BA Today Spring 2020

VOLUME 15, SPRING 2020

BA Today | 1

Ben Lane '20, Editor-in-Chief

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ello there, readers. Welcome to the routine letter from the editor to kick off this issue of BA Today. Upon remembering I had to write yet another letter from the editor, I was immediately concerned. However, my worries soon ceased once I remembered that this is probably the least read part of the paper. According to my calculations, about half of a person reads this letter.

How did I come to this conclusion? Well, I assume our readership is about twenty of the hundreds of students and teachers that have (hopefully) acquired basic literacy from their college prep educations. Out of the fraction of people who read this paper, whatever number it may be, I believe only one person reads the letter from the editor in an estimated 2 out of our 4 yearly issues. Thanks to my $15 thousand education, I know that, on average, this means half of a person reads each letter from the editor in BA Today. So, whoever may be reading this, please enjoy.

To the bisected human that is reading this, there are a lot of directions I could take this letter. For example, I could always stick with my go-to formula, which essentially is as follows: “What’s up Admirals? It’s (insert number 1-4) quarter, and work is picking up. Seniors are (insert upcoming event for seniors and a canned statement about how they are excited to graduate). Also, this arbitrary on-campus event that no one cares about just happened! Here’s a list of topics that will be in this issue in case you are incapable of flipping through 15 pages and reading headlines! Have fun!”

If you have cracked a smile at what you have read so far, I consider the first half of this letter a success. I think it’s good to be self-aware about our readership and paper as a whole. However, I must be clear: I am not writing this letter to self-deprecate myself nor the publication I am so proud of. I am simply “saying it how it is.”

By making it this far through this letter, you have probably read more than our average student-reader. I do not think that increasing read-

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

Advisors Ms. Deborah Denniston & Cathe Shubert

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Bayside students have a beautiful view right in their backyard. [Allison LeBlanc] ership is hopeless. In fact, I want to convey the opposite. With that being said, I am extremely proud of what we have. I do not expect every student to read this paper. We are busy people with other sources of instant entertainment at our fingertips, and asking for even a majority of the student population to read our paper may be too much. However, I know our paper can and will gain traction as it continues to develop after I graduate from Bayside. The quality of the paper has drastically increased from my first year to present day.

The quality of our articles and layout design have greatly improved. We include an array of articles spanning all fields of interest, including politics, science, and athletics.

All of these factors have boosted our readership. During my freshman year, I was lucky if a teacher complimented my article after we went to press. Now, I occasionally see students in the

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

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

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

hallways reading the paper, and routinely get compliments from teachers and parents about its high quality. In an age where print journalism is a dying breed, these seemingly small victories mean a lot to me. The fact that we have been able to make such progress within the brief four year period in which I have been on the staff gives me great hope.

This success has come from many. Our layout editors in my time here, Mary Helene Hall and Isabella McCormick, have truly mastered the craft of making an official-looking, high-quality paper.

Our staff has increased in number and work output. Above all, we have been guided by the greatest faculty advisor for the job, Ms. Denniston.

The amount of time she has invested in BA Today is more than that of all our staff combined. This issue and all issues to come are a product of her guidance and dedication.

On The Covers: Front: Senior Caroline Cunningham poses wth lower school cheerleaders. [Allison LeBlanc] Back: Photo by Allison LeBlanc.

Does Privilege Come With a Price?

By Kate Ginger '23, Reporter

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n a time where getting accepted into college can be a greater priority than students’ well-being, daily stress is soaring. According to Sophie Bethune from the American Psychological Association (APA), stress levels have greatly increased among high schoolers. Across the globe, high schoolers reportedly experience an unhealthy amount of stress on a day to day basis. The APA’s CEO, Norman B. Anderson, says, "It is alarming that stress teens experience is so similar to that of adults. It is even more concerning that they seem to underestimate the potential impact that stress has on their physical and mental health."

From extracurriculars to family to friends to social media, the stress high schoolers undergo is often underestimated. Some factors that contribute to unreasonably high stress and anxiety levels are homework, coursework, and assessments.

Bayside Academy’s Upper School Counselor, Cindy Frederick, says, “The pressure [on parents] to raise children who are well-equipped to get into a selective college and financially succeed is especially high. The college admissions process is more competitive and yields less job security than in the past. Therefore, anxious parents equate to anxious children.”

It is no wonder why high schoolers are stressed when they are awake until one in the morning doing two to three hours of homework and then waking up at six o’clock to go to school. Research from New York University shows that a growing number of high school students are developing chronic stress, which could be stunting academic success and causing serious mental health problems.

Undoubtedly, stress can exponentially increase when basic physical safety is an issue of concern. For students at high-poverty high schools, gang activity, shootings, stabbings, and fights are accepted as the norm. Often these parents don’t have the means to send their children to safer institutions. As a result, students are put at a disadvantage from early on, and in addition to impaired academic progress, they have a lower chance of succeeding and becoming a productive member of society.

Given that, it may come as a surprise to many that private high schools, like Bayside Academy, pose a different, yet similarly challenging, set of obstacles for high schoolers to navigate. Suniya Luthar, a professor of psychology at Arizona State University, has found that with the opportunities given to privileged youths, there is a tremendous amount of stress associated with overbearing parents who want stellar grades, coaches whose goal is to boost their own reputation, and teachers and administrators who desire superb standardized test scores. Washington Post writer Jennifer Breheny Wallace states in her article, “Students in high-achieving schools are now named an ‘at-risk’ group. Studies say that research has found that in

Students find it difficult to juggle academics and well-being. [Luke White] some affluent communities, these pressured students consume alcohol and drugs and suffer from addiction at significantly higher rates than the general population.”

Regardless of socioeconomic status, teenagers everywhere cope with stress and anxiety in similar ways. While some can find healthy ways of dealing with stress, like listening to music or physical activity, others turn to negative coping skills, like risky behavior or substances like alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs. Substance abuse can lead to critical health problems, risk of accidents, violence, suicide, and teenage pregnancy. A study conducted at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University claims, “Highstress teens are twice as likely to smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs.” Many more statistics demonstrate the detrimental effect stress has on the success of all high schoolers.

Bayside’s mission statement places high expectations on its students’ shoulders. One part reads, “These students exhibit high moral standards, a sense of responsibility, respect for self and others, and commitment to excellence in all their endeavors.” Students who choose to participate in extracurriculars such as sports, arts, or academic clubs experience added demands and stressors.

According to Mrs. Frederick, “Our students are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before.”

It can be difficult for students to manage the expectations placed upon them by teachers, coaches, parents, and even themselves. To succeed in high school, college, and life as a whole,

students need to focus on what will help them achieve their ultimate goals.

How can teachers, coaches, and parents create the best environment for preparing Bayside students to be productive members of society while protecting their mental health in the process? Because teachers have a key role in the mentoring of students, they should limit homework overload and be accessible to students for their individual needs. Coaches should remember that students have academic demands, and that they need to maintain physical, mental, and emotional reserves to stay on top of their academics. Parents can help their children by being supportive, encouraging, motivating and listening to their needs and goals. Additionally, it is critical that parents prioritize their child’s values and character, rather than mere academic achievements.

What should students do? It is up to students to prioritize their focus and make their own goals.

In addition, to achieve goals, students can practice healthy habits like getting enough sleep, making time to relax, exercising, staying organized, eating healthy, practicing gratitude and compassion, asking for help, and thinking with a positive mindset.

Whether a student’s goal is to be accepted at a certain college or to have a certain career, balancing the demands of being a productive high school student and achieving personal goals is always a challenge. Ultimately, frantically trying to be the best student, the most popular, and the athlete who gets the most playing time is exhausting. As Mrs. Frederick puts it, “The greatest gift students can give themselves is compassion.”

BA Today | 3

Trumpian Diplomacy Editorial by Ben Lane '20, Editor

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iplomacy is necessary now more than ever. In a world of constant change and evolving complexity, there will inevitably be conflict between different countries, each having their own unique cultures and backgrounds. In order to prevent disagreement and facilitate a more peaceful, cooperative environment, many countries work to find common ground while others clash with each other.

Promoting world peace is, of course, no easy task. Negotiating with foreign powers such as China, Russia, or North Korea is like maneuvering through a minefield with nothing but a metal detector. Now imagine the metal detector is bureaucracy combined with a Twitter account, the person wielding it is one of the most controversial figures in American political history, and the mines can destroy the entire planet.

M a y b e that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the gravity of diplomacy is especially great in this fickle geopolitical climate. President Donald Trump has made various moves in foreign policy during his presidency. Although controversial, I see some as steps in the right direction. At the end of the day, every (sane) person wants the same result: peace and cooperation. Although most share this goal, the means by which our country pursues it is a source of great dispute.

Let’s take one of the most popular diplomatic dealings during the Trump presidency: North Korea negotiations. To preface: I love what Trump has done in this field. Although

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I am not an avid Trump supporter (nor opposer), I see Trump’s negotiations with North Korea as beneficial. With two summits and extensive negotiation, Trump has done what no other president has, cracking open the door of diplomacy with one of the world’s most volatile countries. In the past, the United States has merely appeased North Korea, like throwing scraps to a begging dog. Now, we have at least opened communication with them. Although Trump’s rather overreaching goal of full denuclearization has not been fulfilled (and won’t be anytime soon), he has at least gotten the

[Washington Times] dictatorship to make a loose statement about attempting to denuclearize in the future.

In contrast are this January’s recent international developments involving the United States and Iran. General Qasem Soleimani and a small number of other Iranian military officials were killed by a US drone strike on January 3, sparking debates across the nation over the decision’s rationality. It is agreed upon by nearly all American politicians that Soleimani was a threat, but there was a partisan dispute

over whether this was the right decision for our nation’s safety. Personally, I see the killing of Soleimani as acceptable. He was behind the killing of countless American soldiers and was likely plotting future attacks. However, I am not necessarily a fan of the process by which he was killed.

The United States’ Constitution gives the executive certain powers that allow him/her to make high-level decisions such as calling a strike on a foreign leader. However, I do not think this power was utilized in the right way by President Trump. This power is vested in the executive in order to make important decisions in scenarios where time is of the essence.

In many cases, the president would have no choice to make a quick, independent (in addition to the opinions of his/her cabinet) decision. However, I do not see America’s situation prior to the killing of Soleimani as a time-sensitive emergency that would call for immediate, unchecked executive action.

Trump should have gotten private approval from Congress before performing the strike, but intentionally did otherwise.

Many critics have called these actions abuse of executive power. Personally, I believe independently calling the strike was within his power. However, this does not mean I think it was a good decision. One individual’s opinions are not necessarily the best choice for a nation of free-thinking people, which is why intervention is not always the best option.

I wish our president had seen that making such an ambitious and potentially dangerous move without Congressional approval was unwise, but he did not.

In our current highly polarized political environment, it is imperative that our country’s leaders cooperate on diplomatic issues of such high importance.

Last Ship, First Look

By Gavin Mims '20, Reporter

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he idea that every person starts off with a clean slate at birth is a mere dream compared to the harsh reality that many people experience. This is especially true for the descendants of the 109 slaves that were brought to Mobile, Alabama on the Clotilda, the last slave ship to arrive in the United States.

For years, the history of the descendants of the 109 slaves had been incomplete, the missing piece. This ship was the bridge between the modern South and the slave days of the past. Until its remains were discovered just a few years ago this history remained a mystery.

The discovery of this historical treasure was sparked through a mistake. A local journalist local to the Mobile area reported what he thought was the missing ship during an abnormally low tide. It turns out that this was not the long lost Clotilda, but it brought the attention of the National Geographic Society, which continued the search.

A team from National Geographic Society combed through the Mobile delta until they found ship remains that exactly matched the designs of the Clotilda, which were obtained through old registration records.

The Clotilda was an 86-foot, custom build, schooner-style ship that was commisioned

by Timothy Meaher for the sole purpose of transferring kidnapped Africans to the United States so they could be sold into slavery. Timothy Meaher was the owner of a sawmill who made a bet with a few northern gentlemen that he could still smuggle people from Africa

and sell them into slavery 50 years after the international slave trade became illegal.

The bet began as the $35,000 ship sailed to Africa and the crew then purchased 110 slaves for $9000 in gold. One slave died on the voyage and the rest were then sold in America for 20 times what they were bought for in Africa.

The Clotilda was then burned and sank in the Mobile River to remove any evidence of its existence. Although the ship was burned, the authorities still found out about the illegal slave import and Timothy Meaher was arrested for his actions. However, he was later cleared by the judge and faced no charges.

Achaeologists investigate the wreck of the Clotilda. [Ben Raines] In 1866, after the Civil War, the former slaves were freed and had to start their new life. Thirty-five of the original slaves that managed to stay together attempted to return to Africa, but gave up after realizing the price of the trip. They then scrounged enough money to purchase land in a rundown industrial area and establish Africatown, USA. This town was where the slaves began their new life in an attempt to keep their African culture alive.

To this day, there is still an obvious divide be-

tween the once slave owners, the Meahers, and the descendants of the slaves. The Meahers, as of 2012, own a real estate company that held $35 million in assets including 22,000 acres of land; meanwhile, many of the descendants of the slaves are living in poverty.

In 2007 during the Mardi Gras celebration, the white Mardi Gras queen was a distant granddaughter of Timothy Meaher and the black Mardi Gras queen was a descendant of one of the slaves. The descendants are also experiencing low life expectancy and high cancer rates due to the pollution from the nearby industries. A preacher at a church in Africatown noticed abnormal cancer rates and sent out a questionnaire on cancer to the 150 active church members. About 100 people replied, indicating they or a family member had cancer. Moving away from the toxic pollutants could solve this problem, but for many, this is the only place where they may connect with their African culture.

Slavery was undoubtedly a major portion of United States history but just because it happened in the past does not mean it has no effect on the present. As seen with the Clotilda, the past, and specifically slavery, is still relevant. The descendants of these slaves are still struggling with poverty and racism ingrained in their family history since the Civil War, so to overlook this large portion of history is not only doing a disservice to yourself but also to the community that surrounds you. So before judging someone on their circumstances, try to understand that the family someone is born into is not under their control.

BA Today | 5

Women of Bayside

By Audrey Hudson '20, Reporter

[Audrey Hudson]

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omen of Bayside is a new group on campus, founded by senior Bailey Helms. Helms told BA Today she decided to start this organization due to her passion for motivating girls our age. Bailey started by getting with, upper school guidance counselor, Mrs. Frederick about her thoughts and ideas. Then she went on to meet with administration and Mr. Papa. Everyone she met with applauded her work ethic and ambition, so she was given the go to start.

Upon this allowance she decided to name

the female empowerment group, “Women of Bayside.” She then worked to recruit six determined senior girls to be the founding ambassadors. She decided to choose me, along with five other seniors girls including Tori Roush, Elsa Engeriser, Hannah King, and Geneva Martin to be the officers.

After coming together, we decided to be a safe space to teach other teen girls how to use their voice. The group decided up front to never let negatively stop us. We entitled our slogan “CHANGE STARTS WITH A VOICE. BE THAT VOICE.” We spearheaded our visions and immediately started making shirts, designing

flyers, and planning a multitude of events. By late September, due to teamwork and determination, we were up and running and had many teachers and girls on board.

Due to our hard work and Bailey’s leadership we have already held two successful lunches--Helms even got the famous world renowned artist, Ashley Lonshore, to make us an inspirational video. At lunches in the bay room, we provide pizza, cupcakes and refreshments.

Grace Wiel also led a yoga class before school for all seniors and teachers. Lastly, before getting out for Christmas, we got the senior girls together, on the bluff, to decorate cookies and bond. These fun and empowering events have led to tons of positive support and enthusiasm from all the senior girls.

As an officer, my main job is to lead the 7th grade girls chapter. I came up with the slogan “BE BOLD, BE LOUD, BE BRAVE”, with the help of my fellow officers. At monthly meetings we teach these young women how to take mature risks as they get older and enter into high school.

Overall, being a founder of Women of Bayside has been a rewarding and impactful experience. We have been gratified to see the multitude of seventh graders and seniors we have helped. After witnessing the impact the six of us can have on almost 70 girls in just a few months, I know we will accomplish even more this semester.

Bayside's Great Day of Service

By Gavin Mims '20, Reporter

[Hannah Johnson]

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cts of service are seen every day, from simply holding a door to picking up a piece of trash in your community. It is these little impacts that can lift someone’s spirits as well as your own. This simple fact drove the former Head of Upper School, Mr. Deal, to start the Great Day of Service.

The Great Day of Service debuted in the Spring of 2017 and has continued to grow every year since. In recent years, Bayside Academy has changed the day from a high school exclusive into a school-wide event in hopes to bring the community together for a good cause. For two years, it has been student-led by the Leadership Council, who work year-round to make the day run as smoothly as possible. Students from this council organize an event for each grade, assigning them each to an area of focus.

This year’s goal was to make the Great Day of Service a year-round event by adding smaller acts of service such as the No Shave November competition and periodic letters sent to veterans.

BA Today contacted the Leadership Council to learn what they have in store for the Great Day of Service. We learned that the Leadership Council is partnering with SGA to hopefully host a dodgeball tournament in March, with all the proceeds going to help Lonnie Gibbs. They have also confirmed that there will be a joint crawfish boil with the 12th and 6th graders.

BA Today also spoke with senior Kirk Kirkland to see what he loves most about the Great Day of Service. He commented, “I love that Bayside sets time aside to go out and help the community. This gives me and many others an opportunity to serve in ways I might have never tried before.”

After asking Kirk what he is looking forward to this year, he said, “I’m really looking forward to painting the picnic tables and spending more time with my whole grade before we leave for college.”

As the Great Day nears, the plans and excitement continue to grow. The Leadership Council hopes to make this year filled with great service and great memories.

Alex Cook is Shedding Light

By Evelyn Prickett '20, Reporter

[Alex Cook]

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t is estimated that up to 300,000 Americans under the age of 18 are lured into the sex trade every year, according to Ark of Hope for Children. Senior Alex Cook has decided to do her part in changing that. Her passion for helping others has recently inspired her to sell homemade candles for this cause. Alex’s “Light of Mine Candles” are $12.00 each, and she is donating 20% of the proceeds to combat the horrible issue of sex trafficking. She is setting the rest aside to help fund her church’s mission trip to Costa Rica this summer.

Alex’s candle business aims to bring awareness to this issue while also providing a great product. To start, Alex will be donating to both our local abuse victim shelter, The Lighthouse, and the End It Movement Campaign.

When asked what inspired the name, Alex

told BA Today, “‘Light of Mine’ comes from the children’s song ‘This Little Light of Mine’ because it’s my goal to shine a light and bring attention to sex trafficking. My candles are a way to represent that light.”

Alex hopes to continue to combat sex trafficking in her future job as a forensic nurse.

Forensic nurses treat crime victims, and Alex hopes to specifically help victims of abuse in the human trafficking trade. Cook plans to continue her business as she goes off to college next year, expanding and looking for more ways to focus on spreading awareness.

In her company introduction on Instagram, Alex writes, “God has been tugging on my heart to take this career path. Not only do I want to help these young girls and boys with their medical needs, I also want the opportunity to counsel and share the love of Our Father with them.”

Bayside Babies Abound!

Alex told BA Today that she chose to make candles because they are popular and it seemed easy. The process turned out to be much harder than she had anticipated, involving the heating and cooling of the wax to specific temperatures in order to stir in the oils correctly. Alex has had to learn through trial and error what ratios work best for her candles.

As well as supporting a great cause, Light of Mine Candles smell amazing, are made with organic soy wax, and have wooden wicks that crackle while burning. Alex changes her scents seasonally. Selections so far have included Mediterranean Fig, Red Currant Champagne, Sea Salt and Orchid.

When the candles sell out, she decides whether to make more or change her scents.

To keep up with her inventory, follow her Instagram, @lightofmine_candleco, where she will also post polls to decide what scents to use next. Alex says she plans on making a line of essential oils for exam week.

Just recently, Alex also decided to learn calligraphy. Discovering this new talent, she has started selling customized cards too. She is going to be making Thank You cards, Happy Birthday cards, and personalized cards upon request. Each card is $2.00, or you can purchase 5 for $8.00. 20% of each purchase will also be donated to the urgent cause.

If you are interested in purchasing, text Alex Cook at (251) 234-1412 or contact her through the company’s Instagram!

By Caroline Cunningham '20 and Jenny Florey '20, Reporters

Baby Huck likes warm baths, eating, sleeping, and clean diapers. He dislikes diaper rash, world hunger, and the Big Bang Theory (TV show). [Mr. Robertson]

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he Bayside family is bubbling with abundance as we welcome new members to our tight-knit family. We have over six staff and faculty alike expecting the arrival of babies!

For this edition of Happy News, we want to take

a closer look at the two newest bundles of joy!

Though already famous on campus, we want to take a close-up of Mr. Robertson’s Huck and Ms. Burgess’ Emma Jane. This is not to forget, however, the still-expecting members of the baby gang, and we want to give a warm welcome to their future family!

BA Today sat down with two of Bayside’s beloved faculty members and asked them about their newfound parenthood.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about being a parent?

Mrs. Burgess: “I love watching my child meet the world in new ways each day! However, the lack of sleep isn’t super fun.”

Mr. Robertson: “I like the ego death of it. We all fall into the illusion of self-importance, and becoming a parent is a good way to lose yourself into something bigger. My least favorite part is that they don't come with an instructional manual. Sometimes I worry that I'm going to mess this little person up.”

Do you have any advice for new parents?

Mrs. Burgess: “Right now, I’m still the one taking advice! I ask so many questions of my more experienced mama friends. But one thing I have learned is to trust my instincts when it comes to figuring out what Jane needs throughout the day."

Mr. Robertson: “My advice for new parents would be to play the banjo for your child.”

Emma Jane Burgess is very good at sticking out her tongue, eating, and escaping cuddles! [Mrs. Burgess.]

BA Today | 7

Fairhope's First Founding Fathers A Brief History of Houstonville

By Isabella McCormick '21, Layout Editor

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airhope is known nationwide as a small coastal town brimming with southern charm. Delving into Fairhope’s history, the first thing one encounters is the story of how, in 1894, the town was founded as a utopian single-tax colony. The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation bought up thousands of acres of property along the Mobile Bay and began their experiment: to tax the land, not what was built on top of it. According to economic philosopher Henry George, whose book Progress and Poverty (1879) first proposed the single-tax colony, this type of community would reduce economic inequality.

Fairhope’s history, however, extends far before 1894. What isn’t printed in books about our town is that there was a community of African-Americans and mulattos who lived in what was to become Fairhope—particularly the beachfront area—before the single-tax corporation was founded. The descendants of these original Fairhopians still live here today in an area called Houstonville, which lies just south of Fairhope’s Fruit and Nut District along Twin Beach Road.

To learn more about the history of this area, BA Today interviewed Mrs. Clarice HallBlack, who grew up in Houstonville and has returned to live there after about twenty years in the Air Force. Her third great-grandfather was Mike Houston, the namesake of Houstonville.

Whatever he touched, it just prospered.

Twin Beech Church was built wholly by and for the Twin Beech community. [Isabella McCormick] The area thus became known as “Houstonville,” since Mike Houston owned the vast majority of the land there.

Mr. Houston, along with a group of other men, was responsible for brokering the purchase of the property where Twin Beech Church sits today, which will be turning 153 years old this September. Built wholly by the people living in and around Houstonville, this was the initial community church. Later, Mr.

Clarice Hall-Black Born in Stockton, Alabama in 1863, Mike Houston moved down to Magnolia Springs with his mother, a sharecropper, after emancipation. He worked as a caretaker in Point Clear to the Festorazzi family, owners of the Indian Queen Coffee Salon in Mobile. This family helped him develop business skills, and before long, he had become a prominent businessman and land broker. “Whatever he touched,” says Mrs. Hall-Black, “it just prospered.”

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Good Samaritan Church was founded by Mike Houston's son, Joseph. [Isabella McCormick.]

Houston passed a separate piece of land in Houstonville to his son Joseph, who founded the Good Samaritan Church, which also stands to this day.

Furthermore, Mike Houston played a major role in the establishment of the first black schools in the area. At the corner of Bell Road and Section Street, he sold a piece of property in 1907 to Baldwin County to create a public school. This piece of land, along with two other parcels of land, together made the home of the first black schools in the Twin Beech community. The schools were partially funded by philanthropist Anna T. Jeanes, whose mission was to educate black children. She created a fund to train, teach and employ black teachers for the segregated school systems in the South, a pursuit which was later taken up by Booker T. Washington.

One particular school which she founded in Fairhope was named after her, the only one in the nation to do so, and it later became the first Fairhope Intermediate School. Unfortunately, the school burned in the 1950s— around the same time as integration started—under mysterious circumstances, and the site became the location of the current City of Fairhope dump.

An additional black schoolhouse was built

In this photo of Fairhope in 1974, Mrs. Clarice Hall-Black has identified the locations of the first black school established (purple), the Anna T. Jeanes School (red), and the third school that is now located by Winn Dixie (yellow). [alabamamaps.ua.edu] on Mr. Houston’s property at the corner of Malone Road and Twin Beech Road. This schoolhouse was moved from its original location, and it now sits out by Winn Dixie as a part of a shopping center. The third schoolhouse which was built currently sits on property owned by the Hankins-Smith family at the corner of Section Street and Twin Beech.

Mr. Houston was also vital in the process of brokering the land for the Twin Beech Cemetery, where he is buried. Mrs. Hall-Black

front.

By owning so much land, Mike Houston had footing in Fairhope affairs. This was his way of helping others in his community. The people in the area were family, both literally and metaphorically; most of the people buried in Twin Beech Cemetery are somehow related to one another, and the road signs in the Houstonville area are named after the families that lived or still live on its roads. To this day, the majority of the people who attend Twin Beech Church in Houstonville are related by blood.

Mike Houston's grave is located in Twin Beech Cemetery. [Isabella McCormick.] recounts that this was the second cemetery for the community; the first was called the Tatumville Cemetery and was located on South Mobile Street in Fairhope, across from Paddock Estates. With the rise of the single tax colony of Fairhope, the beachfront property that the people of Houstonville owned was bought from them. As a result, they were no longer allowed to bury their loved ones in that cemetery and were pushed back out into the area where Houstonville is today. Headstones from the original Tatumville Cemetery are still visible in the bushes along the beach-

The Tatumville Cemetery, located across from Paddock Estates, was the first cemetery for the Houstonville community. [Isabella McCormick.]

Because family connections are an integral part of the Houstonville community’s identity, the history of the area has been passed down from family member to family member, preserved by residents such as

Mrs. Hall-Black. Always intrigued by her family history, she recalls that she would ask her grandmother a thousand questions. Through a combination of research and oral history, she pieced together the Houstonville story.

For a community that existed before Fairhope was founded, one of the issues today is whether Houstonville will be annexed into the city. There are a number of possible benefits.

If Houstonville became a part of Fairhope, the sewer problem might be addressed. The Fairhope waste treatment plant was put down sometime in the late 1940’s, and at some point thereafter it serviced the Grand Hotel and Lakewood areas. Houstonville, however, was unable to tap into it; therefore, most of the homes have septic tanks. Nevertheless, the sewers frequently spill, and since Houstonville is not a part of Fairhope, no one from the city comes to clean it up. Some locals hope that if Houstonville were annexed, Fairhope would see the sewer issue as a city priority.

Additionally, Houstonville is technically considered to be out of the city limits of Fairhope, which means the citizens of Houstonville are not enfranchised to vote in Fairhope elections. If the area became a part of Fairhope, the people in Houstonville, many of whom can trace their family roots back to the land before Fairhope, would have a voice in city government and could run for office to represent their interests.

While acknowledging the benefits, support for annexation is still mixed within the Houstonville community. Because Houstonville has been considered outside city boundaries since the inception of Fairhope, the community developed a unique way of life that has been passed through generations.

For instance, without Fairhope restraints on borders, no limits exist for the number of houses allowed on specific pieces of property. Therefore, it is not uncommon for numerous houses to exist on single tracts of land.

This is one manner in which the Houstonville community takes care of each other, just as their families did years ago. If Fairhope zoning regulations were applied to Houstonville, their way of life that has endured for over a century could be changed.

The history of Fairhope is not complete without the Twin Beech community’s story.

Now more than ever, it is important to recognize the full narrative; without an understanding of Houstonville’s past, one cannot fully comprehend the gravity of the issues that surround it in the present.

This article was originally published on the Fairhope Junior City Council's website, www.fairhopejcc.com. The title image is from utv44.com.

BA Today | 9

The Tesla Truck

By Leah Jha '22, Reporter

[caranddriver.com]

T

he Tesla Cybertruck, designed and created by Elon Musk, has been a popular topic of discussion in recent months.

Though it looks like something pulled right out of outer space with its aerodynamic features and metallic based colors, it is predicted in recent polls to outsell most other pick-up trucks on the market including the Ram 1500.

The all-electric truck’s exterior, referred to as the exoskeleton by Tesla, is made to be as aerodynamic as possible from stainless steel with a sharp-edged exterior in a sleek, geometrical shape. The interior is made to look as minimalistic as possible with the given name

of the “spartan cabin.” The Cybertruck offers all-wheel drive for optimal travel in all climate types. Musk predicts that the truck will be able to tow up to 14,000 pounds and be able to travel for 500 plus miles on one charge.

Though all the information above relates to the most expensive model in the best case scenario, the cheapest model of the truck starts at about $39,900. This price applies to the single motor. According to Car and Driver, this particular truck does not have all-wheel drive, can last the least amount of miles, and has the lowest towing capacity. Though this model may seem to be the worst deal it still outperforms most other pickup trucks on the market at this time. With its single motor, it

The Rise of 3D Printed Organs

can go 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 110 miles per hour while also having a towing capacity ranges at about 7,500 pounds.

Tesla states that the dual motor prices in at $49,900 is considered to be the best deal for the best price. This model is predicted to reach 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 120 miles per hour. This vehicle comes with all-wheel drive and can last and tow almost as much as the tri motor.

Speaking of the tri motor, it costs $69,900 making it the most expensive cybertruck model. This has the longest driving range, the fastest acceleration reaching 130 miles per hour at top speed, and the greatest towing capacity. Interestingly, the tri motor cybertruck has been said to “teleport” from 0 to 60 in a startling 2.5 seconds.

Differently from all other pickup trucks, the Tesla Cybertruck is electric. This means that it does not take gas but instead needs to be charged in order to be able to work. This vehicle specifically will have a 250-kW charging cable.

The motive behind expanding Tesla into producing trucks is to appeal more to the American market and preference of body styles. Though it has not been crash tested, it is predicted to come out around late 2021.

By Spencer Gaberino '20, Reporter

T

he first successful organ transplant was performed in 1954 with a kidney. In the decades following, hearts, livers, pancreases, and intestines were successfully transplanted as well.

These advances heralded to the world a rising age in medicine where organ failure no longer meant certain death.

Despite these incredible advances in medicine, one simple fact impedes many doctors who would seek to save patients with failing bodies: there are not enough donated organs to match the number of people on the waitlist.

The World Health Organization says that the scarcity of donor organs is an issue worldwide; even in advanced countries where organs can be donated by the deceased, the need cannot be met. An article by a bioresearch group at Harvard shed further light on the issue, stating that despite the large numbers of transplants in the US, there are still thousands on the waitlist. Additionally, they say around twenty people die every day waiting for a transplant.

With this medical catastrophe in mind, the question is over what can be done to help fix this widespread and lethal problem. We live in a world of ever-evolving technology with self-driv-

10 | BA Today

ing cars, virtual reality headsets, and even smartphones, all of which are getting faster and more powerful. One would think there must be some way of creating viable, transplantable organs to fix this global crisis. New technology may allow this to happen.

[Crystal Eye Studio / Shutterstock] The answer lies in 3D printing. This is not the basic printing of little gadgets and objects that might come to mind when you think of 3D printing. This is a highly sophisticated use of 3D printing technology to create working biological systems using artificially created organic materials.

While this technology cannot currently cre-

ate viable organs for human transplant, it is well on its way to doing so. Some advancements lie in the support structure that these organs need to survive and function. Companies and researchers have found methods for printing blood vessels and tiny capillaries that would supply blood to these artificial organs if they were implanted.

This development has allowed experimental organs to remain viable exponentially longer as their cells were supported just like they would be in a living body.

While the creation of viable 3D printed organs is still not possible, this development marks a strong step along the path to salvation for thousands or even millions of people across the globe suffering from failing organs. An article by Techcrunch claims the company Prellis Biologics is even so optimistic as to say that at the rate they are moving they will be able to create and provide 3D printed organs within the next five years.

A new age of technology is dawning, one that will be able to solve many of today’s modern issues and create things we can only dream of. Today it is self-landing rocket boosters. Tomorrow it could 3D printed organs. Who knows what could happen after that?

The Outback In Flames

By Camille Buckner '22, Reporter

A

ustralia faces smoke, flames, and fiery skies as the new decade begins. Since late December, an outbreak of bushfires has swept across Australia. These fires have wiped out over 20 million acres of land and affected nearly the entire population, according to several articles published by The Guardian.

The devastating crisis has killed an estimated one billion animals and 27 people, and injured many more. It has destroyed almost 2,000 homes with the majority of damage being in New South Wales. According to an article published by BBC, the fires have been devastating this area, burning about 12 million acres, destroying more than 1,300 houses, and forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere.

The flames have tinted the sky red, a phenomenon that expands as far as New Zealand and can be seen from space.

Although the fires are caused by many things, including lightning, arson, and Australia's dry season (this year’s being one of the

most intense), some speculate that climate change is the culprit. According to an article in Vox, written by Brian Resnick, Australia is facing a severe drought due to three winters without rain. The fires are expected to rage on for the next few months.

In addition to the danger of the flames themselves, the smoke also poses severe health concerns. BBC articles say that readings of smoke in Sydney have been as high as 734 micrograms, which makes breathing the air equivalent to smoking about 37 cigarettes.

Many organizations are collecting donations to help address the crisis. The World Wildlife Fund is collecting donations in order to restore habitats for koalas impacted by the fires. Donations can also be made directly to the Australian Red Cross’s fire recovery and relief fund.

You can donate to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, the Country Fire Service Foundation in South Australia, and the Country Fire Authority in Victoria.

[CNBC.com]

What Is Impeachment?

By John O'Hara '21, Reporter

T

The government of the United States of America is designed to have three separate branches of government that all keep each other in check. This prevents one branch from overwhelming the others.

This concept of checks and balances usually works extremely well for the government, but there are cases when officials, including the President, have abused their powers and have been punished for doing so.

Impeachment is a confusing process that not many Americans fully understand. The biggest misconception about impeachment is that an official who is impeached is removed from office. Impeachment is like an indictment in criminal court; it is only a formal accusation that can result in conviction or acquittal.

Originating in Great Britain as a process for parliament to formally remove government officials, impeachment was adopted by the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. They created a procedure that would allow the government to punish any civil officers that abused their powers.

Only the House of Representatives can start the impeachment process, which begins when the matter of impeachment is referred to a House Committee. Usually, the issue is referred to the House Committee on Rules and the Committee on Judiciary. Next, the

[Wikimedia Commons] committees review the accusations and examine the evidence provided, and finally create a recommendation for the House of Representatives. If sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter are found, then the House will begin to vote on impeachment.

The next big step is the House of Representatives’ vote on each individual charge. These chargers are called Articles of Impeachment, and if the majority of the House votes the official as guilty of one or more Articles of Impeachment, then the official is impeached. For the House to reach a majority, 218 votes are

required.

After the House impeaches an official, the Senate prepares to hold the impeachment trial. In the trial, the Senate acts as both the judge and the jury while representatives from the House act as the prosecutors of the trial. These representatives from the House are called Managers. The impeached official and his/her team of lawyers act as the defendants, and once the Senate holds the trial, they then act as a jury and vote to either convict or acquit the impeached official.

To convict an impeached official, ⅔ of the votes from the Senate must accuse the official of being guilty. If this supermajority is reached, then the impeached official is convicted, removed from office, disqualified from holding office in the future, and may also face criminal charges depending on what they were impeached and convicted for.

If the Senate fails to reach a supermajority in favor of conviction, the impeached official is acquitted, resulting in the officer’s return to office without further punishment.

Impeachment is an important government process that should be understood by the American people more clearly. Although it is a rare occurrence, when impeachment does happen, it can have an effect on the government, politics, and citizens of America for years to come.

BA Today | 11

Spring Fashion: 2020

By Millison Mixon '23, Reporter

E

veryone knows that with spring comes spring cleaning, but many people forget about the most important part of their room-- their closet! Cleaning out your closet means making room for more clothes, and what better time to revamp your wardrobe than the start of a year?

While every closet needs the “wardrobe essentials” like basic tees, a couple pairs of jeans, and a few simple sweaters, it can be fun to dress with the trends every now and then and try out different styles with some unique and fun pieces.

Without further ado, here are the “must have” fashion trends for this spring.

means wearing layers in order to stay warm in the morning and not burn up later in the day. A fun puffer jacket is exactly what you need this season. Not only is everyone wearing them, they can be dressed up or down and can be worn with simple outfits as a layering piece to spice up an originally dull look.

Sweatpants and Joggers

Chic Sneakers

[Betches, NIke, and ae.com]

Puffer Jackets

The transition from winter to spring means cold mornings and warm afternoons. This

If you ever find yourself wearing a boring outfit and don’t know how to make it cute, a pair of chic, colorful sneakers are the perfect solution. Not only are they comfortable, they come in lots of styles and patterns, so you are sure to find a pair that matches your fashion sense. They are customizable on many different websites as well as coming in any color you can think of. While designer sneaker brands like Golden Goose can cost upwards of $500 or $600 dollars, sneakers can be found from brands like Nike for a fraction of the cost.

These blush pink Nike Air Force 1 are $100 and can be found online at Nike.com.

Not only can these pants be dressed up or down, but they pair perfectly with almost any top since they come in any color you can imagine. Throw on a crop top, t-shirt, or dressy blouse and you’re ready to go. Celebrities like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner are often seen wearing them, and it’s no surprise since they are super comfortable! From hanging out with friends to grabbing brunch, joggers and sweatpants are the perfect pants to wear on any casual occasion. The high-waisted joggers shown can be found at American Eagle for $39.

According to Stylerail, “multiple studies have shown that dressing well increases your performance and heightens others' impressions of you.” So change up your wardrobe!

Worth It: Shoes

By Jenny Florey '20, Reporter

B

ayside students tend to have some of the best style around. Because of the recent holiday season, many students are sporting their new footwear all around school. There is a new array of colors and patterns walking up and down the halls every single day, so I asked myself, which shoe has the best value?

To answer this question, I tested three different shoes at three drastically different price points.

Here are the results!

NEW BALANCE: New Balance is one of the most iconic shoes the Bayside student body wears. The 574 Core is the style you most likely see on campus. It is a very decent shoe that comes in various colors that can be dressed in many ways. It provides comfort and stability, and they are easy to slip on for early mornings when you're on the go. The price of these shoes varies from $49.99-$79.99. The shoes are very

12 | BA Today

affordable and stand the test of time and wear and tear.

ON CLOUD: On Cloud is the new shoe on the block. This shoe would be considered a running shoe, but it could be worn with regular street wear. These have to be some of the most comfortable shoes; they are called "on cloud," after all. They also make a good transition from school to your typical after-school workout. The price of these shoes vary from $129.99-$179.99. These shoes are in a higher price range, but are worth the price considering the comfort and versatility.

GOLDEN GOOSE: Golden Goose is definitely the most expensive and exotic looking shoes out of the three that I reviewed. This shoe would be considered a high fashion shoe that can be worn dressed up or dressed down. These shoes would be almost considered too nice for school

considering the hefty price tag, but that doesn’t stop the student body from sporting these all around school. The price of these shoes vary from $480.00-$665.00. These shoes are pricey, but can make any person feel confident while wearing them.

All of these shoes have their pros and cons, but my “worth it winner” would have to be New Balance. These shoes are the most versatile and quite honestly the most comfortable out of the three. They can be worn with many different types of outfits, and they are also very affordable considering the price and durability of the shoe! Fashion and comfort are very crucial to many students at Bayside Academy because it helps them maintain confidence and look their best. So get started by choosing one of these shoes that best suits your lifestyle and your personal style!

Love and Lust: Updates on The Bachelor

By Annie Loper '20, Reporter

[TheVariety]

W

ith the new year comes a new season of The Bachelor! This season's Bachelor is Peter Weber, aka ”Pilot Pete.”

After having his heart broken by the Bachelorette last season, Hannah Brown, Peter was anxious to find new love. The first episode aired January 6th,

and boy was it a whirlwind. Thirty women arrive at the mansion to meet Peter for the first time.

All competing for his attention, each girl tries to have the best first impression. Some of them just get so cringy you want to turn it off, but you just have to get through it to get to the drama.

BA Today asked some of the senior class who their favorite contestant was, and our fa-

20 Predictions for 2020

vorite contestant is Madison Prewett, from Auburn, AL. Everyone is anxiously waiting every week for another episode to see who gets kicked off and who gets a rose. A couple weeks ago, Alayah Benavidez was kicked off the show.

All the remaining girls were happy because she was nothing but drama! In more recent episodes, she is back. Everyone is confused, and all went to Peter about how she is not the one for him. He ended up sending her home again, and everyone thought the drama was over...but it’s never really over. Victoria Paul, Mykenna Dorn and Tammy Tyree were all sent home after the two-episode week. Tammy and Mykenna were in a fight and ended up both getting sent home by the end of the night. There are now six girls left.

There have been many spoilers going around that may or may not be true. Some have even said the final four will be Victoria Fuller, Kelsey Weier, Madison Prewett and Hannah Ann Sluss.

Nothing is proven but we do know that we are rooting for Madison! The season finale will be in March, but it has been rumored to not be “a normal ending.” Everyone is anxious to see who Pete ends up getting engaged to!

By Camille Buckner '22, Reporter 1.

Climate change will play a larger role in government decisions and campaigning for the election in the fall, directly resulting from Australia’s bushfires.

2. Donald Trump will win reelection. This is certainly a close one, however, he has only made steps forward in terms of the U.S. economy, so many people will favor a second term.

3. Global temperatures will increase along with irregular weather patterns.

4. The next Bachelorette will be Hannah Ann. 5. Justin Bieber will become more popular with his new music.

6. Addiction and overdose awareness will become increasingly prevalent.

7. Netflix will become less popular due to other streaming platforms such as Hulu and Disney Plus.

8. Medical marijuana will be legalized in the state of Alabama, and potentially many others.

9. Crochet fashion is in the sights for spring 2020.

10. According to the same article, a return of “hot pants” is predicted. These shorts will different styles, some with buttons or fringe.

11. Artists like Rex Orange County will be-

come increasingly popular.

12. Bra-Tops will continue to flourish, especially this summer, so get ready for Hangout Fest by picking one of these out!

13. One final prediction for fashion trends is the popularity of polka dot patterns.

14. Roddy Rich will be added to the Hangout Fest 2020 lineup coming this May. 15. “Fast and Furious 9” will be a major blockbuster this year!

16. There will not be a third world war... this year.

17. Console games will become less popular, being overtaken by mobile games.

[kNEWSy] 18. TikTok will continue reigning as one of the most popular and time-consuming apps of the year.

19. People will begin turning to companies such as Glossier for their makeup products, seeking a more natural look.

2020 will be a year to embrace natural beauty.

20. Finally, as we enter the second coming of the “roaring 20’s” with a stable economy and sudden interest in 100-year-old fashion, could the past repeat itself?

BA Today | 13

One Ticket to State: The Boys Soccer Team

By Ben VanDerHeyden '22, Reporter

[Ben VanDerHeyden]

T

he Bayside Academy boys soccer team is a very successful program that boasts two state championships, each of which were won in the past four years. Led by Coach Jaimie Ferguson, the Admirals beat Birmingham’s Al-

tamont School last year (2-0) to win the 2019 state title. This year, Bayside is looking to win a third state championship.

Bayside’s soccer team plays exceptionally well for a small school team and can compete evenly with giant 7A schools such as Enterprise High School. According to America’s source for high school sports, MaxPreps.com, the Bayside

boys varsity team is the best high school soccer team in the Mobile area, the 6th best team in Alabama, and the 60th best team in the United States in all divisions regardless of school size.

Coach Ferguson looks forward to this season and has high expectations for the team. According to Coach Ferguson, the toughest opponents they will face will be the 7A schools Enterprise, McGill, and Davidson. Coach Ferguson stated to BA Today, “My goal for the team this year is for the boys to work hard, represent themselves and Bayside well, and avoid complacency, especially since we won state last year.”

Coach Ferguson and the varsity team players want to have large audiences for the home games. Ferguson said to BA Today that “[he] wants to feel the support of the Bayside community.” Senior and goalkeeper Jack Smith shares the same desire saying, “Expectations for the audience are a bit higher than normal, so we are hoping for a larger crowd this year.”

Bayside will play their next two varsity games at home against Cottage Hill on March 17 and Enterprise on March 19. Be sure to set aside that date on your calendar and show up to support the Admiral’s soccer team.

Senior Spotlight: Girls Varsity Tennis!

By Caroline Cunningham '20, Reporter

H

ave you ever wondered what it is like to be on the Bayside varsity tennis team? The Girls Varsity team has worked hard over the last few years. They’ve won sectionals for the past four years. They also received runner-up in 2017 and became State Champions in 2018. BA Today sat down with their two seniors, Evelyn Prickett and Ellie Perry, to find out what the seniors enjoy most about playing the sport.

What is your favorite memory from being on the tennis team?

Evelyn Prickett: “I'll never forget when the team’s hard work finally paid off. My favorite memory is when we won State my sophomore year. We had gotten runner up the year before and it was so exciting to finally take home the blue map!”

Ellie Perry: “My favorite memory was when I beat my good friend, sophomore O’Melia Macpherson, in a challenge match. Playing tennis with friends is so much fun for me because I love healthy competition!”

How do you lead the team as a senior?

Evelyn: “I try to lead the team by taking the younger girls to practice and encouraging them to practice more. I always try to organize practices because I know that it will help us get better and hopefully win state.”

Ellie: “My main focus while leading the team is making sure that the younger girls be-

14 | BA Today

have. It is extremely important for all of the members of the team to respect each other. It will really help us in the future, even after high school.”

Do you have any team superstitions?

Evelyn: “In the past few years, Mae Taul and I used to eat oatmeal at State. We also ate bananas and peanut butter.”

Ellie: “My teammates like to kiss my bandana before every single match for good luck.”

What will you miss the most about being on the team?

Evelyn: “I will really miss all of my friends on the team and just being a part of a team. I will especially miss Mrs. Puckett and Mrs.Thompson. I have loved having them as my coaches.”

Ellie: “I will really miss Evelyn. I will also miss having fun with all of my teammates at practice.”

What is the best advice you can give to people who are interested in playing tennis?

Evelyn: “My best advice would be to always practice hard. Consistency is very important in order to keep up with your skills. Also, mental toughness in a match can make a great difference.”

Ellie: “Make sure you try your best. Even when you feel like quitting, you need to keep working. It will all be worth it in the end.”

[Tamala Prickett]

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

By John O'Hara '21, Reporter

A

s 2nd semester continues on, Bayside students wait anxiously for spring break, final exams, and of course, summer vacation, but for a few students, their focus is on the baseball diamond. The baseball season has begun, and this year, the Admirals are looking to do big things.

Bayside’s baseball team is led by Coach Troy Brown and a talented group of seniors.

Amongst these seniors, Lucas Alday stands out as an extraordinary player, and he plans on attending Coastal Alabama next year to continue his baseball career. Along with the seniors, the team has a skillful core of younger players all throughout the upper school grades who play important roles for the team. Lucas told BA Today that he believes the team's strongest quality this year is “the younger guys who are stepping up and showing that they can really play.”

They sure can really play, as the Admirals just won their best game of the season so far on March 3rd. Bayside was able to beat McGill-Toolen, and this game will definitely boost the confidence of the team who needed a win like this. Lucas Alday stated

that the team was able to “come together and play the game the right way and put all the broken pieces back together” so they could win.

There is still a ton of season left to play for the Admirals as the regular season lasts

[David Cain]

individuals in leading the team to victory.

Patrick Daves, one of the youngest champs on the team, has a three time first place record in high jump, triple jump, and the 60m hurdles. It was evident to those watching the young athlete compete that he improved with every jump. Coach Swagart even said that his last jump definitely stood out as his best and embodied all of the hard work Patrick has put into this sport. When asked about being on the team, Patrick responded by saying, “They have my back and I have theirs. They give me a lot of confidence every time I step on the line.”

The next individual that must be noted is senior runner Christopher Drayton who says competing on the team has taught him “that hard work changes everything. No matter how impossible a task seems, it can just as easily seem possible after you put in hard work to get better.” Christopher came in second place in the 400m dash and took first in the 4x4 relay that he ran with Myles Cook, Gerrit Robins, and Ryan McCullough.

When it comes to winning, Christopher also says that, “When I first started track, I would look at the other people in my race and a few of them would look at me and ask why I was in the same race as them. After some hard work I started beating them all the time, they stopped asking that question, and I stopped doubting myself”.

Coach Swagart was also impressed by many

of the newest members of the team, including Jay Loper, who took third in long jump, and Ryan McCullough who also helped take first in the 4x4 relay. It is very clear that the younger members of the team could not have made such great leaps without guidance from their loyal and inspiring seniors.

Two girls in their last year at Bayside who also deserve some championship recognition are Alex Cook, who placed first in pole vault, this being only her second year participating in the event, and Catherine West, who placed first in high jump. Lauren West also helped carry the girls’ team to seventh place overall.

Each of the seniors contributed something special to the team, but Alex Cook reminds us that for indoor track, “You have to be extremely self motivated and willing to push yourself”.

This victory was not only much deserved by this impressive team and their coach, but it also had quite a large impact on the campus’ school spirit. Even teachers have taken a special joy in the success of the team.

This team’s strong leadership and pursuit for excellence clearly won them their State Champions title. The Bayside community could not be more proud of this awesome team and look forward to another amazing season! Go Admirals!

until April 10th. Last year, the team’s season ended in the 2nd round of the 3A State Playoffs, but with more senior leadership this year, the sky's the limit for the Admirals.

A Long Time Coming: Indoor Track's Victory

By Geneva Martin '20, Reporter

F

or being fast, this impressive team’s season moves quite slow. Beginning before Christmas break and continuing into the new year, Bayside’s indoor track team works diligently to maintain their excellence even over the long break.

Their passion and commitment definitely showed itself this year when they brought home the state championship with full force, Coach Swagart even saying that it was “clear that the team came to compete.” Though their success is well warranted, it may not have shaped up the way one would initially guess.

For a sport that often requires hours of waiting between races, there was much excitement filling the usually dreadful periods between events. At an average indoor track meet there are fourteen events for the athletes to compete within, and at this year's state meet, Bayside had stolen the show by the ninth event.

With five events left, it was clear there was no way for Bayside's competition to catch up with their lightning fast and powerful performance. The team arrived at the sports complex with their primary competition in mind, Providence Christian, who they beat for first place by a total of 29 points.

Coach Swagart says that he is “very proud of our individuals and team efforts” and though the team as a whole is deserving of much recognition, BA Today would be remiss not to mention some key

BA Today | 15

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