NHS Omniscient Volume 12, Issue 1

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SNEAKER CULTURE makes a culltural impact on Northwood students. Page 11

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SEX EDUCATION is not meeting LGBT students’ expectations. Page 5

This fall, Northwood High School put on a production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” It starred senior Abby Goyea as the lead role of Macbeth.

“It’s about a lord who is encouraged by his wife, Lady Macbeth, to rise through the ranks and become king, through the use of murder,” Goyea said. “Ultimately [it’s] about peer pressure and the consequences of greed.”

The production went smoothly according to director and theater teacher Kayla Sharp. “the cast really took on the task of Shakespeare which is daunting. They did so well!”

Next semester’s production will be the Disney musical “High School Musical.”

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EDITORS Madison Clark Editor-in-Chief

NORTHWOOD TEACHERS should have teacher assistants as a resource. Page 14

Josh Eisner Online Editor STAFF WRITERS Noah Brackett

Meera Butalia Chase Miller Caroline Conte Emma Pollard Madeline Conte Emma Quasny Alyssa Detzi Liam Scott Samuel Fuelleman Jenny Teague Harper Johnson CC Kallam ADVISER Karli Kolls Eliza Brinkley Jeffrey Marcin ebrinkley@chatham.k12.nc.us

The Northwood Omniscient is published by journalism students at Northwood High School. It aims to present accurate coverage of events of inteest to our readers, as well as provide an open forum for students, faculty and the community.

We welcome letters to the editor, which can be delivered to the adviser in Room 607 or sent to the school’s address. Letters must be signed, and the staff reserves the right to reject any letter containing libelous statements, to edit for length and to ascertain the truthfulness of the content.

Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board. Columns, letters and cartoons represent the views of the authors.

Photo Courtesy of Courtney Peralta Castillo

DANCERS debate on whether dance is considered a sport or not. Page 16

Cover Youtube’s biggest stars have become incresingly prevalent in student life.

Page 8 Compiled by Emma Pollard

January 2019

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The Omniscient

Transport Troubles: Students have issues with Northwood parking passes

By Liam Scott Staff Writer Anyone who has ever parked on Northwood’s campus or has been through the process of trying to get a parking pass understands the hassle that our school can make it. Sign up that starts in mid-toearly August and students arriving at school as early as 5 a.m., it's well known that the process to apply and receive a parking pass can be overwhelming.

Additionally, the passes aren’t getting any cheaper from year to year. This year’s parking pass costing students $75 each compared to the $25 at Jordan Matthews in Siler City. This is a very visible difference and many student want to know why ours is not $50 less.

This raises the question: Where is all this money going? The most visible change that the money from parking passes goes to is the old gravel lot (now paved) branching off from the main lot. With the cost of student parking passes gradually increasing, questions arose about lower income families who need the pass to make it to school or from school to work. Some students feel that something should be done to make it more inclusive. Senior, Josh Crutchfield feels that there should be a system in place to provide for those who cannot afford to purchase a parking pass.

“I think something like that should be done to ensure people can still park here even if they are financially troubled,” Crutchfield said. “I would agree that we had the lots to divide them up so why not try

it and see if we are able to make a difference.”

Another alternative to paying for a parking pass is that students can park at Lowes.

“We know students park at Lowes and Northwood does not approve of it because it's dangerous and we can't enforce this other than having the resource officers try and manage how the kids are getting there,” Dr. Walston said. Many students do ride with others and are generally not at risk there but it's the select few who ride in truck beds and that puts themselves at risk for injury.

Many students complain about the process, saying it takes to long or it needs to be re-thought.

“The process of getting a parking pass can definitely be difficult, but for most people they complain about getting in trouble for not having a pass,” former student Hunter Quinlan said. “It's simple, if you don't have a pass then wait until you do. It's annoying to get one but it's easier than getting a boot off of your car.”

With five lots and over 220 current student parking passes being sold this year, students compete to be the early bird. With Northwood’s new road being constructed, Northwood could gain up to 50 more parking spaces, according to vice principal Zack Chutz.

The constant threat students face of getting their pass taken away is another problematic factor. The school holds authority to revoke your pass. Most common ways to lose them include disciplinary infractions, skipping and the rare circumstance where failing classes can result in the state revoking your license and consequently making your parking pass

invalid. Students who are dependent on driving to school as a means of transportation should take note that once they are sold out, there are no exceptions on the waitlist. As of November 14, 2018, the wait list consists of around 10 students. Acknowledgement this number is dependent and fluctuates often.

“There seem to be some new ideas in the works for remaking the way to apply for a pass but none that can be confirmed yet,” Chutz said.

With no chance to apply earlier, you must hold a current license through the state, the money for the pass, the forms provided that can be found on the school website, a copy of no more than two cars’ registration and Vehicle Identification Number.

BrokenSphere/Wikimedia.commons

PARKING AT NORTHWOOD has become a hassle in the eys of the students.

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January 2019

The Omniscient

Meera Butalia/The Omniscient

NORTHWOOD FRESHMEN work on sexual education assignments in class.

Photo Courtesy of Joint Base Langley-Eustis

LGBT STUDENTS do not feel fulfilled by N.C. sex education

Abstinence and Apathy: The shortcomings of high school sex education

By Meera Butalia Staff Writer

Awkward condom demonstrations, horrifying STD photographs, and humiliating role plays are all staples of high school health classes. However, certain demographics have a history of being excluded from the sexual education narrative in high school. LGBTQ+ students have faced the brunt of the lack of representation, accompanied by reproductive rights, in the face of abstinence-only education.

The need for sex education was first addressed by The National Education Association in 1892, when it passed a resolution that called for “moral education in the schools.” Implementing this goal was a feat, considering the opposition to any sexual education at all due to the stigma surrounding sexuality. Only after the military was forced to incorporate sexual education during WWI, when STD’s became rampant, did public education follow suit. After a small period of growth, the need for sexual education reached the U.S. Department of Education, which began to create materials and train teachers in the 1930s.

As conservative groups lost their battle in preventing sex education in schools, they moved on to promoting abstinence-only education, including provisions for it in the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. In North Carolina law, this abstinence-only education was reformed by the Healthy Youth Act of 2009, which requires scientifically accurate information about reproductive health. However, vestiges of the abstinence-only education remain in the Healthy Youth Act of 2009, which states that N.C. sexual education teachers must teach that “a mutually faithful monogamous heterosexual relationship in the context of marriage is the best lifelong means of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.” This legislature has manifested in the classroom, with just five percent of LGBTQ+ youth nationwide reporting health classes with “positive representations of LGBTQ+ related topics,” according to a 2013 survey by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

Though a dearth of LGBTQ+ representation and accurate teaching is national trend, Lyn Smith, a Northwood Health and Physical Education teacher, thinks that Chatham County doesn’t necessarily follow the trend.

“Chatham County is very good with talking about the LGBTQ+ community,” Smith said.

Smith said that although they don’t explicitly men-

tion LGBTQ+ topics in class, they try to work them into lesson plans with the help of outside professionals.

“We’ve had some people come in and do workshops for the teachers, which is very helpful,” Smith said.

“We do a program called RTR(Reducing The Risk of pregnancy, HIV, and STIs) and in that, every role play that we do is non-gender specific, so we always say this could be a girl and a girl, a guy and a guy, or a girl and a guy.”

Because of these details, Smith thinks that health teachers “do a really good job of it in Chatham County, even though this is the ‘Bible Belt.’”

Not all LGBTQ+ students at Northwood see the administration of the curriculum in the same way. Senior Marcus Jackson has had a very different experience than the one Smith describes, saying he doesn’t remember any specific moments where the LGBTQ+ community was recognized, but that when students asked, teachers would “kind of awkwardly stumble through LGBTQ+ questions.” Jackson doesn’t think it’s the fault of any one teacher, but thinks there definitely needs to be a lot of change in today’s school system.

“It’s not in the curriculum to teach gay, bi, and trans students about sexuality, and how to be safe and have sex,” Jackson said. “It’s all super heteronormative and geared towards straight people because that’s how it was for so long. Now I feel like it needs to be broadened to cover everything rather than just one set group of people.”

Smith recognizes that LGBTQ+ students can often leave the classroom feeling unprepared, though she tries to supplement the curriculum.

“We don’t spend as much time on LGBTQ+ to where I could say that they’re educated when they get out of health class, because it’s only one class, nine weeks, and that’s not enough,” Smith said. She said Health class in ninth grade is “the one and only health class that [students] have to take,” which makes it hard to incorporate all the topics she could.

“We try to cover everything, with the bullying, with the substance abuse, with the RTR,” Smith said. “We talk about issues that are facing kids today, and those that will face them in the near future, that could result in consequences that could change their entire life down the road.”

Jackson thinks that while there is a small effort to include LGBTQ+ topics, more could be done. “A representative could come in one day and devote the whole class-time to LGBTQ+ sexuality. Spend the whole class period talking about how to be safe,

because it’s real, even though it’s awkward because society makes it awkward.” Jackson said.

Jackson points out that part of the lack of representation has to do with the over-sexualization of LGBTQ+ identities, and that LGBTQ+ geared curriculum could be effective with less of that sexualization clouding legislator and constituent perspectives.

“Sex is sex,” Jackson said. “It’s better to get rid of that stigma of sex being so weird and gross and profane.

I don’t agree with keeping it behind closed doors; I feel like there needs to be someone to open those doors and talk about it.”

Senior Ellen Pedigo agrees with Jackson, saying that even though some may disagree with LGBTQ+ topics in class, there’s no way to avoid it.

“You can’t change someone’s sexuality, so the best thing to do is teach people how to keep themselves safe,” Pedigo said. “There are a lot of kids who are gay and they need to know how to navigate the world, so if you can’t keep those kids safe, you’re not doing your job. There are different ways to protect yourself and gay kids need to know that.”

Pedigo also says these issues manifest in the real world, with health class mirroring society’s attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community.

“Both in the real world and health class it’s made to seem like there’s just heterosexual sex,” Pedigo said. “Even in the real world [LGBTQ+] is still taboo to talk about.”

But some organizations and states in the U.S. are working to change this. In California, the California Healthy Youth Act was enacted in 2016, and mandated that counties must teach “understanding of sexuality as a normal part of human development,” as a part of comprehensive Health Education reform. Many proponents of the reform cite studies that show that a lack of representation in health classes contributes to the discrimination and victimization of LGBTQ+ students, leading to lower grades, depression, and higher rates of absence.

Smith, who recognizes the importance of this representation, says that the class is “based on everybody, not a specific group,” so they can’t always delve into topics that aren’t in the curriculum.

“Right now we’re teaching what we can,” Smith said. “And we’re limited in what we can do.”

But Pedigo hopes that all N.C. schools will one day provide more representation at this level.

“Just teaching something would be helpful,” Pedigo said.

January 2019

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The Omniscient

Laptop Turnaround: Explaining the switch to Chromebooks

By Madeline Conte Staff Writer As a mass of people filed into the school building on Aug. 27, many returning students’ faces fell as the previous years’ rumors were confirmed, and they were handed a Chromebook instead of their familiar MacBook Air. With the school year nearly half over, many have voiced their views on the laptop switch-up.

“I don’t like that unless you open a document before you lose internet, you can’t work on it,” senior Sarah Sessoms said. “I also really don’t like the way the desktop is set up.

I liked having all my files displayed on my background, and I liked the ability to drag-and-drop pictures onto my desktop.”

With the new Chromebooks, Microsoft Office has been replaced with the Google equivalent, Google Drive, which encompasses Google Docs, Sheets and Slides.

“I really don’t like that I have to be forced to use the Google file system for every assignment,” senior Nicole Feher said. “I am so used to using Microsoft Office, so switching platforms was really hard. You also can’t put special characters, so if you have a language class you are unable to put accents on the letters. Overall, you can’t do a lot of different things that Microsoft Word could have done.”

While some students have expressed their reservations about the new laptops, others have welcomed the switch.

“I do like that you can turn it into a tablet like when we are reading long passages in class,” senior Garrison Parrish said. “It is helpful to be able to lay the computer flat on the desk.”

Like Parrish, junior Maya Moll enjoys the added feature of a touchscreen and finds it convenient in and out of school.

“I like how it’s a flip screen, and you can turn it around and use it as an iPad in class,” Moll said. “At home on the weekends, the foldable screen makes it easier to study or watch movies in bed.”

Students are not the only ones having to adjust to the new devices. Teachers are having to find alternative programs and sites that are compatible with the Chromebooks.

“As with any technology, there is a learning curve that is required to adjust to the new capabilities,” science teacher Dr. Victoria Raymond said. “There are a couple of platforms for online simulations that I miss, which necessitates that I research some alternatives.”

Similar to some students, English teacher Nikki Cox sees the benefits in the Chromebooks touchscreen capabilities and integrates the technology in her classroom.

“I do find that the touch screen and the fact that the Chromebooks are 2-in-1s is very useful,” Cox said. “I can show things to students more easily by using the touchscreen versus having to turn the computer around so that I can use the keyboard. The 2-in-1 aspect has also been useful in students being able to hold their computers more naturally for reading plays digitally and performing them more easily.”

Since the start of the school year there have been questions circulating about the reasoning and motivations behind this decision. Keith Medlin, the Chief Information and Technology Officer for Chatham County Schools, details the consideration that was taken in replacing the student devices.

“We had a number of elementary schools where we only had enough computers to serve every two students,” Medlin said. “We saw a great opportunity to expand

the 1-to-1 Student Device Program to grades 6-12 with students in 8th grade beginning to take their devices home.

This increases access beyond the school to digital learning allowing students to explore more relevant, engaging, and authentic learning opportunities for a significantly larger portion of the student population.”

The Chromebooks’ ability to reach a wider range of students was a result of their reduced cost and maintenance compared to the MacBook Airs.

“A lot of schools were struggling to purchase MacBook Air devices given the price of a new laptop [about $1,250],” Medlin said. “Chromebooks are about 1/4 the cost [$360] of a MacBook Air plus AppleCare, and the repairs are significantly cheaper which increased the buying power of schools seeking to purchase additional devices now and into the future.”

Aside from the Chromebooks being a more costeffective option for schools, their tablet functionality piqued the interest of administrators.

“Many stakeholders were excited about the Android tablet functionality of the Dell Chromebook 3189,” Medlin said. “It offers a totally new way to interact with devices in Chatham that gives the devices an extra edge over traditional laptops.”

Despite the reactions from students and teachers toward the new Chromebooks, sophomore Lauren Tedder puts the situation in perspective.

“It’s nice to have a computer to use when you have a question that you need to look up and it makes research a lot easier,” Tedder said. “Some schools don’t provide any laptops for their students to use for their education, so just having a laptop to use is convenient.”

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January 2019

The Omniscient

Objecting to Objectification

By CC Kallam Staff Writer “Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual attention from anyone including verbal, physical and emotional,” junior Ande Richardson said.

The process for filing a sexual harassment complaint is on page 30, policy: 1745/4027 in the Chatham County district handbook. The Chatham County district handbook says sexual harassment includes “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment.”

The American Association of University Women held the largest and most recent study regarding sexual harassment in middle and high schools in the U.S. They found that 81 percent of 8-11th grade students in the study reported sexual harassment.

“I’ve sometimes heard in the hallways some things that I feel are inappropriate for a male to be saying to a woman here at school and I’ll immediately address that student,” Health and Physical Education teacher Cameron Vernon said. “I think it’s important for us as male teachers in the school to model to the male students how we treat women.”

A portion of education in North Carolina is designated to teaching students how to properly communicate and defines what a healthy relationship is and isn’t.

“People don’t realize what they are saying is actual harassment. They hear somebody else say something, so they think it’s cool,” said Physical Education and Health teacher Lyn Smith. “We need to make people aware that what they’re saying is not right.”

Students anonymously share their experiences with harassment in the Northwood hallways with The Omniscient.

“I was coming out of the bathroom and this group of guys said ‘D**n baby you got an a**;’ then they said ‘Come over here’ and I just kept on walking, but I thought, ‘Ew that’s gross’,” an anonymous student said. “I didn’t like how they were looking at me, like they were looking at something they’d like to toy with instead of a person with emotions and feelings.”

“I was walking on the way to art class and a guy said ‘Oh, that’s the moves’, and looked me up and down and then followed me to my class, so that was scary,” an anonymous student said. Weightlifting teacher Coach Gary discusses the harassment he’s witnessed and how he as an athletic coach has handled these situations.

“Relationships are everything, you just have to have a conversation, but a lot of these kids just don’t know what they’re saying could be taken as harassment and the people that are being harassed don’t know they’re being harassed and sometimes they don’t speak up for themselves,” Coach Gary said. “I had to talk to one of my track girls because a school bus from another team rolled by and was saying some stuff to her and she didn’t pay any mind but I had to tell her ‘don’t let people talk to you like that, I never had any opportunity to talk to the kids together, but at the beginning of the school year I set the expectations.”

“I feel like you can’t enforce it enough. You should always emphasize that it’s wrong because people are always going to be there doing it; but I mean, do what you can to stop the problem,” senior Mackenzie Parker said.

“It all starts with a conversation,” Coach Gary said.

“You at least need to have a conversation. It would help if people did that more often instead of staying in their bubbles and not getting out of their comfort zones.”

The following is a message from the Northwood Administration One of the core beliefs of Northwood High School is that all students should have a supportive, safe, and nurturing school environment. Here at Northwood, if you feel you have experienced harassment of any kind, we encourage you to let an administrator, counselor, teacher, or another trusted adult know immediately. This type of behavior will not be tolerated any level. When an adult is made aware, actions can be taken to end the harassment. If you witness a student being harassed by another student in the hallway, stairwell, classroom, or some other school space, let an adult know of the behavior. The anonymous bullying/harassment form on our website is also available as a way to report these inappropriate behaviors, but remember to include enough information so administrators can effectively utilize the report. Your concerns will always remain confidential and anonymous.

January 2019

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The Omniscient

JUULING has become an epidemic amongst American adolescents .

Vaping360/Flickr

The New Cigarettes: Teens are chasing the buzz

By Emma Quasny S taff Writer

*Names have been changed to protect the student’s identity A group of high school students are huddled in a corner passing around something considered contraband on school campus. They all inhale and exhale, resulting in a cloud of smoke appearing over their head. They are holding a “JUUL”— a kind of E-cigarette that has rapidly become popular in the last year.

According to The New York Times, vaping has become a problem throughout the teenage population. More than two million middle and high school students were regular users of Ecigarettes last year, and this number only keeps climbing. Students willing to try out E-cigarettes tend to inadvertently develop an addiction to the nicotine without realizing it. A cool trend quickly turns into a troubling addiction many teenagers struggle to control.

“I think that it is a problem because people of [a] young age should not be doing this student,” John Doe* said. “It affects adolescents brains since they do not fully develop until age 25.”

JUUL is a privately owned company that started in 2017. It primarily sells E-cigarettes to adults in order to help quit smoking. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently targeted many E-cigarette companies, including JUUL, for marketing their products to young teens.

The FDA has noticed a recent rise in the number of JUULs sold to individuals, including teenagers, and they began investigating further into it. JUUL said it will speak to all social media sites showing or encouraging minors to use the E-cigarette. Student, Jane Smith*, agrees with the FDA’s decision that JUUL should be taken off the market.

“My friends and I want JUULs to be banned by the FDA so we are forced to stop using them,” Smith said. “I want them to be gone so I cannot buy them anymore because I know I have an addiction and I want to stop [JUULing].”

While some students, like Smith, may agree with the FDA, Doe has a completely different opinion on FDA’s disapproval of JUUL. “I do not think it is the FDA’s place even though [JUULing] is an epidemic for teens,” Doe said. “FDA does not regulate a lot of things, such as certain medicines, which can be

just as harmful; that being said, the FDA should not be threatening this private company.”

Peer pressure is a common issue that high school students battle with. More high school students continue to hop on the bandwagon of purchasing a JUUL because they see their friends doing it.

“I started JUULing because all my friends were doing it and I thought I would just try it out as well,” Doe said. “All I have to say is to not give in to peer pressure because once you start, it is hard to stop.”

Zack Chutz, Vice Principal at Northwood, explains the consequences of possessing a vape on school grounds.

“Every week there is a few vapes that we go through with students that have them,” Chutz said. “Depending on the situation and depending on the number of offensives they have had before, [a student] can earn in-school suspension (ISS) for three days or out-of-school suspension (OSS). There [are] a lot of different variables regarding a student’s punishment.”

In another article by The New York Times, it states that students can physically not stop vaping while in school. They are so familiar with using their JUUL, that they can not bring themselves to stop even if they know the consequences of vaping on school grounds.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a 20-year smoker or a two-month smoker; the nicotine will be out of your body in three days, so if you quit there will be no nicotine in your body,” Chutz said. “[After that] it is all a habitual desire because [people] are used to that nicotine, and you just need to get over the habit of always having a JUUL or cigarette.”

According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nicotine is not the only addiction that adolescents need to worry about.

“Continued e-cigarette use cannot only lead to nicotine addiction, but it also can make other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine more pleasurable to a teen’s developing brain,” the NIDA stated.

Smith is concerned with her generation and how vaping is potentially damaging to their futures.

“So much of our generation is into vaping now that these decisions that we make can […] down the road affect our future,” Smith said. “There are teens out here getting addicted to nicotine and they have not even touched a cigarette, and that is a shame.”

7 Entertainment

Shifting Towards Thrifting: First-hand opinions on second-hand stores

By C hase Miller S taff Writer

High school has always been a breeding ground for various conflicting trends. Though many recall the days of low-rise jeans and parachute pants with regret, a fashion movement gaining traction in recent years encourages a more nostalgic view. Thrift shopping isn’t a trend fueled by new designs, but rather a new perspective on old ones. Theories on the reasons behind its recent rise in popularity differ from customer to customer.

“What I like the most is that you don’t have to worry about going to school and seeing someone else wearing exactly what you’re wearing,” said junior and avid thrift-shopper Ava Sorgman. “It’s really unique. What you get there you aren’t going to get anywhere else.”

Uniquity aside, junior Ande Richardson, a fellow thrifter, believes thrift stores have various other perks. “[Thrift stores] have a good selection. The people who work there are usually really nice and you can find really high-quality things for really low prices,” Richardson said.

Senior Taylor Puckett has been shopping secondhand since she was young. For her, price has been the driving factor.

“No one wants to pay fifty dollars for a plain white shirt when you could get it for twenty-five cents at the PTA,” Puckett said. “I don’t know why people do that.”

Richardson believes that you shouldn’t expect thrift shops to mirror their corporate competition and that a lot of the experience comes from the mindset you have going in.

“If you come in looking for something specific, you’ll never find it, but when you’re not looking for something, you can find so much stuff,” Richardson said.

Because they get their products primarily from donations, rather than mass producing what is sold, many see thrift stores as one of the only places to find unusual items that fit into their personal styles.

“I wear a lot of stupid t-shirts and box-ier clothing, just because I like that and that’s how I feel most comfortable,” junior Alyssa Krasovich said. “I’ve dubbed my personal style ‘dad-gone-fishing,’ and you can’t get a lot of that at mainstream stores.”

Although it isn’t the primary reason for her own interest, Krasovich credits the uptick in upcycling to a fascination with vintage culture and believes the two go hand-in-hand.

“I hear my mom say a lot, ‘The ‘80s are coming back, but better,’” Krasovich said. “I think thrift stores really promote that because it’s actually ‘80s things, not just Forever 21 trying to imitate what they think is ‘80s culture.”

Richardson agrees that nostalgia has played a central role.

“The retro look is back, and where can you find retro clothes that look authentic? The thrift store,” Richardson said. “Companies try to make things that look retro but it just sort of comes out looking forced. So if you can find something that’s actually from the ‘90s, that’s pretty cool.”

Krasovich also believes the industry has gained traction because of “the rise of Youtubers like Emma Chamberlain, part of [whose] brand is thrifting and being quirky.” Because of this, thrifting has, for some, become more about staying on trend than saving money.

“I think what thrift stores offer is the ability to say ‘I got it from a thrift store,’ that definitely carries weight,” Sorgman said.

Many speculate that the movement began to encourage individuality and to offer one-of-a-kind finds to a niche crowd, and are disappointed to see the practice now become mainstream.

“Everyone has their own style, so trends are kind-of dumb in my opinion,” Puckett said.

One benefit of thrift stores often overlooked is minimal negative environmental impact.

“Thrift stores are more eco-conscious because you’re reusing fashion,” Sorgman said. “They’re a good thing to support if you’re interested in helping the environment.”

While the prevalence and influence of the fast fashion industry has only grown in recent decades, thrifting has grown from the grassroots level as a less harmful alternative.

“If you can find something that’s high quality but old, that’s better than something that costs like seven dollars and will fall apart in a week,” Richardson said.

“When you go to a thrift store, you can never find stuff from Forever 21 because nobody’s donating the stuff they bought from there - they’re just throwing it out. That sort of shows you how the fast fashion industry is.”

But quality, novelty and sustainability haven’t completely erased the stigma around second-hand stores. Some thrifters still feel as though their hobby is looked down upon by those outside of their age group.

“For our generation, thrifting has become, like, a ‘cool thing’ to do, but I think that there is also still an underlying ‘’that’s gross’’ that parents kind of give off to their kids,” Puckett said.

Sorgman recalls that opinion being popular among her peers as well just a few years ago.

“When I was younger, entering middle school, everyone wanted name-brand things, and I felt really ashamed that everything I got was from thrift stores,” Sorgman said.

Where to find the finest fashion: “The Chatham PTA in Carrboro is really good if you want to find newer things because people in Carrboro are hip” - Senior Taylor Puckett “A good thrift boutique, it isn’t a thrift store, is Rumors in Chapel Hill” - Junior Ava Sorgman “The Chatham PTA near Dollar Tree is way better and cleaner than all the other ones. The one near Neal’s sucks - there’s nothing there ever.

- Junior Ande Richardson “I love Uptown Cheapskate, they always have good stuff... and I have an account at Goodwill because it’s so fun to shop there” - Junior Alyssa Krasovich “Go to Goodwill - absolutely anything there is good” - Junior Kate Drake “The PTA in Carrboro has a better selection of clothes and more books, too”- Junior Marielle Rath

But, nowadays, Sorgman feels her hobby is better received, even “looked up to.”

“Now when you look at it, everyone thinks it’s cooler if something is from a thrift store than if you bought it from an actual store,” Sorgman said.

Though the public perception of thrifting has changed and is still far from unified, thrifting has always been and still remains a hands-on and unpredictable shopping experience unlike any other. Whether that is a good or a bad thing simply depends on the customer. “[Thrifting is] more of an experience because you have to look through things and discover them for yourself,” Richardson said.

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The Omniscient

By Karli Kolls and Emma Pollard Staff Writers It’s 2007. Britney Spears is at peak relevance and Charlie the Unicorn has gone viral on YouTube. Feeling nostalgic yet? Flash forward to 2018- you’re seeing studio quality short films with paid actors, all on the website once home to your favorite quirky skits.

YouTube was launched in 2005, beginning with grainy, unedited videos, mostly for personal use, such as to share a home video with family or to upload short, funny clips that had happened in people’s lives. Beginning in 2006, viral videos were on the uprise. Videos such as ‘Charlie Bit my Finger’ or ‘Salad Fingers’ began garnering attention and therefore, more traffic was brought to the site.

Around 2009 however, content uploaded to the site changed dramatically. People began formulating and editing videos, gathering enough of an audience to soon make money off of YouTube. Channels run by those such as Shane Dawson, Jenna Marbles, Ray William Johnson and Ryan Higa exploded in popularity coining the term ‘YouTubers.’

“I loved Ryan Higa. I still do,” junior Alyssa Krasovich said. “His sense of comedy is appealing to younger and older people. You can really appreciate it, because who doesn’t like puns?”

Nowadays, ‘exposed’ videos, commentary videos or general dramatic videos are becoming ever more popular. Channels like h3h3 Productions or iDubbz lead the way for satirical exposing of popular YouTubers, inevitably creating a lot of drama and controversy on the site. The controversy and ‘beef’ eventually led to things like ‘diss-tracks’ and boxing matches between top YouTubers, most recently KSI and Logan Paul, bringing not only millions and millions of viewers to the site, but also millions and millions of dollars.

Taking a look at the current YouTube community, one might say that the platform is almost unrecognizable compared to its former 2000’s self.

Long lost are much simpler days comprised of innocent comedic skits and the occasional viral music parody. It’s much more common now to hear of a new controversy centered on creators such as the infamous Logan Paul or of another ongoing feud, often concerning big names of the outlet. Along with recent, well known controversies between the Paul brothers, whether it’s filming a

January 2019

dead body or setting a pool on fire, the significant As morality boundaries come into question often change in culture gives rise to many questions when dealing with seemingly reckless influencers concerning the role the generational shift from such as Jake and Logan Paul, there is concern over millennial to Gen Z audiences has played in the whether YouTube needs tighter restrictions in place. ongoing divide.

“I think the things [the Paul brothers] have done is “It’s just a whole bunch of drama now,” junior very strange,” Spivey said. “Their relationship with Holly Prete said. “People are just trying to use the each other is weird, and just the fact that Logan would drama to bring themselves up and put others down.” [film a dead body] is horrible.”

As much anger as various controversies across It is as easy as a click of a button or simple YouTube have provoked, they’ve certainly been no search online to have access to a wide range of deterrent to viewership. Many viewers enjoy voicing questionable material, regardless of the age of the their opinions and taking sides in online drama, and viewer. While some believe YouTube simply needs there is no such thing as being too ‘harsh’ in the tighter viewer restrictions in place, others believe comment section. In fact, controversy is so popular access to channels of this nature falls completely among the site, that the majority of top influencers into the hands of the parents/guardians. consist of names “I feel like [adding age restrictions] is up to the often associated parents and kids themselves, honestly,” Prete said. with ‘drama’. ”On YouTube you can put restrictions, but overall In a poll to see it’s up to the parents.” which controversial Morality debate has also come into play when YouTubers are YouTubers choose to include what is known as ‘clickbait’ known throughout to attract views. Clickbait is a phenomenon in which you Northwood, names create a title that is intriguing enough to attract the most such as Tana attention to your videos, regardless of whether it is true, Mongeau, Shane an extreme exaggeration of the truth, or even completely Dawson, James made up. Viewers have differing opinions on whether this Charles, Emma strategy is fair to their followers.

Chamberlain, and “I mean, [clickbait] works on me and it gets them others stood out. money,” junior Mackenzie Holland said. “It’s just really Among these annoying when you watch [the video] and then you’re like names is one often found familiar, Tana Mongeau. ‘oh well this person didn’t actually turn it into a puppy.’”

Mongeau, once known for her dramatic ‘storytime’ Most of those who have grown up on YouTube channel, recently came under fire for her self-made enjoy how the website has changed over the year. convention, TanaCon. The convention was initially However, some people feel like the way YouTube made to rival VidCon, a popular video creator promotes its creators and the actual content convention, as it was held on the same weekend and YouTubers make is overall misguided. was only a few blocks away. However, it quickly “People used to just make videos because it was lead to disaster. The hotel it was hosted at only fun,” junior Gabriel Koeb said. “Nowadays, they held around 1,000 people, but over 5,000 attendees make [videos] because they can make money off of showed up from all over the world. Those with V.I.P it or get more views and be famous off of it.” tickets weren’t getting into the actual convention or prioritized, the gift bags that claimed to be worth $100 contained dollar-store garbage, meetand-greets were disorganized, and many attendees were left outside in the hot Los Angeles sun for over four hours without food or water.

Eventually, the convention was shut down, and Mongeau was criticised for lack of planning and organization.

“TanaCon was a hot mess and she tried to put the blame on everyone but herself,” freshman Lexi Spivey said. “I just didn’t see how she thought [the convention] would work, Gage Skidmore/Flikr.com especially when she made it out of ZOE SUGG watches convention-goers at VidCon 2014. spite.”

Page 9

Eighth Grade

First Man

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

By Chase Miller

January 2019

The Omniscient

Movies

By Sam Fuellerman

The Hate U Give

By Jenny Teague Staff Writer

Stand-up comedian-turned-filmmaker Bo Burnham’s feature film and directorial debut, “Eighth Grade,” follows teenager Kayla as she struggles to survive her final days of middle school. This slice-of-life story highlights Kayla’s strained relationship with her single father as he struggles to reconnect with her after her mother’s death. The clear contrast between Kayla’s avid online presence and near anonymity at school presents a commentary on the sides of ourselves that we choose to show, especially amidst the awkwardness of middle school. With sharp writing and vulnerable performances, “Eighth Grade” creates a contemporary coming-of-age story that speaks to the stressed-out thirteen-year-old in all of us. By offering a raw, real and relatable perspective on the impact of social media on daily adolescent life, it has become a must-see Gen Z masterpiece.

“First Man” is a thrilling story that presents a new perspective of what it was like for Neil Armstrong to become the first man to walk on the surface of the moon.

Throughout the film, the viewer is a witness to the many challenges Armstrong had to face both in his astronaut training and family life back home. What the movie does best is giving you an authentic recreation of what it was like to be inside a space capsule. While this does mean there is plenty of shaky camera movements in the movie and may be off-putting to some, it does a good job of showing that becoming the first man was not an easy thing.

Maniac

Man in the High Castle

The Crown

Staff Writer

Online Editor

Adviser

By Emma Pollard “Maniac”, created by Patrick Somerville and released on Netflix earlier this year, takes place in a time and place similar to our own. “Maniac” follows Annie Lansberg and Owen Milgrim, portrayed by Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, through their course on a late-stage pharmaceutical trial that claims to fix any psychological problem. Annie and Owen, both drawn to the trial, deal with their own challenges in their personal lives. Annie struggles to let go of relationships with her mother and sister, while Owen fights with his diagnosis of Schizophrenia. Along with 10 other strangers, Annie and Owen travel to Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech for a three day ‘revolutionary’ trial. However, things don’t go as planned and Annie and Owen begin to travel through psychological adventures that mess with their minds and uncover secrets that were never meant to be discovered. This show is packed with stunning visuals, outstanding acting, and deep messages.

Television

By Joshua Eisner

With its long-awaited third season, Amazon’s “Man in the High Castle” continues the story of Juliana Crane’s fight for survival in a reality where the U.S. lost the second World War. After a disappointing second season, the show has found its footing with a return to the excellent suspense and fascinating character studies the show is known for. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say this show will have you on the edge of your seat the entire way through the season. Watch out for the end of episode five.

Top Three Streaming Services by Subscribers 1. Netflix: 52.8 Million 2. Amazon: 26 Million 3. Hulu: 17 Million Source: Statista

Music

In an era of swirling news stories and constant social media calamity, “The Hate U Give”, is an important reminder of the stories that matter. Directed by George Tillman Jr., “The Hate U Give”, is about high school student Starr Carter who struggles to define her identity when stuck between the wealthy, white community of her school and the poor, black community of her beloved neighborhood. While one of the most important points of the movie is addressing how white people appropriate black culture but lack a true understanding of the struggles of the black community, the movie shines in developing Starr’s courage and activist spirit. Starr overcomes the pressure of perfectly pleasing both sides of her life—white and black, rich and poor—by developing a voice completely true to her identity, inspiring young activists across the world to find the same motivation.

By Eliza Brinkley “The Crown” has been through two seasons in 2016 and 2017 and is gearing up for another to be released on Netflix in January of 2019. The series documents the life and work of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning with her coronation as a young woman in 1953. While Season 1 concentrates mostly on Elizabeth’s transition into the role of England’s monarch, Season 2 spends a good deal of time exploring the presumed challenges of Elizabeth’s marriage to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the childhood and education of Philip and of his and Elizabeth’s eldest son, Charles. A set of new actors, including Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Elizabeth’s younger sister, will see the show into the late 1960s and ‘70s as Prince Charles and Princess Anne wade through adolescence and young adulthood. If you’re a fan of British period dramas with political intrigue, romance, family disputes, royal splendor, and vintage fashion, you’ll be all too happy to spend those cold January weekends watching the lives of the world’s most famous royal family members unfold over the course of hour-long episodes.

Sweetener

Bad Witch

While We’re At It

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Online Editor

By CC Kallum Ariana Grande’s fourth studio album, “Sweetener”, was released on Aug. 17 of this year. “Sweetener” was nominated for The People’s Choice Award for Favorite Album and won “Best Pop” at the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug 20th. “Sweetener” was announced number one on the United States Billboard 200. This album features other famous artists such as Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliott. The album contains a five minute, 22-second song titled “Get Well Soon”, as a tribute to those hurt in the bombing at her concert in Manchester on May 22, 2017

By Noah Brackett “Nine Inch Nails” released “Bad Witch” on June 22, completing the trilogy of previous releases, “Not the Actual Events” and “Add Violence”. Taking a different direction from previous albums, “Bad Witch” delivers heavy sounds driven by big basses and prominent drum beats. Frontman Trent Reznor will sometimes even show off his skill with the saxophone, putting it through heavy effects to give it a classic “Nine Inch Nails edge”. Even though “Bad Witch” is significantly different from previous “Nine Inch Nails” releases, it retains the same masterful production and angry theme. From eerie and haunting instrumentals such as “I’m Not from This World” to more upbeat drum and bass songs like “Over and Out”, Nine Inch Nails experimented with a new sound and delivered with this short LP.

By Joshua Eisner

After seven years, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are back with another album. Decidedly more upbeat than previous works, “While We’re At It” features the Bosstones’ signature blend of rock and ska-inspired brass, creating a unique listening experience. While less aggressive than their previous albums, they continue their penchant for working-class social commentary with songs like “The Constant” and “Divide”, which reflect their experiences growing up in Boston. Overall, this album provides both a distinct and enjoyable sound as well as a level of depth in the lyrics.

—Compiled By Joshua Eisner Online Editor

January 2019

Page 10

The Omniscient

Horoscopes — Compiled by Jenny Teague

Dear Aries the Ram, Being a fire sign, you are always looking for the next thing to spark the flame of your passion. Take this seriously. Invest in some fire-building courses at your local community center.

Leave putting it out to water signs, those wet blankets!

(Mar. 21 - Apr. 20)

Dear Taurus the Bull, You may experience some things in the coming months. Some of these things will be good, and some of them will be bad.

Some stuff will be just okay. Oh! Also, remember to walk three paces north on February 12 at 12:04 a.m. under the first quarter moon.

(Apr. 21 - May 20)

Dear Gemini the Twins, Everybody says you’re two-faced, but whoever said that’s a bad thing? Betrayal is the new black! Take some “you time” to deeply develop multiple personas and plans for manipulation. Self-love is the best love, especially when there’s multiples of you to care for.

(May 21 - June 20)

Dear Cancer the Crab, Your sign is ruled by the moon, and what better way to explore this relationship than to literally explore it.

The stars are pointing to space travel.

Apparently, you have to have a STEM degree to be an astronaut so you better get crackin’. Mother Moon awaits.

(June 21 - July 20)

Dear Leo the Lion, Nothing says “new year, new me” like a brand new hairstyle, so tame that mane to re-boost your confidence. You don’t even need to cut it! Some simple licks from friends and smoothing it with your paw—oops! I meant hand—will surely do the trick.

(July 21 - Aug. 20)

Dear Virgo the Maiden, The stars are in your favor (and maybe because the person writing this is a Virgo)! Don’t tell the other signs, but you’re basically the best. Part of perfectionism is perfection, right? Don’t even worry about the planets, you’re doing amazing, sweetie.

(Aug. 21 - Sept. 20)

Dear Libra the Scales, Time to fight your fear of commitment. Maybe turn a fling into a relationship or better yet, join a cult.

Cults are a great way to develop loyalty and long standing partnerships, because that’s the only choice! Choose your cult wisely though, I hear they can get a bit out of control.

(Sept. 21 - Oct. 20)

Dear Scorpio the Scorpion, Sometimes your moodiness can distract from the important things in life, like crafts. Channel your intense nature into a fun paper-mache project or cute friendships bracelets for all the friends you have an undying and dog-like loyalty to; the more beads the better!

(Oct. 21 - Nov. 20)

Dear Sagittarius the Centaur, It’s important to balance your adventurous spirit with the joy of relaxation. Take a lesson from nature and explore hibernation. Maybe find a family of bears to observe or a cluster of bats. Attempting a feat that is seemingly impossible for humankind is very much an adventure, even if it’s just sleep.

(Nov. 21 - Dec. 20)

Dear Capricorn the Goat, Apparently a common physical characteristic of your sign is strong teeth (thank you astrostyle.com), so maybe explore that a little. Think you can carve a carrot with those sturdy fangs? Or chuck wood like a woodchuck? 3 out of 5 dentists recommend being a Capricorn!

(Dec. 21 - Jan. 20)

Dear Aquarius the Water Bearer, To truly embrace an Aquarian identity this upcoming year, try experimenting with the color blue. Perhaps start with eating blue foods or wearing blue clothes, and gradually begin to integrate blue into every part of your life. Become the blue.

You are the blue.

(Jan. 21 - Feb. 20)

Dear Pisces the Fish, Did you know George Washington was a Pisces? The father of our country was gullible, flakey and self-destructive, just like you. There’s not much advice to give other than for you to spend some time thinking about that man in a powdered wig. The stars probably have something to do with that.

(Feb. 21 - Mar. 20)

From the Runway to the Hallway: What motivates teenage trend-following?

By Caroline Conte Staff Writer

Somedays, you might find yourself scrolling through Instagram or watching a clothing haul on Youtube. A popular influencer is wearing a shirt from Urban Outfitters. The next week at school, that same shirt is everywhere. We see trends like this every day; the question is, why do people follow trends?

According to The Wall Street Journal, “The main reasons people tend to adopt a social identity is because they strongly identify with it, it appeals to them, or they simply want to avoid social rejection. We are influenced over time and, partly through self-deception, we eventually conform our thinking to that of our adopted group.”

“I used to follow trends because I felt left out,” junior Joshua Foust said.

“Everybody else was doing it and I wanted to fit in.”

If changes are made, individuals can be criticized heavily for not doing what everyone else is doing. Styles change constantly trying to keep up with the best dresses, the skinniest jeans, or the cutest shirt. In today’s society, being different has a negative, uncomfortable connotation, so we follow the crowd almost without thinking.

“Everyone has their own unique needs that they must satisfy to be happy,” sophomore Princess Scotton said. “If a person follows the crowd, then they most likely won’t satisfy their specific needs and might end up feeling unhappy.”

In some cases, following trends can lead to potentially problematic decisions as people sometimes join the majority to blend in.

From observing student trends throughout high school, distressed denim, white Converses, Vans, crop tops, choker necklaces, and non-prescription

glasses are just a few trends that have become very prominent amongst people of all ages.

According to Adweek, Birkenstocks have become increasingly popular, selling approximately 25 million pairs this year. The comfortable sandal has made a comeback and many are jumping on the trend.

“I bought Birkenstocks because I thought they were cute, not to go with the trend,” freshman Ansley Novak said.“I think they are really comfy and I like that they are easy to slip on.”

Fjallraven Kanken backpacks are another product that has come on the scene within the last two years.

Based off of the bags seen floating around the school, the Kanken adopts the common main-compartment-plus-a-smaller-front-pocket design. It also has two additional side pockets and comes in a variety of vibrant colors.

“It is super functional and durable, it is also really cute which is a plus,” freshman Sally Draper said.

While some follow trends, others don’t take the time to keep up with them.

“Following trends is just not important to me,” junior Chloe Lineman said.

“I just feel that I don’t need to follow a trend to fit in; I like being myself.”

It can be hard to express one’s individuality when there is so much pressure influencing today’s society.

Peer conformity may continue to affect certain individuals which can introduce another challenge for society in the search for their own identitys. In the end, there is a choice that needs to be made, inclusion or exclusion.

“We are unique for a reason. If we constantly follow trends, we will never be who we are,” Novak said. “We were made to be different, so why try to be the same?”

Page 11

Janurary 2019

The Omniscient

Fashionable Feet: The Rise of Sneaker Culture

Photo courtesy of Sam Deng/Flickr

Jordan 1 Retro High “Chicago” was released in 2013 Noah Brackett Staff Writer

In 1917, Converse introduced to the world the first shoe specifically made for basketball, The All-Star. The shoes came with a thick rubber sole (which was new and revolutionary at the time) and a canvas silhouette for ankle support. This design caught the eye of basketball player Chuck Taylor in the in the early 1920’s and he decided to join the Converse team in 1921. He made such a big impact on the design and sales of the shoe that Converse put his name on the shoe’s ankle patch.

Nowadays, Converse All-Stars are still one of the most popular shoes according to Business Insider. They are still being sold daily and their look is instantly recognizable, but their significance is greater than that. They paved the way for the rise of “sneaker culture.”

People who are involved in sneaker culture are typically referred to as “Sneakerheads.” Sneakerheads collect and admire shoes, much like a collector of stamps or other memorabilia would.

Sneaker culture has been around since the mid-1980s, primarily associated with African American culture, but only since the 2000’s has it been a widely recognized throughout the world, primarily America. Today, the sneaker market is mainly influenced by two things: basketball and music.

In 1984, a struggling Nike signed an endorsement deal with rising basketball star Michael Jordan. At the time, Jordan was a rookie who had been recently drafted to the Chicago Bulls. A year

later, in 1985, Jordan’s first signature basketball shoe was released, the Air Jordan 1. Priced at $64.99, they were not cheap at the time, but gained popularity quickly after the NBA infamously banned the shoe for not following the rules regarding shoe color. The original rule stated that “Each shoe color must contain at least 51 percent white or black and may have minimal team accents.” Jordan, who wore the shoes anyway, was fined $5,000 every game. Nike paid this, as the publicity was bringing in more money than what was being lost in the fines. The release of the Air Jordan 1 helped introduce sneaker culture to a wider audience around America.

Because of the high prices of Jordans, a consumers first pair is often a memory that sticks with collectors. Northwood Band Director Jason Freeman recalls his first pair of Jordans.

“I got my first pair of Jordans in eighth grade,” Freeman said. “They were the Air Jordan 13’s in the Space Jam/black and white colorway.”

In today’s sneaker climate, reselling shoes plays a large role.

This is when a consumer will buy a sneaker for the retail price and then resell it for more money to make a profit. “Resellers” are generally frowned upon, but their trade keeps the market alive and adds “hype” to shoe releases.

What is “hype” in the sneaker world? If a sneaker is “hyped” then it usually means it is significant or superior to other shoes because of endorsement from celebrities, or a certain colorway may be more sought after than another. Kanye West’s YEEZY shoe line with Adidas is an example of the commercial value being “hyped”.

Kanye West has been releasing his shoes through Adidas since 2015, and to date, every single release has sold out, some within seconds. Some sneakerheads, such as sophomore Luke Wardrop choose to buy their sneaker primarily because of hype.

“I’d say I get most of shoes because they are hyped.”sophomore Luke Wardrop said.

Resellers tend to charge absurdly high prices for a pair of YEEZYs, some of the most hyped-up shoes on the market.

West’s original Adidas release, the YEEZY Boost 350, was $200 when it released, but on a certified reselling website like StockX, prices range from $1,300 to $3,000. Resellers know people will pay these prices, so whenever a shoe like this comes out, a battle

develops between resellers, and consumers that actually want to wear the shoes.

In 2003, a young West released his first album The College Dropout. Four years later, Japanese streetwear company Bape let him design a colorway of their signature Bapesta shoe, inspired after The College Dropout cover art. Today, a brand new pair sells for about $4,000-$,5000. More importantly, this was the first shoe designed by West released to the public. West got another shot at design in 2009 when Louis Vuitton let him design two shoes for them, the “Louis Vuitton Don” and the “Jasper.” Two years later, in 2011, West released Nike’s first non-athlete signature shoe, the Air Yeezy. This release was monumental, as all three colorways sold out immediately, but also because West opened the door for shoe companies to start allowing non-athletes to create signature sneakers.

“My favorite shoe in my collection (of over 30 pairs) is my YEEZY Boost 350 V2’s,” Wardrop said. “I think [Kanye West] had a big part in creating non-athlete signature sneakers because when he started with Nike, it became this huge thing among artists to have your own sneaker.”

Sneaker culture isn’t exclusive to the high stakes world of resellers and sneakerheads as it is becoming incorporated into mainstream culture by musical artists and other celebrities with endorsement packages. As celebrities and big brands collaborate on shoes, many fans are drawn into the hype. They begin to notice and buy sneakers they otherwise may not have, like sophomore Benjie Knowles.

“I wouldn’t consider myself a sneakerhead,” Knowles said.

“But I own a pair of Tyler, the Creator’s Converse Golf Le Fleur shoes. Tyler, the Creator is one of my favorite artists and I thought the shoe looked pretty cool.”

As of recently, the recording industry has had more influence over sneaker culture than basketball and the NBA, but that doesn’t take away any of the impact basketball and the NBA has made as Jordan still made $2.6 billion in 2014 according to Forbes. Even though it has been around for decades, sneaker culture is quickly growing bigger and bigger into mainstream media, thanks to the help of celebrities endorsing sneakers and the legacy that surrounds certain shoes.

Janaury 2019

The Omniscient

Page 12

Madison Makes Up Your Mind

By Madison Clark Editor-in-Chief

Hello! I’m Madison Clark, the editor-in-chief of The Omniscient and your source for honest wisdom. I have lived and lied to myself and I can help you do the same! I asked students to anonymously send me all their troubles and woes so that I could give them some heart-to-heart advice. Keep in mind that I am a student just like the rest of you so take all of my advice with a grain of salt and do what is best for you!

I want to be more involved in our school community, such as joining more clubs, but I have too many hobbies already. Even now, I know I won’t have any free weekends going up until December due to all of the time my activities take up, and the weekdays are out of the question. I’ve already considered dropping some, but that’s not possible at this point.

Would it still make a difference if I joined activities in the second semester?

Dear Juggling It All, Clubs are all about quality over quantity. I think you should dedicate your time to a small handful and make the most of your time in them. If you’re worried about college and how they will view your involvement, fear not! As someone who is currently applying for college, being able to write about what you’re passionate about is the most important thing. Be in tune with yourself and try to prevent yourself from burning out. I know how it feels and it is a pain to pull yourself out of it.

If you still want to join more activities, you can definitely make a difference in the second semester! Making a difference doesn’t have to take an entire year. You can apply for a leadership position and work to better your club. Play smart instead of playing hard; you’ll feel more rewarded in the end.

Also, for any freshmen or sophomores, don’t feel like you can’t make a changes in your activities. If something isn’t working for you in the beginning, use your extra time to find the right fit for you.

How do I survive junior year?

Dear It Has To Get Worse Before It Gets Better, Honestly, I just toughed it out. It was definitely the worst year for me.

Here’s what I learned in my time: junior year sucks overall, but there are things you can do to make the most out of it. The best advice I can give you is to stay on top of things, no matter what, and life is going to be a lot nicer for you. I procrastinated so much, I would pull all-nighters and they weren’t good for anything. Finish all your work as soon as you get it. This will leave you with extra time on the weekends so you can actually have a life or get a job.

Speaking of which, GET A JOB if you can. Having this extra money will come in handy when your car breaks down and you have to come up with $800 on the spot like I did. If you can’t get an official job, ask around your neighborhood if anyone needs a babysitter. It’s easy money and you can multitask and do your homework as well. Also, the extra money is going to be nice to have when you pay up for college applications. Having a job now is also a great way to start working on independence and responsibility that is necessary to thrive in college.

Start looking at colleges now and keep in mind that going in-state isn’t so bad. The big, fancy school in New England may sound great, but in

reality, it can be impractical. Unless your family is able to pay for your tuition or you can get a massive scholarship, stay in-state. How much do you want to have a $200,000 debt before you’re 25? We’re lucky in North Carolina because the schools here are incredible. Also, retake your SAT and ACT now before it’s too late. Take advantage of these opportunities while you can because once you hit senior year, there isn’t enough time in the world. College application due dates come up on you quickly and you most likely won’t have enough time to retake these crucial tests and get your scores back in time.

This year is rough and is really going to take everything out of you.

There are some definite low points that will make you feel like you won’t ever make it to the end of the year. It’s time to come to terms with reality and stay on top of your pile of responsibility. Go out and have fun but also be well aware of how that test you aren’t studying for will impact your grade. But, if you try hard this year and put yourself in a good place, senior year is just around the corner.

How do I actually enjoy life?

Dear Do You Need A Hug? I believe everyone has a niche that they haven’t found yet. For me, I’m a journalist and I see myself doing that for the rest of my life. It gives me something to look forward to just about every day.

In our staff writer Jenny’s wise words, “rely on your own sense of meaning rather than relying on another’s.” There comes a point in everyone’s life where you need to find your own meaning in life. It’s such a massive question that I believe everyone has the answer to. It may take someone years to find this Every once in a while, I go outside, lay in my hammock and listen to what’s around me (the river access under the Bynum Bridge is perfect for this!) Good luck with enjoying your life!

What is the best way to clear my head of stress, problems, and worries?

Dear All Bottled Up, I’m going to be real with you, it’s going to take some work to find what your remedy is. It took me about two years to find out what works best for me. Different strokes for different folks. I have found that (almost) daily meditation for about 30 minutes works for me. Sometimes I even incorporate crystal healing in my meditation but that’s a little too hippiedippie for some people. Here’s how I meditate:

Light some incense or a candle, something scented that you can focus on. My personal favorite incense is called Cherry Blossoms by Kyozakura Japanese Shoyeido. It’s really light and flowery.

Sit cross-legged or lay on your back and close your eyes

Try to focus your energy in one area in your body. If you like, try chakra meditation. The Chakras are energy centers in your body and, when aligned, can impact different parts of your life. Research!

Hum to yourself for a little bit and ease your own mind of all worries, go into a completely blank state of mind and give yourself time to relax. Don’t worry! Having a wandering mind is completely normal. Work with yourself a little bit to refocus on meditation.

This doesn’t work for everyone right away but you can work at it and eventually this will come easy to you. For beginners, you can try guided meditations that are available on Youtube. Happy meditating!

o

13 Opini

n

Opinionated: How debating opened my eyes

Meera Butalia In middle school, I developed the reputation of loud, angry feminist. Political debates were more like opposing rants, polarizing and unproductive.

Then I met my opposite, just as staunch in his views, which were the inverse mine on the political spectrum: Harper Johnson, also an Omniscient staff-writer. We sat together in freshman biology, and a few days of small talk led to frantically whispered political debates every class, a spectacle that our classmates still remember.

Fodder for debate was never-ending; we could always find something to disagree on. As the semester’s end drew near, I realized a friendship had developed. We were both invigorated by politics, though we had different approaches.

Recognizing how much we had in common, I considered the possibility of learning from our debates, instead of only striving to convince Harper of my views. When I started to truly listen, I gained more from those debates than I had in all my years of open-ended rants.

Though they have become more civil and friendly in nature, my debates with Harper have never ceased, and our stage has expanded. We’ve organized debates between the liberal club I lead, Girls Learn International, and the conservative club Harper leads, Young Americans for Freedom.

Mirroring our friendship’s development, the debates have brought the clubs closer, fostering

camaraderie and a mutual respect for each member’s right to their opinions. Harper taught me the value of genuine listening as the key to any political discourse, as it opens people to compromise and helps develop ideas incorporate new perspectives. Without giving everyone a voice in the debates of the world, we lose out on important and challenging perspectives that can drive us to consider our own views at a deeper level than before.

Being Both: Accepting both halves of my heritage CC Kallam My identity has always been something I have fought hard to accept. There are times I am so proud of where I come from, what has made me, and the people who raised me. On February 14, 2002 at 1:00am in Durham, North Carolina, I was born a half-Filipino, half-Caucasian girl with extremely dark brown hair and eyes that are the color black. At least that’s what people like to tell me. People like to tell me a lot of things they think they know about me, basing all their assumptions on my appearance. My peers seem to enjoy guessing my ethnicity or taking a shot at where I “came from.” To them, I’m not Filipino, I’m ambiguous, or they claim I’m “exotic” or a racial guessing game to speculate on my features. There are biases and stereotypes engraved in today’s society, but the human brain has always used categorization based on appearance as a method of

survival. Unfortunately because this method began so early on in life, unconscious and conscious racial stereotyping and bias became the result.

Although it still amazes me how badly people feel the need to know, but it becomes too much when people constantly feel the need to figure out “what I am” so they can define me not by who I am, but by what racial group I identify with. Knowing “what I am” is a question I’ve had to grapple with all my life. This isn’t a story of racial discrimination, but of my own struggle with racial identity.

My father’s side of the family is made up of a lot of white, southern, conservative and religious people and I love them with all my heart. My mother’s side of the family consists of democratic, judgy Filipino people who I also love dearly. It might be obvious how these two sides conflict in some ways. I share love for both sides of my family, but my identity confusion began when I was very young. It started when I was little, and I would go somewhere with my dad. People would have no idea we were related - last year someone even asked if I was his intern just because they couldn’t even grasp the idea that I could possibly be his daughter. I have one feature I can clearly see coming from my dad, and that would be my nose.

My grandma on my dad’s side one day said, “Sorry Caroline, you got the ugliest feature and that’s from my grandaddy.” When I am with my mom people don’t look twice, we’re both pretty short, both have dark hair and we’re both tan, for part of the year at least, so they assume we’re together. I only ever got to belong to one parent at a time, and it’s still tiring to go out with my family hearing the staff ask “together or separate?”

People constantly guess my race and I’ve heard it all: Hawaiian, Korean, Middle-Eastern, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and more. I get this from all people, not just Caucasian ones. The idea that someone has to choose only one racial identity seems like a kind of microaggression. Other Asian people say that “I’m not Asian enough” or “I don’t understand” or something along those lines. When it comes to caucasian people they only see me as Asian. Even my own family doesn’t think about me as half, my cousins on my dad’s side just identify me as Asian.

It’s hard to accept who I am for both sides when no one else can seem to accept it. I have always identified as mixed-race. The second I convince myself that I accept and proudly love both sides, something happens to make me self-conscious all over again.

January 2019

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Peanut Problems: Living my life with a severe allergy Alyssa Detzi I have dealt with food allergies for almost my entire life, and I am still currently allergic to peanuts. I used to be allergic to both tree nuts and shellfish. After a while of having these allergies, it gets a little irritating having to read every single list of ingredients on every single food I eat. Because of cross-contamination, I can’t eat M&Ms, packaged Krispy Kreme Donuts, and many granola bars, and many granola bars. Why is it so challenging to find something to eat, in a restaurant or not, that hasn’t come in contact with the peanuts?

I am severely allergic to peanuts, and when I eat them I have an anaphylactic reaction. An anaphylactic reaction affects breathing, which is obviously not good. Many people think that food allergies can’t be serious and may only affect the skin. That is not true at all. Food allergies can

range from a rash on the skin, to life-threatening breathing problems.

I consider myself lucky to have only one food allergy. According to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) 30 percent of people with a food allergy are allergic to more than one food.

This makes the risk of having an allergic reaction even higher, and makes it much more dangerous.

According to FARE, almost six million kids under age 18 have food allergies, which is one in 13 kids, this statistic is very common.

If there was more training about food allergies in schools where we eat lunch five times a week, it could save many lives. Especially for the kids in elementary school. I lived in upper Virginia when I was younger, and they had everything under control about food allergies in the school cafeteria, but when we moved here to North Carolina when I was in second grade, many teachers had to learn how to use an Epi-Pen, which is the medicine that cures a food allergy temporarily. After the Epi-Pen you have to go to the ER immediately. Shouldn’t they already know how to use an Epi-Pen? I believe that the school I went to in Virginia had more money than the schools that are here in Chatham County,

which is why food allergies aren’t talked about.

The more money you have, the more improving you can do in a school.

The whole system for the nurse, I believe, has to be changed as well because the nurse is not here every day of the week. More than 15 percent of children who have a food allergy have a reaction during school (FARE). That is what scares me the most. What if I have a reaction during school, and the nurse isn’t here?

School-made lunches are basically off limits for me because they don’t have an allergy list on the website.

I think there should be more awareness on the topic of food allergies because these medical conditions can be deadly. 200 people die each year from allergic reactions. The food industry will improve enormously if we reform it to adjust to food allergies.

My friends know I have a food allergy, and I taught them how to use an Epi-Pen if ever needed. If you know someone who has an allergy of any kind, or you have an allergy, make sure to let people close to you know about it, and if a friend does, take the time to learn about it. It may just save their life.

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It is the opinion of The Omniscient that Northwood High School should instate a Teacher’s Assistant [TA] program, in which upperclassmen who have passed certain classes and are recommended by their teachers in those classes should be able to assist teachers with teaching and classroom tasks. It would not only provide upperclassmen with valuable experience, but provide underclassmen taking those classes with a more beneficial education. This program would allow upperclassmen to connect with the rest of the student body, forming bonds based on a mentorlike relationship that could extend into inter-class friendships. It would also provide teachers with more than one source of knowledge in the classroom, giving students struggling in any subject the opportunity to receive assistance from someone other than the teacher.This would provide for more one-on-one interactions that could help struggling students gain an in-depth understanding of the

topic they are confused about.

This program could either count for a class credit for upperclassmen, integrated with training courses on how to train as a teacher, or as community service hours. Other schools in North Carolina, like Jordan High School in Durham, have programs similar to this in which students can act as TA’s for classes they have passed and have a deep understanding of.

In order to be a part of the program, potential TA’s could be nominated by a specific teacher to assist them with future classes, or apply to the program as a whole and be available for any teacher looking for a TA. Forms could be Joshua Eisn r/Th mnisci sent out at the end of each semester, asking A STUDENT TEACHER would be beneficiary to not teachers to nominate/recommend any students they think are up to the task of helping out in only the teacher, but the students as well. educational experience not only for the the classroom. underclassmen who would benefit from extra A TA program at Northwood would strengthen teaching, but for engaged upperclassmen who inter-class relations, provide teaching assiscould gain valuable interpersonal, teaching and tant experience for upperclassmen, and provide academic skills from this experience. more resources for those underclassmen who do struggle in the classroom. It would be an enriched e

Staff Editorial

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Helping Teachers Teach: Why NHS should employ teacher’s assistants

15 Sports

By Harper Johnson S ta f f W riter Northwood has 12 varsity sports teams. For many students, going to sporting events is an important part of the high school experience; a time to socialize with peers and support their school. For student athletes like junior (and Northwood’s only four sport athlete) Aaron Ross, who plays football, basketball, baseball, and track, school sports carry a different meaning.

“Sports are everything to me,” Ross said. “I grew up playing sports; I want to die playing sports.”

Practices for Northwood’s sports range from an hour long to three hours long, depending on the sport. This is in addition to games or meets that some sports can have up to three times per week. For many student athletes, this can be challenging. Junior Deuce Powell, who plays varsity football, \ basketball, and baseball, spoke on the struggles of time management.

“There are a lot of practices, and you have to put in the studying after practice,” Powell said. “You get tired a lot so it’s kind of hard to do well in school and play sports.”

Despite the challenges, student athletes tend to perform better in class than the average student. From 1993-1996, Dr. Roger Whitley did a study of 183 North Carolina high schools, revealing that, on average, high school athletes had a GPA 1.1 points higher than non-athletes, and similarly had higher levels of attendance and less discipline referrals. As Northwood football coach Brian Harrington pointed out, student athletes also graduate at higher rates than their peers.

“I know for a fact my graduation rate is higher than the general population,” Harrington said. “If [athletes] just stay eligible, they’ll graduate on time.”

As the North Carolina High School Athletic Association states, high school athletes can only participate in a sport if they pass three out of four of their classes the previous semester. This encourages and motivates many student athletes to keep their grades up and pass their classes. If student athletes actively participate in sports for four years of high school, eligibility rules make sure they are on track to graduate.

“Playing soccer makes me have good grades to keep going so I can stay on the team,” said Alfredo Morales, senior and varsity soccer player.

“Soccer in general has changed me in a good way to work and collaborate in a classroom.”

Senior Mayci Springle, who plays varsity tennis and softball, says that she feels pressured by her coaches to perform in the classroom.

“Coaches ask if we’re doing okay with grades, and make sure we’re passing and doing well,” Springle said. “If we aren’t, they provide us with tutors or help outside of school.”

Senior Lars Hoeg, who is a varsity swimmer and lacrosse player, says that the success of student athletes can be attributed to the support network sports teams offer.

“Honestly, I do a lot better [in class] during sports seasons than out of sports seasons,” Hoeg said. “For the kids that struggle, having a team around them that relies on them makes them want to work a little harder and get their grades up so they can participate.”

School sports, especially in high school, has become a staple in American culture and the high school experience over hundreds of years. To sophomore William Lake, sports bring unique benefits to the high school experience.

“I think [sports] give something that the entire community can gather around,” Lake said. “[Sports] offer opportunity for students to participate in something that they love.”

“It’s like your license; when you get it, you are given the right to sit behind a vehicle with incredible amounts of power, so it’s a great tool, but a lot of damage can also be done. At a young, young age, you can do immense amounts of damage to yourself if you don’t act with responsibility.”

Photo by Madeline Conte

Photo by Jenny Teague

Photo by Madeline Conte

Photo by Chloe Maynard

January 2019

The Omniscient

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Photo Courtesy of Courtney Peralta

Releve for Recognition: Is dance a sport?

Alyssa Detzi Staff Writer

Is dance a sport? This is a question that often arises when Northwood students discuss dance classes. Some students participate in both sports and dance, which has opened a question on where these two meet.

“You have to work equally as hard as someone who’s doing a sport, but I wouldn’t say dance was a sport because there’s a whole different side to it,” sophomore Rachel Covington said.

Covington, a dancer at 7 Dance Center, believes dance and sports require the same amount of work.

According to dance teachers here at northwood, even football can be compared to dance.

“For a football player, you have to know how to shift your weight when you’re in line, or when you’re running for a pass or if you’re going for a tackle,” teacher Kristen Oakes said. “If you tackle somebody wrong you can injure yourself and someone else.”

One point of playing football is to win a game for the team people root for. Many watchers follow along with teams that they like, and root for them in games, in dance people watch a performance of routines. This leaves many people thinking about how dance could be similar to this sport.

“We as dancer[s] use our bodies to create meaning and expression and communicate without using words,” Oakes said. “In order to make some of these things happen, you have to be flexible, be strong, be able to hold your own weight.”

Sophomore student-athlete Reese Cantrell agrees that dance is a sport.

“Dance is a sport because in order to dance you must be flexible, strong and have stamina in order to get through routines,” Cantrell said.

Although some have the opinion that dance is a sport, others students disagree.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s a sport because typically sports [are] a competition between two teams where they’re trying to win a game,” senior dancer at 7DC, Riley Shaner said. “Dance is more of an art form than a sport.”

Modern dance is the relatively new side of dance. Competitive dance is where a studio or a student choreographs a piece and competes it against other studio’s dances. Competitive dance scoring is usually based on a 300 point scale, and it also has different scoring categories. The common

score categories are Platinum, High Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Oakes sees the two styles of dance to be fundementally different. “A competition dancer is going to train and learn differently than a modern dance company,” Oakes said.

Competition dancing is for students ages 4-18.

People don’t dance competitively when they are professional dancers.

“I think anything that you compete in is a sport because you compete against other people to win or lose,” senior Jennifer Dowden said. “I think that’s what makes a sport a sport.” Dowden believes that a competitive dancer is involved in a sport, but a modern dancer is not.

In the Dance I course at Northwood, students may recall the unit where students watched types of modern dance companies performing. This includes a group called Pilobolus. Pilobolus is a professional dance company known for its strange weight manipulation, which is when many people lift each other up using their weight.

“You can’t tell me that those people are not athletes by the way they use each other to lift and use their weight manipulation,” Oakes said.

There are many different classifications of dance, including different techniques for different types of dancing.

“There are a lot of different types of modern dance, and there are things from the Graham technique and all different types of technique that require a lot of different skill,” Covington said.

Whether dance is a sport or not, many students and teachers want to persuade people who have different opinions than they do.

“I think that it is just apart of our society,” Oakes said. “If you don’t understand it, it’s easy to be like ‘you don’t run’ or ‘your not out in the heat’ or ‘your not training in that sense.’”

Although Oakes thinks that people don’t understand dance because of its training and performance, Cantrell thinks it has to do with the physical work and effort dancers put into dancing and playing a sport.

“I think whether people think dance is a sport or not, is about perspective,” said Cantrell. “If you asked someone who dances if they thought dance was a sport, they would without a doubt say yes.

Once people have that perspective and maybe even try it themselves, they will then understand that dance is a sport.”

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January 2019

The Omniscient

Downward Spiral: Is the sport of football dying?

By Jeffrey Marcin Staff Writer Football has been a staple of American culture for many years. The sport has occupied fans and players on the weekends in the fall and winter and has become a lifestyle for millions of Americans. But recent participation and viewership statistics show that football could be on its dow nfall. It begs the question, is football really dying?

There seems to be an obvious possible reason: concussions. According to HeadCaseCompany, there were 3.8 million sports concussions reported in 2012, and 47 percent of them come as a result of high school football. In addition, 33 percent of athletes that get concussions suffer another concussion later in the year. Even at the highest level in the NFL, over 200 concussions have been reported during each of the past five seasons. In addition, 96 percent of NFL players end up getting brain disease later in life. The widespread publicity the sport receives with how often concussions happen and the effects concussions have, has also contributed to the decline.

Junior Ben McGaughnea has been especially affected by concussions in football. McGaughnea is no longer able to play football as the result of his head injuries.

“I can’t play anymore, but it’s alright,” McGaughnea said. “I really love football, but there’s a lot of other things that I can do that I enjoy.”

McGaughnea, despite his personal trouble with concussions, thinks kids should still play

football if they want.

“With proper coaching and correct equipment there’s no reason why people can’t play football,” McGaughnea said. “It’s a safe sport in general, you just have to keep your head out of play.”

As a result of all of the publicity that concussions have received, overall participation in the sport has gone down. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA), fewer than 1.04 million high school students played football in 2017, 20 thousand fewer athletes than in 2016. Over the past decade, the number of high school football players has decreased by 6.6 percent. On a local level, conference rivals Cedar Ridge and Chapel Hill were unable to field varsity football teams this season.

Lastly, the NFL’s viewership numbers have been on the decline. An article from Sports I l l u s t r a t e d reported that ratings from the 2017 regular season were down by nine percent from the previous season.

Primetime games such as NBC’s Sunday Night Football and ESPN’s Monday Night Football have also seen a decline in viewership numbers.

Even the 2018 season’s Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots saw a viewership drop of nearly 8 million people from the previous season’s Super Bowl. According to Ad Age’s Anthony Crupi, the factors behind this recession have ranged from large market teams like the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys failing to make the postseason all the way to Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protests.

Senior Rocky Andrews didn’t watch too much football to begin with, but he began watching football less after Kaepernick’s kneeling protests.

“For someone who was never a diehard fan, it turned me off from football,” Andrews said.

“People don’t watch sports to see politics.”

Despite all of the signs pointing to the future death of football, it is still very much alive today.

Although the high school football population is on the decline, there are still over 1 million high school students playing football across America.

The NFL’s viewership numbers are lower than usual, but there are still over 10 million fans watching ESPN’s Monday Night Football and over 18 million watching NBC’s Sunday Night Football. On top of that, there are still over 100 million Americans that watched the Super Bowl LII in February of this year.

Junior Quin Powell is a believer that the sport of football is not moving backwards.

“I don’t think football is dying at all,” Powell said. “Me and a lot of my friends still like watching and talking about college and professional football on a week-to-week basis.”

It is true that the sport of football is in decline. Players and fans can not escape the fact that concussions are a severe threat to the game, and have hurt the sport in the past and will in the future. Although the future of the sport could be in jeopardy with the severe effects of getting concussions, football is still remains alive and well in today’s society and culture.

January 2019

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The Omniscient

To Stand or Not To Stand

Northwood Students on Immigration

“Sadly, I think The Pledge of Allegiance has lost its importance especially since people don’t recognize or stand for it as much as they used to,”

“I personally think that [changing the birthright law] is unfair for people that are citizens here,” says Lopez. “They’re taking away their educational privileges.”

What’s the Buzz?

“Much of the honey in the grocery store is not from this country. Some of the honey from China has been tested and they have simply fed their bees sugar water or corn syrup – so it is not really honey at all.”

Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice: Northwood students debate abortion “If anything, religion informs my decision to be pro-choice because I think that treating everyone equally means both women and men having autonomy over their

-THE NORTHWOOD-

OMNISCIENT

online

own bodies.”

The Pressure Is On: Facing the future from a junior’s perspective “I don’t think I get the encouragement necessary to feel motivated enough keep going, as in adults in my life tend to give up on me if I begin to doubt myself even a little bit.”

Ins and Outs: What are the practical uses of your Chromebook?

When Will Everything Change?: Gun laws have not been enforced

“For those students who didn’t complete the training, didn’t understand it, or were left wanting more, here’s a quick guide to your new computer.”

“Once we have better gun control, I believe we will have a better America, and that we will see less gun-related deaths and crime.”

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