December 2014

Insi de This Is sue Athletic s & Eth ics Ho li da ys Trend i ng: Sex , Drugs Put In Work

D E C . 2 014 VO L . X X I V I S S U E I I I

The editorials, unless signed, are the consensus opinion of the editorial staff and do not necessarily reflect the views of the adviser or the school administration. The newspaper welcomes letters to the editor. The newspaper reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity.

All letters must be signed, however, the newspaper will withhold names upon request with good reason. Advertisements in the newspaper are paid.advertisements and are not the opinion of, or the endorsement of, the newspaper or school administration.

•Head Editors: Deirdre Logan, Marie Muir •Editors: Kima Clifton, Jasper Cool, Neo Cruz, Timothy Duke, Sara Falcon, Maya Gacina, Lena Geller, Ben Huffman, Jasmine Lyon, Cy Neff, Nick Strauss, Joelle Trollinger, Morgan Whithaus •Staff: Ranya AlZubaidi, Elizabeth Beyer, Clay Bourguignon, Joel Flores, Pam Gonzalez, Axel Herra-Ramos, Dillon Mclntyre, Addison Oliver, Caitlyn Patton, Randy Pena, Ray Starn, Tracy Tran, Naomi Van Horn, Bernice Villa-Rosendo •Video: Mone Jones, Jordan Lovell, Araad Sarrani •Photo Editor: Anna James, Emmanuel Johnson, Abdur-Rauf Muhammad

www.riverside.dpsnc.net

3218 Rose of Sharon Rd. Durham, NC 22712

OPINION

2

Pirates' Hookok

Riverside responds to Chapel Hill scandal

A plethora of ethical issues have been raised due to UNC-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH)’s eighteen year long academic scandal coming to light. The scandal, involving more than three thousand students committing academic fraud, more than half of whom are student athletes, was revealed

by Kenneth Wainstein, an independent investigator hired by UNC-CH. Wainstein confirmed that many students had agreed to let dishonest teachers and coaches hand them passing grades for non-existent classes in the Afro- and African-American Studies department.

Let’s go back to that number - eighteen years, nearly two decades. It seems impossible that students could deceive the university for such a prolonged period of time without being caught.

The combination of a lack of action by administration, a lack of credence in whistleblowers, and the overall lack of involvement by UNC-CH permitted this impropriety to take place.

Mary Willingham, the primary whistleblower in the scandal, was hired by UNC-CH in 2003 to tutor student athletes. Willingham immediately noticed a deficiency of “college literacy” in these students, in other words students with SAT scores of 400 or lower. Though the academic disparities were apparent to her, Willingham waited until 2009 to publicly voice her concerns. We think

that UNC-CH should apologize to Willingham for reproving her initial claims. However, the fact stands that she waited six years before bringing about this serious source of alarm.

What delayed her decision to take action?

Did she want to take time to confirm the pattern she was suspicious of? Did she not know how to go about raising the issue?

Was she afraid of the potential response from her peers?

We can utilize these questions both at school and in our everyday lives. At Riverside, rumors are often exchanged while students select their classes for the upcoming year. ‘Sign up for mythology, the teacher takes bribes,’ one student might say, while another two discuss how psychology is a ‘skip class.’

Though it is highly unlikely that there are fictitious classes at Riverside, the material (or lack thereof) that is being taught in classes is questionable at times. We believe that if a student or teacher is suspect of inconsistencies within any part of the school system, he or she should feel comfortable notifying others. Our society is quick to condemn one another as tattle-tales or snitches before actually taking the situation at hand into consideration. If we executed quicker actions of notification,

Inside this issue

Ethics at Riverside p. 8 Different standards for athletes p. 9 15 things for 2015 p. 12-13

and better reactions to these advisements, instances of violence, cheating, and failure to conform to normative expectations would be greatly reduced.

During the past few weeks, the phrase “trust but verify” has been heard echoing around UNC-CH’s campus, spoken quietly with contemplation of the recent events. The phrase implies that we trust others in having a sufficient moral compass, but still authenticate that from time to time. UNC-CH has announced that they are developing a system that will simplify the process of reporting and handling concerns from students, faculty, and staff. The university is certainly getting a bad rap right now, but we might do well to take note of the reforms they construct and apply them to our own school.

Homeroom Activity p. 17 Sexual Harassment p. 19 Student profiles p. 22

Thank You Hook Sponsors!

David Ascher Toppy Green Diana, David McNeill Sam Bagg Erin Iannacchione Kevin Privalle Sara and Duncan Beale Carolyn Inazu Erica Rapport Charles Bentley James Key Reckhow Family Berndt Family Drew Llamas Lao Rubert, Steve Schewel Tolly Boatwright Marriott Family Rebecca, Ruth Smullin Linda, James Demarest Carolyn McAllaster, Coin Page Vaughn Schermerhorn Pela, Gary Gereffi Sara McEwen Carolyn, Ken Titus Be a sponsor: Call The Hook at 919.560.3965x65148

December 2014

Santa Claus

By Jasper Cool I, Saint Nicholas, should win a nobel prize. I am one of the greatest people the world has ever known.

Every year I fly around the world in one night and deliver presents to every kid in the world!

I would love to see the Grinch do that. Not to mention keeping track of how everyone in the world acts day in and day out. Imagine how naughty those children would be if I was not keeping tabs on them.

I heard Marvel was making their next superhero movie about me and I do not blame them. As long as they give me a six pack and killer biceps. What can I say, I thought about running in the next election but it would not be fair to the other candidate.

Every year, cheesy Christmas songs are sung by carolers around the world who exemplify Christmas cheer. Their excitement and spirit help keep the holiday alive along with everything I do. The Grinch only has one song about him which is totally degrading and has no rhythm. I have all kinds of tunes to my name and they are all filled with positivity.

Speaking of positivity, let me set the scene. Christmas day: kids run to wake up their parents, families make hot chocolate and pancakes. To top it all off, after a fun filled morning of opening gifts and family time, kids run outside to go play in the snow with their friends. It is impossible to be upset when you are making a snow angel or flying down a

steep, snow covered hill on a sled. Do not even get me started on snowball fights. The excitement of packing snow powder into a little ball and chucking it at the ‘enemies’ while dodging their blows is unparalleled in all of sports. In fact, I would like to nail the Grinch with a snow ball.

The Grinch is just a grumpy old man who is always on the naughty list. He has never been on the winning side of a snowball fight or built the best snowman.

Now his goal is to ruin Christmas every year. But he cannot, especially with his resources. I have a team of trained, Olympic level reindeer who all have catchy names, and a sleigh made out of the finest mahogany wood known to man.

The Grinch has a tiny dog with taped on antlers and a lame, raggedy, makeshift sleigh that could not possibly seat a human of my caliber. Even if the Grinch had my team of reindeer and sleigh, he could not

Face-off

possibly ruin the perfection that is Christmas. No one can.

I bring joy to people all around the world when they wake up and see presents under the tree. The free cookies and milk is just a bonus. The Grinch is just salty because he gets no love. If the grinch admitted how great Christmas is and joins forces with me, his heart may get a little bit bigger. Even spending one night with me would change his mind because my jolly attitude is so irresistable.

Until the Grinch decides to reconsider, we will forever be against each other because an enemy of Christmas is an enemy of mine. Do not listen to anything he has to say. It is a bunch of nonsense. In the meantime, I propose a toast to the greatest holiday to ever exist and a Merry Christmas to all!

•GRAPHIC BY TRACY TRAN

By Jasmine Lyon

3

The Grinch

“Santa Claus is coming to town”, the number one phrase that I hate. It means that Christmas is approaching and everything about Christmas is stupid.

All of the sharing and giving, and for what? Especially those ungrateful snobby little children that do not deserve anything but a lump of coal.

It does not make sense that people are all about giving and being thankful when just days before Christmas on ‘Black Friday’ they run and stomp all over each other at stores just to get little Jimmy that handsome blue sweater for five dollars less than what it originally was.

Everything about Christmas gets right up under my green lumpy skin. The flashy seizure caus- ing lights, the smelly stockings hung above the fireplace, and the nasty fruitcake.

Does Santa n o t reali z e that def o restation is a real problem? No, instead everyone goes ahead and cuts

down all those hideous Christmas trees and places those silly unattractive decorations on them.

I hate the whole month of December honestly. The cold weather, those bitter white flakes that come from the sky. All of it makes me angry.

Do not let me get started on those horrific Christmas carols.

They are almost as stupid as the big white man saying ‘Ho Ho Ho’ to everybody. Those christmas carollers sound like me singing in the shower, in other words awful.

One thing that I will never understand is why ‘Santa Claus’ is fat. A man that all of the stinky little kids look up to is a big white man. Why could he not be a little more slender? Maybe promote healthy living and not a man with a sack of toys on his back going around eating up everyone’s milk and cookies.

Another weird thing about Mr. Santa Claus is that he comes down the chimney. So lets break this down a little. A big man with a sack of toys comes down your chimney after midnight and eats your milk and cookies and leaves presents for your children. If you ask me it sounds a little suspect.

There are so many other holidays that are more important than Christmas like Earth Day. On that day there is no giving any presents or eating anyone’s cookies, I honestly do not know what happens on Earth day it just sounds more important than Christmas. Or what about birthdays; It’s a day that is all about you and only you. The only day that you could be the most self centered and stuck up child and get away with it.

4 Pegleg

By Nick Strauss A recent Department of Public Instruction investigation has discovered that for the last two years every story in The Pirates’ Hook has been written by one student.

Riverside senior Nick Strauss has been tasked, against his will, with the job of writing the entire student newspaper every month.

A full scale investigation is underway as to why the other 34 students enrolled in the class have been absent for over ninety percent of the semester.

“The truth is, I’m the only one here. Every other student on the schedule just skips school and eats Cookout. They’ve cut a deal with Unruhe, allowing them to get credit for work they don’t do. I was never told why, but I was forced to pick up the slack,” Strauss said.

“I heard a rumor that when I’m gone next year they’ll have to replace me. I guess Cy Neff is screwed since he’s the only other person to publish a story, and that was last year.”

Experts are worried that this form of pseudo-education will persist, affecting classes other than just newspaper journalism.

The situation has raised concerns about ethics in the school system.

While it is clear that many students are working hard, many others have slipped under the radar.

“I don’t see what the big deal is, anyway. I get my Cajun chicken tray and Unruhe gets a $20 on the side. The paper’s getting written so I don’t see much of a problem,” Head editor Marie Muir said.

Equally concerning is the affect this sinister situation has had on The Pirates’Hook. With only one true staff member, the quality of the publication has come under

As real as a Pirates' Hook quote

Pirates' Hookok

One man, so many stories

fire for its lack of original content.

“It’s harder than you think, pretending to be almost 30 different people. There’s only so many ways I can write about an athlete balancing their life with their schoolwork. I’ve written what seems like hundreds of stories about the stress of applying to college,” Strauss said.

Strauss isn’t the only one concerned about the declining quality of the school newspaper.

“I’m glad that this issue has come to light. At least now I know why so many stories have portrayed me in a negative light,” Principal Joel County said.

“I mean, you cut down a few trees and all of a sudden every other news article is making you look like some sort of monster. I should just lock the journalism room. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do!”

Strauss has had to take a number of shortcuts to produce the entire paper on time.

“I don’t have time for real interviews. When I need a quote I just make it up, it just has to be that way,” Strauss said.

“For instance, Mr. Lang shows up in every issue, but I don’t even know what the dude looks like.”

The lack of supervision in the Journalism classroom at the time of deadlines has led to potentially unsafe conditions for Strauss.

“I can’t hardly leave, I barely even get to go home. They keep me focused and awake with regular bowls of Adderall submerged like cereal in Monster Energy Drink. Sometimes, if I wear red on Wednesday, Mr. Unruhe gives me some leftover breakfast scraps,” Strauss said.

Even now, at the time of this writing, little has been done to correct this problem. Is anyone even reading? I’m so lonely…

Anyone?

Pirates' Hook students doing what they do best, skipping school and eating cookout. Meanwhile, Nick Strauss is in room 148 working, endlessly.

• Photo By Naja Smart

Turquoise & Fireflies Boutique Come brighten up your wardrobe at Turquoise & Fireflies Boutique Inc. 1921 North Point Dr Ste 110, Durham, NC 27705 Open: Tuesday-Friday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm & Saturday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

919•477•4501 turquoiseandfireflies@gmail.com

December 2014

By Sara Falcon & Anna James Every pirate in high school liked Christmas a lot.

However, our principal Joel County did not.

On the announcements, right after the bell, he thought to himself, then let out a great yell.

“Listen up students there will be no break, Christmas is pointless, this decision I’ll make!”

All over the halls there were cries and boo-hoos, but can you blame them? They just got terrible news!

Riverside was not like this, no never at all.

Maybe Grinch County’s pirate pride is too small.

County knew the kids would rebell soon, so he started his plan that afternoon.

“The kids may have their clever tricks, but this is nothing that I can’t fix!”

So there it started with that simple threat, he picked up Mr. Carlson, his loyal pet.

First he stole the pirate ship and all of the trees.

This never would have happened if we still had Mr. Key. The birthday banners were the next thing to go, to make sure that our pirate pride would not show.

He and his pet roamed the halls,

This story is as real as Dr. Suess' PhD

which was strictly forbidden!

He even had on the Northern Knight helmet so his identity was hidden.

Searching for cell phones he met a face he’s never seen; it was someone who made him want to be less mean.

Sally Unruhe was the little one’s name, the smile on her face put his actions to shame.

She soon spoke out and asked, “Who’s behind that wicked mask?”

County reached up and took off the disguise, Sally was shocked and gasped in surprise.

When County began to walk out, she yelled “Come back mister, don’t make me shout!”

Grinch County knew he was caught, this did not go as he originally thought.

He turned around to the little girl and walked over slow.

“Why can’t we have a break?

I just need to know!”

He knew he could not lie to this youth, County let out a sigh and told her the truth.

He sniffled and wiped a tear, “Its high school, I just don’t fit in here.”

County walked away and looked down while his face formed a frown “You don’t get it, I have noth-

Opinion

5

•PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA JAMES

Mr. County happily reads off his plans for removing Christmas break into the school's intercom.

Fortunately for students, his Pirate Pride later grew.

ing to do.”

Sally followed and said “I was once like you.”

She hurried over to him and gave a helping hand.

This indeed Sally did understand.

“You just have to make some new friends, you will have fun and make amends.”

he heard students talking “I think this year County deserves coal in his stocking.”

But then he heard more...

“Without break, winter will be such a bore.”

He was just about to speak out when he saw a few kids begin to pout.

“I’ll be doing homework instead of watching the ball drop.”

“Instead of playing we’ll be For once County listened to the waiting at the bus stop.” girl’s advice, And at that moment County nobody has to make a sacrifice. was torn, On the way back to his office He remembered the excitement

of Christmas morn.

In his office he reminisced, the holidays should not be missed.

It was then that his pirate pride grew, he transformed into the good guy we all knew.

He wanted to right the wrongs he committed, he realized winter break should be permitted.

County came over the intercom with great cheer, “Have a good break, I’ll see you in the new year!”

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE JOURNALISM STAFF!

6

Pirates' Hookok

Opinion

Happiest country in the world feels like home

By Deirdre Logan Velkommen.

The letters appear jumbled up and backwards as I try to read the Welcome mat on the doorstep of my Danish host family’s house.

Everything from the language, to the style of clothing, to the popular sports, is different from America, yet I feel right at home.

On the way to my host’s house, I notice the differences in our country’s landscape. To the right I see where the grass meets the vast Atlantic while to my left I see an endless carpet of farmland, speckled with windmills, new and old.

In North Carolina, the freeways are wide and billboards reading ‘Inspiration Pass it On’ dominates the horizon. Denmark, on the other hand, only has street signs

and arrows. I try desperately to read road signs that say Skӕring and Højbjerg, but I am unsuccessful in their pronunciation.

Looking around, I notice that everyone is wearing black, gray, or navy. Fortunately I knew the Danish style and left my bright orange scarf at home. With the sun blocked by the clouds for half the year and the people wearing dark colors, it is amazing to me that Denmark is known as the happiest country in the world.

As I walk past family photos, I notice that they are similar to the ones in my own home. Pictures of my host Helene Lyng-Madsen and her sister Charlotte sledding in the snow are all too similar to the ones of my brother and me sledding down the huge neighborhood hills in Rougemont.

Picture frames in their home hold memories of handball and badminton, while the ones in mine hold memories of baseball and ‘bumble bee soccer.’

Though we are from different worlds, we are the same.

I lived with Helene, her sister Charlotte, and her parents during the first week of the two week exchange. As soon as I arrived the entire family welcomed me into their home and stuffed me with traditional Danish food. At home, I can be a picky eater so trying new dishes such as Frikadeller (pan-fried dumplings of minced meat) or Leverpostej (liver pate spread on Danish dark bread) was incredibly daunting. However, by the end of the week the family laughed, saying that I must be Danish because there was not a

meal that I did not like.

Around the table we discussed Danish and American culture and of course, Vikings. They reminded me so much of my own family in the way that we converse and joke. That familiarity made it so easy to connect with them. I could feel my hosts becoming part of my family.

Struck with overwhelming emotion, tears, hugs, and rolling suitcases, I could not bear saying goodbye to such dear friends.

The whole trip we would say Hej Ven, meaning ‘Hi friend!’ to our Danes. As we departed, we said Farvel Ven. How could saying goodbye be so hard? It was as though I had known these people for a lifetime. I may never see my friends again, but I will never forget the experiences I had.

• PHOTO BY MARIE MUIR

Logan poses with her host, Helene, on a foggy day in Aarhus, Denmark. During her stay, Helene provided Logan with traditional food, a warm bed, and a lasting friendship.

Salvaged piano holds memories

By Marie Muir

• PHOTO BY MARGARET MUIR

Muir sits at her 1950s upright piano, serenading her parents with their favorite tune, "I Can't Help Falling in Love."

If I found my house on fire, there would be no hesitation in deciding what item I would save: my piano.

My girl is no beautiful baby grand. She is a scratched and scuffed 1950s upright, salvaged from a bar in upstate New York, given to my family by a friend when I was just five. Yet even at this moment, sitting at my desk, I can feel my fingertips come gently to rest atop the faded black and white keys. I can find exactly which key has the chipped end, and the one that is beginning to stick. I can hear the aging wooden bench beneath me groan when I shift my body to turn the pages of my sheet music.

I can even see the times during

evening practice when light will filter in from the window and fall upon the keys so that they glow.

Like many young musicians, I struggled with one unbearable fact: I am no Mozart. Progress was slow at first, but I knit my brow through “Hot Crossed Buns” and “Good King Wenceslas,” and after 12 years of weekly lessons my parents and brother no longer need to evacuate the house when I decide to play.

These days my parents enjoy humming along to songs by Adele, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Beethoven. Every spring I have a chance to dedicate the previous year’s practice to one of my many family members who have encouraged me in not just piano, but every aspect of life.

A playlist of my dedications

would read: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for my deceased Aunt Carol, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” for my cousin Calvin, “A Long December” for my brother Grant, and “I Can’t Help Falling in Love” for my parents.

At the end of the day a million thoughts run through my head.

What did I score on my SAT Subject test? Did I play my best in last nights soccer game? Will pollution one day prevent my children from swimming in the Eno River? Will I trip on stage at graduation? But when I sit down at my piano, all this fades away.

When I close my eyes and imagine the place in which I am most content, it is, without a doubt, sitting at my slightly outof-tune piano with nothing but music filling my soul.

December 2014

7

ATHLETICS & ETHICS UNC scandal raises questions at Riverside

By Ben Huffman A university cluttered with scandal has been the epicenter of one of the biggest news stories over the past couple of years.

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) has been involved in a scandal spanning over close to two decades and there continues to be more and more evidence uncovered to express the extent of their problems.

The story started as an investigation in 2010 into a series of tweets sent by a player at the time detailing his lavish life during the offseason. The investigation of these tweets led the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) into an even bigger problem that needed to be looked at immediately. This would prove to be the beginning of a story that has transpired over four years and appears to keep growing.

The NCAA investigation uncovered that some of the UNC football players had been receiving illegal help from an athletic tutor. The UNC Honor Court found that a

player had clearly been helped in writing a paper for his African-American Studies class. Several players would be suspended over the course of the next few months leading up to 2011.

Over four years and several suspensions, firing, resignations, and a new head coach, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill has seen several changes.

But the investigations and the allegations are far from being over. With more and more information surfacing from each small search, the school is facing a tough time.

At Riverside, there have been questions over whether or not some of the athletes are receiving any benefits from teachers and are therefore getting credit for doing little work. While that may be seen as true, there is more to it than that. For many athletes they must balance school, sports, and in some cases a job while being expected to succeed in every facet of life.

Some students at Riverside feel that some student-athletes get more help to pass a certain class and they view that as unfair.

But with a rigorous in-season schedule of the people at Riverside. it can often be difficult to practice all afternoon, come home, eat, shower, and then sit down and do hours of homework.

This section will highlight the truth behind how Riverside feels about how athletes are treated at this school. Do they feel that the athletes at the school are treated with more respect than just regular students? And if so is the standard supposed to be higher or lower for the athletes?

The other major issue to consider is that even athletes at the school feel there is some bias amongst the other sports at Riverside. Some feel that there are certain sports that do manage to get more help while others are left out to dry. But there is also the feeling of pressure being applied to athletes and how they have to balance school life with sports.

The UNC scandal has brought up many questions that could apply to Riverside. In this section the goal is to find the truth behind the feelings

• GRAPHIC BY TRACY TRAN

APEX "Learning" Center an unreliable education resource

By Tim Duke

Residing in room 140 is a computer lab housing Riverside’s Apex Learning Lab. Students placed into these classes are given the opportunity to credit for a class they previously failed that is required for graduation.

While the purpose for Apex Learning classes may have good intent, at times the execution falls short. Students taking different classes are shoehorned into a single classroom, watched over by one instructor who is expected to provide assistance in every subject, from math to foreign language to science.

“Independent learning is very important, but it’s hard to do when there are so many people jammed into a room, all learning something different,” Engineering teacher Adam Davidson said.

The Apex teacher is also expected to keep students in these classes completing work with integrity, but some students do not. Some students simply find the answers over the Internet rather than completing reading or computations, others look up quiz or test answers online.

Other online education programs also pose questions on the effectiveness of Internet-based learning. Senior Elijah Berlin is taking advanced courses over

the Internet.

“I’m taking online game design [on Moodle] and Japanese [on Blackboard],” Berlin said. “All the work for the week is given to you on Monday and it’s due on Friday. It’s a lot of work and a lot of people get behind. I’m one of the few people in my classes that is caught up on all the work. A lot of the kids can’t even read Japanese in my class.”

While Berlin has not experienced much struggle in his Japanese class, he does not believe the program is helping him.

“I’ve taken Japanese in the past, so that’s probably why I’m not behind,”

Berlin said.

Defining cheating for online courses can be challenging, as it is unclear exactly what is and is not.

“They have the freedom to Google the answers, but they’re allowed to do that, so it’s not really cheating,” Apex Learning teacher Joanne Potts said.

The creation of these classes was to help students who struggled in a classroom learn the material and receive the credit so they can graduate. According to Potts, simply copying an answer does

Cont'd on pg. 8

Pirates' Hookok

8 Ethics

Independent learning is important, but it’s hard to do when there are so many people jammed into a room, all learning something different

Adam Davidson

140

• PHOTO BY EMMANUEL JOHNSON

Senior Elijah Berlin completeing assignments for his online game design class. Berlin takes online Japanese as well, and is one of the few students who has completed all the work. Unlike those who simply Google answers, Berlin takes the time to try and learn the material. with Potts that students taking the use of Google and other Cont. from pg. 7 not contribute to a student’s these classes learn very little. resources to complete online actual learning.

“My cousin took [Apex learn- assignments.

“Actually for the most part ing classes], they are a joke. He “You still have to research [the [they don’t learn]. When it comes cheated the entire time; he would material], and read it. When you to math they learn, but that’s copy the question and paste it read, you absorb the informaonly because they actually have into Google,” Deterville said. tion,” Carter said. to do work. Everything else is “They’re there to get the credit.”

According to Potts, students Googleable, they can just plug A student who wishes to remain cheating in these Apex Learning in the answer and pass the class,” anonymous took Apex classes at classes are waiting to do just what Potts said.

Riverside in the past and shared Deterville thinks - leave the class.

Potts does not view this ap- a similar experience.

“I’ve only been doing this proach at learning as entirely “I cheated when I took it,” the [teaching Apex] for about three wrong. student said. “I think that they weeks. I think it’s good to push “I have mixed feelings. There help people pass classes to get kids through the classes and get are classes I took online because credits so they can graduate, but them the credit, but I know many I needed to take them for college, they don’t learn - I didn’t.” of the kids are just here because but they they weren’t going to Deterville believes students in they have to be.” help me with what I was doing. these classes cheat for the same Berlin, on the other hand, has There are classes in here that reason that students cheat in any been putting in effort to actually they need to take, and classes class. learn the material. While Berlin that would be important for them “They cheat because they’re is taking online classes from to take like math, English and desperate or because they don’t different programs, Moodle and foreign languages. But if they’re want to work hard. If you need Blackboard, rather than Apex trying to learn those here, they ar- to cheat in a class, you probably classes, many of his online classen’t really learning it,” Potts said. shouldn’t be in that class,” De- mates face similar problems as Junior Kemal Deterville, who terville said. students placed in Apex. has a cousin who was placed in Berlin believes the reason On the other hand, Assistant Apex Learning classes, agrees Principal Charles Carter defends many students struggle in these

classes is due to their online nature.

“It’s really hard to get in contact with your teacher. With a classroom, the teacher is right there, you can just walk right up and ask a question. With online classes, you have to email them, and there’s a waiting period, it just takes so much time,” Berlin said. “I think it’s better to learn in a classroom. In my Japanese class, I have experience, so I don’t learn much. In my Game design class, however, I don’t have any experience, but I still don’t learn much.”

According to Berlin, while the work is not especially difficult, the time constraints and the amount of assignments also poses problems for students.

“There is so much work that all the focus just goes to completing the work, and not much learning actually occurs,” Berlin said. “It’s a lot of work, but with not enough time to grasp the material.”

Contrary to many of his online classmates, Berlin prefers the way assignments are given out.

“I love the classes. I can usually complete all the week’s work by Tuesday, and then I just have free

time for the rest of the week,” Berlin said.

Berlin agrees with other students and staff that it is not hard to cheat in online classes.

“I wouldn’t know [how many people cheat], but I know that it is really easy to cheat. There is nothing in place preventing you from switching tabs to look at notes during a test,” Berlin said.

As for tests, Berlin has had none the entire semester in his game design class.

Principal Joel County believes it is not the program itself, but rather the challenge of one teacher monitoring an entire lab of students class which causes problems.

“What we do in a public school is only as good as the teachers,” County said. “Anything we do with integrity is good for the kids, and anything we do without complete integrity falls short.”

The Apex online courses have the potential to help students who might otherwise fail to graduate.

Other online classes offer subjects that Riverside is unable to include in its curriculum. Whether or not the programs will work out as intended remains to be seen.

Salon and Dry Bar

737 Ninth St., Suite 250 Durham, NC 27705 919-246-4600 140salon.com 140salon@gmail.com

December 2014

Athletics & Ethics

Do academic scandals start in highschool?

By Naomi Van Horn and Caitlyn Patton Balloons draping the walls and a scent of celebratory cake fills the air as a crowd enters the media center in great anticipation. It is signing day and two student-athletes, Moné Jones and Yakima Clifton, are taking the next step in their basketball careers.

Signing day is a tradition for athletes who have received scholarships to play in college.

This tradition takes place during school hours and pulls students out of class to support their fellow classmates.

Courtney Privette, Riverside class of 2013, and Cameron McNeill, Riverside class valedictorian of 2014, received full ride academic scholarships to their given schools. Their recognition consisted of a pat on the back and their name called at senior night for their achievements.

“I feel like we do an okay job for recognizing students for academic success like senior ceremonies get called out in front of peers and faculty, it’s not as under the radar as people might think,” head of the engineering department Tim Velegol said Everyone has their own opinion on how academics versus athletics are treated differently. The question of whether student-athletes are treated differently is not as simple as it seems.

Standards for student-athletes at Riverside differ from class to class and person to person.

Opinions that athletes are held to lower standards, the same standards, or higher standards than non-athletes in the classroom vary.

9

Athletes held at different standards “I think some teachers hold athletes to higher standards, but others allow them to be more ‘lax’ in the classroom,” spanish teacher Gabriella Faria said.

Examples of teachers allowing student-athletes to be more ‘lax’ in the classroom can range from an extended deadline to not having to do an assignment at all.

A fact often forgotten to some athletes is that they are students first and athletes second.

“Certain classes let things slide,” junior Vanaya Henderson said. “Coaches and certain core math teachers.”

Many non-athletes share the opinion that teachers that are also coaches treat student-athletes differently. Coaches say they do treat athletes differently, but not in the way that non-athletes think.

“Everyone is treated fairly, but athletes are treated differently with a higher standard,” World History teacher and head basketball coach Brian Strickland said.

Most coaches agreed that in their classes they held athletes to higher standards. Athletes represent the school in how they conduct themselves on the field, in the gym, or in the classroom.

“PE teachers don’t mean to, but an athlete with a game might be told to take it easy,” junior Jack Brigman said.

While there are higher standards as well as lower standards for athletes in the classroom, some teachers hold athletes to the same academic standards as any other student. Teachers expect athletes behavior to be better since they represent their team and the school.

“Never forget the team you play for,” teacher, coach, and as-

•PHOTO BY EMMANUEL JOHN•PHOTO BY EMMANUEL JOHNSON

Mone' Jones and Yakima Clifton signing contracts to the University of Virginia and Presbyterian College to play basketball on signing day. sistant athletic director Eric Spell said. “Never forget the team you represent.”

An issue that can resurface with athletes is that it may seem like they expect special treatment.

There are some athletes that are very dedicated to their academics and do not expect any special treatment. Opinions from around the school show that athletes expecting special treatment in academics is not random, specific teams have a sense that they deserve special treatment in and outside the classroom.

“The football team itself has a bigger sense of privilege as opposed to our tennis or swimming team,” Faria also said. “They

complain about class work and put athletics first.”

Students and teachers alike pointed to two specific teams with expectations of special treatment and a feeling of privilege, the football and basketball teams.

The special treatment they expect could range from wanting an extended deadline to having the mindset that they are above the standardized rules.ww “‘Football” appears to get way more attention because more athletes play football, so they get noticed more,” American history teacher Andrew Markham said.

When football players were asked about if they got any special treatment, they said no.

Athletes have to manage their time better than many students that do not play sports. There is less time in the day for athletes to get homework done because of sports practices, games, meets, races, or matches.

“Focus on being organized, prioritize, school comes first.

Time management needs to be stressed,” counselor Christina Yarborough said.

According to the North Carolina Athletic Association student-athletes can have a failing grade in a class and still be eligible to participate in their sport.

Even though this is a state law some coaches hold their players

Continued on pg. 10

10 Athletics & Ethics

Student-Athlete balancing act

juggle multiple practices and games, matches, or races in a single week. Many times these practices and games can interfere with social life “It interferes with social life for sure. I have club and individual practices,” sophomore soccer player Ellen McAdams said. “A lot of times I get friends who ask me to do something and I have to say, ‘No, I have soccer.’”

Being both a dedicated high school student and athlete can come at a price. To properly

balance schedules, students may have to deny themselves of some of their free time with friends and family.

When things get tough and priorities need to be made, many student athletes choose to put academics above their athletic training. Student-athletes have to maintain good grades to be eligible to play high school sports and for teens seeking to play their sport at the college level too, grades are even more important.

“Obviously academics come first. Without academics, you can’t play sports,” senior baseball player Mason Dwinnell said.

After all, it is possible for student athletes to stay on top of things and succeed at both their academic studies and their athletic pursuits. According to a survey held by the Minnesota State High School League in 2007, the typical unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA) of a high school student who did not play sports was 2.84 while the typical unweighted GPA of a high school athlete was 2.68.

“Last year when we were going on tournaments for basketball I missed a lot of school. We didn’t get home until ten. I didn’t know whether to do my homework or sleep,” junior soccer and basketball player Tashauna Justice said. “Now I put academics first because I’m not planning on playing in college. [College athletes] have multiple practices during the day and I don’t think that I could balance them. I’m having a hard time balancing it now.”

As a current college athlete, 2014 Riverside graduate Casey Speer has noticed the differences and similarities in being an athlete in high school and now being an athlete in college.

“As a high school athlete, bal-

tutoring and study,” football head coach Christopher Howell said. “I think the policy is fair, if students needed a 2.5 GPA to play a sport, a lot would not be able to play. If they are not playing football or basketball, think about what they would be doing.”

Sports themselves are incentives for some student-athletes to come to school and stay in school.

Guidance counselors want to remind students that in ‘stu-

dent-athlete’, student comes first. They try to recommend help for athletes that are struggling academically and stress time management.

“Some teachers think they need to work harder to maintain better grades,” junior Logan Proctor said, “They look at athletes needing to be more responsible, and they would use coaches for discipline.”

Students see athletes act up

in class and assume that they will get away with it without consequences. In reality teachers may go straight to coaches so that athletes will be punished at practice or with less playing time.

“I work closely with coaches and I can punish students on the field. Sometimes non-players think athletes are getting away with things, but they end up having to work harder in practice,” Riverside athletic trainer Sarah

After putting in long hours at sports practices, athletes wait for their rides. Student-athletes work hard • PHOTO BY ABDURRAUF MUHAMMAD to dedicate their time to both their sports and their academics.

By Morgan Whithaus Coming home exhausted from a two-hour practice and having hours of homework to do afterwards is what many high school athletes face on a daily basis. Debating whether homework, sports practice, sleep, or social life is more important can frequently plague the minds of teenagers when the pressure and stress becomes too much.

At an average of 12.5 hours a week, most high school athletes

Scandal?

Cont. from pg. 9

to higher standards. If there is an athlete struggling in school a coach might impose mandatory study hall for the student-athlete in question until they can get their grade up again.

“I recommend teacher monitored tutoring, students with ‘D’s or an ‘F’ have mandatory

Pirates' Hookok ancing school work, a social life, and my sport was definitely hard but if you’re committed and love your sport as much as I do, you don’t care about the difficulty,” Speer, now a Division 1 volleyball player at Georgetown University, said. “My schoolwork was always my first priority, then followed by my sport. I really believe that being a student-athlete is about actually putting academics first.

As a college athlete, I face the same difficulties.”

By making smart time management decisions and by prioritizing correctly, student-athletes can be very successful. Social life and sleep may be cut short in some cases, but senior track runner and basketball player Atlanta Woodall understands that this will help her to improve in the areas that are important to her.

“I want to enjoy myself as a teenager but I have to come to facts that I have goals. I can be on the track getting better,” Woodall said.

By doing things such as staying organized, using weekends wisely, smart scheduling, not procrastinating, and taking advantage of study halls and tutoring to maximize time, high school student-athletes can effectively manage their school work and their love for their sport.

Bell said.

Everyone had their own opinion or view on the topic of athletes and their levels of treatment by Riverside and its teachers. Perhaps some of these views come from society.

“We value athletes more than doctors and lawyers, for example we will pay athlete millions of dollars to play a sport for a few years,” Administrator Charles Carter said.

December 2014

Men's basketball continues to be successful Four major victories have the Pirates off to a great start after a disappointing 2013-2014 campaign. Senior captain Markeise Crutchfield has led the team thus far with his effort on the court and his mentality.

The Pirates opened their season with a win at home against Durham Academy. The team won mainly because of their effort on the defensive end, which is something that has been harped on consistently by head coach Brian Strickland.

The team's next two games were big victories. The Pirates outscored Athens Drive and Holly Springs 131-78 combined.

Riverside’s motivated play was due in part to Coach Strickland’s encouraging message after a win.

“3-0 is great but it’s nothing like 4-0” Strickland said.

Riverside’s first real test was on Dec. 2 at home against Cary Academy, a team that challenged the team last year. In a fast and intense game, the Pirates were able to pull out a win and extend their undefeated record to 4-0.

Thus far, Riverside has shown tremendous energy and effort on both ends of the floor. Although early season success does not guarantee a great season, it gives confidence to the players and keeps the team moving forward.

Assuming the team continues to play hard, there is nothing stopping the Pirates from making it to the state playoffs.

So far the team has defeated Durham Academy 77-68, Athens Drive 62-38, Holly Springs 6941, Cary Academy 76-73.

By Jasper Cool

18 but the players have been attending workouts since early June. The girls really show their dedication to the sport through the hours of hard work put into these practices.

“I think we are doing very well.

We focus a lot on picking each other up as teammates on and off the floor,” sophomore Aminata Johnson said.

The team is led by coach Alicia Jones, along with assistant coaches Sherai Jones and Corey Hairston. Senior captains Mone Jones, Yakima Clifton, and Atlanta Woodall strive to leave a legacy here at Riverside.

“We really want to leave a good impression on the younger players and encourage them to always go hard and always have their teammates backs, that’s what the other captains and I try to resemble,” Mone Jones said.

So far the girls have defeated Durham Academy 64-29, Athens Drive 83-55, Holly Springs 7244, and Cary 67-39. The Lady Pirates look to continue their undefeated streak throughout the remainder of the season.

By Jordan Lovell Wrestling hits the mat Two consecutive second place finishes at weekend wrestling tournaments kicked off the Riverside wrestling team’s 20142015 season. This year’s squad returns as the defending PAC-6 champions and looks to improve.

This Pirate wrestling team is led by their four senior captains Jaquon Sowell, Gary Whitaker, Araad Sarrami, and Armani Walker. Sowell returns as the defending state champion at 160 lbs. and was a junior All-American last season. While Sowell looks to defend his state title, Women's Basketball start the other three captains are in the off strong hunt to win their own. Whitaker, The Lady Pirates are proud the team’s heavyweight, placed to open their season with a 4-0 third at last year’s state meet record. Games started on Nov. while Sarrami, the 195 lb. starter,

qualified but lost in the first round to the eventual state champion.

The team also has major potential in seniors Abdurrauf Muhammad and Raekwon Hicks along with sophomores Noah Jacobs and Asante Boler.

Besides their own individual goals, the Pirate wrestlers have high expectations for the team.

The team’s goal is to capture a dual state championship and an individual tournament team championship, which would bring Riverside wrestling back to its glory days. Coaches Brandon Palmer and Broc Dickerson, both Riverside wrestling alumni, have their own goals for the season.

“Our goals as coaches are concurrent with the goals set by the team, which is to win a state championship,” Coach Palmer explained. “We as coaches need to make sure that we are prepared for that opportunity.”

This year’s team looks to improve from last year’s conference title as they have their eyes set on a state title, seeking to win the school’s eighth overall. However, the team has faced early obstacles as keypieces Whitaker and Muhammad have struggled with injuries. Despite these early setbacks the team still works hard to reach their goals and is getting stronger with every practice.

By Araad Sarrani Swim team ready for their season The Riverside swim team prepares to dive into their season with their first meet taking place on Dec 4 against Chapel Hill High School.

Junior captain Evan Iacono is hard at work preparing his team for success.

“Evan really knows what he’s doing with the team. We have the chance to be special this year,” junior Philip Jones said.

The swim team has two All-Conference swimmers from

last year returning to the team, sophomore Josh Rigsbee and junior Sophie McNeil. Both Rigsbee and McNeil have high hopes to go for more success this seaso.Rigsbee is striving to improve his times in the 200 Individual Medley (IM), and in the 100 Breaststroke. Rigsbee obtained All-Conference honors as a freshman last season. McNeil looks to repeat her times in the 500 freestyle and the 100 Backstroke to have a shot at regionals.

Riverside’s swim team is lucky to have an abundance of year round swimmers like Rigsbee and McNeil. The team also has a fair amount of athletes that show potential.

“I hope they can channel their athleticism and energy into the water,” swim coach Emma Refvem said.

Overall the team looks forward to a good season after a productive preseason

By Addison Oliver Jones and Clifton sign for

future Orange and blue balloons hang on one end of the table and blue and red balloons hang on the other. Two outstanding athletes sat at the table ready to sign to play college basketball. Families, friends, teammates, and teachers gathered around to watch the

Briefs

11

moment take place.

On Friday Nov. 15 Senior Mone Jones signed to play basketball at the University of Virginia.

On the same day senior Yakima Clifton signed to play basketball at Presbyterian College.

“It felt really good to be able to sign your name and know you’re set for the next four years,” Jones said.

The event started with speeches given by coaches who had the opportunity to coach Jones and Clifton. Each coach had wonderful words of praise for these two players. Senior Atlanta Woodall, close friend and teammate to Jones and Clifton, also spoke.

She gave her best wishes for her teammates to succeed.

“I liked the support I got from my friends, family and teammates,” Clifton said.

Friends and family watched proudly as the two ladies signed their names on the national letter of intent. Clapping, cheers, and many pictures followed the signatures. Clifton and Jones completed the ceremony by giving brief speeches, thanking everyone for their support. Both Clifton and Jones look forward to playing at the next level and are excited about their final season at Riverside.

By Joelle Trollinger

Riverside Fall Sports All-Conference Players Volleyball

Yakima Clifton Rachel Kallianos Deirdre Logan Emma McClintock

Men's Soccer Joe Wood Jack MacMillan Bryan Navarro David McSwain

Cross Country John Haase Ceara Gannon

Women's Tennis

Lauren Laughton ( 1st Team All-State) Sophie Bischoff Rebecca Koweek

Field Hockey

Nekesa Schutte (2nd Team All-State) Madison Nichting Morgan Whithaus (1st Team All-State) Samantha Lambros Grace (J'Mica) Sanders

Congratulations Pirates!!!

The Pirates' Hook December 2014

12

By Elizabeth Beyer

As 2014 comes to an end, the process of looking back at the past year and thinking about all that has transpired can be extremely gratifying. However, as this chapter of your life closes, it is also important to read ahead into the next 365 pages. Here are 15 things to look forward to in 2015.

1

Graduation

After thirteen years of schooling, Riverside’s class of 2015 has finally made it. This group of seniors is one of the best in the school’s history, with students dedicated to their education and extracurricular aspects of their lives.

keeping initiative with Ultron, an artificial intelligence. Grab your popcorn- the movie’s release date is set for May 1, 2015.

4

Krispy Kreme

There is nothing better than a Krispy Kreme original glazed donut when the ‘Hot Now’ sign is lit and in 2015, Durham citizens will receive this privilege as a Krispy Kreme opens at 3536 Hillsborough Road.

15 for ‘15

10

installment of The Hunger Games Paper Towns movies returns in the fall to shock If you did not get Many major companies audiences around the world.

The enough of author plan to release smartwatch Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 John Green’s sendesigns in 2015, but peris set to be released Nov. 20, 2015. timental stories in The Fault in haps the most anticipated will be Our Stars, prepare for the release Centerfest Apple’s iWatch, to be released in of Paper Towns, a film based on Local bands, beautiful artspring.

Green’s novel of the same title. The work, and the smell of fresh movie, shot in North Carolina, will funnel cake cue the return be released June 19, 2015. of Centerfest, an annual celebration of the arts in North Carolina. Come witness the 41st annual Centerfest in fall 2015.

6

Smartwatches

8

third season. OITNB has received 12 Emmy Nominations in 2014 alone and its third season will be released in June 2015.

13

iOS 9

The promise of iOS 9 looms near. Speculation about what new features will be offered in this

13

14

S t a r Wa r s : Episode VII

15

Mr. Unruhe’s Retirement Party

Star Wars is arguably the most beloved movie franchise in the United States and in 2015 it returns with Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. The movie is set to be released Dec. 8, 2015.

For now, watch the teaser and prepare for the thrilling action that is to come.

Steven Unruhe, Riverside’s famous calculus and newspaper teacher, has been an incredible mentor and will never be forgotten. Celebrate his 29 years of affecting the lives of

Every year as Christmas approaches my family would spend nights sitting in the living room watching Christmas movies together. “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” has always been my favorite Jim Carrey makes us laugh endlessly.

My parents have always been busy people. My father is district manager for Picasso Pawn so he works 50 hour weeks over the holidays. My mom works at Home Depot and works extra hours leading up to Christmas. However, they have always wanted to make time for me and my brother to stay strong as a family.

My family will order pizza and eat it together while watching the movie. We watch "The Christmas Story" on Christmas Eve.

Watching movies is a time where we can relax and have a good time with each other.

By the numbers

2

Super Bowl XLIX

Don’t miss the 49th Super Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home to the Arizona Cardinals. Gather your friends for a celebration with food, drinks, and a halftime show featuring popstar Katy Perry on Feb. 1.

9

5

Prom 2015

Dapper suits, elegant The Hunger gowns, and a night on the Games: Mockingdance floor; it’s prom, often jay Part 2 With S.H.I.E.L.D. de- dubbed ‘The Best Night of High stroyed, Avenger Tony School,’ and Riverside’s 2015 prom Clear your schedule and Stark attempts to start a peace- promises to live up to the standard. add this to your calendar; the final

3

Avengers: Age of Ultron

7

Spirit Events

According to Student Body President Alexis Clinton, the Riverside Student Government Association (SGA) intends to have more spirited events during the school year. That can mean many things. Another spirit week, perhaps? All events, whatever they may be, will be supportive of Riverside’s pirate pride.

“If people want to follow the Instagram page and the Twitter page, they can learn more. It’s a surprise, though!” Clinton said.

Instagram page (@riversidesga), Twitter page (@riverside_sga)

11

Summer Break 2015

Lazy days spent basking in the sun and pool parties under the stars return during summer break in just a few months. These few weeks, ungoverned by school, mean freedom and the chance to relax with friends.

12

Orange is the New Black Season 3

edition of Apple’s software are currently flying, but one thing is for certain: Apple updates its iOS once a year like clockwork and Grab your friends and take a seat, this new iOS installment can be because it’s time to binge-watch expected around the release of the Orange is the New Black’s (OITNB) new iPhone in fall 2015.

his students through teaching at his retirement party in 2015. Teachers, staff, former and current students, kids, and more are invited to the party, held June 7, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Pavillion at Durham Central Park.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Riverside High School's favorite Christmas movies

Elf

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Nightmare Before Chrismas Mickey's Christmas Carol Home Alone 1, 2, and 3 Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer Polar Express It's a Wonderful Life

• BY RANDY PEÑA

14 Holidays

Pirates' Hookok

Christmas:The international holiday

• PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBIN KIRK

A Christmas market in Turkey, stocked and ready for the many shoppers to come.

By Ray Starn and Ranya Al Zoubaidi Cookies, family, presents and ugly sweaters. It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas, and not only in the United States.

Christmas is the most celebrated holiday in the world, only behind New Year’s Eve. The spread of Christianity, along with the plethora of products, has led to the

globalization of the holiday. Throughout the world, non-religious people also celebrating Christmas, usually leaving out the religious aspect of the holiday.

Sophomore Florencie Jacques and her family like to focus on the fact that they are able to be together over the holidays.

“My family doesn’t really care for the gifts part, just being together matters,” Jacques said.

English as a third language

By Pamela Gonzales Today there are many languages all over the world like Italian, Spanish, and French.

Besides these, there are other languages that are not recognized because they are dying out. Many people no longer care about less known languages and new generations are ashamed of their native origins. Native or indigenous languages have existed for centuries and in the 21st century, few remain.

In Mexico there are a variety of in-

digenous languages. Chatino, for example, which is spoken in Juquila in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. This language is spoken by freshman Yovany Garcia Cruz. Chatino is Garcia’s native language but he also speaks Spanish.

“My whole family is from Juquila and we all speak Chatino,” Garcia said.

“Speaking another language gives me many opportunities and opens many doors for me.”

Another student from Mexico, Sopho-

Continued on Pg. 16

The Jacques family is from Haiti, an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. In Haiti, Christmas is a major winter holiday along with New Year’s Eve. As a kid, Jacques celebrated Christmas, but left before she was old enough to remember.

Jumana Mograbi, a Riverside Shophomore born in Syria and spent many of her early years in Bulgaria. She celebrated Christmas by going to church and lighting candles for dead family and friends.

“I am not very religious, but my family and I used to be,” Mograbi said.

Although Christmas is a religious holiday, not everyone celebrates it that way.

Cultures around the world sometimes have different tradtional ways.

Many Europeans tend to celebrate the religious side of Christmas, while in America it is more about family, friends, and presents. There are still people however, that include the tradition of spending Christmas morning at their local church.

Christmas began in Europe; it is a mixture of pagan German holidays, Saturnalia (an ancient Roman holiday), and Christian practices. In the Netherlands they celebrate Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) and his helpful assistant Zwarte Piet. Zwarte Piet is dressed in Renaissance clothing and is in the incredibly racist makeup, black face. This ‘tradition’ has received a lot of controversy but is still celebrated by some.

Apart from this tradition, Christmas in

European cities are happy and light-hearted. In cities, huge Christmas markets pop up which sell toys, paintings, and handmade objects, along with the traditional holiday foods such as roast duck, pork, and fatty treats.

In the country-side, people harvest and prepare for the upcoming family feast.

Come holiday season, Christmas carols will fill the city streets. Some students in Druham celebrate Ramadan, the last month of the Muslim calendar. During Ramadan, people fast for 16 hours straight, and at the the end of the month there is a huge feast; Eid-Al-Fitr.

Junior Javian Biswas, a former Riverside student and a practiced Muslim, admits it is hard to avoid getting in the Christmas mood.

“This holiday is such a big deal here and it gets a bit difficult to not to get involved in the grand ‘spirit’ of it,” Biswas said. “I don’t go full out for obvious reasons like the religious aspect of it. But of course I do a few ‘Christmas-y.’ things just because they’re fun like ugly sweaters, gift-giving, shopping, and food and stuff.”

Only in a few largely Muslim countries is Christmas not recognized by the state as a holiday. Even countries that could not be farther from the birth of Christianity, like The Philippines or Australia, Christmas has found a way to spread its jolly cheer and will most likely continue to grow.

Ingles como tercer lenguaje Por Joel Flores Hoy en día conocemos muchos idiomas los cuales se hablan en diferentes partes del mundo, por ejemplo: Italiano, Español, Chino, Frances, Portugues, y entre otros.

Pero también existen otros idiomas que no son muy reconocidos por el simple hecho de que se están perdiendo con el transcurso de los días y años. También porque las personas ya no le toman importancia y las nuevas generaciones se avergüenzan de su origen nativo. Éstos son idiomas

nativos o idiomas indígenas, por decirlo así, que llevan mucho tiempo existiendo, y hasta ahora en el siglo XXI aún siguen existiendo en algunos rincones de este inmenso mundo.

En México hay una gran variedad de idiomas nativos. Uno de ellos es el “Chatino,” el cual es originario de Juquila de la Región de la Costa en el Estado de Oaxaca, México. Este idioma lo habla uno de nuestros alumnos de Riverside, el estudiante de noveno grado Yovany Garcia

Continued on Pg. 16

December 2014

Holidays

Sweet potato pie, latkes hold holiday sentiments

By Lena Geller

A gunshot sounds, the anguished cry of a sheep is heard, and then all is silent.

Most associate the holiday season with roasted turkey and warm cookies, but for sophomore Senith Berhane, sheep slaughter is the norm during the winter months.

“At Thanksgiving and Christmas, my dad gets a sheep from some farm in Raleigh and shoots it, and then my mom skins it,” Berhane said. “They cook it and eat it on bread with this spicy sauce called stebhi. I don’t eat it; it’s disgusting.”

Though Berhane is less than enthused about her family’s Eritrean affair, the annual tradition does trigger memories of Christmases past.

“They’ve been doing it as long as I remember, so it gets me into the holiday spirit,” Berhane said sarcastically.

Sophomore Nashara Turrentine’s attitude toward her tradi-

tional holiday dish is the opposite of Berhane’s. One must earn the privilege of receiving the secret recipe for her family’s famous sweet potato pie.

“You have to qualify to get the recipe passed down to you. You have to be a good cook,” Turrentine said. “Only a select few get it..Yes, I do know the recipe.”

Turrentine refused to reveal the formula for the perfect pie, but she did let slip one of its secret ingredients.

“You have to use rum,” Turrentine said, “It gives it this special taste. Don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off.”

The Turrentine family’s precise measurements used to achieve the flawlessly flavored pie contrast with sophomore Jessica Sublett’s family custom of making ‘White Trash,’ or ‘Christmas Gak’ as she calls it.

“My parents first made it in college; they wanted to make something but didn’t have ingredients for one thing so they threw a bunch of things together,” Sub-

• •PHOTO BY LENA GELLER

Rum-spiked sweet potato pie topped with rosettes of whipped cream bring the holiday spirit to the Turrentine household.

lett said. “We take a whole mess of cheerios, pretzels, M&Ms, chex cereal, and sometimes peanuts, and we melt them all together in white chocolate. You can really use whatever you have on hand, we change it up every time.”

The result is an array of salty and saccharine snacks suspended in the cloying sweetness of white chocolate.

Sophomore Anna James’ family turns to the more savory fare of potato latkes, fried in oil to accompany the menorah in warming up cold Hanukkah nights.

“Hanukkah food is usually centered around oil, because the oil burned for eight nights when the holiday was created,” James said. “Every year we make our own latkes, which are pretty much potato pancakes. You make them so they’re really crispy at the edges. I eat mine with applesauce, but some people like them with sour cream or plain.”

James admitted that she is no longer included in the process of frying the latkes.

“When I was nine I splattered hot oil everywhere when I was helping to make them, and they haven’t let me near the stove since,” James said.

While James is banned from aiding her family in cooking their annual holiday meal, freshman Jorge Duarte stays up late preparing tamales for his extended family.

“We usually only have them during Christmas because they take so long to make,” Duarte said. “They’re made of corn masa and salsa wrapped in a corn leaf, but everyone in my family has their own variation. We eat a lot of them!”

Duarte enjoys his family’s different takes on the traditional Meso-American dish, from hot

15

chile pork to beef with roasted garlic. Freshman Thomas Weaver, too, will dine with his extended family this holiday season. A major component of the meal will be candied yams, as they have been for many years. This Christmas, however, the sweet dish will hold bitter undertones.

“My great-grandma was an incredible cook - she worked at a bakery for more than twenty years, all the way up until her death last winter,” Weaver said.

“My family doesn’t always get along, but we always come together during Christmas for her candied yams.”

The yams allow Weaver to both reconnect with family members and honor his great-grandma’s memory.

“Even though she’s gone this year, of course we’re still gonna make them. She’s in our thoughts.”

Since the first civilization, food has served as a metaphor for harmony and peace. A necessity shared by all, it brings people together, shapes daily routines, and introduces many to new tastes and cultures. During the holiday season, food embodies joy and cohesion, even if it is in the form of a dead sheep.

Sublett Family's 'White Trash' a.k.a. 'Christmas Gak' -3 ½ cups cheerios -3 cups rice chex -3 cups corn chex -16 oz plain M&Ms -1 ½ cups salted peanuts or raisins (optional) -2 cups small pretzels -2 (11 oz) package of white chocolate chips Dump the cereals, M&Ms,

nuts, pretzels, raisins etc. into a large bowl. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler - melt very slowly, stirring occasionally, being careful not to burn the chocolate.

Dump melted chocolate over the ingredients in the bowl - folding over and over until all is coated.

Spread the whole mess on wax paper and set in a cool place until it sets up. Break into pieces.

Almost-Turrentine Sweet Potato Pie (adapted from Epicurious) - 2 medium sweet potatoes - ¼ cup butter - ¾ cup sugar - ¾ cup milk - 3 eggs - 1 tsp vanilla - ½ tsp cinnamon - ¼ tsp nutmeg - ¼ tsp salt - 2 tbsp dark rum - 1 tbsp flour - 1 unbaked pie crust - whipped cream Preheat oven to 350°. Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork and roast in the oven until very tender, about 1 ¼ hours. Set aside to cool.

Raise temperature to 400°, and place a shallow baking pan on the bottom rack. Scoop the flesh from potatoes into a bowl and discard the skins. Mash the potatoes with a fork until smooth. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar. Add the melted butter mixture to the sweet potatoes with the milk and the eggs and beat with a whisk until smooth. Whisk in the remaining ingredients.

Pour the filling into the pie shell.

Carefully transfer the pie to the heated shallow baking pan on the bottom rack of the oven and bake until the filling is just set, about 40 minutes. Transfer the pie to a rack to cool. Pipe on rosettes of whipped cream.

16 Holidays

Pirates' Hookok

Pirates give families a Thanksgiving

By Pam Gonzalez A man dressed as Santa Claus rings a bell next to a donation box. Occasionally a person walking by stops and donates to the man’s cause. Many people spend their holidays volunteering at a soup kitchen or donating to a charity. Students at Riverside volunteer during the holidays and year round.

Most of the students who volunteer are part of clubs that reach out to the community and find ways to improve it. There are many clubs at Riverside that volunteer.

Examples of these clubs include Stand Up to Cancer, Gay Straight Alliance, Student Government Association.

The Stand Up to Cancer club is a branch of the national movement called ‘The Stand Up’. Students raise money for the national organization by hosting events such as bake sales or selling bracelets.

Not only do students donate to The Stand Up campaign, but students also volunteer at the Caring House. Caring House is a place where cancer patients and their families, that live out of state, can stay while receiving treatment at Duke Hospital.

“We go to the Caring House and we made dinner for the patients. We play games and the last time we went, a winner

Lenguaje Cont'd de pg. 14

Cruz. Él habla castellano, o Español como lo conocemos todos, y también su idioma nativo, el Chatino.

“Toda mi familia es perteneciente de Juquila, y todos hablamos chatino”, dijo García. “Al yo tener otro idioma me da muchas oportunidades, y me abre muchas puertas”.

Hay otro estudiante en el décimo año de México, Manuel Ojeda que también habla un idioma nativo la cual es el Chinanteco.

Este lenguaje nativo es originario de la región del Papaloapan (Tuxtepec), del Estado de Oaxaca.

“Yo hablo chinanteco desde muy pequeño, y además toda mi familia lo habla. A mí me gusta el idioma ya que

got a target gift card,” junior Ally Zilles, President of Stand Up to Cancer said.

“It’s so fun and watching them smile and knowing that we have made their day makes me happy.”

Stand Up to Cancer is not the only club volunteering year round, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) has a bake sale each semester. The money raised goes to local Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) organizations and national organizations such as The Trevor Project.

“We vote on where we want to donate money, but we try to move away from Trevor Project, since we always donate to them, and donate to other local organizations,” senior Dal Davis, President of GSA said.

“It’s one of my favorite things to do because I feel good to know that we’re helping something close to home and close to my heart.”

Many clubs at school have a goal of community involvement. National Honor Society (NHS) requires for each student to have done 20 hours of volunteering each semester. They do several service projects throughout the year, and offer tutoring during homeroom in the media center on Tuesdays and Thursday.

Student Government Society (SGA) made a difference this past Thanksgiving

by donating food baskets to Urban Ministries.

Their goal was to collect four baskets to donate by Thanksgiving break.

“We wanted to build the holiday spirit and support the local community in a positive charitable endeavor,” history teacher Jessica Friedlander said.

• PHOTO BY ABDURRAUF MUHAMMAD S G A i s Students donated food and other materials to give to the families also partner- in need of a Thanksgiving meal. Thanks to the students, families ing up with could enjoy Thanksgiving with loved ones.

Jr Revere Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) to collect afford it,” senior Steven Powell said. money to adopt a family who is in need “There will be boxes in each homeroom these holidays. and all three lunches where students can “From Nov 24th to Dec 16th we will donate money.” be collecting money to buy presents for The feeling of giving to charity is one families in our community who can not that can not be forgotten.

me permite comunicarme con mis familiares, y con todas las demás personas que hablan el mismo idioma que yo”, dijo Ojeda.

La población que antes hablaban estos lenguajes ya no es tan numerosa. Esto trae el peligro de que entre menos hablen estos lenguajes ya no existirán más.

“Lamentablemente sé que en años futuros ya no existirá más, porque la mayoría de las personas se enfocan en otras cosas, como los deportes, la tecnología, y poco a poco se olvidan de la cultura que tienen a su alrededor, por el simple hecho de que se avergüenzan” dijo Ojeda.

Estudiantes como Ojeda aun aprecian el privilegio de conocer un lenguaje que lo conecta a sus ancestros y familiares. Estos lenguajes forman parte de

la identidad de la persona. Así como nosotros tenemos el Español o el Inglés como nuestros lenguajes de origen y por medio de ellos nos desenvolvemos en la sociedad, los idiomas como el Chatino o cualquier otro idioma nativo forman parte de la identidad de personas como algunos estudiantes en Riverside.

“Por el miedo que algún día se perderá y que ya no podre tener el mismo privilegio que ahora tengo, ya no podré conversar con mis familiares y ya no podré ayudar a las personas.” dijo Ojeda. “Además no me averguenzo de mi idioma porque es bonito tener varios idiomas porque así puedo ayudar a las personas que no entienden el Español. Me abre pasos a muchas puertas y a nuevas oportunidades.

A la vez, me da un origen y una identidad,

me da muchas ideas y me muestra como eran mis antepasados.”

Ambos estudiantes dicen que sus idiomas son bellos.

“El idioma chatino es muy bonito, porque me puedo comunicar con las personas adultas que también hablan el mismo idioma que yo, pero lo más bonito es poder convivir con mi comunidad y con otras comunidades”, dijo García.

Al parecer todavía hay personas que se preocupan por su origen y se sienten muy orgullosos de ello. Estos lenguajes tienen un valor inmenso ya que nos conectan a una cultura frondosa de tradiciones que ha ido desapareciendo a través de los años.

Las responsabilidad de preservar cada cultura y sus lenguajes cae en aquellos que todavía tienen la dicha ser parte de ella.

December 2014

• GRAPHIC BY TRACY TRAN

Find the hidden objects in the picture above. Can you find them all?

• Boombox

• Santa's hat

• Stocking

• Present

• Plate of cookies • Pirates' Hook • Mug

• Toy train

• Mr. Unruhe

• Mistletoe

Homeroom hidden pictures

Language Cont'd from pg. 14

-more Manuel Ojeda, speaks Chinanteco, another indigenous language. This language is native to the region of Papaloapan (Tuxtepec) in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

“I have been speaking Chinanteco since a very young age and all of my family speaks it. I like the native language because I can communicate with my family and all the people who speak the same language as me,” said Ojeda.

Ojeda worries about the future of native languages. The populations that used to speak these indigenous languages are changing. The culture is being forgotten

as societies change and modernize.

“Unfortunately, in future years [the language] will not exist anymore because most people will gradually forget the culture simply because they are ashamed,” Ojeda said. “I am not ashamed of my language. I can help people who do not understand Spanish. At the same time, it gives me a home and an identity and teaches me about my ancestors and my past.”

Both students find their language to be creative and unique. These native languages are important to preserve.

“The Chatino language is very nice because I can communicate with adults who also speak the same language as me, but the

17

nicest thing is living with my community and other communities,” Garcia said Both Garcia and Ojeda care for their languages. Students stay connected to their heritage and the culture of their family members before them.

“I fear that someday the language will be lost and many will not have the privilege I have now. I will not be able to talk to my family and will no longer be able to help people,” Ojeda said.

These languages are the connection to the rich cultures that are disappearing over time. Many students are proud of their origins and continue to preserve their native language everyday.

18

Pirates' Hook

TRENDING: SEX, DRUGS Party culture prevalent in high school, college

•PHOTO COURTESY OF J.J GUATNO

College students drink together at a friend's place. Drinking and partying that begins in high school often ramps up during college. in health classes. Despite this, which give you intimate and soBy Cy Neff students at Riverside and across cial interactions that you can’t get Some things in high school al- the country continue to indulge anywhere else,” an anonymous ways stay the same: drama, tests, in partying, drinking and drugs, junior said.

Students also might go to paroverachievers, underachievers, seeing benefits for themselves cliques, football games, and par- that do not show up on research ties because they feel that it will increase their social status. The ties. As long as high school has spreadsheets.

Parties are largely possible be- people who host parties are very existed, high school parties have co-existed with it, and as long cause of drinking, and it became well known at any high school. as high school movies are made, clear during interviews that much Going to parties can also make partying, drinking, and substance of the motivation for partying is students feel more accepted and for social reasons, often interac- give them a sense of belonging. abuse will be front and center.

There are readily available tions that result from a lack of Others say that they are just letting loose on the weekends. statistics showing the dangers inhibition.

“There’s a social aspect, social “I think it’s a good way for of underage drinking and drug use all over the Internet and pressures are decreased by drugs kids to entertain themselves,”

junior Cassidy Leovic said, “It’s a better use of your weekend than just sitting in your room watching Netflix by yourself.”

While some students view partying as an occasional occurrence that that does not happen often, others have a more objective view and feel that alcohol and partying have taken up a much larger role than intended in certaom students’ lives.

“With this year’s seniors it started last year as ‘oh we’ll do it once in a while,’ and now it’s like every weekend,” an anonymous senior said.

Others see deeper problems with partying and substance abuse. Most people take the view of parties as something people do to have fun, but some view it as a form of self-medication, a way for students to hide from their problems.

“I think some people don’t really like who they are sober and just don’t want to be sober,” an anonymous senior said.

Movies, TV, and music also undoubtedly play a role in teens’ decision to party. Songs constantly mention partying until the break of dawn. Channels with a large teenage audience such as FX and Comedy Central frequently air alcohol commercials. Films like Project X exist simply to glorify partying. Ads for champagne, scotch and vodka serve as backdrops for many popular websites and are ever-present in magazines. Almost all of the students interviewed thought that partying and drinking were promoted in American culture.

“I think the party aspect is just so prevalent in society,” English

teacher Mira Rahili said, “It’s portrayed as alluring and attractive. Why would a 16 year old not want to be a part of that?”

Although the health consequences of drinking and drugs are well known, when Riverside were students asked if they would allow their children to parties the main issue expressed was the legal aspect. Students were more concerned about getting arrested than the health issues of the behavior, an immediate and very visible consequence being much more frightening than one that only affects them very far down the road.

The culture of partying does not just end with high school. College acceptance rates are dropping and tuition is rising, but drugs and binge drinking seem to be becoming an accepted part of the college experience. Students are working harder and paying more money to get into colleges, but when they get there may take it as an opportunity to party. Many colleges in North Carolina that Riverside students go to have at most two thirds of their students graduating, such as ECU (58.4%), Appalachian University (66.5%) and UNC-Asheville (55.2%).

Although some of these can be accounted for by academic rigor, it is likely that partying plays a major role for lots of dropouts.

While some college students clearly view partying as their big priority, the mantra of students at many college campuses is ‘work hard play hard,’ meaning that they strive to balance their school-work with a social life

Cont'd on p. 20

December 2014

Trending

19

Sexual Misconduct: #1 Issue on college campuses

By Maya Gacina

For decades, sexual assault and sexual harassment has been a largely unaddressed problem in American universities. Witnesses remain silent and assaults remain unreported. College campuses everywhere are trying to increase the safety of students and their future generation.

Riverside alumni; scattered at colleges across the country, report that all their schools are working to address these issues.

“Sometimes the trouble [sexual assault] is seen and ignored and some only feel compelled take action when they become affected, rather than be safe and prevent it,” University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill student and Riverside alumnas (13’) Chris Perez said.

The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill established a pledge for consensual sex. Incoming freshmen sign the pledge, promising that both parties affirmatively agree before engaging in sexual activity. The widespread slogan at the university is Every Kiss Begins With Consent.

Prestigious Ivy League schools such as Yale, Princeton, and Harvard have been involved in scandalous cases of sexual misconduct and violations of Title IX student code. Recently Harvard improved their policies to be applicable to all students. The new policy, put into effect this fall, requires more evidence for cases to determine if a sexual assault act occurred.

Another school, Duke University, is in the process of updating it’s policy. Current policy defines consent as “affirmatively deciding to engage in mutually acceptable activity, an informed decision made freely and actively on all parties, to not rely

•PHOTO BY EMMANUEL JOHNSON

Senior Jaquon Sowell and junior Anh Duong illustrate the sexual tensions between students. on non-verbal communication and no assumptions. Consent may not be inferred on silence,” Duke Dean of student affairs Sue Wasiolek said.

Sexual harassment, a much broader category than assault, is even more widespread.

According to the Duke Women’s Center coordinator of gender assault prevention Amy Cleckler, an overwhelming 120 students on campus could have reported a sexual assault, but only six filed a report. According to the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, of the college women that are raped, only ten percent report the rape.

Ambrielle Moore, a Riverside alumna (‘11), has advice for future college students.

“I say to the young women that statistics do not make you a victim. They should not influence the way you choose to dress or how many cups of beer you decide to

have. However, it should remind you to never be too trusting, to be smart even outside of the classroom, and to have each other’s back most of all,” University of Southern California student Moore said It is not just women affected by changing sexual harassment policies.

Currently Duke University is fending off lawsuits from graduating senior Lewis McLeod, who was accused of sexual misconduct during a party. McLeod is suing for not receiving his diploma after a four year college career at Duke. Recently, an offer from the Wall Street law firm, for McLeod, was pulled. McLeod immediately took legal action against Duke.

Lawsuits like these are increasingly common, especially when involving fraternities.

Information on sexual harassment is becoming more accessible. Students are educated on

prevention of sexual misconduct in brochures, summer orientation programs and on flyers set up around campus.

“Duke is reaching a much better standard for sexual assault policies and student conduct. It’s becoming easier and easier for students to find out about and report sexual assaults,” Cleckler said.

Awareness is a key ingredient to notifying the dire obstacles universities face. Enrolled college freshmen walk onto a college campus oblivious to the real crimes that go on inside those walls.

“I think it’s really important to always have a ‘buddy’ when you’re going out to parties where you may or may not be drinking so that there is someone who always has their eyes on you. [Someone] who would see if something was going wrong,” Wake Forest student and Riverside alumna (‘12)

Jessica Baroff said.

Policies have been updated, but many feel more can be done.

Universities all over the United States have tried to increase awareness of policies. To Riverside alumni currently attending college, slim to none have made an actual impact regarding affirmative actions.

“I would say that because Columbia’s policy has failed to appropriately handle cases of sexual assault, it has given certain sexual predators a sense of immunity regarding their actions. However, in a strange way, Columbia’s inadequate policy has in turn raised awareness about sexual assault on campus amongst the community,” Columbia student and Riverside alumnus (‘11) Domingo Vinesett said.

Policies are proven to have flaws, but universities are making an effort to establish groups and organizations to increase campus safety. Women’s centers, prevention programs, and hotlines are up and coming projects in every college.

“Preventing sexual misconduct requires changing the attitudes and cultures within college campuses, and that responsibility is not solely on the shoulders of female students. It requires men choosing not to condone rape or other forms of sexual assault in order to create a safer environment for everyone,” Moore said.

Universities strive to maintain an environment free of sexual assault and rape. Whether these efforts will pay off is up to the students, to not condone rape, sexual assault, or nonconsensual sex. For graduating high school seniors, the hope is that they will receive a full college experience, minus the harassment.

20 Trending

Backstory: Personal experiences with drug usage

By Dillon McIntyre

It’s freshman year, a teen is hanging out at his new-found friend’s house. There are no parents home. His friend brings out some weed. His friend’s smoked before a few times, but he never has. Hesitant, but easily persuaded, he decides to give it a try.

While many smoke marijuana and may not experience any serious negative effects, others may move on to more extreme drugs and more extreme highs.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use by adolescents declined from the late 1990s until the mid to late 2000s, but has been increasing since then. Daily use has also increased: six percent of seniors nationally now use marijuana every day,compared to five percent in the mid-2000s.

The Pirates’ Hook asked several students and teachers at Riverside to share their personal experiences with drugs, and drug overdoses.

A teacher recalled this story.

“I only witnessed a student under the influence of drugs once.

A few years ago I was staying after school and a boy ran into

Cont'd. from page 24

A good number of students have to go through the hardship of having no option but to work in order to sustain themselves.

One student at Riverside (anonymous), arrived to the United States two years ago. Since then, he has worked full time, and during the summers has even taken on two jobs to sustain himself.

He also works to help support his family in his native country.

Without having parents to rely on, he must learn to depend on himself. As an immigrant to the United States, he is still learning English, which adds to his legal and personal problems.

“It is hard for one to concentrate, there are so many problems.

I have to look out for myself.

my classroom saying something was wrong. A female student was laying in the hallway. She wasn’t moving. I called 911 immediately.

They rushed to the scene and carried her away. Later I found out that she had taken too many pills. It was the scariest thing I have ever witnessed in all of my years of teaching. It made me realize that kids are growing up a lot faster nowadays.”

Peer pressure alone is unlikely to cause addiction, but can be an excuse to try drugs for the first time.

“My first experience with drugs was during ninth grade. It was after a party. We were in the car about to leave when someone in the passenger seat began to roll up a blunt. I was in the backseat.

It was passed around. I had never done this before so I tried to look like I belonged. On the inside I was thinking about all of the bad things that could happen if I smoke, like getting caught by the cops, and my mom finding out. It was passed to me and I smoked for the first time.”

A person’s home environment can also be a factor in their decisions around experimenting with drugs.

Another story in this section highlighted the culture of partying in the later years of high school and early years of college.

Although these activities may reach full bloom later in high school, their seeds are often planted earlier.

Sometimes I wish I could just forget everything for at least one small moment,” he said. “Many times I do not come to class with the mentality of learning - instead, I do it because it is an obligation.”

Breaking off from an unstable family circumstances two years ago, senior Samantha Damm now financially supports herself. Working at Harris Teeter and as well as being a nanny three days a week, she hardly has enough time for school and managing her time is very difficult.

It is often necessary to sacrifice the little breaks to catch up or get ahead on school work, and even sleep becomes a low priority.

“I am practically an adult and it is very hard,” Damm said, “People take for granted how easy it is when they have their

“My first experience was in sophomore year. My friends used to smoke a lot. I never had at that point but whenever they talked about it, I used to pretend I knew what I was talking about.

We planned a night where we were going to smoke. I was lowkey scared. I didn’t want to look like I didn’t know what to do. I inhaled too much and started uncontrollably coughing. It was embarrassing. They knew I didn’t smoke, and since then I didn’t really smoke anymore. I found out that it’s not really for everyone.”

“With me, my parents never really discouraged weed use or anything like that, they just encouraged me to make my own decisions when it came to drugs and alcohol. When I got to the age where I felt like I can handle it I used drugs for the first time.

I never let it get out of control or anything like that. I just always keep it safe.” parents around for them. Food is so expensive. There is really no time to complain.”

Though Damm’s situation can sometimes seem dismal, she feels grateful that she has acquired a high level of responsibility and maturity.

“I know who I am, I see others whine about childish problems.

I want make a difference, and better myself. I want to become a nurse, so I’m determined to stay in school. I have learned to appreciate the little things.”

At Riverside there are many students who work hard in and out of the classroom.

Students who have jobs outside of school, for whatever reason must find a way to balance their job and the responsibility of being a student.

Pirates' Hookok

Party Culture, cont'd. from p. 18 and usually parties. This has long been a saying at college, but the picture painted by former Riverside Pirates of college parties seems to be a much different one than the ones students’ parents were going to.

“I’ve been to parties in which the ‘drink of choice’ is a large garbage can filled with a mixture of wine, beer, liquor, Nyquil and Adderall,” University of Pittsburgh student Jonathan Titus said.

Concerns over people getting intoxicated are not only related to the health consequences, but also the decisions and dangers that come with being intoxicated. 1,825 college students will die from drinking-related injuries every single year. Just as troubling, especially in light of the sexual assault epidemic occurring across college campuses nationwide, is the role that alcohol plays in sexual violence.

More than 97,000 college students will be the victims of an alcohol-related

sexual assault, and more than 90% of college sexual assaults involve people underneath the influence of alcohol.

Many colleges also have buses and taxis running on and around campus late into the night.

While acknowledging that these features make drinking at college much easier, students felt that these features also made campuses much safer and that they by no means cause drinking.

“Students are going to abuse substances pretty much no matter what, so I think anything that keeps them from driving, or stumbling home is hugely useful,” University of Southern California student Ambrielle Moore said.

With substance abuse, drinking, and partying starting in high school and blossoming in college, the respective consequences and dangers also follow them. As studies and programs continue to come out to discourage partying and substance abuse, the behavior itself shows no signs of slowing down.

En Español, cont'd. de página 24. y se les enseña la responsabilidad “, dijo el administrador Charles Carter.

Los estudiantes de secundaria tienden a tener la resistencia para soportar semanas, o incluso meses de horarios completamente llenos de ocupaciones. Sin embargo, con el tiempo esto puede agotar la perseverancia y energía de los estudiantes. El cansancio y estrés pueden llegar a perjudicar las calificaciones, y a largo plazo el animo de los estudiantes por estudiar.

Muchos maestros entienden que sus estudiantes pueden participar en actividades extracurriculares, incluyendo un trabajo. El Profesor de Física Timothy Brown se da cuenta que los estudiantes que trabajan tienden a quedarse dormidos en clase o simplemente ni asisten a clase.

“Si lo vemos de otro punto de vista no es justo para aquellos que tienen que trabajar, pero la

realidad es que muchas partes de la vida no son justas. Uno tiene que hacer su mejor esfuerzo con lo que la vida nos sorprenda “, dijo el Sr. Brown. “Mayormente el problema es que los estudiantes carecen de la confianza para hablar con sus maestros acerca de su situación.”

Una buena cantidad de estudiantes tienen que pasar por la dificultad de no tener más opción que trabajar para mantenerse. Un estudiante en Riverside (anónimo), llegó a Estados Unidos hace dos años.

Lea la historia completa en el internet http://riverside.dpsnc.net/ pages/Riverside_High/Student_ Resources/Other_Resources/ News_Archive/2014-2015_Pirates__Hook

December 2014

PUT IN WORK

21

Students volunteer more than their time

By Joelle Trollinger Selfless, rewarding, influential; volunteering. Taking time out of the day to make someone else’s life just a little better is a common goal for many Riverside students who volunteer. Students participate in a variety of volunteer activities, ranging from working with kids to helping victims of domestic abuse.

This summer provided ample time for students to volunteer.

Junior Philip Jones spent his time at a summer program called Camp Joy. He partnered with a special needs kid and helped his buddy have a great camp experience.

“At Camp Joy you’re their caregiver but really you’re just their friend,” Philip Jones said.

Other Riverside students also spent their summers helping the community in different ways.

At the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC) senior Dyson Robinson spent time helping out around the DCRC house, which provides an advocacy and refuge for victims of domestic abuse.

“I originally decided to volunteer because I needed something to do during the summer,” Robinson said. “But I learned you shouldn’t always be working for money and how important it is to help those who can’t help themselves.”

Senior Steven Jones also spent much of his summer volunteering.

Steven Jones participated in a program that taught basic math and reading skills to elementary aged children, as well as handing

out food to the families of these children. “[I like] being able to get out there and help people who can’t always take care of basic needs.

It’s rewarding that something so simple can help someone,” Steven Jones said.

Similar to her peers, senior Kristen Lovell spent time volunteering at the Emily K. center; a family life center in downtown Durham.

The center is for families with financial issues, creating a program for their children to hangout, do their homework, and play. At the center, Lovell hung out with kids and organized activities and events.

“It’s rewarding to see how the families are able to have someplace to hang out and enjoy themselves,” Lovell said.

While some students spent many hours during the summer giving their time, others found ways to dedicate small increments of time during the school year to make a difference.

Sophomore Joe Heflin volunteers with Interfaith Hospitality Network, serving meals for people who come by the Duke Memorial Church.

“I do it because I realize I’m so fortunate compared to others in our community. I want others to feel as fortunate as I do,” Heflin said.

Much like Heflin, junior Andrew Wynkoop volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. He does deconstruction as well as construction for the Habitat houses.

“It’s amazing how much prog-

ress the house I helped start a couple weeks ago [has made], a month later just from volunteers like myself,” Wynkoop said.

Some students admit to only start volunteering in anticipation of college applications but many have learned valuable lessons through the process.

“I don’t value myself greater than others. My personal time isn’t worth not helping someone,” junior Philip Jones said.

Many people notice an influx of volunteering during the holiday season. People seem to have more time to give and help others during the winter months.

The Jewish Community Center conducts Mitzvah Day which is a day of service, held on Christmas day. On Mitzvah Day, community members can come out and serve others in various ways.

From knitting blankets, to assembling gift baskets, and baking bread, Mitzvah Day offers a multitude of ways to give back.

No matter the season, volunteering opens students up to new Junior Philip Jones shows his love towards one of the special needs perspectives, opportunities, and young adults at Camp Joy. Many Riverside students volunteer yearly • PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIP JONES ways to enhance the community. helping people.

Don't delay, pre-order your yearbook!

The Helm

• Pre-order by Dec 15th to secure your copy!

-Order Online @ the Riverside On-line payment portal. Yearbooks are $50!

22

Pirates' Hookok

Work

Introducing teenage entrepreneurs

By Lena Geller Most of my eighth grade year was spent meticulously poring over every issue of Martha Stewart’s magazine ‘Everyday Food.’ When I exhausted the copies that my mom had collected over the years, I sought unread issues from neighbors, friends’ parents, teachers; I was steadfast in my decision to read each and every edition, dating from Jan. 2003 to the present. After finally reaching my goal, I was unsure of how to proceed. Martha’s gentle, instructive voice had guided me through the year, and its absence was momentarily off putting.

My several weeks of uncertainty were halted by a commision from family friends to make desserts for a pre-Prom banquet.

I jumped at the opportunity and spent weeks drafting decor ideas and budgeting for ingredients.

‘What would Martha do?’ I asked myself.

The prom attendees ended up dining on red velvet cake pops, miniature caramelized banana puddings, and strawberry shortcake; three of my current mainstays. Since then, my menu

1.

• PHOTO BY LENA GELLER

has expanded to contain more variation as ‘Lena’s Lunchbox’ has grown in popularity, though I do still keep a few of Martha’s cake recipes in my back pocket at all times.

Experimentation with this hobby-turned-business in my youth has shown me what my true passion is. Making money is a bonus; the driving force behind ‘Lena’s Lunchbox’ is my infatuation with food and hospitality.

The following students share my fervor and apply it to their own areas of expertise.

Steampunk Props

Sophomore Adam Shamblin’s first blog post is titled ‘Professor Theodosius’ Marvellous and Fantastical Cabinet of Wonders’ depicts the ‘Amazing Charlatron of Dr. Ducknoise himself!’

The Charlatron is guaranteed to detect blaggards, humbugs, quacks, tomfoolery, flimflam, and other scams.

This may sound nonsensical, but to members of the extensive Steampunk community, the Charlatron is anything but.

Shamblin makes a variety of

2.

• PHOTO BY DREW GORE

1.This cake is a mainstay on Lena's Lunchbox Menu. 2. The Aqua Lamp made from a green bottle, silicione, and creativity.

props out of scrap metal and other found materials.

“The Charlatron is a steampunk lie detector of my own devise,” Shamblin said. “It actually works.” He added that if something is ‘steampunk’ it is how people in the 19th century imagined life would be now; basically Jules Verne’s projection of the future.

Shamblin’s website exhibits an array of his handmade steampunk props, ranging from a ‘Knightlight’ to the ‘Steampunk Gravity Gun.’ The Gravity Gun was showcased at ConTemporal, one of the four conventions Shamblin has participated in.

“I get invited to conventions after people see my work,” Shamblin said. “My favorite one is ConTemporal, it’s in Raleigh.

They have a running plot each time. This year it was ‘Clue’ themed, like the board game. It was so good, all the actors knew their lines and portrayed the characters really well.”

Shamblin was first inspired

by Dave Lee of Hatton Cross Steampunk after witnessing their creations at a Maker Faire.

“Sometimes I base my works off of video games, but most of the time it’s just stuff I’ve made up,” Shamblin said. “I use a drill, screwdrivers, a tap and die set, and various other tools. The Scrap Exchange downtown is great, because I can get a ton of scrap materials cheap.Presently, Shamblin uses his spare change to cover the expenses of his hobby, but he plans to start selling his products over winter break.

“I’m not sure how much I’ll charge,” Shamblin said. “I think

I’ll price things depending on how reluctant I am to give them up. If I’m really attached to something, it’ll be more expensive.”

Though Shamblin will begin to profit from his intricate works, he does not see the business as a potential future career.

“I’m really interested in electrical engineering, so I try to apply that to my creations as much as I can,” Shamblin said. “I view [electrical engineering] as a viable career choice.”

Shamblin’s creations will be available via his website or Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade goods.

Recycled Lamps

At first glance, junior James ‘Drew’ Gore’s bedroom may look like the lair of an alcoholic; wine bottles of assorted colors and sizes lie strewn across the floor. After taking a closer look, however, the stack of lampshades and wiring in the corner make it apparent that Gore does not spend his days binge drinking.

“I take recycled wine bottles and use them to create handmade lamps,” Gore said. “The bottle is perched on top of a handmade base, and it comes with a detachable lampshade.”

Gore began to accumulate ideas for his lamp designs after seeing one that his friend’s grandmother had created with a similar structure. After teaching himself to construct the lamps, complete with working wiring and his own distinct style, Gore ordered the parts online needed to produce more.

“I started to sell [the lamps]

for $40 a piece,” Gore said. “By now I’ve made over $1000. The title of my company is DG4 Enterprises; I am the founder and CEO, and I’m a co-owner with Jared Cook.”

DG4 I n dustries currently has a campaign on Indiegogo, a fundraising site for small businesses with big ideas.

On the site, the innovative ‘Aqua Lamp,’ a green bottle sealed with silicone to ensure its waterproofness, is heavily promoted. The campaign is scheduled to run until Dec 20, and has a goal of raising $2500 to go towards supplies, refining the means in which the product is created, and enlarging DG4’s virtual presence. Though only $1 has been donated so far, Gore maintains an optimistic comportment.

“I definitely see myself as a future business owner,” Gore said. “I don’t know if this particular thing will take off, but right now it’s fun and it pays for my Chipotle and my gas.”

For the time being, Gore will continue to do his best to provide customers with unique, affordable, handmade elegance.

Vivid Photography

Sophomore Alon Greyber took his first photos with a

December 2014 small point-and-shoot camera on a family trip to Yosemite in 2008. His inherent talent at capturing the park’s stately sequoias and tranquil meadows was no surprise.

“My great-grandfather was the photographer of the Oakland Raiders, and both my dad and my uncle are photographers,” Greyber said. “It runs in the family.”

Boasting an impressive resume for a fifteen-year-old, Greyber has already dabbled in three areas of photography.

“I began by selling a 4x6 nature shot at the Hanukkah Bazar at the Jewish Community Center, and I went from there,” Greyber said.

“For a while I took portraits for families. I recently started doing photo booths for events; I’ve been hired for two Bar Mitzvahs so far.”

Greyber added that there is a lot of competition for photo booth rentals, but his business DreamIt Photography - makes for a better experience than others.

“I stay at the event the whole time, so if there’s a problem with the booth, I can fix it, and I also provide props,” Greyber said.

“The photo booth is just really awesome. I can charge $300 per event.”

Greyber’s financial success is not without sacrifice. He uses his Bar Mitzvah money to cover the hefty startup costs, which include a Nikon D7000 and two lenses - a far cry from his original camera.

“The materials can be pretty costly,” Greyber said, “But in the end, it’s not about the camera, it’s about the photographer.”

At the moment, Greyber is interested in pursuing a career in computer engineering, but he sees photography as a definite side business in the future.

“It really depends on where I go to college,” Greyber said, “You make more money in big

cities. But I don’t know. I currently work at a tech company downtown, but I’m considering quitting that and doing photography full-time.”

For now, Greyber is content making a yearly salary comparable to one of a DPS teacher.

Work supply of organic vanilla extract in preparation for a wedding she and her 13-year-old sister, Alyssa, were catering.

“We do birthdays, weddings, baby showers, really just any event people want cupcakes for,” Iacono said. “I’ve been baking since I could stand up on a chair

called ‘Cupcakes with Lulu, and Kristin, Too!’ They started small, using ingredients they had around the house, but have grown to taking monthly trips to Costco to buy cupcake essentials in bulk.

“Our cupcakes are priced at $24 a dozen,” Iacono said. “We have to charge a little more because we Quality Cupcakes use organic ingre3. dients.”

Iacono stressed the importance of using as many preservative-free ingredients as possible.

“High-quality ingredients make cupcakes that taste better and are better for you,” Iacono said. “For example, we don’t offer red velvet cupcakes as a regular flavor, because it contains a lot of red dye that can be bad for you. If someone • PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTEN IACONO requests it, we’ll buy organic dyes, 5.

4. but even with that we try to keep it away from little kids.”

With help from their business cards at Ricky’s Pizza and fans of their Facebook page, Kristin and Alyssa get hired • PHOTO BY ALON GREYBER • PHOTO BY MEGAN NOOR regularly: at least 3. Iacono stands proudly with her younger sisiter Alyssa after completing a once every few cupcake order. 4. A man is captured with an over the shoulder shot by Greyber. weeks. Balancing 5. Noor's beaded dangly earrings are her most popular product sold at the conscientious cupDurham Farmers Market. cake production Sophomore Kristin Iacono and help my mom in the kitchen. with school has proven to be challenging at times. stuck her hand into the tall jar It’s how I express myself.”

In April 2009, Kristin and “It’s really hard to make labeled ‘Cupcake Money’ and pulled out a few dollars. She Alyssa decided to channel their dozens of cupcakes when you was off to the store to restock her shared passion into a business also have a big test or a project

23

due the next day,” Iacono said.

“School does come first, but we usually end up finishing all of [the cupcakes].”

Their maturity and responsibility reinforce the prospect of one day opening a storefront for ‘Cupcakes by Lulu, and Kristin, Too!’ “We definitely have to wait until Alyssa gets out of high school,” Iacono said, “But both of us would really love to have our own shop.”

By the time they have both graduated, the Iaconos will no doubt have established a cupcake empire with many devoted disciples awaiting the opening of a brick-and-mortar location.

Beaded Jewelry

Most Saturday mornings at the Durham Farmer’s Market, sophomore Megan Noor can be spotted sitting behind a table spread with a variety of colorful beaded jewelry, awaiting customers for her handmade necklaces and earrings.

Noor began crafting her own adornments after receiving a jewelry kit for her ninth birthday.

“I contacted the [Farmer’s Market] manager and filled out an application for my own space,” Noor said, “It costs $100 for one year.”

Noor quickly made the money back, ending the year with a profit nearly ten times her original investment.

“Last year was my peak year,” Noor said, “I’m thinking that this might be my last year doing it. I enjoy making the jewelry a lot more than I enjoy selling it.”

Though Noor sees no future in her business, she does not regret allowing it to run its course.

With merely a kit and her own ambition, she was able to sustain a successful enterprise for a number of years.

24 Work

Putting in work: students try to balance jobs, school

•PHOTO COURTESY OF AUBREY STERING

Senior Aubrey Sterling poses with her family as the Easter Bunny for a photo. Sterling works customer service at Northgate, many students also have difficulty balancing their job with school.

By Axel Herrera In early April, a ‘joyful’ Easter bunny passes out candy eggs in Northgate Mall. Underneath the Easter-themed costume, senior Aubrey Sterling can be found, enduring hours of sweltering heat in the smelly suit.

When Sterling is not dressed as the Easter Bunny, she works in customer service at the Northgate. Balancing this with school and orchestra has not been easy, but it has taught her many valuable lessons.

“I have had to manage my time very well. I wanted a good first job to get experience, and I have learned many communication skills. I started working

because I needed the money, but now I have become used to it,” Sterling said.

During high school, teenagers grow, learn, and go through many changes. Many get their first job, and learn what it is like to take on the responsibility of having one. The United States Census reports that in 2011, around 27 percent of high school students worked throughout the year, and one out of ten worked throughout a good portion of the year.

There are many reasons why students decide to get a job. Some students that use their summer to earn some extra cash grow fond of having financial freedom, so they continue to work during the

school year. Some seek greater independence, while others wish to help their parents out.

Senior Jenna Baggett has worked at Texas Roadhouse for multiple years.

“I like having income and being independent, also it should not be just my mom’s responsibility to pay for everything,” senior Jenna Baggett said.

Similarly, junior Andrew Wynkoop started working at Harris Teeter this year with the hope of saving up money.

“I am trying to save up for a car, but also I want to get some experience. I think it will prepare me for when I have a job in college,” Wynkoop said.

Many students believe that

it is important to know what it is like to enter the workforce. They want to learn what it is like to have that level of responsibility before college or other post-high school endeavors.

The life of a student can be very demanding, including expenses for daily needs such as lunch, gas money, games, or concerts.

“Students that work get their own cash, as well as a sense of pride and independence. They learn the value of work, how to manage money, and it teaches them responsibility,” administrator Charles Carter said.

High school students tend to have the endurance to withstand weeks or even months of densely packed schedules. However, over time this can wear students’ perseverance. “[Having a job] takes a lot of energy. Sometimes school suffers. Say you have a test, you want to have the time to study or rest but you cannot. I do not know anyone who does school, plays sports, and works,” junior Trey Patterson said.

Many teachers understand their students may participate in extracurriculars such as the workforce. Physics teacher Timothy Brown asks students if they have a job in the information sheet at the beginning of each semester. He notices students who work tend to fall asleep in class or miss class.

“In the big picture it is not fair for those that have to work, but that is how many things in life are. It comes to be like the saying ‘Do your best with the hand you’re dealt’, but I think that teachers should be there if the students needs it,” Mr. Brown said. “A lot of the time, students lack the confidence to talk to their teachers about their situation.”

Continued on pg. 20

Equilibrando la escuela con el trabajo

A principios de Abril, un ‘alegre’ conejo de Pascua reparte huevos de dulces en Northgate Mall. Debajo del traje de conejo, la estudiante de último año Aubrey Sterling se puede encontrar soportando horas de calor sofocante en el traje maloliente.

Cuando Sterling no se viste como el conejito de Pascua, ella trabaja en el servicio al cliente en Northgate. Equilibrar esto con la escuela, y la orquesta no ha sido fácil, pero le ha enseñado muchas lecciones valiosas.

“He tenido que manejar mi tiempo cuidadosamente.

Yo quería un primer trabajo que me diera experiencia, y por medio de este trabajo he desarrollado muchas habilidades de comunicación.

Empecé a trabajar porque necesitaba el dinero, pero ahora me he acostumbrado a ello”, dijo Sterling.

Hay muchas razones por las cuales muchos estudiantes deciden conseguir un trabajo.

Algunos estudiantes que utilizan su verano para ganar dinero extra, les agrada tener esa libertad financiera, por lo cual continúan trabajando durante el año escolar. Algunos buscan una mayor independencia, mientras que otros desean ayudar a sus padres.

Otros quieren aprender lo que es tener ese nivel de responsabilidad antes de la universidad o de la carrera que emprenderán después de la secundaria. La vida de un estudiante puede ser muy exigente, incluyendo los gastos para las necesidades diarias, como el almuerzo, dinero para gasolina, deportes, conciertos, etc.

“Los estudiantes que trabajan pueden ganar su propio dinero, así como un sentido de satisfacción e independencia.

Ellos aprenden el valor del trabajo, como manejar el dinero,

Contd en página 20