Northwood High School • Pittsboro, N.C.
www.nhsomniscient.com
OMNISCIENT - THE NORTHWOOD -
(om-nish-ent) adj.: having infinite knowledge and awareness march 15, 2013 • Volume 6 • Issue 4
What’s Inside...
Sharing your whole life
Teens have grown up with social networks and are not shy about documenting their lives online.
Page # 3
What Influences You?
The Omniscient looks at what influences teens at Northwood.
Page # 6-7
Adolescents and abuse: a deadly combination
Jessica Clayton/The Omniscient
By Quinn Kerscher Co-Editor
“I was 14. I went to a fire tower with a friend, and we sat in their car… we weren’t driving. We just sat there. And the person crushed them up, and then I snorted them. That was the first time I ever did them,” said a former Northwood student (who, for the purposes of this article, will be called Terry Smith), talking about the first time they got high by abusing prescription pills. Smith was one of several students who was charged with the possession of and/or distribution of prescription pills around September and October. “Teenagers—and even adults— are using pills… it’s a growing trend we’re seeing in America and in the schools,” school resource officer Herbie Stubbs said. Students are able to get pills from drug dealers, their own bathroom cabinets or other students. Junior Lane Poag, who has two legal
prescriptions, has been asked by other students to “share” before. “At first I was kind of shocked… then I finally, sort of, manned up and was able to be like: ‘Hey, it’s not safe, and it’s dangerous, and you don’t need to, you know, be doing it. And if you want to, get it from somebody else,’” Poag said. In the beginning, Smith primarily got pills from friends “If my friends have it, then I have access to it. That makes it easier for me to try something I might not usually try,” Smith said. Smith maintains that peer pressure did not factor into the use of those first few pills. “I really just wanted to try,” Smith said. Soon after, Smith started buying from drug dealers. Smith was expelled from school earlier this year for carrying out a drug deal on school grounds. Due to the recent up-kick in pill related charges at Northwood and throughout the country, the school
has been collaborating with a group of nine students from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and their professor, Shawn Kneipp, on a pill abuse awareness campaign. The campaign made its debut in the form of a school-wide assembly held in early February. Most, if not all of the students in the group have worked with addicts in the past. One student, Lydda De Guia, was employed at a place where she helped addicts try to regain their lives after rehab. “I had met several people who started as teenagers with prescription drug use…you become friends with these people and… I just remember one day [one of them] ended up leaving [the sobriety program] because his parents wouldn’t pay for it anymore. Within a week he was dead,” De Guia said. Another student in the group, Kai Moreb, witnessed a friend become addicted to pills when he was a teenager. “Until about 10th grade we were really good friends, and then he
see PILLS page 4
Senior Year: Big news, tough decisions
Diane Thompson wins prestigious Morehead-Cain scholarship By Ally DeJong Co-Editor
This year The Omniscient has been following three seniors, Monte Smith, Diane Thompson and Pedro Becquer-Ramos, on their journeys through senior year as they prepare to graduate and attend college. This is part two of the three-part series. To see the beginning of these students’ stories, go to www.nhsomniscient.com.
NHS vocals expands
The new a cappella club is part of a growing vocals program.
Page # 8
started getting into other things… and about a year after we graduated, he went to rehab for the first time,” Moreb said. “He’s been to rehab at least three times since then. He’s currently in jail for armed robbery.... He went to go sell pills to a friend of his, and then robbed the guy for his money instead… so, it gets pretty serious.” The physical risks pill abusers face are numerous. According to kidshealth.org, certain pills can cause heart failure, seizure, a decreased ability to think, decreased respiratory function and can induce coma. It is also widely known that repeated pill abuse can cause liver disease. Pills are just as easy to get addicted to as many street drugs—perhaps even more so, because of their availability—and they are notoriously easy to overdose on. In the US, one death because of prescription pills occurs every 19 minutes (drugfree.org). Smith was aware of these risks, but used pills anyway. Smith attributes
Ally DeJong/The Omniscient
DIANE THOMPSON shows off her Morehead-Cain acceptance notification to excited teammates last Friday.
Diane Thompson “After riding 45 minutes from Pittsboro to Northern Durham, I really had to use the restroom, so I decided that I would go to the restroom. Just keep in mind that I had been continuously checking my email all day awaiting an email from the scholarship program,” Thompson said. “So I went to pee and I was just refreshing [the page] because I’m bored on the toilet and I saw that I had a notification, so I saw it and it said “Congratulations” and I just started screaming... I probably scared the whole soccer team.” On March 8, just after arriving to Northern Durham for her soccer game, Thompson found
out she was a Morehead-Cain scholar, while on the toilet. “I had to get Maria [Vanderford] to double check it and see if it really said ‘Congratulations’ so I wasn’t just imagining it, then I called my mom and started crying,” Thompson said. Thompson and 63 others around the world have been chosen from over 2,200 initial applicants and is the first female in Northwood’s history to get the scholarship. “It just felt good to get rewarded for all of my hard work all four years. I didn’t realize how good of a school Carolina was until I heard more about it,” Thompson said. “I’m numb, very numb. I don’t know how to react. I didn’t expect to get this far.” The Morehead-Cain scholarship is a fouryear merit scholarship that includes full tuition, student fees, housing, meals, books, laptop and supplies; it also includes a four-year summer enrichment program. Mathematically speaking, Thompson is in the top 3 percent of the original pool of applicants and had a 45 percent chance of getting the Morehead-Cain scholarship out of only 122
see SENIORS page 4
Page 2
The Omniscient
Briefs
Photo courtesy of Ashley Clark
DECA students advance to nationals Northwood DECA competed in the NC-DECA Career Development Conference. After competing with 2,500 students and in 45 different competitive events, 11 students qualified to advance to the International competition in Anaheim, CA in April. Northwood DECA is on top of the Chatham County list once again.
March 15, 2013
Quill team wins states
The Northwood Quill team won first place in the state level Quill writing competition March 2. The participants were Frances Beroset, Jacob Friedman, Quinn Kerscher and James Calhoun. Calhoun won first in the state for his category, problem/solution. This was the teams first year of competition. See www.nhsomniscient.com for more.
State exams eliminate exemption policy for most classes By Dana Walker Staff Writer
The North Carolina Legislature has made changes to the policy concerning “Measures of Student Learning,” otherwise known as common exams. These exams are now required for core classes in all North Carolina schools, meaning that local school policy can no longer grant exemptions from end-of-semester core exams. Chatham County chose to implement this change mid-year. “The exemption was like an incentive to do well and come to school,” sophomore Jerry Silvestri said. “It makes me mad. I wish they had done it next year instead of during the middle of the school year.” Silvestri, like many other students, is now required to take the common exams in both pre-calculus and chemistry, from which he could have been exempt if he had taken the courses first semester. Chatham County officials did not have much say in the new exam policy, except that the county was allowed to choose whether to implement it first or second semester. “It was a county decision. As a county, we elected to wait for second semester, just to see how [the exams] went,” principal
Chris Blice said. “Having talked to some principals at other schools who did them first semester, I think that it was wise to wait. I agree there’s inequity, but I don’t think it will be a big problem.” According to Blice, one problem that the other high schools ran into with implementing the policy first semester was that students were not given enough time to complete the exams and many did not finish them. As a result, the state plans on shortening the length of some exams this semester. Chatham County was also allowed to decide the final percent value of the common exams and had the option to make the exam either a big test grade in the third six-week period or make it a percentage of the final grade. The decision was to make it 25 percent of the final grade. “I personally think that it’s harmful to the students because the old exam exemption policy gave students a reason to want to come to school and not miss many days and to get good grades,” junior Emma Korynta said. “They don’t have as much of a reason now because they’re all going to have to take exams anyway.” The new exam policy has influenced students such as Korynta to consider taking
more sick days because they are no longer taking the exams. rewarded with being exempt from exams. “On one hand I feel that it’s good because “If I used to be sick, I would probably it’s going to prepare students for college, come to school anyway, and [now] there’s because in college you won’t get the option a lot better chance that I’ll stay home a day to get exempt from your exams,” junior Moli or two if I’m really sick,” Korynta said. Eddins said. “But I also feel like the student Silvestri, who is required to take his should be rewarded for not missing school common exams, believes the result of takdays and keeping up with their grades.” ing the exams will be the same no matter While exams are required in all core how many days he misses. classes, exam exemptions can still be While common exams are seen in a granted in non-core classes. negative light from the perspective of students like SilScience: Earth/Envi- Occupational vestri and Korynta, ronmental Science, Course of Study: Fithe North Carolina Legislature thinks Physics, Chemistry, nancial Management, differently. The goals Physical Science Introductory Math, of the “Measures of Applied Science Student Learning” include developEnglish: English I, ing and increasing English III, English IV Math: Pre-Calculus, the effectiveness of teachers and seeing Advanced Functions evidence of achieveSocial Studies: and Modeling, Gement and growth for World History, Civics ometry, Algebra II/ all students. As well as the and Economics, U.S. Integrated Math III Legislature, some History students see merit in
State Mandated Tests
NEWT HEILMAN BROKER, GRI, CRS
919-260-7747
73 Hillsboro Street PO Box 1400 Pittsboro, NC 27312
Mobile
919-542-0533
Office
127 Persimmon Hill Pittsboro, NC 27512 Phone: 919-942-7000 Fax: 919-933-7755
Rare, Used and Unusual Books, Vinyl and CDs 919-548-5954 121 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro
Meeting all R your residential a y or commercial m o structural needs n d
Engineering inc.
March 15, 2013
Page 3
The Omniscient
Social media overload: Some teens share it all
By Jessica C layton Co-Editor
Today’s teenage generation differs greatly from the generations before. One reason for this is the oh-so-easily accessed Internet from smartphones, laptops and any other electronic device that stays glued to teens’ hands. Social networking sites make it so teens are able to document the details of their lives like never before. “I get bored and they’re easy to use in any place, really. I usually post about my mood or if I’m mad about something, or happy about something, or excited about something,” senior Gloria Rodriguez said. Using social networking sites when angry comes as an urge to some people.
Teens And Social Media • Fully 95% of all teens ages 12-17 are now online and 80% of those online teens are users of social media sites • 69% of parents of online teens are concerned about how their child’s online activity might affect their future academic or employment opportunities • 69% of parents of online teens are concerned about how their child manages his or her reputation online •Source: http://pewinternet.org/
“I tweet when I’m angry because it’s just an impulse I have. If I can’t express it to somebody else, my phone is right in my hand. I can just tweet it and express myself and it’s a relief,” Rodriguez said. Some try to keep what they post to a minimum. “I like to see what other people are doing. I don’t put everything in my life on Twitter or Instagram, but I put just a fair amount of stuff, not my whole entire story,” junior Briana Green said. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube are only some of the social networking sites and apps that teens access via the Internet and their phones. “I use [Twitter] everyday. It’s like a way of expressing myself and expressing my feelings without telling somebody face to face,” senior David Candelori said. Compared to teens, adults have a different perspective on what teens post. Counselor Telisa Hunter feels like teens document their lives on the Internet. “I think that we have a lot of teens who feel like everyone needs to know what they’re doing all the time and so they document where they are and what they’re doing, which can have some dangerous impact,” Hunter said. Social networking sites provide a place for teens to be more open than any other generation. It is basically a way to document their lives. While some people post their thoughts and information freely, others are more reserved. “I try not to [document my life], although some people do that on Twitter. I don’t like it because it’s your life, it should be private,” sophomore Trent Cline said. Despite what some may think, docu-
Ally DeJong/The Omniscient
TEENAGERS have a tendency to document their lives through the use of social networking websites. menting your life on social networking sites can have a large impact on your future. “I’ve had a college actually contact me and tell me that they thought it would be best if a person took down their Facebook page because of what they had posted,” Hunter said. “It was actually painting a very negative picture of them and was causing that college not to consider them to get in.” Social networking can provide a way for teens to look back in the future on their lives and experiences. It would be like a scrapbook or photo album, but more intimate. “When I get older I’m probably going to sign back into Twitter and be like, ‘This was what I was saying when I was 17, 18 years old.’ I feel like there’s going
to be a bunch of stuff to smile about,” senior Charles Hope said. Others, however, already feel regretful looking back on what they’ve previously posted. “I look back at stuff I’ve posted months ago, and I’m like, ‘What was I thinking?’” Rodriguez said. Whether they’re tweeting, putting pictures on Instagram or posting on Facebook, teens should be aware of how they are exposing their information for the world to see. “Sometimes we think we are the only ones that can see it, but it’s out there for everybody, especially on Twitter,” Hunter said. “Teenagers are not as concerned about their future and how [social networking] could impact the future as some adults are.”
Page 4
Pills
The Omniscient
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 this to, at once, “liking the way they felt” and you. It’s not, like, an ‘easy out’ pass.” “being the kind of person that wants to try someTerry Smith is currently undergoing the thing at least once.” Smith claims to have been process of expungement. This is a legal proceas careful as possible when using pills. dure in which a first-time offender can attempt “The time I would say I was the most risky to have portions of their criminal record with a pill was drinking alcohol while doing sealed or destroyed. pills. That can be very dangerous, if you drink “I could say I’ve never been charged nor contoo much, or do too many pills,” Smith said. victed, even though I really have,” Smith said. Some pill-using students at school think difSmith debates the ethics of this loophole. ferently about the risks. “It does seem like “I am not going to you’re cheating the overdose because I am truth, that’s the thing.... not stupid,” a female Basically, it’s like you’re • over 40% of youths believe that abusing prescription junior said. paying money to be drugs is safe Another female innocent. Which, to me, junior finds pills “more seems like a corrupt • every day, 2,500 people predictable because way to handle it; and (age 12 to 17) abuse a prethey’re designed for a somewhat deceitful people, so you’re not go- scription pill for the first way to handle it, but I’m time ing to have a bad trip, or going to use it since it’s really get sick unless you available,” Smith said. • of all drug overdoses, take a lot.” In the next step of the those from prescription drugs In addition to physical are the most common awareness program, the risks, pill abusers face a UNC students will create a number of legal risks that • the average age for a first- web site on which they will Adrienne Himmelberg, address student questions time pill user is now 13 or a member of the UNC and concerns about pill 14 years old www.mass.org group, dubs the “cascade abuse. For additional supSources www.drugfreeworld.org port, there will also be two of consequences.” “Once you get that students from the group at felony charge—which would be the person Northwood every Tuesday. who has the prescription and passes it out, “I’m glad we’re having [the pill abuse prodoesn’t need to sell it, just hands it to another gram] because I feel like it could change some person—once that person is charged with a people’s lives and make them look at life in a felony there are a multitude of careers that they different point of view, and hopefully turn their can no longer pursue: anything in the medilives around,” a male senior said. cal field, anything where you would carry a Some of the students at the school who use weapon, military, beautician’s license, hunting prescription pills illegally look at the program license,” Himmelberg said. in a different way. Melia Stanek, another student from the “The pill abuse campaign isn’t going to group, expressed a similar warning: change the problem—if there is a problem. It “These consequences can come down was funny, because we were just joking about the line, even if you’re charged and it gets it,” one female junior said. dismissed or expunged. It’s still going to affect Jessica Clayton contributed to this story.
Facts:
Seniors
March 15, 2013
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 applicants in the final round. For the final round, Thompson toured the campus with current Morehead-Cain scholars, heard feedback from previous scholars and had two 20 minute interviews. “Basically, I had to sell myself. If you asked me on Monday how [the interviews] went I would have said great, but on Friday if you asked me how they went, I probably would have said awful,” Thompson said. “I was thinking about it more and all the stuff I could have said wrong. I guess [the interviews] went pretty well considering I got the scholarship.” Recently, Thompson was also awarded a Coca-Cola scholarMonte ship which guarantees $2,000 per Smith year. Since Thompson got the Morehead-Cain scholarship, that money will most likely be directed to miscellaneous expenses and graduate school. Although originally leaning toward outof-state schools, Thompson says she will be attending UNC because of the scholarship, and if she didn’t, “My dad would kill me.”
school is UNC-C because it has a new football program. “I talked to my coaches to see if I had a chance or not to make the football team, and they feel like I have a good chance,” said Smith about his prospects as a walkon. “I feel like as a football program it would be good, because they’re starting off new.” Smith is still “110 percent” sure he will be playing college football and that nothing will let him fall short of that dream. “My thoughts [on the future] are going to a good college to play football, still, even though I don’t know where I’m going to end up.”
Pedro Becquer-Ramos “I think about the things I do today, tomorrow and the things I will be doing in a year. I’m kind of optimistic about it, I always have been,” Becquer-Ramos said about his future. “I know my potential, and it just keeps increasing; there has been a trend.” Monte Smith Becquer-Ramos has applied and been Smith, who once aspired to play Diviaccepted into UNC-G, ECU, Appalachian sion I football, is now looking at Division State, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. II or III schools because he missed more He is still waiting to hear from Duke and than half of his senior season due to his torn Davidson. meniscus injury. ECU was the first school he got accepted to. “[My injury is] doing good; “When I went to my profile it’s holding up pretty well. I just and it had the letter, I was really make sure I don’t go too hard benervous,” Becquer-Ramos said. cause I’m trying to make sure I’ll “The server was really busy so be able to play football,” Smith I had to try logging in like 100 said. ”It felt really good when I times and every time I thought I came back. I played really well was going to get a message. [My and I had a lot of tackles, no parents] knew I was going to get interceptions though, just a lot of Pedro in. They were more confident tackles.” Becquer-Ramos than I was.” Smith has applied to Wesleyan Becquer-Ramos has been acCollege, Wingate University, cepted into ECU’s honors college, Methodist University, East Carolina Univerwhich will pay for all of his tuition. He says sity, UNC-Greensboro and UNC-Charlotte. that he is now more closely considering ECU So far, he has gotten accepted into ECU and because of the “good financial package.” UNC-G, and won’t know about the other Last weekend he received a letter in the schools until April 1. mail awarding him $4,000 for any col“It felt really good [when I got accepted] lege from the North Carolina Society of because I have been waiting for it for so Hispanic Professionals. long,” Smith said. “I kept thinking maybe I “It’s definitely something that I think about didn’t get in. I kept going to the counseling everyday,” Becquer-Ramos said. “Right now office and my first [acceptance] was from all I’m thinking about is scholarships. I’m UNC-G. My mom and grandparents were all pretty excited for what’s coming up for me.” really excited for me.” Becquer-Ramos has a tough decision Competing with healthy athletes was a ahead of him. He ultimately wants to go to big challenge that Smith faced when college the best school and not base it on money. programs tried to scout him. “I want to go to the better school “I didn’t have a lot of stats to send in, so I because, either way I’m going to apply had competition with other people that had for private scholarships to pay for my stats and I didn’t,” Smith said. “[Coaches] told schooling. I mean, I just think the opporme I could probably walk on and not have a tunities are better,” Becquer-Ramos said. scholarship, or I could go to a D-2 school and “I’m still considering all of them, but I have a half scholarship and half education.” would feel more comfortable studying At the moment, Smith says his top choice engineering at State.”
March 15, 2013
The Omniscient
By Kasey Jenkins Staff Writer
Backpacks or back problems?
Waite said. According to science teacher Sarah Robertson, it is true. Heavy book bags may cause negative ef“There have been studies showing that fects on high school students’ bodies. Studthe kids are carrying much more than the ies have recomshown that mended students weight are recomon their mended backs,” to only Robertson carry 5-10 said. “If percent of you look their body at six year weight in a olds combook bag, ing home but many from kinof Northdergarten wood’s stuwith their dent body backpacks carry more that are githan that. Kasey Jenkins/The Omniscient ant on their Out itty-bitty NORTHWOOD STUDENTS feel crushed by the weight of of 30 frames, their book bags. book bags some of weighed, the average weight was 19.2 them are carrying about 50 percent of their pounds. If that number were 5 percent of body weight. That can cause back issues a student’s body weight, then that would later on in life if we don’t come up with a mean that the average high school stuway to ameliorate [fix] this problem.” dent would weigh 384 pounds. If the bag In a poll of students, the average number represents 10 percent of body weight, the of textbooks carried in a book bag on a average high school student would weigh daily basis was between one and two, and 192 pounds. the average number of binders was two. “I think my book bag may make up The average textbook weighs between three about one fourth of my weight and I don’t and five pounds. Throw in two of those, think that you should have to carry that a laptop, charger, calculator, binders and much weight around for hours a week,” whatever else the average high school stujunior Austin Vohwinkel said. dent needs, and it really adds up. The majority of students surveyed think Some students make the argument that that heavy book bags can cause long-lasting the e-textbooks are better because they take back problems, but most are not sure if it is up less space, give them less to keep up really true. with and are more convenient. “I think backpacks cause back problems “Laptops make it easier with the textbecause of the heavy stress it puts on teenbooks online, but when the books aren’t agers’ shoulders and backs,” senior Abigail online and we have to carry them and the
Yopop!
Pittsboro’s best frozen yogurt! Enjoy Yopop’s delicious frozen yogurt! With so many flavors and toppings, the possibilities seem endless! Come get the best of Yopop today!
laptops, too; it’s just a hassle,” senior Whitney Howerton said. Many students prefer the laptops, but the school may be unwilling to give up textbooks completely. “Studies have shown that students who are reading actual textbooks and manually flipping the pages retain information a lot better than they do from reading online,” Robertson said. Some teachers, like Robertson, still favor the physical textbooks. “It definitely does lighten their load because they can carry four textbooks in the space of a laptop, but it’s not a complete substitute for reading. It’s great for weight, but not necessarily for retaining information,” Robertson said. The main issue is whether a student would rather have a better understanding
of what they have learned or have a healthy back. Robertson and a few others, like English teacher Lisa DeLorenzo, are allowing students to check out a textbook and leave it at home. They then use the e-textbooks or another set of textbooks in class. It saves the students’ backs and still allows them to get the full benefit of manually reading through the textbooks. “If we’re going to be working on things in class, I realize that I don’t want them to be carrying huge amounts of weight on their back and there’s only so much room in classrooms,” Robertson said. “Class sizes are getting bigger and backpacks take up the room of a student. I’d say that we should use our e-textbook when in class, but for learning purposes use the real textbook at home, then leave it there.”
Metal Yard Art at French Connections
919.545.9296 French Connections www.french-nc.com
178 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro, NC
M-Sat 10:30-5:30•First Sun
Love Pizza?
Buy One, Get One!
Buy any Large Pizza at regular menu price and get a second of equal or less value for Free!! BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 PRICE!* Bring in this coupon to receive an item half price! *Yopop of Pittsboro only, must pres ent coupon at time of order. Not valid for cash value or with any other offers.*
Located at: 90 Lowes Drive Pittsboro,NC 27312 919-542-2290 In the Lowes shopping center next to New Japan.
Page 5
Phone: (919)542-1295 Manager: Mike Virk 987-I East Street Pittsboro NC, 27312
March 1
What Influences You?
Page 6
y l i m a F .
1
ys a w l s a es in ’ e h s oic s, e h s c u eca right o drug ng b , ke o t stayi mom a n m y g M “ me yin es and hipe g a n s i S help e like d grad chael lif ng goo ” -Mi i l. gett schoo in
l o o h c S .
3
Family Matters By Quinn Kerscher Have the individuals in your life had a huge effect on the way you have developed? Yes. Do you like to read? To this you will answer “yes” or “no.” Now, if you are curious about this—which probably also depends on your upbringing— go home and ask your parent/guardians if they read to you when you were younger. Their answers probably correlate directly with your own interest
We asked 200 students what influences them. This graph shows the results.
for I e r epa sions. r p me rofes thing s p el ent p ome uture h s ] o ool differ to d p my f t my h c S d “[ ned rew u affec mn i a l c ge s in sc l d i e l n l d ’ a l l t s co l le cou hat i llege houn t e a e f th w t to co s Cal o d n i k e n stup use I get i ” -Jam beca ity to uture. f abil ct my pa
in reading (if they do not, look to other influences from your past). In my own case, I am currently in the middle of three books at once, piling on more every day, and my mom says there was not a night she didn’t read to my siblings and me. Now, it just seems like too much of a coincidence for the two not to be linked; I don’t believe I was born an avid reader. If I hadn’t been read to as a child,
I simply wouldn’t like to read today, and alternate-universe me wouldn’t have a problem with that. Take something from the animal world (the best place to look to for honesty, if you ask me). When you go to an animal shelter, you can automatically tell which dogs or cats have suffered abuse. They are the shaky ones, the ones that cannot stand loud noises. This is because of the environment and
the “family” they grew up in. Humans are the same way; we are just better at internalizing our shaking—to some degree. And while that thought may seem somewhat depressing, look at it this way: It means that we can find, in our past, concrete reasons why we are the way we are, and there is hardly a thing more comforting in this world than certainty.
Re
2% Jobs
Own
Fashion 1%
Compil Jessica Ally D Quinn K Tyler
15, 2013
Page 7
2.Frien
ds
37% Family
“The you’ peopl e t re opin [alway hat you You’ ions m s] goin hang or ou re g g oing e than to go t with , -Mik to cho anyone for the ayla os ir el Pend e their se’s. ergr aph side.”
25%
Friends
11% School
4.Mon
ey
6% Money 5% Sports
5% eligion
4%
“Wel l worl I feel feel d go r that m oun one li ing ke ther d. I do y makes beca if you e’s a p n’t rea the oint lly just use mo don’t i have n li love ney i s m oney vmone ever , y.” y -Cha thing. rles I Hope
4% Media
n Opinion
led By: Clayton DeJong Kerscher White
Peer Influences By Jessica Clayton High school is the time and place where kids start to break away from their parents’ rule and influence and shift to the influence of their friends. It’s your first taste of freedom and a chance to create your own identity, one largely influenced by whom you hang out with. Teens take greater account for their friends’ opinions because we feel like we can better relate to people our age than our parents. Between school, the weekends and after school activities, our friends are the people who we are
around the most, therefore the people who have the biggest influence on our opinions, styles, attitude and behavior. Their activities tend to rub off on us the more time we spend with them. It is also likely that you will perform more risky or stupid behaviors when your friends are around. For example, I tend to drive a little faster than normal when my friends are in the car. I’m not completely sure what compels me to do this, but I do notice a significant change in my actions if
I’m with my friends. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm, researchers found that the teens that drive with multiple passengers considered themselves thrill seekers and shared similar characteristics that would increase the likelihood of a car accident (autoguide. com). It’s not just a case of over-confident kids showing off either; there’s a neurological reason behind it. The brain functions in two different ways, causing different
behaviors in teens. According to Dr. B. J. Casey from the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, teens are very quick and accurate in making judgments and decisions on their own and in situations where they have time to think. When teens have to make on the spot decisions, they are often influenced by external factors like peers (heads up.scholastic.com). Teens are largely influenced by their peers and make decisions based on how others will perceive them or judge them.
8
REVIEWS
TV
Photo courtesy of MTV.com
Buckwild Welcome to Buckwild, a show that makes the people on Jersey Shore look intelligent. Buckwild is a new series on MTV about crazy rednecks that do incredibly stupid things. Don’t get me wrong, it’s funny and I watch it often, but it’s not the most mentally refreshing thing on T.V. It’s nothing unique though; it’s just a new twist to the partying and promiscuous life style. If you want a way to pass the time and laugh while you’re doing it, you should watch this show, though your IQ may drop a couple of points in the process. — Jessica Clayton
Photo courtesy of ABC.com
The Bachelor Beautiful. That is how you can describe this season, Monday’s season finale and the bachelor himself, Sean Lowe. With the perfect mix of drama, pretty dresses, exotic places and, of course, love, there has yet again been a successful proposal to the right girl. This season touched on every aspect of what makes it great. While yes, it is mainly for hopeless romantics who wish someone would talk to them like they were one in a million, it also has catfights and delusional girls that are easy to laugh at. I would recommend The Bachelor/ Bachelorette to everyone for the sole reason that I want more people to rant and freak out with every Tuesday. — Ally DeJong
MUSIC
Artist: St. Vincent Album: Strange Mercy Go Download: “Strange Mercy” If strikingly unique music and synthesizers underneath flute solos sounds like your cup of tea, you should listen to Strange Mercy. It is the third album of solo artist Annie Clark (who goes by the stage name St. Vincent), a petite, sweetly awkward brunette in her 20s. But, don’t look to Clark’s appearance for any clue about her music; her songs are boisterous and cacophonous (at times), with mind-bending, grimy solos on synthesizer and guitar. Strange Mercy features songs like “Northern Lights” and “Surgeon” that culminate in intense layering, and highlight Clark’s angelic vocals. — Quinn Kerscher
E ntertainment Striking a new note: A cappella comes to NHS By Becca Heilman Staff Writer
Excitement overshadowed preperformance jitters as the members of the new a cappella club, “Pitch, Please” stepped onto the stage for their first performance last December at the Central Carolina Winter Arts and Crafts Festival in Siler City. As the group looked out onto the small audience and sung its first notes, smiles crept onto their faces. The positive energy in the room zapped away the nerves that were present when the performance first started. “It was really nerve racking… but it felt amazing,” said Jacqueline Helgans, a freshman who takes vocals class and is a member of the a cappella club. “We did a really good job.” A cappella is a style of music that uses only voices, no instruments, to create a complete arrangement. “[A cappella] is a new way to do things,” said junior Jeremiah Hartsock, the founder of the a cappella club. “You get to take cool music and turn it into whatever you want.” Matthew Hanson, the new vocals and guitar teacher, was all for starting the new group when Hartsock came to him about it at the beginning of the year. “It’s just a group to come together and sing and do a lot more contemporary-style stuff,” Hanson said. “When you’re in a chorus, you do a lot of music that’s with piano or with accompaniment of some sort. With an a cappella group, it’s just voices. There’s no piano, no instruments, nothing. All the voices are the instruments.” The a cappella club has already gotten a few invitations to perform
at events as entertainment. Hanson yourself and sports don’t really work when you can really express yourself hopes that the group will become the for you or band or stuff like that through it.” face of Northwood vocals. [doesn’t work], then it’s a great way The vocal program hosts two “We’re hoping to do more to express yourself.” formal concerts per semester and performances and competitions in Students say you don’t have to sometimes has extra opportunities to the future instead of just singing in have a great voice to take vocals. In perform at different events. The next the choir room by ourselves, ” said fact, the higher-level students who vocal concert is March 16th at the sophomore and a cappella member take it encourage those who are less Chatham Arts Extravaganza. Katie Robbins. experienced to try out the class. Hanson has already expanded A cappella members like to have “You don’t have to be a really the program, but growth is somefun and challenge themselves by good singer to take [vocals],” Helthing he says he strives for. Hanparticipating in the club. gans said. “Choral singing is more son wants to get the message about “It’s really harmonically based and about blend and reading music, so vocals out to as many students as it’s more of a challenge musically,” you can still get a really good idea of possible. Helgans said. how to read music and develop your “It might sound cliché, but [I] Though the club is new, the vocal voice. If you don’t think you can rejust really [want the students to get] program has been around since the ally sing well you’ll get better.” an enjoyment and appreciation for school opened. It offers classes that Some students who take part in music,” Hanson said. “Sure, I want range from Vocal I for beginners to vocals say that performing is one of them to be able to sing well and have Vocal IV Honors for high-level singtheir favorite aspects of it. good technique and breathe and do ers. Students say that there are many “[I like] the feeling of being on all the things that good singers should benefits to taking the class. stage,” Korynta said. “There’s parts do, but [I] just [want them to have] “It helps with confidence and in the music where it gets very emoa desire to study about music, even you get really close to your section,” tional, and that’s the best part for me, after they leave high school.” Helgans said. “Also, music is great. It improves test scores and it’s a creative outlet.” Technical elements of singing are always important, but vocal students say that the classes also help with things outside of vocals. Chelsea Korynta, a junior and a cappella club member, recommended the vocals class. “If you’re shy, [taking vocals] is a good way to break out of your comfort zone because you are in front of people, but you’re in front of people with a group, unless you’re a soloist or something,” Becca Heilman/The Omniscient Korynta said. “Also, TRISTAN LAWRENCE and JEREMIAH SMITH rehearse with vocals if you’re trying to find teacher Matthew Hanson at a recent a cappella practice. another way to express
A Twist on Shopping By Taylor Maloch Co-Editor Almost every small town has at least one thrift shop, a place where people can bring old clothes or other items they no longer need. Shoppers then buy these things at a much lower price than retail stores. Thrift stores near Northwood include the PTA thrift store; others near Pittsboro are Plato’s closet in Durham and Uptown Cheapskate in Apex. Junior Jeremiah Smith says he shops at the PTA thrift store as well as a thrift store called Guardian Angel in Fuquay-Varina. “[PTA and Guardian Angel] are the main ones I go to; but if we see one on the side of the road and we have nothing else to do we go in there. Any thrift store is a good thrift store I guess,” Smith said. Popular name brands that sell at retail stores can’t stay on thrift store shelves for long. Frequent thrift shoppers have at least one piece that they bought at an impressive price. “I got a pair of designer heels for ten bucks and they were never worn,” junior Elizabeth Bedford said. With a variety of deals and
Second-Hand vs. Brand new
$24
$65 Taylor Maloch/The Omniscient
BOTH AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITS are similar, but there is a $41 difference in price. choices to choose from, junior Allory Bors shares her favorite item that she bought from a thrift store. “I got a pair of Converse for $1.50, they were brand new,” Bors said. Comparing the clothes bought from a retail store versus a thrift store, the quality is not always the same. As long as it is not dirty or torn, does it matter if the item was previously used? “I think it depends on the garment. Obviously, if its underwear I’m not going to buy it, but if it’s a jacket or a pair of shoes or something, I think it’s fine,” Bors said.
Junior Emma Korynta agrees that it does not make a difference. “Personally, I kind of like the fact that it’s previously owned. It has character,” Korynta said. Not all thrift stores are the same. Sophomore Darian Lowndes, a frequent shopper at Plato’s Closet says that Plato’s Closet is different than other thrift stores. “At Plato’s Closet most of the stuff they have there is [gently used], so there is a difference between that and something that has been used a lot,” Lowndes said. Thrift shops also have a reputation to offer outdated things or
strange items you would not see in a department store. Depending on the item, some shoppers see it as unique, while others do not agree. “I saw a pair of sneakers, but it had a heel; it was really weird,” Bors said. Senior Dionna Bright, a frequent thrift shopper, also had an unusual find. “I saw one of those corset things once, it was like a full body thing,” she said. Someone who is new at thrift shopping might not know how to get the best deals. Most of the students interviewed have been thrift shopping for a few years now, and give advice to a new shopper. “Try everything on and don’t buy anything over three dollars,” Korynta said. Junior Kayla Perry also has a method while she is shopping. “Make sure you know what you’re looking for before you go in there so you don’t just pile random stuff and waste your money on everything,” Perry said. Bors agreed with Perry and added that shopping at thrift stores can be frustrating. “Just look a lot,” Bors said. “Don’t get frustrated and give up when you can’t find anything; you have to keep looking.”
March 15, 2013
Fact or fake?: Students take interest in Illuminati By Ryan Millis Staff Writer
Page 9
The Omniscient
English teacher Kari Haddy said. Media attention has gotten students considering the Illuminati. International superstar Beyonce caused an “Singers I listen to are always saying stuff internet sensation when, during the Super Bowl about it or saying that they worship the devil,” halftime show, she made a gesture placing her junior Gwen Kenney said. two hands together to form a triangle. That Well known rapper Curtis Jackson, also symbol, which she and fellow musicians Jay-Z known as 50 Cent, rose to fame in 2003 when he and Rihanna also made released his album Get at the Grammys, was Rich or Die Tryin’. He linked online to the went from dealing drugs notorious secret society, to support his family the Illuminati. to being an influential The Illuminati has rerapper and founder of ceived a lot of attention several charity foundalately, and students are tions. But online, some responding, wondering question if he rose to just what this organizapower by himself. tion could be. This is the conflict “It’s a satanic cult many have about where people sold their mainly songwriters souls to the devil for and politicians. Some fame and fortune,” jubelieve that people rise Ryan Millis/The Omniscient to power and fame benior Jake Chavez said. STUDENTS flash the sign of the noto- cause of the Illuminati. Social media sites rious group, the Illuminati. have linked the Il“You get to be rich luminati to a wide range and famous just by of world events, and while some teens are inter- selling your soul to the devil and people do it ested in the theories, others dismiss talk of an because it’s that easy,” senior Dalton Carr said. all-powerful organization as mere conspiracy. Still, others remain uncertain about the “One element can’t control the world and group’s influence. have power,” senior Matt Klein said. “You can “People don’t want to believe things like [the do anything you want without having to sell Illuminati], they want to think their idols got your soul.” there on their own without help,” Chavez said. Today, the Illuminati is known as a secret orgaDespite all the recent hype, many students nization of political figures, faceless corporations choose to remain skeptical about the unknown. and countless singers and songwriters. Histori“The problem for me is that there’s no real cally, it was a group of French freethinkers who evidence out there,” sophomore Seth Clark had ideas of enlightenment in the late 1770s. said. “You hear all this stuff about it on the “[They] were scared that other people Internet but there’s no real proof. No one really weren’t going to accept their beliefs, so they knows what’s real and what isn’t. I just choose had their own secret philosophical society,” to stay out of it.”
Do you need help with your bookkeeping, payroll or tax preparation?
Serving Small Businesses in Chatham County Contact today !
info@carolinasmallbizpro.com www.carolinasmallbizpro.com 919-533-6077
o o
b r
a e Y
s k
are on sale now!!!! Get yours TODAY!!
Order online!!
www.jostensyearbooks.com
DOn’t Miss Out
10
Opinion
The great debate: Gun Control
Owning fire arms is a right protected by the Constitution Tyler White
In the Bill of Rights, the second amendment states: “A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” This means that the right to bear arms should not be limited in any way. The definition of the word infringed is: “act so as to limit or undermine.” Freedom of speech is not negotiable, so why should the right to bear arms be debated as much as it is? In light of recent events in our country, putting restrictions on guns is not the solution to stopping these atrocities. Just like the saying goes, “guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” Putting restrictions on firearms and other weapons does not make it any more difficult to commit violent acts. Restricting people’s freedom is unconstitutional and unnecessary. People are more prone to getting into fatal car accidents than having fatal firearm accidents, but you don’t see restrictions on driving other than seat belts and speed limits. So why limit firearms more than cars if automobiles are more of a danger than guns? The fact that people think criminals and murderers will obey gun control laws is just foolish. There has never been a gang that would stop their plans of rob-
bing a bank just because their firearms were not registered. Making it more difficult to purchase and own a weapon is not keeping criminals from getting their hands on guns. Doing this is only hurting responsible, legal gun owners. Assailants are more likely to attack unarmed victims, since there is no threat of retaliation. With limits on handguns and other firearms, legal gun owners will have less of a way to protect themselves. Criminals will always be able to get guns illegally on the streets, but law-abiding citizens will not. Making the gun-buying process more rigorous is only restricting legal owners from expressing their second amendment right. Guns are not the problem. People are the problem. In order to settle the gun control debate in this country, we are going to have to agree on this. We need to see more funding in correctional facilities and mental health institutions instead of blaming guns and gun owners for our problems.
Putting restrictions on assault weapons protects the people Meredith Norman
Considering recent events in our country regarding gun violence, it has been proven that when given large amounts of firepower, people are going to become a recipe for disaster. Steps need to be taken to create stricter laws in this country for buying guns and placing a ban on most semiautomatic weapons and high capacity magazines. The only people that need that much firepower are law enforcement and the military. There is no need for someone outside of those two areas to have assault weapons containing that many rounds. Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter Adam Lanza had access to an
— Illustration by Bailey Miller
Editorial Cartoon
Is it getting through to you? Safety assemblies at NHS Staff Editorial
— Marlene Gutierrez
- THE NORTHWOOD -
OMNISCIENT
assault-type rifle and fired multiple magazines containing 20-30 rounds each on his massacred killing of 26 people, most of them children. This isn’t the first time there’s been a mass shooting with the use of assault weapons. No single person needs that much firepower on hand. According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, over 25 percent of all gun crimes involve guns with highcapacity magazines. The study did note that since the rate of a shooter hitting victims is low in gun crimes, the ability to fire more shots faster increased the likelihood of targets being hit. There is vocal opposition to change the laws surrounding gun control. Second amendment advocates worry about laws limiting their rights to own a gun. But let’s be honest; no one is trying to “take our guns away,” because the right to bear arms is in the second amendment. People who work with the government are just trying to create legislature that will tighten gun laws and prevent large-scale massacres from happening again. The second amendment is never going to be changed to eliminate all guns. Achieving the goal of banning assault style weapons and creating laws to enable more intense background checks before purchasing a gun will take the combined efforts of state and national legislature. Only after these measures are taken are we on our way to a safer country as a whole.
- EDITORS Jessica Clayton Ally DeJong Quinn Kerscher Taylor Maloch Tori Nothnagel
The Northwood Omniscient is published monthly by journalism students at Northwood High School. It aims to present accurate coverage of events of interest to our readers, as well as provide an open forum for the opinions of - STAFF students, faculty and the community. Becca Heilman We welcome letters to the editor, which can Kasey Jenkins be delivered to the advisor in Room 914 or sent to the school’s address. Letters must be signed, Lauren Merrill and the staff reserves the right to reject any Ryan Millis letter containing libelous statements, to edit Meredith Norman for length and to ascertain the truthfulness of Dana Walker the content. Letters should be limited to 250 Tyler White words. Unsigned editorials represent the majority -ADVISORview of the editorial board. Columns, letNeal Morgan ters and cartoons represent the views of the nmorgan@chatham.k12.nc.us authors.
Do you ever feel like you hear something so many times it becomes background noise? That’s how students feel about the repetitive safety speeches we’ve been hearing since we were in elementary school. It seems like, after a while, those messages lose their meaning and students just brush them off. Most teens don’t listen well in the first place, let alone to strangers broadcasted on a screen. It’s a cycle from generation to generation: the adults—who have had the experiences— are talking, but the teenagers aren’t hearing them. Previous generations make mistakes, warn the next generation not to make their mistakes, and then they don’t listen and make mistakes anyway. Unfortunately, most teens have the mindset that bad things will never happen to them because they are “in control.” Therefore, it takes a tragic event to change their perspective. For example, if a complete stranger overdosed on pills and died it would not have the same effect on you as if the same thing happened to your family member or close friend. The preaching on the videos has no effect until you have experienced the things they are talking about. It’s different in middle school. When you’re not exposed to drugs and other “bad things” it’s easier to resist. Drug campaigns at that age seem easier to follow. When you get to high school there’s clear peer pressure and easier access to things that we’ve never been exposed to before. At this age, teens are more influenced by their
peers than by adults or teachers. We see people doing things that we were told as kids were bad, and those people seem fine, so we don’t see the problem. It also creates a rebellion effect: the more adults say no, the more we are tempted to say yes. Teens’ brains are still maturing, and are ultimately immature at this age. This is not an excuse for bad behavior, but it does contribute to the decision making process. There’s no regard for the future, but only what’s happening in the present moment. The severity of the end result also contributes to the decision-making process. For instance, popping pills seems less scary in comparison to driving drunk, getting into an accident and dying. This might have something to do with the relative success of teen drunk driving campaigns compared to the success of teen pill abuse campaigns. Don’t lose total faith in our generation; there are ways to get through to us. For instance, it’s easier to relate to cases from people in our age group. When an adult is featured in a video, we feel like we can’t relate because we’re not the same age. Cases that relate to us really hit home, especially when they are less extreme. It’s easier to shrug off an extreme event, rather than an accident that could happen to anyone. If it’s relatable to us, there’s a higher shock factor. Teens aren’t going to listen to something they don’t believe applies to them. Until you eliminate the feeling of “It will never happen to me,” campaigns will not be effective.
Sports
Sports Briefs
Girls’ basketball makes it to 3rd round The girls’ basketball season came to an end Friday, March 1 after a 65-57 loss to Kinston. “We played hard, we fought, we battled and we had the game within four points at one time,” senior Maria Vanderford said. The Chargers ended their season 24-5, and won the conference tournament. “We proved everyone wrong and we worked together; it was a very family oriented team,” Vanderford said. “It wasn’t individuals; we all worked together to get goals accomplished.” Boys’ basketball loses in 2nd round blowout The Chargers ended the season with a 80-35 loss to the Kinston Vikings, Feb. 27. During the first quarter the Chargers were only down by one, but the Vikings came back in the second quarter, causing a major turnaround for the duration of the game. The Chargers came in second in the conference championship. They ended 12-4 in the conference overall. “We progressed throughout the whole season and got better as time went on,” senior Aumad Walker said. “We had to get used to a new coach, so that’s what the obstacle of the season was.”
Wrestling wins conference championship Wrestling finished its season 23-10 and became conference tournament champions for the first time in the program’s history. In the first round of the playoffs, Northwood beat JordanMatthews, but was defeated by North Pitt in the second round. Jourden Blackmon, Thaddeus Tallman and Michael Queen qualified for states, and Blackmon placed sixth. “It was a very successful season in preparation for next year’s move to 3A,” coach Jason Amy said. “I was very proud of Jourden placing, and it could not happen to a better wrestler.” — Compiled by Dana Walker, Lauren Merrill & Tori Nothnagel
The push to win: What motivates athletes? By Tori Nothnagel Co-Editor
The clock reaches zero and you’ve just beaten Jordan Matthews, one of Northwood’s biggest rivals. You get the sweet taste of victory, but how did you work to get to that? What motivated you to play your best to get the win? Athletes usually start a sport when they are young and stick with it because they are good at it, gain an appreciation for it or enjoy playing. “[I’m motivated by] my love for the game,” sophomore soccer player Jamie Palermo said. “I think [soccer’s] so much fun and I love the feeling after a win.” They say practice makes perfect, but why do athletes want to keep getting better if they’re just going to play in high school? “Knowing that I can get better, I just do all the things that are possible [to get better],” sophomore softball player Courtney Wilson said. “[I play] because it’s what I love and I enjoy doing.” In any sport there is room for improvement, that’s why athletes practice. When someone else is better than you, that is the extra push that lights the fire to try even harder. “If I’m playing against someone better than me, I’ll try harder on them,” senior soccer player Nathan Stephenson said. With rivals, there come tensions and an even stronger emotion of anger towards the opponent. Whether it be Jordan Matthews in football and basketball or Carrboro for soccer, there’s always that stronger push in your
head to beat them. “Depending on who I’m playing I’ll try harder knowing that 110 percent of my effort will be needed,” senior volleyball, basketball and soccer player Gaby Mehringer said. “When we play sucky schools, like Roxboro Community, I can slack off. I try to do my best as a team player, but I’m not as focused on the little things.” That push to win influences Mehringer every
11
time she plays not just on the ones that matter. “I’m very competitive,” Mehringer said. “I hate when other people are better than I am, even though it’s obviously reality. I just push myself and motivate myself to be better and play harder. When I see other people playing better than me, it makes me want to do more to be a better player or maybe work harder to prove talent isn’t everything.”
Image courtesy of Wordle
Foul or fair? Coaches’ punishments By Becca Heilman Staff Writer
Heat radiated off of baseball player Garrett Scott’s body as he ran 100 poles, running from one foul pole to the other. Head pounding, legs aching, it took Scott three days of practice to complete the punishment that his coach had assigned him. What did he do to deserve such a tough punishment? “I ran out of the field house in my boxers with no shirt on and I made it all the way to the field,” Scott said. Athletes like Scott know the pain of coach’s punishments all too well. Nobody likes doing extra running, pushups or sit-ups, and sitting the bench might be a little harsh in some athletes’ perspective. Some may say that these punishments are unfair, but are they necessary? John Dunning, a freshman who wrestles, plays football and
lacrosse, said yes. “Usually [these punishments] result in making us better athletes,” Dunning said. [Punishments are important especially] when you’re in high school, you’ve got a large group of guys or girls who tend to get out of control somewhat easily.” Some athletes say that punishments bring about more respect for coaches. Maria Vanderford, a senior who runs cross country, plays basketball and soccer, agrees. “If there were no punishments, people that don’t respect their coaches would take advantage of them and wouldn’t be serious about their sports,” Vanderford said. “I feel like their performance on the fields or courts would suffer due to repeating offenses of misbehaving.” Some athletes also say that coach’s punishments help keep them on track. Sophomore basketball player Shontai Totten shared
Ally DeJong/The Omniscient
STUDENTS have mixed feelings on punishments given by their coaches, which include push-ups and running sprints.
how a punishment given by a coach helped to motivate her in the classroom. “I had an F on my report card and my coach made me run 50 suicides,” Totten said. “[While it was happening], I was thinking that I was never going to get an F on my report card again so I wouldn’t have to run that much.” Punishments can play a large role in how players view their surroundings. Players and coaches explain that though they are carried out on the court or field, the message they leave doesn’t just stay there. “They’re trying to make us better people and build more work ethic,” said Payton Springle, a freshman who plays volleyball and softball. Cameron Vernon, who coaches girls’ varsity basketball, said that his goal is to teach more than just athletics. He also wants to teach values that players can apply beyond the basketball court. “It’s not just about winning and losing,” he said. “I think that as coaches we’re trying to teach student athletes what’s right and wrong.” Many coaches try to teach lessons on and off the court. “Whether it’s with work, relationships or with their families, [a punishment] is going to help make them a better person,” Vernon said. Some players say that coaches aren’t fair with their punishments. “Sometimes they single kids out and they’ll be a little bit more lenient with people and more harsh towards others just because of who they are, not necessarily [because of] what they’ve done,” Dunning said. Springle sees it from a different angle. “[I think that the punishments are fair] most of the time, but
I don’t agree when the coach punishes the whole team when one person does badly,” Springle said. “I don’t think that you should be punished for something that somebody else did.” This was the case two years ago when the varsity girl’s soccer team had to run 100 down and backs, running from one end of the field to another and back again. “A freshman threw a banana peel out the [bus] window and our coach found it really disrespectful, so he decided that the next day at practice, we were going to have to run 100 down and backs,” said senior soccer player Laura Shachtman. “That was probably one of the worst punishments we’ve had.” Some coaches might prefer punishing one player rather than the whole team, but others say that group punishments can be used as a tool to teach how one’s actions affect the people around them. “I hope that [the players] learn from their mistakes, and if they’re playing a sport, that not only did they let themselves down, but they also let their teammates and their coaches down,” Vernon said. “Each player is an integral part of the team.” Wrestling coach Jason Amy believes his punishments are fair. “We establish rules and those rules are told to players,” he said. “If they’re not followed, then there has to be repercussions for [the players] not following the rules.” Volleyball and JV girls’ basketball coach Steven Thomas explained that this type of thinking applies in every situation. In life, the players will have established rules everywhere they go and will have to learn how to follow them. “Everything in life has consequences, either good or bad.”
12
Sports
Every month we’ll showcase an individual and his/her achievements from an ongoing sport. In order to qualify, one must be nominated by his/her coach for athletic ability, outstanding leadership, work ethic and sportsmanship.
Jamie Palermo girls’ soccer
— Compiled by Tyler White
Robert Straughn baseball “Robert is one of our best pitchers. He loves the game and really contributes to the team.” — Cody Farrell, Jr.
“Jamie likes to play the ball quick and consistent. She likes to make sure everyone gets the ball. She’s a very skilled and athletic player.” — Silvia Bourn, Sr.
Elizabeth Hart girls’ track “[Elizabeth] is a really great runner and stays really consistent with her times.” — Sierra Teta, Fr.
Jalen Gipson boys’ track “He’s one of the fastest sprinters out there. I’ve seen him lead our sprinters and help out people who are new at track.” — Preston McKnight, Fr.
Ally DeJong/The Omniscient
Brooke Smith softball
Lauren Merrill/The Omniscient
“She’s very positive, and is a very good leader for our team.” — Briana Robinson, So.
Jimmy Ashness lacrosse “He’s pretty good at lacrosse, and he is good at teaching the new players what to do.” — Jack Dalton, So.
Jordan McClamroch boys’ golf Sean King boys’ tennis “[Jordan has] superior mental and physical athleticism on the course.” — James Calhoun, Jr.
“Sean is a great player and inspirational because he’s a freshman and currently holding down the No. 3 position.” — Chris Cole, Sr.
Students enjoy variety of untraditional sports By Lauren Merrill Staff Writer
mostly clean and fair with some violence. In a game players score “tries” which are similar to touchdowns but have an equivalent High school students are exposed to the of five points. After scoring, there is a twousual sports life: Friday night football and point conversion kick. Saturday wrestling matches. However, most Rugby has a lot of potential as a college students do not know about the life of sports sport and even as an ongoing hobby. outside of Northwood. “You get a lot of friends and you meet a lot Rugby of people,” Reynolds said. “A lot of colleges Junior Thomas Reynolds got his start with have rugby teams, but they don’t hand out rugby through a friend from France who plays scholarships. Anyone who wants to play has professionally. Reynolds started when he was to try out.” 14 and currently plays for the Highlanders in When asked if rugby should be a sport at Chapel Hill. Northwood, Reynolds said yes. Reynolds compares rugby to football and Shooting Team wrestling, which are very popular sports at Senior John Adams and his sister, sophoNorthwood. more Madalene Adams, “In England, New are both on the North Zealand and pretty Carolina Rifle Pistol much everywhere else Association Junior High in the world, rugby is Power Team. Recently like religion. But in the their team has increased U.S., it’s pretty small to 20 people, but the because it got turned sport still isn’t widely into American football,” known. Reynolds said. “Not many people Some rules are that know about it, but the Photo courtesy of Thomas Reynolds people that know about you can’t tackle above JUNIOR THOMAS REYNOLDS plays it absolutely love it. It’s the shoulders and you rugby for the Highlanders in Chapel Hill. competitive and it takes can only pass the ball backwards, never a lot of work,” Madalene forwards. said. “Rugby is supposed to be a gentleman’s There are three different lengths to shoot game,” Reynolds said. from. They shoot from 200, 300 and 600 yards. The term gentleman ties in with the origin Sometimes they shoot “prone,” where the of rugby. The game of rugby is expected to be shooter lays on their stomach.
The objective of the sport is to hit the “x” on one, three jumps were set up in a row and the a target as many times as possible. goal was to get through all of the jumps without The point system the horse tripping and works like this: the they would also run laps shooter can either get with the horses. zero, five, six, seven, A lot of what Johneight, nine or 10 points. son did with equestrian Ten is the best score a was just between her shooter can get. and her teammates. John believes that “We did compeshooting should not be a titions just by oursport at Northwood. selves, which was “You would need only four girls. So Photo courtesy of John Adams we would see who some sort of proficiency with the tool,” John said. SENIOR JOHN ADAMS shoots prone could canter (a threeEquestrian/ Horse- for a local shooting team. beat gate of a horse back Riding or other quadruped Senior Michaela Johnson started riding between a trot and a gallop) and stay balwhen she was 14. anced,” Johnson said. “Once I started I really got into working There are a lot of simple forms of practice with an animal and being one with it,” Johnson a rider can do. Sitting and standing straight said. are helpful with posture, and doing regular There are specific measures riders must take workouts throughout the week strengthen the to ride to the best of their abilities. core and legs. “You had to center yourself on your horse Johnson describes the benefits of equestrian. and keep absolute control over it at all times “It’s definitely beneficial if you ever want like giving and yielding with the reins and to go sight seeing,” Johnson said. “They have making sure it turns precisely where it was sup- all of these horse trails. It’s also beneficial for posed to turn,” Johnson said. dancing or performing because of posture and The main rule that Johnson describes is balance, and it’s really a good work out.” keeping in two-point when going over jumps. Johnson doesn’t think that equestrian should The two-point position is done by bending forbe an available sport at Northwood. ward at the hips and taking most of the weight “I think it would be great if Northwood in your ankles and heels. Your back is straight could publicize that it is available in Pittsboro, with your seat just off of the saddle. but I don’t think it’s realistic that it be offered Johnson’s team practiced several drills. In here,” Johnson said.