Teachers and students share holiday traditions.
Why do students skip class?
pg. 5
pg. 6 Found in 1991
Vol. XXVII Issue II
November 2017
http://thepirateshook.com
Former RHS Parent becomes Mayor Steve Schewel wins City Hall By Elijah King
A screen shot of Principal Tonya Williams' computer shows the many security cameras at Riverside. There are over 40 cameras watching over the school every day. •PHOTO BY LEONARDO GALEAS
Is Riverside safe?
Despite recent shootings, SROs and administration believe campus is secure By Leonardo Galeas After the recent mass shootings in Las Vegas, Nevada and Sutherland Springs, Texas students and staff members have considered the safety and security of Riverside’s campus. Riverside SRO Jamie Potts believes Riverside won't have any life threatening security issues here. “I don’t have any concerns about the school safety here,” said Potts. “We are doing a extremely good job securing the perimeter.” Potts believes the different type of safety procedures the school has keep students and staff safe, such as the lockout and lockdown protocols as well as restricted movement when Ms. Williams authorizes it. He also noted that when there is complete lockdown the whole school and campus are shut down; nobody
will come in and out, the doors remain close the whole time. However, he did note that if something were to happen at school all the officers are prepared to address any kind of threat. Like Potts, Riverside principal Tonya Williams beleives the school is safe, but she wants a few other things to get done to improve security in our campus. “I have talked about adding two cameras outside on both sides of the stairwell, since there are some kids who like to skip out there and do bad stuff,” said Williams. Even though implementing the new procedure of keeping the exterior doors closed and locked has helped prevent intruders from coming into the building, there are still a lot of students who open the doors to people they don’t know, said
Williams. Doors are only supposed to be open during class change or if a student from the trailers needs to enter the building for any reason, stated Principal Williams. French teacher Boumeridja Koussaila sometimes worries about the safety of his students and classroom since it is located outside of the school building in a trailer. “Sometimes you don’t know what is going to happen,” said Boumeridja. “We are outside the building, so anyone can park his car near the parking lot and come inside the trailers.” However, he is more concerned about the uncertain safety of his classroom at night. “I already had an experience with thieves,” he said. “I always used to leave a piano keyboard and a sound bar that I bought for like two to three
months in my trailer, some people broke into my trailer and stole it from me, the next day I came to school it was gone. Since that day I don’t leave anything valuable in my trailer.” Boumeridja wishes all the trailer classrooms were inside the building, but he understands that building more classrooms would be a lot of work. “I don’t see that happening soon,” he said. He also believes the school should put cameras facing the trailers so that in case something does happen, we can videotape the intruders. Until all the trailer classrooms are moved inside the building, this is still going to be a safety concern,
Cont. on page 5
Riverside still waiting for new assistant principal
By Elijah King
•PHOTO BY: ASHLEY CRUZ
The temporary fence surrounds the school buses roundabout and sidewalk. Students have walk around the fence.
Temporary fence installed around bus lot
New roof could eliminate mold By Sigrid JensenOyaski As many pirates have noticed there is a new fence guarding the grass circle in the bus lot since the beginning of the quarter. The fence was built as a safety measure while the gym, auditorium, media center, and front office are getting reroofed. The fence is designed to keep students away from the various roofing materials. The project is much needed to fix leaks for many of these areas, according to Principal Tonya Williams. The media center, for example, has
a mold problem due to the excess moisture. Last year, former principal Joel County had the carpets, drapes and the ventilation systems cleaned to fix the problem with little improvement made as a result. “There will be no more puddles in Carlson’s office, and the corner of the auditorium won’t be flooded anymore,” said Williams. The project is expected take about 6 months and end sometime during the fourth quarter. Currently workers are vacuuming debris from the roof in preparation for the next step of removing current materials.
typically reviewing resumes and credentials to make sure we have best candidates to support students Riverside is still waiting for a and schools in Durham,” said Beyer. new assistant principal to replace Charles Carter. Carter left Riverside on Sept. 29 for a new job at Page High School in Greensboro. Principal Tonya Williams and other Riverside staff members have interviewed eight different applicants for the position but do not know who will be hired and when he/she will begin working at Riverside. Natalie Beyer, a school board member, said the journey a person has to take to land an assistant principal position in Durham is long and complex. “We meet 3 times a month to work on matters,” said Beyer, “and we will call special meetings as needed to further approve decisions in closed sessions” It starts with interviews with teachers, the principal of the school, and Williams looks for many different the Durham Public Schools’ human qualities when searching for a new resources department, which looks administrator. at the credentials and background “The new AP needs to be a team information on the candidate. player,” she said. “They need to be Recommendations are then sent consistent, they need to have a good to the superintendent, who reviews relationship with students and staff, everything and then sends them to they need to be able to assist teachers the school board, which contain 7 instructionally, and they need to be members. enthusiastic.” “As board members we are
"The new assitant principal needs to be a team player."
Principal Tonya Williams
After defeating Farad Ali in one of the most expensive mayoral races in Durham history, Steve Schewel has won the race to run City Hall. After doing everything from shaking hands to kissing babies, Schewel has landed himself as the eighth mayor of Durham County. A resident of Durham for 48 years, Schewel has been very involved in local politics since he was 18. Originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, Schewel came to Durham as an undergraduate at Duke University in 1969 and soonafter began working to “make [Durham] a city we love; a city for all.”
[Schewel] was also a Durham School Board member for four years and a city councilman for six.
After college, Schewel created the INDY week magazine and led it as the editor-in-chief for 30 years. He then taught at Jordan High School, coached youth soccer teams at the YMCA, and even coached Riverside JV boys and V girls soccer teams. He now teaches at Duke’s School of Public Policy. Schewel has also remained heavily involved in Durham politics. He was also a Durham School Board member for four years and a Durham City councilman for six years. Schewel has a wife and two boys, one is 27 and the other 31. Both of his sons attended Durham Public Schools and now the youngest lives in Florida and sells real estate while the oldest went to law school, worked as a public defender for three years, and is now a clerk for federal district court in New York.
Steve Schewel defeated Farad Ali last week to become Durham's next mayor. He is a former RHS soccer coach. • PHOTO COURTESY
OF STEVE SCHEWEL
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•Editors: Eliza Althisar, Zoe Ashe-Jones, Leonardo Galeas-Salgado, Joe Laird •Photo Editor: Ashley Cruz •Artists:Taj Smith, Priscilla Tuhkanen •Web Editor: Ricardo Galeas-Salgado •Staff: Luis Apolonio, Alexis Del Castillo, Mair Famet, Estephany Fuentes, Ashley Gonzalez, Sigrid Jensenoyaski, Elijah King, Zach Krause, Lucas Krieg, Talitha Maxwell, Sheenah Nela, Joshua Nicholson, Diavian Poole, Divaldo Santos, Abraham Sarmiento-Hernandez, Llahir Soto-Luna
Editorials
The Hook welcomes Riverside's new administrator
As of Monday evening, we still don’t know who our new vice principal is. However, Riverside and The Pirates’ Hook would like to welcome them, no matter who they are. Riverside High School’s vision is to have all 1880 students graduate successfully and provide each student the opportunity and support for lifelong success. Riverside is a good school with many wonderful features. The Engineering program is one of a kind. We also have a great Exceptional Children with Multiple Disabilities (EC MU) program, which supports over 20 special-needs kids every day. We have numerous state-champion wrestlers, Destino Success, Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) and students who are ready and willing to learn. While we’re not perfect and there are some discipline issues, students and staff believe Riverside is a safe place to learn and prosper. Former assistant principal Charles Carter was respected and admired throughout Riverside. Our October issue covered his time here. Now that Carter is gone, here are the things we need in an assistant principal: We need someone who can be friends with everyone, but at the same time is able to provide discipline and a guiding hand. We need an administrator who can enforce the rules and keep the school safe, while being kind at the same time. We need a leader who can keep kids in line, but also listen to kids talk about their problems. Additionally, students need to meet their end of the bargain and build a positive relationship with a new assistant principal. We should listen, just like we want them to listen to us, follow the rules they establish, and remember that they are helping us become successful adults.We should be respectful, accepting, and kind as our new assistant principal adapts to life at Riverside. `The Pirates’Hook welcomes you and wishes you luck. Roll Pirates Roll!
El Hook bienvenido el nuevo subdirector de Riverside
A partir del lunes por la noche, todavía no sabemos quién es nuestro nuevo subdirector. Sin embargo, Riverside y The Pirates ‘Hook quisieran darles la bienvenida, sin importar quiénes sean. La visión de la secundaria Riverside es que todos los 1880 estudiantes se gradúen con éxito y brindarle a cada estudiante la oportunidad y el apoyo para ser exitosos toda la vida Riverside es una buena escuela con muchas características maravillosas. El programa de ingeniería es único. También tenemos un excelente programa de Niños Excepcionales con Discapacidades Múltiples (EC MU), que brinda apoyo a más de 20 niños con necesidades especiales todos los días. Contamos con numerosos campeones estatales de lucha, Destino Success, Cuerpo de Entrenamiento de Oficiales de la Reserva Juvenil de la Fuerza Aérea (AFJROTC) y estudiantes que están listos y dispuestos a aprender. Si bien no somos perfectos y existen algunos problemas de disciplina, los estudiantes y el personal creen que Riverside es un lugar seguro para aprender y prosperar. El ex subdirector Charles Carter fue respetado y admirado en todo Riverside. Nuestra publicación de octubre cubrió su tiempo aquí. Ahora que Carter se ha ido, aquí están las cosas que necesitamos en un subdirector: Necesitamos a alguien que pueda ser amigo de todos, pero que al mismo tiempo pueda proporcionar disciplina. Necesitamos un administrador que pueda hacer cumplir las reglas y mantener la seguridad de la escuela, pero que al mismo tiempo sea amable. Necesitamos un líder que pueda mantener a los estudiantes en línea, pero que al mismo tiempo puede escuchar a los estudiantes hablar de sus problemas. Los estudiantes deben cumplir su parte del trato y construir una relación positiva con un su nuevo subdirector. Deberíamos escuchar, al igual que queremos que nos escuchen, seguir las reglas que establecen y recordar que nos están ayudando a convertirnos en adultos exitosos. Debemos ser respetuosos y amables, para ayudar a nuestro nuevo subdirector a adaptarse a Riverside.`The Pirates ‘Hook te da la bienvenida y te desea suerte. Roll Pirates Roll!
Thank You Hook Sponsors! Suzanne Wasiolek Daniel Hudgins Ann McKown Mai Duong David Covington Orin R. Starn Katya Wesolowski Weezers and Geezers Peg Carlson Andrew Geller Elinor Coates Kenneth Gersing Michael and Anabelle Reckhow David Ascher Hager Rand
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Starting a new life
Immigration is hard but worth it
By Ricardo Galeas It was in 2009 when my mother revealed to me and my siblings that we were going to move to the United states. my body shivered with anticipation because it wasn’t just for vacations; we were going to settle in another country with a different culture, different language and rules. “Why?” I asked my mother. “so that you and your siblings can have a better future than I did,” she responded. Even though I was petrified, her words relieved me and stuck with me to this day. The whole process for becoming U.S residents was long. It lasted for about 2 years. It was exciting getting to the air-
port because this was going to be my first flight experience but at the same time, I was scared because I didn’t know what the United States was going to be like, or whether I was going to be able to adapt. As soon as we got off the airplane in Washington, DC on September 11, 2001 we went through immigration, gathered our luggage and headed to the waiting lobby, where family members were waiting for us. I was twelve years old. We hugged and cried because we had not seen each other in 8 years. The minute I stepped out of the airport I immediately perceived how different this country is from Honduras. The roads looked new and line with tall buildings. People were driving instead of walking from one place to another like we do in Honduras. My mouth hung wide open. After eating we hit the road again for Durham. Ten days later it was time to go to school. I was so nervous because I was going to have to go to a place where people couldn’t speak Spanish, English only. I didn’t spoke much English, only knew the basics such as how to introduce myself and a couple of vocab words.
Leaving your comfort aone is something very hard to assimilate to, but it also helps people grow and see life differently.
The first day at Carrington Middle School was the worst, especially since school has already started, but at least I had my twin brother, Leonardo, and didn’t feel alone. I was going to have to present myself in front of everyone which I wasn’t ready for. My whole body was shaking, and sweating. I couldn’t even speak because whenever I tried to say something my voice would crack. “Hey, I speak spanish, you need help dude?” Thankfully, another classmate named Eduardo who also spoke spanish volunteered to help me out, and showed me and my brother around the school. The next day was totally different because I knew that the only way for me to make some friends was by learning English as fast as I possibly could. so I committed to it. I talked more to classmates, it was very cool, getting to know people from other races, they all had different stories to tell about their life, some had emigrated to the United States like myself, other were born in the U.S, so there was a lot of diversity which I think is amazing and unique. Leaving your comfort zone is something very hard to assimilate to but it also helps people grow and see life differently. Before I used to take many things for granted; now I don’t because my perspective kind of took a 360 degrees turn and now I am capable of looking back at my transition and think of it as a lesson which kind of woke me up from the bubble I used to live in.
Empezando una nueva vida La immigracion es dificil pero lo vale Por Ricardo Galeas Fue en 2009 cuando mi madre me reveló a mi y mis hermanos que nos íbamos a mover a los Estados Unidos. mi cuerpo se estremeció con anticipación, ya que no era sólo por vacaciones, íbamos a establecernos en otro país, con una diferente cultura, idioma, y reglas. "¿por qué?" le pregunté a mi madre. "para que usted y sus hermanos puedan tener un mejor futuro que el que yo tuve,”ella respondió. A pesar de que yo estaba petrificado, sus palabras me aliviaron y se me grabaron hasta el día de hoy. Todo el proceso para volverme un residentes de los estados unidos fue largo, duró aproximadamente 2 años. Yo tenía doce años cuando me traslade a los Estados Unidos el 1 de septiembre, 2011. fue emocionante llegar al aeropuerto porque esta iba a ser mi primer experiencia volando, pero al mismo tiempo, yo estaba asustado porque yo no sabía cómo iba a ser los estados Unidos, o si yo iba a ser capaz de adaptarme. llegamos a Washington, DC el 1 de septiembre, del 2001; tan pronto nos bajamos del avión, pasamos por inmigración, recogimos nuestro equipaje y nos dirigimos a la sala de espera, donde miembros de mi familia nos estaban esperando. yo tenía doce años de edad. Nos abrazamos y lloramos porque no nos habíamos visto en 8 años.
Al instante después dejar el aeropuerto, inmediatamente percibí que diferente este país es de Honduras. las carreteras parecían nuevas y en línea con edificios altos. Las personas manejando en vez de caminar de un lugar a otro como hacemos en Honduras. Estaba boca abierta. después de comer volvimos al trayecto hacia Durham. diez días más tarde, era hora de ir a la escuela. Yo estaba tan nervioso porque yo iba a tener que ir a un lugar donde la gente no podía hablar español, sólo inglés, yo no hablaba mucho inglés, sólo lo básico como por ejemplo de cómo introducirme, y un par de palabras. El primer día en la primaria Carrington fue el peor, sobre todo porque la escuela ya ha comenzado, pero al menos tenía a mi mellizo, Leonardo, y no me se siente solo. No estaba listo para introducirme en frente de todos. Todo mi cuerpo estaba temblando, y sudando, no podía siquiera hablar porque cada vez que trataba de decir algo mi voz se quebrantaba. "Hey, yo hablo español, necesitas ayuda chico" por suerte, otro com-
pañero de clase llamado Eduardo, quien también hablaba español se ofreció a ayudarme, y me enseño a mi y mi hermano alrededor de la escuela. El día siguiente fue totalmente diferente porque sabía que la única manera para poder hacer algunos amigos era aprendiendo inglés tan rápido como pudiera. así que me comprometí a hacerlo.empecé a hablar más a mis compañeros, y puede conocer personas de otras razas. todos ellos tenían diferentes historias acerca de su vida, algunos habían emigrado a los Estados Unidos como yo, y otros habían nacido en los Estados Unidos, así que había mucha diversidad la cual yo pienso es increíble y único. dejar tu zona de confort es algo muy difícil, pero también ayuda a las personas a crecer ver la vida de diferente manera. Antes, solía tomar muchas cosas a la ligera, ahora ya no lo hago porque mi perspectiva dio un giro de 360 grado. Ahora soy capaz de mirar atrás a mi transición y lo veo como una lección de vida que me despertó de la burbuja en la que solía vivir.
dejar tu zona de confort es algo muy difícil, pero también ayuda a las personas a crecer ver la vida de diferente manera.
November 2017
People, not guns, are the problem By Sigrid JensenOyaski As people look to restrict gun owners rights, the truth is North Carolina already has quite a few gun laws in place. Citizens must pass a background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in order to buy a gun. In order to receive a firearm as a gift both the giver and re ceiver must have valid permits from the North Carolina state government. In order to purchase a gun, the county s h e r i f f ’s office must approve your reason as being for personal protection, hunting, or target shooting. No matter where you buy the gun from a dealer or in a private sale - both the buyer and the seller must be in good standing with the government in all regards. Almost any sort of legal disciplinary action will lead to having a pistol permit revoked. If your firearm is visible in any way it is likely to be removed from your possession. If you accidentally fire it in public or private, expect your gun to be revoked. Even a bad driving record can lead to an investigation of whether or not you should be allowed to have a gun license. The issuing authority, usually state or local police, can deem any person unfit to own a gun, even with a clean criminal record. Those deemed unfit without a criminal record can petition the court to receive a gun license but are unlikely to win against the state systems. Persons with a criminal record, whether misdemeanors or felonies, are not eligible to buy or own a firearm of any kind. W e d o n ’ t n e e d more gun
9 a.m. start time is better
laws as much as we need to ensure that all gun owners follow safe procedures and are well educated about their firearm. Most gun owners are very aware of the high amount of responsibility required and respect the laws detailed with gun ownership. Criminals and mass shooters using guns are unlikely to change habits due to more restrictive laws, as they tend to ignore current laws anyway. A responsible, knowledgeable, and law-abiding gun owner is rarely involved in a firearms accident of any kind. You can’t just show your gun in Walmart. If you do, you get fined and can even go to jail. Showing a gun without an open carry permit results in a class 1 misdemeanor which could po-
tentially lead to jail time. Of course with any type of ban the leading argument is that outlawing items doesn’t make them go away, it just creates a lucrative black market. This was shown in the 1920’s during prohibition when alcohol was banned and illegal sales became so intense the government was forced to allow liquors again. Banning guns will not make the world safer, it will just hurt the economy and those who currently use firearms legally. Gun ownership helps the economy, creating an annual income of $32 Billion dollars nationwide. Over 200,000 individuals are involved in the gun industry whether through manufacturing or sales. It helps people feel safer and enjoy various pastimes. Overall, gun ownership is already heavily regulated and those laws are followed by the vast majority of gun owners. The few that do break rules paint an image of violence and anarchy that does not accurately represent the g u n comm u nity. There are roughly 110 million gun owners in the United States, over a third of the population and just over 250 million guns circulating, though many firearms belong to law enforcement officials.
Fewer guns would save lives By Zach Krause The recent mass shootings in Las Vegas and Texas were some of the deadliest to date in the U.S., yet for some reason the people that have the ability to change legislation still don’t want to tighten gun control. In 2015 alone there were 372 mass shootings and 33,636 deaths due to firearms. To clarify, a mass shooting is defined as a shooting event in which four or more people are shot, not necessarily killed, with no cooling off period, according to massshootingtracker.org. This staggering figure means that there was an average of a little over one mass shooting every day for an entire year. Between 1968 and 2011 approximately 1.4 million people were killed with firearms. More than 30 people are shot and killed everyday, half of which are between the ages of 18 and 35. To compare this to other developed nations around the world, the U.K. averages .26 deaths per 100,000 people due to firearms, and Australia averages .86 deaths per 100,000 people due to firearms, while the U.S. averaged 10.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015. Even with all of these convincing statistics, people like Sigrid say that if people were to have their own gun at a mass shooting they would be able to prevent it. However, there are multiple accounts of people with firearms at mass shootings keeping their weapons concealed for fear of being confused with the mass shooter. One account of this happening was during a mass shoot-
ing at Umpqua community college, when veteran John Parker said in an interview with MSNBC after the event, “we could have opened ourselves up to being potential targets ourselves, and not knowing where SWAT was, their response time, they wouldn’t know who we were. And if we had our guns ready to shoot, they could think that we were bad guys.” Some Americans, including republican senator and former presidential candidate Marco Rubio, also make the argument that they need guns to protect themselves. However, there are plenty of statistics that prove this argument is flawed. According to the Los Angeles Times there were 259 cases of justifiable homicide in 2012, which means that the homicide was seen as legal for reasons such as self defense. This means that in 2015 there were over 100 more mass shootings than there were justifiable homicides in 2012. The LA Times also reported that 232,000 guns were stolen in 2012, meaning that for every one justifiable homicide 896 criminals obtained firearms. Currently a U.S. male is 70 times more likely to be killed with a gun than someone of the same gender and age in the seven other most industrialized nations in the world according to forbes.There were also 8,342 criminal homicides in 2012, meaning that for every one justifiable homicide there were 32 criminal homicides. This doesn’t even take into account the suicides and unintentional deaths related to firearms from that year. Either way though, one justifiable
• GRAPHIC BY BRIANA BLACKWELL
Letters To The Editor
A later start time helps kids pay more attention in class. My grades are better now than they were in middle school. - Donovan Vasquez, freshI think starting school at 9 man a.m. makes be a better student. First, I wake up ready for school. Second, I have more time to eat breakfast and take a shower. With the 7:30 start time you would have to wake up an hour earlier and wouldn’t have time to eat breakfast. With a later I don’t think starting later is start time kids wake up full of energy, but also more hungry. any better than starting at 7:30. Every single school should I feel like it actually makes me start at nine. I know how it feels a worse student. With the old to wake up at 6:30 still tired, schedule I had a routine. I knew not hungry for breakfast and I had to go to bed earlier to get trying to make it to school. It’s enough sleep, but with this new much harder to do your work. schedule it makes me stay up
7:30 start gives students valuable time after school
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Opinion
later and I end up getting less than 6 hours of sleep at night. In a way it’s good because we have more time in the morning, but it shortens our afternoons. During the afternoon is when extracurricular activities happen and when some students work. The 9 a.m. start gives less time to finish homework or catch up on late assignments,
which is one of the causes of staying up later. I won't lie - I used to hate waking up at six in the morning, but it gave me more chances to do more things after school. And I was going to sleep earlier, maybe not getting the whole 9 hours that most teenagers need, but at least a good 7 or 8 hours. S t u dents will disagree
"I won't lie - I used to hate waking up at six in the morning"
Ingrid CastroLara, freshman
with my opinion, but they don’t realize it would be beneficial to those who work and have to contribute to their parents effort. Not all parents have great paying jobs. Some struggle to pay their rent or mortgage on time and pay the bills, so they ask their kids to help out. I strongly believe Durham high schools should go back to the old schedule. I speak for myself when I say this but I think I would be a more proficient student with the earlier schedule. It would help me stay on top of all my responsibilities. - Ingrid Castro-Lara, freshman
homicide for every 32 criminal homicides hardly seems worth it. The obvious solution to this is to tighten gun control. If we were to put laws in place that would make it harder for people to obtain gun violence we would see deaths and crime related to firearms fall sharply. One example of this is Australia, whose government instituted a gun buyback program in 1997. This program received some criticism from Americans because it cost the Australian government, and therefore Australian taxpayers, roughly $500 million dollars. However, in 2010 alone gun violence cost U.S. taxpayers $516 million dollars in direct hospital costs according to urban.org. A gun buyback program could have great results, but America refuses to take action. After every mass shooting in America no one wants to talk about gun reform, because we need time to heal as a nation. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary said, “There’s a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country,” after the recent shooting in Las Vegas. But after we’ve taken the time to heal, everyone forgets about the issue altogether until the next attack. We can’t continue on this pattern. American politicians and U.S. citizens need to talk about this issue until a solution is reached that brings U.S. civilian casualties down to a minimum. We can’t call ourselves the greatest nation on Earth until we fix problems like these in our society.
•GRAPIC BY TAJ SMITH
We need a compromise Making us wake up at 9 a.m. sounds better than waking up too early, but we have less time out of school. I’m able to do more work now, but I still feel lazy when I wake up in the morning. I think school should start at 8 or 8:30. We could also start early, end late and just go four days a week. Or we could start at 9 and end at 3:30. I feel most awake when the sun is up, so as long as we don’t have to start early I think the schedule would work. - Christian Ponce Romo, Freshman
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Pirates' Hookok
Riverside SGA visits Chicago
Students tour colleges, sight-see and attend conference By Jordan Macmillan Riverside’s Student Government Association (SGA) traveled to Chicago, IL on Oct. 19 to tour colleges and see what living in a full blown city is like for college students. Seniors Dawn Peak, Zeke Leavelle, Essence Jacobs, Nala Terry, and Lily Mitchell, and juniors Ray Palma, and Trinity Barnes, as well as SGA adviser Jessica Friedlander and social studies teacher Gabrielle Tucker flew to Chicago early Thursday morning and spent the day all over Chicago. After getting settled into their hotel they left and went on a double decker bus tour of the city to find places to explore. After that they walked down to Millennium Park and took photos at the Cloud Gate, also known as “The Bean.” After taking many selfies for their Instagrams they went shopping on the Magnificent Mile, which is a mile long commercial area filled with stores and parks. Friday was another full day with so many places to go and things to do. The group went on a college tour of the University of Illinois at Chicago, which helped the students understand what going to a college in the city was like and how it operated. The group also went on a boat tour and the Untouchable Tour. The boat tour entailed boating on famous rivers and ended with a view of the Chicago skyline from the middle of a lake. The Untouchable Tour is a tour throughout Chicago’s gangster history. For dinner they went to an area called Greektown to experience new food. On Saturday they attended a conference about student government. They worked with college students to understand what student government
Social studies teachers Jessica Friedlander and Gabriella Tucker pose with SGA members in the Sears Tower. They attended a conference in • PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA FRIEDLANDER Chicago on Oct. 20. was like in college, and how to better Riverside’s student government. They are planning on implementing things that they learned from the conference into our own student government. Sunday was the last day in Chicago
so they made sure to fill it with as much events as they could before they had to leave for their flight home. They toured the University of Chicago and went to the Field Museum of Natural History. They made sure to visit the Willis tower to experience
ECMU and peer helpers spend day at state fair
the Skydeck, which is a glass box the extends 4.3 feet of the side of the willis tower 1,353 feet above street level. The group left Chicago with better ideas of how to run Riverside’s student government, and a good story about the fun they had in Chicago
By Eliza Althisar
On Oct. 19 the sun was shining and the sky was Carolina blue. The smell of fried food was in the air and the North Carolina State Fair was in town. It was also the day Riverside’s Exceptional Children with Multiple Disabilities (EC-MU) class traveled to the State Fair. The students, peer helpers and teachers started their day by handing their can foods to the workers at the entrance to the fair, which counted as their entry fee. The Oct. 19 day at the fair is sponsored by the North
Carolina food bank. Fair goers donate 5 canned foods in exchange for tickets “This annual field trip isn’t simply about going to the fair. It is also an opportunity for the students to go and have unique interactions and experiences,” said EC MU teacher Nicholas Flippen. The peer helpers of the class, Riverside students who provide activities and interact with the students on an everyday basis, tagged along with their friends and had just as much fun as Flippin’s students. “Traveling with the kids and being able to see them get so excited was
such an amazing experience,” said Senior Morgan Beckwith. “I loved seeing how happy it made them.” At the fair the students saw award-winning vegetables and farm animals Some of the kids went on rides with the peer helpers. Some also went on rides like the Super Cyclone. “The Fair was so much fun,” said Flippin. “We all had a great time. They loved the food and some played carnival games and got huge stuffed LLahir Soto Luna contributed to this story
Editor's note: SGA is currently collecting food for Thanksgiving basket. See Ms. Friedlander in room 177 for details.
RHS sophmore joins Junior Leadership Durham By Talitha Maxwell
Jose Sunez, a student of Mr. Flippen, strikes a pose at the NC State Fair on Oct. 19. The EC department takes a field trip to the fair every year. • PHOTO BY ASHLEY CRUZ
that they will never forget.
Most kids dread going to courthouses. But sophmore Sherri Nela was ecstatic. Nela visited the Durham County Courthouse on Wednesday, Oct. 25 to observe a mock trial. The experience was the first of seven sessions in a program called Junior Leadership Durham (JLD). The program helps with the graduation process and getting community service hours,” said Nela. You get to shadow different people. I knew [some people in the program] before I started the program. Junior Leadership Durham, a non-profit company, started in 2003. The nonprofit company is “ designed to shape the future of high school students by promoting teamwork and
developing leadership skills for youth in Durham while also exposing youth to various careers in Durham”according to juniorleadershipdurham.org. Kids like Nela participate in seven session of JLD to gain a fundamental understanding of the politics and workings of Durham and it’s important issues. Another goal of the program is to make the experience free of charge. “Junior Leadership Durham is a really good opportunity to expand your resume” said Nela. Nela was recommended in the program by math teacher Ricardo Privette. “Sherri is bright,fun, and a team player which made her one of my top picks,” said Privette. “The program has helped students narrow down their career choices for college.”
"The program has helped students narrow down their career choices for college." Ricardo Privette, math teacher
The Bad Seed examines the mind of a murderer
By Divaldo Santos
Seniors Emely Rosales(Left) and Daiyanna Burton(Right) rehearse their lines. Students will perform The Bad Seed Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 in • PHOTO COURTESY OF MONIQUE TAYLOR Riverside's auditorium.
The school’s next big thriller is almost here. The Bad Seed is coming to Riverside Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. The Bad Seed is based on the 1954 novel of the same name by William March. The play focuses on the seemingly perfect little girl Rhoda Penmark, who is able to charm her way into getting just about anything she wants... except for a highly coveted penmanship medal that her teacher has awarded to classmate Claude Daigle. During a school outing near the shore, Claude goes missing and it is soon discovered that he drowned near a pier. Rhoda’s mother, Christine, begins to suspect that Rhoda had something to do with the boy’s death when she finds Claude’s penmanship
medal hidden in Rhoda’s room. Christine gradually comes to believe that Rhoda was behind other sudden deaths surrounding the family. Her suspicions challenge Christine to look into her own past. The play is directed by theater teacher Monique Taylor. “I was fortunate to get a talented group of young people” Said Mrs. Taylor as she described her cast. Taylor chose the play because a horror story was in favor by the school during this time of the year. “I wanted to introduce my students to a new genre,” she said. The play tackles dark topics, such as whether people are born killers or not. Taylor said she is always wanting to try something new, and Riverside has
never produced The Bad Seed before. Cast includes Emely Rosales as Rhoda, Mercy Neal as the main character, Christine Penmark, Daiyanna Burton as Monica Breedlove, Dylain Bailes as Leroy, Lauryn Murphy as MIss Fern, Sophie Wilkins as Regina Tasker, Raven James as Mrs. Daigle, Nick Gore as Mr. Daigle, Daniel Kreuger Marker as Richard Bravo, Abraham Sarmiento as Emory and Joshua Castillo as a Newscaster. The Bad Seed premieres November 30 at 7 p.m. in the Riverside Auditorium. “It’s funny and really creepy at the same time” said sophomore Raven James. Mair Famet contributed to this story
NOVEMBER 2017
Community
5
School safety
cont. from p. 1
• PHOTO COURTESY OF KOUSSAILA BOUMERDIJA
Abdul Jalil (left), Boumeridja Koussaila (middle), and Ahmed Laarbi (right) enjoy Berber couscous for Thanksgiving dinner. RHS students and staff from all over the wold celebrate Thanksgiving in unique ways.
A holiday for all
Teachers, students share their unique Thanksgiving traditions By Llahir Soto-Luna When most people think of Thanksgiving they think of turkey, Pilgrims and Native Americans, but for some Riverside students and teachers, Thanksgiving is very different. French teacher Koussaila Boumeridja is a Berber who grew up in Algeria but loves to celebrate Thanksgiving. He celebrates his Thanksgiving like an average “American” would: by eating turkey. He and his family also cook and eat food unique to their culture called couscous kabyle (a traditional North African meal similar to
grainy rice with a lot of vegetables), and invites friends over or goes to their houses. “It’s a great holiday for sharing and eating with your family,” said Boumeridja. “In Algeria we had a holiday similar to this it was called Eid al-Adha. The other holiday like Thanksgiving is the end of Ramadan. At the end of Ramadan they have a feast which is similar to Thanksgiving.” Foods teacher Theresa Mugeni Wilson, who grew up in Kenya, didn’t start celebrating Thanksgiving until she moved to America. “I thought it was a nice holiday and a nice little break where people can relax.” said Wilson.
She celebrates her thanksgiving by eating turkey with chapati (flour tortillas), githeri (corn and beans), mukimo (mashed potatoes with peas and spinach), pilav (fried rice) and mandazi (Swahili bun). “When I first got to America, I didn’t know what Thanksgiving was about but during November, Thanksgiving was unavoidable,” said Wilson. “I just love Thanksgiving. From the environment to the food, everything about this holiday is good.” Sophomore Tristan Lopez thinks of Thanksgiving in a different way. Tristan is half Iroquois and half Mexican, and when it comes to Thanksgiving his family is very divided.
Tristan’s father, Ivan, is a Iroquois, and he refuses to even think about Thanksgiving. He hates it when his wife, Arianna, puts up Thanksgiving decorations. “I love Thanksgiving because when I was little it brought my family together, but now it’s tearing my family apart,” said Arianna. Tristan is on his father’s side of the argument. “What happened on the first Thanksgiving was wrong. I will not celebrate what I know is wrong.” said Tristan. The Lopez family have made arrangements so that the whole family can enjoy Thanksgiving. Ivan agreed to celebrate Thanksgiving as
long as they don’t mention what happened on the first Thanksgiving, and Arianna has to cook a lot of Native American food to keep her husband happy during Thanksgiving. While most families leave the cooking to the adults, sophomore Vincent Gacina does much of it himself. Gacina cooks the entire Thanksgiving meal - turkey, peacock, goulash (Croatian stew),Trout and Mussels he also helps his family members cook the desert. “Watch in ten years, I’ll be like Gordon Ramasy maybe even better except I’ll be cooking for more than just my family,” said Gacina.
“That is a concern but we have to address itif something were to happen,” Potts said. “The fact of matter is that we can’t have every student in this building, it just wasn’t built that way. This school was built in 1991, we are pushing 30 years old and like every school it has trailers. I don’t personally like it but the thing is the capacity; the more and more kids coming to school everyday it is just not possible, we have to have the trailers. “Are they safety issues? Sure they are,” Potts said, “but everything else is a safety issue too: your vehicle, the mall, everywhere is.” Many colleges have implemented a new safety procedure promoted by the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies called “Run, Hide, and Fight.” Students’ first action taken should be to evacuate the building. If that’s not possible, hide in an area out of the shooter’s view. As a last resort and only when one’s life is in imminent danger, they are to attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Principal Williams stated this has not been implemented in DPS. “At this time, students should stay in a secure, locked environment with a staff member,” she said.
" I don't have any concerns about the school safety here." Jamie Potts, SRO
Es Riverside seguro? A pesar de los recientes tiroteos, los SROs y administracion creen que la escuela es segura. Por Jose Leonardo Galeas Aunque el nuevo procedimiento implementado de mantener las puertas exteriores cerradas y bloqueadas ha ayudado a prevenir la entrada de intrusos al edificio, todavía hay muchos estudiantes que le abren las puertas a personas que no conocen, dijo Williams. Se supone que las puertas deben estar abiertas solamente durante cambio de clases o si un estudiante de las tráilas necesita ingresar al edificio por alguna razón, afirmó la Directora Williams. El maestro de francés Boumeridja Koussaila a veces se
preocupa por la seguridad de sus alumnos y aula, ya que se encuentra fuera del edificio de la escuela. “A veces uno no sabe lo que va a pasar”, dijo Boumeridja. “Estamos afuera del edificio, por lo tanto cualquiera puede estacionar su auto cerca del estacionamiento y entrar a las trailas”. Sin embargo, él está más preocupado por la seguridad incierta de su salón de clases en la noche. “Ya tuve una experiencia con ladrones”, dijo el. “Solía dejar un teclado de piano y una barra de sonido que había comprado ya hacía
unos meses, algunas personas irrumpieron en mi tráila y me los robaron; al día siguiente, cuando llegué a la escuela, ya no estaba. Desde ese día no dejó nada valioso en mi tráila “. Boumeridja desea que todas las aulas de remolque estén dentro del edificio, pero entiende que construir más aulas sería mucho trabajo. “No veo que eso suceda pronto”, dijo el. También cree que la escuela debería colocar cámaras frente a las trailas para que en caso de que algo ocurra, podamos filmar en video a los intrusos.
Hasta que todas las aulas de las trailas no sean relocalizadas dentro del edificio, esto seguirá siendo un problema de seguridad, dijo Potts. “Esa es una preocupación, pero tenemos que encarar la situación “, dijo Potts. “El hecho es que no podemos tener a todos los estudiantes dentro del edificio, simplemente no fue construido de esa manera. Esta escuela fue construida en 1991, estamos pasando los 30 años y como cualquier otra escuela esta también tiene trailas. Personalmente no me gusta, pero el problema es la capacidad; cada vez más estudiantes llegan a la escuela
todos los días, simplemente no es posible, por eso necesitamos tener las tráilas . “¿Son problemas de seguridad? Claro que sí “, dijo Potts,” pero todo lo demás también es un problema de seguridad: tu vehículo, el centro comercial, y en todas partes.“Muchas universidadeshan implementado un nuevo procedimiento de seguridad promovido por el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional y otras agencias encargadas del cumplimiento de la ley llamado “Correr, Esconderse y Luchar”. La primera medida tomada por los estudiantes debe ser
Seniors: how does it feel?
evacuar el edificio. Si eso no es posible, esconderse en un área fuera de la vista del tirador. Como último recurso y sólo cuando la vida de uno está en peligro inminente, deben intentar incapacitar al tirador. La directora Williams dijo que esto no se ha implementado en DPS. “En este momento, los estudiantes deben permanecer en un entorno seguro y cerrado con un miembro del personal.” Traduccion por Jose Leonardo Galeas
• GRAPHICS BY ABRAHAM SARMIENTO
6
The Queen strikes again
Pirates' Hookok
By Mair Famet and Estefany Fuentes Robyn Rihanna Fenty has launched her first makeup line and has made many people go crazy for it. Fenty Beauty was released on Sept. 8. at Sephora. The first week it launched the items went out of stock immediately. Rihanna created the makeup line because she wants women all over the world to feel great. She thinks that women face challenges and deserve to feel beautiful. “These steps are the key to starting your makeup, no matter the look you are going for,” Rihanna said in one of her Fenty Beauty videos that were posted on Youtube, Sephora and Fenty Beauty website. “Fenty Beauty was created for everyone: for women of all shades, personalities, attitudes, cultures, and races. I wanted everyone to feel included. That’s the real reason I made this line,”Rihanna said on the Fenty Beauty website. Rihanna’s products are made specifically for those who don’t have anything from other makeup lines, kid and they know better because, if “I don’t enjoy skipping, but it said Evelyn, a Fenty Beauty repre- By Diavian Poole anything, you can come talk to me.” feels like homeroom is pointless to sentative in a phone interview with But if an administrator catches go to,” said junior Alexis Joyner. Clever. Sneaky. Quiet. The Pirates’ Hook. “The difference a student skipping class, they’ll be “I skip when I feel like there is These are words that describe between Rihanna’s foundation line escorted to class or ISS, depending better things to do,” said junior Curtis many of Riverside’s skippers. In the and other foundations in the market on how many times they’ve been Powell said. “Most of the time I just bathrooms, on the tennis courts and team is that she has forty shades that seen. be sitting there for lower gym, out in the woods, in the matches specific skin tones and great A d m i n i s the 90 minutes we cafeteria during all three lunches or for oily skin. The strongest market I skipped to go trators, howhave for class and even in classrooms with substitute right now are the darker shades. The snowboarding or to ever, do not teachers make the teachers, some students try their reason for this might be because many catch many learning boring.” best to avoid going to class without Yankees games. I did makeup lines forget that there are skippers. On For students , people with darker skin who have getting caught. NOT skip to walk the “something a n y g i v e n better But not all of them have these trouble finding that perfect foundahalls. That’s stupid. day dozens of to do,” that could characteristics. Every day wouldtion that matches their skin without students miss m e a n a n y t hing be skippers get caught on camera mixing other foundations to make a class without from smoking in and seen or heard by teachers and shade. Some people skin tend to be Christopher Desmond, p e r m i s s i o n the woods to leavadministrators. more oily and Rihanna’s line seems to ing campus to eat, When teachers catch a skipper, and do not get math teacher work really great on them. Not only caught. While shop or hang out students may receive a warning did Rihanna work hard to create the they are still marked absent by their at a friend’s house. or two. darker shade but she also included “I started skipping because it’s “I don’t think I really get mad teachers, they’re only punished for some really light shades for albino skipping if a teacher writes them up. something I wanted to do,” said because I understand it,” said math people who also have a really hard Most students skip for one of two sophomore Jada Parish. “I started teacher Christopher Desmond. “I time finding a shade.” reasons: the class is boring, or they getting tired of school and all theses don’t get mad at the beginning. I get Krystal Robinson a 25 year old “have something better to do.” boring classes.” mad after I have a relationship in a licensed practical nurse who’s also albino,had a small freak out when she tried the makeup for the first time. ‘My neck and face finally matched each other,” Robertson posted to her facebook status. Rihanna also posted her review on her insta story. It was the first time her makeup do, este será escoltado a su clase algo que quería hacer”, dijo la esPor Diavian Poole accurately matched her skin tone. o ISS, dependiendo de cuántas tudiante de segundo año Jada Parish. Riverside students are also big fans L i s t o . A s t u t o . C a l l a d o . veces los hayan visto eskipeando. “Empecé a cansarme de la escuela y of Fenty Beauty. Los administradores, sin embar- todas las clases aburridas de tesis”. Estas son palabras que descri- “Makeup companies market togo, no atrapan a muchos skippers. En “Me salté el snowboard ben a muchos de los eskipeadores wards white people and it’s harder un día como cualquiera, docenas de o los juegos de los Yankees”, de Riverside. En los baños, en las if you’re a different skin tone, it’s estudiantes pierden clases sin permi- tristemente dijo Desmond . “No canchas de tenis y el gimnasio hard to find a good foundation that so y no son atrapados. Aunque sus eskipie solo para caminar por debajo de la escuela, en el bosque, is pigmented,” said Ezia Simmons, maestros los marcan como ausentes, los pasillos. Eso es estúpido.” en la cafetería durante los tres a junior at Riverside. “ I would rate sólo se les castiga por eskipear si un “Hay cosas que no quieres almuerzos o incluso en las aulas Fenty Beauty a nine overall because maestro los apuntan. perderte”, dijo la maestra de bicon maestros suplentes, algunos esher foundation is great, especially one La mayoría de los estudiantes ología Mika Twietmeyer, quien tudiantes hacen todo lo posible para of her highlighters called ‘Trophy evitar ir a clase sin que los atrapen. eskipean por una de dos razones: una vez se saltó un día entero de Wife.’ It’s a little bit yellow for me Pero no todos ellos tienen estas la clase es aburrida, o “tienen algo clases con su novio y ahora espobut it still pops.” so, el profesor de fotografía Jon características. Todos los días, mejor que hacer”. Another person who uses the Fenty “No me gusta skipear, pero Twietmeyer. “[Nos] encontramos eskipeadores potenciales quedan Beauty makeup line is Riverside captados en cámara y luego no le veo sentijunior Natasha Waters. son vistos o escuchados por los do ir al aula”, “I like the match sticks because the maestros y los administradores. dijo el joven colors are really unique and work on Cuando los maestros atrapan a un Alexis Joyner. everyone,” she said. eskipeador, los estudiantes pueden “ E s k i p e o Just like Simmons, she can relate recibir una advertencia o dos. cuando siento to the product being very diverse and “Realmente no me enoja porque que hay cosas it makes this makeup line really pop lo entiendo”, dijo el profesor de mejores que hacout right now. matemáticas Christopher Des- er”, dijo el joven “It’s really great because it has mond. “No me enojo al principio. Curtis Powell. shades for everyone and the quality Me enojo después de tener una “La mayoría de is really good,” Waters said. relación con un estudiante y ellos las veces solo paso sentado allí por 90 minutos Me salté el snowboard y l o s p ro f e sores hacen que o los juegos de los el aprendizaje Yankees. No eskipie sea aburrido”. solo para caminar por P a r a l o s estudiantes que los pasillos. Eso es tienen “algo mejor que hacer”, estúpido. eso podría significar cualquier Christopher Desmond, cosa, desde fumar en el bosque profesor de hasta salir del • PHOTO COURTESY OF NATASHA matematicas campus para WATERS comer, comprar o Junior Natasha Waters poses saben mejor porque, en todo caso, pasar el rato en la while wearing the new Rihanna pueden venir a hablar conmigo “. casa de un amigo. make up line. The make up has Si un administrador atrapa a “Empecé a been praised for its versatility and un estudiante que está eskipean- saltar porque es various shades.
• GRAPHIC BY TAJ SMITH
Going AWOL at school
Where do skippers go? What do they do? Why do they skip? “I skipped to go snowboarding or to Yankees games,” Desmond sad. “I did NOT skip to walk the halls. That’s stupid.” “There are things you don’t want to miss out on,” said biology teacher Mika Twietmeyer, who once skipped an entire day of school with her boyfriend and now husband, photography teacher Jon Twietmeyer. “[We] met up with friends at a train station and went to Philadelphia.” Neither she nor Jon got in trouble for skipping that day Williams herself used to skip when she was a student when she found class boring. “I loved my class,” she said, “but I didn’t have a teacher that challenged me.” However, she would rather students learn from her mistakes and go to class themselves. “Don’t skip or you will impact your future,” she said. “And it messes up your education.”
Ausentes de la escuela sin haber faltado?
Donde se van los eskipeadores? Que es lo que hacen? Porque eskipean? con amigos en una estación de tren y fuimos a Philadelphia”. Ni ella ni Jon se metieron en problemas por skipear ese día La propia Williams solía eskipear cuando era una estudiante cuando encontraba la clase aburrida. “Me encantaba mi clase”, dijo, “pero no tuve un maes t ro q u e m e d e s a f i a r a ” . Sin embargo, preferiría que los estudiantes aprendieran de sus errores y decidieran ir a clase por ellos mismos. “No eskipees o eso tendrá un impacto en tu futuro," Williams dijo. “Y arruinara tu educación”.
November 2017
Sports
Riverside alum breaks the bank
Former Riverside basketball player T.J. Warren signs massive contract extention with Phoenix Suns.
By Joe Laird Former Riverside basketball player, and current Phoenix Suns small forward T.J. Warren signed a $50 million contract extension on September 26, 2017. Warren was drafted in 2015 out of NC State University, and has been a great role player for the Suns team this past three seasons, averaging 11.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game . While at Riverside, Warren spent his sophomore season averaging 19.8 ppg, making a large impact on the team, and even hitting a buzzer beater to send the team to the state playoffs. Later, he went on to play at Brewster Academy in Hampshire, where he became the number one player in the state, averaging 21.3 ppg and 7 rpg his senior year. This led him to be drafted 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns, and become an established NBA player. Though only spending two years at Riverside, he still made a great impact, and was coached by head Riverside basketball Coach Brian Strickland. Strickland thinks very highly of Warren, and feels he has the potential to have a successful NBA career. “If he can stay healthy, I don’t see any reason why he’s not an NBA All-Star,” said Strickland.
•PHOTO BY ANNA JAMES
On February 21, 2017, T.J. Warren donated TI-84 Calculators to Riverside and met students, like 2017 graduate Faith Hackney, along with the men's varsity baketball team. Warren attended Riverside from 2008 to 2010 for his freshman and sophomore years of high school.
What can $50 million buy? 10,000,000 Reams of Paper
251,256 Chromebooks
454,545
TI-84 Calculators
Athlete of the Month By Luis Apolonio
7
Aijah Perry
Senior Aijah Perry likes to do her talking on the court. She may be quiet around school, but whether it’s shooting three pointers or defending opposing guards, she’s always been comfortable playing basketball. “When I was younger my mom put me in different sports,” Perry said, “and I fell in love with the game.” Once she found this love for basketball, it was all she wanted to do. “I guess I played only basketball and didn’t really have time to have any other hobby,” said Perry. She thinks that the Riverside women’s basketball team can beat other teams, like Hillside and Cary,
because the team has potential to grow compared to last year. “We didn’t beat [Hillside and Cary] last year and I want to beat them this year,” Perry said. She is planning to go to college, but hasn’t figured out where she wants to attend. “Your grades are what determines your future,” said Perry Perry plays here at Riverside because she wants to make history. She also pushes her teammates to not give up during games. Perry said her own mom pushes her and helps her be the best she can be. “My mom inspires me,” She said. Aijah also loves playing for head coach Alicia Jones. “She’s a really good coach,” Perry said. “We’ve made a lot of memories.”
43,516 iPhone Xs
Upcoming Athletic Events Men's Basketball @ Northern HS
11/17 Women's Basketball vs. Northern 11/20
Women's Basketball @ Southern Men's Basketball @ Southeast Raleigh
11/24 Womens Basketball @ Southeast Raleigh 11/28
Mens Basketball vs. Sanderson Womens Basketball @ Sanderson HS
Mens Basketball vs. Cedar Ridge HS 12/01 Womens Basketball @Cedar Ridge HS
For up-to-the-minute news, visit thepirateshook.com And follow us @thepirateshook!
8
Pirates' Hookok
"Nothing could bring me down"
Taekwondo makes senior Juliard Bumidang a better person By Ricardo Galeas
In February of 2006, senior Juillard Bumidang’s family climbed out of their car and strolled across the Harris Teeter parking lot, then took a sudden turn into a small building. He open the door to this mysterious confined place. Bright blue and red mats placed on the ground like pools of water and lava. “There were figures with white uniforms doing strict objectives and kicking pads making, sounds like gunshots,” Bumidang said. Then, all of a sudden a man he had never seen before walked towards them. “There was a looming aura that resonated from him,” Bumidang said. “I was terrified.” He came closer and closer until he was arms length from his dad. “He, too, had a white uniform, however, he had a black belt around his waist,” Bumidang said. That’s when Bumidang realized he was being enrolled into Taekwondo. An art of self defense, Taekwondo originated in Korea. Taekwondo is a very tough and scary sport for anyone, especially kids. “This word made me terrified,” Bumidang said. “I, a tiny, four-foot boy, was going to do martial arts with giants? I began to cry as soon as I was told to put on the white uniform. afraid in the dressing
• PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIARD BUMIDANG
Juliard bumidang competes in a 2007 tournament when he was seven years old. The Raleigh competition required contestants to show form and ablity when making movements.
room, I began to get cry even more.” He got dressed in the stiff white uniform and looked into the mirror. “I felt like it suited me very well; so I stopped crying. I always thought I could be the next Bruce Lee, so I walked out feeling proud.” Bumidang said. However, he was still terrified, he looked at his parents and the looming figure, now smiling. “I did not know how to tie the belt so the man walked up
to me and tied it for me; he wasn’t that terrifying after all,” Bumidang said. Class started and they stood there stiffly waiting for instruction. They were led by the man; his name was Master Jung. “He was very kind and outgoing,” Bumidang said. “He wasn’t strict with us and he made all the basics fun.” He soon found out that he really loved this sport and that he wanted to become the greatest in the school. “This determination that I
began with persisted with me to this day,” Bumidang said. He moved up the ranks among the giants, and he was recognized for his continuous efforts. Many of the higher ups appreciated his optimism; this allowed him to become master Jung’s favorite student. “After a year of training, I competed in my first tournament,” Bumidan said. “I won the sparring divisionfor my age, and belt rank with a gold medal.” This inspired him even more
to be the best so he practiced even harder to catch up with the giants. “After years of rigorous practices, I won seven more championships by the age of 12,” Bumidang said. “By some I was called ‘The Flash’ and to others I was Bruce Lee.” He loved the praise people gave him and he recognized that he had reached his goal. However, on his ninth and last tournament he injured his right knee in a collision with his opponent. “I thought my career as the best was over, but I couldn’t allow it to happen,” Bumidang said. He did not go to the doctor, because his dad told him he could get back up himself. Inspired by his father’s words, he went through countless workouts to strengthen his knee day in and day out. “I told myself that nothing could bring me down,” Bumidang said. “My determination and persistence keeps me afloat everyday. I was able to get through many mental problems, difficult classes, and life in general.” Bumidang believes joining taekwondo was not just an important event that has happened in his life. It was also the first step in a more significant journey. “The trails I had to surmount created a young adult that won’t be put down by anything.” he said.
The Galloping Gobblers Guide Thanksgiving provides a hectic day of eating and gathering with family and, most importantly, watching football. Here's what you need to know: By Joe Laird
Vikings vs Lions- 12:30 pm
The Detroit Lions started the season 3-1, but have taken a dip since then, now trying to fight back into the NFC East division race. The Vikings are coming off of five straight wins, and are looking to keep this streak alive, to remain atop the East. Although they’re on a hot streak, the Lions are in a desperate situation, in need of taking control of this division. Matthew Stafford and the high-flying Detroit offense have a chance to take over momentum in the division
Cowboys vs Chargers- 4:30pm Giants vs Redskins- 8:30 pm
The Dallas Cowboys are looking to stay in their division race, even with the Philadelphia Eagles looking like the best team in football. The Chargers are trying to fight back in the weak AFC South, sitting far behind the Kansas City Chiefs. The main threat in the Chargers offense is running back Melvin Gordon, but the Cowboys strong front seven, led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Demarcus Lawrence, should be able to shut him down. Cowboys over the powerful Minnesota defense. Key Players: Dak Prescott(QB), Dez Bryant(WR), DeVikings marcus Lawrence(DL) Key Players: Case Keenum(QB), Jerick McKinnon(RB), Record: 5-4 Eric Kendricks(LB) Chargers Record: 7-2 Key Players: Philip Rivers(QB), Melvin Gordon(RB), Lions Joey Bosa(DL) Key Players: Matthew Stafford(QB), Golden Tate(WR), Record: 3-6 Tahir Whitehead(LB) Record: 5-4
Score prediction: Detroit 23- 20 Vikings
Score Prediction: Cowboys 27- 17 Chargers
The New York Giants have had a disastrous year in 2017, and it isn’t looking upwards. From the injury of Odell Beckham Jr. to the rumors of trading Eli Manning, nothing has gone right. The Redskins, however, are still in the NFC East division race. They’re chasing the Eagles, like the Cowboys, but could take over a wildcard spot come playoff time. The Redskins are in a much better situation, and are looking for an easy win. Giants Key Players: Eli Manning(QB), Jason Pierre-Paul(DL), Sterling Shepard(WR) Record: 1-8 Redskins Key Players: Kirk Cousins(QB), Chris Thompson(RB), Josh Norman(CB) Record: 4-5
Score Prediction: Redskins 24- 7 Giants
• GRAPHIC BY TAJMAHAL SMITH
November 2017
NBA
9
Sports
POWER RANKINGS
A healthy Iman Shumpert will turn the Cavaliers back into the best team in the league...right? By Lucas Krieg 1. Golden State Warriors Record: 10-3, Offensive Rating: 1 Defensive Rating: 14 Despite a rough start from the Warriors, their defense is slowly improving and their offense is leading almost all stats this season.
10. Portland Trail Blazers: (6-6) Damian Lillard is reminding all NBA fans that he is a clutch player, coming up big for the Trail Blazers when they need it. Despite this, the Trail Blazers only have 2 reliable sources of offense, Lillard and CJ McCollum.
as averaging 5.7 assists per game and 1.8 blocks per game. Anthony Davis is doing amazing as well, averaging 27 points per game and 12 rebounds per game.
player in NBA history at 20 years, 27. Sacramento Kings: (3-9) 15 days old (beating LeBron James The Kings’ offense looks lost on the by 5 days) to record a triple-double. court, leaving rookie DeAaron Fox to a mediocre start. 24. Indiana Pacers: (6-8) Victor Oladipo is putting up big- 28. Chicago Bulls: (2-9) time numbers, averaging 23 points Key Matchup: November 21 vs. Los per game. Myles Turner is having Angeles Lakers, The Bulls’ offense a great start as well, averaging 14 ranks as the league’s worst, and their points per game and 9 rebounds per defense ranks thirteenth. Rookie game as the Pacers offense ranks Lauri Markkanen, however, is 12th in the league. showing promise and could possibly offer the Bulls more when they have 25. Brooklyn Nets: (5-8) a complete team. D’Angelo Russell is showing why he can be an elite scorer, averaging 29. Dallas Mavericks: (2-12) 21 points per game. Jeremy Lin The Mavericks’ veteran Dirk u n f o r t u n a t e l y Nowitzki is no longer a young man, went down with and his stats are showing that with a season ending a career low 10 points per game. injury earlier this Dennis Smith has shown the league season, hurting his explosiveness, and is one of the the Nets' overall most exciting players in the league performance. to watch right now.
21. Miami Heat: (6-7) The Heat have had a very difficult schedule so far which they have looked well through, Hassan 11. Milwaukee Bucks: (6-6), Whiteside is putting up productive Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the numbers, with 13 rebounds per game 2. Houston Rockets Record: 11-3, Offensive Rating: 2 league in points per game with and 16 points per game. 31.7, but the rest of the Bucks are Defensive Rating: 8 A dominating 56 point game by struggling on offense. 22. Philadelphia 76ers: (6-6) all-star James Harden proved the The 76ers have one of the youngest Rockets are the team to beat. Harden's 12. Orlando Magic: (8-5) teams in the league, and Ben hot hand guides the Rockets while The Magic’s offense has been on Simmons and they anxiously wait for a hurt Chris fire, thanks to Aaron Gordon, Evan Joel Embiid are Fournier, and Nikola Vucevic all playing very well Paul to recover. averaging between 17 and 19 points both offensively per game. 3. Boston Celtics and defensively. Record: 12-2, Offensive Rating: 17 13. Cleveland Cavaliers: (6-7) Defensive Rating: 1 Despite losing star Gordon Hayward The Cavaliers’ defense is hurting and the first two games of the their performance, they are the 23. Los Angeles 26. Phoenix Suns: 30. Atlanta Hawks: (2-11) season, the Celtics rebounded and worst team in the league defensively, Lakers: (5-8) (5-9) Like other low ranked teams, the and this needs to be have won 12 Lonzo Ball’s The Suns' defense Hawks do not have a solid offense fixed if the Cavaliers rookie season is straight with and offense are and defense and they are surely plan to return to the off to a stellar Kyrie Irving a b y s m a l a n d missing center Dwight Howard and NBA finals for a 4th start, despite averaging 20.3 Eric Bledsoe's point guard Jeff Teague who are both conescutive time. points per claims from d e p a r t u r e t o on other teams. Dennis Schroder is game. NBA fans. He ranks 7th in the league the Milwaukee Bucks has them averaging 20.6 points per game and 1 4 . M i n n e s o t a in assists per game with 7.4 assists wondering how they can fix their 6.8 assists per game but he is their Timberwolves: (6- per game and became the youngest team before it's too late. 4. Denver only reliable source of offense. 7) Nuggets The Timberwolves Record: 8-5, have an explosive Offensive offense thanks to Rating: 9 Karl AnthonyDefensive Towns, who is Rating: 18 The Denver Nuggets got off to a slow averaging 20 points per game and start, but Nikola Jokic has brought 11 rebounds per game along with the team to life, with a crushing, Andrew Wiggins, who is averaging (noun) career-high 41 points versus the 20 points per game. Their defense (time period) rating is ranked as 3rd worst in the Brooklyn Nets. league however. (adjective) 5. Detroit Pistons (verb) (verb) Record: 10-3, Offensive Rating: 8 15. Utah Jazz: (5-6) The Jazz are plagued with injuries Defensive Rating: 10 (adverb) (verb) (noun) The Pistons' offense has become right now, losing defensive star Rudy one of the league's best, with Andre Gobert for 6 weeks, due to a knee (verb) (Type Drummond averaging a double- injury, and Dante Exum and Joe (music artist) double in rebounds and points, and Johnson remain sidelined because of music) Tobias Harris (20.1 PPG) and Avery of injury. (sport) Bradley (17 PPG) both producing (athlete) 16. Charlotte Hornets: (5-7) on offense. Kemba Walker is playing strongly, (verb) averaging 21.7 points per game 6. Toronto Raptors (7-5) The Raptors, despite a tough and Dwight Howard is averaging a (plural noun) (verb) schedule, have played very well, solid 14.4 points per game and 13.1 (noun) (plural only losing to the Warriors and Spurs rebounds per game. by a combined 9 points. noun) (plural noun) 17. LA Clippers: (5-7) (noun) (adjective) The Clippers started the season 7. San Antonio Spurs (8-5) Kawhi Leonard remains injured but 4-0, but have lost 7 of their last 8 veterans such as LaMarcus Aldridge games, and the loss of Chris Paul are keeping the Spurs among the to the Houston Rockets is being felt (plural noun) (verb) league's best despite loing their two right now. (noun from space 1) past home games. 18. Oklahoma City Thunder: (6-7) (possessive plural noun) The triple threat of Russell 8. Memphis Grizzlies: (7-5) Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are the Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and leaders of the Grizzlies, and Tyreke Paul George is coming together (noun) (Verb) Evans has stepped up offensively, which could spell trouble for the averaging 17 points per game, rest of the league. (plural Noun) (adjective) however, the rest of the team are not providing the offense the Grizzlies 19. New York Knicks: (7-5) need to make them a top team in The Knicks started out rough, but (emotion) are picking up steam, led by Kristaps the league. (emotion) Porzingis who is averaging 30 points per game and 7 rebounds per game. 9. Washington Wizards: (7-5) The Wizards have one of the best starting lineups in the league, and 20. New Orleans Pelicans: (7-6) (Noun) Bradley Beal is averaging a strong DeMarcus Cousins is on a mission right now, ranking top 5 in points per (Emotion) 24.6 points per game. game and rebounds per game as well By Jordan Macmillan
A dominating 56 point game by all-star James Harden proved the Rockets are the team to beat.
Lonzo Ball became the youngest player in NBA history to record a tripledouble.
Mad Libs "Ole to Lenny"
Riverside High School is home to Lenny the ______ . Riverside’s mascot has been the same since _______ when the school opened. Lenny is a/an ______ mascot that is always _______ . He ________ ________ and never _______ . Lenny loves _______ and loves to ______ . Lenny loves listening to _______ , especially ______ . Lenny is very passionate about sports; his favorite is ______ . When he plays, he tries to play like ______ . Everyone at Riverside high school know who Lenny is and they all _______ him. Most _________ at Riverside think that he ______ the ______ out of anyone else at the school. _____ love to have their ________ hang out with Lenny the _______ because he is a/an ______ influence. All the _______ that _____ at Riverside love having a ______ as the mascot. Lenny has more much school pride than all the _______ pride added together. Pride comes second nature to Lenny the ______ . Lenny _______ all his classes, teachers and fellow _____ . Lenny gets _______ grades in all his classes and makes sure to pay attention. One thing Lenny doesn’t _______ people who don’t pay attention in class. He also ______ people who are always on their phone instead of doing their work. Lenny the ______ is a symbol for pride and ______ . Next time you see him, shake his hand and thank him for being such a great mascot.
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10
Pirates' Hookok
Leaving his mark on skin and hearts Riverside wrestling coach opens his own tattoo parlor
By Ashley Gonzalez You don’t have to look far to find someone who has been impacted by wrestling coach Brandon Palmer. Palmer attended Riverside from 1998 to 2002. He was a two-time state champion wrestler and artist for The Pirates’ Hook. He also worked as an EC teacher at Riverside from 2012 to 2015 and has been the head wrestling coach since 2011. Palmer is part of an exclusive club of Pirates who attended, taught and coached at Riverside. “We in the club call it earning your ‘Hook, Patch and Peg Leg,’” Palmer said. PE teacher and assistant wrestling coach Broc Dickerson, who also earned his Hook, Patch and Peg Leg, has known Palmer since he was eight. “We used to play pop warner football together,” Dickerson said. Other teachers who worked in the classroom with Palmer described him as kind, caring and intelligent. “I loved his down to Earth approach with all his students, he was a graduate of Riverside so his familiarity with the school and what students go through really gives him an edge in developing a relationship with his students,” said Marcia Roots, one of Palmer’s former colleagues in the EC department. “He’s connected with the community,” said biology teacher Mika Twietmeyer. “He went to Riverside and knows a lot of the families,” Twietmeyer also said he was a great teacher. “He would work with me with some students that were maybe not doing the best in my classes to help me communicate with their family members to make that connection,” she said. “He is one of the best EC teachers that I have ever seen work at Riverside and a great coach.” Growing up in Durham has allowed Palmer to experience first hand all the changes that have occured in the community. “I embrace the changes to RHS because they typically reflect the changes happening in our community,” Palmer said. “The families that make up Riverside are the people we share Durham with. The students are not the only ones learning at school.” While he takes great pride in working with students, athletes and teachers, he left his full-time job at Riverside to pursue his other love: art. Palmer opened up a tattoo parlor in February. “Opening 5th Fare has been one of the biggest goals set in my adult life,” said Palmer. “I started tattooing eight years ago and two years into the journey I made it a goal to have a shop. To have people walking through the
• Photo courtesy of Mika Tweitmeyer • PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKA TWEITMEYER
Biology teacher Mika Tweitmeyer gets tattooed by Palmer. Since opening 5th Fare, Palmer has tattoed several Riverside faculty and staff members. door now is kind of surreal.” Dickerson has visited 5th Fare and has liked what he saw. “It’s not a typical tattoo shop,” Dickerson said. “The vibe is different...it’s very light-hearted and bright.” Since Palmer has opened his tattoo parlor, he says that the goal now is making it a successful business. He will be doing a big push for their induction into the downtown Durham community now that they have all of their working components (piercing,
henna and design) and that Halloween has passed. “Primarily [I] have been focusing on my existing clientele and growing through word of mouth,” Palmer said. Giving tattoos to kids under the age of 18, however, is not part of his business model. “It’s not legal to tattoo anyone below the age of 18, even with a ‘parent’s permission,; in North Carolina.,” Palmer said. “That ‘permission’ thing is made up. However, a parent can give permission for pierc-
ings. Also, we do have an excellent Henna Artist. There aren’t any age restrictions on that.” Palmer supports the law because he also believes kids should respect he permanence of a tattoo. “It’s not that [kids’] desire for artistic expression isn’t valid as a minor. It very much is. Nevertheless, why not spend the time before you’re 18 preparing/saving for what you really want rather than rushing to get inked for the sake of getting inked? Most people at 16 can’t afford the
car they REALLY want, same goes for professional tattoos. That’s not a dig, that’s just reality. You’ll keep your first car for a few years, your tattoo with be with you a lot longer. So choose wisely.” Editor's Note: Coach Palmer and the Riverside wrestling team's first match is Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Voyager Academy. The team's first home meet is Wednesday Nov. 22 .
(Above) Palmer drew a graphic for a story about what students do on snow days while on staff at The Pirates' Hook. After graduating, Palmer went to Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and William Penn University.
(Left) A drawing by Palmer while on staff at The Pirates' Hook of former RHS prinicpal Pat Rhodes as Superman. His love of drawing as a teenager has led to a career as a tattoo shop owner. (Above) Palmer also sketched in his adult life, mocking training for porctoring standardized tests. While at Riverside, Palmer was a teacher and a coach.