May 30, 2012

CLASS OF 2012 SENIOR ISSUE INSIDE

Northwood High School • Pittsboro, N.C.

www.nhsomniscient.com

OMNISCIENT ­- THE NORTHWOOD -

(om-nish-ent) adj.: having infinite knowledge and awareness May 30, 2012 • Volume 5 • Issue 6

By Caroline Schneider Editor-in-Chief “Every time I look at it, it [reminds me to] breathe, relax. I just got it to calm me down,” said senior Alexa Powell of the light

NHS Ink

blue tattoo of the word “breathe” written on her wrist.

Powell is one of many students and a few teachers who have one or more tattoos.

Students get tattoos for many different reasons. Like Powell, senior Mary Rizkalla

Caroline Schneider/The Omniscient

SENIOR ANNA WALL is one of many Northwood students to have a tattoo.

got a tattoo as a reminder to herself.

“It says ‘just the way I am,’ but I got it because I experienced something really hard in my life and it was just something to remind me to stay strong,” Rizkalla said.

Junior Landon McCabe doesn’t have a tattoo at the moment, but says he is definitely planning on getting one or more in the future, and he even has a few ideas in mind.

“Most of them are going to be tribute tattoos like to bands; I just don’t want anything generic like crosses,” McCabe said.

Although McCabe believes that having a tattoo may affect a future job interview, he still thinks that he will most likely get visible tattoos.

Junior Nathan Sandborg has a design on his arm, but it has a special meaning to him for an unusual reason—he helped design it.

“I just looked at a couple different tribal designs online and used a couple different things and added it together to make something that represents my last name,” Sandborg said.

Although most of the tattoos seen around Northwood are on student bodies, dance

Changes planned for NHS classes

By Michaela Johnson Staff Writer

Beginning each year is difficult for a lot of high school students. After an entire summer, students are expected to pick up where they left off, and that includes classes, relationships and workload. Next year, there are changes coming for the art and history departments.

Next year, the freshmen will be introduced to a new way of learning world history. Their health/physical education class will be combined with world history on an A-B schedule. This means the class will alternate. One day students will go to history, and the next, to health/P.E. The class length during the day will stay the same, but each class will become year-long so that the students will have enough time to learn the material for both classes.

History teacher Skip Thibault says that there is a need for this new method.

Senior shows passion for religion

By Madison Roberts Staff Writer

What’s Inside...

Many Northwood students are affiliated with religion in some way or another.

Some go to church, some read the Bible, some pray every night before they go to sleep. But imagine going to meetings, leading conferences and making speeches in front of adults. Imagine being the face of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Youth.

Senior Landis Barber knows exactly what this feels like. He was elected as the president of the conference last summer at a camp called Annual Conference for Youth (ACS). He had to go through an application process, where the nominations committee reviewed his application and passed him onto the next round. He then had to give a speech to the conference, and the elections committee made its decision.

“I wasn’t really expecting to run for president, but I got approached about the idea and I thought about it,” said Barber.

“It was about a week before ACS that I actually decided to run for president and it was just so great seeing all the support.”

Although Barber was not planning on running in the first place, it is something that has come to matter to him over the

past year.

“To me, it’s leadership. You’re fighting for a bunch of youth that don’t exactly have a voice to adults,” Barber said. “The United Methodist youth aren’t really treated as well by adults and I feel like I can make a difference in that.”

see TATTOOS page 4

Some of the responsibilities that come with this leadership are: planning and designing the ACS event, travelling to places such as Raleigh, Clayton and Garner for seminars or events, and meeting with adults about what they can do to improve youth ministry. He meets

Photo courtesy of Landis Barber

SENIOR LANDIS BARBER (RIGHT) has served as the president of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Youth this past year.

What is DECA?

Students in local plays

Page # 2

Page # 6

With the success of NHS DECA at states heard around school, many students wonder, “What is DECA?”

Some NHS students take their acting to new levels, and participate in PlayMakers Summer Youth Conserva-

see NEW CLASSES page 5

with the youth of the conference and has to transfer their ideas and views to the adults in the conference. Of all of his responsibilities, Barber says his favorite part of his job is speaking in front of large groups of people because it allows the voice of the United Methodist Youth to be heard.

“My favorite part has to be speaking to churches and at rallies and stuff like that,” Barber said. “It allows me to fight for people who can’t exactly fight for themselves.”

Junior Nathan Stephenson, who is a member of the United Methodist Youth Ministry, sees Barber as very deserving of his role.

“He takes his job really seriously because he is really passionate about religion,” Stephenson said. “He loves to do it; he has been a big member of our church since he was little.”

Stephenson said that one of his most memorable experiences with Barber as president was during a hymnal they sung together.

“As we were singing, he looked over and grabbed my hand and it was just a touching moment. I felt like he really knew what was going on with me,” Stephenson said.

see BARBER page 5

Chatham Co. Legion

Chatham’s legion baseball team has its home on the NHS field, and student athletes participate in the league, too.

Page # 10

Page 2

The Omniscient

May 30, 2012

Briefs

Memorial Day concert Exam Schedule May 24 the Northwood Concert and Jazz Bands hosted their Memorial Day Concert. The show featured student conductor Daniel Ball along with a performance by bluegrass band The Circle M City Pickers.

By Emily Brooks Staff Writer It comes on the announcements all the time: “All Cool DECA kids come to the meeting this afternoon.” But students wonder: What is DECA? DECA adviser and CTE teacher Kim Hall has been involved with DECA for roughly 30 years, and as an adviser for 24 years. Hall said that DECA is “simply a title,” but is characterized as an association of marketing students in high school and college. The club involves many high school students who are looking to pursue careers in the marketing, advertising and business fields.

“I got involved in marketing my junior year of high school, and got involved with DECA, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” said Hall.

“It gave me my first taste of success in school... my first taste of something that made sense to me and that I was good at.”

Sixteen DECA students traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, in April to compete at the national competition. At DECA competitions, students are able to participate in real-life business scenarios such as hotel and lodging management, advertising campaigns and business law and ethics.

Senior Delaney Henry, who advanced to nationals for the second year in a row, has enjoyed her experiences competing in DECA. “Last year, I was in hospitality, so I was given a situation in which I was a hotel manager

Friday 6/1/12: 8:00-11:15: Algebra I EOC/ 1st pd. CTE Post Assessments 11:45-3:00: Biology EOC/ 2nd pd. CTE Post Assessments Monday 6/4/12: 8:00-11:15: English I EOC/ 3rd period CTE Post Assessments 11:45-3:00: Makeup EOC exams/ 4th pd. CTE Post Assessments

Tuesday 6/5/12: 8:00-11:15: 1st pd. Non-EOCs 11:45-3:00: 2nd pd. Non-EOCs Wednesday 6/6/12: 8:00-11:15: 3rd pd. Non-EOCs 11:45-3:00: 4th pd. Non-EOCs Thursday 6/7/12: Remediation Friday 6/8/12: Retakes

Defining DECA

dealing with difficult customers,” said Henry. kids and what they accomplished this This year, senior Megan Sulvester comyear,” said principal Chris Blice. “I’ve peted in an event where she created a wedding never been at a school that has had that planning business and made a business plan. many kids qualify for nationals in anySulvester’s project placed in March’s state thing. I think that was an incredible competition, earning her a trip to her second achievement in itself.” nationals.

DECA nationals this year were held thou“My favorite moment was getting the sands of miles away in Salt Lake City, and gave feeling when many North[I won at wood students states] and an opportu[got] to go up nity that they on stage. It hadn’t ever felt wonderhad before. ful because Seniors Alex all the hard Plummer and work that [I] Anna Brown did finally experienced paid off,” said their first Sulvester. plane ride Of the going to roughly 60 nationals. members of “It was a Photo Courtesy of Danielle Van der Lelie JUNIOR BRANDON EDWARDS and SENIOR OLIVIA great experiNorthwood GRIFFIN won first place in their event at DECA States. ence and I’m DECA, 25 students glad I went. I qualified and participated in the state compe- climbed a mountain and picked up a rock from tition that was held in Greensboro, with one the top of it, and I brought it home,” said Plumfourth-place winner, three third-place winmer. “But let’s just say that I probably won’t ners and three teams of first-place winners. [climb] again.”

Sixteen went to nationals, the largest number When not in competition, DECA members of students that has ever advanced to nationat the national conference were entertained by als in Northwood history. many groups such as the Jabberwockies from “I am extremely proud of our DECA America’s Best Dance Crew; Chinese acro-

bats; and students had front-row seats at an Eli Young Band concert.

“We were front row and [the lead singer] touched my hand, I haven’t washed it!” Henry said jokingly.

Hall discussed the new experience for the students in Utah.

“The general sessions were held at the arena where the Utah Jazz play, so it was [huge]. We had to walk up this ramp before we walked down to our seats and as we walked up the ramp all of the lights were out and there were lasers flashing and kids screaming. To watch [my] student’s faces, it was like they were just amazed,” said Hall. “You can talk about 15,000 people, but it’s a different thing to see 15,000 people in one room.”

Hall also said that in addition to the experiences that come with DECA, it also helps expose students to a potential career path.

“High school should truly be about exploration of finding something that you want to do,” said Hall. “DECA has given students the ability to interact with people in the marketing industry... If I can help you decide what a career path might be for you, then I think that is really powerful.”

For Sulvester, DECA has done just that.

“I am attending the Poole College of Management at NC State and I plan to have a career in business,” said Sulvester. “DECA really helped me prepare for that and has really introduced me to a lot of things that helped me decide on my future career.”

Going for 90: NHS has chance to become “School of Excellence”

By Michaela Johnson Staff Writer

Northwood. “[I’m proud of] the fact that four years ago the school was at 66 percent This year, Northwood students reached [passing rate] and at the end of first an all-time high on their first semester semester this year we [were at] 91 perEOCs, putting Northwood in the running to cent,” Blice said. become a “School of Excellence.” NorthStudents claim that the possibility of wood is currently a “School of Distinction,” becoming a “School of Excellence” is a status earned for the past two years. further affecting their dedication to their To be a “School of schoolwork.

Excellence,” North“It makes me feel NHS EOC Scores wood must have a 90 like I have to do better percent passing rate in my classes, to keep Passing Rate Year on EOCs for the enup with other stu66.6% 2007-08 tire year. Last semesdents,” said sophoter, 91.82 percent of more Bryce Sawyer.

75.4% 2008-09 NHS students passed.

Students credited So in order to achieve their teachers for the 82.4% 2009-10 this status, Northconfidence that they wood must maintain felt while taking their these scores through EOCs last semester.

84.3% 2010-11 second semester.

“I had a pretty Assistant principal good feeling that I was 91.82% 2011-...* Melanie Williams had going to pass because *only for first semester tears in her eyes when Ms. Chris (science she was sharing the news with the teachers. teacher Cari Christopherson) said her tests “I was actually crying on the loudspeakwere harder than the EOC and I did pretty er when I was explaining it to them because well on my tests,” said sophomore Eric it’ll be the first time, I believe, in history,” Belcher. said Williams, earlier in the semester.

Biology teacher Aaron Freeman said that The upcoming EOCs will determine she felt the students were well prepared by whether Northwood does, in fact, become a the teachers. She gave her students as many “School of Excellence.” old practice EOC questions for homework “For the last three years, our second as she could find. semester scores have averaged five to six According to Blice, the success on EOCs points higher than first semester did, so can be credited toward the “improvement if we run true to form, we’ll do as well, of our instructional program” and “workor better, than we did first semester,” said ing hard to improve the environment and principal Chris Blice. culture within the classrooms.”

Blice was very proud of the students of Students shared their opinions on the

upcoming EOCs. “I feel sort of pressured because it is coming up really [soon],” said sophomore Giana Bonomolo.

Preparation has been a key proponent of the EOC classes since the beginning of May. The teachers and students are getting ready for exams.

“I have Dr. Raymond and she is a really good teacher,” said Bonomolo. “I feel prepared.”

If the students are able to pull through and reach a 90 percent passing rate on these exams, according to Blice, it could greatly affect the value of a

diploma from Northwood.

“When you are applying for colleges, colleges know who the better performing high schools are in the state, and for us to be one of those…. [It] has untold rewards,” said Blice.

Blice encourages the teachers and students to pursue this goal.

“We have a chance to do something that nobody’s ever done before and unfortunately this is our last chance to do it,” said Blice.

This is the last year that the “School of Excellence” accountability award will be offered. ”Lets pull out the stops and give it our best shot,” said Blice.

May 30, 2012

The Omniscient

After an F: What happens when students just don’t get it?

By Anna LaRocco Masi Staff Writer

the process of taking questions, [if they don’t understand] any of my comments or feedback, want more clarification or if they still want It’s a Monday morning. A student speaks to say, ‘Okay, I still don’t really get why this out in class and says, “I don’t understand.” specific question is wrong.’”

Students with their heads down on their desks Although Bazzari takes the time to do this, perk up to those words, thinking this may be a not every teacher does. Some students feel as good time to start listening. if they aren’t given a fair chance on the final That vague phrase frequently frustrates exam when teachers don’t go over the test teachers. materials at all after it is taken. “‘I don’t understand,’ that’s not a question,” “Most teachers don’t go over tests after math teacher Marcus Herman-Giddens said. “I they’ve been handed out. They just give you the can answer questions, [but that’s] a statement. grade. I think that they should go over it…so I get [my students] to put it in the form of a you know what you got wrong so you don’t get question.” it wrong again,” said senior Lindsay Mason.

Many Northwood students face struggles in Many students also think that it would be their classes, whether it be failing an indihelpful if the teachers spent a little bit more vidual test, or not understanding the entire time reviewing afterwards. Senior Adacia subject material. Teachers then have to come Bruton said teachers should review thoroughly, up with ways not but not go over every only to make sure all single question, just students are learning, the ones students had but also to help the questions about or students who didn’t didn’t understand. learn the material “You have to after the initial lesson. think about class Spanish teacher time; they have a lot Henry Foust allows of things they have his students to retake to fit in a certain tests so they can learn number of days in the what they did not year,” said Bruton. understand the first Students think time. classes with more “They need to unthought process, such derstand the concepts as the core classes, before we go on, so require more teacher if they didn’t do well intervention. on the test and get the “It was a subject concepts, it doesn’t I really wasn’t good do us any good to in,” said freshman just keep rolling Noah Mehringer, who along,” said Foust. had a difficult time in “They have to go Morgan Yigdal/The Omniscient a math class. “At that back and learn those time, it was hard to things somehow, so being able to retake the test grasp what she was teaching us.” gives them credit for going back and learning While some students believe that it’s either information over again. the subject’s difficulty or the teacher’s fault that “They will understand the next lesson better they fail tests, others believe that when their because the next lesson is going to count on the peers fail or do poorly, it falls completely on the lesson we just did and if they bombed a test on students’ shoulders. pronouns they’re never going to get the verbs.” “[My teacher] already does a great job of Some students believe that it’s important for going over it. I just feel if you’re failing his teachers to review after a test is taken as well as tests, it’s because you’re not doing your work,” before, to ensure they know the material. said Bruton.

“I like teachers who go over the test and Although some students do feel that it’s then spend maybe one more day reviewing their peers’ responsibility to learn the material everything because if I fail a test, I am not goand go over it themselves, many Northwood ing to go home and study myself,” said senior teachers say they do their best to help students Brittney Sanders. in need, as long as they put in the effort.

To help students with the same mindset as “If I know that they’re working hard, as hard Sanders, English teacher Phyllis Bazzari says as they’re supposed to, and they’re not getting it, that she gives a large amount of time and help to then I will try and work out some alternative,” students who want to go back over the material. said Herman-Giddens. “If they’re demonstrating “I give them class time to read over the in another way that they don’t understand the corrections and my feedback. Then I follow material, then I can take that into account.”

From soda shop to fro-yo, Pittsboro is expanding

Page 3

By Kristen Hutchinson Staff Writer

Oldham agrees that Pittsboro has been developing more as of late, and is wary about the types of new businesses in town.

Pittsboro can be described as small, He does not want new businesses to come quiet and country. Lately though, the town into the town take all the business out of has been growing beyond its soda shop town. He believes that they should nourish and antique stores in the past year alone. the town.

Pittsboro has introduced a new Japanese “[Pittsboro] always has to change; restaurant, a Papa John’s, a tanning salon, it’s not something that’ll stay the same,” a bakery and will soon have a frozen yosaid Oldham. gurt shop.

McDonnell also The town has believes that the types always been a relaof incoming businesses tively small, tight-knit determine if they will community, filled with benefit the town or not. unique shops and tra“I think the expanditional events such as sion will be a good First Sunday, a street thing. We’ve gotten fair and gathering of a little more comlocal businesses held mercial, which I like,” the first Sunday of each said McDonnell. “I month.

[Pittsboro] will —Aaron Freeman, teacher think “It’s very small continue to grow, but I feel like we all business-wise, but I know each other really well. When I go to hope we stay close-knit.” visit my cousins in Ohio, they don’t know Senior Kelsey Lafoon, who has lived their neighbors as well as we do here,” said in the Pittsboro area for 18 years, says junior Morgan McDonnell, who has lived in that she’s noticed both the opening of new Pittsboro her entire life. businesses and the closing of familiar ones, Jean Oldham, the owner of S&T’s Soda such as the General Store Café.

Shoppe, has been managing his restaurant “When the [General Store Café] closed, for nearly 16 years. He says he enjoys livI was more curious as to what was going ing outside of major cities as opposed to to replace it rather than why it closed. The living in a busier, urban setting.

Café was such an iconic thing for Pittsboro, “It’s a community where a lot of people everyone knew about it, and it’s going to be know each another and we all still try to hard to top that,” said Lafoon. help one another if something goes wrong.

Lafoon describes the changes as a We think a lot of each other; it’s not like a way for Pittsboro to develop into a more big city where nobody knows each other,” modernized version of itself. In five to 10 said Oldham. years, Lafoon sees the town becoming a For sophomore Bella Chevalier, who has support system for both the old and the new just recently moved to North Carolina from businesses, appealing to a wider range of California, Pittsboro can’t compare to her people. old hometown.

“I don’t really think the new businesses “It’s all right. I’d like to see Pittsboro will take away any business from the with a movie theater or something other old ones. As long as the businesses are atthan just a McDonald’s and a soda shop,” tracting customers to the town, people said Chevalier. will still support both,” said Lafoon. “I Now that the new businesses have gone work at the Carolina Brewery and we were from just being rumors to actual establishworried that when New Japan opened, it ments in the town, business owners who would take away some of our business. have been here for years and local residents However, that never happened and both are taking notice. of our businesses are still getting plenty of Aaron Freeman, one of the science customers.” teachers at Northwood, has lived in PittsWith Pittsboro growing into a more boro for six years and does not see the apurban setting, some students hope that the peal of the new businesses coming to town. town’s appeal will expand beyond its rustic “As a resident [of Pittsboro] I’ve never roots. been to the tanning salon, I’ve never been to “I am excited about the new changes the bakery because I work and it’s not open to town,” said Lafoon. “I think that people when I can get there and I’ve only eaten complain about Pittsboro being ‘boring’ all at New Japan once. I just don’t visit those the time, so hopefully these new changes businesses,” said Freeman. “I will drive to will help bring some new interest to the Apex where I can do all of that in one stop town and give people more options of how at Target.” to spend their time.”

“As a resident [of Pittsboro]... I will drive to Apex where I can do all of that in one stop at Target.”

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May 30, 2012

The Omniscient

Page 4

Tattoos

teacher Leah Smith also has a tattoo, one that serves as a daily reminder to herself.

“I read my students The Sneetches every year, which is a book by Dr. Seuss,” Smith said.

“It’s a story all about acceptance and self love and self worth. So I got the Sneetch stars on my foot to kind of remind me that I need to accept the things that I can’t change and accept the things that I already have and just be happy.”

While many students have tattoos, senior Anna Wall takes the art to a whole new level for students—she is a tattoo artist.

“I learned it from my dad, just watching,” Wall said. “[The] first one that I ever did was a rose and it was so good, the best thing I’ve done in my entire life, so I was pretty proud of myself when I got that done.”

Even though a large number of students have tattoos, only a small portion of the school is of legal age to get a tattoo without

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a parent signature, which is 18.

Wall said that the age issue doesn’t bother her when it comes to drawing tattoos for her friends.

A lot of students believe that teens should be able to do what they want, regardless of their age.

“I feel like people believe that [teenagers] are not ready, or that they’re not making the right decision because they’re young,” Rizkalla said. “But I feel like you could regret a tattoo at any age; I don’t think that just because you’re under 18 you don’t know what you want.”

Smith, however, believes that the law should change in a different direction.

“I think it should be 21 because I think a lot of 18-year-olds and even younger get these tattoos that they don’t really think about,” said Smith. “You don’t really know who you are when you’re 18.”

Caroline Schneider /The Omniscient

DANCE TEACHER LEAH SMITH has a tattoo on her foot of the Sneetch stars from Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches.

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May 30, 2012

“When we look at the statistics, the kids that struggle most coming to high school are the ninth graders. The transition from middle to high school is really tough,” said Thibault.

During first semester this year, 136 of 305 freshmen failed a class, and 94 different freshmen failed a class in the first six-week term of the spring semester.

It’s that struggle that made Northwood look into helping those students. The main goal of this new method is to change the success rates of freshmen.

“It is to [help] freshmen transition more successfully into high school,” said Thibault.

History teacher Phillip Little said that the idea for this new way of introducing students to high school came from other schools.

“A lot of schools have something called freshman academy: all of the freshmen are in one place in the school, separated from the rest of the population, and they have a core group of teachers that teach them,” said Little.

The idea that Northwood is proposing for

The Omniscient

New Classes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

next year involves teaching all of the socialization skills and class bonding in a normal class environment.

“We are not going to have an honors section and a general section either; we are going to have them all together,” said Thibault.

The honor students will be given a special project to work on during the class along with their other work, and at the end, they will receive honors credit, but they will remain in the class with all levels of students. The idea behind this is that the non-honors students will see the compared workload and decide to work harder as well.

Instead of spending extra money, a team of teachers came together to create a freshmen academy environment in a way that would not cost Northwood.

According to Little, adding P.E. to a history class allows the freshmen to get excited about the idea.

“We want this to be their absolute favorite class,” said Little.

In addition to the new history method, there will also be a new band class for both underclassmen and upperclassmen that will be taught by band director Eugene Cottrell. This class will be for beginning instrumentalists, meaning those students who chose, for any reason, not to take band in middle school and still wish to learn how to play an instrument.

Cottrell plans for Neal Morgan/The Omniscient this class to give students an opportunity PHILLIP LITTLE believes that a year-long world history class can to learn how to play teach freshmen important skills to succeed in high school.

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any wind or percussion instrument. Student who take this class would then be able to perform with the band if they wish to.

There will be a new advanced guitar class that will be taught by guitar and voice instructor, Marilyn Shugart, for students going into 10th grade or higher. “[This class will be] for the students who have been through [Guitar I] and learned to read music, learned to read tab and excelled,” said Shugart. “I had a number [of students] who came in not knowing anything, and left being really good guitar players because they worked really hard. Learning music and learning a new instrument is like learning a foreign language; it’s not easy.”

To create this new class, Shugart said the only thing she had to do was talk to Principal Chris Blice. “[Blice] gives us a tremendous amount of support down here and he saw that the kids needed something else to be able to continue to motivate them to play,” said Shugart.

Blice believes that the larger number of students contributes to this increasing number of electives.

“I think the fact that we do have larger numbers than we’ve had in the past dictates that we have to have more elective choices,” said Blice.

However, it is arguable that the high number of freshmen could also lead to the cutting of some English and social studies electives. This is because the teachers must all cater to the incoming students to make sure they all get through the core English and history classes that they must take.

Therefore, there will be fewer available teachers to teach classes like military history, creative writing and journalism.

“We are looking at the registration numbers and trying to decide exactly what the effect will be,” Blice said. “Classes may be a little larger than we like but I am hoping that we are not going to have to drop anything.”

Barber

Page 5

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This summer at ACS, Barber will have to pass on his leadership to another candidate, but he says it has been a “memorable” year and that it has taught him a lot.

“I’ve learned that no matter what age you are you can make a difference, and one person can make a difference,” Barber said.

Although Barber is passing his role onto someone else, he says he still plans to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church when he goes to college next year. His last piece of advice for next year’s president is, “Speak your mind, no matter what. Speak out and allow your voice to be heard. That’s what leadership is all about.”

Kristen Hutchinson/The Omniscient

SENIOR LANDIS BARBER teaches gospel to students at his church.

6

By Quinn Kerscher Staff Writer

This summer a select few students in the triangle, including one from Northwood, will devote a large portion of their time to studying theater and performing a play at PlayMakers Repertory Company on the UNC campus in Chapel Hill.

Northwood acting and tech classes have been going to see shows at PlayMakers for several years. The company usually has a nine-play season. When the season is over, they devote their time to camps for young actors and tech students.

For middle school students, there are weeklong classes on the fundamentals of acting, stage combat, Shakespeare, improvisation and more.

For high school tech students, there are classes and apprenticeships available to teach scenic design, lighting, stage management and costuming.

The longest camp offered at PlayMakers is their Theater Intensive camp, which runs this year June 18 - July 22. The program centers on the production of one show, which is presented to the community in the Paul Green Theater at the end of the camp. Theater Intensive is an audition program for high school actors only.

Henry Stokes, who has been in Theater Intensive four times, said that in the past, auditions for the show were held during the school year, four to five months before the rehearsal started. When the summer’s show is a musi-

E ntertainment PlayMakers: An actor’s paradise cal, actors are to sing a song, learn a dance, each morning. perform it, and read short sections of the script “We were getting together, we were doon the spot as part of the audition process. ing a little script analysis on our own. We Stokes was in PlayMakers productions of were also getting up on our feet and reading Oliver!, The Music Man, A Midsummer Nights through and just really playing around with Dream and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. the scenes and the language…you need to In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Nights be comfortable with Shakespeare so you can Dream, Stokes played Lysander, a lead role. really give a good and honest performance,” For this show the cast started out meeting for Stokes said. four hours a day.

As the camp progressed Stokes said that “For the first week… we had a crash rehearsal time increased. They would start course in analyzing Shakespeare… you returning to the theater for more rehearsal see which syllables are stressed and which from 6:00 until 9:30 and sometimes later than ones are 10:00. unstressed Senior Oland that can ivia Griffin give you an performed inclination with Stokes to what a in the same character’s company for objective is the past four and also what summers, Shakespeare with a break wanted one summer the lines to when the mean,” said camp wasn’t Stokes. running. She In addicompares tion to the the camp to four hour a job. afternoon “The only session, as a thing they’re Photo Courtesy of Henry Stokes not doing is lead, Stokes PLAYMAKERS lets students come together with the met for paying us,” rehearsal for same interests to participate in the production of plays. Griffin said.

On right, senior Henry Stokes performs. three hours “It’s one of

the hardest things I’ve ever done; it’s harder than high school theater by far.”

Griffin says she loves the Theater Intensive experience because it helps her meet additional dedicated people.

“When you’re at PlayMakers you’re around all the people that are doing theater because it is a passion. It’s something they want to do when they get older, it’s something they love to do, it’s something that makes them who they are. So it is just really cool to get around all those people who have the same dreams and the same goals as I do,” Griffin said.

Griffin thinks that being around all of these new people has helped her grow.

“It makes you work harder. You see people that have been training for this stuff ten times harder than you have, or go to schools that have way more opportunities than Northwood does,” Griffin said. “Being around those people who are obviously better than you… you just want to push yourself, you want to get to their level.”

Griffin auditioned for, and got, a large supporting roll in this summer’s comedy, Urinetown: The Musical. “Which is actually how it sounds, yes. It’s about a time when there is a tax to pee,” said Griffin.

After the camp is over, Griffin will study theater and minor in dance at UNC Greensboro. Stokes currently plans to begin next year at NC State for mechanical engineering and minor in acting or dance. Both say that the camp has influenced what they have decided to do after graduation.

A Wicked Awesome Show! Do television shows go too far Wicked delivers at DPAC and exploit their stars?

By Sterling Logan Staff Writer

ligence, dry humor and grounded morals that beg for the audience’s support. You won’t ever want to turn against her and The drama and mystery along with you will hope she comes out on top, dethe humor and romance of Wicked crespite her menacingly green appearance. ates a musical that is truly one of a kind.

Haas keeps the audience in a similar Wicked is a fun spin off The Wizard of Oz bind. In spite of Glinda the Good’s superand focuses on the true life of the Wicked ficial personality and conniving ways, her Witch of the West, her friendship with positive and perky attitude, along with Glinda the Good and the true intentions of her sheltered view of the world keeps the characters the audience from The Wizlaughing and ard of Oz. hoping that her The base character reof the musical ceives a fairyis built on the tale ending.

Tony nomiMusic nated play and lighting and Award deserve apwining book plause as well Wicked written for extending

by Gregory the feel of the Maguire. The set all the way book translates to the viewbrilliantly into ers’ seats. At a musical with one point, the a captivating photo courtesy of dpacnc.com Wicked Witch plot that is is levitated WICKED presents a new perspective to the wellwell written, off the floor, loved story of The Wizard of Oz. understandable but due to the and presents enough twists and turns to lighting it appears that the rest of her keep the viewer interested. body disappears and her green head is all The musical is The Wizard of Oz meets that is left floating above the audience. It high school drama and real-life challenges is without a doubt one of the best visual that most people have experienced, which moments of the performance. gives Wicked an oddly personable feel. It The music is not obnoxious, but still presents the perfect amount of humor and very relevant. It does not create the desire romance, and captures the sympathy of to walk away humming the entire musical the audience by portraying the true story track, but it leaves a good impression. of the wicked.

Often disregarded as minor, the set The presentation and talent in the of the play is faultless and the way all of show is impeccable. The main characthe characters are portrayed in terms of ters are Christine Dwyer as Elphaba, costume is well done. I could not imagine the Wicked Witch, and Tiffany Haas as Emerald City any more emerald or with Glinda the Good. any more of a mystical feel.

Dwyer does a great job as the good kid gone “wicked.” Her character incorporates a sinister side with a splash of intel-

By Anna LaRocco Masi Staff Writer

on the moms.

“It’s mothers vicariously living through their

daughters because they didn’t have their own “Are you crying? No tears. You save those experience in a beauty pageant,” said freshman tears for your pillow, Alyanna Ridimann, in your room, alone. who has seen Toddlers You’re going to humiliand Tiaras. ate yourself in front of Junior Morgan everyone in this dressMcDonnell agrees ing room. Do not cry. that the mothers are Suck it up kid,” said living through their Abby Lee Miller, the daughters. dance instructor on the “I think children Lifetime show Dance should have the opporMoms. tunity to form their own This is the type of Photo courtesy of Lifetime.com identities and not do conversation that goes DANCE MOMS elicits strong opinions something because their on from the moms and from NHS students. mothers wanted them Miller. Conversations to,” McDonnell said. similar to this are captured on the camera.

When the girls are older there is a chance “I don’t like the way the moms push their they could resent their parents. Lee said she kids too far because it seems like it’s more of would be “embarrassed of the parents” if she the parents trying to live through their kids inwere put in that situation. stead of the kids wanting to go after what they “I would be mad at my mom for bringing that want,” said sophomore Kenya Lee, a viewer of drama,” sophomore Savannah Castor added.

Dance Moms.

Freshman Rory O’Dell agrees.

Sophomore Mary Beth Berry thinks that “Dancing should be about the actual aththe parents on the show benefit more than the lete or artist, not their parents causing drama,” kids; they paid for dance lessons, so they want said O’Dell. something out of it.

Dance teacher Leah Smith, who has heard According to some viewers, kids are being of the show but does not watch it, thinks that it exploited on shows like Dance Moms, Toddlers is too much about competing and winning, not and Tiaras and Teen Mom. about dancing.

“In the future, they might have hostilities “I don’t like that it is based on this whole towards their parents and probably towards idea of competition and you have to be better what they did; if you exploited them for than someone,” said Smith. dance they probably won’t want to be a On the show Teen Mom, the cameramen dancer because they thought that was an abu- capture a lot of the moms’ personal lives sive thing,” said Lee. and what it is like to be a teenager with a The show Dance Moms is not just child on their own, about dancing; the camera often captures Sophomore Brady Jones thinks that the what happens behind the scenes. There is producers make it seem like everyone who a room where all of the parents sit while is a teen mom will fail, and it is “degrading” their daughters are at practice. Their to the moms. He also thinks that they capture conversations certainly show that they are too much of their lives by having a camera on “dance moms.” The moms often critithem all the time. cize each other’s daughters and bash one “I think they intrude on the moms a another. Toddlers and Tiaras also focuses little more than they should,” said Jones.

Northwood High School • Pittsboro, N.C.

www.nhsomniscient.com

OMNISCIENT ­- THE NORTHWOOD -

(om-nish-ent) adj.: having infinite knowledge and awareness

May 30, 2012 • Volume 5 • Senior Supplement

Congratulations Class of 2012 I, Carly Almes, being of sharp mind and graceful body, do hereby leave my brother, Mark Almes, my parking spot and pulling into school at 7:58 every morning and still managing to get to class on time. To the cheerleaders, I leave the fun pre-game meals, hang outs after school to make football banners, and fun bus rides to games. To the future dance ensemble classes, I leave you the stage and awesome pep rallies. Those are at the top of my list for my favorite memories at Northwood. To Karen Koch, I leave you all of my nail polish. To my favorite freshmen, Jake Leviner, Ace Farrell, and Jerry Silvestri, I leave you all of the laughs and good times I had in high school. To Adam Leviner, I leave you all of the wonderful Friday night lights, I will miss them more than anything. To my friends, I leave the great memories I made over the past four years. Laugh a lot and make everyday worth remembering. Best of luck, I will miss you all!

I, Landis Barber, being of clean mind and barbaric body, do hereby leave my ability to act as if I am listening while I am actually surfing the internet to Clark Streets...To Adam Lowe, I leave my unusually short jorts, may they bring you as much attention as they brought me...To Jordan Riggsbee I leave my ability to roam the halls without a hallpass, use it wisely...I leave Joseph “Carl” Woodruff my front row spot in the Nuthouse, cheer loud and proud for the green and gold...To Justin King I leave my ability to throw a bonfire whenever necessary...To Ross Cooper I leave my ability to make smart decisions no matter what state of mind I may be in, believe me you need it...To John McKee I leave my 5th row parking spot, you have now graduated out of the gravel lot... To Stephen Strong I leave my spot in the dugout, cheer on the baseball team to the best of your abilities...

To Robert Straughn I leave my sense of humor, don’t let me down...To Dylan Stasko I leave the gator, keep it on the trails...To Chase Golden I leave my great comb over, you inspired it, so use it...To Andrew Webster I leave my positive attitude, it is the X factor...and lastly, to the ladies of Northwood high school I leave my heart, and as Billy Ray Cyrus once said “You can tell the world you never was my girl...but don’t tell

Last Will and Testament my heart, my achy breaky heart.”

I, Emily Brooks, being of brilliant mind and awkwardly-tanned body, do hereby leave Carl, whose last name I don’t know, my spot in the Nuthouse. I leave Dionna Bright all of the laughs that I’ve had because we love to laugh. I leave all of my artistic talent to Kendall Atwater.

To Ellen Turner, I leave my monotone voice and my love for One Direction. I leave Jordan McClamroch some of my golf skill, in the hopes that he will have a chance at beating me someday. I leave the girls’ golf team my sock tan. I leave Ally DeJong the ability to somehow incorporate herself into every issue of The Omniscient. I leave Ms. Freeman the six-leaf clover that I hope is still taped to her desk. To Nolan Brown, I leave a date to San Fan, and also the reputation like the one I gave his older sister, lil’ greasy. I leave Brandon Edwards the job of pointing out all of the white pants and shoes seen on students’ bodies after Labor Day and before Easter. And to all of the people still left here, I leave all of the smiles and good times that I’ve had while I’ve been a Charger.

I, Anna Brown, being of cheetah mind and tired body, do hereby leave Laura Shachtman my weirdness, “hard-head” volleyball skills, enjoyment of squirrels and all the boy advice I have to offer. I also leave her my awkward hugs. To Jordyn Maynor I leave all the crazy and fun times, car dancing, and enjoyment of gossip. To you both, I leave a FABULOUS senior year. Enjoy it. I leave Holly Thomas an enjoyable junior and senior year and the ability to handle all the crazy Kerr Drug moments. To Kendall Atwater, I leave all the cheetah clothing I own and the legendary nickname. I leave Dionna Bright my library study room. To all the cool DECA kids I leave fun times and fondest memories, as well as out of control catch phrase games. To Brandon Edwards I leave random mall trips, suburban trunk rides, mermaid skills and bad accents, Hans. I leave Gloria Rodriguez all the Club Pharmacy moments and boy talks.

To Lindsay Gunter I leave my superlative of Most Southern Charm. And to all the NHS students not graduating, I leave the ability to have fun, make the most of school, and the ability to avoid drama. Best of luck!

I, Adacia Rochelle Bruton, being of excellent mind and outstanding body, do hereby leave my sisters Kiada Capel and Ebone’ Rhodes my wall filled with my college acceptance letters beside Ms. Chris and Mr. Tebo’s AVID door, so y’all will have somewhere to put all your college acceptance letters next year.

I leave you all my favorite hangout spots in the hallway. And I leave y’all my AP Government book for the senior AVID class next year.

Secondly, I leave all my loudness and hilarious sense of humor to my girls Aysia Evans and Courtney White. I leave all my teachers with the joy of teaching all my little sisters next year. I leave all the upcoming seniors with the excitement of filling out college applications, and trying to stay focused and pass classes with a bad case of senioritis. Lastly, I leave my advice to “make school a priority and not an option,” because all your hard work will definitely pay off in the real world.

I, NaShara Bynum, being of sound mind and tired body, do hereby leave my nickname to Coach Harrington.. No one else can fill “G.P’s” shoes. (: To my Kitty I leave our long walks to class and our special talks. To my dear Tanishia Thomas, I leave the “GAME.” I leave the rides to work and silly jokes we cracked. To all my lovely ensemble girls I leave my “momma-bird” qualities and memories. I wish you girls the best of luck next year and I will truly miss you all. To my twin, I leave my confidence and attitude.... use it for the POSITIVE Alajah! I love you all!

I, BriMarie Clark, being of senioritisinfected mind and SPARTAN! body, do hereby leave my thanks and gratitude to some of the amazing teachers I’ve had in these four years (shoutout to HG, Ms. Shugart, Mr. Winstead, Sr. Foust and Mr. Story!) To my STANCE girls, I leave my leadership skills, ENTHUSIASM and good taste in music. To the yearbook staff juniors: keep your your creativity and diligence next year. It’ll be hard, but don’t slack! To Ciara, Maleeka and the other freshmen girls, I leave my spot on the wall in the bus lobby. To Lucas, I leave all my SWAG and guitar skills. To Kendrick, I leave my friendliness. Because you need it. Just kidding. (Not really). Etop, continue to be the nicest guy ever, and let me borrow

Special Senior Issue

a couple of stacks when you’re a billionaire.

Lastly, to all the friends and even acquaintances I’ve made along the way, thanks for all the laughs and I wish you all the best!

I, Emily Davis, being of tired mind and sound body, do hereby leave Lindsay Gunter my last percent, my ability to ignore people, and ability to get through yearbook without too much trouble...To Colin Murphy I leave fun times in math class and my ability to get over tough grades...To Dionna Bright I leave my ability to be happy through an entire volleyball game, and fun talks on the long bus rides from each school... To Laura Shachtman I leave many fun times with Coach Amy in first period...To Cory Volk I leave fun times canoeing at the Haw, finding lots of turtles and lots of $10 dinner boxes at Pizza Hut...To Barrett Beasley I leave fun Mini-Van rides (mini-vans are AWESOME), and many more $1 bets over white sauce at Kanki, may you win every time; I also leave him all the funny poop stories we have shared about a certain unnamed person.

I, Maggie Denny, being of sharp mind and sexy body, do hereby leave Nathan Stephenson and Jordan Riggsbee, Tiggs’ wisdom and motherly love! I leave a lifetime supply of watermelon for the crew. And I leave Maria Vanderford a special thanks for creating Tiggs.

I, Tationa Dorsett, being of intelligent mind and tired body, do hereby leave all my memories of marching band to Jaqi A. I leave all my biology notes to the upcoming AVID 10th graders. To Monte’ Smith, I leave you all the love you show me in AFM. I’m gonna miss you.

To Mr. Morgan, I leave all our great memories of the meaning of ninth grade English. Thanks for teaching me what the meaning of “defenestrate” means. To Dominique, I leave all my dance moves and my love. To all the upcoming seniors I leave my advice. Don’t be the person who procrastinates and become the class clown.

Always be ahead in life and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t. Northwood be great and uphold all your expectations. Love you all!!!

I, Dominique Dukes, being of ingenious mind and clumsy body, do hereby leave any and all writing tips to future AP literature classes.

see LAST WILL page 3

Inside: Senior Columns, p. 2 Who’s Changed the Most?, p. 5 Prophecies, p. 8

Page 2

No Regrets Madison Roberts

Some of you may not know this about me, but for 10 years of my life, I was a private school girl. From pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, I attended Durham Academy. When I tell people where I spent 10 years of my life going to school, there’s always some comment like, “Ew, why did you come to Northwood?”

It was my decision to leave DA, not my parents’, so if I had wanted to, I could have stayed.

And although I had many great memories there, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I don’t regret my decision to leave one bit. I realize now that if I hadn’t come to Northwood, I never would have established some of the most meaningful relationships in my life.

If I hadn’t switched schools, I never would have been a part of The Omniscient staff. I may have never realized that I do love writing, and this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I never would have had as close a relationship with the teachers here that I do.

Although Mr. Morgan and I disagree on quite a few things, and sometimes he lies to me, I couldn’t ask for a better teacher. He always believes in me, understands me and appreciates me, something I probably never would have gotten had I stayed at Durham Academy.

If I hadn’t ever come to Northwood, I probably wouldn’t have joined prom committee, taken dance or joined DECA. I would have never experienced Ms. Freeman’s enthusiasm at 12 a.m. while decorating for prom. I never would have gone through one of Smith’s relaxation periods that never failed to bring tears to my eyes. I never would have realized that I truly enjoy dancing, and it gives me an escape that I didn’t know existed for me. I never would have met the best DECA advisor ever and attended state conference and won first place. I never would have had the opportunity to go to Salt Lake City, Utah for DECA nationals, which was one of the

major highlights of my high school years.

And while I had plenty of friendships at DA, and I miss it sometimes, I have made better friends here than I could ever ask for. If Caroline Schneider and I had not sat together at lunch freshman year when I was new, I wouldn’t have my best friend that I have today, and I can honestly say I wouldn’t be the same person. I would have never experienced those late-night phone calls or gone to Chicago and become a “Schneiderling.” If it weren’t for me coming to Northwood, I would have never gone to school and shared tears during my last dance concert with my other best friend, Lane Poag, or taken her to school before she got her license. Even though she got mad when I made her late in the mornings (sorry!). If Tyler O’Dell and I didn’t both try out for volleyball, I never would have met the sarcastic, hilarious and fun person that she is. I never would have spent many Friday nights with her basically living at my house.

I would have never met Rachel Snuggs, who never fails to put a smile on my face or bring me donuts when I’m stuck at home. I never would have taken Cracker Barrel trips with Chrissy Williams and gotten lost in downtown Durham. I would have never met Shelby Wolfe, who always gives me the psych notes when I miss class and brings me Al’s when I’m too lazy to get up early.

So while these things may seem small, they show that it truly is the little things that count. These memories are what I will cherish forever. And even though I’ve had some miserable moments at NHS, these good things will always stay with me. Now, next year I’m going to the University of Alabama, and I feel that those small pieces of the puzzle have made me the person I am today, a person that I love and accept.

Although I don’t regret leaving Durham Academy, it was still emotional, which is how I’m looking at next year. I’m moving ten hours away, and yes, it will be hard, but these memories that I have of Northwood will always be with me, and because of those, I wouldn’t change anything about my past four years.

What I learned at Northwood...

Kristen Hutchinson With my senior year coming to an end and graduation right around the corner, I’ve started looking back on my high school experience. Thinking about the cross-country meets, the endless hours spent with the arts department and hundreds of other moments spent with friends walking through the hallways, simply catching up between classes has become overwhelming.

I’m not saying that I don’t feel as if I’ve done enough, and I’m not suggesting that I want to stick around any longer either. I think I’ve had a pretty good time here at Northwood and I’m ready to go to college and experience more good times.

Filling out college applications and writing down all of my accomplishments and the highlights of my high school career has had me thinking about what I have actually learned here at Northwood High School. Detailing what has essentially become the person I have been for the past four years is hard.

The space provided on a college application for “your greatest hits” during high school is hardly anything at all when I think about it.

So what should I take away from Northwood? The classes, the friends, the extracurricular activities? Has high school really prepared me for what’s to come in the next four years of my life?

Although I didn’t take all honors or load up on AP classes, the classes I did take were just as challenging. They taught me to turn my work in on time, not the day after, and to give

May 30, 2012

The Omniscient: Senior Issue

everything 100 percent, not just put half the effort in on any graded assignment.

I’ve enjoyed all my teachers for a variety of reasons, one being that they know how to prepare someone for college classes. They are less likely to hold your hand when it comes to things you don’t understand; they push you to solve problems on your own. This class style was helpful, and next year, I feel I will be able to be my own source of motivation. As the school year wraps up, I’m quickly realizing that I can’t rely on my teachers for every little thing anymore.

Besides all the new tidbits of knowledge I have gained here, I have also experienced a multitude of situations that I feel will come up later in life. I now know how to stand up in front of a class to give a presentation and not be paralyzed with fear. I can create pieces of art that are original and unique to my own style. I can work with others, organize projects and support causes that I believe in, all without a shred of doubt.

I believe all these factors have built me up to a capable and knowledgeable young adult.

I am excited for college and I feel as if I will be able to get into the rhythm of the college lifestyle: fewer classes, less teacher regulation, my own schedules throughout the week with ease.

I’ve learned a lot over the past four years and it sounds cheesy, but I wouldn’t change a thing about my time in high school. When I filled out my last college application, wrapping up what has to be the shortest four years of my life, I’m glad I can look back and be happy with the decisions I’ve made so far.

High school has in fact prepared me for what’s to come this fall when I leave to attend UNC-Wilmington, and I’m excited to see what that entails.

Thank you and goodbye Caroline Schneider

In three months I am packing up and moving out. Not to Wilmington or Boone, but to Tampa, Florida, where I will continue the next (hopefully only) four years of my education. So now I am going to do what I love to do and write—write a thank you to this school and quite a few people in it, so all of you Northwood haters may want to read something else.

I’m not really one to cry about leaving.

I’ve always loved to travel and see new things and I am way more excited about moving than I am sad.

But I’m grateful to Northwood, and even Pittsboro for that matter, for giving me a mostly-great time here.

First and foremost, Northwood helped me decide what I want to do with the rest of my life. I feel very comfortable going into college knowing my major and what I want to minor in. Although I had an idea about journalism before I took the class, through the help of Mr. Morgan and the past few journalism class students, I became sure that this is what I want to do.

I’m not athletic, and I’m not top 10 in our class, so helping me find something that I’m good at is the best gift this school could have given me.

I would also like to thank Northwood for giving me the opportunities to do the things I love, not only with journalism,

but growing up with a daddy from the north side of Chicago, baseball has always been in my blood and the memories I have made being the score keeper the past three seasons have been amazing.

There are many teachers here who have contributed to my success and a couple more who have not, but for the most part, I would like to give a thank you to all of them, for the extra credit opportunities, the busy work and teaching me things that I (may) use sometime in my life.

Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to just thank the people in my life.

This will be the sappy part of my goodbye, so prepare.

I’ve lost and gained friendships. I’ve had relationships end and new ones begin, and I’ve fought with family. But all of that has made me who I am (it’s cliché, I’m sorry, but it’s true). Without the support of Madison, and probably our shared interest in journalism, who knows if I would still be as excited about it? Without the bravery and desire for adventure that I got from my parents, who knows if I would be willing to go to school 10 hours away? Without the hard nights, and the lost relationships, who knows if I would be able to handle the things that are sure to come my way in the next four years? I wouldn’t be here without support, I wouldn’t be here without the kindness I’ve found in teachers and students alike and I wouldn’t be here without Northwood. I’m sure I would be somewhere, but I’m happy here and I would just like to say thank you. Thank you to this newspaper, thank you to my best friends and great teachers and thank you to the school.

May 30, 2012

The Omniscient: Senior Issue

Page 3

Last Will and Testament CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

You all will need it, I promise. I leave my procrastination and laziness to all the upcoming seniors. Struggle through, guys, you’ve got one year left. I leave my never–ending patience to all the Upward Bound under (and future upper-) classmen. And finally I leave joy, my anguish, my happy and frustrating memories of high school to everyone. It’s been an excellent ride these four years, and I am glad to have been here. Oh, and by the way, to the jerk who leaves chewed gum all over the place in Thornhill’s classroom, I leave a slow and painful gum-filled death, or, at least some manners.

I, Onica Eaves, being of tired mind and tired body, do hereby leave my cousin Gabby my parking spot in front of the gym when she gets her license. Good luck the next time you go for your permit. I leave the front seat next to the door in Mr. HG’s class to the next student who can claim that they are as good at math as me. Just playing, but I leave it to someone who knows me well and decides to take Discrete Math as A SENIOR next year. To my “twin” Alisha Gardner, the right to be as loud as I am in the halls. As for the sports teams, I wish the varsity football team the best of luck next year and every bit of hope I have for them. I wish the same for the basketball team. To the other students at Northwood who may not know me, I leave you Northwood and all of the things that come along with it, including the drama. To those who will become future library assistants I leave one of you, not all of you, the tall black chair that sits behind the desk in the library beside Mrs. K. To Mr. Story I want to say thank you for all of your help this year. It was greatly appreciated, and as for the book bag, I promise to take care of it and when it comes time, to pass it on to a person who will take care of it as well.

To all of my other teachers who have helped me to get this far I say thank you. To my birthday twin, Kiki, I leave you my parking spot until you graduate but make sure that Gabby gets it when you graduate. To my sister Gwen, I wish you the best in your last two years because I know it will not be easy. And to the lunch ladies here at Northwood, one being my Aunt, I leave you all my love, because you all showed me love that was greatly needed. Well, Northwood, this is goodbye. CLASS OF 2012!

I, Hunter Flaugher, being of tired mind and wasted body, do hereby leave all the things that I did for someone else to do. Have fun! I also leave Coach Amy’s shaved arms for someone else to make fun of.

I, Justice Garrison, being of miraculous mind and beautiful body, do hereby leave everything I own to my family.

I, April Gibbs, being of open mind and sound body, do hereby leave my senioritis to the graduating class of 2013! To acting ensemble I leave my love for theatre and a piece of advice: LEAVE THE DRAMA ON THE STAGE. To Dr. Carlin I leave my gratitude for giving me the courage to finally take off my mask. To DECA I leave my pity and hope that you survive the dictator of NCDECA… won’t do it! To Moli Eddins I leave my strength to put up with Brandon’s diva-ness for one more year in art.

To Dana Walker and Hannah Holloway I leave our defense, hold down the fort next year! To Laura Shachtman I leave my undeniable croc swag, own it girl. To the rest of the soccer team I leave the challenge of handling Tanceusz next season... good luck with that. To Danielle Van der Lelie I leave my 18th birthday present ;) To the remaining members of the BG I leave old Nancy’s infinite wisdom and timeless stories.

To Coach Hall and Mrs. Hall I leave endless thanks. I don’t know what I would have done these last four years if I didn’t have you guys!

To Brandon Edwards I leave all of my sarcastic comments. To Jordan and Nathan I leave my good judgment, you’ll need it when I’m gone.

To Jesse Mathias I leave my British accent, awkward moments, and my strength to get through your senior year after having the best summer of your life. And finally to the entire class of 2013 I leave this: enjoy your senior year; it will be over before you know it.

I, Olivia Griffin, being of exhausted mind and weary body, do hereby leave my classy

parking spot on the side of the road, halfway in a ditch, to any student whipping into school with no time to spare. I leave my excessive tardiness, along with my classic case of senioritis, to any student who dares to accept the challenge. To Quinn Kerscher, I leave my spot on the stage.

You will do great things. To my beautiful dance ensemble girls, I leave all of my love and the best of luck. I was so blessed to dance with you all this year. I leave my ability to somehow make it through senior year, to one of the best people I know, Jesse Mathias. To Brandon Edwards, I leave an empty 1st and 2nd Place DECA Award for next year and a trip to ICDC! To my brother, Lucas Griffin, I leave you my awkwardness and my place in the NUTHOUSE. Please bring it back to life! To Danielle Van der Lelie, I leave my gratitude for always listening to me. To Carlin, Smith, and Mrs. Hall, I leave all of my love and appreciation for taking care of me and guiding me through these four stressful years. Without you I wouldn’t have made it. And to the graduating class of 2013, I leave some advice: Do your work but have fun! Don’t stress anything too much. Forget the drama, the complaining and the negativity!

Enjoy each day because senior year disappears quickly. Good luck to all of you!

I, Walker Harnden, being of unstable mind and extreme body, do hereby leave the title of Mr. Awesome, and the Mr. Awesome T-shirt to Wyatt Kellam. To Kelsey O’Daniel I leave my blessing of functional oboe reeds, keep practicing! To Tyler Tyson I leave a past hole digger and five large cantaloupes, you know what to do. To Triston Perry I leave a sincere apology for every conversation we have ever had, you’re a trooper. To Emma Korynta I leave a bottle of water full of nickels. To Nathan Harr I leave a bat, please smell it. I would leave something to Joshua Carver, but nothing I can write would be appropriate to be viewed by the public. To Señor Foust… I LOVE YOU SEÑOR FOUST!!!! I leave you a number of photos where I have edited your face onto other people. To Alex Watkins I leave a tip of my hat and a fond farewell. To Katie Robbins, Hannah Coffee and Lea Zdanski, I leave a loud shriek and lots of mustaches. To Emily Hunney Cutt I leave my ability to decide what to do on Saturday. To Mr. Winstead I leave a little green guy, to a’scratch at his neck. To Jeremy Raisig I leave all the legs I have amassed over the year through this tradition. To Clayton Condrey I leave a live goose, use it wisely.

I, Delaney Henry, being of creative mind and tired body, do hereby leave, to the yearbook girls, my British and Australlian accents, the laughs we had together and the times we annoyed Ms. Haddy. I leave thee my chair in Pendy’s office for the carpentry girls to sit, talk and do your makeup in the morning like I did, the laughs and the fun times I experienced throughout my four years at Northwood. And lastly, to the underclassmen, I leave a word of advice, to be yourself and don’t take life too seriously...but take your school work pretty seriously.

I, Deedee Horton, being of sound constitution mind and tired body, do hereby leave my dusty shelf of yaoi to Madison King, may you restrain yourself from punching babies and throwing them into walls, for their overwhelming awesomeness. I leave, with great sorrow and conflicted feelings, our child, Ferdinand to Kela Kane. Love him with all you can muster, for we both labored too hard for him to fall into obscurity; when he sparkles and glitters with the best of them. I leave my worn-out voice-folder with Mrs. Shugart. May another reluctant, voice student find a little more confidence and luck, by opening their green folds, all the while knowing that someone else once did the same. I leave my well-worn, well-loved books to Mrs. K.. May the future students of Northwood cherish and love them as much as I did growing up. I leave all my everyday hugs and love to my wonderful underclassmen friends. I thank you for the laughs and love you guys always showered on me, and the great, crazy parties that we enjoyed.

I, Kristen Hutchinson, being of imaginative mind and weary body, do hereby leave my parking spot in the back row to my baby sister,

Kyndal. On hot days, your car will be in the cool shade. But I will also leave you an umbrella for the long walks when it rains. I also leave Kyndal the ability to know how to get where she needs to go during the next three years. I leave my sketchbooks and art supplies to anyone in Mrs. Burwell’s future art classes. I leave my numerous sheets of scheduling and planning to the next NAHS president, hopefully you’ll have a lot of eager beavers who want to join next year.

I leave my “beach days” to Morgan McDonnell. I also leave the responsibility of making the posters for every art event next year to Morgan, because she’s the only person who could be as inventive and creative as I was with that job. I leave the numerous art competitions I’ve entered and sometimes won to Emma Korynta in hopes that she continues taking photos, of everything.

I leave Jeremiah Smith a lead role in the next musical, even though he’s going to get it anyways. I leave lots of sunshine and dance parties to Smith, I hope that someone will come and keep you company every day before and after school. I leave anyone brave enough to audition for the musical the ability to knock Dr. Carlin’s socks off. I leave Chelsea Korynta cookies for those days when you just don’t feel one hundred percent. I leave Mr. Winstead someone who will come and have lunch with him and talk about his weekend plans with. I leave Katy Young a compliment for whenever she needs it. I leave Bella Chevalier anything from Starbuck’s because Pittsboro is lacking in those.

I, Olivia Kutsch, being of tired mind and exhausted body, do hereby leave the following objects to the following people: Mr. Winstead, I leave you all the sunshine in the world because your room is dark and relaxing and it made me really sleepy. As much as I loved your class, because you really did help me improve my grades in English, it was just so dark! I needed some Vitamin D in my life. I also want to leave Mr. Winstead the opportunity of not having a Senior

Bookkeeping

•

English class after some of his students have been in dance class with Ms. Smith because by then, the girls, and even a boy or two, are probably exhausted. Courtney Wilson, I leave you all the memories and laughs we’ve had this past softball season, and all the luck in the world as you continue your high school experience.

I love you, Baby Freshman! To the rest of the underclassmen softball girls, I also leave you guys all the luck in the world and hopes of a championship within the next few years. You guys deserve it! To the football trainers who are returning and even the rookies who decide to come along on that journey: NO EXCUSES. TAPE LIKE A CHAMPION! Being a football trainer with you guys was one of my favorite high school memories that I will cherish forever.

My dance team girls, I love you forever and ever and ever. I’m so glad to say I got to be a part of Northwood’s first Dance Team. Allison Jones, I leave you all the memories we had at dinner, the memories from practice, and I hope that your great leadership leads you to a captain spot. I’m going to miss you so much next year, school without you isn’t going to be the same. Please come visit me in Pirate Nation next year. I love you. To Ms. Brown, I hope the best for your new dance team that has been made now, by the time this gets published. I can’t wait to come home and sit with you and get the goosebumps!

Thank you for everything you have done for me, “Momma!” You are the greatest. And, finally, to every single underclassman who decides to read this, good luck to you. High School is only going to be as fun as you make it, but seriously.. make sure it’s legal fun. That is all.

I, Connor Lawrence, being of simple mind and lanky body, do hereby leave my parking space to my little sister Hailey. I leave my go-with-the-flow attitude to anyone who struggles to do so and needs to have some fun times before they graduate. I leave my posi-

see LAST WILL page 5

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Ashtyn Skylar Ahkuoi Joseph Coleman Akridge William Colton Allen Carly Michelle Almes Decie Julieandra Alston Tykesha Sumone Alston Joshua Alexander Alvord Catherine Michelle Anderson Allen Trey Andrews Aaric Jonathan Artis Maybelline Ann Arzate Cameron Bernard Avery Janay Sherise Bachman Robby Allen Badders Jamal Alexander Baines Robert Daniel Ball Jose Antonio Banda Landis McAdams Barber Mary Ellen Barone Sabastian Carr Barron Joseph Nelson Bastow-Cox Emily Ann Bethea Amber Leigh Bird Erik Burgess Blake Marquasa Rodericka Blakney Ethan Benjamin Bourn Holly Ann Briggs Camila Loren Britt Courtney Nicole Broedell Emily Caroline Brooks Anna Gale Brown Kaitlyn Taylor Brown Zachery Stone Brown Adacia Rochelle Bruton

Dustin Garrett Bullins Emily Dora Jean Burgess Jonathan Carl Burke Sarah Nicole Burnette Nashara Akai Bynum April Michelle Casey Rodrigo Catalan-Hurtado Alyssa Nichole Chaney Yasmin Ariane Charalambous Josephine Mary Christian Bradley Harris Clark Brianna Marie Clark Kristen Brooke Cooley Mason Tanner Cooper Frederick Darius Cotten Emily Clare Davis Benjamin Cody Dean Brianna Deeter Angelica Moriah Bell Del Corro Maggie Christine Denny Dakota Maynard Dial Amanda Kate Dickerson Tationa Corine Dorsett Patrick Richard Dufour Dominique Chevelle Dukes Onica Nytashia Eaves James Thomas Edwards III Hazel Lee Errett Elyse Shaw Ewald Alexis Thomeshia Fearrington Edward Dylan Fitts William Hunter Flaugher Jeffrey Arnold Forbes Daniel Jason Foushee

Jessica Renee Najera Peter Randall Naylor II Dylan Alexander Kaiyala Newcity Christopher Ryan Oakley William Ryan O’Daniel Tyler Nicole O’Dell Claire Jean Oliver-Hicks Rafael Alfredo Orellana Jericka Keissey Ortiz Crystal Michelle Overcash Tevin Steven Page Calvin Leon Parker Jr Matthew Aaron Partin Josue Antonio Pena Stephen Cody Pennell Karen Natalia Perez Garcia Dakota Lyn Pergerson Kyla Makay Pisowicz Angela Raffaella Pizzichetti Alex Mason Plummer Erick Steven Portillo-Perez Alexa Weatherford Powell Raul Junior Quintero Sharonda Antoineisha Reaves Kimberly Nicole Reilly Jan David Reinberg Anna Katherine Reynolds Spencer Marie Rhodes Jessica Nicole Richardson Palmer Alan Richardson Alyssa Erin Rieves Jorge Luis Rivera Mary Rizkalla Madison Lane Roberts

2012

Brady Michael Kelly Olivia Michelle Kutsch Kelsey Erin Lafoon Giovanni LaManna Desiree Michelle Lawler Connor French Lawrence Hannah Rodman Lawrence Tyler Dane Lemons Sterling Leigh Logan Adair Elizabeth London Liana Marie Lucier Yancey Elizabeth Luft Jordan Hugo Luque-Garcia Felipe Madrigal Luna Roxana Elizabeth Maldonado Clinton Marcellus Martin Karla Areli Martinez Lindsay Nicole Mason Kaitlyn Anne Mattiace Karlie Beth May Peter Thomas McClarnon Kathryn Anne McGrath Adam Duncan McIntosh Marisa Lenee Mckissick Maxwell Davidson Middleton Cole Brennan Miller Lanitra Danielle Minter Kimberly Denise Miskow Morgan Whitney Mitchell Austin Louis Moody Rebecca Ross Mae Moore Ivy Nicole Morgan Micah Caleb Clark Morris Jared Nelson Morrow

Class of

Adam Oliver Franks Mikaela Marie Gallagher Aaron Gallardo-Perez Justice Cain Garrison April Rose Gibbs Donnell Martez Gibbs Oh’sha Emil Glover Trevor James Goldman LeMarquis Montez Goods II Elizabeth Brier Gordon Asha Camille Gowan Brianna Elizabeth Rose Greene Olivia Griffin Adahi Susan Guzman-Perez Nickie Tayler Hamilton-Gray Walker Paul Harnden Anthony Joseph Harr Eric Martice Harris Jacob Clifton Harris Jacobi Xavier Harris Lawson Charles Hawkins Delaney Reaves Henry Kaitlin Leigh-Ann Holder Nathaniel Gunner Holst Dierdra Mertha Horton Douglas Walker Horton Melissa Ann House Kristen Jeanine Hutchinson Dexter Ray Jarmon Micah Rhianne Jarvis Matthew Randy Johnson Julie Anne Johnston Martina Jade Jones Rebecca Katelyn Jurius

Octavia Aisha Robinson Julieanna Renee Roldan Sarah Katherine Rolleri Pamela Cathlene Rone Susana Rebeca Rosales Cory John Rourke Christopher Eric Runyan Brandon Ryan Russell Ricardo Anthony Sanchez-Mckenzie Brittney Nicole Sanders Caroline Elizabeth Schneider Ashton Elizabeth Scott Shanna Alexandria Scott Blake Everette-Ashton Scruggs Jackson Tyler Seagroves Briana Danielle Sercy Hannah Olivia Shelby Travis Kevin Shelton Dorian Lamont Simmons Thomas Richard Skeuse Julia deMello Sloane Avri Elizabeth Smith Russell Stewart Smith Kerri Ashlyn Snipes Rachel Laura Snuggs Miriam Allison Stambach Lydia Nicole Staub Kelly Nichole Stewart William Roy Stine Henry Tomlinson Stokes Silva Marie Stout Margaret Deanna Strickland Ethan James Stubbs Megan Ann Sulvester

Joseph Bernard Suprick IV Aki Sophia Suzuki Blake Ingram Svendsen Maia Anna Swan Molly Jo Swann Andrew Richard Tate Joanna Moore Thomas Britton Thomas Tripp Connor Dobson Tripp Steven Jay Urdahl Richard Avery Varnadore Jessica Michelle Vohwinkel Matthew Alfred Waite Anna Marie Wall Trevor Jonathan Wheeler John Albert Wieland III Charles Edwin Williams III Chelsea Elizabeth Williams Christin Elizabeth Williams Jordan Kelsey Williams Kevin Michael Williams Samuel Tyler Williams Elizabeth Brooke Wilson Whitney Denise Wilson Charles James Wolfe Shelby Taylor Wolfe Lauren Danielle Womble Daniel Joseph Woodard Stephanie Marie Wrenn Jordan Leigh Wright Arthur James Wyatt Jessica Rae Wynne

Page 4 The Omniscient: Senior Issue May 30, 2012

May 30, 2012

tion on the soccer team to Nate Stephenson.

To Elijah I leave my jump shot and my spot at the end of the bench, right where he belongs.

On the baseball diamond I leave my mound to Click (a.k.a. Mr. Clark Streets). I leave my speed on the bases to Andrew Webster, my raw batting power to Ross Cooper (you need to get on my level Coop) and to Justin King, I leave my ability to understand Coach Parks because quite frankly he really needs it. Finally to all the upcoming seniors I leave my senioritis, your time is almost done so make the most of what time you have left.

I, Hannah Lawrence, being of innocent mind and giraffe body, do hereby leave my little sister Hailey my parking spot next to Connor’s and give her permission to park diagonal for the safety of all Northwood students... To the women’s soccer team I leave all the sweat, tears and the many laughs out on the field and our wonderful farmer’s tans...I leave Dionna Bright the ability to scream and laugh throughout the halls of Northwood...To Drewbert I leave my Shania Twain album, our kisses in the rain and his daily beatings... I leave Adam Lowe our stretching in gym class...I leave Peyton Hill my good taste in men, and to Tyler Whitaker I leave the status of my favorite freshman.

I, Sterling Logan, being of intelligent mind and an energetic body, do hereby leave my wonderful ability to work computers to Etop Udoh and my ability to hit any target and drive like a boss to John Burnet. I leave singing in the car with the windows down at the top of my lungs and laughing at randomness to Waverly Logan.

Along with the focus, drive and ability to some-

Tyler Lemons

Page 5

The Omniscient: Senior Issue

Last Will and Testament CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

how pull through those unreasonable classes. I leave late nights, tired days and laughing through work with a smile to Dionna Bright. I leave dealing with annoying residence and one-timeonly crazy parties to Tanishia Thomas. I leave the tolerance for my hyper activity, rabbit food and totaled cars to Terrance Goldston. I leave the wonderful task of competing proudly at states for a second time to Forrest Glosson. Have fun! I leave sneaking chocolate chip cookies in corners and drinking lemonade to Chelsea Burnett. I leave my wonderful art ability to Allison Stokely and Lexi Brower. Lastly, I leave the stress, craziness, joy and tears of being a senior to the 2012 juniors. It’s the best year, but it’s your last.

I, Yancey Luft, being of sharp mind and sexy body, do hereby leave the women’s varsity soccer team, my work ethic, leadership and determination. I leave my Senior Captain position to Laura Shachtman. I leave my sister my passion to succeed and ability to enjoy everything high school has to offer.

I, Peter Thomas McClarnon, being of boggled mind and Brobdingnagian body, do hereby leave anyone who wishes to do both football and marching band my passion and dedication that was put into doing both. To Thomas Reynolds, I leave my football locker, my spot on the field (that’s a challenge), and the continuing title of “Little Pete.” To Tristan Perry, I leave my french horn expertise as well as the agony of playing the horn. To Nathan Harr, I leave the control of the sectionals, continue to gain all the skills that come out of sectionals, and keep an eye on Ty Tyson. To Tyler Tyson, I leave a hug, I hope you enjoy. To Josh Carver, I

leave a piece of my strength so that perhaps in the future you will lead the Marines into battle whilst playing El Capitan. To Gabe Duff, I leave a watch for more accurate baby Jabe Jecks.

To James London I leave a can of EZ Cheese, you’re welcome.

I, Katie McGrath, being of scattered mind and compact body, do hereby leave Ally DeJong my absolutely amazing dancing skills and the responsibility to dance before every soccer game, I also leave you the ability to have super bad swampus, and my LOVE!!! I leave Laura Shachtman (squeak, squeak, WHAT?!) my position on the soccer team. I leave Dana Walker, a suit of armor, you’re going to need it to keep you safe. I leave Hannah Holloway all my defense minded soccer skills, even though you don’t need it cause you’re an awesome defender!! I leave Jamie Palermo a brown crayon, to remind you to never stop annoying Tanzcuse. I leave the soccer team the ball from Kitty Hawk and the best of luck. I leave Heath Harvey, all the laughs and great times we had in Psychology. I leave Forrest Glosson all my enthusiasm and the hope that you continue beating Cory in Pokemon. I leave Jordan Maynor all my sneaky ninja moves from gym class. I leave Nathan Stephenson a razor, to shave the one place you need it the most. I leave Barrett Beasley my advice to eat healthy every once in a while. I leave Cory Volk, Yoda’s wisdom “When you look at the dark side, careful you must be.. for the dark side looks back. “May the Force be with you!” I also leave you the hope that one day you become just like Iron Man, the power to be a huge dork, and the obsession for

Look How They’ve

own

the extra terrestrial.

I, Marisa McKissick, being of sound mind and tired body, do hereby leave all my loud and crazy laughter to Dionna Bright, may you always shine with happiness. I love you Dionna!

I give Abbey Johnson and Daniella Carrillo all the Music Theory fun and having no clue what was going on. I give Dominique Elliot my forever spot in the bus lobby, may you keep it warm when I’m gone. I leave STANCE step team all the luck and best wishes when us seniors leave. To whoever takes over being varsity girls basketball manager – it is a wonderful job to have and a hard one, but way too much fun to let it pass by. To Morgan McDonnell I leave you all my love and smiles! And last, but not least, to all the seniors, congratulations for making it!

I, LaNitra Minter, being of worn out mind and tired body, do hereby leave all the up coming seniors a slap of reality...senior year will be over quickly and then it’s the real world. I leave all the logarithmic equations, trig. functions, and all math equations to Chris and Monte’ Smith. Even though we talked every day in Mr. Risinger’s class and I don’t know how we passed, but we did. Even though y’all both got on my nerves but I have to say that 4th period was great with y’all in it! I leave all the great memories and our girl talks with Haylee Coleman. I’m so happy that we became super close and we will still have a great friendship. I leave Markerria French, Melvis Alston and Brandon Glosson all the hard work at Lowes Foods. I will come and visit. Ivy Morgan, Marisa McKissick, Brianna Clark and I leave our spot in the

see LAST WILL page 6

Rafael Orellana

gr

Brittney Sanders

Anna Brown

Mary Rizkalla

Dexter Jarmon

Gino LaManna

— Compiled by the NHS Yearbook Staff

Page 6

bus lobby to anyone that will keep it warm for us. Last but not least I leave AVID Seniors all the hard work and long hours of filling our college applications. All upcoming seniors work your butts off and you will go far. Northwood is only what you make it.

I, Kimberly Miskow, being of silly mind and short body, do hereby leave all of my love and enthusiasm for Key Club, leadership and service to Sneha Sajan, Dionna Bright, Kaitlyn Viera, Rachel Wynne, Carmen Reichle, and the rest of Northwood High School Key Club.

I leave all of my love, crying fests, crazy bus rides, weekend sleepovers, sweaty afternoons and long talks to Courtney Daniel, Peyton Hill, Danielle Van der Lelie and the rest of my tennis babies. I leave my love for and countless hours at Town Hall Grill to Donya Grisset. I leave my ability to study for tests the morning of and still make an A to the always worrying Carson Jones. I leave my frustrations to next year’s AP Calculus class and my ear plugs to next year’s AP Environmental class (you’ll need them with Ms. Freeman). And finally, I leave my spot on the very edge of the gravel lot, practically in a ditch, to whoever leaves at 7:45 for a 20 minute drive to Northwood every morning.

I, Ivy Morgan, being of a blonde’s mind and lazy body, do hereby leave my best friend/brother, Kendrick Edwards all my senior swag, along with all my laughs and cuss words. I also leave Kendrick the right to watch over my boy while I am gone at college and our funny conversations about certain girls, which I will miss like crazy. I leave my brother, Donald Morgan my spot in the bus lobby, where I would join all of my friends in the morning. Use it to do your homework in the mornings, because we both know that you never do it at home. I leave Jon-Jon Stroud my phone number that you still remember to this day, which is amazing; along with all my hugs and the adorable conversations we used to have in middle school every night on the phone.

Even though we lost touch, you are still my best friend! I leave Talik Farrar the best of luck with everything and all the advice I could ever give, because you absolutely deserve the best!

I, Dylan Newcity, being of dazed mind and exhausted body, would like to take a moment of your time to leave people things: To my pal Morgan Yigdal I leave the world’s most massive thesaurus. Use it well. To Morgan McDonnell I leave a huge sack of kittens. We have enough over at Grandmother’s, I figured you might want some. To James London I leave all my gangster skills. You know, swaggin’, chillin’, thuggin’ and other such truncated gerunds. To Kyndal Hutchinson I leave many head pushes, arm punches and other terrible brotherly things. To Ally DeJong I leave my mad illegal downloading skills. To my dear Ellen Turner I leave all the glittery-est glitter that has ever glittered in this glittery world. Lastly, to Henry Stokes I leave all of my undying, passionately burning love.

I, Ryan O’Daniel, being of patient mind and tired body, do hereby leave Evan Seagroves the NHS drum line in the hopes that it will remain awesome. To Carson Jones I leave my ability to accurately state when a situation is actually awkward. To Morgan Weldge I leave the Cowbell, because you can always use more. To Nathan Harr I leave my maturity. To Maddie Knoll I leave a spare tire in the hopes that she won’t be down a tire in her senior year.

To Allie Leight I leave my parking space in the hopes that she can stop parking at Lowes. To Grace Shackelford I leave my penguin hat to keep her warm at football games, and I leave good memories and no regrets.

I, Tyler O’Dell, being of enthusiastic mind and vigorous body, do hereby leave Shelby Kremer my third base position and also I leave to you Alexa Bernard, my freshman to take care of! To Kendall Atwater I leave the softball team to take care of. I leave my front row parking spot to Monte’ Smith so that he can be on time everyday. To Holly Reil I leave my old bathing suits so that she can always have one to go late night swimming in. I leave Dionna Bright my middle hitting position in volleyball. To someone that kept me entertained all year in basketball, I leave my bench position to Maria Vanderford. To be the last heir of Northwood High

The Omniscient: Senior Issue

Last Will and Testament CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

School in the family, I leave to Jordan Riggsbee.

To Jordyn Maynor I leave my flexibility and my ability to do yoga every day in gym. I leave all of our great trips to Golden Corral to Shontai Totten and Tyiesha Baldwin I leave all of our memories playing Ouija and I also leave her the woman who almost killed us at that abandoned house. I leave my ability to bully freshmen and boss people around to Laura Shachtman. To Mr. Winstead I leave all my colored pens and my Justin Bieber folder! I leave Courtney Daniel my ability to go to Siler City and stay out of trouble! To all the amazing teachers I have had I leave you my everlasting ability to never be quiet no matter where you sit me. Lastly, to Alexa Bernard I leave my ability to not be on my phone all the time, especially when breaking bread and I also leave her money to go get food every day before softball.

I, Crystal Overcash, being of open mind and dynamic body, do hereby leave Madison Cohen my love of Subway cookies and all the unforgettable memories from Friday night rodeos; may you carry on this end of the week tradition. To Shelby Kremer I leave my ability to yell louder than the whole softball team in the dugout. To Blaire Easterling, Carlee Romagnoli and Alex Vanhoy I leave all of your great dance memories and the ability to calm their nerves during the dance concerts. I leave Ms. Sculli with all of my fantastic Relay for Life ideas; thanks for all you’ve done for me. To Kendall Atwater I leave the role as captain of the varsity softball team, confidence in herself and the team, and ever improving parking skills so that she can park wherever she wants. I leave my best four years of softball on the NHS softball field where I have had so many great memories with some of the most amazing girls at Northwood. To the softball team of 2013, I leave my heart and the best of luck.

I, Tevin Page, being of creative mind and strong body, do hereby leave Charles Hope all of the mischievous tricks and stunts we pull off at the Piggly Wiggly. To the varsity football team I leave the best of luck to ya’ll to FINISH and go past the third round of playoffs. I leave to Jason Alston all of the trash talking and laughs.

Last, but not least, I leave Christian Owens all of the strength and power next year not only in the 750-pound club, but also on the football field and in the weight room. Stay strong and use your muscles for the better of mankind everywhere.

Football team, keep the hair on Couch Hall’s head grey and a smile on his face!

I, Dakota Pergerson, being of sound mind and worn-out body, do hereby leave my wild and crazy acts and times to my friends Shay and Brandi. Hope they continue the crazy fun times we all had. I leave Domonique to do his own work in his classes. I will leave a cake for my two favorite teachers, Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Lewis, to remember me by. I will miss my friends and my two best teachers.

I, Kyla Pisowicz, being of an apathetic mind and exhausted body do hereby leave Kinzi with my light and joy to continue to shower all over this school. I also would like to leave her with my ability to procrastinate on an assignment until the period before and still somehow manage to whip out A-quality work. I leave GOJO to the upcoming juniors, and I hereby promise to pray for you and this ministry steadfastly for the rest of my days. I leave (Cody) Norris, Norr-y if you will, with all of my wit and sarcasm and the keen ability to make the most monotone Bible story hilariously captivating. I leave my random acts of kindness to Isamu and Madeline, in hopes that they will continue to always brighten other’s days with your smiles. I hand my leadership skills over to John Adams, and hope that you will continue to grow and blossom into an even better leader for Christ for the rest of your life. I leave Jesse Womble with my passion to make a change, specifically in this community and school. I leave my favorite teachers/faculty Mr. Blice, Mama Raymond, Senator Story, The Beautiful Sunshine Smith and Madame Thornhill to anyone who is willing to take their criticism, knowledge and who is willing to wholeheartedly adore and love them as I have come to. And finally, I leave my prayers, smiles, and love for anyone who needs

it on a cold and rainy day.

I, Alex Mason Plummer, being of beautiful mind and one heck of a body, do hereby leave all my unfinished marketing work to my favorite kiddo, Dana Leah Walker. I also want to dedicate the boy’s bathroom within the pods to her as well. The last thing I leave Dana is a life supply of country ham biscuits. To my boy, Jay “freaking” Williams, I leave my front row spot of the Nuthouse to you. With me being a bigger guy I figured the space would be big enough for you. To the best “dude” in Northwood, Mr. HG, I leave you all my unwanted, incomplete discrete math work. You’ll enjoy it a heck of a lot more then I ever would. To my DECA cool kids (Alex Waddell, Diane Thompson, Daniel Burwell and Jesse Mathias) I leave y’all the ability to climb mountains without me. I literally aspire higher when I’m with you guys. Nathan Stephenson, I left you all my “coke” in room 5…7…1! When I say “coke” I’m talking about coca-cola everyone, just ask Kerry Smith. Brandon Edwards, you get all my HANSome good looks for DECA. Last but not least, Mrs. Hall, I leave you my Smarties for all those long nights at State DECA competitions. To the guy with a blue Prius, Jacob Friedman, I give you the right to do every power point that ever needs to be done for the rest of your life. Jacob, I’m also giving you my yarmulke, which you better wear when you fill my spot in DECA next year. To Laura Shachtman, I leave the flamingo-ing up to you. To the sister I never wanted but still got, Hailey Lawrence, I leave you all the waffles I should receive while I’m gone. Hannah Coffee, even though we’ve never spoken to each other, I leave you the ability to make awkward eye contact with someone almost every time you pass them. To Alexa Bernard, I leave you all the unbroken bread we never got to break since you were always on your phone. To Mr. Winstead, I leave you every bit of winsome I have, as if you don’t have enough already. Everything else goes to my boy, Carl Joseph Woodruff! Double deuces Northwood, double deuces.

I, Kimberly Reilly, being of sound mind and tired body, do hereby leave my spot on the bus to Natashya Penley, the excitement of the arts department to all the underclassmen that dare to enter, Beowulf to all the seniors next year, the humor of Mrs. Thornhill to her upcoming seniors, and good luck to the lacrosse, softball and football teams next year.

I, Mary Rizkalla, being of crazy mind and miniscule body so hereby leave my spot as an “asian” to Donya Grissett, may she carry on the legacy of the crazy asians with her partner Allison Jones. I leave my 2011-2012 Dance Ensemble girls the crazy moments, the tears and a place in my heart for infinity and beyond.

I leave my outrageous dance moves to Becca Jones so that she may come prepared to showcase them in Greensboro. I lastly leave my bowl of rice and cleaning supplies to Coach Amy for the deprivation of food and destruction of his office that Aki and I created.

I, Octavia Robinson, being of tired mind and restless body, do hereby leave the freshmen Marching Chargers: two very muddy shoes, a couple thousand red ant bites, sunburn and dehydration. Oh, I almost forgot my crazy band teacher. Enjoy!

I, Pamela Rone, with hectic mind and exhausted body leave my vast amount of confidence, attitude, and outspokenness to my dear friend, Anasia Robinson. To all the shy students, I hope that before you leave Northwood that you will find YOUR VOICE and stand up for what you believe; one person can’t change the world, but what you have to say matters. Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to my good friend, Mr. Gould for making my strolls through the hallway extremely interesting! That’s my ace!

I, Madison Roberts, being of forgetful mind and exhausted body, do hereby leave my leadership position of Opinion Editor for The Omniscient to anyone who dares to take on the responsibility, as long as they promise to treat the paper with as much respect, passion and love that I have. I leave Ally DeJong Mr. Morgan’s favoritism, even when she does things that will get on his nerves and make him angry. I leave my best friend Lane Poag the ability to deal with

May 30, 2012

our crazy, sometimes stressful but wonderful family when I am ten hours away. I leave my position with the NC Eagles as fundraising coordinator to anyone who wants to become a part of the best “family” ever. And I trust my favorite freshmen, Ti Pinnix, Dalton Thomas, Talik Farrar, Devin Lassiter, Jalen Smith, Justus Thompson and Daquan Brooks, to make sure that a crazy person doesn’t take my place, because let’s be real, my craziness was just enough for you all to handle. I leave behind my knowledge of how to make reeses-stuffed oreos dipped in chocolate to Baby Mo and Mr. Morgan, and I leave him the best of luck for journalism in the next few years; I hope each issue gets better and better each time. I leave an open first place trophy at DECA states (TTDM) and an amazing trip to ICDC to any Northwood cool DECA kid that deserves it. I leave Monte’ Smith all the change in my car that he always steals anyway. And to him and Aumad Walker, I leave many 2 a.m. trips to Time Out where they will have to find someone else to buy their food. And last, but not least, I leave my gratitude to Ms. Freeman, Ms. Smith, Ms. Hall, Mr. Morgan, and Ms. Hunter.

Without them, these last four years wouldn’t have been nearly as bearable.

I, Brittney Sanders, being of tired mind and exhausted body, do hereby leave all my hope and determination. To all of the upcoming seniors I leave all of the fun times, along with the endless college applications. I hope you guys, and girls, make it. I also leave behind my large amount of senoritis. DON’T LET IT GET THE BEST OF YOU!! To Avid mama, Mrs. Chris, I leave behind all my love for you, I’m going to miss you. To my Avid dad, Tebo, I leave my love for you, you have helped me so much. I also leave behind all of the piles of homework to anyone willing to take it. I leave the Charger Challenge to everyone, good luck. Good luck everyone, I believe in you all!!

I, Caroline Schneider, being of procrastinating mind and short-ish body, do hearby leave The Omniscient, my beloved newspaper, in the hands of underclassmen who have the same commitment to her success and compassion as I have over the past three years. I leave Ally Chinese my ability to edit (you need it), my knack for catching every grammatical mistake anywhere and the continued ability to make Mr. Morgan laugh while also annoying him sometimes. I leave next year’s journalism seniors the announcements, be sweet to Ms. Kidd, she’s amazing. I leave Mr. Morgan the numerous doughnuts that I won’t be able to eat while I’m in Florida next year, and my dancing abilities because they’re better than his. I leave the beautiful Katelyn Thompson my ability to stay focused in a dugout full of smelly boys and keep the book for the baseball team. (You’re already great at it, Katie!) I leave Coach Parks with the numerous score books filled with my handwriting and an empty booth to fill with new announcers and scoreboard keepers. Good Luck! I leave all of the cool DECA kids an empty first place position (TTDM) that I know you guys will be able to fill next year! I leave Sierra Atwater my position as oldest “child” in the neighborhood, babysit your heart out, girl! I leave my second little brother (because mine’s not here), Brett Svendsen, with the ability to stay focused during his high school years, no matter how tough they get, and go on to a great college like his brother and sister. Finally, I leave a huge thanks to Mr. Morgan, Coach Parks, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Freeman and Mr. Blice, for helping me through my four years here at Northwood. I couldn’t have done it without these teachers.

I, Ashton Scott, being of fatigued mind and exhausted body, do hereby leave anyone who is real enough to rep my swag their senior year, sweatpants and hoodies and no makeup. I leave my Diva-ness to Brandon Edwards--I know he can definitely do that for me. Lane Poag, I leave you all the joys of dance, and I also leave you my place to be just like me. Jordyn Maynor, I leave you all my yoga and gym skills; it’ll be hard work, but I know you can do it. Samantha Droese, I give you the pleasure of dating a Causey. I leave Holly Thomas all the laughs and

see LAST WILL page 7

May 30, 2012

good times. Moli Eddins, I am leaving you with my incredible and breath-taking art skills and also to never be on time. I leave my Senior Superlative of Best Car to Jordan Tingen. Daniel Morro, I leave you with my amazing ability in carpentry. Lastly, Mark Almes, I leave you with the job of never EVER missing a episode of Dance Moms on Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m.

I, Jackson Seagroves, being of sharp mind and sexy body, do hereby leave my hard work and effort in school to my brother Evan Seagroves. I leave Madison Knoll my title of Quiz Bowl Team Captain. Be quick on that buzzer bro. I leave my illustrious trumpet skills to Josh Lyman; use them well. I leave my position as an (honorary) science TA to whomever wants it; it is a lot of work but is so worth it (plus all the free candy you can eat). I leave my good looks to Barrett Beasley for he surely needs them (just kidding, man). Finally, I leave Carson Jones all my awkwardness and puns in hopes that she will one day say, “That’s what she said,” at a correct time.

I, Julia Sloane, being of organic mind and bendy body, do hereby leave my parking spot to anyone with as many bumper stickers as my car. To the varsity girls cross country team, I leave the memory of my eloquent pre-race speech, “Umm…run fast?” I leave Erin my yoga skills and “flexible runner” namesake. To Maria and Gaby, I leave my spot at the front of races, “team leader” status, and all the memories from our workouts—I will miss you two more than you can know. To all of Dance Ensemble, I leave my awkward interpretations of Smith’s choreography involving shoulders and hips, as well as the question/dancing combo of “Can I go to the bathroom?” I leave Becca the classy closet and Jesse my sporadic “waterworks.” To my rising senior Dance Ensemble girls, I leave all of my love and memories of this year. If anyone can meet the challenge, I leave someone in dance my crunchy granola status. And lastly, I leave Smith my deepest gratitude and admiration, as well as our multitude of memories—from mornings, rehearsals, and performances to playful disputes, tears and laughs. I love you all, good luck next year!!

I, Kerri Snipes, being of determined mind and athletic body, do hereby leave all of those people who arrive to school five minutes before the bell rings, my ability to find a parking spot in the overflow gravel lot and somehow make it to class on time. I leave the volleyball team my pride and the cross-country team my improving endurance. I leave the basketball team my determination to never give up and I leave the softball team my heart. I give Gaby Mehringer my stamina to run the whole game, my ability to drive the lane, and my ability to give 110 percent the entire game. I also give her all of my wonderful memories playing travel basketball as well as school basketball. I give Maria Vanderford my ability to resist Ouija, even though the whole team is obsessed. And I also give her my desire to keep a positive attitude, no matter what. I give Shelby Kremer my humor and positive attitude for both volleyball and softball, life is too short to worry and complain, so just have fun. I give Kendall Atwater my leadership abilities and my willingness to always work hard, no matter what other people do. I give Madison Cohen my outfield skills and my outstanding rodeo moves, especially the lasso! I also give her my amazing bull riding abilities. I leave Clay Smith all of my wonderful smiles in the hallway, my ability to work hard in school (unlike your brother) and my sports skills. I give all of the teachers and staff at Northwood, as well as Mr. Blice and all of my coaches, a big thanks, because I couldn’t have done it without them. These last four years have been great, and I leave all of my wonderful memories here in the halls and on the fields/ courts of Northwood, so that others will enjoy high school as much as I did.

I, Rachel Snuggs, do hereby leave my softball pitching position, and ability to make the coaches yell at me for my “bad attitude” to Kaitlin Dail. I leave Courtney Wilson my parking spot, assuming that she actually decides to go to the DMV and get her license. I leave Lane Poag many deep phone conversations and all the trips we made to everywhere just for food. I leave all

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The Omniscient: Senior Issue

Last Will and Testament CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

the current and future football trainers the ability to tape ankles and wrists, and deal with all the needy football players. I leave the current and future softball players the best of luck during their season, and hope that they get further than Northwood has ever gone before in the playoffs.

I, Silva Stout, being of absent mind and weary body, do hereby leave Cory Volk, a.k.a.

Coco, a.k.a. PP, my ability to create witty and charming nicknames on the fly. To Ally DeJong, I leave my extreme dancing skills, and hope that she is not a lone dancer crossing the soccer field next year; Manon McCallister and Alison Gould will receive all of my strange foreign accents that I ever exhibited on the bench, I hope that they can expand on them; and to all the other girls on the soccer team, I leave the memories of all my disgusting behaviors, may they go down in history. To my second period Art II class, I leave the monkeys, you can keep them; to Josh Kaegi, Trevor Hackney and Blake Hollar, my third period Gym class may have all my knockout skills, as my ability to be the first out is unparalleled. To Barrett Beasley, I leave our honey hole on the rocky river, I hope he can catch all the gar, bass and catfish there he will ever need; I also leave him a gallon of homemade sweet tea in the hopes that one day, he may be able to abandon McDonald’s, and my heart, no jellybeans…

I, Aki Suzuki, being of wild mind and teeny tiny body, do hereby leave my role on the dance team to any member who is willing to eat excessively and be crazy enough to fill it-Donya Grissett and Allison Jones! I leave the job of being a “child prodigy” to Morgan Oldham and all the tutus she can fluff to Jesse Mathias! I leave Becca Jones the best jumping hugs and I hand over the ownership of Bob Chevy Records and late night basketball to Clark Streets. I leave Laura Shachtman “Lala” with all my espanol skills and I leave my little sister Holly Thomas, our special handshake and breakfast at Elmo’s— I will miss you so much. I leave Coach Amy all the candy I will no longer be stealing and the peace and quiet without Mary and I harrassing you. I leave Dance Ensemble 2011-2012 the snuggles, the insanity, the “twerking”, and all the love in the world:) To all of those I am leaving behind, I am so thankful for all that Northwood has given me, treasure these moments, they will be gone before you know it.

I, Jessica Vohwinkel, being of creative mind and lazy body, do hereby leave all that I value to those that have touched my life at Northwood. To all incoming freshmen, and those who need it, I leave my optimism and my hope that people are generally good. I also leave them the courage to hold their heads high and discover themselves. To SophoMorgan, I leave a clear voice and strong smile. To the junior class I leave my last fleeting bit of focus and drive that it may ward off the senioritis for even a few days. To any student taking Mr. H.G.’s statistics class, I wish you luck and remind you that many have too struggled through it – and passed! To Mr. H.G. himself, I send a thank you for three years of difficult math and steady encouragement; your help is invaluable. I leave to Principal Blice a Monday-morning smile.

They are hard to come by, so treasure it and remember that your positive attitude really does help us, whether we admit it or not. I leave confidence in the capable hands of Quinn Kerscher, to go with her incredible talent and passion for the arts. To Emma Korynta, I leave the warmth of a perpetual hug, that she may always feel appreciated, just as she made me feel. To anyone who has ever felt alone, I extend my friendship.

To the casts of 25th Annual Spelling Bee and Seussical, I leave the sound of applause – may you always feel like a star. To Dr. Carlin, I leave my whole heart and my fondest memories, the majority of which took place in the Benjamin J. Lee Auditorium and on the Northwood stage.

And to my little brother Austin, I leave my parking space – the REAL one. I also leave to you the ability to write good papers quickly, as I know how much you hate them, and every bit of encouragement I can muster. You are fantastic, always remember that.

I, Anna Wall, being of great mind and tired body, do hereby leave all my nice teachers to my little brother Tyler Wall and in hope that

he does better than me. I also have to leave my kindness to my little brother Kyle Wall, who is everything to me, yes, he is mean so next year I leave him my kindness to not be mean and punch people in the hallways. I also have to leave what luck I have to both of them as they go into next year. Love, your big sis, Anna.

I, John Wieland, being of blank mind and long, slender body, do hearby leave my wet jump shot to Adam Leviner. As President of the Bullpen I will leave my position to Robert Straughn. (AKA Bobby) I leave my ability to make good decisions to my cousin Joesph Womack. I leave Karen Vanderford the ability to tell interesting stories instead of just talking when people don’t listen. I will leave Mr. H.G all my unfinished work throughout the years and all my smart comments. I will leave Ross Cooper the ability to make smart decisions...yikes, good luck with that one. I will leave Coach Parks and Coach Fraizer the ability to be calm and not stress. I will also now leave Maria Vanderford a back window. (sorry for breaking yours) I will also leave Maria with all the great memories we had together. You’re the best. Last but not least I leave my parking spot to all the soon to be fifth year seniors. And to all the rising seniors, I shall leave you with the worst case of senioritis.

I, Jordan K. T. Williams, being of sound mind and weary body, do hereby leave my position on Science Olympiad to anyone willing and worthy enough to take on the challenge, in the hopes that they exceed my record; to an incoming freshman, I leave my spot on FBLA, in the hopes that they do more with it then I did; To my younger brother Aiden, I leave my sympathies as to the changes being made at Northwood, and the hope that his high school career is not hampered by them; to the juniors in acting 1, I leave my creativity, in the hopes that they make it to acting ensemble; to any perfectionist, whether incoming to Northwood or not, I leave my ability to get from a class on one side of the building to a class on the other in

less than two minutes, on the condition that they also take the bragging rights that go along with it, and the hope that they use this skill wisely. To all incoming freshmen clever enough to figure them out, I leave all my various tricks to make life easier I’ve learned about Northwood in my last four years. To Carter Smith, I leave the idea of implanting a legend of a school poltergeist in the minds of the freshmen; to anyone wholly interested in science, I leave my afternoon chats with Dr. Robertson, with the knowledge that these are the things more important then facts and figures; to any shy incoming freshman, I leave my ability to have a conversation with someone while never making eye contact; to Mr. Little, I leave my competitive debate skill, with the knowledge that he is already a very persuasive teacher; to Dr. Carlin, I leave a sample of some of my short stories that I have written over my four years of high school; and finally, to Dr. Robertson and Mr. Little, I leave the honorary titles of best and runner up best teachers I have ever had, respectively, with the knowledge that it was a very close race.

I, Shelby Wolfe, being of motivated mind and yoga-master body, do hereby leave my starting spot on the basketball team to the soonto-be seniors: Gaby Mehringer, Maria Vanderford and Lexi Brower. I leave the best of luck to my amazing team next year and hope they can do as well in the upcoming years as the 20112012 team did. I leave my prime-time parking spot under the tree to all the late students, so they will not have to sprint from the gravel lot in order to be on time. I leave Jordan Riggsbee, Nathan Stephenson and Colton Goodwin all the fun times on the lake and the beach. I leave Jordyn Maynor my flexibility so that she can continue mastering yoga in gym class. I also leave all the nights on FIRE and all the WORK that we put in to Click & Lewb. And lastly, I leave all the wild “team-bonding” and Ouija days to the basketball team, but most importantly, Shontai Totten—she’s been “trained” well.

Right behind McDonald’s

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Catherine Anderson will graduate with honors from UNC-Charlotte with a degree in business. She will then develop a version of the Kit Kat candy bar, but will call it a Kitty Kat, named after herself.

With his deep voice, Jamal Baines will form a Barry White tribute act and have his play-byplay work featured on numerous Xbox games.

Erik Blake, in the near future, will discover his calling in acting and his love of glitter. After Robert Pattinson is fired from the Twilight franchise, Erik will take his place in the second part of Twilight: Breaking Dawn.

Emily Brooks will be the most famous female golfer ever, with her lowest score being a negative number, because she’s just that good.

Her entire closet will be Lilly and her husband will be as preppy as she could imagine. She will have her dream wedding with the men in tan suits, and will be one of three people in her English class to have a wedding at all.

Anna Brown will have to live her entire life running away from Roheit, who stalked her back to North Carolina after the DECA competition. Despite that, she will live a happy life, married to a total southern gentleman, who makes her sweet tea daily and holds the door for her. She will have cute little children with the most southern accents imaginable, and she will live in a white house with a big yard, a wrap around porch and cows. Her favorite hobby will be tanning, which she will have started doing six days a week.

Adacia Bruton will love serving her country so much, that when it comes time for her to return home, she won’t. She’ll also learn to stop eating candy all the time.

April Casey will become one of the richest artists ever, and draw the dragon for every dragon movie to ever exist.

Rodrigo Catalan-Hurtado will go on to become the smartest, most famous scientist in the world. But on Saturdays, he’ll work as a mime.

Josy Christian will move to New York City and star in the Broadway show of Les Miserables.

Emily Davis and Nate Holst will get married and move to Wyoming, where they will herd buffalo all day while singing “Home on the Range.”

Maggie Denny will go on to be President of United States, and create a law that bans the wearing of white pants and white shoes after Labor Day and before Easter.

Prophecies: A look into the future The Omniscient: Senior Issue

Patrick Dufour will disappear during a deep-sea fishing trip where everybody will assume that he was eaten by the largest fish known to mankind. He will later be discovered on a deserted island where he will have become Tarzan.

Dominique Dukes will graduate from Columbia University and go on to win the Pulitzer Prize.

Onica Eaves will become a talk radio host.

When station managers discover her talents for non-stop chatter, a bidding war will ensue, and she will become a very wealthy woman.

Alexis Fearrington will grow up to be a famous choreographer, living exactly three minutes away from Brianna Clark and Marisa McKissick. She’ll temporarily live in Jamaica to study dance, and to perfect her signature move, “The Jackhammer.” Once returning to America, Alexis will travel the country and teach high school students how to walk efficiently and politely in the hallways and at the mall.

April Gibbs will marry a nice, classy man and then have one little girl, who she will name “Rolly.” Rolly will eat everything in the world and then have to be rolled everywhere.

Mark Goods will continue to play basketball, and when he comes home, will continue to chase Tyler O’Dell with a stick when she is in her go-cart.

Olivia Griffin will begin a “room sale” business in which she will sell her belongings from her car. It will then expand worldwide and she will take over Rooms to Go. She will then marry an extremely handsome British man, and will find herself as a famous actress on London’s version of Broadway.

Walker Harnden will become a stand-up comedian. His act will be playing somber songs on his oboe with interspersed cat noises.

Kristen Hutchinson will take her journalism career to new heights by writing, illustrating and publishing multiple books, some of which include: Hipsters for Dummies, 2 Hip 2 Handle and A Bewildered Hipster in Modern Society: A True Story. Her books will all be on The New York Times bestseller list and A Bewildered Hipster in Modern Society: A True Story will actually be made into a movie starring Erik Blake.

Jacobi Harris will still be everyone’s best friend and have heart-to-hearts with Northwood students everyday. He will continue to play baseball and make Coach Parks proud.

Becky Jurius will grow up to do many service projects for the less fortunate and start several charities in third world countries. She will be called Mother Becky, as she follows in Mother Teresa’s footsteps. She will retire from her charity work and return to Northwood to take Ms. Shugart’s place as chorus teacher.

Gino LaManna will be fired from every job he ever holds for eating at his work station, which is against the rules. He will also continue to yell random things wherever he goes, and will spend the rest of his life hitting mailboxes and blaming the dent on other cars.

Adair London will win the Nobel Prize after finding a cure to every disease known to man. She will then marry Jeff Forbes where they will have many blonde-headed children.

Photo courtesy of Northwood Yearbook

CAMERON AVERY AND JUSTICE GARRISON will star in a variety show with a lot of appeal. When ratings get worse, they’ll have to split.

May 30, 2012

Photo courtesy of Northwood Yearbook

HUNTER FLAUGHER will move in next to Dr. Carlin, where he will still do work for her.

She will be proud to call him her neigh-bor.

Yancey Luft will become the complete soccer mom, driving her children around in her minivan and making delicious tater tot chili casserole for her seven extremely athletic children.

Lindsay Mason will quit her job cleaning carts at Chapel Ridge and move to Hollywood where she will become a Marilyn Monroe impersonator and make millions of dollars.

Kaitlyn Mattiace will travel the world searching for herself and discovering new herbal teas.

LaNitra Minter will marry Eric Harris, and she will run the household.

Peter McClarnon will become a calculus professor at NC State, but will be fired after answering every one of his students’ questions by saying, “Just go to zero.”

Katie McGrath will develop a cure to swampus, and then become extremely rich.

Marisa McKissick will still be the nicest person on the planet Earth.

Kimberly Miskow will become a real-life Barbie and live in her Barbie Dream house in New York. She will also fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse and she will marry David’s hot son, Amir. They will eat salmon on their salads every night.

Tyler O’Dell will be a benchwarmer in the WNBA and will go by the nickname “White Mamba.” She will one day go bankrupt from buying countless items of Nike and Polo clothing. She will become possessed by demons after a bad encounter on the Ouija board. She will stay best friends with Shelby Wolfe and they will one day have their own children who will also be best friends.

Rafael Orellana will become a professional soccer player and will still always be happy.

Crystal Overcash will grow up and join the NPFP (National Pro Fast Pitch) and be a major league softball player. She will be her generation’s Mark McGuire…without the steroids.

She will retire at the age of 32 and pursue her career in clogging.

Alex Plummer will play Alan in The Hangover 3. He will also become a comedian and open his own t-shirt business, where he will make the funniest t-shirts imaginable to man.

Madison Roberts will be a filthy rich writer, with a book series more popular than Twilight and Harry Potter combined. She will shop at Nordstrom daily. Her husband will be more attractive than she could ever imagine.

She will travel to the Bahamas most weekends, just to get away. She will also be late to every event she will ever have to go to.

Caroline Schneider will be standing in the middle of a hurricane in Afghanistan as a Headline News reporter for CNN. After retiring from CNN to become a freelance journalist, she will become the manager for the Chicago Cubs, who will finally have a winning season. There, she will meet an extremely handsome and rich

baseball player, whom she will marry. During the winter, she will travel to her college hometown of Florida, since Chicago is too cold for her. She will then become a stay at home mom for her beautiful children.

Ashton Scott will marry a rich man who builds her a big, beautiful house, where she will sit by the pool and drink sweet tea all day long.

Blake Scruggs will audition for the Glee Project and win a spot on Glee. He will outshine everyone on the show and become a Broadway star with box office sell-outs.

Jackson Seagroves will continue to have his picture in every issue of The Omniscient.

Kerri Snipes will be a professional athlete in at least three different sports. She will be married to Russ Smith and they will have at least a dozen babies, who all look like him, with her athletic skills. She will continue to carry her marketing group through life, as they will still be as lazy as they were senior year.

Rachel Snuggs will live in Greenville her entire life, but drive to Wilmington every weekend. She will continue to love boy bands and Bieber, but fall in love with Drake, who will write songs about her.

Mary Rizkalla and Aki Suzuki will open up an Asian Restaurant where they will consume more food than they serve their customers.

Blake Svendsen will move on from Gardner Webb after two years when he gets drafted to play Major League Soccer. He will spend the rest of his life teaching soccer, playing soccer, learning more about soccer, watching soccer, dreaming about soccer and driving to soccer games. He will also continue to be BFFs with Madison Roberts.

Connor and Britton Tripp will be put in the Guinness book of world records after being named the smartest twins in the world.

Chelsea Williams will grow up to be the founder of a gossip magazine, always the first to know everything about everyone.

Chrissy Williams will marry a Steelers’ football player and they will share her pretty blanket every night. She will also be on the first aired season of Football Wives, where she will obtain the reputation of the toughest wife.

Since Sam Williams has such a unique voice, he will pursue a career in reading books on tape. He will read many bestsellers and his tapes will get sold out. After making millions on his books-on-tape career, he’ll move to talk radio. He will have a morning talk show using the stage name “Super Sam!” Shelby Wolfe will be an all-star athlete while also being the team’s physical therapist.

She will marry a tall, dark and handsome man who will work out with her at the gym everyday. When she retires she will become a yoga instructor and open a German Shepherd and Scottish Terrier dog shelter.

The Omniscient

May 30, 2012

There’s an App for that, and everything else

By A lly D eJong & Madison R oberts S taff W riters

“I can see what celebrities are saying and I can keep up with my friends,” Leinbach said. “I can look at it anywhere I am, and it’s faster [as an app]. It’s a different layout [on my phone] Want to know the weather for today? than on the computer.”

There’s an app for that. Want to learn Spanish?

Social studies teacher Phillip Little There’s an app for that. Want to know what you says one of his favorite apps is RedLazor, would look like with a “few” extra pounds? which helps him compare prices when he There’s an app for that. goes shopping.

So is there “You can really an app zap them and for everyit will tell you thing? With if there’s any over 350,000 place nearby apps available that offers the to download same thing,” for the iPhone Little said. and iPad, SomeNorthwood times the students and apps aren’t faculty are what people coming to expect them their own conto be, so clusions about they end up Anna LaRocco Masi/The Omniscient getting rid of whether or not APPS dominate the world of technology with teenagers them. this is true. at Northwood.

Junior “I delete Stephanie apps a lot. I’ll Thompson says she used the DECA app go to a website and look at the most popular during her trip to Salt Lake City, UT for free apps and about two-thirds of the time I’ll nationals and it helped her navigate the end up deleting them,” social studies teacher city.

Roddy Story said. “I like to keep my phone “It helped me not get lost in Utah, and I clean of stuff I don’t use.” wasn’t late,” said Thompson.

Leinbach said she has also deleted quite a Sophomore Darby Leinbach says her favorfew apps from her iPhone. ite app is Twitter, because she is able to access “I deleted an app called the Ugly Meter,” it anywhere without having to be at home on a Leinbach said. “I thought it was going to tell computer. me I was pretty, but it told me I was ugly, so I

Music Reviews

Artist: the Soil & the Sun Album: Wake Up, Child Go Download: “Raised in Glory”

From rich folk lullabies to layered alternative rock epics and everything in between, the Soil & the Sun prove their versatility with their debut album Wake Up, Child. The album is composed of the finalized versions of songs the band has been writing and recording sporadically for over three years. The compositions have clearly benefited from this extended incubation, as each track is remarkably complex, with any given song containing nearly a dozen different instruments along with numerous vocal tracks. The Soil & the Sun classify themselves as “Experimental Spiritual Folk-Rock meets New Mexican Space Music,” and this bohemian categorization is more apt than one would initially think. “I AM in Everything, Everywhere” highlights the “spiritual” aspect of the band’s work, with the repeated, chant-like line “Everything, Everywhere” nearly lulling the listener into philosophical pondering with each recurrent verse. The ascension of “WestDownRightUpLeftEast” is almost startling, as the cascading intro quickly gives way to a sweeping passage of strings, guitar and a hefty dose of reverb. The song toggles between rhythmic, nearly danceable, to an unassuming accompaniment of guitar and xylophone, to a shout-along bridge, almost certain to draw even the most modest listener to at least hum along. “Wheat-Germ Mother” illustrates the band’s playful side, sounding like a sort of children’s singalong from long ago. It then shifts from childish simplicity, to a middle-eastern-snake-charmer style melody seamlessly. With its wide variety of songs and ethereal instrumentation, Wake Up, Child is sure to satisfy even the most eclectic of palettes.

— Dylan Newcity Artist: Mat Kearney Album: Young Love Go Download: “Ships in the Night” Having a total of four top 20 hits on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart since starting his music career, Mat Kearney presents a strong gift for tunes. With his album Young Love, people get to hear a mixture of catchy melodies and meaningful lyrics. Mixing his music with genres of hip-hop, folk and pop music makes his music an unclassifiable, infectious sound. “Ships in the Night” is the song that dominates this album. The upbeat chorus makes you want to belt out the lyrics and dance. The song offers an interesting perspective of a relationship trying to stay together, with thought-provoking lyrics. This album offers a wide range of sounds from striking ballads to bouncy arpeggios. Young Love is a must-buy for anyone looking for diversity in an artist.

— Morgan Yigdal Artist: Fun. Album: Some Nights Go Download: “We Are Young” With the song “We Are Young” appearing in a series of TV ads and reaching No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 in March, Fun. has been rising in popularity. The band’s mixture of indie rock and pop provide great, easy-listening music. Some Nights provides a large number of ballad-like tunes for mellow afternoons. Most of the songs touch on an aspect of life, whether it be missing someone or saying that everything gets better with time. “We Are Young” is a song that many people can relate to. Making a mistake, trying to apologize, and then just enjoying what you have. Some Nights is an album with a little more meaning than auto-tune and stuttering lyrics.

— Morgan Yigdal

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deleted it.”

“It allows you to take a picture of a Despite the wide variety of apps that are whiteboard and it centers it into a PDF available, Little actually has some ideas for file and makes it look like it’s on a piece apps of his own. of paper,” Story said. “Sometimes when a “I have had a lot of ideas for apps that student has been absent, instead of writing teachers could use in their classrooms,” Little down all the notes, I take a picture of my said. “It is a market, and I wish we could teach board and email the PDF to them.” a class on how to make apps because it’s the Although there are a variety of apps next big thing. If you know how to create [an available on the market, from entertainapp], you can make some money.” ment purposes, to games, to education, One of Little’s ideas for an app that would Northwood students and faculty realize that be a “cool way to keep up with assignments” although there may not be an app for everyis to have the desks laid out on the screen and thing, most find apps that they like to use. when a student is absent, to tap the desk of the “I don’t know about everything, but missing student, which would send a message [Apple] definitely has the market on them to the administration, and allow the teacher pretty good,” CTE teacher Rick Parks said. to keep up with that student’s assignments for all the days the student was absent.

Although Little believes that there are some apps that could be developed to improve education technology, Northwood students and faculty have used some apps for school purposes.

Senior Mikkie Gallagher uses the SparkNotes and CliffsNotes apps for English.

Story uses an Screen shot of iTunes app in his classroom APPLE STORES offer many apps for users to purchase and called DocScan. use.

Asha Gowan —Compiled by Morgan Yigdal

“It was very challenging... I love wolves, I love nature in general... that’s kind of my field and that was my inspiration.”

“The sculpture was inspired by a friend of the family who died recently... he was always very generous [to us]... I wanted to do something in honor of him.”

“I tried to encapsulate my feelings about my senior year in that piece... I used [the morning doves] as one of my symbols, and then there’s me finding it a little intimidating to really get out there into the world and fly.”

8

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Quick hits on important issues

Opinion

“Hello, my name is jock.”

Students embrace stereotypes

Staff Editorial

The new exam exemption policy for the upcoming year

Next year, Chatham County is implementing a policy that states if you check out early twice, it counts as an absence for exam exemption purposes. If we are there long enough to be counted present, it shouldn’t be seen as an absence for exam purposes, especially when it is for a good reason such as going to the doctor or family issues.

Field Day

Northwood is one of three high schools in North Carolina to be a “Be Active NC school.” Friday was our second annual field day and we feel that this was a great way to encourage students to be active and have fun at the same time. Shoutout to Lyn Smith for bringing this to Northwood.

Short lunches

Currently, our lunches are 27 minutes long and we can’t go off campus. We feel that we should have a longer lunch period and should be able to eat at various local restaurants during that time.

Students who completed their Charger Challenge hours on time The hours for Charger Challenge were due May 25, for all grades. Overall, we feel that the community service aspect of this project was more worthwhile than the graduation project we had to complete in the past.

Five extra days that were added to the calendar for the upcoming year

Per North Carolina law, the county has added five extra days to the calendar for the 2012-2013 school year. Most people check out five days before the school year ends anyway, so adding five extra days will be pointless and won’t benefit us.

The Class of 2012!

The senior class has finally made it! Graduation is being held June 9 at 11 a.m. at Carmichael Auditorium. Congratulations, seniors, and good luck in the future!

By Samantha Yigdal

OMNISCIENT - EDITORS Caroline Schneider - Editor-in-Chief Madison Roberts - Opinion - STAFF Emily Brooks Sterling Logan Ally DeJong Taylor Maloch Kristen Hutchinson Dylan Newcity Michaela Johnson Tori Nothnagel Quinn Kerscher Morgan Yigdal Anna LaRocco Masi -ADVISORNeal Morgan nmorgan@chatham.k12.nc.us (919) 542-4181

Stereotype: A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing, and everyday, high schoolers are subjected to the stereotypes placed on them by their peers.

All those people who think that everyone fits into a perfect frame of idiotic bigotry are sadly mistaken. People have their own flair and quirks that make them who they are.

Just because you get good grades doesn’t make you a nerd, and just because you play sports doesn’t make you a jock. You don’t fit into just one category; if everyone fit into one category, don’t you think people would stay in their own category and never meet new people?

We have to stop obsessing over what other people say we are. We decide what to label ourselves as, no matter what the girl in first period says or what everyone else thinks. We’re teenagers, it’s in our nature to rebel against those kind of labels, so why do we let them rule who we hang out with?

Video games make violence seem normal

negative emotional reactions to conflict, aggression, and violence.”

Basically, the APA is saying that the more someone plays a violent video game; (a) the more he/she will view violence as a legitimate way to solve problems and (b) the more they will disassociate the violent images they see in a game from the emotional effects they I am well aware that violence in video bring on in real-life situations. Together, these games is a touchy subject for gamers. So, effects cause the brain to be desensitized to I would like to begin by saying that I have violence. Some might call this “toughening friends who are gamers and family who are gamers and I respect all of their (and by exten- up,” but I would call it losing touch.

A gamer-friend of mine (a player of Red sion, your) opinions. This is mine.

Dead Redemption and Halo) gave me an I do not believe that violent video games example of desensitization. generate violence out of thin air. I believe that He said that if he saw a violent image on violence is a human instinct, albeit one that we the internet, he would do well to control. easily forget it, but if The part of our brain he saw the same image that determines how in real life, he would good we are at controlbe very affected. I ling our violent instincts answered my friend is our frontal lobe. by saying that I would Recent studies have be very affected by shown that the frontal both seeing the violent lobe (which also houses image on the internet emotion, personality, and in person, addproblem solving and ing that I have never judgment) continues played violent video to develop into our Screen shot courtesy of callofduty.com games. Whether this 20s. So, we should be CALL OF DUTY and other games desen- difference holds true in aware that our actions every internet vs. realand habits in early life sitize children to violence. life comparison, I do influence the way the not know. There are other possible variables above-mentioned qualities form in us. affecting desensitization, and each person’s When pre-teens and teens play games like Call of Duty, Halo and Red Dead Redemption, case is different (hence the drastically different, above-mentioned, consequences). the effect on their minds can be significant.

Your opinion on the issue really comes In the worst case, there are school shootdown to your opinion of this desensitization. ings and murders. From there, effects get My stance is based on the fact that I view incrementally less tragic. It is needless to say that most gamers never commit homicide, and violent solutions and desensitization to violence as bad things. I think that violence is something have strong morals. But they are still affected very real in our culture and should not be made in other ways. fun of or taken lightly (as desensitized people The American Psychological Association are prone to do). Others say that both the jesting (APA) speaks of the two common things that and the desensitization come with the territory happen to people who begin gaming when of modern society and our age group. they are young. In its article “Violent Video In the end, I certainly understand (and games: Myths, Facts and Unanswered Quesoccasionally, enjoy) the importance of video tions,” it said that the excessive playing of violent games “creates more positive attitudes, games. But, I am positive that I will always stick to my Zelda, and my squeamishness, and beliefs, and expectations regarding use of aggressive solutions” and “decreases the normal you can keep your Modern Warfare.

Quinn Kerscher

Editorial Cartoon

- THE NORTHWOOD -

Morgan Yigdal

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 students, faculty and the community.

We welcome letters to the editor, which can be delivered to the advisor in Room 914 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.

I have had quite a few “friends” come up to me and say that we can’t be friends anymore because I wasn’t what they considered to be “cool and popular.” It wasn’t a hard decision to make when I let that friend go.

If they couldn’t accept me for who I was, then it obviously wasn’t a friendship worth keeping.

People embrace the labels placed on them like a security blanket and it’s almost disturbing how much someone is willing to change him or herself to be completely in touch with that label. To be just one stereotype means to cut off all other options of individuality, no personal flair of nerdy jock or gothic prep could even be considered.

I’m not saying that everyone will change their ways, or that no one will label another person at Northwood ever again, or that the social norm will collapse and everyone will be on an equal level, that would be way too ridiculous of an idea to even consider.

I’m putting my opinion out there to make you all think: do all those labels even mean anything in the end?

Next time you try to label someone, take a moment to try and label yourself.

I’m sure you’ll have a hard time fitting yourself into that perfect, oversimplified frame.

May 30, 2012

Dropping out isn’t the way to go

The Omniscient

school diploma usually results in a life of little prosperity. According to a study done by Princeton University professor Cecilia Rouse, over the course of a high school dropout’s lifetime, he or she will earn, on average, about $260,000 less than a high school graduate.

So listen up, underclassmen: stay in school.

You are getting a virtually-free education, and At the beginning of my freshman year, I you don’t want to waste it. Some of the kids saw that there were nearly 300 students in my that drop out sit at home all day doing nothing freshman class, one of the bigger classes in productive, while us high school students are the history of Northwood. A few weeks ago, busy cramming for AP I walked into the counexams and trying to get seling office to order a some college to accept transcript to see what my us. But in the long run, current GPA and class the grueling academic rank was. I looked at the tasks that us high school top where class size is students complete are golisted, and the number ing to be rewarded when read 236. I thought to mywe’re older. The chances self, that number seems of you getting a good significantly lower than it job are a lot higher when used to be. Then I realized you at least have a high later that roughly 70 kids school diploma. at Northwood had either When I hear about changed schools, failed, people dropping out, I dropped out or magically Emily Brooks/The Omniscient think, “How stupid are disappeared into thin air.

THE GRADUATING class’s numbers you?” It isn’t that hard to Changing schools is have significantly decreased. pass your classes, so most justified. But dropping of the time it isn’t your out? It’s a concept that I brain that is stopping you from graduating, it’s will just never understand. Yes, high school motivation and your goals. Our teachers don’t can be stressful at times, but I think paywant us to fail, or to quit going to school. ing bills later in life may be just a tad more As I approach graduation in just a couple stressful. Why can’t kids just make it through weeks, I bet those who dropped out are feelfour years of listening to teachers in a small ing pretty bad. Even if it is just high school, I classroom? Thirteen years of rolling out of think walking across that stage in Carmichael bed at 7 a.m.?

Auditorium, receiving my diploma, is going to I am only 18 years old, but I like to think feel pretty darn good. that I can predict that not receiving a high

Emily Brooks

Government should not focus on social issues Ally DeJong

Anybody who knows me is aware that I’m a strongly opinionated Republican. I’m a Republican because of their platforms on the economy. I believe that there should be lower taxes and huge budget cuts. I believe job development comes from small businesses and by reducing taxes, it will allow businesses to focus on producing and selling, rather than focusing on paying their taxes, which would ultimately result in an economic surplus and job development. These issues, in my opinion, should be what government is centered around.

Lately, a great deal of government has been focused on social issues, which is not doing anything other than creating unnecessary conflict. Being a Republican, people would assume that I am against gay marriage and that I’m pro-life; this is wrong. My views on certain social issues align with Democrats.

With all of those matters aside though, Democratic or Republican, why is our government, state or federal, dictating these things in the first place? It is simply unconstitutional to rule choices out of anybody’s life. Why is the government interfering with such personal decisions?

Government should be focusing on securing the border, supplying jobs, our atrocious economic status and finding or improving alternative energy systems that could come remotely close to supplying our energy demands when all else fails. The United States is currently $7 trillion in debt with the unemployment rate at 8.2 percent. Something is clearly not working.

I’m taking a very Libertarian standpoint on this, but I feel like it’s what will help our country progress. It is simple: freedom. There should be little government controlling the lives

of American citizens. I want everyone to be able to live in any manner they choose, as long as it doesn’t harm or interfere with the equal rights of other people.

Of course there will always be differences in opinions and nobody will agree on everything, but why are the main things you hear about social issues?

Just because you don’t feel someone’s decisions are right or they interfere with your moral beliefs, doesn’t mean that that is not what they believe is right. If the person next to you makes choices for their own well-being, it will not hinder your life or happiness. You may not like it, but that is why we live in a “free” country, so people can proceed with a life they want to live.

I believe everyone does things in their own mind because they truly believe it is right.

Obviously, they have some argument to their choices. With every new law being made I feel like my liberty is being chipped away… one piece at a time.

No authoritarian power should hamper me following my dreams, my beliefs, my rights or my freedom. I want to be free and have the responsibility of dealing with the consequences of the personal decisions I make.

Because I’m a Republican and I feel the economic status is far more important than the social issues, my views, that are typically Democratic, on certain social issues are not expressed. One thing I can’t stand is when people tell me all I care about is money when that is the farthest thing from the truth.

These are the biggest flaws in the twoparty system because people feel like they have to agree 100 percent with their selected party. Since it is unreasonable to plan for a future where government isn’t as involved, I have come to realize you must distinguish what is more important to you: economic or social issues.

If America would just leave the social issues to citizens, where the government was not involved, I would truly feel free and we could focus on bettering our country, for once.

What do you think?

Page 9

Friday, May 18, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the Northwood administration created a mock crash, where they called in local law enforcement, state troopers and emergency medical teams. The purpose of this crash was to educate students who attended prom on the dangers of destructive decisions while driving on prom night.

“Typically, teenagers don’t make the best decisions before and after prom.

They think they are invincible. So many things could result in a crash that it’s really important for us to give [students] an eye opener like that.”

— Melanie Williams, assistant principal “I thought it was really cool. I thought it really showed how dangerous situations like that are and how careful people should be about driving.

I feel like it was very effective because prom is a night where a lot of people are going to be out driving, a lot of young teenagers. It is important to get safety concerns out there.” — Cory Volk, junior “I thought it was very educational and it was good because it scared people. We needed that right before prom. People don’t make smart decisions. It made people realize that their life can vanish in the blink of an eye and a car is a deadly weapon.” — John Wieland, senior “I thought it was interesting, but the idea of using scare tactics to make us do good things doesn’t seem very effective. They could do so many more long-term things to change our thinking skills, but instead they thought ‘Oh, it’s the night before prom, let’s show you something scary.’” — Julia Sloane, senior “I think it was a very powerful tool in showing people the potential consequences of their actions. A lot of times people don’t realize all of the people that they could affect by a selfless decision and that kind of showed them the effects.” — Jackson Seagroves, senior

Caroline Schneider/The Omniscient

Caroline Schneider/The Omniscient

Don’t let summer pass you by, make the most of it

stopped, they let us go where we wanted and we had the responsibility to be back on time.

This trip wasn’t just about seeing what is out west, but it was also a pretty big life lesson. I learned how to act like an adult and be responsible. We also had a lot of special moments, where the staff talked to us and asked us questions about life. They would ask if we were Last summer, I got to go across the counhappy with what we are doing in life, would try and see some of the most popular places we want to change anything about us, or if the in America. I went on a camping tour called people we love, know we love them. I realized Teens Camping Tour of the West (TCTW). I that sometimes I don’t always express my feelgot in a van in Davidson, NC, with strangers I had never met before and left my parents for 23 ings to the ones I love and I wasn’t completely happy with the things I was doing in my life. days. While I was having the best summer of This trip was an eye-opener and definitely my life, I bet most teenagers wasted away their changed me for the better. TCTW tries to help summer sitting on the couch, partying and getteenagers with leadership and spiritual developting wasted or doing absolutely nothing. ment. They incorporate God into the experience When I left on that day last summer, we as part of their six principles went to the coast of Califorfor the program, but they nia and back over 23 days. I don’t force Him on you. I persat there, nervous and scared sonally don’t go to church and that I wouldn’t make friends I never felt pushed to praise and hate the entire trip. I had the Lord. They just tried to no idea that the people I was have us look at the world and leaving with would become ourselves differently after the some of my best friends. I experience. learned some of the most We all get caught up in all valuable life lessons. our daily struggles, technolI experienced some of ogy, homework, stress, work the most beautiful places in Photo Courtesy of Tori Nothnagel and our parents and teachers our country with some of the SOPHOMORE TORI NOTHtelling us what to do, but this most amazing people. Most NAGEL visited Yosemite. experience was like a weight people haven’t seen some of the biggest sites to see in their own country like lifted off my shoulders. I was actually able to enjoy my surroundings and the moment I was the Grand Canyon, St. Louis Arch, Redwoods, in. When I got in that van, I left all my drama Yosemite, San Francisco, Disney Land, Las from home behind and got to be free of all Vegas, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, the Tetons stress for about three weeks. and many more sites. One of the most memoI believe this trip changed me for the better. I rable sites I remember is watching the sunrise definitely got my money’s worth. You may not over the Grand Canyon. After this trip, I’ve be able to afford the trip, but that gives you no now been to 34 states. reason to sit on your butt all summer. So quit This trip lets you off your leash and the staff complaining about not having anything to do treats you more like an adult. Throughout the during the summer, and quit wasting it away trip, I was given jobs to complete. For a couple and actually do something that will help you. of days I was the van cleaner, trailer packer, Go on an adventure this summer, and get to cook, dishwasher or tent setter and I would enjoy an experience like I did. switch jobs every few days. Most places we

Tori Nothnagel

10

Sports

The boys of summer: NHS students join Legion

By C aroline S chneider Editor- in-C hief

nior legion team is in its fifth year now, a league that has always been in Pittsboro.

Legion baseball is a baseball summer This summer is the second year that league for kids who are 19 and younger, Chatham County legion baseball has had which is played from mid May to the end home plate in Pittsboro, right here, on of June, with playoffs starting in July. the Northwood Chargers’ baseball field.

It’s a program with professional-style Chatham County legion baseball tryouts, where the coaches look at what consists of two teams: junior legion and each baseball player brings to the table, senior legion. The senior legion team not only in what they show during tryplayed in the 90s and early 2000s, when outs, but also their course of work over home plate was in Siler City, and the juthe spring high school or college season.

From there, the best of the best are chosen to play on the teams, from a limited number of high schools in the area.

“The idea is that the more quality baseball you have in the area, you’re going to have a more productive system,” legion general manager Rick Parks said. “Most of your quality programs have a legion program associated with them.

It’s a higher end than high school baseball.”

The American Legion baseball program, which is a veteran organization, describes itself on its website as a “national institution,” that continues to stand behind the morals its had since the league Caroline Schneider/The Omniscient was created in 1925.

JUNIOR JUSTIN KING is one of eight Northwood students The website states that or graduates who plays on the Chatham legion team. the league “has taught

hundreds of thousands of young Ameriwere on the senior legion team last year. cans the importance of sportsmanship, Northwood junior Andrew Webster says good health and active citizenship.” that he enjoys playing on the legion team Parks says that over the years, usually more than playing on Northwood’s team.

5-12 Northwood “[I like] senior students make each legion because team. This year, there’s more comNorthwood Students Who Play both school recordpetition and the Legion Baseball 2012 breaking junior pitching’s a lot Ross Cooper, and better,” Webster Extra Effort Award said. “There are winner, senior people who come Connor Lawrence, back from college are on the senior and play.” #2 Chase Golden - 2013 legion team, with a Matt Wade, #3 Robert Straughn - 2013 few other Northa Pfeiffer Uniwood players. versity infielder, #5 Andrew Jones - 2011 Senior legraduated from #9 Ross Cooper - 2013 gion head coach, Northwood in and Northwood 2010, and played #10 Justin King - 2013 varsity baseball on the Chatham assistant coach, County legion #19 Chris Runyan - 2012 Brian Brice, says team last year, #22 Connor Lawrence - 2012 that he enjoys too. Although working with Webster sees the #23 Andrew Webster - 2013 the Northwood league as a way to students on his improve by playlegion team. ing against better “They’re good kids,” Brice said. “They’re competition, as a college player, Wade very coachable, and they have good chemissaw playing in the summer league last try coming from the same team.” year differently.

Last year, the senior legion team fin“The skill level of the players is much ished the season three wins away from the greater in college [than in] legion,” Wade state championship game. In its first year said. “It built my confidence up, and it was back, the team finished with a successful fun to play, but the pitching wasn’t as good.

18-7 record.

“It’s really relaxed [and] there’s not a Playing with more talented team mates lot of pressure, you just go out there and gives students on the team a chance at have fun.” playing at a higher level.

Both Parks and Brice agree that the “Most of the time, if you’re going to Chatham County legion is hoping for be good in legion you’re going to have another successful season. successful players,” Parks said, in refer“We are working out the wrinkles ence to the players from Elon, UNC-W, [from] last year and we’re looking forPrinceton and Pfeiffer University who ward to another great year,” Parks said.

“You lost to who?”

The psychology behind playing down to weaker competition

By Emily B rooks S taff W riter

“When I coached volleyball, we would go out and play Cardinal Gibbons, who are phenomenal, and we would play well. Then the next game, we would play a team that was just awful, and then we would lose. And I would think, why?

Where was that fight?” athletic director Jason Amy said of the puzzling topic as to why athletes play down to their competition, or play at the same level of a weaker team.

Athletes around the world struggle with the mental side of many sports, and this

specific topic has hit many with full force.

Senior baseball and basketball player Jacobi Harris said that knowing about a team can be harmful prior to a game. “[Teams] know that they don’t have to give it their all to beat [the weaker teams],” said Harris.

Senior soccer player April Gibbs agreed.

“I think it’s natural to kind of feel that you don’t have to try as hard if you think you’re going to get an easy win,” said Gibbs.

But others shared a different opinion.

Dr. Bob Christina, a sports psychologist and mental strategist, who currently works at UNC-Greensboro, says there are many factors contributing to this phenomenon.

“Part of it is that the other team [does] things that are unexpected; they play the game awkwardly,” said Christina. “That unexpectedness, you should be able to overcome that after a little while of playing, whether Morgan Yigdal/The Omniscient its an inning,

period or quarter, and you should then be able to play up to the level that you are expected to.”

According to Gibbs, this expected level sometimes causes the athletes to play with fear and frustration.

“For me, I get really frustrated if I know I’m playing bad, and it gets in my head,” said Gibbs.

“It usually takes me through half time to pick up my game.”

In opposition to this situation, there is also the event in which some teams be—April come an “underdog” figure, and play better than expected when playing teams with strong abilities.

In the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, No. 15 seed Lehigh defeated No. 2 seed Duke, with a score of 75-70.

Before the game, Lehigh head coach Brett Reed told Lehigh Valley Live that, “We’re going down there with a purpose and a mission, and that is to compete with and beat Duke.”

Coaches strive to make sure their teams never fall victim to this scenario.

“I can remember years ago hearing an outstanding soccer coach telling his players at the college level [that] anybody can go up or down with the level of competition, that’s easy to do… What he wants, and what all coaches want

and what athletes have to learn is [to] discipline themselves that they play up to their level of ability, and [if they play at] the highest level, they can play every minute they are out there. It doesn’t matter what the other team is doing,” said Christina.

Although the situation of playing down to competition is confusing to many, Christina said that there are ways to help improve it.

“You have to condition yourself to get better at dealing with Gibbs, senior that issue. It’s a function of each person’s personality,” said Christina. “With some people, it’s harder to do than others.

“Some people are very conservative, don’t want to make mistakes and tend to be perfectionists; those are the tough people to deal with. The people who are free spirits have a broad perspective, [they think] their sport isn’t everything [and] can learn it much more easily.”

Amy has another way of helping teams deal with the issue.

“Establishing a routine that is consistent, that will achieve the goals that you want, no matter who you play,” said Amy. “[There] has to be a level of consistency.”

Christina added yet another way to solve the problem.

“You should play to win. If you lose, you lose.”

“It’s natural to kind of feel that you don’t have to try as hard if you think you’re going to get an easy win.”

May 30, 2012

The Omniscient

From building pyramids to building relationships

By Tori Nothnagel Staff Writer

While most students can’t wait for summer to come so they can lie out in the sun, go swimming, hang out with friends or sleep in every day, some students may look forward to something different: athletic camps.

Both cheerleaders and dance team members attend a mandatory camp for a couple of days. The dance team’s camp lasts three days, packed full of different things to learn, and the cheerleader’s camp lasts for two days.

The dance team attends an athletic camp at NC State University. The team wakes up at 7 a.m. every morning and practices various activities until 10 p.m. This camp teaches things such as team bonding, basic information and instruction. Coach Nancy Brown sees the camp as a chance for team bonding.

“Everybody gets to know each other those three days and if you miss out on camp, you can really tell,” she said. “Most of the time [the] girls don’t know everybody once they make the team, but after camp, everybody knows everybody.”

“We think it’s very important that every member does attend, just [for] the team bonding and information that’s learned while we’re there,” said Brown. “[If they miss camp] they have to take it upon themselves to get with another team member to learn any dance routines that we learned at that time and try to catch up with us.”

Cheerleading coach DeLisa Cohen also believes that the camp is great for team bonding. She also sees it as a chance for her team to learn more about safety. The cheer camp is at UNC-Chapel Hill, and she believes the camp will get them recognized by colleges. “[The camp] gives them a chance to learn safety and it’s in a safe and controlled environment,” said Cohen. “[The girls] get to learn new material and it also gets them

recognized in a collegiate area.”

The camps that the cheer and dance team go to are all scheduled. The coaches sign their team up and the camp comes with an agenda. The cheer team has everything from stunting and tumbling, to cheers, chants and dances to practice and learn. The dance team learns dances, instruction and basic information that they can use later on in the year that Brown says is “very important” for the season ahead.

“We do a lot of workouts, like a lot of intensives, and we do choreography,” said dance team member Kirsten Coleman, sophomore. “[We] learned about three dances and then some team bonding activities. We used two dances [for the school year] that we learned from dance camp.”

Although the camp is mandatory, Brown understands there are situations where members have previous commitments, but they see when a girl misses the camp, they miss out on a lot.

Even though both camps are mandatory, each team member has to pay a fee to attend the camp. The dance camp cost $300, and cheerleaders paid $250. Brown said that team members could work at the PTA Thrift store to work off some or all of the money, and possibly get sponsorships to help towards the fee.

“It was kind of expensive and I wouldn’t pay for it without working,” said Coleman. “I really wanted to go and that’s why I worked so hard for it. I spent that time because I knew it would be fun and a good experience.”

These camps let the members get to know each other better and give them a valuable experience.

“I built a lot of relationships and got stronger with my team and [it’s] something that I [will] cherish for a long time and I hope I can go back and do it again,” said Coleman.

Page 11

SPORTS BRIEFS Baseball falls in regional finals The baseball team advanced to the East Regional finals before losing the first two games of a best-of-three series to Whiteville last week.

The Chargers finished their season 23-8 and advanced further in the playoffs than any Northwood baseball team in history.

Northwood advanced to the regional finals with a 7-1 win at First Flight May 22.

But Thursday, May 24, the Chargers lost at Whiteville 4-1 and dropped the second game of the series the next night at home, 7-1.

“It was a fun ride and I hate to see it come to an end,” said coach Rick Parks. “But we accomplished a lot of great things this year and we hope to learn from it for the future.”

Girls’ soccer loses in 2nd round The girls’ soccer team traveled to Kill Devil Hills, NC, losing to First Flight 2-1 in the second round of the playoffs. After a tough 80 minutes, the game was tied 1-1 when the regulation clock ran out. First Flight scored the game winner in the first half of overtime.

Two Northwood starters for the team were sent to the hospital. Sophomore Dana Walker was taken by ambulance in the middle of the game due to a dislocated hip and sophomore Hannah Holloway was taken after the game due to a throat contusion.

Overall, the Chargers finished 13-4-3.

“Over this season, we as a team bonded and grew stronger together, which helped enormously with our play. Even though it ended quickly and sadly, the memories were great and this season by far has been one of the best,” said Walker.

Alex Council places 3rd in States Freshman Alex Council placed third in the 100 meter dash in the State Championship May 11.

“It was fun, and I was happy I was the

Anna LaRocco Masi/The Omniscient

JUNIOR ALLISON GOULD and the girls’ soccer team advanced to the 2nd round.

fastest freshman in 2A,” said Council. “[I’m proud] I got to make it all the way to states.”

Boys’ doubles team loses in 2nd round Boys’ tennis players Zafer Estill, sophomore, and Chris Cole, junior, traveled to Cary’s tennis park for the state tournament. After a win against Topsail, they were defeated in the second round

by Salisbury.

“I hope we can all practice over the summer so we can compete better with the rest of the teams,” Cole said.

Jordan McClamroch finished 31st at states Junior Jordan McClamroch became the first boys’ golfer to qualify for states in the history of Northwood. McClamroch shot a three-over par 75 at the mid-eastern regional, held at Chapel Hill Country Club May 7. He finished second and advanced to the state championship, where he finished 31st.

— Compiled by Caroline Schneider, Tori Nothnagel, Sterling Logan, Ally DeJong & Emily Brooks

12

Sports SIGNINGS ISSUE

Blake Svendsen

Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Soccer, Division I “You get to test yourself against the best, you get to play at a higher level and you get a lot of free stuff, which is awesome.”

Mark Goods

Photo courtesy of Mark Goods, Sr.

Pfeiffer University Morrisville, NC Basketball, Division II “It’s always been my dream to be able to play college basketball; even though it’s not where I wanted to go, like a D1 school, I’m happy that I got a scholarship.”

Kevin Williams

Emily Brooks

Compiled by Anna LaRocco Masi & Taylor Maloch

Austin Moody

Elon University Elon, NC Golf, Division I “I’ve worked hard through my high school years and it finally paid off.

I am extremely excited for these next four years.”

Defiance College Defiance, Ohio Soccer, Division III “I like playing; I want to have a formal way to keep playing soccer.”

Shelby Wolfe

Brevard College Brevard, NC Basketball, Division II

Jacobi Harris North Carolina Central Durham, NC Baseball, Div. I

“[I’m looking forward to] the new level of competition and playing because...

I will be playing against girls that are really good.”

Emily Brooks/The Omniscient

Mikkie Gallagher

Caroline Schneider/The Omniscient

“I think that it’s a really big achievement in life; I’ve always wanted to do it and actually being able to do it is something big to me.”

John Wieland

Methodist University Fayetteville, NC Football, Division III

Lees McRae Banner Elk, NC Soccer, Division II

Mount Olive College Mount Olive, NC Basketball, Division II

“[I’m looking forward to] traveling and going to different places.”

“I really like my coach and my teammates, so I’m excited to hang out with them.”

“It’s something I love and I enjoy doing it; it helps me pay for school, and I get to have fun playing.”

Senior pitcher selected as WRAL’s “Extra Effort” winner

By Madison Roberts & Caroline Schneider Staff Writers

Senior Connor Lawrence was presented with Tom Suiter’s Extra Effort Award Monday, May 14. WRAL filmed the presentation of the award at Northwood, and aired the segment Tuesday, May 22.

Tom Suiter’s Extra Effort award is presented on a weekly basis and is given to high school student athletes who excel in the classroom and in athletics.

“We don’t look for the greatest athletes, we just try to look for a combination of both. You know, kids with good character,” said Suiter, the creator and presenter of the Extra Effort Award. “It’s not the athlete of the week, it’s the student athlete of the week.”

Baseball coach Rick Parks nominated Lawrence for the award because of his excellence in pitching this season and his solid academic record.

“Connor embodies everything that high school athletics is about, what athletes should strive to be,” Parks said. “His work ethic, his grades, how he shows up at practice every day, day in and day out and shows up to the game, just everything that makes Connor who he is.”

Lawrence not only plays baseball, but he was also a player on the soccer and basketball teams.

“I love playing all of the sports. I think it’s important to not give up something that you love doing just to have extra time,” Lawrence said. “I love doing it, so I’m going to do it as long as I can.”

Principal Chris Blice says that this is an “excellent” award.

“You really have to be a scholar, you have to be an athlete, you have to have the whole package,” Blice said. “I think it’s a great statement about good things going on in our school.”

Suiter said he receives over 100 nominations each year for potential recipients, but he chose Lawrence because of his involvement in those three sports and his good grades.

“What I liked about Connor was that he participated in three sports. [Parks said that] when [Lawrence] took the mound, they felt like they had a chance to win,” Suiter said. “I liked the fact that he was a really good soccer player, that he was a member of the basketball team, that he was a star on the baseball team, plus the fact that his grades were really good. I always love it when our extra effort winners have really good grades.”

English teacher Nick Winstead, who taught with friends, but it’s definitely not like I have to Lawrence in class last semester, said he didn’t give up grades or athletics for the other.” think that playing sports had an effect on LawLawrence is choosing between playing rence’s academic performance. baseball at Guilford next year and attending “Connor was a good student; he worked UNC-Charlotte solely for education. very hard. He was always very conscientious “I think Connor has a bright future in front and well meaning in his work, he always tried of him no matter what career he chooses,” his best,” Winstead said. “If him playing two Parks said. “I think whatever he does he’s gosports while in class had an effect, it wasn’t ing to be well off in life.” a negative one. He never seemed to be behind; he never seemed to be slacking off or not admitting to what he was doing. He seemed to handle the balance really well.”

Lawrence said he handles the balance well, but sometimes it takes a toll on the time he spends with friends.

“You definitely have to know which is your top priority and I have to understand that I can’t just do what I want,” Lawrence said. “A lot of the time, I Caroline Schneider/The Omniscient have to get my schoolwork SENIOR CONNOR LAWRENCE is awarded WRAL’s done instead of going out Extra Effort Award as teammates watch.