Spring 2018 Issue

Leesville Road High School, Raleigh, N.C.

March 23, 2018

Monica Wilkerson: From potential lawyer to teacher (page 2)

Volume XXVI, Issue 3

Smothers returns to lead Pride baseball (page 16)

THE MYCENAEAN

lrhsnews.org In the news “Volley Bros” game to take place at LRHS • Hayden Stephens, sophomore, to represent Leesville on the North Carolina Association of Student Councils Executive Board as Central District High School Vice Chair for 2018-19 school year.

• Baldin Bell, senior, to play in the 2018 East-West All-Star Football Game this summer.

• Leesville Theater’s production of The Wedding Singer opens Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m.

• 2018 Leesville Prom theme is announced as “A Starry Night.” The event will be held at the Shrine Club on April 28.

• The Leesville Solar Car Team unveiled their new solar car on Saturday, March 17 at Chickfil-A on Glenwood Avenue.

• Leesville Latin students to attend the North Carolina Junior Classical League State Convention at UNC-Chapel Hill on April 13 and 14.

By: Jacob Polansky Staff Writer

While most high school sports offer both boys and girls teams, not all follow that suit. The most notable exceptions: football and volleyball.

Leesville’s Executive Council is responsible for the well known solution to the lack of a female football program, “Powderpuff.”

For the first time, Executive Council attempts to address the sport of volleyball as well --”Vol-

ley Bros” is their solution.

“It’s going to be a lot like Powderpuff,” said Hayden Stephens, a sophomore Executive Council member running the program.

“The guys are going to play volleyball, and the girls will get to coach.”

To be eligible to play, you had to attend the interest meeting on Friday, February 23 in the breezeway. One can gather a team of six members and sign up together or sign up individually

By: Ashley Tysiac Junior Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY TYSIAC

By: Isabella Parsons Staff Writer

See Blood Drive, page 2

@LRHSnews @lrhsnews

omore. “I signed up for Volley Bros with my friends, so I could have fun -- and hopefully win some games.”

The faculty expect to field a team as well.

Game day is Wednesday, March 28. With stellar turnout at the interest meeting for both competing boys and coaching girls, the anticipation continues to rise. Boys should have their teams set and be ready for the debut of Volley Bros.

March 14 walkout was “just the A bond on and off beginning” the court

New blood drive policy affects LRHS, Red Cross Starting in February, Wake County Public School System will no longer allow its high schools to host blood drives during school hours, but the schools are still able to host the Red Cross for blood donations after school or on non-school days.

WCPSS cites three main problems with hosting the blood drive during school hours: Risk Management concerns, Health Services concerns, and Staff concerns. This includes loss of academic seat time, students and staff driving after donating, and background checks for the Red Cross nurses.

Lisa Luten, Communications Director of WCPSS, said via email, “After reviewing the blood drive program, district administrators determined that blood drives should not occur during the school day. Blood Drives can occur after the school day or on weekends. Student leaders can work with community organizations to schedule, lead and

and be placed on a team.

The goal is simple enough: have fun. Volley Bros is a great way to explore a new sport, try something different, or just hang out with friends. The competitive aspect of team versus team play combines the comradery and intensity of playing a school sport with the lighthearted nature of no-stakes game.

“I played volleyball last year in gym class, and it was pretty fun,” said Tyler Dickinson, soph-

Isabel Daumen (left), junior, and Kayla Pope (right), senior, unveil a banner calling for an end to school violence at the Leesville student walkout on March 14. Hundreds of students walked out of class at 9:00 a.m. for 17 minutes to honor the victims of the Parkland school shooting and promote school safety.

By: Ashley Tysiac Junior Editor

On March 14 at 9:00 a.m., several hundred students promptly left their second period classes and paraded down to Marshall Hamilton football stadium.

There, on the left side of the field, students gathered as a group to honor the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victims and advocate for school safety.

Student leaders of the walkout shouted into bullhorns as they addressed the crowd -- the 17 minutes was coupled with moments of cheering, chanting, and honorary silence. A few homemade signs were held up in the crowd. Some even held their phones high in the air to capture the moment on video.

And after 17 minutes, students

INDEX News....................................2

Ishua Benjamin, Leesville assistant men’s basketball coach, received a call one day from his wife, Lisa, while playing basketball professionally overseas in Europe. It seemed as if their son, Jalen Benjamin, a current Leesville junior, was following in Ishua’s footsteps.

She told Ishua about how their son went a perfect 10 for 10 from the field in a youth recreational basketball league game—when he was about six years old.

“I said ‘You know what? I think I’ll be home in a couple of weeks,’” said Ishua.

Ishua returned back to Raleigh from Europe and ended his basketball career for good. He had struggled with injuries for quite some time, and with Jalen evolving into a promising player, he knew it was time to focus on his family.

And what came next was the development of both a strong father-son bond and a special coach-player relationship between the two Benjamins.

filed out of the stadium and proceeded back to their classes.

But students who organized the walkout hope that the movement isn’t defined as just one 17 minute moment. They hope that the March 14 walkout is just one step to building a bigger movement to promote safety in schools.

Much work went into helping the Leesville protest come to fruition. Key leaders included Katherine Magee and Jayla Hagans, both seniors, who stepped up to plan and organize the demonstration because they believed no one else would. The two thought that school violence was an issue that Leesville students needed to address.

Then Magee and Hagans, along with a few other students, came together and spread the word, planning the logistics of the protest and promoting the

walkout on social media.

Magee initially was not sure what the turnout for the protest was going to be like, having received mixed reactions to the planned demonstration. However, after seeing the number of students who participated, she gained hope that the school safety movement is certainly not over yet.

“Seeing all the support out there and just the hundreds of people that were there and decided to walk out, it’s just the beginning,” said Magee.

Other students, including Daryn Wilkerson, junior, also were pleased to see hundreds of their peers out on the football field on Wednesday.

“I’m really glad that people actually care about [school safety] and that my peers want to come

See Walkout, page 2

See Benjamins, page 15

Humans of Leesville............4 Netflix...................................5 Environmental.....................6

Guns & Safety.......................7 Women.............................8-9 Fun & Games......................11

Reviews...............................12 Opinions & Editorials........13 Sports.............................15-16

A Stellar Player As a kid, Ishua played multiple sports: baseball, football and basketball. But once he started school at Concord High School near Charlotte, he began to focus more on basketball.

“I moved up to play varsity basketball [in high school], so that’s when I started taking it seriously,” said Ishua.

During his high school years, Ishua blossomed into one of the most skilled players in the country. He earned the title of North Carolina Mr. Basketball in 1994 as the top senior high school basketball player in the state,

2/ News Continued

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

Walkout Cont’d out and support [the movement],” said Wilkerson.

For those who walked out, many did so because they want to see change, including Helena Bunte, freshman.

“It’s our duty to make change in our society today,” said Bunte.

“There’s so many problems in our society that we need to do something.”

Some students chose not to participate in the student-organized protest. Connor Bardin, junior, decided to stay in class at 9:00 a.m. “I didn’t agree with the principles,” said Bardin via text.

Other students took to social media to voice their concerns about the Leesville protest, arguing that a walkout wouldn’t have much of an impact on government representatives and policy makers.

However, the student walkout organizers hope that Leesville’s protest will resonate with local, North Carolina, and national government officials.

“If Senator [Richard] Burr and [Senator] Thom Tillis want to stay in office, they need to know that this is the action that we demand and that we’re not going to be quiet,” said Magee.

Going forward, Magee and other Leesville students plan for a larger demonstration on April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting, to raise awareness about school violence.

At the future walkout, they hope to have some local politicians and government officials speak about the issue and show their support for the movement.

But in the moment, the organizers of Leesville’s walkout hope that all of the student-led protests that occurred across the United States help raise legislative action on safety issues in schools.

“Seeing thousands of schools nationwide all have students walk out, that’s a very powerful message,” said Magee.

Blood Drive Cont’d encourage participation in blood drives that occur after the school day or on weekend,” said Luten.

Sydney Tucker, junior blood drive coordinator, was upset when she heard the news. “Now that the blood drive is cancelled, it is unfortunately a lost opportunity to help the community,” said Tucker.

“It has been an important part of Leesville for many years and the Red Cross is losing a lot of blood,” said Annie Mims, a blood drive coordinator for the past two years.

In regards to how the Red Cross

plans to continue blood drives, spokeswoman Maya Franklin said via email, “We are currently working with the school system to reschedule these blood drives either on campus during off-school hours or hold them at alternate locations. The Red Cross and Wake County Schools remain committed to working together to help save lives in the community and across the country. We look forward to our continued collaboration with Wake County faculty, students and the community to ensure blood is available for patients in need.”

Monica Wilkerson: From potential lawyer to teacher By: Ashley Tysiac Junior Editor

As a young girl growing up in the small town of Bennettsville, South Carolina, Monica Wilkerson, an English teacher at Leesville, never imagined that she would someday become a teacher.

“I grew up wanting to be a lawyer,” said Wilkerson. “I loved crime shows. I watched crime shows all of the time.”

However, as the youngest of three children by ten years, Wilkerson was advised by her father to earn a degree in a subject that didn’t require graduate school in case anything happened to him or her mother. So, Wilkerson turned to earning a teaching degree.

“When you student teach, it’s hard to study for the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test), and that was the end of [becoming a lawyer],” said Wilkerson.

But Wilkerson has never looked back. She has spent 25 years teaching, spending time in both South Carolina and North Carolina.

And even though she wanted to study law, Wilkerson is happy with where she’s at as a teacher.

“I do enjoy being a teacher, and I think that’s why I haven’t left,” said Wilkerson.

Journey to Teaching Wilkerson’s path to becoming a teacher first began at the University of North Carolina, where she earned her degree. She originally planned to attend Emory Univer-

sity in Atlanta, but her dad convinced her to become a Tarheel, even though she grew up as a fan of the NC State Wolfpack. “[My family] grew up NC State fans—we weren’t supposed to go to Carolina,” said Wilkerson. “But [my father] talked me into it.”

After making the move from South Carolina to the neighboring Carolina, Wilkerson wound up right back in her hometown after college. She spent her first year of teaching in Bennettsville, surrounded by many familiar faces: her father’s fraternity brother was her principal and her neighbor three doors down was the head of the English department she was a member of.

But Wilkerson didn’t stay home for long. After just one year, she moved back across the border again to North Carolina, landing a job in Wake County at Ligon Middle School.

However, with the help of a friend from her days at UNC, Wilkerson acquired a job as an English teacher at Leesville Road High School in 1995 after teaching for two years at Ligon. And it’s a job she’s held ever since.

During her 25 years of teaching, Wilkerson has always taught one subject—English. The only exception was one semester of Classical Mythology during her time at Ligon.

Teaching English comes many challenges, from grading essays to managing paperwork, but Wilkerson doesn’t let them faze her.

“I try not to get overwrought about many things,” said Wilkerson.

Instead, she focuses on one initiative: helping her students love and improve in English.

“I focus on the challenge of giving my kids the best education possible and trying to make them at least love reading,” said Wilkerson.

But teaching English isn’t just about critiquing essays. Wilkerson enjoys having the opportunity to interact every day with students who dedicated to furthering their education. “[I enjoy] talking to kids who are actually interested in what they are learning—kids who like to learn and want to grow, who want help.”

A Meaningful Purpose Wilkerson admitted that when she first started teaching English, her goal was to “read together” with her students, as she is an avid literature consumer. However, now, she says her purpose for teaching is much more significant.

“It’s become more of my own mini crusade,” said Wilkerson. “I realize that I need to open student’s minds so that they can truly become productive members of society.”

Now, Wilkerson emphasizes to her students just how they can make their voices heard, reminding them to use the skills they learn in her class to make contributions to society.

And Wilkerson’s daughter Daryn, junior, said that’s what makes her mother a great teacher.

“She actually cares about her students,” said Daryn.

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

AD/ 3

4/ Humans of Leesville

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

HUMANS OF LEESVILLE Based on the New York Times segment “Humans of New York”, Humans of Leesville is a collection of interviews from students about their activities, their hobbies, or their passions. Even though each story is unique, they all fit together to create the Leesville story. “...it’s a lot more than a sport; it’s more of a lifestyle.” -- Mary Miller PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF MARY MILLER

“I’ve been riding horses since I was like three, so I’ve been in it for forever. I don’t really remember how I started. I’ve kept doing it because I love the people. I love riding horses, and it’s just a fun thing to do with my friends. We compete about once a month with my barn, and it’s just a fun group of people. There’s some great other riders who go to this school. A lot of people don’t think riding is a sport, but it’s really like a full time job. There’s taking care of your horse. At horse shows, you have to be there at six in the morning to feed them, and you can’t leave until seven at night when you’ve shown all day, and they’ve all been fed and taken care of. So it’s a lot more than a sport -- it’s more of a lifestyle. I have to go ride six days a week. I can’t miss a lesson. It’s not something that you just go to randomly, so it’s really impacted my life in that way.

There’s also a bigger community such as 4H that you can get involved with as well.”

“So we were like ‘yeah, let’s just make a business’...”-- AJ Peña

“ I started making my own beats, and then I just started to like mixing other peoples stuff for them...” -- Matt Murdock

PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF MATT MURDOCK

“I started [posting music on SoundCloud] a long time ago when I was like twelve... when my stepbrother and I used to make parodies of stupid songs. I forgot what band it was, but they were really popular, and we made a parody of it. It was just a joke.

Then around fourteen, I started getting more serious. I was running out of beats to use on Youtube, so I was like ‘I should just make my own’. I started making my own beats and then I just started to like mixing other peoples stuff for them. I kind of found a group of people that I like to work with now. One of the best things that I like is the people you get to meet and the reactions you can get from people when they hear something that you made, and you can be proud of that product.”

“It’s personally my favorite musical, so I really hope that it goes just as well as I hope it does...”-- Lauren Wait PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF LAUREN WAIT

PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF AJ PEÑA

“Around last February, [my cousin, brother, and I] were all interviewing for jobs and only two of us got the job. My brother didn’t have a job, so what we ended up doing was...‘ok we’re all going to get jobs’, so we started our own business. We made an LLC, so we’re all owners and founders of the business. We called it Mow Bros, and we started officially mowing in May. We had been mowing other people’s lawns and stuff; they loved it so we were like ‘yeah, let’s just make a business’. We advertised on Next Door, Facebook, and word of mouth. It got really popular. Over summer, we were really, really busy. It was hard to balance at first with cross country in the morning, then working, and then I had another job...it was crazy. It’s been very successful, and we just keep doing it because it brings us joy in a weird way. With the connections that we make with our customers it’s just a lot of fun.”

“I asked one of the biology/biomedical professors if I could intern so now I have an internship at NC State.” -- Renee Muthakana

PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH COMESKEY

“My mom works at Duke, and she knows professors there and at NC State. So I contacted them, and I asked one of the biology/biomedical professors if I could intern.

Now I have an internship at NC State. I’ve been doing it for about six months -- I just go in every day for two hours to do the internship and work on a research project. It’s a lot of lab and research; there’s a lot of papers. Personally, I work one-on-one [with the professor], so he helps me with a lot of it since he has a PhD. It’s hands-on with chemicals and a lot of the medicine.”

“We just finished up our vocal rehearsals [for the spring musical The Wedding Singer], so we’ve sang every single song in the show. It’s going really well so far. We all sound like one voice for the most part. Plus, it’s a really fun show so everybody is really putting their personality into it. Pretty soon we are going to start choreography and blocking… I’m really looking forward to the show. It’s personally my favorite musical, so I really hope that it goes just as well as I hope it does because I put a lot of heart into it. And the fact that I get a chance to play such an important role in it is really special to me.”

“...it’s the one thing I can keep with me, the one thing I can be myself at.” -- Richie Rizzuto PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF RICHIE RIZZUTO

“I started [wrestling] because I was into soccer, But I tried out for the soccer team and didn’t make it. My dad was a wrestler in high school and wasn’t able to go where he wanted to go with it, so I kinda moved into wrestling because I knew people that were on the team. When I moved on and started, it was really hard at first. Then I got excited and trained during the summer. I’ve kept going because it’s just the one thing I can keep with me -- the one thing I can be myself at. It’s played a big part in my life, and I’ve hit a lot of high standards so far. This season I went 51-9. The one goal I had was not to get pinned this year. I got pinned once because I put myself there. I made states, won my region, and won my conference. In one of the tournaments I won, I beat the kid that placed first in the state championship of 3A.”

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

Netflix / 5

NETFLIX Leesville and streaming services From Netflix to Hulu to Amazon, video streaming has rapidly taken over the world. We polled Leesville students from all grades and backgrounds to discover whether video streaming has overcome cable T.V. Our data consisted of students from honors and academic English classes from grades nine through twelve.

Do you have cable? (Direct TV, Spectrum/ Time Warner, etc.)

Opinion: Option overload?

By: Kaitlyn Stocum Staff Writer

For so many, Netflix is a great site because of its many choices of TV shows and movies. Upon further research, people have learned that Netflix is just one of many examples of option overload.

Option overload, or information overload, is a term used to describe when a person is presented with so many options that they feel overwhelmed and are unable to make a decision.

As Netflix has around 6500 TV shows and just over 1600 different movies to choose from, one

can experience this phenomenon quite easily while using Netflix.

Research shows that when someone is presented with far too many options, they can feel overwhelmed and stressed by the many decisions and not even complete their original task in the first place.

From my experience, I can say that I’ve experienced option overload; much of the time, there are so many options that I can’t make a decision and end up watching something else instead.

Another problem with option overload is access to too many choices. If there are so many

options to choose from, in this case TV shows or movies, it can be hard to find the best shows or ones tailored to a person’s specific likes.

When first joining Netflix, the site asks for three different shows of one’s preference in order to better suggest shows to the user.

Although intended to be helpful, this does not always work well with random suggestions not at all related to the original choices.

In a life where technology is so readily at everyone’s fingertips, sites like Netflix make option overload worse than it needs to be.

Do you have Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu or other streaming services?

Opinion: Netflix is amazing By: Michael Beauregard

How many hours do you spend watching streaming services each day?

Why are more people cutting the cord on cable?

By: Isabella Parsons Staff Writer

Cord cutting, the act of canceling cable television in favor of an Internet-based service, is becoming more commonplace, with people switching over to video streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Video, and Hulu to serve their video-watching needs. 1 in 7 Americans are cord cutters, where 15% are cord cutters now and 9% have never had cable at all.

The mindset of these “cord cutters” is that you are not only saving money, but receiving original content tailored to your needs One of the main complaints that prevent people from cutting the cord is the loss of live content--especially relating to sports. However, many sports channels are transitioning to video streaming services with Amazon Video beginning to air Thursday Night Football.

Another one of the main complaints is that people watch their news on cable, or channels like CNN, FOX, and ABC. However, statistics show that more Millenials and members of Generation Z get their news from social media, not from cable news network.

My family hasn’t used cable T.V. for almost six years now, and our reasoning has always been that it's senseless to pay over $100 for something you'll only use half of.

With Netflix and Amazon Video, you get thousands of movies and T.V. shows, at a tenth of a price.

At first, it was extremely difficult to adjust to not being able to watch Grey’s Anatomy or The Bachelor, but it got easier with each year that passed. In my opinion, being able to watch what you want whenever you want is better than sitting through commercials and T.V. shows you really don’t want to watch.

Senior Editor

The telephone. The car. The airplane. The McRib. All undeniably great inventions that the world would never be the same without. Even still, those things are nothing compared to the internet. The ability to communicate with any person around the world, peruse millions of bytes of knowledge at a moment’s notice, and make and share dumb memes makes the internet the most valuable and versatile invention ever. One of the greatest products of the internet is the video-streaming website Netflix.

Before Netflix, prospective movie-viewers needed to go to Blockbuster and rent a physical disc like some sort of peasant.

Even in its early days, Netflix customers had to order movies that would show up at their house in a matter of days.

The instantaneous delivery offered by modern-day Netflix is what makes it the entertainment juggernaut that it is. Its broad selection of movies and shows -- including those of its own creation -- gives it a competitive edge over traditional cable/ satellite television, which force customers to wait to see things they want to see. Granted, many television service providers now have “on demand,” but the selection on those programs is usually slim when compared to Netflix.

Additionally, cable/satellite cost much more than just getting an unlimited internet plan from a phone company, and then using

it to stream movies.

Netflix, of course, has its issues. I’m probably going to resent it forever for taking It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Office out of its library.

However, Netflix makes up for these indiscretions with a highly diverse library, filled with some fantastic films and TV shows. I would never have found my favorite sci-fi movie, Dead Snow, without Netflix. Neither would I have seen First They Killed My Father, which shows viewers the sheer brutality of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime.

Overall, Netflix is great because of its easy access and expansive library. Its lack of advertisements and low cost certainly push it above and beyond all other streaming services.

6 / Environmental

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

LEESVILLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Q&A WITH MRS. LAMBERTH

Q: How do you incorporate environmentalism and conservationism into your AP Environmental classes?

I think that environmentalism and conservationism is all about awareness of issues in your local, regional and global environment.

The environmental reports that are required as a part of the course force students to look for issues going on around them and then determine how that impacts the environment. The more aware students become, the more likely it becomes that students will find something they are passionate about which is the root of environmental action.

Q: Do you give students the opportunity to engage in activities that either raise awareness about environmental issues or encourage them to preserve the environment themselves?

I try to inform students about opportunities to engage in activities, but I do not actively create those opportunities. I do encourage students to make choices about what they buy, consume or what activities they participate in based on the impact to the environment.

Q: What are site visits and what purpose do they serve in your classes?

Site visits are trips to natural settings on the school campus that encourage students to examine the local environment and relate their observations to what we are talking about in class. The goals of the site visits are to improve observational skills, strengthen connections between the concepts covered in class, and experience a natural laboratory setting.

Q: What is your favorite part of teaching AP Environmental science?

I truly enjoy the content of the course and how relevant it is to what we see in the news today. I think that learning about the environmental issues facing our world is so important for ensuring that we make good choices for the future of the human species and the ecosystem we live in. I love seeing students get excited about the material we are learning and find a passion in the content that sometimes shapes their future goals and career.

Q: What do you hope that students get out of APES? I just hope that students gain a respect for the environment and their role in it. One person making small changes to their every day routine can make a huge difference when it comes to the environment. I hope that this class inspires those small changes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISABEL DAUMEN

A Call to Action: What you can do for the environment

As a teenager, it may seem like there’s not much you can do for the environment. However, one way that Leesville students can reduce their carbon emissions is by riding their bikes to school. (Photo courtesy of Isabel Daumen).

By: Isabel Daumen Junior Editor

Climate change is a global issue, indiscriminately affecting all members of society. Ever since the industrial revolution, human actions--such as the excessive burning of fossil fuels-have accelerated the effects of global warming.

In an ideal world, this issue would be targeted by the federal government. If the governments of all industrialized countries joined forces to fully tackle the issue of climate change, the effects of climate change could be stopped relatively quickly. However, the government is not taking the steps necessary to reduce the effects of climate change on our planet.

So, the way I see it, there are

two options: You can continue to view climate change as a problem that is simply too big to solve. You can write it off as something that’s just not your responsibility but that of the federal government.

You can pretend that this issue doesn’t affect you, or that there’s nothing you can do as an individual to help.

Or, you could recognize that if the government isn’t going put forth a substantial effort to fight the effects of climate change, then the responsibility shifts to an individual level. For example, the Declaration of Independence states that if a government becomes “destructive”--or even unresponsive to the will of society-- it is the “right of the people to institute a new government.”

Therefore, as the federal govern-

ment remains unresponsive to global warming, it becomes the right, the responsibility, of the people to take action for themselves.

After all, we are the ones who are going to be affected by this problem. If the government isn’t going to do anything, then it’s up to us.

However, there is a general feeling of powerlessness that comes hand in hand with environmental issues. With an issue this big, enveloping 195 countries and seven billion people, it may appear that there is nothing that can be done by citizens on an individual level to truly combat problems such as global warming.

But it isn’t impossible. There are countless actions that you can do to lessen your personal ecological footprint.

“We are the ones who are going to be affected by this problem. If the government isn’t going to do anything, then it’s up to us.”

Change your transportation. By living without a car, you can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by three tons (Popsci).

However, in a city like Raleigh, it can be difficult to travel on foot or even on a bike. If it seems impossible to live without a car, you can carpool with people who live close to you. Although you’re still emitting CO2 , the total amount emitted would still be less than

if you drove separately. Additionally, try to avoid idling and check your tire pressure often; therefore, you can lessen the rate at which you consume gas (CNN. com).

Update your appliances.

If you invest in energy-efficient appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, you can reduce the amount of energy used in your own home (Broward.org). Additionally, with a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times that the heating or cooling turns on, reducing both your carbon footprint and your electricity bill (CNN). Even replacing old light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs can make an impact on your ecological footprint (Broward.org).

Change how you eat. According to the NDIC, “Approximately 10 percent of U.S. energy use goes into growing, processing, packaging, and shipping food—about 40 percent of which

just winds up in the landfill.” So, if you make an active effort to stop wasting food, you’ll lower your consumption of energy (NRDC.org). Additionally, you could experiment with vegetarianism. Raising livestock takes an immense amount of resources, so reducing or even eliminating the amount of meat you eat can positively impact your energy consumption (NRDC.org).

Speak out. Although these above actions will reduce your ecological footprint, in order to create substantial environmental change, you need to get more people involved. By informing the masses about the effects of climate change, you can motivate others to get involved as well.

Eventually, the issue will become salient enough, and politicians will have to listen.

Source 1: Indiana University http://bit.ly/2IbWNJ1 Source 2: Green America http://bit.ly/2DadmBm

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

Guns & Safety

By: Ray Youman Staff Writer

First and foremost, I would like to express my sympathy for the victims of the Parkland shooting. Guns are a sensitive topic to debate about now, and it’s important that we reflect on the tragedy at hand.

Guns. America was established, defended, and molded by the use of them. Our military has been elevated to the front of the world stage because of them.

And, controversially, 42% of all American citizens own them.

A gun is a weapon. The killing mechanism of weapons, such as guns, places the responsibility of using them in the hands of the owner. Ideally, this use is allocated towards personal defense. Sometimes, however, insane people use these weapons to murder innocent people or pointlessly declare war.

In tough times like these, within a diverse and conflicted nation, it is easy to point fingers.

Point at the NRA for providing millions of dollars in funding to the “corrupt old men on Capitol Hill.” Point at our president for failing to enact a nationwide assault rifle ban, regardless of his actions and suggestions to departments of national security.

Point at the “reactionary liberals” who seized the opportunity to capitalize on their anti-gun agenda and slander those with differing opinions.

Arguments like these never accomplish anything and only cause people to salt and boil at each other. They ignore the sweeping issue of mental illness within the United States and the “criminals will always have guns” dilemma.

The question being asked should be: Do we need more gun laws, or do we need to do a better job of enforcing the gun laws we currently have?

Personally, I think we could better serve to enforce the currently enacted laws that are designed to protect citizens’ rights and lives.

The FBI has already admitted to a “faliure to act” in this year’s most recent shooting. Nikolas Cruz had been suspended for assault and expelled for undisclosed matters. He had left chilling comments of his desire to be a “professional school shooter” and disdain for law enforcement.

He should not have passed the background check allowing him to legally purchase an AR-15 a year ago.

This isn’t the first time bureaucracy has failed us in relation to gun violence. After the Vegas shooting last year, it was found that the Alcohol and Tobacco Federation (ATF) failed to restrict bump stocks as an entry in written law. Bump stocks essentially convert semi-automatic weapons into full-auto ones. Police found twelve such stocks in the shooter’s apartment. After Parkland, President Trump has moved to ban such attachments on guns.

Guns are in circulation across the US and the world in troves.

They will never go away. They are an integral part of society, for better or for worse. Restricting citizen ownership of assault rifles, handguns, or firearms in their entirety won’t solve our rampant violent crime problem; it will only serve as a catalyst for criminals to become more active against defenseless individuals.

Take the M1 Garand for example. A timeless rifle dating back to the 1940s, the Garand’s semi-automatic mechanism packs more firepower than the AR-15’s of today. They were also much easier to obtain. The Sears catalog used to sell guns and bullets for mail order! In the days of our parents, schools would have gun clubs where students could practice their marksmanship on school grounds.

Needless to say, gun laws were much less restrictive. Yet, they were more enforced. From 1990 to the present day, there have been 25 mass killings in American schools. From recorded history to 1989, there were 12.

Perhaps there is a middle ground to be found here. Most school shooters are 18 to 25 years old, a time where testosterone and aggression levels peak in men. Should groups of people be categorized by risk, with additional training on gun ethics and practice distributed accordingly?

Requiring courses on gun safety to such groups could bring down incidents of violence tremendously.

Because of my family lineage, one of cowboys and soldiers dating back to the 1700s, the responsibility of gun ownership runs through our blood. More people need proper training and experience on how to properly use such weapons before they purchase one for themselves. They need to accept the responsibility they gain when they purchase a gun and realize the exclusively personal defense role they serve.

Guns & Safety/ 7

Opinion: Arming teachers not the answer Would you like to carry a firearm at school?

By: Izzee Akers Senior Editor

On February 14, 2018, one of the deadliest mass shootings took place at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The gunman was just 19 years old and carried an AR-15, killing 17 individuals.

Since the school shooting in Sandy Hook, over 400 people have been shot in more than 200 shootings in schools.

There is a recurring pattern in all of these events: guns.

With students standing up and fighting back more than ever, there has been a hard press for gun reform. In the past, Congress has looked into many bills regarding gun control and the process for owning a gun, but the majority of the time, they have declined the bills. In 2016, the “Murphy Act” appeared in the Senate. This measure would have expanded background checks to cover guns sold online and at gun shows. However, it was not passed and did not become a law.

President Donald Trump is being brought face-to-face with the push for gun reform more than ever. Marches and boycotts are taking place, as well as walkouts in schools. Trump’s current answer to the solution is to arm 20 percent of teachers and staff members with firearms to protect themselves and their students. This is not the answer for several reasons.

The first reason being, how can we expect teachers to know how to act in a life or death situation better than anyone else? They are here to inspire and teach and impact the lives of their students.

Asking someone to hold the responsibility of saving the lives of 30 or more students is an unfair task. They, of course, know in situations such as school shootings to do all they can to protect their

INFORMATION COURTESY OF NCDPI

Opinion: Guns simply aren’t going away

According to an NC Department of Public Instruction survey, 66.80 percent of the 19,391 teachers who participated would not like to carry a gun at school. The survey was sent to North Carolina public school teachers after the Parkland shooting.

students, but asking them to potentially take someone else’s life in the process is too much.

Second, everyday students are reminded of the lack of school funding the government provides. With destroyed textbooks, lack of supplies, and more, how can the President even begin to think that arming teachers is the first priority? Why not instruct the teachers on how to act in the instance of a school shooting and teach routines to best save themselves, while also making the background check process stricter and the process of buying guns online more difficult? Not only can the government not afford to supply a large number of teachers with guns, they would have to pay for firearm training in order for the staff to even know how to handle the weapon.

Lastly, another important reason to not arm educators is that it is not unlikely to find an unstable teacher just as you would find an unstable student. Some may not be able to handle the personalities of their students and the work and their outside lives get in the way of their mental health. Take the cartoon Fairly Odd Parents for example. Mr. Crocker is a crazy man obsessed with catching Timmy Turner with his fairies. He gives the students F’s, screams, stalks his

students, and more. Imagine giving Mr. Crocker an AR-15. Does that sound like the absolute best solution to school shootings?

While comparing a cartoon to a real life might not be the best comparison, it really does demonstrate some truth. In Georgia an armed teacher barricaded himself in a classroom and fired a shot through the window from his handgun. The incident resulted because the teacher refused to let students in his room during his planning period and began getting frustrated and recklessly acted out. This type of behavior is a prime example of why it is unsafe to allow guns in school. On top of the reckless behavior of the teacher, it was illegal for him to have the gun on school property anyways. The talk about allowing teachers to carry guns is influencing those like the Georgia teacher who arrogantly disregarded the safety of himself and those around him, as he tried to take matters into his own hands.

Guns do not need to be outlawed, and they do not need to be taken away from their owners.

But, something needs to change, and it can start with stricter policies on background checks, raising legal age to purchase a gun, and more. However, arming teachers and staff is not the answer.

8 / Celebrating Women’s Progress

Celebrating Wo

The Mycenaean, Leesville Roa

In today’s society, women’s rights have become a major topic. However, when discussing what needs to be done to reach equality, it is important to also remember how much progress has already happened. Over the years, women have grown to become an integral part of today’s functioning world.

Q

Women in the workforce

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The Controlled Woman Homemaker Example: Sue Davis

The Liberated Woman Factory Worker Example: Rosie the Riveter

The Modern Woman CEO Example: Oprah Winfrey

In the 1700 and 1800s, the idea that men and women should inhabit separate public and social spheres dominated American culture. A woman belonged in the private sphere, running the household from behind-the-scenes.

The role of a woman was well defined: stay at home, cook, clean, and raise children. This phenomenon is now commonly referred to as the “cult of domesticity” or “cult of true womanhood”. A “true woman” was pious, immaculate, and obedient; her only “job” was to maintain the home or do whatever her husband wanted her to. Common household responsibilities for women included sewing, growing flowers, and cleaning. Physically strenuous activities were reserved solely for men so as not to damage the stereotypically weak and delicate bodies of women. Because women were not supposed to participate in the public sphere, societal values at the time solely represented men’s beliefs.

Women were not able to make their voices heard in society; instead, they were pressured into following the men’s societal standards.

During World War 2, hundreds of thousands of women entered the workforce as the males in society went off to fight in the war. Women became the majority in the workforce, and also held important jobs in aviation and machine production that aided in the war effort. Women not only empowered themselves as workers, but also proved to be a vital part of the war. Fronting the campaign to get women into the workforce was Rosie the Riveter. Rosie the Riveter became an icon for many American women, inspiring them to fills the roles that men left as they enlisted for the war effort. This was a pivotal moment in the progress of women because as the men left for war, women became the primary source of income and controlled various aspects of the economy. Women now had the option to be independent from men because they joined the workforce and could support themselves. Not only did women themselves benefit, society as a whole benefited; the economy picked up following the Great Depression as women filled important gaps in the workforce while also supplying the war effort with important weapons and machinery.

Today, women have the ability to choose. If a woman wants to be a CEO of a company, or a scientist, or a politician, she has the opportunity to do so if she wants. In fact, as of January first there are twenty-seven female Fortune 500 CEOs in the United States. That number has been steadily increasing since the first Fortune 500 female CEO in 1972. On the other hand, a modern woman also has the choice to work at a flower shop, or be a secretary, or be a stay-at-home mom if she so desires. Today, all careers serve as viable options for women, and it is up to them to decide what they want to do. No matter what their career, women now don’t have to fear the judgements of society.

Compared to the 1700s, women have gained autonomy and the ability to make decisions for themselves. Whatever the career, the importance is that a woman can choose to do what she wants, not what a man wants, or even what society deems “normal”.

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A Princess’s journe

Snow White Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 1937 Independence Rating: 2 “Someday my prince will come… and away to his castle we’ll go, to be happy forever I know.”

In Walt Disney’s first classic princess movie, Snow White is known across the land solely for her beauty, not her intelligence nor her compassion. Snow White’s evil stepmother, jealous of her beauty, hunts her down, attempting to curse her.

The curse--which can only be broken by true love’s kiss-- would put her into a deep sleep. So, Snow White runs to hide in the forest, agreeing to do all of the cooking and cleaning for a house of 7 dwarves in exchange for a place to sleep. Therefore, Snow White spends the entire movie cooking, cleaning, and waiting for a prince to

Aurora Sleeping Beauty 1959 Independence Rating: 3 “From this slumber, you shall wake, when true love’s kiss, the spell shall break.”

Ariel The Little Mermaid 1989 Independence Rating: 5 “Who says my dreams have to stay just my dreams?”

Meg Herc 199 Independen “I’m a damsel. I’m in d this. Have a

In this Disney classic, a young princess, Aurora, facing a fatal curse from a wicked witch, escapes to a remote cottage to hopefully evade the curse. As the princess lives out her days, she meets a prince and falls in love. Aurora still gets cursed and falls into a deep sleep. The only way to break it is to be kissed by her true love. The princess lays in a deep sleep helplessly waiting for the prince to save her. Eventually he reaches her, they share a kiss, and she awakens.

In this classic tale, the mermaid Ariel is both unique and independent; when she has a dream, she sticks with it until it’s accomplished. Her dream, however, is to marry some random guy that she found half-dead on the beach. In fact, Ariel abandons all of her family and gives up her greatest talent--her voice-- all for a man that she hasn’t even spoken to. Through her initiative and perseverance, she is able to stand up for herself and fight for love.

In the 1997 adap Greek myth Hercules, a strong, self-relian -Megara. Megara ove luring charm and str instead she relies on vive. Unlike most fe ters, Megara mainly fact, she denies Herc tiple times throughou the two wind up toget movie, Megara remain not afraid to stand up

omen’s Progress

ad High School, March 23, 2018

Q & A with a Female in the Military

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCKENNA DALEY

When did you join the military?

I joined the Air Force in May of 2016.

What is your current officer position?

I am currently a 1st Lt in the Air Force Nurse Corps.

Have you ever felt discriminated against because of your gender?

I have never felt discriminated against because of my gender, but it does make me stand out. Even today, the military still mainly consists of males. n I was deployed, I was in the minority as a female. I remember walknto the chow hall, looking around, and realizing I was the only female . Guys openly stared, but they couldn’t say or do anything. It made ncomfortable.

y is it a good thing women are equal to men in the tary now?

good thing that women are moving toward equality with men in the ary because women have so many strong, invaluable skills to offer e military community. Many female officers have made significant ibutions to each branch of service and without their contributions rica’s military would not be as successful.

Amanda Daley graduated from LRHS in 2010. After graduating from Appalachian State University, she joined the Air Force.

How has the rise of women in the military correlated to the overall empowerment movement?

I think the rise of women in the military and the overall empowerment movement have equally influenced each other.

As women in the military have proven their worth

Celebrating Women’s Progress / 9

and made worthwhile contributions in their job fields, the success of the empowerment movement has increased.

And vice versa -- the overall empowerment movement has experienced greater success, women in the military have been given more opportunities to prove their worth in the military.

Is there still progress that needs to happen in order for men and women to be equal in the military?

Yes, they are still not equal in the military, and I don’t think that will change until men and women are viewed as equals in society. Men are still viewed as more dominant and taken more seriously in leadership roles in society, and the military is not immune to those stereotypes. I think time will help to change those stereotypes.

Would you recommend joining the military to other women?

I would have a hard time reccomending that a woman join the military, not just based on gender but because it is a really big life decision. I think as a woman in the military there is an added difficulty because of the adversity and challenges that you face.

The history of women in the military

: Sarah Stoflet

ff Writer

As long as America has been around, womhave always been involved with war efforts, until recently they were always behind the nes. Slowly but surely, women have made ogress in the military, and the journey has been easy or completely supported.

During the Revolutionary War, women owed their husbands to war by acting as ndresses, cooks, and nurses. Commandofficers had to give them permission to do and women had to prove that they were, in t, helpful. In a few cases, women disguised mselves as a man in order to fight: a clasMulan story. Deborah Sampson served er a year for George Washington until she ealed her gender after an injury, and she s honorably discharged. Elizabeth Newm, enlisted as Bill Newcom in the Mexican merican War, marched 600 miles before bediscovered.

Men believed women to be weak and sensie, and their hormones and menstrual cycles re used as evidence. Other men wanted to otect the women, so they fought for the men as an act of chivalry. This is justified the fact that -- while men and women are

both in danger of being prisoners of war and subject to torture -- misogynistic communities would more readily take a woman as a prisoner of war.

During World War II, women were given more non-combat roles such as mechanics, pilots, ambulance drivers, and more, but they still were not able to fight. Women became as mentally equal to men -- smart and intelligent, but the female population was still looked at as stereotypically weak.

In 1948, Congress finally took action. The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act granted women permanent status in the military subject to military authority, and they were able to receive veteran benefits. Once the draft ended in 1974, the all-volunteer military created opportunities for women, and in 1976 the first women were admitted into military academies. In 1991, women were able to fly in combat missions, and a year after that women became authorized to serve on combat ships. In the years to come, women would go on to take leadership positions-- lieutenant, sergeant, and commander. They have also received medals of honor, such as the silver star.

The decision to accept women into the military was highly debated. It can’t be denied that

the typical women is physically weaker than the typical man, and this physical inferiority is seen as a danger. Many military tasks are designed to fit men. The physical strength and endurance required is something most women -- and even many men -- do not possess. While some women will be able to meet the physical demands that come with fighting in the military, most will not.

In the past, the time, effort, and money spent integrating women into the military was not seen as worthwhile. Officers were concerned that women being in combat would hurt the morale of the group because it went against traditional gender roles many who enlist in the military still hold.

On the other hand, many believe that as long as someone is qualified, their gender should not matter and having a mixed-gender military would make the military stronger. The all-volunteer system that the United States military currently runs has trouble with low retention and recruitment rates; therefore, letting women into combat will fill in more empty slots.

Also, in our modern high-tech warfare, battlefield technological expertise and good decision-making skills are becoming

ey to independence

gara cules 97 nce Rating: 7 distress. I can handle a nice day!”

ptation of the classic , Disney incorporates nt female charactererlooks Hercules’ alrong physical figure, her own wits to suremale Disney characignores Hercules; in cules’ advances mulut the film. Although ther by the end of the ns independent and is p for herself.

Mulan Mulan 1998 Independence Rating: 9 “A girl who’s got a brain, who always speaks her mind.”

Mulan opens with explaining that China is facing a deadly battle against the Huns and all men must join the army. Fearing her father’s safety, Mulan makes the brave decision to disguise herself as a man, Ping, and take her father’s spot. As she works hard in training camp, she is able to outperform the men. Eventually she reveals her true identity, and the men are all flabbergasted and immediately lose trust in her abilities, not believing that a woman could possibly fight for her country. However, the warriors eventually restore their respect towards Mulan in the end when she saves the country from the Hun invasion.

Merida Brave 2012 Independence Rating: 8 “There comes a day when I don’t have to be a princess. No rules, no expectations. A day where I can change my fate”.

In the 2012 film, Brave showcases a strong and independent princess, Merida.

Brave begins with a competition among various medieval Scottish clans, all of which are fighting for Merida’s hand in marriage.

Merida, however, longs for a different fate, and decides to compete for her freedom against the various suitors. Even after beating all of the suitors in an archery competition, Merida’s mother states that she still must choose a suitor to marry. Desperately, Merida consults a witch to try to change her fate. After the curse goes haywire, Merida goes on a journey to save her family and her freedom.

more and more important than pure brute strength.

Twenty-first century citizens and government of the United States are more accepting of women being in the military. People care less about whether the person is male or female and concentrate more on what their capabilities are and what they can offer to the military.

Women are taking advantage of these new opportunities. In 2015, two women were the first to graduate from the Army Ranger school, a 61 day combat and leadership course. Following the ladies’ hard work and achievement, the Army opened the Ranger school to all women, a feat which lead to the 2016 opening of all positions to women.

For the first time in history, as long as they are qualified, women are able to fight in combat with no barriers in their way. They can fight as any position, including Army Rangers, so long as they are capable and have the desire to do so.

There is no doubt that women have achieved many milestones and jumped many hurdles and stereotypes, and the progress will only continue in the future.

Moana Moana 2016 Independence Rating: 10 “I will lead with pride, I will make us strong”.

In this coming-of-age animated movie, the main character, Moana, decides to take fate into her own hands and change the destiny of her people. A demigod many years before had stolen the heart of a goddess, Tahiti. Angered, Tahiti causes widespread destruction to the islands that affects Moana and her village. Moana sets out on a solo journey to find Tahiti’s heart, restore it, and change the fate of her people by being her own hero. As she faces different tasks, Moana is able to flourish into an independent woman that believes in herself and her abilities.

Thank you LHS students who participated in our 10/ The Mycenaean The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018 Savvi Prom Dance Party last weekend—

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Fun & Games

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

Teachers crossword puzzle

Fun and Games/ 11

Horizontal 3. Who was the most recent recipient of Teacher of the Year?

4. What teacher went to prom with a member of The Imagination Movers?

7. What teacher directs the musicals and plays?

9. What English teacher is known for constantly wearing Keens?

12. What history teacher coaches shot put?

14. What male teacher has been at the school since it opened?

15. What teacher plays the mandolin in a bluegrass band?

16. What teacher is the Yearbook Advisor?

17. What teacher is in charge of Executive Council?

18. What teacher directs plays at North Raleigh Community Arts Center?

Vertical 1. What science teacher recently retired?

2. What teacher is the Technical Director of the shows at Leesville?

5. What teacher has had a documentary filmed about them?

6. Which PE teacher coaches men’s basketball?

7. Which PE teacher was a level 10 gymnast?

8. Who coaches JV Women’s Lacrosse?

10. What science teacher has been struck by lightning two times?

11. What world language teacher is famous for his “Wave Wednesday”?

13. Who is the sponsor of Travel Club?

19. What world language teacher recently left the school?

Leesville classes wordsearch ASTRONOMY CONSTRUCTION GOVERNMENT RELIGIONS FRENCH NEWSPAPER TRIGONOMETRY ANATOMY CHORUS

CHEMISTRY FORENSICS MICROSOFT STATISTICS LITERATURE SPANISH YEARBOOK CALCULUS

Take a joke!

1. What’s a snake’s favorite subject in school?

2. Where do you put smart hot dogs?

3. What did the flower say to the bike?

4. What do you call a cow with no legs?

5. Why can't you do your calculus homework on a Friday night?

Flip to page 12 for the joke answers!

12 / Reviews

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

Out with the old & in with the new: Hillsborough Street Currently, Hillsborough Street is being revamped and turned into a bigger and better version of itself. Hoping to attract more people to the great location, an array of new businesses are popping up. Trendy new restaurants, shops, and boutiques are just a few of the new additions at Hillsborough Street. The fact that Hillsborough runs along the NC State Campus doesn’t hurt either. The newly added businesses now give students the luxury of being within walking distance of an enjoyable time. The add-ons of Hillsborough street allow students and Raleigh residents a wide range of new fun activities to enjoy. Below you will find reviews about some of the new businesses at Hillsborough Street to help you make the most of your visit.

The new 2-lane Hillsborough Street will include:

This is the planned design for Hillsborough Street. The project started nearly two years ago with Phase I, and now construction is underway for Phase II.

-Raised medians -Underground wires (Eliminates overhead wires) -Marked bike lanes -Enhanced sidewalks with brick pavers -Street trees -A rain garden -On-street parking where available, from Gardner Street to the Rosemary/ Shepherd Street intersection -Includes roundabouts at Brooks Avenue, Dixie Trail, and Rosemary/Shepherd Streets.

-Public art at all three roundabouts

La Stella Wood Fired 2420 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607 On Hillsborough Street, across from NC State’s main campus, sits La Stella Wood Fired. The restaurant serves wood fired pizza, calzones and wings, along with a variety of other appetizers and sides.

Along with delicious food, the restaurant itself is nice. The interior is modern, yet rustic. You can easily go for a nice dinner or a casual lunch. The attire is versatile. From the outside, the restaurant looks old, due to the use of a marquee as the sign. To connect the outside to the interior, wood panels surround the exterior.

La Stella Wood Fired is a delicious restaurant. The only thing I have against it is the service. The waiters weren’t super attentive and worked overlapping areas-- causing confusion when it came to refills. Of course, it is a new restaurant and time will tell with these little details.

Smash Waffles 2304 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC The recent reconstruction of Hillsborough Street has brought many new restaurants, shops and entertainment to downtown Raleigh. Located along the center of Hillsborough street, Smash Waffles has become a huge success for a modern twist on an old time breakfast favorite.

The restaurant originated in Greenville, North Carolina on the East Carolina University campus.

At Smash Waffles, the classic breakfast favorite is has turned into all sorts of meals such as sandwiches and desserts.

The food was amazing. The waffles were the perfect texture, crispy and soft all at the same time. The prices are comparable to other restaurants along Hillsborough Street.

LimeBike At Hillsborough St LimeBike is the newest business on the streets. According to LimeBike, the company aims to “provide a sustainable solution to the first and last mile transportation problem by helping people move around their cities in an affordable and convenient way while eliminating their carbon footprint.”

How it Works: Step 1: Download the LimeBike app and press “Find a bike nearby.” Then walk to the nearest location. (LimeBike has bikes all over Hillsborough Street, so it’s easy to walk to one.)

Step 2: Use the app to scan any LimeBike; this will unlock the bike brake and allow you to start your ride.

Step 3: Once finished with your ride, park your bike anywhere and press the lock button on the back wheel. Each ride is about $0.50 for every half hour and the payment is charged automatically through the app.

Review: The LimeBike app definitely made it easier to figure out what to do. The app walks you step by step through the process of finding, riding and returning the bike. The bright lime green color also made it easier to find the bikes.

The bikes were surprisingly easy to navigate along Hillsborough Street and the rest of Downtown Raleigh. They were also very comfortable and a “smooth ride”.

Along Hillsborough Street, many people were riding Lime Bikes due to the easy nature and cheap prices.

Also, to my suprise, my first ride was free!

Witherspoon Campus Cinema at NC State 2810 Cates Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606 Located on the corner of Hillsborough Street and Cates Avenue, the Witherspoon Campus Cinema is very different from the average movie theater.

The cinema provides people with “second-run films,”which is the screening of motion pictures that have been released from theatres. Movies like, The Proposal, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Daddy’s Home 2 are examples of second-run movies because they’ve been out for a while and have already left the primary movie theatres.

They also show newer movies after they are released. Next month they will be showing The Greatest Showman and Pitch Perfect 3.

Witherspoon is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M during NC State’s school year. The screenings are typically held in the 460 seat cinema within the Witherspoon Student Union.

What makes the Witherspoon Cinema even better is that the viewings are open to everyone and there is no charge to see the films. There is no concession stand, but free popcorn is provided, and there are vending machines within the facility. There is also no rule against outside food, so there’s no need for anyone to hide anything in their purses, bookbags, or pockets, which is something all of us can be grateful for!

Movies to Watch at Witherspoon Pitch Perfect 3 Friday March 30, 7 pm Star Wars: The Last Jedi Thursday April 5, 7 pm Friday April 6, 10:15 pm Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Thursday April 5, 10:15 pm Friday April 6, 7 pm

Scan the QR Code for the movie schedule!

Hillsborough Street Spring Festival The Hillsborough Street Spring Festival is coming up and it is an event that is sure to be filled with family fun! The festival is being held Saturday, April 14 on Hillsborough street, between Enterprise Street and Logan Court. The Festival will open at 12 noon and continue until 7:00 p.m. Spring Fest has been held annually since the company Artsplosure presented it in 1980, but this year different. They have teamed up with Live It Up! Hillsborough Street to make the event even better!

There will be a different variety of dance and music styles on the festival performance venue along with crafters and artists showing and selling their various new and original pieces of work. There will be tons of people ranging in age and cultures, and lets not forget about the fascinating arts and crafts that will be available for both kids and adults.

Don’t hesitate to come out with family and friends, you are guaranteed to have a good time. Who wouldn’t want to be surrounded with tons of different and delicious foods and beverages? Combined with music, performances, vendors, and sunny weather, a good time is sure to happen.

Joke answers: 1. HISSSS-tory 2. On honor rolls 3. Petal faster! 4. A bulldozer! 5. Because you can’t drink and derive!

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

Opinions and Editorials / 13

Opinions & Editorials THE MYCENAEAN

Lowering the drinking age would save lives

By: Mariana Herrera Caro Junior Editor

USED BY PERMISSION OF CREATIVE COMMONS

And the Oscar goes to... white male privilege

Daniela Vega became the first openly transgender presenter at the 2018 Academy awards. The Chile native starred in the Oscar winning film A Fantastic Woman.

By: Grace Newton There has always been a lack of lead roles for minorities in major films and productions. Minorities in award ceremonies-such as the Oscars, Tonys and Grammys-have been stripped of the recognition they deserve, all because of their gender, the color of their skin, or their nationality.

In the past, the few minorities that reach leading roles in Hollywood are then unrepresented in award ceremonies. It was obvious that the nominees and winners were unportionally white men. Only 1.1% of non-white females and 6.8% of nonwhite males won a major Hollywood award as of 2015. It is not surprising, then, to discover that 94% of the Academy

voters were white and 77% were male, according to the New York Times in 2012.

In 2016, 91% of Oscar voters were white and 76% male, not quite the improvement minorities were looking for. Even if minorities do manage to score a major role in a film, it’s unlikely that they would receive nominations for their role in films.

The problem today is that male dominated movies, shows, and arts are the ones being nominated and awarded by the 91% white, 76% male board.

However, after years of criticism for lack of diversity, organizations such as the Academy of Arts and Sciences have taken a step forward to shine the spotlight on those who have been shadowed for so many years. The film and television in-

THE MYCENAEAN Staff

2017-2018

Staff Writer

Editor in Chief Regan Harsa Special Project Editor Ben Zahavi Senior Editor Senior Editor

Izzee Akers Michael Beauregard

Coverage: The Mycenaean covers news, events, issues and topics relevant to Leesville and the surrounding community. As a student-run newspaper, stories in the publication do not represent the views of LRHS, its faculty/administration or WCPSS. Columns: By-lined columns express personal

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opinion and appear throughout the newspaper.

Editorials: The Mycenaean’s opinion is presented in editorials that are featured on the Opinion page(s), whose topics and suggestions are decided by the editorial board. The views and opinions expressed in editorials are representative of the editors, not LRHS or WCPSS.

age ritual that represents the independence that teenagers and young adults are now privy to-- whether that independence is imagined or not.

Speaking of independence, the law considers eighteen years olds as adults, which means they can join the military, as well as purchase a gun-- yet they can’t share a drink with their friends. If someone is old enough to fight for their country, to take a life, why can’t they consume alcohol?

This mentality-- that after the age of 18 we are adults free from our parents’ influence-- is the one of the main culprits of irresponsible drinking at colleges campuses. As soon as teenagers and young adults leave the watchful eye of the parental units and live on their own, they go crazy with their newfound freedom then binge on all the things they weren’t allowed to do when they lived at home-- like drink booze. If alcohol was introduced to teenagers in smaller increments, or if it was normalized in their youth, then they wouldn’t abuse it when drinking is introduced to them all at once. After all, underage drinking is a much bigger problem in the United States then in Europe, where the common dustry have finally realized that viewers appreciate watching characters whose experiences and appearances are relatable to themselves.

The movement toward equal representation is far from finished. In 2016, The Guardian conducted a study of the top 100 films, only 31.4% of speaking characters were women, while non-white groups accounted for 29.1%. Of the minorities with speaking roles, 13.6% were black and 5.7% were Asian. Hispanics (3.1%) were particularly underrepresented with more than half of the 2016 films studied featured no speaking characters who were Hispanic.

Only 2.7% of speaking characters were depicted as having a disability. Meanwhile, 1.1% of speaking characters were gay, lesbian or bisexual, and no speaking character was identified as transgender. Only one film featured a gay protagonist: Oscar best-picture winner Moonlight.

The solution isn’t to necessarily make a bunch of films that go out of their way to feature roles for minorities, but to create art, movies, TV shows, and plays that highlight them in lead roles. By creating a film that is about a transgender person, a show highlighting a Hispanic household, or a movie about the LGBTQ community, Hollywood will change forever. Thus, these films will make the audience -- especially the ones who can relate to these characters -- feels as if they aren’t just a supporting character in society or the neighbor of a white man, but they are a leading role in society sparking the movement for change.

While there is still a long way to go before people of color, women, and other minority groups are proportionately represented in Hollywood, we are making a step in the right direction. This leap forward in modern Hollywood has allowed for a more diverse, positive and upcoming version of the old fashion, outdated, white, male privilege.

McKenna Daley Ashley Tysiac Mariana Herrera Caro Isabel Daumen

MDLA is 18.

If the United States were to adopt a culture of casual drinking, teenagers would grow accustomed to alcohol long before it is legal for them to drink, and therefore won’t feel the need to use booze to rebel.

They wouldn’t use it to excess and wouldn’t experience the consequences of irresponsible drinking.

In actuality, if it wasn’t for the completely and utterly taboo nature of alcohol, alcohol wouldn’t be as big as a problem, and I wouldn’t be writing this editorial. It’s as simple as that.

According to the US Center of Disease Control, underage drinkers consume for alcohol per occasion than an adult drinker on average. This kind of binge behavior would likely not be a problem if it weren’t for the high minimum legal drinking age.

Student parking lot etiquette By: Isabella Parsons Staff Writer

The student parking lot. The mere mention of it brings up images of car wrecks, stress, and bad drivers. However, the negative connotation could be changed with better driving practices that all drivers should follow in order to make the student parking lot a better place.

One of the most annoying aspects of the student parking lot is the lack of motivation on the part of the drivers to let others out of the parking lot. The frenzy to leave before the buses often brings about reckless driving that often leads to fenderbenders and other accidents. There are plenty of ways to solve this problem, and most of them relate to taking the approach of patience and understanding so that accidents will be reduced as well as the emotional stress that is synonymous with the parking lot.

One example would be letting people out of the rows and into the main road.

Let one person go, then go yourself would make both the line go faster and diminish accidents. Another is to be a defensive driver, not an aggressive one. While it is impossible to punish all those who conduct reckless activities while driving, a way to help alleviate these problems is encouraging better driving habits and punishing those who do not follow the rules.

However ultimately, there isn’t much that the faculty and staff can do to help reduce accidents in the student parking lot; it all starts with the actual drivers. We have to want to become better drivers, not make others force us. Only then will the student parking lot be less of a stressful place.

Staff Writers:

Natalie Gore, Sarah Jumma, Lucy Leen, Jacob Polansky, Kaitlyn Stocum, Matt Wiener, Hannah

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Student Newspaper of Leesville Road High School • 8410 Pride Way Raleigh, NC 27613

USED BY PERMISSION OF CREATIVE COMMONS

Yes, you read that right: a culture of casual drinking could actually reduce irresponsibility around booze in young adults and teenagers.

According the World Health Organization, about 83% of 190 countries have a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of at most nineteen, with nineteen of these countries having no MLDA at all. The US-along with only 12 other countries-- have the highest minimum legal drinking age in the world at 21 years of age.

Why is the MLDA so high in the US compared to the rest of the world? The answer lies in federal highway funding.

In 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, prohibiting states from selling alcoholic beverages to anyone below the age of 21. If the states didn’t comply, then they would lose 10% of federal highway funding. The states predictably followed through with the law.

The rest, as they say, is history.

At first glance, it would seem that setting the MLDA act did its job: according to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving website,

“more than 25,000 lives have been saved in the U.S. thanks to the 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age” as of 2018, and traffic reports show a 62% decrease alcohol fatalities in teen drivers since 1982. These facts don’t take into account, however, that there has been decreases in fatal traffic accidents worldwide-- despite the fact that many countries have a MDLA of at most 19. Additionally, the introduction of new safety measures like the seatbelt may have also contributed to less fatalities on the road. There is also a lot of evidence that suggests that the alcohol-related deaths on the road simply shifted from the 18-20 age group to the 21-24 age group.

The US seems to be no better off than other countries with lower MDLAs; in actuality, the taboo surrounding underage drinking could actually be causing more harm than good. After all, there’s something thrilling about doing the forbidden.

The adrenaline rush that accompanies underage drinking can be more addicting than the alcohol itself. It’s certainly is more exciting than the killer hangover that visits the day after. At this point, underage drinking has become a coming of

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The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

From Father to Coach and Son to Player

Ishua had always told himself that after he finished playing basketball, no matter what, he would not become involved in the world of coaching. But things didn’t exactly go as planned.

While assisting at an NC State basketball camp one summer, Ishua was approached by former NC State basketball player Quentin Jackson. Jackson had started a local AAU basketball program named Raleigh Elite, and he, along with Ishua’s wife, wanted Ishua to coach a team.

“I remember I told my wife ‘When I’m done playing, I’m done. I want no part of it,’” said Ishua.

But in the end, he accepted Jackson’s offer and joined the Raleigh Elite program, coaching young Jalen and kids who went on to play at the college level.

And ever since, he’s been coaching and guiding Jalen to success on the basketball court, including as an assistant coach for the Leesville basketball team that Jalen is a member of.

Initially, Jalen admitted that

having his dad as a coach was a bit strange; most players don’t have their own parent as a coach.

However, he said it grew on him quickly.

“At first I did [find it weird], but now he’s there with me and for me,” said Jalen.

Having a dad with so much experience playing the game is what Jalen said has helped him the most in his own development as an athlete.

“It’s a good learning experience, knowing he played at the college level and the pros,” said Jalen.

He attributes his high basketball lQ and feel for the game to Ishua, and Jalen puts those skills to the test at practice each day.

Jalen said he is practically in the gym “24-seven,” and Ishua enjoys seeing the work he puts in.

“It’s a pleasure to sit back and watch the growth that he’s gone through over the years,” said Ishua.

Both Jalen and Ishua used one word to describe their relationship on and off the court: fun.

A Bond Beyond Basketball A star guard for the Leesville basketball team, Jalen dominated against the competition this season, scoring in double figures almost every game.

Jalen has already received multiple college offers, including from George Mason, Detroit, Canisius, Illinois State, Northern Arizona, High Point, Richmond, Tulane, and The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

With Jalen’s future looming, Ishua wants his son to realize that no matter where he goes in college, and life, he must enjoy it.

“I tell him that, as far as college or playing at any other level, that

you’ve got to do what makes you happy,” said Ishua.

Sometimes, you may catch the two chatting before Jalen trots onto the basketball court during a game. Ishua may give him some pointers, but his son will respond with three words: “I got this.”

But no matter whether Jalen and Ishua win or lose those games together as a coach and a player, the two will always have that special father-son bond. They’ll always remember the special moments they have shared over the years, from Jalen watching tapes as a kid of Ishua playing, to Ishua relishing the pleasure of watching Jalen practice day in and day out.

And Ishua hopes that as a father, he can help his son have success in life even beyond shooting hoops.

“My main thing is setting him up for success in life and that’s the biggest thing that I care about most.”

Like father, like son

Ishua Benjamin NC State (1994-98)

PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF ISHUA BENJAMIN

Jalen Benjamin, current Leesville junior, celebrates after winning an AAU basketball tournament as a young kid. Over the years, Jalen has played on many AAU teams with his dad, Ishua, as his coach.

The strong connection between the two is evident, and no matter what, they try to avoid bringing basketball related problems home with them.

“We’ve got a good balance between being father and son and coach-player,” said Ishua.

PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF BRIAN REINHARDT

making him a top college prospect.

Ishua had the choice to play almost anywhere in the country, even for two blue blood basketball programs: Duke and Kansas.

Yet, he chose to attend North Carolina State, a team struggling at the time, hoping to be a cornerstar for building the program.

While at NC State, Ishua played against the likes of Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, and other stellar players who eventually went on to play in the NBA. And Ishua excelled while competing against these players during his college career, scoring 1,263 total points and averaging 10.7 points per game over a four year span.

It was those gut-wrenching games against exceptional athletes that Ishua said shaped his character.

“It was pretty competitive,” said Ishua. “[I] saw a lot of good basketball, and it helped mold me into the person I am today, being competitive.”

That competitiveness helped him move onto the next step in his athletic career—playing professionally overseas. Ishua played for 15 years in an array of countries, including South Korea, Japan, Greece, Israel, and England.

Especially in college, Ishua said that basketball helped him learn much about himself and life in general, enjoying every minute of it.

“It helped me to learn a lot,” said Ishua. “A lot about life and challenges.”

PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF ISHUA BENJAMIN

Benjamins Cont’d

Sports/ 15

Jalen Benjamin C/O 2019-Undecided

Sports

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The Mycenaean, Leesville Road High School, March 23, 2018

THE MYCENAEAN

Coaching changes for the Pride

Chad Smothers gathers his team for pregame motivation. Consisting of a mix of veteran stardom and young talent, this year’s Leesville varsity baseball team looks ready.

By: Ray Youman Staff Writer

Chad Smothers, former Leesville head baseball coach, will be returning to coach the varsity baseball team this year after a long hiatus.

Smothers has 20 years of experience as a baseball coach, coaching at various high schools around the region and at Leesville from 2006 to 2013. In addition to his coaching experience, he also played ball collegiately at Appalachian State.

“I’m focused on an overall evaluation of the program,” said Smothers. “We need to identify strengths and weaknesses [the team has] to play successfully.”

With several scrimmages and games under the team’s belt, there is still plenty of work to be done. Leesville dropped its first two games to Cardinal Gibbons, one of their biggest rivals. And, evinced by their runs per inning stats, the team has trouble scoring late in games.

The future of this squad, however,

JV women’s lacrosse

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT WIENER

PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF BOB STEW

Varsity baseball

looks bright as ever. Tyler Bowen, a senior pitcher committed to play at University of North Carolina Pembroke, and Jack Hicks, a sophomore committed to University of Kentucky, held the team together with key outings in their scrimmage at Rockingham County. Alongside their individual success stories, the team blanked Sanderson 12-0 in their most recent game at home.

With Smothers, the sparkplug of upperclassman leadership is key. “Senior leadership will be paramount. Blending veteran players with the younger team members will be key factors in determining how successful we are.” Smothers said.

Smothers also believes in the importance of team chemistry. The “signature clap” he introduced has players hold their hands up and clap once in unison before and after every game they play. And with a large pool of talent and prospects eager for a season of lockdown fielding and heavy offensive production, one can be certain that these claps will be echoing into the stands all season long.

Caoch Daniels talking to his players at practice. The team trains hard each day at practice in preparation of their games.

By: Matt Wiener Staff Writer

His practice begins in the drizzling rain.

The girls walk up to the practice fields and down to the lower field. Walking down the hill with his team wearing sweaty clothes, he steps on the field to begin practice.

Meet Benjamin Daniels: highly decorated women’s basketball coach and an engaging social studies teacher. This spring, Daniels steps outside and onto the practice field for a different sport: lacrosse.

Stepping in as the new JV women’s lacrosse coach, Daniels comes into the team with little time for rest, as the season begins less than two weeks after basketball season came to an end. He is none too worried about the future of his team. “It will be an adjustment, but I believe we will be ready to go,” said Daniels.

The eighteen girls line up side by side on the starting line. They begin to run wind sprints and heard from across the field: “Good job...Have a seat, put your hands be-

hind your head...and do fifteen crunches.”

The team finishes the conditioning portion of practice with pushups.

“My main goal here is to get them conditioned, and [have them] be in great shape as the season continues.”

Three games into their season, the players are able to build better chemistry with each other as teammates with their new coach taking charge. “Coach Daniels is really good at getting us all to work together. He disciplines us, but at the same time makes sure we have fun,” said Jessica Lee, freshman attack on the JV team.

Though he doesn’t have much experience with the sport, Daniels couldn’t be more pleased with the performance of his team this season.“I’m proud of them because whatever I ask them to do, they do it to the best of their abilities, and it’s paying off as we are playing better in our games,” said Daniels.

The JV Women’s Lacrosse team, as of March 16, holds a record of 1-1-1.

Leesville varsity womens’s soccer season update By: Lucy Leen

This spring season marks the twentyfourth year Paul Dinkenor has coached Leesville’s varsity women’s soccer team.

He has hundreds of wins as well as three NCHSSA 4A State titles with the women’s team, making him qualified to lead the team to greatness.

After competitive and promising tryouts, the team is already dominating the field.

As of Tuesday, March 20 the team is 5-0 in non-conference play and 2-0 in conference play.

Unlike past seasons, this year's squad is full of first-time varsity athletes. Luckily, there are experienced seniors on team to lead the newer varsity athletes. “Senior leadership is essential to all we hope to achieve with each game,” said Dinkenor.

Under the leadership of the their seniors,

PHOTO USED BY PERMISSION OF TAYLOR SPERI

Staff Writer

Brooke Sroka, senior, carries the ball up the field during the Pride’s first conference game vs Holly Springs High. The Pride came out with the win, advancing them to 1-0 in conference play.

the new members of the squad have been developing with the team every day. “They [first time varsity athletes] are adapting really well. They are in a really tough environment and we’re very competitive with everything that we do...we’re always pushing

to make them better,” said Reagan Norvell, senior and four-year varsity athlete.

The new members also agree that their seniors have been a big factor to their development. “The seniors have helped me by making me feel comfortable and really en-

ery day at the courts practicing, learning, and excelling.

“I have played almost my whole life. Tennis has always been my favorite sport. I spend time practicing with my dad, playing tournaments, and playing on my neighborhood teams,” said Nijhawan.

His father has been a major influence on his game for many years, pushing Rohan to achieve his goals and play to the best of his ability.

Not only does Rohan love playing tennis, but he also greatly cares about his fellow players as well. As a result of playing on recreational tennis teams for so long, the tennis star has built relationships with

many teammates.

Nijhawan said, “My teammates [this season] are all great friends and players...I always look forward to competing against other great players and learning new skills with my teammates.”

Because the team has multiple upperclassmen playing the top courts for the team, the freshman has made great effort to reach his current position. To maintain his spot and potentially improve, he continues to challenge himself and set goals for the future.

“Being on the Leesville tennis team is... different than my previous experiences because I am actually playing with a competi-

couraging me to do my best,” said Malaina Aronson, sophomore at Leesville and first time varsity athlete.

Another big part of being successful this year includes building a team relationship.

“We’ve already got some good chemistry going,” said Norvell. A strong team chemistry poses vital for this year’s squad as the go after the win each game day.

With a short spring season, the team goes into every game with their conference and playoff goals in mind -- have a winning season and make it beyond the third round of playoffs, exceeding what they did last year.

However, to reach this goal the team has to focus on the aspects of their game that lead them to win. “I think our biggest factor is our communication and positivity. If you are not being positive on and off the field with each other you’re not going to play well,” said Norvell.

Freshman tennis prodigy: Newest addition to Leesville team By: Natalie Gore Staff Writer

The tennis team continues to work hard toward another successful season. So far, the team has only lost one conference match and won three.

Rohan Nijhawan, freshman, is one player who contributes to this success. He plays the third singles court for this year’s team.

With his ferocious forehand and attack serve, Nijhawan prepared for months for this opportunity.

The new Leesville player started his tennis career at age six and spends almost ev-

tive school team. My personal goals for this season are to play at the best of my ability and to eventually reach top court for the team,” said Nijhawan.

Alongside playing with teammates, the freshman has spent time working alongside a coach who has improved and advanced many of his techniques. Rohan keeps a positive attitude in order to have the best season possible and have success with his team.

“I think our team has a great shot at being at the top in our conference...We are working to win by cheering for each other and pumping each other up for matches.”