The Hilight: Senior Edition 2024

Senior Statistics

by Anna Beth Burleson

Total Class: 218

Class Colors: Black and Gold

Class Flower: Yellow Rose

Class Fast Song: “Good Old Days” by Macklemore featuring Kesha

Class Slow Song: “The Frog Song” by Tim Clemmons

Class Motto: “Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”- Nelson Mandela

Calendar: -May 12th: Mother’s Day -May 19th: Baccalaureate -May 24th: Graduation -May 27th: Memorial Day -June 8th: ACT -June 16th: Father’s Day -July 4th: Independence Day -August 5th: Open House -August 7th: School Starts

Seniors, Only 11 School Days Until Graduation!

America’s Infrastructure Problem

Bridge collapses, overpass failures, and unfilled promises

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer Infrastructure disasters have been striking across the U.S. more over the past few years- despite the government’s promise to address infrastructure problems. According to The Oxford Dictionary, infrastructure refers to the “basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society.” As of April, two major infrastructure incidents have occurred this year alone.

On March 26th, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by the MV-Dali, a massive 985-foot container ship carrying cargo, after an electrical failure aboard the craft. The bridge spanned over 1,200 feet and was around 8,636 feet tall. The collapse of this bridge has shone a light on the poor upkeep of bridges across the United States. According to the Washington Post, “Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said, in an interview, he believes the state met the association’s standards — but they would have been the ones in place back in the late 1960s when the bridge was being designed.” In the 60s, the standards for bridges did not include how strong bridges needed to be in order to withstand being hit by ships. Those specifications were not included in the association standards until

1994. Bridge inspectors rate bridges’ safety on a 0-9 scale. On this scale, a seven or above is considered “good” a four or below is considered “poor,” and anything rated in the middle is considered “fair.” According to MPR, “The nation’s poor bridges are on average 70 years old.”

While outdated bridges are a major problem, current up-to-date bridge regulations are also questionable. In a 2020 study, Preben Terndrup Pedersen, a bridge strike expert and professor at the Technical University of Denmark, found that the specifications that the U.S uses regarding the force of collisions with large container ships are 40% lower than the actual force that a real collision by a large container

Once a Bearcat, Always a Bearcat

ship would have. This study also found that U.S bridge standards require “far less resistance to ship strikes than the Eurocodes design standards used in the European Union.” A combination of things is leading to the failure of bridges across the U.S., such as poor design, poor design standards, and poor maintenance and upkeep. Bridges are not the only part of America’s infrastructure failing, though. Overpass failures have been a major problem for much of the U.S.’s history. A large portion of overpass collapses have been due to fire. Despite this, engineers do not consider fire during the design process of overpasses. Fire is damaging to overpasses due to the exposed steel beams many are designed with. These beams are crucial in supporting the weight of the overpass, but they are also extremely susceptible to heat. This is exemplified in the I-95 Overpass collapse that occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in June of 2023.

In April of 2024, Highway 1 in Big Sur, California collapsed due to bad storms in that area. This stretch of highway is not new to problems either. Due to its location on a cliffside, this section is frequently needing repairs. This highway points out a deeper issue in our infrastructure that goes past up-

A brief history of Cullman High School and what it means to

Wilson Wood, Staff Writer

From the seniors reminiscing on their experiences over the past four years to the freshmen just completing their first, Cullman High School has served its students of the City of Cullman exceptionally well. The history of Cullman High School dates back to 1908 when it was established under the name “Cullman County High School.” In 1909, the school was moved from a building in town to a new building located where the current middle school stands. In 1949, the Cullman City School System was formed and the “word ‘county’ was dropped from the name.” Construction of the high school at the current location began in 1960 with the class of 1962 becoming the first to graduate from the new campus. In 2014, a massive construction and renovation project began on campus that sought to provide students with state-of-the-art education and athletic facilities. Such a project created the Cullman High School as we know it today.

The mission statement of Cullman High School is as follows: “Inspiring Students for Lifelong Success through Character, Citizenship, and Scholarship.” Such a statement, proudly

displayed in the high school’s lobby, speaks true to the intentions of the administration, teachers, and staff at Cullman High School. We have some of the best and most qualified teachers in the state ready every day to inspire and guide students through the pursuit of heightened education. The abundance of academic, athletic, and leadership opportunities offered allows students the means to enrich their lives and explore their natural talents and interests while enrolled at Cullman. Furthermore, the modern facilities and constant addition of technologies evidently found throughout campus allow for a top-tier educational environment. Throughout such a campus environment, our mascot, the Cullman Bearcat can be found almost anywhere. Students are referred to as Bearcats, and you can be sure that every schoolwide announcement will be concluded with “Go Bearcats.” As the class of 2024 prepares to move on to the next stage of life, it is important to remember the values of being a Bearcat. Such values, having been instilled through our experiences at Cullman High School, include the constant pursuit of bettering ourselves. We can always

keep and even past the building of the infrastructure: design issues. Due to the placement of this highway it is constantly needing repairs and is frequently unusable. America needs to be more conscious of where we place important infrastructure such as highways.

The U.S has a dire infrastrucutre problem despite promises from the

Highway 1 in California after

government to solve it. In order to solve this problem the U.S. needs to be more concisous in designing and engineering infrastructure, improve our upkeep of current infraHighway 1 istrucutre, and reform regaations and standards to safe levels that mirror international ones.

be a Bearcat

improve ourselves in one way or another, whether that be through education, athleticism, lifestyle choices, or even our attitudes. The constant pursuit of bettering ourselves allows for active introspection and an overall healthier relationship with our responsibilities and daily actions. Additionally, arguably one of the most important values of being a Bearcat is treating others with respect and compassion. Such basic qualities are the bedrock of healthy and flourishing relationships. Furthermore, they can define and enhance a students’ pursuit of “Character, Citizenship, and Scholarship” as well as contribute to the development of further interpersonal skills.

Students at Cullman High School have had the profound opportunity to attend such a modern and opportunity-laden institution. When the campus was located at the current day middle school location, some students “lived in army tents set up around the campus by the principal” in order to be able to attend school. Such an insight into the past shows how fortunate current students are to have the plethora of educational and extracurricular opportunities that they do. As Cullman

students, especially seniors, prepare to pursue greater things, the title of “Bearcat” will always be part of their history. As they progress through their lives, students represent Cullman High School and the administration, teachers, and staff that make it what it is. It is important to remember the values of what makes a Bearcat a Bearcat and to instill those values in everyday actions and decisions. If a student takes an interest in their education and takes advantage of the many opportunities offered at Cullman High School, they will undoubtedly see how students are inspired for “Lifelong Success.”

(More information on the history of Cullman High School and where the information for this article was obtained can be found on the Cullman High School website under the “School History” tab. The information there and with which was quoted in this article was written by Mr. Aaron Sparks, Assistant Principal of Cullman High School).

The Francis Scott Key Bridge after collapsing

collapsing

A Fruitful History A dive into the Strawberry Festival

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer

Cullman, Alabama’s Strawberry Festival, now known as The Alabama Strawberry Festival, was first celebrated in 1939 to commemorate Cullman’s prolific strawberry harvest. Strawberries have always had an extensive history in Cullman that dates back to the founding of Cullman. The first farmers in Cullman discovered that strawberries thrived in Cullman’s climate, and soon after that, strawberries became the key crop for Cullman farmers: a big shift from other more common cash crops such as cotton or tobacco.

In 2023, Cullman’s Strawberry Festival was officially recognized and named the Alabama Strawberry Festival by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. This acknowledgment enforced The Strawberry Festival’s role as a statewide event rather than a local one. This year, the Strawberry Festival extended to take place over two days: Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th. The festival took place in downtown Cullman and spanned across the Warehouse District, the Farmer’s Market, the Public Library, City Hall, and the newly renovated Depot Park. This year’s festival was organized efficiently and effectively with all the vendors

sorted into different spaces such as the “crafting corner” that featured vendors selling products and “the courtyard” that featured food vendors. The festival also had a separate carnival area that had plenty of entertainment for kids to enjoy.

Before the festival this year, two events took place: an Inaugural Strawberry Festival Golf Tournament and an Alabama Strawberry Festival Pageant. At this pageant, Cullman High School’s very own Sidalee Drake was crowned 2024 Miss Alabama Strawberry Festival.

This year’s festival focused on featuring bigger, eye-catching performers. Both the main stage and the fresh

Semester at Sea Global journey of learning and adventure

Claire Dossey, Staff Writter

Upcoming college freshmen: If you have ever thought about studying abroad or taking a gap year, there are many fun and educational options you could pursue in college. One of these options includes the program Semester

cently graduated college students and you can also choose to work on their ships. Semester at Sea is a great place to grow into adulthood and create lifelong friendships. While this is quite a costly experience, there are many

picks stage had constant performances happening on them. Performing on the main stage throughout the day on Friday was Clayton, Colin Stough, JD Clayton, Matt Stell, and Niko Moon. Then, on Saturday, performing on the

main stage was Jesse Roper, Cousin Curtiss, Kasey Tyndall, Eric Hutchinson, Easton Corbin, and Eli Young Band. On the fresh picks stage on Friday the Cullman ballet, Overtones, Cotton Pickin’ Kids, and the Lamont Landers performed. On Saturday, on the fresh picks stage, the CMS Jazz

band, the Community Band, the Community Choir, The Pink Stones, Nat Myers, and Banditos performed. Also on the Fresh Picks Stage on Saturday was a pie eating contest, a berry drink chuggin’ contest, a strawberry eating contest, and a “doggy pawgeant.”

The Strawberry Festival has grown significantly from its humble beginnings and exemplifies how Cullman is breaking out of its small town shell and beginning to assert its position as a “big city.” While the expansion of Cullman is bound to be continuous and is exciting for many, it is important to remember our beginnings still and stay true to them. The Strawberry Festival gave many local artists and vendors the opportunity to showcase their products and their talents, and it is extremely important that this opportunity stays available to local businesses and performers when considering the future of the festival.

Rock the South Returns

The biggest party in the south returns

Drew Williamson, Co-Editor

It’s impossible to live in Cullman and simply not know what Rock the South is: for a good few weeks, it’s near impossible to escape it. Traffic explodes with concertgoers from all over the country flooding into town to see some good old-fashioned country music. Those who choose not to go that live within a ten-mile radius of the festival will still inevitably hear the bass and drums from far away. Rock the South has slowly but surely become a staple of Cullman summers. However, it wasn’t always as big as it is now. It was originally organized as a “one-year celebration of recovery” from the tornado that devastated our community on April 27, 2011. In the 12 years since, it’s grown into a massive event, attracting more and more people

by the year. There were over 100,000 people in attendance at last year’s event, and it’s looking like it’s only going to keep growing. The huge number of festival attendees also has a large positive impact on Cullman’s economy, with a substantial increase in people spending money at restaurants, hotels, local businesses, and other locations in Cullman. Despite its growing size all these years later, Rock the South hasn’t forgotten its original purpose as a recovery event and still gives to charities in Cullman, having donated around a million dollars since its beginning.

This year’s festival is set to take place July 18-20, 2024, with a lineup consisting of Eric Church, Hardy, Jelly Roll, and more.

2024 Miss Alabama Strawberry Festival Sidalee Drake

An Interview with Cullman Parks and Recreation

Talking to Mrs. Turner about summer fun in Cullman

Wilson Wood, Staff Writer

As the 2023-2024 school year draws to a close, planning for the long-awaited summer months becomes a necessity. Trips to the beach and lake quickly come to mind as individuals ponder how they will spend their time off. However, you do not have to look as far as the beach to find ways to spend your summer days. In an interview with Mrs. Turner, the Recreational Development Director at Cullman City Parks and Recreation, a plethora of opportunities were discussed for students seeking ways to enjoy their summer without having to leave Cullman. Additionally, employment opportunities were discussed as well as a special message to the Senior class of 2024 from Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism.

From traversing across hiking trails to playing pickleball, Cullman offers various activities catering to a wide range of interests. For those seeking a way to escape the summer heat, Mrs. Turner credits the new waterpark, WildWater, with providing “a fun escape with its wave pool and water slides.” If hiking is more your style, trails such as Hurricane Creek Park and Duck River offer “beautiful views and nature connection.” For those interested in golf, Cross Creek and Terri Pines offer “a challenging and relaxing experience.” Of course, the various parks throughout Cullman offer prime

picnic locations, walking trails, and other activities. Specifically, parks such as Connected Playground and Nesmith Park even “offer basketball and pickleball” as a means of entertainment and playful competition. Additionally, the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center offers “fitness classes, indoor pool, gymnasium for basketball and an indoor walking/running track” for those looking to “stay fit and active during the summer.” Furthermore, Mrs. Turner is excited to note how “the department is expanding its summer camp offerings” to cater to more diverse interests and age groups. Camps from “STEAM camps to sports and theater” allow for “enriching experiences that combine education, creativity, and physical activity.” Overall, Cullman Parks and Recreation is dedicated to making “this summer an unforgettable season of fun and learning” for the community. Taking advantage of the various activities and facilities offered here in Cullman is a sure way to make the most of your summer.

In addition to the abundance of activities offered by Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism, Mrs. Turner notes the various employment opportunities “for high school students at facilities like WildWater, Heritage Park, and various summer camps.” WildWater offers a “fun and dynamic work environment” through positions

such as lifeguarding, guest services, and concession stand workers. Heritage Park is seeking event support staff, facility maintenance, and park services assistants. For those interested in working with children, various camps such as Camp Cullman or theatre and STEM camps are looking for individuals to serve as camp counselors or support staff. Overall, more than 200 positions are offered by Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism that aim to “foster a sense of community service and teamwork among the youth.” Students interested in such opportunities or activities can find more information on their website at www.cullmanrecreation.org. For more specific information, you can email info@cullmanrecreation.org or call 256-734-9157 to connect with a staff member. Mrs. Turner and Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism encourages students to “reach out and express their interests” or convey any questions they may have.

As the senior class of 2024 nears graduation, many students reminisce on years spent playing in Parks and Recreation sports leagues, or visiting the many parks and facilities offered by Cullman Parks and Recreation. Having played such an integral role in many students’ childhoods, Mrs. Turner was asked if Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism had any message to

the graduating class of 2024. Here is their response:

“As the Class of 2024 steps toward graduation, Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism congratulates you and fondly recalls the wonderful times we’ve shared. From the ball fields to our parks, camps, and lessons, these experiences have taught you teamwork, perseverance, and community spirit. We hold dear the laughter and fellowship that blossomed among friends and family in our shared spaces. As you explore new opportunities, remember the valuable skills and experiences gained through local parks and recreation. These include teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and problem-solving abilities. Let them empower and guide you in facing future challenges and achieving successes in whatever path you choose to pursue. We are honored to have been a part of your formative years and are excited for your future. You will always have a welcoming place with us, and we encourage you to carry the spirit of community into your next chapter, investing in the new communities you join. We can’t wait for you to return to create new memories at Cullman Parks, Recreation, & Sports Tourism!”

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CAMPUS NEWS 7

The Historic Performance

Interview with Concert Band Director Mr. Doug Teuscher

Sophia Lambert, Staff Writer

I interviewed Concert Band Director Mr. Teuscher about his experience conducting the first MPA performnce where the concert band scored all ones.

Q. How long have you been conducting the concert band?

A. I started conducting the concert band in the Spring of 2016. This is finishing my ninth year with the group.

Q. What were the names of the songs that you played for MPA?

A. Master of the Sword by David Gorham, At Sunset by Kurtis Bertauche, and Sea Song Trilogy by Anne McGinty.

Q. What made you choose these songs?

A. I chose Master of the Sword because it was different from a traditional march style piece. It is in a minor key, and has a slower tempo than most marches. I thought that this would be more enjoyable to perform from the students’ perspective. At Sunset is a great song that allowed us to show off the group’s ability to play expressively. The notes and rhythms were not challenging, but it allowed us to work on making powerful musical moments and building a mature sound. Sea Song Trilogy has a catchy melody that I enjoyed and the song had everything that I was looking for in a closer. It has two key signatures and follows a fast - slow - fast layout. I thought that these three songs would give us plenty of material to work on, while not being too easy or too hard at the same time.

What’s New? New things coming to CHS

Anna Beth Burleson, Staff Writer

There are a good deal of new and exciting additions coming to Cullman High School for the 2024-2025 school year. More options for students will provide a wider variety of opportunities for both upcoming and current students. It will also widen students’ horizons on what they might like to do after they graduate high school.

Next year, AP World History will be available for 9th grade students, marking the first time that an AP class will be accessible to freshmen. AP Environmental Science is another new AP science class option being offered. This will be available to juniors and seniors. AP Seminar is an AP 10th grade English opportunity that focuses on research skills. It engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics. Network Fundamentals is a non-AP advanced cybersecurity course. In this class, you will learn how computer networks function and get certified in employment-ready skills. Also, beginning next school year, students who were once restricted to dual enrollment classes offered here at CHS now have another pathway. Students will now be able to take dual enrollment courses independent of AP classes.

Since new classes are en-route, a new building will also be in progress in order to house the new classes. During the next school year, construction should be underway on a new Career Technical Education building. The new building will be located behind Mr. Benefield/ Mr. Gay’s building. It will house all CTE courses such as Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Educators in Training, Engineering, Food, Wellness & Dietetics, Health Science, General Agriculture, and Marketing once it is completed. All of these changes around campus will grow students’ minds and expand their knowledge on job opportunities for the future. The new classes and new building will be valuable to students who choose to utilize these resources.

Q. What do you think was different about this performance compared to past performances that led to getting all 1’s?

A. It was a long process to get to this point. The “elements” of a quality band - Tone, Tuning, Articulation, Technique, Balance, Musicianship.Have all slowly improved over the past nine years and the bar has been raised bit by bit. This year’s students improved in all of those areas and executed the performance very well at MPA. I have also learned a lot in the past nine years on how to efficiently fix problems and build strength in those areas. We all improved together!

Q. Does this result change your expectations of the concert band?

A. I hope to start a new standard of excellence with the concert band. This group proved that it is very possible to achieve the highest ratings at MPA. Next year’s concert band is going to work towards that goal!

Q. Is there anything else you would like to add about this performance at MPA?

A. I am very proud of the students. I enjoyed it!

Here’s a feeling I’m sure many of you can relate to walking into a gas station, expecting to find junk food trash. But instead of more processed garbage, you find a diamond in the rough- a counter covered in aromatic foods, perfect snacks to heal a broken heart and to steel both your body and mind for the rest of your day. This feeling, as joyful as it is, is one that I seldom experience. It isn’t often that you walk into a gas station and come out with a meal that would make even an English noble jump for joy. More often than not, walking into a gas station and buying anything in it leaves you with nothing more than a fat belly, thin wallet, and a feeling of regret. The worst part of all is that the fine art of preparing homecooked food to sell at a gas station is dying, relegated now only to the solitary artisan, true culinary experts that work under the cover of night and in the burning light of day to perfect their craft with an unwavering determination matched only by Olympic champions and the few great hunters of Bigfoot, a beast whose mythic legacy is just as monumental and whose appearance is now just as rare as the very gas stations such fabled artisans call their

Continued on page 8

home. Searching for good gas station food has become greatly difficult- no longer can a simple novice wander into a gas station and strike gold. I want to eliminate this struggle from my life. The solution to this problem is clear: a team must be assembled to search for the hidden troves of homecooked delicacies.

Just as the great explorer Indiana Jones searched for the storied Ark of the Covenant, as Ponce de Leon searched for the fountain of youth, we too must dive headfirst into the shady territories of county gas stations to find these prized meals and share them with the school. This article will serve as a map, a beacon guiding any poor souls to the redemption of their appetites just as Hermes guides the dead on toward the afterlife.

Concert Band Director Doug Teuscher

CHS Concert Band hard at work practicing for MPA

CHS Concert Band at MPA

Jonah Jarrett, Staff Writer

EDITORIALS 8

Gas Station Delicacies (continued)

A Post-Modern American Lord of the Rings

Jonah Jarrett, John Mark Johnson, & Drew Williamson

The first stop on our odyssey was the Exxon right in the middle of Hanceville, with Home Plate Deli being located inside. They had many options of food to peruse from, and it was hard for us to decide what to choose. Ultimately, we sampled their bacon cheeseburger, chocolate chip cookie, and their signature “Bamalicious Nanner Pudding.” If you’re near the Hanceville area or passing through and find yourself hungry, this is an exceptional stop with not only great food, but great prices to match.

The views expressed in this article do not represent those of Cullman High School or of Cullman City Schools.

No-bake cookie (JM) - The no-bake cookie, though not much different than any other no-bake cookie, was still a delightful dessert. I’d give it an 8/10.

Bacon cheeseburger (JM) - When I first spotted the bacon cheeseburger in the store, it was swaddled in shrink wrap which I found very intriguing. Upon unwrapping, I was truly blown away by how good it was! Despite how out of the way it may seem to an average Cullmanite, I highly recommend this destination.

Chocolate chip cookie (Jonah) - When I saw the cookies, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The cookie was huge, at least 6 inches in diameter. The chocolate chunks were large, and upon unwrapping the cookie, the chunks were warm. The cookie tasted like the sweet ambrosia of the mythical Greek gods and had a texture as smooth as the marble such Greek monuments are founded upon. Delicious cookie overall.

Bamalicious Nanner Pudding (Drew) - With a name such as this, I was immediately made aware that this wasn’t just any average banana pudding. Upon tasting it, my suspicions were confirmed. The perfect ratio of banana to wafer to pudding as well as the freshness of the bananas combined to cement this as the second-best banana pudding I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting, only behind my own grandma’s cooking (which may be impossible to top).

Continuing on our pilgrimage, we were next led to the Pure station across from Applebee’s. This stop had a far more expansive menu than the Exxon, so we had to expand our samples as well. We chose to sample their beef tornado, green beans, potato wedges, no bake-cookie, and spicy chicken sandwich.

Beef tornado (Drew) - Upon reading “beef tornado” on the menu, I was intrigued and had to order it to find out what it entailed. While I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, I was quite pleased with the outcome. Turns out, a “beef tornado” is just a way cooler name for a taquito. It did taste pretty run-of-the-mill by taquito standards, but I still enjoyed it.

Green beans (Drew) - While it’s already hard to come by home-cooked gas station food, home-cooked veggies at a gas station are even rarer. Naturally, I had to take this opportunity to try the green beans. While I personally think they could have been more seasoned, they still had all the satisfying qualities of green beans. Every green bean head will find something for them here. They came with cornbread, too! These were truly a value package.

Potato wedges (JM) - Although basic when eaten on their own, the potato wedges were elevated by a simple dip in honey mustard. The potato wedges provided a great snack option and were very filling.

Spicy chicken sandwich (Jonah) - This paltry sandwich was rather pedestrian. It tasted very similar to the chicken sandwiches served in the lunchroom. With some sauce applied, it still tasted alright. For its cheap price point, the quality makes sense, but I would only recommend getting it if you’re pressed for options.

Next, we traveled to the far-flung land of Berlin, traversing the grand Highway 278 east towards Holly Pond before stopping at the formidable 278 Rock Grocery. Walking inside, we were greeted by a full counter of various foods to buy along with a larger selection of corporate goods than your average gas station. We decided to sample the chicken wings and the mac & cheese, two staple soul foods often imbued with a healing energy.

Chicken wings (JM) - As soon as I eyed the chicken wings in the case, my interest was piqued immediately. Despite being room temperature and having no real discernable flavor of sauce, the wings were not half bad. I am curious though why I was offered dipping sauce with them.

Mac and cheese (Drew) - While not the greatest mac and cheese by any means, I was still quite satisfied with this and enjoyed it thoroughly.

We finished our pilgrimage by traveling east on 157 towards Eva Bank, stopping at a Texaco with a curious “Chicago Style Deli.” Despite these themes, we went with the chicken tenders and the chicken torta. The store was mostly empty, so these were some of our only options. Surely this location would be just as grand as the one that came before it.

Chicken Tenders (JM) - These tenders were not the best. Upon first bite I was met with a rock solid texture, little to no flavor, and hearty amounts of disappointment. A dousing of honey mustard could only salvage these tenders a meager amount.

Chicken torta (Drew) - This sandwich is a perfect example of the hazards of overindulgence. The metric ton of shredded chicken and unidentifiable sauce and other condiments all combine to make a really unremarkable sandwich, but I do respect this sandwich much more than the plain chicken sandwiches found at other gas stations.

Marketing Magic

Why are some movie characters so marketable?

John Mark Johnson, Staff Writer

Movies and TV shows are a cornerstone of society and culture in our modern era, being easily accessible at the touch of a button through various streaming services. The bread and butter of any movie or show is its rich story often told through a wide variety of characters with their own unique traits, elements, and backstories. While the wide variety of characters are all meant to be enjoyed in their own right, there are many instances where a singular character or characters transcends their on screen presence and into the hearts, minds, and wallets of many. But what causes this? Why do some characters from a movie or tv show become the ones with all of the t-shirts, toys, and stuffed animals made of their likeness? To answer this question, there are multiple different aspects that all revolve around the same central idea: an appeal to general audiences.

The most common catalyst for the marketability of a certain character is a cute appearance or child-like demeanor. This is especially true in cinema as of late, with characters such as Grogu (or Baby Yoda as colloquially known)

from The Mandalorian, Baby Groot of Guardians of the Galaxy fame, and most notably the Minions. Similarly, most every Disney movie or adjacent will feature an animal sidekick that fol-

lows along with the film’s protagonists. All characters mentioned have garnered vast levels of popularity, even beyond fans of their respective franchises, all for one reason- they are cute. In addition, characters such as these are oftentimes children or have very childlike personalities, allowing for funny and adorable scenarios surely to rise an,”awww,” out of audiences. Humans have an affinity for cute things such as animals or babies due to special kinds of brain activity. An Oxford university study showed that encountering cute things ignites fast brain activity

in regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which are linked to emotion and pleasure. This deeper attraction to things that we find cute creates a rainbow that a studio’s marketing team finds a pot of gold at the end of.

In the same vein, many characters provide a treasure trove for marketing departments due to attributes that people find interesting, such as a cool design or special attribute. An example of this phenomenon that I find most noteworthy is Boba Fett in Star Wars. Despite his popularity, Fett has a whopping total of six-and-a-half minutes across the original trilogy of films, not even being mentioned by name at any point during The Empire Strikes

Public Figure’s Privacy Versus The Internet Has

social media become too invasive?

Kate Middleton’s recent announcement of her cancer diagnosis after rumors began circulating on social media about her “disappearance” poses the question: has social media become too invasive?

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, is just one of many public figures who has recently been forced to share personal information in order to defend themselves against defamatory rumors. People started speculating on Middleton’s whereabouts in January after the 17th when Kensington Palace released a vague announcement that Middleton had entered the hospital for abdominal surgery. This came a month after her last public appearance on Christmas day. On January 29th, the palace released another vague statement that the princess was home and in recovery. This led people to hypothesize about “what was really happening,” and the internet began to spiral into a deep, deep hole of nonsensical rumors surrounding the royal family.

In the palace’s January 17th announcement, the palace said that Middleton “Hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.” The internet interpreted this announcement as having an underlying message: clearly, Kate Middleton wanted the internet to be involved in her extremely personal medical life. After this announcement, updates from the palace came sparingly, adding more fire

to the rumors.

This all came to a head on the UK’s Mother’s Day on March 10th when the palace released a photo of her and her children. While this might seem innocent, the photo was quickly taken off many sites for being “manipulated” or photoshopped in some way. After news spread about this photo, the official X account for the Prince and Princess of Wales posted an apology explaining the altering of the photo. The apology stated that Middleton “like many amateur photographers… occasionally experiment[s] with editing.”

This apology did not suffice to subdue the wild rumors circulating, though.

faded away until recently when Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, fanned the flames of this dimly lit candle of a rumor. After his segment discussing this rumor, people began hypothesizing that Middleton’s disappearance was due to marriage problems over this “affair.”

On March 22nd, 2024, Kate Middleton released a heartbreaking video statement that she had been diagnosed with cancer. In the video, Middleton once again pleaded for privacy saying, “We hope that you’ll understand that as a family, we now need some time, space, and privacy while I complete my treatment.”

While most hypotheses over Middleton’s disappearance were dismissed by most for being wildly improbable, one rumor, in particular, wormed its way into the heads of everyone who keeps up with the royals: Prince William was having an affair. While this piece of gossip has a long history in internet drama revolving around the royal family, it had mostly

While Kate Middleton and many other public figures are used to living in the public eye, some boundaries should be respected regarding their privacy. The privacy of public influencers is certainly not a new issue, though. Celebrities have dealt with crazed fans for decades, and many have struggled to find respect for their personal lives in the media. Michael

in popular culture due to his sharp design and enigmatic persona. The lack of information the audience is given about Fett paired with his role in besting the film’s main characters may also aid in his popularity. In a similar vein, from his appearance in The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul’s devil-like appearance and double-bladed lightsaber helped to propel him to the forefront of the film’s marketing, being pictured on the box of every action figure. With his total screen time in the film clocking in at just under 15 minutes, Maul’s physical attributes helped him to achieve the same seismic impact of characters such as Darth Vader.

In both instances that I have mentioned, the appeal of a certain character to the minds of audiences has skyrocketed their status as a product.

Jackson once said in an interview that he felt that “fame was a prison.” While this issue might have a longstanding history in the celebrity world, social media has exacerbated the issue to a new extreme. Anonymity has all but disappeared in our technological world, especially for those constantly in the public’s eye. In the new heartbreaking docuseries Quiet On Set, Drake Bell shares his somber account of being assaulted as a minor by someone he met on a Nickelodeon show set. This was the first time Bell had spoken out about the assault, and it shocked many that he was able to stay anonymous through the court case against his assaulter in 2004. Bell credited his ability to remain anonymous during the court case in his interview on Quiet On Set to the lack of paparazzi during the time the case happened.

This anonymity Bell experienced would never be possible in today’s world. Cases like Bell’s are widely publicized and scrutinized under the public eye. In 2022, Depp V. Heard (a defamation case involving celebrities that also had an assault at the root of it) took the media by storm and was the “hot topic” of that summer. The trial was filmed and spread across a plethora of social media platforms. This sharp contrast between the treatment of the two cases shows how the privacy of celebrities and public figures has faded over the years despite many celebrities’ pleas for more, not less, privacy.

Back, the film where he first appears. Even with his limited appearance,

Boba Fett still became an iconic figure

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer

Kate Middleton On March 22nd, 2024 annoucing her cancer diagnose and making another plea for respect and privacy during her battle.

EDITORIALS 10

Exploring ‘Quiet on Set’

Uncovering the dark side of kids TV on Nickelodeon

Claire Dossey, Staff Writter

On March 17th, 2024, a docuseries titled QuietOnSet:TheDarkSideof KidsTVaired, and forever changed the face of Nickelodeon and children’s TV. Dan Schnieder was a writer for Nickelodeon during the late 90s and early 00s. He was described as Nickelodeon’s ‘golden boy.’ He created multiple unforgettable TV shows like Zoey 101,Victorious,AllThat,TheAmanda Show,iCarly , and much more that brings Millennials and Gen Z back to the good old days. However, this docuseries that was recently released shows Dan and others’ true colors.

The first time Dan’s behavior was questioned was in 2018, soon after he had stopped working with Nickelodeon, because of his alleged on-set anger issues. The public also brought his weird tendencies to post children’s feet online and in his TV shows to attention. In 2022, former child actors for Nickelodeon, Jennette McCurdy and Alexa Nikolas called out Dan for his “sexualized” scenes being performed by children, mostly under the age of 16. Crew members also allegedly experienced gender discrimination. Another odd thing that Dan would often do was frequently ask for massages from his female coworkers and the female child actors. One of the actors most affected by Dan was Amanda Bynes. She first started acting on the show All That , but Dan loved her so much that he later gave her her own show titled TheAmandaShowwhich was much like a kid’s version of SaturdayNight Live , and started when Amanda was just 10 years old. Dan and Amanda became very close and clips from The AmandaShowshow him being very weird and creepy, especially in behindthe-scenes clips. They were often seen cuddling or hugging on set, and there was even a scene of him and her in a hot tub with him while he was fully clothed and she was just in a bathing suit. It may not sound too bad at first, you think the fact he this scene he was 20 older than and she under age, it sounds a little creepy. That’s not even the worst part, as he also created a char acter

for 13-year-old Amanda with a disturbing last name, mentioned in the docuseries. This character was a superfan of Amanda and was also played by Amanda. The superfan named Penelope created a website that viewers could visit called “Amanda Please” which made a lot of fans uncomfortable because it sounded a lot like “a man to please” and the public speculated that Dan did this on purpose. There were allegations made that Dan sexually abused Amanda while she was 13, but that is yet to be confirmed as Amanda herself has not publicly spoken about her time with Nickelodeon yet.

Dan, however, was not the only writer/producer to treat these children in disturbing ways. Brian Peck, one of the creators of the popular show Drake and Josh, also had a large part in this docuseries. In 2003, it was released that Brian had sexually assaulted an unnamed minor and was arrested. In the docuseries, Drake Bell came forward and finally revealed that he had been the victim of Peck’s terrible behavior when he was 15 years old and acting on DrakeandJosh . Until recently no one had known who the child was, they had known about the assault, but most people assumed it wasn’t someone on their shows, especially not someone so recognizable. At the beginning of Drake’s career, his father, Joe Bell, was his manager and always kept a close watch on Drake because he knew how damaging the show business could be, and how terrible some of the people were. His father stated multiple times that he felt uncomfortable about Peck and did not like how much time he was spending with his son. He did not ever directly see anything inappropriate but he said he “didn’t have a good

cause of this, Joe took a step back from his son’s career and was eventually pushed out of his son’s life completely. Drake’s mother became his main caretaker, and she lived in Orange County at the time. Since the show was being filmed in LA, Drake would stay at Brian’s house most of the time because “it was more convenient.”

Another thing people found extremely terrifying when it comes to Brian Peck was his friendship with John Wayne Gacy, a known serial killer. Brian had a painting of a birthday clown with balloons and on the back, it stated “Brian, I hope you enjoy the painting. Best wishes. Your friend, John Wayne Gacy.” Brian admitted to Kyle Sullivan who was another producer that he had become penpals with him while Gacy was in prison. Sullivan stated, “Your instinct is to give someone the benefit of the doubt if you’ve known them for that long, even in the face of this really bad sign.” After Brian was arrested and served his time in prison, he even went on to work with Disney Channel on the show Suite Life of Zack and Cody, even though he was a registered sex offender, which made many fans uncomfortable.

While there have been no statements made by Brian Peck, Dan Schneider did an interview after the documentary was released defending his case. In this interview, he stated “Watching over the past two nights was very difficult — me facing my past behaviors, some of which are embarrassing and that I regret. I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology.” He also talked about

While some may take this as an apology to all of those he hurt, others saw it as a scheme he calculated to dig himself out of the hole he was in. Many fans have also suspected that he chose to speak out because the only person who could get him in true trouble was Amanda. Her mental state has been very bad since leaving Nickelodeon, so he knows she will never speak publicly about the abuse she underwent.

Amanda and Drake were the main actors that the public and the docuseries focused on because they were their producer’s “favorites,” but other actors like Victoria Justice, one of the only ones who worked for Dan who was over the age of 18, also encountered abuse for being the “least favorite.” So many others have also spoken up about their time at Nickelodeon and the abuse and mistreatment they put up with on the sets, as well as producers, writers, and others, and it’s time their stories come to fruition and they get their justice.

Anxious About Nothing?

How anxiety has been altered by social media

Elley Atchison, Co-Editor

Over the years, anxiety has become a very prevalent diagnosis that many people, especially teens, have given themselves. In past years, even declaring that one might have anxiety was stigmatized and possibly even frowned upon. Paradoxically, today, numerous teenagers I know claim to struggle with anxiety in some capacity. While I do find it fortunate that the stigmatism around anxiety has shifted, I have also noticed a transformation in how people identify their moods. Because so many people claim to have anxiety, I can’t help but wonder if the destigmatization of anxiety has caused the very thing to become exaggerated, which leads me to the question: are we too obsessed with anxiety?

To begin, it is significant to explore exactly how much anxiety is affecting teenagers. A study conducted by the CDC found that “40% of teen girls (2 in 5)” and “26%” of teen males reported feeling symptoms of anxiety. Another study indicated that these results proved a 20% increase in anxiety in the past ten years. It is evident that anxiety has become more common recently. Certainly, a significant factor contributing to the increase in diagnoses of anxiety may be attributed to society’s growing dialogue about the condition.

As people become more familiar with the symptoms and nuances of anxiety through increased awareness, they are better equipped to recognize it within themselves. However, it’s important to note that not all instances of the rise in anxiety diagnoses can be solely attributed to heightened awareness and understanding.

that the average time they spend on their phones is “8 hours and 39 minutes” a day. Because teens are on their phones very frequently and are continually viewing ads or conversations about anxiety, they could be more likely to diagnose themselves with it because of the steady stream of material. Because teens are perpetually viewing stories

Adding on, something that could be attributed to the increase in anxiety diagnoses could be the media’s frequent coverage of anxiety. Because anxiety has become more prevalent in recent years, it has been broadcast on social media more. Social media has not only become a medium for anxiety to mature but also a place where anxiety is constantly discussed. According to AACAP.org, “90% of teens” have social media, and another source indicated

about anxious feelings, it leads them to possibly label feelings they are having as anxiety when it could very well be something else entirely.

Furthermore, adolescents struggling with constant exposure to anxiety on social media could benefit from limited screen time and more human interaction. As the United States is combating an anxiety crisis, it is also experiencing a lack of genuine human connection. Innate social habits have

Liminal Spaces and Uncanney Valley Theory

What is up with these phenomenons?

Blyss Murphree, Staff Writer

Have you ever heard of The Backrooms? If not, Google it and then come back to read this article. The Backrooms is one significant example of a liminal space. A liminal space is a room, destination, or time that feels familiar. Liminal spaces are eerie because they confuse viewers into thinking they may have been there before. Some individuals find liminal spaces comforting, but most feel threatened or scared. This happens because liminal space photos are usually taken of an area out of context. For example, a playground after hours. A playground is usually full of energy from children playing; however, a playground taken out of context and the energy extracted from it seems scary. In reality, a playground at night is not threatening whatsoever. Another example is an empty shopping mall, usually full of energy from mall shoppers. When this energy is extracted, it becomes a quiet space. As humans, we feel a sense of danger due to the lack of usual energy. Another example of a liminal space is a home before or after a family moves out. Once again, the lack of usual energy causes viewers to feel a sense of danger and even nostalgia. Almost every photo of a liminal space appeals to some sort of nostalgia. This is why some liminal spaces are scarier

to some people than others. Depending on the viewer’s childhood, different liminal spaces bother different people. Each liminal space appeals to something different in each viewer. Most images of liminal spaces are taken during “transition periods”. A transition period is a period in which a major change happens. An example of this would be a house before or after a family moving out. When a family moves out of a house, it is undeniably a major life change. These liminal photos of transition periods, once again, appeal to the viewer’s nostalgia. This appeal causes the viewer’s reaction to either be “Oh! I think I’ve been there before” or “Oh..I think I have been here before.”

The reason liminal spaces cause humans to feel uneasy or uncomfortable is that the human brain craves familiarity and the ability to predict what comes next. As stated earlier, liminal spaces are spaces “stuck” in transition. This limbo in transition causes our brains to freak out because it is unable to predict what comes next or where the space goes. There are multiple debates on Reddit if liminal spaces are art or not. I feel as if liminal spaces are one of the most creative forms of surreal art. Liminal spaces can be depicted through photos, paintings, imagined

shifted; people do not just “hang out” like they used to, a behavior that is becoming incredibly damaging to teenager’s anxiety because they have lost a sense of connection. Often, if teens do meet together, they are glued to their phones or electronic devices, further ostracizing themselves from the real world. For instance, recall a time when you went to a restaurant and saw a group of teenagers eating together. Were most of them engrossed with their phones? It is more than likely. Anxious feelings heightened by social media could be alleviated with more face-to-face interactions. We need to find a place where social connection is as essential to us as our devices are. Overall, anxiety is a disorder that many people have genuine struggles with. I am in no way diminishing people’s real mental health issues. What I am saying is that teenagers are overdiagnosing themselves with this mental health issue because of the sheer mass of content they are seeing on social media. If we can elicit more human connection, the United States could make a true leap in combating anxiety.

images, sets, and even found in the natural world. A liminal space may not be made by an artist, but no matter how it is delivered, the viewer or herself is put into the artist’s position. Liminal spaces appeal to the imagination like crazy. So when an individual sees a liminal space, his or her imagination automatically starts trying to rationalize, analyze, and take in every part of the space. This happens automatically and without control simply due to the way our brains work. Just looking at a liminal spaces and saying “That’s a liminal space!” makes you an artist. Liminal spaces are a rare form of art that forces the viewer to subconsciously take the artist’s position and extract his or her own story.

The Uncanny Valley Theory suggests a physiological response to things “not quite human.” Uncanny is a term used to describe something eerie to us humans; something that is almost human and makes us uncomfortable. For example, the Uncanny Valley makeup trend on TikTok, where users purposely make themselves look as inhuman as possible. Another example of an uncanny valley can be an animatronic that looks like a human but does not act human. Our brains are equipped with the ability to distinguish

something threatening from something genuine by a process called the inferior temporal cortex, which is basically facial and object recognition. The reason uncanny ¨people¨ make us uncomfortable is due to this inferior temporal cortex process being confused. Uncanny confuses our inferior temporal cortex and alerts the rest of our brain, causing fear or discomfort. Humans long ago used their inferior temporal cortex to distinguish between threatening people and animals from genuine people and animals. Humans today still use our inferior temporal cortex to tell if someone’s body language and facial expressions match their words. Many things can be uncanny, not just anything human.

Graph of Uncanny Valley

Intersecting Problems

The worst intersections in Cullman and how to fix them

Blyss Murphree, Staff Writer

3rd and 4th ave. intersection - -

This intersection, with no protected turn, creates absolute morning mayhem for school traffic drivers. This can be resolved by adding a protected turn arrow light.

400 3rd Ave SE Cullman

Alabama - - Sources say this red light is literally broken sometimes. Give this light a monthly checkup.

The train in general, but specifically at 199 Arnold St NW Cullman, Alabama. Not only is this just an annoying occurrence, but it also causes school traffic and city traffic to worsen, resulting in what some call “crazy Cullman drivers”. Maybe the train is driving the drivers crazy. This can be fixed by putting the train on a set schedule, avoiding the time frames of 7:00 am - 8:30 am and 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

Cullman Gone Hallmark

Rap’s Unseen Effect on Language How Lil B

influences American society from the shadows

Jonah Jarrett, Staff Writer

I’m sure any reader of this newspaper, whether a high school student or employee, has heard some weird slang words before. We live in an era that allows slang to proliferate faster than ever before. I’m sure you’ve seen a few kids talking about their rizzy sigmas in the halls. The question is often asked: what are these kids even saying? But rarely does anyone ask why the kids are talking the way they do. Modern slang evolves at a rapid pace through social media. Many of these terms come from streamers, and influencers who have huge followings, while others are adopted from viral videos. There is one place that slang comes from that has stayed the same since before the invention of the iPad, however: music. Popular artists (especially hip-hop) have captivated the minds of the youth long before livestreams even existed. Many slang terms that are now staples of the contemporary 2024 dialect came from rappers.

Starting with an older example, look at the word swag. The word swag (short for swagger) was originally said by Jay-Z in 2003 and slowly adopted by other prominent rappers such as Soulja Boy, and by the late 2000s, swag was one of the most popular words in hiphop. To have swag means to be confident, stylish, and fashionable. Some

How the impact of big city festivals are impacting our town

Aubrey Shaddrix, Staff Writer

Cullman has always held its charm with a small-town feel, especially with the multiple festivals our city welcomes annually. From Oktoberfest to the Strawberry Festival, Cullman welcomes visitors from all over Alabama with the same small town feel you could see on TV, but despite the marketing as such, Cullman is not a small town anymore.

Our city’s festivals have welcomed record-breaking amounts, especially this past year with Cullman’s Christkindlmarkt, which held a total of 25,000 visitors throughout one weekend. Christkindlmarkt is not the only event that is reaching record breaking amounts; in fact, every festival in Cullman has seen increasing attendance these past 5 years. With the great popularity with tourists in Cullman, the city is naturally changing its infrastructure. You have probably seen the constant construction of Depot Park sticking out like a sore thumb. The city has decided to change the infrastructure of the park to accommodate the growing foot traffic during crowded events. This expansion of infrastruc-

ture reflects the impressive movement and economic growth our city is experiencing, but it also shows the influence this tourism has had on once charmful areas in town. Depot Park is taking on construction to accommodate large scale events, but as of now it looks more like an empty parking lot than the peaceful area it once was. Of course, the city does not plan on keeping Depot park as barren as it is now, but the message is still present in the construction itself. Cullman is expanding and fast. We’re bringing in visitors across the state who hope to experience something from a Hallmark card. However, in hopes of creating something to adapt to these visitors, Cullman is erasing authenticity. Cullman’s charmful areas are still impacted by the influence of tourism. Growth is inevitable, especially for a town with as much character as Cullman, and in the upcoming years, it is clear that there will continue to be an increasing attendance at these festivals. In addition, these large scale events will most likely continue to be marketed as if they are from a cheesy festive

film, despite the fact Cullman has two Walmarts and a Jimmy John’s right next to the event venu. In my opinion, these festivals are not necessarily held in hopes of uplifting local areas or vendors, but more of an attraction for people to find interest in Cullman. Cullman is still a special town, but there is no lie behind the statement that it is not the small quiet town some may picture.

So say goodbye to the fountain we all tossed coins in and the memorial benches we all sat in because the change of Depot Park will forever impact this community. It is not just a park, it is a general statement of the

people have more swag than others. So do some places. Lil B. Another artist who contributed heavily to swag’s popularity released his now-popular song “Swag Like Ohio” in 2011 during the peak of swag’s relevancy. The song is now used to create an abundance of TikToks involving Ohio and led to the creation of the popular phrase “only in Ohio.” Lil B’s legacy as a trailblazer and innovator doesn’t end with his indirect contributions to words like swag. Lil B, whose full title is Lil B “TheBasedGod” is the sole creator of the words “based” and “cooking” (e.g. “let him cook”). Based was a local insult used on people thought to be basic or stupid, but Lil B reclaimed the insult, adopting it as his title. Lil B invented cooking, a dance, and the vocabulary of letting someone cook or letting them do their own thing in a YouTube video in 2011. This sparked controversy when NBA player James Harden started doing a similar dance, leading Lil B to place the “BasedGod’s Curse” on him. Harden’s performance started getting worse on the court (due to this curse?), and this tension was not resolved until 2015 when Lil B lifted the curse. In short, music has a large subliminal impact on the slang of the youth, and Lil B is one of the greatest innovators within the industry.

changes in our community and how the center point of this town will be focused on how many holiday visitors we can pull in. As of now, the city is continuing construction of the park and preparing for the next festival. The Strawberry Festival this year was bigger and better than ever before, almost a summery spin-off to the entertainment at Christkindlmarkt. Personally, I look forward to seeing the changes in Cullman even if the charmful festivals we had are now turning into a Project X spin off with light shows and packed streets. However, I think we’ll all miss the certain character Cullman had before these festivals became what they are now.

An artist rendering of the new proposal for Depot Park

We’ve Got Wheels

Into a skateboarder’s mind

Sophia Lambert, Staff Writer

Interview with percussion teacher

Doug Teuscher

Q. When did you start skating?

A. I lived in southern California until I was about 10 years old. Both of my older brothers were skateboarders, and they got me into it at a young age. I think I got my first real skateboard at 8 or 9 years old.

Q. How did it feel the first time you skated the bowl?

A. I loved it. When I was learning, I spent a lot of time skating half pipes and quarter pipes. I even had a small ramp at my house. This led me to favor ramp skating more than street skating. Also, I grew up in Hartselle and there weren’t any good places to street skate. The first bowl I skated was at Insanity skate park in Madison. I also skated at Lydia Gold skatepark in Huntsville and Two Rivers skatepark in Nashville. It’s awesome to have a great place to skate in Cullman now too!

Q. What is your dream deck setup?

A. My current set-up! It’s awesome skateboarding as an adult because you can buy the stuff you want. Growing up, I always had to deal with what I had laying around. I have a creature milton martinez deck, ace trucks, spitfire 52mm wheels.

Q. What do you like about skateboarding?

A. I like that it’s a fun way to stay in shape and get exercise. It’s also really fun going fast and grinding. Sometimes I’ll take a fall and it will set me back for a while, but that’s just part of it. Battling a new trick and finally landing it and putting it on instagram feels really good.

Q. What is your favorite place to skate at?

A. City Walk skatepark in Birmingham is my current favorite if I feel like driving. However, I really enjoy skating at the Cullman park.

Q. What made you want to start skating?

A. I wanted to be cool like my brothers.

Q. When did you start skating?

A. It was 1999, when I first saw Tony Hawk land the 900. I was 6, and I thought somebody flying through the air with the board magically sticking to their feet was just like Harry Potter, it was magical. Then, I asked my mom for a skateboard for my birthday and I have been skating ever since.

Q. How did it feel the first time you skated the bowl?

A. Terrifying, but also exciting. Concrete is not fun when you land on it, but it is super fun when you roll on it. So, yeah, I would say terrifying, but also exhilarating.

Q. What is your dream deck setup?

A. For the board, I would say a solid board. I don’t really care about brand, but preferably a side b skate shop deck because they’re some of the best ones we’ve got. For the size, I only ride 8.5s. Anything lower than that is too small. And then for trucks, I gotta go independent. And then, I’m a sucker for spitfire wheels.

Q. What made you wanna work at a skate shop?

A. Well, one of my best friends, Wade, and I just wanted to do something and design skateboards and t shirts because that’s what I went to school for. So when Wade started the shop, he needed a guy who knew skateboarding and who knew art, so I was the man, and it beats fast food.

Q. What’s your favorite place to skate at?

A. Venice Beach, California, but around here, the Birmingham Skate Park is probably the best, but I do love Venice Beach. So if you’re in California, check it out.

Q. What’s your favorite thing about skateboarding?

A. Honestly, I think it’s the culture, the people, and it’s one of the few things where you don’t have to be really good at it to get notoriety. As long as you actually try to improve, you’ll find that the other skaters will support you. You don’t have to throw the coolest touchdown, but even if you try a trick and you fail, you still get props because you tried. I mean, that’s the coolest thing.

Q. Is there anything else you wanna say about skateboarding?

A. Keep at it. Keep trying. And if you’re interested in it, you’ll find an amazing community that will always try to help you out. At least 9 out of 10 people will. And all around, it’s just a good bit of fun. Get out of the house. Get off your iPad. Get out there. ( Scan for

Interveiw with Side B co-owner Christopher Tyler Moody

awesome skate clips )

ENTERTAINMENT 14

Sounds for Summer

Some tunes to add to your summer playlist

Aubrey Shaddrix. Staff Writer

“Is This Love” Bob Marley ans the Wailers

“To Zion” Ms. Lauryn Hill

Spring

“Summertime” The Sundays “Evilous Number” The Expanders

“Swim Good” Frank Ocean

“Sunday Morning” No Doubt

into Fashion

Fashion interviews continued from spring edition

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer

Mother May I?

“Sunshine” Steve Lacey

“Romantic Girl” Sublime

...buy you an amazing gift?

Elley Atchison, Co-Editor

Moms are amazing; they give up so much of their time for their kids, so Mother’s Day is when you can say “thank you” in the form of a gift. Because you want to show your mom you really care about her, you need to get her a thoughtful gift. To help you out, I have compiled a list of good Mother’s Day gifts for 2024. Please note that these gifts will not be for all moms. You need to take it one step further and decide which gift from this list is the best for your mom. Happy Mother’s Day!

All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir

By Beth Moore

This book is a poignant memoir about a woman’s journey through Christianity. It is exceedingly well-written and beautifully heartfelt. If your mom likes to read, this is the perfect Mother’s Day gift for her.

Snack goodie basket

Sometimes, the best gift is food. Buy a cute basket and your mom’s favorite snacks to compile a nice little goodie basket. Adding in a hand-written card wouldn’t hurt, either.

Reusable shopping bags

It is more than likely that your mom does the grocery shopping in the

family. Help the environment and your mom by getting her some cute reusable bags. I listed my favorites below. -Repurposed Sari Carry-all Bag from Uncommon Goods -Eco Chic Lightweight Foldable Reusable Shopping Bag Thistle -Medium Weekender Bag in Spring from Earthwise Bags

LL Bean’s Women’s Daybreak Scuffs, Motif

These slippers are super comfortable and they have super cute designs. Your mom deserves some nice slippers to put on her feet while she gets ready in the morning or while she winds down in the evening. (P.S- I would size up!)

Pregnancy Pillow

Is your mom pregnant? Probably not. That’s okay! This gift will change her sleep game forever. Please trust me on this one; she is going to love it.

A Migraine Relief Cap

Children can be the worst! Your mom probably experiences headaches from all she has on her plate. Do her a favor by getting her a migraine cap that will help relieve any headache she may have.

Brawling with Brands

Out of various brand mascots, which could I beat in a fight?

John Mark Johnson, Staff Writer

Rules/Clarifications

- All fights are assumed to be set in a neutral location.

- No magical powers, only hand to hand combat is allowed.

- All mascots are assumed to be as tall as they are shown in respective commercials or real world counterparts.

Keebler Elf (0)

Looking at the Keebler elf, I see someone who would be incapable of hurting even a fly. In addition, he is very small, being small enough to live inside a tree stump. With his lack of fighting spirit and small stature, I believe the Keebler elf will be an easy win for me.

Pillsbury Doughboy (1)

The Pillsbury Doughboy is very small and made from malleable dough. If he has that large of a reaction to simply being poked in the stomach, he definitely will not hold up well against a good pummeling.

Kool Aid Man (5)

With the Kool Aid Man, there are several complexities from giving a firm OH YEAH on this fight. On paper, this should be a loss for me since the Kool Aid Man possesses the strength to easily break through brick walls. However, in the various advertisements he appears,, we see the Kool Aid Man is very slow moving. In addition, he seems to give a reaction any time a small amount of the Kool Aid inside him spills. This implies the Kool Aid inside him is some form of life force. If I could manage to utilize both of these aspects to my advantage by running around the Kool Aid Man enough times to trip him to where he spills, I could potentially manage a win. This fight could easily go both ways.

Captain Crunch (6)

Much like the Kool Aid Man, a matchup against Captain Crunch possesses many complexities. At first glance, you may immediately write me out due to the military connotations of Crunch’s name; however, by looking at uniform discrepancies and thorough looks at naval records it is revealed that Captain Crunch has no recorded time in combat and is a valor-stealing fraud. While this certainly increases my chances of winning, I am also intrigued by what “crunchatize” is referring to. I personally believe I would win in a legendary, equally-matched duel.

Tony the Tiger (10)

Absolutely not. Assuming Tony the Tiger is a Bengal tiger, I am greatly outclassed in size, speed, and fighting ability. The bengal tiger has a bite force of 4,450 newtons and can take down prey with a single bite to the neck. With the lethal combination of skills at Tony’s disposal, things are not looking very grrrrrreat for me.

Mr. Peanut (9)

I believe Mr. Peanut would be a tough nut to crack. He is seven and a half feet tall (a foot and half taller than I am) and has the general demeanor of someone who is not to be crossed. If you told me Mr. Peanut has taken a life, I would definitely believe you. I believe Mr. Peanut would break both of my legs with his cane and watch me suffer with that smug look of his. For me, this is a definite loss.

16 17 SENIOR SENIOR

Dance

Boy’s Golf

Softball Girl’s Basketball

Taylor Au

Kylie Stracener

Brie Voss

Girl’s Soccer

Elley Atchison

Bri Flanagan

McKenzee Gregory

Juliana Laney

Anna Grace Livengood

Adrianne Lynn

Ben Shedd

Brooks Clark

Brody Hogeland

Annalee Allen

Taylor Au

Junliana Brannon

Kylie Stracener

Volleyball

Baseball

Juliana Brannon

Reese Patterson

Wyatt Buchanan

Tanner Gaines

Wil McCollum

Kase Nixon

Anelise Wilder

SENIOR ATHLETES

Boy’s Soccer

Cheerleaders

Tennis

Brody McCluskey

Lane Mcleod

Avery Orr

Clay Bonds

Ever Contreras

Daniel De Jesus

Rodrigo Gomez

Wyatt Harris

Grant Hopper

Luke Johnson

Jayce Johnston

Ashton Lambert

Trey McLain

Zinedin Viviesca Perez

Nate Potter

Cohen Scott

Noah Warren

Ellie Mauldin

Anna Hill

Adyson Wallace

Lexie Anderson

Siddalee Drake

Maddie Doyal

Laney Pettus

Shotgun Team

Football

Gage Howard

Landon Stancil

Carson Starnes

Katie Skinner

Bell Hendrix

Jackson Sessions

Reid Bradberry

Isaac Jones

Jackson Bentley

Sam Mayhair

Carson Starnes

Harrison Gunter

Carson Starnes

Case Harris

Pierce Bartle

Tanner Gaines

Trenton Clemmons

Garrett Mobley

Nate Potter

Wyatt Harris

Blake Cherry

Wyatt Buchanon

JC Ellerbee

Nick Holland

Reagan Ogstad

LJ Turner

Cross Country and Track

David Manashirov (cc and track)

Adam Byers (track)

Charlie Hinkle (cc and track)

London Phillippo (track)

Annalee Allen (track)

Rees Sheffield (cc)

Girl’s Golf

Carlos Ventura (track)

Patrick Adcock (track)

Joshua “JC” Ellerbee

Yanet Ruiz (track)

Kylee Chaney (track)

Graham Waldrop (cc)

Boy’s Basketball

Brodie Banister

Devin Bates

Peyton Bradley

Sam Duskin

Colton Echols

Swim

Owen Heinze

Caroline Haigh

Kate Cost

SENIOR 22

I, Hayden Brown, being of an interesting mind and ready to go body, do hereby bequeath my patience during rehearsals to Jay Lee, my ability to stay awake in math to Ava-Claire Floyd, and to my brother who will be a junior next year, my entire Earth and Space binder that is full of everything he will need to know.

I, Zachary Joslyn, being in conscious mind and normal body, do hereby bequeath the following to Kaylee Joslyn: my extensive collection of Young Sheldon DVD sets, Annoying Orange merchandising, and my ability to lock in and do my work on the day the assignment is due. May these items help her in her highschool years.

I, Cade Reid, being of awesome mind and awesomer body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Jonah Jarrett, the mold growing on various outdoor equipment, to Julian Skinner, the ability to run your fingers across the hallway walls, and lastly to Jay Lee, the debt I have incurred from the lunchroom.

I, Reggie Warren, being of sound mind and youthful body, do hereby bequeath the following to my fellow classmates, I leave behind the memories we’ve shared throughout our high school journey, may they serve as a reminder of the bonds we’ve formed and the experiences we’ve had together. To my favorite teacher, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Putman, I leave my sincere gratitude for their guidance and mentorship, which has greatly influenced my academic pursuits and personal growth. To my best friend, Domenico Brunetti, of our enduring friendship and the countless hours of fun we’ve had together. To my girlfriend, Katie Oliver, who will be my future wife, I hope to see our love grow together and live a happy life. To my younger siblings, who will be following in my footsteps, I leave my study notes and textbooks, hoping they will find them useful in their own academic endeavors. To the underclassmen who have looked up to me, I leave my encouragement to pursue their passions and never give up on their dreams, for the future belongs to those who dare to chase it.

I, Aubrey Martin, being of intellectual mind and whole body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Tessa Trucks, my seat in the lunch room; to

Aeris Williams, my color guard seat in the stands; to Evan Cherry, my front row parking spot.

I, Ziza McDonald, being in sound mind and decent body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Cerenity Reynolds, my table in the senior section and my pen collection, as well as my favorite English teacher Mrs. Danna Putman.

I, Savannah Wilson, being in crazy mind and interesting body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Alyssa Z, the duty of taking my sister under her wing.

I, Jackson Barnes, being of intelligent mind and mediocre body, do hereby bequeath my parking spot to my sister.

I, London Phillippo, being of academic mind and artistic body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Madison Barnett and Aubrey Duncan, my confidence in theatre; to Alexander Renteria, my energy to get through the school day; to Slade Turbyfield, my humbleness in class, to Aubrey Shaddrix, my repose in handling the quintuple, and to Jay Lee, all of my hippie pants.

I, Lily Barnett, being in an opened mind and unique body, hereby bequeath the following: to Mrs. Putman, who always believed in me even when I didn’t in myself, to Mrs. Broussard, for always helping and making sure that I knew what I needed to and understood everything.

I, Lauren Harper, being in a magnificent mind and unique body, do hereby bequeath the following to memories that were cherished among this campus to continue to be made by those who follow these steps I took, and to pass down the shared laughs.

To Mr. Smith, who was more than just a teacher to me, guiding me to become more than what I believed, showing me to always strive to be better than yesterday, peace of mind. To my sister, Aryanna, holding my hand through the tough times no matter how angry I would be, living your dream. To my best friend, Ashlee Adkins, who will always be my number one, becoming more than just a class partner in math class freshman year, lifelong happiness. To Emma Mikus, teaching me how to be okay in my own body, unconditional love. To Mrs. Cook, her purple pen back and sharpie marker I borrowed in My-

thology. To Lana Gibson, $1.23 from freshman year. To those younger than me, believe in yourself, know every step has its purpose, you will be more than just okay, you will be beyond significant.

I, Owen Moore, being of superior mind and intellect, hereby bequeath my stroller fan to Dylan Tisdale to keep him cool at band camp.

I, Landon Johnson, being in good mind and interesting body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Asher D, my advice to follow; to Carson S, my ability to work hard no matter the circumstances; to Rex C, I leave my D1 running back skills.

I, Rees Andrew Sheffield, being in scattered mind and skinny runner’s body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Nora Sheffield, an advanced case of senioritis; to Blyss Murphee, my kindness towards everyone; to Hudson Douglas, my swagger; to Kateyln Jowers, my subpar trumpet skills. To Evan Cherry, my heart for the Lord. And finally, to my younger brother Joel Sheffield, my dirty band room locker.

I, Ashlee Adkins, being in strong mind and youthful body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Mrs. Cook, my spoon collection; to my little nephew Owen, my llama plushie; to Lauren Harper, the heart necklace we got for Christmas and free range of my book collection; to my mom, hot water in the mornings and no empty toilet paper rolls.

I, Allison Smith, being in proud mind and able body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Cole H, my ability to oppose stupidity and foolishness; to Heather P, my ability to do the things that are best for my health.

I, Brodie Banister, being of kind mind and athletic body, do hereby bequeath the following: to Jake Dorough, my seat in the lunchroom.

I, Garrett Mobley, being of exhausted mind and growing body, bequeath my sixth period naps to Mrs. Burroughs, my starting position to J.D. Ellerbee, and my band t-shirts to anyone who wears a size medium (They will not fit me after I get jacked).

I, Ellie Wiggins, being of strong mind and tired body, do hereby bequeath my two year old moldy Owala water bottle to Cora Wiggins, my parking spot to whoever gets to school

DISCLAIMER: The “Last Wills” are a parody and are not to be taken seriously. The views do not reflect the opinions of the Hilight staff, Cullman High School, or Cullman City Schools.

as late as I do, and my 5th period naps to any dual enrolled psych student.

I, Avery Orr, being in sound mind and body, do hereby bequeath the following: to AliceAnn Kontogeorge, my Paradise Lost notes and my table in the senior section; to Parker Sparks, my Alani and Solitaire addiction; to the tennis girls, my spot on the locker room bench.

I, Colter Drake , being in concerning mind and incredulous body, do herby bequeath the following: to Jay Lee, a thousand years of wandering; to Jameson Inscho, my spotify playlist, to Alexander Renteria. All of my CDs, To Slade “K-Dog” Turbeyfield. all the money in my lunch account.

I, Vesper Eddleman, being of eager mind and body, do herby bequeath the following: to Mikey Carrol, my seat in the lunchroom; to Arrow Berry, my spot under the trees near the practice field; to FK Kruger, my backpack spot in the choir room; and to my brother, Camden Marion, the front seat of our moms car.

I, Drew Williamson, being of really awesome mind and really great body, do hereby bequeath the following: to John Mark Johnson, the doors to the upstairs mens restroom; to Jonah Jarrett, all of my surplus funds from my lunch account; to Claire Dossey, the ability to think before you speak; to Mack Rudder and Anna Beth Burleson, my coveted position as co-editor; to Aubrey Shaddrix, the fabled Alani Rat; to Blyss Murphree, the next Fortnite battle pass; to Sophia Lambert, an exemption from scheduling issues; to Ms. Calahan, good health and energy for another year; to Cy Dawsey, magical running shoes that make you even faster; and to James Crabb, a collection of severely outdated history encyclopedias that haven’t been opened in eleven years.

I, Luke Adams, being in a peaceful mind and interesting body, do hereby bequeath my belongings to Valerie H. for making me laugh during percussion class; to Jay L, for giving me your Cheez-Its before lunch, and to Elianna H. for helping me through hard times. To my brother that is doing virtual, things will be hard and things will be easy, but don’t let anyone take you or stop you from being who you are.

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer

Valentines edition 2022 Sophomore

If you could take one celebrity out on a date, who would it be?

Riley Green

2) What do the X's and O's stand for in XOXO? kisses & hugs

3) How many U.S states have a city named Valentine? Is it 3, 4, 5 or 7?: 5

4) Who created the first Valentine's day box? Is it Russel Slover, Louis IV, Richard Cadbury, or Milton Hershey? Louis IV

5) Would you rather receive roses and chocolates or give them? receive

6) What is your favorite rom-com? The Notebook

7) Do you think Valentine's day is overrated? No, I think it’s cute

8) How many flowers do you think are sold every year on Valentine's day? Around 1 million

9) Did you have a Valentine this year? Yes, It’s Lou Ayers Senior edition 2024 Senior

1) If you could take one celebrity out on a date, who would it be? Jacob Elordi

2) What do the X's and O's stand for in XOXO? kisses & hugs

3) How many U.S states have a city named Valentine? Is it 3, 4, 5 or 7? 4

4) Who created the first Valentine's day box? Is it Russel Slover, Louis IV, Richard Cadbury, or Milton Hershey? Richard Cadbury

5) Would you rather receive roses and chocolates or give them? receive

6) What is your favorite rom-com? 10 things I hate about you

7) Do you think Valentine's day is overrated? No, not at all

8) How many flowers do you think are sold every year on Valentine's day? Around 300 million

9) Did you have a Valentine this year? Yes, I did

Maia Pate

“Name 10 songs that summarize your playlist”

Over the last four years, many catwalking interviews have been conducted by the Hilight staff. In honor of this year’s senior class we re-interviewed some of the seniors using the same questions and compared their answers to their past answers from their Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior self.

Fall edition 2022 Junior

1.) Is cereal soup? No

2.) What’s the best wifi name you’ve ever seen? Homeisnunyabuisness or text#####forwifipassword

3.) Who’s the funniest person in your math class? Garrett Mobley

4.) What’s the funniest fact you’ve ever heard? You can’t sleep on a refrigerator in Massachusetts

5.) How many chickens does it take to kill an elephant? 2,025

6.) What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen at someone elses house? My mother

7.) What’s the weirdest nickname you’ve ever been called? KP

8.) What’s the craziest rumor you’ve heard that wasn’t true? That people were hooking up in the parking lot

9.) If life was a video game, what would be the cheat code?

CTRL-ALT-DELETE

Senior edition 2024 Senior 1.) Is cereal soup? no

2.) What's the best wifi name you've ever seen? Terrific train

3.) Who is the funniest person in your math class? Colten Echols

4.) What's the funniest fact you've ever heard? Gorillas can bench press 4,000

5.) How many chickens does it take to kill an elephant? 1

6.) What's the weirdest thing you've seen at someone else's house? Statue of themselves

7.) What's the weirdest nickname you've ever been called? James Charles

8.) What's the craziest rumor you've heard that wasn't true? His dad had a second wife

9.) If life was a video game what would a cheat code be? flying

Fall edition 2021 Sophomore

“Hey You” by Pink Floyd

“Rocket Man ( I think It’s Gonna Be a Long Long Time)” by Elton John

“Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” By John Lennon

“Black Bird” by The Guess Who

“Let it Be” by the Beatles

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John

“California Dream” by The Mamas & The Papas

“Change” by Oingo Boingo

“She’s Not There” by The Zombies

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Creedence

Clearwater Revival

Senior edition 2024 Senior

“Vienna” by Billy Joel

“Heavy Eyes” by Zach Bryan

“In My Room” by Insane Clown Posse

“The Way” by Fastball

“The Distance” by Cake

“The Good I'll Do” by Zach Bryan

“Lovers Rock” by TV Girl

“The Ultracheese” by Arctic Monkeys

“Oklahoma City” by Zach Bryan

“Bitter Leaf” by LANKS

Back to School edition 2020 Freshman

1.) If you could describe the quarantime period for yourself in one word what would it be? “Nauseating”

2.) What was your first thought when you were told that we wouldn’t be coming back for school the next day? “At first I was elated. I would sleep in, get my schoolwork done early, and even workout. How wrong I was My motivation for life went down the drain when quarantine started. I was in depths of despair.”

3.) How did you feel about having to finish the school year online? “I will give you an example of my experience with online school: it’s a Friday night and I’m thinking to myself I have no homework, I can just relax and watch Stepbrothers for the fifth time this week. NO! Wrong, Elley. I had completely forgotten about a test I had to take for math. I made a zero. Maybe I had an anxiety attack, maybe I didn’t. Anyway, the bottom line is that online school just stunk. A big fat no for me.”

4.) Did you find an interest in any new hobbies during the pandemic? “No, because apparently my interests included gaining 5 pounds. That was not very compelling for me.”

5.) What was one song you listened to most over the break? “Yes! I was really into ‘Sinking Ship’ by the backseat lovers.”

6.) Did you travel anywhere during the pandemic? If so, where? “We went to the Flordia Keys. I hated it. The beach is horrible and I loath it. The mountains are far more superior.”

Senior edition 2024 Senior

1.) If you could describe the quarantine period for yourself in one word what would it be? Treacherous. Not to be a downer, but covid was genuinely one of the worst times of my life. I am such a social person, so not seeing other people was just depressing. Don't worry, I'm all good now!

2.) What was your first thought when you were told that we wouldn’t be coming back for school the next day? I was very excited at first because I thought I would be super productive and start a bunch of fun hobbies Let’s just say covid did not work out in that manner.

3.) How did you feel about having to finish the school year online? It was terrible because I had zero motivation to do my schoolwork; my grades definitely reflected that.

4.) Did you find an interest in any new hobbies during the pandemic? I genuinely don’t remember anything I did during that time in my life. I feel like I disassociated half the time.

5.) What was one song you listened to most over the break? I was super into Conan Gray at this time, so probably a song like “Comfort Crowd.”

6.) Did you travel anywhere during the pandemic? Okay, in my original response I sound like such a brat! The Florida Keys was an awesome vacation, and I was very fortunate to even be able to travel during that time. I love the beach now, I promise!

“Name 10 songs that summarize your playlist”

Fall edition 2021 Sophomore

“Dead Roses” by Black Bear

“Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd

“Die For You” by The Weeknd

“Maps” by Maroon 5

“One More Night” by Maroon 5

“Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities

“Die for Me” by Post Malone

“Sunflower” by Post Malone

“Location” by Khalid

“Can’t Feel my Face” by The Weeknd

Senior edition 2024 Senior

“Nothing Compares” by The Weeknd

“Here We Go Again” by The Weeknd

“Kiss Land” by The Weeknd

“UHH” by Teezo Touchdown

“LOOOVE” by Travis Scott

“Night Crawler” by Travis Scott

“Circus Maximus” by Travis Scott

“Lust for Life” by Lana Del Ray

“Earfquak” by Tyler the Creator

“If Looks Could Kill” by Destroy Lonely

Trey McClain

JC Ellerbee Catwalking interview

Ellie Mauldin Valentine’s catwalking

Elley Atichson Covid catwalking

SENIOR SECTION 24

The following results were compiled from a survey from a survey sent to the Class of 2024. Each section is the opinion of submitted responses.

Katelyn Saint - Teacher

Emily Lader - Author

Drew Williamson - Monster Truck Driver

Han Lee - Business Women

Adyson Wallace - Pediatrician/NICU Nurse

Micheal Smith - Mechanic

Lauren Harper - Culinary Career

Graham Waldrop - Soldier

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer

SENIOR SECTION25

1) “Probably winning our first ever pep rally senior year” - Kelly Flores

2) “Hitting the fire alarm with a basketball freshman year” - Brooks Clark

3) “One night after pomping when we got in Anna Hill’s pond” - Reese Patterson

4) “Honestly, night practices with the band. We had night practices on Thursday’s of my sophmore and junior year, and it was just so much fun. The sun would set and it would be nice and cool outside. Plus, we were all so hyped for the football game the next night. The energy was just different and there hasn’t been an atmosphere that compares. I truly will miss those.” - London Valladares

5) “The field trip to Birmingham with Coach Morris in 11th grade when we went to Buccees” - Anna Southeard

27.4% of all the Senior responses said our veteran teacher Mrs. Danna Putman impacted their lives significantly during their time at CHS.

Mack Rudder, Staff Writer

SENIOR 26

Senior Class Officer Farewells

Goodbyes from the leaders of our class

Drew Williamson, Co-Editor

Class President Avery Orr

To the Class of 2024, I am forever grateful to have grown up with each and every one of you. You all have made the past 4 years absolutely unforgettable and given me memories I will cherish all my life. Thank you for trusting me to be your class president; it has been an honor I am extremely grateful for. Thank you for being my best friends, project partners, student section, homecoming helpers, and family away from home. I know all of you are on to bigger and better things, and I wish y’all nothing but the best!! I love each and every one of you, Go Bearcats!! Thank you C/O 2024!

Class Vice President

Pierce Bartle

Dear Class of 2024, Thank you for all the incredible years and all of the memories that we have all made together over time. We have been faced with many challenges through our time in school, but we came together as a class and overcame these challenges as one. From all the hard work, stressful nights, and homecoming/pep rally wins we were snubbed from, we still got back up and kept on going. Lastly, and most importantly, I am thankful for all of the relationships that we have created over our time throughout our time at school. Much Love, Pierce Bartle

Class

Secretary

Brandon Rodriguez

To the class of 2024, we did it! We finally made it to the end. From middle school until now, there is no other class I would choose. With our CHS experience coming to an end, I hope you each remember the pep rallies, homecoming, lips sync, and overall the good times we had together. You all have been the greatest people to grow up and experience life with, and I’ll miss everybody once we graduate. I know that you are all going to do great things and I cannot wait to see where life takes you all. So, for the class of 2024 thank you, and GO BEARCATS!!!

Class Treasurer Lane McLeod

Dear Class of 2024, I am very grateful to all of you for trusting me to serve as Treasurer; I am even more thankful for the incredible friendships the class of 2024 has gifted me. I can not imagine a better group of men and women to experience high school with. Senior year went by with a flash, but the memories formed throughout this year will last forever. I will cherish Friday Night Lights, Prom, Homecoming, key club, pep rallies (only took us four years to win our first spirit stick), and now crossing the stage together. As we reflect on the fond memories made, from the ups and downs to the laughter and tears, we’ve been through it all together, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. As we say goodbye to high school and start on our next adventures, let’s carry the memories of our friendship with us wherever we go. Thank you for being an amazing class, and I’m grateful to have shared this journey with all of you. In the wise words of Mr. Oaks, “It’s a great day to be a Cullman Bearcat!!”

Lane McLeod, Pierce Bartle, Avery Orr, and Brandon Rodriguez

“Always be prepared. Never let others bring you down. Make good choices and pay attention to class because it will help you in the future.”

“Have fun and enjoy it while you can, plus be kind”

“BRANCH OUT: There are so many won- derful people in this school that you have not met yet.”

“Breathe

in the moments given to you, and enjoy the daily blessings.”

“Don’t let fear get in the way of what you believe is right.”

Beth Burleson, Staff Writer

“Have fun while it lasts.”

“Don’talk crazy in groupchats.”

“Try and make the most out of high school.”

“Please never stop being yourself. Even when everyone else seems to be conforming. Stay true and never lose your sight. Please pay attention in class and learn how to study. Do not procrastinate.”

“Don’twater

yourself down for other

people.”

Anna

Most likely to host SNL: Nick Holland

Life of the Party: Pierce Bartle

Most likely to be President: Wilson Wood

Biggest flirt: Kase Nixon

Most likely to be TikTok famous: Lexi Anderson

Most likely to put others first: Brandon Rodriguez

Most Likely to Win the Lottery and Lose the Ticket: Reid Bradberry

Most likely to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Ava Fales

Most likely to be late to graduation: Ty Patterson

Biggest case of Senioritis: Carter Kent

Most likely to get married first: Tanner Gaines & Avery Orr

Most likely to lead a protest: Elley Atchinson

Anna Beth Burleson, Staff Writer

I, Reggie Warren, would like to thank: My parents, for their unwavering love, support, and sacrifices they’ve made to ensure my success and happiness throughout my high school years. My teachers, like Mr. Smith, Mr. Cook, Mrs. Skinner, and Mrs. Putman for their dedication, encouragement, and guidance in shaping my academic journey and nurturing my curiosity. My friends, for the laughter, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories we’ve shared, making each day of high school a little brighter. The school staff and administration, for their tireless efforts in creating a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for all students to thrive. My mentors, like Domenico Brunnetti for instilling in me the values of teamwork, resilience, and determination both on and off the field. My girlfriend, Katie Oliver, for guiding me and always there to support and communicate with me. Lastly, to all those who have crossed my path and left a positive impact, whether big or small, thank you for being a part of my high school experience and shaping me into the person I am today.

I, Hayden Brown, would like to thank my teachers and friends for keeping me in line and in check over these 4 years.

I, Zachary Joslyn, would like to thank Mrs. Putman and Mrs. Lundsford for being two cool teachers.

I, Cade Reid, would like to thank the various water fountains for the great sacrifices they have made over the years.

I, Ana Mena, would like to thank Mrs. Skinner for giving me the confidence to sing out when I felt like I couldn’t. She is the best Choir teacher I have had for the past 5 years and I don’t know what I would be doing if I never joined her class. She makes everyone feel welcomed and always has a smile on her face. She never lets anyone down and is a very hard working teacher. I am thankful for her.

I, Aubrey Martin, would like the thank the Cullman High School Band for being the biggest and best family I could have ever asked for. This time was certainly a last time best time.

I, Ziza McDonald, would like to thank all of my teachers from these last 2 years here at CHS for helping me reignite my passion for helping others and to my Best Friend Cerenity for helping me regain my smile and my ambition.

I, London Phillippo, would like to thank my mother for helping me stay positive in hard times, my father for teaching me to stand my ground, Mrs. Burroughs for teaching me how to analyze everything people say, Mr. Cook for pushing me, Alex Renteria for reviving my love of travel and loving me, Madison Barnett for pushing me to be a leader, Slade Turbeyfield for expanding my humor and keeping me humble, Jay Lee for making me feel welcome and being a joy, Carrie Betts for always being by my side and supporting me, and Lana Gibson and Maia Pate for being my friends.

I, Felix Lader, would like to thank Mrs. Miller for making my time at CHS tolerable. Sometimes it felt like you were the only teacher who was on my side.

Senior Thank-Yous

Wilson

Wood

I, Lily Barnett, would like to thank my grandmother, although she is no longer with us, for always being my motivation to not give up and to live my life to the fullest that it can and should be.

I, Lauren Harper, would like to thank Ashlee Adkins for being there for me through the happy and the sad times. For showing me how it feels to have a certain type of love that you can’t find in a normal friend. Saying thank you isn’t enough to express how much it has made an impact on my life. I would like to thank Emma Mikus for all she has done for me and several others. For standing up for me and making me laugh. All the tears we have shared and all of the silly things we do. I would like to thank my sister, Aryanna, for listening to me yell, laugh, and complain about it all. For always putting up with me no matter how draining it can be. I would like to thank Mr. Smith for teaching me and breaking me out of my shell, for always putting us first and sharing laughs. Seeing past the scared 14 year old and building a foundation for her to fall back onto. I would like to thank my dad for being there at all of my band events, making sure I am on track to become an adult in the real world, and for teaching me valuable life lessons. I would like to thank all of my friends, peers, and classmates for making this senior year the best it could have been.

I, Owen Moore, would like to thank Mrs. Putman for being one of the best teachers I have ever had. She has been a huge help to me for the past 2 years of my high school journey and always knew how to make a class entertaining and engaging.

I, Landon Johnson, would first like to thank my Mom for being there for anything I needed along the journey. I would like to thank my grandfather for being my rock to lean on. I would like to thank Cohen for pushing me to work hard. I would like to thank Carson for being the friend I knew I would always have. I would like to thank Asher for the memories we made together.

I, Rees Andrew Sheffield, would like to thank Mrs. Putman for bringing joy to my day, Coach Hackbarth for his infectious smile, Coach Dean for pushing my limits, Coach Patrick for always greeting me in the hallways, Mr. Smith for nerding out with me over music, Mr. Tuesher for being the most chill person on campus, Mrs. Broussard for always being positive, Mr. Cook for believing in me, Mrs. Skinner for putting up with me and Graham Waldrop’s antics, Mrs. Cook for always being patient with our class, Mrs. Ball for turning my day around, Mrs. Lay for her laugh, and finally Mrs. Thrasher for saving my high school career and letting me play whatever music I want in her classroom.

I, Ashlee Adkins, would like to thank Lauren Harper for showing me that true friends do exist and there is a different, deep kind of love in someone you consider your best friend. I would like to thank Emma Mikus for becoming one of my closest friends in such a short time and the amount of similar interests we have together. I would like to thank my brother Kevin for always being there for me when I needed him whether its a major or minor thing. I would like to thank my mom for becoming my rock as

, Staff Writer

time passed and so many things happened. I would like to thank all my friends and teachers who made my high school time memorable.

I, Allison Smith, would like to thank Mrs. K. Graves for her genuine care and support towards her students, Mrs. Cook for encouraging all students to work hard and graduate, Heather P. for always listening to and supporting my craziness, Cole H. for making my Spanish class full of laughter and conversation, Katie S. for introducing me to Chicago P.D., and Sophia C. for consistently waiting for me at lunch, at least for the days I actually came to school.

I, Brodie Banister, would like to thank Coach Stu for being a person that pushed me beyond my limits everyday and taught me many lessons besides basketball along the way. I would like to thank Coach Johnsey for being the energetic, joking, and caring person he is and always cheering us up in the hard times. I would also like to thank Mr. Gay for challenging me in class to get better and helping me pursue my future career.

I, Ellie Wiggins, would like to thank Caroline Lunsford for being the most helpful and supportive teacher I have ever had.

I, Avery Orr, would like to thank AliceAnn and Lane for keeping me sane at tennis and being my best friends. The tennis team for being such great supporters and friends to me. Mrs. Rains for teaching us valuable life skills in the most entertaining way. Mrs. Burroughs for making the most complicated texts in the English language somewhat comprehensible. Mrs. Miller for taking me into an area that is foreign to me and welcoming with open arms. Coach K. Barnett for being a mentor all through my 4 years here, through volleyball freshman year to tennis senior year to SGA, she has always been there to make a joke or encourage where it’s needed. Mrs. Lunsford- the kindest soul and a fantastic teacher; AP Lang was one of (maybe THE) hardest class I took here, but she made learning fun with creative activities and comprehensive lessons. The biggest thanks to my parents for their consistent encouragement in all I do. They push me to be my best in all fields and be involved. Their love is unconditional and I know they will be proud of me no matter what. Thank you 31 Nutrition, Alani Nu, and Google Solitaire for getting me through the long days. Thank you to all the Admin, every teacher and coach here, lunchroom staff, and janitors, your hard work does not go unnoticed!

I, Brody Hogeland, would like to thank all my friends and peers for making my time enjoyable at Cullman High. I would like to thank my teachers for instilling essential knowledge into me for my own benefit. I would like to thank the administration for trying their best to make Cullman the best school possible.

I, Lanie Cornelius, would like to thank all of my following classmates for being good friends and helpful to me throughout all of the years we have spent together throughout school.

I, Chloe Clark, would like to thank Mrs. Miller for being there for me for 3/4th of my highschool year (You mean the world to me and to many other students, I hope you have an amazing life after your graduating class of 24 and for the years to come)! Thank you to Mrs. Putman, a sweet women who gave me so much more confidence in my writing then I would ever believe. Thank you to to my entire freshmen year teachers, who put up with me at my lowest, especially Mr. Avery who had to deal with my sleeping! Thank you to the teachers that left, Mr. Dinlger and Mrs. Gambrle! Those two were my History (2 years), history through film, and mythology 1 teachers. They made class wonderful, and it was really sad to see them go. I also like to thank Mrs. Graves, an absolute joy to be with such a kind women. All in all, I wish those I thanked and many others who I can’t - a great year and a fruitful future!

I, Luke Adams, would like to thank my teachers, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Thrasher, Mr. Smith, Mr. Teuscher, Mrs. Ball, Mrs. Lay, and Mrs. Peek, for always believing in me and my decisions. You guys helped me understand and realize what to expect in the real world. Also, I would like to thank my real friends that stayed beside me through thick and thin.

I, Colter Drake, would like to thank Cadan Fales for giving me faith in the Freshman class.

I, Trey McLain, would like to thank M’kori Johnson for being the best secretary ever, Mrs.Bates for picking up and giving back my wallet, and Mrs. Karol for giving me the best job ever doing tickets $.

I, Vesper Eddleman, would like to thank my parents, Dustin and Erika Eddleman, my closest friends, Cas Hudson and Alex Hieber, and my most fond teachers, Mrs. Lunsford and Mr. Smith for helping me along the way through high school and helping me navigate throughout my journey here. Thank you for guiding me, leading me, helping me, caring for me, and loving me.

I, Lexi Fenley, would like to thank the following: Mrs. Puttman, Mrs. Thrasher, Mrs. Ball, Mrs. Lay, and the other teachers for helping me through the years and being there for the problems and being there to help me with work and for the beginning of the school year and helping me through my senior year. I will miss you all and I would like to visit every one of you after high school.

I, Savannah Wilson, would like to thank Mrs. Putman for all she did for me and being the kind of teacher I needed, Mrs. Miller for being a friend and always being there for me, and Mrs. Schwaiger, Mrs. Cagle, and Mrs. Williams for being the math teachers I always needed.

I, Sam Duskin, would like to thank my whole family and my coaches for getting me to where I am at today. I would not have any motivation if it weren’t for them.

I, Jackson Barnes, would like to thank Mr. Drake for helping me get settled and started in CHS after transferring in the middle of my senior year. Thank you Mr. Drake.

SENIOR 30

Where will CHS seniors be?

John Mark Johnson, Staff Writer

In ten years, Lexi Fenley will be a k9 officer and a mother and a substitute teacher for cullman high school.

In ten years, Hayden Brown will be a Theatre teacher in the United States. They do this because they know how their Theatre teachers changed their life so they want to do the same for other kids. They will be married with 2 children.

In ten years, Reggie Warren alongside his loving wife Katie Oliver, will have established a harmonious family life filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams. Having already tied the knot and welcomed their first child or two into the world, Reggie and Katie will have found joy in parenthood, nurturing their growing family with boundless affection and support. Reggie, pursuing his passion for film acting, will have made significant strides in his career, starring in various productions and been given recognition for his exceptional talent. His dedication to his craft will have earned him widespread acclaim, establishing him as a figure in the entertain ment industry. Meanwhile, Katie, with her unwavering support and encouragement, will have pursued her own ambitions, contributing to their family’s success while also making meaningful contributions in her chosen field, as a Cosmetologist. Together, Reggie and Katie will navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience, cherishing each moment as they continue to build a future filled with love, happiness, and fulfillment. Their journey together will serve as an inspiring testament to the power of love, partnership, and shared dreams.

remote work and be married to a doctor who I met in college.

In ten years, Patrick Adcock will be possibly in jail who knows and Brandon, Ben, and Will will be accomplices to it.

In ten years, Avery and Tanner will be happily married in a nice house with their little family.

In ten years Sam Duskin will be

DISCLAIMER: The “In Ten Years” is a parody and is not to be taken seriously. The views do not reflect the opinions of the Hilight staff, Cullman High School, or Cullman City Schools.

online. Maybe they’ll get popular, idk yet. But that won’t stop me from writing, from drawing, and from talking about the silly little gay people who live in my head, rent free.

In ten years, Lily Barnett will be a certified cosmetologist and will own her own salon.

In 10 years, Owen Moore will

be an environmental researcher and her findings will positively impact earth’s future.

In ten years, Avery Orr will have graduated from the University of Alabama with a Business and Marketing degree with a focus in Real Estate. Avery moved to Fairhope, Alabama and is a successful realtor there. Ten years from now, Avery is happily married and is building her family!

ture child coming into cullman high school.

In ten years, Anna Shirey will be completing her residency in either a pediatric surgeon or OBGYN specialty. She will be an amazing physician and will pay off her student loans from med school by age 97 and will finally be able to retire.

different cities across the U.S and have a dog that follows me everywhere.

In ten years, Me and Cohen will be running our own welding business.

In ten years, Rees Sheffield will be settled down with his wife and two kids, pastoring at a church and creating YouTube videos.

In ten years, Brody Hogeland will be a nurse anesthetist and will be working in the hospital.

In ten years, Lanie Cornelius will be working providing for my family so we can be able to go and do things with each other. I hope to have a family one day and to be married.

In ten years, Chloe Clark will be hopefully living a life they wanted by drawing their own story, characters, and design without stress. Findling life fulfilling in their own terms and enjoying it with people they love.

In ten years, Destiny-Faith will be an influencer where she lives and have a online shop working by herself.

In ten years, Colter Drake will be an evil supervillain, and will be causing torment to everyone.

In ten years, Vesper Eddlewill be a graduate student studying forensic psychology and learning more about the human mind. They plan to find someone to spend their time with and to love later on down the line.”

In ten years, Ana Mena will be helping Hispanic people to get their papers to visit their place and not have any troubles or worries. In ten years I will be a stay at home mother with 3 kids and I will write for vogue magazine via

In ten years, London Phillippo will be starting a business fixing all the teachers wrinkles from the stress and starting a family of 5 cats and 5 dogs that all go on hikes with her.

In ten years, Felix Lader will be the father of too many cats, and have a few comics published

In ten years, Ashlee Adkins will be half way through her Army Career and will have traveled to many different places.

In ten years, Garrett Mobley will be a famous game developer known for working on multiple best-selling titles.

In ten years, Ellie Wiggins will

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