Vol 3. Issue 5

ISSUE 3

THE ISSUE

FREE/MAY 2019

let t er from t he

EDITORS

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elcome to this year’s fourth issue of The Chariot! After an error with printing in January, Rohan and I made the decision to postpone the distribution of this issue until the end of the year. Since the issue had several articles dedicated to the holidays, it made little sense to publish it some time in mid-February. That being said, we have reworked these few issues and are excited to present the Education Issue to our peers.

80 percent of students in the US graduate high school, but less than half of these individuals are prepared for the next step, whether that be college or the workforce. There are many causes for the lack of college and job readiness in America, especially given the number of teachers who simply pass students to hand them off to the next teacher. It is vital that these teachers and school systems take the time to cultivate great learners and citizens to ensure a better world than the one of present. This issue is focused on education and the faults that coincide with the K-12 as well as the collegiate system and its admission processes. Sports Editor Matt Press and staff writer Tessa Paul explore this issue as well as the gaps present in the curriculum of many schools in the cover story on pages 14-18.

Also in this issue, Editor-in-Chief Rohan Lalla

discusses the topic of whether an artist should be separated from the work they create, regardless of whether supporting his or her work provides them with monetary gain. Production Manager Dani Blank and Features Editor Hannah Frazer cover the lesser known cost of college: the cost of the admissions process and how the expenses that come with applying may prevent many students from trying for admission into their dream schools.

This issue, we would especially like to thank photographer and graphic designer Edward Cho. His work on our article “Reclassified” was stellar and miraculously completed over the course of one night. Despite him constantly forgetting his camera or SD Card, he managed to create a great image for The Chariot this issue for which we are very thankful.

Stay tuned for our 2020 Issue that will be out much sooner than you might possibly expect.

This issue gives various predictions for the world as we pass into the next decade, especially considering many of us will be participating in the presidential election this year as well.

We are so excited to share the Education Issue with you as this year and our time as EIC’s comes to a close along with our last two issues.

MAURA MCLYNN AND ROHAN LALLA

Edit ors -in-Chief 2 |COVER BY SAM MONCKTON

contents 04. news 4. ROUNDUP 6. THE ROYAL DRESS CODE 7. ARMING TEACHERS 8. THE COST OF COLLEGE

Staff writers Ben Gonzales, Eli Hirshberg and Justin Vexler explore the strong roots of sports like football and baseball in the South. Page 12

10. sport s 10. SOUTHERN CULTURE 12. PAYING D1 ATHLETES 13. RECLASSIFIED

16. feature s 14. COVER STORY: EDUCATION 18. SERIAL FANTASY

Staff writer Annabelle Buchanan disucesses the programs around the country designed to help recycle old school supplies. Page 19

19. REUSABLE SCHOOL SUPPLIES 20. SUMMER MOVIE BRACKET 22. EARLY BIRDS AND NIGHT OWLS 23. MAJI TEA BAR 24. MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

26. opinion

26. FACE-OFF: STANDARDIZED TESTING 28. SEPARATE ARTISTS FROM ART 29. MILITARY RECRUITMENT IN SCHOOLS 30. MISSION TRIPS

Staff writer Gracie Kwon dives into one of the coolest new places in Johns Creek, Maji Tea, and why it’s the best new hang out place. Page 23 THE CHARIOT | 3

NEWS Notre Dame Cathedral, originally built in 1684, partially burned down before Easter weekend. Seemingly symbolic as the lapse of Christianity in Europe, this historic landmark has served as one of France’s most visited tourist attractions.

The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana are donating $100,000 toward the rebuilding of the cathedral.

The Democratic Primary is heating up, with over 20 candidates currently in the race. One candidate who has received a lot of new attention, is Pete Buttigieg, a mayor from South Bend, Indiana. If elected, he would be the first openly gay President in the United States, which has excited many Americans, especially those who felt unrepresented by the Democratic party, and Washington in general.

Beginning on March 7, Venezuela was thrown into a nationwide blackout, lasting until March 14, officially becoming the largest power outage in the country’s history. The power outages have worsened the crisis in Venezuela caused by Nicolás Maduro’s administration.

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A series of Easter bombings took place in Sri Lanka the weekend of the 21st. Over three hundred individuals lost their lives and more than five hundred were injured. The official numbers are still being counted, likely adding more to these numbers. Do far 60 people have been arrested in connection to the bombings.

Following the mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, an Australian Senator blamed the massacre on the country’s loose Muslim immigration policy. In response, a 17-year old boy, Will Connolly, smashed a raw egg on his head during a televised press conference, earning him international fame and the nickname “egg boy.”

Heavy rain in South Africa have hurt the South and Eastern parts of the country. The country’s President has visited many of the areas affected by the floods. Over 51 people have been killed in the storms so far. Rescuers have been going through debris to help injured individuals and adding more people to the death toll. In addition to the people hurt and killed, many buildings and electricity pylons were destroyed, leaving many without homes and electricity all throughout the country.

ROUNDUP ELI HIRSHBERG, staff writer EMMA BUONI, staff writer

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NEWS

Formality in the Spotlight: the royal dress code

BROOKE HALAK, copy editor

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hat is the first thing that comes to mind when you look in your closet, or possibly on your floor, to pick out your clothes? Is it how you will be perceived by the public, or if your outfit complies with certain rules or standards? For the royal family these questions govern what they wear to events and even when simply stepping outside for a brief moment.

Although many public schools have enforced firm dress codes limiting students’ ability to wear spaghetti straps, revealing clothing or shirts with profane language, it may not compare to the strict rules ingrained in the royal dress code. Despite these rules inhibiting students’ expression, they pale in comparison to some of the strange and outlandish rules governing the royal family.

Recently, Meghan Markle, has been in the spotlight for her controversial style ranging from pantsuits to ripped jeans. Markle is a former American actress, better known as the Duchess of Sussex after marrying Prince Harry, a member of the British royal family. Her choice of clothing is not considered abnormal to most Americans, but to the Queen and other members of the royal family, it does not follow the royal dress. There are several rules in terms of etiquette to which royal members adhere, whether it be the way one holds a clutch purse, or when one should wear a hat or coat. The royals would never be seen out in public wearing sweatpants or a Nike t-shirt, despite how comfortable they may be. Instead, casual wear for females entails wearing a sophisticated dress with a cardigan, and for males: a collared shirt, a blazer and trousers. The Queen expects all women to wear pantyhose, while tiaras are reserved for formal events, coats must be kept on indoors whereas mini skirts and short dresses are never appropriate. The list goes on and may be altered depending on the Queen’s decisions.

We are fortunate enough to be able to express ourselves through our clothes, makeup and hair, even if this means we need to wait until after school or for the weekend. We can choose to wear our favorite items whether that be athletic wear, comfy clothes or something more dressy. The constantly evolving and long-established trends such as chokers, fishnets or even the classic: leggings with a long t-shirt, would be strictly prohibited by the Queen, despite being a source of comfort and expression which enable students to display their style. Despite how engrossed the public may be in the latest shoe trend, it would be improbable that a member of the royal family would wear a pair of Balenciagas or Yeezys. So, the next time you go to grab your favorite Supreme sweatshirt and ripped jeans remember how fortunate you are for having the ability to express yourself through how you look.

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THE DEBATE OVER ARMING TEACHERS

MORAYO OGUNBAYO, opinion editor

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eaths from mass shootings have risen sharply in the US over the past 12 years. While anxieties have been increasing rapidly as media has gotten more wrapped up with the issue, the people most affected by this have proven to be high schoolers. Recent high-profile school shootings have led to more student involvement in the issue, as the nation’s schools have been tirelessly looking for solutions. One solution that is frequently brought to the table is arming teachers. However, this idea does not come without its fierce critics, who believe that arming teachers would only add to violence in schools.

In the grand scheme of things, most recent school shootings have not lasted very long. They tend to survive up to the point when a police presence enters the scene, one of the major reasons people advocate for teachers to be armed during the school day is because they believe that the quicker a police presence can get to the scene, the quicker the situation can be quarantined. Other advocates believe that when wouldbe intruders are aware that the school is filled with armed teachers, they would be less inclined to commit violent acts, such as a shooting.

School shootings are high-energy situations, with a lot of chaos and movement, as opposed to a shooting

range. Many people who advocate against the appointment of guns to teachers worry of the practical use of a gun in a real situation, especially due to the likelihood that the perpetrator may look unrecognizable from your own students. People also worry of the mental aspect of teachers carrying guns, as they believe this may create a barrier in teacher-student relationships, and make them more like that of a guard and a prisoner.

In addition, people cite the mental toll that shooting a person takes on soldiers trained specifically for that, and wonder if teachers would be able to recover from that reality.

Some people propose a compromise. They believe schools should add more security, such as scanners, metal detectors, and guards. However, this causes new issues to arise, specifically regarding the schoolto-prison pipeline. Many people fear that changes such as these will cause schools to become too similar to prison, which have shown harmful effects on young people in areas with high police presences.

This debate is not likely to be settled with a simple conversation. It will probably be solved with trial and error, and the lives of students as their control group. People can only hope that the errors do not have lasting damage on a generation.

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NEWS

8 |ERIN LEE

The Cost OF COLLEGE DANI BLANK, production manager and HANNAH FRAZER, features editor

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n high school, all that we know is testing, GPAs and extracurriculars. We spend our entire four years stressing over how to get the perfect combination of these three factors. With every test we take and every activity we sign up for, college is on our minds.

The culture in today’s society is one that thrives on loaded resumes and students whose achievements look great on paper. Society gives students the impression that if they don’t have the numbers or scores, they don’t even have a chance at respectable careers, esteemed colleges, and a successful future.

Students fear that in order to get into an Ivy League, one essentially must cure cancer or start three non profit organizations. The scores aren’t even enough.

Less than twenty or thirty years ago, the entire culture around stress in high school and a focus on how to get into college didn’t even exist. The college acceptance process was drastically different. Students took the SAT once, and if they had good grades and a decent score, they got into the college they wanted. Our generation’s parents can attest to the fact that there was little homework in high school, and there was little to no stress on college until senior year of high school.

College today is not only mentally taxing but it is also costly. Many students are forced the knock their dream colleges off their radar because of expenses. Many others are forced to stay in state because of the more affordable tuition. Even worse, a large majority of schools only offer merit scholarships, not financial ones.

A major source of financial stress for college students is not simply tuition, but the overall cost of college. This includes payment for textbooks, living expenses, and food, many of which scholarships don’t pay for. Current studies affirm that the expense of textbooks and other necessities are over 1,000 dollars a year for an average college student. Transportation is often costly as well, forcing many busy students into adding a job onto their list of priorities.

As awareness is spread of the harsh impact expenses have on college students, many companies and organizations have made attempts to help the young adults out. Discounts are increasingly offered on many websites for students enrolled in college, as well as deals

at certain restaurants and stores around campus.

This “student discount” is included on sites like audible.com where students can listen to their readings for a discounted price instead of buying the book at full price. The various costs that students encounter throughout the year may seem average or reasonable, but over the course of four years, they certainly add up. Whether minute or prominent, these small discounts that are available are a step in the right direction towards helping college students out financially.

The drastic difference in cost pressures many families to stay in state, declining a countless number of opportunities simply because of financial issues. In some cases, further steps have been taken to make college financially reasonable. In Brazil, students attend college 100% free of any charge, and in France, the average college tuition is a mere $200. In these nations and several others, the government values education and ensures that it is as affordable as possible for its population. However, the money for college has to come from somewhere. These cheap education programs may seem incredible for families with college-aged kids, but the rest of the country is paying, in taxes, for these kids to attend college. The decision of whether or not this system is beneficial is one for each person to make individually, but certainly one to consider; what cost is college worth?

One major step these institutions have taken in an attempt to make college “affordable” is the addition of scholarships for those who stay in state. For example, the average tuition for a student in Georgia to attend UGA is 70.3% lower than the tuition for an out of state student. The HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships are offered to students who meet certain academic requirements. HOPE pays for around 75% of tuition and Zell Miller covers 100%. These are enormously advantageous for students who wish to stay in state, but for the rest of the student body, finance is still an issue.

Establishing free colleges would be an enormous step for the United States, and whether or not we are headed in that direction is an ongoing debate — but regardless, students and parents across the nation are well aware of the steep cost that high level education demands.

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SPORTS

MONEY MAYHEM: COLN RAAD, staff writer and KOLIN BRANDEIS, staff writer

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PAYING D1 ATHLETES

he National Collegiate Athletics Association, more commonly referred to as the NCAA, has been under scrutiny regarding whether or not athletes in their sports should get paid to play for the school. Many athletes are demanding for pay as they feel they are “employees” to their respective schools.

On the other hand, many argue that athletes get paid with free tuition, tutors and meal plans. While the notion of paying collegiate athletes persists, as of now, college athletes are not entitled to receive payment.

Currently, it is against the rules set by the NCAA for college athletes to be paid or receive incentives such as cars, jewelry and/or money to play a sport for the college. Despite this rule, there have been a number of notable scandals involving athletes being paid. In February 2018, FBI wiretaps discovered discussion between former University of Arizona men’s basketball star, DeAndre Ayton and head coach Sean Miller.

Ayton was reportedly paid a sum of 100,000 dollars to secure his commitment to the university. As a re-

10 |SAM MONCKTON

sult, Sean Miller, a highly respected coaching legend, was placed under federal investigation, and although he was not fired, the university lost several highly-recruited players, and Sean Miller lost his reputation.

Throughout the existence of college sports, the topic of whether the athletes should be paid has been in discussion for years. With the exposure a school can receive for participating in NCAA sanctioned events, such as the March Madness tournament (womens/mens basketball), the College Football Playoffs and the Women’s/Men’s College World Series (baseball/softball), many athletes believe they should be paid in return for the success brought upon the organization, and the revenue the universities receive for their efforts.

While college athletes are the faces we see on TVs all across the world who make countless dollars for their universities, the rules say they should not receive compensation. The NCAA is a non-profit organization that describes itself as a governing body of college athletics. It is very unlikely that the NCAA will change

its model towards a business just to pay athletes. There is also no fair way to pay college athletes as many other players from minor sports would not receive compensation for their talents. For example, would the backup quarterback of the football team be paid more than a star volleyball player because the football team brings in money to the school? Or would the volleyball player receive more pay as he produces better, more productive results than the backup quarterback? Furthermore, most collegiate athletes are paid enough through scholarships. Students are offered either a small portion of their tuition or their whole tuition to be covered by the university just to play for the school. In the past school year, nearly four billion dollars were given out in athletic scholarships. In addition to free tuition, student-athletes also receive personal tutors, nutrition plans, and an abundance of other benefits.

Despite the ongoing debate of payment for college athletics, the NCAA is likely to stay a non-profit organization even if athletes like DeAndre are being paid behind the scenes.

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ecently, many parents have been holding their children back in school in order to gain an athletic advantage. While there is no known or reliable data on the new trend, coaches and recruiting analysts say more young athletes across the nation are “reclassifying,” or repeating a grade before high school, in an attempt to draw the attention of high school sports coaches and college recruiters, or get an edge against the others on their high school sports team. There are multiple advantages and disadvantages to reclassifying students, some of which can affect school and home life.

While there are disadvantages to holding high schoolers back, reclassifying has paved a way for many kids to earn athletic scholarships. Children who are held back may gain many physical and mental advantages in their sport over their peers because of maturity. College coaches today want to see the biggest, fastest, strongest, most polished kids in each year’s class. Kids t o day who reclassify possess these attributes and often become some of the top players in their sport. Georgia is a huge athletic state filled with star-studded talent, and by holding children back a year, this allows them to dominate in their sport.

Even though a year’s growth can help a player stand out in his grade, there are academic and social ramifications to holding back a child. Getting held back in middle school could impede on these children’s social lives. By the end of their eighth-grade year, most students already have a group of friends or a few close friends, and getting held back a year may cause them to

lose a lot of their friends, and start over. This can often be hard for kids later on in their middle school career, and kids may have to repeat classes in order to be held back an additional year. This is often undesired by parents because it may prevent them from getting into more prestigious schools.

Reclassifying has both beneficial and defective factors for athletes. By holding students back a grade in school, they can grow in many ways and learn how to improve in their sport, but it can also be a big demoralizing factor for kids in their academic and social lives. Whether or not reclassifying is a healthy option, more and more kids today are being held back in order to mature in their sport.

EDWARD CHO

RECLASSIFIED

ALEC GROSSWALD, staff writer and JACK LEE, staff writer

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SPORTS

sports and the south:

southern culture ELI HIRSHBERG, JUSTIN VEXLER AND BEN GONZALES, staff writers

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he Southeastern United States is the hub for four major sports in America: football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. While the South does have professional teams, the region is noted for the intensity in high school and college basketball and football teams, creating rivalries that will last for years to come. The passion that the fans exhibit make the sports not just a game or match, but rather a tradition full of spirit and devotion for your team. Although most sports have been prominent in the Southeast from the beginning, lacrosse has grown rapidly throughout the last decade and is now one of the most popular sports among teenagers. On the other hand, football at the high school and college levels has always been a fan favorite and possibly has the most dedicated fanbase. Another sport that has taken over the South is baseball. Youth baseball organizations in the Southeast have produced an abundance of prospects on the tough road of trying to play in the MLB. In the South, many sports have been a predominant part of the lifestyle with the exception of lacrosse. For several years lacrosse has been popular along the northeastern coast, never expanding into the southern region. However, over the last decade, the number of children choosing to play lacrosse has exponentially grown.

When addressing why lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America, Major League lacrosse player Kyle Harrison said, “Lacrosse has taken off because it combines the hitting of football, the speed of basketball, and the endurance of soccer.”

Before lacrosse, there was no option that combined these elements of different sports into one, which is why it is as popular as it is in the South. When children start playing lacrosse, parents also take an interest, which contributes to its rapid growth and is a substantial reason why it has assumed a significant role in the region.

Another sport which is ingrained in the culture of the American Southeast is football. The high school football scene is prevalent throughout the south from small towns to big cities. In rural towns, high school football brings a sense of unity

12 | SAM MONCKTON

and importance that connects a community like nothing else can. This southern football culture, combined with the fast paced game that southern football is known for, causes southern high schools to be some of the most recruited schools in the country. For the 2018 season, Florida and Georgia high schools provided almost 30% of the nation’s “blue chip” recruits (4 or 5 star rated players). This hyper-competitive culture translates to the college level where the south hosts one of the most competitive athletic conferences known as the SEC (Southeastern Conference).

Boasting teams like Alabama, Auburn, LSU and UGA, the SEC has been dominant over the past decade. Over the past four years, there has been a commanding amount of SEC teams in the College Football Playoffs, and University of Alabama, a tyrannical SEC team has taken home the national championship two times in the past four years. The SEC’s success is due to the fast paced nature of the conference that allows for its authoritative presence to be seen throughout the nation.

Baseball is the United State’s national pastime, and, in the Southeast, baseball is more than just a sport. Youth baseball leagues in the southeast are known to be hardcore, with kids starting to play tee ball at the ages of four to five. In the 2018 MLB draft, several first round draft picks were players from the Southeast. The number one overall pick by the Detroit Tigers, Casey Mize, was born and raised in Alabama and attended Auburn University. A study by Fox Sports in 2017 revealed the rise in participation of kids in youth baseball leagues, especially in the Southeast. Baseball has created a strong culture in the Southeast of young athletes willing to eat, sleep and dream baseball, all of whom are aspiring to play in the big leagues.

Sports are ingrained in the cultural traditions of many Americans in the Southeast.

The diversity of the region allows for a variety of possible experiences from many of these sports. Whether it is a high school football game, a lacrosse game or nine innings of a baseball game, the South is filled with experiences that cannot be matched by other regions.

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COVER

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he education system is constantly being modified and corrected in an attempt to bring it closer to a standard of perfection. One of the most frequently criticized aspects of the high school system is its curriculum, one that does not necessarily adapt well to the ever-changing nature of the world around it.

Common core is defined as “A set of educational standards for teaching and testing English and mathematics between kindergarten and 12th grade”. The initiative introduced in 2010 outlined exact parameters for material that students should know. Since then, over 85 percent of schools in America have adopted Common Core. In concept, this idea was evidently quite popular with schools around the country, but the execution lost a vast majority of the initial support.

Though a multitude of problems raised questioning from teachers, perhaps the most pressing issue of Common Core turned out to be “teaching to the test”. Standardized tests such as the CRCT, the Georgia Milestones and the Iowa Test were essentially the product of the Common Core standards, and to give off the perception of a successful institution, teachers taught their classes in a manner ensuring success on the end of year tests. Classes gradually became a bit duller, and parents, students and even teachers felt the education system was in decline. They felt that their child’s education, one of the most integral parts of their life, was being wasted right before their eyes.

Regardless of the widespread disbelief and disdain for the program, Common Core has actually been a cornerstone of education for almost a decade. The rigorous standards were designed to prepare students for the next level while simultaneously providing a more creative and hands-on way to learn. The latter is known to need improvement, but the former has indeed held true over the last eight years. Students have delved into more advanced topics with Common Core rather than the Georgia Performance Standards, and in turn, the goal of Georgia students matching test scores around the country has been fulfilled.

Regarding the standards of Common Core, Julie Borowski of FreedomWorks said, “Common Core is a one-size-fitsall education policy that assumes every students learns exactly the same. A top down and centrally controlled standards will hurt students’ creativity and learning. Good education policy realizes that all students have different learning styles, preferences, and paces.”

A myriad of families around the country retain their suspicions with common core, and a popular alternative is to attend a charter school. A charter school is a publicly funded school established by teachers, parents, or community

14 | SAM MONCKTON

groups, and these schools do not adhere to the Common Core curriculum. Instead, teachers possess an abundance of freedom with their curriculum, however the schools are responsible for maintaining consistently high test scores, and they may risk closure if the school does not meet a certain goal.

One of the main reasons families opt into charter schools is the varied curriculum. Rather than the “core classes” of English language arts, math, science and social studies, different charter schools focus on areas such as music, art or theatre. Additionally, charter schools tend to focus on the needs of the students in their location. For instance, in areas with a dense population of at-risk children, a charter school may be created in order to provide them the help they need. Though some people may think these nontraditional methods of teaching do not prepare a student for their future, a research on Chicago’s high schools has shown that charter school students score higher on standardized tests, and also have more success with college enrollment. .

“Charter schools also give parents more say in how their children are educated. If the local public school is too small, does not offer enough academic focus, or does not present the best learning environment for your child, you can find the academic environment you are looking for in a charter school. Since charter schools often have smaller populations, there is more opportunity for parents to become involved in their children’s education and for their students to participate in a greater number of opportunities,” said the Mountain Heights Academy charter school.

Though all the advantages may be enough for families to make the switch to charter schools, there do exist a few key downsides to consider. For instance, because charter schools do not follow government regulations, a teacher certification is not absolutely required to gain a position at the school. Furthermore, the admission process into a charter school may ask for very strict requirements, and this has discouraged families from leaving their traditional public school. Despite making up just under ten percent of all American schools, the growing success of students in charter schools is making their traditional school counterparts consider a change.

Even though the method of teaching Common Core curriculum and administering standardized tests could use improvement, it is still relatively new, and success is imminent. Whether it be charter schools or traditional public schools, education will forever remain an integral part of a student’s life. Regardless of how a child is taught their subject matter, growing test scores and increasing college ad-

EDUCATION TESSA PAUL, staff writer and MATT PRESS, sports editor

THE CHARIOT | 15

COVER

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The name of the school can be the deciding factor for students to apply to those schools and part of why they choose to go there.

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mission makes the future look bright for all students across the country.

Though the future does appear more bright in terms of the Common Core and its curriculum’s success, there are still many issues with not only the high school environment, but college and the admissions process as well.

As the school year progresses, the stress levels rise as seniors impatiently await college admission decisions that will decide the course of their future. The college system and application process can be intimidating and confusing, especially for families sending off their eldest child, or in some cases recent immigrants who are unaware of the American school system. The process has grown more competitive and selective each year, leaving plenty of applicants frustrated and disappointed when decisions finally come back. To help relieve the stress of the process, some families turn to a college counselor. Judy Ritter, an AP Literature teacher here at Johns Creek, is also an experienced college counselor for Customized College Consulting.

“The average public school student doesn’t get as much information and guidance because counselors in public schools are overwhelmed with numbers,” said Ritter. “They can’t give students a lot of the personal attention that they need, especially on college applications.”

College counselors advise students how to complete their application and write the numerous essays required to help put their best foot forward and appear desirable to their chosen schools. Along with the common application, many schools require supplemental essays to vet out which kind of student body they wish to achieve with their accepted applicants.

“When admissions counselors are reading your application, the thing that stays in our mind is the essay, because that’s where you get to put your personality and your voice in to the application,” said Mr. Hawes, a former college admissions officer at Berry College.

For the past four years, students have spent hours laboring over standardized test prep books and late night cramming for an upcoming test, all to appear as the ideal candidate for a college.

But the final stage is trying to stand out among the thousands of students with the same scores.

“They want to have a certain population, so everybody competes for the smartest kids,” Ritter explains.

“They are going to say and do things just like any other company would do to promote themselves and to appeal to you. That’s how they make their money.”

Most actions in the college education system are defined by money. New measures can be struck down or supported solely based on the funds available.

According to a report by Third World, the federal government invests $33 billion a year into academic research while spending only $79 million towards improving education. This equates to just 24 cents towards teaching for every $100 they spend on research

grants. This leaves many universities backed into a corner, deciding whether to increase the price of tuition or to cut down on programs they can’t afford.

Some schools combat this by increasing their brand recognition, specifically through their sports programs. Success brings in fans which in turn creates a revenue and turns the team into a business.

As a result, colleges have to recruit high school students with advanced talent and skill to invest in future successes. Unfortunately, some of these recruited students don’t meet the academic qualifications that regular applicants have to face and often struggle to keep up with the academic rigor.

Another harsh reality is that name recognition brings in an influx of applicants, making the application process more competitive. This brings more applicants to big name schools, but leaves out qualified students from applying smaller schools that don’t have a prestigious name associated to it.

“For some students, the name of a school can carry a lot of weight,” Hawes explains. “As we’re looking at job prospects, sometimes the name of the school can be the deciding factor for students to apply to those schools and part of why they choose to go there.”

With the lack of funding at certain schools to accommodate for the increasing number of students, this leads to lower acceptance rates and a tougher admissions process. College admissions officers preach the holistic process in an attempt to decrease the importance put on grades and test scores.

But when students are denied from their dream schools, the question of fairness comes in to play.

“The application process can be discriminatory, to a degree,” Hawes acknowledges. “Some schools look at those quotas and realize the more diverse it can be in ethnicity, talents, areas of interest and geographic regions, then the more competitive it will look.”

Even recently, Harvard University, along with other Ivy League and upper echelon schools, are facing a federal lawsuit claiming racial discrimination against Asian Americans. With a large pool of applicants with similar numbers, extracurricular activities and academic interests, schools have a difficult decision on who to let in, sometimes using a deciding factor that is beyond the student’s control.

“It would be really nice if it was an equal and fair process, but its not,” Ritter confirms. “You have schools that have legacy, and it’s because a lot of those people give money and at the end of the day, schools want to make the money.”

College can be an intimidating process, but at the end of the day, it’s about how much the student is willing to devote to their own college education. The purpose of getting a college education is to provide a student with the information and knowledge in whichever area pulls their interest and hopefully develop into a well-rounded adult that is ready to take on the jobs of tomorrow.

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FEATURES

MAURA MCLYNN, editor-in-chief

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rue crime has peaked in relevance, primarily due to the newfound popularity of series like American Crime Story and podcasts that outline the motivations of criminals like Serial and My Favorite Murder. The inner workings of the bloodthirsty mind fascinate those who cannot fathom what it takes to truly commit a murder. However, along with greater insight into the typical serial killer’s mind comes a twisted form of sympathy, allowing viewers to resonate with some of America’s most renowned criminals.

The Silence of the Lambs is the spark that lit the fuse of the murder movie niche.

At the 1992 Academy Awards, this film managed to win all five of the ceremony’s most prestigious awards, becoming only the third movie in history to do so. This thriller outlined the tale of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter as he psychologically abuses the agent assigned to his case. His sadistic mannerisms proved horrifying but simultaneously captivating to audiences, prompting

countless attempted recreations since.

This fascination in murder has since translated into a new form of infatuation. No longer do audiences simply enjoy delving into the mind of a serial killer, but they now have developed an attraction to these individuals. My Friend Dahmer is a 2017 film that documented the teenage years of Jeffrey Dahmer, a sex offender and killer of 17 young men. It starred Ross Lynch, a former Disney Channel heartthrob, whose role caused many underaged

of his obviously horrific past, many teenage viewers have turned to social media to express their love of Peters’ character.

The infatuation with television killers has become all too real. In March, a Florida teen obsessed with the Columbine shooting boarded a plane to Colorado and purchased a gun and ammunition.

A combination of her previous journal entries and blog posts tipped authorities on the possibility of disaster, sending them on a hunt to find the girl. She was found dead after committing suicide, but the idea that her attraction to the two murderers could cause yet another horrific killing serves as a reminder of how dangerous the sexualization of killers can be.

It was the media that first kickstarted the infatuation with killers and it is they that need to remind viewers of the true nature of these individuals. Rather than romanticizing criminals for the purpose of monetization, they should use their platform as a means to remind their audiences of how dangerous the world and its people can truly be.

FATAL ATTRACTION

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girls to watch and develop feelings for the criminal. Not only this, but many people have since begun idolizing the real Dahmer for his looks as well.

Yet another example of the media sexualizing criminals was presented in the first season of American Horror Story.

Evan Peters portrayed Tate Langdon, a character who simply appeared to be troubled for the majority of the season until viewers learned that he actually committed a mass murder. And in spite

Reusing School Supplies ANNABELLE BUCHANNAN, staff writer

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s children grow up, they outgrow their old toys, clothes and school supplies, most of which end up getting donated. Unfortunately, the schools supplies often are thrown out without a second thought. To discourage the waste of such useful school supplies, programs such as Crazy Crayons recycle and reuse unwanted crayons so they do not end up in the landfills. It is part of the “National Crayon Recycle Program” where you can send in your old broken crayons that you do not use.

“The crayons arrive at the Crazy Crayon workshop to be melted, strained, sterilized and hand poured into beautiful, functional works of art for kids to enjoy,” says Crazy Crayons, “the Crazy Crayons recycling program has collected over 120,000 pounds of crayons since the program started”.

The crayons come in a variety of different colors and are moulded

into stars, letters and animals, including an earthworm which is the most popular shape, and crayons in the shape of the Earth. Crazy Crayons sorts through crayons that are donated to them which they then sell online through their website.

The program Elmer’s Glue Crew also uses old school supplies in a beneficial way. They collect empty glue bottles and glue sticks and transform them into plastic bins.

Another supply recycling program is called ColorCycle, and they use aged dried up markers and convert them into a liquid fuel source that is beneficial to the environment.

Most households typically have children’s books and school books laying around. Organizations collect and send the unwanted books to school libraries and to places overseas. These books can be used in underprivileged schools or for school teachers as part of a class library. Used bookstores are willing

to pay for these books that children have grown out of to then be shared with other book lovers. People can also donate used books to organizations that send books to troops.

“Operation Paperback is a national, non-profit organization, whose volunteers collect gently-used books and send them to American troops overseas” says Operation Paperback.

This organization is similar to “Books for Africa” who ship books to the impoverished and underprivileged areas in Africa that do not have access to books.

Recycling used and unwanted school supplies can be a terrific way to give back, recycle, keep trash from landfills, care for the environment and support the troops. So next time someone goes to throw away those old crayons or books, remind them of the better places these supplies could be going to have a more beneficial use.

THE CHARIOT | 19

SAM MONCKTON

EMILY MILLER, staff writer

FEATURES

The Chariot’s Summer Block DREW PELJOVICH, staff writer Summer movies serve to help students and parents alike take a break from the heat and relax in the theatres. This year, dozens of new movies are coming out this summer that hope to be the next summer blockbuster. This selection of movies includes movies from all different genres, from children’s movies to action movies, and to superhero movies. For clarification, the term ‘summer movie’ in this context pertains to any movie released on or after May 1st. The results of the poll proved rather interesting. It seems as if the Newspaper class is more interested in seeing movies designed for children, such as Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Detective Pikachu, or The Lion King over other blockbuster hits like Spiderman: Far From Home or Godzilla: King of Monsters. All in all, the upcoming movie Toy Story 4 won over the class with its nostalgic return to characters like Buzz Lightyear and Woody.

toy story 4

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rocketman

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dora and the lost city of gold 24 men in black: internatonal

20 | ERIN LEE

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toy story 4 25 toy story 27

dora

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winner: toy

buster Bracket

32 pikachu

33pikachu

8 the lion king

godzilla: king 27 of the monsters 13 detective pikachu spiderman: 14 far from home 26 the lion king

story 4

THE CHARIOT | 21

JOSHUA KIM, staff writer Almost everyone has heard of the saying “the early bird gets the worm”, but when it comes to high school students, do early risers actually have the upper hand over “night owls”?

We all have friends who can wake up early in the morning, but there are only a few people we know that can truly fit into the category of “early birds” - those who religiously adhere to the sleepearly-wake-early system. Let’s be honest, some aspects of the early bird life are perfectly suited to high school life. For starters, it’s naturally easy for early birds to spring out of bed at the sound of their first alarm, and it’s almost as if getting to school on time is like second nature to them. During school, the contrast is even more distinctive. It’s hard not to spot the designated early bird in your first period class, with their refreshed faces and energetic moods easily recognizable in an emotionless sea of night owls. Turns out, many of these individuals are also more efficient and stress-free than their nocturnal counterparts, which is an extremely notable asset to possess during classes. Despite our possible desire to be an early bird, however, research suggests that our sleep preference is predominantly determined on genetics and personality traits. And contrary to the seemingly unending advantages of being an early bird, there are only limited ways to even alter our individual temperaments.

On the other side of the spectrum are night owls, who thrive late into the evening and routinely sleep well after midnight. Although it may seem as though early birds have a clear advantage over night owls, the latter are also equipped with a unique skill set that proves beneficial to any high school student. Night owls typically have higher cortisol, or stress, levels than early birds, but that doesn’t necessarily correlate as being a negative thing. These increased cortisol levels are shown to contribute to a night owl’s risk taking behavior, which can translate into increased opportunities and financial gain. Research has also found that night owls are generally linked to increased creativity and cognitive skills. However, considering most societal activities occur between 9am to 5pm, many of benefits of being a night owl are unfortunately overshadowed and unrecognized. Regardless of whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, both sides have their own unique advantages and tradeoffs. As high school students with fixed early schedules, however, one has to wonder if early birds really do have the inherent potential to be more successful in a classroom setting. Nevertheless, our sleep preferences are virtually unchangeable, and it’s equally important to recognize our own dispositions and to take full advantage of natures gift - whichever one it may be.

22 | SAM MONCKTON

early birds and night owls

FEATURES

EDWARD CHO

the perfect cup of tea: A CHARIOT REVIEW OF MAJI TEA BAR GRACIE KWON, staff writer

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eing named after the Taiwanese word for “match,” Maji Tea Bar is one of the popular hangout spots for Johns Creek High School students after school.

Its flexible hours are perfect for the busy schedules of high school students as it’s open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Located in between JCHS and Pike Nurseries, Maji is a convenient location for friends and study buddies. Due to its close proximity to the school, a few students at JCHS apply to work at Maji; however, they still are looking for more members to join their establishment.

On the menu, there is a wide variety of options, ranging from cold brewed teas to delightful snacks, which is perfect to satisfy tired and exhausted students while they work. Not only are these menu items delicious, but they are also spreading the fine dining and cultural beverages of Taiwan. A refreshing taste of Taiwan’s culture can be enjoyed as you soak in the cafe’s tranquil

aura. All ingredients are imported directly from Taiwan for an authentic taste. Their tea is as high-quality as what you would experience on the street in Taiwan. The teas are all brewed fresh every morning with loose tea leaves, and customers can customize a drink with his or her own personal choice of bubbles.

Buyers can choose from milk teas, fruit iced teas, flavored teas, or yogurt drinks. With the drink, there are boba and jelly toppings. If you are uninterested in those, other toppings such as oreo, red bean, taro, and whipped cream are available. The ice and sugar levels are also adjustable to one’s taste buds.

To fill up one’s stomach, a customer can purchase a quick snack or hearty meal ranging from savory snacks like corn pops and veggie spring rolls, to sweet desserts like cream puffs and donut holes in four different flavors: caramel, chocolate, matcha, or strawberry. The most popular food items consists of the ice cream waffle, popcorn chicken and the crispy tofu. If one’s

hunger cannot be satisfied, he or she can purchase a meal such as the Maji Noodles or the Popcorn Chicken Noodles.

Although the food and beverages may be a bit pricey, the cafe offers so much in return.

Maji Tea Bar certainly has a nice atmosphere with its interior. Well-known for its wall covered in bright green leaves with the cafe’s logo, Maji truly has a great aesthetic. In addition, the serene environment is perfect for studying or having a quick snack with friends.

If a student is in need of a break, there are board games and playing cards available to all. Games such as Monopoly, Jenga, or cards like Uno or a plain old deck of cards all add onto the chill and relaxed vibe of the Taiwanese cafe.

Always open after school, Maji Tea Bar is easily accessible and an ideal place to study with its cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Even if you’re not working or doing homework, it’s a nice little cafe where you can catch up with friends over nice tea.

THE CHARIOT | 23

FEATURES NEWS

music Seasonal Depression In this wintery season, most of us are caught in the throes of reflecting on the year that passed, remembering both the good and the bad that came and went with 2018. In honor of the nostalgia of a year gone by, here is a set of songs that will bring out the rawest sentiments.

cardi vs. nicki

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frank ocean

2. U TURN mick jenkins

EMILY MILLER, staff writer

hings that keep us up at night: how many likes your instagram post receives, Kardashian drama, and more importantly, who would win in a battle between the rap queens Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. This battle, otherwise known as the greatest female rap rivalry of our generation, began over a year ago in 2017 after speculations arose regarding which artist is the best female rapper. According to fans, the rap industry only has room for one female star at a time. As the competitive atmosphere between the two women – Cardi B and Nicki – has escalated, their struggle to dominate the rap industry has brought forth lyric battles between them.

After Nicki Minaj’s rise to fame in 2010, she became the dominant female rapper for the majority of the decade. She has been known as the Queen of Rap since the release of her first album, Pink Friday. After Cardi released her hit, “Bodak Yellow,” it became questionable who the real Queen was. As her hit climbed its way to the top, fans began to notice a brawl between Cardi and Minaj and rumors emerged that they were targeting each other in their songs. Since the beginning of Cardi and Minaj’s scuffles, it was clear there was only room for one of them at the top, causing their audiences to claim sides.

The rivalry was first noticed last year when the two rappers

1. PROVIDER

collaborated on Migos track “Motorsport”. Fans immediately interpreted the track as a reason to insult each other.

On “Swish Swish,” Nicki rapped, “Silly rap beefs just get me more checks... My life is a movie, i’m never off set/Me and my amigos (no, not Offset).”

In the second line, she followed up by calling out Cardi’s then-boyfriend and now-fiance, Offset.

Many believe she intended to ruffle a few feathers with her verse.

Shortly after Nicki dropped her single in May 2017, Cardi went on Instagram live to rant about how “fake” people in the industry are.

In August 2017, Nicki, Offset and 21 Savage teamed up for London on da Track’s latest song, “No Flag.”

Nicki wasted no time on her verse and opened it with the lines, “Lil’ b*tch I heard these labels tryna make another me/ Everything you getting little h*e is cause of me.”

Although Nicki denied that she was targeting Cardi, the internet did its best to emphasize the lyric battle between them.

And after Nicki came out with this verse, Cardi tweeted, “I don’t bother with these h*es, don’t let these h*es BOTHER me,” which fans viewed as a response to this drama.

Nicki is the Queen of Rap, and Cardi is the reigning rap queen on the pop chart. But whether you are team Nicki or Team Cardi, it seems there is only room for one queen.

3. DECEMBER 24 earl sweatshirt

4. SWEET MARIE the walters

5. E. COLI the alchemist

6. SOUTH DAKOTA tabby

7. WARM ON A COLD NIGHT HONNE

8. FLICKER rina sawayama

9. CHEERS anderson .paak

10. WHO HURT YOU? daniel caesar

11. WOOL IN THE WASH crying

entertainment Must Watch: eighth grade

EMMA BUONI, staff writer

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ighth Grade is a surprisingly popular indie film by famous comedian Bo Burnham, who is well known for both his outrageous humor and his integration of music in his work. The film follows a young girl named Kayla Day in her final week of eighth grade as she tries to prepare herself for high school. It explores themes of anxiety, social media and sexuality, as Kayla has a YouTube channel that posts inspirational and motivational videos that get no views. All the while Kayla doesn’t even follow her own advice. She is also pressured by two boys she barely knows to perform sexual acts for them, which nearly turns disastrous for Kayla. Eighth Grade stars Elsie Fisher as Kayla, who Burnham said was perfect for the role due to her shy personality. Fisher said the film helped her explore her own feelings, especially those relating to social media. The film received amaz-

ing views, especially for its relatability of the experience of middle schoolers. While many wondered if a male comedian would be able to pull off a believable movie, he accomplished it with all around praise. While there was a controversy with actual eighth graders being unable to see the movie due to its R rating, the filmmakers arranged a free, unrated viewing so that pre-high schoolers could see a film depicting their own daily struggles.

Burnham has won several awards for his film, including the Gotham Award for the best director, Heartland Film Festival’s Truly Moving Picture, Satellite Award for best independent film and Seattle International Film Festival for best film. The film was named one of the top ten best films of 2018, and has been a huge hit with all audiences. The film is funny, creative and well worth a watch by anyone who has ever or is experiencing eighth grade.

procrastination podcasts MORAYO OGUNBAYO, opinions editor CLASSROOM CRUSH: Middle School was hard, and some of the toughest memories from those years were those involving crushes. In this podcast, host Rebecca Bulnes brings a new guest every week to talk about their most significant childhood crushes, and the present-day influence of that infatuation. There is everything from humor, to nostalgia, to searing truths about modern relationships, to early 2000s emo jams. The best thing about Classroom Crush is that it helps us realizes that having deep, dark, repressed memory from middle school is a lot more common than we think.

PUNCH UP THE JAM: Have you ever listened to a song and thought “what on earth are they even talking about?” Then Punch Up the Jam is the podcast for you. Every episode, hosts Miel Bredouw and Demi Adejuyigbe pour over a song from the past or present, and try to get to the bottom of the songwriter’s intentions with the lyrics. At the end of every episode, one of the hosts will perform a “punch up” which is essentially a parody version of the song that gets directly to the point. Some episodes that are my personal favorites cover “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic at the Disco, “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, and “Sk8er Boi”

by Avril Lavigne. After hearing them riff on a song for over an hour, it becomes hard for you to ever hear it the same way again.

LAST PODCAST ON THE LEFT: Murder is all the rage these days. In Last Podcast on the Left, hosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski go through the histories of the world’s most prolific killers, and examine the factors that led them to that. By using humor and pop culture references, they make it easy to listen to the activities of John Wayne Gacy Jr. after dark.

There are also many episodes that sift through conspiracy theories, UFOs, and even creepypastas. From when you hear Jeffrey Dahmer whisper “That’s when the cannibalism started,” in the intro to every episode, that’s when you know you are hooked.

THE CHARIOT | 25

FACE O FF

OPINION

SHOULD STANDARDIZED TESTS BE MANDATORY?

26 |EDWARD CHO

yes ETHAN MINGOIA, staff writer

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n order to get into highly selective universities, high school students take advanced classes and try to have an outstanding GPA at all times. Commonly known as Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) and American College Tests (ACT), these standardized tests are necessities when applying for colleges, so the score a student receives can either improve or worsen a student’s college application. For many college admission officers, standardized tests provide a neutral yardstick for measuring students’ potential and performance. These tests should be required for college admissions.

SAT and ACT serves as national, standardized scales to determine how prepared students are for college. Standardized testing is simply practical. The tests have explicit directions and are easy to administer and

they’re also time efficient and easy to grade.

Standardized testing prepares the student for college because when students study for, and take the SAT or ACT, they learn test-taking skills that will help them in college. Standardized testing offsets grade inflation. With grade inflation on the rise in many school systems, standardized tests offer a way to consistently compare student knowledge and aptitude. For the most part, standardized tests are graded by machines so human biases will not affect test scores. Without them, policy makers would have to rely on tests scored by individual schools and teachers who have a vested interest in producing favorable results.

Test like the SAT and ACT give students a chance to show they’re still bright and motivated, even if their high school didn’t offer lots of AP courses or challenging curriculum.

However, students in rigorous schools like Johns Creek or Northview get the chance to demonstrate they’re intelligent and qualified and in the top 10 percent of their class.

Like it or not, standardized exam data remains the best way to hold schools accountable for their academic performance. Outside of standardized test results, no objective method exists for policymakers to identify either poor-performing schools needing intervention or high-performing schools deserving rewards and taxpayer money.

In a utopian world, one could wish away standardized tests, all schools would be great, and every student would be meeting their potential. But we live in reality. The hard, objective information on school and student performance, is best available from standardized tests.

no

CARLY BLANK, staff writer

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onsidered “the most tested generation in history,” students are being overworked and under-rewarded.

Standardized tests should not be mandatory for students in high school because they are subjective, poorly formatted, and inefficient. Not every child learns in the same way, and standardized tests are especially unfair to those with special needs or disabilities, learning disorders or those who learned english as their second language.

The test questions are often worded confusingly, yet teachers are not allowed to clarify or explain them. The time limit also leads to kids feeling rushed and worried, often not performing to their full potential.

Most standardized tests only measure a small portion of what students actually learn in school. The multiple-choice format is not an adequate assessment tool, because students will just guess. Teachers are

often pressured to simply ‘teach the test’ so students will perform well, instead of the actual content. This causes instruction time to be consumed by monotonous test preparation and disengaged students. The essay questions are also graded by unqualified scorers looking for specific answers, as opposed to out of the box thinking.

As one former grader said, “All it takes to become a test scorer is a bachelor’s degree, a lack of a steady job, and a willingness to throw independent thinking out of the window.”

Standardized tests are a major reason experts say Americans are facing a “creativity crisis”. Researchers in a College of William and Mary study report that scores on the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking have been steadily dropping since 1990.

Standardized testing has negative effects on states, teachers and most importantly

students. First, state governments spend over $1.7 billion on standardized testing a year. Many think it is a waste for public tax money to go to money-making testing companies. Test scores are an imprecise method of ranking teachers and students.

Using results to punish or reward teachers and schools, encourages them to cheat the system for their own good in hopes of receiving better scores. Lastly, standardized tests have extreme negative impacts on the students. Starting as early as elementary school, more and more kids experience severe anxiety related to tests.

According to a 2014 Harvard study, teens reported higher stress levels than adults and 83% cited school as a source of stress.

Excessive testing may teach students to be good at answering multiple choice questions and fixed essay responses, but in no way does it prepare them for real life.

THE CHARIOT | 27

OPINION

B

etween the iridescent flashes of photography and bolded TMZ news headlines, in the age of social media and unbounded content, the line between artist and celebrity is becoming muddled. This breeds a conundrum for those on the other end of the screen when our beloved musicians, actors and artists fall trap to controversy. Whether it be Kanye West proudly donning a “Make America Great Again” hat or the slough of sexual assault allegations propagated against acclaimed directors and actors like Kevin Spacey, the age-old question- should the artist be separated from their art- has become more topical than ever. It’s an inner dialogue that most of us have faced: as someone committed to social progress and women’s rights, can I enjoy Kanye West’s musical brilliance in his praised album The College Dropout or Kevin Spacey’s lionized work in American Beauty in good conscience?

The answer to the question is a resounding no. Art cannot and should not be viewed solely on its aesthetic merit, its context is integral to its meaning. Our instincts are to view art under a tainted lens when observing an artist’s work after allegations of misconduct or political missteps, rarely would we even think to financially support them. However, in the context of the cultural pervasiveness of the aforementioned “iconic” artists, our morals are often tossed to the side as we play folly to psychological consumerism.

When examining Kanye, his recent endeavours into rightwing politics come as an amplified disappointment in light of his older artistic work, consisting of songs and albums critical of his own fame and the capitalistic structures surrounding him. The chasm between “new Kanye” and “old Kanye” is the chasm we as consumers have to jump when supporting an artist that we morally disagree with, a jump catalyzed by the mass-consumerism of today’s art. Every song, every movie, every T.V. show is at the reach of our fingers, the proximity of which leads us to compromise our resolves without even knowing it. The ubiquity of Kanye West in our culture is wholly unavoidable- that’s where the blurred lines between artist and art solidify and our guilty conscious is absolved. Beyond a certain threshold of fame, all artists are seemingly free from the consequences of their transgressions, another example being the late XXXTentacion, a rapper found guilty of beating and threatening to rape a pregnant woman but one who amassed a cultish following and was celebrated for his benevolence and humanitarianism after his death. Our consumerist culture and the industries that circumscribe these forms of art dismiss the moral merit of certain artists in the blind pursuit of dollar signs.

28 | EDWARD CHO

separating the artist from their art ROHAN LALLA, editor-in-chief

gun at a complete stranger and end their life. The fundamental task of the military is to fight and kill the enemies of the U.S, and it’s not a pretty scene.

Additionally, research shows that teenagers are more apt to risky behavior and are impulsive, making them uniquely more susceptible to persuasion. The inability of young adolescents to make coherent decisions has large implications for the future of these teens. When combined, these two factors create a dangerous environment in schools, inducing the impressionable youth who often lack the capacity to understand the hazards of war to enlist.

Putting it simply, if people aren’t allowed to drink alcohol before 21, why should they be able to make a decision that could cost them their lives at 18?

Military Recruitment in Schools JEFFERY SHEN, staff writer

SAM MONCKTON

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eginning in 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act required that public high schools give the military as much access to campuses and student information as any other kind of recruiter. However, many schools have taken this farther than expected, with military recruiters holding positions such as sports coaches and substitute teachers. Recently, there has been a growing group of parents and students opposed to the aggressive presence of recruiters in their high schools.

These recruiters frequently visit low-income, minority schools, where the students have limited options. Such is the case at Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, where students interact more with military recruiters in class rather than college recruiters.

“There were recruiters who were in the classroom not to talk to students about reading, writing and arithmetic, but to talk to them about how to get a oneway ticket to Iraq and all the benefits you will accrue by that process,” Scott M. Stringer, the Manhattan borough president, said at a news conference.

Teenagers who are the prime targets for recruitment, are being told just about anything to draft them. Need money for a new car? No problem. You want to live in a nice place?

Certainly, maybe even Hawaii. Brochures for the Selective Service system tout promises of paid vacation, retirement benefits, and free dental and medical care. There is no mention of combat, no mention of the veterans without arms and legs, no mention of what it means to point your

THE CHARIOT | 29

OPINION

MISSION TRIPS: the flip side MAREN STEPHENS, managing editor

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s summer nears, so does the wave of mission trips for many high schoolers. Mission trips to Costa Rica and Kenya are among the most common for students to embark on. Although mission trips do result in new infrastructure in some impoverished communities, among other benefits, they do not come without their negatives. Mission trips follow a long history of American colonialism and often go to enforce a savior complex held by many American people, all the while ignoring the root of many problems faced by the communities missionaries visit.

The association of missionaries with colonization is not a new one, dating back to the origins of Christianity. Although missions are well intentioned, they enforce the rhetoric of Christian-American superiority and continue the negative prejudices against other countries and people held by some Americans.

Many missionaries, specifically short term ones, return to their home communities with perceptions of other nations as lesser, whether rooted in racism or not, and spread these perceptions without a truly in depth knowledge of life in the area. Currently, many churches are abandoning short term mission trips all together for this very reason.

The Gospel Coalition, a group of Evangelical churches, is among those advocating for a change to the practice of short term missions in favor of helping communities in need through long term service or financial support.

Their advocacy against poverty tourism is important milestone on the path to maintaining healthy mindsets and relationships, not only nationally but also internationally.

In addition to the negative cultural impacts of missions, they are often less effective than other means of charity. Much of the aid sent via mission trips, especially high school and college ones, often serves little to no long term purpose, seeing as problems in impoverished communities are typically structural and go deeper than a lack of infrastructure. Mission trips often result in disproportionate costs for projects that are able to be done cheaply by locals. It is estimated that by sending missionaries to build infrastructure, the average construction project costs 10 times what it would normally.

Additionally, foreign labor as opposed to simply sending funds takes work and money away from local contractors, construction workers, companies, etc. The potential money being kept from these communities often prevents them from financial growth, the root of many problems that missionaries are sent to assist in.

Despite well intentioned origins, the truth of the matter is that mission trips come with many unforeseen impacts, many of which are negative. As many churches and religious organizations are transitioning their mindsets regarding charity and interpersonal relationships, these short term mission trips are becoming less and less common, though many of these issues persist.

“

Although missions are well intentioned, they enforce the rhetoric of Christian-American superiority and continue the negative prejudices against other countries.

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30 | MADHU RAVI

masthead PUBLICATION “The Chariot” is a student-run publication printed for and distributed to the Johns Creek community. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Johns Creek High School, its students, faculty, staff or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors, in collaboration with the staff adviser and the administration.

The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and the invasion of privacy.

ADVERTISING “The Chariot” publishes ads with signed contracts provided that they are deemed appropriate by the staff for the intended audience.

For more information about advertising with “The Chariot,” please contact the staff e-mail.

CONTACT US 470-254-2138 jchschariotmagazine@gmail.com 5575 State Bridge Road Johns Creek, GA 30022

ADVISER Todd Hedden

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Rohan Lalla Maura McLynn

SPORTS EDITORS Sam Beagle Matt Press

MANAGING EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

Maren Stephens

Morayo Ogunbayo

PRODUCTION EDITOR

STAFF WRITERS

Dani Blank

COPY EDITOR Brooke Halak

DESIGNERS Erin Lee Madhu Ravi

PHOTOGRAPHERS Sam Monckton Edward Cho

NEWS EDITOR Hannah Frazer

Carly Blank Harrison Blank Annabelle Buchanan Kolin Brandeis Emma Buoni Alec Grosswald Joshua Kim Gracie Kwon Emily Miller Ethan Mingoia Tessa Paul Drew Peljovich Jeffery Shen

crossword

across 3. National animal of Canada 4. Capital of Germany 6. An electron has a ___ charge 9. Rihanna’s last name 10. April’s birthstone 11. This was the original color of carrots 12. This popular coffee chain was banned in Italy for 47 years 13. The plastic part at the end of a shoelace 14. In 1858, this man discovered the theory of evolution 17. The period when the production,

transportation and sale of alcohol was banned 20. This English fashion designer was a member of the Spice Girls 21. The first man to step foot on the moon 23. It is illegal to own just one guinea pig in this country 24. The only country in the world named after a woman 26. 2nd president of the United States of America

down 1.Luxury clothing brand who’s mascot is Greek, mythical creature Medusa 2. The most listened to artist on Spotify in 2018 4. Humans share about 60% of our DNA with this fruit 5. Finish the vine: “My dad has a gold tooth. My dad has ___.”

6. This chocolate spread was invented during WWII, when hazelnuts were mixed with chocolate to extend chocolate rations 7. The title stacking puzzle video game popularized in the 90s 8. The youngest president of the United States of America 11. The competitor of the Coca-Cola company 13. Fear of spiders 15. This is the group of colors that appear after you mix two primary colors 16. Elon Musk is said to be the real life version of this superhero 17. This theorem is used to find the unknown side of a triangle 18. The birth month of Blake Lively 19. A disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes 22. Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire in 1519 25. Keyboard player in Queen