Volume 13, Issue 8 - Apr. 2015

the

essenger

Northview high school Volume 13 | Issue 8 | April 2015

teachers receive bonus after seven unchanging years p. 8

Ramzy Stripling’s struggle with ulcerative colitis p. 22

Poverty on the rise in fulton county P. 16

masthead Email: nhsmessenger@gmail.com Phone: (770) 497-3828 ext. 176 Website: nhsmessenger.com Address: 10625 Parsons Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097 PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION The Messenger is a student publication published for and distributed to students, faculty, staff, and the Northview community to promote readership of the students’ current events and issues.

The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Northview High School, its students, faculty, staff, or administration. Content is controlled and edited by staff editors, with a high-priority on celebrating the achievements of its readers as well as events occurring within the circulation. 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 advertisements 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, Meredith Keisler, and assistant business manager, Tarun Ramesh, at nhsmessenger@ gmail.com.

IN THIS ISSUE Cover design: Jessica Ma, Connie Xu Cover photo: Bryan Liang

EDITORS-In-CHIEF Marri Kang Jessica Ma MANAGING EDITOR Nancy Coleman NEWS EDITOR Rachel Williams SPORTS EDITORS Maggie Brenan Rameen Forghani FEATURES EDITOR Sneha Gubbala OPINIONS EDITOR Andrew Teodorescu PHOTO EDITOR Hui Lin DESIGN EDITOR Connie Xu ONLINE EDITOR Bryan Liang COPY EDITOR Maggie Xia BUSINESS MANAGER Meredith Keisler ASST. BUSINESS MANAGER Tarun Ramesh STAFF WRITERS Shelby Bradley Tommy Bui Manasa Chimpiri Megan Cistulli Sophia Choi Ryan Daigle Milika Dhru Sarah Jang Chad Johnson Annie Kong Jooeun Lee Justin Leung Tanisa Mahalingam Austin Meng Lindsey Moon Sally Pan Caroline Pennington Sumit Sohani Parnia Vaghef Eashaa Velamuri Justin Westbrook Sabrina Wilson Connie Xiao PHOTOGRAPHERS Nabila Khan Brittney Neser Tiffany Xu

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table of

contents 2 masthead 5 Editor’s Letter 8 news 10 sports 16 cover story 16 features 24 opinions 26 FACEOFF 28 staff columns 30 STAFF EDITORIAL

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Hui Lin/STAFF

articles 8 County budget changes / SALLY PAN 10 Sports briefs / STAFF 12 Baseball reaches midseason / MAGGIE BRENAN 13 Football camps take over stadium / LINDSEY MOON 14 Sophie Kopec leads girls lacrosse team / RAMEEN FORGHANI 16 COVER STORY: Poverty rates on the rise in Johns Creek / JOOEUN LEE and TARUN RAMESH 21 Northview crowns Teacher of the Year / MAGGIE XIA 22 Junior Ramzy Stripling returns to school after three-month medical leave / CONNIE XIAO 26 Face-off: Are high-end products worth the price? / SNEHA GUBBALA and ANDREW TEODORESCU 28 Music column / EASHAA VELAMURI 29 Fashion column / CONNIE XU 30 Staff editorial / STAFF 31 Comments / ANDREW TEODORESCU | the messenger | 3

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l e t t e r

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f r o m

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Under the radar

ccording to its residents, the city of Johns Creek exists in a vacuum of upper middle class affluence. Yet recent statistics have proven that a decent percentage of the student population at Northview—about 7.95%—qualify for Free and Reduced Price School Meals. As one such student, I felt it important to shed light on an issue so widely ignored in the community.

Perhaps one of the most glaring problems I have faced personally is the unwillingness to confront poverty in what seems to be a suburban utopia. On multiple occasions I have had people tell me that I wasn’t poor simply due to the fact that I lived where I did. My clothes were too nice, my house too clean, my possessions too expensive. I didn’t fit in with the preconceived notion of a raggedy vagabond sleeping on the streets, and therefore I was just as wealthy as anyone else.

To be clear, such people truly do exist and should not be overlooked. However, in consideration to our community, it is more often than not that those who live in poverty do not conform to the stereotype that society imposes on us. And while it is an advantage to be able to afford some of the same luxuries that more affluent people can, this can cause conflict between expectations and reality.

Society lauds the poor man who can wholly devote himself to his work in order to afford his next purchase in concept, but looks down on those who practice it. Poor people aren’t allowed to save up to buy the newest smartphone because the moment they do, it is automatically assumed that the money could have been better spent elsewhere—after all, maybe if they didn’t spend their money on iPhones they wouldn’t be poor anymore.

In reality, abstaining from a one-time purchase on a luxury good will do little to help the overarching

issue of a low income. And even if it did, those who live in poverty are—surprise, surprise—allowed to buy what makes them happy.

And there is yet another catch to the situation: outwardly appearing to have money just means becoming a contribution to the overall image of wealth in Johns Creek. Being rich becomes the norm and with that comes the pressure to spend as much as someone with a higher income would. The society shifts to one that revolves around large monetary input and those who do not make enough money end up falling behind.

Therefore, one could either stop spending money and suffer through years of struggle just to be noticed or continue to save and spend as normal and risk becoming invisible under the shadow cast by the affluent. From the perspective of someone with a low income, there is simply no way to win.

Due to this struggle, the Messenger staff has taken up the issue of poverty to raise awareness in the community. For several months the staff has collaborated with several outstanding figures in and around the school that live with, live in, and live to fight against poverty. We hope to properly highlight these representatives and what they stand for so that we can bring this problem onto a wider stage. Though it is a persisting and difficult issue on an individual level, we believe that poverty can be combated as a community.

With that in mind, I sincerely hope that we were able to properly express our goal. To those whose lives we have chosen to feature: we are grateful for your cooperation and willingness to share your stories. To those who have stood by these people to help them through rough times: we value your services and hope to continue this fight together. And to all of those who are reading: thank you, and enjoy.

Marri Kang, Editor-in-Chief

| the messenger | 5

Hui Lin/STAFF A |

Victory shot Sophomore Sophie Kopec scores a goal, breaking the ongoing tie between Northview and West Forsyth. | the messenger | 7

NEWS

SPENDING SHIFTS Teachers’ budgets experience a once-per-year 3% bonus SALLY PAN, Staff Writer

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ecent changes to the budget of Fulton County Schools include a once-per-year bonus and an additional pay raise for teachers.

For the past seven years, teacher salaries have remained stagnant, while other costs continued to rise. As the cost of living increases, teachers’ pay remains frozen.

“Since 2007 to 2008, when we kind of hit a recession, there have been a lot of cuts in education, and there have been a lot of positions that were cut,” Principal Brian Downey said.

Budget cuts and unchanging wages left some teachers feeling dissatisfied and struggling to make ends meet.

“These last couple of years has made it so difficult [...] as teachers, you’ve got to live comfortably and get by,” English teacher Tania Pope said. “I don’t want anything special in my life, but I want to feel like I can get some savings, put some money aside, and add some travel in there. As committed as we are as teachers to our profession, we’ve got to live.”

About two years ago, Superintendent Robert Avossa proposed a oneper-year bonus that the teachers received in December after the school board approved the proposal. The bonus, consisting of 3% of each teacher’s salary, was a single check. A permanent pay raise came into play later.

Avossa visited Northview to deliver the news about budget change to the faculty and administration. He was able to siphon money back into the teaching salaries of Fulton County faculty and argue for it against the board

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rather than decreasing class sizes. Avossa has also proposed both a pay raise and a step increase that the school board has yet to vote to approve.

“For all of our pay scales, we have steps [...] if you’re a first year teacher, you’re supposed to start on step one, and in your second year, you would step up to step two. It’s kind of like your own little raise,” Downey said, “Teachers have not had a raise or a step increase for the past seven years, so the superintendent is proposing that both kick in this year.”

The proposed increase in salary will not only improve the lives of teachers, but it could also contribute to Fulton County’s faculty retention rates.

“I think it will help keep teachers in Fulton County because I think a lot of people like their jobs, but since they don’t get bonuses ever, they burn out,” math teacher Ashley Farris said. “Fulton is going to look so much better when we’re able to say we are getting increases.”

Fulton County has been able to reach a place where it can not only avoid making cuts, but can also offer a slight pay increase to its faculty.

“Retention is way, way better,” Pope said, “Obviously, the better Fulton County’s salary looks, the more likely teachers will stay here than go across to other counties or move to other places.”

Higher retention rates and increased teacher salaries certainly indicate better measures for Fulton County and better lives for its teachers.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” Farris said.

news | the messenger | 9

SPORTS in BRIEF Northview teams’ seasons heat up as playoffs approach MEGAN CISTULLI, RYAN DAIGLE, CHAD JOHNSON, and JUSTIN WESTBROOK, Staff Writers

Girls’ soccer

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oming off two straight deep playoff runs, the Lady Titans had high expectations for this season, even after losing four seniors. With the daunting task of moving up in classifications the Lady Titans have adjusted well. So far, they are 5-2 in the region and need to win at least one of their last two region games in order to secure a spot in the state tournament.

“Playoffs are our main priority. We have to play every single game for the person next to us and give 110 percent,” junior Erin Rhodes said.

The Lady Titans must win their last three games to guarantee themselves a spot in the state tournament.

Coach Josh Jordan is confident of the team’s ability to make the state tournament.

“If our program has one thing-it’s character. Skill alone can’t win you a championship or a playoff spot; a team must have character.

We certainly have that.” Coach Jordan said.

The Lady Titans have already gained some confidence and showed their potential by knocking off Lambert, the number one seed in the region.

Above: Junior Erin Rhodes fights for possesion in a region game against Chattahoochee.

Below: Junior Andrew Grodhaus stares down the keeper as he looks to score.

Tiffany Xu/STAFF

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Tiffany Xu/STAFF

Boys’ soccer 10 | sports

fter coming off a disappointing season last year, the Men’s Soccer team looked to take significant strides this year. Moving up to AAAAAA did not make this task any easier. With multiple seniors to help lead this years team, the Titans had high expectations coming into the year.

“We have been playing well, but not well enough. The scouting reports say that we control the ball well and that we are tough to break down, but we just can’t finish,” senior Chris Lee said.

Looking forward to next season, Coach Harrell expects to have another strong team that will compete night in and night out. Harrell believes his midfield is one of the strongest in the state.

“The area that has been a point of focus for this year is a dynamic possession style of play in the mid field. The first step last year was to get organized defensively. This year, the next step was the midfield,” Harrell said. “We are one of the better teams in the state with possession and moving the ball. We haven’t faced a better midfield so far.”

Next year the Titans will look to take the next step, and have a complete team all around.

Gymnastics

SPORTS

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orthview recently added gymnastics to its list of competitive sports sanctioned by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), kicking off the season with a small new team and a hopeful outlook for the future.

The team consists of only four girls, making it the smallest athletic team at Northview, and trains under the coaching of math teacher Andrea Riker, who is new to Northview this year. Of the four athletes that make up the team, only three are currently competing because one is injured. According to Riker, Northview’s new team is significantly smaller than other competitive gymnastic teams in Georgia.

“It’s a really good team because everyone supports each other,” sophomore team member Cara Tench said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

According to Riker, the girls must exercise rigid self-discipline to train, improve, and stay in the optimal physical condition to perform their routines.

“The girls have to be super strong, coordinated and balanced in order to perform everything they do,” Riker said.

Unlike other sports teams at Northview, members of the new gymnastics team train at a private gym away from campus, and their school coach is not present at training.

“They practice at their own gym and I’m never there because they have a club coach,” Riker said. “The lady who runs their gym is the coach, but the girls wind up changing their routines themselves.”

Such an unconventional training method allows the girls to exercise more control over their sport than some other athletic teams, but it requires a high degree of dedication and self-sufficiency.

In competition, the girls must prove their skills in a sequence of four separate events: balance beam, uneven parallel bars, vaulting, and floor exercise. After all team members complete all four events, the team will receive an All-Around score based on their overall performance.

Boys’ golf

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he Titans are led by new coach Robert Lumpkin this year, a coach with 16 years of experience under his belt at both Franklin County High School and Peachtree Ridge High School. The team was encouraged for the rest of the season after they defeated West Forsyth, who placed seventh in the state last year. The team has shown flashes of greatness so far, but their results are inconsistent.

“The team has a lot of potential this year, but it’s kind of a rebuilding season with a brand new coach and graduating a couple seniors last year,” senior Tyler Strauss said.

The boys have high expectations for Lumpkin and hope to gain substantial knowledge from his sixteen years of experience in coaching. Lumpkin himself is also optimistic for the future of Northview’s boys’ golf team.

“We have some really good golfers, but they haven’t put everything together yet” Coach Lumpkin said.

With a rigorous practice schedule and a great deal of ambition, the team hopes to improve and make a run for the state tournament.

Though their success throughout the season has fluctuated, the boys’ golf team looks forward to greater victories in the future.

Andrea Riker/SPECIAL

Northview’s gymnastics team in the midst of a competition routine.

Girls’ golf

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ed by Coach Cynthia Brogdon, who has been coaching for seven years, the girl’s golf team has had a tremendous season so far with six wins and only one loss. These wins have been by large margins, consistently at least 20 strokes. Coach Brogdon has a great appreciation for the sport, although it was only a secondary sport for her when she was in high school.

“It is a very skilled sport, and I have an appreciation for my golfers. Our whole team is stacked with a majority of ninth graders,” Brogdon said.

The golf program is currently on an upswing, both in interest in the program and in talent.

“This year we had a tremendous interest in the program,” Brogdon said.

The team has two star players with substantial experience who are leading the team this year. Freshmen Christyn Carr and Diana Liu, are major contributors to the wins amassed so far this season. “[They] show a lot of promise, and they are very talented,”Brogdon said.

The girls’ potential at such an early age excites Brogdon. Carr is highly dedicated to golf and hopes to go far with it after high school. She aims to attend college with a golf scholarship, and is even hoping to play on the LPGA tour after that.

The team practices three to four days a week at either St. Ives, St. Marlo, or Chattahoochee, playing one to two matches a week. These matches can take more than four hours if the girls play eighteen holes. Carr also plays outside of school in order to further her skills and increase her chances at a career in golf in the future.

“I also practice separately on weekends and play in tournaments, “ Carr said.

The best part is out of the eight players six of them are freshman, so the young team will grow and improve for the next three years into a fantastic unit. Brogdon has great hope for the future, especially because the are all very talented.

“They all have a great skill level,” Brogdon said.

Brogdon and Carr have similar and realistic goals for the rest of the season. She hopes to make it to the regional tournament.

“Our goal is to make it to sectionals and possibly state,”Carr said.

This young girl’s golf team coached by Coach Brogdon shows a lot of promise for the future led by talented athletes with a dedication to the sport. sports | the messenger | 11

SPORTS

GETTING INTO THE SWING OF THINGS

Susie Trautwein/ SPECIAL

Northview’s baseball team is fighting hard for a spot in the state tournament MAGGIE BRENAN, Sports Editor

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he Northview Titan Baseball team continues to surprise midway through the season with both unexpected wins and unexpected losses. Although they have amassed four wins and nine losses in their region, their five non-region wins early in the season were promising indicators of what can still become of their season.

Region wins against North Forsyth and West Forsyth in mid March were crucial, not only to stay afloat in the region, but to build confidence on the team.

“We can play with any team, and have the ability to play to our competition. We played North [Forsyth] and West [Forsyth] and Lambert, all good teams, and we beat two out of the three of them,” sophomore Matthew Pacifico said.

Losses to South Forsyth, Chattahoochee, and Centennial have served as a wake-up call for the Titans, as they look to rally some wins at the close of their season.

“Centennial was a big one. They’re a team that can obviously beat us because they did, but we should have beat them, I believe,” coach Aaron Wilkens said. “We had the lead most of the game and just threw it away at the end.”

Although discouraging, these tough losses have left the team with a clear picture of the strengths they can build on in order to collect some wins. A multidimensional team with a strong defense, they have relied heavily on their underclassmen to fill some of the positions vacated by graduated seniors.

“Thomas Hamill, a sophomore, has done a good job on the mound for us. Matthew Pacifico is another, he’s had some good time on the mound, DJ Poteet has been playing 3rd for us most of the games, and Michael Trautwein has had a good amount of time behind the plate.

They’ve played well overall, and we’ve had some upperclassmen that have done a great job as well,” Wilkens said.

Even the seniors are highly confident in their younger teammates.

“I’m glad to know we have such a highly skilled under-class that will create a great program in the years to come,” senior Bryce Jones said.

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In addition to being a team with depth, they also rely heavily on their overall team speed. While they are lacking in power in comparison to some of the other teams in the region, they compensate by relying on their defense.

“We have to string together and create more, and we can’t just sit back and rely and something that happened like some of these other teams can. We try to play more small ball, and steal bases.

We have to really rely on our defense, and our defense is solid,” Wilkens said.

The Titans are attempting to reach the playoffs while playing in a very competitive region that contains not only some of the top teams in the state, but also some of the top teams in the country.

“There’s a lot of talent [in our region], but our guys are hanging in there, they’re playing tough, and they’re not intimidated by that,” Wilkens said.

As of now, the Titans are just two games out of the playoff race, and in need of a string of wins in the upcoming weeks.

“Last year at this time we were in worse shape, actually, and then we ran off nine in a row in region play,” Wilkens said. “So there’s definitely a chance, if we can just get the hot streak going […] It’s an uphill battle, but hopefully we can string something together and surprise some people.”

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATHLETES AT NORTHVIEW

SPORTS

Nike and Gatorade sponsor combine at school stadium

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LINDSEY MOON, Staff Writer

he Northview Stadium was put to good use on March 21 when Nike and Gatorade sponsored an athletic combine hosted at Northview High School. Over 2,000 athletes participated in this event from surrounding towns and even surrounding states. “[The combine] is for kids to, in the offseason, get a baseline of where they are athletically. It’s good for them to gauge where they are currently,” Patrick Bark, a combine representative, said.

The combine included several tests such as the 40 yard dash, 5-10-5 shuttle, the kneeling power ball toss and the vertical jump.

“With those tests, [the athletes] see where they are months before next season,” Bark said.

Several Titan football players attended the combine, and they unanimously agreed that it was a positive experience for them as athletes.

“There were a lot of things I learned I need to improve on.

It was my first professional combine with all of the things that major combines have, so I learned what coaches are looking for with combines,” freshman Kyler McMichael said.

“It was great that it was at Northview. There were a lot of kids with a lot of talent.”

Most athletes attending the event enjoyed the opportunity to receive attention and feedback from collegiate scouts. The competing athletes were able to delve into the minds of the recruiters and see what they need to work on in order to be noticed.

“I really just wanted to perform my best and gain some good competition because I feel anytime you have good competition, your athletics increasing dramatically.

When you are up against people who are better than you, it pushes you to try to improve your abilities as well as be better than them,” Chike Otaluka said.

“I wanted to get new recruiters looking at me. I feel I did well, but I could have done better. I think got some new recruiters off of it,” Brian Downey IMcMichael said.

The combine also brought benefits for Northview. Aside from showing off the school’s facilities and new turf, put in at the beginning of this school year, it also presented an opportune venue for Northview students to demonstrate their abilities.

“It brought exposure to our kids. We have some athletes who have potential to make it to the next level, so this is one avenue for them to get their names out there to colleges,” Principal Brian Downey said.

we have some athletes who have potential to make it to the next level.

Hui Lin/STAFF

sports | the messenger | 13

Hui Lin/ STAFF

SPORTS

Going Top Shelf Sophomore midfielder Sophie Kopec commits to William and Mary University RAMEEN FORGHANI, Sports Editor

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oming into this season, the Northview Girls Varsity Lacrosse team is looking to match the boys’ feat last year and win a state championship. Midfielder Sophie Kopec is hoping to help them achieve just that.

As only a sophomore, Kopec is one of the more prominent scorers, defenders and leaders on the team, seemingly always involved in the action and ready to make a play. She looks to lead the team to a state championship and has bright college prospects even as a sophomore.

“Even though Sophie’s only a sophomore, she’s a really big part of our team because she keeps everybody encouraged and happy when we’re all playing,” Senior defender and teammate Amber Scales said.

“She really emphasizes the team aspect of our game and makes sure that on and off the field, we’re all connected.”

Kopec is already committed to play Division I college lacrosse at William and Mary University in the class of 2021. Having received offers from William and Mary, as well as Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania, Kopec chose William and Mary because it is a distinguished public university, boasting a mix of strong academ-

ics and a good lacrosse program in which she felt welcomed and at home in.

“I chose William and Mary because the head coach came from Northwestern, which has a really good lacrosse program. I know that the coach will come and build a high caliber program here [at William and Mary].

Also, my parents wanted me, and I wanted to go to school that was academically fit for me,” Kopec said.

While Kopec committing to college as a sophomore may seem unusual, it is becoming increasingly common in lacrosse, with recruiting starting in earlier years. Performance on club teams is becoming more crucial, as players must prove themselves at national competitions in front of scouts before their high school careers even begin.

Kopec, for example, plays for the Midwestern Force team, a travel team with girls from across the country uniting to compete in tournaments. Because of these out-of-school opportunities, standout players are recruited as freshman, while the average womens’ lacrosse athlete commits to a collegiate career in their sophomore or junior year.

“She is very dedicated to not only lacrosse, but being successful in life. She works hard and deserves what’s ahead of her.”

- Kristyn Wakely

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Left: Kopec (11) cradles down the field as she transitions the ball to the offensive end in a game against West Forsyth High School on March 10.

Below: In the same game, Kopec dodges her defenders to drive to the goal.

“As far as recruiting goes, girls are being recruited earlier and earlier these days. Though not too common at Northview, freshmen are even being recruited,” Kristyn Wakely, Northview’s new girls lacrosse head coach, said.

Kopec began playing lacrosse when she was in the third grade. Her sisters convinced her to give lacrosse a try, switching from basketball to do so. She was fond of the sport because it involved running, which Kopec enjoys, and combines a fun, action-packed contest with it. Kopec started playing in a recreational league, before becoming serious about the sport and playing for a club team. Now, Kopec travels across the country competing in tournaments with her team.

Kopec had to dedicate copious sums of time and effort into her improving in her game. She dedicates much of her time to intense, time-consuming training and conditioning, even during breaks.

“Last summer, I was at home two weeks out of the summer,” Kopec said.

Kopec estimates that she spends 10 to 12 hours a week on lacrosse during the season, between games and practices. She also lifts weights at the gym and runs to condition herself during the offseason. In the fall, Kopec runs cross-country, a member of Northview’s two-time state championship team.

“She is very dedicated to not only lacrosse, but being successful in life. She works hard and deserves what’s ahead of her,” Wakely said.

Kopec looks to lead the playoff-bound Lady Titans deep into the playoff this season, hoping to add another accolade to her impressive resume.

Mens’ Lacrosse RAMEEN FORGHANI, Sports Editor

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he Men’s Varsity Lacrosse team comes into this season as the reigning champions of a different classification on a quest to complete one of the hardest feats across the sporting spectrum: defending a championship. Thus far, the Titans are 9-3 on the season. This record places them in fourth place in the region standings, snagging the final spot to qualify for the playoffs.

Through the course of the season, the men have had to overcome multiple obstacles to position themselves for a repeat run deep into the playoffs. Due to the reclassification of Northview from AAAAA to AAAAAA, the Titans have to face a completely new set of teams, theoretically consisting of the best in the state. Junior goaltender Jake Hanson overcame an eligibility battle with the GHSA after switching schools from The Wesleyan School to Northview, while living in the district all the while.

Multiple playerrs have suffered injuries this season. Junior Ramzy Stripling, a midfielder who used his hockey experience to aid the team’s championship run, has not been able to play due to ulcerative colitis.

Senior Chad Johnson is also out for the remainder of the season due to stress fractures. Senior Ryan Daigle, who missed the first half of the season with a meniscus injury, was able to suit up and rejoin the team after spring break.

The Boy’s Lacrosse team has seen success on the offensive side of the ball, excelling with their depth and experience that they have gained playing the state’s top teams last year. Almost all of the offensive players on the roster contributed to the team last year. Defensively, Northview graduated three senior defensemen and their starting goalie. The Titans have a fast style of play, working on pushing turnovers down the field quickly and capitalizing on fast breaks in a strategy often called “run and gun.” sports | the messenger | 15

FEATURES

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p o p p in g t he j o hn s cr eek b u b b le Climbing poverty rates counter perceptions of widespread affluence JOOEUN LEE, Staff Writer TARUN RAMESH, Staff Writer

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espite Johns Creek’s reputation as one of the most affluent cities in Georgia, the local area has seen an increase in poverty in recent years. Fulton County Superintendent Robert Avossa initially brought attention to this development in a presentation at an awards breakfast this February.

Since he became superintendent, Avossa has increasingly allocated funds to alleviate financial burdens for students in need and has made this task a top priority. He began to advocate for financially struggling students early in his career as an assistant principal at Oakshire Elementary, a Title I school with nearly half of its students living below the poverty line. There, Avossa streamlined funds towards special tutoring services for students struggling academically due to a lack of financial resources. He also began a program that waived student fees for standardized testing preparation and other examinations, making it easier for allowing his students to excel academically.

Fulton County defines impoverishment in the student body as those who qualify for free and reduced lunch meals (FRL). Free and reduced lunch qualifiers must submit an application each year to maintain that a two-person household income meets or is below $29,101 per year, the federally defined poverty line. The Fulton County Board of Nutrition guarantees that every student is treated equally and all information remains strictly confidential.

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Although some students qualify for free and reduced lunch for all four demic, extracurricular, and social experience of high school. years at Northview, many qualify for a short period of time due to sudden “I’ve been able to allow [FRL students] access to all the things changes in their households, such as job losses, large medical expenses, and that everyone else is doing and nobody ever has to know that their familial issues. Northview has multiple support systems in place to combat family is in this type of distress,” McClung said. “I think that’s the academic and personal effects associated with financial struggles, the what is helpful for teenagers–for them to have some normalcy, foremost being the social worker. for them not to be singled out because they’re the poor one.”

“People have a picture of what poverty is or who is involved in McClung strives to maintain a bright, cheerful attitude as a poverty but in reality, there is no clean cut picture of who that is,” social worker. She works with students to help them forget their Downey said. “Literally, the kid’s sitting next to you, in front of financial problems at home and instead focus on their academyou, behind you and there is no profile of who that kid is.” ics. McClung views her judgement-free room as one of the most Although Fulton County Board of Education (FCBOE) has approachable environments in the whole school. mandated several county-wide referendums to help struggling fam- “Some things are adult issues and adult problems, and [the stuilies, it still gives the most discretion to school social workers to dents’] job should be to come to school, do their part, be responsible, help determine students’ individual needs on a case-by-case basis. get their work done and be successful academically,” McClung said.

“That is the beauty of having a social worker in every build- McClung is not the only support available to students living in Fulton County. Our job is to link families to resources,” ing in poverty. One of the largest donors to Fulton County and Alicia McClung, Northview’s social worker, said.

Northview is the local faith community. In 2012, Avossa invited McClung’s primary duties are the faith community to provide to target any barriers, financial or seminars and private donations to otherwise, preventing students help boost student achievement. from receiving the maximum “We have got pockets of sigbenefits of their education, and nificant poverty around the county. to serve as the primary support Our students are struggling with for any students who may feel complex social issues. We want to be alienated due to certain aspects able to partner with the faith comof their personal lives. munity and think differently about “That could look like social/ the way we meet those needs,” emotional problems, lack of reAvossa said in an interview with the sources, access to other resourcAtlanta Journal-Constitution. es, problems with friends, prob On a district level, Avossa lems with teachers [...] what this has established multiple academic b r i an d ow n e y support systems, including Flexjob does is [...] to make [students] happy and whole and ready to ible Learning Programs, instruclearn,” McClung said. tional coaches, and multiple charitable funds. Flexible Learning McClung plays an important role in connecting students Programs offer an alternative supplemental academic intervenstruggling to pay college application fees to programs such as tion tailored to meet the needs of specific communities and Questbridge, which waives application fees for most colleges individual students. These programs include free tutoring, reand bridges the gap between talented low-income students with mediation opportunities, and other interventions designed to distinguished institutions of higher education. In addition to re- increase the academic standings of the students in a community. ferrals for Questbridge, she works to ensure that every North- Another built-in support system is the county instructional view student receives the financial aid that he needs. coach. This specialized county employee has the responsibility Another major objective of McClung’s position is to help of working closely with the social worker to mentor teachers on students on free and reduced lunch plans to have a complete providing opportunities such as extra sessions for students who high school experience. Although she does not have a formal are struggling academically. budget, she can reach out to the administration, teachers, and Funding programs also exist to aid students whose financial the community for donations. With these donations, McClung situations become obstacles to their academic success. The Fulton can help waive fees for students’ Advanced Placement exams, Charitable Fund is the largest public grant given by Fulton Counstandardized testing preparation courses, field trips, school ty to individual households. The Laura Martin Fund provides for dances, and other opportunities that make up the collective aca- students whose households, due to a guardian’s chronic illness,

Money should never be an obstacle for our students.

frl student rates at northview

3.50%

3.04%

5.06%

2008

2009

2010

18 | features

Social worker Alicia McClung speaks to a student in her office.

Hui Lin/STAFF

can no longer sustain themselves. The fund pays for a majority of a student’s academic and living expenses.

McClung attributes the rising poverty rates in Johns Creek to the demotions and layoffs that affect local residents working in corporate jobs.

“A lot of husbands, men, [and] fathers have lost jobs and have been demoted or downsized, and that’s had a very big impact on household incomes,” McClung said.

Although she cannot singlehandedly reverse the course of a large-scale economic downturn, McClung is optimistic that she and the counseling department provide more than enough resources to Northview students to ensure that they receive the best education possible.

“If we continue to provide a solid education and support around kids that may be struggling, then I think we can have an impact on education for the next generation and have them buy into the value of education and how it can impact their future economically,” McClung said.

McClung has worked with a wide array of students over the years, but to her, each represents a part of the greater success

story of overcoming obstacles in the path to success, academic and otherwise. This year, she has worked with seniors (unnamed due to terms of confidentiality) struggling with chronically ill family members and major financial setbacks, but who persevered and will be attending college this fall as a result.

“These four seniors [...] have really been able to withstand the family emotional stress and financial stress and continued on to school every day and [to] do well,” McClung said. “I feel like I’ve had a piece of that because I’ve been able to be a constant positive person for them.”

McClung is confident that she and other Northview administrators will do everything in their power to ensure that students in similar positions will be able to succeed in and out school.

Although the proportion of students on free and reduced lunch plans in Johns Creek has risen, support systems and resources are available to make certain that students have what they need to thrive academically.

“Money should never be an obstacle for our students,” Downey said. “So if it is, it’s our job, it’s my job, to remove that obstacle.”

5.01%

8.90%

2011

2012

7.95% 2013

features | the messenger | 19

by the

NUMBERS Cobb

45.31%

31.03% Centennial High School

22.19%

Gwinnett

55.46% percentages of Free and Reduced Lunch students in neighboring counties and schools

Fulton

45.84%

Roswell High School

Source: Fulton County Schools

8.30%

Milton High School

7.95% Northview High School

7.14% Johns Creek High School

RT SUPPO

62 250 176

families received assistance from the Fulton Charitable Fund, 2014-15 students supported by the Holiday Assistance Program students referred by the Laura Martin Fund this school year

educational attainment & employment Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, July 2014 unemployment rate 3.1% 5.3% 6.1% 9.6%

20 | features

median weekly earnings

Bachelor’s degree and higher Some college/associate degree High school graduate, no college Less than a high school diploma

$1,189 $741 $651 $457

1,265 students who are either homeless or in the Youth in Transition program

FEATURES

Nabila Khan/STAFF

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Jordan Kohamim is honored as Northview’s 2015 Teacher of the Year MAGGIE XIA, Copy Editor

N

orthview recently named Jordan Kohanim as this year’s Northview Teacher of the Year, an honor that the school presents each year to one of its most deserving and respected teachers.

Not expecting to receive the honor of Teacher of the Year, Kohanim was pleasantly surprised by the recognition. She comes from a long line of teachers, and teaching has always been a part of her life.

“I guess you could say it runs in my blood,” Kohanim said.

She enjoys the fact that teaching allows her to interact with her students and learn from her experiences with them, including the obstacles that sometimes present themselves.

“I see these obstacles as opportunities to grow, for them and me,” Kohanim said.

Kohanim arrived at Northview two years ago, when former principal Dr. Paul Brannon interviewed her for the teaching position at Northview, landing her the job.

She combines visuals and philosophy into her lessons through the use of engaging tactics and unconventional methods, such as her use of the popular website and social media platform Buzzfeed. She introduces topics and concepts pertaining to the lessons, and encourages her students to speak up about their opinions and questions.

“The questions must be posed by students; I only respond to what they ask. They have a suggestion box in the back of the room.

The rules are that the question has to be about what we are currently doing, must involve abstract thought, and must relate to the curriculum,” Kohanim said.

Kohanim makes sure her classroom is not rigid, aiming to accommodate the wide variety of her students’ needs. She teaches several different writing styles and uses a variety of teaching methods to keep her students engaged and active, including group activities and those that involve technology. Her classes explore different ways of communicat-

ing while also focusing the audiences to whom they are directing their messages. Her students greatly appreciate the loose classroom setting.

“She is very unconventional in the way that she makes learning a discussion rather than notes, every activity is very involved. Not only does she teach like a god, but she makes sure that everyone knows why something is one way. She doesn’t necessarily care about the grades, she cares that we learn no matter what,” freshman Rohan Sohani said.

Kohanim encourages her students to write, and prevents them from underestimating their own writing skills by allowing them to self-reflect and identifying their strengths.

“Ultimately, I know that every student, regardless of circumstances, can improve his power to communicate. My students know how to succeed because I clearly share what I expect from them. As I facilitate my students’ exploration of the relationship between self-actualization and language, I help them expand their skills and empower them to push themselves to their fullest potential,” Kohanim said.

Kohanim sees herself as a facilitator in terms of the students’ learning. She does not see her students as people that she can fill with information, rather people who have to learn how to think for themselves.

“Life is not about regurgitating facts. Life is about seeking complex solutions, or more importantly, asking the right questions,” she said.

Her favorite part about teaching is the ability to continue communicating with her students as both parties continue on in their lives. She meets former students to talk and catch up, and has attended weddings and other events of her former students.

“They continue to inspire me each day. When a person asks a question, we should all rejoice in their curiosity. After all, knowledge is never concrete or stagnant. I am proud to have encouraged my students to engage with their world with questions and adventures,” Kohanim said. features | the messenger | 21

FEATURES

Ramzy Stripling, second from right, eats lunch with friends on the week of his return.

the battle within

Ramzy Stripling faces a lifelong struggle with ulcerative colitis CONNIE XIAO, Staff Writer

22 | features

Hui Lin/STAFF

A

fter an almost semester-long absence, junior Ramzy Stripling returned to Northview following the end of spring break. Stripling had attended the first two days of the semester before going on medical leave for ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the colon in which the body attacks itself, causing severe intestinal pain. The colon is left unable to absorb nutrients, potentially leading to malnourishment.

The goal of treatment for ulcerative colitis is to induce the condition into remission. Certain foods and stress, however, may exacerbate symptoms or cause them to reappear.

“In my case, [ulcerative colitis] was really bad. Everything I ate affected it,” Stripling said.

Stripling’s condition began to develop in late November last year, and he was admitted into the emergency room on New Year’s Eve. In January, Stripling was officially diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He visited the hospital again for treatment with Remicade, a drug that prevents the immune system from targeting the colon and that requires intravenous administration.

Though Remicade allowed Stripling to once again take in nutrients from the food he ate, he had lost 50 pounds as a result of the disease and was so malnourished that he was readmitted to the hospital in February. This time, he received total parenteral nutrition (TPN), which involves the transfer of vital nutrients to the body via a catheter inserted into a vein.

With the combination of amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and other nutrients provided by TPN, Stripling began to regain weight at a rate of about 10 pounds per week. Through a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line, Stripling could receive treatment at home. According to him, leaving the hospital was a relief.

“I hate the hospital,” Stripling said. “It’s so much better to be at my house. It’s just more free. In the hospital, you are stuck in one tiny room, with one bathroom, with no one there, and it’s so boring.”

For the next three weeks, Stripling received 12 hours of TPN per day at home. Within a week and a half of his discharge, Stripling was allowed to leave the house. The first item on his agenda was to attend one of Northview’s varsity boys’ lacrosse games.

“I didn’t play,” Stripling said. “I sat and watched.”

Ulcerative colitis prevented Stripling from participating in many of his favorite activities, which include playing on a travel hockey team, Northview’s varsity lacrosse team, and in local band 28 If. “I missed hockey the most,” Stripling said. “It was hard, because it was my last year.”

The Northview lacrosse team felt Stripling’s loss. Last spring, he played as a long stick middie at the state championships.

“Ramzy was a solid player,” senior Samuel Lee, one of the lacrosse team captains, said. “He had one of the best stick skills on the team.

Ground balls were his specialty; because of his hockey background, he was able to maneuver the ball on the ground through people’s legs.”

To show support, Stripling’s lacrosse team started a GoFundMe campaign to help his family cover the medical costs attached to his ulcerative colitis treatment. Insufficient insurance coverage during the first two hospital visits resulted in a $26,000 debt. Furthermore, the passing away of Stripling’s father, Todd Stripling, in 2013 left the family in a difficult financial situation.

“When someone needs a friend or needs people to be there, we should come as community to help out,” junior Andrew Wemyss, Stripling’s lacrosse teammate, said. Wemyss’ mother, Linda Wemyss, was responsible for initiating the fundraising campaign.

The GoFundMe campaign raised more than $14,000. To bridge the remaining gap, the Will to Live Foundation and Northview’s Environmental Club are sponsoring the Rock for Ramzy Life Teammate fundraising night, which will take place at Northview on May 2.

“It makes me feel good,” Stripling said. “It makes me feel like there are people out there caring for me.”

Returning to Stripling’s home and friends, however, also meant returning to the substantial amount of school work that had accumulated in his absence.

“I was so behind on school that I didn’t even focus on school at all, because that would have stressed me out completely,” Stripling said. “I waited until I got better to start school work.”

Through the Hospital Homebound program, Stripling was able to catch up in his studies at home. Social studies teacher Thomas Henderson taught him United States History and literature, while Stripling had to teach himself pre-calculus and physics due to a shortage of teachers.

“I had to drop AP Psychology and AP Human Geography, because those are AP classes that I didn’t really need, and it made a lot less work for me to do,” Stripling said.

The school has made efforts to reduce Stripling’s workload by omitting many of his homework assignments and quizzes. As a result, for most of his classes, Stripling only has to take unit tests.

After spring break, during which he felt strong enough to travel to the Florida Keys for vacation, Stripling returned to regular classes the following Monday.

“His first day back at school was the best thing ever,” junior Ricky Van de Vall said. “It was great to see one of my best friends, teammate, and bandmate back at it once again and living strong.”

Van de Vall and junior Tommy Trautwein, Stripling’s bandmates, had visited him during his absence from school, both at the hospital and at his home.

Ramzy Stripling/SPECIAL Stripling plays defense during last season’s 5-AAAAA championship game against Lovett. He has missed most of this season due to his illness.

Fighting Stripling’s ulcerative colitis has brought his family closer together. Stripling’s mother, Korey Stripling, accompanied Ramzy during the entirety of his stays in the hospital. When Ramzy returned home, his brother, Shay Stripling, helped attend to his needs while their mother was at work.

“When someone gets sick and you don’t know what the outcome will be, you appreciate life more,” Korey Stripling said. “We definitely have gotten closer; we are there for each other.”

To prevent a relapse in the future, Ramzy will have to learn to control stressful situations and to carefully monitor his diet. “[Ulcerative colitis] made me realize what people like us only have,” Ramzy said. “People not living in Johns Creek might have it worse than what I had, and I felt like I was on the verge of death. But I really wasn’t.

I just felt like that way because I never realized how bad it can get in life.”

Despite the difficulties that Ramzy underwent, his mother feels that the experience has shaped Ramzy in a positive way, making him more mature.

“I think he appreciates his life and his health, and is not concerned about relationships, or girlfriends,” Korey said. “[He realized] that ‘I gotta focus on me, and take care of me right now.’ A lot of teenagers don’t do that, because they are involved in other things.

But unless something serious happens, they don’t realize that health is what you need.” features | the messenger | 23

OPINIONS

We did not light the fire, but we are trying to fight it Imposing overambitious ideals will only throw everything out of balance SOPHIA CHOI, Staff Writer

I

n trickle-down economics, wealthy people and businesses are provided tax breaks in the hope of indirectly benefiting the working class. This has been the predominant economic theory of federal fiscal policy since the 20th century, and to this day, it remains the backbone of the American economy. Lower- and middle-class citizens would have no chance of thriving, or even remaining at their current economic standing, if it were not for the upper-class citizen’s abundant fortunes.

Suppose that the co-founders of a cutting-edge technology company receive a federal tax break. To congratulate themselves, they treat themselves to steaks at a five-star restaurant. As they enjoy their meal, they congratulate themselves for not only being such savvy businesspeople, but also for being so generous as to put their hardearned money into the hands of another. Once they finish eating, they decide in a random act of kindness, to tip their waiter 20%

AMERICA: LAND OF THE NEARLY FREE AND HOME OF THE DEPRAVED. instead of their usual 15%. Surely, the money that the couple did not have to pay as taxes not only benefits themselves, but also everybody else around them. They may be the ones receiving the greatest portion of their money, but here and there they spend the money and thus are able to boost the entire nation’s economy.

Why, then, does the GDP growth show little to no correlation with decreasing tax-rates since to the top-earning corporations since 1950? It is only a matter of time. Trickle-down economics takes time; it is absurd to assume that a single tax break to affluent Americans would be enough to ensure that the entire country’s residents can live and prosper; it is all about time and patience.

If the government would give the wealthy more control over how their money is spent, they would be able to repair the economy, one five-star steak at a time.

America: land of the free and home of the brave. Perhaps we could redub it “America: land of the nearly free and home of the depraved.”

24 | opinions

opinions

f

o e f c f a

are high-end products worth the price?

A | opinions

Y E S SNEHA GUBBALA, Features Editor

W

e are comfortable with what we are familiar with and we are familiar with what is popular. It is the reason why we buy Frosted Flakes instead of Sugar Corn Flakes. The idea that a certain brand is better than another brand that offers virtually the same product for less is well-accepted in our society. And that is okay because of two words: brand subscription.

The appeal of products to a consumer’s eyes has much less to do with quality than one would think. In many cases, we buy a product for more reasons than its pure utilitarian use.

Besides the actual usefulness of the product to our lives, we, as Americans, are persuaded by two main factors in our purchase decisions: the “cool factor” and brand image. These overlap, but not entirely.

Especially among the youth, the urban folk, and people who just want to fit it, the cool factor is the single greatest influence on purchase decisions, so much so that a cool factor high enough can outweigh even a significant price difference between two similar products. The cool factor is decided by many other factors that are either true or created by brand image, such as tradition, public appeal, and authenticity.

A brand’s image largely plays into the manipulation of the cool factor; brands can market themselves to align with whatever aesthetic they want. Although the public may not recognize a specific t-shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren, they always will recognize the unmissable logo. Brand image is also based on the set of values that a brand chooses to make known about itself, such as being American-made, using fair factory conditions, or supporting the military.

There is nothing wrong with a brand choosing to create a cool factor for its products or publicizing a certain brand image, as long as they

No

F

are not falsely advertising their values. In fact, there is absolutely nothing wrong on the marketing side of brand popularity. Making a brand or an individual product look attractive when, in reality, it is the same as other off-brand or generic products is completely expected in our competitive capitalist American market. Although marketing can undoubtedly sway public appeal, the consumers themselves are responsible for buying into brand popularity.

It is impossible for two different products from two different companies, be it cars or clothing or cosmetics, to be viewed as equal. Even if the cloth, construction, cut, and color of two t-shirts of different brands are identical, but the brands have different logos on the front left chest, the t-shirts are wildly different. To view the shirts purely for their face value and not for the brand image that they, either voluntarily or involuntarily, associate with is negligence. One company might have made the shirt in sweatshop conditions with underpaid workers and unethical production methods while the other company might have legitimate, ethical production factories.

Brand pretentiousness, or the better-than-the-rest mindset that some consumers have when representing expensive brands, are caused by broader social attitudes that do not take the interests of the individual consumer into consideration. While one person may value Americanproduction and great customer support as important factors when favouring one brand over another, another person may not care about those things. And that is completely okay, too. We all have different preferences for brands and it is acceptable to admit paying more for an identical product due to brand subscription or any other fair claim.

ANDREW TEODORESCU, Opinions Editor

rom a young age we are conditioned to buy only the best, to never settle for anything. We are taught that “high end” is equivalent to “high quality.” We are taught that name brands prevail over the generic brands. Even children succumb to this behavior, demanding only Crayola crayons, which later become only Abercrombie shirts, which later become only Urban Decay cosmetics, which later become only Chanel fragrances, and so on.

We are discouraged from buying less expensive alternatives, regardless of quality, simply because it gives us the appearance of being “poor,” “cheap,” and generally less worthy because we choose not to splurge on often overpriced products. This attitude assumes that more expensive items are automatically better quality than their less expensive counterparts when that is simply not the case.

According to Time, during the economic downturn, many grocery shoppers started buying cheaper store brands over national brands in order to knock 30% off their food bills.

“What [grocery shoppers] often discovered is that the cheaper generic products’ taste, if not “premium,” was at least as good as the pricier counterparts with big-name brand recognition” Brad Tuttle, writer for Time, said.

This gap between the quality of low end items versus their higher end counterparts is not limited to food items. Clothing, cosmetics, camera equipment are all among products that tend to have a high disparity between the zealous consumers of such products, some committing themselves purely to the more expensive brands, others choosing to forgo any pretentious airs and purchase the lower end options.

Fans of higher end clothing often look down on those who shop at stores like Target or Kohl’s in spite of the fact that in addition to basic

clothing options, these stores can provide less expensive alternatives to designer products. These stores, along with H&M, even offer designer collaborations at lower prices like the Phillip Lim for Target collection, Simply Vera by Vera Wang at Kohl’s, and Alexander Wang for H&M. While these items are still somewhat pricier than the usual products offered at these stores, they are still significantly more economical than buying directly from the designer. Neither quality nor style nor budget is sacrificed when buying from these stores, regardless of what the proponents of luxury products might claim.

The beauty and cosmetics industry bears a similar distinction between high end and low end products. Especially in the online beauty community, where bloggers often promote the most expensive brands and products. Oftentimes, when beauty bloggers are gushing over their “holy grail” products, they are speaking only of products by Tom Ford, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent. These same bloggers will condemn brands like Wet n’ Wild, Cover Girl, NYX, and other drugstore brands simply because the packaging is not the sleek, shiny, sturdy packaging that luxury brands boast. The quality might be on par with, or even better than, the high end brands, but because the packaging might be plastic and chunky, the names might not be in French, these products are automatically discarded as “cheap” or “dodgy.” These bloggers will also continue to laud expensive name brands like Urban Decay, Too Faced, or Hourglass in spite of any faults they might have in their products just because they are considered “good” brands. Urban Decay in particular has had a history of releasing products that are not necessarily worth their prices.

Although many people pay a premium for luxury brands, it is often unwarranted. The same quality can be found in less expensive, more common brands if the consumer is simply less prejudiced and more aware of his/her consumption. opinions | the messenger | 27

MUSIC EASHAA VELAMURI, Media Columnist

B

eyoncé released an exclusive track “Die with You” on the new app Tidal acquired by her husband Jay Z in March of this year. She released the video in honor of her and Jay Z’s seventh wedding anniversary.

This raw, intimate, and stripped down love song is a tune that everyone should listen to, especially those who have missed Beyoncé’s older music style.

604,Schoolboy, Interscope/ SPECIAL

80’S-ESQUE

Columbia Records/ SPECIAL

SOUL

F

or those who say that Carly Rae Jepsen has a singular style, Jepsen has proved them wrong with her new song “All That.” She first debuted the song on SNL on April 4th. The ballad featuring synthetic is reminiscent of 80’s music and artists like Madonna and Janet Jackson. It’s hard to believe there could be more to Jepsen than her “Call Me Maybe” days, but that’s the exciting part.

M

umford & Sons have changed out their trusty banjo for an electric guitar in their new song “The Wolf,” the second single off their upcoming album Wilder Mind. Many fans were upset and dubious about this bold change in their sound, but it happens to all bands eventually. As much as people hate change, variety and versatility is good for any artist. Ben Lovett, a member of the band calls the change “a natural departure.”

Interscope Records/ SPECIAL

Friends Keep Secrets/ SPECIAL

ELECTROROCK

K

ehlani, a 19-year old singer from the Bay Area originally got her start on the show “America’s Got Talent” on band Poplyfe, but is now a soloCapitol/SPECIAL artist. Kehlani, an up and coming R&B star released “Jealous” ft. Lexii Alijai on SoundCloud on April 9th.

Everyone should be jealous of how good this girl is.

Interscope Records/ SPECIAL

ROCK 28 | opinions

Taylor Swift/ SPECIAL

Island Records/ SPECIAL

NEW SOUND SOLO ARTIST

R

atatat, a duo consisting of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud are back after a five year absence with “Cream on Chrome”. They are known for working with artist like Kid Cudi and Dashboard Confessional.

The electro-rock song features no vocals but doesn’t really need any.

“Cream on Chrome” differs from older songs like “Loud Pipes” and “Wildcat” in that it is more pop influenced.

THROWBACK Unsigned/ SPECIAL

R&B

T

ame Impala, a band from Perth, Australia whose genre is classified as “psychedelic rock” dropped the first single “Cause I’m A Man”, off their upcoming album Currents. The apologetic song is smoother than their older music and encompasses some R&B elements. The lyrics are a satirical look at male gender roles.

01.

April 20, 1970—Paul McCartney releases his first solo album, McCartney.

Genre: Rock

02.

April 16, 1974—Queen performs their first North American show in Denver.

Genre: Rock

03.

April 12, 1989—Michael Jackson is named “King of Pop” for the first time.

Genre: Pop

04.

April 15. 1997—Hanson releases “MMMBop,” which reaches number one in 27 countries.

Genre: Pop

05.

ence tour in Japan.

April 10, 2007—Beyoncé launches The Beyoncé ExperiGenre: R&B, Pop

FASHION E

very year as spring approaches, the appearance of bright colors, pastels, and florals is not out of the ordinary. Variations and personal interpretation, such as utilizing different silhouettes and cuts and mixing different patterns and color schemes, allows from the deviation from this typical seasonal trend. Pair solid garments with patterned ones to increase visual interest while avoiding unharmonious clashing.

Connie Xu, DESIGN EDITOR

01.

05.

03.

02.

04.

01. THRIFTED TEE, THRIFTED JEAN SKORT, THRIFTED BOOTS // 02. ZARA SWEATER, THRIFTED SHORTS // 03. VINTAGE DRESS, THRIFTED BOOTS // 04. VINTAGE

CHAMPION JERSEY, J.CREW FACTORY SHORTS, VANS SNEAKERS // WICCA PHASE TEE, J.CREW ADDIDAS FACTORY SHORTS // ORIGINALS TEE, J.CREW FACTORY SHORTS

05.

06.

06. opinions | the messenger | 29

OPINIONS

s t a f f

e d i t o r i a l

The minimum wage is a minimum need

T

he minimum wage has been a hotly debated issue for nearly as long as it has existed. Proponents of a Laissez-faire economy believe that by setting a minimum wage, the government is restricting the competition necessary for a proper market, or capitalist, economy. On the other side are those who believe not only in the minimum wage as it currently exists, but also that it should be raised if we are to see the maximum benefit of the minimum wage on the economy.

When the minimum wage was first created it was set to be a “living wage,” meaning that a person who holds a full time minimum wage job can survive without the need of government aid.

However, as the years have gone by, inflation has caused the value of money to go down and the minimum wage has not been raised proportionately to account for this. As a result, there is an increase in the reliance on government programs, which are funded by tax revenue. To put that in simpler terms, due to companies not paying their employee’s enough to survive, the american people have to cover the cost.

It is true that a large number of minimum wage jobs are held by teenagers, who simply do not require the money to support themselves. This argument, while technically valid, is not enough

30 | opinions

to dismiss the necessity of raising the minimum wage to a living wage. After all, although some people using first-aid kits won’t need antibiotics, that does not mean that the kits should not include antibiotics.

While it is easy to say that raising the minimum wage is the miracle cure that this nation requires, the fact of the matter is that that is simply not true. It is only a step in the right direction.

That does not mean that this step should not be taken. Raising the minimum wage does more than just reduce government spending, it would earn more money. There is nothing worse for an economy than its flow of capital becoming stagnant; giving people more money to spend will increase the flow of capital.

By putting more money into the pocket of the minimum wage worker, essentially all parties involved see the benefit. The government no longer has to spend as much money for aid, the company no longer has workers struggling to survive, leading to decreased productivity, and the average American citizen sees demand for non-essential products of all types increasing. As demand increases, so must supply, creating more jobs to produce the goods. The minimum wage is the key to unlocking a more healthy, vibrant economy, the rewards of which will be reaped by all.

OPINIONS

Comments: The Plight of Fast Fashion How Zara’s downfalls help to justify Balmain’s price tags ANDREW TEODORESCU, Columnist

O

n February 8, 2015, Kanye West coolly arrived at the Grammy awards donning a velour sweatsuit and new sneakers from his recent collaboration with adidas. The maroon sweatsuit, complete with a hoodie and jogger pants, was a work of Haider Ackermann, a Colombian designer deemed a “genius” by West himself. Just over a week later, on February 20, Elwood Clothing released a nearly identical sweatsuit with a hoodie and jogger pants for just $108. To the well-dressed, the differences between the pieces were stitching, materials, production practices, exclusivity, construction, and craftsmanship.

To the wide majority of Americans, the two sweatsuits are only separated by thousands of dollars in price, making the cheaper sweatsuit the more favorable one.

In just 12 days, Elwood Clothing was able to provide the world with a concrete example that defines fast fashion; they recreated pieces from a well-known designer after his work was popularized by celebrity media and mass-produced their “new”, lower-quality, unoriginal products to cater to the affordability and accessibility of the masses. It is possible that the Elwood release was pre-planned and coincidentally happened after West’s appearance at the Grammys.

However, it is unlikely in the competitive industry of fast fashion.

Brands such as Zara, Forever 21, H&M, GAP, Topshop, Uniqlo, and ASOS dominate the fast fashion market by “recreating” the works of top tier fashion designers after fashion shows, celebrity appearances, or media attention.

These multi-billion dollar companies are able to control this industry easily because there are only three essential factors that steer mass consumer interest in these clothes: response time, accessibility, and affordability. These factors provide a stark contrast to consumers of high fashion, who are concerned about the things that fast fashion inherently sacrifices, like exclusivity, originality, and quality. With exported sweatshop factory production, lack of quality control, a focus on a mass market rather than a niche market, and the pressures of time, fast fashion companies cross many ethical boundaries just to provide a poorly-copied product to their mainstream consumers.

Art, which undoubtedly includes high fashion, is unable to thrive without influences and copies. Each trend is built upon to construct new trends and so is the way of art. However, fast fashion that attempts to commercialize high fashion designs strictly questions ethical integrity. Not only are designs blatantly copied and sold just weeks after they reach popular appeal, but they are poorly-stitched with low-quality fabrics, sometimes by child laborers in deplorable factory conditions. But this is not the issue; people can buy whatever type of clothing at whatever price and quality point they choose. The issue lies in the unoriginality, conformity, and backwards, designer-pieces-are-cool-because-they-are-expensive mindset that fast fashion perpetuates among consumers.

Recently, Kanye West, who has often bragged about his Balmain jeans and Balenciaga sneakers, has announced his attempt to make high fashion designs and materials widely available to the layman at affordable prices. The crucial flaw in West’s plan to commercialize a niche industry is a misunderstanding of why designer clothes are so expensive; price-points are not determined based solely on the quality of materials. Any brand, given the right suppliers and methods, can make quality clothes. But large fast fashion brands are not willing to take the risks that individual designers thrive off of. Originality in design and exclusivity of product make the difference between a $137 pair of Represent Clothing biker jeans and a $1,370 pair of Balmain biker jeans.

When the industry is factioned into two distinct parts, high fashion and fast fashion, trends among average consumers stall.

Instead, designers should work together with clothing powerhouses to tailor the best qualities of both mindsets, such as in the H&M x Alexander Wang and Uniqlo x Undercover collaborations.

Designer pieces are not cool because they are expensive; in many cases, they are expensive because they are cool. The only way to bring these designs to the mid-range consumer while also maintaining the standing of the high fashion market is for both fast fashion brands and designer brands to meet their interests at a middle ground.

opinions | the messenger | 31

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