Vol. 17, Issue 1 by The Messenger

the messenger VOL 17/ISS 1

miss under stood pg. 17

THE MESSENGER | 1

masthead CONTACT US

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

(770) 497-3828 nhsmessenger@gmail.com 10625 Parsons Rd Johns Creek, GA 30097 nhsmessenger.com

Nithya Mahakala Amanda Beard

PUBLICATION The Messenger is a student publication published for and distributed to the Northview 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 Northview High School, its students, faculty, staff, or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors. The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity, and the invasion of privacy.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The Messenger staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, libel, obscenity, and invasion of privacy.

ADVERTISING The Messenger 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 Messenger, please contact the business manager.

IN THIS ISSUE

Cover design: Mira Sydow

MANAGING EDITORS Mira Sydow Jack Lowrance

NEWS EDITOR

Shashank Ganeshan

SPORTS EDITOR Akshay Nair

FEATURES EDITOR Jennifer Xia

OPINIONS EDITOR Noelle Reid

ONLINE EDITOR Alex Perry

PHOTO EDITORS Irene Rho Upasna Kotakonda

BUSINESS MANAGER Kaushal Gandikota

ADVISER

Chris Yarbrough

STAFF Melissa Liu Ben Minder Alexis Oladipo Grace Peng Meghana Ramineni Erin Shin Nikki Skyer Jennah Sooknanan Anshi Vajpayee

contents 05

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LETTER

SOFTBALL UPDATE

NEW COUNSELOR

NITHYA MAHAKALA

06 MONTHLY BRIEFS STAFF

AKSHAY NAIR

NEW QUARTERBACK JENNAH SOOKNANAN

MELISSA LIU

24 FACEOFF

JENNIFER XIA ANSHI VAJPAYEE

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM

PROFILE: EDEN SHAPPELL

STAFF EDITORIAL

SHASHANK GANESHAN NIKKI SKYER

KAUSHAL GANDIKOTA

STAFF

AMANDA BEARD

JACK LOWRANCE

STAFF

17*

BEN MINDER

ALEX PERRY NOELLE REID

IRENE RHO

GRADUATION CHANGE

GRAYSON BRAY: TRIATHLETE

FOOD REVIEW

MISS UNDERSTOOD

COLUMNS

FASHION

THE MESSENGER | 3

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Department of Homeland Separation

or all the human brain’s mysteries, its development is quite well understood. Early childhood and adolescence are crucial times of unparalleled neural growth. Just as trust and stability can enhance that growth, fear and trauma can impede it. Institutionalization, in particular, can have profound and deleterious effects, triggering a range of developmental delays and psychiatric disorders from which recovery can be difficult, if not impossible. In light of that knowledge, the Trump administration’s latest move against immigrant children is especially troubling. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security proposed new regulations that would allow the government to detain migrant children indefinitely. Officials are now prohibited from detaining such minors for more than 20 days by an agreement known as the Flores settlement, which has been in place since 1997. The new rules would end that settlement and would likely open the door to an expansion of detention centers across the country. D.H.S. says that by eliminating Flores, officials will deter illegal immigration, reasoning that undocumented adults will be less likely to enter the country to begin with if they know they can’t avoid long-term detention simply by

having a child in tow. Immigration activists say the proposed rule’s true aims are both simpler and more diabolical than that: “They want to strip away every last protection for detained immigrant children,” says Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. The administration bears unique responsibility for these violations, in no small part because its disastrous and short-lived separation policy has wreaked havoc on a system that was already rife with problems. Shame alone should have federal officials working hard to undo the damage of that policy and to prevent further harm to the children under their charge, never mind that it’s the right thing to do under any number of international agreements and norms. Which paints a stark reality for what’s motivating this move and what it ultimately means: The administration surely knows what a long shot this proposal is, but it will undoubtedly excite President Trump’s political base as the midterm elections approach. So while the administration plays politics, the well-being of thousands of children who came to America seeking protection and safety will be put at risk — today and, developmentally, for the rest of their lives.

Nithya Mahakala, Editor-in-Chief

THE MESSENGER | 5

On the second week of school, as a means of welcoming students to the start of a new year, student council members put together Welcome Week, a week full of treats for the students of Northview. Monday, serving donuts by the bus canopy; Tuesday, packs of gummies: Thursday, popsicles during lunch; and Friday, a newly added class gift, lanyards. To welcome all the returning Northview students, especially the freshmen and along with the new students to the school. Welcome Week is not only to treat the students but to also motivate them for that week and the rest of the school year.

UPASNA KOTAKONDA/PHOTO EDITOR

9/07 Novak Djokovic won the US Open Grand Slam.

On Aug. 23, Northview had its annual new student breakfast, welcoming all the new faces, serving Chick-Fil-A breakfast and having administrators and counselors introduce themselves. Student council got to know everyone by playing games with one another. Students have come from as far as India and Venezuela and as close as nearby Alpharetta. Student council members gave students a tour of the school and answered questions that new students had, in an effort to give them a warm welcome to Northview.

News in Brief

The Messengerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly digest of events at Northview and around the world

IRENE RHO/PHOTO EDITOR

Willstock, an annual music event, took place Sept. 15 at Northview’s football field. The event, which is popular among Northview students, also acts as a fundraiser to suicide education and awareness programs of the Will to Live Foundation, which was created several years ago. This year, there were 17 teenage bands that played for over four hours to about 1000 teenagers. “Willstock is the perfect example of what the Will to Live Foundation is all about. Kids being there for kids, creating an atmosphere were the teenagers of today recognize the hope and love and understanding they have for each other,” Northview freshman Holyn Trautwein said.

Vibha’s 20th Dream Mile Run took place on Sept. 15, 2018. Consisting of a 5k walk, a 5k run, and a 10k run, the event is a fundraiser that raises money for underprivileged kids in India and at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dream Miles are held nationwide, and this year they were over 3,000 participants and volunteers. “It’s really amazing to see how a collective group of people really come together and really show passion in this,” Northview senior Divya Vemulapalli said. Vemulapalli and senior Mallika Chimpiri are the co-presidents of Northview’s Vibha Youth, which has several branches throughout local schools.

8/25

Former US Senator and Vietnam Veteran John McCain passed away.

9/07 Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh completed his Senate hearings.

THE MESSENGER | 7

NNEEW WSS

Switch in Security, Change in Safety T Northview High School implements a new advanced security system SHASHANK GANESHAN, NEWS EDITOR NIKKI SKYER, STAFF WRITER

his year, Northview has implemented an extremely detailed and technologically advanced surveillance system. Northview and other schools in the Fulton County area are on the cutting edge of these new security systems. Northview is one of the first to attain camera systems with high picture quality, facial recognition, and movement tracking. Although the security was highly advanced last year as well as in previous years, Principal Brian Downey presumes that students will feel much more comfortable and safe when on school premises. The Northview ad-

what actions they decide to take while in school. He adds that the new camera system is a big step on the road to better security in Northview. “Last year we all experienced, in terms of the safety of our community, a pretty tough year. That being said, (the camera system) is a new tool to help keep students and staff safe,” Downey said. For many Northview students, the new camera system has had little impact on their lives. Students were made aware of the new security system’s abilities during the first week of school when Downey held an assembly for each grade about the upcoming year. The main topic for the assembly was the new camera system and what was different about it this year. Downey was very straight-forward, telling students that everything going on in the public spaces of the school would

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I think it is an invasion of privacy. The actual protection that it affords us is miniscule yet the amount of info they gain on us is extraordinary

UPASNA KOTAKONDA/PHOTO EDITOR

ministration has decided to implement this system in hopes to be proactive in preventing illegal activity on campus. “We have been very intentional to be outspoken with our students that we have a brand new camera system. We want everyone to know there are cameras, and not only are there cameras, there are cameras covering every square foot of every public space inside our school,” Downey said. Downey thinks that in telling students exactly how the cameras work and how advanced they are, students will be more cautious about how they act or

cseti said. Particularly, Epstein believes the security system is effective only for deterrence before and identification after a crime. Often in mass shootings, perpetrators will take their own lives after harming others. For these situations where deterrence and identification fails, Epstein sees clear limits in the system’s capabilities, which underscores his primary concern: privacy. The security system infringes on basic privacy. For him, the massive amount of information gained by administrators and county officials is not justified considering the system’s perceived flaws. Instead, he prefers methods that can meet danger at the door: more resource officers and metal detectors. However, Kecseti and Epstein note daily routine has not been interrupted.

be monitored by administration. “It is weird knowing that the cameras are always watching you and detecting your face, but people continue on with their lives and daily routine,” junior Julianna Kecseti said. Kecseti and others think that the camera system may be a tool more-so used after a school shooting or other scenarios, rather than something used to prevent tragedies or illegal activity from occurring in the first place. Senior Roy Epstein expresses similar concerns, but on the whole, he maintains a more critical perspective on the new security system. He considers it to be a step in the wrong direction and, like Kecseti, questions the efficacy of the system. “Yes, I think they’re doing a good job, there isn’t really a right or wrong because we can’t test out (a school shooting) unless it does happen, which we don’t want, but so far it’s working,” Ke-

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-R oy E p s t e i n

At times, many students forget the cameras exist. Though vehemently opposed to the massive amounts of student data cataloged, Epstein understands and accepts the legal requirement that students surrender a significant amount of rights when entering the school. Beyond privacy qualms, Epstein does recognize the cameras and motion detectors’ ability to ensure students are more careful, preventing poor decision making in terms of what they do and what they bring to school. On the whole, Kecseti and Epstein appreciate action has been taken to ensure the school safety. “Every school has the impossible task of school security. It’s Herculean labor to protect a school. At least this [new security system] signifies an effort to the parents and administrators who are worried. In my opinion, the school’s doing as good a job as it can,” Epstein said.

THE MESSENGER | 9

NEWS

Resolving the Rain

Northview’s graduation will b e held at a new lo cation following weather issues last year

AMANDA BEARD, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

n May 24, 2017, around halfway through the annual graduation ceremony, the sky began to darken, clouds formed and lightning started to strike the sky while students and faculty held their breath, clinging on the hope the night remained rain free. Yet, as forecasts predicted days before, the thunder got louder and every graduate, teacher, administrator, relative and piece of equipment became drenched in rain. After a chaotic night of rushing students and parents into the school from the stadium to wait out the rain and then having to file the crown back out to the field, eight schools in the Fulton County district, having experienced similar evenings, came together to brainstorm a solution for the coming years. After the inclement weather during last year’s graduation event, Northview along with other North Fulton schools will be renting out the Verizon Amphitheatre as the new location for graduation in the upcoming year. The space provides a covering for the students, faculty and audience members, while also allowing the luxury of between eight to 15 tickets per student. Despite administrators being unsure how many tickets will be handed out, the promise of enough seating sets all involved at ease.

“All the schools participating will be renting out one day of the week [May 20 to 24] and alloted a time for their ceremony,” principal Brian Downey said. “The only obstacle we face with this arrangement is, since it’s a Monday, how teachers and other students will attend.” The ceremony takes place on Monday in mid-May, posing as a problem for teachers required to attend the event and be a part of it. Northview administration, while still deliberating as to what logistics prove to be most effective, are leaning towards planning a half day on the 20th, allowing for non-senior students to have a half day of finals, and give those involved in the ceremony time to get to the event. “As of right now, we are unaware of the logistics as to teachers attending the event, but since they have to be there, whether they can [not] teach or there ends up being no school, one or the other is going to have to work,” literature teacher and student council advisor Brian Rawlin said. Another obstacle the new location creates is the difficulty of rehearsal. Due to the amphitheatre having a booked schedule and Northview only allowed a certain amount of time to carry out the ceremony, students will either have to attend a rehearsal at

Northview in which seating will be replicated to how the actual event will take place or anyone a part of the ceremony will have to attend early for practice. The latter option overlaps the situation of the half days and teacher attendance complicating the details of the ceremony further. Seniors, however, are thoroughly enjoying the new change due to the new graduation dates the location change brings. If exempted from all finals, Northview seniors are eligible to have their last official day of high school on May 10, an entire week earlier than previous years. While AP testing will still continue past that week, seniors are not required to attend any class their exempt from, including some of those AP classes. “My first thought was, since I planned on attending the beach that last week, I now get to without missing anything,” senior Paige Butcher said. “It [will] be weird coming back for AP tests, but it makes it easier for studying for them since now we do [not] have to be in school.” The new location for graduation still needs to be logistically detailed, but the Northview community is enthusiastic for a night of no lightning, and instead, just laughter.

SPORTS

GRAYSON BRAY/SPECIAL

A True Tri-Athlete Senior Grayson Bray begins competing in triathlons her final year of high school competitively over the summer BEN MINDER, STAFF WRITER

riathlons consistent of a physically and mentally demanding race with a one mile of swim, 24.8 mile bike, and a roughly six mile run. Athletes spend years training their bodies in all three sports, at times giving up other aspects of life to dedicate the necessary time triathlons demand. Senior Grayson Bray indirectly trained for years without ever knowing she wanted to compete in one. With a competitive swimming and running background, the transi-

tion seemed almost natural. “I’ve been swimming competitively outside of school since 2008. Then I started running cross country sophomore year,” Bray said. Bray’s most recent triathlon was in March of this year, which took place in Iowa, and was her third attempt at the race. While she did not qualify for any national races, Bray learned from the experience and fell in love with the sport, determined to do better next time. She is not of the mindset of letting difficulties keep her from doing what she wants to do. An individual committed to training harder, Bray began to specify her training program by attending special camps designed for tri-athletes. The preparation she and her other teammates undergo is serious, and leaves little time for anything else. “In season, I was swimming about four to fives days a week, I was biking two days a week, and I was running four days a week. It’s really constant training, I’ll wake up one morning, go to practice, go home to sleep and eat, and then go to my next practice,” Bray said. Rigorous training is not the only thing keeping her motivated throughout the sea-

son. Bray’s teammates and coaches at Northview have provided support throughout the stress and change the new challenge poses, pushing her to move forward after the rocky start she had to her triathlon career. The top contenders of triathlons are typically trained from a very young age. However, Bray just starting a year ago suffers the automatic disadvantage competing against others with training programs beginning at the age of three. Despite this challenge, Bray rises above and beyond to surpass the gap between skill levels. “Coming into it at such a late age, I was struggling to keep up, but my coach has always been super supportive of me and encouraged me to keep working, and I did and I really improved in just one season,” Bray said. Not letting her training go to waste, she does not plan to quit. Bray’s next stop in her triathlon career is college. She is already speaking with different schools about their teams, and is planning on continuing at a collegiate level. While it may not be as popular among colleges as it is with high schools, Bray has proven she will not let the odds be stacked against her.

THE MESSENGER | 11

ALEXIS OLADIPO/STAFF

Softball Slump Northview softball rebuilds with underclassman and new coaches AKSHAY NAIR, SPORTS EDITOR

espite struggling to begin the season, the Northview softball team looks to make strides going forward, with its largely inexperienced side. The program has undergone numerous changes from last season which have resulted in large adjustments on the part of both the players and the coaching staff. On the coaching side, former head coach Evan Baker stepped down after last season to pursue a doctorate degree, prompting athletic director Scotty McDaniel to take over the reigns as the primary coach. In addition, he appointed lacrosse coach Ste-

phen O’Hara as an assistant coach and counselor Andy Alhadeff remained as another assistant. McDaniel hopes to serve as a bridge this season and that one of the two assistant coaches will be able to take over as the head coach next year. “We don’t hire people to be a coach. We hire them to be a teacher, and I have to hope they can coach. For me, I kind of got thrust into that [position] as we didn’t have a coach,” McDaniel said. “The ideal is that next year one of those two guys are going to take over the program and lead it from here

on it, so I’m kind of a bridge this year.” As for the players, a bulk of the athletes have barely played competitive softball. While other schools like Pope and Cambridge carry rosters of 18 girls who play competitive year round softball, Northview only has two players who do the same. The team fields three players who had not played competitive softball until this year, along with many underclassmen who are smaller and much more inexperienced than other region players. Furthermore, while many schools have rosters of over 15 players, Northview’s squad only has

SPORTS 11, forcing some girls who would normally be on a junior varsity team to jump straight to varsity. The challenge of being thrust onto a varsity team has had a twofold effect. On the positive side, they are forced to adapt to a more intense game style with the stronger, faster girls; however, on the flip side, they are not physically or mentally at the same level as opposing sides, which can lead to rough losses. Despite this, the players acknowledge both their strengths and weaknesses and are working hard to minimize mistakes in games and capitalize on their opportunities. “The lack of players is a blessing and a curse in my opinion. Because we’re a small team, everyone gets to know everyone which allows us to trust each other on the field,” junior Alice Ware said. “While our new players are great, they still have a lot to learn in terms of attitude, organization, and teamwork.” McDaniel is implementing more work-

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outs during practice to help on basics and has added an additional four games to the season to help with game experience; however, he knows that the biggest improvements are led by the players themselves. One player who has stepped up to take over the void left by graduated seniors Sophia Hamill and Rui Fujinaga is senior Eve Chapa. Chapa has been on varsity for the past two years and accumulated more game time than many of the players combined. She uses her actions to show them what to do both during games and during practice. She consistently attends practice and additional workouts and is the first to rake the field or put down the bases. Her respectable conduct serves as a model for others to follow, helping the underclassmen adjust to certain factors they have not experienced in games before. “I think that the experience I’ve had has made it easier to guide the younger players and help them improve on little things that

you don’t really know with little experience especially stuff dealing with playing in high school and playing in front of a crowd, stuff that gets them a little frantic,” Chapa said. With a 0-6 start to the season, chances for a deep state tournament run look grim, but the lack of hardware is certainly not cause for a ruined season. The girls have steadily been improving and working meticulously to ensure that they make progress, regardless of outcomes in games. Most importantly to McDaniel, however, is that the team maintains a willingness to work hard everyday and to put forth a positive attitude. “The girls are fun to be around. They try to get better. They get so frustrated just like me, so its not like they just don’t care, they want to win bad, and that’s all I can ask for. We’re having fun, we’re getting better, and they have a desire to win, so it’s never a bad season regardless of record,” McDaniel said.

We’re having fun, we’re getting better, and they have a desire to win, so it’s never a bad season regardless of record - Sc otty M c Dani e l

ALEXIS OLADIPO, STAFF

THE MESSENGER | 13

SPORTS

ALEXIS OLADIPO/STAFF

Comeback Kid Beau Lark takes the stage as our new Titan starting quarterback JENNAH SOOKNANAN, STAFF WRITER

unior Beau Lark has always been a dedicated athlete. Since childhood, he has immersed himself in a multitude of athletic endeavors, working to improve in any way he could. His coaches have observed this desire to keep growing to better himself along with his team. After primarily staying on the sidelines, learning from graduated senior Colton McDaniel. This year, Lark procured the starting quarterback on the football team, and thus far, he has risen to the occasion. He is determined to resurge from a disappointing 2-8 venture last season. Lark has dedicated many hours studying film and learning strengths and weaknesses of his fellow offensive players to boost the offensive proficiency. “Beau knows everyone’s assignment on the field. He is a natural born leader and has a high football IQ. He loves the game and his teammates around him. When he has the ball he makes smart decisions and refuses to step out of bounds,” junior Travis

Buchanan said. But rather than simply relishing his opportunity to start, he values his fellow players and coaches, and the advice that they can give him. Lark’s coaches are not only training him on his field play but also to be a better vocal leader and mentor the younger players. He spent this past offseason preparing on how to be a better leader and the correct way to behave during gameplay. His comfort with his teammates allows him to feel relaxed in high-pressure situations and to trust the decisions he makes. This preparation put Lark above some of the other competition. “All of the coaches have really shaped me into what I am now along with the help from my teammates,” Lark said. He separated himself from the pack by putting in more effort to understand what the team needed from him. The quarterback position is all about knowing the passes and being able to do the right thing, and Lark

had all the right qualities. While his coaches need to know they can trust Lark to make the right choice for the team, they also do not want to turn him into a robot. They are pushing him to be more of a coach on the field, so he can begin to see the team from a coaches perspective. Lark was chosen for this position because he understands how it works and what is expected of him along with his ability to remain calm under the pressure. “I coach him pretty hard, just because I know he is capable of handling the position, which he has shown he can. Beau is a great kid, he actually wants to be great, so it makes it easy to be his coach,” Coach Michael Dunn said. “Beau is a very underrated quarterback right now, I think he is probably one of the best in the state. I think he has a chance to continue to show that throughout the season. I think Beau will go down as the greatest quarterback this school has ever seen.”

Athlete Profile:

SPORTS

EDEN SHAPPELL KAUSHAL GANDIKOTA, BUSINESS MANAGER

“ She has improved her decision-making process, and in the process, she has become a better volleyball player -Coach Christopher James

den Shappell, a senior at Northview High School has been a star athlete since her early days on the volleyball team. She grew up with an athletic background in swimming and then later transitioned into volleyball. What started off as a mere hobby opened the door to numerous possibilities. Her journey to varsity began back in middle school when she played volleyball with her friend’s dad, who just happened to play the sport in college. “I had just quit year-round swimming and I needed something else to do with my time. I started going to camps and playing club level volleyball after the numerous times I would play with my friend and her dad every time I went over,” Shappell said. During her earlier years as a volleyball player it was simpler for her to dedicate time into the sport. However, as a high school student it is difficult to manage both academics and athletics, especially in a competitive and high-pace environment like Northview. An athlete’s dedication to their sport is measured in how they delegate their time to the craft, and it is hard to keep sight of that when schoolwork is ignorant to it. Shappell has had to learn how to balance the two over time as she became more serious about the sport. While her school work was becoming increasingly rigorous, her practices were not getting any easier. “I got serious about volleyball when I started playing club level, we had travel and tournaments every weekend,” Shappell said. Aside from the adjustment process she had to endure as an athlete and a student, she also matured as a player over her volleyball career in high school. With each game she

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would make adjustments in order to develop and adapt as an athlete. Her coach, Christopher James, believes that Eden has done well in improving her overall style of gameplay. “Eden has become a much more intelligent player over the years. What I mean by that is she has gotten better at thinking about her reactions during the game. She has definitely improved her decision-making process, and in the process, she has become a better volleyball player,” James said. As one of the more mature athletes on the team, Shappell has the responsibility of setting a good example for her younger teammates to follow. The roles of leadership on the team are already defined, so it is crucial for her to lead and step up to the job. James believes that she does a wonderful job at this without overstepping and losing sight of her individual performance. James thinks that there has been a general trend of her acting in this manner, as opposed to it occurring on one specific instance. “She’s a quiet and steady leader. She knows to listen to what she is told as well, which is great, because the team has struggled to operate within individual roles,” James said. Her teammates feel she has done a wonderful job at embodying and upholding the key characteristics of sportsmanship and support. Fellow teammate and senior Morgan White has seen Shappell improve over the years not only as a player, but also as a teammate who she can rely on. “She’s become such a wonderful teammate that I can rely on completely,” White said. MIRA SYDOW/MANAGING EDITOR

THE MESSENGER | 15

FEATURES

Ramen Bar By Hijami (770) 802-5898 4180 Old Milton Pkwy Alpharetta, GA 30005 *This article is not sponsored by Ramen Bar By Hijami MIRA SYDOW/MANAGING EDITOR

Ramen Bar By Hijami JACK LOWRANCE, MANAGING EDITOR

ituated in a quiet Alpharetta strip mall, Ramen Bar By Hajime strikes a notable balance between senses of the modern and the traditional. Steaming bowls of fresh ramen made as they should be. Fried burdock roots and shishito peppers. Good prices. A clean, modern atmosphere. The kind of place with a sense for how to do things right. But Ramen Bar By Hajime is a no nonsense space. Food is the focus. The service is quick and to the point, sometimes even crossing the line into plain coldness. And the entire restaurant is immaculately clean with long tables and succulents arranged around the dining room. The lighting is like an art studio-- bright and airy. The sound level fairly high, but somehow not bothersome and more so warming as most of the customers were enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. And of course, a unique place like this requires a unique menu as well. “If you clog our toilet I swear to God,” the waitress said. “Are you sure? The level

four is really, really hot-- it’s made people cry before.” Somehow that is not the weirdest interaction I have ever had with a waitress before. But it had me nervous. I have has my fair share of warnings from ordering spicy food, but never like this. From the looks of it, she was about as scared to see me hate my food as my friends were eager to see me embarrass myself. I held my ground though. And I am sure glad that I did. The ramen was not nearly as spicy as she made it out to be. Whether I was really served a level four that night, I will never know for sure, but what they lacked in heat, the flavor proved to not be disappointing. It was a satisfying break from the normal bland, overly sweet food that is so common in the area. The pork was tender and flavorful. And the vegetables brought a sense of completion to the dish. The food arrived timely, beginning with the appetizer, Fried Burdock roots accompanied with Shishito Peppers. Although the

root could have had a crunchier texture, the dish made up for in a flavorful balance of sweetness and spiciness. A small salt dip sat on the side awaiting to opportunity to perfectly complete the tangy cuisine. Shortly after the Budrock had been cleared, the bowls of ramen arrived. Whether the sweet Honey Tora Ramen, filled with large ramen noodles, fresh kale, crunchy onions, bean sprouts and a boiled egg or the flaming hot Spicy Tora, the bowls exceeded the title of Ramen Bar. With more than enough options and combinations to choose from, as part of the menu included a separate option to make your own bowl, all the dishes proved to live up to their name. The Ramen Bar By Hajime may just seem like any other ramen place, but their focus on quality of details, whether in the food or atmosphere, justifies the debatable high price. Regardless, if you are on the hunt for a good bowl of Ramen, a satisfying experience, and quick, to the point service, Ramen Bar By Hajime is the place for you.

miss under stood

Two Northview students’ journeys though the ranks of America’s “cutthroat” pageant circuit ALEX PERRY, ONLINE EDITOR NOELLE REID, OPINIONS EDITOR

THE MESSENGER | 17

Rory Pan

hether it be sports, arts or academics, Northview’s talented student body is constantly receiving their deserved recognition and praise for the achievements they have made. While school is on pause during the summer break, this leaves plenty of room for students to make accomplishments outside of the school environment. Rory Pan, currently a junior, competed in a string of beauty pageants, including the Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen competition, during which she was crowned the 2018 title. This would bring her to the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant, where she competed for the 2019 title. In this competition, she was dubbed the fourth runner-up which placed her in fifth place. Even though she did not place first, she was still among the top ten girls to compete in the pageant. For Pan, this all started around two years ago, the summer leading up to her freshman year was when Pan really started to become involved in the pageant scene. Pan credits her middle school social studies teacher from River Trail Middle School, Russell Kirby, the executive director for the Miss Atlanta Pageant Franchise, for introducing her to beauty pageants. Kirby described a moment during the first week of school where Pan saw a picture of him and a pageant partici-

pant who was wearing a crown. This interaction would lead Pan to ask Kirby if he knew Patricia Ford, a former attendee of the dance studio that Pan went to and Miss Georgia 2016. “She was like the bridging point between us,” Pan said. Ford considered Pan to be a perfect competitor for pageants, which led Kirby to suggest that she participate in these competitions. At first, Pan did not believe that she would be able to participate in these pageants as she is a ballet dancer, and dance involves a lot of time commitment. Pan would even say that they would crack jokes about the possibility of her competing in pageants. However, when Kirby saw Pan dance ballet in River Trail’s eighth-grade talent show, he became serious. “What really sealed the deal for me was when I saw her dance at the talent show,” Kirby said. “That was when I really started pursuing her.” The summer that directly followed her eight-grade year, Pan decided that she would meet with Kirby and his colleagues from the pageant. This meeting would change her outlook on beauty pageant and convince her to continue her path in pageants. She was first appointed to be crowned, without competition, the Miss Greater Atlanta’s Out-

standing Teen title. “I knew that she was going to be good, but at that point she hadn’t really done a pageant or anything,” Kirby said. “So she probably would not have won that first pageant.” After getting appointed the Miss Greater Atlanta title, she would go on to compete in the MGOT pageant. In 2017, she was second runner up for the pageant and this past summer, the 2018 run of the pageant, was when she won. As an Asian-American girl competing in these beauty pageants, she would say that her heritage has benefited her when it comes to it. As an Asian American, Pan feels that it is very important for her to display her culture as well as her talents. “It’s hard when in a system of, like 100 girls, there are only a couple who are Asian American like myself,” Pan said Since competing in these beauty pageants, Pan’s mother, Li Liu, would say that they enjoyed being able to see her grow as a person. Liu was not all that happy when her daughter first started competing in the pageants as she was busy with dance and schoolwork. However, she has been able to see that the pageants have been nothing but good for her. “I am so grateful that we began this process 2 years ago,” Liu said. “because she has

been able to serve her community, meet the best of friends, and grow character and leadership skills that will benefit her for a lifetime.” For this pageant, Pan needed to have a stance on an issue in their community and idea that could help to resolve this issue. The official title of her project is “Disable the Label: Inclusion for All”, which helps to tear down the wall in between students with disabilities and students without. She decided to pursue this issue because noticed how students who are disabled or have special needs were treated differently. “Those with disabilities, those with special needs, they’re isolated their entire lives,” Pan said. At Northview, she works very closely with teachers and students in our Community Based Instruction or CBI program and is one of the founders of the Happy Hands, Happy Hearts club. The core focus of the Happy Hands, Happy Hearts club is to make students without disabilities feel more comfortable with interacting with their disabled peers. She also paired with state-level organizations in this field such as organizations that work with the Special Olympics. “I didn’t know how big my voice is and how much of an impact I can have on other people’s lives,” she said.

THE MESSENGER | 19

S ophomore Kristin Hsu looked to Rory Pan for inspiration when beginning her pageant journey in her freshman year. While both had Miss Atlanta Executive Director Russell Kirby as a Social Studies teacher, he also doubled as a mentor to the amateur pageant competitors. When first approached about Hsu’s participation in pageants, her mother was reluctant, but after talking with Kirby and Rory’s mother, Li Liu, she quickly saw that the typical stereotypes of beauty pageants were false. “At first she didn’t want me to do it, but she quickly learned that it was about more than beauty,” Hsu said, referring to the opportunities and scholarships Pan was introduced to as a pageant competitor. Hsu was glad to have her mother’s support as she prepared for her first competition-Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen. Hsu was able to bypass the local stage with an appointment from Kirby, a move now banned from the organization. Even though she bypassed the local stage, Hsu still maintained the title of Miss Historic Buford’s Outstanding Teen as she prepared for state level competition. While Hsu had the basic qualities of a pageant competitor, she

needed to learn how to conduct herself with the same decorum as the seasoned competitors. Ac c o rd i n g to Kirby, most teen competitors perform a dance routine or a piece on their instrument to gain points in the Talent category. Hsu, already an experienced violin player, practiced her piece for months before competition registration. However, at registration, Hsu discovered that another competitor had selected her song, forcing her to select a different piece just two months before competition. “She was very flexible with that, even though she had been practicing for months,” Kirby said. In addition to practicing her new song, Hsu had to improve performance in the other categories, including evening gown and interview. She hired two coaches-one to help her maintain confidence while walking in heels, and one to help her with the interview stage, Hsu’s favorite portion. “A lot of the questions that they ask are off your resume. They all just tie into you as a person. It’s not something scary, it’s just answering questions and having a conversation with the judges,” Hsu said. She likened the interview stage to simple conversations, something she enjoys, as it gives her the chance to show her vibrant personality through her various achievements. Many of her achievements are geared towards her platform, which focuses on anti-bullying. Pageant competitors have to create a platform that improves the community

around them. While many organize minor events, Hsu has gone above and beyond, which is what catapulted her to the state stage. Hsu has held fundraisers and plans to give talks at schools about the importance of kindness. She recently had Governor Nathan Deal sign a declaration that make October Georgia’s official anti-bullying month. Hsu’s personal experience with bullies factor into her decision to choose this platform-not only does Hsu deal with gossip, but also with assumptions of shallowness due to being a pageant contestant. “There are people in my life who mock me in a way, they support me, but they have a set mindset and talk behind your back,” Hsu said. Surprisingly, Hsu finds support from her competitors. While all the girls compete for a crown, Hsu finds that the friendships and bonds made at competition are the real prize. She feels as if she has made her closest friends by competing in the Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen pageants. In addition to the girls themselves, Hsu also finds support from her mother. “My mom helps me remain positive and confident in myself,” Hsu said. Her mother, Sonnie Hsu, has seen her daughter grow more confident and mature during her journey as a pageant girl. While at first she was reluctant to let Hsu compete, once she saw the skills Pan developed from being involved in pageants, she was eager to jump into her role as a pageant mom. “I feel that it has made her more confident, empathetic young lady. Everything that came out of being in the pageant has been positive,” Hsu said. In the future, Kristin Hsu plans to return to Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen, this time by competing in Miss Capital City on September 29.

Kristin Hsu

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A Fresh Face Cindy Lee replaces Sandy Owens as Northview’s newest guidance counselor MELISSA LIU, STAFF WRITER

T his year, Northview hired a new counselor to fill the position of Sandy Owens, who retired this past year. A screening committee reviewed more than 50 applications, looking at work experience and skill set and searching for someone who would fit in well at Northview. The group then conducted interviews with the top candidates and eventually chose Cindy Lee for the counseling job. They preferred someone who was familiar with the area and who had high school experience,

but was young enough to relate to students, and Lee fulfilled these conditions. The committee also noticed that Lee had the ideal attributes of a counselor; she was open and friendly, willing to learn, and eager to help others. “She had stellar recommendations from her previous school. We were very impressed with her portfolio,” Assistant Principal Tiffany Butera said. “We were also impressed with her knowledge of Northview. She knew what type of students we had and how important it is to be knowledgeable about college and post-secondary options.” The last step in the hiring process was for Lee to meet with Principal Brian Downey, who would recommend her to the Human Resources Department if he deemed her suitable. Downey approved Lee because when he interviewed her, she fit his hiring philosophy. “You got to be smart and nice, and she hits those two things,” Downey said. “She is smart enough to learn quickly about the processes that we have in place, the community, our kids, and our school system.” Lee has always wanted to work with students since she was young. Growing up, she

was constantly around students, whether it was when she was at church or when she was volunteering at a daycare. Lee discovered that she enjoyed being able to talk to them and act as a mentor. “I became a counselor because I enjoy being with students. I wanted to be with them where I could build relationships and support them in their academic endeavors. The bond you have with your students is priceless and the feeling you get when you know that you are there walking with them in this journey is amazing,” Lee said. Lee believes that a counselor must possess certain attributes to be successful. “I believe a counselor needs to be approachable. We are here to work for the students, and if the counselors are not approachable, then how do we expect the students to open up?” Lee said. “I think advocacy is also a big quality to have. We are here to speak up for our students. If there is something that the students feel need to be in place for a better learning environment, then we are here to let that be known.” Although Lee has not fully met these goals yet, her career has just begun and she is work-

FEATURES

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I became a counselor because I enjoy being with students. The bond you have with your students is priceless.

ing and improving upon them every day. The greatest work-related challenge Lee has ever had to face is speaking in front of a crowd, while knowing that it is uninterested in what she has to say. “It’s really discouraging, but I overcame that fear through practice,” Lee said. “Ultimately what got me through it was knowing that I did my best and that I have such a supportive community cheering me on.” Lee grew up in Johns Creek, Georgia and attended neighboring Chattahoochee High School. She studied at Georgia State University, where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Before she became a counselor at Northview, Lee worked for a year as an intern for a counseling related job at Autrey Mill Middle School, where she often in-

-Cindy Lee

teracted with students and helped them with their social skills and academics. The experiences that prepared Lee to be a counselor the most were being a camp counselor and bible study teacher for nearly eight years. Lee applied for a position at Northview because its diversity made the school unique and would allow her to learn about different backgrounds and cultures. She hopes to contribute to Northview by bringing a new

perspective to the counseling team. Her peer counselors are looking forward to her transition to the team. “She seems to be very open with students and really is there to meet everyone’s needs, which I think is awesome. She’s doing great at that and is working well with the other counselors,” Head Counselor Letitia

Graham said. Even though this is her first year as a counselor, Lee is adjusting to Northview quickly. The first couple of weeks were overwhelming because of the nature of the work, which was very different from what she had done as an intern. Lee had to learn how to use the software to change the many schedules that required fixing, but she pulled through and is off to a great start.

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faceoff

Should young girls be eligible to compete in beauty pageants?

PHOTOGRAPHER/SPECIAL

OPINIONS

yes: JENNIFER XIA, FEATURES EDITOR

he question of the eligibility of young girls in the pageant business often leads to criticism of body-shaming and the need to be “pretty”, but pageants offer a vast amount of opportunities for young girls; they serve as a way to prepare young girls for future endeavors just as much as any STEM focused internship. The Miss America Organization is known by many to be the world’s largest scholarship programs for women as well as one of the nation’s leading achievement programs. Young women are able to grow through the program from age six to 24 and encounter opportunities and activities that help enhance their life skills as they gain poise and confidence. The state of Georgia opened up a partnership with the Miss America Organization as a Miss Georgia Organization, allowing girls to compete to try

no:

and advance to the national competition. By taking a look at Brenna Gaskin from season three of Toddlers and Tiaras, the appalling sides of beauty pageants begin to appear, but modernized pageants call for beauty on the inside and out. Gaskin, then three, flounced around in fake hair, a spray tan, a face full of makeup, and a bouncy tutu, all with a despicable attitude. But she was three. “High school girls and below” means an age where girls are mature enough to adhere to the standards that pageants enforce in order for them to compete, some of which include a required platform and event planning to fund-raise and make a difference. The franchise instills a new range of skills upon the girls, that they will achieve as they go through the process. Important life skills are available for them, including public speaking and leadership.

The state of Georgia already has a Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program which promotes the community service and outreach to others of women who are still in high school. Georgia also has a Princess Program for girls aged five to 12 who have an older contestant as a mentor for their future endeavors in the program. The state sees no issue in allowing these girls to participate in the pageant as it has not brought on any issue regarding any controversial topics including those not only relating to women. Pageants allow young women a path into their future through learning skills and the opportunity to compete for scholarships. But the important part is the change some of these girls go through as a young women as new characteristics blossom within them throughout the yearlong pageant season.

ANSHI VAJPAYEE, STAFF WRITER

magine a fourteen year old child, barely in her teenage years. During these fragile years of growth and uncertainty, she is involving herself in immense competitions where she gets judged on her appearance and the way she acts. Now, think of her parents, and imagine the kind of pressure that is being put on this child. The pressure to compete for a high position can seriously damage a child’s self esteem. Coming out of a competition as a runner up- or worse- without any place can lower anyone’s self-worth in many ways. Pageants are not necessarily evil. Used in the right circumstances, pageants provide a strong platform for the interaction of beauty and social culture, where young girls can voice their opinion and stand for what they believe in. Today, they turned into a competition built upon strength ones physical aspects, of which young women should not be forced to have.

As society develops, so do the morals and values that it holds as of importance. The new wave of feminism recently struck across the globe, and people began to realize former beliefs for women are no longer necessary. Things like perfect physiques, flawless appearances, refined etiquette, and “lady-like” mannerisms are all ideals of the past. Pageants are doing the exact opposite, promoting this old vision by showcasing “perfect” young women on national television to the youth. Television and media are huge influencers, and showcasing unrealistic women to the world can set an impression of how women and girls should look like. Seeing girls on TV with dazzling smiles and perfect figures lets young women know that is exactly how they should be. These young girls don’t realize that on the other side of the TV, the girl with the beautiful smile and gorgeous hair is actually not who she says she is. For she too, is up-

set. The smile is just a facade, mimicking a mask for what actually lies under her. She, on the inside, is just a child at heart. A child who is weak, fragile, and believes she will never be the cover who she claims to be. So, she pushes and tries as hard as she can to please all those around her, doing whatever she can to make it happen. She thinks her happiness is dependent on a panel declaring that she is perfect, indicating her to move on to the next round. Her parents showcase their happiness to her, but they cared little to ask if she felt the same. For her opinion doesn’t matter, only the prizes do to her. And for a while, she actually believes it, ignoring all frightened thoughts lurking in her head. Thousands of young girls everywhere are competing only to win, and what they will never realize is that their happiness only reveals itself when they start loving themselves for who they are, and not letting a panel of people decide that for them.

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OPINIONS

S TA F F E D I TO R I A L

Juul Hysteria

n e-cigarette is an electronic device that simulates the feeling of tobacco smoking. Juul, an infamous tobacco company, has risen to prominence in the vape industry, branding itself as Generation Z’s “safer” alternative to cigarettes. Juuling itself has become wide spread among American teenagers and is rapidly taking over the US market. Juul was founded in 2007 and later began mass marketing. Eventually, it became a separate company in 2017 when it gained most of its popularity as it evolved to become more discreet and easier to use. Juuls rose as a trend because of the misconception that it is practically harmless and less detrimental to one’s body in comparison to cigarettes, but recent studies show that fails to be the case. Contrary to popular belief among young people, however, vaping has many negative effects on the developing body. Many adolescents are using juuls in an attempt to slowly quit smoking cigarettes, but many teens in America are getting addicted in the process, which could eventually lead to them smoking cigarettes to satisfy the urges that come with addiction

to nicotine. Instead of liquid nicotine though, Juuls utilize nicotine salt which is different in that it is smooth and has a less smokey taste that makes for a better experience than that of a cigarette. Juuls typically contain around 59 milligrams of nicotine which is two to three times more than cigarettes. The nicotine releases dopamine into the brain that causes a calming effect, a result of its role as a stimulant, not a depressant. With all of the negative health effects, many are confused as to why anyone would start vaping. Although they are not relatively cheap, a juul and a starter pack of pods is around fifty dollars altogether, serving as a cheaper alternative for many high school students in comparison to other options. Another reason behind recent popularity relates to targeted marketting strategy where juuls are advertised similarly to teens, coming in various flavors and colors. In an effort to reduce this epidemic some schools have gone as far as banning flash drives to prevent confusion. Regardless of how the students feel, the administration know this is an issue that should be dealt with.

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COLUMNS

Fashion Fallacy How the fashion industry misrepresents beauty N O E L L E R E I D, O P I N I O N S E D I T O R

he American fashion scene has manage to diversify itself over the past few years as more models are people of color or fit into the “plus-sized” label. More and more companies put out ad-campaigns that pride themselves for being diverse, but sometimes the genuinity of these companies can fall through. Even though more plus sized models are being included in these campaigns, most of them share the same body type, flatter stomachs, tiny waists, wide hips and hourglass figures. These companies often pose their models so that the appearance of their stomach rolls is reduced. Or, they digitally retouch the photos so natural features like the model’s stretchmarks and cellulite, or even freckles and birthmarks, are no longer included in the pictures. If the companies cared about representing their audience they would leave the models be so that they look like who they are meant to pose as, ordinary people. Cellulite and stretchmarks are completely normal things to have, they are the result of the human body having to change and grow with time. But since these are attributes that are mainly associated with being fat, we alienate people for having these things, making them feel worthless for having stretchmarks or cellulite which can be extremely damaging. If these changes and characteristics of the human body are unavoidable, why do fashion companies feel the need to remove them from their pictures? These companies are still managing to fuel these insecurities in predominately young women and girls, despite attempting to promote a message of “body diversity.” When these companies remove these features from their photos, it can subconsciously reaffirm the belief that having these features make them less attractive. The people who have mainly been affected by these insecurities are mainly young women and girls. The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health or MACMH found that over 70% of girls are dissatisfied with the way they look and 80% of ten-year-

olds say that they are afraid of becoming fat. Poor body image and self esteem are almost directly the result of these standards set by our society, a main part in which, the fashion and beauty industries are somewhat responsible for. According to an online survey conducted by the Girl Scouts in 2010, nine out of every ten girls felt pressure from society to be thin. This, in turn, has inspired a string of businesses to directly feed on the insecurities of these young women. For some, they may not even believe that their body is a problem until it is pointed out to them that having cellulite or stretchmarks is not seen as attractive. From creams and lotions that promise to fade away stretchmarks to teas that claim it will cause a ten pound weight loss over the course of three days, to exfoliants that can ‘scrub cellulite away.’ And the advertisements for these products can be equally as harmful. They portray having these attributes as something that is the worst thing in the world to ever happen to the human body, and they tell these vulnerable teenagers that once it is gone, they will be happier and prettier. Or these companies get major celebrities and social media personalities to endorse the products via sponsored posts on social media. Because of the recent rise of social media, especially in the lives of teenagers, the ads for these products can reach anyone, anywhere. This only spreads the problem from city to city and state to state, leading more people to having unhealthy relationships with their bodies and food, or even eating disorders. It it no secret that we are obsessed with being skinny as a nation, this has been the case for many years. We have all seen the public service announcements of the emaciated results of eating disorders in health classes. But if this fixation on being thin is so detrimental, especially to our youth, why do we let it be such an integral part in our lives? This obsession is undoubtedly the result of the rising obesity epidemic but, being healthy should ultimately be the end goal, not necessarily being skinny.

COLUMNS THE LOW DOWN

Brian Kemp: Wrong for Georgia Why Brian Kemp is a dangerous pick in the upcoming gubernatorial election

JA C K LOW R A N C E , C O P Y E D I T O R

rian Kemp, the Republican candidate in Georgia’s upcoming gubernatorial race, claims to have a “four point plan to put Georgians first.” He wants to make Georgia the best state for small business, reform state government, strengthen rural Georgia, and put Georgia first (whatever that mean). But nearly everything the man has said and done seems to be antithetical to these ideas. Brian Kemp has proven through his job as Secretary of State and in his words on the campaign trail that he will slash and burn all that is effective and democratic in the workings of Georgia’s government, further embolden the racists of the alt-right, and subvert the will of the people at every opportunity. Brian Kemp says he want to put Georgia first-- but really, he’s trying his hardest to put Georgians dead last. Let’s not forget that this is the man who ran a high profile ad of him pointing a shotgun at a teenage boy and another where he threatens to round up undocumented immigrants and take them back to Mexico himself in his pickup truck. He claims to be a law and order candidate who wants to keep Georgians safe, but his reckless brand of lawless vigilantism and cartoonish rejection of basic rules concerning safety and decency are quite literally the opposite of law and order. Then there’s his extensive campaign as Secretary of State to suppress the vote and undermine election legitimacy. His tactics have proven so masterful that Emory professor Carol Anderson went so far as to call him an “enemy of democracy” in a recent New York Times op-ed. Despite Georgia’s

booming population, the number of voters registered in the state has actually decreased since 2012 because of voter suppression efforts. And Kemp has ignored numerous warnings about the dangerously weak cyber security of Georgia’s electronic voting system (which still runs on Windows 2000) and was the only election official in the entire country who refused assistance from the Department of Homeland security in protecting his state’s voting system. When a lawsuit was filed against Kemp for failing to do anything to protect the sanctity of our elections, the servers storing critical election data that were thought to be crucial to the case were wiped clean before they could be examined. Kemp’s campaign website lists “protecting Georgia values” as a part of his four point plan, but apparently he doesn’t believe fair and democratic elections to be one of them. And this is all ignoring the fact that he will also be overseeing his own gubernatorial election since he refuses to resign as Secretary of State. That’s the equivalent of a quarterback also happening to be a the referee in a game of football. Ridiculous. But these are just a few of the egregious things he’s done. His entire campaign is built on a Trumpian platform of misleading claims and falsehoods. Kemp claims on his website that he wants to eliminate sanctuary cities, but they’ve been banned in Georgia since 2009. He says he wants to “take a chainsaw” to burdensome regulations, but Georgia already has some of the least burdensome business regulations in the entire country. And he says he wants to improve access to healthcare,

but refuses to even consider Medicaid expansion that would allow 500,000 Georgians to access healthcare. Does he really respect Georgians so little that he believes they’re stupid enough to fall for this? I’m sure my conservative friends are rolling their eyes at this point-- of course my outspoken progressive self is against Brian Kemp. But don’t confuse my opposition to this man as something partisan. If his election were just going to be a continuation of the status quo-- another Nathan Deal-style typical conservative-- I wouldn’t feel as I do. Georgia has survived the woes of conservatism before and could do so again. But Kemp is different. The casual violence in his rhetoric, the disdain for democracy, the racist dog-whistles, and the blatant disregard for facts in favor of cheap political points have no place here. They’re Trumpian-- utterly disrespectful to the citizens of the state of Georgia. Brian Kemp isn’t running to improve our state. He’s running to destroy it.

Notice Kemp's face at the top of the webpage.

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COLUMNS

fash F ion

IRENE RHO, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

ashion lovers know the importance of accessorizing and experimenting with their clothes to create chic looks. The power of fashion lies in the details. Whether it comes to belts or earrings, the fashion forward are experimenting with their accessories to make a statement with their clothes. “I feel like adding jewelry really completes any look. Whether it’s rings to go with shorts and a t-shirt or a necklace to go with a dress, accessorizing with jewelry is the simplest way for me to make my outfit look

more complete,” Rishika Singh, 12, said. With the rise of vintage fashion, thrifting as well as borrowing clothes from parents have both become popular in fashion. Whether it comes to an oversized button up or thrifted jeans, these clothes are no longer seen as dull or tacky. They are now transformed through simple details such as tying up oversized ends, or sewing colorful patterns to bring an old plain shirt back to life.

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