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THE MESSENGER VO L 1 8 / I S S 2 $ 1
The Cost of College pg. 17
COMPETITION CHEER
Northview’s cheer team launches a successful season
pg. 13
STUDENT NEWS NETWORK Northview’s AV-tech class returns with new morning and sports shows
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staff CONTACT US
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
STAFF
(770) 497-3828 nhsmessenger@gmail.com 10625 Parsons Rd Johns Creek, GA 30097 nhsmessenger.org
Mira Sydow Jennifer Xia
PUBLICATION
COPY EDITOR
Jyanyha Brown Elizabeth Caragher Kristina Carlson Selena DiBiase Dylan Duque Rachel Everett Ripley Simone Kennebrew Siddharth Kolichala Anna Lowrance Suhani Mahajan Reetu Maran Daniel Martinez Nancy Nguyen Grace Nguyen Sean O’Neal Alexis Oladipo Tanner Owens Bedansh Pandey Manasa Premanand Adiva Puttnam Zainab Qadri Isha Rastogi Megan Serfontein Rayyah Shakur Delaney Shear Erin Shin Caleb Smith Anshi Vajpayee
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: Mira Sydow Graphics: Vecteezy
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MANAGING EDITOR Alex Perry Melissa Liu
NEWS EDITOR Grace Peng
SPORTS EDITOR Nikki Skyer
FEATURES EDITOR Meghana Ramineni
OPINIONS EDITOR Noelle Reid
PHOTO EDITOR Upasna Kotakonda
BUSINESS MANAGER Jennah Sooknanan
ADVISER Meredith Evans
contents 05
EDITOR’S LETTER MIRA SYDOW
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MONTHLY BRIEFS STAFF
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STUDENT NEWS NETWORK ELIZABETH CARAGHER SEAN O’NEAL
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SIDDHARTH KOLICHALA
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PROFILE: MICHAEL CHIWANDIRE
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TRAINERS
RIPLEY SIMONE KENNEBREW
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COMPETITION CHEER JYANYAH BROWN CALEB SMITH
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NEW THEATER POSITIONS GRACE PENG ADIVA PUTTNAM
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THE COST OF COLLEGE
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OP-EDS
BEDANSH PANDEY ANSHI VAJPAYEE
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FACEOFF
DYLAN DUQUE NIKKI SKYER
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REID BETWEEN THE LINES NOELLE REID
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STAFF
ERIN SHIN JENNAH SOOKNANAN
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DANIEL MARTINEZ
STAFF
FOOD REVIEW
STAFF EDITORIALW
TANNER OWENS
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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A Letter to My Failed Common App Essays:
irst of all, you’re all beautiful. I know, I know; that’s a shameless cop-out. Obviously I don’t love all of you the same, because I could only choose one to use in this Common-App-Bachelorette situation we’ve got going on here, but I mean it. Each of you are painstakingly crafted to represent a different aspect of me; a different era, emotion, or phase. Combined, it seems, that in 1,500 words or less, you are me. Like, all of me. As myself, it’s an odd feeling thinking that the entirety of my relevant existence can be compressed into so many characters. Trust me, if I could Frankenstein’s Monster all of you into a Common App Essay to rule all Common App Essays, I would. I’d sprinkle in that part about my family’s (seemingly) collectively declining mental health, and then lighten the mood with that witty bit about my stint in gay fanfiction writing. Because, in my ideal version of you, you’re just as random as I am. Even now, in the awkward final version of you that I chose to represent me, the transitions feel like a waste of words. My life is a smashcut from scene to scene; the natural abundance of non-sequiters can’t be smoothed over with some fancy riff about morality or a carefully implied timestamp. The way my mind works, skipping
around from beat to beat, one moment trying to apply to college; the next, avoiding that responsibility to write a Leditor, that’s a part of me that only you get to see. In my exponentially decreasing free time, I find myself thinking that maybe with all of this wasted material, I’ll write something worthwhile. Maybe, after three months of more-or-less planning, I’ll have derived enough emotion from my tragically apathetic soul to churn out a series of essays simply for the sake of doing so. But I don’t think I will. My own writing doesn’t impress me much, anyway. It’s nothing I haven’t read a million times before in my head. The stream-of-consciousness style of narrative illustrated in your jumbled pages, that’s just for me. And trust me, I’m not the kind of person who can confidently share her rambling drafts with the world. The only kid I know confident enough to do that is an elementary schooler from my journalism class, and he cared more about UnblockedGames than what people thought of his writing. But I digress. To you, my rejected Common App Essays, I apologize. You’ve served me well. And, if nothing good ever comes of you, at least you’ve given me a solid 400 words of a leditor.
Mira Sydow, Editor-in-Chief
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M O N T H LY
NEWS
NEW SEASON, NEW HAVEN
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n the weekend of Sept. 27, Northview’s Mock Trial team competed at Yale University in the Yale Mock Trial Bulldog Invitational. Every year, the Northview Mock Trial team takes two teams to a pre-season competition before their road to nationals begins second semester. Last year, they competed in Cambridge, Mass. at an event hosted by the Harvard Mock Trial Association. Led by the team’s presidents, seniors Aaditya Subramanian, Cherie Sang, Alex Perry, and Keya Parikh, and advisor-coach Elizabeth Lake, Northview went on to receive two individual awards and two team awards. Of the two divisions of Northview Mock Trial, A and B, the A team placed ninth, and the B team placed 11th, both out of 20 competing teams. Subramanian received an outstanding witness award, and sophomore Bedansh Pandey won an outstanding attorney award. Although they have already competed successfully, this is only the beginning for Northview Mock Trial. Their Georgia Mock Trial season will begin in October, when the Georgia case releases, and will continue with tryouts in November, during which Lake will select two teams, similar to JV and Varsity, to compete througout the next few months. This pre-season competition serves to ease the members into debating and performing roles before their official season begins. The cases used in events like the Yale one differ from the ones used during the Georgia season, but the Yale competition still offers a nurturing environment for new and old members to grow.
BRIEFs
Northview Mock Trial shows off a ninth place trophy. ELIZABETH LAKE, SPECIAL
International
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MURAD SEZER, REUTERS
Uighurs stand in protest of China’s actions.
hina’s placement of Uighurs, people of a minority Turkic ethnic group in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, in “reeducation camps” has recently come to light. United Nations Ambassadors from 22 countries have condemned China’s treatment of Uighurs. On Oct. 8 the United States said it would restrict visas for Chinese officials until Beijing stops oppressing Uighurs. Additionally, Hong Kong protests against proposals to allow extradition to mainland China have become increasingly violent. This month, a schoolboy was shot in the chest, and police banned protesters from wearing face masks and deployed tear gas thousands of times to disperse crowds.
SLJC HOSTS CITY COUNCIL DEBATE
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he Secretary of State Ambassadors, a team of nine students recently organized a city council debate that took place Oct. 4, 2019 in Northview’s auditorium. Over a span of two months, these nine students came together several times to prepare, attending city council meetings to write questions for the candidates. These questions concerned the way candidates planned to improve Johns Creek. The event gave the public a feel for the city council candidates’ positions on key issues, but many candidates had similar ideas and held similar values. Because it was so well-organized, the debate was very successful in bringing the communty together. City Council Candidate Judy LaFave speaks about city issues. MIRA SYDOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Politics
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n Sept. 24, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump’s actions concerning himself, Rudy Giuliani, and Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president. Tensions escalated as reports surfaced that Trump asked Zelenskiy to investiagate democratic primary candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. As the impeachment inquiry picked up, Biden publicly vouched for Trump’s impeachment on social media.
On Oct. 8, the Democratic National Committee announced that the fifth 2020 Democratic primary presidential debate will take place in Atlanta on Nov. 20. Hosted by MSNBC and the Washington Post, the qualifications for the debate are steep. Each candidate must prove 165,000 unique donors, including 600 per state in at least 20 states. The candidates must also meet certain polling requirements in national and state polls. So far, only eight candidates have met both thresholds to participate in the fifth debate.
Students stand behind a days worth of gardening. SELENA DIBIASE, STAFF WRITER
HANDS ON NORTHVIEW
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ands on Northview, an annual event where Northview club members volunteer to clean up campus, took place on Oct. 5. The event was hosted by Northview Student Council. This year, the students put out new pine straw on the staff and junior parking lots, pulling weeds that were starting to grow and picking up trash in the process. They also cleaned the hill near the baseball field. “This event helps better our school, and overall, it helps the environment,” said Brianne Daffern, a member of the club #For. Hands on Northview was a great success this year, as it had high turn-out and improved Northview’s landscape and image for the year to come.
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Northview’s Newly-Worked News Network Changes abound for AV Tech’s recent expedition ELIZABETH CARAGHER, STAFF WRITER SEAN O’NEAL, STAFF WRITER
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ransitions take time. This rule applies to all forms of transitions on a greatly varied scale. Freshly elected presidents take time to settle in and learn the ropes of the operations within the White House. Within a PowerPoint, transitions between slides offer a beat of time in between the rush of content to take in. For the students of Northview, there are constant changes around them such as the color of mulch in the courtyard and the revamped and rebranded Student News Network.
The Student News Network is the cumulative system of two shows broadcast together: “Northview Morning”, which is the daily news and the sports show, “Titan Up.” While “Titan Up” is a weekly broadcast, “Northview Morning” is filmed on a daily basis by a select group of students within Northview’s Audio-Visual Tech class. “We are emailed the important daily news that needs to go out to the school,” Michael Alton, Northview Morning’s anchor, said. “We make sure to film that ev-
ery morning and get that out.” The SNN’s segments are all filmed and created by the students in AV Tech, but the new AV Tech teacher, Cedric Young, conceptualized the network itself. As with all changes, there were new developments, and one of AV Tech’s larger projects - the morning news - is an example. “The Student News Network is essentially something Mr. Young came up with,” said Ryan Minter, a senior AV Tech student. “He really wanted to take the reins on this one, to change it up.”
Will McKinney and Luke Marshall in the process of filming the show. UPASNA KOTAKONDA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
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NEWS
UPASNA KOTAKONDA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Brothers Michael and Kevin Alton reporting the daily news for Northview Morning.
Many of the new additions to the program were inspired and brought about by Young’s ideas. His goal was to make an overall relaxed show for the student body to embrace, and he has set out to achieve this with the AV Tech class, armed with his expertise in the field. “Everything is still transitioning, [so] we’re definitely still getting used to the new way of doing things that Mr. Young is providing,” said Dana Hoffman, an AV Tech videographer. Young wants to create a system that emphasizes the students and their culture here at Northview, and the SNN is expected to be that outlet. Through these broadcasted programs, a representative beacon can be shone on the important aspects of students’ lives. This beacon is a work in progress - the few months he has been at Northview have resulted in some developments, but what really interests him is the potential for the network. “My true vision [for the SNN] is creativity and likeability. Let’s make the news
interesting,” Young said. Currently, the SNN is at its base level, but progress is constantly being made. The team is working on developing a new set for Northview Morning, and the new editors are honing their skills with applications, such as Adobe Premiere, to make
“My tru e v i s i o n fo r th e Stu de nt Ne w s Ne t wo rk i s cre a ti v i ty an d li ke a b i li ty.” Ce dri c You ng the show more refined. The changes Young has brought have greatly changed the program, which is expected with any transition of leadership. The developments are
ongoing. “We have a clear goal, so we’re actually moving somewhere,” Alton said. Alton and the other members of AV Tech are working tirelessly every day in an effort to provide the best program that they can. These efforts - while not having reached the full potential that Young wants - have turned results of satisfaction. The Northview student body digests their program on a daily basis, and rely on the announcements to inform them of the recent and upcoming events. Whatever the use may be, the AV Tech club’s project has garnered significance for the student body. The Student News Network is different from the morning news of years prior, but this change is the mark of a different style of creation. As the SNN continues to progress forwards, this style will become more evident, as its full potential has yet to be realized. Until then, the AV Tech team will continue working hard towards their goals.
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NEWS
A Reformed Way To Teach How 3DE has changed the educational experience for the teacher and the student SIDDHARTH KOLICHALA, STAFF WRITER
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ast year, Northview introduced the opportunity to participate in Junior Achievement, separate from its default program, aimed to integrate business skills and concepts into the everyday curriculum. JA was marketed as a revolutionary new program, one that would address the characterization of today’s education as impractical and useless in the workforce. This year, however, JA is no longer a part of Northview. In its place, is an almost identical program called 3DE. “It has been rebranded. We partnered with Junior Achievement of Georgia, to launch this educational model. Since the original partnership, Junior Achievement has realized that they need to devote sort of a singular entity to support the schools that have adopted this model. So they created this secondary organization called 3DE, which is now taking over that whole responsibility, launching this model on a national level,” Brian V. Downey, principal of Northview, said. “Really it’s just a branding thing more than anything else.”
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As for the substance of the program, 3DE is not a reform of the curriculum. Many educators promote sweeping sets of changes to what kids learn, to make students understand information more thoroughly. While 3DE has very similar goals, it instead approaches the same curriculum in a different way, providing real-world context for what students learn and making their subjects seem more relevant. “[3DE] partners with companies and organizations in our area, and we launch case studies that form the backbone of all the learning that happens,” Downey said. In theory, 3DE would make what students learn at school more meaningful. In a sense, it is a reaction to the misguided students that complain how will the quadratic formula help me in the real world? And ideally, such a change would bolster student enthusiasm for school. From a student perspective, a program like 3DE is helpful in ways that are unexpected. “Since everybody is part of the same program, we’re all in the same classroom. So I can
have several of my friends in three or four of my classes” Ky Somayajulla said. “I would say my enthusiasm improved, considering my friends would be in a lot of my classes.” A common complaint is that 3DE kids are limited only to other kids in the 3DE niche. As opposed to last year’s JA program, —where students were confined to the 330 hall—this year’s 3DE spreads its participants out. “My math class is in the 200 hallway. My science class is in the 100 hallway. My ELA teacher is in the 500 hall” Somayajulla said. “They’ve moved around and everything like that.” Only time will tell how 3DE will fare with its participants later on. The first class under this program, (the sophomore class) is approaching graduation. Though their college acceptance may play a large role in their perception of 3DE, they will be the first general consensus of 3DE: as a misguided attempt to shoehorn business into subjects where it does not belong, or an innovative tool that takes a boring, out of touch curriculum and turns it into something captivating and inventive.
SPORTS
profile
highlights
Michael Chiwandire,10 TANNER OWENS, STAFF WRITER
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ichael Chiwandire, number 19, is a sophomore wide receiver and outside linebacker on the junior varsity football team this year. Chiwandire started playing in eighth grade on the Jr. Titans team. “I like to play because of how fun and intense it is,” Chiwandire said. Chiwandire started playing football because it looked fun, and he decided to play a sport that interested him, something he would continue to keep playing throughout highschool. Chiwandire says one of the main
reasons he likes football and continues to play it because it has helped him grow. “Football has taught me discipline and to never give up no matter the predicament whether it’s on the field or off the field,” Chiwandire said. Even though Chiwandire is still on junior varsity, many of his teammates and coaches are excited to see what he can do these next two years to help Northview’s team. As he moves on in the upcoming years, he wants to work on his game and knowledge. “Next season I look forward to gaining more experience and becoming the athlete I want to be,” Chiwandire said. He enjoys playing both offense and defense, but his favorite position to play is wide receiver because he likes to make plays and to run with the football. Chiwandire feels he is more successful and has more potential in the wide receiver position. “It kind of gives me a euphoric feeling as it is my time to make an impact,” Chiwandire said. Chiwandire brings the fun he carries around everyday in school to the football field. “Michael is always making us laugh whether we’re mad after a lose or on the way to a game or in the locker room, he just brings a different vibe than anyone else does,” teammate Luke Logan said. He has developed the nickname “fish and chips” among his teammates because he is British and has a unique accent as a result. Chiwandire is also a hard working player, as he is determined to work harder and get better everyday to be the best player he can possibly be. “I’ve improved by staying consistent and pushing myself. When I first started playing, I had just moved from England, so I had to learn the fundamentals and work harder than a lot of people because I started playing the game so late,” said Chiwandire. Chiwandire’s teammates describe him as a great friend who inspires and REETU MARAN, STAFF WRITER
75 receiving yards
15 total tackles
3 tackles per game
pushes teammates to work harder every day. “He’s always supporting you on the field and off the field with personal problems or in school,” Logan said. “He shows me and the freshman how to come to practice and game[s] ready and how to prepare for our games [while] watching film and during workouts.” Chiwandire’s teammates also admire his exceptional work ethic. "He’s very hard working, he comes to practice, early morning practices, and games ready to work and get better everyday,” teammate Jelani Miller said. Chiwandire appreciates the way his teammates push him to keep working hard and improve everyday. “My teammates are my family and definitely always support and push me to be better,” Chiwandire said. He is especially thankful for teammates Jeff Bell and Marcus Godbey, as they have been two of his most supportive friends. As a sophomore, Chiwandire does not have much experience in football, with only one year on junior varsity, but he believes that he will only get better and move towards becoming the athlete he wants to be from here.
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Cheer performs at the Homecoming Pep Rally UPASNA KOTAKONDA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
We’ve Got Spirit
Northview cheerleaders show spirit on and off the field JYANYHA BROWN, STAFF WRITER CALEB SMITH, STAFF WRITER
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orthview’s cheerleaders have a long history of showing spirit and cheering on the Titans. With cheer practice Monday through Thursday, games on Friday, and competitions on Saturday, they work just as hard as other athletes and rarely receive the same amount of recognition. “[The coaches] have added [more difficult] stunts than we had last year. Each year it gets harder and harder,” Varsity cheerleader, Trinity Shao said. At most high schools, there are two cheerleading squads: varsity and junior varsity. Although the teams practice on different days, they manage to get along very well. As cheerleaders, they choose not to tear each other down, but to encourage one another to keep trying. “When we practice together, we always cheer each other on during our routines and practice. We are all sweet towards one another,” varsity cheerleader Hailey Crisostomo said. The more they practice, the more the cheerleaders grow as sisters and become family, because that is what cheerleading is truly about. Splitting her time between teaching so-
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cial studies and coaching varsity competition cheer, Valerie Moyer is dedicated to helping others and ensuring the Northview cheerleaders thrive. For the Northview cheer team, time is precious. Between schoolwork, practice, and maintaining good grades, cheerleading can put plenty of pressure on their shoulders. The cheerleaders must understand that cheerleading is not just a pastime, it is an opportunity for them to find their identities and bond with one another. “We do a lot of things in the summer, we have pool parties, we go out for dinner, and we do things once a month together to build strong relationships with the team,” Moyer said. Cheerleading is not as easy as it sounds. One wrong move and anyone on the team could injure themselves and possibly cut their season short. Everyone makes mistakes, and on the team, reviewing every error contrives for a revolutionized outcome. “We sit down, we talk about the mistakes, we come up with a plan to correct them, and we start over,” Moyer said. There is always room for improvement.
Moyer, herself, was a cheerleader throughout her childhood, so she is well-aware of the amount of hard work and practice necessary for the cheerleaders to improve. In competition cheerleading, scores are determined by stunts, jumps, tumbling and levels of difficulty; the highest score a team can receive is one hundred. Just as most other sports teams and players have goals, Northview’s varsity cheerleading team is working hard to receive a score of 80. Every sports team, no matter the quantity of people, has strengths and weaknesses. Weaknesses can be motivation for any team to do better “Some athletes are well-rounded and they’re good in every aspect. Some athletes shine in other areas,”Moyer said. Northview’s cheerleaders put their heart into every chant, practice, game, and competition, because they are so passionate about cheerleading. The appropriate amount of effort can have a significant positive impact on their results. To Northview’s cheerleaders, cheering is not about how flexible or how loud one can be but rather about bonding, encouragement, and positivity being spread throughout the team as a whole.
Trainers Charles Kistler and Karen Cantrell keep their eyes out for injuries at an away game against North Atlanta
SPORTS
Hard at Work
Northview trainers help athletes recover from injuries
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RIPLEY SIMONE KENNEBREW, STAFF WRITER here are many student athletics trainers and sport managers that help Northview’s games run smoothly, but there are two key people who run the show behind the scenes. Often, they can be found standing to the side, on edge, waiting for their moment to come. They run up and down the field, court, or course, attending to athletes’ needs. Northview’s trainers, Karen Cantrell and Charles Kistler, are the backbone of Northview athletics. Known for their involvement and nurturing care for athletes, Cantrell and Kistler are the best of the best. They are both certified athletic trainers for Emory and Northview, which means they are certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillation and take their jobs very seriously. A trainer’s job is meticulous. Each day, they attend practices and games, assist in taping, bracing, and rehabilitating athletes’ injuries. In addition, they watch the weather to ensure that every athlete and coach is safe from dangerous situations such as extreme heat and lightning. When an incident arises, the athlete is evaluated on the field, and then the trainers make a decision on whether the athlete is safe to return to the game. When they are not on the field supporting athletes, the trainers are in their office, working hard to attend to every need. “We get to school around 2 pm when we
set up the water for practices. We are up in the athletic training room by 3 pm daily. At this time, depending on the athlete’s schedule, we will start doing treatments and rehab for injured athletes,” Cantrell said. “We are there for whatever games or practices are scheduled until everything is over. The average day ends anywhere between around 8 pm to 11 pm.” There are many aspects to being a trainer, both positive and negative. They are required to be the first responders in an emergency situation, communicate with parents, coaches, doctors, and athletes, and deliver the unfortunate news that an athlete is unable to participate for days, weeks, or an entire season. However, instead of focusing on the negative details, Kistler focuses on the positive and uplifting moments. “My favorite part of the job is seeing an athlete achieve their goals, especially after an injury. It is neat to see how hard he or she works and to know that I was able to play a role in their accomplishments. Seeing an athlete grow from an injury and getting to have a sideline view of pretty much any game is always a perk,” Kistler said. Cantrell made her decision to become an athletic trainer at the early age of 16. Her personal experience with her physical therapist after a torn ACL altered her dreams of becoming a radiologist or physical therapist to an athletic trainer because of the nurturing care and
concern she received. She brings the lessons and memories from those positive encounters to her job at school every day. Whether she is taping an athlete’s wrists or helping them stretch, she adds her own love and personal touch into each moment she has with the athletes she helps. Many students can attest to Cantrell’s use of careful supervision and helpful techniques when they are recovering from an injury. “They have done extensive therapy and shown me a lot of stretches to keep me healthy. The techniques they use are really amazing and work really well. I love both of them not only as trainers but as people too,” Senior Sam Babadele said. “Talking to them is one of the highlights of my day. I like joking around with them whenever they are giving me a treatment.” Regardless of the challenges faced, these amazing trainers power through the long hours and harsh weather, only focused on the athletes and their needs. The trainers do everything in their power to be there for our athlete’s by cheering them on from the side and providing support when necessary. “We are out there if it is extremely hot. When the spring sports start in February, it can be extremely cold,” Cantrell said. “Sometimes things out of our control can make a game be rescheduled at any moment so you have to change your plans and be there.”
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FEATURES
Designing an Act Theater pro ductions recieve new assistance GRACE PENG, NEWS EDITOR ADIVA PUTTNAM, STAFF WRITER
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he screen of the TV outside of the auditorium is always on, flashing with the posters of Northview Theatre Company’s upcoming shows; however, to many students in drama, it is where they find the cast lists for these productions. These students spend weeks preparing for their shows, spending hours upon hours - sometimes after school - to memorize, practice, and rehearse to successfully depict a story on stage. However, a crucial part of the storytelling that comes with the production of plays lies not with the actors themselves, but in the hands of people who work behind-the-scenes - the costume designers, makeup artists, and props masters. Anna
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Pieri, one of Northview’s drama teachers, often assists with the designers, who must work well with their teams. “The more information that the audience can see and absorb about a character, the more invested that audience becomes in the story unfolding onstage,” Pieri said. “In the same way, props (short for properties, which include anything that an actor touches) can communicate setting, financial status, significance of the object, and any other number of clues to the action.” Props and costumes teams must first research the circumstances of the play, such as the setting and personality of the characters.
Using this information, they create designs that match the concept of the director and the artistry of the story. In addition, each designer must communicate well with the acting troupe in order for both sides to establish details that will enrich the production. “The props master is the person who is in charge of props and making the props,” Arya Vajpayee, the props master for Puffs, said. “I really enjoy doing these things, like making props and making sure all the actors have their props.” In order to be considered for the position of a costume designer, makeup artist, or props master, a student must have demonstrated
ALEX PERRY, MANAGING EDITOR Arya Vajpayee sits among his various props.
Charlotte Crenshaw takes a break from Radium Girls rehearsal to showcase her look. MIRA SYDOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
some proficiency in the field through previous works, or have worked well on at least one Northview production beforehand. To verify ther commitment and experience, interviews are held, often before a production is released. If students are selected for the position, they start preparing for the first rehearsal, sometimes before the actors themselves begin rehearsals. Time commitment often depends on the show and the student, so many times, it is the student’s choice to work more hours. “I express myself by using makeup, and it gives me a sense of freedom and makes me happier. But I think the makeup community is very messy, because there are a lot of people who don’t understand it or are scared of it,” Charlotte Crenshaw, the makeup designer for Radium Girls, said. If you want to get into the makeup community, do it because genuinely it doesn’t
matter what you look like or what you think what will happen to you.” These students have the chance to develop both leadership and design skills. Elizabeth Lake, a Northview drama teacher who has been here since 2005, has seen many
student does not pursue a degree or career in theater, having these leadership positions on their resume in a creative field can help them stand out in the college admissions process or at a job interview,” Lake said. In previous years, production teams have often incorporated teachers and parents to collaborate with students. This year, however, is easier for both actors and teachers because students have taken charge, so teachers can spare more attention for the actors. It is more comfortable for a student actor to communicate with peers rather than a parent designer. Communication is extremely important for actors and designer teams to work efficiently and create a successful production. “I was cast because I’m one of the only people who can do special effects makeup. But what I’m aware of is blood, explosions, mutations, etc, and I need to know what to do for Radium Girls,” Crenshaw said.
“The more information that the audience can see and absorb about a character, the more invested that audience becomes in the story unfolding onstage.” Anna Pieri student costume designers and producers become successful designers and technicians in the film and theater fields. “Having a student designer/coordinator is different from having a teacher or parent in the role because it allows the student the opportunity to work on their design skills, in addition to building their resume. Even if a
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FEATURES
The Cost of College
In recent years, the cost of college tuition has increased dramatically, setting up a new generation of students for crushing debt or a restricted future. MELISSA LIU, COPY EDITOR NANCY NGUYEN. STAFF WRITER ANNA LOWRANCE, STAFF WRITER MEGHANA RAMINENI, FEATURES EDITOR
THE MESSENGER | 17
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or many high school seniors, achieving financial stability in the future is a powerful motivator to work hard on college applications and attend a respectable university. However, there are limitations that, in some cases, are out of a student’s control, one being that they just cannot afford schooling. Many students are unaware of the true impact that their financial background can have on not only the colleges they can afford, but also on the years prior to applying for them, especially in a sheltered environment like Johns
Creek. The ‘Johns Creek Bubble’ provides students the resources needed to excel that many others may not have, but in doing so, it also isolates most students from the idea of a world without such resources. Not all students are excluded from such a reality, however, as there are students at Northview and other schools in the area that do not share the financial background of others. One such student, Olivia*, is a Northview senior who has the aspirations and diligence to excel in school but is limited by her financial situation.
Students struggle to stay afloat with the rising costs of college tuition. MIRA SYDOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Olivia is just like any other Northview senior. She is in the middle of the stressful, tiresome whirlwind of college applications, struggling to find time for both schoolwork and life outside of school. But while some seniors are able to find time to eat out or watch a movie with friends, Olivia must spend her after-school hours working at her family’s restaurant to supplement her household’s income. And due to school and her work hours, she has to take time out of her sleep schedule to apply for scholarships and write her college essays. Due to Olivia’s financial situation, her parents must continually work hard to earn enough to afford a home in Johns Creek, where she can continue to study at Northview, and add to the emergency funds for her future schooling. Because her family had to make so many sacrifices to allow her the opportunity to attend Northview, she tries to make the most of it by studying diligently to maintain good grades and developing a story for who she is now. Neither of her parents graduated from high school, so the idea of getting an education seemed like a remote possibility in her household. In her past, she lived in an unfortunate neighborhood, where she witnessed what happens when someone gives up on their own education, and as a result has had to go to extreme lengths to make enough money, including selling drugs. “I [saw] on a daily basis what can happen when you give up on your life in my neighborhood,” Olivia said. “They’re making a living in their own way, but I don’t want to do what they do as a low-income area, which is why I want to have an education and make a living for myself.”
*Olivia is an alias chosen by the Messenger staff to protect the identiy of an individual who has chosen to remain anonymous. 18
“Definitely the way I grew up was very different from the rest of the people at Northview. I know what hard work is.” Olivia The realization that she does not want to end up like this in the future motivated her to push through high school and be the first person in her family to go to college with the goal of achieving financial stability. “I am really motivated to go to college, and before, I didn’t realize how big and important education was,” Olivia said. “I feel like it’s up to each person how much they’re going to put in for their outcome.” Olivia is considering majoring in chemistry at college, possibly going to an in-state school that best suits her family’s budget. Being in an environment like Northview, Olivia admits such a plan is unusual for most students, but she acknowledges that her situation is unusual for most as well. Olivia is a first generation American, meaning she is the first in her family to be a naturally born citizen in the United States. Growing up, she faced many obstacles due to her family’s financial situation; however, she feels that these circumstances have taught her the true meaning of hard work and given her a better sense of the difficulties she may face after high school. “Definitely the way I grew up was very different from the rest of the people at Northview,” Olivia said, “I got rejected from Hardship which is why me and my family had to rent a place and work in someone’s house in exchange for a room for all of us to go to school here. I know what hard work is.” She acknowledges that although Northview students face their own struggles, as they are under pressure to maintain good grades and participate in programs that will look good on
their college applications, they are still living within the ‘Johns Creek Bubble,’ which shelters them from the harsh reality of life. “[Northview students] work really hard in school. That’s not a lie. Everyone here is super competitive, but there’s that idea of ‘Johns Creek Bubble,’” Olivia said. “They [grew] up with all of these privileges that they think are normal, and once they get out there, they’re going to realize that these privileges must be earned and require hard work to get.” Olivia believes that while there are some who are aware of their privilege and that others are not fortunate enough to have the resources they do, they may not have a true understanding of the difference, as they have never had to face these hardships themselves. Often, students in circumstances similar to Olivia’s end up either unaware or unmotivated concerning their options for higher education, not because they believe they will not get accepted, but because they simply cannot pay for it. Olivia finds herself being limited to certain schools because of her family’s financial situation. She has applied for multiple scholarship opportunities, including QuestBridge, a non-profit program linking students who rank in the top 5-10% of their school whose families make less than $65,000 a year to educational and scholarship opportunities. But while she feels that attending college in-state may be more financially suitable for her situation, she is still considering out-ofstate colleges, including NYU or an Ivy League school, as she may be able to afford more expensive colleges with the help of scholarships. “I definitely feel that if I did UGA or
Georgia Tech, it would be easier on my family to pay for it, but if I did an Ivy League school, I would have a better chance for scholarships,” Olivia said. “It all depends on the scholarships. I know people who went to really good schools that were out of state, and they got a full ride. That’s QuestBridge, a full year for free. Then there’s HOPE, and it does help cover it, but not all of it.” Olivia has found a way to make the most of her situation, despite it being different from the situations of most at Northview. Although she was not able to afford classes that could help with standardized tests such as the SAT due to her financial situation, she was still able to prepare for it using several books and free sites such as Khan Academy. “I’ve learned to self-study, which is really important if you don’t have the money to pay for tutoring,” Olivia said. “I think that the people who do have the resources don’t take it seriously until they really need to. She believes that while having access to more resources does help students get better grades and do better in the college application process, hard work is an even more important factor. “It’s not about the resources you have, it’s about the work you put in,” Olivia said. “When it comes to the application process, grades do matter, but it’s also about the story, what difference you make.” Regarding scholarships, Olivia believes it is important that people realize the value of scholarships as they are one of the first steps to closing the education gap between those of
THE MESSENGER | 19
of Fulton County students have completed their FAFSA application in the earliest 2019/2020 Cycle
Northview High School students have submitted FAFSA applications as of September 20, 2019
2018-2019 Subsidized Direct Loan Recipients Princeton University:
34
Yale University
239
University of Georgia:
6,815 Georgia State University
19,305 Source: U.S. Department of Education’s Common
2 0 Orignation and Disbursement System
high or middle income families and those of low income families. A common phenomenon among privileged students, like many in Johns Creek, is that their families make too much for them to qualify for need-based scholarships, but not enough to actually afford the tuition at more expensive colleges. Northview counselor Cindy Lee notices that students in this area often struggle with this and believes the current system may be unfair to those who are financially stable. “I believe colleges are providing students enough opportunities to get scholarships for financial aid,” Lee said. “However, in regard to financial packages, it does seem like it is unfair to those that are already financially stable.” Lee feels that FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is geared towards family household size and family income, in that if someone is financially stable, they will not get as much of the financial aid package when compared to someone who is not as financially stable. However, there are still several ways for students in the Johns Creek area to afford college. This includes in-state tuition, which tends to be lower than out-of-state tuition, along with merit-based scholarships, which are granted for merit in academics, arts, or athletics. Senior Gabriella Bartlett feels as if seniors at Northview are not as aware of all the resources accessible to them due to the preconceived notion that not qualifying for need-based scholarships eliminates other opportunities. She advises seniors to look into the scholarships available and explore different opportunities as one may turn out to be helpful in the end. “The students aren’t aware of all their options. I didn’t know how many scholarships were available to me until I looked on websites,” Bartlett said. “There’s so many things out there, and most of us don’t know about all these smaller scholarships through individual schools.” Lee agrees that students are not taking full advantage of the resources that are provided to them, as the counselors are constantly making efforts to inform students and encourage them to apply for scholarships. “The opportunities are definitely there. I don’t think [students] are taking ahold of the opportunities we have, but we update the Northview counseling website very often with scholarship opportunities,” Lee said. Even before the college admissions process begins, there are many ways students can ex-
pand their skill set to increase their chances of getting a merit-based scholarship and a decent college. One such program that juniors and seniors can participate in is Governor’s Honors Program, a free summer program for students who demonstrate outstanding ability and potential in certain areas. Junior Shiv Trivedi attended GHP for computer science the summer before this school year. There, he learned a new programming language and improved his audio processing skills. GHP is known to be a prestigious program, and due to its reputation, attendees are at an advantage in the college admissions process, and are exposed to different people of different backgrounds. “It’ll look good that I got into a program like GHP,” Trivedi said. “I definitely made lifelong friends there. Recently, when I went to a robotics event, where there were a lot of people I knew there from GHP. It’s just nice to know a lot of people all over Georgia.” Not only is GHP an opportunity to meet students with similar interests to their own, but it is also a resource for students of all financial backgrounds to utilize. However, even with the help of merit-based scholarships and in-state tuition, many students are still struggling to afford the cost of higher education, as increasingly high tuition rates are outpacing the rise in the average American family’s income. Principal Brian Downey believes that colleges should be providing more financial aid to make up for their high costs. He reveals that when he attended college 25 years ago, tuition and living cost combined cost $16,000 a year. Today, the same school costs more than $50,000 a year. “Over the course of 25 years, it’s grown exponentially in most colleges and universities, and it’s becoming harder and harder to afford it,” Downey said. “What you guys are facing in terms of that challenge to attend the college of your choice looks very different today than when I was in school.” He feels that although certain universities, such as the University of Alabama, provide more financial aid than others, the country as a whole is not doing enough to make college affordable for students. “The federal wealth programs and federal loan forgiveness programs are not working in our favor,” Downey said, “Post college, when you try to work debt off, these programs aren’t as supportive as they could be or should be.” Trivedi disagrees, as he believes that while colleges could always provide more financial aid, they are doing enough to help students right
now. Two of his older siblings, one of which attended Princeton, have already been through college. “There’s need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships at a lot of great colleges,” Trivedi said. “I have two older siblings, and they’re already through college. I saw them get through college, and they’re okay.” Trivedi believes the high costs of many elite colleges are justified due to the extra opportunities that are open to students there. “A big part of going to college is the resources that are available, so that’s why some colleges are more expensive,” Trivedi said. “They’re able to provide more resources for you.” Downey advises students to attend a mediocre university that may not offer as many resources as elites over a more highly-regarded university, which increases a student’s chance of success but may also cause them to go into debt. Aside from the networking that students
will benefit from at elite colleges like Harvard or Stanford, he believes that the school students attend does not make a very big difference, as it is the college experience that prepares students for the future, not the brand name on a college. “The name on the degree means less than the degree itself. Once you get your first job, no one cares where you graduated from,” Downey said. “What they care more about is whether you have to skill set and the talent to step into that role. That’s something to think about as you apply for colleges.” Ultimately, it is a student’s choice whether to pursue an elite college over an average one, but cost will definitely play an important role in this decision. Olivia’s story is merely one out of many, and although uncommon in this area, there are thousands of students out there with financial limitations on their potential for a higher education.
Students often drown in student debt, especially when attending private universities. GRACE PENG, NEWS EDITOR
THE MESSENGER | 21
the messenger ONLINE
nhsmessenger.com nhsmessenger@gmail.com
@nhsmessenger
@nhsmessenger
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FEATURES
The Lazy Dog The Messenger’s monthly digest DANIEL MARTINEZ, STAFF WRITER
D
ining at Lazy Dog is a treat in every sense of the word. The delightful experience begins with the friendly entrance-sign welcoming all canine friends to sit on the patio and with the realization that, yes, those door handles are actually shaped like dog bones. The Lazy Dog sensibility is seemingly tailored to the tongue and mind of a stressed-out student. Even just walking in is sure to produce an enormous sigh of relief for the most wound-up of guests, who will delight at the figures of dogs made from scrap metal or find tremendous comfort in the undeniable coziness the place provides. Lazy Dog is a fairly new establishment, having only opened two months ago in its new location in Peachtree Corners. Those still unfamiliar with the place should become acquainted as soon as the chance arises, for their personal benefit. The restaurant oozes tranquil vibes, from every inch of its walls to every crumb unlikely to be left at the end of your meal. The atmosphere of Lazy Dog is wholly reflective of the liberal relaxation suggested in its name. A quick glance around the location reveals various miscellaneous components of dutiless tranquility: natural brown hues, giant framed photos of excited dogs, and a light-up sign spelling out “America”. Its cuisine is supposedly representative of food in California, yet any exploration of the particularly diverse menu will return only mountain cabin vibes. That, coupled with the amusing fact that employee attire is merely “flannel and jeans”, makes a trip to Lazy Dog feel as though you have run away from civilization and are hiding
MIRA SYDOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
out in the Montana wilderness. Make no mistake, though. Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is a classy place. Cloth napkins adorn pristine oak tables, leather booths line the interior, and servers are likely to respond to a simple request with “Yes, of course. It’d be my pleasure.” It is the ideal appropriation of the mountain-man lifestyle, with all of the relaxing aesthetics and none of the hunting and gathering. Thankfully, that step is completed before guests arrive, since Lazy Dog sources all of its seasonal ingredients from local farmers and growers. Fortunately, the final products are no joke. The All-American Burger, a customer favorite, is a loaded, greasy dish cooked to perfection, and despite the server labeling it the “Lazy Dog equivalent to a Big Mac,” it far exceeds anything you might find on a fast food menu. I also have to recommend the Cajun Fries; they take the addictive empty calories of normal fries and add the equally addictive hotness of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, resulting in a joyful, memorable side dish. A great deal of the menu carries these same traits, bearing either spicy ingredients or a serene, buttery taste. Though admittedly not the most healthy option, Lazy Dog presents an opportunity to shed nutritional worries along with other cares. Evidently, Lazy Dog takes the term “casual dining” to the far extreme, yet it never leaves the realm of comfort and pleasure. For just about anyone narrowly escaping a rough week of tiring monotomy, Lazy Dog offers the kind of intensely casual dining that perfectly delivers the comfort food you desparately need.
Open Every Day 11 a.m. - midnight (weekends: 9 a.m. midnight) *This article is not sponsored by Lazy Dog 5224 Peachtree Pkwy Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
THE MESSENGER | 23
A Poisonous Platform The negative effects “Ti kTok” can have on developing minds BEDANSH PANDEY, STAFF WRITER
A
fter getting ready for a party, 17-year-old Loren Gray pulled out her iPhone, took a slow-mo video of herself twirling in her living room, lip-syncing Willow Smith’s “Wait a Minute!” Weeks later, the video has more than one million views and 5,000 comments. Gray, like other teens her age, is what many call “TikTok famous.” The use of TikTok has become a social media frenzy, rising into the spotlight in early 2018. Since then, it has served as a conduit for memes, fashion, and pop-culture. But regardless of the short-lived humor or excitement it may cause, each tiktok is a facade for the ugly truths that lie beneath. Too often in society today, we see teenagers who are wildly insecure, whether it be for their looks, their personality traits, or their body type––and social media is typically to blame as the cause. Just like any other social media platform, TikTok gives adolescents a false sense of what is considered attractive, with TikTok “stars” earning thousands in brand deals solely because of the way that they look. I spent approximately 15 minutes on the “For You” page of the app and took note of each time a TikTok would come up in which the person merely struck a pose and stared at the camera. Interestingly, almost one in three were exactly like this; about 33% required no raw talent and further demonstrated the blatant image the app gives to teens my age. Moreover, even though TikTok is similar to other social media such as Snapchat or Instagram, its community guidelines have very little mention regarding negative comments on posts. Granted, there are restrictions on what can and cannot be posted, there is no filter on posting negative comments. The only way that one can remove a personal-
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ly-attackng comment from their TikTok is by reporting it, and this too can take days until the comment is removed. Furthermore, this is just another example of how emotionally damaging the app can be. On top of this, a new trend on the app has come to light––users will take videos of multiple different boys or girls and caption them, “Who would you choose?” Not only is this type of video socially demeaning to those in it, but also, it essentially ranks people based on how “attractive” they are. In essence, the creator is pitting different people against each other solely to place them on a metric with regards to their peers. TikTok has reinforced a culture in which those who are “good-looking” are considered more appealing, whereas those who are not ‘good-looking’ are considered less appealing For some, though, the app still does have its benefits, as it popularizes songs and artists that would otherwise go unnoticed in the cutthroat music industry. Artist Lil Nas X rose to fame as a result of his song “Old Town Road,” which has now broken record after record in the Billboard Top 100. Although the app has brought some diversity in the pop genre, it is most certainly not worth a trade-off with our integrity as young people. Whether it be for the memes, the money, or the malice, TikTok is an unsafe community for developing minds. As a society, it is unhealthy for us to dwell on such a cringe-worthy platform that provides virtually no benefit, other than a few occasional laughs. But as a generation, it is shameful that we must be faced with such a decision: to succumb to the trend and become just another one of Loren Gray’s 33.8 million followers, or to rebel against the very contours of what the app stands for and finally make a stand.
OPINIONS
Cultural In-appropriation Why cultural appropriation is an issue that do esn’t exist.
ANSHI VAJPAYEE, STAFF WRITER
B
efore I even begin, I’d like to distinguish race and culture from one another. While they do often overlap, they are not necessarily the same thing. Race refers to definitive physical characteristics and geological origins; culture, on the other hand, refers to thoughts, beliefs and values that define us, not necessarily bound by location. Heavy cultural influences are usually associated with particular races, only because it’s simple to relate racial issues to cultural issues and provide a tangible visualization of that culture. For example, the term “black culture” only refers to contributions made by the race as a whole to the United States, not a specific culture. At the core of it, cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements from one culture into another, used today as a trending buzzword to categorize someone’s actions as insulting. Sometimes it’s plain racism, like mocking the Cherokee flag by rocking it back and forth and using it as a mascot, but other times, something as subtle as wearing dreads, has been categorized as disrespectful. It’s important to remember that over time cultures have historically integrated and aren’t
geographically restrictive, so there isn’t such thing as an authentic culture either. Basically, cultural appropriation doesn’t exist because authentic cultures don’t exist anymore. Thanks to globalization and the agricultural revolution, most cultures have adopted one or more elements from one another to form newer, more evolved cultures. Wearing specific hairstyles is one of the most debated topics of cultural appropriation in our news today, commonly discussed in the context of celebrities. This argument usually consists of stating said hairstyle, like dreads belongs to a certain race. If there wasn’t an authentic culture with this hairstyle to begin with, how can one definitively state that only members of said race are allowed to wear it? Dreads themselves have been worn by various different cultures, including the ancient Minoans, Egyptians as well as the Aztecs. These scenarios of “cultural appropriation” often turn controversial when they occur between a majority and a minority race. Normally, justified feelings of defensiveness and protectiveness arise as well. However, the reasoning itself is flawed, disregarding the majority of history and evolution of cultures.
The moral question addressing cultural appropriation is often “where the line is,” or when does something become disrespectful and flat-out racist. It’s skirting in between this “line” where people are said to be appropriating culture. If we were to assume that cultural appropriation occurs every time a culture adopts an element from another, then something as irrelevant as American-Asian fusion cuisine would be considered appropriating Asian culture. But on the other side of the spectrum, whenever ridicule is entailed, it is usually construed as racism. Disputes between both sides have been an uphill battle, often leading to accusations on multiple occasions for perpetuating racial stereotypes and advocating for racial purity-both principles most will neither tolerate nor promote. While it’s principal to understand cultural appropriation is an issue that doesn’t exist, this must in no way be confused with consenting to ridicule and racism towards a specific culture’s core beliefs and values, it is merely appreciating their culture by merging it.
THE MESSENGER | 25
FACEOFF OPINIONS
Should students take more AP or dual enrollment classes?
Advanced Placement NIKKI SKYER, SPORTS EDITOR
A
t Northview, many students can choose to take advanced placement (AP) classes and dual enrollment courses. While both are academically challenging and equip students with skills that are necessary for college, AP classes have a high rigorW and, at Northview especially, challenge students to work harder. Typically, in order for a college to accept the credits from an AP class, the student must score a certain number on the AP exam. In addition, students are able to remain at their high school while taking AP classes. This allows them to continue being a part of
the community at the school while simultaneously taking higher level courses. AP and dual enrollment classes are often taken by juniors and seniors in high school, so it is especially important for them to finish their high school career on the social side of things as well as academic, which AP classes allow them to do. Furthermore, it is much more convenient to take AP classes, because in order to participate in dual enrollment you must be able to drive to where the classes are. Depending on how long it takes to get to that location, it may vary in how difficult it is to get there. Often
times, teachers of AP classes have the skills to teach classes at a higher level, which means that AP students may learn more efficiently in AP classes. Also, AP classes offer a more standardized curriculum than dual enrollment, meaning that the grade values are more reputable. This is because of the fact that it leads to a cumulative exam at the end of the course. Overall, APs are undeniably more useful and beneficial for high schoolers. In regards to applying for college, APs are better than dual enrollment because of the higher value both credit wise and educationally.
determined by a single exam. Dual enrolment allows you to study at a nearby college, and take classes of your choice. Instead, your performance thoughout the year will determine if you get the credit or not. This way, you recieve credit for the work you put in throughout the year, which is the ideal process of how a course should be approached. Another upside of taking dual enrollment would be actually getting a taste of a real college experience while still in high school. This gives you the upper hand over most of the student population because you will be is prepared and know what to expect upon arriving to your college of choice. There is nothing that determines your way into college, unless you get credit for a college
class. Obviously, AP courses are a good tool, but I find intolerable the idea of wasting a year working hard to achieve the unrealistic standards of these classes and putting it on line with a single test halfway through second semester. I have personally taken 3 AP courses thoughout my high school career and I have yet to see their benefits. Because when you think about it, some colleges won’t allow credit for certain AP courses, and some make the minimum grade to get for the credit almost impossible, ranges 4-5 on the exam. In the end, dual enrollment is more convient and pays off in the end.
Dual Enrollment DYLAN DUQUE, STAFF WRITER
I
t is a common misconception for Northview students that AP courses are a ticket into college. This mentality leads many students to overload their schedules with classes that are highly rigourous for an average student. Many of these AP courses lead to unecessary stress and lower the grades of students who take them. If you ask any student who has taken an AP course throughout the years, most will say that you are never reimbursed for the effort you gave in high school once you get to college. Even if you passed the class, you still may not get a college credit, as your whole year is determined by the AP exams. On the other hand, dual enrollment courses are the exact opposite because credit isn’t
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COLUMNS
REID BETWEEN THE LINES
All Things Considered How America is failing at raising its poverty line
NOELLE REID, OPINIONS EDITOR
I
n America, we have built a narrative that people who fall at or are below the poverty line could easily get themselves out of the circumstance if they just “pulled themselves up by the bootstraps and got to work.” But this is something that is blatantly untrue and needs to be dissolved immediately. When upper middle class Americans regurgitate this nonsense that gets fed to them by the top one percent, it makes it harder for these people to actually get themselves out of poverty or “pull themselves up by the bootstraps.” In perpetuating this mentality, we trap people in a cycle of being impoverished. Around 43 million people in the United States suffer from some kind of mental illness, with a majority of these people having been diagnosed with depression. Just about the same number of people are at or below the poverty line in the United States. It would be ignorant to assume that these groups of people would not intersect. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2.5 million adults who fell below the poverty line suffered from a severe mental illness, including addiction to controlled substances.
While there are people who can afford to pay upwards of $90 a month for antidepressants, the 40% of Americans who can’t even afford to regularly go to a doctor are left to suffer in silence. Or even worse, left to medicate themselves with illegal drugs. Once looped into this cycle, it can be incredibly difficult to get pulled out. In the state of Georgia, the minimum penalty for a first-time drug offense is two to 15 years in jail. Drug addiction is a disease. We should be making it easier for addicts to recover than just shoving them into jail and giving them nothing but a 50% chance of going back once they get out. And drug offenses aren’t the only things that land people in jail. People who fall at or are below the poverty line are more likely to be incarcerated than their counterparts. It is no secret that getting a well-paying job as an ex-con is nothing short of extremely difficult. The American minimum wage is long overdue for a raise, as the minimum $7.25 an hour is simply not liveable. As of March of this year, there were about 1.7 million Americans who worked for federal minimum wage as estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A one bedroom apartment in Atlanta could have a rent that costs
$1,200 a month, which does not include the utility bills. A person who works for minimum wage will make $1,160 a month before taxes. Sure, they could get another job just to pay to keep their lights on, but why should it have to come to that? Even though these 1.7 million people make up just around two percent of the American workforce, they make all the difference. The people who bag our groceries, hand us our fast-food in drive thrus, or cultivate the food that we eat deserve to be able to live off of the money they make. Why do we continue to debate this? In the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, it states that we have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It is hard to pursue your happiness when you can barely pay to keep yourself alive. We need to start treating the poor more like people; that’s what they deserve to be treated as because that’s what they are. We need to stop scoffing and turning up our noses when we so much as hear the word “food-stamps.” We can say that those who are in poverty got themselves to this point, but why don’t we make it easier for them to get to a better place?
THE MESSENGER | 27
COLUMNS
music ERIN SHIN, STAFF WRITER JENNAH SOOKNANAN, BUSINESS MANAGER
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P
t just 17 years old, Billie Eilish released her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” Her goal was for different people with different music tastes to enjoy at least one song from the 14 tracks within the album.
ost Malone returns with “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” topping the charts once again, spending its third consecutive week on the Billboard Top 200. In this album, Post Malone tells his story about the glamorized Hollywood life, detailing true pain and sorrow that comes with being a celebrity.
billboard’s
Top 10
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01.
Truth Hurts - Lizzo
06.
Ran$om - Lil Tecca
02.
Senorita - Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
07.
No Guidance - Chris Brown ft. Drake
03.
Bad Guy - Billie Eilish
08.
Goodbyes - Post Malone ft. Young Thug
04.
Someone Loved You - Lewis Capaidi
09.
Circles - Post Malone
05.
Panini - Lil Nas X
10.
Old Town Road - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
T
aylor Swift’s seventh album, “Lover,” has gone platinum. The record has earned over a million album units in the U.S. just four weeks after it was released, breaking the record for Swift’s previous album, “Reputation,” which was released back in 2017. The lead track within the album, “ME!” featured Brendon Urie, is a song about self-love and acceptance. The genre is labeled as “bubblegum pop.”
L
izzo is continuing to make her name known. Her album “Cuz I Love You” is still dominating the charts on the Billboard Top 100 for the fifth consecutive week. Lizzo’s lead track, “Truth Hurts,” is now the longest track by a female artist to be number one, surpassing Iggy Azalea. This is Lizzo’s first song to reach the number one spot.
A
fter her debut album, “Cry Baby,” released in 2015, Melanie Martinez has returned with her second studio album, “K-12.” With the new album alongside a 90-minute movie, Martinez shows her uniqueness when it comes to her style, a dark yet colorful pop-indie music.
THE MESSENGER | 29
OPINIONS
STAFF EDITORIAL
A
Mental Health Days
nxiety and depression are epidemics spreading throughout teenagers today. From stressing about grades to worrying about college applications, there are a variety of stressors high school students endure on a day to day basis. There are even more issues like climate change and mass shootings that go beyond the four walls of a classroom. Some are more drastic than others but all very realistic. High schools nowadays expect so much from teens when it comes to preparing for life beyond school, but there is a fine line between wanting to be treated as adults and not being able to carry that weight. Adolescence is such a pivotal part of growing, but a lot of that growth is being cut short due to worldly concerns. Although international issues do not necessarily go hand in hand with school work, we learn about these issues at school and have to spend every day in a classroom while these things are going on. Mental health is an important issue for teachers and school administrators to understand because usually, these educators are the first line of defense for their students. It is important to
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recognize when a student is having a hard time. Most often, if a student is failing and falling behind in schoolwork, they are probably struggling emotionally as well. Not only do anxiety and depression affect a student’s well being, but they also affect their performance in school. Lawmakers in Oregon and Utah have recently highlighted the importance of mental health by allowing students to take “mental health days,” which count as sick days. Oregon now gives students five mental health days in a three month period, and Utah names mental health a “valid excuse” to miss a day. Mental health should be taken just as seriously as physical health. Mental health days are a step in the right direction for schools, especially with the rising suicide rate in teens. Most causes of depression among teens stem from school stress and the resulting pressure. Being informed about mental health is extremely important. Mental health education should be available to students, parents, and school educators. The lack of this education hinders the ability to identify when a student is struggling with mental health issues.
gallery Junior Andrew Tenbrink finishes a cross country race.
Junior Shiv Trivedi poses to resemble a student drowing in debt. MIRA SYDOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MIRA SYDOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Duriing stress awareness week, bands played through lunch on Oct. 8.
UPASNA KOTAKONDA, PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
MIRA SYDOW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Junior Charlotte Crenshaw steps out of rehearsal to showcase her makeup skills.
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