Volume 15 Issue 8 by The Messenger

the messenger

VOL 15/ ISS 8

ANNUAL COLLEGE LIST p. 28

the road less traveled p. 19

masthead CONTACT US

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

STAFF

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

Maggie Brenan Tarun Ramesh

PUBLICATION

NEWS EDITOR

Katie Armstrong Grace Chung Megan Cistulli Shashank Ganeshan Aniruddha Gupta Sarah Jang Suchita Kumar Lina Levitt Sherry Liang Ben Minder Akshay Nair Alex Perry Sruti Sajja Erin Shin Jennah Sooknanan Ramanuj Srinivasan Mira Sydow Sheetal Tadiparty Justine Ulrich Morgan White Sravika Yerneni

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 EDITOR Sally Pan Amanda Beard

SPORTS EDITOR Will Claussen

FEATURES EDITOR Nithya Mahakala

OPINIONS EDITOR Jack Lowrance

ONLINE EDITOR Sarika Temme-Bapat

BUSINESS MANAGERS Evan Moody Joseph Ni

ADVISER Chris Yarbrough

contents 05

MAGGIE BRENAN

AKSHAY NAIR

MIRA SYDOW SRUTI SAJJA

STAFF

SHASHANK GANESHAN

STAFF

EDITOR’S LETTER

MONTHLY BRIEFS

TENNIS STATE PLAYOFFS

ATHLETE PROFILE

SUMMER CALENDAR

OPINIONS

19*

SRAVIKA YERNENI SHEETAL TADIPARTY

STAFF

ANIRUDDHA GUPTA ALEX PERRY

6TH DISTRICT ELECTION

SENIOR PROFILES

FACEOFF

ANIRUDDHA GUPTA KATIE ARMSTRONG

SALLY PAN SARIKA TEMME-BAPAT

STAFF

MEGAN CISTULLI

NITHYA MAHAKALA MIRA SYDOW

TARUN RAMESH

SPORTS BRIEFS

GYMNASTICS

COLLEGE LIST

SENIOR ADVICE

COLUMNS

EDITOR’S LETTER

THE MESSENGER | 3

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The Start of Something New

hroughout the past few weeks, I have heard many conversations in passing regarding graduation, college, and varying sentiments in response to the closing of high schools careers. I have surmised that there are two general responses when asked “How do you feel about graduation?” One is either anxious to graduate and move on with their life, or sad about the end of an era. While I understand the desire to break free from the constraints of the past four years of our lives, I cannot grasp the feeling of sadness, and in what way it relates to this whirlwind time in our lives. There are so many words I feel appropriate to associate with graduation. I feel excitement, anxiety, pride -- however, I feel no sadness with this monumental event approaching, nor do I feel it is necessary to wear such a melancholy emotion. Yes, I feel sentimental to be parting with Northview, and I am devastated

to be parting with my friends and family, but I am excited for the future. Besides that, I am immensely proud of all that I have accomplished in high school, and every person who walks across the stage, both before and after me, should feel the same. Though we may not realize it now, high school is one of the tiniest fractions of our lives, and we can be completely confident walking into our future knowing that Northview has prepared us for whatever is out there (especially if whatever is out there is more AP Exams). We are battle tested and true, and a new chapter is waiting for us. So, my friends, as I conclude this letter to you, I urge you to take this next month in stride, and to savor it. Truly, there is no time for sadness in these next few bedlam months. I know we have all been told countless times by those older than us how fast this time together will go, so let’s enjoy it.

Maggie Brenan, Editor-in-Chief

THE MESSENGER | 5

NEWS

IN BRIEF 4/25 4/22

Frito-Lay is recalling its two lines of jalapeno chips, Miss Vickie’s and Lay’s Kettle Cooked.

On April 22, protesters gathered around the country to support scientific research in response to Trump’s plans to cut scientific research spending.

Northview French teacher Madam Godbole, and a group of 22 students were a part of an exchange program with a high school in Thionville, France. Students stayed in the houses of their French hosts for the first week getting the real life experience of what it is like to be living in France. Students went to school with the other French students and took tests in biology, calculus, and social studies that were all written in French. The trip also consisted of visiting different places around Paris, from the Eiffel Tower, to the Champs-Elysees. They got to learn about various aspects of local culture and understand the daily life of those living in Paris. Students enjoyed eating popular foods, visiting exciting attractions in Paris, and experiencing the unique culture and lifestyle of the French people. 6

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

5/7

The French Presidential runoff election between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen is on May 7.

The annual Northview talent show provides an opportunity for people to reach out into their community and share their creativity with others. The mixed array of performances spread diversity and culture throughout a student body. This year there were performances by Northviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite singers, dancers, and bands. One of the acts was by sophomore Nicole Yakovlev, who sang House of the Rising Sun, originally sung by Animals. There was also a performance by the most excitng dance groups at Northview, which consisted of Quake Crew, XOXO, and Dream High. As a feature act, Ben Dabney and his band, HDSPC, performed during the judge deliberation period. All the performers were competing for a prize of $100. The winner was the band China Rose, led by Northview freshman Jayden Lee.

The concept behind Dessert Theatre is, simply put, dinner and an entertaining show filled with comedy. Except, in this case, it is dessert that consists of cupcakes served by waiters and an improv show that changes each night. The play was about a murder that took place in a restaurant. The cast members include freshman Grace Breslin, senior Ryan Mumpower, sophomore Sergio Morales, senior Emma Rowe, and junior Cloudia Moreno. How it works is simple: the students playing the role of a waiter will take orders, and then they will bring a cupcake and soda. During the intermission, freshman Caiyah Bellinger will entertain the audience with an improv performance while the rest of the cast prepares for act two.

4/15 NBA Playoffs began April 15.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 debuts in theatres on May 5. THE MESSENGER | 7

NEWS

The Fight for Justice Ossoff and Handel fighting to represent the sixth district SHEETAL TADIPARTY AND SRAVIKA YERNENI, STAFF WRITERS

emocrat Jon Ossoff will be competing in the June runoff against Republican Karen Handel, after recently falling a few votes short of the majority required in the special election on April 18. The election’s purpose was to pick a replacement for Republican Tom Price, who left his seat in the Georgia House of Representatives to join the Trump Administration as Secretary of Health and Human Services. The already heated race will continue on for nine weeks. Ossoff came close to a victory with 92,390 votes (48.1%) and remains positive despite the unexpected loss. “This is already a remarkable victory. We defied the odds, shattered expectations, and now are ready to fight on and win in June,” Ossoff said. It is a notable accomplishment that a Democrat was able to get 48.1% of the votes in this difficult race, featuring 11 GOP members in a historically Republican district during Trump’s presidency. This caused the election to gain national attention from Trump, who pledged more support for Ossoff Republican opponent Karen Handel

it is about the district that has a long legacy of Republican leadership,”replied Handel to receiving support from Nathan Deal and President Trump. A victory for the Democrats would diminish Republican influence, as they have been controlling the sixth district for years. Republicans have been saying that Ossoff benefited from national attention, a huge amount of money, and a “This runoff will be a test of the old passion that is hard to find. He has stereotype that democrats don’t vote attracted over $8 million in donations, which mostly came from outside of in anything other than presidential state. year elections. Ossoff certainly has a “I picked Ossoff because I think chance of winning, but it means that we need centrist congressmen to students need to get out and vote.” work across the aisle to both resist -Rohan Menon Trump but support his agenda when it benefits the country (such as infrastructure),” said Northview senior in the special election, Karen Handel, former Rohan Menon said “I think this runoff will Georgia Secretary of State, is prepared to be a test of the old stereotype that democrats don’t vote in anything other than presidential fight strong for the next nine weeks. “For all Republicans, it is all hands on year elections. Ossoff certainly has a chance deck for us. We know what’s at stake here of winning, but it means that students need and I don’t think that any -- this is about any to get out and vote. Nobody can afford to one person. We all have to rise above it, that stay home.” for the June 20th election. President Donald Trump also took to his social media to tweet out “Despite major outside money, FAKE media support and eleven Republican candidates, BIG ‘R’ win with runoff in Georgia. Glad to be of help!” Despite earning less than 10% of votes

Senior Mitchell Perry prepares to hit a volley

Boy’s Tennis

he Northview boys’ tennis team went undefeated this season in the region. Currently they are in the third round of state. Challenging competition for the boys tennis team were their games against Chattahoochee and Johns Creek. “We don’t really train together. We all have our academies that we train at. Everyone on the team is doing a great job, but I would have to say that Jeremy Yuan has been our biggest contributor,” sophomore Gavin Segraves said. Jeremy Yuan has committed to play for the University of Chicago. Doing so well this season, the boys seemed to be practicing and working hard. They seem to not have any major problems this season and hopefully will continue this through the state tournament.

WILL CLAUSSEN/STAFF

SPORTS IN BRIEF KATIE ARMSTRONG AND ANIRUDDHA GUPTA, STAFF WRITERS

WILL CLAUSSEN/STAFF

Girl’s Tennis

he Northview girls tennis team is doing exceptionally well this season. The team passed regions as the 4th seed and made it to the the state tournament. The girls have won the first state game and hope to win their next one as well. “We have been doing well so far and were 4th seed going into the state tournament,” sophomore Annie Feng said. “We have won our first state game and hope to train more as a team and build a stronger team bond.” The Northview girls’ tennis team hopes to win the state championship trophy this season and as the team con-

tinues to work hard during practice, they optimistically look towards performing well during the playoffs.

THE MESSENGER | 9 Junior Suma Yarabala hits a backhand

JUSTINE ULRICH/ STAFF

Baseball

he baseball team is currently excelling in season with a 9-7 region record and an overall record of 22-7, an impressive feat as Northview plays in a very competitive region. The t e a m ’s success

stems from the leadership of 11 experienced seniors. Going into the season, Northview had lost one of the its top pitchers, Tommy Trautwein. However, Northview retained a star batter in DJ Poteet, and catcher Michael Trautwein. “We are having one of our best seasons in school history,” senior Matthew Pacifico said. The team and Coach Aaron Wilkens hope that they will go even farther than last year and will continue to play well throughout the season. They hope their style will propel the team to a deep run in the state tournament.

Junior Colton Mcdaniel pitches the ball Freshman Alex “ Big Red” Byman runs a relay

TIM DAVIS/SPECIAL

Track

o r t h view’s track and field team had a good season with making it to finals in regionals, and even some making it to sectionals. Malik Harper committed to Winthrop University, and Gabe Sanders to walk on at Hampton University. “It was a great season and toward the end of the season we really became a family,” senior Malik Harper said. Many underclassmen will be participating in summer track to improve for next year’s season. The runners main focus is to stay competitive

and healthy over the off season. Some of the difficult teams the Northview track team faced were Chattahoochee, Pope, Westlake, and Johns Creek. They appear to be the top competition for Northview. Hoping to work hard on getting faster and staying consistent with practicing, the Northview track and field team hopes to prepare to do better next season.

SPORTS

Girl’s Lacrosse

laying against many teams that the Northview girl’s lacrosse team has never seen before was challenging for them this season. Teams like Mill Creek, North Gwinnett, Kell, and Cambridge led to some difficult games the Northview girls had to face, but they have fought hard in all these matchups. “We are having a hard time trying to come out of the rough patch. We almost won the region championships, but unfortunately choked when the time came. That really shook up a lot of girls’ confidence in themselves and in each other,” junior Ananda Thomas said. With an overall record of 11-6, the girls are working hard every single game to beat their opponent. They also trained off season in order to prepare for this season. The girls hope to go farther than last year and beat their previous standing of seventh place. “One problem that we faced this season was communication, but during our trip to Baltimore we all sat down and talked about it, and haven’t had a problem since,” sophomore Kendall May said.

Boy’s Soccer

he boys’ soccer team had a rough time this season. They were winless in the region and finished with an overall record of 3-11; according to teammates and coaches, the boys’ seem to need to work on their strategies during games. “I think we need to have better communication and we need to play better and harder,” junior Dio Briggs said. One of the most difficult teams the Northview boys’ soccer team faced was Alpharetta. Alpharetta destroyed the Northview boys’ on March 24. They fought hard, but the game unfortunately ended with a score of 0-7. “Some problems we faced were coaching, a lot of team fighting, and poor substitution calls during the wrong times. I think we have to specifically improve on passing and helping each other,” sophomore Saba Iranikah said. Hopefully, the Northview soccer team will continue to practice and work on their weaknesses from this season to improve for next season.

Girl’s Soccer

he girls’ soccer team has had a rough season this year finishing 1-8 in region play and 3-11 overall. The disappointing year can be attributed to injuries to many of the players and to a lack of subs. “We have had a rough season and we have had injuries,” sophomore Paige Butcher said. ‘It has been fun even though it ended early.” The girls’ soccer coach and the seniors kept the team together with their leadership by helping the underclassmen with training and guidance during games and practices. “We will miss having the leadership of the seniors next year,” Butcher said. The young team look towards a brighter future and their main goal will be training and improving for next year.

Aniruddha Gupta/STAFF

Boy’s Lacrosse

he boys’ lacrosse team is struggling to find wins with an overall record of 6-10 this season. Some of the problems that the team faced were due to the difficulty of the teams they played such as Alpharetta and North Gwinnett at the beginning of the season. “Our biggest problem throughout the season has been stick skills. We need better communication on offense and more patience. Every once in a while our offense will get frustrated and take a bad shot or mess up a play,” junior Noah Johnson said. Despite the obstacles they went through during both of these games, the Titans still managed to find a way to win both of them. Winning the game against North Gwinnett sent the lacrosse team into playoffs this season. “The coaches are always pushing

us to get better each and everyday. They really focus on the little things which is going to send us to the next level and be successful,” junior Max Gound said. According to the players, they are trying to better themselves everyday at practice and are determined to bring each other up with positive attitudes rather than bring each other down.

Senior Kevin Siatkowski runs with the ball

THE MESSENGER | 11

Flipping Into First The Northview gymnastics team concludes their season with many wins MEGAN CISTULLI, STAFF WRITER

TRINITY SAWYER/SPECIAL 12

SPORTS

he Northview gymnastics team has carved a path to the top by making the state preliminaries as one of the six teams. They aim to place as a top three seed after placing fourth overall in state last year. Their toughest competitor, Buford High School, has won state for the past couple of seasons against Northview. According to head coach Andrea Rikerhis has a lot to do with the senior-stacked roster that they have in combination the elite gymnasts on their team. The competitiveness and skill of the Buford team inspires the Titans to work harder and to want to win. “They [Buford] are always the best and are really hard competitors. They are our main competition,”Riker said. Other competitors that have solid teams are Lambert and West Forsyth, and, the Northview team is realistically aiming for second knowing that Buford has an impressive amount of passion for them. Their main goal is to beat their scores from last year and place higher than fourth. Moreover, the true grit of the team comes down to the practice and training done outside of school. Almost the entire team competes on elite level club teams which allows the Northview team to practice at Ultimate Gymnastics in Duluth, the girls’ club gym. Their daily training instills a rigorous training regime and a competitive attitude. Riker credits this conditioning as the reason behind her role as more of a “sponsor” for the team rather than a coach who or-

ganizes and choreographs routines for the squad. Another main root reason of this team’s success is teamwork and bonding. “We spend a lot of time together in school, out of school, in practice, and on the weekends,” sophomore Trinity Sawyer

at one-hundred percent. Their return has allowed the Titans to put out their best foot forth in the upcoming state competition. “All of the injuries we have should not affect us in a major way this upcoming weekend during state because only our top scores contribute to the team score,” junior Kristen Harold said. Alongside injuries, competition, and the success of the team, the other extraordinary aspect is that the group has gotten this far without the guidance of a gymnastics coach. Although Riker guides and lends a helping hand, the competitors decide what outfits to wear, how to match and look professional, and learns new routines on the bars, vault, and beam themselves. “They really coach each other because they have been doing it for so long, and it is not a problem because they work so well together,” Riker said. As the Northview gymnastic team continues to grow after only three years since it began to take off, it is gaining attention as a competitive and an elite school in Georgia. Next year, the team will be stacked with a handful of seniors that have years of diligent training and experience, factors that will propel the team to new heights and give them a stronger chance at winning the state competition.

They really coach each other because they have been doing it for so long, and it is not a problem because they work so well together. Andrea Riker said. A downside with gymnastics is that it increases the likelihood of injuries. This is evident with ther numerous injuries on the team including Sawyer’s foot injury and her fellow teammate Amirah Boyd’s wrist damage. Through strategic planning and safe recovery, they are prepared to compete for the best scores possible despite not being

THE MESSENGER | 13

SPORTS

Kings 14

of the

Court

8-0 6 season

state championships

Northview’s boy’s tennis team says farewell to its seniors near the end of a successful season AKSHAY NAIR, STAFF WRITER

fter winning the state championship last season for the second time in three years, the Northview boy’s tennis team looks to reclaim their status. The titans went undefeated in the regular season with a record of 8-0 in a tough region defeating competitive teams such as Johns Creek and Chattahoochee. They then proceeded to win the region tournament and entered the state tournament as the number one seed. The team contains six seniors, four of whom have been on the team since their freshman year. They have provided leadership and mentorship for younger players on the team. The upperclassmen’s collected composure and hard work ethic has provided a strong example for the underclassmen to follow. “The seniors are great role models and amazing tennis players. They show us how to behave on and off the court and to be respectful to other coaches and teams as a whole,” junior Sugeeth Kandikattu said. “It’s inspiring to see such great tennis players that you look up to display themselves in such an outstanding way.” As the majority of the training and practice is done outside of school, head coach

Tracy Hefner Ramage acts more as an organizer. Her main purpose is to determine the lineup and to schedule matches. The addition of sophomore Gavin Segraves has allowed the team to play a strong singles lineup including seniors Jeremy Yuan and Joseph Zhang. This has also permitted seniors Gabe Caron and WIll Claussen to play one doubles, a position they both excel in. Ramage knows that the immense talent in North-

season, the team recently traveled to Tennessee to compete in the DecoTurf High School Tennis Team Championships where they competed against teams from across the nation. They faced intense competition from many difficult schools, and they finished runner-up to Spartanburg High School from South Carolina. The intensity of their matches provided a good preparation for their upcoming state run, and the boys hope to carry their good form to their upcoming games. Even though high school tennis does not count toward USTA ranking points, the boys still have a passion to win another championship. For them, the joy of winning pushes them to compete at a high level. The lighthearted manner of the players allows them to play freely and enjoy the sport. “I know it sounds cliche, but it’s important to have fun and be relaxed when you play. If I can help loosen [peoples’] nerves a bit, it can go a really long way, ” Zhang said. Thus far in the state tournament they have convincingly beaten Northgate and Houston County High Schools, and if they keep up their current play, they will be the favorites to win yet another title.

“[The seniors] show us how to behave on and off the court and to be respectful to other coaches and teams as a whole”

-Sugeeth Kandikattu

view’s tennis program will not last forever and that this is a prime chance for the boy’s to grab another championship. “Having the seniors on the team has been really great because they’ve known how its been to go to state and be in the playoffs; they know the routine of winning,” Ramage said. Because of their excellent play this

THE MESSENGER | 15

JUSTINE ULRICH/STAFF

A Hop, Skip, and a Jump 16

Sophia Hamillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength and hurdling prowess brought her great success in the region track and field meet and isolates her as one of the lone track athletes who will make the trip to the state meet. THE MESSENGER | 17

highlights

profiles Nick Gardner, 12

hree years ago, senior Nick Gardner began cheerleading, and started out with competitive cheerleading, and in his junior year, he joined the Northview competitive cheer team. Currently, he cheers for the Stingrays Jet which is the organization’s Level Three team. With his teammates, Garnder regularly travels across the east coast to take part in competitions in states like Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. His competitive cheerleading is extremely time demanding as he goes to practice at least three times a week for a minimum of three hours, and Gardner successsfully maintained this rigorous

practice schedule while balancing Northview cheer practices. As a result, he has had to maintain his academics while still attending cheer practices for two different teams. By joining Northview cheerleading, Gardner really transformed the team from both an emotional and competitive standpoint. Senior Lauren Cox notes that having both a male and an exceptional talent like Gardner on the team has made the cheer squad more dynamic in many ways. With Gardner, the Northview team was able to compete in co-ed competitions rather than just limiting themselves to girls only competitions. Cox notes how Gardner’s amazing jumps and tumbling have earned the cheer team lots of points at competitions. “The best part about being on the Northview team was just the amazing team dynamic. We weren’t the best team that won everything, but my incredible teammates made the experience unforgettable,” Gardner said. In addition to his talent, Cox and junior teammate Kristen Harold highlights how Gardner was an encouraging teammate that always stayed positive. Cox recalls how Garder could lift anyone’s spirits through his infectious personality and humor. His outgoingness and true care for each and every teammate was one of his defining characteristics as he constantly tried to do whatever he could to help his peers. Harold notices how Gardner pushed her and all the other girls on the team to do their best and break out of their comfort zone while trying new skills. All the girls on the team look up to him as a leader as Gardner radiates an aura of confidence which permeated throughout their cheer squad. Harold observed how he serves as the glue on the team, bringing everyone together and how he can effortlessly get everyone in a good mood. “He is always in such a good mood and can turn any negtive situation into a positive one. I haen’t seen this positivity in

Stingrays Level Three Team Member placed 4th in Cheerspor t Nationals Northview team ranked top 20 in G eorgia

many people. It’s really special,” Cox said. Both Cox and Harold agree that Gardner’s graduation and departure will have a profound impact on the team. The squad will have to adjust incredibly in competitions because they will no longer be able to compete in the co-ed competitions which they have become accustomed to participating in. Not only will the team be losing his talent, they will also be missing his great personality and positive spirits. However, Gardner has impacted everyone personally on the team by helping them realize their potential and capabilities of being a star as Harold describes it. She also believes that Gardner has the ability to compete in college and succeed in whatever he undertakes because of his hardworking ethic. “Our team is going to be a lot different with him next year. He liked being the star of the show, but he was also able to bring everyone together on the team and we all became a lot closer because of him,” Harold said.

s e r u t a fe

The Road Less Traveled

A glimpse into senior profiles that may not be the traditional post graduate plans THE MESSENGER | 19

The Navy

Ryan Mu

SRUTI SAJJA, STAFF

he future is a fairly distant concept for underclassmen, but for Northview´s senior class it is right around the corner. College is often the ultimate goal students have in mind throughout high school, excluding a few. While his classmates prepare for college this summer, senior Ryan Mumpower will be leaving for the Navy. Mumpower will be leaving July 6 for Great Lakes for an eight week boot camp. From there, he will be going to San Antonio, Texas for A-School. From an early age Mumpower knew enlisting was the direction he was headed towards. ¨It has always just been that he was going to the military and that was that,¨ close friend Ryan Minter said. He grew up with a lot of exposure to the career, as it ran in his family. Joining the military seemed like the obvious choice, and knowing that his dad went through this made him more confident with his choice. ¨My dad was in the Navy, and it made more sense to me than college did,¨ Mumpower said. While he has known of his plan for a while, it was this year it finally started to fall into place. Even after having a general idea of their career, it can be hard to piece all the little bits together. ¨I wanted to do something in the military for quite some time but I think it was just a matter of choosing what branch and the logistics of everything,” Mumpower said. After heavy consideration and the help of his family, Mumpower decided what the best field for him would be. He joined the United States Military last fall, following in

his father´s footsteps. There were several factors to Ryan´s decision and fear of rejection was the beginning factor in looking for a different path. As a senior, Mumpower tried to research colleges and their requirements. Feeling defeated with his stats and scores he knew something wasn´t right. Ï honestly just knew I wasn´t going to college whether it be because I didn´t have the grades, but I found this and it interests me so much more,¨ Mumpower said. There are advantages to joining the army rather than another career that were fundamental in Mumpower’s decision. Student veterans are offered high financial aid coverage, as well as the intense discipline and the character building they will be taught. Ït teaches me respect and keeps me well rounded like I want to be. I´m surrounding myself with people I think are good for me to surround myself with,¨ Mumpower said. With such a controversial decision, there were inevitably going to be doubts, especially from his friends and family. While having his best interest at heart, not everyone in Mumpower´s life thought he was doing the right thing. Ï [didn’t] think it was the best choice for him. He really doesn´t give himself enough credit when it comes to his future,” close friend Tessa Ziegler said. When he dropped the news to his loved ones he dealt with a lot of negative responses. Not going a traditional route left many people in his life confused and curious. ¨My sister hates the idea, and still does hate the idea of me going into any form of the military. My dad loves the idea, but my mom needed to be coaxed into liking it,” Mumpower said.

Mumpower

It was not all bad though. Having his dad´s support made it easier to deal with, as well as the constant support of some of his friends. Mumpower says the opportunity to serve for his country is one he could not pass up. This decision made him respect himself and those around him did too. Ï was thankful. Not a lot of people are willing to join the military. It´s hard, and I´m thankful,¨ Mumpower´s close friend Courtney OĆonnell said. However, deferring doesn´t drop college from Mumpower’s list of options. Taking a gap year does not mean you will never have a college level education under your belt. Students who take time off after high school usually have an understand of the importance and value of school. Ï think college is definitely important, but if there is something you know you could be doing, it doesn´t hurt to try,¨ Mumpower said. Mumpower is using this opportunity to figure himself out and what he wants to do, and whether he goes to college after his stint in the Navy really depends on where he is in the future. His leaving does not dictate what his plans are down the road. Mumpower left a great imprint on Northview through his theater performances, and being a great friend to all close to him. It will be a difficult goodbye; he will be missed dearly by teachers and his peers. ¨He is my best friend and it is going to be crazy different not having him here whenever I need to call someone,¨ Ziegler said. The lessons Mumpower learned at Northview will be taken with him. He is grateful for all the influencial people he has met here, and says they will never be forgotten. ¨Throughout high school, my influences were my friends and teachers that told me to just keep pushing through and not focus too much on the past, only the future,¨ Mumpower said.

AFF WRITER

THE MESSENGER | 21

Performing Arts Joelle Gill SARIKA TEMME-BAPAT, ONLINE EDITOR

hen, at age two, Joelle Gill started mimicking the choreography from the Broadway show, Riverdance, her parents knew it was time to sign her up for a dance class. But whereas many young girls dabble in baby-ballet classes for a year or two, Joelle stuck with the sport. “She played softball and the violin, took art classes and a host of other extracurricular activities. But, the one constant was dance,” Gill’s mother, Francine Gill said. As Gill grew up, she found, as many students do, that the interests she pursued would have to be numbered and prioritised. As she began to see the potential for a career in dance, she made the difficult decision to commit herself fully to her passion for dance, dancing for up to four hours a day, often 6-7 days a week. In her high school and middle school years, however, she broadened her scope, developing an interest in musical theater. At the urging of her teacher and mentor, Elizabeth Lake, she explored this through Northview High School’s theater program, taking Acting Classes, participating in productions and choreographing Mary Poppins. Gill’s love of the arts, and her goal of becoming a performer, led her to the intense process that constitutes college application for those majoring in the performing arts, which differs significantly from that of students pursuing a traditional field of study. Instead of just the typical essays, test scores, and grade point averages most students send to colleges, Gill sent her resume, headshots and pre-screens. Then she went and auditioned for each school’s program. This required investment and drive on the part of the applicant and the whole family The hours upon hours of rehearsal and recording and travel for auditions required investment from the applicant and the whole family “It was a road show,” Francine Gill said. This taxing process demanded Gill’s dedication to and single-minded pursuit of her goal. “It’s so much more than just being a standout dancer and singer. You have to have the drive and motivation and ability to face rejection. You need to get to know the people in places of influence and always be plan-

ning ahead. This is not a take it as it comes path,” Jeff Gill, Joelle’s father, said. Fortunately, Gill faced relatively little in the way of rejection from colleges, and her desire to study close to home ultimately led her to the University of Alabama. At Alabama, Gill will study dance and minor in Physical Therapy. This unconventional path still requires some of the basic core subject area classes like math, literature, and science, but has a more intense focus in dance and voice classes, sight-reading and acting classes. While post collegiate life still seems like a distant future to many graduating high school seniors, Gill already has her path mapped out. She plans to move to New York, and audition to perform, first on cruise ships, but one day, she hopes, progressing to national tours and ultimately, Broadway. “I would be happy being on stage anywhere.” One common concern when pursuing a career in the arts is the perception that the field is risky, because of its highly competitive nature. But for Gill, who could not envision her future self working from a desk, a career in dance would be the natural result of years of training. “I’ve been focusing on dance and acting and singing for so long that it’s the only thing I could see myself being happy with doing when I got older.”

Embracing their daughter’s passion, Jeff and Francine Gill balance being encouraging fans and being realistic and honest, providing constructive criticism and pushing Gill to pursue other fields of study in parallel. “If musical theater does not work out for her, we are 100% confident she will find something else to be successful at… Our hopes for her are whatever her hopes are. But, it would be pretty awesome to go watch her perform on Broadway,” Francine Gill said. Gill knows the road ahead will be challenging; some aspects of her life will differ significantly from that of her peers. But Gill would not have it any other way. “The feeling on stage, it’s so different than any other feeling in the world. You’re lost in whatever you’re doing and nothing else matters except your dance or your song.”

THE MESSENGER | 23

s the school year draws to a close, most seniors will begin the transition from high school to college life. However, senior Zahli Hayden has decided to pursue a different route for the upcoming year. Instead of starting as a freshman in college, Hayden will be flying to Swaziland to begin her 9-month long mission trip. “Through this organization called the World Race, a bunch of people are brought onto the mission field each year in different countries to spread the word of God, to help people and to serve,” Hayden said. The World Race sponsors a series of year long mission trips, but also offers shorter trips which are specialized for people who plan on taking a gap year after high school. Beginning in September, Hayden is participating in a gap year mission trip that will start in Swaziland and progress through Lesotho, India, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. The trip encourages its racers to spread the word of God, while working with and helping the citizens of various countries. “I know I’ll be working in schools, working with sex-trafficking victims, churches, and doing construction,” Hayden said. Before her journey started, she, like other juniors, was concerned with the college application process ahead. Whilst a good student who achieved strong grades, Hayden found that she was not as involved academically as others around her who were applying to colleges were. “I applied to a few colleges in state, but I was never dead set on college.” Hayden said. “I’ve never been super into my grades. I always knew there was something greater out there for me.” Instead, Hayden found comfort in experiencing new things. From an early age, Hayden and her family had traveled all over, allowing them to gain exposure to less priv-

ileged communities outside of the United States. Hayden was immediately inspired to help those less fortunate than her. When Hayden began to get involved in Young Life, a church organization, and smaller mission trips domestically, she discovered a love for spreading the word of God by helping others in need. Hayden traveled to the Philippines on two separate occasions for mission trip purposes and found that leaving the second time was even harder than the first. “I remember coming home and getting into bed and wondering ‘how do I have this big bed and a comforter and [others] are literally sleeping on the ground.’” Hayden said. From that point on, Hayden has remained mission-minded and has been constantly trying to find ways to help others. After hearing about the experiences of others who had done the World Race before, Hayden immediately hopped on board with the idea and applied. The application process called for her testimony and, although she was younger than the usual pool of racers who ranged from 18-20-years-old, she was accepted anyways in October. Before her trip begins, Hayden must raise 14,000 dollars to pay for lodging, health insurance, and transportation costs. She already raised over a third of her goal in the first five months following her acceptance in the race. While donating money is a simple act, it is this act of kindness that is turning her dreams into a reality. “It’s been cool seeing how people have cared enough to donate and how people I would’ve never expected are supporting me and wanting me to go further in what I’m doing.“ Hayden said. The Gap year mission trip is far more extensive than past missionary trips Hayden has been accustomed to, but she finds excitement rather than anxiety in the new adventure. Her passion has expanded from small trips around the country to serving internationally. While Hayden’s college plans

remain uncertain, she continues to seek refuge in following her passions by providing service for others. “I’d like to think I’d go [to college], but I also think [I’m spending] nine months out of the countries doing crazy, abnormal things than most 18 year olds would do” Hayden said. Hayden’s mother, Coopie Hayden, went to college for two years without finding a passion that she could truly follow through with. She continues to encourage Hayden by helping her keep her options open to future potential college plans, while also motivating her to pursue her passions, wherever they may lead her. “People spend there whole life trying to find their passion and if she’s at this age and she’s already found it, then who am I to stand in her way?” Mrs. Hayden said. From her sense of responsibility in her internship at Young Life to her domestic and international mission trips, Hayden has developed an independent mindset that allows her to exceed in the areas where her passions lead her. “The only part that I can be in is being there to support her and backing her up 100% and that’s hard as a parent, but there’s no benefit to me from tying her down and keeping her from what she loves to do.” Mrs. Hayden said. While Hayden’s route after high school may not be the norm for many graduates, her friends and family have been completely accepting regardless. And although Hayden worries that she will not experience the same things most of her friends going to college will, she does not plan on holding anything back as she begins her dive into a new experience. “[She] might find that you love something that you never even knew that you loved, just because of the travel that [she has] done and the people that [she has] met and just the experience [she is] going to get from this,” Mrs. Hayden said.

Missionary Zahli Hayden MORGAN WHITE, STAFF WRITER

I always knew there was something greater out there for me THE MESSENGER | 25

imran Vaghela performed the first operation of her medical career, using the first-aid kit to salvage her younger brother’s scraped knee. While, in retrospect, the memory seems almost trivial, it was the first time she consciously noted the importance of her actions in helping someone else feel better. As Vaghela grew throughout the stages of school, she cultivated her fascination in science classes. From then on, the feeling of satisfaction in making a difference grew a sense of fulfillment, which would later be a key factor in motivating her to pursue a career in the medical field. “When I was thinking about what I wanted to do, I put together two things that I felt were my passion: helping others and relating to the science field,” Vaghela said. “I knew then that becoming a physician would help me meet both of these goals.” In the fall, Vaghela plans on attending Mercer University as part of the Special Consideration Program (SCP), and although it may seem daunting for most to embark on this 8-year medical program straight out of high school, this brings her a step closer to achieving her dreams. Part of Vaghela’s decision in attending Mercer University was largely influenced by her future aspirations in becoming an active physician, especially in rural areas. Vaghela was immediately attracted to Mercer University’s environment as a small private university, which will allow her to develop as an individual. “Mercer is a school meant to serve and innovate, and everyone around you treats you like an equal,” Vaghela said. “There aren’t any cliques or sense of superiority.” While Vaghela always had an innate quality of compassion for others, her passion for science fostered in Northview’s rigorous enviornment throughout her classes and interactions with her peers. Constantly

being surrounded by ambitious, like-minded peers encouraged her to achieve her fullest potential. “Being a student among other kids who had dreams to shatter the glass ceiling really helped fuel my ambition,” Vaghela said. “My peers taught me to attempt the impossible and to never underestimate myself.” Taking Honors Anatomy with Science Department Chair Sol Aboulafia only solidified her decision to become a physician. His genuine zeal and extensive knowledge for science inspired her to pursue a career in the science field. Aboulafia was essential in her application process, guiding her throughout the process and writing her teacher recommendation for the medical school supplement. In his class, Aboulafia immediately noticed Vaghela’s talent for the subject, excelling as not only a student but also as a leader among her peers. “[Vaghela] has the innate intelligence to basically handle whatever comes her way, so she’ll have no problems getting through all her courses,” Aboulafia said. “She applies herself and she’s dedicated, and those are the qualities that are going to get her through.” Vaghela maximized her time in high school by volunteering at hospitals to gain more exposure in the medical field. Although this only involved aiding the staff with small tasks, such as spending time with patients or shadowing procedures and surgeries, it illuminated an entirely new side to the profession. Her constant interactions with the patients at the hospitals taught her the value in a doctor’s job,

and the loving and grateful environment nurtured a desire in her to give back to the community. “When I did something even as small as bring [the patients] a blanket, they would be so grateful,” Vaghela said. “They would talk about their doctors and how they drastically helped and improved their lifestyle.” While her experiences contributed to her decision to pursue this career, ultimately, her family has been the most notable influence in inspiring her along the way. As a role model to her younger brother, she wanted to be a shining example of how powerful ambition and hard work can be in the long run. Her parents have both been supportive figures throughout her endeavors, encouraging her to pursue a career she genuinely loved and would never get tired of doing. Vaghela’s mother always had hopes of becoming a doctor, but was not able to. She would reminisce how rewarding of a job it was, and taught Vaghela the value doctors hold in society. Ultimately, as Vaghela progresses through the stages of her medical career, she hopes to never lose sight of the initial reason she chose this profession in the first place. Departing from Northview is a bittersweet feeling, but Vaghela is fully aware of the potential impact she can have in the future on the community and people around her. “The most rewarding part about this pathway is that little feeling you get inside that says, ‘You did something today. You made a difference,’” Vaghela said. “The feeling of giving back to the community and others is personally, the biggest reward I could ever achieve.”

Medical School Simran Vaghela SHERRY LIANG, STAFF WRITER

THE MESSENGER | 27

Class of FEATURES

Find out where Northview seniors are headed next year*

>10 Students 1-10 students 0 students 28

Alabama AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Taylor Mitchell Ryan Williams Michael Wilson Elizabeth Yi

Cade Auerbach Gracie Clough Joelle Gill Kyra Lockhart Madison Martin Symone Maduro Brooke Pollard Sophie Simon Jake Williams

Jordan Harvey

California

Abbie Brown Chad Jordan

Animesh Koratana Leilani Tian

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY Amal Bhatnagar Leonardo Tang Starr Yang

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

Shreya Ramineni Catherine Yang

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Sean Lewow

Connecticut YALE UNIVERSITY Amanda Zhang

THE MESSENGER | 29

OTHER

ARTS AND 1o% HUMANITIES

12%

19% BUSINESS

50%

SOCIAL SCIENCES

District of Columbia AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Charles Leng

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Sam Frey Rushabh Pandya

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Chance Davenport-Mills Desiree Nwanze Aria Ragas Faith Simmonds

Florida

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY McKinley Boden Michael Menetre

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Colbie Chans Alexyss Rainford

Georgia

STEM

Breakdown by Major ARMSTRONG STATE UNIVERSITY

Ashley Fox

AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY

Dhruv Atri Kalyani Ballur Shubhada Mandala

COLLEGE OF COASTAL GEORGIA Kelsey Rios

EMORY UNIVERSITY

Shreya Bandlamudi Sangjae Joseph Kim

GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

Ashley Carr Michaela Davis Judge Lovingood Sydney Main Macy McKinley Savannah Moyer Callahan Proctor Peter Utesch

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Hyunjun Ahn Sahar Ali Nidhi Anilnath

Ruth Austin Pragya Banerjee Miguel Bethancourt Pavan Bharadwaj Ashna Bhardwaj Rishabh Ghora Hye Jin Lim John Kim Minji Kim Rachel Kim Philip Koster Michelle Liu Atharv Marathe Calista Mei Felipe Midlej Martineli Gramacho Premi Mohanavelu Yuvaneshwar Murugesan Soumil Nariani Yendi Neil Matthew Pacifico Keshav Pandiri Emily Pfahl Sidharth Potdar Rhea Rawla Christopher Reny Sil Savla Pavan Seshadri Kavya Vrid Sabrina Wilson Lukas Yoder Jefferson ZhanÂ Raymond Zhu

GEORGIA PERIMETER COLLEGE

GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Chan Woo Kim

Sean Hernandez

Isabelle Bray Jacqueline Chambers Kenny Chen Patrick Malloy Mecca Malone Phillip Simon Ryan Tony Lu

Chris Broomhead Marissa Gonzalez Jesse Ifarinde Mari Jacobson Sabrina Mamdani Kevin Siatkowski

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Ali Aljaber Cat Alton Tawil Charaniya Griffin Cheney Albert Cho Arah Cho Sophia Chow Grace Chung Susmitha Cinthala Devesh Dalmia Richa Das Jackson Davenport Shahil Desai Shreya Desai Manya Garg Yasmine Ghoneim Saisha Gupta Joey Ho Jason Hong Meissen Hsu Genie Igumnova Julia Jacobs Evgeniy Ko Ashley Lee Dean Long Sai Maddali Olivia Mitrovich Elizabeth Phillips Vishal Rajakani Nithin Rallapalli Connor Rasler Maroun Sassine Robert Scott Skyler Semien Komal Shrivastava Ryan Sims Gurnoor Singh Varsha Siva Kara Song Malak Tuffaha Evan Wells Chelsea Whyte Qifan Wu Simon Yin Haiyu Zhang

MERCER UNIVERSITY

Lilah Donnelly Thomas Eads Vidya Ganapathy Shruti Jha Shannon Titus Simran Vaghela

MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Jared Hung

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE

Javan Smith Maxwell Turk

OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY

Subashri Garimalla

Anoop Gundala Yusuf Hafiane Shejan Heaven Harrison Huang Zara Inam Heung Joey Han Abhinav Kaluri Shonit Kaluri Tanmay Kar Thomas Kent Kartik Khanna Leonardo Koomen Martin Lai Nicholas Lim Timmy Ma Anu Manne Michelle Miranda Shannon Naddor Susan Park Sahil Patel Sachi Puri Tarun Ramesh Omkara Rao Emma Rowe Srija Sabbella Prashanth Sampathkumar Shreya Sanghvi Christopher Sell Lui Suzuki-Williams Andrew Wang Daniel Zheng

OXFORD COLLEGE OF EMORY UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA

Ye Jung Lee Zane Patel

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Alyssa Bruck Grace Kim

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Ark Angirish Karsyn Archambeau Chaitanya Avvaru Mikayla Bryant Marc Caceres Michael Cercone William Claussen Zach Cone William Derrickson Shardul Deshmukh Rhea Dhamapurkar Shivani Doshi Surbhi Dugar Rameen Forghani Ethan Gamble Harshith Garla Saim Ghaya Chance Gilbreth

Arianna Anthony Jessica Fernandes Katie Head

UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA

Ajee Andrews

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITYÂ

Jessica Gaskins

YOUNG HARRIS COLLEGE

Danielle Fanning

Illinois

CHICAGO COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS

Sarah Yang

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Rohan Menon Thomas Moy

SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO THE MESSENGER | 31

FEATURES

47% received merit scholarships

Yi Sun

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

Michelle Cho Katharine Henn Jeremy Yuan

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

Sreehitha Sanku

Indiana

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME

Sara MM Braynard Brittany Keane-Murphy

Louisiana

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Alli Benelli Whitney Engeron

Maryland

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Mina Lee

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MARYLAND

Morgan Muzi

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

Chike Otaluka

58%

of students were eligible for financial aid

Massachusetts AMHERST COLLEGE

4% received atheletic scholarships

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Maya Moreno

Eileen Lee

Mississippi

Ramanuj Srinivasan Jay Yin

Ryan Larcinese

BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Swetha Bhumireddy Aarushi Jain

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Bill Zhang

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Irene Zhou

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Kristin Terry

WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Arjun Gandhi

Michigan

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Lauren Cox

New Hampshire DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

Amy Hu

New Jersey PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

Jasmin Gao

New York

CONCORDIA COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Jun Cho

Minnesota

Aaron Fishburn Evan Moy Yashi Sanghvi

Seunghee Chang Junho Park

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Joey Han

Josh Hattings

Emmanuella Agoumba

Zack May Charlie Miller Sara Munoz Victoria Tyo

LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Daniel Do Hyun Kim Joshua Lim Kelly Wang

PACE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Malik Harper

Courtney O’Connell

North Carolina DUKE UNIVERSITY

Felicia Guo

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Preston Fisher

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Maggie Brenan

Ohio

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

upwards of

$3,934,037

money awarded approx. $13,113 per student

Sarah Jang Yoorim Lee

XAVIER UNIVERSITY

Haylee Grantonic Drew Whitmoyer

Pennsylvania BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY Susmitha Cinthala

Rhode Island BROWN UNIVERSITY

Sally Pan

South Carolina CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Brown Cutler

THE MESSENGER | 33

Tennessee

FEATURES

MILLIGAN COLLEGE

35%

Joe Whalley

SEWANEE: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH

Allison Bernardino

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

of students are going to college out of state

Lindsey Smith

73%

will attend a public university

VANDERBILT UNIVERISTY

Judy Li Joseph Zhang

Texas

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Patrick Zhou

Military Undecided Other

Mason McBee Evan Seiders

Ryan Mumpower

Amy Jiang

Paris Watson

RICE UNIVERSITY

Virginia

COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY Sophie Kopec Shreyas Kumar

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY

Gabriel Sanders

VIRGINIA TECH

Andrew Wills

International

Zahli Hayden Kaneisha Richards Jemarc Walters McKenzie Wortman

*All data is voluntarily self-reported by Northview seniors. Students not included on the list either chose not to be included or failed to report their information to the Messenger staff.

approx.

99%

of students will attend a 4yr College or university

Wear

T O DAY

Sell

T O M O R R OW Uptown Cheapskate buys the clothes you loved yesterday and sells what you want today. Bring in your freshly laundered, gently used trendy clothes (guys & girls), shoes & accessories for 25% more store credit or cash on the spot.

5900 State Bridge Rd in Johns Creek THE MESSENGER | 35

20 17 SENIOR ADVICE Maggie Brenan Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be the person who is so insistent on doing everything, all the time. Never forget to take care of yourself, your health, and your interests. If 12 AP classes is too overwhelming, take less. If 8 AP classes isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough of a challenge, take more. Remember that everyone is different. We learn differently, we enjoy different things, and we thrive differently. Do not forget to take advantage of the fun Northview has to offer: sporting events, drama productions, and the countless clubs! Make your high school experience what you want it to be.

FEATURES

Will Claussen Have fun, but don’t smile too much, that is kind of creepy. But you can’t never smile, because that is also creepy. I remember a time that I met a new kid at school whose smile was just a bit too much for me, a bit too abrasive, a bit too spicy, and I had to take two quick steps back. True story. But then I remember this other time that I met this new student who never smiled, real quick, three steps back. True story. So do whatever you want since obviously I can’t be pleased.

Grace Chung Take advantage of all the opportunities and get out of your comfort zone. Never compare yourself to others and don’t worry if not everything works out as you planned because, in the end, we all have our own definition of success. Surround yourself with people who support you and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. Hang in there. High school’s not as terrible as you think and it’ll pass by before you know it. Enjoy it while you can. These memories will stick with you forever and you’ll definitely miss it.

Sally Pan These are the most impressionable years of your life, and it is so easy to get caught up in what everyone else around you is doing. Don’t forget to stay true to yourself, surround yourself with people who build you up, form a support network you can count on, and make friends who constantly inspire you to improve.

Tarun Ramesh Be the person who does everything. There are so many oppurtunities available in high school, so do it all. If you don’t take risks, you will never change the world. If you remain complacent, you are on the losing side of history. This is the time in life to experiment and feel failure and success in the same day. Also watch lots of Netflix, because talking about TV shows makes for great conversation starters.

THE MESSENGER | 37

FEATURES

summer lovinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Movies, TV shows, concerts, and festivals to enjoy as the summer days drift away SRUTI SAJJA AND MIRA SYDOW, STAFF WRITERS

JUNE

Halsey- Hopeless Fountain Kingdom: 6.2 Coldplay- Kaleidoscope: 6.2 Peachtree Corners Festival: 6.10-11 Lorde- Melodrama: 6.16 The Book of Henry: 6.16 Despicable Me 3: 6.30

S M T W T F S 4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

JUly

7.1-4: 4TH OF JULY AT STONE MOUNTAIN 7.7: Spider-MAN: HoMECOMING 7.8: National Black Arts Festival 7.13: SAM HUNT CoNCERT 7.22: ATLANTA ICE CREAM FESTIVAL 7.29: SHAWN MENDES CONCERT

august

S M T W T F S 2 9 16 23 30

S M T W T F S 6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

J. Cole Concert: 8.11 ANNABELLE 2: 8.11 Taste of Johns Creek: 8.19 Piedmont park arts festival: 8.19-20 Bronze lens film festival: 8.23-27 ED sheeran concert: 8.25-26 Leap!: 8.30 THE MESSENGER | 39

3300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Duluth, GA 30096 678-584-5840 UdipiDuluth@gmail.com Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Closed 11:30AM–3PM, 5–10PM 11:30AM–3PM, 5–10PM 11:30AM–3PM, 5–11PM 11:30AM–3PM, 5–11PM 11:30AM–3PM, 5–10PM 11:30AM–3PM, 5–10PM

the messenger

ONLINE

nhsmessenger@gmail.com nhsmessenger.com

Like our Facebook page facebook.com/nhsmessenger

@nhsmessenger 40

OPINIONS

Gender Gap With so many other problems plaguing our society, it is time to put an end to gender stereotypes. SUCHITA KUMAR, STAFF WRITER

ccording to a study conducted by the California Technical Institute, 25.9% of girls are matched with prospective adopting families while 34.4% of boys are matched with theirs. This issue demonstrates that gender profiling is a growing issue in our society concerning the increased preference of one gender over the other, based on their so-called superior masculine or feminine traits. Both women and men have faced the discriminating impacts of gender inequality within their daily lives, but nothing substantial has been done about it. A common misconception is that males are better workers and more intellectual as compared to their female counterparts, when in reality neither gender surpasses the other gender in their abilities. If it is possible to have women occupying professions such as pilots, lawyers, and business CEOs, then it is safe to say that women, with ambition and hard work, can be seen as strong candidates when competing for occupations against other males. Now in the workplace, bridging the wage gap has long been a goal for many feminists,

but this issue still remains deeply rooted within various workplaces. Women get paid about twenty percent less than men for doing the exact same job, not to mention the burden of their moral obligation to do housework and raise children. Opposingly, males also face inequity in regards to social behavior. Young girls are seen as easily submissive while boys are known for engaging in significantly rebellious behavior, then afterwards being blamed for their impulsiveness. A study conducted by the University of California tested whether a group of boys or girls would object to being made to drink lemonade with salt. The girls, in an effort to spare feelings, attempted to swallow the entire drink, but the boys were more assertive and voiced that the lemonade needed sugar. When young, boys are encouraged to speak out frequently and demonstrate their strenght to portray dominance, while girls are strictly disciplined to avoid such open behavior. Therefore as they grow older, men are seen as most likely to commit a crime as compared to women, and often fall under the scrutiny of police officers

and other authorities far more frequently. The University of Minnesota’s census states that approximately eighty-one percent of arrests for violent crime are of men. Whether it’s in social situations or educational endeavors, women and men both have their advantages and disadvantages within societal norms . . . and that is not ethical. Every person should be free to be themselves, and their gender should not rule their decisions. Having an individual voice and expressing opinions should not be limited to only one gender. Individuality should not be repressed according to society’s norms - after all, each person has their own unique skills that they use to contribute to society in ways that others cannot. Those who see that our society is still somewhat unequal should be applauded. There are already many barriers within our population: religion, age, sexuality, and more. By embracing the distinctive traits that come with each gender and working together, one more barrier can be broken.

THE MESSENGER | 41

faceoff:

Should college be tuition-free?

OPINIONS

yes A L E X P E R R Y , S TA F F W R I T E R

hile many students aspire to attend top universities, tuition fees are a common struggle that stop them from reaching their full potentials. High tuition fees cause multiple problems in the higher education process, from applying to post graduation. In order to fix this, colleges should offer free tuition. Free tuition has the potential to allow deserving and high achieving students who lack funds to attend a prestigious and competitive college. Each year, high school seniors with academic potential are not able to attend the college of their dreams because of tuition. With free tuition, the doors will be open for everybody. Universities, especially private ones, are known for their outrageous fees, last year’s most expensive school being Harvey Mudd College at just past $67,000. Because of

these high price tags on formal education, students are forced wasted time searching for financial aid such as grants or loans to attend their dream schools. However, if we chose to fund our universities by taxes, many more students will be able to attend prestigious colleges without being weighed down by debt post graduation. Current financial aid opportunities provided by the government are limited and are only able to cover an a small fraction. They also are very selective about who receives money and frequently control where the student spends it. While factors such as SAT scores and essays are reasonable to use as a way to see which colleges are available, it is ultimately money that hinders a student’s potential by ultimately deciding what schools they are able to attend. Because the current government aid

programs are inefficient and cause post graduation debt, the government should instead refocus their efforts and use our taxes into make college free. Another problem caused by high tuition fees is post graduation debt. If a student chooses to rely on loans to get through college, they are often not able to pay back the loan. With taxes funding our colleges, students will be able to focus on getting a job instead of worrying about paying off their debt. Instead of providing limited aid, universities should provide qualified students with free tuition college and the government should look at increasing their involvement with college tuition. If this happens, students will become more motivated because they can attend affordable colleges and reach their true potential.

A N I R U D D H A G U P TA , S TA F F W R I T E R

strong proponent of free public college, Sen. Bernie Sanders, asserted the need for change by saying that, “in a global economy, when our young people are competing with workers from around the world, we have got to have the best educated workforce possible and that means that we have got to make college affordable.” Sure, in the theory, that sounds great. However, free public college would actually make it harder to achieve these virtuous goals. The first argument against free public education relates to how the government will fund these immense project. This would be an immensely great undertaking. And without greatly raising taxes, this would raise our already atrociously high national debt. The funds needed would exceed $70 billion dollars a year, twice the funds the government currently spends on Pell grants and much of this money would go to families that can already afford college tuition. Secondly, free public colleges would not be cost effective and foster higher level edu-

cation at colleges. In the current decentralized system, students can take much of their student aid with them to the institution of their choosing. Students therefore are able to attend a wide range of educational programs at both public and private schools. Free public college would limit choice for students because private institutions would have to compete with a highly-subsidized, free public option, and would likely struggle to attract students, because students would prefer to go to the much cheaper public schools. Students who prefer the private school model because of the flexibility it provides would then have to make a great compromise in deciding to go to a private college. In turn, the level of education provided would significantly decrease in public schools because of less pressure to attract the brightest students and serve students effectively. Many free college proponents point out that the government will be able to exert more direct control over how public colleges operate. Such a system would be

rigid, bureaucratic and unresponsive to the changing needs of students and the economy over time. For example, the usage of standardized tests would be more prevalent than instilling creativity and entrepreneurship, which a less bureaucratic system provides. By removing government oversight, colleges will be able to provide education customized to a student’s needs. There are many other possible solutions to the hyper-inflated tuition prices which plague our university system. Free public education is not the best option. There are barriers that prevent new and innovative educational institutions from growing if public college becomes free. The status quo in education will rarely be shaken up for the better in this system.. Instead, policymakers should look to foster more creativity, entrepreneurship, and flexibility in higher education rather than reinforcing the status quo by reducing government oversight, which comes with free college.

C O LU M N S

music M O RG A N W H I T E , S TA F F W R I T E R

1. Despacito(ft. Justin Bieber)Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee 2. Humble-Kendrick Lamar 3.It ain’t me- Kygo & Selena Gomez 4. DNA- Kendrick Lamar 5.Mask off-Future

Lana Del Rey

uss’ monotone rhythm and unrelatable lyrics are homogenous in every single he has delivered, and his upcoming album, There’s Really a Wolf, is no different. Russ continues to miss the point of a hip hop song with his lack of actual rhythm, which leaves all of his songs to resemble more of an angry rant than a rap. The first songs to debut, including, Do it myself and Cherry Hill, mimic this trend as Russ continues to justify himself as just another seemingly popular rapper.

ust for Life by Indie artist, Lana Del Rey (featuring the Weeknd),released in early April, doesn’t fail to provide a fresh sound to an increasingly mainstream music industry. The debut single revives Lana Del Rey’s haunting vocals from previous ballads and adds a sensual tone, unique from her previous hits. The debut single promises a deterioration away from traditional pop songs in hopes of moving towards an alternative sound, leaving listeners anxious for a potential album to relase later this year.

COLUMNS

fashion EVAN MOODY, STAFF WRITER

1. Rachel McLeroy

4. Sarah Darling

fashionable faculty

2. Megan Gray

5. Mark Anderson

3. Allyson Carvell

6. Matthew Kamibayashi

here is no denying that fashion changes throughout the years, which usually corresponds with the times. When it comes to school, dress code has become less strict which also makes it less strict on the teachers. Instead of seeing male teachers in suits and females in long skirts and knee socks, depending on your school you might see cardigans and tees or khakis and a simple button down shirt. Going to a school like Northview gives everyone the freedom to express themselves however they feel, with the understandable limitations -- and that also applies to the faculty. “Nothing inspires me, I just like clothes.” Megan Gray said. Not to mention that a person’s clothes say a lot about who they are as individuals. First impressions are a big part of your relationship with someone, so individuals with a keen sense of clothing is always a good sign.

THE MESSENGER | 45

THE LOW DOWN

Modern Polarity It seems that our society is more divided than ever. What’s wrong?

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

owadays, it seems that one is either a Republican or a Democrat. Rich or poor. Religious or atheistic. A perpetually triggered feminazi or a million-year-old racist. An elitist urbanite or a country hick. The room for anything in between has seemingly evaporated. And even the most trivial matters draw great controversy-- like the great dress debacle of 2015 or Starbucks’ red holiday cup debate. As it stands right now, you’re either staunchly for, or vehemently against. Any regard for civility is thrown into the wind. Anecdotally speaking, at least, the world in which we live is apparently more divided than ever. Deep and bitter polarity has lodged itself into the very fabric of our society. And it’s tearing us apart. Of course, the state of American political affairs immediately comes to mind when speaking of polarity. Ruining many friendships, the recent election has wreaked havoc on the well-being of much of the general public. No longer is there a major political party that adequately voices a moderate, centrist approach to governance. Instead, center-right Republicans are roped into supporting the vile bigotry of the ultra far-right. And center-left Democrats are grouped with the counter-culturists of the far left. Sure, politics has always sparked division-- and a healthy debate is important. But the division has gone from civil to openly hostile. Party should never come before country, yet this notion hasn’t reached the minds of those in Washington-- nor many of their constituents. Lately, a gluttonous need for controversy has begun to harm even the most

traditional beacons of uncontested truth in our society. The rise of fake news-- and the subsequent wrongful appropriation of that term to undeserving media organizations-- has sparked a debate over what should be deemed truth in the first place. Now, people must argue over whether the basis for another argument is even factual. What is this country coming to? I’ve always believed that you can’t argue over facts-- yet we’ve somehow found a way to do just that. Unfortunately, this divisiveness isn’t just anecdotal. A November Gallup poll found that a record-high 77% of American believe the nation is divided on its most fundamental values. And our current president’s approval ratings are some of the worst in history. Yet 96% of those who voted for him claim that they would absolutely do it again. A poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, found that four in ten Democrats and Republicans not only find the policies perpetuated by opposing parties to be misguided, but a threat to the nation. The true threat to the nation, however, is this bitter sense of division. Even the most reliable strongholds of unity in our country are falling to the hands of division. It used to be that sports could bring people together. The Sino-American ping-pong diplomacy, for instance, paved the way for relations between the American and Chinese governments. And the acceptance of black people into previously segregated whites-only sports had a great unifying influence on American society. But currently, even sports are plagued by the toxic divisive-

ness of American culture as well. Back in 2011, for example, Giants fan Bryan Stow was beaten to within an inch of his life outside of the Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium solely for wearing a San Francisco jersey. An innocent 42-year-old father of two now must suffer the rest of his life with crippling brain damage because a couple of the opposing team’s fans couldn’t keep a sports rivalry civil. If that isn’t a sign of toxic polarity, I don’t know what is. But I suppose any fool can rant about the shortcomings of today’s society-- it’s almost become a cliche to reminisce of the glory days. Though we may be divided, we are still one nation. As Barack Obama rightly pointed out in his 2004 D.N.C. convention speech: “I’ve got news for them … We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states and, yes, we’ve got gay friends in the red states … We are one people.” This is America. We are a unique people in the history of the world for unity, in spite of our differences. But that division shouldn’t be bitter. It should be celebrated. For it’s not the division that’s causing our cultural strife, but rather the way we’ve come to dealing with it. We must remember to love one another. To be kind to one another. To treat your fellow man with respect-- no matter the circumstances. That’s what we’ve forgotten. And no fancy deal-striking strongman nor revolutionary iPhone app can solve it. But this is America-- I’m sure we’ll find a way.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A Final Farewell

he last four years on the Messenger staff have been bitter sweet, combining late nights with surges of excitement from each publication. Every issue that our readers see have been guided through rigorous vetting and editing for content, design, and overall theme. The final product represents our staff ’s creative and technical endeavors. As this journey comes to an end, I would like to highlight the accomplishments of a few fellow staff and faculty members that have guided my path through the world of journalism. Maggie, Sally, and Jessica made me realize that Adobe Indesign mattered as much as all those AP credits, and that journalism was a viable career option. Mr. Yarbrough inspired a sense of independence and leadership within my usually timid frame. Mr. Rawlin, Ms. Ulrich, and Ms. Pope each played an important part in building me into the hopefully adept linguist I am today. I’m sure the plethora of passive voice and contractions prove otherwise, but I think I’ve learned a thing or two from each of your classes. To my graduating class, savor the next few seconds, because the minute our names are

called on that stage, our lives will never be the same. The building we’ve grown accustomed to will become a chapter in our past, but as we begin to write our future, the spirit of Northview will remain within all of us. From a faculty that taught us to never stop achieving to an incredible administration that equipped us with the tools for our future, Northview will leave an everlasting mark on our lives. Of course the supportive community and magical student body helps epitomize the spirit of Northview, but it is more than just a group of people. Northview is that drive to boost your batting average, the dedication towards AI, the thrill of winning at Siemens, the camaraderie of a lacrosse team. It’s mid class naps, pop quizzes, all nighters, and Principal Downey’s reassuring voice in the mornings… each and every morning.Together, we will blaze new trails through forests of obstacles and forge our own unique paths past any mountains. And throughout it all, we will always have something we can depend on. Northview is more than a building, Northview is all of us. So for one last time: farewell Northview. It’s been quite a time.

Tarun Ramesh, Editor-in-Chief

THE MESSENGER | 47

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