Volume 13, Issue 7 - Mar. 2015

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essenger

Northview High School Volume 13 · Issue 7 · MARCH 2015

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Sports coaching changes P. 12 Women’s week controversy P. 23 | the messenger | 1

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

The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Northview High School, its students, faculty, staff, or administration. Content is controlled and edited by staff editors, with a high-priority on celebrating the achievements of its readers as well as events occurring within the circulation. The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity, and the invasion of privacy.

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

ADVERTISING The Messenger publishes advertisements with signed contracts provided that they are deemed appropriate by the staff for the intended audience.

For more information about advertising with The Messenger, please contact the business manager, Meredith Keisler, and assistant business manager, Tarun Ramesh, at nhsmessenger@ gmail.com.

IN THIS ISSUE Cover design: Jessica Ma

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

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table of

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2 masthead 5 Editor’s Letter 8 news 12 sports 14 cover story 14 features 23 opinions FACEOFF 26 28 staff columns 30 STAFF EDITORIAL

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Sneha Gubbala/STAFF

articles 8 News Briefs / STAFF 10 Varsity Mock Trial sweeps state awards / SARAH JANG 12 New changes to football coaching staff / RAMEEN FORGHANI 10 Sports Briefs / STAFF 14 COVER STORY: Seeing Double: Twins at Northview / MAGGIE BRENAN, MEGAN CISTULLI, RAMEEN FORGHANI, SABRINA WILSON, and CONNIE XIAO 23 Opinion: Women’s Week controversy / NANCY COLEMAN 24 High school prom, the most important day of your life / CONNIE XIAO 26 Face-off: Should twins stick together in college? / ANNIE KONG and TANISA MAHALINGAM 28 Music column / EASHAA VELAMURI 29 Fashion column / CONNIE XU 30 Staff Editorial / STAFF 31 Comments / ANDREW TEODORESCU

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More viewers, more responsibility

he past decade saw the rise of a new division of celebrities: YouTubers. What began in 2005 as a simple video-sharing platform has since exploded into a thriving industry in which young men and women can make a living by filming videos. It is not difficult to understand the reason behind their success; the YouTube elite are generally even more accessible, more open, and (most importantly) more #relatable than their traditional Hollywood counterparts. But with such a large, young audience comes heavy responsibilities—responsibilities that many prominent YouTubers unfortunately neglect.

I am not pretentious enough to criticize my generation for the barrage of vices that, according to previous generations, will bring about the downfall of civilization as we know it. I can, however, recognize that we, more than any preceding generation, are exceptionally prone to materialism and superficiality, thanks to the amplified power of the media. Influential individuals such as YouTubers have the tools and the viewership to change this, but more often than not, they only perpetuate the situation. Because it is now virtually impossible to succeed on YouTube without high-quality camera equipment and videoediting software, a positive feedback loop exists in the YouTube community, as already fairly well-off members become even richer by making money off of their YouTube career and sponsorships from various businesses. The video platform has also cultivated the rise of the “haul” video, in which said wealthy YouTubers spend exorbitant sums and proceed to show off their purchases to viewers. Exposure to such carefree spending, in combination with “vlogs” that capture the fast-paced, urban lifestyle of young, rich YouTubers who live in elegantly decorated apartments in fashionable cities across the world, foster unrealistic expectations and perceptions of success for viewers.

Of course, these fortunate young adults are fully entitled to their glamorous lives—after all, they have earned a substantial portion of their wealth and should not have to hide it from their viewers. They should, however, take care to examine the messages they are

conveying to their audience, which consists largely of young, easily molded minds. Though most of today’s YouTube stars frequently show their support for various charitable organizations or empowering movements and issue grand, inspiring statements about social justice, health, or beauty, many still—often unintentionally—enforce standards and beliefs that are dangerous for their audience members to absorb.

YouTube’s beauty community is probably one of the most obvious examples of this discrepancy. Although they include positive messages in their videos, calling viewers lovely and emphasizing that every individual is beautiful in a unique way, even the most prominent beauty “gurus” have bad habits that can be damaging to their viewers’ perception of beauty and self-worth. They constantly advocate “concealing all imperfections,” exaggerate the impossibility of leaving home without makeup, and uphold traditional gender roles by addressing an audience they incorrectly assume to be all-female. I have even heard a beauty YouTuber suggest using her makeup tutorial to “look nice for that cute boy at school”—advice that is especially dangerous to young women who already live in a heteronormative and patriarchal society that pressures them to change their appearances for the pleasure of males.

Even Cassey Ho, the YouTuber whose “Blogilates” channel supposedly promotes fitness and body positivity, can sometimes spread less-than-healthy ideas to her over two million viewers. Her videos have increasingly emphasized the importance of exercise and clean eating in obtaining a “hot body” instead of focusing on the more important factors of emotional and physical wellness. Other YouTubers do the same, upholding conventional standards of beauty and subtly attaching undesirable connotations to body types that do not fit the traditional mold.

In the right hands, the freedom of expression and the enormous international community provided

by YouTube can be powerful instruments in social change. The semi-celebrities who have that power, however, must first learn how to wield it.

Jessica Ma, Editor-in-Chief

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Hui Lin/STAFF

Cradle on, finish strong In a close game, Senior Taylor Spuhler takes control of a faceoff and passes the ball to her teammates for a swift goal.

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NEWS

high lights*

The Messenger’s March digest of news in brief

Victory in Athens

F HOSA/SPECIAL

Bryan Liang/STAFF

AUSTIN MENG, Staff Writer

Top: Northview HOSA members pose for a group photo at the Graduate Hotel in Athens.

Bottom: HOSA members dance to music at the opening ceremony.

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rom March 12 through March 14, Northview’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) branch attended the 2015 HOSA State Leadership Conference in Athens, Ga., competing in various events with other branches around the state.

In the annual HOSA competitions, students participate in competitive events, including individual knowledge tests, group activities, and practical skills tests.

“Many of these categories are extremely competitive, and usually, only the top ten places in regionals proceed to the state competition,” sophomore Amy Jiang said.

According to senior and Vice President Yahia Ali, Northview sent 119 competitors to Athens for the 2015 SLC. A total of 29 Northview competitors, including both individuals and teams, received medals for placing in the top three of their categories. 10 students also received the Barbara James Service Award, which honors HOSA members who have dedicated 50 or more hours of healthcare community service. These winners qualified to advance to the National Leadership Conference, which will take place in Anaheim, Calif. from June 24 to June 27.

“I think that just getting to compete and travel to California for the competition is an incentive for me to excel,” sophomore Amanda Zhang, who placed in the top five of the CPR/First Aid category with teammate Michelle Liu, said.

HOSA members look forward to attending the 2015 NLC in Anaheim and beginning the competitive cycle once again this fall.

The alpha of Beta

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MILIKA DHRU, Staff Writer

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orthview High School’s Beta Club participated in the 2015 Ga. Senior Convention on Mar. 7 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Students competed in various categories, including events that focused on core subjects as well as those involving the arts or special skills.

“It was fun because I have never gone before, and I enjoyed hanging out with my friends and the new people I met,” said junior Paige O’Neal, who placed first in the English Division II category.

Northview placed in the top three in eleven categories, including Acrylic Painting, Colored Pencil Drawing, English Division II, Group Talent, Math Division I, Science Division I, Science Division II, Social Studies Division II, Spanish Division II, and Spelling Division I. The students who placed in the competition are qualified to attend the National Senior Convention, which will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 29 to July 2 this summer.

“This year, we really wanted to win,” said senior Tarun Khasnavis, who has attended the state convention for the past two years. “Beta scouted out certain individuals who would succeed in each event.”

Right: Northview’s Turbanators and Quake Crew dance groups collaborate for a dynamic performance at the Georgia Senior Beta Convention.

A week for women TANISA MAHALINGAM, Staff Writer

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Sneha Gubbala/STAFF Above: Junior Shireen Hashemi writes a feminist message in chalk on the bus canopy pavement.

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orthview’s Talk Girl Effect club hosted its third annual Women’s Week from Mar. 9 to Mar. 13. This year’s Women’s Week garnered more attention from the student body than ever before.

“What we plan to achieve with the entire week is to get rid of the negative connotation that is associated with feminism,

Hui Lin/STAFF

to explain is not just a boy-versus-girl battle,” senior and club president Cassandra Cronin said.

On Monday, Talk Girl Effect members handed out Women’s Week stickers and decorated the bus canopy pavement with feminist quotes and messages written in chalk. In addition, members of the club appeared on the morning announcements each day of Women’s Week to discuss a specific aspect of feminism, including the roles of race and sexual orientation in feminism.

“Monday was about the general definition of what the week was supposed to accomplish and what our goal was; Tuesday was about feminism when it comes to minorities and people of color; Wednesday was about feminism involving all genders,” Cronin said.

Well aware of the negative backlash that feminists sometimes face, Talk Girl Effect members anticipated unfriendly or critical reactions to Women’s Week.

“We definitely expected it. We told members [...] that we shouldn’t respond in a negative way, not to stoop down to that level,” Cronin said. “If we get angry in return, that’s not putting our best foot forward in representing what feminism is supposed to be.”

Cronin hopes that Talk Girl Effect will recruit more members next year and that the school will be even more involved in Women’s Week. She also hopes that next year’s club leaders will be able to raise funds for various women’s rights organizations.

Despite divided reactions to Women’s Week this year, Cronin is confident that the event will only become more successful and more significant in the years to come.

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NEWS

Leslie Cox/SPECIAL

Making mock history

Mock trial team dominates state competition for the first time

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SARAH JANG, Staff Writer

or the first time in school history, Northview’s mock trial team claimed the state championship title on Mar. 14 and look forward to competing at nationals in May. As a competitive team event, mock trial involves trial simulations with assigned roles, enabling students to experience legal practices and procedures firsthand. According to Senior Amber Scales, a member of the varsity team since her freshman year, mock trial demands more than the simple application of basic knowledge of legal and court procedures.

“Mock has really taught me how to outthink someone. I’ve been able to refine my analytical and interpersonal skills during my four years on the team,” Scales said.

With the help of Jason Weinberger and Attorney Coach Paul Dietrick, Northview teacher Elizabeth Lake established the school’s mock trial team in 2005 and has coached students ever since. Lake, who participated in mock trial herself in high school, attributes the team’s recent victory to the cooperation and devotion of its members.

“Honestly, I think it’s the dedication,” Lake said. “Even though we have people involved in so many other things, I think everyone treated mock trial as their first priority in a way that we’ve not ever seen in the past.”

Before the state competition, the mock trial team frequently met after school to review material and train, practicing for up to three to four hours in a single afternoon. Preparations also included one-on-one meetings with attorney coaches and scrimmage trials.

“You definitely need to have that drive and a good work ethic,” junior Mary Kate Korbisch said. “It’s a big time commitment and it’s

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a lot of work [...] but as long as you’re committed and you’re willing to try, it’s going to work out.”

The team’s efforts certainly paid off this year at the state competition. Scales has been looking forward to this victory since the beginning of the season.

“Honestly, it’s been something I’ve been thinking about all along,” Scales said. “Since we started the season, the seniors [...] have made it really clear with the team that we’re winning the Giant Gavel.”

The team also returned from the competition with multiple individual awards. Seniors Amber Scales and Patrick Wu received Outstanding Attorney awards in every round of the competition, and individual members Will Claussen, Brian Lee, Amber Scales, and Shriya Sharma each received Outstanding Performance awards. Senior Harsha Sridhar, who served as both the plaintiff and the defendant witness at the state competition, made Georgia mock trial history when he became the first student to ever win an Outstanding Witness award in both courtrooms.

Looking ahead, the team plans to focus on adjusting to new rules and circumstances while meeting with attorneys at the Georgia state bar in preparation for nationals. Because the procedures at the national level dictate that each team can only comprise one side of the courtroom, the Northview team will have to limit its numbers to eight competing members.

Although it will be the team’s first time attending nationals, the members maintain high expectations.

“At first, I didn’t really care that much for nationals as long as we were going, but now, I think we could get top five,” Korbisch said. “Since we’re already up there, we might as well just do well.”

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News | the messenger | 11

Titans Go Pro Northview Football hires two NFL veterans to coaching staff

Rameen Forghani, Sports Editor

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he Northview Titans football program has made some splashes in the offseason by shaking up their coaching staff.

The Titans, led by head coach Chad Davenport, have acquired Fred Beasley as their new offensive coordinator. The Titans promoted formed defensive backs coach Ryan Buchanan to defensive coordinator. Northview has also brought in Willie Anderson to coach the offensive line.

Coming off of an undulating season, the Titans hope to better last year’s performance and bring some offensive consistency to their system. Last year, after racing to an impressive 5-0 start in the first half of the season, the team sputtered to only win one more game down the backstretch, overcoming Centennial in the final game of the season to reach the playoffs. Other than being a mathematical divide, the midseason point proved to be a crucial, and almost heartwrenching, tipping point.

In the first half of the season, the Titans cruised to easy victories against region opponents, winning the first five games with a hefty point differential of 182. During that stretch, the Titan defense was feared as one of the best defenses in the state, as they gave up only 28 points over that same stretch, averaging less than a touchdown a game.

The middle of the season brought a pivotal injury to star wide receiver Matty Biondich, effectively sidelining him for the rest of the season.

After the Titans lost Biondich’s dynamic up-field playmaking abilities, the offense struggled to sustain drives and get in the end zone, failing to score offensively in the next three contests. Northview got back to their high-caliber offensive style against Chattahoochee and Centennial, but reverted back to their sputtering form against Lambert in the state playoffs, at which time they were shut-out.

Thus, the Titans have hired Fred Beasley to take over the coordinating of the offensive operations. Beasley is a former National Football League player (a fullback for eight seasons). Beasley was drafted in the sixth round, 180th overall, in the 1998 NFL draft out of Auburn University. Beasley played fullback at a high caliber for the San Francisco 49ers from 1998-2005, was selected to the pro-bowl once (2003) and was a two-time all-pro (2002-2003). Even though he plays one of

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AP IMAGES\SPECIAL Above: Fullback Fred Beasley (#40) looks to block an opponent.

Right: Offensive lineman Willie Anderson (#79) picking up a blitzing linebacker in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 29, 2008.

The Ravens lost 20-23 in overtime.

the most physically taxing positions on the field, his primary role being to block or run punishing receiving routes into the flat or across the middle of the field, Beasley played in 114 games throughout his career.

Beasley amassed 610 rushing yards on 183 carries, and 133 receptions for 1033 yards all adding up for 13 touchdowns.

Some of the players remarked on the prospect of a new season under a new coordinator.

“I think we should at least get into the playoffs. We have a lot of rising seniors, but we’re still a young team overall. We will be playing the same schedule as last year, same region opponents, so we know them,” Jair Anderson, a rising senior defensive back and wide receiver, said.

Beasley is looking to continue the implementation of the spread offense in the upcoming season with the offense. Losing seniors D.J. Pearson and Biondich, who were the cornerstone of the offense, Beasley will look to slow the tempo of the game down a bit, while staying in a no-huddle scheme. He hopes to keep the offense more consistent throughout the season by getting different players involved, and keeping the pressure off of any one player or committing to any single mode of offense. The spread offense should take some pressure off of the new quarterback and still allow him to be mobile, while seeking out defensive gaps through which the Titans can mount a vertical passing attack.

CAPTION Baltimore Ravens/ Shawn Hubbard

“He looks like he will run a spread offense, where he will get the ball in everyone’s hands. We should do well with that, get to state,” rising senior Ricci Nuckles said.

Defensively, the Titans have promoted coach Ryan Buchanan to assume the role of defensive coordinator. While the defense will lose a few explosive playmakers from the secondary, there is still a good core of players left. Additionally, the defense last year played excellent fundamental football on a consistent and predictable basis, stopping the run up the middle and keeping the wide receivers in front of them. The defense benefited from good offense, playing their best when they have a lead to work with and are able to get off the field and stay off for an extended period of time while the offense is driving.

“He’s a good coach, and has a good defensive mind. He likes to teach us different things and pushes us to be better players. He is reliable, really reliable,” sophomore Carter Self said.

Buchanan coached the defensive backs for the past two seasons, and will continue to coach that group, as well as coordinate the defense.

Buchanan is coming in with the program on an upswing, with an exceptionally performing defense and a good returning core of players.

Fortunately, his past experience as a defensive assistant with Northview allows him to have a head start with the players, as there is a mutual familiarity and he has a working knowledge of the playbook and scheming.

There are not a lot of anticipated earth-shattering changes to be made to the defensive scheme with the assimilation of this new coordinator.

“We are going to keep the same defense. Well, we are going to have the same looks,” Self said.

Lastly, the Titans have brought former NFL player Willie Anderson on staff to coach the offensive line. Previously a tackle, Anderson was drafted in the first round of the 1996 draft, tenth overall out of Auburn University. Anderson quickly became a dominant player, selected to four pro-bowls (2003-2006) and three first-team all pro selections (2004-2006). Anderson was an extremely reliable player, playing in 181 games, and starting in 173 of them. During a seven season stretch between 1999 and 2006, Anderson only missed two games.

Anderson’s son, Jair, is an important playmaker for the Titans, and is excited for the prospect of his dad on the sidelines with him.

“It probably won’t affect me. I mean, he coaches the o-line and I play wide receiver and corner. It’ll be nice having him out there coaching with me on my senior season, but it won’t bring any added pressure,” Jair said.

Willie Anderson will have an important role this year, as he must shape up the offensive line quickly. With a new quarterback running the offense, it will be imperative to protect him and keep him upright in a clean pocket, especially during the first few games when the team will be working out the bumps and perfecting their plays.

The Titans are looking forward to the 2015-2016 season, where they will be led by new, veteran coached, tested and proven to be at the top of their game on the nation’s largest stage.

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F EAT U RE S

DOUBLE (& TRIPLE) TROUBLE 14 | Features

TINA AND JOANNA YANG

CONNIE XIAO, Staff Writer

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ast September, juniors Tina and Joanna Yang moved to Johns Creek from Kunming, China. Because Tina and Joanna are twins, the Yang family was one of the few in the city that were exempted from the One-Child Policy and its three member unit limit. The law, enacted in 1980, has recently relaxed in rural regions, but those living in congested urban areas are still subject to its restrictions.

“Sometimes, people will say that our family is lucky to have two children,” Tina Yang said. “But others will say that it’s not good to have twins, because raising them is more expensive.”

Regardless, twins were an uncommon sight and the Yangs attracted attention when they were together. For three years, however, they did not even attend the same school.

The Chinese education system is structured heavily around standardized tests; how one performs on the entrance exam determines which school one may attend. The Yangs attended different middle schools, but after getting similarly high scores on the high school entrance exam, they enrolled in one of the most prestigious institutions in the city.

Two years later, the Yangs’ mother, Zhou Hui, decided to give the twins an American education, and the twins moved into their grandfather’s home in Johns Creek. While Tina and Joanna are old enough to graduate with the class of 2015, they have decided to stay back a year. The difference between the two countries is noticeable.

“In China, we did not have time to do the things we want,” Tina said. “After school, we had lots of homework, and we had to do it until 12 or 1 a.m. In American high schools, we have lots of time.

We don’t have much homework here.”

One thing that the Yangs have maintained from China, however, is playing the guzheng. Also known as the Chinese zither, the 21-string instrument has been played since around 500 BCE. Jo-

anna and Tina have played for about eight years, and they started at their mother’s urging.

“Almost every child [in China] learns to play an instrument.

There is so much competition, so kids learn so that they can prove who is better than who,” Tina said.

“At first I didn’t like it,” Joanna Yang said. “You have to practice two to three hours a day. It was really boring.”

“But after a year, we liked it,” Tina said.

The Yangs found a teacher in the Johns Creek area, who introduce them to a new piece every week and has them memorize it the next. The twins practice an hour a day.

“The teacher thinks that, since we have learned for eight years, we have the ability to [learn pieces so quickly],” Tina said.

The Yangs and Northview junior Angel Li, who takes lessons from the same teacher, frequently perform zither together in the community. They participated in Northview’s International Night, and they played at the culture center in Atlanta’s Chinatown during Chinese New Year. Before each performance, they rehearse for a few hours at their teacher’s studio.

Playing zither, however, is one of the only things that the Yangs share in common.

“I am more like a boy, and outgoing. Joanna is more like a quiet girl,” Tina said.

Tina enjoys watching television series and movies, and hopes to have a career in crime scene investigation; Joanna prefers playing sports and watching Japanese animation and looks toward a future in biology. The two have distinctive styles of dress, and have significantly different appearances. Tina and Joanna think of themselves as separate people.

“Some people think that for twins, what I think, my sister would automatically know. but that’s not the case,” Tina said.

“We just live together. That’s all,” Joanna said.

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Norm a , Mik e,& Basel Siniora MAGGIE BRENAN, Sports Editor

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rom the time they were born, seniors Norma, Mike, and Basel Siniora have stood out among their friends. For each sibling, being a triplet provides two built-in bullies, competitors, and friends.

“I always have a friend and someone to talk to, and someone to pick on me,” Norma said.

Since elementary school, the Siniora triplets have shared every aspect of their life, which can be both a blessing and a curse.

Mike and Basel share a room, the three share clothes, and they even share a car. They have perfected a system in which they rotate the primary driver of the car every week.

“I mean, it’s better than not having a car, but it’s tough to share,” Norma said.

Although they share most aspects of their home life, the Siniora triplets have kept most of their school lives separate.

Unlike other twins and triplets, the Sinoras have been in very few classes with each other. Only Mike and Norma have shared a class.

“When I had classes with my sister, the teacher would always like her because she’s hard working, but I would always do better in the class,” Mike said. “We’d always tease the teacher and ask her which one of us she liked more, and she couldn’t pick.”

Despite having different classes and teachers throughout elementary and middle schools, the triplets kept connected in school through their classmates.

“It was fun [as a kid], because you got to be friends with the other two’s friends,” Basel said.

Although they share many friends and often tend to be involved

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in many of the same friend groups and circles, friends of the Sinoras tend to see them as three individuals as opposed to triplets.

“I don’t really think of them as triplets, just as their own person kind of,” Bryanna Guynn, a senior and mutual friend of Norma, Mike, and Basel, said.

Guynn met Norma first, but has come to know the character of each of the Sinioras as she has gotten to know them.

“Basel is very loud and outgoing, and Mike is [more of] a go with the flow kind of guy […] Mike and Norma have pretty much the same friends. They pretty much do a lot together but then at the same time they have time to themselves,” Guynn said.

Another friend of the Sinoras, senior Zenan Patel, sees some of the similarities resulting from years of togetherness.

“I knew that Mike had siblings, but I was surprised [to learn] that he was a triplet. It definitely explains a lot about how similarly they act. […] they are all outgoing. They’re very social and personable,” Patel said.

Hui Lin/STAFF

For all of the Sinoras, one of the best parts about being a triplet is the strong friendship they have had with each other for many years. “[We] have a really really strong connection,” Basel said.

This connection comes from years of bantering, sharing everything imaginable, and going through everything they have been through together - the good and the bad. Living under the same roof provides an abundance of bonding time. Time that is nearly doubled for Mike and Norma.

“Mike and I are always together. [He trains for my basketball team] and I used to run track,” Norma said.

Because the Sinora triplets are seniors, they have begun to think about how this bond will survive if they attend different colleges. Although their decisions have not been made yet because they applied to their respective schools using the regular decision process, it is likely that they will be split up for the first time next year. Norma applied to schools such as Georgia Tech

and Emory, Mike applied to schools such as the University of Georgia, Emory, and Georgia Tech, and Basel is planning on attending a community college for his first year.

“It’s just different because we’re all separating now, and it’s not going to be like this triplet bonding all the time,” Basel said.

Another challenge presented by triplets is the daunting task of paying for college. The average costs for undergraduate tuition, room, and board is $14,300 at a public institution, making it difficult for families forced to tackle the tuition for three children at the same time.

In spite of these obstacles, all three triplets are optimistic about the drastic change in their near futures. They know that a problem caused by distance is easily solved by distance and phone calls.

“It’ll be a big change [if we go to different schools] but it won’t be that weird, because I know we’ll still see each other,” Mike said.

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Hui Lin/STAFF

LEXA AND MELISSA MUENCH

RAMEEN FORGHANI, Sports Editor

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uniors Lexa and Melissa Muench are never more than a few feet apart, whether it be at birth, on the basketball court, or on the softball diamond. As twins, they always feel an intrinsic need to compete with each other and always push each other to be a better player. However, when they play on the same team, they work together and are often able to anticipate each other’s actions.

“We literally do everything together. We’re never apart. Except for camp,” Lexa said.

Sports have brought Lexa and Melissa even closer. From a young age, they have bonded over pickup games of basketball or playing catch together on the outfield grass. Both of the Muench sisters are two-sport athletes, playing varsity basketball and softball at Northview.

Both Lexa and Melissa are three-year varsity starters on the Northview Softball team. Lexa plays shortstop, while Melissa primarily catches but can pitch when needed. Lexa hits leadoff for the team, and is always ready to jump start the team offensively and get on base. Melissa bats clean-up in the number 4 position. She is a power hitter who is able to clear the bases and get runners across the plate, scoring runs.

“I love hitting. I love hitting the ball far and taking out all of my aggression by swinging a bat,” Lexa said.

The twins have proven to be a valuable asset to the softball team, aiding in their run during the state playoffs this year, and hoping to lead the girls even further next year. On the softball field, Melissa and Lexa push and support each other to be the best player possible.

“I think that Lexa and Melissa are both independent, but they know how to help each other and what each other needs during games to push themselves,” Laura Ashby, head varsity softball coach, said.

While they also play basketball, both sisters agreed that they enjoy soft-

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ball more. The Muench twins were exposed to the sport at a young age when their two older brothers played baseball and would often accompany their brothers to baseball games. The sisters would throw around a baseball whenever bored, and their love for the sport has flourished since then.

“I like softball better, but I like the atmosphere of basketball better.

Overall, though, it’s softball,” Lexa said.

On the basketball court, Lexa and Melissa have quickly become important members of the team. Both two-year starters on the varsity team, they have quickly found a niche. In this past season, the Lady Titans ended the season 3-16 in the region, good for ninth place in the region tournament. There, the Titans beat region rival Johns Creek before falling to topranked South Forsyth.

Throughout the basketball season, Lexa and Melissa both put up impressive stats, though they were rarely in the game at the same time. Lexa put up just under three points a game, averaging one and one-half rebounds, and one steal a game over 25 games played. Melissa scored five and one-half points a game, averaging three total rebounds over 24 games.

“They are such competitors on the court. Every day in practice, they push each other to be the best player that they can be,” Chris Yarbrough, the head girls’ basketball coach, said. “They are super competitive, too.

They love to compete and beat each other.”

Neither of the Muench twins plan to continue her athletic career at the collegiate level, although they both anticipate receiving offers from college athletics programs. While they intend to choose their own universities and do not intend to stay together throughout college, they are not opposed to attending the same school. Although they are unsure of whether their future will frequently bring them together, Lexa and Melissa Muench know that they share a bond that will last a lifetime.

Hui Lin/STAFF

TAYLOR AND LAUREN SPUHLER

L

MEGAN CISTULLI, Staff Writer

auren and Taylor Spuhler were born on October 7, 1996 in Richmond, Virginia. Although they were born on the same day, Lauren is quick to reveal she is a whole two minutes older than her sister. Although they are not identical twins and can be distinguished by their physical features, Lauren and Taylor are also differentiated by their personalities, academic interests, and college choices.

Lauren and Taylor’s personalities are nearly polar opposite.

“I am more easygoing and always laughing,” Lauren said.

Taylor, on the other hand, describes herself as louder and more outgoing.

Both girls have different academic interests and wish to pursue distinctive college educations.

“Lauren is fascinated with nursing while I am more passionate for business,” Taylor said.

As far as colleges go, Taylor has her heart set on Georgia Institute of Technology where she plans to pursue a degree in business, while Lauren is still deciding between University of Mississippi, University of Georgia, or Georgia Southern University to study nursing.

“No matter where Lauren goes, she can expect me visiting whether she likes it or not,” Taylor said.

Like all siblings that go through ups and downs when they are growing up, Taylor and Lauren have had their share of positive and negative experiences as twins.

“The best thing about being a twin (…) is that I always have that goto girl. No one believes how close Lauren and I are because we are never together in school, but she is my absolute best friend and we hang out daily. She and I being the same age and same grade is a plus because we’re

going through the same situations and are always able to understand one another. I always have someone there for me,” Lauren said.

“The best thing about having a twin is I’ve had a best friend since day one. We just get each other like no one else,” Taylor said.

In contrast, both Lauren and Taylor feel the worst thing about being a twin is having people constantly try to compare them and try to get them to compete with one another. However, no matter how outsiders compare their looks, athletic abilities, or intelligence they do not compare each other.

“My sister and I do not compete. We support one another. I push her to be her best in school, volleyball, work, and home. She does the same for me. Being a twin is the greatest thing in the world because she can read my mind, know what I’m thinking, and know how I feels,” Taylor said.

Their world extends to include not only each other, but their younger brother Connor as well.

“Having twin sisters is like having actually two regular sisters sometimes. They both team up against me. The best part is that they’re older and can drive me around. They give me advice, and I can look up to them. The worst part is that they have a lot of influence on my mom, so if I do bad things, they’re the first ones to get me in trouble,” Connor said.

Taylor and Lauren both hope to have twins someday, especially due to the statistical probability of such an occurrence.

“Based on my family tree and my being a twin, I have a fifty percent higher chance of having twins. No matter what, I wouldn’t care either way if I were to have twins or not as long as my kids were as close with each other as I am with my sister,” Taylor said.

Features | the messenger | 19

H AN N AH & H AY L E Y DAH L SABRINA WILSON, Staff Writer

L

ike one out of every 30 babies born in the U.S., juniors Hannah and Hayley Dahl are twins. They were adopted together; they have grown up together; they have shared many amusing memories.

Now, they are branching out and exploring their own individuality.

Hannah and Hayley were adopted by the Dahls at the age of seven months, but because they were so young, it was never something they consciously considered. Instead, the twins merely viewed it as a unique fact about themselves.

“We never thought, ‘Oh, we’re adopted,’ because there wasn’t really anything different about being adopted and being twins,” Hannah said. “Being twins did help in a way, especially when people had weird questions, because we could play off each other. We both knew how the other felt, so it was nice having someone to talk to.”

“I don’t think Hannah and I actually realized we were twins when we were younger. It was more like having a best friend with me all the time,” Hayley said. “We did everything together; we never wanted to be alone.”

Because they share this special bond, the Dahl sisters relate to each other more than anyone else, but they remain closely connected to their family, especially their two older brothers.

“They’ve all been very attached to each other since the day they met,” their mother Carol Dahl said. “Hannah and Hayley were meant to be with us. They fit perfectly; they’re ours.”

Growing up as twins, the Dahl sisters recall funny experiences that they have had, such as always getting hiccups at the same time, confusing their parents, and posing as each other.

“Raising twins is double the fun with both my girls!” Carol said.

“Our parents would confuse us all the time when we were little, especially if we were turned around,” Hannah said. “They still do it today, but not because they don’t know which one we are. It’s a parent thing, calling your kids by a sibling’s name.”

“There were several times when we dressed up and tried to play it off as each other,” Hayley said. “We do a lot of the same activities, so people get us confused a lot. That usually ends up pretty funny.”

One time, the Dahl sisters even had the same dream, although it never happened to them again.

20 | Features

“I was looking at her trapped outside of a window. Hayley had the same dream, but she was looking in the window at me.

The next morning I was like ‘I had a dream you were stuck outside!’ and she was like ‘I had a dream that you were looking at me stuck outside!’ That was weird,” Hannah said.

Although being twins has its fair share of interesting moments, it is not always easy. For the Dahls, the constant comparison between the sisters is difficult to overcome.

“We’re always being judged based on each other’s performance, especially at school because we have a lot of the same teachers,” Hannah said. “People will say ‘Hannah did this well on the test,’ or ‘Hayley did this well, why aren’t you helping her?’

It gets hard being compared all the time.”

Finding a happy medium between being alone and being together is also a challenge.

“Trying to find a balance of being with each other is hard, since we’re in the same grade and have similar interests,” Hayley said. “We’re exploring different things we like and branch out more. Hannah and I are trying to find new things as individuals instead of doing everything together.”

Both sisters share a common interest in theater and horseback riding, but it was Hannah who began performing in school musicals while Hayley joined an equestrian team. Despite the fact that Hannah and Hayley have developed unique differences, many people continue to see them for their similarities.

“Most people think they’re really similar, but once you get to know them they’re completely different people,” Lizzy Ehmen, a longtime friend, said. “Hayley is the ‘tomboy’ of the two. She’s into horseback riding; she’s a football trainer; she’s like one of the guys. Hannah’s into musicals and she’s more ‘girly.’ They contrast each other in a good way, and that’s what’s so cool with being friends with them..”

“The hardest thing about being a twin is that everyone thinks of you as one person instead of two different individuals,” Hannah said. “It’s always Hannah-and-Hayley. It’s never just Hannah or Hayley, or the twins, or the Dahls. It’s like we’re one person.”

Features | the messenger | 21

OPINIONS

the great (non) DEBATE Denial of inequality hinders discussions of feminism

NANCY COLEMAN, Managing Editor

T

here are far too many countries in this world where women are treated unfairly based on their gender, whether through the lack of education, healthcare, or basic respect from their male counterparts.

However, gender inequality, while drastically worse in other countries, still exists in the United States. The widespread presence of sexism on an international scale does not discredit the less severe, yet equally widespread, gender inequality on the home front.

American feminism, while rooted in the same ideals as feminist issues abroad, contrasts with the gender inequality issues seen in other countries primarily for the strides made in the movement here. Our girls have access to primary and secondary education; our women have access to safe healthcare. But we still struggle with rape, sexual assault, and domestic abuse, among other issues, just like every single country in the world.

The existence of a worse situation in another country does not discount the situation here. I am a white woman in America with an education and plenty of opportunities to succeed in the future. I am well aware of my privilege in comparison to women of varying ethnicities in different parts of the world. I have also never personally experienced the atrocities of sexual assault or gender discrimination, yet I am still able to acknowledge the existence of these problems and fight for the equality of those who are not as fortunate.

It is unfair, ignorant, and disrespectful for Americans— not only men, but some women as well—to assert that there is absolutely no sexism in the United States. Not experiencing an issue firsthand does not automatically mean the issue is nonexistent. Why is it that when a white person in

America proclaims that there is no more racial inequality, he is (rightfully) scoffed at and mocked, but when a man in America insists that sexism is no longer an issue, it is treated as a valid argument?

Gender inequality in the United States is not up for debate. It’s as simple as this: women and men are not equal in the United States. This isn’t an opinion. This is a fact. Many have tried and failed to take an unprecedented and unjustifiable stand against American feminism. Yet when they are presented with fact after fact, statistic after statistic, they continue to oppose a movement that only aims to better the lives of their sisters, wives, girlfriends, daughters, mothers and friends.

Lack of personal evidence is not a legitimate reason to refute a movement. Even when the numbers are stripped away and the often-cited statistic of women earning 78 cents for every man’s dollar is pushed aside, we are left with far too many stories and experiences of women in America who feel unequal.

Until Hillary Clinton stops being the only politician considering running for president who still gets asked questions about her fashion choices, we are not equal. Until female college students can walk home alone at night without fear of sexual assault, we are not equal. And until women are not blamed for being a rape victim, we are not equal.

As a country, we have significantly progressed in the last fifty years alone. However, this progression marks an improvement, not a total resolution. There is still plenty of work to be done to achieve true gender equality, and the only ones who stand in the way are those who claim it already exists.

Opinions | the messenger | 23

OPINIONS

PROM: The best night of your life. I prom-ise.

CONNIE XIAO, Staff Writer

Alexis Bittar/SPECIAL

A

boy gets down on one knee, pulls out a box, and cheers erupt from nearby tables as a girl steps out from the crowd and, hands covering her mouth, stands in the spotlight. The boy opens the box to display a ring. Many rings, actually. Enough doughnuts to spell out “Prom?”.

As the winter of soul-deadening college applications melts away and the radiance of high school graduation brightens the horizon, seniors across the nation begin preparation for the best night of their entire lives: prom.

Such an important event deserves years of planning.

I advise girls, starting from freshman year or even middle school, to compile a catalog of prom-worthy hairstyles, and likewise document potential prom dresses. Guys should take growth hormones to ensure that they will be taller than any future prom dates, and hit the gym to build the shoulder bulk necessary to fill out the tuxedo jacket.

For preparations made closer to the day of the event, I have also come up with a few suggestions.

The only right way to prompose is to make it big: the bigger, the better. Flowers and posters are only the beginning. Assembling the school marching band to serenade the prospective date is getting closer to the mark, but the scene can only be completed by the appearance of an award-winning dance team and a shower of confetti.

After all, an exciting promposal sets the tone for a journey that will be just as fussy, expensive, and absolutely necessary.

Cut no corners when getting prom attire, either. Boys must either buy or rent a tuxedo and, if they are feeling playful, a vest to match

24 | Opinions

their dates. Girls must find the perfect dress, and if it has to specially ordered from a high-end designer, then so be it. Coordinating shoes and jewelry are a given as well, and again, spare no expense in getting the best. Most likely the outfit will never be worn again, so there is only one chance to make it as spectacular as possible.

Nothing could be snazzier than pulling up to a finedining establishment in a stretch limousine, so reservations will have to be made. Going to prom with a friend group could help alleviate the costs, but even individual couples should invest in the limousine. It makes for good pictures, which should be taken by a professional photographer. While some smartphones do come equipped with fairly high quality cameras, hiring a professional lends the event some much needed glamour.

Good grooming is yet another crucial component. A straight razor shave lends guys some Bondesque sophistication. Girls also should realize, or pretend, that makeup and hair tutorials on YouTube never work anyway, and should make a few trips to the hair salon and makeup department of Macy’s, never forgetting to get a pedicure for toes that, while hidden by flowing gowns, still deserve pampering. Here, seniors are reminded of their innate incompetence and that everything should be left to trained adults.

After you’ve spent around a thousand dollars, the national average expended preparing for this single, spectacular night, it’s time to go to prom. Take a few pictures, eat a nice dinner, dance for maybe an hour, and then leave much earlier for the afterparty. Because really, prom is just about spending time with friends.

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Opinions | the messenger | 25

FACE - O F F

SHOULD

TWINS GO TO DIFFERENT COLLEGES?

26 | Opinions

OPINIONS

YE S : ANNIE KONG, Staff Writer

A

ll my life, I have endured constant comparisons between my sister and I: one is tall, one is short, one is loud, one is quiet, one is patient, one is impatient. We were never—my sister and I—the stereotypical telepathically-linked twins. We have more differences than similarities—which I prefer. Yet, despite these differences, others have always interchangeably used one of us as a standard for the other. As I begin to think about my options for college, I face the arguably greater decision of either splitting up with my sister or attending the same college as her.

Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, twins pass through every grade level together. A twin is not the older sibling that has the answers to questions about upper level classes or the younger sibling that asks for guidance. Instead, twins go through the same new academic experiences, learn with each other, and view the world together. Growing up, I did not have to be independent at school; my sister was by my side both in class and at home. The approach of senior year, however, prompts a different response. As the onset of college comes closer and closer, it has become a

priority for me to develop my own sense of academic and creative individuality.

Independence and individuality are two traits that are central in separating the learning experience of college from that of high school. College gives students the opportunity to discover their own interests and personality behaviors without completely distancing themselves from their past. I cannot expect to find anything new about myself if I attend college with my twin, using her as a crutch of dependence. I would have a cushion—an easy way out of forcing myself to explore new opportunities on my own.

College should not be a familiar or particularly easy time of selfdiscovery. After all, we learn by having new experiences, not by repeating our past.

My twin and I should not purposely go out of our way to attend different colleges; if our interests coincidentally overlap, then there is no reason to avoid going to the same college. However, we also should not deliberately try to end up in the same place. Relying on a twin, or any sibling, past childhood as a social support system limits us from fully developing a sense of individuality.

NO :

T

TANISA MAHALINGAM, Staff Writer

wins share inherently closer bonds than other siblings. While most siblings have had their own distinct life experiences due to age differences or separate friend groups, twins experience life at the same speed as each other and often under the same circumstances. As an identical twin, I know that having a twin is having the lifelong best friend that many people unfortunately live without. This bond is not the trite, high school, “we are going to be friends forever” bond. A twin is a friend who unconditionally forgives, empathetically inspires, and simultaneously experiences life.

In the marathon of life, there will be times where I separate from my running partner. Although twins should not have the exact same experiences as one another, it is crucial to one’s happiness to have someone who is there to experience all the dynamic steps and stages of life.

There will always be situations that parents or friends cannot comprehend or genuinely empathize with. Sometimes we have feelings about these situations that cannot be trusted to be shared with anyone but those closest to us.

For me, both genetically and emotionally, the closest friend

I have is my sister. In early life, most of our friendships are shallow and untrustworthy.

Starting college is a major transition, marked by dramatic change, from childhood to adulthood. For many teenagers, it is the first time that they live on their own and must take care of themselves in an unfamiliar environment for months at a time.

My transition to college would be more comfortable with a person that I have been familiar with for my entire life as a constant in this unfamiliar environment.

When twins attend the same college, they do not have to stay attached to the hip. With thousands of people and hundreds of activities, every college student finds his or her own place b meeting new friends and getting involved in new activities.

The argument that twins should go to separate colleges is deeply rooted in the mindset that twins are socially-awkward, co-dependent clones of each other.

Twins should be viewed as individuals rather than as a pair; although they are similar in many ways, they are also distinct, each with their own set of personality traits. Even if they choose to attend the same college, they will undoubtedly have their own unique experiences while also having a best friend close by.

Opinions | the messenger | 27

MUSIC EASHAA VELAMURI, Media Columnist

M

arina Diamandis better known as Marina and the Diamonds took a different approach with her most recent album, FROOT. Diamandis chose to write all of her own songs on the album and only work with one producer, Dave Kosten. The album feature the same electro-pop sound as featured in her previous album Electra Heart like “Happy” and “Blue” but also features some sadder and more soulful songs.

The second half of the album is more slow tempoed than the first half of the album. Some of the songs sound too similar to each other and her previous albums. This album is Diamandis’ most confessional and open album as the majority of it is about a specific relationship.

This album shows her path to finding her own style.

POP

F

ollowing in the footsteps of Beyonce and Drake, Kendrick Lamar released his second studio album To Pimp a Butterfly three years after releasing his last album good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012. This album follows Lamar’s life and role as a Capitol/SPECIAL black man in his community. His complex lyrics display his critique of issues like institutionalized racism, hip-hop culture, justice, and more. Kendrick’s album features ideas that are all over the place from his home in Compton to Congress that led to some disconnect. The album is like a narrative and Lamar draws upon themes of money and power.

Lamar left behind some of his older hip hop style for a more jazzy, soul, and funk sound. The album closes with a spiritual conversation from a 1994 interview with Tupac Shakur. Favorite song is “King Kunta”.

Top Dawg/ SPECIAL

RAP

28 | Opinions

Atlantic Records UK/ SPECIAL

T

he Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers, released his first solo single “Can’t Deny My Love” on March 24th. The song is a departure from his band’s alternative rock style as it features pop influence. The single debuted on BBC Radio 1 and Flowers performed the song on Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon the same night. This is the first single off Flowers’ debut album The Desired Effect coming out in May.

Friends Keep Secrets/ SPECIAL

SINGLE

Taylor Swift/ SPECIAL Roc Nation Records/ SPECIAL

SOLO ARTIST

A

riana Grande and producer Cashmere Cat collaborated on “Adore” which was released on March 3rd. Grande’s vocals shine in the song. Her vocals complement the R&B influenced EDM song. This marks Cashmere Cat’s debut after working with artists like Kanye West, Tinashe, Usher, and Charlie XCX.

THROWBACK 01.

March 5, 1960—Elvis Presely returns home from serving in the U.S. Army in Germany.

Genre: US History

02.

March 6, 1965—The Temptations’ “My Girl” hits number 1 on the US charts.

Genre: Motown

03.

March 1, 1973—Pink Floyd releases The Dark Side of the Moon, which becomes one of the bestselling albums of all time.

Genre: Rock

04.

March 2, 1983—Compact discs go on sale for the first time in the United States.

Genre: Technology

05.

March 20, 1991—Michael Jackson signs a contract with Sony for 1 billion dollars.

Genre: Pop

FASHION D

ating back to the early 60s, band tees have been a year-round staple in many American wardrobes for decades. They offer an appealing representation of music taste and personal interests either by featuring album art or graphic logos. In addition, they are more refined than graphic tees while maintaining an affordable cost. The approach of warmer weather allows band tees to be the standout piece in an otherwise diluted outfit.

Connie Xu, DESIGN EDITOR

01.

04.

02.

03.

06.

01. H&M JACKET, SONIC YOUTH TEE, CUSTOM CONVERSE // 02.

A.P.C. X CARHARTT HOODIE, OVO TEE, A.P.C. JEANS, VANS SNEAK-

03. THRIFTED JACKET, THE DOORS TEE, H&M JEANS // 04.

ERS//

BANANA REPUBLIC SHIRT, DEATH GRIPS TEE, A.P.C. JEANS, NIKE

SNEAKERS //

05. THRIFTED JACK-

ET, BRIAN ENO TEE, H&M SKIRT,

AMERICAN APPAREL SOCKS, OLD NAVY LOAFERS

//

06. SPOOKY

BLACK TEE, KILLION JEANS, MOSSON BRICKE SNEAKERS

05.

Opinions | the messenger | 29

OPINIONS

s t a f f

e d i t o r i a l

Please Vaccinate Your Children

T

he practice of vaccinating to prevent people from getting diseases has been around for hundreds of years. Recently though the legitimacy of vaccines has come up as a concern for some parents since they belive vaccines are not worth the side effects.

The history of vaccination, however, shows the effectiveness of vaccination pretty consistently; in the late 18th century milk maids were immune to smallpox because of their exposure to cowpox. During the revolutionary war George Washington saved his army from dying from diseases by making inoculation in his army mandatory. In 1874, Germany, the number of deaths due to smallpox drops considerably when vaccination became required of all citizens.

If that is not enough to prove of the effectiveness of vaccination then surely the current outbreak of measles that is happening now can shed some light on the issue. The fact that measles, a disease that no one worried about when I was a kid, now suddenly shows back up around the same time parents refuse to vaccinate their children; it is not really a coincidence.

Most parents have shied away from vaccines because of the supposed side effects that outweigh the benefits of vaccination. While there are side effects to vaccines, doctors will tell you

30 | Opinions

beforehand about any side effects that have happened. Most of the time side effects a little things too, like soreness, nausea, fainting, or fevers; nothing really threatening. Doctors also watch over patients after they get vaccinated to see if they are fine before they let them leave.

While vaccines are known to have severe side effects like seizures the reason why the patient reacts that way does is not necessarily the vaccines fault. According to a NOVA documentary about vaccines, every patient who had a seizure after vaccination all had one thing in common, a severe case of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome. The vaccine acts like a trigger for Dravet syndrome patients that sets off a seizure. That means that only people with this syndrome would have this kind of reaction and anyone one else has nothing to worry about besides a sore arm. Now before the question arises “what if my daughter/ son has this syndrome, I shouldn’t risk it,” keep in mind that it will be very obvious and any kind of fever or toothache would be a trigger. On top of that the possibility of someone actually having this diseases is slim to none.

While Anti-vaxers are tryingto be noble and protect their children from a possible threat, in the process they are only huring their children and everyone around them.

OPINIONS

Comments: Music is Art… Kind of Why a 300 million dollar painting is justifiable but a five million dollar album is not ANDREW TEODORESCU, Columnist

I

n early February, a rare painting by Paul Gauguin was auctioned off for 300 million dollars to a lucky bidder, officially making it the most expensive painting ever sold. Within the past year, seven other paintings each sold for 65 million dollars or more. And in the past five years, nine sculptures sold for at least 20 million dollars each. The general formula that leads to such auctions is as follows: exclusivity plus beauty equals money. Assuming that art is defined over multiple “canvases,” how does this formula play into creating revenue for other art forms, specifically music?

People are often entranced by exclusivity; they love feeling different from the rest. However, exclusivity is devalued unless if the product has a sort of meaningful aesthetic quality to it when the exclusivity factor is taken away. This is why Kanye West’s fast food leftovers were recently sold on eBay for only 30,000 dollars while a Picasso original sold for 155 million. Music is missing one half of the formula; there is meaningful quality (sometimes there is not--this is called “Robin Thicke”), but there is little exclusivity. There is a much more limited luxury consumer group. Some fans are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for special tickets at concerts or even thousands of dollars for private pre-release listening sessions, but there is no definitive million-dollar-market within the producer-to-consumer music industry. Fortunately, this is good news for consumers who would like to continue to pay the relatively low prices for concert tickets, albums, and individual songs. Unfortunately, there are artists who believe that making millions of dollars off of their widelyavailable products is not enough.

Earlier this month, Paddle8, and online auction house, kicked off the live bidding for the Wu-Tang Clan’s new album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The album package includes the double-LP vinyl copy, a unique record player, an engraved metallic box, and several booklets and manuscripts. It sounds like the typical “Collector’s Edition” of any famed artist or music group. However, even Collector’s Edition bundles do not match the exclusivity of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. There was just a single album produced. It is locked

in a tightly-secured vault in an undisclosed location in Morocco.

There is no digital form of the album and all other back-up copies were destroyed prior to the start of the auction. There literally are no replicas of this self-titled “masterpiece,” And due to what Wu-Tang Clan group leader, RZA, calls a “non-commercialization clause,” the lucky highest bidder cannot even release the album for profit until 88 years after the purchase.

Diehard fans of the Wu-Tang Clan, which has sold nearly six million album copies since their debut in 1993, see a simple solution to this dilemma: have the buyer burn the album into a digital format and release it online for free. The issue with exclusivity is that it is illogical to throw it away so easily. Even if a millionaire philanthropist purchases the one-of-a-kind album and releases it for free online, the original packaging of the album is drastically devalued as the mystery of the 31-track album is revealed. From a financial standpoint, releasing the album for free is the worst route to take.

This poses a major dilemma in generating exclusive music.

Releasing music earlier to a specific audience than to the general public, as Jay-Z did with those who purchased the Samsung S4 in the month before his album’s release, has been proven to both create exclusivity among a crowd while also making any particular group angry. Even inviting fans to private listening sessions prior to release, such as Kanye West’s listening parties in New York, is constructive in building positive hype among all fans. However, withholding a desired product from virtually all fans for an indefinite period of time, with no other forms of experiencing the music, is completely deconstructive. There will always be replicas of paintings and sculptures, but in music, there are no replicas. Music artists do not work to create one, singular final product that can only be enjoyed by one person at one time in one place; they create art for a collective of people. Exclusivity is generated by giving fans unique experiences, not by withholding those experiences for the gain of money or fame.

Opinions | the messenger | 31

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