Vol. 21, Issue 2

THE IMPACT OF CHATGPT ON EDUCATION

pg. 20

Exploring the implications of artificial intelligence in schools

CULTURAL ATTIRE

pg. 30

An International Night fashion showcase

RESUME CHASERS

pg. 15

Northview’s competitive academic environment

COLLEGE AWAITS

staff

CONTACT US

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10625 Parsons Rd Johns Creek, GA 30097 nhsmessenger.org

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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.

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IN THIS ISSUE

Cover design:

Manasa Premanand

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

Disha Kumar

Manasa Premanand

COPY/MULTIMEDIA EDITORS

Megan Serfontein

Kevin Xiang

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Mekayla Upton

NEWS EDITOR

Krystal Wu

FEATURES EDITOR

Sydney Mulford

SPORTS EDITOR

Carter Willis

OPINIONS EDITOR

Ria Dubey

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Banee Chadha

ADVISER

Meredith Evans

STAFF

Hritvi Ahuja

Anya Biswas

Natalie Damer-Salas

Elizabeth Leffew

Milly Miao

Eowynn Miller

Remi Munye

Nethra Pai

McKenna Ryan

Hamilton Sule

Casey Wong

Katelyn Wu

The junior class participates in the Homecoming lunch competition.

gallery

BANEE CHADHA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Senior Maddox Davidson bats at the Northview Varsity Baseball game.

BANEE CHADHA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

BANEE CHADHA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

The Northview Vasrsity Basketball team plays against Chattahooche High School.

Senior Sofia Chen performs a traditional Chinese dance and ballet medley. BANEE CHADHA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Resume chasers: friend or foe?

Resume chasing is a widespread epidemic impacting the majority of Northview’s population– that’s a fact everyone’s aware of, and rambling on and on about its adverse effects and toxicity feels redundant given that most resume-chasers are fully aware of the consequences of their actions. Rather than harping on about the ruthless nature of resume-chasing, I’d like to highlight some of its rather unintentional positive impacts instead. Because despite how self-serving, performative, and insincere resume-chasing is, there’s a reason why society conveniently turns a blind eye to it.

For one, resume chasers do a lot of the grunt work that nobody else is willing to do. Does your Math Olympiad team need some spreadsheets organized? They’ve got you covered. Did your jewelry club forget to make its weekly Instagram post? Don’t panic, they’ve already got that post drafted and ready to go. Is your animal welfare society lacking a volunteer for its latest event?

Not to worry, your neighborhood resume-chaser has your back. Largely due to their desire to accumulate as many recommendations, leadership positions, and extracurricular activities as possible to bolster their resumes, it is these kinds of overachievers who end up shouldering the brunt

of the work they share with others, and thus, through an albeit convoluted manner, benefiting their peers and community.

Now, the false altruism doesn’t end there. Often, along their journey to supplement their resumes, these overachievers start new clubs at school and inadvertently better their communities. At Northview, it is painfully obvious that the plethora of clubs we offer results from such behavior. Resume-chasing students will start clubs for just about every social cause known to man, and though their underlying intentions for starting such organizations are self-serving, ironically enough, they end up serving their community through partaking in such activities. Regardless of their selfish reasoning, every marathon, fundraiser, and donation drive those students participate in benefits the involved communities nonetheless.

Of course, to say that resume chasing’s positive impacts outweigh its negative ones is a gross blanket statement I’m not trying to make. Resume-chasers are just as much do-gooders as they are players of this cutthroat game vying for college acceptances, and I understand this full well. Rather, I’m just trying to highlight the silver lining to a persistent issue in schools nationwide.

Manasa Premanand, Editor-in-Chief

BRIEFS MONTHLY

NEWS

LUNAR NEW YEAR

Lunar New Year celebrates the Chinese zodiac calendar that operates on a 12-year cycle, with a different animal associated with each year of the cycle. This year is the Year of the Rabbit, where the rabbit is the fourth animal in the zodiac, symbolizing grace, beauty, mercy, and good luck. Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit on Jan. 22, 2023, Asian communities worldwide gathered to hold festive traditions. Certain countries and nationalities hold culturally-specific rituals and traditions. A Chinese tradition consists of making dumplings from scratch and filling them with money coins. Because of the growing Asian population and the importance of the Lunar New Year in their cultures, politicians and Asians hope to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday.

“With Asian Americans the fastest growing population in our country, and with the popularity of the holiday continuing to grow, it makes sense to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday,” Rep. Grace Meng, vice chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Democrat from New York, said.

UGA CHAMPIONS

On Jan. 9, 2023, the Georgia Bulldogs won the National Championship, making it their second consecutive win and fourth win overall. They played against Texas Christian University (TCU) and beat them with a score of 65-7. TCU started as the underdogs of the competition, defying the odds and winning games up until the final game. However, Georgia’s determination and concentration set them apart. Georgia’s star quarterback, Stetson Bennett, accounted for six touchdowns in the game (four passing and two rushing). He also won the 2022 Manning Award, an award that is given annually to a quarterback that the Sugar Bowl Committee deems the best in the country.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett carries the team to victory. WALLY SKALIJ, GETTY IMAGES

A girl celebrates the Year of the Rabbit. PATRICK LIN, GETTY IMAGES

On Feb. 2, 2023, the junior class council hosted Northview’s annual International Night. It featured 18 performances, with 132 students taking the stage to represent over nine countries including South Korea, China, and India. Students performed songs in their languages, with Sofia Mang performing a Vietnamese song “Hôn Anh.” The night’s emcees, seniors Sujana Vangala, Joon Kwon, and Luke Marshall, took the stage with quips and jokes, from Marshall singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to Kwon having a “Kwon Off” with senior Mikey Kwan.

“When Ms. Hart told us it’d be a night to remember, it really was—the new bonds, the thrill of standing in front of hundreds of people, the energy,” Kwon said. “It was a type of adrenaline that stuck until four hours after the show. Being such a crucial role in a well-put-together show really is quite the unforgettable memory.”

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT BETA CONVENTION

Georgia’s Beta convention took place from Jan. 25 to 27. Many Northview Beta members placed in their events, with senior Eric Liu, sophomore Rachel Park, junior Anya Biswas, senior Hellie Chen, and freshman Michelle Park placing first in their respective events. Northview’s Beta Club has attended the Beta convention every year since 2016, and those who place in the top five at the convention can move on to the National Beta competition.

“It was incredibly inspiring to see the teamwork and artwork from schools around Georgia and especially Northview’s involvement in it,” Chen said. “Getting lost and missing ferries were all a part of the experience, but they made it all the more fun.”

MIDWEST CLINIC

During winter break in December 2022, Northview’s chamber orchestra attended the 76th Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Directed by Jeremy Woolstenhulme, the 49 performers performed pieces in front of an audience to celebrate their selection for the event. Other high schools in the Johns Creek, Ga., area joined Northview in Chicago, exploring the city and workshopping their music. Pieces Northview performed include music from “La La Land,” “Dance of Youth,” and “Fiddle Fury,” but the orchestra also played classical pieces like “Symphony No. 1, Op. 25 ‘Classical’: 1st movement” as well.

“This whole experience opened up my perspective as a violist, and it was very fun to be in Chicago with friends,” senior Jaehyun Im said.

Northview’s group talent team in Savannah, Ga. ZUMING FAN, SPECIAL

Northview’s chamber orchestra takes on Chicago. TARYN WOOLSTENHULME, SPECIAL

A traditional South Korean dance done with fans by the Pink Petals.

BANEE CHADHA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

New Fulton County Board members

The Fulton County Board of Education welcomes four new members

SYDNEY MULFORD, FEATURES EDITOR DESIGN: EOWYNN MILLER, STAFF WRITER

After four Fulton County Board of Education (FCBOE) members retired at the beginning of this year, four new members started their terms. Lillie Pozatek became the new representative for District 2, Katie Gregory for District 3, Kristin McCabe for District 5, and Dr. Michelle Morancie for District 7.

Pozatek has been a resident of Fulton County for 12 years and has two daughters who have gone through the Fulton County Schools (FCS) system. She has been an avid parent in the county, volunteering throughout the community and schools. Formerly, Pozatek was a special education teacher and decided to run for the District 2 seat because of her love for education.

“This is a perfect opportunity for me to use all of the skills that I’ve learned as a parent, as a teacher, and as a volunteer in the community

and have a chance to sit at the board table and help make some decisions,” Pozatek said.

Pozatek is excited to have the chance to look over the current policies and budget. She plans to look over each of the current policies and ensure that they still fit the current day as some are old and outdated. Pozatek also plans to use her business background to help with budget planning. She will prioritize the students, teachers, and taxpayers in order to make sure they are getting what they need.

Like Pozatek, Gregory was also involved with her schools and community before becoming a board member; she was motivated by this to become a part of the FCBOE. She worked on the school governance council at Hapeville Elementary School and helped with the Parent-Teacher Association. Gregory worked with the previous District 3 representative, so, when she decided to retire, Gregory submitted her letter of intent. After a few

rounds of interviews, the board appointed her.

“I’m really excited about being a part of the board for the whole county,” Gregory said. “Having four new members, you have a great opportunity to be the voice for your district. Everything happens through the board of seven, so building the relationships and learning the ins and outs of the rest of FCS is very exciting to me.”

Gregory plans to use her new perspective to grow the board. She wants to focus on all the behind-the-scenes jobs in FCS and the teachers. Gregory is also ready to work with the other board members to create the next strategic plan for the county.

“[These] are wonderful women that are leaders and well connected to communities,” Gregory said. “I can’t wait to join forces with

Lillie Pozatek, District 2

Katie Gregory, District 3

“My goals are just to make sure that what I do now is even better and, when I’m done with this position someday, that I have left it better than I found it.”

Lillie Pozatek

them and meet their communities so we can put together a great plan for FCS to continue academic excellence.”

Whereas Gregory has experience with the Hapeville school governance council, McCabe was previously a nurse at Egleston Hospital and Sibley Heart Center. She has children who started at Findley Oaks Elementary School and went on to graduate from the county. McCabe has always been involved with the school system.

“We would go to meetings together, and there would be community meetings for the board members,” Northview principal Martin Neuhaus said. “She would go to represent and ask questions about that particular school.”

As a new board member, McCabe hopes to raise attendance in all districts. With an increase in attendance, she aims to improve test scores as well. She also plans to build the College Technical Agricultural Education Program (CTAE) to advocate for other pathways after high school that do not include the traditional four-year college path. McCabe is excited to talk about the balanced scorecard which goes over how

schools are performing.

“I’m really proud of the school system and Dr. Emily Bell and Dr. Ryan Moore, who came together to complete this,” McCabe said. “I’m really impressed with the previous board that took this initiative and the two individuals and their team that came together and made this possible.”

Unlike the other new board members, Morancie is originally from New York but has been involved in education her whole career. She had always been interested in how the process of education works, so, after moving to Georgia in 2014, she became involved with FCS. She aspired for more involvement and eventually wound up in her current position: District 7 Representative.

“I thought it might be interesting to be on the board and see how policies and decisions are made to run the schools,” Morancie said. While she begins to understand how

Michelle Morancie

Right now, the board members are in a learning process: learning the day-to-day requirements, reviewing calendars, and assessing old policies. As they go through this, they will use their diverse perspectives to grow the board.

“It’s going to take a little while, but, as they go through that learning phase, they’re going to be asking questions that we probably haven’t asked,” Zone 6 Superintendent Brian Downey said. “So, bringing a fresh set of eyes into our district, I think it will be very valuable.”

Together the board members have experience in psychology, finance, and construction. They also vary from having children young enough to be in FCS to having children who have already graduated. With all their different backgrounds, they bring new perspectives with them.

“It takes all of those attributes, and those are just a small subset, to make a board effective,” board president Kimberly Dove said.

the board works, Morancie wants to focus on mental health issues for students. She will also work with the other board members to set goals for the district by considering the students, teachers, and parents during decision-making.

Kristin McCabe, District 5

Dr. Michelle Morancie, District 7

Map of the seven FCS Board Districts. FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

“I like to focus on mental health issues for students and how we can help them, especially after being out of school for so long and the social, behavioral, and academic issues that arose from that.”

MATH CLASS CHANGES

The State of Georgia makes changes to the math curriculum

MILLY MIAO, STAFF WRITER DESIGN: MILLY MIAO, STAFF WRITER

Next year, Georgia schools will be undergoing a change in the math courses from grades kindergarten to 12th grade. The new curriculum will follow Georgia’s K-12 Mathematics Standards, recommended by State School Superintendent Richard Woods.

“The state [has] made changes to K-12 [math]. We [will be moving] from the Georgia Standards of Excellence to Georgia’s K-12 Math Standards. So, students [now] have to master those standards in order to eventually graduate,” principal Martin Neuhaus said. The adaptation to the new standards happened during the last school year and the Georgia Board of Education has since been following a multi-year plan. The board has been preparing, and teachers have been

training for full implementation of the standards. The districts will use the next school year to adjust to the new curriculum.

“We, as a district, have a plan in place. We are going to spend next year training on the resources and learn,” Zone 6 Superintendent Brian Downey said. “In the fall of 2024, we can hit the ground with the new standards and come to expect our teachers and our students to be up to speed on the new standards.”

The biggest shift is the alterations of standards. The state decided to reduce the number of standards in the new curriculum. This change was made to minimize the amount of material taught to students each year.

“[The state] condensed the number of standards that are taught in each class,” Jen-

nifer Niehaus, head of the math department, said.“Basically, [the state] wanted to make it so students get a better understanding of all the material instead of learning tons of stuff.”

In addition, the state created new standards that require teachers to teach ways to apply math. Compared to the old curriculum, these standards progress to teach how math is used in the real world.

“The goal of the state is that we do more world problems, more applications,” Niehaus said. “[The state] wants more context in the questions so it is more obvious to the students where they can use it in the real world rather than just solving this algebra problem or calculus problem.”

Although teaching ways to apply math outside of the classroom might improve students’ comprehension of real-world relevance, this change may not be as beneficial to students that have a hard time with English.

“For the students who are English language learners, I think [learning these applications] is going to be a big struggle for them,” Niehaus said. “So, if you’re not good at English, and then we give you a test that is 100% word problems, it is going to be hard for us to tell [what] you actually know.”

Moreover, a noticeable change was made to high school math courses. Previously, the old curriculum for accelerated math divided algebra and geometry classes. The subjects were combined and split into two years, so one year, students would take the first half of algebra and the first half of geometry in Accelerated GSE Algebra One/Geometry A Honors and finish the rest of each subject the next year in Accelerated GSE Geometry B/ Algebra Two Honors. The state has revised this for the 2023-2024 school year, changing the classes to one full year of each subject.

“With the new curriculum, it will be one year of Algebra One, then one year of Geometry, and then a year of Algebra Two, which the state is calling Advanced Algebra. So, the [current] accelerated [courses] will no longer be in the curriculum starting in August,” Niehaus said.

These changes, however, will affect students currently taking Accelerated Algebra One/Geometry A Honors. The state is making accommodations that address this concern.

“The biggest adjustment taking place is going to be for students who are in the Accelerated Algebra [1]/Geometry [A],” Assistant Principal Christi Bounds said. “There has to be a little bit of adjustment so students are not missing out on important standards.”

Northview High School has contacted students that are affected by this change, providing them with information and options to continue under the new curriculum.

“We’ve looked at rosters, and we’ve actually talked to parents and students in all of those classes, so they know what all their options are. They have to now decide which path they want to take,” Bounds said. The state offers two pathways that the affected students can take. The first pathway students can choose consists of taking a full year of geometry in the upcoming school year to receive the course credit. This means that the student will take a full year of geometry, relearning the old materials and learning the new materials that were not covered. For the second pathway,

the students can choose to take the second half of geometry online in an asynchronous class this semester, or a virtual course over the summer on Fulton Virtual School (FVS) or Georgia Virtual School (GAVS). With this pathway, students do not have to repeat the materials they have already learned and can advance to the following math class in the upcoming year.

“We try to provide some options for this. [This situation is] messy as Fulton County is trying really hard to provide options so students can continue the path they’re interested [in],” Neuhaus said.

Aside from the curriculum change, the state will also be offering AP Precalculus, which is a new AP course created by College Board. Georgia high schools will no longer teach Accelerated Honors Precalculus and instead will offer three precalculus classes: on-level Precalculus, AP Precalculus, and Enhanced Advanced Algebra and AP Precalculus. On-level and AP Precalculus are both one-subject classes taught in one year. However, Enhanced Advanced Algebra and AP Precalculus is a combined course of Advanced Algebra (algebra two) and AP Precalculus in one year. Although this combined course covers the content of two years of math, students will just receive one credit for it on their transcript. This course will be offered to current Accelerated Algebra One/Geometry

A students who receive an unweighted 93 or above during semester 1 and choose the second pathway to complete their geometry credit independently. For students who do not want to do this, they have the option to take Geometry and then one year of Advanced Algebra separately, then take AP Precalculus as a one-year class. Niehaus predicts that not many students will take the Enhanced Advanced Algebra and AP Precalculus class next year as they will have to complete Geometry B on their own. But, after the following year when students have adjusted to the new class changes, more students will want to sign up for this class.

“Depending on how high [the students’] grades are, they move on to Advanced Algebra, or they move on to the enhanced class which is a combination of Algebra Two and AP Precalculus,” Niehaus said. “We don’t automatically sign [the students] up for it just because [there are] options. If [the students] are interested in doing two years of math, we will sign [them] up for it, [but] if [they] do not want to do two years of math and want to go the

normal rate, [they] will do Advanced Algebra.”

The Enhanced Advanced Algebra and AP Precalculus course will be a very fast-paced class as students who decide to take this option will be learning algebra two and precalculus in one year.

“I don’t mind the fast-paced learning since I am killing two birds with one stone,” freshman Chole Lin said.

Despite the fact that the class serves as a college-level course, the state of Georgia, and many other schools across the nation, may not be awarding AP credit for the course. Students will have to contact schools and ask if credit will be offered, which will vary from school to school and will likely change over the next year. This new combination of Algebra Two and Precalculus allows more students to take higher-level math courses in high school, such as Georgia Tech math for dual enrollment.

“The reason [the state] would want to do this is because if [current freshmen students] want to get to Georgia Tech calculus their senior year, the only way that particular group can get to Georgia Tech math is by doing this class,” Niehaus said.

The Board of Education is working to make the transition a smooth one with the goal of Georgia schools fully adopting Georgia’s K-12 Mathematics Standards for the 2023-2024 school year.

highlights profile

David Simmons,12

MEKAYLA UPTON, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Senior year is when most people start to wonder what they will do for their career. Fortunately, senior David Simmons has known what he wanted to do since the age of five. For almost his whole life, Simmons has played baseball with the intention of transforming it into his profession.

“My dad brought [the sport] onto me young,” Simmons said. “He wanted me to play baseball rather than something like football.”

However, despite not playing football, Simmons did play basketball for three years of his high school career. Through this experience, he was able to reaffirm his desire to focus on his future career in baseball, rather than playing a different sport.

Simmons does not play baseball exclusively for Northview, either. Barring the school team, he has played for other organizations such as Sharon Spring Spartans, Ninth Inning Royals, Team Elite, TG DBacks, and Outlaws as well.

Rather than playing fall ball with Northview, Simmons decided to improve his performance in his position by working on his agility, strength, and speed. This past summer, Simmons played summer baseball with a team outside of Northview. In his time apart from the team, he was able to attend more camps and avoid injuries.

“[Teams] definitely differ through skill level,” Simmons said. “Like my last summer ball team had some really tough guys.”

During his baseball career at Northview, Simmons has had many coaches, one of which was counselor and baseball coach Andrew Alhadeff. Alhadeff was not only Simmons’ coach for these past two years but his junior varsity coach during his freshman year as well.

“He works very hard at his craft when he is on the field,” Alhadeff said. “He is very persistent on wanting to get better.”

Outside of the field, Simmons enjoys spending time with his friends, one of which is fellow senior Joseph Halab. Simmons and Halab have been friends for the past six years. Halab

describes Simmons as a determined individual and has witnessed his passion for baseball firsthand.

“[Simmons] hit two home runs the first game I went to,” Halab said. “In the time that I have known him, [Simmons] has gotten more determined in anything he does.”

With the second semester of senior year

captain of Northview Baseball '23

offer from Tuskegee '23

offer from Voorhees '23

starting, Simmons has started to think about his major in college. After much discussion with his teachers, Simmons has decided to pursue either a marketing or computer science degree. However, before he attends a traditional four-year college, Simmons plans on playing Junior College (JUCO) for a year, and later transferring to another school for the rest of his college career.

“[Playing JUCO] is the plan, hopefully just one year, [and] come out throwing 90.” Simmons said.

With offers from schools like Voorhees and Tuskegee Colleges, Simmons is still deciding which college to attend as his senior season at Northview begins. However, after spending many years playing all of the positions baseball has to offer, he is certain that he will play right field in the future. With plans to play Major League Baseball (MLB), Simmons’ decision to play JUCO is common amongst high schoolers who wish to join the MLB.

“[The MLB] is a day-one dream,” Simmons said. “I’m never gonna stop working at it, I think it’s possible.”

Senior David Simmons poses with a bat. SYDNEY MULFORD, FEATURES EDITOR

Saudi Arabia, sports, and human rights

CARTER

With the World Cup ending in December, its competitors have returned to playing club soccer. Lionel Messi is back to playing with Paris-Saint Germain, Christian Pulisic is back with Chelsea, and Harry Kane is back with Tottenham. Christiano Ronaldo, however, the face of soccer for the past decade, has chosen to not return to his club team, Manchester United. Instead, Ronaldo signed the biggest contract in soccer history with the Saudi Arabian club team, Al Nassr, which will pay Ronaldo $75 million annually.

Given Ronaldo’s current net worth (which is estimated to be around $300 million) and Saudi Arabia’s questionable human rights record, it was selfish of Ronaldo to take this contract. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for athletes getting paid for what they are worth. Professional athletes are some of the most talented human beings alive, and they should be paid as such. But wealthy individuals like Ronaldo have no need for such large sums of money and accepting such underhanded deals compromises their integrity. The reason Ronaldo will be paid so much is because the Saudi Arabian government is attempting to bring prominent players to their leagues, which they are able to do with the extreme wealth their corrupt government possesses.

While the Saudi government may be wealthy, what their government has done since Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman took power has been nothing short of immoral. It was just in 2018 when the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post who criticized the Saudi government, took place at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. It was later concluded by the CIA that Mohammad Bin Salman ordered Khashoggi to

be killed. It speaks volumes about Ronaldo’s character when he chooses to align himself with such a government.

I am not surprised by Ronaldo’s choice, though, given that the World Cup just happened in Qatar. Qatar had no business hosting the World Cup, and there have long been allegations of bribery and corruption since the site was announced in 2010. Even worse, 6500 deaths occurred among migrant workers building stadiums in the 10 years since Qatar was announced as the host of the World Cup, all of which occurred under the watch of the Qatari government. Yet, the World Cup went on without Ronaldo or any other prominent soccer player mentioning these tragedies.

Is this how Ronaldo wants to finish his career? Ronaldo is 37 and has signed with Al Nassr until 2025. If I wanted to go down as one of the greats along with the likes of Messi and Pelé, I wouldn’t spend some of my last – if not the last – years playing in a corrupt country for money when I could still be competing for Champions League titles.

Of course, in Ronaldo’s defense, he’s not the only athlete who decided to play for a Saudi Arabian run league-- he is just the most famous one. Many PGA Tour golfers are also playing for Saudi Arabia’s new LIV golf tour. Some of the best players in golf ranging from Phil Mickelson to Bryson DeChambeau have joined LIV. Similar to Ronaldo, these golfers aren’t gaining better matches by playing for LIV, they are just receiving exorbitant amounts of money in exchange for their participation. They are clearly going to Saudi Arabia for the money, yet most LIV players say that they are supposedly going to grow the game of golf in the country. Now, I would respect the golfers if they admitted the truth-- that they were

in Saudia Arabia for the money rather than the golfing experience-- but instead, they choose to blatantly lie to their fans and the public in favor of becoming wealthier. In fact, the LIV tournaments are worse competition than the PGA Tour with 54 holes, rather than 72 holes, which is in no way growing the game of golf, it is just playing less golf with worse competition for more money.

However, I understand that at the end of the day, athletes are going where the money is but is this really how they want to go down in the record books?

Athletes from around the world are choosing to play in Saudi Arabia for enormous amounts of money despite Saudi Arabia’s human rights record

WILLIS, SPORTS EDITOR

DESIGN: KEVIN XIANG, COPY/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Manifesting

Good grades, exciting dates, and dream jobs are all examples of what Gen Z has been “manifesting,” or turning into a reality. Largely practiced during the New Thought movement in the 19th century, manifestation is the practice of making goals tangible through affirmations and belief. Though the practice of manifestation is neither novel nor obscure, it has become widespread in use amongst Gen Z and millennials post-pandemic as a method of self-improvement.

With the popularity of the term manifest now reaching its peak, social media platforms have become a hotspot for prospective manifestors and spiritual users to gather. The tag #manifesting on the popular social media platform Tiktok has 26.3 billion views, with the videos under the tag largely consisting of a mixture of tips and tricks on how to bring dreams to fruition, numbers that bring good luck, and positive affirmations.

“I think some people think that manifesting is a scary word, but it isn’t,” sophomore Hannah Eapen said. “ It’s just about believing in yourself so you can become the person you want to be.”

Eapen has noticed a rise in popularity surrounding manifesting among Northview’s students. She notes that the practice is mainly prevalent on social media platforms and recognizes the impact it has on youths.

“Through social media, books, podcasts, and even TED Talks -manifesting has spread to

people our age,” Eapen said. Eapen started manifesting in the summer of 2022 to get out of an unmotivated funk; since then, she has noticed a difference in her mood and motivation. Eapen mainly manifests through journaling desires, positive affirmations, and Pinterest boards.

Similar to Eapen, Junior Dani Haden often journals their dreams and goals and has also observed a rise in popularity of manifesting in

practice.”

Nain practices another popular form of manifesting: verbal affirmations. He does this by assuring himself he will get a good grade on a test or that he will make the tennis team. But simply stating what one wants does not guarantee that desire will come to fruition; Nain brings up the risks of creating goals without commitment to pursue them.

“I think some people say what they want and goals they want to achieve but don’t actively work toward them,” Nain said.“There can’t be that separation between them; you won’t get anything done.”

Northview’s student body.

“I think our generation is getting more into spirituality,” Haden said. “You see more people wearing crystals and such.”

Haden considers themself a spiritual person who is passionate about astrology and crystals and thus manifests as an extension of their interest in spirituality. However, manifestation is a spectrum, and people follow this practice for a plethora of reasons.

“I was first introduced to manifesting by my mother, who is a big believer in astrology,” junior Viraj Nain said. “I don’t believe in astrology, but I like manifesting- it’s a good

Eapen believes that there is a lot of power in verbal declarations. She often listens to Trinity Tondelier’s podcast: The Wellness Cafe, to learn more about the power of manifestation. Tonderlier states that words have a lot of power, and if one speaks good, good will happen.

“A lot of it has to do with the Law of Attraction,” Eapen said. “Through verbal confirmation, you can attract opposite feelings. For example, if you are sad, you can say, ‘I attract positivity and happiness.’”

Whether it is through writing, verbal declarations, vision boards, or Pinterest boards, manifesting has reached many people in Gen Z and through it, people have found inspiration and happiness in their life. As manifesting podcaster Trinity Tondelier sums it up: “A negative mind will never give you a positive life.”

The recent rise of manifesting among Gen Z

NATALIE DAMER-SALAS, STAFF WRITER DESIGN: NATALIE DAMER-SALAS, STAFF WRITER

TO RESUME LAND

How students play for the perfect resume

ELIZABETH LEFFEW, STAFF WRITER

KEVIN XIANG, COPY/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

DESIGN: SYDNEY MULFORD, FEATURES EDITOR

MEGAN SERFONTEIN, COPY/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

For students at Northview, college steadily encroaches on their lives as their high school years count down to an eventual frenzy of applications. Thus, when the time comes to for them decide what to do with their four years in high school, the desire to fill out the Common App activities section with eye-catching content overwhelms them. That is when students start playing the resume-chasing game; sometimes it takes the form of a part-time job, sometimes an accomplishment, but most of the time, resume-chasing manifests through students participating in extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports teams, or higher-level classes. Though many consider such behavior to be a double-edged sword, Northview students willingly partake in resume-chasing in order to present their idealized selves to higher institutions, even at the risk of missing out on key aspects of their high school experience.

Northview boasts a plethora of clubs that foster environments for altruists and resume chasers alike. To some, these clubs serve as a medium through which they can serve their

community, and to others, they are devices that will bolster their resumes. For Northview Principal Martin Neuhaus, clubs are a valuable opportunity for Northview students to showcase their passions for certain subjects and explore their hobbies.

“Extracurriculars are chances to share your passion and learn some stuff and also learn what not to do,” Principal Martin Neuhaus said. “It really shows more of who you are than just a grade.”

Currently at Northview, there are over a hundred academic clubs, honor societies, and general clubs, as well as over forty sports teams. Schools work to inform students of the impact extracurriculars and achievements can have on the likelihood of being accepted into a school. That can push students into joining activities without the intent to explore these opportunities.

“Doing extracurriculars solely for looking good on a resume takes away the point of having fun clubs or doing community service out of actual kindness and teaches people that these things should only be done for academic

reasons,” junior Gavin Valentino said.

And with each club, team, society, and council comes new opportunities, and thus, pressure for students to earn more titles. With society placing a strong emphasis on getting accepted into a quality college, it pressures students into adding multiple high-ranking positions to their plate for the sake of maintaining their image.

“When it comes to officer positions, it sometimes can feel like people just run and get elected for the sake of their resume, which honestly just takes the fun out of the whole reason for these honor societies and clubs in the first place,” junior Ally Anteau said.

Becoming a club president comes with many benefits: learning new skills, networking, and improving work ethic. But when students only do it for a resume, many times it may only add stress or takes away personal time.

“Colleges like [leadership positions], but extracurriculars are the one part of the school day that isn’t based solely on academics, and that lets you exercise other aspects of yourself

futurehealthprofessionals

and your hobbies,” Anteau said. Resume-chasing and the stress that accompanies are a result of the pressure to take more rigorous classes that students may not be able to handle. Zone Superintendent and former Northview Principal Brian Downey has seen this many times with students asking to be put into higher classes than their past grades allow, much to the detriment of their learning experience.

“When that kid goes into that [higher-level] class over there, and they then struggle, that’s hard,” Downey said. “Because we stated as clearly as possible, it’s not gonna be the right place.”

In addition, students often neglect the benefits of signing up for more advanced classes due to the unhealthy resume-chasing culture in schools. Instead of taking classes that they find interesting, stu-

dents add work that they may never use later in life, solely for the sake of college acceptance. This often proves to be counterproductive, as many of these rigorous classes are not even related to students’ interests or intended majors.

don’t see value in, and that they don’t think it’s going to help them except for adding something to the resume,” Downey said.

Furthermore, when kids take classes above their level, teachers have to work more to ensure they succeed.

“There’s an extra stressor on the teacher because it’s an increased workload,” Downey said. “They [have] to do something extra, different, or more for that kid.”

Brian Downey

“It is a mistake for our kids to take that class that they’re not interested in, that they

In many cases, much of the pressure to pursue these activities come from parents. Many parents emphasize getting into good colleges and push their kids to pursue activities that they think will increase their child’s chances of attending a prestigious university.

“My parents say ‘you’re Korean so you’ve got to get into a super, really good college,’”

“When that kid goes into that [higher-level] class over there, and they then struggle, that’s hard. Because we stated as clearly as possible, it’s not gonna be the right place.”

than the Korean system, which is mostly based on a single standardized test. She found herself joining Science Olympiad at the urging of upperclassmen and her parents in order to showcase her involvement in extracurricular activities.

Students are not the only individuals feeling stress or pressure when it comes to resumes; schools and teachers are also affected by this. Students often ask teachers for recommendations. Teachers usually find five or six students asking for recommendations at the same time and for different reasons or subjects. Adding onto the stress of teaching, grading, and planning, teachers, more often than not, have to take their personal time to write these recommendations and make any changes afterward.

Students often want teachers to write about one specific accomplishment instead of their actual capability in the subject. That captures the essence of the resume-chasing problem.

“This behavior has created an almost-fabricated form of altruism, one that exists purely on the surface level to appear nice,” junior Isabella Zhang said. “I think for teachers it’s annoying because they’re seeing the incoming gen-

COLLEGE CASTLE

eration growing up promoting false altruism.”

While a primary aspect of the high school experience is participating in extracurricular activities, excessive fixation towards this behavior fosters an unhealthy environment for resume chasing to flourish. Gradually, the true meaning of partaking in an extracurricular becomes redundant.

“For students, they start to see acts of altruism in black or white - ones that will look good on their college applications and those that won’t; these lines oversimplify and ignore the true purpose of creating associations to help or connect people,” Zhang said. “It becomes purely transactional and technocratic.”

The impact of ChatGPT on education

A dive into how ChatGPT will impact the classroom environment and expectations

ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) is an artificial intelligence launched on Nov. 30, 2022 that responds to various prompts with text mimicking human language. Since then, ChatGPT has proven to be extremely successful; its abilities range from creating recipes to writing code, and most notably, this AI has many uses in education, both positive and negative. One of the biggest concerns that administration and teachers face is students using ChatGPT to do their assignments rather than doing them themselves. The Fulton County Schools Handbook states that copying from another source and submitting it as one’s work is an honor code violation. Therefore, teachers will punish students who write essays or assignments using ChatGPT under the same guidelines.

“Whether you copy your friend's paper, get it off the internet, or you get AI to do it, that's an honor code violation and an integrity issue,” Martin Neuhaus, the principal at Northview High School, said.

Additionally, many argue that using ChatGPT to cheat is unfair to students making genuine efforts to learn. Compared to the average student who takes time to create well-written essays, those who cheat using chatbots only have to write one phrase and ChatGPT will create an essay instantaneously.

“I try, I put an effort, and I pride myself on my academic ability and intellect,” sophomore Serena Wong said. “To watch people rely on the work and programs of others to achieve the same work is honestly a little pathetic. Ul-

timately, relying on programs to generate answers will hurt you when you don't have those [programs] to turn to.”

Wong, much like Neuhaus, thinks that using programs like ChatGPT will also harm students in the long run. In order to combat this development, web tools like GPTZero can detect whether ChatGPT wrote something. Because of this, students who have started to rely on this tool may find themselves lost

simulate a human completely. Tania Pope, an English teacher at Northview, received an essay written by ChatGPT to grade. While she considered it a decent essay, Pope noted that it lacked sophistication and voice, qualities that an AI cannot emulate.

“I specifically sent it back and I said, ‘Well, I feel like it’s missing the voice,’” Tania Pope, an AP Lang teacher at Northview said. “The essence of argument is your ability to bring voice and your ideas and your interpretation, and your interaction with the world and all of that is taken away from you with ChatGPT.”

Furthermore, critics of ChatGPT assert that AI lacks creativity. Because it merges different texts from the internet, writing produced via ChatGPT often sounds bleak.

“It does limit your own personal opinion in the article when it just gives you the answer itself,” junior Kate Li said.

on future essays and assessments like the AP exam.

“If you want to play a musical instrument you have to do the work,” Neuhaus said. “You have got to practice, get some notes, and you have got to get the feedback. You probably can go and find somebody else playing whatever instrument and submit that, but it won’t be as helpful.”

The general consensus is that while ChatGPT can write consistently average essays, it cannot

This lack of opinion in AI-generated writing is something Pope believes will affect the creative writing process as a whole, especially if the use of ChatGPT and similar tools become more widespread.

“We’ve gotta think through these things,” Pope said. “Think about how we use language; think how we construct that language. It’s such a critical thinking process; it’s such a creative process, and we lose all of that to ChatGPT.”

Schools have seen a return to writing paper essays rather than typed ones since ChatGPT makes digital essays far more of a liability. This is a shift from recent years when many assignments moved online because of virtual school.

ANYA BISWAS, STAFF WRITER

DESIGN: ANYA BISWAS, STAFF WRITER & NETHRA PAI, STAFF WRITER

NETHRA PAI, STAFF WRITER

“We moved to this whole thing of doing assignments on computers, and so it's probably gonna be back to handwritten things so that we can get away from AI,” Pope said. “I feel like we’re constantly having to evolve education to meet the changing world of technology out there.”

While virtual school made it difficult for teachers to punish cheating, now, they have different options, like making assessments handwritten.

“With the way ChatGPT is being used right now, we could see the end of essays written at home because of how easy it is to fabricate,” junior Rohit Rao said. “In this context, it could adversely affect the assignments students

get, but I think ChatGPT is a good resource for education.”

If used correctly, ChatGPT could become an excellent tool to assist the learning process. Technologies like ChatGPT can revolutionize the future of education with abilities to create lesson plans, summarize difficult topics, and even create personalized tutoring schedules.

“Well, I think of it like Grammarly, because it just fixes your grammar, but it also helps teach you about things, ” Li said.

Li compares ChatGPT to EasyBib and Grammarly, tools that some of her teachers suggest using in the classroom. In fact, there is talk to use it for lesson plans in the future.

“Some teachers will start to get dynamic

with it,” Pope said. “When you start to think about classes like AP Seminar and AP Research, which rely so much on lots of research that you are doing, you cannot handwrite that much research. That is just not the world we are living in.”

ChatGPT can either become an asset or a hindrance to the classroom, ultimately it depends on how teachers and students decide to use it.

The Sweet Sp t

The Messenger’s monthly digest

RIA DUBEY, OPINIONS EDITOR

DESIGN: DISHA KUMAR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Upon entering The Sweet Spot bakery in Duluth, Ga., I was greeted by a tantalizing aroma that immediately made my mouth water. As I walked in, I noticed that the bakery was surprisingly small and cozy. Despite its size, the interior was beautifully designed and decorated with light and welcoming touches, such as motivational quotes, knick-knacks, and other cute items. The overall ambiance of the bakery was warm and inviting, making me feel at home.

One of the standout features of The Sweet Spot was its unique flavor selection. Unlike other bakeries that offer the same old flavors like vanilla and strawberry, The Sweet Spot had a diverse range of options including lychee, durian, and blueberry, as well as Asian flavors like jasmine tea, milk tea, and red bean. This made the bakery stand out from others and added to the overall appeal of the place.

Unfortunately, the bakery did not have seating arrangements and I was unable to enjoy my treats immediately. But, as soon as I got

home, I could not wait to try the cupcakes I had bought. I was not disappointed. The mango, tarot, pandan, and matcha cupcakes— drawing upon traditional Asian cuisine—were all incredibly delicious, and each one had its own unique flavor profile. From the moist and fluffy texture of the cupcakes to the rich and creamy frosting, the treats were nothing short of spectacular.

As I continued to browse the menu, I was amazed by the wide range of pastries and cupcakes available. From classic chocolate to more adventurous flavors such as taro, there was something for everyone. The display cases were a work of art in themselves, showcasing each treat as if it were a precious gem. It was easy to see why The Sweet Spot has a reputation for being one of the best bakeries in town.

The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, greeting me with a smile and a warm hello. They were knowledgeable about their products and could easily recommend items based on my tastes. The service was quick and

efficient; willing to answer any questions I had.

I was especially impressed with their attention to detail, from the way they carefully packaged each treat to the thoughtful little touches. It was clear that the owners of The Sweet Spot were passionate about what they did, and this showed in the quality of their products and services.

After leaving the bakery, I could not help but feel satisfied with my experience. The combination of the warm atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious treats made me feel as though I had truly found a hidden gem in the heart of the city. I could not wait to come back and try more of its offerings.

The attention to detail and care put into each cupcake were evident. The flavors were not just ordinary, they were carefully crafted and masterfully executed, making each bite a true delight. From the first taste, I could tell that the ingredients were of the highest quality and the recipes were expertly crafted to create a perfect balance of flavors.

Cupcakes at The Sweet Spot bakery boast traditional Asian flavors. DISHA KUMAR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Biting into this cupcake, it felt as though I had been taken back to the past filled with hot summer days of secretly eating mango ice cream before dinner. I don’t usually like icing on cupcakes—often finding it to be too sweet—, but, the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, the icing on this cupcake left me yearning for more. Still, the cupcake itself wasn’t any less delicious. Its dense, creamy texture paired flawlessly with the light and fresh icing, toeing the line between too sweet and not enough before settling on “just right.” To eat this cupcake every day would still be to not eat it enough.

Mango

The soft light green icing atop the slightly darker colored cake gave me high expectations for this cupcake. Unfortunately, I was left slightly disappointed. The icing was sweet and fresh, somewhat reminiscent of cheesecake, but the cake itself was rather dull. In contrast to its icing, the cake was dense and did not have much taste except for a slight hint of the matcha flavoring it boasted. Though still good, there is not much to say about this cupcake.

MaTCHA

In stating my opinion on this cupcake, I must mention its aesthetic. Because to review this without mentioning its outward experience would be to do it a major disservice. With a light lavender color reminiscent of the color of fairies in fantasy books, this cupcake would not be out of place in a cottage core picnic in the woods. Of course, its taste doesn’t fall far behind. The creamy macaron-like icing combined with a light spongy cake creates a nice balance in its overall taste. Though perhaps not for everyday consumption, this cupcake would definitely make its way into all of my special events.

Taro

Rather different from the rest, this cupcake’s unique lime green color caught my eye immediately. However, its special characteristics do not stop there. With the addition of coconut shavings to top off the cupcake, the cupcake sets itself apart from the rest. The icing and cake themselves were a shock of dense, sweet, and dense again. Thankfully, the light smattering of shavings placed gently atop the icing provided a pleasant crunch to the overall softness of the rest of the cupcake. Without it, the icing and cake by themselves may have become a bit too dense and easy to get lost in. It may not be one of my favorites, but I certainly would not deny a chance to eat this cupcake again.

Faceoff

DESIGN: ELIZABETH LEFFEW, STAFF WRITER

REMI MUNYE, STAFF WRITER

College essays should be a defining factor in a collage application. Nobody has ever enjoyed test taking. Standardize testing scores have been given more than enough importance in college applications.

Since the pandemic, and waves of ice coffee and cloud bread, the pandemic brought on a tax of people’s mental healths. It also caused deaths, it affected many families and relationship. GPAs and test scores have also been effected by the pandemic. Nobody really liked online school.. Come on, are we really expected to have the same grades as those who graduated before us after going through a whole pandemic?. The pandemic brought on sorts of issues into college applicants. It caused scores to drop in every social, economic, and racial class. According to the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) the drop in grades was universal. However minorities were hit hardest, including low income families, Black and Hispanic students and disabled students.

College essays give an amazing pathway to

fill the gap that academics left from the pandemic. It shows (possibly) what lead to that gap, and the struggles that students had to overcome. If they weren’t making cloud bread, and fancy ice coffee. Students also living with abusive, or oppressive families, home life didn’t get easier with quarantine. The pandemic also killed at least one million Americans according to Google News. It left some jobless and others homeless . It can also explain the lack of high taking AP classes, or rigorous courses because students may have had to fill in a role during COVID-19 as parent to younger siblings or other relatives due to death or illness.

College essays should be a determining factor because they explain about a person’s interests and passions outside of school. It provides a whole new alleyway, and avenues that this student can talk about. They prove their passions, or perhaps dedication to the community. It brings the applicant a story, a memory, an emotion tied that person.

It brings a face, to that person, something a few measly test scores can never achieve. Test scores can also not even be accurate, if the applicant have undiagnosed disorders that prohibit the student from doing their best, Collage essays provide chance to bring an applicant from a few “denfing” numbers, to a person, who can achieve, dedicate, and work through collage.

The essay could talk about their passion for said major, what drives them to study this at, a collage expertise. College Essays provide a chance to figure it out, they bring out numbers rather than a person. A collage essay can determine that better than a test score can. Words, provide emotions, thoughts and feeling something that a GPA can’t. How can admissions recruits know that the applicant is being serious? Number’s can’t a define person, rather a story or an essay about them can. Essays should definitely be a reason a collage admits you.

EOWYNN MILLER, STAFF WRITER

College essays are an unnecessary part of the college admission process. These essays are something of the past, and students shouldn’t be struggling over it today.

Teenagers are fighting to stay afloat as it is. Students are pressured by the internet or their family to make their college application diverse. Students are told to apply themselves in their academics. They are told to make the grade and keep it. Then, when they are encouraged to go to clubs and be diverse in what they do, they listen and do more. Along with that, they need to keep up with their friends and invest in relationships, which is difficult enough on its own. When the day is done, they may not even have a second for themselves. This pressure is a part of all students’ lives. Have the grade and the clubs while also attempting to stay a normal teenager. Yet this process is exhausting and burns students out without including adding an essay to college admissions.

Colleges don’t want any normal teenager

who is burning out though. Colleges want students who stand out and essays are supposedly the way to find those students. According to commonapp.org one of the most common questions asked in college essays is to recount a difficult time and how it has changed you. To teens, the easiest answer is to go to relationships troubles or that school was hard. Most try not to write about this due to pressure colleges put on the students to be ‘unique’. It is hard to find something original when all these students have been living the same lives with the same goal of going to college. Colleges are asking for teens to look in and find out who they are when, most people say, college is about finding out who you are. Yet students still struggle on to find an answer that is acceptable to be ‘original’ in these outdated college essays.

College essays are so slaved over for the perfect college admission that it has become an industry. This industry is made up of two different groups: the producer and consumer.

The producer is a college essay coach and the consumer is the students writing this pointless essay. Yet instead of benefiting the consumer, this industry only benefits the producer and colleges. This process distorts the image the college is going for, of finding out who the student is- not who the teachers, parents, and a coach are. It also creates setbacks for those who are unable to hire a coach to help them write their essay. It pushes the richer up and the poor man down.

Students are struggling and the solution is clear. The college admission process is better without the essay. When the essay is removed a load will be taken off the student’s backs. Without this pressure students can focus more on school work and becoming well rounded people. Without the essays students will have a chance to prepare to learn in college and about who they are as people. Maybe not all of the pressure will be removed, but most.

A House divided

On Jan. 7, 2023, Kevin McCarthy was elected as House Speaker after 15 rounds of voting. Not since the Civil War had it taken that many rounds to vote for a speaker. The voting commenced when 216 members voted for McCarthy, 212 members voted for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, and six members voted present. This was good news for McCarthy, but it was not good news for pretty much everyone else in Congress.

McCarthy had to make many concessions to finally have some of the Republican party’s right-wing faction switch their vote to present. This makes McCarthy a less powerful speaker, and he now has far less power than his predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, had. With McCarthy’s limited power, the majority of the Republican party should not be pleased since their party will have a harder time passing legislation. The Democrats are not pleased because the other party is in power. The only members of Congress pleased by the concessions and story that came out of the vote are the Republicans who voted against McCarthy. The Republicans who voted against McCarthy are the right-wing faction of the Republican party led by Matt Gaetz and Majorie Taylor Greene, who now have the party right where they want it to be in order to push more and more extremely conservative candidates into Congress.

Fighting within parties, partisan disagreements, and refusal to work across the aisle are all things that Americans are used to having in Congress. What Americans are not used to having in the chambers of Congress, though, is the partisan conflicts that were taken to the extreme to make a statement, which became the problem with this vote for House Speaker. This vote for House Speaker showed the issues within the system of our elected officials and our democracy

as a whole.

When it takes 15 rounds of voting to elect a speaker, it is not just a pain and a bad look for America, but it also shows that there are structural problems with our democracy. It proves that democracy is not the best form of government—it is just the safest because it is the will of the people, which in theory leads to less corruption and less of a threat that an authoritarian dictator will end up making all of the decisions. In this safety, though, there are factions that go against the ideals of our democracy, and, for democracy to work, there must be recognition of the danger of these factions to put an end to them. To do this, either the process needs to be restructured, or the members of the right-wing factions that pose a threat to democracy need to be voted out. Either way, it is up to the voters to decide. The voters who have the power to vote for new members of Congress to replace the right-wing faction are at the root of this problem, or the voters can vote for members that will ensure that there will be a change in the structure of our democracy. No matter the solution, it must involve a strategy that will end the embarrassment that the House of Representatives became over this vote. If the U.S. wants to be taken seriously, Congress cannot have members like Mike Rogers lunging in the direction of Gaetz and having to be restrained by other members of Congress. That is not what the U.S. has ever been about, and that is not what the U.S. should look like. The message that this sends to the world is one of failure. If the U.S. wants to look like a crumbling nation, it can go right ahead and keep having infights like the vote for House Speaker, but if the U.S. wants to be taken seriously as the top world power they are, then its citizens must act now.

Breaking the closet

The effects of the dramatization of sexuality in the entertainment industry

RIA DUBEY, OPINONS EDITOR

Billionaire Elon Musk’s recent acquisition of Twitter and subsequent changes in the company (such as adding charges for the verification badges) have caused an uproar in the Twitterverse. This is seen particularly among avid users who have accused Musk of stripping them of their right to free speech. However, what we really should be questioning is: did we ever really have free speech on social media? The answer is no. Social networking sites like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are privately owned and operated, and stipulations like the ones Musk put in place at Twitter have been happening for years. The only difference this time is that we are finally becoming aware of them.

The perfect example of the numerous subtle forms of censorship on social media is when Instagram announced its goal of ‘reducing hate speech’ in 2017. They stated that they were planning on using an algorithm to filter through posts and remove ones with any forms of hate speech, and accounts that

are deemed more likely to use such speech are shown lower on people’s feeds. At first glance, this seems like a perfectly innocent and even positive announcement to make. However, filtering algorithms such as this one are known for being more restrictive toward marginalized communities, and rather than encouraging people to express themselves, it seems to restrict them instead. People have invented what is essentially a new language in order to overcome barriers set by companies. Words are no longer formed by just letters but symbols as well. Lesbian became le$bean, suicide became su!c!de, dead became unalive – the list goes on. People may not have realized it, but they were censored by social media companies for much longer than the few weeks it has been since Musk’s takeover.

Of course, even though this has been going on for years longer than most people realize, Twitter’s recent hand-off does not bode well for the future of what little free speech is left on social media. One might think since

now we’re aware of and protesting it, censorship would decrease. Unfortunately, life rarely works that simply. People being aware of the censorship simply means that tech companies are also aware of the power they hold as the main mode of communication these days, and they are becoming bolder as they continue to wield this power. They know that their power has amassed to the point that election campaigns can be held through platforms like Twitter, and they are exploiting it to the fullest. The best we can hope for is for the entire user population of one of these apps to suddenly leave, and maybe then there will be a slight dent in the system. Still, we all know how unlikely the chances of that happening are. Thus, the cycle continues: people realize something is wrong, companies release a statement about it, everyone forgets about it because it’s gone from their social media feed, and the injustice continues.

The trivialization of mental health

How casual language, behavior, and the media are downplaying and stigmatizing mental illness

MCKENNA RYAN, STAFF WRITER

DESIGN: MCKENNA RYAN, STAFF WRITER

We like to be organized? We’re “OCD.” We want to avoid plans? We have “social anxiety.” We change our mind often? We’re “bipolar.”

It’s common for people to make casual statements like, “I’m so OCD” or “I have social anxiety disorder,” when they just enjoy keeping things tidy or prefer staying home rather than going out. The portrayal and oversimplification of mental illness in the media perpetuates stereotypes, further promoting the non-literal use of mental health-related phrases. This is demeaning to those with mental illnesses, dismissing them as a personal flaw or quirk that needs fixing rather than a condition that requires treatment. The media tends to trivialize mental illness, perpetuating the misconception that certain conditions are less severe than they truly are. For example, individuals who suffer from eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, may feel that their illness is downplayed, in part due to how it is portrayed in the media. The media often sensationalizes anorexia nervosa by focusing on extreme cases and presenting it as a choice or lifestyle rather than a serious mental health condition. This perpetuates the myth that people with anorexia nervosa are simply choosing to starve themselves, rather than understanding the complex psychological and biological factors that contribute to the disorder. The media also portrays anorexia nervosa as a problem that only affects young, white, thin women. This leads to a lack of awareness and understanding of the disorder among other groups, such as men, people of color, and individuals who may not fit the stereotypical image of someone with anorexia nervosa. This can delay diagnosis and treatment for these individuals, leading to more severe health complications and a longer recovery process. The media’s portrayal often minimizes the severity of the disorder and fails to convey its potentially devastating effects. However, in reality,

anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders, underscoring the critical need to not trivialize mental illness. The media also oversimplifies mental health disorders, overlooking or dismissing the severe realities of the illnesses. For instance, the popular television series “Monk” portrays the detective as “benefiting” from his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) due to his heightened attention to detail that helps him solve crimes. Oversimplifying this mental disorder, OCD is much more complex. OCD is a disorder in which one has uncontrollable thoughts or behaviors that are intrusive and anxiety provoking. However, due to misleading depictions of this disorder in media, OCD is falsely correlated to traits like cleanliness and organization. This has created an almost positive connotation to the disorder, associating it with the drive to be hygienic, rather than highlighting the fear of illness and infection that compels people with OCD to act in such a manner. To try and stop these intrusive thoughts, those with OCD must maintain their behavioral routines as their thoughts and behaviors drive them to despair, causing great anxiety and suffering. These common symptoms, however, do

not appear enough in the media and are not associated with the #OCD organization posts. Instead, it is oversimplified in the media, contributing to the trivialization of mental illnesses and the misconceptions that arise as a result of this.

It is evident why individuals experiencing debilitating mental health disorders feel that society and the media continually downplay the seriousness of their conditions. Their symptoms of mental illness are not always given the sincerity and consideration that they deserve, unlike physical ailments, which are typically taken more seriously. People with sore muscles after exercising do not claim to have arthritis, chronic pain, or lupus. It is time to view mental health in the same light as physical health and acknowledge the importance of addressing mental health concerns with the same level of gravity and concern as physical ailments. It is imperative for society to cease trivializing the suffering of those who experience mental health disorders and instead cultivate a greater understanding of mental health issues. Mental illness should not be a stigma nor a trivial matter.

Ugh, I’m so OCD!

fashion VIVIENNE

KATELYN WU, STAFF WRITER DESIGN: DISHA KUMAR, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WESTWOOD:

Westwood also used her fashion as a platform to speak out and bring change to the world, including placing words and graphics on T-shirts, bags, and other clothing. For example, a collaboration with the British civil rights group Liberty produced a t-shirt criticizing anti-terror legislation, and a new project called “Vivienne’s Playing Cards” educates the public about climate change.

Although Westwood passed away, her vision will live on through the brand Vivienne Westwood and continue to inspire through designs that celebrate individuality and independence.

A REVOLUTIONARY

Westwood from 1996. FAIRCHILD FASHION ARCHIVES

Vivienne Westwood was known for always trying to reinvent fashion.

Inspired by acts of rebellion, Westwood incorporated striking cuts and hardcore imagery into her designs, using materials like leather and zips, which were associated with the nonconformist groups in England during the late 20th century.

Westwood used fashion as a way to generate reactions. She outfitted the Sex Pistols, a punk band, to create controversy and shock in society. Ripped shirts with vulgar phrases, chains, and safety pins were all choices Westwood made to contribute to the punk movement.

Westwood expanded from the punk movement to merge modern styles with inspiration from historical looks in her 1981 Pirate collection. Westwood’s debut features vivid colors with varying textures

of fabrics on pirate-influenced designs, with the same touches from the past. For example, a buccaneer jacket with a slashed sleeve and the legendary leather Pirate boots are still available today on the brand’s website.

Westwood’s integration of the past into her designs is shown in the Mini-Crini, a combination of the crinoline, a type of petticoat, and a mini skirt. These two types of clothing contrasted the restrictions of women in the past and present.

Another famous type of women’s clothing prevalent throughout history is the corset. Originally worn on the inside, Westwood changed its connotation by introducing it as outerwear, where women were able to reclaim and express their femininity. Today, corsets are making a widespread comeback. The Classic Portrait corset also incorporates punk elements.

A Statue of Liberty-inspired skirt and corset from Westwood’s “Time Machine” collection.

Supporters of the Sex Pistols model Westwood’s “God Save The Queen” T-shirts.

Cultural Attire

Northview students embrace their culture through clothing

DESIGN: KATELYN WU, STAFF WRITER

“[Kokoshnik] is used for Russian dance performances and when wearing any traditional garb. Historically, they were worn to signify marital and social status,” junior Ally Anteau said.

“The ladies are called Palenqueras [wearing] ‘Vestidos Tipicos’ usually with the Colombian flag colors and they carry basins of real fruit on their heads,” freshman Zara Duque said.

“The name of this Egyptian oriental clothing is a Galabeya or in English, a Thobe. Traditionally farmers would wear it during the summer. It is clothing of comfort and modesty,” senior Yahia Abdelkarim said.

YAHIA ABDELKARIM, SPECIAL

ZARA DUQUE, SPECIAL

KATELYN WU, STAFF WRITER

“In the picture we are wearing traditional Korean clothing called the Hanbok for our Buchaechum (Korean fan dance). It is worn during Korean holidays or any special occasions,” junior Ashley Heo said.

dance any were status,”

“It’s a Japanese tradition to wear kimonos during festivals and firework shows during the summer,” junior Ayla Meier said.

“In Japanese culture, we have this thing called ‘shichi-go-san’ which means seven-five-three in English and it’s a custom in which children visit shrines to pray for health and prosperity as they grow,” junior Kei Nagahashi said.

Junior Joyce Lu is wearing Hanfu, which is usually worn during Chinese celebrations like Chinese New Year. However, it can also be worn for performances like the example shown above, weddings, festivals, and more.

Juniors Yaitihya Sahoo, Arushi Cumer, and Yuvi Vangala are wearing kurtas, which are worn during Diwali or any Indian celebration.

“On special occasions like Lunar New Year, weddings, and holidays, I wear Aoi Đại as a token of my Vietnamese heritage. My favorite part about the dresses is the variety of the designs, where some can fit tight or loose, have a collar or not, and overall be a graceful outfit for Vietnamese women,” senior Sofia Mang said.

ALLY ANTEAU, SPECIAL

ASHLEY HEO, SPECIAL

AYLA MEIER, SPECIAL

Kei Nagahashi, Special

JOYCE LU, SPECIAL

SOFIA MANG, SPECIAL

YAITIHYA SAHOO, SPECIAL