BA Today Winter 2019

VOLUME 14, WINTER 2019

BA Today | 1

Ben Lane '20, Editor-in-Chief opinions on current national and international affairs. Most importantly, this issue embraces the Christmas spirit, featuring a special Christmas recipe and some great holiday movies.

Enjoy the last few weeks of the semester; you’re almost done! Seniors, countdown the days until we leave; it’ll all be over before we know it. Have a fantastic Christmas break with your family and friends.

The White House is decorated for Christmas. [Evelyn Prickett]

W

ith the semester drawing to a close, exams are right around the corner.

This is true for everyone but the juniors, who had an early week of testing to make room for the yearly Pine Mountain tradition.

As a senior, this time of year makes me nostalgic for the great week in the mountains of Kentucky, a week without phones or school stress and full of bonding with my classmates. To the juniors: cherish this experience. It truly changes and strengthens the relationships you have with your peers. Use it as a time to let go of the daily stress at home and embrace a new, open-minded way of living for a week.

For everyone else, on the other hand, your next week will not be as fun. Buckle down for the first round of exams. Whether you fly off the rails is up to you and your studying habits, so prepare yourself the best you can.

However, there are times to look forward

Editor-in-Chief Ben Lane Layout Editor Isabella McCormick Reporters Anne Sterling Beall, Camille Buckner, Caroline Cunningham, Jenny Florey, Spencer Gaberino, Kate Ginger, Audrey Hudson, Leah Jha, Annie Loper, Geneva Martin, Gavin Mims, Millison Mixon, Evelyn Prickett, John O'Hara, Ben VanDerHeyden

Advisor Ms. Deborah Denniston

2 | BA Today

to; Christmas is right around the corner! Bayside will kick off the season with another Christmas Together celebration. To begin the celebration, Bayside alumni will light candles to represent previous graduating classes.

The juniors will return from Pine Mountain to sing their class song for Bayside parents and students. We seniors will sing our own special rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas, which will undoubtedly be a great performance. Most famously featured at Christmas Together is the traditional Tree Ceremony, in which 8th graders present their 1st grader with a unique miniature Christmas tree.

In this issue of BA Today, you will find a great array of entertaining articles. Some are purely for fun, such as a horoscope prediction and chicken restaurant review. Others feature Bayside’s programs, including Admiral TV and some athletic accomplishments. You’ll hear Bayside students’

BA Today is the student publication of the Bayside Academy Upper School journalism class. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire staff, faculty, or administration.

If you are a student interested in submitting content, email batodaysubmissions@gmail.com.

Bayside Academy 303 Dryer Ave. Daphne, AL 36526 251-338-6300 baysideacademy.org

A Christmas tree spreads holiday cheer in the Administration Building. [Spencer Gaberino]

On The Covers: Front: Christian Fletcher '20 and Olivia Counselman '21 performing in High School Musical.

Back: [gallery. yopriceville.com]

Trump Speaks Out of Turn

By Spencer Gaberino '20, Reporter

President Trump in a nationally televised address wherein he announced the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. [The New York Times]

I

n October, the United States struck another critical blow in the War on Terror with a raid on Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s stronghold in Syria that led to his death. This leader of ISIS was a top national security target of the Trump administration, and while the raid itself is a massive success for both the president and the country as a whole, the statement that was made about it clearly displays the flaws in our leader.

This raid brings to mind the raid in 2011 that defeated the leader of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden. They have largely similar impacts in weakening the offending terror groups, but there is one crucial difference: the statement that was released afterward.

In 2011, Obama talked about the context of the raid with direct references to the 9/11 attacks and the beginnings of the War on Terror. He spoke to the vast differences between Islam and the radical terrorists US troops were actually fighting. Finally, he praised the country by saying, “We are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to.”

The speech took on a somber but hopeful tone that fit the circumstances of the day.

Trump’s more recent speech could not be

more different. There was nothing about the years of fighting in Syria that led to this day. The speech was most concerned with the actual events of the night.

In stark contrast to the speech in 2011, Trump’s more recent speech gave no sense of a noble struggle or a hard-fought war. He said of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, “He died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming,” and spent much of the speech talking about people being shot and killed. Finally, he finished by saying “He died like a dog.

He died like a coward. The world is now a much safer place.”

I won’t argue the veracity of this point, but I think the statement shows something very fundamentally true about our leader. He has no respect for and little knowledge of the office of president. In this case, and many others, he’s spoken without much thought and in a way that is completely unfit for the lofty position he possesses. Moreover, he gave details of the operation, which he is not meant to do. The office of president holds so much power that it should never be held by someone that speaks or acts on a whim, as Trump often does.

decrease mass shootings would be abolishing a gun law that has been in place for decades, gun-free zones. These are buildings or areas that prohibit any civilian from carrying a gun while inside.

The goal of these zones is to make people feel safer, while in reality these zones put people at a much higher risk for a mass shooting.

In fact according to the Crime Prevention Research Center, between 1950 and 2018, 97.8% of all mass public shootings happened in gun-

free zones.

This may come as a shock, but as Thomas Jefferson once said, "An unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." Without any armed security there to enforce these laws, gun-free zones effectively create a pool of sitting ducks. This simple fact is precisely why many mass shooters constantly choose gun-free zones as their targets.

In many mass shooter’s manifestos they stated they specifically chose gun-free zones as their targets. The El Paso shooter attacked a Walmart inside a mall that advertised they were gun-free. In the 2012 Aurora, Colorado theater shooting, out of the seven theaters that were within 20 minutes of the shooter's home, he chose the one that had a gun-free sign posted on the building. Dayton, Ohio and Garlic Festival shootings were both gun-free zones and the list goes on. In fact, in the 20 states that allow teachers to be armed, there have been no mass school shootings or incidents involving teachers.

There is a clear pattern between the lack of legal guns and mass shootings. So, I believe that this is the best and easiest solution to reducing these dreadful acts. Abolishing gunfree zones would be as cheap as removing a few signs and would put guns back into the hands of would be heroes.

The Ironic Reality of Gun-Free Zones

By Gavin Mims '20, Reporter

[guns.com]

M

ass shootings have become an unfortunate staple in the news today with one seemingly happening every month. These horrific events always raise many questions on how to stop them or at least decrease them. Some solutions include restricting gun laws, gun buyback programs or increasing the funding for mental health, all of which are very invasive or expensive.

I believe that the most effective way to

BA Today | 3

What Is the Best Chicken Restaurant in the Area?

By Ben Lane '20, Editor and John O'Hara '21, Reporter

Specialty/ Popular Item Signature Sauce Overall Chicken Status Ambiance and Service French Fries Total Score

4 | BA Today

Chick-Fil-A

Popeyes

Foosackly's

Zaxby's

Guthrie's

Chicken Minis 7.5

Sandwich 10

Chicken Finger Sanwich 7

Nibblerz 7

Hot Wings 7.5

CFA Sauce 7

Coastal Sauce 5.5

Foo Sauce 7

Zax Sauce 6

Guthrie sauce 6.5

8.75

6.5

8

6.5

7.5

9.75

7

8.5

8

6.5

8

8

7

7.5

6

8.2

7.4

7.5

7

6.8

I

n this article, we will explore the various aspects of local chicken cuisine. We will be rating each category on a scale of one to ten. The displayed values are the averages of the ratings given by John and Ben. To create the highest quality results, we dined at these restaurants within the past few weeks, giving us up-to-date opinions on each of the restaurant’s unique features.

The first competitor on our list is Chick-Fil-A, home of the legendary “my pleasure.” Key characteristics are the popular breakfast item chicken minis, unmatched service, delicious fries, and the classic Chick-Fil-A sauce.

The fries at Chick-Fil-A are unique as they are waffle style, have a good level of salt, and are always warm when you receive your order. Their sauce is a classic, well-rounded condiment that still manages to stand out from competitors’ house sauces. Overall, the breading on the chicken at ChickFil-A is usually crispy while the chicken is still moist, giving it a delicious taste and texture as you bite into it. Additionally, they offer a decent selection of sides and meal combos, giving customers many options to choose from.

Chick-Fil-A’s service is outstanding.

A happy cashier or waiter makes a surprising difference in one’s enjoyment at a restaurant, and Chick-Fil-A certainly has made politeness a big part of their training. For these reasons, they take the top spot for their well-roundedness.

Foosackly’s is the next competitor on the list, founded here in Alabama.

Like many others, their central items are chicken tenders. The tenders served at Foo are top quality, with nice, golden brown, crispy breading that adds the perfect crunch to your bite. When combined with their sauce, the chicken fingers are juicy, tender, and flavorful, making them some of the best on the market. One unique item on the menu is the chicken finger sandwich, in which three chicken tenders are laid on a bun with pickles and sauce. Foo sauce is a condiment similar in taste to Guthrie’s sauce and is a great complement to

the chicken. The interior of Foosackly’s is especially clean and slick, with eye-catching, bright colored walls and comfortable seating. Because of Foosackly’s fantastic tenders and solid atmosphere, they managed to squeeze into the runner-up spot.

Up next is Guthrie’s, an older Alabama-founded small chain of chicken restaurants with its own unique twist. Guthrie’s offers both tenders and wings, providing two great options depending on the customer's preference. Additionally, Guthrie’s takes it to another level in the spice department, offering buffalo wings or buffalo tenders, while the other mentioned restaurants usually stick to traditional chicken with the occasional spicy breading. The quality of Guthrie’s chicken is where it makes its mark: although it falls lower in other categories, its wings and tenders are always tasty. The house sauce at Guthrie’s offers a solid condiment choice when eating the chicken tenders. It isn’t anything special, but it gets the job done. Guthrie’s default side is french fries, which can sometimes be underwhelming as they are not always hot or salty upon ordering.

Guthrie’s sauce is very similar to that of Foosackly’s and Zaxby’s, but is still one of the best additions to the meal.

The overall atmosphere at Guthrie’s is rated lower than the other restaurants because they lack interior decorations and the service is mediocre.

Guthrie’s ended up at the bottom of our list because of their lack of pizzazz. Although they are average at everything that we rated, they are still a great establishment with many good choices. If you find yourself in Fairhope and you are craving chicken tenders, Guthrie’s is a great option.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen offers a more southern-style take on chicken, truly embodying the ideal fried chicken eatery. The restaurant has a nice Cajun vibe, great service, and a large variety of dipping sauces that each have unique flavors. One of Popeyes’ sauces is especially unique: the Coastal Sauce. Although it has an interesting flavor, it is not the best op-

tion for a chicken dipping sauce. Most individuals would prefer a reliable, less tangy condiment like ranch. Their chicken is very good, with nice, crispy breading, but sometimes can lack in juiciness. Where Popeyes exceeds expectations is its brand new item: the chicken sandwich. This sandwich has become famous across the internet within recent months. People have literally killed for this sandwich (yes, someone stabbed a line-cutter to death, so never skip). It might not be to die for, but it’s about as close as you can get. The bun is delicious, perfectly toasted with a nice spread of spicy mayo. The chicken of the sandwich, contrary to the occasional dry tender, is always juicy, and perfectly breaded.

The sandwich has a spicy and classic option, both of which are fantastic.

This was the only recipient of the perfect ten out of ten score on our scale.

Finally, the southeastern chicken chain, Zaxby’s. This fine establishment serves up some fantastic food with many different options. From tenders to wings to salads, Zaxby’s has a menu variety that gives many options you might not find at any other chicken restaurant. The Nibblerz are a perfect example. These are unique chicken tender sliders served on a bun with Zaxby’s sauce, a truly delicious combination. Overall, the chicken at Zaxby’s is good, but does not exceed some competition. Sometimes it can be served a little dry or bland, but this can be saved by the signature Zaxby’s sauce. The sauce works well with the chicken and is especially good on the Nibblerz, but if you use too much of it in one dip, it can be a bit strong and overwhelming. The inside of Zaxby’s is nicely decorated and the service is always solid. Zaxby’s ended up fourth in this competition, but don’t eliminate them from your radar because they consistently bring new menu options to the table.

Keep in mind that these are only the opinions of two people, and everyone has different restaurant preferences. Differences aside, all of these chicken dinners are well worth a visit; after all, chicken is chicken.

BA Today | 5

Bayside Stretches Its Curriculum

By Camille Buckner '23, Reporter

Ms. Shubert's Yoga Class [Catherine Shubert]

D

o you ever need a break in your busy day just to breathe? Thanks to Ms. Shubert, Bayside Academy now offers a yoga class for those of us who are feeling overwhelmed or seek a brain break.

Late last year, Mr. Montgomery, knowing of her qualifications in the area, presented Ms. Shubert with the idea of a yoga class, and she eagerly accepted. The class is especially significant as Bayside is one of the few schools where it can be taught. Yoga has religious affiliations.

Because of this, public schools in our state have not offered yoga since 1993. “We are lucky here at Bayside to have an open-minded community, which allows me to teach the mind and body aspect of it,” says Ms. Shubert.

Ms. Shubert is not Bayside’s only faculty member certified in yoga. Mr. Richardson recently received his certification, and Mrs

tion to this, the class is looking forward to taking field trips to different studios in our area and even having a guest yoga instructor lead a practice. Ms. Shubert reports that her favorite days are Tuesdays because the day begins with 90 minutes of yoga. “I wish every day was a Tuesday DOK schedule day.”

The program is receiving excellent feedback all around! The 12 students this semester are loving it: Lowther has been certified since 2014.

The class is currently offered in two forms: Yoga 1 and Yoga 2! Both are suitable for all levels as modifications are always included; however, one counts as a physical education credit and the other can serve as an elective. Currently, the class is only open to girls; however, a boys’ class is being considered for the future. Cole Boswell is just one of the many students avid about this potential boys’ yoga class. He tells BA Today, “I think guys should have the opportunity to learn and practice yoga like the girls. I would hope to learn how to relieve stress.”’

Ms. Shubert makes the class very diverse, offering a different agenda each day. Mondays are slower, or Yin, practices. Tuesday, DOK days, are heart-pumping Vinyasa flows.

Wednesday’s class does not meet. Thursdays are more academically based; students do projects, presentations, and even lessons on anatomy. Fridays are for meditations! In addi-

“Yoga class is so much fun!” -Olivia

Counselman 21’

“It’s great to have a mental and physical workout every day, especially during school since I often do not have time to work out after school.” -Grace Weil 20’ “I love being able to have time during school to mentally and physically relax.

Yoga always puts me in a great mindset for my school day!” -Hannah King 20’ Even Ms. Shubert herself tells BA Today that teaching yoga allows her to bring a hobby which she is passionate about into her workday. “I feel healthier this year because of it.”

As a student of the class, I can tell you that yoga is the highlight of my day! It provides a safe space for teenagers to engage with mindfulness, stress relief, strength, flexibility, and most importantly, it allows us a break to breathe!

A Look Into the Bowl

By Evelyn Prickett '20, Reporter

D

o you love trivia? Scholars’ Bowl might be the perfect extracurricular for you! Our team here at Bayside is very successful and is always welcoming new members. They compete in four main competitions throughout the year that take place at Coastal Alabama Community College. The team competes with an A and B team that are similar to Varsity and Junior Varsity.

Each team consists of 4 players with possible alternates. Team sponsors, Mr. Small, Mrs. Willis, and Mrs. Blackwell, choose which students will be competing. However, there are no requirements or limits on who can come to practice.

The four competitions at Coastal are cumulative, meaning points are recorded each time and the winning team is recognized at the end of the year. At these competitions, players are faced with academic based trivia questions that span topics from Art to Math to Pop Culture and everything in between. Here is an example of a toss up question:

6 | BA Today

The temperate Hoh forest is in the Western part of this state, while in the east is Kettle Falls, Colville National Forest, and a region called the Palouse. The Walla Walla River flows through this state also home to Franklin Delano Roosevelt Lake, a reservoir created by the Grand Coulee Dam. Its Olympic Peninsula lies west of the Puget Sound. For 10 points, name this northwestern state home to Tacoma and Seattle. (The answer is Washington!)

Anyone from the two teams may buzz in to answer a toss up question like the one above at any time while it is being read. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, but if the player answers correctly while the reader is still on the bold part of the question, they receive 5 bonus points, called “power.” However, if they answer incorrectly during the bold portion of the question, they are penalized 5 points, which is called “neg.”

For every question that a player on the team answers correctly, they have the opportunity to answer 3 bonus questions that are also worth

10 points each. These bonus questions are only for one team, and they work together to find an answer within a time constraint. Overall, each toss up question has the possibility to earn the team 40 points if they answer every bonus question correctly as well.

Bayside’s teams have been very successful over the years, winning many of Coastal’s competitions and competing in National tournaments. The first competition of this school year was on October 4th, and both the A and B Team were undefeated, going 4-0. The most recent competition was on November 15th. The A Team went 3-1 and the B team went 4-0. They look forward to two more competitions in the spring through which they hope to qualify for Nationals. They have attended countless National tournament over the years.

If Scholars' Bowl sounds interesting to you, talk to one of the sponsors about getting involved! Practices are at 7:15 in Mr. Small’s room every Wednesday, and all are welcome to participate.

An Inside Look: AdmiralTV

By Gavin Mims '20, Reporter

G

roup projects oftentimes strike fear into students due to the looming threat of bad partners who don't carry their weight; however, there is a group of resilient students who work seamlessly together year round in order to create an amazing product for the whole upper school to view every week.

This group of students make up the Video Production Class and is tasked with creating a unique AdmiralTV episode each week. As the student body gathers in the Pilot Center to view the new episode of AdmiralTV, we have slowly become accustomed to seeing the finished product and rarely appreciate the grueling work that goes into each episode.

“Creating an episode of AdmiralTV is not easy,” said Christian Fletcher, the Director and Student Supervisor, “There are a lot of moving parts and very little time to create each episode”.

After talking with Fletcher, BA Today was able to gain insight into the process. In total, an episode takes two weeks to produce; however, the students only have the first week to create their segment. During that week they must come up with an original idea, plan their

segment, film and edit it before it is then submitted. The final cut is then spliced together by Liam Nagle and reviewed by the team during the second week of production before it is shown in the assembly.

“Although time is an obstacle we must overcome, it is not our main challenge,” Fletcher continued. “The most challenging part is getting new students up to speed on using the equipment so the quality of their segments is on par with the more seasoned members of the class.”

Video Production is still a relatively new class and has already achieved much success.

When BA Today asked Augie Barnette, Feature Producer, where he sees the class going in the future he gave us very hopeful insight.

“We would like to eventually submit our episodes to competitions. After seeing some of the competition, I believe we have a pretty good shot. Overall I want us to grow positively while giving the viewers what they want to see while also falling in line with the requirements set up by the teachers.”

Although the students view an episode each week, BA Today wanted to help disprove any misconceptions about AdmiralTV. When asked about these misconceptions, Augie Bar-

nette had this to say: “We don't have complete creative freedom because we have to meet the standards given to us by the teachers such as including art, student, and faculty spotlights as well as sports, weather, and overall news about the school. We also must follow certain guidelines that reflect the school’s core values.”

After talking with many of the members of the Video Production class, it was clear these students are not just in the class to receive a grade but are very passionate about creating a polished product that would entertain and inform people about the school.

When talking with Douglas Robertson, one of the instructors of the class, he said, “The most important part of AdmiralTV is showing off what is happening in the community because I feel it's important for those that are doing incredible things to be recognized.''

So, when you are sitting and watching AdmiralTV on that early Tuesday morning, take a moment to appreciate all the hard work and creativity that went into that video. If you get the chance, be sure to thank these students and offer up some of your ideas, because it may just be the spark to a great new segment.

being an FCA leader and a Student Ambassador. She has participated in various sports throughout high school, including volleyball, competing with the cheer team at UCA Nationals, and participating on the track team.

She recently began pole vaulting and has already become the 2019 AHSAA 3A Girls Pole Vault State Champion.

“What is your favorite Bayside memory?”

Kaleigh explains that her favorite memory from Bayside is homecoming this year. “I loved when we beat Flomaton and everyone ran onto the field. I was running in my dress while barefoot, and it was exciting to watch people jump the fence because we were all so happy that we won.”

Alex tells BA Today that her favorite memory is making new friends during her sophomore year when she first came to Bayside. She also loved cheering on the football team in the student section and doing the push-up board for the first time. “Another one of my favorite memories was becoming Homecoming Queen this year. It wasn’t about winning, though. It just meant so much to me that I have had such great friends here in high school.”

“What are your plans for the future?”

Kaleigh says, “I am not quite sure what my plans are for the future, but I am leaning toward majoring in political science.” She has

enjoyed her AP Government class and may be interested in a career in politics.

Alex plans to attend Samford University and pole vault in college. She will also major in nursing. “I am so excited that I am able to do what I love in college, but I am going to miss Bayside and all of the great memories I have here.”

We look forward to a great rest of the year with Kaleigh and Alex!

Get to Know Your SGA President and VP

By Caroline Cunningham '20, Reporter

A

sk anyone in high school at Bayside Academy, and they will be able to tell you that they know of Kaleigh Phillips and Alex Cook. As SGA President and Vice President, they are constantly working hard to improve the school and listen to the opinions of the students. Along with many other extra-curricular activities, they still make time to lead the student government and plan events.

Their accomplishments outside of school make their ability to work in SGA even more impressive. Although we see their involvement in school, many are not aware of their other interests and achievements. BA Today sat down with Kaleigh and Alex in order to learn more about them.

“What other extracurricular activities do you participate in?”

Kaleigh Phillips tells BA Today that she enjoys being a peer helper, attending Young Life, and playing soccer. She recently performed in Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre’s production of The Lion King. She is also a founding member of the Eastern Shore Chapter of the National Charity League. Kaleigh encourages everyone to join activities inside and outside of school, saying, “It is a great way to meet people, and it makes your high school experience even better.”

Alex Cook tells BA Today that she has loved

Vice President Alex Cook (left) and President Kaleigh Phillips (right) [Daphne Cook]

BA Today | 7

Top Five Best Christmas Movies of All Time Millison Mixon

W

ondering what Christmas movies to snuggle up and watch this season? Look no further! Whether you are looking for a classic or a comedy, this list has a movie for you.

The movies are rated as stars, 5 being the best, 1 being the worst.

You may have already seen some of these, but they are all worthy of another viewing. Here are the top five best Christmas movies of all time!

This comedic movie is about Buddy, an elf played by Will Ferrell, who, as a baby, was taken accidentally to the North Pole and raised by elves. Later in life, he goes to New York City to find his real father, Walter Hobbs, which results in comedic mayhem. According to Roger Ebert, a famous movie critic, “This is one of those rare Christmas comedies that has a heart, a brain and a wicked sense of humor, and it charms the socks right off the mantelpiece.” (4 stars!)

athenaposters.ca.com

Kevin McCallister, an 8 year old boy, wakes up the morning after sleeping upstairs. He is ecstatic when he discovers his family has forgotten him, and he has the house all to himself. Soon after, he quickly becomes anxious when two robbers enter the family house and he realizes that he must guard it even though he is home alone. Even though the movie features some crude humor, it is still enjoyable for everyone.

According to Empire film magazine, “It is a hilarious comedy (although not a very believable one) that kids will love and adults won’t mind sitting through either. (3 stars!)

8 | BA Today

imbd.com

Based on the book by Dr. Suess, this movie features an unrefined green Grinch who has a goal of ruining Christmas for all Whoville citizens, but his plans come to a halt when he meets the charming and delightful Cindy Lou who makes him think twice about his Christmas cheer. According to Robbie Collin from The Telegraph, “If the very best animation feels like nourishment for the soul, think of this adaptation of the beloved Dr. Seuss tale as the spiritual equivalent of a double helping of chocolate-flavoured breakfast cereal: not exactly clean eating, but packing an irresistible sugary kick.” (4 stars!) fffmovieposters.com

Just when George Bailey is about to end it all and jump off of a bridge, he saves his “guardian angel,” Clarence, who happened to be assigned to George to earn his angel wings. Through conversation, Clarence figures out that George wishes he had never been born, and Clarence makes the wish come true by showing him what his town and the people around him would be like if he had never done all of the good he did. Movie critics rave about this movie, many talking about how meaningful the movie truly is. One example is when Clarence says, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” (4 stars!) limageriegallery.com

All Clark Griswold wants for Christmas is for his house to be decorated to a T with a giant tree and Christmas lights galore, but his plans turn sour when his hillbilly cousin, Eddy, and his family start living in their camper in the driveway. From mishaps with Christmas lights to forced family fun time, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic. This hilarious comedy is a definite “must- watch” on your list, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 93%. (5 stars!)

fanpop.com

BA Today | 9

The Push for Democracy

By Ben VanDerHeyden '24, Reporter

Citizens in Hong Kong are currently protesting.

[Independent.co.uk]

A

protest is a display of disapproval of a certain decision a government makes or the method in which the government is run.

Protests can lead to riots among the masses and can also lead to harsh suppression by the government. If all works out, though, the issues pointed out by the protestors are resolved in a peaceful manner.

In 1997, after 156 years of British rule, the British government handed over control of Hong Kong, one of their overseas territories, to China in an event known as the Handover. This “midnight handover” called The Hong Kong Basic Law, implemented after the Handover, stated that Hong Kong’s capitalist and democratic way of life shall remain unchanged until 2047, which is when China will be allowed to practice any political philosophy in Hong Kong, whether it be democracy or communism, to run the government.

This overnight transition of rule resulted in turmoil and left a major question: should Hong Kong prefer its old democratic system or should it favor its controlling power’s communist policy? Since the Handover, this turmoil has boiled over into protests and riots on a

[CNN.com]

10 | BA Today

few occasions. One recent example, known as the 2019 Hong Kong Protests, started in March 2019 and is still in full swing.

Currently in Hong Kong, citizens are protesting the 2019 Hong Kong Extraction Bill and police brutality. The proposed bill would allow the extradition of criminals to China. This was controversial because it would allow China to determine who the criminals were, which would allow them to extract political adversaries from Hong Kong. Although not a law, it has sparked protests and riots throughout Hong Kong. If passed into law, it would allow China to tighten its grip on Hong Kong’s government, making Hong Kong less democratic and more communist.

When the bill was proposed, rallies and organized protests began in March and April and evolved into a mass movement by June.

On June 12, the day that the bill would be read by legislature, protests escalated into violence in which police used tear gas and rubber bullets against protestors. This display of police brutality became one of the targets of further protests.

Carrie Lam, the chief executive of Hong Kong, suspended and declared the bill “dead” on June 15, but it was not withdrawn until October 23. This response was acknowledged by protestors as “too little, too late.” Four of five of their demands had not been met: a government inquiry into police brutality, the release of arrested protestors, the complete retraction of the official characterization of the protests as “riots,” and Carrie Lam’s resignation.

Overseas in America, the House of Representatives responded to these developments by passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act as a restatement of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992. This reaffirms the United States' commitment to Hong Kong’s autonomy by condemning the possibility of China disregarding of the agreement of non-involvement in Hong Kong’s politics made

during the Handover in 1997. It also shows support for the protestors who are fighting for democracy.

Houston Rockets manager Daryl Morey also showed support for the protestors on Twitter which resulted in China refusing to air two NBA games to the Chinese fans.

All of these developments and reactions are resulting in the popularization of democracy among citizens throughout Hong Kong and a growing polarization from mainland China.

The protests are not going to wane anytime soon, as the demands of the protestors have not been met, and they are determined to defend their human rights. The Hong Kong government is not going to change its position anytime soon either, as Carrie Lam has the full support of Chinese president Xi Jinping to extinguish the protests.

The push for democracy is omnipresent in Hong Kong, and the protestors are not going to cede anytime soon until democracy becomes the main governing philosophy of Hong Kong.

Protesters have set up roadblocks in the past.

[LATimes]

Happy News: Edition II!

By Geneva Martin '20, Reporter

T

hough it is important to stay informed on the world's affairs, it is just as important to have a little something that can make you smile. Headlines today are filled with drama, sad news, and unrelenting conflict. Flipping on the TV or reading the local paper only seems to lead to dismal updates and a sense of despair. In an effort to break away from the drudgery that surrounds the news cycle, here are some happy headlines specifically geared to making you smile!

er service. After a busy, stressed mom dropped her phone while helping her son out of the car, it bounced straight into a storm drain. The woman then entered the restaurant and asked if there was anything they could do to help. Upon hearing this plea, one young employee not only retrieved the phone by climbing down into the manhole, but also reimbursed the woman’s payment for her meal. Next time you’re at Chick-fil-A, know that you, your phone, and your taste buds are in good hands.

The White House has finally released photos of everyone's favorite little hero from the al-Baghdadi raid. Though we still don't have a name for this patriotic pooch, we do know he is back home and resting up. After a harrowing tunnel chase and minor injuries, this top secret canine will go down in history as one of our country's most adorable clandestine agents.

Finally, the comeback all millennials and Gen Z kids have been waiting for. Two words to stop all of the blame and criticism we younger kids receive from those who claim to have all of the knowledge and explanations over problems which spawned in their own time. A 25-yearold lawmaker from New Zealand coined the term as a witty rebuttal to an older member of Parliament and is now the creator of the universal mic drop moment for all of the younger generations responsible for solving the world's problems.

Everyone’s Favorite Good Boy

Chick-fil-A Champion [haskell.org]

Chick-fil-A is already notorious for not only going above and beyond with their delicious menu options but also their incredible custom-

OK, Boomer

Cannabis in Your Coffee

By Camille Buckner '22, Reporter

[fool.com]

C

annabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid found in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract.

When you hear about cannabis, you probably think of the plant simply as a drug teenagers use to “get high;'' however, what most people do not consider are the true benefits of the CBD component of the plant.

Recently, CBD oils and other products (including CBD coffee) have become legal for purchase and consumption in many states, including Alabama.

CBD, derived from hemp and containing no more than 0.3 percent of THC, is legal. You

have on consumers.

So far, the FDA has only approved one CBD-based drug: Epidiolex. It is a treatment for several severe forms of rare childhood epilepsy.

Despite FDA speculation and little scientific understanding of the drug, CBD has great potential.In the near future, expect to see an increase of CBD products in your local stores.

must be 18 years of age or older to purchase these CBD products, but in many cases there is a gray area.

According to The Wall Street Journal, CBD products appearing on store shelves often carry no age restriction. Since the THC levels in these products are so low, it is impossible to get “high” from hemp based oils; instead CBD helps many to simply calm down.

This is why CBD is thought to be able to treat depression or anxiety. CBD allows the user to feel much more calm and relaxed. It can also help with sleep.

Although these benefits may seem enticing, the FDA argues otherwise. The FDA released a statement that there is a need for further research on the potential risks CBD could

[haskell.org]

BA Today | 11

Life360: Live Free, Together

By Kate Ginger '24, Reporter

I

n a technology-infused world, Life360 is a tracking app many parents use to monitor their children’s exact location from their phone. The app can be programed to send notifications to the host user’s device, alerting them when someone in their “circle” arrives at or leaves a location.

There are many advantages to this app. For example, it can be helpful for parents of highschoolers who have just obtained their driver’s licenses. The app shows the speed at which kids are driving, and the premium version offers crash alerts.

This app has obvious benefits. There are countless stories about how tracking apps have saved families from potential tragedies.

This past summer, a 17 year old girl was found through a similar tracking app after hydroplaning off the edge of a mountain and being trapped under a car for seven hours. Her mom eventually noticed she had been in the same location for an abnormal period of time and became suspicious. Without Life360, this family could have suffered an agonizing loss.

In May of 2019, a Mobile family was rescued from the bay. Their boat capsized, and when they called 911, the police couldn’t locate their whereabouts. Immediately, the husband called his wife, who had the app. The authorities were able to pinpoint their exact location in Mobile

Bay by looking at their location on Life360, and they were saved in time.

It is no question that Life360 and similar apps can save lives, keep families safe and connected, and, as The New York Times puts it, “... provide peace of mind [to parents] with a teenager behind the wheel.” However, there are arguments that tracking apps show a lack of trust and can be detrimental to a relationship between a parent and child.

Many parents are obsessed with the idea of being in complete control over their child at all times. Checking their child’s location on a tracking app can become an unhealthy habit, and tracking someone at all hours of the day is perceived by many as a direct invasion of privacy. The exact details and data Life360 provides on the whereabouts and activities of individuals seem unnecessary.

Examples of abuse of Life360 include parents who use it to track their kids in college.

One college sophomore writes, “I feel that this is really unhealthy for both my parents and me.” College should be a time for kids to grow, mature, and become more responsible. They should not be tied down by tracking apps and overprotective parents. One expert on emotional abuse claims, “In the hands of an abusive parent, a tracking app like Life360 may have serious implications for a child’s interpersonal

adjustment.”

Ultimately, Life360 can be positive if used in the right way, with minimal monitoring of the app as a way to safeguard kids from harm.

If used in the wrong way, it merely measures a parent’s lack of trust in their kids. The relationship between parents and their kids is much more important than any application.

[Life360]

Put a Little Pep in Your Step with this Recipe!

By Leah Jha '22, Reporter

[Pillsbury]

A

s it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everyone is starting to put their holiday menus together.

It’s safe to say that everyone’s favorite part of dinner is dessert, and a very festive dessert perfect for any occasion is peppermint bark!

Peppermint bark is a combination of milk or dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermint. This is a perfect dessert to bring to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!

The ingredients needed in order to pre-

12 | BA Today

4. Now, melt the white chocolate, being careful to avoid scorching.

5. Mix the peppermint flavoring in. Then, pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate and put the remaining hard candies on top.

6. Lastly, refrigerate for about 30 minutes and break up to serve!

Now, all that’s left is for you to serve your festive dessert at your next holiday dinner!

pare your dessert include: • About 30 crushed peppermints • 1 ½ lbs of milk chocolate shavings • 1 ½ lbs of white chocolate shavings • 1 teaspoon of peppermint flavoring Next, you will need to make the bark.

1. First, you need to put ⅓ of the peppermint candies in a 9x13 inch pan lined with wax paper 2. Next, melt the milk chocolate, being careful to avoid scorching 3. Then, layer the chocolate over the crushed candies.

[spendwithpennies.com]

Holiday Horoscopes By the BA Today Staff

AQUARIUS

LEO

As this year’s holiday season gets rolling, look forward to a new or reinvigorated lovelife. If you keep open lines of communication and stay away from games, you’re sure to be loved for exactly who you are. The new year is also an exciting time for change, so be sure to plan for the 2020 resolutions.

This upcoming Christmas is going to be full of exciting, new changes. You might experience some difficulties in friendships along the way, but the holidays will inevitably bring you closer together with those you love. 2020 is going to be a busy year for you, so remember to stay focused on your main goals!

January 20-February 18

July 23-August 22

PISCES

VIRGO

You may be having a stressful holiday season, but 2020 will be your year! Make sure to spend time with your family and remember what is important this Christmas. Create your New Year's resolutions now, and they will be fulfilled by the end of 2020!

You will have a very romantic holiday season, Virgo! Be open to new relationships as the new year is a time for fresh beginnings.

December will also be a very creative month for you, so be bold and confident in your decisions.

February 19-March 20

August 23-September 22

ARIES

LIBRA

This holiday season will test your loyalty in friendship but will leave little to be desired as you hit the new year at full speed. You will be met with a surplus of new friends and smiling faces and make tremendous progress toward your goals. One of your new friends might end up being something much more!

In the upcoming new year, your hard work will finally take you places. Is there a trip in your future? Be adventurous. Keep your eyes open because the new year will bring new opportunities, relationships and dreams you have always wanted to come true.

March 21-April 19

September 23-October 22

TAURUS

SCORPIO

This will be one of the best holiday seasons that Taurus has seen in a long time. Through the holidays, one dream that you have been holding onto for a long time will come true!

Have an amazing month, Taurus!

Success is in your near future! Your aggressively proactive attitude will earn you astute grades on your final exams! You will enter the new year with new confidence and a positive outlook on life.

April 20-May 20

October 23-November 21

GEMINI

SAGITTARIUS

Hey Gemini! This holiday season you will meet someone under the mistletoe! The New Year will bring you success in relationships and your work. 2020 looks great on you!

Something completely unexpected will happen to you during the holiday season. You should try something new or go on an outing; it will pay off. Nothing will keep you from your aspirations, so make good on those New Year’s resolutions. 2020 will be the year to achieve your dreams!

May 21-June 20

November 22-December 21

CANCER

CAPRICORN

You will find that your newfound self-confidence and achievement have caused people to respect you more. Prepare yourself for the new year. People will be falling head over heels just for a chance to talk to you.

Spend time with your friends and family and indulge yourself with all of your favorite holiday sweets and treats. You may be surprised with the good fortune that is waiting for you in the new year. Be prepared to meet a new special someone who might walk into your life in 2020.

June 21-July 22

[astrology-zodiac-signs.com]

December 22-January 19

BA Today | 13

Bump, Set, Spike It!

By Annie Loper '20, Reporter

Lady Admirals take home their 17th consecutive win [Bayside Academy]

B

ayside volleyball: two words opposing teams hate to see on their schedule. This Halloween, the girls won their 18th consecutive AHSAA state championship, beating Providence Christian in four sets: 25-14, 25-15, 26-28 25-15.

This season, the girls have a record of 56-12 in the area 3A-7A. Senior Jacque Martin had a total twenty-one kills and eleven digs while junior Emily Buhl added twelve kills and sixteen digs. Ella Broadhead had ten kills, and Brelynn Dailey had forty-six assists and five digs. Luci Wilkinson led the team with twenty-six digs.

Emily Buhl, Luci Wilkinson, Brelynn Dailey and Jacque Martin made the all-tournament team, and Jacque Martin was also named MVP. BA Today was lucky enough to get the inside scoop on some of their traditions going into the state championship. For the regional tournament, each girl put a green ribbon with a gold

safety pin on her right foot to represent going for the gold. For state week, the team stays in the same hotel every year. On Wednesday night, they dress up and go to the Birmingham Crossplex and then to The Summit, where they eat at the same restaurant as they do every year. They watch Remember the Titans the day of the championship game and have the same bus driver, every year (Tim). The Bayside volleyball team motto is “Tradition matters,” and since this is the eighteenth state championship win, these traditions really do matter. They are obviously doing something right!

The team won an unprecedented 18th AHSAA State Championship this past fall and has now tied the national record for most consecutive state championships. Next year will provide an opportunity to beat the national record of state championships. Seniors Catherine West and Jacque Martin will be missed!

Basketball Senior Spotlight: Ian Ellis

By Anne Sterling Beall '21, Reporter

S

enior Ian Ellis is excited to lead the basketball team into an amazing season this year.

Being a senior is an enormous responsibility, especially in basketball. Ian tells BA Today, “I would say it is definitely different being a senior. I feel I have a larger and broader role to fill on the court, during practice, and off the court with my teammates.” Having such an important role on and off the court could make Ian fold under pressure; however, he mentions to BA Today that his nervousness is closely met with his enthusiasm and excitement.

Ian and his fellow teammates have been working really hard to make this season the best one yet. Coach Watson does not let his players slack. Ian tells BA Today, “As a part of Coach Watson’s team, practice is something we

take extreme pride in. We come to practice focused, ready to work, and ready to compete.”

Obviously, the team is ready to perform well this season.

Ian has been committed to Bayside basketball since the seventh grade. He says, “I am definitely going to miss basketball. I will miss the feeling of being part of something that is bigger than myself. I will miss the crazy things coach Watson says, and most of all, I will miss my teammates.” Ian also tells BA Today that he is going to miss his personal traditions and the team traditions. “A personal tradition I share with Jack Knight is before every game, we follow a specific routine with the ball right before we run out onto the court for warmups. I also have some personal songs I like to listen to before

[Hannah Johnson]

Ian Ellis and Christopher Stewart on the basketball court. [Hannah Johnson]

14 | BA Today

every game, along with some stretches.” One of their favorite team traditions is the special “clamp chain” that is given after the game to the player who played the best defense in that game. Finally, Ian will miss the memories he has made these past five years on this team.

Ian gives BA Today some final comments on basketball: “If someone is thinking about playing basketball, they have to be ready to work hard every day. They have to be competitive, and want to win more than anything.”

Players and fans can look forward to more games and tournaments over the holiday season, and Bayside hopes to win the area championship this year.

An Inside Look at the Bayside Swim Team

By Audrey Hudson '20, Reporter

The swim team on their Admiral Walk. [Isabella McCormick]

B

A Today interviewed swim team members to get the inside scoop on all the aspects of Bayside’s varsity swim team coached by Rachel Fillingim. There are seven members of the team. The boys are 8th grader Carl Sharitt and freshman Kai McCullins, and the girls are 8th grader Mia Bindon, freshmen Marlee Moore and Elizabeth Chen, sophomore Grace Steele and junior Kat Burns. The team practices three to five times a week at Daphne YMCA from August through December. They participate in meets two times per month throughout the season in an effort to qualify for state in December.

Grace Steele, who was appointed captain this year because of her leadership skills, tells BA To-

day about her experience on the swim team. She began swimming at the age of six and since then has joined summer and year-long leagues. Grace immediately joined the Bayside swim team when she first got the chance in 7th grade. She competes in the freestyle 100m and 50m, and her favorite event has always been the 50m freestyle.

Grace tells BA Today that her favorite part of being on the swim team is “when the whole team gets together to eat after meets.” She thinks that it “really strengthens the bond of the team.”

Grace’s biggest achievement is when she placed 3rd in the 100m freestyle race last year at the 1A5A State Championship. Grace is not only a star on the swim team but also a member of the Bayside varsity basketball team and a sports host for Admiral TV. BA Today also interviewed junior Kat Burns.

Kat found a love for the sport when she was only four years old, and she has stuck with it since then. As a child, she participated in summer leagues and was on the varsity swim team at her previous school in Suffolk, Virginia for three years. When Kat came to Bayside her sophomore year, she was eager to join the swim team. Kat’s “favorite part of the sport is bonding with the team at meets and cheering everyone on.” Her favorite event is the 50m and 100m freestyle.

Finally, BA Today interviewed freshman Marlee Moore. This is Marlee's 10th year at Bayside, and she fell in love with every aspect of swimming six years ago. Since then, she has joined a year-round club team. She started Bayside swim in the 7th grade as a breast-

stroke swimmer. Marlee is so dedicated to the sport that she simultaneously is a part of a year round-club team. She tells BA Today that her “favorite memories come from hanging out and bonding with the team at meets; it's always so much fun just being together.” In her career as a swimmer, Marlee’s biggest achievement is placing 8th at a regional meet.

8th grader Mia Bindon has been swimming for 7 years and 2 years at Bayside. She swims all strokes; however, her speciality is backstroke.

Freshman Elizabeth Chen also swims all strokes but specializes in backstroke.

The girls' relay team swims 200m medley relays consisting of all four events: backstroke, breast, fly and freestyle. Elizabeth Chen starts the relay with the backstroke, then Marlee swims breaststroke, Grace swims the butterfly portion, and finally, Kat ends the relay with the freestyle. They also all compete in the 200m freestyle relay with Kat swimming the first 50m, followed by Elizabeth, Marlee and Grace.

Carl Sharitt swims the 100m backstroke and 50m free while Kai McCullins swims the 50m and 100m freestyle. They tell BA Today that their favorite part of the team is cheering on their fellow teammates.

Kat Burns, Grace Steele, Marlee Moore and Elizabeth Chen finished 3rd in 1a-5a Women's and 5th overall Women's. They were the state champions in the 200m medley relay and 200m freestyle relay. Elizabeth is the state champion in 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley. Marlee placed third in the 50m freestyle.

Congratulations to all for a great season!

cumstances. Now the team is coached by Mrs. Best, a Bayside 3rd grade teacher. She has an extensive cheer background, so she has positively improved the team by adding structure

and new cheers.

The season is just getting started and has already been tons of fun and included many wins! Go Bayside!

The Admirals' Basketball Cheer Team

By Audrey Hudson '20, Reporter

L

ast year, the Varsity Cheer Team competed at the Nationals Cheer competition held in Disney World. In order to properly prepare, the endeavor included an extremely time-consuming practice schedule.

This took so much time they were unable to cheer for the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams.

When this occurred, people wondered if there would be a team at all since no one had stepped up to make a new one. Thankfully, Mrs. Donna Willaims decided to be the sponsor and coach, getting a team together in time for basketball season.

Quickly, many seniors, juniors and a few underclassmen signed up. Since the team was such a success last year, it has remained a separate entity this year.

The team has fifteen cheerleaders ranging from 9th to 12th grade. One major change is the switch of coaches due to unexpected cir-

This group was formed last year. They are starting their second season of cheer. [Hannah Johnson]

BA Today | 15

Happy Holidays!!

16 | BA Today