BA Today Volume 21, Fall/Winter '22

Editorial

Letter From the Editors 3

Kate Ginger '23 and Miranda McDonald '23, Co Editors in Chief

Alabama Prisons: Time for a Change 4-5 Rylee Ann Roberts '24, Staff Reporter

HoldingOntothePast:TheDeathPenalty 5 6 Wilson Engeriser '23, Staff Reporter

Animal Experimentation 7 Caroline Marron '25, Staff Reporter

The Manosphere 8 9

Kate Ginger '23, Co Editor in Chief

Will You Be a Bystander? 10

Rylee Ann Roberts '24, Staff Reporter

News

The End of An Era 11

Axel Jackson ‘26, Staff Reporter

The Russo Ukrainian War 12 13

Caleb Crum ‘24, Staff Reporter

Threat to Our Home 14 15

Kate Ginger ‘23, Co Editor in Chief

The Death of Mahsa Amini 16 Miranda McDonald ‘23, Co Editor in Chief

Serena Williams: Trials and Triumphs 17 Virginia McCrory ‘25, Staff Reporter

Blood Mutations in Astronauts 18

Caroline Marron ‘25, Staff Reporter

Beauty and Bankruptcy 18 Lynnen Hackney ‘25, Staff Reporter

“Hips Don't Lie,” Or Do They? 19 Isabelle Rutland ‘24, Layout Editor

Student Life

Student Opinions Scoop: New Policies 20 21

Lauren Godwin ‘23, Staff Reporter

Does Membean Really Benefit You? 22

Lynnen Hackney ‘25, Staff Reporter

Quizlet Controversy

Courtney Baker ‘25, Staff Reporter

23

Is AP Worth It? 24 25 Ramey Webb ‘24, Staff Reporter

When You're an Addams (In the Fall Play) 26 27 Lauren Godwin ‘23, Staff Reporter

Setting Sights on College

Libbi Melendez ‘23, Staff Reporter

28

Bayside's Joyful Science Teacher 29 Colt Hancock ‘26, Staff Reporter

Mr. Campbell's Comeback 30 31 Miranda McDonald ‘23, Co Editor in Chief

History in the Making 31

Elin Backman ‘25, Staff Reporter

Lifestyle

The Effects of Service 32 Virginia McCrory ‘25, Staff Reporter

HappyOlive:TheBenefitsofQualityOliveOil 33 34 Libbi Melendez ‘23, Staff Reporter

The DiCaprio Scandals 35 Courtney Baker ‘25, Layout Editor

The Apocalypse: Fact or Fanaticism? 36 37 Ramey Webb ‘24, Staff Reporter

Last Minute! 37 Elin Backman ‘25, Staff Reporter Remembering Mr. Albert 38 39 Isabelle Rutland ‘24, Layout Editor

Athletics

The Rise of Pickleball 40 Wilson Engeriser ‘23, Staff Reporter

Bayside Sailing 42 Axel Jackson ‘26, Staff Reporter

Volleyball's Victory 42

Cross Country in 5A 41 Caleb Crum ‘23, Staff Reporter Wilson Engeriser ‘23, Staff Reporter

Mission Statement

BA Today is the student publication of the Bayside Academy Upper School Journalism class. The news magazine is a forum where voices can be heard and various perspectives shared Each issue showcases stories in a variety of categories: editorial, news, student life, lifestyle, and athletics. Reporters are committed to creating a more globally aware, curious community by bringing worldwide, national, local, and school wide stories to light. Any opinions expressed in BA Today do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire staff, faculty, or administration.

Letter from the Editors

Dear readers,

We want to extend a warm welcome back to our annual Fall/Winter issue For those who do not know, BA Today has two new Co Editors in Chief Our previous editors, Camille Buckner and Ben VanDerHeyden, set an impressive but daunting standard for us to meet Nevertheless, we have no doubt you will be more than pleasantly surprised by the vibrant colors and fresh voices this issue holds. Keeping in mind we are learning to become leaders, we are also teaching students to whom journalism is virtually unknown. Though apprehensive to lead a staff nearly double in size, we have found ourselves incredibly lucky to work with such curious and eager minds. While this has been especially challenging, it has also been more rewarding than either of us anticipated

Our first initiative as editors was to redesign BA Today’s layout Inspired by other school publications, we aimed to recapture the essence of our changing community and allow our staff members freedom of expression Without our Layout Editor, Isabelle Rutland, BA Today could not have accomplished these goals. She dedicated her time and artistic abilities to recreate a lasting template for BA Today. Moreover, we were able to encapsulate and showcase Bayside’s lively spirit.

Due to the hard work and commitment of our wonderful staff, this unprecedented issue of BA Today was made possible. We would like to dedicate this issue to our advisor and unrelenting supporter, Mrs Emma Burgess

KATE GINGER AND MIRANDA MCDONALD '23, Co Editors in Chief

Staff & Contributors

Co Editors in Chief Layout Editor

Staff Reporters

On the Covers

Kate Ginger, Miranda McDonald

Isabelle Rutland

Faculty Advisor

Elin Backman, Courtney Baker, Caleb Crum, Wilson Engeriser, Lauren Godwin, Lynnen Hackney, Colt Hancock, Axel Jackson, Caroline Marron, Virginia McCrory, Libbi Melendez, Rylee Ann Roberts, Ramey Webb Emma Burgess

Photography class experiments with slow shutter speeds and light painting [C Hancock]

On Inside Back Cover [Yearbook Staff]

Alabama Prisons: Time for a Change

BY RYLEE-ANN ROBERTS '24, Staff Reporter

article mentions suicide Read at your own discretion

2020, a year of revival and conflict, brought awareness to societal issues that are often overlooked. Individuals from all sides have questioned the authority and credibility of Alabama’s prison system. More specifically, increased suicide rates and inmate violence have lit a spotlight on short staffed prisons and shed doubt on the system's overall intentions. The Alabama prison system is rated one of the most dangerous in the country Data collected by the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) found that nationwide, in 2018, homicidal murders inside the prisons were above 34 murders per 100,000 incarcerated individuals

One of the main issues noted within the prisons is the fact that they're extremely short staffed. Due to this, more inmates and officers are susceptible to violence without repercussions because no one is witnessing these incidents. Unfortunately, the lack of staff isn't easily solved because the government cannot simply supply employees. They can, however, change the amount

of prisoners incarcerated within major prisons. So, when do we as a society differentiate between what crimes deserve jail time? The dwindling amount of safety left in the Alabama prison system is a ticking time bomb, a few overcrowded cells away from detonating and taking prisoners’ lives with it.

Inhumane prison environments and overworked correctional officers add to the prison system’s problematic environment This job takes a strong foundation of mental health, physical well being, and the ability to act quickly in distressing situations The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a nonprofit organization based in Montgomery, Alabama provides aid to prisoners who might have succumbed to being wrongly convicted. The EJI interviewed a past employer, Kyle Mays, who left the Limestone Correctional facility in Harvest, Alabama. Mays said he left because “the stress of working inside the prison was beginning to take a toll.” Mays also stated, “[The job’s] very dangerous, but it’s a lot more dangerous for the inmates.”

For a correctional officer to express concern for inmate safety speaks volumes about the conditions inside the prisons

Movies and TV shows often depict correctional officers as violent, heartless individuals with booming voices However, in Alabama, that isn't exactly the case The war among inmates remains inside the cell walls where they battle with their own mental health and other cell mates. At night, prisoners lay with one eye open on cold cement beds in fear they might not wake the next morning.

In light of these conditions, the prison system must make changes soon. The truth is, at least federally, progress is being made. But will it be enough? 2018 statistics from the

A prisoner dorm at Limestone Correctional Facility in Harvest, AL [CC]

This

Alabama Department of Corrections showed Alabama's rate of homicides are 343 for every 100,000 people Homicides in Alabama’s prison system are 600 percent higher than the national average. Due to the evidence from this study and a multitude of others, in November of 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against ADOC out of concern for their suspected violation of the U.S. constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. As of now, the ADOC is still fighting the lawsuit.

In light of these legal allegations, in November of 2021, the U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ordered Alabama to make changes to their mental health services and lack of staffing by 2025. In his statement, he demanded reasoning for spontaneous inmate deaths According to The U S News and World Report, “Thompson said in the four years since his initial ruling, at least 27 more prisoners have died by suicide, and he described some of the incidents ” These incidents, recorded by audits reporting from inside Alabama prisons, are anything but excusable. On May 18, 2020, in the Bullock Correctional Facility in Union

Alabama, Casey Murphree was found unresponsive hours after an apparent suicide attempt Rigor mortis had set in, which, as explained by the Oxford Dictionary, is “[the] stiffening of the joints and muscles of a body a few hours after death, usually lasting from one to four days.” Murphree was not placed on suicide watch. Another inmate was found hanging in his cell twelve minutes after he committed suicide, and resuscitation attempts began. Along with homicides and suicides, inmate are dying from poor cell conditions. According to NBC News 15, in December of 2020, an inmate died due to hyperthermia in a supposedly climate controlled cell These preventable deaths are only a few of many occurring in Alabama state prisons

It’s more than clear that the state of Alabama is not protecting the lives of prisoners, and the system’s credibility is being challenged Although these individuals are serving time for crimes they've committed, their value as humans doesn't decrease. Regardless of legal issues or crimes committed, we must acknowledge the humanity of prisoners, and bring life saving awareness to these issues within our community.

Holding On to the Past: The Death Penalty

BY WILSON ENGERISER '23, Staff Reporter

In the 21st century, many believe that the United States is an incredibly advanced country and an example for the rest of the world. While the patriotism within the United States is admirable, there are still many underdeveloped areas that exist within this society. One such case exists within one of the core foundations of our country: our justice system.

When a criminal commits a particularly heinous crime, such as murder, they either get sentenced to life in prison, or the justice system goes as far as to put that individual to death Putting criminals to death is seemingly beneficial, as it supposedly helps to free prison space for other prisoners and removes dangerous people from the world. However, this

practice is an incredibly outdated punishment, and data tells us it is looked on unfavorably by much of the Western world.

There are also racial biases within the death penalty. It disproportionately affects minorities, especially African Americans. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), “People of color are far

more likely to be executed than white people, especially if the victim is white.” This means that the death penalty has ingrained systemic biases, further proving why it is unacceptable In addition to racial bias, an ACLU survey states, “Police chiefs around the country agree that the death penalty is one of the worst deterrents against crime.”

Out of 195 countries recognized by the UN, 170 have abolished the death penalty. Within North America and Europe, only two countries use the death penalty: the United States and Belarus. Belarus has been criticized for many human rights violations and, while technically a republic, their president has absolute power; therefore, Belarus is labeled an authoritarian state Some additional examples of countries that also use the death penalty are Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Korea. This is indicative of two things: first, that most Western countries look down upon the death penalty, as evidenced by its abolishment, and second, that most countries that still use capital punishment contain much less liberty and freedom than most developed countries Many people support the death penalty because of the idea that it is morally correct and justifiable to kill people who have committed atrocious

crimes According to Pewreseach org, 64 percent of American adults agree that the death penalty is morally justified in cases of murder. However, human emotions often cloud judgement and reason; when considering the death penalty from a logical and statistical standpoint, it is not a moral practice. According to the ACLU, “about 1 in 10 people on death row have been exonerated ” This means that 1 in 10 people should not have been on death row in the first place and were actually innocent While a 90 percent is an acceptable grade on a test, a 90 percent is not justified when a human life is at stake. Since 1973, 156 innocent people have been exonerated on death row. Their blameless lives have been ruined by a malpractice that is an integral part of our country’s justice system.

A common argument against abolishing the death penalty is that it is more cost effective to eliminate the criminals that deserve to die in order to stop wasting tax payer money and prison space While it seems logical to kill a prisoner instead of keeping them for a life sentence since it would supposedly lower costs, this is not the case; in lawsuits that include the death penalty as a possible sentence, the fees are eight times more expensive. California’s current judicial system, which uses the death penalty, costs the government

about 137 million per year At minimum, a fair death penalty system would be one in which there is thorough investigation into every case, extensive witnesses and multiple trials.

To make that 90 percent effectiveness reach a 100 percent success rate would cost the state about 232.7 million per year. If California eliminated the death penalty all together, it would reduce those court costs to only 11 5 million per year

The death penalty is unaffordable, immoral, and unjustifiable If this practice continues in the United States, it will tarnish the reputation and morality of the courts. The United States needs to eliminate the death penalty from the justice system in favor of more humane punishments. To protect the reputation of America’s justice system and promote the wellbeing of all citizens, the death penalty must be abolished.

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Animal Experimentation

BY CAROLINE MARRON '25, Staff Reporter

Animal experimentation is taking the lives of over 100 million dogs, cats, mice, monkeys, rabbits and others, a year in the United States. The Animal Welfare Act of 1966, created by President Johnson, was created to regulate animal testing in laboratories. This act is clearly not being put to use. Animal experimentation that infringes upon animal rights can take a toll on the animal’s physical and mental health

Currently, there are secluded laboratories that conduct animal testing located in the nation's largest universities, including Yale, Louisiana State University, Stanford, and the University of Alabama.

According to People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a controversial source, animals are poisoned, burned, and being cut open for “training exercises” at these universities. The goal of experimenting at these universities is to understand more about diseases, medicines, and animal anatomy For example, at the University of Wisconsin, researchers drill holes into cats’ faces, crushing their optic nerves (nerve fibers that connect between the eyes and brain) before removing the cats' eyes.

Members of PETA, researchers conducted an undercover experiment at the Professional Laboratory and Research Services. PETA claims to have found that “cats suffered seizures and bled from the nose and mouth after an experimental chemical was applied to their skin” at the hands of this facility. After undercover researchers from PETA saw this, the laboratory was later shut down due to the investigators notifying the authorities

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was passed in August of 1966 and is the only law in the United States that has been put into place to protect animals used in research. According to the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, the contents in this act include, “Freedom of Discomfort, Freedom from Pain, Injury, and Disease, Freedom from Fear and Distress, etc ” This act was supposed to maintain authority and caution around experimentation on animals, but it has never been truly enforced In addition to this, rats and mice make up nearly 95 percent of testing subjects. The AWA's “safety rules” do not extend toward mice or rats; therefore, this law is

prejudiced against certain animals and is unable to completely carry out its mission.

According to the National Library of Medicine, animal experimentation is unreliable and has little to no justification It does not effectively exhibit the risks that would come from using a product Data from many scientist’s shows that animal testing fails to predict accurate outcomes for humans, in 50 to 100 percent of occasions No species will one hundred percent match a human's biology, so this method is neither ethical nor functional. It merely serves as an excuse to tamper with substances and unlawfully inject them into animals.

Experimenting on animals is an out of date practice. There are less harmful ways to test the safety of a product. For example, human tissue and eyes can be donated and used for testing instead of rabbits. Not only does this increase the likelihood of an effective outcome, but also, it decreases the suffering that would result from testing beauty products on animals

Animal experimentation will never necessarily end, but enforcing the AWA and coming up with new ways of evaluating the safety of cosmetic products will bring the universal problem to a more humane solution.

The Manosphere

BY KATE GINGER '23, Co Editor in Chief

This article contains sensitive content, including mature discussion about misogyny, inappropriate sexual behavior, and violence against women Read at your own discretion

“You take the red pill you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes,” says Morpheus when tempting Neo, the protagonist, in a scene from the Matrix. The rabbit hole refers to the “reality” that women are oppressive forces in society and men are victims. This belief is held specifically by members of the Red Pill, the most widely known misogynistic online Reddit forum and one manifestation of the manosphere.

With extraordinary advances in gender equality through the most recent fourth wave feminist movement, blacklash is inevitable The rise of Internet hate and antifeminist ideologies have funneled into the manosphere, an online space that targets women with degradation and hostility. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, a peer reviewed journal, states this collection of “[w]ebsites, blogs, and message boards … are dedicated to a worldview that celebrates hegemonic masculinity and decries feminism ” A number of anti women groups and individuals have surfaced on the Internet, most recently and prominently, Andrew Tate, whose degradation of women and perpetuation of toxic

masculinity constitute the quintessential alpha male icon of the manosphere

The manosphere is not limited to just misogynistic individuals. In fact, it comprises four broad subgroups: “Men’s rights activists” (MRAs), “Men going their own way” (MGTOW), “Pick up artists” (PUAs), and Involuntary celibates (Incels). These ideologies vary across a spectrum, incel being the most extreme and potentially violent.

The University of Chicago Press Journals (UCPJ) explains, “Online, [MRAs] adopt a position of patriarchal resistance, which forcefully denies that feminist issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and gendered wage gaps are structural issues that (re)produce women’s oppression,” essentially, discounting the centuries old historical discrimination against women and the current state of gender inequality. Furthermore, MRAs argue that feminism has “systematically reduced men’s social, political, and economic opportunities, which has resulted in the oppression of men ” According to Psychology Today, the “paranoid vision” of MGTOW is that we live in “a

world that is ‘gynocentric,’ with men as victims of a system that favors women and persecutes men.” Hence the name, men should abandon women to escape the oppression of a society that supposedly espouses women and, in doing so, harms men The online presence of MRAs and MGTOW has declined over the past ten years as their members become more radicalized, contributing to the recent spike in PUAs and incels.

PUAs “attempt to coax women into having sex with them through a mixture of flattery, psychological manipulation and coercion,” as reported by The Guardian These practices, “such as negging insulting a woman to undermine her confidence, and make her feel as if she has to seek your approval” undoubtedly perpetuate the objectification, harassment, and marginalization of women. This group uses terms like “alpha,” symbolizing an attractive, successful, dominant male presence and “beta,” representing a submissive man lacking masculinity or control over women. These labels perpetuate stereotypical ideals of toxic masculinity, which is harmful to men who suffer the

psychological consequences This community is becoming increasingly prevalent If not monitored, mainstream social media platforms, namely Tiktok, may have potentially dangerous consequences for the younger generation.

Incels, members of this online culture, support the hatred of women because they are unable to attract women sexually. Their beliefs are based upon attractiveness being predetermined by genetic factors and the fact they are “substandard” in this category as stated by the Center for Research and Evidence on Security Threats. Also, incels consider women to be inferior to all men and solely “driven by their sexual desire to reproduce with genetically superior men ”

A manifesto titled, “My Twisted World: The Story of Elliot Rodger,” was released electronically amidst a fatal attack; he was effectively turned into a hero within the incel community.

“ I will punish all females for the crime of depriving me of sex. They have starved me of sex for my entire youth and gave that pleasure to other men In doing so, they took many years of my life away I cannot kill every single female on earth, but I can deliver a devastating blow that will shake all of them to the core of their wicked hearts ” excerpt from “My Twisted World: The Story of Elliot Rodger”

“In 2014, Rodger went on a shooting and stabbing spree, killing six and injuring 14 at the University of California, Santa Barbara,” states the MIT Technology Review The incel community views this violence as a liberating act of revenge. Though they are often influenced by factors related to prior mental health issues, the dangers of this ideology unquestionably play a part. As seen, this subculture has the potential to encourage violence against women.

The Red Pill forum was “exclusively apolitical,” according to the UCPJ, up until the

2016 election when the “neoliberal, misogynistic collective identity” was aligned with Trump’s public persona of alpha masculinity In a “Men’s Rights” post titled “Sexual Assault,” one user commented, “When somebody accuses a powerful or famous figure like Trump of ‘sexual assault,’ I don’t look the other way. I don’t denounce them or their behavior”; the user continued that this “accusation by the establishment” is a “beacon to find our allies in war.” The election of a man who has openly bragged about sexually assaulting women reaffirms the rampant sexism and antifeminist rhetoric within the manosphere.

Biden’s administration has recognized how misogynistic ideologies proliferating online can impact everyday gun violence As reported on his official website, the administration will “establish a new Task Force on Online Harassment and Abuse to study rampant online sexual harassment, stalking, and threats, including revenge porn and deepfakes, and the connection between this harassment, mass shootings, extremism and violence against women.” The manosphere has cultivated an environment that encourages most if not all of these extreme forms of violence, which have rippling effects in not only our country but the world. Further, it remains a rapidly growing threat today, as users have only moved toward more extreme forums.

Notably, it is impossible to ignore the fact that beliefs within the manosphere stem from mainstream ideas about gender and sexuality. In discussing these dangerous ideologies, I hope to draw connections to seemingly harmless conversations in our everyday lives, whether they occur between friends or over social media The manosphere markets itself as a “safe place” for men who share feelings of emasculation in an age of social reform However, this underlying sexism is not limited to the manosphere; it pervades every aspect of our culture. From the governance of our institutions to the expectations of gender roles, women are consistently viewed and treated as inferior to men. Continuing this conversation about the gender dichotomy is the only way to begin to expose the origins of this discrimination and, subsequently, work to create a safer, more equal world.

Will You Be a Bystander?

BY RYLEE ANN ROBERTS '24, Staff Reporter

On Oct. 13, 2021, citizens of Philadelphia piled into a commuter train waiting to get to their destinations. Over the course of the next 30 minutes, Fiston M. Ngoy forced himself on a woman and raped her as bystanders did nothing except turn their cameras towards the attack. This horrifying incident is an example of the Bystander Effect. While most individuals will claim they would jump to aid another person in need, research says otherwise According to Simplypsychology org, the Bystander Effect is “a social psychological theory that states that an individual’s likelihood of helping decreases when passive bystanders are present in an emergency situation ” In other words, when one is in danger, their likeliness of getting help significantly decreases when others are nearby. This happens mostly because those who witness emergency situations assume another person has already or will eventually help.

B. Latané and J. Darley, the first psychologists to examine the Bystander Effect, discovered that when one is in a situation of distress, they are less likely to get help in a reasonable time when the number of witnesses are higher. The researchers came up with a five step process to explain what bystanders experience

If bystanders choose to react, they will “notice the event,” “interpret the situation as an

emergency,” “assume responsibility,” “know what to do,” and “decide to help.” If bystanders choose not to intervene, however, there are different factors that influence their decisions. They may be “in a hurry and not notice” that there is an emergency; they might “assume that as others are not acting, [the situation] is not an emergency”; they might assume that someone else will help or feel they do “not have the skills necessary to help”; lastly, they might worry about "danger, legislation, embarrassment, etc.”

Although Latané and Darley hypothesized society’s reasons for turning an eye, a TIME magazine article on the Bystander Effect suggests that COVID 19 has “deteriorated social norms,” and quarantine has made the population feel less empathetic toward other people One might wonder how to change this The answer is simple: someone has to do something. Phillip Zimbrado, a physiological professor at Stanford University, stated, “As soon as one person starts to help… the second usually jumps in.”

As society advances, it's critical that the Bystander Effect is talked about more openly. Empathy and the ability to call attention to horrendous acts can save lives. If you see something, say something.

“...bystanders did nothing except turn their cameras towards the attack.”

“The opposite of a hero is not a villain. It’s a bystander.” -Philip Zimbrado

This

The End

BY AXEL JACKS

On Sep. 8, 2022, w Queen Elizabeth II pa the Commonwealth f She impacted the wo the prime minister’s p her government, and and small, such as the the Gulf War Accord Queen died of natura London Bridge, also k Down,” was in effect d death was announced the early 1960s and w before her death. It w Minister and other he g Her Majesty's death before the flags in the country were lowered to half mast, revealing her death to the rest of the world.

Across the world, people were saddened by the news of the Queen’s death. At Bayside, history teacher Mr. Glen Farquhar, who used to live in the UK with his family, shared his reaction to the Queen’s death.

When asked about how his family back home felt, he responded, “They were all just sort of in a daze apparently. So it happened, and then they got to go home from work, the schools were all let out, and then they just sort of watched T V nonstop to get all the news about what was going to happen ” When asked about how he thinks life will be changed in the UK, Mr Farquhar said, “Well, it's a new era Most people alive in the UK really only know one monarch and that was Queen Elizabeth So, this brings on a whole new era, sort of a new British life. It was… the Elizabethan era, and now we have the Carolingian era.”

The Queen accomplished a great deal during her lifetime, such as leading her country to victory during wars, keeping her people safe, and serving her population gracefully. She will be missed by many.

Queen Elizabeth II gives a speech in 1953 [CC]

Queen Elizabeth II smiles at an event in the Gardens of Buckingham Palace in June 2013 [CC]

The Russo-Ukrainian War

BY CALEB CRUM '24, Staff Reporter

Some of the latest events in Ukraine show that the Ukraine military is coming back and showing strong signs of resistance against the Russian Army. As President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his nightly address to the Ukrainian people, “Perhaps now it seems to some of you that after a series of victories, we now have a lull of sorts, but this is not a lull This is preparation for the next series because Ukraine must be free all of it ”

On Sep 19, 2022, Russia launched a missile towards a nuclear power plant, and it struck 300 meters away. Zelensky responded to the attack by saying, “The invaders wanted to shoot again, but they forgot what a nuclear power plant is. Russia endangers the whole world. We have to stop it before it’s too late.” According to Zelensky, the arrogance and ignorance of the Russian forces could lead to a catastrophic loss in Europe. In response to these events, Zelensky began rallying

troops to continue taking back the rest of Ukraine.

The Dnipro River, a large river that is a main barrier between Russia and Ukraine, has multiple bridges that are main routes for Russian shipments of weapons and supplies. The Ukrainians did not take kindly to the new shipments of Russian weaponry, so they took a tactical approach Rather than attacking the Russians head on, they blew up the bridges along the Dnipro River to prevent any future shipments The Russians made efforts to repair the bridges, but each time they tried, they heard the sounds of a high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS). HIMARS is a movable missile launcher that can launch up to twelve missiles at a time and has an accuracy of six feet. After the bridges were beyond repair, the Russians started making pontoon boats, which were quickly targeted by the HIMARS. Recently, the U.S. has unofficially supplied Ukraine

Ukrainian convoy goes into battle on July 25, 2022 [CC]

with National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems, which are used to target low flying ordnance and aircraft. Most NATO countries have been denying involvement in the Russo Ukrainian war because some believe it would start World War III. As a result of these tactics, it is estimated that Russia can only move about 20 percent of the needed equipment on the Dnipro front. Russia panicked and pulled their most elite airborne forces, better known as VDV, out of the region and put them along the river basin This left a weaker military behind to fortify the Kharkiv region.

Once Russia extracted forces from the Kharkiv region, Ukraine retook the previously captured region, including a major weapons stash in Izum, between Sep. 6 and 8, 2022. The Ukrainians used a circling tactic; instead of going straight in, they circled the city, eliminating fleeing forces from the area and taking out whoever or whatever remained within the city limits This is the same tactic that the Nazi’s used during World War II to capture the same city, Izum At the beginning of the current war, it took Russia three months to take the city. Ukraine reclaimed the Kharkiv region in two days.

While the recent success of Ukraine is thanks to their strong will to fight, Russia's military is not at its zenith. According to "Not What You

Think," a somewhat popular Youtube creator, and a writer from Reuters, most of Russia's military is composed of a militant force who were mobilized in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republic; these individuals either volunteered or were randomly pulled off of the street. These soldiers were severely undertrained, under geared, and unmotivated. This made it easy for the Ukrainian offensive to rush through the Kharkiv region and take back what they rightfully owned With the loss of forces, the Russian military has turned to bombarding civilian residences and infrastructure including hospitals, apartments, and the aforementioned nuclear power plant. These “soldiers” have been fighting in Ukraine or at least keeping tensions high since 2014. Cathy Young from The Bulwark states, “While Russian forces have been able (for now) to stand their ground in some places, their real strategy for countering the Ukrainian offensive is to lob missiles at Ukraine’s critical civilian infrastructure On Sunday [Sep 18], they struck power stations in Eastern Ukraine; the hits caused massive outages, particularly in the Kharkiv region.” However, this Russian bombardment has been proven ineffective as power has been quickly restored to the entire Kharkiv region. The Russians also

bombed a dam which could have caused flooding and a depletion of drinking water, but relatively no harm was done.

On Sep. 21, 2022, Putin released a mobilization order for any draft aged men (18 or older) There is satellite imagery showing thousands of cars heading towards the Russian borders as people try to flee the country and avoid the draft Forbes states that “Georgia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia are witnessing a massive influx of Russians fleeing their country to avoid being drafted into Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.” It is estimated that 300,000 men have already fled the country, and that number is predicted to rise within the coming weeks and months Zelensky expressed that with the recent call up of forces in Russia, Putin is displaying his weaknesses, and he is not ready to fight

A HIMARS fire blazes in Ukraine on July 4, 2022 [CC]

Threat to Our Home

BY KATE GINGER '23, Co Editor in Chief

Every student that has stepped foot on Bayside’s campus knows this: when you look out into Mobile Bay, the Spanish moss frames a picture of a Gulf sky meeting the serene waves. In the distance are miniature skyscrapers perched along a roaming Eastern Shore, B extends off the c where students a the local marine inhabits the Mob Within the nex decades, sea leve to rise between o feet along the Gu context, one foot rise swallows aro shoreline. The ef from inconseque imminent sea rise will have almost immediate effects upon Bayside’s property. Along with diminishing our beach, the water will soak into the land, causing the surrounding area to sink, only speeding up the effects According to a 2016 report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sea levels along the Alabama coast could rise up to four feet in the next century, which would “[submerge] wetlands and dry land, [erode] beaches, and [exacerbate] coastal flooding.” Additionally, SeaLevelRise.org,

a group of environment and policy experts, explains, “Rising sea levels can disrupt coastal wetlands by drowning plant species [and] increasing salt levels in the soil and water.” This endangers important

ecosystems, threatens habitats, and leaves communities exposed to dangerous storm surge ” The most biologically diverse estuary in the country and home of the fourth largest river system in the world, lower Alabama is suffering some of the most devastating losses as a result of global warming.

The 2011 Alabama Climate Report by the University of Alabama at Huntsville states that Atlantic hurricanes make landfall in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach and Mobile Bay “slightly

more than once every decade.” This places our location at an increased risk for “[M]oderate” (typically damaging) flooding,” which “is expected to occur, on average, more than 10 times as often as it does today, and can be intensified by local factors,” rding to the National nic and Atmospheric inistration ccording to the National ate Assessment, “Sea level storm surge, and heavy npours,” conditions to h the Gulf Coast is cially prone, “are increasing age to U.S. infrastructure ding roads, buildings, and strial facilities.” Within the century, our community surrounding areas will inevitably face increased danger due to conditions brought upon by climate volatility.

To curb this imminent threat that the entire globe is facing, 192 countries and the European Union have signed the Kyoto Protocol, which targets the emission of the six most prevalent greenhouse gasses, and the Paris Agreement, which, according to UnitedNations.org, “aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below two degrees

The sun rises on Bayside's bluff [G Montgomery]

perch on wooden posts in Mobile Bay. [M. Covington]

Celsius above pre industrial levels ” Unfortunately, the Council on Foreign Relations cites experts who believe the Agreement is not enough, “[warning] that if this warming continues unabated, it could bring environmental catastrophe to much of the world, including staggering sea level rise, record breaking droughts and floods, and widespread species loss.”

Those in a lower socioeconomic bracket will suffer the most drastic consequences, as they have a limited ability to cope with climate variability and extremes. As explained to Global Citizen by Christina Chan, director of the World Resource Institute’s Climate Resilience Practice, “The world’s poorest communities often live on the most fragile land, and they are often politically, socially, and economically marginalized, making them especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change ”

Though the impending effects of this crisis seem daunting, all hope is not lost.

Environmental scientists are working to further understand the effects of climate change and, moreover, come to a solution. The UN High Level Climate Champions

launched a “Race to Zero” in an effort to urge large corporations and industries to implement climate conscious systems This plan to halve emissions by 2030 is fueled by galvanizing “breakthrough ambition,” or attaining sufficient momentum to truly make a change

While an individual's actions may seem meaningless in the midst of such a pervasive crisis, these small measures are more crucial than ever right now. The Guardian asks why have we continued to fail to act when “[T]he global scientific community has warned us for years about the present and future impacts of climate change linked to fossil fuel use.” Because “human brains aren’t wired to respond easily to large, slow moving threats,” our response to climate change is not unsurprising though it has jeopardized the safety of our world.

On a personal level, people can make an effort to save energy in their homes, walk, bike, carpool or take public transportation, eat more vegetables, consider taking fewer flights, and throw away less food A threat as daunting as global warming is certainly hard to fathom; however, its harmful effects will prevail over Alabama’s Gulf Coast if we do nothing to protect the place we call home.

Light streams through smoke from a shoot with the photography class [F Faulk]

Pelicans

The Death of Mahsa Amini

BY MIRANDA MCDONALD '23, Co Editor in Chief

Amini died of heart failure…” that might have been tied to previous health conditions Witnesses contradict these claims and assert that they saw police brutally beating Amini while on the way to the detention center.

On Sep. 16, 2022 in Iran, 22 year old Mahsa Amini died in police custody. Three days prior to her untimely death, Amini was arrested by morality police for allegedly not following hijab protocol Since her death, protests against the treatment of women and the government have taken place in over 80 cities in Iran, TIME magazine reported According to The Jerusalem Post, Amini was from Saquez, a city within the northwestern Kurdistan Province. She and her family had been traveling to Tehran to visit her uncle Once Amini stepped off the train, she was immediately arrested by the morality police, Islamic Religious police who enforce morals and women’s dress code The Jerusalem Post reported that she was allegedly arrested for wearing “tight trousers,” while other sources say she was breaking hijab protocols, a strict dress code used to enforce modesty

After two hours at the Vozara detention center, ambulances rushed Amini to the hospital. Amini’s family was denied any information on the condition of their daughter TIME reported that “Amini’s father told an Iranian news outlet that he wasn’t allowed to see her body in the hospital, but that he caught a glimpse of her foot and it was bruised ” Three days later, Amini passed away TIME reported, “Iranian authorities claim that

Though Amini is not the first assault victim of the morality police, her death signaled a change in Iran. Unceasing violent protests have taken place in cities all across Iran since Amini’s death. According to the BBC, videos posted on Twitter depict women burning their hijabs and shaving their heads while screaming “Women, life, freedom” and “Death to the dictator,” chants in protest against the violence that has occurred over strict hijab regulations.

Image description [Photo Credit]

The Iranian government has taken action to ensure protests halt or diminish, yet the people are relentless. To control protests, riot police have been placed throughout the country. The New York Times reported that there have been over 700 hundred arrests, and the police have used brute force, weaponry, and tear gas against protesters. Iran Human Rights, a nongovernmental organization, calculates the death toll at 326

The New York Times also stated that the government has been responsible for interfering with the internet. Because social media has played a critical role in communications with protesters and outside journalists, the government has enforced harsher censorship measures such as internet blackouts and restricted Google searching

In an interview with TIME, Director of Iran Human Rights Mahmood Amiry Moghaddam stated, “What you see is people who are fed up with a regime ” Mahsa Amini’s story has sparked outrage worldwide, and protests show no signs of relenting anytime soon.

Women protest in Iran on Sep 25, 2022 [CC]

Serena Williams: Trials and Triumphs

BY VIRGINIA MCCRORY '25, Staff Reporter

Serena Williams shocked the world when she announced to Vogue magazine, “I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” She has had a long and distinguished career with 23 grand slam singles titles, 14 grand slam doubles titles, and four Olympic gold medals However, this success has not come without its setbacks Serena faced everything from various injuries to prejudice on and off the court

One of Williams’ more notable obstacles was giving birth to her daughter, Olympia, after a long and difficult pregnancy that eventually resulted in a C section. The next morning, Williams realized that she should have a heparin drip, a blood thinning medication. She knew this because of experience with a blood clotting condition she developed in 2011. She asked a doctor and was dismissed, but soon after, she had a coughing fit that tore her stitches. She was rushed into surgery and soon discovered a collection of blood outside her blood vessels. After the surgery, she woke up in excruciating pain and told the nurse, “I need to have a CAT scan of my lungs bilaterally, and then I need to be on my heparin drip ” Unfortunately, she was dismissed again After insisting for quite some time, the doctors finally gave her the heparin drip and scans that she asked for and they discovered a blood clot in her lungs Williams eventually recovered and continued playing tennis while coping with postpartum depression. She tells Vogue that she is a very hands on mom to her daughter, Olympia. “In five years, Olympia has only spent one 24 hour period away from me.” To Williams, nothing is a sacrifice when it comes to Olympia, but tennis is a different story.

Williams told Vogue, “I think tennis, by comparison, has always felt like a sacrifice, though it’s one I enjoyed making.” Williams’ father told her that she first picked up a tennis racket at age three. Up to this point, she had poured her heart and soul into the

sport. Williams recounts how she won many of her matches because her anger fueled her. Serena has changed the world of tennis for the better, and Black women worldwide have shared how she positively impacted their lives According to a New York Times article, Williams motivated her fan, Rachel Atkins, 35, to seek the medical attention she deserved during her pregnancy because of her transparency about her own struggles during labor. She gave 55 year old Lolita Jackson hope in a more diverse future in tennis by being a Black woman who repeatedly won matches and tournaments.

Now, Williams wants to shift her attention toward her business Serena Ventures, a capital firm that seeks to invest in consumer products, healthcare, and information technology that will make the world a better place. In her final statement to Vogue, she says, “I’m going to miss that version of me, that girl who played tennis.”

Williams plays at the '22 US Open [CC]

Blood Mutations In Astronauts

CAROLINE MARRON '25, Staff Reporter

For approximately 20 years, scientists have been absorbed in studying the effects of spaceflight on astronaut’s internal health. Studies performed by scientists have shown that even physically healthy astronauts have developed abnormal blood mutations. Clonal hematopoiesis occurs when the hematopoietic stem cell, a cell that is able to convert into numerous types of blood cells, begins to generate cells with the same genetic mutation This can lead to blood cancers and comes with a high risk of cardiovascular difficulties, including heart attacks These mutations are most likely due to space shuttle radiation

While the amount of radiation humans receive in a year is equal to about two chest x rays, the amount of radiation in space is equal to about 150 to 1,600 chest X rays per year. To determine the effects of space on astronauts' blood, scientists took blood samples over a period of twenty years and recognized 34 mutations. According to Space.com, although this is a rising concern, there is only a two percent chance of these mutations negatively affecting astronauts' lives in ways such as cancer or death Though space exploration is necessary to our understanding of the universe, it does have inherent risks for humans, which must be taken into account

Beauty and Bankruptcy

BY LYNNEN HACKNEY '25, Staff Reporter

Revlon was formed in 1932 by Charles and Joseph Revlon and Charles Lachman. Originally known for their nail polish, this multinational brand is now known for selling cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care products. This year, though, the retail company has filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy, which means this business calls for reorganization. With this recent news in mind, what led Revlon to have to file for bankruptcy?

One of the first factors is the supply chain issues caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. There were many shortages of

the paper, glass, and oils used to make makeup, which caused a rise in prices for these ingredients. According to consultancy firm Bain and Company, the costs of cosmetic production rose by 30 percent, which led to an accumulation of debt In 2020, Revlon's debt was around 4 22 billion dollars, which severely impacted the company's likelihood of avoiding bankruptcy, according to CBS News.

Another component of Revlon's situation was competition against larger Instagram makeup brands, such as Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics

and Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty. Due to these brands' promotions on social media, the companies earned more consumers; because Revlon didn’t use this promotion tactic, they lost consumers to these brands Additionally, Revlon lost many customers thanks to the death of America’s malls, as malls were their primary way of selling products.

Revlon finally decided to file for bankruptcy on June 16, 2022. Despite this filing, the brand will continue to normally operate and pay vendors, according to NPR.org.

"Hips Don't Lie," Or Do They?

BY ISABELLE RUTLAND '24, Layout Editor

45 year old Colombian pop star Shakira is set to go on trial for alleged tax fraud While the legal case began in 2018, charges against the singer were formalized on July 29 of this past summer. Shakira rejected a settlement from Spanish prosecutors, who have accused her of evading 14.5 million euros (15 million dollars) worth of taxes during her residence in Spain between 2012 and 2014. The singer, known for hits such as “Waka Waka” and “Hips Don’t Lie,” could face an eight year prison sentence and a $24 million fine if convicted.

In 2021, a Barcelona judge held that significant evidence exists to suggest that Shakira attempted to conceal her wealth through offshore companies in tax havens, countries that offer foreign investors little to no tax liability Shakira has denied these accusations in a report submitted by her defense attorneys to the Spanish newspaper El País, claiming that between 2012 and 2014, the singer’s primary residence was in the Bahamas, and she only visited Spain “sporadically.” However, local media and tax inspectors investigating Shakira’s life in Barcelona found reasonable cause to suspect that the singer had been living in Spain for at least 200 days. Under Spanish law, a person residing in the country for more than 183 days is

considered a tax resident

The confirmation of Shakira’s six charges of tax crimes against the Spanish Public Treasury comes in the wake of her split with Barcelona soccer player Gerard Piqué, with whom she has two children. The 12 year relationship’s end was announced in early June via a statement that gave no indication of the cause of the split, simply relaying the ex's request for privacy. However, viral videos have circulated of crowds heckling Piqué during Barcelona soccer matches for allegedly having cheated on Shakira. In an interview with ELLE magazine, Shakira described her current circumstances as “[my] darkest hour sometimes I just feel like this is all a bad dream and that I’m going to wake up at some point But no, it’s real ”

Shakira’s public relations team has maintained her innocence amidst the tax fraud trial, going as far as to accuse the case of being “a total violation of her rights.” This statement was released in July after the possibility of a settlement failed. While a court date has not yet been set, Shakira will inevitably take the stand, even if only to confirm a last minute deal. However, the singer is reportedly seeking a full acquittal and is poised to fight until the end.

Shakira speaks at the 2017 World Economic Forum. [CC]

“ ...

sometimes I just feel like this is all a bad dream and that I’m going to wake up at some point. But no, it’s real.”

Student Opinions Scoop: New Policies

BY LAUREN GODWIN '23, Staff Reporter

This school year, we have seen many new changes to our way of life as Bayside students. With a new headmaster and other various new leadership come many new rules and ideas, and students welcome some more than others. In a survey in which over 50 percent of Bayside Upper School students participated, data reveals the consensus that most students dislike many of the new policies and believe the majority of policies are ineffective. When asked about their opinions on seven new policies, students' responses show that only two of these policies were effective and/or liked However, many students are also indifferent about several of the new rules The most disliked policy is that doors must be locked at all times; this rule is in place for our safety given the rise of nationwide school shootings in recent years. Despite the knowledge of this intention, 46 percent of students believe this policy is ineffective, whereas only 17 percent of students find it effective. In the survey, one student said, “I think it causes more of a disruption than anything else. It’s a hassle that won’t provide a whole lot of protection when it comes down to it.”

When asked their opinions on the increased enforcement of the dress code, many students had similar complaints and expressed their belief that the new changes are rather useless The 46 percent of students that view the renewed focus on dress code compliance as unfair are very vocal As one student put it, “In general, small things about a uniform like an untucked shirt or something of similar importance should not be a reason for negative referrals. We already wear a variety of Bayside attire, so everyone looking the same is impossible, and a tucked in shirt isn’t going to be the difference between the school succeeding or failing...” However, another student said, “I don't like uniforms, but I understand why we have them, and if we are going to have them, it should all be the same thing, so I don't care too much

about the new policies.” Multiple students also shared the belief that there is too much focus put towards policing the length of the girls’ skirts, and not enough towards boys having untucked shirts and the wrong type of shorts. Clearly, students have a variety of opinions on the new rules, from solid indifference to resentment.

The two policies of which students were the most welcoming were the positive referral system and spirit shirts on Fridays 61 percent of students said they like the new positive referral system While students said that they enjoy getting positive referrals, it has been observed that the majority of students who receive positive referrals are mostly students that have previously had bad behavior. Students also believe there need to be better incentives for those who receive these referrals, though many still like the positive referral system because they believe it is good for “evening out negatives,” as one student said.

Overall, spirit shirt Fridays were the most appreciated new policy, as a whopping 87 percent of students said they enjoy not having to wear the polos on Fridays, while only 12 percent are neutral, mainly because they are band members, cheerleaders, and football players who don't wear their polos on Fridays However, a few students still feel that we should be able to do more than just wear a different shirt on Fridays, especially on game days

The reason students dislike the changes to our school is that they likely don’t understand why we have them. Many of the new rules were enacted by our new headmaster Dr. Scott Phillipps and our new Dean of Students Mr. Ryan Campbell. Through experience at different schools, these administrators have gained insight into ways to improve the Bayside environment

Student Life

in ways that keep students safe and improve the quality of education.

However, of course, people are naturally averse to change, so hostility towards new policies is

unsurprising. As time goes on, students are likely to warm up to these new ideas. It may be hard to understand that Bayside administrators have students' best interests at heart.

Other 29%

Neutral 246%

Itisbeneficial/fair 111%

Poll of 171 Bayside Upper School Students

Idon'tlikeit 111%

Itisunfair 363%

Other 94% Ilikeit 614%

Neutral 433%

Other 111%

Neutral 257%

Itiseffective 17%

Itisineffective 462%

What is your opinion on the stronger dress code enforcement?

How do you feel about the new positive referral system?

What is your opinion on the locked door policy?

[membean.com]

Does Membean Really Benefit You?

Membean is an online site designed to build word consciousness that, in the company’s own words, “helps you achieve lasting outcomes by prioritizing higher order thinking over memorization.”

As you train, you answer vocabulary based on your assigned level determined by a diagnostic assessment. Most teachers at Bayside start Membean around fourth grade and continue with the program until tenth Membean's frequent use raises a question: does it truly benefit students and their vocabulary?

To answer this question, we have to look into Membean’s technology and the way students use it. When you first begin Membean, you start with a placement test, which determines your level of vocabulary. Unfortunately, some students intentionally put themselves at inaccurate,

lower levels in order to make the work easier An anonymous student confessed, “Sometimes it’s just easier to take the easy way out, especially because there’s no consequences to it. How easy it is just makes it feel like it’s okay.” When this happens, students aren't actually building their vocabulary comprehension skills.

Another issue is that it is easy to put in minimal effort while doing Membean Questions are timed, and the program allows you to wait until the last second to answer How could this feature that is meant to push students to do more work lead less effective studying? Well, some students wait until the last second to answer every question, which leads to them doing fewer questions than a typical, worthwhile session. Additionally, some students

mindlessly click buttons in order to receive a completion grade, which results in no learning whatsoever

Because of student’s lack of effort on Bayside’s campus, Membean has been become less beneficial to our student body. If this abuse of Membean's technology is occurring on Bayside's campus, is it happening elsewhere? The future of Membean relies on student effort and attitude.

[membeancom]

Quizlet Controversy

BY COURTNEY BAKER '25, Staff Reporter

Quizlet com is a study tool website utilized by high school students across the nation. This app was created with the idea that a free studying website could be extremely beneficial for student quiz and test prep by having multiple tools, including flashcards, a learning tool used to help students memorize terms. In 2020, Quizlet began utilizing ads on their website as a source of income for their company. The ads were not seen as a problem amongst the many users until Quizlet began limiting study access. Last year, Quizlet initiated a subscription program Now, in order to study an entire set of flashcards, a yearly payment is required This completely contradicts the company’s initial intentions A poll taken by Bayside’s high school students shows that 100 percent of the 151 students polled have used Quizlet in the past and 92 percent still currently use Quizlet; yet, only 15 percent of students pay for the subscription. Without a subscription, the website is limited to flashcards and only five sets of a mode called "learn." Learn mode helps build long term memory with the terms in the set. 85 percent of students who do not subscribe are unable to achieve their complete studying potential. One student commented, “[It's] really frustrating for a company who praises education for free [to] all of a sudden change into a company that makes you pay to learn. So many students rely on this and [it's] going to make things terrible for us Especially for people who [don’t] have extra money to spend on this ” This is an excellent example of how the majority of the student body feels about the new prices, according to the poll Some students suggest that Bayside should get a school subscription, but considering the difficulties this entails, it is highly unlikely that this could be accomplished. Overall, Quizlet remains a highly utilized studying tool but has, unfortunately, limited certain features that students find useful.

Is AP Worth It?

BY RAMEY WEBB '24, Staff Reporter

In 2021, over a million high school students took at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course. AP courses are known for being some of the most difficult courses, touting tough content, a heavy workload, and a grueling final exam. For many students, these characteristics alone turn them away from pursuing an AP course But, on top of the inherently demanding nature of the courses, another issue looms The validity of AP courses is coming into question more than ever before. Many are beginning to wonder whether or not AP courses are truly beneficial to one's future and if the toll these courses take on the mental health of students is ultimately more detrimental than it is beneficial. These concerns leave the question: is AP worth it?

There are countless articles and studies praising AP and the College Board, the company that manages AP curriculums, scores, and testing The overwhelmingly positive media can be misleading as concerning issues exist within these programs and tend to be overlooked.

The general assumption is that students benefit by taking more challenging courses; however, over time, the validity

of this idea has waned. A recent study conducted by the Nuffield Foundation, a British organization, shows that “Increased participation in post 16 education is generally considered positive, but only if the courses provide genuine skills and training alongside

retain. College professors have repeatedly noted that despite being designed to be “college level courses,” AP courses are nothing like real college classes. AP is designed to teach to an exam, and because of the overwhelming amount of content that needs to be taught, there is limited time for exploration or higher level conversations This rigid structure does not leave a lasting impression on students, making most AP courses a lesson in memorization rather than true understanding. John Tierney, a former American government professor and current high school teacher, says this about AP: “[The] curriculum leads to rigid stultification a kind of mindless genuflection to a prescribed plan of study that squelches creativity and free inquiry ”

structure and socialization There is growing evidence that this is not the case.” The post 16 education system is the equivalent of the final two years of American high school. What is becoming increasingly evident is that AP courses aren't teaching students material that is advantageous or that they

Simply put, this means that students are molded to fit AP courses and not the other way around While it is true that most AP courses are not as advantageous to students as advertised, there are exceptions. Students who take courses that build on their previous knowledge rather than an introduction to it are more likely to gain something from AP courses. Unfortunately, this is

not usually the case. Another concern surrounding AP and its curriculum is the distinctly deleterious effects it has been shown to have on students’ mental health In recent years, students have begun speaking out about their AP concerns Various student newspapers have published articles focusing on the individual experiences of students at their schools What these students don't realize is that they are experiencing something extraordinarily common. On the surface, these articles may appear to be lazy students going to any length to slack off, but an integral requirement in becoming an AP student is an unyielding

AP European History...

dedication to academia

Students from Centennial High School in Georgia have this to say about their relationship with AP: “Taking on such a heavy course load… naturally leads to increased stress, anxiety, unease, and other mental health issues; issues that could be avoided.” As quoted in Peninsula Outlook, the newspaper of Peninsula High School in Washington, “Teens are crippling and falling under the weight of high school. Students are expected to be the smartest and take the

hardest classes…regardless of how their mental health compares.” The student consensus is that AP is being mishandled in schools, and it is having a negative impact on mental health

Despite its renown, Bayside also suffers from these issues The percentage of students at Bayside that have taken or are currently enrolled in an AP course is tremendous In a recent poll, Bayside juniors and seniors taking AP courses were asked to rate their stress levels on a scale of one to five. In AP European History, a course offered to sophomores, over 65 percent of students rated their stress to be “high” or “very high.” In every course with more than three responses, the overwhelming majority of

Level of stress due to AP European History from 1 (Low) to 5 (Very High).

5 24%

students cited having exceedingly high levels of stress These statistics are unsurprising It is in the hands of schools and College Board to protect students, and while AP has many benefits, to dismiss the underlying issues is irresponsible. Bayside does better than most in supplementing the information provided in AP courses and making it benefit the students as much as possible. But, there are always improvements that can be made, and it is important to acknowledge these issues so they can be addressed in the future.

“In

over 65 percent of students rated their stress to be ‘high’ or ‘very high.’”

Poll of 47 Bayside Academy Upper School Students

When You're an Addams

BY LAUREN GODWIN '23, Staff Reporter

In early November, the Pilot Center stage was transformed into the looming mansion of the mysterious and macabre Addams Family for the fall show, “The Addams Family: The Musical.” If the existence of the Addams Family has eluded you, they are a fictional eccentric family, originally created by Charles Addams in 1938 as a series of cartoon panels made to satirize traditional family dynamics and values While the white picket fence and perfect American lifestyle were heavily popularized, the Addams’ are the polar opposite; they enjoy the morbid and terrible aspects of life, paired with a penchant for black clothing and plenty of Spanish, French, and Italian dispersed throughout their vocabulary. Though their interests are dark, they still portray a healthy family dynamic, as Gomez and Morticia, the heads of the family, deeply love each other and truly care for their family’s well being

Despite the existence of countless extended Addams family members, there are only seven core members of the family: parents Gomez and Morticia, their children Wednesday and Pugsley, Gomez’s brother Uncle

Fester, Grandmama (though no one is sure whose mother she really is), and finally the butler, Lurch.

The Addams family has faced many problems throughout their existence, from murderous, gold digging nannies (as seen in the movie “Addams Family Values”) to fraudulent family members

musical, the families struggle to set aside their differences and focus on making Wednesday and Lucas happy as they face one of the most important nights of their lives: meeting the parents.

The plot of the musical follows the family as they try to reconcile with Wednesday’s new boyfriend, Lucas Beineke, whose family embodies everything the Addams’ are not. Gomez and Morticia wear black and never keep secrets. The Beinekes are the exact opposite; they wear yellow, send flowers, and hardly talk to each other. Throughout the

The cast included Jack Roussos ‘24 as Gomez, Molly Hughes ‘25 as Morticia, Lanee Imperato ‘25 as Wednesday, Adriane Clemens ‘25 as Uncle Fester, Michael Klimjack ‘24 as Lucas, Sage McCormick ‘24 as Mal Beineke, myself as Alice Beineke, and an assortment of mainly upperclassmen as ancestors. Additionally, “The Addams Family” had one of the most complex sets in Bayside theater history. The set included a 17 foot tall mansion as its main piece, a functional platform eight feet above ground, and a pivot point beneath the house that allowed the entire set to rotate, portraying both the interior and exterior of the Addams’ home

When asked their opinions on being in the show, cast members had extremely positive things to say. Jack said, “I really enjoyed being able to play Gomez. He's a fun character that took me out of playing a young male ingenue.”

It goes without saying that Jack did an incredible job bringing

Jack, Reid, and Lanee perform the opening number [G Montgomery]

the eccentric Spaniard to life

As for myself, “The Addams Family” was my sixth and final Bayside show, and I am extremely grateful for it. This show gave me the chance to control a scene, and performing “Waiting” as Alice was absolutely incredible. I had a blast channeling her nerves and breakdowns.

“I’ve been watching my fellow cast members onstage and cheering them on backstage as stage manager since seventh grade, so it was extremely rewarding to perform with them onstage this year, especially because this was my last show.”

Abigail Counselman ‘23, 10th Show, Ancestor

“My fellow crew and cast members made the show a more enjoyable experience considering this was my first year being the stage manager I'm grateful to have such loving people supporting me in this new role!”

Courtney Baker ‘25, 4th Show, Stage Manager

“I like it. It’s good to just hang out with other people that you wouldn’t really get to know as much otherwise. It’s really nice to see it all come together, too.”

Ramey Webb ‘24, 1st Show, Ancestor

“I love being with the cast; it doesn’t matter if I have a big role or a small role. It’s just good to be together with everybody, and the memories we make are more important than any mishaps.”

Isabelle Rutland ‘24, 4th Show, Ancestor

Finally, it’s crucial to know why our director Mr Kirby chose “The Addams Family” as this year’s musical “I wanted to do something really different I feel like the last few years we've been doing the same kind of high school themed shows, and I knew the cast would really enjoy this show; the music is very strong, and it's written well. It gave us a good opportunity to do some cool things with stage makeup.” The decision certainly paid off! Many audience members believed that this may have been the best show in Bayside's recent history.

Speaking for both the cast and crew, thank you so much for coming to support the show this year, and be sure to continue supporting us next year!

Lauren performs “Waiting” as Alice Beineke [G Montgomery]

Isabelle and Abigail play chess in the background of a scene [G Montgomery]

Setting Sights on College

BY LIBBI MELENDEZ '23, Staff Reporter

As senior year begins, the students of Bayside’s twelfth grade class are faced with the challenge of choosing where they will begin college and their journeys into adulthood With strong drive and high hopes, students are nervously excited to submit their applications to their desired colleges The application process can be frightening, but setting goals and having desired colleges can help alleviate the stress of the decision making process. A poll directed towards the Senior Class of 2023 indicated a 50/50 split between the individuals who want to go to school in state and those who want to leave their home state of Alabama. Among the students who are eager to attend college, 36 percent said they would like to be accepted into the University of Alabama, 36 percent are applying to Auburn University, and 28 percent of students would like to go to another college in Alabama.

Students Applying

Percent

of Students Applying In or Out of State

Poll of 36 Bayside Seniors taken on Sep. 13, 2022

Bayside's Joyful Science Teacher

BY COLT HANCOCK '26, Staff Reporter

Mrs. Elizabeth Peters, Bayside’s ninth grade biology and eleventh and twelfth grade environmental science teacher, is loved for her energetic spirit and boundless energy When asked how she is so happy and energetic even at the end of long days, Mrs. Peters said, “being happy is my favorite; smiling is my favorite… there are so many people in this world who have not been given as much… I just feel like it's a really big waste of time to be negative.”

When asked if she has always wanted to be a teacher, she shared, “That was never an aspiration I wanted, and I still want to be, a National Geographic photographer and go to some amazing places ” Before going to college, she thought she would go into medicine as her mother did. She eventually realized this was not what she wanted to do and ended up getting her undergraduate degree in cello performance before going into public health with a concentration in epidemiology and international health and global studies This led her to spend six months in Uganda, where she taught nursing students and volunteered at a local music school, teaching

local boys how to play the cello.

It didn’t click with her that she wanted to be a teacher until she came back to the US and secured a spot on a substitute teacher list. She would eventually complete a master’s degree in education. Mrs. Peters first taught at Advent Episcopal School in Birmingham Prior to that, she taught in community education in Jamaica “I was working with vulnerable groups of individuals susceptible to infectious diseases (such as HIV) and educating them on how to reduce transmission.”

Mrs. Peters says that science is, “the king of all subjects... because all discip good at m your idea interpret through artistic in to enjoy Mrs P to prepar her class 52 differe ninth gra doing tha everybod somethin loves to t “because enough to where it's interesting… We're always

learning something new, so it's never boring to me because literally every day we're discovering something that I can use in the classroom And I love freshmen because they are bananas ”

Mrs Peters shared that she looks up to primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall. "Jane Goodall is probably the end all be all… She defied a lot of expectations about women for her time.”

We are grateful for Mrs. Peters and the impact she has made on the Bayside community.

Mrs Peters poses with paper DNA strands [C Hancock]

Mr. Campbell's Comeback

BY MIRANDA MCDONALD '23, Co Editor in Chief

Mr. Ryan Campbell first joined the Bayside family in 2015 and taught sixth grade English. With a strict curriculum and an iron fist, he instilled core values and cultivated work skills within students His class was an introduction to the responsibilities of high school

In 2020, Mr Campbell departed from Bayside when he moved to Saraland High School There, he taught mythology, public speaking, and tenth and twelfth grade English. Mr. Campbell explained his change in schools. “It [was] an opportunity to challenge myself professionally and personally…for my own career and my own growth…I had a great experience. [I] loved the people…and my time there.”

When the position for Upper School Dean of Students opened, Mr. Campbell took the opportunity and was welcomed back into the community with open arms. “I went to school and got my Master's degree to allow me to pursue opportunities in school leadership I'm grateful that it's here, because [Bayside] is a community that I feel very comfortable in and with students and families that I relate to very well ” Mr Campbell said, “Everything just felt right ”

The first class he ever taught at Bayside Academy recently graduated in 2022, while the last class he taught has joined the Upper School this year. For the first few weeks of school this year, Mr. Campbell was surprised to see his former sixth grade students so grown up. While reminiscing about the current senior class, Mr. Campbell remarked, “I remember… [their] dedication to excellence and to achievement. [They] push[ed] themselves to be the very best versions of themselves that they [could] be… even outside of the classroom.”

Mr Campbell continued, “When I took this job, I asked my administrators at Saraland what sorts of advice they would give me They said, ‘implement a positive referral program immediately ’ I took that to

heart and I felt that we had a great opportunity here at Bayside to really change our culture in a positive way ”

Though he makes his duties and responsibilities seem effortless, Mr. Campbell sometimes finds his job challenging. When asked about the most taxing part of his job, he responded, “I would say seeing people on their worst day. And knowing that they know how disappointed you are and then how disappointed others are in them. And trying to navigate those situations in a way where you can really help that

Mr Campbell shows his Admiral spirit [K Snell]

situations in a way where you can really help that student learn [while] also building them back up That's difficult ”

Referring back to his experience at Saraland High School, Mr. Campbell concluded, “It was such a great opportunity every day to build strong relationships with your classes and with your students and to help them grow and learn. I feel like I can do the same thing now, but on a much larger scale, because I'm not… working with just sixth grade students. Now, I'm working with all of our ninth through twelfth grade students, and I love that.”

In an interview, Mrs. Frederick said her favorite part about working with Mr Campbell is “how

History in the Making

BY ELIN BACKMAN '25, Staff Reporter

Bayside’s history department has new leadership this year, and BA Today welcomes the new Department Chair, Ms. Lamberti. Along with her department chair duties, Ms. Lamberti teaches AP European history (AP Euro) and World History II to sophomore students; her classes are intriguing and bustling with information, and she has already made a positive impact during her first semester at Bayside

Ms Lamberti came from UMS Wright Preparatory School where she taught for eight years When asked how Bayside and UMS Wright are different, she replied, “[UMS has] existed since the 1890s. And so they started as a military school. So I think they are maybe a little bit more traditional, and [they just have] just a different approach to everything,” as compared to Bayside where she feels we are very community driven. Ms. Lamberti is happy to be in this new community based environment. “Bayside… has a lot of positive qualities to it.”

Currently, she plans to continue teaching European history despite the vast variety of majors she's been involved with in the past, including zoology.

Though she switched up her major five times, she

organized and disciplined he is [and] how he balances that with compassion and kindness He has this positivity that is kind of contagious " She also stated that he has incorporated “enthusiasm and genuine interest in our students” back into the community. She added, “And of course, he has brought structure, and we've very much needed that structure and expectation.”

Bayside Academy and BA Today staff are thankful for Mr. Campbell’s return. We can’t wait to see all that he will accomplish and what he has in store for the school. Welcome back, Mr. Campbell.

ended up loving teaching after assisting in a graduate level class. When asked about why she teaches, Ms. Lamberti said, “[I] really just love sort of the stories of history… I enjoy seeing things begin to kind of gel in students' minds… they see connections across space and time " Furthermore, she shared how her favorite historical periods to teach are the 19th and 20th centuries

Her students enjoy the focused environment of her class One sophomore student from her AP Euro class stated, “I think it's very refreshing to have Ms. Lamberti as a teacher. She really does help us get situated with the material and understand everything to such an extent that I can actually understand this class.”

In her life outside of school, Mrs. Lamberti enjoys the freedom to travel with her husband. She loves hiking, concerts, and sporting events. Not only is Ms. Lamberti is an avid traveler, but also she has two kittens, Wayland and Willow. BA Today warmly welcomes Ms. Lamberti into the Bayside community!

The Impact of Service

BY VIRGINIA MCCRORY '25, Staff Reporter

Students often join Bayside’s service organizations, such as Key Club and Service Club, for the many benefits these organizations have on their resume or because they are required to join a club by the school or their parents. However, these requirements bring about a question: other than to fulfill a requirement, why should we serve? What benefits does service have on human health? The New York Times has a simple answer. “One of the best anti anxiety medications available is generosity.” The SMA Healthcare foundation tells us that when humans serve, the pituitary gland in our brain distributes a mass of hormones One of the hormones released when you serve is oxytocin, a hormone that is responsible for the runner’s high that athletes feel Oxytocin can also lower depression and reduce stress. We connect with a feeling of accomplishment when we serve, and then oxytocin is released into the blood. Research shows that volunteers feel physically healthier and have an improved mood after they have served others. Healthline.com states that people who volunteer live longer and have improved self esteem.

Something as simple as giving advice can benefit a person The New York Times says, “Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago found that after middle school students mentored younger students about studying, they ended up spending more time on their own homework ” When you feel a responsibility for something, it tends to help you with personal challenges.

Bayside’s Key Club sponsor Rochelle Tripp said, “By doing service, people are able to better put themselves in people’s shoes and really understand more [of] what they’re going through.” Being empathic allows us to understand the impact service truly has, and empathy is particularly important in our world today because we see so little of it. In the end, it’s important we know what it means to serve and the impact that it has on the lives of those in need Martin Luther King Jr said it best: “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve ”

Key Club smiles after volunteering at Catholic Social Services [R Tripp]

Key Club and Service Club Members unload boxes for Catholic Social Services [R Tripp]

The DiCaprio Scandals

BY COURTNEY BAKER '25, Staff Reporter

prio moved onto Lorena Rae. ed claims that they were tted several times cozying up er in private places. DiCaprio only 23, around a 19 year age

e of DiCaprio’s recent ed four years was with ne There has been a constant een them They recently mmer, and DiCaprio already er young model For the past been scandal involving Gigi f 27, and DiCaprio who have cited time together. They g out of Paris Fashion Week . Hadid’s and DiCaprio’s age d 20 years. It has not yet been sa d t at ad d a d Caprio are official, but a

Leonardo DiCaprio, a 47 year old famous actor, has been stirring up the media with his recent relationship choices. During the early 2000’s, DiCaprio was one of the most eligible bachelors after the release of Titanic, in which he starred as Jack Dawson As time passes, fans are beginning to notice something strange about the women throughout DiCaprio's dating life All of the women he dates are actresses or models Despite this “type,” these women have another thing in common. They seem to, almost always, be inching to the line of half of his age. This age gap only grows as DiCaprio ages closer to 50. One of the first affairs that caused concerns was his five month relationship with Blake Lively. During this relationship in 2011, DiCaprio was 37 while Lively was only 24, giving them a 13 year age gap. As time passed, the age gap continued

DiCaprio attends the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 [CC]

DiCaprio acts in the 1999 film Romeo and Juliet. [CC]

Lifestyle

Happy Olive: The Benefits of Quality Olive Oil

BY LIBBI MELENDEZ '23, Staff Reporter

which the oils are harvested and distributed The oils that Veronica Foods receives are tested for a DAG score, a system that tests the overall freshness and quality of the oils from the time it is pressed to when it is put onto the shelf on a scale from 1 100. Professional olive oil sommeliers determine the notes, fragrance, and intensity of the oil. The intensity, contrived from the pepperiness and bitterness of the olive oil, is dependent on the amount of biophenols. Biophenols are proteins found in olive oil that act as antioxidants, helping to remove excess oxygen from blood cells in your arteries and heart, which is why they are one of the healthiest oils for people to ingest

Located on the bustling street of De La Mare Avenue in charming Downtown Fairhope, The Happy Olive is the prime location to gather unique goods fo your culinary adventures and home. The heart of the shop, however, is centered around an extensive variety of olive oils and vinegars. Some who are not involved in the world of oleology, the study of olive oil, may ask themselves, “What are the true benefits of ‘premium’ olive oil?”

The Happy Olive imports all of its oils from its distributor, Veronica Foods, in Oakland, California These oils are freshly harvested and crushed from varying species of olive trees from different countrie all over the world before they are shipped to California where they are packaged and sent to individually owned olive oil distributors throughout the United States. The time of year and seasonal weather conditions determine the hemisphere from

Fresh extra virgin olive oils are full of healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti inflammatories. According to the Harvard Medical School, “Among people who replaced butter, margarine, or mayonnaise with olive oil, the death rate was as much as 34% lower than that of people who didn’t substitute olive oil for those fats.” Studies from Harvard Medical School

[Veronica Foods]

have shown that the consumption of quality olive oils increases longevity, prevents strokes, promotes a stronger cardiovascular system, prevents heart disease, and supports mental function and mood, especially in patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Those who are experienced in the olive oil world tend to search for oils that are high in biophenol levels with robust intensity. So far, biophenols are the most effective protein to act against the fabrication of heart disease, and the higher the amount of those proteins, the more health benefits a person who ingests it regularly will experience.

You may be wondering, “Can’t I just go to the grocery store and buy the cheaper olive oil?” If budgetary restrictions keep you from spending the extra dollar or two on something as seemingly simple as cooking oil, the grocery store olive oil is still probably healthier than vegetable shortenings or vegetable oil. The issue, however, is that most oils stocked on the shelves of your local supermarket are cut with harmful substances like canola or palm oil to lessen the actual value of the “extra premium virgin olive oil” and increase profits. Often, companies will use marketing phrases like, “olive oil for cooking,” which insinuates that you cannot cook with any other olive oils, or “extra premium,” which is based on the company’s standard of premium to trick

customers into purchasing their substandard oils Oils found in the grocery store, even the ones on the top shelf, often score very low on the DAG scale Top shelf grocery store oils normally have a score of around 42, and the cheaper ones are even worse

On the other hand, the olive oils distributed by Veronica Foods into small businesses like The Happy Olive have a DAG score averaging at about 94. If you have the extra dollar of wiggle room in your grocery budget, it is highly recommended that you invest in quality olive oil, because what you put in your body matters to your overall health.

Bottles of a pairing sit on a counter. [Alabama Travel]

The Apocalypse: Fact or Fanaticism?

BY RAMEY WEBB '24, Staff Reporter

“Do not go gentle into that good night; old age should burn and rave at close of day ” This quote was originally written by poet Dylan Thomas but is unfortunately more widely known from its use in the 2014 sci fi film “Interstellar.” This quote references a flaming end to humanity, and it explains that you must fight for your life to the very end. And while these words may seem, pun intended, to wax poetic, they ring true for many. The apocalypse, to which the quote above refers, has a broad interpretation based on who is talking about it. Theories range from biblical to political and beyond.

The apocalypse is not really as unbelievable of a concept as it seems It is an integral part of many religions The final book in the Bible’s New Testament is titled “Revelation,” or apokalypsis in Greek Revelation is commonly known as the darkest book of the Bible because of its graphic depiction of the end of the world and the violent language it employs. This combination brings out an unparalleled fear in the reader. Despite the faith the reader must hold to believe this story, there are also real world events that correlate to it. Princeton religious director Elaine Pagels says that “Revelation [was] likely influenced by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which buried and destroyed the city of Pompeii.” This indicates that

despite being religiously motivated, the text has some basis in reality The Bible cites one of the earliest ideas of “an end to all things”; however, for some, this is just the jumping off point for a host of other ideas about what will bring “the end.”

While theories of “other worldly” life may seem out of this world, there is a large base of people who strongly believe in the inevitability of an alien take over. If it is true that the universe is infinite, how could there not be another form of intelligent life out there? These beliefs are fueled by the recent disclosure of government files concerning interstellar activity and Area 51, a highly privatized Air Force facility in Nevada. Mark Memmot of NPR writes about the recent declassified files from the CIA, files that reveal that UFOs abound, and the government has been keeping secrets about what goes on in Area 51 This new information has validated people who were cast out for their beliefs and intrigued those who were formerly close minded. Nobody knows what the intentions of such extraterrestrials could be, but the assumption is that it will not be one of impassivity. The possibilities are endless under the broad idea of “un human,” and while seemingly laughable on the surface, these possibilities could be more real in the coming future.

Some believe the end of all things is fast

approaching for a more viable reason It is evident that the sociopolitical climate of the world is precarious at best, and many believe that a war of nuclear proportions could be the result of any tip in the scales. This prediction is catching like wildfire among global populations. The Guardian writes that even politicians are fearful of nuclear escalation and have attempted to neutralize the issue. “The US national security adviser… has reportedly held talks with aides to Russia’s president…with the aim of reducing the risk that war in Ukraine could spill over or escalate into a nuclear conflict." The event in question is highly politicized, and that does play a role in how it is

Last Minute!

BY ELIN BACKMAN '25, Staff Reporter

Procrastination affects our daily lives heavily, especially in a school environment like Bayside's where expectations are high. Due to a lack of motivation, every day, students’ lives are affected by an urge to put things off until the very last minute. This epidemic is incredibly common; according to The Washington Post, it's found to be more common in people than depression, phobias, panic attacks, and alcoholism

But why do our brains work like this? People procrastinate on tasks they find “difficult, unpleasant, aversive or just plain boring or stressful,” explains the American Psychological Association. If a task feels especially overwhelming or provokes significant anxiety, it’s

perceived, but despite political ties there is a non party affiliated fear lying just below the surface that everything could all end tomorrow There have been whispers of a war to end all wars since the creation of nuclear weaponry, and that is the crux of mutually assured destruction: how long will total destruction be a deterrent?

Apocalypse theories are an endless maze of ideas and inventions, and the overwhelming amount of media concerning the topic can make it hard to decipher what’s real and what's not. When the theories range from realistic to out of this world literally how can one possibly make an informed decision?

often easiest to avoid it rather than simply getting it done.

Overcoming procrastination is a key component to one's wellbeing, improving efficiency at tasks like completing schoolwork. So, how can we avoid procrastination? The Harvard Business Review states that our brains release dopamine when we achieve goals Since dopamine improves attention, memory, and motivation, achieving smaller, manageable goals can result in a positive feedback loop, which reinforces a healthier way of completing tasks.

Breaking down the barrier of putting things off is challenging but achievable. The Washington Post interviewed Dr. Joseph Ferarri, professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago.

He states how overwhelming a task can seem, almost like a forest. The key is to start small, focusing more on the branches instead of the whole "forest" or task. He further explains, "Once you’ve gotten started, and made even a small bit of progress on your task, there’s a good chance you’ll keep going." When people are able to get started or overcome bad habits, this success creates better time management

Procrastination keeps students from achieving their full potential, but working to break down the reasons for the habit is a beneficial process for students, especially at Bayside. If students can find a way to start small, a better outcome for their time management will occur.

Remembering Mr. Albert

BY ISABELLE RUTLAND '24, Layout Editor

With a hearty “hey, hey, hey, how are you today?” and a sunny smile, he spread joy across our campus. The entire Bayside community is mourning the loss of Mr. Albert Richardson, who passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 4, 2022. Mr. Albert, who worked on Bayside’s maintenance team for eight years, retired in May of this year at the age of 80 From the dinosaurs on his golf cart to his trademark phrases, our dear memories of Mr Albert show just how much his light and enthusiasm will be missed

BA Today asked the Bayside faculty to share any words, memories, or thoughts about our beloved Mr Albert. Many reflected on his iconic greeting: “Hey, hey, hey!” As Upper School teacher River Lotus wrote, “Mr. Albert always had a kind ‘hey, hey, hey’ to share each day. He would take the time to have a cup of tea and talk story with me once a week. He was a wonderful being filled with positivity. I am honored to have known and shared space with Mr. Albert.” Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when remembering Mr. Albert is the perpetual cheer he spread with his catchphrases. Third grade teacher Kristin Neely shared, “Whenever I would say hello to Mr Albert, he would always respond ‘Hey, hey, hey, how are you today?’ I can still hear his voice saying

that to me. He was always willing to do whatever needed to be done around campus and is truly missed.” When asked himself how he was doing, Mr. Albert’s eternal response was “A OK.” Rain or shine, his positivity was something to be admired; as Director of College Counseling Ellen Blackwell remarked, “I loved how no matter what was going on, he was always 'A OK!’” We all have something to learn from Mr Albert’s unflappable, upbeat approach to life

Mr Albert was an essential part of Bayside behind the scenes, and his contributions did not go unnoticed. Shoppe on the Bluff Manager Coby Mackin shared a story that perfectly illustrates Mr. Albert’s character. “Every year all the ladies in our building received Christmas gifts the day we left for break. They just appeared on our desks with no note. We figured out it was Mr. Albert and were so touched that he thought of each one of us (all gifts were different) and just

Mr Albert poses as the king of Mardi Gras [T Houser]

“I loved how no matter what was going on, he was always A-OK!”

wanted to spread some cheer without any recognition ” Mr Albert’s generosity extended beyond gift giving, as he was always willing to lend a helping hand, whether cleaning up around the White House or helping deliver boxes. With a true love for our school and community, Mr. Albert went above and beyond to make Bayside a better place.

Mr. Albert's absence is especially deeply by the maintenance team from which he retired. Leonard Dawkins reflected on the time he spent being trained for Mr. Albert’s position and the responsibilities passed on to him. “Mr. Albert trained me for his spot as he was to retire over the summer. He was very happy go lucky Always rhymed his quotes: ‘Hey, hey, hey, how are you doing today ’ Also while riding on the green golf cart, when we would come to a

stop, he would yell ‘yee haw ’ Man, that would put a smile on my face Only knew him for the two weeks he trained me, but those two weeks he made a lot of fun. He taught me quite a bit and I took it all in. As we rode in the green golf cart, he was introducing me to the staff. And every one of them and I do mean every one of them I met said the exact same thing: ‘Man, you got some big shoes to fill.’ While working here at Bayside, I see I do have some big shoes to fill. Just hope I am doing him justice while trying to fill them.”

Mr. Albert is survived by his wife, Fran Richardson, and two sons. BA Today and the extended Bayside community offer our sincerest condolences to the Richardson family, as well as those who knew and loved Mr Albert

“IlovedsayingheytoMr.Alberteveryday.Iwouldaskhimhowhewasdoingandhealwayssaid'AOK!'Mystudents startingsayingthesamethinganditwassosweet Theylovedtheanimalsonhisgolfcart”

EmilyNelson,LowerSchoolScienceTeacher

“I'llalwaysrememberMr.Albertenthusiasticallygreetingmewiththesewords:'Hey,hey,howareyoutoday?'Ialso recallthetimewespentlearningabouteachother'schildhoods,aswesatinthegalleryofthePilotCentertogether Isuredomisshim!”

ScottClemens,Security

“Mr Albertwasabrightspotinmyday,everyday Healwaysstoppedtochatwithmyson,William,whilehewas working.Oneday,Williamsaid,‘IwanttobejustlikeMr.AlbertwhenIgrowup.’Weshouldallworktobealittle morelikeMr Albert!”

KellyHughes,HeadofMiddleSchool

“IrememberwhenIfirstcametointerviewatBaysideinMayof2021,Mr Albertpointedmeintherightdirection!He actuallyledmetotherightplaceonhisgolfcart Thereafterthatsummer,hegenerouslydevotedhistimeto helpingmemoveinsomefurniturebyshowingmewheretheelevatorwas.IalwayslovedseeingMr.Albert,thefirst faceofBaysideforme!Heleftalegacyofbeingsofriendlyandhelpful”

VirginiaGordon,UpperSchoolCounselor

“IranintoMr AlbertatBiscuitKingsoonafterjoiningthestaffatBayside ItwasoneearlymorningandMr Albert washoldingcourtwhenI,delightedtoseeafamiliarface,interjectedmyselfathistable Afterhegotovertheshock ofseeingusoutsideofaschoolsetting,hewasjustascordialandwelcomingashewaseverydayatBayside.Mr. Albertwasakindandcaringman,andhewillbegreatlymissed”

BeauRay,formerUpperSchoolEnglishTeacher

“RememberingMr Albertbroughttomindononerainyday,Mr Albertgavemearideinhisgolfcart Unfortunately, wehadalittleaccident hisfootslippedandthegolfcartranintothebush Thankgoodness,webothwereOK But theconcernthathehadformewasvisible.HewasmoreconcernedofhowIwasthanforhimself.Healsohadsuch agoodsenseofhumor WelaughedsohardtogetherintherainaftermakingsurethatwebothwereOK Itbecame ourprivatejokeeverytimeIgotonhisgolfcart,yearslater Heismissedandrememberedforhiseveryday kindness.”

DeeTran,SchoolNurse

“Mr.Albertwasalwaysquicktogiveahappy,‘Well,Mrs.Jackson!Howareyouthismorning?'Iusedtomakesweets forthemaintenancecrewtoshowmyappreciation Unfortunately,Islackedoffforalongwhile Oneday,herode pastmeinhisgolfcartandwithoutslowingdownheshouted,‘MrsJackson,didyourovenstopworking?I’m guessingitmusthave!’”

CarrieJackson,UpperSchoolArtTeacher

The Rise of Pickleball

BY WILSON ENGERISER '23, Staff Reporter

Despite its name, this sport has nothing to do with pickles. Pickleball uses a plastic ball with holes and a paddle and is a combination of badminton, tennis, and ping pong. Though it was created 57 years ago, it has taken the world by storm in the present day. According to Usapickleball.com, the sport was invented by three dads: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum Pickleball is named after one of the dad’s dogs Despite being designed for kids, the sport’s demographic includes all ages This sport has grown astronomically, and a new sports organization is being formed: Major League Pickleball. People such as NFL superstar Tom Brady and NBA superstar LeBron James are both investors in this league. In local Baldwin County, many cities are transforming their tennis courts or building new complexes containing pickleball courts.

Bayside has founded a Pickleball Club thanks to the determination of a few students. Seniors

Hunter Hyderally and J. T. Neill have been at the forefront of this phenomenon in the Bayside community and created the club to “bring the pickleball community to Bayside because it’s super interesting and fun.” Hunter explained how the pickleball community can create many new relationships and lead to new experiences. He describes a time where he ended up playing with Robin LeJeune, the mayor of Daphne Hunter explained that he “started a back and forth dialogue with [LeJeune] which was a super cool experience ” J T described how even though he and Hunter are young athletes, many of the older guys that they play with can “wax” or beat them. All in all, pickleball's fast paced nature and friendly competitivenes, create an exhilarating experience and promote a sense of community.

If you need something new to try, Pickleball Club is held at Lott Park in Daphne on Sunday afternoons. Contact J. T. or Hunter if you have any questions or want to participate!

Pickleball Club practices at Lott Park [H Hyderally]

Athletics Cross Country in 5A

BY CALEB CRUM '24, Staff Reporter

In the fall of 2021, Bayside’s Boys and Girls Cross Country teams won a state title, which moved the teams up to 5A This change creates new challenges as the teams face harsher competition than last year while still racing on the same courses Throughout the season, each member has to work as a cohesive team rather than fighting for their own times due to the added competition and challenges When asked about her thoughts on competing in 5A cross country, sophomore Annie Midyett said, “We have a lot more competition this year, and it's going to be more of a challenge.” The team needs to have a unified goal that isn't just getting better times. While better times is an acceptable goal, the boys team lost to Bayshore Christian School at the county meet on Sep. 27. While predicted to beat Bayshore, Bayside lost. Assistant Coach Taylor Gray said, “[Bayshore] won because they had a unified goal of ‘Beat Bayside.’ When they saw someone from Bayside, they saw a win ” Along with Coach Gray, J T Neill, a senior runner on the cross country team, said “We need to focus more on being a team ”

It is clear that many athletes on the team accept that this year they will have to go up against tougher, faster competitors. Although the entire state meet on Nov. 5, 2022 had some troubles, it also made all of them work harder and push harder against the other teams. Sadly, the boys placed third and the girls placed second. As a member of the team, I can attest we all ran our hardest. Throughout the entire season, the team has become more of a family and has grown together through various challenges

“We need to reevaluate our goals”

J.T.

“Father and son” J T Neill and Wright Farguson sport sunglasses after their state meet [C Doyle]

The Cross Country team holds up their trophy at Sectionals [M Postle]

Baysiders Set Sail

BY AXEL JACKSON '26, Staff Reporter

At the beginning of this school year, Bayside added a new team to its long list of sports Students are now able to explore sailing, a water sport that consists of keeping the boat balanced, harnessing the boat’s power, and most importantly, maintaining a set speed on a set path. Bayside needed a sailing team because we have a beautiful bay that needs to be used. The sailing team needed a place to sail and a teacher sponsor. Mrs. Lauer volunteered for the role and told BA Today, “I felt we should have a sailing

team because our school is on the water and I was worried it wouldn’t happen ” She also admitted, “I have only sailed as a passenger, but it would definitely be interesting to try it out.” This fall, three students joined the team, and we are hoping for seven in the spring. The practices are held at a location most people probably know about, the Fairhope Yacht Club. After practicing, sailors can compete in races such as the Great Oaks Regatta, High School Series races and many others

Volleyball's Victory

BY WILSON ENGERISER '23, Staff Reporter

For the 21st consecutive year in a row, Bayside’s Volleyball team won the State Championship The stakes were especially high, as the team they faced in the championship game, Spanish Fort, had actually finished first in 6A Area 2 Region this year, while Bayside had finished second to them Despite all odds, the girls team persevered and refused to let the previous season records dictate their mentality going into the game.

Al.com forecasted a loss for the Admirals, but their victory was even “more exciting than the previous years because we were predicted to lose,” Maysie Douglas ‘24 explained. Lillie McInnis, the only senior on the team, agreed. “[Winning] felt relieving because we were being told that we were going to lose.” The team went into the game with a positive mindset and played with their greatest strength.

Neck in neck with Spanish Fort, Bayside had to win the last two sets of the match to pull through with a state title When asked what Coach Schilling says to motivate the players, Maysie recalls her coach’s words of encouragement: “We can win this, but you all have to believe in yourselves ” Maysie notes how comradery among the players helps alleviate the stress they feel.

With a 3 2 victory, the team broke their national record for most consecutive state championships won. The girl’s team was ranked as the 11th best team in the state, regardless of classification. Considering they have risen all the way to 6A classification, this win is even more impressive. Congratulations to Coach Schilling and the volleyball team for their victorious win!

Bayside Sailing Team passes a Fairhope High School boat at a meet in Bay St Louis on Oct 8 [C Lauer]