Vol. 20, Issue 2

THE MESSENGER VO L 2 0 / I S S 2

PATH TO PASSAGE P roposed legislation in the Georgia General Assembly and its implications for high schools

pg. 19 HBCU BOMB THREATS Black History Month was marked by nationwide bomb threats on Historically Black Colleges and Universities

pg. 9 THE CASE FOR BALANCE Opinions divided as Supreme Court prepares to hear case on affirmative action

pg. 14

staff CONTACT US

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

STAFF

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

Melissa Liu Grace Peng

Aditi Bhati Cameron Chappell Gavin Chen Reagan Horne Elizabeth Leffew Suhani Mahajan Sydney Mulford McKenna Ryan Kush Santosh Delisa Troupe Brandon Tung Mekayla Upton Carter Willis Casey Wong Kevin Xiang

PUBLICATION The Messenger is a student publication published for and distributed to the Northview community. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Northview High School, its students, faculty, staff, or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors. The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity, and the invasion of privacy.

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Manasa Premanand

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Krystal Wu

COPY EDITORS Bedansh Pandey Megan Serfontein

NEWS EDITOR Ria Dubey

FEATURES EDITOR Disha Kumar

SPORTS EDITOR Nikki Skyer

OPINIONS EDITOR

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

Anshi Vajpayee

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.

ADVISER

ADVERTISING The Messenger publishes ads with signed contracts provided that they are deemed appropriate by the staff for the intended audience. For more information about advertising with The Messenger, please contact the business manager.

IN THIS ISSUE

Cover design: Melissa Liu

Meredith Evans

contents 05

11

GRACE PENG

ELIZABETH LEFFEW

EDITOR’S LETTER

MICHAEL TRAUTWEIN

23

FOOD REVIEW: OH K-DOG BEDANSH PANDEY

06

MONTHLY BRIEFS

12

STAFF

TWO GOALIES, ONE GAME CARTER WILLIS NIKKI SKYER

08

14

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS ADITI BHATI

09

HBCU BOMB THREATS DELISA TROUPE MEKAYLA UPTON

10

PROFILE: WILLIAM GAVIN SUHANI MAHAJAN

THE CASE FOR BALANCE ANSHI VAJPAYEE KEVIN XIANG

16

TEACHERS AT WORK KRYSTAL WU GRACE PENG

19*

PATH TO PASSAGE MELISSA LIU DISHA KUMAR SYDNEY MULFORD

24

FACE OFF

REAGAN HORNE MCKENNA RYAN

28

R/ANSHI

ANSHI VAJPAYEE

29

STAFF ED STAFF

30

FASHION

CAMERON CHAPPELL

COLUMNS

gallery The girls’ lacrosse huddles up before a game.

KUSH SANTOSH, STAFF WRITER

Track team runs time trials.

GAVIN CHEN, STAFF WRITER

4

Senior Zoe Russell sets up a goal.

Senior Michael Kecseti pitches.

GAVIN CHEN, STAFF WRITER

KUSH SANTOSH, STAFF WRITER

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

F

To ban or not to ban

or an entire two months, there was only one moment I looked forward to each week: 9 p.m. on Sunday nights.

On this eve of yet another grueling week, nothing seemed more appealing than to curl up in a blanket, log into HBO, and watch the latest episode of “Euphoria.” Social media, too, seemed to echo my sentiments, as Twitter trends and Tiktok hashtags flooded with the names of Maddy Perez, Cassie Howard, or Nate Jacobs. Generation Z, it seemed, had united by a graphic masterpiece of a miniseries.

But, the more I think about it, the reason for the show’s popularity is not unexpected at all.

Firstly, it targets our psychological need to fill in the gaps of what we are lacking; in other words, for the majority of high schoolers today. The detailed sets, intricate choreography, and elaborate costumes required for East Highland High School are a dream for every drama department.

Or, the sheer amount of time the students have to simply just hang out at parties and carnivals and hot tubs—a planet away from the constant, college-oriented mindset that plagues Northview students.

Secondly, and more importantly, the show allows us to be seen. “Euphoria” feels refreshingly real, despite all of its unrealistic elements as an American public high school. The dialogue, for instance, does not shy away from combining profanity with the punchline of jokes, in a way that’s

similar to our conversations today. Kat’s body positivity and Jules’ gender orientation show the rather customary nature of their differences in identity, which they donned without the need for an emotional obstacle or jolting epiphany. Or the normalization of struggle—the show depicts drugs and relationships as vehicles for pain, highlighting the universality of struggle as both internal and external, individual and systemic.

Despite waves of opposition from critics, “Euphoria” has undoubtedly united a generation.

And it’s this exact phenomenon that inspires me to draw a parallel between “Euphoria” and the banned books we cover in the main story of this issue. Both are forms of media, art, and pop culture, because they are refreshingly new in their representations of struggles often silenced. Take “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” an anthem of a novel for many in the LGTBQIA+ community. Or, “Beloved,” a homage to a history of pain for Black women. To ban any of these works denies an image of a better society, because each of these stories takes place in literarily perfect setting - one in which slavery never happened, or people with differences weren’t so ostracized. These fictional worlds draw audiences more powerfully than words our sound, fulfilling our guiltiest of pleasures for freedom and our deepest desires for acceptance.

Until Season 3 premieres in three years, it is our job to fight for our own euphoria of society.

Grace Peng, Editor-in-Chief

THE MESSENGER | 5

M O N T H LY

NEWS

Black History Club

O

n Feb. 25, Northview’s Black History Club held their annual Black History month performance in the auditorium during A and B lunch. The show, titled “Civil Rights 2.0”, was centered around a greater version of America’s Civil Rights movement of 1960 in which the healthcare industry, criminal justice system, and education system were more inclusive to African Americans.

“This past year, so many major events happened in the black community, specifically awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement and elevated change in the justice system towards Black Americans,” Aaliyah Guthrie, senior and president of Black History Club, said. “In this climate, we felt that this was the perfect theme for the club and the show, just to tag along with the work that America has done this past year.”

The entire show was composed by club members and took meticulous organizing and practice to execute. The club began rehearsals in December and met once a week until their performance date neared, after which they practiced daily. The show consisted of singing, a step dance performance, a poem reading, and short skits. This year marked the appearance of more audience members for the than ever before including guests and family members of the cast.

BRIEFS

Performers in the Black History Club performance showcase the struggle for the right to vote over the years.

BRANDON TUNG, STAFF WRITER

Ahmaud Arbery

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Wanda Cooper-Jones celebrates after the jury finds the three men accused of murdering her son guilty.

NICOLE CRAINE, NEW YORK TIMES

n Feb. 22, the three men who killed Ahmaud Arbery, father and son Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael, and their neighbor William “Roddie’’ Bryan, were found guilty of federal hate crimes. The jury consisted of eight white people, three Black people, and one Hispanic person, and they, along with the federal prosecutors, reasoned that the men who killed Arbery had targeted him because he was Black and violated his civil rights.

On Nov. 24, 2021, Arbery’s killers were convicted of murder and given life sentences in a Georgia state court.

However, during the trial, issues of race and racism were not raised as Georgia did not have its own hate crime laws at the time of Arbery’s death. Unlike the state trial, the federal hate crime trial investigated the history of racial prejudice surrounding Arbery’s killers and brought important awareness to the discrimination faced by minorities like Arbery.

Supreme Court Nominee

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President Joseph Biden selects Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to replace Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

n Jan. 26, 2022, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement. Following this announcement, President Joe Biden vowed to nominate the first Black woman to the court to diversify the makeup of the court. Biden’s nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, is currently a judge on the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Her Senate confirmation hearing began on March 21. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker criticized Biden’s choice, claiming it to be an unfair affirmative action policy, while his peer Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham supported the decision saying that it made the court look more like the people that they represent.

MICHAEL REYNOLDS, SHUTTERSTOCK

Russia and Ukraine

T

ensions between Russian and Ukraine have been brewing for months. On Feb. 24, 2022, Russian President Vladmir Putin launched “a special military operation” on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Putin claims the operation was for the “denazification” of Ukraine. Current president of Ukraine Volodymr Zelensky is critical of the Russian government and has been ousting pro-Russia oligarchies from the government since his election in 2019, which further exacerbated tensions. A proxy war has ensued between the countries since Russia’s annexation of Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

There is also a conflict within Ukraine over the Donbas region between troops and pro-Russian separatists which continually adds to the divide.

Smoke rises from the shelling on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine.

MYKHAILO MARKIV, REUTERS

Audience members look at a Beijing 2022 Olympics sign.

ALEXANDER VILF, ASSOCIATED PRESS

winter Olympics

T

he 2022 Beijing Winter Games featured 91 nations with nearly 3,000 athletes. The main theme of the games was “One World United.” The games were filled with controversy, including criticisms of the Chinese government from more democratic nations, the COVID-19 situation and the possibility of furthering the omicron wave, and the failed drug test of 15-year-old Russian Olympic Committee ice skater Kamila Valieva who was still ultimately able to compete. Ultimately, Norway landed on top with 37 medals total including 16 golds. The United States came in fourth with 25 medals, eight gold, 10 silver, and seven bronze.

THE MESSENGER | 7

Northview’s mock trial team celebrates its regional victory.

ELIZABETH LAKE, SPECIAL

Trials and tribulations

Northview’s mo ck trial team makes it to state following the transition from Zoom to courtroom ADITI BHATI, STAFF WRITER

O

n March 20, 2022, Northview Mock Trial finished in second place at the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition. This was one of the first time the team competed in a courtroom since the start of the pandemic, marking the end of the teams’ two-year-long challenge of adjusting to virtual competitions.

Senior Anuhya Dhanala, currently a witness on one of the teams, reflects on the experience of virtual mock trial as it came to an end.

“It is interesting in person since the last time I did that was in my sophomore year, so early January 2020,” Dhanala said. “[Virtually] we couldn’t really work as a team, even though mock trial is very team heavy. Doing this team activity while being isolated [at home] was probably the hardest part.”

After the first set of virtual rounds in February, the two teams from Northview, Kindergarten Cop and Donnie Brasco, finished as the region champion and runner-up and brought home 14 out of 16 possible individual awards.

Although the teams were unable to meet judges and competitors from other schools in person during the regional competition, they were required to compete together from the same room, transitioning between virtual and in-person mock trial.

“I love that it’s so team-centered. We are all so close and look out for each other, which makes competition so fun,” senior and witness Isha Jayadev said.

Being in the courtroom required a change 8

in the way competitors had to act as well. Online competitions required team members to focus on different aspects of the way they presented themselves.

“Ever since we went virtual, our strategies started to focus more on presentation as Zoom tends to focus on a person’s face and hand gestures more so than in person,” junior and Team Donnie Brasco captain Nikita Rao said.

In-person, members made the most of the courtroom space by controlling their body movements and gestures, which were more visible than their faces. On the other hand, virtually, they no longer had to meticulously practice the way they walk around the courtroom, and they needed to be extra careful of small details in their facial expressions and hand movements since their faces and hands were the only things filling up the judges’ screens.

Thanks to the guidance of Elizabeth Lake, Northview’s mock trial coach with a degree in drama, the team managed to successfully make the switch from acting with their bodies to acting with their face for virtual rounds.

“The tools you had to engage the jury shifted,” Lake said. “Things like physical demonstrations that would be dynamic and memorable for a jury—you couldn’t do this online.”

In addition to Lake, Northview has three attorney coaches who help the team with understanding the legal aspects of mock trial, such as case law and the federal rules of evidence. Junior Rishi Subramanian, currently an

attorney and witness on his team, is grateful for their mentorship.

“All of our attorney coaches volunteer hours upon hours of their time for nothing in return—it’s just out of the goodness of their hearts,” Subramanian said. “They are invaluable resources when it comes to understanding and dissecting the law.”

With all the help provided by the attorney coaches, as well as the increased emphasis on facial expressions and hand gestures, the team members will utilize the practices they have learned from virtual trials to strengthen their performance at the state competition in Lawrenceville, Ga. “There’s just something about the courtroom that’s inherently exciting and empowering,” Subramanian said. “It really kicks you into the mood and makes you focus 120%.”

Although both of the Northview teams qualified for the district competition, only one was permitted to advance to the state rounds.

This means that Kindergarten Cop and Donnie Brasco are now one team and will work together from this point to ensure that team members get as much practice as possible.

Dhanala, Rao, Lake, Subramanian, and Jayadev all cannot wait to compete at the state competition and earn the bid to nationals.

“It’s a great feeling when you go against a very good team and win all the ballots, especially since we put so much hard work and effort into our case,” Jayadev said.

NEWS

HBCU bomb threats

Actor Chadwick Boseman, an alumnus of Howard University, delivers the 150th commencement speech.

BILL O’LEARY, SPECIAL

Black History Month was marked by nationwide bomb threats on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) DELISA TROUPE, STAFF WRITER MEKAYLA UPTON, STAFF WRITER

E

very year, the United States celebrates Black History Month, honoring the contributions, struggles, triumphs, and history of Black Americans and celebrating their role in shaping the history of the United States. However, bomb threats on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) spiraled the first day of Black History Month into a nationwide hate crime.

After the Civil War, primary and secondary schools for Black Americans blossomed as they were finally allowed to educate themselves. The Freedmen’s Bureau, a federal organization devoted to providing necessities and services to displaced Southerners including newly-freed Black Americans, founded and supported HBCUs. However, HBCUs were often funded by white people who viewed Black Americans as socially and intellectually inferior, which brought these schools under fire. Racial segregation of public institutions made it increasingly difficult for Black Americans to study anywhere other than HBCUs. They had limited access to resources as well. Even as HBCUs are now a symbol of Black progress, intellect, and resilience, many still believe that pushback and intimidation by those seeking to belittle Black Americans still exists.

Pushback comes in the form of the recent bomb threats on HBCUs. Spelman College, located in Atlanta, Ga. was one of the victims along with Fort Valley, Albany State, and more than a dozen others. These threats also impacted other HBCUs, such as Morehouse, located nearby. Atlanta is especially a point of cultural significance, as it houses four HBCUs in the Atlanta University Center (AUC): More-

house, Spelman, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse School of Medicine.

“The AUC had posted something on social media saying that Spelman had received the bomb threat,” Kyle Warmack, freshman at Morehouse and Northview alumnus, said. “I was worried about it because I had to be active on campus that day and the days to come with practice and classes. I said my prayers before I left the dorm.”

With fear of these threats still looming, Morehouse’s campus security has instituted a set of precautions, including mail screenings and sweeping the campus. Spelman College went on lockdown and suspended classes after it received three rounds of bomb threats.

“We used to be able to order groceries and stuff to the dorm specifically. Now it’s encouraged that you get everything going through the university to make sure it’s safe for everybody,” Warmack said.

These precautions were put in place for the safety of students and staff. The fact that schools still have to do this today has many students wondering if much has changed.

“It was such a severe form of racism, 60s type thing, but to an extent I wasn’t surprised, because I’m so used to hearing the prejudice against Black people,” Safia Poindexter, a senior at Northview High School, said. “There was the Black Lives Matter movement back in 2020. We’re still going through this, but it’s escalating. I want to apply to an HBCU but [the bomb threats] make me feel unsafe.”

Although many students at Northview have not experienced such racism first hand, the Northview community’s responses to racist acts is worth noting. Whether it was the

participation in the BLM parades or posting about it on their story, a majority of students at Northview aim for change in the way the world treats people of color.

“Usually when these events happen, it’s just the Black people who see it,” Poindexter said. “People of all races need to look and see how far back we are, whether it’s affecting them personally or not.”

Racially-motivated bomb threats have shocked the nation. Despite it being 2022, these occurrences are not new. HBCUs have had a long history of racial prejudice and racial violence against them.

“Here at Morehouse, they used to ring the Bell Tower to alert the students at the time to take shelter, because that was when the Klan was coming up to take violence at Morehouse,” Bryce Berry, a junior at Morehouse College, said.

Although HBCUs have a past riddled in controversy, the schools still play an important part in the culture of Black Americans. At the end of the day, students at HBCUs maintain that only the institution and community matter, not the image that racists have depicted of it.

“Growing up, I went to a majority white school for the majority of my school career, fifth grade to 12th grade. I just needed a change of environment where I would be adored and loved for who I was,” Berry said.

“I didn’t have to focus on code-switching. I didn’t have to focus on feeling safe in an allwhite environment. I could just be my authentic self.”

SPORTS

profile

highlights

William Gavin, 10 SUHANI MAHAJAN, STAFF WRITER

10

S

ince age five, sophomore William Gavin has been in the water. His swimming career began in the depths of his grandparents’ pool and currently, he stands as the State Champion for the 200 meter freestyle.

“My eventual goal was to win state, but I think that happened a little early,” Gavin said.“From here, it’s to be more competitive in the national rankings. I’m edging closer and closer to those times, so I just need to focus up and work harder.”

Gavin believes his progress and achievements are all due to his strong work ethic. He juggles his coursework and extracurriculars alongside a rigorous swim practice schedule.

Everyday after school, Gavin heads straight to LifeTime Fitness in Johns Creek to practice for one-and-a-half to two hours. In order to balance swim with his schoolwork and other activities, Gavin has refined his skills of working efficiently, creating priorities, and making sacrifices.

“I have to ask myself, ‘why am I actually doing this?’ And it’s because I love the sport.

I’m really competitive by nature, and this is a great way for me to express that,” Gavin said.

“I can’t imagine not doing it.”

Instead of practicing with continuous, long-distance swimming (which is a more common method of training that most swimmers prefer), Gavin trains using a unique technique. He practices swimming specific distances - based on the events he swims - and fluctuates his swimming speed as he would when racing. Gavin’s inherent ability to gauge how and when to change pace at different moments affords him an advantage in his training.

“Coaching [Gavin] is easy. He’s very knowledgeable about swimming, so we work together to build the training regime,” David Sutton, Gavin’s coach at LifeTime Fitness, said. “I admire his steadfast dedication to his craft. He’s constantly trying to find ways to get better.”

Gavin joined the Northview swim team his freshman year in the midst of the COVID-19 TEJASWI YALAVARTHI, SPECIAL

2022 state champion in 200 meter freestyle

Most state cuts for Northview

100 yard breaststroke in 1:00:39 pandemic. Social distancing guidelines had mandated gyms to close, so for a few months, Gavin was unable to reach the pool. While Gavin did play soccer in his spare time, the lack of access to a pool made him realize the depth of his passion for swimming.

“He has progressed insanely well since the start of the pandemic. When COVID-19 hit and he couldn’t practice, he began to long for the sport in a way I don’t think he ever had,” senior Andrew Gavin, William Gavin’s brother and coach of Northview swim, said. “When he hit the pool again, a different animal was unleashed and he started to progress rapidly.”

As a high schooler, William Gavin knows that as his training progresses he continues to grow faster and stronger. He hopes to work to his maximum, discovering the extent of his capabilities, and training harder and harder each day. Regardless of where his peak may be, he wishes to continue swimming for as long as he can.

“I honestly think the sky is the limit for him right now. He is nowhere near his full potential - which is a good thing, not a critique. I can certainly see him swimming competitively in Division 1 NCAA competition and potentially even competing at Nationals or Olympic Trial level competitions,” Andrew Gavin said.

“I’m just really excited to see what he’ll do.”

Trautwein hits a home run and watches it leave the stadium in his game against Michigan State.

Michael Trautwein

HOLYN TRAUTWEIN, SPECIAL

Northview alumnus drafted for the Major League ELIZABETH LEFFEW, STAFF WRITER

N

orthview alumnus Michael Trautwein, a catcher, was recently drafted

by Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds club in the thirteenth round. A life long dream for him is finally coming true.

“I think a lot of people would say that baseball or sports would impede your ability to do well in school,” Trautwein said, “But for me, I actually saw it the opposite way. It forced me to structure and prioritize my assignments and I really couldn’t procrastinate because I had things to do ... I think having that responsibility after class helped me in the classroom.”

During his time at Northview, Trautwein was a hard worker who excelled both as a player and student. While some see sports as an activity that should be prioritized over academics, Trautwein saw both as an opportunity to push himself in all parts of life. He felt that baseball forced him to structure and prioritize his assignments, to give up procrastination, and to become a better friend, brother, and teammate.

Trautwein brought this mindset to his college years at Northwestern University.

Towards the end of his four years in Illinois, he vividly recalls performing under pressure when representatives from Major League Baseball teams watched him play, but his hard

work paid off. His friends and family could not have been more supportive of him, especially his sister and senior Holyn Trautwein.

She often practiced with Mr. Trautwein, and occasionally took a few hits from the ball as a result. She loved watching his skills grow, even from a very young age, and she always knew her brother would make it to the top; it was just a matter of time before everyone else knew it too.

“It was really heartbreaking, because every time he would pick up the phone, they would pick another guy. It was really just a roller coaster,” Ms. Trautwein said. “But we waited and he got a call! We all just started hugging and crying because we were so happy. It is probably the happiest moment of my life, even though it’s also his. We all knew he was going to get there, and when it happened we were all so happy.”

Tom Kratowicz, chemistry teacher and Northview baseball coach, constantly worked with Mr. Trautwein to improve their skills as members of the program and learn from each other. As a freshman, Mr. Trautwein was asked to play during one of the varsity baseball games and stunned everyone with his skill.

He is still remembered as being in Coach Kratowicz’s top five of the best players to have

come through Northview.

“If I could give [Trautwein] one piece of advice,” Kratowicz said, “I would tell him not to change. In my time knowing him, he has always been very determined. He is a fantastic young man; he is very polite and courteous.

I would just say, ‘don’t quit, push and persevere. You know you are going to have ups and downs throughout playing, just keep working hard and good things are going to happen.’ ” Reflecting on his time at Northview, Trautwein remembers his love for his school, classmates, teachers, coaches, and family. Baseball is a game of character just as much as it is skill. His friends and family believe he already has an amazing character and plenty of skill.

Trautwein has come so far and we can’t wait to see what is next in store.

“I would just [like to] say thank you,” Trautwein said. “There are a lot of people out there that I could say thank you to. They really helped shape who I am, how I see the world, how I see baseball, and how I see school. It is something that I really am thankful for. I have been very blessed in my experience with Northview, with Northwestern [University], and with my family, my life, and friends.”

THE MESSENGER | 11

SPORTS

Sohum Rane blocks a shot.

GAVIN CHEN, STAFF WRITER

Two goalies, one game Northview goalies Sohum Rane and Jenna Sapong give insight into their position NIKKI SKYER, SPORTS EDITOR CARTER WILLIS, STAFF WRITER

G

oalies are an integral component of any soccer team, and the program at Northview is no exception. As the season opens and both the girls and boys teams develop teamwork and healthy dynamics, it has become clear to the players just how crucial a communicative leader is when scoring a goal.

Sohum Rane, a senior and the boys’ varsity soccer goalie, spent the last eight years developing his playing style and finding the position he loves most. Rane first entered the sport in fourth grade, but only began training as a goalie in sixth grade. Despite falling in love with soccer from the moment he started recreational church-youth league, Rane’s passion only became serious when he realized his potential in the goal. During his time in club soccer, playing for Atlanta Fire United, Rane moved up into more difficult levels of play, building a solid foundation for success. Rane entered his freshman year as goalie and cap-

tain of the boys’ junior-varsity team. Now, he finds himself as a third-year varsity goalie and team captain.

“Sohum is highly vocal and motivating,” Jhonathan Macias, teammate and friend, said.

“He takes the team and the game very seriously. It’s very beneficial to have a leader like him.”

For Northview varsity captain and goalie Jenna Sapong, soccer is a mental game.

Goalies must be able to forget the last play so that it does not affect the next. Sapong learned through playing for Elite Clubs National League and bringing that perspective to Northview’s varsity team. This is her eighth year of playing goalie. Interestingly enough, Sapong did not originally want to play this position; however, her talent led her to continue.

Now, goalie is a position she excels at.

“At a tournament [when] I was young, my coaches put me in goal,” Sapong said. “And I made one good save and my

coach just kept putting me in. I remember that my team was cheering and I wanted to do it more.”

As a goalie, the cheers are energizing, but Sapong does not let the noise impact the next play. Instead, Sapong feeds off of it and continues communicating with her defensive line. From the back of the field, Sapong sees everything going on. So, if a defender is too far back, it would be Sapong’s job to tell them to push forward. During goal kicks, Sapong calls out to the attackers across the field, signaling which player she will kick the ball to. It is this simple communication Sapong sees as the key to winning.

“Something that people don’t know about goalies is that we communicate. We see everything from the goal, so we’re supposed to be telling our team about the opponent’s next move.” Sapong said.

Sapong not only communicates during the game, but she also leads the team during

practice. From leading warm-ups to helping coach up other players, Sapong views leadership as opportunities for the team to get better as a whole.

“When [Sapong] leads, it’s not about her at all,” Sonia Field, Sapong’s coach, said. “She pushes through the workouts harder than the rest of the team [to motivate the team] when she is the one who needs it the least. She lifts everyone up just by doing what she does.”

The value of a goalkeeper does not change when the game ends and players exit the field. A strong mentality is key in order for these leaders to push their teammates to success. Because of the skills that each goalie developed, Sapong’s approach to life has shifted greatly. Being a goalie now not only affects her during practice and in games but also in daily life.

“I am naturally a really shy person,” Sapong said. “But playing goalie has changed the way that I communicate and lead because of the vocality that the position requires.”

Rane on the other hand has always naturally possessed communication and leadership skills. Rane entered high school fairly certain that he would not look to play for a college

team after graduating. This decision, however, never affected Rane’s attitude and the ways in which he pushed himself. His goals following high school include a more academic focus, studying at a university where he will be able to utilize his leadership and communication skills. Although Rane does not plan to continue his athletic career on an official team, he is very open to the idea of playing for a club or as a hobby. He is certain that all of the skills and values learned through the sport will accompany him into adulthood.

“I love the sport, it will always be a part of my life. It’s taught me so much, given me so much knowledge,” Rane said. “I won’t just push it aside forever.”

After being the starting goalie this year for the varsity girls’ soccer team as well as playing for Elite Clubs National League, Sapong is starting to look towards her future. Sapong plans to play soccer in college, but her goals do not end there. After playing in college Sapong hopes to eventually play the sport professionally. Sapong gets her inspiration to play professionally from other professionals, some of whom she has worked with as coaches, that have similar styles of play in terms of

communication and athleticism. Through the work with her coaches, Sapong has been able to relate to them and improve.

“One of my goalkeeper coaches that I’ve known for a couple of years has helped me develop my skills,” Sapong said. “And she’s a professional goalie. I look up to her in terms of play style and approaching the position.

As a senior, Rane is looking to work with underclassmen players and prepare them for the future without the current senior class. He is confident in his teammates’ capabilities and is certain that the effort put into this program over the last four years will not go to waste.

“As he’s gotten older, [Rane] has developed a solution-based mentality, and that has become the standard on the team,” head soccer coach Sean Morgan said. “That’s what has made his impact on the team, turning frustration into fuel. The coaches and underclassmen will remember Sohum’s work this year and rise to that level of focus.”

There is nothing but greatness in store for both Rane and Sapong. No matter their exact plans regarding soccer, the knowledge gained from their time in the sport is unlikely to fade away.

Jenna Sapong takes a goal kick in a home game.

GAVIN CHEN, STAFF WRITER

FEATURES

The case for balance Opinions divided as Supreme Court prepares to hear case on affirmative action ANSHI VAJPAYEE, OPINIONS EDITOR KEVIN XIANG, STAFF WRITER

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n March 6, 1961, soon after taking office, President John F. Kennedy signed what is thought to be the first contemporary policy on affirmative action, Executive Order 10925. In the midst of high racial tension in the civil rights era, this policy sought to push businesses to “take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.”

Today, the series of laws and acts dubbed “affirmative action” has expanded to include other underrepresented minority groups, including those of sexuality and gender.

According to Northview U.S. History and TAG teacher Michael Martin, affirmative action first sought to level the playing field for groups subjected to historical discrimination, but now–– especially in the college admissions process––the previous race-conscious process has blurred into race discrimination.

On Jan. 24, 2022, the conservative-major-

ity Supreme Court announced that it will hear an appeal of affirmative action in Harvard University’s and the University of North Carolina’s admissions processes. In the Harvard University case, a group of Asian American plaintiffs, called Students for Fair Admission, sued Harvard University for unlawfully discriminating against Asian American applicants and violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“We do need to at least put a thumb on the [admissions] scale and offer some dispensation for [marginalized students] not being able to perform at the same level as a very privileged white or Asian student from a school like Northview,” Martin said. “But they’re creating a situation where it’s not just a thumb–– it’s throwing the whole rubric away.”

Martin argues that a system that helps underprivileged students have a fair chance at admission to top universities, or a metaphorical “thumb on the scale,” is necessary; however, he believes universities should make a concert-

ed effort to create a transparent process.

“That’s when Americans start having concerns no matter what side of the political aisle they’re on,” Martin said. “They don’t understand or know or have any information about what criteria decisions are being made that could affect their lives.”

Currently, Harvard University does not have any requirements for potential applicants, a calculated decision that is intended to give all students from unconventional and diverse backgrounds a chance to apply. This, Martin believes, does not work in the students’ favor as they are sometimes left unclear about whether their application is deemed valid at all.

“That’s where Harvard does not want to be pinned down,” Martin said. “They want to be able to make exceptions to their own policies. If they just feel like they have a tremendously dynamic person who’s applying for something, they’re like ‘well, they’re so dynamic, we’ll figure it out.’”

Asian American senior Dave* agrees and

believes that while including marginalized groups to diversify student bodies is important, universities should prioritize merit above all other factors.

“When I see cases online about big universities like Harvard discriminating specifically against Asian pre-med applicants like myself, I can’t help but feel that the system is against me,” Dave said.

Dave is referring to instances in Harvard University admissions where despite outperforming white applicants in other areas, Asian applicants are consistently rated lower for personal metrics. These include qualities like personality, a pivotal point that Students for Fair Admission has included in its primary evidence for race-based discrimination.

“I understand that this holistic admissions process includes more than just your statistics and grades and test scores, but Harvard has consistently fallen to the stereotype of a braindead Asian immigrant who’s probably going to be a doctor or engineer,” Dave said. “I just want to be evaluated for my own merit fairly.”

Elizabeth Lake, a language arts teacher, believes the notion of race-based discrimination stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the function of affirmative action.

“There are people who believe that affirmative action means quotas for different racial, gender, sexuality, or ability groups,” Lake said. “Based on that misconception, they believe that it’s wrong to say you can only have a certain number of each group of people, but it’s not what affirmative action is.”

Lake stresses the importance of understanding the goal and methods of affirmative action. She says the policy was implemented to ensure equity of access for everyone, especially in a world where racism and classism exist, drawing on her own personal experience to define her beliefs on the matter.

“So much of what I grew from and learned at the University of Georgia was not what I took from the classroom but what I learned from meeting people who had a variety of different life experiences,” Lake said. “If the college had just been looking at SAT scores and grades, I probably would have met a lot of people from schools like mine and with experiences similar to mine, and even if we might have looked different, we would have had a lot of the same life experiences growing up.”

Principal Brian Downey agrees with this sentiment. He did not attend a college where there was a diverse set of voices, and he feels disappointed to have missed out on a valuable experience.

“Oftentimes, colleges as their own unique institutions believe in creating an environment

in which the student body is diverse because they want the kids to be faced with and challenged with different voices, different experiences, and different cultures so they graduate with an experience that prepares them for the world,” Downey said.

For Black senior Kunashe Rwizi, this is exactly what she seeks to tap into in college. When she was offered admission to the University of Chicago’s early action class of 2026, a flurry of emotions pulsed through her: shock, happiness, and hope for future decisions. Above all, though, she was proud to have been recognized for her accomplishments throughout high school.

“After I got into UChicago, it kind of gave me a little confidence boost,” Rwizi said.

“Maybe I could get into some of these other top schools. I felt nice.”

Rwizi, an active soccer player, believes affirmative action did not help her get in; rather, it only gave her the opportunity for her talents to be recognized.

“Someone said that I’m smart, but affirmative action would get me the rest of the way, like I’m not smart enough to get there by myself,” Rwizi said. “I’m smart enough that affirmative action will take care of the rest.”

Considering the history of the U.S., Rwizi believes the use of affirmative action in the college admissions process helps even the playing field for groups that were historically discriminated against.

“Ending affirmative action will prevent [marginalized students] from being given the opportunity and the platform to be able to make a difference,” Rwizi said. “Circumstances that are out of their control would get them stuck in a cycle because no one will ever be given the opportunity to get out and break that cycle.”

Since the process of college admissions is complex and not fully transparent, it is diffi-

*Dave is an alias for a student who has chosen to remain anonymous.

The Messenger chose this name to protect their identity. Any similarity to real student names is purely coincidental. cult to discern the impact of affirmative action on individual applications, according to Lake. Even so, she has seen this scapegoating being taken too far in some cases.

“I have seen students who fervently believed affirmative action policies are what kept them from getting in somewhere because it was easier for them to believe that a policy is what kept them from getting in and not the true randomness that is college admission,” Lake said.

She has also seen students who got into good colleges being overlooked by others who believed affirmative action was what helped them get in.

“It should never be that brilliant students are made to feel lesser than by their peers,” Lake said. “That is a thing that hurtful people say to their peers when they want to feel better about themselves.”

Rwizi agrees, and feels that she would be the same applicant to these colleges regardless of her skin color. She believes that the strength of her application speaks for itself “Affirmative action didn’t make me look better to colleges,” Rwizi said. “It didn’t change any of my extracurriculars. It didn’t bump up my grades any few points. It just allowed [admissions officers] to see me at all.”

TEACHERS AT WORK Teachers Stephanie Ro che and Jonathan Waters fill their busy days KRYSTAL WU, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR GRACE PENG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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ome students come early or stay late for club meetings and makeup assignments, but as long as they are at school, so are teachers. Outside of academics, teachers are busy coaching, planning, and organizing to ensure students have a successful school life.

One of these teachers is Stephanie (Zavlanos) Roche, who has been at Northview for 14 years. To many of her students, she is a passionate lecturer in the classroom, knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics. But among the Northview community, she teaches two different Advanced Placement (AP) courses, coaches a competitive sport, and runs multiple clubs, including the freshman student council.

Roche began at Northview 14 years ago with on-level government and history. How-

ever, by her second or third year, the school needed another AP teacher for AP Government and Politics, so Roche took it upon herself to complete the training for the course.

She also minored in psychology in college, so when the school needed another AP Psychology teacher, she also volunteered. She credits her current success at teaching to her experience.

“Once you’ve sort of taught a class you kind of know what you’re doing. So the planning for the classes is much easier once you get a year or two under your belt because you’re just making minor tweaks but it’s not like you have to spend all these hours like lesson planning.”

Roche said. “So that now is really kind of can just walk in and like fly by the seat of my pants

Roche prepares her lessons plans for the day on the board.

BRANDON TUNG, STAFF WRITER

just because I’ve been doing it for so long.

Soon, with her original experience teaching AP U.S. Government and Politics (AP Gov.), Roche completed the College Board training for AP Gov. and added that course to her repertoire as well.

“She really cares about you and wants you to succeed,” Boris Chu, one of her AP Gov. students, said. “Mrs. Roche helps a lot, especially since she likes to talk one-on-one, and she gives a lot of opportunities for that.”

When she is on the field, Roche transforms from a teacher to a lacrosse coach. She had never played lacrosse because it was never offered during her own high school years. When Northview offered the position to her in her second year of teaching, Roche quickly picked

FEATURES Waters grades an English paper.

BRANDON TUNG, STAFF WRITER

up the sport and credits her skill to the local community coaches.

“I kind of learned on-the-job, but [the school] had community coaches working with the varsity coaches,” Roche said. “[Lacrosse] definitely requires the most time commitment, especially when we’re in season from January.”

Roche mostly coaches the junior varsity (JV) team. While the head coaches are more responsible for creating game and practice plans for the team, Roche knows the drills and combinations. She works closely with the other coaches and older players to run practice simultaneously for JV and Varsity. Senior Jenna Lowenthal, who currently plays defense for varsity, credits Roche with her growth.

“When I was a freshman, I played JV and was a captain, so I was very involved with [Roche] and coordinating with her about games,” Lowenthal said. “It definitely helped me become a leader on the field. When I [later] went to varsity, she helped me develop and grow a lot as a player.”

Lowenthal describes Roche’s coaching style as disciplinary but structured. Roche also helps beyond sports; when there are conflicts, players go to her for a resolution, and when there are away games, she allows them to stay in her classroom. Sometimes, lacrosse players become her students as well. Lowenthal, who works closely with her on the field, also had her for AP Psychology last year. “[Mrs. Roche] did a really good job making sure everyone is involved,” Lowenthal said.

“Everyone did well on her tests, and she was really helpful with free-response questions.

When I took the AP exam, I got a five, so I can tell that she was a very good teacher.”

Roche also began running the freshman class council in her second year of teaching and hosts the meetings of the Jewish Student Union in her classroom. The key to successfully balancing these numerous activities, she says, is experience.

“You need to figure out how to balance all that in a healthy way so that you’re not pulling all-nighters at two or three in the morning and sacrificing other things to be perfect,” Roche said.

With four years at Northview, literature teacher Jonathan Waters enjoys connecting with students and teaching. When he first applied to work at Northview, the opening for a debate and speech coach drew him in. However, Waters’s first experiences as a coach for speech and debate took place at his first teaching job at Grovetown High School in Augusta, Ga. “During our first year, we went to two tournaments in the spring. Then, by the end of my fourth year, we had a team of 50 to 60 regular people competing at tournaments,” Waters said.

Waters majored in English and minored in speech, and he used his knowledge to start the speech and debate team at Grovetown. When he transferred his talents and experience to Northview, the speech and debate team grew

dramatically.

“I mostly expose students to different kinds of arguments and give them experience in speaking and arguing,” Waters said. “Debate is the essence of most of the standards that an English teacher uses or refers to. It’s finding a practical way to use all those standards in one place.”

While his primary job is teaching ninth and 10th-grade literature, Waters devotes his after-school time, weekends, and holidays to debate. When debate competitions were held in person prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Waters would spend two or three of his Fridays, Saturdays, and sometimes Sundays away with his team.

“Across all teams, there are issues with people dropping out of tournaments, and he handles this quite well,” senior and policy debater Pranay Ippgaunta said. “If a partner does drop out, then he makes sure that they are suspended from the next tournament.”

Waters coordinates all the team captains, and he makes the decisions based on his interactions with the members and their reliability in past tournaments. If students drop out at the last minute, he also works quickly to salvage the team. He does his best to put speech and debate members on the right path to success.

“I think one of my most significant memories was [Waters] giving us a pep talk, telling us how proud of us he was right before the Tournament of Champions, or the end of the year tournament,” Ippgaunta said. “He makes sure that we know that [the coaches] are proud of us for all the work that we put in throughout the year and that this is the last tournament, so we should give it our all.”

Waters not only helps his students on the surface of debate and speech but also guides them on their personal roads to success. There are different paths that each speech and debate member can choose to take, and Waters provides the emotional and academic support necessary for success.

“I think the biggest thing that a teacher can do is build rapport and connect with students,” Waters said. “For students that don’t want to engage, if you can build a relationship and a connection with them, you can get them to engage.”

Busy teachers like Waters and Roche are constantly devoting themselves to their students and their profession in multiple areas.

They truly are what makes the Northview community thrive as much as it does.

COLUMNS

Senior Paul Phillip serves.

gallery The girls’ lacrosse team starts its game.

GAVIN CHEN, STAFF WRITER

KUSH SANTOSH, STAFF WRITER

HUmans of Northview Read this month’s feature on Anya Alford “She doesn’t even have to say anything at all—she speaks without words,” Jeanette Clawson, Alford’s art teacher, said.

Scan the QR code below to read the full story

Senior Alex Watson shoots for a goal.

KUSH SANTOSH, STAFF WRITER

18

FEATURES

P roposed legislation in the Georgia General Assembly and its ������ ����� ���������������� ���������� ������� � ��� � ���� implications for high schools ������ ������� ������� ����������� � ����� � MELISSA LIU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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ccording to a survey of 111 Northview students, 35.1% of students will be impacted or know someone who will be impacted if SB 435, which seeks to prevent transgender student-athletes from competing in the gender of their choice, becomes law. On Feb. 24, 2022, the Georgia Senate passed the bill by a 34-22 vote, moving it to the House floor.

As of now, Georgia high schools follow Georgia High School Association (GHSA) rules, which give individual schools the power to determine students’ genders and eligibility to compete in sports. The GHSA does not entertain appeals of schools’ decisions. Under SB 435, schools would not be able to override the bill and make these decisions.

Alan Beattie, a transgender junior at Northview, feels that though some legislators and supporters of the bill appear to have valid concerns, most are just trying to suppress transgender individuals.

*Sam is an alias for a student who has chosen to remain anonymous.

The Messenger chose this name to protect their identity. Any similarity to real student names is purely coincidental.

“The concern is mainly unfounded because [it] is about skill, not testosterone level,” Beattie said. “If it really were about testosterone, then [sports] would be segregated by testosterone level as many cisgender women have higher testosterone levels.”

Instead of being organized based on gender, he believes sports should split athletes into divisions by testosterone level. This would allow athletes of all genders to be included. However, senior Jaxon Deems still views the inclusion of transgender individuals in athletics as unfair.

“It’d be easier for me to succeed in weightlifting, just because of [my] biology as a man,” Deems said. “Naturally, men are stronger compared to females.”

He recalls how this worked to transgender atheletes’ advantage in weightlifting and bodybuilding competitions, citing Laurel Hubbard, a transgender female weightlifter who represented New Zealand in the 2020 Summer Olympics, as an example. To address this issue, Deems proposes dividing athletes into four categories: cisgender women, cisgender men, transgender women, and transgender men.

Sam*, a non-binary student at Northview is concerned that SB 435 will hurt transgender student-athletes. They believe genetic differences are not a valid reason to exclude trans-athletes. “[The bill is] targeted towards transgender women and the stereotype that they’re inherently sexual predators or something,” Sam said. “Genetic advantages occur in cisgender women all the time; tall girls playing basketball have a greater advantage, and that is not based on their gender.”

At Northview, Principal Brian Downey

consults students and parents when considering cases involving transgender students. “[For students] under the age of 18, the parent is ultimately going to be the one to make the determination here, not the school,” Downey said. “If the parent is in line with the student, there are some processes that we can do to change a person’s name and the pronouns we use to identify the individual. However, that doesn’t typically change the gender that they’re still identified in our student record.”

In the end, he must follow what is written in the GHSA rules, and if SB 435 becomes law, he must adhere to it as well.

“I can’t act on what I think is the right thing to do,” Downey said. “I have to act on what I’m legally able to do, so my opinion on the matter doesn’t matter.”

Because he has never had a transgender student formally step forward about participation in sports, Downey sees SB 435 as an attempt by legislators to stir up controversy over a nonexistent issue and rally their voter base. “[Legislators] are inventing a boogeyman to chase here for political gain,” Downey said.

“We’re chasing ghosts.”

Groups like the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition (GYJC) have been organizing testimony against the bill to prevent it from gaining further support among legislators. These include statements from transgender students, their parents and friends, and transgender adults.

GYJC is also organizing press events to give transgender students a safe space to share their thoughts, since they may feel attacked during committee meetings. “[The bill] discriminates against transgender students in ways that are probably in violation of federal laws,” Alex Ames, an organizing director for GYJC said. “It builds spaces that make our schools less safe for transgender kids.”

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ransgender participation in sports is not the only topic up for debate at the gold dome. Last November, Georgia Rep. Jasmine Clark of District 108 pre-filed HB 857, the predecessor of HB 1220, which would add the teaching of consent to the sex education curriculum.

“Georgia law already requires that we teach about sexual abuse and that we start teaching about that very early in age,” Clark said. “But this is different. This is more of empowerment for the individual, understanding that ‘yes’ is ‘yes’ and ‘no’ is never ‘yes.’”

Clark introduced the bill after students expressed interest in seeing improvements in the current sex education curriculum, which covers topics such as abstinence, but not consent and healthy relationships. At Northview, 96.4% of Northview students support the bill.

“You have to know that what you’re doing is okay with the other person, and [schools] just don’t teach that,” Brooke Hartman, Northview sophomore, said. “We could prevent so many things from happening—so much sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. I don’t want anyone to have to go through what I went through.”

Despite seeing widespread support for the bill among students at Northview and other Georgia schools, Ames fears the bill is unlikely to pass.

“These big bills sponsored by Democrats have a 3% chance of passing according to the AJC,” Ames sai. “[Republicans] are not leaving room for these good bills [after] years of a pandemic, 20 years of underfunding our schools, and 10s of billions dof dollars [being] held back from students who needed them.”

With this impediment in mind, Clark carefully selected her co-sponsors. She chose Rep. Park Cannon to tailor the bill toward HIV prevention, Rep. Gregg Kennard to focus on education, Rep. Scott Holcomb to manage the

backlog of rape kits, and Rep. Kasey Carpenter, a Republican who works on higher education in Georgia schools, to make the endeavor bi-partisan.

“Each one of those people brings something different to the table when it comes to this issue, but when it comes to bills passing, the reality is that we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Clark said. “There are hundreds of bills that never get a hearing in the Capitol, and there’s never a guarantee that a bill, even a bill that a lot of people think is a good idea, will get a hearing.”

Ames believes the best way to get the bill passed is to ensure it gets a hearing before Crossover Day, the day a bill is supposed to pass between legislative chambers. If the bill stays in committee, it will die before the end of the session, and the process would have to restart next January, meaning at least another year without consent in the sex education curriculum.

“People need to be more educated on [consent] because in schools [teachers are] like ‘We don’t want to talk about it,’” Hartman said.

“So, where are kids getting their information from?”

According to Downey, Northview has already made seven referrals to the district’s Title IX office to report instances of sexual assault and harrassment both on and off-campus in this school year alone. While the jurisdiction of the school varies, the general procedure is for the office to determine if a violation occurred and then decide to move forward with the process. Fulton County Schools (FCS) can then send personnel to ensure that the school is compliant with federal statutes.

“As teenagers explore sexuality, they’re exploring

things like alcohol and drugs that impair their decision-making,” Downey said. “I question how much our teenagers understand about the legal—never mind the moral, ethical, and physical—implications around consent.”

Downey believes that adding consent to the sex education curriculum will not only help students make informed decisions when it comes to sexual activity but also ease the process of delivering consequences for Title IX violations since students will have been taught about the short-term and long-term implications of consent.

“Starting in their teenage years, students begin to explore sexuality,” Downey said. “We can help walk kids through that, arming them with an education about sexuality and everything that’s involved in it, including the idea of mutual consent—that’s really valuable.”

Regardless of the progression of the bill in the House and Senate chambers, students, faculty, and legislators alike agree on one thing: the prevalence of sexual assault cases among adolescents must be addressed.

“Teaching consent is associated with a reduction in sexual assault, and by reduction, I mean a reduction in both perpetration of sexual assault as well as being a victim of sexual assault later on in life,” Clark said. “We should never stop seeking solutions to reduce things like sexual assault, especially with the rate at which they happen.”

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B226 has sparked controversy since it was introduced in the Senate on Feb. 22, 2021. Under this bill, parents can submit complaints about instructional materials they find harmful to minors, including books, to the principal (or his or her designee), who must investigate complaints and determine whether to ban these materials at the school.

Unsatisfied parents can appeal to the local school board.

Although the bill focuses on sexually explicit content in its definition of “harmful to minors,” Northview language arts teacher Ashley Ulrich believes seemingly harmless bans like this can be used to silence LGBTQIA+ voices and people of color.

“Big sweeping bans can be a curtain hiding the real intention,” Ulrich said. “Superficial elements of texts are being used as the justification for why books can be banned.”

Ames agrees, pointing out how an anti-gay parent could easily get a queer book banned for an entire school by submitting a complaint about a gay sex scene in the book. She notes that the bill allows a single parent’s opinion to deprive countless students of the opportunity to explore their identities through books since there are likely to be students who are people of color or LGBTQIA+ in every school.

“It’s not actually about the books; it’s about deciding who and who isn’t recognized and valid,” Ames said. “If I am a student of color or a gay student in a school, and the books about people who look like me and people whom I have descended from aren’t allowed, what does that say to a child growing up in our schools?”

The Senate passed SB 226 on March 8, 2021 by a 35-16 vote, and the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee offered an amended version on Feb. 10, 2022. To prevent the bill from progressing further, GYJC is organizing events at the Georgia Capitol and local school boards, where community members can share how meaningful it was for them to read certain books that could be banned. FCS Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney and members of the Fulton County Board of Education have acknowledged these concerns and emphasized their commitment to drawing a clear line between protection and censorship.

“When I think of literature, I think of mirrors and windows—I see myself, and I also

see other people,” Franchesca Warren, District 4 Board member and mother of three FCS students, said. “I don’t want my child reading anything obscene, but I also want to make sure that as a district where we have lots of diverse students, we’re not handicapping teachers.”

Despite reassurances, Northview language arts teacher Tania Pope fears that under the bill, students will no longer be exposed to texts that challenge them to become dynamic, nuanced thinkers. Though students could access any banned materials outside of school, Pope notes that they would still miss out on classroom experience.

“When we study a whole text as a class, where we dig into this deep meaning of what it is that the writer is getting at, that’s laid within an insulate scholarly environment with a teacher who knows the book really really well and can guide students through that experience,” she said. “[We have] discussions and that interaction that you wouldn’t get at home if you were just reading a book by yourself.”

In addition, Northview media center specialist Darryl Paul believes SB 226 fails to give the principal (or his or her designee) adequate time to investigate parental complaints.

“It’s a lot of pressure on the principal,” Paul said. “Especially if it’s a big book, you

have got to knock it out in 10 days and come to an informed conclusion.”

Under current FCS operating guidelines, the media specialist convenes a media committee, which consists of one student, one parent, one teacher, and the media specialist, after a parent submits a complaint against instructional materials. The committee has 30 days to consider and respond to the complaint, and the parent can appeal to the school principal if he or she is unsatisfied with the committee’s decision.

Downey noted that if the bill becomes law, he would feel uncomfortable determining whether books are inappropriate without consulting students and teachers.

“That authority should really never rest with one individual,” Downey said. “It’s so subjective.”

Paul expressed similar concerns about the bill oversimplifying the complaint resolution process by skipping the media committee step currently included in FCS guidelines.

“There are obviously legitimate reasons to be offended by material,” Paul said. “We should consider that as a community and not as an individual. [SB 266] could rob some of our community members of representation.”

OPINIONS

Oh K-Dog’s potato dog is a mix of panko breadrumbs, meat, and bits of potatoes.

BRANDON TUNG, STAFF WRITER

Oh, K-Dog The Messenger’s monthly digest BEDANSH PANDEY, COPY EDITOR

T

ucked neatly between Sumo Hibachi & Wings and Poké bar off Medlock Bridge Road sits Oh, K-Dog, a new Korean hot dog restaurant that prides itself in creating a fresh, new taste for the deep fried snack. I’ve personally never tried Korean hot dogs before (or really any Korean food for that matter) and was impressed by the restaurant’s attention to detail as well as its general ambiance. Immediately upon entry, I was greeted by the wafting smell of rice flour batter and the K-pop music playing softly in the background.

At first glance, the menu was almost overwhelming. There were hot dogs of nearly every permutation, ranging from the classic Korean hot dog to even a hot dog composed almost entirely of rice cake. Thankfully, though, the manager of the restaurant recommended that my friends and I try the Oh! K Classic Hot Dog, Premium Beef Hot Dog, and Mozza Dog. What struck me the most came not when we were making the decision of which hot dog to buy, but when we were paying;

the total cost came down to around $15, with each hot dog costing roughly $4. As an unemployed high school student, this is a fairly cheap price for a meal so filling. Though I didn’t order them, the restaurant also offers its signature toasts: the teriyaki and egg toast, the bacon and cheese toast, as well as the avocado egg toast.

As we waited for our order (which didn’t take too long), we were able to get a full view of our order being cooked––the chef skewering the sausage and mozzarella onto the stick, then coating it in the sticky batter, and finally rolling them onto panko breadcrumbs. The process seemed incredible, and it heightened my anticipation. We also walked around the restaurant as the chef fried the dogs, attempting to pinpoint what exactly made the vibe of this place so inviting. Was it the rather dim, incandescent yellow lighting that lined the walls? Or even the videos of people trying Korean hot dogs for the first time flashing on the TVs? Could it also be the manager, who

was actively monitoring the cooking process while checking in on us every five minutes?

Either way, I was impressed by the restaurant’s success in simulating a street-side Korean fastfood restaurant environment within the Johns Creek Village shopping area.

True to this theme, our orders were served in small plastic baskets––exactly the kind of thing that goes with the overall street-side vision that is the restaurant’s core. The manager recommended several sauces to put on our hot dogs and even sprinkled some sugar onto them to add to the flavoring. I took the first bite of my hot dog and was met by the world of tastes that were a culmination of the hand-crafted batter and sauces. The layering of the batter and panko breadcrumbs, however, was undoubtedly the best part of the Korean hot dog, even better than the inside. I look forward to coming back to Oh, K-Dog some other time, for a quick, cheap, and mouth-watering snack nearby Northview.

THE MESSENGER | 23

Faceoff: Should Supreme Court justices have term limits?

OPINIONS

Yes

MCKENNA RYAN, STAFF WRITER

O

ne of the Founding Fathers’ fundamental objectives in drafting the Constitution was to shield the judiciary from political pressure to establish judicial independence from the executive branch.

However, life tenure has turned appointing Supreme Court justices into an increasingly partisan process, politicizing one of the nation’s most powerful and supposedly nonpartisan institutions.

Life tenure has turned alleged independent judges into political players who make every effort to time their retirement to secure their preferred successors. The average age a justice leaves the Supreme Court is an astounding 81 years old, 19 years later than the average retirement age for Americans. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for instance, didn’t resign during Barack Obama’s presidency, because she was reportedly waiting for the first female president to name her successor. Ginsburg expected Hillary Clinton to win the 2016 presidential election, only to lose her battle to pancreatic cancer in 2020 during Donald Trump’s presidency. A woman in her 80s with recurring

cancer sacrificed her health for years, just for Trump to appoint a justice contrary to everything she stood.

As life expectancy has grown, so have the tenures of Supreme Court justices. In fact, the average justice’s term is currently 28 years, the longest it has ever been in U.S. history.

Because of this, unlimited terms have led to a court that is out of touch with the general public and its views, in addition to creating an increasingly political confirmation process.

The rules governing the Supreme Court must be revised to reflect the realities of life in modern-day America.

While there is a variety of possible term-limit proposals, the most popular one is a 18-year nonrenewable limit. Chief Justice Johns Roberts himself argued for a 15-year term, saying this would allow justices an abundance of time to fully understand the job and cultivate jurisprudence; in fact, many justices have voluntarily retired after similar periods of previous service on the court. Furthermore, a 18-year term would open up a Supreme Court position every two years, allowing two justices

to be appointed during each presidential term and ensuring that the Supreme Court represents average Americans.

Though opponents of term limits argue that they would result in unstable Supreme Court doctrine and frequent reinterpretations of the law, the fears of a complete upheaval in a broad range of legal issues is unfounded. A term limit of nearly two decades is unlikely to result in significant changes, especially since the courts adhere to stare decisis, or rely on precedent, when hearing new cases. The small probability that this concern will come to fruition is outweighed by the numerous benefits of establishing term limits.

Life tenure has led to the politicization of the supposedly nonpartisan institution, the very opposite of what the founding fathers wanted, and granted immense power to nine individuals who are often out of touch with average Americans. Policymakers must enact term limits Supreme Court justices if we are to prevent further deterioration of the judicial branch.

No

REAGAN HORNE, STAFF WRITER

S

upreme Court justices should keep the title and duties bestowed upon them without term limits as being appointed to the Supreme Court by the president is an honor and privilege they should not be stripped of. The U.S. Constitution acknowledges that Supreme Court justices shall maintain their positions unless removed by impeachment. As Americans, it’s our duty to uphold the Founding Fathers’ wishes.

Imposing term limits would mean belittling justices who have worked diligently to interpret laws and guarantee justice for the American people by demoting them to low-

er positions. That isn’t the way we should acknowledge and treat people of such high authority.

Since 1993, the legend America knows as the Notorious Ruth Bader Ginsburg was persistent in tackling gender and racial inequality using her position on the Supreme Court. In a world with term limits, she would never have been able to accomplish this. An 18-year term limit, for instance, would have forced Ginsburg to step down from the Supreme Court in 2011. She would never have heard Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 and been a deciding vote in the 5-4 decision to uphold same-sex marriage

for the first time. Term limits would also have prevented Ginsburg from protecting marginalized groups through numerous other landmark case rulings.

In addition, as Vanderbilt University Law said, term limits could result in major upheavals in Supreme Court doctrine, creating chaos.

If justices are frequently replaced, who’s to say newly-appointed justices won’t disobey or alter the precedent former justices have established and followed for decades. Term limits would allow less experienced judges to ascend to the Supreme Court and reinterpret critical parts of the Constitution.

The fight for 15 How the years long fight for a $15 minimum wage still rages on CASEY WONG, STAFF WRITER

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he federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not changed in over a decade, and it would exceed $22 per hour if it kept up with productivity growth over the previous five decades. After factoring in the increasing cost of living, a full-time federal minimum wage worker today makes 46% less per year than their 1968 counterpart ($15,080 in 2021 against $22,027 in 1968).

By passing the Raise the Wage Act of 2021, which gradually increases the minimum wage to $15 by 2025, we would lift 3.7 million Americans out of poverty and benefit 32 million employees (21% of the workforce). According to a March 2021 report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), 60% of these beneficiaries are essential and front-line workers. Increased compensation for these workers, who have risked their health and families to keep the country running during the COVID-19 pandemic despite a lack of recognition, is long overdue.

Furthermore, the Raise the Wage Act automatically indexes the minimum wage to the

median wage, guaranteeing regular and predictable raises that prevent future income inequality and allow minimum wage workers to stay afloat amid rising costs of living.

And despite fears that increasing the minimum wage will restrict employment prospects for underprivileged workers, the vast majority of research suggests that minimum wage hikes result in few to no job losses and a net salary gain even in the event of job losses. These advantages explain why studies like the September 2020 Princeton-Berkeley report reveal that the unemployed, people of color, and women are the most likely to benefit from a minimum wage raise.

Racial wage inequalities remain a structural element of the U.S. labor market due to occupational segregation, prejudice, and other systemic racism-related effects. Despite some historical gains, a 2019 IZA Institute of Labor Economics study found that Hispanic employees were paid 10.8% less than white workers of comparable age and educational status in 2019, while Black workers were paid

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14.9% less.

According to the EPI, the Raise the Wage Act would significantly reduce racial pay disparities by increasing wages for one in three Black workers and one in four Hispanic workers. Women of color in particular would benefit from the Raise the Wage Act as they are disproportionately underpaid—23% of those who would see wage increases are Black or Hispanic women. This is because employees who cannot work from home (mostly Black, Latinx, or Native American workers) make up nine out of 10 workers who would see wage increases under the Raise the Wage Act. Increasing the minimum wage to $15 would alleviate poverty for millions of Americans, in addition to addressing long-standing racial and gender wage disparities. And by tying the minimum wage to the state of the economy, it inherently prevents individuals at the lower end of the pay scale from falling behind in the future.

OPINIONS

College board crisis The impact of College Bo ard on students RIA DUBEY, NEWS EDITOR

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he College Board has made numerous changes to the SAT in an attempt to stay up to date. Most recently, it announced that the SAT will be shortened from three to two hours and administered digitally starting in 2023 for international students and 2024 for U.S. students.

Through this change, many students are finally realizing that they are worth more than a few hours of their life and a set of arbitrary numbers. Therefore, using these changes to incentivize them to take a test that will inevitably cause them even more stress is obviously for the best. In a world where colleges are making standardized tests optional, with some like the University of California System even scrapping them outright, this is a necessary step. What would happen to the College Board’s monopoly on the world’s education system if people believed their value is not dependent on a test? Students would be content, less stressed and have more time to themselves, and that is absolutely unacceptable, especially if it harms large corporations!

Out of fear of becoming obsolete, the College Board even made the SAT online and an hour shorter! This is obviously helping in evening the playing field for students. Of course, the test still costs $52 without the optional section (which everyone should take because who cares about mental health) and $68 with, but that’s affordable for everyone, especially if they start saving up now.

It’s as easy as not eating food or using electricity anymore.Online testing only makes

this oh-so-affordable situation even better because now testing prices can go even higher!

There is now a possibility for them to further exploit students by charging for certain types of laptops or software or even the internet being used. When prices are higher, everyone’s happier. Right? So what if some places don’t even have the resources to set up internet for that many students? So what if there have been little to no steps to help disabled students? So what if the lower time limit increases pressure on test-takers? The College Board is up to date now and will remain this way for the rest of eternity because that’s how long students will continue to take their tests. Especially now that they’ve become so much easier for everyone involved!

College Board is a non-profit organization, so it’s inconceivable that they would do anything in their own self-interest and not simply to aid the helpless students of the world. The organization may have made a profit of $1.2 billion in 2020, with its CEO making almost $900,000 (over twice the salary of the U.S. president), but since it was

all to help the students, none of it counts.

These earnings are all thanks to the hard work of millions of students who believe the only way to have a future is to repeatedly take a three-hour-long test created by this amazing, selfless charity. Additionally, they are up to date now, so these three deciding hours are now only two hours, staring at a screen while typing away at their newly usable calculators, which lessens the mental toll on these teenagers and furthers the greatness of this wonderful organization.

The College Board may take advantage of students, but the improvements to SAT testing conditions that it recently announced make all the greed and corruption inconsequential.

Students ought to continue bowing down to the expectations created by this monopoly and paying unreasonable amounts of money to take an outdated test that only serves to harm their self esteem and mental health.

Reevaluate your

STOP life decisions.

COLUMNS

r/ANSHI

NFTs The climate controversy around NF Ts ANSHI VAJPAYEE, OPINIONS EDITOR

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non-fungible token.

To most, this phrase doesn’t particularly evoke anything, but to a small group of fervent crypto enthusiasts, these eccentric digital pieces can mean the difference between hundreds and thousands of dollars.

This new frenzy is most prominent on Twitter, where an increasing number of users are changing their profile photos to cartoons of monkeys with hats, glasses, costumes, and an array of other fashion choices. These coveted “Bored Ape Yacht Club” NFTs have perhaps become the most prominent representation of NFTs even to those who are uninterested.

Celebrities have caught on as well, with Stephen Curry and Enimem succumbing to the craze.

A NFT is a non-interchangeable unit of data stored in the Ethereum blockchain. NFTs are designed in a manner (through an individualized link) that enables buyers to have complete ownership of the work. It’s analogous to how everyone can buy a Mona Lisa print, but not everyone owns the Mona Lisa.

The key to understanding NFTs is the “non-fungible” aspect. Currency—from the U.S. dollar to bitcoin—is fungible, meaning it can be exchanged with a good or asset of the 28

same type; one Bitcoin will always equal one Bitcoin and so on so forth. NFTs, however, rely on originality and thus do not fit any definition of a fungible good. A NFT is truly one of a kind, and much of its popularity stems from its non-fungible status.

In 2021, collectors and traders spent $22 billion on NFTs. And while the NFT frenzy is only expected to grow from here, many fail

A singl e NF T piece has a ca rb o n fo o tpri nt of 211 ki l o g ra m s . to realize the environmental threat NFTs (and cryptocurrency in general) pose. The high energy consumption used for the buying and trading of NFTs leaves a considerable carbon footprint. According to a group of independent researchers, a single NFT piece has a carbon footprint of 211 kilograms. Most of this can be attributed to the mining process. Without a central authority to oversee purchases,

security is of utmost priority in the world of blockchain systems. To keep financial records secure, NFT marketplaces force buyers, or “miners,” to solve complex, energy inefficient puzzles to uphold the security system. The process is purposefully inefficient to ensure that despite being decentralized, blockchain systems remain secure.

To grasp how NFTs can contribute so much to climate change, one must realize that every digital transaction consumes energy. Creating these unique blockchain blocks or “mining” is extremely labor intensive, and as a result, extremely energy inefficient. This process is dubbed as a “proof-of-work” system which prioritizes security over the environment. Still, NFTs are only a portion of the environmental damage cryptocurrency and all blockchain-related transactions cause. Though the crypto world is trying to move towards a new eco-conscious blockchain model, the fact of the matter is that energy inefficiency is the very basis of blockchain systems. For now, as the NFT craze continues, and more Americans find themselves partaking in the world of cryptocurrency, it’s imperative to remember that we should prioritize a sustainable model above all else.

STAFF EDITORIAL

Classroom censorship O n Jan. 26 and Jan. 27, three bills pertaining to classroom censorship were introduced to the Georgia state legislature: SB 375, SB 377, and HB 1084. Though these bills address the exclusion of certain “divisive” concepts in school training programs and curricula, a closer look at their fine print reveals their harmful implications for promoting diversity and inclusion within the classroom.

The concepts that the three bills categorize as “divisive” actually create more division––they prohibit discussion of harmful stereotypes regarding race and gender, rendering students and educators unable to engage in meaningful discussions on the history of discrimination in America. This further perpetuates the notion that discussing students’ racial and ethnic backgrounds is controversial when in reality this could not be further from the truth. A 2017 Harvard study, for instance, found that open dialogue regarding race and racism in history led to students having “higher self-esteem, lower depressive symptoms, and better grades.” Creating a transparent learning environment enables schools to nurture open-minded, confident, and sociable youths. Depriving schools of this right alienates students of color from their identities by teaching them a falsified version of history.

These classroom censorship bills also completely neglect the systemic racism that still permeates American society today. SB 377 prohibits any open declaration of the U.S. government and the state of Georgia as racist, but ironically enough, this in and of itself stems from a place of racist intent––denying students the right to learn about the very issues that impact their lives inherently fosters disunity. The bill dismisses the impact that racism still has on students, and by refusing to educate the next generation about systemic inequalities, the government will only breed ignorance and continue to uphold racism.

This push against teaching about racism in schools is not new, however. On May 20, 2021, Gov. Brian Kemp wrote a letter to the Georgia State Board of Education, opposing the inclusion of critical race theory in school curricula, calling it a “dangerous ideology” and a “divisive” and “anti-American agenda.” Proponents of Kemp’s argument assume that critical race theory is a blanket term to describe anti-racist education, when the two are distinctively separate.

Critical race theory is the academic framework that describes how U.S. social institutions are entrenched in racism and is taught at the graduate school level, not in K-12 schools. Anti-racist education, on the other hand, is simply teaching students about society and history through a transparent and inclusive lens, so that they can understand racism and its origins and how it affects them to this day. It allows students to develop their own ideas by teaching them to view issues like racism and sexism through various perspectives, rather than unilaterally feeding them information from a certain narrative. Moreover, it is through conversations and lessons like these that educators help students embrace their heritage and become more open-minded and empathetic. It is also these types of activities that the classroom censorship bills target.

Allowing SB 375, SB 377, and HB 1084 to become law will only silence educators and stifle vital conversations surrounding race and sex from occuring in classrooms. They bar marginalized students from discussing their lived experiences with peers and prevent them from exploring and understanding their identities by doing so. Rather than protecting Georgia’s students, these bills create unsafe spaces where students and educators alike are deprived of their intellectual freedom.

THE MESSENGER | 29

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fashion

in memoriam

CAMERON CHAPPELL, STAFF WRITER

ANDRÉ LEON

TALLEY F

JONATHAN BECKER, VOGUE

ollowing the recent back-to-back deaths of Black fashion industry trailblazers Virgil Abloh and André Leon Talley, a reflection on the impact they continue to have in the worldwide fashion industry is long overdue.

Talley, the former fashion editor and first Black male creative director at Vogue, is remembered for being larger than life and transforming fashion journalism. His impeccable knowledge was accompanied by a unique sense of style—Talley was frequently seen wearing capes to match his bold demeanor and impressive stature. When expressing his love for the fashion community, Talley noted that the affection was not often reciprocated. He made it a point to push himself into new spaces and make room for others like himself. Talley interned for influential figures in the industry, leading him to work for Ebony magazine, and his engaging personality later landed him a position as a Vogue Met Gala red carpet interviewer and his own radio show.

Despite the posthumous praise for his contributions to fashion and his status as a Black fashion trailblazer, Talley never received the proper recognition and respect he deserved from other designers while he was alive. His story was one filled with enormous talent, a passion for fashion, and mistreatment from an oftentimes brutal industry. Talley’s vision, which triumphed over the numerous attempts to silence his voice, will live on through your nearest fashion magazine.

Talley and supermodel Naomi Campbell at Tanqueray Sterling Ball, 1989.

RON GALELLA, GETTY IMAGES

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Talley and Campbell at a Gianni Versace show, 1991.

VANITY FAIR

VIRGIL

ABLOH

Abloh at Paris Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2020.

EDWARD BERTHELOT, GETTY IMAGES

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est known for his own fashion label “Off-White” and his work as Louis Vuitton’s artistic director for menswear collections from 2018 until his death, Abloh was among the past decade’s most creative fashion designers. He presented everyday clothing in an innovative manner, and the futuristic approach of his collections bridge the gap between high fashion and streetwear. Abloh’s mission was to open the doors for other designers to do the same. During Paris Fashion Week In January, Louis Vuitton debuted Abloh’s last collection, with many of his closest industry friends and celebrities in attendance.

“

“

Art is made in hindsight.

Virgil Abloh

His latest work made an appearance in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics through a custom-designed luggage set gifted to American snowboarder Shaun White. Though Abloh’s vision has become a blueprint that will shape the fashion community for years to come, his knack for producing highly-coveted, quality pieces while staying true to himself and his roots may never be replicated.

Though the powerful impact Black culture has made is undeniable, the designers behind this work are rarely acknowledged.

The conversations in the fashion community must produce more opportunities for Black creators to showcase their talents.

Abloh’s collection, Off-White Fall 2022 Ready to Wear.

FILIPPO FIOR AND ARMANDO GRILLO, GORUNWAY.COM

THE MESSENGER | 31

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