The Talon Volume 19 Issue 1 February 2021

Sandra Day O’Connor High School

25250 N. 35th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85083

Volume 19. Issue 1. February 2021

thetalonohs.com

COVID-19 and OHS:

Building a “new normal”

see pages 8 and 9 Artwork by Heaven Parson

Adapting to COVID changes in classrooms “It is weird because I feel like the number of kids that are pulled out for Switching back and forth quarantine is growing each from online and in-per- day. It is a little alarming. son learning, constantly It is a little scary. I guess changing guidelines, and the concern is, is it ever goan ever growing fear about ing to end? Is this the new whether or not everyone is norm?” said Dena Davis, safe, the 2020-2021 school art teacher. “This is a lot of year has been intense work for teachers to keep and confusing. Leading up with. So, my biggest the pack of students are worry is that this is not OHS teachers, mentoring, ending, and it is just going teaching, and encouraging to continue the whole year students throughout all of the way it is. It is exhausting keeping up with it all.” the craziness.

All classrooms have a mix The constant changes and underlying feelings of online and in-person of uncertainty have made students, forcing teachers to adapt to the differencEach day, teachers are giv- es in the environment of en an updated list of which their students.

“I think it is hard to students are learning from balance making sure the home that day. As new students are exposed to the kids on Zoom are engaged, virus, and others are done while also trying to make quarantining and can re- sure the kids in class are turn to school, this list is engaged. It is hard to get those kids on Zoom to altered every day.

By MACY SANCHEZ

News/Features Editor

participate as much as the ones in class. So, it is very hard as a teacher to balance doing both, and doing both well. I just feel like for those kids online, doing art through Zoom is not the same as in person,” Davis said.

Online students are working from home, not in a classroom where a teacher can see them all of the time. As a result, these students are trying to learn while having numerous distractions directly adjacent to them. These distractions and lack of supervision have presented numerous challenges for teachers.

“It can sometimes be a little bit annoying to instruct my online students.

Only because when you tell them to put their cameras on, some do not want to.

Or, they are laying down on their bed and they are sup-

posed to be drawing. And then they want to turn their cameras off, and I do not know if they are really working,” Davis said. “It is annoying and kind of aggravating in a sense that I think when they are at home, that learning environment is so different and you cannot control it.”

While teachers technically have one class to teach each period, they essentially are teaching two separate groups of students: online and on campus. Because of the different environments and necessities of these groups, catering to each is tough.

“I feel like I am not reaching either group as well as I could. I feel like I could manage online well.

But the mix of the two, I constantly feel like I am not doing a service to the kids online as much as they deserve, or the other way

around,” said Sara Godby, spanish teacher. “So, it is kind of that constant crushing agony of ‘I’m failing these people.’”

Whether it be from increased anxiety or a lack of wanting to participate, students learning online are generally less talkative than those in class.

“People are a bit too hesitant to ask [questions] online, and it is a lot easier for them to ask in person. I think some kids are kind of missing out on that, which is unfortunate because sometimes you cannot tell what is happening until all of the sudden they fail a test,” said James Burton, chemistry teacher.

Jump to page 4

News 4

Page 2

thetalonohs.com

February 2021

COVID-19 pressures AP classes

By NICK FELIDES Arts and Entertainment Editor

As 2020 goes on, school seems to be getting tougher and tougher for students and teachers alike. There are still some students that have decided to stay online due to the ever-threatening COVID-19 crisis. AP exams seem to be right around the corner as spring quickly approaches, and teachers are rushing to prepare their students for challenging sets of exams. Tyler Darr, junior, an online student, explains his recent struggle with one of his AP classes.

“I think one of the harder parts of being online is getting help,” Darr said. “Emailing and messaging teachers isn’t really a guarantee because they’re busy with the inperson students and I rarely get to actually talk to them.”

It’s well known that teachers have been struggling the most with this massive shift, having to prep the Zoom call every morning and afternoon for online

kids, making sure they can hear a lecture and see what’s happening.

“I always forget that I have to talk louder for my online students,” said Melissa, AP science teacher.

“I’ve been trying to prepare them as best I can for the exam.”

Seeing as there are so many students working from home, there’s bound to be some that will falter and slip up on their grades. With kids being at home, they don’t have to worry about paying attention in class, so they start to slip up on their work.

“I’ve noticed a bit of a decline in grades. Of course there are those with hundreds of quizzes that are either cheating or they actually know the material, but there are some students where you can just tell that they’re struggling and I can’t even do much,” Mara said.

AP classes are meant to be academically challenging classes taught on campus, and the idea that all of

the learning through two semesters is built into one test can be daunting for many students. taking an AP class and doing it online is way harder than I expected,” said Sara Dessenberger, junior. “I feel like the units are going by way too fast and I just can’t process all of that information.”

Teachers and students alike struggle with the

mountains of online work that need to be done and graded. This leads to less personal time for exploring hobbies because of the hyperfocus on school work.

“I have far less time than I typically would on a normal year,” Mara said. “But it’s incredibly satisfying when I get to sit down and relax and just enjoy myself.”

As of right now, AP College Board is still planning for all the AP exams to be on

PHOTO COURTESY OF KPBS.ORG paper, as opposed to it being online like last year. Things may end up changing as the year porgress but as of right now, AP College Board will continue as scheduled. “I really don’t want to rush through any information.

I’m trying to be... methodical and slow with how I give information to my students,” Mara said. “This test is huge and contains very hard skills to master… this time around, we’re all learning together.”

Control of power in Washington transforms politics

By GABRIEL SOUZA Social Media Manager

As a result of the recent elections, the balance of power in American government has shifted to the Democratic Party. For one party controls power in the White House and both chambers of Congress. This means there will likely be less political gridlock, and more legislation will be passed.

The 2020 elections were high stakes for both parties, both at the Senate and presidential level. However,

in the end the Democratic Party was the clear victor in both sections of government.

Joseph R. Biden won the deeply contested presidential election and was inaugurated on Jan 20, while several Senate seats, including Arizona’s junior seat and both of Georgia’s Senate

Democrats. The United States Senate is now at a 5050 tie, with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris as the new tie breaker.

With the newfound power that the Democratic

Party now holds, they will be able to pass laws and bills that would have been blocked by the former Republican majority Senate. According to the Democratic Party platform, they hope to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 dollars by 2026, expand funding for the Affordable Care Act, and make public colleges and universities free for households making less than $125,000 per year.

Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood has been proposed repeatedly for decades, and it could become

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH.COM

a reality with the new administration. Washington D.C., with it’s nearly 700,000 people, and Puerto Rico, with it’s 3 million residents, each only have one, nonvoting, representative in the house of representatives.

Giving Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood would allow them to have equal representation in the government; each would get two senators and, depending on their populations, a different amount of representatives.

Republicans have historically been opposed to granting statehood to Puerto Rico and D.C., but with the new democratic majority it is closer to becoming a possibility.

Another big issue that Democrats have made a key part of their agenda is the environment and climate change. Also in the Democratic Party platform, the Democrats plan to invest in clean energy solutions and promote climate accountability on rejoined the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which Former President Trump withdrew the United States from in 2017, stating that the agreement would “undermine our economy.”

Despite their new found majority, the Democratic

Party will still face challenges in accomplishing their plans.

Although they caucus with the Democratic Party, two senators, Bernie Sanders and Angus King of Vermont and Maine, are independent of any party. Additionally, a number of Democratic senators hold many conservative views and voting records compared to other Democrats. Arizona’s own Kyrsten Sinema has one of the most conservative voting records of the Democratic Party ; according to opinion poll website, FiveThirtyEight.com, also Sinema voted with President Trump over 50% of the time during his tenure. Sinema voted with Republicans on S.J.Res. 53 (116th), which was a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the EPA’s repeal of certain emission guidelines.

The shift of power in American government is a fanatastic opportunity for politicians to achieve great all Americans, compared to subjectively endless debating on every measure.

The Democratic Party has been enabled to pass legislation that can have a serious impact on millions of Americans across the nation, but they will have to make compromises not only with Republicans, but with other members of their very own party.

The Talon

thetalonohs.com

By MAISIE JESSE

As stressful as it is students applying college, this year, it's that, and then some,

for to all for

trying to decide whether to admit them. Because of the pandemic, many students will be applying without standardized test scores and several other metrics selective schools have relied on which will leave colleges might consider instead.

Student applications may be missing not only SAT and ACT scores, but also a semester or two of grades, since schools switched to pass/fail grading when they went online or closed altogether. Schools will also semester's worth or more of such as sports, band, theater, volunteering, which could

help separate applicants from one another.

Shayla Leslie, senior, will be attending the University of Arizona in the fall of 2021 was cancelled this year, so at off-site locations, but most schools are only requiring them for sports or other academic scholarships.”

A large challenge for students this year is not being able to visit schools they are considering, especially if they are coming from out of state. restrictions still enforced in many states, students are

some schools are starting to open up but it may be too late for some students still trying to decide,” said Presley Simon, senior.

With applications standardized test scores or clean access to students’

Essays will be a large part of the admission process for many universities. Many students are stressed and

February 2021

thing to judge simply on paper. “Evaluating myself in order to answer some of the the process was stressful and Some schools, such as Tulane University, are adding a new interview option, to-face encounters that used to happen at college fairs and recruiting trips to schools.

3

Bowdoin College, are leaning on more innovative options.

It recently launched a new element to its application, offering students the chance to give an answer to a short question, such as "When is the last time you felt inspired and how did you proceed?" or "If you had no Internet or phone for the afternoon, what would you do?" This gives students a chance to showcase their personalities.

be so much more emphasis on them than normal.

narrow down their choices.

Virtual tours, Q and As, and

I was passionate about that would also intrigue colleges,” Leslie said.

attending the university are substitutes for in-person visits.

“Not being able to visit schools has been the most stressful part of this

colleges are considering is to put more focus on students' character. The character movement has been growing for a while, and the pandemic is fueling more interest in it.

PHOTO BY SARAH MARTIN Hannah Doyle, senior, signs to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for beach volleyball.

3 stories you may have missed in 2020

By DANIEL LONGENECKER

Everyone can agree that 2020 has been a momentous year. However, many events may have fallen under our radar during these trying times. There are always valuable lessons to learn year.

HIMALAYAS APPEAR IN THE PUNJABI SKYLINE DURING LOCKDOWNS The people of the Punjab region in India reacted with

awe at the sudden appearance of the Himalayan Mountain range, which became visible due to a sharp drop in air pollution seen during a March 11, 2020. Residents pictures of the spectacular view. For many living in the years.

Cities across India saw dramatic reductions in air

fact, Delhi reportedly saw a 44 percent drop in PM10 air pollution levels during this period. This phenomenon came after restrictions were placed on industries, airlines, and cars. This story was certainly a breath of fresh air for the citizens of India.

The sight of the snow unintended positive result hand, it also demonstrated the detrimental impact of manmade pollutants. After all those years, clean air the natural beauty of the Himalayan Mountains.

INDIA’S FARMERS PROTEST NEW AGRICULTURE POLICIES In November, the world saw the largest protest in human history. Beginning with a march to the capital, the cause garnered an estimated 250 million people for a massive

PHOTO COURTESY OF EARTHOBSERVATORY.NASA.GOV

movement has undoubtedly placed enormous pressure on the Indian government’s operations.

Narendra Modi, the current prime minister of the country, aimed to modernize the agricultural industry by giving farmers more autonomy. The proposed farm acts are something he

After generating a recordand 12 land falling storms in the United States, the Atlantic hurricane season of

abnormally powerful activity has been recorded.

The year’s numerous

However, the proposed restructuring of the country’s

damages across the eastern coast of the United States.

unrest across the nation.

Fearing that deregulation could leave them vulnerable

most damaging season on record.

In addition, this oddly busy season raises questions about climate change’s impact on

practices of larger companies, to challenge the new laws.

to the Indian government and the rest of the world.

A PEEK AT 2020’S ACTIVE HURRICANE SEASON Editors-in-Chief:

effect of rising temperatures on hurricane formation isn’t completely clear. However, scientists agree that it will change storms. Many speculate its role in the hyperactivity seen in recent years.

Sports Editor:

Peyton Thompson Lindsay Steinberg Copy Chief:

Editorial Chief:

Hannah Lorenzo Jackson Morgan*

The Talon is published top online publication as a forum for student and one of the top opinion at Sandra Day print publications in the state. Letters to part of the Deer Valley the editor must be signed and dropped off The Talon is an award in Room 508, e-mailed winning publication to thetalonohs@gmail. with dozens of awards com or mailed. Letters for it’s staff members may be edited for content and/or space

or libelous statements will not be printed. are of those of The Talon staff and do not

Adviser:

News Editor:

Cindy Garraway

Macy Sanchez

Social Media Manager:

Gabriel Souza*

Staff Writers:

Maisie Jesse Daniel Longenecker Kaitlyn Smitten* Conner Stegen*

Features Editor:

Macy Sanchez Arts and Entertainment Editor:

Nick Felides

Visit The Talon online at thetalonohs.com to *Denotes member of editorial board.

Features 4

Page 4

February 2021

thetalonohs.com

Clubs wrestle with stipulations from COVID-19

By GABRIEL SOUZA Social Media Manager

Clubs at OHS have had to change and conform with the new realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many activities that clubs would normally do, like competitions, school functions, and plays have been cancelled and postponed. Clubs have also been set back by the loss of members and potential new members that are not joining.

Some clubs have been able to provide a typical experience for its members, yet others have struggled with the reality of not being able to do things like normal.

The drama club, for instance, has had to cancel their fall musical, opting to do a more “Covid friendly”, radio show.

“Usually during the fall we will have a musical, and then in the spring we will have a play, but this year Ms. F. (Fioramonti) decided because we thought maybe we would be able to do the musical in the spring together,” said Jocelyn Worley, sophomore. “We picked two plays, then we changed them subtly so we could use them as radio

shows.”

In addition to the musical, the numerous fundraisers that OHS’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club ordinarily does, have been delayed as they have not had the opportunity to host them.

“Usually we try to do some ‘dine-out’ nights where we’ll partner with a restaurant, and if you go and show your student code at that restaurant, some of the money will go to us for fundraising, and obviously we haven’t been able to do that,” said Rohan Patel, senior.

Additionally, club leaders and advisors have had to hold their meetings virtually, which comes with keep students engaged and focused.

“It’s not as easy to keep students engaged when you’re talking through a screen,” Patel said. “We’re just doing our best, trying to keep students engaged.”

FBLA has also had the predicament of recruiting new members. They typically see their number of members dwindle down even further as the school year progresses.

“After a couple months it

PHOTO BY GABRIEL SOUZA

Arturo Whipple, sophomore (left), and Samantha Sharlot, sophomore, (right), working hard for FBLA.

gets down to thirty people, and that’s expected, we expected that last year and it happened,” Patel said. “This year, without being able to do all that new recruiting it’s been a lot harder to get new people.”

While OHS was online school, clubs struggled trying to attract new members, especially since events like Club Rush did not occur.

“New kids coming in, I don’t think they necessarily know all the clubs that we

have to offer,” said Lauren Fetkenheir, architectural interior design teacher and student government advisor.

“They did a little mini clubs, but I don’t think every student knew about it.”

Although there have been many ups and downs, one big success was the fall assembly put on by the student government.

“The assembly was huge, trying to do virtual. I think it turned out really well, for

Fetkenheir said.

Through all the challenges and uncertainties that clubs have faced and overcome, students are learning to adapt and are still able to have the same connections that they would typically have.

“We all feel connected when we do a play together, and since we can’t do that we did one on zoom. The cast still had fun, and we had experiences similar to what we would have had if we did the play [in-person],” Worley said.

Jumped from front page:Teachers adapting to COVID changes “I want to make sure that I make contact with each student in some way or another each day, even if it is just a simple hello; I want to have that relationship where my students know that I am paying attention to them,” Burton said.

Classrooms are usually about learning and daily life, but this year, that has changed. All students, online or on campus, are less apt to speaking up this year, making classrooms quiet and awkward.

“I just think everything has changed though, as far as the atmosphere of my class.

There used to be a lot more discussion and conversation and I feel like that has changed quite a bit,” Davis said. “Students do not talk as much, I am not sure if that is because of the mask or what.

Even myself, I guess, I talk less.”

Because everyone has to remain distanced and on their toes about following all of the guidelines to keep each other safe, there have been less opportunities to connect with students in the classroom. Teachers face the same personal connection

challenge with online students, but for different reasons.

“I love teaching, and I love getting to know students.

Those connections I make are wonderful. It really is such a joy. But, this year has been a challenge because for could not meet everybody, and most students do not like having their cameras on, and they do not want to participate as much. So, it is hard to sometimes make that connection with students,” Godby said.

Many teachers, because so many of their students are online, are unable to get a good sense of a student’s personality and character.

“For the kids that I have not had before, I do not know if they are cheating or whatever because I do not have that interaction with them,” Burton said. out if they are having a WiFi issue, and if I can really trust that. And of course, I trust different. It is hard to judge that when you do not have all of that information.”

This year’s numerous

restrictions have made doing As labs are typically group activities involving a lot of different supplies, science classes have had to adapt to either cancelling labs or changing the way they are done.

“We have been putting off labs in AP chemistry because they are pretty complicated to do online. I have been doing some labs with my honors kids, but it is just them watching me do it and taking down data, as opposed to them actually doing it,” Burton said. “So, there is a bit of a loss of that interaction and that type of skill set that we typically do have. It is just them watching me, which takes away from the experience.”

As students and teachers must remain distanced, receiving one-on-one help “We are all distanced, so I cannot even help students as much as I used to. I cannot come over to them and touch their pencil or paper and help them one on one,” Davis said.

“That has changed quite a bit, which is unfortunate because it is hard to give feedback with art without

being able to demonstrate it right in front of them.”

Not only have these changes impacted the physicality of classrooms, but they also play a role in the emotional and physical well-being of teachers and students, some of whom, must be extra cautious in the way they go about their day.

“I am a travelling teacher this year. With my husband being sick, I have to be extra careful with everything, and sometimes there is just a little bit of extra anxiety on my side like, ‘Did that teacher actually clean the stuff?’, or ‘Were they sick and then at school?’” Godby said.

This year is scary and immensely different.

Naturally, the presence of a deadly virus and the countless changes and unknowns that it carries with it, have brought about a general increase in anxiety and fear amongst everyone, especially teachers.

“The numbers are growing and we are still immersed in it. And now as a teacher, we are considered essential workers. We are even more exposed, so sometimes I wonder if it is safe for us,” Davis said. “These kids are getting pulled out of our

classes exposed, they were near us, and now we are still here, but they are not.”

Adapting to the countless changes, many teachers have had to change how they instruct their students and organize their classrooms.

“On a teacher level, it is a lot more stress and a lot out what we can do now. We used to play a lot of games, but now we can’t, so it is a lot more boring,” Godby said.

“It is sad because I think teaching is fun, and this year has taken away a little bit of that joy. It is a lot more of a traditional ‘sit down and do your work’ kind of class, which is not my personality.

It is challenging.”

Taking it one day at a time, OHS students and staff have done a fantastic job adapting and adjusting. In spite of this year’s challenges, OHS has had a great start to the school year.

“I think people have been adjusting quite well,” Burton said. “Kids are pretty good at just going with it, trying that even though this is not the way we used to do it, we are going to get through this and it will be alright.”

The Talon

thetalonohs.com

February 2021

5

Small businesses and their battle to stay

By PEYTON THOMPSON

Editor-in-Chief

The past 10 months of COVID-19 and quarantining have brought a lot of struggles, impacting schools, students, and families.

However, one group not discussed as in depth as it deserves, is the effect the virus has had on small businesses in the community.

With state mandates causing certain businesses to shut down operation early on in the pandemic, for some, the struggle was immense in trying to recover lost revenue. In fact, according to CNBC and yelp data, 97,966 small businesses across the country have closed their doors for good, representing around 60 percent of small businesses in total.

Kaden Ryback, former employee at the frozen yogurt shop, Top That, goes into his experience on working at a small business during the pandemic before they shut down for good on July 28.

“The thing that really hit us the hardest was the fact that when restrictions really started hitting in March and the pandemic really started to pick up. There were two dueling factors that really contributed to the end of the shop,” Ryback said. concerns, and this goes for any business right now; if you are a business that

provides food, you’re having a hard time because people don’t want to come in and actually eat your food or dine in because they have health and safety concerns, which totally makes sense because of the pandemic.”

However Ryback’s next reason is one that’s not quite as easily recognizable. The fact that people neglected to recognize small businesses as a whole may have had a larger underlying impact.

“But the second one is the fact that I feel like people have the tendency to look at stores closing down and they look at them as singular events, but it really is more of a chain reaction,” Ryback said.

This chain reaction is caused by the amount of operating their business in relatively the same location.

Due to the fact that stores and other restaurants were shutting down one by one after restrictions were put in place, small businesses customers from these other companies, such as Top That, lost income and eventually had to close.

“When all of the other places around started to restrict their hours or close entirely, that ended up doing us in because we weren’t able to pull any business from those shops. I always bring that up because it really is the biggest thing

that contributed to the shop closing down; it’s just the fact that businesses rely on each other and when one goes down it’s going to hamper how the other one functions,” Ryback said.

In contrast, other businesses, such as Outdoor Grilling Company, a catering business, were not quite as impacted. Abby Denman, junior, painted a picture of her experience working for her father’s business during the early stages of the pandemic.

“It hasn’t really impacted it that much except for when it got really bad, we had to work around it and a lot of sales went down, and we had to adjust to wearing the masks and cleaning everything and just taking extra precautions and things like that. But yeah, sales but we worked around it by Denman said.

Sometimes the only thing to do to get out of a tough to adapt, and Denman’s company did just that. By moving their business into a sort of food truck operation, they were able to get sales back up while still maintaining a safe and precautionary sales environment for their customers.

“He had a trailer and through the beginning when COVID-19 was really bad and everyone was quarantined,

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY we had deliveries of food come and we packaged everything so they were ready; so they just came by, got the food, and we gave it to them; that way people didn’t have to sit down at a table and contaminate some things, so they just had it ready to go and they just took it home,” Denman said.

Top That also found ways to adjust the way they did business to adhere to the CDC’s guidelines.

Unfortunately it just didn’t work out in the long run.

They did everything between starting a website to take online orders, to going and customizing the yogurt cups themselves for the customers and doing curbside pickup.

“One of the things that the state told us to do was if it food places and in particular buffets, they would have to close down or they had to have somebody giving out the food, so customers could no longer serve themselves,”

Ryback said. “And that restriction I believe hit during April, the lockdown month, and what we ended up having to do was we basically made people’s cups of yogurt all by themselves; they would just tell us what they wanted and toppings.”

Although this year has been a challenge through multiple perspectives, small persevere through the current debilitating economic times.

However, the only way this is possible is through the help of people in the community.

“Trying to promote yourself as a small business is one of the best things you could do as a small business. Because at least in my opinion, and I feel like a lot of people feel this way too, people genuinely want to come out of the way to support small businesses when they are told that they are struggling,” Ryback said.

SWAT continues to make waves in the community

By MACY SANCHEZ

News/Features Editor

At every corner, especially in these times, there are problems that need to be solved and things that need Wellness Advocacy Team (SWAT) at OHS sees these problems and resolves them.

Each semester, these students focus on one project that will better the community.

Despite nearly everything changing around them, the initiatives for SWAT have remained steadfast.

“The goal of SWAT has not changed, it is still to better the school, better the community, but the ways we can do that have differed a lot,” said Neil Khurana, President of SWAT. “The SWAT projects are still having a great impact on our community. The way we go and community are different, but through teamwork and collaboration, we are still able to better our school and community.”

SWAT is technically a club, but its members do not meet together regularly. Those in Dr. Shane Hesse’s health class are involved with SWAT

as part of their semester-long project. And because it is such a wonderful program, many students decided to continue in the program even after they have graduated from Dr. Hesse’s class.

“The leadership team was new last year. It was started to help students with their projects. My freshman year, I noticed that there were not any recycling bins on campus.

It was called Gogreen OC. We faced so many obstacles, and did not have enough time to get them on campus,” said Dominique Luna, Vice President of SWAT. “But, the next year the students

campus. So, it was very cool to see my project grow and be successful. Since that was successful, I wanted to help other people with their projects and make them successful.”

As a mainly student-led program, SWAT focuses on involving students with improving the OHS campus and community. The students work together with administration to promote a healthy social climate and physical wellness all across Arizona.

“I am responsible for

those kinds of things, but I also come up with ideas for activities SWAT can do to help our community. I also collaborate with other students from their schools who want to introduce SWAT into their school,” Khurana said. “We just had a call with Central High School because they want to implement SWAT onto their campus.

Last year I helped Cactus Shadows get SWAT into their school, as well as Apache Junction High School. Other schools are picking up onto it, it has a really great impact.”

Each year students’ projects make waves in the community. A group of students this semester are working on making OHS a more active campus by implementing a four-square center. Others are writing letters to those in need, organizing fundraisers, and posting encouraging messages on social media. Whatever the project, it is bound to have a positive impact in the community.

“I think it is amazing the way that we get the student involved, it is so important to get the youth involved in the community. A lot of people underestimate that

PHOTO COURTESY OF SWAT At OHS, SWAT strives to create opportunities to better the campus. and underestimate what we can do, but there are so many mostly student-led projects from these students,” Luna said. “I think it is so amazing to see these young students come together to complete these projects that will overall help the community as a whole.”

In just a few years of being a program at OHS, SWAT and the students involved have made big changes and improvements to the OHS campus. Bloom365 features students who are trying to spread awareness about teen dating abuse. SWAT students also created the meditation room. Students designed different games

and platforms to promote physical activity. It is a powerful and important club that has the potential to do so much good.

“The more students involved, the better. The more students involved means more projects, which means more impact on our community. more people involved, the

The rest of the story is on The Talon Website:

The Talon

6 February 2021

thetalonohs.com

AIA re-votes to allow a winter sports season

By MAISIE JESSE

Just days after the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Executive Boardvoted to cancel the winter sports season due to rising COVID-19 numbers, a revote in favor of allowing the season to begin as scheduled took place Jan 12 during a special meeting. in a 5-4 vote cancelling winter sports, but in an emergency meeting, they overturned their original decision and voted 5-4 in favor of winter sports beginning Jan 18. Jim Love, who represents the Flowing Boards Association was against the season taking of the representatives who reversed course Tuesday and voted in favor of the season beginning. Love stated his decision to change his vote was largely due to his desire to give schools the choice whether to have sports on campus.

“I was absolutely crushed when I heard sports were cancelled. It felt like they had robbed me of my only source of happiness,” said Jocelyn Erickson, Junior.

“However, knowing now that

our season wasn’t supposed to happen, gives the team more motivation and has helped our morale. Knowing that every game we play could be our last makes us work harder in practices and games.”

The AIA board’s initial decision to cancel winter sports was met with disapproval from players, parents, and coaches across the state. A small protest of athletes formed outside the announcement to cancel winter sports and a group of athletes and parents returned during the emergency meeting. In addition, a petition requesting a revote was created by a North Canyon student and shared across several social media platforms. The petition was signed by over 30,000 people in just a few hours.

“The petition meant so much to us and probably helped a lot in convincing the AIA to revote. We all shared on our social medias in order to make people more aware of what happened to our season” Erickson said.

In approving the winter sports season to begin on Jan 18, new recommendations were also adopted. The board voted to allow two parents or guardians per player

OHS faces off against MRHS which led to a 71-42 win. to attend as long as local mandates on the number of individuals allowed at events is not exceeded. Each school will be required to complete the AIA COVID-19 Athlete and Coach Monitoring Form on the day of athletic events and wear masks at all times.

Rece Grant, varsity soccer player, feels that masks will make playing harder, but it is worth it in order to have a season.

“Masks was one of the changes made in order to make our season work.

Although it makes running that we are able to play the sport we love” As happy as athletes and parents are for the start of winter sports, many

people worry about the AIA’s reputation. Their credibility and trust from the community may go down because they did not stick with their original decision.

“Of course I disagree with their original decision, but not to stick with it, I feel is just as risky. Now people will kind of challenge their authority” Grant said.

When making their original decision, there were several factors the AIA athletes’ mental health was all some athletes have and being robbed of their ability to compete is hard to wrap their head around. Wrestling captain Tyler Clark is a senior and this is his last chance to

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE FROST wrestle with O’Connor.

“Wrestling is my life and the team is a family. We were understandably upset but so incredibly thankful the AIA’s decision was overturned and we are able to compete this season. We certainly will make the most of it,” Clark said.

Through the ups and downs of winter sports, one thing that stayed constant and consistent is the athletes’ dedication to the game. “We have learned a lot from this experience, mainly to never take our sport for granted again.” Erickson said. OC winter sports are now look forward to seeing how season.

Winter sports persevere through COVID

By JACKSON MORGAN

Editorial Chief

The 2020-2021 winter sports seasons started on Nov 30, after almost a month of delay due to COVID-19. Yet competition did not start until the week of January 18, almost two months after the initial start date. COVID-19 has impacted winter athletes and their seasons, yet they are still hopeful that they will get a full season, especially after the AIA executive board almost cancelled the

winter sports season with a 5-4 decision that has since been reversed. soccer team is off to a 2-1 start after a 4-1 win against Liberty, 6-1 win against Valley Vista, and a 1-3 loss against Chaparral putting them at third in their conference. Throughout the pandemic they have been working hard and training from home in hopes to have a successful season.

“We just do home workouts, drilling at home,

that kinda stuff. I just get my friends to go with me and Irla, junior. started, teams are now able to practice together. Many teams are practicing harder to make up for the lost time. has a rigorous practice schedule in order to get the team in shape to win games.

This has already led to a 6145 win over Pinnacle, before taking losses to Mountain Ridge and Liberty. This 1-2

record has not deterred them from hard work, as they still wake up early in the morning and go to the gym to prepare for the next game.

“We’ve still been able to get in the weightroom a little bit, and outside of that everyone’s been working hard individually by themselves at home doing what they can do,” said Luke Kearney, junior. soccer team has started off the season with a 9-0 win over Valley Vista, then a close 1-0 loss to Chaparral and a 2-3 loss to Liberty putting them at number 6 in their conference with a 1-2 record.

They are still committed to ensuring that they do everything they can to have a season by masking up on precautions.

“I’m just still hoping my season is going to happen in general so any precautions that need to be taken, I will take to have a season,” said Jordyn Mathews, senior.

Hannah Holland, senior, defends the ball against Pinnacle.

PHOTO BY PEYTON THOMPSON

basketball team is off to a 2-1 start with a big 53-30 win against Pinnacle and a 71-42 win against Mountain Ridge along with a 55-62 loss to Hamilton, putting them at number 2 in their conference.

They have still been working

hard in the gym despite knowing their season will not be the same. Even though they will have a shortened schedule, they feel they can win every time they step foot on the court.

“It’s a challenge this year, due to the new schedule that we have. It’s just very to know not everything is going to be the same,” said Maya Cobb, senior. is also off to a 1-1 start to dual to Pinnacle 36-32. Then bouncing back for a dominant 51-22. The team also has a much smaller roster for the 2020-2021 season, with only around 20 members, in most other seasons the team starts with 60 participants. With the barrier of a very small team and having to wear a mask on the mat they still have their goals set and are anticipating to start doing well at the state tournament.

“I have hope for our team this year, because we’ve been doing a lot of training through conditioning which is a lot more than other people are doing… My goal is to win state and as a team it’s to start placing at state,” said Caulin Moskop, junior.

The Talon

thetalonohs.com

February 2021

7

Should we stay In Person or go back Online Online?

“I think that we should stay in the option to go for the students who need to go online if they have high risk people they live with to still be able to go online and go to school.

For me personally it’s hard to do online because I can’t really learn and it’s not a good environment for me. And when I go to school, my parents are healthy and I don’t live with my grandparents or anything so it’s not a s much of a problem for me going to school as it could be for other people,” -Brandon Ngo, junior

“Personally I do think it’s a good idea to go back online, especially with the reporting of a large spike in cases all around the country. I think safety wise it’s a good there ever being a case here. Personally i think a lot of people are handling it well in terms of wearing a mask so if dont think it;s the largest issue right now… so either way I think we can continue doing this, but as soon as a teacher gets it or even a students that’s been in contact with people and has tested positive we should lock down pretty quickly afterwards just to prevent a catastrophe from happening here,” -Cian Ryback, sophomore

“Probably online just for the winter time because of COVID, just because in Arizona it’s spreading a lot,” -Morgan Dunne, freshman

“I think it depends on person to person but if you ask me individually i’m liking the in-person school better.

Because I’m seeing all the zoom classes and I’m seeing that the teachers are paying more attention when they’re in person rather than on zoom and we’re getting to learn a lot more in person and all the people on zoom. I feel like they’re getting neglected,” -Aayushi Datta, sophomore

“I think it’s good to stay in person right now, just because of the social interactions and it helps the students cope with everything.

But I think it’s also good if we go back online just for the health and safety of everybody. Just because if a bunch of students are getting sick and coming to school and not realizing that they’re sick, we’re just spreading more sickness,” -Paige Roth, senior

“I think we should stay in person just because of all the interactions we get between people. It’s much more worth it. I know it’s very dangerous but i think it’s much more worth it to be in person for all of the interactions like all of the activities and school that can’t be done over zoom like mr Weyker’s class with grudge ball, that’s incredibly fun and we don’t get to do things like that over zoom,” - Ethan Vesely, senior

Interviews by Peyton Thompson

2021 Artwork

by Peyton Thompson 8 February

COVID-19 and OHS: Bu FOR:

By GABRIEL SOUZA Social Media Manager

The COVID-19 pandemic has plagued the world since as early as November 2019, and it has been the mission of the world’s top scientists and doctors to this lethal virus. Finding a vaccine is one of the few solutions that will enable the world to overcome the constraints that have been placed upon it.

During the early stages of the pandemic, the stay at home orders that were enacted in many states forced thousands of According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate hit a recent high of 14.7% in April 2020, while the

stay at home orders were in full effect. Although the unemployment rate has slowly declined down to 6.7% in November 2020 (most recent data available), higher than pre-pandemic rates, where in April 2020 it was 3.5%.

The best solution to help unemployed Americans suffering since March, is to get a majority of them vaccinated. Once most have been vaccinated, there will of COVID-19 in businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and stores that have endured the brunt of the pandemic.

One aspect that has worried many Americans is the safety of the vaccine. Many rumors and conspiracy theories have

spread throughout social media about the effects of the vaccine, but those are simply deceitful falsehoods.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an

manufacturing quality needed to support emergency

FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, in a December FDA news release.

Personally, my father has received the vaccine; coronavirus vaccine in he has not died, or suffered mid-December, and shortly any serious medical injuries after the Moderna vaccine due to the vaccine. The vaccine is safe, and it is vaccines went through an important step in the intense evaluations to recovery process from the ensure that they were safe COVID-19 pandemic. for use.

“Today’s action follows an open and transparent review process that included input and public health experts and a thorough evaluation by the agency’s career scientists to ensure this vaccine met FDA’s rigorous, safety,

effectiveness,

and

AGAINST:

By JACKSON MORGAN

Editorial Chief

was in 1796 by Edward The vaccine was created from the pus of a cowpox lesion and inoculated into a little boy’s hand, creating Since then vaccines have been evolving for centuries into the modern day vaccine that is routinely given at doctor’s appointments. and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines many are questioning the safety of them and rightfully so.

Vaccines are usually developed over the course of 10-15 years, and in some cases longer, yet the COVID-19 vaccine was created in approximately nine months. This huge difference in time from other vaccines and the COVID-19 one raises the question of

a hospitalist in Tucson, term effects of the vaccine?

The simple answer is that should receive the vaccine we don’t. There is nobody when it’s easier to manage that has had the vaccine for side effects. Clearing your whole schedule because you years down the line it could lead to cancer, infertility, or any other diseases.

According to Healthline approximately 63 percent of people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine have experienced side effects according to Healthline,

people older in age and who have heart conditions, immune system, severe obesity, or diabetes.

Whereas people that are

deal with side effects should the virus should wait for developments not be an issue to have with further a vaccine, as they should be and advancements in this safe and convenient. about the virus itself. people still will not have full immunity since it requires two doses for the 95 percent immunity to be acquired,

where approximately 1-2 because if the second dose is percent of people experience not received in time, then side effects. This means that that is wasted time and people are roughly 42 times This is too problematic for a effects from the vaccine virus that has a 99 percent survival rate since there is If there is a side effect no guaranteed protection. rate this high for the vaccine The COVID-19 vaccine then there needs to be more research and development circumstances where there into it rather than rushing from the virus, such as

thetalonohs.com

9

uilding a “new normal”

By PEYTON THOMPSON

Editor-in-Chief

a difference for those who are worried about catching As we’re approaching COVID from the students. one year of the COVID-19 But in my opinion if a pandemic, the new normal teacher is not concerned, or of quarantining, wearing is now a familiar practice.

The next step beyond managing the spread was for scientists to develop a vaccine to combat the virus.

And after a few months time, that has now come to fruition.

introduced to them and they

have a big effect initially, because it’s going to be limited, it’s going to be limited to us and to other staff members and administration. And it’s going to be awhile before you guys are going to be

it’s their choice whether “Now hopefully you guys will feel more comfortable it should be totally left up being around us and vice into a teacher’s choices of whether they want to help things in that regard get it or not, and it’s up to but in terms of the overall them. But usually teachers vaccine were the essential who are most concerned going to have a big impact about health issues or very right away. It might be concerned about themselves August when school starts patients who might be next year before we see the exposed to the virus. The next group to receive it DeVito, english teacher.

With teachers being in portion of the population, close proximities with at leaving the nation’s teachers least a hundred students a and educators as next in day, it’s no wonder they are now being labeled essential teacher, is one who has already received the vaccine of exposure, and inability to and gives his opinion about teach from home, teachers it.

“From what I understand about the vaccine it’s 95 percent plus effective, meaning it’s 95 percent certain I’m not going to catch the virus now. Now this is after the second shot, but the unfortunate part is carriers then. So we’re still going to have to do the same things we have been doing with distancing and wearing tell you from a teacher’s standpoint and being in the classroom, I feel a whole lot While there are some teachers who are anxiously waiting for their turn to get the vaccine, others are more apprehensive. Some believe it should be their choice whether or not they decide to get it. for teachers who are very concerned especially with their health issues but I

feeling, any side effects, this and that. In part because they are still continuing the

of things and you guys don’t feel the symptoms

live clinical trials and they need the data, they need

generalities, you guys tend to be more immune to the

with this thing, if it’s really

that you’re carrying it and all of a sudden 10 people are exposed and they got it and that’s where we get the huge spread. So it’s going to be more on you guys to mitigate this thing than it is

said.

Ultimately it’s not the teachers who are going home with COVID-19 diagnoses.

While teachers are the ones receiving the vaccine there’s only so much that will be able to do to halt the spread.

teachers who are spreading With the vaccine having it because if that was the case the teachers would it leaves some wondering if have been out of school.

And it’s actually students that have gone out either has never been a need for because they have been a COVID vaccine before, exposed to it via family or the long term effects are family surroundings but I

“There’s so many here that have been exposed uncertainties with it and if to it with the exception of they were sure that yes it is one that used to be a teacher in the front lines. So they here and was exposed to it they are giving the shots don’t have a choice. They out and people are saying said. have to be [at school] and if The biggest thing students they are exposed to students had another case that I’ve can do is to be aware of what who either weren’t aware of it or weren’t aware of the of someone else who has virus at bay. Although it time that they had it, they passed away after getting has been one long year of have potential for getting it. it’s a faulty shot or if it was people they care about and just the person’s immune adjusting to the practice system. I have no idea but of how many students are it leaves you questioning in front of them each day, whether the shot is a good these habits are the best solution as of now.

DeVito said.

Those who have received Among other schools, the vaccine this early in the it’s going to come down OHS was one of many that stages of its development to you guys and what you and distribution are do with family members of second semester online. essentially guinea pigs. The and other people you hang Between then and when scientists and pharmacies around with. Because all the numbers that I’ve seen, person, some teachers had data as more and more sign I shouldn’t say all of them but the majority of them, up to get their shot. stage of the vaccine. What “My wife and I and it comes down to being in large groups, not wearing on the school’s environment, who’s been vaccinated down only time will tell. at the stadium, we get a

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC’s website:

thetalonohs.com

“

2020 8 December I think if we shut down some people who [say], ‘I don’t believe in what you believe in, I dont wanna listen’, you end up not learning why they think

candidate, it doesn’t just affect their life. It affects everyone else’s life in the country, if that candidate is elected.

“

Noah Robins Senior Interviews and photography by Gabriel Souza, Peyton Thompson, and Kaitlyn Smitten

@OC_CAPTURED

“

@OC_CAPTURED

aptured

The hands-on aspect of it, when you actually get to work with the athletes and tape them, stretch them, and all that. I get to see things that a lot of people don’t get to see at this age.

Lauren Lauren Morgan Morgan Junior

“

10

“

February 2021

I wanted to learn more about being hindu and what my cultural background is because once I started going to school I forgot about it. I’ve been trying to learn more about it, like festivals and more religious stuff.

“

Ananya Thekkemelepatt Sophomore

11

4

Opinions Page 12

February 2021

thetalonohs.com

Editorial: Why did Arizona turn blue?

Since 1948 Arizona and her electoral votes have been won by the Republican party 16 out of 17 times, only going Democrat in 1996. In the 2020 election Arizona was won by the Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden; Arizona also elected Democratic senator Mark Kelley. Arizona turning blue was an unexpected win for Joe Biden, yet he was able to keep his lead after Arizona was called early in the night on Nov. 3.

Joe Biden won Arizona by less than 11,000 votes in the presidential race whereas Mark Kelley won by a much wider margin, winning by over 75,000 votes. Both of the Arizona Senate seats have been taken up by Republicans from 1994 to 2018. Kyrsten Sinema narrowly beat Martha McSally in 2018,

stronghold.

There are currently many advocating for a recount as it was a very close election and many saying that it was rigged.

Though there could have been minor interference, it would not be too widespread for it to make a large enough

Martha McSally lost again

back red, even though it was such a close race.

The most apparent reason Arizona turned blue was Donald Trump’s mismanagement during COVID-19. It was very unlikely that Arizona or many other swing states would have been blue if not for COVID-19, and its impact both on the economy and the very high death toll in America making up approximately 19 percent of all COVID-19 deaths worldwide. This of course was not all of Trump’s fault but he did downplay the virus

second seat blue. The last time both Senate seats were held by Democrats was in 1953 when Carl Hayden and Ernest McFarland held both seats.

Needless to say a change this large was unexpected, especially in such a long lasting Republican

and denied the effectiveness of the mask. This lack of leadership most certainly deterred voters from voting for Trump, instead deciding to vote for Biden.

Something else to note is the media bias towards Donald Trump and the favoritism towards Joe

Biden. Donald Trump has had biased press coverage has swayed the opinion of the voters heavily throughout his presidency. There were constant attacks towards Trump every day with little said about Biden. You rarely hear about anything Trump does correctly or to help minorities not because he hasn’t been helpful towards minorities but because the media doesn’t want to report on it.

The rapidly changing demographics in Arizona are also making an impact on the results of the election. 31 percent of Arizona is hispanic, which are much more likely to be voting Democrat than Republican. For example

in the 2018 House of Representatives elections 69 percent of Hispanics voted Democrat and 29 percent voted Republican. There have also been many people moving from California and bringing their politics with them. And since California has almost double the amount of registered Democrats as Republicans, an overwhelming majority of the people moving from California voted blue.

Arizona has also been affected by the Black Lives Matter protest after the death of George Floyd.

This happened at an ideal time for Joe Biden and the Democratic Party as a whole as it added another incentive for voters to vote Biden with

the promise of racial justice.

Also with the common comparison of Trump supporters and Republicans, in general, with racism and many people in the current political climate do not want to be thought of as racist.

Among many other less impactful reasons it is evident that COVID-19, media bias, changing demographics, as well as the BLM protest have all contributed in a major way to the state of Arizona turning blue.

Although Arizona turned blue this election cycle it is highly likely that it will be much more of a swing state rather than a Republican stronghold in future election cycles simply due to this one election cycle.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BESTCOLLEGES.COM

The two party system:utterly broken

By JACKSON MORGAN

Editorial Chief

The American two party in the most recent years this is illustrated in everything that has happened in government. From opinions on the president to stimulus checks, no republican seems to agree with any democrat and no democrat agrees with any republican. The founding fathers of this country were against this political system, yet in the 1790s America saw the rise of the Democratic Party and the Federalist

Party, with no other party present. This system has created division in America, fueled a civil war, and doesn’t allow for anything to get done in the government; there must be change before it’s too late.

There is a constant power struggle in the government to see which party will control what. This is the deciding factor for the Direction of America rather than individual politicians working together for a better future. With the inclusion of more political parties, there will be much less of a chance

for an oppressive political party that just barely gets 51 seats in the Senate or House of Representatives that then gets to control that part of congress. If there are more political parties that hold somewhat equal power as both the Democratic and Republican Party, there will be less of a power grab for control and more things will get done in government as it forces all parties to work each other.

The founding fathers of America never intended for there to be a two party

PHOTO COURTESY OF BESTCOLLEGES.COM

system. John Adams said in 1789, “There is nothing I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other.” When political parties are made in opposition to one another, it will lead to radical ideals on both sides and people in the middle are stuck choosing what radical candidate they’re voting for, rather than someone that aligns with their views. This last presidential election was a result of that; neither candidate was very optimal for the majority of the country yet people still had to vote, and most people were left voting against a politician rather than for a politician.

America is also waking up to the idea of a third party. Currently there are two third party senators serving. Bernard Sanders has been serving since 2007 while Angus S. King, Jr has been serving since 2013, they are both independents.

Jo Jorgensen won over 1.8 million votes in the presidential race, which is 1.2% of the votes and the second most of any third

party candidate in history.

The reason that more people are not voting third party is partly due to them thinking that they are throwing their vote away, yet this isn’t necessarily the case. If a third party candidate receives between 5 to 25 percent of the vote, for example, they will receive public funding for the following election.

Without a third party the nation is divided and the only way America can fall is if the country implodes on itself. With a third party it will unify people and show them that people are not so different from each other, as it gives a middle ground.

Since 41 percent of adults are independents, 31 percent are Democrats, and 25 percent are republicans. This means a lot of Americans are in between either party on the political spectrum and don’t like the current political parties. Americans usually agree on most things, but both parties will take the one percent that Americans do not agree with each other on and turn them against each other. It led to one civil war.

There’s no reason it couldn’t lead to another.

The Talon

13 December 2019

thetalonohs.com

Facebook censoring Trump

By MAISIE JESSE

FOR: In response to the Jan 6 assault on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, different social media platforms suspended as well as banned President Trump from using their platforms, claiming he violated their rules and regulations by inciting violence.

One of the biggest surprises was Twitter locking his account.

Originally, Twitter said that his account would be locked for 12 hours following the removal and any further violations would result in a permanent suspension. Facebook had a similar response, saying that his account would be locked for two weeks minimum until after President Elect Biden’s Inauguration.

On Jan 8, Twitter permanently suspended President Trump’s account due to the risk of further incitement of violence. Many claim that these social media platforms are censoring Trump and they could very well censor all of us or the news we receive; however, that is simply not the case.

There is no free speech

right to incite violence or cause harm to others.

Incitement to violence is a criminal offense, no matter what political party you do or do not belong to.

There is a clear reason for this: violence is dangerous.

It harms those who are immediately targeted (such in the riots) and those who are intimidated as a result of the violence to take action or speak up against it. To suggest taking action against speech that incites violence is censoring the speaker, would be not only misleading.

There is also no free speech argument that guarantees any citizen the right to express their views.

If this right were to exist, it would mean that any citizen could demand to have their

opinions aired on a news channel and if denied, say their free speech had been violated. We have thesr rules in place for a reaon.

What does exist is a general right to express yourself on any social media platform, relatively free from regulation as long as your speech does not harm others. Trump still possesses this right and could speak his opinions to us at any given time. Just because he was our President, that does not mean he is exempt from all the laws and regulations.

As American citizens, we must work to ensure harmful, hurtful and hate speech is regulated in order to ensure our country stays safe.

Anything less than that from any citizen would be ignoring our principles and ethics as a country.

By CONNOR STEGEN

AG A I N S T : Tr u m p has recently been censored on multiple internet websites and this is a Big deal. Many people were wanting this and most of Trump supporters were not . Whether you agree with what he says or disagree, one thing is true: an American citizen is being stripped of their First Amendment right.

I don’t agree with a lot of the controversial things he says and posts he makes on Twitter or Facebook, but this is unconstitutional. The founding fathers wrote in our constitution we will have freedom of speech, which we did not have when we were ruled by a monarchy

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY

government. So why does an American citizen, president or not, get stripped of a american right?

As well as Facebook is an American owned company, so why do people like Mark Zuckerberg get to say whatever they want but others don’t? This censorship is unconstitutional because we cannot support something which takes away a right we fought so hard to get. With all the technology we have, why is it when we can message across the world in seconds, amendment?

We cannot support something which takes away a right that we use in everyday life. A lot of news stories like the Watergate scandal could have never been reported because the government would have censored it. There are many stories that we read that would have never existed without the First Amendment.

We cannot stand for the censorship of President Trump because it is an American right to have freedom of speech. And if we give the biggest social media apps the right to censor our content and the content we consume, then why can’t they censor everything we post?

Why we need to cancel “cancel culture”

By JACKSON MORGAN

Cancel culture has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the year leading up to the 2020 presidential election. Cancel culture is when people on the internet upset with and they use their large following to deplatform an individual or group. It’s status in society can be highlighted by looking at social media and the hate celebrities get for being on one side politically. This has been a recurring trend on both sides of the political spectrum for years and can be described as toxic.

When someone is canceled it’s usually as a result of them sharing their support towards a certain side on the political spectrum. When canceled supporters will withdraw support for them, often leading to hate mail, threats of violence, and in extreme circumstances, death threats. Cancel culture supports the idea of mob rule and intimidation rather than open conversation and dialogue; this results in people thinking as a group rather than as an individual.

People get canceled for anything and everything. J.K.

Rowling has been canceled for a tweet defending Maya Forstater, a researcher for a tweet stating that people cannot change their biological sex. J.K. received hate tweets and mail because she defended someone who stated a biological fact. She even said in the same tweet, “Dress however you please.

Call yourself whatever you like… But force women out is real?” She didn’t follow the mindset of the crowd and thought for herself which was unacceptable for people that thought differently. J.K. Rowling made two mistakes to become canceled, she thought for herself and she shared her opinion. This upset people so they had no other choice than to cancel her. Even former President Donald Trump is a victim of cancel culture as many are attempting to remove him from home alone 2, a movie that was released almost 30 years ago. Cancel culture knows no limits and people will do anything to take away someone else’s voice.

Cancel culture does not only affect celebrities it affects everyone even teenagers and kids. Many kids have been canceled for thinking a certain way. For example, there have been

instagram accounts made anonymously from OHS students which are designed as an account to share secrets.

Some of these accounts have taken it a step farther and used their free instagram following to try and “expose” students for supporting president Trump. No matter there should be no reason to attempt to alienate someone for holding a separate opinion from you even if you disagree.

If not even the youth of this country can coexist, then how can this country stand?

There are many solutions that could be done to end cancel culture. The way we can stop cancel culture is by realizing that we all are going to have different viewpoints and we should accept that; we accept diversity and we need to turn that diversity into unity. When we have unity that is when we can achieve great feats and when there is such an obvious barricade that is obstructing that path to unity, we ultimately regress rather than progress as a society and as a country. The only way we can end cancel culture is by realizing that everyone thinks differently, and that is part of why we have the First Amendment.

Diversity is part of what makes America unique and we need to embrace it.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY Many people take part in cancel culture and actively support it because it allows them to feel good by saving minorities from controversial opinions. They do this by shutting down communication before it even begins. Unfortunately for them, social change is not brought about because people have hurt feelings and decide to ruin someone’s life. Social change is brought about by open lines of dialogue and communication between both sides. This is evident from when women advocated for the right to vote in the late 1910s, to the 1950s and 1960s, when the civil rights movement treatment no matter your race. Each one of these large movements had something in

common; they used dialogue to state what they wanted and used their voice rather than take away the voices of their opposition.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “A house divided cannot stand.” America or sny country cannot survive for long when divided. If we want this country to stand together, cancel culture must go. There is no reason that people should be afraid of sharing their opinion by threat of the mob. When people do not feel free to share their thoughts, that is when America and the world will regress tremendously quickly. b canceling people out, but by giving them and everyone a voice even when you don’t share the same opinion.

4

Arts & Entertainment

Page 14

thetalonohs.com

February 2021

The Mandalorian and its jingling keys

By NICK FELIDES Arts and Entertainment Editor

Disney Star Wars’ “The Mandalorian’’ has returned with the highly anticipated season two on Oct 30. The show is a technical marvel.

Everything from the cinematography, the special effects, to the music and the set design is some of greatest ever to be put to television.

Unfortunately, that’s where the praises seem to end. While conceptually fantastic, “The Mandalorian” suffers from a plethora of plot contrivances, damaging characterization, and hollow payoffs.

Season two picks up right where season one left off. Our space bounty hunter protagonist, “The Mandalorian”, is tasked with bringing “The Child” to the Jedi, while getting into the usual TV escapades along the way and meeting new characters.

Of course, the fan-dubbed named Grogu, has returned alongside his detached companion. Once again, he doesn’t do much, which is device and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, as he can’t really do much.

There is an inconsistency in his abilities though. In season one, it’s established that when Grogu sees Mando in danger, he reacts by using the force, which he rarely does in this latest season. Mando is in several near death situations and Grogu does nothing.

One of the biggest problems of the show is the main character himself: Mando played by Pedro Pascal. Season

one and two try to hammer in the idea that this particular Mandalorian is an incredibly skilled and competent bounty hunter with a heart of gold.

But if his actions were to be broken down, you would start to notice that Mando is actually really incompetent.

For example, in the season two premiere, Mando is tasked with killing a giant worm with a thick hide. So, he concocts this elaborate scheme to blow up the worm when it’s a certain distance away from its cave. What Mando fails to remember going into the battle is that he has a powerful giant rocket on his back. He doesn’t use it until after his plan fails and the rocket itself proves to deal a massive amount of damage on the outside skin of the giant worm. Imagine if it was shot into the worm’s mouth. They have Mando forgetting he has this rocket for the sake of keeping the episode going, the trade-off being that Mando has to act strategically inept. He also waits until the last second to send a Bantha armed with explosives into the worm when that should’ve been his plan to begin with. He also decides to go into the worm with the Bantha because it tries to move away but it’s so slow that he doesn’t really have any reason to hang onto the creature. This is a severely uneccessary risk. There are several more examples where he makes certain decisions that make little-to-no sense that damage the perception of the character.

The idea behind Mando is that he’s this stoic bounty hunter whose heart is melted by the child he saves from

death. However, the problem lies in his personality, or lack thereof. For most of the show, Mando delivers his lines with what sounds like boredom rather than stoicism with hints of charm and sarcasm.

Every now and then he can crack a snarky remark and have a disposition in his line delivery, but for the most part, Mando just sounds bored.

A protagonist is typically stoic when they have an immense amount of inner thought and emotions that show through the character’s actions. Mando certainly

core of the character; it’s just the uninterested line delivery from Pedro Pascal that dampens the impact of basically everything he says.

The show-ruining thing about “The Mandalorian” is it’s over reliance on nostalgia.

Boba Fett returns in episode six to retrieve his iconic armor from Mando. After a few minutes, our characters are swarmed by Stormtroopers and the rest of the episode is mainly Boba Fett slaughtering stormtroopers in seemingly cool action sequences. The thing is, if anyone were to slow down would begin to notice how incomepent the enemy forces are in order to make Boba Fett look cool. Most of the troopers are running at Boba with their blasters and makes the enemy force inept, the stakes are extremely low because the audience knows that the characters will survive purely off of the antagonists’ stupidity.

The writers are making the

the stormtroopers, look like buffoons, despite this being the organization that had its hands wrapped around the galaxy for 20 years. is probably the biggest offender when it comes to key-jingling. Luke Skywalker miraculously shows up to save our main cast at the last second. He slays dozens of killer robots only to take Grogu to presumably train was met with overwhelming praise just because it was Luke Skywalker killing robots. This is due to the fact that Luke has been so poorly treated in the sequel trilogy. So because fans get to see Luke doing something marked as “good,” when in all reality this just reveals a very depressing truth about the show.

The writers aren’t main characters to deliver a powerful, well-written ending to a season. They are relying on things like the

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENOFGEEK.COM mystic “darksaber” or Luke Skywalker to get the praises of critics and audiences. The Mando saying goodbye to one another feels so shallow and unearned. The creators are aware that people will clap at just the sight of a character from a previous show or movie.

“The Mandalorian” is a “death by a thousand cuts” situation.

The premise of every episode is completely acceptable.

In-fact, conceptually, each episode is perfect in its ideas because they have potential to devlop the characters in an interesting mechanically competent way.

It’s unfortunate, though, that these concepts are carried out poorly. The show has an over reliance on nostalgia and spectacle and doesn’t put much effort into its writing. Disney Plus’ “The Mandalorian” season two is something to behold when it comes to its technical aspects, it comes to the story itself.

With COVID-19 comes the rise of online concerts

By LINDSAY STEINBERG

Sports Editor

With COVID-19 leaving a never-ending shutdown to social gatherings, eliminating the public from being welcome to activities like sporting events and concerts.

With it, came the rise of what is known as online concerts.

Music artists are greatly impacted by not being allowed to tour as most of their income actually comes from ticket sales, though they aren’t the only ones impacted, as concert venues and crew members for said artists are also suffering.

What happens to the people whose livelihood was to help set up the stage and band equipment for every show? They’re completely

out of a job until concerts are able to return.

At the start of the pandemic, there was a rise of charity event concerts with multiple artists taking part.

Some of these were free, taking donations during the event, while some were paid with all the proceeds going to various charities. One of these concerts was The Dreamworld online musical charity festival, which took place back in May, and featured DJ performances from artists like Cheat Codes. the Heart Water Foundation for COVID-19 relief efforts.

Other events from artists took place, like Lauv’s Blue Boy Foundation which held “Breaking Modern Loneliness: A Conversation

on Mental Health”, a virtual panel discussion surrounding mental health. This event also took place in May with artists such as Alessia Cara and Anne-Marie partaking in the conversation as well.

As the pandemic raged on, paid concerts became more popular in order to help support the artists and their crews as some of the events had extravagant, well set-up stages.

In October, Machine Gun Kelly had two events where he played a different album and tickets had to be purchased in order to access the event. All Time Low also performed the entirety of their album “Wake Up, Sunshine” in a live stream show that was taped in July.

This event stands out as each

band member curated one set, creating a different show for each.

With the end of 2020, there were a plethora of events to celebrate the new year, one of the most popular being Big Hit Entertainment’s New Year’s Eve Live. Not only did this include artists under their management like BTS, ENHYPEN, and GFRIEND, but also Steve Aoki, Halsey, and Lauv.

Though, Big Hit’s NYEL online concerts. As it was a paid event, many people wanted to avoid having to pay to see the artist perform, so along came the rise of illegally streaming the concerts. Whether this a way to do it on YouTube,

or Twitter’s periscope, it’s inevitable.

Questions also arise if this is the future of concerts, eliminating in-person shows as a whole. The chance of this happening seems low, but online concerts will probably stick around.

As having online events allows international fans (or wherever the artist isn’t able to tour) to attend the concert and feel involved. It may not be the actual show, but it’s a step up to what they’ve had before.

Virtual concerts might not be the same experience, but they are the closest we can get to the feeling and they might just have the future of concerts and musical performances.

The Talon

thetalonohs.com

February 2021

15

Cobra Kai returns better than ever

By NICK FELIDES

Spoilers for Cobra Kai “Cobra Kai” season three has ended and it was certainly disaster that was season two, skepticism that season three major plot points of season two, the show was left in a zero sense and prior episodes had most of the main cast act out of character in order moronically leaving the dojo in the hands of someone who tried to kill him years despite the large impression Daniel left on him, and Robbie to begin with despite his inherent logical and brushing the surface of the massive issues in season two, but season three manages to course correct just about came from the needless addition of new characters that would help damage the direction and actions of season two brought back sensei who tried to kill Johnny Johnny saw Kreese homeless and yearning for purpose, so he decided to let Kreese teach Johnny has let someone who tried to kill him, teach

was all the way back in episode three of season two, so that had a massive ripple effect and drove most seasoncontrived, and messy ending of season two stems from one massively out-of-character

three rolled with the punches and took Johnny to his

bring Johnny back from this low point, by rekindling his connection with his student/ left behind early in season Part of the season one charm was the chemistry and bond formed between

always about carrying the

follow Daniel as he struggles and decides to travel to Okinawa for some sense of interest from “Karate Kid 2” and they reignite their friendship, along with the villain, Chozen, from that learns some valuable lessons and indulges in the nostalgia Some of the scenes with Daniel will bring audiences to the verge of tears, as there are some powerful moments regarding his relationship related issues, the majority affect

the

narrative

too

uses of nostalgia is the return brings him back from this most of this season consists

as cheap nostalgia bait to get

bond has returned, and the

the series, Johnny and Daniel have come so close to forming a permanent and strong bond, but their methods and goals always get in the way of one

much between these two for

to town and is, ironically

Johnny and Daniel LeRusso that are driving the plot,

brings them together, which leads to one of, if not, the biggest and greatest payoffs

his physical therapy and continues to be his shoulder

Former karate champion, Daniel LeRusso, also returns after such a lackluster role in

John Kreese now runs his students in the worst

PHOTO COURTESY OF SCREENWEEK.COM them to steal, brutalize, and Season three ends on such house so they can thrash that Kreese did that, Johnny and Daniel both head to Cobra Kai and beat Kreese to a bloody pulp, almost tournament, Cobra Kai shuts down and he leaves town, setting the driving stakes of

to seeing Daniel and Johnny unite, but the show takes that opportunity from us so

if they put their differences aside, they can create a better lot of this stems from the

to black and we presumably of the season, a cover of dojo with dozens of

his

over to the entrance to reveal that students of Cobra Kai

through the entrance of the dojo, revealing that the two up, to put an end to John

these characters act with so the actions of the other the show has, “Cobra Kai” season three is a return to form, bringing back that

manipulative or key-jingling, but in a way that ‘s well written and can emotionally

Taylor Swift’s suprise album for fans unfortunate quarantine and make something good out of

By KAITLYN SMITTEN

Swift surprised her fans by dropping her new album, after her previous album “Folklore” which was an

fans,

other

artists

and

celebrities are also stuck in quarantine, making it so they have more than enough Swift is one of the celebrities that has chosen to take this

from her previous record she and her producers have a lot more freedom to release control on when she wants to release a single or an album, and the material she would like to include in her songs, which is why her recent albums might seem more “reckless” than her previous usual music style as it is more of an “indie” album

Swift has been known for

genres and different styles within, but the multitude of styles in this album is off the in genre, “Evermore” has a more mature undertone than

is maturing with her, but there is a low chance that her fairytale love stories will always be known as the “Love Story” girl, remembered for her famous break up and teenage romance songs that teenagegirls aeround the style has upset some fans from her traditional “damsel become more independent and it shows in her music as her “characters” are not relying on men to make them

PHOTO COURTESY OF THERINGER.COM

No doubt, Swift is still the master of writing breakup songs that hit our heart and soul, pulling on our heart

strings and helping us relate to her lyrics in a heartfelt revolves around her growing

desire for revenge against her

along with the approach she

focuses on a more risque romance rather than a sweet innocent high school one that

Swifts new album gives listeners a glimpse into her life and how she is evolving with

maturing undertones along with the different genres

included in the album are diverse in style and meanings from young teen romance to middle aged divorce and pop, country, and indie, Swift has

in her previous albums and songs, she leans more towards the wholesome romance between two teens unlike the topic of divorce, mentioned

evolves, so does everything

changed throughout the years, whether it is through is still our traditional break

a song revolving around the true crime genre, “Nobody Swift has been known for her innocence and revenge in her breakup songs but as she grows there is a darker undertone to some of her music that younger generations might not

Swift matures so does her

making it so she can truly all, fans are pleased with the brand new surprise album by

16

The Talon

February 2021

thetalonohs.com

Wonder Woman 1984: an absolute travesty

By NICK FELIDES

Another year, means another terrible movie by DC Entertainment and Warner Brothers. “Wonder Woman 1984”, directed by Patty Jenkins, launched on Christmas day both in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service for subscribers. Not to many’s surprise, DC has once again failed with another installment in their “connected universe”.

The movie follows Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot, as she and her back-fromthe-dead boyfriend, Steve Trevor, played by Chris Pine, attempt to stop oil barren, turned god-like entity Max Lord, played by Pedro Pascal, as he attempts to overtake the world and cause nuclear warfare. That’s the plot in its purest form but it gets much, much worse. The plot is so messy and nonsensical with so many mechanics that are nonfunctional, while the main protagonist is the equivalent of a plank of wood and is very easily overshadowed by the acting prowess of the antagonist. movie open with a young Diana Prince, Wonder Woman, on her home island Themyscira, participating in a form of Olympics. Right off

started training as a warrior until she’s a teenager. The and incompetent child, but WW84 portrays her as this highly skilled and resourceful child.

There’s also the major contradiction of her mother, Hippolyta, who didn’t want Diana training at all in the of her practicing until she was a teenager. Now she’s suddenly able to participate in this tournament at the approves of it? The writers didn’t think to keep in line with continuity despite this being a direct sequel, which will become more apparent as the plot goes on.

The biggest problem is that it’s purely used to set up the true hero is born from lies”, which is a fundamentally broken concept. During the competition, Diana takes a shortcut and is She’s frustrated because she thinks she rightfully won, but her mother explains that what she did was wrong. contradicts the message being boasted by WW84.

the previous Wonder Woman

purpose in life was completely hidden from her by her mother. She thought Zeus birthed her out of love but in actuality, she was created to kill Zeus, which she learns in

clear

idea that a hero can’t be born out of a lie is entirely naive

that

Diana

hasn’t

and a disservice to so many origin was founded on the idea that Tony Stark believed the military-grade weapons he was manufacturing and selling were saving lives, but he learns that they’re only being used to kill and enslave foreign countries. He becomes Once again, this sentiment is so juvenile and ignorant that it’s shocking anybody would actually agree with it. absolutely nothing and only create damage to the overall continuity.

As a side note, the laws of physics do not apply to Wonder Woman whatsoever.

Throughout the movie, Diana uses her lasso of truth to traverse the environment. The However, because the movie wants to put Wonder Woman on this pedestal, the writers throw any sort of logic out the window when it comes to the way she swings and moves around on the lasso. SpiderMan media accomplishes this much better. Spider-Man writers typically justify Peter Parker swinging by applying legitimate physics to his transportation. Spider-Man swinging is like a pendulum, where he has to calculate where to shoot if he wants also manages to get more nonsensical by having Wonder Woman swing on lightning for a solid three seconds when lightning only lasts for a

PHOTO COURTESY OF VULTURE.COM millisecond, meaning Wonder Woman would have to be moving close to the speed of light, which she clearly doesn’t.

At the second act low point, which completely and utterly destroys what we knew about

which takes place in the present day, making WW84

Pine’s character, Steve Trevor. Steve was a World War British intelligence agent was also the one to introduce Diana to man’s world and they slowly fell in love but couldn’t capitalize on it because of Steve’s death, so Diana has been living alone

Continue reading on

BvS. The movie established The Talon’s website. that Wonder Woman can only perform large leaps. Not to mention that in Batman vs Diana tells Batman that she walked away from mankind very clearly contradicts, because she’s still operating in 1984. The movie is layered with so many illogical, plotbreaking inconsistencies.

The worst part about the

Theater breaks into radio shows

By KAITLYN SMITTEN

From “High School Musical” to “Beauty and the Beast”, OHS theater has put on many performances in the past, but this year it will look a little different. Due to the audience present to attend performances. Theater has taken a unique route and made the executive decision not to put on any live performances for the rest of the semester or until further has decided to host radio shows and perform for their classmates.

OHS theater is following strict CDC guidelines, which has resulted in the cancelation of many shows.

This is a devastating loss to all performers, seniors especially as they have been deprived of their last year in the theater restrictions. Although, many senior performers are just happy to get to participate and have the opportunity to

be a part of the program for one last year. the department are the things you can and you’ll have a memorable experience,” said Sam Hsu, senior.

Hsu also comments on theater regulations regarding the CDC’s requests and how having no live audience is detrimental. a place that no one, in theater or not, is getting the year rolling with what we’ve been dealt,” Hsu said. everyone, most people have come to terms with the fact that they aren’t going to get the year they wanted and will As Hsu says, audiences are such a major role in the theater industry and helps the actors feed off of the feeling and adrenaline. However, it’s in everyone's greatest interests, in order to keep everyone safe and healthy, to not admit an audience.

“Audiences are such a big

where we get a lot of energy and can play off of the feedback,” Hsu said. distancing and follow the CDC’s guidelines, the theater department at OHS has decided to shy away from live performances and shift to radio shows. OHS theater has made the decision to do a form of a radio show in which students have the ability to record a play via radio and have it aired to whoever wishes to listen. Though this has been a tough adaptation, OHS theater seems to have no problems adjusting to the new normal.

Toni Fioramonti, theater teacher, has made the executive decision to let students perform in front of their classes to get the simulation of a live audience while remaining within the classroom.

“The seniors are doing “Clueless” and the juniors are writing their own plays,” Fioramonti said. “Though it is not ideal, it is the only way we can perform with a semi-

live audience.”

The current

the best for anyone but in order to keep everyone safe, students and staff must follow the CDC’s guidelines of wearing masks, social distancing, and handwashing.

“We are following strict CDC guidelines, and although

will not be able to go back to in-person performances until next year, young actors and actresses still have their passions and drive that continues to push them to their best. Many students in the OHS theater program are still looking forward to next year performances and have not given up on their passion.

to have the opportunity to participate,” said Hailey Sourp, sophomore.

Although OHS theater

performances, actors live off of the feedback from an audience,” Sourp said.

situation

PHOTO BY KAITLYN SMITTEN Ashton Grayson, freshman, and Tatum Toole, freshman, recite lines for theater.