MATT RUPPERT
VOL 16/ ISS 5
pg. 17
AVANTGARDE
NATALIE WAAGNER
the messenger
CAMILA BUITRAGO
JORDAN ANDERSON
Four students defy fashion norms
THE MESSENGER | 1
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STAFF
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Nithya Mahakala Sarika Temme-Bapat
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PUBLICATION The Messenger is a student publication published for and distributed to the Northview community. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Northview High School, its students, faculty, staff, or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors. The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity, and the invasion of privacy.
Amanda Beard Mira Sydow
NEWS EDITOR
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SPORTS EDITOR Akshay Nair
FEATURES EDITOR Sherry Liang
OPINIONS EDITOR Jack Lowrance
PHOTO EDITOR Justine Ulrich
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
BUSINESS MANAGER
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.
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IN THIS ISSUE
Cover design: Mira Sydow
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MANAGING EDITORS
Alex Perry Chris Yarbrough
contents 05
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EDITOR’S LETTER
SPORTS AND BODY IMAGE
FOOD REVIEW
SARIKA TEMME-BAPAT
06 MONTHLY BRIEFS STAFF
SARIKA TEMME-BAPAT JENNIFER XIA
BEN MINDER
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SPORTS PROFILE
FACEOFF
SHEETAL TADIPARTY KYNDAL DICKEY
MEGAN CISTULLI SUCHITA KUMAR
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MAKING UP FOR LOST SCHOOL DAYS
NORTHVIEW HALL OF FAME
STAFF EDITORIAL
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SOPHIA RIVERS
SRAVIKA YERNINI
SIGNING DAY
STAFF
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AKSHAY NAIR
ADVERTISING STAFF
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17*
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STAFF
SYDNEY YIM
SPORTS IN BRIEF STAFF
AVANT-GARDE
THE LOW DOWN JACK LOWRANCE
MUSIC
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The Age of Inaction Comes to an End Sandy Hook, the tragic murder of 27 in Newtown Connecticut, took place when I was just 12. In the five years since, school shootings have become an ever present feature of my adolescence. But even after all this time, tragedy after tragedy, the debate around gun control still treats the students that it impacts disproportionately as hypotheticals. Although students are the ones mandated to attend schools where they become sitting targets for the next stain on the nation’s conscience. Although we break out in a cold sweat at the sound of an alarm. Although, according to the National Institute of Justice, 77 percent of homicide victims ages 15-17 die from gun homicides. Nevertheless, the news features the same tired middle aged voices, like a broken record, offering their agenda filled condolences while telling us nothing can be done. Implicitly dismissing the cries of those directly affected by these horrors. Meanwhile, our president supports the idea of arming teachers, “people who love the children”. Who is asking “the children” if we want guns in the hands of our teachers, at the heads of our classrooms. Who is asking us if we would feel that our world was becoming safer, or if it was going insane? We let our media and our politicians tell us that politics are a game for ages 35 and up. That our schools, our classrooms, our lives,
don’t belong to us, but to men in suits on Capitol Hill, to lobbyists and the nightly news. But our dissatisfaction at being overlooked has too long made us turn our backs on the political system entirely. We as students have a responsibility- to ourselves, to our country- to make our voices so much more than hypotheticals. Northview’s graduating class of 2018 will be able to vote in the 2018 midterm elections. But the responsibility of voting is so much more than an obligatory drive to the local library on a single day in November, with a biannual peach sticker to ease the guilt of another 2 years of political apathy. From now till November, Northview students need to educate themselves on the specific policy stances of each candidate, going beyond party affiliation to find out exactly what each of these candidates propose to do about gun violence. The midterms are an opportunity to channel frustration into real political change, on that we can’t afford to let pass us by. So put pen to paper, Northview. Write that letter to your Congressman that you’ve “been meaning to get around to”. After the Newtown shooting years ago, President Obama asked America “Are we really prepared to say we are powerless in the face of such carnage?” We at Northview should be asking ourselves the same question. Sarika Temme-Bapat, Editor-in-Chief
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE: KAREN HANDEL WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE 1211 LONGWORTH HOB GEORGIA DISTRICT 6 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 PHONE: (202) 225-4501
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IN BRIEF 02/6
Elon Musk and his company, Space X, launched the Falcon Heavy on February 2, 2018.
The GMEA Allstate Band happens annually at the Classic Center in Athens, GA, always during the first weekend in March. The musicians are classified by age group and go through two competitive rounds to be selected for Allstate Bands/Orchestras. They achieve an incredible degree of musical sophistication in just a few rehearsals. The conductors and students are very musically sensitive and hardworking perfectionists. “Together they deliver a heart wrenching and inspiring performance.” Band member Annie Feng said. The selected then participate in a 2-3 day intense rehearsal schedule to learn and enliven the music, and on the last day of the event, they deliver a stellar performance open to the public. Although Allstate is only a short trip, it means also to the members of Band and Orchestra. “Allstate is a fun way to meet and bond with other student musicians from around the state and catch up with people I met from the years before.” Orchestra member Susan Yi said.
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Northview’s annual International night took place on Feb. 1st. It’s a showcase of the art and creativity that our students dedicate their times and efforts to. “Whether it was through dance, song, or instrumentals, they all express the beauty of their culture and lifestyles.” Lindsey Yang, the Kaleidoscope club president said. Northview is known for having one of the most diverse student bodies, and International night grants us the opportunity to embrace our cultures and the four variety through brilliant performances and authentic cuisine. It’s a night where everyone comes together as one, when we all embrace the message of “unity through diversity”. International Night is the most demanded project of the year in Northview. “It’s that special night when students, families, and communities of all backgrounds welcome others to learn and love every aspect of their cultures.” Yang said. The Kaleidoscope club works hard to put together a show that is special to our school.
The Eagles defeated the Patriot by a score of 41-33.
NEWS
The Messenger’s monthly digest of events at Northview and around the world
02/14 17 people lost their lives in a school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The event fanned the flames of national debate on gun control and inspired protests in schools across the country.
Mock trial recently attended regionals this past weekend at the Forsyth County Courthouse on January 26 and 27. The team’s hard work and dedication allowed them to place second in the championship round in order to advance to district competition level. Almost daily after school, the members worked for endless amounts of hours, but their perseverance paid off in the end. “Participating in these events and attending such competitions definitely improved my abilities to be able to work in teams where each person had a designated role carved out for them so there was no competition over who gets to do what,” junior Aayush Shah said. The amount of preparation the team put into this also definitely resulted in it being more cohesive, and it improved everyone’s ability to work together. Having that courtroom experience is beneficial, especially for those members who are interested in the law field. “It was my first competition, so it was really interesting. I’m really proud of the team, and I’m even prouder to be a part of it.” Sophomore Keya Parikh said. “It was a really amazing experience and I’m excited for what district has to offer.”
02/9 The winter Olympics began on Feb 9, 2018 in PyeongChang.
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NEWS
Making Up For Lost School Days Fulton County plans on how to address the lost learning time SRAVIKA YERNENI, STAFF WRITER
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his past year Georgia has faced many inclement and potentially dangerous weather situations, which has led to Fulton County closing schools for a total of eight days. These days have taken a toll on student learning and the county is planning on using digital learning and additional school days to compensate for the loss. Specifically, the county will be removing student holidays on February 16th, March 9th and 12th and implementing an online learning program day on one of those days. “We are making up two face-to-face days; one of them is in February and one is in March. The third will be a digital-learning day where students will not be at school. What is behind that is: we have clearly missed eight days of schools and the school district is under pressure to figure out a better way to keep our kids learning when we are under these weather situations,” principal Brian Downey said. The county is allowed to make such decisions and get around instructional time requirements due to a so-called “flexibility” contract. This contract allows exemption from state guidelines in exchange for meeting state testing standards and other measures. Also as a charter-school district, Fulton County can decide how to manage lost instructional time. Although digital learning and additional s schools days may seem to fully make
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up for the lost days, many people are not content with Fulton County’s decision. The extra educational hours means more work and pressure for students, teachers and also the county. Also these restrictions prevent educators and students from enjoying their day off and relaxing. “I’m glad we are getting time to make up for the days lost, but I am not happy with how we are doing that. Also some of the weather days we had were unnecessary and I feel like we could have planned this whole situation much better,” sophomore Meghana Vadranam said. For the first time, the county is trying out a digital learning program to make up missed days. The online program has not been finalized yet for future weather situations, but this year it will have a very informal look and basically be an online schooling extension monitored by the teacher. Despite the informal look of the program, the county worries that students and educators may not have all the resources needed to successfully learn and teach. “ We are trying out a digital learning program for the first time at Northview. At Northview and Johns Creek, we have a relatively small number [ of students who face difficulty completing such programs at home]. When we move to other school however, that is a much a larger number. We have kids who are homeless and don’t
have access to stuff but there are whole schools like that” said Downey. In spite of the criticism and flaw of the proposed proposition, Fulton County plans on moving forward and implementing their ideas for the good of the students. “These weather situation are things that just happen and are out of our control. All we can do is pull a plan to move forward. This is ultimately for the students and we want to make sure they get the contact hours in the classroom.” Fulton county administrator Reginald Crossley said. As for going forward, the county does not have a formalized strategy yet;however, they hope to develop one by the next school year. The process of creating a strategy involves many factors such as finances and holiday political rules and the county will be working on it over the summer. “Given our reality and the pressure from surrounding communities, there has been a push to figure something out. However, our county is very large and there are many factors that play in so there is no formalized plan yet. The county is trying to push out expectations that are attainable.” Downey said.
Hall of
FAME
SPORTS
Northview honors its athlete alumni SOPHIA RIVERS, STAFF WRITER
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very two years, ten former Northview students are recognized for their athletic achieved throughout their high school careers, as well as what they accomplished after graduation. Two years ago, Northview founded the Hall of Fame in order to highlight extraordinary student performances. The Hall of Fame is where the featured athletic students are placed within plaques of their accomplishments. The program serves to not only honor Northview alumni, but also functions as a standard for current athletes to try and achieve. “I tried to explain to them that you guys did great things while you were here, but what they don’t realize is that you have become an inspiration to other people in these halls,” Athletic Director Scotty McDaniel said. When McDaniel was first hired as the school’s athletic director three years ago, one of the primary goals he wanted to accomplish in his position was to highlight the individuals who shined at Northview. He not only wanted to praise Northview’s state championship teams but also the individual athletes that contributed to the overall success. McDaniel created a committee of coaches who narrowed down the list of probable Hall of Fame candidates. The committee consists of longstanding
coaches who have recommended former athletic students for this opportunity. “It became looking at each one of those [students] and looking at all of their accomplishments and seeing what made them stand out over someone else,” McDaniel said. Students and faculty were able to submit the names of graduated students who had shown devotion and skill to their sport. The committee then took those submissions and sat down to discuss what differentiated
display excellence afterwards. Some continued their athletic dreams while others pursued academic or entrepreneurial endeavors. Regardless of what these athletes did after high school, most all can agree that playing for Northview was an invaluable experience they will never forget. “ I’d like to tell current Northview athletes that I am jealous of them. I would love to lace up my cleats and play under the lights on a Friday night at the stadium one more time. Cherish every moment,” Jacob Lee, inductee and soccer player for Winthrop University, said. The former student- athletes can be seen on each of their own individual plaques along Northview’s “Wall of Fame’ located near the gym. As of now, the committee plans to add six to eight more athletes every two years. While not all of the commemorated athletes currently play, they will forever be remembered for their athletic greatness by Northview students. Congratulations to this year’s Northview Hall of Fame class: Ashley Veach,volleyball; Jill Nyhof, volleyball; Josh Hall, football; Evan Jacks, football/basketball ; Kyle Meyer, basketball; Amanda Schwartz, soccer; Jacob Lee, soccer; Tyler Krieger, Sean McLaughlin, baseball; and Nat Smiley, tennis.
“ You h ave to b e co m e a n insp i rati o n to o th e r pe o pl e i n th e s e h a l ls ” - Sco tty Mc Da ni e l the athletes from each other. They not only looked at what they did while at Northview but what they did post-Northview. “The people we had to pick from are pretty phenomenal, and it’s hard to narrow it down to ten,” McDaniel said. A ceremony was held recently in February to praise the former student athletes who represented Northview even after they graduated. These students not only did their best during their high school years but proceed to
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B r i e f Sports in
JENNAH SOOKNANAN, STAFF WRITER
Swimming While recent snowfall has forced Northview’s swim team to rearrange its schedule, they are working very hard to make up for lost time. Nine swim team members competed at the 6A-7A State Swim Meet at Georgia Tech on Feb. 2-3, where several swimmers beat their personal records. In the women’s 200 free relay, junior Grayson Bray, junior Nidhi Pai, senior Ana
Boys’ Basketball The Northview boy’s basketball team has had a rough season finishing with a 5-21 record. To keep their spirits up in these times, the players do their best to stay together and keep each other motivated. The coaches try to make sure the boys’ heads are in the right place, and rather than focusing on the loss itself, to take away positives and learn from mistakes. Along with this, they try to design plays that highlight certain players and give
Vetrovsky, and senior Elina Zhang finished with a time of 1:49.75, beating their personal best by 1.57 seconds. In the Men’s 200 free relay, junior Cam Auerbach, senior Vincent Huang, junior Colin McLaughlin, and senior Jiale Zheng finished with a time of 1:33.93, beating their personal best by 1.89 seconds. Auerbach competed in the 100 Fly with a time of 48.66, setting not only a personal, but also a school, record by 1.89 seconds. The Northview swim team could not
everyone a chance to shine. “When I am on the court, my coach just tells me to play aggressive: play my position,” senior Judah Woods said. One thing the team enjoys is watching film of previous games in order to reflect on and observe what they did wrong, as well as witness the things they did right. With seven seniors currently on the team and six of them contributing in major roles, the team
have had this much success without the help of coaches Stephanie Rogman and Anthony Cianciola. “They really take the time to help everyone improve as swimmers and keep everyone motivated through morning practices,” junior Sheri Zhang said. With the team’s success in the state meet, the swim team looks to continue their progress during the offseason and next season.
will undergo major adjustments during the offseason. However, if they can continue to improve and add new talent, they will have a better chance at succeeding in the state tournament.
Girls’ Basketball The Northview girl’s basketball team has progressed well this year, with the entire team working hard to win a state title. There are three seniors on the team: Megan Cistulli, Camil Butler, and Jada Reidling. They have all been on the team throughout their high school careers, and they have provided invaluable experience to the younger players and have pushed the team to work as hard as they can. Head coach Chris Yarbrough instills in the team that hard work will lead to success. “Any team that does not work hard will not be good for very long. We want our players to give everything they have,” Yarbrough said. This year, the team returned with a veteran squad, with only two new freshmen: Eden Sample and Jade Buchanan. The newfound youth has helped in replacing graduated
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Northview student Shannon Titus, the lead scorer on the team. Both girls show immense enthusiasm in the game and are constantly trying to improve. With both new and old talent, the star-studded Titans look poised to make another deep run in the state tournament.
IRENE RHO/STAFF WRITER
Northview athletes confront issues of body image, expectations, and norms within their sports. Jennifer Xia, Sarika Temme-Bapat
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restling. Ballet. Swim. Dance. With each sport a different athlete comes to mind, a different player or performer with the quintessential body type that characterizes the sport. This image, though it may seem superficial, often runs deep within the subculture and physique of the athletes because of its perceived impact on performance. As a female swimmer, junior Lauren Tyler routinely competes in form-fitting one piece bathing suits. Instead of feeling self-conscious or obsessing over how she appears to others in her revealing uniform, she has cultivated an attitude of body positivity that centers on physical activity, eating right, and filtering out damaging criticism. “You should be confident and accept your body before you go and try to change any of it,” Tyler said. “In society, it’s about having abs or more muscles, or girls want a huge butt or a flat stomach, but you shouldn’t look at how society wants you.” However, within the context of competitive athletics, societal expectations lose importance compared to the demands of the sport. In fact, the two ideals are sometimes in direct opposition. “There’s a double standard: everyone seems to appreciate large breasts and a larger butt today in the media, but as a dancer, you kind of want the opposite,” junior Sylvia Tang, who has been competitively dancing since the 6th grade, said. Within the subculture of a sport, athletes no longer aspire to reach a purely aesthetic ideal promoted by the fashion industry, but an athletic ideal that they believe will maximize performance. “When you do a sport you’re expected to gain a lot of muscle, but at the same time when you do ballet you need to have the thin figure because not only does it look better to people when you’re onstage, when you’re thinner your leg is less heavy, it’s easier to move your body,” Tang said. Maintaining this ideal balance between muscle mass and weight is a tightrope act not
exclusive to dance. Wrestlers, despite participating in a sport that is heavily reliant on an athlete’s muscle mass and strength, also closely manage their weight because of the sport’s tightly monitored weight class system. Weight class pressures wrestlers to keep track of their weight and maintain it at a strict level. At the beginning of each season, wrestlers have to commit to a certain weight class and keep their weight constant for the duration of the season. The system itself demands athletes stay at a certain weight, adding a level of difficulty to the sport as wrestlers also need the learn moves and endure pain. The pressure of this is commonly left on these athletes shoulders, and as Northview head coach, John MacDonald unfortunately sees this upon his wrestlers. “Oh yes, it definitely puts pressure on them, absolutely,” Macdonald said. “You got guys who will not eat or cut to stay in a certain weight class because ... they may have a chance to go to state.” Coaches are expected to push to a certain level, but they are also supposed to keep an athlete at a healthy standard body. The challenge of this is to maintain a medium for a healthy yet talented athlete. MacDonald stresses that because wrestling is not a sport about keeping one specific body image, he will only talk to his athletes about staying in a normal healthy area. “The only thing I may address with my wrestlers is that they should watch their diet and be careful to not to overindulge in certain foods,” Macdonald said. “I don’t ever say to anyone ‘you’re fat’ or ‘you’re too skinny’. It’s more about diet.” This accountability for one’s own body fosters commitment, discipline, as well as
increased focus on eating habits. Athletes never get to stop being athletes as their sport permeates from the cafeteria to the dinner table. However, while sports may push athletes to take responsibility for their health, factors beyond their control can sometimes frustrate efforts to attain and end goal where body image is concerned. “When you hit puberty, it becomes harder to control your body,” Tang said. And while athlete’s may be more health oriented than the average high-schooler, the demands of sport, coupled with the desire to remain below a certain weight, can result in a taxing, if not toxic, effort to control it. “In early ninth grade probably, I was obsessing over the scale, because it was just so hard to dance,” Tang said. “You’re so tired you want to throw up, but you cant bring yourself to throw up because you’re so tired” After these intensive sessions, Tang, as any student, still had to go home and spend late nights on homework. While Tang has never experienced an eating disorder herself,
what she observes among fellow dancers has lead her to believe that disorders are prevalent among the dance community. The physical exhaustion of dance on top of the demanding workload of a rigorous course schedule creates an almost impossible expectation of success. Keeping an acceptable attitude may be the solution for overcoming society’s criticism towards body image. MacDonald sees improvement in the Northview community as more and more of his wrestlers are becoming supportive of one another to encourage body confidence. “I think everyone is very supportive,” MacDonald said. “They all know what they have to do.” With each sport the so called “perfect body” is different and athletes must overcome different challenges, and with student athletes, this endeavor is littered with far more obstacles. In the Northview community, positivity is beginning to spread no matter what sport.
“You’re so tired you want to throw up, but you can’t bring yourself to throw up because you’re so tired.” Sylvia Tang THE MESSENGER | 13
SHEETAL TADIPARTY, STAFF WRITER
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unior AJ Patil proves as an important asset as a striker and a reliable leader to Northview’s varsity soccer team; after his many years of hard work and dedication, he serves as an ideal role model for underclassmen and for his teammates to follow. According to Patil, his teammates and what he does is an important part of his life. “Sometimes the sophomores and freshman have a hard time adapting to the competitive varsity environment, so as an upperclassman, I help them to get to know everyone and the coaches. ” Patil said. “I love family type of connection my team has and I love the feeling when new members become a part of that.” The team has improved and performed remarkably at recent events as Patil leads them on. Having served as this role model, Patil is charging into the heart of the season as a strong favorite for some big titles. Other members of the varsity team are equally eager and prepared for continued success this year. According to Patil and his coach, the team has.
BOY’S SOCCER
profiles
NIKKI LOKHANDE/STAFF WRITER
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SPORTS
College Signings
Senior athletes begin officially committing to collegiate teams. AKSHAY NAIR, SPORTS EDITOR
Colton McDaniel United States Merchant Marine Academy
IRENE RHO/STAFF
McDaniel is seated in the middle and with his father and Principal Brian Downey to the right and mother and sister to the left
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enior Colton McDaniel has officially inked his commitment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy to play baseball. McDaniel cemented his place as a varsity starter since sophomore year for both the football team at quarterback and the baseball team at either pitcher or right fielder. Off the field, McDaniel has challenged himself in the classroom and kept up a high GPA despite a rigorous course load. His hard work and determination is evident during the football and baseball season as he has spent countless hours working out and watching film. After getting offered to play football at other schools, he ultimately chose to pursue a path in baseball citing safety concerns. He hopes that by attending the Marine Academy, he will not only grow as a baseball player, but he will hopefully one day join the military. “The career options with the United States Merchant Marine Academy are incredible. The post graduation opportunities are impeccable, and I want to go into the military,” McDaniel said.
Shelby Shephard
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North Greenville University
fter careful deliberation, senior Shelby ShepIRENE RHO/STAFF hard has officially signed with North Greenville University to play for its soccer program. After playing varsity for the past three years and playing club soccer at the United Football Academy, choosing to play collegiate soccer was a straightforward option. This year as a team captain she has provided invaluable leadership and experience to the girls on the soccer team. As North Greenville University is a Division-II school, it provides a competitive athletic environment which will help develop her skills, and her experiences there will hopefully yield cherished memories playing the sport she loves. She hopes that despite going to college to play soccer, she can continue to focus on her academics and eventually obtain a degree in health sciences. “It had everything I wanted in terms of the of the Shephard is seated center, surrounded by parents and coaches. soccer team and the coaches. They were really open to everything, and they also had the major I wanted, which is health sciences,” Shephard said.
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AMANDA BEARD, COPY EDITOR NOELLE REID, STAFF WRITER MEGHANA RAMINENI, STAFF WRITER THE MESSENGER | 17
camila buitrago S
enior Camila Buitrago is known around the halls of Northview High School for her dynamic outfits and personality. Buitrago’s fashion not only makes her unique but also defies the standards set on what high school girls by incorporating both mens’ and womens’ fashion into her style. “When I was younger and my mom used to dress me, she hated all the girl clothes that they had for children, so she’d dress me basically in boy clothes,” Buitrago said. “I outgrew that during middle school, and then I kind of reverted back to that because I like the ambiguity.” Buitrago mother, Sue Buitrago, inspires her daughter to reach beyond the standard and find her individuality through what she likes over trends established by society. Sue Buitrago not only instills this mindset through encouraging creativity but also through widening Buitrago’s scope of the places she shops at. “We as parents always discouraged her into spending too much money on expensive brands so that she could be creative and find her own style,” Sue Buitrago said. Whether it’s shopping at Goodwill or Forever 21, Buitrago ensures her style is unique to who she is. As a loud and outgo-
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ing person, she gravitates towards bright and eccentric pieces. While others can find the vibrancy of Buitrago’s fashion ‘obnoxious’ or ‘over the top’, she does not allow criticism to deter her from the styles that best describe who she is. As a senior, Buitrago has spent many years developing her confidence through fashion, defying beauty standards media portrays. Whether it’s being comfortable without makeup or wearing the clothes that represent her style, Buitrago’s confidence presents itself through all of her outfits. “I think that once you realize that like nobody really cares about you as much as yourself, everyone is just worried about how they look,” Buitrago said. “It’s more of like just a self confidence thing; if you feel cute then you’re going to be cute.” As Buitrago’s longtime friend, senior Vivian Luong is constantly inspired by Buitrago’s self confidence and creativity through fashion. If a piece does not quite fit into Buitrago’s vision for the outfit, she simply changes it. “[Camila’s style is] homemade,” Luong said. “It seems like a weird way to describe someone’s style, but Camila actually likes making her own clothes. You’ll find her with really interesting pieces of clothing just to find out that she made it from two different pieces. But it’s also another way of describing her own ‘taste’ on certain looks.” Buitrago continues to defy the standards set before her in all aspects of life, and she plans on using her creativity and uniqueness in everything she does, not just fashion. “It makes me really happy when I see people feel like themselves because I mean I’d say the majority of high school girls have gone through something like a low point where they feel disgusting or not worth it,” Buitrago said. “When I see someone just coming into their own style and wearing something they have been wanting to wear but were too scared to, they look so good once they wear what they want to.”
matt
ruppert
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s a senior, Matt Ruppert, known at Northview High School for his unique yet trendy fashion sense, combines modern style with his own personality into his aesthetic. Unlike many of the cliche and mainstream outfits other boys in the senior class wear, Ruppert makes a point to not only standout daily, but also make a point to have a simple and effortless style. “Throughout high school I’ve stopped caring about whatever other people think about what I wear and just do me,” Ruppert said. “I don’t really know how I would describe it; you won’t see my wearing sweatpants at school that’s for sure.” From a young age, Ruppert has felt passionate about the way he presents himself through his fashion, earning the “Best Dressed” superlative in middle school and being nominated in high school. As the years passed, his style began adapting to his personality, and in discovering , Ruppert has been able to discover identity through fashion. High school pressures teenagers to create a persona for themselves and allows students to learn more about their identities. The
culture of high school and the pressure to adhere societal standards acts as an obstacle for many students looking to discover their identity and sense of self. Yet, Ruppert has learned throughout the years the importance of ignoring the fear of standing out and disregards any negative comments others might say in regards to his unique style. “As [I] get older, like senior year, more people are appreciative of my fashion sense and will compliment me, but when you’re younger, like freshman year, they might make fun of you but I think it’s just because of the maturity,” Ruppert said. “I wore overalls for the first time in school, and I was kind of nervous about that, but then I was like I don’t care.” Judgment from society on those interested in fashion is not only found in the walls of high schools but also on a global scale. A common misconception made regarding the
fashion industry, specifically towards men, perpetuates stereotypes surrounding sexuality, impossible body standards; the list goes on. Ruppert, experienced degrees of these stereotypes, faces these issues that men, especially as adolescents, are forced to deal with. “In portraying guys, like for GQ, they’re are pretty good at showing fashion trends,” Ruppert said. “Instead of Vogue, GQ is something I would look at, but maturity wise, I don’t understand how they automatically assume things if you are interested in fashion and a man.” Despite the judgment and naysayers, there are those who are supportive of Ruppert and his unique style. Literature teacher Megan Sekman teaches Ruppert, but she is also a close friend and, in some aspects, a mentor. “[Matt’s style is unconventional because] his creative and willing to think outside the box, and [he’s] not going to succumb to what other people say is ‘fashionable’,” Sekman said. “His homecoming ensemble perfectly describes this; it was off the charts. He takes risks and that’s what I love.”
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avantGARDE
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JUSTINE ULRICH/PHOTO EDITOR MIRA SYDOW/DESIGN EDITOR
THE MESSENGER | 21
jordan
anderson
A
s freshmen, students are still trying to discover the person they will become by the end of high school. For many students, the first year consists of fitting in and conforming to trends; however, freshman Jordan Anderson chooses to break away from the mainstream fashion and express her individuality through her own, unique style. Anderson describes her style as streetwear but also vintage, and she adapts her styles depending on season. In the summer, she tends to dress cuter, with pastels and warm colors, but winter brings a more sophisticated and ‘dressed up’ vibe. “I think the you can express yourself the most with the least effort just by choosing what outfits you would want to wear,” Anderson said. Anderson’s style is primarily influenced by Asian fashion culture, especially the cultures of Harajuku and Japan along with the classic couture designs from Chinese fashion. From a young age, growing up in a predominantly Asian community and the distinct styles found in Asian fashion inspired Anderson’s dreams of attending Bunka Fashion College in Japan. Before she can
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even remember, she has aspired to become a designer. “I haven’t ever changed my mind from that [being a fashion designer], but I have always been interested in clothes,” Anderson said. Anderson considers her mother, Lisa Arrindell, as her initial and biggest influence. From an early age, Arrindell’s career as an actress has exposed Anderson to the world of fashion. Arrindell agrees that Anderson’s apathy towards other people’s judgement of her is a special quality, and it makes her mother proud, as she did not find the same confidence her daughter possesses until much later in her life. “Her fashion is clean-lined, feminine, and she carries herself elegantly like a dancer, so that makes fashion look even better. I find her to be comfortable in her own skin and that is essential when it comes to fashion that is admired,” Arrindell said. “She is authentic and wears clothing that expresses her own vision of herself. Her fashion sense is more mature.” Her mother, however, is not the only person who has helped shape and support her interest in exploring fashion. Ninth grader,
Kristin Hsu, has been friends with Anderson since Kindergarten, and she has always admired her friend’s style. Hsu commends Anderson’s ability to expresses herself through fashion, and despite using different cultures as an inspiration, Anderson still stays true to herself. “She has always had the passion and energy to do what she loves,” Hsu said. “I can most definitely see people like Jordan inspiring many in the fashion world to step out of their comfort zone and just wear what they love.” Anderson embraces her own individualism through fashion, illustrating the importance of embracing a unique style and disregarding the ‘societal norms’ teenagers feel obligated to adhere to. Not only is she making a statement for high schoolers, but she is also inspiring everyone looking to express themselves in a different way. “Walking down the hallway and seeing people who develop aesthetics, like even if it is something that I don’t appreciate, or that may not be my style, just knowing that person knows what they like and just dressing the part just makes me happy,” Anderson said.
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orthview High School is known for its artists who express themselves through their work, instruments or a paintbrushes are not the only avenues of expression. Fashion sense and clothing choices are another way teens at Northview choose to express their own individual personalities. Natalie Waagner, a senior at Northview, would agree that clothing is an outlet when it comes to self-expression. Despite having an quieter personality, Waagner is able to say what is on her mind through colors and styles instead of words. “I feel like it reflects who I am, on an outside level because I’m very introverted, you can tell I’m interesting on the outside,” Waagner said. Waagner wears modern fashion while also incorporating trends from past decades into her style, showcasing her bold and unique personality. Waagner believes that the 1970s is the decade that she finds the most inspiration specifically due to the staple trends found in that time period. Whether it’s bell bottoms, denim on denim or mom jeans, Waagner gravitates towards the distinct styles found in the 70’s. Senior Asya Azkin, a friend of Waagner since sophomore year, is inspired by the vintage elements Waagner works into her style on many different levels. Azkin believes that Waagner’s style is absolutely her own, as she takes trends from the past and adds parts of who she is into her outfits. Things even as seemingly minute as unconventional shoe choices Waagner displays the small ways she is able to share who she is through her outfits. “I personally love Natalie’s style and sometimes we [even] borrow each other’s clothes,” Azkin said. Many of Waagner’s unique fashion finds come from local thrift stores, allowing Waagner to find cheap steals that mimic fashion from previous decades, but she can also be found shopping at a Forever 21 from time to time. Waagner ties both retro and modern pieces into her style on a daily basis while also utilizing colors, which proves to be the best way for her to express her own personality and moods. “I can play things off; one day I will wear lots of brown and black, and then the other days I’ll wear yellow or I’ll wear white,” Waagner said. Waagner’s mother has played a large role in inspiring her daughter’s unique fashion sense. As a young girl, her mother would
natalie
waagner
take Waagner shopping, drawing their relationship closer and helping solidify the fashion trends Waagner gravitates towards now. “Not so much anymore, but when I was younger she had a lot of influence on [my fashion],” Waagner said. “We like a lot of the same stuff, not always, and we don’t always see eye to eye, but she kind of compliments me in that way.” Senior Caroline Zittrouer, a close friend of Waagner’s since eighth grade, admires the style Waagner presents, specifically her point in fashion-making a bold statement about who she is. Not only has the growth been seen in the styles Waagner acquired over the years, but also the way her changing personality is portrayed through the clothes she wears. “Natalie has always put thought into what she wears, but more recently she’s gone with bolder pairings,” Zittrouer said. “Even when she’s not trying, she manages to add unique accents that make a simple look into something ridiculously cute.” Waagner inspires not only her friends, but also those looking to share their personality in a different and unique way. By expressing her fashion sense throughout the halls of Northview, Waagner will forever be known for her fun and vibrant styles that truly represent who she is.
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Rice n' Pie
food review:
A newfound fervor for fusion. BEN MINDER, STAFF WRITER
I
o have been very skeptical of fusion restaurants for a long time now. Normally, they do not do either culture justice; however, my most recent dining experience has given me a glimmer of hope that some fusion restaurants are capable of fulfilling both aspects of a cuisine. Rice n’ Pie, an Indian pizza restaurant, took me by surprise by delivering an unforgettable experience forging the cuisines of India and Italy. The restaurant itself is hard to find, hidden in a strip mall making it difficult to stumble upon by accident. The inside is lined with large windows, a tiled floor, metallic tables, and bright yellow walls. The service was slow, despite the lack of customers inside; however, the hospitality of the servers more than made up for it. The first thing that arrived at the table was a Mango Lassi. It walks a thin line between a yogurt and a smoothie, with the creaminess of yogurt, yet the consistency of a smoothie. The mango flavor was prominent, and while it was sweet, the sourness of the yogurt was able to contrast the sugar. The first of the three pizzas that arrived was the Chili Pizza with Sausage. Not only was it spicy, but it also had a good ratio of
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toppings and an ample amount of cheese. It was a square pizza, and the thick crust was also fried, which was the best part of the pizza. The second of the three pizzas was the Butter Pizza with Paneer. This pizza was milder in comparison to the Chili Pizza, and it had the same texture and consistency as the first. The crust was once again the best part of the pizza, and the toppings and cheese complimented each other. The last of the three pizzas was the 65 Pizza with Paneer. The number 65 refers to the 65 spices used in the dish, and the flavor lived up to its name after just the first bite. Despite my low tolerance for spices, I would still say that it provides a healthy amount of spice, and it was also the spiciest out of the three. The cheese was good, even if it was overshadowed by the spice, and the fried crust was once again the star of the show. The last thing served to us was Gulab Jamun. It was just as good as any other place that serves this dessert. They served it with ice cream, which went really well with it, providing much needed relief after the spicy pizza. The balls were delicate and chewy, not to mention incredibly moist.
*This article was not sponsored by Rice n’ Pie. 3980 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Berkeley Lake, GA 30096 (770) 302-0320
FEATURES
1. MIRA SYDOW/DESIGN EDITOR
1. Butter Paneer Pizza 2. Chili Pizza with Sausage 3. Gulab Jamun
2.
3. THE MESSENGER | 25
faceoff: Does the price of foreign labor outweigh its economic incentives?
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yes:
OPINIONS
MEGAN CISTULLI, STAFF WRITER
E
thical shopping, although daunting, encourages companies to create new and innovative ways to conduct business while discouraging social abuse. Checking off every box in your code of ethics might not be possible, but it is important as a society to strive for it. With the help of apps such as CauseCart, Social Impact, Green Glam Go, and The Mutual, to name a few, people can shop from a variety of ethical goods at lower prices and even get discounts for doing good deeds. There are specific apps per your ethical request as well like the application Avoid powered by the German group, Active Against Child Labor, which specifically focuses on exposing supply chains with clothing made by underage minor. A main contributor to the eradication of abusive supply chain conditions is Project JUST. This organization’s goal is to create a fashion industry that is “transparent, accountable, and sustainable.” Project JUST
no:
SUCHITA KUMAR, STAFF WRITER
M
ost American merchandise is manufactured in countries like China and Mexico where foreign labor comes at a relatively cheap price. Foreign employees have lower wages since the large population has more than a million citizens unemployed or living near the line of poverty, which is approximately the same amount of citizens that are gifted the privilege of full time jobs in America. Developing countries also charge lower prices for industrial materials, like the use of textiles to make clothing, so total expenditures are lowered for major American corporations that use these raw goods. Businesses like Abercrombie and Fitch as well as Levi Strauss & Co. enjoy the benefits of such international financial disparities, leading to the controversial question of ethical shopping. Though inexpensive foreign labor is seen as an unfair way of making a living, manufacturing jobs in emerging countries
acts as a filter for fashion brands giving the public better knowledge as to where their clothes were made. As anyone can see, there are countless ways to shop ethically with on-hand aids that are ready and waiting to be used. Now that there are clear ways to shop ethically, the reasons are clear why to do it. First off, it is cruelty free. This means no children, men, women, or animals were abused during the process of making the available goods. The conditions that these human beings have to work in become safer and healthier. Not just their protection, but yours as well is considered. Ethical shopping protects the consumer as well making sure that products are organic and safe for humans. These mass productions encourage globalization while discouraging mom and pop shops within immediate communities. Trading with other countries can be profitable, but multinational corporations have the ability
to control and overtake industries and cut costs to the point of unethical production. It encourages locally owned businesses as well as big corporations to employ workers with an acceptable pay and working conditions, forcing business to conduct legal means of acquiring workers. This can also help consumers buy less because the ethical shopping process limits what is available. Consumers are given the opportunity to purchase more for need rather than want. For the average shopper, ethical shopping is not the first option, but buying a cheap shirt means there is most likely someone else having to pay a much higher cost. Through the help of websites and smartphone applications, shopping ethically has never been easier. It represents more than a metaphorical gold star someone can get for doing the right thing. It represents the necessary steps towards improved quality of life and sustainable patterns of development for a stable society.
allow the underemployed to hold jobs so that they can afford the basic necessities of daily living. Most industries appropriate specialized jobs to those with a strong, formal education but most third world countries have deficits regarding schooling and its supplies. Therefore, occupations must exist for those without proper tutelage. The ILO, or International Labor Organization, exists to maintain that worker rights and labor laws are enforced according to pre-existing standards. They also actively investigate complaints against manufacturing systems and strive towards creating a non-hazardous working environment. Such precautions enable employees to work without the fear of non-standardized payment and unregulated workplace conditions. Furthermore, foreign manufacturing requires very little time for mass production of products, leading to a higher output that improves the native country’s economy. According to McKinsey and Company, China, the world’s largest producer of manufactured goods, was able to double its GDP per capita over the last ten years - a feat that
took Britain over a century to accomplish. A study by the Manufacturing Institute has observed that 45.6 percent of the foreign workforce has less than or an equivalent to a high school education. UNESCO calculates over 71 million teenagers absent from their country’s education system; they will lack the skills and knowledge needed for high-paying careers like medicine or law. These developing young adults will need some sort of employment to sustain their families, and foreign labor remains only option for them. The manufacturing sector has the most potentially stable jobs to offer to those living in poverty or students who aim to find work after completing their GED. The benefits outweigh the concerns; outsourcing industrial work to foreign countries allows them economical improvement by providing stable jobs and decent pay. American industries appreciate the perks that come with it: the higher output, decreased manufacturing time, and significantly lowered expenses. Therefore, it is in the global interest to allow foreign labor to be a crucial part of our business industry.
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OPINIONS S TA F F E D I TO R I A L
The Age of Quarterbacks A
fter hundreds of games, thousands of news stories, and millions of fans devoted hundreds of hours to watching both NFL and college football games, the most beloved sports season of the year is now over. At the conclusion of every season comes the awards, the Heisman, NFL Honors, and the Championship games. Increasingly, these awards have been unavailable to the majority of players and teams and are unreflective of the diversity of the positions and the teams available. For example, the premiere awards from both college football and the NFL, the Heisman and Most Valuable Player (MVP), have increasingly only applied only to quarterbacks. This year the MVP award went to Tom Brady, Matt Ryan the year before that, and to Cam Newton the year before that. In fact the past 10 years, a quarterback has won every MVP award with the exception of 2012 when Adrian Peterson won. There are countless of other positions who do all the work and get no glory. Similarly in the 21st century a quarterback has won every single Heisman with the exception of three times. There are about 45 players on every NFL team and 17 positions, but the over emphasis on quarterbacks and exclusivity in considering candidates for the award. This idea that a quarterback determines the quality of the team does little justice to the countless other players that make a team what it is. Nearly always the first pick of the NFL draft is a quarterback. Though it is true
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that a quarterback controls the tempo of the team and serves the role of an inherent leader, their athletic capability does not compare to the workload and wear and tear that running backs, wide receivers, and linebackers undergo. Without a proper offensive line, a quarterback cannot function or deliver team’s expectations. In theses scenarios when a quarterback is not able to perform properly, the offensive line receives the initial blame. On the other hand, when the quarterback performs exceptionally well, the offensive line receives no credit when in fact most offensive linemen are the real MVP of the football team, calling adjustments at the line (particularly the center). Many offensive linemen are drafted early on in the draft but are rarely ever the first pick (with the exception of Eric Fisher on Kansas City Chiefs), but despite their clear value recognized by many General Managers, Coaches, and Owners, offensive lineman never win any national recognitions. They are penalized by disproportionate glorification despite doing a team’s dirty work. They are not considered responsible for touchdowns, field goals, yards, or any other glorious statistics. After hearing commentators and sports analysts droning on and on about Tom Brady and his legendary career and Nick Foles and his improbable appearance in Super Bowl 52, this idea that a quarterback is the most important player on a team made me question the validity and unproductive nature of sports media.
COLUMNS THE LOW DOWN
Racism Rages On-And So Does Its Opponents Why the quest to end racism has reached a standstill.
JA C K LOW R A N C E , O P I N I ON S E D I T O R
O
ver the past 60 years, the United States has made great progress in battling the systematic racism that has plagued our republic since its very beginnings. We’ve ended the abomination that was segregation. Made strides in improving voting rights, average income, and college graduation rates for minorities. We’ve even elected a Black president. But we still have a long way to go. And these days, it feels like we’re starting to regress. The age of Trump has ushered in a newfound sense of bigotry not seen in a long, long time. White supremacists feel comfortable enough to march on our colleges. Shoot up our churches. And run for public office. They cheer on the president-- foaming at the mouth as he rambles about ‘shithole’ countries and violence ‘on many sides.’ I’d argue, however, that the White supremacists aren’t the true problem though. Of course, they are a cancer on our society. There’s no doubt about that. But rather it’s the casual racism accepted among working-class Whites that really erodes the progress we’ve made. It’s the people who have
to actively tell others that they are, in fact, not racist. The people who feel the need to preface a racist anecdote by saying, “not to be racist, but…” And the people who take offense to being called out for their racist comments with the utmost zeal. I’ve often heard the argument that working-class Whites supported Trump in such great numbers because they believed he would bring back good-paying factory jobs. That he would lift up the middle class and fight for the poor. But if that were really the reason, then why didn’t Black people under similar economic circumstances support him in the same numbers? 61 percent of working-class Whites supported Trump. Only 11 percent of working class Black people did. Whether we like it or not, racism is still very prevalent in our society. It’s entrenched in our politics. Our law enforcement. Our schools. Ignoring its presence doesn’t mean it ceases to exist. And the divisions that it drives can only further weaken our society. But we can’t begin to solve this issue if we continue to fight it with the same tactics we’ve increasing employed in recent years.
As long as the term ‘racist’ is considered to be a pejorative, we can’t solve racism. You can’t change a person’s mind by insulting him. Yet we’ve created a culture where this is the only accepted way to combat such an insidious form of evil. We need to foster a culture that focuses on words, not people. Racism is still ubiquitous. That’s the sad state of affairs. So perhaps we should consider fighting it like other things that were once commonplace in our history. Take littering, for example. At one point in our history, it was socially acceptable to toss your garbage practically anywhere you wanted to. But eventually, we were able to foster a culture in which it was seen as shameful. The key here is that we targeted the action, not the person. Racism ought to be treated just the same. In parting, let me leave you with a quote from Dr. King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” We can all do better. We all need to do better. It’s the only way.
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C O LU M N S
music
SYDNEY YIM, STAFF WRITER ERIN SHIN, STAFF WRITER
T
Chainsmokers
he pop duo, The Chainsmokers, shocked fans with a different approach in their new single “Sick Boy” that was released on Jan 17, 2018. Their new single has gotten mixed reviews from fans and media. The song refers to the people of America being “sick boys”, touching on the deep divisions haunting American society, and the conflict between projecting a public identity and retaining an authentic and meaningful private one. “Sick Boy” made its debut in the Billboard Hot 100 found a solid place for the 65th spot. Also claiming its spot on the 33rd spot on digital sales but did not get to make it through the streaming song charts.
J
Justin Timberlake
ustin Timberlake came out with a new song called “Filthy” an upbeat song starting the new year right. He performed this song in the Super Bowl Halftime show with a performance that pumped up both Eagles and Patriots fans. This song became another one of his top hits causing him to gain some more recognition.
D
Drake
rake’s two new singles “God’s Plan” and “Diplomatic Immunity” in his extended tracklist “Scary Hours” debuted at midnight of Jan 20, 2018. Drake creates history as “God’s Plan” opens 68 million audio streams breaking the previous record that Kendrick Lamar set with “Humble”, “God’s Plan” making it Drake’s first single to debut at the number one spot. Both singles enter the Billboard Hot 100, the music industries standard music chart, at number one and seven, passing Jay-Z for the most Hot 100 top 10s among any rapper. Drake’s previous studio album, “More Life”, was released back in March of last year as well, which also broke Apple Music and online streaming sites.
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T
Bruno Mars, Cardi B
COLUMNS
wo of the biggest artists of 2017Cardi B and Bruno Mars, come together on this unapologetically upbeat radio hit. In a 90’s inspired music video, saturated with color and featuring baggy clothes, which Mars dedicated to the TV show “In Living Color”, the two artists capitalize on the latest wave of nostalgia. The duo has held the third spot on Billboard’s top 100 for BLANK consecutive weeks. Despite mature content, the song hits a playful, carefree tone. In a world of music production that is increasingly conscious of the social woes of its time- as demonstrated by this year’s Grammy’sMars sticks to what made America first fall for him, danceable pop delivered with his trademark charm and style.
Kendrick Lamar
“A
re you on ten yet?”, asks Lamar in X, a hip hop track featured on Black Panther the Album Music from and Inspired by. As far as this new album goes, the answer is most definitely “Yes.”; with multiple big features like SZA and the Weeknd, the Grammy award winning artist manages to carry the hype through the entire album. Top radio hits include All of the Stars and Pray for Me, but thanks to the diversity and talent of its features and its complex and thoughtful messaging, the album is never predictable. The album topped the billboard top 200 chart and sold 154,000 units in its first week out.
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Marren Morris, Zedd, Grey
ountry singer Maren Morris takes decidedly pop turn on this danceable collaboration with Zedd and Grey. Zedd, the same producer who worked wit Alessia Cara on top hits “Stay” leaves his unmistakable influence on the song, which bears the same ticking heartbeat and energetic vocals. The track broke the top 20 on the billboard music track.
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