The Echo (Issue 2, 2017-2018)

The Echo

2017-18

Issue 2

THE ECHO

Service Day and Institution of Emphasis Hard Bargain

Page 1: Service Day at BGA Page 3: Nashville Population Boom Page 4: Stranger Things Feature Page 7: Interview with Madame Olaru Page 9: Cross-Country Wrap Up Page 10: Changes to DACA Affect Hundreds of Thousands Page 11: Sports Wrap-Ups, Pt. 2 Back Page: Drew Martin, Reporter on the Street

By Skyler Fox

On October 9th, BGA’s upper school participated in what we call Service Day, a day completely dedicated to serving the community through various kinds of group volunteer work. This year, advisories went to various places around Williamson County and beyond, such as PrestonTaylor Ministries, Project Cure, Nashville Rescue Mission, Giving Garden, and our institution of emphasis for the year, Hard Bargain. I think it is extremely important as a student of BGA to stay actively involved in the outside community because we all know that it is sometimes hard to break out of what we call “the BGA bubble.” Community service is a concept that BGA has always emphasized, but I believe its importance has been highlighted even more over the time I have been at BGA, from the establishment of the Service Learning Committee to the (continued on next page)

The Echo Staff Editors-In-Chief: Skyler Fox and Emma Wylie Staff Members: Bailey Anderson, Alex Pareigis, Sarah May, Shea Kelly, Kevin Dennis, Allyson Newkirk

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The Echo reestablishment of the Day of Service. Also, a couple of years ago, BGA began choosing an Institution of Emphasis each school year in which our community service as a school would be focused on for that specific year.

Organizations that have been our Institution of Emphasis in the past include High Hopes and One Team, One Goal.

This year, the Institution of Emphasis was Hard Bargain Association, a grassroots, non-profit organization, whose mission is, “to impact lives and preserve the Hard Bargain neighborhood by rehabbing existing homes, building quality affordable housing, and enriching the lives of our neighbors.” Hard Bargain Association was established in 1875 by a freed slave, Harvey McLemore, who subdivided 15 acres that he purchased from his former owner and then began selling lots to other freed slaves. Hard Bargain became a thriving African American Community, and is currently located on 15 acres, two square city blocks in downtown Franklin, and totals over 130 households.

Hard Bargain Association’s three programs include the Homeownership Program, the Rehab Program, and Community Center Programs. The Homeownership Program is dedicated to building new homes and selling them below market value for low to moderate-income families. Volunteers often contribute to the Rehab Program, which repairs the homes of elderly and low-income residents in Hard Bargain. Lastly, the Community Center Programs offers computer classes, cooking classes, and a variety of other classes and programs during the year for the residents of Hard Bargain in order to integrate each member of the neighborhood readily into the community.

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Students can seek opportunities to serve this great local organization in several different ways. Hard Bargain Association depends on donations to fund its programs and operate its budget. One can make a donation on the Hard Bargain Association website. Students can also sign up to volunteer with the Rehab Program, which is similar to the community service project that Mrs. Barclay’s advisory did on Service Day in the Hard Bargain neighborhood (pictured below). Volunteers help in various ways within the Rehab Program by doing projects on homes, such as repairs, painting, roofing, landscaping, gardening, and clean up.

Hard Bargain Association is a meaningful and impactful program with deep historical roots that is dedicated to enriching the lives of the members of the Hard Bargain community and to assisting those who have not yet been able to attain the dream of home ownership. The only way this organization is able to thrive and maintain its mission is through the donations and volunteer work of those who are willing to help, which is why it is so essential that BGA students take initiative to support this wonderful organization.

The Echo

2017-18

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Service Day Pictures

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The Echo

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Nashville Population Booming in 2017

By Alex Pareigis You might have noticed heavier traffic and more houses being built in and around Nashville. The Middle Tennessee region is growing rapidly, with approximately 100 people being added to the total population each day. In 2015, the population of the 13 counties in the Nashville metropolitan area was 1,830,345, with Nashville proper having a population of 684,410. The booming population has affected the suburbs around Nashville the most, which includes Franklin. Rutherford county’s population has grown by 9,828 people from 2015 to 2016 and Williamson county’s population has grown by 7,433 people from 2015 to 2016.

If the current trends continue, the population of Nashville could reach 2 million by 2020. This population growth is both a positive and a negative factor. With this growth, low income families are being squeezed out of affordable housing. Also, with a population increase comes an inevitable growth in crime. In 2017, there have been 44 homicides in Nashville. This is an increase from 2016, when 31 people had been murdered by December.

Growth also brings new buildings and new attractions. In 2018, Nashville will be welcoming the August Moon Drive-In, an indoor drive-in movie theater with 50 classic cars which will open at the intersection of James Robertson Parkway and Interstate 24.

Nashville was also recently named one of four finalists for an MLS franchise, which would continue to grow the national profile of the city.

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The sudden growth in the Nashville area will also affect the Williamson County area in business growth, investments, and traffic.

Williamson County saw the largest percentage of job growth in the country from September 2014 to September 2015 according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor. The property values have also gone up 26%, according to Property Assessor Brad Coleman.

The Echo

2017-18

Issue 2

A Review by Skyler Fox The whole world was on tenterhooks waiting for the second season to release ever since it first aired in July 2016 and was adored by sci-fi lovers all around the world. The Netflix Original Stranger Things 2 was released right before Halloween and turned the world upside down (get it?). This season received a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was called “a safe move, but a smart one,”

by The Independent and “a masterful sequel, both expanding and tying up elements of its predecessor,”

by Wired. To say the least, Stranger Things 2 has impressed and dazzled millions, and, honestly, the new season has been a major topic of conversation at BGA ever since its first release. According to some reviewers, such as The Hollywood Reporter, the season had a slow start and some repetitiveness in the plot. I understand their point; however, in my opinion, this season was immediately captivating, especially the second chapter that takes place on Halloween. Stranger Things 2 does a perfect job of advancing the intriguing plot that was started in season one, adding new plot points (such as more background into Eleven’s childhood and family and the introduction of the characters Max and Billy), and making the audience members absolutely fall in love with the original characters. (If you are not in love with Dustin and Steve by the end of season two, obviously, you have no soul.) The relationships that are formed and continue to grow in this season are what I love about it so much, such as the heartwarming and realistic father-daughter relationship between Eleven and Hopper and the big brother-little brother relationship between Dustin and Steve highlighted by the iconic scene between them on the train tracks. In addition, the acting in this season, as well as in the first season, is absolutely phenomenal, especially the child actors, and is some of the best acting I have seen in a television show in a long time. Stranger Things 2 is, simply put, a must-see, with its thrilling cliffhangers, its irresistible characters, an engrossing plot, and, not to mention, an amazing 80’s soundtrack (and haircuts). Now, as Nancy says in chapter four, “let’s burn that lab to the ground.”

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“Who is your favorite Stranger Things character and why?”

by Drew Martin and Emma Wylie

Tanner Perry (Sr): Which one?

Chapter Two or Chapter One? (Drew: Whichever chapter you want) Personally, Chapter Two had me shook, but when you ask me who my favorite character is, it’s kind of hard to explain. I think each individual character is imperative in the role of developing the plot. However, my favorite character would probably be Steve because of his courageous acts.

Brenna White (Fr): I would have to say Mike because he’s cute.

Ms. Gilmore: I’m gonna say Eleven because she’s so complex, and there’s a lot to her story. She’s got a really cool backstory, and I want to know more about her. My other favorite character might be the demogorgon, though.

Avery Witt (Jr): Probably Mike because he’s really cool. Or Dustin, I really like Dustin.

Cole Dennis (Soph): Eleven, because she likes Eggos.

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The Echo

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New Teacher Interview with Madame Olaru

By Shea Kelly Q: What do you teach here at BGA? A: I teach five levels of French: French 1, French 2 (College Prep), French 2 (Honors), French 3 (College Prep) and French 5 (College Prep). I also serve as faculty sponsor for the Robotics Club.

I also look forward to witnessing the transformation of our seniors into adults and, very soon, college students. It's very gratifying to play a part, no matter how small, in their process of becoming the people they are meant to become.

Q:What did you do before you came to BGA? A: In the year before working at BGA, I taught math in a Nashville middle school, while trying to finish my PhD program in Comparative Literature at the University of Chicago. While living in Chicago as a graduate student, I researched and wrote about failure and mediocrity in literature, and I taught French, writing, and literature to undergrads at U of C.

Q: What do you like to do outside of school?

A: I love - love! - woodworking. My home contains several large and heavy pieces of furniture that I made by myself or with my dad, and, even though I try, I can't stop bragging about them. They look almost 100% professional. Almost. For example, the cabinet drawers have moulded edges that I made with a router! You see? I can't stop bragging about them. Outside of woodworking, I love to spend time in nature with my family. My children are small, but they have been hiking since they were even smaller, and if the weather is decent, I want to be outside with them hiking, running, biking, or playing some mean street hockey.

Q: What is your favorite part of BGA so far?

A: My favorite part of working at BGA is getting to know this cohort of extraordinary students. There isn't a day when I don't return home with a smile on my face because of some discovery I made about a student's personality or interests. Whether in French or Robotics, I am thrilled to see young faces light up with excitement about having learned something new.

Q: What are you most excited about for this year?

A: I look forward to seeing how much my freshman students grow this year. It's a privilege to accompany students in their first year of high school, when so many of their values, habits, and character traits solidify.

Q: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, where is your favorite place to travel?

A: My favorite places to travel are famous cities or grand natural sites. I am drawn to what has grandeur and history, which is why I love Paris and Chicago, or the Grand Canyon and the Yosemite National Park. I have not explored the United States enough, so I hope to make up for this soon by visiting historic places like Boston or D.C., the more so since these destinations also have large, famous museums. I love to fit both art and nature in one trip. (continued) 7

The Echo Q: What was your high school experience like?

A: Hm, this is the beginning of a long story.

My high school years were, to put it mildly, difficult. I spent them in Romania in the decade after the fall of communism, when the worlds of politics, economics, and social relations were all coming undone. I was largely part of a "home alone" generation, whose parents had to emigrate to Western Europe in order to put food on the table. For reasons largely out of my control, these were years of instability, fear, poverty, and lack of opportunity. School was, however, an oasis in the middle of the desert, so I worked hard to distinguish myself academically, and my fondest memories are the times when I excelled in language or math competitions. I was a nerd. A proud nerd.

Q: What was your college experience like?

A: I went to Stanford for my undergraduate degree. It was heaven. I sat in classes taught by eminent researchers, I read and talked about extraordinary books, and every day I had "eureka" moments. Go there! Apply! I will be waiting for you (general "you") to ask me for a letter of recommendation.

Q: What is your favorite movie or television show?

A: Should I confess? My favorite show is "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Sure, it's uneven, but nothing has made me laugh more. My favorite movie is "Birdcage" with Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. As you can see, I'm drawn to shows and movies in which you can hardly distinguish between comedy and tragedy.

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Q: What inspired you to pursue teaching as a career?

A: There is nothing I like better than to make discoveries or share knowledge with others. Sharing knowledge with the goal of character-building is the most rewarding activity I see myself doing. It's even better than woodworking [wink emoji]. I recently heard an educator being interviewed on the radio, and he said that it is a privilege to have a seat at the table when young people are forming their values, and I couldn't agree more. I teach because I want to witness your mind grow.

Q: What is the most interesting thing that has happened to you while teaching?

A: The most interesting thing (to me) is seeing glimpses of who my students will be in the future. Not to brag, but it's a bit of a superpower.

The Echo

2017-18

Cross Country Wrap-Up

By Max Dambach

Issue 2

The Battle Ground Academy Cross Country team typically flies under the radar. They compete in the wee hours of Saturday morning in a competition that is not conducive to fan participation and most certainly is not a spectator sport. Despite this, the Cross Country team has been one of the most consistently successful sports teams for several years with a long streak of appearances in the State meet that might have escaped the notice of BGA at large. This year was no different. In Coach Kim Murray’s final season as the upper school head coach, the team yet again poured hours and miles of work in the summer heat and, yet again, the boys varsity team qualified for and competed in the State meet. This was a fantastic accomplishment for the group as a whole, but individual results were just as impressive as the team results. The JV boys team and the girls team may not have had the opportunity to race in the State meet, but everyone on the team experienced new personal best 5k times through the course of the season. These individual results provide a strong building block for the future, both next year and beyond.

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The Echo

2017-18

Changes to DACA Affect Hundreds of Thousands

By Bailey Anderson

As of September 5, DACA, which stands for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, has been terminated.

Jeff Sessions’ announcement allowed no new applications for DACA to be received as of September 5, and no new renewal applications as of October 5. You may have seen this on the news or read about it on Twitter, but you may not truly understand what DACA is, or now, was.

President Obama and the Department of Homeland Security created DACA on June 5, 2012. This program allowed undocumented immigrants who came into the US illegally to receive temporary protection from deportation.

These immigrants were also given temporary work authorization and a chance to apply for a social security number. This opportunity was given to those who came to the U.S. before they turned 16 and have lived in the U.S. since June 15, 2007. You could apply any time before your 31st birthday. To be granted protection, the applicants must have proof of education (GED, currently in school, etc), proof of identity, proof of residency in the U.S., and have no felonies or significant misdemeanors. DACA’s protection lasts for 2 years, but you can apply for a renewal if you continue to meet the requirements.

People in the DACA program are required to pay income taxes. Even though DACA helps these immigrants enroll in college and get a driver’s license, it doesn’t help them become a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.

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DACA simply provides temporary protection but doesn’t give a long term plan to help stay in the country. DACA gives over 690,000 people opportunities. Most of these people come from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

As early as March 6, “983 undocumented people could lose their protection status every day” (CNN). When losing protected status, these people, who’ve lived, worked, and paid income taxes in America, are unarmed in the fight against deportation and no longer have a valid work visa. If a person who is a part of the DACA program leaves the country, there is a significant possibility that he or she will not be let back inside the U.S.. President Trump’s administration rescinded DACA with the argument that it would keep American wages higher, keep Americans safer and keep American jobs.

“The Great American Melting Pot,” “Land of the Brave, Home of the Free,” “The Land of Opportunity”: these nicknames for America are slowly fading away. How can we have a blend of cultures and communities if we won’t create pathways to a legal, tax-paying presence in our country? How can we be brave if we are scared that another human being is allowed the same chances as we are? How can we be a land of opportunity if only a select few are allowed opportunity? The American ideals are what make America great. Lady Liberty should be a welcoming symbol of hope, one that allows people to feel like they actually have a chance in this country. My Jewish preschool teacher, Inge Smith, left Germany right before the Holocaust, and I will never forget her saying how it felt to come to America, a place of acceptance and second-chances. I hope that America still exists. Immigrants, opportunity, and freedom all blend together to make a place worth living and fighting for.

The Echo

2017-18

Girls Soccer Wrap-Up

By Sarah May

Issue 2

The BGA girls soccer team, coached by Jan Morrissey, John Millard, Steve Lape, Kate Monfils, and Virginia Henry, had a very successful 2017 season. With leading captains Anna Kerr, Lindsey Sauder, and Anna Quinn French, the girls team worked harder than ever continuing to progress. This season they made it to the first round of Sub State against Grace Christian of Knoxville where the game ended in penalty kicks that favored Grace Christian. The team had many successes earlier in the season, such as ties with Brentwood Academy and Evangelical Christian School. Additionally, a win in penalty kicks against Franklin Road Academy.

Players Anna Kerr, Lindsey Sauder, Evan Sanders, Anna Quinn French, and Alyssa White were named All District.

Furthermore, Anna Kerr, Anna Quinn French, and Alyssa White were also named All Region. The girls finished with a season record of 13-7-2.

The BGA volleyball team, coached by Charlie Carlisle and Tatiana Alvarez, had an amazing season this year. The seniors made it a season to remember for everyone on the team. They also helped lead the team to many victories against many schools throughout the season. Both Varsity and JV only lost one game in district matches, and they both won the Coyote Clash Tournament. Varsity’s great season led them to winning the district tournament and getting to semi-state. The varsity senior players that were recognized at the district tournament included Holland Mooney and Maggie McConnell. The juniors recognized were Avery Tidwell, Olivia Tutt, and Taylor Tigue. Furthermore, some of the highest stats included Avery Tidwell with 467 digs, Gracie Bailey with 389 assists, Holland Mooney with 189 kills, and Gracie Bailey with 88 aces. Throughout the season, the team met many accomplishments set by the coaches and completed by the team that made the volleyball season a year to remember.

Volleyball Wrap-Up

By Ally Newkirk

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“What do you want for Christmas this year?”

Featuring Drew Martin It’s that time of year again: Drew Martin is back at it as field reporter, and for this issue, he asked students around the high school campus what they want for Christmas this year. Here’s what we got: Maddy Ambrose (Sr): Bonnaroo tickets!

Ray Goodson (Jr): Adidas shoes.

Mia Churchill (Jr): Moccasins.

Sophia Valenti (Soph): A German Shepard puppy.

Worth Jewell (Fr): I’ve wanted a pony for a while, so that would be pretty cool.

Jane Napier (Fr): Clothes from Free People.

Mr. Griffin: A Roar Store Gift Card.

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