October 2019

SUN- THURS:

11AM- 9PM FRI-SAT:

11AM- 10PM

Activists worldwide call for action on climate change p. 5

Voted best barbecue in Durham by Indy Week!

In this issue: • Is SMART Lunch working? p. 4 • Vaping: The new epidemic p. 6 • Impeachm ent, explained p. 9

• GRAPHIC BY DESMON LYNN

Founded in 1991

Vol. XXIV Issue II

October 2019 http://thepirateshook.com

2

Editorials

Pirates' Hookok

The Hook's evolution

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

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

www.riverside.dpsnc.net THEPIRATESHOOK.com @THEPIRATESHOOK

•E ditors:Ta i Gordon, El ija h K i ng • Ma nagi ng E ditor: Javier Mora les • Photo E ditor: Fabia n Her na ndez •St a ff:Kat h r i ne Apa r icio -Pereyra, Jul ia na Casti l lo Mayorga, jul ien Cox, Maya Dul l i-Ray, Eva F lowe, Ash ley gon za lez, Ja rek Ha r r is, Xavier Ha r r is, Isa ac Ha r r ison, Braeden H i l l ia rd, Jacob H i ndma n, A lex Kapla n, Desmon Lyn n, A nd rew Ma rley, Fa nsico Mora les Dua r te, T homas Passon, Ja nel Per r y, Xavier Taylor, Cr istela Va rgasDelgado, El izabet h Wi l l ia ms, Kayleigh Wi lson

3218 Rose of Sharon Rd. Durham, NC 22712

OPINION

The journalism industry is changing, and so is The Pirates’ Hook.

In the past, we’ve published our stories in our print editions and delivered 2,000 copies - one for every student - to classrooms. After that, we cross-posted our content on our website - thepirateshook.com.

This fall, we are publishing our stories online, sharing them on social media (@thepirateshook) and publishing some of the content in 1,000 copies later. We'll deliver sets of 10 to classrooms and place the rest in newsstands built by William Holley and his theater tech students around the school that students can pick up anytime.

We decided to change our model for many reasons. Nowadays people, and kids especially, do not read the news in print they use the internet and social media to get their information. Businesses are now more interested in buying ads for our website. Printing fewer copies is more cost-effective for the newspaper program as well.

Our changes align the newspaper program with the professional journalism industry. It is our hope that a stronger digital presence and more places to pick up a print copy, will keep The Pirates’ Hook to inform and entertain Riverside more effectively than ever before.

Let the kids lead

From the civil rights movement of the 1960s to the 2019 climate strikes, youth have been at the forefront of numerous social movements.

Last year, survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, such as students David Hogg and Emma Gonzalez, brought attention to the issues of gun violence and gun control. They gave speeches, pled with politicians, and took social media by storm. Roughly 200,000 people protested in Washington DC, and more in other parts of the United States, bringing widespread attention to issues they found important.

Now, young activists like Greta Thunberg and Autumn Peltier inspired students all over the United States and the world to skip school to protest government inaction in the fight against climate change.

Climate change is an issue that will continue to impact children, even once the current adult population is gone. Young people will face the consequences of their parents’ and grandparents’ inaction and environmental destruction first hand. We only get one shot at fixing this.

From the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965, to the college students who protested tyrannical government in Tiananmen Square in China in 1989, to the modern media driven activism of today, as young people grow more and more uncomfortable with government inaction on topics greatly impacting their lives, it is important to remember: we’ve made a big difference before, and probably will again.

Dejen que los niños lideren

Desde el activismo por los derechos civiles de la década de 1960 hasta las huelgas climáticas de 2019, los jóvenes han estado a la vanguardia de numerosos movimientos sociales.

En el año pasado, los sobrevivientes del Marjory Stoneman Douglas tiroteo, como David Hogg y Emma Gonzalez, comenzaron a llamar la atención sobre los problemas de la violencia armada y el control de armas. Ellos dieron discursos, se apoderaron de los políticos y tomaron las redes sociales por sorpresa. Aproximadamente 200,000 personas protestaron en Washington D.C., y más en otras partes de los Estados Unidos, prestando atención generalizada a los temas que ellos encontraron importantes.

Ahora, Greta Thunberg y Autumn Peltier inspiren estudiantes de todo Estados Unidos y de todo el mundo se saltaron de la escuela para protestar contra la inacción del gobierno en la lucha contra el cambio climático.

El cambio climático es un problema que seguirá afectando a los niños, incluso una vez que la población adulta actual se haya ido.

Los jóvenes enfrentarán de primera mano las consecuencias de la inacción y la destrucción ambiental de sus padres y abuelos. Sólo tenemos una oportunidad de arreglar esto.

De la marcha de Selma a Montgomery en 1965, a los jóvenes que protestan por el gobierno tiránico en la plaza Tiananmen en China en el 1989, al activismo moderno impulsado por los medios de comunicación de adia, a medida que los jóvenes se vuelven cada vez más incómodos con la inacción del gobierno sobre temas que afectan enormemente sus vidas, es importante recordar: han hecho una gran diferencia antes, y probablemente lo harán de nuevo.

Amazon fires expose dangers of social media activism

By Tai Gordon As the summer came to a close, fires in the Amazon rainforest sparked an international outrage.

Satellite images seemed to report that the forest, one of the world’s most important sources of biodiversity and carbon sequestration, was being burned at an unprecedented rate, as part of Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro’s efforts to speed up industrialization in the country.

While Brazil’s media was slow to report on the fires, news of the fires exploded internationally on the internet overnight. Countless social media users, celebrities, and even politicians posted alarming photos of the fires with an urgent call to boycott Brazil and save the rainforest.

However, most of these photos were fake or misleading. As the New York Times and Forbes reported, everyone from Cristiano Ronaldo to the president of France were posting stock photos or images that were not from the actual rainforest fires. Many of the most shared posts also contain inaccurate and sensational captions.

The same trending photos, hashtags, and captions were reposted thousands of times, especially among young people. Nearly every member of The

Pirates' Hook staff heard about the Amazon fires through their friends reposting on social media.

Critics may be quick to dismiss social media as a tool for change, especially due to its tendency to spread misinformation. The nature of the platform encourages easily-consumed, pretty, sensational content. Although it gives the masses, especially young people, a chance to express their views on issues they care about, it will continue to be dismissed as alarmist and inaccurate unless people become more mindful about the content they share.

Links to charity organizations, instructions on how to contact local representatives, and accurate information are all examples of strategies social media activists can use to become credible forces of change. Earlier in the summer, social media was used effectively to spread important information regarding ICE raids around the country and how to both stay safe and advocate for change. On the other hand, the #SaveTheTurtles movement created social taboo around plastic straws, but missed its mark in addressing the bigger issue of climate change. Hopefully, a shift in strategy will lead to social media being recognized as a credible platform for activism.

Letters to the editor

Counselors still accept walk-ins

body? For example, foods that are orange, red, or green, such as carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, etc., give us vitamin A that help us keep our vision healthy.

Here are some tips for your day at school: 1. Don’t start school without having breakfast.

ALWAYS EAT SOMETHING if you are running late, quick snacks can be a banana, an apple, toast with peanut butter, cereal in a baggie or a granola bar.

2. Drink lots of water! Being properly hydrated helps your body function at its best. Dehydration - not having enough fluid in your body - can cause headaches, fatigue, crankiness and poor concentraNotes from the nurse School meals contribute substantially to our tion. It also affects your sports performance.

Enjoy every day at school. Become a lifelong overall energy and nutritional intake. When we are in school, we usually walk, think, talk and laugh a learner, but also don’t forget to give your body fuel.

- Cheryl Parsons, RHS school nurse lot so we deplete our energy reserves.

Food is our body's fuel! Did you know that each food group provides us with different nutrients necessary for the growth and development of our In the September Pirates’Hook editorial, “Change is (mostly) good,” you wrote that “Counselors no longer accept walk-in appointments in the office.

Please allow me to clarify.

Counselors are OFTEN meeting with students in crisis or with immediate need of support. Those unanticipated students are ‘walk-in’ counseling sessions requiring urgent, direct service delivery.

- Cathy Sebring, guidance counselor

Cont. on p. 3

October 2019

If it ain't broke, don't break it

By Dean Hunter The Electoral College is a cornerstone of our republic and an important part of what makes American democracy work. Repealing it would be a slap in the face to what this nation is: a Union of States. James Madison said it best: “The purpose of the Constitution is to restrict the majority’s ability to harm the minority.” The College does this by giving the states the power to elect the President, not the people directly.

On paper that sounds anti-democratic, but the reality is much more nuanced. Without the Electoral College, the votes of New York City alone would drown out the votes of over ten less populated states. America is not designed to act as a united state, it is designed to act as a union of states. If the Electoral College was discarded, entire regions of the country could be ignored in favor of population centers.

It isn’t just rural areas at threat of being ignored, either. Urban poor would be ignored entirely by politicians without the Electoral College, as they are disproportionately more likely to vote Democrat. Without the Electoral College, independent voters would be the only important voter bloc, as they are the only group that consistently flips to either party.

Anyone considered unlikely to “flip” to the other party would be completely ignored. This strategy doesn’t work with the Electoral College, as you need to win over 50 percent of total electoral college votes, not just get a bigger number than the opposition.

The Electoral College is also a fantastic system because it makes voter fraud less of an option. Under the Electoral College, a politician

Letters to the Editor Cont. from p. 2

Gun violence is out of control Last month, while going to Pelican's Snowballs, nine-year Z’Yon Person, his aunt, and other relatives were in a car. As the family was driving, bullets flew through the windows. This driveby shooting ended Z’Yon’s life and injured his eight-year old cousin. The people of Durham were not ready for this shocking news.

To me, the most shocking part of this is that barely any actions have been made.

Although the culprits were arrested, it took weeks when it could have been resolved in days.

Katie, a close family friend, was in her father's barber shop when two men shot inside the shop. Katie, who is only four years old wasn’t hit, but this shows that no matter how old you are, you can’t

3 Put an end to an unneccessary system

Face Off

would have to rig numerous state’s elections in order to win the Presidency. Without the Electoral College, politicians could simply dump a bunch of extra votes wherever and win the election because they “got more votes.” The same applies to any form of electoral corruption, as an aspiring cheater would have to overturn multiple states results in order to win.

Contrary to popular opinion, the Electoral College also incentivizes third parties. Take a look at the 1912 and 1992 Presidential elections. Third parties, such as Ross Perot’s 1992 independent campaign and Theodore Roosevelt’s 1912 Bull Moose Party were genuinely close to winning the Presidency. While they may not have actually won, they forced the two major parties to take a serious look at what that third party group was saying. In a popular vote system, no matter how many votes third parties get, they can be ignored by the status quo and no meaningful change will be enacted.

In 2020 there appears to be a real chance that the winning candidate will fall short of the popular vote for the second election in a row. While this sounds scary on paper, it’s really not that big of a deal, because the winner will have to cross the magic number of 270 electoral votes to win the Presidency. In order to win that crucial electoral college vote, the winning candidate will have to appeal to ALL sections of the country, not just one group.

avoid gun violence in 2019.

Last April a teen and two friends broke into a man's house. One of them was shot and killed. The man who shot the teen wasn't charged, as this was an act of self defense. Too many children mistakenly get involve themselves in gun violence and some don't know what they're doing and die from it until it’s too late.

When I was in the fifth grade, a song called Transmission, by Zedd came out. I will always remember this song because of two lyrics “Never too young to die” are especially true this year. Why do situations like this happen? Babies are being killed to gun violence. This is a worldwide problem which parents shouldn’t think of their newborns being killed due to gun violence, children should be able to live their lives but gun violence is making this unattainable for many kids.

Gun violence happens everywhere, but it has become an increasingly large issue in Durham this year. As the weeks

By Julien Cox

Should the electoral college exist? go on more deaths happen, which scares me because of thoughts like “What if I'm next?” “What if my family is targeted?”

No one should feel this way, but some have no choice but to be scared. But there is one simple solution to this, according to Durham County Commissioner Wendy Jacobs. Jacobs has pushed to treat the youth who have been traumatized in gangs by offering mentorship programs to those affected by this issue, according to a Sept. 3 IndyWeek article.

To stop gun violence in Durham, people in our community can write letters to Durham law enforcement, as well as City and County officials. By speaking out on issues like this, our voices can go from the city and gradually work up to the national stage. We have to take action because if we don’t this issue could become too large eventually uncontrollable. This problem is not good for the world. We have to end it.

- Tyler McLean, freshman

individuals who voted for Clinton.

Many critics try to argue the point that presidents voted in through direct democracy could be harmful to the minority who didn’t vote for them, but only five presidents have ever been elected without winning the popular vote. Most recently was Trump, but another example would be George W. Bush in 2000. Critics forget that even with the Electoral College, most presidents would end up winning the popular vote, which shows how useless the Electoral College really is.

With the 2020 election coming up, America should get rid of the Electoral College and move to a direct voting system. The Electoral College is an election process where the view of the majority is not expressed, which is not democratic. It has become ineffective and damaging to American democracy and needs to be repealed to help the U.S. move forward as a country.

The Electoral College is a terrible and invalid system that gives unnecessary power to states with smaller populations. The view of the people should be expressed directly, rather than through electors who do not express the view of the United States population as a whole, only the majority of people in a certain area.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the Electoral College is “a body of people representing the states of the U.S., who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.” Each state must designate a certain number of electors in proportion to their states' population plus two representatives for the senators. These electors must in turn cast their vote once the results of the popular vote are collected for each state. But if the United States government is supposed to be for the people, by the people, then why does it still use a system that clearly does not support the people’s opinions?

For instance, in 2016, Donald Trump campaigned against Hillary Clinton as one of the most controversial candidates since Ronald Reagan.

He won the presidential election with three hundred and six votes electoral votes over Clinton’s two hundred and thirty two. While Trump did win the Electoral College, Hillary Clinton was by far a more popular candidate and she won the popular vote by about three million votes, according to CNN. This means that the United States of America elected a president that a majority of the population did not want in office. This kind of voting system clearly undermines the efforts of the • GRAPHIC BY JULIEN COX

4

Is SMART Lunch working?

By: Xavier Taylor

Pirates' Hookok

Fewer write-ups, low tutoring attendance leave opinions mixed

Eight weeks into the school year, everybody has an opinion about SMART lunch.

Created to help Riverside students academically; some have utilized tutoring, others have used this time for socializing.

English teacher Chris Meglin thinks it’s a pleasant surprise.

“At first [I was] not happy about it, but now I think it’s an excellent idea.” he said.

Science teacher Jeffrey Harris thinks that inside the school will be crowded as the weather gets colder.

“I think we’re going to see more kids packed inside. It’ll be interesting to see what the kids do.” Harris said.

Kids are clearly moving about campus, but most aren’t using the extra time and freedom for academic support. A Pirate’s Hook Instagram and Twitter poll conducted in late September found that roughly 12 percent of RHS students attend tutoring during lunch.

On the other hand, 59.5 percent of students said they spend their time socializing and leaving campus during the lunch period. “[Students] don’t want to waste their time during lunch to do work,” said sophomore Kaire Ryland.

Many students believe there are more fights this year during SMART lunch.

“We have freshmans [acting up],” said senior

Keilani Scanian.“It’s what people want to happen,” freshmen Kiontae Martin said.

However, the data suggests things haven’t changed much from one year ago.

“In September 2018, we had eight physical altercations, and in September 2019 we had 10,” Principal Tonya Williams wrote in an email to The Pirates’ Hook.

“Fighting is at about the same rate as without SMART lunch,” assistant principal Craig Carlson wrote in an email to The Pirates” Hook. “We may have better data at the end of the semester to make a more meaningful comparison.”

Only four percent of the students who responded to The Pirates’ Hook poll indicated they are involved in fights.

In some ways, student behavior has actually improved. The number of administrative referrals, or “write ups,” decreased significantly.

“Overall, referrals went from 317 in September 2018 to 254 in September 2019,” Williams said. “Skipping referrals also decreased during the same period from 178 to 114.”

Teachers hope the school can make minor adjustments to boost the time students spend on academics and keep the campus safe.

“We need to do something with the students that cause problems," English teacher Mary Foster said. "I don’t want to see everyone get punished because of them.”

“Fighting is at about the same rate as without SMART lunch. We may have better data at the end of the semester to make a more meaningful comparison."

- Tonya Williams, Principal

• GRAPHIC BY XAVIER HARRIS

When fights happen, SROs follow their protocols

By: Elizabeth Williams

it in their pocket and continue to break it up.

“Based on the weapons, [it] depends if I need to leave the area or not,” Fields said. “If it’s a firearm I will take it.”

After a fight, Mills and Fields will go over the security cameras and file a report on who was included and what happened. If one of the students is injured badly they’ll call an

ambulance.

“An ambulance will be called immediately after the fight is over because EMS will not respond if the fight is still happening,” Fields said.

After a fight involving a weapon the SROs follow the same procedures, except the student will automatically be charged.

As far as the consequences after the fight,

When fights happen at Riverside, Officer Stephen Mills and Corporal Tim Fields frequently help break them up.

Mills and Fields are Riverside’s full-time School Resource Officers (SRO). They are responsible for the campus’ internal and external security. When it comes to fights, their job is to not only break up fights, but also make legal decisions and be a resource for students in need. “[We are always working on] building relationships with the students and staff.” Fields said.

The SROs have a certain procedure that they follow when dealing with fights. When a fight occurs, they’re immediately supposed to go straight to the fight and separate the students that are involved. After they have control of the students, they’ll take them to different rooms for separation, usually one in their office and the other(s) in an administrator’s office. Then they’ll wait until Principal Tonya Williams makes a decision about the consequence the student(s) will receive.

There are also special procedures for less common incidents. When a fight includes more than two people, teachers and other staff often get involved and try to stop it. If a fight includes a weapon of any sort, the main priority, besides separating the students, is obtaining the weapon and getting it away from any students around.

If nobody is around to help with the fight and Michael Jobe (left), Stephen Mills (middle), and Tim Fields (right) on duty. Riverside has two fullit’s just a pocket knife, then the officers can put time SROs and various other law enforcement officers helping out each day.

• PHOTO BY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

Mrs. Williams will decide what will happen.

However, if there are legal issues involving the fight, Mills and Fields automatically take over.

“Consequences are given based on multiple factors including, disruption, to school community, compliance with adult directives after the altercation and previous incidents,” Williams said.

Please

recycle this paper!

k

October 2019

5

The face of the movement Fast facts about Greta Thunberg

By Eva Flowe

On September 20th, millions marched in America and around the world to voice concerns about climate change. And three days later, climate change activist and teen celebrity Greta Thunberg gave another inspired speech to the UN Climate Action Summit and was given the 2019 Right Livelihood Award.

As she called out world leaders for their inaction on the climate crisis, many Americans asked “Who is she?” Here’s what you need to know: •She is a 16 year old Swedish climate activist. In 2018 she left school to protest outside the Riksdag, holding a sign that said “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (School Strike for Climate). She was there every day for three weeks, and attracted international attention.

•She was inspired to hold her original climate strike by the actions of students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the site of a 2018 school shooting that killed 17 people.

•She started a school climate strike movement called Fridays For Future, which has grown to be a worldwide student strike movement, with protests occurring weekly.

•She is a dynamic speaker, giving intense, direct speeches to the UN and the British Parliament. Her blunt messages have struck a chord on social media, where she is an extremely popular figure.

•She has Asperger's syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, and selective mutism, and has spoken out about how she views her Asperger’s syndrome as a superpower, not an illness.

•She was among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2019, and has received many other awards and commendations for her work.

• PHOTO BY ELIJAH KING

Activists march across the state capital's mall in downtown Raleigh. Raleigh was among many cities to host climate change events on September 20.

Youth protests heat up over climate change Students, activists take to Raleigh to demand government response

By Eva Flowe & Alex Kaplan On September 20, DPS and RHS students joined hundreds of activists in Raleigh to strike against political inaction on the issue of climate change.

The strike was a part of a worldwide movement started by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg.

Young people have been on the forefront of climate change activism for the past couple years. While very few Riverside students attended, those who did found the experience meaningful.

“I think [the strikes] definitely drew more attention and that was their main goal,” said Sophomore Hannah Bernhardt.

In the past few months, social

media has seen a wave of posts about climate change activism.

Throughout 2018, many people began supported the “Save the turtles” movement by using metal straws instead of plastic straws. Many restaurants now only give straws upon request.

Around two weeks after the Amazon rainforest caught on fire, it made headlines in the U.S.A. and across the world. A piece of the forest roughly the size of New Jersey was in flames. The lack of government action, both in Brazil and abroad, towards putting out the fires infuriated many people and moved them to use social media to spread the word on climate change.

The Amazon fires and the “Save the turtles” movement may have

“Some say we are waiting for science to prove climate change, but it has already been proven.”

Hannah Bernhardt, sophomore

Greta Thunberg

• PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

shined a spotlight on the issue, but scientists have expressed concerns about human-caused climate change, especially global warming, since the 1980s, and have known about its theoretical occurrence since the 1800s.

According to NASA’s findings, the average surface temperature on Earth has risen 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century.

The five hottest recorded years have occured after 2010. As a result, the rate of Antarctica ice melting has tripled within the last decade.

As a result of the ice melt, global sea levels have risen 8 inches within the past 2 decades.

“Some say we are waiting for science to prove climate change, but

it has already been proven,” said Bernhardt.

“We are decades behind the curve,” said Riverside media center coordinator Kate Mester.

"Environmental protection is not anywhere close to where it needs to be.”

Many young people are concerned about the increasing evidence that climate change is occurring and will hurt people even more in the future.

Those present at the strikes were angry about government and adult inaction.

“I think the main message behind this strike is that we as youth shouldn’t have to do this because this problem should already have been solved,” said Bernhardt.

"Environmental protection is not anywhere close to where it needs to be."

Kate Mester, media center coordinator

6 Pirates' Hookok

Vaping: The New Epidemic

October 2019 7

Unregulated toxins have caused over 1,000 illnesses and 18 confirmed deaths in 2019. Researchers are finding lead, pesticides and myclobutanil in cartridges. Will it scare users away?

BY IKEY HARRISON

Vaping related deaths have become an epidemic across the US. As of October 3, there have been at least 18 confirmed deaths that can be attributed to e-cigarette use. Commonly thought of as a risk-free alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes, a mystery vape illness is now sweeping the nation.

1,080 cases of the illness have been reported in 48 states, with 15 states reporting fatalities.

NC has seen one death attributed to vaping. Three fourths of the patients are male, with 125 of them being under 18 years old.

Almost all cases share one common denominator: unregulated THC oil cartridges. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the mind-altering chemical found in marijuana. These “carts” have been found to contain dangerous cutting agents like vitamin E acetate, a chemical that is potentially deadly when burned and inhaled.

Pesticides are all but guaranteed in counterfeit cartridges. CannaSafe testing company found myclobutanil, a chemical that can transform into hydrogen cyanide when burned, in 10 out of 10 unregulated cartridges that it tested.The same study, commissioned by NBC News, tested legal brands as well and found none of the harmful pesticides and cutting agents in dispensary-bought products.

On its company website, CannaSafe Analytics writes that it prides itself on being “one of the most trusted names in safe cannabis” by allowing companies to lab test its products.

North Carolina has reported 40 illnesses from vaping as of October 3 according to statistics released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Doctors worry the issue will grow even more severe. “‘I’ve never made a report like this, but I think there’s something wrong with these young vapers,” said Kevin Davidson, a critical care pulmonologist at WakeMed in a phone call with the CDC and state health officials.

Davidson helped to write a case report about five vaping-related cases. In this report it mentions the link to THC and the diagnosis of a rare condition called lipoid pneumonia, which occurs when fat particles enter the lungs.

Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the CDC also acknowledge that there will be more vaping-related deaths in the future.

“Sadly, I do believe there will be additional ones,” he/she said. “This is a very serious threat to young people across the country and we don’t want there to be more deaths.”

Because of this, the agency advises people to avoid vape use, particularly those containing THC, until more is understood about the crisis.

Vapers seem to be split as to whether or not the illnesses will affect their usage. One user, who asked to remain anonymous of fear legal ramification, stated that the news scares him.

“I won’t buy cartridges unless I’m in a state where I can legally purchase them and I know the carts I buy are in compliance with government regulations,” he said.

A Riverside student who asked to remain anonymous due to being underage, noted that while cases of vaping illnesses are more common than before, far more people (around 480,000 according to the CDC) die from tobacco cigarette use annually.

“It doesn’t scare me at all,” he said.

“It doesn't scare me at all."

- Anonymous RHS student

• GRAPHIC BY IKEY HARRISON

• GRAPHIC BY DESMON LYNN

8

Pirates' Hookok

Students, faculty celebrate Hispanic heritage

By Juliana Castillo Mayorga From September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage month spotlights the contributions Latinos have made in America.

At Riverside, students in Claribel Andujar’s Spanish classes put up an exhibition in the front lobby. The students completed “investigation projects” of every Spanish speaking country, created pamphlets of information from what products are exported to the well known and famous people originating from their assigned country that were posted on the cutouts that Andujar created herself.

“The Hispanic community is a community that is constantly growing” Ms. Andujar says. “There are many Latinos who have been distinguishing themselves, so it is important to highlight the arduous work of these people.”

Her students also learned how to make traditional paper flowers and decorations seen throughout different Spanish speaking countries and added them to the exhibition.

Dance teacher Kristen Duncan’s students also celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. In an event lasting 3 weeks, for one day every week, Hispanic culture was represented through a series of events. On the first day of the first week that started on October 15, her Latin X students will teach the rest of the class how to dance traditional dances. In years prior, there have been students who have shared with the class how to dance Cumbia

as well as Bachata, which originate in Colombia and the Dominican Republic respectively.

On the second day the following week, powerpoints with pictures of the community they currently live in or from the country they are from are presented giving the rest of the students an idea of where they grew up. Pictures of Quinceaneras are usually a part of their slides. In previous years, Mrs. Duncan shares, a student documented their trip to Mexico to celebrate their grandmother’s 105th birthday. Mrs.

Duncan says, “It was very interesting to see how they were cooking and where they were cooking” giving her and the class a small glimpse into their homes and celebrations.

On the third day following that week, traditional foods are brought in to share with the rest of the class. In previous years, students have brought in tamales, chicken mole, tacos and lots of other dishes. Senior Jessica Flores has Mrs. Duncan, whom isn’t new to Mexican or Venezuelan food having lived in Mexico for 3 years and having been to

Venezuela twice, enjoys the different flavors each dish brings.

To accompany the food, they watch a film. “I’m thinking of playing Coco this year,” she says. Coco, a film based off of a traditional Mexican celebration, El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead would be played wrapping up their 3 week long event.

“How rich every single one of these countries are in culture, traditions, food.” Ms. Andujar says. “This is what is being represented. Their dance, music.”

• PHOTO BY BRAEDEN HILLIARD

This Hispanic heritage mural, created by Ms. Andujar's Spanish classes shows various Spanish speaking countries.

The "investigation projects" reflect the history of individuals and their accomplishments for their countries.

Estudiantes, facultad celebra la herencia hispana

Por Juliana Castillo Mayorga

Del 15 de Septiembre hasta el 15 de Octubre, el mes de la Herencia Hispana se enfocará en las contribuciones que los Latinos han hecho en América.

En Riverside, los estudiantes de las clases de Español de la profesora Claribel Andújar, con la contribución de las demás clases de español, hicieron una exhibición en la entrada principal de la escuela. Los estudiantes completaron un “proyecto de investigación” para cada país hispanohablante en forma de panfletos con información desde que productos son exportados hasta de la gente famosa y conocida que originaron del país. Los panfletos fueron pegadas sobre el montaje que la profesora Andújar hizo ella misma.

“La comunidad Hispana es una comunidad que constantemente está en crecimiento” dice la profesora.

“Muchos Latinos han llegado a destacarse, entonces es muy importante

destacar el trabajo arduo de estas personas.”

Sus estudiantes también aprendieron a crear flores tradicionales hechos de papel que se hacen en muchos países hispanohablantes que fueron puestas en la exhibición.

La profesora de baile Kristin Duncan y sus estudiantes también celebraron el mes de la herencia hispana. Un evento que durará tres semanas, un dia por semana, la cultura hispana es representada en una serie de eventos. En el primer dia de la primera semana que empezó el 15 de Octubre sus estudiantes latinos enseñarán al resto de la clase bailes tradicionales. En los años anteriores, han habido estudiantes que han compartido con los demás como bailar la cumbia y la bachata que han originado de Colombia y de la República Dominicana respectivamente.

En el segundo dia de la semana que sigue, los estudiantes latinos comparten fotos de su comunidad en la que viven

ahorita o del país de donde son, dandole a los demás estudiantes una idea de donde crecieron. Fotos de quinceañeras usualmente son parte de sus historias.

Quinceañeras, una celebración tradicional para muchas familias hispanas donde “una niña se convierte un una mujer joven” dice estudiante de último año Jessica Flores.

Años atrás, cuenta la profesora Duncan, hubo un estudiante que documentó su paseo a México para celebrar el cumpleanos numero 105 de su abuela.

La profesora cuenta, “Fue muy interesante ver cómo cocinaban y donde cocinaban” enseñándole a ella y a los demás estudiantes un poco de su casa y sus celebraciones.

En el tercer dia de la tercera semana, comidas tradicionales son traídas para compartir con el resto de la clase. En años anteriores los estudiantes han traído tamales, mole, tacos y otros platillos.

Lizbeth Polanco, estudiante de último año, recuerda lo que hicieron para

este evento el año pasado, “Bailamos el payaso rodeo”, un baile típicamente hecho durante celebraciones como bodas y quinceañeras.

Flores recuerda haber traído tinga, pollo desmenuzado en salsa de tomate tradicionalmente Mexicano.

La profesora Duncan, quien no es ajena a la comida Mexicana o Venezolana después de haber vivido en México por tres años y a ido a Venezuela dos veces, disfruta los diferentes sabores que cada platillo trae.

Para acompañar la comida, ven una película. “Estoy pensando en poner la película Coco este año” dice la profesora. Coco, que es basada en la celebración Mexicana, Dia de Los Muertos, será puesta marcando el final de tres semanas de eventos.

“Cuán ricos son cada uno de estos países en cultura, en tradiciones, en su comida, eso es lo que está representado por país. Su baile, su música”.

Ms. Mena steps up

By Cristela Vargas

This fall, administrative assistant Bertha Mena has been an enormous help to the school.

In addition to her role as principal Tonya Williams’ secretary, Mena has been helping out at the front desk while Cathy Cowan is on medical leave.

Mena has been working at Riverside for the past two and a half years, but she first stepped into Riverside 15 years ago. A former student, Mena started her freshman year in 2004 and got pregnant in 2007 at the age of 17.

She tried coming back to get her high school diploma but it didn’t work out, so she decided to get her GED in 2012 at Durham Tech.

Mena has three older brothers although one of her brothers is in prison due to gang issues. Returning to Riverside also allows her to stay close to her mother, Martha Garcia also works at Riverside as a custodian, “It’s great working with my mom, I get to see her everyday” Mena said.

The extra duties she’s taken on during Cowan’s absence have been challenging.

“I prefer working for Ms. Williams.

I find it difficult working in the front office,” Mena said.

But other front office staff members appreciate her help.

Mrs. Denise Hamlet is one of the staff members that works with Mena in the front office.

“She helps me out a lot,” said Hamlett.

“She’s very smart. she’s a team player.

If I can’t do something, she’s right there doing it. I love her I really do. She’s like my little daughter.”

“I think Ms. Mena is fantastic and a hard worker, she’s very dependable,” said Susan Suitt, who is filling in for Cowan. “She manages to help everyone, and if you ever need a translator she’s a big help. I think a lot of her.”

Principal Tonya Williams also appreciates Mena’s bilingual support.

“She is a direct line from me to spanish-speaking families, so parents know they can contact me directly if they have any questions or concerns,” Williams said. “She also helps families and students throughout the school community with any questions or concerns they may have about Riverside. Ms. Mena also takes care of substitute teachers feel welcome and shares the schedule and expectations with them. Ms. Mena also organizes my life at Riverside, which is a lot to organize. I could go on and on about how she impacts the school, but I will just say she is a key member of our staff, and we love her very much.”

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October 2019 GOP Candidates running for president in 2020

By Dean Hunter

9

Impeachment, explained

Whether you care a little or a lot, The Hook's got you covered

By Jacob Hindman

30 Word Summary

Mark Sanford Former Governor and Congressman of South Carolina Declared Presidency: September 2nd, 2019 Campaign Focus: National Debt “ The national debt is a clear and present danger to our republic.”

Joe Walsh Former Illinois Congressman and Conservative radio show host Declared Presidency: August 25th, 2019 Campaign Focus: Bringing trust back into the national government

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi initiated impeachment proceeding after a whistleblower complaint was filed identifying a call President Donald Trump had with the Ukrainian President, allegedly leveraging foreign military aid for investigating Joe Biden's family.

60 Word Summary

Pelosi launched an impeachment inquiry on Sept. 24 because of a whistleblower complaint filed against President Trump. In the complaint, President Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden’s role in getting Ukraines Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin fired.

As of now, the White House has refused to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry.

90 Word Summary

“The President must be held accountable," Pelosi said at the

start of the impeachment inquiry. "No one is above the law.”

The information about the alleged call was leaked to Congress through an anonymous “whistleblower” in a sixteen page report.

President Trump has refused to cooperate with the inquiry and has used social media to call the whistleblower complaint a “fraud.”

He has spoken heavily against the whistleblower.

“The Whistleblower knew almost nothing," Trump tweeted. "Its 2nd hand description of the call is a fraud!”

180 Word Summary

The White House has refused to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry and released an eightpage letter in October, written by the Counsel to the President, Pat Cipollone, to Pelosi, Eliot L. Engel

(House Foreign Affairs Committee), Adam B. Schiff (House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence), and the late Elijah E. Cummings (House Committee on Oversight and Reform).

This letter announced full noncompliance with the impeachment proceedings because they feel that Democrats, who hold the majority in the House, want to use the proceedings to nullify the 2016 election.

Additionally, the White House, including President Trump, question whether or not the impeachment proceedings are justified.

“[President Trump] can’t be trusted”

Bill Weld Former Libertarian Governor of Massachusetts Declared Presidency: February 12th, 2019 Campaign Focus: Foreign Policy “ I will not sit quietly on the sidelines any longer while our President praises despotic leaders, insults democratic allies, unravels arms control agreements and rails against the rule of law.”

740 9th St. Durham, NC 27705 (919)286-2884

In the letter written to House Democrats, the White House stated that,“You seek to overturn the results of the 2016 election and deprive the American people of the President they have freely chosen.

Many Democrats now apparently view impeachment not only as a means to undo the democratic results of the last election, but as a strategy to influence the next election.”

10

College Athletes Being Paid

By Alex Kaplan The California State Senate recently passed the Fair Pay to Play Act, allowing college athletes to be paid for use of their name, image and popularity.

On September 30, the governor of California, Gavin Nelson, signed the act into law. It will take effect in 2023.

The movement for college athletes to get paid began with O’Bannon vs. NCAA in 2009. O’Bannon was a star basketball player for UCLA and lead the team to the NCAA Division I championship in 1995. O’Bannon filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in 2009, arguing that division I football and basketball players ought to receive compensation for use of their name, image and popularity. It was ruled that the NCAA violated antitrust laws by not compensating student-athletes for being in modern broadcasts and popular video games.

The Fair Pay to Play Act has received a great deal of support from celebrities, politicians and professional athletes. “To all the athletes who worked so hard to start this movement,” Lebron James tweeted. “we all owe you our deepest gratitude. #KingTalk.”

But not everyone likes the idea of paying playNBA star Lebron James gives praise to multiple ers who are not professionals. Riverside athletic states for proposing to pay college athletes. trainer Sarah Bell pointed out pros and cons of James never went to college himself. paying student-athletes.

• PHOTO COURTESY OF TWITTER “I think that there is value to playing just for

the joy of playing,” she said.

Bell also explained that she doesn’t think that it’s right for colleges and other organizations to make huge profits off of the players backs when many of those players still live in poverty and don’t get any of the money. She speculates that there will probably be problems and we should wait to see how California deals with them.

“It will be very complicated. companies will probably just find loopholes in the beginning,” she said.

Riverside head women’s basketball coach Wendy Palmer, a former WNBA all-star and UNC-Greensboro head coach, offered a player’s point of view on paying college athletes. Although Palmer does support the Fair Pay to Play Act, she pointed out that most college-age student athletes don’t have the maturity to handle large sums of money coming their way from brand deals and such.

Palmer was heavily recruited around the country to play basketball in college. She said that if the law had existed at the time, she would have considered leaving for California. Palmer also noted that college athletes have to train all year long. In her case, training would begin just two weeks after the season ended.

“College athletes only have their own brand as a source of income,'' Palmer said. “Between schoolwork and the intense training sessions, there is no time for any other job.”

Atletas Universirarios Pagados en California Por Alex Kaplan El senado del estado de California recientemente pasó el acta Fair Pay to Play que deja a los atletas de universidades ser recompensados por el uso de sus nombres, imágenes y popularidad.

En el 30 de Septiembre, el gobernador de California, Gavin Nelson, firmó el acta Fair Pay to Play haciéndola una ley. La ley se pondrá en efecto en el año 2023.

El movimiento para que atletas de universidades fueran recompensados empezó con Ed O'Bannon quien fue un jugador de baloncesto para UCLA y dirigió al equipo a ganar en la división I de la NCAA en el año 1995. O' Bannon demandó a la organización NCAA en el año 2009 diciendo que

la división I de jugadores de fútbol americano y baloncesto deberían de recibir compensación por usar sus nombres, imágenes y popularidad.

Fue gobernado que NCAA violó las leyes de antimonopolios por no compensar a los estudiantes atletas por salir en emisiones modernas y videojuegos populares.

El acta a recibido una gran cantidad de apoyo de parte de celebridades, políticos y atletas profesionales. LeBron James publicó en su cuenta de twitter: "Para todos los atletas que han trabajado duro para empezar este movimiento, a todos les debemos nuestra más profunda gratitud. #KingTalk."

Pero no a todos les gusta la idea de pagar a jugadores que no sean profesionales.

Entrenadora de atletismo de Riverside, Sarah

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Bell, se refirió a dos puntos de por qué estudiantes atletas deberían y no deberían de ser compensados. "Creo que hay valor en jugar solo por la alegría de jugar," dice la entrenadora de atletismo de Riverside Sarah Bell. Bell también explicó que no cree que sea bueno que las universidades y otras organizaciones hagan enormes ganancias del trabajo de los jugadores cuando muchos de esos jugadores todavía viven en la pobreza y no les dan nada del dinero.

Bell especuló que probablemente habrán problemas y deberíamos de esperar y ver como California las tratará.

"Será muy complicado, compañías probablemente querrán encontrar una escapatoria desde el comienzo," ella dijo.

• PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS HAIRSTON

Riverside athletic director gives a speech at Parkland High School's Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct 10. After high school, Duncan was an All-American football player at NCCU.

Coach Duncan inducted into HS Hall of Fame

By Jakyies Evans and Kayliegh Wilson

Riverside athletic director Robert Duncan, is going into his high school hall of fame at Parkland High School in Winston-Salem.

Duncan graduated from Parkland in 2002 and committed to play football for North Carolina Central University. Later in 2007, Duncan graduated with his Master’s degree in Athletic Administration and coaching, won a national championship in football and was named an all American offensive lineman.

Duncan has been at Riverside High School for eleven years teaching strength and conditioning. He also coached football and track for eight of those years.

According to Winston-Salem journal, Parkland Parkland inducted 12 people at a sold-out dinner in Woodland Hall at Forsyth Park in Kernersville, just before the 7:30 p.m. football game between southwest Guilford and Parkland at Deatin-Thompson Stadium.

“Parkland’s Hall of Fame class covers many decades and many sports,” The Winston-Salem Journal wrote.

It was the fourth Hall of Fame induction for Parkland.

“While practically raising me, Robert taught me toughness and football, it’s good to see him celebrated” said Duncan’s cousin, Chris Hairston.

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October 2019

11

Athlete of the Month

By Kayleigh Wilson

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCUS WILLOUGHBY

Marcus Willoughby, RHS class of 2016, puts pressure on Wake Forest Quarterback, Jamie Newman. Willoughby is third on the team in total tackles with 42.

RHS Alum Dominating Elon Football

By Jarek Harris Smart. Hardworking. Determined.

Former RHS football player Marcus Willoughby displays these traits every week and people are starting to notice.

Willoughby graduated from Riverside high school in 2016 and is currently in his senior year at Elon University. A four-year starter with the Phoenix, he was named the Colonial Athletic Association’s Defensive Player of the Week after after Elon’s 35-28 win over The Citadel on Sept. 7.

Willoughby racked up 14 tackles, 2 of which were for a loss, and a sack.

Willoughby also won the award back in 2018 when he recorded 9 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss of yards and 2 sacks against the New Hampshire Wildcats.

Willoughby has been playing organized football since the age of nine. He played Tight End and Defensive End. He’s had quite a bit of time to improve his game and get better at his position. He compares himself to Lawrence Taylor and Patrick Willis, both NFL legends.

During his time at Riverside, Willoughby was considered a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and also played basketball his senior year. He played a total of 18 games and finished the season with an average of 1.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.2 steals per game. On the football end, he played 10 games and finished with a total of 73 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and a safety.

Back in high school, Marcus was described as very humble and caring of the people around him.

He was said to have high expectations and morals by which he held himself to.

Two former teachers were willing to vouch for such claims: Riverside English teacher Mira Prater and former football coach Christopher Howell.

Prater taught Willoughby during his junior year and said that he had high standards instilled into him by his parents.

“Marcus was always a really humble student," Prater said. "It was hard for him to accept compliments about his work because he was just THAT humble. He was always prepared for class and he participated in everything. He never complained about the amount of reading or homework that was given, he just did it. Marcus did everything he could in order to maintain his good grades. He displayed his high expectations and morals while in my classroom.”

“Marcus is a great young man who worked his butt off for me and He helped me grow as a person and as a coach," Howell wrote in an email. "He took care of me when I was sick and always had my back. He has grown a lot as a leader and is doing good things at Elon. That’s what I am most proud of, is how he’s getting people to follow him and that is an area he has improved on so much since high school.”

Willoughby said the college game is both physically and mentally different.

“College football is almost like a job, you have to stay the entire year working out and grinding, it’s 24/7.” says Willoughby, “ It never stops, not even in the offseason. In high school, you play a season and then you’re off until the next and get

Senior Sydney Pearce has led the Lady Pirates on the volleyball court this fall.

Pearce is an outside hitter who transferred from Durham School Of The Arts her sophomore year.

Pearce has played volleyball since she was 14 on her school team. Later getting into Triangle Volleyball Club when she was 15 is and currently playing her last season with them.

Pearce says that she got her desire to play Volleyball from her sister, Tori, an alumni player for Virginia Common Wealth University.

“She’s been a huge influencer in my life and I honestly don’t know what I would do without her,” Pearce says.

She loves the support she gets from Tori watching her play, along with her supporting parents and friends.

Throughout this season, she has lead the team in kills, hitting percentage and aces.

“Having Sydney on the outside allows us to always have someone we know who can put the ball down,” said teammate Camryn Atkinson.

“Pearce is a confident, charismatic, and explosive player on this team” said Michael Hodge, head volleyball coach.

Being the captain on the team, Pearce has to be a strong, confident, and leading role model for her teammates.

“Syd will need to man the position as caption in every phase of the world,” said Hodge.

The lady pirates are mid way through their season with a 8-11-0 overall.

Pearce wants to commit one day to a Division three University for volleyball, but is still undecided.

ready for workouts.

As a pre-game ritual, Willoughby listens to gospel music all day.

“I listen to gospel music and pray before games because I’m not playing for myself, I’m playing for God and for my family,” he said.

In addition to academic reasons, Elon was a perfect fit for him because it felt like he was welcomed into a family.

“When I first visited Elon, I hadn’t decided that I wanted to attend the school, but while I was there, they made me feel like I was already a part of their family. I consider myself to be a pretty family oriented man and Elon gave me that feeling.”

Although Willoughby is honored to be recognized for such play, he still has bigger goals to reach.

“Yeah, it’s nice for me to be recognized and get a little exposure, but if as a team we’re not winning games, at the end of the day it doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “I missed three tackles against Citadel and I strive for perfection.”

Willoughby would love to see his team make a run in the playoffs, but that starts with winning the conference. He feels that in order to play at a higher caliber as a team, everyone must be mentally stronger and ready for anything that comes their way.

“For us to take things to the next level, we all just have to be ready for anything that comes our way.

We have to both be mentally and physically ready for everything.”

As for visiting Riverside, he plans to stop by and make a few surprise visits to a couple of games PHOTO BY BRAEDEN HILLIARD when has the chance.

Sydney Pearce attempts a kill against Athens “Yeah man, I love Riverside,” he said.

Drive. She leads the team in kills.

12

Pirates' Hookok

homecoming 2019 that

The administrative team participates in spirit week on Twin Tuesday.

Seniors Devin Smith and Sydney Pearce pose for a picture after being crowned homecoming king and queen.

pirate life Cheerleaders perform for students and staff during the pep rally.

Quinton Freeman, II and Isaiah Jones prepare for the big homecoing game. The football team defeated Athens Drive 43-6.

(Left) The football team throws out gear to encourage Riverside students to come out to the game.

(Right) JROTC cadets perform during the pep rally. A cannon blast emphasized the end of their routine.