that can be played by us “Muggles” to get in on the wizarding fun. As seen in movies like The Intern, Quidditch has been adapted without your feet ever leaving ground. The game is played just as it is in the movies but without the flying aspect. For the past couple of years, the Quidditch World Cup has been hosted in South Carolina. In 2014, it was held in North Myrtle Beach, and in both 2015 and 2016, the World Cup was held in Rock Hill. Teams come from all over the country to participate. Some of these teams are clubs formed by local fans or on college campuses. College of Charleston is famous for their Quidditch team, being one of three teams in South Carolina. While they can’t compete in the World Cup, different high schools also have Quidditch teams that play just for fun. Spartanburg High School and Spartanburg Day School both have teams. This year, the Quidditch World Cup was April 16-17, and it came to a dramatic ending with Q.C. Boston beating Rochester United in overtime, 130-140. Q.C. Boston’s win broke the three year streak of World Cup wins that was previously held by the University of Texas at Austin.
6 Sports
Photo courtesy of Jack Hennessy Jack gives his brother Jacob a high five after an at-bat. Jacob: It felt great; I am really
1. How long have you been playing baseball?
Jacob: I have been playing for the past 15 years. Jack: I have been playing for the past 13 years.
2. What positions do you play?
Jacob: I am a pitcher and a first baseman, but I mostly want to be a pitcher. Jack: I am a center fielder.
3. Do you like playing on the same team together?
Jacob: We have been playing together on the same team for the past two years, one year at Boiling Springs and this year at Dorman, and it has been really fun. Jack: Yes, I definitely like playing on the same team together.
4. How has getting used to the transition to Dorman from Boiling Springs been for you? Both; It has been great for both of us, and it has been one of the best decisions we have made. I really liked playing for Dorman, and everything that Dorman has provided for me and my baseball career has just been better.
excited to go play there, and they have a really good baseball program which is one of the reasons why I chose to go and play for them next year.
8. For Jack: Do you hope to get college offers to play baseball just like your brother, or do you plan to do something else in college? Jack: I definitely want to play baseball in college, and I would love to play for a college like Clemson or Costal Carolina.
9. Are you going to miss playing with your brother next year when you go to Clemson?
Jacob: Yes, I definitely will miss playing together when I leave to go play for Clemson. Playing on varsity together these past two years has been a really enjoyable and fun-filled two years.
10. What are your plans for after college? Are you trying to get drafted and play pro ball, or are you planning to study for a certain career after college? Jacob: Of course my goal is to get drafted, but if that does not work out, I am going to study for business in college. Jack: It would be great to play pro ball, but I am just waiting to see how things go.
Wynn Johnson Dominates at Approaching Sports Safety State in 3200 Meter Run Sydney Galloway staff writer Head On Jake Darwin sports editor
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Photo from Dorman All Sports Booster Facebook Page Wynn Johnson wins first place in the 3200 meter run.
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ophomore Wynn Johnson won the state championship in the 3200 meter run, winning in nine minutes and thirty-two seconds. Johnson is an avid runner and is a part of Dorman’s track team. Recently, Wynn broke a Dorman record. He ran a 4.23 in the 1600 and a 9:18.29 in the 3200. He reflected on the moment by saying, “It feels really good knowing that all the hard work that I’ve been put into running has passed all the other really good runners that have come through Dorman. It was super exciting to see the time as I crossed the finish line.” The time Johnson beat in the 3200 is currently holding the state record so far this year. Johnson has worked hard to prepare for these meets by running more miles than previous years. Dorman track coach, Coach Urban said, “Wynn is very consistent, and this is his strength.” Johnson celebrated on Instagram by saying, “Very blessed to have had the season I’ve had so far; definitely one of the most gratifying moments in my running career, but not through my strength, but God’s.” Photo from GoUpstate’s John Byrum Johnson celebrates after his first-place win.
t is almost safe to say that everyone loves watching sports, but the price to play a sport through an injury like a concussion is causing a lot of debate. According to the CDC, a concussion is also known as a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussions are usually caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to either the head or the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. A concussion has the potential to change how the brain usually functions, and they can have serious and long-term health effects. When asked if he had ever had a concussion, football coach Mark Dempsey said, “I can remember at least one in high school and at least one in college. Realistically, I probably had more than that, but it was a long time ago and my memory isn’t what it used to be (maybe because of the concussions!).” Players in all sports risk injuries when they walk on the field. Even though concussions are typically associated with football, athletes in every sport can receive a concussion. At Dorman, players are thoroughly checked and monitored after being diagnosed with a concussion. “Every season we have players get concussions. I do not know the exact number, but there are a few every year,” said Dempsey when asked about football injuries. Students in other sports such as lacrosse and soccer also report concussions. The position of a player doesn’t seem to matter when it comes to head injuries. Dempsey explained, “from my experience, I’ve seen players from almost every position get them. One year at Byrnes our punter even got one.” Concussions can occur in any sport; therefore, all athletes should be aware of the symptoms and school protocols.
Sports 7
A Letter From the Editors
Seniors Kristin Keisler and Haley Elkins
E
very day, your life starts with a routine. It’s been like that for years and years. You wake up after hitting the snooze button on your alarm for the minimum of four times before actually opening your eyes. Grabbing your book bag and rushing out the door, you pray you’ll make it in time before the final bell rings and hopefully no one notices that you wore the same shirt last week. It’s how senior year goes. We start to wish every day away, wishing senior year would just end, and we could have a fresh start in college with new people and new experiences.
8 Features
But as we start to get our caps and gowns, we realize that in a few short months, the people we’ve spent most of our childhood with will not be there anymore. You start to realize that your favorite teacher who’s always pushed you will not be there next year to help you get through college. Suddenly, you start to wonder why on earth you ever wished it away from the beginning. So, underclassmen, as you start to wish away senior year, or even junior year, take a few moments to read what we’ve learned from high school.
...to Underclassmen Students Haley Elkins and Kristin Keisler co-editors-in-chief
Friendships As you become a junior or senior, your circle of friends will get smaller. Your friends will come and go. Keeping a friendship throughout all of the high school drama and experiences is really hard. In the very rare occasion where you find a friend that lasts all the way through high school, congrats! However, if you do end up losing friends along the way, everything will be okay. Life goes on. There is a famous quote that says, “Some friends are here for a season and others are here for a reason.” Some friendships are just not meant to be. However, if a friendship is worth fighting for, you will find a way to make it work. Cliques Yes, there are cliques. The Breakfast Club said it the best, or High School Musical, whichever you prefer. As they say, “Don’t stick to the status quo.” Just remember it is not about being surrounded by the most people or the most known people. It’s about finding a group of people that there is no doubt in your mind if you needed them, they would be there. Relationships So you think you’re going to marry your high school sweetheart someday. Maybe you will, but at the same time, maybe you won’t. If the college you choose just so happens to be the same as your boyfriend or girlfriend then great, but if you want to go somewhere else, pursue it. Do not settle. This is a time in your life that everyone around you will change and become their own person. Instead of revolving your future around someone else’s dreams, make your own, and don’t let anything get in the way of that. Keep Your Head on Straight High school is also the time where many people ex[perience peer pressure to do something they normally would never do. Calm down. Don’t make bad choices that will forever impact your life. If all of your friends are doing something wrong, don’t do it. If you think you will be laughed at, who cares? If you think you will lose all of your friends, get new ones because they probably weren’t your friends in the first place. Learn to make responsible choices because you are now at the age where mistakes can become permanent. Grades Grades are simply grades. If you make a bad grade, it really is not the end of the world. However, that does not mean that you should slack off and not try. “Pain is temporary, G.P.A. is forever” Throughout high school, you have to find a balance between studying and a social life. But, you have to ask yourself what is most important and set priorities. Senior Year Senior year can either be easy or the hard. Sophomore and junior years are the best times to go ahead and meet your graduation requirements. Don’t wait until the last semester of senior year to sign up for those classes. If you plan everything out right, you should have enough room to take classes that actually interest you. It Does End First, high school does officially end sometime, no matter if it feels like it or not. We’ve all rolled our eyes when people say it goes by quickly, but they’re not lying. There is no guarantee that they will be the best four years of your life, but there is also no guarantee that they will be the worst. You should always have a positive outlook. If you think these next few years are going to be horrible, then they will be. You have to make the most out of them, and looking back you’ll be surprised at the memories and the moments in which you weren’t dreaming of going off to college. The End Everyone will secretly miss this place. You hear people all the time saying how they are so ready to leave and get out of this place and live on their own. However, reality steps in and people will realize that they actually had it pretty good here.
Features 9
South Carolina Switches to 10- Point Grading Scale
Kendall Shepard staff writer
Public schools in SC will implement the new grading scale for the 2016-2017 school year.
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uperintendent of Education in South Carolina Molly Spearman moved to change the grading scale from a 7 point system to a 10 point system. With a unanimous vote, the State Department of Education passed this legislation, and beginning in August, South Carolina schools will implement the new grading scale. For students in North Carolina and Georgia, as well as the majority of the country, a 10-point grading scale isn’t new. But for South Carolina students, the 7-point grading scale has been the norm for awhile, so adjusting to a new system will take time. While some say that making an A will now be easier (right now, an A is a 93; with the new system an A will be a 90), others argue that teachers can change their rubrics and their expectations so that earning an A will require the same level of participation and effort as before. “I am in favor of the 10 point scale for a few reasons. It will level the playing field for our graduates and those coming from schools with the ubiquitous 10 point scale. In addition, the ten point scale is simple and makes sense. Finally, it will be an easy matter for teachers to adjust rubrics and assessments to reflect exemplary, above average, average, and unacceptable work based on the 10 point scale,” stated English teacher Chris Smutzer. Science teacher Jeneane Allgood sees the pros and cons of the new grading system, “On one hand, I see how it may put our students on a level playing field with
10 Features
Photos by Sydney Galloway
Isabel Miles, 10
kids from other states, but on the other hand, I feel like it just a way to inflate grades higher than what they should be.” As far as benefits, students and student athletes will now be able to compete for scholarships equally with the rest of the country. When a South Carolina student makes a 90, he/she earns a 3 GPA while a student in Georgia who makes a 90 earns a 4 GPA. Also, colleges in South Carolina grade on a 10 point scale, so allowing students to grow accustomed to the college grading scale is beneficial for high school students. Art teacher Bobby Urban said, “I think it makes more sense since that is what colleges use as well as other states.” In a report from WSPA, Spearman claimed, “It’s not lowering standards. Folks have to understand our standards are still the same, college and careerready standards. That’s what teachers teach, whether it’s on a 7-point scale or a 10-point scale. Teachers, then, are the ones that adjust in their classrooms to set their tests, their assessments, and their grading scale and they still have the freedom to do that.” Perhaps Academic Principal Renee Lane explained it best when she said the new grading scale “will provide continuity for military families and students and provide a seamless transition from high school to college as outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. The new grading scale will be implemented in public SC schools beginning next school year.
“It is an improvement for the GPA system and the grading system.”
Javin Young, 11
“It will prepare you for college and will make it easier to get in.”
Garret Sayre, 11
“Colleges use it, and it will help students’ GPAs. It may also help self-esteem.”
Road Trip South Carolina Kendall Shepard senior editor
Campbell’s Covered Bridge Plenty of treasures are tucked away in South Carolina’s upstate region among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a detour from Interstate 26 near the North Carolina border in Landrum, and you’ll find Campbell’s Covered Bridge--South Carolina’s only remaining covered bridge, built in 1909. Photo from sciway.net
The Governor’s Mansion The Governor’s Mansion and its deep, leafy gardens, however, are off the beaten path and usually quiet and sleepy, with no one disturbing the soft, green air. They are certainly worth seeking out and visiting. The gardens are always open to visitors during daylight hours, and tours are available of the mansion itself. Photo from scgovernorsmansion.org
Congaree National Park It might seem unlikely that a national park could be undiscovered in any way, and yet Congaree National Park just outside of Columbia is certainly a hidden gem. It’s one of the least visited national parks in the country, yet for the adventurous souls who make the short trip out to Hopkins to visit, it is full of amazing discoveries. Photo by National Geographic
Chattooga Belle Farm Chattooga Belle Farm, located in the far northwest corner of the state, is one of the prettiest spots in all of the Carolina foothills. Pick apples, pears, figs, muscadines and more among a stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Educational farm tours, a lunch bistro, and a golf course are also on-site. Photo from sciway.net
Features 11
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here is nothing like the feeling of being in the midst of magic and chaos of a music festival. Hundreds of people braving the sweltering heat just to be in the premise as some of the hottest music artists in the world. I have had my own share of music festival experiences, attending Bonnaroo in Tennessee in 2013, and then Weenie Roast in North Carolina in both 2014 and 2015. Music festivals are probably my favorite pastime to look forward to. I love being surrounded by so many different people, all coming to listen to good music. Everything is so hot and loud, but there is an enchanting buzz all around. Everyone at a music festival is so happy to be there, and it seems easy to get lost in the sounds and sights. The best moment was standing, waiting, anticipating, for Paul McCartney to come out to perform. This man is one of the most successful musical artists in the world who was once part of a ground-breaking group, The Beatles. He carries a playful nature on stage, making jokes to the crowd and truly enjoying entertaining the crowd. Along with his initial set, he also performed three encores, all that were obviously planned because at the end of third one, fireworks shot out from behind the stage into the night sky. Music festivals allow you to meet people from all over the country. These people make for funny stories but rarely get remembered because of the distraction of various styles of music on different stages at the same time. At Bonnaroo, my friend and I met a guy we’ve coined as Red Cherry Bandana Guy, for the bandana he wore that had red cherries on it. We also met a guy, Adam, who lost his phone in the crowd at Paul McCartney, but it was okay, his friend said, because “It’s a Nokia. Not like it’s going to break.” Another funny person that I met was at Weenie Roast in 2015. I sat next to this guy who told me his name. I thought
12 Entertainment
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he said Daniel, but my friend, who was on the other side of me, thought he said Andrew. He told us that he went to school in Charlotte and promptly took a selfie with the both of us at the end of the night, but we never figured out what his actual name was. That year was also interesting because some people that I’m very good friends with now were at that same music festival, but we never knew. We didn’t know each other at the time, but we have pictures where we are probably about ten feet away from each other. One of my other favorite experiences at a music festival was two summers ago at Weenie Roast in Charlotte. This was before anyone was allowed to drive out of state, so my friend’s parents had to drop us off and pick us up. Because of this, we had to leave before the final set finished, so we ran with all our left over energy to get to the car as we heard Foster the People jamming out to “Pumped Up Kicks.” The greatest thing about music festivals is that there is music from every genre there could be. I’ve seen some of the classic artists like Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, and Stone Temple Pilots, but I’ve also seen some more modern artists, such as Charlie XCX, Macklemore, Of Monsters and Men, Edward Sharpe, and the Lumineers. Music festivals offer something for everyone, and even if you don’t know an artist or band, you can still enjoy the current music that’s being played. I love just standing in a crowd of people, dancing along to a band I had never even heard of until that day. In the future, I really hope to get the opportunity to attend more music festivals. Even though they can get pricey depending on which ones I would want to go to, it really is a good deal considering how many artists come and perform for everyone. It’s a different experience than a concert, and there’s nothing like it out there. There’s so many out there to go to, all over the world, and I hope one day to be able to go to all of them.
As the end of the school year rolls around, many students anticipate the upcoming summer vacation. Music festivals are growing in popularity among teens and young adults as something to experience over their breaks. Here are some ideas and tips to think about before packing to spend some days in the sun. Even before hitting the road to the festival, you must plan. There are a wide variety of music festivals for many different genres of music. There’s also a wide variety of price tags depending on the festival. Once you choose a festival to attend, there are some questions to consider: How many days is the festival? Do they offer camping if it’s more than one day? Will you have to stay at a hotel? Are cars allowed at the venue? There are certain festivals that offer on-site camping. People can bring a travel camper or a tent to stay closer to the venue. At most festivals, like the popular festival Bonnaroo in Tennessee, staying in a tent is cheaper than a camper, but there is more exposure to the natural elements, like dirt and water. One of the world’s most famous music festivals, Coachella, doesn’t offer on-site camping. People attending this festival have to spend the extra expense of booking a hotel room. Your car is not a good place to sleep or store things at a music festival. According to Heat Kills, who publishes information about the dangers of over-heating cars, when temperatures reach one hundred degrees outside, they can reach up to one hundred and forty in just under an hour inside of the car. After all the details about where you’re staying and how you’re getting there have been covered, packing for the trip begins. Always check the weather of the time you’ll be at the festival. Typically, festivals are in expansive, open fields, so you will be exposed to the sun and natural elements, Shorts and tank tops are the best options for clothes to pack. Bring a loose, light hoodie or shirt to protect your skin from the sun. Locations of festivals tend to be very dusty. Rain is common to occur in the summer months. Bring comfortable, closed-toed shoes, like combat boots or high top sneakers, that will protect the foot better. A good tip that many celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens and Kendall Jenner use is to keep a bandana on them at
all times. When walking around, sand and dirt get kicked up very easily. The bandana covers the mouth and nose. A bandana can also be used to help cool down the body under the intense sun. The bandana can hold a handful of ice or be drenched in cold water and placed on the back of the neck. You could be standing in long lines at festivals for a lot of different things: lines to get into a stage pit, lines for free merchandise, lines for food, lines for rides. These are the moments that covers, sunscreen, and bandanas would come most in handy. Some people even bring fan-water bottles that can spray water on their faces and bodies for when they get too hot. Personal hygiene can be tricky to deal with at festivals because of the long hours and lack of water to bathe in. That large pile of hygienic and cosmetic products that usually gets packed for trips can be left at home. Things like dry shampoo, wet wipes, deodorant, and lotion will come more in handy than bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Granted, if you stay in a hotel rather than camp out, bathing becomes much simpler. The long hours at the festival means a need to be prepared for any type of situation. Bring a backpack or, as it is increasing in popularity, a fanny pack with everything you might need. An empty water bottle is good to bring. Most places won’t let you bring in an unopened or opened bottle, so bring an empty one to fill up inside. Sunscreen is maybe one of the most important things. Always pack multiple bottles and remember to reapply vigilantly. In case of rain, it’s smart to buy a good rain poncho beforehand. Most places have them for sale inside the festival, but the prices tend to be very high. A good rule for festivals is to not bring anything you wouldn’t want lost. Leave laptops and expensive cameras at home. Festivals typically have other things to do besides listen to music. They can have art to view, auctions, and different classes. I’ve taken a DIY T-shirt class and a yoga class at festivals. The summer time is a great time for adventure, and a music festival is a good way to meet new people, make new experiences, and enjoy the feeling of good music.
Getting Local Bonnaroo Music Festival Manchester, TN June 9-12, 2016 Tickets: $324.50 Camping: Yes
Carolina Country Festival Myrtle Beach, SC June 10-12, 2016 Tickets: $159 Camping: No
The Wrecking Ball Atlanta, GA August 12-14, 2016 Tickets: $110 Camping: No
Imagine Festival Atlanta, GA August 26-28, 2016 Tickets: $169 Camping: No
Entertainment 13
King of Africa B Remains King on Stage Sydney Galloway managing editor
roadway shows are always exciting with big, shiny marquees peaking your interest to see the show. This was the case for the golden yellow signs advertising the show that has been running for 14 years and has sold millions of tickets. The Lion King is the third longest running show on Broadway, and after I saw it on Broadway, it deserves to be. The sets of The Lion King are very intricate. The same mountain-type structure that rose from the stage was used in several scenes but looked different because of lighting or the characters that acted upon it. People were also more involved in sets as they used people as grass and vegetation rather than just having set pieces. People as plants gave more character and life to the scenery. Another great part about The Lion King is that they use the entire theatre as their set, and they involve the audience often. The opening scene has several different animals parading through the crowd making their way to the stage for Circle of Life. The costumes are the most impressive and best part of this show. Making the animals look realistic seems like a difficult task but not for the costume designers of this show. The costumes are beautiful from the lions’ intricately beaded costumes to making ZaZu look full bird. The hyenas are costumed to fit their personality and role. Their costumes are less intricate and noble like the position their characters have. Pumba had a great costume that looked exactly like the character from the movie. Timon was actually Timon connected to a person who was wearing an all-green suit. The actors and actresses seemed as though they owned the show. They seemed to really connect with the audience and portray their characters well. Dancing is also a very big part of the show. The dancers were beautiful and were helpful in telling the story and setting the mood during big scenes and scene changes. The Lion King is a wonderful show. The company has a separate cast that travels and performs, and they will be at the Peace Center next year.
Hamilton Rises to the Top of the Revolution Kendall Shepard senior editor J
ust up Broadway a couple of blocks sits the Richard Rodgers Theater, which has been home to many famous shows such as Chicago, Footloose, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Romeo and Juliet, and now, the newest sensation to hit Broadway, Hamilton. Hamilton has sent waves across America with this new style of musical theatre. Younger generations have been flooding to Broadway in hopes to get a rare spot inside the theater. The show is about one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, told from the point of view from his life-long friend/enemy, Aaron Burr. The show focuses on Hamilton making his name in the nation during the revolution, through his career, leading up to his death. Hamilton has been described as a Hip-Hop/R&B musical. Many of the songs feature a mix of styles, from rap to reggae to pop. The soundtrack tells a definite story of his life, while remaining entertaining for a topic most of us probably ignored in our U.S. history classes. The writer and one of the stars of the show, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also wrote In The Heights, wrote the musical to go from song to song, not wanting dialogue between the songs. Miranda said that growing up, his family didn’t have enough money to go see shows
14 Reviews
that he wanted to. He would listen to cast recordings and always felt like he was missing something when the soundtrack didn’t flow. He wanted to give kids the chance to hear the entire show, just like he would have wanted to. Hamilton is currently my favorite musical. Not only are the songs well written and catchy, but they also carry universal meanings. One of the best aspects is the diversity of the cast. Miranda wanted the story about the founding of America to reflect America today. Most of the cast is African-American, Hispanic, or Asian-American. Only one character, King George III, is played by a Caucasian. The first act of the show is mostly upbeat and playful. For the main character, Hamilton, his life is full of hope, love, and opportunity. My favorite songs from the first act are “Wait For It,” sung by Aaron Burr about waiting for opportunity, and “History Has It’s Eyes on You,” sung by George Washington before the Battle of Yorktown. The second act is definitely less optimistic, as Hamilton struggles with Congress and his affair. My favorite song from the second act is “One Last Time”, sung by Washington, explaining to Hamilton why he is stepping down as president. Hamilton is worth the listen to, and if you get tickets to go, make sure you bring me!
I have ADD and I Don’t Have a Title
Sydney Galloway junior managing editor
L
ately, there has been a lot of speculation about children who have attention disorders; parents want to know whether telling their child is harmful or
helpful. Some parents believe that not telling their child will be beneficial; however, most doctors think that not telling a child that they have ADD or ADHD will be harmful. District 6 School Psychologist, Shannon Hunter, said, “I believe it’s a positive approach to helping children understand the challenges they may encounter as a result of ADHD.” ADHD and ADD are conditions with symptoms such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. ADHD and ADD are disorders that the mind cannot slow down. Thoughts race rapidly, which makes being in a school environment difficult. Having an attention disorder makes school miserable and frustrating, and if a child did not know the reason for this, he or she would probably assume they’re dumb or that they can not understand school. Going through the school system with an attention disorder is hard because it is not designed for people who cannot constantly focus. Telling kids that they have ADD/ ADHD will also help them with understanding how to learn. It is also important for the patient to understand ADD/ ADHD. Attention disorders need to be explained so that the kid can understand it and understand the way that his/her own brain works. People who don’t have ADD or ADHD don’t understand how it affects the brain, so it is important for the parents to know to be able to tell the kids. Another reason that telling children they have ADD/ADHD is important is because if they find out they may think that it is something to be ashamed of. Which is not true. Dr. Edward Hallowell describes it perfectly, when he says “Well, Jed, you Artwork by Sydney Galloway This is an artistic depiction of how active an ADHD brain is and each color represents each thought.
have a turbocharged brain. It can go really, really fast. The only problem is that sometimes it goes too fast. And it needs special motor oil so it won’t overheat. But with the right brakes and oil, it wins lots of races.” Maybe some parents don’t know how to tell their child about their disorder so they think they shouldn’t even tell them at all. I understand that it could be a nerve - racking topic to describe, but if a parent felt uncomfortable, they could ask the doctor to describe it just as Dr. Hallowell did. There are also several online resources that parents can use to tell their children. Children should always be told if they have ADD or ADHD. It just wouldn’t be fair if they did not know. I have ADD, and if I did not know why it was so hard for me to focus, I would have even more trouble. Ms. Hunter said, “Like other medical conditions. the more aware you are of the symptoms, the more likely you are at understanding what strategies are best for lessening negative impact on daily activities.” It is important for the parents to make the child feel like ADD or ADHD is not something negative. Many people with ADHD have careers in the arts because those subjects are easier to focus on. Junior Jacob Hutson has ADD, and he said he is glad his parents told him or he would wonder what was wrong with him. People with attention disorders also typically are funny with creative personalities. They know how to overcome obstacles because there are many to overcome going through school without complete focus. It is important for people to know that there are positives to having ADD or ADHD and that having either is completely normal. There are many ways, even besides medication, to combat the symptoms that cause distraction.
Editorials 15
2016 Summer Reading List
English 10 Honors/ Pre-AP
The required works for English 10 Honors are listed below. Students should purchase their own copies of the books so that they can annotate the texts. Students should be prepared on the first day of class, whether first or second semester, to take a written test and write about the texts.
A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry Saints at the River Ron Rash
English 11 Honors
The required works for English 11 Honors are listed below. Students should purchase their own copies of the books so that they can annotate the texts. Students should be prepared on the first day of class, whether first or second semester, to discuss the text analytically and write critically about it
English 10 Advanced
The summer reading assignment is a requirement and should be read over the summer before the first day of class, whether first or second semester.
Between Shades of Gray Ruta Supetys
English 11 Advanced
The summer reading assignment is a requirement and should be read over the summer before the first day of class, whether first or second semester.
A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry
during class.
The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde
AP Literature and Composition
\Students must read all the books from the reading requirements below. Students should purchase copies of the books so that they can annotate the texts. Students should be prepared on the first day of class, whether first or second semester, to discuss the works analytically, take a comprehension test, and write critically about the works during class.
English 12 Advanced
The summer reading assignment is a requirement and should be read over the summer before the first day of class, whether first or second semester.
1984 George Orwell
1984 George Orwell A Streetcar Named Desire Tennessee Williams A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini
The students must read the book that is required below. Students should purchase their own copy so that they can annotate the text. Students should be prepared on the first day of class, whether first or second semester, to take a written
AP Language and Composition
Saints at the River Ron Rash
Students must read the books from the reading requirements below. Students should purchase copies of the books so that they can annotate the texts. Students should be prepared on the first day of class, whether first or second semester, to discuss the works analytically, take a comprehension test, and write critically about the works during class.
All students must read:
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner Students choose one book from below to read: The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls Into the Wild Jon Krakauer A Deadly Wandering Matt Richtel Outliers Malcolm Gladwell
World Literature
test and write about the text.
STEM Humanities
The summer reading assignment is required for all students taking STEM Humanities. Students should purchase their own copy of the book so that they can annotate the text. Students should be prepared on the first day of class to take a written test and write about the text, whether first or second semester
Cosmos Dr. Carl Sagan