Are we celebrating Christmas like the people in the past?
Cole Harrison, Staff Writer
The modern-day Christmas Holiday is usually celebrated a few days before, on December 25, and a few days after. This, however, is not what people from the previous centuries would have called correct celebration. In the traditional view, there are two parts to the holiday season: Advent, then Christmas.
Advent is celebrated through four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day. On each Sunday, a candle is lit. The first day of Advent is the Sunday of Hope. This year it was celebrated on December 1st. The Hope Sunday is celebrated to represent the Prophet Isaiah and the other prophets who predicted the coming of Jesus. The first purple candle is lit on this first Sunday. The second Sunday of Advent is Peace Sunday, which represents that Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace over the world. The second purple candle is lit to commemorate Peace Sunday. A pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, which is the Sunday of Joy to represent the joy in the birth of Jesus, and the joy in his return. The fourth Sunday of advent is the Sunday of Love, it represents the love that God has for mankind, to come down to the world and die on the cross for all sins. The last purple candle is lit. Advent officially ends and Christmas begins on December 25th. Christmas is then celebrated for 12 days. The Day of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day, is the last day of Christmas, which will be on January 5, 2025. The twelve days are celebrated to mark and remember the journey of the three wise men coming to see the Messiah.
Halfway There!
Winter exam tips and schedule
Time to lock in! Here are some helpful tips and tricks to study for the biggest tests of the semester: 1. Start studying now: Do not wait until last minute to begin reviewing material. If you wait...
Continued on page 9
The Hilight
The Newspaper of Cullman High School Decemeber 12th, 2024
A Very Merry Christmas In Cullman
A Christmas story based on our home: Cullman, Alabama.
Anna Beth Burleson, Co-Editor
Once upon a time, in the cozy town of Cullman, Alabama, where Southern charm meets German heritage, Christmas was just around the corner. The streets were strung with lights, and the Weihnachtspyramide, the German Christmas tower, glowed. It was a sight that made the whole town feel as though it had stepped into a holiday postcard.
In the heart of Cullman lived a young girl named Ellie. Ellie was eight years old, with bright eyes and an even brighter smile. She adored Christ mas, but this year, her family was struggling. Her father had re cently lost his job, and her mother was working overtime just to make ends meet. Ellie understood they couldn’t afford much for Christmas this year, so she kept her holiday wishes simple: snow and time spent with her family.
Ellie’s favorite place to visit during the holidays was the Christkindlmarkt.
Every year, the town set up stalls where vendors sold handcrafted gifts, delicious food, and hot cocoa. She loved people watch ing at the ice skating rink, how the stalls gleamed, and the way everyone greeted each other with such warmth.
“Go ahead, hold it,” Mr. Wilson said with a gentle smile, noticing Ellie’s fascination. She picked up the angel carefully, her heart full of yearning. She wished she could take it home and hang it on their tree, but when she looked at her mom, she knew it wasn’t possible this year. She handed it back to Mr. Wilson with a small smile.
As the days crept towards Christmas, Ellie thought about the angel constantly. She even began visiting
warmed by the festive atmosphere even though the night air was crisp. Ellie looked up at the massive tree, enchanted by its beauty. The tree, adorned with hundreds of lights and ornaments, created a sense of hope for Ellie despite her family’s troubles.
As the lights illuminated Depot Park, snowflakes began to descend on the crowd, a rare occurrence for Alabama. Ellie’s face lit up in pure joy, and she stretched out her hands to catch the falling flakes. Her wish for snow
One cool December evening, while browsing the market with her mother, Ellie spotted a beautifully carved wooden angel at Mr. Wilson’s stall. Mr. Wilson was a retired woodworker who made unique ornaments every Christmas season. The angel was delicate with wings that seemed to sparkle, and it bore a peaceful, hopeful expression. Ellie couldn’t take her eyes off of it.
Wilson’s stall after school to admire it, though she never asked for it again. Mr. Wilson noticed her visits and knew her family’s situation. The angel reminded him of his own childhood, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that it belonged with Ellie.
On Christmas Eve, the whole town gathered in the square for the annual lighting of the tree, a Cullman tradition. Ellie and her family bundled up and joined the crowd, their hearts
Just then, Mr. Wilson appeared in front of Ellie and her family. In his hands, he held a small, giftwrapped box. He handed it to Ellie with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye. “I think this is meant to be yours, Ellie,” he said softly. Ellie’s eyes widened as she opened the box and found the angel inside. Tears welled in her eyes, and she hugged Mr. Wilson tightly. “Thank you so much,” she whispered. She had never felt so grateful.
That night, Ellie placed the angel on top of their modest Christmas tree at home. It was the only new ornament they had, but it brought warmth and light to their home in a way that went beyond decorations or gifts. The angel became a symbol of kindness, hope, and the strength of community—a reminder that, in Cullman, people looked out for one another.
As Ellie lay in bed that night, watching the snow fall outside her window, she knew this would be a Christmas she’d remember forever. She fell asleep with her heart full, feeling as if the whole town was one big family. And in a way, in that little corner of Alabama, it was.
Sibling Superstars
Put it in the trash can, please
Pick Up Your Trash! How Likely is a White Christmas?
Blyss Murphree, Staff Writer
Recently there have been many staff members spotted picking up your trash that has somehow landed on the ground right beside the trash can. Please take the time out of your very important, busy day to take your trash the two extra baby steps to the trash...
Continued on page 8
An interview with James Spann
Claire Dossey,
Staff Writer
The people of Cullman dream every year of waking up to a white Chrismas; however, they are never become a reality. Alabama’s most beloved and respected weatherman, James Spann, answered...
on page 5
An interview with Molly and Evan Wilson
Mack Rudder, Co-Editor
With the arrival of cold weather, peppermint milkshakes and Christmas music playing everywhere you go, there is no mistaking it’s finally winter time. There’s one sign of winter espicially dear to Cullman High School...
on page 13
Mr.
Reilly Johnson, Staff Writer
FEATURES 3
Monthly Music
“Hi, How are you?”
Dane Mauldin, Staff Writer
Daniel Johnston, the master of outsider music, is one of the most unique and influential figures in alternative music. Known for his lo-fi, raw, and emotionally charged sound, Johnston gained a devoted following despite battling severe mental health issues throughout his life.
Born on January 22, 1961, in Sacramento, California, Johnston grew up in New Cumberland, West Virginia. From a young age, he recorded himself singing and playing piano on a Sanyo boombox. After a brief time at Abilene Christian University, he enrolled in Kent State University’s art program, where he created his early masterpieces Songs of Pain and More Songs of Pain. In 1984, Johnston moved to Austin, Texas, where he worked at McDonald’s and distributed his homemade tapes, building a local fanbase. His music, full of innocence and vulnerability, quickly captured the
attention of underground listeners. By the late 1980s, Johnston’s following had grown, and he appeared on MTV’s The Cutting Edge in 1985 to promote his album Hi, How Are You? In 1989, he recorded 1990 in New York City with producer Mark Kramer, followed by It’s Spooky in 1989 with Jad Fair of Half Japanese. However, by this time, his mental health was deteriorating. In 1990, Johnston experienced a psychotic episode while flying with his father, leading to a plane emergency that almost ended in disaster. Afterward, he was placed in a mental hospital.
Despite this, his fame grew, especially after Kurt Cobain wore a Hi, How Are You? shirt in 1992, sparking interest from major record labels. Johnston signed with Atlantic Records and released Fun in 1994, but was dropped in 1996. His mental health struggles continued, yet he kept making music throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including his 2006 documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston and the 2012 comic book Space Ducks Johnston retired from touring in 2017 and passed away from a heart attack on September 11, 2019. His legacy as a deeply original artist lives on, inspiring generations with his raw, emotional music and art.
The Inauguration
What to expect this upcoming Inauguration
Jacob Larker, Staff Writer
Since 1789, each president has undergone the inaugural process, and following the results of the 2024 election, Donald Trump will be sworn into office on January 20, 2025. This process, which has existed since George Washington’s Presidency, is required under the Costitution and is a process that Trump has already experienced. Having been sworn into office in 2017. Trump is now the first Republican president to serve two non consecutive terms and only the second in all of U.S. history.
The inauguration will include a series of events, starting with the oath of office at the Capitol. It is a Constitu tional requirement for each president, which holds them to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.” and marks a peaceful transfer of power. Trump’s upcoming inauguration next year will follow this same practice. While no different from past ones, this inauguration will be more notable due
to Trump being the first Republican to serve two non-consecutive terms. Following the oath, Trump’s inaugural address will take place and will highlight his administration’s priorities, which is expected to display his vision for America’s future, going over key issues like the economy and national security.
Planning the inauguration involves a string of federal agencies including the Secret Service to ensure safety for both the president and citizens. The security
be put towards the inaugural parade which usually follows the inaugural address. The inaugural parade is an event during the day where the President, Vice President, and their families travel down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Then Trump will head from the Capitol to the White House in a heavily armored Cadillac to ensure his safety. This parade includes marching bands, military personnel, and other cultural displays to celebrate the president. Once at the White House, Presidents will usually take part in a signing ceremony, where ceremonial documents are signed such as cabinet appointments, etc.
Following the entire ceremony, Inaugural Celebrations are typically supporters, while some are official, others may be hosted by private organizations. This shows that every four years, tradition will always hold up, and the gathering of a nation and their sense of pride won’t change.
The Denotation of Your Manifestaitions What do your dreams truly symbolize?
Avery Hice, Staff Writer
Being chased: You have a deep-rooted fear in life. Whether it be some inconsolable guilt or an addiction of sorts, you need to face the issue at hand. A dream in which you are being chased or hiding from something manifests how you are subconsciously running from or hiding from the consequences of your life, or how you are ignoring or avoiding a larger issue at hand. While it may take you a while to truly understand what you are trying to escape from, you need to understand that exactly what you run from, you end up chasing.
Teeth falling out: Psychologist Carl Jung theorized that dreams involving teeth indicates a rebirth or new beginning. The loss of teeth could represent how you have a deep fear or some sort of anxiety you cannot seem to confront. One’s teeth are a true identifier, and if they are falling out, rotting, or being pulled, this could represent how you truly feel on the inside and how deeply you care about others portraying you. Learn that the only person you need to please is yourself, and your happiness needs to come before others.
Exes: Just because you are dreaming of your former partner, that doesn’t mean you need to rekindle your relationship with them. Whether these dreams are positive or negative, dreaming about your ex is a way your brain is trying to analyze and find closure for the unconscious feelings, repressed emotions, and the memories left behind. You need to break the mold and find new relationships, whether they be romantic or not. Look your ex in the eyes and say, “I don’t love you anymore!”
Cheating/being cheated on: Whether you are the cheater or the one being cheated on, you need to understand why you could be fantasizing about this act. Are you hiding something? Can you not trust your partner? Dreaming about infidelity may indicate that you feel some sort of guilt for doing something that feeds your wants and needs. While cheating is inexcusable, this could represent a longing for freedom. Look for your inner self and realize who The uncertain-
your subconscious sees you as insecure, guilty, or ashamed. Most have a fear of being judged by others, and this fear of exposure displays feelings of shame one may have in their subconscious.
common Dreams
Pregnancy: Dreams of pregnancy can be apparent in all genders. These visions of pregnancy may represent a new beginning or rebirth. A connection with one’s inner self presents new experiences with new growth and transition in life. To have your baby in your dream represents purity, warmth, and innocence. Longing for the opportunity to raise and take care of your own child shows your awareness of how close you are to parenthood.
your fear of losing control of your life. Whether it be relationships, school, work, finances, or another circumstance, dreaming about falling portrays how your consciousness wants you to worry less. Fears of failure, loneliness, and uncertainty may impact your dreams, but you must learn to overcome those insecurities and feel comfortable with the life you are living.
Being naked: Nakedness in your dreams may reveal a fear of being vulnerable and defenseless. This exposure reveals how
Drowning: While it is technically a nightmare, dreams of drowning reflect the emotional state one is going through. Being overwhelmed by life’s issues and the struggle of knowing one’s true feelings connect to the subconscious ideas you have about yourself. You must figure out the psychological stress and tackle it head on. Once you grasp the roots of these stressors, you can analyze the factors that cause this frightening dream.
FEATURES 4
Musical Women of the 20th Century
Amp up your music taste with some feminine energy
Aubrey Shaddrix and Ellianna Hollis, Staff Writers
Elizabeth Fraser is an Irish vocalist with an extensive career in the dream-pop genre, most notable for her position as lead singer in her band Coctaeu Twins. Fraser contorts her voice throughout her music into some of the most shockingly angelic vocals in the industry. Her career took off as the Cocteau Twins reached success in the UK during the mid 80’s and established themselves as one of the most reputable alternative
Fiona Apple, also known as the queen of radical sensitivity, is an American singer songwriter who kick started her career at the young age of 18 years old. Fiona made her mark on the music industry with her release of her debut album Tidal in 1996, which received a grammy for the hit single “Criminal.” Fiona is not only an amazing musician, but the next thing to a teenage philosopher with her highly individualistic style in the industry. Fiona has furthered her views on life with her music, often singing about her own trauma and mental struggles as a teenage girl. Throughout her career Fiona
British bands during the period. Fraser has held a reserved and unique persona with her music, many finding her lyrics to be as if she is writing her own language, which partly is true. In an interview regarding her lyrical talent, Fraser claims that she collects words from multiple languages without knowing the meaning and finds her own definition with her voice. Fraser creates emotion with almost gibberish, showing the beauty of free lyricism and her voice. Fraser disbanded from Cocteau Twins in 1997 due to their budding creative differences and the breakup of Fraser and her lover Robin Guthrie. Despite the band’s end Fraser has continued her career with some solo work and been featured though other artist work. Some of Fraser’s most recognizable pieces are: “Know Who You Are At Every Age” and “Sea, Swallow Me.”
has made bold statements on the importance of identity, one of her most criticized moments being her award speech at the 1997 MTV VMA’s. In her speech she gives a passionate perspective on individuality and modeling your future for yourself and not for others, which is specifically important as the music industry is notable for its cruelty to young girls like Fiona. With both her music and her words, she has created the hard headed and inspirational character so many teenage girls resonate with today. Her lyrics are so personal to her life they can be compared to slam poetry with the structure of alternative pop-music, providing a fresh difference to the musical field in the 90’s. Fiona Apple has remained a vital musician for teenagers since the 90’s with her liberating ideas and art rotating on the idea of self growth. In one of her interviews as a young woman Fiona states,“When you know yourself you know life” showing the continuous ideology she has expressed through her career.
Lesley Gore began her music career at the age of 16 as the first project of future famed producer Quincy Jones. Just a year later, her most well known hit “It’s My Party (And I’ll Cry If I Want To)” topped the charts, skyrocketing not only her career, but also boosting that of Quincy Jones. “It’s My Party” has been sampled in over 31 songs since its release. In addition, another song, “Sunshine Lollipops, and Rainbows” from her second
Often called the Godmother of Punk, Joan Jett began her musical career at the age of 15 with the all-girl group The Runaways, where they received their first critical acclaim with the song “Cherry Bomb.” Called a “trail-
More artist you should check out:
Ms. Lauryn
album solidified her image as a 1960’s bubblegum pop icon. However, her 1964 song “You Don’t Own Me,” from the same album, marked a distinct shift in style from girlish popstar to strong, independent woman. This song became an anthem of feminism, a movement that Gore advocated for throughout her life. What is not well known about her, however, is that she was a lesbian and proud advocate for marriage equality. In a time when the music industry was, in her words, “totally homophobic,” she disguised her sexuality behind songs that used male pronouns. While she never truly hid her identity, she did not come out publicly until her hosting of the 2004 PBS documentary series In the Life, which focused on LGBTQ+ issues. Through her strong feminism and advocacy, she became an icon of the queer community.
blazing bad-girl rock band” by the New York Times, they produced five albums together from 19751979. Jett found massive success in the 1980’s with her hits “I Love Rock ’n Roll” and “Bad Reputation,” both as the frontwoman of her new band: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, where she cultivated her punk feminist persona. While most of her commercial success occurred in the 1980’s, her work with The Runaways allowed her to be a pioneer in the realm of allgirl rock bands, paving the way for her later career. Even though, as she says, “the odds are stacked against women in rock ‘n roll,” she is “proof that (success) can happen.”
Joan “To Zion” “Selah” “Diamonds and Rust” “Donna Donna”
Holidays of Symbols
The difference of Christmas and Hanukkah
Cole Harrison, Staff Writer
Christmas is celebrated by Christians, the religion founded from Judaism who celebrate Hanukkah. The religions are related, yet the holidays are not. There are many different symbols for each holiday.
The main symbols for Christmas include the Nativity, the Herald Angels, Wreaths, Christmas Trees, Bells, Stars, and Poinsettias. The Nativity is arguably the most important symbol, depicting the birth of Jesus Christ in a manger surrounded by the Holy Family and the Three Kings. The Herald Angels were sent from Heaven to proclaim the birth of the savior of the world. Wreaths are made from evergreen branches in a circular shape, signifying the never ending love from God towards his creation. Christmas Trees are also made from evergreen trees, they point upwards to God, reminding people of the Heavenly intervention in the Birth of Jesus. Bells call attention to the announcement of Christ’s birth. Stars symbolize the star that led the Three Kings to Jesus. Poinsettias are red, symbolizing the sacrifice that would unfold from the Birth of the Savior, and their shape represents the Star of Bethlehem. There are many more symbols of Christmas, but these are mainly associated with the religious aspects of the holiday.
The main symbols of Hanukkah include the Menorah, Dreidel, the Star of David, Gifts, Latke, Sufganiyot, Gelt, and Applesauce. The Menorah represents the eight nights and eight lights of Hanukkah. The Dreidel is a spinning top inscribed with Hebrew letters of four sides which is used to say a “A great miracle happened there,” referencing the miracle surrounding Hanukkah. The Star of David represents the relationship between man and God. Gifts are symbolic of togetherness, unity, and bonding between Jewish people. Latke is a food dish that symbolizes the miracle of Hanukkah. Sufganiyot is another food dish that represents the miracle of Hanukkah. Gelt is a gift given to children that they may pass it onto their teachers, signifying the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. Applesauce provides sweet satisfaction about the miracle of Hanukkah. These are the main symbols of the Hanukkah Holiday, but there are more that are used depending on each tradition.
Although not the same, Christmas and Hanukkah both celebrate miracles. Christmas celebrates the miracle of the Birth of Jesus Christ. Hanukkah celebrates the miracle in the Temple. Both holidays celebrate miracles that God gave to his people.
How Likely is a White Christmas
Featuring our favorite weatherman
Claire Dossey, Staff Writer
The people of Cullman dream every year of waking up to a white Chrismas; however, they are never become a reality. Alabama’s most beloved and respected weatherman, James Spann, answered our questions on how likely a white Christmas truly is.
“Well, first off, ...there is absolutely no skill in forecasting the weather that far in advance. So, what you have to do is look at years past and see how many December 25ths you have had with snow. Weather records here go back to the late 1800s, and for most of Alabama this statistical chance of there being measurable amounts of snow on Christmas day is 0.4%, which is not very good. So the safe thing to say right now is that it’s not gonna snow on Christmas, 99 out of 100 times.” So, maybe the chances of snow on Chritsmas day are not high,
“Why is it so hot in November?”
“Well, right now, you have to look at the atmosphere. It has waves like the ocean, and if you’re underneath a big dip in a wave, a trough, it’s cold and it’s snowing, and it’s that way in the western United States. They’ve got huge snow today in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona. So they’re under the trough, but we’re under a ridge, and under the ridge, it’s unusually warm, and it’s kinda dry. Until the pattern breaks, it’s gonna stay that way. It’s probably not gonna break for the next week or two, so we’ll probably see highs in the 70s right on through mid-November. It will break at some point. Sometimes those waves just don’t wanna break down easily.”
“Well, that answers my next question of when is cold weather coming.”
“That depends on how you define
cold. A lot of different people consider cold something different. For some people, 45 degrees is cold. For some people, it’s got to be 15 degrees when it’s cold. Right. If you’re looking for, like, highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s, it’s probably going to be late November before that happens.”
“If not a white Christmas, do you think we’ll get snow at all this year?”
“Well, a warm November has nothing to do with the weather in December, January, February, and March. Most of our big snows have come in March here. The biggest snow on record was in March 1993. We had a blizzard. It was horrible. But during an average winter, typically the northern part of Alabama gets about two decent threats of snow or ice, and that’s about it. We’re in a low-latitude state. We’re a very low-latitude state. It shouldn’t be snowing down here that often. But back in January of this year, we had a huge whopper of a snowstorm. Florence, Athens, up in the Tennessee Valley, they were shut down for a whole week. It was a mega snowstorm. You were kind of on the edge of it. But up there, they were just buried. That’s a good example of what can happen. I’ll be honest with you, the only thing I’m more concerned about is an ice storm. We’ve not had a catastrophic ice storm here in a long time, and that’s where it rains, it’s pouring rain, and it’s below freezing. There’s no snow involved, and that coats everything with ice, and you can have power outages that last for weeks. Those are not good. You can’t make a snowman, there’s no fun to it. So we’ve not had one in a while, and so I hope that doesn’t happen this year. But again, during most winter
seasons, we’ll have two good threats. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don’t. Typically, they’re later in the season, after Christmas. We don’t get that much snow before Christmas here.”
“Do you remember how you felt on your first white Christmas?”
“Well, it was a good one. We only had like one inch of snow, but I’ve been around here forever, I’m like an old guy, and in Alabama, you typically might experience snow on Christmas Day once in your lifetime. So to be able to wake up, and you look outside, it looks like a movie. And you go outside, and the ground is white. Roads were not that bad. We had power. It was a fairly minor event as things go, but goodness gracious, it was, needless to say, the photo op of a lifetime. For the kids, gosh, you go outside, and you play in it on Christmas morning, it was absolutely magical to have something like that. I don’t know if it will probably not in my lifetime, but it will be yours. Typically, it snows on Christmas Day about once every 50 years here.”
The forecast features do not support a white Christmas anytime soon, but mark your calendars because it is surely possible on December 25th of 2075.
FEATURES 6
Hilight’s Christmas Lists
See the staff’s letters and their Christmas wishes Elizabeth Smith, Staff Writer
CAMPUS NEWS 8
Theatre Going To State
Cullman High School’s performance at district competition
Elizabeth Smith, Staff Writer
On November 2nd at Hartselle High School, the Cullman High School Theatre Department performed their storyteller piece, The Old Man and The Old Moon, at Trumbauer, one of two competitions competed annually by CHS students. After weeks of practice and hard work, the students performed their piece in front of a panel of judges, and received the Best In Show Award, along with many individual awards for students, and then will go to compete along with eleven other schools at the State Trumbauer Festival at University of North Alabama in December. Cullman High School is incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication to the performing arts. Congratulations to all who received awards and put their time and energy
into making the performances the best they can be.
The recipents of a few One Act awards were interviewed about their experiences in the show, Trumbauer, and their time in the theatre community. Jameson Inscho, actor for the character Matheson, was awarded the Best Actor honor at district competition. When asked about the show, he replied, “I love the show and the music aspect. Being able to perform the musical part in this show is my favorite.” When he was also asked if he was excited about going to the state competion, he said, “I am excited to go to the state competition and be able to walk around UNA and play more music!” He also made a statement about the theatre community, which was that the theatre community gave
The Most Magical Band on Earth
Cullman Band’s journey to Disney World
Elianna Hollis, Staff Writer
The Bearcat Marching Band enjoyed a magical adventure to the happiest place on earth for this year’s annual band trip. The ten hour bus ride was compensated for by three days of fun at Walt Disney World, including marching in a parade down Disney’s Main Street thoroughfare.
The first day was spent at Hollywood Studios, where Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge proved a popular area of rides and experiences, as well as the famous Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. Day two at Epcot saw the band touring through 11 of the world’s largest countries, including their unique cuisines and thematic rides such as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France. Additionally, many band members were able to secure a spot in the virtual queue for the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, which was reported by many to be their favorite ride out of the three parks visited.
The final day at Disney brought the band to Magic Kingdom, where whimsy and princesses abound. After spending a few hours enjoying thrilling attractions such as Tron Lightcycle and Space Mountain, the band gathered backstage to prepare for the
students, “The ability to be whatever you want to be.”
Bailee Henderson, actress of the storyteller role, recieved the honor of Best Supporting Actor at Trumbauer. When she was asked the question, “What is your favorite aspect of the show?’, she replied, “I love the journey the Old Man goes through with the Old Woman and it is so fun because the narrator gets to go on the journey with them. It is fun getting to see all the things the Old Man goes through in his adventures- he even goes into the belly of the fish and hot air balloon and sailor ship. It is so fun getting to see the story unfold and show the beauty of loved ones. It is so good!” She also expressed that she was excited for the state competition and stated, “It is my last one. It is very sad and I know it
will be sad when we get there. But I think it will be very bittersweet and I am really hoping for a win.” For her final question, she was asked how the theatre community helped her through her high school experience, she said, " The theater community is a very special place. It is a place that is filled with so much love and support because there is no one there hoping to tear you down and hope you butcher your role. They are always so uplifting, especially Mr. Cook and Ms. Skinner. They just want each kid, whether they are in the ensemble or main character, they just want everyone to thrive. That is what the theater community is and it has helped me so much and helped me find my place.”
Please Pick Up Your Trash
Put it in the trash can, please
Blyss
Murphree, Staff Writer
parade, where they performed a medley of “It’s a Small World” and “Zip-ADee-Doo-Dah.” After the parade was complete, band members continued to enjoy rides such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Haunted Mansion, as well as the rebranded Splash Mountain, now called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This ride, much like Cosmic Rewind, required a well-timed entry into the virtual queue in order to reserve a spot on this exciting ride.
The subdued and lengthy return trip proved relieving as many were glad to be home after five days of jam-packed travel. The 2024 marching band trip was certainly a wonderful adventure for many, and memories were made that will last a lifetime.
Recently there have been many staff members spotted picking up your trash that has somehow landed on the ground right beside the trash can.
Please take the time out of your very important, busy day to take your trash the two extra baby steps to the trash can. The campus trash cans can be located in the following places:
Outside: Right beside the main building door, beside Coach Goble’s classroom door, the seating area in the walkway beside the main teacher parking lot going to the math building, the math building doors, beside the gym doors (both gyms) and all around the lunchroom.
Main building: The beginning of each hallway, beside the library (upstairs and downstairs) the seating area in the lobby, beside the office.
Any other building: Every building has trash cans outside the main doors except the science building so if you are going to environmental science for example, throw your trash away in the teacher’s trash can or the bathroom trash can. Every classroom on campus has at least one trash can,; the cans are commonly found beside the door or near the teacher’s desk.
Please keep the campus clean. By putting your trash in the trash can; we
as students of this school, can make the custodian’s life a little easier. We are in highschool. Half of us are almost adults, it is time to start acting like it and picking up our trash.
Fun fact! There is a total of 29 trash cans on our campus. Make it your life's mission to locate them. 12 of those trash cans are outside on campus and 17 are inside the buildings.
An anonymous source states that our school needs a trash can near the ramp outside of C building to accomadate the students eating snacks waiting for their rides to pick them up.
Beyond The Bell
Meet Mrs. Cranford
Reilly Johnson, Staff Writer
What inspired you to become a teacher and what made you choose your subject?
I loved my Spanish teachers in high school.
What do you find most rewarding about being a teacher?
Getting to build relationships with students and I enjoy becoming friends with other teachers.
Can you share a memorable experience with a student that had an impact on you?
I have had three students study abroad as a direct result of taking Spanish.
What impact do you hope to have on your students, both academically and personally?
I hope that they want to continue learning Spanish outside of my classroom and I hope that they know that I care about them.
What advice would you give students to help them succeed academically and personally?
Don’t cheat. That is a great rule both academically and personally.
What is one thing you want to tell students about your life outside of Cullman High School?
I am married with 4 children. I stay very busy involved in all of their activities.
CAMPUS NEWS
Cullman City Schools Foundation
Learn more about the CCSF with Foundation Specialist Paige Clabo
Elizabeth Smith, Staff Writer
Cullman City Schools Foundation is an organization founded in 1996 to raise funds for Cullman City Schools Classrooms. Each year, they have a grant cycle for Cullman City School teachers to apply for new and innovative technologies and resources to be funded by CCSF. The program also provides resources for teachers on other grant funding available to them.
Paige Clabo, Foundation Specialist for the Cullman City Schools Foundation, was interviewed for more information on the CCSF. Her main role in the CCSF is, “...raising funds for grants for classrooms in the Cullman City School system, as well as community outreach and supporting CCS teachers”. The CCSF has helped the community by funding our teachers and allowing them to make purchases for their classrooms; purchases like books, projectors, music and technological equipment and so much more. Paige made the claim that, “This program helps students by making sure your teachers have what they need to feel supported and equipped.
Teachers have incredibly difficult jobs and wear many hats. When we are students, we don’t think about this as we are bogged down by school
work and extracurricular activities, but remember, teachers wake up everyday and come to a career where they have chosen to serve you, our student population. Please be sure and thank your teachers for all that they do every day. They are the definition of servant leadership and deserve thanks for all they do.”
This establishment also impacts the community by volunteerism and community outreach efforts. She noted in her interview, also, that, “Volunteerism is, in my opinion, an incredibly important aspect of leadership. If you are not willing to give of your time to others in need, how can you someday lead an organization, or understand others who have been through different circumstances than you? Exposing yourself to people of all walks of life and treating everyone with dignity and respect is so important. You gain crucial skills through volunteerism and you always leave feeling accomplished and having learned life skills and lessons. If you are looking to volunteer, I am always here to help you find an organization that aligns with your career goals, or mission.” For Cullman High School students, she says, “We are always in need of volunteers for different commu-
Halfway There! Winter exam tips and schedule
Reilly Johnson, Staff Writer
Time to lock in! Here are some helpful tips and tricks to study for the biggest tests of the semester:
1. Start studying now:
Do not wait until the last minute to begin reviewing material. If you wait, you’re likely going to miss something important.
2. Study with classmates: It helps to have someone you can work through problems and discuss answers with.
3. Ask questions: If you need help or do not understand something, ask your teacher! They want to see you succeed!
4. Try new methods: Flashcards, practice tests, Kahoot, etc.
5. Use AI to help you study: ChatGPT can create questions and explain the answers however you ask it to. It can also quickly grade short-answer questions.
6. Do not try to memorize the answers: The exam will not be exactly like the study guide. Questions will be reworded and in a different order.
7. Understand the questions: It is helpful to understand why you missed an answer and what the correct answer is just in case there are written questions on the exam.
8. Take breaks when studying: Studying for hours on end may seem like a good idea but in reality, it will be too much information to remember clearly.
9. Make sure you take care of yourself before your exams: Get enough sleep, eat healthier meals, and drink water. Keep your body and your mind healthy so you can be prepared to rock your exams!
10. Attend the review periods: The week before exams, it can be tempting to skip, but if you go, you can ask questions, dive deeper into possible test questions, and sometimes teachers will even give you a sneak peak of the exam itself!
nity outreach projects. We are also able to help students connect with other non profit organizations to obtain the volunteer hours needed for various programs they are involved in. Students can reach out to me any time at her email, pclabo@cullmancats.net, and, “I will be happy to get them connected to a cause they are passionate about.” Towards the end of her interview, Paige Clabo made the comment, “I am honored to work for such an amazing organization that supports the most important profession there is, teaching. Without teachers, none of us would be where we are today. Education is incredibly valuable and taken for granted at times. Let’s make sure we are honoring those who have dedicated their lives to educating others and ensuring they have a vibrant future.” This, along with many other volunteer opportunities, are great ways for students to help other; not just around the Christmas season, but all year long.
From experience, these 10 tips have been life savers for me in the past but you can always combine them with your own. It’s always best to stick to your gut and do what you find helpful. Last thing: what most people don’t realize is that the final exams you will take make up a large portion of your final grade. You need to make sure you are prepared for anything that could be on the test. If you have good grades, you shouldn’t let your exam score tank your semester grade. Hopefully these tips will help you and others as they have helped me in the past. Good luck on your exams and have a great Christmas break!
Robin Cranford, Foreign Language
ENTERTAINMENT 10
Christmas Catwalking
Have your classmates been naughty or nice?
Claire Dossey, Staff Writer
Questions:
1. Do you believe in Santa?
2. Done any good deeds this year?
3. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
4. What’s one thing on your Christmas list this year?
5. Favorite Christmas song?
6. Do you think you have been naughty or nice?
Hayden Scott (Senior)
1. Of course.
2. No, I'm evil.
3. 47 minutes.
4. World Peace
5. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Defrosting Version)
6. Depends Who's Asking
Kallhoff (Senior)
1. Yes
3. 20 minutes
4. Clothes
5. “Santa Baby”
6. Nice
Brooks Loftin (Freshman)
1. I mean I kind of do.
2. Yes I believe I did, we did a crew camp with basketball and I’ve been helping my grandfather with things.
3. I would say about an hour.
4. Basketball shoes
5. “Jingle Bells”
6. I think I have been nice.
2. Every day is a new good deed
Addie Townson (Sophomore)
1. Of course
2. I have!
3. About 20 minutes
4. Concert tickets
5. “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley
6. Nice
Kassie Privett (Junior)
1. Yes 100 percento
2. I gave an awesome American Hawk to my best friend Jacob Pew
3. It takes me an hour because beauty takes time.
4. A thousand dollars.
5. “A Christmas Jesus Bop” by Trisha Paytas
6. I think I've been naughty and Santa should punish me, but I'll try my best to be nice before Christmas.
Karalynn
ENTERTAINMENT 11
Jingle Bell Jams
The
perfect playlist for decking the halls
Reilly Johnson, Staff Writer
Media
Diet
Unrot your brain this winter break; be mindful of what you consume! Mack Rudder, Staff Writer
Brain rot, when used to describe media, refers to content created to be consumed “mindlessly” and is generally unengaging and mind-numbing. While occasionally giving your mind a break can be healthy, our brains need to be fueled by engaging and immersive media to keep brain muscles healthy and to promote higher-order thinking. What we consume has an extreme impact on our body- physically and mentally. When people are told this they usually go straight to thinking about all the treats they shouldn’t have had, but consumption has a way larger scope than that. Every video, song, movie, book, poem, or art piece you consume has or should have, an effect on you. Diets don’t have to be only for food. This doesn’t mean stop scrolling on TikTok or listening to your daily podcast. What it means is to take a minute to fully digest what you’re consuming and think about why you are consuming it. Does this provide value in your life? Why was this song/movie/ TikTok made? Is it healthy or good to be consuming this? This winter break let’s take a media diet and focus on consuming healthy media and fully understanding it. Ways to consume media healthily
1.) Be mindful of what you “eat.” Sur round yourself with a ben eficial online community that publishes content that will help you reach your goals. Don’t spend too much time watching negative content or “rage-bait.” Surrounding yourself with positive people and media that encourage you to better yourself will influence you to make positive changes in your life.
and remember that these people producing what you’re consuming get to edit themselves and pick and choose what to share.
Learn to appreciate what you have. Into the Wild is a short novel that follows Chris McCandless’s journey “into the wild” to find true happiness. He gives away all his belongings and literally burns his money. This book is really eye-opening to what lengths people will go to chasing what they believe to be happiness.
Learn something. Use media as a way to listen to others that came before and take their advice.
Wiser Than Me is a podcast hosted by comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Episodes come out weekly and each
kinds of, “stories [that] have compelling people at the center of them, funny moments, big feelings, surprising plot twists, and interesting ideas. Like little movies for radio.” Their episodes usually consist of a prologue and three or four “acts” or parts. The episodes average around an hour long and a new episode is released daily.
Learn a new skill
Scott Christian Sava is an artist who posts art tutorials on YouTube. He posts both lengthy hour-long tutorials and short and simple YouTube shorts. Movies/TV
Refresh your perspective on life and be grateful for what you do have. Bread and Roses is a heartbreaking documentary produced by Oscar Winner and actor Jennifer Lawerence and executive producer and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai. It talks about the experience of Afghan women under the rule of the Taliban, an experience Yousafzai once went through herself. The film is beautifully and grimfully directed by Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani.
episode features Julia sitting down and having a conversation with an iconic older woman who is “wiser than her.”
2.) Know when to “push the plate away” Take breaks. The online world will still be there when you come back. The phrase “losing yourself in a book” shouldn’t be taken too seriously either. You should exist outside of what you are currently listening to, reading, or watching.
3.) Learn that “serving sizes” differ from person to person. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Use media as a way to engage and connect with others. Avoid comparing yourself to others
She has episodes featuring Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, and Vera Wang. She says that her podcast was born from her personal belief that as female stars age they get pushed to the back burner and subsequently ignored.
Digest real stories that focus on real events and real people. Immerse yourself in other’s stories and put yourself in their shoes.
This American Life is a weekly podcast/public radio program that focuses on different themes. Each week the staff picks a theme and puts together different but cohesive episodes based around that theme. They focus on the
Learn fun facts about our world and what goes on around you. National Geographic is a nature-focused magazine that offers a free digital subscription. On their website, you can join their email list and receive different articles about history, nature, and other interesting topics daily. They also send out a photo of the week each Sunday as well as a Top Ten that includes the ten most interesting articles they published that week. This free subscription comes with a lot, is easy to join, and helps you put thought into what you are consuming. As students, many of us spend an extreme amount of time on our computers.
Listen to financial advice Caleb Hammer’s Financial Audit is a show hosted by financial advisor Caleb Hammer where he interviews and helps people who have made bad financial decisions. While helpful, his sternness and attitude bring a comedic aspect to the show. Full episodes of the show are available on YouTube but shorter clips are posted on Hammer’s TikTok.
Blue Christmas” by Megan Moroney
“Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift
“Your Angel” by Kassi Ashton
“Ends of the Earth” by Ty Myers
“Fall This Way” by Braxton Keith
“Porch Light” by Josh Meloy
“Sweet December” by Kelly Claarkson
“Thoughts of You” by Ole 60
“Christmas In Dixie” by Jason Aldean
“Caroline” by Colter Wall
SPORTS 13
Siblings Superstars
An interview with Molly and Evan Wilson
Mack Rudder, Staff Writer
With the arrival of cold weather, peppermint milkshakes, and Christmas music playing everywhere you go, there is no mistaking it’s finally winter time. There’s one sign of winter, though, that is especially dear to Cullman High School students: the beginning of basketball season.
Senior power forward Evan Wilson has made himself well known at Cullman High School for his basketball playing (and for his towering height.) As a freshman, he played on the team that secured Cullman’s first-ever basketball state championship. Since then, he has continued to prove himself an essential part of the team.
Evan isn’t the only Wilson proving himself on the court this year, though. Last school year his little sister Molly Wilson joined him, also playing as a power forward but for Cullman’s women’s team. This season is Molly’s first year as a starter on the Varsity Women’s Team. Already this season Molly has been named player of the week with an average of 16 points and three rebounds per game.
Both the Wilsons started playing basketball at a young age and Evan feels like he has been, “playing [his] whole life.” They both agree that basketball is a family thing. Evan says he pushes himself to try and motivate Molly to be the best player she can be. Molly says she finds her motivation in trying to beat him “as much as possible.” They both credited their height as likely being the reason their parents signed
Both the Wilsons will be key players to look out for as this season continues, and Molly is sure to make waves as her years at Cullman High School continue without her older brother. This year the women’s team has set their season goal as winning area, and Molly has her hopes on that too.
This shared sentiment shows just how much of a teamplayer Molly is- which is credited by many as one of her best traits.
For his last season with the Bearcats, Evan is just looking forward to, “spending time with [his] teammates and winning
Basketball Overview What the Cats are up to this season
Mack Rudder, Staff Writer
So far, the boys’ basketball team has seen lots of success winning seven out of their eight first games.
Men’s Schedule
Randy Jones Classic at WPHS
12/14 vs. Red Bay
12/17 Hartselle
12/18 Shelby County City of Jasper Christmas Classic (JHS)
12.20 vs. Jonesboro
12/21 vs. Camden County
12.23 Pike Road Metro Tournament (HHS)
12/27 vs. Hillcrest
12/28 vs. Spain Park
12/30 vs. Pelham
1/2 Homewood
It’s a family thing, we often go to the gym together, and I always try to make her better and push her to be the best player she can be.
”
The women’s basketball team is currently second in class 6A and has won six out of eleven games so far.
This year the Boy’s Basketball Team introduced multiple new uniforms. They now have six total unfiroms they switch out based on the game they’re playing.
Women’s Schedule
12/14 @ Madison Arc 12/17 Hartselle 12/27- 12/30 Christmas Tournament 1/3 Marion County 1/7 Mortimer Jordan 1/10 Jasper
1/14 @ Hartselle
1/17 @Mortimer Jordan
1/20 MLK Classic
1/27 @Jasper 1/30 Fultondale
Senior Preseley Burden
SPORTS 14
Moving Indoors
Updates on the new indoor track season
Jacob Larker, Staff Writer
As the indoor track season begins, Coach Dean is hoping to see the team’s hard work pay off this year. “I love seeing the athletes put in the effort day by day, week by week, and then watching them showcase that work against high-level competition. It’s a privilege to have a front-row seat to their growth,” he said.
Getting ready for this season is a mix of mental and physical training. The team focuses on core values and mental toughness while improving techniques to ensure peak performance during track meets. “We have a process to develop each athlete so they can perform at their best when it matters most,” Coach Dean said.
The team’s schedule is packed, from home meets to the Mountain Brook Invitational. The distance runners, many of whom come off a strong cross-country season, are set to lead in several events, while sprinters, jumpers, and throwers continue to improve their skills in practice.
This season brings many opportunities, including an invite to represent Alabama in an Alabama vs. Tennessee meet in March. Closer to home, seniors and rising stars are assured to make an impact in events ranging from
relays to jumping and throwing. So with dedication and camaraderie as the team’s foundation, Coach Dean and the athletes are ready for the season ahead.
A Hook into the Season
A look into this year’s fishing endevours
Dane Mauldin, Staff Writer
This year, the Alabama Bass Nation High School Tournament Trail, sponsored by Bassmasters, has been the main focus for our fishing team. While only committed to this trail for 2024, there are plans to expand next year by adding tournaments with other organizations like BassTactix. Many team members already participate in other tournaments and have found success, winning prizes like money, trophies, and tackle. Throughout the year, the team has had the chance to meet professional fishermen and gain insights from their experiences. In October, 2X Bassmaster Classic champion Jordan Lee visited to offer valuable advice, while legendary fisherman Jimmy Houston shared life lessons and fishing tips during his filming for Jimmy Houston Outdoors in north Alabama. To support the team, there will be a fundraising fishing tournament on Smith Lake, along with a raffle for rods and reels. These events are essential in helping the team raise
money for its activities. The anglers also enjoy traveling to different lakes across the state, where every trip brings something memorable—a big catch, a flat tire, a great restaurant, or even a close encounter with alligators. Each tournament includes a practice day on Friday and the competition on Saturday. The days begin early, with over 250 bass boats and anglers gathering at a single launch site. After a thorough check-in, the boats are given the green light to start fishing from dawn until the official weigh-in at 2:00 PM. To join the team, anglers must have access to a bass boat or a partner with one, maintain good academic standing, and be able to cover fees and secure sponsorships. Senior members Cason Ewing and Kaide Scheer, both of whom have been with the team for four years, continue to lead by example and are instrumental in shaping the future of the team. Their experience and dedication set a high standard for the next generation of anglers.
Dance Team Updates
What is new with the dance team?
Blyss Murphree, Staff Writer
The CHS dance team has seven new members this year, and they also have some upcoming competitions. According to Sophia Flanigan, our dance team has been working on some new dances for basketball games, preparing for their competition in January with their national competition following close behind. The dance team also has new uniforms. These uniforms are a one shoulder top with a skirt.
New members:
Hallie Page - freshman
Lexi Brannon - freshman
Meleah Ward - sophomore
Bailey Calvert - freshman
River Ayers - freshman
Charlee Glasscock - senior
Amelia Edens - sophomore
You can watch the dance team at all of the varsity basketball games.
Upcoming home games:
- Dec. 23 at 6:00 pm. Pike Road
- Jan. 14 at 7:00 pm. Hartselle - Jan. 17 at 7:00 pm. Mortimer Jordan
More schedules can be found on the Cullman High School website under “sports” or the CHS basketball team’s instagram page: @chsbearcathoops
Cheering through the Seasons
The Cullman Cats take on competitions
Mack Rudder, Co-Editor and Jacob Larker, Staff Writer
Competition season for cheer starts in October and continues through February. So far the CHS Cheer Team has competed in four different competitions and has qualified for nationals.
In November, after qualifying, the cheer team attended the AHSAA State Championship and took home second place. Their next and last competition for the year is nationals which occurs in February and takes place in Orlando, Florida. The girls get to stay on Disney property at a resort, and the competition takes place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The girls perform two routines at their competitions: gameday and
traditional. A gameday routine consists of mostly cheers and simple stunts you would see performed on the sidelines of a football game while traditional is much more complex and involves advanced stunts and high-level tumbling. The team practices three days a week almost all year to prepare for their competitions while also simultaneously particpating in football games, basketball games, and pep rallies.
Every year during nationals the cheerleaders participate in a tradition they have called “secret sister.” It’s similar to Secret Santa; all the girls draw names and then get a gift for their fellow cheerleader. As a part of this, they also write letters for every girl on the team and then exchange them when they get to nationals.
CHS Cheer Team at AHSAA State Championship
CHS Cheer Team at one of their competitions.
EDITORIALS 16
Alabama Veterans Kay Ivey versus Kent Davis
Mack Rudder, Staff Writer
An estimated 337,310 veterans currently live in Alabama. That’s around 7% of the state’s total population. The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is the state department responsible for, “assist[ing] former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents in numerous capacities.” Recently, though, the ADVA has experienced turmoil between their relationship with the state of Alabama and their leadership.
In 2019, Rear Admiral W. Kent Davis, USN, took office as the 7th Commissioner of the ADVA. He was appointed to this position by the State Board of Veterans Affairs. Davis comes from an impressive background with many distinguished awards and a long history of service in both his military and civilian life. was born in Montgomery to an U.S. Army Veteran father, and he grew up in New Orleans. He has many notable achievements such as attending Louisiana State University on an aca demic scholarship as a National Merit Scholar, serving in the Navy Reserves while attending college, serving mul tiple tours at different Naval Stations as an officer, attending Georgia State University Law School and once again staying in the Navy Reserve through out school, and serving as an Army Judge Advocate General for two years. He also after 9/11, joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and continued to serve his country, but as a civilian this time. After staying with the DHS for 14 years, he was then transferred to Anniston, Alabama, to serve as Senior Legal Counsel at a Homeland Security training facility there. During his time there, he was called to serve in the Navy multiple times. Eventually, in 2016, after 31 years of service, Davis officially retired from the military. His extensive background in both law and government affairs and his proven dedication to the United States of America are what eventually earned him his role as Commissioner of the ADVA. He quickly proved he was the man for the job, and during his time as Commissioner, there were record lows in many problems plaguing the veteran community, and he helped to pass a record number of pro-veteran legislation. For example, homelessness among veterans has decreased overall by over 5% in Alabama, and the rate of veterans committing suicide has steadily declined by an average of 10 people per year since his appointment.
him directly after the Veterans Affairs Board voted to keep him as head of the department. In the letter to Davis, Ivey wrote, “The Alabama Constitution confers on the governor the ‘supreme executive power of this state.’ According to our State Supreme Court, this means at a minimum that a governor may take action to enforce the laws whenever he or she determines that such action is necessary because of ‘inaction or inadequate action’ by a subordinate within the executive branch of government… Today, the State Board of Veterans Affairs failed to remove you immediately despite the ample legal causes... I therefore determine that your immediate removal is necessary
had mishandled ARPA funds. Davis did not resign that day and called Ivey’s claims false and baseless. After this, Ivey called the ADVA Board together for a meeting on September 10th to discuss Davis’s removal.
On September 9th, though, Davis met with the governor’s staff and agreed to step down from his position on December 31st. After this meeting, Davis released a statement that said, “After a cordial, informative meeting with Governor Ivey and several members of her senior staff on Monday, the matter has been resolved to the mutual benefit of all parties. This was not an easy decision, but I am convinced that my decision was the best one given my recent health concerns, the long-term mission of the ADVA, and, most
to ensure that, going forward, the laws governing the Department of Veterans Affairs will be properly executed and enforced.” This fiery letter came after months of conflict between Davis and Ivey regarding the mishandling of money.
Despite his seemingly stellar record, though, Kay Ivey used “Supreme Executive Power” to essentially fire him in October of this year. This came in the form of a letter she had delivered to
In July of this year, Davis filed a now-leaked ethics complaint against Alabama Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell about the allocation of ARPA Funds. In the complaint, Davis accused Boswell of preventing the ADVA from obtaining 7 million dollars in ARPA Funds. This complaint was quickly dismissed by the Ethics Committee, and that should have been the end of it. Davis filed this complaint on the behalf of the ADVA Board as he is obligated, and while ethics complaints are supposed to be confidential, the complaint was leaked and reported on by multiple news sources. Shortly after this, on September 5th, Ivey released a letter calling for Davis’s resignation by 5 P.M on that day on the basis that he
importantly, the outstanding military Veterans of Alabama.” The health issues Davis refers to in his statement is his recent diagnosis of Stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer found in the lymph nodes. At an October 10th ADVA Board meeting, the board unanimously passed a resolution that asked Davis to reconsider his resignation. Ivey, who missed most of the meeting due to a State Board of Education meeting, wrote to Davis, after hearing about the resolution, asking him to “Please immediately reaffirm, in writing, your decision to resign.” Davis did not reaffirm his decision to resign saying he was a decorated veteran whose word should be trusted outright. Ivey then wrote to Davis again, calling for another meeting to take place on October 18th. This meeting was again for the purpose of voting on Davis’s removal from office. The meeting took place at the State Capitol, and Ivey once again
did not attend. Casey Rogers, Ivey’s external affairs director, attended as her proxy. Both Rogers and Davis gave individual statements to the board before a vote took place. Overall, the board voted against the governor’s request for Davis’s immediate resignation. The vote was won with three board members voting against, two voting for, and two abstaining from the vote. After this meeting is when Kay Ivey had the letter immediately terminating Davis delivered.
Kent Davis has since said that he will be taking legal action against Ivey and has expressed tremendous heartbreak over this loss. Specifically, when asked about the situation he said, “I’m no longer commissioner and my life has been turned upside down, so this is not going to go away,” Many veterans involved in state veteran affairs have expressed anger and betrayal over Ivey’s decision to remove Davis. Among those angered is Bryan Battaglia, a former member of the U.S. Marines, and a retired member of the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs. Battaglia is highly respected in his community as someone dedicated to serving his country, and he was recognized recently as Mobile Bay Area Veteran and Patriot of the Year. In an article published by 1819 News, Battaglia claims that Ivey has never “done a significant thing to substantively help veterans” and that Davis was “driven out of office” by politicians who have “long ignored our state’s military veterans.” He also promises in the last part of his article that he and “the other 400,000 Alabama veterans and their families, who collectively make up almost a quarter of our state’s population, will remember this when it comes to election time. Alabama veterans deserve nothing less!”
Throughout this whole ordeal Davis has repeatedly brought up the point that he finds it, “Interesting the only interest [he’s] seen in the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans is over all of this after the ethics filing.” He also has pointed out that during his time as commissioner the ADVA has opened up 70 new facilities across the state. This is in stark comparison to the year before Davis was Commissioner when the state actually closed 17 Veterans posts in the state. Davis claims that Ivey hasn’t visited a single one of the new facilities. The ongoing fight between Davis and Ivey demonstrates Alabama’s long history of sweeping veterans under the rug and really shines a light on how important the work the ADVA and smaller, local veteran departments do. It also calls into question how far does Governor Ivey’s power extend? This isn’t just a fight between Davis and Ivey, but Ivey and all of her constituents.
STATING MY CAUSE FOR
As the holiday season once again approach es, so does the ever infectious spirit of Santa Claus, bringing hope, joy, and magic to millions worldwide. Often seen purely as an old man in a red suit with a cheerful laugh and a sleigh filled to the brim with gifts, Santa is more than just a beloved character for children. Psychol ogists, educators, and parents alike have found that Santa Claus enacts a vital role in fostering imagination, encouraging generosity, and generating cherished family memories. Here are my reasons for being pro-Santa Claus this Christmas season.
Santa embodies a world filled with magic, possibility, and hope. His presence teaches chil dren to believe in things beyond what they can see, touch, and pragmatically explain. Accord ing to child development experts, promoting imagination is critical in early childhood as it aids in the development of creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills. The pure idea that Santa has the ability to visit every child in one night, squeeze through chimneys, and also keep a cognitive record of every child’s behavior (good or otherwise) inspires children to stretch their minds beyond the ordinary.
The spirit of Santa Claus is deeply rooted in giving and each year he inspires an innumerable amount of acts of kindness. From toy donations to food drives, many charity organizations and community events are modeled around the essence of giving that Santa manifests. Parents often make use of Santa’s character in order to encourage positive behavior in children, reminding them to treat others kindly and be generous. Santa’s focus on giving rather than receiving can instill a sense of generosity in chil dren. During the holidays families frequently will make donations or volunteer which further supports the idea of Santa encouraging com passion and empathy for all ages. Throughout the Christmas season, Santa Claus undoubtedly brings families together. Whether it’s baking
Where Should They Go?
Alabama’s pressing homelessness issue
Mack Rudder, Co-Editor
Should it be a crime to be homeless? With the direction Alabama legislation is going in, it will shortly be illegal to exist without a home. Homelessness has increasingly become a bigger and bigger problem in recent years in Alabama. In 2022 according to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development there were 582,462 people experiencing homelessness. That was a 6% increase compared to their data on homelessness from 2017. In Alabama alone they estimated in 2022 that for every 10,000 people in Alabama 7.4 of them were homeless. While this data placed us in the bottom of the states for homelessness problems, the real homelessness problem in Alabama is the lack of shelter and helpful resources.
In 2022, 42.1% of the homeless individuals in Alabama were unsheltered. While we were the 4th lowest in the U.S. on overall homelessness population, we were the 22nd highest rate of unsheltered homelessness population. Many solutions have been thought of and implemented for Alabama’s problem, but most of them seem to be focused on targeting people experiencing homelessness rather than helping them.
Huntsville currently has eleven
UNWRAPPING THE FLAWS OF
someone who isn’t even real ends up getting every ounce of credit for the work. Last but definitely not least: Your kid finally reaches the age where you have to tell them that Santa is not real. I personally know that finding out Santa isn’t real feels just about the same as getting punched in the gut. Growing up and centering a holiday around an imaginary man, putting out cookies, writing pretend lists to, staying up late just to see if he’s close to you on some foreign Santa tracker app - finding out that all of those things weren’t real really just… well, it stinks. It hurts because it causes your prepubescent self to start questioning all of the magical things in life (depending on your age, you might have already), but it also feels quite terrible due to the simple fact you have thought and believed in someone who you’re now finding out isn’t real. This fantasy that you and your friends believe has now been cracked, and it’s almost as if it has the worst possible outcome. In addition, the adult or superior that probably told this poor child “Hey kid, Santa actually isn’t real,” is definitely going to go home feeling like a jerk, and probably thinks that they have ruined their whole idea of Christmas. Which to be honest, they probably did.
Yes, Santa is cool and all, and he definitely makes the Christmas season so much more special for kids and their childhood; but with that being said, he does stir up a little bit of question and possibly even emotional fall out, especially in children. I mean, let’s just leave it on this note, can you honestly say you’ve never said as a kid, or even heard a kid say, “Mom, where was Jesus when Santa was born?”
Maggie Hope Hetrick, Staff Writer
homeless encampments, but due to concerns over local health many are being shut down. Tia Turner, co-founder of Love Huntsville, a nonprofit working to fight homelessness, maintains her position that these camps are an
limit the amount of possessions that a person can bring.” While obviously encampments aren’t everyone’s top solution, you have to take into consideration that closing these camps will not get rid of these “campers” instead
important step in solving the homelessness problem. She asserts that they’re important due to the unavailability or strict regulations of homeless shelters within Huntsville. She says, “Shelters may be full, offer only short stays, charge fees…be unable to accommodate people with disabilities…require sobriety; deny entry to people with criminal records; do not accommodate people unable to separate from their children, partners or pets; or may
they will simply just relocate to another spot. It’s important to remember that these are real people. When a shelter denies access to someone that’s struggling with an addiction, that person doesn’t stop existing or stop being addicted. Instead they go back onto the street and back into these encampments.
Most recently in Alabama’s fight against homelessness Kay Ivey has approved 2.6 million dollars in the form
of Emergency Solution Grants to go towards twelve local governments and nonprofit agencies within Alabama to specifically provide housing or other services to homeless people or people on the verge of homelessness. Ivey commented on these grants saying that, “Emergency Solutions Grants are in many cases that last bit of rope from which those who are facing tough situations can pull themselves up to safety and go on to rebuild their lives..I commend local governments and regional organizations for their participation in a program that truly helps people in a critical time in their lives.”
Victim Services of Cullman was among those to receive funding. They received a grant of 90,000 dollars to help provide emergency shelter to those that are victims of domestic violence. Victim Services of Cullman was founded in 1991 as a safe place for those seeking shelter from domestic violence and has expanded greatly since then. They now provide counseling, court advocates, and have many outreach programs along with transitional shelters and emergency shelters. They also have a twenty-four hour crisis hotline which can be reached at (256)-7346100.
“The Slab” a homeless encampment in Huntsville
EDITORIALS 18
The Purity Code
How purity culture stings through generations
Aubrey Shaddrix, Staff Writer
To be clean, is the ideal message pushed onto young girls in our society. Many women have been raised to base the idea of themselves on the ideology of purity and their relationship with men very early on. I can remember in elementary school sitting in the backseat of my mother’s car having my daily interrogation of how extremely exciting 3rd grade was, and hearing the faithful words: “Y’know a lot of little boys are mean to the girls they like.” That phrase, although I’m sure it was delivered without ill-intent, has stuck in my mind. Especially now, as I am a young woman subjected to men daily, this idea has taken a different shape. Why is abuse connected to affection? Why was my vulnerability an indicator of love? Understanding the relationship of women and men can be better explained when looking at the roots of one idea: purity culture. In the context of the Christian faith, purity culture is the idea of sexual purity and abstinence, often preached to young people through their childhood and teen years. Although this practice is not as relevant as it once was, it still has lasting effects on the women of today. The culture established the idea that sexual maturity is against God’s design and has been used to warn young people of sexual dangers. This practice shaped millions of Christian youth and targeted young girls especially well, pushing the belief that you will be defined as two things: pure and impure. I think this idea of purity being connected to sexuality is in my opinion a very confining thing for women. Purity culture has submitted countless women to a life of shame, anxiety, and self repression. I do not think abstinence is an evil idea as it should be a personal choice for a person, but to connect a woman’s value to her virginity and push this idea forcefully onto a person cultivates a negative relationship with their own self. Some women who have felt victimized to purity culture call themselves survivors, saying that for years they have been too scared to open up to others. Linda Kay Klein is a good exam ple of this as she delivered her own speech on the lasting effects that purity culture has left on her as a now adult woman. The largest issue with the culture
is the suffocating ideas it pushes onto women, leading to conflicting thoughts on identity. Why should a woman feel disconnected from God for her own maturity, as age is also a gift? The most upsetting aspect of this culture is it speaks louder to women. You may have heard the analogy that girls should save themselves for marriage as their future husbands “don’t want a cookie if it’s already been dropped on the floor.” Harmful comparisons like this have been used to explain purity culture ideals, and on what planet can we compare a woman’s worth to a dropped cookie?
Purity culture serves its own religious purpose. A woman’s decision to be abstinent can be an empowering thing as it is ultimately her right and her decision. However, when purity culture presses this idea that to be impure you lose goodness in God’s eye, it loses that empowering feeling. If anything, for purity to be used in a threatening way, it creates only shame for women. We need to address how this has impacted a woman’s sense of worth. Feeling dirty and isolated from God should not be something held over our heads.
When we envision the perfect pure woman, how old is she? I’ve found that many project this idea of innocence as an attractive feature when it seems that the idea of purity is tied to adolescence. Maybe we should consider the repercussions of purity culture on literal children. How are young girls supposed to feel when they spend their childhood fearing inev itable maturity, how many little girls are scared of their own bodies because of the idea they
will eventually grow to be impure? For women to be most valuable at their purest sets up a very infantilized projection of the ideal woman. The belief that purity is so important for a woman’s value enables women to fear their own maturity, cultivating the idea that youth is the most attractive quality in a woman and women should strive to remain in a youthful, almost naive, state. Does this idea of the perfect woman being vulnerable to men not also normalize abusive relationships? It spreads this false idea that a woman is best to stay vulnerable next to her partner as she is most valuable and clean in God’s eye to be small. This is dangerous for obvious reasons, a woman should not tolerate an abusive relationship because she finds it to be the safest route of being clean and respectable. Purity culture ties women to men when in reality your identity as a woman or your “purity status” should not be in the control of a man. Purity culture also pushes its own stereotypes onto men. The culture establishes this over-sexualization of men’s minds and that women are a tantalizing distraction to a man’s faith. It is unfair that women are perceived as temptresses and that men are described with weak minds who cannot control themselves, yet again pushing the normalization of abuse. If we allow these stereotypes for both men and women it only conditions us to believe they are true. To tie our identities to the standards of purity culture, we submit to the idea that
everyday life, from popular sayings like “boys will be boys” to child movie stars being given purity rings. It is important we stop letting the foundation of purity culture hang over our heads, your identity belongs to you, and you do not lose your worth from your own maturity.
I myself am not a religious person, at least not in the Christian faith, so the effects of purity’s standards do not weigh on me as heavily as it does for individuals within strict churches. However, I am a woman. Any religion, especially as large and valued as Christianity, seeps into society with both positive and negative outcomes. It is not my place to say the value of purity or define it in a religious context, but I think it is important that we have some power in how we interpret religious teachings. Maybe the idea of purity should be better defined in an individual’s moral code than a rule book of what you should and should not do. Maybe being Pure is not just abstinence but the overall belief of having and maintaining a kinder soul and thriving for your own personal betterment. The belief that purity is solely sexual takes value from a woman with age and in turn cultivates the fear of religion through self-repression. Maybe the best way to avoid this is by seeing purity through not a simple view. The Bible, like many works of literature, can be up to your own interpretation. Purity being skewed as a predominantly sexual word only reflects how our own society is centralized around sex. Purity can be a soft word and can lose the sharp edges that have evolved over generations. Value yourself and see that purity can also be translated through the enlightenment in your own soul and not simply defined by a male dominated cultural view. Purity is how you are as a person, not what you do with your body.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8)
