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Decade Recap
A look into the 2010’s
Desiree Young, Staff Writer As 2020 approaches, the 2010’s get further away in our rear view mirror. Our decade is coming to a close after these life-changing years. We’ve been through natural disasters, irresistibly gross trends, and tragedy that has made us the funniest and most depressed generation. Let’s start where the decade began, 2010. A memorable thing from 2010 that shaped a few of us was the X Factor UK auditions that were given by Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson. Originally the auditions were going to be thrown out until the judges put them together and One Direction formed. In the same year, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber were announced to be dating; and Kylie Jenner, who was 12 at the time, was worried about Kendall and her modeling, claiming it would make her the “coolest in the family.” The number one songs during 2010 were Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok”, and Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.” In the film world, new things were happening, Good Luck Charlie aired its first episode, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows : Part One aired in theatres. A year rolls around to 2011 and we’ve been introduced to planking, Hot Wheels Wall Tracking, the LeapPad Explorer, Minecraft, and “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj. Another year and 2012 brings us The Avengers, The Twilight Saga : Breaking Dawn Part Two, The Hunger Games, Barack Obama for a second term, and the end of the world. A few more years and we experience the Boston bombing, Elon Musk’s spacecraft with the International Space Station, and bitcoin in 2013; Frozen, the ice bucket challenge, and dabbing from 2014; and then in 2015 Zayn Malik leaves One Direction, the “Whip and Nae Nae” was released, Caitlyn Jenner comes out, the charlie charlie challenge takes over, the dress (you know which one I’m talking about) causes mass confusion, “Hotline Bling” by Drake comes out, and that one video of a New York City rat carrying an entire slice of pizza on the subway goes viral. This leaves us in the worst and best year from the 2010’s,
2016. 2016 was the year many things changed. This is the year that housed the loss of Harambe, a new President, “Dang, Daniel,” and Beyonce’s Lemonade album. Beginning in Jan-
uary, Ziggy Stardust. On January 10th the man himself, David Bowie, passes away due to health issues leaving us with his last album Lazarus. Then following in February the World Health Organization releases a national emergency relating to the Zika virus. March is quiet and docile, just for April to hit us with the death of Prince. Then in May we get some of the most tragic news in 2016, Cincinnati Zoo’s Western Lowland Gorilla Harambe was shot and killed due to a 3 year old child accidentally falling into his enclosure. He died one day after his 17th birthday. In June, just 7 days apart of each other, there were 2 school shootings. The death of Charles Kinsey took July, Charles was a mental health therapist who was retrieving his 23 year old patient who had autism and had escaped from the group home where he lived.
When Charles was talking the man down, the police found them while looking for an ac-
Charles was then shot while being unarmed and docile. The offending officer was arrested a year later but is still employed. In September there was another school shooting and the first presidential debate between Clinton and Trump. In October the infamous Access Hollywood tape of Donald Trump was released of his referring to women in an unsavory way and condoning “locker room talk.” In November Trump was elected as our 45th President even after losing the popular vote. December 2016 wraps up the year the presidential transition from Obama to Trump. Continuing our search into the 2010’s we walked into 2017 experiencing Brexit, Trump’s inauguration, and last but not least, Joe Biden and Obama Bromance memes. Then in 2018 we near the end with Drake’s “God’s Plan,” and Post Malone’s “Rockstar.” Now in 2019 we have Tik Tok, the mix between Musical.ly and Vine. We tolerate VSCO girls who “sksksksksk” a little too much and YeeYee boys who rev their truck for no reason at 7am. So here’s to the ending of a weird decade, it’s time for the ‘’rawring XD”
tively sWuicidal man that was loose. Charles proceeded to lay on the ground with his hands up trying to communicate with the police and his patient at the same time.
twenties; also, Epstein didn’t kill himself.
Decade Recap Pg. 2
Exam Tips Pg. 10
Christmas Crimes Pg. 18
The Christmas Edition
Volume LXXXV December 12, 2019 Issue 3 510 13th St. Cullman, AL 35055
98 School Days Until Graduation!
Christmas Playlist
Merry Christmas! Frohe Weihnachten!
Songs to help you be merry this holiday Katelin Ferrell, Staff Writer 1. “Welcome Christmas” -The Grinch 2. “Little Drummer Boy” -Pentatonix 3. “When Christmas Comes To Town” -The Polar Express 4. “Campfire Song Song” -Spongebob 5. “Christmas Don’t Be Late” -Alvin and the Chipmunks 6. “Christmas Time is Here” -A Charlie Brown Christmas
Christmas traditions here vs. Germany Bella Cottingham, Staff Writer To start off, I’ll explain a little history behind the origin of Cullman. Cullman was founded in 1873 by Colonel John G. Cullmann. Cullmann was a German immigrant who came to the U.S after the Revolutions of 1848-49 left him in financial ruin. In addition, he began to believe that his political ideals were incompatible with those of the German government. He moved to America and founded Cullman as a colony for German immigrants. John G. Cullmann’s hometown was Frankweiler, Germany. A permanent partnership was formed in 1987 between Frankweiler and Cullman and the two became sister cities. Although Cullman does have a lot of German influence, there are quite a few differences in our Christmas Traditions.
7. “Feliz Navidad” -Jose Fecliciano 8. “Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer” -Elmo and Patsy 9. “Mistletoe” -Justin Bieber 10. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” -Pentatonix 11. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” -Judy Garland 12. “Mary Did You Know” -Pentatonix 13. “Busted” -Phineas and Ferb 14. “Nobody’s Perfect” -Hannah Montana 15. “Frosty the Snowman” -The Ronettes
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Germany is known for its many Christmas Markets, which fill the streets of most German cities and sell food and decorations. The most famous decorations in Germany are glass ornaments which originated in Lauscha, Germany in the late 1500s. In Cullman we have an annual Christmas parade- Christmas in Cullman, which takes place in the Warehouse District and Depot Park, where we have the Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year it will be on November 22 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Another German tradition, which is very similar to caroling, is the Sternsinger, also called star singers, who go from house to house, sing a song and collect money for charity (this is a primarily Catholic tradition). The singers are normally four children, three who dress up like the Wise
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men and one carries a star on a stick as a symbol for the Star of Bethlehem. When they’re finished singing, they write a signature with chalk over the door of the house. It is considered to be bad luck to wash the sign away - it has to fade by itself.
In Germany, Advent calendars are very popular. Several different types of Advent calendars are used in German homes such as the traditional one made of cards that are used in many countries and ones made out of a wreath of Fir tree branches with decorated boxes hanging from it. It’s also common in German homes for wooden frames, covered with colored plastic sheets and electric candles, to be placed in windows to make the house look pretty from the outside. While here the most common day to exchange presents is Christmas day, Christmas Eve is the main day Germans exchange presents with their families. Another difference in our Christmas celebrations is food. In Germany the main dish for Christmas dinner is carp or goose while here it is usually turkey with stuffing or ham. Now here is where it really gets interesting. In America, Santa Claus is who most children think is bringing them gifts on Christmas day, on the other hand, Germans have different legends for who is bringing the children presents depending on what part of the country they live in. In addition to Santa Claus or Father Christmas who brings the well-behaved children presents, in some southeastern parts of Germany children write letters to the
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Opinion: 11-15
“Christkind” asking for presents. Children decorate their letters with colored sugar and leave them on the windowsill for the Christkind to receive. The Christkind isn’t actually thought of as baby Jesus but rather described as a young girl with Christlike qualities. Father Christmas, or “der Weihnachtsmann” and the Christkind are the two main gift-bearing legends in Germany, although there is one more that isn’t as pleasant- the legend of Krampus. Originating in Germanic folklore as early as the 1600s, Krampus is believed to be a beastial creature who was created as a counterpart to St. Nicholas, who rewarded children with sweets. Krampus, in contrast, would swat “wicked” children, stuff them in a sack, and take them away to his lair. (Of course all of this is just a folk tale). A more modern take on the tradition in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic involves drunken men dressed as devils, who take over the streets for a Krampuslauf—a Krampus Run of sorts, when people are chased through the streets by the “devils”.
Now you are a little more educated on Christmas traditions in Germany and how they differ from our German town of Cullman! Frohe Weihnachten!
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F e a t u r e s New Year’s Eve Traditions
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Traditions around the world Michelle Herrera, Co-editor
Spain
Armenia
Brazil
Colombia
Denmark
Germany
Japan
Greece
Spain has a lot of unique traditions that other latin american countries have adopted. First, they eat 12 grapes right before midnight. Each grape represents good luck for each month of the upcoming year. Second, Spaniards who are ready to fall in love wear gifted red underwear. It is thought to work as a supposed love potion. Third, you have to start the new year on the right foot; so, Spaniards will literally take their first step with their right foot after midnight.
Denmark may have the most spontaneous New Year’s Eve traditions out of every nation. Danes celebrate the new year by throwing their unused glasses and plates against the door of their loved ones to cleanse evil spirits.In addition, Danes stand on chairs and jump off of them as though they are jumping into the new year, they do this for good luck. Lastly, Danes stack marzipan rings for dessert that are shaped into a cornucopia to symbolize hope for next year.
In Armenia people love NYE. They first visit each other’s houses starting with the most honorable people they know. Women and young girls in Armenia run to their nearest lake or river to throw pieces of Tarehats, Armenian bread, to supposedly bless their water. The head of a family in Armenia, usually give gifts to everyone in their family. Along with gift exchanges, children hang their stockings waiting for candy and sweets to fill them up.
Germnay has a very relaxed New Year’s Eve day. Germans gift each other lucky mushrooms, ladybugs or little pigs to bring luck for the upcoming year. In Germany they also melt lead above a small flame and quickly drop it into a bowl of cold water and whatever the lead is shaped as in the water is what the year will bring, this is called Bleigiessen. Lastly, Germans drink “Bowles” or punch. These Bowles are usually made with fruits, alcohol and juice.
Brazilians have a very lively and free New Year’s Eve day. Brazilians wear white during the day to bring in new luck. After around midnight, locals gather around a beach to throw white flowers into the sea that are essentially offerings to the patron of fishermen, Lemanja. Not only do they throw flowers, but Brazilians also jump seven times over waves each one representing a wish. Plus, locals eat 7 pomegranate seeds that are said to fill your wallet up for the new year.
In Japan, for about 1 or 2 hours there will be bells ringing throughout the land. This is called Joya no kane. They will strike a bell 108 times before it’s over because they want to remove all the Bonnous, or desires, from Japanese people. For the children, 5 or 6 people from each family gifts the kids money in a special small envelope. Most children receive about 5,000 Yen, the equivalent of about 46 US dollars. Also, Japanese families give out postcards to their friends and family like Westerners do with Christmas cards.
Colombians have many spunky traditions for the special day. Some people lug around an empty suitcase around their block at midnight to guarantee 12 months full of traveling. Another tradition they practice is burning an effigy to metaphorically burn the past year and start fresh. Colombians are meant to be surrounded with things they want to have next year as soon as the clock strikes midnight. Many of them have wads of cash in hand and are standing next to loved ones.
Greeks have a variety of New Year’s Eve traditions. First of all, Greeks hang onions on their door that symbolizes rebirth and regrowth. Second of all, they sing Kalantas, or carols, to their neighbors. They usually go around their whole neighbourhood and play the triangle to bring them prosperity for the upcoming year. Third of all, Greek families play cards for hours on New Year’s Eve. They also believe that playing the lottery will give them luck next year.
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Red and Green Is the New Black A look into celebrating Christmas in prison Bailey Gray, Staff Writer
As the holidays start rolling around, it’s easy to ignore the fact that some people spend Christmas and other special holidays locked behind bars. Looking at the same four bleak walls day in and day out can become madenning, especially when everyone outside those walls are decorating trees, drinking hot cocoa, and spending time with their loved ones. While facing violence, verbal abuse, and other dehumanizing treatment daily, many prisoners look forward to Christmas all year long. Holidays in most prisons are treated almost like any other day by the staff and officers; however, in some cases the inmates get privileges such as personal visits from family members, special meals, and “Christmas bags.” Depending on the level of security in a prison, visits are usually allowed in a large room filled with people sitting across from each other with absolutely no physical contact. An-
other form of visits are through phones looking through glass so there’s no way of anything getting transferred into the prison. Getting a separate room for privacy is usually reserved for legal meetings with lawyers. On Christmas, some prisons allow inmates to use those rooms for visits with their families to be the only time they are allowed to hold each other.
Meals in jail are most definitely subpar, for lack of a better word. A normal dinner might be a lump of tan mush and the staff would end up calling it Chicken Parmesan. Christmas, however, is the one day that the cooks will make some kind of effort to prepare a real dinner. Sometimes there will be stuffing, turkey, pecan pies, and ice cream for dessert. This “feast” isn’t great by any means, but it’s better than their usual dinner.
Presents in prison are forbidden due to the fact that there could be contraband hidden inside of them. Usually, the staff
will provide “Christmas bags” to the inmates to try and make up for it. These bags are filled with candy and other snacks that are unavailable to them any other time. While some prisoners eat the food in their bags, most choose to use them for trading to get the best snacks or acquire future favors from other inmates.
Christmas is supposed to be a time for joy and family, so people who are spending their holidays behind bars have to make the best out of their situations with these small fortunes. People who are serving time are still human and deserve to have a jolly holiday celebration just like the rest of us. So, no matter who or where you are, Happy Holidays.
f e a t u r e s Alabama Crime
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A report on recent inclination of crimes in Alabama Emily Widner, Co-Editor Since 2016, the state of Alabama has seen an all time high in violent crimes as well as drug related crimes. Ten years ago most people would describe Alabama as a relatively safe state to reside in, but as the years go by, more and more aggressive crimes have surfaced the media. In Alabama, there were 22,957 violent crimes reported in 2015 and 25,886 in 2016. Alabama’s top cities with the most violent crimes known to law enforcement are Birmingham, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, and Huntsville There was an estimated rate of violent crimes committed of 86.3 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants according to FBI data in 2015. There was a 12% increase in violent crimes committed in 2016 compared to 2015. There was an estimated rate of 332 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants the following year. Former attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement, “The Department of Justice is committed to working with our state, local, and tribal partners across the country to deter violent crimes, dismantle criminal organizations and gangs, stop the scores of drug trafficking, and send a strong message to criminals that we will not surrender our communities to lawlessness and violence.“ There has been a steady incline of missing persons cases as well as unsolved homicide investigations in Alabama over the past few years. One recent missing persons case that left police boggled for answers was the case of Aniah Blanchard who was reported as missing on October 24, 2019. Aniah was last seen at a convenience store on South College Street in Auburn on the night of October 23. Surveillance cameras catch Aniah exit the store and travel southbound in her SUV.
Aniah Blanchard, 19 On October 25, Aniah Blanchard’s Honda CR-V was found at a Montgomery apartment complex on Boardwalk Boulevard near the Atlanta Highway with significant damage on the passenger side door and tire. Police say evidence inside the car indicate aniah had been injured. Aniah was found dead from a gunshot wound in rural Macon County woods in Georgia. Three men were arrested and charged with the murder of Aniah Blanchard.
Aniah Blanchard’s car identified in Montgomery, AL
There are certain recurring traits to those who tend to fall victim to violent crimes. In 2008-2012 for low-income households, the rate of violent crime victimization was more than two times higher (39.8 per 1,000) among poor households compared with high income households (16.9 per 1,000). Racial and ethnic minorities nonfatal violent crime victimization was greatest among American Indian (57 per 1,000) and non-Hispanic black (29
per 1,000) Americans compared with non-Hispanic white (23 per 1,000) and Hispanic (24 per 1,000). Adolescents In 2014, aged 12 to 17 had the highest rate of violent victimization by age at 1.7 per 1,000. The rate decreases continuously by age with adults aged 65 and older having the lowest rate at 0.3 per 1,000. Another recent infamous case in Alabama is that of three year old Kamille Mckinney. Kamille was abducted from a birthday party in a residence in Tom Brown Village in Birmingham. The toddler was declared missing around 8:30 pm on October 12, 2019. Security cameras capture Kamile and another child along with two suspects. One suspect is seen walking past the children then another figure is seen leading Kamile elsewhere out of the cameras view. On Sunday October 13, the two persons of interest were arrested and identified as 39-year-old Patrick Stallworth and 29-year-old Derick Brown. Stallworth was charged with four counts of Possession of Obscene Material of Persons Under 17 years of Age. He was also charged with three counts of Possession with Intent to Disseminate Obscene Material. Brown had her probation revoked. Kamille Mckinney’s remains found Kamille’s remains inside of a Santek dumpster that had been parked in the Center Point area and later moved to a landfill near Warrior. Governor Kay Ivey spoke on the discovery and stated, “I offer profound thanks to law enforcement and to all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly in search of this precious little girl. The heart of our state is broke, but we must do all we can to avoid this happening to another family. Our prayers remain with Kamille’s family and all who have been touched by this nightmare.”
Kamille Mckinney, 3 Patrick Stallworth and Derick Brown have been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney. In 2017 Alabama Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor stated, “ We at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) are committed to improving public safety in the state of Alabama. As part of this multifaceted law enforcement agency, we strive to provide a variety of services and programs to citizens, as well as law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across the state. Additionally each year, our agency partners with municipal, county, university, state and drug task force agencies to produce Crime in Alabama as part of our Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Now in its 42st year, Crime in Alabama is a statistical analysis of municipal and county law enforcement agencies.” As crime continues to increase and law enforcements work tirelessly to solve these cases, I along with the majority of Alabama citizens hope and pray for a safer, stable future for our beautiful state.
If you have any information on an active case, contact Alabama Crime Stoppers: (205) 254 7777.
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Hot Shots
An update from the CHS boys’ basketball team Maggie Lunsford, Staff Writer
This football season, the Cullman High School varsity team’s record was five wins and five losses. Although it was a rebuilding year for the football team, Coach Glasscock led CHS to an overall successful season and to yet another year of playoff games. However, now that the regular football season is over, we can all look forward to the newly begun basketball season for both the girls’ and boys’ teams. In recent interviews with a few members of the boys’ team, players discussed and answered many questions including what they believe is the team’s greatest strength and greatest weakness along with what they hope to improve this season.
Jase Goolsby (Senior) 1) “Six years.” 2) “Because I was an athlete.” 3) “Hitting two free throws to tie the game against Athens that sent us into overtime and later won the game.” 4) “Usually listen to opera music, specifically Habanera by Georg es Bizet.” 5) ”The student section and the in ner competitiveness I have.” 6) “Shooting the ball more than I have in the past.” 7) “The memories I’ve made with C all of the players throughout the years I’ve played.” 8) “Our biggest struggle will be having too many shooters and can only have five on the court. Our biggest asset is our speed and Dyson McPhillips.”
1) How long have you played basketball? 2) Why did you start playing basketball? 3) What has been your favorite basketball memory so far? 4) How do you warm up before a game? 5) What motivates you during a game? 6) What do you struggle with most that you hope to improve this season? 7) What is your favorite part of being on the CHS boys’ basketball team? 8) What do you think will be the biggest struggle and the biggest asset for the boys’ basketball team this season?
Tucker Gambrill (Sophomore) 1) “My whole life.” 2) “Basketball has always been the favorite sport in my family, and if you don’t play then you are frowned upon.” 3) “It has to be last year when I blocked the tallest dude on the Athens team, and everyone went crazy.” 4) “Before a game I always try to stretch and get as many shots up as I can.” 5) “I don’t like losing so just the Connor Caviness (Freshman) Jaden Orr (Junior) fact that I love winning so much 1) “Since I was four years old domi 1) “I have been playing for 6 years.” it motivates me.” 2) “I just wanted to try something nating the Upward League.” 6) “I struggle with my ego, even new and I ended up really 2) “My family has always loved though I am the most humble liking it.” basketball and it is something I person on the planet.” 3) “Probably winning in a close wanted to try out myself.” 7) ”Probably the community that game against Austin in over 3) “When Brody Peebles scored his surrounds the team, the game time.” 1,000 point in my face.” day feeling is the best feeling.” 4) “I normally shoot for like 30 4) “I listen to music and get a 8) “Our biggest asset is definitely miutes before I go to the game.” prayer in before the game.” our pass first mentality, every 5) “Truly just me being competitive 5) “The best student section in the one on the team loves sharing and my desire to win” state cheering us on.” the ball and always wants to 6) “Shot selection and 6) “SHOOTING THREE find each other open for the POINTERS.” blocking out my mom’s yelling best shot we can take. Our 7) “I get to go out and play the on the court.” biggest liability or struggle game I love while representing 7) “Seeing Cory Meyer every mor would have to [be] our size and my school.” ing and afternoon.” schedule we play.” 8) “The biggest struggle for our 8) “We are smaller than other team this year is most likely our teams, but we have the advan size, we will be smaller than tage in aggressiveness, energy, most of the teams that we play. and physicality.” A huge asset for us is that all of us are fast and we shoot consistently.”
Girls Basketball Ballin’ into this season
Katelin Ferrell, Staff Writer 1. Did you play any sports in high school? I played basketball, baseball, and golf
2. What other sport would you want to coach if you could?
I would coach golf as I coached it for 12 years in addition to basketball. I went to college on a basketball scholarship.
3. How long have you been a Coach at Cullman? I have been a coach for 4 years
4. How do you this season is going to go?
The team started practicing the last week of October, and they won their first game on November 7th. I’m optimistic about howgood the team can be. This season is the toughest schedule in awhile, but they are a good group of girls I believe in. Pictured above Coach Josh Hembree
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Bearcat Band Travels To NYC CHS Band takes on the ‘Big Apple’
Tessa Adkins, Staff Writer
Over the days of November 9th to November 13th, the Cullman Bearcat Band traveled to New York City to tour the Big Apple, sightsee, and perform. After traveling to Huntsville Friday night to the playoff game against Mae Jemison, the band left after performing their half time show to make it home and leave at 2 a.m. Despite the conditions, the trip to New York- which took about 21 hours- was nothing besides exciting. Following tradition, the band members and chaperones decorated the charter buses to participate in the annual ‘Tri-Bus Cup.’ This year, the buses each took to theming based off a ‘dark’ Broadway musical. Bus 1 chose Beetlejuice, Bus 2 chose Wicked, and Bus 3 chose Phantom of the Opera. Throughout the trip, students and parents tried to claim points for their buses by doing things like choreography, being on time to bus counts, and claiming other titles like ‘Best Costumes’ and ‘Teamwork.’ At the end of the trip, the points were as follows: in 1st, Bus 3 with 180 points, Bus 1 with 160 points, and Bus 2 with 150 points.
The band spent the next two days in the city, going to places such as the One World Observatory, Times Square, the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center. They did a walking tour of Lower Manhatten, as well as one of Midtown and Central Park, about 15 miles combined. They ate dinner at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, the ‘home of the singing waitstaff,’ and Buca di Beppo, a chain restaurant specializing in family style Italian food. On the night of the eleventh, the band attended the Majestic Theatre to enjoy the Broadway Show “The Phantom of the Opera,” which is the longest running show in Broadway history.
the performance day. The band loaded up right after breakfast and departed to Liberty State Park. After going through extensive security, the band boarded the Statue of Liberty Ferry and headed to the Island. During their performance, it was around 36 degrees, and extremely windy. It began to snow as they played, their selections including “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Tribune to America,” “Ghostbusters,” “Requiem for a Dream,” and their 2019 Halftime Show “Fuego y Furia.” After walking around the island for a while, the band took a ferry back to the mainland and loaded the charter buses once more to go to the Jersey Gardens Mall. They ate dinner and shopped, then began the journey home.
Question: “What was your favorite part of the trip?” Answer: “Mine was getting to walk around Time Square and see the city. I got to see and experience a lot of things I’d never experienced before. I think it’s my favorite trip so far.” -Sara Reeves, junior Answer: “ We saw exactly 162 dogs.”-Xander Canada, sophomore Answer: “ Am I allowed to talk about sleep deprivation? I had a really great time in New York, even though I tripped on almost every curb and got trampeled by herds of strangers at every crosswalk.But hey, at least no one took my wallet.” -Brianna Phenice, senior
Band members from the Wicked bus
Tuesday morning was the last day spent in the city, and it was
Members of the alto sax section
Freshmen band members
Trumbauer in Review Annual theatre competition
Olivia Wood, Advertisement Editor For three weeks prior to Trumbauer, the Cullman Theatre Department rehearsed the cut version of the The Hunchback of Notre Dame with the full cast and crew. For two months prior, the cast had been rehearsing. Overall, around one hundred hours of rehearsal and preparation went into this show that all culminated with our performance on November 2nd for the audience and judges at the District 3 Trumbauer Theatre Festival. With many students participating in individual events and helping to lead people from other schools to their rooms, we had a very busy morning. The one act lineup included Florence High School with Yellow Boat, Austin High School with Ten Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, and Cullman High School presenting The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Many decided to watch Yellow Boat in an attempt to see what we were up against and they performed well. Their show was about a young boy who has hemophilia and has to have blood transfu-
sions to treat it. This show is set in a time before doctors knew to check blood for any diseases and this ended up being the little boy’s demise. After receiving multiple blood transfusions, the little boy is infected with AIDS and the remainder of the show is about his battle with the disease. It is a very sad show and causes many to cry at its conclusion. After Florence performed, Austin High School took the stage with their show entitled Ten Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse. This show was about ways to survive the zombie apocalypse and the character’s journey through personal relationships and survival amidst zombie attacks and interpersonal relationships. After this, it was Cullman’s turn to perform. We took the stage at 2:15 to disassemble our 10x10 (the area where our sets and props were being held) and began our performance at 2:30. Our show went well! We had a few technical issues with music, mics, and lighting but we collaboratively worked through them in the show to make it as successful
as we could. The cast and crew went right along with it and did our best to make everything work despite the situation. Our time ended up being 44 minutes and 16 seconds. After we performed, we took a break for dinner and then everyone came back for awards at 5:00. Mr. Cook and Mrs. Skinner opened the ceremonies by announcing the individual awards. We had many Cullman students make it to state with a superior and many others achieving a superior rating. After all of the awards for the individual categories were announced, we moved on to the one act awards. Austin won Best Makeup/Special Effects; Cullman ended up winning Best Ensemble, Best Costumes, and Best Set Design; and Florence get overall best show and the bid to state. Although our show did not make it to state, many of our cast members were honored with Best Actor/Actress awards and All Star Cast. All in all, Trumbauer was a successful event this year with Cullman as the host. Everyone did an outstanding job competing,
whether it was together or individually. On to next year’s competition, but first, Elf the Musical!
Picture from Cullman Today
Picture from Laci New
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Fundraisers
Top chairity organizations to contribute to the community
Mariah Wilhite, staff writer There are many fundraisers and ways to help people in need during or around the holidays or anytime. It is crucial because there are thousands of women, children, and men who do not have family members or a support system that need joy and happiness in their life as well. Helping others always feels good and should be recognized more often in local news and especially on social media. It also does not cost money to help others by simply volunteering at shelters, nursing homes, or even hospitals. Giving back to the community is the best present for yourself and others around you.
Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief program is a program that packs shoe boxes filled with gifts, school supplies, hygiene items, and clothing. This not only brings joy to children around the world but also lets them know someone cares and loves them.
The Salvation Army red kettle fundraiser is something that helps feed the hungry around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Today in the United States the Salvation Army assists more than four-and-a-half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods. Here are some ways you can help, donating money, clothes, and other goods. The Salvation Army might be one of the best fundraisers because they donate 100% of the profits or food that they recieve from local donations.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer. We provide critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship.It is the highest rated Breast Cancer organization in the U.S. “Our goal is to accelerate the breakthroughs bringing us closer to a cure to speed up the progress that will improve survivorship and quality of life for breast cancer patients today.” – Myra J. Biblowit, President & CEO.
Another fundraiser is The National Alliance to End Homelesses. One cause of homelessness is housing. Today, 7.8 million extremely low-income households pay at least half of their income toward housing, putting them at risk of housing instability and homelessness. Another is many individuals leaving an abusive
relationship causes homelessness.
St. Judes Research Hospital is another great charity to support. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay. Families never have to pay a bill to St. Judes. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago. Many charities and organizations around the United States and the world help others in many ways. These are just some of the charities you can donate to and help. It is very appreciated and the children,women, or men that you help today could one day help others too.
C a m p u s Calandar
Christmas Surprises
Desiree Young, Staff Writer
Olivia Wood, Advertisement Editor
Key Club Meetings & Dance December 11th, Tillman Hall 5:15 to 6:00 January 8th, Tillman Hall 5:15 to 6:00 February 12th, Tillman Hall 5:15 to 6:00 January 25th, Key Club Dance
Dance Team Dance Team Nationals @ Disney, January 31st - February 2nd
Class Meetings Senior Class Meeting, January 30th
Cheer February 5th - 11th , Cheer Nationals
HOCO 2.0 January 23rd, talent show
Holidays & Early Dismisal December 20th , dismiss at 11:30 January 6th, Back from winter break January 20th, No School for MLK Day
Exam Dates December 18th, 1st, 3rd, and 5th exams December 19th, 2nd, 4th, and 6th exams December 20th, 7th exam
Report cards January 10th, 1st semester report card
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Our teacher’s favorite gifts Mrs. Barnett - Geosafari as a kid and a kitchenaid mixer as an adult Mrs. Pylant - her daughter Mrs. Calahan - barbie airplane as a kid Coach Harbin - One of my favorite gifts was something I didn’t ask for and totally ignored at the time I received it. The year was 1996 and an ignorant 7-year-old Coach Harbin was pretty steadfast in his video game preferences (Sega Genesis and O.G. Nintendo). Upon opening the Nintendo 64 he responded with indifference and moved on to other gifts. His family was confused as to why he wasn’t excited and proceeded to unbox the new system to play it themselves. Hours later, an unappreciative Coach Harbin walked in to find his aunt and uncle playing a game that caught his eye, Goldeneye. He decided to give it a try and was quickly hooked. His N64 interests expanded like the Big Bang. He played Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, and Mario Kart 64 among a slew of others... but none of them compared to Super Smash Bros and this is why the N64 is one of my favorite gifts of all time. After its release in 1999, my friends and I played Super Smash Bros for days... weeks...months...years. It has been 20 years since the original Super Smash Bros was released and I have ZERO shame in announcing that my friends and I STILL play it today. We commonly joke that we will be playing it together in the nursing home fifty years
from now. All of that is to say that the N64 was a cornerstone of my developmental years, opened up a ton of social interactions, and is a common bond that I have with many of my closest friends. Mrs. Burroughs - Well...as far as memorable Christmas gifts go, my favorite gifts are unexpected surprises. But, for several years, my husband scheduled a weekend trip for me with my two sisters. He made the hotel reservations and contacted my sisters to be sure they were available to go. This was a wonderful gift because we all had young children at the time and rarely got any time on our own (especially together). Additionally, once every few years, my dad has a piece of identical jewelry designed for my two sisters and me. These gifts are special because only my sisters and I have these unique pieces designed by our dad. Those are among my favorites Christmas gifts to date. Coach Patterson - My favorite gift came when I was around 10 or 11 years old. It was a go-cart with big mud tires on the back and a roll cage. It was called a Dingo and I rode it all the time. Many of my now impressive driving qualities were developed behind the wheel of this bad boy! Coach Dean - I don’t really have any significant gifts that stand out or are worth mentioning. I’m sure at one point in my life I got some Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for Christmas
and now my sons Camden (4) and Benjamin (3) play with them and that brings me a lot of joy. Benjamin loves the yellow ranger. He carries Trini around everywhere :). Coach Tidwell - I remember one year my parents surprised me and my sister with a four wheeler. We had some great times riding it for years! Coach Dingler - Gift cards to restaurants- I like to eat and you normally go out with family/friends so I enjoy the experience it creates, T Shirts- They are usually discolored by Christmas and I like them bright white, Tennis Shoes- I like tennis shoes. I’m not really into anything exotic. I like to keep things very simple. Mrs. Owen - Wow! I like any kind of teacher gifts, but if I had to choose, I would say my favorite gifts would be ones that are homemade/handmade. I chose these type of gifts because it shows me that the students took their time and wanted to make something extra special from them to me. Mrs. Nix - I love thoughtful, personal notes and cards. I keep these and when I have a bad day I go back and read them. They give me inspiration. I love school supplies and of course, I love chocolate even though I don’t need it. Coach C. Meyer - OKC Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies Tickets from my wife because KD is the man!
Regrets And Hopes
2019 regrets and 2020 hopes Michelle Herrera, Co-editor Evan, Sophomore Regret: Taking a cooking class. Hope: To be in Spanish 2
Anonymous, Sophomore Regret: Signing up for All State. Hope: Aaron will one day love me
Cassie, Freshman Regret: Not being organized. Hope: Do better in class
John, Freshman Regret: Not signing up for anything. Hope: Getting in symphonic band
Heather, Senior Regret: Being hard on myself Hope: Be happy and live life
Analee, Senior Regret: Not talking to as many people Hope: Graduating
Jace, Senior Regret: not playing Football. Hope: Have good grades in college
Zonna, Senior Regret: Not being nice to people Hope: Pay for college
BriAnn, Sophomore Regret: Not managing time properly. Hope: Making Hilight next year
AJ, Senior Regret: Not playing Football. Hope: We get snow that sticks
Lou, Sophomore Regret: Not taking Spanish 2. Hope: Win state
Drew, Sophomore Regret: Not having fun. Hope: Take school more seriously
Shea, Senior Regret: Not having Coach Goble as my teacher Hope: Coach Goble becomes my professor Ayuka, Senior Regret: Being scared of everything Hope: Be more outgoing Marissa, Sophomore Regret: not playing basketball. Hope: going to state with volleyball Dylan, Sophomore Regret: Not trying out for mascot. Hope: To take easier classes Kaylea, Junior Regret: Letting people in to easily Hope: Find happiness in what I have Zach, Junior Regret: Not taking AP classes. Hope: Join more clubs
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Exam Tips
Y’all best be studying Oliva Wood, Advertisement Editor It is almost time for Christmas; however, we must first experience a season that everyone dreads Exam Season. Two semesters of work and lessons thrown onto one test? Sounds like an awesome idea! While exam season can be very stressful, especially if you are taking a high school exam for the first time, there are many tips and tricks that will help you make it through this season without having a stress breakdown. Here are just a few: STUDY, STUDY, STUDY - the only way you will pass an exam is if you study for it! Make a quizlet, read over your notes, make flashcards, do anything that will help you retain the knowledge that you need for your test. I would also recommend actually working the study guide if your teacher gives you one, or making your notes into flashcards if they don’t. Snack healthily throughout the studying process. This will help you stay sharp and retain information. Stay away from junk
foods and instead snack on study friendly foods such as dark leafy greens, whole grains, peanut butter, milk, fruits, and seafood. Avoid caffeine and energy drinks as they will not help you in the long run. Take a break when you are studying. Your brain can only take so much hard work at one time. For every hour that you study, take fifteen minutes to do something mindless such as taking a walk, taking a nap, listening to music, or playing a video game. This helps to lower your stress level and allows all of the information to actually sink into your memory. Begin studying at least a week prior to exam day. This will alleviate the stress of night-before cramming and staying up too late. This also allows you to go into fine detail in your studies. If you wait until the night before, you do not allow your brain enough time to process all of the information you have just introduced and you go on sensory overload. The
only way to avoid this is to begin studying at least a week in advance. Do not be afraid to ask for help from your peers and teachers! If you do not understand something, ask your teacher to explain it to you - that is their job!!! They can work out problems and give an explanation that youtube and mathway cannot. Take the time and talk to them if you need help! All in all, if you study and prepare for your exams, there is no need to stress and worry about them. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before the big test, eat a good breakfast the day of, and avoid coffee and energy drinks. I wish you the best of luck on all of your exams!
Exam Schedule Wednesday 7:50-9:30 1st period exam 9:30-9:40 Break 9:45-11:15 3rd period exam 11:20-12:45 5th period review (lunch) 12:50-2:20 5th period exam Thursday 7:50-9:30 2nd period exam 9:30-9:40 Break 9:45-11:15 4th period exam 11:20-12:45 6th period review (lunch) 12:50-2:20 6th period exam Friday 7:50-9:30 7th period exam 9:30-9:40 Break 9:45-11:15 4th period and lunch 11:30 dismissal
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O p i n i o n s Christmas Birthday Celebration Why you should/shouldn’t skip holiday birthdays Desiree Young, Staff Writer It’s officially Christmas season which means it’s time to be considerate and kind to one another; this includes not scamming Christmas babies from their birthdays. As a Christmas baby myself, being born on December 21st, I always get the “this is for your birthday and Christmas,” as I’m sure the rest of us Christmas babies do. This ones for the Christmas babies that get played each year and have never had a “fake birthday,” shout out to us. Whether your birthday is in December or not, as a child your birthday is a big deal. It’s where everyone gives you cards, cake, and presents. As a former child, I know we all looked forward to our birthdays when we were younger. Imagine being a kid and being told that you won’t be getting a birthday celebration because Christmas is in 3 days or it just passed. What in the three fat hens, two turtle-doves, a partridge in a pear tree is going on. Just because I was born close to Christmas, does not mean that my birthday is any less valid than anyone else’s, and when saying it’s due to Christmas being so close it makes us think that you’d rather not celebrate at all instead of trying to work something else out. Christmas birthdays can be handled in a variety of ways. You can save seasonal themed gifts for Christmas and get unrelated items for the birthday. You can celebrate their birthday at another time of
Katelin Ferrell, Staff Writer year. It’s hurtful to some when people decide to ignore their existence all together instead of finding a way of celebrating. The ones who are usually hurt the most by dual gifts are children, so finding ways to express appreciation are crucial. With older teenagers and adults it’s easier to communicate the struggles some have with planning or attending a birthday party in the busiest holiday season. If there are financial struggles then it’s better to communicate instead of pushing away the celebration. Communication is key. One thing to understand about holiday babies wanting a birthday party, separate gifts, etc. is that we do not mean to come off as greedy and ungrateful. It’s a bit hypocritical to celebrate someone’s birthday in November but claim you can’t in December because of Christmas. There are so many other people who have holiday birthdays and they don’t experience the same thing. Why is that? Isn’t Thanksgiving just as important? What about the 4th of July? Why do tey get passes for the dual gifts but not us? It’s simply unfair to not celebrate Christmas birthdays but celebrate others. In conclusion, stop telling us we’re greedy when all we want is equal birthday rights. Period.
“It all began on the day of my birth. Both of my parents failed to show up.”-Dr. Doofenshmirtz
During Christmas season, many people think about their gifts, family, and kindness; however, many forget about birthdays. I’m sure if you have a holiday birthday you won’t agree with me, unfortunately you all need to be less selfish and leave room for Jesus. Depending on how Christmas is celebrated in your house kids typically receive 10-15 gifts, unless you’re at house. For example, if I want one gift that is expensive, I only get that and maybe one other small knick knack. Just because your gifts are wrapped in Christmas themed wrapping paper doesn’t mean you should be any less grateful and accuse your parents of “forgetting” your birthday. Humans act accordingly to their environmental and variety of genetic influences according to Ariel Knafo, a professor of psychology. It’s always been up for debate if humans are naturally born evil or good. I support Knafo’s statement because if you are given anything you’ve ever desired, it wouldn’t come to shock if you are greedy. Most kids I know are selfish when they’re younger typically due to parents giving the child whatever they sought-after. Children I understand being given two separate gifts since they are fragile, however when you’re my age at 17 why does it matter if your parents label one gift a birthday one and another a Christmas? Either way you’re still obtaining an item you want. Parents
shouldn’t have to “baby” teenagers with December birthdays. As long as you gain this object of your affection and you are told happy birthday, why be bitter over something so trivial? This is an issue that adults have struggled with to the point of writing blogs to aid others in the knowledge of keeping children happy. If you have siblings it makes the situation worse because they get separated gifts if their birthday is in November or January. What’s the point in that if both months are only one month away from Christmas? January especially since parents tend to want to spend less after such an expensive holiday. Feeling left out or different is something that is apart of life. Plus, when you think about it, no one is getting set aside. At the end of the day you are still celebrated by gaining presents you don’t deserve in the first place. I hate to sound cliché, but there are children who receive nothing besides the joy of being with family. If you have a December birthday think about how you aren’t being left out. You still matter whether your parents specify one gift is for your birthday and the other for Christmas. We all need to be thankful this holiday season; celebrating friendship, family, and being out of school for almost two weeks. Spend less time worrying about this minor problem, instead, spend more time learning to appreciate the small things around you.
“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmasperhapsmeansa little bit more.”-Dr. Seuss
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Our Internal Brain Clock Why time speeds up with age Maggie Lunsford, Staff Writer As another Christmas season and soon the end of 2019 approach, it is astonishing that we are near the end of the year and the decade. This will be the last Christmas at home for many CHS seniors. The new year will bring new experiences and lots of changes for all CHS students. But how have the years flown by already? Where has the time gone?
This question has proved to be one of the most mysterious questions for modern scientists and still puzzles many. However, minimal amounts of research have provided some explanation to this illusion that time speeds up as we age. The speed at which our brains
perceive time is largely related to the amount of information that we absorb. When we are younger, everything is new. We have so many “firsts” as children and our brains have so much information to process at once. We have so much information thrown at us very rapidly and it takes time to grasp these new ideas and concepts. Time seems to move slowly because our minds receive more images in one day of our childhood than our same mind will see when we grow old. One experi,ment, conducted by psychologists Marc Wittmann and Sandra Lenhoff, surveryed four hundred ninety-nine participants about the pace at which they felt time was moving. Subjects ranged from the age of fourteen to ninety-four. Participants said that they did feel like time sped up during short durations such as a day, month, or year. However, when asked about how they perceived time during longer periods of time, such as a decade, older participants felt like the pace of time also increased, whereas younger subjects felt the opposite. Why might this be? Since we would have already seen most things that we would normally see and do things that
we have already done later on in life, our brain can process those images and experiences quicker than it would have during early childhood. If our brains process the same thing over and over again then it will speed up the process and eventually get used to seeing the same things repeatedly. Research has also shown that there is a direct relationship between brain stimuli and our perception of time. As we grow and develop, we will most likely develop a daily routine where we continuously repeat the same activities over and over again. Once we are used to this routine, we can do it pretty quickly because we have done it so many times before. Our days seem to speed up because we have already had so many others that are just like them.
So what is the solution to this problem? How can we make time slow
down? Well, in a sense we can control our own “mind time.” We cannot have a lifetime of “firsts” but we can have a lifetime of “differents.” The best solution is to change your daily routine. Try something new! Push yourself and be productive; set goals and work to achieve them. Live in the present and don’t do the same things again and again. Use your time wisely and don’t take it for granted. Be willing to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone. Focus on the positive and have hope for the future. Time is one of the most precious things we have on this earth. So make it count, make it worth it, and make it last as long as you can.
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o p i n i o n Is it Really Okay to Lie About Santa? Pros and cons of letting children believe in Santa Claus Jessica Thiot, Co-Editor
When people think about Christmas, the first thing that comes to mind is the mythical Santa Claus. If you don’t know who Saint Nicholas is, you definitely live under a rock. For many years, parents have been telling their children that Santa goes from house to house, giving good children presents for Christmas.
Because of this, Santa has become a huge part of little kids childhood. News flash: Santa is not real. Sorry to get your hopes up, but your parents have been lying to you about the big man in the red suit. What is the point of lying about Santa Claus when he isn’t even real?
Pros
Santa is a big part of your childhood. Without Santa, Christmas for kids wouldn’t be as fun and memorable. Many parents say that Santa gives children a sense of magic and imagination. They also say that when their kids believed in Santa, Christmas always seemed more fun to the kids. It is something kids look forward to year round and it makes Christmas more exciting for the entire family. Letting your children believe in Santa also helps create and expand their imagination. Now, many kids are focused on technology and they don’t have a sense of imagination like they used to, but letting them believe in Santa helps develop that needed imagination. Believing in Santa also causes children to excercise their deductive reasoning skills. They have to think about how the reindeers fly and how Santa can get to every house in the world overnight. This benefits them in the long run and will mentally help them.
The best way to go about the topic is to just tell your child Santa isn’t real when or if they ask you if he is real or not. This is the best time to do it because they are already debating if he is or not.
Cons
When parents lie to their children about the imaginary Santa Claus, they are actually creating a multitude of problems. For starters, parents are doing themselves dirty because they don’t get the credit they deserve when they go out and spend money on Christmas presents. They don’t get a “thank you” for buying the gifts, but instead they let their children believe that Santa made it with his elves. Christmas isn’t cheap and parents deserve, at the least, a simple thank you.
Continuing with the statement that Christmas costs an arm and a leg: what about the families who can’t afford anything for Christmas? Since Santa Claus is known for giving boys and girls numerous presents, it makes children whose parents can’t afford a multitude of presents feel less than and not worthy of being on the “nice list.” This can become a big problem and cause young kids to develop self worth issues because Santa, who they look up to, didn’t give them the same amount of presents
as every other boy and girl. The children would be less hurt and more understanding if they knew Santa wasn’t real and money was a problem around Christmas time. I think everyone remembers the day they found out Santa wasn’t real. For some people, they probably saw it coming and weren’t affected by the news. For others, finding out Santa wasn’t real probably made them sad. Due to this, trust issues between a child and his or her parents can arise. Technically parents lie to their children for years, making them believe Santa is actually real. The problem with this is that the parents keep building up the lie and even go as far as eating cookies and leaving little clues that Santa was in their house. It isn’t surprising when the child is ultimately hurt when they found out Santa wasn’t real. Mostly when they are young, children put all of their trust in their parents. Lying about something so dumb can really hurt children because they are so young.
Cullman High School Opinions: Is it really okay to lie to children about Santa being real? Why?
Will lowery: It is okay until they are around seven. Emma Bruce: Yes, because many kids look forward to Christmas every year because of Santa, Christmas, etc... Santa helps teach kids to behave all year, reinforces their good behavior, and keeps up many years of tradition. Garrett Crider: I think it is okay for them to lie about it because I think they should let children figure it out on their own.
The Hilight Co-Editors: Michelle Herrera Jessica Thiot Emily Widner Advertisment Editor: Olivia Wood
Claire Thompson: I don’t think they should because it’s kinda giving the child false hope in a being that doesn’t exist. Alex Turner: Probably not because it makes children feel entitled to material things. Also, it doesn’t help families that are disproportionately burdened with various financial situations. Lauren Smith: No, my parents told me that Santa was a demon. Also, I think it can create trust issues if parents lie about it.
Staff Writers: Tessa Adkins Bella Cottingham Katelin Ferrell Bailey Gray Maggie Lunsford Taleah Sadler Mariah Wilhite Desiree Young
Ray: Yes, because it was the best part about Christmas. Mrs. Carter: Yes, because it’s fun that my daughter thinks there’s a Santa. Mostly because she can’t misbehave. Coach Goble: It is a parental decision. It may benefit children to know the truth behind gift giving and the true meaning of Christmas. Coach Hackbarth: I would say that it makes Christmas fun for the kids and creates magic for them. We
Sponsor: Ms. Calahan Opinions expressed in The Hilight do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, staff, or administration of Cullman High School or Cullman City Schools.
don’t focus on it, but it is a small part of Christmas for us. We focus more on the meaning of the holiday. Mrs. Burroughs: I wouldn’t call it a lie. We told our children about it just to preserve their childhood. Coach Barnett: I think it is okay for parents to lie to their kids about Santa because it is always nice to have that childhood magic. I know how excited I was when I thought he was real and it just makes the season even more exciting.
The Hilight Cullman High School 510 Street NE Cullman, AL 35055 256-734-3923 Ext. 2045 Printing made possible by Alabama Web Press 1793 Eva Road Cullman, AL 35055 256-734-5104
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Should Animals Be Presents?
Animals are not toys Jessica Thiot, Co-Editor
Every year, kids make a Christmas list of things they want for Christmas. It goes without failing that these kids ask for an animal. Getting a pet is a huge decision. A person needs to be certain that they want to commit to it because animals need care daily. Animals not only need the care like food and water, but they need time to bond with their owners. Kids are usually very rough with pets because having one can make them super excited, so parents also need to be close by so the animal doesn’t get riled up and accidentally harm the child.
Financially, pets aren’t a good idea. You are having to feed another mouth and pay for toys
This is the season of giving and giving an animal to someone special can save so many animals from being homeless and can cause you to gain a new friend.
and grooming and litter and the vet and so on. Also, the cost of the animal itself isn’t cheap. The price at the end of the day can pile on because you are taking care of a living, breathing animal. Researchers think that if animals aren’t chosen by its owner and are chosen by someone else, the animal may not bond with their new owner. If you are going to give someone an animal for Christmas, do not and I mean DO NOT put the
animal in a box and wrap it up. That isn’t safe for the animal. On the other hand, adopting a pet when you are ready is a great idea. There are many animals that are homeless or are mistreated at pounds. Animal shelters and pounds don’t have enough money to take care of the animals they receive, so find ing a healthy home for animals during the holiday season or even just donating money could help so many animals.
Christmas Tree Maze
Start
Finish
Animals are truly a great addition to any family. I would suggest making a pros and cons list and save up money and talk it out with your family because pets are amazing!
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Christmas Shopping Guide
Inspiration for the perfect Christmas gifts Emily Widner, Co-Editor Getting the perfect gift for your loved ones can seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of tips and tricks to make finding impeccable presents much easier. One of the main reasons people tend to get intimidated by Christmas shopping is the fact that it can get undoubtedly expensive once it’s all added together.
over 37,000 online stores. Honey is a browser plug-in that complies with Chrome, Firefox, and Oprah browsers. If you’re not one to shop on the Internet, Shopkick may be the app for you. Shopkick lets you earn reward points for completing certain tasks. Some of these activities include just walking into a specific
dious, but there are many ideas that you can personalize to make it the best for your loved ones. Something personal to the relationship between two family members can be a phenomenal gift. An inexpensive framed family photo can be kept and appreciated for years on end, making it an exceptionally memorable present. An-
There are many resources you can use to find reasonably priced gifts for the holiday season. Seeing how most websites take up to a couple weeks for shipping, it is best to start your Christmas shopping at least 4 weeks in advance to your Christmas celebrations if you plan to shop online. One way to save money while shopping for Christmas gifts is to use money saving browser extensions.
One of the most popular websites for saving money while online shopping is called Ebates. Ebates is one of the only sites to offer a 40% cashback reward on purchases in more than 2,500 stores. Another popular cash back app is honey. Honey uses coupon codes to
blankets so it is a nice touch to a holiday gift basket. It is also nice to have some items that play a role in your relationship with that person such as your favorite movie to watch together or their favorite snacks and sweets. Another way to show a personal appreciation for someone is to treat that person to a nice dinner or a movie date.
Many people appreciate humor so it is fun to give a gag gift along with a proper present. Using inside jokes that are relevant to your connection with that person can act as a memorable Christmas gift. Websites like offthewagon.com and worldmarket.com offer hundreds of options for funny gag gifts.
store and taking pictures of an item inside the store. Another way to save money while obtaining gifts for your friends and family is by making them yourself. If you can’t feel confident in your DIY skills, try to bake or cook them something you know they will enjoy. People appreciate the effort put into something made by you someone they love. Finding ideas for what to get each person in your life can be te-
other nice gift for a family member is something to decorate the home. Family love makes everyone feel at home, so getting something to accentuate that warm feeling of home can be a perfect Christmas gift. Putting together a small gift basket can be simple and inexpensive way to show you put time and effort into a gift. You can find gift cards for almost any restaurant or store at various prices. Everyone loves fuzzy hristmas socks and
Finding the ideal Christmas gift doesn’t have to be extravagant or overpriced, what matters most is the thought that went into it. While giving a present is not mandatory, when we give to others, it gives a sense of appreciation for all the people who have made an impact on who you are today.
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Cooking for Christmas
Quick and Easy Recipes for Christmas Morning Maggie Lunsford, Staff Writer A common Christmas tradition for American friends and families includes sitting down together to eat a home-cooked meal while catching up and reminiscing about past years. Traditional foods include turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Other people also indulge in desserts like Christmas cookies, fudge, or pie. Although the majority of people have these dinners, another special time to share a meal is Christmas morning. Eating breakfast with your family in your pajamas while opening presents is very cozy, casual, and relaxed. It is a memorable time to truly enjoy the Christmas season, but it should not have to be a burden to make and prepare. So, here are some easy recipes and tips for a quick, but tasty breakfast for Christmas morning. Breakfast Casserole Ingredients: 1 pound bulk pork sausage 6 large eggs 2 cups milk 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground mustard 6 slices of white bread 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1) Open both crescent roll packages. Place triangles in two piles and cut them in half.
3) Tear bread slices into small cubes and cover the bottom of a greased 11x7 baking dish.
1) Mix together melted butter and sugar.
2) Starting from the larger end, roll one Lil’ Smokey sausage in the crescent roll.
4) Pour egg, milk, salt, and mustard mixture over bread cubes. Then top with sausage and cheese. Cover and refrigerate for eight hours or overnight.
2) Next, beat in each egg one at a time. Then add flour, salt, and almond flavoring.
3) Pour into 10-inch iron skillet that has been lined with foil. Sprinkle sliced almonds and sugar on top.
Instructions:
3) Place the rolled sausages on a 9x13 pan.
5) Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
4) Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.
4) Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. 5) Let it cool for at least an hour before removing from the iron skillet. 6) Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes. 1) In a skillet, brown and crumble the sausage; drain and set aside.
2) Next, beat eggs in a large bowl. Also add in milk, salt, and mustard
Almond Coffee Cake Ingredients: ¾ cup butter (1 ½ sticks), melted 1 ½ cup sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ cup flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon almond flavoring Sliced almonds Extra sugar Instructions:
Pigs in a Blanket Ingredients: 2 packages of Pillsbury Crescent rolls 1 package of Hillshire Farms Lil’ Smokies
Although these may seem too simple, they make for a delicious and easy meal. You can even do some preparation the night before you serve this food to save even more time. The coffee cake can also be made weeks before; just stick it in the freezer and enjoy anytime you want. So, don’t let Christmas morning be a hassle. Spend time with your family rather than stressing about what to eat or what to prepare. Make these easy recipes, add some fruit, and enjoy.
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e n t e r t a i n m e n t Poetry Taleah Sadler, Staff Writer The Worst Time to be Me Being brown. A weight on my shoulders. One that several carry As though it were a boulder. Being a woman. Yet another burden to bear. One that many understand One that many do not share. Being young. The final straw. The leading cause Of the breath I last draw.
Easy Christmas Makeup
Simple makeup look for any festive occasion Bella Cottingham, Staff Writer Isabella already did her foundation so I started with her eyes by using the Tartelette In Bloom palette. I used the color “smarty pants” which is like an orangey brown and applied it to the crease. Then with the same palette I took “rebel” (a reddish brown) and blended it into her deep crease to create an ombre look. I did the same with “chocolate martini” from the Too Faced Natural Eyes palette to make it a little darker.
The Worst of Both Worlds Around this time, I often dream. I dream of the sounds of Christmas. Toy trains, Great Danes, Airplanes.
Next I took a small thin eyeshadow brush and applied a sparkly red color along her eyelid similar to where eyeliner would go. The color I used was “juicy” from the Sugar Rush watermelon palette.
When I wake, I often weep. I weep to the sounds of poverty. Constant rains, Heart pains, Poisoned veins. Around this time, I often dream. I dream of the sounds of Christmas. Jaguars, Motorcars, Guitars. When I wake, I often weep. I weep to the sounds of luxury. Toy trains, Great Danes, Airplanes.
For the next step, I applied “honey pot” (a shimmery gold) from the Too Faced Natural Eyes palette to her lid above where
I put the red eyeshadow in the previous step. Then to highlight I took “funny girl” from the Tartlette In Bloom palette and applied it to her inner corner using a small eyeshadow brush.
Then I took “charmer” (a matte cream color shadow) from the Tartlette In Bloom palette and blended around her brow bone to blemish the darker shadows out some and make it look less harsh. We did a winged eyeliner using Benefit Roller Liner Eyeliner.
Lastly, using a beauty blender, I applied Glossier Cloud Paint in the color “Storm” to her cheekbones for blush and highlighted using Glossier Haloscope in the shade “Quartz”. For lip color, I used L’Oreal lipstick in the color “Divine Wine” (a dark brownish red.)
Above is the finished look! It only took about 10 minutes and was not hard at all except for maybe the winged eyeliner but practice makes perfect! Most of the products that were used were more high end brands like Tarte and Too Faced, but this look could be easily recreated with brands you can get at the drugstore. I know makeup isn’t everyones thing but if you enjoy doing it here’s my quick and easy tutorial for the holidays. Unfortunately, you can’t see the colors but it looked really pretty in person.
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Holiday Hastles, Christmas Criminals
Some of the worst Christmas crimes to be committed in U.S. history Taleah Sadler, Staff Writer According to an Oxygen interview with Dr. Sherry Hamby, founding editor of Psychology of Violence, “crimes spike on days off--so, all year round, crime rates are much higher on Friday and Saturday and is higher at night than in the morning”; therefore, it can also be concluded that crimes increase over the holidays. This is a common idea but the thought that people commit crimes on Christmas--of all holidays--seems to be especially criminal. From theft to murder, the range of severity in these crimes is astonishing; here are some of the most disturbing crimes committed on Christmas in U.S. History. 1. Alexis Valdez’s Gift to His Aunt (2013) Alexis Valdez (18) was living with his aunt and her boyfriend Silvestre Diaz-Hernandez under the conditions that he went to school, worked, and contributed to the expenses. He and Hernandez got into an argument about Valdez’s inability to help with bills after Valdez stopped working. In response to this, Valdez smashed Hernandez’s head with a hammer. After Valdez knew Hernandez was deceased, he closed the windows, turned up the music, and began dismembering his victim’s body. He cut off Hernandez’s head, left arm, ears, nose, and eyes. As a present for his aunt, Valdez left Hernandez’s head on her pillow and then admitted to the police that had his aunt been home, he would have killed her as well.
(Above) Alexis Valdez, a Chicago teen.
2. Woman Found Dead Under Christmas Tree (2011): Patty Michelle White (40) had found herself to be homeless and Michelle O’Dowd (67), a friend and the aunt of her ex-boyfriend, offered White a place to stay. O’Dowd was generous to White by paying her for little odds-and-ends jobs. Sometime during White’s stay, their friendship grew bitter. In Dec. 2011, White strangled, beat, and killed O’Dowd, hid her body under the Christmas presents under the tree, stole her debit cards, and fled. She was caught and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
(Above) Patty Michelle White.
3. The Covina Massacre (2008): The week before Christmas, Bruce Pardo and his wife Sylvia Ortego Pardo went through a divorce, resulting in Bruce Pardo being required to pay $1,785 to his wife for spousal support. The next week on Christmas Eve 2008, Bruce Pardo showed up to his ex-wife’s home and began shooting at the 25 guests inside. Pardo arrived to her home dressed in a Santa Claus suit and murdered nine people, injured three others, and set the home ablaze. Among the victims were Pardo’s ex-wife, both of her parents, two of her brothers and their wives, her sister, and her nephew. After shooting and killing the members of the party, Pardo set fire to the home. On Christmas Day, Pardo died from a self-inflicted blow to the head. Police believed Pardo planned to continue his spree, killing his mother and his wife’s estranged divorce attorney.
(Above) Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, mass murderer.
4. The Lawson Family Massacre (1929) In 1929, Charlie Lawson decided to purchase new clothes for his wife, Fannie (37), four daughters, and three sons so that they could go into town and take a family portrait. Lawson was a working-class sharecropper who made very little money so it was unusual--even suspicious--for him to spend this kind of money. On Christmas Day, Lawson’s daughter Marie (17) began making a cake and her two middle siblings, Carrie (12) and Maybell (7), started to go visit their aunt and uncle’s home. On their way, Lawson shot them, bludgeoned them, and hid them in the family barn. He then proceeded to his home where his wife was sitting on the porch and shot her. Lawson went inside where he shot James (4), Raymond (2), and Marie, and then bludgeoned Mary Lou who was four-months-old. After he killed most of his family, Lawson proceeded into the woods and paced around a tree until finally shooting himself in the head. The only survivor of Lawson’s family was his oldest son Arthur who had been sent into town to run errands moments before the massacre took place; Arthur and the police discovered the family lying with their arms crossed and each of their heads placed on a rock. It was later determined that Lawson murdered his family because he had gotten his daughter Marie pregnant.
(Above) Charlie Lawson in the family photograph taken shortly before his killing spree.
5. The Ashland Tragedy (1881): Robert Gibbons (17), his sister Fannie (14), and their friend Emma Carico (15) were gathered together at the Gibbons’ house on December 23, 1881, to prepare for a cozy Christmas Eve; however, their preparations were cut short. Later that day, they were murdered when a group of three criminals broke into their family home with an axe and a crowbar and murdered the three children. After they were finished, the assailants set the house on fire, as to “cover-up” their crime. The fire caught the neighbors’ attention; they ran in to save the kids to discover all three with smashed skulls. It was later discovered that the two girls had been raped; George Ellis, William Neal, and George Craft were all convicted for their crimes. Ellis was hanged by a lynch mob and Craft and Neal were legally hanged after the trial.
(Above) George Ellis, William Neal, and George Craft pictured side-by-side in a news article informing the public of their heinous crimes.
Catwalking
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Have your elf a merry little Christmas Mariah Wilhite and Michelle Herrera, staff writers
Ellie Lunsford: Senior 1. I don’t know 2. Eggnog 3. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 4. Germany 5. 1980s
Ismael Martinez: Junior 1. Ebenezer 2. Eggnog 3. The Grinch 4. I don’t know 5. 1938
AJ Miller: Senior 1. Ebenezer 2. Eggnog 3. Charlie’s Brown Christmas 4. Mexico 5. 2018
Questions:
1.) In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what was Mr. Scrooge’s first name? Ebenezer 2.) What popular Christmas beverage is also called “milk punch”? Eggnog 3.) What was the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time? Home Alone 4.) In what country did the custom of putting up a Christmas tree originate? Germany 5.) What was the first year the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up? 1933
Marissa Brown: Sophomore 1. John 2. Hot chocolate 3. Home Alone 4. Germany 5. 1940
John Paul Krassick: Freshman 1. Ebenezer 2. Eggnog 3. Polar Express 4. France 5. 1989
Dylan Sessions: Sophomore 1. I don’t know 2. Eggnog 3. Elf 4. Africa 5. 1932
Madi Martinez: Junior 1. Joe 2. Eggnog 3. A Christmas Story 4. Germany 5. 1960
Ella Kate Green: Freshman 1. Ebenezer 2. Eggnog 3. Elf 4. Italy 5. 1932
A History of Christmas Decor A look in to many holiday traditions Tessa Adkins, Staff Writer
Whether it be hanging stockings over the fireplace or placing a star on top of the tree, people cover their homes in festive decorations for the holiday season. For many, this is the most rewarding part of the holiday season, but has it ever crossed your mind the reason for many of these traditions? Starting with the most tell-tale sign that it is the holiday season, the Christmas tree is an iconic symbol that is full of rich history. Before Christianity, evergreens were used as a symbol for winter. Similar to how people today decorate their homes during the holiday with pine, spruce, and holly, in the past people hung evergreens over their doors and windows. In many places, they were believed to keep away evil spirits. Evergreens reminded them of all the green plants that would grow again when the sun god was strong, during summer. Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th century, when Christians brought trees into their homes and decorated them. The 16th-century Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, was thought to have first added lights to a tree, when he put lit candles on them. Now, Christmas trees are grown in every U.S. state, and employ over 100,000 Ameri-
cans annually. Additionally, since 1923, the White House has hosted the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, started by President Calvin Coolidge. Next, the iconic Christmas stockings, which have been dated as far back as 1823, from the famous poem Twas the Night Before Christmas. It reads, “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.” Taking from legend, the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from St. Nicholas, the ‘original’ Santa Claus. While going through a town, St. Nicholas heard of a man who was grieving the loss of his wife, and was not able to pay a dowry for his three daughters, which was money brought by a bride to her husband for their marriage. After hearing this, St. Nicholas was said to have climbed down the chimney and put gold coins in the daughters’ stockings, which were hung by the fireplace to dry. As this spread, many families began hanging stockings by the fireplace so they could get goods from Santa. The tradition of putting coal in stockings comes from Italy, where an elderly woman who is searching for the three wise men and baby Jesus, La Begana, left treats for good children and coal for the naughty ones. In modern days, stockings are hung and
Christmas Color By Number Making this holiday season colorful Tessa Adkins, Staff Writer
Color Key: 1: Red
4: Blue
2: Yellow
5: Purple
3: Green
6: Brown
filled with candy and small toys for children to open before their wrapped presents. Most Christmas trees are crowned with a topper, usually an angel or star, but the history of this tradition is full of many different incarnations of the trend. Originally, baby Jesus was used on the top of Christmas trees. This trend later evolved to other Christian symbols, like an angel or star. The star symbolizes the birth of Jesus, and the Star of Bethlehem, which led the wise men to Jesus’ birth place. An angel is used to represent the angel Gabriel, who told Mary that she was going to give birth to the Son of God. An angel also appeared in the nativity story to announce the birth of Jesus. Many people today may not know the significance of the Christmas tree topper, but most trees bear one. The tradition of hanging mistletoe in doorways goes back to the ancient Druids, who believed it held mystical powers that would bring good luck to the household, as well as ward off evil spirits. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe hung over a door frame comes from England. Originally, a berry had to be picked from the mistletoe before the person could be kissed. Once all the berries were gone, you
could not kiss under the mistletoe any more. Mistletoe is actually a parasite spread on trees through bird feces. Its name comes from two Angle Saxon words ‘Mistel’ and ‘tan,’ (dung and stick, respectively.) Christmas decorations, while diverse, are one of the ways people can feel a connection to one another during the holiday season. Many pieces symbolize religion, or sacred things, which are especially important during Christmas time. Some things just look pretty, but whether it be a tree or a stocking, they bring us together.