OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
EL RODEO
BRIGHTLEAF SQUARE 905 W MAIN STREET (919) 683- 2417
ELRODEONC.COM/BRIGHTLEAF
Founded in 1991
Vol. XXVIII Issue I October 2018
http://thepirateshook.com
In this issue: Is a hot dog a sandwich? Bread, meat, and condiments. These are the ingredients of an age old question. Finally, an answer. By Ariel Fabito and Ben Patton, p. 3
SGA welcomes newly-elected student leaders The Student Government Association (SGA) election results have arrived, and Tenisce Richelieu will be Riverside’s student body president this year. By Jacob Breuer, p. 6 • PHOTO BY FABIAN HERNANDEZ
Posters about famous Hispanic influencers cover the windows next to the main office. Students in various Spanish classes helped create the mural to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Riverside celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
By Jeymy Rivas Just like the cultures it aims to celebrate, Hispanic Heritage Month doesn’t fit into just one month of the year. Originally created by President Ronald Reagan to celebrate the heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans, Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua all celebrate their Independence on Sept.15. Mexico’s Independence Day is Sept.16 and Chile’s is September 18. After the Independence days comes El Dia de la Raza, a holiday that celebrates the heritage and cultural
diversity of Central America, on Oct. 12. Elizabeth Moreno, who teaches English as a second language (ESL) at Riverside, knows many of her students and their families celebrate Hispanic culture during Hispanic Heritage month. “There are parties with a lot of food like empanadas, tamales and pupusas,” Ms.Moreno says. Assistant principal Ashley Stephens believes most Latinos living in America are aware of their country’s day of independence, but are not celebrated even though this month was created specifically for that. “We try to give it just as much weight as
Black History Month but I agree that it’s not talked as much about as other events. I think we can do a better job,” Stevens said. Destino Success, a Riverside student organization that celebrates Latino culture, has organized events throughout the year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and make all students feel supported, including bilingual tutoring every thursday, a food sale for students and staff, 5-on5 soccer tournaments, and Flamenco dance lessons and performances. During Hispanic Heritage month, the school held a trivia game during morning announcements, scavenger hunt, bake sale on Sept. 18 and Latino parent night in the cafeteria on Oct. 3.
DPS struggles with work order efficiency
Hurricane Florence highlights need for repairs in Riverside classrooms
“I’d be surprised if my blinds get fixed before second semester,” says Bolen. Several spots at Riverside flooded during Many teachers at Riverside have a story Hurricane Florence, but a slow response to about how they tried to get something fixed repair requests suggests the problems have via a work order for DPS. Many of those never been here for a long time. got completed or, if they did, DPS took an exThe Durham Public Schools (DPS) mainteceedingly long time to actually complete them. nance department has an efficiency problem. “They have to do better,” said assistant For weeks, engineering teacher Adam principal Kadeidra Carr referring to how Davidson has been trying to get DPS to DPS handles work orders. check the dust content in his room. He When Riverside’s own custodial staff would do it himself, but DPS maintenance cannot fix a problem in the building, Carr staff keeps taking the engineering departfiles a work order. A teacher emails or ment’s ladders without his permission and texts her about a problem in their room, then leaving campus with them. He has or near their room, and she submits it in also been requesting work orders to fix a system called Teamworks. Problems the water that leaks into his room every they encounter may include leaks, air time it rains. After Florence, there was conditioning/pollution, or rodents. a large pool of water that stretched the • PHOTO BY BEN PATTON Carr files 15-20 work orders per day. length of Davidson’s room. After she files them, it takes DPS one to Flooding filled Adam Davidson's classroom after “The system is very slow,” said Da- Hurricane Florence. DPS' maintenance department vidson, who teaches Introduction to has been slow to fix several issues at Riverside.
By Ben Patton
Engineering Design (IED) and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). “DPS keeps fixing the symptoms, not the problems,” said Davidson. And he’s not the only one. Engineering teacher Conner Bolen, who teaches IED and Principles of Engineering (POE), has broken blinds in his classroom.
Cont. on p. 5
Bridge to improve security By Simone Brooks
Durham Public Schools (DPS) is building a bridge in front of the building’s main entrance to make Riverside safer for staff and students. The bridge was first going to be a vestibule, but space became an issue and the district changed its plan to a bridge instead, according to assistant principal Ashley Stevens. Main office secretary Kathy Cowan thinks the bridge will make the school safer because it will force visitors who enter the building to go straight to the office instead of walking into the school. Craig Carlson said all DPS, schools are improving campus security. “Throughout Durham Public Schools will soon be receiving some great type of safety upgrade for staff and students,” assistant principal Craig Carlson said. CE Jordan High School will soon complete a similar project around its main entrance. The RHS bridge is supposed to be finished some time in October or November. Assistant
principal Kadeidra Carr said it has been a very slow process lately. “The bridge will have a very nice, covered top and railings on the side of the bridge for safety reasons and a glass door as the entrance,” Cowan said. Some students think the bridge will disrupt school at first. “The bridge is a distraction right now because it looks cool and all the kids focus on it walking into the building,” said Tina Cole, who works in the front office. “But later on I think it will be a great thing for safety.” Stephens said that she hopes that the bridge will make students more accountable for skipping. Students will no longer be able to use the front entrance way to leave campus. “If students try to leave campus it would be harder for them,” Stephens said. “You are not great when you skip.” Many teachers are excited about the project. “The bridge will be a great change for the school and staff,” said social studies teacher Janet Heape.
Freshmen class adjusts to life at Riverside Freshman student Yahari Garcia experienced a lot of emotions her first day of high school - a day she’ll never forget. La estudiante de primer año Yahari García se sintió muchas emociones en su primer día de escuela secundaria, un día que ella nunca olvidará. By Estefany Fuentes and Katherine Aparicio, p. 4
Jordan Landis breaks cross country school records Junior Jordan Landis has never been more committed to anything in her life than running. Jordan Landis es una Junior en la secundaria nunca se comprometido a otra cosa que no sea correr. By Javier Morales, p. 7
Kaepernick stars in Nike's controversial ad campaign
Just months before their record-breaking “Just Do It” campaign released, Nike nearly dropped Colin Kaepernick. By Joe Laird, p. 7
English teacher Kirsten Steele's double life
Risking your life for others is something not many people do, especially if you receive nothing in return. But that’s exactly what English teacher Kirsten Steele does when she isn’t working at Riverside. By Brisa Rabadan, p. 8
Puente para mejorar la seguridad Por Simone Brooks
están mejorando la seguridad del campus. "En todas las escuelas públicas de Durham, pronto recibiremos algún tipo
Las Escuelas Públicas de Durham (DPS) están construyendo un puente en frente de la entrada principal del edificio para hacer que Riverside sea más seguro para el personal y los estudiantes. El puente primero iba a ser un vestíbulo, pero el espacio se convirtió en un problema y el distrito cambió su plan a un puente, según a la subdirectora, Ashley Stevens. La secretaria de la oficina principal Kathy Cowan cree que el puente hará que la escuela sea más segura, ya que obligará a los visitantes que ingresen a la oficina directamente en lugar de • PHOTO BY FABIAN HERNANDEZ A bridge will soon connect Riverside's main entrance to the ingresar a la escuela. office. It should be complete in October or November. Craig Carlson dijo que • PHOTO FABIAN HERNANDEZ todas las escuelas de DPS
Cont. en p. 5
2
Gancho de los Piratasok
Editorials
Pledging Allegience to the flag
Every morning across the country students are told to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. For many US citizens it has been an American standard for generations now. Year after year children learn to stand up and recite the Pledge until it becomes almost second nature. But at Riverside, an increasing number of students are not willing to do so. Every Friday morning they do not stand, face the flag and recite the Pledge. Are they protesting in light of Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the national anthem? Is it part of a growing sense of apathy regarding tradition in American public schools. Or is it just laziness? Here at Riverside, where students are politically active and protesting is widely practiced, the answer might be all of the above. Students have strong beliefs and often voice them. For some, it’s protesting. It’s about having their voices heard, but also seen. But for others, it could also be that they are still tired from having just woken up. Mahatma Gandhi once said “Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny.” It’s important for students to understand the statement they make when they choose to stand or remain seated during the Pledge. High school is a place where people change and discover themselves. No matter how you feel about the pledge, make sure it’s a thoughtful decision, because every voice and action matters.
• GRAPHIC BY YANNDEL CRUZ
Get off yo phone!
How quickly we forget This past year a number of memorable rappers have died, such as Lil Peep, Mac Miller, and XXXtentacion. All three rappers died before they reached the age of 30, and although there was a mourning period for each rapper, we forgot about their deaths too quickly. Lil Peep was the first out of the three to pass in November of last year, and society has pretended as if it didn’t happen at all. An article written by Kory Grow titled “Lil Peep Cause of Death Revealed” states that “Lil Peep died of an overdose of fentanyl and generic Xanax.” His death put him in the spotlight for a week and his name was even number one trending on Twitter the day it happened, but since then his name hasn’t been in any news articles recently and his music isn’t seen on any charts. XXXtentacion was found dead on June 18th, in Florida, after he was shot while driving. When news erupted that X had passed, his music skyrocketed. It was like his album, ? had a second release. Mac Miller passed away due to a drug overdose on September 7, 2018 and multiple news stations covered it, but his music has not received as much attention as it did within the first week of his death. Why does society find it easy to move on from such a tragedy? X and Lil Peep recently released a song and one of the lines says “It’s unfortunate because it’s like, yo, when people die, that’s when we like ‘em, you know? ‘Cause your remorse kinda makes you check ‘em out.” The irony of their lyrics lie in each artist’s initial spike in popularity after their deaths, only to decline days later. But the reasons why they died - murder (X) and substance abuse (Miller, Lil Peep) - deserve our constant attention.
The reasons they died - murder (X) and substance abuse (Miller, Lil Peep) deserve our constant attention.
I’ve always waited until the last minute to get myself together. I usually nap away my issues. Sleeping has lowkey been my security blanket; I always feel safe when I know I’m not awake. But this summer I decided to make a change. I wanted to take on any issues I had head on and stop procrastinating. To do this, I had to acknowledge that my phone is evil. I have an unhealthy relationship with my iPhone 7. I depend on it for basically every aspect of my life. Despite its many uses, it keeps me from being the person I want to be. First, my phone shifts my attention away from class, family and conversations. It took me a while to realize it was happening, but even after I knew that what I was doing was rude, I didn’t seem to care. As a result, I barely study. When I do, I struggle not to reach into my binder, grab my phone and check twitter. My phone also deprives me of
in conversations, but it just wouldn’t work out-- people would look at me like I was stupid for shortening my response. After I realized what my phone was doing to my life I felt foolish. I wanted to make sure my senior year was clear of interruptions. Whenever I do my homework now, I purposely leave my phone on the other side of the room. I recently got a new update on my phone which allows me to set limits on the amount of time I spend on certain apps. I also have a timer set to shut all my apps off at 10pm; I go to bed much earlier now. At times I still struggle, but at least I’ve acknowledged that my phone habits won’t work in the long-run. All it takes is realization and boundaries. Until you notice your phone is destroying your life, there’s is not much you can do. If you’re struggling with admitting that your relationship with your phone has become toxic too, text me...I mean call me...I mean... drop by room 148 and we’ll have a conversation.
P lease
recycle this paper !
Letters To The Editor
Kaepernick speaks for many
Want to
write for
the hook? email bryan_christopher@dpsnc.net or visit room
By Mair Famet
sleep. I stare at the screen way too long before I go to bed and it takes longer for me to fall asleep. Sleep.org recently did a study which found that people who consume electronic media in bed have a higher risk for insomnia.The study also found that the blue light my phone emits suppresses my melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates my sleep patterns. It’s getting to the point that I cannot sleep without being on my phone for a certain amount of time, but using my phone to help me fall asleep actually exacerbates the problem. Lastly, it keeps getting worse. I think my phone has had an impact on my social skills. I find it hard to make eye contact and carry on long conversations in person. Usually I text someone and explain how I feel using acronyms and pictures. In the past, I’ve tried to incorporate the language I use in my messages
148
In my eyes Colin Kaepernick is a major hero for my community. The reason I say that is because he sat in the dark to bring a problem to the light, a problem that still affects our community so badly that kids run when they see or hear police cars. My older cousin, rest in peace, was a victim of police brutality. He got shot after he was trying to make clear to the officers what the situation was. He and some of our family were having a celebration because his son had just graduated. My cousin had a firearm on his hip and the officers told him to remove it and he told them that it was registered to him. The police told him to take it off and he said that he would be more comfortable if they did. After being told repeatedly to remove his gun, my cousin reached for it slowly and pulled it halfway off his hip and BANG! Another African-American man killed and his children saw it happen from their front window. They were quiet for two months straight not knowing what really happened.
Being shot by your protection leaves unhealed wounds that we can’t take away. Colin took a seat for our community. Instead of going along and pretending like we don’t go through everyday fear and pain. I wouldn’t have stood, either. By Damari Dixon
America has work to do The main problem with American society nowadays is the very strong beliefs that most people have obtained through their education, religion, and knowledge. All these different beliefs and opinions have become so ingrained in America’s population that they create intense divides between different groups of people, whether it be between Republicans and Democrats, African-Americans and whites, or even the audiences of different news networks. When people are so arrogant to believe there is not anything to believe other than their own opinion, it usually creates conflict when another
person challenges their opinion. Instead of trying to reach a common ground, many individuals will completely shut off their connections with people who do not share their beliefs, since they may think that it is better to not listen to an argument at all than have their beliefs challenged. Society is so afraid of being wrong that they are even willing to cut off connections with family members. Now, this is not to say that beliefs are horrible and make America horrible; in fact it’s quite the opposite. The freedom to choose what you want to believe in is one of the many elements of America that makes it one of the best countries in the world. But we need to start talking and communicating in better ways. That doesn’t mean we’ll quickly work out the problems, and become a kittens and fudge country. It will take years, if not decades, to fully recover from the division occuring right now and start moving forward again. By Julien Cox
Thank You Hook Sponsors! Lydia Krause The Kaiser-Potter family Heidi Asplin Lisa & Mike Salyers Kelly Macklin Kevin Primus Jennifer Ashe Gay Bonds
JoEllen Mason Robin Kirk Carolyn McAllaster David Ascher Sarah Reckhow The Bhandari family Gary & Esperanza Gereffi
Michael Reckhow
Melissa Young
Steve Schewell
David & Diana McNeill
Steven Unruhe
Joe Neff
The King Family
Bob Fullenkamp
Caroline Mercer
In memory of Lenny May
Richard and Scott Hill
Steve Schewel
AA Espenshade The Wheezers & Geezers
Be a sponsor: email Bryan_Christopher@dpsnc.net
October 2018
3
The hot dog debate: Is it a sandwich or nah? Which side will be declared the weiner?
A hot dog is not a sandwich By Ariel Fabito It’s the question that roamed the Earth for as long as man can remember. The question that tears friendships apart. The question that even public officials have not come to agreement on. Is a hot dog a sandwich? Once and for all, a hot dog is not a sandwich. The formal definition of a sandwich, according to Merriam Webster is “An item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese, or other filling between them, eaten as a light meal.” A hot dog is a food product with only one piece of bread therefore not making it a sandwich. While conducting my research, I went around to different classrooms and asked 42 students and 5 teachers if a hotdog is a sandwich” Out of the 47 that were asked, 36 people agreed that a hot dog is indeed not a sandwich. “ I t d o e s n ’t h a v e s a n d wich-like qualities,” social studies teacher David Norman said. “A sandwich has two pieces of bread and a hot dog has
Yes it is!
one,” said English teacher Mary Foster. “Maybe it’s the tubular meat that makes it a hot dog.” “[It’s] not a sandwich because the pieces of bread are still attached,” said Riverside alum Ashley Cruz. A common theme about the piece of bread being connected emerged through these conversations with students and teachers. However, in an Atlantic article titled “A Hot Dog Is Not A Sandwich by Megan Garber” identifies four characteristics that make a sandwich a sandwich. For one, the food item must structurally consist of two exterior pieces that are separate or mostly separate. Second, the pieces exterior must be made of carbohydrate ingredients or mostly carbohydrate ingredients .Third, the assembly of the food must be mostly horizontal. Lastly, it must be portable. Although a hot dog shares some of the characteristics said from the ones above, it doesn’t meat all of them therefore calling it not a sandwich.
"The pieces of bread aren't connected. Are you an idiot?"
Since my research shows that 36 people out of 47 students and teachers said a hot dog is not a sandwich and various articles state the same thing, the world can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the most controversial question has now been answered.
Reese Powell, Junior
By Ben Patton Bread, meat, and condiments. These are the ingredients of an age old question. Here is the answer. A hot dog is categorically a sandwich. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, one characteristic is needed for a food to be called a sandwich - that is “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” A hot dog is a split roll with a filling. Look at it this way: if a meatball sandwich or a roll are counted as sandwiches, then so is a hot dog. Sure, you could make the argument that a sandwich has two pieces of bread and a hot dogs bun is only one. But think about a submarine sandwich - it is served with one piece of bread that is cut open across the top, just like a hot dog bun. You could also not call it a sandwich based on your definition of a filling. If you use the broad definition, “something used to fill
a cavity, container, or depression,” then it works. The other side would argue using the narrowly interpreted definition, “something used to fill a cavity, container, or depression.” Jeff Mauro, better known on the food network as the ‘Sandwich King’, agrees with the fact that a hot dog is a sandwich. “Yes. It’s under the kingdom of sandwiches but way down. Is an ape a human? Not really, but we’re still part of the same family,” said Mauro. “The verb of being sandwiched is an object sandwiched between two different objects and a hot dog is between two sides of a bun,” said Junior Ben Neal. "It's meat in between two pieces of bread." said Senior Jatavian Hart. Freshman Mariana Martinez agrees that a hot dog is a sandwich. “Of course a hot dog is a sandwich. I don’t know why so many people think it’s not,” she said. Though many people think a hot dog is not a sandwich, it certainly "meats" the requirements.
“It’s meat in between two pieces of bread.”
Jatavian Hart, Senior
• GRAPHIC BY ALLAN LEON
¿The beat, the heavy, and the weird? Three albums you HAVE to listen to
controlled chaos. lyrics. It is the magic dust that makes It was something thatI have never everything come together. heard before, and I have been listenMy favorite song on the album? It ing to all sorts of metal since I was is hands down “Optimistic”. What a child. This album is a great choice for any metalhead that is looking for On April 8, 2016, this under- some progressive song that rip your ground band from Brighton, England ears off. released their debut album, Statues. It begins with “Glass Built Castles” a song with heavy drums at the forefront followed by headbanging-inducing Ohhhhh boy! Do I have a treat guitar riffs. This chaotic intro transitions to a chill, instrumental melody for you. Kid A, widely regarded as that introduces the aggressive yet soft Radiohead’s riskiest and best album, voice of lead singer Will Gardner. The had the potential to make or break whole song is a great combination them. Eighteen years later, here we of hard-hitting riffs and melodious are reviewing it, so I think it’s obvious intersections. It was the song that first what happened. can I say, I’m a sucker for guitar. It The whole album is a wild ride. is the most “normal” song off the caught my attention and I believe there is a reason for that, as it is arguably It’s music that is not easy to listen to, whole album and believe me, it will but I think that is the best part about not be the fist one that catches your the best song on Statues. But just because “Glass Built Kid A. It really makes you think. It attention. People who are looking Castles” may be the best song does is possible you may not like it on the to expand their musical pallet and not mean it is my favorite. When the first listen, as did I, but the more you want to experience something that whole album is said and done, the song listen the better it gets. is off-putting yet reassuring should “Everything In Its Right Place” definitely check out this masterpiece. that made me have an eargasm was “For Those That Sleep for a Thousand starts it off with an overwhelming yet Years Shall Soon Wake.” The song underwhelming introduction of a song acts as an introduction for the song with the beat of the song being so sim“To Take The First Turn” and begins ple yet so grand because, as the song with an ominous intro that makes goes on, more and more little details you uneasy and adds suspense as the are added without it being abruptly finale approaches. Then, immediately introduced. One thing is consistent afterwards, the last song comes on throughout the album: Thom Yorke’s Controversial? Maybe. Worthy and rocks everybody and everything, vocals. He uses his voice more as of your time? Absolutely. As you as it is the musical equivalent of an instrument than a way to deliver By Alexis Del Castillo
BLACK PEAKS: Statues
RADIOHEAD: Kid A
Kid A, widely regarded as Radiohead’s riskiest and best album, had the potential to make or break them.
can tell from the album title, there is something off about the way Joey names things. Along with his music he talks about injustices in America. Irony is a big part of how he composes his music. Instead of talking about the good America he strives to expose the bad and the ugly,which is why he added the KKK to replace the C in America. Hip hop has been mainstream for almost four decades, and over the years it has changed and evolved. These days it’s all about low-fi and trap, but Joey Bada$$ gives listeners a throwback to the classics. For example, in “Temptation” he writes “The government been tryna take away what’s ours/ It’s really all about the money and the power/ I just wanna see my people empow-
JOEY BADA$$: ALLAMERIKKKAN BADA$$
For up-to-the-minute news, visit thepirateshook.com And follow us @thepirateshook!
ered”The beat for his songs have an easy going flow and he talks about topics that affect the black community in this day and age. In “TEMPTATION,” a song about inequality in the United States specifically targeted towards the black community. The intro and outro are samples of the speech Zianna Oliphant gave, who is a nine-year old girl from Charlotte, North Carolina. She speaks on the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott. Not only is the album an inspiring piece, but it also its just sounds so damn good. The beats, the flow,everything that comes out of Mr. Bada$$ is sincere and full of heart. This is and should be for everybody. Even if you do not like it musically, the message it sends and the way in which it is told should be enough to draw anybody in.
4
Pirates' Hookok
Freshman adjust to RHS
Busses, lunch, building create confusion By Estefany Fuentes Gutirrez
Freshman student Yahari Garcia experienced a lot of emotions her first day of high school - a day she’ll never forget. Garcia attended Carrington Middle School. She was supposed to attend Northern High School, but enrolled in Riverside’s engineering program. Technically, that makes her a transfer student. On the first day of school Garcia
Northern an old lady gave her a ride back to Riverside and ended up being late to her first period. Before the school year starts, incoming freshman attend an orientation. Upperclassmen help the freshman take a look around the school, ask questions or voice concerns. Freshman Elliot Phipps thinks that the Riverside team didn’t do a great job of showing him around the school. “Freshman
orientation didn’t even show me where my classes were located, ” he said. “I started memorizing the room numbers in my head. That’s why it started to get easier to find my classes.” Garcia found her way around by looking at the letters in the halls or started to follow fellow classmates. “When I’m in the hall I just follow people who are in my class,” she said. The cafeteria might be one the the places where most freshmen feel the most over-
whelmed. Waiting in the long lunch line and then having to find a spot where to sit is tough, but finding friends makes it easier. “I was with a group of friends and we all sat together,” said freshman Anthony Aguilar Fuentes. “We’ve been sitting there ever since.” “I got lucky and sat with my soccer team,” said freshman Phillip Patillo. But for others, it has not been a pleasant thing. “Till this day I have not been able to sit
w a s waiting for her bus to come. “ They thought I went to Northern so I got on the wrong bus,” s h e said. W h e n she arrived to • GRAPHIC BY YANNDEL CRUZ
Estudiantes de primer año se ajustan a RHS Autobuses, almuerzo, edificio crea confusion
Por Estefany Fuentes Gutierrez La estudiante de primer año Yahari García se sintió muchas emociones en su primer día de escuela secundaria, un día que ella nunca olvidará. García asistió a la escuela de Carrington antes de venir a Riverside. Se suponía que debía asistir a la escuela secundaria Northern, pero se inscribió en el programa de ingeniería. Técnicamente, eso la convierte en una estudiante transferida. En el primer día de clases, Garcia esperaba por el autobús. “Ellos pensaron que yo tuve que ir a Northern, así que me subí al autobús
equivocado”, ella dijo. Cuando llegó al Northern, una anciana la llevó de vuelta a Riverside y llegué tarde a su primer período. Antes del comienzo del año escolar, los estudiantes de primer año tuvieron que asistir a una orientación. Los estudiantes de la clase superior ayudaron al freshman caminar alrededor de la escuela, hacer preguntas o expresar inquietudes. Freshman Elliot Phipps cree que el equipo de Riverside no hizo un gran trabajo al mostrarlo en la escuela. “La orientación para estudiantes de primer año no me mostró dónde estaban ubicadas mis clases”, él dijo.
Si estás buscando por un club para el resume de la universidad o para hacer nuevos amigos, Riverside, gracias a sus estudiantes diversos y intereses, tiene una amplia colección de clubes abiertos a nuevos miembros. Si quieres hacer una diferencia, considerar Destino Success Destino Success empezó hace 10 años con el maestro de español, Fernando Campos. Campos creía que los estudiantes latinos no tenían los recursos que necesitaban. El creó Destino Success para ayudar a los estudiantes y la comunidad. Hace cinco años la Señora Ellen
grupo de amigos y nos sentamos todos juntos”, dijo el estudiante de primer año Anthony Aguliar Fuentes. “ Hemos estado sentados allí desde entonces”. “Tuve suerte y me senté con mi equipo de fútbol”, dijo el estudiante de primer año Phillip Patillo. Pero para otros, no ha sido una cosa agradable. “Hasta este día no he podido sentarme porque si estás sentado con tus amigos en una mesa, algún niño con barba se sienta a tu lado”, dijo García. “Así que salgo durante el almuerzo”. “Esta escuela no tiene comida buena”, dijo el estudiante de primer año Fernando mendoza. “es terrible.”
By Katherine Aparicio & Estefany Fuentes Gutierrez 1. Do not slack off. Although it’s your freshman year and you have more freedom than you did in middle school, stay on top of your work. The classes you have right now will probably be the easiest ones you’ll take during your high school years. If you decided to slack off, you will regret it in later on when you’re trying to maintain a decent GPA. Once your GPA is low it’s tough to bring it back up. 2. Join extra curricular activities. Join clubs and/or sports teams so you can meet people with similar interests and show your leadership. The friends you make in extracurriculars will be there for you and you might even surprise yourself talking to people you never thought you would ever talk to. To learn more about Riverside’s many opportunities, see the club guide on page 8. 3. Don’t skip. What’s the point of coming to school if you’re just going to skip? Go to your classes even if you don’t like them. Keep your attendance record clean. Don’t roam the halls and avoid having administrators always on your back. It gets annoying for you, them and the students who are trying to learn. 4. Avoid hanging out with bad influences. Everyone wants to make friends and seem cool, but some people won’t help you be successful. You need friends who want to help you achieve your goals, and do good in school even life in general. If you don’t think twice about who you spend your time around, you’ll regret it later on. Trust us. 5. Go to school events. Be sure to attend a chorus concert! Go out, have fun and watch Riverside’s dance performances, band and orchestra concerts, and sports games. Your classmates appreciate the support, and you’ll like the hype, the crowd and how talented Riverside students are. We might even inspire you to get involved. Win or lose, come out and be supportive.
Freshman spotlight
Freshman student, Justin Cuculista, came from Lakewood Montessori Middle school. The classes he enjoys are the ones he has fun in. Cuculista has made new friends, mostly upperclassman and some freshman. Cuculista said that changing his schedule was very easy. He changed a math class to a different one because he wasn’t understanding his previous math teacher. He feels the staff has been very helpful, especially finding his classes on the first day of school.
Por Stacy Colindres
“Comencé a memorizar los números de las habitaciones en mi cabeza. Por eso es más fácil encontrar mis clases”. García encontró su camino mirando las letras en los pasillos y comenzó a seguir a sus compañeros de clase. “Cuando estoy en el pasillo, solo sigo a las personas que están en mi clase”, ella dijo. La cafetería puede ser uno de los lugares donde la mayoría de los estudiantes de primer año se sienten más abrumados. Esperar en la larga fila de almuerzos y luego tener que encontrar un lugar donde sentarse es difícil, pero encontrar nuevos amigos lo hace más fácil.” Estaba con un
Five tips for freshmen
Freshman student, Esela Jessica Gallardo attended Carrington Middle school. Gallardo feels like the classes are longer than what she expected but she is getting use to it. Gallardo is now part of the Riverside cheerleading team, that’s how she became friends with the JV and Varsity girls. Something Gallardo would like to change about Riverside is all the skipping that is happening, she thinks more sheriff’s need to be around the school avoid skipping. Gallardo feels that the lunch time is too short and that we should have more food options.
Guia de Clubs
Holmes se convirtió en el asesor. Ahora Destino Success tiene más de 15 miembros activos. El club trabaja con la universidad de Duke y con organizaciones como Alerta Migratoria. El club visita pacientes con cáncer y organiza torneos de fútbol todos los años. Cada año uno o dos seniores se ganan una beca. “Es una grande y diferente familia” dijo la presidenta Odalys Sanchez. “Todos vienen de orígenes diferentes tienen diferentes historias y saben diferentes cosas.” Senior Gabriela Angel también describe el ambiente como super agradable y servicial. Destino Success se reúne todos los martes de 4pm a 5pm en el salón
de Señora Holmes y está abierto para todos. Si estás motivado, únete a la Asociación de Gobierno Estudiantil La Asociación de Gobierno Estudiantil (SGA) es responsable de conectar Riverside a través del espíritu escolar. "Mucha gente dijo de qué Riverside es aburrido", dice el presidente Tenisice Richelieu. "SGA hace una gran trabajo de mantenernos juntos". Anualmente SGA organiza Homecoming. En el pasado, también organizaron una Carrera de color, unidades de alimentos y tarjetas de San Valentín. El club tiene aproximadamente 40 miembros activos y se reúne todos los martes de 4 a 5
Leiro Antonio Barclay is a freshman student here at Riverside High School. Barclay did not attend Middle school In the United States. He lived in Jamaica most of his life. He says that the system is very different. He describes Riverside as an ‘okay’ school. Barclay feels that the classes he has at Riverside are too easy compared to the ones he took in Jamaica. They would have 5 to 6 classes per day. Barclay says Riverside should size down on how many students we have. Barclay would change the school menu because he is a vegan.
pm en la sala 117. Si eres consciente, únete a Black Student Union Black Student Union comenzó en 2017. El club promueve la inclusión social e intelectual ellos organiza seminarios para discutir temas importantes en la comunidad afroamericano. En el pasado, el club organizó preparación para el SAT y ACT y una ceremonia para el mes de historia afroamericano . BSU está abierto a cualquier persona, aparte de raza. El club se reúne todos los jueves de las 4 pm a las 5 pm en la clase 122. Si te preocupan las problemas políticas, únete al Club Demócrata
y / o Republicano: El Club Demócrata comenzó el segundo semestre de 2017. Se reúnen cada semana para discutir diferentes temas con un punto de vista demócrata. Los temas son de la brutalidad policial hasta la educación. "Todos son muy abiertos y están dispuestos de compartir lo que creen", dice el presidente Marco Hovey. Es importante para ellos educar a la próxima generación la capaz de votar. El Club Demócrata se reúne todos los miércoles por la mañana a las 8:15 am en la aula 219. Todos son
Cont. en p. 5
October 2018
5
New Riverside teachers share unique hobbies, interests
• PHOTOS BY JAVIER MORALES
Shelby Turner
Shelby Turner is the new art teacher at Riverside High school. Turner was born on April 19 1990 in Frankfort, Germany. This is Turner’s second year teaching, having previously taught at Harnett Central. Turner became a teacher because he wanted all students to be represented. Turner wants his student to know he’s here for them whenever they need him. Senior David Walker in intermediate art describes Turner as cool and chill. Turner’s high school experience helped him decide he wanted to be an artist. “[It was] the place where I realized I want to be an artist,” he said. In Turner’s free time he is always working and creating art. His favorite mediums are painting and tattooing. After receiving $20 from a senior who used his design as a tattoo design young Turner realized “Why just design why not learn to tattoo?” he said. That moment influenced the rest of Turner’s high school experience. He had his mind set on becoming a tattoo artist. His first tattooing experience was on his older sister during Christmas Break. In total, Turner has over 45 tattoos. Both of his legs, knees, and his left arm were tattooed by himself. His favorite art pieces are anything by Basquiat. He found the rebellious and interesting artist to have a good approach ahead of his time. “Wealth is health,” said Turner. By Stacy Collindres
Daniel Kearns Riverside English Teacher Daniel Kearns is very excited to start his first year at Riverside. Kearns teaches English II second and third period and English IV Honors fourth period. His favorite part of teaching is working with students. He enjoys speaking and listening together with them, especially his seniors. “They are my fourth period and I am just able to have collective conversations,” Kearns said, “The maturity level is where it needs to be.” students love his class. “I really enjoy the in-class discussions we have at the beginning of the period.” said Clarissa Woody, a senior in his fourth period. Woody really likes the classroom environment because it is “very calm and welcoming.” Kearns loves seafood, and his favorite things to do, other than read, is dancing and performing. Feeling valued is very important to Kearns. “When people listen to me, [I get] this feeling of being heard and that I have a voice in something,” he said. I feel like I have a lot to offer” Kearns said, “If I was famous I could be in the spotlight to where I could share those ideas and concepts.”
"I feel like I have a lot to offer." Daniel Kearns, English teacher
Andrew Lyons Andrew Lyons first began college in the University of South Carolina, and then transferred to Duke University. Lyons then enrolled in a student teaching program and started as a student teacher for Tim Brown, the former physical science teacher at Riverside. Brown moved to Africa this year to continue teaching overseas, and Lyons has taken over his position as a physics and physical science teacher at Riverside. Lyons enjoys teaching because he can not only be social with students but also relate to them. Lyons understands a students hardships and believes he can relate to them well. “I know what it’s like to be a student for basically all of my life so whenever I teach I tend to keep that in the back of my mind.” By Javier Morales
By Justyn Ramseur
Bigger screens, bigger prices The 2018 iPhone lineup has a bigger screen, but will take the booty out of your pockets. By Justyn Ramseur Get ready to upgrade, Pirates. Apple has released its new generation of iPhones and a new Apple Watch:the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and the Apple Watch Series 4. Coming in at a whopping base price of $1099, the iPhone XS Max has the biggest display on an iPhone ever. The XS Max has a 6.5 inch super retina OLED display, and when paired with the 512GB that’s a grand total of $1449. Compared to the original iPhone, which was $499 for the 4GB and $599 for the 8GB version, buyers are definitely getting a lot more for their money. Despite the improved performance and value, Riverside students are not planning to purchase the new releases. Of the 71 people who voted on a recent Instagram poll, only
ten people voted yes to getting one of the three new iPhones. "Y'all want me to pay a mortgage for my phone? I think not," said Riverside senior Janisha Hughes. Apple has had a breakthrough in the photography department, both compared to other phone brands and their previous models. The iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS both have an outstanding 12 megapixel dual-camera system and the iPhone XR has an impressive 12 megapixel single camera system. This is a big improvement from 8 megapixel single camera system on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Along with smart high dynamic range, shaper action shots, more lowlight detalis, and 4K video, all the new iPhone models also have a new feature called depth control. Depth control allows users to
"Y'all want me to pay a mortgage for my phone? I think not." Janisha Hughes, senior
change to depth of field after taking the picture, which has never been done on a smartphone before. Consumers planning to go swimming with their brand new iPhone are in luck. The iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS both can survive two meters under water for thirty minutes, and the iP• PHOTO COURTESY OF TYLER LASTOVICH hone XR it can survive one meter under water The new iPhones were unvieled this fall. They have several new for thirty minutes. features. All of the new phones have a more powerful Along with the iPhones, the Apple Watch A12 bionic chip, which improves performance Series 4 features an all-new design. With the speeds. With an all new liquid retina display, largest display on an Apple Watch, it also has the iPhone XR is the cheapest of the new new electrical heart sensor, a re-engineered iPhone with a price tag of $749. The iPhone Digital Crown, haptic feedback (a light viXR has the second largest display on any bration on the wrist) and fall detection, which iPhone ever with a 6.1 HD display. The XR will alert authorities if its owner remains unalso comes in six new colors: white, black, responsive for one minute. The Apple Watch Series 4 retails at $399. red, blue, yellow, and coral.
time it broke, the maintenance workers were off duty and, after they fixed the lock, they took the only key with them and had to send someone else to take it back to Davidson later. According to Davidson, there are thousands of dollars worth of equipment in that one room. The Pirates’ Hook reached out to several members of the DPS maintenance department by email and phone but did not receive
dijo Tina Cole, que trabaja en la oficina principal. "Pero más adelante creo que será algo cont. from pg.1grandioso para la seguridad". two days to respond to her requests, and the La subdirectora Ashley Stephens dijo que requests get added to a dashboard where they espera que el puente haga que los estudiantes are ranked by order of importance. sean más responsables de asistir a sus clases These rankings are controlled by DPS, and y no faltar. Los estudiantes ya no podrán usar Carr has little say in the matter. If a teacher’s la entrada principal para salir del campus. request is not considered important, such as a "Si los estudiantes intentan salir del campus, missing floor tile, it may take years to be fixed. sería más difícil para ellos", dijo Stephens. "No DPS maintenance prioritizes safety hazards. es bueno que falten a sus clases". Those would include a hallway flooding or a Muchos maestros están entusiasmados con ceiling falling down. cont. from pg. 1el proyecto. Carr wishes DPS felt more urgency when de gran actualización de seguridad para el "El puente será un gran cambio para la addressing these requests. personal y los estudiantes", dijo elsubdirector, escuela y el personal", dijo la maestra de “DPS doesn’t Craig Carlson. estudios sociales Janet Heape. understand the CE Jordan High day to day life School pronto comin schools,” she pletará un proyecto cont. from pg 1said, “I wish their similar alrededor de bienvenidos y se ofrecen rosquillas. follow-up and folsu entrada principal. El Club Republicano fue low-through were Se supone que el fundado por Ray Palma better.” puente de Riverside Years earlier, estará terminado muy en abril de 2017. El club Davidson asked pronto como en oc- fue creado para darle maintenance to retubre o noviembre. La una voz a los estudiantes place a few of the subdirectora Kadeidra conservadores dentro de ceiling tiles in his Carr dijo que últi- su comunidad. Muchos de old room, because mamente ha sido un los miembros piensan que se les juzga por expresar there were visible proceso muy lento. water stains on "El puente tendrá sus opiniones. "No somos las personas them. It took over una cubierta superior malas que todos ven en la six years to get muy agradable y pastelevisión". them replaced. amanos en el lado del El año pasado, Durham “Problems arpuente por razones GOP donó $500 para en’t problems unde seguridad y una apoyar al club. El Club til they’re crises,” puerta de vidrio como • PHOTO COURTESY OF ADAM DAVIDSON Republicano está abierto said Davidson. entrada", dijo Cowan. Davidson's key got stuck in his door. Building a cualquier persona. Additionally, the Algunos estudiantes issues like this one require DPS to send Si tienes una mente ablock on the back piensan que el puente someone to complete repairs. ierta, unite a la Alianza door in Davidson’s interrumpirá la escuela Queer-Straight: room has broken twice in three weeks. The al principio. "El puente es una distracción en Cuando se abrió la Alianfirst time he requested the lock to be fixed, it este momento porque parece genial y todos za Queer Straight (QSA) de took maintenance 2 days to fix it. The second los niños se enfocan en entrar al edificio",
DPS work orders
Puente
Guia de Club
Riverside, fue la primera de su tipo en todas las Escuelas Públicas de Durham. El club está trabajando para crear un espacio seguro para los estudiantes LGBTQ +. La presidenta Joala Downey dice que el club es un "espacio donde serás amado". Downey también cree que es importante entender cómo piensan las personas independientemente del género y la orientación sexual. En el pasado, QSA ha participado en el desfile del orgullo de Durham y ha organizado un espectáculo de Drag. Los miembros del club están deseando organizar otro Drag Show este año. QSA se reúne todos los martes de 4 a 5 pm en la aula 102. Está abierto a CUALQUIER persona. • GRAPHIC BY EVAN HEXTER
6
Gancho de los Piratask
Students celebrate Hispanic heritage Betancur, Victorio and Piedrasanta practice thier cultures in a variety of ways
• PHOTO BY JAVIER MORALES
• PHOTO COURTESY OF FELIPE BETANCUR
Yullisa Victorio has embraced both Mexican and American cultures.
Felipe Banticur and his family riding in a truck during a vacation. His family celebrates many cultures.
Felipe Betancur
With parents coming from two different sides of the world, junior Felipe Betancur has experienced Korean, Hispanic, and American cultures but doesn’t choose one over the others. Betancur’s mother came to America when she was about eight from Korea, and his dad arrived from Columbia when he was about 16. “We really don’t celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” Betancur said, “but my mom is really supportive of the Hispanic culture. She speaks Spanish and Korean, and cooks Hispanic food.” Although Betancur doesn’t celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, he does have strong feelings towards Hispanic culture. “I feel good that I am a part of both and that I can experience both cultures. I feel like people underestimate Hispanics. They do so much in this country and they bring so much knowledge,” Betancur said.
Yulissa Victorio
With a family tree that begins in Veracruz, Mexico, junior Yulissa Victorio has embraced American culture but hasn’t forgotten her roots. Embracing both cultures does not phase Victorio. it’s more of a naturally occurring thing to her. “I listen to hispanic music and speak Spanish, but American culture is a normal thing to me since I live here.” During Hispanic Heritage Month, as Durham holds Hispanic parades and celebrations, Victoria and her family’s treat it like any other time of year. “Well we really don’t celebrate it,” Victorio said. “We just go on with our daily lives, but on [Mexican] Independence Day we make food, have everyone over and watch a soccer game.” Although Victorio doesn’t celebrate Hispanic Heritage, she uses actor Sofia Vergara and singer Selena Quintanilla as inspiration and tries to promote positive Hispanic images to the public. “We are really friendly and we may have differences but we try our best to come together in the times of need, like politics. When something is wrong in our society we come together and protest as people.”
• PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN PIEDRASANTA
Picture of Kevin Piedrasanta playing guitar in his home. Playing guitar is one way he celibrates his heritage.
With a mom coming from Mexico and a dad coming from Guatemala about 18 years ago, Piedrasanta celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month to the fullest. “I usually throw a carne asada, which is basically a cookout,” Piedrasanta said, “The difference is that at a cookout you eat hamburgers and stuff, but at a carne asada you eat steak.” Piedrasanta doesn’t just celebrate his culture with food and parties. He is a traditional Mexican singer as well. “I actually feel like many people like how I sing and that i am embracing my culture,” Piedrasanta said. “I specifically like mariachi because of the vibe the songs have.” He is also inspired by famous Mexican singer-songwriter Christian Nodal.
SGA welcomes new elected officials By:Jacob Brewer
Class leaders gear up for Spirit Week, homecoming
The Student Government Association (SGA) election results have arrived, and Tenisce Richelieu will be Riverside’s student body president this year. Senior Genesis Thomas is student body vice president. In addition, each class has its own set of elected officials. The senior class will be led by president Kenda Kanyua, vice president “Jelly Bean” McDougald and secretary Mair Famet. The junior class representatives are president
Sherri Nela, vice president Ashley Gonzalez, secretary ShiAsia Williams and treasurer Mimi Haase. The sophomore class representatives include president Rebecca Sanchez, vice president Deborah Ensley, secretary Aerial Bass and treasurer Ethan Smith. The Freshman class president and vice presidents are Lily Brigman and Ella Whithaus, respectively. The secretary is Josiah Neal, and the treasurer is Adam Noor. Ms. Friedlander is very excited for all of you, and is even more
Kevin Piedrasanta
excited to see what you do for this school! In other news, Thomas and Richelle are hosting the Riverside County Fair, which will be held on Friday, October 12th, 4:30 to 6:30 and will have a Homecoming theme. There is also an upcoming tailgate with many fair booths, as well as a mini-food truck rodeo. SGA also plans to have a booth sporting RHS face and make t-shirts. Men’s shirts will have a bold, dark font and loose fit, while while women’s will be curvier with a more athletic fit. The shirts will cost $32-$35.
By Elijah King
October 2018
Sacrificing or cashing in?
Sports
7
Nike's 'Just Do It' campaign created controvery, but spiked sales in the process By Joe Laird Just months before their record-breaking “Just Do It” campaign released, Nike nearly dropped Colin Kaepernick. The risky business decision to keep him under contract appears to have paid off. Billboards and commercials around America were headlined with Colin Kaepernick’s voice narrating, and the statement “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” on September 5th, 2018. The ad campaign has been incredibly successful. Nike was hesitant to use it, though. Kaepernick has been a Nike sponsored athlete since 2012, when he broke out as a star of the San Francisco 49ers and led the team to the 2013 Super Bowl. His career fell off, though, and between 2012 and 2018 lost his starting job in
San Francisco, began a national movement, and has become one of the most hated, and adored, athletes in America. Kaepernick drew heavy criticism from football fans and conservatives in America, and this is why people didn’t understand the move. The movement was led by President Donald Trump, who has made it clear he isn’t fond of Nike’s decision. “I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent. There’s no reason for it,” said the President during an interview with The Daily Caller. However, Nike executives took a risk in order to appeal to their largest clientele: millennials. According to the Washington Post, close to 50% of millenial men identify with the
democratic party, and they are the ones who will buy the majority of their products. Additionally, a poll conducted by The Harris Poll states that 29 percent of men between the ages of 18 and 29 will buy more Nike products. “Nike took a strategic risk to alienate some customers in order to appeal to their core base of 18- to 29-year old males,” said Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema September of 2018. “It was a calculated move to become a more polarizing brand, and it seems to have worked.” Although the majority of Riverside’s students do not fall in this demographic, both males and females identify with the campaigns values. Durham, and Riverside specifically, is a liberal leaning community,
and many students support Nike and Kaepernick. “He’s advocating for something he believes in,” said senior Brian Aimerich. “It’s a different approach, but so be it he hasn’t harmed anybody. It was a business decision and it has helped business.” However, Riverside’s more conservative students disagree with Nike’s decision to use Kaepernick, mostly because they feel his action of kneeling during the National Anthem. Many conservatives feel that it is disrespectful to army veterans, and it certainly shouldn’t be praised. “This flag is something that men have fought for,” said senior Sam Tucker. “Nike knew there was a controversy around [the ad] yet they continued to promote it.”
• GRAPHIC BY ALLAN LEON
New athletic director brings changes
Athlete of the Month Jordan Landis shatters RHS cross country records
PE teacher and former coach Robert Duncan wants athletics to affect everyone at Riverside
By Kaitlyn Busch If you come to Riverside every day, you’ve noticed the fresh mulch under the trees and the new advertisements hanging around the football field. Maybe you follow the Riverside Athletics Instagram page. You might even be the new owner of an athletic badge that gets you in free to games if you play a fall sport. However, you might not know the person behind all these changes: Robert Duncan, Riverside’s new Athletic Director. Duncan replaced Margratha Chambers when Chambers retired last spring. Duncan has worked at Riverside for 11 years and has taught health and PE, coached football and track and field and served as Riverside’s Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. Duncan is from Winston Salem, North Carolina. He played football, baseball, and ran track at Parkland High School. He graduated thirty-second in his class, and the school retired his his football jersey It was his head football coach and mentor, D’Angelo Bell, who inspired him to go into the field of physical education. “Athletics touch lots of people,” Duncan said. He recently graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Master’s in Athletic Administration and Coaching. As Athletic Director, his responsibilities include organizing all athletic competitions, concessions, buses and transportation, field management, and providing NCAA academic information. “The job is humongous. He has the energy and the passion,” said athletic trainer Sarah
Bell, who recounted that Duncan personally went to local businesses asking for sponsorships. Riverside’s athletic department is only allotted $14,000 by the county, and Duncan knew it would not satisfy the school’s needs. According to Bell, Duncan’s goal as Athletic Director is to make younger students want to be Riverside athletes. She said he will do this by looking at what already exists and making it new and functional. “Nothing was wrong with it before hand, but when you’re new to something, you want to leave your mark on it,” he said. Although Duncan made several quick and apparent changes, he has many more plans for the future. He mentioned creating an athletic honors society, giving awards to athletes who also excel in the classroom, and creating a hall of fame to recognize former Riverside athletes. Duncan called his wife, Riverside dance teacher Kristin Taylor, monumental in the transition into his new role. He also said he feels supported by everyone at Riverside, including students, parents, and the coaching staff, who he said have been very open to criticism and improvement, which makes his job easier. “He is digging [the athletic department] out of a giant hole,” said Bell. Bell noted important changes such as Duncan’s commitment to cutting the grass on the fields, purchasing banners to hang on the light poles, and getting Riverside a Nike sponsorship. His communication with the coaching staff has been key, making sure that teams have what they need to succeed, including supplies and clinics.
Athletics touch lots of people. Robert Duncan, athletic director
nior en la secundaria nunca se comprometido a otra cosa que no sea correr. Landis á dejado a 30 segundos de su tiempo Junior Jordan Landis has never been more en el 5K desde inicio su tercer año, establecicommitted to anything in her life than running. endo un nuevo record personal de 19:06. Con Landis has dropped 30 seconds from her el apoyo de sus amigos y entrenadores, ella time in the 5K since starting her Junior year, esta decidida a terminar los 5K en 18:45 este setting a new personal record of 19:06. With fin de esta temporada de cross country. the support of her friends and coaches, she is Landis atribuye su exito a la consistencia determined to finish the 5K in 18:45 this by y el equilibrio, aunque the end of this cross dice que todo se reduce country season. al trabajo duro. Landis attributes “Tienes que mantener her success to conel equilibrio, entre el sistency and baltrabajo escolar y cross ance, although she country” dijo “A veces es says it all comes una mezcla.” down to hard work. En dia’s de distancia, “You have to Landis corre 8-12 milbalance between las. El entrenador Shaun school work and Thompson la describe cross country,” she como altamente motivada said. “Sometimes • PHOTO BY FABIAN HERNANDEZ y impulsada. it’s a mix.” “Cuando jordan decide On distance days, que quiere hacer algo, se compromete a haLandis runs 8-12 miles. Coach Shaun Thompcerlo”,describió’ la assistente entrenadora son describes her as highly motivated and Hana Baskin. driven. “Ella nos ama y se preocupa por todos “When Jordan decides she wants to do nosotros, Sin importar que tan bueno o malos something, she commits to it and is very deseamos, dijo su compañera de equipo Marina termined to do it,” described assistant cross Figueroa. country coach Hana Baskin. La estudiante de segundo año en la secund“She loves and cares about all of us, no aria Jahna Davis dice que Landis Inspira a matter how good or bad we are,” said teammate todo el equipo a hacerlo mejor. Mariana Figueroa. Sophomore Jahna Davis says Landis inspires the entire team to do better. Landis has already competed in the USA Track and Field (USATF) edition of the 2018 Junior Olympics. This year, she hopes to qualify for USATF Nationals again and place in the top 10 in her age group. Jordan Landis es una JuBy Javier Morales
Soccer Current record: 6-6 Up coming games: 10/10 vs. Pather Creek 10/11 @ Southerm Alamance 10/15 @ Jordan
"The way we are playing right now according to the last two games we hope to be able to win two or more games " -Coach Eric Long
Football 3-2 10/12 vs. Jordan (Homecoming) 10/19 vs Green Hope
" I love my team. We have great communication and great team work" -Jatavian Hart
Volleyball
Cross Country 10/10 vs. Cary Academy (Senior night) 10/15 Conference Meet All DPS schools raced at City county meet last week
Field Hockey 1-7 Tennis State PLayoffs 10/17 - 10/27
• GRAPHIC BY FABIAN HERNANDEZ
10/11 @ East Chapel Hill 10/15 vs Jordan (Senior night) "We have scored 7 goals which is more than we ever scored before, at least in the pass 15 years " Shelby Ung
• PHOTOS BY BRIAN AIMERICH
V 2-14 10/11 vs Cary 10/11 (Senior night) 10/16 @ Athens Drive
" I feel as if we do a good job with communicating and hstling on the court ive bonded really well with my teammates"Ny'Asia Green
8
Pirates' Hookok
Life on a rescue team
• PHOTO COURTESY OF KIRSTEN STEELE
While people drove away from Hurricane Florence, Kirsten Steele drove into it
ing for wilderness searches. Steele said she enjoys working and training with her team. Risking your life for others is something “It’s just fun,” she said. “You have a lot of not many people do, especially if you receive people from many different backgrounds doing nothing in return. But that’s exactly what a lot of different things.” English teacher Kirsten Steele does when she Her team also goes to Guatemala every isn’t working at Riverside. couple of years to help train local firefighters. Steele is also a volunteer on the Rescue On a trip five years ago, Steele Extrication Delivery did something she never Specialists (REDS) thought she would - jump out team, which she of a helicopter. Her team was joined in June 2012. training firefighters how to On the team, repel out of a helicopter and Steele’s job is to she needed to do a demonthink of many stratstration. egies to attack a “It was actually my first specific problem. time repelling out of a heliShe’s trained to copter,” she said. “It was a rescue people from Vietnam War helicopter, so confined spaces, it was really fun,” she said. swift-moving waSteele believes that the ter, and from the best part of her rescue job top of buildings. is the people that she works She also searches with. They are all like a famfor missing persons ily and get along well. and evidence and is “The best part of the job a certified K9 search is just the people you get to assistant. meet and the people you get to work with,” she Most of the calls her team receive require a said. “We’re a family. We’re not all friends, wilderness search, weapon search, or drowning [but] even if we get on each other’s nerves, victim recovery. She has personally worked on we have each other’s backs. It’s one thing to three missing person searches. trust somebody and look out for them, but it’s While she was on a search in Warren County, Steele witnessed the craziest thing she’s ever another thing to know that your life is in your seen. There was a search team of over 40 team members’ hands.” But even with the team’s highs, there are different people lined up in front of a wall of still some lows. straight briars, searching for a missing 60-year“The worst part is probably just the fact old man. To get through, they cut through very that a lot of rescues are ‘hurry up and wait’,” thick, thorny bushes. Steele said. “You may get deployed some“I stepped on two different copperheads, in where and then a span of about you sit waiting for two feet, which hours and hours, was not fun,” or even days, for she said. your assignment.” The team This recently trains every happened to her month in a variteam during Hurety of ways. For ricane Florence. example, the last Emergency manthree months agement was preinvolved swift paring for a bigger water rescues, storm. They were mainly in prepadealing with too • PHOTO COURTESY OF KIRSTEN STEELE ration for Hurrimany resources cane Florence. Steele (center) poses with Guatemalan children. and they were told I n O c t o b e r, Steele's rescue team visited Guatemala this summer different things she’ll be train- to train local firefighters. By Brisa Rabadan
"The best part of the job is just the people you get to meet and work with." English teacher Kirsten Steele,
English teacher Kirsten Steele's rescue team performs a swift water training exercise. Steele spent time in Wake County and the mountains providing support during Hurricane Florence. from meteorologists, which caused confusion. Steele’s connection to REDS goes way back. Her father was a volunteer firefighter for about 25 years, and he joined the REDS team before she was even born, which inspired her to become a certified Rescue Technician (TR) and also join. “I grew up pretty much on the team,” she said. “A lot of the older guys on the team are like family to me, so I grew up with that example and it made me want to be a part of it.” To join, Steele had to fill out an application, and pass background check. She was on probationary status for the first three months and attended multiple training sessions. It took her five years to become a certified because she was doing the training sessions while she was a full-time college student. But if someone take a class a month, Steele said, they could finish in a year. Most people
take two years. Steele believes that REDS doesn’t get enough publicity. Many people are not aware of what it is and they’re trying to increase visibility. Most team members are older, and she thinks recruiting young people to the team would be helpful. “I think that we have a really good group of people that’s got a really good set of skills,” she said. “Students interested in joining a rescue team or a fire department can check out Junior Fire programs in the Durham district. If students are interested in joining a team they can attend trainings, but will not be able to join or do some of the hands-on work until they are 18. For REDS specifically, they can check out redsteam.com. South Orange Rescue Squad (SORS) is also an option in Chapel Hill.”
Riverside Club Menu
Do you want to get involved in Riverside activities? Here's a club guide so you know the best ways to get involved. By Stacy Colindres
Cultured? Join Destino Success Destino Success started over 10 years ago with Spanish teacher Fernando Campos. Campos believed Latino students weren’t getting the support they needed and that was represented in the Latino dropout rates at that time. So he created Destino Success to support students and help the community. Five years ago current advisor Ellen Holmes took over as advisor. Today, Destino Success has over 15 active members with the club being run mostly by students. They actively work with Duke University and organizations like Alerta Migratoria, visit cancer patients at a Caring House and organize soccer tournaments. Every year one or two seniors receive a scholarship. “It’s a very big, different family,” said president Odalys Sanchez. “Everyone comes from a different background has different stories they know different things.” Senior Gabriela Angel also describes the atmosphere as super nice and helpful. Destino Success meets every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm in Ms Holmes room and is open to everyone.
Are you “woke?”Join Black Student Union
Black Student Union started in 2017. The club promotes social and intellectual inclusiveness and hosts seminar circles to discuss issues in the black community. In the past the club has organized SAT and ACT prep and a Black History Ceremony. BSU is open to anyone, regardless of race.
The club meets Thursdays from
Love politics? Join the Young Democrats or Young Republicans of Riverside Democrat Club started the second semester of 2017. It meets every week to discuss different topics from a Democratic viewpoint. Topics range from police brutality and race to education. “Everyone is pretty open and willing to share how they believe” says president Marco Hovey. It’s important for them to educate the next generation able to vote. Democrat Club meets every Wednesday morning at 8:15 am in room 219. Everyone is welcome and donuts are provided. Republican Club was founded by Ray Palma in April of 2017. The club was created to give conservative students a voice within their community. A lot of the members think they’re judged and looked upon for voicing their opinions. “We’re not the bad people that everyone sees on tv.” Last year, Durham GOP donated $500 to support the club. Republican Club welcomes anyone.
Open minded? Join QSA When Riverside’s Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) first opened it was the first of its kind in all of Durham
Feeling motivated? Join Student Government Association: Student Government Association (SGA) is responsible for connecting Riverside through school spirit. “A lot of people complain about how Riverside is lame,” says President Tenisce Rischelieu. “SGA does a great thing of keeping us together.” Annually SGA organizes Homecoming. In the past it has also organized a Color Run, food drives, and valentines. The club has approximately 40 active members at the moment and meets every Tuesday from 4 pm to 5 pm in room 117.
Other Clubs
Public Schools. The club is working to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ students. President Joala Downey says the club is a “space where you’ll be loved regardless.” Downey also thinks it’s important to understand the way people think regardless of gender and sexual orientation. In the past, QSA has participated in Durham’s Pride Parade and organized a Drag Show. Club members are looking forward to organizing another Drag Show this year. QSA meets every Tuesday from 4-5pm in room 102.
Environment Club Badminton Club Literary Magazine Science Olympiad Activism Club Battle of the Books (BOB) Drama Club The Pirate’s Hook Tri-M Music Honor Society FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) National Honor Society Bulls City Botics
RHS Dance Company RHS Majorette Team B.O.S.S Club (Building our self esteem and strength) Makeup Club Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy National Technical Honor Society Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Club FIDM Fashion Club Ultimate Frisbee Junior Classical League