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Wichita Collegiate Middle School 9115 E. 13th St. N Wichita, KS 67206
MARCH 2022 * Issue 4
THE TIKTOK PHENOMENON The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
By Reghan Eck The new social media phenomenon, TikTok, has taken the world by storm! The app has allowed people to feel more comfortable with themselves, and actually 64% of the users say that they feel they can be their true selves on the app, according to statistics taken from Search Engine Journal. However, not everything about the app is great: the platform
has had some dangerous trends which could lead people to get injured. Throughout the few years TikTok has been around, it has allowed many people to gain a bigger following and get a bigger audience. It has allowed young people to have a voice where on other social media platforms they might have been silenced. Just like everything, there is always some good and bad.
The GOOD On the app you can not only do fun dances, you can duet people’s videos, add filters, make sounds, and create entertaining videos for the rest of the internet. Another thing about TikTok is how often people go viral. The platform has become a place for influencers to gain a bigger audience, people to tell their stories, others to come and be accepted for who they
are, or just a place to make someone laugh. The app has had over 2.6 billion downloads as of November 2021, which shows many people enjoy it. Many influencers on the app such as Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, and Noah Beck, and many others have gained their following by doing dances. (Continued on page 2)
2 NEWS/FEATURE
TIKTOK AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES OUR GENERATION
(CONT’D FROM PAGE 1) In Charli D’Amelio’s case, she went viral overnight and over the past two years has gained over 130 million followers and 10.5 billion likes, and at just seventeen years old. Speaking of going viral, Khloie Villagomez, eighth grader at Collegiate Middle School, recently went viral on the app. She posted a hair tutorial of her brushing out her hair after she curled it and it blew up. Currently, the video has over 324,000 likes and 2.2 million views. Villagomez describes this experience as “surreal” or “entertaining.” “When I first posted the video,” she said, “it had about 50 likes in the first 30 minutes, so I kind of knew that it was going to go somewhere, but I did not expect it to blow up as much as it did. It was so crazy to think that millions of people watched the video and it was honestly just an unreal feeling.” On this platform it is easier to go viral because of its “For You” page and all the different types of content created. “I think it is easier to go viral on TikTok than any other social media platform, but I’ve been on TikTok for many years and this is the first time I’ve gone viral, Villagomez said. On your “For You” page, you see all different types of videos made by people from all over the world, and it truly has helped many people gain a following on the app. Even though there may be some bad on TikTok, it is generally a fun, entertaining app where anyone can find a creator, influencer, account, or someone they can relate to. THE BAD Although TikTok has good aspects, it also has had some bad situations
come to light. Throughout the app many trends have been created, and while most of them are harmless, some have been more dangerous. One of these challenges was the full face wax challenge. To do the challenge, you would cover your whole face with wax including your eyes and nose. When waxing your face, you must be careful because it cannot be too hot for the skin, you need to make sure you do not get any wax in your eyes, and you must be able to breath so you do not suffocate. The next challenge, the penny challenge, could result in a fire. The goal of this was to put a penny behind a somewhat plugged in charger in an outlet to see what would happen. This challenge is dangerous because it could result in a house fire that might be hard to contain. The last challenge is one that actually led to the death of a teenager. This is the Benadryl challenge. It originally became popular in the summer of 2020, but eventually stopped after a 15-year-old died from it. The goal of this is to take as much of the allergy medicine as possible to the point where you start hallucinating, and then you are supposed to film yourself to see the reaction. On a more national level, in 2020 then-President Donald Trump was trying to ban the app for US users because he thought it would be a threat to the United State’s national security. He thought this because many other places have the platform banned. He failed, but he continuously tried to get it banned throughout the rest of his presidency. The platform has had many confrontations throughout its few years of being around, but it still has managed to stay very popular. THE UGLY Though most people feel welcomed
Collegiate eighth grader Khloie Villagomez recently went “viral” with 2.2 million views and 324,000 “likes” after posting a video to TikTok. She described the experience as “surreal” and “entertaining.”
on the app, some have felt it can become very toxic. Some people may not be able to get their opinion across in a way that is understanding to others, so the comments on their video could fill up with rude and discouraging remarks. Influencers constantly have hate in their comment sections of their videos, but average people also get hate for specific things that they post as well. Some of the most popular hate comments given to people on the app were about body shaming, their religion, their race, and even death threats in some cases. A reason people might be saying these things is because it is through social media, and it is not to someone’s face. Middle School Counselor Heidi Holton believes social media has largely affected this generation. “I feel social media gives people a way to find what they’re interested in and their community, but the danger of social media with kids presents a problem with not knowing truly who they’re talking to and spending a lot of time online, and having a lot of screen time, and just becoming obsessed with the internet,” said Holton. “Being online can give you “keyboard courage” that can make you feel like you can say things you wouldn’t say to someone’s face.” On the platform, cancel culture has become very popular. This is
when someone publicly shames others for something they did that was bad in their opinion. The toxicity of the app continues to skyrocket which has made many influencers leave the app and many average people to delete it. “It can allow people to find common interest among people their age, but the negative side of it is that you are always comparing your life to a story that you don’t know is true or not and it takes away our joy and our presence,” Holton said. Social media can be a very positive aspect of our lives, but if we do not know how to keep it controlled, it can turn into a very mean, ugly thing. Overall, like anything, the app has both good and bad elements. People have been able to find a community on the app, and they have been able to relate to certain things that they might have been struggling with. On the other hand, certain challenges and situations that have taken place on the platform have brought out the bad side of people and the app. Social media has become an everyday thing for many people, and it is also ultimately everyone’s personal decision to use it if they want. If we want to allow social media to be a toxic part of our lives we can, we can also look on the optimistic side and turn the negative into a positive.
NEWS/FEATURE 3
STUDENT ST UDENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT
JADEN PARKER
This motto plays on Jaden’s dad’s name, Dre, and represents how Jaden has big inspirations and goals he has for himself to accomplish. By Julian Johnson When talking about Jaden Parker, he’s mostly known for his athletic ability and being a freak of nature on the court and on the football field. Basketball, football, and baseball are the sports he plays and he brings an instant impact to any team he’s playing for. But Jaden knew that when he was coming to Collegiate, sports were not the only thing in mind. “I wanted to meet new people and start my own journey,” he said. “Collegiate is one of the best schools in Kansas and I wanted to make the most out of my opportunities.” During his time here, he’s been
doing excellent and his peers & teachers have made him feel appreciated and welcome. When he’s not dropping buckets for his school, he’s playing club ball (he insists on calling it “travel ball,” because he thinks “club ball” is lame). Team Griffin is the name of his travel team, and they mostly play in Texas. “Something cool about me being on Team Griffin is that I’m one of two people in Wichita to be able to play with a ranked basketball team out of Oklahoma and that the bond on the team is real close.” Playing on a team like Team Griffin, who are in the top 15 in the nation, shows his competitive nature
and talent, but he knows he has had help along the way. “My biggest inspiration is my mom, because of her work ethic, always trying to help me better myself, and showing me how to love and respect God, because of what he does for me now and what he can do for me in the future.” Jaden’s mom played ball herself, so basketball just runs in the family. Another of his inspirations is his grandpa. “He’s known to be quiet, but when he speaks he’s always spitting game, giving me life lessons, and when he passes away, I’ll remember him always telling me ‘Keep your head up.’”
While he is no longer with us, Jaden’s father has had a major impact on his life “We always had a close bond, he knew I would do big things, and I live by the slogan “I DREam BIG”, because it represents him.” (His father’s name was Dre). Other than support from his loved ones, his faith helped him get through this rough time in his life. “Philipians 4:13 is my favorite scripture: ‘I can do all things by Christ that strengthens me.’ Whatever you put your mind to, it can be done, because you have to have a good bond with Christ and if you serve the Lord, he’ll give right back to you.”
4 OPINION
Can too much homework be counter-productive? By Lucy Gehrer and Amelia Blackman
Have you ever gone home after a long day of school and sat down to do your homework, but then you have a mental breakdown about how much homework you had that night? Some of us can relate to this, but some of us just sit down and deal with it. I feel like some nights I am pressured with too much homework and don’t have time to do the things I enjoy. But maybe if there was an equal amount of homework each night, like 15 minutes of homework from each class, homework might be more enjoyable and not something that kids just dread every night. In 2013 Stanford University found out that students who spend too much time on homework experience more stress, physical health problems, and a lack of balance in
their lives. Throughout this editorial, tired of working on the same probthink to yourself, am I constantly lems all the time. Spreading out the being pressured by homework each homework evenly each night would night? be very helpful, I know, to a lot of 8th grader Alex Richardson said, students who are involved in other “Some nights we have barely any activities. homework at all, and other nights Sixth grader Olivia Gehrer said can be she thinks that bombarded “Teachers should work out a schedule the reason and overfor which class gives out homework and teachers give whelmed which class does not that day, or keep it us so much by the homework is to 15 minutes of homework per class.” amount of that they want work that us to get smart. is required She threw out for us to complete.” the obvious one, but we can take this I also think that it depends on the statement and put some science into night and what other after-school it. activities I am doing that night. But According to research by Denise from personal experience, I would Pope, a senior lecturer at Stanford say that having too much homeUniversity, and her colleagues, “Too work can be very stressful and can much homework can diminish its take much of your time if you get effectiveness and even be counter-
Comic by Guest Reporter Jocelyn Baig (5th Grade)
productive.” This means that some students are so pressured by too much homework that they don’t have as much time to spend with friends, family, and to also do other extra activities. This can also cause kids to stay up late doing homework and not be able to function well in school because of lack of sleep. All in all, it is safe to say that homework is stressful, on top of other things. Doing homework and studying for a test on top of having to read a book is hard. I think homework in moderation is all right, but having it every night, especially in every class, is stressful. Teachers should work out a schedule with which class gives out homework and which class does not that day, or keep it to 15 minutes of homework per class.
Meet the new Spartan Torch staff!
Reporters Amelia Blackman Julian Johnson Courtlyn Ramsey Brooke McKown
Advisor Mrs. Bowers
Reghan Eck Lucy Gehrer Cora Hill Charlotte Pigg
What’s your favorite shoe? Is it Jordan 1s or something else? Nike paired with Michael Jordan to create the Jordan 1s. After he won an NBA championship wearing the Jordan 6s, the shoes skyrocketed. They are pricey shoes but go with almost everything. There are so many types of Jordans to choose from; you can rock different styles too. Some people like their shoes with creases. Here are some of
my favorite shoes and my opinion on them.
Review: The Best Sneakers By Amelia Blackman
The Jordan 4 off white sail. It is a great but pricey shoe. They go with a lot of outfits that are a mostly neutral color. Personally I would lace them loose and not tight. If you lace them tight the creases are more noticeable and appear faster. These are pricey shoes and I wouldn’t wear them everyday so they last longer.
The Jordan 1 Obsidian is an overall great shoe. It is one of very few shoes that look good with creases.It’s a pretty basic colorway, it’s not too much color and it is a great blend of blue. I would personally recommend these shoes to anyone who likes a blue colorway and is looking to spend a little more on a pair of shoes.
Air Force 1s are personally one of the best shoes to own. They are very comfortable and go with anything you wear. There are many different colors and styles of the shoe. They are very durable and dont run down as easily. It’s a must have shoe and it is very affordable.
What is Your Favorite Hot Lunch Dish? Have you every wondered what the top favorite hot lunch menu is? I made a survey to find out. People throughout the middle school voted: By Charlotte Pigg
6 ENTERTAINMENT
Be My Valentine? On Valentine’s Day, 7th and 8th graders wrote messages to each other using the classic Valentine conversation hearts: By Lucy Gehrer
The ORACLE By Amelia Blackman
Gemini( May 21 - June 20) The stars are aligning for Gemini this Month. You should make that big decision you have been stressing over for weeks. Don’t pay attention to the fact that your whole life could be hanging in the balance of your decision. Be cautious, if you choose poorly your life could be ruined for a long time.
Sagittarius( November 22 December 21) This month is all about adventure and getting outside for once. Throw caution to the wind and see where this month takes you. Try that new restaurant or see that new movie, take a bus ride to a new place, just be careful not to get hit by a bus.
Scorpio(October 23 - November 21) Scorpios if you don’t call your best friend back in 26 seconds they will file a missing person report. You have strong intellect which could cause some issues this month if you’re interacting with people who don’t like nerds; make sure not to come off as a know-it-all. I would also recommend investing in some contact lenses. Virgo(August 23 - September 22) The sun is shining brighter than ever, meaning you need to do that task you have been putting off for weeks. Like cleaning the pile of dishes in your sink they aren’t gonna clean themselves. Like, seriously, it’s not that hard to do something. You will feel a lot better when you’re done and feel free again.
Libra(September 23 - October 22) This month is going to be a tricky one for you, but on the bright side, you would make a great Jenga player since you’re concerned with justice and balance. Because of the moon’s movement there is no more settling your problems with your words. It’s time to use your hands.
Taurus(April 20 - May 20) This month is all about relaxing and stop being so focused with work. Stop being a deadbeat and get out of the house for once! Maybe you will experience fun for the first time in a while. Just let loose and life will go your way if you allow it.
ENTERTAINMENT 7
Leo( July 23 - August 22) The universe is wild and out of sorts for you this month as Mercury is in a retrograde state, the Milky way is in a fight with his brother and Venus is taking night classes. This month is a great month to take a step outside of yourself and into someone else’s shoes...so you know if you like them and can go buy your own pair. Cancer( June 21 - July 22) Cancer is the sign of the crab, but that doesn’t mean you have to be crabby all the time! Maybe you’re so crabby because this month you will be on the
receiving end of some stereotypes that all Cancers are rich and good with money. Just pay that person off for their silence and you’ll be fine! Aries(March 21 - April 19) This month is all about saying yes to everything, whether it is to do someone else’s homework or asking your crush out. Instead of being old and stiff and whining over everything, be spontaneous. By doing this it could lead to something magnificent in your life. Capricorn( December 22January 19) Beware, Capricorns, this
month will be painful for you. Consider shutting yourself inside and keep away from the cruelty of the world. Consider buying an Xbox or Ps4 to pass the time. Don’t keep anything you don’t need around you as it could be very dangerous. Aquarius (January 20 February 18) Aquarius, this month is all about appreciating the little things since you have a big ego and only care for you. Go to a friend and thank them for putting up with you. Like seriously you guys need to chill on your ego. You guys will realize how
important the people around you are and how little things make a difference.
Pisces( February 19 March 20) The full moon is in Pisces this month. Avoid healthy foods with high Keratin and omega 3 fatty acids. These nutrients could possibly block your vital arteries and you will suffer many bad hair days because of it. Make sure you eat as much fast food as possible to get that A you have been longing for!
8 Entertainment
MOVIEW REVIEW Spider-Man: No Way Home By Brooke McKown and Courtlyn Ramsey “With great power comes great responsibility” said Aunt May and Ben Parker. This crazy, thrilling, action-packed movie will keep you on the edge of your seat. Spiderman’s origin story dates all the way back to 2002. Spiderman NWH was directed by Jon Watts. This movie was a Sony/Marvel collaboration. Actors like Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, Zendaya, and Tobey Maguire were all a part of this incredible film. This film was enjoyable with many twists and turns, it was simply a cinematic masterpiece. People were stunned to see the villains and characters brought back from their childhood, and it brought back many memories. Spiderman grew more into maturity, as the movies grew. The action in this movie was consistent and there were tons of plot twists, which made this movie intriguing.
This movie had people in all kinds of emotions, people clapping, crying, laughing, gasping, etc. NWH brought a huge success with 93% rating in theaters. It had brought so much attention, and gained so much money because of the amount of views. The performances of Peter Parker took a stand against all enemies. One of the best things about this movie was the acting. You can really see how the emotions change throughout the movie. Even
though it wasn’t real it left people stunned, sad, and in shock. Just by looking at their faces you can see their feelings. The acting was so well done, it made the movie seem like it was actually happening. The actors are incredibly talented and this movie shows their talent. These actors are going to make wonders in the future. Overall, the movie showed a message that nobody is beyond redemption and the caring respect it carried along-side the whole movie. No amount of words could describe the fans feelings of this movie. All in all, this is definitely one of the best marvel movies that has recently come out. The excitement for this movie was huge, it has been known worldwide. We highly recommend this movie for people who are interested in any kind of marvel. It truly puts you in every emotion in under three hours. Spiderman NWH is incredible and an unforgettable movie.
REVIEW: Music Of 2021
By Julian Johnson
After a year like 2020, filled with chaos and tragedy, like the Covid-19 Pandemic, Black Lives Matter rallies, and the deaths of big celebrities and icons, people needed something to look forward to for the next year and the music of 2021 did not disappoint.
Olivia Rodrigo: Sour
The year of 2021 brought back live shows and concerts after most, if not all of them, had to shut down in 2020. While some music festivals like Coachella were still not going on, shows like Lollapalooza & Rolling Loud re-opened to the public and brought back good vibes for many people after a year where big gatherings with friends or family were not common. Many newcomers in the music industry made a big splash in 2021, including artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Baby Keem, Lil Nas X, PinkPantheress, & my personal favorite Dixie D’Amelio. Whether it was a breakout song or big debut album, these artists rocked the industry and we are excited for
Jaden Smith: Cool Tape Volume 3: Day Trippers Edition what is more to come from them and other upcoming artists of Gen Z. While it was a good year for new artists, veterans in the game showed out too. Drake, Tyler, the Creator, J. Cole, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, & Kanye West to name a few. Of course these artists made big numbers and
QUIZ HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR MARVEL? 1. What fictional country is Black Panther set in? 2. Where is Captain America from? 3. How many infinity stones are there? 4. Who is Tony Stark’s dad? 5. What kind of surgeon is Dr. Strange? 6. Who is killed by Loki in Avengers Assemble? 7. Who was able to pick up Thor’s hammer in Endgame? 8. What new character/avenger was introduced in Iron Man 2? 9. How many children does Hawkeye have? 10. What are the names of the Wanda twins? 11. Who is Thanos’s brother? The first person to bring all correct answers to Mrs. Dokken earns two points for their House.
headlines for their work and gave their respected fanbases good music to look forward to and have on replay, constantly. Many underrated and underground artists dropped this year also, like Amine, slowthai, BROCKHAMPTON, Pierre Bourne, Armand Hammer, Mach-Hommy and Jaden & Willow Smith (even though I never cared for their music or the Smith family in general, respectfully). These artists showed they are capable of putting out good music while not being the big dawgs of the music industry. 2021 showed a lot of artists stepping out of their comfort zone and expanding their sound, which I know fans and people around the
world loved hearing. Some artists had people in a frenzy with the way their new music sounded or the rollout of their albums, but in the end, it came out to be a fruitful attempt to surprise their listeners and satisfy them with a new or different sound than they are used to. 2021 was a memorable year in music and I can’t wait to see what the music of 2022 will sound like.
Kanye West: DONDA
Top Places To Travel In 2022 Lifestyle 9
By Cora Hill and Amelia Blackman
Need new vacation ideas? Are you just tired of the same old destinations? We asked the student body what their favorite travel destination is, and we found that many people have been to cool places! One of Omnia Wakil’s favorite places she’s visited is Geneva, Switzerland. She says it was “lively, clean, safe, and cheerful.” Occording to Wakil, they had a strong culture with their French language and delicous food, particularly gelato!
Anne-Marie Olson says that she likes to visit Montana for the wide array of outdoor activities, including ziplining and white water rafting!
Hope Shepherd shares that one of her favorite places to travel to is Orlando, Florida. She enjoys visiting the theme parks that are located there, such as Universal Studios.
Michelle Mangan found it exciting to travel to Ocean Reef, Florida, because of the many activities that were available to do in the great weather.
10 CAMPUS LIFE
7th Grade Dances Back to the Past By Charlotte Pigg Photos by Reghan Eck The World World II unit is one of the best parts of seventh grade. For this unit, all teachers paused their regular curriculum to focus on lessons about WWII. In Math, the seventh graders learned about the Holocaust. They talked about the science of the atomic bomb in science. In history, they talked about the overview of the war. They learned what was going on in America during the war in English and read The Diary of Anne Frank. But the crowd favorite was prob-
ably swing dancing with Mr. Leddy in language. Scarlet Lacey, a seventh grade student, said that swing dancing was her favorite class because it was a nice mental health break. “I think that it is important to learn about WWII because it was a horrible war, and we need to know what happened so that we never repeat it,” Lacey said. At the end of this unit, the students had a WW2 dance. On Saturday, January 22, at nine PM, the 7th graders all dressed up in WW2 attire. They had learned to swing dance at school, so they were very prepared.
11 SPORTS
SPORTS
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Michael Dobbs (8) puts it in for two. (Photo by Reghan Eck)
Timmy Ritchie (7) goes in for the basket (Photo by Reghan Eck)
Boys BaskeTball Season
Courtlyn Ramsey This basketball season for the 7th grade boys was such an excitement. They had wins and losses, but they still grew not only as a team, but as a family. Coach Heath said the 7th Grade A team improved this season and also that he has a good team to work with during practices. 8th grader Julian Johnson said, “A highlight of the season was the SEAS game. Most of our games were pretty close, but we dominated that game. We just ‘clicked.’”
(Middle) Maddox Drumwright (7) does a sweet floater over two defenders (Photo by Reghan Eck)
The 6th grade team sets up the offense.
Hayan Raffii (8th) wins the regional Spelling Bee!
Meet the newest members of Collegiate: the 5th grade chickens! Introducing Delphi (top), Ithaca (left), and Corinth (right). The chickens reside in Mrs. Fiegel’s classroom. The faculty vs. 8th grade basketball game tradition expanded this year to include volleyball and dodgeball.
2nd Semester Highlights Right: Mr. Aguirre’s Advising attempting to build a human pyramid at the beginning of this school year.
The 7th/8th grade musical “Spamalot” was a smashing success! Pictured: Cooper Winters, Trip Porter, Grier Wiltse, Cooper Ryan, Charlie Basinger, Acacia Knight, and Sophia Santo. Photos by Reghan Eck.